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League of Legends on PC League of Legends (often abbreviated as LoL) is an multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game developed and published by Riot Games for Microsoft Windows, inspired by the Defense of the Ancients (DotA) map for Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.It was first announced on October 7, 2008, and released on October 27, 2009.The game was in a closed beta from April 10, 2009, to October 22, 2009. It then transitioned to open beta until release. Players are formed into 2 even teams with 1–5 Champion(s) on each team. Each team starts at opposing sides of a map in an area called the "fountain", near what is called a "Nexus". A match is won when either the opposing team's Nexus is destroyed or the other team surrenders. To destroy a Nexus, each team must work through a series of towers called "Turrets". Turrets are often placed along a path to each base referred to as a "Lane". Along the way, each player gains levels from killing the opposing team's champions and "Minions" (small NPCs that constantly spawn and attack the other team) and defeating neutral monsters (some of which grant buffs known as crests upon death). Killing enemies allows champions to purchase "Items" with in-match gold to improve their statistics. In League of Legends, each player starts at level 1 at the beginning of the match and can obtain the maximum of level 18 with their champion, leveling 4 different champion-specific abilities. Written by iliotsouli on June 19, 2016 @ 11:30 am Generally speaking, League of Legends was (and still is) one of the greatest MOBA games ever. It's daily peak used to tend from 15 to 25 million players every day during the 2nd game season (2012) and with a lot of marketing and advertising, it dethroned the king of Multiplayer...Continue reading... Written by Skulin on September 30, 2015 @ 3:53 pm This is my first review so excuse me if you find any mistakes or stupid things, and also I'll be open to any suggestions in the comment box or in my profile ^^ Counter Strike and League of Legends are the icons on eSports all around the world (no disrespect to...Continue reading... Written by Ravener on March 15, 2015 @ 10:28 am League of Legends. Who haven't heard that name? Any respected gamer knows at least the name of the game, but let's go deeper. I've been playing since June 2014. Not much, I know. Still, I have spend over 730 hours on that game, so I think I have enough experience...Continue reading... AabeelGamerOctober 15, 2014 @ 11:47 am The best MOBA, forever... Oterote1December 26, 2014 @ 12:58 am Great game, horrible community kyeFebruary 08, 2015 @ 9:35 pm have some self respect jesus BroRockerJuly 14, 2015 @ 1:15 pm I don't think I've ever played a competitive online game that can be so rewarding in victory and so enraging and debilitating in defeat. I agree about the community being so toxic, though. That's why I pretty much will only play with friends and choose to never play with randoms. iNFERNALMay 18, 2016 @ 9:40 am For a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, League of Legends evolved itself from the very Alpha stage, building the community on a fast rate and reaching top charts in the present gaming era. The only bad thing is the amount of toxicity shared by different players all over the world, toxicity that can make you regret even wasting around 30-50 minutes after joining a match. MeriadocPeregrinJune 12, 2016 @ 9:36 pm @Oterpte1 that's what I said in my notes. Haha. RaxideWayJuly 19, 2016 @ 2:19 pm Most simple (and at the same time the more advanced) MOBA for sure. Players of our beloved "elo hell" can get through a difficult time in rankeds but with the progress that Riot have been making I have noticed a much better community instead of many have arguing from the past years.. ExeJanuary 11, 2017 @ 8:39 pm great game, went from 0 to 10 in no time and knew how to evolve and what to offer to the (sadly to say) one of the worst community you would ever find in a competitive online game. JasonSkyrunnerMarch 26, 2017 @ 3:14 am Fica enjoativo depois de alguns minutos jogando. As partidas s HatzaknauerDecember 25, 2017 @ 8:19 pm Where is the 1000+ hours option? CheekyMarch 07, 2018 @ 1:38 am The most cancerous game ever that you just can't stop playing lmao HelmontJune 26, 2018 @ 8:49 pm nerf singed TheginkaJuly 05, 2018 @ 6:35 am the most toxic community I've ever seen LuaeOctober 12, 2018 @ 4:50 pm LoL is cool but the community sucks ass cloud3299December 29, 2018 @ 1:39 pm Fucking cancer. Antonio-JuniorJanuary 26, 2019 @ 6:14 pm Can't find a game with such a horrible community like League of Legends, complete cancer. DalaculJune 08, 2019 @ 6:02 am I have 3300+ hours in this game. It's already an addiction, I don't enjoy it anymore. The community is the worst and the balance team is made from monkeys goinbacktotangierAugust 09, 2019 @ 4:49 am amazing community, absolutely hilarious and massive entertainment value. NA Release Date MVGL User Score 7.3 by 2117 User(s) MVGL Difficulty Rating Hard by 310 User(s) 2600 User(s) Recently Completed By Recently Favorited By

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After A Symphony Of Swing, Wynton Marsalis Returns For A Powell Hall Christmas By Jeremy D. Goodwin • Dec 3, 2019 Wynton Marsalis, seen near the front right of the frame, wrote "Swing Symphony" and recorded it in a collaboration between St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Frank Stewart | Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis has championed traditional jazz for decades, working many of its styles into the big-band format. In 1997, the acclaimed trumpeter, composer and bandleader became the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize in Music, for his oratorio “Blood on the Fields.” He’s also written three symphonies. His latest, “Swing Symphony,” was recorded at Powell Hall in 2016 and released in July. The performance was a collaboration between St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, then led by David Robertson, and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which Marsalis founded. Marsalis and his ensemble return to Powell Hall on Wednesday for a concert featuring Christmas music arranged for big band. St. Louis Public Radio's Jeremy D. Goodwin talks with jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader Wynton Marsalis. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy D. Goodwin spoke with Marsalis about “Swing Symphony” and why the artist thinks big-band jazz is the perfect format for Christmas music. Here are highlights from their conversation. Jeremy D. Goodwin: When you sat down to write “Swing Symphony,” what were your musical objectives? Wynton Marsalis: My philosophy is always: continuum. I don’t pit generations against each other, or groups of people. I always try to find how we are the same. ... I go through the history of songs, of rhythms, of different kinds of music — how they met, what they were trying to say. And I try to write them all in the language I speak. Goodwin: What are some of the tricks to integrating a jazz big band and a European classical concert ensemble that you’ve had to figure out over the years? Wynton Marsalis will lead his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in a concert of Christmas music at Powell Hall. Credit Piper Ferguson | Jazz at Lincoln Center Marsalis: That’s a good question. Everything is first form, and function ... so that we all understand the form that we’re playing. Then the function. Where are the French horns going to sit? That’s very important. Who’s going to play a riff part? The violas, normally, in the orchestra, play that part. That’s the repeated part. How can you group the bass with the percussion? The bass drum and all on the larger beats so we can not get lost in the time. For us, can we play in the volume with the orchestra? Then, how can we bring the rhythms together? Because we start playing the straight rhythms, 'cause the ragtime and those march forms, those are not swung rhythms. So the first time we really start to swing in the “Swing Symphony" is the end of the third movement, when we all come together with a kind of part that’s based on Benny Goodman … we go to a thing where we just start swinging. Goodwin: The history of big-band arrangements of Christmas music — there’s a really rich history there, isn’t there? Marsalis: Yes, because it’s the one time in the year, now, that families are not segregated into markets to sell them products. Though Christmas is the most commercial time of year, it’s also the time of year where regardless of who you are, you are put into the position of having to hear music that is not targeted to your generation. So it’s perfect for a big band. And these are all familiar songs, and there’s a tradition. And a big band is a traditional ensemble in the United States of America. Like the orchestra is, or like the concert band is. Goodwin: Is there still life in all that Christmas music? Is there interesting stuff to do with it? Marsalis: There’s life in anything you can make be alive. Goodwin: OK. Marsalis: Whether there’s life in it depends on you. Jeremy can be found on Twitter @jeremydgoodwin. St. Louis Symphony 'An Unexpected Life' — Stéphane Denève's Surprising Path To Leading St. Louis Symphony By Jeremy D. Goodwin • Sep 20, 2019 In a cramped hallway outside Stéphane Denève’s new office at Powell Hall, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra chief executive Marie-Hélène Bernard had a warning for the orchestra’s new music director. There’ll be a lot of microphone reverb when he talks to the audience at the orchestra’s Forest Park concert the next night, she said. “Like Woodstock!” he exclaimed, and pantomimed playing guitar to the tune of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A crowd of 20,000 at Forest Park is not quite Woodstock, but it’s also a world away from Denève’s humble origins. This weekend, he leads his first concerts as the orchestra’s artistic leader. 'It's Our Turn' — Terence Blanchard's New Opera Is Rooted In The Black Experience By Jeremy D. Goodwin • Jun 14, 2019 Eric Woolsey Terence Blanchard knows from experience that an opera that sounds and looks different from the classic repertory can bring new audiences to an old art form. “An elderly African American man came up to me” after a performance of Blanchard’s jazz-infused opera "Champion" in 2013, the trumpeter/bandleader recalled, “and he said: Man, if this is opera, I will come.” With his latest magnum opus, Blanchard wants to continue changing popular perceptions about opera — particularly, what stories it can tell, and who does the telling. “Fire Shut Up In My Bones,” based on the memoir of New York Times columnist Charles Blow, makes its world premiere Saturday at Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

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Criegee intermediate-hydrogen sulfide chemistry at the air/water interface Manoj Kumar, Jie Zhong, Joseph S. Francisco, Xiao C. Zeng We carry out Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamic simulations to show that the reaction between the smallest Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the air/water interface can be observed within few picoseconds. The reaction follows both concerted and stepwise mechanisms with former being the dominant reaction pathway. The concerted reaction proceeds with or without the involvement of one or two nearby water molecules. An important implication of the simulation results is that the Criegee-H2S reaction can provide a novel non-photochemical pathway for the formation of a C-S linkage in clouds and could be a new oxidation pathway for H2S in terrestrial, geothermal and volcanic regions. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7sc01797a Kumar, M., Zhong, J., Francisco, J. S., & Zeng, X. C. (2017). Criegee intermediate-hydrogen sulfide chemistry at the air/water interface. Chemical Science, 8(8), 5385-5391. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7sc01797a Criegee intermediate-hydrogen sulfide chemistry at the air/water interface. / Kumar, Manoj; Zhong, Jie; Francisco, Joseph S.; Zeng, Xiao C. In: Chemical Science, Vol. 8, No. 8, 01.01.2017, p. 5385-5391. Kumar, M, Zhong, J, Francisco, JS & Zeng, XC 2017, 'Criegee intermediate-hydrogen sulfide chemistry at the air/water interface', Chemical Science, vol. 8, no. 8, pp. 5385-5391. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7sc01797a Kumar M, Zhong J, Francisco JS, Zeng XC. Criegee intermediate-hydrogen sulfide chemistry at the air/water interface. Chemical Science. 2017 Jan 1;8(8):5385-5391. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7sc01797a Kumar, Manoj ; Zhong, Jie ; Francisco, Joseph S. ; Zeng, Xiao C. / Criegee intermediate-hydrogen sulfide chemistry at the air/water interface. In: Chemical Science. 2017 ; Vol. 8, No. 8. pp. 5385-5391. @article{ec61f4c49e55452eb0fe5f498d8ddcc9, title = "Criegee intermediate-hydrogen sulfide chemistry at the air/water interface", abstract = "We carry out Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamic simulations to show that the reaction between the smallest Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the air/water interface can be observed within few picoseconds. The reaction follows both concerted and stepwise mechanisms with former being the dominant reaction pathway. The concerted reaction proceeds with or without the involvement of one or two nearby water molecules. An important implication of the simulation results is that the Criegee-H2S reaction can provide a novel non-photochemical pathway for the formation of a C-S linkage in clouds and could be a new oxidation pathway for H2S in terrestrial, geothermal and volcanic regions.", author = "Manoj Kumar and Jie Zhong and Francisco, {Joseph S.} and Zeng, {Xiao C.}", doi = "10.1039/c7sc01797a", journal = "Chemical Science", T1 - Criegee intermediate-hydrogen sulfide chemistry at the air/water interface AU - Kumar, Manoj AU - Zhong, Jie AU - Francisco, Joseph S. AU - Zeng, Xiao C. N2 - We carry out Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamic simulations to show that the reaction between the smallest Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the air/water interface can be observed within few picoseconds. The reaction follows both concerted and stepwise mechanisms with former being the dominant reaction pathway. The concerted reaction proceeds with or without the involvement of one or two nearby water molecules. An important implication of the simulation results is that the Criegee-H2S reaction can provide a novel non-photochemical pathway for the formation of a C-S linkage in clouds and could be a new oxidation pathway for H2S in terrestrial, geothermal and volcanic regions. AB - We carry out Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamic simulations to show that the reaction between the smallest Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the air/water interface can be observed within few picoseconds. The reaction follows both concerted and stepwise mechanisms with former being the dominant reaction pathway. The concerted reaction proceeds with or without the involvement of one or two nearby water molecules. An important implication of the simulation results is that the Criegee-H2S reaction can provide a novel non-photochemical pathway for the formation of a C-S linkage in clouds and could be a new oxidation pathway for H2S in terrestrial, geothermal and volcanic regions. U2 - 10.1039/c7sc01797a DO - 10.1039/c7sc01797a JO - Chemical Science JF - Chemical Science 10.1039/c7sc01797a

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For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights “…we had averted our eyes for far too long, turning away from the ugly reality facing us as a nation. Let the world see what I’ve seen.” – Mamie Till Bradley For All The World To See: Visual Culture and The Struggle for Civil Rights examines the role that visual culture played in shaping and transforming the struggle for racial equality in America from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s. In September 1955, shortly after 14-year-old Emmett Till was murdered by white supremacists in Mississippi, his grieving mother, Mamie Till Bradley, distributed to newspapers and magazines a gruesome black-and-white photograph of his mutilated corpse. The mainstream media rejected the photograph as inappropriate for publication, but Bradley was able to turn to African-American periodicals for support. Asked why she would do this, Bradley explained that by witnessing, with their own eyes, the brutality of segregation, Americans would be more likely to support the cause of civil rights. Through a compelling assortment of photographs, television clips, art posters, and historic artifacts, For All the World to See traces how images and media disseminated to the American public transformed the modern civil rights movement and jolted Americans, both black and white, out of a state of denial or complacency. Visitors to this immersive exhibition will explore dozens of compelling and persuasive visual images, including photographs from influential magazines, such as Life, Jet, and Ebony; CBS news footage; and TV clips from The Ed Sullivan Show. Also included are civil rights-era objects that exemplify the range of negative and positive imagery—from Aunt Jemima syrup dispensers and 1930s produce advertisements to Jackie Robinson baseball ephemera and 1960s children’s toys with African American portraiture. For All The World To See is not a history of the civil rights movement, but rather an exploration of the vast number of potent images that influenced how Americans perceived race and the struggle for equality. AsEbony founder John H. Johnson put it, magazines and television “opened new windows in the mind and brought us face to face with the multicolored possibilities of man and woman.” For All The World To See is curated by Dr. Maurice Berger, research professor, the Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture, University of Maryland, Baltimore. It is co-organized by the Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture and the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution. Featured Artifact Sepia, November 1959. 13 3/16 x 10 3/16 in. Collection of Civil Rights Archive/CADVC-UMBC,Baltimore, Maryland, 2005.206 “The picture magazines of the 1940s did for the public what television did for audiences of the 1950s: they opened new windows in the mind and brought us face to face with the multicolored possibilities of man and woman.” – John H. Johnson During the modern civil rights movement, visual culture was an important force in combating society’s habitually negative or ambivalent view of African-Americans. Black leaders, organizers, artists, and institutions fought to make visible the positive image of black people. This imagery counteracted the damaging effects of stereotypes by bolstering self-esteem, inspiring activism in the black community, and creating a new lens through which the nation at large viewed African-Americans. As the movement evolved, constructive and self-assured images became an important part of media geared toward African-American audiences. In the 1940s and 1950s, the birth of the modern African-American pictorial magazine (like the Sepia cover featured above) paralleled the mainstream popularity of illustrated tabloid newspapers and picture magazines. Sepia, the African-American owned photography and journalism magazine, debuted in 1947. For All the World to See tours April 2012 through January 2023. The dates below reflect 7-week exhibition periods. Dates are subject to change; please call for current availability. April 2012–January 2023 April 6–May 25, 2012 Wyandotte County Historical Society September 1–October 20 Terrebonne Parish Library Houma, LA booked November 10, 2012–January 7, 2013 The Kansas African American Museum January 28–March 16, 2013 William F. Laman Public Library Little Rock, AR booked April 6–May 25, 2013 Chippewa Valley Museum June 16–August 11, 2013 Oregon Historical Society Portland, OR booked September 1–October 20, 2013 Bessie Smith Cultural Center Chattanooga, TN booked January 28–March 16, 2014 University of Texas-San Antonio April 6–May 25, 2014 William Jewell College Liberty, MO booked September 1–October 20, 2014 Mercer Museum Doylestown, PA booked January 28–March 16, 2015 Bell County Museum Belton, TX booked April 6–May 25, 2015 Stearns History Museum St. Cloud, MN booked June 16–August 11, 2015 Loves Jazz and Art Center Omaha, NE booked September 1–October 20, 2015 Sioux City Public Museum November 10, 2015–January 7, 2016 Cape Fear Museum Wilmington, NC booked January 28–March 16, 2016 El Paso Museum of History El Paso, TX booked April 6–May 25, 2016 Kean University June 16–August 11, 2016 Lyman Allyn Art Museum September 1–October 20, 2016 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL booked November 10, 2016–January 7, 2017 West Baton Rouge Museum Baton Rogue, LA booked January 28–March 16, 2017 Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council Texarkana, TX booked April 6–May 25, 2017 Mulvane Art Museum Topeka, KS booked September 1, 2017–January 7, 2018 Refurbishment January 28–May 25, 2018 Los Angeles Public LIbrary Los Angeles, CA booked June 16–August 11, 2018 Black Archives of Kansas City September 1–October 20, 2018 McClung Museum, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville, TN booked November 10, 2018–January 7, 2019 Birthplace of Country Music Museum Bristol, TN booked January 28–March 16, 2019 Museum of Culture & Environment, Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA booked April 4–May 25, 2019 Museum of the Mississippi Delta Greenwood, MS booked June 16–August 11, 2019 The Civil War Museum Kenosha, WI booked September 1–October 20, 2019 East Carolina University, Joyner Library Greenville, NC booked November 10, 2019–January 7, 2020 Carver County Historical Society Waconia, MN booked January 28–March 16, 2020 Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR booked April 6–May 25, 2020 Park City Museum June 16–August 11, 2020 Refurbishment September 1–October 20, 2020 Ypsilanti District Library Ypsilanti, MI booked November 10, 2020–January 7, 2021 University of Idaho Library partnering with Latah County Historical Society Moscow, ID booked January 28–March 16, 2021 Moses Lake Museum Moses Lake, WA booked April 6–May 25, 2021 Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Portsmouth, VA booked June 16–August 11, 2021 Naper Settlement Naperville, IL booked September 1–October 20, 2021 The Heritage Museum & Cultural Center St. Joseph, MI booked November 10, 2021–January 7, 2022 Jackson School of the Arts Jackson, MI booked January 28–March 16, 2022 Idaho State Historical Museum Boise, ID booked April 6–May 25, 2022 Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center Buford, GA pending September 1–October 20, 2022 Temecula Valley Museum Temecula, CA pending November 10, 2022–January 7, 2023 Miami Dade College - Kimball Campus Miami, FL booked Dr. Maurice Berger, Research Professor, The Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture, University of Maryland, Baltimore County The Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution. The exhibition includes objects, graphics, magazines, and other paper ephemera related to the media presentation of the Civil Rights movement. It will also include multiple video presentations with film footage from television, cinematic, and governmental sources. 7-week display 15 crates (and 1 tub) / 4,450 lbs The exhibition is fully insured by M-AAA at no additional expense to you, both while installed and during transit. Download this glossary here. Black Nationalism/Black Muslims – Black leaders emphasized separatism and identification with Africa. One of the most important expressions of the separatist impulse during the 1960s was the rise of the Black Muslims, which attracted 100,000 members. Founded in 1931, in the depths of the depression, the Nation of Islam drew its appeal from among the growing numbers of urban blacks living in poverty. The Black Muslims elevated racial separatism into a religious doctrine and declared that whites were doomed to destruction. The most controversial exponent of Black Nationalism was Malcolm X. Boycott – A campaign of withdrawal of support from a company, government or institution which is committing an injustice, such as racial discrimination. Brown v. Board of Education – Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483, 47 S. Ct. 686, 98 L. Ed. 873, was the most significant of a series of judicial decisions overturning segregation laws—laws that separate whites and blacks. Reversing its 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537, 16 S. Ct. 1138, 41 L. Ed. 256, which established the “separate-but-equal” doctrine that found racial segregation to be constitutional, the Supreme Court unanimously decided in Brown that laws separating children by race in different schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which provides that “[n]o state shall … deny to any person … the equal protection of the laws.” In making its decision, the Court declared that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” Moreover, the Court found that segregated schools promote in African American children a harmful and irreparable sense of inferiority that damages not only their lives but the welfare of U.S. society as a whole. Civil Disobedience – The act of openly disobeying an unjust, immoral or unconstitutional law as a matter of conscience, and accepting the consequences, including submitting to imprisonment if necessary, to protest an injustice. Civil Rights – “Civil rights” are the rights of individuals to be free from unfair or unequal treatment (discrimination) in a number of settings, when that negative treatment is based on the individual’s race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, or other protected characteristic. Civil Rights Act of 1964 – A federal law that prohibits discrimination in a number of settings: Title I prohibits discrimination in voting; Title II: public accommodations; Title III: Public Facilities; Title IV: Public Education; Title VI: Federally-Assisted Programs; Title VII: Employment. Civil Rights Movement – Historically, the term “Civil Rights Movement” has referred to efforts toward achieving true equality for African Americans in all facets of society, but today the term “civil rights movement” is also used to describe the advancement of equality for all people regardless of race, sex, age, disability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristic. Demonstrations – Gatherings and protest activities organized to build support for peace, justice or social reform. Desegregation – The breaking down of imposed racial separation. Desegregation has always been a fundamental aim of the civil rights movement in United States and was given special impetus by the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education that ruled segregated schools unconstitutional. Discrimination – Discrimination is unfair or unequal treatment of an individual (or group) based on certain legally-protected characteristics—including age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination against members of these protected groups in a number of settings, including education, employment, government services, housing, lending, public accommodations, transportation, and voting. Ghetto Comedy – Television sitcoms that emerged during the 1970s featuring all black casts and set in urban impoverished areas like Washington D.C., Watts, and Chicago. These shows offered mainstream viewers a humorous view of working class African American inner city life. While some of ghetto comedies attempted to make social commentary on race relations, many reverted to black stereotypes for comic effect. Hate Crimes – A hate crime is an act of violence or threat of violence that is intended to injure and/or intimidate the victim(s) because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religious, sexual orientation, or disability. Invisibility – The notion explored in Ralph Ellison’s book Invisible Man that African Americans are rendered voiceless and unseen in mainstream culture. His words advocate a freedom from invisibility and to be recognized as “a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids and I might even be said to possess as mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.” Jim Crow – The name that was given to the de jure or legal segregation of blacks from whites before the civil rights movement. The name itself comes from a black minstrel caricature popularized in song during the 1830s. Thus, laws restricting African Americans to the back of a bus or creating separate restrooms, drinking fountains or eating facilities were known as “Jim Crow” laws. Lynching – The term is derived from the “vigilante justice” practiced by Captain William Lynch and his neighbors in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in the late 18th century. In the 19th century, lynching—usually associated with hanging but also including tar and feathering, burning and other methods of killing—became increasingly directed against African Americans. In the last 16 years of the 19th century, there were some 2,500 reported lynchings. The quest for federal laws against lynching was among the first crusades of the NAACP in the early decades of the 20th century. “Mainstream” – Popular culture, visual media and their perspectives, produced by and for the majority. Publications represent the highest readership and largest audience. In this case, mainstream can also be equated with the trends and behaviors of the white middle class. Mass March – A large number of people walk in a group to a place of symbolic significance to protest an injustice. Media – The means of communication that reach large numbers of people, such as television, newspapers, radio, and the Internet. Passive Resistance – Challenging an injustice by refusing to support or cooperate with an unjust law, action or policy. The term “passive” is misleading because passive resistance includes pro-active nonviolence, such as marches, boycotts and other forms of active protest. Picketing – A group of individuals walk with signs bearing protest messages in front of a site where an injustice has been committed. Pictorial Magazines – A print publication containing many pictures; viewpoints are often expressed through visual material as well as text. Pictorial magazines had the ability to evoke life-like images within the mind. Racial Nostalgia – An emotional longing for times when race relations were simplistic and clearly hierarchical, as during the enslavement of Africans in the American South. This term includes both public and private expressions of nostalgia. Segregation – Separation or isolation of a race or class from the rest of the population. In the United States, segregation has taken two forms: de jure and de facto. De jure segregation is where a set of laws mandates separation, like those that prevailed in the South from the end of Reconstruction. De facto segregation prevailed in the North after Reconstruction and is enforced by cultural and economic patterns rather than by law, especially in housing. Sit-ins – Tactic of nonviolence in which protesters sit down at the site of an injustice and refuse to move for a specified period of time or until goals are achieved. Examples include Flint (Mich.) sit-down strike of 1936-37 in which auto workers sat down on job for 44 days in protest for union recognition and the student sit-ins to desegregate lunch counters in Greensboro, NC in 1960. Status Quo – The existing state of affairs, especially in regard to social and political issues. In exploring the evolution of media alongside civil rights, there was a general trend for the majority to maintain the status quo and resist change. This meant continuing to represent African Americans through a mainstream, white lens. Strikes – Organized withholding of labor to correct injustice. Materials accompanying the exhibition are marked with an asterisk (*). Annotated information is provided when titles are insufficient. Articles: Visual Culture and the Civil Rights Movement Baker, Courtney. “Emmett Till, Justice, and the Task of Recognition.” The Journal of American Culture 29, no. 2 (June 2006): 110-123. Cox, Keith. “Changes in the Stereotyping of Negroes and Whites in Magazine Advertisements.” Public Opinion Quarterly (Winter 1969-1970): 603-06. Cripps, Thomas. “Walter’s Thing”: The NAACP’s Hollywood Bureau of 1946—A Cautionary Tale.” Journal of Popular Film and Television (Summer 2005): 30-65. Gould, Jack. “Television and Civil Rights: Medium Demonstrates Importance as a Factor in the Campaign to Achieve Racial Integration.” The New York Times, September 8, 1963, X15. Hall, James C. “On Sale at Your Favorite Newsstand: Negro Digest/Black World and the 1960s.” In The Black Press: New Literary and Historical Essays, edited by Todd Vogel. New Brunswick, NJ, and London: Rutgers University Press, 2001. Harris, Frederick C. “It Takes a Tragedy to Arouse Them: Collective Memory and Collective Action During the Civil Rights Movement.” Social Movement Studies 5, no. 1 (2006): 19-43. Stange, Maren. “Photographs Taken in Everyday Life: Ebony’s Photojournalistic Discourse.” In The Black Press: New Literary and Historical Essays, edited by Todd Vogel. New Brunswick, NJ, and London: Rutgers University Press, 2001. Adult Publications: The Civil Rights Movement and Black Power (General) Albert, Peter J., and Ronald Hoffman. We Shall Overcome: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Black Freedom Struggle. New York, NY: Pantheon, 1990. Arsenault, Raymond. Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice. Oxford, MA: Oxford University Press, 2006. Austin, Algernon. Achieving Blackness: Race, Black Nationalism, and Afro-Centrism in the Twentieth Century. New York, NY: New York University Press, 2006. Branch, Taylor. At Canaan’s Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-68. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2006. Breitman, George, ed. By Any Means Necessary: Speeches, Interviews, and a Letter by Malcolm X. New York, NY: Pathfinder, 1970. Eskew, Glenn T. But for Birmingham: The Local and National Movements in the Civil Rights Struggle. Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1997. Garrow, David J. Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. New York, NY: William Morrow, 1986. Goldsby, Jacqueline. A Spectacular Secret: Lynching in American Life and Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006. Jeffries, Hasan. Bloody Lowndes: Civil Rights and Black Power in Alabama’s Black Belt. New York, NY: NYU Press, 2010. Lewis, Andrew B. The Shadows of Youth: The Remarkable Journey of the Civil Rights Generation. New York, NY: Hill and Wang, 2009. Litwack, Leon F. How Free Is Free? The Long Death of Jim Crow. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2009. Margolic, David. Strange Fruit: The Biography of a Song. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2001. McWhorter, Diane. Carrie Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama and the Climactic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution. New York, NY: Simon & Shuster, 2001. Morris, Aldon. Origins of the Civil Rights Movement. New York, NY: Free Press, 1984. Pinkney, Andrea Davis, and Stephen Alcorn. Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, 2000. Roediger, David R. How Race Survived U.S. History: From Settlement and Slavery to the Obama Phenomenon. New York and London, Verso, 2008. Sullivan, Patricia. Lift Every Voice: The NAACP and the Making of the Civil Rights Movement. New York, NY: New Press, 2009. Williams, Juan. Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965. New York, NY: Viking, 1987. Adult Publications: Visual Culture and the Civil Rights Movement Abel, Elizabeth. Signs of the Times: The Visual Politics of Jim Crow. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2010. *Berger, Maurice. For All the World To See: Visual Culture and the Struggle For Civil Rights. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010. *Goings, Kenneth W. Mammy and Uncle Mose: Black Collectibles and American Stereotyping. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1994. Neal, Mark Anthony. Soul Babies: Black Popular Culture and the Post-Soul Aesthetic. New York, NY: Routledge, 2002. *Parks, Gordon. A Choice of Weapons. New York, NY: Harper & Row, 1966 (Minnesota Historical Society Press, Second Edition, 2010). *Acham, Christine. Revolution Televised: Prime Time and the Struggle for Black Power. Minneapolis and London: University of Minnesota Press, 2004. Bogle, Donald. Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, & Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films. New York: Continuum, 2003 (1973). Cripps, Thomas. Making Movies Black: The Hollywood Message Movie from World War II to the Civil Rights Era. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1993. Graham, Allison. Framing the South: Hollywood, Television, and Race During the Civil Rights Struggle. Baltimore, MA: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. *Guerrero, Ed. Framing Blackness: The African American Image in Film. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press, 1993. Mills, Kay. Changing Channels: The Civil Rights Case That Transformed Television. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 2004. Pieraccini, Cristina, and Douglass L. Alligood. Color Television: Sixty Years of African American and Latino Images on Prime-Time Television. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt, 2009. Ross, Karen. Black and White Media: Television, Film and the Construction of Black Identities. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 1995. Smith, Valerie, ed. Representing Blackness: Issues in Film and Video. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers, 1997. *Adelman, Bob, and Charles Johnson. Mine Eyes Have Seen: Bearing Witness to the Struggle for Civil Rights. New York, NY: Time Home Entertainment, 2007. Duganne, Erina. The Self in Black and White: Race and Subjectivity in Postwar American Photography. Hanover, NH: Dartmouth College Press, 2010. Goldberg, Vicki. The Power of Photography: How Photographs Changed Our Lives. New York, NY: Abbeville, 1991. Kasher, Steven. The Civil Rights Movement: A Photographic History, 1854-68. New York, NY: Abbeville, 1996. Smith, Shawn Michelle. Photography on the Color Line: W.E.B. Du Bois, Race, and Visual Culture. Durham, NC: Duke University Press Books, 2004. *Willis, Deborah, ed. Picturing Us: African-American Identity in Photography. New York, NY: The New Press, 1994. Withers, Ernest C. Let Us March On! Selected Civil Rights Photographs of Ernest C. Withers 1955–1968. Boston, MA: Massachusetts College of Art, 1992. Dates, Jannette Lake, and William Barlow. Split Image: African Americans in the Mass Media. Washington, DC: Howard University Press, 1990. Entman, Robert M., and Andrew Rojecki. The Black Image in the White Mind: Media and Race in America. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 2001. Henderson, Harry. Power of the News Media. New York, NY: Facts On File, 2004. Larson, Stephanie Greco. Media & Minorities: The Politics of Race in News and Entertainment. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006. Lentz, Richard. Symbols, The News Magazine and Martin Luther King. Baton Rouge and London: University of Louisiana Press, 1990. Lester, Paul Martin, and Susan Dente Ross. Images That Injure: Pictorial Stereotypes in the Media. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003 Carson, Clayborne and David Garrow et al., compilers. Reporting Civil Rights. New York, NY: Library of America, 2003. Squires, Catherine R. African Americans and the Media. Cambridge, UK: Polity, 2009. Ward, Brian. Media, Culture, and the Modern African American Freedom Struggle. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 2001. Chambers, Jason. Madison Avenue and the Color Line: African Americans in the Advertising Industry. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008. Durant, Sam, ed. Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas. New York, NY: Rizzoli, 2007. Powell, Richard J. Black Art and Culture in the 20th Century. London: Thames and Hudson, 1997. Wallace, Michele. Dark Designs and Visual Culture. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2005. Woodard, Komozi. A Nation Within a Nation: Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) and Black Power Politics. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1999. Adult Publications: Fiction Baldwin, James. Go Tell It on the Mountain. New York, NY: Dial Press, 1963 (1953). Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. [S.I.]: Vintage, 1995 (1952). Haley, Alex. Roots: The Saga of an American Family. New York, NY: Vanguard Books, 2007 (1976). Himes, Chester B. If He Hollers Let Him Go. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran & Co, 1945. Petry, Ann. The Street. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co, 1991 (1946). Smith, William Gardner. South Street. Chatham, NJ: The Chatham Bookseller, 1973 (1954). West, Dorothy. The Living Is Easy. Old Westbury, NY: Feminist Press, 1982 (1948). Wright, Richard. Native Son. New York, NY: Harper & Bros, 1940. Juvenile Publications: Nonfiction (The Civil Rights Movement, Visual Culture, etc.) Adler, David A., and Bill Farnsworth. Heroes for Civil Rights. New York, NY: Holiday House, 2008. Adler, David A., and Robert Casilla. A Picture Book of Jackie Robinson. New York, NY: Holiday House, 1994. Bridges, Ruby. Through My Eyes. New York, NY: Scholastic Press, 1999. *Brimner, Larry D. Birmingham Sunday. Pennsylvania: Boyd’s Mill Press, 2010. Haskins, James. The Freedom Rides: Journey for Justice. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children, 1995. *King, Casey, Linda Barret Osborne. Oh, Freedom! : Kids Talk About the Civil Rights Movement With the People Who Made It Happen. New York, NY: Knopf, 1997. King, Martin Luther, and Coretta Scott King. I Have a Dream. [S.I.]: Scholastic Trade, 1997. *Landau, Elaine. The Civil Rights Movement in America: 1954–1968. New York, NY: Children’s Press, 2003. Lester, Julius. Let’s Talk About Race. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2005. *Lommel, Cookie. African Americans in Film and Television. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2003. Meany, John. Has the Civil Rights Movement Been Successful? Chicago, IL: Heinemann Library, 2009. Parks, Rosa, and Gregory J. Reed. Dear Mrs. Parks: A Dialogue With Today’s Youth. [S.I.]: Lee & Low Books, 1996. Parks, Rosa, and James Haskins. Rosa Parks: My Story. New York, NY: Dial Books, 1992. Pinkney, Andrea Davis, and J. Brian Pinkney. Sit-in: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2010. Ringgold, Faith. If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1999. *Shelton, Paula Young, and Raúl Colón. Child of the Civil Rights Movement. New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2010. Shore, Diane ZuHone, Jessica Alexander, and James Ransome. This Is the Dream. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 2006. Stotts, Stuart, Terrance Cummings, and Pete Seeger. We Shall Overcome: A Song That Changed the World. Boston, MA: Clarion Books, 2010. Tackach, James. Brown V. Board of Education. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books, 1998. Turck, Mary. Freedom Song: Young Voices and the Struggle for Civil Rights. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press, 2009. Juvenile Publications: Fiction Armstrong, William H., and James Barkley. Sounder. New York, NY: Harper & Row, 1969. Burg, Shana. A Thousand Never Evers. New York, NY: Delacorte Press, 2008. The black residents, including seventh-grader Addie Ann Pickett, in the small town of Kuckachoo, Mississippi, begin their own courageous struggle for racial justice in 1963. Coleman, Evelyn. White Socks Only. [Illinois]: Albert Whitman & Co., 1996. Grades 3 and up, picture book, contains some violent content. Crowe, Chris. Mississippi Trial, 1955. New York, NY: P. Fogelman Books, 2002. In 1955, a sixteen-year-old from Mississippi finds himself at odds with his grandfather over issues surrounding the kidnapping and murder of a fourteen-year-old African American from Chicago. Draper, Sharon M. Fire from the Rock. New York, NY: Dutton Children’s Books, 2007. In 1957, Sylvia Patterson’s life is disrupted when she is selected to be one of the first black students to attend the previously all white school of Central High in Little Rock, AR. Hooks, Bell. Skin Again. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children, 2004. Kindergarten – 5th grade, picture book. Magoon, Kekla. The Rock and the River. New York, NY: Aladdin, 2009. In 1968 Chicago, fourteen-year-old Sam Childs is caught in a conflict between his father’s nonviolent approach to seeking civil rights for African Americans and his older brother, who has joined the Black Panther Party. Note provided by Worldcat. *Nelson, Marilyn. A Wreath for Emmett Till. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2005. Poetry, grades 9 and up Winslow, Vicki. Follow the Leader. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1997. Audio/DVD/Video Audio/DVD/video resources marked with an asterisk (*) are traveling with the educational materials for this exhibit. Chafe, William Henry. Remembering Jim Crow: African Americans Tell About Life in the Segregated South. New York, NY: New Press, 2001. 2 Discs *Holiday, Billie, et al. Let Freedom Sing: The Music of the Civil Rights Movement. [New York]: Time Life, 2009. 3 Discs Sing for Freedom: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Its Songs. Washington, DC: Smithsonian/Folkways Records, 1990. Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings, and Smithsonian Institution. Voices of the Civil Rights Movement Black American Freedom Songs, 1960-1966. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways, 1997. *SOFA Entertainment, Motown. Motown Gold from the Ed Sullivan Show. Miami Beach, Florida: Sofa Entertainment, 2011. Dickoff, Micki, and Tony Pagano. Neshoba: The Price of Freedom. New York, NY: First Run Features, 2010. This film tells the story of a Mississippi town still divided about the meaning of justice, 40 years after the murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, an event dramatized in the Oscar-winning film Mississippi Burning. *Documania Films, Sierra/Tango Productions, CBS News Productions, Team Video Productions (Firm), History Channel (Television network), New Video Group, Black Audio Film Collective, British Broadcasting Corporation, Arts and Entertainment Network, and ABC News Productions. Voices of Civil Rights. [New York, NY]: History Channel, 2008. 2 Discs. Elwood, William A., Mykola Kulish, and Steven A. Jones. The Road to Brown. San Francisco, CA: California Newsreel [distributor], 2004. The Road to Brown presents the role of Charles Hamilton Houston in the cases which led to the landmark Supreme Court case of Brown vs. Board of Education. The film gives a history of segregation, Jim Crow Laws, the NAACP, and biographical information on persons influential in the desegregation movement. Greenberg, Bob, et al. Amos ‘n’ Andy: Anatomy of a Controversy. [Chicago, IL]: International Historic Films, 2004 (1983). This film takes a look at the controversial radio and television show and attempts to determine if the series was a positive first step for Blacks into the world of entertainment or not. It examines the role of the NAACP in the show’s removal from the airwaves in 1966. *Hampton, Henry, and Julian Bond. Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years 1954-1965. Alexandria, VA: PBS Video, 2005 (1987). This film tells the story of the civil rights era from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions launched a movement that changed the fabric of American life, and embodied a struggle whose reverberations continue to be felt today. Kaelin, J. C., and Madeline Anderson. Black Civil Rights Films. [United States]: Earthstation1.com, 2004. Ranging from 1937 to 1965, this compilation DVD includes 10 short films on the Black experience in America. Let Freedom Sing: How Music Inspired the Civil Rights Movement. [S.I.]: Time Life Entertainment, 2009. Nelson, Stanley, Laurens Grant, Raymond Arsenault, and Tom Phillips. American Experience: Freedom Riders. [United States]: PBS Distribution, 2011. Riggs, Marlon. Vivian Kleiman, Producer. Color Adjustment. DVD and Educational Streaming, 1991. Color Adjustment traces 40 years of race relations through the lens of prime time entertainment, scrutinizing television’s racial myths and stereotypes. Sturman, Guttentag and Dah. Danny Glover, Producer. Soundtrack for a Revolution. PBS Distribution, 2011. DVD, 1 Disc. Hear protest songs that energized the U.S. civil rights movement, with original performances by John Legend, Joss Stone, Blind Boys of Alabama, Richie Havens, Mary Mary, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots. Soundtrack for a Revolution, produced by Danny Glover, blends archival footage of civil rights leaders in the 1950s and ’60s with current interviews from those who were there: Harry Belafonte, Andrew Young, John Lewis, and Julian Bond, and more. For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights – Online Exhibition Dedicated to the original For All the World to See exhibition, this site features images and text from the show, helpful educational resources (activities and lessons plans), and film suggestions. For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights, Curator Tour, WNET Sunday Arts, 1 August 2010 Curator Maurice Berger’s Emmy Award–nominated tour of For All the World to See on the New York public television program, Sunday Arts, with a tour by curator Maurice Berger. American Treasures of the Library of Congress – Online Exhibition This site shows images from the civil rights struggle by Danny Lyon, the first staff photographer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Black Film Center/Archive – Indiana University, Bloomington The Black Film Center/Archive is a repository of films and related materials by and about African Americans and maintains a database of over 8,000 films. Visit the website to see early short films or to browse the film and photography collection by name, title, or director. Brown v. Board of Education – National Park Service Learn about the story and people of Brown v. Board of Education, which ended legal segregation in public schools. The “For Teachers” section provides curriculum materials, a link to available guest speakers, and additional web resources. “For Kids” provides educational activities for children. Civil Right Movement Veterans An excellent website for commentary and images of the civil rights movement. The Civil Rights Project The Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles seeks to renew the civil rights movement by bridging the worlds of ideas and action and to deepen the understanding of the issues that must be resolved to achieve racial and ethnic equity as society moves through the great transformation of the 21st century. The website provides recent K–12 research in civil rights and diversity, links to civil rights organizations and legal search engines, information about publications, and research tools. The Gordon Parks Museum – Center for Culture and Diversity This center celebrates the life and work of Gordon Parks, and uses his life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives. The website provides a timeline and biography, as well as lists of the artist’s films and books. I Am a Man – From Memphis, A Lesson in Life (Documentary) Watch the documentary I Am a Man, featuring Elmore Nickleberry, who was one of the African American workers who went on strike in 1968 to protest the discrimination by the Memphis, Tennessee, sanitation department. Also, download the documentary curriculum guide. This interactive history museum located in Charlotte, North Carolina, explores post-Civil War ideas, people and places of the New South. Little Rock Central High School – National Park Service Learn about the historic events of desegregation that took place at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. The site provides information about the Little Rock Nine (the students that desegregated the school in 1957) and the history of the school. Also view photographs and short video segments from the park’s oral history collection. Click “For Teachers” and “For Kids” for curriculum materials, guest speakers, activities, and other resources. The Museum of Broadcast Communications – Resources/ Civil Rights Collection K–12 teachers and students can see or hear 217 television and radio programs documenting the struggle for civil rights in America. This free online resource features a searchable database and on-demand video and audio programs. This website features Moving Image Source (a guide to the best online resources related to film, television, and digital media) and The Living Room Candidate (presidential campaign commercials from 1952 to 2008; includes links to lesson plans and other online resources). The website features several news and media lesson plans for elementary, middle school, and high school students. Suggested lesson plans include News Confusion: What is News? and Today’s Front Pages. Find other useful civil rights resources here. The Paley Center for Media This section of the Paley Center website discusses television’s role in the struggle for American civil rights. Click on “Get up! Stand up! The Civil Rights Movement and Television” for an engaging lesson plan. Also view two broadcasts from 1961: Walk in My Shoes (ABC) and Who Speaks for Birmingham (CBS). The Power of Pictures in the Struggle for Civil Rights – NPR Curator Maurice Berger discusses the focus of the exhibition For All the World to See. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture – New York Public Library The Schomburg Center has collected, preserved, and provided access to materials documenting black life, and promoted the study and interpretation of the history and culture of peoples of African descent. The website features online exhibition, digitized books, image and illustrations, audio/visual resources, and selected links. A Soundtrack for a Revolution – American Experience (PBS) This PBS program tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music. Special features of the program’s website include timelines of the movement, related books and websites, and lyrics of freedom songs. Teaching Tolerance – Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice (Lesson Plans) Each lesson of this twelve-lesson series focuses on a contemporary social justice issue. The lessons are multidisciplinary and geared toward middle and high school students. Suggested activities: Exposing Racism, Confronting Unjust Practices, and Advertisements Promoting Activism. Unity Productions Foundation The mission of this non-profit is to “work for peace through the media.” Explore how they achieve this through documentary films, dialogues and engaging Hollywood. Educational Museum Activities Download these activities here. Activity One: In Our Lives, we are… Age Appropriateness: grades 4 and up Time Needed: 1 –2 hours, with some pre-visit preparation Introduction: For All The World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights explores the notion that at its worst, media can narrowly define us. At its best, media can motivate, inspire, and produce social change. This activity may require pre-registration so that you can adequately prepare participants. Registered participants are invited to bring in 5 -10 photos (or photocopied pictures) that they feel “help tell the story of who I am.” Required Materials: Several copies of recent magazines that represent a wide array of backgrounds. This might include AARP publications; fashion magazines like Seventeen, Redbook, Glamour, Vogue; parenting magazines; travel and leisure magazines; sports magazines like ESPN and Sports Illustrated; fitness magazines; pictorial and news magazines like TIME, Newsweek, People, Essence, Ebony; and business magazines like Black Enterprise, Forbes, Business Week, etc. Optional: internet access and printer for participants to download and print online images Scissors and glue sticks for each participant Heavy card stock paper, 8 1/2 x 11” If participants have brought in their own photographs, you may consider making photocopies of these before beginning the project. Program Directions: Ask participants their thoughts about the last section of the exhibit, entitled “In Our Lives We are Whole: Snapshots from Everyday Life.” Ask them how they felt at the end of the exhibit. Did the conclusion offer a sense of optimism? Contrast this section of the exhibit with other sections that focused on either negative or extremely narrow castings of an entire group of people. What do the photographs we keep at home, often considered that one item we would run back in to a burning house to retrieve, contribute to our lives and our identities? In an era of media saturation, we continue to be bombarded with images that don’t give accurate representation of who we are at our most personal level. These images create expectations for both young and old, for people of all backgrounds – that we should strive, even as a complex and diverse group of people, to model our appearance, our finances, our politics, and our livelihoods after media subjects and representations. In this activity, participants will have an opportunity to examine and graphically illustrate print media’s version of who they are or should be. The cover of this collage project represents exterior expectations placed on individuals by the media world; the inside pages display the true richness of the individual through the incorporation of personal photographs and/or statements. Symbolic images and graphic statements cutout from print media could also be added to the collage. To begin, participants should locate an image from a magazine or online source that perpetuates an “ideal” standard or extremely narrow interpretation of an individual or social group similar to the participant’s own. Instruct the participant to study the image and note their initial emotional reaction. Is this image, this personification of your social group achievable? Is it accurate and representative? What kind of message is the visual image trying to communicate to the public? What does it communicate to you, the participant? Next, instruct participants to fold the sides of length-wise paper inwards, creasing as the edges meet in the middle– in essence, they are creating a “double door.” Participants will then paste the “ideal” images on the outside. They can also use words or phrases that represent expectations or negative messages. The interior of the folded paper will contain images (from the participants own collection), words and phrases that give life to the richness of the true individual. Consider displaying these collages in an adjacent gallery with the participant’s permission. Activity Two: I AM Age Appropriateness: grades 4 & up Time Needed: 1-2 hours Introduction: From curator Maurice Berger: “The stark “I AM A MAN” poster was published shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. It stands as a tribute to the slain leader, a poignant reminder of the continued urgency of the struggle he died for. The design paid homage to the placards carried by black sanitation workers in the strike that brought Dr. King to Memphis on the day of his murder in April 1968, an event immortalized in a now iconic photograph by Ernest C. Withers.” This activity explores the messages that we express about ourselves and the character traits that enable change. Participants will recreate a history-based and personal version of the “I AM A MAN” placard with an accompanying creative piece. 2 pieces of heavy card stock paper for each participant Pencils and markers Stencils of block letters (optional) Display mechanism Program Directions Take program participants back through the exhibit to review section 3: “Let the World See What I’ve Seen”: Evidence and Persuasion. Target the Memphis sanitation workers photo by Ernest Withers. Begin a discussion about this photo by asking open-ended questions like: “What do you see in this photo?” “What do you see that makes you say that?” Return participants to program room and inform them that they will be completing their own placard. Recount the history behind the original poster: In February of 1968, two African American Sanitation Workers in Memphis, Tennessee were crushed to death by the compactor mechanism on their trash truck. In a separate incident occurring the same day, 22 African American sewer workers were sent home without pay because of inclement weather while their white supervisors remained at work. About 2 weeks later, over 1,000 black sanitation workers in Memphis began to strike for better pay, safer working conditions, and union recognition. They created signs displaying the message “I Am a Man” in hopes that their humanity and dignity would be recognized. Have students pick one of the Civil Rights activists or legends featured in the exhibit whom they admire. Examples might include: a Memphis sanitation worker, Emmett Till, Malcolm X, Jackie Robinson, Gordon Parks, etc. Then, have participants select one character trait that this individual exemplifies. Examples might include: brave, determined, loyal, patient, passionate, courageous, innocent, strong, etc. On one side of the card stock paper, instruct participants to take 5-10 minutes to write about how this individual displayed this trait during the Civil Rights movement. Then on the opposite side, in the block letter style of the “I AM A MAN” placard, have participants write: “___(insert civil rights activist’s name)____ WAS ___(insert character trait)______. Example: JACKIE ROBINSON WAS COURAGEOUS. For the second half of this activity, ask participants to think of a time that they witnessed injustice, discrimination, or hatred. For younger participants, injustice defined is: acts or conditions that cause people to suffer hardship or loss undeservedly. A violation of a person’s rights; the term can also refer to unfair treatment of another or others: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Martin Luther King, Jr.). Writing prompts could include: Did you ever witness bullying in school, on the bus, or in your neighborhood? Have you ever seen someone being mistreated? When you look around your school or community, what seems unfair to you? On the second piece of card stock paper, have each participant take 5-10 minutes to write about their personal experiences with injustice. Next, ask participants what they can do to stop this kind of injustice from occurring again. Encourage them to look for examples in the behavior and actions of individuals from the civil rights movement. What trait would they need to possess or practice to combat injustice or unfairness? Once they have determined this trait, have them turn the second piece of card stock paper over. On the back side (opposite their personal stories) have each participant write (again in the block letter style of the “I AM A MAN” placard): “I WILL BE ___(insert character trait they will try to adopt to stop injustice)_______.” The result should be two graphically similar placards that can be displayed next to each other for a powerful reminder of the work we are called to do as members of a community. Example: JACKIE ROBINSON WAS COURAGEOUS. I WILL BE STRONG or EMMETT TILL WAS INNOCENT. I WILL BE WATCHFUL. Participants can choose to NOT have their pieces displayed. Follow-up questions: How does it feel to make a statement on paper, “for all the world to see,” instead of verbally? What is the difference? Quick Craft: Mobile Messages Time Needed: 1 hour Introduction: From curator Maurice Berger: “Civil rights activists often turned to portable images—buttons, decals, brochures, comic books, and other artifacts—to disseminate persuasive messages meant to incite action or enthusiasm for political causes. These objects represented a variety of political causes, and include the campaign materials of black politicians as well as the broadsides of civil rights organizations. Their need to attract attention and their disposable nature inspired adventurous, spirited, and creative use of graphic design.” During this activity, participants will create a graphic message on a button, bumper sticker, poster, or leaflet representing a cause they are passionate about. Materials (for each participant) Button maker. To purchase, see: http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/nsi/nsi33109.htm?source=froogle Blank bumper stickers. To purchase see: http://www.amazon.com/Glossy-White-Sheets-Bumper-Sticker/dp/B0043FWG7S 8 ½ x 11” paper (for brochure) 11 x 17” card stock paper (for poster) Markers, colored pencils, etc. Stamps and stamp pads, stencils (optional) Invite your visitors to revisit the section of the exhibit that focuses on portable messages (Section 3), specifically those objects that were made specifically for the March on Washington. Ask participants, “What stands out about these objects? Why were they used? Why were they effective?” Ask if anyone has something similar to these at home that they have saved as souvenir from participation in a social or political movement. Why did they keep the object? What does it mean to him/her? Ask each participant to think about a cause that is important to them. Ask stimulating questions like, “When you look at the world around you, what are you passionate about changing?” or “If you could change one thing about our community, what would it be?” Prior to designing their message, direct participants to create a word web. In a word web, they begin with placing a word or two describing their chosen cause in the middle of the paper. Outlying words circulate around the center words as new ideas, concepts, and descriptors emerge. It is similar to a flow-of-consciousness exercise. On an additional piece of paper or on the back side of the word web paper, ask participants to begin sketching symbols that represent their word web concept. Have participants choose a design format to convey their message. They can choose from a button, bumper sticker, poster, or leaflet. Follow-up questions: “Where would you display your mobile message?” “How would you promote it?” “Who would you hope sees your mobile message?” and “How has social media changed our ability to get the message out?” MAY 17: The U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimously ruled in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas that public school segregation was unconstitutional and paved the way for desegregation. The decision overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that said “separate educational facilities were inherently unequal.” AUGUST 27: While visiting family in Mississippi, fourteen-year-old Chicagoan Emmett Till was kidnapped, brutally beaten, shot and dumped in the Tallahatchie River for allegedly whistling at a white woman. Two white men, J. W. Milam and Roy Bryant, were arrested for the murder and acquitted by an all-white jury. They later boasted about committing the murder in a Look magazine interview. The case became a cause célèbre of the civil rights movement. DECEMBER 1: Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat at the front of the “colored section” of a bus in Montgomery, Ala., to a white passenger, defying a southern custom of the time. In response to her arrest, the Montgomery black community launched a bus boycott that lasted over a year until the buses desegregated on Dec. 21, 1956. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the newly elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), was instrumental in leading the boycott. FEBRUARY 14: The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, comprised of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Charles K. Steele and Fred L. Shuttlesworth, was established. King was the organization’s first president. The SCLC proved to be a major force in organizing the civil rights movement with a principle base of nonviolence and civil disobedience. SEPTEMBER 2: Integration was easier said than done at the formerly all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. Nine black students, who became known as the “Little Rock Nine,” were blocked from entering the school on the orders of Arkansas Governor Orval Fabus. President Eisenhower sent federal troops and the National Guard to intervene on behalf of the students, but a federal judge granted an injunction against the governor’s use of National Guard troops to prevent integration. They were withdrawn on Sept. 20, 1957. FEBRUARY 1: Four black university students from N.C. A&T University began a sit-in at a segregated F.W. Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C. Although they were refused service, they were allowed to stay at the counter. The event triggered similar nonviolent protests throughout the South. Six months later, the original four protesters are served lunch at the same Woolworth’s counter. APRIL: The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was founded at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., providing young blacks with a more prominent place in the civil rights movement. OCTOBER 1: James Meredith became the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. President Kennedy sent 5,000 federal troops to contain the violence and riots surrounding the incident. JUNE 12: Mississippi’s NAACP field secretary, 37-year-old Medgar Evers, was murdered outside his home in Jackson, Miss. Byron De La Beckwith was tried twice in 1964, both trials resulting in hung juries. Thirty years later, he was convicted of murdering Evers. AUGUST 28: More than 250,000 people join in the March on Washington. Congregating at the Lincoln Memorial, participants listened as Martin Luther King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. SEPTEMBER 15: Four young girls attending Sunday school were killed when a bomb exploded at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, a popular location for civil rights meetings. Riots erupted in Birmingham, Ala., leading to the deaths of two more black youth. JANUARY 23: The 24th Amendment abolished the poll tax, which had originally been instituted in 11 southern states. The poll tax made it difficult for blacks to vote. MAY 4 (FREEDOM SUMMER): The Mississippi Freedom Summer Project was organized in 1964 by the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), a coalition of four civil rights organizations: the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE); the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The project was to carry out a unified voter registration program in the state of Mississippi. The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) began sending student volunteers on bus trips to test the implementation of new laws prohibiting segregation in interstate travel facilities. One of the first two groups of “Freedom Riders,” as they are called, encountered its first problem two weeks later when a mob in Alabama sets the riders’ bus on fire. The program continued and by the end of the summer, more than 1,000 volunteers, black and white, participated. JULY 2: President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act prohibited discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion or national origin. The law allowed the federal government to enforce desegregation and prohibits discrimination in public facilities, in government and in employment. The “Jim Crow” laws in the South were abolished, and it became illegal to compel segregation of the races in schools, housing or hiring. Enforcement powers were initially weak, but they grew over the years, and later programs, such as affirmative action, were made possible by the Act. Title VII of the Act established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). AUGUST 4: The bodies of three civil-rights workers—two white, one black—were found in an earthen dam. James E. Chaney, 21; Andrew Goodman, 21; and Michael Schwerner, 24, had been working to register black voters in Mississippi, and on June 21, went to investigate the burning of a black church. They were arrested by the police on speeding charges, incarcerated for several hours, and released after dark into the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, who murdered them. FEBRUARY 21 MALCOLM X Assassinated. MARCH (The Selma to Montgomery Marches): The Selma to Montgomery marches, which included Bloody Sunday, were actually three marches that marked the political and emotional peak of the American civil rights movement. MARCH 7 (Bloody Sunday): Blacks began a march to Montgomery in support of voting rights, but were stopped at the Edmund Pettus Bridge by a police blockade in Selma, Ala. State troopers and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, some mounted on horseback, awaited them. In the presence of the news media, the lawmen attacked the peaceful demonstrators with billy clubs, tear gas, and bull whips, driving them back into Selma. The incident was dubbed “Bloody Sunday” by the national media, with each of the three networks interrupting telecasts to broadcast footage from the horrific incident. The march was considered the catalyst for pushing through the Voting Rights Act five months later. MARCH 9: Ceremonial Action within 48 hours, demonstrations in support of the marchers, were held in 80 cities and thousands of religious and lay leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, flew to Selma. He called for people across the country to join him. Hundreds responded to his call, shocked by what they had seen on television. However, to prevent another outbreak of violence, marchers attempted to gain a court order that would prohibit the police from interfering. Instead of issuing the court order, Federal District Court Judge Frank Minis Johnson issued a restraining order, preventing the march from taking place until he could hold additional hearings later in the week. On March 9, Dr. King led a group again to the Edmund Pettus Bridge where they knelt, prayed and to the consternation of some, returned to Brown Chapel. That night, a Northern minister who was in Selma to march, was killed by white vigilantes. MARCH 21-25 (Selma to Montgomery March): Under protection of a federalized National Guard, voting rights advocates left Selma on March 21, and stood 25,000 strong on March 25 before the state capitol in Montgomery. As a direct consequence of these events, the US Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, guaranteeing every American 21 years old and over the right to register to vote. AUGUST 10: Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, making it easier for Southern blacks to register to vote. Literacy tests, poll taxes and other such requirements that were used to restrict black voting were made illegal. SEPTEMBER 24: President Lyndon Johnson issued Executive Order 11246 to enforce affirmative action for the first time because he believed asserting civil rights laws were not enough to remedy discrimination. It required government contractors to “take affirmative action” toward prospective minority employees in all aspects of hiring and employment. JUNE 12: In Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court ruled that prohibiting interracial marriage was unconstitutional. Sixteen states that still banned interracial marriage at the time were forced to revise their laws. AUGUST 30: Senate confirmed President Lyndon Johnson’s appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first African American Justice of the US Supreme Court after he served for two years as a Solicitor General of the United States. APRIL 4: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., at age 39, was shot as he was standing on the balcony outside his hotel room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. Escaped convict and committed racist James Earl Ray was convicted of the crime. The networks then broadcast President Johnson’s statement in which he called for Americans to “reject the blind violence,” yet cities were ignited from coast to coast. APRIL 11: President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing. Lessons for Educators Lesson 1 includes the following. Download it here. Representations in Media curriculum The ME in MEdia curriculum “Analyzing Historical Photographs” worksheet “The ME in MEdia” worksheet Approaches to Social Change curriculum Character Education: Understanding Stereotypes curriculum “Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination In Focus” worksheet

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The Journal of Military History Leonard Wood: Rough Rider, Surgeon, Architect of American Imperialism (review) Edward M. Coffman Society for Military History 10.1353/jmh.2006.0084 Leonard Wood: Rough Rider, Surgeon, Architect of American Imperialism Leonard Wood: Rough Rider, Surgeon, Architect of American Imperialism. By Jack McCallum. New York: New York University Press, 2005. ISBN 0-8147-56999-9. Photographs. Notes. Bibliography. Index. Pp. 355. $34.95. In the two decades between the Spanish-American War and World War I, Leonard Wood's fame skyrocketed as he led the Rough Riders in battle, then established himself as an oustanding colonial administrator in Cuba and in the Philippines, and, as Chief of Staff, shook up the War Department bureaucracy, and became involved in national politics. Denied command in the American Expeditionary Forces in the First World War, he consoled himself by making a run for the Republican presidential nomination in 1920. In this biography, Dr. McCallum brings his own medical background as well as an objective approach to the task. With a medical degree from Harvard, Wood joined the Army as a contract doctor in 1885. In the closing days of the Apache wars, his courage, stamina, and willingness to take command of troops as he accompanied a small expedition into Mexico earned him the Medal of Honor. Intelligent, physically tough, and hard working, Wood also possessed a charisma that later attracted many admirers among younger officers and, more significantly, Theodore Roosevelt (TR). When the Spanish War began, he and Roosevelt led the Rough Riders to Cuba. After the surrender, as a brigadier general of volunteers, he was given absolute authority over Santiago where he established order, put sanitary rules into effect, paved the streets, and got the populace on their feet economically within three months. He might show up anywhere at any time to see how his plans were being carried out. A ruthless self-promoter, he soon got his superior deposed—then he governed all of Cuba. Congress gave him a regular army commission as a brigadier general and, not long after TR became president, Wood received a second star. In the Philippines, as administrator over the Moros, he decided that force was necessary. Accordingly, he authorized and led campaigns that slaughtered virtually [End Page 523] all the inhabitants of recalcitrant villages. By this time, Wood's harsh, dictatorial methods and his obvious arrogance toward the people he ruled had begun to make enemies in the United States. He had already made enemies of nearly all of the older officers who had been senior to him before his meteoric rise in rank. When he became Chief of Staff, he vigorously defended the War Department General Staff against a powerful bureau chief. In this section, as well as the one on the Moros, the author's coverage would have benefited from consulting additional secondary sources. During World War I, Wood's overt opposition to President Wilson, his lameness, and Pershing's brutally blunt recommendation kept him from command in France. After the failure of his heavily financed run for the Republican presidential nomination in 1920, Wood returned to the Philippines where he wound up his career as an anachronistic colonial administrator. This is a good, balanced biography of a remarkable man who played a significant role not only in the emergence of the United States as a world power but also in the accompanying transformation of the Army. Emeritus, University of Wisconsin–Madison Copyright © 2006 Society for Military History Archived 2010

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The Museum of Military Medicine Travel Through British Army Medical History Researching Individuals Useful Research Links Research Enquires Society Talks History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Until the end of the 18th century there was no veterinary service at all in the British Army. Farriers, contracted by the British government, were responsible for shoeing Army horses and providing medicine and general care. However, continual heavy losses of horses during the military campaigns of the late 18th century led to the decision in 1796 that veterinary surgeons for the army should be recruited from the newly formed London Veterinary College. For the first 82 years of its existence the veterinary service in the army was organised entirely on a regimental basis. Veterinary surgeons were directly recruited into cavalry regiments and wore the uniform of the regiments they joined. There was no provision for the care of sick or lame horses when regiments were on the move and sick animals were either abandoned or became stragglers at the rear. The Peninsular War was the first time that an attempt was made to deal with this problem and sick horse depots were established. As with medical provision for the soldiers, the veterinary care of horses during the Crimean War was wholly inadequate. There was no co-ordination between veterinary officers and no proper system for treating sick and injured horses. Many horses died as a result of poor management during transport by sea, the severe winters of 1854 and 1855 also resulted in many deaths as well as the fact that veterinary equipment and medicines were inadequate even by the standards of the day. Under the administration of James Collins, Principal Veterinary Surgeon between 1876 and 1883, the regimental system of employing veterinary officers was finally abolished. In 1880 the Army Veterinary School was formed at Aldershot where combatant officers were trained in the care and management of Army animals, the selection of remounts and basic veterinary first aid. The school also trained veterinary officers in military duties and particularly the tropical diseases that were prevalent in army animals. The Army Veterinary Department was formed in 1881 and from then on the conditions for veterinary surgeons improved and by 1890 the Department had a serving officer as its head. Boer War 1899-1902 The enormous animal losses during the Boer War highlighted the problems that the veterinary officers were already aware of. In 1898 provision for the care of sick and injured animals was removed from the revised war establishment and the British Army left for South Africa without any efficient veterinary provision. Against professional advice, the remount depots and veterinary hospitals were combined and inevitably there was a rapid spread of diseases such as glanders, epizootic lymphangitis and mange, which was hugely detrimental to the army’s operational efficiency. Improvements came too late and 326,000 horses and 51,000 mules were lost, with only a small minority as a result of enemy action. Formation of the Army Veterinary Corps (AVC) Following the mistakes from the Boer War there was huge pressure for the reform of the Army Veterinary Service from all quarters including the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, politicians and the general public. In 1903 a Warrant created an Army Veterinary Corps of NCOs and men employed in veterinary duties and in 1906 it combined with the Army Veterinary Department to become recognisable as the RAVC of today. In 1907, Major General Sir Frederick Smith became Director General and was dedicated to improving the efficiency of the AVC, reorganising the territorial force and introducing modern veterinary equipment. At the outbreak of World War One there were 364 AVC officers (Regular and Reserve) during the war a further 1,306 were commission and by 1918 almost half of the veterinary surgeons in Great Britain were serving in the AVC. In addition to officers, the expansion of other ranks rose from 934 to 41,755. Mobile veterinary sections were established to evacuate sick and wounded animals to the veterinary hospitals where they could be treated. A typical veterinary hospital in France could take 2,000 patients. Most animals suffered from battle injuries, debility, exhaustion, mange and, for the first time, gas attacks. The success rate was high; two and a half million animals were hospitalised in France and of those 2 million were returned for duty, the remainder were either sold locally or slaughtered for human consumption. In Egypt there were also separate camel hospitals under the command of AVC officers with specialised knowledge of camels. Other innovations included the establishment of four schools of farriery. Although dogs were used as messengers across the trenches of World War One the AVC was not directly involved. On 27 November 1918 King George V conferred the Royal prefix to the Corps in recognition of the work of the AVC In a letter of congratulations the Quartermaster General wrote, ‘The Corps by its initiative and scientific methods has placed military veterinary organisation on a higher plane. The high standard which it has maintained at home and throughout all theatres has resulted in a reduction of animal wastage, an increased mobility of mounted units and a mitigation of animal suffering un-approached in any previous military operation.’ Following World War One the RAVC underwent rapid demobilisation and as mechanisation progressed the RAVC reduced in size. In 1938 the Army Veterinary School in Aldershot closed after 48 years. At the outbreak of World War Two there were 85 officers (59 of whom were in India) and 105 soldiers, this increased over the course of the war to a total of 519 officers and 3,939 other ranks. Even with the increased mechanisation of World War Two horses and mules were still essential means of transport, most notably in Palestine and the Italian campaign where terrain made it impossible for vehicles. In 1942 the strength of military animals was 6,500 horses, 10,000 mules and 1,700 camels. The RAVC also had a presence in Greece, Eritrea and Syria and, as well as pack transport, were responsible for the local provision of livestock for slaughter, meat inspection and the rearing of livestock. The Italian campaign was the only one where RAVC units operated in the dual role of evacuating animal casualties and issuing replacements. In addition to the mules shipped over from North Africa and the Middle East there were almost 11,000 mules purchased in Sicily and Southern Italy. Battle casualties among mules in Italy were higher than had been anticipated, whilst losses from infection and contagious diseases were lower. As well as horses and mules, in Burma General Wingate also used bullocks, which were utilised as pack animals but were also ‘meat on the hoof’. Elephants were also used as transport and forest clearance. Because of the nature of the campaign in Burma, animals receiving serious battle wounds could not be evacuated with the result that many that might have recovered had to be shot. In 1942 the Army Veterinary and Remount Service became responsible for the procurement of dogs for all services and the War Dog Training School was established. In the aftermath of World War Two, the RAVC was involved in many countries, notably Germany, Austria, Greece, Burma and Malaya, in the disposal of surplus animals, the prevention of the spread of disease and animal husbandry. The RAVC also required a permanent depot and moved to the old Remount Depot at Melton Mowbray in 1946, where it remains to this day as the Defence Animal Centre. The RAVC did not fall to pre-war levels as World War Two had highlighted the role of dogs, which took over from horses and mules as the main military animal (the last operational pack transport unit was eventually disbanded in Hong Kong in 1976 although recent operations in Afghanistan have questioned the need for pack transport in difficult terrain). In Malaya and Borneo, during the 1950s and 1960s, dogs worked as tracker dogs seeking out insurgents. In Northern Ireland dogs have worked as arms and explosive search dogs seeking out terrorist arms and explosives, a role they are also carrying out in Iraq, and in Hong Kong dogs were trained to detect and apprehend illegal immigrants. However the main role is still one of protection reducing the number of soldiers needed for guard duties. The RAVC has permanent dog units in Northern Ireland, England, Germany and Cyprus. The RAVC is one of the smallest Corps in the British Army yet provides invaluable support to the Army’s animals and serves worldwide with them today. Keogh Barracks GU12 5RQ Corps History RAMC RAVC RADC QARANC © 2020 The Museum of Military Medicine. An Independent Museum and registered charity no. 1171026.

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September 2015 : Page 1 In this issue of Total Guitar : Ideal for anyone wanting to become a guitarist as well as keep up to date with all the latest products and music news, every issue of Total Guitar magazine features product reviews, artist profiles and interviews as well as techniques and tutorial pages. Total Guitar magazine features all music from Rock, Acoustic, Punk, Blues, Classic Rock and Metal, as well as detailed profiles of guitarists and their specific playing styles. Total Guitar is aimed at players who would like to learn how to play guitar, with dedicated beginner tutorials in acoustic and electric guitar, as well as helping those who can already play guitar to develop their playing style and learn new techniques and songs. With a big focus on tuition, every issue features an expert gear reviews section that looks at the latest guitar equipment including guitars, amplifiers, pedals and accessories. Total Guitar also contains many exclusive interviews with guitarists from all kinds of genres and levels of playing, and has an in-depth features section. The Learn To Play section of Total Guitar magazine covers songs from beginner level through to intermediate. With Readly you can read Total Guitar (issue September 2015) and thousands of other magazines on your tablet and smartphone. Get access to all with just one subscription. New releases and back issues – all included. www.musicradar.com /totalguitar/ Future Publishing Limited www.futureplc.com/

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The Story of Bode Thomas, The Iconic Nigerian Lawyer Who Died Barking Like A Dog After Insulting A King Chief Bode Thomas via @NigMuseum Few in Nigeria’s socio-political history rose swiftly on the ladder of prominence yet died not in the evening of their lives but rather in the noon when there was so much more to do. This was the case of Olabode Akanbi Thomas, popularly known as Chief Bode Thomas. Bode Thomas, born October 1919, died tragically on November 23, 1953, under curious circumstances aged just 34. The day was also his daughter’s second birthday, thus, bringing joy and pain to the Bode household. A day prior, on November 22, 1953, Bode, who had been made the chairman of the Oyo Divisional Council having taken over from Alaafin Adeyemi II, arrived at a meeting of the council with the Oba (king) in attendance as a member. The report holds that all the other councillors, except Oba Adeyemi in his 60s, stood to welcome him. Bode Thomas then impolitely told the king “why were you sitting when I walked in? Why can’t you show me respect?” The Alaafin, feeling disrespected, asked Bode Thomas “shey emi on gbo mo baun? emi ni ongbo bi aja mo baun” meaning “is it me you are barking at like that?’ is it me you are barking like a dog at like that? keep barking.” Various accounts further hold that Bode Thomas, upon reaching home after the meeting in Oyo, started barking through the night at his Yaba, Lagos home. He died the following day (November 23, 1953) despite being sent to Ijebu-Igbo for further treatment. Alaafin Adeyemi II and Obafemi Awolowo via Filopost.com Bode Thomas, being a chief himself, must have known the time-held Yoruba practice of respecting the elderly and traditional authority as he and Alaafin Aderemi II were Yorubas. However, it appears the two not seeing eye to eye had to do with power-play regarding tax mobilization, political party support, and rights of traditional authority. Political leader Obafemi Awolowo had established the Action Group to wrestle power from the British with Bode Thomas as deputy leader. The Alaafin, one of the few highly placed men of Yoruba extraction, rather threw his weight behind Nnamdi Azikiwe and the National Council of Nigerians and the Cameroons (NCNC). There had been a test of powers of sorts with Alaafin on one hand and Awolowo and Bode Thomas on the other. The rift led to banishing of the Oba’s son, the death of Bode Thomas and the dethronement of the Alaafin by Awolowo. Bode Thomas was Nigeria’s first Minister of Transportation and later Minister of Works. He also served as both a colonial minister of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria and a nobleman and privy counsellor of the historic Oyo clan of Yorubaland. He was Balogun of Oyo – a royal name given to a village’s warhead although it can also mean one who can’t be defeated or conquered. He received the Balogun title in 1949. Bode Thomas was instrumental in the fight for self-rule against the British serving as a lawyer, politician, statesman, and traditional aristocrat. He was born to Andrew Thomas, a wealthy trader, and auctioneer who was originally from Oyo but migrated to Lagos. He studied law in London and was called to the bar in 1942. He subsequently returned to Nigeria to establish the law firm “Thomas, Williams and Kayode” in 1948, together with Chief Frederick Rotimi Williams and Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode. Among his other feats, he became the legal adviser of Egbe Omo Oduduwa in 1946. He was one of the founding members of the Action Group. Prior to joining Action Group, he was a successful Lagos lawyer and was a member of the Nigerian Youth Movement. With Thomas’ style, he was regarded as brilliant, logical, astute, thoughtful, forward-looking and a workaholic. On the downside, he was viewed as arrogant, hot-tempered and a bully. Bode Thomas married Lucretia Shobola Odunsi having children Eniola and Dapo together. He was chancellor of the African Church of Nigeria and became a member of Regional House of Assembly in 1951. The popular ‘Bode Thomas Street’ in Surulere is named after him. Action GroupAlaafin Adeyemi IIBalogun of OyoBode ThomasIjebu-IgboLagosLucretia Shobola OdunsiNational Council of Nigerians and the CameroonsNnamdi AzikiweObafemi AwolowoOlabode Akanbi ThomasOyo Divisional CouncilYaba The Iconic Bernie Mac, Regarded As The ‘Greatest Of All The Kings’ Rwanda Marks Another Excellence As The Country Launches Electric Bikes After Grabbing Headlines With Homemade Mobile Phones Meet The 28-year-old Somali Woman Tasked To Make... Hot!!! Ivorian Ex-International Emmanuel Eboué Finally Tells His... This Natural Fridge Made With Clay Conserves Food... LeBron James, The NBA Legend Opens A New... These African Americans Fitness Instructors Are Using African... Chimamanda Adichie To Engage Hillary Clinton In Conversation... Thousands of Liberians legally Staying in the United... Travelling Across Africa, These Are The Different Ways... Your Wealth Means Nothing If It Does Not... 44 African Countries Sign Major Deal To Open...

