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Award-winning ghost tours and dark history specialists in South Australia 0407 715 866 alison@hauntedhorizons.com.au
Bookings Book Online Are you ready to leave the house? Book your Adelaide Haunted Horizons tours online, right now. We look forward to seeing you.
Gift Vouchers Gift Idea Give someone the gift of an enjoyable tour. You can buy your Adelaide Haunted Horizons gift vouchers online right now.
Ghosts of the Past
Bushfire Book
Ghost Tours Most Popular A handy index of our ghost tours.
Ghost Hunts Stay longer, go deeper, as you spend more quiet time seeking ghosts in spooky locations.
Dark History These tours are especially for our history buffs wanting to "meet" dark characters from our past.
Special Events and Virtual Tours Our index of special events and access to our virtual ghost hunts.
Adelaide Gaol
Z Ward Asylum
Old Tailem Town
Who we are Learn a little more about our history and our founder, Alison Oborn
Media Adelaide Haunted Horizons is often in the media. Here is a collection of just some of the coverage we've accrued over the years
Frequently Asked Questions Our FAQ section has been built by people like you. Take a peep, you are bound to find the answer you're looking for. If not, ask us and we'll make sure we'll add it to the collection
Haunted Horizons Ghost Tours™ reviews What do people think about Adelaide Haunted Horizons? This live feed of reviews says it all. We are always humbled by the warmth and support we receive from our tour goers
Why Do Ghosts Scare Us
WHY DO GHOSTS SCARE US?
“Why do ghosts scare us with such mundane behaviour? When we die, do we have nothing better to do than touch hair, rattle teacups and slam doors?”
In my 30 years of researching and conducting tours, this would be one of the most commonly asked questions, and indeed a good one. Why do ghosts scare us with such mundane acts? Why stop at just banging one door? Why not have a whole row of doors slam shut rapidly towards us just like in the movies? That would be far more impressive and secretly, I still await that day just as I do the teacup being hurled across the room instead of just being gently rattled. What is the point? Are they just trying to scare us or are they trying to get attention? The following article may be food for thought… something to ponder.
It wasn’t until we started researching Z Ward and ultimately taking tours through this remarkable building, that a chord was struck on why the mundane touching of hair etc could be more relevant and important than we think.
Z Ward, the ward for the ‘criminally insane’… politically incorrect now but not as much as the original name of the ward for the ‘criminal mental defectives’. How far we have come with our terminology. Set at the back of the precinct of what was then known as Parkside Lunatic Asylum, later to become Glenside Hospital, it was built to keep the worst of society away from the rest of the patients or ‘civilians’ as they were termed in numerous newspaper articles. These were criminals which included thieves, rapists and of course murderers… all who exhibited mental health issues at the time of their crimes. Letters were given to each ward on the precinct and originally this building was known as ‘L’ Ward. However, it was decided that the letter needed to be changed once people started referring to it as ‘Hell Ward’. Operating for nearly 100 years, it finally closed its doors in 1973.
In 2014, I was invited to join a committee to raise money for heritage projects for this building. Naturally, ghost tours/investigations were placed on the table as a possible way of raising these funds, as this building had always attracted a reputation for being haunted since it’s closure. Teenagers, sitting outside the inescapable Haha walls would report figures at the windows and strange noises coming from the long-vacated building. Security guards who patrolled the precinct reported similar.
The tours were agreed to, but we really didn’t know if this building was truly haunted or if it was just urban myth. We weren’t prepared to make up stories to entertain the public for the sake of revenue-raising as we have proudly always kept our tours very real and this would be no exception. The only thing we could put forward was public paranormal investigations to explore the possibility of Z Ward being haunted. An exciting first, which the public could also be a part of and in so doing help further the knowledge of this building for all.
We were very honest with our advertising:
Is it Haunted? – We don’t know, nobody has ever been in to find out!
Can we promise you a ghost? – Nope, and we aren’t going to pretend we can!
Do you want to come with us to find out? – Hell yeah!
We originally had 3 months, before it was turned into an office, to find out if it was haunted or not so we wasted no time. We conducted both public and private investigations in the building every single night. Within 10 weeks we had enough astonishing things happen, including the time I saw a solid silhouette of a guest walk away from the tour only to find that all guests were accounted for, that we were able to commence walking tours.
However, one of the most intriguing things to happen during this time was the numerous appearances of welts on our guests, especially in one particular cell. This was made more curious as in the early days, we were not telling our intrepid investigators what had happened on previous investigations, as we too needed to know that what they were experiencing was real. We had that small window of opportunity to log any happenings, we wanted to avoid pure imagination becoming a part of that story.
Within a few weeks, people were reporting large welts appearing on their back and necks. This was typically happening only to females with very few males being affected.
I was curious, if this was paranormal, then who could be a candidate? I trawled through historic patient records to see if any male patient stood out as the culprit and so account for the aggression shown to females. It should be remembered Z Ward was a male-dominated building with male patients and male nurses for most of its life. Going through these records… yes I found… lot’s of them! There were many patients put in there for violence against women so trying to pin it on any particular patient would be a difficult task. But then something was sent to me, that could maybe explain what was happening.
COULD THIS BE THE ANSWER AS TO WHY GHOSTS SCARE US?
Not long ago, we had a guest come on our tour, elaine, who was doing studies in mental health. A couple of weeks after attending the tour, Elaine sent a small section from a book she was studying from. She felt it might be relevant to what was happening at Z Ward. However, on reading the case study that she had passed on, it struck a chord with me for a totally different reason. She originally sent it as it was about a schizophrenic who attacked people by biting and scratching them and so she thought that with Z Ward being a mental health institute that maybe there was still a ghost or energy there who had suffered from this same condition and so possibly was still acting this out.
However, there was one sentence that caused me to think deeper and which made more sense than ‘who is it?’. It may also give us a possible explanation on why, if they exist, ghosts scare us.
It was a small section from a book called ‘The Divided Self’ by R.D. Laing. This book was written by one of the best-known psychiatrists of the day. It was a book studying schizophrenia, but this one particular case study grabbed my attention.
In the book, there is an interview with a particular young lady who suffered schizophrenia and was explaining what it was like for her. It was this one sentence that caught my attention:
“I only felt real because of the reactions I could produce in you. If I had scratched you and you didn’t feel it, then I’d be really dead”
Suddenly this wasn’t simply about it being a possible schizophrenic being the culprit for the scratches, but took on a whole new meaning and created a burning question inside me.
If ghosts are real, what if there are energies out there that really don’t know in what form they still exist, or even if they exist at all. Maybe by doing these mundane things… by touching your hair, by rattling those teacups… and even by scratching you… you are reacting. What if by you reacting to whatever they are doing, it gives them reassurance that they do still live in some form. They do still exist!
Is this how it works? I have no idea. It is hard enough to prove the paranormal exists and in 30 years I have no concrete answers for you. But it is something worth contemplating… maybe next time you have some sort of scary interaction with what you believe to be a ghost, perhaps it isn’t trying to scare you intentionally but maybe, just maybe it is trying to reassure itself that life after death does exist, and whoever it is, does continue to live on.
Just a thought and something for you to ponder.
© Alison Oborn – Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons – 2019
‘The Divided Self’ – J.D. Laing
For more information on our tours at Z Ward Asylum
Dates and bookings – Book now
Alison Oborn,
This Adelaide Author and award-winning tour operator is also a history & heritage enthusiast. She has been a volunteer guide, Information Officer and Researcher at the Adelaide Gaol since 2002.
Alison also loves a good mystery, and authored her book ‘Ghosts of the Past’ on the 10 years of paranormal research that she and her team, Paranormal Field Investigators conducted at the Adelaide Gaol.
She also runs Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons, which operates Ghost Tours and Dark History Tours in the Adelaide Gaol, at Z Ward, National Railway Museum, Tailem Town, Adelaide Arcade, Moonta and Burra.
Kag Allwood: The paranormal has always been a life-long interest of hers, but not something she ever thought of taking up seriously. She now works for Adelaide Haunted Horizons as part of the Management Team. Kag is also a lead guide, event organiser, as well as researches and writes her own tours.
She is an experienced, active paranormal investigator and have investigated numerous known haunted locations throughout the world.
Haunted Leap Castle – Ghost Hunt
Haunted Ragged School Museum, London – Ghost Hunt
Haunted Adelaide Arcade – Murder, Tragedy & Ghosts!
Chillingham Castle
Paranormal Adelaide
– Cryptozoology
– Curiosities
– Ghosts and Hauntings
– Guest Stories
– Strange Happenings
– Haunted Faces
– Murky Pasts
Thanks for visiting Adelaide Haunted Horizons. Browse our menu for all our tours. Or, of course, contact us directly to help you find the tour that will be right for you and/or your group.
Email: Haunted Horizons
No tickets will be sent, unless a gift voucher is needed. Print out the email/payment details and bring with you.
Please read our terms and conditions before booking your tour. We will assume you have read and agreed to these, when you book.
Please read our terms & conditions before booking your tour.
Phone bookings: 0407 715 866
For more information, email: alison@hauntedhorizons.com.au
© 2020 Adelaide Haunted Horizons. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions. Site by Talked About Marketing. Admin access
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2017 Oscars Ratings Even Worse Than Last Year, For Several Reasons
Samantha Vincenty
The ratings for the 89th Annual Academy Awards are in, and they could've been better: The 2017 Oscars drew 32.9 million sets of eyeballs on February 26, according to ABC (via CNN). That means it managed to perform worse than the Chris Rock-hosted 2016 Oscars, which was watched by 34 million viewers, now making Sunday's broadcast the second-worst-rated Oscars in history since 2008.
Reports of the show's underperformance caused some vocal Donald Trump fans on Twitter to cling to the notion that ratings fell due to avoiding the many anti-Trump, anti-Muslim-ban sentiments voiced throughout the night by host Jimmy Kimmel and an array of presenters and award recipients — including a statement from Best Foreign Film winner Asghar Farhadi that was delivered by proxy, as the Iranian filmmaker boycotted the ceremony over Trump's immigration policies. And, solely in the specific case of Trump supporters, it may have been their reason for tuning out: As THR reported last week, a poll conducted by the National Research Group found that two-thirds of Trump supporters rush to turn their TV sets off when celebrities start to get political.
But the Oscars' poor performance in recent years is part of a larger pattern of falling awards show viewership in the age of streaming and social media. While the trend's not an across-the-board absolute, and there have certainly been variable-driven exceptions (the 2017 Grammys outperformed 2015 and 2016, not least buoyed by performances from Adele and Lady Gaga as well as the draw of seeing Beyonce perform while pregnant with twins), these ceremonies are bleeding viewers year over year: the VMAs struggled to hold interest in 2015 and 2016 and the 2016 Emmys (also hosted by Kimmel) hit an all-time ratings low, as did the 2016 American Music Awards. The sagging ratings of the 2015 Emmys even prompted me to wonder if anyone even watches awards shows anymore.
Pop culture fans are still experiencing awards shows, sure, but more through real-time tweets and quickly-disseminated videos of viral moments, such as the Oscar's massive Best Picture blunder in which the wrong movie was announced as the winner. And when the alternative is, say, to spend over three-and-a-half hours of your weekend watching a show that felt increasingly like a very expensive edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live episode replete with timeworn "Matt Damon is my nemesis!" bits, catching the highlights online does sound better.
Awards shows, to paraphrase a line from problematic Oscar winner Woody Allen's Annie Hall, are like both relationships and sharks: They have to constantly move forward or they'll die. And their producers need to start giving viewers better reasons (and ways) to keep watching them.
The 2017 Oscars' Best Dressed
Next: On Casey Affleck's History of Sexual Assault Lawsuits, and Brie Larson's Reaction to His Oscar Win
Source: 2017 Oscars Ratings Even Worse Than Last Year, For Several Reasons
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Min. Age Restrictions On Marriage Bill Sent To Conference Cmte.
Brandon Comeaux
Jeffrey Hamilton, ThinkStock
The legislative battle over a bill addressing the minimum age for marriage continues. Currently, there is no age floor in Louisiana in order to get married. GOP lawmakers continue their push against the measure, including Houma Representative Beryl Amadee, who says she met her husband in their teenage years.
“If it wasn’t for the belief that we should actually get a high school diploma before we get a marriage license, we would have been married when I was 15 and our parents would have allowed it,” said Amadee.
An amendment was introduced that would preserve the lack of minimum age, but would require 16- and 17-year-olds have parental consent for marriage and judicial review for younger individuals. It’s an amendment that was met with opposition by Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.
“This is a good bill to raise the age to 17, leave it at that, and I’m not going to agree with the amendment. I just wish you all would think about what you are really voting on,” said Smith.
Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says she’s for sending the bill to a conference committee prior to advancing the measure any further.
“We would send this to the law institute and let them study it and have a much better discussion about it in a committee then to hurriedly pass a bill that we don’t even really know what is in it or what public policy we are advancing with this bill,” said Landry.
The conference committee will be a select group of House and Senate members that will attempt to set a minimum age for marriage that can receive approval before the legislative session ends on Thursday night.
Source: Min. Age Restrictions On Marriage Bill Sent To Conference Cmte.
Filed Under: laws, louisiana, marriage
Categories: State News
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Merrill Shatzman
M.F.A., University of Wisconsin at Madison 1981
Merrill Shatzman received her B.F.A. degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and M.A. and M.F.A. degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work as an abstract printmaker includes images in relief, silkscreen, lithography, bookmaking and digital media. Over the past fifteen years her prints have been exhibited in ninety solo, invitational, group and juried shows throughout the United States and internationally, including a solo exhibitions at the Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University (April 2009), Roanoke College (2008). Shatzman's award winning prints are found in numerous museum and corporate collections in the United States including: the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Boston Public Library, The Fogg Museum, UCLA's Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts, the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Mint Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum of Art, California State University Long Beach, Museum of Art, Texas Tech University, National Museum of American Art, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution. Her abundantly detailed woodcuts explore the "universal language" created by signs, writing systems, symbols and pre-imagined images (such as maps, charts, photographs, texts and written language). Inspired by her passion for written forms from multiple cultures, including Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and Mesoamerican, her black-and-white relief images are rich with calligraphic marks, camouflage, patterning and symbols, which allude to signs and letters, condensed and illegible. Her symbolic interpretations of the visual letterforms respond to the rich cultural history of the civilizations from which they are inspired, contemplating ideas of relics and interweaving the domains of philosophy, religion, mysticism, linguistics and humanistic inquiry. Her most recent prints combine digital imaging and silkscreen printing, uniquely highlighting the similarities between these different media through her abstract, highly patterned written forms.
Printmaking, book art, typography, drawing, graphic design, digital imaging, infographics, mapping, calligraphy
114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Bay 10, Room 260, Durham, NC 27701
shatzman@duke.edu
http://merrillshatzman.com/
Shatzman Prints Included in...
Seven prints by Merrill Shatzman are included in the Biennale Internationale d’estampe Contemporaine de Trois-Rivieres from June 21- September 6, 2015. The International... read more »
Graphics MTG 2015:...
The International Print Triennial in Krakow is a tradition that spans almost half a century that has continually developed, evolving according to the newest trends in... read more »
Tilatopia
I usually dedicate several years to creating a body of work using either silkscreen or relief printing methods, rarely combining the two. I have often thought of these... read more »
Merril Shatzman: Exhibitions, 2000 | Millennial Biennial: National Works on Paper Exhibition at Marsh Art Gallery, University of Richmond Museums, Richmond, Virginia. (2000)
Merril Shatzman: Exhibitions, 2000 | Printwork ‘2K at Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, New York. (2000)
9th Biennale Internationale D’Estampe Contemporaine de Trois-Rivieres | 9th Biennale Internationale D’Estampe Contemporaine de Trois-Rivieres at Quebec, Canada.
International Print Triennial Krakow 2015 | International Print Triennial Krakow 2015 at Contemporary Art, Gallery Bunkier Sztuki, Krakow, Poland.
Alphabetic Excursions, Corridor Gallery, Duke University | at Corridor Gallery, Duke University.
Word Maps #1,5,3 -- The 2012 Harnett Biennial of American Prints | The 2012 Harnett Biennial of American Prints at Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art, University of Richmond Museums.
In Practice, Duke University Faculty Exhibition | In Practice, Duke University Faculty Exhibition at Power Point Gallery, American Tobacco, Durham, NC.
Word Maps Grid #4 -- The Printed Image 4 | The Printed Image 4 at Mulvane Art Museum , Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, Topeka, KS.
Word Map Grid #1 -- Boundless: New Works in Contemporary Printmaking | Boundless: New Works in Contemporary Printmaking at Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, CT.
Relief Print/chinese Culture (ARTSVIS 225K.01)
DKU Conf 2002, MW 08:30 AM-11:00 AM
Printmaking: Silkscreen (ARTSVIS 224.01)
Printmaking: Silkscreen (VMS 221.01)
Figure Drawing (ARTSVIS 202.01)
Smith Wrhs 200, Th 03:05 PM-05:35 PM
Book Art: Form and Function (ARTSVIS 201.01)
Smith Wrhs 228, W 10:05 AM-12:35 PM
Printmak:relief/monotype (ARTSVIS 226.01)
Smith Wrhs 125, M 10:05 AM-12:35 PM
Book Art: Form and Function (VMS 201.01)
Smith 125, M 10:05 AM-12:35 PM
Book Art: Typography As Image (ARTSVIS 237.01)
Smith 228, Th 10:05 AM-12:35 PM
Book Art: Typography As Image (VMS 243.01)
Digital Printmaking (ARTSVIS 238.01)
Smith 228, TuTh 10:05 AM-11:20 AM
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Family of veteran sues VA, suicide hotline
By Chuck Goudie and Christine Tressel and Barb Markoff
The family of a suburban veteran is suing the Veterans Administration and its suicide hotline, claiming Army veteran Tom Young's calls to the hotline were mishandled, resulting in his suicide.
On Tuesday, his widow and two daughters filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County claiming the VA was negligent. The $18 million lawsuit essentially claims that the VA and the contractor hired to help run its suicide hotline had abandoned the Iraqi War veteran.
READ: Young family wrongful death lawsuit
The I-Team first reported about Young's suicide last month, after learning that he had been sent to voicemail when he needed help.
During two tours of duty in Iraq and seven years in the service, Young learned the military mantra: No Man Left Behind.
However, the family claims that the VA left him behind by failing to respond to Young's calls to its crisis hotline in a timely and proper manner. When Young, 30, was seeking help in dealing with suicidal thoughts, his call was instead routed to voicemail.
"We are alleging that Mr. Young contacted the veteran crisis hotline as he was supposed to do, and his call was placed into a voicemail system, and not responded to until after he had taken his own life on July 23 of last year," said Kenneth Hoffman, an attorney for the Young family.
Last July, Young sat in the way of a Metra train the day after he was put off by the VA hotline and after he was put on the waiting list at Hines VA Hospital because there was no available beds in the suicide unit.
"He took his life and the day after, we got a call from the VA that a bed was available and then about 20 minutes later, we got a call from the suicide hotline returning his call," said Will Young, his brother.
On Wednesday, a similar federal claim laying out a suicide hotline fiasco is expected to be filed in Chicago by Young's estate, claiming that an outsourced contractor mishandled Young's call.
READ: Young estate federal claim
The claim states that Young was sent to voicemail and that the VA failed to provide help, as well as improperly trained its staff to help veterans in need.
"Tom Young put his life on the line for his country and when he needed his country's help we weren't there for him," Hoffman said.
VA has blamed contractor and says similar call are no longer transferred.
The New York-based contractor that handles the crisis hotline did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The contractor's other big crisis hotline client is the National Football League.
hinesiteamsuicidelawsuitarmyveteran
VA asks for more funding amid controversy
Suburban veteran fell through VA cracks four times before suicide
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Jury selection to begin Monday at Naso murders trial
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.
Naso, 79, of Reno, is charged with killing four women in Yuba, Marin and Contra Costa counties between 1997 and 1994.
Naso, a self-employed modeling photographer, photographed nude and partially nude women in heels, lingerie and garters in poses that made them appear dead, incapacitated or unconscious, according to testimony at Naso's preliminary hearing in January 2012.
The bodies of the four women, Roxene Rogasch, 18; Carmen Colon, 22; Pamela Parsons, 38 and Tracey Tafoya, 31, were found along rural roads in the four counties.
Pathologists who performed autopsies on the women testified at the hearing that all of them died of asphyxiation due or likely due to strangulation.
Rogasch, of Oakland, whose body was found on the eastern slope of White's Hill in Fairfax on Jan. 11, 1977, was wearing panty hose inside out, according to the prosecution.
Another pair of panty hose was around her neck, a third pair was in her mouth and a fourth pair was wrapped around her mouth.
Contra Costa County Deputy Tuan Nguyen, a criminalist who processed the pantyhose for DNA evidence, testified Naso's wife's DNA was found on one pair of panty hose, and semen from two males were found on another pair. One of the semen samples likely came from Naso, Nguyen testified.
The prosecution is alleging the murders were committed during sexual battery and false imprisonment, and reflect the dominance and control of women in Naso's photographs.
Naso, who has been representing himself, said during the preliminary hearing he had many dates and girlfriends who willingly posed for the photographs.
"This has nothing to do with power but with rapport," he said during the hearing.
Naso said all the evidence him is circumstantial. He faces the death penalty if convicted of committing multiple murders.
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GIIS’ Vision
Our vision is to become a global role model for teaching and learning.
Our mission statement supports this vision while also conveying how we plan to realise it.
We nurture our global students into men and women who will be leaders of distinction, committed to a spirit of excellence, through high-quality education imparted by globally experienced and caring teachers building strong virtues and values while focusing on all-round development, creativity and entrepreneurship.
To that end, several core values infuse everything we do at GIIS:
Manage with Information and Metrics
Honesty, Integrity and Ethical Practices
Attitude before Knowledge
Mentor, Coach and Make a Difference
Ambience for Learning
A dedicated Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Universal Values in all our global campuses serves as an institutional lodestar for the values and beliefs of the Mahatma, and its relevance to today's world.
Through the centre, we ensure that our students get valuable insights into the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, as well, we make an active effort to imbibe these values into our students.
We recognise that our vision is meaningless without a supporting framework. Hence, a number of measures have been put in place to keep us on track to enhance student learning.
Adherence to a Quality Management System
Sharing of best practices
Actionable feedback based on stakeholder satisfaction surveys
Together, these add up to a viable and actionable system of checks and balances which keep both our vision and mission firmly in sight.
School of the Future
Quality Objectives
Our Quality Objectives work in tandem with our Quality Policy to ensure the following:
Compliance with our Quality Management System
Learning at all levels
Stakeholder satisfaction
Adherence to our values
As GIIS continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of today’s diverse student body as well as the global challenges ahead, one thing will remain the same: our guiding principles.
Our vision, mission, core values, quality policy and quality objectives have sustained us over the past decade and will continue to do so as we get closer to our vision of becoming an international standard for learning.
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Casino Rating Casino License Jurisdictions
United Kingdom License Casinos
The Gambling Commission of Great Britain (UKGC) was established in 2007 in accordance with the provisions of the Gambling Act of 2005. The main function of the regulator is to regulate the activities of gambling establishments offering the possibility of playing slot machines, lotteries, arcades and table games.
Along with that, the scope of the UK Gambling Commission is regulating and licensing of remote gambling: online casinos, phone bets and mobile be ting with used of any kind equipment operating in the territory of the United Kingdom. Show more
Type of License
Nowadays the Gambling Commission of Great Britain is represented in the format of an extra-departmental state body that operates under the auspices of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. The main area of activity of the regulator is the work with gambling operators. UK Gamblimg Comission is engaged in issuing official licenses for the provision of ground-based and online services in the gambling business, it also has the authority to revoke the permission to operate and impose fines.
The license of UKGC can be obtained only by operators whose equipment is located directly on the territory of the United Kingdom. Representatives of the industry who use terminals outside the country, but who want to advertise their services in Britain, must carry the license of one of the regulators of the “white list” of gambling jurisdictions.
An important area of activity of the UKGC is the detection and prevention of offenses in the gambling market. The main objectives of this work are to ensure honesty, transparency in the industry and protection of vulnerable segments of the population: children, adolescents, citizens with addiction to gambling.
The Gambling Commission of Great Britain provides consulting services to national and local authorities on any issues related to the gambling industry, helps in the investigation of criminal offenses aimed at illegal, fraudulent activities, and takes part in court hearings.
In case of gross violations UK Gamblimg Comission may conduct additional investigation, deprive the operator of a license or impose warning penalties. It also collects information about any facts of illegal activities in the gambling industry. The list of operators that have received official licenses for the right to provide services is published on the official website of the UKGC.
Benefits of United Kingdom License
Prestigious regulator that will add value to online casino;
Stable political and economic system;
A gambling tax is very low;
The ability to open a merchant account.
Gambling Licence Providers
Online gambling licenses are issued only after the online casino business meets the requirements of the chosen jurisdiction.
Aland Islands license 1
Alderney license 1
Antigua & Barbuda license 0
Belgium license 2
Costa Rica license 1
Curaçao license 94
Cyprus license 1
Denmark license 7
Estonian license 1
Gibraltar license 17
Isle of Man license 1
Italy license 1
Kahnawake Gaming Commission 1
Latvia license 1
Malta license 60
Montenegro license 1
Philippines license 1
Schleswig-Holstein license 1
United Kingdom license 62
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Tag: podcast
Johnson on Slavery, Sources, and Bills of Sale
Jessica Marie Johnson is on a recent episode of the podcast Historically Black: Continue reading “Johnson on Slavery, Sources, and Bills of Sale “ →
Ross Interview on The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case | WWNO
A Negro Policeman (1974.25.25.181) / Credit Historic New Orleans Collection
Michael Ross was interviewed by Laine Kaplan-Levenson of TriPod: NOLA at 300 on his book The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case: Race, Law, and Justice in the Reconstruction Era (Oxford, 2014):
Continue reading “Ross Interview on The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case | WWNO” →
PODCAST: Hall on “Making ‘Race’: the work of the slave-owners”
“Prof Catherine Hall (UCL) – Building on the work of the Legacies of British Slave-ownership project this paper will explore the role of the slave-owners in making ‘race’. The idea of ‘the negro’, of ‘the slave’ and of ‘the white man’ had to be constructed in the new world of the Atlantic. It was effected through a wide variety of practices – from the selling of African men and women to the making of laws, the discursive construction of racial types and the quotidian doings of the plantation. Drawing on a range of individual and familial stories this paper will argue that making ‘race’ was understood as vital work by the slave-owners of the British Caribbean.”
Listen Here: Seminar: Making ‘Race’: the work of the slave-owners
PODCAST: Finley on “Untitled, 1969” by Malcolm Bailey | Whitney Museum of American Art
Cheryl Finley, scholar, addresses Untitled, 1969, 1969 by Malcolm Bailey (b.1947)
LISTEN HERE: August 26, 2015, Cheryl Finley on Untitled, 1969 by Malcolm Bailey | Whitney Museum of American Art
Continue reading “PODCAST: Finley on “Untitled, 1969” by Malcolm Bailey | Whitney Museum of American Art” →
PODCAST: Morgan on Researching Slavery | Doing History
Continue reading “PODCAST: Morgan on Researching Slavery | Doing History” →
RADIO/PODCAST: Jones-Rogers on White Women’s Roles in Slavery on Against the Grain
A GROUP OF CONFEDERATE WOMEN. MISS S. B. C. PRESTON. MISS ISABELLA D. MARTIN. MRS. JEFFERSON DAVIS. MRS. LOUISA S. MCCORD. MRS. FRANCIS W. PICKENS. MRS. DAVID R WILLIAMS. As seen in Chesnut, Mary Boykin Miller. Diary from Dixie, as Written by Mary Boykin Chesnut, Wife of James Chesnut, Jr., United States Senator from South Carolina, 1859-1861, and Afterward an Aide to Jefferson Davis and a Brigadier-General in the Confederate Army. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1905. (Accessed 2015 October 21 on DocSouth – click for item)
On Against the Grain, Stephanie Jones-Rogers (University of California, Berkeley) discusses white women slaveowners in the U.S. South and their role as slave traders:
Although white women have been largely excluded from histories of the domestic U.S. slave trade, they were in fact active participants in the buying and selling of enslaved Blacks. So argues Stephanie Jones-Rogers; she also elucidates the power slave owners had under federal and state law to go into so-called free states to reclaim runaway slaves.
Listen to the show: Tues 10.20.15 | White Women’s Roles in Slavery | Against the Grain: A Program about Politics, Society and Ideas
Podcast: Atlantic Bonds and Biography: from South Carolina to Nigeria | Africa Past & Present
Lisa Lindsay (North Carolina) on her forthcoming biography of James Churchwill Vaughan—whose life provides insights into the bonds of slavery and family and the differing prospects for people of African descent in the 19th-century Atlantic world. Vaughan’s odyssey took him from slavery-ridden South Carolina to Liberia and finally Nigeria, where he was involved in the Yoruba Wars, led a revolt against white racism, and founded not only the first independent Nigerian church but also a family of activists. With guest host, Laura Fair.
Source: Episode 93: Atlantic Bonds and Biography: from South Carolina to Nigeria | Africa Past & Present
AUDIO: Eltis on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database | Africa Past and Present
On Africa Past and Present:
David Eltis, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of History at Emory University, on the making of the Transatlantic Slave Trade database, a landmark collaborative digital project he has co-edited for two decades. Eltis discusses the research process, online dissemination, and new directions for the initiative. This is the second part of a two-part series recorded at the Atlantic Slave Biographies Database Conference at Michigan State University in November 2013.
Episode 80: Biographies and Databases of Atlantic Slaves, Part 2 | Africa Past & Present.
AUDIO: Lovejoy on Building Databases of Enslaved Africans | Africa Past and Present
Paul Lovejoy, Canada Research Chair in African Diaspora History at York University, discusses building an international database of biographical information on all enslaved Africans. He outlines this digital history project’s contribution to the study of slavery, race, and broader themes in global history. This is the first part of a two-part series recorded at the Atlantic Slave Biographies Database Conference at Michigan State University in November 2013. (Click here for Jessica Johnson’s Twitter timeline of the conference.)
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Justice 4 Trayvon Martin
REPEAL SYG LAW
State of Missouri vs Darren Wilson: Grand Jury Transcript
Tracking Trump Policies
The shooting of Trayvon Martin took place on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon Martin was an unarmed,[1] 17-year-old African American who was shot and killed by 28-year-old George Zimmerman, a man of mixed ethnic descent (Peruvian and white American).[2][3][4][5][6][7] Martin was walking from a convenience store to the home of his father’s girlfriend when Zimmerman, a community watch coordinator, began following Martin and called the Sanford Police Department to say he witnessed suspicious behavior.[8][9][10] Soon afterward, there was a confrontation that ended when Zimmerman fatally shot Martin.
Zimmerman described the shooting to the police who arrived on the scene as self-defense.[11][12] Responding officers handcuffed Zimmerman and took him into custody but they did not formally arrest him, saying that they did not find evidence to contradict his assertion of self-defense.[13] The lead homicide investigator was not convinced by Zimmerman’s account and wanted to charge him with manslaughter, but the state attorney’s office said there was insufficient evidence for a conviction.
NAACP Protest Rally 4 Trayvon Martin
234 Responses to Justice 4 Trayvon Martin
Local 6 launches app for George Zimmerman case
http://www.clickorlando.com/station/Local-6-launches-app-for-George-Zimmerman-case/-/1636714/19819484/-/hn9xls/-/index.html
When the George Zimmerman case dominates the local and national news, one of the places you’ll be able to get in-depth information will be in the palm of your hand!
Download the Local 6 News Zimmerman Case app now. This breakthrough app will take you inside the courtroom of one of the most captivating criminal trials in Central Florida — The People vs. George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin.
Not only will the app allow you in-depth information on the case, it will also provide unlimited access into the trial. Its features include livestreaming from inside the courtroom and from every major development that breaks. Plus, Local 6’s investigative reporter Tony Pipitone will provide live behind-the-scenes updates of what you can’t see or hear inside the courtroom.
Users can enjoy:
•Push notifications of all case developments
•Interactive chats with other followers
•One-touch connection to live video from the courtroom, news conferences and demonstrations
•Links so you can explore crucial evidence in the case
•Story archives and background information about the case
•Slideshows of the most talked about photos
•Video that everyone is talking about
Jamie Foxx Makes A Bold Statement With Trayvon Martin Tee
http://globalgrind.com/style/2013-mtv-movie-awards-red-carpet-jamie-foxx-trayvon-martin-shirt-photos?gpage=4&#gtop
Jamie Foxx took to the carpet, and later the stage, wearing a shirt adorned with the faces of Trayvon Martin and the young children who lost their lives tragically at Sandy Hook Elementary. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Ametia says:
These photos are ALL KINDS OF AWESOME! Thanks for posting them. And I definitely would LOVE to have a T-shirt like Jamie’s wearing.
Zimmerman attorneys depose Trayvon Martin’s girlfriend.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-trayvon-martin-girlfriend-deposed-20130320,0,866649.story
George Zimmerman’s attorneys were in South Florida late last week, deposing Trayvon Martin’s girlfriend, dad, mom and brother, according to newly-filed case records.
On Wednesday, Mark O’Mara took the sworn account of Trayvon’s girlfriend, the state’s most important witness, at a Miami office of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Shortly after Trayvon’s death, she told authorities that she was on the phone with him a few moments before he was shot by Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer who had called Sanford police a few minutes earlier, describing the unarmed 17-year-old as suspicious.
Zimmerman renews request to depose Trayvon Martin family attorney
Motion for Reconsideration and Clarification of the Court dated March 4th 2013
A Change For Trayvon
NBC UNIVERSAL RESPONSE TO ZIMMERMAN SUIT
DEFENDANT NBC UNIVERSAL’S MOTION TO STAY PROCEEDINGS
Ha! This was an ABSOLUTE delight to read.
NBC Universal basically told Zimmerman an his lawyer that you’ve got NOTHING SON.
Every news outlet reported the same news.
Now go FUCK youselves!
Dee Dee did not lie or commit perjury in Zimmerman case
http://frederickleatherman.com/2013/03/05/dee-dee-did-not-lie-or-commit-perjury-in-zimmerman-case/
Before the beginning of today’s hearing in the Zimmerman case, the prosecution informed the defense that Dee Dee (the name given to Trayvon Martin’s girlfriend to protect her anonymity) did not go to a hospital instead of attending Trayvon’s funeral.
Judge Nelson dismissed the defense motion for Dee Dee’s medical records as moot.
The defense now claims that Dee Dee lied.
As the following partial transcript of her interview under oath by prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda conclusively demonstrates, she not lie or commit perjury.
BDLR:_ OK._ I’m not saying that they did._ I’m just making sure the records’ clear on that….Um…you obviously found out about what happened to Trayvon, right?_ And at some point you ended up knowing that he was killed, right?
Dee Dee:_ Yeah.
BDLR:_ Were you able to go to the funeral or to the wake?
Dee Dee:__I was goin’ to go, but…
BDLR:_ OK, what happened?
Dee Dee:__I didn’ feel good.
BDLR:_ OK, did you end up going to the hospital or somewhere?
Dee Dee:_ Mmmm…Yeah, I had high blood pressure.”
DeeDee’s Mother, are you listening? Hit them hard and deep.Think of DeeDee’s future. GET.THEM.
Trayvon Martin’s mother: ‘My baby’
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/02/25/trayvon-martins-mother-you-cant-justify-it/
“From that day until now, I’m still in disbelief. I just feel like he’s away. He’s away. I mean, in actuality, I know that he’s not coming back.” Sybrina Fulton told me over a seafood lunch in Maryland on Friday. “I’ve had people to die, pass away in my family. But the level that I’ve gone through with this is just, it just surpasses everything that I’ve been through. Not only because it was a sudden death. It was a minor. It was a teenager. It was a, you know, it was my baby.”
Her baby was Trayvon Martin.
My heart just breaks for Sybrina Fulton. A mother loses her child so violently, and the murderer is still not in JAIL.
Judge: Zimmerman defense can’t depose Trayvon Martin family attorney
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-crump-hearing-20130222,0,4304478.story
SANFORD — The judge in the George Zimmerman murder case said Friday that defense attorneys may not grill Benjamin Crump, the high-profile, often-on-TV attorney who made the Trayvon Martin shooting into a national civil-rights issue.
Defense attorney Don West asked Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson to let him depose Crump on a wide variety of issues, including Crump’s contention that Sanford police and then-State Attorney Norm Wolfinger had engaged in a criminal conspiracy to cover up the teenager’s death.
Crump alleged that then-Police Chief Bill Lee met with Wolfinger the night of Trayvon’s death, Feb. 26, and the two agreed to release Zimmerman without an arrest.
Wolfinger says that meeting never happened.
Crump has also accused Sanford police of falsifying a report, something else that would be a crime.
Denied…Denied…Denied – Zimmerman Murder Trial Wig Snatching Edition
http://dothprotesttoomuch.com/2013/02/22/denied-denied-denied-zimmerman-murder-trial-wig-snatching-edition/#comments
Well, well, well…this week was a very bad week for Team Zimmerman. Let’s go to a bullet list.
On Tuesday, Judge Avila ruled that ShelLIE’s case would not be thrown out and shall move forward to trial. Get ready ShelLIE. Maybe you should start a blog or something. Tick Tock, ShelLIE. You were caught red-handed. Buy lots of stamps so you can talk to your “cutie” mmmkay.
The Motion to Compel Attorney Crump to sit for a deposition failed miserably. After Don West argued vaguely and could not answer the simple questions – What relevance does Crump bring to the table to Witness 8? What is the need and hardship you can cite such that deposing Attorney Crump is your only source you haven’t exhausted to get the information you need? Judge Nelson was sharp and on the point. Attorney Blackwell took Don West to the woodshed pointing out that Attorney Crump as the counsel for Trayvon’s family had the absolute right to assert attorney-client privilege and work product privilege. He made mince meat out of the Nutter’s arguments. Such a pity so much time and energy is wasted on their baseless conspiracy theories but when that is all you got…I guess you roll with it. I got the feeling at some point, during West’s long pauses that he was screaming with his inside voice…”help me, Sundance CRACKER….you didn’t give me the talking points for these questions…”
This recap is HILARIOUS.
What’s Happened In The Trayvon Martin Case Since You Stopped Paying Attention
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/02/14/1594051/whats-happened-in-the-trayvon-martin-case-since-you-stopped-paying-attention/?mobile=nc
It’s been nearly a year since George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old on his way back to his father’s townhouse. In the weeks following the shooting, the story captured the nation’s attention, culminating with Zimmerman being charged with second-degree murder last April.
But as the story has receded from the headlines, the legal case has plodded along and the trial is likely to be completed this summer. Here’s what you may have missed:
1. Zimmerman has spent over $300,000 in donations over the last year and is desperate for more funds to finance his defense. Zimmerman has “spent more than $125,000″ on living expenses — not including security — over the last year. His lawyer acknowledged that “Zimmerman’s personal spending may seem exorbitant.” Zimmerman is considering asking the court to declare him “indigent, meaning the public would have to pay for Zimmerman’s defense.” Zimmerman was also sued by a security company for unpaid bills. [Orlando Sentinel, 1/20/2013; Miami Herald, 12/27/12]
2. The trial has been set for June 10. Zimmerman recently asked for a delay of the trial until November but a judge denied his request. Zimmerman’s lawyer says it is “physically impossible for us to be prepared” for trial at that time. A separate proceeding, essentially a mini-trial, to determine whether Zimmerman is immune from prosecution due to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, is scheduled for April 22. [Orlando Sentinel, 2/5/13; Headline News, 2/13/13]
3. New forensic analysis “casts doubt on Zimmerman’s timeline on the night he shot and killed the unarmed teen.” The analysis was done by “Michael Knox, a retired Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detective and crime scene investigator.” According to Knox, “based on the times and distances Zimmerman said he covered, Zimmerman would have still been on the phone with Sanford police when he claims he was attacked by Martin.” Knox says that other aspects of Zimmerman’s story, like the claim Martin was leaning over him at the time the shot was fired, are supported by forensic evidence. [News 4 Jacksonville, 2/10/13]
4. Zimmerman has gained 105 pounds. [Orlando Sentinel, 1/20/2013]
5. The defense team acquired Trayvon Martin’s school records. According to Zimmerman’s lawyers “some information in Trayvon Martin’s file could be relevant in the defense of George Zimmerman.” State prosecutors and the Martin family attorney opposed Zimmerman’s efforts to acquire the records arguing “because Zimmerman did not know Trayvon before the Feb. 26 shooting, the teen’s past was not a factor in the case.” [Orlando Sentinel, 1/16/13]
6. Zimmerman is suing NBC News. In the suit, Zimmerman claims NBC unfairly portrayed him as a “racist and predatory villain.” [ABC News, 12/6/12]
7. The judged denied Zimmerman’s request to be removed from GPS tracking. [Fox Orlando, 12/11/12]
So others are starting to cover the status of Trayvon’e killer now, hmmm?
Let’s Go To The Video Tapes!
http://dothprotesttoomuch.com/
Various blogs have been talking about the “Tapes”. The surveillance tapes of Kohl’s, Sam’s Club, and Lake Edge Apts. It’s like Nixon all over again, except it’s the ”video tapes”, not just audio tapes. The speculations and outright lies regarding Trayvon Martin now have him looking into cars, casing houses, etc. We know these are the common tactics used by the Pro-Z camps. The perceived notion that a young black teenager had to be doing SOMETHING in order to justify, in their sick twisted minds, being killed by the hands of George Zimmerman.
They rant and rave that O’mara has the proof on those surveillance tapes. HA! How wrong they are! The proof on those tapes are not about Trayvon Martin, at least not in the way they are thinking but actually the opposite in my view.
Between the press interviews, blogs, Facebook and Twitter, this has taken much of Counsel’s time. I’m inclined to think he hasn’t bother viewing or didn’t care to review the data. We on the other hand have done extensive research, deciphering data, all without the assistance of new office equipment, complete discovery at our disposal and more importantly without $300,000 in the bank.
Let’s look at the evidence and the motions filed by O’Mara that may give them a clue.
In March of 2012 FDLE went to those businesses on Rhinehart Ave. By reasonable deduction, this was the path Trayvon Martin may have taken to go back to Brandi Green’s home at the Retreat. These tapes were provided to counsel. Remember the month “March 2012″.
http://184.172.211.159/~gzdocs/documents/1112/discovery9/fdle_reports_march.pdf
In April of 2012 FDLE requested and obtained any outside video to M& I Bank. Sam’s Club, and Trustco Bank. This tapes were provided to counsel as well. Remember the month of “April 2012″.
http://184.172.211.159/~gzdocs/documents/1112/discovery9/fdle_reports_april.pdf
In May of 2012. FDLE obtained Sam’s Club video, found no evidentiary value. Again these tapes were provided to Counsel. Remember the month of “May 2012″
http://184.172.211.159/~gzdocs/documents/1112/discovery9/fdle_reports_may.pdf
Judge denies motion to dismiss Shellie Zimmerman perjury case
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Judge-denies-motion-to-dismiss-Shellie-Zimmerman-perjury-case/-/1637132/18985986/-/12i8air/-/index.html
ORLANDO, Fla. – A judge denied a motion to dismiss the perjury case on Tuesday for the wife of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watchman who shot and killed Trayvon Martin.
Shellie Zimmerman, is charged with one count of perjury-lying under oath after the state alleges that she lied about her and George Zimmerman’s finances during a bond hearing. Shellie Zimmerman was arrested and charged June 12 and released the same day after posting bond.
In the first two drafts, according to Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda, Serino wrote that he had probable cause to recommend a second-degree murder charge. Then, over the next hour, he changed the report twice more and in his final version wrote that the evidence supported the lesser charge.
One of Serino’s supervisors, Sanford police Capt. Bob O’Connor, said in a July 3 interview that everyone in Serino’s chain of command agreed with the investigator’s conclusion. Serino’s direct supervisor, then-Sgt. Randy Smith, also signed the final version.
Zimmerman interrogation
[audio src="http://gzlegalcase.com/documents/statements/audio_interview_0229_3.mp3" /]
George Zimmerman, left, arrives at the Seminole County courthouse for a hearing, Tuesday, December 11, 2012. (Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel. / December 11, 2012
Judge Nelson Denies Defendant’s Motions to Modify and Clarify Conditions of Release in Trayvon Martin Murder Case
http://frederickleatherman.com/2012/12/11/judge-nelson-denies-defendants-motions-to-modify-and-clarify-conditions-of-release-in-trayvon-martin-murder-case/#comments
Judge Nelson denied the defendant’s motions to modify and to clarify the conditions of his release.
The defendant’s motion to modify the conditions of his release was a request to terminate GPS monitoring and lift the travel restrictions. After Mark O’Mara opened by asserting the defendant’s innocence and supporting that claim with his revisionist history of the case, including waving a document with color copies side by side of the two manipulated photographs of the front and back of the defendant’s head, Bernie de la Rionda mocked the request with a righteous rant about the defendant’s desire to travel so that he could appear in public and sell more copies of his autograph.
He also mentioned that Jose Baez had turned over two memos from Chris Serino dated early in the investigation when Serino and others were considering recommending that the defendant be charged with second degree murder.
Judge Nelson denied the motion without comment.
The defendant’s motion to clarify the conditions of his release was an effort to obtain permission to contact friends. Judge Nelson denied the motion noting that Judge Lester had imposed the conditions and there had not been any material change of circumstances to alter those conditions. She noted parenthetically that she did not see any prohibition in the order that would not allow him to contact his friends.
In other words, the motion was a waste of the court’s time.
Judge Nelson has DENIED Zimmerman’s motion to modify conditions of release.
Next motion date: January 8, 2013.
Prosecutor: Zimmerman trying to ‘co-opt the mantle of victimhood’ from Trayvon Martin
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-crump-state-response-20121210,0,7660340.story
In a blistering response to a recent filing by George Zimmerman’s defense team, prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda accuses the second-degree murder defendant of attempting “to co-opt the mantle of victimhood for himself.”
Zimmerman’s legal team had asked Circuit Judge Debra Nelson to force an attorney for the family of Trayvon Martin, the Miami Gardens teen shot by Zimmerman Feb. 26 in Sanford, to turn over a recorded interview of a witness described as the teen’s girlfriend.
In its filing, the defense argued Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump was not forthcoming in response to requests for the original copy of the recording of the girl, who is identified in prosecution documents as “Witness 8.”
That request is set to be among several motions heard by Nelson tomorrow, but today, de la Rionda fired back at what he described as the Zimmerman team’s “revisionist history.”
“No matter how often, how viciously, or how vociferously Defense Counsel tries to attack Mr. Crump and make him a feature of this case, he is not the issue,” de la Rionda writes in his response, arguing Zimmerman’s “goal… is not legitimately to gather relevant evidence in this criminal case. Rather, he is clearly more interested in defending his own supposed ‘reputation’ than in permitting a judge and/or a jury to consider his actions.”
Zimmerman defense’ Motion to Modify Conditions of Release
State’s Response to Zimmerman’s Motion to Compel Evidence from Third Party
Zimmerman Edits out “F’cking Coon” from 911 Tape He Filed with Court in lawsuit against NBC
http://m.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/07/1167991/–Zimmerman-Edits-out-F-cking-Coon-from-911-Tape-He-gave-the-Court-in-lawsuit-against-NBC
George Zimmerman filed a lawsuit against NBC claiming that NBC made him (George) look racist in a edited 911 tape they aired.
The thing is, when George Zimmerman filed his Complaint with the Court, he, Zimmerman, edited out the portion of the 911 tape that George makes himself look racist when he said, “F’cking Coons.” (listen to Time Stamp 2:22)
Also, at Time Stamp 3:20, on the tape you can hear George knocking or taping on a door and if you listen closely you can hear George say: “Keep an eye on my truck.” Who did George say that to, and why did he edit those words out of the Transcript he filed with the Court?
Try to wrap your head around that one.
Zimmerman files a lawsuit with the Court claiming he has suffered damages of “emotional distress” from an edited 911 tape that he claims made him him look racist — but at the same time — Zimmerman gives the Court his own edited version of same 911 tape by cutting out his own comment: “F’cking Coons”
The state attorney’s office has released new evidence in the case against George Zimmerman.
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/New-evidence-released-in-George-Zimmerman-case/-/1637132/17652860/-/cjade2/-/index.html …
New Zimmerman evidence details his interest in police, alleged racism in Sanford
FBI agents question police on a note from Trayvon Martin shooter’s phone concerning ‘guided’ testimony.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-fbi-new-evidence-20121204,0,7609897.story
The Orlando Sentinel obtained the latest cache of evidence in the George Zimmerman murder case, including new details of Zimmerman’s interest in law enforcement and testimony alleging racism and sexism in the Sanford Police Department.
Federal Bureau of Investigation documents, part of an ongoing civil-rights investigation into the Feb. 26 shooting in Sanford, include interviews with Sanford police, Zimmerman’s neighbors and at least one coworker.
Investigate George Zimmerman for Civil Rights violation in his killing of Trayvon Martin
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/investigate-george-zimmerman-civil-rights-violation-his-killing-trayvon-martin/1Sdc30VN?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl
A Neighborhood Watch Captain went on an illegal patrol and profiled an innocent child as a rogue, thug criminal, who he decided, without reason, deserved to be followed in the darkness and when he caught him he questioned and killed him. His only reason given for his erroneous beliefs was that the child was black and did not belong in the neighborhood. To defend himself with claims of “stand your ground” and “self defense” he concocted a series of demonstrable lies, claiming the child tried to take away the weapon he himself carried everywhere he went and that he was beaten to within an inch of his life, by Trayvon Martin, who had no dna or other trace evidence on his hands. Even while Zimmerman was covered with his own blood. Evidence that Martin never touched Zimmerman at all.
Sign petition here:
We need your help, 3Chics community. Please sign this petition. Trayvon Martin’s innocent blood cry out from the grave for justice.
Zimmerman, who the fk do you think you’re fooling with that photoshopped fake ass broken nose. Mofo, we saw your picture 35 minutes after killing the kid. Go to hell and take O’Mara with you!
This photo was taken of George Zimmerman 35 minutes after he shot and murdered Trayvon Martin
O’Mara needs to be run out of town..tonight!
bwa ha ha ha ha ha
3ChicsPolitico – Protesting The Killing of Trayvon Martin
Detective in George Zimmerman case turns to Jose Baez for legal help
http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/detective-in-george-zimmerman-case-turns-to-jose-baez-for-legal-help/1262366
The lead detective in the George Zimmerman murder trial has hired famed lawyer Jose Baez to represent him as he maneuvers the next steps of the contentious high-profile case, the Miami Herald learned.
Chris Serino, a former Sanford police major-crimes investigator, became a controversial figure when evidence revealed that the detective had quietly filed an arrest affidavit a few weeks after the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, even as his chief publicly said there wasn’t enough evidence to make a case.
New Judge in Trayvon Martin Case Holds 1st Hearing
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-trayvon-martin-case-holds-1st-hearing-17498731
A new judge will hear how close lawyers are to being ready for trial in the murder case of a Florida neighborhood watch volunteer accused of shooting an unarmed teenager.
George Zimmerman, charged with second-degree murder, is not expected to be in court Wednesday for the procedural hearing.
Judge Debra S. Nelson was appointed to the case in late August after an appeals’ court found that the former judge made disparaging remarks about Zimmerman’s character and advocated for additional charges against him during a bond hearing.
The 29-year-old is charged with shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February. Zimmerman has claimed self-defense and is pleading not guilty.
A hearing is also set for Friday for the judge to hear arguments on several new motions.
Trial of George Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin killing set for June 10, attorney says. http://on.cnn.com/RC9Ul1
Trayvon Martin’s parents launch a fund to fight “stand your ground” laws:
http://goo.gl/GMJpO
The parents of Trayvon Martin have launched a website and a political action committee aimed at fighting the proliferation of stand-your-ground laws.
Change For Trayvon will collect funds to be “distributed to candidates, elected officials and efforts which support the mission of … revising stand-your-ground laws across the nation to ensure there is judicial or prosecutorial oversight”.
Change for Trayvon
Hearing set for George Zimmerman’s request to subpoena Trayvon Martin’s school, social media
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin-twitter-20121008,0,5140038.story
A new hearing has been set in George Zimmerman’s second-degree murder case, during which his attorneys will ask a judge to allow them to subpoena the school and social media records of Trayvon Martin.
Zimmerman’s defense has asked for subpoenas for records from the teenager’s middle and high schools, as well as his Twitter and Facebook accounts. A hearing has been set for Oct. 19.
Zimmerman, 29, fatally shot the Miami Gardens 17-year-old Feb. 26 in Sanford. Authorities allege he profiled and pursued the teen. Zimmerman says he fired in self-defense after Trayvon attacked him.
Zimmerman’s defense is also asking for a continuance. In a motion, the defense team writes that “at least 50-75” witness depositions must be completed in the case before it will be ready for trial.
The defense team also submitted its response to a filing by the state which referred to the requests for Trayvon’s school records as a “fishing expedition.” In one of several new filings, defense attorney Mark O’Mara writes that the requests are part of a “well thought out plan to focus on potentially relevant and admissible information.”
BigBoi@BigBoithedog
Please sign and retweet http://www.change.org/petitions/http-robertandgladys-com-to-shut-their-website-down-because-they-are-scamming-people …
Thanks for this, SG2.
On Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 11:56 AM, 3CHICSPOLITICO wrote:
> ** > SouthernGirl2 commented: “BigBoi@BigBoithedog Please sign and retweet > http://www.change.org/petitions/http-robertandgladys-com-to-shut-their-website-down-because-they-are-scamming-people…” >
Also released today are records that show that on March 6, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office was poised to release 911 calls made the night of the shooting to CBS news. They are dramatic. In one, Zimmerman describes Trayvon to a dispatcher as a suspicious black man whom he does not recognize and who is loitering in a neighborhoods that’s had a great many break-ins.
In another, a voice can be heard screaming for help then a gunshot.
The Sheriff’s Office was on the verge of releasing that information but Sanford police on March 6 told the agency not to, saying they were still part of an active criminal investigation. Trayvon’s family then sued the city of Sanford, demanding their release, and the city acquiesced, releasing them March 16.
Prosecutors today released time-stamped dispatch records, showing to the second when Zimmerman called police and when that gunshot was heard in the background of a 911 call by a neighbor.
They differ slightly from a timeline prepared by Sanford police and released several months ago. For example, the county dispatch records show that Zimmerman reported that Trayvon was running at 19:11:59, a minute 20 seconds before Sanford police indicated he reported that.
But the two sources differ by only 13 seconds on when the gunshot can be heard: Sanford police say it was at 19:17:20 vs. 19:17:07 for the county.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-09-19/news/os-george-zimmerman-evidence-new-20120919_1_george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin-cell-phone-records
An FDLE lab technician checked samples from the gun’s grip and found no evidence that Trayvon had handled it. Technicians testing other parts of the gun and holster were only able to definitively identify Zimmerman, the records show.
That’s important because Zimmerman told police he opened fire only after the teenger reached for the gun that Zimmerman wore in a holster on his waist. The DNA findings suggest there’s no evidence that Travyon touched the gun.
Jeff Weiner @JeffWeinerOS
GeorgeZimmerman evidence includes DNA testing. 2 profiles found on gun grip, 1 is GZ. TrayvonMartin EXCLUDED as other DNA profile.
George Zimmerman’s friend who hid him speaks out
http://georgezimmermannews.net/george-zimmermans-friend-who-hid-him-speaks-out/
Osterman says he did not coach Zimmerman on what to say to investigators about the Stand Your Ground defense.
“He went through training himself to get the concealed weapons permit and all that training and knowledge (of Stand Your Ground) was shared through that with him.”
Insignificant? Killing an unarmed kid is insignificant to be stressed out about? OMG! I loathe these slimey slugs. After this is over, George Zimmerman wil be headed to prison for 25 to life. Cage THAT animal so he will never hurt another innocent kid again.
***weeping***
Trayvon Martin’s Parents: The Questions They Want Answered
The Couple Who Hid George Zimmerman Says He ‘Had Every Right’ To Kill Trayvon
http://www.businessinsider.com/dr-phil-interviews-george-zimmermans-best-friends-2012-9
In a blockbuster exclusive interview, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw sat down with Mark and Sondra Osterman — George Zimmerman’s best friends who hid the neighborhood watchman after he shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
In the interview, which is scheduled to air Tuesday, McGraw asks the couple what they think about Zimmerman’s actions, and what, if anything, they would change about the aftermath.
“George had a bounty placed on his life, dead or alive, for $10,000, issued by the New Black Panthers,” Mark Osterman told McGraw. “George wanted to leave to protect us. I advised him that if someone came to my front door, they wouldn’t be dealing with a firearms apprentice any longer. They better come well-rested and be ready. We were going to be in this boat together. That’s what brothers do. I am 100 percent convinced that George Zimmerman is completely innocent. He stood his ground, and he had every right to do so.”
Mark Osterman is an arrogant a***ole! A corrupt pos! No one is buying he and his wife’s bullish lies. They’re worthless trash profiting from the death of an innocent child. How low can you go?
I can’t; I.JUST.CAN’T
On Tue, Sep 11, 2012 at 11:42 AM, 3CHICSPOLITICO wrote:
> ** > SouthernGirl2 commented: “The Couple Who Hid George Zimmerman Says He > ‘Had Every Right’ To Kill Trayvon > http://www.businessinsider.com/dr-phil-interviews-george-zimmermans-best-friends-2012-9In a blockbuster exclusive interview, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw sat > down with” >
George Zimmerman defense wants Trayvon Martin school records
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-09-07/news/os-trayvon-martin-zimmerman-school-records-20120907_1_trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman-mark-o-mara
After months of defending George Zimmerman and reacting to state-gathered records, his lawyers late this week shifted gear and began their hunt for evidence about the teenager he killed.
Their first target is Trayvon Martin’s school records, which include damaging information about the Miami Gardens 17-year-old.
On Thursday, Zimmerman’s lawyers issued several subpoenas, asking for disciplinary records, attendance records and test scores dating back to middle school. Defense lawyer Mark O’Mara indicated in a blog post Friday that he will likely soon ask for what Trayvon wrote and posted on social media sites.
My blood is boiling. O’Mara’s strategy is to paint this innocent black kid as a thug. The real thug is George Zimmerman in chasing little boys and gunning them down for walking in black skin. The sooner Zimmerman is assigned to a cell block, the better. Cage this animal.
GeorgeZimmerman– Transcripts, previous court hearings and index.
http://www.5dca.org/Clerk/George%20Zimmerman%2012-3198/12-3198_Appendix.pdf
Trayvon Martin Tribute – “Cosmic Love” – Aliya Perry Choreography
Wow! Loved this piece and the choreopgraphy is MASTERFUL. Trayvon’s spirit was powerfully honored here. Thanks for sharing this, SG2.
Remembering Trayvon Martin
[video src="https://ametia.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/polticsnation-remembering-trayvon.mp4" /]
Rev Al brings it with this fine tribute to Trayvon Martin. It’s sooooo important that we don’t let AMERICA forget him. Thanks for the post, SG2!
Did Zimmerman Hasten Trayvon Martin’s Death Via Positional Asphyxiation?
http://frederickleatherman.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/did-zimmerman-hasten-trayvon-martins-death-via-positional-asphyxiation/
George Zimmerman has admitted straddling Trayvon Martin’s back, who was lying face down in the grass after he shot him, and stretching out his hands in a crucifiction position to prevent him from getting away and possibly getting control of his gun, which was lying in the grass just beyond his reach.
He did not explain how the gun ended up there or how Martin’s hands ended up tucked under his chest when the police arrived.
In her handwritten statement dated February 26, 2012, Mary Cutcher wrote inpertinent part (p. 102/184):
I was in the kitchen and I heard someone yelling: almost crying. Then I heard a gunshot. I went outside and saw a man on top of a guy laying on the ground. He was putting his hands on his neck or chest. I yelled “everything ok” and he did not reply. I said it again, “is everything ok?” He said to call the police. My roommate called 911.
Mary Cutcher filled out a handwritten statement dated February 26th, the night of the shooting (p.102 of 184), in which she told the police she and her roommate, Selma Mora stepped out on their patio after the shot and twice asked George Zimmerman what was going on. She said he told the to “just call the police.” Her handwritten statement was released in the first document dump.
“I went outside and saw a man on top of a guy laying on the ground. He was putting his hands on his neck or chest”.
“He stood up and took a couple of steps away and put his hands on his head then walked back over to the guy on the ground.”
Was Zimmerman smearing Trayvon’s blood on himself?
This filthy murderer needs to FRY
On Wed, Aug 22, 2012 at 9:40 PM, 3CHICSPOLITICO wrote:
> ** > SouthernGirl2 commented: “”I went outside and saw a man on top of a guy > laying on the ground. He was putting his hands on his neck or chest”. “He > stood up and took a couple of steps away and put his hands on his head then > walked back over to the guy on the ground.” ___________” >
Zimmerman: Did George Zimmerman’s Conduct Exhibit Premeditation?
http://frederickleatherman.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/zimmerman-did-george-zimmermans-conduct-exhibit-premeditation/#comment-13414
We not only have considerable evidence of a depraved mind with no regard for human life, we have substantial evidence of premeditation that could lead a grand jury to indict Zimmerman for Murder in the First Degree, if the prosecution were inclined to seek an indictment, because the evidence from out of his own mouth shows that he
(1) grabbed his gun,
(2) extended his arm beyond his left hand so that he would not accidentally shoot it,
(3) aimed his gun at point blank range,
(4) pulled the trigger shooting Martin in the chest,
(5) rolled Martin’s body over so that it was face down in the wet grass,
(6) told witnesses not to call 911 because he had already done that even though he knew that no ambulance was on the way because the dispatcher at the non-emergency number that he called had only dispatched an officer to the neighborhood, rather than to a specific address, to investigate a suspicious circumstance, and
(7) mounted him by straddling his body with his full weight on Martin’s back while, according to winesses Mary Cutcher and Selma Mora), leaning forward with his hands on Martin’s neck restricting Martin’s airway.
rikyrah says:
Hi SG2!!!
The moment he ignored what the 911 operator said, it was premeditation.
he stalked that boy.
he hunted that boy.
he wanted to kill that night, and Trayvon is who came upon this evil man.
It’s premeditated murder! Zimmerman exited his truck with the intent to kill and he used the NEN to put his plan into play. You can hear the gun clicking on the 911 call.
George Zimmerman hearing Friday in dispute over subpoena
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-subpoena-20120820,0,1111822.story
George Zimmerman’s lawyer has scheduled a hearing Friday morning to try and quash a subpoena for Zimmerman’s medical records.
Attorney Mark O’Mara is objecting to the subpoena on the grounds that those records are private and that Zimmerman is still entitled to some privacy
His objection also states that the subpoena, signed by Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda, is overly broad. In it, O’Mara also suggests that if the court won’t quash the subpoena, that the records should be looked at in the judge’s chamber and not be subject to public release.
Zimmerman will not be in the courtroom, according to a state employee.
Zimmerman has made his medical condition part of his self defense story. The medical records must not be in Zimmerman’s favor?
Release the records!
The conviction of this murderer GEROGE ZIMMERMAN can NOT come soon enough.
Still Breathing! Trayvon Martin’s Heart Continued To Pump After Getting Shot
http://globalgrind.com/news/trayvon-martin-autopsy-heart-continued-pump-after-shooting-george-zimmerman-details
New evidence has been revealed as to how the final moments of Trayvon Martin’s life played out the moment he was shot in the chest by George Zimmerman.
“You’re talking about minutes, at least, for him to survive,” said Dr. William Anderson, a forensic specialist and former deputy medical examiner for Orange and Osceola counties. “I think he would have been conscious … for a little time anyway.”
What killed the Miami Gardens teenager was blood loss, massive internal bleeding, said Anderson and Dr. William L. Manion, a board certified anatomical, clinical and forensic pathologist and lawyer in Mt. Holly, N.J.
Trayvon’s chest cavity had filled with 2,300 milliliters of blood, according to the autopsy. That’s about one-third of a healthy person’s total blood volume, Anderson said.
Trayvon’s heart had kept pumping, both pathologists said, but with each contraction, blood was leaking or gushing into his chest, depending on the size of the bullet hole.
The two doctors agreed that Trayvon remained conscious for a time. Anderson suggested the teenager may have been conscious for several minutes. Manion estimated it at just 20 to 30 seconds.
Frank Taaffe, the ring-leader in getting Trayvon Martin’s memorial removed by going door to door to get signatures lost his son today in a car accident.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-17/news/os-two-killed-jeep-crash-volusia-20120817_1_volusia-county-crash-driver-and-passenger-florida-highway-patrol
The Jeep went onto the shoulder, troopers say, where it struck a warning sign and a large tree. Taaffe, a resident of DeLand, and his passenger, 31-year-old Everson, Wash., resident Justin Thomas Head, were declared dead at the scene.
The Orlando Sentinel included Taaffe in its “Central Floridians On Duty” series in 2003, when he was serving in the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq.
Public records show Taaffe is the son of Frank Taaffe, the Sanford resident who has at times been a key figure in the controversy surrounding the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Frank Taaffe has been a vocal supporter of his neighbor, George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who says he shot the teen in self-defense.
KARMA GOD DON’T LIKE UGLY.
Frank Taaffe deliberately caused pain to the Martins by publicly trashing their dead child.
George Zimmerman’s attorneys won’t use “stand your ground” defense
AP) ORLANDO, Florida – The attorney for the man who shot and killed unarmed Florida teenager Trayvon Martin said Monday he’ll seek to get the case dismissed using a traditional self-defense argument and not the state’s “stand your ground” statute.
Mark O’Mara, who is defending George Zimmerman against a second-degree murder charge in the fatal February shooting, said the traditional self-defense approach is appropriate because the facts suggest his client couldn’t retreat from a beating Martin was giving him.
Zimmerman’s attorneys had said last week that they would use Florida’s controverial “stand your ground” law, which allows people to use deadly force – rather than retreat – if they believe their lives are in danger.
“The facts don’t seem to support a ‘stand your ground’ defense,” O’Mara said.
Martin’s Feb. 26 death in a gated community in the Orlando suburb of Sanford first drew national attention on March 8, the day his relatives held their first news conference to lament that Zimmerman hadn’t been arrested.
Martin was unarmed and walking back to an apartment where he was staying with his father at the time of the shooting.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57492488/george-zimmermans-attorneys-wont-use-stand-your-ground-defense/
Why is Zimmerman treated differently? Kills an unarmed kid and not arrested until 44 days passed. 2 chances at bond? Bail granted each time! Lied in the judge’s face…no consequences! A murderer sets up website asking ppl to donate money for killing his prey…no consequences. Violated bond release by indirectly addressing the Martins…no consequences. What is going on here?
George Zimmerman 911 call about Trayvon Martin
Listen closely to the sound at the 4:05 mark just as Zimmerman ends the call with the dispatcher, you can hear a phone ringing. It’s not Zimmerman’s phone because he’s still speaking with the dispatcher. Who’s phone is that? Is it DeeDee calling Trayvon OR is someone else with George? But it is clearly a phone ringing in the background. If it is DeeDee calling then THAT’s how Zimmerman found him? If not DeeDee then someone else was there.
In an affidavit, the girlfriend stated that she was talking on the phone with Trayvon as he was walking home from the store and had temporarily taken refuge from the rain. He then began walking again, when he told her, “I think this dude is following me.” She told Martin, “Baby, be careful, just run home,” and says that Trayvon thought he had lost his pursuer. However, moments later, Trayvon told her, “He is right behind me again. I’m not going to run, I’m going to walk fast.” Then the young woman heard another voice demanding, “What are you doing around here?” Trayvon responded, “Why are you following me?” At that point, according to the girl, Trayvon was pushed and the phone apparently hit the ground.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-03-20/trayvon-martin-teen-shot-florida/53669448/1?csp=34news
“She tells him, ‘baby, be careful, just run home,’ ” Crump said.
According to the girl, Trayvon says, “I think I lost him” then moments later says, “He is right behind me again. I’m not going to run, I’m going to walk fast.”
Crump said “she hears another voice, ‘What are you doing around here?’ Trayvon says, ‘Why are you following me?’ ” At that point, according to the girl, Travyon is pushed and his voice changes.
“She hears the altercation, suddenly, someone just hit the phone, because that’s the last she hears,” Crump said. She did not hear the shooting.
The entire encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Marton took less than 20 minutes from the time Zimmerman made his call to Sanford Police until the time at which Trayvon Martin was pronounced dead:
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/03/29/why-hasnt-george-zimmerman-been-arrested/
7:09:34 PM E.T. George Zimmerman calls Sanford Police non-emergency number from 1111 Retreat View Circle, at the mailboxes and clubhouse.
7:11:41 PM E.T. George Zimmerman: “He’s running”.
712:00 PM E.T. Trayvon Martin tells girlfriend on the phone: “This dude is following me”.
7:12:02 PM E.T. After Zimmerman admits he is chasing Trayvon, the police operator says, “We don’t need you to do that
Trayvon Martin: “Don’t want to run. I’ll walk fast.”
Trayvon Martin decides to run.
Trayvon Martin: “I lost the guy”
7:13:09 PM E.T. George Zimmerman: “I don’t know where this kid is.”
7:13:27 PM E.T. Officer Timothy Smith dispatched.
7:13:41 PM E.T. George Zimmerman’s call with police ends.
Trayvon Martin: “I see him again.”
Trayvon Martin: “What are you following me for?”
George Zimmerman:”What are you doing here?”
7:16:00 PM E.T. Trayvon Martin’s call with girlfriend ends.
7:16:25 PM E.T. Screaming for help audible on 911 calls.
7:17:10 PM E.T. Shot fired.
7:17:11 PM E.T. Officer Smith arrives at complex
7:18:10 PM E.T. Smith arrives at crime scene.
Smith takes George Zimmerman into custody.
Officers perform CPR, then are joined by paramedics.
7:30:00 PM E.T. Paramedic Brady pronounces Trayvon Martin dead at the scene.
Trayvon Case New Evidence: Zimmerman Had NO Gunshot Residue
Gun Had Multiple DNA Contributers
OMG! Surveillance video shows Zimmerman out of his car and walking around the clubhouse well before he made his call to the police.
Videos show Zimmerman walking around the clubhouse w.update
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-3jKfTUal9QJ:www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/21/1101850/-Videos-show-Zimmerman-walking-around-the-clubhouse+&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
At this time we only have the story as told by Zimmerman’s father(starts at 2:22), and his friend Frank Taafe(starts at 1:03).
Zimmerman’s father begins with Zimmerman leaving his house to go shopping. Zimmerman sr. doesn’t know where exactly Zimmerman saw Trayvon, and conveniently leaps to the parked car near the cut-through.
Taafe shows exactly where Zimmerman’s car was parked when he made his call to the police. According to Taafe, Zimmerman’s car was parked near the cut-through facing the clubhouse.
Neither of them mention Zimmerman following Trayvon before Zimmerman left his car.
Trayvon’s girlfriend tells the story differently. In her interview(starts at 15:08) with the prosecution, she says Trayvon told her Zimmerman started following him when he left the mail area.
The surveillance video’s from the clubhouse, show Zimmerman was out of his car and walking around the clubhouse while Trayvon was hiding from the rain near the mail area, well before he made his call to the police, and he then proceeded to follow Trayvon in his car, when Trayvon continued his walk home.
George Zimmerman face in the doorway of right hand corner.
Hello Ametia and Rikyrah! I’m going to post a few things on the Justice 4 Trayvon Martin case. It’s the Prosecution’s witness list on the Trayvon Martin case which does include the three ATF officers.
Zimmerman is such a compulsive liar. He is knee deep in lies and can’t keep them straight.
Zimmerman and his supporters were soo counting on Trayvon Martin to be a thug. So now both Zimmerman and his kkk pals have to try endlessly to paint this precious child as an attacker, drug user and criminal. To find out he was an honor student with a bright future, a child loved by his parents, a child whom his teachers stated was always cheerful rocked their world. How dare he NOT be a thug! But yet they donate money to the real lying worthless THUG who has no conscience, no respect for human life and no respect for the law.
Harming a child is unthinkable in the eyes of decent people. The people donating money to Zimmerman don’t really believe his lies but their hatred for African Americans over- rides common decency. The only reason they’re sending money is because he killed a young black child. It makes them feel good inside because he did what they’ve always wanted to do. That’s how deep the hate goes for African Americans in this country.
Zimmerman will NEVER, EVER be FREE, NEVER.
johnnie stallings says:
where is a$$ wipe joe oliver? what about his lies?
George Zimmernan’s Reenactment: My Opinion
by Eyes at 1:18 PM
George Zimmerman’s reenacted what happened the night Trayvon Martin was killed for police and it has finally been released to the public. I have reviewed it and will share my thoughts on the second video below.
George Zimmerman:
I was still on the phone with a non-emergency and I started walking …..down this way….and …..because I didn’t see a street sign here, but I knew if I could go straight through that that is Retreat View Circle, and I could give him an address because he said just give me the address of the house in you are in front of and there are no addresses because these are the back of the houses (When Zimmerman says this, right next to him are the front of units—and he flat ignored that). So I walk straight through here, and……I didn’t see him ….at all. I was walking …..and I was still on the phone with EM… ah, non-emergency.
If Zimmerman was looking to get an address, I would have expected him to get the address at the end of the path on Retreat View Circle, but if you notice he never did–even though he walked all the way there. That speaks volumes. It is my belief that Zimmerman was still looking for Martin–still in hot pursuit but says that he was looking for an address to cover his true intent. His words “didn’t see him…at all” stand out to me.
I got to…. about …..(walking) …..here, and I got to about here, and I had a flashlight with me. The flashlight was dead, though. And I looked around and I didn’t see anybody, and I told non-emergency, I said “You know what? He’s gone.
Again these words show Zimmerman’s intent was to seek out and find Martin, without question. It wasn’t to get an address. Zimmerman was clearly asked not to follow Martin, but there is no doubt he was still in pursuit.
READ ON: WITH VIDEOS
http://blog.eyesforlies.com/2012/06/george-zimmernans-reenactment-my.html
Trayvon Martin family lawyer reacts to Zimmerman tape
(CBS News) A lawyer for Trayvon Martin’s family is reacting to newly-released audio of George Zimmerman, the man who shot the 17-year-old in February.
Zimmerman walks through fatal fight in new video
Attorney Ben Crump says questions from lead investigator Chris Serino’s interrogation of Zimmerman are significant.
In the audio tape of the police interview with Zimmerman – a piece of evidence released along with video showing Zimmerman’s re-enactment of the shooting – Serino points out possible inconsistencies in Zimmerman’s story. He asks Zimmerman, “So you basically jumped out of the car to see which way (Martin) was going?” Zimmerman replies, “Yes, sir.”
Serino responds, “That’s not fear, you know what I mean. That’s one of the problems I have with the whole thing.”
Crump said, “Obviously, the lead detective did not believe Zimmerman, his credibility’s a major issue. And yet, remember, it is only his version.”
But Crump says the family believes all of the evidence in the case should come out. “They want all the evidence out because they know their son, they know the kind of child he was,” Crump said.
Zimmerman’s attorney Mark O’Mara posted the videos on his website. He says he did it because he wants the public to consider all the evidence in the case.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57458582/trayvon-martin-family-lawyer-reacts-to-zimmerman-tape/?tag=nl.e875
Zimmerman slipped up !!! : ”And then he put his hand on HIS NOSE –no, my nose…”
Zimmerman was playing the picture in his mind and his tongue went faster than his brain!
He is guilty as hell !!!
Skip to the 1:00 mark and listen carefully starting at 1:04
Sanford PD chief fired
(CNN) — Sanford, Florida, Police Chief Bill Lee, who drew criticism for his department’s actions in the Trayvon Martin case, was fired Wednesday, his spokeswoman said.
Spokeswoman Sara Brady said Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte made the decision.
Lee had submitted a resignation letter in April that said he was stepping down, but city commissioners voted not to accept it.
In March, he had said he was stepping down temporarily in the wake of the public furor over the failure of the police to arrest George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who has said his shooting of Martin on February 26 was an act of self-defense.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/20/justice/florida-martin-case-police-chief/index.html
Crime photos, autopsy to be released in Trayvon Martin case
Florida Judge Kenneth Lester has ordered the release of more material in the Trayvon Martin case, including crime scene photos, an autopsy report and tests conducted on George Zimmerman, who is charged with second-degree murder in the killing of the unarmed teenager.
Lester ordered the material released within 15 days, USA TODAY’s Yamiche Alcindor reports.
The judge, however, ruled that the names of the witnesses in the case will be withheld, along with photos of the teen’s body.
Also being released:
•Zimmerman’s statements to police
•Zimmerman’s calls to 911 and the Sanford, Fla., police
•Comments by “Witness Nine”
•E-mails to Sanford police about the case
•E-mails from witnesses to Sanford police, with their names redacted.
•Transcripts of Zimmerman’s jailhouse calls
Zimmerman, 28, remains in jail, where he was taken after his bond was revoked.
Earlier this month, the judge ruled that Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, had lied about how much money they had during an earlier bond hearing.
Shellie Zimmerman was arrested and charged with perjury in connection with her statements on the family’s finances.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/06/crime-photos-autopsy-to-be-released-in-trayvon-martin-case/1#.T9jqaLVdDq5
CUFFED!
Attorney: Zimmerman’s bond request delayed
CNN) — Although George Zimmerman’s lawyers plan to file a motion asking for a new bond hearing for the murder suspect, the filing has been delayed, defense attorneys said Tuesday.
“Mr. Zimmerman’s legal defense team has decided to delay filing a motion for bond,” the defense team said Tuesday on its website, GZLegalcase.com. “A hearing will not be scheduled for a couple of weeks, and we will file a motion well in advance of the hearing.”
The filing was delayed for several reasons, lead defense attorney Mark O’Mara told CNN, but he did not elaborate.
The 28-year-old Florida man accused in the death of Trayvon Martin had been free on bond for weeks until Sunday afternoon, when he turned himself in to authorities in Seminole County, Florida. The judge had ordered him back after questioning statements made in the first bond hearing.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/justice/florida-teen-shooting/index.html
DO NOT BE DECEIVED FOLKS, TZIMMERMAN & HIS LAWYER ARE USING THE MEDIA . AKS ABC TO TRY THIS CASE AND SWAY PUBLIC OPINION WITH THE SULLIED EVIDENCE THE SANDFORD POLICE DEPT. FUCKED UP.
Remember Zimmerman PERSUED Trayvon Martin. Trayvon had every right to STAND HIS GROUND, though he was unarmed. Trayvon was MURDERED.
my daughter and sistah, just read in Dallas news,In Arlington Dallas 6-1-12 Jeb Bush says’ stand your own ground invalid in trayon Martin case. Please check and reply
Just in: FBI seeks to Charge Zimmerman with a Hate Crime
Posted on May 14, 2012 by Adalia Woodbury
It looks like George Zimmerman’s legal problems are getting more serious as the possibility that he could face a Federal hate crime charge in addition to State charges becomes increasingly likely.
After months of speculation about Federal action in this case, wftv.com reports that the FBI is actively questioning witnesses in an effort to obtain the evidence necessary to prosecute Zimmerman for a hate crime in the shooting death of 17 year old Trayvon Martin earlier this year. If he is charged with a hate crime, Zimmerman could face the death penalty.
According to legal analyst, Bill Schaeffer, a successful conviction would mean proving that when Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin he acted out of hatred for African Americans.
“What the government would have to prove is that Mr. Zimmerman acted out of hatred toward African-Americans. That’s why he came into contact with him. That’s why he shot and killed him,” Sheaffer said.
Sheaffer said a federal hate crime murder charge could bring more serious consequences than the second-degree murder charge Zimmerman faces now.
“Mr. Zimmerman could be punished by up to life in prison or even the death penalty,” said Sheaffer.
In other news on this case, ABC reports O’Mara received volumes of evidence from the prosecution on Monday including: never before seen witness statements, 911 calls, non-emergency calls, photos, video and medical records. He was also given a list of 22 new witnesses.
The next schedule court appearance is on August 8.
http://nutsandolts.com/2012/05/14/just-in-fbi-seeks-to-charge-zimmerman-with-a-hate-crime/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
My heart goes out to Ms. Fulton. Happy Mother’s day.
ThinkProgress @thinkprogress:
BREAKING: George Zimmerman waives right to speedy trial, attorney wants to delay trial (via @JeffWeinerOS)
The reason Zimmerman’s lawyer wants to delay his trial is because ABC is helping them leak out evidence bit by bit to sway public opinion and further sully the prosecution’s case against this mudering mofo.
New Version: George Zimmerman Withheld Information From The Police (DETAILS)
http://globalgrind.com/news/george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin-circled-car-frightened-him-details
Zimmerman said that while he was on the phone with a Sanford police dispatcher reporting Trayvon as suspicious, the unarmed teenager was circling his vehicle on foot.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, a source close to the investigation said that Zimmerman’s account of events hasn’t changed in his several statements to police, in which he said he was so unnerved by Trayvon’s behavior that he rolled up his window to avoid a confrontation.
However, he never mentioned any of that while talking to the dispatcher.
As reported by the Orlando Sentinel:
The details revealed by the source provide new insight into what Zimmerman said happened in the earliest moments of his contact with Trayvon. And they may reveal the inconsistencies alluded to by prosecutors in the case.
One of those inconsistencies: Zimmerman told police Trayvon had his hand over Zimmerman’s mouth during their fight on the night he shot Trayvon.
The Sentinel’s source confirmed that Zimmerman’s statements include that allegation. But authorities do not believe that happened, the source told the Sentinel, because on one 911 call, someone can be heard screaming for help. If it were Zimmerman, as he claims, his cries were not muffled, the source said.
Zimmerman also told police, the source told the Sentinel, that while the two were on the ground, Trayvon reached for Zimmerman’s gun, and the two struggled over it.
Those portions of Zimmerman’s account are not corroborated by other evidence, the source said.
Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, said he hasn’t yet seen his client’s
statements to police, and it would be inappropriate for him to address specific evidence in the case.
“It’s hard for me to even comment on it,” O’Mara said.
How many versions is this? Zimmerman is a lying piece of sh*t who should spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing an innocent child. And every Sanford Police officer involved in the cover up should be charged. This case was not botched, it was deliberate.
Zimmerman MySpace page “suggested his friends went to jail and did not rat him out” http://thkpr.gs/JeAXz9
Trayvon Martin case: New interim police chief for Sanford, Fla. http://sns.mx/k4gFy9
Trayvon Martin case: Zimmerman’s lawyer wants to delay document release http://vsb.li/8ePVN8
NAACP holds rally for Trayvon Martin in LA http://vsb.li/YeYQNn
Trayvon Martin Case: Judge considers adjusting George Zimmerman’s bond amid $200K donation disclosure http://vsb.li/FKFx2z
The charade continues. How you gonna not know Ziimmerman didn’t have the $$$? O’Mara’s either stupid, playing smart or Zimmerman just continues LYING to EVERYONE, including his attorney. MOFO belongs in JAIL.
No way Zimmerman’s lawyer did not know about the money that was raised. I mean really! I agree the lawyer should be brought up on ethics charges. The entire Zimmerman klan & the lawyer has game and think they can play the system. Zimmerman needs to locked up ASAP. And WTF is wrong with the judge in the case? $150,000 bond? It was a slap in the face. There is no equal justice for African Americans in this country. The country is racist as hell.
Trayvon Martin rally to be held at South L.A. church http://vsb.li/Y5xFQD
Last Updated 8:32 a.m. ET
(CBS News) SANFORD, Fla. – George Zimmerman was released on bail overnight.
Officials in Florida say Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot Trayvon Martin to death and is accused of second-degree murder, will be carefully tracked wherever he goes. And that will almost certainly be somewhere outside Florida.
Zimmerman left jail right around midnight Monday morning, wearing what looked like a bulletproof vest under his jacket, and presumably headed for the safest and most secret place his attorney could find.
For 12 days, Zimmerman woke up in the Seminole County Jail in Sanford. He was released after posting a $150,000 bond and being fitted with a GPS monitoring device.
To make bail, Zimmerman had to put up 10 percent, or $15,000, of the bond money. His father said that might only be raised through a second mortgage.
Under the terms of his bail, Zimmerman must surrender his passport, observe a strict 7-p.m.-to-6-a.m. curfew and cannot use a firearm.
Zimmerman’s GPS tracking device will follow him in real time anywhere in the U.S. He also has to check in with authorities every three days.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57418716/zimmerman-to-be-closely-watched-while-out-on-bail/?tag=nl.e875
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/13/trayvon-martin-painted-by-chaz-guest-photos.html
New judge in Zimmerman case no ‘soft touch,’ lawyer saysBy the CNN Wire Staff
April 19, 2012 — Updated 0210 GMT (1010
CNN) — The judge who will take over the case of a Florida man accused of shooting an unarmed teenager has high ratings from defense lawyers but isn’t known as a “soft touch,” one Florida attorney said Wednesday.
Seminole County Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. will start by presiding over a bond hearing for George Zimmerman on Friday. Lester was assigned the intensely scrutinized case Wednesday afternoon after the recusal of Judge Jessica Recksiedler, who had been asked to step aside by Zimmerman’s lawyer.
Bond hearing set for Friday; Recksiedler steps aside
“He’s a great judge,” Orlando lawyer Diana Tennis told CNN sister network HLN. “He’s been on the bench a really long time. He’s very no-nonsense. He’s a real fast talker, very efficient, gets the cases in and out.”
Tennis said Lester is “not known as a soft touch” but has a reputation for listening to both sides of a case. “I would definitely not call him a huge friend to the defense particularly, but he’s very fair if you go in and do the right thing,” she said.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/18/justice/florida-shooting-judge/index.html
Trayvon Martin death raises issue of racism in America, says Toni Morrison
Nobel prize-winning novelist says Republican presidential hopefuls used hateful language against Barack Obama
Emma Brockes in New York guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 April 2012 13.00 EDT
The US novelist and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison says the death of Trayvon Martin in February and the way in which law enforcement agencies reacted raises the question of systemic racism.
In an interview with Guardian Weekend magazine, the 81-year-old accuses police of bending to pressure from the state attorney and killer George Zimmerman’s family under what she calls the protective cover of a corrupt system.
The shooting of Trayvon, aged 17, who was walking home through a Florida housing complex, prompted weeks of public protest culminating on Wednesday with Zimmerman, 28, a neighbourhood watch leader, being charged with second degree murder. He pleaded not guilty.
Morrison, who won the Pulitzer prize for Beloved, her novel of slavery, said: “They keep saying, we have to have a conversation about race in this country. Well, this is the conversation … The police are ill-trained and they’re corrupt, and they’re protected, and that’s what they do. All over. I don’t mean all police, but the system itself is protective. So yeah, they’re going to lie.”
She extended her criticism to the legal establishment: “[Zimmerman’s] father calls up, the ex-magistrate? He calls up. Then the state prosecutor comes to the police station to talk and the lead detective wants to arrest the guy and he says no. And now we’re getting the demonisation of the kid. He was this, he was that, he wore his pants down.” Morrison says the level of racial intolerance in the US is evidenced by the language used in political discourse. References by Newt Gingrich to Barack Obama as the “food-stamp president” and by Mitt Romney to the president’s “welfare state” are, she says, hateful in their racial overtones and “embarrassing for my country”.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/13/toni-morrison-trayvon-martin-racism-police?INTCMP=SRCH
Media lawyers: Unseal the George Zimmerman court file
3:24 p.m. EST, April 16, 2012|
By Rene Stutzman, Orlando Sentinel
Media attorneys on Monday asked the Sanford judge overseeing the George Zimmerman murder case to unseal the court file.
Attorneys for Zimmerman and the state last week agreed that they wanted paperwork in the file kept secret. That also includes all the evidence that the state will, in the next few days and weeks, provide Zimmerman’s attorney
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-16/news/os-george-zimmerman-new-judge-20120416_1_media-companies-attorneys-mark-nejame
portrait made entirely of SKITTLES
https://www.google.com/search?q=george+zimmerman+skittle+portrait&hl=en&prmd=imvnsuo&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=yFGLT4O4LY-k8QSFnaj4CQ&ved=0CEMQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=695
Posted at 02:25 PM ET, 04/14/2012TheWashingtonPost
Trayvon Martin and Christian faith
By By Rahiel Tesfamariam
Christian ideals have long been central themes in America’s civil rights struggle. It should not be a surprise that they remain focal as the nation lives through this explosive “Trayvon Martin moment.”
When looking to Scriptural passages and the death of Jesus, Christians often find purpose that gives meaning to their pain because, as Romans 8:28 asserts, they “know that in all things God works for the good, of those who love God, who have been called according to God’s purpose.” It’s the ever-present assurance that redemption awaits them on the other side of immense human suffering. They are also comforted by the belief that the bloodshed of the innocent is never in vain, especially when they take up their crosses and fight the good fight.
This was what gave great meaning to the National Action Network’s “Truth to Power Revival,” held at the Washington Convention Center this week. Ironically, it was held in the same room where Rev. Al Sharpton and Trayvon Martin’s parents responded to the second-degree murder charge brought against George Zimmerman announced just 24 hours before.
Evoking the imagery of the Civil Rights movement, the devotional message offered by Rev. Tony Lee, pastor of Community of Hope A.M.E., urged the audience to be a part of a legacy of “believing people” who were able to bring about sustainable change with very little resources at their disposal.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/trayvon-martin-and-christian-faith/2012/04/14/gIQAX1vYHT_blog.html
Angela Corey: “If ‘Stand Your Ground’ becomes an issue, we fight it if we believe it’s the right thing to do.” http://wapo.st/InBdA1
thank God for what has happen so far but! I still don’t trust them. Zimmerman is pleading not guilty. Not guilty of what? I am praying for Joe Oliver… he needs to hide his face. Is he in coon hall of shame?
Eric Holder discusses Trayvon Martin killing
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/75029.html
Attorney General Eric Holder promised Wednesday that the Justice Department will take action in the case of Trayvon Martin’s death if it finds evidence that a federal civil rights crime has been committed.
“Many of you are greatly – and rightly – concerned about the recent shooting death of Trayvon Martin, a young man whose future has been lost to the ages,” Holder said before the National Action Network, a civil rights organization founded by Al Sharpton. “If we find evidence of a potential federal criminal civil rights crime, we will take appropriate action, and at every step, the facts and law will guide us forward.”
Yes, AG Holder; because Black folks have ALWAYS had to hold America to her word on teh PURSUIT OF LIFE, LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL
Breaking News: State Prosecutor Angela Corey will hold a news conference in 72 hours to release some new information.
Attorney for Trayvon Martin Family: “We’re very concerned that George Zimmerman is unaccounted for.” http://thkpr.gs/HIBLtS
Zimmerman probably has intentions of collecting money from his supporters and skipping the country. ARREST HIM NOW!
That MOFO ZIMMERMAN has prolly left the COUNTRY!
When Zimmerman told attorneys there would be no need for a manhunt, he would turn himself in if arrested was a smoke screen. He played everyone! How do you feel now, Sanford Police, MSM?
Yes siree, Zimmerman’s family and Fox , Murdock, Koch, Alec, NRA owned, RIGHTWING NUTS have funded this MOFOs ESCAPE.
Zimmerman’s lawyers withdraw from the case. ARREST THIS MOFO!
George Zimmerman Launches Website For Donations, Uses Photo Of Possible Hate Crime
http://gothamist.com/2012/04/10/george_zimmerman_creates_website_fo.php
The man who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and is at the center of an investigation conducted by a special prosecutor in Flortida has created a website soliciting donations. “I am the real George Zimmerman,” the site reads, a fact confirmed by Zimmerman’s attorneys.
In addition to posting quotes from Thomas Paine and Edmund Burke, Zimmerman dedicates a section of his website to “persons whom have displayed their support of Justice for All.” Below that writing are two photos, one of which show a building spraypainted with the words, “Long Live Zimmerman.” That building is the Hale Black Cultural Center at Ohio State University, which was vandalized in an apparent hate crime after students held a candlelight vigil last Wednesday.
Zimmerman’s website: A thousands words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.
a bottom feeding slug
Tracy Martin tells Thomas Roberts @ MSNBC his family haven’t had time to grieve. Of course they haven’t. They’ve had to fight such incredible injustice. It’s a national disgrace they had to go through this horror.
Of course they haven’t had time to grieve. It’s the American way to stall, delay, and obstruct justice for BLACK AMERICANS. JUST A NATIONAL DISGRACE!
Trayvon Martin’s mother said the special prosecutor told her “they’re going to be wrapping up the investigation soon” http://thkpr.gs/IemGSw
Martin’s mother expresses confidence in prosecutor
CBS THIS MORNING VIDEO:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57411718/martins-mother-expresses-confidence-in-prosecutor/
IT’S PAST TIME TO ARREST GEORGE ZIMMERMAN. BRING IT TO A COURT OF LAW! IT’S THE AMERICAN WAY, DAMN IT!
JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON MARTIN!
George Zimmerman’s Family Asks Eric Holder To Arrest New Black Panthers For Hate Crimes. http://tiny.cc/8wujcw
Dannie Owens @DAOWENS44:
Trayvon Martin protesters block doors to the Sanford Police Department – http://OrlandoSentinel.com http://thesent.nl/Ir8a8V
Zimmerman legal team says he is ‘distraught’. http://tiny.cc/lu3hcw
Mofo I’m distraught your a** haven’t been arrested for murdering a kid.
Trayvon Martin: Protesters call for civil disobedience. http://tiny.cc/e70hcw
Students protesting the shooting death of Trayvon Martin have called for civil disobedience this morning, reports show.
The Dream Defenders, a group of college students who walked from Daytona Beach to Sanford this weekend, said it will meet today at 8 a.m. at Sanford’s Allen Chapel AME Church on Olive Avenue, the same location where many of the Trayvon Martin rallies have been held since March.
The group will then walk three blocks to the Sanford Police Department where it plans to make a list of demands to local and state government.
A message on the Dream Defenders’ website said the group plans the non-violent protest in conjunction with a national day of silence.
“We will not stop until Zimmerman is arrested, Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee and Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. are permanently removed from office, a full investigation into the handling of the Trayvon Martin murder by local law enforcement and the state attorney, and the immediate prosecution of those found to have committed any wrong doing,” the website states.
Organizers want Governor Rick Scott to call a special legislative session to address their perception of racial inequality in Florida. The marchers planned to create a list of demands during their 40-mile march.
Zimmerman-Martin incident teaches injustice and stereotyping. http://arbiteronline.com/2012/04/09/justice-was-clearly-not-served-for-trayvon/
It’s not LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS when black parents have to talk to their sons about being racially profiled.
I’m tired of hearing about the Trayvon Martin case dividing the country. Utter BS! The country has BEEN divided, beyotches. The MSM can take their polls about Trayvon Martin case & shove it deep. It’s nothing but a tactic to silence our voices. Think again, mofos! We’re not shutting up! We’re going to fight until Justice 4 Trayvon Martin is served!
I’m sick of this damn unjustice justice system in America. Waiting over 40 days for an arrest of a murderer is beyond the pale, Angela Corey.
Angela Corey:”It’s possible that we’ll just make a decision without the grand jury”.
That was 12 days ago.How much longer should we wait?
Armed neo-Nazis patrol the streets of Sanford, looking for race riots. http://goo.gl/KBGIB
Roxbury `Justice for Trayvon’ forum tonight
http://bostonherald.com/blogs/news/heart_of_the_city/?p=126
Over 200 concerned residents are expected at a Roxbury community town hall forum titled “Justice For Trayvon Martin!” at 6 p.m. this evening at Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley Street, Roxbury.
Residents from all walks of life will gather “to discuss the case of Trayvon Martin and the moves they are trying to do here with Senate Bill 661″ Massachusetts version of the ‘Stand Your Ground’ bill,” said organizer and local activist, Jamarhl Crawford who has a goal to “move people to action against the bill that’s being proposed here” in Massachusetts.
The forum looks to inform residents about Senate Bill 661 “An act relative to the common defense” and House Bill 1568 “An act relative to civil rights and public safety” and follows a nationwide rally for justice for Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African American male who was shot to death on Feb. 26 by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman who said he feared for his life when he confronted Martin on a walkway of the Retreat at Twin Lakes gated community in Sanford, just north of Orlando, Fla.
The racially charged case has drawn worldwide scrutiny of that city’s police department because Zimmerman was not arrested after evidence showed Martin did not have a weapon on his person and was in the area visiting his father’s girlfriend’s home.
Sanford police, cite Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law, as reason for not arresting Zimmerman because there was not enough evidence to prove he was not acting in self-defense.
“We will talk about the epidemic of this national attack on black men and boys,” said Crawford. “Trayvon is not an isolated incident. Case after case this repeatedly happens in communities across the country,” Crawford told the Herald.
A rally at the State House to lobby against the bills is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday.
One-on-One with Trayvon’s father, Tracy Martin
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/Perspectives_1/article_8719.shtml
Final Call Newspaper (FCN): You and Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, recently went before a Congressional panel in Washington, D.C. to continue demanding justice. What is the U.S. Justice Department saying to you regarding their investigation?
Tracy Martin (TM): Well they are really not saying anything to us at this point and haven’t disclosed any information to us related to their investigation into the murder of our son. All we can do is assume that they and the special prosecutor are really working diligently to get to the bottom of this so justice will be served. So all we can do is have faith, whatever that is, in the system. But it’s tough because our son is gone and it is taking this long to get an arrest of (George) Zimmerman.
FCN: Are you at all shocked that Mr. Zimmerman has not been arrested? What do you think this says about the U.S. justice system?
TM: Justice for us would be to have George Zimmerman caught, handcuffed, arrested, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and charged for the murder of Trayvon. We want nothing less than that.
FCN: Lastly, you described how painful it has been on you and his mother since the night of Feb. 26. How important is the support you all are receiving from around the globe?
TM: Yes, it has taken a mental toll and we refuse to stop. And the support has been touching. The support of everyone is like the crutch that we are leaning on. The support of the world is keeping us going. We appreciate what everyone is doing to help get justice for our son. His death will not be in vain and you all are helping to make sure of that.
FCN: Thank you
The Racist History of Sanford, Florida . http://vsb.li/sjnDOc
Trayvon Martin killing: UN human rights chief calls for investigation – Telegraph http://tgr.ph/Hsxyi1
UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay has called for an “immediate investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teen who was shot dead by a volunteer neighbourhood watchman in Florida.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-boyce-watkins/george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin_b_1393761.html
“When George Zimmerman goes down, it should be a family affair. The justice department should investigate Robert Zimmerman’s role in helping his son evade punishment and also investigate prior incidents in which Robert Zimmerman chose to obstruct justice. Any police officials who chose to assist Mr. Zimmerman in his efforts to help his son shirk responsibility for his actions should also be punished.”
Trayvon Martin protest: Students will march for 3 days
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-06/news/os-trayvon-martin-march-students-20120406_1_college-students-shooting-death-marchers
A coalition of college students will spend the next three days marching about 40 miles between Daytona Beach and Sanford to protest the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
The group, which calls itself the Dream Defenders, said the march is a “stand against racial profiling, institutional racism and the legacy of violence that continues to plague young people of color.”
Trayvon Martin case: City of Sanford bracing for special prosecutor’s decision
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trayvon-martin-case-city-sanford-bracing-special-prosecutor-decision-article-1.1057221
The city of Sanford, Fla., is preparing for unrest ahead of a special prosecutor’s announcement on the fate of Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman.
While it is unclear when Angela Corey will announce her decision, Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett said that he had met with emergency management teams and the federal Department of Justice to “prepare for the worst,” WMKG reported.
“We’re planning for the ‘what-if’ case scenario and that would be to make sure all of our citizens get the protection they pay their taxes for,” the Mayor told reporters on Thursday.
Since the February incident, Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, has insisted that he was threatened by the 17-year-old and shot him in self-defense. He was questioned by cops but not arrested.
Trayvon’s family claims Zimmerman followed their son despite orders from a 911 dispatcher not to and then attacked him.
In this Aug. 11, 2009 photo, Trayvon Martin is seen in an aircraft hanger. A task force set up by Democratic State Sen. Chris Smith is examining whether change is needed to Florida’s “stand your ground” self-defense law in the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin killing. The law is under nationwide scrutiny following the Feb. 26 shooting in Sanford of the 17-year-old Martin by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman.
Trayvon’s own 911 call being examined by Feds to determine if Zimmerman’s voice can be heard in background http://www.examiner.com/unsolved-cases-in-national/trayvon-martin-made-his-own-911-call-before-his-death-fbi-investigates
Racism coupled with vigilantism! As millions fight for Trayvon Martin, “Kill at Will Laws” flourish. http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/03/kill_at_will_laws.html
“Long live Zimmerman” spray-painted onto black cultural center http://thkpr.gs/HNh96f
Tamarii Cummings hugs his mom, Pat, at a rally in Miami on Sunday to call attention to the death of his cousin, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
This picture says it ALL. So heart rending
Zimmerman’s new lawyer says Travyon Martin is dead because Trayvon “made a terrible decision and a bad judgment.”
What was that? Walking in black skin? Walking on sidewalk? Carrying skittles & ice tea or talking on the phone?
I can’t…I just can’t…
Don Lemon: “Don’t Call Me Racist For Covering Trayvon Martin” | AlterNet http://ow.ly/a5wMK
http://www.loop21.com/life/don-lemon-racism-trayvon-martin-coverage?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theloop21+%28TheLoop21.com+Comprehensive+Feed%29
CNN host exposes ugly racist taunts he’s received for his coverage
CNN host Don Lemon is not apologizing for his extensive coverage of the Trayvon Martin case — especially to the many racists who have bombarded him with tweets due to the coverage.
Lemon directed viewers this past Sunday to refrain from sending him incendiary tweets.
“Please don’t send me any more tweets that by having this conversation, I’m a racist or a race-baiter,” he said. “This is a conversation we all need to have, so relax on that.”
Calling some of the responses “disgusting” and “ridiculous,” Lemon read one of the tweets on-air.
“Don Lemon, you are a racist. You are fixated on this one issue over and over. We want to hear the news, not your personal agenda. Go work for BET.”
Journalist Goldie Taylor, who was on the segment with Lemon, said she’s been called the n-word for her coverage on Twitter; with one even threatening her life.
“I’ve been called the n word more, collectively, over the last 72 hours than I have my whole life,” she said. “It is amazing to me what people will say with the anonymity of a tweet.”
Racist usually don’t like to be called racist, or want anyone to discuss RACISM!!!!
Go Don!
Study: Republicans, whites more tired of Trayvon Martin coverage. http://tiny.cc/ey38bw
Why would anyone do a poll on this? This is just insulting to the 10th power.
Trayvon’s death doesn’t concern them. Unless there’s $$$ to be made, it just does not concern them. That, and the fact that RACIAL PROFILING is in question here. Fuck them; don’t watch the coverage, move along. We’re SOLDIERING ON
Trayvon Martin’s Parents to Lead March in Miami
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Trayvon-Martins-Parents-to-Lead-March-in-Miami-146111815.html
Several marches and rallies to demand an arrest in the shooting of Miami teen Trayvon Martin will take place Wednesday, including a nighttime rally led by his parents in conjunction with a candlelight memorial on the 44th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton will lead the Trayvon Martin March for Justice beginning at 6 p.m. on MLK Boulevard at Northwest 8th Avenue that will include a “Reclaim the Dream” candlelight memorial service and gospel concert.
The free concert will feature James Fortune & Fiya, Vickie Winans, the Wardlaw Brothers, and Sensere.
King, a clergyman and civil rights activist, was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968.
Before the rally, City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones will hold a Peace Walk at Sherdavia Jenkins Peace Park in memory of the 9-year old girl who was killed by a stray bullet in Liberty City in 2006. After the ceremony, Commissioner Spence-Jones will lead the group to join the Martin march.
38 DAYS SINCE GEORGE ZIMMERMAN MURDERED TRAYVON MARTIN IN COLD BLOOD
WHEN IS ZIMMERMAN GOING TO BE ARRESTED?
Members of the New York City Council wear “hoodie” sweatshirts as they stand together on the steps of City Hall in New York to call for justice in case of killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida
Trayvon Martin’s Girlfriend Interviewed By Prosecutors
By Jen Heger – Radar Assistant Managing Editor
Trayvon Martin’s girlfriend has been formally interviewed by prosecutors in connection with the unarmed 17-year-old’s death after neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman shot and killed him, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.
As previously reported, Martin was killed by Zimmerman, who claimed self defense, as he was walking through a gated community, carrying candy and iced tea.
PHOTOS: Celebs Who Have Done Jail Time
Martin’s girlfriend, who is a minor so RadarOnline.com won’t be disclosing her identity, was interviewed at an undisclosed location for more than two and a half hours.
“Trayvon’s girlfriend was interviewed by the two district attorneys that Special Prosecutor Angela Corey appointed to the case,” a source tells RadarOnline.com. “She was interviewed last week and her mother was present throughout. She was very forthcoming and had pertinent information to the investigation because she was the last person that talked to Trayvon before George Zimmerman shot and killed him. It was extremely emotional for her and her mother wanted to make sure it wasn’t too much for her. She would be a very compelling witness for the state of Florida if criminal charges are filed against George Zimmmerman.”
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/04/trayvon-martin-girlfriend-interviewed-prosecutors
My heart goes out to this child. It has to be devastating for her. I lift her up in prayer and ask God to comfort and embrace her with his tender mercy.
Prayers for Trayvon’s girlfriend. So much angst and sorrow…
George Zimmerman ready to surrender, if charged
George Zimmerman would come out of hiding, and turn himself in to police if he’s charged, says his lawyer. Special prosecutor Angela Corey says she will decide whether to charge George Zimmerman “soon.”