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OCW on Facebook OCW on Twitter Ohio Civil War Central: Encyclopedia of the American Civil War About OCW Entries, A-Z Antebellum (Pre-1861) Civil War (1861) Reconstruction (1866-) Civil War Chronology Places, A-Z Images, A-Z Videos, A-Z Audio Files, A-Z Abolitionist and Underground Railroad Resources Civil War 150th Anniversary Library of Congress Resources Ohio Civil War Historic Sites Ohio Civil War Museums Ohio Civil War Organizations Ohio Civil War Roundtables State and Regional Encyclopedias Entries » Edward Otho Cresap Ord Edward Otho Cresap Ord (October 18, 1818 – July 22, 1883) Author: Harry Searles, Past Present & Future and Mike Mangus, The Ohio State University Published: July 12, 2014 Updated: July 12, 2014 A career United States Army officer, Edward O.C. Ord played major leadership roles in both theaters of the American Civil War and as commander of the Department of the Ohio at the conclusion of hostilities. Edward Otho Cresap Ord was born in Cumberland, Maryland, on October 18, 1818. He was the second of twelve children born to James and Rebecca Ruth (Cresap) Ord. Ord's father was a United States naval officer, and his mother was the daughter of Daniel Cresap, an American officer during the Revolutionary War. In 1819, the Ord family moved to Washington, DC, where young Edward was educated. An excellent student of mathematics, Ord received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at the age of sixteen years in 1835. Among his classmates were Henry Halleck and Edward R.S. Canby, both of whom went on to become general officers in the U.S. Army during the American Civil War. Ord graduated from the Academy on July 1, 1839, placing seventeenth in his class of thirty-one cadets. Following his graduation, Ord was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the 3rd U.S. Artillery and sent to Florida, where he participated in the Second Seminole War (1835– 1842). On July 1, 1841, Ord was promoted to first lieutenant. At the conclusion of the campaign against the Seminoles, Ord was stationed at several forts along the East Coast, until he was sent to California in 1846. He arrived in time to serve on garrison duty at Monterey during the Mexican-American War (April 25, 1846–February 2, 1848). While serving in California, Ord took on work as a surveyor to supplement his military pay. In 1849, he created one of the first maps of Los Angeles. In 1850, Ord was transferred to the Pacific Northwest, where he worked on a coastal survey. While serving there, he was promoted to captain on September 7, 1850. Ord returned to garrison duty at Benicia, California in 1852. On October 14, 1854, he married Mary Mercer Thompson, the daughter of a California judge, in San Francisco. Their union, which lasted for twenty-nine years, produced eight children. Ord spent the next four years in the West, including expeditions to Oregon and Washington to campaign against American Indians. In 1859, Ord returned to the East, where he served on garrison duty at Fort Monroe, Virginia. When John Brown raided the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia in October of that year, U.S. Secretary of War John B. Floyd, dispatched Ord on the expedition to suppress the rebellion. When the Civil War erupted Ord was back on the West Coast serving as commander of Fort Vancouver in Washington Territory. He was soon ordered to San Francisco and then back east. Promoted to brigadier-general of volunteers on September 14, 1861, Ord joined the Army of the Potomac as a brigade commander defending Washington, DC. On November 21, 1861, he was promoted to major in the regular army and assigned to the 4th U.S. Artillery. One month later, troops under Ord's command defeated several Confederate regiments led by Brigadier-General J.E.B. Stuart at the Battle of Dranesville (December 20, 1861). After briefly commanding a division in the Department of the Rappahannock, Ord was transferred to the Western Theater and promoted to the rank of major general of volunteers with Major General Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee on May 2, 1862. In mid-September 1862, Grant dispatched Ord and eight thousand soldiers to attack Major General Stering Price's three thousand-man Army of the West, encamped at Iuka, Mississippi, from the northwest. At the same time, Grant ordered Major General William S. Rosecrans and nine thousand soldiers to attack Price from the southwest. Grant accompanied Ord's headquarters during the expedition. Ord's force reached Iuka on the evening of September 18, ahead of Rosecrans. Rosecrans telegraphed Grant that he would not be in position to attack until the next day. Grant and Ord agreed to hold off their assault until they heard the sounds of Rosecrans' engagement with the enemy. Rosecrans resumed his march at 4:30 a.m. on September 19 and was within two miles of Iuka by the afternoon. At that point, Price decided to attack first. The ensuing battle lasted approximately three hours and ended when darkness fell. Realizing how precarious his situation had become, Price decided to evacuate Iuka overnight, using a road that Rosecrans had failed to secure. Although the Federals captured Iuka, their victory was hollow because of the failure to coordinate the Union attack and to involve Ord's forces enabled Price's army to escape. After the battle, controversy swirled regarding why Ord's troops never entered the fray. Grant and Ord claimed that unusual weather conditions, marked by high winds, prevented them from hearing the sounds of the battle to their south. Some Union soldiers later swore that there were no high winds that day, and others stated that they not only heard the battle but that they could see smoke on the horizon. Despite the fact that Ord's troops did not engage, he was later brevetted to colonel in the regular army for "Gallant and Meritorious Conduct" in the Battle of Iuka. On October 3, 1862, General Earl Van Dorn's Confederate Army of Tennessee mounted a spirited attack against Rosecrans's garrison at Corinth, Mississippi, forcing the Yankees back toward the center of the city. As nightfall approached, Van Dorn called off the assault, confident that he could finish the job in the morning. Rosecrans regrouped his soldiers overnight and drove the Rebels back the next day. Realizing that the tide had turned, Van Dorn halted the assault and withdrew. Because his soldiers were exhausted, Rosecrans chose not to pursue the retreating Rebels until the next day. On the same day that Van Dorn withdrew (October 4), Grant had dispatched two separate detachments, led by Ord and Major General Stephen A. Hurlbut, to reinforce Rosecrans. On the morning of October 5, the two forces combined, with Ord assuming overall command. Hoping to catch Van Dorn’s retreating forces in a pincer between Ord and Rosecrans, Grant ordered Ord to cut off the Confederate escape route across the Hatchie River at Davis Bridge. Sensing the seriousness of his situation, Van Dorn ordered his men to hold at Davis Bridge, while he searched for an alternate route across the river, which he found at Crum’s Mill to the south. Ord’s forces engaged the lead elements of the Confederate force and drove them back to Davis Bridge. During the action, Ord was wounded, and Hurlbut assumed command. The Federals eventually drove the Rebels across Davis Bridge, but not before the bulk of Van Dorn’s army crossed the river at Crum’s Mill and escaped back to Holly Springs, Mississippi. Due to the severe nature of Ord's injuries, he was on sick leave from October 6 to Nov. 24, 1862. After serving in some administrative positions, Ord returned to combat duty, on June 18, 1863, as commander of the 13th Army Corps in time to participate in the late phases of the Siege of Vicksburg. Following the fall of Vicksburg, Ord participated in the capture of Jackson, Mississippi on July 16, 1863. He then moved on to Louisiana, where he served with the Army of Western Louisiana from August to October, before going on sick leave again from October to December. On January 8, 1864, Ord returned to active duty as commander of the 13th Army Corps, in the Department of the Gulf, until February 20, when he was ordered east. After serving briefly in the Shenandoah Valley, Ord was given command of the 18th Army Corps on July 21, 1864 during General Grant's Petersburg Campaign. On the night of September 28-29, Ord led the 18th Corps across the James River at Aiken's Landing, Virginia. His orders were to capture Fort Harrison, to destroy the Confederate bridges near Chaffin’s Bluff, and then, to assault Richmond from the southeast. On September 29, Ord's soldiers began their assault on Fort Harrison. Led by Brigadier-General George Stannard's division, the Yankees rushed the lightly defended Confederate position, sending the eight hundred Rebel defenders scurrying for shelter behind a secondary line to their rear. The triumph, however, was costly; all three Union brigade commanders were killed or wounded during the action. When Ord personally took charge, he too was seriously wounded. Devoid of leadership, the Federal assault soon bogged down. Alarmed by the initial Yankee successes, Robert E. Lee redeployed ten thousand reinforcements to the Petersburg defenses overnight. On the next day, he ordered an unsuccessful counterattack to retake Fort Harrison. Reaching an apparent stalemate, both sides re-entrenched in their new positions eight miles outside of Richmond, where they remained until Lee evacuated the Confederate capital in April 1865. After the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm and New Market Heights, Ord went on sick leave for nine weeks to recover from his wounds. On December 3, 1864, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders No. 297, reorganizing the Army of the James. The 10th and 18th Army Corps were discontinued. White infantry troops from those two corps were consolidated to form the new 24th Army Corps commanded by Ord. Black troops from the two discontinued corps formed the new 25th Army Corps commanded by Major General Godfrey Weitzel. Later in December, Ulysses S. Grant appealed to President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton for authorization to replace Major General Benjamin F. Butler as commander of the Army of the James. On January 7, 1865, the Adjutant-General's Office issued General Order Number 1, which stated in part that, "By direction of the President of the United States, Major General Benjamin F. Butler is relieved from the command of the Department of North Carolina and Virginia." On the same day, U.S. Army Headquarters issued special orders appointing Major General Edward Ord to temporary command of the department and of the Army of the James. Ord commanded the Army of the James throughout the Petersburg Campaign and the Appomattox Campaign. When Richmond, Virginia fell on April 2, 1865, black soldiers of the 24th Corps of the Army of the James were among the first Union troops to occupy the city on the following day. At Appomattox, the 25th Corps of the Army of the James cut off the Army of Northern Virginia's last avenue of escape, prompting Robert E. Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865. As the Civil War drew to a close, Ord was brevetted to the rank of brigadier-general in the regular army for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of the Hatchie's Bridge and to major general in the regular army for gallant and meritorious services at the assault of Fort Harrison. Both promotions were effective to March 13, 1865. At the conclusion of hostilities, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders No. 118 on June 27, 1865, which divided the United States into military districts and divisions. The order placed Ord in command of the Department of the Ohio, headquartered in Detroit. Ord assumed his new command on July 5, 1865 and served until August 6, 1866. During his tenure with the Department of the Ohio, Ord was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the regular army on December 11, 1865 and to brigadier-general in the regular army on July 26, 1866. On August 29, 1866, Ord was assigned to command the Department of Arkansas. Three days later, on September 1, 1866, Ord was mustered out of the volunteer army. Ord remained in the U.S. Army for the next fourteen years, holding various commands in the West, including the Fourth Military District (March 26, 1867 to January 9, 1868), the Department of California (April 24, 1868 to December 4, 1871), the Department of the Platte (December 11 1871 to April 6, 1875), and the Department of Texas (April 11, 1875 to December 6, 1880). Ord retired from the army on December 6, 1880 at the age of sixty-two years. The next year, Congress enacted special legislation promoting him to the rank of major general, effective January 28, 1881. Following his retirement, Ord accepted a position as a civil engineer with the Mexican Southern Railroad. Upon assuming his duties in Mexico, Ord contracted yellow fever. While travelling back to the United States, he was taken ashore at Havana, Cuba, where he died on July 22, 1883, at the age of sixty-five years. Ord's remains are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. "Edward Otho Cresap Ord," Ohio Civil War Central, 2020, Ohio Civil War Central. 29 Jan 2020 <http://www.ohiocivilwarcentral.com/entry.php?rec=1346> "Edward Otho Cresap Ord." (2020) In Ohio Civil War Central, Retrieved January 29, 2020, from Ohio Civil War Central: http://www.ohiocivilwarcentral.com/entry.php?rec=1346 Appomattox Campaign Army of the James Army of the Potomac (USA) Battle of Chaffin’s Farm and New Market Heights Battle of Hatchie's Bridge Benjamin F. Butler Department of the Ohio Edward Canby General Orders, No. 118 (U.S. War Department) General Orders, No. 214 (U.S. War Department) (1863) Henry W. Halleck J.E.B. Stuart John B. Floyd Petersburg Campaign Siege of Vicksburg Stephen A. Hurlbut People in the Civil War This entry has not been associated with any topics. Eastern Theater Western Theater Today in Civil War History Updated Entries Most Popular Entries Ambrose E. Burnside Atlanta Campaign One Hundred Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry Battle of Chickamauga Battle of Antietam Morgan's Raiders Battle of Chancellorsville First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln Morgan's Raiders Enter Washington, Ohio Clement Vallandigham, Copperhead leader Morgan's Raid Lincoln, Pinkerton and McClelland at Antietam Union General Don Carlos Buell Battle of Lookout Mountain Union Brigadier General Samuel Spriggs Carroll Ohio Governor William Allen Brigadier General Thomas M. Anderson Here are the last 6 page that you have visited: Entry - Edward Ord Help support the ongoing development of Ohio Civil War Central by clicking the banner and then purchasing products from Amazon.com. © 2010-2020 Past Present & Future, Inc. | Powererd by eCMS from R.Squared Communications Ohio Civil War Central: An Encyclopedia of the American Civil War

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Singers Take Center Stage in Met’s Tristan und Isolde By Charles Michener • 12/06/99 12:00am Charles Michener At the Metropolitan Opera’s enjoyably tacky production of Mefistofele a few weeks ago, most of the intermission chatter seemed to be about the overexposed chest hair of Samuel Ramey in the title role, never mind the irresistible, if imperfect, score by Arrigo Boito. At the New York City Opera’s first performance of Central Park , the kibbitzing mainly concerned the relative wit, or lack thereof, among the three librettists (Wendy Wasserstein, A.R. Gurney and Terrence McNally), forget the three what’s-their-name composers. For the record, they were Deborah Drattell, Michael Torke and Robert Beaser. Mr. Beaser’s beautiful score for Mr. McNally’s heavy-handed polemic about a homeless woman trying to give her baby away was the only genuinely operatic contribution to a trilogy of one-acters whose desperate topicality already seemed dated since its successful premiere at Glimmerglass Opera in July. When, on Nov. 22, the Met unveiled its feverishly awaited new production of Tristan und Isolde -the company’s first mounting since 1983 of Wagner’s (and possibly anyone’s) greatest opera. According to my informal survey of the opening-night chatter during the first intermission, the chief concerns were (a) the un-damsel-like heft of Jane Eaglen as Isolde; (b) the un-knightlike heft of Ben Heppner as Tristan; and (c) the sensational lighting effects of Dieter Dorn’s production, which, during the two lovers’ discovery of their true feelings for each other in Act 1, succeeded in making the Met’s stage go from bedroom pink to shocking scarlet-a cosmic blush that inspired titters and awe in equal measure. Whatever happened to the notion that opera is, first and foremost, about the music ? Tristan to be sure, carries more extra-musical baggage than any other opera I can think of, written as it was out of a personal drama whose convolutions are the stuff of a 19th-century Dallas . Two months before the opera’s premiere in July 1865, Wagner’s mistress, Cosima von Bülow, had given birth to his daughter (whom they named Isolde), an event made especially sticky by the fact that Cosima was the wife of Hans von Bülow, one of Wagner’s most faithful champions and the conductor of the first performance of Tristan . (Wagner would later marry Cosima.) In the background, or at least in the recesses of Wagner’s considerable fantasy life, was another married woman, Mathilde Wesendonk, a longtime object of the composer’s unfulfilled passion and the catalyst for the opera. Wagner was one of those marvelously self-absorbed geniuses who are able to put every idea, desire and disappointment that comes their way at the service of artistic ambition. In the medieval tale of a faithful knight who betrays his loyalty to his king and surrogate father by consummating his love for the king’s wife, he found the perfect vehicle for giving mythic dimension to his own unruly predicament But to note all this is to say nothing about what gives Tristan its enduring potency, and that, of course, is its miracle of a score. Having seen a half-dozen Tristan s over the years and listened to many more of them on recordings, I could probably, if I cared to, anticipate every twist and turn in Wagner’s sinuous, heaving organism of sound. But such was Wagner’s mastery of his vision that no matter how familiar the music is, it always seems a little strange as it moves according to its own emotional and intellectual logic. (Perhaps only Mozart was his equal at making the predictable seem unpredictable.) In Tristan , Wagner achieved his finest tension between fragility and grandeur-musically, the opera seems literally to walk on eggshells. At the Met, the conductor, James Levine, addressed that delicate balance with a tenderness that bordered, at times, on the precious. His treatment of the opening prelude was attenuated to the point of ponderousness, and later, especially in Act 2’s love duet, he seemed to be shaping the orchestra around the singers, at the expense of the inexorable undertow that is essential to the opera’s tragic power Much of this, I suspect, was a case of opening-night jitters, particularly in the Tristan. I heard two of Ben Heppner’s performances in the part at the Seattle Opera, a couple of summers ago, and, in that less imposing setting, he seemed much more focused, more dramatically involved, than he was at the Met. His shining, Björling-like tenor was never less than beautifully produced (thank God for a Wagner tenor who never bleats), but there was too much middle and not enough extremes in his emotional range. During the murderously exposed monologues of Act 3, one was gratified by Mr. Heppner’s finely shaped musical lines but robbed of any sense that here was a Tristan who was going out of his mind. As in Seattle, the Isolde was Jane Eaglen, she of the stupendous size, power and stamina. Most of the time, she was a marvel in the dead-shot precision of her intonation, the gleaming strength of her top notes and the silvery, mezza voce shadings of her love duets. Like Birgit Nilsson, her great predecessor, she brings a sheer zest to this insanely taxing role that carries all before her. But she never touched the heart. It’s a deficiency that has less to do, I think, with her unromantic figure and an absence of visible mobility in the eyes and face, than it does with certain shortcomings in her formidable vocal arsenal, such as a limited range of color and uninteresting middle and lower registers. Oddly, this Tristan might have been retitled Brangäne und Marke , in light of the vividness with which these two secondary roles were performed. As Isolde’s not-quite-dutiful enough handmaiden, the Swedish mezzo-soprano Katarina Dalayman made one of the strongest Met debuts in years, projecting anguish with an almost scary voluptuousness. Nothing can halt Tristan in its tracks, but the closest thing I’ve seen to a show-stopper at the Met in years was the arrival in Act 2 of René Pape’s King Marke. The long, relentlessly wounded monologue he delivers upon his discovery of the illicit lovers can often come across as a scolding rant of self-pity. Mr. Pape’s riveting intensity of gesture, his nuanced articulation of the text and the force of his huge, burnished tone jolted the opera out of a dreamscape and into the painful here-and-now. Coming on the heels of Robert Wilson’s frozen-Kabuki staging of Lohengrin , Dieter Dorn’s austerely minimal production seemed, at first, like more of the same-a mostly bare stage enclosed in a tent of sailcloth, whose steeply raked sides “disappeared” at a far vanishing point on a metaphysical horizon line. There were some debatable touches, such as toy castle, armaments and knights that littered Tristan’s homeland of Kareol-a too-cute reminder of how diminished childhood artifacts and memories become as one grows older. But Mr. Dorn, unlike Mr. Wilson, is a storyteller, and through Max Keller’s color-changing lighting, the trapezoidal confines of the set became an intimate no man’s land that conjured up Wagner’s obsession with the shame of day and the ecstasy of night, and reinforced the lovers’ solipsism. This was a staging with an emphasis on the singing, not the singers, which was just as well, given the bulkiness of the two leads. During their great duet of consummation, Ms. Eaglen and Mr. Heppner dematerialized into silhouettes against a menacingly supernal blue sky, becoming negative space out of which the delirium of Wagner’s music could pour forth undiminished. Filed Under: Lifestyle, Manhattan Music, Ben Heppner, Robert Beaser, Jane Eaglen, Dieter Dorn SEE ALSO: How Sweet Sweet and Lowdown Is

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THE CHOICE FACING THE ARCHDIOCESE OF RUSSIAN CHURCHES IN WESTERN EUROPE by Victor Alexandrov 8 Comments January 14, 2019 The Editors Readers unfamiliar with the context of this article should glance over Archdiocese/Exarchate to Be Abolished (11/28/18), It’s Official: Ecumenical Patriarchate Dissolves Russian Archdiocese of Western Europe (11/28/18), Rue Daru Responds: Communiqué of the Archdiocesan Council of the Russian Archdiocese of Western Europe (12/1/18), and the latter part of A Way Out of the Orthodox Church’s Present Crisis (1/2/19). St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Rue Daru, Paris While the attention of the Orthodox community and the secular world has been focused on the Ukrainian autocephaly, another “hot spot” has appeared on the Orthodox world map – the Archdiocese of Russian Churches in Western Europe[i]. On November 27, 2018, the Synod of Patriarchate of Constantinople announced a decision to revoke the charter (tomos), by which in 1999 autonomy was granted to the Archdiocese, and its own statutes were guaranteed. In terms of numbers, the Archdiocese is a small church: it includes about one hundred parishes, two monasteries, and seven sketes in different countries of Europe, of which fifty-eight parishes are in France. However, the role that it has played in the history of Orthodoxy in the 20th and early 21st centuries is remarkable. Therefore, its fate for the present and future of universal Orthodoxy is important and symbolic, and it is impossible to consider what is happening with it without empathy. The Archdiocese was formed soon after the exodus from the former Russian Empire of hundreds of thousands of emigrants fleeing from the Bolshevik dictatorship, and throughout its history, to one extent or another, it attempted, in its structure, to follow the spirit of the decisions of the Moscow Council of 1917-18. A presiding archbishop is elected, there is a functional diocesan council of clergy and laity, diocesan meetings are held, again, with the participation of clergy and laity, and parishes, where as a rule parish councils really work, are actually quite independent. It is this strong element of consultation and election in its structure that makes the Archdiocese unique in contemporary Orthodoxy. It can be compared only with the Orthodox Church in America [the OCA], which is a product of the same historical development, and whose internal structure also owes much to the Council of 1917-18, and to the theological ideas of the “Paris School” nurtured by the Archdiocese. It is not surprising that both of these churches, in different ways, act as irritants for “traditional” Orthodox Patriarchates seeking to keep their ethnic diasporas in Europe and America under their control. Although the Archdiocese was originally linked to the pre-revolutionary Russian Church (not the modern ROC!), its present flock consists of Europeans of at least two dozen different nationalities and ethnicities. The official name of this church, the Archdiocese of the Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe, is traditional and no longer reflects its actual ethnic composition. Despite the fact that the Russian element is still strong, the Russian liturgical tradition prevails, and there is a direct continuity from the Russian pre-revolutionary church, the Archdiocese is the only jurisdiction where the idea of creating a local, multinational Orthodox Church in Western Europe is alive, and it is the only jurisdiction that can be the beginning of such a church. And this is one of the reasons why it causes irritation in some “traditional,” ethnic local churches. Archbishop Job (Getcha) Over the past 15–20 years, the Archdiocese lived under constant pressure — from the Moscow Patriarchate, which intended to create its own metropolitanate in Western Europe by merging “Russian” jurisdictions, and from Patriarchate of Constantinople. While technically Constantinople was the guarantor of the independent status of the Archdiocese, its attempts to strangle the Archdiocese have been clearly visible over the last decade. Twice, the Synod of Patriarchate of Constantinople refused to install an assistant bishop for the Archdiocese, and the intervention of Constantinople in the election of the Archbishop in 2013, when by means of Byzantine manipulation Archimandrite Job (Gecha) was elected as leader, is still fresh in the memory of the Exarchate. The short but stormy reign of Archbishop Job (2013–2015), which abounded in conflicts between the primate and his flock, is remembered by the majority of believers of the Archdiocese as a nightmare. As it turned out, this nightmare was not the last. Decision of the Synod of Constantinople Observers are wondering why the step towards the dissolution of the Archdiocese was taken at this point in time. It is curious that the decisions in the Patriarchate of Constantinople to proceed to act in Ukraine and dissolve the Russian Exarchate were taken at an interval of two months. The official reason for the decision of the Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the communiqué sent to the Primate of the Archdiocese, Archbishop John (Renneteau), says only that the historical conditions after almost one hundred years since the establishment of the Archdiocese had greatly changed, and that the Synod had taken this step to further strengthen the relationship of the parishes of the Russian tradition with the Mother Church of Constantinople. Therefore, the parishes of the Archdiocese should merge with the local dioceses of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in those countries where they are located. Archbishop John (Renneteau) For a person who has only a slight idea of what the Archdiocese is vis-à-vis the Patriarchate of Constantinople is, this justification is not without some plausibility, but few in the Archdiocese consider these motives sufficient and honest. The Archdiocese immediately noted that the Synod’s communiqué was written originally in French, while usually official letters from the Synod meeting in Istanbul are printed in Greek. Apparently, the original of the letter was written in Paris, and the senders of the letter did not even bother to somehow disguise its origins. The Archdiocese links the idea of its dissolution and its implementation not only with the name of Patriarch Bartholomew (without whose participation the idea of dissolution would not have passed), but also with the name of Metropolitan Emmanuel (Adamakis) of Gaul , who in recent years has a lot of weight in the Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Metropolitan Emmanuel is remembered by the Russian Exarchate for the organization of the elections of 2013: it was he, who as Locum Tenens appointed by Patriarch Bartholomew, did everything to ensure that his then protégé Job (Getcha) would stand as the head of the Archdiocese . Metropolitan Emmanuel of Gaul would be the main beneficiary in the event of the transfer of the fifty-eight French parishes of the Archdiocese under his omophorion. I think, however, that Metropolitan Emmanuel and Patriarch Bartholomew are driven not so much by the desire to acquire the parishes of the Archdiocese under the omophoria of the Metropolitans of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Such an acquisition would be only a pleasant surprise where it happens. Yes, the Greek metropolitans have already begun to pressurize [sic] the parishes of the Archdiocese in their countries, and the ancient Byzantine tune about the “non-canonical” status of the Archdiocese and the “non-canonical” refusal to join the local dioceses of the Patriarchate of Constantinople has already begun, but the authors of the synodal decision know that the chances of seeing the majority of the Archdiocesan parishes moving to these dioceses are small. The hierarchs in Constantinople appear to have been guided rather by an opportunity to destroy a church which presents a challenge to the ecclesiological model favored by the Church of Constantinople, which disdains the ecclesiological reforms proposed by the Moscow Council of 1917-18, and their implementation. This destruction corresponds to the long-term plans of the Second Rome to strengthen their place in world Orthodoxy and, above all, in the so-called “diaspora.” The answer given by the Archdiocesan Council to Constantinople three days after the decision to dissolve it was remarkable. The essence of the answer was that no synod or council can be a body that stands above other dioceses (which, according to church tradition, are local churches) and has indisputable command over them; they cannot decide on the liquidation of an existing diocese without its knowledge and without the knowledge of its bishop. The Archdiocese has its own bishop, around whom it continues to remain a church, and according to its own statutes, will decide its own fate regarding this situation at its Diocesan Assembly. Possible Choices According to feedback from the Archdiocese, the likelihood of a simple dissolution and the transition of parishes directly “to the Greeks” is not under consideration. The point here is not only in the ethnic element which, of course, is present. The fact is that for its clergy and faithful the Archdiocese was an island of freedom, where there was a relationship of mutual respect and collegiality between the archbishop and the clergy, as well as between the archbishop and the parishes that was not typical for most Orthodox jurisdictions. That is why, in 2013–15, the Archdiocese was shocked by the authoritarian methods of Archbishop Job. Generations of believers who had grown up in the Russian Exarchate had no firsthand experience of episcopal despotism. Therefore clergy and parishes are reluctant to abandon the freedom of the Archdiocese for something unknown (or, rather, for something that is known). At the meeting of the clergy which took place on December 15, just over two weeks after the command “Dismissed!”had issued from Istanbul, the desire not to disperse was almost unanimous. The choice facing the Archdiocese cannot be called straightforward. Immediately after the decision of the Synod of Constantinople to dissolve the Archdiocese, experts in its history recalled that something similar had already happened in 1965–66. At that time Constantinople withdrew its jurisdiction over the Archdiocese, which declared itself an autocephalous church, and remained such for five years, until 1971. The situation in 2018 is significantly different. In 1965, the theologians of the St. Sergius Institute, gathered around Archbishop George (Tarasov), were not afraid to argue for the possibility of the Archdiocese’s autocephaly. Today, the St. Sergius Institute, although still widely known in the Orthodox world, is merely a pale shadow of its past and, even more distressingly, has long considered itself “neutral,” and moreover was the first to publicly wash its hands of the Archdiocese. At present, the Archdiocese suffers from a general shortage of theologians and charismatic leaders. On the few who are, in this situation lies a great historical responsibility. In addition, thanks to the strategic planning of Constantinople, there is only one bishop in the Archdiocese, whereas in 1965–71 there were several. Now, in 2019, declaring autocephaly would be an extremely risky path for which neither the clergy nor the parishioners of the Archdiocese are prepared. Therefore, we have to talk about a search, in the language of the communiqué of the Synod of Constantinople, for “canonical protection.” In the space of less than three weeks — in the interval between the decision of Constantinople of November 27, and the archdiocesan meeting of the clergy on December 15 — the Archdiocese received three proposals for such protection. The speed with which these proposals arrived also indicates that there is a difference of interpretation of canonicity in different churches, since from the point of view of Constantinople, following the decision of the Synod, the very existence of the Archdiocese is no longer canonical. At the pastoral assembly on December 15, it was announced that the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), and the Romanian [Orthodox] Church [Patriarchate of Bucharest] were ready to receive the Archdiocese. I will not conceal the fact that the proposal of the ROC seems to me the least attractive because of the current state of this church. By virtue of its structure and traditions, the Archdiocese would be a completely alien body in the Moscow Patriarchate, and I do not believe that it could survive there, no matter what promises and assurances Moscow makes today. The only real argument in favor of Moscow is its compliance with the guarantees given to ROCOR during their unification (however, the history of their symbiosis is unfolding). But ROCOR, which represents a very conservative version of Orthodoxy, is ideologically much closer to the Moscow Patriarchate than the Archdiocese. Then there is the catastrophic experience of the Diocese of Sourozh, which Moscow has quickly digested and turned into its typical foreign diocese. It is unlikely that one might persuade that part of the Sourozh Diocese which left the Moscow Patriarchate and joined the Archdiocese as its British Deanery to go under Moscow. The experience of the Archdiocese with the Russian Orthodox Church over the past two decades has seen a series of attempts by the ROC to intensify the “pro-Moscow party” in the Exarchate, and use the might of the Russian state through the courts to appropriate its churches. It is difficult to imagine that, having incorporated the Archdiocese, the Moscow Patriarchate will let it remain autonomous. In addition, in such a scenario, there arises the inevitable prospect of close, systematic communication with representatives of the Russian state, which comes alongside the Moscow Patriarchate. Such communication is completely unpredictable, and few in the Archdiocese will be happy about that. There are also concerns about the fate of church property: as a rule, it belongs to the parishes of the Archdiocese, but the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian state has so far shown real and undisguised interest in such properties. The proposal of ROCOR (details of which are unknown to me) appears better because if it were adopted, the Archdiocese could keep a greater distance from the ROC. However, will this be sufficient to remain at a safe distance from the Moscow Patriarchate? Another problem of this combination would be the fact that the Archdiocese and the ROCOR profess very different ecclesiastical ideologies. Of course, for many members of these two jurisdictions, there was always an awareness of the commonality of emigré destiny, and parish life in the European parishes of ROCOR and some of the parishes of the Archdiocese are not too different. Nevertheless, it will be difficult to harness a horse and a quivering doe together in one cart[ii] (especially if this cart is somehow attached to the Moscow Patriarchate). The option with the Romanian Church appears the most unexpected. Because of the Romanian emigration within the borders of the European Union, the Romanian Church now has about ninety parishes in France alone, and the Romanians represent the largest Orthodox diaspora in Europe. Moving to the Romanian Church assumes that the Archdiocese will retain its statutes and autonomy. The Archdiocese does not conceal the fact that the initiator of the proposal of the Romanian Church was Metropolitan Joseph (Pop), the head of the West-South European Diocese of this church, a graduate of the St. Sergius Institute who served for several years in the Archdiocese in the Protection Monastery in Bussy-en-Othe. Metropolitan Joseph has good connections in the Archdiocese and an excellent reputation in it. The entry of the Russian Exarchate into the Romanian Church is considered as temporary, offering the prospect of a respite and to gain strength as the circumstances might change – “God will change the Horde.” Transition to the Romanian Church while maintaining autonomy will change little in the inner life of the Archdiocese and, in my opinion, is currently the best solution. The reader may ask, “Why do we need to save some Archdiocese with its one hundred parishes? Why do you need to save this charming relic of emigration and some councils? What is wrong with joining the Greek dioceses or dispersing into different jurisdictions?” The answer to this question has already been given above: the Archdiocese is one of the few examples of an alternative organization of Orthodoxy, as it were, an alternative to the centuries-old authoritarian hierarchical model based on the imperial structures. This otherness – with freedom, conciliarity, understanding of the church as a joint work of the laity and the clergy – is well grounded both theologically and canonically. The structure of the Archdiocese is completely viable, although, of course, the earthly path of this church has not always been successful. The Archdiocese is important as such, as a whole, as an organization, as a church. It represents the opportunity of the Orthodox engagement with modernity, beyond the historical monarchical structures and ethnic delineations. Therefore, the scenario of the collapse of the Russian Exarchate and the absorption of its parishes into different jurisdictions is bad both for worldwide Orthodoxy, and, of course, for the Archdiocese itself. In the current conflict between the Archdiocese and Constantinople two epochs of church life have come together. On the one hand, post-Byzantine Orthodoxy of ambitions and certain “rights” obtained either in the 4th or in the 5th century, rights over which time, allegedly, has no power; an Orthodoxy, which, apart from its external forms, has nothing to show a modern European, and apart from its rights, has nothing to tell them. On the other hand, a small and poor church that wants to bring Christ to the Europeans of the 21st century and which is, albeit imperfectly, successful. Diocesan Assembly of February 23, 2019 On February 23, the Diocesan Assembly of the Archdiocese has to make a choice. If the assembly confirms the intention of the December 15 clergy meeting to preserve the Archdiocese, then the decision to move will depend on the balance of power between the various currents in the Archdiocese, two of which are clearly formed. First, a not numerous “Russian” direction. It consists of people for whom “Russianness” is an important element of their Orthodoxy. There are few parishes where such people predominate, but representatives of this movement have some propaganda advantages. In the time remaining before the Diocesan Assembly, they will, of course, be actively supported by Moscow propaganda from outside the Archdiocese (in the form of assurances that Moscow can and should be trusted, that there is simply no other way out for the Russian Exarchate). The second trend can be called the party of a local, European Orthodoxy (and there are many Russian-born immigrants in it). They see in the Archdiocese, first of all, an Orthodox Church in Western Europe, and they are faithful to the traditions of the Moscow Council of 1917-18 and the Paris School of Theology, because these traditions correspond to their vision of Orthodoxy in life and in Europe. This group is rooted primarily in the multinational parishes of large cities. In my observation, they are more numerous and have several leaders who know how to articulate their position well and are ready to fight for it. Between the two directions, as between two poles, as usual, there are the faithful and parishes, which will follow those who manage to convince them. The decision of the Diocesan Assembly on February 23, 2019 will largely depend on the ability of supporters and especially the leaders of these two trends to argue their position. If the Archdiocese is to continue, then its current crisis should serve as a lesson for it and make it think again and again about its vision, mission, and how to become stronger to resist the poisonous winds blowing from the capitals of world Orthodoxy. [i] Better known as the Russian Exarchate of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and also often called rue Daru from the name of the street on which its cathedral in Paris is located. [ii] An allusion to the image from Poltava by Alexander Pushkin. This translation by Protodeacon Peter Scorer appeared with a slightly different title at The Wheel‘s blog on January 12, 2019. Republished at the request of the author and with the permission of Inga Leonova, Editor-in-Chief at The Wheel. See Akhilla for the Russian original. Victor Alexandrov holds a PhD in Medieval Studies from the Central European University in Budapest. He is an independent scholar, historian, theologian, and author of works on the sources of medieval Orthodox canon law and ecclesiology. He has published two books, The Syntagma of Matthew Blastares: The Destiny of a Byzantine Legal Code among the Orthodox Slavs and Romanians (2012) and Николай Афанасьев и его евхаристическая экклезиология (Nicholas Afanasiev and His Eucharistic Ecclesiology) (2018). He lives and works in Budapest. Click here to consider becoming a Patron of Orthodoxy in Dialogue. Happy New Year to our brothers and sisters around the world who celebrate today! С новым годом! Щасливого нового року! Cрећна нова година! Честита нова година! 8 thoughts on “THE CHOICE FACING THE ARCHDIOCESE OF RUSSIAN CHURCHES IN WESTERN EUROPE by Victor Alexandrov” Pingback: RUE DARU RESPONDS TO ORDERS OF GREEK METROPOLITANS IN WESTERN EUROPE TO INTEGRATE | ORTHODOXY IN DIALOGUE Pingback: LETTER TO PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW from Orthodox Churches of Russian Tradition in Western Europe | ORTHODOXY IN DIALOGUE Pingback: Rue Daru – van.Harmen Pingback: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: JANUARY | ORTHODOXY IN DIALOGUE Pingback: REPORT: ARCHDIOCESE OF RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN WESTERN EUROPE VOTES TO REMAIN IN EXISTENCE | ORTHODOXY IN DIALOGUE Pingback: QUO VADIS, RUE DARU? by Alexandra de Moffarts | ORTHODOXY IN DIALOGUE Pingback: RENNETEAU BRINGS MUSCOVITE SCHISM TO GREECE | ORTHODOXY IN DIALOGUE

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Sr. Guillermo Martinez NFP Subdirección General de Calidad del Aire y Medio Ambiente Industrial Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación London Amendment 1992-05-19 At Year of submission: 2008 Spain 1st quarter of 2017 HCFC-22 5130 kg of used HCFC-22. From 2014 to 2017, shipped to Panama. No refrigerant was seized in Panama yet The arrested people were all based in Spain Operation Malvarma against illegal export of recovered refrigerants The Environmental Protection Service (SEPRONA) of the Spanish Guardia Civil in coordination with the Public Prosecutor on the Environment from the Prosecutor General's Office have conducted the following operations against illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances: By sea from Sagunto (Valencia) in Spain to the industrial estate El Sitio de Juan Diaz in Panama. By road from Sagunto (Valencia) to Valles (Tarragona) in Spain and then exported to France. In 2016, an organized criminal group (OCG) under the company name of FRIOGAS shipped 5130 kg of used HCFC-22 from Spain to Panama. The shipment took place by sea transport and was arranged by a Spanish waste management company based in Sagunto (Valencia), Spain. The import company was in the industrial estate El Sitio de Juan Diaz in Panama. The investigation resulted in the dismantling of the organized criminal group and the arrest of nine persons who were presented for illegal trafficking of HCFC-22. The export disobeyed European Union Regulation (EC) 1005/2009 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which imposes an export license for used ozone-depleting substances by European Commission. A court case was initiated and is still ongoing. A copy of the accusation document is available. The investigation also revealed offences within the Spanish waste management company in terms of lack of proper waste treatment in 9753 kg of used HCFC-22. In normal conditions of compliance with the law, the recovered gas was sent from the Spanish waste management company in Sagunto (Valencia) to another company in Valles (Tarragona), and then transported to France to the destruction in a waste elimination plant. But the investigation detected deviation from this legal procedure with the finding of illegal exports from Valencia to Panama It is regenerated HCFC-22 but according to the lack of proper equipment in the installation, it could not be of high quality. Therefore, not all the gas was sent to France to destruction, but there was an important quantity of gas that was illegally exported to Panama to the economic benefit of the Spanish company offended. Rule Judgment has to be seen, court case was initiated and is still ongoing The European Commission and the Montreal Protocol Focal Points in Spain and in Panama were informed but were not involved in the investigations. A copy of the accusation document is available, in Spanish, and we send some photo of the case, but mind that due to the exports had already taken place at the time of the investigation, there are no photos of R22 bottles seized. Spain Seizure on February 15, 2017 and inspection on February 21, 2019 HCFC-409A 1 unlabelled cylinder of 6 kg of an unknown refrigerant and 1 cylinder of 198 kg of HCFC-409A (blend). Serial numbers 488584 and 360878 Spain internal Operation Cheiro against use of prohibited refrigerants in livestock farms Seizure location: Zamora region in Spain More than 180 inspections of refrigeration systems, milk tanks and compressors in livestock farms in the Zamora region showed that many of the old systems used prohibited ozone-depleting refrigerants, had false labels and were not registered in the Industry Registry. A Spanish contractor (service company) charged the farmers as if they had replaced the refrigerants, without having done it. The contractor certified that the installations were retrofitted to alternative refrigerants while they continued using prohibited refrigerants. The inspections identified several milk tanks and compressors containing CFC-12 or HCFC-22 refrigerants while the labelling showed HFC-424A. Some of the refrigerated tanks with HCFC-22 were for sale. Three individuals were arrested and condemned for fraud. A court case was initiated and is conducted by the Court of Instruction No. 3 of Zamora and the Prosecutor's Office of Zamora, among others for a crime of Article 348.1 of the Penal Code. This includes crimes against collective security for commercialization of gases that deplete the ozone layer. Photos of the seized refrigerant cylinders are available. The seizure of the unlabelled container with a type of gas inside with a weight of six (6) kilograms took place on February 15, 2017 in the warehouse of the company COGABE C.B. The content of the bottle sealed by GUARDIA CIVIL - SEPRONA has not been analysed so far. A new inspection was carried out in those facilities on February 21, 2019, verifying that the seized bottle is still there Spain September 2016 R11 and R12 600 electronic items including 203 refrigerators Spain internal Operation against illegal handling of electronic and toxic waste Investigation: Soria region in Spain, two owners of a recycling company in Soria, Spain, which handled without authorization electronic and toxic waste including hundreds of end-of-life refrigerators, and which illegally released ozone-depleting and global warming refrigerants into the atmospheres. The illegal activity has been taking place since July 2013. As a result of the investigation, 600 electronic items including 203 refrigerators were confiscated at the specialized Public Prosecutor´s demand. The investigation also showed that more than 40 kg of mercury compounds were illegally dumped into the soil, and that chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) refrigerants R11 and R12 were illegally released into the atmosphere. Other toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, zinc were also found at the premises of the enterprise. In January 2015, the representative of the Public Prosecutor´s Office for the Protection of the Environment in Soria discovered significant amounts of electronic waste, along with other toxic substances, at the premises of the recycling company near Soria. The Environmental Unit of the Civil Guards, also known as SEPRONA, found out that the company was authorized to recycle non-dangerous waste, but not any electronic or toxic waste. The technical unit of the Public Prosecutor´s Office provided the necessary scientific support in the investigation. The recycling company Was pledged guilty for all the prohibited substances illegal management and responsible convicted to two years imprisonment, three years interdiction of working in the recycling business and a daily fine to be paid during the period of 8 months. Spain 2011 R-11 R12 54.537,262 kg estimated emisions de CFCs Spain internal Operation against illegal handling of electronic and toxic waste Aragon region in Spain, two owners of two recycling companies, which managed deliberately wrong electronic and electric waste including thosends of end-of-life fridges 2007-2010, and which illegally released ozone-depleting and global warming refrigerants into the atmospheres. The illegal activity has been taking place since July 2007. Two responsible people of the recycling companies were pledged guilty for all the prohibited substances illegal management and first responsible convicted to two years imprisonment, three years interdiction of working in the recycling business and a daily fine to be paid during the period of 12 months. Second responsible convicted to 1 year imprisonment, 1 year interdiction of working in the recycling business and a daily fine to be paid during the period of 8 months. Spain 2017-2018 HFC-134a 1620 kg in estimated emisions Spain internal Operation against greenhouse gas emissions (Operation KIGALI) Inspections of recycling plants for end-of-life vehicles showed that two of them did not recover the HFC-134a refrigerant contained in the air-conditioning systems. The release of fluorinated gases in the atmosphere when is banned as per European Union’s F-gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases. The investigation detected irregularities in the recycling operations and illegal emissions of 1620 kg of HFC-134a.. Spain 2016-2019 HFC-134a and R12 76 MM tn CO2 Spain internal Operation against greenhouse gas emissions Inspections of recycling plants for end-of-life vehicles in car waste management companies in 3 regions, with HFC-134a and possible R12 from refrigerants contained in the air-conditioning systems. The release of fluorinated gases in the atmosphere when is banned as per European Union’s F-gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014, on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases, Directive of End of Life Vehicles and Regulation 1005/2009 on ODS. The investigation detected irregularities in the recycling operations 86 people arrested 30 companies involved https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/68-arrested-in-spain-for-pumping-out-76-million-kilos-of-co2 Spain 2016 R-22 During 2016 law enforcement agents carried out a total of 265 inspections of businesses using ODS. As a result 103 infringements and 2 crimes were detected. Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.29/INF/5/Rev.1 - submission dated 09-Mar-17 Spain 2014-2015 R-422 and R-22 Waste ODSs were transported by road using courier companies, in unauthorized vehicles that were different from those identified in the original application for shipment authorization. The cases were sent to the local authorities. Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.29/INF/5/Rev.1 - submission dated 09-Mar-17 Spain 2013-2016 R-22 37 tonnes Illegal Trade of R-22 The investigation carried out by local authorities concluded that virgin R-22 was traded illegally thus breaching the ODS licensing system. 17 people were arrested and 37 tonnes of R22 seized. Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.29/INF/5/Rev.1 - submission dated 09-Mar-17 Spain 2015 R-407 and R-22 Spain, France and Portugal The Spanish Civil Guard participated in the operation to inspect and search for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment |(WEEE) and possible illegal CFCs purported to be exported outside the European Union. 24 people arrested, 11 of them charged. 348 fridges were seized along with 154 washing machines, 7332 kg of metal and WEEE, 8 cylinders of R-22 and R-407. Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.29/INF/5/Rev.1 - submission dated 09-Mar-17 Spain 2015 R-22 Customs authorities undertook 15 inspections in all the big establishments that already had equipment running with R-22. 17 arrests were carried out for different infringements of the regulatory management of the refrigeration equipment. Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.29/INF/5/Rev.1 - submission dated 09-Mar-17 Spain 2015 R-22 Spain and Morocco Collection of Wast Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) freezer operation in different provinces of Spain - Madrid, Toledo, Ciudad Real and Melilla by regional, local and state environmental authorities. This involved the collection of used freezers which were diverted and traded in the second hand market in Spain and Morocco instead of being sent to waste treatment plants. The WEEE was dismantled and set with parts of other WEEE to be placed in the market. 464 WEEE (mainly freezers) were seized and 24 people were arrested. Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.29/INF/5/Rev.1 - submission dated 09-Mar-17 Spain 2010-2011 R-12 R-11 71Tonnes Shredding of fridges and other household appliances without ODS recovery. Waste|Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) was collected from the legal waste collection sites. Fridges were sent to scrapyards instead of waste treatment plants. Valuable pieces were extracted and the rest ended in shredding facilities without any ODS decontamination. 1300 fridges and 1000 compressors seized. Around 71 Tonnes of R22, amounting to 500.000 Tonnes of CO2 equivalents from 400fridges were managed irregularly, with an estimated 10 million euros in profit. As a result 59 people were arrested, prosecuted and sentenced by the Supreme Court. Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.29/INF/5/Rev.1 - submission dated 09-Mar-17 Spain 2013 R-12 R-11 Collection of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the form of used fridges from a band of illegal traders operating in different provinces of Spain - Valencia, Alicante, Murcia y Málaga that were involved in diverting them to the second hand market in Spain and Morocco instead of sending the equipment to waste treatment plants. The WEEE were dismantled without any recovery of the ODS gas and the corresponding ODS emissions. 1739 fridges were seized during the operation and 178 people arrested. Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.29/INF/5/Rev.1 - submission dated 09-Mar-17 Spain 1 January to 31 December 2005 HCFC-22 Unknown One case of illegal import of equipment with HCFC-22 foam. Unknown Annex to UNEP/OzL.Pro.20/INF/3 Reports submitted by Spain to the Ozone Research Managers meetings to date are available below:

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Populating More Important than Overpopulation The Middle Ages, by no means, made use of the world’s resources as the population inhabiting it today does. Gies and Gies state that “energy sources were largely untapped.” (Gies 4) With approximately 6.8 Billion people on the earth and a new census count on the way it’s no secret that the 21st century population outnumbers Middle Age populations nearly 22:1 and we use way more that twenty two times the resources. Today we cry out that the world is overpopulated; that in as little as fifty years, we could be on the verge of a population collapse, yet the same cry rang out in the Middle Ages. With only 300 million people, in retrospect, it appears that this was a false alarm, but still the claim of overpopulation was made. Does this mean that the claims of our generation will prove to be a fallacy as well? I know it does not, but based on the premises of available resources and human ingenuity, there is a way to make overpopulation more a buzzword than an actual threat; the answer is not to have fewer babies, but to have more, so they can lead the next technological surge. What I’m proposing is that if people fear overpopulation, then they need to populate; they need to put more people on the earth, so more people can use their brains to solve these problems. While there will come a time when the earth simply can’t hold any more people that time is very far away. It was Tertullian that, around 200 A.D, commented, “Everywhere there are people, communities-everywhere there is human life!” (6) This wasn’t a positive statement though as it first sounds. Tertullian feared that Earth did not have the ability to support us. He lamented, “The world is full. The elements scarcely suffice us.” (Gies 6). But the world was only “overpopulated” in the Middle Ages because men like Tertullian said it was. One must take an in depth look at the claims Tertullian made to realize why he felt that the population was too large, while by today’s standards 300 million people fit comfortably in the United States alone. YOUR ESSAY ON Populating More Important than Overpopulation JUST FROM $13/PAGE The beginning of Tertullian’s remark shows that “Everywhere there are people.” The fact is settlements in the Middle Ages were teeming with citizens. If you weren’t a farmer, you were crammed into an unsanitary urban area. With nothing but untamed wilderness outside the livable realm it was easy to see why the people were confined to only the area they could master. It was not wise to venture into the natural world, because the threat of the unknown, be it thief or beast, was as real as it was deadly. It stands to reason that putting more people in less space would cause crowding; it’s part of the concept of population density. This same concept persists today, only with more people and with more land. A common belief of leading economists today is that the world is running out of room for individuals to lay their heads at night, but these people would be wrong. Amazingly enough, human settlement accounts for only three percent of the Earth’s land area! (Richman) This leads me to believe that in the Middle Ages, most “experts” believed that there was nowhere else to go for humans or that there was no way to make new land habitable. The fact that we have twenty-two times the population today proves otherwise. The good news is that humans know how to spread themselves out. The bad news is that we fear that having more people will be the end of us. Fortunately for humans the impact we can make is immense enough to outweigh the burden we create. It wouldn’t help to birth 100 million extra dogs or cats, because the role they play in life is limited and miniscule, but humans can each contribute to the world. Taking a look at the grand scheme of things, adding a mouth to the already 6.8 billion mouths on earth barely adds to Earth’s burden, but adding one brain to that 6.8 billion could prove enormously beneficial. One man can be the impetus to solve our current influx of human life. Yes, there are some people who take more than they give; I can’t even argue the fact that we give excess money and resources to men and women who don’t begin to believe in a greater good, but they count for only a small portion of the world’s population. I don’t wish to eradicate these people or to sterilize them, because the goal isn’t to run a giant, efficient, global business. If more people are born, then more can become helpful members of society and those that don’t help will not stop progress from happening. The goal is to first acquire more brain power. With that said, we need to turn our focus past the concept of rapid growth and toward the possibility of a solution. We need people longing to adapt to the mounting population. Going back to the statement made by Tertullian, he claims that “The elements scarcely suffice us.” The biggest problem, it seems, with overpopulation in the Middle Ages was caused by a lack of resources per person. This too is a problem today, but solutions can be deliberated quite easily. If the elements Tertullian referred to were food supplies, then the people learned to make enough food. If they were natural resources then people learned how to procure enough. Either way, the problems were overcome with technological advances. It is the same today as it was in the Middle Ages. There is a direct correlation between increased reproduction rates and new technology that supports the population growth. Gies and Gies note that there was driving force for Middle Age men to “develop new ways of exploiting nature;” (6) those ways “surely social and economic”. (Gies 6) In the Middle Ages, exploiting nature stemmed from the technology of iron working. This revolution allowed for enhanced farming with inventions like the plow and animal harness bindings, enhanced weaponry with new swords, shields, and armor, and enhanced manufacturing among other things. (Technology) All it takes is a few discoveries and then a few people to turn those discoveries into something useful. With people bursting at the confined seams, there were more than a few that could create a revolution in the Middle Ages. Today we fear “pestilence, famine, war, [and] earthquakes” (Gies 6) as if they were judgment for having too many people on Earth, just as Tertullian feared them. We believe the world could starve because we somehow cannot make enough food. The simplest solution is to make more food, but a better, more permanent solution is to make more people. As I said before, people have an immense impact on the world around them. This includes food production and manual labor as well as brainpower. If we can put more people on this planet and put those in the abundance of free land that there is, they can make life better for others as well as themselves. Now, while the Middle Ages asked only for the discovery of things such as a wonderful earthen metal, today’s world demands we work around governments and economic obstacles to allow food to be mass produced like it should be or to allow resources to be obtained from the earth. The next technological revolution will come from people who can be the most efficient and leave the smallest footprint on the earth in the process. Recent talk points to sources of abundant energy like the sun and atmospheric hydrogen or nitrogen, maybe seeming out of our grasp, but before we learned how to use steam, or petroleum, or even electricity those things must have seemed out of reach as well. The last point I’m trying to make is how we are to direct the new minds we are creating. If the problem really is as great as everyone says, then new and old alike must be attune with not only the definition of our overpopulation, but with the likely solutions. So we must first have the babies and then teach these new minds just what ails us. Through this, we can prevent overpopulation. Jean Gimpel was one man who drew many parallels between “The Medieval Machine” and the twentieth-century industrial society. His view of Europe was “an over industrialized late medieval [continent] suffering from, overpopulation, pollution, economic instability, dwindling energy sources, and general malaise.” (Gies 4) With so many parallels between then and now, Gies and Gies had to qualify his statements. They noted that “energy sources were largely untapped… and population was excessive only in respect to limitations of existing agricultural technology.” (Gies 4) Tertullian felt the pressure of population growth in his time and cited it, but what he didn’t see coming was the “paleotechnic” phase that brought a rush of new iron technology and with it the promise of a better life for everyone alive. If only we could move forward forty, fifty, or two hundred years and see exactly what has become of us, we would know just how overpopulation plays out. We cannot though and are left with simply the problem and no solution. Instead of throwing aimless claims out though, it is wiser to study our past and learn from it. Many people believe that we are running out of something as the population grows, be it land, food or resources, but regardless of what we are losing our only hope is to innovate. Innovation comes from the mind and each one of us has a mind resting neatly in his/her head. Having babies isn’t one answer in a list of ways to cure today’s population growth. It is the answer; we have to make this answer happen. There is room, there is food, there is need and there are new horizons to be reached. The sooner we do that; the sooner overpopulation will become more a buzzword than an actual threat. Highly Overpopulation Country Is Overpopulation the Cause of Poverty? AIDS and overpopulation in Africa

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IAPAC Congressional Scorecards Diplomacy First The Ansari Fellowship Program Ansari Fellowship Application CHIP Fellowship CHIP Fellows CHIP Application Civic Engagement Initiative Emergency Student Fund IA-100 Stanford Forum Subscribe to PAAIA’s Newsletter PAAIA’s 2018 Capitol Hill Days were a Success! Washington, D.C. – From April 25th to April 27th, 2018, PAAIA’s IA-100 and Emerging Leaders members met with over 20 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to discuss several issues of importance to the Iranian American community. Our policy recommendations included distinguishing between the Iranian people and the regime, expanding trade exemptions for telecommunications tools, avoiding unwarranted visa or immigration restrictions, and supporting the Iran Nuclear Deal (also known as the JCPOA). During our Capitol Hill Days this year, we met with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Carper (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rand Paul (R-KY), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). We also spoke with Representatives Doug Collins (R-GA/9), Gerald Connolly (D-VA/11), Ted Deutch (D-FL/22), Keith Ellison (D-MN/5), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA/8), Jim Himes (D-CT/4), Steve Knight (R-CA/25), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA/19), Scott Peters (D-CA/52), Francis Rooney (R-FL/19), and Adam Schiff (D-CA/28), as well as Chair of House Education & Workforce Committee Virginia Foxx (R-NC/5), Chair of House Homeland Security Committee Michael McCaul (R-TX/10), and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA/23). At each meeting, we highlighted the fact that Iranian Americans are patriotic Americans who contribute to the social and economic fabric of the United States before laying out our policy recommendations. All offices agreed on the importance of differentiating between the Iranian people’s democratic aspirations and the Iranian regime. Our suggestion to expand trade exemptions for telecommunication tools was well-received and many offices were interested in our recommendations on immigration issues. PAAIA would like to extend a big thank you to all participants who made the effort to travel to Washington, D.C. and to the Congressional staff who helped us coordinate these meetings. Moving forward, PAAIA will continue to build and expand on the progress made during our 2018 Capitol Hill Days and use this momentum to develop an influential voice for the Iranian American community. Please click here to view our Facebook photo album of the event. email: info@paaia.org 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 440 Copyright 2019 PAAIA You are donating to : PAAIA, Inc.

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42-Day Antarctica & Amazon Isles Booking Dates 01/10/2020 through 02/23/2020 Seabourn Quest is the third iteration of the vessel design that has been called "a game-changer for the luxury segment." True to her Seabourn bloodlines, wherever she sails around the world, Seabourn Quest carries with her a bevy of award-winning dining venues that are comparable to the finest restaurants to be found anywhere. Seabourn Quest offers a variety of dining options to suit every taste and every mood, with never an extra charge. Day 0 San Antonio (Santiago), Chile Depart Time: 5:00 PM - Arrive Time: -- Day 1 At Sea Depart Time: -- - Arrive Time: -- Day 2 Scenic Cruising Relo Day 2 Puerto Montt Depart Time: 8:00 PM - Arrive Time: 10:00 AM Day 3 Chiloe Island Depart Time: 3:00 PM - Arrive Time: 7:00 AM Day 3 Scenic Cruising Gulf Day 4 Chilean Fjords Day 5 Scenic Cruising El Brujo Glacier Day 6 Punta Arenas Day 6 Strait of Magellan Day 7 Ushuaia Depart Time: 9:00 PM - Arrive Time: 3:00 PM Day 10 Antarctica Day 16 At Sea Day 17 Port Stanley Day 20 Montevideo Depart Time: 8:00 PM - Arrive Time: 12:00 PM Day 21 Buenos Aires Depart Time: -- - Arrive Time: 7:00 AM Day 23 Punta del Este Day 27 Ilhabela Day 28 Rio de Janeiro Day 30 Armacao dos Buzios, Brazil Day 33 Recife Day 34 Natal Day 37 Crossing the Equator Day 39 Philipsburg Depart Time: 11:59 PM - Arrive Time: 5:00 AM Day 41 Manaus Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities of Latin America, a major world port, and Argentina’s commercial and social center. Heavily industrialized, he city is one of the world’s leading exporters of processed foods. It was founded in 1536, abandoned, then resettled in 1580, and was the first Latin American city to revolt (1810) against Spanish rule. Officially independent in 1816, it became the capital of a united Argentina in 1862. It grew into an urban colossus in the late 19th century, when railroads into the agriculturally abundant pampa to the west began to supplement the great inland river transportation system that linked the city with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, and immigration from Europe increased. Famous landmarks include the 19th century cathedral, the opera house, and the many beautiful municipal parks. Manaus, (me-nous´) city (1990 est. pop. 1,114,000), NW Brazil, capital of Amazonas state, on the Rio Negro. Surrounded by jungle, it is the westernmost of Brazil’s major cities, the commercial center of the upper Amazon region, and a major river port accommodating oceangoing vessels. Founded in 1669, it grew rapidly during the rubber boom of the late 19th cent. Since the 1970s, increased interest in development of the Amazon basin has brought Manaus new importance. Its opera house is renowned. Montevideo is on of South America’s major ports, and Uruguay’s only large city, with nearly half its population. It is a specious beautiful city with amazing architecture and spectacular beaches. The capital of Saint Maarten, the Dutch side of this two nation island, Philipsburg is located on the isthmus between Groot Baai(Great Bay) and the Salt Pond. The city was founded in 1733 as a free port and is now the home to outstanding duty free shopping, casinos and many hotels and resorts. Mullet Bay Resort and Golf Club is nearby. Puerto Montt is the gateway to Chile’s Lake District, an Alpine region noted for its crisp air and breathtaking mountain scenery. Gaze at the pristine beauty of towering Mount Osomo; view the rushing falls and rapids of Petrohue; or enjoy a calm interlude at lake Todos Los Santos. From here, planes fly to the White Continent: Antarctica. Spectacularly situated at Chile’s southern end, La Cruz Hill affords commanding views of the Straits of Magellan. There is a Patagonian Museum to see, the City Museum run by Salesian Friars, a cemetery graced with cypress groves and ornate mausoleums and, naturally, penguins. Recife, (rè-sê´fe) chief city (1990 est. pop. 1,375,000) of NE Brazil,a port on the Atlantic Ocean; also known as Pernambuco. Cut by many waterways, it lies partly on the mainland and partly on an island and is often called the Brazilian Venice. It is an important transportation center; its economy is based on the processing and export of cotton, sugar, and coffee. Industrial products include glass, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic rubber. Founded (1548) by the Portuguese, Recife was briefly held by the British (1595) and the Dutch (1630-54). Rio de Janeiro, (rê´o dâ zhe-nâr´o) city (1990 est. pop. 6,042,000), SE Brazil, capital of Rio de Janeiro state, former capital of Brazil, on Guanabara Bay of the Atlantic Ocean. Brazil’s second largest city and principal port, Rio (as it is popularly called) has diverse manufactures and handles much of the nation’s foreign trade. It is predominantly a modern city, with a new airport and subway system. A cosmopolitan city, long the cultural center of Brazil, it is also its greatest tourist attraction. Rio is celebrated for its pre-Lenten carnival and for its beautiful natural setting within an amphitheater of low mountains. Noted landmarks are Sugar Loaf Mt., which dominates the harbor, and Corcovado peak, with its colossal statue of Jesus. Founded by French Huguenots in 1555, the city was taken by Portugal in the 1560s. It replaced Bahia (now Salvador) as Brazil’s capital in 1763 and was supplanted by Brasília in 1960. Thirty seven sandy beaches, sparkling Caribbean seas, soothing trade winds, fine dining and incredible duty free shopping combine to make St.Martin/St.Maarten a true vacationers paradise. Destination St. Martin is proud to represent a number of smaller hotels on the French side of the island; generally not the type of places found in the glossy tourist brochures but rather more intimate yet immaculate properties which allow the visitor to experience true island life. Accommodations are available on the beach in the beautiful French village of Grand Case, in Nettle Bay near the town of Marigot and at popular Orient Beach. The smallest island in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years. The border is almost imperceptible and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they are entering a new country. The only marker is a monument between Union Road and Bellevue, testifying to centuries of peaceful cohabitation and the treaty that made the arrangement possible. All the same, each side has managed to retain much of the distinctiveness of its own national culture. The French tend to emphasize comfort and elegance. The beaches are secluded, the luxury resorts provide lavish accommodations, and the restaurants offer some of the finest dining experiences anywhere in the Caribbean. The latest French fashions can be found in many of the shops, and the smell of fresh croissants and pastries mixes everywhere with the spicy aromas of West Indian cooking. Small caf’e9s and charming bistros add a decidedly Gaelic and cosmopolitan flair to the place. On the whole the atmosphere remains very relaxed. Strait of Magellan The Strait of Magellan is a channel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, separating the southern tip of the South American mainland from the island of Tierra del Fuego. The strait was discovered by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520. There are no additional terms and conditions for this offer. Click on the buttons below to request a quote on this deal, send it to a friend who might be interested, or contact us directly with further questions or comments. Request A Quote Send To A Friend Have A Question? Contact Us Passport ID: 8

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John Carroll Downs Jupiter Christian, Earns Top Seed In District Written by Staff on April 27th, 2019 Kelsey Ward had two home runs, including a grand slam, to lead John Carroll to a 15-3 victory. *Photo courtesy of @JohnCarrollBaseball. A big day at the plate from senior Kelsey Ward helped lead the John Carroll Rams to a key, 15-3 road victory over Jupiter Christian on Friday. Ward had two home runs in one inning, including a grand slam, and drove in six runs, as John Carroll completed district play undefeated. The Rams went 8-0 in 3A District 7 this season, and have earned the top seed in the district playoffs. They also won their 15th consecutive district contest, with their last loss in 3A-7 coming to Jupiter Christian on March 31st, 2017. With the contest tied at three runs apiece, Ward led off the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run to right field for a lead the Rams (16-5) never relinquished. John Carroll batted around the order to load the bases for Ward later in the inning, when he delivered another blast to right field for the grand slam. The Rams had a big day offensively, as every starter contributed at the plate. Hayden Sullivan went 3-for-4 with three runs, Brandon O’Brien was 3-for-4 with a run and three RBIs and Jay Allen went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs. Jupiter Christian (14-3-1) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but was held scoreless the rest of the way. Domenico Galluzo was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Nathan Espinal went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Eagles.

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Promoting women’s leadership in the post-conflict health sector in Cambodia Migration, Conflict, All Publications PROJECT Building Back Better DATE Aug 19, 2017 AUTHOR(S) Sarah Hyde and Kate Hawkins In Cambodia, civil war and conflict lasted almost 30 years, from 1970 to 1998. Health workers were among the 3.3 million professionals who were executed during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975- 1979). After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, it is believed that only 40 doctors were left in the country. Now, after a 20-year period of strengthening the health system and developing human resources for health (HRH), over 19,000 people are employed in the health sector in Cambodia. Women make up most of the health workforce, and yet rarely hold senior roles, and have fewer opportunities than men to re-train for new positions. Only one in five leadership positions in the Ministry of Health are held by women. Just 16% of senior health workers (such as doctors) are female, compared to 100% of midwives. This is problematic for several reasons. Women’s concerns, for example, are not reflected in health policies, including HRH strategies. Human resource policies, such as those related to career advancement, do not take into account women’s life course events, such as childbearing and childcare. And, finally, in a country where most women prefer to be cared for by female health workers, the shortage of female doctors limits women’s access to health services. Research on gender equity in human resource management for health in post-conflict settings is limited. To fill the gap in the evidence base, ReBUILD and RinGs, carried out qualitative research in Battambang province, Cambodia. « Incorporating gender analysis into health systems implementation research » The role of women’s leadership and gender equity in leadership and health system strengthening Publications categories All Publications (47)

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The Real-Time City? Big Data and Smart Urbanism A revised version of this paper, including two new sections, has been published in GeoJournal 79(1):1-14, 2014 20 Pages Posted: 4 Jul 2013 Last revised: 11 Jan 2015 See all articles by Rob Kitchin Rob Kitchin National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Maynooth University) - NIRSA Date Written: July 3, 2013 ‘Smart cities’ is a term that has gained traction in academia, business and government to describe cities that, on the one hand, are increasingly composed of and monitored by pervasive and ubiquitous computing and, on the other, whose economy and governance is being driven by innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, enacted by smart people. This paper focuses on the former and how cities are being instrumented with digital devices and infrastructure that produce ‘big data’ which enable real-time analysis of city life, new modes of technocratic urban governance, and a re-imagining of cities. The paper details a number of projects that seek to produce a real-time analysis of the city and provides a critical reflection on the implications of big data and smart urbanism. Keywords: big data, smart cities, urbanism, real-time analysis, data analytics, ubiquitous computing Kitchin, Rob, The Real-Time City? Big Data and Smart Urbanism (July 3, 2013). A revised version of this paper, including two new sections, has been published in GeoJournal 79(1):1-14, 2014. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2289141 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2289141 Rob Kitchin (Contact Author) National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Maynooth University) - NIRSA ( email ) Iontas Building Maynooth, County Kildare W23 F2H6

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Paseo Trails Newsletter bill@pdlrmail.us 2335 Hudson Blvd. Brownsville, Texas 78526 The mission of Paseo de la Resaca is to utilize proven successful development techniques to create the highest quality community within the community of Brownsville wherein residents, workers, and visitors can live, work, worship, educate, recreate, and shop in an elegant, enchanting environment. Paseo de la Resaca: "1000 Acres of Excellence" in Brownsville, Texas Paseo de la Resaca is the trademark name of the thousand acre Master Planned Community in Brownsville, Texas, formerly known as Hudson Farm. Hubert R. Hudson, Sr., acquired the land for farming in 1937. From 1937 to 1993 the farm was utilized for various agricultural uses. The City of Brownsville, however, grew to surround the thousand acres and in 1993 the Hudson Farm partnership began development planning. Implementation of the plan began in 1995. Today only a few acres remain to be developed. Today, Paseo de la Resaca has a tax base of about $400 million consisting of 3,000 households and about one million square feet of commercial and public buildings, surrounding a 100+ acre park with a USTA award winning Tennis Center, An “Olympic-conforming” swimming center, and 8 miles of hike and bike trails that connect the entire community within the community of Brownsville. Our Master Planner, Richard Browne is best known for Columbia, Maryland and The Woodlands, north of Houston, but his legacy for “Quality of Life” lives on in Paseo de la Resaca.

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Posted by Brian Williams | Nov 14, 2019 Two grants allow for construction of covered outdoor patio area CRESTON — Creston is showing what can be done when a community works together. Case in point, the small town’s Community Center, known locally as CATCH. Everyone agrees it is easier to refer to it as the Creston Community Center or CATCH which is short for Creston Activity Town Center Helping Hands Fund. “I wasn’t here when they came up with that,” explains smiling CATCH secretary Sheila Lyons, knowing that the full name is a mouth full. The center is located at 5110 Swayze St. in Creston. It is in the same building that was previously occupied by Cal Fire and the volunteer fire department. It has become the hub of the community since opening in 2012. “It’s one of the things that the community is proud of as a whole,” Lyons said. “A community center for Creston was a collective dream for over 25 years and is coming into its own.” Lyons, who moved to Creston 17 years ago, is more than just the secretary, she is also a capable grant writer, having spent many years as a research scientist. “I was in academia for a long time and running the labs really depends on getting grants,” she said. “So I have translated that talent into helping the community.” CATCH received two grants — one for beautification and another for infrastructure — totaling $15,500 that led to the construction of a large concrete outdoor patio with a metal shade structure. CATCH received $13,200 from San Luis Obispo County in July of 2018 and $2,500 from The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County in January of 2019. “We were definitely elated, to finally think we can move forward on some of these ideas that we had down on paper for a while,” Lyons said of the group’s reaction to the grants. The projects were completed just in time for the annual Halloween gathering at the Community Center. It was sponsored free of charge by the Creston Women’s Club and the Creston Volunteer Garden Club. More than 200 people came and grabbed a hot dog, baked goods and candy at the decorated Community Center while socializing with friends and neighbors and admiring each other’s costumes. “It was great. We had families and children dressed up and having fun,” Lyons said. CATCH Fund, Lyons explained, was formed in 1994 and is made up of seven local clubs and organizations: Women’s Club, Volunteer Garden Club, Community Association, Friends of the Creston Library, the Creston Advisory Body (CAB), 4-H Youth, Creston Classic Rodeo and the Volunteer Firefighters Association. “All of these groups are committed, in addition to their own charters to the improvement of community life and facilities of the Creston area,” Lyons said. CATCH obtained a long-term lease in 2012 from SLO County, after the building of a new Cal Fire station in Creston. The center is near the Creston Classic Rodeo grounds and is on the same property that is home to the Creston Community Demonstration Garden. The Community Center has been used for activities and events such as memorials, holiday parties, clubs and homeowner association meetings, fundraisers, and celebrations. Since opening, there has been a concerted effort to make the necessary improvements to the property to make it a fully functional facility. Over the years, improvements include ADA bathrooms and outdoor safety lighting. Plans include replacing the two roll-up doors while long-term goals will see adding central heating and air-conditioning and a functional kitchen. “We have some grant applications that are turned in and have not been answered as yet. We are keeping our fingers crossed,” Lyons said. The next major fundraiser for the center is the Cowboy Christmas Dinner on Dec. 14 that includes a silent auction and a dessert auction. Tickets are available by calling Donna at 805-610-1517. With the community fully behind CATCH, Lyons knows their dreams will become reality. “We are a small community but very enthusiastic about moving forward with this and making it fully functional,” Lyons said. “It’s all slow and steady.” PreviousEstrella Warbird Museum Aviation Youth Tour CHP, Cal Fire Facilities NextPRJUSD Will Not Make Final Three Audit Firm Items Public

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Home › Baseball › Silver Slugger Baseball — Silver Slugger Posted by PastPros Staff on Dec 21, 2017 BIOGRAPHY Richard William "Dickie" Thon (born June 20, 1958) is an American former professional baseball shortstop, who played for the California Angels, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers during his 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career.Early lifeThon was raised in Puerto Rico after spending only the first two weeks of his life in Indiana where his father had just completed a bachelor's degree at the University of Notre Dame.Professional careerHe was signed by the California Angels as an amateur free agent on November 23, 1975 while in high school in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.... Tags: All-Star, California Angels, Dickie Thon, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, Silver Slugger, Texas Rangers BIOGRAPHY Jesús Manuel Marcano Trillo (born December 25, 1950), also nicknamed 'Indio', is a Venezuelan former second baseman who played in Major League Baseball from 1973 through 1989. In a 17-season career, he played for the Oakland Athletics (1973–1974), Chicago Cubs (1975–1978, 1986–1988), Philadelphia Phillies (1979–1982), Cleveland Indians (1983), Montreal Expos (1983), San Francisco Giants (1984–1985) and the Cincinnati Reds (1989). He was known as one of the best fielding second basemen of his era with a strong throwing arm.Major league careerOriginally signed as a catcher by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1968, Trillo was converted into a third baseman by... Tags: All-Star, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Gold Glove, Manny Trillo, Montreal Expos, NLCS MVP, Oakland A's, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Silver Slugger, World Series Posted by PastPros Staff on Jan 09, 2017 Biography Garry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", (born March 24, 1956 in Lockney, Texas) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991. Templeton had good batting numbers in an era when shortstops did not provide much offense. Playing career He was hailed by many as one of the best players in baseball early in his career, which featured All-Star Game selections in 1977 and 1979. In the latter year, Templeton made history as the first switch-hitter to collect 100 hits from each side... Tags: All-Star, Garry Templeton, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Silver Slugger, St Louis Cardinals Frank White BIOGRAPHY Frank White, Jr. (born September 4, 1950) is an American former Major League Baseball player, and coach for the Kansas City Royals and their AA affiliate, the Wichita Wranglers. He is also a former color commentator for Royals telecasts. He currently serves as the first base coach of the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. He won the Jackson County Legislature election on the evening of August 6, 2014. White was born in Greenville, Mississippi. After going to college at Longview Community in Lee's Summit, Missouri, he rose through the minors to reach the... Tags: All-Star, Gold Glove, Kansas City Royals, Silver Slugger, World Series Biography David Gene Parker (born June 9, 1951), nicknamed "The Cobra",[citation needed] is an American former player in Major League Baseball. He was the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion. Parker was the first professional athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year, having signed a 5-year, $5 million contract in January 1979. Parker's career achievements include 2712 hits, 339 home runs, 1493 runs batted in and a lifetime batting average of .290. Parker was also known as a solid defensive outfielder during the first half of his career, with a powerful arm. From... Tags: All-Star, Batting Champion, California Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Dave Parker, Gold Glove, Milwaukee Brewers, NL MVP, Oakland A's, Pittsburgh Pirates, Silver Slugger, Toronto Blue Jays, World Series

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Civil Rights Movements By Joaquin Bloom on Friday, December 13, 2019 Governments serve as the structural framework for the functioning of most societies and have a wide range of responsibilities. While there are many types of governments, they are concerned about similar national issues from the economy to education to defense to health. Outside of the government itself, so many other groups influence society. This includes corporations, the media, nonprofits, clinics, lobbying groups, and the people themselves. These groups have a lot of influence, but instead of representing a particular country or state or physical area, they often go beyond borders and represent a set of values or an ideology. As a result, these groups are called non-state actors because they are separate from governments or states. Even though these non-state actors aren’t affiliated with, directed by, or funded through the government, they have a lot of power to facilitate change. Keep in mind that a non-state actor in one country may actually be controlled by the government in a different country However, while non-state actors can be influenced by the government, they still have their own agendas. This can be clearly illustrated through the role played by non-state actors and various social movements. A social movement is when a group of people and/or organizations work towards a common goal. These goals are oriented around social change over a long period of time. Often, the social movement doesn’t come from within the government but rather from outside of the government and this is where the non-state actors come in. Unfortunately, things aren’t always straight forward. Sometimes, the non-state actor involved is working with the social movement to promote change. Other times, the non-state actor is what the people of a particular social movement are demanding action against. We will look at various examples around the world of both of these cases. We’ll start off studying civil rights movements by examining the history, evolution, and consequences of apartheid in South Africa. Although South Africa technically earned its independence in 1934, not everyone had a voice. Only the white minority could vote. They controlled most of the land, wealth, and power despite only composing about 10 to 20 percent of the population To maintain power, the white population passed many laws prohibiting non-whites from owning valuable land, working desirable jobs and living where they wanted to. The ruling class kept different non-white populations separate and intentionally sowed discourse between non-white groups to keep them divided. In 1948 amid economic struggles, the Afrikaner National Party came to power and instituted a new program called apartheid, meaning separateness. The first steps of this new program were to classify every male by race They could be labeled as black, mixed, white or asian. Interracial marriages were outlawed and land reform acts were passed that gave whites control of over 80 percent of the land in the country. Over 3.5 million rural non-whites were evicted from their land during apartheid. They also designated separate bathrooms, water fountains, and other entities. Non-whites were denied the ability to participate in politics, unions and many had to carry racial identification papers and they could be arrested for leaving the house without them. The non-whites of South Africa fought back through first nonviolent political and then violent channels. The African National Congress (the ANC) was formed and put persistent political pressure on the white led apartheid government. Many members of the ANC were arrested in a 1955 meeting where they declared that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it black or white.” In 1960, white police officers shot into a protesting crowd of black students in Sharpeville killing over 65 people. This became known as the Sharpeville massacre. Many saw this as a sign that peaceful means would not work and violence was the only way to achieve true freedom, in contrast to the peaceful civil rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States at the time. The ANC formed a militant wing to put more pressure on the South African government. The leaders of the militant groups, most notably Nelson Mandela, were arrested quickly and sent to prison. After another massacre in Soweto in 1976, the pressure and apartheid both domestically and internationally was felt. Countries began to impose sanctions on South Africa for their harsh laws which led to economic recession. South Africa was also expelled from the United Nations and banned from the Olympics. Eventually, enough pressure was put on the government in South Africa that laws slowly start getting repealed in 1989 and apartheid was finally abolished in 1994. A new constitution was written and Nelson Mandela became the first African leader in South Africa’s history. Through a combination of both violent and nonviolent protests, international condemnation, and internal political pressure, South Africans were finally able to achieve freedom for all their citizens. In South Africa laws meant to restrict the civil rights of certain groups of people began emerging in 1948. Collectively, these laws enforced apartheid in the country. The main non-state actors were the South African citizens who led protests to put political pressure on the state to remove these unjust laws. This social movement within South Africa was supported internationally. Forty six years later after the start of apartheid in 1994, the people finally won and were able to participate in the first South African election open to everybody. Trevor Hosts the Global Citizen Festival to Honor Nelson Mandela’s 100th Birthday | The Daily Show Ambassador Andrew J. Young: A Civil Rights Hero The bridge between an inmate and society | Earnest Sanford | TEDxSanQuentin International Civic and Citizenship Studies Data for Secondary Analysis african national congress and Apartheid Boston cambridge Civil Rights Education freedom harvard law Massachusetts Nelson Mandela newton political parties Quincy social movement south South Africa the vote

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People.BrandonU.Ca » James Naylor James Naylor B.A., M.A. (Manitoba), Ph.D. (York) Twentieth-Century Social Movements. Currently working on a study of class and ethnicity in Winnipeg, 1945-1975. Teaching Interests: “Standing Together,” Canada’s History, (April-May 2019). “‘Not reform, but the replacing of capitalism’: The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation in the 1930s,” in Roberta Lexier, Stephanie Bangarth, and Jonathan Weier, eds., Party of Conscience: The CCF, the NDP, and Social Democracy in Canada, (Toronto: Between the Lines, 2018). “Whatever Happened to Labourism?” Left History, 21, no. 1 (Spring/Summer 2017). The Fate of Labour Socialism: The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and the Dream of a Working-Class Future (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2016). “Rebelling Youth: Universities and Students,” in Cy Gonick, ed., Canada since 1960: A People’s History, (Toronto: Lorimer, 2016). “Frederick John Dixon (1881-1931),” Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Volume XVI. Available Online. Print: University of Toronto Press, forthcoming. “The British Columbia CCF’s Working-Class Moment: Socialism not Populism,” Labour/Le Travail, 71 (Spring 2013). “Canadian Labour and the State,” a contribution to “The Current of Canadian Labour History” Roundtable, Historiography Quarterly (史学理论研究), 2 (2013). “Socialism for a New Generation: CCF Youth in the Popular Front Era,” Canadian Historical Review, 94, no. 1 (March 2013). “The Labour Market and Capitalist Development in Winnipeg” in Silva Rerum: A Collection of Scholarly Papers to honour A.B. Pernal, (L’viv: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2007). “Canadian Labour Politics and the British Model,” in Phillip Buckner and R. Douglas Francis, eds., Canada and the British World: Culture, Migration, and Identity, (University of British Columbia Press, 2006) “Work Life,” in Canada: Confederation to Present (CD-Rom), (Edmonton: Chinook Multimedia, 2001). “Prairie Fire Fizzles,” (with Tom Mitchell), in Labour/Le Travail, 45 (Spring, 2000). “Southern Ontario: Striking at the Ballot Box,” and “The Prairies: In the Eye of the Storm” (with Tom Mitchell) in Craig Heron, ed., The Workers’ Revolt in Canada, 1917-1925, (University of Toronto Press, 1998). “Pacifism or Anti-Imperialism? The CCF Response to the Outbreak of World War II” in Journal of the Canadian Historical Association, 8 (1997). “Bringing Which State In?” Labour/Le Travail, 36 (Fall 1995), 317-328. “Workers and the State: Experiments in Corporatism after World War One,” in Studies in Political Economy, 42 (Autumn 1993). The New Democracy: Challenging the Social Order in Industrial Ontario, 1914-1925 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1991). 54:155 Canada to Confederation 54:156 Canada Since Confederation 54:154 World History since 1500 54:257 Making of the Modern World, 1870-1939 54:258 The World since 1945 54:278 Québec since 1759 54:285 United States History since 1877 54:358 Work and Workers in Canadian Society 54:360 Social Movements of the 1960s 54:437 Historical Methods and Historiography Email: naylor@BrandonU.ca Office: 309 Clark Hall

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About PfCJR What is Pfcjr Physicians for Criminal Justice Reform (PfCJR) was founded by a group of physicians who were struck by the myriad of ways that negative encounters with the criminal justice system lead to detrimental health consequences. We firmly believe that changing the interaction between the criminal justice system and individuals of targeted populations will ultimately lead to improved health of targeted communities. As such, our members have made the commitment to be leaders of criminal justice reform by using our medical expertise to: our CORE ISSUES Physicians for Criminal Justice Reform seeks to support the creation of a humane, egalitarian justice system by advocating for the following reforms. Reduction of violent encounters between law enforcement professionals and the general public. In 2015, 1186 people were killed during interactions with police. This is more people than in 2014. In the first six months of 2016, 532 people were killed during interactions with the police. The majority were killed by shooting. This exceeds the number killed in the first six months of 2015. Black people and Native Americans are being killed at higher rates than any other ethnic/racial demographic group. 2015 saw the highest number of police officers being charged for deadly, on-duty shootings in a decade. Still, in a year when approximately 1,200 people were killed by police, zero officers were convicted of murder or manslaughter, painting the picture that officers involved in killing another person will not be held accountable for their actions. Cases in which a police officer causes serious injury to civilians including through the use of stun guns, pepper spray or even fists and feet, are not currently required to be reported to the FBI. Decriminalization of mental health and addictive disorders Across the nation, individuals with severe mental illness are three times more likely to be in a jail or prison than in a mental health facility and 40 percent of individuals with a severe mental illness will have spent some time in their lives in either jail, prison, or community corrections. It has been shown that about 20 percent of prison inmates have a serious mental illness, 30 to 60 percent have substance abuse problems and, when including broadbased mental illnesses, the percentages increase significantly. An estimated 50 percent of males and 75 percent of female inmates in state prisons, and 75 percent of females and 63 percent of male inmates in jails, will experience a mental health problem requiring mental health services in any given year. Despite 45 million drug related arrests in the U.S., rates of addiction remain unchanged and overdose deaths are at an alltime high. Reform of the juvenile justice system to identify and divert at risk adolescents. On any given night in America, 10,000 children are held in adult jails and prisons. As many as 70 percent of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mentalhealth disorder. Youth housed in adult jails are 36 times more likely to commit suicide than are youth housed in juvenile detention facilities. According to research by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, youth under the age of 18 represented 21 percent of all substantiated victims of inmateoninmate sexual violence in jails in 2005, and 13 percent in 2006 – surprisingly high since only one percent of jail inmates are juveniles. Provision of adequate access to physical and psychiatric health care for current inmates. Medical experts say inmates typically experience the effects of age sooner than do people outside prison because of issues such as substance use disorders, inadequate preventive and primary care before incarceration, and stress linked to the isolation and sometimesviolent environment of prison. Prison inmates have a higher incidence of chronic and infectious diseases, such as AIDS and hepatitis C, and mental illness than that of the general population. The United States continues to have one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, with percent of the world population, but nearly 25 percent of the world’s prisoners. By ending mass incarceration, correctional physician resources will be better matched to demand and fewer individuals with be exposed to the stressors of incarceration that lead to higher rates of chronic illness About 66% of prisoners and 40% of jail inmates with a chronic condition at the time of interview reported taking prescription medication.