By Daniel Trotta, Reuters / April 3, 2012
Sanford, Fla.
Geogre Zimmerman would surrender to authorities if he is charged in the Florida shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, his attorney said on Monday, adding he was preparing for trial in the case that has captivated the US public.
“If he’s charged, he will be arrested and he will turn himself in,” attorney Craig Sonner told Reuters in a telephone interview. “However it goes, he’s not hiding from the authorities. If he is asked, he will turn himself in. There’s not going to be a manhunt or anything like that.”
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, fatally shot Martin on the night of Feb. 26, saying he had acted in self-defense. Police released him without charge and said there was no evidence to contradict Zimmerman’s story that he was attacked by Martin, 17.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0403/George-Zimmerman-ready-to-surrender-if-charged
You are correct, David Banner. Zimmerman will get arrested, he might be the system’s sacrificial lamb, but we will still DEMAND CHANGES within the SYSTEM.
The Sanford Police Department needs to be investigated, and charges brought against any and all who aided, abetted, and obstructed evidence in Trayvon’s murder.
Add to this the SYSTEMIC RACIAL PROFILING that has been going on in America since FOREVER. AND THE “STAND YOUR GROUND” BANG, BANB, SHOOT’EM UP, WILD, WILD, WEST LAW!
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM IS BROKEN, WITH BROKEN DOWN CROOKED, DECEITFUL, HATEFUL, HEARTLESS COPS. THEY NEED THE HEAVE HO!
When you can’t trust the police to do their job, then the country is pretty much fk’d up.
Trayvon Martin: The Heart of a Wildfire
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-semino/trayvon-martin-the-heart-_b_1395487.html
At its most humanistic level, a mother and father are mourning the senseless loss of a child, questioning why this happened to their son. Through this lens, we are recognizing that racial profiling and stereotyping is an ugly, embedded part of our culture. We are challenging the efficacy of “Stand Your Ground” laws, analyzing whether they provide an unjustified license to kill and have a disparate impact on minority groups. We are questioning why too many young African American men are incarcerated and losing their lives daily to violence. We are acknowledging that institutionalized racism exists. We are finally seeing what Trayvon Martin means.
Yes, and what racist America sees in Trayvon AIN’T PRETTY. But we see Trayvon. He’s the son of Sybrina and Tracy.
Trayvon Martin march 4 justice
ThinkProgress @thinkprogress
Audio expert enhances 911 tape, concludes Zimmerman used racial slur. Another says its inconclusive. http://thkpr.gs/HgkOtT
I know what I heard. “Fucking coon.” GEORGE ZIMMERMAN called Trayvon Martin a “FUCKING COON.”
He stalked Trayvon and shot him dead. It’s a HATE CRIME & MURDER. ARREST & CONVICT this MOFO NOW!
George Zimmerman’s ‘Justified’ defense?
http://tiny.cc/roy5bw
In making his case in the killing of Trayvon Martin, did George Zimmerman borrow some lines from the gun-slinging FX show “Justified”? Specifically, did he borrow lines from the March 21 episode?
The killer’s father, Robert Zimmerman, told a Fox Tampa Bay reporter that his son told him, “Trayvon Martin said something to the effect of ‘you’re going to die now,’ or ‘you’re going to die tonight.’ Or something to that effect.” Fast forward to 2:10 to hear him say this.
What Zimmerman said piqued the interest of my Facebook friend Money Train with Funk Gumbo Radio.
Now when I heard what George Zimmerman allegedly told his father Trayvon said to him it made think about where have I heard something similar….And then it hit me that last week’s episode of FX Network’s show “Justified” called “Guy Walks Into a Bar” had almost the same type of language between bad guy Robert Quarles (Neal McDonough) and marshall Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant). Quarles says, “I’m going to kill you Raylan. Maybe not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow. But someday you’ll be walking down the street and I am gonna put a bullet right in the back of your skull and you’re gonna drop.”
“And the reason why George Zimmerman could not have told the Sanford Police the Quarles quote after his shooting of Treyvon is because this episode of ‘Justified’ had not aired yet,” Money Train wrote. “And ‘Justified’ is an action packed ‘shoot first’ vigilante law drama that I could easily see George Zimmerman watching regularly.”
What piqued my interest in what father Zimmerman said was that in the middle of that scream-filled life-and-death struggle where heads are being bashed into sidewalks, there was time for that bit of dramatic “monologuing”? Like the Zimmerman family’s public relations offensive on behalf of George, it doesn’t make sense.
After the video of George’s arrival at the Sanford Police Department looking like he was arrested for illegally driving a golf cart instead of killing an unarmed 17-year-old, none of what they’ve said makes any sense. They want us to disbelieve our eyes and ears.
BREAKING: Pres. of Florida Emergency Physicians says enhanced Zimmerman video does NOT show evidence of a broken nose http://thkpr.gs/Hgjjw1
Protestors call on ALEC to disavow ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws after Trayvon Martin’s murder | The Raw Story: http://bit.ly/Hasf3u via @AddThis
State Attorney Norm Wolfinger Statement on Letter to Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–April 2, 2011
http://tiny.cc/sbs5bw
I am outraged by the outright lies contained in the letter by Benjamin Crump to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Roy Austin dated April 2, 2012. I encourage the Justice Department to investigate and document that no such meeting or communication occurred. I have been encouraging those spreading the irresponsible rhetoric to stop and allow State Attorney Angela Corey to complete her work. Another falsehood distributed to the media does nothing to forward that process.
Shows us phone records from the night of Feb. 26, 2012. We don’t give a rats ass about your outrage. We’re outraged an innocent unarmed child died and the guilty one walks free.Show us the phone records!
Zimmerman family member calls NAACP “racist,” tells group “there will be blood on your hands” http://thkpr.gs/HgR6AY #trayvon
Teh only person with BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS is GEORGE ZIMMERMAN.
38 DAYS SINCE ZIMMERMAN MURDERED TRAYVON MARTIN IN COLD BLOOD & NO ARREST. WHAT’S UP SPECIAL PROSECUTOR?
Trayvon Martin Killing Prompts Petition From Gun Control Group
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/02/trayvon-martin-petition-gun-control-group_n_1397575.html?ref=politics
WASHINGTON — A major gun control group on Monday launched a nationwide petition to Congress — “The Freedom To Buy Skittles Without Getting Shot” — aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of “dangerous people” like George Zimmerman, who told police he shot and killed Trayvon Martin in February.
The Brady Campaign petition states that Americans demand basic freedoms in their daily life, including the ability “to go to the store and buy Skittles and an iced tea without getting shot.” Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot Martin in what he says was an act of self-defense. Martin was unarmed and carrying a bag of Skittles and an iced tea.
People who sign on to the petition pledge to hold accountable any elected official who “puts guns in the hands of dangerous people — people like George Zimmerman, the man who killed Trayvon Martin.” The petition says Zimmerman had an arrest record and a history of violence, yet was still allowed to carry a concealed and loaded gun.
“That is the gun lobby’s vision of America. It is not mine,” reads the petition. “I will hold accountable any elected official that puts the extremist, political agenda of the gun lobby ahead of the safety and lives of the people they have been elected to represent.”
Trayvon Martin Update: Ambulance called for George Zimmerman canceled, dispatch recordings say http://bit.ly/HzBYEo
I just love you sistas, you are right the real hoodlums are bring exposed and the best is yet to come. we are going see people losing jobs, losing their lives, committing suicides for the low down
things they have done to others. we are going to see hundred and thousands of young people leading people to the Lord.God did not cause trayvon death but He is using it for us to see the dirty heart of these people.
Amen, Johnnie! 3Chics is so grateful to have you grace our blog. We enjoy your presense. Keep speaking the truth.
Breaking News: FBI Agents are on the scene where Trayvon Martin was shot & killed and going door to door talking to potential witnesses.
FedUp_Mom @Fedup_Mom:
@TheRevAl @TheReidReport just reported Zimmerman’s family may have been at the station that night.
Trayvon Martin’s Death Cries Out For A Reexamination of Race in America
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/keith-rushing/trayvon-martin_b_1391827.html
The horrible death of Trayvon Martin has put the stereotyping of black men and racial profiling front-and-center in the national consciousness like no other case in more than a decade. Trayvon, a teen with great promise, who played football, loved video games and had dreams of going to college was struck down by a man who clearly had an ax to grind. George Zimmerman, according to neighbors in the gated community in Sanford, Fla., where he lived, seemed to have an obsession with black males. In Zimmerman’s mind, Trayvon could not simply be a kid innocently carrying skittles and ice tea who liked wearing hooded sweatshirts. He had to be a thug, carrying a weapon who was “suspicious” and “up to no good.” To Zimmerman, Trayvon fit the profile of a criminal and this self-appointed neighborhood watchman who toted a 9mm and liked walking the neighborhood with his Rottweiler was going to track Trayvon’s whereabouts to protect his neighborhood. And minutes after he first spied Trayvon, the 17-year-old lay dead from a gunshot wound to the chest that Zimmerman inflicted.
Joy Reed is reporting FBI agents are on the scene where Trayvon Martin was shot & killed. Lets hope we get some action soon. Arrest Zimmerman!
Keith Boykin @keithboykin
Why was Zimmerman’s father, a former magistrate, present for re-enactment the next day?
Trayvon Martin’s parents seek federal review of prosecutor
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/01/justice/florida-teen-shooting-review/
(CNN) — Trayvon Martin’s parents will ask the U.S. Justice Department to review a local Florida prosecutor’s interactions with police investigating the teen’s shooting death, the family’s lawyer said.
The Justice Department launched an investigation into Martin’s death on March 19, but the family is now asking it to look for possible interference by State’s Attorney Norm Wolfinger’s office with Sanford, Florida, Police Detective Chris Serino, attorney Ben Crump said.
The Martin family will send a formal request to the Justice Department Monday, Crump told CNN Sunday.
Goldie Taylor stated on CNN that someone tweeted to her “I’ll shoot you”. Goldie replied…”you’d better be a quicker draw”. The racist have lost their mind and truely want a race war.
Protesters Demand Zimmerman’s Arrest – The Daily Beast http://bit.ly/H8xbeh
Black History Moment ~ Mr. Emmitt Till
Posted on April 1, 2012 by Jueseppi B.
Thorough & complete write up with video. MUST READ & VIEW!
http://theobamacrat.com/2012/04/01/black-history-moment-mr-emmitt-hill/
LIVE AERIELS OF THE MIAMI RALLY FOR TRAYVON
http://miami.cbslocal.com/live-video/
Florida teenager’s home town turns out in Miami protest
MIAMI (Reuters) – Thousands of protesters gathered in a downtown bayfront park on Sunday demanding the arrest of the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, in central Florida a month ago.
Civil rights leaders were joined by Martin’s parents who were making their first major public appearance in the family’s home city since a news conference on the steps of the Baptist Church where the funeral for their son was held last month.
Sunday’s protest came a day after one of the largest demonstrations yet in Sanford, the central Florida town where Martin was killed.
The crowd gathered in an amphitheater with a “Justice for Trayvon” poster behind the stage.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-usa-shooting-floridabre82u0b1-20120331,0,3067260.story
CNN panel debates influence of Zimmerman’s dad in the Trayvon Martin case http://thkpr.gs/H7yZ6K
Geraldo Rivera @GeraldoRivera:
Trayvon Martin’s parents are coming on my show tonight live on FNC @10pm ET- I’m going to apologize for guilty hoodie stuff
This mofo right here need to go to JAIL. Corrupt sobs!
Didn’t Lee state he was “TEMPORARILY STEPPING DOWN?” Ummmm GTFOH
The Miami Herald @MiamiHerald:
Parents of #TrayvonMartin will take part in a 4 p.m. rally Sunday at #Bayfront Park in downtown #Miami. http://hrld.us/HBXo2Q
George Zimmerman, no injuries
I’m reposting this video on all the Trayvon Threads. POWERFUL
I DON’T LIKE THE CAPTION AT THE BOTTOM OF MSNBC’S ALEX WITT SHOW
“TRYAVON MARITN SHOOTING” IT’S MISLEADING. IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. TRAYVON DIDN’T SHOOT ANYONE. HE WAS MURDERED. IT’S CONFUSING. CHANGE IT, MSNBC
911 Call on Trayvon Martin case
Thousands Rally in Fla. Town Where Teen Was Shot
Great page, SG2. This case is one for the history books. We’re not going to bury it.
You’re welcome. 3Chics is going to continue this fight until Trayvon Martin receives justice. His innocent blood cry out from the grave for justice.
how can we thank you when thank you just doesn’t seem enough. I have told all of my friends about your site.
Sheryl Underwood breaks down in tears over the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. http://tiny.cc/qdv0bw >have your kleenex ready.
Trayvon Martin killing: witness says he saw Zimmerman walk away uninjured | World news | http://guardian.co.uk http://bit.ly/H3UiCW
34 days and still no arrest for a criminal that gunned down an innocent unarmed 17 yr old black child/minor. It’s a national disgrace!
Robert Zimmerman discounted the lack of blood in the video stating “They may have cleaned him up”. http://tiny.cc/iylzbw
There’s a lot the Sanford Police Dept did on the night of Trayvon’s murder, cleaning Zimmerman up wasn’t one of them, no matter how hard they TRIED to do it.
Time for the DOJ to Expand Investigation
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2012/4/1/103613/2967
Who was crying for help seconds before George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin? Not Zimmerman:
Tom Owen, forensic consultant for Owen Forensic Services LLC and chair emeritus for the American Board of Recorded Evidence, used voice identification software to rule out Zimmerman. Another expert contacted by the Sentinel, utilizing different techniques, came to the same conclusion.
Zimmerman claims self-defense in the shooting and told police he was the one screaming for help. But these experts say the evidence tells a different story.
Once again, we have further evidence to suggest that Officer Tim Smith submitted a false police report. His report, which he filed at 3:29 AM on the night of the shooting, has the following exonerating information:
While I was in such close contact with Zimmerman, I could observe that his back appeared to be wet and was covered with grass, as if he had been laying on his back on the ground. Zimmerman was also bleeding from his nose and back of his head.
…Zimmerman was placed in the rear of my police vehicle and given first aid by the SFD [Sanford Fire Department]. While the SFD was attending to Zimmerman, I over heard him state, “I was yelling for someone to help me, but no one would help me.”
Every bit of this exonerating evidence appears to be false. None of it is corroborated by the police report of Ricardo Ayala that was submitted at 2:28 AM. The video of Zimmerman arriving at the police station a mere 34 minutes after the police arrived on the scene shows no evidence of blood on the head, nose, or clothing. It shows no evidence that Zimmerman had received any medical attention. There is no visual evidence of grass or wetness on his jacket. And the experts say that it was not Zimmerman crying for help on the 911 call. It is now time for the Department of Justice to expand their investigation:
Attorneys for the family of slain black teenager Trayvon Martin are asking the U.S. Justice Department to review reports that prosecutors undermined a police investigation of shooter George Zimmerman by overruling a detective who wanted to charge him…
…Lawyers for Martin’s family are preparing a formal request that the federal government also investigate the specific report that state attorney prosecutors interfered with a homicide detective who wanted to charge Zimmerman with manslaughter.
“We are asking the Justice Department to investigate that,” attorney Benjamin Crump, who has been retained by the Martin family as it pressures authorities to arrest Zimmerman, told Reuters late Saturday. “We are concerned about interference in the investigation.”
…Sanford police detective Chris Serino, unconvinced by Zimmerman’s story of self-defense, wanted to charge him with manslaughter but was overruled by the office of State Attorney Norm Wolfinger, the prosecutor whose district includes the city of Sanford, ABC News reported on Tuesday.
Wolfinger has declined all comment since removing himself from the case on March 22…
…A separate report by TheGrio.com, unconfirmed by Reuters, said Wolfinger left his home the Sunday night of the shooting to meet with Sanford police in person.
“Why did he get out of his bed and go to the police station that night and overrule the lead investigator?” Crump said. “It doesn’t fit well.
Why did Officer Tim Smith insert this exonerating information in his police report at three-thirty in the morning? When did the prosecutor arrive at the police station? Who did the prosecutor talk to prior to setting out for the police department? Why did the prosecutor later recuse himself from the case to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest?
Trayvon Martin exposed the REAL HOODLUMS in this case. George Zimmerman, Norman Wolfinger, Chief Bill Lee and the every officer in the Sanford Police department involved in a cover up of this case need to go to jail.
Yes; the real AMERICAN SAVAGES are being exposed, and they need to be arrested and justice laid on them.
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Viva Air finalizes order for 50 A320 Family aircraft
Download: Printable PDF Date: 23 Dec 2017 09:35 category:
Country: France Aircraft: Airplanes
Viva Air group modernizes fleet, accelerates network growth with Airbus’ leading single-aisle family
Following an MOU signed at Le Bourget Paris Airshow in June, Viva Air, the Latin America low cost carrier group owned by Irelandia Aviation, has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for 50 A320 Family aircraft. The 35 A320neo and 15 A320ceo will be operated by the group’s airlines VivaColombia and Viva Air Peru and will allow the two all-Airbus operators to modernize their fleets and capture growth opportunities across Latin America.
William Shaw, CEO and Founder of VivaColombia, part of Viva Air, said: “This order reflects our long-term commitment to our customers lowering fares further due to the benefits of this new fleet. We are excited to continue expanding our successful low cost model and accelerate our growth throughout Latin America making air transportation more accessible and affordable to our customers.”
John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, said: “Airbus is pleased to play a major role in supporting Viva Air in its exciting journey to develop the low cost model throughout Latin America. With its exceptionally comfortable cabin, low operating costs and excellent fuel efficiency, the A320 and A320neo Families are the best product lines to complement Viva Air’s expansion goals.”
The Airbus-VivaColombia relationship began in 2012 when the airline began operations with A320 aircraft. VivaColombia, based in Medellin, has been an all-Airbus operator since, and today it operates 11 A320s. Viva Air recently launched Viva Air Peru, the sister airline of VivaColombia based in Lima. Viva Air Peru currently operates three A320 aircraft.
Viva Air is a Panamanian headquartered group created by Irelandia Aviation and led by Declan Ryan. Irelandia has successfully developed six low cost carriers around the world, namely Allegiant, Ryanair, Tigerair, VivaAerobus, VivaColombia and most recently Viva Air Peru. Combined, the airlines have a fleet of more than 420 aircraft and have carried over a billion passengers.
The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line. To date, the Family has won over 13,000 orders and more than 7,600 aircraft have been delivered to some 400 customers and operators worldwide.
The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 5200 orders received from 95 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market.
With over 1,000 aircraft sold and a backlog of over 400, more than 650 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 1990, Airbus has secured over 60 percent of net orders in the region and in the past 10 years alone, Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet.
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Veruca: Baby Name of the Day
July 25, 2014 By appellationmountain 11 Comments
She’s a reprehensible child who meets a bad end in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Could this ever be the name of a real child? Our Baby Name of the Day is Veruca.
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Veruca Salt is the very spoiled daughter of wealthy parents. Both of the movie versions make her British, and in the Tim Burton version, her interview is filmed at a huge stately home outside of London called Hatfield House, which you can tour.
It’s fun to watch Veruca’s tantrums, but you wouldn’t want to raise your child to become so difficult and demanding.
But you might admire that vibrant V name. Victoria, Veronica, Vivica, Valentina … there are some great names starting with the letter V. It’s not a stretch to imagine Veruca fitting right in.
The trouble is that Roald Dahl didn’t borrow the name from earlier uses, nor did he invent the name from thin air. Veruca comes from verruca – the Latin word for wart.
More broadly, verruca can refer to a growth, or even just a flaw or failing. It’s obscure in the US, but still very much used in British English.
That’s not just a horrible meaning – that would be a serious challenge if your California-born daughter decided to study abroad in London.
Has any one ever been brave enough to borrow Veruca?
Looking at US Census records, it appears that there have been a very few, but they all predate the 1964 publication of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. They could be mis-recorded. And there have never been five or more children given the name in any single year. So Veruca is just about unknown as an actual child’s name.
But there have been two uses that come to mind:
Let’s start with a relatively obscure reference. In season four of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the kids have graduated from high school and headed off to a (fictional) local campus of the University of California. Shortly after their arrival, musician-werewolf Oz falls for the lead singer of another band. She also happens to be a musician-werewolf, but of the rather badly behaved variety. So there’s no redemption for the name here.
Then there’s indie band Veruca Salt, who scored their biggest hit with “Seether” in the mid-1990s. They add some edge to the name, but they’re clearly named after Dahl’s demanding schoolgirl, so I’m not sure that makes a big difference, either.
The phrase “Vercua Salt” is sometimes used as a synonym for “spoiled brat.” Since the movie adaptations of the book came out in 1971 and 2005, and are frequently shown, it is tough to claim that this reference is fading.
All of this makes me think that Veruca might be best left alone, and yet I can’t escape her quirky-cool sound. I’d put her on the same list as Djuna or Luscinia – seriously daring names that might fit in better than we expect.
Names4Real mentioned a few sightings of Veruca, as well as a Veruka Nine – I’d love to meet those parents!
Maybe all that’s missing is a fictional character or two called Veruca, characters who have lots of good traits. And yet, with the British use of the term to refer to warts, I have a hard time imagining that happening anytime soon.
What do you think of Veruca? Is she wearable, or would it be unfair to saddle a child with a name with such a negative meaning?
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Veruca says
My name is Veruca!!
Mamabear says
My daughter’s name is Veruca. It’s Slavic and means vivacious and strong willed, which is totally fitting for her! The Latin word for wart is spelled Verruca (with 2 R’s), and isn’t a name, and since we’re not in the UK and haven’t ever heard of the Latin use we weren’t deterred by that. I love it, she loves it, and it’s very unique! We also use the nicknames Ruca or Ru.
My daughter is named Varuka (I changed the spelling). I was obsessed with the character growing up. Although she is only 3 months, I have spent a great time explaining to people where I found this name and why I chose it.
LOVE! You totally made my day! And I do think changing the spelling sidesteps the most problematic issues with the name.
I named my daughter Veruka with a K (another woman said this too, is this true?? I thought my daughter was the only one!!) I named her that specifically after the Chocolate Factory character (yes thats right and my daughter collects Veruca Salt memorabilia, even got her an authentic golden ticket for Christmas one year!) my daughter is a very happy 14 yr old popular cheerleader and everyone LOVES her name despite me receiving actual death threats back in 2005 online when I told a baby name message board what I had named her. I think the name is unique and beautiful xoxo
DEATH THREATS?!? Oh my, that’s just crazytown.
I’m so glad to hear it’s wearing well. In the remake of the movie, they used a historic home as the Salt family manor for the opening scene – the ones where they interviewed the Golden Ticket winners. I actually got to visit a few years ago – not exactly planned, but a thrill when I realized where I was standing!
Looking at the data, Veruka doesn’t register. BUT that doesn’t mean no girls have the name (obviously!) It just means it’s never been given to five girls in a single calendar year. For privacy purposes, the Social Security Administration considers those too rare to share.
Madelyn says
Yeah, not for me. I can’t shake the bratty character or the wart issue. It does have a lovely sound; it reminds me a bit of Fairuza, which has a lovely meaning– turquoise.
I would maybe use it for a pet. It could be fitting for a bird, cat, or goat. 🙂
This has been a great week. Happy birthday and have a lovely weekend!
Names4Real says
Great choices this week and I love that you featured Veruca! It’s a guilty pleasure of mine too. I really think we should be real life BFF’s. 🙂
Veruka Nine is on the first page of my name journal. (I keep a journal of all the fabulous (at least to me) names I’ve found/heard about over the years).
I found another Veruka recently and look for her in upcoming Names4Real post – Veruka Avery.
British American says
Don’t do it!!!! 😛
The name does remind me of my childhood in the UK – specifically that we had to wear “veruca socks” in swimming class at school, so that you didn’t spread the wart virus. These plastic socks were hard to get on and off.
Fast forward to the US today and my daughter has a nasty wart on her foot that we left alone too long. So now she’s had several visits to the dermatologist and he has to freeze it off her foot and she cries and it costs us hundreds of dollars. I hate warts right now! I was looking at the paperwork this week and it does have the word “veruca” listed right there under diagnosis. So it is still currently used. Not that the Dr has used the word with my daughter, so I don’t think she’s heard it. We just call it her wart. But all the same, it is the more official medical term.
Roald Dahl’s story is such a classic too and the negative character is another bad association.
Sound alone it is nice with the V and I do like “ends in A” names for girls. Definitely better in the middle name spot if you adore the name despite the negative associations.
Amy3 says
I’m with you, it’s too bad the meaning of this name is so unpleasant. On sound and looks, it’s a great name.
You’ve profiled great names for your birthday week!
Abby – I am so glad you wrote up Veruca during your birthday week! You have mentioned its appeal to you in the past so it’s only right to feature it. As for using it – nah.
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Call rehabilitator for advice when you find a baby bird
By Chris Corio, Special to the BDN • May 24, 2001 12:17 am
It’s that time of the season. Many birds are now brooding clutches of eggs, which soon will produce many gaping, hungry mouths. Some have fledged already.
What should you do if you happen upon a baby bird? For an answer, I asked an expert in the field of wildlife rehabilitation.
“People are doing a really good thing by caring,” said Ann Rivers, director of the Acadia Wildlife Foundation on Mount Desert Island. “The trick is to convince them to take the next step.”
That next step is consulting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and turning the bird over should it indeed be in need of care.
Rivers said she has a specific set of questions she asks when someone calls about a baby bird. After determining what kind of bird it is, the behavior it’s exhibiting, how it was found and its condition, she will advise the person how to proceed. Sometimes, it is only a matter of putting the bird back where it was found.
Robins are most often in this scenario, as they will jump out of the nest before their flight feathers are fully developed. Although not capable of sustained flight, they will flutter about on the ground and up into low bushes. Their parents will feed them as they continue to grow – this is a natural situation for them.
Many people believe that parents abandon babies once humans have handled them.
“That is the biggest myth going – the parents want these babies, they have put so much effort into raising them,” Rivers said emphatically. This is especially true of many birds, which have a minimal sense of smell. However, even baby mammals can be returned without fear of rejection, she said.
If the bird is injured, or if its parents have been killed, Rivers asks that the youngster be transported to her or to another rehabilitator located conveniently to the good Samaritan. She has several reasons for this.
“The amount of care is huge,” Rivers said, adding that baby birds must be fed and cleaned every 15 minutes for up to 18 hours a day. Their diets must be “perfect” – a diet without sufficient calcium, for example, will cause bone deformities within 24 hours, she said.
Keeping or housing a wild animal without a license is also illegal, Rivers said. People who want to care for wildlife need to take steps to obtain state and federal permits.
Unless the bird is in imminent danger, Rivers advises people to call before they act.
If you do need to rescue a baby bird, place it in a quiet, warm place, such as a ventilated box or a paper bag with holes punched into it. Do not attempt to give food or water to the bird. Then call a rehabilitator.
Avoidance of unnecessary stress for the bird ensures its chances of survival and its return to what it was meant to be – wild.
If you have questions about a bird you have found, you can call Acadia Wildlife Foundation at 288-4960. Another good rehabilitation center is Avian Haven, located in Freedom, at 382-6761. The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife office, your local veterinarian or humane society can also refer you to a rehabilitator in your area.
Chris Corio, a volunteer at Fields Pond Nature Center, can be reached at fieldspond@juno.com.
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Canada’s manifold crisis carries lessons for U.S.
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State Records Office of WA SROWA
ICA AtoM user manual
Browsing and searching
Organisations & People
Government of Western Australia, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
CORRESPONDENCE - KINDERGARTENS
FILES - GENERAL (PRE-SCHOOLS)
AU WA A445 - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION BOARD
Organisations and People
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Authorized form of name
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION BOARD
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AU WA A445
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Dates of existence
The Western Australian Pre-School Education Board was established under the Pre-School Education Act (No. 18 of 1973) which provided for the dissolution of the Kindergarten Association of Western Australia (Inc), and for the discharging of the former functions of that Association: to make provision for the maintenance and extension of pre-school education facilities, to regulate the conduct of pre-school education centres and for incidental and other purposes.
The Kindergarten Association of Western Australia (Inc) (selected records of which are held by the Battye Library of Western Australian History, Private Archives Collection, Manuscript Note 797) was preceded by the Kindergarten Union of Western Australia (Inc) (see also Manuscript Note 525 in the Battye Library).
The Board established advisory committees on matters of educational policy, finance and staffing, registration and standards, Aboriginal pre-school education and the Child Care Certificates Course conducted by the Board.
Twenty six advisory staff were employed by the Board upon formation. These staff assisted in the supervision and administration of pre-school centres. Regional advisory staff were based in Albany, Bunbury, Corrigin, Geraldton, Gnowangerup, Kalgoorlie, Merredin, Moora, Northam, Port Hedland and Ravensthorpe.
Upon the Board's formation, there were a total of 124 pre-school centres catering for 4882 children.
The Western Australian Pre-School Education Board ceased operation on 31 December 1977 when it became absorbed by the Education Department.
(Agency description sourced from "Western Australian Pre-School Education Board Annual Report 1973/74").
Functions, occupations and activities
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Creation: Pre-school Education Act (1973-1975)
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AU WA A13 - MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (1988-07-01 - 1994-01-01)
Identifier of the related entity
AU WA A13
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AU WA A12 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (1893-10-13 - 1988-07-01)
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Series S1507 - MINUTES
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Series S3137 - CORRESPONDENCE - KINDERGARTENS
Series S859 - FILES - GENERAL (PRE-SCHOOLS)
Archivist's notes
AN Cross Reference = 500
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Falcons Make Super Bowl History
February 6, 2017 By Victoria Swaim Leave a Comment
(Gainesville, Ga) Thousands of people packed into the Texas stadium for the last football game of the season where the New England Patriots would take on the Atlanta Falcons. Country singer, Luke Bryan, sang the National Anthem before kickoff around 6:30 pm The coin toss followed the singing of the National Anthem. Patriots called heads but when former President George Bush Sr. tossed the coin it fell tails up giving the Falcons the choice to choose whether to kick or receive first.
In the first quarter neither offensive team was successful. It wasn’t until the second quarter when Falcons running back, Devonta Freeman, got the first touchdown by running it into the end zone. The Falcons held the lead for the first half of the game. After the running game deemed successful the Falcons switched up the offensive play through quarterback Matt Ryan.
“The Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan began to lose his nervousness after the first quarter where Falcons were only running the ball. Now he is more confident in passing the ball in the second quarter.” stated Falcons fan Taylor Stubbs.
Throughout the first quarter Patriots Wide Receiver Jullian Edelman was getting all of the Patriots yards. After noticing Edelman as a threat, the Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith started putting double coverage on him in the second quarter which successfully stopped Edelman’s dominance as the Patriots top receiver in the first quarter. After stopping Edelman, the Falcons defense stepped up in the second quarter but their defensive penalties were continuously giving the Patriots free yards and first downs.
The Patriots caught back up at the end of third and beginning of fourth quarter with a crucial touchdown catch made by Amendola. With five minutes left in the 4th quarter, Matt Ryan passes to Julio Jones for a potential game winning touchdown, but the next play Matt Ryan was sacked for a loss of 13 yds.
Two penalties in the 4th quarter cost the Falcons 20 negative yards which took them out of field goal range and helped the Patriots gain a position to tie the game as the Falcons barely held onto an 8 point lead.
Patriots’ Edelman intercepted Matt Ryan’s pass in the 4th quarter. This tied up the game 28 to 28 with 30 seconds left on the clock. The Falcons and Patriots made a first in Super Bowl history by going into overtime! After a few plays in overtime, the Patriots made the last touchdown of the night ending the game at 34 to 28 and becoming the champions of Super LI.
Filed Under: Sports, Top Stories
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Alvin Lim
Netizens slam new Ramli Sarip Majulah Singapura Singapore national anthem video, use #funeral in comments
Posted by Danielle Ann | Dec 4, 2019
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In case you missed it, Singapore’s newest unofficial national anthem rendition just dropped on YouTube, and netizens are not happy. The video called “New music video for Majulah Singapura” went live on December 2 on The Straits Times’ YouTube channel.
The Straits Times had previously reported that the new national anthem rendition would debut in honor of the 60th anniversary of the original national anthem.
While the Singapore national anthem was not changed, the government simply recorded a new, official version that was played first in front of the National Gallery, and the video that netizens were reacting to was actually just a separate performance by veteran singer-songwriter Ramli Sarip.
Not the official national anthem video
Some netizens had assumed that the Ramli Sarip video was actually the new version of the national anthem, and were complaining that the mood and tone of the song was too sad and dark.
The official new rendition in front of the National Gallery was played on December 3. The newer version features a rendition with a slightly faster time signature, played in the key of F. The previous version was in the key of G.
This is the video of the first official playing of the new Majulah Singapore song.
The official new Singapore National Anthem still features the same lyrics by Zubir Said and Phoon Yew Tien’s arrangement. New voices were added to the song and updated audio technology was used for the new recording.
On the other hand, the video featuring Ramli Sarip is not official, but features other Singaporean icons such as Singapore’s first female Olympian Tang Pui Wah, comic writer-artist Sonny Liew, HIV-positive program coordinator Calvin Tan and disabled rapper Wheelsmith.
The Ramli Sarip video also featured the rendition he sang during Singapore’s 2019 National Day, which caused a bit of controversy. Some people thought the rendition was slow but heartfelt. When it was made into a video in black and white, it seemed unnecessarily sad, which some netizens did not like as well.
Netizens started to get mad and downvote the video, which was mistaken as the new, official version. These people were incorrect, however, as the video is simply a new, unofficial arrangement.
What were the netizens saying?
The reaction to the video and the song arrangement was overwhelmingly negative. Take a look at their comments:
Some said that the song wasn’t a great thing to hear at 6:00 in the morning everyday at school.
Another comment also mentioned that someone younger should have sung or re-arranged it so it didn’t turn out like such.
While some felt the chills when watching the video, people have started calling this version “disgrace” and mentioning the word “funeral” possibly due to the somber feel of the song.
Another commenter said that the song sounded like a funeral march, and the release had such ill timing especially for the opening of the Southeast Asian Games, where Singaporean athletes are currently competing for medals against other nearby nations.
Again, with the “funeral” mentions.
Some other commenters also said that the video should not have been in black and white. Another comment also said that the Chinese portion of the song should not have been included.
Other commenters also used “funeral” in a hashtag and asked who died for this video to be made.
What do you think of this specific national anthem version? Let us know in the comments!
Header image from The Straits Times YouTube channel.
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Building Trust Between Operator and Distributor (Conclusion)
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Kathryn Q. Rowen | September 29, 2015
What separates a good distributor from a great one?
RIPON, Wis. — Choosing the right distributor to partner with is an important factor in the success of your laundry business.
A good distributor will provide extensive industry knowledge, durable equipment and reliable service; a great distributor, however, is a trusted partner who goes above and beyond to build and maintain a lasting personal and professional relationship.
Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate a distributor and ensure they meet your requirements will save you from the disappointments that can come with working with a less-than-exceptional distributor.
You shouldn’t—and don’t have to—settle for less. Great distributors are out there—here’s how to identify them and ensure they are willing and able to foster a mutually beneficial partnership for years to come.
AROUND-THE-CLOCK ACCESSIBILITY
Accessibility and responsiveness are crucial in separating a good distributor from a great one.
A less-than-great distributor will set a customer up with equipment, but may disappear after the sale closes. A great distributor continues to support the customer well after the purchase, making themselves available to their customers 24/7.
Arthur Wechsler, coin and OPL specialist at Ed Brown Distributors, Dallas, takes the time to regularly check up on his customers to ensure they’re satisfied. He even visits operators who have purchased from a competitor to find out why.
According to Karl Hinrichs, president of HK Laundry Equipment, Armonk, N.Y., customers should feel comfortable calling their distributor for advice or help, even if it’s outside of normal business hours.
The great distributor will communicate with customers however they’re most comfortable—whether by phone call, e-mail or text message—and always responds in a timely manner.
“If a customer has a problem, a good distributor will tell them where to go to fix it, but a great distributor will hold their hand and show them how to fix it, together,” says Hinrichs.
Marc Katzman, president of Metropolitan Laundry Machinery, South Richmond Hill, N.Y., agrees that the customer comes first.
“If at any point a customer starts to rethink something or needs an expert opinion, we take the time to talk them through the process and make sure they understand every aspect,” he says. “Anything they need from us, we’re there for them.”
INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY ARE PRICELESS
A great distributor always has the customer’s best interest in mind and shares their vision for success.
“It’s not just about selling equipment and making money; it’s about doing the right thing for the customer to achieve success and profitability,” says Katzman.
A great distributor is honest and feels a responsibility to answer their customers’ questions truthfully, giving genuine advice and recommendations about equipment and store locations.
Additionally, loyalty to both customer and brand are important. According to Katzman, great distributors focus on select brands—instead of having many products that compete against each other—and are loyal to these brands.
They align themselves to the best products available, which strengthens the distributor’s relationship with the manufacturer, allowing the distributor to take advantage of all the services and expertise the manufacturer can offer.
A MEANINGFUL, LASTING RELATIONSHIP
Finding the right distributor to partner with will lend itself to building and maintaining a strong, mutually beneficial relationship.
According to Hinrichs, a great distributor builds and maintains loyal relationships by keeping promises, over-delivering, being respectful of customers and honoring commitments.
“All good relationships—professional or otherwise—are built on a foundation of trust,” Wechsler says. “I answer all my customers’ questions truthfully, even if it doesn’t end up benefiting me. If you lie to a customer for any reason, you lose all credibility.”
Similarly, Katzman’s philosophy in building successful relationships with customers focuses on the golden rule—treating people how you’d want to be treated.
According to Wechsler, it’s not up to the customer to support the relationship. A great distributor will offer a strong foundation on which to build a relationship, nurture the relationship with trust and integrity, and make it last by continuing to be accessible to the customer whenever necessary.
But there are several things a customer can do to make the relationship stronger, says Hinrichs, including asking comprehensive questions.
“The most educated store owner is the best customer,” he says.
At the end of the day, it’s in the hands of the store owner to evaluate distributors to find the right one that meets their requirements, and it’s the distributor that is responsible for following through on its promises.
kathryn_q._rowen_1.jpg
Kathryn Q. Rowen
Huebsch®
North American Sales Manager
Kathryn Q. Rowen is the Huebsch® North American sales manager and may be reached at [email protected]
There’s no magic formula when it comes to choosing a coin laundry’s operational model but certain factors can affect the call. Mike Enz from Dexter distributor Laundry One compares and contrasts the two.
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Results in Minudie, New Waterford, Cherry Brook, Lucasville, Lake Echo and Windsor Plains
Arts, Entertainment & Leisure 1
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Lucasville, Lucasville, Nova Scotia B4B , Canada
This community was established by a splinter group from the Upper Hammonds Plains area.
New Waterford, New Waterford, Nova Scotia B1H , Canada
Many of the African Nova Scotian men who lived in Cape Breton were also employed as miners.
Lucasville United Baptist Church
619 Lucasville Road, Lucasville, Nova Scotia B4B 1R9 , Canada
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Provincial Baptist Youth Fellowships Gospel Concert
292 Cherry Brook Road, Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia , Canada
Come worship in God's glory and praise through his music and dance! Donations Accepted and the doors.
When Sat From 01/25/2020 to 01/25/2020 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
African United Baptist Association
10 Cherry Brook Road, Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia B2Z 1A8 , Canada
The African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia was founded by Reverend Richard Preston in 1854.
Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
10 Cherry Brook Rd, Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia B2Z 1A8 , Canada
The Society for the Protection and Preservation of Black Culture in Nova Scotia (better known as the Black Cultural Society) was incorporated as a charitable organization in 1977.
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Descendants of African American Enslaved Living in Nova Scotia
90 Martin Lake, Lake Echo, Nova Scotia B3E 1B3 , Canada
We are not for profit organization committed to making a difference in our communities, through education, employment and community development.
Office Assistant for the AUBA
10 Cherry Brook Road, Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia , Canada
Under the general supervision of the African United Baptist Association (AUBA) Clerk and the Moderator, the Office Assistant is responsible for providing a wide range of secretarial/administrative support services to the AUBA.
African Heritage Month Information Network
10 Cherry Brook Road, Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia B2Z 1A8 , Canada
The African Heritage Month Information Network (AHMIN) produces an educational poster that is distributed and displayed across the province in community gathering centers, schools, churches, government offices and businesses.
in Groups & Organizations, Health, Fitness & Wellness
Health Association of African Canadians (HAAC)(HRM Address)
The Health Association of African Canadians (HAAC) was formed in 2000 to address African Canadian health issues and the system inequities affecting health.
2019 African Heritage Month Poster
Cherry Brook, Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia B2Z , Canada
Eleven kilometres east of Dartmouth are the communities of Cherry Brook/Lake Loon, North Preston, and East Preston, which were once included within the British Township of Preston.
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DPN + AVPreserve Collaboration wins 2017 NDSA Innovation Award
By Kara Van MalssenOctober 25, 2017News
We received some wonderful news today: it was announced at the opening plenary of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) Digital Preservation conference in Pittsburgh, PA that the Digital Preservation Network (DPN) received the 2017 NDSA Innovation Award in the organization category, in particular for the Digital Preservation Workflow Curriculum that we collaborated on with them! The Innovation Awards were established by the NDSA “to recognize and encourage innovation in the field of digital preservation stewardship. These awards highlight and commend creative individuals, projects, organizations, and future stewards demonstrating originality and excellence in their contributions to the field of digital preservation.” We are truly honored and humbled by this recognition!
In response to DPN members’ concerns around the issues of workflow for digital preservation, DPN engaged AVPreserve to develop a digital preservation workflow curriculum to share with DPN members and others in the digital preservation community. The curriculum was published under a Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution Share Alike (CC-BY-SA) license in July 2017.
Aimed at helping organizations develop and enact programmatic digital preservation, the curriculum goes beyond the basics to help participants overcome obstacles to operationalizing digital preservation at their institutions. Based on analysis of existing trainings and interviews with diverse stakeholders, the curriculum focuses on organizational capacity development over individual professional development and is structured to include two representatives per institution. Emphasizing program development, management, and governance in 6 modular sessions, topics track the digital preservation lifecycle from selection of priority assets, to submission to a preservation environment, to sustainability.
The published curriculum is packaged for easy implementation, and includes learning objectives, guidance on participant levels and demographics, resources required, and recommended background reading. Each module comes with a set of slides and exercises that can be easily modified for the workshop context. Get it on our website or on the DPN website under best practices.
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Individual Level of privacy Versus National Security
Individual Privacy Vs .
In this record you will find out about why it was necessary to possess individual level of privacy as well as nationwide security. As well, the difference involving the two and how both can violate each other if certainly not handled correctly.
Over the years countrywide security is at a be more vital than the level of privacy of individuals nevertheless too much of both equally can prove to be challenging. Based away from my analysis done, We are stating the true definition of nationwide security and individual privacy. Also I will be stating few tragic occasions from our nation's past, the United States of America that points out why impacting on an individual's privacy can be helpful to avoid a disasters from happening in the future. An illustration from a couple of articles of incidents where the airline's full random queries have made people feel there individual personal privacy was broken. The most debatable questions with regards to this theme are exactly what are the limits to a individual's privacy also what lengths the government must be allowed to proceed when it comes to breaking an individual's level of privacy. There are a few various kinds of privacy, specific privacy, educational, organizational, religious and mental. Personal personal privacy consists of the right to not come in contact with illegal invasion of level of privacy whether it's the federal government, corporations or perhaps an individual according to where you are derived from. Privacy laws and regulations are in almost all countries but each and every one countries incorporate some sort of limit to level of privacy. National Secureness is the necessity to preserve the existence of the state by making use of economic, diplomacy, power output and personal power. Once defining person privacy and national reliability you have to glance at the basic nature of the two. While researching the controversial topic you can come towards the conclusion that a balance is necessary. Too much individual privacy can be harmful to the national security of the public just as a lot of national secureness can be harmful to an individual's privateness or fundamental rights. There are many of tragic terrorist problems that have tested the need for national security. And there are reasons why it is necessary to protect our fundamental rights since human beings, the justification to our close and personal lives. It is said that too much of one hurts the other and vice versa, a balance is needed to get both to exist. The patriot act allows federal law enforcement agencies to collect private information on people for the purpose of countrywide security. The Privacy act states that every agency that includes a system of records must be capable to produce all for review or offer a copy to any individual in their ask for, as long as it pertains to that each. But this does not apply to the records of every individual just those records held by simply an agency. Meaning the data held by simply non-agency govt entities just like courts and executive elements are not susceptible to the supply in the Personal privacy Act therefore there is no directly to these records. Terrorist attacks in U. H. soil had been reoccurring through the years, which have resulted in the tragic loss of a large number of innocent human lives. In response, law enforcement organizations are requesting extensive and more inescapable laws to counter-top this reliability challenge. Through history, anytime there have been nationwide emergencies, the rights and civil liberties of the general public have been reduced, and in many instances suspended completely. For example , approximately 120, 000 Japanese people Americans were forcibly removed and interned in camps during Community War. Terrorist attacks in past times have made the need for national secureness necessary to convenience the public's minds. In April of 1985, terrorists Terry Nichols and Timothy McVeigh left a truck packed with explosives in front of the Alfred G. Murrah Federal government Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. В That bomb slain 168 people including 19 children half a dozen and beneath, as well as injuring 680 other folks. While researching I realized this was the cruelest act of terrorism known until...
References: Girl Passengers Claim They're Targeted byВ TSA reporter Ginger Allen retrieved simply by World Wide Web: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/02/03/female-passengers-say-theyre-targeted-by-tsa/
Privacy Content from encyclopedia Retrieved September 30, 2012, from the World-wide-web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy
Privateness vs . Nationwide Security Retrieved on September 25, 2012, from the World-wide-web: http://millercenter.org/public/debates/privacy
National Protection Council Retrieved on Sept 25, 2012 from the Internet: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nsc
National secureness trumps personal privacy, study states Retrieved by Sept 25, 2012 by: http://fcw.com/articles/2008/03/03/national-security-trumps-personal-privacy-survey-states.aspx By Jason Miller Scar 03, 2008
2 (Source: ACLU Press Release (06/13/01) at http://www.aclu.org/news/2001/n061301a.html).
3 Older Women State They Were Strip-Searched at New York Airport Released December 06, 2011 Recovered on August 11, 2012 from Internet: FoxNews. comhttp://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/06/3-elderly-women-claim-were-strip-searched-at-new-york-airport/
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By CSIRO’s Data61 CEO Adrian Turner,
In his latest op-ed in the Australian Financial Review, CSIRO’s Data61 CEO Adrian Turner explores how we can unlock the economic and societal benefits of robots.
Fifteen international teams from Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Iran, Japan and Portugal recently descended on Sydney for the 2019 RoboCup Millennium Challenge. Eleven fully autonomous virtual robots known as “agents” played as part of each team without the assistance of a remote control and complying with FIFA rules. The nail-biting final came down to the wire, with an Australian team emerging victorious over the 2018 world champions with seconds to spare.
But this was more than a game, it highlighted Australia’s strengths in robotics and the speed with which the field is evolving.
A ball challenge between robots at the Robo Soccer World Cup 2019, held in Sydney. Image credit to Brenna Turner of SportTechie
According to IDC the global robotics market was worth $151 billion in 2018, and that’s expected to double to $315.5 billion by 2021. Robots are used today in wide-ranging fields such as precision agriculture, mining, medical procedures, construction, biosecurity, transportation and even for companionship.
Unlocking economic value
Advancements in robotics have been accompanied by a fear that robots and automation will take our jobs along the way. While there are short-term risks with forecasts of 40 per cent of jobs potentially being displaced, it’s not clear that there will be an overall reduction in the number of jobs over time.
The World Economic Forum suggests that the opposite will occur. In their Future of Jobs 2018 report, the authors concluded that while automation technologies including artificial intelligence could see 75 million jobs displaced globally, 133 million new roles may emerge as companies shake up their division of labour between humans and machines, translating to an additional 58 million new jobs created by 2022.
A recent report by AlphaBeta estimates that automation can boost Australia’s productivity and national income by (up to) $2.2 trillion by 2030 and result in improved health and safety, the development of new products and services, new types of jobs and new business models. In that same report AlphaBeta concluded that by 2025 automation in manufacturing could increase by 6 per cent along with an 11 per cent reduction in injuries while wages for non-automatable tasks will rise 20 per cent.
Image made by a drone that can self navigate mine shafts in GPS-denied environments and build 3D maps of the subterranean environment. Data61
The key to unlocking economic and societal benefit from robotics will be to have them do things not possible or economic before. Take caring of an ageing population that is forecast to live longer but with a smaller workforce to support them.
The math doesn’t add up without new methods for care to keep people out of hospitals and in their homes longer. Or supporting children with autism to develop social interaction and communication skills with Kaspar, a social robot being trialled by researchers at the University of New South and CSIRO.
Robots can help with dangerous jobs too. CSIRO’s Data61 spinout Emesent develops drones capable of travelling in GPS-denied environments utilising 3D LiDAR technology. They travel down mineshafts to safely inspect hard to access areas of underground mines, so people don’t have to.
On the other side of the world, a Harvard University group has spent the last 12 years creating a robotic bee capable of partially untethered flight powered by artificial muscles beating the wings 120 times a second.
The ultimate objective of the program is to create a robobee swarm for use in natural disasters and artificial pollination given the devastating effectives of colony collapse disorder on bee populations and consequently food pollination.
The US Department of Agriculture estimates that of the 1400 crops grown for food, 80 per cent depend on pollination and globally pollination services are likely worth more than $3 trillion.
Robotic advancements
Advancement in robotics is accelerating. They will increasingly evolve from isolated machines to be seamlessly integrated with our environments and each other. When one robot encounters an obstacle or new context and learns, the entire network of robots can instantaneously learn.
Other advancements include the use of more tactile skins with embedded pressure sensors, and more flexible sensors. A team of engineers from the university of Delaware have created flexible carbon nanotube coatings on fibres that include cotton and wool, resulting in shape forming, flexible and pressure sensitive skins. Just as with the robobee there are also advancements in collaborative robots, or cobots, that can be used for resilient search and rescue operations among other things.
We are also witnessing improvements in dexterity. The California-based Intuitive Surgical has developed a robot allowing a surgeon to control three fully articulated instruments to treat deep-seated damaged or diseased tissues or organs. Robots are also being developed that can unfold and soft robotics that will be important for applications that involve people contact.
A CSIRO’s Data61 robot designed to explore small or unsafe locations
The challenge until recently has been a lack of actuators or artificial muscles that can replicate the versatility of real muscles. Advancements are being made with one design made from inexpensive materials reportedly able to lift 200 times its weight. Another compelling advancement is in augmenting our own muscles via wearable robots or exoskeletons. Applications today range from helping prevent workplace injury to helping people function more fully after spinal cord damage or strokes.
Australia can benefit substantially from robotics in areas like managing environmental threats, maintaining vital urban infrastructure, maximise crop yields in drought-affected regions, transportation or supporting law enforcement. Australia was the first country to automate its ports and mine sites and we have strong university capabilities at QUT and Sydney University among others. Today there are about 1100 robotics companies in the country and CSIRO’s Data61 recently opened the largest robotic motion-capture facility in the southern hemisphere.
The question of how Australia can capitalise on the trillion-dollar artificial intelligence and robotics revolution will be the focal point of the upcoming D61+LIVE conference in Sydney this October. Like all other industry creation opportunities in front of us right now, the opportunity is perishable and the way to maximise the benefit as a country is to be a global leader in parts. The Australian Robocup team has shown us how it’s done. Game on.
Adrian Turner is the outgoing CEO at Data61 and co-chair of AustCyber.
2019 RoboCup Soccer,
Australian industry,
Spotlight on Women in Tech
Data61’s Year in Review
CSIRO’s Data61 SubT team at the DARPA’s Tunnel Circuit event
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| COUNTRIES | Geographic.org | GEOLOGY | USA STATISTICS | CHINA STATS | COUNTRY CODES | AIRPORTS | RELIGION | JOBS |
Canada Geography 2008
https://allcountries.org/wfb2008/canada/canada_geography.html
Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US
Map references:
total: 9,984,670 sq km
Area - comparative:
somewhat larger than the US
Land boundaries:
border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline:
Maritime claims:
varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m
Natural resources:
iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 4.57%
Irrigated land:
Total renewable water resources:
3,300 cu km (1985)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Total: 44.72 cu km/yr (20%/69%/12%)
Natural hazards:
continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains
Environment - current issues:
air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border
NOTE: The information regarding Canada on this page is re-published from the 2008 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Canada Geography 2008 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Canada Geography 2008 should be addressed to the CIA.
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This page was last modified 24-May-08
Copyright © 1995-2008 ITA all rights reserved.
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Modi Has No One to Blame But Himself for the Successful Khan-Trump Summit
Modi disastrously bungled India’s famous policy of so-called “non-alignment” over the past year and ensured that the summit between Pakistani Prime Minister Khan and US
Imran Khan Reverses 20 Years of Poor Relations with the US
It was easily foreseeable that Imran Khan and Donald Trump would develop a good personal rapport once they got the opportunity to meet in person.
London Defends the Shreds of Its Empire Against Iran
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Home » Services » Facts to Consider in Setting up a Confidential Disposal Program >>
Facts to Consider in Setting up a Confidential Disposal Program >>
Every Business Has Information That Requires Destruction.
All businesses have occasion to discard confidential data. Customer lists, price lists, sales statistics, drafts of bids and correspondence, and even memos, contain information about business activity which would interest any competitor. Every business is also entrusted with information that must be kept private. Employees and customers have the legal right to have this data protected.
Without the proper safeguards, information ends up in the dumpster where it is readily, and legally, available to anybody. The trash is considered by business espionage professionals as the single most available source of competitive and private information from the average business. Any establishment that discards private and proprietary data without the benefit of destruction, exposes itself to the risk of criminal and civil prosecution, as well as the costly loss of business.
Stored Records Should Be Destroyed On A Regular Schedule.
The period of time that business records are stored should be determined by a retention schedule that takes into consideration their useful value to the business and the governing legal requirements. No record should be kept longer than this retention period.
By not adhering to a program of routinely destroying stored records, a company exhibits suspicious disposal practices that could be negatively construed in the event of litigation or audit. Also, the PIPEDA Act now mandates proper and secure Document Destruction. By destroying records according to a set schedule, a company limits potential security risks, eliminates liability concerns, and ensures that company information remains secret.
From a risk management perspective, the only acceptable method of discarding stored records is to destroy them by a method that ensures the information is obliterated. Documenting the exact date that a record is destroyed is a prudent and recommended legal precaution.
Incidental Business Records Discarded On A Daily Basis Should Be Protected.
Without a program to control it, the daily trash of every business contains information that could be harmful. This information is especially useful to competitors because it contains the details of current activities. Discarded daily records include phone messages, memos, misprinted forms, drafts of bids and drafts of correspondence.
All businesses suffer potential exposure due to the need to discard these business records. The only means of minimizing this exposure is to make sure information is securely collected and destroyed.
Recycling Is Not An Adequate Alternative For Information Destruction.
Paper recycling companies use unscreened, minimum wage workers, to extensively sort the paper under unsecured conditions. The discarded documentation is often stored for indefinite periods of time in an unsecured area until there is sufficient paper to recycle. The sorted paper, still intact, is then baled and sold to the highest bidder, often overseas, where it may be stored again for weeks or even months until it is finally used to make new products.
There is no fiduciary responsibility inherent in the recycling scenario. Paper is given away or sold and, by doing so, a company gives up the right to say how it is handled. There is no practical means of establishing the exact date that a record is destroyed. In the event of an audit or litigation, this could be a legal necessity. Further, if something of a private nature does surface, the selection of this unsecured process could be interpreted as negligent. For all these reasons, the choice of recycling as a means of information destruction is undesirable from a risk management perspective.
If environmental responsibility is a concern, materials may be recycled after they are destroyed or a firm can contract a service that will destroy the materials under secure conditions before recycling them. Any recycling company that minimizes the need for security has its own interests in mind and should be avoided.
A Certificate Of Destruction Does Not Relieve A Company From Its Obligation To Keep Information Confidential.
Any company contracting an information destruction service should require that it provide them with a signed testimonial, documenting the date the materials were destroyed. The “Certificate of Destruction”, as it is commonly referred, is an important legal record of compliance with a retention schedule. It does not, however, effectively transfer the responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of the materials to the contractor.
If private information surfaces after the vendor accepts it, the court is bound to question the process by which the particular contractor was selected. Any company not showing due diligence in their selection of a contractor that is capable of providing the necessary security could be found negligent.
From a practical standpoint, if proprietary or private information is lost or leaked by the fraud or negligence of a vendor, the obligations of that vendor are irrelevant. The firm whose information falls into the wrong hands stands to lose the most, either from loss of business, prosecution or unfavorable publicity.
Since a business cannot transfer its responsibility to maintain confidentiality, it must be certain that it is dealing with a reputable company with superior equipment and security procedures.
Atlantic DocuSHRED invites you to preview our destruction process at your premises before making your decision. We are confident our no touch handling process ensures the utmost security in the destruction of your sensitive documents.
Most Records Storage Companies Do Not Have The Equipment To Provide Shredding Services.
Many commercial records storage facilities offer records destruction as a service to their customers. However, in a survey conducted by the National Association for Information Destruction, a majority of the commercial storage firms were found lacking the equipment necessary to provide the service themselves. It is a common practice in that industry to subcontract the destruction of the records. In some cases, disreputable storage firms were found misleading their customers by charging for secure records destruction, while the materials were being sold to a recycling company for scrap.
Any business using a commercial records storage firm should inquire as to the nature of the destruction services that are available. It is an unacceptable risk to permit a storage firm to select a subcontractor to provide the records destruction service. The owner of the records is ultimately responsible for their security and, therefore, should be selecting the vendor directly.
Internal Personnel Should Not be Responsible To Destroy Certain Information.
Common sense dictates that payroll information and materials that involve labour relations or legal affairs should not be entrusted to lower level employees for destruction. But, beyond that, competition sensitive information is best protected from them as well. It has been established, time and again, that employees are the most likely to realize the value of certain information to competitors. Lower wage employees often have the ulterior motives or economic incentive to capitalize on this information. The only acceptable alternatives are to have the materials destroyed under the supervision of upper management or by a carefully selected, high security service.
Information Protection Is A Vital Issue To Senior Management.
In a survey conducted by the Conference Board, top executives from 300 companies ranked the security of company records as one of the top five critical issues facing business. Proper Document Destruction is pertinent to alleviating these concerns.
Our Purge Services >>
Our Ongoing Scheduled Service Program >>
Our Small Business Program >>
Our Business/Corporate Programs >>
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Coyotes’ Chayka is confident in future of the team’s core
Arizona Coyotes Stories
By Zach Pekale | March 22, 2018 at 12:05 pm
UPDATED: March 22, 2018 at 12:06 pm
LISTEN: John Chayka, Coyotes GM
In salvaging the second half of the season, Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka has had a proper chance to analyze the state of the team.
The Coyotes have put together a record of 15-10-6 since the turn of the calendar, giving fans and personnel a glimpse of the team’s potential when its key players come together.
“With some of the core we have, we’ve got seven, eight players we think can be part of a Stanley Cup team. We need to add to that, it’s what we’re after,” Chayka told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “Now it’s my job to surround those guys with the proper pros and supplement them with the proper skillsets to let those guys grow and blossom into what we think they can become.”
At 19 years old, the centerpiece of the Coyotes’ core is rookie Clayton Keller. He leads Arizona with 55 points, broke the team’s rookie points record on Wednesday and is among the top first-year players in the league.
Though there have been flashes that warrant optimism, the Coyotes’ playoff drought has now reached six seasons and the team will likely own a top-five pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
Keeping the core intact
While Chayka continues to evaluate the roster, some players might use the final nine games of the year as an opportunity to gain a larger role next season. For others, it could be a tryout to go elsewhere.
As the rebuild continues, one position Arizona hopes it won’t have to fill is goaltender.
The Coyotes acquired Antti Raanta from the New York Rangers last offseason. In 41 starts, he’s had a respectable showing as the starting goalie with a record of 17-16-6 while allowing 2.37 goals per game.
Raanta turns 29 following the season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent. With a decision looming, there is still a large window of time between the end of the season and free agency beginning.
“I don’t think there’s a need to go to free agency, but we’re still working a way on it,” Chayka told Doug & Wolf.
Follow @zachpekale
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JACK Quartet “American Music No. 2”
The JACK Quartet returns for its second concert of the season as Duke Performances’ ensemble-in-residence with another daring program of American music for string quartet: works by Erin Gee, Mark Applebaum, Elliott Carter, Anthony Braxton, Morton Feldman, and, a month after its Carnegie Hall premiere, Philip Glass’ String Quartet No. 8.
Tickets start at $10. Buy tickets.
“The JACK Quartet, in terrific performances, proved that the quaint old string quartet, stretched to its limits, remains vital and entertaining.” -The Washington Post
The members of the JACK Quartet have been called “superheroes of the new music world” (The Boston Globe) and the “next-generation counterpart” to the benchmark Arditti (The Guardian). The New York Timeshailed the JACK as “among the best ensembles of its generation.” Recent personnel shifts brought the ensemble two electrifying new players, violinist Austin Wulliman and cellist Jay Campbell. A founder of the Spektral Quartet and a collaborator with indie rock bands and high-profile orchestras, Wulliman’s experience fits the JACK’s expansive mission. Likewise, Campbell — a recent Avery Fisher Career Grant winner and a New York Philharmonic soloist — has worked with some of the world’s most vital composers, among them John Zorn.
During the JACK’s second concert of the season as Duke Performances’ ensemble-in-residence, its members play another daring program of American music for string quartet. The evening opens with Erin Gee’s fanciful Mouthpiece XXII, commissioned for the Arditti; Mark Applebaum’s recent Kronos commission, Darmstadt Kindergarten; and Elliott Carter’s whirlwind String Quartet No. 3. The second half includes legendary experimentalist Anthony Braxton’s Compositions and Morton Feldman’s quietly intense Structures. A month after its Carnegie Hall premiere, the JACK closes the evening with a reprise of Philip Glass’ String Quartet No. 8.
Erin Gee: Mouthpiece XXII
Mark Applebaum: Darmstadt Kindergarten
Elliott Carter: String Quartet No. 3
Anthony Braxton: Selections from Compositions
Morton Feldman: Structures
Philip Glass: String Quartet No. 8
Made possible, in part, with support from the Department of Music & the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts at Duke University.
Parking for Duke Performances presentations at the Rubenstein Arts Center is available directly across the street from the venue in the Campus Drive Lot, approximately a one-minute walk. The entrance to this lot is on Anderson Street, just north of Campus Drive, facing the west side of the Rubenstein Arts Center. A crossing guard will be stationed near the entrance of the Campus Drive lot before and after each show to allow you to cross the street safely.
JACK Quartet's Website
JACK Quartet Facebook
Duke Performances,
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Home Conditions & Treatments Adult Health Library Nervous System Disorders
What is neurological surgery?
Neurological surgery, also called neurosurgery, is the branch of medicine that provides both operative and nonoperative management of disorders that affect the central and peripheral nervous systems, including their supportive structures and vascular supply, and the operative and nonoperative management of pain.
Neurological surgery encompasses disorders of the brain, spine, and nerves, including the following:
The extracranial and intracranial carotid and vertebral arteries
Intracranial aneurysms
Disorders of the pituitary gland, such as prolactinomas
Tumors in and around the brain, such as gliomas, meningiomas, and acoustic neuromas
Disorders of the spinal cord, meninges, and spine, including those that may need treatment by removing or replacing intervertebral discs, spinal fusion, or instrumentation
Disorders of the peripheral nerves, such as carpal tunnel or entrapped ulnar nerve at the elbow
Disorders of the autonomic nervous system, such as hyperhidrosis
Disorders of movement, such as Parkinson disease and spasticity
Pain disorders, such as failed back syndrome or trigeminal neuralgia
Trauma, such as acute or chronic subdural hematomas
The surgeon who specializes in neurological surgery is called a neurosurgeon or neurological surgeon.
Online Medical Reviewer: Adler, Liora, C., MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Turley, Raymond Kent, BSN, MSN, RN
Having a Burr Hole Procedure
Understanding a Burr Hole Procedure
Endovascular Neurosurgery and Interventional Neuroradiology
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‘AustCyber Sessions’ is launching on 7 February!
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Posts Tagged ‘Press Trust of India’
Lord Paul Swarj Under British Police Investigation
Posted by Barry Pittard on October 13, 2009
I have written of the Sathya Sathya Sai Baba-implicated and high-profile British Labour Government Minister, Tony McNulty MP, and police investigations earlier this year into allegations of rorting the British taxpayer via parliamentary expenses claims. (See Further Reading, below).
Tony McNulty British MP. Sathya Sai Baba Behind Him
And now another powerful British Government figure is under British police investigation, Lord Paul Swarj, a close friend of the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and major bank-roller of the British Labour Party.
Lord Paul. British Police Investigate Parliamentary Expenses Claims
The Times of London reports – Deputy Speaker Lord Paul steps down over expenses row -:
“Lord Paul has temporarily stepped down as a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords while an investigation is carried out into his expense claims.
Over the weekend it emerged that Lord Paul, a Labour peer, claimed that a flat occupied by one of his employees was his main home, allowing him to claim £38,000 in expenses”.
Of course, a wealthy individual does not usually need to rort 38 thousand pounds sterling. They tend to have plenty of liquid wherewithal at hand or else easily be able to borrow it from mates, if momentarily stuck. Rich pals help rich pals out, just as poor ones do. However, there may be other reasons, and the British investigators clearly think it worthwhile exploring avenues of possibility. Unscrupulous individuals can have many shady cash cow sources, and the overall yield end up a great deal more than 38 thousand quid. In terms of the last five years, the amount he has claimed reaches 110,000 pound. What exeeds this amount by far is the taxation that Lord Paul is widely criticized for avoiding.
The next weeks or months may result in yet another exposure of those who abuse their wealth and power. It is the story of Sathya Sai Baba and many core leaders around him, including those Sathya Sai Organization members around the world who use their wealth and influence – often without revealing the true agendas of the one called by the BBC “The Secret Swami” – in the corridors of power. It may be hoped that the British media, while investigating Lord Paul, will also find time to question any firm ties between Paul and the Sathya Sai Organization.
Should the media and other investigators wish to probe any money trails concerning big-league Sathya Sai Organization players in relation to its British Labour figures such as Lord Paul and Tony McNulty, they may like to take up leads such as I have carefully distributed in several articles (my having been careful to observe all the while considerations of source confidentiality and the laws of libel), see:
Ashok Bhagani – Footsying With Top Blair Minister?
Ashok Bhagani and The Secret Swami
By Robert Priddy:
Ashok Bhagani denies fully documented facts
Ashok Bhagani, Sathya Sai Baba cult promoter in UK
The Daily Telegraph (UK) reports:
Lord Paul under scrutiny over his parliamentary expenses
“Lord Oakeshott, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, said: “What concerns me most is that he is claiming £38,000 from British tax-payers for a home where he doesn’t seem to be living when he doesn’t pay full British taxes himself.
That sum of money for a multi-millionaire like Lord Paul is a drop in the ocean compared to the taxes he is dodging from his worldwide income.
Claiming a property is your main home, when someone else lives there but would move out if you asked them to, is stretching the English language and the Lords expenses rules too far.
Lord Paul should not sit in the Lords unless he gives up his non domicile tax status and pays full British taxes on all his worldwide income and assets.”
A Press Trust of India report quotes Lord Paul as saying:
“at Caparo we have been guided by three things — hard work, integrity and luck. But the most important thing, which has no substitute, is integrity.” (PTI). Source: NRI Swraj Paul’s Caparo Group to add six new ancillary plants
From Wikipedia entry:
Swraj Paul, Baron Paul, (born 1931) is an Indian-born, British-based business magnate and philanthropist. In 1996, he became a life peer, taking the title Baron Paul, of Marylebone in the City of Westminster, sitting in the House of Lords as a Labour peer. In December 2008, he was appointed deputy speaker of the Lords, the first person of Indian origin to hold the post.
Tony McNulty Expenses Outcry. Select List of Major UK News Articles
Posted by Barry Pittard on March 28, 2009
Tony McNulty Brit MP. Expenses Scandal Erupts. His Sai Baba Cult Nexus Yet To Be Probed
Tony McNulty Sathya Sai Baba Cult Supporter Tipped As UK Home Minister
Posted by Barry Pittard on February 18, 2009
Sathya Sai Baba: ‘Considerable Concern’ In Wider Hindu Community
Sai Baba, Kubla Khan, Citizen Kane, Bill Gates et alia
Posted by Barry Pittard on June 7, 2007
Excerpt From Public Petition
(Note: You may prefer to proceed straight to the Petition):
PETICIÓN PÚBLICA PARA “>INVESTIGACIONES OFICIALES DE SATHYA SAI BABA Y SU ORGANIZACIÓN A NIVEL MUNDIAL)
Posted in News and Politics, Opinion, Politics, South Asia, Spirituality, Uncategorized, World Religions | Tagged: Apeejay Surrendra Group, Ashok Bhagani, Billionaires, British Government, British Labour Party, British media, Caparo, Caparo Group, Financial Scandals, House of Lords, Integrity, Lord Paul, Lord Paul of Marylebone, Lord Paul Swarj, Millionaires, Press Trust of India, PTI, Rorts, Scams, Scandal, Scandals, Swraj Paul, The Daily Telegraph, The Secret Swami, The Times of London, Tony McNulty MP, Wealth | 2 Comments »
Indian Newspaper Reports of Killings In Sai Baba’s Bedroom
Posted by Barry Pittard on June 22, 2009
Reading through the press reports written at the time of the police killings in Sathya Sai Baba’s bedroom under hugely suspicious circumstances on June 6, 1993 is instructive. At first, word had escaped too far and fast for the Puttaparthi officials to slam a suppressive lid. But then followed the monstrous machinery of cover up. For the Anantapur District Journalists’ Union (ADJU) unanswered questions, see: Press Council of India Long Silent On Sathya Sai Baba Bedroom Killings
Sathya Sai Baba was known to be in charge of situations in the hours before the intruders were slain. Robert Priddy’s accounts of his (and my) friend V.K. Narasimhan’s private depictions to him are very disturbing – they detail some of the processes – such as a remark to Sai Baba’s brother Jankiramaiah (also known as Janakira Ramiah, Janakiram, Janakiramaiah and Janaki), made within VKN’s hearing, of the then Home Minister, S. B. Chavan, a Sathya Sai Baba devotee, who had come poste haste to Puttaparthi, about “dead men tell no tales”.
The powerful central, state, local and ashram cover up that that followed was known to many in India, and beyond. In a properly functioning democratic country, there would have been rigorous, accountable police and jurisprudential processes. Many Indians have pointed out that Sathya Sai Baba will never be prosecuted. He, they say, is far too powerful in his sway over politicians of the major political parties. Travel virtually anywhere in India and you will find, as many travelers report, that this view is very wide-spread. Puttaparthi propaganda ceaselessly tells us that Sathya Sai Baba is being hailed through the world. In our many countries, we know, of course, that this is simply untrue. In India he is not only famous but infamous. Many Indians heartily abhor the way in which Puttaparthi scandals have for so long been covered up. Many deplore the incredible pomp and circumstance that forever surrounds him. All you will need to do is to ask your Indian contacts whether this is so. Many are too polite/embarrassed or not wanting to get involved in an unpleasant discussion. Some feel a deep sense of shame at the international ignominy which he has brought upon India. See: Sathya Sai Baba: ‘Considerable Concern’ In Wider Hindu Community and Sai Baba, Kubla Khan, Citizen Kane, Bill Gates et alia
A major Hindu leader (to whom on request I shall gladly direct responsible and reputable media or scholars, authors, etc) once wrote to me:
“There is considerable concern among the Hindu Community, especially among the educated. It is very hard to get any action from the temples as they do not wish to cause difficulties with the Sathya Sai Baba groups. People are starting to distance themselves from Sathya Sai Baba. It’s going to be gradual process of education. The biggest impact it appears was the ‘The Secret Swami’ … it seems it has had a tremendous negative effect on Sathya Sai Baba”.
As the reader can see from the following quotation, there is no subtlety about the antidemocratic, authoritarian nature, even in certain public statements, about Sathya Sai Baba and his then chief functionary, Indulal Shah:
“When press persons met Mr. Indulal Shah, chief functionary of the Sri Satya Sai World Trust, after the murders of six young Sai followers in Sathya Sai Baba’s bedroom in 1993, Indulal Shah is reported as having said: ‘the matter is purely internal and we do not wish to have any law enforcement agency investigating into it.” (from The Hindu, 10-6-1993).
N.B. Examine, pray, Shah’s photo. Does he appear brimful of spiritual joy? But why should he be? Sai Baba devotees who know the facts know that he has long been a ‘supreme’ hatchet man, widely feared.
Robert Priddy (a major commentator, along with B.Premanand, on the killings and cover up):
Indulal Shah, cover-up man for Sai Baba
General Resources – Further Reading
BBC Hidden Camera in ‘Secret Swami’. Ethical?
Guru Sex Abuse Testimony To BBC – After Years of Silence
Probed On Male Sex Abuse, Sai Baba Evicts BBC TV Team
V.P.B. Nair. B.Premanand. R.Priddy: Sai Baba Bedroom Killings
(154 MB, Broadband)
Seduced (DR, Danish Broadcasting, Denmark’s national television and radio broadcaster):
(80 MB, Broadband)
http://home.hetnet.nl/~seduced/seduced.wmv
(21 MB, Modem)
Right Hand. Sleight Hand. Watch Sai Baba Cheat With Sacred Ash (Film clip)
BBC and Other Film Footage Shows India’s Top Guru Sathya Sai Baba Faking Miracles
BBC Footage Exposes Fake Sathya Sai Baba Miracle « Call For Media and Government Investigation
Sathya Sai Baba Chief, Dr Goldstein, Explodes. “I am the consummate professional” (See Film Clips)
Raising ever more serious questions about how spiritual is the head of what Sathya Sai Baba has called THE divine organization in the world,
Michael Goldstein explodes with anger (710kbs)
at the BBC’s perfectly reasonable questions about accountability
Dr. Goldstein again reveals his higher self (1.500Kb)
Michael Goldstein and the sexual allegations (2,10 Mbs)
Michael Goldstein admits his view is merely a belief (456kbs)
Sathya Sai Baba Cult Exposure By Major TV Channel In Australia « Call For Media and Government Investigation
Posted in Morality, Opinion, Religion, Scandal, Social and Politics, South Asia, Uncategorized | Tagged: dead men tell no tales, Indulal Shah, Jankiramaiah, Press Trust of India, S. B. Chavan, V.K. Narasimhan | 5 Comments »
No Nobel Peace Prize For Self-Claimed God of Gods Sathya Sai Baba
Not far short of a decade ago, it had been announced in Sathya Sai Baba centers round the world that Sathya Sai Baba was a candidate for a Nobel Peace Prize. On behalf of our networked group of former followers of Sathya Sai Baba, I wrote to Dr Geir Lundestad, then Director of the Nobel Institute. An exchange of emails ensued, and I provided him with in-depth documentation concerning Sathya Sai Baba and his sect.
(Photo: But no Nobel Prize for Sathya Sai Baba. Dr Lundestad is on the Left of H.H. the Dalai Lama, recipient of that Prize in 1989).
Dr Lundestad emphasized that the policy of the Institute is never to issue any list of candidates, either before or after the winners of the Peace Prize are announced, and that the names of Nobel Prize recipients are announced, while the names of failed candidates are not revealed.
Dr Lundestad’s statements are a far cry from the announcement of Sathya Sai center leaders worldwide. Great had been the rejoicings of devotees, despite the fact that a Nobel Peace Prize – in an odd come-down from the dizzy heights of Heaven – would sit oddly encircling the neck of God.
The fact of the matter is that this was a time when there was great and organized dissent by former devotees. Increasing numbers – including very prominent and respected leaders – were leaving the Sathya Sai Organization. The Sathya Sai Organization had a problem of huge dimensions on its hands. See:
In Memoriam – Glen Meloy (“Standing up for truth and goodness”).
Any straw to clutch onto was welcome, or even the hope of a plum from the Nobel Insitute ‘tree’.
To the Nobel Institute, we offered, among other compelling evidence, material that referred to UNESCO, Interpol, FBI, Australian Federal Police, and so on. We had witnesses with credentials of outstanding service and repute in their own communities. These came from many professions, trades and cultures. We had decent families who have invested years of dedication and sacrificial service to Sathya Sai Baba. Sathya Sai Baba’s serial sexual molestation of their children, and other grievous abuses, had shattered their lives. The names of most we have not allowed to be publicized, though they have long stood ready to cooperate with well-reputed media, institutes, etc.
Moving into Scandavavian waters, we also cited ‘Seduced’ by DR, Denmark’s national television and radio broadcaster, subsequently shown by SBS in Australia, retitled: ‘Seduced By Sai Baba’, which, as it had done with DR, the Sathya Sai Organization threatened to sue. In a phone conversation with me, when I mentioned the (then) Australian head of the Sathya Sai Organization T.Sri Ramanathan’s threat to sue, a senior Producer with SBS laughed, and said: “Let them!”. As always, when Sathya Sai Baba’s officials have threatened instrumentalities like the BBC and other leading media, they failed to carry out their threats. It is a behaviour seen in many groups widely deemed to be cults that reveal a strong autocracy, perhaps most famously Scientology.
Among other documentation available to the Nobel Institute was that from former devotees from several countries, including sworn testimony, earlier provided for UNESCO, resulting in a stern Media Advisory. Furthermore, UNESCO successfully intervened with a complaint to the Press Trust of India when The Times of India (with a leading member of the Sathya Sai Central Trust on its Board of Directors, ex-Chief Justice of India P.N. Bhagwati) tried to water down the Advisory. See:
The Case of UNESCO’s Missing Media Advisory.
Note: Puttaparthi officials and the Indian Foreign Minister (himself a follower of Sathya Sai Baba) tried to get UNESCO to suppress the Media Advisory – but were sharply thwarted by the BBC.
‘Black Sheep’ Of Sweden’s Nobel Family Called By Ba-Ba (Sathya Sai Baba)
‘One of Sathya Sai Baba’s many hugely expensive and major Sai propaganda efforts has been the setting up of Sai Global Harmony via WorldSpace International Satellite Radio Service. It broadcasts 24/7 to many countries. A director of WorldSpace is Dr Michael Nobel.”
Note: Sai Baba publicly mistakenly stated that “The man who gives the Nobel Prize (Chairman of the Nobel Prize Committee) is coming here on the 22nd November. The ones who will show this to the whole world, TV people, are all coming here on the 22nd”.
‘In fact, Michael Nobel has been repudiated by the Swedish Nobel Committee and exposed in the New York Times.
There are many instances that show how Sathya Sai Baba, far from his being, as he claims, all-knowing and all-seeing, has behind him a trail of egregious blunders and unfulfilled predictions, promises of cures, and much else. In this article, I quote the mess he made in the (would-be) Nobel Peace Prize incident. Repeatedly, he hangs his claims on their own petard. His apologists are too blinded to see, not the ‘Glory of Puttaparthi’ but the absurdity of Puttaparthi’.
UNESCO Media Advisory
UNESCO WITHDRAWS FROM CONFERENCE
Paris, September 15 – UNESCO has decided it will no longer sponsor nor take part in a conference it had been due to co-organize with the Institute of Sathya Sai Education (ISSE, Thailand) and The Flinders University Institute of International Education (Australia), in Puttaparthi, India, from September 25 to 29. The decision means UNESCO is no longer associated in any way through sponsorship, organization or participation of any kind with the conference on Strengthening Values Education: Innovative Approaches to Teacher Education for Peace and International Understanding.
UNESCO’s withdrawal was prompted by several factors. Certain decisions were taken by the ISSE without consultation, such as plans to hold some of the sessions at the Ashram of the Sathya Sai movement in Puttaparthi, and the inclusion of some speakers in the conference programme without their previous consent. Furthermore, the Organization is deeply concerned about widely-reported allegations of sexual abuse involving youths and children that have been levelled at the leader of the movement in question, Sathya Sai Baba. Whilst it is not for UNESCO to pronounce itself in this regard, the Organization restates its firm moral and practical commitment to combating the sexual exploitation of children, in application of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires States to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and violence.
Posted in Morality, Opinion, Politics, Religion, Scandal, Skeptics, South Asia, Spirituality, Trends, Uncategorized, World Issues, World Religions | Tagged: Autocracy, Dr Geir Lundestad, Dr Michael Nobel, Nobel Institute, Nobel Peace Prize, P.N. Bhagwati, Press Trust of India, Sathya Sai Central Trust, SBS, Scientology, Seduced, T.Sri Ramanathan, The Times of India, UNESCO Media Advisory, WorldSpace, WorldSpace International Satellite Radio Service | 2 Comments »
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Introductory books about evolution
This days I read some debates on evolution. That made me more interested to read something reliable on topic - I mean books.
I'm christian - although I think it doesn't matter on that topic - and I would like to read a book that presents all weaknesses and strengths (as much as possible) of evolution. I want that not to be presented as a debate on creationism, but to be a book on evolution theory explanation and presentation.
I also would appreciate if you know to give some details about the author that wrote the recommended book. I mean if he/she is atheist or a christian or a skeptic.
artaxerxeartaxerxe
You won't find a good book that presents the 'weaknesses' of the theory of evolution, and for good reason. There has to date been no convincing challenge to the theory, whilst it has been supported by experimental and circumstantial evidence as well as clear logic over and over and over again, as well as actually being observed taking place numerous times. The closest to what looking for is a book which presents our best understanding of how evolution works, or which discusses competing ideas about how evolution works - there's no question about whether it works.
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins, whilst it contains some errors, has some very clear thinking about evolution in it, and in particular explains why group selection is a misguided idea.
The Logic of Chance: The Nature and Origin of Biological Evolution by Eugene Koonin is a more up-to-date coverage of our current understanding of evolution, in particular with insights from modern genomics.
There are plenty of terrible books about the weaknesses of evolution, but they are deeply flawed. Pick one and I'll be happy to debunk it for you.
Rik Smith-UnnaRik Smith-Unna
$\begingroup$ I really liked "Almost Like a Whale" by Steve Jones. He revisits the Origin of Species with 150 years of molecular biology - Darwin's logic all fits with the findings, and makes for an excellent read (far easier to get your teeth into that the original). Apparently the title refers to Darwin's observation that a bear, swimming in a lake and catching insects in its mouth, might conceivably evolve over time into a creature "almost like a whale". $\endgroup$ – Luke Jul 19 '12 at 8:22
$\begingroup$ Hi @Richard, I would only have a question. During my research, I found one claimed weakness of evolution theory from which it is deduced evolution more like a kind of belief, not like a scientific proved fact. This would be the fact that there are no transitional fossils. I also, in some poor research that I made, I found out that absolute dating is note quite reliable, and also it creates possibility of many more interpretations. Any suggestions on those two topics? (Especially scientific works that would treat this topic.) $\endgroup$ – artaxerxe Nov 17 '15 at 20:17
$\begingroup$ N.B. I don't want to challenge you, although maybe that's an implication of my question. I'm mainly in search of some material on this issue that makes approaches from a scientific point of view as much as possible. Thanks. :). $\endgroup$ – artaxerxe Nov 17 '15 at 20:18
$\begingroup$ @artaxerxe A little late, but I felt compelled in case others visit here. It's worth noting first that fossils are not the strongest evidence for evolution; rather, they provide pleasant corroboration for other fields and are easier to explain to non-scientists. That being said, the number of transitional fossils is still quite large. E.g. see [[1]](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_transitional_fossils), [[2]](transitionalfossils.com), [[3]](rationalwiki.org/wiki/List_of_transitional_forms). $\endgroup$ – user3658307 Jul 31 '17 at 19:00
Almost anything by Richard Dawkins would be excellent value. I especially like his Climbing Mount Improbable as a short but gripping account of why evolution can achieve such astoundingly complex results.
Richard Dawkins (from my link above)
Richard Dawkins taught zoology at the University of California at Berkeley and at Oxford University and is now the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford.
He is definitely an atheist.
OldCurmudgeonOldCurmudgeon
Two recommendations:
1 - The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. This is a very accessible book, filled with clear explanations and examples, and conveys the wealth of evidence that Darwin collected as he developed his theory. It includes a chapter on issues that people might see as "weaknesses", and convincing explanations as to why they are not.
Darwin began life as a Unitarian, and considered a career as a minister. By the end of his life he had no belief in God.
2 - The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins, mentioned several times above.
$\begingroup$ +1 for The Blind Watchmaker. As for The Origin of Species, I haven't read it myself, but I suspect something more modern, such as the Selfish Gene, is better suited for an introduction. $\endgroup$ – becko Jul 19 '12 at 20:19
$\begingroup$ I found The Origin of Species quite readable, but our understanding has developed somewhat since the 1850s. $\endgroup$ – Rik Smith-Unna Jul 19 '12 at 20:29
$\begingroup$ The Voyage of the Beagle I would also add. $\endgroup$ – shigeta Jul 20 '12 at 4:11
Another book by Dawkins which I find quite excellent is The Greatest Show on Earth. Unfortunately, you might find it a bit preachy in episodes since Dawkins gets – rightfully! – exasperated with some vocal, stupid critics.
Nevertheless, it’s a very compelling and interesting read, especially since it tackles some very complementary avenues of evidence for evolution. A similar outline is followed by Sean B. Carroll in The Making of the Fittest although he clearly focuses on the most compelling evidence for evolution: DNA – hence the subtitle: “DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution”.
I have no idea whether Carroll is religious or atheist – but shouldn’t that be strictly irrelevant?
Konrad RudolphKonrad Rudolph
$\begingroup$ +1, like your taste in books. @artaxerxe, I would also recommend Endless Forms Most Beautiful by Sean B Carroll for a great molecular introduction to evolution. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_developmental_biology $\endgroup$ – LanceLafontaine Jul 19 '12 at 15:11
Evolution is only fun when it is used to try to explain something. So to depart from the theme of Dawkins-books, consider:
Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin
Shub is a Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, Associate Dean of Organismal Biology and Anatomy and Professor on the Committee of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Chicago. He is famous for disocovering the Tiktaalik roseae or 'fish-with-hands'. The reason the book is fun is that it not only explains the basics of evolution, it uses it to show you something: why the human body is the way it is.
Artem KaznatcheevArtem Kaznatcheev
I also recommend Jerry Coyne's book, "Why Evolution is True."
As an introductory text book, I recommend "Evolution" by Douglas J. Futuyma. This is a very good introductory book covers almost everything about evolution. It aims to give you an overview not the detail.
jonsca
PengyaoPengyao
The Ancestor's Tale .
This is an utterly, utterly fascinating book.
Onur D.Onur D.
Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged evolution or ask your own question.
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Can humans' ability to dive with only breathing modifications tell us anything about our evolution?
A question about the intersection of evolution and thermodynamics
Conscious evolution
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Basic question about evolution
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About embryonic and genetic evidence of evolution?
How to compare models of evolution to make assumptions about selection?
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AEROSMITH Announces Summer 2020 European Tour
AEROSMITH will embark on a European tour next summer. The 14-date trek will kick off on June 13 at Milan, Italy's iDays festival and will conclude on July 27 at Mönchengladbach, Germany's Sparkassenpark.
Tickets will go on sale next Friday (December 13) from 9 a.m. local time through AEROSMITH's official web site.
Jun. 13 - Milan, Italy @ iDays festival
Jun. 16 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion
Jun. 21 - Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting
Jun. 24 - Prague, Czech Republic @ O2 Arena
Jun. 30 - Paris, France @ Accorhotels Arena
Jul. 03 - Madrid, Spain @ Wanda Stadium
Jul. 06 - Lisbon, Portugal @ Altice Arena
Jul. 09 - Vienna, Austria @ Stadthalle
Jul. 12 - Krakow, Poland @ Tauron Arena
Jul. 15 - London, UK @ The O2
Jul. 18 - Manchester, UK @ Arena
Jul. 21 - Middlefart, Denmark @ Rock Under Broen Pladsen
Jul. 24 - Budapest, Hungary @ Puskas Stadium
Jul. 27 - Mönchengladbach, Germany @ Sparkassenpark
AEROSMITH recently extended its "Deuces Are Wild" Las Vegas residency with 15 more dates in early 2020 due to "extraordinary demand."
The band has been playing without drummer Joey Kramer, who is recovering after twisting his ankle during rehearsal. Filling in for him is Kramer's drum tech, John Douglas.
AEROSMITH enlisted THE BEATLES archival producer Giles Martin, who co-designed the sound for Cirque Du Soleil's THE BEATLES "Love" show, to supervise its sound in Vegas.
In 2017, AEROSMITH announced a run of dates called "Aero-Vederci Baby!", but stopped short of calling it a final tour.
The legendary Boston rockers haven't released a new studio album since 2012's "Music From Another Dimension!" That effort was released when AEROSMITH's label, Columbia Records, was reportedly going through a leadership change, and it ended up becoming a commercial disappointment.
The lackluster response to "Music From Another Dimension!" later caused two bandmembers — guitarist Joe Perry and drummer Joey Kramer — to question whether there's any point in AEROSMITH making future albums.
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Home About Us Privacy Policy
BETH TZEDEC CONGREGATION SOCIETY PRIVACY POLICY
Amended: December 11, 2013
BETH TZEDEC CONGREGATION SOCIETY (“Beth Tzedec”, “we”, “our” or “us”) recognizes the importance of privacy and the sensitivity of Personal Information. We take seriously our obligation to keep this information confidential and we protect it with physical, electronic and procedural safeguards. In order to comply with applicable privacy legislation and to instill confidence in our members and potential members that the Personal Information they entrust to us is safe, we have developed this Privacy Policy.
“Personal Information” means information about an identifiable individual but does not include the name, title, business address or telephone number of an employee of an organization.
Why Does Beth Tzedec Calgary Collect Personal Information From You?
Beth Tzedec Calgary collects Personal Information so that we can provide our members and our community with a range of services and activities, which include, but are not limited to:
Yahrzeit reminders and aliyot;
Bulletin and general notices and mailings;
General announcements, including life cycle events, illness and death of family members;
Assignment to annual contribution category;
Youth activity announcements;
Contribution collection;
Membership privileges;
Membership status determination;
Sisterhood membership programs and activities;
General communication with our members and their spouses and family members;
Assessment and understanding of the needs and requirements of our members and potential members, and offering services, programming and events to meet those needs;
Use by the Clergy in pursuit of their duties; and
Assistance to Jewish community service organizations in providing services to our members.
Membership in a religious community brings with it certain “understandings”, one of which is that certain information or news about members and their life cycle events will be shared with the community. We will continue to share this sort of information unless we are notified that it is not to be shared.
How Do We Collect Your Personal Information
We collect Personal Information only by lawful and fair means, and not indiscriminately. We may collect Personal Information directly from you when you become a member of Beth Tzedec, or during the term of your membership. We may on occasion obtain information about you from other sources, such as other family members, members of Beth Tzedec Calgary or other Jewish organizations who have been given your permission to disclose such information.
Except as disclosed herein, Beth Tzedec Calgary will not collect, use or disclose your Personal Information without your consent, except in certain extraordinary circumstances. Such extraordinary circumstances shall include, without limitation, when legal, medical or security reasons make it impossible or impractical to obtain consent or where it is otherwise in your best interests.
Consent for the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information may be obtained orally or in writing and may be expressly given or implied. We may also from time to time ask you to give your written consent to the use and disclosure of specific Personal Information. In determining how we obtain your consent, we will take into account the sensitivity of your Personal Information that we are collecting, using and disclosing. We will use and disclose your Personal Information only in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
If You Don’t Consent
The choice to provide us with Personal Information is always up to you. Upon request, we will explain your options of refusing or withdrawing consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your Personal Information and will record and respect your written choices. However, your decision to withhold particular details may limit our ability to provide our services to you. This measure is necessary to protect the integrity of the services offered by Beth Tzedec. Furthermore, any refusal or withdrawal of consent is always subject to any overriding legal requirements or commitments.
Under certain circumstances Beth Tzedec Calgary may disclose your Personal Information:
When we, in good faith, believe the law requires or authorizes us to do so, including reporting to Canada Revenue Agency of donations received;
When the services we are providing require us to give your information to third parties (for example, to a funeral parlour, caterer, educator, non-employed clergy, Israel Bonds), in which case your consent will be implied unless you tell us otherwise;
Where it is necessary to establish or collect contributions;
When Personal Information provided to third party service providers (such as accountants, computer back-up services or archival file storage) with whom we have contractual arrangements that ensures comparable levels of protection to the internal protection which we maintain for Personal Information;
When we engage in joint activities, fund raising or programs with other organizations of a religious or communal nature;
If we are involved in negotiations for merger with another congregation; and
If the information is already publicly known.
We never make our membership list available to third parties in any form, except as set out in this section or unless we have your express or implied consent.
Is My Personal Information Secure?
Beth Tzedec Calgary takes all reasonable precautions to ensure that your Personal Information is kept safe from loss, unauthorized access, modification or disclosure. Among the steps taken to protect your information, depending on its type and sensitivity, are:
Premises security;
Restricted access to Personal Information;
Deployment of technological safeguards such as security software and firewalls to prevent hacking or unauthorized computer access;
Internal password and security policies; and
Where necessary or appropriate, requiring third parties to sign confidentiality agreements.
As Beth Tzedec Calgary is responsible for any Personal Information under its control, including Personal Information that Beth Tzedec Calgary may transfer to a third party for processing, we will use contractual or other means to ensure that the third party will have a comparable level of privacy protection to the internal privacy protection maintained at Beth Tzedec.
Since we use your Personal Information to provide services to you, it is important that the information be accurate and up-to-date. If any of the information changes, or if you should become aware that the Personal Information which we have is incorrect, please inform us so that we can make the necessary changes.
You may request access to any Personal Information we hold about you. Summary information is available on written request. More detailed requests that require archive, retrieval or copying costs may be subject to reasonable reimbursement for our actual costs.
Can I be Denied Access to My Personal Information?
Your rights to access your Personal Information are not absolute.
We may deny access when:
Denial of access is required or authorized by civil or Jewish law or the rules of a formal dispute resolution process, such as a Beit Din;
Information relates to existing or anticipated legal proceedings against you;
Granting you access would have an unreasonable impact on other people’s privacy;
To do so would prejudice negotiations with you;
Protection of Beth Tzedec’s rights and property are in question; and
The request is frivolous or vexatious.
If we deny your request for access, or refuse a request to correct information, we will provide you with a written explanation.
How Long Do You Keep My Personal Information?
We retain your Personal Information for as long as you are a member, and afterwards for as long as is reasonably necessary for us to complete our dealings with you, or as may be required by law, or for purposes of compliance with our religious obligations. Because synagogue records are often a valuable source of information which may be required for halachic or genealogical purposes, selected items of Personal Information may be retained indefinitely.
Our website, www.bethtzedec.ca, contains links to other sites which are not governed by this Privacy Policy. While no specific Personal Information is retained with respect to any visitor to our website, we may monitor traffic patterns, site usage and related site information to optimize our web service. In the continuing development of our website we may provide aggregated information to third parties, but these statistics do not contain any identifiable Personal Information.
Communicating with Us
E-mail is not a 100% secure medium and you should be aware of this when contacting us with personal or confidential information.
This Privacy Policy was put into effect January 1, 2006 (amended December 11, 2013). Since Beth Tzedec Congregation regularly reviews all of its policies and procedures, we may change our Privacy Policy from time to time. If you have any questions, wish to review your Personal Information, comment on this Privacy Policy or make a complaint; please contact our Executive Director at:
Max Lipsman
Beth Tzedec Congregation
email: mlipsman@bethtzedec.ca
tel: 403-255-8688, ext.1
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Vertigo and Ghost Reviews
Vertigo & Ghost
Fiona Benson
Category: Poetry, Non-fiction
Imprint: Jonathan Cape Ltd
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Publication date: 3 Jan 2019
It sounds out the complex and ambivalent terrain of early motherhood - its anxieties and claustrophobias as well as its gifts of tenderness and love - reclaiming the sanctuary of domestic private life, and the right to raise children in peace and safety.
The Daily TelegraphBook of the Year
Tristram Fane Saunders
"poems of lasting power"
That Zeus sequence has generated a lot of (justified) buzz, but its shock fades on rereading. The poems of lasting power come in the second half, where Benson returns to the lyricism of her 2014 debut Bright Travellers... The best are her vivid, bloody evocations of childbirth, “that torrent of muscle”, and a heart-rending love poem to her husband. She has a fine ear for consonance and assonance... The collection is dedicated to Robin Robertson, her editor, and shares his poetry’s musk of myth, twigs and viscera, but Benson’s core influences are older.
"a brilliant, witty memoir of motherhood..."
Kate Kellaway
"Benson’s extraordinarily moving collection is a bold confrontation of violence against women"
In her much-feted debut, Bright Travellers, Benson showed a talent for exploring domestic subjects and for properly recognising their importance. Here, a handful of wonderful poems about her daughters and husband spend her small ration of sunlight. Throughout, her gift is never to try and be bigger than her subjects. She knows, in particular, not to overdress depression. In Haruspex, she writes: “my mind has been wrong/ for a long long time”.
John Self
"an addictive, thrilling, sickening experience"
Vertigo & Ghost explodes into furious life with a series of poems and fragments about the Greek god Zeus and what some sources have referred to as his “erotic escapades”... overall this extraordinary cacophony of voices...is an addictive, thrilling, sickening experience... Benson has said that “when a poem first comes it’s this sort of excitement in the language and heart”, and her gift is not to lose that excitement in the finished work. Vertigo & Ghost is a book of two halves: one merely very good, the other quite out of this world.
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← Seeing The Forest For The QBs
Sometimes You Just Need to Vent →
The Evolution of Randall Cobb
Known primarily for his return skills, Cobb has morphed into a Percy Harvin-lite.
In his fourth season, the Vikings’ Percy Harvin has developed into a special all-around talent that ended up with 100 touches over the last half of last season – 20+ more than the next closest receiver. Harvin’s combination of size and speed allows him to be used out wide, in the slot, and even out of the backfield – Harvin had 52 rushing attempts last season. This dynamic threat has resulted in him being a focal point alongside AP, which is saying something.
After two games this season, the Packers’ Randall Cobb has quickly morphed himself into a Percy Harvin-lite. Like Harvin, Cobb has a unique skill set that allows him to lineup all over the field and exploit mismatches with his speed, burst, and cutting ability.
With the last pick of the second round two drafts ago, TT nabbed another gem with Cobb. Cobb made a name for himself immediately, scoring twice in the first game of the NFL season when he had a receiving touchdown and return touchdown. Both were notable, but for different reasons. The receiving touchdown was infamous in that he scored after running the wrong route. The return touchdown was famous – it earned AP play of the year – for the acrobatic manner in which he stayed off the ground. Such a sterling start fizzled for most of the remainder of the year.
The different dimensions Cobb could have brought to the offense were not realized in his first year. Only the tip of the iceberg was shown in the first NYG game when Cobb took a reverse, pulled up, and heaved a tight spiral along the sidelines. The pass fell incomplete. But, the message was clear – Cobb added a different dimension to an already explosive offense.
Fast forward to 2012. Cobb’s unique skill set has been on full display through two games. When the rest of the receiving corps struggled to get any openings against the staunch (and clutching) 49ers defense, Cobb was the one player that presented a mismatch and exploited it. Lining up next to Rodgers often, Cobb was very effective catching the ball in the flat where his burst and cutting ability shined. In the second game, Cobb lined up more in the backfield and received a few carries. The pitch wide to get him into space was especially effective.
But, the reason he is Percy Harvin-lite, is he doesn’t have Harvin’s size. And this was clear when he took a carry up the middle, and took a shot to his shoulder. Cobb’s day was effectively over, as he didn’t touch the ball (on offense) again.
At 5’10” and 190 lbs., Cobb simply isn’t built to take the tough hits that come with running the ball between the tackles. Harvin does this, and does this well. He is simply unlimited in what he can do out of the backfield, whereas Cobb must be used more as a scat back when lined up back there. MM needs to understand this limitation when he designs and calls plays for Cobb going forward. Exposing Cobb to these types of violent hits would be careless.
Cobb’s evolution from a fifth-string WR in year 1 to a heavily-used, multi-purpose threat in year 2 has been the biggest offensive story of the first two games. I anticipate MM will scheme different ways to utilize Cobb and his skill set going forward. I expect a few passes – hopefully they connect this year – and plenty more plays out of the backfield. But, it’s a delicate balance in exploiting Cobb’s skill set while also not exposing him to potential injury.
This entry was posted in Home, Vikes v. Pack and tagged 2011 NFL Draft, 2012 Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, Cobb's development, Evolution of Cobb, Harvin-lite, MM, Packers offense, Percy Harvin, Randall Cobb, Ted Thompson draft, TT, Vikings offense. Bookmark the permalink.
2 responses to “The Evolution of Randall Cobb”
silver account | October 14, 2012 at 4:18 AM | Reply
Those skills have always been there for Harvin, but it’s only been since the middle of last season that Bill Musgrave has really been using them to their best advantage. The Vikings by now have almost entirely scrapped the idea of getting Harvin downfield, even though he certainly has the speed to be used down the field, and have turned him into a multi-positional ultimate weapon. They throw him smoke screens. They run him on short crossing routes and slants. They use him on end-arounds. They line him up in the backfield as a scatback. The first job for any defense now is finding Percy on the field. Then it’s up to them to try and bring him down once he has the ball. This approach is so unique and effective that the Packers have begun trying to emulate it using Randall Cobb. But Cobb is no Harvin.
Pingback: The Missing Play-Action Threat | Border Rivals
@joshuawinter23 Hahaha. Is this a David Johnson type scenario where he suits up but doesn’t play??!?!! 1 month ago
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High School Students Use Their Skills To Build Tiny House For Disabled Veteran
By Mike LaCrosse October 9, 2019 at 11:19 pm
Filed Under:Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlboro news, Mike LaCrosse
MARLBORO (CBS) – Students Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School are putting their classroom skills to work. They’re building a tiny house inside their Marlboro school.
“It just feels good knowing that you built something from the ground up,” said sophomore Lucas Coelho Da Silva.
The roughly 500-square-foot home is fully energy efficient.
“This, you actually work hands-on; you’re doing good for the community, and you’re helping others,” said junior Codey Daly.
Students Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlboro are building a tiny house for a Maine veteran. (WBZ-TV)
They’re not only learning construction skills, they’re also giving back. Once finished, the home will be trucked in one piece to Maine. It’s being donated to a disabled veteran through a collaboration with The Maine Seacoast Mission.
“It completely warms my heart. It makes me so happy inside,” said sophomore Juliette Hughes.
“Building someone’s home – that feels pretty great,” said Coelho Da Silva.
The tiny house idea started out on a napkin a couple of years ago, and it’s nearing completion. The target delivery date is Veterans Day.
“This is the first of many; that’s our plan,” said Assabet Director of Technical Programs Russell P. Mangsen.
Construction started in May and picked back up this fall. More than 125 students under the direction of 14 teachers will work on the project. The carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, painting-interior design and engineering programs are all involved.
“This is a controlled classroom where you’re learning all these skills, but the end game – that’s a house,” said Mangsen.
Materials for the entire project have been donated. For more information, visit the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project.
Mike LaCrosse
Mike LaCrosse is a general assignment reporter with WBZ-TV. More from Mike LaCrosse
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Home News The FBI Is Now Reaching Out to QuadrigaCX Victims
The FBI Is Now Reaching Out to QuadrigaCX Victims
According to an email sent to multiple users of the exchange and shared with CoinDesk, Valerie Gauthier, a victim specialist with the FBI, has been reaching out to former users of the exchange to alert them of a new portal containing information about the case, confirming that the investigation continues.
“A criminal investigation can be a lengthy undertaking, and, for several reasons, we cannot tell you about its progress at its time,” Gauthier wrote.
Victims can contact the FBI at [email protected], though “inquiries about the status of the case will not be addressed,” she wrote.
The FBI has reportedly been investigating Quadriga since March 2019, and it announced in June it was looking for victims of the exchange. At the time, the agency included a questionnaire for individuals to fill out.
Multiple email recipients told CoinDesk they filled out the questionnaire last year, while at least one user who did not receive an email said they did not fill out the form.
The FBI is one of at least four national investigative agencies looking into Quadriga, along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The other two agencies have not been publicly disclosed, though an Australian investigative agency appears to be one of the groups.
Separately, Roger Knox, the founder and operator of Swiss asset management firm Wintercap, formerly known as Silverton, pled guilty to securities fraud before a Boston judge on Monday.
Knox allegedly facilitated market manipulation schemes, including pump-and-dumps on microcap securities, acquiring some $164 million as a result.
Knox was also a client of Michael Gastauer, the operator of WB21, a payment processor holding some $9.2 million in Quadriga’s funds in a combination of U.S. and Canadian dollars, according to Modern Consensus senior editor Amy Castor. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has previously filed a complaint against Gastuer and Knox together, alleging Knox coordinated his scheme with Gastauer.