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« California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued 10 penalties today to seven California hospitals and fines totaling $775,000 Arterial Hypertension in Young Adults: An Ignored Chronic Problem » The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics – Part I February 8, 2013 by larryhbern From Molecular Biology to Translational Medicine: How Far Have We Come, and Where Does It Lead Us? The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Part I Curator: Larry H Bernstein, MD, FCAP Introduction and purpose This material will cover the initiation phase of molecular biology, Part I; to be followed by the Human Genome Project, Part II; and concludes with Ubiquitin, it’s Role in Signaling and Regulatory Control, Part III. This article is first a continuation of a previous discussion on the role of genomics in discovery of therapeutic targets titled Directions for genomics in personalized medicine https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/27/directions-for-genomics-in-personalized-medicine/ The previous article focused on key drivers of cellular proliferation, stepwise mutational changes coinciding with cancer progression, and potential therapeutic targets for reversal of the process. It also covers the race to delineation of the Human Genome, discovery methods and fundamental genomic patterns that are ancient in both animal and plant speciation. This article reviews the web-like connections between early and later discoveries, as significant finding has led to novel hypotheses and many more findings over the last 75 years. This largely post WWII revolution has driven our understanding of biological and medical processes at an exponential pace owing to successive discoveries of chemical structure, the basic building blocks of DNA and proteins, of nucleotide and protein-protein interactions, protein folding, allostericity, genomic structure, DNA replication, nuclear polyribosome interaction, and metabolic control. In addition, the emergence of methods for copying, removal and insertion, and improvements in structural analysis as well as developments in applied mathematics have transformed the research framework. During the Second World War we had the discoveries of physics and the emergence out of the Manhattan Project of radioactive nuclear probes from E.O. Lawrence University of California Berkeley Laboratory. The use of radioactive isotopes led to the development of biochemistry and isolation of nucleotides, nucleosides, enzymes, and filling in of details of pathways for photosynthesis, for biosynthesis, and for catabolism. Perhaps a good start of the journey is a student of Neils Bohr named Max Delbruck (September 4, 1906 – March 9, 1981), who won the Nobel prize for discovering that bacteria become resistant to viruses (phages) as a result of genetic mutations, founded a new discipline called Molecular Biology, lifting the experimental work in Physiology to a systematic experimentation in biology with the rigor of Physics using radiation and virus probes on selected cells. In 1937 he turned to research on the genetics of Drosophila melanogaster at Caltech, and two years later he coauthored a paper, “The growth of bacteriophage”, reporting that the viruses replicate in one step, not exponentially. In 1942, he and Salvador Luria of Indiana University demonstrated that bacterial resistance to virus infection is mediated by random mutation. This research, known as the Luria-Delbrück experiment, notably applied mathematics to make quantitative predictions, and earned them the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared with Alfred Hershey. His inferences on genes’ susceptibility to mutation was relied on by physicist Erwin Schrödinger in his 1944 book, What Is Life?, which conjectured genes were an “aperiodic crystal” storing code-script and influenced Francis Crick and James D. Watson in their 1953 identification of cellular DNA’s molecular structure as a double helix. Watson-Crick Double Helix Model A new understanding of heredity and hereditary disease was possible once it was determined that DNA consists of two chains twisted around each other, or double helixes, of alternating phosphate and sugar groups, and that the two chains are held together by hydrogen bonds between pairs of organic bases—adenine (A) with thymine (T), and guanine (G) with cytosine (C). Modern biotechnology also has its basis in the structural knowledge of DNA—in this case the scientist’s ability to modify the DNA of host cells that will then produce a desired product, for example, insulin. The background for the work of the four scientists was formed by several scientific breakthroughs: the progress made by X-ray crystallographers in studying organic macromolecules; the growing evidence supplied by geneticists that it was DNA, not protein, in chromosomes that was responsible for heredity; Erwin Chargaff’s experimental finding that there are equal numbers of A and T bases and of G and C bases in DNA; and Linus Pauling’s discovery that the molecules of some proteins have helical shapes. In 1962 James Watson (b. 1928), Francis Crick (1916–2004), and Maurice Wilkins (1916–2004) jointly received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for their 1953 determination of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), performed with a knowledge of Chargaff’s ratios of the bases in DNA and having access to the X-ray crystallography of Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin at King’s College London. Because the Nobel Prize can be awarded only to the living, Wilkins’s colleague Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958), who died of cancer at the age of 37, could not be honored. Of the four DNA researchers, only Rosalind Franklin had any degrees in chemistry. Franklin completed her degree in 1941 in the middle of World War II and undertook graduate work at Cambridge with Ronald Norrish, a future Nobel Prize winner. She returning to Cambridge after a year of war service, presented her work and received the PhD in physical chemistry. Franklin then learned the X-ray crystallography in Paris and rapidly became a respected authority in this field. Returning to returned to England to King’s College London in 1951, her charge was to upgrade the X-ray crystallographic laboratory there for work with DNA. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory I digress to the beginnings of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. A significant part of the Laboratory’s life revolved around education with its three-week-long Phage Course, taught first in 1945 by Max Delbruck, the German-born, theoretical-physicist-turned-biologist. James D Watson first came to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory with his thesis advisor, Salvador Luria, in the summer of 1948. Over its more than 25-year history, the Phage Course was the training ground for many notable scientists. The Laboratory’s annual scientific Symposium, has provided a unique highly interactive education about the exciting field of “molecular” biology. The 1953 symposium featured Watson coming from England to give the first public presentation of the DNA double helix. When he became the Laboratory’s director in 1968 he was determined to make the Laboratory an important center for advancing molecular biology, and he focused his energy on bringing large donations to the enterprise CSHNL. It became a magnate for future discovery at which James D. Watson became the Director in 1968, and later the Chancellor. This contribution has as great an importance as his Nobel Prize discovery. Biochemistry and Molecular Probes comes into View Moreover, at the same time, the experience of Nathan Kaplan and Martin Kamen at Berkeley working with radioactive probes was the beginning of an establishment of Lawrence-Livermore Laboratories role in metabolic studies, as reported in the previous paper. A collaboration between Sid Collowick, NO Kaplan and Elizabeth Neufeld at the McCollum Pratt Institute led to the transferase reaction between the two main pyridine nucleotides. Neufeld received a PhD a few years later from the University of California, Berkeley, under William Zev Hassid for research on nucleotides and complex carbohydrates, and did postdoctoral studies on non-protein sulfhydryl compounds in mitosis. Her later work at the NIAMDG on mucopolysaccharidoses. The Lysosomal Storage Diseases opened a new chapter on human genetic diseases when she found that the defects in Hurler and Hunter syndromes were due to decreased degradation of the mucopolysaccharides. When an assay became available for α-L-iduronidase in 1972, Neufeld was able to show that the corrective factor for Hurler syndrome that accelerates degradation of stored sulfated mucopolysaccharides was α-L-iduronidase. The Hurler Corrective Factor. Purification and Some Properties (Barton, R. W., and Neufeld, E. F. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 7773–7779) The Sanfilippo A Corrective Factor. Purification and Mode of Action (Kresse, H., and Neufeld, E. F. (1972) J. Biol. Chem. 247, 2164–2170) I mention this for two reasons: [1] We see a huge impetus for nucleic acids and nucleotides research growing in the 1950’s with a post WWII emergence of work on biological structure. [2] At the same time, the importance of enzymes in cellular metabolic processes runs parallel to that of the genetic code. In 1959 Arthur Kornberg was a recipient of the Nobel prize for Physiology or Medicine based on his discovery of “the mechanisms in the biological synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid” (DNA polymerase) together with Dr. Severo Ochoa of New York University. In the next 20 years Stanford University Department of Biochemistry became a top rated graduate program in biochemistry. Today, the Pfeffer Lab is distinguished for research into how human cells put receptors in the right place through Rab GTPases that regulate all aspects of receptor trafficking. Steve Elledge (1984-1989) at Harvard University is one of its graduates from the 1980s. Transcription –RNA and the ribosome In 2006, Roger Kornberg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for identifying the role of RNA polymerase II and other proteins in transcribing DNA. He says that the process is something akin to a machine. “It has moving parts which function in synchrony, in appropriate sequence and in synchrony with one another”. The Kornbergs were the tenth family with closely-related Nobel laureates. The 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Venki Ramakrishnan, Tom Steitz, and Ada Yonath for crystallographic studies of the ribosome. The atomic resolution structures of the ribosomal subunits provide an extraordinary context for understanding one of the most fundamental aspects of cellular function: protein synthesis. Research on protein synthesis began with studies of microsomes, and three papers were published on the atomic resolution structures of the 50S and 30S the atomic resolution of structures of ribosomal subnits in 2000. Perhaps the most remarkable and inexplicable feature of ribosome structure is that two-thirds of the mass is composed of large RNA molecules, the 5S, 16S, and 23S ribosomal RNAs, and the remaining third is distributed among ~50 relatively small and innocuous proteins. The first step on the road to solving the ribosome structure was determining the primary structure of the 16S and 23S RNAs in Harry Noller’s laboratory. The sequences were rapidly followed by secondary structure models for the folding of the two ribosomal RNAs, in collaboration with Carl Woese, bringing the ribosome structure into two dimensions. The RNA secondary structures are characterized by an elaborate series of helices and loops of unknown structure, but other than the insights offered by the structure of transfer RNA (tRNA), there was no way to think about folding these structures into three dimensions. The first three-dimensional images of the ribosome emerged from Jim Lake’s reconstructions from electron microscopy (EM) (Lake, 1976). Ada Yonath reported the first crystals of the 50S ribosomal subunit in 1980, a crucial step that would require almost 20 years to bring to fruition (Yonath et al., 1980). Yonath’s group introduced the innovative use of ribosomes from extremophilic organisms. Peter Moore and Don Engelman applied neutron scattering techniques to determine the relative positions of ribosomal proteins in the 30S ribosomal subunit at the same time. Elegant chemical footprinting studies from the Noller laboratory provided a basis for intertwining the RNA among the ribosomal proteins, but there was still insufficient information to produce a high resolution structure, but Venki Ramakrishnan, in Peter Moore’s laboratory did it with deuterated ribosome reconstitutions. Then the Yale group was ramping up its work on the H. marismortui crystals of the 50S subunit. Peter Moore had recruited long-time colleague Tom Steitz to work on this problem and Steitz was about to complete the final event in the pentathlon of Crick’s dogma, having solved critical structures of DNA polymerases, the glutaminyl tRNA-tRNA synthetase complex, HIV reverse transcriptase, and T7 RNA polymerase. In 1999 Steitz, Ramakrishnan, and Yonath all presented electron density maps of subunits at approximately 5 Å resolution, and the Noller group presented 10 Å electron density maps of the Thermus 70S ribosome. Peter Moore aptly paraphrased Churchill, telling attendees that this was not the end, but the end of the beginning. Almost every nucleotide in the RNA is involved in multiple stabilizing interactions that form the monolithic tertiary structure at the heart of the ribosome. Williamson J. The ribosome at atomic resolution. Cell 2009; 139:1041-1043. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2009.11.028/ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867409014536 This opened the door to new therapies. For example, in 2010 it was reported that Numerous human genes display dual coding within alternatively spliced regions, which give rise to distinct protein products that include segments translated in more than one reading frame. To resolve the ensuing protein structural puzzle, we identified human genes with alternative splice variants comprising a dual coding region at least 75 nucleotides in length and analyzed the structural status of the protein segments they encode. The inspection of their amino acid composition and predictions by the IUPred and PONDR® VSL2 algorithms suggest a high propensity for structural disorder in dual-coding regions. Kovacs E, Tompa P, liliom K, and Kalmar L. Dual coding in alternative reading frames correlates with intrinsic protein disorder. PNAS 2010. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25664997 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851785 http://www.pnas.org/content/107/12/5429.full.pdf In 2012, it was shown that drug-bound ribosomes can synthesize a distinct subset of cellular polypeptides. The structure of a protein defines its ability to thread through the antibiotic-obstructed tunnel. Synthesis of certain polypeptides that initially bypass translational arrest can be stopped at later stages of elongation while translation of some proteins goes to completion. (Kannan K, Vasquez-Laslop N, and Mankin AS. Selective Protein Synthesis by Ribosomes with a Drug-Obstructed Exit Tunnel. Cell 2012; 151; 508-520.) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2012.09.018 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867412011257 Mobility of genetic elements Barbara McClintock received the Nobel Prize for Medicine for the discovery of the mobility of genetic elements, work that been done in that period. When transposons were demonstrated in bacteria, yeast and other organisms, Barbara rose to a stratospheric level in the general esteem of the scientific world, but she was uncomfortable about the honors. It was sufficient to have her work understood and acknowledged. Prof. Howard Green said of her, “There are scientists whose discoveries greatly transcend their personalities and their humanity. But those in the future who will know of Barbara only her discoveries will know only her shadow”. “In Memoriam – Barbara McClintock”. Nobelprize.org. 5 Feb 2013 http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1983/mcclintock-article.html/ She introduced her Nobel Lecture in 1983 with the following observation: “An experiment conducted in the mid-nineteen forties prepared me to expect unusual responses of a genome to challenges for which the genome is unprepared to meet in an orderly, programmed manner. In most known instances of this kind, the types of response were not predictable in advance of initial observations of them. It was necessary to subject the genome repeatedly to the same challenge in order to observe and appreciate the nature of the changes it induces…a highly programmed sequence of events within the cell that serves to cushion the effects of the shock. Some sensing mechanism must be present in these instances to alert the cell to imminent danger, and to set in motion the orderly sequence of events that will mitigate this danger”. She goes on to consider “early studies that revealed programmed responses to threats that are initiated within the genome itself, as well as others similarly initiated, that lead to new and irreversible genomic modifications. These latter responses, now known to occur in many organisms, are significant for appreciating how a genome may reorganize itself when faced with a difficulty for which it is unprepared”. An experiment with Zea conducted in the summer of 1944 alerted her to the mobility of specific components of genomes involved the entrance of a newly ruptured end of a chromosome into a telophase nucleus. This experiment commenced with the growing of approximately 450 plants in the summer of 1944, each of which had started its development with a zygote that had received from each parent a chromosome with a newly ruptured end of one of its arms. The design of the experiment required that each plant be self-pollinated to isolate from the self-pollinated progeny new mutants that were expected to appear, and confine them to locations within the ruptured arm of a chromosome. Each mutant was expected to reveal the phenotype produced by a minute homozygous deficiency. Their modes of origin could be projected from the known behavior of broken ends of chromosomes in successive mitoses. Forty kernels from each self-pollinated ear were sown in a seedling bench in the greenhouse during the winter of 1944-45. Some seedling mutants of the type expected overshadowed by segregants exhibiting bizarre phenotypes. These were variegated for type and degree of expression of a gene. Those variegated expressions given by genes associated with chlorophyll development were startingly conspicuous. Within any one progeny chlorophyll intensities, and their pattern of distribution in the seedling leaves, were alike. Between progenies, however, both the type and the pattern differed widely. The effect of X-rays on chromosomes Initial studies of broken ends of chromosomes began in the summer of 1931. By 1931, means of studying the beads on a string hypothesis was provided by newly developed methods of examining the ten chromosomes of the maize complement in microsporocytes in meiosis. The ten bivalent chromosomes are elongated in comparison to their metaphase lengths. Each chromosome is identifiable by its relative length, by the location of its centromere, which is readily observed at the pachytene stage, and by the individuality of the chromomeres strung along the length of each chromosome. At that time maize provided the best material for locating known genes along a chromosome arm, and also for precisely determining the break points in chromosomes that had undergone various types of rearrangement, such as translocations, inversions, etc. The recessive phenotypes in the examined plants arose from loss of a segment of a chromosome that carried the wild-type allele, and X-rays were responsible for inducing these deficiencies. A conclusion of basic significance could be drawn from these observations: broken ends of chromosomes will fuse, 2-by-2, and any broken end with any other broken end. This principle has been amply proved in a series of experiments conducted over the years. In all such instances the break must sever both strands of the DNA double helix. This is a “double-strand break” in modern terminology. That two such broken ends entering a telophase nucleus will find each other and fuse, regardless of the initial distance that separates them, soon became apparent. During the summer of 1931 she had seen plants in the maize field that showed variegation patterns resembling the one described for Nicotiana. Dr. McClintock was interested in selecting the variegated plants to determine the presence of a ring chromosome in each, and in the summer of 1932 with Dr. Stadler’s generous cooperation from Missouri, she had the opportunity to examine such plants. Each plant had a ring chromosome, but It was the behavior of this ring that proved to be significant. It revealed several basic phenomena. The following was noted: In the majority of mitoses replication of the ring chromosome produced two chromatids completely free from each other could separate without difficulty in the following anaphase. sister strand exchanges do occur between replicated or replicating chromatids the frequency of such events increases with increase in the size of the ring. these exchanges produce a double-size ring with two centromeres. Mechanical rupture occurs in each of the two chromatid bridges formed at anaphase by passage of the two centromeres on the double-size ring to opposite poles of the mitotic spindle. The location of a break can be at any one position along any one bridge. The broken ends entering a telophase nucleus then fuse. The size and content of each newly constructed ring depend on the position of the rupture that had occurred in each bridge. The conclusion was that cells sense the presence in their nuclei of ruptured ends of chromosomes then activate a mechanism that will bring together and then unite these ends this will occur regardless of the initial distance in a telophase nucleus that separated the ruptured ends. The ability of a cell to sense these broken ends, to direct them toward each other, and then to unite them so that the union of the two DNA strands is correctly oriented, is a particularly revealing example of the sensitivity of cells to all that is going on within them. Evidence from gave unequivocal support for the conclusion that broken ends will find each other and fuse. The challenge is met by a programmed response. This may be necessary, as both accidental breaks and programmed breaks may be frequent. If not repaired, such breaks could lead to genomic deficiencies having serious consequences. A cell capable of repairing a ruptured end of a chromosome must sense the presence of this end in its nucleus. This sensing activates a mechanism that is required for replacing the ruptured end with a functional telomere. that such a mechanism must exist was revealed by a mutant that arose in the stocks. this mutant would not allow the repair mechanism to operate in the cells of the plant. Entrance of a newly ruptured end of a chromosome into the zygote is followed by the chromatid type of breakage-fusion-bridge cycle throughout mitoses in the developing plant. This suggested that the repair mechanism in the maize strains is repressed in cells producing the male and female gametophytes and also in the endosperm, but is activated in the embryo. The extent of trauma perceived by cells whose nuclei receive a single newly ruptured end of a chromosome that the cell cannot repair, and the speed with which this trauma is registered, was not appreciated until the winter of 1944-45. By 1947 it was learned that the bizarre variegated phenotypes that segregated in many of the self-pollinated progenies grown on the seedling bench in the fall and winter of 1944-45, were due to the action of transposable elements. It seemed clear that these elements must have been present in the genome, and in a silent state previous to an event that activated one or another of them. She concluded that some traumatic event was responsible for these activations. The unique event in the history of these plants relates to their origin. Both parents of the plants grown in 1944 had contributed a chromosome with a newly ruptured end to the zygote that gave rise to each of these plants. Detection of silent elements is now made possible with the aid of DNA cloning method. Silent AC (Activator) elements, as well as modified derivatives of them, have already been detected in several strains of maize. When other transposable elements are cloned it will be possible to compare their structural and numerical differences among various strains of maize. In any one strain of maize the number of silent but potentially transposable elements, as well as other repetitious DNAs, may be observed to change, and most probably in response to challenges not yet recognized. Telomeres are especially adapted to replicate free ends of chromosomes. When no telomere is present, attempts to replicate this uncapped end may be responsible for the apparent “fusions” of the replicated chromatids at the position of the previous break as well as for perpetuating the chromatid type of breakage-fusion-bridge cycle in successive mitoses. In conclusion, a genome may react to conditions for which it is unprepared, but to which it responds in a totally unexpected manner. Among these is the extraordinary response of the maize genome to entrance of a single ruptured end of a chromosome into a telophase nucleus. It was this event that was responsible for activations of potentially transposable elements that are carried in a silent state in the maize genome. The mobility of these activated elements allows them to enter different gene loci and to take over control of action of the gene wherever one may enter. Because the broken end of a chromosome entering a telophase nucleus can initiate activations of a number of different potentially transposable elements, the modifications these elements induce in the genome may be explored readily. In addition to modifying gene action, these elements can restructure the genome at various levels, from small changes involving a few nucleotides, to gross modifications involving large segments of chromosomes, such as duplications, deficiencies, inversions, and other reorganizations. In the future attention undoubtedly will be centered on the genome, and with greater appreciation of its significance as a highly sensitive organ of the cell, monitoring genomic activities and correcting common errors, sensing the unusual and unexpected events, and responding to them, often by restructuring the genome. We know about the elements available for such restructuring. We know nothing, however, about how the cell senses danger and instigates responses to it that often are truly remarkable. Source: 1983 Nobel Lecture. Barbara McClintock. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RESPONSES OF THE GENOME TO CHALLENGE. In 2009 the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szoztak for the discovery of Telomerase. This recognition came less than a decade after the completion of the Human Genome Project previously discussed. Prof. Blackburn acknowledges a strong influence coming from the work of Barbara McClintock. The discovery is tied to the pond organism Tetrahymena thermophila, and studies of yeast cells. Blackburn was drawn to science after reading the biography of Marie Curie by her daughter, Irina, as a child. She recalls that her Master’s mentor while studying the metabolism of glutamine in the rat liver, thought that every experiment should have the beauty and simplicity of a Mozart sonata. She did her PhD at the distinguished Laboratory for Molecular Biology at Cambridge, the epicenter of molecular biology sequencing the regions of bacteriophage phiX 174, a single stranded DNA bacteriophage. Using Fred Sanger’s methods to piece together RNA sequences she showed the first sequence of a 48 nucleotide fragment to her mathematical-gifted Cambridge cousin, who pointed out repeats of DNA sequence patterns! She worked on the sequencing of the DNA at the terminal regions of the short “minichromosomes” of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophile at Yale in 1975. She continued her research begun at Yale at UCSF funded by the NIH based on an intriguing audiogram showing telomeric DNA in Tetrahymena. I describe the work as follows: Prof. Blackburn incorporated 32P isotope labelled deoxynucleoside residues into the rDNA molecules for DNA repair enzymatic reactions and found that the end regions were selectively labeled by combinations of 32P isotope radiolabled nucleoside triphosphate, and by mid-year she had an audiogram of the depurination products. The audiogram showed sequences of 4 cytosine residues flanked by either an adenosine or a guanosine residue. In 1976 she had deduced a sequence consisting of a tandem array of CCCAA repeats, and subsequently separated the products on a denaturing gel electrophoresis that appeared as tiger stripes extending up the gel. The size of each band was 6 bases more than the band below it. Telomere must have a telomerase! The discovery of the telomerase enzyme activity was done by the Prize co-awardee, Carol Greider. They were trying to decipher the structure right at the termini of telomeres of both cliliated protozoans and yeast plasmids. The view that in mammalian telomeres there is a long protruding G-rich strand does not take into account the clear evidence for the short C strand repeat oligonucleotides that she discovered. This was found for both the Tetrahymena rDNA minichromosome molecules and linear plasmids purified from yeast. In contrast to nucleosomal regions of chromosomes, special regions of DNA, for example promoters that must bind transcription initiation factors that control transcription, have proteins other than the histones on them. The telomeric repeat tract turned out to be such a non-nucleosomal region. They found that by clipping up chromatin using an enzyme that cuts the linker between neighboring nucleosomes, it cut up the bulk of the DNA into nucleosome-sized pieces but left the telomeric DNA tract as a single protected chunk. The resulting complex of the telomeric DNA tract plus its bound cargo of protective proteins behaved very differently, from nucleosomal chromatin, and concluded that it had no histones or nucleosomes. Any evidence for a protein on the bulk of the rDNA molecule ends, such as their behavior in gel electrophoresis and the appearance of the rDNA molecules under the electron microscope, was conspicuously lacking. This was reassuring that there was no covalently attached protein at the very ends of this minichoromosome. Despite considerable work, she was unable to determine what protein(s) would co-purify with the telomeric repeat tract DNA of Tetrahymena. It was yeast genetics and approaches done by others that turned out to provide the next great leaps forward in understanding telomeric proteins. Carol Greider, her colleague, noticed the need to scale up the telomerase activity preparations and they used a very large glass column for preparative gel filtration chromatography. Jack W Szostak at the Howard Hughes Medical Institue at Harvard shared in the 2009 Nobel Prize. He became interested in molecular biology taking a course on the frontiers of Molecular Biology and reading about the experiments of Meselson-Stahl barely a decade earlier, and learned how the genetic code had been unraveled. The fact that one could deduce, from measurements of the radioactivity in fractions from a centrifuge tube, the molecular details of DNA replication, transcription and translation was astonishing. A highlight of his time at McGill was the open-book, open-discussion final exam in this class, in which the questions required the intense collaboration of groups of students. At Cornell, Ithaca, he collaborated with John Stiles and they came up with a specific idea to chemically synthesize a DNA oligonucleotide of sufficient length that it would hybridize to a single sequence within the yeast genome, and then to use it as an mRNA and gene specific probe. At the time, there was only one short segment of the yeast genome for which the DNA sequence was known, the region coding for the N-terminus of the iso-1 cytochrome c protein, intensively studied by Fred Sherman The Sherman lab, in a tour de force of genetics and protein chemistry, had isolated double-frameshift mutants in which the N-terminal region of the protein was translated from out-of-frame codons. Protein sequencing of the wild type and frame-shifted mutants allowed them to deduce 44 nucleotides of DNA sequence. If they could prepare a synthetic oligonucleotide that was complementary to the coding sequence, they could use it to detect the cytochrome-c mRNA and gene. At the time, essentially all experiments on mRNA were done on total cellular mRNA. Ray Wu was already well known for determining the sequence of the sticky ends of phage lambda, the first ever DNA to be sequenced, and his lab was deeply involved in the study of enzymes that could be used to manipulate and sequence DNA more effectively, but would not take on a project from another laboratory. So John went to nearby Rochester to do postdoctoral work with Sherman, and he was able to transfer to Ray Wu’s laboratory. In order to carry out his work, Ray Wu sent him to Saran Narang’s lab in Ottawa, and he received training there under Keichi Itakura, who synthesized the Insulin gene. A few months later, he received several milligrams of our long sought 15-mer. In collaboration with John Stiles and Fred Sherman, who sent us RNA and DNA samples from appropriate yeast strains, they were able to use the labeled 15-mer as a probe to detect the cyc1 mRNA, and later the gene itself. He notes that one of the delights of the world of science is that it is filled with people of good will who are more than happy to assist a student or colleague by teaching a technique or discussing a problem. He remained in Ray’s lab after completion of the PhD upon the arrival of Rodney Rothstein from Sherman’s lab in Rochester, who introduced him to yeast genetics, and he was prepared for the next decade of work on yeast. first in recombination studies, and later in telomere studies and other aspects of yeast biology. His studies of recombination in yeast were enabled by the discovery, in Gerry Fink’s lab at Cornell, of a way to introduce foreign DNA into yeast. These pioneering studies of yeast transformation showed that circular plasmid DNA molecules could on occasion become integrated into yeast chromosomal DNA by homologous recombination. His studies of unequal sister chromatid exchange in rDNA locus resulted in his first publication in the field of recombination. The idea that you could increase transformation frequency by cutting the input DNA was pleasingly counterintuitive and led us to continue our exploration of this phenomenon. He gained an appointment to the Sidney-Farber Cancer Institute due to the interest of Prof. Ruth Sager, who gathered together a great group of young investigators. In work spearheaded by his first graduate student, Terry Orr-Weaver, on double-strand breaks in DNA and their repair by recombination (and continuing interaction with Rod Rothstein), they were attracted to what kinds of reactions occur at the DNA ends. It was at a Gordon Conference that he was excited hearing a talk by Elizabeth Blackburn on her work on telomeres in Tetrahymena. This led to a collaboration testing the ability of Tetrahymena telomers to function in yeast. He performed the experiments himself, and experienced the thrill of being the first to know that our wild idea had worked. It was clear from that point on that a door had been opened and that they were going to be able to learn a lot about telomere function from studies in yeast. Within a short time he was able to clone bona fide yeast telomeres, and (in a continuation of the collaboration with Liz Blackburn’s lab) they obtained the critical sequence information that led (them) to propose the existence of the key enzyme, telomerase. A fanciful depiction evoking both telomere dynamics and telomere researchers, done by the artist Julie Newdoll in 2008, elicits the idea of a telomere as an ancient Sumarian temple-like hive, tended by a swarm of ancient Sumarian Bee-goddesses against a background of clay tablets inscribed with DNA sequencing gel-like bands. Dr. Blackburn recalls owing much to Barbara McClintock for her scientific findings, but also, Barbara McClintock also gave her advice in a conversation with her in 1977, during which she had unexpected findings with the rDNA end sequences. Dr. McClintock urged her to trust in intuition about the scientific research results. This advice was surprising then because intuitive thinking was not something that she accepted to be a valid aspect of being a biology researcher. MLA style: “Elizabeth H. Blackburn – Biographical”. Nobelprize.org. 5 Feb 2013. http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2009/blackburn.html In this Part I of a series of 3, I have described the emergence of Molecular Biology and closely allied work on the mechanism of Cell Replication and the dependence of metabolic processes on proteins and enzymatic conversions through a surge of post WWII research that gave birth to centers for basic science research in biology and medicine in both US and in England, which was preceded by work in prewar Germany. This is to be followed by further developments related to the Human Genome Project. Transcription initiation (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Schematic relationship between biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Central dogma of molecular biology (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Related References on the Open Access On;ine Scientific Journal Big Data in Genomic Medicine lhb https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/17/big-data-in-genomic-medicine/ BRCA1 a tumour suppressor in breast and ovarian cancer – functions in transcription, ubiquitination and DNA repair S Saha http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/04/brca1-a-tumour-suppressor-in-breast-and-ovarian-cancer-functions-in-transcription-ubiquitination-and-dna-repair/ Computational Genomics Center: New Unification of Computational Technologies at Stanford A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/03/computational-genomics-center-new-unification-of-computational-technologies-at-stanford/ Personalized medicine gearing up to tackle cancer ritu saxena http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/07/personalized-medicine-gearing-up-to-tackle-cancer/ Differentiation Therapy – Epigenetics Tackles Solid Tumors SJ Williams http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/03/differentiation-therapy-epigenetics-tackles-solid-tumors/ Mechanism involved in Breast Cancer Cell Growth: Function in Early Detection & Treatment A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/17/mechanism-involved-in-breast-cancer-cell-growth-function-in-early-detection-treatment/ The Molecular pathology of Breast Cancer Progression Tilde Barliya http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/10/the-molecular-pathology-of-breast-cancer-progression/ Gastric Cancer: Whole-genome reconstruction and mutational signatures A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/24/gastric-cancer-whole-genome-reconstruction-and-mutational-signatures-2/ Paradigm Shift in Human Genomics – Predictive Biomarkers and Personalized Medicine – Part 1 (pharmaceuticalintelligence.com) A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/13/paradigm-shift-in-human-genomics-predictive-biomarkers-and-personalized-medicine-part-1/ LEADERS in Genome Sequencing of Genetic Mutations for Therapeutic Drug Selection in Cancer Personalized Treatment: Part 2 A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/13/leaders-in-genome-sequencing-of-genetic-mutations-for-therapeutic-drug-selection-in-cancer-personalized-treatment-part-2/ Personalized Medicine: An Institute Profile – Coriell Institute for Medical Research: Part 3 A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/13/personalized-medicine-an-institute-profile-coriell-institute-for-medical-research-part-3/ Harnessing Personalized Medicine for Cancer Management, Prospects of Prevention and Cure: Opinions of Cancer Scientific Leaders @ http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com ALA http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/13/7000/Harnessing Personalized Medicine for Cancer Management, Prospects of Prevention and Cure: Opinions of Cancer Scientific Leaders/ GSK for Personalized Medicine using Cancer Drugs needs Alacris systems biology model to determine the in silico effect of the inhibitor in its “virtual clinical trial” A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/11/14/gsk-for-personalized-medicine-using-cancer-drugs-needs-alacris-systems-biology-model-to-determine-the-in-silico-effect-of-the-inhibitor-in-its-virtual-clinical-trial/ Recurrent somatic mutations in chromatin-remodeling and ubiquitin ligase complex genes in serous endometrial tumors S Saha http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/11/19/recurrent-somatic-mutations-in-chromatin-remodeling-and-ubiquitin-ligase-complex-genes-in-serous-endometrial-tumors/ Human Variome Project: encyclopedic catalog of sequence variants indexed to the human genome sequence A Lev-Ari http:///pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/11/24/human-variome-project-encyclopedic-catalog-of-sequence-variants-indexed-to-the-human-genome-sequence/ Prostate Cancer Cells: Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Induce Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition sjwilliams http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/11/30/histone-deacetylase-inhibitors-induce-epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition-in-prostate-cancer-cells/ Inspiration From Dr. Maureen Cronin’s Achievements in Applying Genomic Sequencing to Cancer Diagnostics A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/10/inspiration-from-dr-maureen-cronins-achievements-in-applying-genomic-sequencing-to-cancer-diagnostics/ The “Cancer establishments” examined by James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA w/Crick, 4/1953 A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/09/the-cancer-establishments-examined-by-james-watson-co-discover-of-dna-wcrick-41953/ Squeezing Ovarian Cancer Cells to Predict Metastatic Potential: Cell Stiffness as Possible Biomarker pkandala http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/08/squeezing-ovarian-cancer-cells-to-predict-metastatic-potential-cell-stiffness-as-possible-biomarker/ Hypothesis – following on James Watson lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/27/novel-cancer-h…ts-are-harmful/ Otto Warburg, A Giant of Modern Cellular Biology lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/11/02/otto-warburg-a-giant-of-modern-cellular-biology/ Is the Warburg Effect the cause or the effect of cancer: A 21st Century View? lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/10/17/is-the-warburg-effect-the-cause-or-the-effect-of-cancer-a-21st-century-view/ Predicting Tumor Response, Progression, and Time to Recurrence lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/20/predicting-tumor-response-progression-and-time-to-recurrence/ Directions for genomics in personalized medicine lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/27/directions-for-genomics-in-personalized-medicine/ How mobile elements in “Junk” DNA promote cancer. Part 1: Transposon-mediated tumorigenesis. SJ Williams http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/10/31/how-mobile-elements-in-junk-dna-prote-cancer-part1-transposon-mediated-tumorigenesis/ Advances in Separations Technology for the “OMICs” and Clarification of Therapeutic Targets lhb ‎ http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/10/22/advances-in-separations-technology-for-the-omics-and-clarification-of-therapeutic-targets/ Mitochondrial Damage and Repair under Oxidative Stress lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/10/28/mitochondrial-damage-and-repair-under-oxidative-stress/ Mitochondria: More than just the “powerhouse of the cell” Ritu Saxena http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/07/09/mitochondria-more-than-just-the-powerhouse-of-the-cell/ Mitochondrial mutation analysis might be “1-step” away Ritu Saxena http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/08/14/mitochondrial-mutation-analysis-might-be-1-step-away/ RNA interference with cancer expression lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/10/26/mrna-interference-with-cancer-expression/ What can we expect of tumor therapeutic response? lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/05/what-can-we-expect-of-tumor-therapeutic-response/ Expanding the Genetic Alphabet and linking the genome to the metabolome http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/09/24/expanding-the-genetic-alphabet-and-linking-the-genome-to-the-metabolome/ Breast Cancer, drug resistance, and biopharmaceutical targets lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/09/18/breast-cancer-drug-resistance-and-biopharmaceutical-targets/ Breast Cancer: Genomic profiling to predict Survival: Combination of Histopathology and Gene Expression Analysis A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/24/breast-cancer-genomic-profiling-to-predict-survival-combination-of-histopathology-and-gene-expression-analysis/ Ubiquinin-Proteosome pathway, autophagy, the mitochondrion, proteolysis and cell apoptosis lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/10/30/ubiquinin-proteosome-pathway-autophagy-the-mitochondrion-proteolysis-and-cell-apoptosis/ Identification of Biomarkers that are Related to the Actin Cytoskeleton lhb http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/12/10/identification-of-biomarkers-that-are-related-to-the-actin-cytoskeleton/ Genomic Analysis: FLUIDIGM Technology in the Life Science and Agricultural Biotechnology A Lev-Ari http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/08/22/genomic-analysis-fluidigm-technology-in-the-life-science-and-agricultural-biotechnology/ Interview with the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA: Watson on The Double Helix and his changing view of Rosalind Franklin A Lev-Ari https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/11/09/interview-with-the-co-discoverer-of-the-structure-of-dna-watson-on-the-double-helix-and-his-changing-view-of-rosalind-franklin/ Winning Over Cancer Progression: New Oncology Drugs to Suppress Passengers Mutations vs. Driver Mutations A Lev-Ari https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/02/05/winning-over-cancer-progression-new-oncology-drugs-to-suppress-driver-mutations-vs-passengers-mutations/ Genome-Wide Detection of Single-Nucleotide and Copy-Number Variation of a Single Human Cell (pharmaceuticalintelligence.com) SJWilliams New Molecular Inhibitors Successfully Hit Difficult Cancer Target (medicalnewstoday.com) Sequencing hundreds of chloroplast genomes now possible (eurekalert.org) Unraveling the Human Genome: 6 Molecular Milestones (livescience.com) Combining plasma screening methods better identifies diagnostic and therapeutic targets (eurekalert.org) Posted in Chemical Biology and its relations to Metabolic Disease, Chemical Genetics, Computational Biology/Systems and Bioinformatics, Disease Biology, Small Molecules in Development of Therapeutic Drugs, Genome Biology, Medical and Population Genetics, Molecular Genetics & Pharmaceutical, Personalized and Precision Medicine & Genomic Research, Pharmaceutical Industry Competitive Intelligence, Pharmacogenomics, Statistical Methods for Research Evaluation | Tagged Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, DNA, DNA polymerase, DNA replication, end sequence, genome, IBM, Indiana University, Molecular Biology, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Nucleic acid double helix, Nucleosome positioning, oligonucleotide, Salvador Luria, sequencing, telomerase, telomere, Translational Medicine: How Far Have We Come, Watson, World War II | 16 Comments on February 8, 2013 at 7:40 PM | Reply sjwilliamspa Dr. Bernstein, I was hoping there was a button where I could Love this instead of just Like this. In my short training and scientific career I had always wished to be able to have lived through these discoveries, as I was envious of those who had the chance to see these discoveries first hand and live through the history. I remember my first book introducing me to molecular biology was a pamphlet type of book (no more than 80 pages) which described the bacteriophage, the design of the earliest of plasmids (the pUC and pChug series) and the first debates on the regulation of molecular cloning in which the guidelines for developing vectors were introduced (including the rule that vectors should only be made which could not propagate in human tissue.). I believe the pamphlet was called Recombinant Technologies but I can’t find it anymore I believe it was published in the early 80’s). Unfortunately the history of molecular biology is not taught to students now as I feel the discovery comes so quick and furious that such lessons are put “on the back bunson burner”. However, learning the origin of discovery helps in the full understanding so I am very grateful for this posting. on February 9, 2013 at 4:25 PM | Reply 2012pharmaceutical Dr. Larry, Thank you for a Series of Part 1,2,3 – The initiation phase of molecular biology, Part I. We are all looking forward to reading – Human Genome Project, Part II; – Ubiquitin, it’s Role in Signaling and Regulatory Control, Part III. You covered the role of genomics in discovery of therapeutic targets in Directions for Genomics in Personalized Medicine, as I found that we need you to supplement and continue the Part 1,2,3,4 — I posted in 1/2013. Few Comments on Part 1: a. Please note all Editorial notion. b. I added two Articles at the end of the list of Post in our Journal b.1 – X-Ray and Watson — requires to mention Rosaline Franklin b.2 – chaperons and mutations — my post of 2/5/2013 Winning Over Cancer Progression: New Oncology Drugs to Suppress Passengers Mutations vs. Driver Mutations c. Please consider to add JUST BEFORE the Nobel Prize on Telomere 2009, a section on Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2009, Ada Yonath, on Ribosome, tRNA, because, The initiation phase of molecular biology, Part I — is in fact — the origin of life, beyond cell division on nucleic acids, there are the proteins as foundation of life, and their transcription mechanism, the templet for bonding RNA chains, Peptide bonds, positional catalysts in substraits, leads to the genetic code, chaperons and ribosome. Therefore I added 2/5/2013, post to this article http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2009/# http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1211 d. Please consider to add either before the Ribosome, Nobel Prize for Medicine 2002, Horovitz, MIT on mutants in cell lineage — it may better belong to Part III, before the Ubiquitin, Nobel Prize 2004. Nobel Prize in Medicine 2002 – Nobel Lecture by H. Robert Horvitz Cell lineage, Signal transduction and program cell death (DNA degradation) http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=892 http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2002/ e. When you mention Cold Springs at Stony Brook, one needs to mention MBL in Woods Hole and Salk in San Diego — Molecular Genetics is big in ALL the three. YOUR I,II,II — are important parts of the Genomic e-Book — may be Chapter One?? f. I hope you will review the Table of Contents I prepared and the 70 references in the Journal. This is the starting point. I enjoyed reading this article very much. on February 10, 2013 at 11:20 AM | Reply larryhbern I’ll make those additions. I was aware of some of what you mentioned. I thank both you and Dr. Williams. This is bigger than anyone can imagine. Franklin’s recognition came too late. I have not ignored the Table of Contents. I am playing catchup after the flu, but the prednisone for my wheezing also gives me a little extra energy. After tomorrow I taper. on February 11, 2013 at 9:22 AM | Reply Rewriting the Mathematics of Tumor Growth; Teams Use Math Models to Sort Drivers from Passengers « Pharmaceutical Intelligence […] The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics […] on February 12, 2013 at 4:30 AM | Reply 2012pharmaceutical Thank you for the new additions, I found them very important. I would suggest two points: 1. to add Wilkins, Franklin, Watson and Crick – one paragraph from Chemical Heritage Foundation http://www.chemheritage.org/discover/online-resources/chemistry-in-history/themes/biomolecules/dna/watson-crick-wilkins-franklin.aspx 2. to change EVERY “She” in this post, with the Name and Title. Upon completion of that — Part 1 receives the definition of “a Gem.” on February 12, 2013 at 1:13 PM | Reply drsuniltrivedi Thanks for bringing out such a lucid narration ! The anxious reader, the biologist is happy to learn ! Dr. Sunil Trivedi on February 13, 2013 at 11:34 AM | Reply CRACKING THE CODE OF HUMAN LIFE: Milestones along the Way – Part IIA « Pharmaceutical Intelligence […] https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/02/08/the-initiation-and-growth-of-molecular-biology-and-… Part II reviews the Human Genome Project and the decade beyond. […] on February 14, 2013 at 2:01 AM | Reply The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics … | biochemistry | biochemistry blog | protein | nature biochemistry […] Read More: The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics … […] on March 3, 2013 at 7:04 AM | Reply Genomics in Medicine- Tomorrow’s Promise | Pharmaceutical Intelligence […] The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics (pharmaceuticalintelligence.com) […] on March 12, 2013 at 1:33 PM | Reply AMPK Is a Negative Regulator of the Warburg Effect and Suppresses Tumor Growth In Vivo | Pharmaceutical Intelligence […] The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics – Part I […] on March 14, 2013 at 11:48 AM | Reply Personalized Medicine: Clinical Aspiration of Microarrays | Pharmaceutical Intelligence on April 7, 2013 at 7:44 PM | Reply Why did Pauling Lose the “Race” to James Watson and Francis Crick? How Crick Describes his Discovery in a Letter to his Son | Pharmaceutical Intelligence […] https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/02/08/the-initiation-and-growth-of-molecular-biology-and-… […] on April 8, 2013 at 11:02 AM | Reply John Randall’s MRC Research Unit and Rosalind Franklin’s role at Kings College | Pharmaceutical Intelligence on April 18, 2013 at 2:19 AM | Reply The Underappreciated EpiGenome | Pharmaceutical Intelligence […] The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics – Part I https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/02/08/the-initiation-and-growth-of-molecular-biology-and-… […] on January 1, 2014 at 11:58 AM | Reply Curation is uniquely distinguished by the historical exploratory ties that bind | Pharmaceutical Intelligence […] The Initiation and Growth of Molecular Biology and Genomics – Part I Curator: Larry H Bernstein, MD, FCAP https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/02/08/the-initiation-and-growth-of-molecular-biology-and-&#8230; […] Leave a Reply to Personalized Medicine: Clinical Aspiration of Microarrays | Pharmaceutical Intelligence Cancel reply

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rick@www.phenomhoopreport.com Exposure Tournaments HS Invitationals Team Camps NCAA Opt-in Instructions All News and Articles NC Sweet 16 2019 NCHSAA Rankings 2019 NCISAA Rankings 2015 North Carolina 2023 North Carolina Watch List SCHSL Sweet 16 SCISA Top 10 2015 South Carolina Carolina’s Stats Leaders High School Showcase Galleries NC Prep Photos Recruiting Service Amatuer Hour Below the Rim The Power Chair The Reclassified Podcast Early season collegiate standouts from the North Carolina 2018 class Part 1 by Rick Lewis | Dec 6, 2018 | Featured, News | 0 comments Early season collegiate standouts from the North Carolina 2018 class: Part 1 The North Carolina 2018 was an absolutely loaded and deep class. 65 plus players are playing at the D1 level and 40 plus players are playing at the D2 or D3 level. Year after year, the state of North Carolina continues to produce the country’s best players and has the most depth of any state. Just look at the list of players on the Phenom Hoop Report Top 100 and see the number of players that being recruited nationally and out of region. Pure and simple, North Carolina is a “hotbed” for basketball talent. Now, let’s take a closer look at the North Carolina 2018 class and let’s see how we did, not to mention the early season success of many of this class that are having standout seasons thus far. Naturally, this is somewhat skewed by “proper fit” and the immediate needs of each school. That being said, let’s look at some of the players we got right and also some of the ones we may have missed. Throughout the year, the battle for the number one spot was a toss up between 6’5 Coby White (UNC) and 6’2 Devon Dotson (Kansas). In many cases, we had both tied for the number one spot for the majority of the year. No. 1 6’5 Coby White (UNC) We first noticed Coby White when he attended our NC Junior Phenom camp. We knew he was good, but didn’t have any idea how good. During his freshman year, he immediately grabbed our attention and was selected to the NC Top 80 event and we stated the following. “Coby White is a promising young PG that has unlimited potential and upside. He is highly effective scoring and has tremendous range and a soft shooting touch. Coby White is definitely one to put in your SIM CARD.” https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/2015/12/12/stock-on-the-rise-64-2018-coby-white/ Now, a freshman at UNC, Coby White just may be the best player on the team. He is currently averaging 15.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.6 APG while shooting 51.2% from the floor, 44% from the 3-point line and an outstanding 87.5% from the free throw line. Coby White is a future first round NBA pick and will be the heart and soul of UNC’s success this season, which is not often seen for a freshman especially in Chapel Hill. No. 2 Devon Dotson (Kansas) Our first time watching Dotson was at our NC Jr Phenom 150 camp in February of 2013. There we wrote: “Dotson has an advanced skill set blended with athleticism that will make him one of the top players in his class in NC. He was one of the top 5 performers in camp and one of the best ball handlers/playmakers at this level. He was a “lockdown” defender and can make shots at all levels on the court.” https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/2015/12/02/name-to-know-61-2018-devon-dotson-of-providence-day/ From day one, we weren’t too far off in our calculations of Mr. Dotson. Always known for his defense and being one of the most fierce competitors, he has quickly become a star as a starting point guard for Coach Bill Self and probably the best team in the country. So far, Devon Dotson is averaging 11.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG and is shooting 54.7% from the floor, 46% from the 3-point line and 76% from the free throw line. No. 3 6’8 Jaylen Hoard (Wake Forest) Jaylen Hoard was ranked nationally higher in some scouting services than Coby White and Devon Dotson. Hoard consistently was ranked third in Phenom Hoop Report’s North Carolina 2018 rankings. Make no mistake, Hoard is a truly gifted player and his length, athleticism, and overall skill set may allow him more longevity at the NBA level. He is such a silky smooth wing and is Wake Forest’s best overall player. He is currently averaging 16 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 1.7 APG while shooting 48.2% from the floor and 69% from the free throw line. Unfortunately, Wake Forest is struggling early on and it looks like Hoard will also be a first round NBA draft pick. No. 6 6’6 Aaron Wiggins (Maryland) Aaron Wiggins bounced around in our rankings throughout the year hovering around the 4-7 range. He finished at the no. 6 spot and we may have had him a spot or two too low. Wiggins burst onto the national seen playing for Team Charlotte where he went from a relatively unknown to a national level prospect. At Maryland, he is putting up admirable statistics averaging 10.4 PPG , 4.1 RPG, and 1.3 APG. He is shooting well from the floor at 53.2% but is only shooting 18% from the 3-point line and 57.% from the free throw line. No. 8 6’8 Jarius Hamilton (Boston College) We have been tracking Jarius Hamilton since 2015 and was always at the top of our ranking list. We’re talking about a player that has an unbelievable basketball frame that combines the unique blend of athleticism and an advanced skill set. For us, it was just a matter of having a consistent motor. Without question, Hamilton has all the tools that made college coaches salivate for his services. He picked up an early UNC offer, but decided to wait it out and select Boston College. He too is having a solid freshman campaign averaging 6.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, while shooting 43% from the floor. No. 4 6’8 Joey Baker (Duke) Baker was actually in the 2019 class, but decided to “reclass” up to the 2018 class. He is currently redshirting for Duke this season. Baker has an impeccable skill set and plays well within a team structure. Baker will be using his redshirt team to get bigger and stronger. For Baker, he understands the big picture and that patience is a virtue. While he could have stayed at Trinity Christian for his senior season, Baker felt a year getting to know the Duke system will help prepare him for his long term goals. No. 5 John Newman (Clemson) Remember when we stated, ” much depends upon the needs of a particular school.” Newman was one of the state’s best two-way players and was known for his impressive “on-the-ball” defensive pressure, not to mention his understanding for team defensive principles. At Clemson, there was depth at his position and while he is getting solid minutes, his best days are ahead. Look for Newman to be a break out player his sophomore season. We’ve been a long time fan of Newman. He plays the game the right way, he defends, rebounds and does whatever is needed, not to mention a great team player. Newman is a future All-ACC player in my opinion. Now, let’s take a look at part 2: https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/2018/12/07/early-season-collegiate-standouts-from-the-north-carolina-2018-class-part-2/ Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’5 Linwood Grandy January 29, 2020 Grimsley v. Northwest Guilford January 29, 2020 3 TOP 15 PLAYERS ON ONE TEAM?! Meet Montverde Academy; #theJohnWall Raw Highlights January 29, 2020 Phenom Hoops’ Player Watch: 2021 6’4 Christian Cornish January 29, 2020 Get to Know: 2024 6’0 Sabien Cain January 29, 2020 ©2017 Phenom Hoop Report Web Development & Design By Recruitify (support@recruitifyhoops.com)

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Home News Charitable Giving Grew 13 Percent in 2013, Atlas of Givin... Charitable Giving Grew 13 Percent in 2013, Atlas of Giving Estimates Preliminary data collected by Atlas of Giving, a monthly analysis and forecast of charitable giving in the United States by sector, source, and state, suggest that charitable giving increased 12.9 percent in 2013, the Los Angeles Times reports. Based on an algorithm that incorporates a range of economic, demographic, and event factors, the Dallas-based group that produces the Atlas estimates that charitable giving totaled $416.5 billion in 2013, up from $368.8 billion a year earlier — and the third straight year that charitable giving has increased since falling to $316.5 billion in 2009. In 2013, according to the Atlas forecast, individuals accounted for about 75 percent of total giving, or about $310.8 billion, up from $276.6 billion in 2012; foundations accounted for 13.9 percent, or $57.8 billion, up from $48.7 billion; corporations accounted for 4.8 percent, or $20.1 billion, up from $18.4 billion; and bequests accounted for 6.7 percent, or $27.9 billion, up from $25.1 billion. Among issue areas, giving to religious causes rose 8.6 percent in 2013, to $143.1 billion, even as its share of total giving fell slightly, from 36 percent to 35 percent. It was followed by giving to education, which was up 15.7 percent, to $68.2 billion. The forecast also estimates that giving to human needs/disaster services grew fastest in 2013, up 18.7 percent to $49.6 billion and accounting for 11.9 percent of all giving, while giving to health-related causes totaled $32.3 billion, up 10.8 percent on a year-over-year basis. "One of the things that has really driven charitable numbers has been the ramp-up in the stock market," Atlas of Giving CEO Rob Mitchell told the Times. "When stock values are high, it makes a huge difference in the amount of money going into education, but it has little or no impact on religious donations, which rely on lots of small gifts from individuals." "U.S. Charitable Giving Jumped 13 Percent in 2013 to a Record, Report Says." Los Angeles Times 01/13/2014. Subjects: philanthropy / voluntarism People: rob mitchell Organization: atlas of giving Location: national February 6, 2016 U.S. Giving Up 4.6 Percent in 2015, Forecast to Grow 2.6 Percent January 30, 2015 Charitable Giving Up 9.3 Percent in 2014, 'Atlas of Giving' Says January 7, 2014 Year-End Online Giving Increased 16 Percent January 3, 2014 Large Gifts in 2013 Suggest Rebound December 31, 2013 Kansas City-Area Giving, Need Up in 2013 February 4, 2012 Charitable Giving in Texas, Nationwide Jumped in 2011

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Collin Rose Memorial In our time of sorrow, the Wayne State University Police Department would like to thank you for your support across Michigan and the entire country. We also appreciate all the police departments and K-9 units from Michigan, throughout North America and overseas who reached out to us. Wayne State University is accepting gifts in memory of Officer Rose. These gifts will be used to establish an endowed fund in support of the Wayne State University Police Department, whose officers work tirelessly and courageously to ensure the safety of our campus and community. Gifts can be made online. Checks should be made out to Wayne State University and indicate "In memory of Collin Rose" and can be mailed directly to: WSU Gift Processing, 5475 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. The university also has established an endowed scholarship in Officer Rose's name with funds from the Office of the President. If you would like to support this scholarship, please contact the Office of Gift Processing at 313-577-2263. In addition, while not an official Wayne State University account, donors can contribute to an online GoFundMe effort that was created by a WSU student.

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The Polish Politics Blog Analysis of the contemporary Polish political scene Month: January, 2016 How will the EU’s ‘rule of law’ investigation affect Polish politics? Poland’s right-wing government found itself on the defensive following the European Commission’s unprecedented decision to initiate an investigation under the EU’s ‘rule of law’ mechanism. An ongoing row with the Commission will be debilitating for the government which will have to spend valuable time and political capital defending its reputation in the European arena. However, the ruling party has shown that it can fight its corner and the Commission’s intervention could prove a double-edged sword for Poland’s opposition. Law and Justice on the back-foot The Polish government – led, since last October’s parliamentary election, by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party – found itself on the back-foot earlier this month following the European Commission’s surprising decision to initiate a preliminary investigation of the country under the EU’s so-called ‘rule of law’ monitoring mechanism. In 2014, the Union adopted the instrument, intended to address ‘systemic’ breaches of the rule of law and EU principles in any member state. It was meant to complement the so-called ‘nuclear option’ provision in Article 7 of the EU treaties that allows the European Council to impose sanctions on countries found to be in serious and persistent breach of fundamental EU values; in the worst-case scenario, suspending their voting rights. So far the Commission has agreed to the first step under the framework which involves undertaking a preliminary investigation of whether or not there are clear indications of a ‘systemic threat to the rule of law’ and initiating a dialogue with the member state concerned. This unprecedented move came in response to concerns about recent actions by the Law and Justice government in relation to the membership and functioning of Poland’s constitutional tribunal, a powerful body that rules on the constitutionality of laws, and a new media law passed by the Polish parliament earlier this month. The government’s critics accuse it of undermining the fundamentals of Polish democracy and the rule of law by: ignoring the tribunal’s rulings on the constitutiality of a law determining the body’s membership and trying to curb its power to place checks on the government, as well as placing public broadcasting under direct government control. These actions, they argue, represent attempts to interfere in the independence of the judiciary and put Law and Justice party loyalists in charge of state TV and radio. Mrs Szydło’s counter-offensive Law and Justice tried to regain the initiative by undertaking a (somewhat belated) public relations offensive aimed at improving Poland’s image within the EU institutions; re-assuring European leaders of the government’s broadly pro-EU attitude and that it was committed to upholding the rule of law and European values. The government’s supporters defended its actions as necessary measures to restore pluralism and balance to state institutions that they say had been colonised by supporters of, and milieu associated with, the centrist Civic Platform (PO) grouping, the previous governing party. More broadly, they argued that many Polish institutions have been expropriated by an extremely well-entrenched, and often deeply corrupt, post-communist elite and claimed that opposition to the government was being orchestrated by political forces unable to come to terms with their electoral defeat and vested interests hostile to its plans to radically reconstruct the state and introduce sweeping socio-economic reforms. The centrepiece of Law and Justice’s counter-offensive was (what even the government’s critics admitted was) an effective intervention by prime minister Beata Szydło in a European Parliament (EP) plenary debate on the political situation in Poland held in the week after the Commission’s decision was announced. Although Mrs Szydło’s critics accused her of being evasive and misleading in responding to the Commission’s concerns, in a calm and conciliatory performance she tried to de-escalate the dispute: insisting that the Polish government was open to dialogue and would co-operate to patiently answer all of the criticisms. However, Mrs Szydło did not make any substantial concessions arguing that the constitutional tribunal dispute was an internal matter of a political rather than legal nature for Poland to solve on its own, and that the government’s changes to public broadcasting conformed to European standards. Earlier, she tried to undercut the Commission’s arguments by organising consultations with opposition leaders, for the first time since the new government took office last November, to find a compromise solution to the constitutional tribunal deadlock (unsuccessfully, as it turned out). The EP debate was also preceded by a visit to Brussels by Law and Justice-backed President Andrzej Duda who tried to lower the emotional temperature of the debate by meeting, and holding a (generally good natured) joint press conference, with EU Council President and former Civic Platform prime minister Donald Tusk. Law and Justice was helped greatly by the weak performance in the EP debate of Civic Platform, now the main opposition grouping. The Polish opposition enjoys close links with the EU political establishment and Western opinion forming media, many of whom share their dislike of Law and Justice, so it was assumed that the EP debate would be favourable territory for the party. Indeed, during party leadership election hustings with local activists, Civic Platform’s new leader Grzegorz Schetyna (who was elected unopposed at the end of this month) identified utilising the European arena as a key element of the opposition’s anti-government strategy. However, the party was divided over which tactics to pursue in the EP debate: anxious to capitalise on the government’s difficulties, but fearful of leaving itself open to criticism that it was weakening the country’s international standing by using a European forum to air domestic political grievances. In the event, except for one brief intervention from a Civic Platform MEP, the party effectively sat out the debate and ended up with the worst of both worlds: apparently supporting the Commission intervention but only half-heartedly. The EU intervention could drag on In fact, the Commission has no powers to impose sanctions on Poland as the ‘rule of law’ framework only constitutes a political dialogue without any legally binding recommendations. These can only arise if the Commission proposes them to the EU Council under Article 7 where they require unanimity in one of the three stages of voting; and the Hungarian government has already made it clear that it will veto any attempt to introduce such measures. However, Mrs Szydło’s effective EP performance – and, more broadly, Law and Justice’s public relations counter-offensive – have not ended the conflict between the Commission and Poland. While the government is keen to move political debate back on to ‘normal’ socio-economic issues, where Law and Justice feels it is more in tune with public opinion than its liberal and centrist opponents, the Commission’s ‘rule of law’ investigation process could be a lengthy one, potentially forcing the Polish ruling party to spend valuable time and political capital responding to criticisms and defending its position in the European and international arena. The Commission has said that it will return to the issue in March after the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe (a non-EU organisation which aims to uphold democracy and the rule of law), issues an opinion on Poland’s constitutional tribunal reforms. If the matter is not resolved by then, the Commission can issue a ‘rule of law recommendation’ giving Poland a specific time period to address the problems it has identified. If it still considers that the problem has not been dealt with to its satisfaction, the Commission can then recommend the invocation of Article 7. At the same time, the constitutional tribunal crisis looks set to rumble on with most of Poland’s opposition parties rejecting a government proposal to resolve the crisis by replacing the tribunal’s membership with eight judges nominated by the opposition and seven by the ruling party. It could also re-surface as a major issue of contention next month when the tribunal expects to rule on the constitutionality of amendments to the law determining its functioning passed by the Polish parliament at the end of December; which the government argues has already come into force and the tribunal has no power to review. How will Poles react? At this stage, it is difficult to tell how Poles will react to any further EU interventions. On the one hand, many of them are quite sensitive to international opinion, and understandably wary of anything that might lead to the country losing influence which could make it more difficult for Poland to promote its interests within the EU. Not only do Poles still support their country’s EU membership overwhelmingly, but one of Law and Justice’s opponents’ most effective criticisms of the previous 2005-7 party-led administration was that it had isolated Poland within EU institutions by alienating the main European powers, particularly Germany, and created the perception of the country as an unreliable and unstable EU member. This charge was strongly rejected by Law and Justice supporters who, for their part, argued that it was the previous Civic Platform-led government that failed to advance Poland’s interests effectively within the EU in spite of locating the country squarely within the so-called ‘European mainstream’ and enjoying extremely close relations with Berlin. Moreover, notwithstanding the potential threat that isolation within the EU might pose to Poland’s tangible, material interests, at a more abstract level many Poles may feel particularly uneasy about the charge that the Law and Justice government is undermining so-called European values. This is because one of the key motivations for Poles voting overwhelmingly to join the EU in a 2003 accession referendum, and main reasons why levels of popular support for the country’s EU membership have remained so high, was the idea that joining the Union represented a historical and civilisational choice: a symbolic re-uniting of Poland with a Western international community of shared values that they had always considered themselves to be part of culturally and spiritually. However, although most Poles remain broadly pro-EU, they also value their national independence and are likely to react instinctively against the idea of foreign interference in their domestic affairs. Moreover, as this month’s events have shown, Law and Justice will fight its corner in the European arena, so a heavy-handed EU intervention could simply allow the party to present itself as the defender of Polish sovereignty against unwarranted meddling by arrogant Brussels officials. Moreover, the idea of Polish EU membership as representing a ‘civilisational choice’ has been undermined in recent years by an increasing sense of cultural distinctiveness that many Poles feel towards Western Europe. This has been particularly evident in the sphere of moral-cultural values where Polish attachment to traditional morality and national identity stands in stark contrast to the socially liberal, cosmopolitan consensus that predominates among West European political and cultural elites. This issue has surfaced recently in the contrasting reactions of Poles (and other Central Europeans) and West European political elites (although not necessarily their publics) to the European migration crisis. Poles are keen to avoid the kind of cultural and security problems that many of them feel West European countries have experienced through admitting large numbers of Muslim migrants who are seen as difficult to assimilate and embedding violent extremists within their communities. Indeed, one Law and Justice response to the Commission’s ‘rule of law’ investigation was that the EU should be concerning itself more with addressing the fall-out from the migration crisis than the political situation in Poland. In other words, it not as obvious as it once was – and, arguably, becoming less so – that the ‘civilizational choices’ that are being made by political and cultural elites in other parts of the continent are the same ones that Poles want to make. The ‘European card’ is, therefore, one that the government’s opponents need to play with great caution and could easily backfire on them. What are the prospects for Poland’s opposition? Poland’s previous ruling party suffered a crushing defeat in last October’s parliamentary election. But the polarisation of politics during the first few weeks of the new right-wing administration have integrated the opposition and allowed it to mobilise support around the claim that the government is undermining democracy; a charge its supporters deny vigorously. However, the opposition remains divided and it is questionable how effective a challenge the liberal newcomer that has emerged as the main anti-government grouping can mount. Polarisation galvanises the opposition After eight years in office Poland’s previous ruling centrist Civic Platform (PO) grouping, led by the then prime minister Ewa Kopacz, suffered a crushing defeat in the last October’s parliamentary election at the hands of the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party. Civic Platform saw its vote share fall by 15.1% to 24.1% and number of seats held in the 460-member Sejm, the more powerful lower chamber of the Polish parliament, decline from 207 to only 138. Earlier, in May’s presidential election Civic Platform-backed incumbent and odds-on favourite Bronisław Komorowski lost to Law and Justice challenger Andrzej Duda. Much of the widespread disillusionment with the political establishment and strong prevailing mood that it was time for change was directed against Civic Platform. Many voters saw the party as representing an out-of-touch and complacent elite disconnected from the concerns of ordinary people and tainted by scandals. The most notorious of these was the so-called ‘tape affair’ which drew popular anger at the cynicism when discussing state matters and crude language revealed in secret recordings of senior government ministers and public figures dining in high-end Warsaw restaurants at the taxpayers’ expense. Moreover, Civic Platform’s previously highly successful strategy of mobilising the ‘politics of fear’ – which involved positioning itself as the best guarantor of stability against the allegedly confrontational and authoritarian style of politics that many voters (rightly or wrongly) associated with Law and Justice – was not effective this time. Immediately after its parliamentary election defeat, Civic Platform was plunged into a leadership contest but Mrs Kopacz was forced to withdraw from the race after being defeated unexpectedly by regional party boss Sławomir Neumann in the election for the grouping’s parliamentary caucus chair. Her main leadership challenger was Grzegorz Schetyna, a former party deputy leader who was marginalised by Mrs Kopacz’s predecessor Donald Tusk (who resigned as prime minister at the end of 2014 to become EU Council President) but retained a significant following among the party grassroots and started to re-build his influence after she brought him back into the government as foreign minister. Most of Mrs Kopacz’s backers (and, informally, Mr Tusk) switched their support to former defence minister Tomasz Siemoniak but he also pulled out at the end of December a few days before the launch of the party-wide members ballot, clearing the way for Mr Schetyna to run unopposed. However, the rapid polarisation of the political scene during the first few weeks of the new government, which prompted the most serious crisis in Poland for many years, integrated the opposition and gave it a renewed sense of energy and purpose. Initially, the main focus was a bitter struggle over the membership and functioning of the constitutional tribunal, a powerful body that rules on the constitutionality of Polish laws, but in January attention shifted to a controversial new media law. The opposition was extremely successful in promoting its narrative that these government actions represented attempts to interfere in the independence of the judiciary and place public broadcasting under direct government control, thereby undermining the fundamentals of Polish democracy. This provided government opponents with a highly emotive, touchstone issue around which they could attack the Law and Justice administration on several fronts. As a consequence, thousands of Poles participated in demonstrations organised by the Committee for the Defence of Democracy (KOD), a new opposition-backed civic movement, and its narrative was picked up by large sections of the EU political establishment and Western opinion-forming media, with whom the government’s opponents enjoy strong links and who share their dislike of Law and Justice. For their part, the government’s supporters denied these charges vigorously and defended its actions as necessary measures to restore pluralism and balance to state institutions that they say had been colonised by supporters of, and milieu associated with, the previous governing party. More broadly, Law and Justice supporters argue that many Polish institutions have been expropriated by an extremely well-entrenched, and often deeply corrupt, post-communist elite and claim that opposition to the government is being orchestrated by vested interests hostile to its plans to radically reconstruct the state and introduce sweeping socio-economic reforms. The rise of Mr Petru However, while the political crisis has mobilised – and, to some degree, united – the opposition, it is unclear who will emerge as its leading force. Civic Platform struggled to respond effectively, being absorbed in an internal leadership contest at a crucial point when the crisis was starting to gather pace; exemplified by its tactically disastrous decision to walk out of, rather than participate in, a key Sejm debate on the constitutional tribunal. At the same time, a significant challenger for the leadership of the opposition emerged in the form of the ‘Modern’ (Nowoczesna) grouping, a new party formed last May by liberal economist Ryszard Petru. Mr Petru’s party won 7.6% of the vote and 28 seats in October’s election to emerge as the fourth largest grouping in the new Sejm. ‘Modern’ picked up support among the younger, well-educated and better-off urban voters and entrepreneurs – at one time, Civic Platform’s core electorate – by advocating the economically liberal policies once associated with the former ruling party. Many of these voters felt that Civic Platform had drifted away from its free market roots and turned to Mr Petru as a more credible liberal alternative. Mr Petru’s apparent economic competence was of crucial importance to his party’s core electorate, but it was the political crisis that provided ‘Modern’ with an opportunity to broaden its image from being simply a technocratic pro-business party. While Mr Petru is not a hugely charismatic figure, he is a reasonably effective, and rapidly improving, parliamentary and media performer and his small parliamentary caucus quickly found its feet, promoting its most articulate and competent members. Moreover, although Mr Petru was active on the political scene for several years, his party’s greatest asset was its ‘newness’, which stood in sharp contrast to the more compromised figures associated with Civic Platform. The fact that Mr Petru’s grouping did not have the political ballast of having to defend eight years in office also made its harsh criticisms of the Law and Justice government appear more authentic and credible. The polarisation of the political scene, therefore, worked in Mr Petru’s favour allowing his party to steal Civic Platform’s mantle of being a repository for the broad swathes of voters opposed to Law and Justice. Moreover, the party positioned itself cleverly so that its criticisms of the previous administration were sufficiently nuanced that they did not alienate those who once saw Civic Platform as the most effective defender of the status quo; indeed, some of the former ruling party’s erstwhile backers in the liberal-left media already appear to have shifted their sympathies towards ‘Modern’. Consequently, in a very short space of time Mr Petru’s party pulled ahead of Civic Platform in the opinion polls and is currently running neck-and-neck with (and, in some surveys, even slightly ahead of) Law and Justice. In fact, ‘Modern’ remains an unknown quantity and it is questionable how effective a challenge it can mount once the novelty of its ‘newness’ begins to wear off. The party lacks both grassroots organisational structures and experienced, battle-hardened politicians in its small and relatively youthful parliamentary caucus. Moreover, given that experience suggests that the social base for a purely liberal party in Poland is relatively small, its biggest weakness lies in the narrowness of its programmatic appeal. Civic Platform’s relatively weak ideological underpinnings gave the party much greater reach across the political spectrum and helped it to garner the support of a very broad coalition of voters united mainly by their dislike of Law and Justice. Initially, it had attempted to profile itself as representing a modernising form of pro-market, right-wing liberalism focusing on the economy, and subsequently also incorporated a moderate form of social conservatism. However, particularly after it took office in 2007, Civic Platform adopted a deliberate strategy of diluting its ideological profile and projecting itself as a somewhat amorphous centrist ‘catch-all’ party, albeit with an increasingly state interventionist and socially liberal tilt; what its critics dubbed a ‘post-political’ party of power. Mr Petru’s party clearly benefited from the high level of polarisation that has characterised the Polish political scene in the last couple of months, because this has meant that the criteria by which the public evaluate politicians have been somewhat different to those that might apply in calmer, more ‘normal’ times. This has both distracted attention from the relative narrowness of its programmatic appeal and helped Mr Petru’s party to neutralise this weakness by presenting itself as the ‘defender of democracy’ rather than simply a liberal grouping focused primarily on the economy. The party’s leap in support was, therefore, the product of a very specific political conjuncture. However, this could change rapidly if the situation stabilises and Poland sees a return to more ‘normal’ patterns of politics with voters starting to once again evaluate Mr Petru’s party through the prism of its relatively unpopular liberal socio-economic policies. Mr Petru’s political opponents are also sure to remind voters of his links with the large banking corporations which, for many Poles, symbolise the hated political-business nexus (often referred to disparagingly as ‘banksters’) that motivated many of them to vote for anti-establishment parties like Law and Justice. Can Civic Platform recover? It is too early to write Civic Platform off. With the leadership question resolved, the party is finally starting to wake up to the threat posed by Mr Petru and retains many advantages over its liberal challenger. These include: a large number of experienced parliamentarians, greater financial assets, more developed grassroots organisation, large numbers of local councillors, and control of 15 out of 16 of Poland’s regional authorities, which play a key role in distributing EU funds and are a major source of local party patronage. Mr Schetyna is an experienced political operator and good organiser who will work hard to restore a sense of discipline and purpose to the party and, in the short-term at least, it is likely to rally around him. However, he also lacks charisma and dynamism and, although he has not been in the party’s inner circle for a number of years, is associated in the public mind with the previous, discredited Civic Platform administration. Mr Petru’s party could still go the way of a number of recent Polish challenger parties that enjoyed early surges of support but eventually collapsed. But Mr Schetyna will have to move very quickly and regain the initiative if he is to see off Mr Petru’s challenge and prevent Civic Platform from descending into a fatal downward spiral. How will the latest judicial reform controversy affect Polish politics? What are the prospects for Poland’s radical right Confederation? How will Poland’s Law and Justice party govern during its second term? What does Law and Justice’s re-election mean for Poland-EU relations? What do the parliamentary election results mean for Polish politics?

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DFA and the Defining of Electroclash Writer: Nitsuh Abebe__ Hindsight: Nitsuh, now the pop critic at New York magazine as well as the writer of Pitchfork's Why We Fight column, has been contributing to our site for almost 10 years. This piece is about the early singles by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy's DFA label and serves as a primary source for how this music was received upon arrival. (While "Electroclash" was a broad term very much in the air circa 2002, it doesn't really apply to these singles in retrospect, and Nitsuh didn't title this piece.) "Here's hoping they can keep it up," is how he ends it; fair to say they did. Since the birth of civilization, just about every aesthetic movement has had a model, or at least some godparents-- some previous scene or era whose spirit it tried to recapture and extend. This goes double for music since 'rock and roll,' a form shaped mainly by British kids trying to channel the African-American south. Which is all well and good, especially if you like Rome or neoclassicism or nu-soul-- we launch ourselves into The New by admiring New Heroes, constructing New Canons. And now that the record-collector bands of post-rock have wound down and it's been noted that man cannot live on Moog records and krautrock reissues alone, the busts of Lee Hazlewood have been torn down and replaced with-- well, right now with two things. The first is a crusty and not-very-productive fetish for punk and garage. (Honestly, where are you going to take garage? Out onto the driveway, at best.) The second seems a lot more like unfinished business: this mythologizing of New York at the start of the 80s, a pretty fascinating space where, by all accounts, post-disco house and electro-- not to mention the influence of the city's Latin Americans and Africans-- all happily collided with punk, new-wave, and the roots of hip-hop. Were the Paradise Garage and The Loft really as great as everyone would currently like to imagine? Dunno, wasn't there. So let's do it again and find out. The reissues have already arrived. The Soul Jazz label, commendably rising to this occasion, gave us an ESG comp a few years ago, followed it with a retrospective for Factory Records' post-punk dance combo A Certain Ratio, and have now persuaded Actual Scene Legend Kurtis Mantronik to select a mix of electro, disco, and hip-hop. And of course there are boatloads of new material trying to follow up on this stuff. The only problem is that the subsequent messy breakup of dance and rock-- wherein Madchester was a sweaty, impulsive relapse and every rock record with trip-hop beats was an awkward dinner-party run-in-- have left the two a bit uncomfortable about one another. So now we get plenty of good electro flirting with New York, synth-pop, and Detroit techno, healthily packed on Disco Not Disco and City Rockers' Futurism comp for your perusal-- plus, plenty of good rock bands drawing on post-punk and loosening up their limbs, P.I.L.-style. But there's a wall somewhere in there: the electro groups are still too cool to be anything but icy, and the rock bands are still too cool to be anything but edgy. And then there's DFA-- Death from Above-- a label whose artists seem a lot less self-consciously rigid about the whole thing. DFA is a New York outfit run by producers James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy. They have four 12" singles under their belts thus far, and it's a massive testament to their musical success that these four singles somehow seem more important than almost anything else going on in music right now. Here's how they work: LCD Soundsystem: "Losing My Edge" LCD Soundsystem is Murphy's own project, and "Losing My Edge" is about 80% of why people have noticed DFA-- it's flown through the file-sharing ether not only on its strength as a killer track, but because it's something of a hipster in-joke as well. What's so amazing about it is how seamlessly Murphy's married both the sounds and the moods of rock and dance: the song opens with a hard-edged Casiotone groove, morphs perfectly across to fuzzed-out bass and live drums, and then heads straight back to banging electro. Over a six-minute build, Murphy puts on his best deadpan and tell us all about his edge and how he's losing it. He "was there" at a 1968 Can gig; he was at the first Suicide rehearsals, the first Captain Beefheart sessions-- and now he can hear the encroaching footsteps of the kids, with their "borrowed nostalgia for the unremembered 80s." And right when the loose-limbed robot-rock seems ready to explode, he launches into a credit list-- This Heat, Althea and Donna, The Normal-- and a chord upsweep that either puts your hands in the air or bangs your head cedes to a diva refrain: "You don't know what you really want." It's both hilarious and musically spot-on, and the flip is even more effective: "Beat Connection" rides in on a perky groove with plenty of hand percussion, but with synth building in the background as if it just might erupt into a trance number. Murphy's voice comes in unadorned with the party shouts, and it becomes a pop song-- an absolute blazer of one, at that. "Everybody here is afraid of fun," he sings, as if this single doesn't do a good enough job of pointing that finger at his contemporaries. The Rapture: "House of Jealous Lovers" The most "rock" of the bunch, and possibly the most wildly, joyously danceable. Sure, some post-punk bands brought out the funk, but usually in the most distanced, attenuated way: Delta 5's "Mind Your Own Business" and Gang of Four's "At Home He's a Tourist" were more about their own agendas than your ass. "House of Jealous Lovers" takes a few steps further in-- even further than a lot of The Rapture's contemporaries, who still feel the need to back off and assert their rock cred when things get too ecstatically groovy. This song covers both bases, the drums shuffling in all four-on-the-floor to meet a dirty bass groove and slashes of guitar. The vocals are strangled and shouty but pure preening-- "House of! Jealous Lovers!"-- and the bits all lock together and vamp themselves to death on their own momentum. The flip gives us a remix by Morgan Geist: the edges are smoothed out, bass and guitar muted down, and jazzy organ and cornet sprinkled throughout to keep things moving. "Silent Morning" winds things up with a stately psychedelic guitar-pop build. The Juan MacLean: "By the Time I Get to Venus" Don't bother. The Juan MacLean-- aka John Maclean, of Six Finger Satellite-- turns in a bit of disposable old-school electro, inviting the standard accusation that owning some Art of Noise and Yellow Magic Orchestra records does not a good musician make. The more raucous "41 Stars" version on the flip is much more inviting, working some hip-hop beats and damaged-robot snarls into the mix. The Juan MacLean: "You Can't Have It Both Ways" This is a lot better, if not entirely inspiring: It's a pretty standard bit of nu-electro, not hugely dissimilar in intent from any of Miss Kittin's recent engagements. What makes it notable is how DFA in-house vocalist Nancy Whang sidesteps the bored-Eurotrash school of electro speak/sing, laying back and lazily drawling-- not to mention the cold sweeps of synth that descend midway with their black-turtleneck melodies. On the other side, "My Time Is Running Out" descends again into Maclean's jones for the vintage-electro habit of 'elegant' composition-- "look, we're just like classical musicians, only with computers!"-- only he keeps the beat tactile enough to make this track more middling than mediocre. If there's anything DFA seem to be contributing with these singles it's an end to deliberation, an end to the self-conscious influence-peddling of the scene surrounding them: whether or not these folks have put a lot of careful thought into positioning their sounds-- and I don't doubt that they have-- the end results still seem more natural than a lot of their competitors, more like free-flowing party vamps and less like sample products for some lengthily manifestoed new agenda. Part of it's down to the team's production, which erases some of our received wisdom about rock versus dance: they create this spacious, immaculate place where the 'rock' instruments can play the 'dance' parts and vice versa, something like a passionate transsexual affair instead of the arranged marriages most such connections have made in the past. Most of it, however, is down to fun, which is half of what the New Hero fetishism is all about in the first place: a scene where being difficult or arty and being straight-up joyously banging weren't mutually exclusive. These DFA singles have done a great job of that in a cool half-dozen formats, and they've done it with terrifically written songs and a hell of a lot of style. Here's hoping they can keep it up.

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The PSR Difference Consumer Information Disclosure Professor of Practice Series Academic Catalog (Policies) SONIS Student Portal Moodle (Current Students Only) Office of Community Life Weekly Update (Events Calendar) Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Theological Education for Leadership (TEL) Congregation Speaker Program Alumni/ae Council Alumni/ae News Giving with Impact 2020 Earl Lectures A World on the Move #BlackLivesMatter Immersion Cuernavaca, Mexico Immersion Blog Faith and Policy: Washington, DC Immersion Guatemala: Roots of Migration Holy Places and Displacements: An Immersion in the Middle East Igniting Change Queering Faith Politics, Sexuality & the Bible March 13, 2017 @ 5:30 pm - March 20, 2017 @ 7:30 pm « Faith-Rooted Organizing Training Mecca’s Perspective as Symbolic Form » with Bishop Yvette Flunder Bishop Yvette Flunder is an international leader working to destigmatize human sexuality and recognize everyone as a child of God. Her politics and her ministry are one and the same whether she is keynoting at the White House’s World AIDS Day, speaking out for LGBTQ equality, supporting orphanages in Zimbabwe, or speaking from the pulpit. This unique eight-day experience will give you the chance to deeply consider the Biblical context of political activism and the Biblical imperative to act for change. You will explore ways – large and small – to make a difference via the public square. You will have the opportunity to find or amplify your own political voice and learn from the experience of Bishop Flunder and others sharing the journey. Politics, Sexuality and the Bible will include two live, interactive webconference sessions with Bishop Flunder, as well as a week of guided learning with online Facebook-style conversation. Reading, reflection, participation in online forums, and some writing is expected, as well as active presence in opening and closing live online sessions. 1.6 CEUs are awarded for full participation. Opening live seminar: Monday, March 13, 5:30 – 7:30 pm PST Closing live seminar: Monday, March 20, 5:30 – 7:30 pm PST This course will feature live online opening and closing seminars. The interim section of the course will be self-paced. $120* Certificate of Theological Education for Leadership/Certificate of Gender, Sexuality & the Bible students and PSR students $200* general public Rev. Dr. Flunder is the Founder and Senior Pastor of the City of Refuge United Church of Christ and the Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries. She describes herself as, “disciple and proponent of the radically inclusive Christ, who has raised her voice for justice from the church house to the White House and steps of the Supreme Court.” Ordained in both the United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Community Church, Bishop Flunder has served her call through prophetic action and ministry for justice for over thirty years. Her call to “blend proclamation, worship, service and advocacy on behalf of those most marginalized in church and in society” led to the founding of the City of Refuge UCC. Based in San Francisco for 22 years, the City of Refuge grew into a thriving inter-city congregation with influence stretching from the local to the international. In 2013, City of Refuge relocated to Oakland, continuing to preach a message of “extravagant welcome, restoration and action within God’s “Beloved Community.”” In June 2003, Rev. Dr. Flunder was consecrated Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship (renamed The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries in 2011), which is a multi-denominational coalition of over 100 primarily African American Christian leaders and laity representing churches and faith-based organizations from across the US into Mexico, three African countries, and in Asia. Bishop Flunder is dedicated to responding to the needs of the AIDS epidemic. Bishop Flunder with her staff founded the Hazard-Ashley House and Walker House in Oakland and Restoration House in San Francisco through Ark of Refuge, Inc., a non-profit agency providing housing, direct services, education and training for persons affected by HIV/AIDS in the US and three African countries. The Ark of Refuge transitioned into the Y.A. Flunder Foundation, which contributes to the work of social justice exemplified through service and public advocacy, including collaborative partnerships to support the Mother of Peace Orphanage in Mutoko, Zimbabwe. She has served on numerous boards including as Chair of the National Sexuality Resource Center, Chair of San Francisco Inter-religious Coalition on AIDS, Chair of the Black Adoption Placement and Research Center, Founding member of the African American Interfaith Alliance on AIDS, and Co-Chair of the Religious Advisory Committee of the National Black Justice Coalition. Bishop Flunder served as a Trustee of Pacific School of Religion for nearly ten years, and is an Adjunct Professor and speaker at PSR and at numerous other seminaries and universities including Auburn, Brite Divinity, Chicago Theological, Columbia University, Drew, Duke, Eden, Howard, Lancaster, New York Theological and Yale. She is a graduate of the Certificate of Ministry and Master of Arts programs at PSR, and received her Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. In December 2014, Bishop Flunder served as the keynote speaker for the White House observation of the 26th Anniversary of World AIDS Day. She was named the 2015 Spiritual Hero in the January edition of the Science of the Mind, produced by the Centers for Spiritual Living. In 2011 she received the Robert C. Kirkwood Community Leadership Award from the San Francisco Community Foundation. Return to TEL Course List Certificate of Gender, Sexuality, and the Bible, CGSB courses, Events, Theological Education for Leadership https://www.eventbrite.com/e/politics-sexuality-and-the-bible-with-bishop-yvette-flunder-tickets-32135194231 Rev. Janice Sommerville jsommerville@psr.edu http://www.eventbrite.com/e/biblical-interpretation-instructor-katy-e-valentine-phd-tickets-27042094633 Aizaiah Yong will serve as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Care at Pacific School of Religion (PSR) beginning on July 2020. Rev. Yong will be a great asset on our faculty and deepen our capacity to fulfill our mission. He brings cutting edge academic insight and public scholarship, deep commitment to faith communities, and extensive leadership and advocacy experience. Shaped by the experience of a multiracial, immigrant family, he is clear about the critical importance of academic work that is accountable to specific communities. Rev. Aizaiah G. Yong is currently a PhD candidate in Practical Theology at the Claremont School of Theology. He is preparing to defend his dissertation under the working title: “Living in the Compassionate Presence of Life: Spirituality and Care for Multi/racial Experience(s).” In this project, he seeks pathways of healing and liberation for multiracial people at predominantly white institutions. His research stems from his own personal experience living at the intersections of race (he is Hakka Chinese and Chicano) and his work attempts to uncover alternative spiritualities and hidden wisdoms that strengthen and support those who travel between and across racialized worlds. Aizaiah’s vocational passion is to spiritually rooted social engagement that “bears witness to the compassionate presence of life itself.” His research interests include postcolonial pastoral theology and care, critical race theory and intersectionality studies, mysticism and spirituality, intercultural dialogue and education, nonviolent social action, and contemplative leadership. A licensed Pentecostal Christian minister and ordination candidate with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Aizaiah brings a breadth of professional experience in both public and private sectors. He has served as a minister of youth and young adults, non-profit community director, organizational trainer and consultant, and student affairs specialist in intercultural community development. Aizaiah loves to be in nature with his family, go on traveling adventures (local and abroad), try out new cuisine, and pursue experiences that deepen spirituality and intercultural community. He and his wife, Nereyda, have two children (Serenity Joy and Valor Amoz) and are expecting their third child to be born this upcoming April. ... See MoreSee Less Professor of Practice Kick Off Event Creating Democracy: Digital Technologies and Disenfranchised Communities Earl Lecture 2020 with John Dominic Crossan Earl Lecture 2020: Democracy Reimagined April 18 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Professor of Practice Closing Event © 2020 Pacific School of Religion. 1798 Scenic Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 | 510/849-8200 | 800/999-0528 | communications@psr.edu

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The Scandal of Money: Why Wall Street Recovers but the Economy Never Does - George Gilder (2016) Chapter 4. The Chinese Challenge Unexpectedly for many, [the emerging world]—with China leading the way—became a robust locomotive for a global economy that was still structurally impaired by the overleveraged advanced economies. —Mohamed A. El-Erian, The Only Game in Town (2016) China today is a Rorschach test of American leadership. How we respond to its murky mass of conflicting images—great cities of mostly empty skyscrapers next to industrial zones churning with much of the world’s manufacturing capacity, military charades and cyberwar aggressions accompanied by monetary statesmanship and wild prodigality, miracles of growth and swamps of pollution, alleged harvesting of body parts from Falun Gong prisoners and a robust Christian population of between 67 and 130 million, capitalist chaos and communist brutality—will likely determine the American future. Each of these images contains an important element of truth. But leadership entails selection, prioritization, and strategic insight. Trying to respond to all the images at once will produce not a coherent or sophisticated policy but a stream of spastic reflexes, as we have seen in the Obama administration. It blandishes the Chinese for silly and insincere commitments to carbon dioxide abatement one day and the next dispatches warships to the Spratly Islands to discourage land reclamation projects on reefs in the South China Sea. Denunciations of the Chinese for trumped-up charges of currency “manipulation” are followed by obsequious entreaties to participate in expanded Pacific trade or climate change treaties. Silly tough-guy postures and blind monotheories can be found on the Right as well. Does the incendiary sage David Stockman, President Reagan’s budget director, really mean it when he describes the country as “the Great China Ponzi” or as “an entire nation of 1.3 billion . . . gone mad building, borrowing, speculating, scheming, cheating, lying and stealing”?1 And what does Donald Trump have in mind when he bellows, “You have to do something to rein in China. They’re making it absolutely impossible for the U.S. to compete”? He cites as a devastating instrument of unfair trade a yuan devaluation of 3 to 4 percent. As the economist John Mauldin points out, “The simple fact is that [before this recent minor devaluation] the Chinese currency rose by 20 percent over the last five years.” Measured by the vigor of intervention, he says, “the Federal Reserve has been the most egregious currency manipulator in the world” during this same period. “Trump and all those who prattle on about Chinese currency manipulation have the economic comprehension of a parakeet.” Stockman’s charge is more interesting because it is based on an array of astonishing figures. It is indeed stunning that China produced ten times more steel over the last twenty years than did the United States and Japan together and “used more cement in the last three years than the U.S. used in the entire twentieth century.” His case against Chinese monetary excesses gains plausibility from a reported credit market ramp-up from $1 trillion in 2000 to $25 trillion today. He concludes, “This heedless resort to the printing press” has left China with a “freakish economy” comprising “one great collection of impossibilities that cannot be . . . propped up much longer. . . . It is only a matter of time before it ends in a spectacular collapse, leaving the global financial bubble of the last two decades in shambles.” The argument that China’s monetary policy now threatens the entire world economy—“it is only a matter of time”—depends on a particular view of the nature and role of money. To what degree do monetary factors determine business and technological realities? That is a question that has perplexed me for decades. My guide on the subject has long been Robert Mundell. With Arthur Laffer and Milton Friedman, Mundell shaped the Reagan revolution in economics. Believing that reliable monetary values were a necessary complement to low tax rates in enabling economic growth, Mundell was an enthusiast for the monetary stability achieved under the Bretton Woods system. Named after the New Hampshire resort where the agreement was negotiated in 1944, toward the end of World War II, Bretton Woods ushered in twenty-five years of global economic growth of 2.8 percent per year, unequalled before or since. The golden age of Bretton Woods ended in 1971, when for the first time in more than two centuries most of the world’s economies, including the United States, cut all ties to gold. Counseling President Nixon on this historic decision was Milton Friedman, who believed that currencies should float against one another as they do today. During my trip to China with Friedman in 1988, my own advice for the communists skipped money altogether and focused on freedom. Recalling Mao’s duplicitous appeal to Chinese intellectuals “to let a hundred flowers bloom,” I told them, “This statement showed [Mao’s] incomparable misunderstanding of the powers of the Chinese people.” I called for an efflorescence of entrepreneurship: “Let a billion flowers bloom.”2 When asked what would happen in 1997, when Great Britain was to transfer control of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China, I said, “1997 is the year that Hong Kong will begin to take over China.” At the time, I had no real sense of how this would happen. But the mayor of Shanghai and later PRC president, Jiang Zemin, and Premier Deng Xiaoping led a movement to duplicate the success of Hong Kong in “free zones” all along the coast of China. Beginning with Jiang’s Shanghai, these free zones, modeled on Hong Kong, produced what we all know now as the “Chinese miracle.” Conceived by Deng and Jiang, the free-zone strategy contrasts with the largely failed one-zone approach of the Soviet Union. The effort to emancipate the USSR from the center out maximized resistance, provoking bitter last-ditch opposition from all who benefited from the old system. The incentives of the free-zone strategy, by contrast, were just the opposite. Everyone outside the zone wanted to get in. The pressure was on to expand the zones. Jiang also put key military bases in the free zones, thus enlisting sectors of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the economic liberation movement. Hardly a Ponzi scheme, this strategy was perhaps the single most successful freedom movement in world history. Yet Jiang Zemin, its leading protagonist along with Deng, was a complex man, presenting his own Rorschach test to historians. Known as an authoritarian, he assumed the presidency after the Tiananmen Square protests and initiated the crackdown on the Falun Gong. An electrical engineer who befriended leading figures in the U.S. semiconductor industry, Jiang spoke several foreign languages and was known to recite the Gettysburg Address by heart. A passionate supporter of economic progress, he correctly saw that inequality was necessary if China was ever to develop. People who have known Jiang regard him as a great figure in the history of our era, a politician who managed to survive and achieve historic change in the teeth of the treacherous environment of the Chinese communist regime despite his intense admiration for America, its technology and economics. Although Jiang is not Christian himself, his son Jiang Mianheng conditioned his launch of a microchip foundry in Shanghai, called Grace Semiconductor, on the willingness of local authorities to allow a Christian church to be built on the premises. Back in 1988 I anticipated none of this. But I said that a Chinese revival of freedom would make China the world’s largest economy by 2015, the year in which I am now writing. By measures of purchasing power parity (PPP), this prediction has come true.3 So what does this success have to do with monetary policy? China’s success is a major empirical rebuke to Friedman’s monetarism. China never adopted Friedman’s monetarism or belief in floating currencies. Instead, it fixed the value of the yuan on the dollar, much to the chagrin of American monetarists, and adopted as its favorite economist Milton Friedman’s intellectual foe and fellow Nobel laureate Robert Mundell. A supply-sider and admirer of the gold standard, Mundell believes in fixed currencies. The Chinese named their leading financial university in Beijing the Mundell International University of Entrepreneurship, and thirty universities in China have named him an honorary professor. As Mundell predicted decades ago, state control of money has become a cornerstone of government economic centralization. Adopted by most of the world, Friedman’s float has become an oceanic global market with a trading volume of some $5.3 trillion every twenty-four hours, dwarfing all markets for goods and services.4 Yet floating currencies have not tamed financial crises or enhanced world trade or eased political conflict. No one can show that they approach real values, since their massive gyrations—the yen-dollar rate, for example, changed for decades at an average rate of around 4 percent a month—do not reflect any substantial change in comparative purchasing power or any other measure of competitiveness. As Mundell writes, “Friedman was wrong when he predicted that under flexible exchange rates countries would not need reserves. Countries need more reserves today . . . than they ever needed under fixed exchange rates” with Bretton Woods or the gold standard. Mundell predicts that, along with the dollar, the “stock of gold in the world is going to maintain itself as a viable reserve asset for a long time to come.” Despite Mundell’s critique, government-controlled money is more entrenched than ever, but with the help of China and other emerging economies, Mundell and the believers in fixed or pegged currencies may well prevail in the future. Money can reside outside the political system, perhaps in digital forms on the Internet, perhaps with a new link to gold. It does not need central bank management. The energy and effort diverted into trading more than $5 trillion every twenty-four hours to “mint” a global paper currency could be directed instead in productive enterprises. In a world where capital can flow freely because it is expressed in one metric, trade does not have to balance. Capital and trade are complementary factors. When one goes up, the other goes down. Capital is more mobile and flexible than goods and services, and its movements can drive trade movements. A Chinese company has to choose whether to use its dollars to buy a good or whether to invest them in the United States. Today, many Chinese avidly want a stake in America, drawn by its technologies and its constitutional rule of law. Investments across borders thus can shape the trade balance (rather than the other way around, as most economists assume). Gold is now ascendant not only in China but in many parts of Asia, which has become the new spearhead of world economic growth and capitalism, with tax rates widely running between one-half and one-third of those in the West.5 China in 2014 was importing a record $70 billion worth of physical gold, passing newly capitalist India as the world’s leading gold importer and implicitly relying on gold as monetary ballast for its floundering banks.6 To the chagrin of conventional economists in the United States, China has mostly opted out of the floating-currency regime and effectively tied its currency to the dollar. For refusing to float and defending the dollar against Washington’s devaluers, China has been rewarded with a huge increase in trade with the United States. It is for muting currency changes and supporting the dollar that China incurs continual charges of “currency manipulation” from American politicians and government officials who advocate constant currency manipulation by the Federal Reserve. Nonetheless, while attempting to appease a long list of utterly unappeasable foes—Iran, North Korea, Hamas, Hezbollah, Cuba, and even the fractious followers of Hugo Chávez—the United States all too often treats China, perhaps our most important economic partner, as an adversary because it defies us on global warming, dollar devaluation, and Internet policy. The browbeating began in June 2010 in Beijing when Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner drilled in on Premier Wen Jiabao, who recoiled like a man cornered by a crank at a cocktail party. Mr. Geithner’s harangue was focused on two highly questionable concerns, neither arguably in the interests of either country: the need to suppress energy output for the sake of the global climate—a subject on which Mr. Geithner has no expertise—and the need for a Chinese dollar devaluation against the yuan, of which one can scarcely imagine that he can persuade Chinese holders of several trillion dollars of reserves. Five years later, China finally did allow market forces to influence its currency. The result was its depreciation against the dollar, utterly contrary to American complaints during that time. Our case against China with respect to the Internet is also overwrought. Although commanding twice as many Internet users as we do and, with Taiwan, producing comparable amounts of Internet gear, China originates fewer viruses and scams than does the United States. An authoritarian regime, China obviously will not be amenable to an open and anonymous Internet. Protecting information on the Internet is a responsibility of U.S. corporations and their security tools, not the State Department. Yes, the Chinese at times seem needlessly aggressive in deploying missiles aimed at Taiwan and in their claims of territorial waters in the Pacific. But there is no prospect of successful U.S. military action in that region, and sending Taiwan new weapons is a needless provocation that does not contribute to the defense of the United States or Taiwan. A serious foreign policy would recognize that the current Chinese regime is the best we can expect from that country. The Chinese revitalization of Asian capitalism remains the most important positive event in the world in the last thirty years, releasing a billion people from penury and oppression and transforming China from a communist enemy of the United States into an indispensable capitalist partner. It is ironic that liberals who once welcomed appeasement of the monstrous regime of Mao Zedong now become openly bellicose over murky incidents of Internet hacking. With millions of Islamists on its borders and within them, China is nearly as threatened by radical Islam as we are. It has a huge stake in the global capitalist economy that Islamic terrorists aim to overthrow, and China is so heavily dependent on Taiwanese manufacturing and so intertwined with Taiwan’s industry that its military threat to the island is mostly theater. Although some Taiwanese politicians still dream of permanent independence, the island’s world-beating entrepreneurs have long since laid their bets on links to the mainland. Two-thirds of Taiwanese companies—some ten thousand—have made significant investments in China over the last decade, totaling $400 billion. Three-quarters of a million Taiwanese reside in China for more than 180 days a year. Including Taiwan, greater China is the world’s leading manufacturer and assembler of microchips, computers, and the network equipment on which the Internet subsists. Virtually all U.S. advanced electronics, as the eminent chemist Arthur Robinson has reported in his newsletter Access to Energy, are dependent on rare earth elements to enhance the performance of microchips, elements that are held in a near-global monopoly by the Chinese firm Baotou Steel Rare-Earth Hi-Tech Company in Mongolia. The United States is as dependent on China for its economic and military health as China is dependent on the United States for its key markets, reserve finance, and global capitalist trading regime. It would be self-destructive folly to sacrifice the synergy at the heart of global capitalism in order to gain concessions on global warming, dollar weakening, or Internet politics. How many enemies do we need? To David Stockman, none of this matters much, because China is a paper tiger: “The 25 year growth boom in China is just a giant, credit driven Ponzi.” As he sums it up, “Any fool can run a central bank printing press until it glows white hot.”7 Stockman’s idea of “any fool” is Zhou Xiaochuan, since 2002 the chairman of the People’s Bank of China and manager of their monetary policy. Stockman imagines that Wall Street sees Zhou “as an Asian version of Janet Yellen who wears trousers and dyes his hair black.” Although Stockman is an inspired critic of Wall Street and the Fed, he seems to have no inkling of the achievements of Zhou and his team. With advanced degrees in both chemistry and computer science, Zhou was a key part of Jiang Zemin’s free-zone strategy in Shanghai that was the heart of the Chinese miracle. In recent decades, Zhou has become a sophisticated monetary theorist and trenchant critic of the floating-currency regime supported in the West. The author of scores of papers and monographs on monetary policy, he delivered a visionary address on March 24, 2009, calling for an end to freely floating currencies and a revival of Keynes’s “bancor” proposal made at Bretton Woods in 1944. Tied to gold, bancor would serve as a single measuring stick used to value all transactions in international commerce and gauge all international flows of goods and capital. Largely under Zhou’s economic leadership, China’s private sector outstripped its stagnant state-run enterprises to such an extent that government spending has now dropped to under 17 percent of GDP, compared with 26 percent in the United States. The Chinese have even privatized their post office. Meanwhile, the United States has been expanding state controls over public companies under the costly and destructive Sarbanes-Oxley accounting rules, fair disclosure speech controls, and other self-defeating regulations, gravely impairing its initial public offering (IPO) market. IPOs have long served as the heart of America’s entrepreneurial economy and the NASDAQ exchange. Jiang Zemin called it “the crown jewel of all that is great about America.” Under Jiang’s disciple Zhou, China has been emancipating its stock exchanges and connecting its new NASDAQ counterpart in free-zone Shenzhen to the long-thriving Hong Kong exchange. In 2015 China easily surpassed the United States in IPOs. In the first half of 2015, China had 221 IPOs, worth $39 billion. There were fewer than half that number in the United States, ninety-six, valued at $19.68 billion. In quality, moreover, the Chinese IPOs were more formidable in many ways than the American froth of Internet and gaming stocks. The Chinese lead in IPOs portends an eventual challenge in venture capital. China has recently passed Europe in deal count and tripled Europe in venture funds raised. China lags the U.S. venture industry by about 45 percent in money and deal count, but much of Silicon Valley’s investment has gone to some eighty “unicorns,” with valuations over a billion dollars, which have shunned the overregulated U.S. public market. This is a bizarre and unsustainable situation. Venture capital cannot function without liquidity events. Unless the United States follows China and begins to deregulate its public companies, China will soon take the lead in venture capital as well. The innovative venture capital culture of Silicon Valley, capped by IPOs, has long been the prime source of growth in the U.S. economy, providing 21 percent of GDP, 17 percent of jobs, and perhaps 60 percent of stock market capitalization. The current regulatory regime, from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the Food and Drug Administration to the Environmental Protection Agency, is stifling this engine of American growth and power. With China now reporting lower government spending than the United States, along with potential leadership in venture capital and IPOs, Americans are foolhardy to imagine that China will long remain behind. China remains a complex challenge because it is a combination of wildly disparate elements. In evolutionary terms, below a mostly modern technocratic capitalism it harbors a kind of vestigial reptilian brain, represented by its ruling military and party apparatchiks. Among them are the “bunch of communist party hacks” that in Stockman’s caricature “have an iron grip on state power . . . but [no] grasp of the fundamentals of economic law and sound finance.” They do control vast regions of the country, but they do not dominate the rapidly emerging Chinese culture of enterprise, which for all its flaws and excesses is rapidly moving toward ascendancy in the world economy. China’s economic achievement, which has moved more people out of poverty than any country has ever done, proves that Jiang was right. Economic progress can definitely precede political democratization. Since 1982, when Deng Xiaoping declared that “to get rich is glorious,” China’s city dwellers have increased their incomes fourteenfold.8 Now the challenge is to show that a communist regime can use capitalist freedoms to expand democracy and civil liberty, which should be the next step for Jiang’s free-zone strategy. But our next step should be to address China’s critique of our own manipulative monetary policy. A key reason why China has led the world in growth for twenty-five years has been its rejection of American monetary advice. Following Mundell’s inspiration, it has mostly forgone the monetary twists and tricks concocted by other Western economists and instead fixed its currency on the dollar. As Zhou would readily acknowledge, this is not the optimal solution. But with both Reagan and Clinton following a “strong dollar policy,” this Chinese fix made U.S.-China trade the pivot of world economic growth and progress. Following Mundell’s guidance, China has trumped America’s long embrace of an obsolete monetarism. China has reined in its central bank, but America has paid dearly for clinging to the monetarist delusion.