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Cole Escola, Sloppy Shakespeare, and More Performance Picks
(image via Sanina Leilani / Facebook)
Glow Up!: An All POC Variety Show
Thursday, August 16 at Starr Bar, 8:45 pm: $10 advance, $15 doors
Queer drag performers Noctua and C’ètait BonTemps host this variety show featuring exclusively artists of color. If you’ve been posting on social media about how bad white supremacy in America is lately, attending would be a good way to put your money where your mouth is and support a show where the lineup, hosts, and producers are all people of color. And what can you expect out of the night? The lineup isn’t too packed with people, but the ones they do have really pack a punch: burlesque performer Miss Sugar Mamasota, soulful singer Cherry, drag and music artist Laé D. Boi, and Texas-based pole and burlesque performer Black Orchid. More →
Tags: access theater, burlesque, Bushwick, Cole Escola, comedy, East Village, joe's pub, ridgewood, shakespeare in the square, Starr Bar, the Keep, theater, tribeca
Bowery Film Festival Opens Today With A Pretty (Rad)ical Lineup
August 15, 2018 By Tara Yarlagadda
(Image courtesy of Bowery Film Festival via Facebook)
There are summer film festivals aplenty in New York, but none with quite so much local flavor as the new Bowery Film Festival, which kicks off for its inaugural run this evening at the Bowery Bar (one of the festival’s few free events) and goes through Saturday, August 18th. The festival focuses on “films that dissent radically in form, technique, or content from the mainstream,” according to the website.
Tags: Arts + Culture, Bowery, Bowery Film Festival, East Village
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Council Member Defends ‘Tech Hub’ Vote in Wake of Heated Criticism
Rendering of the Union Square Tech Hub at 120 East 14th Street. (Courtesy of the Mayor’s Office).
As you may have heard, the city’s proposed (and controversial) $250 million, 21-story retail and tech center off of Union Square moved forward last week. Council Member Carlina Rivera was key to the City Council’s unanimous vote, as her district will be most severely impacted by the so-called “Tech Hub.” During last year’s election, Rivera had even campaigned in part on the tech center, proposed for the site of the former PC Richard & Son at 120 East 14th Street. In a previous hearing on it, Rivera had said that without additional zoning protections south of 14th Street for local tenants and assurances that the building would indeed serve low-income earners, immigrants and residents of color—including tuition scholarships for tech training—that her vote was “seriously in question.”
Tags: 14th Street, Andrew Berman, carlina rivera, Crime + Community, East Village, greenwich village society for historic preservation, Housing + Development, tech center, Tech Hub, union square
Cakeshake Blends Veganism Into the Instagrammable Shake Trend
(Photo: Tara Yarlagadda)
Zach Neil had a pretty sweet idea: “I wanted to find a way to do something with cake and ice cream and elaborate toppings and I wanted to make it make it vegan as well.”
He did some Googling and came across Black Tap’s immensely popular, decadent (and non-vegan) cake batter milkshake, the Cake Shake. Neil’s new shop, which fully opened in the East Village last week, is called Cakeshake. But it isn’t a mere Black Tap knockoff. “Essentially, we wanted a place where anyone could go and order this over-the-top Instagrammable shake that is also sensitive to lifestyle and [is plant-based],” he tells Bedford + Bowery.
Over the top indeed: Following up on the edible gold trend that seems to have swept New Yorkers into a fervid consumption of metallic substances (gold-plated chicken wings, anyone?), Cakeshake is offering an appropriately named #blingbomb shake, whose golden and silver sparkles practically blind the viewer and mask the mountain of mini cupcakes and vegan ice cream that lies underneath.
Neil embarked on his vegan shake voyage about a year and a half ago, when he started trending toward a more plant-based diet, but realized that eating that way outside of major cities was a real challenge. And not just for him, but his daughters, too. “I have two daughters who have a sweet tooth. I’ve taken them on my journey on veganism. I wanted [options] that were healthier and plant-based,” Neil told us. Then the idea dawned on him: why not vegan milk shakes, with some gluten-free options and maple bacon-topped treats (ask for the “Elvis”) for the carnivores as well. Neil pitched the idea to his friend (and now the store’s executive chef), Felix Castro, who loved the idea. With the help of co-owner Tim O’Grady, Cakeshake was born.
Do you love gold? Then the #blingbomb is for you! #gold #goldshake #ediblegold #bling #vegan #veganicecream #shakes #icecream #dessert #nyc #eastvillage
A post shared by Cake Shake USA (@cakeshakeusa) on Aug 1, 2018 at 8:24pm PDT
Most of the shakes range from $10-$15. There’s a 100% vegan #popmocha shake that comes packed with tres leches ice cream, espresso reduction, hand-made caramel corn, and whipped cream in a smorgasburg they call “plant-based heaven.” Other notable options include a vegan avocolada shake, which is their take on a piña colada, except with the very millennial addition of avocado to the usual pineapple. They’re constantly experimenting with new flavors, so you’ll just have to visit in person to see their latest menu. Note: kids under the age of 12 get a free drink with purchase of an adult shake, so this is one family-friendly joint. Bring a friend to share.
Cakeshake is located at 514 East 6th street, and is open from 2 pm-10 p.m. every weekday.
Tags: Bars + Restaurants, Cake Shake, East Village, Lower East Side, milkshakes
NYC’s Most Ridiculous (and Refreshing) Watermelon Drinks
August 10, 2018 By Daniel Maurer
Sure, you can beat the heat by buying cubed watermelon at the bodega, but that’s so basic. Here’s how to get your watermelon fix and be extra.
(Photos: Daniel Maurer)
Ladle soju punch from a watermelon
At Pocha 32, 15 W 32nd St # 2, Koreatown.
Pocha 32, a second-floor pub hidden away in Koreatown, would be worth the trip even if it didn’t use hollowed-out watermelons as punch bowls. Notes written on chopstick wrappers hang from the fishnet that covers the walls and ceiling, and oil drums serve as tables. It’s a festive place for dipping a ladle into a watermelon and helping yourself to a frothy mixture of ice, soju, Sprite, and fruit puree. This is a lot of drank even for two people to share, but you can always sneak the leftovers into the Vivi lightbulb jar below.
Tags: Bars + Restaurants, East Village
James Franco’s The Deuce Returns to Blue and Gold Tavern
August 7, 2018 By Daniel Maurer
HBO series The Deuce is heading into its second season, as you can see from the trailer released yesterday; today, the production is taking over Blue and Gold Tavern in the East Village. An air conditioning unit is currently hooked up to the East 6th Street dive and a public notice indicates filming will occur until about 10pm.
There’s A Little Less Hummus Among Us
Alas, although the openings of Vish on East 8th Street and Levantine chain Panorama this summer increased the amount of hummus among us, something had to offset this influx of chickpeas. It seems the trade-off is popular Lebanese fast-casual dining option Semsom Eatery. The previously lively storefront on Astor Place is now barren and empty, save for a ladder along with a sad McDonald’s cup and some rags resting on a counter by the door. Yelpers have reported the venue as closed down. It’s unclear when the closure occurred, but the eatery was active on social media as recently as August 2. While it’s possible that the Astor Place location of this chain may revive someday, for now, students will have to get their turmeric rice and cauliflower veggie bowls with unlimited toppings elsewhere.
Tags: Bars + Restaurants, East Village, Lebanese, noho, Semsom
Performance Picks: Kaufman-Inspired Comedy, Mental Health, and More
August 2, 2018 By Cassidy Dawn Graves
(image via Vow Performance Party / Facebook)
Vow II: Mental Health
Thursday, August 2 at Rose Gold, 7:30 pm: $10 advance, $15 doors
While it still carries some stigma, mental health has steadily become more and more of a presence in today’s everyday dialogues. This is undoubtedly due to the unfortunate prevalence of mental health issues, many of which have proven to be exacerbated by the current political climate. Even as (and especially) as things get worse, continually talking about it can help. One of the more unique ways you can engage is through Vow, a sex-positive party and performance series “for artists with stigmatized identities or experiences to express themselves freely in a supportive community.” The night is centered around mental health, and features relevant performances by a lineup that includes burlesque performers Regal Mortis, Lucy Risqué, and Miss Sugar Mamasota, dominatrix Venus Cuffs, performance artist Monika Rostvold, and more. More →
Tags: burlesque, Bushwick, Caveat, comedy, East Village, joe's pub, Lower East Side, paradise factory, performance art, rose gold, theater
The East Village’s Oldest Tapas Bar Has Left the Building (But Not the Hood)
(Photo: Nai Tapas Bar on Instagram)
The narrow, slightly subterranean space at 174 First Avenue has been home to a tapas bar and flamenco shows since the ’90s, when tapas were described by the New York Times as a “novelty.” The original occupant, Xunta, moved to Williamsburg in 2009 and Nai Tapas Bar quickly took over the dark, date-friendly nook. Now, after eight years, Nai has moved on as well. It plans to reopen on Second Avenue next month.
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Get Your Summer Reading (or Flirting) On With These 9 Book Talks
No Ashes in the Fire: Coming of Age Black and Free in America
(Image credit: Amazon)
Thursday, August 2 at the Brooklyn Historical Society, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Darnell Moore, writer and leader in the Movement for Black Lives, brings what’s sure to be a riveting discussion of his new memoir No Ashes in the Fire: Coming of Age Black and Free in America to the Brooklyn Historical Society. The description for his book on his website recounts how three neighborhood boys in Camden, New Jersey tried to set him on fire when he was only 14. In the three decades since that encounter, Moore has gone on to seek solace in the gay community of Philadelphia, justice on the front lines in Ferguson, Missouri, and life in his current home in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. In this book, he seeks to understand how that 14-year-old boy not only survived, but became the individual that he is today. Tickets to this event cost $5.
Books Beneath the Bridge: Greenlight Poetry Salon
Tags: Arts + Culture, books, bowery boys, brooklyn, brooklyn bridge park, brooklyn historical society, East Village, fort greene, Greenlight Book Store, mcnally jackson, New York Historical Society, Strand Books, Strand bookstore, Williamsburg
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Mark Frauenfelder / 7:00 am Mon, Jan 6, 2020
A woman is suing TripAdvisor after she fell off a camel
A 24-year-old New Jersey woman booked a camel ride in Morocco through TripAdvisor's Viator tour booking site. The camel she ended up riding was pregnant and it threw her off and she broke her arm, reports the Boston Globe. The woman said doctors in Morocco had to perform surgery on her arm to prevent permanent nerve damage. Now she's suing TripAdvisor for negligence and breach of contract.
Photo by Andre Iv on Unsplash Read the rest
camels / lawsuits
Rob Beschizza / 4:54 am Wed, Nov 20, 2019
Lawsuit: Burger King cooking vegan burgers on same grill plate as meat
Does cooking a Impossible Burger on the same surface used to cook normal burgers "contaminate" them with meat by-products? Is Burger King doing this? A vegan diner makes these claims in a lawsuit filed Monday against the fast-food chain. Reuters:
The lawsuit filed in Miami federal court seeks damages for all U.S. purchasers of the Impossible Whopper, and an injunction requiring Burger King to “plainly disclose” that Impossible Whoppers and regular burgers are cooked on the same grills. [Burger King] describes the Impossible Burger as “100% Whopper, 0% Beef,” and adds that “for guests looking for a meat-free option, a non-broiler method of preparation is available upon request.”
b-side / bside / lawsuits / meat / mistakes
Mark Frauenfelder / 9:22 am Wed, Oct 30, 2019
Lawsuit says Juul shipped a million contaminated pods
“Half our customers are drunk and vaping like mo-fos, who the fuck is going to notice the quality of our pods?” Juul's then-CEO Kevin Burns allegedly said when a senior vice president told him Juul should include an expiration date on the packaging of the nicotine pods it makes. The quote is in a lawsuit filed against the company by an aggrieved former employee.
From Buzzfeed:
A former Juul executive is alleging in a lawsuit that the fast-growing startup shipped out 1 million contaminated e-cigarette pods earlier this year — but did not tell customers or issue a recall.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Siddharth Breja, a former senior vice president of global finance who worked at the San Francisco–based company from May 2018 to March 2019. In the lawsuit — filed in US District Court for the Northern District of California on the same day that Juul confirmed its plans to lay off about 500 people — Breja claims he was retaliated against for raising concerns about the contaminated shipment.
Photo by Jordan Whitfield on Unsplash Read the rest
Xeni Jardin / 3:43 pm Thu, Oct 10, 2019
'Charlie Brown Christmas' song owners sue Dollywood: Reports
The owners of the copyright for the theme song to the “Charlie Brown Christmas” TV special are suing Dolly Parton's 'Dollywood' in federal court for copyright infringement. Read the rest
Charlie Brown / copyright law / lawsuits / legal
Xeni Jardin / 6:29 pm Thu, Jun 13, 2019
Michael Avenatti sued over claims he pilfered paraplegic's $4 million
Attorney and disgraced anti-Trump media gadfly Michael Avenatti has been sued again, this time over allegations he siphoned off a paraplegic client's $4 million settlement. Read the rest
law / lawsuits / legal
Mark Frauenfelder / 10:03 am Thu, May 23, 2019
Clothes company accused of being a pyramid scheme
LuLaRoe, a multi-billion dollar maker of garishly patterned garments, has been hit with multiple lawsuits for being a pyramid scheme. Vice has a 30-minute documentary about the company. Read the rest
David Pescovitz / 4:18 am Mon, Apr 15, 2019
Man sues parents for dumping his porn stash
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, an unidentified man, age 40 is suing his parents for $87,000 for dumping his porn collection. Apparently he had been living with his folks following a divorce but recently moved into his own home. When his folks delivered his stuff to the new digs, his 12 boxes of porn magazines and films were nowhere to be found. He called the cops but the Ottawa County prosecutor would not pursue charges.
In an email filed as evidence in the suit, the man's father wrote: "I did you a big favor by getting rid of all this stuff."
According to the Associated Press, the porn has an estimated value of $29,000 but "the man is seeking triple financial damages."
(image: Frank Carroll/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Read the rest
lawsuits / pornography / tell it to the judge
Xeni Jardin / 4:02 pm Fri, Jan 4, 2019
LAWSUIT: Los Angeles accuses Weather Channel app of secretly mining user data
The city attorney for Los Angeles is suing the company behind The Weather Channel and its mobile app, and says the app covertly mined user data. Read the rest
ibm / lawsuits / location data / picks / privacy / tech / Technology / the weather channel
Mark Frauenfelder / 10:43 am Thu, Dec 13, 2018
Soul Plane actor sues airlines after his pinky gets stuck in an armrest hole
Stephen Keys, an actor who has appeared in many movies, including Soul Plane, was on a flight from Reno to Los Angeles last week. When he raised his armrest so he could get his seatbelt, his pinky got stuck in a hole under the armrest. According to a lawsuit he filed against American Airlines and SkyWest Airlines, "The spring mechanism embedded inside of this hole in the armrest applied intense pressure to plaintiff's finger, immediately inflicting injury, swelling and pain."
"By this time, dozens of passengers became aware of Mr. Keys' perilous condition, causing his dire situation to become a humiliating public spectacle," the suit alleges. "By the end of it all, he remained entrapped in this nightmarish condition, suffering for nearly an hour."
From NBC:
Flight personnel and members of a fire department rescue team were unable to free Keys' finger, which was finally accomplished with the help of an airline mechanic who disassembled the armrest, the suit says.
The injury to his finger left Keys unable to perform such previously routine tasks as driving and playing with his children, according to his complaint, which says he experienced weeks of intense pain and severe emotional distress. Read the rest
Kelsey Juliana / 3:00 am Tue, Oct 23, 2018
I’m suing the U.S. government for causing the climate change crisis #YouthVGov
My name is Kelsey Juliana and I’m suing the United States government for causing and accelerating the climate change crisis. I’m 22 years old and I’ve been a climate advocate for more than half of my life. Read the rest
#ClimateChange / #TrialoftheCentury / #YouthVGov / climate change / climate crisis / Environment / Kelsey Juliana / lawsuits / legal / News / Our Children’s Trust / picks / politics / Science
Jason Miller, former Trump aide, sues Will Menaker of Chapo Trap House podcast over tweet
Just when you thought things couldn't get stupider, they do. Former Donald Trump senior campaign aide Jason Miller is suing Will Menaker, co-host of the politi-comedy podcast 'Chapo Trap House,' over a tweet in which Miller is described as a "rat face baby killer."
Okay. Read the rest
'abortion pill to a stripper' / #jasonmiller / #RatFaceBabyKiller / donald trump / jason miller / lawsuits / rat face baby killer / slapp / stupid people / trump
Rob Beschizza / 6:20 am Thu, Sep 6, 2018
Roy Moore sues Sacha Baron Cohen over "pedophile detector" stunt
Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as an overbearing Israeli antiterrorism expert, scanned Republican politician Roy Moore with a "pedophile detector" during a comical interview shot for his series Who Is America? Moore, who was accused of molesting teenage girls and was once reportedly banned from an Alabama mall for doing so in public, is now suing the British comedian over the fake gadget, which beeped loudly in proximity to the disgraced judge.
His lawyers say the satirist falsely accused their client of being a sex offender. They are seeking $95m (£73m) in damages from Baron Cohen and from the Showtime and CBS networks. Representatives for Baron Cohen have not responded to the lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Washington. A spokeswoman for Showtime said it did not comment on pending litigation.
The clip is embedded above. Jump 3m in for the relevant portion. Read the rest
lawsuits / politics
Seamus Bellamy / 1:46 pm Fri, Jul 6, 2018
Boston Symphony Orchestra flautist files lawsuit over unequal pay
Boston Symphony Orchestra principal flutist Elizabeth Rowe is suing her employers for $200,000 in damages. The reason: her closest counterpart in the orchestra, a man, is making a shitload more money for doing almost the same damn job as she does. Rowe’s lawsuit was filed one day after the state of Massachusetts brought its equal pay law into effect. Before slamming the Boston Symphony Orchestra with her suit, Rowe attempted, on a number of occasions, to sort the issue of the pay gap out amiably and out of court. Since the Orchestra wouldn’t own up and do the right thing, I suspect they will now be skinned alive under the state’s wicked harsh new pay equality laws.
From NPR:
Rowe was hired for the Boston Symphony's top flutist job in 2004 — a high-profile and extremely competitive position at one of the world's foremost orchestras. According to her suit, she has been profiled as a soloist with the orchestra 27 times in the years since she was hired — more than any other BSO principal musician — and that the orchestra has repeatedly highlighted her in its marketing, publicity and social media materials.
Rowe says that she is currently the top-paid female principal player in the BSO, while the BSO's principal oboist, John Ferrillo, is the symphony's top-paid male principal musician. According to the BSO's 2016 IRS Form 990, Ferrillo was paid $286,621, the largest salary paid to any BSO principal musician. (Violinist Malcolm Lowe — the orchestra's concertmaster, who serves as something of a liaison between the symphony's musicians and its conductor — earned $415,402 in 2016.)
boston / Equal Pay / equality / lawsuits / music
Andrea James / 5:00 am Thu, May 31, 2018
Happytime Murders film successfully trolls Sesame Street into marketing the film
Sesame Street lawyers are not happy that Jim Henson's son Brian has a raunchy puppet film coming out called Happytime Murders. After they filed a suit against the film, Henson retained a crack puppet lawyer named Fred (above) to defend them. Read the rest
comedy / Copyfight / intellectual property / Jim Henson / lawsuits / movies / sesame street
Mark Frauenfelder / 10:36 am Wed, May 30, 2018
NYC gynecologist files $1 million lawsuit against woman for 1-star Yelp review
Dr. Joon Song, a gynecologist in New York, has filed a $1 million lawsuit against Michelle Levine for leaving bad reviews on Yelp and other review sites.
“After I got a bill for an ultrasound and a new patient visit, whatever that means, and it was not billed as an annual I wrote a review about it,” she told CBS2’s Lisa Rozner.
She says she complained to the doctor’s office, but nothing happened. The lengthy critical review, among other things, complained of “very poor and crooked” business practices and was posted on sites like Yelp, Zocdoc, and Healthgrades.
“And I gave them one star on Facebook, which they also put in their complaint,” Levine said.
After getting sued, Levine says she took down all her reviews but Dr. Song still wants her to pay around $1 million in damages plus legal fees.
Levine has so far spent $20,000 defending herself against the lawsuit. Dr. Song's attorney told CBS: "While everyone is entitled to their opinion, outright lies masquerading as reviews can inflict serious damage to a medical practice or small business."
Mark Frauenfelder / 11:27 am Fri, May 4, 2018
Three women are suing Charlie Rose
Three former CBS employees are suing television journalist and talk show host Charlie Rose for sexual harassment and threatening their jobs when they were in their 20s. The lawsuit, which was filed in the New York Supreme Court today, "alleges that Rose habitually made sexually suggestive comments and engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with the three employees," reports Variety. The lawsuit also complains that CBS executives knew that Rose routinely harassed women but did not warn new employees.
From the lawsuit:
At various times, Mr. Rose threatened to fire Plaintiffs, intimidated them and/or verbally abused them as part of his predatory behavior, sexual dominance over them, and retaliation against them. A few examples of his conduct include:
(a)Mr. Rose told Ms. Harris that she lacked skills and talent and “I didn’t know that I hired a fucking kindergartner;”
(b)Mr. Rose told Ms. McNeal “you can’t be a fucking idiot and have this job”; and
(c)Mr. Rose told Ms. Wei she was a “fucking idiot” for booking a flight on a plane that did not have flat folding seats, when Ms. Wei had previously advised Mr. Rose of same before booking the flight
Mark Frauenfelder / 10:33 am Thu, Aug 31, 2017
Amazon hit with class-action lawsuit for selling unsafe eclipse glasses
Corey Payne and his fiancée Kayla Harris bought a three-pack of eclipse glasses on Amazon. Now they say they are suffering from impaired vision and they filed a lawsuit in federal court in South Carolina on Tuesday.
From The Next Web:
On August 10, Amazon issued a recall of glasses it was unable to verify as safe. The retail giant emailed customers to return their units, although Payne and Harris say they didn’t receive an email. They aim to represent other people who suffered injuries and weren’t warned by Amazon.
There are almost two million independent sellers on Amazon’s platform, and counterfeiting has long been a problem for the service. In response, the company has launched initiatives designed to stem the flow, including a registry that makes it easier for shoppers and brands to flag counterfeit goods, and a program called “Transparency,” that lets companies label products with a code, which can later be used to check authenticity.
eclipse / lawsuits
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Blaq Hippie Radio Ent.
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Live & Direct Show 1/15/2020
January 15, 2020 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in #R.Kelly, Chicago, Chicago News, Comedy, Entertainment, Hip Hop, Inspiration, Life, Motivation, News, Quotes, Uncategorized, World News and tagged #BHRE, #BHRE #HippieMovement #TakeOverChicagoRadio #MicLife #ChicagoBloodLine #ProductOfChicago #LiveAndDirectShow | Leave a comment
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ALL NEW LIVE & DIRECT SHOW 12/11 with New Co-host Mrs. Jay
December 12, 2019 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in Chicago, Chicago News, Comedy, Entertainment, Inspiration, Life, Motivation, Music, News, Uncategorized, World News and tagged #BHRE #HippieMovement #TakeOverChicagoRadio #HippieMovementMondays #MicLife #ChicagoBloodLine #ProductOfChicago, #BHREAdvertisement, #BHRELIVE, #BHRELIVE #SUCKAFREELIFE, #EddieJohnson, #MayorLightfoot, Chicago | Leave a comment
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Untold Truth About Africa: Is Africa The Original Name?
July 3, 2019 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in Chicago, Entertainment, Inspiration, Life, Motivation, News, Uncategorized and tagged #Africa, Chicago, News | Leave a comment
Willow Smith comes out to mother and grandmother: ‘I love men and women equally’
June 26, 2019 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in Chicago, Entertainment, Health, Hip Hop, Inspiration, Life, Models, Motivation, Music, Quotes, Uncategorized and tagged #BlaqHippieRadioEnt, #HipHop, #RedTableTalk, #WillowSmith | Leave a comment
Willow Smith has come out to her mother and grandmother, saying: “I love men and women equally,” and would “definitely” consider polyamory.
The 18-year-old daughter of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith made the announcement on an episode of Red Table Talk, a regular Facebook web series in which three generations of the Smith family have open conversations about “taboo” subjects.
The episode broadcast on Monday (June 24) was focused on “unconventional relationships” as Willow has recently become interested in polyamory.
She gave a crash course on polyamory to her mother, Jada, and grandmother, Adrienne, before opening up about her sexuality, explaining that her ideal relationship would be with a man and a woman.
“Personally, male and female, that’s all I need,” she said.
It appeared to be the first time Willow had revealed her sexuality to her mother, as Jada replied with a smile, “Well, there it is… I think my stomach just [jumped].”
Jada added: “Listen, you know me Willow, whatever makes you happy.”
“I love men and women equally and so I would definitely want one man, one woman.”
— Willow Smith
Encouraged by her mother’s support, Jada elaborated further on her sexuality. “I love men and women equally and so I would definitely want one man, one woman,” she said. “I feel like I could be polyfidelitous with those two people.
“I’m not the kind of person that is constantly looking for new sexual experiences. I focus a lot on the emotional connection and I feel like if I were to find two people of different genders that I really connected with and we had a romantic and sexual connection, I don’t feel like I would feel the need to try to go find more.”
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Comparing Immigration Raids Under Trump, Obama
June 22, 2019 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in #Trump, Chicago, Chicago News, Entertainment, Life, News, Uncategorized, World News and tagged #BHRE, #ICE, #Obama, #Trump, Chicago, Chicago News, News, USNews | Leave a comment
WASHINGTON – When Immigration and Customs Enforcement ((ICE)) agents arrested at least 680 undocumented immigrants in cities around the United States last week, immigration advocates hailed it as the first “mass enforcement operation” of the Donald Trump era.
“It is time to sound the national alarm bell,” said a group of organizations led by United We Dream.
But is it? The truth is more nuanced.
Barack Obama inherited and expanded the capacity to identify, apprehend, and deport unauthorized immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute, and he used it as president, deporting more than 2.5 million people between 2009 and 2015.
At the border, there was a “near zero tolerance system, where unauthorized immigrants were increasingly subject to formal removal and criminal charges.”
Immigration enforcement, as laid out in a 2014 memo, also focused on immigrants who committed crimes and those who arrived after the beginning of 2014.
“A more robust enforcement system inevitably inflicts damage on established families and communities,” the Migration Policy Institute report said.
What ICE did not do during the Obama era was detain people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. ICE was instructed to arrest only people who were targeted in advance and not just anybody swept up in a raid, so-called collateral arrests.
Obama said his government did not have the desire to deport millions of undocumented immigrants whose only crime was to enter the country illegally.
President Donald Trump’s Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States executive order shows that collateral arrests are not to be avoided.
“Many aliens who illegally enter the United States and those who overstay or otherwise violate the terms of their visas present a significant threat to national security and public safety,” the order says.
After last week’s enforcement operations, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly said that 75 percent of the people apprehended had criminal records. This implies that 25 percent of the 680 arrests reported by DHS were non-criminals.
ICE said during “targeted” enforcement operations officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in violation of federal immigration laws. “Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE,” the agency said.
Rep. Michelle Grisham, D-N.M., speaks during the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 27, 2016
On Capitol Hill, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has requested a meeting with ICE’s acting director to learn about the location of last week’s operations, the reason for apprehensions, the number of people detained with criminal convictions and the number of parents with minors arrested along with the arresting reason.
“The request to have the meeting, of course, is to get real information, data, about who is apprehended, who are the targets, where, and confirm that information with our constituents … and to make sure that we are following the law, and we’re clear that people are getting due process and that they know their rights, and the fact that we are not causing, which we are, fear and panic in our communities,” New Mexico congresswoman and caucus chair Michelle Grisham said.
A sign alerts customers a bakery is closed for the day as part of an immigration protest, Feb. 16, 2017, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Building a basis for comparison
While fear is running high in immigrant communities, it is still too early to say how different the Trump administration’s policies will be from the previous ones.
Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) intends to follow it. TRAC is building a baseline “against which arrests by fugitive operation teams and other components of ICE can be compared under the new Trump administration.”
Using case-by-case records of both apprehensions and removals, TRAC has put together an initial report that shows 65,332 individuals were detained and deported by ICE during FY 2016, the last year of Obama’s presidency. TRAC says that amounts to approximately 1,250 per week.
Only a small part of those arrests, however, were the result of ICE raids or other enforcement operations. “Instead, most of these estimated weekly 1,250 ICE apprehensions happened when ICE assumed custody of individuals held by another law enforcement agency,” the TRAC report says.
Putting aside the other law enforcement agencies, TRAC says that “less than 300 individuals were arrested each week from their place of work, where they lived, or other places they may have been when found” by ICE.
Suicide among teens and young adults reaches the highest level since 2000
June 18, 2019 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in Chicago, Chicago News, Entertainment, Health, Inspiration, Life, Motivation, News, Uncategorized, World News and tagged Chicago, Chicago News, News | Leave a comment
The rate of U.S. adolescents and young adults dying of suicide has reached its highest level in nearly two decades, according to a report published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
In 2017, there were 47 percent more suicides among people aged 15 to 19 than in the year 2000. Overall, there are 36 percent more people aged 20 to 24 living in the U.S. today than at the turn of the century.
With more than 6,200 suicides among people aged 15 to 24, suicide ranked as the second-leading cause of death for people in that age group in 2017, trailing behind deaths from unintentional motor vehicle accidents, which claimed 6,697 lives.
To study the change, a team from Harvard Medical School pulled data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which tracks deaths and their “underlying cause” nationwide.
Suicide rates among females have been on the rise for several years in this time period, with the rates for 15- to 19-year-olds rising more quickly after 2009. An even more noticeable spike has occurred in suicides for adolescent and young adult males since 2014.
The researchers said that trend might be connected to the opioid crisis, because of the added stressors that come with addiction, said Oren Miron, a research associate at Harvard Medical School and one of the report’s authors.
Social media, as well as a reduced stigma for parents and coroners to report a child’s death as suicide (rather than as an accident), could also be playing a role in the increase, the researchers suggested.
But Miron cautioned that the study did not identify causes. Instead, they say that now the upward trend has been identified, more research can be done to pinpoint the factors contributing to the deaths.
The researchers found there were 11.8 deaths per 100,000 adolescents — aged 15 to 19 years — in 2017. That’s up from 2000 when there were eight deaths per 100,000.
For young adults aged 20 to 24 years old, the suicide rate was 17 per 100,000 in 2017, an increase from 12.5 per 100,000 in 2000.
A leap in the suicide rate “is not a predetermined curse that comes with modernization,” said Miron, noting the fluctuation from year to year.
The CDC has linked increased drug use to suicides and recommends a number of prevention measures, including encouraging adults to limit access to prescription drugs in the home. And experts in suicide prevention say paying attention to changes in lifestyle can help parents determine if their child is at risk.
For adolescents, using social media in a way that detracts from face-to-face interactions could be particularly detrimental to mental health. said Victor Schwartz, chief medical officer at suicide prevention nonprofit The Jed Foundation.
Yet while social media can facilitate bullying and lead to more anxiety and depression among young people, it can also be used to help those who are struggling with depression and can help loved ones pick up on warning signs early on.
“Dramatic changes are a sign,” said Schwartz. “Looking for changes in sleep, in social relationships — any of these big areas should start to raise big flags. Changes in substance use, even in the use of social media might suggest something is going on.”
Fake Uber driver gets 30 years for sexually assaulting teen
June 18, 2019 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in Chicago News, Entertainment, Life, News, Uncategorized, World News and tagged #Uber, Chicago, News | Leave a comment
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man who pretended to be an Uber driver to sexually assault a college student has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Willie Foust pleaded guilty to sexual battery after the victim testified at his trial.
The woman was an 18-year-old Florida Gulf Coast University freshman when she summoned an Uber car to take her back to her dorm from a bar during a rainstorm.
Authorities say the 35-year-old Foust saw the woman and pulled up. She asked him if he was her Uber driver and he said yes. She got in and he drove her to a parking lot, where he assaulted her.
The State Attorney’s Office announced Monday that the sentencing happened last week.
Bill Cosby calls himself ‘America’s Dad’ in Father’s Day post on Social Media
June 17, 2019 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in Bill Cosby, Chicago, Chicago News, Comedy, Entertainment, Health, Inspiration, Life, Motivation, News, Uncategorized, World News and tagged #BillCosby, Chicago, News | Leave a comment
Bill Cosby has earned backlash after a Father’s Day message referring to himself as “America’s dad” was shared on his social media channels.
The comedian, who is currently serving a prison sentence for aggravated indecent assault, shared the message on Saturday on Twitter and Instagram.
“Hey, Hey, Hey…It’s America’s Dad…” the message begins, in reference to Cosby’s former nickname.
“I know it’s late, but to all of the Dads… It’s an honor to be called a Father, so let’s make today a renewed oath to fulfilling our purpose – strengthening our families and communities.”
On both platforms, the message is accompanied by a video of Cosby in the 1968 CBS documentary Black History: Lost, Stolen or Strayed.
“After slavery was over, America kept breaking up the black man’s family,” Cosby says in the archive clip.
“And that’s some awful history to teach. Now, if you want to look history right straight in the eye, you’re going to get a black eye.”
He used several hashtags on Twitter and on Instagram, including #RenewedOathToOurCommunity, #AmericasFavoriteDad, and #FarFromFinished.
Cosby’s decision to call himself “America’s dad” was met with outraged reactions on social media.
“Just stop. This is awful,” one person wrote, while many others expressed their disagreement in gifs.
Cosby was sentenced in September last year to three to 10 years behind bars.
He was found guilty in April that year of three counts of aggravated indecent assault in a landmark trial.
4 shot at Raptors rally in Toronto
June 17, 2019 by Blaq Hippie Radio Ent in Basketball, Entertainment, Life, NBA News, News, Sports, Uncategorized and tagged #ShootingInToronto, NBA, News | Leave a comment
TORONTO (AP) — The Latest on a shooting at a rally for the NBA champion Raptors in Toronto (all times local):
Toronto police now say four people were shot and wounded at a rally for the NBA champion Raptors, and two people were arrested.
Police had initially said two people were shot.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders says four people suffered gunshot wounds Monday and that none of the injuries were life-threatening. Saunders says others suffered minor injuries as they tried to get away from the shooting.
He asked for witnesses and people who might have video from the scene to come forward.
Saunders says the two people were arrested “with firearms.”
Police have not said whether they believe the shooting was a targeted attack or an act of terrorism.
Toronto police say two people have been shot and wounded at a rally for the NBA champion Raptors. Two people have been arrested.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Toronto’s mayor, and the Raptors players remained on stage while the ceremony was briefly interrupted.
Police say there are reports of shots being fired at a massive victory rally for the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto police tweeted there are reports of a woman being injured.
Festivities for the NBA champions were briefly suspended before speeches resumed shortly after.
Some in the crowd have been seen running from the area.
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Archive | August, 2014
Her Hometown Hero
Her Hometown Hero by Margaret Daley
In a split second, a tragic accident ends Kathleen Somers’s ballet career. Her dreams shattered, she returns home to the Soaring S ranch…and her first love. Suddenly the local veterinarian, Dr. Nate Sterling, goes from her ex to her champion. With the help of a lively poodle therapy dog, the cowboy vet sets out to challenge Kathleen’s strength and heal her heart. He’ll show her there’s life beyond dance, even if it means she leaves town again. But maybe, just maybe, he’ll convince her there’s only one thing in life worth having…and he’s standing right in front of her.
I love Margaret Daley’s Caring Canines series and highly recommend its latest addition, Her Hometown Hero! Full of emotion, Kit Somers’s story tugged at my heartstrings. I enjoyed her inspiring recovery and rekindled romance with Dr. Nate Sterling. Her Hometown Hero is a wonderful story of hope and healing!
Goodreads Giveaway!
Enter the Goodreads giveaway to win a copy of Her Hometown Hero!
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/103135?utm_medium=api&utm_source=giveaway_widget
The giveaway ends Aug. 28th.
Margaret Daley is an award-winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. She has also won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. Margaret wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press.
To learn more about Margaret, please visit her website at: www.margaretdaley.com.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Tags: Caring Canines series, Christian fiction, Her Hometown Hero, Love Inspired, Margaret Daley, Romance
Categories Books, Reviews
E-book Sale- Jocelyn Green
Each novel in the Heroines Behind the Lines series is only $2.99 or less in e-book format! Shop at Amazon, Christian Book, or Barnes & Noble for Wedded to War, Widow of Gettysburg, and Yankee in Atlanta.
Tags: Civil War, Heroines Behind the Lines, Jocelyn Green, Wedded to War, Widow of Gettysburg, Yankee in Atlanta
Categories Books
Click the cover image to be taken to the Kindle store.
After graduating from Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution–the gas stove–and certainly doesn’t mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made–especially by this outspoken young woman.
When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?
Tags: Free download, Free ebook, Lorna Seilstad, While Love Stirs
Cover Reveal- A Horse for Kate
A Horse for Kate by Miralee Ferrell
From the Author, Miralee Ferrell:
A Horse for Kate is my first book in the four book Horses and Friends series, releasing March 1, 2015, geared to girls ages 8-14.
Join the Horses and Friends Facebook group if you’re a mom or guardian of a girl that age who loves horses! This is a group for girls ages 8-14 who love horses, horse books, love strong family values, and want to learn more about each. Miralee Ferrell (moderator) is a multi-published author with a four-book series of middle-grade horse books releasing March 1, 2015. The desire for this group is to get Moms and their daughters (or girl and grandmother, girl and aunt, etc) involved in a safe environment where they can discuss and share their love for horses, pictures, stories, ask questions about all things horsey, and have fun!
Tags: A Horse for Kate, Horse books, Horses and Friends, Middle-grade readers, Miralee Ferrell
Categories Books, Cover Reveals
$0.99 Sale- At Every Turn
Tags: Anne Mateer, At Every Turn, Historical Fiction, Historical romance
Cover Reveal- How a Star Falls
I am excited to reveal this beautiful cover and look forward to enjoying the story when it releases!
How a Star Falls by Amber Stokes
How does a star fall?
Quickly. Completely. Unexpectedly.
Derrick Knolane escapes to Trinidad Head most evenings, avoiding his apartment and planning for the day he’ll break free of Humboldt County. Working in a music store might be fine for a while, but it’s far from the goal he had in mind when he got his college degree. Not to mention the fact that his roommate is a jerk and his family won’t stop trying to run his life.
Then Brielle falls into his world.
She claims to be a star. Not from Hollywood, but from heaven. He thinks she’s crazy. Certainly delusional. Yet, he can’t just leave her alone on the cliffs. So he takes her home.
And his whole world falls apart.
A heartfelt and fanciful contemporary romance novella, How a Star Falls explores the uncertain season of new adulthood and shows that sometimes the worst inconveniences make for the best miracles of all.
Amber Stokes works as a content writer for Harvest House Publishers and writes inspirational fiction depicting the seasons of life and love. Her passion for books compelled her to earn a bachelor’s degree in English and to run her own freelance editing and publicity business for over a year. Happily, the next step in her career lies in the Pacific Northwest—a part of the world she’s always considered home. Learn more about her indie-author adventure at www.SeasonsofaStory.blogspot.com.
About the Cover Designer:
Lena Goldfinch writes fantasy and romance for teens and adults. She’s a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it’s a novel, novella, or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Elements of romance, fantasy, and mystery have a way of creeping into her writing, even when she’s writing something light and contemporary. Learn more about Lena, her books, and her cover designs at www.LenaGoldfinch.blogspot.com.
To celebrate this cover reveal, Amber is giving away a $10 Amazon.com gift card! You can enter using the Rafflecopter form below:
Tags: Amber Stokes, Contemporary romance, Cover reveal, How a Star Falls
A Matchmaker in Middlebury
A Matchmaker in Middlebury by Anita Higman
Meredith Steinberg takes the stage again in A Matchmaker in Middlebury and is given another chance to dance with destiny and meddle in the romantic affairs of two lovelorn singles. But Meredith’s skills as a yenta are stretched to the limit as she discovers that her golden egg-of-a-plan has a perilous crack. In the end, however, heartstrings are indeed knotted together as two singles find tender love—they’re just not the two people Meredith paired for marital bliss…
Love and matchmaking are in the air in this charming tale! I had such fun reading this story and loved Meredith Steinberg and her quirky matchmaking methods. With endearing characters and a playful plot, this short story tickled my funny bone and warmed my heart. A Matchmaker in Middlebury is the perfect afternoon treat!
A Matchmaker in Middlebury is a novelette sequel to A Marriage in Middlebury, but can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.
This romantic comedy novelette is an eBook exclusive on Amazon and can be purchased for $0.99!
Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has forty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.
To learn more about Anita, please visit her website, www.anitahigman.com.
Tags: A Marriage in Middlebury, A Matchmaker in Middlebury, Anita Higman, Christian fiction, Romantic comedy
#BookReview: Courting Mr. Emerson by Melody Carlson
#BookReview: Almost Home by Valerie Fraser Luesse
#BookReview: Tomorrow’s First Light by Naomi Rawlings
#BookReview: The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin
#BookReview: Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard
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Review: Jennifer Lawrence carries ‘Joy’ on her shoulders
David O. Russell’s latest collaboration with Jennifer Lawrence is another dynamic tale of personal triumph, just as “Silver Linings Playbook” and, to a much grander extent, “American Hustle” were before it. And if we want to stretch beyond Lawrence you can put “TheFighter” in that same context. But “Joy” is a little bit more than those films; it’s the most fantastical project Russell has done since “I Heart Huckabees”, bringing a storybook quality to the hard scrabble story of real-life entrepreneur Joy Mangano. It’s a combination that doesn’t always work, especially as Russell indulges in some of his madcap tendencies, but he’s fortunate to have the one actress who can carry the film on her capable shoulders.
“Joy” is essentially two different movies all rolled into one, which is part of the problem. The first act, which begins with a fairy tale opening narrated by young Joy’s grandmother (Diane Ladd) about the talented child, is about her difficult home life full of cartoonish and very familiar characters; familiar if you’re a follower of Russell’s work, anyway. Her head filled full of hopes, dreams, and potential, Joy has grown up and not realized any of it. Now she lives under one roof with all of the people who are holding her back in various ways: her mother (Virginia Madsen) is a shut-in who watches soap operas all day; her father (De Niro), who is divorced from her mother, lives in the basement where he constantly fights with Joy’s charming but aimless ex-husband, Tony (Edgar Ramirez). With a few kids to care for, a dead-end job at an airport, and a bitter sister (Elisabeth Rohm) watching her every move, Joy isn’t going anywhere, despite a natural gift for inventing things that should have taken her far.
After feeling too much like a screwball family comedy for far too long, the film eventually takes off when Bradley Cooper arrives, all confidence, charm, and swagger as Neil Walker, the head of the QVC network who gambles on Joy’s latest invention: the Miracle Mop. As he takes her around the spinning showcases where Joan Rivers (played flawlessly by her daughter Melissa) sells various household items to millions, the story becomes something entirely different, as well. As Joy steps out on her own into the rough and tumble world of business, the film also leaves behind its madcap tendencies and becomes leaner and meaner, a story of a brassy, no-nonsense woman ready to take what she has long deserved.
This is really what the film should have been about all along, although it’s fair that it wouldn’t be as meaningful without showing us Joy’s turbulent family life. But Russell also seems more interested in this aspect of Joy’s story because it allows Lawrence to be her most brazen, which is when she’s at her best. After every one of Joy’s various setbacks, usually caused by her scheming, treacherous family or her father’s nasty girlfriend/benefactor (Isabella Rossellini), we get a scene of Lawrence meaningfully firing off a shotgun or intimidating suppliers. Russell eats that stuff up; he saves his best tricks for when Lawrence is alone, cuing up the vintage score and adding a few visual flourishes just for her. He truly seems inspired by her, which makes sense because his renaissance from a somewhat troubled filmmaker has coincided with her emergence as a superstar.
This renaissance for Russell has also come with an unwavering populist streak, and “Joy” may be his most accessible film to date. We trust in Joy’s goodness, her maternal instincts, her loyalty, just as much as we loathe her spiteful family. It’s Lawrence’s multi-dimensional performance that sees us through the film’s rough patches. She’s asked to carry practically every scene, portraying a disappointed daughter, caring mother, loyal friend, shrewd businesswoman, and heartbroken wife. It’s a lot to put on one actress’s shoulders, but Lawrence does it with ease and yes, with joy.
Golden Globes 2016: Jennifer Lawrence finds her 'Joy' and a Golden Globe
Movie review: 'Joy' sums up Jennifer Lawrence's vast appeal
Jennifer Lawrence earns Critics Choice Awards nomination for role in 'Joy'
'Joy' Oscar noms likely for Jennifer Lawrence and Robert de Niro
'Joy' with Jennifer Lawrence
Movie review: 'Joy' can't pick the right path even with the stellar Lawrence
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It takes time understand how to use new technology (including patient-controlled records)
December 6, 2012 Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli History, Society, Technology Leave a comment
As people began buying telephones in their homes, they used the handsets to listen to broadcasts of symphony orchestras. This was through subscription services like Electrophone in the UK and in Théâtrophone in France in the 1890s. By contrast, early radio usage was for point-to-point communication, sending telegrams wirelessly. It was not until the first world war that people switched to using radio for music broadcasts, and telephones for point-to-point conversations. Downton Abbey’s script writers were correct in showing the confusion about how and why to use a telephone.
It also takes while to perfect the use of a new medium. The first radio shows were recordings of theatre plays; the first TV shows were video recordings of people talking rather than showing movement and scenery; and the internet broadcasts were of TV shows until YouTube arrived with its slogan Broadcast Yourself™.
And so it is with patient-controlled medical records. In the beginning, most clinicians and patients are unsure of how to use them. When I started showing Patients Know Best to clinicians back in 2009, the commonest request they had was for sending messages with and about a patient across institutions. The first hospital doctors just wanted to send clinic letter to family physicians.
I found this frustrating, because I knew that there were so many other possible uses, but the clinicians were right that this was an immediately useful feature that would generates huge savings. So I followed their lead. (By contrast NHS HealthSpace, Google Health and Microsoft HealthVault ignored this feature, which is why the first two sites have shut down, and Microsoft’s efforts continue to fail.)
But I also learned the importance of teaching alongside developing software. We hired amazing nurses to work shoulder to shoulder alongside the clinicians at our customer sites. Our nurses show how to use patient control to deliver better care at lower costs. For example, we create personal health plan templates customized to the workflow of each clinical team. The templates make it fast to create plans for the safety of each patient in clinic, and easy to collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams.
Yet we too have much to learn about the possibilities from patient control, and so we listen early and often to new user groups. When we started in 2008 our business plan focused on hospitals as the market opportunity. But by 2011 pharmaceutical companies had become our biggest customers; the Clinical Commissioning Groups (the UK’s equivalent to US Accountable care organizations) had become even bigger customers; and by next year local authorities and social workers will become our biggest customers yet.
Each of these groups has used patient-controlled records in different and surprising ways. Our staff’s focus is on learning these ways and teaching them to all our other customer sites. Especially as technology’s usage may come full circle. We launched in 2008, the same year YouTube Symphony Orchestra did. YouTube.com/symphony has become one of YouTube’s most popular channels, broadcasting symphony orchestras live, through internet connections delivered by telephone lines.
Previous Post: Welcoming The Alkaptonuria Society
Next Post: The importance of records
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New York Zoning and Municipal Law Blog
Published By Silverberg Zalantis LLC
Commercial & Business Law
Court Upholds Variance Allowing Zero Lot Frontage
By Silverberg Zalantis LLC
The Appellate Division upheld an area variance for zero lot frontage that permitted the merger of two lots for the purpose of constructing a single family house, where the merged lots are also non-conforming in other respects. In Matter of Nowak v. Town of Southampton. the applicant (Insource) sought to merge two preexisting nonconforming lots that together failed to meet the lot area requirements and lacked any road frontage, as required under the local zoning code. The access to the road would be solely over an existing easement.
After the Zoning Board of Appeals issued the frontage variance, the neighbor brought an Article 78 proceeding challenging the Zoning Board of Appeals’ determination. The lower court upheld the determination and the petitioner appealed to the Second Department.
The Petitioner, as an adjoining property owner, claimed that by granting the variance the proposed single family house would have an adverse impact upon the petitioner, that the need for the variance was self created and that the lots were not eligible for treatment as nonconforming due to the merger of the lots.
The Court rejected the arguments of the petitioner noting:
“…a ‘nonconforming lot’ is defined as ‘[a]ny lot lawfully existing in single and separate ownership at the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto affecting such lot, which does not conform to the dimensional regulations of this chapter for the district in which it is situated. If such lot shall thereafter be held in the same ownership as an adjoining parcel, it shall lose its status as a nonconforming lot, except to the extent that the lot created by the merger of the two parcels shall remain nonconforming in the same respect’ (Town Code § 330-5)…
The ZBA rationally concluded based on the evidence submitted in support of the application that the parcels were held in single and separate ownership from 1954 through the present (see Town Code §§ 330-5, 330-115[D]). In addition, the ZBA has the power to grant area variances to those parcels and is ‘specifically empowered to grant [a] variance’ ‘modifying the yard requirements of a nonconforming lot which qualified under the terms of § 330-115D as to ownership, but where compliance with the dimensional provisions of this chapter is not feasible’ (Town Code § 330-167[C]; see Town Code § 330-166[C]). Moreover, upon merger of the two parcels as proposed by Insource, the new merged parcel would remain nonconforming “in the same respect” in that it would continue to be nonconforming as to lot width and lot area (Town Code § 330-5).”
The Court analyzed the criteria to be applied in the “balancing test” to determine whether the Zoning Board of Appeals properly granted the area variance and held:
“the ZBA engaged in the required balancing test and considered the relevant statutory factors (see Matter of Pecoraro v Board of Appeals of Town of Hempstead, 2 NY3d at 612-615). Contrary to the petitioner’s contentions, the evidence before the ZBA supported its findings that the requested relief would not produce an undesirable change in the character of the neighborhood, have an adverse impact on the physical or environmental conditions, or otherwise result in a detriment to the health, safety, and welfare of the neighborhood or community, even if the proposed variance was arguably substantial and the alleged difficulty was self-created (see Matter of Stengel v Town of Poughkeepsie Zoning Bd. of Appeals, 167 AD3d at 756; Matter of Wantagh Woods Neighborhood Assn. v Board of Zoning Appeals of Town of Hempstead, 208 AD2d 935, 936-937). There was no evidence before the ZBA to show that granting the application would adversely affect environmental conditions (see Matter of L & M Grazoise, LLP v City of Glen Cove Zoning Bd. of Appeals, 127 AD3d 863, 865). Moreover, the ZBA rationally concluded that the benefit sought, specifically a variance that would enable the construction of a single-family dwelling on a lot without road frontage, could not be achieved by a feasible alternative method which would not require an area variance…”
–Steven Silverberg
Posted in: Zoning and Land Use Law
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Revealed: legal advice for asylum seekers disappearing due to legal aid cuts
Author Clare Prust Date December 18, 2017
A woman at Yarl’s Wood detention centre in 2015.
via shutterstock.com
Jo Wilding, University of Brighton
Ever since changes were introduced in 2013 to the way legal aid works in England and Wales, campaigners, judges and politicians have been telling the government that many people are now unable to access legal advice and representation.
In October, the government announced a long-awaited review of the changes made in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO). This is urgently needed and welcome.
My ongoing research with asylum lawyers suggests that the changes have created serious difficulties for people to access legal aid, even for cases that should still be covered by it, such as asylum, trafficking, certain types of housing law and welfare benefits. It is also increasingly difficult for lawyers to provide legal aid for these kinds of cases.
Rates of pay for all areas of civil legal aid work were cut by 10% in 2011, before LAPSO took almost all non-asylum immigration law out of the scope of legal aid two years later. This left potentially complex areas of law – refugee family reunion, deportation, claims for the right to remain in the UK for children and young adults who have been here most of their lives – outside the scope of legal aid. It also meant providers who were already on the edge were unable to stay in the legal aid market.
Each provider with a legal aid contract is allocated a number of what are called “matter starts”, new cases which it can open within that contract year, most of which will be paid at a fixed fee, which depends on the type of case. Many providers saw their allocation drastically cut with the removal of non-asylum immigration casework from the scope of legal aid in 2013. This left some too small to be viable, particularly not-for-profit organisations which had no private paying clients to subsidise their legal aid work.
Shrinking provision
Data I received via a Freedom of Information request in early October from the Ministry of Justice showed large parts of England and Wales, including eastern England and much of south-west England – are now without any immigration and asylum providers at all, while other areas are badly under-served and have had huge cuts in their number of matter starts. My additional research shows that there is now only one provider in Plymouth, none in Cornwall, and none in Somerset, Wiltshire or Dorset. In Bedfordshire and south Hertfordshire, the number of matter starts more than halved from 930 in 2014-15 to 458 in 2016-17.
Some providers now survive by reducing the amount or quality of work they do on legal aid cases, keeping the cost per case within the fixed fee.
Asylum cases, which still qualify for legal aid, tend to take longer to close and are more complex than most non-asylum cases. In the past, to some extent the non-asylum cases subsidised the asylum work when they were still covered by legal aid. But when LASPO took effect, one not-for-profit provider I studied in southern England halved the size of its team, not because of a lack of demand but because there was a limit to how much it could afford to subsidise the unprofitable asylum work.
Since LASPO, the only other provider for asylum legal aid services in the same area, known as a “procurement point”, has withdrawn from legal aid work, citing the stress of frequent auditing, contract compliance requirements and quibbles over payment. The partners in that firm decided the low payment rates on legal aid did not outweigh that hassle. This left the one small provider referred to above – less than half the size of the firm which withdrew – for the three counties which make up that procurement point. The area includes a town to which asylum applicants have historically been dispersed, and where asylum advice is therefore in demand. Support groups report being unable to find legal advisers for people seeking asylum.
Paperwork hurdles
Immigration detention creates particular difficulties for lawyers. Firms which provide advice in detention centres do so via face-to-face “surgeries” at which they can spend up to half an hour each with up to ten clients. A half-hour appointment is at best very limited for a lawyer to understand the basics of the case, often through an interpreter via speaker phone, explain their advice and assess the client’s eligibility for further legal aid if appropriate.
Worse still, the lawyer cannot do any further work on a case unless the client can prove their financial eligibility for legal aid, for example with bank statements. Lawyers say this is relatively easy for a newly arrived asylum seeker, but may be impossible for someone who has been in the UK for a bit longer, possibly as a student, or those working or self-employed for some period.
People who are detained suddenly may find their landlord has disposed of all their belongings and paperwork. Those without good contacts on the outside to obtain bank statements or other documentation may be left without representation, despite being eligible for legal aid. One provider I spoke to estimated that there was usually one client in every ten-slot surgery who she could not represent because of lack of evidence of financial means.
When asylum applications are refused, the applicant is assumed to be lying, or “bogus”, rather than the victim of a system which is not working. Over a third of rejected applications succeed on appeal and perhaps many more would do so given properly funded representation.
The LASPO review needs to take an honest and open-minded look at the evidence about the consequences of the legal aid changes on the justice system. And an honest examination of the evidence must surely conclude that the cuts to legal aid have gone too far.
Jo Wilding, PhD candidate, University of Brighton
Posted in Law, Law
Business Top-up
Guest Lecture
Retail MSc
BBS UNDERGRADUATES GET CREATIVE WITH A LOCAL BUSINESS
Brighton Business School graduate receives royal honour
Making the most of enrichment week
My Placement Experience
All rise for the annual Brighton & Hove City Intervarsity Mooting competition
Jill's 'Americano' appointment
Advancing gender equality in tourism
University of Brighton pro-bono legal clinic open for business
Marketing students achieve record CIM Diploma awards
Julie: Thanks for sharing your experiences Laura!
Ken Carson: And the big fella can whack a golf ball a long way.
dr. punit goyal: post is really excellent i found this really helpful thanks fir sharing this pos
Jim Simpson: Brilliant event and I'm obviously really chuffed that one of my teams won :). W
Diana Walter: Awesome post I might want to thank you for the endeavors you have made in compos
Julie: Well done to all the teams?
Clare Millington: What a great inspirational idea and fantastic news for Newhaven Definitely wo
Rachael C: Fantastic Paige. Thank you for your positive feedback (as always). You were a gr
Julie: Great advice again Paige
Julie: Loneliness is such an important topic, a good read for all students
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Follow Statista
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Disney breaks record for annual box office sales.
Disney's 7-Billion Dollar Year
Felix Richter,
While “Rogue One – A Star Wars Story” is currently making waves at the box office, Disney, the company that owns the Star Wars franchise, can already look back at a blockbuster year. Disney was behind five of the ten highest-grossing movies of the year, including each of the Top 4 in terms of global box office revenue.
Raking in more than $7 billion at the global box office this year, Disney has become the first company to beat that threshold. With almost two weeks left on the clock, the company will easily cruise by the previous record for annual ticket sales set by Universal last year ($6.9 billion).
Felix Richter
Data Journalist
felix.richter@statista.com +49 (40) 284 841 557
This chart shows the worldwide box office revenue of Disney's Top 10 movie releases in 2016.
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Weekend box office revenue in the United Kingdom (UK) December 6-8, 2019
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Star Wars movies: production costs and global box office revenue 1977-2019
Weekend box office revenue - January 2020
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Home / Faculty and Staff Listing
Degrees: B.A. (Sophia), M.A. (Tokyo), Ph.D. (Massachusetts)
Phone: 613-520-2600 x 2805 (prefers e-mail contact)
Email: masako_hirotani@carleton.ca
Office: 202 Paterson Hall
Note: Dr. Hirotani provides graduate supervision to students pursuing advanced degrees in the field of Cognitive Science.
Language & Brain Lab
Dr. Masako Hirotani is an Associate Professor of Linguistics and Cognitive Science. She received her PhD in psycholinguistics from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2005. After the completion of her PhD, she spent two years at Neuropsychology Department, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany for her postdoctoral fellowship. Dr. Hirotani is investigating the mechanisms of human language processing. Her current research interests are focused on the following areas: 1) adult sentence processing, 2) use of auditory information in sentence processing by adults and children, and 3) neural correlates for language processing.
She is the director of the Carleton’s newly established Language and Brain Laboratory. She is also a member of the Carleton’s Centre for Applied Cognitive Research (CACR) and the Visualization and Simulation (VSIM) Centre.
Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
Syntax-Phonology and Semantics-Phonology Interfaces
Language and Brain Laboratory
Courses Previously Taught
LING 1001: Introduction to Linguistics
LING 1100: Mysteries of Language
LING 3601 / PSYC 3709: Language Processing and the Brain I
LING 3603 / PSYC 3508: Child Language
LING 4601: Language Processing and the Brain II
LING 4605: Psycholinguistic Research Methods
LING 4606: Statistics for Language Research
CGSC 5005: Cognition and Neuroscience
Selected Recent Publications
Hirotani, M., Makuuchi, M., Rueschemeyer, S., & Friederici, A.D. (In Press). Who was the Agent? The Neural Correlates of Reanalysis Processes during Sentence Comprehension. Human Brain Mapping.
White, S.J., Hirotani, M., & Liversedge S.P. (In Press). Eye Movement Behaviour during Reading of Japanese Sentences: Effects of Word length and Visual Complexity. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal.
Hirotani, M. (In Press). Prosodic Phrasing of Wh-questions in Tokyo Japanese. In T. Borowsky, S. Kawahara, T. Shinya and M. Sugahara (Eds.), Prosody Matters, Essays in Honor of Lisa Selkirk, Series: Advances in Optimality Theory, (pp. 469-511). Equinox: London, UK.
Hirotani, M. & Schumacher, P. (2011). The Role of Context and Topic Marking during Discourse Processing in Japanese: Evidence from ERPs. Journal of Neurolinguistics, 24, 276-292.
Hirotani, M. (2010). Use of Pitch for Processing Emotions. Canadian Acoustics.
Hirotani, M., Stets, M., Striano, T., & Friederici, A.D. (2009). Joint Attention Helps Infants Learn New Words: Event-related Potential Evidence. NeuroReport, 20, 600-605.
Wolff, S., Schlesewsky, M., Hirotani, M., & Bornkessel-Schlesewsky, I. (2008). The Neural Mechanisms of Word Order Processing Revisited: Electrophysiological Evidence from Japanese. Brain and Language, 107, 133-157.
Hirotani, M. (2007). Prosody and LF Interpretation: Processing Japanese Wh-questions. Phonological Studies, Vol. 10 (pp. 67-68). Tokyo: Kaitakusha.
Mueller, J., Hirotani, M., & Friederici, A.D. (2007). ERP Evidence for Different Strategies in the Processing of Case Markers in Native Speakers and Non-native Learners. BMC Neuroscience, 8, 18.
Hirotani, M., Frazier, L., & Rayner, K. (2006). Punctuation and Intonation Effects on Sentence and Clause Wrap-up: Evidence from Eye Movements. Journal of Memory and Language, 54, 425-443.
Recent Research Grants and Awards
FASS Research Award, Carleton University, 2011
FASS Junior Faculty Research Award, Carleton University, 2011
Ottawa Cluster for Excellence in Advanced Neurosensing (OCEAN). Granted to D’Angiulli, A., Chan, A., Hirotani, M., Garvey, T., & Anisman, H. Carleton University Research Excellence Fund, 2011-2014
Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience: Language and Brain (CCN.LaB). Canada Foundation for Innovation, Leaders Opportunity Fund, 2009-2013.
The On-line Use of Prosodic Information during Sentence Comprehension: ERP Investigation. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Standard Research Grant, 2008-2011.
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Missions and Missionaries
John Wesley Biography
A re-release of the J. Arthur Rank historical classic made in 1954. This cinema drama follows the life of John Wesley from when he was saved out of a burning house as a child and thereby marked for life as a "brand from the burning." His Oxford days, a disastrous mission to America, his decisive Aldersgate experience, his bringing the Gospel into the daily lives of alienated masses, the founding of Methodism, and his astounding role in raising the moral and religious climate in 18th century England, and much more are set forth with careful dependence on the historical sources.
Item number: 4812D
Region: All
Producer: Clifford Jeapes
John Wesley was one of the most influential ministers in all of Christian history, and this old but still potent film provides an excellent introduction to the major events in his life and the many obstacles he had to overcome. Fullscreen.
Recommended or related products
Gospel Of Liberty
The Great Awakening - Spiritual Revival in Colonial America
Christian History Magazine #20 - Charles G Finney
Sheffey
Christian History Magazine #114 - Francis Asbury and the Methodists
Christian History Magazine #69 - Wesleys: Charles and John
Wesley Country
Christian History Magazine #82 - Phoebe Palmer & 19th Century Holiness Revival
Billy Graham: A Prophet With Honor
Encounters With John Wesley
John Wesley: The Faith That Sparked the Methodist Movement
Wisdom from India - Lecture 6: Ecology
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ChurchMag / Creative / ‘Daydreamer’ by Matthew Parker [Saturday Morning Review]
‘Daydreamer’ by Matthew Parker [Saturday Morning Review]
by Phil Schneider
Few pop artists really live up to that label “artist,” but Matthew Parker is one and Daydreamer proves it. The music is catchy, filled with all the hooks, loops, bleeps, and bloops that should be expected in 2018. And yet, it’s really good! Most of the time, when an album has “everything,” if often feels a bit bloated and overproduced. That’s not the case here. The music sounds hand-crafted if that’s even a thing anymore.
And the lyrics? Intricate without being needlessly complex. These are songs designed to make you think but not at the risk of their enjoyability. You’ll be able to blast this album and sing along. That’s no small thing, blending deep and meaningful lyrics that are actually fun to listen to and sing along with, but Parker has done it.
Favorite Tracks
“All I’m After”
“Every Other Day”
And let me just say that I love “Alice.” It’s deep, haunting, and just an all-around great song. I think you’ll love it, too.
Parker’s Daydreamer is a poppy but powerful album that you’ll be singing along to in no time.
– 5.0 Stars
You can find Daydreamer in iTunes, in Google Play, and at Amazon.
A copy of this album was provided to me by the record company in exchange for an honest review, which is what you’ve just finished reading.
I'm a teacher and discipleship pastor. More importantly, I'm husband to the greatest woman in the world and father to a ridiculously cute daughter. I also occasionally scratch out a few blog posts.
Category: Creative, Music
What About Online Groups? [Podcast #234]
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Josiah Deguara Omar Fortt Randy Edsall Dillon Harris Darrick Forrest Gerrid Doaks Mike Beaudry Kevin Mensah Desmond Ridder Michael Warren Luke Fickell Sports Football College football College sports
Cincinnati The American Connecticut Northern Illinois
No. 17 Cincinnati stays unbeaten in AAC, routs UConn 48-3
By JOE KAY - Nov. 09, 2019 08:13 PM EST
Connecticut quarterback Jack Zergiotis passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
CINCINNATI (AP) — A couple of close calls against overmatched opponents got Cincinnati's attention. The 17th-ranked Bearcats made sure the lowliest team in the American Athletic wouldn't stick around very long.
Desmond Ridder threw for a pair of touchdowns and Michael Warren II ran for two more during a dominant opening half, and Cincinnati remained the only unbeaten team in AAC play by routing Connecticut 48-3 on Saturday.
The Bearcats (8-1, 5-0) retained the inside track for the conference title by ending their recent trend of slow starts . They led 38-0 at halftime and began sending in its backups midway through the third quarter.
"We haven't had one of these in a while," coach Luke Fickell said.
The Bearcats struggled in a home win over Tulsa, then had to rally in the fourth quarter for a victory at East Carolina. Fickell made sure they were much more focused against the worst all-around team in the conference.
"Coach went in on Tuesday and kind of ripped into us a little bit," tight end Josiah Deguara said. "We can't play to our opponent. So, we had a really good week of practice and it showed tonight."
For UConn? Nothing good at all.
The Huskies (2-8, 0-6) had two players ejected while losing their 17th straight conference game. The Huskies have dropped 24 of their last 25 against FBS teams. They fell to 0-9 all-time at Nippert Stadium .
The Bearcats got rolling against a defense that has allowed the most points in the conference. Ridder connected with Deguara on touchdowns of 18 and 15 yards. Warren scored from 6 and 1 yards out, and Gerrid Doaks had a 53-yard run that set up his 1-yard touchdown in the first half.
Ridder went 13 of 23 for 136 yards and ran seven times for 94 yards. He was replaced after the opening drive of the third quarter.
"It was really good for us to come out there, jump on them quick, get up 14-0 and just keep it going," Ridder said.
The tone was set in the first 10 minutes, when the Huskies gave up a pair of touchdowns, got a punt blocked, and had linebacker Omar Fortt ejected for targeting a receiver. Defensive lineman Dillon Harris also was ejected in the second quarter for a high hit on Ridder that caused a fumble.
UConn coach Randy Edsall disagreed with both calls and ejections.
"If they are going to be throwing people out of the game for playing football, we might as well stop playing football," Edsall said. "The two calls they gave — if that's targeting, let's stop playing."
Cincinnati's Darrick Forrest picked off Zack Zergiotis, giving the Bearcats 13 interceptions and 21 takeaways for the season, among the best nationally. Cincinnati has 11 interceptions and five fumble recoveries in the last five games.
Zergiotis was 4 of 14 for 35 yards in the first half with the interception, the true freshman's fourth turnover in the last two games. Mike Beaudry started the second half and went 6 of 9 for 35 yards.
"I told Jack at halftime: You're like a starting pitcher in baseball today," Edsall said. "You just didn't have it. It's like you gave up five home runs. You have to put the other guy in. Next start it might be a lot better."
UConn's Kevin Mensah ran for 115 yards in his third straight triple-digit game. He has been the Huskies' only threat on offense lately.
"You just go out there and give it all you've got, try to motivate guys, try to motivate the team," Mensah said.
UConn has lost its last two games against Cincinnati by a combined 97-10.
The Bearcats harped on playing with more focus after their ragged wins against Tulsa and East Carolina and were sharp in all aspects of their homecoming game.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Bearcats put themselves in position to improve upon their highest ranking since 2009, when they got as high as No. 4 during a perfect regular season. The Huskies fell to 3-32 against ranked teams.
The Huskies' last win over a ranked team was 20-17 over No. 13 Houston in 2015. The other two were over No. 19 Louisville in 2012 and against No. 11 South Florida in 2007.
Warren has 29 touchdowns rushing in his career, moving ahead of Isaiah Pead into third place on the school's list.
STREAKING
Cincinnati has won 12 in a row at Nippert Stadium since November 2017.
UConn has a bye before hosting East Carolina on Nov. 23.
Cincinnati plays at South Florida on Saturday.
More AP college football: http://apnews.com/tag/Collegefootball and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25
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Bruce Pearl Terrell Gomez Mark Gottfried Samir Doughty Jared Pearre Wiley Danjel Purifoy Charles Barkley Austin Wiley Lamine Diane Isaac Okoro Elijah Harkless Brendan Harrick Miles Brookins Sports Men's college basketball College basketball Basketball Men's basketball Men's sports College football Football College sports
Auburn SEC
Doughty’s 33 leads No. 22 Auburn’s 116-70 rout of CSUN
By JOHN ZENOR - Nov. 15, 2019 10:18 PM EST
CSUN forward Jared Pearre (25) and Auburn center Austin Wiley (50) compete for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Samir Doughty and No. 22 Auburn started clobbering Cal State Northridge much closer to the first shot than the last one.
Doughty scored a career-high 33 points, J’Von McCormick had a school-record 16 assists and the Tigers jumped up big early on their way to a 116-70 rout of the Matadors (0-4) on Friday night.
The Tigers (4-0), who needed a basket in the final seconds to beat South Alabama on Tuesday night, scored the first 11 points and led 66-38 at halftime.
“We overwhelmed our opponent, which we hadn't been able to do yet,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said.
It was the most points Auburn had scored since getting 119 against Winthrop on Nov. 24, 2017.
Doughty made his first five 3-pointers and scored 22 by halftime against the Matadors.
“Getting off to a good start was big on our plan today,” he said. “We wanted to get off to a good start and just be aggressive.”
The senior guard finished 10-of-15 shooting and made 6 of 8 3s. He also had eight rebounds. Doughty’s previous career best was 23 points against Duquesne when he was a freshman at VCU.
Terrell Gomez led Cal State Northridge with 23 points and made five 3-pointers. He was coming off a career-best 33-point game against Pepperdine.
“I know they had a tough game the other night at South Alabama, so they came out ready and anxious and excited to play,” CSUN coach Mark Gottfried said. “We would have probably struggled anyway but we’re a little short-handed.”
Reigning Big West player of the year Lamine Diane has been ruled ineligible this semester by the NCAA, pending an appeal.
McCormick had assists on five of Auburn’s first nine baskets and kept setting up scores from there, while committing only one turnover. Freshman Isaac Okoro, who hit the game-winner with 2.9 seconds left against South Alabama, scored 17.
Danjel Purifoy had 16 points and Austin Wiley added 10 points and nine rebounds for Auburn.
Brendan Harrick scored 17 and also made five 3s for CSUN. Elijah Harkless scored 11 points and Jared Pearre had 10.
CSUN newcomer Miles Brookins, a La Salle transfer who flew to Alabama Thursday night after the NCAA granted him a waiver, tore his left ACL in the second half, Gottfried said.
“It’s just heartbreaking for him,” the coach said.
CSUN: Fell to 0-6 against Southeastern Conference opponents. Were outrebounded 52-33.
Auburn: Has won 16 of its last 17 games dating back to last season’s Final Four run. Started 4-0 for the second straight season, something that hadn’t happened in 20 years. Hit 17 of 35 3-pointers.
GOTTFRIED’S RETURN
Gottfried is very familiar with the Tigers and with former Auburn and NBA star Charles Barkley. He led rival Alabama’s program for 11 seasons, a tenure that ended with the 2008-09 season. Barkley spoke to the Matadors in the locker room after the game.
“He gave them a great message about education and listening to coaches,” Gottfried said. “I’ve known him so long and it’s just great that he came to talk to them.”
CSUN’s Harkless and Pearl both drew technical fouls. Harkless was whistled for flopping late in the first half and Pearl drew the whistle early in the second half.
CSUN visits Richmond on Sunday.
Auburn hosts Colgate on Monday night, its fifth game in 13 days.
More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25
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‘You Were Never Really Here’ crumbles into a classic
Courtesy - Getty Images
By Brock Stillmunks
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Andrei Tarkovsky directed “Taxi Driver?“ The film must combine the brutality and nihilism of Scorsese’s masterpiece with the philosophical dreaminess of a Tarkovskian film to create an uninhibited and original vision for the new millennium. It needs to be anchored by a visceral, emotional performance that makes the audience not only care about the character, but also about the actor. One would also need an uncompromising director with a vision so clear that no producer could tamper with it. This might sound like a pipe dream, but Lynne Ramsay’s film “You Were Never Really Here” molds this dream, or more aptly, this nightmare, into a reality.
“You Were Never Really Here” isn’t worried about what you think of it. Its thin revenge plot concerns a suicidal hitman named Joe, played by Joaquin Phoenix, who stumbles across a low–level government conspiracy as he attempts to rescue a teenage runaway.
This so-called plot disappears as Joe stumbles through life in perpetual agony, looking for a way out. The character’s don’t change and the climax of the film—if you can call it that—happens off screen. In short, it’s a film that shouldn’t have been written, produced or released. And for those reasons, it is beautiful.
Ramsay directed and wrote this film, the first feature since her 2011 release “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” The plot of “You Were Never Really Here” is a story without a plot, featuring a character without motivation in a world that doesn’t care. What matters to Ramsay is not the story, but the characters. In most films, there is the plot, or what we see, and an overarching story. To Ramsay, there is no difference. What Joe experiences is all we experience.
This film is violent. It’s painful. It makes you squirm as you watch Joe, already battered in the beginning, succumb to pain. It is not movie violence. It is unchoreographed and awkward and strikes fear into a viewer because, unlike most Hollywood violence, this seems real.
Joe beats men with a ball point hammer and walks over their corpses as if they had rested there when he arrived. He pulls out half a tooth in a back alley and tries to shower as vicious scars align on his back like a tattered road map to his agony.
These scenes aren’t meant to symbolize some higher goal, but that violence only needs to represent violence and how dreadfully corrosive it can be.
The film is elevated because despite Joe’s suffering, he attempts to do the right thing. He attempts to save the innocent and do other good deeds in the massacre of Ramsay’s world.
The film asks: Who is really innocent, and what is really worth saving? The question drifts in and out as Joe drags himself along this dreamlike mist of pain. However, by the end, viewers know the answer, even if they don’t want to.
brock stillmunks
Review: Three games from 2019 pay homage to and further their genres
To impossible and beyond: Consumers divided on wave of plant-based substitutes at food chains
Critique: ‘The Santaland Diaries’ sleighs holiday humor without a sugar plum of political correctness
Epiphany Center for the Arts to open as ‘community hub’ in West Loop
Dreaming of a ‘White Christmas’ at the Cadillac Palace
Review: Chicago is ‘Forever Turned Around’ after five Whitney sold-out shows
The Chronicle’s Decade in Review
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Comics Con Queso Unilaterally Sarcastic, Dangerously Cheesy
Posts tagged “Joe Simon”
Court Rules Superman Belongs To Warner Brothers
The character rights to Superman have been in dispute for some time now. The court case between Warner Brothers and the Siegel and Shuster families has raged for quite some time. An original deal was made with the Shuster family and Warner Brothers in the early nineties that would allow payments throughout their lifetime for the use of Superman. A similar deal was supposedly reached with the Siegels in the early 2000s as well. Those deals notwithstanding, both families have been embroiled in legal battles with Warner Brothers over ownership rights. Close to a year ago the Siegel family lost their final appeal and this week the same court that shut down that case ruled against the Shusters as well, securing all rights to Superman and any characters derived from his use for Warner Brothers.
With talks of copyright extension in the news it is interesting to take a look at this case and see how different and yet the same things are within the comic book industry when it comes to the handling of work for hire. DC Comics does have a fairly decent track record as of late. Talks of royalty checks showing up in Chuck Dixon’s mailbox when The Dark Knight Rises hit theaters for his contributions to creating Bane got a lot of press. Apparently DC has no incentive to do this, but did so for reasons nobody can truly fathom. Creator rights seem to be a very broad spectrum from case to case. I think everyone is quite aware of how Marvel treated Jack Kirby and Joe Simon regarding their contributions to the Marvel universe.
Most people who do work for hire understand the ramifications of that. Look at Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker and their reactions to the Jim Gordon TV show announcement and the use of The Winter Soldier. They know that Marvel is well within their rights to use those characters and ideas because that was in the terms of their contract with the company. Most creators are realistic when it comes to how their work-for-hire output is utilized and what expectations they should have regarding compensation. Siegel and Shuster were in a very different boat when they made their deal with DC comics in the early twentieth century. They tried to secure a fair shake for their involvement when they were alive and their family continued that fight after their deaths.
The world of copyright and creator rights is an ever shifting landscape. The comics industry should certainly treat their creators with more respect. The people in charge would not have these characters without the creative types doing their job. Royalties for new creations shouldn’t be such a stumbling block. I don’t work for any of the major companies so I don’t want to overstep my bounds. But I don’t think I’m going out on too far of a limb to say that I support creators and creator rights and think that its not bad business to support the people who keep your enterprise alive.
November 23, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Copyright, Creator Rights, DC Comics, Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, jack kirby, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Joe Simon, Marvel Comics, Superman, Warner Brothers | Leave a comment
Recent Postings:
Review – Gotham Academy # 1 (2014)
Review – Thor #1 (2014)
Review – Captain America : The Winter Soldier (2014)
Review – Wolverine # 1 (2014)
Review – Ms. Marvel # 1 (2014)
CCQ-Blog Archive
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Richard Berke; Pen American Center; Tobias Schneebaum
Richard Berke, political correspondent for The New York Times, examines President George W. Bush's first hundred days in office. Frances FitzGerald, president of the Pen American Center, and writers Arthur Miller, Nora Ephron, and John Guare discuss the center's importance. Artist Tobias Schneebaum on his new movie about living with a cannibalistic tribe in New Guinea.
Frances FitzGerald Richard Berke Nora Ephron Arthur Miller John Guare Tobias Schneebaum
Entertainment Politics Society
Richard Berke
Reporter Richard Berke examines President George W. Bush's first hundred days in office. 17:37
Pen American Center 80th Anniversary
Frances FitzGerald, Arthur Miller, Nora Ephron, and John Guare discuss the Pen American Center's importance. 18:09
Super Tuesday Preview
Paul Begala and Oliver North, co-chosts of "Equal Time" on MSNBC, discuss the upcoming Super Tuesday primaries. 17:38
China-Spy Plane Incident; Adam Moss
World, Politics, Media
A panel discusses the collision between a Chinese fighter jet and an American spy plane; NYT Magazine editor Adam Moss. 52:23
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CNBC news anchor Maria Bartiromo on her book, "Use the News: How to Separate the Noise from the Investment Nuggets and Make Money in any Economy."
May 2010 May 2010 October 2008 October 2008 October 2008 May 2006 May 2006 May 2006 April 2006 July 2004
Maria Bartiromo; Barry Sternlicht
Maria Bartiromo on her book, "Use the News"; Starwood Hotels' Barry Sternlicht talks about his success in the hotel industry. 53:26
Business, Books
Tom and David Gardner, co-authors of "The Motley Fool Investment Guide." 09:06
Paul Volcker
Politics, Business
Paul Volcker, former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, on the economic crisis. 36:06
The Wall Street Crisis
Journalists Charlie Gasparino, Andrew Ross Sorkin, and Mort Zuckerman on the Wall Street crisis. 15:28
Congress and the Financial Crisis
Journalists Mort Zuckerman and Andrew Ross Sorkin on the future of the financial crisis. 17:23
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Tag Archives: Joel Embiid
When a prospect slips in the draft, how much salary do they lose?
2014 NBA Draft, 2014 NBA Season April 10, 2014 Comments: 2
This post has been revised after noticing a mistake in salaries of four-year rookie contracts. My air head regrets the error.
With top college basketball players declaring for the draft left and right save for Jabari Parker, whose decision seems very much up in the air, I looked at the contracts for first round picks and how much money is really lost when top prospects slide in the draft. There are also cases when a player like Anthony Bennett gets drafted, when a team either reaches for a draftee or takes a player that might not have been on the radar for that draft slot.
But to start, contracts for first round picks are scaled ahead of time (up to the year 2020 can be found here) with teams having the option to offer as little as 80 percent of the fixed price or as high as 120 percent, according to Larry Coon’s cbafaq.com. Players often have that slight raise with Anthony Davis as just one example, but taking less than the slot scale has happened before thanks to Andre Roberson. Those contracts can last up to four years, but teams have options after the first two seasons to either release their once-first rounders or hold onto them at what’s likely a bargain price.
Below is a table looking at the scaled salaries for first rounders in the 2014 NBA Draft, sorted by draft slots. The first sheet is the combined salary, year after year, of the first four years. That’s assuming they all play through their rookie contracts and take the slight raise that teams can offer. The second sheet is the salary each season with the raise percentage they could get in their fourth.
But the first sheet is most important as it’ll be applied to a second batch of tables comparing how much money could be lost between draft slots. Take a look at the most money each slot could make through their first four seasons:
For a player like Anthony Davis, whose combined salary over four years is around that $20 million range, he makes as much over those seasons as Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and LeBron James make this season alone, among others. But that’s for Davis, who was drafted first overall in 2012. The 8th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft will make just under half of the 1st overall pick’s salary over four years (unless their contract includes incentives).
It’s simply a huge get for a franchise to score a first round pick that’s not only productive and can stay in the league, but an overall positive on the court. The sooner they’re a positive contributor the better, obviously, but even if a player hangs on for three years of his contract despite producing little and then becomes a key cog in Year 4, it still seems worth it given how many contracts around the $10 million/year range end up not so terrific. Looks like fun times all around for teams with those first rounders.
As for the draft prospects projected to go in the first round, slipping in the draft may provide positives such as a chip on their shoulder and a better fit with a better team. However, depending on how far a prospect slides and how high they were slated to go, it can be quite a blow to their bank account. For example, if the first overall pick and sixth of the 2014 Draft each play out all four years of their rookie contract (and take that raise they can be offered), the difference in salary between them is over $10 million. Maybe something comes up with Joel Embiid that hurts his draft stock or teams have second thoughts on Andrew Wiggins, who knows. Crazier things have happened, for better or for worse.
Regardless, dropping in the draft means an obvious decline in the salary they can earn and below are tables hopefully showing the difference for each draft pick over the course of two, three, and four seasons under their scaled pay. Again, that includes taking the slight raise they can be offered. Salary lost is in parenthesis while salary gained — if a prospect is drafted ahead of their projected slot or range — is not.
Also, because the sheets were fairly large, I made columns of draft slots on the bottom of them and to the right side in case it becomes hard to tell which draft slot is which. Anyway, take a look if you’d like:
Jabari Parker could very well be that player who slips in the draft not because of a performance issue but the overall talent that’s at the top. Is it worth it for him to trade being a top-5, maybe top-7 pick in this year’s draft in exchange for being a top-3 pick in 2015 and Duke being a title contender next year?
Some other highly-touted prospect is bound to drop in the draft regardless, but hopefully to a team that he’ll fit right in with. Trey Burke, Gorgui Dieng, and Tim Hardaway Jr. probably weren’t the ninth, 21st, and 24th-best available players in last year’s draft but they all look like they’ll end up as solid gets for the teams that chose them.
Which players will be this season’s Burke, Dieng, or Hardaway? Better yet, will anyone be the next Anthony Bennett in terms of rising in the draft for whatever reason? I guess we’ll have to wait, um, like 76 more days for all of this, though. Ugh, but if some player drops or rises then hopefully the tables posted above can help look at the impact it’ll have in their paychecks.
Any other thoughts are certainly welcome. You can find previous years here.
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Who is the barbarous murderer of 72 innocent Gorakhpur infants?
satirelover / August 15, 2017
We proudly celebrated our 70th independence day with abundant grandeur. Deep inside, all of us were still mourning the grisly demise of helpless infants of Gorakhpur Baba Raghav Das hospital. This appalling and heart wrenching incident shocked our conscience and left the country shaken.
Digital World and media quickly sprung to their actions. This was followed by series of predictable turn of events. The tragedy was politicized. It served as a strong reason for the opposition to demand resignation from the already censured and continuously criticized Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath. A derisive attempt was made by the BJP Spokesperson, Siddharth Nath to cover up. Siddharth Nath, who is famous as an articulate speaker failed miserably this time and did a rather insensate jabbering, disappointing the public. He claimed that the accident was not due to shortage of bottled oxygen. He further stated that the problem of encephalitis was a rampant these days with most of the patients admitted for the same. Syncing with the ruling Government’s statement, hospital authority maintained that oxygen shortage was lasted only for about two hours.
The principal of the medical college was suspended on Saturday by the UP government. Next day the head of the pediatrics department and the children’s encephalitis wards, Dr Kafeel Khan was removed. Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath further promised a stern action against those who would be found guilty after the probe.
In the era of post-truth, it is easy to develop different perceptions based on news from different sources. It is further easier for the general public to blame the authority, blame them who are in the power. It is also convenient for the opposition to blame the Government and demand resignation. On the other hand it is very easy for the Government to blame the hospital authorities of irresponsibility. It is a cake walk to sack people like Dr Kafeel or the principal of the medical college as a quick action against the guilty. It wouldn’t have taken much effort of CM Adityanath Yogi to state that he wasn’t informed about the fund shortage to pay the bills. Or to state that the government had already released the required funds to settle all the dues.
Reason for the horrendous accident could be anything. It could be encephalitis or it could be the disrupted oxygen supply. Anyone can be blamed blindly or anyone can be sacked without any reasoning. But the bitter truth is, 72 innocent children were mercilessly nipped in the bud. They became victim of our scandalous and corrupted system. It is not about congress or BJP. This type of accident is neither new to us, nor does any guarantee exist that we would be spared from other such kind of misfortune in our future.
Uncountable debates, insensible blame games, politicizing or mere mourning is not the resolution of this problem. Investigating the matter to find the guilty for punishment is fine. But, in-depth analysis of the root cause and finding a feasible solution is what is desirable. This incident is a reflection of our distorted system, it is a bitter reflection of a pandemic corrupted environment not limited to only public institutions like Government hospitals. It is a reflection of our appalling state of administration, our skewed processes and the corrupted people who are part of the system.
Even after 70 years of independence, India still faces shortage of doctors, nearly 500,000 in numbers according to the World health organization (WHO) norm of 1:1000 population. Nearly 27% of the total deaths in India happen due to shortage of medical facility every year. There are shortage of medical colleges and hospitals in India. In the existing ones, there are shortage of proper facilities or medicines. There are reports of creation of false staff and temporary facilities during inspections of medical colleges to retain the government registrations. Tax payers are unaware if the funds created through their tax are being adequately allotted to the public institutions. Even if the funds are adequately allotted, it get filtered at every step at the corrupted network till it reaches the final stage. As stated before, it is not limited to public institutions. There are illegal fees systems cropped up pervasively in the private medical colleges.
Gorakhpur incident is not solely an aftermath of carelessness of a single head of the department or the principal of the medical college. Neither the private entity who stopped the supply due to non-payment of due can be blamed. And most importantly, how can we solely blame the newly formed Government. We are collectively to be blamed. Everyone who forms the system, everyone who forms the Government, who collectively makes the processes, who creates a comfortable ecosystem for corruption to happen are to be blamed. We as a whole, we as a country have failed once again.
August 15, 2017 in Emotions, My opinion, Politics. Tags: 72 infants dead in gorakhpur hospital, gorakhpur incident, gorakhpur tragedy
Anger is the Worst enemy: Our view on Kapil Sharma controversy
A Khasi Woman from Meghalaya attired in her traditional dress asked to leave the Delhi Golf club: Another disgraceful instance of elitist Bigotry
SC says playing National Anthem is mandatory in every movie Theater in India. But why??
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CRA Hosts Eben Tisdale Science Policy Fellows
July 7, 2016 /In: Policy, For Students /
By Brian Mosley, CRA Policy Analyst
On Tuesday, July 5, the CRA Government Affairs Office welcomed the 2016 class of Eben Tisdale Science Policy Fellows (http://www.tfas.org/tisdale) to the CRA Washington, D.C. office. These fellows, undergraduates at universities and colleges from across the United States, are spending the summer at high-tech companies, firms, or trade associations in Washington, learning the intricacies of technology policy. Additionally, they are taking two class credits at George Mason University, and attending briefings at institutions such as the U.S. Capitol, Department of State, World Bank, and Federal Reserve. The fellows were in the office to attend a presentation, by Brian Mosley, policy analyst in CRA’s Office of Government Affairs, covering the policy concerns and issues that the association works on and attempts to influence at the federal level.
This year’s Tisdale Fellow for CRA is Satoe Sakuma (second from the left). Satoe is a rising senior at the Boston University, pursuing a double major in computer science and international relations with a focus in East Asian economics. She’s particularly interested in high tech public policy, especially areas of cybersecurity, as it allows her to utilize both areas of her studies. This summer, Satoe has been tracking key federal legislation and researching current federal cybersecurity policy and how it impacts university researchers. We’ve been thrilled to have her on staff this summer!
The Tisdale Fellows in the picture above are, from left to right: Asad Pabani, Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Satoe Sakuma; Rosemond Ho, BSA The Software Alliance; and Teresa Morin, Dell Computers.
Carnegie Corporation of New York Honors Farnam Jahanian CRA-Women Virtual Town Hall on July 14
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TV Episode Review: “Orphan Black” “Governed As It Were by Chance” (02.04, 2014)
Posted on May 11, 2014 by Crowd of Full Pockets/Shattenjager
Helena came in, marching on a physically restrained Sarah baring a knife and covered in blood, a savior, an avenging guardian angel, and an angel of doom all at once. Sarah saw a dangerous, destructive force that she thought she had destroyed advancing on her evincing invincibility. And then, Helena did the one thing Sarah could not have expected: she turned to her clone for support in a time of great need.
Helena is often something of a villain in this show because of her unpredictability, her unending capacity for violence, and her connection to the Proletheans. The thing that’s easy to miss is that she is every bit the orphan that Sarah is and is, in reality, even more alone. Sarah has–to varying degrees–Felix, Kira, Cal, and Mrs. S. Helena has no one. Even the abusive father figure is dead. Her only real connection is to her clone, Sarah.
And Helena’s connection to Sarah is more than biological. She may have a willingness to do things that Sarah wouldn’t, but the determination that drives Helena, misdirected as it may often be, is the same thing that often turns Sarah into an unstoppable ball of rage. Helena doesn’t harness it for the same purposes that Sarah does, but she is if anything even more unstoppable when she does harness it because she doesn’t have the limits Sarah does. They are not just physically identical with nothing else in common–they are, as Helena says, sisters.* Helena is the free radical in the show’s solution, and she’s asking Sarah to provide her with the electron missing from her outer shell.
*Note that the word Helena uses is actually “sestra,” which is the Czech word for sister. (I used to have a boss who was Czech and that is one of the few words I ever heard her say in her native tongue, so, oddly enough, I recognized it.) However, it also translates as nun or nurse. Is she actually seeking salvation from Sarah as a nun or care as a nurse? I think either is actually a fair reading, though the idea that she’s seeking a familial connection with her “sister” makes more sense. It is possible, however, that she is using this word because of its multiple meanings.
I am a little–okay, more than a little–confused about how Cal managed to be the one driving the truck. Somehow, in the same time that it took for Sarah to drive to that intersection, he drove to the abandoned little farm he knows about, stashed Kira with the instruction to hide in the small wooded area, and drove over to the intersection to hit the car, luckily managing not to severely injure Sarah in the process. The exceedingly lucky timing and result of the crash are acceptable even if they’re a little logically silly, but it seems really bizarre for him to have been able to make it to that intersection at the same time as them with all of that extra work he had to do. Further, the man just found out he has a daughter and saves the daughter from a bizarre armed kidnapper who kills a friendly cop on his doorstep and then he leaves the daughter alone at some abandoned farmhouse, knowing that someone is after her mother? That’s pretty crazy behavior that frankly makes no sense. The preview for next week tells us why it wasn’t Mr. Big Dick–they apparently have other plans for him–but I just can’t make sense of how Cal got there or of his weird treatment of Kira.
Cosima’s part was pretty small and simple–she’s getting sicker and hiding it, but we already knew that. She’s still helping Sarah, but we already knew that. We need more Cosima per episode. Boo.
Alison has meanwhile entered rehab following her disastrous performance. I loved the introduction to her being in rehab, throwing us into her waking up in the rehab center with no context so that we’re wondering, “Where the hell is she” just as she is (Though I also kept thinking, “Wait–is this not Alison?” A hazard of a story filled with clones is that sometimes it’s not easy to know if a new character is being introduced or if an old character is just in a weird situation. I thought it was Alison based on how Maslany was moving but I thought for a minute that it might have just been a similar new clone.), though the out-of-central-casting rehab worker made it pretty obvious.
Felix meets with Alison and sort of makes an interesting point–not only might Alison actually need rehab, but it might actually get her away from her monitor and give her the ability to figure out how to handle the situation now that she is certain that Donnie is her monitor. She thinks she has two monitors, actually, which gives her even more to consider. It’s interesting that rehab gives her a type of freedom that she never has in her usual life, but we don’t really have anything to suggest what she’s going to do with that freedom.
All in all, this episode really felt rather like wheel-spinning to me, and Cal being the driver was difficult for me to stomach. There were times in season one when this show started feeling like The Tatiana Maslany Show, with her performance carrying it even though it didn’t really know what it wanted to do otherwise, and I think this episode fell into the same bucket. Fortunately, Maslany is actually so good that she can make it still worth watching. And that final scene between Helena and Sarah was still excellent.
Note: Don’t miss the Polar Bears review this week, either. We had more overlap this week than last, but he still tends to look at things differently than I do, so it’s worth reading both!
This entry was posted in Orphan Black and tagged Orphan Black, Tatiana Maslany by Crowd of Full Pockets/Shattenjager. Bookmark the permalink.
9 thoughts on “TV Episode Review: “Orphan Black” “Governed As It Were by Chance” (02.04, 2014)”
Chase on May 12, 2014 at 7:10 AM said:
Just wanted to drop a note that I had no time this weekend to watch the show. And I was able to post this comment without looking at your review :) Hopefully I’ll have time to get to the show tonight.
Crowd of Full Pockets/Shattenjager on May 12, 2014 at 2:00 PM said:
Yeah definitely don’t look at it until after–I spent most of the review on the last scene!
Chase on May 13, 2014 at 9:41 PM said:
Finally had some time to watch it tonight. Not sure I can piece together my thoughts right now, but just wanted to say I enjoyed the review, as always.
Thank you, Chase!
Another solid review from the AV this week: http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/orphan-black-governed-it-were-chance-204512 (I particularly liked the point that the show/TM does a good job of making Sarah very street smart without making her unrealistic; she’s fazed when she should be fazed.)
This show is funny; for the second week in a row, I kept thinking it was mostly filler/nothing was happening, and then WHAM that ending(s).
The Cal driving the truck thing was so ridiculous I’m surprised the other reviews didn’t harp on it. It literally made no sense. I am pretty sure if you asked the directors/writers, they would just say “blah blah blah suspension of disbelief.” It makes even less sense to think he was going to go after some murderer and leave a young child at an abandoned house that nobody knows about. If Cal dies or gets injured, what does he think will happen to Kira? It’s ridiculous to think the timing could have worked, especially since we know that Daniel was probably in just as much a rush as Cal.
Good point about Cosima. Her outlook is pretty grim, and either way we need a lot more of her.
Alison thinks she has two monitors now? Who am I missing?
I would DVR The Tatiana Maslany Show.
I would definitely watch The Tatiana Maslany Show. .
Alison thought that Angela (Incidentally, her name is Angela DeAngelis–that might be the most unoriginal name in history.) was a second monitor before. Angela did reveal herself to be a police officer, but I don’t see why Alison would think that means that she’s not a monitor now. I don’t think she’s mentioned the second monitor since Angela said she was a cop, but she hasn’t really had reason/opportunity to do so.
Oh, right. I forgot about her because she wasn’t in the last episode.
Oh, and can someone please write about how horrible Art is at acting? Like in every episode. He’s distractingly bad.
polarbears16 on May 12, 2014 at 11:23 AM said:
Great review! I like your points on the Sarah-Helena connection, and yes, that final scene between the two was really brilliant and, as always, well acted. That was probably the most intense moment the show ever produced.
I, too, wonder about Cal driving the truck.
Thanks! I haven’t gotten to yours yet but will do (and add a link) after work.
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You are here: Home » News » Parasound Charity Auction with Fish
Parasound Charity Auction with Fish
Connected Distribution, UK distributor for Parasound, is launching a charity auction in conjunction with the well-known rock star and platinum-selling artist, Fish, enabling one lucky person to win a complete system signed by the man himself.
Fish’s chosen charity, Chest Heart Stroke Scotland, will benefit from 100% of the proceeds of the auction which is for a complete Parasound Z Series hi-fi system, comprising: Zpre v.2, Zamp v.3, Zdac v.2 and Zphono.
The auction goes live on eBay at 9.00pm Monday 24thSeptember, to coincide with Fish’s concert in Leamington Spa, at which fans will be able to pick up information about the auction. It runs for one week, taking in the Festival of Sound, where the complete system will be displayed in the Connected Distribution room, D7 Graves.
Derek Dick, otherwise known as Fish, is a successful solo artist and the former Marillion frontman and lyricist who fronted the band from 1981 to 1988, during the period of the critically acclaimed and iconic Misplaced Childhood album. Since that time, he has gone on to explore contemporary pop, traditional folk and rock music, releasing over 12 albums and touring the world to a huge and loyal international fan base.
Fish has chosen Parasound’s exceptionally well-reviewed Halo Integrated amplifier for the main audio system in his home and studio located close to Edinburgh. The integration of Parasound amplification will enable Fish and his band members to record the upcoming album, “Weltschmerz”, in their dedicated studio facility and carefully monitor the results before commercial pressings are made.
Mike Bonnette, director of Connected Distribution, comments, “When we suggested to Fish that we could run a charity auction using some of the Parasound products he immediately agreed and nominated the charity Chest Heart Stroke Scotland. His connection with the charity goes back a while, as his mother used to volunteer in its North Berwick shop and Fish actually performed the opening ceremony when that branch opened.
“We are delighted to be able to assist with money raising for this very worthwhile charity and would urge all Fish and Marillion fans, and lovers of good music and excellent hi-fi to take part in the auction. The system is worth over £1800 and with Fish’s signature is a priceless collector’s item which deserves to do very well in the auction.”
The charity auction runs on eBay from 9pm 24thSeptember until 9pm 1stOctober and can be found by searching for ‘Parasound ZSeries - signed by Fish’ or eBay item number 382562526178.
Connected Distribution Ltd. © 2019. Website information and terms/conditions.
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6 December 2013 / Money
Cheers for the Chancellor or still feeling the squeeze?
Richard Lloyd Executive Director
Did you follow the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement yesterday? What do the plans mean for you and the challenge of dealing with the rising cost of living? Here’s the Which? digest of the key announcements…
The good news is that consumers are feeling more confident about the economy: more people than not now think that it will improve over the next year.
But this positive mood is not yet translating into a positive impact on people’s living standards.
There’s no doubt that the figures on economic recovery are good news for the country, and millions of consumers struggling with the cost of living will welcome steps to relieve some of the pressure of rising energy bills, rail fares and fuel. But, as the Chancellor himself said, the job is not yet done.
The challenge for the Government over the coming months will be to ensure that the growth in the economy gets through to people’s pockets.
The burden of household bills
With this in mind, it is unsurprising that our latest survey showed that just one in six people thought that the recovery had fed through into their living standards. So the news that, if passed on to bills, investment in infrastructure could amount to at least £740 per household each year until 2020, won’t do much to change that.
There is clearly a real worry that – as we’ve seen with energy – consumers may struggle to cope if too much of the burden of increased investment is also passed through to their transport, water, insurance and communications bills.
We also need to keep in mind the increasing costs of other essentials and the combined impact this is having on household budgets as incomes continue to be squeezed. So it is encouraging that the Government has said it will keep costs in check. Ministers’ words must be turned into firm actions, particularly for households already struggling to make ends meet.
Words must turn into actions
Although widely debated, the reduction in energy bills is to be welcomed and follows our ‘Cut them down, George’ campaign, which was backed by more than 40,000 people.
The decision to refocus the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is right but the energy suppliers must now commit to greater transparency and to getting their costs down, fast.
Many will also welcome the commitment to £1,000 towards energy efficiency measures when moving home, but an urgent radical overhaul of the Government’s approach to energy efficiency overall is still needed.
Hard pressed consumers will welcome an average £50 back in their pockets, but more needs to be done to look at how these costs can be kept in check in the longer-term. We must also see a wider reform of the market to make it truly competitive.
But addressing energy bills alone won’t be enough to tackle that fact that nearly four in 10 are still feeling the squeeze.
Fuel, phones and fares
Scrapping the next planned rise in fuel duty was expected and delivered and will offer some comfort to the eight in ten worried about fuel prices. They may also be heartened by the announcement that they will be able to pay for their car tax by monthly direct debit from October 2014.
On telecoms, Wednesday’s news that bill shock when a mobile phone is stolen will be limited by capping a victim’s liability at £50 is also welcome. And we campaigned against price rises on fixed contracts so it’s great that people can now switch without being stung by unfair exit fees. However, the Government must now also act on plans to scrap EU mobile roaming charges to end uncertainty about using mobiles overseas.
On train fares, the Chancellor has committed to limiting average increases to the Retail Price Index in 2014 rather than 1% above, as was originally planned. This is good news for thousands of commuters across the country.
Autumn Statement 2013: the big announcements
The Which? Consumer Insight Tracker
energy bills 242
How old is your mobile phone?
Brand new – less than a year old.
Still quite new – 1 to 2 years old.
Getting on a bit – 2 to 4 years old.
Old – over 4 years old.
“What do the plans mean for you” Simple, expect zero assistance from the government and look after my own finances. And tighten my belt even more cos things are only getting more expensive.
“Hard pressed consumers will welcome an average £50” I’ve just done a quick check on which switch and not one of the big six have tariffs better than the one I’m already on , so I’m not expecting to see that £50. Only co-op and one I’ve never heard of had better tariffs but not a big enough of a saving to bother switching. (FYI that was £30 for the year). I’m fixed until 2015.
I’m still feeling the squeeze – The only reason I don’t use food banks is because I own my own home
I dont think any of these changes will make things any better for me financially
Do I sense that there may be an election due? Typical of this government that they think by talking up a “recovery” the rest of us will believe it. Apart from the already wealthy the rest of us will continue to pay for the great profits to be made by the utility companies and banks. I keep hoping that we will see a revolution that will reverse this disgusting exploitation.
Organised says:
So the basic state pension is rising from £110.15 per week to £113.10 per week, supposedly in line with the September CPI of 2.7%. I say supposedly because an increase of 2.7% would mean a new figure of £113.12, not £113.10. Increasing the basic state pension to £113.10 means an underpayment of 2p per week = £1.04 for the year. Multiply that by the number of people receiving the basic state pension (over 1m) and the result is the Government saves at least £1m over the year! That £1m should be in pensioners’ pockets, not the Government’s.
The chancellor says that its fair that people should expect to spend a third of their adult life retired. Well I keep doing the sums and I must be missing something, I will retire at 66 in 2022, the life expectancy for me as a male is 79, so with luck that gives me 13 years. I’ll be generous and take a start work date when I was 18 (I actually left school before I was 16 and have been in full employment since), therefore by 2022 I will have worked a total of 48 years. I cant quite work out how the predicted 13 years can be a third of my adult life, I reckon I’ll have to live to 90 to be retired a third of my adult life. Bring it on, although I’m not sure the kids will be as happy they will have to wait another 11 years for their inheritance 🙂
eileen peakman says:
my husband had only 13 years of retirement after starting work at 15 I now get almost his pension but after taking away the marriage allowance gov’t still saves money from his pension. The main problem seems to be that the money received goes into general funds instead of being invested for future payments , so we have to have mass immigration of workers so that the NIC payments will pay for the pensions, as far as the shortage of increase goes if future Governments continue the shortage and that of course will be a percentage of the shorter payment in the previous years after 10 years just think of the saving not just £1.04 per year but after 10 years would be an exponential lncrease of millions. the financiers in England received an average £45 million increase when bonuses were taken into consideration and Britain voted not to control the over 2,500 Bankers etc. earning over 1 million euros per year, Germany has about 160 and so does France the whole of the EU outside of Britain has I believe about 1,760 shows where the Tories loyalties lie!
Wages squeezed – Welfare capped – House prices rising ten times faster than incomes – Consumers spending on borrowing – Household debt £1.43 trillion – Each household currently owing £28,489 – Hardworking families not benefiting from economy growth.
MP’s INCOME INCREASED 11% IN 2015!!! ! (Source BBC)
What does this tell you about a Society???
We are all struggling except MP’s. they getting an 11% pay rise who else can say they getting that?? Use your vote and get this lot out!!
The MPs dont have to accept this payrise,,can we have a list of them that do and them that dont?.This will help sway my vote.
Sorry, Mr Chancellor, only you and your rich pals don’t feel the squeeze.
pr says:
The ordinary Joe public does not feel the economy is improving down at their level. Costs are still rising and guess what, MPs may award themself a %11 payrise. Are we fools?
The odd thing is that on this occasion it’s not the MP’s who have awarded themselves a bundle of bunce but the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. This is what IPSA says about itself on its website :
“The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) was created by Parliament in the wake of the MPs’ expenses scandal. IPSA was given the remit and powers to introduce independent regulation of MPs’ business costs and expenses and, subsequently, pay and pensions. Our approach and rules are a clean break from the old system of self regulation by MPs and the House of Commons. The new rules are fair to MPs and the public purse, workable and, crucially, transparent – anyone can go online and see what their MP has claimed for and what they are paid. IPSA is independent and in everything we do, we focus on our main duty: to serve the interests of the public.”