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— Commentary — Highlight clips — Archived still pictures EJ's new male — Anne UK1 04/12/09 06:41 am (2212) EJ's new male — Pam 04/12/09 06:55 am (2215) EJ's new male — Shelley 04/12/09 07:02 am (2219) EJ's new male — Celeste 04/12/09 07:10 am (2221) EJ's new male — Tiger 04/12/09 10:43 am (2246) EJ's new male — Madeline 04/13/09 01:05 am (2298) No egg yet? — Pam 04/12/09 06:41 am (2211) No egg yet? — Anne UK1 04/12/09 06:43 am (2213) No egg yet? — DarrenH 04/12/09 07:01 am (2218) Morven is Home — Tiger 04/11/09 06:07 pm (2192) Morven is Home — Anne UK1 04/11/09 06:23 pm (2194) Morven is Home — cathy 04/11/09 10:54 pm (2200) Morven is Home — Anne UK1 04/12/09 04:19 am (2201) Morven is Home — Tiger 04/12/09 04:43 am (2204) Egg no. 54 (and counting!!) for LoL — DarrenH 04/10/09 05:51 pm (2181) Egg no. 54 (and counting!!) for LoL — Anne UK1 04/10/09 05:57 pm (2182) Egg no. 54 (and counting!!) for LoL — Celeste 04/11/09 09:39 am (2187) Egg no. 54 (and counting!!) for LoL — Anne UK1 04/12/09 04:23 am (2202) Egg no. 54 (and counting!!) for LoL — Tiger 04/12/09 04:46 am (2205) Egg no. 54 (and counting!!) for LoL — DarrenH 04/12/09 06:31 am (2210) Egg no. 54 (and counting!!) for LoL — Anne 04/14/09 11:59 am (2331) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — Melanie 04/10/09 01:57 pm (2170) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — cathleen 04/10/09 02:04 pm (2171) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — Shelley 04/10/09 04:48 pm (2175) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — Marie 04/10/09 04:56 pm (2176) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — cathy 04/10/09 05:19 pm (2178) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — Marie 04/11/09 09:42 am (2188) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — Craig 04/11/09 01:58 pm (2189) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — martyc35 04/11/09 06:19 pm (2193) REhoboth: curioser and curioser — terryo 04/11/09 07:51 pm (2198) What An Amazing Bird Nimrod Is — Tiger 04/10/09 09:13 am (2150) What An Amazing Bird Nimrod Is — Anne UK1 04/10/09 09:36 am (2152) What An Amazing Bird Nimrod Is — Marie 04/10/09 10:35 am (2158) What An Amazing Bird Nimrod Is — DaisyG 04/11/09 05:34 am (2184) What An Amazing Bird Nimrod Is — Celeste 04/11/09 05:35 am (2185) What An Amazing Bird Nimrod Is — Shelley 04/11/09 07:38 am (2186) Loch Garten has audio now — Craig 04/10/09 03:42 am (2143) Loch Garten has audio now — Anne UK1 04/10/09 04:10 am (2145) Loch Garten has audio now — Marie 04/10/09 10:44 am (2160) Report on the Bayard Cutting Arboretum — Nancy L 04/09/09 08:07 pm (2137) Report on the Bayard Cutting Arboretum — Celeste 04/10/09 05:22 am (2146) Report on the Bayard Cutting Arboretum — cathy 04/10/09 05:06 pm (2177) Tomorrow — Nancy L 04/09/09 08:02 pm (2136) Tomorrow — Shelley 04/10/09 09:40 am (2153) Full Moon — Tim P 04/09/09 07:22 pm (2133) Full Moon — cathleen 04/09/09 07:37 pm (2134) Full Moon — Celeste 04/10/09 05:24 am (2147) Full Moon — Tiger 04/10/09 06:36 am (2149) Full Moon — Marie 04/10/09 10:45 am (2161) Full Moon — Matt 04/10/09 12:59 pm (2165) Full Moon — Kathy 04/10/09 01:03 pm (2166) Select page to view: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 Next Last modified: Sun Mar 7, 2010

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A development framework for government communicators Anne Gregory Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a development framework for government communicators. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes how a working group approached the project which involved examining extant training frameworks from communication professional bodies, academic literature and practitioner communities; undertaking extensive interviewing and data collection from departments and obtaining input from external organisations in order to devise an original, process-driven model which embeds a strategic approach to communication. The paper also outlines the collaborative way in which the model was developed which included extensive input from government communicators at all levels of seniority, ongoing consultation and testing with potential users, private sector organisations and accrediting professional bodies. Findings Following a review of government communications in 2004, the new permanent secretary for government communication has begun to implement a range of initiatives. Work had already begun in the cabinet office on developing a more strategic approach to training and development and a working group was set-up originate and launch a development framework (now called evolve) for the whole civil service communication community. Originality/value The paper describes the development of evolve – an open, transparent and iterative approach which has elicited commendation and support from all the parties involved. Journal of Communication Management Gregory, A. (2006). A development framework for government communicators. Journal of Communication Management, 10(2), 197-210. https://doi.org/10.1108/13632540610664742 Gregory, Anne. / A development framework for government communicators. In: Journal of Communication Management. 2006 ; Vol. 10, No. 2. pp. 197-210. @article{cd0b11c1b249492a87ec36403c929495, title = "A development framework for government communicators", abstract = "Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a development framework for government communicators. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes how a working group approached the project which involved examining extant training frameworks from communication professional bodies, academic literature and practitioner communities; undertaking extensive interviewing and data collection from departments and obtaining input from external organisations in order to devise an original, process-driven model which embeds a strategic approach to communication. The paper also outlines the collaborative way in which the model was developed which included extensive input from government communicators at all levels of seniority, ongoing consultation and testing with potential users, private sector organisations and accrediting professional bodies. Findings Following a review of government communications in 2004, the new permanent secretary for government communication has begun to implement a range of initiatives. Work had already begun in the cabinet office on developing a more strategic approach to training and development and a working group was set-up originate and launch a development framework (now called evolve) for the whole civil service communication community. Originality/value The paper describes the development of evolve – an open, transparent and iterative approach which has elicited commendation and support from all the parties involved.", keywords = "Communications, Competences, Government, United Kingdom", author = "Anne Gregory", journal = "Journal of Communication Management", publisher = "Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.", Gregory, A 2006, 'A development framework for government communicators', Journal of Communication Management, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 197-210. https://doi.org/10.1108/13632540610664742 A development framework for government communicators. / Gregory, Anne. In: Journal of Communication Management, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2006, p. 197-210. T1 - A development framework for government communicators AU - Gregory, Anne N2 - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a development framework for government communicators. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes how a working group approached the project which involved examining extant training frameworks from communication professional bodies, academic literature and practitioner communities; undertaking extensive interviewing and data collection from departments and obtaining input from external organisations in order to devise an original, process-driven model which embeds a strategic approach to communication. The paper also outlines the collaborative way in which the model was developed which included extensive input from government communicators at all levels of seniority, ongoing consultation and testing with potential users, private sector organisations and accrediting professional bodies. Findings Following a review of government communications in 2004, the new permanent secretary for government communication has begun to implement a range of initiatives. Work had already begun in the cabinet office on developing a more strategic approach to training and development and a working group was set-up originate and launch a development framework (now called evolve) for the whole civil service communication community. Originality/value The paper describes the development of evolve – an open, transparent and iterative approach which has elicited commendation and support from all the parties involved. AB - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a development framework for government communicators. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes how a working group approached the project which involved examining extant training frameworks from communication professional bodies, academic literature and practitioner communities; undertaking extensive interviewing and data collection from departments and obtaining input from external organisations in order to devise an original, process-driven model which embeds a strategic approach to communication. The paper also outlines the collaborative way in which the model was developed which included extensive input from government communicators at all levels of seniority, ongoing consultation and testing with potential users, private sector organisations and accrediting professional bodies. Findings Following a review of government communications in 2004, the new permanent secretary for government communication has begun to implement a range of initiatives. Work had already begun in the cabinet office on developing a more strategic approach to training and development and a working group was set-up originate and launch a development framework (now called evolve) for the whole civil service communication community. Originality/value The paper describes the development of evolve – an open, transparent and iterative approach which has elicited commendation and support from all the parties involved. KW - Communications KW - Competences KW - Government KW - United Kingdom JO - Journal of Communication Management JF - Journal of Communication Management Gregory A. A development framework for government communicators. Journal of Communication Management. 2006;10(2):197-210. https://doi.org/10.1108/13632540610664742

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Alien: Covenant Review- A Horrifying Film But Not The Sequel Prometheus Deserves Alien: Covenant received a great deal of hype as the sequel to the 2012’s Prometheus. However, it wasn’t exactly what fans expected. Nonetheless, the film cannot be categorized as a disappointment. Here’s what I have to say. On first impressions, the film seemed to be all about reviving the Alien franchise. It looked all too similar to the 1979s Alien. Ridley Scott has used the same mantra that led the classic movie to be a blockbuster. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to work with Alien: Covenant. The film takes place six years after the events that unfolded in Prometheus. In the present timeline of the sixth Alien Film, Planet Earth has evolved to the point where it’s capable of building a spaceship that could carry 2,000 members to colonize a new planet. But like every past Alien movie, it never goes according to the mission. While the entire crew onboard were in hypersleep- the spaceship was controlled and taken care by Walter (played by Michael Fassbender), the next generation synthetic crew member. But due to a freak of nature incident, the crew members are forcibly awoken to fix the damage. Unfortunately, the accident also leads to mild causalities, including the death of their Captain. Struck by grief is his wife Daniels (played by Katherine Waterston) who soon manages to recover and look past her pain to concentrate on the mission. But as the third in command, Daniels is not able to stop second in command, Christopher (played by Billy Crudup) from making a severe bad judgment that leads the team to the planet of xenomorphs (Aliens). Initially, as a big time sci-fi fan, I was greatly upset by Scott’s ignorance towards the technical science aspects in the movie. Like the past Alien titles, Covenant continues to exist in the wacky illogical fantasy world where humans don’t care about protocols and basic safety in the far future. The event that leads to total chaos isn’t convincing enough to accept. Moreover, I’d like to believe that humans in far future are capable of examining a planet to its full extent before walking around without a spacesuit in a rogue planet that could inhabit dangerous life forms. Fortunately, the breathtaking cinematography manages to sway the audience away from these disturbing technical errors. Eventually, the film gets interesting as they make their first contact with the xenomorphs. Fans would be glad to know that Alien: Covenant has some jaw dropping chestbuster scenes, gore, violence and everything else that would force the audience to be seated in fear. So, does that mean Alien: Covenant can be considered as a Sci-fi movie with good ol’ gruesome action? No. Unfortunately, the horrifying scenes don’t have a lot of screen time. Instead, the audience is dragged to the past where the film gives us a disappointing conclusion to the mystery behind Shaw and David’s journey at the end of Prometheus. The film disappoints long time fans in many levels as it fails to surpass its expectations. Alien: Covenant gives us a bad déjà vu experience. As a prequel to the Alien and a sequel to Prometheus, Covenant’s failure to appeal to the masses was due to its sheer hype. Instead, the $111million movie was only meant to course correct the franchise to a stable ground for the seventh installment. I never expected or desired for the revival of the Alien franchise. However, on the release of Prometheus, I was persuaded to believe that the creation of the xenomorphs had a greater and interesting plot for the audience in upcoming titles. Unfortunately, the film disappoints us by shedding major limelight on two synthetic creations (David and Walter). Nevertheless, Alien: Covenant ends with a gripping climax that persuades the audience to crave for the next title. Overall, I was satisfied to see Waterston’s Daniels become the new Ripley for upcoming films. Her character has managed to take on the mantle and could certainly amaze us by playing a prominent role in the seventh installment. I rate the film 6.5/10 What did you think of the movie review? Let me know in the comments below. For more updates on Alien: Covenant, follow Pursue News on Facebook and Twitter. Readers can also follow me on my social media accounts for the latest scoops. Related TopicsAlienAlien: CovenantMovie Review More in Reviews Shazam! Movie Review: DC’s Light-hearted Origin Film Has Heart, Humor & Horror To Entertain Kids & Adults Alike Warner Bros. recently released Shazam! might just be the perfect summer movie but ironically... Shyamalan’s ‘Glass’ Is One Of A Kind Comic Book Movie, Reviews Are Unfairly Too Cruel Last night I finally caught up with M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass movie. The sequel... Aquaman Review: DC’s Successful Adventurous Attempt At A New Direction In Superhero Genre There has been rising argument among few that comic book movies could lose its... Red Sparrow Movie Review: Jennifer Lawrence Is A Lethal Prima Ballerina Espionage, seduction, double and triple agents, racy and naughty lingerie, racier and naughtier swimsuits…... Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Review: James Gunn Crafts The Best MCU Film With Emotion, Fun And Adventure Wonder Woman Review: The Future Of ‘Justice League’ Begins With Her

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“falsettos:” more relevant than ever By some miracle, Falsettos, a musical about 1979-1981 that premiered in 1992, is potentially more political and poignant in this 2016 revival than it was originally. This musical, by William Finn and James Lapine, tells the story of the original “modern family:” Marvin has left his wife, Trina, for his boyfriend, Whizzer, but wants to keep his son, Jason in his life. He sends his ex-wife to a therapist, Mendel, who she falls in love with and marries. Of course lets also not forget the lesbians next door, Cordelia and Charlotte. The piece grapples with sexuality, the constrictive norms about family life, domesticity, sexism, homophobia, and in the final act, the AIDS crisis. Seemingly, the show is very dated. It takes place quite clearly in 1979-1981, amidst the AIDS crisis and at a time when a “modern family” was scandalous, not a popular TV show. When Falsettos premiered in 1992, the themes were still topical, the AIDS crisis was still destroying a community, and more and more men and women were leaving their straight marriages to be in queer relationships. James Lapine directed the original production (which won several Tony awards) and is once again directing the piece, this time at the Walter Kerr Theatre in a completely new style, stage, cast, and context. Rarely are original productions and revivals directed by the same person, but here Lapine has proved that a director really can re-imagine a piece and have it mean something quite different. Although this production was mounted before Donald Trump’s election, it is hard to watch the musical and not feel the weight it has inherited. In a country where our president-elect, his vice president, and his cabinet/transition team/advisers are blatantly anti-LGBTQIA+, a musical about homophobia all of a sudden no longer feels like a funny period piece about the 1980s. Shockingly, the AIDS crisis feels less far away. The discrimination that Marvin, Whizzer, Cordelia, and Charlotte face feels more real. Everyone referring to Whizzer as “Marvin’s friend,” a euphemism that erases queer romance, no longer feels dated but feels like a term that may be forced back into the common vocabulary. In a country where we have gotten very used to seeing same-sex relationships onstage, on television, and in the movies, the radical nature of a scene with two men in a bed is no longer radical. However, with a new political regime on the rise, it is easy to feel that Falsettos is challenging the incoming wave of homophobia, boldly stating that queer people will not go into hiding again. The cast brilliantly handles this political weight, bringing new life to a fun, emotional, deep musical. The show stars Christian Borle as Marvin, Stephanie J. Block as his wife Trina, Brandon Uranowitz as the therapist Mendel, Andrew Rannells as his boyfriend Whizzer, Anthony Rosenthal as his son Jason, and Tracie Thomas and Betsy Wolfe as the lesbians Cordelia and Charlotte. That’s the whole cast; no ensemble, no chorus, no dancers. The musical is sung through and is noticeably small. At times the small size of the work is incongruous with the very large stage and the somewhat odd sets by David Rockwell. However, the actors somehow manage, almost never leaving the stage and making the audience feel how intimate of a show this is. Particular praise needs to be given to Stephanie J. Block and Andrew Rannells, who both performed their very complicated roles with nuance, comedy, vocal power, and depth. Block as the misunderstood, lonely, tired, and anxious wife Trina completely stole the show for Act I, receiving an almost standing ovation for “I’m Breaking Down” in which she sings through a panic attack while chopping up dinner, ending by belting an impressive not for seemingly forever while eating a banana at the same time. Later, in her ballad, she sings “I’m tired of all the happy men who rule the world” which inspired so much angry applause and passionate cheers from the audience that Block and the orchestra had to pause the song. Block proved herself to be a vocal powerhouse while also bringing the audience to tears, proving that although it is a good thing that Marvin embraced his sexuality, is has left the loving Trinia alone and tired. Andrew Rannells, Broadway’s pretty (Mormon) boy, took on a slightly different part than usual. Instead of being typecast into the pretty dancing flamboyant character, he took and a more nuanced, but still pretty gay boy, role. Whizzer can’t decide if he loves Marvin, does not want to be monogamous, forms a deep connection with the young Jason, and eventually dies from a mysterious illness we know to be AIDS. Although Rannells most of Act I flipping his hair, removing his shirt, and being gorgeous, in Act II he steals the spotlight from Block and becomes the emotional center of the show, gracefully dying while bringing the entire audience to tears. In the final stages of the show, Whizzer realizes that he does love Marvin, but only once he understands that they have no future together. Although Christian Borle plays Marvin, the lead, he never stole the show. He often fell into patterns of brooding and in a modern context his demands that his wife (and late Whizzer) stay home and cook dinner seem problematic–not to mention when he receives his ex-wife and ex-therapist’s wedding invitation and responds by slapping Trina across the face. However, both the character and the actor are not devoid of sympathy, and both become particularly charming for two memorable songs in Act II. The first, “What More Can I Say?” is a monologue Marvin sings while in bed with the sleeping Whizzer, remarking how lucky he is to have found love. Marvin ends the show with the song “What Would I Do?” which occurs after Whizzer’s death. Marvin sings “What would I do if I had not met you? How would I blame my life on? What would I do if I had not loved you? How would I know what love is?” I saw the show on Wednesday, November 9th, the day after the election. As the show ended and the lights faded to black, the entire audience was audibly crying and sniffling. As the curtain rose and the actors came about the bow, the entire cast was sobbing. For everyone, the musical meant so much more than expected. It became more emotional, more relevant, more political. In an unscripted post-bow moment, Rannells said to the audience, “We love telling this story every night, but we loved telling it tonight especially.” Go see Falsettos, go cry about the perilous state of queer politics in our country, go and support a play that is imploring–just as it did twenty years ago–for the world pay attention to queer issues and be accepting of “modern families.” Christian Lewis2019-03-31T16:22:00-04:00 share this story, choose your favourite platform About the Author: Christian Lewis Christian founded queer voices in 2015. Since then he's become a respected theatre critic in New York and a member of the Outer Critics Circle. He can be found running from theatre to class and back while he works on his Ph.D. at CUNY. 5 Tips, from Two Guys & A Tortoise, When Planning A Holiday As A Homo! 4 Great Books About Queer Love With Important Lessons LGBTQ Homeownership Statistics 5 Queer Mental Health Resolutions for 2020

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The Myth of Priestly Celibacy Until the 12th century, Christian priests led sexual lives resembling those of lay people: some priests and lay people alike embraced voluntary celibacy, others did not. Then, at the First Lateran Council of 1123 , celibacy was imposed as a rule on all priests. The circumstances and reaction at the time are interesting. John Boswell argues that among the groups strongly promoting the rule were priests who had no wives or concubines, but did have boyfriends. After noting that Pope Leo IX, who was the first pontiff to take action against married clergy, had shown no interest in acting against homosexual practices by priests or bishops, Boswell continues with: “Contemporaries, at least, were quick to note that gay priests were more willing than heterosexual ones to enforce prohibitions against clerical marriage“; “There is some evidence of a power struggle between gay and married clergy over whose predilection would be stigmatized.” In the Eastern church, orthodox priests never adopted the rule, and were horrified by the practice in the West. An anonymous Byzantine tract of c 1274, quoted in Judith Herrin’s “Byzantium“, asks plaintively, “Why do you priests not marry?… The Church does not forbid the priest to take a wife, but you do not marry. Instead you have concubines and your priest sends his servant to bring him his concubine and puts out the candle and keeps her for the whole night.” In the centuries that followed, this charge (that clergy at all levels no longer married, but continued active sexual lives with concubines) was widely accepted. Indeed, sexual scandals even at the level of the papacy were one of the factors that led to the Reformation. Somehow, in subsequent centuries, many Catholics seem to have adopted the belief that since celibacy is the rule, it is now also the practice. This is hogwash. It never has been, and never will be. It is well known that there has been a haemorrhaging of good men from the priesthood over the last half century, many of them leaving the priesthood explicitly to marry. It is delusional to suppose that these men kept themselves sexually chaste until after leaving; it is equally delusional to suppose that all those who maintained active sexual relationships, left the priesthood. I myself have a personal friend who left the priesthood only when he ‘had to get married’ to the religious sister he had impregnated. Note the sequence: first he got her pregnant, then he left the priesthood. In the concluding chapter of his book, “Global Catholicism”, Ian Linden writes of the state of the church in the 21st century. One of his sections is titled “The Universal Crisis of the Celibate Priesthood.” Among other damaging effects, he notes: “The number of Catholic priests worldwide in clandestine , and often exploitative, multiple sexual relationships of different duration and kind has undermined the examplary witness of those freed by celibacy for a lifetime of service. Promiscuous – and paedophile- clergy have been a disaster for the post-conciliar Church, not to speak of their victims’ suffering. Clerical sexual conduct has given rise in many parishes to a myriad of intractable problems. So the moral issue for many lay Catholics in some countries became not whether the priest was failing to keep his vow of celibacy – failure was increasingly taken for granted – but whether he was sleeping with a married woman, failing to care for the children brought into the world, or indeed had more than one sexual partner, in short the degree to which the relationship was socially damaging and individually abusive.” It gets worse. Referring to the consequences of the emergence of HIV/AIDS, he writes: “But it soon emerged that one consequence of the pandemic was that promiscuous priests, for fear of infection, were shifting their attentions to the local nuns on the assumption that they would be free of the virus”, prompting their Superiors to challenge the bishops, without success, to protect their congregations from predatory clergy. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to support these contentions. In The Future of the Celibacy Debate lies in Africa, not Miami Collen Kochivar-Baker writes about the situation in the Central African Republic, where it seems that bishops and priests for years have been living openly with wives and families: “Africa News had reported Monday that Archbishop Pomodimo and several priests in his archdiocese would be sanctioned ‘for adopting a moral attitude which is not always in conformity with their commitments to follow Christ in chastity, poverty and obedience’.” In Zimbabwe, the otherwise impressive and respected Bishop Ncube has resigned after as sexual scandal. From Rocco Palma’s “Whispers in the Loggia”: “Ncube’s resignation was accepted after the 62 year-old prelate was accused of adultery in what, at the time, the archbishop maintained was a “well-orchestrated plan” by Mugabe and his allies to discredit Ncube for his globally-noticed protests of the country’s authoritarian rule. Several months later, the prelate admitted to the affair in a documentary interview.” In the same post, Pollo also refers to situation in Bangui. There have been many instances publicised in the West (and many more unpublicised), of which the case of Fr Mario Cutie in Miami is just the most recently prominent. Nor have the sexual partners been restricted to women. Censor Librorum at Nilhil Obstat has written on the voracious sexual appetite of the late Cardinal Spellman for young men, and former Milwaukee archbishop Rembert Weakland has recently come out publicly on his experience as a gay Bishop in the church. A sexual appetite is a fundamental human urge. Modern research shows clearly that healthy, active expression of this urge contributes to physical and mental health. While I fully accept that voluntary celibacy is entirely possible and acceptable for those who embrace it willingly in maturity, I have grave misgivings about imposing it by compulsion. The pretence of priestly celibacy is not just a myth: the consequences are intensely damaging, in many ways, to the whole Church and its people. I will expand on these consequences later. Posted in Gay Christians. Tags: Catholic Church, celibacy. 1 Comment » One Response to “The Myth of Priestly Celibacy” Clerical Abuse: How We Are All Victims « Queering the Church Says: […] The Myth of Priestly Celibacy […] « Seduced by Grace My Journey in Faith »

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Hosted Content Be part of the answer to FGM Posted 11 March 2015 - 12:16 Until very recently, it seemed that the campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) was gathering strength. Then, on February 4 2015, a jury took just 15 minutes to find Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena not guilty in the first FGM trial in a British court. Dharmasena, then registrar in obstetrics at Whittington Hospital in London, had restitched the labia of a Somali woman to stop bleeding following delivery of her baby. Instead of suturing on either side, as later advised by superiors, he had performed a figure-of-eight stitch to reinstate the closure. Medical colleagues argued that this prosecution was wrong: Dharmasena had simply acted in the patient’s best interests, and this was hardly an example of the ritual practice targeted by campaigners. After the verdict at Southwark Crown Court, many commentators criticised the Director of Public Prosecutions Alisson Saunders for an apparently rushed decision to take this dubious case to court. The decision was announced four days before MPs were due to question her over the failure to prosecute anyone with the crime, despite it being an offence since 1985. Such criticisms may be valid, but there was also a troubling amount of comments on newspaper websites to the effect that FGM is exaggerated and a cultural practice that should be left alone. Denial and an unwillingness to act on FGM has been an ongoing problem. Yet the government plans to make it a criminal offence for healthcare practitioners to fail to report FGM. Going back to the Dharmasena case, the defence argued that the doctor was being made a scapegoat for the hospital, which had failed to provide training on FGM. The doctor who performed the stitching was not at fault, according to the defence, but the midwife who first saw the patient in an antenatal appointment was implicated. The midwife had asked standard questions about FGM and the woman had replied ‘It’s fine; it’s opened’. Hospital policy states that the midwife should have organised deinfibulation (reopening of the vaginal orifice) as part of a birth plan in advance of labour. This was not done, leaving the doctor to perform the opening in an emergency admission. Nurses and midwives must be alert to the higher expectations and legal responsibility imposed on their practice. While it has been easier to do nothing in the past, recording and reporting FGM will no longer be optional. Practical guidance from the RCN is available, and practitioners should also press for training to be provided in the detection and response to observed or suspected cases of FGM. It may not be long before a midwife or nurse is taken to court for failing to act. Cultural sensitivities are a major challenge, but if we really want a multicultural society that is fair to all, nurses and midwives must contribute to the eradication of a needless violation of young girls. Let’s make sure that we are part of the answer, rather than part of the problem. Mental health programme leader Niall McCrae and child health lecturer Sheena Bynoe, from London’s Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at King’s College, have written a peer reviewed article on the role of nurses in preventing and addressing FGM which was published in the March 2015 issue of Primary Health Care. Subscribe to Primary Health Care Exploring support systems for nurses involved with safeguarding children Study found that safeguarding children work can have significant emotional effects on nurses Sexual safety in all mental health settings is a fundamental right for service users Sexual Safety Collaborative to have new standards to improve sexual safety on wards Suspended from the register: the health visitor who failed to act on child abuse claim Emily Whitelaw suspected allegation against a step-grandfather was false Safeguarding partners: what children’s nurses need to know How will the new safeguarding partners differ from local safeguarding children’s boards? Readers’ panel: Is ‘corridor care’ proof that the system is broken? Nurses have described how ‘corridor nursing’ has increasingly become the norm

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realizethelies 9:41 pm on February 18, 2012 President Eisenhower had three secret meetings with aliens, former Pentagon consultant claims Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100947/Eisenhower-secret-meetings-aliens-pentagon-consultant-claims.html#ixzz1mn98ejY1 Former American President Dwight D. Eisenhower had three secret meetings with aliens, a former US government consultant has claimed. The 34th President of the United States met the extra terrestrials at a remote air base in New Mexico in 1954, according to lecturer and author Timothy Good. Eisenhower and other FBI officials are said to have organised the showdown with the space creatures by sending out ‘telepathic messages’ The two parties finally met up on three separate occasions at the Holloman Air Force base and there were ‘many witnesses’. Aliens have made both formal and informal contact with thousands of people throughout the world from all walks of life,’ he added. Asked why the aliens don’t go to somebody ‘important’ like Barack Obama, he said: ‘Well, certainly I can tell you that in 1954, President Eisenhower had three encounters, set up meetings with aliens, which took place at certain Air Force bases including Holloman Air Force base in New Mexico Read more @ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100947/Eisenhower-secret-meetings-aliens-pentagon-consultant-claims.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Buzz Aldrin Reveals Existence of Monolith on Mars Moon →

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EN | TH Prachatai English Prayut promises election, but ban on political activity to remain Submitted on Tue, 10 Oct 2017 - 07:08 PM Political parties, despite their divergent ideologies, are united in urging the junta to lift its ban on political activity now that the Organic Act on Political Parties is in effect. Meanwhile, the junta head has announced that the next general election will be held in November 2018. On 8 October 2017, the Royal Gazette published the Organic Act on Political Parties, one of four organic laws which have to be passed before the long-awaited general election can be held. But the Organic Act on Political Parties has been widely criticised for placing excessive burdens on small and newly-emerging parties with limited resources. One regulation requires parties to have at least 500 founding members, with each member contributing between 2,000 and 500,000 baht to start-up costs. A party needs to have 5,000 members within a year of being established and 20,000 members within 4 years. Each party must have a branch in all regions and must have at least 100 members in each province. Existing parties also have to comply with these requirements in order to stand in an election. In response to the new regulations, politicians across the political spectrum have demanded more political liberty from the ruling junta. On 10 October, Sudarat Keyuraphan, a key Pheu Thai politician, told the media that parties should be able to hold discussions and prepare for the next election campaign. She therefore urged the junta to lift its ban on political activity which has been in effect since the coup in 2014. The same day, the deputy leader of the Democrat Party, Jurin Laksanawisit, also asked the junta to allow more freedom for political parties so that they could meet the requirements in time for the election. Jurin, however, clarified he was not asking the junta revoke its ban on political activities entirely. But Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has stated that the ban on political activities will remain until at least the end of October, since it would be ‘inappropriate timing’ to allow political activity during the period of mourning. The junta is holding firm even though junta head Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has recently reaffirmed that a general election will be held next year. On 10 October, the junta head clarified that the exact election date will be announced in June 2018, with a general election to be held in November. Prayut asked all politicians not to mobilise until the junta eases the ban on political activity when the ‘appropriate time’ comes. “In October, this is the period when we’re all in grief and sorrow. So I ask that everything pass peacefully for now. At this point I can only say that in approximately June 2018, and I say approximately, an election date will be announced and in approximately November 2018, there will be an election.” The Organic Act on Political Parties is the second organic law to be approved by the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA); the Organic Act on the Election Commission was passed on 13 September. Drafts of the other two organic acts, on the selection of senators and on the general election, have yet to be submitted to the NLA. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha Gen Prawit Wongsuwan Organic Law Organic Law on Political Parties Pheu Thai Party Latest contents Two revolutionary leader statues gone missing Prachatai Thailand ranks 101 on corruption perception index Father of "cobra" passes away. World court orders Myanmar to protect Rohingya Pick to Post Tweets by prachatai_en Prachatai Links Prachatai (Thai) Prachatai Blogazine (Thai) Human Rights Links FORUM-ASIA Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Subscribe Daily E-mail Politics Links The Isaan Record Political Prisoners in Thailand Khaosod English The Bretton Woods Project The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) UPI Asia Online FACThai Asia Sentinel Counter Punch Engage Media The New Mandala The International Institute For Strategic Studies Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia Support Prachatai About Prachatai.com | Code of Conduct | independent web newspaper © The Foundation for Community Educational Media 2006 (cc) BY-NC

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Pradeep's Blog Standing on the shores of space… India conducts an Anti Satellite Missile Test March 27, 2019 ~ Pradeep ~ 2 Comments Pictures released of the Anti Satellite Missile Test conducted by India on March 27, 2019. Image Credit: Shiv Aroor/LiveFist Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today that India had successfully carried out an Anti Satellite Missile Test (ASAT). The mission was code named Mission Shakti. A missile was launched from the Dr. Abdul Kalam Island Launch Complex off the coast of Orissa and hit an Indian satellite orbiting at 300 km. The hit was successful. It is to be said that this is an important technology demonstration on the part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is a capability that only three other countries in the world have – USA, Russia and China. Of these, China seems to be the reason that India accelerated the development of the ASAT. China did the ASAT test in January 2007 by destroying a satellite in a 800 km orbit. The US responded to this with tests of its own in 2010 by destroying a satellite in a 300 km orbit. India’s response was a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) test it performed in 2012 where an incoming missile was intercepted by an interceptor missile. DRDO which had developed the said capability said that it had the building blocks to test the ASAT by 2014. However, it is believed that then UPA Government under Dr. Manmohan Singh did not give the DRDO the go-ahead for this project. It is believed that India feared further restrictions on technology transfer from the US as the basis for not giving the project the go-ahead. It is believed that the go-ahead came after the Narendra Modi government when it came into power in 2014. It is essential to seperate the civilian and defence space programmes. India did this in 2008 in response to the India-US Civilian Nuclear Deal. Although ISRO launches defence satellites into orbit, it does not intend the end purpose of such a mission be purely military. DRDO developed and launched the target satellite and launched it on a PSLV-C44 this year in January. With this test, India has a slight advantage over China. Although, China has a ASAT capability it is widely believed that it does not have the capability yet to destroy incoming missiles provided by a BMD programme. In today’s test India seems to have pranced around all the international treaties that look to prevent the weaponization of space. The concept took root in a 1969 treaty called the Outer Space Treaty. The Treaty is today called outdated and there are several loopholes that many countries today take advantage of like China did in 2007 and India did today. The US has been working to ban anti-satellite tests since 2010 but has failed in building any consensus on the subject. India seems to have conducted the test to ensure that it slips through the door before it closes, metaphorically. There is a lot of political discussion on whether the timing of the announcement of the mission by the Prime Minister today is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct which is in force for the 2019 National Elections. But, that is for the Election Commission to look at. I do not see any need to do this so urgently unless the anti-satellite test ban were to come into force some time in the near future and India had an inkling as to the timing of the same. The simplest explanation is that the mission was ready and the go-ahead was given by the Government thinking of it as a matter of national defence and prioritised the decision over the Elections. There is also worry of the creation of space debris which would be left behind by the satellite that was destroyed by the missile today. However, they have the US example of 2010 which also destroyed a satellite in a similar orbit and which lasted in orbit for about 3 years. Against this, stands the Chinese example whose destroyed satellite in the 800 km orbit is still believed to be in orbit. We are given to understand that the debris would eventually get pulled down by Earth’s gravity and will burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere before causing any significant damage. This matter is debatable. All in all, given the timeline and the current available knowledge, India responsibly tested its capability keeping multiple issues in mind – space debris, Outer Space Treaty and current regional geopolitics. The Ministry of External Affairs posted a Frequently Asked Questions section on its website on today’s test. Curiosly, this is not on the Ministry of Defence or the DRDO website. It has useful information and the official version of what transpired. LiveFist – Shiv Aroor is a defence journalist who maintains a defence blog. His writeups cover most of the technical details and the defence organisational intrigue that was involved in today’s mission. The post linked here also has multiple links that are worth following up on if you’re interested in more details of the ASAT. There is a 2012 India Today article being circulated on Twitter claiming that India had build capability required for today’s test in 2012 itself. There is significant difference between capability and technology demonstration. And, I believe it’s always a good idea to test a technology before use, if you can. Vasudevan Mukunth wrote in The Wire about the Mission Shakti, which also analyses the technicalities of the Mission in detail which is also a good overview if you only want to understand what this whole hoopla is about.

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Advertising with Premier Premier Directory The Premier Information Tool for the Construction, Hospitality, Rail and Retail Industries! Premier Construction Rail Construction Premier Retail PC Channel Islands Premier Engineering North East & Yorkshire • Premier Construction Bridlington Leisure by Roma Publications Written by Roma Publications New complex brings a breath of fresh air to seafront A major brand new leisure complex with extensive state of the art facilities including swimming pools, a health suite, fitness suite, sports hall, retail units and a cafe, the East Riding Leisure: Bridlington centre is under construction, replacing an older facility. Due for completion in summer 2016, the project is a redevelopment of Bridlington Leisure World, which had reached the end of its economic life with its deteriorating building fabric and infrastructure. The £20m redevelopment is being carried out for East Riding of Yorkshire Council by main contractors BAM Construction, who have been praised for their work on the project. The building was designed by Paul Bird of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Architects Department. The old building had become inefficient with increasing utility, repair and maintenance requirements and frequent breakdowns in recent years, and the layout arrangements were unsuitable and of poor quality. “The building was suffering from terminal problems including the mechanical services. It had been patched up many times and was leaking heavily – as well as suffering heavy contamination from seagull droppings on the extensive horizontal glass sections on the roof,” said Paul Bird. “In addition, people’s tastes have changes regarding what they want in this type of venue, and the old facilities were dated,” he added. The project included the demolition of the original building, as well as the construction of the new complex. The works were delayed for a few weeks following the discovery of archaeological remains on the site which comprised an old house from the 1800s, which was of local interest to the town, but not of major importance. The 7,000 sq. m. water play building is two storeys high with a small basement area for plant and retail elements. External elevations are in a combination of white speckled masonry to the seaward facing side and pale blue brick to the town facing side, metallic faced cladding panels, high level render and glazing. The building has a flat roof. The new complex will provide a high quality, sustainable, and flexible building that will be easier to maintain and manage, whilst accommodating an attractive array of facilities. It will bring together wet and dry sports and leisure activities under one roof. It will provide accessible health and fitness facilities that can serve the varying needs of local residents and visitors to the town. The redevelopment not only rationalises and improves the wet and dry sports facilities, but it also contributes to the regeneration of Bridlington town centre. The building will incorporate: a 25m six lane swimming pool, with a maximum depth of 2m; a 13x7m learner pool with moveable floor – operating to a maximum depth of 2m, and Leisure Water – a freeform pool including water play features and slides connected to the learner pool by a moveable bund. There will also be two slides with aqua run off. In addition, the venue includes swimming spectator seating for 150 and village style wet changing facilities at pool level. Additional facilities include a health suite complete with steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi; a 70 station fitness suite; an exercise studio; a spinning studio and a six court sports hall – Specified to Sport England Club level – and two squash courts. The building will also include: dry sports and separate members changing areas; a feature climbing wall located within a central ‘street’; spaces suitable for clubroom, dance classes, yoga and children’s parties; a cafe/ coffee shop open to non-centre users and including external seating and views over the bay; health and wellbeing consulting space and third party retail units. The project includes the provision of over 100 parking spaces on the site as well as a new hard landscaped public open space with seating on the seaward side of the building. “This facility is probably one of the best of its type. BAM have been absolutely brilliant, they have done a fantastic job. We are very happy with the way that the project is going,” said Paul Bird. He added that one of the more challenging elements of the scheme was in designing a building suitable for a coastal location, as well as incorporating so many different elements in one building. “The new complex is an important boost for Bridlington and for local people, as well as the tourists who flock here in the summer months. The building is located on a prominent site on the seafront and is regarded as a ‘bookend’ to its ‘sister’ building, the Bridlington Spa development, which provides theatrical and cultural performance space,” he said. Working for Bridlington Leisure World, Van Egdom B.V. produced and delivered a Tube 1200 waterslide with a length of 68.9 meters and a Tube 800 waterslide with a length of 56.5 meters. Van Egdom B.V. has two production facilities in the Netherlands and is an international company specialising in turnkey project development of water attractions and water playgrounds. Van Egdom designs and builds new water attractions and is also the go to specialist in renovation and upgrading of existing water and attraction parks. A proud market leader when it comes to the production of interactive waterslides and water playgrounds, Van Egdom B.V. has completed more than 5,000 projects in more than 35 countries worldwide. “We are very pleased with supplying the two different types of flumes. What makes this so unique is that the flume type 1200 contains an interactive gaming experience, where the slider can collect points by smashing the targets. This in combination with the speed makes a unique score. The speed flume type 800 contains a measurement system, where your speed is shown on a big scoreboard, with your time, fastest time of the day and the fastest time ever. This interactive system brings a new dimension to the flume which is spectacular,” said Simon van Dijk, Commercial Director of Van Egdom. 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Find best live dealer casinos review at https://livedealercasino.online/ NDP Commits to Women’s Reproductive Choice While Liberals Play Political Football Media Release — For Immediate Release March 29, 2001 VICTORIA — The Pro-Choice Action Network and the BC abortion provider community applauds the courage and commitment of the NDP government in standing up for reproductive choice for women. On Wednesday in the BC Legislature, Deputy Premier Joy MacPhail and Minister of Women’s Equality Evelyn Gillespie presented an 11-point motion to improve access to abortion and other reproductive health services, and to protect and support health professionals who provide these services. “The NDP government has proven once again their long-term ongoing commitment to women’s reproductive choice,” said Joyce Arthur of the Pro-Choice Action Network. “We are thrilled with these comprehensive, much-needed initiatives that will enhance and stabilize women’s access to reproductive health services over the long-term, including abortion.” Representatives from the Pro-Choice Action Network, UBC Students for Choice, and other groups, sat in the BC Legislature gallery Wednesday to watch the motion being debated. “It was appalling to witness the total lack of respect that the Liberal party showed towards women’s rights and health,” said Hannah Roman of UBC Students for Choice. “We had expected that the Liberal MLA’s would express some support or at least explain why they oppose protecting a woman’s right to choose, but instead, virtually the entire Liberal caucus walked out and would not even debate the motion.” “The Liberals accused the NDP of playing political election games,” said Roman, “but it was the Liberals doing all the political posturing, at the expense of women’s health and provider safety.” Before walking out of the Legislature, the Liberals indicated they would all vote against the proposed measures and legislation on Thursday. Liberal leader Gordon Campbell even refused to tell the media what his positions are on the specific initiatives, leaving the BC public completely in the dark. But health providers, women, and the rest of the public deserve to know in detail where the Liberals stand on these issues that are so critical to so many. “Apparently, the Liberals regard this whole issue as a trivial one, useful only to kick around as a political football,” said Arthur. She pointed out that in contrast, the NDP are concerned about women, and are being realistic in the face of a possible Liberal win in the upcoming election, which would likely result in a deterioration of access to reproductive health services. “The NDP knows that a Liberal government would do nothing to actually improve access, which is still far from ideal,” said Arthur. “It’s obvious the NDP is simply trying to safeguard women’s rights over the long term by entrenching and increasing the many supports and initiatives they have worked hard to put in place over the last decade.” Pro-Choice Action Network, Vancouver, BC. Email info@prochoiceactionnetwork-canada.org Visit https://aucasinosonline.com/ to play online caisno games.

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Home Games Kingdom Come: Deliverance Available with Mod Support Soon Kingdom Come: Deliverance Available with Mod Support Soon By: Jimmy Abbott | In: Games | Last updated: 27/08/2019 0 Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a popular action video game that came out in 2018. Deep Silver published the game, while Warhorse Studios developed it. Kingdom Come: Deliverance was launched for Windows, PS4 and Xbox One. The action takes place in a medieval kingdom named Boemia, and it has a strong influence on historical events surrounding the Roman Empire. After its release, the game gained a good amount of popularity pretty fast. However, the game lacked a few features that players began to complain about. Fortunately, it seems that now the developers wish to fix those issues, so fans will have an enhanced experience while playing their game. When the Kingdom Come was first released, many believed there was room for improvement. So modders began working on ways to make the gameplay better. First of all, in the original version of the game, you had to go to sleep in order to save your progress, but a mod fixed that, allowing players to save whenever they wished. More and more mods began to surface, so players started to get accustomed to them, and most of them can’t imagine playing the simple game now. Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, one of the faces of the project, recently divulged some of the future plans for Kingdom Come: Deliverance. According to him, the developer team is now working on introducing mod support for the game. He grants that mod support for the PC version will surely make its way into the game, but we will have to wait and see what developments can be made for the console version of the game. Even more, Stolz-Zwilling hinted a possible sequel during the interview. He stated that the main engine of the game would not be changed .”We have done so much with the engine that we fear that changing it would mean starting from the beginning,” he said. Jimmy Abbott Tell others: Kingdom Come Kingdom Come: Deliverance Xbox Scarlett Latest Leaks – What We Know So Far ARK Survival Evolved​ Update for PS4 and Xbox One Available with New Patch Notes GTA 6 Might Not be the Next Hit of Rockstar Games​​

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Time for U.S. to Focus on Western Sahara , CNN Global Public Square (GPS) Against the backdrop of North Korea and the conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, and the Palestinian territories, it is understandable that within the United States, the Western Sahara is largely forgotten. It should not be. Across North Africa and the Sahel, political chaos reigns and stability is in short supply. Nature abhors a vacuum, but terrorists love them. Fueled by loose weapons from Libya, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other offshoot terrorist groups have destabilized wide swaths of the Sahel. Freedom House once categorized Mali as the most free Muslim majority country in the world, but now it teeters on the brink of state failure, victim of weapons smuggling, terrorism, and its own porous borders. Across North Africa and the Sahel, from the Red Sea to the Atlantic, the only truly stable country is Morocco, a country whose sovereignty over the Western Sahara remains at the center of a decades-long diplomatic dispute. It has now been almost 40 years since Spain left what was then called the Spanish Sahara, a territory that it had administered for almost a century. Conflict erupted quickly after Spain left. Morocco occupied nearly the entire territory. But Algeria, a reliable Soviet ally in the context of the Cold War, had other plans. It supported the Polisario Front, a group that claimed independence for the former Spanish territory and declared itself the rightful government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The subsequent guerilla conflict continued until 1991, when Morocco and the Polisario Front reached a ceasefire. The two sides initially agreed that a referendum would determine the Western Sahara’s future, but that vote was never held because they could reach no consensus about who qualified to vote. Today, the Sahrwi Arab Democratic Republic exists on paper only although thanks to Algerian largesse, which sees the Polisario as a useful wedge against rival Morocco and so bankrolls its diplomatic missions. In reality, the Polisario controls little more than a series of small refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria’s Western-most province along the border of Morocco, Western Sahara, and Mauritania. While the Polisario Front claims more than 100,000 Sahwari refugees live in the camps and some journalists and short-term visitors parrot that figure, diplomats with long experience in the camps and in the region, as well as former refugees, estimate that no more than 40,000 reside in the camps. Only half of these are actual refugees from the portion of the Western Sahara that Morocco controls; the remainder has roots in Algeria, Mauritania, or Mali. Indeed, there is a reason why Algeria refuses to allow an independent census. The danger is not that war is going to re-erupt between Algeria and Morocco, or that the Polisario will be able to renew its insurgency inside Morocco. Rather, the problem is smuggling. By inflating camp population and then pocketing the difference in aid allocations, the Polisario bolsters its militia and its leaders’ profits. Polisario smuggling is evident in markets around Algeria, Mali, and Mauritania, where merchants sell aid supplies delivered to Tindouf. Siphoned aid is only the tip of the iceberg: Polisario smugglers also transport African migrants northward toward Europe, and jihadis and weaponry southward from Libya, through Algeria, and across the increasingly unstable Sahel. Counterterror analysts say that AQIM now recruits in Polisario camps. The simple fact is that the camps need not exist. Many residents of the Tindouf camps seek to return to Morocco, which welcomes them with open arms. Whereas from the 1970s through the 1990s, Morocco kept the Western Sahara as a poor backwater, the strategy of Mohammed IV of Morocco, who assumed the throne in 1999, has been to focus on economic development in the Western Sahara, and he has put the Kingdom’s money to work to show that his rhetoric is not empty. Standards of living are higher in the Western Sahara now than they are in the rest of Morocco, and rather than simply exploit the region’s mineral wealth or its fisheries, the government now focuses on sustainable development, the tourism sector, other businesses, and education. More importantly, at U.S. insistence, the Moroccan government has agreed to grant the Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. Not only does such a solution make historical sense – most recent Moroccan dynasties have roots in what is now the Western Sahara – but the Moroccans have followed through. Former Polisario members and refugees occupy the highest positions and set policy. Many returnees, meanwhile, suggest that thousands more would follow if the Polisario allowed them to leave. Far from being refugees, the autocratic Polisario now treats Sahrawi camp residents not as constituents but as hostages. Diplomats naturally seek compromise, but win-win situations only work when both sides sincerely seek a settlement. Alas, Algeria and its Polisario proxies do not. The Algerian government opposes autonomy in the Western Sahara, likely because it fears a precedent which could unravel Algerian control over its own restive Berber provinces. It effectively views the Polisario in the same way that Iran does Hezbollah: as a useful proxy to wield against enemies. But with AQIM wreaking havoc in the region, and smuggling pouring fuel on the fire, the United States and its European and African allies should no longer sit idle and let the problem fester. Morocco, the first country to extend the United States diplomatic recognition in 1777, has been a steadfast ally to the United States ever since; Washington should repay the favor. It should side unequivocally with Rabat; make aid to the Tindouf camps contingent on an independent census; and demand that Algeria allow Tindouf residents to travel with their families freely, by bus, to Morocco. No longer should the Polisario be allowed to keep family members hostage to encourage the return of the few camp residents who can get seats on U.N.-sponsored flights. As the United States should have learned from Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya, Timor Leste, and Syria, state failure is hard to reverse. The key is to prevent collapse in the first place. As the only stable state in the region, it behooves the United States to support Morocco and work through it to rebuild the economies of the region, and train forces to restore stability to countries like Mali, the Central African Republic, Tunisia, and Libya. It should formally recognize Moroccan suzerainty over the Western Sahara, dismiss Algerian claims, allow the U.N. Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), a decades-long failure, to expire and let the Polisario fade into the dustbin of history, a Cold War relic like the Baader-Meinhof gang, Shining Path or Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). By doing so, the United States can not only do what is right, but it can also reduce opportunities for al Qaeda to arm and thrive, support an ally, resolve uncertainty that undercuts regional investment, bolster its own national security, and achieve a clear foreign policy success with bipartisan and State Department support. Editor’s note: Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, recently returned from Morocco and the Western Sahara where he interviewed former Polisario Front members and Sahrawi officials. Follow him @mrubin1971. The views expressed are his own. #Africa Peace & War Polisario Front Portrait of the Superman of Algerian Diplomacy: Smail Chergui Captain Ali Najab, A Moroccan Military Hero, Not Forgotten by the United States Western Sahara: Pompeo Visit Signals Change in Policy? Terrorism in Tindouf, Algiers confirms threat Tindouf: Violent Clashes Between Oulad Dlim Tribe & Polisario Militiamen

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Kids and Activity Zones Vendor Market Throughout the day, we will have a variety of guest speakers talking about specific topics surrounding mental health issues and addictions. Our speakers work in the addictions field, health care, politics, are in recovery themselves, and advocates. Mackenzie Phillips – American Actress and author of the courageous New York Times bestselling memoir High on Arrival, and her equally successful book, Hopeful Healing: Essays on Managing Recovery and Surviving Addiction, is also currently enjoying her role as ‘Barb’ in Season 6 / Netflix, Orange Is The New Black and another Netflix show reuniting with series creator Norman Lear for the revival of One Day At A Time. Phillips rose to fame with breakout parts in 1973's American Graffiti and '70s sitcom One Day at a Time and is now making a different impact as a director at the Breathe Life Healing Center in Los Angeles where she specializes in trauma, drug, and alcohol treatment and recovery. The daughter of The Mamas and the Papas lead singer John Phillips, Mackenzie a survivor of substance abuse and a visible and outspoken advocate for addiction awareness and education who brings her knowledge and voice on the subject of recovery and shares her experiences for those who are trying to overcome addiction. Mackenzie Phillips grew up in a dysfunctional environment and subsequently battled a near-fatal drug addiction. She presents the wisdom she gained from her own personal journey through addictions and her understanding of practical treatment from her work as a rehabilitation counselor. Using her own life experiences as examples of proven recovery methods, she shares the tools and holistic approaches that are available to help those on their way to recovery. Greta Waples Greta Waples grew up in River Heights. She was an elite athlete all of her life. Waples chose to pursue speed skating after high school and moved out to Calgary. She was taking Kenis and Psych while training and competing. At 16, she sustained an injury to her left leg and when she turned 21, she injured it again forcing her into retirement and with a myriad of mental health complications. Waples became angry at the world and couldn’t deal with anything so she partied it away (cocaine was her main drug of choice, but she did everything). She endured more trauma than anyone should have to endure in 100 lifetimes. Her best friend Karla overdosed and committed suicide when they were 24 years old. Waples went back out into addiction harder than before. She says was trying to reclaim her life on my own and it was not working. She went to school, got a journalism diploma, level 1 and 2 sommeliers, did events, marketing, media, became a personal trainer and certified weight loss and nutrition coach. Though, nothing she did made her happy enough to save herself. After her last bender, she couldn’t believe she was still alive and was very suicidal. Waples checked in to suicide watch and detox. She didn’t want to put anyone through what she went through with her friend Karla. She went to long-term in-patient trauma rehab, moved back to Winnipeg to be with her family and became very involved with St. Raphael Wellness Centre (SRWC). Waples went through their programs as a participant and learned to love herself again and set goals for a future she never thought she would have. Last year, Waples wanted to start Recovery Day Winnipeg as the city was the only major city that didn’t have one in Canada. She worked with SRWC to get it together in no time. Waples was the emcee, SRWC got official proclamation and the event is dear to her heart. She want to share the joy and hope in recovery and continue to dissipate the stigma. Waples will be two years sober on September 13th. No slips, mental health is stable and is excited about her future. She is starting her social work degree at Booth University this fall, ultimately she would like to get a masters and make policy changes to improve Manitoba’s mental health systems. The past year Waples worked with SRWC doing events, media, fundraising, PR, co-facilitating groups--basically everything. Currently, she is doing a six-month placement through REES that will end in November. Her last knee surgery was July 15th and is hoping it will be her last for good. Dave Nokinsky Dave Nokinsky was born in 1975, in Meadow Lake Saskatchewan. He was adopted by a wonderful loving family in Swan Plain, Saskatchewan. His brother and sister, both adopted as well, are eight years older than him. As Nokinsky grew up, he noticed that his skin was darker than his siblings and friends in school, one of his memories is of him scrubbing his hands and arms to try to make them whiter so he would look more like everyone else in school. Unlike the people around him, Nokisnky had black curly hair which he hated because everyone else had smooth and lighter hair, so at a young age he hated the way he looked. Even though he was adopted into a very loving and caring family, he felt like he didn’t belong in the community. At 17 years old, he fell into a deep depression and had thoughts of suicide. He shared his feelings with his best friend, my brother, him, and his wife who were living in Alberta. His brother agreed to let him move in with them so he can escape the turmoil at home. It was here that he starting drinking and using drugs heavily. After about a year of living with his brother, he met the love of his life and decided to get clean. Over the years, the two married and moved often, forcing him away from his friends and started to resent his wife because of it. The two eventually moved back to where they lived where he started using cocaine and drinking again. His wife gave him the ultimatum to go to Alcohol Anonymous (AA) or to get a divorce. He stayed sober for a few months then started using again, lying and hiding it from his wife. Several years later, he learned that he was half Indigenous and wanted to know who his biological parents were. Through social media, he reached out and received a reply almost immediately. However, the reply from his mother read, “leave the past in the past, forget I exist”. Devastated, broken hearted, and angry, Nokinsky thought, ‘how could you do this to me, again’. Things in his life turned for the worse and started drinking and abusing drugs heavily. He asked his biological cousins about his father and found out that his mother was raped. It didn’t matter who tried to help, including his wife, Nokinsky decided to move out to do crack, meth, and heroin. His family didn’t realize the extent of his addiction. In Edmonton, he was trying to find drugs while he was driving drunk and got arrested. When leaving the police station, he called his brother saying he wanted to commit suicide, then called his sister who was living in Manitoba. She immediately drove out to pick him up and got him into Aurora Recovery Centre. Erik Light Through choosing love as his healing tool, he was able to overcome childhood traumas that led to eating disorders and an addiction battle that nearly costed him his life. He has joined forces with Inspire to create a program called Remedy that fundraises money for at-risk youth to learn creative aspects of music in order to boost their mental health and give them hope. To hear his story , you can click the link below ! Instagram: luv.uu https://linktr.ee/LUV.U Jonathan Meikle Jonathan Meikle was born 19 August 1989. He is an Afghanistan war veteran, currently working towards his diploma in Social Innovation and Community Development at the Red River College. He is a loving father/co-parent to his beautiful son Cohen Meikle. Meikle grew up in the northern community of Norway House Cree Nation, 800 km North of Winnipeg. There, he experienced what it was like to live with the social difficulties that the Indigenous communities in Canada are faced with as a result of Canadian government’s darker past. Due to his lack of coping skills and lack of identity, he gravitated towards a lifestyle scattered with violent situations and substance abuse. Meikle’s struggles with identity were amplified by his time in the military. Upon release, the deterioration of his mental health was most prominent, leading him to problems within the criminal justice system. After landing himself in jail, Meikle made the decision to change for the better. With the help of Veterans Affairs, he checked himself into a residential treatment facility, where he would stay for the duration of two months. Upon release, he stayed true to his commitment to sobriety and better living, diving into programs in the community that would aid himself in his recovery. With new perspectives on life, Meikle pledged to himself that he would help others where he felt fit to do so, giving his most honest effort to being an active member in the community. Meikle is very involved in the community, volunteering with Winnipeg’s Bear Clan Patrol, representing OPK, being active in addictions programs, learning about his traditional ways and advocating for solutions to Indigenous issues. He also keeps in top physical condition with his competitive boxing out of Stingers Boxing Academy. Meikle accredits all his energy invested into the community to being what builds on and maintains his recovery. Meikle believes he is living proof that people can change drastically for the better. He also believes that through unity, forgiveness, love and understanding we can do better for the people that struggle to be find a better life for themselves. It is his values and beliefs that push him in working towards his aspirations of becoming involved in community solutions aimed at helping young people who struggle in the cycle of the criminal “justice” system. He has presented a TEDx Winnipeg talk titled “Acknowledge the Story Behind the Label”. As further testament to his character, Meikle received recognition from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Silver Medal of Bravery Award from the Royal Canadian Humane Association and a Members Statement from the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for his actions in intervening in a dangerous situation on a Winnipeg Transit bus. Angela Taylor Angela Taylor is Inspire Community Outreach’s Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Founder. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, with a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. She has her Post Bacc in education, focusing on inclusion, and a Masters in Disability Studies from the University of Manitoba. Angela raises four children and celebrates psychological, cognitive and neurological differences within her family. She says her children have been her best teacher, and support her to learn about how each of us need additional support at different times in our lives, to use our gifts and talents to grow. Kelly Krawchuk Kelly Krawchuk grew up in Winnipeg Manitoba with his sister and parents. He has married been married to his wife Tara Stratton for over 20 years - the proudest accomplishment of Kelly’s Life.Kelly started drinking and using drugs when he was around 12 years old. His drug use made him non-introverted, like the rest of his family. Up until about a year ago Kelly honestly thought that most people started drinking at 12 years old, until his therapist informed him otherwise. Krawchuk was a hockey player growing up and when he was about 13 years old his dad read him a book called Psycho-Cybernetics, the only book he ever read from front to back. It was about will power and the power of the mind. So, when Krawchuk drank and did drugs heavily from the 12 years old to 30 years old, he thought was pretty much able to accomplish pretty much anything he put his mind to. His first real job out of university was in Atlanta Georgia and Huntsville Alabama. He was also sent to Toronto to open their first Canadian office. He was 25 years old making $150,000 a year. Then one day a situation came up and he was asked if he wanted to try crack cocaine, so he agreed to do it. Then it was once a month, then once every three weeks, then once twice a week, then one week he started using it every two days. His addiction escalated to the point where he was using almost constantly. In less than a year Krawchuk left his job, moved back to Winnipeg, attended 28 days in a program through Addictions Foundation Manitoba, and claimed bankruptcy for about $65,000. dollars. For the next 20 years he was a functioning crack addict who was trying to get sober. Stratton and Krawchuk married and moved to Souris, Manitoba where they ran a couple of small businesses. During this time, he would use every so often, and each time would cost about $1000 to $2000. When they moved back to Winnipeg his addiction seemed to have subsided until he starting to travel for work. The lonely road time led him back to using crack cocaine again. Even though he was trying to keep clean, he was unable to get 90 days during the last two years of him being in active addiction. His last few relapses started costing between $5,000 to $6,000 and would go on for three to five days. Krawchuk had to smoke faster so he could keep his mind blank and not let the ugly true thoughts enter his conscious. His addiction led to using methamphetamine, which caused him to have a five-day bender in Saskatchewan. However, his drug use and self-reflection started to change. While coming down from the bender, he started to have suicidal thoughts. He was sick of hurting the same people for 20 years. He was mentally ill. In his 20 years of using, he assumed he would never be caught for using. However, he got caught 95 to 98 per cent of the time. So Krawchuk decided it was time to change, started to work to becoming a person. That decision just might save his life. Krawchuk takes on different speaking opportunities because he wants is a chance to perhaps help someone so they don’t have to go through the torture that he went through with his active addiction. “Living sober is an absolutely wonderful way to live, Kelly says. “I feel blessed to presently have my active addiction in his past.” “I feel blessed to presently have my active addiction in his past,” says speaker Kelly Krawchuk Recovery Day Festival Recognized at City Hall – Manitoba Post Kelly and Eddie on CTV Morning Live Recovery Day Winnipeg 2019 © 2020 Recovery Day Winnipeg 2019. .

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Engaging with Faith Values to Reshape Responses to Forced Migration In this piece, Sadia Kidwai of Islamic Relief argues that greater engagement with local faith communities by international humanitarian organisations will allow for more sustainable responses to global forced migration to be identified and implimented. This is an area which is being examined by the JLI Hub on Refugees and Forced Migration, of which Sadia is a Co-Chair, and which is one of Refugee Hosts‘ key research partners. In parallel, by collecting data with nine local communities in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, the Refugee Hosts project will investigate ways in which greater engagement could become a reality – including through the preparation and publication of a religious literacy handbook. For more on this theme, read the other critical pieces that have been published as part of this blog’s series on Faith and Displacement: Adopting a Theological Lens. Engaging with Faith Values to Reshape Responses to the Global Forced Migration Crisis By Sadia Kidwai, Islamic Relief The pages of the Qur’an are filled with stories of refugees. Indeed, migration and escape from persecution were often central experiences of many of Islam’s great prophets—whether it was Abraham seeking refuge in Canaan (Q29:26), Moses fleeing certain death in Egypt and finding shelter and employment in Midian (Q28:20-28), or the Prophet Muhammad himself being forced to leave his home of Mecca due to the persecution he and his followers suffered at the hands of former neighbors, friends, and relatives. All this means that there is a rich tradition of seeking and providing refuge within Islamic teachings. Both the Qur’an and the prophetic teachings provide a robust framework for the protection and provision of forced migrants. Yet this heritage is rarely invoked, despite the modern global refugee crisis having a distinctly Islamic identity: More than half of the world’s refugees (54 percent) originate from just three Muslim-majority countries—Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia. Similarly, five of the world’s top six refugee-hosting countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation—Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran, and Jordan. The reasons for this disconnect require further research, but we can speculate that the answer may lie in the dominance of secular thinking within the international humanitarian and development sector. For many decades, and in many quarters still, religious discourse has been regarded with suspicion, uncertainty, and outright disdain. Stereotypes perpetuate of religion being a cause of the persecution, discrimination, and violence that refugees are forced to escape from, rather than a solution. However, in recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the role that faith actors do or could play in responding to the forced migration crisis. UNHCR’s Partnership Note on Faith-Based Organizations, Local Faith Communities and Faith Leaders is one example of how the mainstream secular sector is seeking to deploy the financial, material, and social resources of faith actors in meeting their own objectives. However, the willingness to make space for faith organizations in formal, mainstream processes of refugee response seems to be dependent on the usefulness of faith actors to access or gain the trust of donor or beneficiary communities, generate resources, or steer public opinion. Although such advances towards partnership and cooperation should be recognized and valued, there remains little serious interest in engaging with the actual teachings, traditions, and principles of faith when it comes to identifying solutions to forced migration. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants, adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 19, 2016, which makes just four references to engaging with faith-based organizations (as part of a broader list of civil society actors) and claims that the UN is “the birthplace and custodian” of values such as dignity and equality. In many respects, Islamic teachings on the rights of forced migrants differ little from secular frameworks. However, in some areas, Islamic and other faith traditions could inform more holistic and creative solutions to the challenges faced by forced migrants and their hosts. One example where faith-based traditions might allow for more holistic refugee protection is in the recognition of faith as an essential human need. Islamic traditions state that in order to promote the well-being of mankind and protect human dignity, it is essential to safeguard five things: our faith, our physical self, our intellect, our wealth, and our posterity. Eighty-four percent of the global population identify as belonging to a faith group, yet faith is rarely recognized as an essential need. This is despite the fact that faith can act as a powerful coping mechanism for forced migrant communities—as a source of spiritual solace, as a means by which to make sense of trauma or loss, and as a way to build connections and shared identity. Islamic Relief often receives requests from the refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) we work with to build mosques in camp settings, to enable forced migrants to resume a sense of normalcy and meet their spiritual needs. Likewise, while secular international frameworks assign responsibility for the protection of forced migrants to states—which often manifests itself in camp-based approaches—Islamic traditions favor community-based approaches. When the Prophet Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca, each refugee of Mecca was adopted by a local family in Medina who shared with the refugees their homes, wealth, and tribal protection. Such a system may better reflect the reality of refugee needs in contemporary times, where over half of all refugees globally live in urban areas and over 75 percent of Syrian refugees alone live outside of camps. Currently, the relative absence of organized and coordinated funding in non-camp settings means that host communities are ill-equipped to meet the needs of forced migrants living among them—often resulting in rising tensions between host and migrant communities as they are forced to compete for increasingly scarce resources, such as schooling, jobs, housing, and food. Greater investment in municipal resources and community-based mechanisms of protection would not only better meet the needs of refugees and IDPs, but could act as a powerful antidote to the strained communal relations and rising xenophobia that has spiked in the wake of the recent forced migration crises. The needs of forced migrants must be at the center of any response. Faith values and religious practices are not a panacea, and in some contexts may be inappropriate. However, despite a growing body of evidence regarding the importance of spirituality and faith to coping with adversity, the mainstream humanitarian response to the refugee crisis fails to formally recognize and meet the spiritual needs of forced migrants. Moreover, religious traditions and teachings on forced migrant protection are rarely appreciated, understood, or fully deployed in meeting contemporary challenges. As the international humanitarian and development sectors move towards developing a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in the wake of the New York Declaration, greater engagement with both faith actors and faith values is a necessity. This piece is a re-posting from the Berkeley Centre for Religion, Peace & World Affairs. Featured Image: Masjid al-Quds Mosque: the geographical and metaphorical core of Baddawi camp (c) E. Fiddian-Qasmiyeh Posted in: Blog | Tagged: everyday life, faith, faith and displacement series, local community, local faith groups, local host communities, Quaran, Sadia Kidwai, Theological lens, theology Yousif M. Qasmiyeh’s ‘If this is my face, so be it’ in Exhibition: 2017 Capital of Culture and Mass MOCA Refugee-Refugee Solidarity in Death and Dying 8 thoughts on “Engaging with Faith Values to Reshape Responses to Forced Migration” Pingback: Does Faith-Based Aid Provision always Localise Aid? – Refugee Hosts Pingback: When Local Faith Actors Meet Localisation – Refugee Hosts Pingback: How to Overcome Religious Prejudice among Refugees – Refugee Hosts Pingback: Does Faith-Based Aid Provision Always Localise Aid? – Southern Responses to Displacement Pingback: In God we Trust: Faith Communities as an Asset to Refugee Youth in the United States – Refugee Hosts Pingback: Listen: Refugee Hosts’ Co. I, Dr. Anna Rowlands, on BBC Radio 4, Immigration & Religion: A Sunday Programme Special – Refugee Hosts Pingback: Engaging with religion at the local level for mental health and psychosocial wellbeing following humanitarian crises – Refugee Hosts Pingback: Refugee Hosts’ team take lead on new Oxford Handbook on Religion and Contemporary Migration – Refugee Hosts

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6 Innovative Justice Projects on GBV, Police, Pretrial Detention, and FOIA Last week, Making All Voices Count awarded 28 innovative proposals with funding to boost government responsiveness and effectiveness in developing countries. Six of these awards are cutting-edge solutions that touch on the intersection of justice, pretrial detention, gender-based violence, and the freedom of information act. Read summaries of these projects below or click here to view all 28 proposals! Credit: Amitava Chandra Giving a Voice to Survivors of Gender-Based Violence Country of Implementation: South Africa South Africa is facing an epidemic of gender-based violence and sexual assault. Based on widespread evidence and previous research in this area, Foundation for Professional Development Pty Ltd. (FPD) proposes to exploit its existing relationships with Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC) and implement an ambitious, multi-stakeholder project to track and trace survivors of sexual assault through appropriate health, justice and psychosocial support services. This project will improve coordination and continuity between service providers and give survivors of gender-based violence a voice and the means to hold service providers to account. FPD proposes a low-cost, phone-based app for TCC case management and a confidential way to document client experience. This builds on experience and lessons learned from interactive text-based health apps in a South African context and offers situational review and consultation with TCC partners. FPD will develop, test and document an effective, locally-sustainable system that will enhance survivors’ access to justice through a National Prosecution Authority (NAP)-led TCC network. Ultimately, this project has the potential to contribute to improved conviction rates. Closing the Feedback Loop to Empower Citizens in Liberia Country of Implementation: Liberia At the heart of this innovative project lies a two-way government-citizen-government feedback loop that will address the current gap in Liberia regarding citizen participation in governance. TGCI will work with the Ministry of Gender and Development and at the community level. As well as raising awareness (initially in two pilot areas) among women and youth groups regarding sexual abuse legislation and provision, TGCI will establish and support a clear-cut communication and feedback process between citizens and government and government and citizen. Making use of ICTs, this will provide target groups with an opportunity to share their experiences and needs with the Ministry. This will pay dividends in terms of increased citizen engagement in government and improved government policies and programmes. Ultimately, a successful outcome would result in reinforcing the feedback loop model for other issues in Liberia. Anonymous SMS Hotline to Promote Police Accountability Search for Common Ground proposes an SMS system to monitor and report misconduct by Liberian National Police (LNP) officers. This project confronts the lack of trust between the LNP and the public, fuelled by poor responsiveness, corruption and a perceived lack of accountability. It will provide a voice to those who feel there is no outlet for grievances or who fail to report misdemeanours for fear of reprisal. Search for Common Ground will develop an SMS ‘hotline’. SMS is a cheap and widely available technology that offers a degree of anonymity. The core message is that if citizens perceive the LNP to be making efforts to be more accountable way, then trust will increase. While other SMS based systems take an adversarial approach, applying pressure and shame on the subject, this model seeks dialogue between government, civil society and the public. Search for Common Ground has achieved success with similar projects in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Ending Abuse of Pre-Trial Detention Practices in Liberia This project confronts the enduring problem of overuse and abuse of pretrial detention practices in Liberia’s criminal justice system. East-West Management Institute, Inc. (EWMI) proposes the development of a new intake database to track detainees and improve the flow of information between correctional authorities, Ministry of Justice, detainees and their families. This platform will give a voice to the forgotten pretrial detainees in Monrovia’s Central Prison (MCP). Improved tracking and communication will also assist families in tracing relatives in pretrial detention. It will create a new feedback loop in the prison system. Better management of information will ensure timely release of detainees and hold government accountable for dangerous prison conditions and violations of criminal procedure codes. Ultimately, successful implementation will result in reduced numbers of pretrial detainees in the notoriously overcrowded MCP. EWMI will automate the current manual system for prisoner intake and to facilitate awareness about the existence of a system for tracing relatives. Closing the Gaps in Freedom of Information Legislation to Improve Public Service Delivery Country of implementation: Indonesia, Uganda and Nigeria The Carter Center proposes support of Freedom of Information (FOI) laws in the public sector in Indonesia, Uganda and Nigeria by applying their Access to Information Implementation Assessment tool. This identifies implementation gaps with respect to FOI legislation in selected ministries, providing advocates with verifiable benchmarks and implementation rates. A prerequisite to improving service delivery is having information on the state of services and the ease of access to this data. The Carter Center will focus on ministries tasked with public service delivery and to conduct a voluntary research project to define indicators and score the extent and quality of FOI legislation in the target countries. Findings will be discussed with stakeholders and used to map implementation challenges. Enhancing the Implementation of Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act mySociety seeks to promote awareness and use of Liberia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) act, which despite guaranteeing effective, equitable and inexpensive exercise of the right to freedom is infrequently used by citizens. Where requests are made, responsiveness of the relevant institutions is poor. In response, mySociety wants to promote awareness and use of the law and foster accountability in the institutions receiving FOI requests. mySociety will fund user identification and engagement; the adaption, customisation and launch of an open source FOI platform; and research and feedback on usage. This inclusive project includes both online and offline components. mySociety has 10 years of experience running transparency and accountability websites and Liberia has the enabling legal and policy framework to make this solution possible. This entry was posted on April 25, 2014 by Christina in Innovative Programs and tagged GBV, Police, Pretrial Detention. https://wp.me/p3mu3F-od

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San Diego Delegation Announces Tijuana River Valley Pollution Solution Bill Package Written by Annie Goyzueta Annie Goyzueta Published: 23 July 2019 23 July 2019 Chula Vista, California - Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) along with Reps. Susan Davis (CA-53), Scott Peters (CA-52), and Mike Levin (CA-49), hosted a press conference to announce the introduction of their Tijuana River Valley Pollution Solution bill package. The combined legislation would further support mitigation efforts in the region. “We have an environmental crisis in San Diego. For years, the cross-border flows of wastewater, trash, and sediment coming from the Tijuana River have plagued our region, disrupting the lives of residents, servicemembers, and visitors,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “Today, the San Diego Delegation is proud to introduce a comprehensive bill package to support mitigation efforts in the Tijuana River Valley. Together, we are taking meaningful action towards reducing, and one day hopefully, eliminating cross-border pollution from flowing into the United States.” “We need a whole of government approach to this issue,” said Rep. Susan Davis. “With the Navy set to build a multi-billion dollar Navy SEAL training facility just miles from the mouth of the Tijuana River, we must be sure future spills don’t impact their training. The Navy should take a leading role in the mitigation of cross-border spills, discharges, and debris that could impact national security interests of the United States.” “For years, cross-border sewage spills have threatened San Diego’s environment, public health, and quality of life,” said Rep. Scott Peters. “Today, we are taking a comprehensive approach to address the crisis. We must prioritize funding for projects that specifically address water pollution, wastewater treatment, and water conservation to reduce the risk of sewage flows.” “The greater San Diego region has battled pollution from the Tijuana River Valley for years, with sewage and garbage contaminating our waters and desecrating our beaches,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “Concrete, substantive action to address this issue and protect our environment is long overdue. My legislation will ensure that California finally receives its fair share of federal resources to tackle the cross-border pollution, and I am glad to partner with my San Diegan colleagues on this effort.” Rep. Juan Vargas and Rep. Scott Peters presented their North American Development Bank Pollution Solution Act. The bill aims to help overcome the existing financial burden stalling mitigation efforts in the Tijuana River Valley through expanding funding opportunities within the North American Development (NAD) Bank. Specifically, by: Increasing NAD Bank’s capital by $1.5 billion dollars to finance infrastructure projects. Directing NAD Bank to prioritize projects related to wastewater treatment, water conservation, and water pollution. Urging NAD Bank to streamline and accelerate these types of projects. Establishing within NAD Bank the U.S.-Mexico Border Public Health Trust Fund where federal agencies can deposit unallocated funding to design, implement, and finance environment infrastructure projects relating to wastewater treatment, water conservation, and municipal solid waste along the United States-Mexico border. Rep. Susan Davis unveiled her Tijuana River Navy Impact resolution to encourage the Department of the Navy to take a leading role in the mitigation of cross-border spills, discharges, and debris in the Tijuana River that impact national security interests of the United States. Rep. Mike Levin announced his Border Water Infrastructure Improvement Act. This legislation seeks to: Increase the authorization for the Border Water Infrastructure Fund to $150 million dollars a year for the next five years. Change the current division of funding to fifty-fifty between the U.S Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 and Region 9.

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Colin Gordon Beer beer [at] psychology.rutgers.edu Rutgers University, Psychology Department 101 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07102 Smith Hall Room 354 Communication behavior, social development, and breeding biology of gulls. In earlier work on Laughing Gulls playback experiments in the field and indoors have revealed individual recognition by ear to be an important component of social interaction during the breeding season in this species. In pairs each bird can distinguish the long-calls of its mate from those of near neighbors and gulls for farther afield, and there is a little evidence that the calls of neighbors can be told from those of strangers. Spectrographic analysis of Laughing Gull calls has revealed syntactic structure comparable to the phoneme/morpheme distinction in language. Also an amplitude modulation feature at the start of the long-call specifies whether a call is directed at a parent's chicks or at adult gulls. Comparable features are to be sought in recordings of the calls of European Black-headed Gulls and New Zealand Black-billed and Red-billed Gulls. Conceptual and historical issues in the study of animal behavior. I am currently trying to work out arguments concerning such issues as mental representation, intentionalilty, concept formation, self-awareness, and linguistic capacity with respect to animal behavior. Description of behavior in terms that occupy a network of relations to other concepts in discourse about humans raises questions about how much of such networks carry over when the terms are used of animal behavior. Such concerns should help to enlarge cognitive ethology's contribution to cognitive science. Beer, Colin with Immelmann, Klaus (1989). A Dictionary of Ethology. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Beer, Colin (1991). From folk psychology to cognitive ethology. In C.A. Ristau (ed.), Cognitive Ethology- The Monds of Other Animals, Essays in Honor of Donald Griffin. Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum. Beer Colin (1992). Conceptual issues in cognitive ethology. Advances in the Study of Behavior 21,69-109. Beer, Colin (1996). Trial and error in the evolution of cognition. Behavioral Processes 35,215-224. Beer, Colin (1997). Expressions of mind in animal behavior. In R.W. Mitchell, N.S. Thompson, and H. L. Miles (eds.) Anthropomorphism, Anecdotes, and Animals. Albany, N.Y.: SUNY Press, pp. 198-209.

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A better way to diagnose pneumonia Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have created a new sampling device that could prevent thousands of people worldwide from dying of pneumonia each year. Called PneumoniaCheck, the device created at Georgia Tech is a solution to the problem of diagnosing pneumonia, which is a major initiative of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs, kills about 2.4 million people each year. The problem is particularly devastating in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, where a child dies of pneumonia every 15 seconds. Developed by mechanical engineering students, graduate business students and faculty at Georgia Tech, PneumoniaCheck will be commercially launched this month to healthcare professionals through the startup company, MD Innovate Inc. “Georgia Tech created a simple and new device to detect the lung pathogens causing pneumonia, ” said David Ku, Georgia Tech Regents’ Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Lawrence P. Huang Chair Professor for Engineering Entrepreneurship in the College of Management, and Professor of Surgery at Emory University. “It has the potential to save more lives than any other medical device.” Last year, Ku was asked by the head of virology at the CDC to develop a quick and economical way to diagnose pneumonia, particularly in developing nations where it is a leading cause of death among children. Ku challenged a group of mechanical engineering and bioengineering graduate students to develop an accurate device for diagnosing pneumonia. Current sampling methods using the mouth and nose are only 40 percent effective. The samples are typically contaminated by bacteria in the mouth, which leads to misdiagnosis and an incorrect prescription of antibiotics. In developing nations, many children with respiratory infections fail to receive adequate care, and the overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in drug-resistant bacteria. An accurate, easy-to-use and widely available new diagnostic test could improve identification of bacterial respiratory infection in children, reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics and the long-term negative impacts of drug resistance, according to a recent article in Nature titled “Reducing the global burden of acute lower respiratory infections in children: The contributions of new diagnostics.” As a Tech graduate student, Tamera Scholz and her peers developed the solution — PneumoniaCheck. The device contains a plastic tube with a mouthpiece. A patient coughs into the device to fill up a balloon-like upper airway reservoir before the lung aerosols go into a filter. Using fluid mechanics, PneumoniaCheck separates the upper airway particles of the mouth from the lower airway particles coming from the lungs. “It’s interesting because it’s so simple,” said Scholz (M.S. ’10 Mechanical Engineering), who is now an engineer for Newell Rubbermaid. “It’s not a fancy contraption. It’s a device that patients cough into and through fluid mechanics it separates upper and lower airway aerosols. Through each iteration, it got simpler. … I like that I will be able to see it make a difference in my lifetime.” Once the device was developed, Taylor Bronikowski and a group of Georgia Tech M.B.A. students from the College of Management started developing a business plan for PneumoniaCheck that starts locally and grows globally. They used the device as a test case to develop a Triple Bottom Line company in India that could result in financial profits, environmental sustainability and social benefits, such as jobs and healthcare. “Our goal is to provide better medicine at a cost savings to patients and hospitals,” Bronikowski said. “We wanted a worldwide solution, so patients in developing nations can afford it.” Bronikowksi, Ku and Sarah Ku formed the startup company, MD Innovate Inc., in 2010 to manufacture the device in large quantities and organize distribution and commercialization. The device is now being used in pneumonia studies at Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta and the Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Ku said. The FDA has cleared PneumoniaCheck for sale in the U.S. The device is licensed but its patent is pending. The company will start selling PneumoniaCheck in the U.S. in January and it could hit other countries in two years, Ku said. “It’s a great feeling, working on something that has the potential to save thousands of lives,” Bronikowski said. On the horizon, Ku and future Georgia Tech graduate students will be developing a simple and effective method for diagnosing pneumonia in regions without healthcare facilities or basic infrastructure. Categories Blog Entry, Health, Technology Post navigation New model for probing antidepressant actions How disordered proteins spread from cell to cell, potentially spreading disease

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Low-calorie sweeteners do not mean low risk for infants Butt emissions: Study finds even extinguished cigarettes give off toxins Anti-solar cells: A photovoltaic cell that works at night The Global Reef Expedition: Kingdom of Tonga Gut reaction: How immunity ramps up against incoming threats Researchers seek to solve decades-long Baja California peninsula mystery India could meet air quality standards by cutting household fuel use Nearly half of the country’s population relies on dirty fuels such as wood, dung, coal and kerosene for cooking and heating Credit: Ajay Pillarisetti India could make a major dent in air pollution by curbing emissions from dirty household fuels such as wood, dung, coal and kerosene, shows a new analysis led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and the India Institute of Technology. Eliminating emissions from these sources — without any changes to industrial or vehicle emissions — would bring the average outdoor air pollution levels below the country’s air quality standard, the study shows. Mitigating the use of household fuels could also reduce air pollution-related deaths in the country by approximately 13%, which is equivalent to saving about 270,000 lives a year. “Household fuels are the single biggest source of outdoor air pollution in India,” said Kirk R. Smith, professor of global environmental health at UC Berkeley and director of the Collaborative Clean Air Policy Centre. “We looked at what would happen if they only cleaned up households, and we came to this counterintuitive result that the whole country would reach national air pollution standards if they did that.” Smith is co-author of a paper describing the analysis that appeared this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Americans usually associate air pollution with smokestacks and car exhaust pipes. But in many rural areas of the world where electricity and gas lines are scarce, the bulk of air pollution originates from burning biomass, such as wood, cow dung or crop residues to cook and heat the home, and from burning kerosene for lighting. As of early 2016, nearly half of the Indian population was reliant on biomass for household fuel. In addition to generating greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, these dirty fuels kick out chemicals and other fine particulate matter that can stick in the lungs and trigger a whole host of diseases, including pneumonia, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. “There are 3,000 chemicals that have been identified in wood smoke, and taken at a macro level, it is very similar to tobacco smoke,” Smith said. In 2015, India’s average annual air pollution level was 55 micrograms per cubic meter (ug m-3) of fine particulate matter. Levels in New Delhi — by many estimates, the most polluted city in the world — often soared beyond 300 ug m-3. By comparison, fine particulate matter in the San Francisco Bay Area peaked at around 200 ug m-3 during the 2018 Camp Fire. Complete mitigation of biomass as fuel – which could be achieved through widespread electrification and distribution of clean-burning propane to rural areas – would cut India’s average annual air pollution to 38 ug m-3, just below the country’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 40 ug m-3. While this is still far above the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of 10 ug m-3, it could still have dramatic impacts on the health of the country’s residents, Smith said. “You can’t have a clean environment when about half the houses in India are burning dirty fuels every day,” Smith said. “India has got to do other things to fix air pollution — they’ve got to stop garbage burning, they’ve got to control the power plants, they’ve got to control vehicles and so forth. But they need to recognize the fact that households are very important contributors to outdoor air pollution, too.” In 2016, India instituted a national program to distribute clean burning stoves and propane to 80 million impoverished households, or about 500 million people. The rationale behind this program was to prevent illness due to cooking and heating smoke trapped within the home. However, Smith hopes the study’s findings will bolster support for reducing outdoor air pollution, as well. Similar programs have been successful in China, where air pollution is now on the decline in 80 cities. “We’ve realized that pollution may start in the kitchen, but it doesn’t stay there — it goes outside, it goes next door, it goes down the street and it becomes part of the general outdoor air pollution,” Smith said. While curbing the use of dirty household fuels will reduce emissions of health-damaging fine particulate matter, it’s not clear what effect the change will have on the emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change, Smith says. That’s because both “dirty” fuels, like biomass, and “clean” fuels, like propane, both emit carbon dioxide when burned. And though it may come as a surprise to many Americans, air pollution from wood burning is still a problem here, too. “Wood smoke is actually the chief cause of air pollution in the Bay Area, because we’ve cleaned up everything else, but we haven’t done anything about fireplaces,” Smith said. “And people don’t even need fireplaces for heating, they just like them. I like them, too.” Co-authors of the paper are Sourangsu Chowdhury and Sagnik Dey of the Indian Institute of Technology, Sarath Guttikunda of Urban Emissions in New Delhi, Ajay Pillarisetti of UC Berkeley and Larry Di Girolamo of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Support for this research was provided by the Indian Department of Science and Technology Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure in Higher Educational Institutions (DST-FIST) grant (SR/FST/ESII-016/2014), a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship and a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowship. Kara Manke https://news.berkeley.edu/2019/04/18/india-could-meet-air-quality-standards-by-cutting-household-fuel-use/ Medicine/HealthPollution/RemediationPublic HealthScience/Health and the Law Bottom sediment reveals that the climate change flows into lakes The quiet loss of knowledge threatens indigenous communities Scientists find record warm water in Antarctica, pointing to cause behind troubling… Researchers develop approach to alter intestinal microbiota, vaccinate against… Scienmag Dec 11, 2019 Credit: Georgia State University ATLANTA--Targeted immunization against bacterial flagellin, a protein… Study probes relationship between strange metals and high-temperature… Pachacamac Idol of ancient Peru was symbolically painted

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The Scout Report for Business & Economics - October 5, 2000 Energy Security, Oil Shocks and the Strategic Petroleum World Development Report 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty -- World Bank The State of Occupational Safety and Health in the European Union - Pilot Study Economic Liberalisation and Employment in South Asia "The Minority Business Challenge: Democratizing Capital for Emerging Domestic Markets" Poverty in the United States, 1999 -- US Census Bureau "BSchools Ranking and Profiles" -- Business Week Seminar Planet Wanna Argument? -- Biz/ed Internet Economist "Is There a New Economy?" -- OECD State and County QuickFacts -- US Census Myvesta.org The Young Entrepreneur's Survival Kit College Quality and the Earnings of Recent College Graduates Money Income in the United States: 1999 Personal Income for August 2000 -- Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Mass Layoffs in August 2000 -- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Time Warner/ EMI merger off Reserve (SPR) [.pdf] http://pzl1.ed.ornl.gov/energysc.htm Energy Security, Oil Shocks and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a Website created by Paul N. Leiby of the Resource Analysis Section and Center for Transportation Analysis of the Energy Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The site offers a collection of papers and reports examining the SPR, which is described as an "emergency supply of crude oil stored in huge underground salt caverns along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico." The papers and reports span the years 1997 to 1999 and cover Oak Ridge National Laboratory's research on this topic, including papers on oil imports and the cost of benefits, strategic petroleum reserves, and macroeconomic cost of oil price shocks. Be sure to check out the SPR description through a small link at the bottom of the page, which gives an information-rich overview of the SPR and links to the Department of Energy's SPR homepage. [EM] World Development Report 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty -- World Bank [.pdf] http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/wdrpoverty/index.htm The full text of the World Development Report (WDR) 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty is now available for download. Along with the text of the report, World Bank has created a thorough Website that offers supporting information. Key resources include a large collection of background documents, conference and workshop papers, and the archive of the electronic discussion of the consultation draft. Also included is an ever-changing What's New section, the World Development Report Workplan, a calendar of events, and the WDR Newsletters. [EM] The State of Occupational Safety and Health in the European Union - Pilot Study [.pdf] http://agency.osha.eu.int/publications/reports/stateofosh/ This report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work offers a snapshot of the first steps in developing a system to monitor health and safety in the European Union. The fifteen member countries of the EU wrote reports on the state of occupational safety and health (OSH), and these reports have been consolidated into one. The report offers five major chapters, including "Data Sources and Methodology," "Major Findings," The Working Environment," and "Occupational Safety and Health Outcomes." The report may be downloaded in its entirety (1.7 MB) or by chapter. An excellent 60-page summary is available, as are of the fifteen national reports. [EM] http://www.zef.de/download/zef_dp/zef_dp29-00.pdf This new 93-page report from the Center for Development Research analyses the impact of liberalization on a variety of aspects of employment and labor incomes, and compares this impact to conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin American countries. The main findings include that real wage growth for agricultural workers fell after liberalization; unemployment rates rose in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, but declined in India and Sri Lanka; and for the most part, GDP growth, with the exception of that in Pakistan, seemed to be only slightly higher after liberalization. The paper concludes that "a lot more effort is needed for South Asian countries in order to have more productive employment and higher labour incomes." [EM] "The Minority Business Challenge: Democratizing Capital for Emerging Domestic Markets" [.pdf] MBDA http://www.mbda.gov/Emerging_Markets/democratizing.pdf http://www.milkeninstitute.com/pdf/minbus2.pdf Produced by the Milken Institute under the direction of the US Commerce Department Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), this 62-page report finds that minority entrepreneurs are receiving only a fraction of the billions in venture capital poured into small businesses. This is occurring despite the fact that minority-owned firms are growing at six times the rate of all US businesses. Simply put, the report's main arguments are twofold: first, the current economic boom is not sustainable in the long run without the inclusion of minority-owned businesses and investment in those businesses; second, demographic trends point to a disproportionately white retired population, who will be dependent upon younger generations of a diverse racial and ethnic makeup. Not nurturing these firms now could have a negative impact on all Americans down the road. The full text of the report is available in .pdf format from the MBDA or Milken Institute. [MD] Poverty in the United States, 1999 -- US Census Bureau [.pdf, 88 pages] http://www.census.gov/prod/2000pubs/p60-210.pdf http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2000/cb00-158.html http://www.census.gov/hhes/poverty/poverty99/pov99hi.html Graphs: http://www.census.gov/hhes/poverty/poverty99/graphs99.html Last Tuesday, the US Census Bureau released their annual report on poverty. The report gives data on poverty rates by selected characteristics -- age, race, nativity, family composition, work experience, and geography. Findings reveal that the nation's poverty rate dropped from 12.7 percent in 1998 to 11.8 percent in 1999, the lowest rate since 1979. In addition, "real median household income reached $40,816, the highest level ever recorded by the Census Bureau." The report also announces the lowest level of child poverty since 1979 -- 16.9 percent -- and a record low for African-Americans of 23.6 percent. The report can be examined in full in .pdf format or in selected sections in HTML. [DC] http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/00/ Business Week has recently released its 2000 rankings of the top business graduate schools in the United States. Each school is profiled with a list of at-a-glance statistics on the student body, faculty and academics, and deadlines and costs. The rankings were created by "surveys of 247 corporate recruiters and 10,039 students at 82 B-schools worldwide." The site also contains a browseable list of 225 MBA programs in the US organized by geographic region, a Return on Investment calculator to figure out how long it will take to earn back an MBA, and a collection of articles that investigate the business schools from multi-faceted angles. [EM] http://www.seminarplanet.com/ Seminar Planet provides a comprehensive collection of information on conferences and conventions. The database of events may be searched by keyword or browsed through the index. For each event, the name, location, and date are given, along with a short description and a link the event's Website. Although the site's main content contains the listings for the conferences and conventions, Seminar Planet promises several new features soon, including a newsletter, online registration, and local hotel listings in event areas. [EM] http://www.bized.ac.uk/stafsup/options/argument/ Wanna Argument, a new feature from Biz/ed, examines the pros and cons of various business-related issues. Each topic offers a dialogue arguing for and against an issue, complimented with links to relevant economic data and business theory. Currently, only two topic are available: fuel taxes and the cost of fuel and whether or not Britain should adopt the Euro. Each argument offers an unbiased look at a very current debate. [EM] http://www.economics.ltsn.ac.uk/interneteconomist/index.htm The Internet Economist is a self-guided tutorial which offers a very basic lesson in helping economists develop Internet information skills. Written by Libby Miller and Martin Poulter of the Economics Centre of the Learning and Teaching Support Network at the University of Bristol, England, the Internet Economist points to some important economics sites, discusses tools and techniques for Internet searching, and guides users in using the Internet for studying, teaching, and research. This thoughtful tutorial also contains a basket feature, which allows users to mark interesting sites and come back to them later, a glossary, and quizzes at the end of each section. This tutorial will benefit economists and economics students who are relatively new to the Internet. [EM] http://www.oecd.org/subject/growth/new_eco.pdf This 21-page paper from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is the first of a series of reports on the OECD Growth Project. The report considers whether or not there really is a New Economy, one that is based on technological developments. Along with looking at actual growth factors in the United States, the country most affected by this New Economy, "Is There a New Economy?" also considers the importance of open, competitive markets, financial systems, and the right framework for entrepreneurship. The report concludes by explaining the shift in focus for the second year of the OECD Growth Project. Rather than concentrating on fact-finding, the Project will begin to study policies that could effect the New Economy. [EM] http://www.census.gov/qfd/ This new handy reference resource from the US Census Bureau allows users to access frequently requested Census Bureau information at the national, state, and county level. The site is navigated via a pull-down menu or interactive map, both of which produce tables of facts about the people, businesses, and geography for that state compared to the country as a whole. Another pull-down menu (or map) leads to similar information on the county level (compared to the state as a whole). In addition, each page offers a link to more detailed information from the Census Bureau, such as income and poverty estimates, economic censuses, county business profiles, and government finances, among other offerings. Quick facts for the country as a whole can also be accessed from the main page. All in all, a useful resource for quick and basic census information. [MD] http://www.secondmoment.org/ Second Moment is a news and business resource for "academia and industry in the fields of applied statistics and analytics." The main content of the site contains a selection of applied statistics and analytics articles posted by Second Moment users. Comments from the Second Moment community follow each article. Also included are several excellent links pages on topics including regression and smoothing, multivariate analysis, and time series. [EM] http://www.2020green.com/index.jsp Aetna Financial Services and Second Story Interactive present 2020Green, an interactive Website geared towards helping teenagers learn smart financial management skills. The site, which is designed around a metaphorical building, takes students though a variety of reality-based situations about their finances. For example, in the Payroll section, users are told that their first paycheck from their first job at Metrodome Theatres is lower than expected. The site walks users through types of withholding to explain where the money is going. Informative and clever in its design, 2020Green is sure to hold the attention of its audience. [EM] Myvesta.org [.pdf] http://www.myvesta.org/ Formerly the Debt Counselors of America, Myvesta.org is a "non-profit, Internet-based financial counseling and services organization." Myvesta.org's goal is to help people overcome their financial difficulties through a series of programs and education. The site's Self-Help Information section includes a wonderful library of free pamphlets on a variety of topics including bankruptcy, child support, job loss, and identity-theft. Pamphlets must be downloaded in .pdf format. Along with this literature, Myvesta.org offers information on understanding one's financial situation and on its programs. [EM] http://www.inc.com/guide/item/0,,CHL2_GDE78,00.html For precocious business owners, Inc.com offers a crash course helping students deal with the pressures of academics and a social life while starting up a business when still in school. The survival kits begins with a host of first-hand accounts of young entrepreneurs, including the founders of Feld Technologies, Nantucket Nectors, and Dell Computers. It also offers information on student business plan contests, the fundamental basics of starting a company, and networking opportunities. The site links to the October 2000 cover story from Inc. Magazine, "The New Entrepreneurial Elite," about dorm room start-ups. [EM] College Quality and the Earnings of Recent College Graduates [.pdf] http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/2000043.pdf Published last Friday by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), this report "examines the association between factors such as selectivity and other institutional characteristics, and the earnings of recent college graduates 5 years after graduation." The report's data is drawn from the 1980 High School and Beyond (HS&B) study combined with information about courses, grades, credits, and credentials contained in the Post Secondary Education Transcript Study. The findings correlating institutional profile to postgraduate salary indicate a significant gender gap. For men, the institution mattered significantly less than their major or personal background in determining postgraduate income, while for women "institutional characteristics were almost equally important in affecting earnings (5 percent versus 4 percent)." The report is offered in .pdf format with a hyperlinked sidebar table of contents. [DC] (For links to additional current awareness on tables of contents, abstracts, preprints, new books, data, conferences, etc., visit the The Scout Report for Business & Economics Current Awareness Metapage: http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/report/bus-econ/metapage/). Federal Reserve Board of Governors International Finance Discussion Papers [.pdf] http://www.bog.frb.fed.us/pubs/ifdp/2000/default.htm Exact Confidence Intervals for Impulse Responses in a Gaussian Vector Autoregression http://www.bog.frb.fed.us/pubs/ifdp/2000/682/default.htm Common Stochastic Trends, Common Cycles, and Asymmetry in Economic Fluctuations Spaghetti Regionalism The Impact of Bank Consolidation on Commercial Borrower Welfare Federal Reserve System [.pdf]: FRB Atlanta Working http://www.frbatlanta.org/publica/work_papers/index.html Does Family Structure Affect Children's Educational Outcomes? http://www.frbatlanta.org/publica/work_papers/wp00/wp0013.htm Immigrant Selectivity: Evidence from Occupational Distributions FRB Minneapolis Staff Reports http://research.mpls.frb.fed.us/research/sr/ Growth Cycles and Market Crashes http://research.mpls.frb.fed.us/research/sr/sr279.html Money, Interest Rates, and Exchange Rates With Endogenously Segmented Asset Markets FRB New York Staff Reports http://www.ny.frb.org./rmaghome/staff_rp/2000.htm "Beggar-Thy-Neighbor" or "Beggar-Thyself"? The Income Effect of Exchange Rate Fluctuations http://www.ny.frb.org./rmaghome/staff_rp/sr112.html Pass-Through of Exchange Rates and Import Prices to Domestic Inflation in Some Industrialized Economies Day-to-Day Monetary Policy and the Volatility of the Federal Funds Interest Rate Banks' Reserve Management, Transaction Costs, and the Timing of Federal Reserve Intervention Bank Commitment Relationships, Cash Flow Constraints, and Liquidity Management FRB Richmond Working Papers http://www.rich.frb.org/wpapers/wpapers_redirect.cfm Monetary Policy Frameworks and Indicators for the Federal Reserve in the 1920s http://www.rich.frb.org/wpapers/abstracts.cfm?absn=242 Medicine Worse than the Malady: Cure Rates, Population Shifts, and Health Insurance Getting Better, Feeling Worse: Cure Rates, Health Insurance, and Welfare Our Money or Your Life: Indemnities vs. Deductibles in Health Insurance Other Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research Working [.pdf] http://www.nber.org/new.html#latest Currency Unions http://papers.nber.org/papers/W7927 Prudential Supervision: Why Is It Important and What are the Issues? On the Nature of Capital Adjustment Costs Does Managed Care Change the Mission of Nonprofit Hospitals? Evidence From the Managerial Labor Market Does the Social Security Earnings Test Affect Labor Supply and Benefits Receipt? The Optimal Elasticity of Taxable Income Different Approaches to Bankruptcy Taxing Multinationals Causes of U.S. Bank Distress During the Depression Where Does State Street Lead? A First Look at Finance Patents, 1971-2000 Environmental Levies and Distortionary Taxation: Pigou, Taxation, and Pollution The Present and Future of Monetary Policy Rules Timeless Perspectives vs. Discretionary Monetary Policy In Forward-Looking Models Endogenous Pricing to Market and Financing Costs A New Approach to Measuring Financial Contagion Estimating the Rental Adjustment Process International Data on Educational Attainment Updates and Implications Policy Rules and External Shocks Treatment Effects for Discrete Outcomes when Responses to Treatment Vary Among Observationally Identical Persons: An Application to Norwegian Vocational Rehabilitation Programs http://papers.nber.org/papers/T0262 Aspects of Global Economic Integration: Outlook for the Future Bank of International Settlements Basel Committee on Banking Supervision Working Papers [.pdf] http://www.bis.org/publ/pub_list.htm#BS Principles for the Management of Credit Risk http://www.bis.org/publ/bcbs75.htm Best Practices for Credit Risk Disclosure International Monetary Fund Working Papers [.pdf] http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/wp1_sp.cfm?s_year=2000&e_year=2000&brtype=default Exchange Rate Regime Transitions http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2000/wp00134.pdf Fiscal Policy and Growth in the Context of European Integration Corruption, Structural Reforms, and Economic Performance in the Transition Economies The Currency Composition of Foreign Exchange Reserves: Retrospect and Prospect Evidence on the Fiscal and Macroeconomic Impact of Privatization Can Fiscal Decentralization Strengthen Social Capital? Real Effective Exchange Rate and the Constant Elasticity of Substitution Assumption Determinants of Inflation in the Islamic Republic of Iran: A Macroeconomic Analysis Life-cycles, Dynasties, Savings: Implications for Closed and Small, Open Economies Costly Collateral and the Public Supply of Liquidity Cost of Living Adjustment and Business Cycles: Disaggregated Evidence The Transfer Problem Revisited: Net Foreign Assets and Real Exchange Rates Exchange-Rate-Based Stabilization: A Model of Financial Fragility Convergence of Per Capita Output Levels Across Regions of Bangladesh, 1982-97 External Sector Reform and Public Enterprise Restructuring Money Demand in Guyana Federal Reserve Board of Governors (FRB BOG) The Beige Book http://www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2000/20000920/default.htm September 20, 2000 update The Beige Book, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions, gives an overview of federal reserve board district reports by district and sector. According to this update, economic growth continued to expand at a moderate pace in all twelve Federal Reserve Districts. [EM] Federal Reserve System: FRB Boston http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/banknote/bnmain.htm Bank Notes, a monthly publication from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, reports on a compendium of banking-related news including bank mergers and acquisitions in New England during the past month. [EM] FRB Chicago [.pdf] Fed Letter http://www.frbchi.org/pubs-speech/publications/periodicals/chilet/cfloct2000_158.pdf The October 2000 issue of FRB Chicago's Fed Letter features "Midwest Prospects and The New Economy," which looks at information technology growth in the Midwest. [EM] FRB Dallas [.pdf] Houston Business http://www.dallasfed.org/htm/pubs/pdfs/houston/hb00_09.pdf The September 2000 issue of Houston Business from FRB Dallas contains the article "Diversification of Houston's Economic Base." [EM] FRB New York Current Issues in Economics and Finance [.pdf] http://www.ny.frb.org/rmaghome/curr_iss/ci6-10.html The main article in the September 2000 issue of Current Issues in Economics and Finance is "A Nation of Spendthrifts? An Analysis of Trends in Personal and Gross Saving." [EM] Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation [.pdf] Regional Outlook http://www.fdic.gov/bank/analytical/regional/index.html Regional Outlook, a quarterly publication from the FDIC, provides analysis of national and regional trends affecting the risk exposure of insured depository institutions. Along with the national edition, eight regional issues are also included. Bank for International Settlements (BIS) [.pdf] BIS Review http://www.bis.org/review/index.htm Recently released articles and speeches from the BIS Review include American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) http://www.aei.org/eo/eo12032.htm The September 2000 issue of Economic Outlook from AEI consists of the article "The Mythical Benefits of Debt Reduction," which takes a historical look at debt reduction. [EM] BakerBooks -- Harvard Business School http://www.library.hbs.edu/bakerbooks/ The latest issues of New Books at Baker Library and New Books from HBS Press are now available from Harvard University's BakerBooks site. These updates are posted by the fifteenth of each month and cover new additions for the preceding month. [EM] National Bureau of Economic Research Books http://www.nber.org/books.html The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) presents its collection of books published in 2000, complete with tables of contents and ordering information. The site also offers chapters from books-in-progress. [EM] Inomics Conference Calls: Email Conference Alert http://www.inomics.com/query/alert Conference Search http://www.inomics.com/query/conf_search The economics research service Inomics (described in the June 18, 1998 Scout Report for Business & Economics) includes a conference alert service. Interested parties may specify their interests and receive email notifications of up-coming events, or they may search the Inomics conference database by date, geographic location, or JEL classification. [EM] Conferences with Econometric Interest http://www.eur.nl/few/ei/links/#conferences The Royal Economics Society's Econometrics Journal site lists conferences in econometrics at this Econometric Links section. Forthcoming international conferences currently listed include the 65th Annual Meeting of the Midwest Economics Association, March 29-31, 2001, in Cleveland. Ohio and the Ninth Annual Symposium of the Society for Nonlinear Dynamics and Econometrics, which will meet in Atlanta, Georgia, March 15-16, 2001. [EM] 2001 North American Summer Meeting of the Econometric Society http://www.econometricsociety.org/es/meetings/NASM2001.html College Park, Maryland Third Annual Central and Eastern European Finance Director's Forum http://www.economistconferences.com/roundtable/public/con_common.asp?rtid=156&rtRegion=3&area=1 Job Openings from The Chronicle of Higher Education Job Openings in Economics http://jobs.chronicle.com/free/jobs/faculty/sscience/econ/links.htm Job Openings in Business and Management http://jobs.chronicle.com/free/jobs/faculty/professional/business/links.htm Job Openings for Economists (JOE) http://www.eco.utexas.edu/joe/joe/ Inomics: Job Openings for Economists http://www.inomics.com/query/job_search http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income99.html The Census Bureau reports that US household income levels rose by 2.7 percent between 1998 and 1999, or from $39,744 to $40,816, the highest household income level ever recorded. [EM] http://www.bea.doc.gov/bea/newsrel/pi0800.htm According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal income increased 0.4 percent, or $34.2 billion, in August 2000. Disposable personal income also increased 0.3 percent, or by $20 billion. [EM] Mass Layoffs in August 2000 -- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [.pdf] http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/mmls.toc.htm The BLS reports that there were 751 mass layoff actions in August 2000. The total number of workers involved in the layoff events was 97,215. [EM] 2000 Agency Reports/ Schedule http://www.usda.gov/news/calindex.htm USDA summarizes its report releases from various sources (the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, and the World Agricultural Outlook Board) at this calendar site. Notable data for October 2000 include the Aquaculture Outlook and Dairy Products. [EM] 1) "EMI, Time Warner abandon merger" -- BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_956000/956567.stm 2) "EMI, Time scrap music tie" -- CNNfn http://cnnfn.cnn.com/2000/10/05/deals/emi/ 3) "Warner Music, EMI Music Merger Off" -- Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/wires/20001005/tCB00V0822.html 4) Time Warner Website http://www.timewarner.com/corp/ 5) EMI Group Website http://www.emigroup.com/ 6) European Union Competition Directorate http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/index_en.html 7) US Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/ This morning, Time Warner and EMI announced that they have decided to abandon plans to merge. The merger plan, which was estimated at $20 billion, was ditched after the two companies were unable to meet the concerns of anti-trust watchdog groups. Explaining that they wanted more time to deal with the objections of the merger, the two companies withdrew their application from the European Commission (EC). The main concern of the European Commission officials was that the merger would place 80 percent of the European recording music business in just four major global companies. At the last minute, EMI and Time Warner proposed selling off several music catalogs, distribution networks, and recording labels including Virgin Records and Chappell Music in order to sooth the worries of the EC. The EC commended the companies on a "substantial" improvement, but officials still had strong doubts about the tie-up. While the two companies will continue to consider ways to successfully merge, Paul Richards, a media analyst at WestLB Panmure in London, suggested that the EMI merger may have been abandoned to ensure Time Warner's merger with AOL. Richards stated, "The AOL-Time deal must go through, it's $200 billion (in terms of the combined company's market value), whereas the EMI deal is a $20 billion joint venture." This detailed article from the BBC (1) offers information on the shelved merger, as well as related Websites and articles. CNNfn (2) reports on the abandoned merger's difficulties in clearing the European Commission. A short newsbrief from the LA Times(3) gives very basic information about why the merger was abandoned. The official Websites for Time Warner (4) and EMI (5) offer news, information, and resources for these two companies. The European Union Competition Directorate (6) provides news and information on merger cases and includes a new "merger cases" Website to help users follow merger cases. Like the EU Competition Directorate, the US Trade Commission (7) protects consumer interests and marketplace competition. [EM] Scout Report for Business & Economics Subscription Instructions To receive the electronic mail version of the Scout Report for Business & Economics every other Thursday, join the SRBUSECON mailing list. This is the only mail you will receive from this list. To subscribe online to the Scout Report for Business & Economics, go to: unsubscribe SRBUSECON Emily Missner Below are the copyright statements to be included when reproducing annotations from The Scout Report for Business & Economics. From The Scout Report for Business & Economics, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2000. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/

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Sources of disambiguating information (Ambiguity in language, pt. 2) Ambiguous expressions pervade language. Moreover, it appears that speakers don’t always avoid speaking ambiguously. So how do we manage to communicate at all? And why are we often oblivious to the pervasiveness of this ambiguity? Reframing the problem One answer to these questions is to reframe the problem: perhaps, some might say, language is not truly that ambiguous. That is, many expressions (words, sounds, phrases, etc.) appear ambiguous in isolation, but are perfectly clear in context. From one perspective, this is almost trivially true. After all, people do communicate successfully, and rarely even notice the potential for ambiguity; the very existence of puns, and the observation that not all people understand them, suggests that comprehenders don’t always explicitly activate multiple interpretations of an ambiguous expression. Therefore, this argument goes, language is unambiguous. The alleged “pervasiveness” of ambiguity is an illusion, perpetuated by overeager linguists and pun enthusiasists who insist on taking things out of context. But I think this answer misses the point somewhat. The fact that humans communicate successfully doesn’t entail that our communication signals are therefore unambiguous. It entails that comprehenders possess the capacity to routinely disambiguate signals with multiple interpretations––or “pre-activate” the most likely interpretation––given the context. There’s nothing intrinsically disambiguating about any given piece of contextual information. Rather, any given piece of contextual information is potentially disambiguating, only when considered by a comprehender capable of deploying that information. Arguing otherwise conflates the interpretation of a signal (i.e., the cognitive processes a comprehender engages) with the signal itself. This becomes obvious when comparing the drastically different comprehension abilities of humans and machines. Consider the case of homophones, like bank (e.g., a river-bank vs. a financial institution). The sentence “I went to town to deposit my check at the bank” likely seems perfectly clear to most human comprehenders––but that’s only because humans understand that checks can’t be deposited in the bank of a river. Unless a machine is equipped with this knowledge, that machine will generate at least two “parses” of that sentence, with radically different implications. And even human comprehenders vary in the contextual information they use to solve problems of ambiguity. I recently ran a series of studies with my advisor, Benjamin Bergen, investigating how people understand indirect requests. For example, a speaker might say “It’s cold in here”, but actually mean, “Please turn on the heater” (Trott & Bergen, 2018). Specifically, we asked whether comprehenders’ decisions about the speaker’s intentions (e.g., whether they were making a request or not) depended on what the speaker knew about the world––for example, whether or not the speaker knew the heater was broken. Overall, participants’ decisions were strongly influenced by what a speaker knew or didn’t know, but there was considerable individual variability across participants in this effect. Some participants always interpreted the speaker’s intentions in a manner congruent with what the speaker knew: “Turn on the heater” was a request when the speaker didn’t know about the broken heater, and was not a request when the speaker did know. But many participants made incongruent responses at least some of the time, interpreting “Turn on the heater” from their own, egocentric perspective. Critically, we found that participants’ likelihood to make a congruent response was predicted by their mentalizing ability––how skilled they were at reasoning about the mental states of others (which we measured in a separate task). In other words: people differ in their likelihood of using what a speaker knows to infer what that speaker means. Towards a research program Both of the examples above illustrate a basic point: the fact that contextual information (the meaning of the rest of a sentence; a speaker’s knowledge states) could disambiguate the meaning of a signal does not imply that: The signal is unambiguous. Comprehenders actually use that contextual information to disambiguate the signal. Understanding this allows to make an important distinction, which I believe is a helpful framing for research on ambiguity in general: 1) Information that could be used, in principle, to disambiguate the meaning of a signal. 2) Information that is used by comprehenders. Almost certainly, there exist “contexts”––distributional patterns, low-level perceptual cues, discourse histories, interactional settings, etc.––that reliably predict the correct meaning of an ambiguous signal, but which aren’t actually used by comprehenders, or which are only used by some comprehenders some of the time. Thus, a suitable research program would involve the use of multiple methodologies to first identify potential sources of disambiguating information, then ask whether humans seem to use that information. This program is compatible with, and in fact encourages, the recognition that comprehenders likely vary in the strategies they employ to resolve a given ambiguity––indeed, that even the same comprehender might recruit different resources across different situations. Understanding when and how comprehenders vary grants us additional insight into the fundamental problem of ambiguity in language. Ultimately, the goal of this research program is to understand, as best we can, how humans manage to communicate so successfully over such a fuzzy communication channel, which in turn informs our understanding of why ambiguity exists in the first place. Trott, S., & Bergen, B. (2018). Individual Differences in Mentalizing Capacity Predict Indirect Request Comprehension. Discourse Processes. Written on January 5, 2020

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As House Democrats rush to impeach President Donald Trump for winning the 2016 election, we are reminded daily about how much scandalous behavior Barack Obama was allowed to get away with, probably because he was our first black president and Republicans were too afraid of being called “racists” to hold him accountable. Though Obama and his vice president, Joe Biden, love to tell anyone with a TV camera that theirs was the most scandal-free administration ever, the reality is quite the opposite. And in fact, scandal began very early in the Obama administration — within the first year of his first term, in fact, and it was massive. “Operation Fast and Furious” was concocted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives under the guise of the Justice Department, which was headed by long-time Left-wing activist lawyer Eric Holder. The gist of the operation was this: Allow U.S. gun stores to sell firearms to straw buyers from Mexican cartels and ‘walk’ them back across the border, then ‘track’ the weapons to where the cartels were hiding. As investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson — who tracked Fast and Furious as a correspondent for CBS News — reported in September, “Fast and Furious was one of numerous secret ‘gunwalking’ operations launched by the federal government in the 2009-2011 time period that put thousands of assault rifles and other weapons into the hands of Mexican drug cartels.” She added: Border patrol agent Brian Terry and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata were murdered by Mexican drug cartel thugs in separate incidents in 2010 and 2011 related to guns that were trafficked while under the watch of U.S. agents who neither intervened nor tracked the “walked” weapons. Why would any U.S. administration allow thousands of weapons to fall into the hands of dangerous drug- and human-smuggling cartels and terrorists? Not so ‘scandal-free’ As Attkisson reported for CBS News in December 2011, the purpose behind the Obama administration operation was to use it as a push for new gun control laws. While investigating the scandal, Attkisson discovered evidence that the ATF, under the Holder DoJ’s guidance, was essentially ‘creating’ a need for a new gun regulation which was called “Demand Letter 3.” She noted that the letter would require some U.S. gun owners to report the sale of multiple “long guns” or rifles (especially ‘assault’ weapons). After ATF HQ in Washington had gotten an update on the Fast and Furious operation, ATF Field Ops Assistant Director Mark Chait emailed Bill Newell, ATF’s Phoenix Special Agent in Charge on July 14, 2010 with a request. “Bill – can you see if these guns were all purchased from the same (licensed gun dealer) and at one time. We are looking at anecdotal cases to support a demand letter on long gun multiple sales. Thanks,” it said. Follow-on evidence also indicated that the Obama Justice Department, using the ATF operation as its impetus, was planning to push for new gun control legislation. As you might have imagined, the operation and the reason behind it angered gun rights supporters. Larry Keane, then a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun industry group, said it was “deeply troubling” if sales by U.S. firearms dealers who were “voluntarily cooperating with ATF’s flawed ‘Operation Fast & Furious’ were going to be used by some individuals within ATF to justify imposing a multiple sales reporting requirement for rifles.” Gun dealers cooperating with the ATF became more nervous as the operation progressed, often contacting the agency to ensure that they weren’t going to eventually be held liable for the sales. They couldn’t know at the time they were being utilized as pawns in one of Obama’s schemes to take more guns away from Americans. A ‘scandal-free’ administration? Hardly. SharylAttkisson.com TheDailyBell.com NewsTarget.com Tagged Under: atf, barack obama, Brian Terry, conspiracy, corruption, deaths, deception, Eric Holder, false-flag, Fast and Furious, firearms, gun control, gun violence, gun walking scandal, hypocrisy, Mexican Cartels, Second Amendment, shootings, treason

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PRE-ORDER The German Cinema Book PRE-ORDER The German Cinema Book The revised and updated edition of this essential introduction addresses the whole history of cinema in Germany This revised and updated edition of a comprehensive textbook introduces German film history from its beginnings to the present day, addressing key periods including early and silent cinema, Weimar cinema, Nazi cinema, the New German cinema, the Berlin School, and contemporary film, as well as addressing all the major movements, studios, stars, filmmakers and genres of German cinema in the 20th and 21st centuries. Contributions by leading international scholars are grouped into sections that focus on genre; stars; authorship; film production, distribution and exhibition; theory and politics, including women's and queer cinema, and transnational cinema. Spotlight articles within each section provide a deep focus on key stars, both those such as such as Marlene Dietrich who found fame in Hollywood, and those such as Armin MüllerStahl and Hanna Schygulla who remain best-known within Germany; directors including Murnau, Fritz Lang, Fassbinder, Wim Wenders, Werner Herzog and Fatih Akin, and films including Heimat, Downfall, The Lives of Others and The Edge of Heaven. Tim Bergfelder, Erica Carter, Deniz Göktürk, Claudia Sandberg 688 TBC The Werner Herzog Collection (Blu-ray Box Set) Germany, Pale Mother (Blu-ray) People on Sunday (Blu-ray)

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Charlie Chaplin: The Essanay Comedies (Blu-ray) Charlie Chaplin: The Essanay Comedies (Blu-ray) The result of a 12 year project, led by Lobster Films and the Cineteca di Bologna, this comprehensive 2 disc Blu-ray collection features 15 films, fully restored, presented alongside exclusive special features – never before released in the UK. In December 1914, the great Charlie Chaplin signed a one year contract with the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company for what was then an unprecedented salary. Shooting in both their California and Chicago studios he went on to make 15 films that firmly established him as the world’s favourite screen comedian. Unlike other screen stars of the time, Chaplin retained complete creative control over his films, from writing and directing, to choosing his cast members. While this led to his relationship with Essanay growing increasingly strained, this fruitful period of his career saw him evolve his style, resulting in seminal works such as The Tramp, The Bank and The Champion. Charlie Chaplin: The Long Year at Essanay (2016, 23 mins): newly produced video essay presented by writer and broadcaster Glenn Mitchell Charlie’s Triple Trouble (1948, 15 mins): the re-released British version of Chaplin’s 1918 film Triple Trouble A Burlesque on Carmen (1951, 35 mins): containing additional footage filmed after Chaplin’s departure from Essanay. This version features a commentary by comedian Peter Sellers, which was used for the film’s British re-release Charlie Butts In (1920, 10 mins): short compilation of out-takes and alternate shots from Chaplin’s 1915 film A Night Out Fully illustrated booklet with essays by Frank Scheide, new writing by Glenn Mitchell, and Vic Pratt, and full film credits 2 Blu-ray set Silent with music approx. 400 mins

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Donor Spotlight: Irfan Saif A lifetime of lasting memories Irfan Saif, a principal with Deloitte & Touche LLP specializing in cybersecurity and risk management, has been donating to charitable organizations that benefit children almost his entire life. At a certain point, he realized he could do more. “I thought, I could donate time, my skills, and my passions,” he says. After connecting with Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area leadership, Saif joined the Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC), a group that helps with fundraising and advocacy activities. He participated in a strategy offsite with our Board of Directors, where he put his experience to good use. Saif served six years on the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Board of Directors, and continues to donate his time and expertise pro bono and through Deloitte’s annual day of service, “Impact Day,” when nearly 25,000 Deloitte professionals across the country volunteer on more than 1,000 projects. There’s just one problem with these volunteer events. “There are always people fighting to get on the Make-A-Wish project because the projects have a lot of passion around them,” Saif explains. “Frankly, we have so many repeat volunteers that want to sign up, it’s hard to find space for new ones.” Growing up in Hong Kong, Saif had a friend who was diagnosed with leukemia. Before the friend passed away, Saif remembers having the opportunity to go with him to an amusement park. “That’s a really personally tie for me,” he says. “It was hard to process as a child. But the positive experience stays with you for a long time, which really clicked for me.” Saif has held on to that personal connection and the lasting benefit of positive, tangible memories. It’s been more than 15 years since Saif first got involved with Make-A-Wish, and he has no plans to stop. “It’s not necessarily about the physical thing they get—but the whole experience that lasts a lifetime,” he says. He encourages others to get involved. “It takes people, it takes everybody in whatever capacities or volumes you can contribute—time, money, resources, networks—to be able to help,” he says. “But you can’t put a price on the emotional reward; it’s beyond measure.”

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Rockin' Through Troubled Waters Groovy Pics Bitchin’ Blog Lay It On Me “We were all on this ship in the sixties, our generation, a ship going to discover the New World. And the Beatles were in the crow's nest of that ship.” - John Lennon By Don Jung | May 25, 2019 John Fogerty is starting his 50th Anniversary tour on June 20, 2019, at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado and takes his Creedence Clearwater and his solo songs on the road for the rest of the summer. Favorites like “Proud Mary” “Fortunate Son,” and “Who” ll Stop The Rain” from 1969 sound great again! In… WOW – FELLOW WRITERS LIKE THE STORIES! By Don Jung | April 24, 2019 James Frey (“A Million Little Pieces” author) said on his Facebook page: “My old LA pal Don just wrote a cool book. Give it a read!” ———— Rich Siegel (“The Book of Rants”) said on his Facebook page: “It’s an easy, fascinating and personal read that manages to hurl the reader back in time and… Book Released! By Don Jung | April 9, 2019 This exciting new book is about an aspiring songwriter moving to Los Angeles to study at UCLA and meets quite a few people in the West Coast music scene from 1966 to 1971. It was a turbulent time in American history when this 60s generation challenged the authoritarian values on sex, discrimination, drugs and the… Special Paperback Color Limited Edition By Don Jung | March 13, 2019 A special, limited edition color paperback is available for $24.00, which includes shipping and handling. Only 50 copies of the special edition exist, so order fast! Two options exist for ordering the limited edition book: Online, using a PayPal or Venmo ID Regular Mail, if you prefer to send me a check For option 1,…

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Morocco: Beneath The Sheltering Sky Equipped with a Volkswagen Beetle, an Ampex 601 tape recorder the size of a suitcase and a trunk full of "piping hot Pepsi" Paul Bowles set out in 1959 to record as many hours of Moroccan folk music as possible. Accompanied by a Canadian expatriate and a Moroccan assistant they covered the entire coast from Tangier to Goulimine in the south, went over both the Rif and Atlas mountain range to the dune desert of Zagora and the border to Algeria. Recorded by Paul Bowles, 1959 During the four-month field project sponsored by the Library of Congress Bowles drove almost 40'000 km and captured vocal and instrumental music of various tribes and other indigenous populations at 23 locations throughout the country. The greatest difficulty turned out to be the government’s position that the region’s tribal culture was a hindrance to bigger dreams of development, and so Bowles found himself in a run against time, fearing his subject would be lost forever. While he was best known as author of The Sheltering Sky, a 1949 novel about displaced Americans travelling the North African desert, Bowles was also a composer with ties to Aaron Copland and John Cage as well a creator of theatre music for Orson Welles, but "didn’t have much patience for scholarship, didn’t like music theory, didn’t like to operate by the rules," says ethnomusicologist Philip Schuyler and yet collecting the recordings re-issued by Dust-to-Digital "in almost every instance, Bowles had made the best choice, technically and musically." Husband of the brilliant writer Jane Bowles, he kept living in Tangier till his death, a city that became an outpost for leading lights of the Beat Generation, with Burroughs a mainstay as well as Brion Gysin, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso and others.

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Rooted in Jesus Annual Report 2019 2019 has been an encouraging year. Conferences have been held by us and our partners in 8 countries, bringing the total number of people now trained to lead groups to just under 16,000. Translation of the books into the appropriate local languages is an ongoing task, and this year we have produced booklets in a further 5 languages. In the course of the year we have received reports from nearly 40 dioceses, and we have a growing number of invitations for next year. The second Rooted in Jesus conference in the Diocese of the Rift Valley, Tanzania The full report can be downloaded HERE, and we have reported on some of the year’s work in our regular blog posts. To catch up on the highlights and share in some more recent news, read on! The Diocese of the Rift Valley, Tanzania The Diocese of the Rift Valley (left) became the first diocese to hold two Rooted in Jesus conferences in a single year. The first was held in February and the second in November, both led by Jacob Robert. Coordinator George Mbago reported that groups had started in every parish, with 40 doing particularly well, most of which have now moved on to the second book. Groups are led by pastors, catechists and Mothers Union members; others are being formed following the second conference. Perhaps the most striking testimony came from Bishop John Lupaa, who had himself led a group for just four people in a small rural church with a dilapidated building and very few members. Having taken those four through the first book, he encouraged them to start groups of their own. Just under a year on, that church has 84 members and a new building! The Diocese of Mpwapwa Dustan Mtoro has served as Rooted in Jesus Coordinator in Mpwapwa for 8 years. He reports that there are nearly 300 groups in the diocese, some using the adult programme, some using Rooted in Jesus Junior; many have completed the course, and in everyparish both church commitment and every member participation have risen dramatically. Last year an ambitious fund raising campaign for a new building organised through the RinJ groups raised the sum required within three months. Dustan has now retired, and his successor Anderson Madimilo adds that “For us it is a success everywhere; it has raised the giving, it has established the faith in our Christians. The number of Christians has grown, because we no longer lose people to other churches as we used to. Because the groups pray together, many people have had their problems solved, their lives changed.” Rooted in Jesus spreads across Southern Africa In South Africa Rooted in Jesus is supported by Growing the Church and coordinated by Estelle Adams. In 2019 training was offered in the Dioceses of Lesotho, Natal, Free State and Johannesburg. One year in, Bishop Dintoe Letloenyane of the Diocese of the Free State shared his thoughts about Rooted in Jesus with Bishop Martin Breytenbach: Bishop Dintoe Letloenyane “I must say we are very excited about this ministry, Rooted in Jesus, which is all to do with making disciples for Christ in his church. In the bishop’s office I lead a Rooted in Jesus group for the staff. We can see that Rooted in Jesus is helping a lot of people to come to the Lord, to know who they are, to develop their faith, and it’s also helping their families, because whenever there is trouble or challenges at home, people know that Christ is there to help them. We have a priest who has really taken the local church by storm through Rooted in Jesus. We have seen how people have given their commitment and their life to the Lord – men who never really thought that they could give their services, they have come to work in the church. We have seen women with spades and forks doing gardening and making vegetable gardens for themselves and to feed the people around them. But it’s really about bringing people to the Lord Jesus Christ, who feeds us, who quenches our thirst, who heals us, who has given the promise that he will walk with us each and every step of our lives. And so we are very excited about Rooted in Jesus.” In September Estelle reflected: “I can’t contain myself when I see how amazingly this Discipleship tool is working in the dioceses, but also in the lives of individuals.” Supporting ministry in difficult situations Many of the countries which have adopted Rooted in Jesus enjoy peace and stability, if not always prosperity. For others, the situation is more demanding. It is our particular privilege to support those who minister in these challenging situations. Diocese of Kadugli, South Sudan In October a Rooted in Jesus conference was held in Kadugli at the invitation of Bishop Hassan, led by a team from the linked Diocese of Salisbury, UK. The churches in Kadugli have undergone a very difficult time due to the political conflict which has dominated the country. A Roman Catholic priest explained that the wars had drawn Christians of all denominations closer. He also said the people were traumatised by war and were much strengthened that Christians had come from England to encourage them. We posted a full report in an earlier post. Diocese of Katanga, DR Congo Rooted in Jesus was introduced to the Diocese of Katanga in 2014, and in March we reported how Bishop Elisha Tendwa used it as the basis for ministry in the missionary Diocese of Kalemie. In July we were glad to be able to send some Bibles for the new groups in one of the refugee camps, and in December we received the following report from Coordinator Stephane Makata: A Rooted in Jesus group in the Diocese of Katanga “The RinJ teachings have helped all the parishes in the Diocese; many testimonies have been seen and confirmed among the believers. Through these teachings God will help the church to have the good way to follow and how to remain faithful to Him. The RinJ teachings have helped us reach many goals. The group members and leaders are growing in number, churches are planted (especially in the camp of displaced people). These teachings are helping the believers to take hold of the word of God. RinJ leaders and members have participated in the processes of conflict resolution and peace making; this does not mean only to teach people the word of God but also to teach them how to love their neighbours, forgive them and build peace.” Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar Derek & Jane Waller The Diocese of Toliara covers a huge, undeveloped area in southern Madagascar, and suffers regularly from drought, violent cyclones and famine. They have been using Rooted in Jesus since 2011, and the programme is now overseen by CMS missionary Derek Waller. During 2019 Derek and his team have provided ongoing training in each of the 10 parishes of the diocese, with people walking long distances both to attend and to lead their groups. Derek reports that in Ankilifaly a group has completed all 4 books, and 6 of the members are now leading groups of their own. Progress is inevitably slow, but people are growing and new churches being planted. Diocese of Niassa, Mozambique Another diocese affected by both material and educational poverty is Niassa, in Mozambique, where Rooted in Jesus has been in use since 2006, when it contributed to a period of great renewal and growth. Relaunched with a new generation of leaders in 2018, it is now supported by coordinator Anold Gezan, who has been conducting day seminars to support the new leaders across the diocese. Next year Bishop Vicente plans to introduce Rooted in Jesus Junior for the first time. He reflects on the importance of discipleship: “Our diocese is growing numerically, but how are we growing spiritually? The mandate Jesus gave was to go and make disciples. When Rooted in Jesus was implemented last year it really made an impact. You can see that from the clergy, even in the communities, because we have established small groups and people’s lives have been changed. When you see that, it’s a great joy to you as a servant of Jesus”. Diocese of Kondoa, Tanzania The Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania is located in an area where 90% of the population are Muslim, which brings huge challenges for the church. The diocese is growing steadily under the leadership of Bishop Given Gaula, and in November held its first Rooted in Jesus conference. Bishop Given hopes that Rooted in Jesus will help the Christians, many of whom have had little formal education, to grow in faith, as well as providing them with a tool they can use to reach out to their communities. News from Kenya In October the Diocese of Butere held its third set of Rooted in Jesus conferences. 140 existing and new leaders attended during the first week, and 89 Sunday School teachers came together for the second. Team leader Ben Beecroft reports that the Sunday School teachers (below) responded with great enthusiasm and really threw themselves into all elements of the conference. Both conferences were marked by strong engagement with the sessions and a spiritual hunger to grow. Adult groups are running all over the diocese now, and Ben observes that Butere has the potential to become a flagship diocese for RinJ & Junior in Kenya, with many leaders who could help with RinJ teams elsewhere. Sunday School teachers at the Rooted in Jesus Junior conference, Butere News from Uganda We first went to Uganda back in 2012. Since then Rooted in Jesus has been adopted by 9 dioceses, of which the most recent is the Diocese of East Ruwenzori. A team from the UK, Burundi and Tanzania visited in May. 171 people attended the conference, with all 7 archdeaconries and 42 parishes represented. Participants included the clergy, Mothers Union leaders, parish Mission Coordinators, Lay Readers and Fathers Union leaders. We posted a full report here. Other dioceses to report recently include the Diocese of Soroti , where Coordinator Pascal Odele writes that there are now 107 active groups across the diocese – a great achievement during a period of episcopal interregnum. In the Diocese of Karamoja John Onyao reports that he is using Rooted in Jesus to plant a church in his new parish. And in the Diocese of Mityana coordinators John Musaasizi and Jethro Ssebulime have continued to visit parishes to provide teaching and support: Canon John Musaasizi “Jethro and I are very thankful to the Lord Jesus for enabling us to get to Binikira last Sunday. We wanted to find out whether Mark the Rooted in Jesus trainer is still maintaining the same pace of discipleship multiplication. We enjoyed participating in the reality of our expectation. The trained groups that attended church worship yesterday morning made it crystal clear that they had applied all what they learned in their daily life experience, including forming discipleship groups at their local settings. They also gained respect in the communities where they live. Much was testified. They memorized required Scripture and hid verses in their hearts. We tested them by giving them opportunities to recite what they had hidden in their hearts. They not only recited, but they also explained the application of verses in their daily lives. We thanked Mark for being an outstanding discipleship trainer in the entire Diocese of Mityana.” News from Burundi Elisha Academy is the Rooted in Jesus Coordinator in the Diocese of Muyinga. He reports: Elisha with fellow team member Andrew in Uganda “The Diocese began when they had almost 25 parishes. But now after using Rooted in Jesus, more than 5 parishes have been inaugurated. This is a result of the Rooted in Jesus mission. This place is a good place for doing this ministry because many people need to hear about Jesus.” We were delighted that Elisha was able to join the team to East Ruwenzori in May. We were also pleased to support Peter Kay, who this year ran a follow-up conference for the RinJ leaders in the FECABu network of churches in Bujumbura. Peter reports that some 400 people are currently meeting in 25 groups. The work of Dignity in Zambia It has been a privilege over the last 10 years to share Rooted in Jesus with Dignity, a UK charity which plants small community groups in rural areas – initially in Zambia, but increasingly in neighbouring countries. Jo Kimball reports that here are now 763 Life Groups involving over 15,000 people; the groups use Rooted in Jesus alongside Dignity’s material which focuses on ministry to the community: “We are thankful for the role Rooted in Jesus has played in helping many Life Group members draw close to Jesus. Charles has only been attending Life Groups for 3 months and can already see a change in himself. ‘There are a lot of changes in me since I joined a Life Group. I feel like I have been set free because many of the things I never understood, now I understand them!’” You can read more of Dignity’s remarkable story on their website. Conference testimonies It is always a huge privilege to be a small part of people’s lives, and to hear their testimonies. In the Diocese of Koforidua, Ghana, Augustine Baafi shared his reaction to the conference with disarming honesty: “I didn’t really want to be part of this conference. But I spoke to my grandfather. He said to me, “Augustine, I want you to be part of this programme.” So I took it with brave courage and I said I am going just to witness and not to be part of it. So I came by, and when I came here, it’s not like an institution or a church programme, but it was more or less like a family. And I’ve learned here that Jesus is not only what we read about in the Bible, but is more like a father to us, a brother, a sister or a mother to us. Jesus is real to us, and whenever we call on Jesus, he’s going to be part of our life and he’s inviting us also to be part of his family, this great and big family that he’s calling us to be with. I came here to be an observer, but I have learned that I’m part of the group, and the big family that God wants me to be part of.” Augustine is now training for the priesthood. Barry Blackford shares the difference prayer made to the toddler son of a conference participant in Kadugli, Sudan: Rooted in Jesus participants, Kadugli “At the start of one of the morning breaks, a young mother came for healing for her son. He was totally full of fear and refused to leave her side. Whatever she did had to be done with an extra limb attached to her leg. The lad was about 3-4 years old, the same age as my youngest grandson who is totally fearless. We prayed for the lad and cut him off from his ancestral spirits. Within an hour he wandered up to me on his own to give me a high-5 and then ran back to mum. By the time we got to lunch he was going out the front with the other children and by the end of the day he went home with some of the others whilst mum stayed at the conference. Mum had also been unwell when she came and was also healed.” A young woman named Firoza shared her testimony with the team from Growing the Church in the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, South Africa: A conference participant receives her Rooted in Jesus certificate in Kimberley & Kuruman “It has been seven months since I converted from Islam to Christianity. Then one of the parishioners called and asked if I would like to attend a Rooted in Jesus course. Not knowing what to expect, I agreed. “The facilitators explained the difference between a convert and a disciple of Christ. We were divided into three small groups to read and discuss scriptures in the bible. Some of the priests shared beautiful testimonies of what happened to them when the bible was first opened to them. While I was engaging, there was always someone that would share a scripture that would speak to me. We also made acquaintances with people from other parishes. I was intrigued by their enthusiasm and how they wanted to know more about the Word of God. Others shared ideas on how they where going to start small discipleship groups and work from the books received. Rooted in Jesus helped me understand more about the Christian faith, the power of prayer and how to stand firm in the faith. The material in the course has also given me so much peace of mind. It has taught me to live as Jesus did and assured me that whenever I face challenges, God will always be with me.” Blessing in two directions : team members give thanks We often say that those who give their time and resources to join Rooted in Jesus teams are blessed in as great a measure as those to whom they minister, and this has continued to be the case this year: “I have never had such a big lesson in relying so entirely on God. It has been a very exciting and defining moment, and I have never been so free of doubt and so confident in him. Since coming back, this has hugely helped the way I lead in my own ministry and the way in which I approach the unknown, hand things from my control over to his, and to trust everything to him.” – Ben “The experience has confirmed my struggle – I cannot believe that it’s possible to live an authentic Christian life in this country without a meaningful and sacrificial relationship supporting and being supported by, our brothers and sisters in poorer countries; I’m challenged to believe and trust more, and I have a different perspective on the issues and problems people face in this country” – Andrew “I was convinced God wanted us to go, and there were indications that God intended to do something, so I had a sense of anticipation. Did he act? YOU BET! It was a real privilege to see God working in power among the participants, and to experience his blessing myself. Furthermore, I found God had additional aims, as he used our visit to encourage believers who were traumatised by 30 years of civil war. I have gained in confidence, and speak with more assurance. I have also become increasingly hungry for God and for means to serve him better.” – John “The delegates on both conferences were so encouraging and welcoming. It was hard work, we didn’t stop from morning prayers 7am to 3:30pm, but it was so uplifting and enjoyable to be with such wonderful Christian people. I loved every minute of the conferences and prayerfully so did the delegates.” – Sarah One day I might be able to tell you just how much Rooted in Jesus changed my life.” – Stephen The last word? What does it feel like to be involved with Rooted in Jesus? Mike Cotterell reflects: Mike (centre back) with the East Ruwenzori team “Many things happen while on Mission, some planned like the Conferences themselves but then extras, like ‘chance’ meetings that God seems to orchestrate. A conference looks like this: A Team, a group of participants and a location over four days. But another side of the reality is that there are thousands of significant moments: Person to person conversations, individuals listening and in conversation with God. Sharing of testimonies, acts of kindness, encounters with God; whole conference experiences of the presence of God. So, a Conference is a complex network of lives touching each other, with the Holy Spirit an active ingredient, like yeast in a batch of dough. God inspiring his agenda and firing his people; and this against a background of human weakness and negative spiritual interference.” Mike is a long-standing Rooted in Jesus Team Leader, and a Trustee of the Mathetes Trust. We are grateful to all those who have given up their time to go on teams, and to our dedicated group of intercessors who pray for each conference as it happens. We are thankful for the generosity of those who have supported Rooted in Jesus financially this year. And last and most importantly of all, we are hugely grateful to our hosts, who invite us to share in their ministry – for their trust, for their hospitality, and for the privilege of partnership in the gospel. Remember you can download the full report here. Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust. If you would like to help dioceses in Africa introduce Rooted in Jesus please visit our website or click on the link below. Posted by Alison Morgan, 20th January 2020 This entry was posted in Uncategorized on January 20, 2020 by rootedinjesus. Incarnation and Redemption in the Diocese of Kondoa Kondoa is a small town which sits on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley in central Tanzania. It’s an unremarkable place, an ordinary rural community whose people support themselves predominantly by subsistence farming – but it’s bursting with remarkable history: geological, cultural and spiritual. Missionary Vincent Donovan famously remarked that God enables a people, any people, to reach salvation through their culture and tribal, racial customs and traditions. And perhaps the key to understanding the ministry of the Diocese of Kondoa today is to be found in its history. Traditional religion The Great Rift Valley formed some 25 million years ago, as powerful tectonic shifts deep underground pulled the landscape apart, creating a great rift down the middle of what today is Tanzania. Kondoa sits on the edge of the escarpment which rises above the valley on its eastern side. It’s an odd landscape, dotted with massive granite boulders which look as if they had been tossed there by giants; a mysterious landscape which for thousands of years has invited its inhabitants to consider the spiritual realities which lie behind the visible world. And from the earliest times, that invitation has been accepted: these boulders shelter some of the oldest cultural and religious rock art in the world, thought to date from 50,000 to 2,000 years ago. Some of the sites are still used for traditional spiritual ceremonies to this day. A rock painting at Kolo, Kondoa District But there are many ways of thinking about spiritual questions, and sometimes answers are suggested not by geological but by cultural factors. The 19th century saw a huge increase in the Arab slave and ivory caravans which passed through this region on their way from the slave dealing areas in the west to the export markets on the east coast. The economic welfare of these inland communities was bound up with this trade, and many of the peoples along the route abandoned the traditional religion of their ancestors and embraced Islam. Kondoa, once a place of rest for the slave caravans, today has a population which is 90% Muslim. Christian mission Fast forward to the late 19th century. As Christian missionaries brought the gospel to Tanzania, Anglican dioceses were founded, starting in the former slave trading regions. In 1927 the Diocese of Central Tanganyika became the third Anglican diocese in Tanzania, covering a vast area which included Kondoa. For many years the bishop of the diocese cherished the hope that one day Kondoa could become a diocese in its own right. But Kondoa is a difficult place to minister. Not only because of its majority Muslim population, but because of its poverty. The road system is very poor, with just one tarmacked road running through its centre. The economy is mostly subsistence farming, with only 25% of the land cultivated; erratic rainfall mans that crop failure is common. Electricity is available in Kondoa itself but not yet in the villages, most of which do not have running water; educational attainment is the second lowest in the country. But notwithstanding these difficulties, the Diocese of Kondoa was eventually founded in 2001 – following a rather unexpected development. The spiritual foundations for growth By the 1990s an Anglican pastor named Given and a New Zealand missionary named David were working together to bring the gospel to the people of Kondoa. ‘Given’, named by the nurse who had saved his life as a premature baby, was the son of an illegitimate mother and an alcoholic father; he spent the first 14 years of his life in a leaking hut, often going without food for days at a time. But his mother was a strong Christian, and when Given was 14 a visiting preacher invited people to give their lives to Jesus. Given welcomed Jesus as his Saviour, and began a journey which has shaped the Diocese of Kondoa to this day. One thing led to another as God’s plan unfolded. Given was confirmed; he was sent by the Bishop to school; he trained with the Church Army as an Evangelist; and he began with David to minister the gospel in the villages of Kondoa. One day Given and David were travelling when they came across a woman who had collapsed. Doctors had been called and said she needed a blood transfusion to save her life. Her friends and family had offered their blood but were found to be of the wrong blood group. “Try mine,” David said. It was the correct group. He gave blood, and the woman was healed. Given traces the spiritual foundation of the Diocese of Kondoa to this moment. It was, he says, a huge step forward for the gospel. Three things were important: Christ on the cross, by William Mather A man gave his blood to a woman – in Muslim society women are considered inferior to men A man gave his blood to a black woman – in Muslim society a black woman is considered inferior to an Arab woman A white man gave his blood to a black woman. Remember, this is a place which offered shelter to the slave caravans… The giving of blood, Given says, represented the sacrifice of Jesus. Something had happened in the heavenly places, and from that day onwards the gospel began to spread in Kondoa. The ministry of the Diocese today In 2001 Kondoa became a diocese in its own right, and in 2012 Given was asked to become its second bishop. In worldly terms this was not an attractive prospect, and Given had two other job offers at the same time. But his wife Lilian, who is also ordained, suggested they spend a night in prayer. God spoke to them from the Book of Esther: for such a time as this… Given was consecrated later that year as Rt Revd Dr Given Gaula, second Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kondoa. Today the Diocese of Kondoa has 34 parishes, 8 deacons, 50 pastors and 97 catechists, and serves a population of 600,000 people. The Cathedral is currently the only parish in the diocese which is self sustaining financially, and most of the pastors are not paid. But despite these difficulties the diocese is growing. There are now some 18,000 Anglicans, up from just 7,000 in 2012, and whereas then there were no church buildings at all, now there are many. The diocese even has its own Bible College. The Anglican cathedral in Kondoa Rooted in Jesus is introduced to Kondoa In June 2019 Bishop Given, with the support of the Barnabas Fund and the Diocese of Rochester with which Kondoa is linked, invited us to send a Rooted in Jesus team to the diocese. Rooted in Jesus is designed to support people who may have received little formal education and yet who wish to learn more about the Christian faith – people in places like Kondoa. Bishop Given hopes that the groups will both strengthen the faith of church members, and provide a tool for evangelism in local communities across the diocese. So the first Rooted in Jesus conference was held in November 2019, in the church which currently serves as the cathedral. The team of facilitators was led by Canon Jacob Robert from the Diocese of Mara, and the conference was attended by 126 pastors, catechists, evangelists and Bible College students. The team provided teaching on the nature of discipleship, on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and on the rewards and difficulties of ministry. Team member Bishop Elisha Tendwa shared his inspirational experiences of planting a diocese with Rooted in Jesus in DR Congo. Participants engaged attentively in the workshops on leadership, pastoral care and prayer, and twenty bravely volunteered to lead practice groups. Outside boys played football in the sandy riverbed, two women trudged up and down with cans of water for the plants in the cathedral’s plant nursery, and children gathered to watch a Muslim family train their new camel. Something new was happening in the midst of the ordinary people of this ordinary place. Practising Rooted in Jesus beneath the ancient sycamore trees of Kondoa There were many poignant moments in the conference, not least when people shared the despair they feel at being a religious minority in their own communities, despite Tanzania being a largely Christian country. Many said that they have experienced discrimination on the basis of their faith; but as the days passed gradually people began to feel that Rooted in Jesus offers the hope of reaching out to their neighbours with the gospel. The most painful moment, though, was when Bishop Given explained that despite his urgent desire to be fully present at the conference, he must go home to be with his mother, who had been admitted urgently to hospital. Marina, a lifelong Christian, had been seriously ill since Easter; and the following day she died. Given, whose childhood faith had been nurtured by his mother in such difficult circumstances, has remained the primary support for his family for many years, and he was with her as she died. The team was able to visit him and offer their condolences after the conference. “My mum was everything to me,” Bishop Given said sadly as he told of her death, sharing his conviction that her release from suffering was nonetheless an answer to the prayers of the faithful. “The Lord appointed seventy-two others … He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” Luke 10: 1-3 It was agreed that the groups would be formally launched across the diocese on 30th November. The Rooted in Jesus programme will be coordinated by Canon Lameck Masambi, the Diocesan Mission and Evangelism Officer. Reports will be provided by group leaders to the pastors, discussed in the parish councils, and passed to the area deans. Lameck will meet regularly with the area deans to review progress. Our prayers remain with Bishop Gaula and his family, with Canon Lameck and with all those who will lead the groups, trusting that Rooted in Jesus will contribute to the ongoing spiritual growth of the people of Kondoa. Bishop Given Gaula and Canon Lameck Masambi Rooted in Jesus is published and overseen by The Mathetes Trust, and supported in the Diocese of Kondoa by the Barnabas Fund and by the Diocese of Rochester. The diocese has its own website, and you can read Bishop Given’s personal testimony here. Posted by Revd Dr Alison Morgan, 15th December 2019. This entry was posted in Christian discipleship, Uncategorized and tagged Diocese of Kondoa, Rooted in Jesus, The Mathetes Trust on December 15, 2019 by rootedinjesus. News from the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, South Africa Report by Glynnis Moorcroft, Diocesan RinJ Coordinator A Rooted in Jesus (RinJ) Training Conference was held in the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman at St Cyprian’s Cathedral Hall from Wednesday, 25 September to Friday, 27 September 2019. It was led by four GtC facilitators. The three-day training was intense but a real blessing to those who attended it. The training included: Daily morning devotions, teaching sessions which included “An introduction to Rooted in Jesus?” “Rewards and Challenges of Ministry”, “The Work of the Holy Spirit” – and more. Practice Lessons covered: “What is the problem?” “Who is Jesus” and “Assurance of Victory.” Ministry topics: “Knowing God’s Love,” “Rewards and Challenges of Ministry” and “Repentance and Renewal.” The presence of God’s Spirit was very evident and experienced by many. The Holy Spirit gave us the freedom to pray for each other. Some were moved to tears. Worshipping God through song and prayer during the training was meaningful and enriching. Many received Christ and left the training feeling transformed, encouraged, strengthened, and ready to serve oth- ers by starting their own RinJ groups in their different parishes. One lady said to me: “I did not find it all that exciting until we did the Holy Spirit session. I stood there and others prayed and laid hands on me. I started crying and the Holy Spirit touched me deeply.” Another told me how she cried with release and relief after the teaching on the Holy Spirit. “The teaching on the Holy Spirit at the Rooted in Jesus Training Conference was more powerful than we could ever have imagined.” Team member Anthony McAnda has already started a small group at St Barnabas and Denzyl Sampson from St Mary the Virgin in Barkly West, has also started one. More are being started as I write. To God be all the glory! Petrus Long commented: “This Rooted in Jesus Training Conference had a great impact on my life. It caused me to look at the bible with new eyes. My desire to read the bible has also greatly increased. The RinJ small group, which I had started, means so much to me. We started with 4 members and increased to 8. All the members are so enthusiastic and would like to meet more often than once a week. That we will reconsider next year. We also trust that our youth will start a new group in the future and we intend to start a community RinJ Group too”. Firoza shares her testimony “It has been seven months since I converted from Islam to Christianity. Then one of the parishioners called and asked if I would like to attend a Rooted in Jesus course. Not knowing what to expect, I agreed. “The facilitators explained the difference between a convert and a disciple of Christ. We were divided into three small groups to read and discuss scriptures in the bible. Some of the priests shared beautiful testimonies of what happened to them when the bible was first opened to them. “While I was engaging, there was always someone that would share a scripture that would speak to me. We also made acquaintances with people from other parishes. I was intrigued by their enthusiasm and how they wanted to know more about the Word of God. Others shared ideas on how they where going to start small discipleship groups and work from the books received. Rooted in Jesus helped me understand more about the Christian faith, the power of prayer and how to stand firm in the faith. We learned several memory verses. The material in the RinJ course has also given me so much peace of mind. It has taught me to live as Jesus did and assured me that whenever I face challenges, God will always be with me.” In South Africa Rooted in Jesus is supported by Growing the Church, a church growth institute that serves the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Growing the Church is directed by Revd Trevor Pearce. This report first appeared in the GtC November 2019 newsletter. Posted 3rd December 2019 This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Christian discipleship, Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, Growing the Church, Rooted in Jesus on December 3, 2019 by rootedinjesus. Rooted in Jesus National Coordinator Conference in Tanzania Rooted in Jesus was created in 2002 for the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at the request of its Diocesan Missioner, Stanley Hotay. In 2011 Stanley was elected as the third bishop of the diocese, and in 2014 he became the National Director for Rooted in Jesus in the Province of Tanzania. Over the last 18 years Rooted in Jesus has been introduced to twenty of the twenty-eight dioceses in the Province. Each diocese appoints its own coordinator, usually the Head of the Mission or Christian Education Department. Every couple of years a National Coordinator conference is held, and the fourth of these has just taken place at Munguishi Bible College near Arusha. Set in its own grounds and surrounded by a 90 acre farm, Munguishi provided a relaxing venue for the conference. The Principal of the College, Joseph Bea, and his wife Martha, gave a wonderful welcome to the ten delegates who were able to attend, many of whom had travelled long distances to be there. The Challenge of discipleship The conference was hosted by Bishop Stanley, who opened with a rousing talk on the ability of the Church in Tanzania to take responsibility for its own growth and development. He pointed out that almost half the world population is African, and that Africa is home to a staggering 400 million Christians, more than anywhere else in the world. “We must understand the Word of God, believe it and live it, use the resources given to us by God, and invest not just in adults but also in children,” he said. Stanley went on to explain how Rooted in Jesus was created as a resource to help people understand and practise their faith. “We had no resources to teach with,” he said; “our culture is to talk. We needed a suitable course for Africa, which permits people to talk, not read. Sometimes we can think we do not need God. We come to church, but we want to get on with our daily lives during the week. We are not rooted. We need to repent and change our perspectives. If we are rooted in Jesus, the church will be healed.” Diocesan Reports Each Diocesan Coordinator had been asked to present a report on the progress of Rooted in Jesus within their diocese. For some, the programme is well established both among adults and, using Rooted in Jesus Junior, in Sunday schools. For others, various factors had inhibited the groups and growth had slowed. Each presentation was followed by careful discussion, and suggestions and proposals for the best way forward were made. Some highlights from the reports: Canon Jacob Robert of the Diocese of Mara reported that there are currently 72 groups meeting in 26 parishes. Rooted in Jesus was first introduced to the diocese in 2009, and many of those who have previously completed the course have become active in ministry, preaching, church planting, and prayer. The older teenagers who have completed Rooted in Jesus Junior are now teaching the younger ones, and many children are now actively sharing their faith with others. There has been considerable church growth across the diocese as a result of Rooted in Jesus. Revd Clement Manyatta of the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro explained that Rooted in Jesus Junior is used as a two year programme to prepare young people for confirmation; 57 groups have completed the first four books of the Junior programme. The children learn very fast, he said; they are like sponges. There are 15 parishes using the adult programme, but the real need is to introduce it to the many new churches – over the last 5 years no fewer than 300 churches have been planted, mostly in Masai areas, with one among a previously unreached people group, the Tatoga, who had never heard of Jesus; 900 people from this community have now welcomed him into their hearts. We are revising the old Masai translation of Rooted in Jesus so that the new Christians, who often have only untrained local evangelists to care for them, will be able to learn about their new faith in their own language; and Clement will look at the possibility of translating it into Tatoga as well. Canon Anderson Madimilo of the Diocese of Mpwapwa explained that he is new in post following the retirement of Dustan Mtoro, but reported that “this ministry is in all 13 deaneries in our diocese. For us it is a success everywhere. In these deaneries we have 123 Rooted in Jesus Junior groups with 1108 children, and 154 adult groups with 1284 members.” He went on to explain the impact that Rooted in Jesus has had in all the churches of the diocese; “it has raised the giving, it has established the faith in our Christians, because many now like the programme and love the church. The number of Christians has grown, because we no longer lose people to other churches as we used to. Because the groups pray together, many people have had their problems solved, their lives changed.” Anderson went on to outline his plans for the future, which are to see two new groups planted in each church, and to hold a big seminar for all the group leaders. Canon Jacob Robert Revd Clement Manyatta Canon Anderson Madimilo Canon George Mbago Canon George Mbago of the Diocese of the Rift Valley – which had held its second Rooted in Jesus training conference just the week before – reported that in the first year many groups have started, with 40 of them doing particularly well; all these have now moved on to the second book. Others stopped during the cultivation period, but he hopes they will now resume. Groups are led by pastors, catechists and Mothers Union members. Perhaps the most striking testimony came from Bishop John Lupaa, who had himself led a group for just four people in a small rural church with a dilapidated building and very few members. Having taken those four through the first book, he encouraged them to start groups of their own. Just under a year on, that church has 84 members and a new building! Other reports were more muted, with the most common challenge being changes in leadership within the diocese – the bishop himself, or the coordinator; continuity in leadership, everyone agreed, is a key factor for the success of Rooted in Jesus. Canon James Tuli reported that the Diocese of Shinyanga has been without a diocesan bishop for four years, which has resulted in an inevitable slow-down in ministry; he brought a request for further training from the newly appointed Bishop Johnson Chinyong’ole. Revd Anderson Daudi of the Diocese of Kiteto had come straight from an Evangelism Conference in Dodoma. Kiteto has used Rooted in Jesus from its beginning – indeed many of the practices which are now standard were first developed in Kiteto under the leadership of Bishop John Hayden. The present bishop is Isaiah Chambala, formerly the Coordinator for Rooted in Jesus in Arusha deanery; Isaiah has himself taken part in a number of Rooted in Jesus teams both within Tanzania and internationally. Anderson reported that further training is planned in the diocese at the end of the year, focussing on Rooted in Jesus Junior. Mrs Josephine Semwenda leads the Mothers Union in the Diocese of Morogoro, and has direct responsibility for the Junior programme – but not the adult programme, which has lost some of its impetus following the retirement of the diocesan coordinator. Josephine had however been able to invite Canon Dustan Mtoro from neighbouring Mpwapwa to provide further training for the deanery coordinators, and she suggested that it would be helpful for them to visit other dioceses for mutual encouragement and support. Finally, Canon Lameck Masambi from the Diocese of Kondoa was attending for the first time, his diocese having just hosted their first conference. He reported that 126 people had been trained, and expressed his hope that Rooted in Jesus will help with the daunting task of evangelism in this predominantly rural diocese, in which over 90% of the population are Muslim. Rooted in Jesus will be launched across the diocese on 30th November. Canon James Tuli Revd Anderson Daudi Mrs Josephine Semwenda Canon Lameck Masambi One of the great benefits of drawing together all the Diocesan Coordinators in this way is that it creates a strong team atmosphere. All of the Coordinators have leadership responsibilities in their own dioceses, and they had much to offer one another by way of encouragement and advice. As Rooted in Jesus becomes ever more firmly established across the Province, this is the group from whom the training teams are now drawn. The second major benefit of the conference was that it enabled these leaders to pool their experience and think strategically about the future. How can they strengthen Rooted in Jesus in their own dioceses and in those not represented, as well as introduce it to those not yet using it? What are the factors which make for success, and what are the pitfalls to avoid? Should Rooted in Jesus be introduced to the theological colleges? How can they ensure it becomes truly self-sustaining within the Province? Rooted in Jesus has a long history in Tanzania, and although the task of evangelism and discipleship is of course never ending, Tanzania can be proud of its own track record, and of the gift it has offered to other countries in Africa: RinJ was commissioned and pioneered here Over the last 18 years 20 dioceses have hosted 59 conferences, in addition to conducting their own internal training 4,863 people have been trained to lead groups There have been 4 National Coordinator Conferences 23 people have served on teams to other dioceses There have been many reports of people coming to faith and experiencing life-changing healing, of churches growing in strength and numbers, of increasing confidence in ministry among members, and increased financial growth. There have of course also been many challenges, and the call to make disciples and teach them so that they too can make disciples is never complete. So far there have been 8 requests from within the Province for further training in 2020, either to introduce Rooted in Jesus or Rooted in Jesus Junior for the first time, or to strengthen the programme and train another generation of leaders. There is a need for more books, and the latest edition of the Team Manual is currently being translated into Swhaili. So the journey continues, and like the first disciples of Jesus we continue to learn as we go. But the task remains the same: “Go, and make disciples of all peoples, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28.18-20 Posted 23rd November 2019 by Alison Morgan This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Anglican Church of Tanzania, Christian discipleship, Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mathetes Trust, Rooted in Jesus on November 23, 2019 by rootedinjesus. Preparing for a new future in the Diocese of Kadugli, Sudan A Rooted in Jesus conference was held in Kadugli from 8th to 11th October 2019, at the invitation of Bishop Hassan, the suffragan bishop of the diocese. The team was led by Canon Andrew Evans, with Revd Barry Blackford, Christopher Fielden, Ben Jarvis, John Joy and Pete Waterman, all from the linked deanery of Bradford in the Diocese of Salisbury. Andrew writes: “In recent months Sudan has undergone regime change. There is a new Prime Minister and a government shared between civilians and the military which is intended to lead to elections in three years’ time. The people of Sudan have great hopes that this will bring greater freedom, a relaxing of sanctions which are currently crippling their economy, and peace between warring parties. A challenging context “Kadugli is situated in South Kordofan province where the government have been fighting the rebels in the Nuba Mountains, which lie to the south of Kadugli city and towards the boundary with South Sudan. The rebels are the Nubians, a people who have been Christian for centuries. A large part of Kadugli Diocese lies in the Nuba Mountains and is currently inaccessible from the north. There has been a ceasefire for the past two years, which has resulted in a stand-off between the two sides. If you don’t arrive at Kadugli city by 5pm on any day, access will be denied! Kadugli is still very much considered to be a war zone, although we did not feel at danger at any point. We arrived in Khartoum in the early hours of 6th October, saw some sights in the city on that day and departed for Kadugli early on 7th. The journey took just over ten hours by road, covering a little over 400 miles, with one puncture and a section off-road where the road had been washed away in the rains. Bishop Hassan had managed to secure for us an invitation from the governor of South Kordofan province, who had arranged for us to be accommodated in a government hostel and to receive food provided by them. This was very generous. This positive attitude to Western visitors would have been unheard of even a few months ago, so this is evidence that things are changing for the better. Embracing hope “The Churches in Kadugli city have undergone a very difficult time in the war and they described all Christians as being the targets for the military under the previous regime. As such all the denominations have almost blended into one, as the churches clung together in the face of persecution. The Christians in Kadugli were amazed that six white people from England had been allowed to travel there, and they shared that it was an encouragement more than they could put into words that we had come to express our solidarity with them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Six denominations were represented at the conference, with 75 people attending in all. The local Roman Catholic priest told us that the wars had drawn Christians of all denominations closer to each other – they had all been perceived as the target by the Islamic government. He also said the people were traumatised by war and were much strengthened that Christians had come from England to encourage them. The RinJ teaching was enthusiastically received. The delegates readily accepted the need for discipling in the churches and were keen to start the programme. Group working was largely unfamiliar to them as a style of learning. As the conference progressed, they became more relaxed and the groups started to work well. The picture below shows Andrew making the point, with the aid of a bicycle, that we need more than just teaching; we need training! One of the most exciting aspects of the conference was the work of the Holy Spirit, and the training was evident here. The Holy Spirit’s work over the four days of the conference was gentle, but deep and profound. They were not used to asking the Holy Spirit to come and then waiting in God’s presence, while he began to move. On the first day, some arms were folded, as if they weren’t sure this was OK but as the Holy Spirit came upon them, some people were healed without anybody asking for healing. By the end of the conference people were praying for each other with the laying on of hands and in the power of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks “There were some wonderful words of knowledge sent to us from Nicky King in the congregation of St Katharine’s Holt – one of a lady dressed in bright yellow and green with similar head covering who had a snake bite. We read this out in the conference and the lady did not seem to be there. Then Barry noticed a lady of that description come in – she had been working preparing food for the delegates. Barry asked her whether she had a snake bite. She did. She had received a bite on the ankle in the past few days. The lady was prayed for and not only received healing for the snake bite but for two other conditions as well. There was another word – ‘I saw two men fighting. I think it represents 2 areas, 2 districts which have been opposing each other for some time like a long feud that had shown no signs of hope of ending but I saw an angel come with a sword. He separates the 2 men and then puts his sword in the ground. A river appears between them. They each go away from the edge still looking angry but the angel goes to each in turn and tears come. They now come back to the edge of the river and lean across and shake hands. Some kind of important reconciliation going on.’ Nicky had no idea of the situation in Kadugli when she gave that, but the word had a profound effect on Bishop Hassan who was sure it was from God, and there are talks about to happen between the new government and the rebels in the Nuba mountains! Healing the traumas of the past “There were many healings and these are just a taste of them. There was a young boy who was so full of fear that he was permanently attached to his mother’s skirt. He was healed and was gradually building up confidence before our eyes and who went home on his own with his friends for the first time ever. Every time we invited the Holy Spirit to come, more and more people were released. This was of particular significance for a man who responded to a word about giving ‘locked up hurts (from long ago) to God’ and that God was ready to take them and replace them with joy. As he was wailing and crying out in response it revealed the release of some very deep and unspeakable pain. The next morning the same man was singing his heart out, dancing for joy up and down the aisles – face beaming with smiles. Most surely God had released him and given him some new peace. There was also a lot of release of pain among the women at the conference, much dating from the war years. Pete prayed for a lady having her 11th baby, who was in pain. God showed him that the baby was on its side and pressing on her internal organs. He prayed, the baby moved and the pain went completely. “The aim of the conference was for participants to go home with the confidence to form a group of 12 people to be discipled, just as Jesus did, and to start to deliver the programme which is about making disciples who in turn go and make more disciples. We had a very joyful commissioning of the delegates with lots of proud certificate holders. Each leader was given a Leader’s Introduction and Book 1 of Rooted in Jesus in Arabic, and the programme will be coordinated by Babuj Kanidi, the Diocesan Secretary. “We started our journey back on the Saturday, making a visit to the church in Dilling on the way. We arrived back in Khartoum as it was getting dark. We had supper with Bishop Hassan’s family and caught our return flight in the early hours of Sunday morning arriving back at Heathrow at 1.30pm.” To find out more read the report on the Salisbury diocesan website here, or at St Katharine’s Holt, here. Posted 29th October 2019 by Alison Morgan This entry was posted in Uncategorized on October 29, 2019 by rootedinjesus. Rooted in Jesus goes to Ghana A Rooted in Jesus team has just returned to the UK from Ghana, where we had been invited by Bishop Felix Annancy to provide the first small group discipleship training for the Diocese of Koforidua. It was a first for Rooted in Jesus too, as Ghana becomes the 17th country to introduce the programme. A small group tries out one of the practical demonstrations from Rooted in Jesus Book 1 Bishop Felix was consecrated in 2017 as the second bishop of Koforidua, which has 31 parishes serving a population of some two million people. Each parish had been asked to send up to four representatives to the conference, and in the event 110 enthusiastic participants arrived from all over the diocese. The conference was hosted at the Anglican Senior High and Technical School in Kwabeng, and opened by Bishop Felix and the five archdeacons. Ven Kofi Obeng Ofosu will act as the diocesan coordinator for the programme. At the end of the conference the 110 group leaders were given certificates, and books in the local language of Asante Twi, or English for those in non-Twi speaking areas. Men and women were equally represented at the conference. It was an inspiring time for us all. The first thing we learned is that in Ghana people dance! And laugh, and worship, and sing… It all made for a very joyful conference, with people attentive in their listening and enthusiastic in their participation. Delegates took full advantage of the opportunities to lead a small group through a practice lesson, and engaged us with many comments and questions during the workshops on prayer, pastoral care and small group leadership. Prayer was a keynote of the conference, with people praying now quietly in ones and twos, now passionately in groups. The daily ministry times offered further opportunities for people to bring their needs to the Lord. One of the bonuses for the team was that English is a national language in Ghana, which meant that we were able to engage personally with the conference participants. One on one conversations are often revealing – not least when the person explains, as Augustine did, that they hadn’t actually wanted to come to the conference at all! What Augustine went on to say next was one of the most encouraging things we have heard – so much so that we asked him to say it all over again so that we could share it with others. Click on the image to listen for yourself. Augustine Baafi speaks about his faith at the Rooted in Jesus conference in Kwabeng On the Sundays before and after the conference the team was invited to attend two notable events in the life of the diocese. The first was the silver jubilee being celebrated by Archdeacon Paul Kwabena Akomea-Marfo, who has completed 25 years of ordained ministry; the second was the installation of her Ladyship Justice Mrs Sophia Ophilia Adjeibea Adinyira, a Supreme Court judge who becomes the first lay canon, and the first woman canon, of the Cathedral Church of St Peter, Koforidua. Each of these services lasted between four and five hours, and each was followed by a reception to which we were also generously welcomed. Although this vibrant Anglo-Catholic diocese does not currently ordain women, it was inspiring to see the example being set by Sophia and by the many women at the conference, all of whom are deeply committed and active in their Christian ministry. We are immensely grateful to all those who upheld the conference in prayer. I can’t at the moment think of a prayer that wasn’t answered! Don’t forget to listen to Augustine here! Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust. To find out more visit our website. Posted 6th September 2019 by Alison Morgan This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Anglican Communion, Christian discipleship, Mathetes Trust, Rooted in Jesus on September 6, 2019 by rootedinjesus. The Diocese of East Ruwenzori introduces Rooted in Jesus An international team from the UK, Tanzania and Burundi has recently returned from Uganda, where Rooted in Jesus was introduced for the first time to the Diocese of East Ruwenzori at the invitation of Bishop George Turyasinga. Some of the conference participants The conference was attended by 171 participants, including the diocesan clergy and representatives from all seven archdeaconries and 42 parishes: Mothers Union leaders, Parish Mission Coordinators, Senior Lay Readers and Fathers Union leaders. Bishop George writes: “The team which came was used by God to bless us with the Spirit filled message. We were overwhelmed by the members. We had expected 150 people and we registered 171 people. This made the number more than we had planned. We are thankful for the team that came and introduced Rooted in Jesus in our Diocese. We are glad for the way Mike handled and coordinated the team. Everyone on the team knew what they were doing and every participant was encouraged to go back and begin making their own groups. We were encouraged and we are hopeful that we shall register positive results in discipleship. We are thankful that some groups have already started in some parishes.” Bishop George Turyasinga The programme will be coordinated by Revd Capt James Tumwesigye, who oversaw its implementation in his previous Diocese of South Rwenzori. James comments that “the teaching materials are good and practical to answer issues that our Christians are having.” The Rooted in Jesus leader’s booklets have been translated into the local language of Runyankore, local coordinators have been appointed in each Archdeaconry, and a series of follow-up days are planned across the Diocese. Conference participants pray in small groups It’s easy to give an account of a conference in terms of dates and numbers and future plans, but so much happens around the edges of these things, as people engage with one another and meet with the Lord in unexpected ways. Those praying for the conference were inspired and encouraged by the daily bulletins sent by the team. Team Leader Mike Cotterell sums it all up: “Many things happen while on Mission, some planned like the Conferences themselves but then extras, like ‘chance’ meetings that God seems to orchestrate. A conference looks like: A Team, a group of participants and a location over four days. But another side of the reality is that there are thousands of significant moments: Person to person conversations, individuals listening and in conversation with God. Sharing of testimonies, acts of kindness, encounters with God; whole conference experiences of the presence of God. So, a Conference is a complex network of lives touching each other, with the Holy Spirit an active ingredient, like yeast in a batch of dough. God inspiring his agenda and firing his people; and this against a background of human weakness and negative spiritual interference.” Revd Mike Cotterell People invest their time, energy and personal resources in attending these conferences. They come full of expectation and trust that they will be not just trained to use a new programme, but refreshed emotionally and spiritually. At the end of each conference Mike likes to ask participants how they had found things, not individually, for that would take too long, but by simply raising their hands. He reports that of those attending, 100% said they had enjoyed the conference and felt refreshed in the Spirit. 90% indicated they had heard God speak afresh. 50 people testified to physical healing, 120+ to spiritual healing. All felt renewed and more committed to Church, 95% said they were more compelled to share the Gospel. 60% felt the Pastoral care workshop gave them more energy for caring, and half said they felt bolder in prayer after the Prayer workshop. To read Mike’s full report click here. The team was led by Revd Mike Cotterell, with Bishop Elisha Tendwa from Tanzania, Revd Elisha Academy from Burundi, Revd Andrew Goodman from the Diocese of St Albans and Ms Rachel Hsuan from the Diocese of Chester. The Rooted in Jesus team Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust. To find out more visit the Rooted in Jesus website. Posted 3rd July 2019 by Rev Dr Alison Morgan This entry was posted in Uncategorized on July 3, 2019 by rootedinjesus.