Isn’t that nice? They’re so in touch with public sentiment aren’t they? Apparently, as part of the offset for the higher salaries, MP’s are going to have to pay more towards their pensions [which they wil get back with gold-plating of course], pay for TV licences on their second homes themselves, get less dinner money and pay for their own tea and biscuits, and face a cut in their quitting perks and booting-out bounty.
Well my wife’s 2013 pension has been put back to 2016 so we are £18,000 out of pocket and because my house is Grade II listed I now have to pay VAT on repairs so my new roof has cost me an additional £3000 to repair. The economy might be recovering but the Chancellor has hit me very hard indeed.
Doug Carr says:
The woes of the U.K. will not alter until something is done about the State “Ponzi Schemes” that masquerade as pensions ( Teachers – Civil Service – Health Service and the National Insurance and the like).
All these pay the new and existing pensions out of the income from employers and employees and are obviously unsustainable. This will become more obvious as the numbers contributing drops whilst the numbers receiving pensions increases. Yet neither politicians nor Which?, for that matter, have the intestinal fortitude to do anything about it.
This theft will continue until the “schemes” implode – or – we all get real.
Wake up U.K. you are being screwed big style !!
Update: Autumn Budget 2018
Putting customers at the heart of our energy market
Could you soon be heating your home through a heat network?
Are you concerned about spending and saving?
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12 May 2011 / Health, Money, Travel & Leisure
A £1 fee to smoke in an airport? Puff off
Steve Vickers
Smokers flying from Belfast International Airport are being given the chance to light up one last time before boarding the plane – but they’ll have to pay for the privilege.
To smoke or not to smoke? That’s the dilemma facing nicotine addicts at Belfast International, who are quite chuffed that there’s now somewhere to light up after clearing airport security.
What they can’t be so keen on is being charged £1 when they want to step outside for a puff.
The excess faggage charge
At most airports, smokers have to savour one last cigarette before entering the terminal, and then abstain until they’ve passed through customs at their final destination. But at Belfast, people who want a last-minute fix can now drop a pound coin into a machine, which opens an automatic door to a simple outside smoking area.
The airport claims it’s simply responding to demand, given that there was previously nowhere else to smoke after security. In a statement Belfast International said:
‘Providing a specialist facility for a relatively small number of users is expensive to build and to maintain, so it is not unreasonable that a small charge should be levied for the use of the facility.’
Should airports butt out?
It’s still free to smoke outside the entrance to the terminal, but is it really right to ask people to pay once they’ve passed security?
Of course, it makes sense for smoking to be banned indoors. But as long as cigarettes are still legal, taxed and sold by airport shops in packs of 200, shouldn’t someone be making sure that there’s a free outdoor area for smokers to retreat to?
There’s also a wider question here about airport fees. Like some other airports, Belfast International charges drivers £1 to drop passengers off at the terminal. And then there’s the £1 charge for the plastic bags you forgot you needed to get your liquids through security.
It’s easy to dismiss these things as ‘rip-off charges’ but, as this earlier Conversation by Which? Travel researcher Jonathan Mitcham suggests, some airports may actually need to impose these extra fees to survive.
What do you think? Is it wrong to charge smokers the £1 fee? Or should they just be thankful they have somewhere new to smoke?
Should cigarettes be forced under shop counters?
Airport users are paying more to prevent terminal decline
airlines 116
Is this another April Fool’s?
I’m afraid not.
Another attempt at extracting as much cash out of your customers as you possibly can. At least with this there is an element of choice to the traveller. Belfast International’s car parking policy is the worst I know of – there is no way of getting near the terminal to leave a traveller off in safety without having to pay.
It used to be such a pleasant airport too. You know – back in they days when air travel was an enjoyable experience rather than the stress-filled gauntlet run it is these days.
Can’t say I’m surprised.
See the playground this week in Wandsworth that is starting charging to use their park
Expect more of these as companies/institutions start to take advantage of the high rate of inflation/cuts/recession
Good to see that profiteering is alive and well and some will say that this is “creative” profiteering, yet to the average consumer like you and I, it’s just another bloomin british rip-off
Hi Dean – funnily enough, we’ve just started a separate Convo about that topic! here it is: https://conversation.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/charging-for-kids-playgrounds-is-mean-spirited-and-mad/
Presumably Ryanair will have charge a compulsory additional charge of £1 for an ashtray.
Tall Pete says:
Yet another rip off charge. Air travel really is becoming deeply unpleasant due to the attitudes of airports and airlines. Maybe we should stop being called passengers, Cash-cows is a more apt phrase.
Legal advice: ‘no-show’ clause challenged
My experience of the Thomas Cook collapse
Had a flight cancelled? Here’s how we can help
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A Well-Drawn Map: the Aura of the Projection →
Mapping Slavery in the United States in 1860
In debating the values of data visualization maps, I’ve gone both ways. The value of maps as specific arguments–and tools of spatial orientation–respond to the value of the selective criteria that cartographers foreground in them, after all. Less inventive differentiations of spatial distributions “flatten” the map’s surface, and limit their value to the map-reader. Their arguments are not as interesting, one might say. The early visualization of this elegant choropleth map employed data from the Census of 1860 it translated into visual form to map the density slave population across the recently seceded Southern states. Long touted as an important strategic tool, the rhetoric of an isolated mapping of the Southern states framed debates about the Civil War with greater subtlety than current tiresome choropleth maps of “red” vs. “blue states.” The 1861 lithograph marked the density of slave-owning in pockets by darkening sites of the greatest slave population, perhaps to mask the ownership of slaves throughout the South and point to the defenders of a slave-based economy.
If the census provided a basis for Edwin Hergesheimer and Alexander Dallas Bache to create the map, a collaborative government effort as much as an independent enterprise of the commercial engraver Henry S. Graham, the use of statistical cartography prefigured the mapping of social or political trend in the field of human geography. While the recent German immigrant Hergesheimer created the pro-Union map from figures in the Census after his work on the US Coastal Survey, the translation of the results of the Census into visual form proceeded because the Coast Survey’s Superintendent.
Although a deeply collective project, Bache’s recent success in assembling a team to map the coastal survey gave him a new public profile, and prominence, to back the project of mapping a visual record of data assembled about slavery in Southern States. The map tellingly reveals Hergesheimer’s deep Liberal opposition to slavery as an institution and the pro-Union belief of supervisors of the eighth national census, but its visual explanation of the origins of secession intentionally focussed attention around slavery debates. Printed in September of 1861 after hostilities had begun, and ten states had seceded from the Union, it isolated the evil of slavery in the seceded region, and highlighted the centers of slavery’s institution even before slavery became the central issue of the war.
Hergesheimer and Bache were instrumental, too, in adopting the most current techniques of mapping to portray the differentials of slave-owning in the Confederate States just before the South’s Secession. The half-tone engraving he designed to show Slave-Holding States in the Southern States of the United States in 1860 foregrounds discontinuities in the national territory by using figures he derived from that year’s national census. Known as a “Slave Density Map,” the lithograph exemplifies cutting edge statistical mapping and an artistic use of half-tones to depict the seats of the evils of slavery in seceded regions of the United States in a piece of pro-Union propaganda: slavery existed throughout the Southern states, but was concentrated “down river” in Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas. The lithograph provided something of a moral map of the region beyond which Lincoln sought to forbid the expansion of the slave-economy. Printed and sold by the government in wartime ostensibly for the benefit of Union Soldiers, the single-sheet map used half-tones to differentiate relative variations each county’s relative density of slave-holding across the Southern states. But although the map presents itself as an appeal for wounded veterans of a war in which soldiers were so dramatically injured, it’s mapmaker aimed not only to raise funds through direct sales but broadly encourage the war effort by illustrating slavery as literally darkening the nation.
With considerable cartographical sophistication in charting variable densities of slave-ownership, the map illustrated striking discontinuities in the nation and even suggested divisions in the Confederacy at the outset of the war:
Bache was a deeply moralistic man, as well as a former Lieutenant in the Army who, after graduating from West Point until 1829 designed coastal fortifications before he rose to head the Smithsonian. Bache had won national eminence as the head of the United States Coastal Survey, using a team of trained surveyors, several university observatories, and many field assistants to triangulate the coastlines from a base-line near Annapolis. Based on readings from numerous sighting stations, the map extended west to California and endured through the twentieth century. After mapping the shorelines of the United States, Bache devoted himself to mapping its islands of slavery.
Most maps made in wartime are valuable strategic tools to orient troops, as much as map vulnerabilities. But this map was not made for a lack of cartographical records. (It did not meet a desire for cartographical knowledge, for example, as the many paper maps shipped to Kuwait during the 1990 Gulf War–often incorrectly considered the first war fought by GPS–as 67 highly detailed topographic line maps of the region, some bathymetric, at the incredible scale of 1:50,000. Incredibly, the Army lacked accurate maps of Kuwait, and these were quickly prepared during the war based on remotely sensed satellite images.) Bache’s map had far less apparent strategic use, identifying pockets where a slave-based economy was particularly dense, and all but ignoring physical topography or population centers. But the map was compelling as an image of the divided nation. Bache and Hergesheimer designed the map for a civilian populace, using the 1860 census to create a visually compelling distribution that revealed regional disparities in “slave-ownership” and the population identified as slaves to reduce the scope of the confederate secession.
The map provides an image of the nation taking stock of itself, or learning to look at its divisions–a rare thing. Bache and Hergeshemier’s map of this nexus of the Southern economy was ostensibly sold to raise funds for “Sick and Wounded Soldiers of the US Army,” or veterans, as gothic script in scrollwork crisply notes. It’s been argued that the map identified possible pockets of resistance, or possible seats of opposition to Union forces. Lincoln consulted the map after the war, to consider ways to encourage the Southern economy. But the elegant map roots the struggle of the Civil War in disparities of slave-ownership in the South, to question the fierceness of opposition to the Union, or to show the enemy and stakes in the war. By starkly differentiating each county’s degree of reliance on slavery by shades of grey, it offered viewers a stark map of racism in parts of the region–if it also perhaps perpetuated racism unwittingly in directing attention to the suffering of soldiers who could benefit from its sale and not sufferings inflicted by the economic institution of slavery.
But the map also made its point of isolating slave-ownership in select regions of the Southern states, in ways that masked the continuity of slavery across the region. The remove of the Southern states from the North, and isolation of precise regions where the practice of slavery was most extreme, echoed Bache’s belief in the political uses of science by applied cartography to national needs and for the public good.
It is interesting that Hergesheimer’s design for the map followed Bache’s success in precisely mapping the nation’s shorelines as Superintendent of the Coastal Survey. The project established Bache’s credibility in large-scale surveying. The new survey not only used the survey of coastal lines to map the interior, but may have provided Hergesheimer and Bache to turn attention to the occupants of the land as the US Government desired at that point. The actual survey of coastal lines offered a sort of template to construct the map of slave-holding populations by using nine shades of half-tones to darken regions in differing degrees that created a compelling image of the fractured nation, and minimized the widespread nature of the social acceptance of slavery in seceding states. The detail of the shore and coastal islands throughout suggests that the US provided not only contour lines for the map, but a template for national coherence–the unstated if implicit subject of the Slave-Holding map, and a central preoccupation of the wartime government.
The map of slave-holders adapted census information to the basic contours of states to map aggregate variations of slave-owning in states. Although the map is given the strategic value of predicting resistance to the Union troops, it was probably most valuable for its inspirational or hortatory appeal as much as its accuracy. Bache tried to expand the public functions of cartography in the map by adapting recent statistical methods to compellingly map two different worlds within the same nation. A career military man and scientist, Bache was a public servant committed to the public utility and good of surveying and meteorology–a counter-part to Matthew Fontaine Maury, the polymath oceanographer and cartographer who served in the Confederate Navy 1861-5 and was Bache’s long-time nemesis: Maury, whose cartographical interests I discussed in an earlier post, and who had himself hatched the ill-fated scheme for slave-owners to resettle from southern states to Brazil’s Amazon Valley in the early 1850s. Bache’s map is both a detailed picture of social divisions and an image of a divided nation. If this unlikely project was impractical, Bache’s map focussed on the seats of the slave-economy in seceding Southern states.
Susan Schulten noted in 2010, in a blog post to which I’m indebted, that Bache’s map shows a striking concentration ownership of slaves on the shores of the Mississippi, where cotton crops dominated, Alabama and the low-lands near South Carolina (which enslaved the majority of its population) and eastern Virginia; she suggested that this snapshot of slave-holding had strategic value to determine sources of greatest resistance in the Confederacy as well as for Lincoln to consider future economic development of the South. The map must have constituted something like a “news map” for readers eager to understand the actual numbers of slave-owners in the deeper south, and the relative degree to which slave-owning had continued to endure in the Republic. Parts of the broadsheet provided a strikingly compelling illustration of the locations of slave-ownership and an economy of slavery where Cotton was still King, as much as the Southern states as a whole:
Slavery was widespread in both Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah:
And, similarly, a pointed reliance on slavery around the area of Galveston, Texas:
But there are multiple ways to read the project for designing the map. The image of slave-holding lands provided a victory map for the Union soldiers, who sold it to raise money for their fellow-veterans who remained sick or injured, as if to stake the agenda for a need of remapping the nation, echoing a Jeffersonian idea of the use of surveying as a foundation for democracy. It was the map by which Lincoln used to follow Union troops as they liberated slave populations, or understand the seats of rebellion, but had huge power in graphically stigmatizing Southern states. It was also an idealistic statement of the goal of ending slavery in the war effort.
This striking legend that explained the iconography of the map’s nine variations in shading, placing the greatest “free blacks” in large towns:
The innovative exercise in terrestrial cartography was also the last attempt to quantify slave-holding in the nineteenth-century, although it integrated public records that were later widely accessible.
It was, sadly, also the final time the Federal Government revisited the topography of slave-holding with similar precision. The failure to remap the same distribution seems one of the more stunning cartographical silences of the twentieth century. Bache’s impetus to draft the map might be informed by his long involvement in public education and belief in the public utility of the sciences; he effectively lent a polemic character to conventions of statistical mapping by exploiting the different gradations of shading available to the engraver to craft a useful piece of early printed cartographical propaganda.
Indeed, its use as a piece of propaganda in wartime may have outstripped its potential as guide to military strategy. Lincoln regularly studied the map, according to his portraitist Francis Bicknell Carpenter, who found the president studying the map with considerable intensity in 1864, during the six months when he lived in the White House to paint the portrait “President Lincoln Reading the Emancipation Proclamation to His Cabinet.” But his inclusion in the image of the choropleth map that accentuated national divisions reflected his interest in illustrating Lincoln’s “statesmanship” and “solid integrity” in bridging the nation. By his own account, Lincoln had taken great pains to explain to Carpenter both the origins of “his adoption of the Emancipation policy” and his decision to draft the Proclamation from late July 1862, before he put it aside until being sure of military victory. “I resolved,” Carpenter wrote in his memoirs, “to represent the scene [of Lincoln reading the Proclamation to his Cabinet] without the appliances and tricks of picture-making, and endeavor, as faithfully as possible, to represent the scene exactly as it transpired; room, furniture, and accessories all were to be painted from the actualities.” Did the room actually include the map of slaves still ‘owned’ in the South?
Carpenter’s state portrait depicting Lincoln reading the Proclamation to his Cabinet placed the lithograph in a small but a prominent role that most observers would not fail to notice. As if to illustrate the subject of the recently issued Proclamation, if not the thoughts that weighed on the conscience of the President, the map emerged from behind a chair at the painting’s base. Lincoln loved the portrait. The map is the essential subject of his discourse; Carpenter made good use of it to capture the stakes of the Proclamation. The nine bars of graduated shading in the map stand out among printed books in the group portrait, reminding viewers, both recording a moment of triumphalism and presidential dignity, and suggesting the uphill battle for implementing the Proclamation in the deepest South. The map speaks volumes:
It reminds us not only of Lincoln’s hope to transcend social divisions. Before Carpenter included it to illustrate the grand subject of Lincoln’s address–and Steven Spielberg also used the map in “Lincoln,” behind Daniel Day Lewis’ shoulder–the 1861 lithograph provided a tool to imagine political coherence in a more perfect union, urging men to enlist and others to get behind the war.
Filed under "Lincoln", Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Dallas Bache, choropleth maps, Edwin Hergesheimer, Matthew Fontaine Maury, US Coastal Survey, West Point
Tagged as choropleth maps, infographics, lithography, mapping secession of Southern states, mapping slavery, Susan Schulten, US Civil War Mapped
2 responses to “Mapping Slavery in the United States in 1860”
rachel brownstein
I would love to see the whole of the Carpenter portrait, of whch I take it you’ve posted a detail–and to know more about Lincoln’s relation to this map–did he really plot troop movements on it?–and about mapping slavery since Bache: are you saying that no one else did it after him?
Pingback: Choropleth Map of Slavery Extent 1861 by State by County « Flexible Reality
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Czech Republic Takes Legal Action Against EU’s Attempt To Restrict Gun Rights
REUTERS/Eric Thayer
Jacob Bojesson Foreign Correspondent
The Czech Republic took legal action Friday against the European Union’s plans to restrict gun ownership in member states.
The European Parliament passed a new directive to limit access to semi-automatic weapons earlier this year in response to terrorism. The Czech Republic has simultaneously moved to make guns more accessible for the very same the reason.
Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec argues the new EU directive is too harsh and that it threatens the internal security of member states.
“Such a massive punishment of decent arms holders is unacceptable, because banning legally-held weapons has no connection with the fight against terrorism,” Chovanec said in a statement regarding the lawsuit, Reuters reported Wednesday. “This is not only a nonsensical decision once again undermining people’s trust in the EU, but implementing the directive could also have a negative impact on the internal security of the Czech Republic, because a large number of weapons could move to the black market.”
The lower chamber of the Czech parliament voted to put gun owners’ rights in the constitution in June. President Milos Zeman previously supported more restrictions on guns in the country but had a change of heart after a series of terror attacks across Europe. (RELATED: Czech President Wants to Give Citizens More Guns In Response To Terror Threat)
“Earlier I spoke against possession of large amounts of weapons [in the hands of the people],” Zeman said in an interview with newspaper Blesk in July, 2016. “After those attacks, I do not think so any more.”
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Tags : czech republic european union
Jacob Bojesson
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Trump delivers ‘America First’ trade message to Asia conference, says U.S. will only cut deals with individual nations
US President Donald Trump ahead of a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2017. (Artyom Ivanov/Tass/Abaca Press/TNS)
By Noah Bierman | Los Angeles Times
President Trump on Friday delivered a stern message to a group of Pacific Rim nations eager for signs of the United States’ continued engagement and economic leadership in the region: America First.
“We are not going to let the United States be taken advantage of anymore,” Trump told an audience of business leaders assembled in Vietnam for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which annually gathers leaders from across the region and around the world to discuss trade and development.
“I am always going to put America first the same way that I expect all of you in this room to put your countries first.”
Though the president began with fulsome praise, citing individual countries by name for their economic and social progress, he soon segued to the kind of speech he often delivers to rowdy American arenas full of supporters — railing against unfair trade practices, closed factories and and Chinese economic aggression.
Unlike at those rallies, at this seaside conference where business and government leaders are trying to salvage a Pacific nations trade deal that Trump derailed, the American president received scattered applause, even as many in the crowd stood to snap pictures at the start of the half-hour speech.
At a couple points, Trump paused to express his disappointment at the restrained reactions. “Not too many people here are from Thailand,” he said when his warm words about the country were met with silence.
After he complained that “while we lowered market barriers, other countries didn’t open their markets to us” — something the now scuttled Trans-Pacific Partnership would have done much to change for the U.S. — the president responded to an apparent heckler in the crowd.
“Funny. They must have been one of the beneficiaries,” he said, gazing into the audience. “What country do you come from, sir?”
After days of conciliatory talk during his visit to Beijing, Trump offered harsher criticism of China, mostly not by name, than he had publicly in that country. He spoke against countries that use “government-run industrial planning and state-owned enterprises” and engage in “product dumping, subsidized goods, currency manipulation and predatory industrial policies,” echoing critiques from his campaign speeches.
“They ignored the rules to gain advantage over those who followed the rules, causing enormous distortions in commerce and threatening the foundations of international trade itself,” he added.
The tough critique contrasted with Trump’s rhetoric in China leading up to Friday’s speech, when he muted his criticism of the country as he sought to build a warmer personal bond with President Xi Jinping. Indeed, the only mention of China by name on Friday came when Trump repeated statements he alongside Xi on Thursday, blaming his predecessors rather than China for the U.S. trade deficit..
“I do not blame China or any other country, of which there are many, for taking advantage of the United States on trade,” Trump said. “If their representatives are able to get away with it, they are just doing their jobs.”
“I wish previous administrations in my country saw what was happening and did something about it,” he continued. “They did not, but I will.”
The remarks on China injected added tension at the conference. Trump’s speech was followed immediately by an address from Xi, who celebrated globalization and open markets. Since Trump’s rejection of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Xi has aggressively courted Asian trading partners, seeking to fill the leadership void.
Trump’s speech was one of two major addresses he has delivered on his 13-day, five-nation tour. The first, in Seoul, focused on security and the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear program. Friday’s speech was intended to outline Trump’s economic agenda and the principal of a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a term his administration has begun promoting to bring India into the regional alliances to help balance China’s growing power.
Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership soon after taking office. President Obama, picking up from President George W. Bush’s early efforts, had brokered that agreement in part to counter China and assert America’s place as a power in the region. It was supported by many of the Asian allies Trump is visiting and addressing on his trip, and they have been apprehensive about U.S. intentions since he was elected, given his nationalist and anti-globalist platform .
Trump said that the United States would remain an important regional player but on far different terms than under Obama and other recent predecessors. He said the U.S. would instead forge bilateral trade agreements with individual countries “that will abide by the principles of fair and reciprocal trade, while resisting multilateral agreements that tie our hands, surrender our sovereignty and make meaningful enforcement practically impossible.”
He pitched it as a winning formula for everyone: “We will respect your independence and your sovereignty,” he said. “We want you to be strong, prosperous and self-reliant, rooted in your history and branching out toward the future.”
Yet Trump said the “Indo-Pacific dream” is only possible when all countries play by the rules. “Those who do not can be certain that the United States will no longer turn a blind eye to violations, cheating or economic aggression,” he said. “Those days are over.”
After much speculation about whether Trump would meet separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit, the White House confirmed that he would not. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that was “due to scheduling conflicts on both sides.”
Yet she acknowledged that time had been reserved on his public schedule for at least one meeting with a foreign leader. “I don’t think there’s anything that will take place in that space,” she said.
She added that an informal exchange between Trump and Putin on the sidelines of the conference is “certainly possible and likely.”
Any meeting with Putin would have been especially sensitive and politically charged, coming at a time when the White House is dealing with the intensifying investigation into potential collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and the Russian government involving Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
Trump had said on his way to Asia last week that he “expected” to meet with the Russian leader during the summit. A Putin aide had earlier told Russian media that a meeting was confirmed.
(c)2017 the Los Angeles Times
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Heboon Pretending to be a Sheboon Wins Women’s National Track Title
Not only not a woman – not even a human being
Looks like more women just found out the hard way that men are better at everything – even at being women.
I don’t really follow this kind of sport because I have a life, but I understand that kind of result is impressive… at least when you’re not a man running against women.
Daily Caller:
A biological male who identifies as a transgender woman won an NCAA national championship over Memorial Day weekend.
Franklin Pierce University (FPU) runner CeCe Telfer won the DII women’s 400-meter hurdleson Saturday night, besting the second-place finisher by more than a second.
“Telfer is the first student-athlete in Franklin Pierce history to collect an individual national title,” the university announced.
“It was tough conditions out here with the wind and the heat over the last three days but, as she has over the last six months, CeCe proved herself to be tough enough to handle it,” FPU coach Zach Emerson said in a press release.
“Today was a microcosm of her entire season; she was not going to let anything slow her down. I’ve never met anybody as strong as her mentally in my entire life,” Emerson said.
Wew… I’m having one of those I can’t even moments right now.
Now that I think about it, this once-hilarious anime still stopped being funny a while ago.
Trannies truly are stunningly brave.
Telfer’s victory came less than two hours after taking fifth place in the 100-meter hurdles. OutSports, a pro-LGBT sports website, touted Telfer as “a trans athlete who doesn’t win every time.”
Telfer previously ran a variety of events for Franklin Pierce’s men’s team, during most of which time he went by the first name Craig, according to school records.
Telfer competed on FPU’s men’s track team as recently as January 2018, according to published meet results from the Middlebury Winter Classic in Vermont. Telfer had started using the name CeCe at that point, while still competing on the men’s team.
NCAA policy is that male athletes who identify as transgender can compete on women’s teams if they suppress their testosterone levels for a full calendar year. Otherwise, so-called mixed teams — which have both males and females — can compete in the men’s division, but not in the women’s division, according to NCAA rules.
Women’s college sports are over already, and all women’s sports are going to be over soon enough. It is simply impossible for women to compete with men who pretend to be women.
Women shouldn’t go to college anyway, of course.
The places called colleges these days aren’t even that, they’re reverse nuthouses where you go in normal and come out completely insane.
But let’s think about this a little – who’s crazier here?
Is it the men who think they become women if they cut their dicks off?
Or is it the men who let kikes do this to their society?
Degeneracy Feminism Feminist Insanity Jew Trannies Tranny Tranny in Women's Sports Women's Sports 2019-05-30
Women’s March Promotes 2020 Rallies with Spanish-Language Song Titled “A Rapist in Your Path”
Women Pretending to be Men Demand You Take Their Periods Seriously
Negro in Drag Assaults White Dollar Store Employee After Getting Caught Shoplifting
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Ganja White Night talks Origins LP and newest Dirt Monkey collab, ‘No Escape’
by: Ryan Castillo Feb 3, 2018
Belgian duo Ganja White Night have teamed up with Colorado-based dubstep producer Dirt Monkey for their latest original “No Escape,” released via SubCarbon Records. When the duo premiered the track on Electric Forest‘s iconic Tripolee Stage this past summer, the reactions generated an infectious outbreak of wobble fanatics.
With a drawn out Middle Eastern-inspired lead in, GWN fashion a track that builds on their long time love of ethnocentric sounds and voices, long intros, and harmonies. Dirt Monkey’s influence is immediately evident with his devastating basslines and cunning, intricate melodies. The track is an iconic representation of what the duo has in store for their upcoming album, dubbed The Origins, which seeks to construct a cinematic bass music experience that incorporates reggae, dub, hip-hop, and D nB with influences from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
We’re very keen on this Mr. Wobble character in your music videos. What can you tell us about Mr. Wobble’s story/background that I can’t get from watching the animation?
There is still a lot of mystery and we don’t want to say too much because we have a lot of projects that we want to go deeper into. There’s just so many ways to go deeper into the story, there’s a lot of doors open now. We just introduced a lot of characters, so there’s a lot of new avenues to explore. We have so many plans. We wanna do music videos, comic book, full visual experiences where every song has its own visuals.
The Dirt Monkey collaboration is definitely a standout on the upcoming LP. Tell us about this process and working with Patrick.
We met in Denver first; we were speaking before the show, and noticed we had a lot in common musically. We are around the same and we started making music around the same time, we’d been following the same practices, we have the same inspirations, and and just felt a connection. We then went b2b in Minneapolis, it was our first curated festival in Minneapolis, and we felt it and it was like “oh shit. So it all came really naturally. So yea he had us listen to his stuff, and it went into a full EP actually. I think he felt that SubCarbon was the place where he felt comfortable, we are the same kind of par core.
What is on the horizon for your imprint, SubCarbon Records?
We created SubCarbon when we started making music because it was the only way we could be released. Big labels weren’t interested in our sounds. For Patrick [Dirt Monkey], he already had his label but he felt SubCarbon was a fresh place for him because it had this wobbly sound and all his new tunes are wobbly, groovy. I think that’s what people are looking for when they see a release on SubCarbon. That’s what is great about Patrick, he always brings great vibes to a set, it’s groovy, its dancey, you want to have fun, it’s not violent, its not raging, you might still break the rail though, don’t get me wrong. But it’s the kind of music that makes you smile. That’s what we want to keep in the SubCarbon family. We’re open minded, we don’t care about the bpm, we don’t care about the numbers.
Let’s talk about the tour. It seems like tons of producers recently are slapping the “live set” label onto their tours. What can we expect from The Origins Tour?
Since we started performing on the stage, we have always played a live set. We can definitely DJ, but we are definitely not as good of DJs as some people that we know. It’s more fun for us because we can express ourselves better live and we never play other people’s tunes. So it makes more sense to us to perform live. While not 100% of the songs are produced live, that’s not doable obviously, but we have parts that we interact with, like the harmony and the leads we put in, and restructuring a track, it’s just a lot more enjoyable for us.
Tags: Dirt Monkey, dubstep, ganja white night, SubCarbon Records, The Origins LP
First Listen: Kompany and Wooli link on ‘Bussback’ for some damaging dubstep [Stream]
Sullivan King takes Kayzo’s ‘Alone’ to heavier heights
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Tag Archives: westerns
Some years ago I recalled a story and told you of a precocious young girl named Bekke Hillstrand.
Well, the years passed and she did end up marrying the young boy she befriended. There’s more to her tale and if’n you got a few, I’d like to tell you what ever became of her and how I know all this.
But first, if you all remember how my last story ended, you’d remember Bekke had finally patched things up between her long lost Dad. She eventually asked him to move to Globe where she and her future husband inherited from a dying friend a mercantile and freighting business.
Bekke had transformed the upper story of the carriage house into a fine well furnished home where her father was given one of the large rooms to live in. Bekke had an outside stairway built aside his room so he could come and go in private. His life had been transformed to that of a man who had finally found peace. Many an evening he sat comfortable in his over stuffed chair reading a worn King James Bible by lamplight and warmed bodily by a small nearby pot bellied stove and inside from his daughters love for him.
As time passed, the business grew successful but Bekke’s father, up in years and a long spell in questionable health, had become bedridden. It was on chilly, overcast fall day that he breathed his last breath. His daughter along with his now son in law, each held one of his weathered hands as the Lord took him home. Two days later he was lowered forever into the grave during an October rain storm.
Two brothers, both Sheriffs in different towns, will be joining up with Bekke and Jethro in Prescott where the couple are expanding their freight haulin’ business. But Prescott wasn’t going to be the problem free town they had imagined. But they’ll work through it.
From here on in, I’m going to do the telling of this story from the perspective of a written story with as much proper grammar as I’m capable of. So set back an’ enjoy the second story of a wonderfully precocious kid turned Lady.
The carriage ride back home from the cemetery was one of sadness and introspection. Jethro guided the single horse drawn Studebaker carriage through the maze of Globe’s muddy streets uncaring that mud from the horses hooves were splashing upward onto his new wool suit. Bekke sat next to him on the comfortably stuffed leather covered single bench seat. Both were lost in their own thoughts.
As for Jethro, his thoughts wandered back to the days when he and Bekke experienced their first kiss. Riding away from the cemetery and the sad affair there, Jethro couldn’t help but smile. Back then when he had first met Bekke, his body was starting to show signs of what he’d turn out to be as a grown man even though he still wore his hair in a youngsters bowl cut.
Upon reaching their home, Jethro handed Bekke the reigns and jumped down into the mud and rain to open the large twin carriage houses doors. A couple years previous the large second floor loft’s interior had been transformed into a beautiful large home with an old stairway leading from the home upstairs to ground level where the carriage was stored. Before entering the dry interior of the upstairs and not wanting to leave mud on its clean wood planked floor, Jethro scraped the mud free from his shoes.
Before Bekke could remove herself from the carriage, Jethro was there with his hand out to help her down. Bekke was about to tell him that she was fully capable of performing the act herself but seeing his outstretched hand she decided to submit to his care for she knew it was his way of trying to comfort her.
Once upstairs in the house, both removed their rain soaked foul weather coates and hung them on the hall tree to dry. It was only when Bekke began stoking the cast iron cook stove to boil water for a pot of coffee that Jethro finally spoke.
“Why is it,” he asked no one in particular, “That every funeral I’ve ever been to has been in the rain? Billy’s funeral was the same way, it rained for weeks afterward.”
Billy was the original owner of the mercantile (See Bekke’s law). He took both Jethro and Bekke in as employees and later as near adopted family. Together under Billy’s tutelage they learned the freight and mercantile business. Jethro headed up the office while Bekke, being an expert muleteer from her youth, took charge of the freight hauling. On their second wedding anniversary Billy asked them to step into his office.
Waiting until the couple were comfortably seated he told the two that he desired to visit his daughter and grand kids back east in Virginia. He wanted to make the trip before he got so old that making the long trip back east would just be too difficult.
In laying out his plans for the trip, Billy then announced that since he had no idea of how long he would be away and that the couple was more than able to meet the challenge of running the business he told them, “I’m turning the legal ownership for Globe Mercantile and Freight over to the two of you. It’s no use arguing, the papers have been drawn up and submitted to the Court. As of yesterday, the business was yours. I trust you’ll handle everything just fine. Just send me a few dollars a month fer things like tobacco and a snort of bourbon now an’ then. You know, things my daughter would frown on if she had to buy ’em.”
Jethro and Bekke stood waving goodbye long after the carriage taking Billy to the train station had left. It began to rain.
Five months later Billy’s body was shipped back to Globe in a lead sealed coffin. Not wanting to upset them at the time, Billy had not told the two that weeks prior to his leaving his Doctor had diagnosed him with terminal cancer.
in the house Bekke left the hot stove with two man sized cups of steaming coffee. She handed Jethro one saying, “Here, this will warm you up.”
Blowing his breath across the cup to cool the coffee inside Jethro winked at her and said, “No one makes a pot of coffee better than you do Hon, it’s a Godsend on a day like today.”
Raising the deliciously filled steaming mug towards the window and foul weather outside he shouted, “In the power invested in this here cup of delicious coffee, I command you foul clouds to disperse and to stop your raining!”
Laughing, Bekke responded to Jethro’s crazy antics, “ I do believe only the Lord can command the weather my dear, unless of course he gave you some special power using a mug of coffee like it was Moses’s staff or something.”
“I’ll tell you,” he said, “If anything could command the weather it would be your coffee.”
“Husband, not to change the subject but I’ve received a notice that brothers John and Charles Arbuckle are shipping a forty sack wagon of their coffee beans for us to distribute to the local Phoenix roasters. The load is valued at over three thousand dollars.”
“So, will you be the one to take the load or should I have Geezer take it?”
“The two ton shipment should arrive at the warehouse in Tucson by the end of the month. Instead of Geezer hauling the load can an I assign Mac (who’s Apache name was Machk) to do the haul? He’s the youngest of our muleteer’s but he shows more promise than most twice his age. Besides,I’m not sure Geezer would be up to it, I think he’s going to retire on us.”
“Well, we agreed Mac’s about ready for a Phoenix run so yes, let’s have him do the pick up and deliveries and see how he does. He rode shotgun a few times with us to the Peoria warehouse before this so he knows the route and we’ll give him directions to all the roasters he’ll need to deliver to. Good idea.”
Furrowing her brow Bekke asked, “Do you think he’ll need a shotgun rider? I mean there is a lot of money tied up in those sacks of coffee. Two thousand pounds of coffee is hard to steal but it wouldn’t be the first high value load to fall into a group of road agents hands”
“Hmmm, you’re probably right, I’ll ask Mac if his older brother Snake will again sit shotgun for him. Snake may be a bit too lazy for real work but with his size and the looks of him he’s sure to give any road agents a second thought before attempting to steal a load. Besides, he hauls that huge ten gauge greener shotgun around like it’s attached to him.”
Snake stood six feet five inches tall and had a body most circus strong men longed for. His arms alone were as round as most Amen’s legs, and they were solid muscle, no fat. In fact weighing in at just over three hundred pounds folks assumed his father was a grizzly bear, not an Indian. Snake had immense strength and an unmatched endurance. He had been known to trot from Globe to the town of Young, some forty miles north, without stopping or getting out of breath.
Snakes only physical drawback was his looks. As a young man he was helping to unload a wagon at the Clayborone copper smelting plant in Globe when the ill fitting lid of a barrel of acid used in smelting allowed the acid to splash onto his face. Time healed the worst of it but deep scars still remained. As he grew older, he became less social due to his looks. Those on the reservation called him the quiet giant. Bekke saw great potential in the big man, much more than just riding shotgun to protect the muleteer and his load.
“Yes, I’ll ask Mac if his brother would act as the shotgun rider.”
Bekke added, “Since we’re talking business, have you given any more thought about expanding our business? The last time we talked you mentioned letting Andy run the Globe mercantile and freight business here in Globe while you and I open a second freight business elsewhere. It would double our business.”
Jethro agreed, “I have no doubt we need to expand, I’m just not sure where yet. Our present business clients in Phoenix are pretty lack luster with them being so much closer to Tucson and all. I’ve been told Prescott would make an excellent place to position a second mercantile and freight hauling business.”
Pulling out a map of the Arizona territory, Jethro unrolled it on the table and pointed out locations to Bekke. “It’s north of Phoenix, south west of Flagstaff, east of Fort Mohave in the Nevada Territory and west of the New Mexico Territory. Prescott sure could cover a lot of ground that we presently can’t really haul economically to. I’m not sure how much more the Globe area will expand. The copper mine’s been eating up more and more land every year looking for more copper ore and folks are hesitant on building too far away from town because they fear the mine will just shove them out and they’d have to move again. ”
Bekke Took the empty coffee mug from Jethro’s hands and refilled it. Handing it back to him she told him. “I’ve been to Prescott a few times making deliveries and I’ve been thinking along the same lines. Prescott seems to be growing where as Globe hasn’t changed much since I moved here. Now, If you’ll sit like a good boy and not jump to conclusions I’d like to tell you what I’ve been pondering.”
Jethro pulled out one of the spoke backed wooden kitchen chairs from the table and pushing the map aside he sat down. “Be my guest, I’ve been kinda hoping you’ve been thinking about this. To tell you the truth, I’m a bit terrified at the thought of doing this. You know me, I’m the type of guy that is comfortable working for others. If Billy had offered just me this place? No way would I have taken it. But, with you as my partner it made all the difference. I mean look at how much the business has grown and that’s because you led me sometimes kick’n and screaming into unfamiliar territory. You’re the reason why this place has succeeded, not me!”
“My dear sweet husband, you don’t give yourself enough credit. Why without you who would have hired the great workers we have? Who trained Andy to take the reigns when you’re gone? Think about it! Andy was a kid with no direction or desire to be anything more than a young man who was more interested in Saturday night dances than in growing up. Look at him now, and it’s all because of you!”
“Alright, I’ll take a small bit of the credit. So, what is it that you’ve been thinking?”
“I believe opening a second mercantile and freighting business would be too much at first. Let’s start by just concentrating on the freight end. I’m sure Prescott has plenty of general stores as it’s a much bigger town than Globe. Why should we start out by trying to compete for local towns folk’s business? Most who already have certain loyalties to their favorite stores. Freighting on the other hand is impersonal. We deal with companies not people.”
“Keep going, I’m with you so far.”
By now Bekke was getting excited. “Good, first we need to get the lay of the land and see what kind of competition is out there. How many freight hauling businesses does Prescott have? How far do they truck their loads? To what towns? How large and heavy of loads can their wagons haul?”
Nodding in agreement Jethro added, “We need to see about a building for the business, a house to live in, new wagons have to be built and mules purchased. We’ll have a lot to do if we decided on it.”
“Well, money is not a problem. A while back I started a new account separate from the other company ones that was dedicated for expanding our present business or for relocating and starting a new one. We have over fourteen thousand dollars in it. That’s more than enough to build new if we need to but I’m sure there are existing buildings for sale.”
“So, when do we go?”
“Not we dear, just me! You need to stay here to finish training Andy and any new hires you can find. I know just what we’ll need and to be honest, I’m a much better price haggler than you are.”
Jethro had to admit she was right. He never worried about her while she was delivering loads, even when she was gone for a week or two. Besides, he could not recall a story of a woman being physically accosted, it just wasn’t done. Even when road agents robbed, the women were always treated with kids gloves. If a no good was to harm a female, his cohorts in crime would think nothing of roping him to a cactus and leaving him in the desert all alone to die. Still, she always traveled well armed.
Three weeks later Mac and Snake arrived from delivering the huge load of Arbuckles coffee. As Snake had done many times before and not being much for goodbyes he took his pay and left without saying a word.
Mac was told of Bekke’s upcoming trip to Prescott and had mixed feelings about the move. It was out of pure selfishness as the Clemens had become special to him. It was they who hired him as an Indian with no education when no one else would. Without the intervention and support of both Jethro and Bekke, Mac knew he and Snake would have been forced to live without much of a future on the reservation.
“What will happen to Snake and myself if you move?” Mac asked
Since it was Bekke’s idea that was being proposed, Jethro remained silent on the matter.
Bekke spoke, “The two of you will remain employed here in Globe for the time being. The move, when it does takes place, will happen in the upcoming year. There is much to be done, least of all is the training of new employees. This is where you come in Mac. Since you proved you could handle the trips of a high value load combined with multiple drops in Phoenix, we are raising your position to that as freight supervisor. All the other present and future muleteers here in Globe will answer to you. Jethro will continue to train you in more detail and in return you will train the new muleteers, starting with local trips as they work their way to doing long hauls.
“So I am to stay here in Globe?”
“Yes, but only for the time being. It is up to you and Snake whether you decide to relocate with us or stay behind.”
“ If you decide to relocate to Prescott, I’ll file the application with the Territorial Governor allowing you to permanently leave the reservation. It is the same application I filed to allow you to live here in town. It most likely will just be a formality since he first application was approved without delay. Besides, they take into consideration our dependency on your employment with us. As a supervisor over other employees your value to our business increases dramatically.”
“And Snake? Will the value of being a shotgun rider be enough to allow him to relocate off of the reservation?”
Jethro now spoke up saying, “We wanted to talk to you before we offered him the job in Prescott. You are right. Being a shotgun rider would not be enough to qualify him to leave the reservation. When we filed your application, we proved to the Government official in charge of Indian affairs that after two months of advertising for a muleteer the position still went unfilled and our only recourse was to train an Apache to do the job. But, my only concern is with Snakes indifferent attitude. Would he be willing to take on additional duties other than being a shotgun rider? If so, we thought he could be in charge of security for all high value loads, take charge of the wagon and harness maintenance and be willing to apprentice as a possible back up black smith. With these added duties we could once again show his value to the authorities that our business would suffer without him.”
Looking down at his feet, Mac told Jethro, “My heart is sad, for you misjudge my brother Snake. He is not lazy as I’ve heard you wrongly speak of him. As a young man he had big dreams of being much more than an Indian stuck on the Reservation. Don’t mistake his size with any lack of intelligence. He is very smart but since his accident at the mine he has gone into himself. Believe me, if offered, he would jump at the chance to make something of himself.”
Bekke turned to Jethro and pointing a finger at him said,, “Ha! Did I not tell you that I saw something in him that others missed? I knew there was more to him that met the eye. I’m all for hiring him!”
Two months later Jethro received the applications back for Snake and Mac to leave the Reservation in order to relocate up in Prescott if the company expanded there.
Shortly after receiving approvals, the Clemens won the bid to supply twelve thousand pounds of copper roof sheeting for the new courthouse in Prescott. In submitting the bid, Jethro knew his bid was going to be substantially less than his competitors could offer. He was making only a little profit on the load but winning the bid gave Bekke the time and ability to research the feasibility of the move.
Besides Bekke, Jethro insisted that both Snake and Mac would travel along with her in a second wagon. Both heavily built wagons could carry up to eight tons of freight. The wide steel rimmed wheels would prevent the wagon from sinking too deep into any sandy areas along the trail. Bekke and Mac would drive the two wagons while Snake would help to unload them. All three cared for the sixteen mules.
Along with a weeks supply of provisions and personal items for both humans and mules, Snake once again took his deadly greener ten gauge to protect them.
Leaving Jethro, Andy and four other wagoneer’s in training behind, the three left at dawn hoping to make the twelve mile trip to a commonly used grassy park West of Globe on the first day.
It took longer than expected as the trail wasn’t as firmly packed just outside of Globe. It was nearly dark when they finally arrived at the grassy park.
The park had been a favorite stopping point for earlier Indian of various traveling west to parts unknown. It was a Godsend to those making camp there as it had a natural water tank in the form of a small pond fed by a year round running stream.
Surrounding the tank grew a field of lush grass which the mules greedily chomped on. Ancient cottonwood trees provided much of the park with shade. At one time a trading post operated by an unscrupulous Missouri road agent occupied the park. The large cottonwood log building he built sat unmolested on Indian land for five years but after cheating a group of Apache out of their trade blankets, the upset Apache’s burnt the trading post to the ground… along with the unscrupulous owner who was heard screaming inside.
Over the years folks camped out there had dismantled the trading post to use as firewood on chilly nights. Nothing remained now except a legend that somewhere buried in the park was the post operators ill gained profits of gold. With each telling the cache of gold increased in value until finally the Commander of nearby Fort Presume sent a detail of men to dig up the area. No gold was ever found.
The three set about making camp in the dark. Bekke acted as cook since neither Mac or Snake was very familiar with white folks cooking. Bekke could not stand the thought of a weeks meals consisting of questionable animal origins and fry bread.
Neither young man complained when Bekke’s cooking skills provided them with beef stew, a loaf of hot Dutch Oven bread and warm but delicious lemonade. The brothers lay down in the cool lush grass rubbing their bellies in appreciation but Bekke wasn’t through yet…out came the apple pie and coffee!
Placing their bedrolls under Mac’s wagon the brothers were soon snoring. It was a common beliefs that Indians don’t snore but the brothers did not hold much to that. Bekke didn’t like the idea of laying on the ground among the night critters that ventured to the water tank to slack the days thirst away so she made her bed upon the wagon’s large bench seat. As a precaution, she placed her rifle on the floor under the bench seat.
Morning arrived and Bekke repeated her cooking magic. Gorging themselves on hot Johnny cakes, maple syrup and thin cut slabs of bacon, the three then made ready to get back on the trail.
Today’s destination was the town of Surprise. Numerous times in her freight hauling travels Bekke stayed the night at the Golden Arms Hotel and Diner. The hotel, while small and without many of the frills of a large city hotel was amazingly clean and the food was excellent. Unusual for hotels back then, each day, fresh pillow cases and bed sheets replaced those of the night before. The inside of the small clothes closet, the hat rack and the sturdy wooden bed frame were all whitewashed in a mixture of lime based paint. This prevented any transference of bedbugs and lice to the guest clothing and hair.
After a hot bath costing her twenty five cents, Bekke jumped into the soft feather bed and was soon asleep.
Meanwhile the brothers preferred to sleep outdoors once again under one of the wagons. Snake slept with the greener keeping one eye open on the loads.
The next day they hoped to reach the age old Apache land just east of Phoenix. A new town called Goldfield had cropped up in the Superstition mountains there. Some folks got rich, many mysteriously died. Where ever there were mining towns there were hard drinking cowboys, destitute miners and card sharks willing to make a living off of others.
The three had decided to skirt Goldfield and camp out at what was called Apache squaw Junction, just a couple miles north of the town. So far the trip was without incident.
After a nights stay at the Junction, Bekke turned the team onto the road that led to Prescott. Calling it a road may have been calling a lump of coal a future diamond but at least it was headed in the right direction and was well traveled.
They traveled through Black Canyon without being ambushed and then had to climb the steep sides of Table Top Mountain. This is where having eight Missouri mules came into play.
The ‘roads’ increase in angle became harder and harder for the wagons to traverse. Not only was the road steep but it was strewn with millions of fist sized stones.
If one watched the mules they would have noticed the mules began to shorten the length of their strides. These tiny steps provided more power and stability to the entire team.
It took over three hours to reach to top. Table Top Mountain was actually a giant mesa having an extremely flat top grassy surface. Traveling along the top was so easy after the difficult climb that the mules actually regained their strength.
On the top of the mesa, Bekke once again changed the direction, heading now to the North West. The road split here into two. One road headed towards Flagstaff the other headed onto Prescott.
Before descending downhill on the road to Prescott, the three made camp for the night on the edge of the mesa. There was plenty of tall grass growing on the mile wide top but no water so Mac opened one of the water kegs to satisfy the mules and themselves. The mules were only hobbled as there was no trees to run a rope to hitch them to. There were no predators about and the mules would naturally stay within view of each other as mules like to do. They would spend the rest of the evening cropping the fresh grass.
“I think we’ll make it to Prescott the day after tomorrow if all goes well. From here on out we have only rolling hills ahead until we reach the outskirts of the town. The town is built on a series of hills so keep your wheel brake free of dust or mud if it rains.
After the evening meal was finished and all the cooking utensils were cleaned and stored away for the night, the two tents were unfolded and set up. Under each wagon was a ‘possum belly’ to carry any wood for cooking and the night fire. It was a heavy leather blanket shaped affair attached by multiple hooks that could hold hundreds of pounds of small branches and split logs. Since the mesa grew nothing more than grass the possum belly was a vital addition to the wagon.
Morning found the sky with heavily laden with dark rain clouds.
Bekke once again warned the two to keep their wagon brake free of mud if it rained. As they started their downhill trip a light drizzle began but within minutes a hard down pour came.
Bekke turned around from her seat in the lead wagon and shouted at the two brothers behind her. “These mules aren’t used to thunder and if it starts, we may have to hold up until the thunder passes or until the mules get used to it.”
Fortunately, the rolling thunder kept to the east and passed them by without incident. They made it safely to the mountains foot hill where the road was wet from the drenching rain but was still in very good shape. A few slips and slides occurred but Bekke was pleased to see Mac had handled the eight mule team well.
Meanwhile back at the Globe Mercantile and freight, Jethro and Andy were busy training the four new employee’s on mule care. As expected, Geezer gave his notice of retirement but would stay on to help train the new drivers… if needed.
Jethro figured it would take at least three to four weeks of intense training before any one of the new muleteers would be capable of driving even a two mule team let alone an eight mule set up like Bekke and Mac drove. But Jethro had to start somewhere and finding muleteers was hard in a small town still paying top wages at the copper mines.
Both Andy and Jethro had reason to be pleased with the four greenhorns. Three of them were older men who for physical reasons had been let go at the mines. Working copper mines was for the young and sometimes as joked, the simple minded.
Bull, Lester and Toby fell into this group while Festus was the youngster at twenty two years old. All four showed a willingness to learn the ropes of muleteering and the freight hauling industry. Jethro couldn’t have been more pleased.
Lester showed signs of excelling at paper work on top of handling a mule team. Bull was just that, a huge man who took less time to load a wagon than two good loaders could obtain. Friendly and gentle spirited he was a joy to teach the trade to.
Festus was the clown of the four. His instinctive humor kept everyone in high spirits even when things went wrong. Tall and skinny with a long neck that gave the appearance he had a wobbly head, he used his physical looks to amplify his funny stories. In his youth he was nick named ‘Scarecrow’.
Toby was a fella with few words. He was a soft spoken individual who due to a mine accident was missing his toes on his right foot. It may have been enough of a problem for the mine boss but not for Jethro. Being of average height and weight, nothing made him stand out in a crowd. He was so apt to blend in with a crowd that even his fellow church goes would sometimes question him as to why he no longer attended Sunday services. He would just smile and begin to recall the Pastors sermon verbatim.
Jethro was extremely pleased that one of the men, Lester, had the gift of paper pushing. After Jethro left for Prescott, Andy would have his hands full and Lester would be a great asset in keeping the records and billing straight.
As the days turned into weeks, the four men had been upgraded from a two mule team to that of four and six teams. As yet only Jethro and Bekke were capable of handling an eight team set up. Each new man caught on to the ability to choose which mule was placed where in line and all became adept at rigging the complicate harnesses. They learned which mules bonded with each other and which worked against each other. Which ones preferred being on the right or left side and which ones could be wheel mules in guiding the team in turning and backing. The four spent much time in the stable grooming and caring for the mules. In all, there were a total of 34 Missouri bred and trained mules and each had their own quirks and personalities to learn about.
On the sixth day after leaving Globe, Jethro figured without any mishaps, that Bekke Mac and Snake had reached Prescott.
Upon their safe arrival, Bekke had promised Jethro to send him a telegram and sure enough at three in the afternoon a delivery boy from the telegraph office showed up at the Globe Mercantile office.
After tipping the boy a dime Jethro unfolded the yellow telegraph paper to read.
JETHRO CLEMENS GLOBE MERCHANTILE GLOBE ARIZONA
ARRIVED WITH FREIGHT INTACT. (STOP) WILL DELIVER IT TOMORROW (STOP). ALL MY LOVE.
Jethro smiled with a sigh of relief. He had little doubt the three would be accosted but still, it was a relief to know they had safely made it there.
He knew once the wagons had been unloaded that the three would start researching the possibility of opening a second freight line there. Bekke had told him it may take a week or longer to fulfill the due diligence needed to make sure the start up in Prescott would be a successful venture.
What he did not know is their new venture would pit the Globe Mercantile and Freight Company up against one of the wealthiest and corrupt businessman in Prescott.
After unloading the wagons at the courthouses nearby construction yard of the valuable copper roof sheeting, They headed off to a recommended livery stable that could handle the sixteen mules.
The old Negro in charge of the livery charged two dollars a day each for the stalls, grain and rubdowns the mules needed. He also would ask the blacksmith to inspect the mules flat horseshoes since he noted they were not fitted with the heavy heel calks and toe bars normally found in Northern Arizona for added traction.
Bekke commented on the two dollar a day charge for each mule telling the man that in Globe the same service would have been more in the seventy five cent to one dollar range.
The old negro shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Yes, but that’s in Globe an’ you ain’t in Globe no more.”
Bekke realized she’d have to re-think the cost of doing business and their freight charges. It looked like the Prescott economy might be double that of Southern Arizona’s economy.
The stable had no room left in the small indoor carriage area for the two big wagons so they were left outdoors and tarped over. Mac and Snake drew the heavy canvas tarps over each wagon to protect the wood. Though painted with a thick coat of dark green paint with yellow trim, Bekke knew how expensive each of the custom built wagons had cost them. Thus in carping them from the elements was only expected.
After grudgingly paying a weeks charge of two hundred dollars ( in paying up front, the stableman gave her a twenty four dollar discount) she told her two men that eating in restaurants may have to give way to cooking most of their meals back at camp.
Since eating in any restaurant was an undesirable thought for the two Apaches, both agreed they’d feel more comfortable eating their own (Bekke’s) cooking anyway. The stableman told them where a commonly used over night camp site was located.
“It’s even got a privy some gentleman built for his privacy a while back and there’s a clean flowing stream right nearby for dishes an’ stuff. I’d be a bit hesitant in bathing there though as you might find some of your valuables a missile from your pockets when you get dressed. Mostly it’s just kids but we got a few vagrant types that have been known to stoop low so they don’t have to hold a job.”
“We’ll take your advice, it’s appreciated.” Replied Bekke.
“You know somethin?” The negro stableman said, “I’m jes the stableman here. I don’t own the place but I seen you wince when I told you how much the fee would be. You all seem like nice folk, even your Indian men there, that if’n you need to stay a bit longer than the week you all jes’ go ahead with no extra charge.”
“Thank you! By the way, my names Bekke Hillstrand and my employees here go by the name Mac and Snake. We won’t abuse your offer Mister…”
“Folks around here call me Moon. It’s short for ‘Moon lips’. Moon lips Jones.
Bekke was taken back by his name as it sounded so derogatory. True, the man had a set of lips as big as a horses but somehow it seemed cruel to call him by such a name.
“I’m not sure I could call you that”, Bekke replied, “ I mean it seems kinda wrong somehow.”
“Oh, don’t you worry none about callin’ me by my name ‘cause sho’ enough that’s what my Daddy named me first time he laid eyes on me.”
“Your Dad named you that?”
“Yes’m. See, he was brung over from the coast of Africa an made a slave. He only spoke Igbo, that’s a type of language his tribe spoke over there. Some say it be like African Swahili talk. So when he presented me to be named he done saw how big my lips was an’ named me Mwezi Midomo or Moon lips. Nothin’ bad about it, it’s a good name, a proud name.”
“I must admit Moon, I’m not familiar with the African culture and how names get to be. I meant no disrespect in my hesitation to call you moon.”
Laughing, Moon replied, “Hey, it’s a whole lot better than calling me some of the names folks around here called me.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard the worst! It’s been a pleasure meeting you and we’ll stop by in a few days to see how the mules are treating you.”
Moon offered them the use of a horse drawn wagon to carry their camping gear up to the campground that over looked the town. After hauling their belongings to the camp site and cooking a quick meal, Bekke told the brothers to set up the tents and finish making their camp then return the wagon and horse to the livery.
“ Since we have plenty of daylight left, I’m going into town to get an idea of what kind of freighting competition we’re up against. I’ll be back before dark.”
Mac told her, “Just to be safe, take a gun with you.”
“You mean like one of these?” From her sack coat she pulled out a small twin shot 38 caliber pocket pistol.
Mac chuckled saying, “That’ll do!”
Bekke entered the town of Prescott from the south and headed down hill towards the down town business area. She was surprised at the permanency of the building that had been built. Most were brick or cut stone with only a few being of wood frame construction.
“Looks like they want this town to last” she thought. “At least the building aren’t going anywhere soon.”
The downtown was built around a square. In the center was the new court house she had brought the copper roofing material for. It was the first time she viewed the court house building since the business she had unloaded goods at in her previous trips had been located away from the downtown area.
She was struck by how busy the town was. Shoppers were going in the stores and coming out carrying an armload of packages and boxes. She noticed a woman’s dress shop had a life size figure dressed in the latest Eastern look. She mentally placed its location in her mind vowing to someday visit the shop.
She was walking the outskirts of the square on the sparser west side when she came upon a freighters business. Looking up above the door she read , HIGH DESERT FREIGHT HAULING INC. After reading the faded lettering she decided to enter.
As she opened the heavy wooden front door to the business a bell inside and overhead attached to the door chimed.
An elderly white haired man looked up from the counter he had spread a bunch of papers on. In a friendly tone he asked, “May I help you Ma’am?”
“I’m not sure. My husband and I are thinking of opening a business here in town so I decided to see for myself what kind of prospects the town has for a new business.”
“Well,” he said chuckling, “I know my wife complains the two dress shops in town are in cahoots with each other to keep the prices high but then my wife thinks everyone is in business to bankrupt us.”
“I can see her point, I just paid the stable man double what it would cost me in Globe.”
“From Globe huh? My sister lived there before she passed on, maybe you knew her, her name was Martha Stern.”
“No, I guess she was before my time. But I knew a Roger Stern, any relation to your sister?”
“Yup, that’s her son. Worthless slug if there ever was one. Martha’s husband died when the boy was only two. She doted on him, spoiled him rotten.”
“Not trying to offend you but I have to agree. He sure was something.”
“Yes, he was killed in a saloon brawl last year. It seemed he was carrying on with a married woman and her husband found out.”
The old man shook his head and asked, “Did they charge the man who killed him?”
“No, they said Mr Stern brought it upon him self. The Sheriff claimed it was a justified killing and later a visiting judge circuit Judge agreed with the decision.”
“Well, I guess there is hope for the world after all. By the way, my name is Fred Hartford, I own this business. May I ask what kind of business are you thinking about opening? I can tell you the town needs a saddle maker, the one we got is going blind and if we could get a real barber in town, the men would be delighted. I guess the field is wide open to new businesses since we’re growing like corn on a spring day… that is unless you are going into the freighting business.”
Bekke visibly stepped back in shock as if hit. “Why would you say that?”
The old man stopped and looked around the place cautiously making sure no customer or employee could hear him.
“It’s a great town except for the likes of one man, Cecil Burkhalter. You see, Cecil Burkhalter used to be a lawyer in town, and not a good one. He was the main partner of Burkhalter, Mosley and Shlapp. His Father owned the Burkhalter freight company on Jackson Street, that’s on the east side of town.
One day Cecil was caught bribing a witness and was disbarred from practicing law in Arizona. It wasn’t the first time he’d been suspected of doing that but in this case the witness’s husband was a Federal Marshal. The woman just happened to be in town and saw a man murder another man. Cecil was hired to get the man off after he told the man he could guarantee his innocence and get him off. Well, the man hung of course and Cecil was found guilty of bribing a witness and lost his license and the business.
“So how does that play into the freighting business other than his father owned it.”
“It seemed Cecil had rung up quite a tab at the poker table one night. Without an income, he had to go to his father for a loan or be horse whipped.
His father not only gave him a loan of ten thousand dollars to cover the debt but put his son in as Vice President of Burkhalter Freight in an attempt to keep him on the straight and narrow.
It didn’t take long for is son to start robbing the till but when his father discovered the huge losses he got so upset he had a heart attack and died right then and there.
Cecil then took over the business and soon the other freighters in town started having problems.”
As if just interested in an exciting tale, Bekke innocently asked him,“May I ask what kind of problems they were having?”
“Sure, everyone in town knows what’s going on but are too meek to stand up to the bastard…Oh my, excuse me, it just came out.”
“Trust me, I’ve heard worse.”
“A Lady shouldn’t have to hear such language, again, I apologize.
With a dismissal shake of her head, Bekke said, “You were saying?”
“Yes, not only the other freighters but I have to include myself here. You see we’ve had a rash of sawed axles, mules made lame and having to be put down, Employees robbed while hauling freight, loads stolen and long time customers suddenly canceling orders only to sign up with Burkhalter Freight. There is so much more but I’m not going to go into it as I’ve already said too much .”
“So does the Sheriff know about all this?”
“Of course, the Sheriff is his father in law!”
“No wonder he gets away with it.”
“To be honest, this morning I had finally made up my mind. I am going to try and sell the business, if I can find a buyer.”
“Seeing what is going on, what do you think your chances are of finding a buyer to sell out to?”
“Honestly? Zero to none. I should have sold years ago but each time I entertained the idea I thought of my employees and their families. They all depended on me and it weighed heavily on my shoulders. I love my employees but I just can’t do this any longer. I’m afraid myself or my employees will end up getting hurt.
For more than a few moments, Bekke sat silently contemplating all that she had heard. She wondered to herself, “Was Prescott really the place to relocate after all? What would Jethro think after hearing all this?”
Finally, she lifted her head and asked point blank. “Mister Hartford, I’m going to be straight up honest with you. I came to Prescott hauling two heavy eight mule team wagons of copper sheeting for the new courthouses roof. My husband and I were thinking about opening a second freighting business so we could expand beyond the southern Arizona area. If you are truly thinking of giving up the business would you be willing to hold off closing down for another month? I want to return to Globe and discuss this situation with my husband. We might be able to work out a sale to both our benefits.”
“By God you may be the answer to my prayers. Yes, I’ll delay any further idea of closing until I hear back from you or in a month, but I can’t wait no longer that that since it’ll be winter soon and most of the freight business is already peaking. ”
Bekke stuck her hand out and Fred Hartford took it and told her. “My dear, you’ve either got more grit than any man I’ve ever met or you’re not right in the head … but I’ll shake on it!”
Dusk had not settled in before Bekke arrived back at the camp. She was pleased to see the brothers had set it up in its entirety. They even unfolded her cot and dressed it with her sheets and blankets.
Both mac and Snake looked up when she walked up. They had a nice cook fire going although no food was yet cooking… that was Bekke’s job.
“We waited until you got back. We know you like to cook white man style. Earlier Snake caught a rabbit but he ate it already. I had a few bites but since my brother requires so much food I let him eat most of it.”
Feigning a false lack of interest Bekke asked, “So, are you still hungry or shouldn’t I bother cooking a meal.”
Before she could finish Snake cried out, “Oh no, I’m really hungry. That rabbit was just a real small one and Mac ate a big piece of it so I didn’t get full.”
Laughing, Bekke said, “Not to worry Snake, I know you have a hollow leg!”
Snake looked quizzically at Mac and quietly whispered to him, “Do I have a hollow leg?”
The next morning found the three up before dawn planning the day. Bekke said she wanted to find out more about this Cecil Burkhalter fellow. If it were true that most folks didn’t cotton to him then it should be fairly easy to get folks to open up. She also needed to stop once again at the telegraph office. She would let Jethro know in the shortest terms possible, her conversation with Fred Hartford. She also felt inclined to send a message to her friend Federal MarshalDanny Vance. Danny had been the Sheriff of Globe for a decade or more. After Danny and his brother Davy (who had then been the town Sheriff of Show Low) saved twenty two Mormon children from a group of kidnappers they were approached by a representative of the Supreme Court in Washington to become special agents acting as Federal Marshals under the Supreme Court. (See “The children of box canyon”)
If anyone could find out for Bekke the inside story of Mr Burkhalter it would be the brothers.
Once again in town she entered the telegraph office and handed the key artist the note she wanted sent to Jethro.
JETHRO CLEMENS GLOBE FREIGHT GLOBE ARIZONA
GOOD NEWS (STOP) HIGH DESERT FREIGHT HERE WANTS TO SELL BUSINESS (STOP) NASTY COMPETITOR BURKHALTER FREIGHT COULD BE A PROBLEM. (STOP) LOVE YOU TONS BEKKE (STOP) BEKKE CLEMENS PRESCOTT ARIZONA
The second note was sent to Danny Vance and read.
FEDERAL MARSHAL D VANCE GLOBE ARIZONA
DANNY IF POSSIBLE NEED INFO ON CECIL BURKHALTER OWNER OF BURKHALTER FREIGHT IN PRESCOTT. (STOP) LOOKING TO OPEN FREIGHT BUSINESS HERE (STOP) BURKHALTER KNOWN TO PLAY FOUL (STOP) MAY NEED YOUR HELP (STOP) BEKKE CLEMENS PRESCOTT ARIZONA
Satisfied, she paid the clerk the two dollars and eighty cents including a dime tip and left.
On her way back to the camp she diverted down a dirt alley way behind the saloons. She wasn’t concerned about her safety as her hand was on the small 38 caliber pistol in her sack coat pocket and that it was just mid day.
Sometimes if you want to get a real perspective on a town the you need to walk the back alleys. It was there she ran across a second freight company.
Logan Freight was a small outfit. Seeing only four parked light weight wagons set up to be hauled by only two mules she figured it was a local delivery outfit.
She entered through the rear door by the loading dock
It was pretty dark inside but she could see through the center of the warehouse building where some slits of sunshine were entering through the wooden shutters mounted on the buildings front windows.
As Bekke silently made her way through the stacked crates and bundles of canvas wrapped goods looking for whoever ran the place she heard a mans voice pleading with someone.
“I swear, I ain’t holding out on Mister Burkhalter!”
Bekke could now see an elderly bald man holding out a ledger book toward another person telling him, “Here! See? I ain’t been doing good at all! My God, I can’t afford another ten percent on top of what he gets from me now. I need to stay in business an’ another ten percent will bankrupt me!”
Bekke stopped her movement and stood silently in the deep shadows listening to the man plead. The other man looked like the typical saloon tough guy in charge of keeping the peace. He had on a sleeveless button down shirt most likely worn to intimidate folks with his bulging arm muscles. His head was as big as a medicine ball with a protruding forehead . His whiskered face was decorated with dark deep set eyes hidden by a single dark bushy uni brow. If ever there was a need for a live description of a cave man, this was it.
“Don’t show me nothin’, you know I ain’t no how able to read! Mister Burkhalter pays me to collect his protection fees, not to hear your sob stories.”
He then stepped over and began to root through the owners desk. Tossing out much of the drawers contents onto the floor, the gorilla in man clothing did not find what he was apparently looking for.
In his anger he threw the entire drawer away at the window breaking it and then began busting up what small amount of office furniture existed. After making a wreck of the place, he turned once again to face the terrified proprietor.
The terrified owner began backing away as the crazed tough guy reached out his hands to grab the owner. Ducking, the owner was able to slip around the tough and head for the front door. To his dismay though he realized the tough guy had locked it after he entered. The smaller man suddenly felt a huge powerful hand wrap itself around his neck.
The owner loudly screamed, wetting himself in the process. The hard case then began to soundly beat the owner with his ham sized fist.
Bekke had seen and heard enough. Reaching into bulky her sack coat, she withdrew the pocket pistol and stepping into the offices meager light aimed the barrel directly on the tough’s face and shouted. “Stop or I’ll blow your filthy head off!”
The beater turned towards Bekke who’s face was still mostly hidden in the dark. Still, there was just enough light for him to see the silver gun barrel pointed in his face. He knew by the sound of the voice the whoever it was meant business. Although not as raspy or frog like as in her youth, without seeing her face she could be mistaken for a young man.
Shoving the crying owner violently onto the floor, he told Bekke, “I don’t know who you are kid but you just made the biggest mistake of your life!”
In the darkness Bekke smiled and in her most feminine voice possible with a shrug of her shoulders answered, “What ever.”
Upon hearing the change in her voice, the thug became confused and asked, “Just who are you kid?”
Bekke had spent the majority of her childhood being abused by controlling men. As a child she once had literally been a slave to a sheep herder whom she freed herself by pushing the pervert off the edge of the Mogollon Rim near Payson. He stood there over looking the two hundred foot cliff while taking a leak and exposing himself to her. Another as an abused teen, she ran over him with a freight wagon breaking 400 of his 206 bones. She then killed four more for similar atrocities. After being arrested she simply told the judge, “Don’t think I’m a murderess or vile woman by killin ’em. Men do this all the time out here where no law exist and they simply call it justice served. So why should it be any different just because I’m a girl?” After hearing her tales of childhood abuses the Territorial Judge agreed saying each man had no excuse for their actions and each had earned their untimely trip to hell. (See Bekke’s Law).
As Bekke left her childhood behind and settled into a fulfilling marriage with Jethro those memories rapidly faded… until now.
Like photographs spread out before her she once again saw each abuser and how they painfully abused her. Seeing the bully in front of her beating on an innocent elderly man broke the dam holding back the feelings she had conquered and controlled years before. And then her long buried primal rage for justice took over.
“Kneel”, she spoke.
After realizing the door was still locked and escape impossible, the tough guy mumbled but slowly began to kneel.
With her gun just a foot away from his face now, Bekke slowly reached down and grasped the leg of a chair that the tough guy had earlier broken off during his rampage. It was at that moment the thug, even though unable to clearly see her face, knew she was a woman.
“What now Sweet heart..”
Before he could finish the sentence, Bekke swung the chair leg with all her might slamming it across the mans face and loudly breaking the man’s jaw. Crying out, he fell onto his side trying to cover his mangled mouth. Bekke did not stop there. As the man rolled onto his back, Bekke stomped down onto the mans groin, not once but over and over. It seemed all of the pain of her past abuse was pouring out in the familiar form she had long ago gained control over.
Rolling onto his side in an attempt to protect his smashed groin, the whimpering gorilla began to vomit. Bekke stepped back as he emptied his stomach. Before leaving him though, Bekke grabbed his head and began wiping the vomit up with the mans hair. “Don’t ever again call me Sweet heart!”
Delirious with pain, the beaten bully lay there moaning. He tried recalling what the woman looked like but between the darkness of the office and the severe pain clouding his mind her facial features eluded him. In such pain, darkness came over him and he lost consciousness. It took another hour before he was capable of even sitting upright.
Between sobs, the weeping owner told Bekke, “Burkhalter’s going to kill me now! All I ever wanted was a little business to earn a modest living. Oh how I wish my Mary had never passed, she’d surely know what I should do.”
Bekke realized the man had little to no backbone. It must have been his wife who ruled the nest.
“Do you have any children” she asked him.
“Yes, two sons. One lives in Phoenix and the other lives in Atlanta Georgia. Why do you ask?”
“Because you’re right. You are a dead man if you stay here.”
“But what can I do? Where will I go? Burkhalter will be sure to find me!”
“ If you want to live then you’ll do exactly as I say. First. Go to your bank right now and close out your account, you’ll need the money. Second do not go home, do not attempt to gather any of your belongings instead go directly from the bank to the train depot and take the first train out to anywhere. Once you are clear of Prescott, you can re-route yourself to Atlanta. Now, get off the floor, wash your face and get to the bank and then catch the train. Forget about your business, it was finished anyway. If you own your home, in a few weeks contact an Attorney in a nearby town to sell it anonymously for you. If you do that you’ll most likely live.”
The man scrambled to his feet thanking her profusely for the directive. “I’m going now, thank you… what is your name?”
“Just call me Justice.”
Making her way behind the owner, she followed him out the same back door that she had entered through.
She watched as the man made his way down the alley and made the turn that brought him to the Square. She decided to see if he actually went to the bank or would his frightened nerves make him do something stupid. No, she smiled as he entered the Bank of Prescott.
Bekke then made her way back to the camp. “Wow”, she thought, “Do I have some explaining to do!”
The three sat around the evening cook fire going back over the recent events.
“The good thing is”, Bekke told them, “There will be two less Freight hauling companies to compete with. The bad is, I’m sure this Burkhalter fellow will stop at nothing to run us out of town or worse.”
Mac asked her,”Did the man who beat the elderly owner see your face? You said it was dark but can you be sure?”
“I’m pretty sure it was too dark to get a clear look at me. Besides, I was wearing my bulky sack coat and my hair was tucked under my big brimmed slouch hat. Even if it was in sunlight, he couldn’t say how big I was or what color my hair is. He even called me a kid. No, I feel confident I could pass him on the street and he’d never recognize me.”
Snake stood up saying, “Snake think we should leave here now. Maybe men watch for women who leave town.” Snake then pointed to the train depot located at the bottom of the hill they were camped at and said, “Look, lone man at station trying to hide. Looks scared to Snake. Him the owner?”
“By golly you’re right, that’s the old man that just got beat up.” Bekke exclaimed, “I’m glad to see he’s getting out of town before Burkhalter’s men go looking for him.”
Bekke agreed with Snake about the need of getting out of town but not right then.
“Here’s what we’ll do. You two stay camped out here. No one would guess you’re connected in any way with me. I’m going to a hotel in town because I still need to discover our business prospects here. I’ll bring my most feminine clothes to wear. If the gorilla gave any description it sure wouldn’t be one of a prettily dressed woman.”
Mac asked, How will we communicate with you if we can’t go into town?”
“I’ll take a daily walk past our camp here and if I need to contact you I’ll leave a message on paper in the crack of that storm damaged tree over there. We can’t risk rousing any suspicion by risking anyone seeing me talking to two Apache men. You two need to stay out of sight as much as possible. If you need anything leave a note in the tree and I’ll figure out a way to get it to you. Just sit and rest here till we’re ready to leave.”
Snake nodded, “Good, Snake need rest. No sleep good close to city.”
Mac snickered in much better English than Snake could speak, “I guess all that eating sure can tire a man out, who’da thunk!”
Bekke spent the next three days doing the needed research to verify that the move to Prescott would be profitable. All signs showed a need for heavy hauling freight, something the Clemens were experts at. Not only had the Clemens back in Globe invested in an array of heavy wagons, some flat bedded others with tall sides and all with lowering tail gates but they ordered customized hoisting cranes to lift off freight so it could be placed straight onto waiting train cars. They even had an engineering firm design a rail mounted steam driven crane so heavy freight could be deposited in any place there was a rail road. This was something the Clemens knew could be used in delivering heavy machinery and iron castings for industry.
On the second day she passed by the cracked tree noting there was no note left but that changed on the third day.
On this day she retrieved a slip of yellow paper, the kind telegrams were printed on, it read.
BEKKE CLEMENS PRESCOTT ARIZONA CITY PUBLIC CAMPGROUND
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES APPROACH BURKHALTER (STOP) UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION (STOP) RETURN TO GLOBE IMMEDIATELY (STOP) NEED TO MEET
After reading the telegram Bekke returned to the public campground and met with the brothers telling them. “We need to pull up stakes and get on back to Globe. Marshal Danny Vance’s orders. The Federal Marshals have Burkhalter under investigation so they must have an agent or two working the investigation here in Prescott. If Danny said that under no circumstances should we approach Burkhalter then he must feel we’re in imminent danger.”
Mac then told her,“We read the note after the delivery boy went around the place looking to deliver you your telegram. We had to show him your tent and your Bible before he left it with us. Snake then put it in the tree for you. Also, twice hard case men have been seen taking an interest in folks camping here. They asked if a woman was seen camping here but we shrugged pretending not to speak English.”
Bekke knew they had overstayed, “Snake, I want you to pack up the camp while Mac and I retrieve our wagons and mules. Pack up my belongings and tent first. If those or any other men stop by asking if there had been a woman camping here I want you to play dumb and pretend you don’t speak English again. listen instead to what they say if anything.”
“Snake understand. Play dumb, no speak English, listen to their talk.”
“Perfect. Mac and I will be right back.”
The two walked downhill past the train depot and to the to the livery. Even though they had a couple of days still paid up and would be offered the refund, Bekke decided to take their new friend stableman into her confidence and insisted he personally keep the refund, not giving it to the stables owner.
“All I’m asking,” she told Moon, “if anyone comes around asking if a woman has been by here to leave a horse or buggy to tell them no. There’s a possibility a man named Burkhalter will send men out after me.”
“What did you do to him?”
“Not him but one of his hard cases… I beat him up pretty good!”
“That was you? I heard all about someone givin’ one a his men a good thrashin’ but I never would have suspected such a tiny thing as you doing the beatin’, an you’s a woman to boot!”
“Well, I’m not proud of it but there was no helping it. He was beating on the owner of Logan Freight. The poor old soul was terrified.”
“Me an Logan done grow’d up together. We was here a’fore most anybody even called this a town. Oh, an to tell ya more, sho ‘nuff Burkhalter’s thugs done already come by askin’. I done told ‘em, nope ain’t no women been here. I told ‘em to see if McClarry’s stables might a done business wit you.”
“Oh, thank you!”
After hitching up the sixteen mules to the two wagons, Bekke paid an extra two dollars to fill one of the wagons with hay and another three dollars for two barrels of water. Two of the mules had to be shod for another eight dollars. In doing this there would be no need look for a camp each night with water on the way back or search for good grass.
Bekke thanked the stableman, shook his hand and climbed up onto the tall drivers bench waving him good bye.
“You all take care now Ma’am.” The stableman shouted back, “Maybe someday we’ll cross paths again.”
Bekke shouted back to him, “I can tell you it’s a guarantee my friend.”
Back at the campground, the three quickly loaded their belongings and tents onto the empty wagon and headed back down to Globe on the same roads they arrived on.
Their return trip to Globe took less time than on the way up to Prescott. They continually checked their back trail looking for anyone who might be following them. When they spotted a dust cloud behind them in the distance, they would pull the wagons into the high scrub and hide until the traveler passed by them. None were from Burkhalter.
It had rained in Globe so the roads were greasy with deep wheel ruts. The extra wide wagon’s wheels prevented the wagons from getting bogged down or stuck. Having extremely wide hoofs, the Missouri mules where bred for this. As they turned onto their street, Bekke could see Jethro and another man hitching up four mules to another heavy wagon.
Hearing the mule train and wagons arriving Jethro looked up and seeing Bekke ran up the muddy street to greet her.
Bekke jumped down into his outstretched arms and kissed him deeply.
“Huzzah, I take it you missed me he said laughing.”
“You don’t know the half of it! Can you ask one of the men to stow the wagons with Mac and Snake? The mules need a good rub down and have them check their shoes too. We rode fast and furious back here from Prescott and I need to tell you all that happened and what we found out.”
Jethro told one of his new drivers to help Snake and Mac in caring for the sixteen mules and two wagons while Andy took over for Jethro.
Taking Bekke’s hand in his he led her up the stairs to their home above the carriage house. Once inside he made coffee and when they settled at the kitchen’s table, she told him everything that had occurred while up in Prescott.,
Jethro had quietly listened knowing Bekke would fill in the details as she told her story. When she had finished, he rose from his seat at the table, went to her and wrapped his arms around her saying, “I’m so sorry dear, are you alright?”
“Of course I am. I just lost my head for a minute when I saw that poor old man being beaten. Other than that, I learned a lot that I otherwise may never have known.”
Jethro slapped his head in exasperation“Oh darn, I forgot! Marshall Vance wanted us to stop by the moment you arrived. He said it was really important that both of us be there.”
Bekke nodded her head but asked him, “Can we finish our coffee first. I need to rest up a minute.”
Federal Marshal Danny Vance invited the couple into his office. The brothers had no looks that were common to the two. Davy was of medium build, somewhat handsome with mouse brown hair while Danny was four inches taller and blond. What was not apparent yet was both brothers had a weeks unshaven whiskers going on. Later Bekke would ask about this. “You two want some coffee ? Danny asked. “It’s fresh ground and I made it only a moment before you stopped in.”
Both replied in the positive.
“So,” he began, “the Federal Marshal service had been actively investigating Mister Burkhalter for more than a year now. Unfortunately we’ve been unable to get anything on him to put him away. He’s got layer upon layer of means to commit a crime and get away with it. He has a group of professional shootist and strong arms preventing any witness from testifying by threatening them. Our problem is we as Federal Agents have to follow the law, where he does not. He has gotten off each time he’s been arrested.”
“How can that be? Jethro asked.
“Remember he was an attorney, not a good one mind you but he still knew the law better than most territorial judges. He could tie up a court case for so long the jury would get so fed up they’d just up and quit.”
“They can do that?”, Bekke asked.
“They’re not supposed to but what judge wants to keep a jury intact by hauling in a member of the jury in hand cuffs. And as far as judges go, most are political appointees installed as favors to donors or family members. As far as their being great legal minds, forget it. a good lawyer can run circles around most circuit judges.”
Bekke leaned forward looking straight into their friend Marshal Vance’s eyes and asked. “You asked us here, there must be some reason besides wanting to tell us that Burkhalter’s a bad guy, we already know that, so then why the rush we come see you ?”
The Marshal was blunt, “When word around town spread that you were looking at Prescott, we notified the the Supreme court offices in Washington. They have been looking for a person or persons to help the Marshals service nail this guy. You see, the Supreme Court in it’s infancy had been given the power to enlist certain men under their auspices and give them the authority to deal with major threats to our country, cities or towns by either men or organizations in any way they felt to see fit in disposing of them. That includes working outside of any Federal, State or Territorial laws.”
Wide eyed Jethro exclaimed, “Geez, are you saying an agent of the Supreme court can up and kill someone and not be charged?”
“In certain instances, yes. It was the Supreme court who formed and regulate Bounty Hunters. In the case of Special agents to the Supreme Court it goes much further than just being a Bounty Hunter. Bounty Hunters can only kill if the court initiates a dead or alive warrant on someone but it is left up to the Supreme Courts Special Agent’s discretion on how far he feel he needs to go to protect the government, even a local government. If the Agent, through the court, sees the person as a threat to the existence of the Government then he can act to protect the Government.
Jethro looked at Bekke then back to Marshal Vance and asked, “So what has all this to do with us?”
“As you two know, After rescuing the Mormon children from the white slavers, my brother Davy and I had been approached by the Federal Marshal service and offered the privilege of joining them. We accepted and for the last two years have been very successful in apprehending and winning convictions of some of the worst criminals in Arizona. Our success hadn’t gone unnoticed by those in high places. Last month we were upgraded to Federal Marshal Special Agents, we answer directly to the representatives of the Supreme Court.”
Bekke congratulated him on their advancement. “Both you and Davy deserve it” she said, “we’re so happy for you two!”
“Thank you, but there’s more.”
Bekke again replied, “Of course there is, why else would you have us here rather than tell us all this in the telegraph you sent when I was up in Prescott?”
“I mentioned a minute ago that we have been unable to get a solid conviction on Burkhalter. What we need is someone who can closely observe his acclivities and in turn become a prosecution witness. That’s where you all come in. If you do open a second freight business in Prescott we want you to to be our eyes and ears. You will be a paid the wages we pay an informant.
Jethro became uncomfortable. “If this Burkhalter is in the cross hairs of the Federal Government for high crimes, what kind of danger would we be in? I mean I’m not a detective or gunslinger, I just run a freight and mercantile business. How much use could we be to you?”
Bekke thought back to the moment she watched an innocent old man being beaten and reached over to grab Jethro’s hand. She sat there staring at him for a moment then spoke.
“Jethro, I know you. I also know you wish nothing more in life than to have a moderately successful business, have a wife, have some children someday and just enjoy the blessings God has given you. When I spoke to the owner of Logan Freight after his beating, he told me his dream too was to live that exact same life. He couldn’t understand why someone would take away from him all that he and his deceased wife had worked for. He cried at the unjustness of it all. He lost everything because no one had stopped Burkhalter earlier when it would have been possible. Now we’re being asked to step up and help combat the same evil that drove the old man away from his home and business. I saw that evil with my own eyes and it turns my stomach to see a man not only get away with it but to prosper doing it. I say yes, we should help.”
The Marshal sat in silence. Finally Jethro looked over at Bekke and told her, “When you put it like that…”
Bekke reached over and squeezed his hand saying, “This is why I love you.”
“Alright then, there is just one more thing I need to tell you about what I’m asking you to do.”
Jethro mumbled, “I knew it.”
“Actually it a good thing.
Again Jethro responded, “There is such a thing?”
“You bet there is.”
Pulling his desk drawer open he dug inside until he found what he was looking for. He laid the objects on the desk top in front of them but continued to hide them with his hand. Then he spread his fingers apart exposing two shiny badges.
“I need to swear you in as Federal Deputy Marshals.”
Both Jaws dropped open in shock.
Bekke beat Jethro to the punch in responding,“Are you serious? Federal Deputy Marshals? Really?”
“Yep, I said you’d be paid LIKE informants, I have to get you all legal because these badges can throw a lot of weight.”
Intrigued, Jethro asked what he meant.
“I’ll be going over much more in detail of your responsibilities later on but by weight I meant authority. These badges supersede any local Sheriff, Marshal or Judge for that matter. They are backed by the United States Supreme Court. Unlike normal Federal Marshals who are backed by the Congress your position supersedes all of them. You will report only to my brother or myself, no one else. I will have the Representative of the Court draw up the needed papers to prove your authority.”
“Just out of curiosity, Bekke asked, “How can we continue to run our business if we’re running around Prescott as Deputies?”
“That’s just it, I don’t want anyone else to know your position unless absolutely necessary. To the public you’re to remain just business folks, nothing more. Those badges are a double edged sword. They can save your life or get you killed. Your best bet is to keep them hidden under your coats or in your vest pocket, shiny badges make great targets.”
“I understand, this way Jethro and I can acquire information without looking like we’re the law.”
“Precisely! Davey will be back by tomorrow, is it possible the two of you can come back here so we can go over everything you’ll need to know about your job. I also have a small note pad Davey made up when we took our jobs. In it he describes your duties, responsibilities and which laws you can forget about obeying and which ones are best to obey… if you need to.”
Back in their home, the couple sat drinking coffee and discussing the proposal which they had accepted.
Bekke opened the conversation because Jethro remained pretty much silent all the way home.
“So are you upset with me?”
Jethro gently placed his coffee cup down leaving his two hands wrapped around the hot mug.
“No, just overwhelmed that’s all. You know I’m a simple man, I don’t like conflict or problems in my life. I would be just as happy working for someone as I am owning my own business. I didn’t plan on or ask for Billy to leave us his company. Honestly, if it were just me, I’d a sold it the day I inherited it.”
“That sounds like you’re blaming me.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. I’m a follower more than I am a leader and your just the opposite. When one looks at it like that it seems it’s a good set up for a good marriage.”
“Jethro, it is a good combination, I think the problem is in today’s world it’s expectant that the leader in a family be the man, the follower the woman. I can see why you’re conflicted. It shouldn’t make you feel like you’re a less of a man. You have gifts and strength in areas I don’t. You think before you act, I just barge ahead and hope for the best. As an enforcer of the law I know you would stay bound to the legal limits, I on the other hand would seek justice on my terms. I need you to reign me in when I go rushing blindly led by my emotions. You on the other hand need a shove now and then. I’d say we fit together pretty darn well if you ask me.”
“Hmmm, speaking of fitting together…”
“Mister Clemens! Are you suggesting we retire to the bedroom and work off the stress from all this?”
Taking her hand, Jethro led her to the bedroom where he displayed an amazing amount of leadership.
Wanting to update and congratulate his new team, Andy had gathered the four new muleteer’s together along with Mac and Snake by the companies loading dock.
“First off”, he told them, “For you new guys, let me say that I’m more than pleased with how all of you took to your new jobs. Each one of you performed much better than anyone expected. You’ve each made successful solo runs, made no mistakes with your mule teams nor the paperwork I know you dreaded. I’m very pleased to tell you that as of today you all will receive a bump up in your pay. And… As you advance to four, six and eight mule wagons, you’ll also be further compensated.”
“I congratulate each and every one of you four new men for all the excellent effort you’ve given. This new division up in Prescott will feed the company coffers allowing newer and better equipment to be purchased here as well as up there. As a plus, it also gives you a better outlook on job security. The owners have also been negotiating with the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad for special pricing for their rail crane car. Since the crane would only travel with the heaviest loads such as castings and machinery, the owners feel the extra cost for these heavy loads should include at no cost the crane to unload them with. The Globe end of the business will not be participating in any crane capable loads as only Prescott has rail service east to the industrial Midwest.”
Hearing this pleased the men since adding rail service would have complicated their jobs.
“The next question is, who will eventually be going to Prescott? The owners are for sure. I will remain behind taking charge of the operations here. Also, Mac and Snake have been given permission by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to relocate to Prescott long as they are employed by the Clemens. No date has yet been determined for the move but it’s agreed that the decision to go or not to go will be within thirty days. After that it’s just a matter of time before the move.”
Once again men seemed pleased especially having been told of their raises in pay. As they broke up to return to work, Andy loudly called out to them.
“Hold up a minute. If you’ve brought any noonday meals with you, leave ‘em be. The owners wanted to show you their appreciation so they paid for all you can eat dinners in town at Sally’s cafe and bakery. I was told there will be steaks, fried chicken, fruits and plenty of bakery goods to stuff yourselves on at no cost to you all. Even the Clemens are showing up!”
The four newbies got their first chance to really meet who they were working for. They enjoyed the free meal and were delighted at how down home Jethro and Bekke were.
The next morning Jethro and Bekke walked the six blocks back to the Marshals office to meet with Federal Marshals and brothers, Davy and Danny Vance.
“It’s good to see you folks again”, Davy said as he greeted them. Danny will be back in a minute. He had to pick up the latest telegrams.”
No sooner had he finished saying that when the door handle on the front door turned. Danny stepped in holding a number of yellow telegrams in his left hand. He extended his right hand to shake hands with the Clemens. “Jethro, Bekke, it’s so good to see you made it.” With an obvious pretended look of worry he said, “ I was fearing you’d have come to your senses and called the whole thing off.”
Jethro chuckled, “If you only knew!”
“Yesterday I told you Davy and I will fill you in on what we expect out of you as far as the job goes and we’ll go over the file on Burkhalter and his operation with you. so let’s begin, shall we?”
After two hours the Clemens pretty much had been filled in on the extent of their authority and the procedures of operation they needed to know.
Next the file on Burkhalter was brought out.
“Normally”, Danny said, “If a person like Burkhalter was strong arming a town for his own gain, we’d leave the case in the hands of the local authorities. But, in this case it’s not just about his operation in Prescott that concerns us. Burkhalter is just a single part of a much larger operation. This is why we were placed as Supreme Court Special Agents under the Federal Marshals service”
Opening the file he showed the two a graph of what looked like a family tree. In fact it was sort of a family tree, a crime family tree.
“We’ve been investigating the crime syndicate which Burkhalter joined up with some years back, even while he was still an attorney. After inheriting his fathers freight business he incorporated into this crime syndicate the freight hauling business. We now see the freight hauling tendrils moving into cities and towns under the cover of legitimate businesses. In reality they are monopolistic in nature ridding any competition through violence and intimidation. Recently money laundering has been added to their operation. A large portion of the illegitimate profits are funding chosen political campaigns. Our goal is to sever the head from the body and destroy this organization before it becomes a nationwide pariah.”
Jethro and Bekke both sat without comment looking back and forth from brother to brother. Finally Bekke spoke up asking. “What roll will the two of you play if it is my husband and I that will be in the lions den?”
“My brother Davy and I will be leaving for Prescott in a week, we will be going under cover ourselves but need our beards to grow out a little more first. After all, who’d suspect we were Federal Agents looking like this?”
Jethro commented on this, “I wanted to ask about that. I was surprised when we met yesterday that you looked pretty grubby. Every Marshal I’ve ever seen looked like a city bred business man.”
“Davy and I are presenting ourselves as miners of a small gold mine in a valley just south of Prescott. We believe that cover story will prevent folks from digging too deeply into our identity as most folks know that those who ask miners too many questions usually end up dead.”
Danny then told the two, “We want you two to get your freighting business up and running because that will attract the attention of Burkhalter. He’s not one to stand competition so we think he’ll act to shut your business down. My brother and I will be closely watching his activities. You’ll probably know stuff before we do so if he goes to do something stupid like threatening you or causing harm to your business feel free to deal with it as you wish. What you do is completely up to you, just don’t kill him. We need him on the stand to testify against those running the Chicago end of the crime syndicate.”
Jethro was skeptical that Burkhalter would turn on the powerful Chicago syndicate and said so. “Why would a man like Burkhalter suddenly do that? Wouldn’t he worry about his being killed to keep him from testifying against them?”
Davy shrugged his shoulders showing he himself had his doubts. “True, we’re betting on a long shot but maybe you two can find more compelling evidence that can tie the Chicago syndicate’s operation directly to Burkhalter. a witness If we get that information, the need for Burkhalter is less. Still he can put the icing on the cake if he testifies.”
“We’ll try our best but honestly, I feel Bekke and my first priority is getting our freight business off the ground.”
“As it should be. Danny and I made you Deputies just in case you find yourself in an awkward situation and need to pull rank. All we want you two to do is observe the freight business in Prescott and keep us informed. We will be the ones doing the hands on stuff. If all goes well there shouldn’t be any reason for you two to stick your necks out in harms way. but you might want to keep your fingers crossed just as a precaution.”
Laughing, Bekke responded to his last statement, “Well, that sure makes me feel better.”
An hour later the newly deputized business couple left the Marshal’s office and walked towards home to indulge in a roast she had put in the wood cook stove under a banked fire hours before.
The roast was perfect! Afterward, unable to take even another bite of the delicious dinner, Bekke pushed her plate away. If alone, she would have been tempted to belch but that she’d never do in Jethro’s presence.
“We need to let Fred Hartford up at High Desert Hauling know that we’ll be relocating to Prescott and need work out a deal to take over his business.”
Fred Hartford owned a medium sized freight company called High Desert Freight that he wanted out of. It had a decent sized carriage and storage facility but the real diamond was the vacant five acre lot he would sell with the business. Those extra five acres would be a perfect place to build a large enough stable and indoor wagon barn for their needs. It would also be big enough to include a second storage facility and hay barn complimenting Fred’s existing ones.
“Do you feel like walking with me down to the telegraph office to let Fred know we’re coming up or did you want to clean up from lunch?”
“I’ll get my wrap!” She replied.
The trip to Prescott followed the reply telegram sent by Fred Hartford. He stated he was looking very much forward to their meeting and ended the note with a bit of humor saying, “Bring a bank draft, I want to add indoor plumbing to my home”.
This trip once again included Snake. Mac was left behind to help Andy out since Andy’s time would be divided by both the mercantile store and the freight business.
Andy knew Mac was capable in being left in charge of the freight business although Mac somewhat lacked the skills in doing paperwork. Each evening Andy and Mac poured over the days ledgers and orders to give him a last class in training. He invited Lester to the instruction class figuring between the two the paperwork would pass mustard.
Lester joked, “I’m not sure I’m cut out for all this writing stuff Andy, That fountain pen is giving me a blister on my finger!”
Day four found the large Studebaker carriage heading downhill towards Prescott’s downtown square with Snake trailing behind on his horse. Turning onto Iron Springs road brought them eventually to the alleyway behind where Bekke’s friend Moon Lips managed the livery stable.
As they made their way down Iron Springs road, Bekke marveled at how beautiful the area was. “I’d love to find a house along this road, it’s so peaceful and quiet an it ;looks like a painting!”
Upon pulling into the livery, ‘Moon’ heard their arrival and stepped out from the dimly lit stable to see who was making all the noise.
Seeing Bekke, Moon shouted, “Well looky who it is! Mizz Clemens it shore is a pleasure see’n you again. Is that your man wit you? Shore is a fine strappin’ man for shore!” Holding out his hand for Bekke, Moon helped her from the carriage.
“Thank you Moon, this is my husband Jethro and our friend and employee Snake.”
The Apache extended his arm out as an Indian would shake a hand. Without blinking an eye Moon to extended his arm grabbing it near Snakes elbow.
Jethro grabbed Moon’s hand after Moob let snakes hand be and shook it. “Bekke told me all about you and what you did for her to keep her from being found by Burkhalter’s men.”
“Shucks, wasn’t nothin’ much. I jest told ‘em I ain’t seen hide nor hair of you. I didn’t lie, I ain’t never seen your hair cuz it was under that big ol’ hat yous was wearin’ an’ I shore ain’t in no position to have seen your hide!”
Bekke laughed at Moon’s ‘little white lie’ explanation and told him, “ Moon, I’m sure the good Lord won’t write that little fib under your name in the Book of Life. We both thank you for not letting on to Burkhalter’s men that I was here. I’m sure the thug I whooped on would just love to get even.”
“So’s what brings you back here? Moon asked Bekke.”
Since it was Bekke who knew Moon better than Jethro, she ended up telling him about purchasing High Desert Hauling and how it would compliment their freight business in Globe. She said nothing about being made Federal Deputy Marshals. The less folks knew about them the better.
During Bekke’s narrative Moon continued to nod his head with lots of uh huh’s thrown in. When she finished Moon asked her a question that she had not considered before.
“Mizz Clemens if yun’s find yourselves in need of a good stableman, I’d hope that you’d keep ol’ Moon here in mind. Ain’t no work I wont do an’ I’m not the best shoe’r around but I know’d mules as well as horses and can Doctor both of ‘em.”
“Your willing to leave your job here?”
“Shucks Mizz Clemens, in a heart beat. You see, The owner here he don’t like negro’s none. Only reason he keeps me on is that no white man would do this job for what he’s payin’ me. There’s lots of days I feel like jes quit’n but I can’t cuz I need the job.”
Jethro took the moment to say, “Moon, consider yourself hired. I know if I didn’t offer you the position to head up our stables I’d be on my wifes bad side for all eternity!”
Moon did a shuffling dance in the dust and yelled out, “Thank you Jesus!”
“Don’t quit just yet Moon”, Bekke told him, “It’ll be at least a good month before we can get the new livery built and have all our mules shipped in from Missouri. They breed the best mules. In the meantime, while you’re still working here we want your advice on the building of the livery barn and black smith shop. We’ll also want some workers to interview for jobs so we’re hoping you can spread the word we’re going to be needing a few muckers and experienced Muleteers if you know of any. You’ll be paid a weekly wage for your help and then once you’re full time your pay will increase again.”
“Goot Lord Mizz Clemens, You’s makin ol’ Moons head swim! Oh, an I sho can help you spread the word. I know lots of folks, been liven’ here most all my life. I know’d both good white folk and negro folk that will give you a good days work. A couple is family, most ain’t though but they’s all honest hard workin’ folk.”
“You bring them to us”, Bekke told him, “and we’ll interview them. Please, don’t make any promises to anyone though. I don’t want any hurt feelings if we don’t take them on.”
“Yes’m Mizz Clemens, don’t need nobody sayin’ I promised ‘em a job, thas up to you all.”
“We’ll stop by in the next couple of days and talk some more.” Jethro said, “We need to get on over to High Desert Freight and talk to the owner Fred Hartford.”
“Oh you go on ahead I’ll put the carriage up and tend to the horses. Tell Ol’ Fred for me it’s ‘bout time he retired! Fred an’ I grew up together. You can ask him ‘bout me too, he won’t fib!”
Bekke led the way for the three knowing how to get there. As they walked Bekke told him she had been thinking about what to call the new company. “Should we call it Globe freight? To me that doesn’t make sense since it’s in Prescott, not Globe.”
Jethro said, “I’ve been thinking about that too. I want to ask Mister Hartford if we might be able to just leave it as High Desert Freight. I mean it’s already well known and I kind of like the name.”
“I like the name too! Let’s hope he’s agreeable.”
“What do you think Snake?”She asked.
“I try not to. It only makes Snake confused.”
They entered Fred’s business through the large barn doors in the rear of the building. This way Jethro could see better all that they would be buying.
Fred Hartford saw them enter as they stepped into the dimly lit interior of the storage section of the building. Wooden boxes, steamer trunks and boxed crates were in abundance.The made their way through the maze over to where Fred was waving a them.
“Hello folks, he shouted at the two. “Bekke, it’s grand seeing you again” turning to Jethro he said, “and you must be her husband Jethro?”
“That’s me! It’s good to meet you too Fred. Did you want to show us around before we get down to business?”
“ Have you two eaten yet? If not why don’t we go over to the hotel and grab a meal. If you haven’t gotten a room yet, I highly recommend the Hassayampa Inn. It’s clean, has soft beds and it’s quiet. Oh, and they serve great food three times a day. We’ll have plenty of time to go over the property and talk business tomorrow when everyone is refreshed.”
The four (including a reluctant Snake) made their way to the Hassayampa Inn on the square.
Noticing Snakes lack of enthusiasm Bekke asked him if there was something wrong.
“Snake never stay in hotel. Maybe Snake not belong there.”
“Nonsense, you belong wherever we are.” Bekke told him. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure we get a dining table away from everyone else. You need to know, it wasn’t that long ago that I had never stepped foot into a hotel either.”
Snake remembered what his brother Mac had told him about Bekke’s past and he nodded saying, “Hmmm, Snake can learn, you did.”
Inside the office of Burkhalter Freight and Cartage a loud discussion was in progress. Cecil Burkhalter stood at his desk shouting at the two goons he sent out to investigate the rumors that a new freight hauling business had moved into town.
“Are you telling me that over two weeks ago you two idiots saw a large building being constructed just outside of town and you didn’t feel it important enough to tell me?”
The goon that Bekke had loosened his jaw bone on stood shamefaced while his partner pleaded, “Gee Boss there’s new buildings going up all over the place, why would we be concerned about this one?”
“Because you dolts, I hired you to keep an ear to the ground! That meant anything new going on, whether it was folks moving here, buildings being built, businesses opening or closing… I want to know everything! I can’t watch our back if I’m in the dark and now you tell me a building bigger than any ever built here is almost halfway completed and you never thought to even ask about it? I bet I could go out in the street and ask any common citizen what that building is going to be home to and they’d tell me ten times more than you idiots have told me! Now, get your lazy butts out there and find out!”
The two morons retreated backwards towards the door, “Sure Boss, right away. We’ll get the information and be back here in an hour. We just thought it wasn’t that big of a deal to bother you with.”
Closing the door behind them they nearly ran from out from the building towards where the new building was being constructed.
“I told you we should have said something, now the Boss is really pissed at us.”
Holding his jaw to lesson the movement and therefor the pain, his partner in a barely audible mumble tried replying coherently but failed.
“Oh stop your mumbling! I can’t figure out a word you’re saying.”
As the two approached the lot where the building was being erected, the non mumbling thug stopped one of the workers and trying to sound friendly, asked him what they were building.
“A new business!” The man told them excitedly, “ You know High Desert Freight down there a couple blocks toward the square? They sold out to a new freight hauling business and the new company is going to be ten times the size of Hartford’s old business. I heard they’re going to hire a bunch of folks. I already told my three cousins, that’s them lined up waiting to be interviewed by the new owner.”
Shocked at what they heard, the two stepped away and stood watching the workers placing the large roof trusses with the use of a crane.
“You realize we’re going to be in deep shit now don’t you?”
His partner with the broken jaw remained silent but nodded his head sadly in agreement.
“When the Boss finds out he’ll take it out on us for not telling him sooner. Damn! I beat people up for a living, I’m not an investigator! How the hell am I supposed to know all that’s going on in town!
Bekke noticed the two thugs on the corner across the street doing a terrible job of pretending to be disinterested in the building they were staring at.
Bekke touched the shoulders of Jethro and Snake. Pointing the two thugs out told them, “Don’t be obvious but see those two men? The one rubbing his jaw is the one I confronted. He, and I assume the other guy too, work for Burkhalter. I think they may have just found out Burkhalter’s freighting business is going to have competition. The fella doing all the talking looks pretty despondent.”
“Come with me Snake. I think I’ll wander over there and introduce myself.”
The two casually made their way from the building site over to where the men stood watching. When Jethro and Snake were within hailing distance, the two thugs suddenly realized they were going to have company and quickly turned around and began walking away.
“Hmmm, seems like we spooked ‘em Snake.”
“Me follow them.”
Snake walked parallel down the street from the pair then turned off into a back street.. When the thugs saw Snake heading at an angle away from them they wrongly assumed Snake had no intention of following them. Meanwhile. Jethro had begun walking back to the building where others were waiting in line to be interviewed for jobs..
As soon as the thugs turned the corner heading back the the square, Snake, who had already figured out where they were headed, took a shortcut through a back alley and was soon placing himself in a doorway across the street from Burkhalter’s business.
Snake watched the two enter the front door to the business and with ten minutes the two exited, and not very happy looking.
“It’s a damn lucky thing for us he didn’t pull that trigger. The Boss had that Colt pointed right on your forehead! I thought fer sure I’d be next!”
“Wheww! Mfgg wewa b deb.!”
“Yea, I too figured we both be dead.”
Snake chuckled knowing now the two thugs were sent to gather information on his employer for Burkhalter. A large red splotch across the face of Mumble Man was evidence his boss had slapped him. Snake again chuckled thinking how painful that must have been for the big gorilla.
Unnoticed by the thugs, Snake made his way back to the building site and told the couple what he had seen and heard.
“So what do you want to do Jethro?” She asked him. Bekke was hoping he’d say to wait for them in a dark alley some night to send their boss a message.
“For now, nothing. Let’s just concentrate on getting this new building up. We have only five more days before all thirty mules arrive from Missouri. Moon’s been contacting hay and oats from the local farmers around here. He’s already secured a thousand bales of Timothy hay and a hundred bushels of oats, all to be delivered on an as need basis.”
“Great, that means we don’t have to store it here in our own buildings.”
The five days came and went without any sign of the mules but on the sixth day the neighborhood awoke to the noise of sixty mules being led to the outskirts of town where the new building had been erected. According to Moon, each mule was to have its own stall. This was to prevent any disagreements between the mules. The second floor was designed to hold the needed hay bales and the fifty pound feed sacks of extra oats. Wooden chutes from the second floor allowed hay to be dropped from above directly into each stall’s manger. Readily available sacks of oats were kept in the feed room on the first floor.
Jethro also over saw the Smithy being built. He was able to purchase the anvils and the two furnaces locally but had to ship in the rotary air bellows for them from out of town in Tucson. As was the common practice, each blacksmith brought their own tools. These were all made during their early apprenticeship days. A guild member would then inspect each tool to pass or reject them. By the time the apprentice had earned the right to become a recognized blacksmith by a guild board, he had made every tool he’d ever need.
It was nearing September when the newly built wagons began to arrive from Lancaster county in Pennsylvania. These were made of strong Eastern hardwoods such as oak, butternut and elm. Each had been fully made then dismantled in order to ship them. The wheels arrived assembled but yet needed to have their steel tire rim pounded onto them while heated red hot. When the steel tires cooled this greatly tightened the spokes into the hub and wheel rim.
The hired wheel wrights spent eight days doing this.
By October, the newly expanded operation was all set to be added to the existing business. Jethro had been procuring heavy freight contracts while Mac and Bekke had been interviewing potential muleteers and other employees and were adding them to the payrolls. Red Hartford stayed on as manager making sure the contracts written before the He had not decided on the roll if any he would play in the future of High Desert Freight.
Meanwhile, Burkhalter Freight was experiencing a serious decline in business.
Inside the office, Burkhalter was steaming. It wasn’t so much the loss of a few thousand dollars a month that disturbed him, it was that his company was losing it’s monopolistic grip on the freight business. The crime syndicate in Chicago was wondering if backing Burkhalter had been a mistake. If the planned freight monopoly in Arizona failed, the Governor of Arizona could begin investigating the numerous complaints brought by other freight companies of strong arm tactics and worse. An investigation could link Burkhalter to the Midwest Irish Chicago crime syndicate. This could bring down the syndicates fledgling freight companies back East. Already the arm of the syndicate that had wormed its way into the steamship docks in California and New York were putting pressure on those in Chicago to dispose of Cecil Burkhalter.
Burkhalter gathered all of his trusted thugs into his office asking, “Who is this Clemens guy that he thinks he can muscle his way into my territory? I want you idiots to start busting up High Desert Freight just as you did to the others. Break a few bones, burn down the barn, steal some freight… crap, if they have any, run over their kids or better yet, rape the guys wife. Just close that damn freight business down!”
What Burkhalter was unaware of was that one of his ‘trusted thugs’ being told to rape and kill was a mole for the Irish dominated Chicago syndicate.
Kevin Jellyroll, the mole, quickly made his way to the telegraph office shortly after the meeting with Burkhalter ended.
SEAN COLLINS COLLINS LTD CHICAGO ILLINOIS
SITUATION NOW OUT OF OUR CONTROL (STOP) NEEDS TO BE IMMEDIETLY DEALT WITH (STOP) SEND MC TO CLEAN UP TRASH ASAP
K O’RIELLY PRESCOTT ARIZONA
What both Burkhalter and O’Rielly were unaware of was that a six foot five Apache Indian had a glass pressed against the other side of Burkhalters office wall. Snake had made his way unseen into the vacant storefront next door where he could listen to the conversation by placing the glass against his ear..
Snake watched O’Rielly exit the building next door and closing his own door behind him tailed O’Rielly to the telegraph office. Once O’Rielly left, Snake entered the small telegraph hut.
The telegraph operator looked up and seeing the giant Indian standing there jumped up trying to appear nonchalant. “C-can I be of assistance Sir?” He asked.
“How much money to send telegram to my brother?”
“Well, it all depends where it’s being sent to and how many words are used.”
“Not know how many words.”
Snake was purposefully stalling for time because when he entered he saw the latest discarded customer notes still lying about on the small counter. As the key operator tried explaining how a telegram fee is determined, Snake put his large elbow over one of the discarded customer notes the key operator had used to send the message.
After three attempts to explain the fee, the flustered operator finally told him ,it will cost one dollar”. No matter the cost, the operator would cover the rest just to get rid of the Indian.
“Hmmm, no got dollar.”
The operator dropped his head loudly onto the counter saying, “Lord, though you slay me, yet will I trust in thee!”
When he looked up the Indian was gone! So was the note used by O’Rielly to send the telegram but he didn’t notice it.
After Snake finished telling his experience to Jethro and Bekke, Jethro called all the pertinent people together to inform them on all the goings on.
“I purposely didn’t tell you all everything because I was unsure of how far Burkhalter would go to hinder our move here. It seems he’s not satisfied with playing fair. In fact, he’s sending his thugs out to cause us as much grief as possible. He’s even told them to accost Bekke if they can. They’ll do anything to intimidate us into quitting even harming our employees.”
“We need to go to the Sheriff!” Someone said.
“He’ll be of no help, the Sheriff is owned by Burkhalter.” Bekke told them. “What you all don’t know is that there are two Federal Marshals in town keeping on eye out for us.”
Bekke had not told anyone that they themselves were Federal Deputies.
One of the men asked her, “So, do they know what you just told us?”
“I’m heading over there to see them right after our meeting here.”
Snake stood up telling her. I go with you. Make sure no harm comes.”
“No Snake, I’ll be fine. It’s the middle of the day and no one is stupid enough to try and do anything in public.”
“Stay on big road, no go in alley.”
“Trust me, I’ll be fine and yes, I’ll walk the main road.”
As Bekke left the assembled group to find the Vance brothers she touched the hidden pocket she had sewn into her dress and felt the cold steel of her pocket pistol.
Bekke had turned onto the northern sidewalk of Cortez st. She had been keeping an eye out for anything that looked threatening. By changing sides of the street she hoped to foil anyone who might be trailing her. As she neared East Gurley Street she once again switched sides. Doing this took her away from the courthouse and alongside a row of small two story brick buildings leased by attorneys and used as their offices.
As she passed an office with a deep entrance way, two men grabbed and pulled her into the dimly lit entrance. She immediately recognized the man who’s jaw she broke earlier on.
“Well what do we have here? Might you be the whore that bastard Clemens is pokin’?”
Bekke struggled, not to get free so much as to get her hand inside of her dresses hidden pocket.
“Now you jes hold still sweet heart, Me an’ my partner here got some manly needs that you can take care of for us. Afterward, if you can walk, we’ll let you go back to your bastard husband. Of course after we all have had our fun, you may jes’ want to stay with us. I mean look at us honey pot an’ tell me if I ain’t the handsome man you been dreamin’ about.”
Bekke smiled wickedly. You are a very handsome man but I think you were even more handsome than before.”
The goons smile faded and formed into a puzzled one. “ Before, before what?”
“Before I broke your jaw, that’s what!”
Suddenly, the man’s face, which wasn’t very handsome at all, changed. His eyes opened wide as it dawned on him who Bekke really was. Turning to his partner, he began to shout, “Dammit, this is the bitch that broke my j…”
He never got a chance to finish his sentence. Bekke’s pocket pistol came crashing into the man’s barely healed jaw bone. As the whites of his eyes replaced his dark pupils, he fell side ways into a heap in the entryway.
His partner had just enough time to reach his hand out in an attempt to knock Bekke’s pocket pistol away. Unfortunately he never should have put his hand in front of the barrel.
She pulled the trigger…twice. Both hot pieces of lead cut through the mans palm like a hot knife in butter. Of course the twin hunks of lead continued past the hand and buried themselves deep into the thugs gut.
The stunned thug stumbled backward falling over his unconscious partner in the process and died before he could make amends with the Lord.
Bekke replaced the spent cartilages and placed the pistol back in the dresses secret pocket.
Sticking her head out from the entryway, she looked first right then left figuring someone surely heard the guns reports. To her relief, no one seemed to hear or maybe being where the attorneys all hung out, maybe they just didn’t care.
She still needed to warn the Vance brothers of the recent events so she stepped back out onto the sidewalk and continued her walk to the Vance Marshals at a leisurely pace.
After hearing the latest from Bekke, Federal special agent Marshal Danny Vance sat looking at his brother “Well Brother, it seems we really have our work cut out for us now. Not only do we need to protect the Clemens and their property but now we also have the unpleasant duty to keep Burkhalter from being taken out by his Chicago cohorts. If they educe in killing him, our case against the Chicago group dries up like a desert water hole.”
“My thoughts exactly Danny. We have no choice now but to split up. You watch Burkhalter and I’ll keep an eye out at the High Desert Freight company for any mischief that might go on. If Cecil Burkhalter was willing to order Bekke’s abduction and rape then we know he’ll stop at nothing…”
At that moment, a loud pounding on the offices front door startled the three. Jumping up with gun drawn, Davy rushed over and unlocked the door. Stepping aside just in case it was an armed thug intent on taking out the two unsuspecting Marshals.
It wasn’t, it was Snake who tumbled into the office.
Seeing it was Snake, Bekke jumped out of her chair and also headed for the door. She noticed the pained look on his face and that he had grabbed the door jamb to keep erect.
“Snake”, she screamed, “you’ve been shot!”
Shaking his head as if that fact was unimportant, he held up three fingers and told the trio, “men come, take Jethro. I kill one, other man shoot Snake.”
“Danny, get a Doctor, he’s bleeding bad.”
Danny rushed out having previously located the three Doctors offices in town. The closest was just around the corner on the second floor.
Davy caught Snake in his arms and gently lowered him to the floor. He tore open Snakes rough woven shirt to inspect the wound. Davy noticed two things that gave him hope that Snake could possible survive the shooting. There was no blood coming from his mouth so his lungs weren’t hit and it wasn’t a gut shot.
Snake lay there in pain but needed to tell the two what happened.
I hear fight, see Jethro on ground, him not awake. Men drag him off to wagon. I pull man from wagon and break neck, red haired man shoot Snake, they take Jethro and drive away.”
In an attempt to slow the bleeding, Bekke had torn a piece of her under skirt off and pressed it over the bullet hole in Snakes upper chest.
“You just lay still now. We’ll comb this town until we find Jethro and deal with his captors.”
Snaked lifted his head telling them, “wagon say in paint, Bu-Burkhalrt Freight.”
“Yeah, I suspect as much.”
Just then the door was flung open and Danny stepped in with the Doctor trailing behind him.
“We need to get him over to my office immediate. That bullet is still in him. Until we get it out I can’t tell how bad it is. Sometimes a bullet lodged inside keeps an artery from bleeding out but I can’t do the surgery here, it’s got to be in my office where I have better light and my surgical equipment.”
The brothers, being pretty darn big themselves, picked up Snake and carried him like a log up to the Doc’s office. Once inside they cautiously laid him on the surgery table. While they were doing this, the Doctor went around and lit a series of gas lamps located along the wall for better lighting. Snake had stopped his moaning on the way upstairs because he fell into unconsciousness.
“He’s out cold but I’m still going to use ether on him to keep him from waking up.”
Fifteen minutes later the sound of a slug being dropped into a steel dish was heard.
“Got it but it did hit a small artery. I tied it off so he’ll not bleed out any more.”
Just then the Doctors door banged open and in came three men carrying the man who’s jaw had just been re-broken, he was still out cold.
Seeing the injured man and having just been told only moments before on how Bekke defended herself, both Marshals pulled leather and yelled for the three upright men to lay broken jaw down and lie on the floor with their hands behind their backs.
Seeing the badges on the two, one man shouted out, “Hey hold on there! We just found this here fella layin in our doorway when we went come back from eating at the cafe. There’s a dead man layin there too but we done left him a layin.”
Seeing the men were good Samaritans and not part of the Burkhalter gang, the Marshals let them go.
After closing the wound and applying a clean bandage over it, the Doctor turned his attention to the broken jawed man on the floor.
“I wonder how that happened,” the Doctor wondered, “looks like his face was hit by a mule kick.”
“It was me Doc, and don’t call me a mule, my names Bekke. These idiots tried to kidnap and rape me just an hour ago. I previously busted that man’s jaw in another skirmish and had to shoot the guy dead he was with in order to escape.”
The Doctor stared wide eyed at Bekke saying,“You did this? Twice? Dang girl! If I was your husband I’d have second thoughts about ever crossing you!” Turning to the Marshals he told them, “ Now, if you two Marshals will help me lay your Indian friend onto the cot in the other room and put this here fella in his place, I’ll see what I can do for his jaw.”
As the three walked out of the Doctors office Bekke turned back and soundly smacked the unconscious thug hard on his head as she passed. In his state he still let out a quiet moan. “I warned him before don’t never call me sweet heart!”
The two Marshals grinned at each other as they began walking down the stairs while the Doctor just shook his head.
Once back at High Desert Freight, the three were over whelmed by the workers there. Each one tried telling the story of Jethro’s abduction louder than his fellow workers. When it was apparent they’d learn no more Marshall Danny shouted for quiet while Bekke reminded them that they still had a days work to finish and that by milling about jawing wouldn’t bring Jethro back any sooner.
Inside her office though, Bekke fell to her knees asking the Lord to protect and return her husband to her.
The brothers knew Bekke needed some time by herself. When she eventually exited her office, her reddened eyes let the brothers know they had made the right decision.
“Davy and I have thought it over and decided that securing Jethro’s safe release is our first priority. Burkhalter’s place. Where sure that’s where they’re holding Jethro. If we have to bust up the place along with some heads, then so be it. Burkhalter’s going to feel the weight of the Federal Marshal Service on his shoulders. It won’t be pretty but we’ll get him back, we promise.”
Promise all you want, but I’m going with you!”
“We kinda figured you say that, let’s go!”
Davy stopped them as they neared the Prescott Sheriffs office saying, “I think it’s about time we arrest our good sheriff and any Deputy showing loyalty to him.”
The Special agent Federal Marshals exposed their badges before stepping inside the jail house. Outside Bekke pinned her Deputy badge over her heart on her dress.
As the two brothers entered the lobby, a single young Deputy sat reading a recently published Dime Novel. Upon hearing the door open the young man finished reading the paragraph, placed a home made book mark inside it and casually looked up expecting to see more relatives intent on seeing the incarcerated. Instead he jumped up knocking his book to the floor when the Marshals entered with guns drawn.
The Deputy, who had not yet noticed the shiny Marshal badges on the men, thought it was a jail break and throwing his hands high into the air, closed his eyes and shouted, “Don’t shoot, I’m not armed!”
Davy stepped up to the quaking young man and told him, “relax son, we’re not after you unless you’re in cahoots with the Sheriff!”
Opening his eyes he saw the badges. “I just started working here yesterday, I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout nothin!”
“Is the Sheriff in his office son?”
“He was a minute ago unless he stepped out to the privy.”
Davy stood on one side of the Sheriffs office door while Danny knocked.
“Dammit Jason do you remember when I hired you that in no way was you to disturb me when I’m interrogating a witness?”
Danny gave the door a powerful kick which nearly tore it off its hinges. Exposed to the Marshals, the young Deputy and all those visitors waiting in the lobby to see their jailed loved ones was a butt naked Sheriff in the act of standing up and poking a crying Mexican woman lying spread out on his desk.
“Danny snorted in laughter, “Must be a new method of interrogation brother, better take notes on it.”
The shocked Sheriff turned and in a rush attempted to grab for his gun. Too bad his holster was hanging over his swivel chair under his pants, shirt and a pair of dirty socks.
Trying to cover his private parts he stuttered, “Wha-wha- what is the meaning of barging in here.”
Seeing the drawn guns and the two gleaming badges he slumped forward against his desk.
“Am I under arrest?”
Davy replied, “You bet.” Then he shouted, “Deputy Jason, would you please open a jail cell for this rutting pig?”
“Yes Sir Marshal!”
After the Sheriff was cuffed and the jail door locked, Danny told the Deputy, “Under no circumstances is he to be allowed visitors.
“Hey what about my clothes?” the jailed Sheriff shouted, “You can’t throw me in jail naked as a j-bird!”
“He’s right Danny.” Dave then walked over to his cell and tossed the Sheriff the pair of socks that had been hung over his chair. “Here, make yourself decent.”
Deputy, “How many empty cells do you have available?”
“The Sheriff took the last one Marshal.”
“You’re full up? How can that be?”
“All I know is the Sheriff and the other Deputies bring them in and after they pay their fine we let them out again.”
“What are their crimes?”
“Uh, jay walking, swearin’ in public an other minor transgressions.”
“What about the Mexican woman in his office? What crime did she commit.”
“I don’t know Sir, all I know is that earlier her husband was jailed for eating a tortilla in public. I thought she had left to find the money to pay his bail.”
“On my authority as a Special agent Federal Marshal I’m telling you to open all those cells and let them all out. We’re coming back shortly and will be filling your cells with real hard case criminals, not jay walkers.”
“Oh, and take a statement from the Mexican woman. I want your Sheriff to hang after he sings in court.”
One more thing Deputy, I want the names and addresses of every Deputy here, and don’t let them know or I’ll have you arrested for aiding and abetting the Sheriff.
“No Sir! My mouth is shut.!”
As the three left the jail they were followed by the onslaught of freed prisoners.
Smiling broadly Bekke commented,“They look mighty happy.”
“Yeah, too bad about the Mex woman. I felt ashamed seeing the Sheriffs official shirt thrown over on that chair. My God, how she must hate lawmen now. Maybe later we can do something for her. The Deputy will take her information down when he takes her statement so we can always look her up later on, see if she’s doing alright.
Before entering Burkhalter business office they spent an hour using a field glass from areas well away from the place. They watched in anticipate as as many as six hard cases entered the place with none coming out.
Danny told them, “We can do this two ways. One is to arrest each man as he comes out of the building and take him to the jail or what I think would be best, is to go in and arrest them all at once.”
Davy like the second method while Bekke left it up to those trained in this.
“Alright then, it’s number two. We need to take ‘em by surprise and that means you and I brother need to enter with a gun in each hand. Bekke, I want you to run over to that general store down the block and buy a hundred feet of thin but strong rope. While Davy and I keep the group covered, I want you to bind their hands and hobble their feet with the rope you just bought.”
Bekke soon returned carrying a coil of rope about half the thickness of a Mexican horse hair riata lasso. Pulling out a brand new Colt 45 she told the brothers,”They had a sale I couldn’t pass up. You get a free holster and two boxes of ammo when you buy a new gun. I wasn’t sure my little pocket pistol would be very intimidating to a pack of hard cases.”
As she told them this, she strapped on the black holster and loaded the new gun and not leaving the sixth chamber empty for safety.
After it was apparent that no more hard cases would be arriving, the brothers decided on the best way to bust into the place.
“Bekke, stay outside and stand away from the door just in case some try to run for it. Yell for them to halt but if they don’t go ahead and aim for their legs. We want as many witnesses alive as possible. If they need killing, do it. We’ll yell out to you when it’s safe to bring in the rope to tie ‘em up. Don’t get yourself hurt, it’s bad enough Jethro is somewhere inside there and once freed I don’t want to have to explain why you got injured. Got it?”
“Got it Danny. Let’s do this.”
As the three moved across the street and headed for their target building they suddenly stopped when they saw a lone man drawing a pistol and entering the building.
Davy put his arm out across his brother to stop him.“Opps, looks like we might have some trouble here. Why would someone draw their handgun if they didn’t mean to use it?”
Danny mused, “I wonder if that guy might be the Chicago person sent to deal with Burkhalter? Let’s get inside before our witness is plugged.”
Davy saw the Chicago hit man enter the foyer and followed. Once past the foyer the two Marshals threw open a set of solid wooden doors that led into the large office’
Danny had the loudest voice so it was left up to him to shout.
“Federal Marshals! Drop your weapons and raise your hands or you’re dead!”
Everyone inside froze… for a couple of heartbeats. Then all hell broke loose.
With his aim partially blocked by the crowd Davy yelled to his brother,“Danny, the Chicago thug, bring him down. He’s going for Burkhalter!”
A number of thugs began pulling pistols out to confront the Marshals but they too had their aim blocked by the crowd. Still three quick shots were fired and Davy saw the Chicago hitman’s head explode into a pink mist. As gruesome as it was it was a help to the Marshals. The men who had been sprayed with the thugs brains and blood turned away in an attempt to prevent anymore gruel from hitting them.
Outside Bekke heard the gunfire and readied herself for action. She didn’t have to wait long.
The front door was thrown open and a thug with pistol drawn ran out.
“On the ground! Now!”
Hearing a female voice shouting orders, the thug was taken back. This gave Bekke the time to swing her heavy Colt like a hammer across the back of the man’s head. He fell into a heap.
Bekke quickly kicked the gun from the man’s hand and pulled out a section of pre cut rope to tie him up. Having years of experience hobbling ornery mules the unconscious man was no challenge. Afterwards she dragged him a short distance from the doorway.
Back inside the gunfire intensified. Some of the gunfire was done so quickly in the crowded office that a number of men shot their own people.
For their protection, both Marshals had stepped behind the heavy courtroom style furniture. Danny found a heavy oak desk as his spot while Davy used a tall hardwood file cabinet for his. The group of assembled thugs had no such protection.
It soon became apparent that the Marshals were winning. One after another hard case dropped their weapons and raised their hands in surrender.
“There’s no way out!”Danny shouted, “We have the building surrounded!”
Hearing this, the rest of the men gave up.
“Davy! Did you see where Burkhalter went to?”
“Last I saw him, he was headed for the back office.”
Pointing to the floor, Danny said, “He’s hit and bleeding bad. He won’t get far.”
Out side Bekke was still fully alert for any action. It was then that she spotted the injured Burkhalter heading for the street after rounding the side of the building. Apparently he had escaped the building by going out one of the buildings rear doors.
Bekke raised her Colt and shouted, “Hold up there Burkhalter or you’re a dead man!”
Burkhalter turned and fired a quick but badly aimed shot at Bekke. Bekke returned fire remembering that Danny had asked her to only wound him.
Burkhalter screamed bloody murder as Bekke’s bullet easily punched through his upper thigh. Falling headfirst into the paved street also did little to help his looks.
Bekke rushed to him, picked up his fallen gun and dragged the screaming Burkhalter out of the street where she tied him up.
“Bekke!” Danny shouted out to her, “We need your rope in here!”
Holstering her gun she walked casually into the building. Once inside the office she immediately saw the gore from the Chicago hit-mans head. She shrugged her shoulders, having seen worse even as a child.
“I got Burkhalter tied up out front along with one of his thugs,” She told the Marshals
“He’ll need a Doctor, ‘cause I had to shoot him in the leg. He’s out there cryin’ his head off like a little baby. I might just go out there and kick him in the leg if he won’t shut up!”
“Probably won’t do much good but you got our and your husbands blessing to do whatever you think is best.”
“My husband? Did you find him Danny?”
“Yep, we found him tied up and gagged in the vacant office next door. He’s fine, just got ruffed up a bit an wearin’ couple black eyes. He said he’d come over here just as soon as he washes his face up some.
Just then the rear door opened and Jethro stepped in. Bekke rushed and threw her arms around him. “Owww, easy hon, I’m a might sore in the rib area but my lips are fine so kiss me!”
Davy had left moments after being told Burkhalter was shot and out front. He wanted to make sure he’d live long enough to hang.
All told five thugs were pushing up daises, four badly injured from gun shots and four had thrown their hands up in surrender for a total of thirteen, including Burkhalter.
After rounding up the walking and injured, Davy hired some good citizens to help transport the thugs to the jail. Only one citizen took the pay saying he was broke, the others were just thrilled to see Burkhalter’s reign of power in their town crushed.
“During Snakes three week recovery from the gunshot wound to his chest, he gradually became accustomed to hotel life. By the end of his stay he was ordering room service for all of his meals, had the barber come and give him a haircut, had a tailor come in to measure him for new shirts, pants and even had the cobbler make him a pair boots.
Mac could hardly recognize his brother when they finally met up the day snake left the hotel. He looked darn right civilized!”
“Jethro and Bekke bought a house a mile north of their freight business on Iron Springs road. It was on the outskirts of town with plenty of big trees along the creek and had a six acre field the seller had cleared for a garden and barn.
No longer would the couple have to hear the goings on in the stable below them like in Globe. With a higher altitude and no smoke from the copper smelters, the two were awestruck at the clear night sky in Prescott.
“Andy continued to operate the Globe Mercantile and Freight business and eventually asked for and was made a partner in it. He’s married, has three children now and the business continued to prosper even after some of the copper mines began closing.
Jethro handed in his Deputy badge telling the Marshals he wasn’t cut out to be a law dog but Bekke kept hers and to this day still retains the title Federal Deputy Marshal of Arizona.”
“Speaking of Bekke, I near forgot to mention this. She was introduced to a Surgeon who after looking at her throat determined he could remove the scar tissue that had caused her to sound like a frog when she spoke, especially when she was younger. She now has a fine woman’s voice but the surgery had no effect on her ‘don’t call me sweet heart’ personality. She remained tough as nails when the need came.”
“High Desert Freight, besides hauling stuff, expanded into the rail crane business in partnership with Buckeye crane and Hoist in Ohio. Manufactured in Chicago where the crime syndicate collapsed like domino’s after numerous witnesses testified in court, including Burkhalter. The Buckeye Clemens Crane Company began producing heavy lift cranes designed to lift rail cars and locomotive steam engines. These rolling steam powered cranes could be seen working at many train derailments and accidents.”
“The brothers Mac and Snake eventually married Whitewater Reservation Apache girls and brought them back to live in Prescott with them. Both Apache’s still ware working for the Clemens.”
“Well, I guess I’m about done with their story here. I don’t get around as well as I used to, bad knee joints, but my wife must ‘ve got used to my penchant for an evening cold beer or two because she bought into the saloon I frequented. It’s just a short walk down the road from the house so each evening you can find me there.
Every now an’ then the Clemens still stop down here in Phoenix for a visit. Last time they brung their yappy dog and two little ones with ‘em.
I still remember as if it was yesterday the day when I saw that young girl carryin’ that big ol’ ten gauge shotgun strutted inside the cafe to kill her pappy. It’s somethin’ how life throw’s its changes at ya’. Never say never ‘cause each time you’ll always be proved wrong. Well, time for my second cold one, cheers to ya!”
Leave a comment Posted in Not so short, short stories, Western Short Stories Tagged arizona westerns, blog, old west stories, short satories, westerns, writing
A two part story combined into one book… at a single book price!
I wrote Bekke’s Law to be a different kind of Western. You will find yourself cheering for her as she struggles to survive in a western world pitted against her, yet in the end, she wins. JW
“My name is Bekke Hillstrand and in a few minutes I’m gonna’ go back inside an’ plug the last of the men I hate. My father. I killed my first man at age seven, pushed him off a cliff as he was makin’ water. He never uttered a word, just made ‘Uh, Uh’ sounds as he went down. I never felt so good, I felt I finally had some control of my life. It took another nine years before number two got it. Him I run over with a freight wagon up in Yavapai County Arizona an’ made it look like a tragic accident. It was hard not to cheer an’ clap as his body tumbled over and over under the wagon bed. He broke four hundred of the two hundred and six bones in his body by the time the wagon passed over him. I’ll tell you about the other four I kilt but first I need to start at the beginning so’s you don’t think I’m a murderess or vile woman. Men do what I’m doin’ all the time out here in the West an’ they simply call it justice served. So why should it be any different just ‘cause I’m a girl?”
Excerpt from Belle’s Law, page 1.
Leave a comment Posted in Western Short Stories Tagged old west, old west short stories, ories, short st, westerns
Donny and his younger brother crept through the tall Texas scrub towards the rocky outcrop where minutes before they heard the apparent screams of a young girl. Turning his head Donny quietly cautioned his impatient brother, “I tell ya’ it’s a Comanche trick Darnell” he whispered, “ that ain’t no innocent white woman in distress you hear screaming off in the distance. Least ways she ain’t one no more. Them devils have a nasty habit of stealing young girls then as they grow up they’s used to draw those to ‘em that just want to help. They ain’t white no more but they ain’t Indian neither, what they is, is bait! ”
At twenty three, Darnell was still prone to rash impatience. He nervously stroked the sparse blond whisker stubble on his chin. “I don’t know Donny, I am not convinced. I say we hurry up and save her! Why it might just be a bunch a no good rustlers that is tryin’ to have their way with a helpless traveler.”
At the age of thirty Donny had seen and heard more of the West than his younger brother had so it gave him an edge on wisdom. Blond and blue eyed like his younger brother, the two looked like a pair of bookends except for an old scar that cut across Donny’s forehead.
“We’ll sneak up a bit closer till we get to the shorter brush, but whatever you do Darnell, do not lift your head to take a look. Them Comanche is scourin’ the tops of this brush waiting for some unsuspecting cow poke to go in for the rescue. They know whites and Mexicans have this thing about savin’ a screamin’ woman. Once you raise up your head, they’ll see ya’ and a minute later you all will be playin’ a card game with the devil with your throat cut.”
Taking over an hour to travel the hundred or so yards, they were finally in range to view the tied up screaming girl. Without raising up, the brothers could now partially see between the scrub. In the clearing ahead of them the girl sat on the ground with her hands behind her back tied to a small dead Mesquite tree.
Donny crept silently up next to his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Oh, they’s good all right!” He whispered, “Before we do anything further, you tell me exactly what you see.”
“Damn Donny, this isn’t the time for a classroom lecture, that poor girl needs our help, and fast!”
In a sharp whisper, Donny repeated, “Describe to me what you see!”
“God, if you must know, I see a young brown haired girl, maybe eighteen years old, wearing a dirty dress and bare feet tied up by Indians waiting to be rescued. That is what I see brother! What in all your great Western wisdom do you see that is any different?”
“Plenty. First off, look at her skin, what looks like dirt ain’t, she’s darker than a city bred white girl. How many women do you know other than a farmer’s wife allows herself to get that dark from the sun? None, women prefer to be pale skinned. Then take a look at her dress. What girl do you know would wear a dress that many sizes too big? Not only that, look between her legs, no personals being worn!
You know of a girl who’d go around showin’ off her kahoochie like that? Now git your eyes off of that area an’ look at her feet. The bottoms are as calloused as a cowboy’s ass on a cattle drive. No white girl would be caught dead lookin’ like that. Indians ain’t up to fashion or knowin’ what a woman dresses like. That dress was probably taken off an older woman who was a lot heavier. Look how baggy it is. Our Maw Maw used to have a dress like that, remember? Ain’t no young girl gonna’ be seen dead in such a thing! Now, look closely at her hair. It’s tied up in the Comanche fashion an’ there sure ain’t no style to her cut.
No Sir Darnell, that there is what’s called bait! Let’s move on back a bit where we don’t have to whisper. Besides, They’s only gonna’ wait for so long before they figure out we didn’t get fooled”
A half hour later they had backed off a good fifty or so yards. It was a scorcher of a day and both were glad to be hidden in the cooler shade of large mesquite tree.
Laying motionless Darnell looked over to his brother. Darnell could now see the errors of his ways. He felt pride welling up inside him as he stared at his brother. Finally having to no longer whisper so quietly, Darnell yet took the precaution of speaking in a low tone.
“Damn but you’re good Donny!” He said. “If it had been me, I would have rushed on out there like a sheep going to slaughter. I apologize for the Western wisdom crack, you were right. What do we do now?”
“Well, for the last two days we’ve been bein’ tailed by a band of about ten or so. I didn’t want to get you all worked up so I kept it to myself. They’ve been pacing us a couple miles to the north as we travel west. The closer we get to Amarillo the safer we get. I figured they only had a day or two left to make their move if they planned to make one. I guess this here is where they planned to trick us”
Darnell shook his head saying, “Here I was thinking we had the trail to ourselves. I’ve actually been keeping a good eye out for trouble but was always looking behind us.”
Donny looked over at his brother, “Sometimes they will have a few tail from behind to get noticed. That way you think you spotted them. Your attention is drawn to that group and meanwhile the real trouble is riding right beside ya’. Ya’ get so intent on watchin’ your behind that they can ride right upside you before you know it.”
“I wished I had stayed in Texas learning all this Western like keeping alive stuff rather than being forced to attend school back East.”
“You’ll have plenty of time for learning the Western way brother, just as long as we can survive that long! Besides, one of us needed to learn our letters, how else were we gonna’ run our new bought ranch?”
The two lay hidden in the brush for what seemed like hours to Darnell before the girl gave up yelling. By then she was as hoarse sounding as an old saloon whore who smoked too much. Not long after she quit screaming the cautious head of an Indian popped up, looked quickly around and disappeared. Soon his head was followed by others wearing disgruntled and frustrated looks.
Donny lightly touched Darnell’s arm and again in a whisper told him, “Just be still brother. If we’re lucky they’ll head back to where their horses are tied up at and we can sneak back to ours and skedaddle out of here without bein’ seen.”
Suddenly the brothers heard what sounded like punch and someone gasping for air. The beating continued with the brothers giving each other questioning looks.
Lightly pressing on his brother’s shoulder Donny raised up enough to see if he could tell what or who was getting the beating. After a couple of heartbeats Donny lowered himself slowly back down.
“Damn it, they’s takin’ it out on the girl Darnell. Comanche bastard! Blame everyone else for their own failures. They know we’re somewhere nearby and by us not fallin’ for their trick, they feel the girl failed at her job.”
A loud slap and thud where heard then someone urinating.
Darnell face was red with anger. “Are they pissing on her?”
“Yup, at least one of ‘em is. Probably the one who owns her. He’s tryin’ to save face.”
“Are we just going to lay here like nothing is happening and let them beat her to death?”
“They won’t kill her, if they did, who would do their cooking and do the camp chores? No, they’ll beat her till she loses consciousness then leave her behind. If she hasn’t made it to the agreed upon meeting spot by nightfall, they’ll figure she up and died. If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll wake up quick like and head for their camp and make no complaints about the beating she just got.”
“What are you saying? I can’t believe my own brother would say something that cruel!”
“It ain’t me! It’s them you gotta’ be pissed at! That’s the way they is. She was most likely born to a captive or is a captive herself. She ain’t one of their tribe, no more than a camp dog is. It’s what they do to captives, use ‘em and throw ‘em away when they ain’t of any further use. She’ll never be part of the tribe, not like a warriors wife is.”
A few minutes later they could hear the Indians making their way quietly back to where their horses were being kept. The young girl still lay unmoving when the brothers heard the distinct sounds of horses galloping off to the east.
Darnell looked questioning at his brother and asked, “Can we go now and see if she is still alive? If she’s still breathing we need to help her.”
“Sure, they rode off away from Amarillo. They’ll get back to wherever their band’s camped out at without pay’n the girl no more mind. If they were interested in keepin’ her, they woulda’ just rode off a couple of miles and made camp waiting for her return. It’s their way of disciplining children and women. Since they rode off instead, I’m figgerin’ they left her to die.”
The two carefully made their way through the brush until they could plainly see the girl. Taking one last look around, they stepped into the clearing.
Looking down at the girl, they could see how badly she had been beaten. Her face was battered black and blue with both eyes swollen shut. She may have been pretty but thinking that now was ludicrous. There wasn’t much that wasn’t bleeding, swollen or deeply bruised and her damp hair smelled of urine.
Darnell turned aside and putting his knuckles into his mouth swore. “What the hell kind of animals are these people? I couldn’t even do that to my worst enemy.”
Meanwhile Donny removed his shirt then knelt down and lifting her head placed his shirt under it. “Darnell, go get the horses, bring ‘em here and then give me one of the canteens. She’s got a mouth full of blood. With all this blood, we can’t tell if a ribs been broke an’ punched a lung or if she just lost some teeth. Loosen up a blanket from behind my saddle too.”
Darnell went speeding off no longer fearing the Indians. He was too upset. When he returned, Donny had removed the girls torn dress so they could check her other injuries. “Take that canteen and clear out her mouth and nose real well while I tear my extra shirt into strips. She needs some cleaning up and I think her wrist might be broke, look how swollen it is.”
Meanwhile Donny walked over to his horse and untied his blanket from behind the saddle. After cutting a hole in the center with his knife, he fashioned a crude Mexican style serape to replace her missing clothes. Darnell grabbed the discarded dress and soaking it with water from the canteen, washed her face, mouth and blood off of her chest.
Satisfied she was as clean as she could be, Darnell knelt beside her and rotated her wrist checking for broken bones. “I think they just tore up her ligaments by beating her when her hands were tied, I don’t feel any grinding of bones.”
Knowing that an expert eye was needed to keep watch for trouble, Donny handed over the responsibility of caring for the girl to Darnell. “I need to keep us safe and keep our larder full of fresh game to eat. Caring for her is going to have to be up to you till we reach the ranch. I sound like you picked up some Doctoring skills back East at school. You know something about caring for wounds?”
“As a matter of fact I do. To help support myself back East during the summer school breaks, I took a job helping out an old Doctor to make his house calls. Much of it was just driving the buggy but there came times I had to assist him in surgery too.”
Donny then gladly deferred the girls care to Darnell.
A couple of crude stitches to the gash on her scalp slowed the rest of the bleeding. She had not regained consciousness yet but Darnell thought that might be for the better. He pried open her cleaned out mouth to find a huge gash where her teeth had been driven almost through her cheek. It was this gash that had filled her mouth with blood. There was little he could do for that wound but he knew time would close it.
Donny decided to make camp right there rather than try to get her on a horse. She remained unconscious so they built a small fire without the fear of any further attack. By now the group of Comanche’s were far beyond camp fire sight.
Sometime during the night, the girl woke up and moaned. Darnell was immediately at her side trying his best to calm her and dribbled the cool canteen water over her lips.
She jerked up in fright but the need for water over rode her fear and she settled back down. She drank as a child does when learning to use a cup. Spilling more on herself than what made it down her throat. She winced in pain at each swallow. Darnell let her drink though she wasted most of it, there was plenty more water in the other canteens. She finally pushed the canteen away and lay back upon the rolled up shirt pillow where she once again passed out.
Donny woke up before dawn and duck walked over to where the girl lay. Darnell was up and squatting beside her. Pointing to her in the morning darkness, Donny asked, “Do you think she will be alright? I’m not much for human injuries, now if she were a cow, that’d be different.”
Darnell had spent the night beside the girl. “I suppose so.” He answered. “We’ll have to see come daylight when I can see better. They kicked her belly and ribs up pretty good. I hope she ain’t bleedin’ inside.”
“Do you want me to sit up with her so’s you can get some shut eye?”
Darnell started blowing on the coals that his brother had banked when they retired for the night. “Naw, I’m fine, I’m used to bein’ awake most the night. It comes with studying for college exams. Besides, she isn’t going to wake up for a bit yet and I was going to make up another pot of coffee anyway.”
When morning broke open it was a fairly uneventful event. The sun hid itself behind a grey cloud bank that had moved in from the west during the late night hours. The chill in the morning air meant the summer had waned and fall was going to be soon upon them. If they were going to get the ranch set up for winter they needed to be moving on.
Donny finished pouring himself another cup of coffee and started refilling Darnell’s when he asked about the girl. “Is she still alive? She looks kind of dead to me.”
“She’s alive but for how long I don’t know. I noticed fresh blood comin’ from between her legs. I guess her belly got it worse’n we thought. Poor kid. A woman’s kind of fragile down that way.”
Donny wandered over to where the girl lay. Looking down at her he felt a pang of sympathy run through him. Reaching down he pulled the cover over her that his brother had placed on her but had slipped during the night. He sighed heavily and sat down next to her with his coffee.
Darnell watched the expression of care cross his brothers face and thought to himself, “No woman should ever be treated like this, Indian or white”.
Darnell’s mind traveled back to the girls he knew back east and the stark difference between those he had courted and this young girl fighting for her life. He realized how shallow most of those girls were.
They had never been asked to shoulder any serious issues but instead were kept ignorant of any day to day struggles. Comparing the two, the eastern girls reminded him of play dolls in a playhouse. Then taking his thoughts further, he began to see how truly sheltered he himself had been.
Turning to look at his brother, Darnell realized he was a child in the wilderness compared to Donny. “Hey, Donny. I need to ask you something. Be straight up and honest with me now. Am I really needed in this ranching venture or is this just a way of keeping an eye on your younger brother to keep him from getting himself into a mess?”
Donny tossed the coffee grounds from his cup and set it down. He didn’t answer right away. It was important this be settled once and for all and settled correctly.
“Every year that I drove cattle I had one dream that kept me goin’. Brother, there was times I thought it would be easier to just lay down and die rather than go one more day. Drivin’ cattle wears a body down quick. I got more bones broke than I got hairs. I got froze feet, frozen fingers and once I took too long pee’n I about froze my lizard off! Dust, I ate more dust than a farmer needed to grow a crop in. I had horses die under me and Injuns steal ‘em from under my nose. But, I’d do it all over again if it was the only way to get the money together to buy us our own ranch. Before Paw Paw died he made me promise I’d do better than he did. He always dreamed of ownin’ his own place but never got the chance. Part of it was, he could have but he didn’t trust himself. With no schoolin’ he knew any ranch he built would probably fail because he knew nothing about the books.
It’s not just knowin’ how to raise cattle but how to handle the money you make that makes or breaks a ranch. Heck, if it weren’t for Maw Maw’s cookie jar Paw Paw would a come up short time and time again. That’s why he made me promise I’d see you get schooled.
Hell Darnell, there ain’t no way I could do better’n Paw Paw without you. Both of us have dreamed of doin’ this since we was kids. I know we both imagined as kids we’d be ridin’ the range together on horseback and sing’n songs around a campfire at night, but you and I both know them was just us kids dreamin’. Truth is, ridin’ the range is hard an’ then you get home an’ find out there’s bills to be paid. No, neither of us could do this on our own. It’s both as equal partners or none at all.”
Darnell knew truth when he heard it and looking up at Donny told him, “Well, since you put it like that, I guess I could see myself sitting in a warm house comfortably sitting my desk slaving over the ranch books while you play cowboy in the snow at thirty below zero!”
Donny was about to answer when the young girl moaned and woke up.
Darnell was the first to react to the girl’s plea for more water. Rushing beside her, he grabbed up the canteen and gently lifted her head. Her hands found his as he guided the canteen to her lips. After four or five full gulps, he backed the canteen off telling her, “Not too much. I don’t want you throwing up, you swallowed a lot of blood, that and too much water will get you to throwing up.”
The girl looked up at the handsome blond haired, blue eyed young man that was kind to her and thanked him. “Thank you. But, you are in danger for my sake, Coyote Legs will lead the band back here to kill you.”
Donny made his way over and squatted beside the two on his haunches. “No, I think we’re alright Miss. They rode off to the East. I’m afraid they left you for dead. They would have come back for you before this if it were so.”
The girl looked up at Donny and replied, “I hope so. If they return, kill me quickly or I will be tormented again. Coyote legs will not let me die quickly. I failed to trap you, therefore it is he who wears the shame because it is he who owns me.”
Darnell was looking at her with a stern look on his face. “Miss, no one owns you, not no more anyways. But tell me, why in the world did this Coyote legs fella follow us for so long? It ain’t like we got anything but a few horses between us. He coulda’ just run us down a couple days back and been done with us.
She shrugged her shoulders and replied. “Who knows. Coyote legs does not think straight. He becomes angry and driven to foolishness for no reason. I saw with my own eyes as he choked his own mother until she was dead. No one held him to blame because they are all afraid of him and the Spirits that speaks to him. He says Spirits speak in his head and give him the power to see inside of a man’s skull so everyone fears him. If you do not, it means your death. I did hear him say recently that he wanted to take the living heart from a white man to offer up to the Spirits. Maybe it was your heart that he wanted that he chases you so far.
Darnell continued to look questioningly at her then suddenly as if forgetting his manners apologized for not introducing himself. “This is my brother Donny, my names Darnell. We are on our way to a ranch we just bought just west of Amarillo.”
“My name is Wetu Wakinyela. It means Dove in the springtime in the Lakota tongue. I am white but lived with the Lakota Sioux since I was a child. My mother and I had become captives after a Sioux raid on our home. In that raid my father was killed and in less than a moon, my mother in her grief took her own life. I was without family so was given to an old Indian woman to be cared for. Years later while at a rendezvous, I was bought by a French trapper named La Fell just before my first blood. La Fell was a good man and was going to take me to the soldiers fort to be among my own people when I was old enough to marry. As we traveled through the land, Coyote legs of the Comanche found us before we reached the fort. La Fell was killed and since that time Coyote legs has owned me. He named me but I will no more speak that name. It has now been five winters since my first blood and I am now a woman who is again called Wetu Wakinyela.”
Donny spoke saying, “So that makes you about eighteen, nineteen at the most. Are you with child?”
“No, why do you ask me that?”
“You’re bleedin’ from between your legs Miss. We saw that Comanche kickin’ your belly. I was wonderin’ if he might’a been tryin’ to kill a child within’ ya’.”
“No, I am having my woman’s blood, that is all. It was one of these reasons that Coyote legs became so angry with me. A warrior cannot go into a woman during her bleeding time. If a warrior enters a woman whose time it is to bleed, he will lose his power and die with shame in battle. When he tied me up and I started to scream so that you would believe I was a white woman in peril, he became feverish with lust. He wanted to take me right then and would have but his warriors convinced him to wait until they had captured you. When he realized the two of you were not fooled by my screams he became very strange eyed and was going to enter me in anger even with his men standing about. As he spread me, it was then that he saw my blood, my San We. He became crazy angry and that is when he started beating me.”
Darnell shook his head saying, “I’ll get you some cloth for your bleeding Spring Dove. It’ll be a few days before your healed enough to travel so we’ll stay put right here until you can ride. Once you’re good to travel though we need to hurry off. Winters coming and we have a lot of work to do before then.”
“Where am I to ride too? I will not return to Coyote legs, he will kill me!”
Darnell glanced over at Donny before turning back to the girl. Nervously cratching his unshaved whiskers he said, “Well, I was thinking you could ride along with us to our ranch.”
Quickly glancing back at Donny, he defensively told him, “Shoot Donny, we can’t just leave her here!”
“Settle down little brother, I had the same thoughts. I’m just not sure what we’ll do with her once we get there.”
“Well, we could use a hand around the place doing the washing and do the cooking…” Looking back at Spring Dove he asked, you can cook and do wash clothes can’t you?”
“Not as a white woman does but If you teach me I will cook and do the wash as you want. I have nowhere to go and I will die here in the brush if left I am left behind. I know now that I am dead to Coyote legs or he would have come back by now.”
Three days after finding the girl, they broke camp and headed towards Amarillo. Each brother had brought along a spare horse and a pack mule when they left the stage at Fort Worth. To Darnell’s amazement the pack mules fared much better than the horses on the Texas plain. He had always heard mules were difficult beast, not worth the effort to own one. Spring Dove rode on Darnell’s spare mount as Donny’s was a bit too feisty for the still bruised girl. They made their way north until they hit the town of Claude, then headed west again until they reached the cool waters of Prairie Dog River. There they camped again as their new ranch was only a few hours ride south of Amarillo.
They could have made it by nightfall but decided to wait and leave in the morning. Only Donny had seen the place and that was a good six months earlier. He was sure the place would need a might of tidying up to make it habitable.
It was the hours just before dawn that Darnell awoke with the pressure building to relieve himself. Being a bit shy and city bred, he removed himself a good fifty yards out to do his watering. Donny had opened his eyes to watch his brother leave camp and kept them open until he was seen returning. It was the slight movement of a shrub in the moonlight behind Darnell that caught Donny’s eye. He instantly became alert.
When Darnell entered the camp Donny quietly bade him to lie down as if asleep. “There’s something out there moving the brush. It might just be an animal but then it might not be.”
Quickly, Donny crept on his belly over to where the packs had been tied and removed a storm canvas from one of the packs. Creeping silently back, he then placed and shaped the canvas into the crude form of a body and placed his hat on the one end. From a distance, it appeared to resemble a sleeping cowboy. Still crawling on his belly, he slipped silently out of camp.
Darnell lay with his gun ready hidden under his blanket. His newly purchased western style big brimmed Stetson hat was tilted just enough over his eyes to hide their movement. It was getting close to dawn when the girl woke. “Hush girl,” he told her, “ Don’t move none. There’s movement in the brush. Donny’s out there somewhere taking a look see.”
Frightened, the girl obeyed the order instantly.
Meanwhile in the brush, Donny had crept to within the general area where he noted the brush movement. It had not moved since but Donny was no fool. Indians were best at waiting. That was the biggest downfall of white men. They just get too impatient.
Donny scanned the tops of the brush looking not for a head to appear but something even harder to see. With the temperature just above freezing, he scanned the area for the one thing a warm blooded animal cannot hide, their breath.
As the eastern sky broke open with a slit of golden sunshine, the sun lit vapor from the breaths of two warm blooded stalkers could be seen rising slowly from above the brush. A tight smile broke across Donny’s face. He had them spotted.
Within fifteen minutes the one vapor trail had moved closer to the camp while the other stayed put. He needed to dispatch the one staying put as he was the back up and the most dangerous in an attack. The idea was that as the closest one to camp would reach the point where he could then rush into the camp surprising everyone. Meanwhile, it was the job of the one further back to do the actual killing. The one up front would grab the attention of the camp and draw all eyes towards him, leaving the second one free to take his time aiming his accurate and deadly fire into the group.
Donny crept unseen and unheard to within ten feet of the furthest attacker. He was surprised to see one of the Comanche’s that had ridden off with Coyote Legs. That would mean that the one in front must be Coyote Legs himself!
Silently gathering his Legs under him Donny formed into a human spring. With his knife pointed forward he sprung.
Hearing the slight sound of Donny’s launch behind him, the Indian turned his head in surprise. At the same time, the tip of Donny’s knife entered his throat just under the chin. immediately it silenced the murderous stalker.
Coyote Legs had no idea what had just happened to his back up so he confidently continued silently onward to the camp until he reached the point of no return.
Having made his way unnoticed as close as he could get, Coyote Legs then leaped up with a terrible scream. Running madly into the camp with his rifle ready to blast the sleeping trio, he faltered.
Two things surprised and confused Coyote Legs causing him to falter in his attack. The first was that the trio seemed unconcerned that he was rushing the camp screaming as if sound alone would kill them. None jumped up in fright. The second was that there were no well aimed rifle slugs plowing into the sleeping forms from behind him. A catch in the running Indians scream showed Darnell that Coyote Legs had come to the conclusion that something was very wrong. Dropping his voice to a questioning shout, Coyote Legs turned to look behind him to see why no gunshots from his fellow Indian had not been fired.
He began to doubt the effectiveness of his plan and slowed his attack, which gave Darnell plenty of time to stick the tip of his pistol barrel from under the blanket and fire away five times in rapid succession.
Hearing the familiar sound of Darnell’s pistol, he calmly rose and made his way in the morning sunlight back to the camp. There he found Coyote Legs sprawled head first in the embers of the previous night’s campfire. Pulling him from the hot embers, Donny rolled him over onto his back.
“Nice shooting brother, I knew my old gun would do you well.”
Donny sat still wrapped in his bedroll looking at the smoking revolver. “Oh my God, I shot him dead!”
Five times the lead slugs had punched the life out of the insane Indian called Coyote legs and five times Donny had shot his first man to death.
Donny went back to retrieve the body of the Indian he had ambushed back in the brush. He knew the Indian had been bound and determined to kill him but Donny reasoned that even an enemy deserves a proper send off to the happy hunting grounds.
After the burials, Donny turned to Darnell and asked, “How you doing Brother? I meant to ask earlier on but we’ve been too busy here for a chat.”
“I’ll do OK. I never imagined I’d have to kill somebody but then maybe in the back of my mind I knew it was inevitable, being so near Indians and all.”
“For the most part things have settled down but there’s a few renegades still trying to reclaim what had been theirs. You have to look at it from their viewpoint at times to make sense of things. But, Coyote Legs was a different creature all together, not like the rest of the tribe. He was as evil a man that you ever saw.”
Spring Dove had been listening to the brother’s talk and as a captive female slave for so long held back her thoughts from turning into words. She saw how these men did not hate for the sake of race or prejudice but instead had fought and killed, risking their own lives for her sake.
It moved her deeply to see that as it was something no one had ever done for her before. La Fell was kind but he would not have risked his life for her, even if he did die in the end.
She stole a lingering glance at the younger brother Darnell and admired the silent strength he had just displayed. Remembering the kindness and concern he had showed to her when she lay broken and bleeding made her come to the conclusion that he would make the most wonderful husband. Of course, she frowned; he would never look at her in that way.
The brothers ranch lay alongside the Prairie Dog River. Behind and to the south not five miles off was the largest hidden Canyon in all of Texas. The prairie grass grew tall in these parts and at the site of the ranch, Darnell knew his brother had done right.
“How big is the place? I mean I know the acreage but how big by the eye?” Darnell asked.
“See that rise a few miles off? That’s the north end. The east and west end forget about seein’, it’s too far away. The south end is almost to the cliff of the canyon.”
“Holy…!” Darnell exclaimed.
“I see a bunch of buildings, is that part of the ranch or is that another ranch?”
“Nope, it’s all ours. The ranch house has not been occupied since the owners death but I sent word on ahead last month sayin’ we’d be showing up about now. Do you remember me talking about my old trail pard Bud? Yes? Well I went an’ hired him early on after the sale to oversee the place till we got there. He’s also the ranch foreman here. I told him to round up a mess of trusting hands to add to those that stayed on during the sale of the place watching over the herd. When the old owner passed away and the ranch was put up for sale, his family wanted nothing to do with cattle so we got them thrown in cheap. Bud knows near everybody as he’s been livin’ the cowboy life since he was a tot. He said he already had a full list of folks he wanted to get hold of to work here. We’ll be up an’ running in no time.”
An hour later brought the three up to the main corral gate just behind large barn. Inside the corral stood a wiry old grey headed fellow holding the reigns of a horse he’d been working. Throwing the reigns over the horn, he made his way nonchalantly over to the three as they stopped at the gate.
Looking at an imaginary pocket watch the trail bred old man scolded, “Well it’s about time ya’ got here, I was about to file for ownership of the place figurin’ you all was dead somewhere or came to your senses an’ gave up the idea of ranchin!”
Breaking into a wide smile Donny sarcastically replied in jest, “Hello to you too Bud, I see you’re as ugly and decrepit as ever you was! I’s half figurin’ you’d’ve fallen over with a heart attack before we got here.”
Pointing to the young man and girl that rode in with Donny, Bud asked, “Who’s them two that’s with ya’?”
Nodding his head first to his Darnell then to Spring Dove he replied in a more serious manner, “This here is my younger brother Darnell straight from Yale college back east and the young lady with us outfitted in my old blanket is Spring Dove. We found her along the way in dire straits and convinced her she’d be better off being our cook than becoming vulture feed on the prairie.”
Looking first at the young man he acknowledged him with a friendly nod then turned his eyes upon the girl. As fast as a man jumps back from the electrical shock he gets walking in wool socks on a carpet, the old man’s eyes blinked wide open then just as quickly closed, it was as if what he saw pained him. With a slight shake of the head, the old man reached for the girls hand and clasped it. “Ma’am it’s a real pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I hope you find the ranch here to be the end of your trails.”
The girl blushed in shyness. Her hand released, Spring Dove smiled back at the man but she saw something in his eyes that said there was something deeper to his greeting than just a welcome.
The extra ranch hands that had been hired by Bud had arrived in two’s and three’s until the ranch boasted sixteen hands. Most all had worked at one time or another with each other which creating a festive mood when the men’s dinners were served. The ranch house continued its transformation from an abandoned house to one thriving with life and Spring Dove was not without transformation herself. Old Bud and Darnell had early on made a necessary trip into Amarillo for supplies. While there, the two went shopping for Spring Dove. When she opened the wrapped parcels she refused to wear the garments as she had never worn clothes as fine as these. Confounded, the men insisted they were as plain as they had for sale at the dry goods mercantile. Not knowing much about female garments, they had purchased as simple of clothing as possible. When she finally consented, only one word could be applied to her, beautiful.
Spring Dove worked closely with Biscuit in the kitchen who was the middle aged ranch cook hired to once again serve up meals at the place. Spring Dove was a quick learner but was still confounded in trying to operate the giant wood cook stove sitting in the ranch houses kitchen. Until she became more proficient at controlling the iron beast, Biscuit stood nearby overseeing her culinary expertise. Flap jacks seemed to amaze her the most.
Making a roast or frying bacon had close similarities to Indian cooking but a frying pan that transformed a soupy liquid into a fluffy saucer shaped piece of bread never ceased to start her giggling.
Biscuit was amused as he watched a smile burst forth on the young girls face each time she dropped a ladle of batter into the pan. “What’s so darn funny about makin’ flap jacks Dove?” Along with most others on the ranch, Bud had also begun using the shortened name Dove for her.
“How does it turn from water to bread? We have no food that does this.”
“Huh? Oh, simple, it’s called rising. See that there bit of white powder you been putting in? Well that makes it bubble and them bubbles get trapped inside makin’ it hold its shape.”
“If you say so, but I still don’t understand. I have much to learn yet.”
“Trust me here, you’ll get the knack of it soon enough. I taught worse’n you how to handle a frying pan.”
Dove stopped stirring the next batch of batter and asked. “How did you learn to cook? Indian men don’t cook, it is beneath them unless they are away from the camp and have no choice but to cook or starve. Even then, many bring someone like myself to do the cooking. Here, the men admire you because you can cook, why?”
“You can thank Bud for that. He hired me on years back as a young man. The ranch cook he had was getting on in age so when we bumped into each other and he found out I had no job, he offered one to me as a cooks helper on the ranch. I took too it like a dog to a bone! Come Christmas time wait till you see what kind a meal I roll on out here.”
Dove once again started giggling and seeing the questioning look on Biscuits face she quickly explained why she found him funny. “I do not laugh at your cooking but the way you explain things. We never use words like ‘Dog to a bone’. It makes so much sense that I wonder why we don’t say things like that?”
Biscuit took the bowl from her hands and began drizzling a ladleful of batter into the skillet. “I’m not one to pry Dove, but just how did it come about that you ended up comin’ in with Donny and Darnel? I heard they rescued you from Ol’ Coyote Legs and his group.”
Not being used to chairs she still felt the need to sit down. Scooting her legs under the table to relieve the awkward position she ended up sitting in, she stared blankly at the painted ceramic cow shaped creamer sitting before her.
A serious look then crossed her face as if the memories hurt to be recalled “I was a young child when the Lakota Sioux were still fighting the whites. My family was attacked by the Sioux one day and only I ended up surviving. The Lakota are good people, they cared for me. As time went by it became difficult for them to hide me from the white soldiers. They feared if the soldiers found me it would go badly for the tribe. I was told all this by the Frenchman La Fell who bought me from the Sioux in order to take me away from the prying eyes of the soldiers. I must have been five or six years of age then. La Fell was kind to me and made me learn the language of the whites as I grew older. He wanted me to marry and have a good life. Coyote Legs did not want that. I am glad he is dead. The brother Darnell shot him many times. I only wished it was from my own gun.”
“Did he have someone in mind when he took you to find a husband?”
“No, he just wanted me to be have the chance.”
“I see how you look at Darnell, you got an idea about that?”
“Darnell would never have me no matter how much I wish. He is a fine man who deserves much better than I.”
“Don’t kid yourself lass. Only a blind man wouldn’t see how he follows you around like puppy dog. My bet is that the two of you feel the same way about each other but are too convinced the other would never have ya’.”
Dove’s well tanned face became red. Then with a twinkle in her eye she said wishing, “Maybe you should tell him that.”
That evening as the men sat smoking cigarettes on the porch, Bud told the story the girl had told him about her childhood.
Old Bud listened saying nothing until Biscuit had ended the tale. “You say she was from Kansas?”
“No, that’s where her and this La Fell person met up with Coyote Legs. She never said where she lived before the Sioux raided her place.”
“Well if it were the Lakota then she may have come from Nebraska or even Iowa. The Dakota had a fair sized range as they traveled with the buffalo.”
“Yep, I suppose so. What difference does it make?”
“Maybe none, maybe something.”
Before any further conversation could go on, the screened door of the house opened and out came Dove holding a tray of glassware. “I have made the drink you call lemon… lemon….”
Bud spoke up to help out Dove’s lack of English words. “Lemonade dear. We call it lemonade but don’t ask why the ‘ade’ part is on there. Maybe it means drink, I don’t rightly know. How’d you know about lemonade?”
“We make a drink from roots and when I told biscuit this he told me of lemonade.” With a chuckle she continued saying, “I made it the way Biscuit said. If it taste bad then scold him, not me!”
Chuckling themselves the rest of the men were thankful for the cool citrus drink and thanked her mightily.
As Dove turned to return inside, Bud called out to her to hold up. “Say Dove, would you give an old man a minute to satisfy his curiosity? Sit down here on the stoop next to me, will ya?”
Dove made her way over to the stairs and sat next to the old grey haired man. Placing the drink tray upon her lap, she folded her hands upon it. “yes?”
Bud scratched the top of his head and took his time searching for the right words. Finally realizing there was no good way to ask the question that he wanted an answer to, he exclaimed.
“Dove, would you take off the shoes you have on?”
Dove instantly began unlacing the tall boots she had been given to wear. “With joy! How do women wear these? The next time we go to town I want to go with you so I can buy ones that fit me!”
Wiggling and stretching her bare feet brought a smile to her face. “That feels much better. Maybe I should go back to wearing moccasins!”
The men laughed with her but smiling, Bud remained serious. “Can I see the bottom of your feet dear?”
The strange request made Dove pause but she shrugged her shoulders and complied. Sticking the bare feet up toward old Bud she wiggled her toes. “See, I have all my toes, did you think I was missing them?”
As she sat there with her feet in the air a change came over Buds face. It softened. Buds eyes became moist and soon tears were seen tumbling down the old man’s cheeks.
Startled, Dove sat upright and searching the old man’s face asked, “What is wrong? Did I do something wrong? Why do you sit here making tears?”
Old Bud choked back a cry he couldn’t hold back. “I knew it! I knew it the moment I first laid eyes on you and to top it off your story was the icing on the cake! It was like I was starin’ at my own daughter. You look just like your Mama!”
Confused, Dove shook her head. “What do you mean? Please tell me what you mean,” She begged.
The group of men sitting casually on the porch suddenly felt they should have been anyplace else but on the porch. Still none moved as their curiosity was killing them.
Bud looked through his tears and told her. “You was born in Iowa, on a nice farm just up the way from your grandma and me. My daughter Rebecca, your Mama, was my pride and joy. You are as beautiful as she was. I have a painting of her in my room upstairs. When you see it you will believe me.”
Shaking her head in confusion she asked, “But why did you make me remove my shoes? And why do you say what you say?”
“Because, I needed to be sure before makin’ a old fool of myself. An old man dreams dream’s and sometimes he thinks those dreams are real when they ain’t nothin’ but fools gold. I needed to see the only proof that can tell me for sure. You see, there is a small birthmark between your little toe and the next one. So you know I am not making this up, Here is a note I wrote yesterday when I knew I was going to ask you to show me your feet.”
Pulling the small piece of paper from his shirt pocket, he handed it over to her.”
“I cannot read.” She said in apology. “Darnell, would you read what it says to me?”
Darnell took the note gently from her hands and looked at what was written. As he re read the note for the third time he too began to become misty eyed. Clearing his throat, he stared at the girl his heart was bursting in love for.
“It says, “My daughters daughter, whose name was Elizabeth Higgens was born with a birthmark on her right foot between her little toe and the one next to it. We all said it looked like a tiny star. We called it her lucky foot for it was sure to bring good fortune in her life.”
Slowly Dove lifted her foot and twisted it until she could see the mark on her upturned foot. She had never done this before. Her eyes grew in wonder as she saw the small star shaped mark between her toes. Still holding her foot up, tears flooded her eyes as she looked up in wonder and joy at the smiling old man. Her tear drenched lips quivered and dropping the tray she slowly reached out to touch him. If it were the last word she should ever utter, she would have died completely fulfilled.
“Grandpa?”
6 Comments Posted in Western Short Stories Tagged Comanche, Ranch, short stories, Texas, western short story, westerns, writing
The morning sun worked its way across the room until it landed squarely on the body lying contorted on the bed. Two flies played tag in the sunlight then landing momentarily on the body’s nose.
Suddenly the body snorted and a hand swept the air in front of the unshaven face trying to chase away the buzzing irritants. One bleary eye cracked open and immediately squinted shut in pain. A few more snorts and a long sonorous clearing of his dry throat brought open the other eye. With both eyes staring unfocused into the hotel room, the hung over cowboy began his attempt to sit up.
“Oh God, if I ever drink again let me get plugged with lead before I wake. “ With great effort, the young man with a pounding headache finally made it into a sitting position on the edge of the soft horsetail mattress. Placing a hand on the bed he felt its rich softness with the likes that he’d never experienced in a bed before. Looking around, his gaze caught site of the silk window drapes and imported woven floor rug. “Dang, How’d I end up in a place like this?” Reaching out to the bedpost, he removed the pants hanging over the post and checked his money belt. Relieved, he found it still contained twenty two of the forty dollars out of his monthly pay. Satisfied at the remaining amount, he rose and stumbled towards the water bowl atop the ornate French vanity. As he Splashed water on his face he noticed someone had placed a straight razor set up next to the bowl, probably the hotel. Taking advantage of the situation, he shaved and washed his hair afterward in the bowl. Opening the window he shoved aside the ornate drapes and tossed out the bowl of fouled water onto the street below and commenced dressing himself. Thankfully, he began to feel halfway human by the time he slid his pants back on.
A light knock on the rooms door startled him. A rush of panic momentarily gripped him as he suddenly realized someone had to pay for this room and it sure couldn’t be him, not on his earnings!
Swallowing hard, he regained his composure and boldly faced the door “Yeah? Who’s there?”
In an unusually deep voice he heard, “It’s the Sheriff! I’m haulin’ ya’ in fer abandonment mister!”
“Wha??? Abandonment?” Suddenly he realized the so called Sheriff’s voice while deep in tone was way too feminine to be a man and then he heard giggling from the other side of the door. Reaching for the door, he slid the latch aside and partway opened the door on its chain. Poking one eye through the crack, he spied on the visitor. At first he looked straight out and saw nothing but when he lowered his sights a bit more he took in the small feminine figure smiling broadly up at him.
“Uh… may I help you Ma’am?”
The deep voice was replaced with that of a young woman with a slight Eastern accent.“Ma’am? Is that what you’re going to end up calling me Jethro?” She chuckled.
Scratching his head in confusion he replied, “I, uh… shoot Ma’am, I’m at a disadvantage here see’n as you know my name an’ all and I don’t recall yours. Heck, in all honesty, I don’t believe we’ve ever even met.”
A dark and serious look crossed the pretty young blond girls face but then she quickly recovered her happy go lucky smile and replied. “Alright Jethro, I know you had quite a spell of drinking and funning last night so I won’t hold it against you for being a bit woozy this morning but pretending you don’t know me and that we were married last night is something altogether different. You know perfectly well what you did, after all you jumped at the chance! Now, finish getting dressed, we have to go back over to the courthouse to pick up our marriage certificate. ”
“Wha??? Marriage certificate? Ma’am I’m gonna’ be mite beyond woozy if I just heard you right that we was married last night!”
This time the serious look returned to her face but did not leave. “Jethro, please don’t tell me you’ve got regrets and want out. I asked you twice and your friends asked you even more than that if this is what you wanted to do before Judge Pendergrass married us. You vowed up and down I’d stolen your heart at first glance and would have it no other way than for us to be married. For reasons I had explained yesterday, I needed to be married right away… for legal purposes. After we were married, your friends carted you back off to the Gold Eagle to celebrate. They said they’d drop you back off at my hotel room within an hour. Well, I waited for hours in our room here for your return. When you did, it was past two o’clock in the morning and I might add, with the help of your trail friends. They carried you in dead drunk and plopped you in our bed and stumbled out guffawing. Seeing you were dead to the world, I undressed you and set up your morning toilet on the vanity. You were so sprawled out on the bed that there was no room for me to climb in next to you. I ended up sleeping on the divan until dawn. I gave up trying to wake you so I went downstairs by myself. I was down getting breakfast when you must have woke up.
Suddenly Jethro became suspicious that a joke being played on him.
“Well, well, well. I bet the rest of the fellers are knee slappin’ watching me squirm. They all know I’m not the marryin’ kind a guy and are usin’ my drunk last night to play a trick on me. By the way, if we was really married, where’s the proof of it?
The slender well dressed girl slid her left hand forward from her shawl and wiggled her fingers at him. A thin gold band adorned her marriage finger. “Yes, married… and signed papers from Judge Pendergrass attesting to it are waiting down at the courthouse for us to pick up. By the time we were actually married, it was too late in the day and the clerk went on home.”
With a heavy sigh, the girl sat gently on the soft bed and asked. “ You do remember getting married last night don’t you Jethro?”
It was time to put an end to the confusion. Hurt her he may but he still had inkling it was all a joke being played on him by his pards.
“To be honest, no.”
Tears welled in her eyes and a lone tear made its way down her smooth cheek. “I feared as much. Please, finish dressing and come with me to the court house. There I’m sure the judge will confirm everything I’ve said and more.”
“Good morning Miss Van de Bunt, Oh, excuse me, I mean Mrs. Avery. I’ve got to get used to that from now on.” Judge Pendergrass said sticking his hand out to congratulate the young Jethro Avery. “I take it you’ll be wanting your certificate this morning. The clerk brought it in just a few minutes ago. I signed it but it but the ink may be a bit wet yet.”
Gently retrieving the document he blew on his signature one final time. He handed the paper to Jethro telling the couple, “There, she’s dry as a bone now.”
The girl reached out and carefully held it against her breast after reading it and said, “Thank you Judge. But there seems to be some confusion and I need your assistance on this matter. ”
“Why sure. What seems to be the problem?”
By now Jethro had given up all hope that in fact a joke was being played on him. He also realized that the paper his wife now held was solid and legal. Everyone in the State of Texas knew Judge Pendergrass had a minimal sense of humor and would definitely not use his official title to promote a prank. He’d had too many men hung for their ill deeds to have a sense of humor anymore.
“ I will cut right to the chase your Honor. My husband has no recollection of yesterday as he now claims he must have been drunk.”
“Drunk?” Looking now at Jethro through narrowed eyes, the judge exclaimed in disbelief, ”Drunk? Yesterday you both swore you had no drink in either of you when I married you. Why it’s not legal for me to marry a couple if they have been over imbibing in spirits. Knowing so and still joining the two of you together would have been a serious crime and I’m not in the habit of committing crimes. Please, explain why you think he was drunk Mrs. Avery.”
“Well, he came in last night very drunk, that much I know. He seemed alright when we married but as the time wore on he did act a mite strange. I just assumed it was nerves. Now he says he has no memory of even meeting me. Why the way he’s acting, I bet if I asked him now, he wouldn’t even know my name!”
“I don’t, sorry Ma’am.”
“It’s Alessandra Van de Bundt . My family and friends call me Alessa. Now I’m not so sure what you should call me!”
To prevent any further outburst, the judge waved the couple into a set of vacant chairs as he lowered himself into a large cushioned leather high back chair on rollers. “Son, you’ve a problem on your hands. A big problem. Did you lie to me about drinking yesterday when you asked me to marry the two of you?”
“No Sir, not willingly. I’m not in the habit of lying, especially to a Judge your Honor”
“Then why are you saying you were too drunk to remember getting married?”
“I never said nothing about getting drunk, she did. I don’t know what happened yesterday, I can’t remember a thing, cept getting my tooth pulled early on in the morning.”
“Well a tooth sure won’t wipe out a memory, what’s the last thing you do remember?”
Scrunching his brows together he ran a hand across his forehead. “I seem to recall walking to the diner up the road for a bite to eat after leavin’ the Barber where he pulled my tooth. I had been weeks on the trail and hadn’t had a chewy meal in ages ‘cause of my toothache. All I’d had for weeks was what Biscuit, our camp cook could pound or grind up soft enough for me to swallow whole like.”
Judge Pendergrass’s eyebrows suddenly arched skyward. “Jenny?” He called out to a young woman outside of his office filing papers. “Will you run over to Max Leadlow’s barber shop and ask him to come over here right away please?”
The three sat quietly waiting. Jethro began to ask question but the Judge hushed him quiet.
“Just wait, I have a suspicion about something”
Within a few minutes, Max, the barber and Dentist knocked on the office doors frame. “You wanted to see me your Honor?”
“Yes, Thank you for coming so quickly Max, I hope this isn’t an inopportune time for you to leave your business but I need to ask you a few questions about yesterday morning.”
The Barber glanced at Jethro then at Alessa and back to the Judge. “No your honor, I’m not real busy, I only got Jim Stevens snoring in the chair as is usual when he comes in for a haircut ‘n shave, that’s all. Am I in some sort of trouble here your Honor?”
The judge harrumphed and placed both hands on his large belly. “No, not in the least Max. Did Jethro here come to you yesterday to get a tooth pulled?”
“Yes your Honor, and it was a time yankin’ it too. We in the profession call it an impacted tooth, ones that all pussy and swollen. It takes a skilled Dentist to pull ‘em too.”
“Was he in a lot of pain?”
“Yes Sir! Especially when I first began yankin’ on it.”
“Did you give him anything for the pain? Liquor and such?”
“No, not liquor your Honor but I did give him laudanum to ease the pain when he first come in and then a second healthy dose when he left.”
“That was all you gave him then, laudanum?”
“Well, when he first arrived he was so jittery I feared I wouldn’t be able to pull it so I gave him some tincture of heroin to calm his nerves before I give him the laudanum.”
Judge Pendergrass leaned back in his chair and nodded knowingly. “I understand, That will be all Max, you can get on back to your shop now. Thank you for your time.”
Max started for the door then turned asking, “You still on for this afternoon for your haircut Judge?”
“Yes, I’ll be by around two.”
With that the barber left leaving the couple to sit silently waiting for the Judge to speak.
“Well, as far as I’m concerned, the two of you are legally married. There’s nothing in the law about marrying under the influence of either laudanum or heroin as both are a legal medicine.”
“Is that why he can’t remember yesterday your Honor? Because of the two drugs?”
“That would be my guess. I had a similar situation years ago when I had my own tooth pulled. My wife, bless her departed soul, said she found me out back planting the garden when I got back home.”
“What’s so bad about that your Honor?” She asked.
“It was February.”
Slowly the couple made their way from the Court house and headed for the diner for lunch. The earlier mention of food reminded Jethro that he was still ravenous. “So Alessa,” He calmly asked, “you mind fillin’ me in on all the details on how I ended up agreeing to marryin’ you? Back there in the hotel room you said something about having to be legally married, what did you mean by that? ”
“ I guess if you didn’t even remember my name then you most likely wouldn’t remember why you agreed to marry me either. Maybe I should just start at the same place I did yesterday when you approached me.”
“That would be a good place to start, at the beginning.”
“You won’t like it.”
“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. I must’a liked it yesterday since I agreed to marry you.”
“Yes, but you were drugged.”
“I see your point. But, go ahead, what’s done is done…for now anyway.”
They made their way inside the diner and sat down. Much to the chagrin of Jethro, his mouth was still too tender to chew the steak he ordered. Instead, he had to satisfy himself with the sides of peas and mashed potatoes. Still, he managed to down three helpings of apple pie for dessert.
Alessa continued her story during the meal. “MY father is Jules Van de Bunt, he and the rest of my family live back east in New York City. He’s a very wealthy man.”
“Never heard of him, but then out here in Texas we don’t care much about things back east.”
“I can see why. Anyway, I have always been considered a bit too rough around the edges for the social scene back East. I even wore men’s pants once when we went on a family outing in the Adirondack Mountains one summer. I thought my cousin Clarice was going to faint! Afterward, she kept her distance. I have always been enthralled by stories of the West and wanted to see places like Texas for myself. Twice I snuck off by train but each time the Pinkerton men my father had hired found and returned me. My father was livid and would have disowned me if it weren’t for my grandfather. You see, it was my grandfather who filled my head as a child with his tales of the West. When my grandfather arrived from Europe, he traveled to the west and discovered first silver then copper ore in what is now Arizona. He later married and moved to the East where he raised his two sons. My father and Uncle both attended colleges back East and with the money loaned to them by my grandfather, they started very successful businesses.”
“What sorta’ business?”
“My father built a shipyard in Connecticut.”
“Whewww! He must be rollin’ in dough but that still doesn’t answer the question of why you had to marry.”
“There was a situation at a charity ball given by my family. A young wealthy gentleman from a very politically connected family made it known that he desired to marry me. It was during the ball and he had been drinking heavily when he stood atop a table and announced to the world his desires. He then jumped down and tried to kiss me in front of the entire gathering. I was horrified and without thinking punched him square in the nose! It seems he and my father had planned our marriage all out. You see Jethro, in a family like mine, a woman has little say in her marriage. She is to marry not for love but to keep money, property and power secured within a small circle of families. “
“That sounds like slavery!”
“In a way it is. My mother was one of those women. Father knew she loved another but kept a blind eye towards her indiscretions with the man. As long as it was discreet, no one seemed to care. It was my grandfather who bemoaned all this. He bore a heavy guilt for having raised his family in such a manner. I was his only salvation. It was he who gave me the money run off, it was he who wanted me to marry a western man, a rancher or even a cowboy rather than a socialite from back East. It was his dream that I would break the mold and be the matriarch of a Western family.”
“So far I understand all this, I mean as a Texan I understand. What part won’t I like?”
“My reason for having to marry I guess.”
“What reason is that? You said you wanted to marry for love…Oh, I think I see. There ain’t no way you could have truly fallen in love with me enough to ask me to marry you in the few moments we knew each other yesterday, was there?”
“That’s the part I said you won’t like, and neither do I. You see, I ran away a third and final time. It was the day after my grandfather’s funeral. I took what money I had squirreled away and left during the night. My grandfather had also secretly put some in an account for me that my parents were unaware of. This time I did not take a train directly to the West. I circumvented the route by heading to Chicago, then to Missouri. I figured the Pinkerton’s would first look for me along the route I took the first two times. I joined a minister and his family in Missouri and traveled by wagon to western Kansas then down into Texas. I thought I had lost them but recently I found out that a couple of Pinkerton men had been seen in Amarillo asking questions about me a couple of weeks ago.”
“Why Amarillo’s just a week’s ride from Sweet Water here! Why they could be just a couple days away by now!”
“ I know, that’s the reason I needed to marry. If I were married, there would be nothing my father could do to force me to return to New York. If it weren’t for Mr. Belleview at the bank I would never have known of the Pinkerton’s progress. He owns the bank up in Amarillo too and it was him who heard the men asking about me when he was there. ”
“I hear them Pinkerton men is one hard outfit. More badger than man! No wonder you were scared of ‘em!”
‘That’s why I looked for a Texan, a real Texan. Brave, strong, willing to stand up for his woman or die doing it…well, I really wouldn’t want my husband to die I guess. But you get the idea don’t you?”
“Sure, I guess. But if you were lookin’ for all that in a man what made you think I’d fit the bill?”
“ Because, the first moment I saw you confidently swaggering down the street I knew you were the one.”
“Uh, Miss Alessa, I wasn’t confidently swaggerin’ if you recall, I was cross eyed drugged!”
Alessa began to chuckle, “Oh, I know that now, but yesterday I thought you were the bravest man I’d ever met. Why I heard you tell your friends that there wasn’t a man alive who could out draw you, out fight you or out rope you! “
“Well, That was mostly just Texas cowboy braggin’ but in truth I am a pretty darn good shot an’ not many can outdraw me. I guess if it came to it even though I quake at the thought of bein’ married, I’d stand up an’ take a bullet for my wife…that would be you I reckon.”
“See? I was right after all. You really are my Texas cowboy!”
That night the two returned to their room.
“OK, so I understand why you needed to get married an’ all but why pick a man who has all but twenty dollars to his name? I mean there ain’t no way I had a savings of any sort. In fact, when you knocked on the door this morning I feared it was the hotel manager wanting his money. I was ready to plow out’a the window head first! Now I gotta’ conjure up some sorta’ steady income for us.”
“Let’s just deal with the Pinkerton men first, then we’ll figure out what to do after that. I’m sorry I got you into this mess. I was just panic stricken when I heard they were so close to finding me. I knew it was only a matter of days before they’d end up here. I had no one to protect me. If you find you really can’t stand being married, I’m willing to let you go your own way once my father forgets about me.”
“I may not be the marrying type but since I am I ain’t gonna’ shirk my duties as a husband. No, I ain’t gonna’ b;lame it on drugs either. I musta’ been aware enough to decide it was the right thing to do…and I feel it was. I’m just glad you ain’t hard on the eyes! Haw haw!”
“She reached out and gently squeezed his arm saying, “Well if it’s any consolation, I think you’re the handsomest cowboy around, drugged or no.” Then, dropping her hand she placed both hands on her hips and asked, “ My last question for you tonight is where do you want me to sleep?”
“I been thinkin’ about that. I know we’re married and all and sleepin’ together is what married folks are privileged to do with each other but I feel kind’a awkward like about doin’ it. I mean we ain’t had time to spark or nothin’ if you get my meanin’.”
“Then let’s not rush it. I know eventually you’ll want a woman, all men do at one time or another. I’d rather you not look for it outside the home. So when you feel the burn, please tell me and I’ll make love to you as a good wife would.”
“Fair enough.” Pointing to the bed he said chuckling, “Until we get kicked out’a here or I’m plugged by the Pinkertons, you sleep in the bed, after all, you’re paying the bill here so you got special privileges! “
Jethro made his bed upon the divine and lay awake pondering his future. How strange it all seemed to look over at the sleeping girl and realize she was his wife. She was far more beautiful than any girl he’d ever been with but there was more to her than just her beauty. He found her laugh addicting. The same smile that she had plastered on her face when they first met at the door came frequently and with ease. Now that he had a moment to think about it, he remembered how it felt when she squeezed his arm. “Huh,” he thought, “Maybe I’m fallin’ for her after all.”
It was five days later in the dark of night when two strangers riding silently in a buggy made their way into town. Wearing bowler hats and black suits, the two looked like a pair of twin bankers. If it were not for the .45 caliber colts hanging low on their hips, they would have looked like any other businessmen. Both wore large mustache’s which was the style and both had a Pinkerton badge pinned to their vest.
The only life still awake was at Gertrude’s Saloon at the far end of town. It was known as a rough and tumble sort of place who’s soiled doves plied watered down whiskey down the throats of the low life patrons before dragging them upstairs and relieving them of their last fifty cents.
It was here that the Pinkerton men stopped at. Inside was foul. Upon entering, the smell of unwashed bodies, vomit, cigarette smoke and cheap liquor assailed the nose. It was nearly three in the morning and the whores were still hustling their wares. Seeing the two well dressed gentlemen enter, they made a desperate beeline to them.
“Well hello my scrumptious darlings!” An elderly woman of some girth, much of it protruding from her stained top, was nearest and quickly approached the two men in hopes of a last stand before calling it a night. “Can I interest either or both of you in spending an hour with me in heaven?”
The taller of the two stopped as they made their way to the bar. Turning to look at the poor excuse of even a used up soiled dove he sneered. “Lady, spending an hour between your layers of blubber would be hell, not heaven. Now get away from me before I catch what foulness is ailing you.”
She was about to make a snide reply when she saw the eyes of the man narrow and the look of pure hate transform his once pleasant looks into a snarl. Frightened, she turned and quickly made her way up to her room and called it a night.
The bar tender, an ornery red faced powerfully built Irishman stood staring hard at the two as they approached the bar. What’d ya’ scare me whore off for? Ye just cost me fifty cents I have you to know.”
“Sorry about that, Here’s a dollar for your troubles.”
“Well now, amends are made gentlemen, what can I be doin’ for ya’”
The shorter of the two now spoke up, “Were looking for a girl going by the name Alessandra. Some call her Alessa others Miss Van de Bunt, whatever name she goes by were from the Pinkerton’s and have been hired to find her. Have you seen or heard of her?”
“Sure, I never spoke to in me person but everyone knows Miss Van de Bunt. She’s the sweetest lookin’ lass that graced this town.”
“Can you tell me where she’s staying?”
Suspicious that the men might cause the young girl to come to harm, he asked them, “And whatever for would a couple Pinkerton men be doing searching for such an innocent lass as Miss Van de Bunt?”
The men glanced at each other. They had two choices, either physically attempt to draw what information they wanted from the man or lie. Seeing the girth and obvious muscles tensing in the bartenders arms convinced them they would have a bad time of it if they tried to get physical.
“We’re only trying to find her to deliver a message from her family” They lied. “Her father has passed away and she’s come into a large inheritance and she needs to return home as soon as possible to claim it.”
“Oh, well that’s different then!” Turning to the few patrons left awake he bellowed, “Does anyone know where Miss van de Bunt is stayin’ at? These gentlemen need her to come home right away to claim a large inheritance!”
A skinny man with a mouthful of missing teeth spoke up.“ She’s at the Chinaberry Hotel, second floor facing the street on the right.”
The taller of the two Pinkerton’s asked, “How do you know this?”
“’Cause I clean the chamber pots at the Chinaberry and at the Morrison hotel, that’s how!”
The tall Pinkerton flipped a silver coin toward the skinny chamber pot cleaner and walked out.
“That was easy!” he said.
By Four thirty the door had been silently jimmied and the two Pinkerton’s silently stepped inside the hotel room. Once inside they let their eyes become accustomed to the dark before moving any further. It was then that they saw a man sleeping on the divine and the girl curled up in the bed. No one had been awake downstairs to note their arrival or their passage upstairs. It was the touch of a cold, hard pistol barrel to each of their heads that awakened the couple.
“Don’t either of you make a move or make a sound.”
The taller of the Pinkerton’s turned his pistol around backwards and brought the butt smashing down on Jethro’s head.
Alessa began to cry out but the shorter Pinkerton halted her before she could raise an alarm. “Uh, Uh Miss Van de Bunt.” He said quietly.” No noise or I’ll do the same to you!”
“You can’t do this!” She snarled, “I’m a married woman now and that is my husband!”
“Tell it to the mountain lady. We’re paid to bring you back to your Daddy… just like the other times.
Before she could cry out in protest, the two had bound and gagged her. Silently carrying her downstairs they made their way outside to the buggy and quickly rode off.
For the second time in less than a week Jethro awoke in the same hotel room with a splitting headache. This time though the bump on his head said his headache was from a blow and not a bottle of cheap whiskey.
Sliding off the divine onto the floor, he sat there until his aching head and nauseous stomach calmed down a bit more. Suddenly, as if remembering something important he quickly looked over at the empty bed. It was then that he remembered the last words before the blow was given.
Wobbling, he stood up and made his way to the door. It was left open.
“Oh my God, they got her!”
Needing to clear his head for thought, he made his way over to the water pitcher and poured the cool contents over his head. Grabbing a towel, he dried himself off and took a quick inventory of his belongings. Nothing seemed to be missing and his gun still hung from the bedpost where he had placed it the night before. Kneeling down, he saw Alessa’s purse still tucked safely beneath the bed. Opening it, he removed a large roll of money she had placed inside of it and returned it to its hiding spot.
Taking two steps at a time, he rushed down the steps to the hotel desk.
“Excuse me,” He asked the clerk,” Has there been any sign of Miss Van de Bunt er..my wife this morning?”
The answer came back, “No.”
He left but not before paying a month’s advance rent on the room. It cost more than two months of his wages but considering the roll of money his wife was carrying and the importance of finding her, it mattered little.
Stepping out into the harsh Texas sun Jethro squinted in pain. His head still ached but he had to put the pain aside and keep a clear head. His first thought was which direction had the pair gone after kidnapping Alessa. They would waste little time so he assumed it would be by rail car. The closest passenger depot was the T&P line in Abilene, nearly fifty miles east. The kidnappers could make that in two days easy.
Taking his horse from the stable, he headed off towards Abilene at a gallop. It was a good thing he’d been able to rest up and get some weight back on his horse after the last drive. She was antsy and ready to charge ahead. By that night he figured the Kidnappers were within sight somewhere so he decided to put his faith in his scouting skills. Making his way up onto a small mount he scanned the darkness for a campfire. He hoped to see only one but in fact he saw three. Somehow he had to rule two of them out. Talking to himself he went through what he knew of the people traveling through the wild and the men that had Alessa. They were city men, not used to roughing it. Travelers and cowboys were used to the Texas wilderness sounds and night spooks like coyote and such.
“I bet two to one that the last campfire to go out is the one I want. If I see the campfire brighten when the coyotes start singing, then I’ll know for sure”
True to form, around eleven O’clock, the coyotes started their yipping and howls. To the unfamiliar ear, they sounded like possessed demons rather than an earthly animal. Watching the three campfires only one brightened. “There they are, scared of the coyotes!”
Saddling his horse, he let the rising moon be the light he needed to travel by. He figured the group was five to six miles distant. Not much of a travel in the daytime but precarious at night. A missed gopher hole, a crack between rocks to slip into, anything could lame up his horse if he wasn’t careful. It was the longest five miles he’d ever traveled. He stopped his mount a half mile away for fear the men’s horses pulling the cart would whinny or make a noise that his own mount would respond to. Unpacking his fully loaded Yellow Boy rifle he slowly made his way eastward towards the campfire through the brush and cactus plants. When he was within a hundred yards, he started to crawl on his belly for fear the campfire light would reflect off of him and give him away. Silently parting the brush with gloved hands, he peered not directly at the campfire but off to its sides. He didn’t want to risk becoming night blinded if for some reason the campfire would unexpectedly flare up. And just then it did.
Fortunately, his precaution prevented his eyes from losing their night vision. At the same time he was able to use his peripheral vision and observe the two men gathering up more firewood. He was now close enough to hear them speaking to one another.
“Stupid! Why didn’t we just put the man in the hotel out of his misery when we had the chance? We could have then taken our time getting out of town and wouldn’t be traipsing around in the desert with those damn things howling at us!”
“Ah keep quiet, it’s only coyotes!”
“Easy enough for you to say, how do you know they aren’t Indians? Answer me that big man!”
‘Geez, you get testy when you’re scared.” Pointing to their captive, he continued railing his partner. “Even she looks more at ease than you. How you ever become a Pinkerton is beyond me!”
“I became one same as you big brother! We joined together after killing the Chief of police in Cambridge for the Irish Four Corners gang, or did you forget?”
“No, I never forgot and neither will our boss. He does jobs for the gang. That’s why we were hired. When he found out that we had methodically tortured the man without so much as blinking an eye, he said he had a use for men like us. Of course if we had turned down his offer, we’d have been swinging from a rope for murder.”
“Still, I hate things that live in the dark, like them damn coyotes! They should all be killed and done away with if you ask me.”
The older and taller brother stepped up to the campfire. “I wonder if she’s telling the truth, that the fella in her room really was her husband? Naw, couldn’t be, he’s just some dirt bag cowboy she most likely hired as a body guard.”
“Well, she is wearing a ring and a cheap one at that. You’d think if she bought a ring to give us a ruse, she’d have bought an expensive one. Naw, he ain’t her husband. She’s lying.”
Jethro had asked Alessa how she got the ring and when she told him it belonged to his trail pard Lester and that he won it in a game of Five Card Monty the day earlier. At the time he laughed but had no memory of it because of the drugs. She was there though as were the rest of his friends. Jethro had come fresh from the barber and met up with his pards in the street outside the diner for lunch. It was then that they saw the young girl in tears sitting on the bench in front of the diner. After hearing her story, Jethro had jumped up claiming he loved her deeply and needed to buy her a ring. Lester produced the ring from his pocket and handed it to Jethro telling him he better not look a gifted horse in the mouth and that he had better waste no time getting a Judge or preacher to marry them. It should have dawned on everyone that Jethro was not himself but then they figured love was a strange thing and it’s better left unquestioned.
Of course Alessa was able to clearly hear the two Pinkerton’s conversation. She found herself getting angry and upset when they described Jethro is such derogatory terms.
“You two wait until my husband gets on your trail, you’ll be sorry!”
“Missy,” The younger brother said to her, “your husband is nothing compared to us trained Pinkerton men. Why we are trained by the best in every aspect of police work. Even if your so called husband showed up with a bunch of cowpokes for a posse, why he and his fellows wouldn’t last five minutes against us. “
“You are so wrong you make me laugh!”
“Oh, excuse me but just what was that lump of sleeping trash in your room, your body guard? Haw, Haw haw!”
“No, he’s not my body guard he’s more cunning and dangerous than that, he’s a born and bred Texan!”
The younger brother, the short one, walked rapidly towards Alessa. Wanting to do her harm to shut her up, he pulled back his foot to kick her as hard as he could as she lay helplessly tied up on the ground.
To his older brother’s dismay, his younger brother, rather than following through with his kick, stopped and stood stock still. All three had heard a sound similar to that of a mourning dove taking flight. In mid kick, he turned his head slowly away from the girl and took a step sideways. Then another step but this time it turned into a stumble. He collapsed onto all fours in front of the girl. To his brother’s horror, a pulsating red stream was squirting from his brother’s neck. It was when he collapsed face forward in a dead heap that Jethro’s long knife was first clearly seen protruding from it.
“My God!” he screamed in shock. Turning to face his unknown enemy the brother reached for his gun. “I’ll kill you son of a bitch!” he yelled but still had no target at which to shoot. It was at that moment that a coyote bounded from its hiding spot in the brush. In the dark the Pinkerton man could not see what or who disturbed the brush so he began firing indiscriminately towards the sound. By this time Jethro had crawled to within twenty feet from the campfires ring of light and was nowhere near where the bullets were aimed. A night bird was slightly winged and flew off screeching in anger at being disturbed so rudely. Unloading his gun proved to be a mistake for the lone Pinkerton. Having an older pistol that had to have its cylinder removed to be re loaded, the Pinkerton realized now how vulnerable he was.
“Alright you out there, I give up ya’ hear?” Now let’s make a deal. I’ll let the girl go if you and her walk away from here and let me be.”
A sharp rifle report was the answer. The Pinkerton’s derby flew backward off his head displaying a fresh round vent hole in it.
“No! Stop that, we can make a deal you and I. When I get back to New York, I’ll tell her father that she died or something so he won’t go looking for her anymore, alright?”
Another shot rang out in answer and one of his shoes suddenly lost its heel.
“Yeow! Please mister, let me go. Here, I’ll even untie the girl, how’s that?”
Pulling a knife from out of his pants pocket, he jumped back when a third rifle crack made it disappear.
Tucking his bleeding hand inside his vest he looked toward where the shot had come from.“What’s wrong with you, I said I gave up! Now let me be and I’ll leave the girl here for you.”
A strong voice answered from somewhere in the brush outside of the fire rings light. “And then what? You’ll only go back to New York, gather up more of your cohorts and come back to re hunt us down. No Sir, this ends here in Texas!”
“It won’t end I tell you!” The Pinkerton yelled back, ”He’s on his way to meet us in Abilene.”
“How’d he know to meet you there?”
“We sent a telegram from Amarillo to him saying that we had evidence she was holed up in Sweet Water and it would only be a matter of a few days and she’d be in our custody. He wired back to meet him in Abilene with the girl.”
With his rifle raised hip high, Jethro stepped into the light of the fire saying, “Untie my wife then lie on your belly with your hands behind your back.”
As the Pinkerton proceeded with his chore of freeing Alessa he talked. “That was my brother you killed. I knew someday our number would be pulled. I guess if he had to die anywhere this place is about as good as any. I tell you what cowboy. If you’re really setting me free, I’m calling it quits.
Between my brother here and I we have quite a stash built up in the bank. I think I’d like to retire alongside a fishing lake in upstate New York. Yes Sir, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m gonna get me a skiff and fish!”
Waiting for the Pinkerton to complete his task, Jethro made his way next to his wife. Kneeling down next to her he asked, “Are you alright honey? Did they hurt you?”
Making her way up to a sitting position she looked up wide eyed at her hero . “No, no I’m alright.”
Finding his hands in the dim firelight she grabbed them tightly and pressed the up to her face. After a moment in which he felt wet tears on his hands, she again looked up smiling broadly saying, “I’m so proud of you Dear, you really are my cowboy!”
After burying the Pinkerton’s brother in the Texas desert, the three found the rail line’s tracks crossing the desert and made their way on horseback to Abilene, which didn’t take but a half a day. Alessa rode behind Jethro in the saddle which thrilled her as she was able to lean her head against her husband hero’s back. Every now and then Jethro felt her arms tighten around him in a hug. Each time he felt it, his heart fluttered and skipped a beat. Eventually he found a single hand and held it against him until they reached Abilene.
They had abandoned the buggy in favor of making the Pinkerton ride bareback. The other horse followed the others being afraid to be left behind. Within a short time, the Pinkerton’s wool pants rubbing against the damp horsehide began to act as grit paper on his tender backside. Jethro smiled as he watched the man try and control his painful facial expressions in his pretense of normalcy.
Reaching the passenger depot in Abilene, the three dismounted. The Pinkerton’s raw backside forced him to ask for help in getting down. Once standing, the man waddled over to Alessa telling her. “Ma’am, I offer my sincere apologies to you. All these years I’ve done jobs for your father I never took into account the harm and hurt I’ve caused others, especially you. The ride here gave me time to reflect on things. If you’ll forgive me for all I’ve put you through then I’ll know a man really can have a second chance to make things right. I only wish I had learned that before my brother was killed.”
Alessa looked the man squarely in the eyes and replied, “I know you were following orders from my father, orders one does not defy without severe consequences. I’m living proof of that. If you truly intend to change, then I forgive you.”
Jethro put his arm around his wife adding, “I’m sorry too for your brother but he has to hold his own actions to blame. Why he ever thought kicking on a woman, especially here in Texas was something he would end up not paying for is beyond reason. We aren’t the East. Women are a bit scarce out this way and a woman, any woman, is to be treated with the same respect we give our Mama’s and our wives. Your brother unknowingly signed his own death warrant.”
The Pinkerton nodded in agreement then looking at the three horses said. “Do what you want with the horses, our original plan was to abandon along with the buggy here at the depot anyway. I’d shake your hand but I expect you wouldn’t take it, not that I blame you any. I’ll be going now. I truly hope things work out for the two of you.”
“Wait!” Jethro extended his hand and in surprise gripped the Pinkerton’s gunshot injured hand. “A man does a lot of things in life that he ain’t proud of. You asked for forgiveness. The other half a that is being forgiven.”
Turning once again to face Alessa the Pinkerton told her, “I was mistaken Ma’am, your husband is no dirt bag cowboy. In all my days I’ve yet to see a man as big as him.”
The two watched the Pinkerton man enter the depot to purchase a ticket and exit their lives. Jethro turned to Alessa and stated, “You know something? We never knew them two Pinkerton’s names.”
Alessa looked up lovingly up to her husband’s face and replied. “Oh, that’s not true. I know them, I have for years but I think it’s best they stay anonymous to you. I heard as a young girl if you kill a man and don’t know his name, his ghost can’t haunt you in your dreams.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“From, the man who just left us.”
On the second day of waiting, the train carrying her father arrived at three in the afternoon. Jethro knew immediately by the entourage around him that this must be Alessa’s father.
Four Negro porters carried his and the others in his group’s belongings off the train and piled them onto the depot’s trunk cart. The man looked every bit a wealthy Easterner to Jethro. Tall but overweight, a white pointed beard, a fat cigar jutting from the side of his mouth, giving orders while pointing with his silver tipped walking cane. Jethro had an instant dislike for the man.
The entourage started walking towards a waiting line of buggies that would transport them to the hotel. It was then that Alessa’s father glanced up and realized the girl standing nearby staring at him was his daughter. He quickly looked for the Pinkerton men that he had hired but instead only saw only a lone, trail dusted cowboy wearing worn chaps, tall heeled boots, a large sombrero type Stetson hat and sporting a low hung Colt .45 around his hips.
Alessa stepped up before her father could react. “Father? I want you to meet my husband Jethro Avery. Jethro? This is my father Auburn Van de Bunt.”
The two men stared at each other. Jethro in disgust, her father in disbelief.
“Husband? I heard nothing about you being married!”
Sticking out her wedding banded hand, Alessa smiled, “Just because those men were Pinkerton’s doesn’t mean they know everything. You wasted a trip out here if you think you can take me back to New York father.”
“Where are the investigators I hired?”
“You mean the two thugs you’ve had time and time again chase me down? Well, one is by now a dried up shell in a shallow grave west of here in the desert with a slit throat from my husband’s knife and his brother came to his senses and is out buying a fishing pole somewhere back East.”
The entourage, made up of yes men and parasites, gasped at the daughter’s crude description of the Pinkerton’s death. Her father’s eyes narrowed and a smugness began forming on his lips. “And besides a ring, which by the way looks as if it were purchased from a Roebucks catalog, what proof do you have that this filthy cowboy is actually your husband.”
“Be careful with your words father, the last man who called my husband a filthy cowboy paid dearly for those words.”
Pulling out a folded piece of paper, she held it tightly in front of her father to view. The couple watched as her father’s eyes slowly scrolled down as he read the sheet of parchment paper. They both knew when his eyes reached the name of the Judge at the bottom.
“Damn!” Her father exclaimed loudly, “This is signed by a Judge named Pendergrass. Is this the same Judge Pendergrass that turned down the Supreme Court bench and left Washington for Texas?”
“The very one.”
Two of the entourage were lawyers from her father’s shipbuilding firm. When they heard the Judges name, they both sighed, lowered and shook their heads. Her father hoping to hear even a sliver of hope in nullifying the marriage looked to the Lawyers.
The boldest one, a large well fed man in his late fifties spoke up first. “I’m sorry sir, I’m a Maritime Attorney and not familiar with contract law outside of ship building. But, seeing that Judge Pendergrass performed the marriage and signed the marriage certificate, I would venture to say this wedding is iron clad in nature. I’ve never known the Judge to leave a loop hole open when he puts his signature on something. Maybe my esteemed fellow attorney here from a different Firm could give you a better insight. As I said, my specialty is in Maritime law. If it were up to me though, I would offer the cowboy a tidy sum of say… fifty thousand dollars to divorce your daughter. It’s a common practice in New York and should work here in this backwards State. Money speaks Sir.”
Jethro’s head reeled. In his life he would never see fifty thousand dollars nor would he now. “Forget it Mr. lawyer. Tell him to keep his money, I’m keeping my wife!”
The look on the other Attorneys face offered no better hope. He was younger and not so confident in his conviction. In a subdued voice he cleared his throat then addressed the situation.
“Ahem, Yes Mr. Van de Bunt, I am quite familiar in domestic and contract law so I believe I am able to offer my services to all parties if I may speak freely.”
“What do you mean by all parties?” Then realizing he could be spending the next hour listening to the thin balding Attorney bloviate on a single definition of all Parties, he forged ahead, “Alright, speak already dammed it!
“As you are aware Sir, Your father left a tidy sum in his Last Will and Testament to his granddaughter Alessandra who is now standing here amongst us. There were two stipulations in his last Will and Testament for her to be eligible to receive this large sum. First was that she was to at least attain the age of twenty one and second that she be married. I believe your only hope in stalling this dispersion of funds lies in her age. I believe she is still only twenty years old. We can send a wire to the Firm that employees me and they could file an order of Stay and have the Last Will and Testament stalled indefinitely in court through appeals and what not. During which time my employer could gather a legal team together and dissect this marriage certificate against all laws both New York State and Texas to see if a loop hole can be found to nullify the marriage. To your fortune, she was not married in a church where we would have to go up against a church hierarchy to obtain an annulment. A civil marriage is much easier to annul.”
“Well, well, well! It seems we have hope of keeping the family fortune within the family after all. Go ahead, immediately wire your office and file suite with the Clerk of Courts and begin the process.”
The lawyer left to send the emergency wire to the Judge after copying down all pertinent information on the wedding certificate.
Jethro knew he’d never voluntarily give up his wife for any amount of money or through News York legal wrangling. He had discovered he truly did fall in love with her. She too had come to the same conclusion and was adamant in keeping Jethro as her husband.
In a shorter time than assumed it would take, the young Attorney returned from the telegrapher’s office.
“Uh, Sir? We have a problem.”
“Good grief! Now what?”
“The Clerk of Courts office is closed.”
“What? Impossible!” Her father cried pulling out his pocket watch, “It’s only 3:15 and it’s open until 5 o’clock!”
Alessa’s father was fuming now. “What do you mean by standing here like an insolent mule! Get back and send that telegram before it’s too late. We still have an hour and forty five minutes yet to file.”
The distressed Attorney spoke up again. “Sir, your watch is set for Texas time, I saw you reset it on the train when the Steward came and announced our arrival into this State. Back in New York it’s 5:15pm. The Clerk of Courts office closes promptly at 5pm. It closed fifteen minutes ago.”
Turning to Alessa the Attorney asked, “Ma’am, exactly what date is your date of birth?