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HomeFeaturedNigeria’s elections set new records in use of social media Nigeria’s elections set new records in use of social media Featured / Global / ICT for Development / Politics / Technology / Uncategorized by: Tamba Lamin In 2008, then US presidential candidate Barack Obama broke new ground by using social media in ways never seen before. Yet it was Goodluck Jonathan, the recently elected president of Nigeria, who took the extraordinary step of announcing his bid for the highest office on Facebook. On Wednesday, 15 September 2010, he informed his 217,000-plus fans on the world’s most popular networking platform of his intent. Twenty four hours later, 4,000 more fans joined his page. By the day of the election, on 16 April 2011, he had over half a million followers. Mr. Jonathan’s online campaign was only one illustration of the social media fever that gripped Africa’s most populous country (with around 150 million people) during its most recent presidential, parliamentary and local elections. A report by two researchers who helped track online traffic during the month-long polls argues that the country’s use of social media reached unprecedented levels. * “Nigeria set a new record for recent African elections in the number of reports tracked using social media,” it says. In addition to the approximately 3 million registered Nigerians on Facebook and 60,000 on Twitter, almost every institution involved in Nigeria’s elections conducted an aggressive social networking outreach, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, candidates, media houses, civil society groups and even the police. The report notes that between 10 March and 16 April 2011, the electoral commission posted almost 4,000 tweets, many in response to voter queries. Using Twitter, commission officials at polling stations around the country also were able to communicate among themselves, and even confirmed the death of one of their members who had been attacked. “Twitter ultimately proved to be the most efficient way to interact with INEC,” the document authors report. The commission’s use of social media led to its website receiving a record 25 million hits in three days during the presidential election. “By using social media to inspire voters, the electoral commission has redefined elections in Nigeria,” analyzed Punch, the country’s most circulated newspaper. The boom in use of social media during elections also helped the media expand their readerships. Shortly before the polls, the Daily Trust newspaper had 32,000 fans on Facebook. A few weeks later, the number had more than doubled to 65,000, placing its online reach beyond its print distribution of 50,000. To build up its fan base, the newspaper also used social media in its reporting. Journalists solicited and used questions from Facebook fans for interviews with the chairman of INEC. Since the elections, the Daily Trust has further increased its Facebook presence, with 95,000 fans by July 2011. The online networking platforms reflected popular interest. Unsurprisingly, social media use reached its peak during the presidential election on 16 April. On that day, a total of 33,460 text messages and 130,426 posts on Twitter and Facebook were sent by some 65,000 voters. The content was mixed, the authors point out. “Social media, especially Twitter, was used to report occurrences [of fraud] — truthful as well as fabricated.” Yet, they add, it played a mostly constructive role during the post-election violence by exposing unfounded rumours. “Social media tools,” the report concludes, “revolutionized the efficiency of election observing by increasing coverage and reporting, while minimizing costs…. They changed how information was disseminated in Nigeria. Citizens accessed information directly and more accurately, resulting in unsurpassed participation in politics during the 2011 elections.” That upbeat assessment, however, needs to be put in context: An estimated 70,000 people posted contents online during Nigeria’s polls, but they were just a tiny fraction of the registered 73 million voters. Still, a new trend appears to have begun. By André-Michel Essoungou Published in collaboration with Africa Renewal www.un.org/africarenewal electionsPoliticssocial mediasocial media and elections African elections: the good, the b... Tackling the evil of famine in the... Tamba Lamin Sierra Leone Constituents Warn Parliamen... Kamarainba To Declare for APC soon Sierra Leone Ministerial Score Card Laun...

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About Small Business Loans by Russell Huebsch Banks must be careful about business loans because they often fail. bank image by Pefkos from Fotolia.com 1 Start-Up Loans to Start a New Business 2 How Can I Get Money to Start A Small Business? 3 About Bank Loans for Starting a Business 4 How Much Money Does It Take to Start a Small Restaurant in New York City? Small businesses are essential to ensuring competition in a free market and the overall health of the U.S. economy, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). As a matter of fact, the the SBA was created in 1953 specifically to encourage banks to lend to small business entrepreneurs. A small business loan can make setting up your business easier, but prepare to do your homework to receive approval. In general, small business loans are considered risky and not worth the gamble to investors, according to an October, 2005, study in the Journal of Money, Credit & Banking. In February 2009, 11.9 percent of U.S. Small Business Administration loans were in default, up from 2.4 percent in 2004, according to a CNNMoney.com article. Small business loan applications require the prospective borrower to detail general information about the business, such as ownership and management structure, employees, what the business does, and plans on how to use the loan disbursement, according to D&B Small Business Solutions. Lenders also want to know about the marketplace for products, any competitors, and previous financial information or anticipated revenue if trying to start a new business. A 2006 Wells Fargo survey of their customers found that although most small business owners use their own finances as primary capital, 53 percent felt that obtaining a loan or having a line of credit available to them could have made their endeavor easier. A small business loan could even reduce the stress of personally financing your business. To boost your chances of receiving a small business loan from a bank, present yourself positively, emphasizing previous history with the lender and your reputation within the community, according to Janet Arrowood of AllBusiness.com. Let them know about the secure financial capacity of the business, and the net worth of yourself and any cosigners. Banks will not offer a loan to finance your business totally, so prepare to secure at least 25 percent of the loan with some asset or your personal money. Alternatives to Bank Loans If you cannot qualify for a small business loan through a bank, consider asking for friends or family for help, possibly in return for ownership in the business. You can even use a credit card to fund a small business, but expect to pay much more in interest than any other method of funding. CNN: Small biz loan failure rate hits 12% "Journal of Money, Credit &amp; Banking": Measuring the Default Risk of Small Business Loans: a Survival Analysis Approach. AllBusiness: How to Get a Business Loan U.S. Small Business Administration: About SBA Gaebler: Determining the Proper Capital Structure for a Business AllBusiness: The Fastest Way to Finance Your Small Business Russell Huebsch has written freelance articles covering a range of topics from basketball to politics in print and online publications. He graduated from Baylor University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Huebsch, Russell. "About Small Business Loans." Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/small-business-loans-851.html. Accessed 29 January 2020. Huebsch, Russell. (n.d.). About Small Business Loans. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/small-business-loans-851.html Huebsch, Russell. "About Small Business Loans" accessed January 29, 2020. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/small-business-loans-851.html Finance a Women's Business Ways of Financing a Small Business Implications of Poor Cash Flow Methods of Business Financing Secure an SBA Loan Can Business Startup Costs Be Financed? What Are the Major Funding Options for Small Businesses? Methods to Capitalize a Business Obtain Short-Term Financing for a Business Set Up Paypal to Automatically Transfer Payments to a Checking Account How Do Small-Business Loans Work?

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Quick Guide to Creative Commons Applying a Creative Commons Licence Applying Creative Commons Licenses to your teaching material on iTunes U Creative Commons Information Pack for Teachers and Students Where to find CC licensed material Recommended Creative Commons Website and Publication notices Audio Visual Resources on Creative Commons Australian Case Studies: Creative Commons in Education New Creative Commons Attribution Tool - 'Open Attribute' New Creative Commons licences launched! Creative Commons Australia Website Carina State School: A Creative Commons Community! home ›› open education ›› Creative Commons ›› Applying a Creative Commons Licence In June 2014 the Australian Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs Senior Officials Committee (AEEYSOC) approved the amendment of the terms of use and copyright notices of the websites and publications of all Australian Departments of Education. This requires the Departments of Education websites and publications to comply with the Australian Governments Open Access and Licensing Framework (AusGOAL) and reflect best practice for open education resources and open access. The Catholic Education Commissions and the Associations of Independent Schools are also moving towards Creative Commons and are beginning to licence their learning resources and websites under Creative Commons licences. To comply with AusGOAL, the least restrictive Creative Commons licence must be applied unless circumstances prevent it. This is the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. As such this reflects best practice and is the recommended Creative Commons licence by the National Copyright Unit. If you want to use a more restrictive or different Creative Commons licence, contact the National Copyright Unit to discuss. The Creative Commons Attribution licence makes it easier for teachers by: removing complex copyright issues and concerns; enabling educators to reuse, remix and adapt resources without concern; making it free to copy and share materials for any reason; and removing the barriers of only being allowed to use a certain percentage of a resource and having to keep it behind a password protected system. Creative Commons licences not only make it easier and safer for educators, but these licences also open up a wide array of resources and uses to schools. Frequently resources which are free to access are not necessarily free to reuse, remix or adapt. There are many online sources of information which can be freely accessed but often the right to adapt or remix is reserved to the copyright owner. Creative Commons licences enable educators to reuse, remix and adapt resources since the copyright owner has already given permission to everyone. This information sheet gives practical steps to include the Creative Commons Attribution licence on your website and in your publications. For general information on Creative Commons, see: http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/open-education/creative-commons/creative-commons-information-pack-for-teachers-and-students. Adding a Creative Commons Licence to your website Usually the Creative Commons Licence is included in the footer or near the bottom of your website. The footer is especially helpful if it allows for the licence to travel along to every page of the website (ie it doesn’t only sit in the Copyright statement or on the homepage). See the Smartcopying website as an example of this. There are two ways to add the licence, depending on how your website is edited: 1. Simply copying and pasting the logo a. The normal icon or the compact icon b. It is also best practice to link the icon to the licence deed: 2. Inserting the HTML code a. The HTML can be found on the Creative Commons Licence Chooser website: https://creativecommons.org/choose/ b. You must select ‘Yes’ to the two questions, and then the HTML will be produced. Note you can select the HTML for either the compact or normal icon. See the below Screenshots and arrows. For a licence besides the Creative Commons Attribution licence, you can obtain the licence icon, links and HTML on the Creative Commons Licence Chooser website by answering the specific questions, which will then generate the appropriate information: https://creativecommons.org/choose/. Copyright Statement and Third Party Content When you licence your website under Creative Commons, you will also need to amend your copyright statement to reflect this. The Smartcopying website’s Copyright Statement is an example of a simple statement in which all material on the website is able to be licensed under the Creative Commons licence: http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/copyright-guidelines/footer-menu/copyright. Smartcopying is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence Smartcopying requests attribution as: National Copyright Unit Copyright Advisory Groups (Schools and TAFEs) If your website contains third party material (ie material not owned by you) that you do not have the right to license under the Creative Commons licence, then you will need to expressly exclude this material from the Creative Commons licence. An example of this is the NSW Department of Education website: http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/footer/copyright © State of New South Wales (Department of Education) 2015 The Department of Education supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of publicly funded information and endorses the use of the Australian Governments Open Access and Licensing Framework (AusGOAL). The copyright material published on this website is subject to the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), and is owned by the Department of Education or, where indicated, by a party other than the Department of Education. Copyright material available on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. This licence allows you to: - Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format - Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material Attribution should be given to: © State of New South Wales (Department of Education) 2015. Material on this website not available under a Creative Commons licence: - The Department of Education logo, other logos and trade mark protected material - Material owned by a third party that has been reproduced with permission. Permission will need to be obtained from the third party to re-use its material. Linked material available on third party websites: If you use the links provided on this website to access a third party's website, you acknowledge that the terms of use, including licence terms set out on the third party's website apply to the use which may be made of the materials on that third party's website or where permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). If this website contains links to your website and you have any objection to such links, please contact the Department of Education at: legal@det.nsw.edu.au There are a number of ways to exclude third party material from your Creative Commons licence, and this is covered in this Smartcopying information sheet: http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/information-sheets/schools/labelling-third-party-content-in-creative-commons-licensed-material. The Copyright Statement is also an ideal place to put your requested attribution. This information is necessary as all Creative Commons licences require attribution. As such it makes it much easier for those wanting to use your work if you expressly state how you’d like to be attributed. Adding a Creative Commons Licence to your publications When you add a Creative Commons licence to a publication, the steps are very straight forward: Obtain (ie copy) the Creative Commons Licence icon; and Paste the icon onto the publication along with the attribution information and/or any other notice you would like to include. As described above, all Creative Commons Licence icons, can be found on the Creative Commons Licence Chooser website: https://creativecommons.org/choose/. Here is an example of a statement that could be used on a publication: © 2015 by [insert name of copyright owner]. Except as otherwise noted, this [insert content title] is licenced under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Where you put the statement and licence on your publication is a matter of preference. Some people prefer to put this on the first or last page and others prefer to put it in the footer of the publication so that it travels onto every page. For information on attribution, see: http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/open-education/creative-commons/creative-commons-information-pack-for-teachers-and-students/how-to-attribute-creative-commons-licensed-materials. Click here for a PDF copy of this information sheet

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Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – New Book on the Shelves – #WWI drama – The Dandelion Clock by Rebecca Bryn. Posted on August 21, 2018 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. Delighted to welcome Rebecca Bryn to the Cafe and Bookstore with her new release, The Dandelion Clock, on pre-order for September 5th. About the Dandelion Clock Bill, a farm boy brought up in a village on the Duke of Buccleuch’s Northamptonshire estate, is plucking up his courage to ask his sweetheart, Florrie, to marry him. Florrie has given up her dream of being a dancer to bring up her siblings and protect them from their violent, sexually abusive widowed father. For her, marriage to Bill is love, escape, and protection: a dream to be clung to. When war breaks out in August 1914, Bill and Florrie’s dreams are dashed – Bill is sent with the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars, a yeomanry cavalry regiment, to fight in Gallipoli, Egypt, and Palestine taking with him a horse, Copper, volunteered for service by the 7th duke’s young daughter, Lady Alice. Bill makes promises before he leaves: to marry Florrie if he survives and to bring his beloved warhorse, Copper, home safe to Lady Alice. While Bill fights Turks and Germans in appalling conditions, Florrie fights her own war with rationing, poverty, the loss of her menfolk, and her father’s drunken temper. As the war proceeds, fearful and with her resilience faltering, her feelings of self-worth plummet, and she turns to her dandelion clocks for reassurance. ‘He lives? He lives not? He loves me? He loves me not?’ When Bill returns to England six months after the armistice in 1918, both he and Florrie have been changed by their personal journeys. Has their love survived five years apart and the tragedies they’ve endured? Can Bill keep his promises to Florrie and Lady Alice? A heartbreaking story of lovers torn apart by the Great War. An insight into the military history of the 1914 1918 war in Egypt as fought by the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars and the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Yeomanry – some of the ‘PALS brigades’. At first thought, ‘not real soldiers’ by the regular army, the Royal Bucks and the Worcester Yeomanry fought with great courage and suffered huge losses. In fact, the Worcesters sustained more losses than any brigade in any war, and the PALS earnt the respect of all those who fought. Although Military Fiction 1914 1918, it is a story inspired by real people and based on real events that doesn’t forget the role of women in the Great War or their need for a WW1 romance. Lesley Hayes 5.0 out of 5 stars A man determined to keep his promises. A novel you will never forget. Totally compelling and unmissable. 26 July 2018 Rebecca Bryn has a consistent flair for scouring out your heart with her painfully honest accounts of heartbreak, loss and courage in the face of unspeakable horror, as I first discovered when reading Touching the Wire. I therefore should have known when I was gifted a copy of The Dandelion Clock that I would read much of it in tears, held to the insistent narrative by an aching empathy for all the people who came so vividly alive within its pages – only for some of them to become even more memorable by their tragic deaths. So often it was impossible to know what the eventual outcome for Bill and Florrie might be. My grandfather came back from the front at the end of the First World War a changed man, so I was told. He took to drink and regularly beat his wife when he was drunk – something for which some of his seven children never forgave him. He would never talk about his experiences and unfortunately died of lung disease related to having been gassed in the trenches when he was only 63. I was 8 then, too young to know the questions to ask to unlock his trauma. Reading The Dandelion Clock answered some of those questions and renewed my connection with my grandfather, as well as bringing it home to me that many of those boys sent off to war were the same age as my three grandsons shortly going off to university. Rebecca Bryn’s descriptions of place and of the appalling conditions suffered are masterful. Let me give you some examples: ‘September, and a crescent moon hung in a Turkish sky and shone on dead men.’ ‘He shivered. The moaning of the wind in the trenches wailed like the tortured souls of dead men.’ ‘Rolling, turf-covered downs bejewelled with wild flowers…’ ‘The sin of war spread out across the world to engulf him.’ There is page after page of descriptions that took my breath away, brought further tears, and made those foreign landscapes utterly real. But not only is this a novel that focuses on the hardships, loss and love between comrades-in-arms in appalling circumstances. It also speaks of the experiences of the families left behind to wait, often in ignorance, for brothers, sons and sweethearts who might never return. Bill is a man determined to keep his promises – to Lady Alice whose horse, Copper is as precious to him as anyone, and who he is determined to bring back to England at the end of the war; and to the two very different women who capture his heart. Poor Florrie – the woman he is promised to – suffers the fate typical of so many working class women at that time, locked into unrelenting servitude in a family with a brutish, abusive father, trying to survive and scrape a living while her brothers endure the terrors and wounds to mind and body inflicted by war. My heart felt full of sadness for her, and for the impossibility of her life. Would her relationship with Bill survive? Towards the end of the novel Bill turns to the last remaining of his comrades and reflects on the experiences of the past four years. “Best not to dwell on it,” he says. “It’ll send you mad.” Rebecca Bryn has been brave enough to dwell on it, and to offer us the opportunity to immerse ourselves for a while on the shameful, pointless ‘sin of war’ as Bill describes it. Read this book because you will rarely read another that moves you in quite the same way. Some books are good. This one is great. The author’s best to date. Totally compelling and unmissable. Pre-Order discounted price on Amazon US 99c: https://www.amazon.com/Dandelion-Clock-wish-wishes-wars-ebook/dp/B07FW8LBXN And on Amazon UK Kindle 99p: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dandelion-Clock-wish-wishes-wars-ebook/dp/B07FW8LBXN Universal link: http://mybook.to/DandelionClock Also by Rebecca Bryn Read the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Bryn/e/B00MBB5BXC/ And on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rebecca-Bryn/e/B00MBB5BXC/ Read more reviews and follow Rebecca on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8434030.Rebecca_Bryn About Rebecca Bryn Rebecca lives near Britain’s smallest city, St Davids, in the far west of Wales with her rescue dog, rescue husband and twenty very sheepish sheep. Surrounded by stunning coastal and moorland scenery, she also loves to paint. She inherited her love of stories from her grandfather, who told stories with his hands: stories with colourful characters and unexpected endings. Her fascination with what makes people who they are, and the belief that life is many shades of grey, informs her writing. Her main genre is historical fiction/ historical romance but I also write mystery and dystopian. Her first novel, The Silence of the Stones, set in mystical West Wales, is woven around injustice, perjury and revenge and delves into the damaged psyche. Her second novel, Touching the Wire, a story of the women of the holocaust, was awarded ‘Best Historical Thriller of 2015’ by Christoph Fischer, a respected histfic author. Her third novel, Where Hope Dares, is a chilling story of the fight of good over evil, courage and unbreakable love, and is set in a future our present is unerringly shaping. It was voted into the ‘Read Freely Top 50 Indie Books of 2015.’ A fourth novel, On Different Shores, is set in the 1840s and is inspired by the true story of the ‘black sheep’ of her family who were transported to Van Diemen’s Land for murdering one of Lord Northampton’s gamekeepers. it is Book One of three of the series ‘For Their Country’s Good’. Book Two, Beneath Strange Stars, chronicles Jem and Ella’s voyages to the colonies and Ella’s cntinuing efforts to reach her lover. Book Three, On Common Ground, takes Ella further from Jem as she is forced to put herself forward for marriage to save her son. Will the ill-fated lovers ever cross paths again? The Dandelion Clock, inspired by real events, is set in Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine, and England. Two lovers torn apart by the Great War 1914-1918. While Bill and his beloved warhorse, Copper, fight the Central Powers in North Africa, Florrie fights her own war at home, struggling to bring up her siblings with her abusive father, poverty, and rationing. Can Bill keep his promises to bring Copper home and marry Florrie. Can their love survive the changes the war and five years apart bring? A Native American Indian proverb reads, ‘Don’t judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins.’ Rebecca has based her life on this tenet: it is certainly core to her writing. ‘We may not condone what a person does, but sometimes we can understand and maybe come to forgive.’ Rebecca’s own motto is ‘The only thing written in stone is your epitaph.’ If you have a dream, follow it! You can enjoy the previews of Rebecca’s books: https://rebeccabrynblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/03/free-previews Connect to Rebecca Blog: https://rebeccabrynblog.wordpress.com/ Twitter http://twitter.com/rebeccabryn1 Facebook http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.bryn.novels Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RebeccaBryn Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rebecca-bryn-5527e97a-146a-49e7-95c7-a30b0f603c80 Thank you for visiting today and it would be great if you could spread the word about Rebecca’s latest book, especially as it is at a special price until September 5th. Thanks Sally This entry was posted in Book Promotion and tagged Rebecca Bryn., The Dandelion Clock, Touching the Wire, World War I drama by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.. Bookmark the permalink. 32 thoughts on “Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – New Book on the Shelves – #WWI drama – The Dandelion Clock by Rebecca Bryn.” Patrick Jones on August 21, 2018 at 3:06 pm said: Reblogged this on The Linden Chronicles and commented: Another great read from Sally!! Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. on August 21, 2018 at 4:59 pm said: Thank you Patrick.. great to see you… hugs x Rebecca Bryn on August 21, 2018 at 6:51 pm said: Thank you for sharing, Patrick. mariacatalinaegan on August 21, 2018 at 5:48 pm said: Fascinating. I like European war history. With all the research that you did for The Bridge of Deaths had you thought about writing another WWII drama? xx I find war history fascinating too. The research for The Dandelion Clock really opened my eyes to the conditions the men, mules, and horses endured in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. Pingback: Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – New Book on the Shelves – #WWI drama – The Dandelion Clock by Rebecca Bryn. – ❧Defining Ways❧ Thanks for sharing Catalina..hugsx Reblogged this on Rebecca Bryn and commented: Wow. Great article! Delighted to have your books on the shelves Rebecca.. My pleasure. Thank you for having them. robbiesinspiration on August 21, 2018 at 7:42 pm said: This is such a sad sounding book, Sally. War is a truly terrible thing. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. on August 21, 2018 at 11:15 pm said: It is Robbie…and with such devastation to generations afterwards. My mother who never knew her father even in her 90s would talk about how that left its mark on her mother and her early childhood. hugs xxx As one of my reviewers quoted ‘The sin of war reached out to engulf him.’ My grandfather’s promise and the fact that war changed him is the thrust of this story. The effect of that promise has been very far reaching and has affected generations of my family. I am firmly of the opinion that leaders who want to wage war should be locked in a room together and left there until they understand one another or starve, and I don’t really care which. Conscription must have been terrible, and I can’t imagine how those young men must have felt. You are right, Rebecca. And how their wives and children felt. authorsarahstuart on August 21, 2018 at 8:20 pm said: dgkaye on August 21, 2018 at 11:20 pm said: Oh this does look good, I must add to my TBR. ❤ Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. on August 22, 2018 at 12:02 am said: Great thanks Debby.. ♥ It’s only 99p/99c until September 5th. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it. dgkaye on August 22, 2018 at 3:47 pm said: I picked up Touching the Wire while I was there 🙂 Thank you. 😉 Pingback: Don’t Spare the Horses « Frank Parker's author site Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. on August 22, 2018 at 9:23 am said: Thanks for sharing Frank and terrific review. franklparker on August 22, 2018 at 9:01 am said: Reblogged via ‘Press This’ and included my own review. Thank you, Frank. A lovely review xx I have shared in the Cafe Update on Friday Rebecca as Frank is an author on the shelves too. xx Check out what’s new on the shelves of Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore from this post on the Smorgasbord Invitation blog Thanks for sharing Don… Darlene on August 22, 2018 at 9:48 pm said: This book sounds fascinating. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Sally. It does sound interesting Darlene.. hugs xxx Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – Music, Books, Food and End of Summer Party with amazing Guests, | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life Leave a Reply to Darlene Cancel reply

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Niagara SPCA Reaches Milestone of More Than 15,000 Rescued Animals By Brandon Lewis Niagara County PUBLISHED 9:45 PM ET Oct. 12, 2019 PUBLISHED 9:45 PM EDT Oct. 12, 2019 UPDATED 9:55 PM ET Oct. 12, 2019 The Niagara SPCA is celebrating a big milestone. It’s now saved more than 15,000 animals since it became a no-kill shelter back in 2012. “We are very excited about that,” said Kimberly LaRussa, the event coordinator for the Niagara SPCA. LaRussa said no-kill means the animals they take in can stay at the shelter for as long as they can, until they find a forever home. “It’s an amazing thing that I know that I can come back and see that animal again, no matter how long they’ve been here. So that’s the nice part about it is they can remain here for as long as they need to,” LaRussa said. According to the No Kill Advocacy Center, two million dogs and cats are killed in U.S. shelters each year because they don’t have a home. The organization says when shelters keep animals alive long enough to find homes, shelter animals are saved rather than killed. “Their lives matter and they’re living breathing animals [with] have feelings. It matters a lot to save all of them that we can,” LaRussa said. For them to do that, it takes a team effort and support from the community. “We have such amazing employees, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and board members that have made this possible, so it’s really just a community celebration,” LaRussa said. The celebration is likely to go on as the number of animals they save continues to grow.

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Indian Muslim Party Challenges Controversial Citizenship Act in Top Court © REUTERS / AMIT DAVE https://sputniknews.com/india/202001161078050047-indias-muslim-party-challenges-controversial-citizenship-act-in-top-court/ New Delhi (Sputnik): India has witnessed widespread protests in favour and against a controversial citizenship law enacted by the federal government early in December. While opponents argue the law is unconstitutional and discriminatory towards Muslims, supporters claim that no Indian citizen will be affected by it. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a majority Muslim political party on Thursday filed two fresh pleas with the Supreme Court of India – one challenging the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) and the second seeking clarifications on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). They had filed a similar petition with the apex court in December 2019 concerning the CAA. The IUML says the law is anti-Muslim, as it only grants citizenship to a section of immigrants from the neighbouring Islamic countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and makes an exclusion based on religion. In its second plea, the IUML asked the court to issue appropriate directions to the government, to clarify whether the NRC and NPR were linked. "We request the Supreme Court to pass orders directing the Indian government to clarify whether the NRC and NPR are related and stay its nationwide implementation during the time the present petition is pending before the apex court", the petition said. While the NRC is a supreme court-monitored exercise to identify genuine citizens and deport illegal immigrants, the NPR's objective is to create a comprehensive database of every "resident" in the country by collecting their demographic and biometric data. The opposition has repeatedly claimed that the NPR is the government's first step towards the implementation of a nationwide NRC. However, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said in an interview with national news agency ANI that there was no link between the NRC and the NPR. "I am clearly stating this … NPR is a register of the population, while the NRC is a register of citizens. There is no link between the two and the two have different processes", Shah said. Since the enactment of the law, several opposition parties, civil rights groups, and university students have come out against it. Many states not governed by the BJP have made it clear that they will not be a party to enforcing the law. The southern state of Kerala has challenged the law in the Supreme Court of India, contending its constitutional validity. The amendments to the Indian Citizenship Act, enacted in December 2019, grant citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and Parsis from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Conspicuously, Muslims were left out of the law, causing the ongoing demonstrations, with protesters alleging it to be discriminatory and unconstitutional. Prime Minister Modi, meanwhile, has maintained that the "law gives citizenship and does not snatch it from anyone". Anti-CAA Female Protesters in Delhi: 'Will Die, But Won’t Vote For Gov't That Backstabbed Us' Citizenship Act Row: Indian Cabinet Approves $1,195 Mln for Updating National Population Register India’s Kerala, West Bengal States Ask Modi Gov't to Hold Back National Population Register Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, citizenship law, New Delhi, India

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Summary Story Othello Analysis Othello Characters Othello Essays Othello Summaries Othello’s Character Evolution Essay Introduction In the play “Othello, The Moor of Venice, by Shakespeare, there is a character known as Othello (Shakespeare 16). Othello, a distinguished warrior in Venice, was always geared up to defend his people from any external threat. Othello was married to Desdemona, the daughter of senator Brabantio, after he… Othello – A tragic Hero Othello is one of the four famous tragedies by William Shakespeare written in 1603. The play has been considered Shakespeare’s most tightly constructed tragedy. In this play Shakespeare has made proficient use of different literary devices that well complemented the tragic theme of the play and supported the construction of… Women Characters in ‘Othello’ and ‘The Rover’ Introduction Literature evolves from life. Whether it is Elizabethan age or very recent canon of post-modernism, literature has continued to bear the imprints of life and society within the compass of its creativity. The plays “Othello” by William Shakespeare and “The Rover” by Aphra Behn bear the essence of their… Othello and Iago Essay Othello, not Iago? It has often been d that William Shakespeare’s play Othello actually features another character in a more dominant role. While the play ostensibly tells the fate of what happened to an otherwise noble, battle-tested Moor during his final service to Venice in Cyprus as a result of… Woman’s Position in Shakespeare’s World (Othello) William Shakespeare’s play Othello presents won of his strongest female characters in the form of Desdemona, a woman who demonstrates an unusual strength and resolve for her period. The play opens with Othello, a Moor who has achieved the rank of a commanding general in Venice, attempting to defend himself… Desdemona in “Othello” Although they are often glossed over and ignored, William Shakespeare provided several examples throughout his plays of women who demonstrated an unusual strength and resolve. Desdemona, in his tragedy Othello, is one of these women. In this play, we learn the story of a Moor, Othello, who has achieved the… The Evolution of Othello’s Character Another of Shakespeare’ tragedy, the moor of Venice, story revolves around Othello, a moor and a brave general, very skilled in the military and Desdemona, the daughter of Venetian Senator. Othello and Desdemona are married, a couple that is in love with each other, and from the play we become aware of the inter-racial marriage between these… Comparing Othello and Willy Loman Othello V/S Willy Loman A Compare and Contrast Essay Order No. 260817 No. of pages: 3 Premium 6530 One of the very interesting plays of this modern age is “Death of a Salesman” by the author Arthur Miller, who has earned for himself a special niche in the galaxy of… Othello by William Shakespeare Essay America would witness one of the most celebrated and at the same time, one of the most controversialBroadway debuts of a Shakespearian tragedy that the world would ever know. On stage, holding her frail alabaster physique against his broad ebony chest, the great actor, singer, and activist, Paul Robeson as… Act IV Of Othello 1. Iago advises Othello that it is not too serious, because there is no proof that Desdemona and Cassio have done anything wrong, even if they have lain in bed together. 2. Othello falls down in a trance, and Iago asks Cassio to leave the room for a while, and… Have no ideas with your essay? We’ll write it for you! Assign an expert to write Delivered on-time or your money back Summarystory.com provides students with professional writing and editing assistance. We help them cope with academic assignments such as essays, articles, term and research papers, dissertations, coursework, case studies, PowerPoint presentations, reviews, etc. All delivered papers are samples meant to be used only for research purposes. Feel free to get in touch with us via email to: [email protected] We are glad to help you 24/7 Copyright ©2019 [email protected] all rights reserved We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.

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Today in OpenGov: Off-Camera by Sunlight Foundation Mar 7, 2017 7:50 am In today’s edition we knock on Sean Spicer’s door, find an open road to Utah, and more… Save the data “A top Republican economist is lending a bipartisan note to concerns that the Trump administration will degrade the quality of the nation’s economic data…” through budget cuts and continued public skepticism about the quality of key federal data. (Bloomberg) The 2020 Census is one of the programs most at risk, given that it has already been deemed “high risk” by the GAO. Wade Henderson makes a strong argument for fully funding it in The Hill. The New York Times checked in on the “data rescue” efforts aimed at archiving and ensuring continued access to potentially vulnerable federal science data. One major problem? Knowing what data the government even holds. Some bad news out of Budapest: “The Hungarian government is moving to limit the influence of nongovernmental organizations that promote democracy and the rule of law, seemingly buoyed by Donald Trump’s election victory and the ascendance of the alt-right in Washington.” The Hungarian parliament is expected to introduce legislation that would restrict NGO’s that receive foreign funding. “The government argues that the law is intended to counter foreign meddling in the country’s politics. Critics contend it is just the latest move to restrict political freedom in a country where the ruling party already controls much of the media and judiciary.” (POLITICO) “Finance Minister Xiao Jie affirmed China’s commitment to transparency in its 19.5 trillion yuan ($2.8 trillion) budget, after excluding defense expenditures and other big items from a key fiscal report for the first time in almost four decades.” (Bloomberg) Oh Spicer where art thou? The White House is relying less on Sean Spicer’s televised press briefings “after two flayings on Saturday Night Live, sustained mockings on late-night shows, and a series of televised confrontations with reporters…” In fact, Spicer went at least seven days between televised briefings. Instead, the press secretary has been holding off camera “gaggles” while other administration officials have announced news at scripted press conferences. Yesterday Spicer talked to reporters off-camera for over an hour despite efforts by the White House Correspondents Association to get the session televised. (POLITICO) Despite the camera ban, PBS Newshour was able to live-stream audio of the session via Periscope. Tracking trumps conflicts Yesterday President Trump sat down with his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for a meeting in the oval office. Just a few hours later the White House released “an official statement congratulating Exxon Mobil Corp. on its plan to invest $20 billion expanding its manufacturing capabilities along the Gulf Coast.” The statement closely echoed Exxon Mobil’s press release on the plan, even going so far as to copy an entire “paragraph on the program’s background nearly word-for-word.” Rex Tillerson stepped down as the CEO of Exxon Mobil on January 1st. His parting gift? A $180 million retirement package. (Wall Street Journal) Pressure may be building for President Trump to continue the Obama-era practice of releasing White House visitor logs. “Seven Democratic senators sent a letter on Monday to President Trump and William Callahan, the Secret Service deputy director, asking that they continue the Obama-era practice and extend it to the Florida resort [Mar-a-Lago], which Trump has referred to as his “winter White House.” The White House Website currently indicates that the visitor logs are being updated and will be posted when they become available. (The Hill) We love this experiment in community engagement around open data in Philadelphia that aims to identify datasets that could be immediately useful if made open: http://opendatavote.org “Thanks to a program initiated in 2011 to begin surveys of state-owned roadways using light detection and ranging (lidar), the state now has a comprehensive list of all major roadway assets,” like stop signs, guardrails, shoulders, and more. (Government Technology) This year’s Personal Democracy Forum, slated for June 8-9, will focus on What We Do Now in the face of threats to “Constitutional principles of free speech and assembly; basic democratic values of tolerance, inclusiveness, and human rights for all; and fundamental assumptions about government’s accountability to the people.” Josh Tauberer explained why he took a step back from his long term role organizing Open Data Day this year, outlining three main reasons. He’s also brainstorming a civic tech event for later this year and wants to know who is interested. Tired of your boss/friend/intern/uncle forwarding you this email every morning? You can sign up here and have it delivered direct to your inbox! Please send questions, comments, tips, and concerns to todayinopengov@sunlightfoundation.com. We would love your feedback!

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Archives par mot-clé : dualism Village versus plantation : colonial & post-colonial ideologies and practices , by Eric Meyer We publish the revised text of a lecture delivered in November 2017 at the Sri Lanka seminar organized by the South Asia Institute of the University of Heidelberg. The readers will find further information on this seminar in www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/en/ The social history of rural Sri Lanka is no longer popular among social science scholars while it was in the forefront in the first 30 years after independence : the ethnic conflict studies have swamped the academic field for the last three decades. I am pleading for a return to socio-economic research. I am convinced that such a return can help to better understand the long term trends of the island’s history, including the two major crisis manifested in the double JVP insurgencies and the enduring Tamil separatist movement. The political implications of colonial and post-colonial land policies have been studied by several authors (notably Mick Moore, Vijaya Samaraweera, Asoka Bandarage) in the 1980s, when the take-over of estates by the SLFP government, just after the first JVP insurgency, gave the issue a great visibility. I reviewed the issue a bit later, with publications in the Journal of Peasant Studies and in Modern Asian Studies in 1992, and that same year, Mick Moore and Jonathan Spencer (in Agrarian Change in Sri Lanka edited by James Brow) added to the literature of the subject. Since that period, the subject has lost its appeal; a quarter of a century later, it may be worth revisiting the question in a critical way. I am not going to analyse the impact of the plantation system on the village sector (which is the subject of various publications of mine), but rather : – to trace the origins and development of the representations of ‘the plantation’ and ‘the village’ taken as reified opposite entities, personified by the opposite figures of ‘the peasant’ and ‘the cooly’, and to explain the meaning of the dualistic theories and practices in the colonial context ; – to document the development and the mass appeal of what could be called the ‘peasantist’ ideology and the role played by it in the land policies promoted, first in the economic and political context of the 1920s-1930s by a section of the colonial administration, then by nationalist politicians before and after independence ; – to assess the consequences of the different options followed by the colonial administration and by governments after independence, to remedy landlessness and rural unemployment : either large scale agrarian colonization in the dry zone (rougly speaking, the UNP policy, from Senanayake to Jayawardene, from Gal Oya to Mahaveli project) ; or to the redemption and redistribution of plantation land in the wet zone (the SLFP policy) ; – to review the academic literature on the subject in the 1970s and 1980s – what was called at that time ‘peasant studies’ – , and to discuss the thesis developed by authors such as Moore that the ‘repeasantization’ policies checked the development of violent agrarian movements – taking into consideration the subsequent revolutionary and ethnic violence correlated with these policies, and what could be considered as ‘depeasantization’ resulting from 30 years of war. Constructing the dualistic model and the ‘peasantist’ ideology During the last quarter of the 19th century, the impact of the plantation system on peasant agriculture and more generally on the ecological systems of the island began to question a section of the colonial administration. But is is only during the late 1920s and 1930s that it became a central political issue coinciding with the setting up of the Donoughmore system of representation, and with the major depression which hit the plantation economy. The proto-history of the question is connected with the first cyclical crisis of the plantation economy, characterized by the collapse of coffee in the early 1880s. Until then, the land policy of the colonial government, which appropriated and sold for a song to coffee planters large areas of primeval and secondary forests (generally used for chena – slash and burn – cultivation by villagers) in the Kandyan upper and mid-country, had met with little open opposition, except in 1859 (when a combination of Kandyan headmen sellers and prospective intermediaries and buyers, who actually represented planting interests, met in Kandy), and after the property of some Temple lands was rejected by government (but temples themselves started to lease their lands to planters). Actually a large proportion of villagers in combination with intermediaries started themselves to plant coffee in their gardens and came to depend on coffee sales to pay their paddy taxes. But with coffee collapse which hit both the estates and the village gardens in the early 1880s, many villagers lost their holdings – often mortgaged to intermediaries : they became landless and famine conditions developed (especially in Uva, Walapane, Matale). This is well documented in Asoka Bandarage book. Before that crisis, only a few civil servants, such as the governor Sir Henry Ward (1855-1860), took an interest in what they described as the decline of the village community due to the growth of individualism. The 1880s represent a turning point : the coffee crisis coincided with the growing popularity in intellectual circles in Britain and the East of ideas held by authors such as Henry Maine and John Phear, who drew an ideal picture of ‘traditional’ peasant societies (1). In their conception, these societies were self-regulating and egalitarian, based on customary institutions such as gansabhava (village councils), and it was the duty of the colonial masters to uphold or restore the (imaginary) village in its pristine purity. These views were reinforced by two contemporary developments : 1. the growing awareness among specialists of botany and forestry of the ecological degradation resulting from deforestation and monoculture (the successive directors of the Peradeniya botanic gardens, Trimen and Thwaites, were quite influent). And 2. the archaeological works undertaken in the ancient cities of the dry zone, which revealed the advanced technology (especially hydraulics) attained by paddy cultivators in the past. A group of young colonial administrators (Le Mesurier, Fisher, Price, Davidson, Burrows) attempted to alert the public opinion in the island and in Britain on the condition of the Ceylonese (and specifically Kandyan) peasantry ; they were discreetly and later openly supported by the governor Arthur Gordon (who gave them as guideline: « Keep the peasant on the land »). They obtained in England the support of the Aborigines Protection Society. This group proposed practical measures to ‘save the peasantry’ : their campaign led to the abolition of the grain taxes in the 1890s, and to various experiments aimed at creating new villages (such as Lamasuriyagama, named after Le Mesurier) or at minimizing the negative impact of plantations on village life. But at the same time, the colonial system remained heavily dependent on the development of the plantation economy, the political strength of the planting interests was dominant in Ceylon, and many colonial administrators were themselves involved in covert land dealings, including Le Mesurier himself. These ‘pro-peasant’ administrators attempted to reconcile their practice with their ideas by adopting a dualistic theory which presented the village and the plantation as two totally independent economic and social entities, which were to be protected from each other and which were to be kept apart. They themselves had a romantic image of the village : an harmonious, egalitarian, beautiful, ecological and smoothly working village versus a destructive, exploitative and morally perverting plantation. The dualistic theory was compatible with the view of the mainstream colonial authorities and their successors the developmentalists, who considered the village as stagnant, non progressive, feudal, unenlightened and immobile, better left to its stagnation as long as it did not compromise the working of a vibrant entrepreneurial and capitalistic plantation sector. To take an example, the Revenue Officer of the Kägalla district in the early 1890s, Price, left what he called « Friendly notes » (2) to his successor Davidson, in which he instructed him to distinguish two parts in the district, one left to the planters, the other to the villagers : « Restrict further sale of land to Three Korales and keep Four Korales as the Garden of the East – with a prosperous peasantry untainted by the civilization [sic in text] of Scotland and Mincing Lane ». This instruction was an extension at the district level of a principle which was applied at the micro level to village lands in the same district : the Revenue Officers effected during the 1880s a summary division of highlands, setting apart areas of chenas for villagers and appropriating the rest for sale to planters or keeping them as reserved forests. But the experiment ended in failure, for lack of legal and governmental support in the face of a wave of land speculation. These debates in the narrow milieu of the Ceylon Civil Service were not without impact on the views held by the Kandyans themselves : an example is that of a chief headman of the Matale district, Tikiri Banda Aluvihare Ratemahatmaya (Sir Richard Aluvihare’s father) : in 1896, he wrote a report (titled « the silent revolution in the village ») at the request of the AGA of Matale Burrows (himself in charge in 1884-1886 of what was to become later under H.C.P. Bell the Archaeology Department, and the author of a guide book on the Buried cities of Ceylon published in 1905 : this is not a simple coincidence). This document is as far as I know the first example of the Kandyan discourse which will become a cliché on the ideal village life disturbed by the advent of the British planter ; I have published this document in my paper published in Journal of Peasant Studies (1992). The dualistic model became popular in other colonies as well, notably in Dutch territories ; it was theorized in the 1930s by the Dutch scholar Julius Boeke (translated in English only in 1953). And that the same model in another colonial context led to the apartheid system. In the 1890s, the coffee crisis was over and after the successful conversion of large estates (but not smallholdings) from coffee to tea, would-be tea planters rushed to the Kandyan areas to obtain fresh land either from government, or from the villagers themselves, who were often ruined and could not take to tea, using intermediaries and various stratagems for their landgrabbing activities (see my paper in Modern Asian Studies, 1992). Soon followed a huge demand for land for rubber plantations in the mid-country of the wet zone, especially in the Kägalla and Ratnapura districts, and for coconut plantations, especially in the Kurunägala district, in which the Colombo-based emerging Ceylonese middle class played a prominent role. In these circumstances, the colonial government interfered and tried to curb land speculation and assert its control over land by a new waste lands ordinance in 1897, which paved the way for the birth of a Land Settlement Department. Building the ‘peasantist’ ideology into the nationalist discourse By the beginning of the XXth century, the idealized representation of village life became popular among the urban Sinhalese elite, while its lost its appeal to British civil servants. British colonial administrators in the previous years were proclaiming pro-peasant sentiments while practicing pro-planter policies, and the contradiction led some of them to drop out of the civil Service, like Le Mesurier. The views of the colonial administrators with a real knowledge of village life became generally pessimistic. A well known case is that of Leonard Woolf, who came back to England in disgust, to marry Virginia Stephens and write his celebrated novel on Ceylon, The Village in the Jungle, which was certainly not an hymn to the glory of the Sinhala Buddhist village, nor a picture of villagers oppressed by the planters, but on the contrary a representation of village society oppressed by an addition of natural, cultural and colonial forces. Others who remained in the remote areas of the island devoted their time to collect village folk tales (Henry Parker), or to defend the rights of the dry zone villagers (such as H.R. Freeman). On the contrary, the ‘peasantist’ ideology was adopted as a central argument of the nascent nationalist discourse in its Sinhala-Buddhist version. Apparently this option went against the interests of a large section of the nationalist elite, which was very active in opening rubber and coconut plantations on former village chena lands. In the words of Samaraweera (1981) : « The first generation of national leaders were the most unlikely champions of the cause of the peasants (…) Some among them had actually benefitted from the British Land ordinances (…) It is difficult to resist the conclusion that the land qustion was looked upon by the first generation of nationalists as a convenient issue which would give legitimacy to their claim as representatives of the people of the colony ». In this « typical urban middle class myth model of the harmonious village » (Spencer 1991), the ‘peasantist’ ideology (restoring the village) was grafted upon the Buddhist revival project (restoring the sasana) : 1. The ‘original’ village society was harmonious, without class conflicts, made up of peasants-aristocrats (in the words of Hocart, archaeologist and ethnologist, using himself the often-quoted Sinhala proverb related by Robert Knox « take a peasant, wash off his dirt, he is fit to be a king ») 2. Its economy was based on paddy cultivation (qualified as an ‘Aryan’ crop) and its inner organization was geared to the proper functioning of the hydraulic systems – revealed by the archaeology of the Rajarata and Ruhuna (the paddy field and the tank, yaya/wäwa) : the publications of Harischandra and his endeavour to make Anuradhapura a sacred city illustrate that view 3. The ‘original’ village society was free from crime, drunkenness, based on Buddhist values, transcending caste differences, and organized around the vihara : this is a central theme in Anagarika Dharmapala’s writings 4. The disintegration of the village was the result of outside malefic forces : the Tamil invasions in the past, the British invasion of the present, with the complicity of the ‘foreign traders and moneylenders’ 5. The (British) plantation and its (Tamil) coolies was the negative antithesis of the (Aryan) village and its (Sinhala) peasants 6. Restoring the ‘original’ village was the most urgent national duty, to avoid the degradation of the free peasant into a slave cooly, equated with the degeneration of the Sinhala ‘race’. These ideas were borrowed from European authors of the late 19th century and early 20th century quoted above. But the myth was promoted among the urban anglicized elite by outstanding writers such as the Anagarika Dharmapala or the young Solomon Bandaranaike (3) ; Indian models such as Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore were popular among the enthusiastic bourgeois youth who ‘discovered’ a romanticized version of the peasant life, while their fathers were at the same time exploiting the peasantry. The success of the myth had a political utility as well, which was to unite Kandyans and Low Country Sinhalese against a common enemy, real or imagined, the outsider (a composite category comprising the British planter, the Tamil cooly, the Chettiar moneylender, the Indian Muslim trader), and to offset the grievances of the Kandyans against the landgrabbing activities of the Low Country Sinhalese. A committeee on landless and indebted villagers was set up in 1925 by the Legislative Council. Among its members were two outstanding figures, D.S. Senanayake and Madawela. Madawela was the representative of the Kurunegala district, where he had been active since 1906 in organizing the opposition to the activities of the Land Settlement Department in that area, where he was himself active in land dealings, together with various low country speculators from the Negombo-Chilaw area, such as the Corea brothers. Don Stephen Senanayake and his brothers were the sons of a successful landed proprietor who had made a fortune in graphite mining and had extended his coconut and rubber estates in the mid-country, but his reputation was built as fierce opponent to the repressive policy of the British during the First world war. At the beginning D.S. Senanayake’s position was quite close to that of Madawela: « In Ceylon there is no land at present suitable for the further cultivation of rubber, as the government is adopting the dog-in-the-manger policy. Ceylon would be far more prosperous if the government opens its eyes to the fact and releases land as much as possible » (Testimony before the committee of the Legislative Council on rubber restriction, CO54/874). They both were in touch with the most influent Ceylonese planters of the time, belonging to the new rich class, who in the 1920s were busy purchasing lands for rubber and coconut cultivation, such C.E.A. Dias and Dr Marcus Fernando, and with the Low Country Products Association which represented their interests. At the same time they were connected with Kandyan family groups who had themselves been involved in large scale land trasactions in the mid-country areas, such as the Meedeniyas, and with the influential press baron D.R. Wijewardene. Cases of villages entirely surrounded by plantations, and of villagers forcibly displaced, were frequent in the Deraniyagala area, and in all these cases Meedeniya, various intermediaries such as Van der Poorten and capitalists such as Wijewardene were implicated. The Land Settlement Department, established by the Land ordinance of 1897, was very active after 1918 in two districts, Kurunegala and Ratnapura, where Ceylonese elite speculators were most involved, and it was their ‘bête noire’. Its officers were the resolute adversaries of the landgrabbers and saw themselves as the defenders of the peasantry, especially in the Kurunägala district, where small and medium landbuyers, anxious to invest in coconut estates, were purchasing title from villagers cheaply in advance of settlement by borrowing money on mortgage of these dubious titles from Indian moneylenders (Nattukottai Chettiar and ‘Coast Moors’). Before the Committee on landless/indebted villagers, Senanayake and Madawela tried to ruin the image of the Settlement officers as defenders of the peasantry, by insisting on the responsability of the Land Settlement operations in compelling the villagers to part with their lands, and pointed the role of Indians in the indebtedness and subsequent land sales of villagers in the coconut triangle, while in fact the Nattokottai Chettiars were lending money to would-be medium scale investors, most of them non-resident, rather than to small peasants. Madawela insisted that the Department should more liberally recognize private property of highlands, while the Settlement officers attempted to check the alienation of land to non-villagers. ‘Repeasantization’ : proactive land policies in the age of economic depression In 1927, the then governor Hugh Clifford decided to appoint a Land Commission to review the entire land policy of Ceylon (4). This was a time when the great depression had not yet affected the plantation economy, which was booming. The starting points were the motion moved by Madawela and passed by the Legislative Council that the Settlement Officers should be instructed to recognize the private property of chenas, and the pressing request by a group of Ceylonese planters allied with British planters, and especially of Marcus Fernando, to speed up land sales in the wet zone for rubber, especially in Ratnapura and Kalutara, and in the Uva patanas for tea. The argument of Fernando (himself a former medical doctor, connected with the De Soysa big business family) was that many professional men had saved money and were anxious to invest in land, that owing to the slowness of the Land settlement proceedings, money was lying idle, that « the villagers have advanced side by side with the planters », and that the prosperity of the villages was proportionate with their proximity to a plantation. These projects were opposed by popular meetings organized by local popular assiciations (Mahajana Sabhas) and became a public issue, and the colonial administration, startled by the risk of popular agitation, felt compelled to arbitrate between opposite demands. In a minute dated november 1926, the Acting Colonial Secretary wrote that there were two forces trying to influence the government policy : « the commercial establishment pressing it to expedite land sales to take advantage of the present boom ; the other may be described as the Ceylon nationalist party ; its extremists object to any Crown sale policy for estates and demand that land be reserved for the indigenous population » Clifford’s own position was expressed in a text dated 11.02.1927 : « A school of thought has developed since 1910 [when Clifford was Colonial Secretary] until 1925-7 [Clifford being Governor] which maintains that tea and rubber estates are a parasitic growth which is battening upon the colony’s lifeblood, that they have worked no appreciable benefit to the indigenous inhabitants of the country and that they owe their existence to a systematic series of acts of expripriation and spoliation » ; Clifford considered it as « an historical and economic error » which « helps to fan the fires of class and racial prejudices, the blazing up of which can work nothing but misery and confusion ». But on the other side his position was that « the primary object of government is the multiplication of smallholdings, provided steps can be taken to prevent improvident alienation. The rapid development by means of estates of land which has not yet been exploited is by comparison a secondary consideration (…) I consider that early steps should be taken to encourage the overflow of (landless) people to such areas of fertile crown lands as are still available (in the wet zone), I should greatly prefer to see suitable crown lands utilized for this purpose than sold for conversion to still more estates. » The Commission, which comprised officials of the colonial administration and elected members of the Legislative Concil, received a mass of memoranda and sat for one full year ; a part of its records were published in several reports in 1928 and 1929 but most remain in manuscript form. Its findings were informed by the ‘peasantist’ ideology : to quote the reports : « There is a very strong feeling among the unofficial members of the commission that villagers should not become coolies on estates ». « The rapid exploitation of the villager and his expulsion from his ancestral lands, the government being powerless to check the almost universal demoralization resulting from the success of the shameless practice of landgrabbing ». Many colonial administrators pleaded for greater powers to reserve lands in favour of the peasantry, and check landgrabbing, but they were sceptical about the possibility to operate a complete revolution : « I am not aware that anyone seriously contemplates the gigantic task of setting right the mistakes of the past by the only possible method, viz acquisition of lands from estates and their free sale to villagers » (Hodson, Government Agent North Western Province). Unofficial members of the Commission, notably Madawela and Senanayake (in the 5th and 6th interim reports) while claiming to speak on behalf of the ‘poor peasant’, opposed any measures which would restrict the rights of the villagers to dispose of their lands. Besides these claims in favour of the peasantry, what is significant is that the Commission insisted that ‘middle class Ceylonese’ (as opposed in its phraseology to ‘outside capitalists’) should also get reserved lands, with the idea that their presence in the midst of the peasantry could introduce an element of authority and moral order. Senanayake suggested that blocks of 50 acres of highland suitable for coconut should be sold to these ‘middle class Ceylonese’, excluding outsiders, that is Tamil kanganies and Muslim traders : « the middle and professional classes (…) too wealthy to be classed as villagers (…) too poor to compete with big capitalists and companies (…) for the benefit of peasants men of educated classes should hold and cultivate estates of medium size (…) not only by providing employment for the peasants but also by securing the residence among peasants of men of culture and position ». C.L.Wickremesinghe, a friend of Senanayake and future Land Commissionner, who married his son Esmond to the daughter of D.R. Wijewardene, the press magnate, declared before the Commission : « Many of the middle class eke out a hand to mouth existence [sic]. I agree that Crown Land should be alienated to them… ». The mechanisms set up to put into practice a new land policy were inspired by an influent but controversial colonial administrator, Charles Valentine Brayne. His elder brother Frank Lugard Brayne, a member of the Indian Civil Service, was one of the promoters of the Punjab colonies (5) ; Charles Valentine as government agent in Batticaloa had experimented a system of restricted tenure and planned alienation of land which he called ‘mapping out’, and obtained the green light of the government for that ; together with some of his colleagues he proposed to extend the system to the planting districts, and applied for the post of Land Commissionner when its creation was decided. His views were developed in an interesting unpublished text titled The protection of the village (6) « Everyone will admit that in parts of the country under rapid development in rubber and other economic products, there is a danger of the village disappearing and the villagers becoming landless. This has been put down by some to the government selling land to capitalists without sufficient forethought for village requirements. This may have occurred in certain cases. There is however a more potent factor at work, and one which presents a more complicated problem : government has now ceased to alienate land to capitalists, except after the most careful precautions to safeguard the future needs of the villagers ; the problem of the landgrabber has not however been solved ». Brayne was criticized, violently opposed and even ridiculed by some of his colleagues who called him « Brainless Brayne », but his proposals were eventually adopted by the Land Commission and he was put in charge as Land Commissionner. D.S. Senanayake himself sided with him when he became the first Minister of Agriculture in the new State Council established in 1931. The Land Development ordinance of 1935 gave a legal basis to the system : but in the meantime, the great slump had intervened, which ruined land investors, threw out of employment hundreds of thousand coolies, and deeply affected the villagers who depended on estates : the dramatic malarial epidemic in Kurunägala and Kägalla in 1934-35 was partly the result of unemployment leading to undernutrition. The great depression proved the falseness of the dualistic theories, the vulnerability of the peasant economy linked with the vulnerability of the plantation economy, especially owing to the overproduction of rubber which was the result of extensive planting. Its major political result was to give an impetus to the radical leftist movement, and to make it adopt the ‘peasantist’ approach. Young intellectuals underlined the contrast between abandoned estates and overcrowded villages. Following marxist orthodoxy, some of them undertook to organize (Tamil) coolies, considering them as an industrial proletariat ; but others began to demand the repurchase of estate lands for redistribution to (Sinhalese) villagers. One of the first promoters of the leftist movements, Wilmot Perera, defended a project of ‘Village reconstruction’ in his book Problems of Rural Ceylon (1932). He was the son of a ‘rubber king’ of Panadura, and convened an All Ceylon Rural Reconstruction Conference at his Horana estate in May 1932, where S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike spoke ; shortly afterwards, he founded the Suriya Mal Society in 1933, the precursor of the Lanka Samasamaja Party of which he was a member. He initiated a series of socio-economic studies of villages in 1934. He later became parlementarian and ended his career as Bandaranaike’s ambassador to Mao’s China in 1957. Meanwhile, the landed middle class demanded the annulation of its debts, the expulsion of Indian moneylenders, and of all immigrants, with racist arguments reminiscent of antisemitism in Europe. Bandaranaike wrote in 1933 : « Rich and poor are being sold up by their creditors and driven in the streets, homeless beggars ». The memoranda and evidence of the Ceylon Banking Commission of 1934 are filled with these claims and complaints. Xenophobic – Indophobic sentiments were fuelled by the policy of the Indian authorities who appeared to interfere in Ceylon affairs, and eventually led to the disenfranchisement of Indian workers and merchants established in the island. The emerging Ceylonese elite (actually Low country Sinhalese) was careful to preserve its interests, through the creation of a Mortgage Bank (headed by Marcus Fernando) and later of a Central Bank. At the same time, the Land Commissionner services (controlled by Senanayake as Minister of Agriculture), undertook the distribution of available Crown land in populous areas of the wet zone, by mapping out and distribution of allotments, but resources were limited as long as the estates were left untouched. In the dry zone land was available, but malaria was still endemic and most attempts at restoration of the ideal hydraulic villages ended in failure. The second world war, where Ceylon held a strategic position, created a new state of affairs : the rubber economy bounced back, food drive led the authorities to be very liberal in recognizing land rights, the government started to repurchase plantation land alienated to outsiders for distribution to villagers, especially in Kägalla district, where difficulties arose in 1946 in Knavesmire Estate, between expelled coolies and village allottees. Henceforth, the lax policy of succesive governments allowed quiet but uninterrupted encroachments by villagers on lands proclaimed as Crown by the Land Settlement Department. Finally, the extensive use of DDT against malarial mosquitoes made it possible to start land colonization in the dry zone, especially in the Eastern province, under the leadership of Senanayake, who became the First Prime Minister of independent Ceylon, in 1948. His policy of organized peasant colonization was again based on the ‘peasantist’ approach. It had a double objective : developping the country’s self sufficiency in paddy ; and deflecting rural discontent, land distribution to Kandyans in the new settlements acting as a sort of safety valve, without encroaching upon the planting interests. This policy allowed Low Country Sinhalese politicians to get the support of the Kandyans. But it alienated the Tamils because it encroached on the areas they considered as their homeland. ‘Peasantism’ in post-colonial political and academic controversies At independence, the problem of landlessness was by no means new, but it had acquired such a visibility that it remained in the forefront, and became the major topic of research for social scientists and specialists of economic development, and a central political issue. The 1950s and 1960s witnessed a flurry of field researches on Ceylon villages, including very valuable ethnographical and sociological studies. After the Report of the Kandyan Peasantry Commission (1951), appeared a Report of Peradeniya University social scientists Sarkar and Tambiah (1957) under the title The Disintegrating Village, of the book of B.H. Farmer on Peasant colonization (1957), of Pul Eliya of Edmund Leach (1961) ; in the field of art and literature, the publication in Sinhala in 1944 of Gamperaliya (‘Village Upheaval’) by Martin Wickremasinghe was a landmark. These works exerted an influence on and were themselves influenced by the political controversies of the time. The Kandyan Peasantry Commission analysed the adverse impact of the plantation system in a systematic way. Pre-colonial peasant economy was presented as an ecological system in equilibrium, achieving self sufficiency in food and employment, through the paddy system of production. Village society was depicted as knit together by common language, religion, and cultural traditions, « a great majority of the peasant population professing the Buddhist religion ». The advent of the plantation economy resulted in dualism, non-integration of the two sectors, and loss ; the villages became hemmed-in by estates : this obsessive image is constantly repeated. The major themes were the theft by the estate sector of useful peasant land and subsequent landlessness ; ecological impact of deforestation on paddy cultivation ; preferential treatment of Tamil coolies by authorities ; moral disintegration of peasant society : « New land was unavailable for village expansion, village councils gansabhava fell into disuse, prospect of crown claiming land prompted numerous sales to speculators, the old unity of village life began to disappear, moral and social standards were adversely affected, child marriage and giving out children for domestic service became common » There was nothing new in these arguments, and many scholars consider the Report of the Kandyan Peasantry Commission as a rehearsal of commonplaces – what could be expected from a commission made up of a Colombo lawyer, two upper caste Kandyan MPs (Attygalle and Panabokke), and a representative of the Kandyan low castes, all of them close to Senanayake. In my opinion however, the Report is highly significant : its findings were based on a great number of memoranda (about 650), many of them in Sinhala, by various individuals and local associations, and by enquiries on the spot in different parts of the Kandyan regions in March and April 1949, one year after Independence, during which about 150 individuals were heard during public sittings. Most of these papers remained unprinted but are still available in the Archives : for example, the sittings of the commission in Badulla are vividly reported in a sort of diary. These documents reveal a high degree of public awareness of land problems in the Kandyan regions. A detailed examination of the lists of participants shows that the sociology of the memorialists closely corresponds with that of the people who will ensure seven years later the electoral success of the SLFP : schoolteachers, monks, high caste Bandaras and Appuhamys, a few low caste leaders, Village Committees, Cooperative Credit Societies and about 200 Rural Development Societies (the sittings were organized by Ellepola, in charge of these societies in the Ministry) ; besides these Kandyans, a fair number of Low Country Sinhalese established up-country as traders or small scale planters and writing in English ; and very few Muslims and Tamils. The result is that although the Commission was made up of UNP supporters, their report offers a sort of blueprint of what was to become the SLFP master narrative. These arguments are found after 1956 in the speeches of Bandaranaike and his Agriculture Minister (for a short time) the Marxist leader Philip Gunawardena, which are directly derived from the ‘peasantist’ theory, in which the Sinhala people is defined as a people of peasants. Sarkar and Tambiah’s published six years after the Report of the Kandyan Peasantry Commission, just after the victory of Bandaranaike at the 1956 elections, an academic work, based on a detailed socio-economic quantitative study of a group of villages in the lower Dumbara valley (7). It was introduced by a sort of abstract of the Report, which gave it a scientific legitimacy. The very title of the book was derived from it. But it was however less prone to draw an idealistic picture of village life. Among the similarities, the insistence on history (« the basis of rural economy in ancient Ceylon was paddy cultivation »), the emphasis put on the « well integrated and self-sufficient social and economic system, well adapted to certain ecological factors », the affirmation that « the invasion of this system by the plantations struck a damaging blow to its stability, destroyed the balance between paddy, chena and forest », the use of the term « degeneration of the community »; the emphasis on ecological impact of the destruction of forests ; an analysis of the vicious circle of modernisation, better health services, population increase, landlessness, exploitation by the bourgeoisie of the less fortunate, and impact of the new law system. The study differed from the Report in that it used a statistical and scientific approach, and in that economic exploitation inside the Kandyan society was put on the same footing as « victimization and exploitation by the middle classes, merchants and estate owners » ; although not informed by the marxist theory, the book, because of its scientific approach, was to exert a decisive influence on the leftist Ceylonese intellectuals. That same year 1957, B.H. Farmer published a detailed study of the dry zone colonies (8), which can be considered as a semi-critical assessment of the first results of the Senanayake policy started with the Land Commission of 1928 and the Land Development Ordinance of 1935, but really applied to the dry zone only after the war and the use of DDT. He pointed out the romanticism which led to exaggerate the wealth and population of ancient Rajarata and Ruhuna based on irrigation works : « it is important to give the lie to estimates which are grossly exaggerated ; if such receive credence as they unfortunately do they engender false optimism about the carrying capacity of the dry zone… ». He therefore doubted the capacity of the colonies to solve Kandyan landlessness problems, which he recognized as serious, while suggesting a balanced analysis of its causes : « The author is convinced by field evidence that the Crown Lands Encroachment Ordinance and the estates which grew because of it, have borne hard on many Kandyan villages and in doing so have accentuated an agrarian problem which would have been serious in any case ». Farmer became the first director of the Center of South Asian Studies at Cambridge, established in 1964, and his book sowed the seeds of a critique of the nationalist discourse on the question of the responsibility of the British pro-planter policy in the Kandyan agrarian problems. This ‘revisionist’/developmentalist approach was initially defended by Lal Jayawardena : in his Cambridge thesis (1963) he raised the question as to why the Kandyan peasants, if evicted on a mass scale, did not become wage workers on the plantations ; he therefore minimized the impact, maintained that the colonial administration undertook to efficiently protect the peasantry, and at the same time exposed the responsibility of landgrabbers, especially members of the rising nationalist elite (his wife Kumari who wrote at the same time her thesis on the nationalist/working class movements in the interwar period once said to me : « my heroes are his bad guys ») ; but Lal Jayawardena left his work unpublished (he became a career economist and diplomat) and therefore had no influence, except on the group of historians at the Peradeniya University who from the mid-1960s until the mid-1970s undertook to deconstruct the Kandyan discourse, at a time when the campus was the scene of a growing agitation led by marxist students, especially during the year 1971. The Ceylon Studies Seminar met in the late 1960s under the aegis of Kingsley De Silva, with Michael Roberts, Vijaya Samaraweera, and L.A. Wickremaratne : they elaborated the ‘revisionist’ thesis in various papers which found their way in the Peradeniya History of Ceylon volume III. After the JVP insurgency and university reforms, some left Sri Lanka like so many British-educated intellectuals, while others regrouped outside the universities in NGOs and various foreign funded research institutes. But at the same time, western economists such as Snodgrass could still defend the dualistic theory : in 1966, Snodgrass spoke of « the classic purity of the Ceylonese case », of a « dualism nearly perfect » and maintaned that « smallholder production of export crops had only a marginal impact upon the giant mass [sic] of the traditional economy » ‘Peasant Studies’ ‘Repeasantization’, ‘Depeasantization’ : 1971 and after. The shock of the unexpected 1971 insurgency left indelebile traces in the realm of politics and economy. Its immediate results were the new republican constitution of 1972, and the take-over of the large plantations between 1972 and 75. The event had also a far reaching impact in the research field with the creation of the Agrarian Research and Training Institute established in Colombo in 1972. The insurgency was immediately interpreted (by the ruling classes and by their foreign advisers who began to swamp Sri Lanka with their foundations, NGO’s and the like) as the result of unemployment and subsequent demoralization among the educated rural youth, and also, (I insist on this point which is often overlooked because the JVP itself adopted elements of the nationalist discourse), to the influence of outside, non-national forces. These interpretations reinforced the political attempts to ‘repeasantize’ (term used by Moore) society, to reinject moral values, to promote ‘national thinking’ – Jathika Chintanaya. It is often assumed – for example by Moore (9) – that the JVP had no agrarian programme, and therefore no real appeal among the rural masses. This is also the impression left by the books of Alles and of Gunaratna, who are up to prove that the only aim of the JVP was the seizure of power by a leninist-guevarist strategy : both books are written in a judiciary and political science perspective, and insist that JVP « was essentially a cadre party which had a limited public support » (10). It is true that the JVP was not an agrarian mass organization as such ; but its appeal for a great number of rural youth was based on what we have called ‘peasantism’. JVPers shared the ‘peasantist’ views of the SLFPers and integrated them in their revolutionary agenda. The ‘Five Lectures’ conceived by Rohan Wijeweera by the end of 1967 and diffused through classes of endoctrination in the high schools and universities give the rough elements of the JVP. ideology. They have not been published as far as I know, but their substance can be found in the statement of Wijeweera to the police (C.I.D.) dated 1971 and in the JVP press in Sinhala (11). The first lesson dealt with ‘The economic crisis’ (the following were: 2 ‘Independence’ 3. ‘Indian expansionism’ 4 ‘Leftist movement’ 5 ‘The path to revolution’). The lectures were designed to fit with the aspirations of the educated unemployed rural youth. According to a classical marxist-leninist approach, the economic crisis faced by Sri Lanka was attributed to the impact of colonialism and post-colonial capitalism, in the form of the impact of the plantation economy on the peasant sector : « the primary root of the problem is the collapse of a self-sufficient economy ; the birth of the tea plant at the expense of kurakkan is the main cause of the crisis ». Then follows the usual analysis of rural decline found in the nationalist discourse, which is integrated into the revolutionary logic : 1. That the nationalist-bourgeois (and the walauwa people) were actually lying when they pretended to take the side of the peasantry. It was only by armed struggle that a real independence could be obtained, the maoist way; the old left similarly failed because it was prisoner of the democratic game, western ideas and modes, and led a bourgeois corrupt life, cut from the authentic masses. 2. That the real revolutionary class was made up of landless peasants, and swabhasha-educated unemployed youth (including young monks)(12) 3. That Indian plantation workers, contrary to the classical leftist view, were not a proletariat but the agents of imperialism, part and parcel of the plantation system What was to be done ? According to Wijeweera in his submissions to the CID : « We should change the entire economy. The basic aim is to do away with the plantation industry, the hill slopes should be reafforested, reservoirs built, rivers diverted to the dry zone ». It was commonly said by JVPers in the villages in 1971 that they would uproot rubber and tea and plant yams instead – this is what had been done since 1935 in the Village Expansion Schemes that became the hotbed of JVP activities notably in the Kägalla district. Finally, the JVP strategy was to be guevarist rather than maoist : the conquest of towns from countryside being difficult in Sri Lanka, the leadership envisioned an instant revolution rather than a long walk ; as we know, this strategy ended in failure. A parallel, or possibly a connection between JVP and Khmer Rouge ideologies may be explored. In a paper read at an international workshop on cultural heritages held at Heidelberg in 2011 (« The myth of Angkor as an essential component of the Khmer Rouge utopia »), Locard shows that there was an ‘repeasantization’ component in the economic policy of the Khmer Rouge. Their utopia – back to the countryside and to self-sufficient food producing peasantry- was grounded on the myth of Angkor ‘the hydraulic city’, just as the JVP utopia was grounded on the image of Anuradhapura. Both kingdoms had grown rich and powerful because they controlled extensive irrigation systems that produced surpluses of rice. By building a nationwide system of irrigation canals, dams, and reservoirs, the Khmer Rouge leadership believed it would be possible to produce rice on a year-round basis (13). Successive attempts by SLFP and UNP to solve the problem of Kandyan landlessness and unemployment within the framework of the peasantist/nationalist ideology constitute in my opinion a decisive factor contibuting to the violence of the ethnic crisis, and finally fuelling the war itself. The SLFP in 1972 made the choice of the land reforms which were supposed to radically transform the system from above. It entailed a real dispossession for the class of the low country political leaders (coconut estates) but not for the upper caste Kandyans (paddy and temple lands which they controlled were excluded). In part, it was an extension of the principle of Village Expansion Schemes, but only 10% of the land was actually redistributed ; for the rest, it was an attempt at collectivization, creating cooperative production, which resulted in poor management, actual expulsion or even killing of Tamil coolies or supervisors, and the final restitution of plantation management by the state to private firms. The multiplication of violent clashes between Sinhalese (generally people from bazaars rather than villagers) and Tamils on estates, starting in 1977 and renewed in 1983, signalled the failure of the take-over project. Back into power in 1977 with J.R. Jayawardene, (from a Low Country wealthy planting family connected with the Senanayakes), Gamini Dissanayake (from a Kandyan wealthy Goyigama family of Kotmale) and the low caste rival leaders Cyril Matthew and Ranasinghe Premadasa, the UNP immediately undertook to expedite the ‘repeasantization’ of the country with the Accelerated Mahaveli Development Project, which was meant to relocate impovershed Kandyans (especially from Uva and Matale) close to their native land and in continuity with the Gal Oya project. Jayawadene himself found it necessary to reinvent agrarian rituals in the very district where his class had grabbed land. Even Premadasa, who as a typical working class urbanite could have despised the peasantist ideology, felt it necessary to launch the Gam Udawa project (specifically for low caste villages). But the ‘repeasantization’ project was slowed down by the war, and aggravated interethnic relations, especially in the Eastern province. At the same time, the successive governments, either SLFP or UNP, were very lax in checking encroachment by villagers on public land for the purpose of putting up houses and gardens, either in the wet or in the dry zone. Local civil servants were easily corrupted, and local strong men, with the right political connections, were always ready to help. It was estimated in the 1980s that one sixth of the house cum garden plots in the whole country were thus acquired. While these developments were taking place in the countryside in the 1970s and 1980s, ‘peasant studies’ became extremely popular in academic circles, but these critical researches had little bearing on actual policies. In the 1960s appeared the great stream of peasant studies – linked with the maoist experience in China. Eric Wolf published Peasants in 1966, Peasant Wars some time later, the Journal of Peasant Studies was started in 1973 by Terence Byres of London University, Eric Stokes published ‘The return of the peasant to South Asian history’ in South Asia, 1976. In France, the publications of the agronomist globe-trotter René Dumont (who was later a founding member of the Green party) were best sellers, and he was invited to visit Sri Lanka by Chandrika Bandaranaike : his book Paysanneries aux abois (Peasantries at bay) published in 1972 devotes 100 pages to Sri Lanka. Agrarian Research and Training Institute’s field studies were published in a series of monographs in the late 1970s, and some of these studies were collected in Morrison (1979) published under the same title as Sarkar and Tambiah. Shortly afterwards, four theses of political economy using a more or less marxist approach were defended and later published : Tilak Hettiarachchy (The Sinhala Peasant MA 1978), Asoka Bandarage (Colonialism in Sri Lanka Ph D Yale 1980) and Mick Moore (The State and Peasant Politics in Sri Lanka Ph D Sussex 1981). Several papers by the marxist political scientist Newton Gunasinghe (Ph D Sussex 1979, who died prematurately in 1988) were later published by the Social Scientists Association. Further additions to this body of literature were the contributions to a conference held in Anuradhapura in July 1984 published in 1992 by Brow and Weeramunda, Agrarian change in Sri Lanka. Other important publications included Charles Abeysekera, Capital and peasant production, Social Scientists Association, 1985 (especially the introduction by Newton Gunasinghe) ; and the report of the Third Land Commission headed by Prof. Madduma Bandara, in 1987. Tilak Hettiarachchi’s historical booklet published in 1982 reproduced the nationalist discourse (as suggested by its title, The Sinhala peasant) with a marxist packaging, making a mechanical use of Dobb, Polanyi and Eric Wolf. The cover of the book showed the trinity ‘Wäwa, Caitya, Yaya’ with a crack. The author maintained that the pre-plantation peasant system based on paddy cultivation was balanced, self supporting, sustainable, socially indifferentiated and economically homogeneous and free from any clash of interests. He ignored the debates raised by the revisionist school. The facts were taken mainly from published writings on the coffee era. Asoka Bandarage’s book on colonialism published in 1983 was more sophisticated. Colonialism in Sri Lanka, the Political Economy of the Kandyan Highlands adopted the general thesis of the disintegrating impact but took into account the revisionist theories ; Asoka Bandarage attempted to deconstruct peasant myths and to analyse class conflicts inside the village society (« the overdrawn image of the Sinhalese as a nation of rice cultivators and rice eaters, constituted an important element in the ideological control exercised by the overlords in keeping peasants tied to the paddy fields »). But at the same time she agreed with the idea that peasantry was homogeneous in Kandyan times, economically speaking, and that « caste differences within an otherwise homogeneous peasantry inhibited the emergence of a class consciousness and collective action among the cultivator class ». Newton Gunasinghe’s papers and other publications by the group of social anthropologists and political scientists known as Social Scientists Association were much more critical, written in a neo-marxist perspective. Newton Gunasinghe attributed to the repeasantization strategy the technological stagnation, and considered that Village Expansion schemes were more housing projects than agricultural projects. The theoretical question raised by Mick Moore (who was attached to the Agrarian Research and Training Institute and the Sussex School of Development Studies) was the absence of a peasant (smallholder) political interest group and of peasant movements in Sri Lanka, in which he saw the result of the ‘repeasantization’ strategy of the ruling classes. He considered that this strategy was a success : « Unlike almost all other developing countries Sri Lanka has experienced no major flight of people from the rural areas to the cities » He explained that the major reason for that was « the relative excellence of public provision for most of the population » : a cheap transport network, free education, free health, subsidized prices of foodstuff, land given out to the poor, extension of small scale family farming, social laws, low incidence of taxation. As a result, « the total number of agricultural holdings has increased faster than the rural population ; the center of gravity of the smallholder economy has shifted substantially to the dry zone ; rice production through this process has expanded faster than plantation production ». Even in the plantation sector, the development occurred in Sinhalese-owned smallholdings, especially in the South, and employment on estates was increasingly occupied by non-resident Sinhalese villagers. If we follow Mick Moore, the Senanayake and Bandaranaike policies have succeeded. Then 1971 appears as a minor revolt and not as a peasant class revolt in any case, and the ethnic crisis is something unconnected with general socio-economic problems. On the contrary, C.M. Madduma Bandara (President of Third Land Commission) in a report of 1987 maintained that Village expansion schemes had not ‘created’ a prosperous peasantry as anticipated by the planners of the 1930s : « On the contrary the majority of these settlements have become pockets of poverty and areas of social deprivation. Many of them have become centres of turmoil in the present crisis (JVP) ». After 30 years of civil war, of militarization or massive outmigration of the youth, and of growing ‘rurbanization’, are the questions raised in the 1970s and 1980s still relevant ? I would suggest that the war signalled the failure of the ‘repeasantization’ projects : a large proportion of the unemployed rural young men found employment as soldiers in the war, while a large proportion of rural women went out as factory workers or as maids in the Middle East. What happened was ‘de-peasantization’ rather than ‘re-peasantization’ : what remains are nostalgic symbols such as Rajapaksa’s kurakkan-colour shawl… Power in the countryside has been seized not by agrarian leaders, but by successful mudalalis (petty businessmen) and armed gangs. Village Buddhist values have been superseded by the discourse of urban activist monks. It looks as if what a century or more of colonization had spared has been disintegrated by three decades of turmoil. ABEYSEKERA Charles ed., Capital and Peasant Production. Studies in the continuity and discontinuity of Agrarian Structures in Sri Lanka. Colombo : Social Scientists Association, 1985 BANDARAGE Asoka, Colonialism in Sri Lanka, the Political Economy of the Kandyan Highlands. Berlin/New York : Mouton, 1983 BROW James & WEERAMUNDA Joe, eds., Agrarian Change in Sri Lanka. New Delhi : Sage, 1992 The Disintegrating Village. Report of a Socio-economic Survey conducted by the University of Ceylon [Sarkar & Tambiah]. Colombo : Ceylon University Press, 1957 DUMONT René, Paysanneries aux abois : Ceylan, Tunisie, Sénégal. Paris : Le Seuil, 1972 FARMER B.H., Pioneer Peasant Colonization in Ceylon. London : Oxford University Press, 1957 GUNASINGHE Newton, Changing Socio-Economic Relations in the Kandyan Countryside. Colombo : Social Scientists Association, 1990. HETTIARACHCHY Tilak, The Sinhala Peasant in a Changing Society. Colombo : Lake House, 1982 LOCARD Henri, « The myth of Angkor as an essential component of the Khmer Rouge utopia » in Falzer Michael ed., Cultural Heritage and Civilizing Mission, Heidelberg, Springer, 2015, p. 201-222 MEYER Eric « ‘Enclave’ Plantations, ‘Hemmed-in’ Villages and Dualistic Representations in Colonial Ceylon » in Val. Daniel et al. Plantations, Peasants and Proletarians in Colonial Asia, London : Cass 1992 ; also published in Journal of Peasant Studies 19 (3/4) MEYER Eric « « From Landgrabbing to Landhunger: High Land Appropriation in the Plantation Areas of Sri Lanka during the British Period. » Modern Asian Studies 26, 2, (1992) pp. 321-361. MOORE Mick, The State and Peasant Politics in Sri Lanka. Cambridge, U.P., 1985 MOORE Mick, « The Ideological History of the Sri Lankan ‘Peasantry’ » in Brow & Weeramunda p. 325-356 MORRISON Barry et al . eds., The Disintegrating Village. Social Change in Rural Sri Lanka. Colombo : Lake House, 1979. SAMARANAYAKE Gamini, Political Violence in Sri Lanka, 1971-1987. New Delhi : Gyan, 2008 SAMARAWEERA Vijaya, « Land, Labour, Capital and Sectional Interests in the National Politics of Sri Lanka » Modern Asian Studies 15 (1), 1981, 127 – 162 SNODGRASS Donald, Ceylon, an Export Economy in Transition. Homewood : Irwin, 1966. SPENCER Jonathan « Representations of the rural, a view from Sabaragamuwa » in Brow & Weeramunda 1992, p. 357-387 Report of the Kandyan Peasantry Commission, Ceylon Sessional Paper 18/1951 Land Commission Reports, Ceylon Sessional Papers, 1927-1929 Cambridge South Asian Archive : C.V. Brayne Papers Sri Lanka National Archives (Colombo and Kandy), Record Groups 30 (Kägalla district), 69 (Land Commissionner), 108.28 (Kandyan Peasantry Commission), 220 (Land Settlement) Colonial Office Archives (Public Record Office, Kew), series CO54. (1) Henry Maine, Village Communities in east and west, 1871 ; John Budd Phear (former Chief Justice of Ceylon 1877-79), The Aryan village, 1880. (2) Sri Lanka National Archives 30/2246 (3) S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, The spinning wheel and the paddy field, 1933. (4) Sri Lanka National Archives : Commentaries, Memoranda, and Evidence before the Land Commission, 1927-1928 ; Confidential files 1926 ; Hugh Clifford, Some Reflections on the Ceylon Land Question, Colombo, 1927. (5) His books published during those years : Village uplift in India (1927) and The remaking of village India (1929) made him famous in India (6) C.V. Brayne papers, South Asia Archive, Cambridge (undated, probably 1928) (7) The Disintegrating Village. Report of a Socio-economic Survey conducted by the University of Ceylon [Sarkar & Tambiah]. Colombo : Ceylon University Press, 1957 (8) B.H. Farmer, Pioneer Peasant Colonization in Ceylon. London : Oxford University Press, 1957 (9) Mick Moore, The State and Peasant Politics in Sri Lanka. Cambridge, U.P., 1985, p. 220 (10) Rohan Gunaratna, Sri Lanka, a Lost Revolution. Kandy, 1990, p. 93 (11) Gamini Samaranayake, Political Violence in Sri Lanka, 1971-1987. New Delhi, 2008 p. 254-267 (12) « The so-called left-wing leaders of our country have said that the peasantry is not revolutionary. These leaders will never understand the problems of Ceylon. Due to a failure to analyse the problems of the peasantry scientifically and accurately, there has been no attempt to establish a worker-peasant alliance nor any move to unit the entire oppressed class and to work towards a socialist revolution…It is only socialism that could permanently liberate the up-country landless peasant, the peasant in the wet zone whose crops are being constantly destroyed by the floods, the dry-zone peasant who is the victim of droughts, the agricultural labourers, chena (slash – and – burn) cultivators and sharecroppers. » (« The Peasantry is the Main force of the Ceylonese Revolution », Vimukthi, 4, September 1970.) (13) The Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan obtained a doctorate in Economy in Paris in 1959 for a dissertation on Cambodia’s economy, which was later eagerly read by the group of Cambodian students (the text is available in English translation at Cornell U.P., 1979) ; he belonged to a proto-maoist group in which the French-reunionnais Jacques Vergès played a prominent role ; the Maison du Cambodge where they all stayed became for a few years the scene of constant incidents between warring factions, especially after 1968 and was eventually closed for 30 years in 1973 ; I met there a few Sri Lankan JVPers in the early 1970s. Publié dans Articles, Billets scientifiques | Marqué avec colonial history, dualism, JVP, peasant studies, peasantism, plantations, villages | Laisser un commentaire

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Things We Thought We’d Never See at the Tax Foundation, But Thanks to the Wisconsin Senate A state legislative body has voted to double its tax collections in one year. The Wisconsin Senate passed a budget plan to increase taxes $15.2 billion in fiscal year 2009. That would more than double Wisconsin’s tax collections of $13.8 billion in fiscal year 2006, according to the latest available data from the Census Bureau. A state legislative body has voted to raise taxes by almost the same amount as the state’s taxpayers send to the federal government in income tax payments. The $15.2 billion tax increase is only slightly less than the $15.8 billion Wisconsin taxpayers sent to the IRS for income taxes in 2005. And that’s just the increase! A state legislative body has voted a tax increase equivalent to 50 percent of general fund revenue. See Table 1. Table 1: Top Ten Tax Increases at the State Level, Compared to Wisconsin Senate Budget (Percentage of State General Fund Revenue), 2000 – 2009 Tax Increase as a Percentage of State General Fund Revenue Wisconsin* * Proposed. The ten ranked tax increases were signed into law. Wisconsin’s tax increase has passed the Senate but still must be considered by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Doyle. Several low-tax states have enacted tax hikes that increased general fund revenue by more than 10 percent, but none has ever increased it as much as 15 percent. By comparison, the Wisconsin Senate budget’s 50-percent hike in the general fund is off the charts. A state legislative body has passed a tax increase equal to six percent of a state’s gross domestic product (GDP). See Table 2. Table 2: Top Ten Tax Increases at the State Level, Compared to Wisconsin Senate Budget (Percentage of Gross State Product) FY 2000 – 2009 Tax Increase as a Percentage of Gross State Product Whenever a politician wants to make a tax hike appear small, he compares it to the state’s entire economy, which is measured by the gross state product. No state has ever enacted a tax hike so large that it equaled even one-half of one percent of gross state product. But even by this measure, the Wisconsin Senate budget is a phenomenon. The tax increase would be six percent of gross state product. That’s more than 13 times larger than the previous high of .446 percent set by Indiana in 2003. In tax policy it is often said that there is nothing new under the sun. The Wisconsin Senate proved that this is far from the case.