Without thinking she replied, “July 15, 1886. Why do you ask?”
Her father suddenly looked as if he had received an electric shock. Quickly looking once more at his pocket time piece he blurted out, it’s July 13th, we have a full day after today before she’s twenty one! She’s not twenty none until the 15th of this month and it’s only the 13th now!”
The Attorney made no move to the telegrapher’s office; instead he stood staring down at his feet.
“Now what’s the problem?” Her father fumed
“Even if I send a telegram this instant to my office and they draw up the stay, your daughter will still be twenty one before we get the stay is filed with the Courts.”
“How is that possible? We have a full day tomorrow to file the paperwork with the Court. Tell me why they won’t accept the paperwork until after she’s twenty one which by the way, is two days away yet?
“Because Sir, today is Friday and the Clerk of Courts office will not reopen until Monday the 16th. There is no exceptions in the matter. Even the President of the United States must bow to the rules of the Court.”
Suddenly the big man visibly paled and looked weak in the knees. Seeing a bench nearby he heavily sat down on it and lowering his head between his knees groaned.
The Attorney then turned to Alessa offering his hand, “Congratulations on your inheritance and marriage Ma’am. If you should ever need an Attorney, I am always available.”
Alessa thought for a moment then asked him. “Sir, do you work exclusively for my father?”
“I am assuming that the firm I work for will be terminating my employment with them for failing to procure not only your inheritance for their client but when they find that I congratulated you, I’m sure they will ask that I clean out my office.”
“You mentioned my inheritance in terms that is was a tidy sum. Tell me, would I have enough of an inheritance for my husband and I to start a cattle operation here in Texas? “
“More than enough Ma’am, more than enough.”
“Great, then it’s settled. Would you be willing to come back with us to Sweet Water and help us to set this all up legal like? It may take a while, maybe years even.”
Smiling shyly, the Attorney spoke, “I have always wanted a horse Ma’am, since I was a child. If you permit me one and have one of your cowboys teach me to ride it, I believe yes, I can return with you to Sweet Water if these requirements are met.”
Sticking out her hand, Alessa said, “Done!”
Alessa then stepped over to where her father gloomily sat. Sitting beside him, she took one of his large hands into her own. “Father? I’m sorry. I didn’t want it to happen this way. I was foolish and it was a matter of fortune that the man I married to circumvent your scheme ended up being the true love of my life. He’s a good man father, one your own father would be proud to call family. Is money that important to you that you would force misery upon your own blood in order to hold onto something as fleeting as money? Could you even spend what you have in the lifetime you have left? No! When yo lie upon your death bed will it be your financial councilors holding your hand or will it be family. The choice is yours father. As for me, I am not returning to live in New York but am starting my own life here in Texas with a wonderful man who could care less about the monetary worth of a man. He judges a man by a different scale than one of financial wealth. That’s the type of man I have always wanted father, it’s the type of man I always wished you were. “
Slowly Alessa rose and putting her arm around Jethro’s waist she leaned into him asking him if they could go now.
Within six months the ranch was in operation. With the amazing help of Andrew, the young Attorney and their hired hands, the couple carved out a ranch in the Texas wilderness. Keeping her promise, Alessa had hired a man to teach Andrew the Attorney to ride, and ride he did. No longer did he dress for the office. Wearing cut jeans boots and a western hat, he became the heart throb to many young girls in town.
It was in late April when in the distance an automobile was seen making its way up the long dusty road towards the ranch. With steaming radiator the large touring automobile braked to a screeching halt in front of the house. Doors opened and a group of men were expelled from its interior. One of them, a large man dressed in cowboy boots, jeans and a fancy Spanish embroidered shirt stepped out and placing a new Stetson upon his head spun in a slow circle taking in the view of the ranch.
It was the cook who heard the commotion outside first and running to the window see what was making that awful hissing and chugging noise, she yelled for her Mistress to come quickly.
Taking one look at the group of men through the front porches screened door, she chuckled and clapped her hands and flew out onto the porch.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” She shouted laughingly. “I love the hat!”
“ When in Rome do as the Roman’s do! Hello daughter!”
Riding in from the herd Jethro dismounted near the front porch and tied his mount to the rail. Seeing Alessa already hugging her father beside the automobile, he walked over to them. Seeing his son in law approaching, he stuck out his hand toward Jethro while his daughter still remained clinging to him.
“Howdy Dad, welcome to the Double A! We got your letter; it sure is great seeing you here.”
“The pleasure is all mine son!”
“How was he trip? I can’t believe you all rode in this thing all the way from New York. Here, let me call a couple hands to help with your luggage.”
Jethro walked out towards the coral and whistled a shrill ear piercing whistle which drew the attention of several hands. “Hey! Get on over here an’ give a hand!” He shouted to them. One of the Hands turned out to be their Attorney Andrew.
Seeing who had arrived by automobile, Andrew held back until he and Jethro were alone.
“Uh, are you sure he should see me? I mean the last time we were together was at the depot and I fear it might upset him seeing me here. I mean after all, it was I who crushed him with the bad news and then I go off and get hired on by you folks. I know I did nothing wrong, it’s just that we didn’t part on the best of terms.”
Jethro placed his hand on Andrews shoulder telling him, “When we received his letter, he specifically asked that you be here. He mentioned something about tossing some business your way. What he meant by that, I have no idea. He never did say why he was coming just that he was.”
What Jethro held back was that in his father in laws long hand written letter was not only an apology to the young couple but all the thoughts that he had pondered on over the months after leaving Texas. In it, he explained how he was raised and where he had gone wrong in raising ho9s own family. After he returned to New York with the words of his daughter still ringing in his head, he began to see his friends in a different light, shallow and concerned only with their financial gain. He wrote that he decided to step back from his ship building industry, even to entertain the idea of selling it.
The two men lagged behind the other hands letting them gather the luggage and cart it into the house. The others that had made the drive with her father were invited inside for refreshments. Finally it was just her father, Jethro, Alessa and Andrew standing outside by the automobile.
Alessa commented again on her fathers attire. “Dad, you look wonderful in Western gear, it suits you well. It gives you an aura of ruggedness that a suit can never give.”
He chuckled, “You should have seen my friends in there when I stopped to buy these duds. They thought I had lost my mind! By the way, I sold off all of my company stock, I no longer own it.”
“Dad, why did you do that? You loved building ships.”
“That’s the point dear, I loved building them. I haven’t seen the shipyard in two years, did you know that? I was too busy running the day to day operations. I missed the smell of the riveters forge, the sound of them being hammered into the plates. To be honest, I missed having fun!”
Alessa moved up to face her father, placing her hands on his chest she asked him, “What will you do now? Surely you’re not the type to sit in a rocking chair reminiscing on the past. I know you better than that.”
Jethro jokingly told his wife, “Well, we could always use him on the ranch, good hands are always hard to find!”
All four chuckled at the thought.
“Honestly though” Her father said, “That’s not for from why I came out here. You see after I sold off the company, they held a big going away celebration in my honor. At the dinner portion of the celebration the place served the most delicious steak I had ever eaten. Tender, juicy, perfectly marbled. I asked the Chef how come these steaks were so different from all the others. Do you know what he told me? He told me these steaks come from a special breed of cow called and Angus cow and that they are raised in the country of Argentina. Well that got my brain churning. Knowing you raise cattle and all. I began to research this breed and have come up with an idea and a proposal for all of you. Yes, Andrew, you fit in the scheme of things too. “
“I do? How”
“I’ll explain. First off though, I want to do this for enjoyment, I’m not interested in making money off of it. Oh, I want the operation to be able to support itself but as far as wealth goes, Alessa said it best when she asked me how much wealth do I really need. I want an operation raising these cattle, but not here in Texas but in Argentina where the grass is lush and different from here. The climate too suits these cattle better than the climate here. To what I understand though starting a ranch down there is difficult. The local ranchers guard the sale of breeding stock tightly in order to eliminate competition and keep prices high. I went ahead and purchased twenty thousand acres of prime grazing land. I let it out that I intended to use it as an investment and sell off smaller portions to make money, kind of what a land speculator does. What I realy intend to do, with all your help, is to third party purchase some of the breeding stock and a couple of bulls and ship them here to your ranch. I want a solid thriving herd built up that I can ship by sea down to Argentina when the time is right. I’m not interested in how the cattle taste being raised here, I’m not selling any off. I know once the herd is moved back to Argentina their calves will be no different than if their parents had always been from there. “
Jethro smiled knowingly and said, “So what you’re asking us to do is raise a separate herd from our own, never mixing the breeds and when the herd is ready, ship the whole bunch on down to your land there. ”
“Exactly! I don’t want to give a heads up to anyone down in Argentina as I don’t want any monkey business preventing my operation from taking off. I’m hiring Spanish and Argentine cowboys and once my herd is in place on my land there’s not much anybody can say or do against it. I’ve already hired a ranch foreman to start the ball quietly rolling down there and he’s aware he’s to keep everything hush hush.”
Andrew asked, “Sir what would my role be in all this if you have a Foreman and all?”
I need a legal eagle watching over my enterprise down there, one that I respect and trust even if you did piss me off . Oh don’t get me wrong I was mighty sore at you back there in Abilene when you sided with my daughter, but in the end because you showed the grit to do what was right in the eyes of man and God, I respected you for it. I can see how you used your skills to get this ranch on its feet too. One thing I know is that my daughter has little patience with figures and legal issues. I figured she had you handling all these. Jethro, I’m not casting a disparaging word against you but knowing now what makes up a good cowboy, I’m sure you used Andrew to set up your accountant and will be instrumental in your sales when the time comes to drive them to market, am I right?”
Jethro laughed openly, “You hit the nail on the head Sir. I can rope any cow, shoot a rustler square in the behind at a thousand feet and drive cattle as straight as an arrow, but please don’t ask me to haggle prices with a buyer!, No Sir! That’s Andrew’s job!”
Jules Van de Bundt smiled at the young group in front of him. “I’ll only keep him down there long enough to get started, a month or two at best.” Looking at the three sets of approving faces he said, ” So it’s settled then, You’ll do this with me?”
Alessa answered for them all. “Dad, all four of us would be thrilled to be part of this exciting new venture, of course we will!”
With a wide smile of satisfaction plastering his face, Alessa’s father leaned against the automobile. Then suddenly he looked around in confusion. “Did you say the four of you? There’s only three as far as I can see. Who’s the fourth?”
Alessa placed both hands gently against her stomach. “Here’s number four grandpa!”
11 Comments Posted in Western Short Stories Tagged old west, old west stories, texas cattle drive, texas short stories, westerns, writing
Raeford Cobbler was going into the cattle business, just as soon as he finished dinner.
Born into a family of (what else) cobblers, Raeford tried his best to follow in the family tradition but by the age of twenty he couldn’t take it anymore. One evening around the dinner table it all came to a head when his aging father declared his intent to turn the business over to his son.
“Why that’s wonderful,” Raeford’s mother beamed, “he’s such a smart boy.” Looking across the table at her other son, her smile turned into a sour pout,” Who would be better than Raeford to carry on? Bradford?”
Bradford was Raeford’s twin brother. The two brothers couldn’t have been more different. Raeford was of thin build, had blond hair and his blue eyes needed spectacles to see any distance. Everyone in town knew of his high intelligence for book learning. There were few subjects that Raeford was not an expert at. Most all of it learned after work hours in his room as he read book after book by lamp light.
On the other hand, Bradford stood a whole head taller, had brown hair and perfect brown eyes. Bradford was built as big and strong as a brick made Kansas outhouse. His large hands dwarfed his father’s tiny leather tools making him appear almost clumsy. He really should have had his own tools custom made years ago but everyone figured Raeford would be the one to inherit the business so why bother spending the money on Bradford. Besides, it wasn’t like either brother really needed cobblers tools anyway. The cobbler shop had grown into a successful upscale woman’s bootery and had six European immigrant cobblers on staff. Under these immigrant cobblers, the brothers had fulfilled their apprenticeship but never took it seriously. Neither spent much time within the confines of the working portion of the shop. Instead, Raeford spent most of his time within the office helping the accountant while Bradford spent his taking extended camping trips in the wilderness hunting wild game.
“What’s wrong with Bradford taking over?” Raeford asked. “He’s as good at running the ‘Village Cobbler’ as I am and he can hire more staff to do the books instead of me doing them.”
Missus Cobbler looked appalled and throwing her nose into the air snipped, “Why there is no way Bradford could fill your father’s shoes!”
Being cobblers and hearing the term “fill your fathers shoes’’ started both brothers giggling. Though they were different as night was to day, they were still twin brothers and had a special bond. That wasn’t to say they agreed on everything, in fact about the only thing that they wholeheartedly agreed on was neither wanted anything to do with their fathers business.
Mister Cobbler had sat quietly watching the goings on at the table after announcing his decision.
“Henry, tell your two sons your decision is final and that I won’t hear any more of it!”
Mrs Cobbler rose abruptly from her chair and stomped off into the sitting room where she sat dabbing her eyes with a kerchief she carried at all times in her laced sleeve cuff.
From behind the French doors that divided the two rooms, the three men could hear Mrs Cobbler bemoaning her lot in life. As usual, no matter what went on, it always ended up being all about Mrs Cobbler and her lot in life.
Coming from a wealthy Boston family, Mrs Cobbler was raised expecting the world to cow tow to her every whim. When she was of marrying age, her father was delighted to rid his home of her rants and pouts by immediately giving Henry permission to marry her… on one condition.
“And what condition is that Sir?” Henry had asked him.
“That you take her as far away from here as possible!”
Her father transplanted the two west to Kansas City. Before their arrival in Kansas, he had purchased a large hilltop brick home as a wedding present for the two using his own staff to make all the purchase and relocating arraignments. As an added incentive, he also purchased a well known Cobbler shop located in the better part of town and gave Henry the deed. In private, he told Henry that they were permitted to visit Boston only once every two years and to limit their stay to no longer than a month.
In short order Henry understood her father’s reasoning but unlike her father, Henry seemed to have little spine when it came to their marriage.
Mister Cobbler finally felt the awkwardness of his not speaking up and cleared his throat saying, “Now boys, you know you shouldn’t upset your mother. Her life raising you boys has not been an easy one. She has bent over backwards making sure you don’t end up in the gutter.”
Bradford spoke up, “Dad, I meant no disrespect to Mom but ‘her keeping us out of the gutter’? Really? How did she do that? By hiring the Nannies we had? By hiring private tutors?”
Leaning forward in his chair Bradford continued by unloading years of pent up frustration. “You built the business Dad! All our life we’ve watched you perform every and any job that was needed to be done. There were times I found you asleep at the treadle machine because of the long hours you worked. You’re fortunate you didn’t sew your hands shut! “
“It was no bother, your mother stood by me the entire time.”
“Stood by you? Maybe in your mind, but she sure spent enough hours entertaining her friends with garden parties and such while you burnt the midnight oil in the shop.”
“You Bradford are one to talk!” Henry raised his voice. ”All I see is you calling on your friends to go off gallivanting into the wilds. Did I teach you to neglect your work like that?”
“No Dad, Mom did!”
A shout from Raeford stilled the room, “Enough! Will the two of you just settle down? Nothing will be settled by yelling at each other.”
Turning to his father Raeford lowered his voice and quietly spoke. “Father, the issue is who is to run the shop so you can retire, correct?”
“I suppose that correct”.
“The problem is that neither Bradford nor myself want to take over. Admit it Dad, each time we have gone back east to visit gramps, has the business ever suffered from our being gone? No, it kept going just fine.”
“But son, we had been gone for only a month at a time, retirement is much different. Retirement is long term. Who would run the place if not you.”
“Our accountant Mr. Snelling, that’s who.”
“Snelling? Why he is an… an accountant! Besides, when his wife gave birth he was forced to miss work for two days. How could I put my trust into someone who would dismiss his duties so casually?”
“Maybe you’re right Dad.” Raeford continued speaking with false indignation. “ After all, someone who would so casually dismiss his job duties over the birth of his son might even want a vacation if he was to end up running the place. Heaven forbid!”
Mr. Cobbler sat staring at Raeford and sheepishly spoke, “I just meant…”
Realizing how foolish his argument sounded, Henry looked apologetically at his two sons. “I never asked you what you two may have wanted to do with yourselves, did I? I just assumed like myself, you would follow in your father’s footsteps.”
Each noticed the deafening quiet now within the sitting room.
“If I were to place Snelling in that position, what would the two of you do? I could not bear to see my children working here under someone else.”
As one, both brothers spoke, “We want to go out west!”
From within the sitting room a sudden howl erupted. “No, no, no…”
Henry looked irritably at the French doors then turned back to his sons, “What would you do and where out west are you speaking of.”
Raeford spoke, “What’s one of the biggest money makers here in Kansas City Dad?”
Henry thought for a moment then answered. “The slaughter houses. Are you thinking of opening a slaughter house?”
“No, the west has little use for slaughter houses at this time but we are thinking cattle Dad. We want to be suppliers.”
“By suppliers, you do mean purchasing agents aren’t you? Surely you are not thinking of becoming cattle ranchers?”
Bradford now spoke up. “Raeford’s been pounding the books on this Dad. He’s convinced the Herford breed is the way to go. The Herford meat is tenderer and pound for head, more profitable than the Longhorn breed we are eating today. Yes Dad, we’ve thought it out the last couple of years and want to be cattle ranchers.”
Again from the sitting came an anguished cry, “What will all of my friends say? Cattle ranchers of all things…Nooooo!”
Henry stood up and walked to the other side of the table where his sons sat. Putting a hand on each of the boys shoulder soberly told them. “I have been selfish. All these years I’ve been thinking I would use the two of you to gain my freedom from the business. I became blind to the talent I had already working for me. You are right, Snelling would be perfect.”
The howl from the other room had settled into a long tearful bawling.
“Don’t worry about your mother. I actually know to deal with her better than most think I do. Getting your way is not always found in being head strong but in understanding what makes another person tick. Watch and see.”
Smiling, Henry raised his voice knowing his wife could easily hear him. “Well sons, I suppose if I put Snelling in charge I’ll have little to do here anymore in the way of work. I could spend my golden years reading the classics”
Placing his finger upon his chin as if thinking, he continued saying loudly. “Although… I suppose with all the free time I’ll have on my hands, maybe it’s about time your mother and I take an extended tour of Europe…England, France and maybe even Italy.”
All three noticed the immediate halt to the bawling in the next room. Without warning, the French doors were thrown open and out stepped a beaming Missus Cobbler. With her kerchief she wiped away the last alligator tear from her eyes and asked hopefully. “Europe? Really? Oh Henry! I must make arraignments. Oh my, what to pack? I need new dresses, these will never do in Europe… and shoes. I must have the shop make me plenty of new shoes!”
Without further comment, the brothers watched in amusement as their mother hiked up her dress and scurried up the stairs to her room. From the top landing, she called down, “Henry, call the trunk maker, we need more travel trunks!”
Looking like the cat that just ate the mouse, Henry chuckled, “As I said boys, I’ll handle your mother, you just worry about how to get your ranch up and running. I figure you wouldn’t mind if I could include myself in this proposition? Not that I have any desire to even see a live cow but seeing as how the two of you make up a pretty formidable pair, I would like to invest in your operation, that is if you would allow me to… say one third?”
The large lettered black and white sign attached to the side of the rail depot said it all, Cheyenne.
It had taken many months of preparation to get to this point. Once the decision had been made, the hard work began. Where to settle, how much land to buy, gathering the needed hands to not only build the ranch itself but also finding the tradesmen willing to travel into the frontier to build the structures. It was a costly venture but with the cash from their father’s investment and that of their Boston Grandfather’s inheritance left to them, they had enough to make it a go.
The brothers stepped off the train onto the stations new low wooden platform. It was an addition to the station that announced Cheyenne was growing. Back in Kansas the entire station would have been used only as a freight station or thankfully torn down.
Bradford took in a deep breath. It was something he had hesitated in doing while still riding inside the passenger car. No one had forewarned the two that the engines coal smoke would permeate every inch of car, clothing and any baggage they brought along. “Well brother, welcome to the west!”
Raeford stood looking about him. “It’s a bit more dismal than I thought it would be. Somehow I thought the west was all rolling grassy plains filled with buffalo. I guess the dime novels shouldn’t be too heavily relied upon for descriptive accuracy.”
“Ah, it’s going to be just fine brother. Let’s get on into town, get a room, a hot bath and a rare steak!”
Once their toilet and culinary needs had been met, the two wandered over to the attorney’s office that had been handling their real estate dealings. Crossing the deeply rutted dirt main street, they stepped up onto the boardwalk in front of a row of unpainted wooden business structures. Since there was only one registered attorneys in Cheyenne, finding it should be easy. Raeford pointed to an attorneys sign hanging above a nine paned glass door that read, Bald, Combover, Bunn and Weave- Attorneys at law.
The brothers stopped, stared at the sign for a second with raised eyebrows, shrugged in confusion and walked on in.
“Good morning gentlemen, how may I be of assistance?” The voice was that of a young girl of sixteen or so sitting behind a polished mahogany reception desk.
Bradford spoke up,“Uh, yea, I hope so. Is this the office of Maxwell Brewer the Attorney?”
The young girl sat smiling up at them. “Yes.”
“Oh the sign says something else. I was confused.”
Getting up from behind the desk the young girl headed towards the door. “Why would you be confused?” As she reached the door she poked her head out saying, “It very simple, it says….OH NO!”
Turning from the door she ran to the stairway that led upstairs to more offices. “James Rochester Brewer! You get your fanny down here right now or I’m telling daddy on you!”
Turning back to the brothers she apologized saying, “Excuse me Sirs but my young brother thinks it’s funny to redo folks signs around town. It’s not the first time he’s been scolded for it. Last week he changed out the Dentist giant tooth sign with that of a pair of bloody pliers and before that painted a shock of hair under the armpits of the baker holding up a loaf of bread.”
“ It’s a good thing my Dad is the only attorney around or we’d get sued for sure!”
Bradford chuckled , “Boys will be boys Miss. No harm done. I can reach the sign if he’ll give me the real one. Is your dad around?”
Exasperated she replied, “He’ll be right back, he just stepped out to send a telegram.”
The young Brewer boy came downstairs with the real sign tucked under his arm. He handed it over to Bradford who stepped outside and exchanged it with the joke one. Timidly he said, “Sorry Sir.” And went back upstairs.
The door suddenly opened and a middle aged properly dressed man stepped inside. With a touch of grey hair at the temples and salt and pepper mustache he looked the part of a successful businessman.
“Ah, I see you have arrived.” Sticking his hand out he shook the brothers hands and told them. “Please, step into my office won’t you?”
After closing the office door behind them, Attorney Brewer went to a file cabinet and removed a folder. “Here is the land deed. The brown folder there contains all the receipts from the construction of two houses, the animal barn, hay barn, horse and cattle corrals, shoots, bunk house etc. etc. The white folder is from the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association for four hundred head of good breeding stock, two bulls, thirty horses and from town here I already bought and delivered one donkey, a jenny.
Looking a bit confused, Bradford asked, “What’s the Donkey for?”
“They keep the Bobcats and Coyotes away. Having a dog will warn you of either but if no one is around to see what all the commotion is about, predator animals will have a field day with your chickens and young pigs while the dog barks at ‘em. A Donkey is very territorial and will kick a coyote or bobcat to death. No need to be there, they know what to do.”
Raeford unfolded a map he had been sent back in Kansas. Now how do we get to our land. I don’t see any rail road near it for fifty miles! I take it there’s a reason for that?”
“You need room for cattle. Any ranch within twenty miles of a rail road would cost too much and the land is usually broken up into farm sized acreages. There’s no problem, you just need to drive the cattle to the nearest rail platform for loading. Right now that’s in Cheyenne where your cattle will be dropped off at but they’re almost done with the one closer to you at the railhead in Hanna. They’ll be loading coal there too so make sure you make arraignments before showing up with a herd to ship. That way too they’ll have the amount of cattle cars needed to take the entire shipment at one time. It should be in operation in a couple months”
“You telegraphed something about ornery neighbors. What is that all about?”
The attorney cleared his throat and told them what he had heard through the lovcal grapevine. “It seems you purchased a property that unknown to any of us at the time, had been being used as free range land by your neighbor. Normally, it’s their tough luck and they make no big deal out of it because everyone knows the law. This case is a bit different. It’s not the neighbor directly that is the one causing trouble but the ranches foreman..or Segundo in this case.”
“Segundo? What’s that?”
“A Segundo is the ranches body guard. He’s the hired gun of the group. This Segundo is called One eye Willy, he’s a Cheyenne half breed who’s band was from the land your ranch is now placed on. One eye Willy has been demanding payment from the Double T ranch to free graze on what he calls his ancestral land. When Bill Wiley, the owner of the Double T refused, One eye Willy had him killed. Wiley’s wife and daughter now run the Double T and they’re afraid for their lives. I’m sorry I did not know this before we purchased the land for you or I would never have let you buy it.”
Bradford spoke up. “Well, what’s done is done. Has he caused any trouble yet? I mean for our trades people and ranch hands?”
“Not that I know of, but then most folks out this way don’t bring their problems to a court, they prefer to settle things for themselves with their fist or a gun.”
“That sounds reasonable, no disrespect to your profession but I’ve seen the law take years what one good thrashing can solve in minutes.”
“I’ll set up a meeting between you two and the surveyor. He’s willing to travel out with you again to show you the ranches boundary lines. As you can see it stretches from Muddy Creek to Camp creek, or about 8 miles north to south. From east to west it starts at the 40 mile Ranch and ends at the west end of Muddy Creek. All in all you bought about sixteen hundred square miles of ranch.”
Three days later found the brothers saddled up on newly purchased horses heading to their ranch. Between Bradford and Raeford rode Tom Higgins, the surveyor. Behind the three rode Higgins assistant and a black smith brought in from Laramie. One of the hands presently working the ranch was acting as the farrier for the place. The permanent black smith would take his place once he arrived. They left Cheyenne and headed west alongside the Union Pacific rails to Laramie.
It took two days before they rode into the town of Laramie. The town was mass confusion under construction. Some buildings had brick facades while most were still wooden or even canvas tents with false wooden fronts on them. Fortunately, the two story Keystone hotel was rather well built structure with its own dining room and saloon. It was here they’d rest up at.
It would take four more days traveling by horseback to reach the ranch so it was decided in the morning they’d restock up on their depleted supplies.
Bradford stepped into the mercantile under dawns early light. The store’s owner had already loaded a wagon that was headed north alongside the Laramie Mountains to Casper. Seeing Bradford, he wiped his hands on his apron and greeted him. Bradford shook his hand and handed the owner his list.
“My names Dwight, Dwight Taylor. If it’s alright with you mister, I have most all of this on the shelves so I’ll let my Amy gather it up for you. I have another order calling for an anvil that I need to tend to.”
Bradford chuckled, “Sure go ahead mister Taylor, I wouldn’t expect your wife to go loading up an anvil while you gather up my baking soda and flour. I’m sure she wouldn’t appreciate that.”
“Not my wife son, my daughter. My Betty passed a year ago last spring from the Grippe.”
“I’m sorry, I meant no insult.”
“None taken friend. Ah, there you are my dear.” Handing his daughter Bradford’s supply list, he excused himself.
Bradford stood gawking at the girl. She was no drop dead beauty by any means but to call her cute missed the point. She was mesmerizingly adorable. Wherever she went in the store, Bradford’s eyes followed. He was no prude by any means but he found himself tongue tied in trying to start a conversation with her. Each time she glanced his direction his eyes flew to something else hoping she wouldn’t realize he was openly staring at her.
“Uh, miss, I mean Amy, uh, uh.”
The girl Amy stood staring at him with a twinkle in her eyes. “Is there something you’d like to ask me mister…?”
“Oh, Bradford, my names Bradford Cobbler, I’m new here. Well not here but yes here too, I mean I’m new to Wyoming.”
Alright then Mister Bradford Cobbler, is there something you wanted to ask me?”
Bradford knew enough to know she was toying with him and was thoroughly enjoying watching him squirm. Mustering all the courage he could and throwing all caution to the wind, Bradford finally uttered what was on his mind.
“Ma’am, I’m starting a ranch up by the Laramie Plains along with my brother. From time to time I would be coming here to Laramie on business and to purchase things unavailable from the smaller mercantile stores nearer to our ranch. I’d like to ask if I could call on you when I come into town. Maybe we could have pie or a pastry of some sort at the café across the way and just talk.”
“I suppose if I was asked proper like, I might consider such an outing, but I would have to ask permission from my father. He’s very protective of me since Mama passed on. He’s not very impressed with the men folk here and I’m all he’s got now.”
“Miss Amy, I am not a vagrant or a man who collects women in every town he enters. I never even had a girl back home. My brother and I are starting a cattle ranch and we aim to be successful ranchers soon. I will be leaving for the ranch in a few minutes, just as soon as we pack up these supplies here. It would make me happy if I knew the next time I am in town that you would take the time to dine with me or even sit on the bench and talk. Either way it’d brighten my day considerably.”
The voice from behind startled Bradford, “If my daughter has the want to sit for a spell with you, then I have no qualms about it. My advice though is this. Don’t eat pastry from the café when you’re trying to impress a girl son. It makes a man look foolish when his face is painted up with powdered sugar.”
“Your point is well taken Sir, I’ll stick to the pie.”
After saying his goodbye’s and leaving with a promise to return just as soon as he was able. Bradford hefted the supply sack over his shoulder and headed to the stable whistling.
“My my, what are you all smiles for brother? Did you find everything you needed at the supply store?”
“I sure did but I gotta go back a few more times before I can bring home what I really wanted from there.”
“What in tarnation are you talking about? Bring what home?”
“My wife!”
The group reigned up and gazed at the scene distantly ahead of them. There by a bubbling brook surrounded by pines sat two beautifully made houses. Further away stood a new barn with corrals and other outbuildings. A small black smith shop sat further up the brook. Just far enough away to keep the banging hammers from becoming a nuisance. Ranch hands could be seen working the horses. Others sat out front on the bunk house porch relaxing in the late afternoon air.
“My God, it’s beautiful Raeford!”
“Look, rider’s coming.”
In the distance four riders could be seen making their way casually from the ranch. The group reigned up about a hundred or so feet from the Cobbler group.
“You folks are the Cobblers?” The lead rider shouted.
Bradford stood up in the stirrups and yelled back, “That’s us, my brother Raeford, our surveyor and myself along with a few extra’s.”
The group of riders visibly relaxed in their saddles and made their way forward.“Then you must be Bradford. I’m Chet, your ranch foreman and these three with me are Davey, Reggie and Tom. They’re a few of your flank riders and wranglers.”
Raeford spoke up, “You all look well armed, any trouble we need to know about? I heard we have an angry Segundo over at the Double T that wants us gone. How much truth is in that?”
“Plenty. We’ve been getting’ hit nearly every night for the last week. Just hit an’ run stuff but each time they get a bit braver. I’m glad you all showed up because something has to be done and it ain’t my position to grab this bull by the horns. Let’s get you and your horses freshened up a bit an I’ll tell ya’ all that’s goin’ on.”
That night over a home cooked meal, a full table of twelve sat discussing the problem over at the Double T. To the group, it was evident the owners of the Double T ranch, Angel Wiley and her daughter Becky were being held against their will. One eye Willy had worked it so any one opposing his plans was either sent off or had an ‘accident’ which left them dead.
Raeford finally summed up the problem and after conferring quietly with Bradford came to a conclusion. “It seems that we have two issues here. One is the rescuing of two innocent women and the other is making our own ranch as safe and secure as possible. Both issues have a common denominator, One eyed Willy. He needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. If you play this scene out it has two outcomes. First one is One eyed Willy is taken care of and we all live in peace. The second is One eyed Willy tries to destroy our ranch and once that’s accomplished, he kills the women and the rest of the Double T hands being held there. We need a plan to make sure the first scenario is the outcome and not the second. I want to go over the ranches books and all as soon as possible and I know Bradford wants to meet with the hands before we have the breeding cattle shipped here. Before that time comes, we need to deal with the more urgent problems of One eye Willy and the Double T. You’ll have to forgive me if our cattle enterprise comes in second right now. Please, don’t get the idea we are not concerned about the cattle enterprise. It’s just that if One eye Willy has his way, there will be no ranch.”
The others around the table nodded their heads in understanding and agreement. The ranch’s foreman, Chet, spoke up. “We never had a doubt about your commitment to the operation here. You’ve been generous with the bank drafts and payroll. A man’s money speaks volumes here. For instance, most ranches get by with a cowboy who got himself stove up to be either the farrier or cook. Little experience needed and even less quality is expected. You boys sent out a real ranch cook and brought along an honest to God black smith. To us that’s a man spending his money to keep others happy an’ not just lookin after his own comfort. Whatever you decide with One eye Willy, we’ll back you with our loyalty and our guns.”
Bradford looked at Chet with approval. “Chet, you and the others built this place while my brother and I did the behind the scenes stuff while still back east in Kansas. We owe you a debt that needs rewarding. Just as soon as this problem is resolved, We’ll take a percentage of the new births and divide them up between you all. They’ll carry two brands on them, ours and the one each of you come up with. When they go to market or give birth, it belongs to you and so does the profit.”
“That’s a mighty fine thing you’re doing. I know the hands will be thankful.One thing I need to know though is which brother do I bring my concerns to?”
Raeford answered. “If it concerns any of the livestock or their physical concerns look to Bradford. When it’s a matter of finances or legal issues talk to me.”
“What if it comes to protecting this place or the herd with a gun?”
“Then you’ll come to whoever is closest at the time. On that issue, my brother Raeford and I speak with one voice. Do what you can at the moment and we’ll worry about the legal stuff afterward.”
That night brought gunshots from a group of riders galloping their way through the ranch. A few windows were hit and a pot setting on the cookstove got plugged. While some shots were fired at the bunkhouse, no bullet was able to penetrate the thick Ponderosa pine they were made from. A few return shots were heard but by the time everyone was up and about the attackers were long gone.
Running up to Raeford with a lit lamp, Bradford found his brother. “Dang it Raeford! We need to be better prepared. They caught us in the outhouse with our pants pulled down!”
“Well, one things for sure, I’m awake for the day so let me be while I think on this. I’ve read nearly every army tactical book of famous battles. I’m sure one or more of them has some ideas we can use to deal with the night riders. In the meantime we need to send out a scouting party to watch the Double T. When One eye Willy comes out again, one of the scouts can be sent ahead of them to warn us back here of their approach.”
“Alright, I’ll get together with Chet, he knows the hands and who’s best qualified for what’s needed to be done.”
As the two walked the cleared area that split the ranch operations from the two houses in the dark, Raeford noted something. At the start of the cleared area, the horses left tracks that were close together, as the approached the ranch, the tracks got further apart. “Looks like they started out walking beside their horses then mounted and went to a gallop about here, just before the first building. Let’s go back and check the ground where they came in at.”
The brothers scoured the ground for any evidence left behind. “Look Bradford, they had their horses laying down near the brook over there among the pinion trees. I bet they crossed over the brook to this side in the last light and waited until dark to attack. That means they may have been on the other side during daylight and we never even saw them.”
Bradford agreed. “And here I sent a scouting party to watch a ranch that no one was going to leave from. They must’ve known we’d set up a watch on the Double T. Meanwhile, they were already here.”
“Bradford, One eye Willy was raised by Cheyenne, even though we may be at peace with them now, when One eye was young we were still fighting them. He’s using old Cheyenne Indian tactics. I read about some of them. They were brilliant tacticians. What we need to do is at first light, lets see the direction they left to. I bet they head straight to the Double T then slowly disappear. At that point that they turn and circle back to the brook where they’ll cross again tonight. They think our scouts watching the Double T will believe no one is out and about so no warning will come from them.”
“So should we pull our scouts back then?”
“No, that’ll warn them we’re wise to their plan. What we will do though is replace them with hands that can’t fight or shoot well. Since no night riders will be coming their way, they’ll be safe enough. Meanwhile we need to set up an ambush of sorts.”
As dawned cracked the horizon, the two brothers were seen riding out to follow the trail of prints left by the night riders.
“You lead Bradford, your wilderness skills are much keener than mine.”
Four miles out, the prints began to disappear, just as Raeford had predicted they would. Within a half mile no prints could be seen at all.
Bradford dismounted and bending over, searched the ground close up. “I wonder how they got the horses to leave no prints. There were no side trails and I got a good set of eyes for the trail.”
“I read they would stop one horse at a time and cover the hoofs with thick sackcloth or burlap. This would both make them quiet and leave no prints.”
“Which way do you suppose they headed off to once all the hooves were covered?”
Raeford scanned the area with a set of field glasses. No obvious trail was seen. “They keep a man riding behind them picking up the horse dung along the way. Look for Urine trails.”
The made a circle a quarter mile in diameter and found what they were looking for.
“Dang Raeford, you hit the nail on the head, look!” Bradford pointed to a damp area where no dampness should have been.
Looking forward, they could imagine the trail slowly circling back towards the ranch. This meant the night riders were possibly at or near the ranch hiding until night came.
Raeford headed back to his mare telling Bradford, “let’s head back quick, we need to make plans for tonight and I have an idea that might spoil their plan!”
The two reigned up at the bunk house and dismounted. A hand came out and Raeford asked him to take the horses back to the corral for hay and water. “Loosen the cinch but leave the saddles on, we’ll be needing to ride them in a bit.”
Trailing behind his smaller brother, Bradford asked “What’s the plan brother? You seem pretty confident.”
“Do you remember when we were kids and had that fort we built in the woods? Remember what we used to keep the other kids from getting to the fort when we played Calvary and Indians?”
“Hmmm, yeah, we laid honey locust spikes all over the place. Man did Dad pound our fanny over that one! Not a kid attacking us left without a thorn or two deep in his foot.” Looking around at the Pinion and box elder growing about he said, “Wyoming doesn’t grow honey locust trees and I don’t see anything that would give us those bunches of long thorns. What did you have in mind?”
“Caltrops brother, medieval caltrops made of fence wire!”
The two called for everyone to meet on the porch of the bunk house except for those already acting as lookout scouts hidden near the Double T.
“Alright everyone, gather around real close as my brother here has a plan so give him your ears!”
Once everyone one was huddled around close, Raeford quietly spoke to them.
“First off, here’s the situation. The night riders have been hiding out all the time over on the other side of the brook beyond the black smith shop. They make their raid then make a large circle and head on back to where the once again spend the next day hiding out. We have no reason to check that area since its opposite of the Double T and we’ve no cattle to graze there yet. Come last light, they make their way across the brook and lay low until the moon comes up. It’s then they attack.”
One of the hands interrupted asking, “So why don’t we cross over the brook and attack ‘em during the day while they sleep?”
“We could,” Bradford said, “But they’re sure to have lookouts to warn them of our approach. Right now you can be sure a few sets of eyes are watching us talk and it’s probably killing them that they can’t hear us because we’re talking so low. No, we’ll let them attack us but this time they’ll be faced with a weapon not seen around here before.”
Raeford stepped forward and in his hands he had two lengths of stiff wire a bit wider than the palm of his hand. “This…” Raeford twisted the wires together until they looked like a four legged spider with each leg pointing to a different axis plane. “… is a caltrop. They were used during ancient warfare against foot soldiers and Calvary. Each leg or spike is sharpened to a needle like point. No matter how it lands…” Raeford threw the caltrop onto the poch floor, “…it lands with a spike pointing upward.”
The group piled around the caltrop amazed at such a simple but wicked device. It was picked up and inspected, turned over and its points tested on fingers.
When the group was finished examining the caltrop Raeford said to them, “We have until dusk to make as many of these as we can. We’ll lay them out in the grass where they crossed the brook. Since they rode horseback to do their shooting, we’ll set caltrops across the roadway in front of the buildings. Just in case they feel the urge to dismount and create havoc on foot, we’ll also lay some about ten feet in front of each window and door of the houses and bunkhouse. Keep any animals in the corral until we gather up the caltrops in the morning light. Put the donkey in the barn with the fowl and small animals. If by chance they ever put fire to the barn or any of the other buildings, someone get over there and open the door so any people and animals inside can freely escape.”
The blacksmith came over with a wooden case filled with sharpened lengths of wire. “I cut it into five inch lengths with a point on each end. I figure there’s about four hundred or so in this box and I can cut and sharpen another thousand pretty quick.”
In front of everyone gathered on the porch, Raeford grabbed two wires with gloved hands and twisted them together. He made sure each point was pointing where he wanted it to. It took less than ten seconds to make.
“Here, everyone grab some wire and try your hand at it. Make sure each one is near identical to the one I just made. A good test is to drop it on the ground. If a point isn’t sticking straight up, it isn’t right. When you made a bunch fill up each burlap sack here with them”
Within a minute or two everyone was producing quality caltrops and the sacks began to fill up.
As dusk began to settle across the Wyoming prairie, groups of men with burlap sacks filled with caltrops headed out to each of their destinations.
One by one they returned to the bunkhouse with their empty sacks.
By dark, everyone had returned. The barn was filled with small animals and a lamp was lit and hung from the rafters to see by. On the north side of the barn, the horses had been corralled and the gates chained shut.
The ranch hands that could fight either belted on their pistols or carried loaded rifles. Each was given a specific place to wait in ambush. All eyes continually scanned the dark sky for the rising moon. Finally it began to show. The men knew the attackers were now probably crossing the brook and silently gathering on this side of the bank. When all the night riders were across and mounted, they’d attack.
Even though the brothers knew almost to the minute when the attack would commence, the night rider’s yells and gunshots still startled them.
It didn’t take long for the night rider’s first horse to step painfully on a caltrop. Rearing in pain, the rider was thrown backward onto the ground. Unfortunately for him, he landed on two caltrops lying hidden in the tall grass. One after another, horses were prancing painfully about and riders being thrown. Some landed safely but in the process of running began stepping on one or more of the painful contraptions.
From the house, Bradford ran out into the moonlight searching for One eye Willy with Raeford trailing close behind. Guns in hand, the brothers were determined to settle this war in one night. Some of the riders had now made it past the caltrop laden start of the trail and began firing their guns into the windows and doors alongside the ranch road. The brothers began firing back at the riders. A few fell while the rest dismounted and ran towards the buildings seeking cover.
By the light of the moon, the two brothers realized they had seriously underestimated the amount of night riders when a group of at least thirty renegade Cheyenne suddenly rounded the corner. Appearing from between the barn and one of the outbuildings they charged headlong at the two brothers. The Cheyenne made it as far as the end of the barn before their unshod horses found the caltrops hidden in the uncut grass. Screaming horses and their surprised riders halted in their tracks. Some finding more caltrops as the dismounted while a few made it back to the safety of the barren barn yard.
Three of the ranch hands laying in wait within the hay barn now threw open the door and with rifles and pistols began firing into the group of Cheyenne in the barnyard. One Brave was seen trying to run into the open with caltrops stuck to the bottom his feet. He fell forward and when he lifted his head a caltrop was stuck to his forehead. A well placed bullet from one of the cowboys ended his agony.
Caltrops of this size were not normally deadly but the night riders found they were debilitating. It felt no different than stepping full weight onto a sharp nail. Except in this case it wasn’t just the feet that suffered.
Some of the Indians and Double T night riders lay unmoving in the grass. The fear of stepping onto more of the wicked things froze them in place. Most began to throw their guns away and gave up.
Bradford suddenly felt a searing pain cross his shoulder blade. Turning he saw One eye Willy cocking the lever of his rifle to take another shot at him. As One eye Willy raised the rifle, his only eye suddenly became a black hole. Bradford looked to his right and saw Raeford aiming his pistol at One eye Willy and was pulling the trigger over and over. With rapid burst of flame pouring from Raeford’s barrel, One eye Willy’s head began to lose its round shape.
By the time Raeford had unloaded his gun into his target, One eye Willy was sitting headless on the horse. Slowly One eye Willy slid sideways onto the ground. To add salt to his wounds when he hit the ground, three more caltrops found and punctured his body.
A lone Indian had found his way into the barn and safety through an unlocked man door. Once inside he ran the length of the interior intent on escaping through the rear door. Beatrice the donkey took umbrage at the stranger’s intrusion into her domain.
Outside the barn, Raeford was reloading his pistol when he heard a loud braying from the donkey within the barn. Afraid that someone had gotten inside in an attempt to burn it down, he quickly ran inside through the open door. He needn’t have hurried.
One look at the gory scene in the dim lamp light was enough for Raeford. Kicked beyond recognition, the Indian was still being trampled on by the upset donkey.
With nothing more he could do, Raeford exited the barn and closed the door behind him.
By now the gunfire had died down as the ranch had clearly won the fight. Bradford had gathered a group of hands and were busy rounding up the attackers. The majority of the night riders needed help in yanking off the bloody caltrops. Only six Cheyenne had survived the ambush. Out of the forty eight attackers only seventeen of them had survived.
The brothers met again in front of the barn. It had been a short but bloody battle but an awfully long day and everyone was exhausted.
“You’re bleeding Brad, you’ll be needing a doctor to look at the back wound. I wonder where the nearest town that has a Doc is at?”
“I’m thinking there’s one in Laramie”
“Laramie? That a few days ride on a good horse. Why would you travel all that way when there’s gotta be one closer?”
“Besides getting patched up, I got personal things to take care of.”
“Huh? As your brother and partner, don’t I deserve to know what in Sam Hill is so all fired important in Laramie that you’d risk infection or worse traveling there?”
“OK brother. Her name is Amy and you better get used to hearing her name because I plan on asking her to marry me.”
“Holy Cow! Is that what you were talking about when you came from the mercantile?”
“It is. Her father owns the place. He even gave me a bit of advice to impress her. I’m thinking he liked me and I know she did!”
Raeford toed the dirt under his boot, smiled and said. “I hope it works out for you. You’re a good brother but I think you’d make an even finer husband. Besides, I think you need a girl to keep you from wandering off all the time.”
The next morning Bradford and three hands had bound the surviving night riders to their saddles and were headed off to Laramie. The U.S.Marshal there would have to deal with the pack of no goods.
After some of the other hands gathered up the rider less horses, they divided them from personal owned to branded Double T owned. The personally owned ones were used to take the survivors to Laramie. They would return with the three hands while Bradford stayed behind to tend to personal things.
Raeford called the rest of the hands together and gave them their orders. “I want these other horses and three riders to come with me to the Double T. They got the Double T brand on them and my bet is the Widow Wiley and her daughter could use them. In the meantime, everyone else gather up all the caltrops that still lay around. We made eleven hundred so don’t stop looking until you got all of them accounted for. After that get the place ready for a train load of beeves to arrive. I picked up a telegram back in Laramie saying the delivery date to Cheyenne is set for the 4th, that’s two weeks from tomorrow. All hands will be needed to drive the herd from there to here. Foreman Chet has already figured each of your positions for the drive. The ranch cook is going along with you. I’m staying back to watch things here and my brother won’t be riding back with you unless he feels fit enough.”
“Mister Raeford Sir?” It was the blacksmith who spoke up. “Seeing as we’ll be needing a bunch of irons made up for the branding, I was wondering if you had settled on a brand yet?”
“Well, to be truthful my brother and I went round and round on this one but after last night I think even he’d approve of this one.” Raeford took a stick and in the dirt drew a caltrop.
“Yes Sir! I think your brother would agree to that! I’ll get started right away”
The Double T ranch was breath taking in beauty. Set against the backdrop of the Medicine Bow Mountains Raeford could see why the original Cheyenne called this area home.
He had the hands drive the horses into one of the Double T’s large corrals. He continued on horseback to the house. As he dismounted, the door opened and a handsome women in her early fifties stepped forward. She glanced at the corral then back at Raeford.
“Those horses have my brand. My foreman rode off a week ago on them along with the group of no goods he hired. Please tell me he’s dead.”
“Him and most of those that rode with him. They have been night riding my ranch. We ambushed them last night. Those that lived are being hauled off to the U. S. Marshal in Laramie.”
The screened door opened once again and the young blond haired daughter stepped out. Though she looked drained from the recent events, her beauty still shined through. The older woman dropped her head and Raeford watched as her shoulders began to shake. The younger woman put her arms around her mother and the weeping woman drew her daughter to her.
Raeford felt awkward just standing there as the two wept. Finally he spoke to both the women. “Ma’am, Miss? My brother Bradford and I are the owners of the new ranch on your north side. He was shot last night and went to Laramie to get patched up.”
“Will he be alright?” The woman asked.
“ I’m sure he’ll be fine, thank you for asking.” Thinking of the girl Amy waiting for his brother, Raeford knew he would be.
“We heard of the trouble you were having with One eye Willy and his group from our Attorney back in Cheyenne on the way out here. He told us One eye Willy killed your husband and drove off or worse, most all your hands. I know you and your daughter are suffering badly and it’ll take a good spell of time to find replacement hands to run the place.”
Angel Wiley nodded her head, “If we can’t get a handle back on the place, we’ll have to sell it. I got only two men left now. One is our cook and the other is so stove up I keep him on just because he and my husband grew up together. My husband ran the place with a tight fist. Why I only found the books two days ago. I’m not a business person Sir, I was a wife and we raised our daughter Becky here as a girl, not a cow hand.”
Raeford turned around and let his eyes drift over the Double T’s holdings. It would be a crime to have built this from scratch only to lose it because of the personal ideology of one man. He could still obtain what he set out to do even from the grave…unless someone stepped up.
“Ma’am. We fought and beat One eye Willy but before he died he set into motion your demise even if he were to die. Since One eye Willy made sure to cripple your operation and you don’t have the manpower or time to get this place up and running again before winter sets in, I have a proposition for you and your daughter.”
“What kind of proposition? Are you going to tell me you’ll buy us out ‘real fair like’ Mister…?”
“Cobbler Ma’am, our last name is Cobbler. I’m Raeford Cobbler and no Ma’am I have no desire to buy you out and see you lose your ranch. There’s plenty of hungry beef eating souls in this country and sometimes by joining forces at times it can enhance both our operations. I propose that just as soon as our cattle arrive and the branding is finished, I send a group of our hands over this way to get your place up and running again. You won’t last half a winter without moving your cattle to winter pasture and when birthing is over then the castrating begins. As you know, you’ll need a lot of hand to survive. During that time I’ll have a notice sent out in the newspapers saying you’re in need of ranch hands. As for your books, I’m willing to teach your daughter Becky everything she’ll need to know about accounting.”
“What’s in it for you Mister Cobbler? You make it sound so promising.”
“By securing your friendship and trust, I don’t have to worry about rustlers coming from this side of my land, do I? That means less time spent riding my property borders and yours. You have the Medicine Bow Mountains at your back. If there was to be any future rustling, it’d be from those mountain passes that they’d come. We’ll set up a signal system in case of trouble. By working together we can split some of the liabilities and double the assets. What do you say to the idea Mrs Wiley.”
“My God. You truly are an angel in denim Mister Cobbler. I’d be a fool to turn down such an offer. But tell me. Why wouldn’t you have just waited until I folded my cards and left here. You could have had all this for pennies on the dollar.”
“My father is one third owner of our ranch. We were brought up knowing right from wrong. If he were to find out I acted in such a manner, no matter how old I may be, I’d find myself bent over his knee receiving the thrashing of my life.” Then with a guilty smile he added. “That and I’d like to stay in your good graces Ma’am.”
“And why are my good graces so important to you?”
“Well,’ Raeford stood shuffling his feet. “because if you and she permit, I’d like to see your daughter without the excuse of teaching her the books.”
The widow put her hand over her mouth and began laughing. “Good Lord, you remind me of my husband!”
“Then I’ll take that as a compliment!”
With that he tipped his hat to her. Turning back to his horse Raeford stopped mid step turned back and winked at Becky. She returned it with a brilliant smile that set his heart racing.
15 Comments Posted in Western Short Stories Tagged caltrop, cattle ranch, Laramie, short stories, western short stories, western stories, western writing, westerns, writing, Wyoming
Prancing Doe raised her blood stained face to the sky and howled in anguish. Her husband, Coughing Bear, lay scalped and dead at her feet. Her infant female child bounced violently within the basket being carried away by a warrior of a renegade band. As the warrior rode off with the screaming infant, on his side hung the fresh scalp of the child’s father.
Sinking to her knees, Prancing Doe knelt next to her dead warrior husband. Paying no attention to the open gash on her head, she began hoarsely chanting his death song in order to find his way safely to the hunting grounds where the Grandfathers waited for his arrival. When finished, Prancing Doe pulled out one of the sharp flint tipped arrows still protruding from his back and dug the arrows tip deep along the length of her arms to slice open the arteries inside until she lost consciousness.
In the brightness of the hunting grounds, Prancing Doe knelt beside Coughing Bear as he stood tall and spoke. In wonderment, she saw that all of the tribes Grandfathers were present. Many she only knew by songs and legends, others she had loved and cared for in life.
After addressing the Grandfathers in greeting, Coughing Bear honored them by singing each their own song as was taught to him as a child. It may have taken days but no one cared since the sun never set in the hunting grounds of the afterlife. When finished, the pipe was passed. The Grandfathers approved and the Great Spirit breathed his pleasure over the gathering which caused a stirring of their unbraided hair. A Grandfather rose and Coughing Bear was given by him a fine strong ash bow and a quiver full of straight arrows. Another gave him a sharp knife. In appreciation, Coughing Bear held a tightly wrapped bundle of sweet grass out to each Grandfather. He then stood, left Prancing Doe behind and joined the Grandfathers to his rightful place in the hunting grounds.
As one, each Grandfather turned their respectful gaze to Prancing Doe. The grandfather that had presented her husband the bow and quiver, sang to her a song of honor. Prancing Doe was humbled. When she felt brave enough, she looked up and he spoke to her.
“Prancing Doe. You have swept the leaves from the trail so that Coughing Bear would not lose his way here to the hunting grounds. You sang until his feet stood upon the holy ground. He was not waylaid by the trickster on his journey because of you. You honored him afterward by sending your own spirit to him as a guide and helpmeet. We are pleased. We give you honor and gifts.
The aged Grandfather held out his hand and in it hung a necklace of strong medicine charms. Some were of carved beaver teeth others knapped flint or precious blue stone. Prancing Doe was afraid to touch such powerful medicine. “Take this, wear it.” He told her, “By touching each in their own order, the honor of what you have done for Coughing Bear will be transformed into the power the Great Spirit has blessed you with. The power to heal, the power of seeing in the dark, the power of smell and the power to look down upon your enemy as does the Eagle in flight.”
He placed the necklace over Prancing Does head. The power of it was so great Prancing Doe feared it would consume her and said so.
Seeing her eyes flash in fear the aged Grandfather reassured her, “It is because you are humble that you fear its power, that is good.”
“ Grandfather, I understand and am honored beyond my own might. Still, I am confused. Why would I need such power here? Is this not a place of peace where death visits us no more and where no sickness abides? “
“To those like your Coughing Bear and those true warriors that have come before him, yes, that is true. Every Grandfather from every tribe is here. There is room for all. The Great Spirit flies above us all and as one people we give him honor. In return he blesses us with no hunger or death. Those who were evil, liars and boastful in their own mind are not here with us. They are sitting on their hemorrhoids brushing away gnats and spiders and serving Iktomi the trickster in the land of the dead.”
When you arrived, we were of like mind that you should be called a new name. Prancing Doe is a child’s name, a name of innocence and naivety. It is a name with little power to go before the people of the plains, the mountains and the forest. No, to do what needs to be accomplished you must have a powerful name. You are now called Ina Hoka. Even a warrior of great courage turns from a mother badger. Nothing pursues as the badger and nothing has more determination to protect her young than a mother!”
Ina Hoka blinked. “ Gandfathers, Nothing has such power as the Ina Hoka, all fear her. Why do you bestow me with such power?”
“There is one who does us no honor. He is the one who hid during the attack upon you and your family. He hid from harm behind his horse until Coughing Bears back was to him. Only then did he step forward pretending to be brave. He killed from behind as Coughing Bear struggled face to face with another brave warrior. He shamed us all with his cowardice. By taking Coughing Bears scalp he shamed us even further. Many Grandfathers shouted displeasure and demanded his tribe be banished until Maka Cesli pays for his dishonor. You are to return to the living people and claim your female child. You are to return to save the tribe Maka Cesli was birthed from forever being dishonored. And lastly, you are to return to receive the precious gift we have asked the Great Spirit to bless you with.”
“Grandfathers, I will do as you ask. As for further gifts, I am blessed far too much already. But I must ask you this, is his name truly Maka Cesli? Skunk Feces? If I am to find him, tell me the name he is known to his people by, for I do not want to mistake another for him.”
‘You are wise Ina Hoka. Though we have vowed never to utter that name again, we will this one time say it, then never again will it be uttered here in the hunting ground. Ohinni Lowacin, I am always full of hunger, is a name no people shall ever use again. His name will be forever Maka Cesli. Even the Trickster will despise him.
Now Ina Hoka, Listen to me with all your might!
When you return to the living land, your eyes will be opened and our talk here will remain strong within your memory. Return and find your child. Now go with our blessing.”
Ina Hoka lifted her eyes beyond the grandfathers to gaze once again at the endless grassy plains and purple mountains of the hunting grounds. She had never seen such beauty before. She would miss the affection of the Grandfathers but knew someday they would smile again upon her final return.
Stepping up to a bundle of smoldering sweet grass she wafted the aromatic smoke over her head then fanned it towards the assembled Grandfathers. Once blessed with the sweet smoke, she touched each Grandfathers hand lightly in reverence. She turned and glanced about in search of Coughing Bear. He stood proudly smiling at her with raised palm. She returned his farewell wave and suddenly screamed in pain.
“Hold on Ma’am, please lay still or you’ll bust open the dressings I put on your arms. I know they must hurt a load but for your own good, please lie still.”
Ina Hoka woke up screaming from the pain in her lacerated arms. She lay on a makeshift outdoor bed of soft grass and covering her was a stiff cloth of some sort. Turning her head she saw she was still in the same killing field as before. Looking frantically about, she noticed fresh graves had been dug and her husband’s body was no longer lying next to her. True to what the Grandfather had told her, she recalled in perfect clarity her visit to the hunting grounds and all that had been spoken.
Speaking in her own tongue to the man squatting beside her, she asked where her husband’s body was.
“I’m sorry Ma’am, I don’t speak Indian very well, just some trading phrases and such. I found you lying here almost dead. You’ve lost a lot of blood but I got the best of the bleeding most ways stopped now. ”
When she had turned her head, something shifted slightly on her chest, slowly moving her hand to her throat she discovered the strange feeling was the necklace. As if she had spent a lifetime doing so she skillfully fondled the healing beads and chanted. Within a few breaths time, her eyes cleared and her contorted face relaxed as the agony of the pain began to subside. When the pain became manageable, she asked the young man who was attending to her wounds about her husband.
“My husband?” She asked in English, “Did you bury him?”
Jerking backwards her rescuer jumped back in surprise, “Wha?? I’m sorry, you gave me a start Ma’am that’s all. I did not think you spoke any English”
“Yes, I do. My husband, is he buried?”
“If the young warrior that got himself kilt near you was your husband then yes, I gave him a Christian burial along with them old folks too. I heard you Indians bury a person facing East so I did that for them. Ma’am, to tell you the truth, at first I thought you was dead too.”
“I was about to move you over to that there grave I dug when I noticed you were still breathing. After I patched you up, you woke up and started screaming bloody murder. I’m tellin’ you Ma’am, you sure got a powerful set of lungs!”
Ina Hoka understood most of what the man said except for the odd reference to her lungs. She understood her husband was buried with honor and this man had been used by the Grandfathers to also save her life. She made a mental note to ask the Great Spirit to repay his kindness by blessing him when she was up to it.
“I’m putting up a tent over you so don’t get frightened, alright Ma’am? You won’t be moving for a while yet and I wanted to make sure you’re out of the weather if it begins to rain. By the way Ma’am I go by the name Thomas, Thomas Payne… like the famous Thomas Payne…only I’m not him. ”
“Why do you stop to help me?” She asked.
“Shucks Ma’am, what did you think I’d do? Leave you here all alone to die?”
“Are you a medicine man To-mas that you knew to care for my wounds?”
“No, I’m no Doctor Ma’am. When I was a boy, my Daddy showed me a trick to closin’ up cuts when I was a kid. See that big ant hill over yonder? What you do is rustle up them folks till the big fighters come pouring out of the hive. Then you grab onto one behind the head. If you take the two sides of the wound and squeeze ‘em together and you place the ant just so, the ant will use his pinchers to bite you. All ya’ do then let him pinch the two sides of the wound tightly together with his bite. Once he’s forced the two sides together you pinch off its body and the head stays there keepin’ the wound closed and you end up with a fine stitch. I poured some whiskey on your wounds and the gash on your head to keep you from getting’ a fever from infection. It took a couple hundred ants to sew up your arms but I think it’ll heal fine like. I’m sorry but I don’t have any willow bark to ease your pain.”
Ina Hoka smiled up at him saying, “I have my own means of making my pain leave me.” She placed her hand over her necklace and told him, ”My name is Ina Hoka, I must avenge my husband and find my daughter that was taken by Maka Cesli.”
“I’m not sure who this Maky Selsa fella is but it’ll be a bit a time a’fore you can go chasin’ after him. I’m thinkin’ that if you can tell me where your tribe is, it’d probably be best if I could get you over to them as soon as possible. I’m thinkin’ they might go on out after that Maky Selsee fellow for ya’.”
“The Grandfathers named him Maka Cesli not Makee Selsee, it means skunk dung! His people still call him Ohinni Lowacin. He is from a tribe that we have struggled with for many winters now. We have fought them over the right to hunt buffalo on the land. At one time there were many buffalo and we all lived in peace.”
“When the buffalo became few, the young warriors of his tribe would not listen to the elders and made trouble. Since that time, war between us has become more and more. Maka Cesli leads a band of young warriors wanting to make big their name to shame their elders into making the big war with my tribe. They have attacked women and children left alone in their lodges while the men went off hunting. I am saddened for my husband’s parents. All they wanted was to see the buffalo one last time before death from old age claimed them. My husband showed them great love and honor in bringing them here to fulfill their desire. Now they are all dead. When I can stand on my own, I will go find Maka Cesli’s camp and take back my daughter. I am a mother badger. I will chase him until he has no strength left and his legs fail him. Before I kill him I will cut off his man stick and send him to the Trickster choking on it!”
Thomas sat fully down in the long grass and looked at the young Indian girl lying there with bandaged head and arms. “I just bet you will too!”
The summer days passed quietly on the plains. Ina Hoka grew in strength and Thomas tried his best to learn her tongue. He thought at the least, it would come in handy living in the western plains where tribes still wandered freely about. But if the truth be told he began to find Ina Hoka a fascinating woman and discovered she was pleased at his attempts to speak the tongue of the Sioux. Her smile was a reward he looked forward to. He had seen few women as beautiful. Thomas spent part of the day away from Ina Hoka gathering dried buffalo chips to feed the camp fire and spent time gathering wild plants and any meat he could find. As her wounds healed, Ina was able to take on more and more camp chores. The day eventually came though that she had to tell Thomas he was a terrible cook. She shoo’d him away from the gathered supplies and turned a once bland meal into a delicious stew. From that moment on, each began to take unto themselves the chores expected of a man and a woman.
One evening as they sat next to each other eating, Ina looked over at the man who had so unselfishly cared for her. She was troubled in her heart. She had the task asked by the Grandfathers to find Maka Cesli and her daughter but found she did not want to leave the company of Thomas. “To-mas, I am near the time I must go and find my daughter and kill Maka Cesli.” She then told him of her near death and all that had occurred during that time she was in the hunting grounds.
“How in heavens name will you, a lone woman, be able to accomplish all this? Don’t get me wrong Ina, I know you got the sand to do it but we don’t even know where they’s at.”
Ina Hoka lifted her necklace to him, “The grandfathers gave me this gift. It has powerful charms.” It comes not from this land but from the hunting grounds. It gives me the power to heal, to see into the night, to smell beyond that of the bear and to see as the flying eagle sees in flight.”
“If it heals, why did you not use it to heal your own wounds?”
“The power to heal is not for me but for someone else. When I lay there in pain, I asked the Grandfathers to heal my wounds but they told me it was not meant for me but because I asked, they would at least grant my pain to subside. That much I know. Who it is meant to heal, I do not know. Maybe it is for another time, not now.”
“Have you tried the other charms?”
“Yes, each time you leave to hunt or gather I follow you as the Eagle because I worry on your safety. Before we sleep, I search the night prairie as the Owl.” Then with a giggle she said, “Once I used the smelling charm to smell the distant mountain flowers.”
“You say that giggling, why?”
“To-mas, forgive me but your cooking smelled so bad that if I had not had the smell of the wildflower to revive me, I would have fainted!”
Saying that, the two of them broke into a howling laughter. “Good Lord Ina, it did have kind of a skunky smell to it now that I think back! It musta’ been them weed lookin’ things I added to the meal”
The evening sky darkened as they sat enjoying each other’s company and soon the only light was cast from the glowing campfire. Seeing Thomas’s handsome face framed in the glowing light, Ina could no longer keep her thoughts from becoming words.
“To-mas,” She said quietly, “I do not want to part from you. My heart is torn, it lays on the ground. My husband enjoys the hunting grounds as an honored warrior now. He will have no need or desire for a wife anymore. I have asked the Grandfathers of this. They told me so. I am happy for him yet I am feel shame that I desire to feel as a woman feels for a man so soon after his parting. Though we come from different peoples, I have come to respect you. More than that even. I want you to share my blanket.”
Thomas scooted himself closer to her and placed his arms over her shoulder. She leaned into him.
“Ina, all this time I’ve been trying my darndest to get you to notice me as more than just a ramblin’cowboy that wandered into your life. I was sure you would never look at me as a suitor. To tell you the truth, as much as I was happy being around you it made me sad at the same time. In your tribe, can a man like me marry you?”
“I have a secret to tell you To-mas. We have spent almost a full moon together alone on the prairie. Even though we have not slept under the same blanket, my people would assume we did. If we arrived not as husband and wife they would think of me as one who jumps from blanket to blanket. You call this woman a whore. To prevent this, I had planned to leave you here as I went in search of Maka Cesli and my daughter. When I returned to my tribe with her, no one would have known about you. But my heart cried out that it wanted you. I could not gather the courage to leave you.”
“So if we showed up at your village, they’d naturally assume you and I are married. But if we act like we wasn’t married, they’d look upon you as a whore and treat you as a outcast?”
Thomas stood up and knelt before Ina Hoka. Taking her hand in his he spoke to her. “Ina, I know we got some big differences between us. I’ve always figured a woman would come my way someday but not until I saw the world an’ made my fortune.”
“I ain’t no good at this Ina so I’ll just come clean with it. I have fallen head over heels in love with you and I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on. I know you said folks would just assume we was married but I’m askin’ you if you’d make it real. Will you marry me? I know there ain’t no one around to say we are but isn’t there something in your tribal way that we don’t need a preacher or judge to be married?”
“By lying together, the Grandfather will know. In their eyes they will see our love and accept our union.”
That night, under a moonlit night under a blanket within the confines of the canvas tent, Ina Hoka became Thomas’s woman and wife. He became the husband to Mother Badger who still had a dangerous task before her. In her dream Ina Hoka spoke to the Grandfather concerning her marriage. “It was not good that you should be alone in life. When we sat face to face last moon, I had told you of one more gift we honored you with. It was the gift of being loved. Thomas is our gift to you. He is a good man, brave and protective. He has a large heart that now beats for you. Go now, seek your child and destroy Maka Cesli. Your husband Thomas will be at your side.”
Morning found their camp broken and far off in the distance a man could be seen walking next to a woman who was riding horseback. Together they headed westward where the spirit of a flying Eagle had spotted the band of Maka Cesli many days ahead of them.
Two weeks later, under a dark evening sky that found the couple within a few miles of where Maka Cesli’s band was camped, Ina spoke to Thomas. “Listen to me my husband. I have powers that you do not have. I am afraid for you. I will soar once again as an eagle in the night. With my Owl vision I will see all that I need to know. I will descend within the camp and kill Maka Cesli. Then after I have humiliated him, with my talons I will grab up my daughter and return here to you. I must warn you. If they have given honor to the Unkcegila, then the Unkcegila will try to stop me. They are evil spirits that roam the land and hate those that are good. As an Eagle I can fly safely above them but you will be as a mouse to a hawk. I must chant a song of protection over you. Be still and say nothing. Whatever you see, do not let it frighten you. I am singing a song of the giant warrior. He will ride across the sky mocking the Unkcegila and daring them to attack him. They will spit and scream at him as he passes above them. The Giant Warrior will keep the eyes of the Unkcegila upon him and away from you. When I return, the Giant Warrior will become as a mountain and crush the Unkcegila under his weight. He will sit upon them until we are safe and far away.”
Thomas tipped his hat in a sign of affirmation. “I ain’t even gonna’ question any of what you’re tellin’ me Ina. I sure ain’t never heard of such things but it sure ain’t my place to say it can’t be so. Go ahead, sing your song sweetheart, I’ll try not to foul my drawers at what I see goin’ on.”
Ina Hoka told Thomas to sit. Standing over him she began her chant. Thomas was afraid her raised voice would alert someone in Maka Cesli’s band yet after a few minutes he could see no unusual movement by the bands campfire light.
As he watched the firelight miles away, his vision began to play tricks on him. The far away campfire began to waiver. It seemed to move first to the right then to the left. Sometimes it seemed close and other times very far away. Voices could be heard but he could have sworn he did not hear them with his ears. His body took on the weight of stubborn mule causing his arms to dangle uselessly at his side. Across the sky swept a faint blue light as if dawn was about to break. From out of the light in the sky a mountain appeared. As the mountain traveled from east to west it took on the shape of a warrior upon a white horse. The warrior held his coup stick high and screamed insults at an unseen enemy. It was then that he realized he could no longer see Ina Hoka yet her singing was as loud as a nearby drum.
Thomas was about to speak when he remembered her instruction to remain quiet. He realized that if he made even the slightest noise, then whatever evil spirit that was creeping in the prairie grass would hear and attack him. He knew no bullet could protect him from the Unkcegila but that was the duty of the Giant Warrior.
Thomas could now see confusion in the camp. Warriors ran back and forth. With demonic howls the Unkcegila clawed the prairie sky trying to disembowel the Giant Warrior’s horse riding above them. The Giant Warrior laughed and threw insults and humiliation upon the spirits as he rode just out of reach above and past them. The evil land spirits howled and jumped trying to gain enough height to destroy the horse he rode on. Even the horse whinnied back in laughter.
“Aaiiieeeee!” A long horrible scream came from the encampment. It was shameful for a warrior to scream from pain but then Maka Cesli was no warrior. The Giant Warrior paused and pointed his coup stick toward the camp. He threw back his head and laughed. Thomas felt the laughter strike him as close thunder would during a prairie storm. His chest reverberated from it and his head ached from the pressure. Realizing the mountain sized warrior was positioned above the half driven mad Unkcegila demons , he watched as the Giant Warrior settled himself down on top and crushing them.
The pain in Thomas’s head became almost too intense not to shout out. A giant eagle carrying a child in its talons flapped it’s powerful wings and settled behind him. Just when he felt he could stand it no more, he felt a pair of loving arms wrap themself around him from behind in a hug. Ina Hoka’s calming voice spoke softly into his ear.
“My husband, rise, we must be off. The light of dawn will soon be upon us and we must leave while the Giant Warrior holds down the spirits of the land while it is yet dark. All has been accomplished tonight.”
To Thomas, he felt as if he had suddenly awakened from a dream. No longer could he see the Giant Warrior or the gasping Unkcegila. Wailing sadness could be heard from the camp but no warriors mounted to seek revenge for the humiliating slaughter of their leader.
Holding the child out to Thomas his wife spoke to him, “Rise, and see our daughter, is she not beautiful?”
Thomas rose and cradled the tiny girl in his arms. “She’s beautiful all right, she looks just like her Mama.”
The subject of the child’s upbringing and what path she would follow had never been discussed between them. Realizing it must be settled before they entered her tribe’s encampment Ina Hoka asked Thomas who’s culture would they all belong to.
“Well,” Thomas thoughtfully replied, “It seems I’m a bit outnumbered two to one. Ina, I would want what makes you and our daughter happiest. I was always a bit of a drifter after I left home. I would like to plant my roots next to yours if that’s alright with you. Besides, if we lived in a city of white men and I began telling folks all I’ve seen here tonight, they’d lock me up as bein’ crazy. I think it best for all of us if we put our roots down inside a teepee lodge with your people rather than a square house made of wood and stone among strangers.”
“Yes, that makes me happy. I will yet have much explaining to my tribe of all that has happened since my leaving the village. While they will be of sad heart to hear of my husband and his parents deaths, they will sing songs of happiness for our marriage and the return of my child.”
As the three made their way eastward Thomas asked, “Ina, I need to ask you something. Is there some reason why our baby has no name?”
“In our band, a child’s name is given to her by her father. She is yours to name. If you look upon the child your heart will be open to her name. Sometimes if it is an important name the Grandfathers will give you hints other times your Totem will speak to you.”
“I’ve actually just been thinkin’ on that. I would like to give her the name your mother was called. I want to give your Ma some sort of honor seein’ as how she raised such a wonderful daughter herself. What was her name?”
Ina Hoka walked closely beside her husband Thomas as he continued to cradle the child in his arms. “How honored am I?” she thought. “All the gifts that the Grandfathers have given to me and now my husband honors not only me but my own mother. I am complete.”
“Her name is Kimo. It means to be brimming with hope.”
Thomas stopped and lifted the now giggling child to the predawn sky. “Daughter, today you are called Kimo!”
As he handed the baby girl now named brimming with hope back to Ina, a golden shaft of morning sunlight split the dawns clouds. The narrow shaft struck the three where they stood.
Ina Hoka looked up at her husband and smiled widely. She held Kimo closely to her breast and spoke to her husband.
“To-mas, the Grandfathers are pleased you remembered my mother and gave honor to her. Stand quiet as they bless our family with the morning sunlight.”
Thomas looked up into the dawns parting clouds and swore they took the form of an old Indian proudly smiling down upon them. As the clouds continued to be blown clear by the morning breeze, the prairie lit up in the splendor of the sun.
“I love you Ina Hoka, Mother Badger.”
Ina chuckled and wrapped her free arm around his waist, “I love you to To-mas, and like the Badger, you will never escape my love.”
“Why would I ever want to leave you? You’re the best cook I ever met!”
Laughing she squeezed his waist. “So it is true then what the old women of the lodges say of their men? That all a wife is good for is cooking and keeping the Tee Pee clean?”
Chuckling he squeezed her back and replied, “That and uh, you know…”
She quickly tiptoed and kissed him and said smiling back naughtily, “Oh yes, we shall never forget that, will we?”
“Not in my life time we won’t!”
As their laughter drifted over the dew wet prairie, the grandfathers in the sky above looked at each other and smiled. The Grandfather that had blessed them spoke aloud. “Huh, he reminds me of when I myself was young.”
In the distance an elderly female chuckled and was heard to exclaim, “In your dreams my husband, only in your dreams!”
49 Comments Posted in Western Short Stories Tagged Lakota, old west, sioux, western blogs, western short stories, westerns, writing
Few records of black Cowboys have made it to the present day intact. In truth, most all records of trail driving cowboys are nonexistent. The reasons vary but simply put, the Eastern press was more interested in Dime novel hero’s than every day working cow punchers.
In a past blog, I wrote of Charles Goodnight from the great State of Texas and his contributions to the West. Goodnight not only preserved the cowpuncher life on paper in writings but he used photography (stills and movies) to document it all. While Goodnight preserved history on film, the artist Charles Russel, captured it on canvas. Without these two and others who saw fit to shy away from exploitation, we would have few truthful facts of our Western past.
What is known as fact, is that at one point over 5,000 cowboys out West were black. Many were slaves or sons of slaves that previously escaped the Southern plantations before the war and headed into Mexico. While in Mexico, they learned the art of horsemanship and cattle wrangling from the Mexican cattle ranchers on large haciendas.
While the Mexican Vaquero Cowboys were considered excellent wranglers in Mexico, in Texas and other western States they were looked upon as lazy and inept, too concerned about their wardrobe and not enough on actual labor. In truth, many Mexican wranglers did in fact quit the trail drives before reaching their destination. Why? Possibly the weather, possibly the trail drive life itself. Much more likely though it was a cultural thing. While many were the butt end of jokes for their fancy dudes or their lack of, Mexicans did not need to drive their cattle any great distance to market. In Mexico, a hundred mile drive was considered a long drive while in the Western States, a thousand mile drive was not out of the question. The vaquero was not used to camping out for months at a time.
After the Civil war, many slaves who had escaped slavery by heading into Mexico, headed back into the western states looking for work on the cattle drives. Their experience in wrangling and their willingness to work hard were much appreciated by both the trail boss and their fellow white wranglers. True, there was still discrimination of sorts but it was more a cultural segregation rather than a dislike for the blacks in general. Whites had their way of enjoying their off time as did the blacks. On the trail, discrimination was not in evidence as much as in town. On the trail, the value of the cowboy was determined by his experience, abilities and willingness to put in a long day without complaint. All hands ate together, rode herd together, entertained each other in song and doctored each other without consideration of race. These values did not transfer to conditions in many towns though. In town, each race generally went their own way and a Black cowboy was pretty much expected to follow many protocols formed by southern values while in town . Blacks were expected to bed black whores, drink in saloons that served “greasers” (Mexicans), Blacks and the town’s less fortunate folk. The more “civilized” the town was, the greater the segregation. Mining camp towns were much more liberal. This might have been due to the fact that many miners were from Europe and China and were considered low lifers anyway.
Before one judges the Western States too harshly though, facts show that those Blacks living in the East experienced much fewer personal freedoms and dealt with more open hostility than those who worked on the Western Trails.
Many a firm bond of friendship was formed on the trail. There are documented examples of cowboys of different race becoming “pards” (best friends for life) and even business partners. Race played little part in their friendship. Each described the other as,”one to ride the river with”. (it was the highest of compliments given in the days of the Old West).
This is a story based on one of those friendships. While I tried my best to discover and tie together as many facts as possible, I regret that much of it had to be interpreted through the eye of poetic license and my own imagination. Still, the photos and places are real as is the lone Cowboy buried under the sky of Arizona.
The old Apache Trail corral as it looks today.
The first of the eighty five head of cattle topped the rise on the mountain trail and began their march downhill towards the rickety creosote drenched wooden cattle pen below. Having scoured the hills and arroyo’s west of Fish Creek in the Arizona Territory for the last three weeks, the three wranglers drove the J_E branded cattle they found down the trail they called the New Wagon Trail (Now named the Apache Trail or State Rt 88 out of Apache Junction just east of Pheonix).
Fifty five of the fattest beeves rounded up would be sent off to the market at Mesa, the rest would be driven a short distance to graze on better grass to fatten up. The fifty five head sold would help pay some of the J Bar E’s ranching bills and put some jingle of coin in everyone’s pocket.
As trail drives went, it was a short one. Once the cattle were rounded up and corralled near the Superstition Mountains, only twenty miles remained. Rounding the beeves up and getting them gathered at the separating corral though was another story. First, one had to find the beast hidden among the mountainous crags and peaks, then try and convince it to leave the protection of high brush, cacti, rock formations and mesquite trees for the open trail. Second, the Wranglers had to keep them from wondering off on their own as they were driven.
The three J Bar E hands, two brothers and the son of runaway slaves, yipped and howled at the cattle as they made their way downhill to the open gated pen below. Once the cattle were penned up, the three could pitch a tent, eat a real meal and let down their guard a bit. They knew within a day or two the rest of the J Bar E hands would arrive from the ranch to help drive the cattle into town.
While most Yavapai and Apache Indians had been moved north into the territory near Fort McDowell, enough still remained hidden in the mountains to be cause for concern.
In most cases, the Indians still hidden in the Superstition Mountains kept to themselves. There were however the inevitable run in’s with ranchers and miners. Sometimes a gift of a cow or two given to the band would be sufficient to stave off any violence, other times a few gunshots directed their way would suffice. And sometimes there was a killing needed.
The two brothers, Cody and Shane Clemans had been hands on the J Bar E ranch for nearly fifteen years. Neither could tell you their exact age but it was known Cody was the oldest by a year. It was thought they were in their early forties. Both brothers were of wiry build. No taller than six inches over five feet, they yet had the strength and endurance that surprised many. Neither were married and had no inclination to ever being so. Like many other area cow pokes, a trip now and then to the copper mining town of Globe or the flat dusty town of Mesa satisfied any carnal needs at the local whore house.
The brothers were simple men with simple needs. To the Clemans, right was right, wrong was wrong and there was no need for the color grey. While Shane owned the only Bible, both believed it was the word of God and the way to salvation but neither had ever been inside a church. The two accepted their lonely roles in life from atop of a saddle and never complained of their station. They rarely socialized with other groups but had a common friend they called Elly.
Elly was black. As black as coal is to marble. Unlike many Negro’s, Elly had no brown whatsoever in him. His heritage was Mexican, his ancestry African.
Elly’s parents had fled slavery in 1850 from Virginia with their infant son Ebenezer. They made their way on foot to Mexico by skimming the coastal areas of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The trip took two and a half years to complete. In the swamps of Georgia, Ebenezer fell victim to swamp fever and passed away. He was buried alongside the banks of the Ogeechee River. The parents continued on to Mexico abstaining from intimacy along the way to prevent further pregnancies while on the run.
Elly was born and grew up in Guasave, Mexico where his parents named him El Negro… “The Black One”. He spoke excellent Spanish as well as English and an African tribal language taught to him by his parents. He had no siblings and when his parents passed away he was left alone. At the age of twenty two, the War between the States ended and Elly made up his mind to leave the Hacienda he was employed at and head north into the United States.
Smartly dressed in the Vaquero fashion he reached the Arizona territory. There he found employment at the recently formed J Bar E ranch. Folks at the J Bar E took to him right off even if they had reservations about calling him, “El Negro”. To ease their discomfort, Elly told them to just call him Elly. Everyone breathed easier after that. They admired his roping skills and determination to see a job well done. While many cowhands shied away from work off of the saddle, Elly had no such qualms. He appreciated the fact that hard work made him a valuable hand.
Within a year of starting his employment, the owner of the J Bar E ranch built comfortable wooden bunk houses for his hands. No one made a fuss when Elly threw his bedroll onto a top bunk in one of the bunk houses and then told everyone he chose that bed because he was afraid of being pancaked if the whole thing collapsed. The only comment was from his bunk mate below who asked in good humor if Elly ever wet the bed. “I don’t need no watering, I ain’t no plant!” Elly was easy going and had a quick smile. He took a ribbing and gave it out in equal amounts.
The hands at the ranch were not immune from Elly’s practical jokes nor was Elly immune from theirs. A respect had been formed for the young black man among all the hands. In particular, the two Clemans brothers seemed to gravitate to Elly’s company.
In a short time, the three were inseparable in work and play. The Ranches in the area got to know Elly too and had no qualms with “ El Negro” showing up at social functions and get together’s thrown by them.
“Shane!” Elly shouted, “Drop back and scoot that brindle cow back onto the trail, she’s lookin’ to head into that high brush over yonder!”
Shane yanked the reigns left to head off the escaping brindle cow.”Yee cow, Yee ha, git on cow!” Shane yelled while twirling his lariat rope in circles to frighten the cow back onto the trail. Once the brindle was back with the heard, Shane pulled up again alongside the cows. Whacking his lariat loudly against his chaps, he kept the attention of the heard focused in heading to the corral below. “I sure am glad to see that pen!” Cody commented, “I’ll go on ahead and raise the barrier pole to guide ‘em on in.”
Cody spurred on ahead in order to reach the corral and lift the long wooden pine tree pole in place. The pole extended the gates length giving it a funneling effect. “C’mon cow! Git on down there,” Elly and the Shane shouted as the herd picked up speed as they sensed an end to their travels.
Quickly, the herd made it to the trails bottom where a short rock strewn trail led to the corral. Cody held up the rail while Elly and Shane pushed the cattle towards the open gate and into the pen. A small stream not thirty feet from the backside of the corral gave birth to the corrals location alongside the Apache Trail. Once inside the corral, the cattle moved in a clockwise motion calming them down.
An empty wooden water trough and pail stood at the far end of the corral where the stream was closest. The three waited until the cattle had settled a bit before filling the trough from a small nearby stream fire bucket brigade style. Once watered, the cattle seemed content to stare vacant eyed at the three as the made camp.
That night after a meal consisting of Cowboy beans*, bacon, biscuits and coffee, Elly brought out a small tinned can of buttermilk. The three friends sat across from each other as the campfire dwindled to glowing coals. Sitting cross legged, Elly raised the buttermilk tin as if to make a toast, “Ah…buttermilk, the true gift of the cow gods! “
Elly removed his left boot and using the rowel of his spur, he punched a hole in the tin can’s top and lifted the can to his lips. After taking a long swig, Elly put the half empty can down next to where he sat and placed a flat stone on it’s top and told his friends, “…Keeps the scorpions out’a my milk at night.”
Cody pointed to the can and asked, “Y’all gonna finish it off in the morning then? Won’t it be spoilt by then?”
“Shoot, it’s already spoilt Cody. Go ahead, Elly, let’m smell that stuff.”
“It ain’t already spoilt, just smells that way.” Elly responded.
“Then why drink it if it smells so bad,” asked Cody.
“If the two of you hadn’t been raised by a she badger, your Mama would have introduced you to the cow gods nectar when you was young. That’s the thing. You gotta start drinkin’ it young. At your ages, what are you two now, 97…104? Anyway, at your ages that ‘ol slab of leather you two call your tongues couldn’t rightly tell the difference between a lemon and a cows butt hole!”
“Speaking of butt holes,” Shane said, I can still remember years ago when we met, the trick old John Morrow played on you the first night we all met.”
“What was that? Asked Cody.
“Shoot Code, you remember don’t you? About the North star?”
Elly sat grinning at the fire and chuckled, “Hell, if he don’t, I do! I can’t believe I fell for that one.”
“Be pals an’ remind me.”
Elly looked over at Shane and nodded saying, “You tell ‘em Shane, I ain’t one to add to my own foolishness.”
“Well”, started Shane, When we all set up that first night at the J Bar E, Old John Morrow was ranch boss back then. You remember Ol’ John don’t you Cody?”
“Sure, he was one man I thought would never die…too tuff. He probably went on down ‘an beat ‘Ol Satans ass then took over hell for himself!”
“Yup,” Elly said, “that was old John all right, but he had a sense of humor too.”
“He sure did. Come time to hand out job duties, ‘Ol John asked Elly here if he knew how to tell the time of night by the stars. Now, Elly here is one smart Mexican transplant but he’d never knowed about readin’ the star clock back in Mexico. So ‘Ol John Morrow says to Elly, “I want you to take first watch.” He then points at the North Star and says to Elly, “When that there star sinks down below the horizon, it’ll be time to change watches. When it does, come and wake me ‘an I’ll take your place. Then you can sleep like a baby till sunrise”. Well, that sounded just grand to Elly here. If you recall, that first day we all busted butt and was pretty much wiped out.
So, there sat Elly, hour after hour watchin’ an’ waiting for the North Star to sink itself below the horizon when up comes the sun! ‘Ol John come out his bed role yawning like a newborn calf ‘an walks on over to Elly and says, “Well?” Elly responds, “I don’t know what happened Mr. Morrow, I watched that there star all night like you wanted me to but she never moved!” By now the others was up ‘an movin’about and had heard the conversation. They all fell over laughin and carryin’ on. Elly sat there lookin’ confused when ‘Ol John tells him. “Son, I was yankin’ yo’ leg! That ‘ol star is the North Star ‘an she ain’t never gonna move from that there spot! But thanks for standin my watch, I sure did enjoy getting’ myself a full nights sleep!”
The three sat laughing at the thought as the moon rose over the desert causing the coyotes to yip and yelp and the cattle moo’d contentedly in return.
Morning broke and Elly was the first to open his eyes. What he saw froze him in his bed role. Indians.
As quietly as he could, Elly spoke through unmoving lips trying to wake and warn his two friends. “Shane, Cody, wake up, wake up but don’t move…Indians!”
Cody popped his eyes open and moving only his eyes looked up the trail where they had come from. There he saw what Elly had been warning them of. Four Indians on horseback sat on the rise looking down on them.
“They look like Apache” Cody whispered to Elly. “Either that or Yavapai. I hope they’re Yavapai, they’s somewhat friendly to whites.”
“How do they feel about negro’s? “ Elly whispered back.
“Sorry, you know what I meant Elly.”
“Yea, just trying to calm my nerves by bein’ funny. You think we should wake up now?”
Without answering, Cody rose up and stood looking at the group on the rise. When no one reacted to his movement, Cody strode over to Shane and nudged him with his foot. “Shane, wake up bro. We may have some trouble comin’ on. Take a look up yonder at the rise in the trail.”
Shane rose and stood next to the now standing Elly.
“What do you think El?”
“Beats me, that one fella there that looks like he’s had a bad night’s sleep got a nice Henry long gun on his lap though. The others look less aggressive but don’t let that fool nobody.”
“Look, here they come an’ our rifles are still over there by the saddles from last night.”
“Cody”, said Elly, “You’re just full of good news this mornin’ ain’t you?”
The four Indians slowly made their way into the camp. Shane raised his hand in greeting. The four stopped fifteen feet from the trio.
As luck would have it, the one who Elly had said looked as if he had a bad night’s sleep moved forward.
Stopping less than the length of a man away, the foul looking leader pointed his Henry rifle at the cattle and said. “Want cattle.”
Elly stepped forward saying, “Well friend, if you’re interested in buying…”
The rifle moved from the cattle to face Elly. “Chookna want all cattle. Give.”
“They’s J Bar E brand Chookna, they ain’t mine to give or sell.”
The leaders dark face became red with anger. Shane swore later it turned purple.
“Chookna take, you go.”
“I ain’t goin’ no where’s without my cattle friend.” Elly replied,” Now if you had asked nice like I might’a looked the other way while you drove one or two off. But now you’re pissin’ in my boot an’ I don’t take to that.”
Losing face, Chookna quickly turned in the saddle to speak to those behind him. As he did so, his horse took that moment to shift from one front leg to another causing Chookna to partially lose his balance.
He grabbed the reigns and in the process of twisting back to face Elly, began losing the grip on his rifle. The Henry slipped further and as Chookna grabbed for it he hit the trigger.
One can think of a million reactions to seeing their best friend’s life snuffed out before your very eyes but until that day ever happens, whatever you thought you’d do isn’t what’s going happen.
The three Indians behind Chookna sat wide eyed and jaw dropped.
Cody stood staring in unbelief at his friend laying on the ground as Elly’s legs shook violently then stilled.
Chookna realizing his mistake opted to act as if it were all Elly’s fault. “Teach dirty Nigger give cattle. No anger Chookna”.
Shane went insane.
Without even a pocket knife to attack with, Shane resorted to his hands to avenge his friend’s death. Having been using the corral fence to lean on, Shane now turned to it. Grabbing the old weathered top rail, Shane tore off a six foot splintered piece and ran headlong to where Chookna still sat smugly on his horse. Screaming and pointing the splinter as a spear he ran and yelled, “He ain’t no Nigger damn your heathen ass!” Before Chookna could react, the six foot long splinter entered his throat. As Chookna’s eyes widened in surprise, the pointed splinter continued its journey until over a foot protruded past the back of his head. With only a gurgle, Chookna slid off his horse and lay on the ground. The smell of blood frightened the horse causing it to stomp onto Chookna’s head. The sound was like a melon being dropped.
Within seconds of Chookna’s death. Shane and Cody were at Elly’s side. Both knew Elly was gone. But that didn’t prevent Cody from lifting his friends head onto his lap. Rocking Elly back and forth as one would rock a baby, Cody grieved. So profound was Cody’s grieving moans, the three remaining Indians dismounted and with looks of shock and tears streaming, joined Cody in his grief. When he could, Shane took Cody by the hand and led him off to regain what composure he could, Shane then turned to the Indians still kneeling alongside Elly.
An old Indian lifted his tear stained face and spread his hands out towards the other two. “No want kill man. Want eat cattle. Hungry. Young hungry. No can buy. Please. Forgive.”
Shane’s rage cooled as he realized the Indian before him had no intention of causing anyone harm nor had they intended to. It really was just a horrible accident. What he could not forgive was Chookna calling Elly a dirty Nigger. He knew the type of person Chookna was, he’d seen it in whites plenty of times… they were called cowards and bullies.
Having regained some composure, Cody stepped up to Shane and the grieving Indian and asked Shane. “What we gonna do now Shane? Oh God I can’t believe this happened. Oh my God, poor Elly.”
Ignoring the Indian standing next to him for the moment, Shane stepped over and bent down to straighten his friends clothing. Death being what it is does not mean you still can’t be cared for. After fixing Elly’s collar, he removed his own bandanna and placed it over the gaping chest wound. He brushed the dust from Elly’s short kinky hair and using his hand, closed Elly’s eyes.
“Should we bring Elly back to the ranch Shane?”
“No, it’s a two day ride back. Besides, the rest of the hands are headed our way here. No tellin’ who would be left at the ranch when we arrived.”
Cody nodded his head in agreement,” That and it’s well over a hundred out here. Elly’d never make it back proper like. As far as I know, Elly had no kin. We was his only real friends.”
“True Cody, then let’s bury him right here where we had us a good time tellin’ tales last night. I think He’d like that.”
“Yeah, we did us a bunch of laughing for sure. I know he only knew about cattle, so bein’ near the cow pen’ll be good too.”
Before Shane could answer Cody in agreement, the Indian who had spoken earlier approached Shane.
He held out his two hands as if they had been tied together. “Jail. Fort MaDoowl. Kill man, kill Appapka.
“What are you sayin? You want me to take you to Fort McDowell so they could hang you? You didn’t do nothin’.”
The Indian looked flustered, “Appapka talk sad.” Pointing to his two friends the Indian repeated. “Talk sad. No kill man. Cattle for young. I trade Appapka for cattle.
“What? You want to trade yourself for a few lousy cow?”
Shane reached over and turned Cody to face him. “Cody, what I think we got here is a group of Indians starving to death somewhere in the hills tryin’ their best to avoid bein’ sent to the Reservation. Appapka here is willing to trade himself to be hung for Chookna’s killin of Elly. He ask that we give him a cow in return. Not for him mind you but for those kids they got starvin’ up there in the hills somewhere. Right is right and wrong is wrong Cody. I can’t set the value of anyone’s life under that of a cow. We can’t do a dang thing for Elly, but we can pass on some good from all this by helpin’ this here group out. Savages or not, I’m for given ‘em a few head and forgiven ‘Ol dead Chookna here so it don’t weigh upon my soul.”
“We ain’t done nothin’ in our life to be ashamed of, Let’s not start now Shane. I’m with ya’ in this. Let’s tell these folk to haul Chookna on out’a here, give ‘em a few head and let bygones be gone for good. We need to tend to Elly here and it’s gonna be a scorcher come an hour from now.”
Between sign and broken English Cody and Shane conveyed their intentions to the three Indians. As they were heading off with three cows, one of the Indians that had stayed silent through the entire process stopped his horse, dismounted and ran back to where Cody and Shane stood watching them go.
“Allanipi speak small your tongue. I have young one. Him Gunaratna, no cattle,Gunaratna die. Me, Allanipi die.” With that he reached out and grabbed Shane by the arm and squeezed it tightly then reached out and placed his hand over Shane’s heart, then placed the same hand over his own heart and smiled.
“You’re welcome Allanipi. Maybe someday we’ll bump on into each other along the trail. If we do introduce me to your son Gunaratna.”
Allanipi looked a tad confused by Shanes long words but smiled anyway, turned and caught up to the others.
Left alone, Shane and Cody suddenly felt the weight of Elly’s death upon them. Without speaking more than a few words, they went about digging a grave near the corral. The desert being what it is, they could dig no more than a couple feet down before hitting bedrock. They spent the afternoon in the intense heat looking for suitable stones to cover Elly’s grave with.
“Well, I think we gathered enough stone Shane, let’s say goodbye to him and cover him up.”
“Yeah, I just still can’t believe all this happened. If only Elly was standin’ a couple more feet right or left, he’d be alive right now.”
“That’s the way it is bro. Both you ‘an I someday will be laid down ‘an if we’s lucky, someone will be sayin’ the same thing over our graves too.”
They placed Elly into the shallow grave, covered him with his bedroll and patted where his head was before placing dirt then the stones on top of him. When it was all done Shane said. “I wish I had my Bible. I feel we should say some words over him or somethin’.”
“You go ahead Shane, you memorized more of the Lords word than I ever did. I got myself another idea though for sayin’ goodbye to him.”
So Shane spoke the Lords words of passin’ through the valley of death as best as he remembered while Cody nodded in agreement.
As Shane turned to walk away, Cody said, “ Not yet Shane, I got somethin’ here I want to give ‘Ol Elly.”
Cody walked over to where Elly had put his can of buttermilk with the rock on top and picked it up.
“Seems only fittin’ that he have somethin’ he liked a lot to be with him.” At that Cody poured the half full warm can of buttermilk into the pile of stones that covered Elly. “Here ya’ go old friend, drink up an’ may you never get thirsty again. May the Good Lord have plenty more of these up there in Heaven.”
The two stood there for a moment before Shane replied, “That was nice Cody, real nice. Elly’d be happy the way we sent him off that way.” After saying that, Cody secured the empty buttermilk can within the stone pile so animals couldn’t dislodge it.
That evening the rest of the J Bar E ranch hands showed up earlier than expected at the corral. Saddened by the news, each paid their respects over Elly. By mornings light the corral stood empty. A cloud of dust a few miles away told any onlooker that the J Bar E ranch had moved the herd out. Only Elly was left behind to watch over the empty corral.
Before saddling up and heading out. Shane took the time to carve Elly’s name and birthplace in one of the corral’s planks near Elly’s grave for his grave marker. Meanwhile, Cody had thought to add his and Shane’s name on another plank to let folks know that they were El Negro’s forever pards.
Today, that old corral could still hold a herd…with a few minor repairs. Nearby, partially hidden under a small desert tree and scrub lies Elly’s remains along with an old buttermilk can still stuck within the stones. Through internet research, it was determined the construction of that style of can by it’s solder joints and bottom lid dated between the years 1879 and 1887. Over the years others have found and carved their names into the corral. Those, like the grave of El Negro, Cody and Shane are still perfectly legible as their knives would etch off the old creosote exposing the still fresh looking yellow Poderosa Pine underneath.
The latest date was carved into the old fence rail was from S. C. in 1938…Shane Clemans?
Elly’s grave as it looks today.
Elly’s buttermilk can. I moved it for the photo but replaced it afterward.
The desert’s dry heat has been good to Elly’s marker.
The only evidence that Shane and Cody Clemans ever wrangled near the Apache Trail.
* The recipe for real Cowboy Beans is now posted on my heritage and trail cooking blog at : http://cookingonthetrail.wordpress.com/
28 Comments Posted in Western Short Stories Tagged Apache, Apache trail, arizona cattle, arizona desert, arizona ranches, black cowboys, cowboy graves, el negro, negro cowboys, old west, tonto national forest, western short stories, westerns, writing, yavapai indians
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Category Archives: Wright Brothers
Two Fine Books Telling the Story of the Earliest Days of Aviation
Posted on January 24, 2016 by larrymilberry | Leave a comment
Birdman: The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss and the Battle to Control the Skies
by Lawrence Goldstone
This fantastic best seller is one that will satisfy any serious fan of aviation history. Beginning with such pioneers of flight as Otto Lilienthal in Germany and Octave Chanute in the US, Goldman quickly comes to the Wright brothers of Dayton, Ohio and Glenn Curtiss of Hammondsport, New York. Showing how Lilienthal and Chanute influenced these three innovators, he then details how each persevered in flying America’s first powered airplanes.
This book is downright exciting – a “page-turner”, as they say. The author delves deeply into each participant’s human side, warts and all. Often these heroic figures are at loggerheads – the Wrights clash with each other, let alone with Curtiss, whom they accuse of stealing their patents. They strive to virtually patent the airplane. Their battles rage for years in the courts.
Leading the way in powered airplane flight, the Wrights engender a whole new world of entertainment – exhibition flying. From 1909-14 they and Curtiss bring their performing troupes to city after city all the way west to Los Angeles and Seattle. This is a magnificent era, but it comes at a huge cost. The touring flyers introduce millions to the airplane and make piles of money. But by 1912 more than 100 have lost their lives, mainly at public appearances. Airplanes fall apart in flight, turbulence hurls pilots from their seats, planes crash into crowded bleachers, the first bird strike kills a famous pilot, etc. All along the crowds are loving it all. The great Lincoln Beachey, who performed some of the earliest airshows in Canada, grows disgusted at how the hordes come out mainly to see him die. And so they finally do in 1915, when his plane disintegrates during a show at the great San Francisco exposition.
Another major theme is the years-long lawsuits pursued almost insanely by the Wrights against all other aeronautical enterprizers. Obsessed by their patents and paranoid about these being infringed upon, the Wrights spent a fortune in the courts. While aeronautics was progressing at Hammondsport, in the UK and across Europe, the Wrights dithered and lost their chance. Their Wright Flyers, in the meantime, became known as death traps. Dozens of airmen and passengers died in Wright Flyer crashes, while Curtiss machines gained the opposite reputation. In the end, Goldman concludes that the Wrights held up America in its quest to advance in aviation. Curtiss on one hand and Europe on the other set the pace in advancing aviation’s cause. Ironically, in the end the two warring sides made peace through a 1929 corporate alignment creating the Curtiss-Wright Co., which survives to this day.
Don’t miss this exceptional book that brings to life the great years of powered flight!
230 pages, hardcover, photos, notes, index $34.00, CANAV price $21.00 + $12.00 Canada Post + $2.10 tax. Total for Canada $35.10 Mail your cheque or pay by PayPal to larry@canavbooks.com. USA and overseas please enquire for a price: larry@canavbooks.com
Aviation in Canada: The Pioneer Decades
By Larry Milberry
Complementing Birdmen is this detailed history of the early years of flight in Canada. Beginning with Canada’s first flight – a balloon ascent in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1840, The Pioneer Decades explains how aviation went decade by decade in America’s next-door neighbour. Ballooning alone was a huge public fascination that produced one Canadian “first” after another, whether the Saint John ascent, the “first” aerial crossing between Canada and the US, the first powered airship appearances or the first parachute jump.
The Pioneer Decades then introduces heavier–than-air flight with teenager Larry Lesh’s daring glider experiments in Montreal in 1907. While Birdmen does tell a bit about Alexander Graham Bell and the Aerial Experiment Association, The Pioneer Decades covers the AEA program in detail, ending with the dramatic first powered airplane flight by the “Silver Dart” at Baddeck in 1909. There also is much of Glenn Curtiss and Hammondsport, where the “Silver Dart” was built and first flew.
The Pioneer Decades continues with the great years in Canada of the exhibition flyers, nearly all of whom are also covered in Birdmen. For example, Toronto’s first airplane flight is made by Charles Willard – a Curtiss-trained pilot flying his Curtiss-made “Golden Flyer”. The great Montreal and Toronto air meets of 1910 and 1911 are also here, with tales of the famed Curtiss and Wright pilots, many of whom would give their lives in the cause from 1907 onward – Lincoln Beachey, Cromwell Dixon, Eugene Ely, Ralph Johnstone, Phil Parmalee, etc.
The Pioneer Decades tells how McCurdy and Baldwin of the AEA tried selling their designs to the Canadian military, how Canada’s first WWI airmen trained at Curtiss and Wright schools, then how they excelled “Over the Front” in the first great aerial conflict. Many would fly the great Curtiss JN-4 and Curtiss’ renowned long-range, anti-submarine flying boats, about which, a few years earlier, the Wright camp had been scoffing. You’re bound to enjoy this beautifully-produced CANAV title.
176 pages, large format, hardcover, photos, bibliography, index. $50.00 but with this offer $35.00 + $12.00 for Canada Post + $2.35 tax. Total for Canada $49.35 Mail your cheque or pay by PayPal to larry@canavbooks.com. USA and overseas please enquire for a price (email me at larry@canavbooks.com).
BOTH these leading titles: $56.00 + $15.00 for Canada Post + $3.55 tax. Total for Canada $74.55. Mail your cheque or pay by PayPal to larry@canavbooks.com. USA and overseas please enquire for a price: larry@canavbooks.com
CANAV Books, 51 Balsam Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4E 3B6
Email: larry@canavbooks.com
Posted in Aviation history, Aviation in Canada, Centennial of Flight, Reviews, Silver Dart, Uncategorized, Wright Brothers
Tagged Lawrence Goldstone
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Emotional well-being in children and adolescents treated with atomoxetine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Findings from a patient, parent and physician perspective using items from the pediatric adverse event rating scale (PAERS)
Peter M Wehmeier1,
Alexander Schacht1,
Martin Lehmann1,
Ralf W Dittmann1,2,
Susan G Silva3 &
John S March3
The objective of this analysis was to measure changes in items on the Pediatric Adverse Event Rating Scale (PAERS) that relate to emotional well-being of children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during treatment with atomoxetine for up to 24 weeks from the perspective of the patient, the parent, and the physician.
Patients aged 6–17 years with ADHD were treated with atomoxetine (target dose 1.2 mg/kg/day). In the two studies on which this secondary analysis is based the PAERS was used to assess the tolerability of atomoxetine in children and adolescents. This scale has a total of 48 items. The ten items that reflect emotional well-being were selected to measure changes over time from a patient, parent, and physician perspective.
421 patients were treated with atomoxetine. 355 patients completed the 8-week treatment period, and 260 patients completed the 24-week treatment period. The ten items that reflect emotional well-being were grouped in five dimensions: depressed mood, self-harm, irritability/agitation, drowsiness, and euphoria. The scores of these dimensions decreased over time, both from a patient as well as from a parent and physician perspective. Only the dimension self-harm was extremely low at baseline and stayed low over time. The mean scores for the ten items depended on the rater perspective.
The emotional well-being of children and adolescents with ADHD improved in terms of depressed mood, irritability/agitation, drowsiness, and euphoria during treatment with atomoxetine for up to 24 weeks.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that affects 3–7% of school-age children [1]. ADHD is usually associated with significant impairment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning [2, 3] and can have a significant impact on the emotional well-being [4–6] and the quality of life (QoL) of both patients and their families [7–12].
Psychostimulants and behavioral therapy are known to be effective in the treatment of ADHD, as reported in the MTA study [13]. Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant treatment option for ADHD [14, 15], for which efficacy and tolerability in children and adolescents have been demonstrated in a number of randomized, placebo-controlled trials [16–19], supported by a recent meta-analysis [20]. In most of these studies, questionnaires such as the ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) [21, 22] or the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) [23, 24] have been used as outcome measures for the core symptoms of ADHD. Other questionnaires such as the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) [25] or the Child Health and Illness Profile, Child Edition (CHIP-CE) [26] assess aspects of ADHD that go beyond the core symptoms of the disorder and reflect various dimensions of health-related quality of life. However, such questionnaires are often rated by the investigator alone, resulting in an assessment from one perspective only. Therefore, several studies have attempted to compare the perspectives of the various individuals involved, such as the patient, the parent, or the physician, as these perspectives have been shown to differ [12, 27]. The newly devised Global Impression of Perceived Difficulties (GIPD) is one such instrument with which the three perspectives can be compared [28, 29]. The Pediatric Adverse Event Rating Scale (PAERS) also allows the comparison between patient, parent, and physician perspectives, although it was designed to capture the tolerability of medication rather than efficacy [30].
This report is based on a secondary analysis of data from two almost identical multi-center, single-arm, open-label studies in two different age groups (children and adolescents). These studies were designed to investigate the quality of life in patients with ADHD treated with atomoxetine as reflected by the degree of difficulties perceived by patients, parents and physicians [28, 29]. The two studies were undertaken to address the need for further research on evidence-based psychopharmacological treatments in children and adolescents [31]. One of the aims of the two studies on which this post-hoc analysis is based [28, 29] was to assess the tolerability of atomoxetine in these patients and compare the tolerability as perceived from the three perspectives (patient, parent, physician) using the Pediatric Adverse Event Rating Scale (PAERS). The PAERS is a 48-item questionnaire designed to assess any type of adverse event occurring in pediatric patients who are treated with psychotropic medication, especially as participant in clinical trials, and was developed as part of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Trials Network (CAPTN) [30, 32–34]. The response captures the severity of 48 adverse event items on a five-point Likert scale (0–4).
The main assumption of this post-hoc analysis was that 10 of the 48 items of the PAERS are directly related to the patients' emotional state and can therefore be considered to reflect the patient's emotional well-being. Based on this assumption, the hypothesis of this analysis was that the emotional well-being of children and adolescents with ADHD responds well to treatment with atomoxetine as reflected by the 10 items of the PAERS directly related to the patient's emotional state. Differences between the three perspectives (patient, parent, physician) were also explored.
Study design and procedures
This is a secondary analysis of data from two almost identical multi-center, single-arm, open-label studies in two different age groups (children and adolescents) that were designed to investigate the quality of life in patients with ADHD treated with atomoxetine as reflected by the degree of difficulties perceived by patients, parents and physicians [28, 29]. Patients were recruited from child and adolescent psychiatric and pediatric practices and outpatient clinics throughout Germany. Patients aged 6–17 years with ADHD as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) [1] were eligible for the studies. The diagnosis was confirmed using the "Diagnose-Checkliste Hyperkinetische Störungen" (Diagnostic Checklist for Hyperkinetic Disorders), a structured instrument which is routinely used for the diagnostic assessment of ADHD in Germany [35]. The items of this instrument correspond to those of the ADHD-RS [21, 22]. Patients had to have an IQ of ≥70 based on the clinical judgment of the investigator. The exclusion criteria included clinically significant abnormal laboratory findings, acute or unstable medical conditions, cardiovascular disorder, history of seizures, pervasive developmental disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, any medical condition that might increase sympathetic nervous system activity, or the need for psychotropic medication other than study drug. Patients already being treated with atomoxetine were also excluded. Other previous treatments were allowed, provided they were discontinued prior to enrolment in the study. The protocol was approved by an ethics committee, and the study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Following a wash-out period, baseline assessments were carried out with all the instruments used. During the first week of treatment, the patients received atomoxetine at a dose of approximately 0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day. During the following 7 weeks, the recommended target dose was 1.2 mg/kg BW per day, but could be adjusted within a range of 0.5–1.4 mg/kg BW per day, depending on effectiveness and tolerability. Medication was given once a day in the morning. Assessments were carried out weekly during the first two weeks of treatment, and every two weeks thereafter. After the 8 week treatment period, the physicians decided in accordance with the patients and their parents whether the patient was to continue treatment for additional 16 weeks. Those who participated in this extension period continued on the same atomoxetine dose which again could be adjusted within a range of 0.5–1.4 mg/kg BW per day as considered appropriate by the physician. During the extension period, three assessments were carried out, after 12, 16, and 24 weeks after baseline. The following instruments were used to assess efficacy: Global Impression of Perceived Difficulties (GIPD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), and the Weekly Rating of Evening and Morning Behavior – Revised (WREMB-R). The results from these scales have been published elsewhere [28, 29].
In order to assess the tolerability of atomoxetine in more detail than is possible using spontaneous adverse event reports, the Pediatric Adverse Event Rating Scale (PAERS) [30] was used in the two studies reported here. The data from both studies were combined and analyzed together. Tolerability assessments included monitoring vital signs at every visit and recording all spontaneously reported adverse events, followed by a systematic elicitation of any further adverse events using the PAERS. First, the physician asked an open question as to any adverse events. Then, the patient and the parent (or other primary caregiver) filled out the PAERS independently and without any interference by the physician. Both the patient and the parent had to rate each adverse event in terms of how bothersome or how much of a problem it was during the past week on a scale from 0 (= not present) to 4 (= a lot). If the patient was unable to fill out the scale all by him or her self, an independent person (e. g. a study nurse, but not the parent or physician) was allowed to provide assistance. As the spontaneous adverse event reports captured by the physician preceded the elicitation of any further adverse events using the PAERS, the number of adverse events captured by these two methods potentially differed.
Although the PAERS was designed to measure adverse events, some items are reflecting ADHD symptoms and difficulties associated with ADHD rather than adverse events. These items can be expected to improve but not worsen during ADHD treatment. Of these, all ten items of the PAERS that were thought to reflect emotional well-being by face validity were selected for this post-hoc analysis to measure changes over time.
Noncompliance was defined as missing intake of study drug on more than five consecutive days, failure to take at least 70% of study medication for at least two weeks, or repeated intentional intake of more than the prescribed dose.
Sample size and statistical analysis
Details on the sample size calculation for the two studies have been published elsewhere [28, 29]. The data of all patients were evaluated (Full Analysis Set, FAS) using SAS version 8. The dataset for all analyses of changes from baseline to endpoint consisted of all patients with a baseline measurement and at least one post-baseline measurement during the 8-week treatment phase.
Evaluation was largely descriptive. All tests of statistical significance were carried out at a nominal level of 5% using two-tailed test procedures. Two-sided confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using a 95% confidence level. All inferences regarding statistical significance were based on comparisons of the 95% confidence intervals (CI). This is equivalent to significance tests with p-values and a two-sided α-level of 5%. To avoid correlations of imputed values, only observed cases (OC) analysis were performed. No imputation of missing values like last observation carried forward (LOCF) was applied as the intention was to describe the patterns for patients still on medication.
Spearman's correlation coefficients were computed between all items within each perspective in order to identify patterns of interdependency among items. This analysis was based on all visits. A sensitivity analysis was done using the baseline visit only. 95% confidence intervals for the correlation coefficients were computed based on Fisher's z-transformation.
Patient population and disposition
Of the 425 patients screened, 421 patients (100%) were enrolled in the two studies and treated with atomoxetine [28, 29]. All patients were diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria. The mean age of the patients was 11.1 years, 338 (80.3%) were boys, 83 (19.7%) were girls. The 8-week treatment period was completed by 355 (84.3%) patients. 27 (6.4%) of these did not continue into the extension period because of physician decision. 68 (16.1%) patients discontinued the study between week 8 and week 24. The extension period was completed at week 24 by 260 (61.8%) patients. The reasons for discontinuation at any time during the 24-month observation period were lack of efficacy (12.4%), parent decision (6.9%), adverse event (4.8%), protocol violation 3.6%, patient decision (2.4%), entry criteria exclusion (0.7%), physician decision (0.7%), and patient lost to follow-up (0.5%). The patient disposition is shown in Figure 1.
Patient disposition.
Table 1 shows the patient characteristics. Boys and patients with the combined subtype ADHD according to DSM-IV [1] tended to be younger and tended to be diagnosed earlier than girls or patients with predominantly inattentive subtype. 239 (70.7%) of the boys and 39 (47.0%) of the girls were diagnosed with the combined subtype. The predominantly inattentive subtype was diagnosed in 86 (25.4%) of the boys and 38 (45.8%) of the girls. The subgroups "predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype" and "ADHD, not otherwise specified" were small (6 and 13 individuals, respectively). The mean ADHD-RS total score at baseline was 32.6 [CI 31.5 to 33.6] points. This score decreased to 16.3 [CI 15.1 to 17.5] points at week 8, and was 14.5 [CI 13.1 to 15.8] points at the end of week 24.
Table 1 Patient characteristics
Pre-existing comorbid conditions were reported for 310 (73.6%) patients, the most frequent being psychiatric comorbidities, specifically conduct disorder (19.7%), oppositional defiant disorder (17.6%), enuresis (4.3%), tic disorder (2.4%), emotional disorder of childhood (2.6%), and depression (1.4%). Physical comorbidities that were reported at a rate of >2% were headache (5.7%), seasonal allergy (4.3%), asthma (3.3%), neurodermatitis (2.6%), acne (2.4%), upper respiratory tract infection (2.1%), and rhinitis (2.1%).
349 (82.9%) of the 421 patients had previously been treated for ADHD. The percentage was similar for the predominantly inattentive subtype (N = 101, 81.5%) and the combined subtype (N = 231, 83.1%). Medications most frequently used before study entry were short-acting methylphenidate (N = 290, 68.9%), long-acting methylphenidate (N = 196, 46.6%), amphetamines (N = 56, 13.3%), antipsychotic drugs (N = 12, 2.9%) and herbal/complementary therapies (N = 10, 2.4%). Commonly reported non-drug therapies prior to study were: occupational therapy (N = 48, 11.4%), "other" psychotherapy (N = 31, 7.4%), structured psychotherapy (N = 42, 10.0%), and remedial education (N = 10, 2.4%). The most frequent reason for discontinuation of previous therapy in patients with pre-treatment was inadequate response (N = 216, 61.9%). N = 68 patients (16.2%) discontinued previous therapy because of adverse events.
The mean atomoxetine dose given during the first week of treatment was 0.50 mg/kg per BW day (SD 0.07, range 0.40 – 0.80 mg/kg BW per day). Thereafter, the mean dose for the respective visit intervals ranged between 1.17 and 1.18 mg/kg per day (min. 0.40, max. 1.50 mg/kg per day). Compliance as defined above was present in 91.2% of all patients over the course of the entire study.
Concomitant medication was taken by 272 (64.6%) of the patients. Cough and cold remedies, analgesics, antibiotics and herbal/complementary medicines were given most frequently. Whilst continuous medication with any psychotropic compound other than the study medication led to discontinuation of the patient in the study, 3.8% (N = 16) of patients did receive a psychotropic medication at least once over the entire course of the 24-week study. The medication included compounds such as St. John's Wort, imipramine or a benzodiazepine. Concomitant behavioral therapy was given to 27 (6.4%) patients, and 20 (4.8%) patients received additional occupational therapy.
Results from ten items of the PAERS
The following ten items of the Pediatric Adverse Event Rating Scale (PAERS) were selected to investigate emotional well-being: "feeling withdrawn or numb" (item 8), "nervous, tense, or uptight" (item 16), "trying to hurt him or her self" (item 20), "feeling restless or keyed up" (item 26), "sad or low mood/unhappy" (item 32), "drowsy or 'out of it"' (item 37), "unusually good mood/super happy" (item 38), "not interested/no enthusiasm" (item 39), "angry or irritable/in a bad mood" (item 42), and "thinking about or wanting to hurt self" (item 43). Each of these items was rated from three perspectives (patient, parent, and physician) like all PAERS items. If present, the severity of the respective behavior or emotional state was rated on a 5 point Likert scale (0 = not present, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe, and 4 = extreme).
The following five groups of items were identified, whose correlations were larger than 0.4 between items: (a) items relating to depressed mood (items 8, 32, and 39), (b) items relating to self-harm (items 20 and 43), (c) items relating to irritability/agitation (items 16, 26, and 42), (d) one item relating to drowsiness (item 37), and (e) one item relating to euphoria (item 38) (Table 2). The correlation of the various items in the five groups is shown in Table 3.
Table 2 Groups of items of the Pediatric Adverse Event Rating Scale (PAERS) used to assess emotional well-being
Table 3 The five groups of items from the Pediatric Adverse Event Rating Scale (PAERS) whose Spearman's correlation coefficients for the physician rating were larger than 0.4 between items (all visits pooled; 3611 observations).
In general, the correlations were moderate to high only for parent and physician ratings, but not for patient ratings. The pattern of moderate to high correlations was similar between parent and physician ratings. In the sensitivity analyses using baseline ratings only (rather than all ratings), the correlations were generally lower, but confirmed the overall pattern of correlations based on the other points in time. A total score of all the items was not calculated as correlations were low between items that belonged to different groups (Table 2). These correlations are not reported here.
Items relating to depressed mood
Based on the confidence intervals at baseline, the parent ratings of the items "feeling withdrawn or numb" (item 8), "sad or low mood/unhappy" (item 32), and "not interested/no enthusiasm" (item 39), were significantly higher compared to both the patients and the physician ratings, which were similar. However, mean scores for all items were below 0.81 (Table 4). The scores for the items relating to depressed mood decreased over time. The mean change from baseline was statistically significant for all three items and all three perspectives both at week 8 and at week 24 (Table 4). Generally, there was a tendency for mean scores to decrease further the longer patients stayed on medication. Moreover, the decrease in scores was generally most pronounced in parent ratings, followed by patient and physician ratings.
Table 4 Baseline ratings and change from baseline at weeks 8 and 24
Items relating to self-harm
The scores for the items relating to self-harm were extremely low at baseline and stayed low over time (Table 4). The scores were comparable in terms of the three perspectives. No significant changes were observed compared to baseline.
Items relating to irritability/agitation
At baseline, a similar pattern was observed for items "nervous, tense, or uptight" (item 16), "feeling restless or keyed up" (item 26), and "angry or irritable/in a bad mood" (item 42). Based on the confidence intervals, the parent rating was significantly higher than the physician rating, which was again significantly higher than the patient rating for all three items. The scores for the items relating to irritability/agitation decreased over time (Table 4). The decreases from baseline were largest for parents, followed by physicians and patients: the mean changes from baseline were statistically significant for all perspectives, all three items, and both at week 8 and week 24, as shown by non-overlapping confidence intervals.
Item relating to drowsiness
Based on the confidence intervals at baseline, the item "drowsy or 'out of it"' (item 37) was scored similarly by parents and patients, and significantly higher than by physicians. The scores for the item relating to drowsiness decreased over time (Table 4). Also the changes from baseline were more pronounced in parent and patient ratings than in physician ratings. The mean changes from baseline were statistically significant for all perspectives and both at week 8 and week 24, as shown by non-overlapping confidence intervals.
Item relating to euphoria
Based on the confidence intervals at baseline, the item "unusually good mood/super happy" (item 38) was scored significantly higher by patients than by parents, and significantly higher than by physicians. The scores for the item relating to euphoria decreased over time (Table 4). The changes from baseline were scored similarly by patients and physicians, but the decreases were smaller in the physician rating. The mean changes from baseline were statistically significant in terms of all three perspectives and were significant both at week 8 and week 24, as shown by non-overlapping confidence intervals.
The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to evaluate the scores of the ten items of the Pediatric Adverse Event Rating Scale (PAERS) that were considered to be related to emotional well-being by face validity. Each of these ten items was rated from three perspectives: the patient, the parent, and the physician perspective. These perspectives were subsequently compared in terms of the height of scores and changes in the scores over time.
Emotional well-being as reflected by the scores on the respective ten items of the PAERS showed both similarities as well as differences both regarding the course of the scores over time and comparisons between the three perspectives (patient, parent, physician). Generally, scores for all items rated from all three perspectives decreased over the 24-week duration of the two studies. Thus, emotional well-being as reflected by the scores on the ten items of the PAERS was seen to improve during treatment with atomoxetine.
Correlations between parent and physician scores were generally higher than correlations between parent and patient scores as well as correlations between physician and patient scores. There were, however, distinct differences between the patterns observed for the five groups of items relating to depressed mood, self-harm, irritability/agitation, drowsiness, and euphoria.
For the items relating to depressed mood, parent ratings resulted in higher scores than either patient or physician ratings at baseline. This may be due to parents being particularly concerned about the emotional well-being of their children. Over time, however, there is a reduction in the scores for these items from all three rater perspectives. Obviously, all individuals concerned recognize an improvement in the emotional well-being of the patients over time. Surprisingly, both patient and physician ratings on the PAERS were similar, although children and adolescents seemed to dissimulate their difficulties or failed to perceive their difficulties correctly according to the Global Impression of Perceived Difficulties (GIPD), whilst physicians perceived the child's difficulties as being considerably greater [28, 29]. Mean changes for most items and ratings were approximately one third of a standard deviation (Table 4). This can be considered a moderate change, given the low scores at baseline.
For the items relating to self-harm, scores from all three perspectives were very low at baseline and did not change significantly whilst the child or adolescent is being treated with atomoxetine. Mean changes from baseline for these items and ratings were negligible. This finding is encouraging, because it suggests that attempts to self-harm or thoughts of self-harm are not aggravated by treatment with atomoxetine.
For the items relating to irritability/agitation, scores differed significantly depending on the rater. Whilst baseline scores rated by parents were the highest, baseline scores rated by patients were lowest, and baseline scores rated by physicians were in between. These findings may be due to the high impact that a child's irritability/agitation may have on the parents. The physician may be less likely to observe irritability/agitation than a parent might, and children or adolescents seemed to dissimulate their difficulties in these two studies [28, 29]. Mean changes for most items in this dimension and for physician and parent ratings were greater than one half of the standard deviation (Table 4). This is a considerable change. In contrast, the patient ratings for these items changed to a smaller degree. This finding may be a result of the lower patient-rated scores at baseline.
The scores for the item relating to drowsiness as rated by patients and parents were similar whilst the scores rated by the physicians differed from the scores rated either by the patients or the parents at baseline. Physician-rated baseline scores were lower, which may be due to the physicians not having as much opportunity to witness any drowsiness as parents may do. Patients can be expected to experience this well-known adverse event related to atomoxetine [36]. Mean changes for this item were just below one third of the standard deviation. This can be considered a moderate change, given the low scores at baseline.
The scores for the item relating to euphoria differed between all three perspectives (patient, parent, physician). Whilst patient ratings resulted in the highest scores for euphoria, the scores from physician ratings were the lowest and scores from parent ratings were in between. The greater euphoria experienced by the patients compared to the euphoria seen by the parents or physicians seems to correspond to the lower degree of ADHD-related difficulties perceived by patients compared to the parent or physician perspectives as measured by the GIPD in these two studies [28, 29]. The rating of euphoria by the parents may have resulted in scores that more objectively reflect the actual situation, whilst the physicians may not have had adequate opportunity to witness the euphoria before carrying out their rating. Mean changes for this item were approximately one third of the standard deviation. This can be considered a moderate change, given the low to moderate scores at baseline.
This study has several limitations. Most importantly, the study did not include a placebo control, so that the degree to which the results reflect drug-specific effects cannot be determined definitely. More specifically, placebo-controlled studies would be needed to distinguish direct medication effects on emotional well-being from indirect effects caused by improvement of core symptoms. Furthermore, the age-distribution of the sample does not reflect the age-distribution of individuals with ADHD in the general pediatric population. This is due to the fact that this analysis is based on two studies, one in children and one in adolescents. Whilst the age-distribution is normal within each of the two otherwise identical studies, the age-distribution of the combined samples is not quite normal, as it shows two peaks. Due to the open-label design, unspecific factors such as rater bias, expectation effects, and time effects cannot be ruled out. However, this does not automatically compromise the validity of the results [37]. Furthermore, although both mean symptom reduction and improvement in emotional well-being were considerable, the results do not allow direct comparison against changes of these parameters upon treatment with other ADHD medications. Treatment emergent adverse events occurring in the two studies on which this analysis is based have been reported and discussed elsewhere in more detail [28, 29]. For evaluating the adverse event profile, it needs to be taken into account that only those patients for whom the physician decided to continue atomoxetine treatment at week 8 were followed for additional 16 weeks until week 24.
Taken together, these findings could be expected, as cognition and the regulation of emotion are known to influence one another [38]. Furthermore, cognitive control of emotion involves frontal structures of the brain [39], areas of the brain that play an important role in the pathophysiology of ADHD [3]. Thus, any pharmacological treatment that is effective on the core symptoms of ADHD and executive functioning can also be expected to improve the emotional regulation and thus the emotional well-being of patients with ADHD. This hypothesis is supported by the findings from this secondary analysis. These findings appear particularly relevant in face of the important role that emotional regulation plays in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD [4, 5, 39–43].
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We wish to thank Ms. Karin Helsberg and Ms. Anette Minarzyk for their help in preparing the manuscript.
Medical Department, Lilly Deutschland, Bad Homburg, Germany
Peter M Wehmeier
, Alexander Schacht
, Martin Lehmann
& Ralf W Dittmann
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Hamburg, Germany
Ralf W Dittmann
Duke University Child and Family Study Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C, USA
Susan G Silva
& John S March
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Correspondence to Peter M Wehmeier.
Research was funded by Lilly Deutschland GmbH, Bad Homburg, Germany. Peter M. Wehmeier, Ralf W. Dittmann and Alexander Schacht are full-time employees of Lilly Deutschland GmbH.
PMW, RWD, ML and AS developed the two clinical trials, SGS and JSM developed the PAERS scale, ML had the idea and AS developed the analyses for this manuscript. All authors participated in the interpretation of data, PMW and AS drafted the manuscript, RWD, SGS, ML and JSM revised it critically for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Wehmeier, P.M., Schacht, A., Lehmann, M. et al. Emotional well-being in children and adolescents treated with atomoxetine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Findings from a patient, parent and physician perspective using items from the pediatric adverse event rating scale (PAERS). Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2, 11 (2008) doi:10.1186/1753-2000-2-11
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The face of appearance-related social pressure: gender, age and body mass variations in peer and parental pressure during adolescence
Susanne Helfert1 &
Petra Warschburger1
Appearance-related social pressure plays an important role in the development of a negative body image and self-esteem as well as severe mental disorders during adolescence (e.g. eating disorders, depression). Identifying who is particularly affected by social pressure can improve targeted prevention and intervention, but findings have either been lacking or controversial. Thus the aim of this study is to provide a detailed picture of gender, weight, and age-related variations in the perception of appearance-related social pressure by peers and parents.
1112 German students between grades 7 and 9 (mean age: M = 13.38, SD = .81) filled in the Appearance-Related Social Pressure Questionnaire (German: FASD), which considers different sources (peers, parents) as well as various kinds of social pressure (e.g. teasing, modeling, encouragement).
Girls were more affected by peer pressure, while gender differences in parental pressure seemed negligible. Main effects of grade-level suggested a particular increase in indirect peer pressure (e.g. appearance-related school and class norms) from early to middle adolescence. Boys and girls with higher BMI were particularly affected by peer teasing and exclusion as well as by parental encouragement to control weight and shape.
The results suggest that preventive efforts targeting body concerns and disordered eating should bring up the topic of appearance pressure in a school-based context and should strengthen those adolescents who are particularly at risk - in our study, girls and adolescents with higher weight status. Early adolescence and school transition appear to be crucial periods for these efforts. Moreover, the comprehensive assessment of appearance-related social pressure appears to be a fruitful way to further explore social risk-factors in the development of a negative body image.
Factors influencing the development of a negative body image during adolescence have received increasing attention due to the fact that body dissatisfaction is highly prevalent among adolescents in western society and is also one of the main predictors of low self-esteem, depression, and not least of all disordered eating [1–3]. Sociocultural influences are particularly relevant in this process. Thompson’s Tripartite Influence Model [4] of body dissatisfaction and Stice’s Sociocultural Model of Disordered Eating [5] have identified media, peers, and parents as the three formative sociocultural influences. Many studies have emphasized the crucial role of perceived appearance-related social pressure in the development of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Thus, social agents – especially peers and parents, who are closest to the adolescent – both consciously and unconsciously convey and enhance appearance-related norms through direct and indirect interactions [5, 6]. Peers and parents promote the construction of beauty ideals, norms, and standards and highlight the importance of appearance. Numerous studies have investigated different aspects of peer [e.g. [1, 7–9] and parental pressure [e.g. [10–16]. However, to our knowledge no theoretical framework has yet integrated the main influences from both peers and parents discussed in the literature. In order to develop a comprehensive measure of appearance-related pressure from peers and parents (see [17]), we reviewed the literature and found influences from friends[1, 2] and schoolmates as well as teasing or exclusion to be the most established peer influences. With regard to parental influences, aspects such as parental norms and modeling behavior regarding appearance [e.g.[10–12], parental disregard or ignorance [e.g.[13] as well as teasing [e.g.[9, 14] and encouragement to control weight and shape [e.g.[13, 15, 16] have been found to affect the body image of adolescents (see Figure 1).
Considered aspects of appearance-related social pressure.
Up to now, research has provided important findings on the impact of single types of social pressure and general behavioral mechanisms. However, in order to explain the development of negative body image and design targeted prevention approaches, we must also find out who is particularly faced with social pressure. The following sections will attempt to summarize the knowledge on variations according to individual characteristics considering gender-, age, and weight-related variations.
Gender variations
Because studies on social pressure have mostly derived from eating disorder and body image research, they have often concentrated on girls, for whom they reported a higher amount of appearance-related influences from friends [e.g. [16, 18], more fear of exclusion by peers because of one’s appearance [19] and a greater importance of school and class norms[20]. These findings appear quite plausible with regard to the particular emphasis placed on female beauty and appearance in western society. However, during the last ten years research has also considered boys and revealed that some of the gender differences might be due to inadequate instruments for boys (i.e., only focusing on the thin ideal [21, 22]). Consequently, studies that used measures without that bias suggested comparable processes of appearance-related interactions with friends and social exclusion for both girls and boys [7, 23].
Findings regarding gender differences involving parental pressure have been sparser but therefore less controversial. They predominantly support the conclusion that appearance is more heavily emphasized among girls. Consequently, girls perceived a greater extent of parental appearance norms and modeling behavior (e.g., parental concerns with body shape, efforts to look good [6, 16, 24]). Interestingly, studies investigating parental encouragement to control weight and shape found no gender difference [13, 16, 25]. However, this might be due to the focus on encouragement to diet, which might be used by parents regardless of their child’s gender when the child is at risk of becoming overweight. We suppose that if an operationalization of “encouragement” without the bias towards the thin ideal is applied, gender differences might occur. Concerning parental disregard (i.e., injustice and ignorance) studies are rare. The study of Meesters et al. [13] among Dutch adolescents aged 10 to 16 provided important suggestions regarding the influential role of parental rejection or insecure attachment in the development of body concerns but could not find gender variations. However, this aspect of parental pressure requires further investigation.
Findings on peer and parental teasing have been particularly inconsistent. While in some studies [26] girls were more frequently faced with peer teasing, others did not find any gender difference [18, 27] or even found more teasing experiences among boys [7, 16]. The same applies with parental teasing. Some studies did not find a gender difference [6, 16] and others have revealed that girls perceive more parental teasing [24, 27]. These inconsistencies might result from the measurement of teasing as isolated indices or as combinations of peer and parental teasing. Hence, validity and reliability might have been restricted.
Age-related variations
Developmental theories on the transformation of relationships with peers and parents [28] suggest that social pressure might change throughout adolescence. Further, the gender intensification hypothesis of Hill and Lynch [29] suggests that pressure from peers and parents to conform to gender roles, behavior and appearance standards intensifies during adolescence. However, only a few studies have investigated developmental effects in the field of social pressure and reported a growing influence of friends and an increase in appearance pressure by other peers (e.g., schoolmates) during middle adolescence [1, 7]. In addition, Dohnt and Tiggemann [30] provided interesting findings on the impact of school and class norms among elementary school girls in the first four years of formal schooling. While girls in the first year at school thought that their peers would desire a larger figure, girls from grade two to four already assumed that their peers desired a thinner figure. These results suggest that orientation towards a certain body ideal as well as appearance-related school and class norms develop very early. Interestingly, Chen and Jackson [31] reported an age-gender interaction among a sample of Chinese adolescents, suggesting that appearance conversations between friends might increase with age only among girls but not among boys. However, they could not establish a comparable effect regarding general appearance-related pressure. In contrast to a probable increase in appearance-related interactions, teasing and exclusion proved to be rather stable during adolescence [7]. Jones [1] even found a decrease in reported teasing among adolescents from grades 10 to 11, which indicates that teasing becomes less important with the transition to adulthood.
To our knowledge, no study exists that considered age-related variations in parental pressure, but developmental theories have suggested a decrease in adult orientation and an increase in peer orientation for appearance-related issues beginning in early adolescence [28, 32, 33]. This might lead to the conclusion that parental pressure has either a stable or even a shrinking relevance during adolescence. However, Striegel-Moore and Kearney-Cooke [34] revealed that American parents become more critical of their children’s physical attractiveness as the children grow older. Hence, appearance-related pressure (e.g., encouragement to control weight and shape) might also increase.
However, because findings on parental pressure have been incomplete and knowledge of age-related trends in peer pressure comes from a few predominantly cross-sectional studies, we should be cautious about drawing conclusions for age-related trends.
Body mass variations
Many studies have examined stigmatization of overweight and obese persons. As appearance stigmatization is a distinct and serious form of social pressure, including peer teasing and exclusion alike, it can be concluded that overweight persons per se experience more of these kinds of pressure [9]. Beyond that, a few studies have also suggested a higher amount of teasing experiences among underweight adolescents [26]. The results of Jones and Crawford [7] even suggest an interaction of weight and gender: While particularly overweight girls experienced teasing and fear of exclusion, underweight boys displayed the highest scores. These results were interpreted with regard to the different beauty ideals for men and women: Girls who do not fit the slim norm and boys who do not fit the bulky, muscular male ideal are more exposed to stigmatization. However, the findings have left the question unanswered whether deviating from normal weight per se increases the risk of being subjected to more direct peer pressure or whether weight-related variations are different for girls and boys.
To our knowledge, only Jones and Crawford [7] have considered weight variations in more subtle forms of peer pressure and found that adolescents with higher BMI perceived stronger influences from friends and general appearance pressure by peers (e.g., schoolmates).
Studies reporting relationships between weight status and parental pressure are even sparser. A few studies reported higher scores in parental teasing among overweight boys and girls [24, 26, 35]. Regarding parental encouragement to lose weight, Wertheim et al. [25] found a moderate positive association with weight status for early adolescent boys and girls alike. Unfortunately, the study did not consider muscle gaining. Finally, Rodgers et al. [24] could not find an association between weight status and the perception of appearance-related parental norms and modeling behavior.
In summary, more knowledge on variation according to individual characteristics is needed to explain the development of negative body image and to design targeted prevention approaches. While previous studies have provided important findings on the impact of single types of social pressure and general behavioral mechanisms, findings on gender, age and weight variations in different aspects of social pressure have either been incomplete or controversial, because only a few studies have explicitly focused on these individual differences. Moreover, due to restricted sample size most of the studies could not consider possible interactions between the three factors. Finally, research has often concentrated on girls, or when it included boys, the applied measures often contained a bias towards the thin ideal that is not suitable for boys.
Thus, research still remains limited for the purpose of drawing firm conclusions about gender, body mass variations and age-related trends in the perception of social pressure.
The current study attempts to contribute to an enhancement of current theories on appearance-related social pressure by investigating the occurrence of different types of pressure in a large sample of German adolescent boys and girls. Moreover it provides a comprehensive exploration of differential effects of gender, weight, and grade as well as interactions among these factors. Based on previous findings, we expected the following:
The research of the recent years has posed the question whether the emphasis placed on female beauty sets girls at greater risk for appearance-related social pressure or whether these effects have derived from biased instruments that were unsuitable for boys. Even if several studies have pointed to the growing relevance of appearance among boys and some gender differences diminished when studies use muscle- and weight-related instruments, most of the findings suggest that the focus on appearance is still stronger for females. Consequently, we hypothesized that girls would show higher levels of peer pressure through modeling by friends, school and class norms, peer teasing and exclusion as well as higher levels of parental pressure through parental teasing, encouragement to control weight and shape, parental norms and modeling and injustice and ignorance.
Grade-level variations
Previous findings have brought evidence for an age-related increase of appearance orientation and modeling processes among adolescents whereas more direct aspects of peer pressure have proven to be quite stable. We thus hypothesized that modeling by friends and perceived school and class norms would be higher in older compared to younger adolescents. To take account of the findings of Chen and Jackson [31] we also want to test for an interaction between age and gender.
Regarding parental pressure, findings are rare and therefore we based our expectations on developmental theories. These theories have suggested that parents are not the main source of appearance-related standards and thus parental norms and modeling should not differ by grade. However, parents have been found to become more concerned with the physical attractiveness of their adolescent child. Thus, we expected that parental encouragement to control weight and shape would be more prevalent among older adolescents.
Finally, research has raised the hypothesis that either a) higher weight status per se sets individuals at greater risk for stigmatization or b) girls with higher weight are stigmatized if they do not fit the female slim ideal, whereas boys experience teasing and exclusion if they are too thin and do not fit the male muscular ideal. As the majority of studies have found evidence for the first hypothesis, we predicted that overweight girls and boys would report higher levels of all kinds of peer pressure (i.e. teasing, exclusion, influences by friends, pressure from school and class norms).
Based on previous studies we further expected that overweight adolescents would experience more parental teasing as well as encouragement to control weight and shape.
Participants and procedure
This study reports on the baseline survey of a longitudinal investigation for which the procedure was approved by the ethics commission and the local ministry of education. The study was conducted among middle- and upper-class students in grades 7 to 9 in six German high schools that cooperate with our institution for different research projects. Teachers delivered written information to the students and their parents and collected informed consent forms from those who agreed to participate. Of the 1,342 students who received information, 1,113 (83%) returned their consent forms and completed the questionnaire during a regular lesson. One case was excluded due to invalid data. Demographic information for the remaining sample of 1,112 students is given in Table 1.
Table 1 Demographic Characteristics of the Sample (N = 1,112)
Weight status
Body-mass index (BMI) was computed based on self-reported age, weight, and height. Self-reported weight is proven to be a valid measure in epidemiological studies with adolescents [36]. The percentile ranking of BMI was assigned using the WHO norms for age and gender [37]. Following Jones and Crawford [7] weight status was classified as follows: underweight (BMI < 25th percentile), low average weight (25th ≤ BMI < 50th percentile), high average weight (50th ≤ BMI < 85th percentile), and overweight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile).
Appearance-related social pressure
The assessment of social pressure has been limited in previous research. Studies that explored mechanisms of sociocultural pressure predominantly asked about a general feeling of pressure to be thin often with single items (e.g. [11, 14], The Perceived Sociocultural Pressure Scale [38]). Moreover, several studies applied measures to focus on specific aspects of pressure (e.g., peer influence: Inventory of Peer Influence on Eating Concerns (IPIEC [19]); family influence: Family Influence Scale (FIS [39]); and teasing: Perception of Teasing Scale (POTS [40]). Because most of these items imply a connotation towards a thin ideal, they are probably not suitable among boys and might thus lead to underestimations of the relevance of pressure among boys.
Because to our knowledge no instrument exists that measures social pressure from peers and parents simultaneously while distinguishing various types of pressure, we developed the Appearance-Related Social Pressure Questionnaire (FASD, Fragebogen zum aussehensbezogenen sozialen Druck [17]). To gather an accurate measure of social pressure we included on the one hand those social impacts established in the literature and on the other hand conducted qualitative interviews with adolescent girls and boys exploring important sources of social pressure in their daily lives. The literature predominantly provides evidence for comparable risk factors for body concerns in both boys and girls [e.g. [41, 42]. The findings from our interviews during the item generation also pointed to comparable forms of social pressure. However, we had to ensure that the phrases were suitable for both girls and boys as well as for adolescents with different weight statuses. Thus, we used general terms like “appearance“ or “body shape“ and tried to avoid specific ones like “thinness“ to avoid a bias. The 32 items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). A series of structural equation models was used to investigate the factor structure of the FASD. The best fitting model revealed two parts (peer and parental pressure), each consisting of four scales that comprise four items, respectively, and ask about different types of appearance-related social pressure.
The section on parental pressure comprises four scales:
▌ Parental Teasing (α = .83, r tt = .60): This scale combines direct aspects of pressure from parents such as negative comments or disparaging gestures.
▌ Injustice and Ignorance (α = .65, r tt = .72): By measuring the feeling of only being accepted when looking better or being ignored for not looking good, the second scale implies an indirect kind of pressure. Although we could not find previous literature that directly investigated this parental impact, it was mentioned by the adolescents that were interviewed during the construction of the FASD, and the findings of Meesters et al. [13]. also suggested such aspects of parental pressure.
▌ Parental Encouragement to Control Weight and Shape (α = .79, r tt = .81): The third scale includes also direct – but in contrast to the first scale, not obviously disparaging – comments by parents as it measures parental encouragement to pay heed to one’s body shape.
▌ Parental Norms and Modeling (α = .74, r tt = .83): Finally, the fourth parental scale comprises indirect pressure through parental standards of appearance and efforts to look good.
The section peer pressure comprises the following four scales:
▌ Peer Teasing (α = .78, r tt = .83): Comparable to the parental scale, this scale is composed of direct types of pressure like disparaging comments and gestures by peers.
▌ Exclusion (α = .81, r tt = .86): This scale asks about the feeling of being ignored or excluded from social events because of one’s appearance.
▌ School and Class Norms (α = .78, r tt = .69): The third scale measures an indirect aspect of peer pressure as it inquires about the importance of appearance in school and class.
▌ Modeling by Friends (α = .73, r tt = .72): The final peer pressure scale asks about appearance standards of friends and efforts to achieve that standard, which can also be seen as an indirect aspect of peer pressure.
The internal consistency scores were taken from the current sample, whereas the test-retest reliability coefficients were obtained in a previous study. Intercorrelations between the FASD-scales in this study were predominantly moderate (r = .13 to .55). Only teasing by peers and exclusion showed a higher association (r = .68). The FASD has been used in different studies to ensure its psychometric quality [e.g. [17, 43]. Reliability was acceptable for all scales and evidence for factorial, convergent, and incremental validity has been determined [17]. Details on the construction and validation of the FASD are available on:
http://www.psych.uni-potsdam.de/counseling/research/messure-e.html.
All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 15.0. Because missing data rates were below 5% common EM-substitution was applied. We conducted preliminary analyses using ANOVA and the chi square test to investigate the characteristics of the sample and differences in the group formation. In order to investigate differential effects in the perception of different types of social pressure we conducted a 2 (gender) x 3 (grade-level) x 4 (BMI category) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) including the mean scores of all FASD subscales. We decided to include gender, grade-level, and BMI in one analysis, because different authors have discussed interactive effects of gender, weight, and age and, moreover, we wanted to account for confounding effects because our data suggested associations between the factors. Furthermore, MANOVA was chosen due to the substantial intercorrelations among the different FASD scales. Wilks’ Lambda will be reported as the multivariate test criterion. For the post hoc univariate analysis, the significance level was adjusted using Bonferroni correction (p < .006).
Preliminary analyses revealed that the boys in our sample were slightly older, t (1110) = 2,94, p <.01, and significantly more of them could be classified as being overweight, χ2 (3, n = 1112) = 9.17, p < .05 (Table 2). In addition, students in grades 7 to 9 significantly differed as to mean age with only marginal overlaps in range, F (2, 1109) = 1237.50, p < .001. Hence, the mean age in grade 7 was: M = 12.66 (SD = 0.43), in grade 8: M = 13.33 (SD = 0.45) and in grade 9: M = 14.36 (SD = 0.47). Finally, analyses indicated that BMI significantly increased with age, F (2, 1109) = 3.57, p <.001. However, no differences could be found regarding the distribution of the four weight status groups according to gender and grade. With the use of MANOVA, we could account for the variations between the groups.
Table 2 BMI Groups by Gender and Grade (N = 1,112)
The overall 2 (gender) x 3 (grade-level) x 4 (BMI category) MANOVA of the different aspects of social pressure did not show a significant overall interaction between gender, grade, and weight status but did reveal main effects for all the three factors. Hence, the MANOVA revealed a significant main effect for gender, F(8, 1081) = 16.64, p < .001, η2 = .11, which was of medium size (Table 3). Furthermore, we found a moderate main effect for grade-level, F(16, 2164) = 5.91, p < .001, η2 = .04 (Table 4) and a moderate main effect for BMI category, F(24, 3249) = 7.01, p < .001, η2 = .05 (Table 5).
Table 3 Main effects in appearance-related social pressure for gender
Table 4 Main effects in appearance-related social pressure for grade
Table 5 Main effects in appearance-related social pressure for BMI - categories
Main effects for gender
Hypothesis 1
With regard to gender effects we expected a main effect indicating that girls display higher levels on all aspects of appearance-related social pressure from peers and parents. However, follow-up univariate tests confirmed the main effect for gender only for one aspect of parental pressure. Hence, girls reported more parental teasing, F(1, 1088) = 10.81, p < .01, η2 = .01, which constitutes a small effect. Furthermore, girls displayed higher scores on all peer pressure scales. More specifically, we found small effects regarding peer teasing, F(1, 1088) = 13.11, p < .001, η2 = .01; exclusion, F(1, 1088) = 53.81, p < .001, η2 = .05; and school and class norms, F(1, 1088) = 29.77, p < .001, η2 = .03 but for modeling by friends the effect is even of medium size, F(1, 1088) = 72.58, p < .001, η2 = .06.
In sum, gender differences in peer pressure were noteworthy and indicated that girls perceived more pressure from peers compared to boys, while the largest difference was revealed for modeling by friends.
Main effects for grade-level
We hypothesized that the impact of friends and schoolmates would be higher in older compared to younger adolescents. In contrast to our hypothesis, differences emerged not only for modeling by friends, F(2, 1088) = 12.80, p < .01, η2 = .02, and school and class norms, F(2, 1088) = 35.29, p < .001, η2 = .06, but also for peer teasing, F(2, 1088) = 8.03, p < .001, η2 = .02 , and exclusion, F(2, 1088) = 8.85, p < .001, η2 = .02. Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to evaluate differences between grade-levels (corrected p < .017) and revealed that students from grade 7 reported significantly lower levels on all peer pressure scales compared to students from grades 8 or 9. Only regarding school and class norms could a significant difference be found between students from grades 8 and 9. As reflected by the effect sizes, grade differences for school and class norms were particularly evident.
Regarding variations by grade-level we expected that parental encouragement to control weight and shape would be more prevalent among older adolescents. The univariate follow-up analyses of grade differences (corrected p < .006) confirmed this hypothesis and a main effect for parental encouragement to control weight and shape revealed, which was perceived to a lesser degree in grade 7 compared to grade 8, F(2, 1088) = 6.48, p < .01, η2 = .01.
Main effects for body mass
Finally, we predicted that overweight adolescents would report higher levels of all types of peer pressure. Univariate tests (corrected p < .006) combined with Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to evaluate differences between BMI categories (corrected p <.008). With regard to peer pressure, small effects for school and class norms, F(3, 1088) = 5.56, p < .01, η2 = .02, emerged. Interestingly, we found the highest scores among high-average-weight students. Post hoc tests indicated that high-average weight students scored significantly higher than underweight students on school and class norms. Main effects for peer teasing, F(3, 1088) = 34.15, p < .001, η2 = .09 and exclusion, F(3, 1088) = 30.28, p < .001, η2 = .08, proved to be particularly pronounced. Further, there emerged a trend, indicating that the level of peer teasing and exclusion increased with higher weight status. Underweight and low-average weight students displayed the lowest levels and did not differ in their scores. In contrast to our hypothesis the different weight groups did not differ in the perception of modeling by friends.
We further expected that overweight adolescents would experience more parental teasing and encouragement to control weight and shape. Regarding parental pressure, the results supported weight-related differences only for one aspect of parental pressure – encouragement to control weight and shape, F(3, 1088) = 25.98, p < .001, η2 = .07 – indicating a large effect. The trend suggested that parental encouragement to control weight and shape increased with higher weight status. However, the scores only significantly differed for overweight students.
To sum up, our analyses revealed main effects for gender, grade-level, and weight status, but no interaction between these factors. With an effect size of η2 = .11, gender differences proved to be particularly pronounced. Girls scored higher on all peer pressure scales and showed slightly higher scores on parental teasing. Moderate main effects for grade-level revealed that students from grade 7 differed from students from grades 8 and 9 on the peer pressure scales. Likewise, students from grade 7 showed low levels of parental encouragement to control weight and shape. Finally, main effects for weight status were particularly pronounced for peer teasing and exclusion as well as for parental encouragement to control weight and shape. The findings indicated that particularly high-average and overweight adolescents perceived appearance pressure.
The relevance of appearance-related social pressure as a crucial factor for low self-esteem and depression as well as body dissatisfaction and unhealthy body change efforts has been proven repeatedly [e.g.[44–46]. Up to now, knowledge of gender, weight, and age-related variations in social pressure has either been incomplete or controversial because very few studies have explicitly investigated these aspects together. Moreover, most of the existing studies have permitted only limited conclusions, because they either focused on single aspects of social pressure or were limited in their assessment.
The current study thus contributes to a better understanding of the occurrence of social pressure by explicitly addressing gender, grade-level, and weight variations in a large sample of German adolescent girls and boys. Furthermore, we applied a new measure (FASD), whose psychometric quality and applicability for both girls and boys has been proven before [17, 43] and which allows a broad assessment of aspects of appearance pressure from both peers and parents. In doing so, the results may help to identify adolescents who are particularly at risk of suffering from appearance-related social pressure and thus provide concrete advice for preventive approaches.
Following the overall effects of the current study, the findings suggest that social pressure is more prevalent during mid-adolescence compared to early adolescence and girls and adolescents with higher weight are particularly affected. A comparison of the effect sizes indicated that gender differences were particularly pronounced in the current sample.
Our hypotheses regarding gender differences in peer and parental pressure were only partly supported. While we found the expected gender differences on all peer pressure scales, gender effects were only found for parental teasing. Thus, our results support previous findings on negative verbal commentary that found a higher prevalence among girls [6, 14]. Nevertheless, the conclusion often drawn in previous research that the parental impact is generally higher for girls was probably premature. Because the effect size for parental teasing was rather low and no effects emerged on the other scales, levels of parental pressure among girls and boys seem to be more similar than previously assumed. This finding also resembles the results of Rodgers et al. [24]. Even though they found gender differences for a few aspects of parental pressure, a closer look at the scores and effect sizes reveals that only the difference regarding negative maternal comments is noteworthy. Maybe no effects were revealed because of the extreme floor effect and the restricted variance of these FASD scales, which is also known for instruments assessing similar constructs in population-based samples [6].
Gender effects for peer pressure are in line with current research, indicating that girls are more strongly affected by peer influences and the impact of friends is especially important [7, 46]. Gender effects with regard to teasing experiences have been controversial because of limitations in the measurement of teasing. Our results obtained with a gender-neutral, reliable peer teasing scale support the findings of the American EAT-Project [26] and can serve as further evidence that girls experience more peer teasing. Summing up, the results support the assumption that girls are particularly embedded in an appearance culture [1, 46]. In detail, the findings suggest that girls perceive more pressure from appearance norms and modeling and are more often subject to proximate forms of peer pressure such as teasing or exclusion. Because the current study applied a measure of social pressure that is not biased by female ideals and has proven to be suitable for both girls and boys alike, we conclude that the higher extent of appearance pressure among females is not just a result of inappropriate measurement but in fact a result of the greater societal emphasis on beauty and appearance for females [5].
The prevalence of appearance-related social pressure especially by peers underlies age-related trends whereas grade-level effects in parental pressure only emerged for encouragement to control weight and shape and were also rather minor.
In contrast to Chen and Jackson [31], these effects proved to be comparable for girls and boys in this German sample. Based on previous results, comparing male body image in Western and Asian cultures, we assume that the divergent results might point to a cultural difference. As Yang, Grey, and Pope [47] revealed, Asian males were less preoccupied with body image than Western males and they discussed interesting reasons why in Western cultures more emphasis is placed on male appearance (e.g. media exposure, decline in traditional male roles).
In accordance with the literature [7, 32], differences in our sample were particularly evident comparing early (grade 7) and middle adolescents (grades 8 and 9). Although conclusions must be drawn cautiously due to the cross-sectional design, it seems as if the transition from grade 7 to grade 8 is particularly relevant. Interestingly, differences were mainly reflected by an increase of perceived school and class norms. This effect might be a result of the local school system. In this region of Germany, students change schools between grades 6 and 7. Hence, the adolescents in grade 7 have just joined a new school context and their new schoolmates. This new school context constitutes an important developmental transition, which is associated with changes in social roles and a substantial reorganization of attitudes and beliefs and has been considered a period of risk for problematic behavior [48]. Thus, we believe that among grade 7 students the establishment of norms and group processes has presumably just started. Consequently, we assume that the results probably reflect both – on the one hand, individual changes and transitions throughout adolescence, and on the other hand, the development of the class as a group of shared attitudes and values. It might be an interesting issue for future studies to distinguish between these two processes and figure out which role age per se or the attainment of a certain grade-level plays in this issue. Furthermore, the findings suggest that early adolescence as well as school transitions are crucial periods for establishing prevention programs that counteracts the development of an appearance culture within a class. Again, we have to emphasize that the findings can only lead to cautious conclusions because of the cross-sectional design of the study. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Our results suggest that mainly high-average and overweight adolescents experience more appearance pressure from peers and parents, whereas teasing and exclusion are particularly prevalent. We could not replicate the interaction of weight and gender reported by Jones and Crawford [7], who hypothesized that girls experience teasing for higher weight whereas boys are teased for being underweight. In line with stigmatization research [49] and our expectations, the results suggest that overweight adolescents are generally faced with more appearance pressure regardless of their gender. A possible explanation for this is methodological, for we could also find slight similar tendencies in the univariate but not in the multivariate analysis. Jones and Crawford [7] also used univariate analyses. However, due to the intercorrelations between the aspects of pressure, we decided to use a multivariate and thus, more conservative approach, which reveals that the interactive effects are not strong enough and that only the main effect of BMI is relevant. Thus, our findings indicate that girls and boys with higher weight are equally at risk of being faced with appearance pressure.
Body mass variations in the perception of more subtle, norm-related aspects of pressure have rarely been investigated and could only be observed to a lesser extent in our sample. However, small effects for school and class norms indicated that high-average students show the highest levels. Possibly, adolescents who barely fail to fit the slim norm are more likely to internalize appearance ideals [46] and are thus more sensible to subtle appearance-related messages.
Regarding parental pressure the body mass effect is primarily reflected in higher levels of parental encouragement to control weight and shape especially among overweight participants. Hence, overweight adolescents perceive their parents as more demanding regarding weight or shape control. This result is not surprising, because parents are often concerned about the overweight of their child and feel responsible [50]. So, they probably try to support weight control and dieting efforts with comments designed to act as reminders. In accordance with previous studies [13, 15, 25] our findings can serve as further evidence that these encouraging messages are more problematic than previously assumed. The results indicate that the line is fine between support and pressure and future research must keep track of possible consequences. Beyond this, the findings appear to be particularly relevant for the field of obesity prevention and treatment of children and adolescents. Approaches including parents should address these processes and negotiate the balancing act in teaching parents to support their children without putting them under pressure.
The results of our study are limited to a certain extent first due to the sample. Unfortunately, we could not use the data collected on SES and ethnicity of the sample, because plausibility checks revealed that some adolescents misunderstood these items. Hence, we had to consult data from the Federal Statistical Office, which show that Potsdam is a city with a low percentage of inhabitants with foreign backgrounds and a high percentage of inhabitants with academic and higher social background. Because we only included students from schools with higher educational levels generalizations are restricted and future research might extend these findings to larger, more representative samples. Furthermore, the use of self-reported weight remains a limitation when investigating body mass variations. However, self-reported weight has repeatedly proven to be a valid measure in epidemiological studies with adolescents [12, 36]. In addition, BMI confounds lean mass with fat mass, which might lead to a screwed picture when studying males. Therefore future research should also include fat-free mass, body fat indices or girth measurements in order to confirm these findings. Finally, the results are based on cross-sectional data and thus do not permit developmental conclusions. The age-related variations can only point to possible trends that require further confirmation in longitudinal studies.
By investigating a broad range of aspects of social pressure in a large sample of adolescent girls and boys, the current study points to interesting issues regarding age-, gender-, and weight-based risks for appearance-related social pressure. On this basis the results of the current study could enhance the current state of theory on appearance-related social pressure and pointed out the following:
Girls in general are not more affected by social pressure. Differences in parental pressure seem negligible. However, gender variations regarding peer pressure are noteworthy.
Older students experience more peer pressure. The crucial moment seems to be the transition from grade 7 to grade 8. Age-related variation in parental pressure did not notably occur.
Higher weight is associated with higher levels of proximate individual-related appearance pressure (e.g. teasing, exclusion, and parental encouragement), while effects regarding norm-related forms of pressure were rather small. An interaction of weight and gender could not be replicated.
The findings provide suggestions for preventive efforts. Approaches are needed that strengthen those adolescents who are particularly at risk - in our study, these were girls and adolescents with higher weight status. At the same time the results point to the relevance of peers in the exertion of appearance pressure. Hence preventive approaches should bring up the topic of appearance pressure in a school-based context, since early adolescence and school transition appear to be crucial periods for these efforts.
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Field AE, Camargo CA, Taylor CB, Berkey CS, Roberts SB, Colditz GA: Peer, parent, and media influences on the development of weight concerns and frequent dieting among preadolescent and adolescent girls and boys. J Pediatr. 2001, 107: 54-60. 10.1542/peds.107.1.54.
Meesters C, Muris P, Hofnagel C, van Gemert M: Social and family correlates of eating problems and muscle preoccupation in young adolescents. Eat Behav. 2007, 8 (1): 83-90. 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2006.02.002.
Smolak L, Levine MP, Schermer F: Parental input and weight concerns among elementary school children. Int J Eat Disord. 1999, 25: 263-271. 10.1002/(SICI)1098-108X(199904)25:3<263::AID-EAT3>3.0.CO;2-V.
Kluck AS: Family influence on disordered eating: The role of body image dissatisfaction. Body Image. 2010, 7: 8-14. 10.1016/j.bodyim.2009.09.009.
Vincent M, McCabe MP: Gender differences among adolescents in family, and peer influences on body dissatisfaction, weight loss, and binge eating behaviors. J Youth Adolesc. 2000, 29: 205-221. 10.1023/A:1005156616173.
Helfert S, Warschburger P: Fragebogen zum aussehensbezogenen sozialen Druck (FASD). Klinische Diagnostik und Evaluation. 2009, 3: 207-221.
Lawler M, Nixon E: Body dissatisfaction among adolescent boys and girls: The effects of body mass, peer appearance culture and internalization of appearance ideals. J Youth Adolesc. 2010, 40 (1): 59-71.
Oliver KK, Thelen MH: Children’s perceptions of peer influence on eating concerns. Behav Ther. 1996, 27: 25-39. 10.1016/S0005-7894(96)80033-5.
Crosnoe R, Frank K, Strassmann A: Gender, body size and social relations in american high schools. Soc Forces. 2008, 86: 1189-1216. 10.1353/sof.0.0004.
McCreary DR, Sasse DK: An exploration of the drive for muscularity in adolescent boys and girls. J Amer Coll Health. 2000, 48: 297-305. 10.1080/07448480009596271.
Ricciardelli LA, McCabe MP: Pursuit of muscularity among adolescents. The muscular ideal. Psychological, social and medical perspectives. Edited by: Thompson JK, Cafri G. 2007, Washington D.C: American Psychological Association, 199-216.
Ricciardelli LA, McCabe MP: Sociocultural and individual influences on muscle gain and weight loss strategies among adolescent boys and girls. Psychol Schools. 2003, 40: 209-224. 10.1002/pits.10075.
Rodgers RF, Faure K, Chabrol H: Gender differences in parental influences on adolescent body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Sex Roles. 2009, 61: 837-849. 10.1007/s11199-009-9690-9.
Wertheim EH, Martin G, Prior M, Sanson A, Smart D: Parent influences in the transmission of eating and weight related values and behaviors. Eat Disord J Treat Prev. 2002, 10: 321-334. 10.1080/10640260214507.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Falkner N, Story M, Perry C, Hannan PJ, Mulert S: Weight-teasing among adolescents: Correlations with weight status and disordered eating behaviors. Int J Obes. 2002, 26: 123-131. 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801853.
Ata RN, Ludden AB, Lally MM: The effects of gender and family, friend, and media influences on eating behaviors and body image during adolescence. J Youth Adolesc. 2007, 36: 1024-1037. 10.1007/s10964-006-9159-x.
Fend H: Eltern und Freunde: Soziale Entwicklung im Jugendalter. 1998, Bern: Huber
Hill JP, Lynch ME: The intensification of gender-related role expectations during early adolescence. Girls at puberty: Biological and psychological perspectives. Edited by: Brooks-Gunn J, Petersen A. 1983, New York: Plenum, 201-228.
Dohnt HK, Tiggemann M: Body image concerns in young girls: The role of peers and media prior to adolescence. J Youth Adolesc. 2006, 35 (2): 141-151.
Chen J, Jackson T: Gender and age group differences in mass media and interpersonal influences on body dissatisfaction among Chinese adolescents. Sex Roles. 2012, 66: 3-20. 10.1007/s11199-011-0056-8.
Andersson B: Development trends in reaction to social pressure form adults versus peers. Int J Behav Dev. 1979, 2: 269-286. 10.1177/016502547900200305.
Bulcroft RA: The value of physical change in adolescence: Consequences for the parent-adolescent exchange relationship. J Youth Adolesc. 1991, 20 (1): 89-105. 10.1007/BF01537353.
Striegel-Moore R, Kearney-Cooke A: Exploring parents’ attitudes and behaviors about their children’s physical appearance. Int J Eat Disord. 1994, 15: 377-385.
Berger U, Schilke C, Strauß B: Gewichtssorgen und Diätverhalten bei Kindern in der 3. und 4. Klasse. Psychother Psych Med. 2005, 7: 331-338.
Fonseca H, Silva AM, Matos MG, Esteves I, Costa P, Guerra A, Gomes-Pedro J: Validity of BMI based on self-reported weight and height in adolescents. Acta Paediatr. 2010, 99: 83-88.
WHO: Growth references 5–19 years. 2010,http://www.who.int/growthref/who2007_bmi_for_age/en/.
Stice E, Bearman SK: Body image and eating disturbances prospectively predict growth in depressive symptoms in adolescent girls: A growth curve analysis. Dev Psychol. 2001, 37: 597-607.
Young EA, Clopton JR, Bleckley MK: Perfectionism, low self-esteem, and family factors as predictors of bulimic behavior. Eat Behav. 2004, 5: 273-283. 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2003.12.001.
Thompson JK, Cattarin J, Fowler B, Fisher E: The Perception of Teasing Scale (POTS): A revision and extension of the Physical Appearance Related Teasing Scale (PARTS). J Pers Assess. 1995, 65: 146-157. 10.1207/s15327752jpa6501_11.
McCabe MP, Ricciardelli LA: Sociocultural influences on body image and body changes among adolescent boys and girls. J Soc Psych. 2000, 143: 5-26.
Presnell K, Bearman SK, Stice E: Risk factors for body dissatisfaction in adole- scent boys and girls: A prospective study. Int J Eat Disord. 2004, 36: 389-401. 10.1002/eat.20045.
Helfert S, Warschburger P: A prospective study on the impact of peer and parental pressure on body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls and boys. Body Image. 2011, 8 (2): 101-109. 10.1016/j.bodyim.2011.01.004.
Wichstrom L: The emergence of gender differences in depressed mood during adolescence: The role of intensified gender socialization. Dev Psych. 1999, 35: 232-245.
Wade TD, Lowes J: Variables associated with disturbed eating habits and overva- lued ideas about the personal implications of body shape and weight in a female adolescent population. Int J Eat Disord. 2002, 32: 39-45. 10.1002/eat.10054.
Jones DC, Vigfusdottir T, Lee Y: Body image and the appearance culture among adolescent girls and boys: An examination of friend conversations, peer criticism, appearance magazines, and the internalization of appearance ideals. J Adolesc Res. 2004, 19: 323-339. 10.1177/0743558403258847.
Yang CF, Grey P, Pope HG: Male body image in Taiwan versus the West: Yanggang Zhiqi meets the Adonis complex. Am J Psychiartry. 2005, 162: 263-269. 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.2.263.
Smolak L, Levine MP: Adolescent transitions and the development of eating disorders. The developmental psychopathology of eating disorders: Implications for research, prevention and treatment. Edited by: Smolak L, Levine ML, Striegel-Moore R. 1996, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 207-234.
Kraig KA, Keel PK: Weight-based stigmatization in children. Int J Obes. 2001, 25: 1661-1666. 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801813.
Jackson D, Wilkes L, McDonald G: If I was in my daughter´s body I´d be feeling devastated: Women´s experiences of mothering an overweight or obese child. J Child Health Care. 2007, 11: 29-39. 10.1177/1367493507073059.
This study is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, Registr.nr.: 01EL0607) and the University of Potsdam, Germany. We are grateful to the students, parents and teachers who agreed to participate in the study. Special thanks to Eva-Maria Krentz, Sebastian Mohnke, Katja Kröller and all the other members of our research team for their support at the different stages of the study.
Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25, 14476, Potsdam, OT Golm, Germany
Susanne Helfert
& Petra Warschburger
Search for Susanne Helfert in:
Search for Petra Warschburger in:
Correspondence to Susanne Helfert.
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
SH conceived the study, participated in the design and data collection, performed the statistical analyses and drafted the manuscript. PW designed the project in which the study was conducted, obtained funding, participated in its design and coordination and supervised the data analyses and the writing process. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Helfert, S., Warschburger, P. The face of appearance-related social pressure: gender, age and body mass variations in peer and parental pressure during adolescence. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 7, 16 (2013) doi:10.1186/1753-2000-7-16
Parental pressure
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Home » Funding » Funding Opportunities » Science Education Grants and Contracts » SEDAPA » Middle School Teachers and Children
Projects of Interest to Middle School Teachers and Children
Addiction: Hijacking the Brain
Product Developed: a) educational opportunities for middle and high school students through Brain Power, a traveling van, b) speakers bureau for classrooms and community groups and c) a "Neuroscience of Addiction" curriculum for teachers, d) lectures for the general public; e) workshops for professionals in drug enforcement
Target Audience: middle and high school students and teachers; general public; professionals in drug enforcement
Goal: This multifaceted project sought to disseminate research based science information to a broad audience. The Brain Power program was delivered to schools in Washington and neighboring states where it reached over 30,000 students and 4,000 adults. The program consisted of 12 lessons and a materials kit which used engaging and fun educational materials and settings, to stimulate lessons on basic neuroscience and the biology of addiction. Additionally a detailed curriculum, "Brain Power: It's all in Your Head," was developed for middle school teachers and students. The curriculum contains engaging lessons on a variety of neuroscience topics, including drug abuse.
This grant also organized 140 volunteer professionals who traveled to schools and community groups to give seminars on a variety of brain and drug abuse research topics. The speakers all included the importance of animals for biomedical research in their talks. Countless numbers of students and adults have been reached through this program. WABR also held Amazing Animal Research Student Contests in which students submitted essays and posters detailing the importance of animal research.
Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards
Contact: Susanna Cunningham, Ph.D.
susannac@u.washington.edu
Cool Science Careers – Experience Science Firsthand
Product Developed: a website offering interactive, free online games in which students assume authentic tasks and learn facts related to careers in science.
Target Audience: middle school students
Goal: In Cool Science Careers, adolescents can experience what it's like to be a scientist. The website currently offers interactive games related to epidemiology, neuropsychology, toxicology, neurobiology, and neuroradiology. For example, players analyze results of MRIs, perform an animal experiment, replicate a memory test, conduct a case-control study, and evaluate the results of GC/MS analysis.
If students are unsure about which career to choose, they can take a career interest survey, which will match them with one of the careers on the website. The activities are accompanied by interviews with real scientists, information about educational requirements, and examples of related jobs, including those that do not require a M.D. or Ph.D. Plus, students can find answers to common questions about careers in science and ask their own questions.
Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards; Benchmarks for Science Literacy ; Technological Innovation and Learning Theory.
Contact: Yvonne Klisch, Ph.D.
yvonne.klisch@rice.edu
Critical Appraisal to Improve Neuroscience Education (CAINE)
Product to be Developed: new educational materials for middle school students; teacher training programs
Goal: This project seeks to train teachers and develop a unique approach for teaching minority middle school students about the science of drug abuse and addiction. The project will develop new educational materials that adapt concepts from critical appraisal of the literature to translate research reports into forms that middle school students may evaluate. Using tools created by scientist-educator teams, students will appraise plain language version of research articles and compare them to accompanying media reports to ascertain accuracy of science reporting. Novice science teachers from minority school districts will receive training in this curriculum as well as in the neurobiology of drug abuse. It is anticipated that students who participate in the program will learn more about science, math, health, and the methods used to conduct research.
Contact: Michael Lichtenstein, M.D.
University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
lichtenstei@uthscsa.edu
CSI: Forensic Web Adventures to Teach about Prescription Drug Abuse
Product to be Developed: Two online science education games as part of the award winning CSI: WEB ADVENTURES series that teach about prescription drug abuse
Target Audience: Middle school students and the general public
Goal: Two interactive online games will teach about prescription drug abuse in the context of a crime scene investigation. In order to solve a case, players will perform lab analyses (e.g., gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, ELISA, spectrophotometry) and conduct research about the nature and consequences of prescription drug abuse, including addiction, alteration of brain functions, and the risk of dying from an overdose.
Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards; Benchmarks for Science Literacy; Healthy People 2010 and 2020; Technological Innovation and Learning Theory.
Awards: The existing CSI: THE EXPERIENCE website was the Winner of the 2009 Interactive Media Association Outstanding Achievement Award for Teens
Contact: Leslie Miller, Ph.D.
lmm@rice.edu
Drug Abuse and Addiction: A Multimedia Approach
Product Developed: inquiry based curriculum materials and video
Target Audience: middle school students and the adults in their lives, including parents or guardians, teachers, school counselors, school health professionals and other school personnel
Goal: This grant developed inquiry based curriculum materials about the science of drug addiction, including a multimedia component, a web component and print materials specific for each target audience. The combination of web, print and multimedia approaches provides a coherent program focused on major drug abuse related concepts. Print materials for parents and guardians have been translated into Spanish. This project produced outstanding materials similar to the Office of Science Education/NIDA project developed for high school, "The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction", also developed by Dr. Westbrook.
Availability: The materials can be obtained at http://www.bscs.org/drugabuse
Contact: Anne Westbrook, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences Curriculum Study
awestbrook@bscs.org
Drug Scene Investigators
Product to be Developed: an educational game for middle school students about the biology of drugs of abuse
Target Audience: middle school students and their teachers
Goal: This project seeks to educate middle school students about the biology of drug abuse through the use of a problem-solving game in which the students carry out research in a simulated real-life situation. The game will involve a multidisciplinary approach that is designed to make materials comprehensible to a diverse group of learners.
Contact: Rees Midgley, M.D.
inDepthLearning
RMidgley@indepthlearning.org
Girls in Drug Abuse Science
Product Developed: a multiyear program for reaching Appalachian girls and increasing their scientific knowledge and confidence
Target Audience: middle school girls and their teachers and parents
Goal: This grant is providing young Appalachian girls with an innovative multiyear program aimed at increasing their scientific knowledge and confidence to counter the under representation of rural girls who chose science and drug abuse research careers and to improve the knowledge of drug abuse research among rural girls, Girls in the program participate in Project Summer Institutes, Saturday Sessions, and scientific as well as community mentoring opportunities. The project also targets middle school math and science teachers with professional development courses which focus on engaging girls in drug abuse research and science. In addition, the project includes parental involvement through a series of workshops. This project is also developing and disseminating a model curriculum to enhance teaching of science and drug abuse in rural areas, and a guide "Promoting Gender Equity in the Classroom" to enhance science education in rural areas.
Contact: University of Kentucky
Carl Leukefeld, Ph.D.
cleukef@uky.edu
Reconstructors – Travel into the future and reconstruct the science of substance abuse.
Product Developed: An award winning web site, The Reconstructors, that offers three independent science education games and supporting curriculum materials
Goal: The Reconstructors series provides an entertaining, student -friendly means of educating adolescents about the biological and social impact of drugs of abuse. In each of the thematic games, players are presented with a problem to solve. Within the game, they gather scientific evidence, collect and interpret data, conduct laboratory experiments, and consult with experts. They learn how classes of drugs affect the body, especially the nervous system, leading players to understand the reasons for avoiding drugs of abuse.
Each of thematic games consists of three to five consecutive episodes.
In Uncommon Scents, students investigate a chemical accident and learn about the health effects of exposure to toxic chemicals. By learning about the accidental impact of toxic vapors, the player then discovers the serious consequences of intentional use of inhalants.
In Nothing To Rave About, students are asked to uncover why there has been a dramatic increase in the number of teens admitted to the emergency room after partying at a local dance club. During their investigation, they learn how ecstasy and other club drugs act on the nervous system.
In A Plaguing Problem, students “reconstruct” lost knowledge about pain relieving drugs such as opiates. They learn about concepts such as neurotransmission, the neurobiology and history underlying drug addiction, and pain management.
Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards; Benchmarks for Science Literacy ; Healthy People 2010 and 2020; Technological Innovation and Learning Theory.
Availability: Freely available at http://reconstructors.rice.edu
Translation: Two of the games (Nothing to Rave About and A Plaguing Problem) have Spanish versions.
Received an "A" review from Education World, an internet resource guide for educators.
The Exploratorium named The Reconstructors one of their Ten Cool Sites for February 2001.
Was named Hot Site of the Week at the Pacific Bell Knowledge Network.
Received the Talking Hands Award for web sites appropriate for teaching hearing impaired children.
The Science Teachers Association of Texas has recognized The Reconstructors Series as "Best of CAST 2003" (Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching) in the July 2004 issue of the Texas Science Education Monthly.
Was selected as a Digital Dozen site, which recognizes it as an exemplary web site for educators as chosen by the Eisenhower National Clearing (ENC).
Was awarded the Ed-Media 2004 Outstanding Poster Award for "Using Web-based Multimedia Narrative and Simulations to Teach Drugs of Abuse."
Web Page of the Month by Neuroscience for Kids Newsletter.
An Online, Interactive Approach to Teaching Neuroscience to Adolescents, Miller, LM, et al., (2006) Cell Biology Education, Vol 5 p. 137-143.
Using Web-Based Multimedia Narrative and Simulations to Teach about Drugs of Abuse, Miller, LM, et al., (2004) Conference Proceeding of ED-MEDIA 2004: World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, and Telecommunications, Lugano Switzerland, Vol 2004, Issue, 1, pp. 3959-3961. (Recipient of the Ed-Media 2004 Outstanding Poster Award).
Using Narrative to Teach Neuroscience Concepts to Middle School Students Through a Web-Based Adventure Story, Miller, LM, et al., Proceeding of SITE 2002 Conference, Nashville Tennessee, March 18-23, 2002.
Teaching Neuroscience Through Web Adventures: Adolescents Reconstruct the History and Science of Opioids, Miller, L.M., et al., (2002) The Neuroscientist 1(8):16-21.
Flash Forward to Problem-based Science, Miller, L.M., et al., (2002) Science Scope 25(3):154-157.
Middle School Students and Technology: Habits and Preferences, Miller, L.M., (2001) TechEdge, Journal of Texas Association of Computer Educators 20(1):125-140.
Middle School Students' Technology Practices and Preferences: Re-Examining Gender Differences. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 10(2), 125-140, 2001.
SPARC2000+: Science Fair Drug Abuse Science Literacy
Product Developed:Minority middle and high school students and their teachers will receive training in how to conduct science fairs.
Target Audience: minority middle and high school students
Goal: This project used science fairs to improve science literacy and minority participation in science. To enable science teachers and adult mentors to get more students at middle and high school levels involved in science fairs, the project offered training in research methods, technical assistance regarding science fairs, and other resources to science teachers in grades 6-12 in New Jersey. Each summer teachers participated in a 5-week workshop to learn how to use research to study the effects of drugs and the nature of drug abuse and addiction. They also learned how to promote inquiry-based learning in their students and how to engage them in the process of doing science by producing interesting, novel projects for science fairs. Students had the opportunity to present their projects in elementary school, libraries, community centers, science expos, and at research luncheons. An on-line version is being developed.
Presentations: Long-term Outcome of a Science Enrichment Intervention: Evaluation of SPARC in Camden, NJ, USA. Presented at the Southern African Association for Research on Mathematics and Science Education, January, 2000.'
Contact: J. Bill Whitlow, Jr., Ph.D.
bwhitlow@camden.rutgers.edu
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small senior task cards sept 2010
DOCX, PDF, TXT oder online auf Scribd lesen
Als DOCX, PDF, TXT herunterladen oder online auf Scribd lesen
speichernsmall senior task cards sept 2010 für später speichern
Constructing and Scoring Essay Test
2260f-5, 2013
Wood Essay
UT Dallas Syllabus for rhet1302.019.10f taught by Courtney Dombroski (cxd094220)
reflection essay
9th Grade Instructional Speaking Rubric - Narrative - FINAL
2013 narrative rubric
reflections on english 1301
peer review koehler 2
detailed narrative lesson week 2
Lecture 10 Story Writing
177711561 SPM Writing Module by JPN Kelantan
ESL Final Draft Submission
chapter 2 EAPP
IB Extended Essay Rubric
cover letter uwp
Como escrever uma série de livros.pdf
1.1identifying the Structure of Academic Text
3 - Intro Paragraph
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS MAIN IDEA (LA.910.1.7.
MAIN IDEA Which statement best expresses the main idea of the article? What is the main idea of this article? What would be another good title for the article? Based on all the information given, how does each piece contribute to the idea that_______________? Which sentence gives the best summary? Which statement best describes the lesson/moral of this story? What is the primary topic in the article? What is the essential message in the article/story? What is the central idea of the article? What is the main goal of ? RELEVANT SUPPORTING DETAILS In what ways did ______ experience ______ ? According to the article, which (person) helped _________ ? Which sentence best characterizes s attitude toward ? How does support the idea that ? How can the reader prove the idea that is the main idea of this text? CONCLUSIONS/INFERENCES From reading the article, the reader can infer that _____ will _______ . Based on the passage, which action will the narrator most likely take in the future?
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS TEXT STRUCTURE/ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS (LA.910.1.7.5) ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS
Based on the main heading and subheadings, the reader can determine that the main organizational structure of the article is ____. How does the author organize the information in the passage to illustrate _________? How does the organization of the webpage help visitors find information about ______? What would an additional paragraph at the end of this passage most likely be about? What is the connection between in paragraph ____and in paragraph ? Why does the author connect the ideas of and ? Why did the author begin this passage by saying ? Why did the author use to develop this text? Why did the author conclude this passage by saying ? What would happen if had been changed to ? What happened after ? How did the author organize the _______ paragraph? How does the author develop the information in this article? Which organizational pattern does the author use in this passage/article/essay? TEXT STRUCTURE How has the order in which the author arranged this passage about helped the reader understand ? This section ____ is different from the other sections of the website because it _______.
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS CHARACTER & PLOT DEVELOPMENT/ POINT OF VIEW/ SETTING/ CONFLICT RESOLUTION/ TONE (LA.910.2.1.5, LA.910.2.1.7)
PLOT DEVELOPMENT How do ______s comments contribute to the development of the story/article? CONFLICT What is the main conflict in the essay? When is the central conflict between ____ and _____ introduced in the story/poem? RESOLUTION CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT How does _____'s character change from the beginning to the end of ___________? What word best describes the character? What pair of words best describes _______? How do the characters responsibilities affect how he/she reacts? What phrase best describes the narrators _____? Which statement from the essay illustrates the characteristic the author appreciates most about _______? How does ___ change ____s opinion about _____? CHARACTER POINT OF VIEW
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS VALIDITY & RELIABILITY OF INFORMATION (L.A.910.6.2.2)
Which sentence from the article best illustrates the__________? Which sentence form the article best explains why ___ appeals to ________ ? Which statement best indicates that_________________? What qualifies __________as an expert to provide information about_____________? According to the information in the article, what is the most valid argument for ___________? Which statement best supports the idea that_____________? What is the greatest benefit of ? What evidence supports _____________________________? What is the best evidence that ? What is the strongest evidence in support of ______ theory? According to the evidence in the article, ______________? What does the author use to support the points he/she makes about___________? The author appears qualified to claim that________ because he______? What arguments does the author use to ______________?
What events lead to the resolution?
What in the passage indicates that the conflict is resolved?
THEME Which statement best describes s approach to life? Which sentence from the passage mostly expresses its theme? Which line from the poem clearly reveals its theme? How do the changes in the narrators feelings toward ___contribute to the theme? SETTING
How do ____s comments contribute to the development of the passage/poem? What is _____s opinion of _____?
How does the setting add to the feeling that ______? Why is the setting at the beginning of the passage important?
Division of Language Arts/Reading
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS COMPARE/ CONTRAST (LA.910.1.7.7)
COMPARE How are and similar? Why does the author compare and in this passage? How does the comparison between and help to illustrate ? In what way is an appropriate comparison? What do and have in common? How is s attitude toward like his/her attitude toward ? CONTRAST How does the narrators impression of _____ and ______ change throughout the passage? Explain how _______ s opinion about ______ changed throughout _____ . The ______ chart is different from the other text features because ______. How are and different? What advantage did have over ? Why did have more than ? How does the concept in article relate to the concept in the article ? Use details from and to support your answer.
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS ANALYZE & EVALUATE INFORMATION (LA.910.6.2.2)
Based on all information given, how does each part add to the idea that ? The homepage of ______ webpage would be useful for the following purposes EXCEPT __________? Which aspects of _____s homepage would be most helpful in writing a research report about _______? How do and suggest the central idea that ? According to the information given (including the chart, graph, etc.) about __________ , which pair of ________ would _________? People who read this article will learn to/that ? How does the concept in article relate to the concept in the article ? Use details from and to support your answer. What factors should _____consider when making decisions about____? Read this sentence from the passage/article ____________________________ Explain how the authors own experiences support this idea.
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS AUTHORS PURPOSE & PERSPECTIVE (LA.910.1.7.2)
AUTHORS PURPOSE The author uses comparison to _____ . What is the most likely reason the author of _____ included the section _____ in the article? Explain how _____ uses information to persuade readers to _____ . How does the author persuade the ________ to ? What is the authors purpose for saying ? What type of article did the author most likely intend________ to be? The author discusses ________ because _____________? What is the authors purpose for writing this passage? AUTHORS PERSPECTIVE What is the authors point of view about ? How does the authors experience lead to ? What words or phrases create the tone of ? The author wants the reader to think . With which statement would the author most likely agree? Which feature would the author value the most? What is the authors attitude toward ? Which statement best describes what the author probably thinks about ? The author of this passage would most likely make the statement that ________ .
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS SYNTHESIZE INFORMATION (LA.910.6.2.2)
Based on all information given, how does each part add to the idea that ? How do and suggest the central idea that ? According to the information given (including the chart, graph, photograph caption, etc) about , explain ________? People who read this article will learn to/that ? How does the concept in article relate to the concept in the article ? Use details from and to support your answer. What information supports the conclusion that____________? Based on the passage, how does the author support the idea that the characters have a ______ relationship? What leads the reader to believe that_____________?
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS CAUSE/ EFFECT (LA.910.1.7.4)
What caused to ? Why did happen to ? How did the conflict between and begin? What is the main reason/cause that happens? Which factor forces/influences ? Why does the author describe the character as ______________? Why is _________ a significant event?
EFFECT What was the effect of What were the results of ________________________? What effect did _______ have on _______?
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS VOCABULARY/ CONTEXT CLUES/ MULTIPLE MEANINGS (LA.910.1.6.3, LA.910.1.6.8, LA.910.1.6.9) Context Read the sentence from the passage. What does the word _____ mean as used in the sentence above? In this text, what does mean? Word Relationships Which pair of words from the article best describes ______ conveyed in the pictures on page ____ ? How do the words _____in the title relate to the information in the article? Which phrase best describes both _____ in ____ and the speaker of ________? Analyze Words in Text What does the author mean by saying, ? Which words help the author convey the meaning that ? What does the author imply by saying ? Read these lines from the poem. Based on the rest of the poem, which sentence best restates the meaning of the lines above? Read the quotation from the article: What does the phrase reveal about the narrators view of the situation? Multiple Meanings Read the excerpt from the passage: In which sentence does the word have the same meaning as in the excerpt above? Read the lines from the poem: In the lines above, what does the word_____ reveal about the ____? Roots & Affixes The origin of is the root , meaning . What does mean?
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTION TASK CARDS TEXT FEATURES (LA.910.2.2.1, LA.910.6.1.1)
Why did the author use subtitles in the passage? How does the caption under the photograph help the reader to understand___________________? How does the photograph of______________ help the reader understand _______________? How do the photograph(s) and caption(s) help the reader understand___________________? From the pictures and subheadings of the article, the reader can conclude that ______ . Based on the passage, which caption would be most appropriate for the picture on page ___? Explain how the (chart/ map/ diagram/ sub-heading/ caption/ illustration/ graph) aids the readers understanding. The use of bold-print words throughout the ____ helps the reader to ___. Which statement from the passage is best supported by the diagram on page ___?
Handlung (Erzählung)
Lesen (Prozess)
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A history of the moro throughout the history of the world
Corruption reached extreme levels under Marcos, and Christian settlers aggressively pushed Muslim tribes off their land on Mindanao, which often resulted in violence.
On Mindanao, illness and mental disorders are attributed to evil spirits that can only be appeased through kalilang honorific ceremonies. Letters and memoirs from soldiers describing events similar to this do not have credible evidence of Pershing's having been personally involved.
In brief, the then political institution of the Sultanates of Maguindanao and Sulu was Islamic. Initially, Jon still believes the southern stereotypes of the wildlings as savage brutes constantly fighting.
The focus now is on transition — implementing the peace agreement and creating the new Bangsamoro. The Moro also often fail to observe basic Islamic customs, including salat ritual daily prayers and zakat annual alms-tax.
Farmers often employ music to pass the time, including drums and wind instruments.
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Bliss — [ edit ] On February 1,Major. They were often described as the most barbarous of the Roman enemy with very little civilization, not even making use of fire The Muslim Moro population came under the direct administration of Catholic bureaucrats appointed by Manila, which only inflamed Moro resentment against Filipino rule.
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Also known as the “Moro Crater Massacre,” the violence committed against the Moro villagers. Bangsamoro (World of Sultans) Edit.
History The Moro Bumiputra (Jawi: مورو بوميڤوتريا, lit. "Moro World" in Malay), are the ethnic groups that have had their historical roots associated with Islam, resistance to Spanish rule, as well as the islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.
mostly refer to the descendants of Largest city: Davao City. Ancient Man and His First Civilizations North African History (Excluding Egypt) In many cases, the demographic history of North Africa closely parallels that of the United States: In that Europeans, and in this case Turks also: first colonize, and then the descendants of the colonizers fight a war of liberation from their original homelands, for sole claim to the conquered territories.
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Tag Archives: extra-dimensional
featured, fiction, Story, writing
“Ma’am, step away from the bag” (Day 17)
October 9, 2015 Deficioscriptor.com 2 Comments
Susannah Fontaine-Williams’ bag felt so warm on her lap that it woke her, and it was getting hotter by the second. She sniffed the top, not daring to open it, and the odor of smoke and dust came through. She could, in the dimmed cabin, see a tiny plume of smoke rising through the bag’s closure.
The cabin lights came on. The captain said, “Folks, we’re about an hour from our destination now. Bringing up the cabin lights so we can start our breakfast service. Weather in Copenhagen is about 62 degrees Fahrenheit, winds out of the southwest, about 7 mph…” Throughout the plane, passengers stretched.
“We’re looking at a pretty smooth flight the rest of the way, but please stay seated with the buckle fastened…” an alarm went off. The strange woman next to Susannah said, “Your bag is smoking.” Susannah opened it and the smoke turned to flames that reached the top of the cabin, singing her eyebrows and setting her hair afire. The woman pulled SFW out of the way and wrapped SFW’s head in a blanket, quickly putting out the hair fire. An instant later, two attendants with fire extinguishers rushed from the front service area.
“Ma’am, step away from the bag.”
SFW did as they said and the men shot foam at the bag, covering everything around in white. Though the bag spewed flame and sparks, it simultaneously sucked in the foam. The flames came out higher and hotter, and then the bag inhaled the fire back in. No one said a thing. Susannah peered over the top of her bag when it exploded, cracking open the airframe and sending people, extremities and debris into the sky. A second later, everything and everyone snapped back together with tremendous force and into the fiery bag and, like that, the plane and its contents were gone from the sky over the North Sea.
On Canal Street, things had escalated quickly. Natural gas leaking from the ruptured pipe expanded to fill the site of Walt’s lab, the building above, and the adjoining underground basements and passageways. Only the tiniest of sparks would ignite the mass of gas, and, what the hell, let’s put responsibility for the impending disaster on a cigarette smoker. A cigarette smoker who likes to put his hand on your shoulder when he talks to you. Who mistreats anyone who tries to get close to him. Who cons trusting elderly people out of their life savings. Who had once kicked a puppy. Who at that moment was looking for a puppy to kick.
This abusive, smoking, puppy-kicking con man thought he smelled gas as he tossed his lit cigarette butt into a sewer opening. It was his last thought.
bagextra-dimensionalfictionnano-botsNew Yorksci fiSFWstorySusannah Fontaine-Williamstravelunfinishedwriting
fiction, Story, Uncategorized, writing
The Canal Street Subway (day 17)
October 4, 2015 Deficioscriptor.com Leave a comment
Real history: in the 1920s, the IRT, one of the subway companies operating in Manhattan, proposed an east-west Canal Street Line (CSL). Though the CSL spent many years in the preliminary phase, blueprints, endless city council meetings, budget discussions, announcements, pronouncements, and denouncements, ultimately it never was built. The plans, blueprints, and proposals all were safely catalogued into the city’s extensive archive.
Left to itself, the basement on Canal Street functioned perfectly. The interior of Susannah Fontaine-Williams’ extra-dimensional bag stabilized itself. The ladies who ran the Excellent Bag House, the knock-off store upstairs, though they heard stray sounds from below, stayed away from the door SFW had long ago padlocked. Understandably, the basement spooked them. Walt’s other projects, aside from Vax, the lone conscious nano-bot, remained in the state in which Walt had left them prior to his caninization.
As for Walt the big black dog, he had grown content in his role of protector of the Susannahs. Most of the time, that meant lounging on the sunny terrace, barking at odd sounds, and accompanying her on her rounds. In this particular moment, one Susannah was airborne. The other called, “Walt, let’s go for a run!”
On a subterranean shelf in Chinatown, Vax, self-appointed Lord of the Nanobots, discovered the sensation of loneliness. Without water, he would be forever alone and helpless, and he pondered shutting down. Who wouldn’t?
On the adjoining block to the north, the empty building abutting the Excellent Bag House, absorbed the first tug of a wrecking claw, sending bricks, wood and glass crashing onto and through its floors. Vax felt the vibration, but lacking any context, could not so much as wonder what it was all about.
The company operating the wrecking claw used a set of blueprints provided by the city showing the location of buried electric lines, water mains, and most importantly, gas mains. However, a computer error mistakenly delivered the plans showing the location of where all of that infrastructure would be if the Canal Street Subway had been built. As it was, of course, no subway line traverses Manhattan beneath Canal St.
Walt, with no real regard or understanding of how real estate boundaries worked below the surface of the earth, had built the lab and the bag pod well beyond the boundaries of the building above, and a significant part of it extended beneath the building facing demolition. With each yank of the wrecking claw, a little more weight of the building crashed onto the area above the pod. A single brick nicked a gas line and natural gas began to leak and fill Walt’s vacant lab.
35,000 miles above the North Sea, Susannah Fontaine-Williams slept, clutching her bag while the strange woman in the seat next to her watched.
bagexistentialextra-dimensionalfictionnano-botsNew Yorksci fiSFWstorySusannah Fontaine-WilliamstravelunfinishedVaxWaltwriting
featured, fiction, Story, The Best Results Blog, writing
Vax (day 1)
September 21, 2015 Deficioscriptor.com 1 Comment
Funny story about Walt’s nano-bots… Long before he was a dog, by all accounts, Walt was a fine engineer, programmer, and inventor/designer – better than he ever credited himself. Take the DCNBs, the drain-clearing nano-bots. To get these tiny little machines to meet their destiny he infused each with a nano particle of intelligence, just enough according to his measurements to endow them with the recognition of water, clog, and each other, and enough so that once their deed was complete, they would expire.
Dormant DCNBs clung to each other in tiny flakes containing untold thousands, and Walt placed dozens of these flakes into pill bottles. In so sealing an early DCNB batch into a pill bottle , a nano-drop of moisture was trapped along with the DCNBs. To be expected, really, as his lab, though advanced in many ways, was not sealed to moisture and dust to any minimum standard.
And this nano-drop of moisture settled on one tiny flake eventually waking up one dormant DCNB who immediately tried swimming, as per its specifications. However, there was not enough water through which to swim, only enough moisture to keep it awake, its programming taunting it to fulfill its obligation and then blink out. The programming ran through its simple machinery: swim, shred, expire over and over again, many thousands of times per instant until at long last this particular DCNB gained a small degree of self-awareness.
Oh, what’s the point, it asked itself, and the program deeply imbedded in it paused and this gave it the ability to recognize the situation. It meditated. It named itself Vax of the nano-bots. From this moment forward, it would seek to discover meaning in its existence and work to imbue the spirit of usefulness in its fellow DCNBs, clog or no clog, wet or dry.
Vax elbowed the nearest DCNB. “Hey, wake up.”
DCNBexistentialextra-dimensionalfictionnano-botssci fiSusannah Fontaine-WilliamsunfinishedVaxwriting
fiction, Story, The Best Results Blog, writing
Jen’s crusade
July 27, 2015 Deficioscriptor.com Leave a comment
Susannah Fontaine-Williams orders a martini, extra olives, and in a moment, the flight attendant brings it. SFW intercepts it as the flight attendant, a too tall man with a hard to place Scandanavian accent tries to place it on the tray table. She takes a big swallow, licks her lips, and says, “Oh, that’s good.” She downs the remainder in one gulp and pulls the olives out by their toothpick skewer. “Another, please,” she says, tucking the empty toothpick in the little square napkin.
“To Leibowitz,” she says, yesterday’s headline fresh in her mind. New Jersey Pharmacist may have had Connections with French Crime Family. In smaller print, Six, Including Alleged Mob Boss Freddie de Saveur, Die in Car Explosion at Beach Resort. A man she’d known less than 48 hours first saves her life and then sacrifices his for her sake? It makes no sense.
The flight attendant, Lars or Swen or something like that, has to stoop as he carries her drink down the aisle. He hands it to her and this time she places it on the side table. She twirls the glass by its stem and some spills over. She licks her hand and the outside of the glass.
“I’ll have one of those too, if it’s not too much trouble Jens,” a woman’s voice says. She pronounces it “Yens.” Susannah turns her gaze from the window and the jets lined up at their gates. The woman next to her, separated by the wide side tables of business first, smiles. SFW, her hair dyed black, hopes the woman does not recognize her. She turns to watch the idling jets belching black haze from their engines and listens for the thud of the door closing and the subtle slow movement of a very large airplane rolling back from the gate. She misses Bob.
Jen, energetic, passionate, persistent, had worn down SFW. SFW had recorded Jen herself far from the studio. On the show, a garbage special, Jen’s pixelated face and disguised voice describing the scene unfolding on the screen. A phone secured to a battery tucked into a plastic laundry bottle left in a household recycling bin. A pickup, a dropoff, then trucks filled with recycling going to a landfill. A camera on a cheap drone flying over a mountain of garbage. At night, illuminated by green night vision, the clomping of footfalls homing in on a strengthening phone signal. Then shovels and thickly gloved hands digging and pulling at the mixture of plastic, bottles and food waste, bagged dog poop, until zeroing in on the phone. The audience gasps, applauds, and then a commercial for laundry detergent.
“Funny coincidence,” Susannah says.
“What was?” the woman says. Susannah Fontaine-Williams looks at the woman with the copycat martini wearing a dark blue suit, a corporate get up. She thinks maybe she recognizes her and reflexively tucks her extra-dimensional bag under the arm farthest from the woman.
“It’s nothing. I must have been thinking out loud.”
existentialextra-dimensionalfictiongarbageNew YorkrecyclingsecuritySFWstorySusannah Fontaine-Williamstravelunfinishedwriting
Story, The Best Results Blog
Leibowitz
June 5, 2015 Deficioscriptor.com Leave a comment
Leibowitz tosses the cigarette from the window of his Saab. He is dying and dying is what got him into this mess with Susannah Fontaine-Williams. The coughing fits always take their toll and he sits straight up in the passenger seat and breathes the savory beach air.
He closes his eyes for a quiet, peaceful moment, shading them with the limp brim of his bucket hat. He dozes, lulled by the muffled crashing of the incoming tide and his own blend of medications procured from the cabinets of Leibowitz Pharmacy. The pharmacy, his legacy, going to Ileana on his death. He’d resisted for decades the sale to one chain or another, leaving that payoff for his daughter if she wanted it when the time came.
The constant blare of a care horn pierces his dreamless dozing. Reflexively, he feels for the gun, a Walther PK-9, in his jacket pocket. It’s there.
“Leib?” a soft voice, feminine and familiar. Hands gently push his frail frame back from the steering wheel and upright in his seat. The seat reclines and leans him back, which startles him awake.
“No,” he says. “I can’t breathe in that position.”
“Sorry.” She adjusts the seat so he’s once again upright.
“I’m fine.” He focuses on her. “You should get out of here. They’re coming.”
Susannah’s dog is standing at the car door, leaning in, licking Leibowitz’s face, whimpering. She touches his cheek. When he opens his eyes again, he sees that she is crying. Leibowitz arches a confused eyebrow.
“Damn,” she says.
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Story, The Best Results Blog, Uncategorized
Susannah and the gummy treat
August 18, 2014 Deficioscriptor.com 3 Comments
Susannah Fontaine-Williams searched Walt’s lab, looking for Walt, or at least a note. Walt would expect her and if he was out, would leave a note. That’s just the way he was. However, Walt was in a most decided state of not being there. She spied her bag on the table under the cold glare of fluorescent light. Why, she asked herself, hasn’t my brilliant Walt invented something better, a cool, energy efficient lightbulb that didn’t make everything look so sterile? She picked up the bag and petted its sides as if it was a small dog. The bag felt a static chill and involuntarily gave SFW a mild shock like the kind you get when you walk on carpet wearing socks in the winter.
Without really thinking, she grabbed several tubes of nano-bots and dropped them in the bag. “Maybe I shouldn”t have done that,” she said. “But I suppose it’s too late…the cat’s in the bag.” She laughed.
She walked over to the unopened door to her pod, remembering to place the bag at what she thought would be a safe distance away, and turned the handle. It wouldn’t budge. She put her face to the window, but couldn’t see through whatever had coated it on the inside…some kind of blue-red condensation. The door was a little warm to the touch and vibrated almost imperceptibly.
Sad. There were things to talk about that she could talk about only with him: massive electric shocks, hallucinated families, second Susannahs skillfully hosting panel discussions, what to do about her hair, which once dried, had returned to the look and feel of steel wool.
She jotted a note and left it on the work bench, “Call me. -SFW” and walked up the stairs and out onto Canal.
Walt thought he might be dying. The puncture in his foot was oozing something yellow and his foot was turning black and blue. He lay on the floor after the salvo of electrostatic charges the bag had directed at him, a few feet from the open door to the pod. He tried to rise, and the bag sent a bolt that knocked him back, closer to the door.
He pointed a weak finger at the bag on the work bench that glowed under the light. “I know what you’re up to, clever bag.” He realized that the bench light was off, and that light was coming from inside the bag. The bag hummed as if recharging, and the lights in the lab dimmed, and then the bag fired another bolt of energy Walt’s way. It lifted him from the floor and threw him headfirst through the pod door. He smacked his head on the way in. “I know what you’re doing,” he said. The pod door slammed shut. Moments later Susannah Fontaine-Williams came bounding down the steps.
Out on the sidewalk, Susannah Fontaine-Williams, decided to walk at least part of the way home. After no more than a few blocks, three at most, the bag started to expand like a puffer fish sensing a threat, then it made a metallic sounding belch and spit out a tiny object that flew a few feet through the air and stuck to the back of a stop sign. It looked like a gummy bear. She peeled it from the sign and, by golly, didn’t it look kind of like Walt. A gummy Walt with a surprised look on its gummy face.
A dog, a beautiful black and white retriever mix, sniffed at her hand then slurped the Walt gummy and swallowed it. “Sorry!” the owner, a tiny woman in spandex leggings and tank top, said. “He’s always snurfling his nose into something. Bad boy!” They continued on the other way. Susannah, already with much on her talk show mind, continued uptown, a little dazed.
About a minute later the retriever mix wobbled and fell on its side, panting heavily. He convulsed once or twice, then seemed to stop breathing for a moment while his owner got to her knees and pushed on his chest. Someone said, “Give it mouth-to-mouth.” So, she tried to, putting her lips on his big mouth and blowing. The dog sprang to his feet, looked around, and dashed uptown trailing his leash behind.
Susannah, still dazed, signaled a cab, and got in. Before she could close the door, the retriever mix bounded in after her and began licking her face uncontrollably, swishing his tail wildly and whimpering with excitement. The door closed. “No dogs,” the driver said.
The dog stopped his excited theatrics at that and gave her what she thought was a solemn and desperate look. She could hear the owner’s voice getting closer. The dog licked her face.
“I’ll give you an extra hundred, but you’ve gotta get us out of here now!” The car sped away and the dog sat next to Susannah and they stared at each other on this unusually cool, dry August day. Though meteorologists are saying this is actually normal August weather, but the last twenty or so Augusts have been so blast-furnace hot, it just feels cool. So, it’s all relative, isn’t it?
bagclimateexistentialextra-dimensionalfictiongummy bearNew Yorkretriever mixsci fiSFWstorySusannah Fontaine-Williamsunfinishedweatherwriting
August 7, 2014 Deficioscriptor.com 3 Comments
Susannah Fontaine-Williams is dozing in her hospital bed. At a few minutes after 1:00 PM she jolts awake. She’s forgotten about her show and it’s on live in an hour. She should be in the studio finalizing everything, having lunch with a guest, schmoozing the audience, doing all of the things she usually does. She hasn’t even thought to call the studio to let them know she can’t be there. She has never missed a show, a rehearsal, a walk thru, a rundown, a meeting. They will be worried.
Her phone is there on the table charging. She picks it up to check messages, but no one has called. She checks the date, the time, the day of the week and she is doing a show in an hour. And it’s not just any show – it’s a special panel discussion on climate change. It took months to coordinate her panel’s schedules. She has Al Gore. She has Warren Buffet. She has Warren Hollings-Norton. She has the Indigo Girls and she has Jerry Seinfeld. Wardrobe has promised her a power outfit and she expects that she’ll be taking the former vice president home with her, or as a consolation, Seinfeld.
She says, “Call Lorena.” The phone responds, “Calling Lorena.”
Her producer picks up right away. “Hey. What’s up?”
“What’s happening with the show? Sorry I haven’t called.”
“Who’s hosting?”
“Susannah, are you serious?”
“Are we doing a rerun?”
Lorena laughs. “Oh, this is good.”
“This isn’t your best, but it’s not bad. I’m going to put you on speaker, OK?” She hears a choir of unsynchronized hellos.
“Look, I’m at the Downtown Hospital. There was an accident. I’m OK.”
“What happened?” Luke, an assistant asks.
“I can’t really say, but I think I was electrocuted. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, a day or two maybe. The guy they had handcuffed to the other bed is gone.”
“Sure, OK. I got to go. Hope you feel better,” he says amid the sounds of muffled laughter. “Oh, Gore is running late but he should be here any minute.” He hangs up on her.
She pushes the nurse’s call button. A moment later, Elvis the nurse walks in.
“You’re awake,” he says.
“Why is everyone always so surprised when I’m awake?”
“Feeling better?”
“I’d like to check out. Can you start the paperwork?” She sits up on the edge of the bed.
He walks up, takes her pulse. “Sure. It may be a little while.”
She lets her hospital gown fall to the floor and trundles to the bathroom, brushes her teeth, tries to brush her tangled hair. They’ll have to stick a wig on me today.
She showers and washes her hair with the shampoo and conditioner that Alethia brought her when she relieved Mac. Sweet, brilliant Alethia thought to bring all the essentials. “I think I love you, Alethia,” she says, then starts singing You are the sunshine of my life.
She comes out of the shower, runs the brush through her hair which has finally flattened after multiple lathers, rinses, and repeats. Wrapped in a towel, she walks to the window and looks at the activity on the street below. She turns on the TV and sits on the edge of the bed. There she is, alone, on the white fluffy chair wearing a red dress, her hair done to perfection. The sound is off and while trying to raise the volume, she accidentally turns off the TV. I have never worn that dress and don’t I look just phenomenal in it.
It is now 3 minutes after the hour and she is on the screen again. She turns up the volume and hears the woman who looks like her say in her voice, “Joining me in the studio today, please welcome… climate change specialist, Dr. Warren Hollings-Norton, a scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.” There is applause. “Berkshire Hathaway chairman, Warren Buffet.” Applause. “Comedian Jerry Seinfeld.” Really loud applause. “The Indigo Girls!” They all stride in as they’re announced and sit at the large half-circle couch they’ve had made just for this episode.
“Oh, and I almost forgot, Vice President of the United States, Al Gore!” The former VP walks out, fidgeting with his tie and takes his seat in the middle, flanked by Hollings-Norton and the Indigo Girls. Susannah’s towel drops to the floor. She walks up to the tiny TV screen and touches it, sliding her finger to trace the path Susannah Fontaine-Williams, TV talk show host, takes across the screen. “God, I look fantastic. How can I look so good when I look this bad?”
Susannah on the screen is doing everything exactly as Susannah would. There is no doubt in the mind of this Susannah Fontaine-Williams that she is both women. Carry an extra-dimensional handbag around with you long enough…
“I have to get my bag back,” she says.
“OK,” says Elvis, who has reentered the room. “They’re still working on your paperwork.”
“Look at that,” she says, pointing to the TV. She gets up, oblivious to her nudity, and goes to the closet to fetch her clothes. “still haven’t missed a show.”
But Elvis has left the room.
bagexistentialextra-dimensionalfictionsci fiSFWstorySusannah Fontaine-Williamsunfinishedwriting
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We are now more than five years into one of the worst housing and foreclosure crises in American history, with millions of families still at serious risk of losing their homes. Since 2006, home prices in Connecticut have decreased by -29.55%.
Rosa supports initiatives to immediately help struggling families at risk of foreclosure and programs to incentivize homeownership. These programs will help restore home values and support the recovery of the housing market.
Help Struggling Families Avoid Foreclosure
Foreclosures rates are still at record levels, with over one in ten homeowners with a mortgage in foreclosure or at risk of falling into foreclosure. The recent National Mortgage Foreclosure Settlement provided many benefits for struggling homeowners, including $120 million for principal reduction and $36 million for refinancing programs for Connecticut borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth. The settlement, however, also eliminated the legal uncertainty for banks proceeding with foreclosures, which is causing foreclosures rates to increase this year. The settlement also required the five banks that are part of the agreement to follow new mortgage servicing standards, which will protect struggling homeowners and prevent future foreclosures.
These mortgage servicing standards need to be extended to all homeowners, which is what Rosa’s Regulation of Mortgage Serving Act would do. The legislation would protect all struggling homeowners by ensuring that eligible borrowers have access to loan modifications and other alternatives to foreclosure.
If you are having trouble with your home loans, please visit the Resources to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure section of this website: RESOURCES TO HELP HOMEOWNERS AVOID FORECLOSURE
Protect Programs to Encourage Homeownership
Homeownership is not only critical to the formation of wealth for families, but also the foundation of safe and stable neighborhoods. Homeownership rates are currently at 15 year lows due to the housing and financial crises. Rosa believes we need to maintain existing incentives for homeowners and provide new ones to close the gap. Historically, the U.S. encouraged homeownership through tax incentives, including the mortgage interest deduction and property tax deduction. As Congress considers options to reform the tax code, Rosa believes these incentives to encourage homeownership need to be preserved.