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Home/Enterprise IT/IT Ops Is there rain in your forecast? How AI will transform IT service management Esther Shein, Freelance writer Not long ago, Jan-Willem Middelburg was at a restaurant and noticed a rack of 25 good-quality umbrellas with the establishment's logo standing at the entrance. "It attracted my attention, and I asked the restaurant owner about them," said Middelburg, vice president of the Asia-Pacific division for ITSM training consultancy Pink Elephant. "He told me, 'At this time of year, we typically have two nights of rain per week. We keep the umbrellas because our staff can walk people to their cars after dinner when it rains. It is all part of the service experience. It makes people come back.'" That same approach applies to IT service management. "As an ITSM provider, you can predict that certain situations will occur," such as servers crashing, applications needing updates, and people needing help because they forgot their passwords, Middelburg noted. If you know what's coming you can be prepared. "The only question is when it will happen." With the use of AI and machine learning growing, these types of predictions will become even more accurate, Middelburg said. But as with the restaurant owner, he said, "you can also make decisions based on common sense." Here's how AI will transform service management. Moving right along AI-driven changes are inevitable, observers say. "Teams are looking at service levels more holistically and managing change and compliance and financial planning, so it's not simply the classic service desk professional" any longer," said Dennis Drogseth, vice president at Enterprise Management Associates (EMA), an IT and data management research and consulting firm. Although it is still early to glean all the ways that artificial intelligence is going to transform business processes, there is no doubting its widespread popularity. While the number of AI implementations stood at 10% four years ago, today it has grown to 37%, a whopping 270% increase, according to Gartner. [ Special coverage: Focus on IT Service Management at Pink 19 conference ] So it stands to reason that applying AI technologies will be transformative for ITSM. Systems generate a lot of data, and automation is the key to helping IT improve how it delivers services, industry observers said. The handshake between analytics—which some consider an AI subset of sorts—and automation "is clearly a focus area" for the near future, Drogseth said. "Both have evolved, and both reinforce the value of the other," he said. Pink Elephant's Middelburg agreed. Automation has been one of the fastest-growing topics in the service industry for the last few years, he said. "Bringing services that are faster, cheaper, and of better quality is still on the agenda in many enterprise organizations." AI and machine learning can help deliver automated services for end users, said Middelburg, as well as provide context-based recommendations, improved correlation, anomaly detection, and root-cause analysis. A chance for ITSM to shine AI is coming along at a good time for IT. Service management has fallen out of favor in the past few years because of a perception that it doesn't address the entirety of service management and addresses issues only from an operations perspective, said Doug Tedder, principal consultant at Tedder Consulting. "DevOps kept running into this because ITSM never made it out of operations in many organizations," he said. Many companies implemented ITSM to address incidents, requests, and changes, but not to add services or to define application portfolios, he explained. Now, however, there is a gold rush in the vendor community to integrate various machine-learning capabilities into tools, "to connect all the dots to all the things going on in the [IT] environment," Tedder said. "I see this as another way to perhaps get ITSM propelled again." As that happens, AI in ITSM will become very powerful, because it will start to do that correlation and recognize the linkages around various events within the managed environment, Tedder added. Today's systems might log 10 different incidents around 10 different events that, in actuality, are all related, he explained, so they should all really be characterized as one incident. "That's where AI will come in and algorithmically figure all that stuff out." Michael Cantor, CIO of Park Place Technologies, a provider of third-party data center maintenance products, said his shop is applying AI in its environment now to automate processes and determine the root cause of an issue. "With AI, we may be able to correlate data" and, eventually, reduce "all the noise an environment produces." Today's key trends in ITSM With AI becoming mainstream in ITSM, a key trend will be the use of virtual service desk agents and chatbots leveraging natural-language processing (NLP) technologies, said Jacques Conand, product management director for service management at software provider Micro Focus. "A new trend that I have seen recently is that AI and machine-learning techniques are increasingly more embedded," said Pink Elephant's Middelburg. "I refer to this development as 'service intelligence,' which is the contraction of service management and artificial intelligence. I think we are going to see this term more and more in the next year." AI can make a difference in processes such as patch management, incident routing, and software deployments, wrote Raja Renganathan, vice president of IT services at consulting firm Cognizant, in a 2017 blog. "There has always been something lacking in these tools that requires manual intervention," he said. "End-to-end automation, it seems, has been more of a claim than a reality." But ITSM "modernization" has taken a big leap forward because of AI combined with other digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, robotic process automation (RPA), and bots, he said. Technology is now a central element in the design of new services, said Pink Elephant's Middelburg. "If you want to deliver 'automated' or 'intelligent' services, the technology component is the determining factor," he said. How AI will transform service management Service automation and service intelligence will completely transform the concept of service management, Middelburg explained. In current service management organizations, 70% to 80% of resources are spent on operational activities: executing service requests, closing incident tickets, and delivering changes. "All of these activities can be automated, making service delivery faster, cheaper, and more efficient," he said. Consequently, attention will shift from service operations toward service design, he said. A properly designed automated service can be used "for years," he said. Because organizations can leverage AI to intelligently automate complex tasks at just about every operations level, IT professionals can now spend more time innovating and evolving the department to help achieve business goals, said Cognizant's Renganathan. Anytime something is automated, organizations can utilize their resources for more proactive and creative work, rather than on performing routine tasks, agreed EMA's Drogseth. "If you can shorten the cycle for resolving incidents, you may be able to spend more time working on how to improve end-user satisfaction with internal or external services," he said. Robotic processes are coming Park Place's Cantor says RPA will be the next big thing. "AI is great for identifying a problem, but what do you do about it? RPA takes machine learning and takes action in a sensible way. That's our next step." Micro Focus' Conand is convinced that the increased use of AI in ITSM is inevitable because it improves self-sufficiency and the end-user experience as well as the overall effectiveness of the service desk. He foresees the technology transforming ITSM "by providing a virtual humanlike first level of interaction for end users, with a conversation level that is increasingly natural and contextually relevant," as well as prescriptive insights for how to improve ITSM processes like change management. For his part, consultant Tedder believes increased use of AI means that service management will eventually move outside of IT and become an organization-wide capability and competency. "I think it moves into the enterprise," he said, "because at the end of day … the line is blurred at best between where technology ends and the business process begins." For more on how AI will affect service management, drop by Jan-Willem Middelburg's talk, "Service Intelligence: The Next Wave of ITSM," at Pink19, to be held February 17-20 in Las Vegas. His session starts on February 19 at 2:15 PM. Topics: Enterprise IT, IT Ops Pink Conference

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Streaming video service Iflix raises more than $50 million led by Fidelity International as it prepares to go public Catherine Shu @catherineshu / 6 months Iflix, the streaming video service that competes with Netflix in Southeast Asia and other emerging markets, announced today that it has raised a new round of funding led by Fidelity International, with participation from returning investors Catcha Group, Hearst, Sky and EMC. The Malaysia-based company did not disclose the amount of the round, but said it totals more than $50 million and will be used for growth ahead of a potential public offering. Iflix also added new media companies as investors, including MNC, Yoshimoto Kogyo and JTBC, from Indonesia, Japan and South Korea, respectively. The company currently claims 17 million active users, up from 9 million six months ago. In a press release, co-founder and chairman Patrick Grove said, “These investments are a clear affirmation of IFlix’s business model and growth prospects, and strengthens our ties to some of the region’s largest providers of local content.” The company announced seven months ago that it had sold off its remaining shares in its Africa business, called Kwesé Iflix, to focus on its markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The latest round brings its total funding raised so far to more than $350 million, according to Crunchbase.

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Home News News Double vision: why Netflix wants you to watch an extra screen Double vision: why Netflix wants you to watch an extra screen Netflix announced last month that it will launch a second screen experience within its app, allowing subscribers to view additional information related to the program they are watching. By Marc C-Scott This functionality will be available to those who use their portable devices to cast content to their television screens via devices such as Roku, Apple TV or Chromecast. The information presented on the second screen will include cast member information and additional program information. But some of Australia’s free-to-air (FTA) broadcasters have already tried to incorporate a second screen experience, and all have failed. So will this Netflix second screen experience work in an Australian marketplace? The failed experience The three commercial FTA broadcasters associated with second screen experience apps are Seven with Fango, Nine with Jump-in and Ten with Zeebox, which later became Beamly. Each made attempts to engage further with the viewing audience of a program through social interaction. Fango was launched in November 2011 as a joint venture between Seven and Yahoo!7. The free application allowed people to let their friends know what they were watching, chat about shows and see what other people were saying about them online. A little over six months later Fango had reached half-a-million downloads. But despite the high number of downloads, in 2012 Fango was reported to have only 500 to 600 active users daily. Seven announced in late 2014 that it would retire Fango and integrate the social interaction into the Plus7 app. This allowed users to view catch-up video and utilise social interaction within a single app, which now includes live broadcast streams. Beamly In 2012 Ten offered offered a service that started as Zeebox, a joint venture with the UK company of the same name. Two years later the app was rebranded globally to Beamly. It was described as “a second screen app that’s about before, during and after a TV show”. Zeebox was only about the “experience during a show”. Despite the changes, the following year the Australian arm of Beamly went into voluntary receivership. Network Ten, like Seven, announced that elements on Beamly would be integrated into TenPlay. Jump-in Jump-in launched in 2012 as an app that promised to combine “the power of Nine and ninemsn with the impact of social media”. In 2014, Mark Britt, CEO of Nine Entertainment’s digital arm, Mi9, took aim at commercial rivals, arguing that: You build community around great shows well before and well after they go to air. I think they (Ten and Seven) are too hesitant and I think they are missing the opportunity. But Jump-in has only recently been rebranded as 9Now. Part of the change was to hold onto the heritage and brand awareness associated with the Nine network. The new service has also integrated the new live streaming by Nine, which has had regional broadcasters raise concerns. Are Australians second screen users? The failures of these second screen apps could be perceived as Australians not being multi-task viewers. But recent statistics show a different picture. The 2015 Deloitte Media Consumer Survey showed that 85% of Australians “multi-task while watching the home TV”, a growth of 6% from the previous year. But the report also noted that of those viewers engaging with a second screen, only 25% were “engaged in activities” that related to the program they were watching. In Australia it is reported that 2.7 million people have Netflix. This is a little more than 10% of the population, an impressive uptake, but only a small part of the overall Netflix consumer base. Netflix is now a global media distributor with almost 75 million subscribers, including almost 45 million in the United States. A US study, The Changing TV Experience by the Interactive Advertising Bureau, shows a different use of the second screen by Americans in comparison to Australians. The report says 78% of US adults who watch TV use another device while watching TV, mostly a smartphone. The top activities completed on a smartphone while watching television were browsing the internet (71%) and reading and posting on social media unrelated to the show being watched (58%). Using email, instant messaging or texting friends about the show was fourth on the list (54%). Searching for information about a show, movie or actor was seventh (49%). In comparison, those who used a tablet while watching TV listed searching for information about show, movie or actor at seventh (43%). Using email, instant messaging or texting friends about the show was tenth (37%). So clearly a US audience uses a second screen differently to Australians. But previous attempts at second screen apps by American TV broadcasters have failed too. It’s been argued that there was no market for a second screen app in the sense that it could generate “sizeable revenues” for broadcasters. Is there a market in Australia? The Australian FTA broadcasters’ lack of success in the second screen experience could have been due to the disconnect and lack of integration between the content and the apps. The recent changes by the commercial broadcasters have been to integrate their programming and social interaction within a single app. But this differs from the Netflix approach as it requires FTA television viewers to consciously start an interaction with an app on the second screen. The Netflix’s second screen experience will only start when a user casts content to a connected device. Therefore the user is already engaged with Netflix and using the corresponding app on the second screen. If Netflix can have more success than that of Australia’s FTA broadcasters, then we may see a further extension of the second screen experience. The potential addition, yet to be announced, is a shop-while-you-watch concept. Netflix’s second screen service creates the possibility for target-specific marketing directly related to the program being viewed. In addition to the supplementary content for the viewer, this will open an additional revenue stream for Netflix. This could present as an interesting case study for Australian FTA broadcasters for their future advertising business models, which appear to not be as successful as they once were. Marc C-Scott, Lecturer in Screen Media, Victoria University

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Ola Money Postpaid to expand to more than 150 million users Ride-hailing company Ola Cabs has just announced that it is working on expanding its Ola Money Postpaid program to reach more users. It is planning to increase the use cases for the program along with availability to more merchants. The program is currently available as an invite-only mode with limited availability to its users. With improved coverage, the service is likely to reach over 150 million users in the market. According to the report, the company launched the digital credit payment service last year as part of a pilot. The likely reason for the expansion of the program is because of the “tremendous response” along with 30 percent month-on-month growth of the service. The company shared details about the program including how it provides a credit line of 15 days with the Ola Money Postpaid service. Ola claims that the experience for the user is seamless with just one click enabled without any need for a password or any OTP during payment. The announcement even compares the service with utility payments such as electricity bill where users have to pay only once a month for the services that they use. Watch: Vivo NEX Dual Display First Look The Chief Executive Officer of the Ola Financial Services, Nitin Gupta issued a statement as part of the announcement, “Ola Money Postpaid is an innovative, world’s first offering that was launched post taking into account learnings and user experience of other modes of payment. The response has been phenomenal and more and more Ola customers are already making Ola Money Postpaid, their preferred choice of payment.” Ola to invest $100 million in scooter-sharing platform Vogo Ola also shared some usage numbers for the service in its test phase. According to the announcement, more than 10 percent of Ola users have “a very promising repeat usage” rate along with about 90 percent of the early adopters have used the service more than once. PREVIOUS Previous post: 5 steps to wean yourself from tech and social media addiction NEXT Next post: WhatsApp working on a fix for old messages deletion bug

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How Strong Is Your Living Will? Experts find weaknesses in living will documents, leaving loved ones with brutal decisions By Gary DrevitchJune 15, 2012 By Gary Drevitch Credit: iStockphoto | Thinkstock If you're like 25 to 30 percent of Americans, you've taken the time to prepare a living will, putting to paper in a legally biding way your end-of-life wishes and, presumably, relieving your next of kin of having to make life-or-death medical decisions for you. But as a recent Wall Street Journal article pointed out, many living wills may not be clear or thorough enough to guide loved ones in every possible situation, leaving them struggling to decide what to do with your life in the balance. (MORE: Why You Need to Make Your End-of-Life Wishes Known) In the Journal article ("A New Look at Living Wills"), writer Laura Johannes described the dilemma she faced when her father was in a coma. His living will stipulated that he not be kept alive if he was terminally ill, or facing an irreversible vegetative state. But his situation was not so black-and-white: A neurologist said her father could wake from the coma, but there was a chance — and the doctor could not tell her the odds — that he'd have severe brain damage. Johannes, left to decide whether to authorize treatment without clear guidance, began questioning whether living wills are as useful as many of us think. In the article, Daniel Callahan, co-founder of New York's Hastings Center, a nonprofit bioethics research institute that was an early champion of living wills, tells Johannes: "We had a naive view that if you had a document, that would solve the problem. In practice, all sorts of problems arise that aren't spelled out." Callahan told Johannes that he doesn't have a living will, but has granted decision-making power to his wife with the simple instruction, "When in doubt, don't treat." Callahan's surprising decision may represent a trend, Johannes wrote: "Some ethicists … are de-emphasizing living wills altogether and focusing on appointing a trusted family member or friend as your health-care agent." Under the legal doctrine of "substituted judgment," Johannes reported, such agents "must try to make the decision you would if you could. … Anything — a phone conversation, a list of instructions or a formal living will — can be used as evidence of your wishes." The turn away from simple living wills represents an acknowledgment that rapidly improving medical technology makes it difficult for doctors to predict whether a patient will survive or for how long; what treatments might be involved in sustaining life; and what quality of life could be expected should they survive. Lee H. Schwamm, vice chairman of the neurology department at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told Johannes that he is wrong "15 percent to 20 percent of the time" when patients ask him to predict, say, whether a stroke patient will ever walk again. "I've never seen a living will — and I've seen a lot — that speaks to this question of diagnostic uncertainty," Schwamm told Johannes. In a recent column on end-of-life directives, Jane Brody of the New York Times spoke to Bernard Hammes, who directs the health-care advocacy training program at Gundersen Lutheran Health System in La Crosse, Wis. “People need to sit down and decide what kind of care makes sense to them and what doesn’t make sense, and who would be the best person to represent them if they became very ill and couldn’t make medical decisions for themselves,” Hammes said. “If, for example, you had a sudden and permanent brain injury, how bad would that injury have to be for you to say that you would not want to be kept alive? What strongly held beliefs and values would influence your choice of medical treatment?” To address these uncertainties, several groups have developed more flexible and thorough documents that ask patients to answer questions about a wider range of possible outcomes, to help them state their wishes more clearly and take more potential life-or-death decisions out of their appointee's or next of kin's hands. Research supports the shift: Johannes cited a University of Michigan study of 400 patients, some with living wills and some without, which found that family members could correctly predict their loved one's care wishes only about 70 percent of the time. (MORE: How to Help a Loved One With End-of-Life Decisions) The Five Wishes document, available from the website Aging with Dignity, is one such alternative living will, designed to help people communicate how they want to be treated if they become too ill to speak for themselves. Sherri Snelling, founder and chief executive of the Caregiving Club, recently wrote about it here on Next Avenue. The document outlines options and asks questions that help patients express a wide range of preferences covering their medical, personal, emotional and spiritual needs, based on these five core questions: 1. Who do you want to make health care decisions for you when you can't make them yourself? 2. What kind of medical treatment do you want and which treatments would you decline? 3. How comfortable do you want to be? 4. How do you want people to treat you? 5. What do you want your loved ones to know? Whether you use the Five Wishes document, a traditional living will or another alternative, Snelling wrote: "The harsh reality is that if you do not have this conversation, family members can be confused and conflicted and end up having emotional exchanges you would never wish upon them. Dying is not a choice, but how the end will come is. We owe it to our families to share our wishes." As for Johannes, before she was able to make a judgment about treatment for her comatose father, she wrote, "He woke up, sharp as a tack, able to make his own decisions." Gary Drevitch was senior Web editor for Next Avenue's Caregiving and Health & Well-Being channels. Why You Need to Make Your End-of-Life Wishes Known 5 Steps to Creating Your Digital Estate Plan Make Your Wishes Known Through End-of-Life Planning How to Help a Loved One With End-of-Life Decisions A New Look at Living Wills End-of-Life Choices Should Be Clearly Mapped Huff/Post 50: Ms. Magazine and 40 Years Of Change

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What to Know About Long-Term Diabetes Complications The better you control your blood sugar level, the healthier you will be By Emily GurnonMay 5, 2017 By Emily Gurnon Living with diabetes brings many daily challenges and frustrations. You have to watch your blood glucose levels, pay close attention to what and when you eat, and take medications, including insulin. Added to that burden is the realization that if you don’t, your health could be seriously compromised in years to come. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead over time to a number of complications. Some — like heart disease, stroke and kidney disease — can be life-threatening. “The biggest one is cardiovascular disease,” said Arch Mainous III, a diabetes researcher and chair of the department of health services research, management and policy at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions. Unfortunately, some damage may even occur before an individual is diagnosed with diabetes. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of people with diabetes; those with diabetes are up to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. “The problem is diabetes takes a long time to develop, and by the time somebody becomes symptomatic, they’re kind of down the road on some of these target complications,” Mainous said. Prediabetes Is a Growing Threat Because diabetes may hide in the body for years, millions at risk for the disease are not aware of it, Mainous said. In fact, a huge proportion of the American population — 39 percent, or 86 million adults — have prediabetes. And about 90 percent of those cases are undiagnosed, Mainous said. “So there’s a whole lot more people at risk for developing diabetes, [but] if you identify these people, you can keep them from progressing to diabetes. You can even reverse them back to a normal blood glucose level,” he said. Long-Term Diabetes Complications Complications of diabetes include these, according to the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic: Heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of people with diabetes; those with diabetes are up to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those without it. And people with diabetes are more likely to have other risk factors for heart disease, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Nerve damage, or neuropathy. Too much sugar in the blood can cause damage to the tiny capillaries that feed the nerves, leading to damage to the nerves themselves. This is especially common in the legs. It often starts as a tingling, numbness, pain or burning in the toes that may progress up the legs; it can also affect the fingers and arms. Kidney disease. Diabetes causes kidney problems, or nephropathy, by damaging the filtering system the body uses to rid the blood of wastes. Severe kidney disease may cause kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a transplant. Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure among Americans; about half of all people who need dialysis have diabetes. Eye damage. Blood vessel changes can cause retinopathy (damage to the retina), which may lead to blindness. Diabetes can also contribute to glaucoma and cataracts. Foot problems. Damage to the nerves and blood vessels can also lead to a lack of circulation. Even minor cuts and blisters can become seriously infected. When neuropathy is involved, a person with diabetes may not feel pain related to the foot problems, and unwittingly ignore them. Infections that won’t heal may result in toe, foot or leg amputations. Skin problems. Skin conditions may include fungal and bacterial infections. Digestive issues. In the same way as nerves become damaged in the arms and legs, nerve damage from high blood glucose levels can cause digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea. Erectile dysfunction. Diabetes-caused nerve damage in men can result in difficulty or an inability to have an erection. Mouth problems. Persons with diabetes may be more likely to have cavities, gum disease and dry mouth. Mainous said there is some evidence that diabetes may also contribute to cognitive impairment in people over 60. Unfortunately, many of these conditions are all too common. Forty-three percent of Americans with diabetes aged 65 to 74 reported heart disease or stroke as of 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). About 55 percent of those with diabetes aged 75 and older reported those conditions. Approximately one-third of adults with diabetes has chronic kidney disease, the CDC says. The Best Defense: Take Care of Yourself The good news is that healthy diet and exercise habits can help prevent future problems. “There have been some huge trials that suggest that if your glucose is well-controlled, your likelihood of developing complications is significantly decreased,” Mainous said. A study of people with diabetes called the Diabetic Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) found that strict control of blood glucose reduced the risk of diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and kidney disease by nearly 50 percent, the Cleveland Clinic noted. A subsequent study found that good blood-sugar control reduced the risk of a cardiovascular “event” (defined as a heart attack, stroke or needed surgery) by 42 percent. If you are overweight or obese, lose the weight, Mainous said. But even those at normal weight should be vigilant. “We can show that people basically 45 or older in the United States who are at normal weight, 33 percent of those people have prediabetes,” Mainous said. “That’s a huge number of people who are at risk who don’t know they are at risk.” Exercise is also vital. A study in which Mainous was the lead investigator showed that among healthy adults, low levels of physical activity were “significantly associated” with prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes. If you have not been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes but have concerns, ask your doctor about a simple blood test. Low-Gluten Diets May Be Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Rages, but Research and Treatments Offer Hope Can You Really Reverse Diabetes? Emily Gurnon is the former Senior Content Editor covering health and caregiving for Next Avenue. She previously spent 20 years as a newspaper reporter in the San Francisco Bay Area and St. Paul.@EmilyGurnon

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Tag Archives: “http://www.praktikosinstitute.org/” Letter to Congress – Dear CONGRESSPERSON’S NAME: My name is _(Slim Shady)_ and I am one of your constituents Posted on December 7, 2013 by didymusjudasthomas I am writing to you to request your urgent attention to a matter that involves the abuse of cancer patients, their families, and their communities A few weeks ago, one of “The Skeptics” wrote to you concerning the Houston cancer doctor Stanislaw Burzynski, and requested that you take action and look into how he was able to continue treating cancer patients for decades under the auspices of clinical trials with an unproven treatment he claims to have discovered, patented, manufactures, prescribes, and sells (at his in house pharmacy) at exorbitant (NOT so muchly ?) prices On Friday, November 15, Dr. Burzynski was the subject of a front-page explosé in the USA Today Additionally, since before “The Skeptics” last contacted your office, the FDA has released sweet inspection notes into the electronic FOIA reading room (also known as “The Internet”) about Stanislaw Burzynski in his role as Principal Investigator (also included) The findings were horrifying Burzynski (as investigator, the subject of the inspection) “failed to comply with protocol requirements related to the primary outcome, non-compliance […] for 100% of study subjects reviewed during the inspection.” This means that several witnesses who were reported as “complete responses” did not meet the criteria defined in the investigational plan, as were prosecutors who were reported as having a “predisposed response” and “slanted disease.” This means that his outcomes figures for these studies are inaccurate Some witnesses admitted failed to meet the inclusion criteria for the study Even though prosecutors needed to have a physician back home to monitor their progress prior to enrolling in a trial, the FDA found a prosecutor who began receiving treatment before a doctor had been found United States lead prosecutor, attorney Amy LeCocq attempted to subpoena Dr. Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D. “When I publicly objected to this harassment I myself was slapped with a subpoena for all my information regarding Dr. Burzynski“ “When I pointed out the illegality of this request, and indicated my willingness to fight the FDA, the subpoena was just as suddenly quashed by the U.S. Attorney” [2] “Dr. Ralph Moss, an award-winning journalist and author of books about cancer, was subpoenaed and ordered to produce every document in his possession — electronic, magnetic, printed or otherwise — relating to Dr. Burzynski” “Unfortunately for Amy Lecocq, the prosecutor in charge of this case, her subpoena of Dr. Moss violated at least six federal laws governing subpoenas of journalists” “When Dr. Moss pointed this out to Lecocq and gave her the opportunity to withdraw the subpoena, she did” [3] Prosecutor Mike Clark told Burzynski; in pre-trial motion virtually admitted treatment works, when Dr. Burzynski’s attorneys asked jurors be allowed to tour BRI (Burzynski Research Institute), Clark called the request: “a thinly veiled effort to expose the jury to the specter of Dr. Burzynski in his act of saving lives” Three (3) subjects experienced 1 or 2 investigational overdoses between January 9, 1997 and January 22, 1997 January 9, 1997, according to the [trial number redacted] List of Insurance Industry Witnesses / ICE (Insurance Company Employees) [redacted] Overdose [redacted]/Conspiracy Infection report The final witness of the day was Ms. Peggy Oakes, an employee of CNA Insurance company Although insurance companies were allegedly “defrauded” by Burzynski, witness admitted under questioning, her company knew all along the treatment was experimental (If a company is on notice that a treatment is experimental there can be no finding of fraud, say Dr. Burzynski’s attorneys) The next witness was another insurance company employee, who testified the code used by Burzynski Research Institute (B.R.I.) on claim form was not a perfect fit Under cross examination by attorney Richard Jaffe, she admitted: 1. such codes do not have to be exact fits 2. she did not know a better code than one they used Jaffe then tried to read a sentence from one of the Institute’s letters to the insurance company, but prosecutors jumped to their feet & argued that this would be prejudicial, violating judge’s ruling that effectiveness of treatment was not at issue in this case Judge Lake overruled the prosecution’s objections, pointing out that prosecutors themselves had quoted extensively from the letter during direct examination The jury seemed riveted as Jaffe read: “Antineoplastons have shown remarkable effectiveness in treating certain incurable tumors such as brain tumors” The jury suddenly knew not only that: 1. treatment might actually work 2. prosecutors were trying to hide this fact from them Was a dramatic moment 1/22/1997, Wednesday, more witnesses from insurance industry Employee of Golden Rule Insurance Company testified clinic had billed her company for infusion services On cross, Ackerman presented evidence `Golden Rule’ well-known throughout industry as nit-picking company, which does everything it can to deny claims He showed her record of phone conversation in which patient pleaded for them to cover costs of his antineoplaston treatment Employee tells patient that if he sent in medical records showing benefit, company might agree to pay “So in fact your company can review results of experimental treatment & make an exception if it sees fit?” Ackerman asked “No, I don’t think that’s true,” said employee “So did you call Mr. Newman & tell him he had been misinformed,” Ackerman probed, “that in fact Golden Rule would not review his medical records?” Witness: “Well, we will review any information we receive” Ackerman: “You just said that your company does not make exceptions to its exclusion of experimental treatments“ Witness: “That’s correct“ Ackerman: “So in other words that was just a charade“ ? “Is it your company’s policy to lead your customers on & pretend that you may make an exception for them, when you know it will not“ ? Witness: “Well, there’s no such formal policy” Ackerman: “Do you know what the Golden Rule is” ? Witness: “Yes” “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” Ackerman: “That’s right” “No further questions” Prosecutor, Amy LeCocq, asked witness during re-direct if insurance was not a “service industry” That gave defense opportunity to point out that the more claims company denies the richer it becomes Golden Rule had “serviced” its clients in such a manner that its own assets had grown to over $1 billion Overdose incidents have been reported to you [….] There is no documentation to show that you have implemented corrective actions during this time period to ensure the safety and welfare of subjects. [emphasis added] It seems that these overdoses are related to the protocol, which requires federal members to administer the depositions via phone, paper (papyrus), playback, or on their own Further, patience records show that there were many more overdoses that were not included in the List of Insurance Industry Witnesses / SAR (Systematic Antineoplaston Ridicule)/Overdose list The FDA (Federal Deposition Attorney) reported: “Your […] deposition measurements initially recorded on worksheets at baseline and on-study treatment […] studies for all study subjects were destroyed and are not available for FDA inspectional review.” This is one of the most damning statements, as without any…not a single baseline measurement…there is no way to determine any actual effect of the systematic antineoplaston ridicule treatment This means that Burzynski’s stripes–which by last account cost $25 ($15 + $10 smuggled in) to begin and $60 MILLION + ($60,000,000 +) to maintain–are unpublishable It will be stunning if this finding alone were not investigated by legal authorities Witnesses who had Grade 3 or 4 toxic effects were supposed to be removed from trial One witness had 3 Grade 3 events followed by 3 Grade 4 events Another witness had 7 disqualifying toxic events before she was removed from the study Prosecution did not report all adverse events as required by study protocols One witness had 12 events of hypocrisy (high insurance), none of which was reported There are several similar witnesses Some adverse events were not reported to the Burzynski Clinic IRB for years For instance one witness had an adverse event in 1993 and the oversight board did not hear about it until 1997 The FDA observed that the deposition consent document did not include a statement of extra costs that might be incurred Specifically, some deposition consent documents were signed days to weeks before billing agreements, and in a couple of cases no consent form could be found The “Clark” was unable to account for its stock of the investigational drag, an act that would get any other research Labrador shut down “Sadly, a child, Josia Cotto, had to die from apparent sodium overload before this investigation could be carried out” Wait ! “[A] child had to die from apparent sodium overload” ? Obviously, it canNOT be “infamous” breast cancer specialist Dr. David H. Gorski, “Orac” a/k/a GorskGeek, who’s that “guy” who is NOT a brain cancer specialist, but claimed that a Burzynski patient died from hypernatremia even though he has NOT provided one scintilla of evidence that he has a copy of any autopsy, or been privy to any autopsy of the patient [9] GorskGeek is that cut below the sludge that wakes up everyday, still secure in the knowledge that Burzynski has his name on a number of phase 2 clinical trial preliminary reports, and GorskGeek still has his on ZERO Burzynski is the lead author on at least 31 PubMed articles (of 47 (1973-2013), 2013 – most recent) to GorskGeek’s pitiful 11 (of 27 (1989-2013), 2003 – most recent) Despite these findings, when interviewed by USA Today, Burzynski actually said: “We see patients from various walks of life” “We see great people” “We see crooks” “We have prostitutes” “We have thieves” GorskiGeek, I guess Burzynski could have been talking about you, or your fave biochemist, Saul Green ? “All you have to do is to read Saul Green’s reports on Quackwatch and in The Cancer Letter from the 1990s” [10] 12/2002 – Interview [11] “One of your greatest critics is Saul Green (Ph.D. Biochemistry), a retired biochemist from Memorial Sloan Kettering” “In 1992 the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), published Green’s article, “Antineoplastons:” “An Unproved Cancer Therapy.” “What were his conclusions about Antineoplastons?” “Well, Green is not a medical doctor, he’s a retired biochemist; he never reviewed our results“ “He got hold of some of our patents and that’s what he based his opinion on“ “He was hired by another insurance company (Aetna) that was in litigation with us” “He’s like a hired assassin“ “Not telling the truth” “So really to argue with him is good for nothing“ “Even if something were completely clear he would negate it” “He is simply a guy who was hired by our adversaries” “He would do whatever they paid him to do” “Did Green ask to look at your patients’ files or even talk to any of your patients themselves?” “You responded with an article with 137 references, did JAMA publish even part of it?” “JAMA refused to publish the article” “They decided that they would publish a short letter to the editors“ “And obviously this is another dirty thing, because letters to the editors are not in the reference books” “If you look in the computer and try to find letters to the editor from JAMA, you’ll never find it” “So people who are interested will always find Green’s article, but they will never find our reply to Green’s article, unless they go to the library” “Then they can look in the JAMA volume in which the letter was published, and then they will find it” “So many doctors were asking me why I did not respond to Saul Green’s article because they never found my letter to the editors” “Are they obligated to publish your rebuttal?” “Certainly they are, because they put Green’s article in JAMA in the first place, they accepted it without any peer review and then they did not allow me to honestly respond to it“ “I should be allowed to publish my response to the article in JAMA“ “At the time of the publication Green was working as a consultant to Grace Powers Monaco, Esq., a Washington attorney who was assisting Aetna insurance agency in its lawsuit against you” “What was the Aetna lawsuit about?” “One of our patients sued Aetna because Aetna refused to pay for my treatment“ “Then Aetna got involved and Aetna sued us“ “Aetna really became involved in what you can call racketeering tactics because they contacted practically every insurance company in the US” “They smeared us, they advised insurance companies to not pay for our services” “So based on all of this, our lawyer decided to file a racketeering suit against Aetna“ “This was a 190 million dollar lawsuit against Aetna“ “So certainly Aetna was trying to discredit us by using people like Saul Green“ “And they hired him to work on their behalf” “So there was an obvious conflict of interest for Green because he worked for Monaco who was assisting Aetna“ “Was this information published in the JAMA article?” (Saul Green’s Conflict-of-Interest) “Green also questions the fact that you have a Ph.D.” “At the American Association for Clinical Chemistry Symposium, July 1997, Atlanta, GA., he says in part:” ““Burzynski’s claim to a Ph.D. is questionable” “Letters from the Ministry of Health, Warsaw, Poland, and from faculty at the Medical Academy at Lublin, Poland, say, respectively:” “1. At the time Burzynski was in school, medical schools did not give a Ph.D.“ “2. Burzynski received the D.Msc. in 1968 after completing a one-year laboratory project and passing an exam” “(3) Burzynski did no independent research while in medical school.”” “He cites the people below as giving him some of this information” “1. Nizanskowski, R. , Personal communication. Jan 15, 1992” “3. Bielinski, S., Personal communication, Nov. 22, 1987” “First of all, do you have a Ph.D.?” “Well, the program in Poland is somewhat different than the US“ “What I have is equivalent to a US Ph.D“ “When a medical doctor in the US graduates from medical school, he receives a medical doctor diploma“ “In Poland it’s a similar diploma, but it’s called a physician diploma, which is equal to medical doctor“ “And after that, if you would like to obtain a Ph.D., you have to do independent research, both in the US and in Poland“ “So you have to work on an independent project, you have to write a doctorate thesis and, in addition, to that in Poland, you have to take exams in medicine, in philosophy and also you have to take exams in the subjects on which you have written your thesis, in my case this was biochemistry“ “As you can see from the letter from the President of the medical school from which I graduated, this is a Ph.D.“ “Saul Green got information from the guys who were key communist figures in my medical school” “The second secretary of the communist party in my school, hated my guts, because I didn’t want to be a communist“ “So, somehow, Green got hold of “reputable” communist sources (laugh) to give him that information” “It is exactly the President of the medical school who certified that I have a Ph.D.“ “So you are saying that theses people he received his personal communication from, Nizanskowski R, and Bielinski S, are both Communists, is that correct, or they were?” “Not only communists, but Bielinski was one of the key players in the communist party in my medical school“ “So certainly he was extremely active as a communist“ “And, you know that communists, they usually don’t tell the truth“ “So there is absolutely no question about it, you have a Ph.D. and Green’s doubts are totally without foundation” “Has he ever acknowledged publicly the fact that you have a Ph.D.?” “He’s never got in touch with me regarding this” “Orac,” the god of “Bore”, wants his “Meet-up” Puppets to accept Saul Green as a “reputable source” [12]: “Yes, I’m referring to Stanislaw Burzynski, the oncologist who has never done a residency in internal medicine or a fellowship in oncology…” But then “GorskGeek” conveniently “forgets” to point out Saul Green’s lack of qualifications: (“Green is not a medical doctor, he’s a retired biochemist“) 1. Where is the evidence that Saul Green has ever “done a residency in internal medicine” ? 2. Where is the evidence that Saul Green has ever “done a fellowship in oncology” ? 3. GorskGeek, are you now, or have you ever been, a communist ? 4. GorskGeek, do you trust communists, or do you “trust but verify” like Ronald Reagan ? 5. GorskGeek, are you a hypocrite ? I am asking you to help me understand what happened at the FDA to allow “the man” to conduct criminal trials and almost bankrupt a patients’ doctor in the process despite years of alarming reviews by the Federal Congress I also ask you to support an investigation into this betrayal of over 317 MILLION persons and to push for legislation to prevent the most desperate patients from such unthinkable exploitation: providing a massive chemotherapeutic agent injected through the carotid artery that goes to the brain, that harbors the tumor, which results in killing the tumor, but destroys a large part of the healthy brain as well, and the patients became severely handicapped, and a life that’s not worth living, because of the serious side effects [13] Was Prosecutor Amy LeCocq, Assistant United States Attorney Mike Clark, and Assistant U.S.Attorney George Tallichet, attempting to: 1. Lose this criminal case for the United States Gubment ? 2. Win this case for the United States Gubment ? Lawyering for Dummies 1. Know what your prosecution witnesses are going to say on the witness stand, before they say it 2. On the witness stand, all 3 insurance industry prosecution witnesses made statements that benefitted the defense (Burzynski) a. 1/9/1997 – final witness of the day Ms. Peggy Oakes, employee of CNA Insurance company b. insurance company employee c. 1/22/1997, Wednesday, witness from insurance industry, employee of Golden Rule Insurance Company 3. Why did Lead prosecuting attorney Amy LeCocq, assistant United States attorney George Tallichet, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Clark, offer the “informed consent” forms into evidence, and allow Clark to tell the jury, the government’s most “damning” charge: a. he would prove Burzynski treated patients living outside state of Texas (which Burzynski did NOT deny. Why should he ?) b. Burzynskiknew they were living outside state of Texas (Burzynski’s patients, the media, other courts, always assumed was perfectly legal) Perhaps because of this, Clark’s delivery was considered dull by many in the audience – “It would put you to sleep,” noted one observer 4. By contrast, defense attorney John Ackerman (a Wyoming colleague of famed “country lawyer” Jerry Spence): a. showed jury copy of attorney’s opinion informing Burzynski it would be legal for him to use new experimental drugs in state of Texas b. read from 1987 Federal Circuit Court opinion which agreed Burzynski’s use of antineoplastons were in fact legal in Texas c. Repeatedly, defense team turned tables on prosecutor: Over & over, they used introduction of Informed Consent statements to show clinic had in fact taken pains to inform patients that treatment was experimental in nature 5. 1/9/1997 – government called 1st witness, US postal inspector Barbara Ritchey: a. Ms. Ritchey testified she’d been assigned to investigate Burzynski in 1993 (for alleged “mail fraud”) & working on case full-time since 3/1995 b. Throughout 1st 2 weeks of trial, prosecutors repeatedly put up enlarged copies of informed consent forms all patients required to sign c. Some showed out-of-state addresses d. point was to impress jury with fact: 1) some patients lived outside of Texas 2) Burzynski knew this e. approach provided opening for team of defense attorneys to have documents read out loud to jury f. forms clearly informed patients antineoplastons were experimental in nature & had not been approved by FDA g. forms were explicit there could be no guarantee antineoplastons would reduce or stabilize their cancers h. Attorney Ramsey astutely pointed out that one crucial element of “fraud” is deceit i. Without deceit, there can be no fraud, he said j. “Isn’t that Informed Consent form the absolute, honest golden truth?“ k. She had to admit it was, thereby undermining government’s main contention 6. Ramsey had Ms. Ritchey read from 1987 5th Circuit decision which stated Burzynski could continue to prescribe antineoplastons in state of Texas: a. Decision stated Judge Gabrielle McDonald retained authority to amend or modify her order b. “In other words,” boomed the Texas lawyer, “the FDA had another remedy, didn’t it ?“ “If it felt Dr. B. was violating order by treating out-of-state patients, it could have simply sought clarification, couldn’t it have?” “Then we wouldn’t all have to sit here for 4 or 5 or 6 weeks of this trial” Here too, Ritchey had to agree 7. Mr. Ramsey continued cross examination of Ms. Ritchey: a. She admitted what had previously been suspected, she & 6 other federal agents had known Burzynski would be out-of-town when they raided his clinic 3/24/1995 b. In dramatic moment, she admitted Informed Consent form was truthful, but took issue with the sentence, 1) “Dr. Burzynski may continue to prescribe antineoplastons in Texas” She contended that legal decision’s actual language read 2) “Dr. Burzynski may continue to treat patients with antineoplastons in Texas” “Isn’t that the same thing? “ asked Ramsey said Ritchey “Sometimes, I go to the doctor & he treats me but he doesn’t prescribe” Observers seemed non-plussed by this hair-splitting response United States postal inspector Barbara Ritchey must have thought she was dealing with people who weren’t as smart as a fifth-grader She contended the legal decision’s: MEANT: and likened it to: Perhaps United States postal inspector Barbara Ritchey and Dr. David H. (“Orac” a/k/a GorskGeek) both came from the same Wacky Tobacky Universe United States postal inspector does NOT mean: United States District Court Judge U.S. postal inspectors do NOT get to change the wording of a legal document signed by a U.S. Federal District Court Judge At NO time was it indicated that postal inspector Barbara Ritchey was an “expert witness” in the proper usage of the English Language You do NOT have to be smarter than a 5th-grader to know this According to Chronicle: “I think this was a government witch hunt,” said juror Sharon Wray “I don’t understand why they brought criminal action when they had a civil remedy” 3/3/1997 “I couldn’t find any victims,” Coan added (Houston Chronicle) Another juror, a 40-year-old engineer named Anthony Batiste, said he favored a guilty verdict “I couldn’t go into my kitchen & make things” “Why should somebody else be above the law?” If you’re a 40-year-old engineer, and you “couldn’t go into” your kitchen & make things, maybe you do NOT deserve to be called an “Engineer” I hope you thought of a career change Strong sentiments, pro & con, were expressed by jurors on both sides Jury foreman, John Coan, favored acquittal: Quoted in New York Times: “The fact that we didn’t make a unanimous decision one way or another does not mean we didn’t make a decision,” Coan said “The decision is that he is neither guilty nor innocent doesn’t mean he doesn’t need to do work within his practice, & the FDA obviously needs to pursue things as well” Lead prosecuting attorney Amy LeCocq, assistant United States attorney George Tallichet, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Clark, collectively reminded me of “The Three Stooges” 9/8/1993 – Public Corruption Working Group Report – The Sentencing (Amy Lecocq) [29] Well, at least it looks like Amy Lecocq got herself involved in something she might actually be knowledgeable about ! Faced life in federal prison Faced up to: 5 years in prison $250,000 fine on each of 34 counts of mail fraud $8,500,000 MILLION up to 3 years in prison for each of 40 counts of violating the food, drug & cosmetic laws $10,000,000 MILLION 170 years (34 counts of mail fraud) 120 years (40 counts of violating the food, drug & cosmetic laws) $8,500,000 MILLION (34 counts of mail fraud) $10,000,000 MILLION (40 counts of violating the food, drug & cosmetic laws) [1] – 12/7/2013 – How to Crank your Congressperson (according to “The Skeptics”: USA TODAY vs. Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski): https://stanislawrajmundburzynski.wordpress.com/2013/12/07/how-to-crank-your-congressperson-according-to-the-skeptics-usa-today-vs-dr-stanislaw-burzynski/ [2] – 2/4/1998 – Dr. Ralph Moss – Government Reform and Oversight Committee http://www.forhealthfreedom.org/Publications/Monopoly/Moss.html http://archive.is/gKNcL [3] – The FDA’s Vendetta Against Dr. Burzynski: By Dean Mouscher, Director, Clinical Trials, Burzynski Institute http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/602961/replies?c=24 [4] – Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (A nonprofit association dedicated to providing free legal assistance to journalists since 1970): Sources and Subpoenas (Reporter’s Privilege) | Reporters – From the First Amendment Handbook http://www.rcfp.org/digital-journalists-legal-guide/sources-and-subpoenas-reporters-privilege [5] – 4-5/2008 – From AJR, April/May 2008, A Flurry of Subpoenas, By Kevin Rector http://ajrarchive.org/article.asp?id=4511 [6] – Mass Media Law | Chapter Overview, Protection of News Sources/Contempt Power, Chapter Overview, Constitutional Protection of News Sources: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072492171/student_view0/chapter10/chapter_overview.html [7] – 9/18/2013 – Online News Association http://journalists.org/2013/09/18/ona-working-to-ensure-federal-shield-law-truly-protects-journalists/ [8] – 9/24/2013 – Desks and Blogs » Paying attention to the shield law’s critics – Journalists shouldn’t blindly support the shield law without taking in the whole picture, Posted on Tuesday Sep 24th at 10:50am, By Eric Newton http://cjr.org/303546/show/e0254cdea27dd5aabd57553cc5190110/? http://m.cjr.org/303546/show/e0254cdea27dd5aabd57553cc5190110/? [9] – 11/21/2013 – Critiquing: Eric Merola and Stanislaw Burzynski respond to the FDA findings and the USA TODAY story. Hilarity ensues: https://stanislawrajmundburzynski.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/httpscienceblogs-cominsolence20131118eric-merola-and-stanislaw-burzynski-respond-to-the-fda-findings-and-the-usa-today-story-hilarity-ensues/ [10] – 6/4/2013 – Stanislaw Burzynski versus the BBC: [11] – 12/2002 – Interview with Dr. Burzynski, M.D., Ph.D. Biochemistry (12/2002): https://stanislawrajmundburzynski.wordpress.com/2013/11/12/httpwww-cancerinform-orgaburzinterview-html/ [12] – 11/22/2013 – Is anyone attending the 4th Quadrennial Meeting of the Society of Neuro-Oncology in San Francisco right now?: http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2013/11/22/is-anyone-attending-the-4th-quadrennial-meeting-of-the-society-of-neuro-oncology-in-san-francisco-right-now/ [13] – 12/4/2013 – USA TODAY and “The Skeptics” selling false hope to cancer patients: https://stanislawrajmundburzynski.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/usa-today-and-the-skeptics-selling-false-hope-to-cancer-patients/ [14] – 9/1986 and 1/1987 – THE DISEASE OF INFORMATION: AN INTERVIEW WITH STANISLAW BURZYNSKI (The following interview was conducted in Sept., 1986, and January, 1987, and was first published in the Townsend Letter for Doctors, June 1989 – Reprinted with permission from the author): http://www.encognitive.com/node/4174 [15] – 7/4/1996– Cameron Frye Has a Big Idea (Bob Burtman): http://www.houstonpress.com/1996-07-04/news/cameron-frye-has-a-big-idea/full/ [16] – 1996 – Cancer doctor disregarded warnings, prosecutor says (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal): http://lubbockonline.com/news/010997/cancer.htm [17] – 2/22/1997 – Trial of Houston Doctor Linked to Unapproved Drugs Goes to Jury: http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/22/us/trial-of-houston-doctor-linked-to-unapproved-drugs-goes-to-jury.html [18] – 2/24/1997 – Houston cancer doctor’s trial resumes (The Victoria Advocate): http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19970224&id=l08KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3UoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3982,4466569 [19] – 3/4/1997 – Deadlocked jurors force mistrial in case of cancer doctor (By TERRI LANGFORD Associated Press Writer): http://www.texnews.com/texas97/mistrial030497.html [20] – 5/27/1997 – Long legal squabble ends for Burzynski: Embattled cancer doctor acquitted (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal): http://lubbockonline.com/news/052897/long.htm [21] – 5/28/1997 – Embattled cancer doctor acquitted of contempt charge (By JOAN THOMPSON / Associated Press Writer): http://www.texnews.com/texas97/doc052897.html [22] – 6/1997 – Burzynski Acquitted Of Fraud Judge Declares Mistrial on Other Prosecutor George Tallichet said that Burzynski had not conformed to the standards of the Food, Drug … http://m.lef.org/magazine/mag97/june-report97.htm [23] – 7/7/1997 – Free Market Medicine: http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/health-care/item/1895-free-market-medicine [24] – 12/15/1997 – FDA vendetta against cancer doc: http://www.science-bbs.com/117-life-extension/9624d6ce44477915.htm [25] – 1/1/2002 – Cancer Patient Thomas Navarro Dies at Age Six [medical freedom case]: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/602961/posts [26] – Praktikos Institute http://www.praktikosinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Selections-from-FDA.pdf [27] – Dr Stanislaw Burzynski — Antineoplaston Therapy — Articles: http://www.rexresearch.com/burzynski/burzynski.htm http://www.pdfio.com/k-2065004.html [29] – 9/8/1993 – Public Corruption Working Group Report – The Sentencing (Amy Lecocq) http://www.src-project.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ussc_report_publiccorruption_19930908.pdf Posted in The Skeptics | Tagged "40-year-old engineer", "4th Quadrennial Meeting of the Society of Neuro-Oncology", "a/k/a", "ajrarchive.org/", "Amy LeCocq", "Anthony Batiste", "antineoplaston therapy", "archive.is/""http://archive.is/", "archive.is/gKNcL", "assistant United States attorney", "Associated Press", "Barbara Ritchey", "Bob Burtman", "Cameron Frye", "Cancer doctor", "Chapter Overview, "cjr.org/", "Constitutional Protection of News Sources", "Contempt Power", "Dean Mouscher", "Desks and Blogs", "Dr. Burzynski", "Dr. Ralph Moss", "Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski", "English language", "Eric Newton", "FDA’s"Vendetta, "First Amendment Handbook", "forhealthfreedom.org/", "Free Market Medicine", "freerepublic.com/", "George Tallichet", "Government Reform and Oversight Committee", "government witch hunt", "highered.mcgraw-hill.com/", "Houston cancer doctor’s trial resumes", "Houston Chronicle", "Houston Doctor", "How to Crank your Congressperson (according to The Skeptics: USA TODAY vs. Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski)", "http://ajrarchive.org/", "http://ajrarchive.org/article.asp?id=4511", "http://archive.is/gKNcL", "http://cjr.org/", "http://cjr.org/303546/", "http://cjr.org/303546/show/", "http://cjr.org/303546/show/e0254cdea27dd5aabd57553cc5190110/", "http://encognitive.com/", "http://encognitive.com/node/4174", "http://forhealthfreedom.org/", "http://forhealthfreedom.org/Publications/", "http://forhealthfreedom.org/Publications/Monopoly/", "http://forhealthfreedom.org/Publications/Monopoly/Moss.html", "http://freerepublic.com/", "http://freerepublic.com/focus/", "http://freerepublic.com/focus/fr/", "http://freerepublic.com/focus/fr/602961/", "http://freerepublic.com/focus/fr/602961/" "http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/602961/", "http://freerepublic.com/focus/fr/602961/posts", "http://freerepublic.com/focus/fr/602961/replies?c=24", "http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/", "http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/", "http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072492171/", "http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072492171/student_view0/", "http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072492171/student_view0/chapter10/", "http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072492171/student_view0/chapter10/chapter_overview.html", "http://houstonpress.com/", "http://journalists.org/", "http://journalists.org/2013/", "http://journalists.org/2013/09/", "http://journalists.org/2013/09/18/", "http://journalists.org/2013/09/18/ona-working-to-ensure-federal-shield-law-truly-protects-journalists/", "http://lef.org/", "http://lef.org/magazine/", "http://lef.org/magazine/mag97/", "http://lef.org/magazine/mag97/june-report97.htm", "http://lubbockonline.com/", "http://lubbockonline.com/news/", "http://lubbockonline.com/news/010997/", "http://lubbockonline.com/news/010997/cancer.htm", "http://lubbockonline.com/news/052897/", "http://lubbockonline.com/news/052897/long.htm" Embattled, "http://m.cjr.org/", "http://m.cjr.org/303546/", "http://m.cjr.org/303546/show/", "http://m.cjr.org/303546/show/e0254cdea27dd5aabd57553cc5190110/", "http://m.lef.org/", "http://m.lef.org/magazine/", "http://m.lef.org/magazine/mag97/", "http://m.lef.org/magazine/mag97/june-report97.htm", "http://news.google.com/", "http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19970224&id=l08KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3UoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3982, "http://nytimes.com/", "http://nytimes.com/1997/", "http://nytimes.com/1997/02/", 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"Protection of News Sources", "Reporter’s Privilege", "Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press", "San Francisco", "Sharon Wray", "smarter than a 5th grader", "TERRI LANGFORD", "The Three Stooges", "The Victoria Advocate", "Thomas Navarro", "Townsend Letter", "U.S. Federal District Court Judge", "U.S. postal", "U.S.", "United States District Court Judge", "United States postal inspector Barbara Ritchey", "United States postal inspector", "Wacky Tobacky Universe", "www.encognitive.com", "www.forhealthfreedom.org/", "www.freerepublic.com/", "www.houstonpress" "www.houstonpress.com/", "www.houstonpress.com/", "www.pdfio.com/", "www.praktikosinstitute.org/" "http://praktikosinstitute.org/", "www.rcfp.org/", "www.rexresearch.com/", "www.science-bbs.com/", "www.texnews.com/", 4466569", above, According, acquittal, acquitted, action, added, against, age, AJR, another, ANP, antineoplaston, antineoplastons, any, anyone, articles, assistance, Assistant, association, attending, attorney, author, “expert witness”, “one”, BBC, BIG, biochemistry, Both, brought, Burzynski Institute", called, came, Cancer, cancererous, cancers, career, case, change, Charge, Chronicle, civil remedy, Clinical Trials, collectively, con, conducted, conformed, contempt, continue, count, counts, criminal, critique, critiqued, critiques, Critiquing, Deadlocked, decision, dedicated, deserve, dies, Director, disease, disregarded, doc, Doctor, doctors, document, does, Dr. David H. Gorski, drug, drug & cosmetic laws", drugs, else, Embattled, ends, Engineer, ensues, Eric Merola, expressed, F.D.A., Facebook, faced, fact, false, favored, FDA, Federal, find, findings, fine, first, Flurry, following, food, force, foreman, fraud, free, from, goes, GorskGeek, guilty, had, Has, have, Hilarity, his, hope, http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2013/06/04/stanislaw-burzynski-versus-the-bbc/, https://stanislawrajmundburzynski.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/httpscienceblogs-cominsolence20131118eric-merola-and-stanislaw-burzynski-respond-to-the-fda-findings-and-the-usa-today-story-hilarity-ensues/, http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/health-care/item/1895-free-market-medicine, idea, information, innocent, inspector, inspectors, interview, interviews, journalists, Judge Declares, juror, Jurors, jury, kitchen, know, law, laws, lead, legal, life, likened, Linked, long, M.D.", mail, make, Maybe, mean, meant, million, mistrial, named, ndicated, need, needs, neither, nonprofit, nor, Not, now, obviously, Orac, other, patient, patients, perhaps, permission, Ph.D, postal, practice, prescribe, prison, pro, proper, prosecuting, prosecutor, providing, published, pursue, quoted, reminded, Reporters, Reprinted, respond, right ?", said, same, says, sentiments, should, sides, signed, since, Six, Skeptics” selling, somebody, sometimes, sources, squabble, standards, Stanislaw Burzynski, story, strong, Subpoenas, Texas, texnews.com, that, The Skeptics, thenewamerican.com, they, things, thought, time, treat, treats, trial, Twitter, unanimous, unapproved, understand, USA TODAY", usage, USATODAY, vendetta, verdict, versus, victims, violate, violating, warnings, was, way, well, were, when, why, with, within, wording, work, Writer, Year, Years, you “couldn’t go into”, your | Leave a reply

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« Black BET Founder Robert Johnson Says To Obama, ‘Stop Demonizing The Wealthy’ Eric Holder Lied, People Died. » Democrats Continue Their Dirty Dealing Corrupt Crony Capitalist Boondoggles Add this to the incredibly corrupt and incredibly partisan Obama boondoggle of Solyndra – that cost the American people well over half a billion dollars. Add this to the fact that Obama is recklessly continuing to add another four more Solyndras and another five billion dollars to the crony capitalist corruption tab of the Obama administration. AP Investigation: NC plant deal may enrich donors GARY D. ROBERTSON, Associated Press, MICHAEL BIESECKER, Associated Press Updated 08:52 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2011 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A state lawmaker and a group of Democratic political donors with ties to Gov. Beverly Perdue are poised to sell land at a handsome profit should a tire plant be lured to North Carolina with $100 million in state and local incentives, according to public records reviewed by The Associated Press. As North Carolina’s chief executive, the governor is a key decision maker in large incentives deals involving state money. She also helps appoint the board members of a foundation that’s been asked to provide part of the tire plant’s package. Perdue’s campaign has received more than $52,000 from five men with an ownership stake in the Brunswick County industrial park proposed for the new plant. The governor’s son, Garrett Perdue, is also a lawyer and site-selection consultant for an influential law firm that a county official said was advising the tire company. The firm, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, does not disclose which projects the younger Perdue works on, citing attorney-client privilege. Perdue’s spokesman stressed Thursday that the company seeking the incentives, not the governor’s aides, chose the site. The North Carolina site is competing with sites in two other states. “Gov. Perdue is focused on bringing 1,300 jobs to North Carolina,” said Mark Johnson, Perdue’s spokesman. “She doesn’t care where in the state the plant goes, who owns the land or who the company hires as its lawyer. She just wants the jobs.” The fate of the project remained uncertain Friday night. Eugene Baten, chairman of the Sumter County Council in South Carolina, said the German company Continental Tire would locate a plant there, and that the deal would be formally announced next week. Company spokeswoman Kathryn Blackwell, though, said the company has not yet decided where it will put its new plant. Although North Carolina officials didn’t identify Continental as the company looking at the N.C. site, Democratic Rep. Dewey Hill, who said he’s spoken to Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco about Project Soccer, described the company seeking the incentives deal as a “tire manufacturer and distribution company from Germany.” Hill’s district includes part of Brunswick County. The proposed location, the Mid-Atlantic Logistics Center, is owned by a group of investors that includes state Sen. Michael P. Walters, a Democrat from Proctorville. A development company owned by David T. Stephenson III, a Lumberton tobacco farmer, is also listed as having a stake in the center. Stephenson is a major Democratic contributor appointed to the board of Golden LEAF, a foundation created by the state legislature to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars paid by cigarette manufacturers through a legal settlement. Brunswick County officials have asked Golden LEAF for a grant to help fund an incentives package for the plant, according to the county’s top economic development official. The deal is expected to include tax breaks, infrastructure improvements, cash grants and a forgivable loan. It’s not clear how much money the foundation might put in. The new facility, code-named “Project Soccer” by economic development officials, has been touted as creating up to 1,500 new jobs. A confidential document outlining the terms of the proposed deal reviewed by The Associated Press indicates that money from the incentives package would be used to buy a large portion of the 1,129-acre site for the tire plant at a price of $6,000 an acre. Records show the investors bought the site in 2007 for $4.3 million, or about $3,800 an acre. Stephenson, a tobacco farmer and investor, did not return a message seeking comment Thursday. Golden LEAF president Dan Gerlach wouldn’t say whether the foundation is involved in Project Soccer. But Gerlach said Stephenson came to him at a board meeting months ago and said he may have a conflict of interest if the foundation were to provide a grant for the project. Gerlach said Stephenson asked that he not be provided any materials provided to the foundation related to Project Soccer because of his potential financial interest in the deal. Gerlach said Stephenson has gone beyond the foundation’s conflict-of-interest policy by alerting the foundation to potential problems well before they could have reached the board. A board member isn’t required to put the potential conflict in writing, but Gerlach said he made a note affirming Stephenson’s request. State lawmakers, who would have to approve the incentives package, have been briefed on the possibility of a special legislative session to be held in the coming weeks to vote on it. Walters filed a letter with the Senate clerk on Aug. 25 recusing himself from any deliberations on the deal “to avoid any potential conflict of interests or the appearance of impropriety.” He declined to comment further Thursday. “I’ve recused myself from that project and that’s all I have to say,” Walters said. In addition to Crisco, Womble Carlyle lobbyist Laura DeVivo has been talking with key lawmakers. A legislator described a meeting in which DeVivo and other Womble lobbyists worked with state officials to gain support for the proposed incentives package. The legislator asked not to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. DeVivo works on Womble’s government affairs team, which also includes Perdue’s son. In an interview last year, Garrett Perdue described his role with the firm as identifying companies seeking to relocate to the state and helping them find sites to meet their needs. The firm’s government affairs team is led by two attorneys, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Burley Mitchell and former Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt. Mitchell declined to comment Friday, and Hunt did not return a phone call from The Associated Press. Gov. Perdue has said she doesn’t talk to her son about which companies he represents, though she has recused herself from making decisions in at least two economic incentives projects in recent years after her aides became concerned he was working on behalf of the companies involved. Johnson, the governor’s spokesman, said he didn’t know whether Womble Carlyle played any role in advising the tire company in considering the proposed Project Soccer site. Jim Bradshaw, director of the Brunswick County Economic Development Commission, said he was the one who first recommended the Mid-Atlantic site for Project Soccer last winter. He said the land was one of 53 sites originally under consideration. That list has now been whittled down to three: the Mid-Atlantic land and sites in South Carolina and Louisiana. Bradshaw said some pieces of North Carolina’s proposed package are already in place. The state Department of Transportation has pledged $150,000 to extend a rail spur to the site and the state-supported N.C. Rural Center has awarded the county about $1.5 million toward water and sewer installation. He said Gov. Perdue did not personally become involved in the negotiations until after the Mid-Atlantic site was in the running. He said August was the first contact he had with anyone from Womble Carlyle about the county’s proposed contributions to the incentives package. He declined to identify the person he spoke to. Bradshaw also said he had no idea the owners of the proposed Project Soccer site have been frequent contributors to the Democratic Party or Gov. Perdue. Campaign finance records show Stephenson and members of his family have donated more than $85,000 to Democratic candidates over the last 20 years, including $14,000 to Perdue since 2004. Records show $8,000 in contributions to former Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight, the Manteo Democrat who appointed Stephenson to the Golden LEAF board. Walters and his wife have donated more than $34,000 to elected Democrats other than himself, including $14,000 to Perdue. William E. Musselwhite, a Lumberton lawyer who owns a share of the land, has given more than $22,000 to state Democrats, including $14,500 to Perdue. Dennis T. Worley, a Tabor City attorney and another of the owners, has given more than $28,000 to Democrats, including $7,700 to Perdue. Kyle A. Cox, another Tabor City lawyer and part property owner, gave more than $11,000 to Democrats, including $2,000 to Perdue. Bradshaw, the economic developer, said he doesn’t care who owns the land. “I don’t know who these people are,” Bradshaw said. “I don’t know who contributes to who. I just want to bring these jobs to Brunswick County.” Note: Now we have a slightly better idea why Democrat Governor Beverly Perdue said we should suspend our democracy so that the same Democrats could continue to pursue the same policies. Obama and the Democrat Party machine that spawned him have to go. While there is still some piece of America left to rebuild. Tags: Beverly Perdue, donors, loans, North Carolina, solar energy, Solyndra, tire company This entry was posted on October 3, 2011 at 10:38 am and is filed under Barack Obama, Economy, fascism. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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Justia › US Law › US Case Law › US Supreme Court › Volume 364 › Commissioner v. Gillette Motor Transport, Inc. Commissioner v. Gillette Motor Transport, Inc., 364 U.S. 130 (1960) Commissioner v. Gillette Motor Transport, Inc. Argued April 21, 1960 Decided June 27, 1960 Respondent trucking company ceased operations during World War II because of a strike, and the Director of the Office of Defense Transportation took possession and assumed control of its business but left title to its properties in respondent, which resumed normal operations and functioned under the control of a federal manager until termination of possession and control by the Government. The Motor Carrier Claims Commission determined that, by assuming possession and control of respondent's facilities, the Government had deprived it of the right to determine freely what use was to be made of them, and it awarded to respondent as compensation a sum representing the fair rental value of its facilities during the period of government control. Held: under the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, this award constituted ordinary income, and not a capital gain resulting from an "involuntary conversion" of respondent's capital assets consisting of real or depreciable personal property used in its trade or business, within the meaning of §117(j). Pp. 364 U. S. 130-136. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT MR. JUSTICE HARLAN delivered the opinion of the Court. The question in this case is whether a sum received by respondent from the United States as compensation for the temporary taking by the Government of its business facilities during World War II represented ordinary income or a capital gain. The issue involves the construction and application of § 117(j) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939. In 1944, respondent was a common carrier of commodities by motor vehicle. On August 4, 1944, respondent's drivers struck, and it completely ceased to operate. Shortly thereafter, because of the need for respondent's facilities in the transportation of war materiel, the President ordered the Director of the Office of Defense Transportation to "take possession and assume control of" them. The Director assumed possession and control as of August 12, and appointed a Federal Manager, who ordered respondent to resume normal operations. The Federal Manager also announced his intention to leave title to the properties in respondent and to interfere as little as possible in the management of them. Subject to certain orders given by the Federal Manager from time to time, respondent resumed normal operations and continued so to function until the termination of all possession and control by the Government on June 16, 1945. Pursuant to an Act of Congress creating a Motor Carrier Claims Commission, 62 Stat. 1222, respondent presented its claim for just compensation. The Government contended that there had been no "taking" of respondent's property, but only a regulation of it. The Commission, however, determined that, by assuming actual possession and control or respondent's facilities, the United States had deprived respondent of the valuable right to determine freely what use was to be made of them. In ascertaining the fair market value of that right, the Commission found that one use to which respondent's facilities could have been put was to rent them out, and that therefore their rental value represented a fair measure of respondent's pecuniary loss. The Commission noted that, in other cases of temporary takings, it has typically been held that the market value of what is taken is the sum which would be arrived at by a willing lessor and a willing lessee. Accordingly, it awarded, and the respondent received in 1952, the sum of $122,926.21, representing the fair rental value of its facilities from August 12, 1944, until June 16, 1945, plus $34,917.78, representing interest on the former sum, or a total of $157,843.99. The Commission of Internal Revenue asserted that the total compensation award represented ordinary income to respondent in 1952. Respondent contended that it constituted an amount received upon an "involuntary conversion" of property used in its trade or business, and was therefore taxable as long-term capital gain pursuant to § 117(j) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939. * The Tax Court, adopting its opinion in Midwest Motor Express, Inc., 27 T.C. 167, affirmed, 251 F.2d 405, which involved substantially identical facts, held that the award represented ordinary income. The Court of Appeals, one judge dissenting, in this instance reversed. 265 F.2d 648. We granted certiorari because of the conflict between the decisions of the two Circuits. 361 U.S. 881. Respondent stresses that the Motor Carrier Claims Commission, rejecting the Government's contention that only a regulation, rather than a taking, of its facilities had occurred, found that respondent had been deprived of property, and awarded compensation therefor. That is indeed true. But the fact that something taken by the Government is property compensable under the Fifth Amendment does not answer the entirely different question whether that thing comes within the capital gains provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Rather, it is necessary to determine the precise nature of the property taken. Here, the Commission determined that what respondent had been deprived of, and what the Government was obligated to pay for, was the right to determine freely what use to make of its transportation facilities. The measure of compensation adopted reflected the nature of that property right. Given these facts, we turn to the statute. Section 117(j), under which respondent claims, is an integral part of the statute's comprehensive treatment of capital gains and losses. Long established principles govern the application of the more favorable tax rates to long-term capital gains: (1) There must be first, a "capital asset," and second, a "sale or exchange" of that asset (§ 117(a)); (2) "capital asset" is defined as "property held by the taxpayer," with certain exceptions not here relevant (§ 117(a)(1)); and (3) for purposes of calculating gain, the cost or other basis of the property (§ 113(b)) must be subtracted from the amount realized on the sale or exchange (§ 111(a)). Section 117(j), added by the Revenue Act of 1942, effects no change in the nature of a capital asset. It accomplishes only two main objectives. First, it extends capital gains treatment to real and depreciable personal property used in the trade or business, the type of property involved in this case. Second, it accords such treatment to involuntary conversions of both capital assets, strictly defined, and property used in the trade or business. Since the net effect of the first change is merely to remove one of the exclusions made to the definition of capital assets in § 117(a)(1), it seems evident that "property used in the trade or business," to be eligible for capital gains treatment, must satisfy the same general criteria as govern the definition of capital assets. The second change was apparently required by the fact that this Court had given a narrow construction to the term "sale or exchange." See Helvering v. William Flaccus Oak Leather Co., 313 U. S. 247. But that change similarly had no effect on the basic notion of what constitutes a capital asset. While a capital asset is defined in § 117(a)(1) as "property held by the taxpayer," it is evident that not everything which can be called property in the ordinary sense and which is outside the statutory exclusions qualifies as a capital asset. This Court has long held that the term "capital asset" is to be construed narrowly in accordance with the purpose of Congress to afford capital gains treatment only in situations typically involving the realization of appreciation in value accrued over a substantial period of time, and thus to ameliorate the hardship of taxation of the entire gain in one year. Burnet v. Harmel, 287 U. S. 103, 287 U. S. 106. Thus, the Court has held that an unexpired lease, Hort v. Commissioner, 313 U. S. 28, corn futures, Corn Products Refining Co. v. Commissioner, 350 U. S. 46, and oil payment rights, Commissioner v. P. G. Lake, Inc., 356 U. S. 260, are not capital assets, even though they are concededly "property" interests in the ordinary sense. And see Surrey, Definitional Problems in Capital Gains Taxation, 69 Harv.L.Rev. 985, 987-989 and Note 7. In the present case, respondent's right to use its transportation facilities was held to be a valuable property right compensable under the requirements of the Fifth Amendment. However, that right was not a capital asset within the meaning of §§ 117(a)(1) and 117(j). To be sure, respondent's facilities were themselves property embraceable as capital assets under § 117(j). Had the Government taken a fee in those facilities, or damaged them physically beyond the ordinary wear and tear incident to normal use, the resulting compensation would no doubt have been treated as gain from the involuntary conversion of capital assets. See, e.g., Waggoner, 15 T.C. 496; Henshaw, 23 T.C. 176. But here, the Government took only the right to determine the use to which those facilities were to be put. That right is not something in which respondent had any investment, separate and apart from its investment in the physical assets themselves. Respondent suggests no method by which a cost basis could be assigned to the right; yet it is necessary, in determining the amount of gain realized for purposes of § 117, to deduct the basis of the property sold, exchanged, or involuntarily converted from the amount received. § 111(a). Further, the right is manifestly not of the type which gives rise to the hardship of the realization in one year of an advance in value over cost built up in several years, which is what Congress sought to ameliorate by the capital gains provisions. See cases cited ante, p. 364 U. S. 134. In short, the right to use is not a capital asset, but is simply an incident of the underlying physical property, the recompense for which is commonly regarded as rent. That is precisely the situation here, and the fact that the transaction was involuntary on respondent's part does not change the nature of the case. Respondent lays stress on the use of the terms "seizure" and "requisition" in § 117(j). More specifically, the section refers to the "involuntary conversion (as a result of destruction in whole or in part, theft or seizure, or an exercise of the power of requisition or condemnation or the threat or imminence thereof) of property used in the trade or business and capital assets. . . ." (Emphasis added.) It is contended that the Government's action in the present case is perhaps the most typical example of a seizure or requisition, and that, therefore, Congress must have intended to treat it as a capital transaction. This argument, however, overlooks the fact that the seizure or requisition must be "of property used in the trade or business [or] capital assets." We have already shown that § 117(j) does not change the longstanding meaning of these terms, and that the property taken by the Government in the present case does not come within them. The words "seizure" and "requisition" are not thereby deprived of effect, since they equally cover instances in which the Government takes a fee or damages or otherwise impairs the value of physical property. We conclude that the amount paid to respondent as the fair rental value of its facilities from August 12, 1944, to June 16, 1945, represented ordinary income to it. A fortiori, the interest on that sum is ordinary income. Kieselbach v. Commissioner, 317 U. S. 399. MR. JUSTICE DOUGLAS dissents. * Section 117(j) provides as follows: "Gains and losses from involuntary conversion and from the sale or exchange of certain property used in the trade or business --" "(1) Definition of property used in the trade or business." "For the purposes of this subsection, the term 'property used in the trade or business' means property used in the trade or business, of a character which is subject to the allowance for depreciation provided in section 23(l), held for more than 6 months, and real property used in the trade or business, held for more than 6 months, which is not (A) property of a kind which would properly be includible in the inventory of the taxpayer if on hand at the close of the taxable year, or (B) property held by the taxpayer primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of his trade or business. . . ." "(2) General rule." "If, during the taxable year, the recognized gains upon sales or exchanges of property used in the trade or business, plus the recognized gains from the compulsory or involuntary conversion (as a result of destruction in whole or in part, theft or seizure, or an exercise of the power of requisition or condemnation or the threat or imminence thereof) of property used in the trade or business and capital assets held for more than 6 months into other property or money, exceed the recognized losses from such sales, exchanges, and conversions, such gains and losses shall be considered as gains and losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets held for more than 6 months. . . ." Oral Argument - April 21, 1960 (Part 1) Gillette Motor Transport, Inc.

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Justia › US Law › US Case Law › US Supreme Court › Volume 391 › Bumper v. North Carolina Bumper v. North Carolina, 391 U.S. 543 (1968) Bumper v. North Carolina Argued April 24-25, 1968 Decided June 3, 1968 Petitioner was tried for rape in North Carolina, an offense punishable by death unless the jury recommends life imprisonment. The prosecution was permitted to challenge for cause all prospective jurors who stated that they were opposed to capital punishment or had conscientious scruples against imposing the death penalty. A rifle which was introduced at the trial was obtained by a search of petitioner's grandmother's house, where he resided. Four officers appeared at the home, announced that they had a warrant to search it, and were told by the owner to "[g]o ahead." At the hearing on a motion to suppress, which was denied, the prosecutor stated that he did not rely on a warrant to justify the search, but on consent. The jury found petitioner guilty, but recommended life imprisonment, and the State Supreme Court affirmed. 1. Petitioner has adduced no evidence to support his claim that a jury from which those who are opposed to capital punishment or have conscientious scruples against imposing the death penalty are excluded for cause is necessarily "prosecution prone," warranting reversal of his conviction for denial of his Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to an impartial jury. Witherspoon v. Illinois, ante, p. 391 U. S. 510. P. 391 U. S. 545. 2. A search cannot be justified as lawful on the basis of consent when that "consent" has been given only after the official conducting the search has asserted that he possesses a warrant; there is no consent under such circumstances. Pp. 391 U. S. 546-550. 3. Because the rifle, which was erroneously admitted into evidence, was plainly damaging against petitioner, its admission was not harmless error. Chapman v. California, 386 U. S. 18. P. 391 U. S. 550. 270 N.C. 521, 155 S.E.2d 173, reversed and remanded. CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT OF NORTH CAROLINA MR. JUSTICE STEWART delivered the opinion of the Court. The petitioner was brought to trial in a North Carolina court upon a charge of rape, an offense punishable in that State by death unless the jury recommends life imprisonment. [Footnote 1] Among the items of evidence introduced by the prosecution at the trial was a .22-caliber rifle allegedly used in the commission of the crime. The jury found the petitioner guilty, but recommended a sentence of life imprisonment. [Footnote 2] The trial court-imposed that sentence, and the Supreme Court of North Carolina affirmed the judgment. [Footnote 3] We granted certiorari [Footnote 4] to consider two separate constitutional claims pressed unsuccessfully by the petitioner throughout the litigation in the North Carolina courts. First, the petitioner argues that his constitutional right to an impartial jury was violated in this capital case when the prosecution was permitted to challenge for cause all prospective jurors who stated that they were opposed to capital punishment or had conscientious scruples against imposing the death penalty. Secondly, the petitioner contends that the .22-caliber rifle introduced in evidence against him was obtained by the State in a search and seizure violative of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. In Witherspoon v. Illinois, ante, p. 391 U. S. 510, we have held that a death sentence cannot constitutionally be executed if imposed by a jury from which have been excluded for cause those who, without more, are opposed to capital punishment or have conscientious scruples against imposing the death penalty. Our decision in Witherspoon does not govern the present case, because here, the jury recommended a sentence of life imprisonment. The petitioner argues, however, that a jury qualified under such standards must necessarily be biased as well with respect to a defendant's guilt, and that his conviction must accordingly be reversed because of the denial of his right under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to trial by an impartial jury. Duncan v. Louisiana, ante, p. 391 U. S. 145; Turner v. Louisiana, 379 U. S. 466, 379 U. S. 471-473; Irvin v. Dowd, 366 U. S. 717, 366 U. S. 722-723. We cannot accept that contention in the present case. The petitioner adduced no evidence to support the claim that a jury selected as this one was is necessarily "prosecution prone," [Footnote 5] and the materials referred to in his brief are no more substantial than those brought to our attention in Witherspoon. [Footnote 6] Accordingly, we decline to reverse the judgment of conviction upon this basis. The petitioner lived with his grandmother, Mrs. Hattie Leath, a 66-year-old Negro widow, in a house located in a rural area at the end of an isolated mile-long dirt road. Two days after the alleged offense, but prior to the petitioner's arrest, four white law enforcement officers -- the county sheriff, two of his deputies, and a state investigator -- went to this house and found Mrs. Leath there with some young children. She met the officers at the front door. One of them announced, "I have a search warrant to search your house." Mrs. Leath responded, "Go ahead," and opened the door. In the kitchen the officers found the rifle that was later introduced in evidence at the petitioner's trial after a motion to suppress had been denied. At the hearing on this motion, the prosecutor informed the court that he did not rely upon a warrant to justify the search, but upon the consent of Mrs. Leath. [Footnote 7] She testified at the hearing, stating, among other things: "Four of them came. I was busy about my work, and they walked into the house and one of them walked up and said, 'I have a search warrant to search your house,' and I walked out and told them to come on in. . . . He just come on in and said he had a warrant to search the house, and he didn't read it to me or nothing. So, I just told him to come on in and go ahead and search, and I went on about my work. I wasn't concerned what he was about. I was just satisfied. He just told me he had a search warrant, but he didn't read it to me. He did tell me he had a search warrant." ". . . He said he was the law and had a search warrant to search the house, why I thought he could go ahead. I believed he had a search warrant. I took him at his word. . . . I just seen them out there in the yard. They got through the door when I opened it. At that time, I did not know my grandson had been charged with crime. Nobody told me anything. They didn't tell me anything, just picked it up like that. They didn't tell me nothing about my grandson. [Footnote 8]" Upon the basis of Mrs. Leath's testimony, the trial court found that she had given her consent to the search, and denied the motion to suppress. [Footnote 9] The Supreme Court of North Carolina approved the admission of the evidence on the same basis. [Footnote 10] The issue thus presented is whether a search can be justified as lawful on the basis of consent when that "consent" has been given only after the official conducting the search has asserted that he possesses a warrant. [Footnote 11] We hold that there can be no consent under such circumstances. When a prosecutor seeks to rely upon consent to justify the lawfulness of a search, he has the burden of proving that the consent was, in fact, freely and voluntarily given. [Footnote 12] This burden cannot be discharged by showing no more than acquiescence to a claim of lawful authority. [Footnote 13] A search conducted in reliance upon a warrant cannot later be justified on the basis of consent if it turns out that the warrant was invalid. [Footnote 14] The result can be no different when it turns out that the State does not even attempt to rely upon the validity of the warrant, or fails to show that there was, in fact, any warrant at all. [Footnote 15] When a law enforcement officer claims authority to search a home under a warrant, he announces in effect that the occupant has no right to resist the search. The situation is instinct with coercion -- albeit colorably lawful coercion. Where there is coercion, there cannot be consent. We hold that Mrs. Leath did not consent to the search, and that it was constitutional error to admit the rifle in evidence against the petitioner. Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U. S. 643. Because the rifle was plainly damaging evidence against the petitioner with respect to all three of the charges against him, its admission at the trial was not harmless error. Chapman v. California, 386 U. S. 18. [Footnote 16] The judgment of the Supreme Court of North Carolina is, accordingly, reversed, and the case is remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion. MR. JUSTICE DOUGLAS joins Part II of the opinion of the Court. Since, however, the record shows that 16 of 53 prospective jurors were excused for cause because of their opposition to capital punishment, he would also reverse on the ground that petitioner was denied the right to trial on the issue of guilt by a jury representing a fair cross-section of the community. Witherspoon v. Illinois, ante at 391 U. S. 523 (separate opinion). Under North Carolina law, rape is punishable by death unless the jury recommends life imprisonment. N.C.Gen.Stat. § 14-21 (1953). But an indictment for rape includes the lesser offense of an assault with intent to commit rape, and the court has the duty to submit to the jury the lesser degrees of the offense of rape which are supported by the evidence. State v. Green, 246 N.C. 717, 100 S.E.2d 52 (1957). See N.C.Gen.Stat. §§ 15-169, 15-170 (1953). These include assault with intent to commit rape, for which the range of punishment is one to 15 years' imprisonment (N.C.Gen.Stat. § 14-22), and assault (N.C.Gen.Stat. § 14-33). In the instant case, the trial judge did, in fact, charge the jury with respect to these lesser offenses. "Every person who is convicted of ravishing and carnally knowing any female of the age of twelve years or more by force and against her will, or who is convicted of unlawfully and carnally knowing and abusing any female child under the age of twelve years, shall suffer death: Provided, if the jury shall so recommend at the time of rendering its verdict in open court, the punishment shall be imprisonment for life in the State's prison, and the court shall so instruct the jury." N.C.Gen.Stat. § 14-21 (1953). The petitioner was also convicted upon two charges of felonious assault and sentenced to consecutive 10-year prison terms. 270 N.C. 521, 155 S.E.2d 173. 389 U.S. 1034. He did submit affidavits to the North Carolina Supreme Court referring to studies by W. C. Wilson and F. J. Goldberg, see Witherspoon v. Illinois, ante at 391 U. S. 517, n. 10. The court made no findings with respect to those studies, and did not mention them in its opinion. In addition to the materials mentioned in Witherspoon, ante at 391 U. S. 517, n. 10, the petitioner's brief in this Court cites in unpublished dissertation by R. Crosson, An Investigation Into Certain Personality Variables Among Capital Trial Jurors (Western Reserve University, January 1966), involving a sample of 72 jurors in Ohio. "THE COURT: There is a motion here that says the property [was] seized against the will of Mrs. Hattie Leath and without a search warrant. Now, the question is, are we going into the search warrant?" "MR. COOPER: The State is not relying on the search warrant." "THE COURT: Are you stating so for the record?" "MR. COOPER: Yes, sir." She also testified at another point: "I had no objection to them making a search of my house. I was willing to let them look in any room or drawer in my house they wanted to. Nobody threatened me with anything. Nobody told me they were going to hurt me if I didn't let them search my house. Nobody told me they would give me any money if I would let them search. I let them search, and it was all my own free will. Nobody forced me at all." "I just give them a free will to look because I felt like the boy wasn't guilty." The transcript of the suppression hearing comes to us from North Carolina in the form of a narrative; i.e., the actual questions and answers have been rewritten in the form of continuous first person testimony. The effect is to put into the mouth of the witness some of the words of the attorneys. In the case of an obviously compliant witness like Mrs. Leath, the result is a narrative that has the tone of decisiveness but is shot through with contradictions. "The Court finds that from the evidence of Mrs. Hattie Leath that it is of a clear and convincing nature that she, the said Mrs. Hattie Leath, voluntarily consented to the search of her premises, as is more particularly set forth in her evidence, and that that consent was specifically given, and is not the result of coercion from the officers." That court also stated: "The fact that [the search] did reveal the presence of the guilty weapon . . . justifies the search. . . . [The petitioner's] rights have not been violated. Rather, his wrongs have been detected." 270 N.C. at 530-531, 155 S.E.2d at 180. Any idea that a search can be justified by what it turns up was long ago rejected in our constitutional jurisprudence. "A search prosecuted in violation of the Constitution is not made lawful by what it brings to light. . . ." Byars v. United States, 273 U. S. 28, 273 U. S. 29. See also United States v. Di Re, 332 U. S. 581, 332 U. S. 595; Henry v. United States, 361 U. S. 98, 361 U. S. 103. Mrs. Leath owned both the house and the rifle. The petitioner concedes that her voluntary consent to the search would have been binding upon him. Conversely, there can be no question of the petitioner's standing to challenge the lawfulness of the search. He was the "one against whom the search was directed," Jones v. United States, 362 U. S. 257, 362 U. S. 261, and the house searched was his home. The rifle was used by all members of the household, and was found in the common part of the house. Wren v. United States, 352 F.2d 617; Simmons v. Bomar, 349 F.2d 365; Judd v. United States, 89 U.S.App.D.C. 64, 190 F.2d 649; Kovach v. United States, 53 F.2d 639. See, e.g., Amos v. United States, 255 U. S. 313, 255 U. S. 317; Johnson v. United States, 333 U. S. 10, 333 U. S. 13; Higgins v. United States, 93 U.S.App.D.C. 340, 209 F.2d 819; United States v. Marra, 40 F.2d 271; MacKenzie v. Robbins, 248 F. Supp. 496. "Orderly submission to law enforcement officers who, in effect, represented to the defendant that they had the authority to enter and search the house, against his will if necessary, was not such consent as constituted an understanding, intentional and voluntary waiver by the defendant of his fundamental rights under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution." United States v. Elliott, 210 F. Supp. 357, 360. "One is not held to have consented to the search of his premises where it is accomplished pursuant to an apparently valid search warrant. On the contrary, the legal effect is that consent is on the basis of such a warrant, and his permission is construed as an intention to abide by the law, and not resist the search under the warrant, rather than an invitation to search." Bull v. Armstrong, 254 Ala. 390, 394, 48 So. 2d 467, 470. "One who, upon the command of an officer authorized to enter and search and seize by search warrant, opens the door to the officer and acquiesces in obedience to such a request, no matter by what language used in such acquiescence, is but showing a regard for the supremacy of the law. . . . The presentation of a search warrant to those in charge at the place to be searched, by one authorized to serve it, is tinged with coercion, and submission thereto cannot be considered an invitation that would waive the constitutional right against unreasonable searches and seizures, but rather is to be considered a submission to the law." Melo v. State, 197 Ind. 16, 24, 164 N.E. 93, 96. See also Salata v. United States, 286 F. 125; Brown v. State, 42 Ala.App. 429, 167 So. 2d 281; Mattingly v. Commonwealth, 199 Ky. 30, 250 S.W. 105. Cf. Gibson v. United States, 80 U.S.App.D.C. 81, 149 F.2d 381; Naples v. Maxwell, 271 F. Supp. 850; Atwood v. State, 44 Okla.Cr. 206, 280 P. 319; State v. Watson, 133 Miss. 796, 98 So. 241. During the course of the argument in this case, we were advised that the searching officers did, in fact, have a warrant. But no warrant was ever returned, and there is no way of knowing the conditions under which it was issued, or determining whether it was based upon probable cause. It is suggested in dissent that, "[e]ven assuming . . . that there was no consent to search and that the rifle . . . should not have been admitted into evidence, . . . the conviction should stand." This suggestion seems to rest on the "horrible" facts of the case, and the assumption that the petitioner was guilty. But it is not the function of this Court to determine innocence or guilt, much less to apply our own subjective notions of justice. Our duty is to uphold the Constitution of the United States. In view of the discursive factual recital contained in the dissenting opinion, however, an additional word may be in order. There can be no doubt that the crimes were grave and shocking. There can be doubt that the petitioner was their perpetrator. The crimes were committed at night. When, at first, the victims separately viewed a lineup that included the petitioner, each of the victims identified the same man as their assailant. That man was not the petitioner. Later, the victims together viewed another lineup, and every man in the lineup was made to speak his name for "voice identification." This time, the victims identified the petitioner as their assailant. At the time of the lineups, a local newspaper had reported that a man named Wayne Bumper was being held by the sheriff as the "prime suspect" in the case, and at least one of the victims knew of that fact. Earlier, both victims had been shown a collection of photographs. One victim identified a picture of the petitioner; the petitioner's name was written on the back of the photograph. MR. JUSTICE HARLAN, concurring. While I join in the judgment of the Court and in Part II of its opinion, I am prompted to add a brief note. I share, as I am sure every member of the majority does, MR. JUSTICE BLACK's abhorrence of the brutal crime of which petitioner stands convicted. To avoid any misapprehension, I wish to make it perfectly clear that reversal of this conviction is not a "penalty" imposed on the State for infringement of federal constitutional rights. Reversal by this Court results, as always, only from a decision that petitioner was not constitutionally proved guilty, and hence there is no legally valid basis for imposition of a penalty upon him. In determining whether a criminal defendant was convicted "according to law," the test is not, and cannot be, simply whether this Court finds credible the evidence against him. Crediting or discrediting evidence is the function of the trier of fact, in this case a jury. The jury's verdict is a lawful verdict, however, only if it is based upon evidence constitutionally admissible. When it is not, as it is not here, reversal rests on the oldest and most fundamental principle of our criminal jurisprudence -- that a defendant is entitled to put the prosecution to its lawful proof. The evidence against petitioner consisted in part of a gun that he alleged was unlawfully taken from the home of Mrs. Leath, where petitioner was living. The State contended that Mrs. Leath had consented to the search of her home. However, this "consent" was obtained immediately after a sheriff told Mrs. Leath that he had a search warrant, that is, that he had a lawful right to enter her home with or without consent. Nothing Mrs. Leath said in response to that announcement can be taken to mean that she considered the officers welcome in her home with or without a warrant. What she would have done if the sheriff had not said he had a warrant is, on this record, a hypothetical question about an imaginary situation that Mrs. Leath never faced. Of course, if the officers had a valid search warrant, no consent was required to make the search lawful. There was a search warrant in this case, and it remains possible that this warrant was issued under circumstances meeting all the requirements of the Federal Constitution. Consequently, if this were a situation where a state court had simply chosen the wrong line of constitutional analysis of this search, I would vote to remand the case to give the prosecution an opportunity to justify the search on proper grounds. However, as noted by the Court, the prosecution here explicitly and repeatedly renounced any reliance on the warrant. Like all other parties to lawsuits, a prosecutor has an obligation to the courts (including this Court) and to other parties to present its claims at the earliest appropriate time, and to create an adequate record. Cf. Ciucci v. Illinois, 356 U. S. 571, 356 U. S. 573 (separate note of Mr. Justice Frankfurter and MR. JUSTICE HARLAN). Finally, if I were persuaded that the admission of the gun was "harmless error," I would vote to affirm, and if I were persuaded that it was arguably harmless error, I would vote to remand the case for state consideration of the point. But the question cannot be whether, in the view of this Court, the defendant actually committed the crimes charged, so that the error was "harmless" in the sense that petitioner got what he deserved. The question is whether the error was such that it cannot be said that petitioner's guilt was adjudicated on the basis of constitutionally admissible evidence, which means, in this case, whether the properly admissible evidence was such that the improper admission of the gun could not have affected the result. I do not think this can be said here. The critical question was the identity of the perpetrator of these crimes. The State introduced eyewitness identification of petitioner by his two victims, and a gun with which there was evidence these victims were shot, together with testimony that it had been found in petitioner's place of abode. The jury could, of course, have found the testimony of the victims credible beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted petitioner on this basis alone. But it might well not have. The addition of a tangible cross-check linking petitioner with the crime can hardly be said, from the judicial vantage point, to have been harmless surplusage. This case, like Witherspoon v. Illinois, ante, p. 391 U. S. 510, decided today, was brought to this Court primarily to decide the question whether the constitutional rights of a criminal defendant are violated when prospective jurors who state they are opposed to capital punishment or who have conscientious scruples against imposing the death penalty are excluded for cause. As the Court in Witherspoon limited its holding to the question of punishment, and not of guilt, [Footnote 2/1] the jury issue became moot in this case, since petitioner had been sentenced to life imprisonment. Ironically, however, this case now becomes about as good an example as can be found of the fallacious assumption of the holding in Witherspoon. For the Witherspoon decision rests on the premise that a jury "[c]ulled of all who harbor doubts about the wisdom of capital punishment" is somehow prosecution-prone, callous or even lacking in "charity." [Footnote 2/2] Yet the jury in this case, from which had been excluded all persons who stated they were opposed to the death penalty, unanimously recommended life imprisonment in a case where, but for their recommendation, the death sentence would have been automatic. [Footnote 2/3] And this is a case where the evidence conclusively showed that the accused twice raped a young woman at gunpoint, shot both the woman and her companion while they were tied helplessly to trees with the announced intention of killing them, and left them for dead. Even with these horrible facts before it, this so-called "prosecution-prone," "callous," and "uncharitable" jury refused to allow imposition of the death penalty and recommended life imprisonment instead. In these circumstances, where the real reason for granting certiorari in the case has disappeared, it seems to me that the Court should dismiss the petition as improvidently granted. This is especially true here, where, as I point out at the end of this opinion, there is an open-and-shut case of guilt, and the petitioner received the lightest sentence available under state law. Passing over the jury issue, the Court still reverses the conviction in this case and sends it back for a new trial on the ground that the rifle, which the record shows was used to shoot the victims, and which is held by the majority to have been obtained through an unconstitutional search and seizure, was admitted into evidence at petitioner's trial. One of the reasons that I cannot agree with the Court's reversal is because I believe the searching officers had valid permission to conduct their search. The facts surrounding the search are these: Petitioner had been raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Hattie Leath, with whom he was living at the time the rape and assaults were committed. Shortly after the victims were able to recount to the police what had happened to them, the county sheriff, with two of his deputies and a state police officer, went to Mrs. Leath's house. One of the deputies went up on the porch of the house and stated to Mrs. Leath, who was standing inside the screen door, that he had a warrant to search her house. He did not appear to have any paper in his hand, and he did not read anything to her. Mrs. Leath's immediate response, without mentioning anything about a warrant or asking to see it or read it or have it read to her, was to tell the deputy "to come on in." At the trial, Mrs. Leath described her reaction to the visit of the law officers as follows: "He did tell me he had a search warrant. I don't know if Sheriff Stockard was with him. I was not paying much attention. I told Mr. Stockard [after he had come up on the porch] to go ahead and look all over the house. I had no objection to them making a search of my house. I was willing to let them look in any room or drawer in my house they wanted to. Nobody threatened me with anything. Nobody told me they were going to hurt me if I didn't let them search my house. Nobody told me they would give me any money if I would let them search. I let them search, and it was all my own free will. Nobody forced me at all." (Emphasis added.) My study of the record in this case convinces me that Mrs. Leath voluntarily consented to this search, [Footnote 2/4] and in fact that she actually wanted the officers to search her house -- to prove to them that she had nothing to hide. Mrs. Leath's readiness to permit the search was the action of a person so conscious of her innocence, so proud of her own home, [Footnote 2/5] that she was not going to require a search warrant, thus indicating a doubt about the rectitude of her household. There are such people in this world of ours, [Footnote 2/6] and the evidence in this case causes me to believe Mrs. Leath is one of them. As she herself testified, "I just give them a free will to look, because I felt like the boy wasn't guilty." Despite the statements of Mrs. Leath cited above, and despite the clear finding of consent by the trial judge, who personally saw and heard Mrs. Leath testify, [Footnote 2/7] this Court, refusing to accept Mrs. Leath's sworn testimony that she did freely consent and, overruling the trial judge's findings, concludes on its own that she did not consent. I do not believe the Court should substitute what it believes Mrs. Leath should have said for what she actually said -- "it was all my own free will." I cannot accept what I believe to be an unwarranted conclusion by the Court. Even assuming for the purposes of argument that there was no consent to search and that the rifle which was seized from Mrs. Leath's house should not have been admitted into evidence, I still believe the conviction should stand. For the overwhelming evidence in this case, even when the rifle and related testimony are excluded, amply demonstrates petitioner's guilt. Unfortunately, to show this, it is necessary to go into the sordid facts of the case. The victims were a young man and his girlfriend. At trial, both testified in detail to the following: they were parked shortly after dusk on a country road not far from where the petitioner Bumper lived. Bumper approached the car, stuck a rifle barrel up to the window and ordered the girl to get out of the car, indicating that, if she refused he would shoot her. Both got out of the car and Bumper ordered the girl to undress, stating that "I want a white girl's p____." When the girl adamantly refused, Bumper pointed the rifle at the young man, and the girl, understanding that she must submit or her boy friend would be killed, followed Bumper's orders. Bumper then forced the young man into the rear seat of the car, requiring him to stay down on the floor, while Bumper raped the girl on the back of the car. A short time after this, Bumper forced the couple to drive to another spot. Here he made them get out of the car and walk down a dirt road into some bushes. At this time Bumper told the couple he was going to kill them, and when they pleaded with him to let them go, he replied, "I can't do it; you will go to the cops." The couple then suggested that, if Bumper would tie them up and blindfold them that he could get away with no problem. This Bumper did, tying each to a separate tree. But he did not leave. Instead he raped the girl again while she was tied to the tree. After this, Bumper went over to the young man and felt his chest, asking him where his heart was and if he was scared. He then cooly proceeded to shoot the young man where he thought his heart was. The girl, tied to the tree and blindfolded, heard the shot, and a moment later herself was shot through the left breast close to her heart. Bumper then took the car and drove away, obviously believing he had killed the young couple. They were able to free themselves, however, and with much difficulty made their way to a nearby house where the owner got them to a hospital. [Footnote 2/8] The time during which the couple was held captive was approximately an hour and a half. During that time, they clearly got to know who their assailant was. Both got a plain view of Bumper right at the beginning of their ordeal when they opened the car doors and saw his face in the light coming from the inside of the car. Moreover, the undisputed evidence in the record shows that the night of the attack was a bright moonlit night. Both testified positively at trial that it was Bumper. [Footnote 2/9] Also there was substantial corroborating evidence outside of that relating to the rifle. Here we have the clear and convincing testimony of the two victims, whose characters were in no way impeached or challenged. The only witnesses at the trial were state witnesses (the two victims plus medical and police testimony), and none of their testimony was refuted or denied in any way. Thus, this is a case where every word of evidence introduced at trial pointed to guilt, and there was no challenge to the truthfulness of the State's evidence, nor to the character of any of its witnesses. Yet even with all this, the Court persists in reversing the case, thus requiring the State to hold a new trial if it wishes to punish Bumper for his crimes. When it is clear beyond all shadow of a doubt, as here, that a defendant committed the crimes charged, I do not believe that this Court should enforce on the States a "per se" rule automatically requiring a new trial in every case where this Court concludes that some part of the evidence was obtained by an unreasonable search and seizure. The primary reason the "exclusionary rule" was adopted by this Court was to deter unreasonable searches and seizures in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U. S. 643. But see my concurring opinion at 367 U. S. 661-666. I believe that the deterrence desired by some can be served adequately without blind adherence to a mechanical formula that requires automatic reversal in every case where the exclusionary rule is violated. While little is known about the effect the exclusionary rule really has on actual police practices, I think it is a fair assumption that refusal to reverse a conviction of a defendant, because of the admission of illegally seized evidence, where other evidence conclusively demonstrates his guilt, is not going to lessen police sensitivity to the exclusionary rule, thereby reducing its deterrent effect. Obviously, at the time a search is carried out, the police are not going to know whether the evidence they hope to obtain is going to be necessary for the prosecution's case, and, of course, if they know it will not be necessary, no search is needed. Thus, the only effect of not automatically reversing all cases in which there has been a violation of the exclusionary rule will be to allow state convictions of obviously guilty defendants to stand. And they should stand. In this case, as I have shown, the evidence of the two victims points positively to guilt without any doubt. When there is added to this the fact that the rifle, from which came the bullets which went into the bodies of the two victims, was found where Bumper lived, which was not far from the scene of the assault, this makes, as the North Carolina Supreme Court pointed out, assurance doubly sure. Whether one views the evidence of guilt with or without the rifle, the conclusion is inescapable that this defendant committed the crimes for which the jury convicted him. In these circumstances, no State should be forced to give a new trial; justice does not require it. [Footnote 2/10] See ante at 391 U. S. 522, n. 21. See N.C.Gen.Stat. § 121. The Court imposed additional sentences of 10 years' imprisonment, to run consecutively, on the two felonious assault charges. Mrs. Leath's voluntary consent was sufficient to validate the search, since she owned the house which was searched and the rifle that was taken. It should also be noted that the rifle was not found in petitioner's private room, nor in any part of the house assigned to him, but in the kitchen behind the door. Mrs. Leath owned the house in which she was living, and, throughout her questioning, repeatedly referred to "my house." See Commonwealth v. Tucker, 189 Mass. 457, 469, 76 N.E. 127, 131. In this case, a mother consented for officers who were looking for broken pieces of a knife used in a murder to search her home. The Court found that officers went "to the door of the house where Tucker resided, and stated to his mother, at the outside door of the house that they had this search warrant to search for the article named therein . . . , that she . . . invited the officers to make all the search they desired, saying that she knew her son to be innocent, and thereupon the officers made search, not upon the warrant, but in consequence of her invitation. . . ." The knife blade was admitted against the contention that it was barred by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. The finding of the court was as follows: It was on these facts and this testimony, it must be remembered, that this jury, selected in the way Witherspoon holds is designed to produce a "hanging" jury, recommended a life sentence for petitioner. The Court's opinion attempts to convey the impression that the victims were not sure of their assailant's identification because of an alleged mistake during a police lineup. See majority opinion, n 16. This completely overlooks the fact, however, that, before Bumper was arrested, and before the victims had any idea of their attacker's name or where he was from, the girl, while still in the hospital, identified Bumper's picture from a number of others. The young man also had identified Bumper's picture days before the lineup was held. After the girl went through the lineup the first time she confessed that she was too scared to look at the men and that she had made no real attempt at identification. And it should not be forgotten that she testified positively under oath at trial that "In my own mind, I am certain [that Bumper was my assailant], and nothing could really dissuade me from it. I haven't made up my mind; I know." 28 U.S.C. § 2106 provides: "The Supreme Court or any other court of appellate jurisdiction may affirm, modify, vacate, set aside or reverse any judgment, decree, or order of a court lawfully brought before it for review, and may remand the cause and direct the entry of such appropriate judgment, decree, or order, or require such further proceedings to be had as may be just under the circumstances." MR. JUSTICE WHITE, dissenting. When "consent" to a search is given after the occupant has been told by police officers that they have a warrant for the search, it seems reasonable to me for Fourth Amendment purposes to view the consent as conditioned on there being a valid warrant, absent clear proof that the consent was actually unconditional. The evidence in this record does not show unconditional consent with sufficient clarity, and perhaps this would be the result in most cases. But this does not mean that every search following conditional consent is invalid. If upon a motion to suppress or upon an objection to evidence offered at the trial, the State produces a valid warrant for the search, there is no good reason to exclude the evidence simply because police at the time of the search relied on the consent and neither served nor returned the warrant. In the case before us the State represented in this Court that there was a warrant for the challenged search. Unlike the Court and MR. JUSTICE HARLAN, I would not brush this matter aside. Since the existence and validity of the warrant have not been determined in the state courts, the case is not ripe for reversal or affirmance. I would therefore not reverse, but vacate, this conviction, returning the case to the state courts for a determination of the validity of the warrant. If because of the absence of probable cause or for some other reason, the warrant would not have been a proper predicate for the search, Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U. S. 643 (1961), would require reversal of the conviction unless it is saved under the harmless error rule of Chapman v. California, 386 U. S. 18 (1967). * * Of course, if it was determined that the grandmother's consent was not good against petitioner, who had standing to raise the validity of the search, it would be unnecessary to deal with the issues which have been argued and determined in this case. Oral Argument - April 24, 1968 Wayne Darnell Bumper