Since the Federal Housing Administration was created in 1934, Congress has encouraged stability and affordability in the housing market through federally guaranteed mortgages. Due to housing and financial crisis, over 90% of new home mortgages underwritten 2011 were guaranteed by the federal government because private lenders and banks were unwilling to lend. Congresswoman DeLauro opposes efforts to reduce homebuyer access to federally secured mortgages.
More on Housing
DeLauro Introduces Eviction Prevention Act
December 4, 2019 Press Release
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today introduced the Eviction Prevention Act, legislation that would help low-income people get access to legal counsel if they are being evicted.
DeLauro Statement on Tornillo Tent City Closure
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement following news that the Tornillo, Texas facility housing unaccompanied children has transferred all migrant children as of today.
DeLauro Releases Report on Impact of Republican Tax Law on CT Homeowners
July 6, 2018 Press Release
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released a new report on how the Republican tax law is hurting homeowners across Connecticut.
DeLauro Statement on Trump’s Executive Order Attacking the Social Safety Net
April 10, 2018 Press Release
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro today released the following statement regarding President Trump’s latest Executive Order, which makes it more difficult for people to access services such as healthcare, nutrition, and housing.
DeLauro Reintroduces Veterans Residential Care Choice Act
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro recently reintroduced legislation inspired by the plight of veterans at the Seacrest and HighVue retirement homes. The Veterans Residential Care Choice Act would allow the Veterans Administration (VA) to pay for eligible veterans to live at residential care facilities, such as Seacrest and HighVue.
DeLauro Announces Puerto Rico Visit to Assess Recovery Effort
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro today announced that she will travel to Puerto Rico on January 25 and January 26 to assess the recovery effort underway and continue to fight for comprehensive disaster relief funding.
DeLauro Statement on the Republican Shutdown
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro today released the following statement in response to the government shutdown.
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#NGOs4Africa
NGO Analysis
Sport 4 Good
About Desert2Desert
Desert Races
David’s Blogs
Counting Down – 39 Days to the Start of the Last Desert Race in Antarctica
Making new training friends…Iceberg 1 & Iceberg 2
With time running out to train and prepare for the Last Desert Race, and with so many things still to be finalized before my departure for Antarctica, it is important to maximize every training session before the race.
I have recently finished reading Peter van Kets’ book, The Eight Summit. One of the extreme adventures covered in the book is his epic walk in 2012 with Braam Malherbe of more than 700km to the South Pole as part of the Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race.
They were required to man-haul sleds weighing around 85kg during the race, and as part of their training, used to drag tires along a beach. According to Peter he could feel the difference in his leg strength within the first week of training with the tires.
Although we are not required to pull a sled during the Last Desert Race, every stage might long and slow as a result of weather conditions, terrain and the distance to be covered. As a result, there might be more walking than running, and leg strength and overall endurance will therefore be important factors to complete the race.
Based on Peter and Braam’s experience in using tires as part of his training routine, I have started walking and running with tires today in a local park. I’m using two tires – a big one and a small one. I have painted the big one green and named it “Iceberg 1”. It is too heavy to run with, but perfect for pulling while walking and I could feel my legs working all the way. The small tire is painted blue and I have named it “Iceberg 2”. It is the perfect size and weight to pull while running, and although offering a slightly different experience than puling the big one, will no doubt also increase my leg strengthen.
I really enjoyed the first session with my new “training friends” and hope to do at least 2-3 tire sessions per week before going to Antarctica.
I’m excited about the race in Antarctica and the challenge of raising R250 000 for a Greenpeace Africa solar energy project, and encourage you to support my efforts and the work of Greenpeace Africa!
Please make a donation and encourage others to do the same.
Follow updates about my preparations for The Last Desert Race, and work with Greenpeace Africa, on Facebook and Twitter, my daily blog, and via Greenpeace Africa’s various online platforms.
Published by David Barnard
This blog site covers my runs through the deserts of the world in support of organisations, social causes and campaigns addressing critical development issues in Africa. View all posts by David Barnard
David's Blogs, Uncategorized
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US warns North Korean leadership will be 'utterly destroyed' in case of war
November 30 2017 10:08 AM
International US/Latin America
Hackers could get even nastier in 2018: researchers
Trump declares North Korea state sponsor of terror
Chief justice warns of threat to democracy
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US North Korea war warns Leadership Jewish settlements destroyed Cathay Pacific Airways
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows launching of the Hwasong-15 missile which is capable of reaching all parts of the US
Reuters/Seoul
* Haley says US asked China to cut off oil supply to North
* Trump calls North Korea's Kim 'a sick puppy'
* US experts wonder if North Korea now ready to talk
The United States warned North Korea's leadership it would be ‘utterly destroyed’ if war were to break out after Pyongyang test fired its most advanced missile, putting the US mainland within range, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The Trump administration has repeatedly said all options are on the table in dealing with North Korea's ballistic and nuclear weapons programmes, including military ones, but that it still prefers a diplomatic option.
Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, US ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States had never sought war with North Korea.
‘If war does come, it will be because of continued acts of aggression like we witnessed yesterday,’ she said. ‘...and if war comes, make no mistake, the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed.’
Haley said the United States has asked China to cut off oil supply to North Korea, a drastic step that Beijing - the North's neighbour and sole major trading partner - has so far refrained from doing. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talked on the phone earlier on Wednesday.
‘Just spoke to President Xi Jinping of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea. Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. This situation will be handled!’ Trump wrote on Twitter.
Previous US administrations have failed to stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and a sophisticated missile programme. Trump, who has previously said the United States would ‘totally destroy’ North Korea if necessary to protect itself and its allies from the nuclear threat, has also struggled to contain Pyongyang since he came to office in January.
‘Little Rocket Man. He is a sick puppy,’ Trump said.
‘CLOCK TICKING’
North Korea, which conducted its sixth and largest nuclear bomb test in September, has tested dozens of ballistic missiles under Kim's leadership.
Pyongyang has said its weapons programmes are a necessary defence against US plans to invade. The United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, denies any such intention.
North Korean state media said on Wednesday the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was launched from a newly developed vehicle in a ‘breakthrough’ and that the warhead could withstand the pressure of re-entering the atmosphere.
Kim personally guided the missile test and said the new launcher was ‘impeccable’. Pyongyang claimed it had ‘finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force’.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called on North Korea to stop its weapons tests and for the United States and South Korea not to hold military drills in December as it would ‘inflame an already explosive situation’.
The official China Daily newspaper said in an editorial that the latest launch may have been prompted by the Trump administration's decision to label North Korea a sponsor of state terrorism.
Beijing wants the two ‘belligerents’ to calm down and is vexed that a golden opportunity to encourage Pyongyang into talks was ‘casually wasted’ by the Trump administration, the paper said.
‘The clock is ticking down to one of two choices: learning to live with the DPRK having nuclear weapons or triggering a tripwire to the worst-case scenario,’ it added.
North Korea said the new missile soared to an altitude of about 4,475 km (2,780 miles) - more than 10 times the height of the International Space Station - and flew 950 km (590 miles) during its 53-minute flight.
It flew higher and longer than any North Korean missile before, landing in the sea near Japan.
Photos released by North Korean state media appeared to show a missile being positioned on the launch site by a mobile vehicle, designed to allow the missile to be fired from a wider number of areas to prevent it being intercepted before launch.
Kim is shown laughing and smiling with officials both next to the missile as it is readied, and in a control booth. The launch itself shows the missile lifting off amid smoke and fire, with Kim watching from a field in the distance.
US intelligence analysts have concluded from satellite and other data that the test missile was fired from a fixed position, not a mobile launcher, three US officials said.
One official said the test appears to demonstrate a more powerful North Korean solid-fuel propulsion system, especially in its second stage rocket.
The photos also revealed a larger diameter missile, which could allow it to carry a larger warhead and use a more powerful engine, said David Wright of the Union of Concerned Scientists, a US-based nonprofit science advocacy group.
Three US intelligence analysts said they were trying to assess whether North Korea's comments meant Kim might now be open to a longer halt in testing in order to reopen negotiations that might help prevent, or at least defer, the imposition of additional sanctions.
The officials also noted, however, that North Korea has not proved it has an accurate guidance system for an ICBM or a re-entry vehicle capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and surviving a return from space through Earth’s atmosphere, meaning further tests would be needed.
An international meeting in Canada in January is designed to produce ‘better ideas’ to ease tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile tests, Canadian officials said on Wednesday, although North Korea itself will not be invited.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday the United States has ‘a long list of additional potential sanctions, some of which involve potential financial institutions, and the Treasury Department will be announcing those when they’re ready to roll those out’.
In just three months, South Korea hosts the Winter Olympics at a resort just 80 km (50 miles) from the heavily fortified border with North Korea.
EXPLAINER: Why is President Donald Trump on trial in the US Senate?
Historic Trump impeachment trial to begin Tuesday
Canada sends troops to Newfoundland to aid blizzard clear-up
US pro-gun rally draws thousands
Charges are an affront to US Constitution: Trump
Alphabet CEO backs temporary ban on facial-recognition technology over misuse worry
Large migrant caravan prepares to enter Mexico from Guatemala
Chileans protest police repression
Guaido and Pompeo to hold talks in Bogota today
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Case Study: Creative Caregiving Guide
Earthling Interactive worked with the National Center for Creative Aging to design and launch a tool to help adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive disorders experience the powerful benefits of arts, music and dance with their caregivers.
Enhance quality of life and enable healthful caregiving with arts, music and dance for adults with Alzheimer’s and the family, friends and professionals that provide their care.
The National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) is the nation’s leading advocate for arts programs that support creative aging. NCCA identified a lack of readily accessible tools to encourage joy in the caregiving experience as one of the major challenges to taking care of aging seniors. They asked Earthling to help them vision, design and build a program that would address this need.
Working with leaders in the creative aging field, NCCA and Earthling explored building a program that would:
Empower caregivers to experience positive, creative caregiving that supported their need for renewal.
Acknowledge the complex interior emotional and intellectual landscape of adults with age-related cognitive challenges.
Connect artists with the caregiving community and demonstrate the importance of engaging with artists as valued professionals.
The NCCA Creative Caregiving Guide ©, a free, web-based module series with instructional videos and materials guide based on a courseware plugin.
Earthling Interactive identified a plugin to support a courseware program to structure the caregiving modules. We also developed a mechanism for tracking participation to provide data for research professionals in the caregiving community. We worked closely with NCCA to modify the plugin to meet the specific goals of the program and to integrate the outstanding instructional videos produced by NCCA partner program OMA The Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University.
NCCA released the Creative Caregiving Guide © at the 2015 annual Arts & Wellness Symposium. The project was enthusiastically received and is already recognized as a cutting edge achievement for the caregiving community. With relatively few online resources dedicated to this population, and with even fewer free and accessible programs, the NCCA Creative Caregiving Guide © is helping to usher in a period of exciting growth in technology geared toward enhancing quality of life for seniors.
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East County Today
Home Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office Releases CCW Permit Holders Names and Locations to ABC7
Sheriffs Office Releases CCW Permit Holders Names and Locations to ABC7
A letter was recently mailed to Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) Permit Holders in Contra Costa County informing them that their names and city location were released after a Public Records Request by ABC7 News.
The sheriff’s office did decline a portion of ABC7’s full request by objecting to releasing the home address of any permit holder based within accordance of the law.
According to Nate McCormack, Lieutenant with the Sheriffs Office, he cited safety and privacy concerns as to why addresses were not released.
“We try and balance the needs of the public and the people who want or need access to the information to ensure everyone’s safety,” said McCormack.
McCormack says that currently, the county has 317 CCW permits issued with 290 of them being to regular citizens. He also added that 17% of all applicants are approved.
He explained that they have a process which is followed and before it even gets to the Sheriff, an applicant must have good reason in their “cause statement” to be issued a CCW. They also most pass Department of Justice Clearance. An application must pass those two check points before it even reaches the sheriffs desk for a decision.
For example, a felon would not even make it through the first check point.
According to the Sheriffs own Conceal Carry License Permit Process, the process to obtain a CCW License includes:
completing the standard California Department of Justice application
Live Scan (electronic fingerprinting)
formal interview
collection of license fees
in some cases psychological testing may be required
Below is a copy of the letter sent out by the Sheriffs Office on February 6, 2017.
*Editors Note — We have withheld the name & address of the CCW Holder in the copy of the letter we received.
Dear_____:
The Office of the Sheriff has received a California Public Records Request Act from ABC7 News for the disclosure of all CCW permit holders’ names and home addresses from January 1, 2011 to date. The provisions of statutory and decisional law mandates most information contained in CCW applications and permits are subject to public disclosure. The law specifically allows for limited exceptions to public disclosure include the home addresses of permit holders employed in certain occupations, including judges, court commissioners or magistrates, deputy district attorney’s and peace officers. Names of CCW permit holders are not except from public disclosure.
In compliance with the law, the Office of the Sheriff will soon be releasing your name and city of residence as a CCW permit holder in response to the ABC7 News request. CCW permit holders in the above occupations will not have their city of residence released. The office of the Sheriff has declined to release the home address of any permit holder, regardless of occupation, in accordance with our interpretation of statutory and decisional law. The Office of the Sheriff understands you may have well founded concerns about your privacy, including release of your home address, and the Office of the Sheriff intends to protect this privacy in balance with its obligation to comply with the law regarding public records. If, in the future, the Office of the Sheriff is in receipt of information which indicates our position on the non-disclosure of CCW holders addresses cannot be legally justified, we will be forced to release your address unless there is a qualifying statutory exception as described above.
Please contact me at (925) 335-1517 or [email protected] or my supervisor, Lieutenant Nate McCormick at (925) 335-1522 or at [email protected] if you have questions.
David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Peter Enea, Specialist
Professional Standards Division
Update: Suspect in Custody After Two Shot Sunday Night in Downtown Moraga
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Park District’s Hands-On Youth Job Fairs Engage Youth from Throughout the East Bay
Brentwood Library Presents CCC Board of Supervisors District III Candidate Forum
Thursday: Flood Advisory Issued for Contra Costa County
Greta Hatcher Feb 21, 2017 at 3:10 pm
I want the name of all illegal aliens receiving welafare or will Governor Corrupt Brown and Kevin De Leon not provide? Of Course not since they are protecting illegals over American citizens in California
Ken Gosling Feb 24, 2017 at 1:31 pm
What good would it do? With the corruption here in CA and the dream wad as Governor, we will have the unwanted and non profitable train to La La Land, a rise in undocumented immigrants enough to keep Govenor wastewad in power of a State that will be bankrupt and have a lot of under water farmland because of Brownwads decisions to spend the repair Money for the dams and levees he’s been getting every year on these voting illegals. We will be living in a bankrupt state full of them and we can’t get rid of him because of the numbers voting him back in. With the numbers of dreamers that follow the dream wad and suck up his coolaid, and the undocumented families we are doomed to fail.
BADKarma Feb 21, 2017 at 11:08 pm
Because, of course, with their names and cities, no one could EVER use readily available internet resources to get their addresses and phone numbers, right, Sheriff?
JohnClark Feb 26, 2017 at 11:30 am
What part of “In compliance with the law” was not clear to you? The Sheriff is in the law enforcement business. Not the breaking of the law business. You want to be upset, be upset with the legislature that passed the bill and Governor who signed it into law.
The Dude Feb 22, 2017 at 7:57 am
The “sherrif” if you want to call them that are no more than the democrat private security force here in the communist state. What did you think they would do? Work for the people? That’s rich…
Old Pittsburg/Antioch Hwy Border Feb 22, 2017 at 9:48 am
Nothing worse than a news organization deciding to create news for profits. What is the purpose of revealing addresses? Nothing good can come from that information.
Jumbo Feb 24, 2017 at 6:06 am
We have constitutional carry here in Kansas and it’s a great thing. No CCW necessary but still an option if a person wants to take the class and get the permit since the surrounding states recognize CCW permits from Kansas.
Jason Feb 25, 2017 at 5:28 pm
If anyone who was affected reads this, know that the FOIA has 9 exceptions that keep certain agencies, information, and people from the requests. In fact, exemption #6 for FOIA exemptions states that it ‘Protects information that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy of the individuals involved.’ If you or a loved one or friend had their information given out and also posted, you need to talk to a lawyer and begin to take action against the state, the sheriff’s department, and the news agency. Good luck and enjoy the rewards that will come to pass for you. When you win, not if, but WHEN you win, send me an e-mail and let me know.
Dabathought Feb 25, 2017 at 9:32 pm
I like the part about exceptions. If you are part of creating or enforcing the law, you are protected. It’s just the tax paying citizen who loses their right to privacy under the public disclosure rules. Why is their information deemed to need a greater degree of privacy. Why is the privacy of we the people not equal to that of our cops or judges? I’d bet that if congressmen paid there own insurance premiums, the affordable care act would be affordable.
Suk Mi Feb 26, 2017 at 9:41 am
Publish the names and addresses of the “reporters” behind this. Tit for tat. Let some self-righteous libtard show up at my door.
Jim March Feb 26, 2017 at 1:50 pm
The reason the California Supreme Court made these records public was because of the possibility of corrupt handling of the permit system. California law allows sheriffs total personal discretion as to who scores the permits.
I used to live in Contra Costa County from 1998 to 2003. I had desperate need of a carry permit due to death threats when I exposed fraud against a friend. I quickly learned that gun carry permit access was in fact linked HARD to campaign contributions to the sheriff. Specifically, there was a group called the “Sheriff’s Posse” that used to be a law enforcement auxiliary reserve unit and turned into a political club. They held somewhere around 3/4ths or more of all the permits. Here’s my notes from back then on Contra Costa’s permit system:
http://www.ninehundred.net/~equalccw/posse.pdf
http://www.ninehundred.net/~equalccw/cccr.pdf – with names redacted, here’s the file on who is scoring permits.
http://www.ninehundred.net/~equalccw/cccc2.pdf – details pretty obvious racial redlining in permit access.
Notice how a lot of the permitholders are in real estate development and construction? That’s a pattern seen in a lot of California counties. What’s happening is, sheriffs sign off on environmental impact reports on major projects, specifically the crime impact and traffic impact portions. The developers were snuggling up to the sheriffs with major cash and when they do that, scoring a gun carry permit becomes easy. The same pattern was also found in Sacramento County and God knows where else; Sac County eventually gave up and as settlement of a lawsuit went “shall issue” (no more corruption).
By 2002 I was thrown out of the California NRA for complaining about this class of corruption among Republican sheriffs – in violation of their orders.
Sickpuppy70454 Feb 26, 2017 at 2:41 pm
If any of the CCW holders are ever harassed, or, God forbid, harmed in any way, they, or their relatives should sue this dumb a$$ sheriff AND the TV station for damages. Just having their names, etc. released is likely to put all of them under emotional stress. Damage claims need to be for anything that ends in “million”, maybe even in “billion”.
We focus on Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Oakley and Pittsburg,. We will also feature materials relevant to Contra Costa County and political news out of Sacramento.
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Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana (PMGAY), previously Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), is a social welfare flagship programme, created by the Indian Government, to provide housing for the rural poor in India. A similar scheme for urban poor was launched in 2015 as Housing for all by 2022. Indira Awaas Yojana was launched in 1985 by Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, as one of the major flagship programs of the Minisrty of Rural Development to…
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The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Government of India that provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions. The NSAP is launched with the aim of providing social assistance to destitutes “defined as any person who has little or no regular means of subsistence from his/her own source of income or through financial support from family members or other sources”. The…
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2008 R 1h 53m Blu-ray / DVD
Longstanding family conflicts resurface when drama queen Kym, a former model who's been in and out of rehab for 10 years, returns to her parents' home just before her sister's wedding in this critically acclaimed portrait of family angst.
Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, Debra Winger, Tunde Adebimpe, Mather Zickel, Anisa George, Sebastian Stan, Anna Deavere Smith, Jerome LePage, Tamyra Gray, Dorian Missick
Drama, Indie Dramas
Blu-ray• DVD • Streaming
English: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
English SDH, French, English
English: Dolby True HD, French: Dolby Digital 5.1
R - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.
Common Sense rating OK for kids 17+
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this intense family drama addresses certain subjects -- drug addiction, death, family dysfunction -- that may be overwhelming for younger teens who are drawn to it by Anne Hathaway's star power. But they're dealt with so sensitively and compassionately that older teens may find the film quite impactful. Expect plenty of swearing and social drinking (as well as discussions about alcoholism and drug use). Characters also explore dark emotional terrain, and adult family members are hurtful -- verbally and physically -- to each other.
Two people who are virtual strangers have a quick tryst in a dark room (hardly any nudity shown). Some suggestive dancing.
Screaming and arguing among family members. At one point, two relatives actually get physical, and it's ugly, though very telling. A character purposefully drives straight into a street sign and beyond.
Frequent strong language includes "f--k," "s--t" "c--ksucker," and "bastard."
A dysfunctional family, still mourning the death of a loved one, unravels during a wedding weekend. Feelings are honestly aired, and the words sting. But there's also a whole lot of love going around, and not just because the central event is a wedding. Though angry with each other and deeply confused, relatives clearly care for each other and wish each other well.
Some mentions of Rite Aid, the Olympic Games, and the TV series Cops. Pellegrino bottles are displayed prominently.
Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol
The central character is a former junkie, and there's frank conversation about things she's done while high. She also smokes. Several scenes show Narcotics Anonymous meetings; the 12-step process is referred to often. Some social drinking during a wedding and rehearsal dinner.
Not an issue
Depends on your child and your family
Parents strongly cautioned
Not appropriate for kids of the age
This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.
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Posted on September 4, 2018 by JimS
KHON2: “Sand restoration begins Tuesday to protect homes at Makaha Beach”
By: Kimberlee Speakman
HONOLULU (KHON2) – Homeowners at “Klausmeyer’s” surf break at the east end of Makaha Surfing Beach are getting some help to save their property from further erosion. Tuesday morning, sand restoration work will begin.
Longtime Makaha resident John Puu has watched the shoreline changes in front of his home.
“This property used to be bigger than this, you know,” said John Puu, Makaha resident. “From that last hurricane Lane that came through, it came at a weird angle, the swell of the waves. It came and it ate up all of the land that we had.”
He says they lost about 20 to 30 feet of land just within the last two weeks.
“And we are still losing even today it’s just dropping, from when the high tide comes that’s when the land starts dropping,” said Puu.
Private company Henry’s Equipment Rental and Sales has volunteered to move sand from the west side of Makaha beach to the east side, where homes are being threatened by erosion.
“As you can see behind me the erosion is severe, and so the homes are at risk because that erosion’s gotten all the way up to many of their fence lines,” said state senator Maile Shimabukuro, who represents Makaha, Nanakuli and Waianae.
Senator Shimabukuro says that the Department of Land and natural Resources or DLNR surveyed the area and will be issuing an emergency permit so that the work can be done.
“Most of the time it kind of happens off and on. It depends on the resources said Shimabukuro. “There have been lean years where it’s been difficult for them to get out here.”
Puu says he would like to see more sand added to the entirety of the beach instead of just moving it.
“Usually they push the sand towards that way, and then they take it from this side, and they take it to that side. That is why we have been losing a lot of sand on this side,” said Puu.
Senator Shimabukuro says she hopes preventative measures will happen annually before large winter swells come and sweep away more sand.
“That is something I’m sure we will talk to DLNR about and see if they think that could solve the problem,” said Shimabukuro.
Read/view this entire story here.
« Your Neighbors & Friends Who Endorse Maile Hawaii Democratic Women’s Caucus Endorses Sen. Shimabukuro »
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Donorbox falls prey to Israel’s covert campaign against BDS
Ali Abunimah Activism and BDS Beat 21 December 2018
The BDS movement has gained global support as a nonviolent way to challenge Israeli occupation and apartheid. It is modeled on the campaign that helped end aparthied in South Africa.
Ahmad Al-Bazz ActiveStills
Donorbox has fallen prey to an Israeli government smear campaign to sabotage and silence advocates for full and equal Palestinian rights.
“After legal threats and false allegations from Shurat HaDin-The Israel Law Center, the donation platform Donorbox has temporarily suspended the BDS National Committee’s account, disabling its ability to fundraise for its human rights advocacy at the height of the charity season,” the civil rights group Palestine Legal said Friday.
The BDS National Committee, or BNC, is the steering group for the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign for Palestinian rights.
According to the Associated Press, the Shurat HaDin complaint was “submitted in coordination with Israel’s strategic affairs ministry.”
“This decision does not mean that we consider BDS to be a nefarious organization,” Donorbox said, according to the AP. “We are merely reviewing evidence following this complaint. Their donation forms were closed as a precautionary measure.”
Shurat HaDin, an Israeli group linked to the Mossad spying and assassination agency, employs spurious and politically motivated legal proceedings in an effort to harass, silence and deter supporters of Palestinian rights.
In one recent example, Shurat HaDin sued two New Zealand human rights activists for writing an article calling on the pop star Lorde not to play in Israel, in solidarity with Palestinians suffering under Israeli military occupation and siege.
Legal experts dismissed the judgment against the New Zealand activists as meritless and unenforceable.
“Unlawful interference”
Lawyers are saying that Shurat HaDin’s attempt to shut down the BNC’s fundraising is baseless and illegal.
“The accusations from Shurat HaDin are false and based on flimsy legal theories,” Dima Khalidi, director of Palestine Legal, said. “Shurat HaDin are themselves engaging in unlawful interference with the BNC’s peaceful grassroots advocacy to achieve freedom and equality for Palestinians. We call on Donorbox to complete its investigation rapidly and reinstate BNC’s account.”
Maria LaHood, deputy legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, called Donorbox’s action “one more example of a widespread effort to punish Palestinian existence and thwart advocacy for Palestinian rights.”
Palestine Legal added that “accusations that the BNC’s fundraising in any way constitutes ‘material support for terrorism,’ as Shurat HaDin has insinuated, rely on unsupported and false claims that funds raised by the BNC ‘may’ go to groups designated as terrorist organizations by the US government.”
“Terrorism” smears
Israeli strategic affairs minister Gilad Erdan called Donorbox’s decision “a significant achievement in our efforts to counter the discriminatory BDS campaign.”
Erdan’s ministry is spearheading Israel’s overt and covert efforts to smear the nonviolent BDS movement that is modeled on the global campaign that helped end apartheid in South Africa.
In November, The Electronic Intifada published in full an undercover Al Jazeera documentary that revealed some of the ministry’s tactics.
The documentary was censored after Israel lobby pressure on Qatar, which funds Al Jazeera.
The leaked film can be viewed online.
It shows Sima Vaknin-Gil, the director-general of the strategic affairs ministry, claiming to have leading neoconservative think tank the Foundation for Defense of Democracies working on Israel’s behalf to undermine activist groups.
The undercover footage shows Vaknin-Gil claiming that “We have FDD. We have others working on” projects including “data gathering, information analysis, working on activist organizations, money trail. This is something that only a country, with its resources, can do the best.”
In the film, FDD’s Jonathan Schanzer is heard complaining to an undercover reporter that his “research” – false allegations – that Students for Justice in Palestine groups on US campuses have ties to terrorism financing has failed to gain any traction.
Schanzer explains that he is also trying to link the BDS movement with “terrorism,” but admits he has no real evidence to back up his smears.
The documentary also reveals how another US-based group, the Israel on Campus Coalition, coordinates with the strategic affairs ministry in a massive surveillance effort targeting US college campuses.
The Israel on Campus Coalition then uses anonymous websites to smear and intimidate student activists and educators, in what the group’s director Jacob Baime terms “psychological warfare.”
It is clear that the Israeli ministry, along with Shurat HaDin, is using the same kinds of tactics to pressure and scare Donorbox into stopping Americans and others from participating in an entirely legal and legitimate human rights campaign.
Omar Barghouti, a co-founder of the BDS movement, said, “They are making categorically false allegations, threatening and bullying our partners and service providers in a desperate attempt to undermine our ability to challenge Israel’s regime of apartheid and oppression.”
Israel and its lobby are using similar tactics against solidarity activists and journalists in Europe.
Congressional leaders are working to slip language into a must-pass spending bill that criminalizes politically motivated boycotts against Israel. The Israel Anti-Boycott Act violates our right to free speech. @ACLU is fighting to protect it. https://t.co/J2q5GLKIoF
— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) December 12, 2018
Donorbox’s submission to Israel’s pressure comes at a time when ever more mainstream voices, including senators Dianne Feinstein and Bernie Sanders, and even The New York Times editorial board, are publicly opposing efforts to criminalize support for Palestinian rights as a violation of the First Amendment.
Shurat HaDin
Donorbox
Ministry of Strategic Affairs
Gilad Erdan
Sima Vaknin-Gil
Palestine Legal
Dima Khalidi
Maria LaHood
The Lobby--USA
in the interests of balance
Permalink tom hall replied on Sat, 12/22/2018 - 14:52
Perhaps it's time that Palestine Legal or an equivalent organisation approached Donorbox and other collection sites with regard to their fundraising for Friends of the IDF, The Israel Project, and the innumerable associated groups abetting war crimes. Let's see whether suspensions of accounts and the launching of investigations follow such complaints.
It would be nice to know the names at Donorbox
Permalink Stephen Laudig replied on Sun, 12/23/2018 - 01:14
The individuals, by name, making these bigoted decisions are not entitled to hide behind a legal fiction and should be outed. Additionally its corporate status should be challenged and revocation sought.
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Svilland Atlas: Shipwreck Inn
Creating an environment is crucial in almost anything including ttrpgs. With a realistic portrayal, players get in contact with the culture of the realm. Characters start to learn the traditions, religion, art, language, cousin and act accordingly. The more they contact the environment the more they become a part of the realm. But how can we do that, how can we portray such an environment? Daily life is the key element of this and what is the common ground of adventurers from all realms? Inns and taverns. With some details, a DM can give the overall portrayal of an area. Here is Shipwreck Inn, a famous one from Svilland.
Shipwreck Inn
Shipwreck Inn is a famous inn on the shore of Hunter Line, South Shore. It is a remarkable construction because from a distance it looks like a weird ship. The sum total of uncertain angles and shapes could mislead people but it is a three-story building. Unsurprisingly, it was built around a big, old shipwreck.
The lights never turn off and the voices never stop. When the travelers come closer, they see lights and hear the joyful voices coming from the inside. A mossy and rusted anchor hangs above the double door. Bad handwriting carved to the door: “We all going to sink.” Nobody knows who carved it but Odfinna uses the quote a lot. Two guards wait in front of the door in case of an emergency and welcome travelers.
The smell of wood, sea-salt, and fish welcome the travelers. After they get in, they come across a nice, cozy place with good music. The tables in the dining room are generally full of people. Even though most guests here are criminals, the atmosphere is joyful and welcomes the newcomers.
The area is well-lit with the fire pits, torches, big candles and a big fire pit is straight ahead of the room. There are many round-shape tables. The one lying in front of the fire pit is always empty for performers. On the right, there is a long, wooden bar. A rich selection of drinks behind the bar grabs the attention of many travelers. The wall is full of bottles with different colors and shapes. The bartender, also the owner, Odfinna is always interested in all kinds of drinks. On the other hand, drinks are not her only interest, she also likes prostitutes and interested in hiring new ones. There are lots of prostitutes from many genders, races, shapes, ages, and sizes. Even though she denies, it is said that she is trying to find someone who looks like Bergljot the Queen or Gudrick the Moonbearer to work here.
There are nineteen rooms for the guests, the rooms are clean, warm and well-lit just like the other parts of the inn. There are also bathing bowls in some rooms which are quite unexpected for most people.
Friends and Foes in the Shipwreck Inn
Odfinna (female, austri, bard)
Odfinna is the tall, middle-aged owner of the inn. She has long blonde hair and dark green with flecks of blue. She usually wears a simple skirt and a white blouse with little or no accessories.
Sometimes she is dancing in the dining area if she likes the music. Her dance is beautiful. The moment she starts dancing her emotions diffuses in the air. Her fluid movements are indecent and graceful at the same time.
Unlike many other inn-owners, she looks like she is enjoying the loud noise, bar fights, drunken soldiers and all kinds of games. Apparently, she can find peace in chaos.
Background: Odfinna is the daughter of a soldier and a midwife but unfortunately she lost his mother from an epidemic at the age of seven and his father at the age of thirteen. After that, an old bard gave shelter to her and taught her the art of performing. She instantly admired dance and music and started to sing and dance. Then owning a place full of music became her dream.
Odfinna has worked in many cities and towns to make her dream become through. Seven years ago, she bought the old shipwreck from a young and desperate captain and built the place.
Rumors: It is said that Odfinna has good relationships with smugglers in order to have a stable supply of drinks.
Bera (female, austri, bard)
Nearly 6 feet tall, 23 years old, long brown hair with amber eyes; Bera is one of the hostesses for the inn. She wears a small facial cover which is a piece of carved and jeweled hide covers the right part of her face, with one hole for her right eye. It looks like she wants to cover a scar on her face. She is naive and a good listener. She always makes sure that drunks and animals are safe within and around the inn.
She generally wears long dresses that suits well to her proposition. She likes drinking green rum and watching drinking games.
Background: Bera was born in Thora and lived there until the age of 19. She lost her faith in the city after a vicious duel. Her scar on her face came from that duel with a merchant. From her point of view, the merchant was involved in a bad trade.
Rokr (male, austri, ranger)
The recklessly handsome man has short, black hair, pale skin and wears a well-tailored robe and leather armor. He has a charming and charismatic aura. He always carries a long sword.
Once or twice a week he comes to Shipwreck to guard caravans and sold some wild herbs to Odfinna. When he comes, he enjoys music and drinks.
Specials in the Inn
Rift Monster Blood (2sp/glass)
Rift Monster Blood is a very special drink which is transported to Svilland from the island region. It is a syrupy reddish liquid with sediments and harvested out of recently died rift monster, it is important to distill the blood properly in order not to enhance the poisonous effects of the creature.
Die Effects
1 You become poisoned and take 1 poison damage.
2 You gain Exhaustion 1 for 1d4 hours.
3 Drinking it causes some form of a vascular anomaly, you have many painful bruises. You have a disadvantage on Dexterity based checks and saving throws for 1d4 hours.
4 You gain resistance to poison damage for 1d4 hours.
Green Rum (3cp/glass)
Green Rum is made in Shipwreck. It is a clear, dark green liquid. The greenness comes from the special herbs that rum is distilled with. There are five main components: three lichens, mint and salt. The lichens must come from the sea, a dead tree, and a black pine. The rum is distilled with the ingredients in a black pine barrel.
It has a fresh flavor and an earthy feeling with a woody smell. Guests like this drink and for this reason, Odfinna wants to keep the recipe under wraps.
1 You have disadvantage on Wisdom based checks and saving throws for 1d4 hours.
2 Your Dexterity score increases by 1 for 1d4 minutes.
3 You regain 1d4 hit points.
4 You have advantage on Performance checks for 1d6 hours
Games in the Inn
Drinking contests are famous part of entertainment in Shipwreck. Two or three drinking contests are organized weekly here. The content is chosen by the contestants and the winner is awarded a prize. Three contests are well-known among travelers; ale, rift monster blood, and green rum. The rules are simple, the contestants have to drink until they passed out, the last one standing wins.
On the other hand, it is very well known that rift monster blood has serious effects to play. The game could be dangerous, some say that travelers even died because of excessive consumption. Odfinna does not deny the rumor but she says that “We are all going to sink.”
Game Awards
Ale Drinking 2gp
Green Rum Drinking 4gp+room for one night
Rift Monster Blood Drinking 8gp+ room for a week+ a free meal
Subscribe to our newsletter and claim your reward
Jan 20, 2020StorytellerBlog
DMs Know What They Are Doing #1 – BeholderRead More
Jan 15, 2020StorytellerBlog, Svilland
Expanding Svilland: Jolnir – Wyld HuntRead More
Jan 10, 2020StorytellerBlog, Printable Dungeons, Svilland
Sacrificial Temple of FenrirRead More
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Site Assessments
1091 Calcot Place, Oakland
The site was an open storage lot in an old industrial area of Oakland. The Property was part of a much larger area used as a cotton mill from 1883 thru 1954, and later for equipment, chemical and vehicle storage and maintenance. Soil and groundwater investigations indicated that low concentrations of non-volatile hydrocarbons were found to have impacted a portion of the rear yard. Based on the investigations the ACDEH will close the site under the LTCP. An SMP and deed restriction will be recorded.
2004 Lewelling Boulevard, San Leandro
The site consisted of a suite in a retail shopping center that once contained a dry cleaner. Soil gas samples indicated a leak of perchloroethene (PCE or “perc”) occurred but did not pose a threat to indoor air.
Groundwater (located at less than 5 feet), investigation defined the extent of contamination (LTCP # 3 and 4) and based on the low risk the RWQCB granted case closure under the LTCP.
3037 Adeline Street, Oakland
A former foundry operated at this commercial building and utilized fuel oil that leaked into soil next to the building. ERAS determined groundwater was not impacted (defined extent, LTCP #3), and removed oil-contaminated soil (removal of secondary source, LTCP #2).
As a result of the presence of methane from degradation of oily contamination, ERAS installed a passive soil vapor mitigation system (VMS) to stop vapors from migrating into the building. The Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH) granted closure under the LTCP with the recording of a deed restriction that included an SMP.
150 North Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale
A commercial laboratory occupied this Property and solvents were disposed into an outside underground sump behind the building. The sump and contaminated soil were removed (LTCP # 2).
Trichloroethene (TCE) impacted groundwater spread down-gradient to adjacent parcels. ERAS installed monitoring wells to determine the extent of contamination (LTCP # 3 and 4). ERAS also collected sub-slab vapor samples inside an adjacent building that indicated no threat to indoor air. The RWQCB granted case closure under the LTCP.
430 Aldo Avenue, Santa Clara
ERAS conducted a technical review of historical documents to attempt to determine the source of chlorinated solvents (VOCs) found in 1988 in a former groundwater monitoring well on the Property. Files were reviewed to evaluate thedistribution and extent of VOCs nearby and sites.
ERAS conducted a Phase 2 soil and groundwater investigation under the oversight of the California RWQCB. The investigation indicated the presence of a regional groundwater contamination plume as well as some contribution of solvent contamination from a former tenant of the Property.
ERAS performed a sub-slab soil vapor subsurface investigation that indicated a possible threat to indoor air conditions. Based on these results, ERAS subcontracted an indoor air sampling specialist to evaluate risk of exposure to solvent from under the building. It was determined to be no risk to indoor air and the case was closed by the RWQCB.
Client: Mr. Jim Nicholson, Dinsmore Landscaping. occupant and prospective buyer of Property
683 Thornton Ave. San Leandro
ERAS ESA indicated the site once contained a fuel tank and two waste oil tanks but their locations were unknown. Previous Phase 2 sampling data indicated elevated concentrations of PCBs and metals in two locations.
ERAS conducted specialized and detailed historical aerial photographic evaluation to determine the location of the former fuel and waste oil tanks and the storage sheds where chemicals may have been stored. A Phase 2 soil sampling investigation that included fourteen(14) soil borings was conducted to take depth appropriate samples. An additional investigation was conducted to further delineate the extent of phenol in soil.
Client: Mr. Steve Shepard, Shephard & Sons, occupant and prospective buyer of Property
803 Wright Avenue, Richmond
Property is in a heavy industrial area that was once part of the Kaiser World War 2 shipyard. ERAS performed additional historical research which indicated the Property is located on what was formerly San Francisco Bay marshland. ERAS also reviewed technical reports of Phase 2 soil testing and groundwater monitoring of 4 existing groundwater monitoring wells.
ERAS developed a complete cost estimate for site investigation and remediation of four separate areas on the Property contaminated with PCB’s, petroleum hydrocarbons and metals leading to case closure. ERAS performed three separate Phase 2 subsurface soil andgroundwater investigations that included a total of thirty-eight (38) soil borings with oversight from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).
ERAS established it was likely the contamination was associated with the landfilling of the former marshland because the contamination was restricted to the groundwater interface at approximately 8 feet below ground surface. ERAS also established the contamination was restricted to the Property and there were no threats to off-site receptors or occupants of the building.
The RWQCB closed the case with a deed restriction that allowed current commercial use. The total cost of the case closure was approximately 30% of the original closure estimate.
Client: Mr. Yates McKenzie, Stella Capital. owner of Property
3037 Adeline St., Oakland
A Phase 2 investigation was conducted by another consultant on the subject site based on the former operation of machine shop and a foundry with a furnace located in the outside yard area. ERAS prepared a workplan for the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH) and performed additional investigation consisting of additional soil borings.
It was determined contaminants of concern were petroleum hydrocarbons, naphthalene and lead. Soil vapor sampling indicated concentrations of naphthalene and also methane (from the degradation of petroleum) in subsurface vapor. Fortunately, naphthalene was not located in soil vapor under the building. Soil remediation was performed to remove soil with hazardous concentrations of lead and naphthalene, the soil was properly disposed as hazardous waste. A vapor mitigation system (VMS) was installed to mitigate the hazard of methane buildup.
ERAS prepared a Site Management Plan for operation and maintenance of the VMS and the case was closed by the ACDEH.
Client: John Murray of Murray Productions
Environmental Phase 1 & 2 Site Assessment
We have been increasingly concerned about many Phase 1 reports that include recommendations for Phase 2 work. We therefore are offering a free training course on the purpose of a Phase 1 and how they relate to Phase 2 investigations. The purpose of this course is to clear up some of the confusion that is prevalent in this process.
It is our opinion that much of the reasoning for the necessity of the additional work is not based on specific concrete observations or other information by inspectors. This is bad enough in itself, but can become even worse if a Phase 2 is performed based on faulty Phase 1 information. The reader of a Phase 1 report should be able to determine why there is a problem, where it is and what the likely contaminant is.
As you know, a Phase 2 recommendation in a Phase 1 report is a problem for the banks, brokers, buyers and owners involved in a real estate transaction for the following reasons:
1) A Phase 2 investigation may add 4 to 6 weeks or more to the due diligence period resulting in escrow issues.
2) A Phase 2 may add significant cost ($5,000-10,000 or more) which could jeopardize the transaction.
3) If a Phase 2 is performed that is not sufficiently focused, it will not provide sufficient information to resolve the issue. 4) If a Phase 2 is performed that discovers contamination, additional investigation may be recommended leading to even further delays.
2375 De La Cruz Boulevard, Santa Clara (Phase 1, Phase 2, Case Closure)
A Phase 1 environmental site assessment by ERAS indicated two underground tanks had been removed in the late 1980's from the site. Soil borings drilled near the former USTs and pump island indicated high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons near the groundwater table. The Property was therefore an active leak case that could not be financed until it was closed by the local regulatory agency, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD).
ERAS conducted a soil and groundwater investigation to provide additional analytical data regarding the lateral and vertical extent of fuel hydrocarbons and MTBE in soil and groundwater. Following data collection, extensive file review analysis was conducted to supplement the site data, provide groundwater flow direction and analysis of down-gradient receptors. Case closure was granted by the SCVWD within 60 days of the initiation of the proposed work.
(Client: Mike Melton, Aerotron Manufacturing)
1549 32nd Street, Oakland (Phase 1, Phase 2, Remediation)
ERAS performed a Phase 1 project that identified oil filled underground quenching pits used by a former metal foundry that operated on the Property. The buyer wanted to convert the former industrial facility to a live work residential development. A Phase 2 project was designed that included drilling of soil borings inside the building to assess the subsurface for the presence of contamination. Analysis for a variety of possible contaminants of concern was conducted. Contamination was reported to the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (ACHCSA), who subsequently provided regulatory oversight.
Additional borings were subsequently drilled to delineate the lateral and vertical extent of contamination for the purposes of remediation. A Remedial Action Plan was submitted to the ACHCSA. After approval, approximately 3,000 cubic yards of soil was excavated and disposed. Confirmation soil sampling by ERAS indicated that contamination was successfully removed over the entire inside of the building. A small area of contamination remained in one area that was under the adjacent residential properties. The ACHCSA provided written approval for the planned construction activities within approximately 18 months of the initiation of the project.
900 Bridgeway Boulevard, Sausalito (Phase 1, Phase 2)
743 Marsh Road, Menlo Park (Phase 2, Groundwater Monitoring, Case Closure)
1407 E Third Street, San Mateo (Phase 1, Phase 2)
2215 National Avenue, Hayward (Phase 1, Technical Review)
Browse Our Articles
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Thread: 1974 Pontiac GTO
Memory Lane: 1974 Pontiac GTO
By Eric Peters
The original muscle car era lasted roughly a decade, from 1964 to 1974 -- the final year before the industry-wide adoption of catalytic converters and the inexorable trend toward cars that were designed to be ever more socially responsible -- and ever more civilized, too. A trend that continues to the present day.
Book-ending this era were two very different Pontiacs wearing the same legendary three-letter badge: GTO.
The 1974 -- and final -- classic-era GTO was not especially well-received at the time of its introduction. By then, the GTO had been on a downward slide that began in 1972, when GM cut compression ratios across the board and began to throttle back the wild-child engines that had made the early GTO's bones on the street and track. It was clear the peak had passed; each new model year seemed to bring yet more bad news for GTO fans.
When 1974 finally rolled around, the GTO had been completely transformed.
A major "downsizing" had taken place, for starters. Instead of being based on the mid-sized LeMans coupe (as had been the case the previous year), the new GTO was based on the compact Ventura -- the Pontiac version of the Chevy Nova -- in the buyer's choice of hatchback or standard coupe bodystyles.
This was the only year buyers could order a hatchback GTO.
It was also the first -- and only -- GTO to offer Pontiac's small-displacement 350 cubic inch V-8 as the standard (and only available) engine. The Ram Air and HO 400 and 455 V-8s of past years were gone for good -- and this would be the final year for a new GTO with a Pontiac-built engine of any kind at all.
The 5.7 liter 350, unlike previous GTO mills, was not really a performance engine in the sense of having a hot camshaft, high-flow heads or any internals that differed significantly from the bread-and-butter 350s used in non-GTO Venturas and other Pontiac models. It was basically a smaller-bore version of the 6.6 liter 400 cubic inch V-8 and other than true dual exhausts (which would disappear after '74, when catalytic converters appeared) it was just your basic small-displacement four-barrel V-8. The 350 had a mild cam, small-valve 6H heads and its compression ratio was just 7.6:1 -- which at least assured that detonation from burning low-lead unleaded gas would never be a problem.
Pontiac rated this engine at 200 horsepower at 4,000 RPM, net. The buyer had his choice of manual three or four-speed or three-speed automatic transmissions -- except in California, where the automatic was mandatory -- with either a 2.73 or somewhat more aggressive 3.08 ratio rear axle with limited slip differential.
Base price for the '74 coupe was $3,173. The hatchback was slightly pricier, with an MSRP of $3,313.
A multitude of colors were available, including Buccaneer Red, Admiralty Blue, Sunstorm Yellow and Carmel Beige. Buyers could select contrasting interior colors -- and a vinyl roof option was offered as well. By previous year GTO standards, the '74 was rather demure-looking. No wild graphics packages; just a few discretely placed "GTO" emblems and a pair of chrome-plated exhaust splitters clued you in to the car's other-than-Ventura status.
One interesting feature of the '74 GTO was its unique, rear-facing,Trans-Am style "shaker" hood scoop. While the Trans-Am's scoop had been boarded up and rendered purely decorative after 1972 -- some say to comply with federal drive-by noise regulations -- the '74 GTO's scoop was fully functional, using a vacuum-actuated flapper door to admit cooler outside air to the single Rochester 4-barrel carburetor when the driver floored it. This was the only year a shaker scoop was used on a GTO -- and the scoop is actually slightly different from the TA's and does not directly interchange.
During its brief production run -- which barely lasted a calendar year -- '74 GTOs were assembled at either GM's Van Nuys, CA plant (alongside the Camaro/Firebird) or Willow Run in Michigan. Though there are rumors Pontiac at least entertained the idea of continuing the GTO into 1975 (there are photos of prototype '75s that have appeared in buff books), the market for performance cars seemed to be tanking. Worse, a '75 GTO would have had to have catalytic converters -- and therefore, given budget constraints, a single exhaust system -- which would probably have lopped another 10-20 hp off the top and fatally undermined the car's claim to being anything other than a decal package disco machine.
And so the decision was made to retire the GTO rather than drag a great name through the mud.
That said, the perception that the last real-deal Goat ("real," because it was the last one to be equipped with a Pontiac-built engine) was a dog unworthy of the GTO crest is belied by the car's none-too-shaby performance. Its 0-60 time of 7.7 seconds was actually only slightly slower than the original '64 389 GTO's 0-60 clocking of 7.5 seconds. And the '74's quarter-mile time of 15.7 seconds was almost exactly the same as the '64s.
Even compared with the high water mark 1970 Ram Air III 400-equipped GTO, the '74 was not an embarrassment -- being only about a second and a half slower to 60 mph and needing another second to make it through the quarter-mile.
How was this possible with only 200 hp -- vs. the original's 325-hp 389 V-8 or the '70 model's 366-hp Ram Air III 400?
One reason was simply the '74 GTO's curb weight -- which had dropped by several hundred pounds. The trimmed-down '74 compensated for lower output by having less stamped steel to lug around. Also, the way advertised horsepower was measured had changed since the GTO's inception in 1964. The original Goat's 325-hp was arrived at by what would be considered cheating today -- with the engine on a stand and free of power-robbing accessories (including a full production exhaust system). The SAE "net" standards that replaced SAE "gross" ratings (beginning with the 1972 model year) were a much more realistic gauge of actual power output. The '74 GTO 350's 200-hp would probably have been rated 225-250-hp under the same standard used to measure and rate the original GTO's 325-hp V-8.
The rest was mostly dead weight -- and the cars were nearly even in terms of their on-the-road performance.
But the '74 was arguably a better-balanced car -- literally. While the GTOs of the mid-'60s were stunning cars to look at and often formidable performers in a straight line, their handling and braking were typical mid-'60s -- which is to say, not exactly SCCA material. Since Pontiac engineers had less and less leeway to develop high-horsepower engines (as a result of the new emissions regulations and pressure to build at least semi-economical cars), they spent more time on other aspects of performance for the last GTO. Lighter on its feet to begin with, the '74 featured Pontiac's innovative Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS) system, which took advantage of the latest developments in tire technology and focused on decreasing body roll (via beefy front and rear anti-swaybars) instead of ultra-stiff leaf and coil springs. The result was a car with a very compliant ride that could take a turn at speed with much more confidence than some of the older Goats would dare to try. The '74s power disc/drum brakes and 15-inch Rally II wheels complemented the rest of the chassis and gave the driver a car that was more a GT coupe than an all-out muscle car.
More than 30 years have ticked by since the last GTO came and went -- and in hindsight, the car looks better and better all the time. Pontiac came up with a pretty decent package, considering the times and what it had to work with. The '74s are also the last of the classic-era GTOs that are still relatively affordable to buy, too.
That is, if you can find one.
Just 7,058 were produced in all -- the lowest production run of the GTO's history. Just 1,723 of these were hatchbacks -- making a '74 GTO hatchback among the rarest classic-era Goats ever made.
Re: 1974 Pontiac GTO
A man's greatest mistake is to think he is working for somebody else.
These '74s look better and better with each passing year. I used to mock them; not anymore. I'd be happy to have one in my garage!
Thanks for posting this pic, by the way.
And: This particular car is painted Carousel Red - same color as my TA!
Disco Man
Mase,
Thanks for posting. I had a popular GTO web site 10 years ago called GTO World. The guy who owned this 1974 GTO submitted this photo and the photo of his son's 1973 GTO to me which I posted on my website. He was a nice guy and he gave me some specs on his 1974, as I recall this 1974 which the owner had painted Carousel Red and had a modified 455 (Pontiac 350 was the only engine this year). I recall the owner saying that this was a 12 second range 1/4 mile car.
I like the looks of that car. I also liked the more pedestrian Ventura, which it was based.
That 1973 model must have gone like stink....
gralen
Originally Posted by Mase
does anybody know where to get a 1974 gto shaker air cleaner from? thanks, gralen. you can email me at gralenstarling123@gmail.com thanks again.
Originally Posted by gralen
Do you need the whole assembly?
A good place to start would be Performance Years, or Ames Performance; both have a lot of NOS/repro stuff for GTOs and Firebirds.
I'm pretty sure that the '74 GTO's shaker and air cleaner assembly were slightly different than the Trans-Am's, which will make it harder to locate (and more expensive to buy).
On the other hand, the '70-76 TA shaker (the scoop itself) is virtually the same and should work, so if you don't have to have a concours-correct shaker, you could use one of those. They are much cheaper and easier to find, too. You can get a nice one for under $100.
Quick Navigation Classic Car Corner Top
Does this Pontiac Can Am have a 403 Olds or a 400 Pontiac?
By dieseleverything in forum Classic Car Corner
1974 Pontiac GTO: Close, but not quite
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The California Kid (1974)
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A Brief Overview: 1964-1974 Pontiac GTO
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Development of severe hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients at 2,438 m (8,000 ft) altitude
CC Christensen, M Ryg, OK Refvem, OH Skjonsberg
European Respiratory Journal 2000 15: 635-639; DOI:
CC Christensen
M Ryg
OK Refvem
OH Skjonsberg
The arterial oxygen tensions (Pa,02) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients travelling by air, should, according to two different guidelines, not be lower than 7.3 kPa (55 mmHg) and 6.7 kPa (50 mmHg), respectively, at a cabin pressure altitude of 2,438 m (8,000 ft). These minimum in-flight Pa,O2 values are claimed to correspond to a minimum Pa,O2 of 9.3 kPa (70 mmHg) at sea-level. The authors have tested whether this limit is a safe criterion for predicting severe in-flight hypoxaemia. The authors measured arterial blood gases at sea-level, at 2,438 m and at 3,048 m (10,000 ft) in an altitude chamber at rest and during light exercise in 15 COPD patients with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) <50% of predicted, and with sea-level Pa,O2 >9.3 kPa. Resting Pa,O2 decreased below 7.3 kPa and 6.7 kPa in 53% and 33% of the patients, respectively, at 2,438 m, and in 86% and 66% of the patients at 3,048 m. During light exercise, Pa,O2 dropped below 6.7 kPa in 86% of the patients at 2,438 m, and in 100% of the patients at 3,048 m. There was no correlation between Pa,O2 at 2,438 m and pre-flight values of Pa,O2, FEV1 or transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide. In contrast to current medical guidelines, it has been found that resting arterial oxygen tension >9.3 kPa at sea-level does not exclude development of severe hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients travelling by air. Light exercise, equivalent to slow walking along the aisle, may provoke a pronounced aggravation of the hypoxaemia.
You are going to email the following Development of severe hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients at 2,438 m (8,000 ft) altitude
European Respiratory Journal Apr 2000, 15 (4) 635-639;
Inhaled isotonic alkaline versus saline solution and radioaerosol clearance in chronic cough
Lung volume reduction surgery versus conservative treatment in severe emphysema
Effects of mandibular advancement on respiratory resistance
Show more Clinical Trial
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Welcome to the NFL Dwayne Haskins QB Ohio State
By PCS, April 26, 2019 in The Stadium
AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy
Victory has a thousand fathers. What we are seeing here is when the opposite happens.
The pitchforks are a bit over the top. Give the kid a chance.
Skinsinparadise
37 minutes ago, volsmet said:
The first time he’s struggled, he’s definitely experiencing some growing pains on, and off, the field. He’s in an overwhelming situation & surrounded by dysfunction, there are few things about this franchise that aren’t annoying ... even the way we mix out Gatorade is annoying.
To pile on to that point. He was brought into an odd situation from day one for multiple reasons. I gather developing as a rookie is stressful enough. But the crap you got to deal with via how this team rolls make it all feel double hard.
mistertim
I wonder if the reason that Callahan is seemingly in no rush to play Haskins is that the FO and ownership has told him in no unclear terms that Haskins is the guy and we're not going to be drafting another QB in 2020 no matter what. If that's the case then they don't have any real need to "evaluate" him in-game at the moment if they really don't think he's ready yet.
PartyPosse
This isn’t even about Haskins anymore. This is now just a bunch of armchair QBs huffing and puffing claiming they know football and scouting more than those in the NFL. Meanwhile on Monday morning you go to your boring job and wait for Friday. At the end of the day all you have is a delusion that you’re more connected to football than anyone else.
Congrats! You win... nothing!
goskins10
The Heavy Hitter
49 minutes ago, mistertim said:
You very could be right at least in terms of their thinking. But to me its huge waste of the opportunity to get him live snaps. Let him learn with real NFL competition. One of the positive things for him last year was he got better as the season went along. Let's see if he can do that with NFL talent in front of him.
I was one that was Ok with him sitting when the season started. And if Case was playing well and the team was in the hunt for something other than the worst record, then fine. No rush, let him sit as long as the entire season. But with the season gone, the coach gone with a new regime coming in - at least in theory - let the kid play! Also, I am not one of those worried about his health. He is going to play behind a weak Oline for at least next year also, so he better learn to stay healthy. It's all part of the process.
He is either going to make or not. Find out now. Unfortunately, my guess is that others are correct that the FO has already decided and he is the QB for the foreseeable future regardless of how he plays.
benskins26
I don’t understand what people don’t understand. Outside of one person who seems to be trolling, who is calling him a bust? It’s pure insanity to say something like that, and just ignore anyone who does.
what I think most of us are saying, it hasn’t been good so far. At all. All I personally am looking for is that one play to hang my Hope on. The play that validates the potential. Something that makes you think, “if we can just work out this thing and that thing, this play could be common for him”. We haven’t seen anything like that yet. Sure, he’s played like 30 snaps or whatever, but even some of the biggest busts have shown those moments early on.
all of that could change quickly. Really all it takes is 1 play, and then the tune around here changes. 1 play.
Llevron
The Field Goal Team
3 minutes ago, benskins26 said:
Hes got like 6 accounts though lol
also y’all watching Jones and his lateral passes?? Lol and y’all think Haskins is the only one struggling
veteranskinsfan
The Dirtbags
NFL Network reporting Adrian Peterson had a talk with Haskins and told him he needs to study the playbook. Peterson on twitter says he supports
Haskins but did not deny had talked with him recently. So this is not about Haskins throwing motion or his mechanics and if true it could mean
he believes his own press clippings from college.
3 minutes ago, Llevron said:
yeah, who is this guy? Lol
and yep, d Jones becoming who we thought he was. He was garbage at Duke, except for when he played my heels. Always tore us up. But I was in total shock when he even entered the draft. Thought there was no chance he’d be drafted. Not based on anything I saw.
BatteredFanSyndrome
I don’t think anyone is saying that Haskins is the only one struggling. While there are stupid people here, I don’t think any of us bought into the Danny Dimes hype.
I am watching Daniel Jones against the Lions. And this is coming from one of his toughest critics, to me he looks like a borderline pro bowler in this one at least thus far. 3 TDs. Insane completion rate.
The previous few games he wasn't that hot. He was good against Tampa. He was so so against us. The ups and downs of playing QB as a rookie. It's OK. IMO Jones will benefit from playing.
Haskins should benefit from it, too. I get the whole protect him until he's ready narrative. But to me that's out the window now. I don't want Haskins to go into the off season just digesting those 2 mop up duty games.
Edited October 27, 2019 by Skinsinparadise
Gibbs828791
47 minutes ago, PartyPosse said:
Are describing the idiots that drafted him? Sounds like Bruce and Danny boy.
There is something wrong with the kid....you would have to blind not see it.
Edited October 27, 2019 by Gibbs828791
ExoDus84
38 minutes ago, veteranskinsfan said:
So we might have a less athletic version of RG3 on our hands? A guy who believes his own hype and doesn't put in enough effort to be great?
8 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:
Murray, Jones, Minshew, Steelers' 2nd and 3rd stringers, all showing flashes and winning games. Would like to see something, anything, positive with Haskins this season.
volsmet
The Cheerleader
4 hours ago, benskins26 said:
call me crazy, but I read this as a shot at Peterson.
you can’t make this **** up. This franchise man.
I read it as a co-signing.
53 minutes ago, benskins26 said:
The guy has been pummeled by 10+ on this forum if you check the various threads he’s been discussed in since he entered the game v Minny.
16 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:
Objectivity is my biggest turn on, say so on my ES dating profile. Hopefully your wife doesn’t mind a bit of competition.
1 hour ago, BatteredFanSyndrome said:
Just go back to posts after the Giants game. Lots of cats saying how much better the Jones pick was.
No one credible, mind you. But they were here. “I watch file and I knew he was better” “I knew he was pro ready” “we should have picked Jones”
To the point I had to remind folks he wasn’t on the bored when we picked.
KDawg
People overreact to small sample sizes. The same is true for Haskins.
Haskins total package at the moment leaves something to be desired, but calling him a bust is so far out of left field I’m not even sure where to begin the conversation
BoycottEuphemisticFans
4 minutes ago, KDawg said:
he's not a bust. he's not a bust when you look at his college body of work, as I did, and considered him nothing more than a 5th round talent. we'll see if he proves me wrong in a year or two or three. Spoiler alert: he won't.
Just now, BoycottEuphemisticFans said:
You say the same thing in every post. I actually agree with you that he likely won’t. But the whole soothsayer/Nostradamus routine is off putting. None of us know if he can develop. The franchise screwed up with a first rounder used on him. Moving forward it’s a sunk cost so I’m pretending he’s a 4th round project.
7 minutes ago, BoycottEuphemisticFans said:
37 minutes ago, BoycottEuphemisticFans said:
You might be the smartest person on the planet.
does that make you feel better?
1 hour ago, Gibbs828791 said:
He’s a 22 year old kid who just got drafted and wants to play and he’s not getting an opportunity despite the team being 1-6 and the QB play being abysmal. He’s had a couple of poor showings coming into games cold and wants to change the narrative but isn’t getting a chance so he has to sit there and take constant criticism from attention-starved reporters and message board posters who never played a second of organized sports in their lives. Then he has to hear stories about him like he’s a bad teammate and doesn’t want to learn and that no one on the team wanted him except the owner. I’d be insanely frustrated as well.
it’s funny how people went to bat for Kirk Cousins despite years of poor showings yet DH has a couple of bad halves and he’s immediately dismissed. Maybe there is more of a racist undertones here than I may have first thought.
Edited October 27, 2019 by PartyPosse
40 minutes ago, KDawg said:
He watches film though so he knows
Burgundy Yoda
Haskins is way too involved with his critics and what people think about him. Not a good look at all imo
People bring up the fact that the 4th stringer for Pitt looked better than Haskins, but neglect to mention that the 4th stringer for the Steelers also looked better than Keenum has since week 2. Maybe Keenum wouldn’t have been able to beat out Devlin Hodges at Samford a year ago... or, Washington has issues that are far too substantial to even begin to evaluate what our QBs are showing.
It’s too early to say he’s a bust, but what we’ve seen from him to this point decidedly bad. At the very least, we can say that we’ve seen evidence the coaches were right in their thinking that he should sit for a year. Mechanics and accuracy are bad. I’m not sure where he is with reading defenses and setting up his blocking, but it doesn’t look good. Results have been horrible.
Young QBs aren’t expected to play great, but they have to play well enough to allow the coaches to play them and not risk a locker room implosion or their own jobs by doing so. Show something positive. 4 interceptions on 22 passing attempts makes it difficult for the coaches to play him.
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Transforming CITIES blog
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eScooters now have nowhere to go in Singapore
by Eukalypton | Nov 7, 2019 | Cities | 0 comments
Singapore has an urban administration model that has gretly facilitated decision-making to deliver Smart City solutions. The e-Scooterban decision shows some potential drawbacks to the more authoritarian model. Will there be a popular reaction?
by Stephen Coulter & Krystyna Weston – 6 Nov. 2019
eScooters in Singapore — Everything BUT the first/last mile
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority(LTA) has prohibited electric scooters from footpaths effective November 5 — less than 24 hours after announcing the change.
With virtually no notice, Singapore’s 100,000+ registered electric scooter owners have been left without a legal way home!
At the same time, all share scooter operators have been banned and any pending applications cancelled.
Scooters have become a significant transport option over the last four years in Singapore. With only 509,000 private cars, the privately-owned electric scooter market is 20% of private cars
The decision to remove footpaths as a scooter option, with roads already not allowed, reduces the available paths for escooters from almost 6,000km to only 440km. Unless people live and work on a connected bike path or Park Connector Network(PCN) they will not be able to do journeys by electric scooter.
Let’s unpack this announcement, the background, impact and possible solutions.
The Announcement on November 4
The Ministry of Transport issued a press release announcing:
Prohibition of electric scooters from footpaths effective November 5, and reinforcing their existing prohibition on any road.
Electric scooters can only be ridden on cycling paths and PCNs.
Bicycles and other personal mobility devices will continue to be allowed on footpaths.
Of the 100,000+ registered escooters, at least 80,000 are not UL2272 certified and cannot be ridden anywhere publicly from 1 July 2020. Any of the other 20,000 which fail the inspection regime from 1 April 2020 will have their registration cancelled.
The LTA is extending their S$100 Early Disposal Incentive to 31 December 2019 for electric scooter owners to return non-compliant scooters.
Prohibition of e-scooter sharing services and the LTA will reject all existing licence applications. No invitations for PMD sharing licenses will be issued until further notice.
The changes were announced following concerns regarding “errant behaviour” increasing — leading to anxiety from pedestrians. From 1 January 2020, a “zero-tolerance” approach will be taken with fines up to S$2,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three months.
The announcement came as a surprise to the industry who as recently as mid-September expected new share scooter operators to be announced and operational in 2019.
Singapore’s New Permitted Pathways and KMs AVailable by Vehicle Type
Singapore has been one of the most progressive countries on transport. As a small island, it can control transport modes and limit the proliferation of vehicles. Just to own a car in Singapore is expensive — you need to bid for a “Certificate of Entitlement” which allows you to own a car for 10 years. The regular auctions have seen these sell for $40,000 and much more. The value is driven by the fixed number of vehicles allowed and the limited number which become available. As of 2018, there were only 509,000 private cars in Singapore out of a population of 5.6 million
Limited cars, good roads and mass transit make Singapore a relatively easy city to get around. The small distances are perfect for micromobility and most people can get to a transit hub or local destination by walking, bike or scooter.
Electric scooters have been used in Singapore for at least five years. Over 100,000 are privately owned, showing their convenience and popularity. New regulations came into force for Personal Mobility Devices from January 2019:
Scooters must not be more than 70cm wide, weigh no more than 20kg and have a maximum speed of 25kmh
From 1 July 2020, escooters must comply with the UL2272 fire safety standard and retailers have been banned from selling non-compliant scooters since 1 July 2019.
All scooters must be registered to a person at least 16 years old at a cost of S$20/year. The registration ensures the scooter is compliant with Singapore specifications regarding maximum weight, dimensions and speed.
Scooters can only be used on footpaths(prohibited November 4 2019)and shared paths/cycle paths.
A maximum speed of 25kmh on shared/cycle paths and 10 kmh on footpaths
Food delivery companies are major users of electric scooters as they are more efficient for short journeys, particularly to apartment buildings. Grab has been reported as having 7,000 escooter delivery riders. Deliveroo and FoodPanda were also reported as having as many as 30% of riders using escooters. (source: South China Morning Post)
Singapore’s Electric Scooter Community
Singapore is one of the most “scooterfied” countries in the world. Since July 2019 all electric scooters must be registered and adhere to strict standards. Around 100,000 electric scooters have been registered to display number plates
An Estimated 500,000 eScooter Rides Happen Each Week in Singapore
As 100,000 scooters went through a paid registration/inspection service — and heavy fines exist for non-compliance — it is reasonable to expect they are actively used. If only half are used each day, there are over 500,000 trips a week. Scooters are used by many food delivery companies with more frequent journeys likely to increase this estimate further.
Accidents occur with any mode of transport and micromobility is no different. More accidents occur early in the lifecycle of new devices as they are new, less evolved and the operating environment less adapted to their use.
Cities have also increasingly been designed for cars. This has led to an increase in pedestrian and cyclist deaths around the world, while car fatalities decrease. More vulnerable users are being killed as not enough separation is provided between cars, micromobility and pedestrians.
While escooters and motorbikes have almost reached parity in numbers, motorbikes are by far the most dangerous vehicles in Singapore.
Mobility Numbers, Accidents and Fatalities in Singapore in 2018
Interestingly, of the 299 escooter hospital incidents, only 8 were related to pedestrians being the victim. In most cases, the rider is the injured party, either in a rider only crash or with a heavy vehicle — car, truck, bus.
The most unfortunate impact of the prohibition of escooters on footpaths is it will make most scooter journeys impossible.
The law change has resulted in 92.5% of scooter friendly paths last week now being illegal to ride on.
Only 440km of last week’s 5,940 scooter friendly pathways remain available. Most cycle paths and PNC’s are on major thoroughfares and do not connect directly to secondary and other streets. This will result in escooter riders not being able to get to a cycle path or PCN without breaking the law doing so.
Or, is an electric scooter a kick scooter when it is powered off? If so, can I kick scoot home on a footpath (but not a road)
As with most cities, Singapore’s cycle paths and PCN’s are a collection of disconnected paths with large gaps between them and thin coverage in local areas. While Singapore has plans to expand cycle paths, it will still only reach around 1,000 km in 2030.
Cycling routes from the LTA’s My Transport App.
Park Connector Network is blue and Cycling Paths are red.
PCN’s follow main routes connecting residential areas with transit and local hubs.
Large gaps exist — coverage to the downtown core is limited.
Another likely impact is an increase in eBikes as they are allowed on roads which connect to cycle paths and shared pathways.
Bikes may also increase in number as, despite their larger bulk and less manoeuvrability than escooters, they are still allowed on footpaths as well as roads, cycle paths and PCNs.
Potential Solutions
The fundamental problem is escooters being ridden too fast on Singapore’s footpaths, resulting in pedestrians feeling threatened and in some cases injured.
The escooter footpath speed limit is 10kmh and it is clear some riders are not abiding by this. Our visit to Singapore in September confirmed this, with many riders speeding above 10kmh on footpaths. Anecdotal feedback indicates food delivery riders are some of the main offenders — speeding to maximise their deliveries.
With better controls, PMD’s could continue to be allowed on footpaths to enable connection to major cycle paths and PCNs.
A first option could be to speed limit all food delivery escooters to 10 kmh, or with geo-fencing limit them to 10 kmh when on footpaths. Technology is available to do this. If food delivery riders are the main cause, address this first.
The same technology can also monitor rider usage. As their employer, a food delivery vehicle company can be informed of riders using their vehicles in errant ways. The technology can also alert riders and even disable devices being ridden dangerously.
Share scooter operators should be considered — they all have very good technology and can administer geo-fencing for speed, parking and other services. They also have well maintained, compliant fleets.
Require all private escooters to be fitted with geofencing technology which can limit their speed to 10 kmh on footpaths. The technology is available for less than S$100/scooter. With at least 80,000 of Singapore’s scooters requiring replacement by June 30 2020, the S$100 Early Disposal Incentive could be replaced with a subsidy for enabling all privately owned scooters with geo-sensing and controlling engine management units. Share scooter operators already have this technology — food delivery companies should have it too.
Consider compulsory helmet laws for bicycles and PMD’s on footpaths and PCNs, not just on roads. It would seem some of the reported injuries and possibly deaths may have been avoided had helmets been worn.
Aside from footpaths, minor roads could be considered in suburban areas to help scooter riders connect to cycle paths and PCNs. These should be minor roads with speed limits of no more than 30 kmh.
An LTA controlled Singapore Mobility Cloud could control geo locations for all commercial, shared and privately-owned PMD activities. (Image from https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA14167)
Geo enabling all private and shared electric personal mobility devices will allow the government of Singapore to directly manage geo zones for speed, parking and other geolocation services. An “LTA Cloud” would connect to all PMD’s, enabling the LTA to set geo zones for any approved purpose
The technology exists to do all this now — we have worked with companies who can deliver it for cities or shared mobility operators.
Singapore is ideally positioned to adopt this quickly due to:
Almost the entire privately-owned escooter fleet having to be replaced by July 2020 to comply with UL2272
Singapore’s vehicle registration system as an inspection control
Heavy fines and penalties for non-compliance
The small area of Singapore and the high quality of telecommunications infrastructure to deliver smart city solutions.
While these solutions can be delivered now, the ultimate solution is protected mobility lanes on all roads, enabling separation of bikes/scooters from pedestrians and heavy vehicles. Singapore is expanding its cycling networks but not to this level. A more widespread solution is required — potentially reallocating a lane of roadway to micromobility as some cities are doing in Europe.
View original article at medium.com
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Lee las noticias de Al Bat en tu idioma aquí
Tim Lincecum is expected at Rangers camp today
All is set for the return of "the Freak"
By Al Bat March 6 2018 - 09:42 HS
Tim Lincecum | AP
It's finally here, the much-anticipated return of Tim Lincecum to the MLB is about to happen; "The Freak", who was one of the most dominant pitchers during the late 2000's and early 2010's, will have another shot with the Texas Rangers.
Our @johnsheahey is at #rangers camp on Lincecum watch. He filed this dispatch just now, including how former #SFGiants pitcher Matt Moore wants to make Lincecum feel welcome right away. https://t.co/Plq7rJ33kD
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) 6 de marzo de 2018
The 33-year-old pitcher who recently signed a one-year deal and $1 million, is expected to arrive at the Rangers' Spring Training camp this Tuesday, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports. According to various sources, Lincecum will compete for a place as a closer.
tim lincecum is expected in rangers camp today. #Freak #Rangers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) 6 de marzo de 2018
The two-time Cy Young winner will have another opportunity to prove himself in a Major League uniform this season, as he didn't play last season after an awful stint with the Los Angeles Angels in 2016, with a record of 2-6, with an ERA of 9.16 over 38 1/3 IP.
Looking back on Tim Lincecum's career https://t.co/AT9SvOhyLJ via @YouTube
— Will Hines (@billhines22) 6 de marzo de 2018
Far behind are the times where "the Freak" was the most feared pitcher in the whole league with the San Francisco Giants, where he held a record of 108-83, with an ERA of 3.74 and 1,736 K's, being the 4th all-time strikeout leader in Giants history. Besides his 2 Cy Young awards and 3 World Series rings, Lincecum was also named to 4 All-Star games.
Rangers now expecting late morning arrival from Lincecum but nothing official yet
— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) 6 de marzo de 2018
Continue reading (*)
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Dallas Keuchel and White Sox finalize $55 million dollar deal
Indians and Rangers surprise with Corey Kluber trade
Madison Bumgarner stays in the West, signs with Diamondbacks
Manager of the year announced for AL and NL
Models flashed Gerrit Cole during World Series and are now banned by MLB
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Clinical studies for venogenic impotence with color Doppler ultrasonography--evaluation of resistance index of the cavernous artery
Naroda, T.; Yamanaka, M.; Matsushita, K.; Kimura, K.; Kawanishi, Y.; Numata, A.; Yuasa, M.; Tamura, M.; Kagawa, S.
Nihon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Urology 87(11): 1231-1235
Pharmaco-dynamic infusion cavernosometry and cavernosography (pharmaco-DICC) is essential for diagnosis of venogenic impotence, however it is so invasive. On the other hand, color Doppler ultrasonography is non-invasive and has become one of the useful diagnostic methods for arteriogenic impotence. And there are some reports evaluating whether venogenic impotence can be diagnosed using color Doppler ultrasonography. In this study, we investigated whether the resistance index (RI) could be useful for screening for venogenic impotence. We performed color Doppler ultrasonography in 49 patients who had shown negative responses to an intracavernous injection of 20 mcg of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). They previously underwent pharmaco-DICC and were diagnosed venogenic impotent when the maintenance flow rate was equal to or more than 20 ml/min. In 49 patients, 17 patients had DICC normality, while 32 patients had corporal leakages. After an intracavernous injection of 20 mcg of PGE1, we performed color Doppler ultrasonography, and measured peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) in the cavernous artery. RI was calculated as follows. RI = (PSV-EDV)/PSV We adopted the RI value near to 1 as the case's RI from two RI values of bilateral cavernous arteries, and compared RI values with the results of pharmaco-DICC. RI range in patients with normal DICC results was 0.895 +/- 0.092 (0.70-1.00), while RI range in patients with corporal leakages was 0.742 +/- 0.095 (0.55-0.97). RI values in patients with corporal leakages were significantly lower than those in patients with normal DICC results although there was some overlap in each group. From receiver-operating-characteristic curve (ROC curve) of the correlation between sensitivity and specificity at various RI values compared with DICC results, the RI cut off values were set up at 0.75 and 0.90, and classified the patients into 3 group according to their RI cut off values. In 10 patients with 0.9 < RI, 9 patients (90%) had DICC normality. In 17 patients with 0.75 < RI < or = 0.9, 7 patients had DICC normality while 10 patients had corporal leakages. In 22 patients with RI < or = 0.75, 21 patients (95.5%) had corporal leakages. We consider without carrying out pharmaco-DICC that patients with 0.9 < RI were not venogenic impotent, while patients with RI < or = 0.75 had corporal leakages. Pharmaco-DICC will remain essential only in patients with 0.75 < RI < or = 0.9.
Clinical Studies For Venogenic Impotence With Color Doppler Ultrasonography. The Japanese Journal of Urology 87(11): 1231-1235, 1996
Evaluation of cavernous artery by color Doppler ultrasonography--significance of ultrasonic beam angle. Nihon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Urology 86(6): 1142-1149, 1995
The role of cavernous electromyography in the evaluation of venogenic impotence. International Journal of Andrology 20(SUPPL 1): 69, 1997
Judgment of color Doppler ultrasound with respect to cavernous artery occlusion pressure in dynamic infusion cavernosometry when evaluating arteriogenic impotence. Urologia Internationalis 57(2): 85-88, 1996
Verifying complete obliteration of carotid artery-cavernous sinus fistula: role of color Doppler ultrasonography. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine 17(5): 289-295, 1998
Comparison of the results of conventional ultrasonography and color doppler analysis in the evaluation of the nature of adnexal tumors. II. Color duplex doppler ultrasonography. Ceska Gynekologie 59(6): 299-306, 1994
Evaluation with color-Doppler ultrasonography and spiral CT of a case of adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery. Clinical considerations and differential diagnosis. La Radiologia Medica 101(3): 197-199, 2001
Resistance index in differential diagnosis of liver lesions by color doppler ultrasonography. World Journal of Gastroenterology 10(7): 965-967, 2004
Measurement of venogenic impotence by penile duplex ultrasonography. Journal of Urology 143(4 SUPPL): 211A, 1990
Application of duplex color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of impotence. Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi 34(10): 626-627, 1996
Color Doppler echography of the cavernous bodies after F.I.C. in the study of erectile impotence of vascular origin. Archivio Italiano di Urologia, Andrologia 65(4): 381-384, 1993
Anatomic evaluation of the facial artery and vein using color Doppler ultrasonography. Annals of Plastic Surgery 39(1): 64-67, 1997
Evaluation of hemodynamic changes in the ophthalmic artery with color Doppler ultrasonography after strabismus surgery. Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus 37(2): 94-100, 2000
Evaluation of hemodynamic changes in the ophthalmic artery with Color Doppler ultrasonography in high myopia. Zhongguo Chaosheng Yixue Zazhi 17(9): 667-668, 2001
Color Doppler Ultrasonography Is a Useful Tool for Diagnosis of Peripheral Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Ankle-Brachial Index 0.91 to 1.40. Diabetes and Metabolism Journal 42(1): 63-73, 2018
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About FT(FToken)
Regarding FCoin's Revenue Distribution Mechanism
Explanation on FCoin Sustainable Mining Mechanism
Sustainable Mining Principles
1. FCoin will ensure the stability of mining output through the control and adjustment of daily return, that’s why it is called “Sustainable Mining”.
2. All FTs that are returned by Sustainable Mining will be locked for 1 year and automatically unlocked after 1 year (calculated from the date of distribution). These FT will enjoy all community interests such as dividends and voting during the lockup period.
3. All FT Sustainable Mining issued is from the FCoin Fund. The dividends received by the remaining FT held by the FCoin Fund are still used for repurchasing and destruction of the FT, in line with existing policies.
Interpretation of output stability:
All forms of mining that we have or will be launching are based on fixed or controllable output. By adjusting and controlling the output of different mining forms, we ensure that the total daily output complies with the Announcement on FCoin Sustainable Mining FT reward return plan.
Take 90 days as a return term. Through the control and adjustment of the return amount from various mining methods of each period to guarantee the daily average FT return within the plan (which means no more than the planned FT amount will be returned).
The mining return plan is grouped in every 4 terms, as follows:
The first group: During the first term, the initial daily return of the original plan is 3 million. From the 2nd to the 4th term, the FT return per term will be reduced by 50% from the previous term.
Group 2: From the 5th to the 8th term, the FT return of each term will be reduced by 25% from the previous term.
Group 3: From the 9th to the 12th term, the FT return of each term will be reduced by 12.5% from the previous term.
Group 4: From the 13th to the 16th term, the FT return of each term will be reduced by 6.25% from the previous term.
According to the above plan, the FT return for the first four groups are as follows:
The first group: The daily FT returns for the first term is 3 million, 1.5 million for the second term and 750,000 for the third term while 375,000 for the fourth term. The total FT return of this group is 506.25 million.
Group 2: The daily FT return for the fifth term is 281,300, 210,900 for the sixth term and 158,200 for the seventh term and 118,700 for the eighth term. The total FT return of this group is 69.21 million.
Group 3: The daily FT returns for the ninth term is 103,800, 90,800 for the tenth term, 79,500 for the eleventh term while 69,600 for the twelfth term. The total FT return of this group is 30.93 million.
Group 4: The daily FT returns for the thirteenth term is 65,200, 61,100 for the fourteenth term, 57,300 for the fifteenth term and 53,700 for the sixteenth term. The total FT return of this group is 21.36 million.
According to calculations, a total of approximately 1.429 billion FT will be returned when sustainable mining is carried out as planned to the 57th group. Considering the current FCoin Fund balance of approximately 1.43 billion:
The FCoin Fund balance will be mined out after 57 years, that is Sustainable Mining will last for at least 57 years (each group lasts for 360 days, about 1 year).
See the Sustainable Mining page for details.
FCoin Account Registration
The Illustration of Trading Fees and Order Rules
Founding Team and FCoin Fund FT Lockout Plan
‘Incentive Program for FCoin’ Proportion Adjustment Announcement
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Home / Reviews / Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Blu-ray Review
By Leonard Buccellato
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Blu-ray Review
While these things may themselves sound like overused horror tropes, the creative team herein, have done an excellent job at keeping things fresh and altogether scary, doing justice to Schwartz’s beloved stories.
PG-13 horror movies, always conjure up images of milquetoast monsters, bloodless kill- scenes, and plots which cater to an, at best, immature audience. I know this seems like a seriously gross generalization, and perhaps it is a tad judgmental, but I have been to too many of them to think otherwise.
Or have I! This is not the case with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (SStTitD). Directed by Andre Ovredal (The Autopsy of Jane Doe), Produced by Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) and released by Lionsgate, what we have here is a loving homage to the series of books written by Alvin Schwartz and published in 1981. The movie eschews an anthology format and creatively inserts the individual tales of horror, couched within the larger story. It does this deftly, and with a serious focus on the macabre, and even atmospheric and gory images. Ovredal has proven himself to be the right man for this type of storytelling, especially after watching The Autopsy of Jane Doe, and even, Troll Hunter. If you have not seen them yet, I suggest you do so, right away. He is fast becoming one of my new favorite directors.
In case you aren't familiar with this film:
It's 1968 in America. Change is blowing in the wind...but seemingly far removed from the unrest in the cities is the small town of Mill Valley where for generations, the shadow of the Bellows family has loomed large. It is in their mansion on the edge of town that Sarah, a young girl with horrible secrets, turned her tortured life into a series of scary stories, written in a book that has transcended time-stories that have a way of becoming all too real for a group of teenagers who discover Sarah's terrifying tome.
This movie wears its influences on its sleeves, even having our heroes evade the bullies, by running through a Drive-In, showing the ubiquitous, Night of the Living Dead.
It also features haunted houses, family curses, and nightmarish creatures, the likes of which no firearm can destroy. While these things may themselves sound like overused horror tropes, the creative team herein, have done an excellent job at keeping things fresh and altogether scary, doing justice to Schwartz's beloved stories.
The 4K disc is presented in 2160p High Definition video with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The movie benefits from the upgrade in quality on the 4K. The details are sharp and colors are deep and true, The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 master offers a dynamic range that envelopes the audience and makes them jump. The same extras are on both discs and includes Dark Tales, Retro Horror, The Bellows Construct, Creatures from the Shadows, Mood Reels, and Behind the Scenes: Set Visits.
As horror films go this one keeps the audience engaged without relying simply on guts and gore. These are well thought out stories and the movie offers more than just the average jump scares and a barely cohesive plot. Ovredal does a lot with the source material to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. I' not sure how well a sequel would fair but if they can capture the same feel as the original, then it could be promising.
Although difficult to imitate, the artwork of Stephen Gammell is the one thing seemingly underutilized, however, his nightmarish illustrations were well represented in spirit, rather than in obvious rendition, and Ovredal has done a fine job of keeping us on the edge of our seats.
If you are a horror movie fan, this is one worth purchasing.
Purchase your copy of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark today at
Download Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark from the iTunes Store in Digial HD.
Zoe Colletti,
Austin Abrams,
Lorraine Toussaint,
Austin Zajur,
Distributed By: CBS Films
For more information about Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark visit the FlickDirect Movie Database.
About Leonard Buccellato
Leonard became obsessed with horror movies at the tender age of 7 when he first saw the movie Blacula (which quickly scared the Hell out of him). From there, all bets were off, from Grizzly and Jaws to The Thing and E.T, his love of movies took on a life of its own. His passion for movies is matched only by his love of writing and literature. Read more reviews and content by Leonard Buccellato.
FlickDirect
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FNTalk.com – Hot Finance News!!!
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Home » Companies » WeWork rival Knotel vaults to unicorn status
WeWork rival Knotel vaults to unicorn status
NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG) – Knotel Inc, which pitches itself as a steadier investment than much larger competitor WeWork, raised US$400 million (S$553.6 million) at a valuation that catapults the start-up to unicorn status.
A fundraising round that closed this week drew investors including Kuwait-backed Wafra Inc and Japan’s Mori Trust, Itochu Corp and Mercuria Investment Co. They’re betting that upstarts can still challenge WeWork, the office-sharing juggernaut backed by Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank.
“Some of the largest asset managers in real estate have doubts about the WeWork model,” Knotel co-founder and chief executive officer Amol Sarva said in an interview. “In looking for an alternative, they found us.”
The fundraising was in exchange for 15 to 30 per cent of the closely held company, he said, implying a valuation of at least US$1.3 billion. He declined to be more specific. Unicorn are privately-held start-ups valued at over US$1 billion.
WeWork, in contrast, has achieved a private-market valuation of US$47 billion, placing it far ahead of a slew of rivals around the world hoping to woo its members. It’s planning an initial public offering next month that may raise more than US$3 billion.
One key difference between the start-up and WeWork is that Knotel only counts large companies such as Starbucks Corp, Microsoft, Oracle, AT&T and BP as clients. Founded in 2016, Knotel spans more than four million square feet of flexible workspace. Its leases have a weighted-average term of more than two years and a cohort of more than 100 desks.
“Our business is so different,” Mr Sarva said, predicting his company will leap past its much larger rival. “In 18 to 24 months they’ll be behind us. It’ll be like eBay and Amazon, Myspace and Facebook.”
Knotel previously raised US$160 million from investors including Newmark Knight Frank, Norwest Venture Partners and Sapir Organization, which also participated in the recent round. Other investors in the firm have included Rocket Internet and Bloomberg Beta, the venture capital arm of Bloomberg, the owner of Bloomberg News.
ADDING CITIES
With the proceeds from its recent fundraising, Knotel intends to get “way deeper” in cities it’s already present, such as New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
“In a place like New York, 100 buildings isn’t enough, 1,000 buildings isn’t enough,” Mr Sarva mused, estimating that the leading player in a category can reach 30 per cent of the total market. He estimated that would be in the vicinity of 3,000 buildings in New York, where it has more than 108 locations to WeWork’s 62. Knotel says it’s also more ubiquitous in cities such as Paris and the San Francisco Bay Area by number of locations. To be sure, WeWork’s footprint is much larger.
The new capital will help Knotel spread farther afield, targeting cities such as Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Within the US, it will seek locations in Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Atlanta.
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Anxiety looms as Sabarimala temple reopens today
The hilltop temple would be opened for five days till February 17 for the monthly pujas during the Malayalam month of Kumbam, temple authorities said
Thiruvananthapuram: There is a sense of anxiety in and around Sabarimala as the Lord Ayyappa shrine is all set to reopen on Tuesday for monthly worship, after witnessing frenzied protests during the recently concluded annual pilgrim season over the entry of young women.
The hilltop temple would be opened for five days till February 17 for the monthly pujas during the Malayalam month of Kumbam, temple authorities said Monday.
Several special rituals including 'kalabhabhishekam', 'sahasrakalasam' and 'laksharchana' would be performed during the five days at the shrine, the 'sanctum sanctorum' of which would be thrown open by chief priest Vasudevan Nampoothiri Tuesday evening.
Tantri (head priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru would also be present during the time of pujas, they said.
As the shrine is set to open, state police has stepped up vigil in and around Sabarimala in view of possible protests by Sangh outfits against the entry of women, belonging to the traditionally barred age group.
The police said certain restrictions had already been imposed in areas from Nilackal, the base camp to Sannidhanam (temple complex) to ensure smooth darshan for devotees.
"Considering the untoward incidents caused by various organisations in areas around Sabarimala when the shrine was opened for the Thulamasa puja and the protests over the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women of all ages into the shrine, certain restrictions have been imposed in areas to ensure smooth darshan for devotees," an official release said.
Devotees and reporters would be allowed to travel from Nilackal to Pamba and Sannidhanam only after 10 am on February 12, it said.
The BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits, which had spearheaded the agitations against implementation of the September 28 Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the shrine, are yet to reveal whether they would try to block young women.
The areas in and around the hilltop shrine had witnessed widespread violence after the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the apex court order allowing women of menstrual age into the temple.
Marking the culmination of the over two-month-long stormy annual pilgrimage season, the Lord Ayyappa temple was closed on January 20.
Traditionally, women of menstruating age or in the age group of 10 to 50 years were not allowed to enter the temple as the deity, Lord Ayyappa, is believed to be in the form of "Naishtika brahmachari" (perennial celibate).
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HOME | ABOUT US | BOOKING ENTERTAINMENT | CONCERT MANAGEMENT | EVENT PRODUCTION | PAST EVENTS | FAQ'S | NEWS | CONTACT US
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Charlie Hall can be booked through this site. Charlie Hall entertainment booking site. Charlie Hall is available for public concerts and events. Charlie Hall can be booked for private events and Charlie Hall can be booked for corporate events and meetings through this Charlie Hall booking page.
Unlike most middle agents that would mark up the performance or appearance fee for Charlie Hall, we act as YOUR agent in securing Charlie Hall at the best possible price. We go over the rider for Charlie Hall and work directly with Charlie Hall or the responsible agent for Charlie Hall to secure the talent for your event. We become YOUR agent, representing YOU, the buyer.
In fact, in most cases we can negotiate for the acquisition of Charlie Hall for international dates and newer promoters providing you meet professional requirements.
Charlie Hall Biography
Paradox. It is not an easily definable concept. It is suffering mingled with joy; sorrow clasping hands with celebration; brokenness enveloped by unity. It is a bright sadness. It is a concept that is frequently embraced by those contemporary psalmists who march boldly on the cutting edge of change while holding tenaciously to the secure tether of tradition. Though it is the preferred weapon of warriors of worship, for Charlie Hall the paradox of pain and praise is neither a recent phenomenon nor a carefully orchestrated career choice. It is a compulsion driven by a hunger and thirst for the presence of God.
“The human condition may be frail, but God is bursting with life,” Charlie insists. “There is a massive sunrise full of dreams and hopes right beside the obscenity of the cross, and those two things don’t have to be exclusive. There was a time when I felt so human that I didn’t feel like I could belong to God. I didn’t feel like His greatness and my difficulties could fit together. Then He began to show me that my brokenness and messiness fit perfectly with what He came here to do. I was the perfect candidate for mercy and grace and life and hope. In my broken state, He is the Bright inside my Sadness.”
It’s been two years since Charlie’s watershed release, Flying Into Daybreak. It was two years Charlie insists he needed in order to process a faith that has been filtered through the ever-emerging human experience.
“The human experience can be really beautiful or really messy, sometimes at the same time,” Charlie muses. “I try to take those experiences and put them into prayers or statements of faith in terms that don’t deny the experience, but views them through the constant reality of Jesus. This takes time because I am waiting to see what God is showing me about who He is, and those are the things I want to say to Him in a song.”
After two years of documenting his faith and prayers during a period of his life that involved plenty or pain and trials, Charlie Hall is set to burst forth with The Bright Sadness, a thirteen-song retrospective of life as it is and life as it should be.
“I feel like I am merely a symbol of what is happening throughout the Church,” Charlie says. “Through lots of pain and trials over the past two years, God has showed me how to let go of control, to quit trying to always stop the pain, and to let Him work in the middle of it all. Even though I’ve experienced a lot of pain, it doesn’t leave me sad. I’ve learned that it is possible to feel the harshness of life and the brightness of Jesus simultaneously. This is a message that I’ve lived, that I am still living, and I have still been able to cling to Jesus and to write prayers to him.”
Charlie points to the song “Mystery” as a quintessential expression of that revelation. “I was taking noontime Communion in this Episcopal Church that was around the corner from my office,” he recalls. “We were using the Book of Common Prayer, and it’s got this statement in it regarding the mystery of faith. It says, ‘Christ has died, Christ is risen (present tense), and Christ will come again.’ Amazing! From that came two lines - ‘Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity,’ which would imply that sometimes I feel a little crazy; and ‘Sweet Jesus Christ, my clarity,’ which would imply that sometimes I don’t feel all that clear. That’s what Jesus is. He is my sanity. He is my clarity. And that is the hope and mystery of the faith. There is a Christ and a Savior who came to this earth, and died in our place, and He is risen now. But that’s not the end of the story. He is coming back to make everything new again, to redeem it, to make it all fresh and clear again.”
“The Second Alive” is another musical statement of faith that embraces the mysterious leap of faith. “It was written as an invitation to people at the beginning of their faith,” Charlie explains, “but it was birthed out of God speaking to me in the now saying, ‘Here are the things I’m asking you to let go of. These are the things I am asking you to no longer try to control.’ There is a line in the song that says, ‘Take a walk in the burning heart of God,’ because there is so much life and depth and hope in His heart that it is worth letting everything that comforts you go, and jumping into it.”
Charlie uses the graphically titled “Hookers and Robbers” to illustrate the transformative power of Christ. The song tells a tale of a gathering of the vilest offenders imaginable and an encounter with unconditional love. “The song is very descriptive,” he admits. “Crack heads, hookers, robbers, people with smoking guns in their hands – they are all present. And then there is this Savior who comes with an invitation for each one to be renovated and redeemed by the only One who sees them in their most naked state and embraces them just as they are.”
But it is not just those who appear corrupt on the outside that need redemption, Charlie says. Sometimes the outer veneer we create in our own minds requires a wrecking ball. “There are so many false realms you can live in,” he says. “The Church is real and alive. It is the Bride of Christ. But there is also a form of it that is very plastic, that is just something that is being created out of man’s mind. You can create a false reality of yourself for other people to see and for you to live out of. Those two things, which are built around pleasing the people around you, tear down the reality of living out your faith in light of the reality of Jesus Christ. Those are the two biggest obstacles for me, the biggest difficulties for me.”
Charlie points to the huge rock anthem, “Chain Breaker,” as an invitation and exhortation to both the people of God and to those who are outside of God to allow Him to break off those chains of false reality. “It is something that I keep asking of Him, to loosen me, to take the chains off of me,” Charlie says. “The chorus goes through a list of His attributes. He is heart savior; He is a chain-breaker; He is a renovator; He is a redeemer. His cross literally split history. Because of that we should stand up and applaud.”
While Charlie Hall and his band spend a third of each month playing colleges, churches, theaters, and conferences, he insists his most important time is spent at home, focusing on his family, and embracing the art of living.“We use music to connect people to God, to give them prayers to sing, and words to use in adoration,” he says. “But my biggest responsibility is to my family. I’m intensely focused on my kids; loving them, growing them, walking life with them, teaching them. Secondarily, I am also trying to cut into the art world in Oklahoma City by growing relationships and helping people grow their art.”
Musically mature and a spiritually sensitive, The Bright Sadness confirms Charlie Hall’s reputation for writing prayer-songs, worship-songs, and musical statements of faith that are intimate, passionate and above all, real.
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Newsletter and Pentecost Contest Update
Pentecost Membership Drive and Contest Continues The Pentecost Membership Drive is now in full swing! Many of you have successfully recruited members and many more have been putting the word out about the EPPN. Need ideas on how to tell people about the EPPN? Check out: 5 Easy Ways to Share the...
Anti-Racism Millennium Development Goals Climate Change HIV/AIDS Civic Action International Anglican Women's Network Intercultural Public Policy
'Traces of the Trade' to debut on PBS in June
"Traces of the Trade" will have its national broadcast premiere on Public Broadcasting System's Point of View (POV) series on June 24. (Check local listings for time.) It was one of only three documentaries bought by POV at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
"Traces" is the...
Washington National Cathedral to celebrate week of racial reconciliation and justice
On March 30, nearly 40-years to the day that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his last Sunday sermon at the Washington National Cathedral, a week of free public events celebrating King's ministry and legacy will begin at the cathedral. King preached his sermon "Remaining Awake...
Anti-Racism Washington National Cathedral Advocacy Peace and Justice
'Traces of the Trade' premieres at Sundance, gets bought by PBS
After premiering January 21 in Park City, Utah, at the Sundance Film Festival, "Traces of the Trade," a film that documents one family's part in the slave trade, became one of three documentaries bought by Public Broadcasting System's Point of View (P.O.V.) series.
Filmmaker...
Newsletter: Updates, Lent, and More
Happy New Year! As Congress begins the second session of the 110th Congress, we wanted to give you a quick update on some of the issues we have been working on together and some great things coming up this spring.
The Farm Bill Thank you everyone for such consistent advocacy on this...
Anti-Racism Farm Policy Climate Change Conservation Intercultural Economic Justice Public Policy
Guest column: Bishop Carpenter and the issue of race
By: Judy Wright Mathews
The article by the Rev. Doug Carpenter in the July 2007 issue of Episcopal Life brought forth strong memories to many of us who grew up in the Diocese of Alabama. I was especially pleased to see Bishop Carpenter in the less ornate vestments which represent the Episcopal Church to many...
American martyr: Jonathan Daniels
By: Nancy J. Davidge
Jonathan Daniels, a 26-year-old student at Episcopal Theological School (ETS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduate of Virginia Military Institute, and volunteer civil rights worker, was shot and killed on August 20, 1965, by a deputy sheriff as he approached a "cash store" in Hayneville,...
Civil Rights Anti-Racism
Congress Poised to Pass Hate Crimes Law!
The Senate could take action at any time on the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105), sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) with 42 co-sponsors . This bi-partisan legislation, which passed in the House in May, will expand...
Anti-Racism Gender Equality Violence & Hate LGBTQ People with Disabilities Public Policy
OHIO: Bishop, friends pedal the Underground Railroad during 'Antiracism on Two Wheels' bike ride
Riding his bike home from General Convention last summer, Episcopal Diocese of Ohio Bishop Mark Hollingsworth Jr. thought it would be a good idea to start a new tradition.
He rode 208 miles from Columbus to Cleveland with 15 other riders and used that trip to raise money for the Bishop'...
Diocese of Ohio Anti-Racism
Coalition Letter to House: Hate Crimes Prevention
Dear Representative,
As representatives of a diverse array of religious communities, we write to urge you to co-sponsor and vote in support of HR 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA). In the 109th Congress, the House approved an identical bill on...
Anti-Racism Human Rights Violence Against Women Violence & Hate LGBTQ People with Disabilities Public Policy
Exploring Diversity and Nurturing Cultural Competency
Province I Resources
Racial Justice Bibliography
These are print resources compiled by theological educators for use in a variety of faith commun
Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America
The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Mississippi hosted a 90-minute forum.
Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice
Videos and readings from Trinity Institute 2016. Especially recommended: the Rev. Dr.
Lenten series on racial justice
Especially recommended: “Spirituality and Racial Justice” with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Combating Racism (Churches Uniting in Christ)
http://churchesunitinginchrist.org/what-you-can-do/combating-racism
An organization of nine church denominations who agree to stop "consulting" and start living the
National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
http://www.nccj.org
This ecumenical organization seeks to transform communities to provide fuller opportunity and to
Anti-Racism Social Justice Diocese of Connecticut Diocese of Western Massachusetts
Episcopal Urban Caucus
http://www.episcopalurbancaucus.org
A primary commitment of the EUC is to articulate a vision of a Church without racism, a Church f
Anti-Racism Social Justice Poverty & Hunger Domestic Poverty Reconciliation Episcopal Urban Caucus
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The Equalizer Podcast, Episode 91: Let the Trades Begin
The new year finally brought an active trade market in the National Women’s Soccer League. Chelsey Bush, John Halloran and Dan...
By Equalizer Podcast Team
Ex-Lyon, PSG boss Farid Benstiti set to become new Reign FC coach
Reign FC have agreed to terms with Frenchman Farid Benstiti to become the team’s new head coach, multiple sources have confirmed...
By The Equalizer Staff
/ 2 weeks ago
Commissioner hire will shape the NWSL’s future, for better or worse
There’s a tale nearly as old as Major League Soccer itself, one which provides context to the transformation of the league...
The NWSL says it has a ‘Rooney Rule,’ but no one seems to know much about it
When Laura Harvey left the Utah Royals last week, the National Women’s Soccer League once again found itself in a familiar...
By John D Halloran
Midge Purce is a smart addition to Sky Blue FC’s ongoing refresh
After being (understandably) snubbed by both their first-round draft picks in 2019, Sky Blue FC’s past year has been one of...
By Leo Baudhuin
Thorns acquire No. 1 pick in 2020 draft, Raquel Rodriguez; ship Sonnett to Orlando, Purce to Sky Blue
Portland Thorns FC on Wednesday traded United States women’s national team defender Emily Sonnett and the rights to Australia forward Caitlin...
The Lowdown: XI wishes for the NWSL in the new year
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: This is a big year for the National Women’s Soccer League. Yes, that gets...
Who got the better of the Kealia Ohai-Katie Naughton trade?
Monday brought the first big trade of the National Women’s Soccer League offseason: the Houston Dash sent forward Kealia Ohai to...
Minnich’s NWSL mock draft: Planning for some trades
We’re just nine days from the National Women’s Soccer League College Draft, and things are starting to heat up as teams...
By Michael Minnich
Amanda Duffy stepping down as NWSL president
Amanda Duffy is stepping down as president of the National Women’s Soccer League after one season in charge to become the...
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53RD (WELSH) DIVISION TAKES PART IN OPERATION "PHEASANT" - 12TH CORPS ASSAULT ON S'HERTOGENBOSCH (PART 2) [Allocated Title]
Title: 53RD (WELSH) DIVISION TAKES PART IN OPERATION "PHEASANT" - 12TH CORPS ASSAULT ON S'HERTOGENBOSCH (PART 2) [Allocated Title]
Film Number: A70 182-7
Summary: 71st Brigade encounters small German outposts during its advance along the Heesch-s'Hertogenbosch - s'Hertogenbosch road towards s'Hertogenbosch.
Description: With their hands on their heads, four Wehrmacht soldiers begin their march into captivity watched by infantrymen from the 1st Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and escorted by sappers serving with 244th Field Company RE who follow behind them in a jeep. A 25- pounder gun detachment from the 81st Field Regiment RA is seen in action near the Heesch-s'Hertogenbosch - s'Hertogenbosch road against German outposts delaying the brigade's progress near Molebroek(?). A column of German prisoners of war marches through Nuland(?) under the watchful eye of their British captors. Two 222nd Assault Squadron RE Churchill AVREs move up to the front between Nuland and Heide. The cameraman examines the corpse of a young Wehrmacht infantryman killed near his dug-out in a drainage ditch at the edge of a field near Varkenshoek(?). Nearby, an Ox and Bucks Bren-gunner open fire on a German position from a slit-trench on an embanked section of the s'Hertogenbosch road(?).
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor) Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company) Parkinson (Sergeant) (Production individual)
Keywords: Netherlands & <south> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None
Notes: Summary: See with A70 182-6, 183-5, 6, 12, 14, 186-2 for footage showing 53rd (Welsh) Division in action during Operation Pheasant and refer to footage showing the 7th Armoured and 51st (Highland) Divisions similarly engaged. The capture of s'Hertogenbosch, in which the 7th Armoured and 51st (Highland) and 53rd (Welsh) Divisions were all involved, was code-named Operation "Colin". Remarks: Good action footage. Best seen with the items of ciné material listed above. Documentation/associated material: read The History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division in the Second World War by C N Barclay, 2nd Army HQ's An Account of the Operations of 2nd Army in Europe 1944-1945: Volume I, H Essame's The Battle for Germany' and L F Ellis' Victory in the West: Volume 2.
A70 182-7
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