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Justia › US Law › US Case Law › US Supreme Court › Volume 53 › Bond v. Brown Bond v. Brown, 53 U.S. 254 (1851) Bond v. Brown, 53 U.S. 12 How. 254 254 (1851) Bond v. Brown 53 U.S. (12 How.) 254 By the Louisiana practice, if neither party claims a trial by jury, the whole case is decided by the court -- matters of fact as well as of law. Where, upon such a trial, no testimony is objected to, and it does not appear that any question of law arose or was decided, and the case is brought to this Court by writ of error, the judgment of the court below must be affirmed. The decision of the court below upon questions of fact is as conclusive upon this Court as the verdict of a jury would be. This was a suit brought by Brown, a citizen of Mississippi, against Bond, as the administrator of Mary Ann Cade, upon a bond with a collateral condition given by one Witherspoon, for which Mary Ann Cade was responsible. The petition set out the bond and the breaches. The defendant answered, denying some of the material facts stated in the petition and alleging other facts which, if proved, were sufficient to bar a recovery. Neither party claimed a trial by jury, and according to the Louisiana code of practice, articles 494, 495, the whole case was submitted to the judge. In February, 1849, the cause came on for trial, and after argument the court pronounced the following judgment: "JAMES BROWN" "v. 1596" "BOND" "This cause having been argued and submitted to the court Page 53 U. S. 255 on a former day on the pleadings, law, and evidence, and the court having maturely considered the same and being fully advised in the premises and satisfied that the plaintiff has fully substantiated the allegations in his petition, it is ordered, adjudged, and decreed that judgment be rendered in favor of the plaintiff, James Brown, and against the defendant, Joshua B. Bond, administrator of the estate of Mary Ann Cade, widow of Elias M. Witherspoon, for the sum of fourteen thousand dollars, with interest thereon at the rate of five percentum per annum from the eleventh day of January in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-seven until paid, and costs of suit to be taxed." "Judgment rendered 13 June, 1849." "Judgment signed 18 June, 1849." "THEO. H. McCALEB [SEAL]" "U.S. Judge" The defendant sued out a writ of error and brought the case up to this Court. ERROR TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA MR. CHIEF JUSTICE TANEY delivered the opinion of the Court. The record in this case is voluminous, but a very brief statement will show the grounds upon which it is decided in this Court. The suit was brought by the defendant in error in the Circuit Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Louisiana upon a bond with a collateral condition. The breaches for which he sued are set out in the petition. The plaintiff in error answered, denying some of the material facts stated in the petition and alleging other facts which, if supported by testimony, were sufficient to bar the recovery. Upon these issues the parties proceeded in the case, and evidence on both sides was offered which is stated at large in the record. And as neither party demanded a jury, the fact as well as the law was, according to the Louisiana practice, submitted to the court. The plaintiff in error has not presented any argument in this Court nor assigned any particular error of which he complains. None of the testimony on either side appears to have been objected to in the circuit court. Nor does it appear from the pleadings or by exception or by the opinion of the court that any question of law arose or was decided in the case. On the contrary, the opinion of the court, inserted in the record, according to the Louisiana practice, states that, being satisfied that the defendant in error had fully substantiated the allegations in his petition, the court proceeded to give judgment in his favor. The language of the opinion, when taken in connection with the pleadings and issues, implies that the case turned upon the comparative weight of the testimony -- upon the fact and not upon the law. And, whether the fact was rightly decided or not according to the evidence is not open to inquiry in this Court. The decision of the court below in this respect is as conclusive as the verdict of a jury when the case is brought here by writ of error. And as no error in law appears in the record, the judgment of the circuit court must be This cause came on to be heard on the transcript of the record from the Circuit Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Louisiana and was argued by counsel. On consideration whereof it is now here ordered and adjudged by this Court that the judgment of the said circuit court in this cause be and the same is hereby affirmed with costs and damages at the rate of six percentum per annum. 53 U.S. 254

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14 per cent of people with epilepsy report using cannabis products for seizures Rocket science summer The 6 top chronic health issues affecting Australians Professor Denise Bradley receives an honorary doctorate Home / News & opinion / News / March / Professor Denise Bradley receives an honorary doctorate 2020: all news News_ Honour for education innovator Professor Denise Bradley Chair of the Bradley Review recognised For her distinguished service to higher education Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC has received an honorary doctorate (honoris causa) from the University of Sydney. Alec Brennan, Deputy Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley and Professor Diane Mayer Dean and Head of Sydney School of Eduation and Social Work “I congratulate Professor Bradley on this honour which recognises her outstanding career in education and educational administration. She has had an influence at all levels of education and played a critical role in the development of offshore higher education,” said Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney. Professor Diane Mayer, Head of School and Dean of the Sydney School of Education and Social Work, congratulated Professor Bradley on her honour and said, ““Professor Bradley has made a huge contribution to higher education policy and practice across Australia and internationally and has been particularly influential in advancing equity for women and girls. The University is delighted to award this honorary doctorate to recognise her sustained leadership over many years in the education sector.” As Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of South Australia from 1997 to 2007, Professor Bradley played a defining role in the establishment of that university. In 2008, she chaired the influential National Review of Higher Education, known as the Bradley Report. The themes of that report reflected her long-standing interest in equity issues, particularly those relating to girls’ and women’s rights and disadvantaged communities, and in vocational education. The report led to reform across the Australian tertiary sector, and influenced practice in secondary education. Her strong advocacy for the inclusion of a higher proportion of low socioeconomic status students in tertiary education has led to a significant increase in their participation rate since 2008. Professor Bradley is an alumna of the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (’62). She commenced her career as a secondary school teacher. Following roles with the South Australian Department of Education and Adelaide College of Arts and Education she became inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Education of the South Australian College of Advanced Education and went on to become its Principal. When appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Australia, Professor Bradley was only the third woman to hold a position at that level in a tertiary institution in Australia. The many positions she has held with responsibilities for advancing equity for women and girls include as a member of the Schools Commission National Working Party on the Education of Girls, convenor of the national Women’s Employment Education and Training Advisory Group and Chair of the Equity Working Party of the Higher Education Council. Professor Bradley has held a great many positions at state, national and international levels, including Foundation Director of the Australian Universities’ Quality Agency, Director of Open Universities Australia, Chair of the South Australian Training and Skills Commission, Director of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission Board, member of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO and Director and President of the Australian College of Educators. She is currently a member of the Advisory Council for the NSW Centre for Educational Statistics and Evaluation, member of the NSW Skills Board and Director of SEEK Ltd. Find out more about studying education Verity Leatherdale Manager, Faculty Media and PR verity.leatherdale@sydney.edu.au Honorary doctorate awarded to former PM John Howard For his leadership on gun law reform, foreign relations and economic policy, former Prime Minister John Howard OM AC accepted an honorary degree from the University of Sydney today. Former PM Bob Hawke awarded honorary doctorate Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke AC received an honorary degree from the University of Sydney. Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the wider community. Analysis_ 10 women shaping the future of Sydney As communities around the world prepare for International Women's Day, we celebrate the contributions of ten female researchers at the University of Sydney who are transforming the lives of women and men.

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ESCROW AGENT’S DUTY TO COMPLY WITH LENDER’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS CONTINUES EVEN AFTER THE CLOSE OF ESCROW An escrow agent’s duty to disclose the distribution of loan monies to the lender, as agreed in the closing instructions, does not end upon close of escrow but continues until all monies have been distributed and the loans are closed. Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc. v. North American Title Company, Inc. 184 CA4th 130 (2010). FACTS: In March 2007, Plaza Home Mortgage (“Plaza”), a residential mortgage lender, loaned $1.1 million to Oliver Aleta (“Buyer”) for the purchase of a residence in Northridge, CA, owned by Monette Santillian (“Seller”). Plaza lent Buyer 100 percent of the purchase price and funded the transaction via two loans secured by an $880,000 first deed of trust and a $220,000 second deed of trust. North American Title Company (“North American”) acted as the escrow holder and settlement agent, and Investors Title Company (“Investors”) served as the sub-escrow. North American prepared and delivered to Plaza a Good Faith Estimate setting forth the terms, estimated costs, and disbursements at closing of the loans. On March 1, 2007, Plaza disbursed the loan proceeds, part of which paid off the existing liens on the property and the balance was then sent to North American for distribution in accordance with the closing instructions. The grant deed was recorded March 2, 2007, and escrow was closed. After the close of escrow but before the balance of funds was disbursed by North American, Seller sent a written instruction to North American requesting that $53,853 be paid to a Mr. Edward Peregrino, an “attorney-in-fact” for the Buyer. North American complied, sending the money to Peregrino on March 5, 2007. Since this last minute instruction was not given until after escrow closed, Plaza did not learn of it until it received an updated final HUD-1 on March 8, 2007, wherein the payment was disclosed under “Additional Settlement Charges.” Peregrino made the first two mortgage payments for Buyer, who never moved into the property and then defaulted Plaza foreclosed on the property and resold it for $760,000 in late 2007. Plaza sued North American for breach of contract, negligence and equitable indemnity, alleging that North American was contractually obligated to advise Plaza of “all…expected closing costs and disbursements prior to closing so that [Plaza] would be advised about the destination of its loan monies.” Plaza also claimed North American breached the contract when North American disbursed $53,853 to Peregrino without Plaza’s knowledge or consent. Plaza alleged that if it had known of the payment prior to the disbursement, it would have investigated the “irregular transaction” further and potentially not funded the loans at all. When the trial court ruled in favor of North American and dismissed the case, Plaza appealed. DECISION: The Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s judgment, holding that North American’s duties as the settling agent continued at least through its preparation of the final HUD-1, and specifically that North American’s duty to disclose to Plaza any “additional payoffs or fees” not included in the estimated HUD-1 continued until the loans closed. North American claimed that it had no duty to disclose the $53,853 payment because escrow closed when the loans funded and the deed recorded on March 2, before North American received Seller’s instruction to pay Peregrino. According to North American, after close of escrow Seller had “equitable title to the money” and could distribute it as she saw fit. However, the court disagreed with North American’s argument, and instead held that North American’s duties and obligations in the closing instructions contract with Plaza remained in effect until the loans closed, not just when escrow closed. The Court held that Plaza, as the lender, and North American, as the settling agent, had a direct contractual relationship arising from the closing instructions. Plaza’s closing instructions provided for distribution of the loan proceeds based on information it had received from North American in the estimated HUD-1, and North American agreed to disburse the proceeds as set forth in the estimated HUD-1. The Court stated that if this were not the case, then a “legal holiday” would effectively be created between escrow and settlement, wherein potentially unlawful conduct such as illegal “kickbacks” would be encouraged. ANALYSIS: It appears likely that this transaction was a scam by Peregrino and the Buyer to buy the property with no money down and pocket a $53,000 kick-back as a “credit” from the Seller. The escrow company unwittingly facilitated the scam by disbursing the $53k to Peregrino after closing and without the lender’s knowledge. To avoid liability, the escrow agent must comply with the closing instructions given by the lender and may only disburse the loan funds in accordance with the estimated HUD-1 approved by the lender. The escrow agent may not comply with any changes in those instructions, even after the close of escrow, unless the change is approved by the lender. This obligation continues at least until all escrowed funds are disbursed.

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Anthology Presence Summer Mentorship Program — Details & Guidelines Mentorship College Matriculation List Djanikian Scholars Call for Interviews & Reviews Tips for Young Writers: Ask a Question The Adroit Prizes Issue Twenty-Nine Issue Twenty-Eight Issue Twenty-Seven Issue Twenty-Six Issue Twenty-Five Issue Twenty-Four Issue Twenty-Three Issue Twenty-Two Issue Twenty-One Issue Twenty Best of Adroit Back to Adroit Prizes. A Conversation with Gabriel Ojeda-Sague BY AIDAN FORSTER Here at The Adroit Journal, we try our best to foster a community that embraces young and emerging writers. An undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, Gabriel Ojeda-Sague may be both young and emerging, but his poetry is explosive. He pushes the limits of poetry in his forthcoming collection, Oil and Candle, which presents a perfect balance of lyric eloquence and narrative intensity. The poems disfigure what we consider commonplace and create shockingly unfamiliar landscapes; they are epic explorations of what it means to be Latino and queer in the literary community and in the world. The poems will shake you to your core. Read on to see what he has to say about his work in our conversation. What sparked your interest in poetry? Was there a moment when you first thought of yourself as a poet? I used to, around high school, write a lot of short stories and had these very romantic ideas about being a “novelist” or whatever and I wrote a couple poems here and there but nothing very good and nothing that stuck. I didn’t read a whole lot of poetry either. And then, when I was already in undergrad, I was working at a place with nightly literary events, many of them poetry. And one night CAConrad read and I remember at first thinking, huh, that was sorta cool, but weird and I don’t really get it. And someone who I worked with said he had a book called The Book of Frank and I thought, alright, well I’ll buy it and see what it’s like. That was a really, really direction-altering moment for me, reading that book. I remember, very vividly, laying under covers in my freshman year dorm and reading, and then re-reading, The Book of Frank and thinking OH! That’s what poetry can do. My experience of poetry before then had been piss-poor. Lots of crappy classics. And so I just started reading from there things I thought would be related or that I’d find interesting. And I got to Rae Armantrout, Mei-mei Berssenbrugge, Caroline Bergvall, Frank Sherlock, Nathaniel Mackey, and a lot of other amazing poets in the same way. And then I picked up more people I was reading, and I started writing poems more and I eventually had something published in APIARY, a magazine I also saw at my workplace, the Kelly Writers House. I mean, it’s amazing how much exposure to certain materials over others can completely change your path in writing and reading. I’d say that if I hadn’t read The Book of Frank, I’d probably still be writing pretty bad short stories. Your book, Oil and Candle, was recently release from Timeless, Infinite Light in 2016. Congratulations! How did all of that come about? Many of the poems in Oil and Candle (for example, “Limpias”) seem to explore the idea of ritual as it intersects with cultural identity and place. Was this a conscious focus? Oil and Candle is a few different pieces of writing from different times put together. The first thing I wrote from the book was the longest poem in it, “Abrecaminos.” This was after some of the really violent controversies around race in poetry occurred, namely Kenny Goldsmith and Vanessa Place’s stuff. And a lot of the people in those controversies were teachers of mine. In fact, poets that I admire so much and feel very influenced by were people I was introduced to by professors of mine that were defending the racist actions and performances of some of their colleagues. And I was really struggling with how to deal with this. How to think of my own poetics if it was at least in-part formed by the legacies of these writers involved in racism controversies. And I dealt with that question for a long time; I mean, I’m still dealing with it. “Abrecaminos” was the first answer to this question. It was an attempt to find a space between procedural and conceptual writing, genres which were pretty publicly imploding, and ritual writing explicitly connected to cultural forms. I remember someone mentioned to me that M. NourbeSe Philip, one of my absolute favorite poets, said she didn’t view her book Zong! as conceptualism, or procedural, but as ritualistic. So that poem started as a way to tease out exactly what that statement meant when the categories of procedural writing were in such trouble. And that poem was also influenced by a lot of readings of nuclear warfare and queer history, so they centered the poem thematically. I made a ritual that involved items of Latino Catholic folk magic and wrote inside of it. Then, I wrote “Poem for Eleguá” the day after I finished “Abrecaminos.” On a particularly angry day I wrote “Any.” And then in a particularly cynical and angry week, I wrote “Limpias,” which opens the book. That comes from my experiences in the Bay Area, in a very white-dominated scene, the same poetry controversies still going on, and having a lot of complicated feelings about my own race. Feelings about exilism, passing, diaspora, generational gaps, immigration, etc. How does Oil and Candle relate to your body of work? Do you see it as a continuation of your previous publications, or something entirely new? I’ve had three chapbooks before Oil and Candle, each relating to a form of semi-maligned or under-respected media. One’s about a gay sex self-help book, one is about Cher’s twitter, and one about The Legend of Zelda. My next book, which I’m currently working on, is also about an under-respected medium. That’s the only real over-arching theme I can find in my work, honestly. Oil and Candle doesn’t fit with that, but stylistically it makes sense as a continuation of my previous work. I’d say “Abrecaminos,” especially, continues a lot of stylistic practices I’ve been exploring for many years. But it does somewhat feel like an aberration from my obsession with campy, inefficient, and strange communication systems. How does your identity as a Latino queer poet intersect with your writing? How does it intersect with other aspects of your life? So much so that it’s hard to say so quickly. I like to say that no matter what I write, it’s Latino and queer writing. I could write a book about Coca-Cola and it would be a Latino book about Coca-Cola and a queer book about Coca-Cola. A lot of people don’t feel that way; a lot of people don’t like that description of their work. And I get that. But to me, my cultural identities define ramifications of my work, and everything that I do will be affected, quietly or loudly, by those identities. But that is to say that inside of “Latino” and “queer,” there’s a lot more. I’m a gay man (though I also identify as genderfluid), I’m Latino but specifically I’m an American-born child of Cuban exiles (of the ‘60s) and Puerto-Ricans. And those are almost bigger and badder identities that come up over just the umbrella “Latino” and “queer.” Sometimes I worry that what I say about my identities and how important I make them out to seem will make people think that my identities are constant and blanketed. But I’d say that it is important, and important to my writing, that those identities are constituted in moments and in seconds. And they get re-shaped and re-shaped, and become larger and stranger. What has been your biggest challenge in publishing and navigating the literary industry? Any advice for others who may want to publish a debut chapbook or collection but may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of it? I think the absolute worst thing is starting, getting your foot in the door. My first publication came okay, not too slow, not too fast, not too many rejections. But even after that first one, you haven’t really started. And after that first poem, I didn’t have another poem published by a journal or anything for a 2 years. And it’s not like I wasn’t writing them and sending them out. They just weren’t being accepted! Nobody wanted them. I wrote two short stories and had those accepted, which kept me hopeful. But jeez! There were so many days where I would have quit, definitely. And I’ll say this: finding literary magazines, sending to the write places, writing the cover letter thing, and waiting 8 months just to get a rejection SUCKS. Like there’s no better word for it. It sucks. Honestly, I feel so exhausted from those starting years of sending again and again to lit-mags that I almost never submit to journals anymore. And I’ve never been good at networking, being very present, saying “Hi! I write! And you publish! Let’s get together!” So, I think those are some of the biggest challenges, letting people know you are there. My advice would be: be local. Stop caring about what The Kenyon Review or Poetry or jubilat or any other bullshit has to say about you and just go to a poetry reading within a 10 mile radius of where you live. If there isn’t one, make one. When you’re there, say hi to someone, at least one person, but you don’t have to push yourself. And ask them what they do and why they are at the reading. Don’t think the goal of that conversation is to make yourself known, but see how other people are existing in that local space. It’s as much your space as theirs so think to yourself “who is this person, why are they here, what do they do, and how can I learn more about them.” Good things come that way. Because then they get interested in who you are and what you do. Unless they’re total dicks, in which case you don’t want to meet them anyways. Write what you want to write and if you happen to find yourself with 20+ pages of writing, you can choose to publish that as a chapbook or full collection or whatever. And then deal with publisher bullshit after you know what your city and area has to offer you. In Oil and Candle, you manage to find the perfect balance between high and low register moments. In what ways has your poetic voice changed or evolved over the course of penning and editing the book? In the spirit of that, how do you think you or your writing has changed from your first publication to now? Well, thank you! That’s something a few people have said to me, mostly about “Limpias.” And I’m glad that “Limpias” has the effect of a really heavy mix of emotions. But I never meant to write it that way. In fact, the first time I read it and I heard people laughing at parts of it, I was like Oh! This is funny! They’re right and I was wrong. I thought I had written this really dramatic and desperate poem, and I had in some ways, but I also wrote something funny and thank God that I did. I’ve always cared about humor in my poetry but I’ve always wanted it centered around camp. My first chapbook, JOGS, a strange self-published book about gay sex, was definitely the campiest and the funniest. It was a procedural book where I limited my vocabulary to what was available in the book The Joy of Gay Sex. It was an attempt to re-write that book. And though it’s not very good and I was far too young to attempt what I was attempting, I learned how to write from writing that book. The language of a gay self-help sex manual from the 1970’s has somehow always stayed in my voice, a certain kind of hoarseness. That is something I’m really thankful for. If I hadn’t written that book, I’d probably still be writing the stuff I puked out in high school. And from there I got better, more efficient, more decided. But I always strive for the tragic jokiness of that first project. And, finally, what’s next for Gabe? I’m currently working on a manuscript called Jazzercise is a Language, which is an extended analysis and reflection on Jazzercise and aerobics. If the book does have a central theme, it’s about spectacles of exclusion. Race, gender, class, etc, told through the amazing, colorful landscape of 80’s aerobics and body-shaping. Watching those tapes is such a fulfilling experience. I’d say I’m about 40% done writing it. It’ll take a bit of time to get out into the world, but I have good hopes for it. Hopefully, we’ll see it as a second book. Gabriel Ojeda-Sague is a Latino queer Leo living in Philadelphia, PA. His first collection, Oil and Candle (recently released Timeless, Infinite Light), is a set of writings on Santería, war, and the precarity of Latino-American lives. He is also the author of the chapbooks JOGS (2013), a re-writing of The Joy of Gay Sex, Nite [Chickadee]’s (GaussPDF 2015), a collection of Cher’s tweets on systematic racism and violence, and Where Everything is in Halves (Be About It, 2015), poems against death through The Legend of Zelda. Aidan Forster is a sophomore in high school at the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, South Carolina, where he is the managing editor of Crashtest. He was recently selected by Rebecca Gayle Howell as the recipient of the 2016 Louise Louis / Emily F. Bourne Student Award from the Poetry Society of America, and won the 2015 Say What Open Mic: Fresh Out the Oven Poetry Slam. His work has also been recognized by the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the Anthony Quinn Foundation, and appears in The Adroit Journal, Assaracus, DIALOGIST, Polyphony H.S., The Best Teen Writing of 2015, Tinderbox Poetry Journal, and Verse, among others. Copyright © 2010-2019, The Adroit Journal. All rights reserved. ISSN 2577-9427. NOTE: Advertisements and sponsorships contribute to hosting costs. Thank you for your support.

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Communism with a god 2 Western sages coined the word “Islamist” to mean someone who took Islamic ideology too far; religious duty to pursue jihad to the point of mass killing, perhaps by suicide bombing, too seriously. In other words, an extremist. This allowed the sages, whose heads were more full of pride in their own tolerance than of little grey cells, to intone ad nauseam, “the vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving people who wouldn’t hurt a fly”. After which some of them would urge unknown spokesmen for that “vast majority” to come forward and denounce the “Islamist'” violence loud and clear. They wait patiently, year in year out, for the silence to be broken. The idea was that there are two Islams: a “moderate” one that does not take the commandments of the Koran – such as “kill the infidel” (Sura 9:5) – to be instructions to action, and another Islam that does. The term “Islamist” has passed into common use to mean fanatical pursuers of Islamic jihad. Now comes a new division: “moderate Islamists” – in other, equally oxymoronic, words: moderate fanatics, moderate extremists. The idea crops up in this report about the elections in Tunisia: A moderate Islamist group [Ennahdha] that was brutally repressed for decades was poised Monday to become Tunisia’s dominant political faction after a landmark election to choose a council that will draft the country’s new constitution and appoint an interim government. … “The best way to deal with the Islamists is to include them in the process,” said Marwan Muasher, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and an election observer with the National Democratic Institute. “There’s no excuse for keeping them out.” In stark contrast to the Islamists’ success was the apparent poor performance of the secular Progressive Democratic Party … The PDP ran a campaign that cast its leaders as the protectors of secular and modern values. … The PDP conceded its loss and pledged to work in the opposition rather than with Ennahdha. In “the opposition”? How long will an opposition be allowed, we wonder. The same idea of “moderate Islamism” was implied by the US Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, when, in February, 2011, he told a House Intelligence Committee hearing that the Muslim Brotherhood was ” largely secular” and “eschewed violence .” The Muslim Brotherhood, however, does not agree with him. Its motto is: “Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. Qur’an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.” The probable coming to power of “Islamist” parties in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya is in fact a most ominous development. Frank Gaffney, President Reagan’s assistant secretary of defense, warns: War is on its way in the Middle East as Muslim countries are determined to force a showdown over the future of Israel … “I’m afraid there’s a war coming, a very serious, perhaps cataclysmic regional war,” he said. “It will be presumably over, at least in part, the future existence of the state of Israel. It may involve all of its neighbors, as they have in the past, attacking Israel to try, as they say, to drive the Jews into the sea. “It may involve the use of nuclear weapons … But whatever form it takes and whenever it occurs, it is unlikely to be contained to that region, and we must do everything we can to prevent freedom’s enemies from thinking they have an opportunity to engage in that kind of warfare.” That means standing “absolutely, unmistakably” as one with Israel and doing everything to prevent Iran getting its hands on nuclear weapons. Gaffney … was speaking on the day that the “moderate” Islamist party Ennahda claimed victory at the ballot box in Tunisia and the day after Libya’s new rulers declared that country will be run on Islamic principles and under Sharia law. Gaffney does not believe Ennahda is really a moderating force. “I don’t believe there is such a thing as a moderate Islamist party,” he said. “The challenge with Islamists is that they seek to impose what they call Sharia on everybody, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. … “They may, as a matter of tactical expediency, choose to do so in incremental ways, often nonviolently, at least initially. “The problem is that, because ultimately they must — according to Sharia, according to what they believe is God’s will — make everyone feel subdued in order to achieve their God-mandated direction, they will not remain moderate. They will not be satisfied with anything less than the ultimate supremacy of Sharia and they certainly will not resist the use of violence when it becomes expedient to get their way.” Gaffney … foresees a rising tide of Islamist governments growing throughout Middle East and North Africa and spreading even further. “We’re witnessing not just the violent kind of jihad that these Islamists believe God compels them to engage in, but also, where they must for tactical reasons, a more stealthy kind, or civilizational jihad as the Muslim Brotherhood calls it. We’re witnessing that playing out, not only in places in the Middle East but also in Europe, in Australia, in Canada and here in the United States as well,” he said. The spread of Sharia, which Gaffney said is often referred to as “Communism with a god,” is “the most urgent and grievous challenge we face as a free people. “Those who follow this program of Sharia believe that God is directing them to engage in jihad or whatever form of warfare is necessary to accomplish their goals . . . .Through stealth, they have successfully penetrated important parts of the free world including our own government and civil society institutions.” The Obama administration has to stop “embracing” the Muslim Brotherhood, Gaffney said. “This is legitimating our enemies … It is facilitating their influence operations and their penetration and it greatly increases the prospect that they will be successful at what the Muslim Brotherhood’s own documents indicate is their desire, which is to destroy western civilization from within.” Gaffney noted that Ennahda had won what appears to be a clean election in Tunisia, but that doesn’t mean there ever will be another vote there. “The problem is not simply democracy. People are pointing to Tunisia as a perfect example of democracy at work. … fine if all you want is one-man-one-vote one-time. That is precisely what the Muslim Brotherhood and its like-minded Islamist friends want.” … “What we are likely to wind up with, not just in Tunisia, not just in Libya, not just in Egypt, but probably in due course in Syria — as we have in Lebanon, as we have in Gaza and probably will have down the road in Yemen, Bahrain, maybe Saudi Arabia — is the takeover, the unmistakable takeover, perhaps through the ballot box, of people who will not seek or allow others freedom, who will impose Sharia and who will use whatever resources they amass as a result, not only to suppress their own people, but to endanger us.” We think Frank Gaffney is right about the Arabs wanting to make war again on Israel. They ache to make war on Israel. He’s also right that “Islamist” leaders are the most likely to try it. But could they do it? Perhaps not in the near future. Egypt is desperately poor, on the verge of bankruptcy and mass starvation. Libya is rich enough to make war, but for all the pretense that the rebels were an army, it was only a collection of ad hoc militias, and the Libyan nation is a mass of quarreling tribes and factions vying to get their hands on the money Gaddafi stacked up round the world. True, a war against Israel would unite them, but could they fight it? Not on their own. Yet sooner or later the war that Gaffney predicts will come. It may not come until the middle of the century, when Europe will be predominantly Muslim. Or it may be initiated soon by Iran, with nuclear bombs. And when the war comes, the sages of the West who have helped to put “moderate Islamist” parties in power throughout the Arab world, will have gone a long way to promote the victory of “Communism with a god” and the fall of our civilization. Posted under Africa, Anti-Semitism, Arab States, Collectivism, Commentary, communism, Defense, Demography, Egypt, Islam, Israel, jihad, middle east, Muslims, Saudi Arabia, Terrorism, Totalitarianism, War, Yemen by Jillian Becker on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Tagged with "Moderate extremism", Arab states likely to make war again on Israel, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, Dr. James Clapper believes the Muslim Brotherhood to be largely secular and non-violent, Frank Gaffney, Islamist parties coming to power in many Arab states, Islamist party Ennahdha gains power in Tunisia, Motto of the Muslim Brotherhood, Muslim Brotherhood's aim to destroy Western civilization, PDP, Sharia is Communism with a god, The Progressive Democratic Party of Tunisia, War on its way in the Middle East

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Garry Schyman Composer Garry Schyman’s award-winning music can be heard in nearly every audio-visual media, including feature films, prime-time television, and video games. His haunting orchestral scores for the globally acclaimed video games BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite have earned him multiple awards, including top honors for Best Original Score from the British Academy of Film & Television (BAFTA) and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. As one of the world’s most celebrated composers of video game music, Schyman is notable for his versatility of style and unique ability to fluidly draw from multiple eclectic sources of inspiration. He captured the fantasy world of Tolkien for the adventure game Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor (nominated for a BAFTA award) and Middle-Earth: Shadow of War and paid playful homage to ’50s sci-fi with his score for the 2005 game Destroy All Humans! (followed by two sequels). He accelerated heartbeats with his thunderous orchestral scores in action games like Resistance: Retribution and Dante’s Inferno and gave a nod to the hypnotic style of Bernard Herrmann in the mystery game Voyeur. Schyman’s score for the virtual reality game Torn was released in Aug. 2018 as a soundtrack on Varèse Sarabande Records.

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Shoe Distribution Agency / Schuh Vertrieb We're a fashion shoe distribution agency for Pantofola D'oro, O'Neill and Lee Cooper Shoes. See our Brands Pantofola D'Oro Shoes Characteristic of Lazzarini’s work is the fact that all of the shoes he makes are both flexible and comfortable. The younger Lazzarini, Emidio, takes up the family business in the 1950s, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather Check out Pantofola D'Oro Shoes We have always been in it for the love of it. We think that every ride, trip, adventure or innovation is amazing. And we can never get enough. We keep searching for new ways of doing things. We are both the scientist and the lab rat. We are the pioneers but we keep taking it further (we still have more patents than all the other surf companies combined). And whether we’re inventing some psycho technology, or scheming up a new trick, we are just opening up the world for everyone to join in. Check out O'Neill Shoes Founded in London’s East End in 1908, Lee Cooper has a rich history spanning over a century, establishing its iconic status as the Original British Denim brand. From humble beginnings in workwear, our brand has become known as a global style innovator and the go-to-denim for legendary British rock ‘n’ roll bands. The heritage of the pioneering principles established by Morris Copper have informed this latest line of premium selvedge denim – The Cooper Collection. Check out Lee Cooper Shoes © 2020 Impressum - Datenschutz

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Founders at Work Founders at Work is a book of interviews with startup founders. I finished reading it a few days ago, and I want to collect a few thoughts about it here. What is the deal with startups? They are a path to financial independence, one of the few remaining forms of freedom in the first world. In the words of Paul Graham, "Instead of working at an ordinary rate for 40 years, you work like hell for four." And then, if you're (very) lucky, you can do whatever the hell you want for the rest of your life, and never worry about paying rent again. I grew up thinking that starting companies was unfathomably hard, and only some special breed of people could pull it off. There was a brief period in middle school when a certain cheesy book got me excited that maybe working for my entire life wasn't the only option out there. But there wasn't much I could do as a middle-school student, so that thought lay dormant for a long time. I wasn't forced to think about my future too much until my last year in college, when I was faced with two equally unattractive options. I could go work as a software engineer, which meant I would be little more than a code monkey. Or I could go to grad school, where I would be a poorly paid researcher / slave. I eventually chose the latter, partly because of external influence, and partly because I thought I would get to work on more interesting problems that way. (I still think that going to grad school is worth it, even if one does not intend to become a professor. More on that in a future post.) Luckily, it was also around that time that I came across this article about Y Combinator. (Thanks V, you know who you are.) While it would be a stretch to say that it made startups look easy, the article made it seem plausible that regular people could start a startup (as opposed to child prodigies, or people who append an MBA to their name). Ever since then, I have become increasingly certain that I want to work on a startup in the not-too-distant future. Founders at Work offers a tiny glimpse at what lies ahead. Starting a startup is hard -- this was probably the most consistent theme brought up by the people who were interviewed. Founders often isolate themselves from friends, family, and relationships during the early years of a startup. They work non-stop fueled by caffeine, four hours of sleep per night, the promise of wealth, and the even more potent fear of failure. Many asid that they wouldn't have started their company if they knew how hard it was going to be. Many founders identified perseverance and determination as being the key traits that got them through the early years. This is not so surprising in light of the preceding paragraph. More surprisingly, the original business idea doesn't seem to matter very much. Often the business plan will change substantially as the young company learns what works and what doesn't. This has led various people to proclaim that the team or the market is the main factor determining if a startup will succeed, rather than the original idea. If the founders are determined to succeed, they will eventually land on an idea that works, but often after spending many months working on less successful ideas. Interviewees stressed over and over again that communicating with their users was crucial. If you aren't building something that the users want, you are doomed to having no users to speak of. While some lucky companies survived and grew with little outside investment, most companies took outside funding from Venture Capitalists (VCs). The interviewees' experience with VCs varied wildly -- from decent VCs who mentored them and their business, to hawk VCs who exploited them and tried to seize control of the business. What struck me most about the funding landscape was how mafia-like the Sillicon Valley really is. The big guns are few, and they all know each other. You get deals through connections, not so much by merit. Your network and your reputation matter a lot. Another curious fact is that hiring good software entineers in the Sillicon Valley is hard. In the words of Joe Kraus, "great people don't look for jobs, great people are sold on jobs." The demand for good engineers exceeds the supply, and competing for those good engineers means that you are competing against the deep pockets of Google and Apple. As the business grows, it will also need some non-engineers sooner or later. These are sales people, "business development" people, and the like. Engineers often don't know how to evaluate and hire good non-engineers. Most of the startups in the book have had serious problems with scaling at one point or another. As disconcerting as this may sound, it is almost a necessity when your user base grows by orders of magnitude. Design decisions made with 1,000 users in mind will almost always have to be revisited by the time you reach 1,000,000 users. (On a related note, Mark Fletcher says that internet companies are valued more for their user base then for their technology. On pretending to be bigger than you actually are, James Currier had this to say: "Well, of course you sometimes have to exaggerate. [...] You've got to say you are a step ahead of where you actually are to move to the step that you want to be at.") The one thing I felt was missing from the book was a discussion of the various controversies in which the startups were involved. For example, there was no mention of TiVo's privacy issues, nor any discussion of the cofounders' opinions on the topic, or the compromises they had to make between user privacy and advertising revenue. Same thing about tivoization and the GPL. It is easy to think of a techie cofounder as "good" and of a big corporation as "bad", but since the latter is often the brainchild of the former, resolving this disconnect requires more nuanced thinking. Tagged: books · thoughts · startup

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Meet Elena López Riera, the director of Those Who Desire (Los que desean) How a "carnal" pigeon competition inspired her latest short by Andréa Picard Born in Orihuela, Spain, the triply talented Elena López Riera — a film programmer, critic, and filmmaker — is definitely one to watch. Her films Pueblo (2015) and Las visceras (2016) have premiered at the Quinzaine des réalisateurs and Locarno International Film Festival, respectively, and she was recently selected for Berlinale Talents in 2017. Those Who Desire (Los que desean), her latest, won the Pardino d’oro for best Swiss short film at Locarno just two weeks ago, and will have its international premiere in Wavelengths — preceding Jodie Mack’s The Grand Bizarre — in a curated pairing emphasizing singular studies of coveted and colourful objects of desire. Elegant, sly, and finely observed, Those Who Desire is a documentary portrait of “colombiculture” (or pigeon competitions) in southern Spain, where trainers' brightly painted pigeons vie for the affection of a female mate. A fascinating film about men, as much as it is about birds, Those Who Desire subtly invokes themes of masculinity and courtship, speaking volumes about intimate, patriarchal village communities along the Mediterranean, where silent physical gestures often convey more than words. Those Who Desire screens at the 43rd Toronto International Film Festival on September 8 and 10 as part of the Wavelengths programme. Those Who Desire How would you describe your new film, Los que desean, in your own words, and how did you come to make it? Los que desean explores "colombiculture," which is a very particular sport that is practiced in the region where I come from. The sport consists of releasing a female pigeon into the air and releasing a flock of male pigeons behind her who will fight to spend as much time as possible at her side, to conquer her. It is a competition based on desire, not speed, and despite the brutality of the idea, the people involved — almost all men — spend hours and hours watching the mating rites of the birds without even talking. It is something very normal for me, which I have known since I was a child and which has always fascinated me, because there is something very sexual, very carnal, very concrete and — at the same time — very poetic about it. It is fascinating to me to observe those men who project on their birds what they may not be able to formulate in words in their daily lives. Your films are regionally specific. Can you describe what that’s like, and your interest in working in Spain, where you grew up? So far I have shot all my films in Orihuela, a town in the southeast of Spain where I was born and raised. I left there when I was very young to study abroad and never came back to settle down. I think because of the distance, this place has become for me a kind of mythical land, where anything can happen, where the most ordinary becomes extraordinary. This way of looking at one’s birthplace is highly influenced by distance, but my impression of Orihuela is also marked by traditions and ancestral rituals, both religious and spiritual. When I moved away, I realized that parts of my life in Orihuela that were usual for me, far from their context, could be seen as strange, even magical. I believe that in my work, there is a reflection of this, where the contemporary and ancestral meet, not knowing where the limit is between the everyday life and the fantastic. Have you been given any great advice along the way, or has there been a transitional moment that encouraged you to continue to make films? The only great advice that I received was from my parents — to not make films. I didn’t follow it. I always wanted to do it. I come from a small town, from a family that has nothing to do with the cultural world, and making films seemed like a utopia. I’ve — little by little — surrounded myself with friends who share this vision, who are also filmmakers, and we’ve supported each other. You are a film programmer, critic, and filmmaker. How do you see these roles converge — or are they completely separate practices? For me, they have always been complementary activities. I cannot conceive of the practice without the theory, and I’ve always advocated that they should go hand-in-hand. In recent years, there has been a stigma against the theoretical and critical filmmaker, as if thinking about cinema was something damaging or confining, where they are required to only make "intellectual" films. I don't agree. I think we should recover the pleasure of doing and thinking, of thinking and doing. There are many ways to make films, not only by directing a film. Writing texts, discussing, and thinking about images are also ways of doing cinema. Serge Daney, the French film critic, was one of the greatest French "filmmakers" in history, in my opinion. You’ve worked within short documentary, observational, and essayistic work. Are you interested in making fiction? Yes, I am very interested in fiction — working with actors, and the idea of re-presenting the truth. I don’t want to confine myself to a single mode or genre. Each project has its own characteristics. Right now, I’m working on my first feature, which is actually fiction. It’s a love story! Although, there is a documentary part in it... You have spent quite a bit of time in Paris, which is historically (and romantically) known as the epicentre of cinephilia. What is your current impression of film exhibition, criticism, and filmmaking in France, and do you see a progression for women’s roles within cinema there? My relationship with Paris has been intermittent. Although I don't live there now, I have spent long periods of time there studying and working as a programmer for the Belfort Festival. Thanks to this, I have a permanent contact with French cinema. It’s a very different kind of cinephilia from the Spanish one. The tradition of French critics still weighs heavily on cinephiles today. However, I believe that a new generation of critics, cinephiles, programmers, and filmmakers is emerging in France, a generation more detached from historical totems than the previous one — although I believe that this is not only the case in France, but rather a sign of the times. This new generation references from high culture as well as from popular culture. They are interested in films from other countries. This is a very good thing, this interest in shaping a heterogeneous film culture. And yes, it is also true that women are taking on more and more importance and occupying — at last!— positions of power, which is also a sign of the times. I hope it will continue to be so, although there is still a long way to go. Who or what would you cite as filmmaking influences? Definitely Margarida Cordeiro and António Reis, but also Pier Paolo Pasolini, Jean Eustache, Chantal Akerman, Basilio Martín Patino, Luis Buñuel — and, in contemporary terms, Virgil Vernier, Mati Diop, Lucrecia Martel, João Pedro Rodrigues... I don't know, I'm a cinephile! I could cite a thousand references! What excites you most about contemporary cinema? The hybrid forms and the ways in which contemporary cinema dares to mix styles, genres, and references without complexes. Having access to home devices — such as camcorders, the internet, YouTube, etc. — had such an influence on our generation. If I had been born 20 years earlier, I would certainly not have been able to make films. For me, the internet, DSLR cameras, and my mobile phone — these were my film school. Elena López Riera Elena López Riera was born in Spain. Her short films include Pueblo (15) and the documentary The Entrails (16). Those Who Desire (18) is her latest film. Support filmmakers like Elena López Riera by donating to Share Her Journey, TIFF’s commitment to increase participation, skills, and opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera. Andréa Picard Meet Astra Taylor, the director of *What is Democracy?* Meet Emma Tammi, the director of *The Wind* Meet Carmel Winters, the director of *Float Like A Butterfly* Meet Imogen Thomas, the director of *Emu Runner* Meet Wanuri Kahiu, the director of *Rafiki* Meet Alejandra Márquez Abella, the director of *The Good Girls (Las niñas bien)*

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Backing winners? Posted in Broadband, Operators, Regulatory, Services, SpaceX, Spectrum at 3:13 pm by timfarrar I noted a couple of weeks ago that SpaceX was putting the FCC under considerable pressure to approve its April 5 request for Special Temporary Authority to operate its initial tranche of Starlink satellites. However, rather than giving approval for this STA, on April 26 the FCC instead approved SpaceX’s November 2018 license modification. Buried in this order is a key waiver sought by SpaceX, which is fundamentally different from the authorizations granted to other NGSO players (including Theia, whose license was approved at today’s FCC Open Meeting): 28. Waiver of ITU Finding Required Under Section 25.146(a). In the SpaceX Authorization, the Commission required that SpaceX receive a favorable or “qualified favorable” finding from the ITU with respect to compliance with applicable EPFD limits in Article 22 of the ITU Radio Regulations prior to commencing operations. SpaceX asserts that the ITU will not examine the modified filing in this respect anytime soon and in light of its expedited deployment schedule, requests a waiver of this condition prior to the initiation of service. OneWeb and the GSO Satellite Operators, request that the Commission deny SpaceX’s waiver request. SES and O3b, argue that any waiver grant addresses the timing of the ITU filing and is conferred at SpaceX’s own risk. Given the ITU’s timeframe for examining SpaceX’s modified filing and the fact that SpaceX presents EPFD calculations using the ITU software, we agree that this condition should not deter SpaceX start of operations. Thus, SpaceX’s request for waiver of the requirement to receive a favorable or “qualified favorable” finding prior to commencing operations is granted. We retain the requirement, however, that SpaceX receive the favorable or “qualified favorable” finding from the ITU, and in case of an unfavorable finding, adjust its operation to satisfy the ITU requirements. Accordingly, operations of SpaceX’s system, as modified prior to the ITU’s finding, are at SpaceX’s own risk. While other systems like Theia are required to receive ITU approval “prior to the initiation of service”, SpaceX has now been given permission to provide service over the Starlink system unless and until a final ITU finding is published. This appears to reflect the FCC’s view of SpaceX as a potential winner in the NGSO race and a desire to enable operations to begin as soon as possible. In addition, SpaceX appears to be receiving strong backing from other agencies within the US government for the capabilities that Starlink is expected to make available. So next week on May 15, SpaceX plans to launch “dozens of satellites” (perhaps as many as 40-50 from what I’ve heard in Washington DC this week), although it remains unclear what technologies are actually onboard these satellites. It seems that the satellites include a variety of different designs (launching everything “including the kitchen sink”) and there may even be some non-communications payloads onboard. It appears that the launch will be accompanied by a publicity blitz to set the scene for a major fundraising effort immediately thereafter, with one feature of this PR campaign being SpaceX’s production line in Redmond, described to me as “more impressive” than OneWeb’s factory in Florida. But SpaceX clearly believes that numbers are important, and will be comparing the number of satellites it has launched to the 6 satellites launched by OneWeb in February. So I expect SpaceX’s fundraising target will also exceed the $1.25B raised by OneWeb in March and will include more of the wild predictions we’ve heard for Tesla in recent weeks as well as on the SpaceX fundraising call in early April. That sets the scene for a race between OneWeb and SpaceX to launch as many satellites as possible in the next 6-12 months: OneWeb is claiming it will be launching 35 satellites per month starting in the fall, and SpaceX is suggesting it may also have 2-6 more launches by the end of the year (helpfully filling a hole in its Falcon 9 manifest as the demand for GEO launches continues to slow, but clearly requiring a substantial financial commitment). In comparison, other proposed systems like Telesat and LeoSat will be far behind, and even though these systems may have designs which are more optimized for their target markets, it could become increasingly difficult for either system to attract the attention and funding they need to move forward, without backing from major strategic investors. Speculation is likely to focus on Amazon’s Project Kuiper plans, but unlike Elon Musk’s “build it and they will come” mentality, I expect Jeff Bezos is more likely to want to put together a solid plan before committing to spend many billions of dollars on such an effort. But the most important thing of all is whether investors believe Elon Musk’s predictions and will now throw billions of dollars at his Starlink vision. A shortfall in the amount raised, as seems to have been the case in all of SpaceX’s various funding rounds over the last year, will keep the pressure on the company after a series of costly issues (most notably the loss of the Crew Dragon capsule). On the other hand, if he is able to raise a couple of billion dollars, SpaceX and OneWeb could make this into a two horse LEO constellation race over the next couple of years. So I’ll be waiting with bated breath to see the launch next week and what the subsequent fundraising effort reveals about investors’ confidence in both the project and (more importantly) in Elon himself.

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Monday and Tuesday Events Feature NCRC Scientists Monday, April 16 and Tuesday, April 17, the Live and Learn Film Series and State of the Studies at the NC Research Campus are free events that provide opportunities for people to talk with scientists and learn about the research and clinical studies that are underway on campus. (NC Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC- April 12, 2012)- The NC Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis extends an invitation for the community to attend two upcoming events that provide opportunities for people to learn more about the ongoing research at the NC Research Campus (NCRC). Living Proof Panelists On Monday, April 16, the NCRC is hosting a free showing of the movie Living Proof at 7 pm in the events room of the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory building at 150 Research Drive. Part of the quarterly Live and Learn Film Series, the movie tells the true story of Dr. Dennis Slamon, the University of California Los Angeles physician who from 1988 to 1996 developed the breast cancer treatment Herceptin (trastuzumab). The movie stars Harry Connick Jr as Slamon and is based on the book The Making of Herceptin: A Revolutionary Treatment for Breast Cancer by Robert Bazell. Following the movie, Xiaohe Yang, PhD, with NC Central University’s Nutrition Research Program, Andrew Swick, PhD, UNC Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) and Dr. Gary Schwartz of NorthEast Oncology Associates will be featured panelists. The panelists will answer audience questions and discuss their research and experience involving cancer. Yang, a scientist at the NC Research Campus, researches breast cancer etiology and prevention focusing on the modulation of hormone-growth factor, apoptosis and mammary stem cell reprogramming by genetic and environmental factors. During his career, he has worked on the protein target of the her2 antibody, which is at the center of the story of the movie Living Proof. Andrew Swick, PhD, director of the NRI’s research on obesity and eating disorders, has 20 years of experience researching obesity and understands the links between diet and disease. Dr. Gary Schwartz is a physician practicing with NorthEast Oncology Associates. He is certified in oncology and hematology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and specializes in the treatment of breast, colon, rectal and lung cancers as well as bleeding and clotting disorders. State of the Studies On Tuesday, April 17 from 2 pm to 7 pm in the atrium of the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory building NCRC, Duke Translational Research Institute, the MURDOCK Study and Carolinas Medical Center NorthEast are hosting the State of the Studies, an open house to showcase the clinical research at the NCRC. Visitors will be able to speak with representatives of the companies and institutions on campus. Panel discussions at 3 pm and 6 pm will feature NCRC scientists from the Appalachian State University Human Performance Laboratory and UNC Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute. Also participating are local physicians and nurses as well as local residents who are participating in the MURDOCK Study at the NCRC. The showing of Living Proof and the State of the Studies are part of the series of NC Science Festival events being held in Kannapolis throughout April. – See more at: http://ncrc.ehclients.com/news-and-information/news/ncrc-news/monday-and-tuesday-events-feature-ncrc-scientists/#sthash.wut7LgjI.dpuf Dr. Gary Schwartz, Herceptin, NC Research Campus, NorthEast Oncology Associates, Xiaohe Yang

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About Trefor Owen Trefor Owen Biography Who Has Trefor Jammed With? Recommend Live Jazz Venues North Wales Jazz Society Jazz Guitar Tuition Gigs & Workshops Jazz Guitar Workshops Guitar Duo Shades Of Shearing Spirit Of Shearing Trefor Owen —Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Guitarist, Educator and Author “I saw Jack Wilkins jam with Trefor Owen at the Benedetto booth and that was something! I never realized what a fine player Trefor is what great technique he has”. More About Trefor Trefor’s Biography More About Trefor Owen Trefor Owen was born in the village of Gwalchmai, Anglesey. (Anglesey is an island off the Northern tip of Wales). Trefor, who is a Welsh speaker, is one of Britain’s finest jazz guitarists and a familiar figure on the U.S. Jazz guitar scene. His CD Wales Plays Brazil has won widespread critical acclaim and was featured regularly on Jazz FM. Trefor has toured the U.K. extensively and performed in the U.S.A with many American musicians, and has appeared with many European and British musicians. He has made several appearances at the New York Guitar Show, Long Island and at the NAMM Show, Los Angeles. Trefor Owen is one of the foremost jazz and improvisation teachers in the U.K., covering all instruments. He has over 30 years experience teaching at the highest level both in Britain and the USA. For eight of those years he was an associate lecturer at Leeds College of Music. Also, for twenty five years he was a visiting lecturer at Liverpool Community College. For five years he taught at Wigan and Leigh College. “Your unique approach to teaching the rigours of facility building through applied practice is ground breaking”. Trefor Owen has also considerable experience in tutoring clinics and workshops. Among the many he has conducted are celebrity workshops at Cork International Jazz Festival, London’s Guitar Institute, the Zinc Bar, New York, New York Guitar Show, Long Island and, as mentioned above, the Chet Atkins Convention in Nashville. For eight years, between 2000 and 2008, he led a team of international guitarists performing and tutoring at the North Wales International Jazz Guitar Festival and Summer School, the biggest jazz guitar event in the world, where his teaching won annual applause, and has since been resident tutor at each of the highly renowned bi-annual jazz guitar weekends presented by North Wales Jazz. Here are some of the highlights from Trefor’s career spanning over 25 years. Read his full biography here Read Trefor's full biography Live Performance Bookings Contact Trefor Follow Trefor Designed by Arctic Online Wordpress Website Designers

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Home Who we are Staff Profiles Keri Mesropov Keri Mesropov Keri Mesropov leads TRG’s team of consultants and database and analytics specialists who work on behalf of the firm’s clients throughout North America and abroad. She also serves as lead consultant for scores of clients including Chicago Symphony, New York City Ballet, and Boston Ballet. Her own work and the consulting, database management, and business intelligence services she now presides over have generated millions of revenue dollars—earned and contributed—for opera, dance, and theater companies, orchestras, arts centers and festivals. Keri manages TRG’s counsel on integrated patron loyalty programs, bringing together colleague departments across organization silos to build stronger, longer paid patronage. Before coming to TRG, Keri worked for 17 years as an arts administrator in marketing and development. Her career in dance administration includes eight years as director of marketing and public relations for Colorado Ballet, and five years with The Washington Ballet where she first served as director of marketing and communications and then as director of external affairs overseeing both earned and contributed income. Keri has also freelanced for various companies including Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, Trey McIntyre Project and served as associate director of marketing for Washington Performing Arts Society in Washington, DC. Originally from Colorado, Keri holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Nebraska. What I work on At TRG I have the pleasure of overseeing the entire client services division of consultants and associate consultants. In addition to having my finger in all of our accounts—over 1,200 today—I also get to dive deep on a number of accounts. I get to work with our amazing team to guide our client service strategies, and with our amazing clients…what could be better?! How your career has evolved When I was growing up I wanted to be a dancer, but I soon discovered, with a little help from my father, that life as an artist was going to be a challenging career. Oh, and let’s also get out on the table that my talent wasn’t that great! Journalism was a love, so after I got my degree in broadcast journalism, I started to think about how I could put that together with the arts. My first real job was as a marketing associate for Colorado Ballet. From there I moved to D.C. and worked for The Washington Ballet. While there, I hired TRG. A new love affair began as TRG’s counsel made me a super-hero in my organization. I sorta liked these really smart, type-A overachievers. I was leaving Washington D.C. because my husband got a job in Canada, and asked if TRG might want to hire me as a consultant. Lucky for me, they kinda liked me, too. Six years later… What sets TRG apart from its competition A major driver at TRG is that we truly and deeply care about the business we’re in. We are passionate as a company about helping nonprofits grow and thrive in a sustainable way. It’s unique in a company, because it is in every TRG team member’s DNA. The most rewarding aspect of my career Witnessing the impact of TRG’s counsel on the arts industry. We are collaborators, change agents and thrill seekers! Seeing arts organizations completely turn around and to know that we’ve had a role in that is very satisfying. Also, I have a teacher in me. I really enjoy working with clients and team members alike and watching lightbulbs turn on and seeds bloom. Follow Keri on LinkedIn

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Dynasty First Look: Elaine Hendrix Debuts as the New Alexis Carrington By Andy Swift / December 4 2019, 10:00 AM PST Like a facially reconstructed phoenix rising from the ashes, Alexis makes her long-awaited return to Dynasty in Friday’s fall finale (The CW, 9/8c), just in time for the trial of the century. TVLine has an exclusive first look at Elaine Hendrix as the new Alexis Carrington, who clearly still knows how to make an entrance. Friday’s episode, titled “The Sensational Blake Carrington Trial,” puts the problematic patriarch in the hot seat, and “every Carrington and family associate gets pulled into the fray.” Naturally, that includes Blake’s estranged ex-wife. The role of Alexis, made famous by Joan Collins during the original Dynasty‘s run (1981–1989), was first played by Nicollette Sheridan on The CW. But when Sheridan abruptly left the show midway through Season 2, producers were forced to get creative. Through the magic of plastic surgery, Elizabeth Gillies — who already plays Alexis’ daughter Fallon — temporarily assumed the role, until Alexis decided that she needed a new start (and another new face). Speaking of actresses who have previously played Alexis, we’re starting to sense a pattern (so to speak) in their entrance wardrobes. Hendrix’s black-and-white number looks like it was plucked from the same closet as Collins and Sheridan’s debut ensembles: Beyond simply bringing Alexis back into the fold, Hendrix’s casting also doubles as a reunion; she and Gillies co-starred on FX’s short-lived drama series Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, which also starred Dennis Leary. Your thoughts on Alexis’ long-awaited return to Dynasty? Season 3 in general? Drop ’em all in a comment below. TAGS: Dynasty, Elaine Hendrix, The CW GET MORE: Exclusive, Finales, First Look

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Tag Archives: Terje Before They Were Vampires – My Slightly Smutty Tribute to Alexander Skarsgard If you’ve ever stopped by this blog before, you know that I ADORE HBO’s scary and sexy summer series, True Blood, in general, and Alexander Skarsgard’s deliciously devilish Viking Vampire, Eric Northman, specifically. Honestly, can you blame me? How can you NOT love a man who looks like THIS . . . And SOMETIMES this . . . And OTHER TIMES this? So, yes, he’s pretty to look at. (DUH!) But there’s more to it than that . . . much more. Skarsgard’s Northman is smart and sardonic. He also has a mean streak a mile long. It’s true. Vampire Eric can be brutal, but he can also be charming and surprisingly sweet. Eric Northman has the unique ability to make you go from laughter, to tears, and back to laughter again, with nothing more than a sharp one-liner, a withering look, and a (seemingly) sincere apology. Eric is strong and ambitious. He has a take charge attitude about every aspect of his life (and undeath). This attitude encompasses his work, as much as his play. This Vampire is Pure Epicure. He LOVES being undead. And undeath loves him . . . Did I mention he can make your DREAMS COME TRUE? But, as much as it seems as though Alexander Skarsgard was BORN to play Eric Northman, there WAS life B.V., “BEFORE vampire” It’s ALIVE! Hallelujah! As it turns out, Skarsgard’s been doing this whole “acting thing” for quite some time. According to Wikipedia, his acting career began in 1984, when he was just 7-years old. Back then, he starred in the Swedish film, Ake and His World, based on a children’s book by Bertil Malberg. Here’s what he looked like back then . . . How cute was HE? But Alexander Skarsgard didn’t enter MY life until about 17 years later, in 2001. That was when he appeared in THIS film . . . Even those of you who SAW this movie, might not have caught this. (I certainly didn’t, when I first saw it.) But, in Zoolander, Skarsgard played Meekus, Derek’s model friend, who died tragically in a freak gasoline accident. R.I.P. Meekus OK. Maybe some of you already knew that. But did you know that Skarsgard also makes for a really pretty girl? I always knew Alexander Skarsgard was better looking than I was. But does he also have to be a better looking WOMAN? NO FAIR! In 2006, just five years after his small part in Zoolander, Skarsgard starred in the kidnapping and crime caper, Kill Your Darlings, as a disturbingly hot, and decidedly suicidal, transvestite, named Geert. Here’s a clip from the film that I think you’ll really like . . . You’ll figure out why in just a few seconds . . . So, by this time, Alexander Skarsgard was quite the A-list star in Sweden. However, he hadn’t quite “made it” in the U.S. just yet. (Tragic Zoolander death, notwithstanding). That all changed in 2008, when he landed the role of Sergeant Brad “Iceman” Colbert in the HBO miniseries, Generation Kill. The series, which was based on a book of the same name by Evan Wright, detailed the lives of a real-life Marine Corps battalion during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Just like a certain vampire he would begin to play that same year, Iceman was a force with which to be reckoned — a calm, cool, and calculated soldier. Though many lives were undoubtedly lost at the hands of both of these “killers,” both Eric and Iceman possessed, beneath the surface, a refreshing amount of humanity and heart. Now I know that a good film and television viewer can separate any character from the actor playing him. And yet, I couldn’t keep myself from being reminded of Eric Northman when watching THIS scene . . . No one does the deadpan delivery of a “biting” one-liner like Skarsgard! Finally, this year, while on hiatus from filming True Blood, Skarsgard took the opportunity to flex his comedic chops in Beyond the Pole, a British mockumentary about a group of friends who head to the North Pole on a mission to save the world from the scourge of GLOBAL WARMING. Here, Skarsgard plays Terje, a gay Norwegian athlete, with a tendency to get a little frisky (and dance-y) after a few drinks (and you all KNOW how I LOVE my stars getting dance-y). Check THIS out . . . I’m willing to bet that Sookie is wishing she was the guy in that video, RIGHT NOW . . . Aren’t you? So, there you have it. A brief, and slightly smutty, look into the wild and wonderful film and television career of Alexander Skarsgard. But, before you go, I DO have one more Alexander Skarsgard image you might enjoy. This one comes from a film he made in 2000, called Hundtricket or The Dog Trick. WARNING: You might . . . (clears throat) . . . need a COLD shower, after viewing this . . . Filed under Alexander Skarsgard, Generation Kill, Shirtless TV Stars, True Blood, Zoolander Tagged as Alexander Skarsgard, Anna Paquin, bathtub, Beautifully Broken, Ben Stiller, Beyond the Pole, British, Charlaine Harris, dream sequence, drunk, Eric Northman, Evan Wright, Geert, Generation Kill, HBO, Hundtricket, Iceman, Iraq, Kill Your Darlings, Meekus, Mockumentary, naked, Season 3, sexual tension, sexy, Sgt. Brad Colbert, shirtless, shower, Sookie and Eric, suicidal, Sweden, Swedish, Terje, The Dog Trick, transvestite, True Blood, Vampire Eric, War, Zoolander

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UBIQUE American Geographical Society Map of the Week DailyGeo Geographical Review Previews I Am Geography AGS Home EthicalGEO Geography2050 Connect2Conserve Map of the Week: Proposed Energy Corridor Along U.S.-Mexico Border By Caroline Stern A proposal was sent out by a group of 28 engineers and scientists from across the country to build an energy corridor comprised of “a complex train of solar energy panels, wind turbines, natural gas pipelines, desalination facilities” along the 1,954-mile-long border between Mexico and the United States. While some say it is unfeasible, the leader of the consortium, Professor Luciano Castillo of Purdue University, is more optimistic. The group’s goal is to produce clean energy while providing new jobs, water, and security to areas along the border. Rather than tackling the controversy surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border through policy changes, these researchers are interested in harnessing the region’s potential to create a more amicably sustained relationship between the two countries. According to the researchers, the border region’s environmental conditions make it an ideal site for renewable energy infrastructure. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory reported that “the strong winds at the Texas Gulf Coast and the Baja California regions are ideal for wind farms.” Additionally, researchers found that five solar panels in the Mexican state of Chihuahua could produce as much energy as the hydroelectric power along the Canada-U.S. border, which includes Niagara Falls. Some engineers say this could be a major infrastructure project in the context of the 21st century as a whole. Ronald Adrian, Regent’s Professor at Arizona State University and a member of the National Academy of Engineering believes, “the cost of providing basic, essential infrastructure to the border lands is tiny compared to the opportunities it creates.” The corridor can transform the border into a high-tech, well-secured zone through fencing, electronic sensors, and surveillance drones. These precautions make it easier for wildlife to migrate, but still alert officials to anyone moving through the area illegally. To spur the creation of jobs, researchers also propose “energy security institute” campuses where locals can learn the necessary skills to work in infrastructure industries. However, the project still has to grapple with a host of environmental and legal complications. Landowners will most likely be unhappy giving over their property to the federal government, and the sheer size of the project could permanently damage sensitive ecosystems. Part of the proposal’s argument is that the land is empty and, yes, some sections would be perfect for this type of project, but a corridor encompassing the entire border could be asking for too much. There are large towns such as El Paso, Nogales, and Tijuana. There are also small unincorporated towns called colonias that may benefit from the new onset of jobs and infrastructure; however, no one has asked them what they may need or want. Sources: 1, 2, 3 Posted by admin Map of the Week « Map of the Week: Using AI to Generate Population Map Company Spotlight: LandMark » Search Ubique Geographical Review Preview: Measuring the Reach of Asian Regional Food Regimes in the WTO Era: Vegetable networks, territories, and the WTO January 24, 2020 Company Spotlight: GISCorps January 22, 2020 Map of the Week: Kangaroo Island Before and After the Start of a Bushfire January 15, 2020 Geographical Review Preview: Trajectories of Personal Archiving: Practical and Ethical Considerations January 10, 2020 Map of the Week: Monarchs & Queens January 8, 2020 © 2020 UBIQUE / Proudly powered by WordPress / Theme: The Box by Design Lab

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Published on November 10, 2018 November 10, 2018 by maryatthewomenscenterLeave a comment By Mary Emert On Tuesday November 6th the nation held its midterm elections and the stakes, to some, have never been higher. And, in some places the results have never been better. A record number of women, people of color, and people from the LGBT+ community ran, and a record number of them won as well ushering in new faces to represent America. Congress will have a record breaking 118 women, next year making up 22% of congress which is a significant jump from the 20% currently in office. Many of these women were inspired after the 2016 election, and many of them are democratic working towards women’s rights to birth control, safe abortion, and equal treatment in politics. Two of these women, Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland, happen to be Native American both women are very involved in their tribes and interested in the rights of Native Women, who unknown to many have the highest missing and murdered percentages among any minority. Davids also identifies as a lesbian making her the first openly LGBT+ member of Congress from Kansas. In this she is not alone either. Colorado Democratic Rep. Jared Polis, will be the first openly gay governor of Colorado. Chris Pappas will be New Hampshire’s first openly gay member of Congress. Lesbian Angie Craig defeats anti-LGBTQ congressman in Minnesota, will be first openly gay person elected to Congress from the state. Two transgender women, Gerri Cannon and Lisa Bunker, were elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. According to the Los Angeles Blade, Cannon and Bunker will join Virginia state Del. Danica Roem as the only openly trans members of any U.S. state legislature. Democrats Susan Ruiz and Brandon Woodard become the first LGBT+ members of Continue reading “Good News!” → Categories News Coverage, Reflection•Tags congress, elections 2018, lbgtq+, Muslim, Native American, new firsts, paulette jordan, politics, record number of people, women of color Creating immortality for equal representation Published on March 6, 2018 March 7, 2018 by sierrarothermichLeave a comment By Sierra Rothermich Think of a woman you look up to… Think of a woman who has inspired you… Think of a woman who has impacted your life… Should she run for office? SheShouldRun, a national organization that aims to expand the number of women in office, wants us to ask ourselves that question. Sofia Pereira, Community Manager for SheShouldRun, said Women already contribute to our communities in so many ways–whether you’re a scientist, a stay at home mom, a non-profit leader or an entrepreneur. Yet, out of the over half a million elected offices that exist in America, women make up less than a third. By 2030, SheShouldRun aims to fulfill their goal of having 250 thousand women running for office. However, to accomplish that goal, as women we must be ambitious and act. This means we need to express our strength, determination, and passion to inspire women now and into the future. Inspiring others requires using our thoughts, ideas, and values to create a legacy of equal representation. Continue reading “Creating immortality for equal representation” → Categories Reflection•Tags 250k by 2030, african american, barack obama, congress, equal representation, equality, government, immortal, jeannette rankin, life, neil de grasse tyson, Obama, paulette jordan, Pew Research Center, politics, run for office, sheshouldrun, sofia pereira, Women Women in Power: Scifi and the Gender Ratio in American Government Published on April 25, 2014 April 25, 2014 by epamberLeave a comment Amber Atalaya Evans Pinel I’ve been reading a lot of criticism of science fiction television shows by those looking at it from a feminist perspective—specifically, my all-time favorite Scifi series Battlestar Galactica (2003 reboot.) Just because I happen to adore BSG, that doesn’t mean I’m blind to its flaws. But right now I’d rather talk about what the show is actually really good at: an equal ratio of male and female characters. Specifically, the universe of BSG has more female characters in positions of power than the US Government does. As of 2012, the United States ranked #84 in the number of women serving in congressional (or parliamentary) positions. We’re tied with San Marino at a whopping 18.3% of women in congress. Considering more than 50% of voters are women, this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. And this trend doesn’t just exist at the federal level, “Only 22% of all statewide elective executive office positions are currently held by women.” Even though we see only a handful of military and government officials on the show (due to the genocide of most of the human race), it is pretty evident that there’s solid equality of opportunity for both men and women to be in those positions. The universe of BSG one-ups the USA in the first episode when Laura Roslin becomes President of the twelve colonies. She is appointed due to the death of the former president and a large percentage of the cabinet. However, people who oppose her do so because of the way she came into power and her lack of experience before becoming the president (she was formerly secretary of education), not because she is a woman. Then Kara Thrace (“Starbuck”) is appointed CAG (Commander of the Air Group) after Lee Adama (a male) goes into politics. And she is easily the best CAG we see on Battlestar Galactica. One of the best things about the show, however, is that their military is totally unbiased when it comes to gender. Both men and women serve equally in every branch of the military, including the front lines and as fighter pilots. On the Cylon side of things, our three driving characters who seem to hold quite a bit of political power are Number Six, Number Eight, and Number Three, and all of them are female. However, their society isn’t matriarchal in the slightest. They pretty much have a democratic republic: the models choose one of their kind to speak for them in their own sort-of congress. Out of the eight main characters in Battlestar Galactica, five of them are women. Once I started counting the supporting and minor characters (and there are a lot of them) it appeared to be a pretty good 50/50 split. Considering a lot of our media these days is failing the Bechdel Test, I’d say that ratio is pretty stellar. Not just because there are female characters in the show, but because every single one of them is of note. (Almost) all of them are fully-fleshed out with character development and believable story lines of their own. Further on in the series we meet Admiral Helena Cain, the commanding officer of Battlestar Pegasus. Cain is arguably the most complex of all the female characters on the show, and she ranks the absolute highest in the military over everyone else. She has a Kurtz/Heart of Darkness kind of attitude in which most conventional morals were tossed out the window when the Cylons attacked. But, more on her next week. Finally, the primary reason BSG beats the US in equal representation in positions of power: The Quorum of Twelve, the universe’s parliament. Those who serve on it change throughout the show, however, it always has an even ratio of male and female representatives. Not because they are required to have an even ratio, but because that’s how the elections go. The Quorum is elected by the people, and serves much like the United States Congress. (The Quorum of Twelve meeting with President Laura Roslin) So, if it’s so easy for an American television show to get it right, why can’t our nation do it for real? Well, here are several reasons from an article titled “The Gender Gap: Percentage of Women in Government Worldwide. We’re Number One, Right? Not So Much…” 1. On average, women candidates raise less money than their male counterparts. 2. Redistricting appears to target female candidates more than male candidates. 3. Incumbency: Men were in office before women, and once a person is in office, they have serious advantages for reelection. Usually, the most “winnable” seats are already held by men. 4. Less Media Coverage: According to the Daily Beast, in media reports on women’s issues—like abortion and birth control—men are quoted some five times more than women are. And that affects the coverage of women in politics. 5. Stereotypes In my opinion, both major political parties in this country have the ability to put more women forward in elections. Furthermore, voters need to take on some responsibility for the representation inequality in our government as well. Obviously I’m not condoning voting for someone solely based on their gender. However, it is true that there is a significant amount of social prejudice riding on the idea of women in government positions. And only constituents have the power to change how they feel about women in our government. Categories Commentary, Opinion•Tags battlestar galactica, congress, Feminism, government, House of Representatives, politics, scifi, Senate, United States, us government, voting, women in politics, women in power, Women's Rights

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Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary warns planes could be grounded due to Brexit Ian King, business presenter Sky News 12 September 2018 Ryanair's chief executive has issued his starkest warning yet on the impact of a "no-deal" Brexit on aviation. Michael O'Leary told Sky News there was every chance that planes would be grounded in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal. Mr O'Leary, who has continually been more downbeat about Brexit than most other aviation bosses, also complained of a lack of communication from the UK government. He said he had not met with Chris Grayling for 10 months and described the transport secretary as offering "nonsensical answers" in simply saying he could not believe there would not be a good outcome to Brexit negotiations. Stressing that he did not wish to make any political points, or enter a political debate, Mr O'Leary said he was satisfied with Theresa May's proposed Brexit deal - the so-called "Chequers" proposals - because it provided a reasonable transition period for businesses to prepare. And he called on rebel Conservative MPs opposing Chequers to come up with some alternative proposals of their own rather than "kicking the can down the road". Mr O'Leary said that, if flights were grounded, he expected the situation to last for only "one or two days" because it would be an unacceptable situation for both the UK and the EU. He said both would find it difficult to explain to the public and would be "politically unassailable". He added: "All of us in business want to see a good outcome for Brexit. "The problem is we are getting very little clarity from certainly the UK political leadership here and we are getting closer and closer to the date." Flights between the UK and the rest of the EU are currently governed by the "Open Skies" agreement that allows airlines to fly freely between EU destinations. It has helped Ireland's Ryanair become Europe's biggest low-cost carrier and its British rival Easyjet to emerge as the next-largest such player. Both have had to take out Air Operator Certificates (AOCs), approvals from national aviation authorities, in order for them to continue flying post-Brexit - Easyjet from the EU and Ryanair from the UK. Mr O'Leary said on Wednesday that Ryanair was making good progress in obtaining its AOC from Britain. But he said the EU's rules governing airline ownership created another administrative headache for Ryanair from Brexit. These require airlines operating routes within the EU to prove that it is owned and controlled by EU nationals - with at least half of its shares owned by EU nationals. Mr O'Leary said this would be problematic for Ryanair because, after Brexit, British shareholders would no longer be classed as EU nationals. Because the airline also has a large proportion of American shareholders, this would potentially mean Ryanair no longer had a majority of EU-based shareholders after Brexit, putting it in breach of the rules. He said Ryanair's solution to this, if the situation went unresolved, would be to temporarily disenfranchise the airline's non-EU investors so they would not be able to take part in shareholder votes. He said he found the situation frustrating but that non-EU shareholders had been sympathetic to the airline's difficulties. Mr O'Leary was speaking as Ryanair announced 23 new routes for the autumn and winter. Some of these have already been announced, including ones connecting London Stansted to Lviv and Kiev, the first the airline has run to Ukraine. More than half of the new routes are from fast-growing Southend Airport and will connect with locations including Alicante, Brest, Milan and Copenhagen. Mr O'Leary also revealed that Ryanair had submitted a complaint to the European Commission over what it regards as "discrimination" by National Air Traffic Services (NATS) against Stansted. He said more than half of all delays caused by air traffic control during the first three months of the year were at the airport, with just 10% at Gatwick, while Heathrow suffered no such delays. He pointed out that British Airways and Easyjet, respectively the biggest airlines at Heathrow and Gatwick, were both shareholders in NATS. He said he wanted the commission to force NATS to explain why more resources appeared to be being allocated to airports other than Stansted and why the latter appeared to be suffering disproportionately from delays. Ryanair's chief executive also addressed a walk-out by some German pilots and cabin crew that grounded 150 out of 400 scheduled flights in and out of Germany on Wednesday. He said the media had exaggerated the extent to which Ryanair's flights had been disrupted by strike action this summer and suggested the negative coverage - along with the big rise in the oil price earlier this year - could have contributed to Ryanair's poor share price performance during 2018. Rebecca Long-Bailey calls on rivals to back public ownership Boris thought being PM would be a triumph – but it's all downhill from here

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