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- Casey Kitchel
- Grosse Pointe, MI
- United States
This conversation is closed.
When fighting for rights, which is tougher: a battle against an oppressive government, or a battle against an oppressive society?
Manal al-Sharif opens her TED talk by asking the audience a question.
"You know that people all over the world fight for their freedom, fight for their rights. Some battle oppressive governments. Others battle oppressive societies." And then she asks, "which battle do you think is harder?"
Fellow TEDers, which do you think is a tougher battle? And why?
Jun 28 2013: Repressive regimes come and go, as tyrants rise and fall. On the whole, societies either revolt against their repressive governments or they empower them. But when a repressive regime is overthrown, the replacement may be just as ruthless (e.g., Louis XVI vs. Robespierre, Nicholas II vs. Lenin, Batista vs. Castro, the Shah vs. the Ayotollah, etc.). The governments of post-Hussein Iraq and post-Gaddafi Libya, among others, have their work cut out for them, if they don't wish to repeat history. And what will become of Saudi Arabia if the House of Saud ever loses its grip, or of North Korea when that bizarre dynastic Communist dictatorship finally falls?
Repressive societies, on the other hand, don't need the support of their governments for their intolerance and injustices. Here we find the usual culprits of religion and ethnicity, as well as class distinction being at the center of the repression. And in many cases, those who hold power do not see themselves as repressing the powerless. Where a despot no doubt realizes how tenuous his control may be, societies are often indifferent, if not completely apathetic to the inequities felt, and sometimes voiced by minorities within their ranks. And it is this attitude of denial that makes societal change so daunting.Jun 29 2013: It's easier to battle "them" than it is to battle "us".Jun 27 2013: I think that one is not tougher than the other, if and only because, the two are inherently intertwined. Is there ever an oppressive society that does not so some degree have an oppressive government. Equally does not an oppressive government create through enforcement and selective authoritarian institutions / people propaganda and thus create oppressive societies.
What I think is hardest, is not what most people would see as hard. That being, that a right that is taken away after years of having it, is probably the hardest to regain, if ever at all. And there recently have been many examples of that in in recent years in many a democracy.
An example. The UK used, note, I say used, to have the law that it seeded to many other places, that if you were tried and acquitted, you could not be tried for the same crime twice. A law that had been around for about 1000 years. The removal of that law went hardly unnoticed in the UK, how hard will people have to fight to get it back...
As for America and many of it's laws that have been removed / superseded due to certain wonderfully ironic titled 'patriot' act(s). Will those freedoms ever come back?Jul 1 2013: To put it simply, society. Because as social creatures our society helps define us and forms a network within which we are comfortable, and to start shaking that up divides the population. Whereas a oppressive government often vitalizes reformation movements to turn them into popular movements.Jun 29 2013: I'd say it's tougher to fight a Koch funded shadow government(ALEC) supported by a judicial Junta (SCOTUS).
Micah Eaton
Jun 29 2013: I think the difference between fighting an oppressive government and an oppressive society is mainly down to how long it takes to achieve victory over them. Oppressive governments can be defeated within a person's lifetime, or the frame of a few lifetimes. Oppressive societies take generations to overcome, and can defy even the most highly organized forms of opposition because of that.
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Also, the period during which old behaviors still have power is greater under an oppressive society than an oppressive government. New ways of thinking have to be taught, they don't just arrive out of thin air. Unfortunately, we tend to fall back easily onto the readily perceived points of bias, which form the basis of oppressive society. The kind of universal education required to prevent that doesn't just arrive upon the defeat of an oppressive society. Until it can be developed many amongst the new generations are likely, ironically, to embrace the old instead of the new.
Oddly, oppressive societies probably suffer the fatal aspects of their fall, relative to their lifetimes in comparison to those of oppressive governments, about as quickly as oppressive governments do. It's just that oppressive governments fall with the work of a shorter history of defiance, fewer generations of nameless people are ground under opposing them. To fight an oppressive society it takes many more people who stand up and are willing to watch their work seemingly go nowhere.
Elizabeth Gu
Jun 27 2013: I think it's easy to become rebellious against an oppressive government than it is to become defiant against the pressure of society.
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The former makes you a person who tries to retrieve the sense of justice, the latter makes you an 'idiot' or an official 'outsider'—quite often, if you ask me.
'God, peer pressure….!'
Although the context of it is slightly different from what we're talking about here, even among our peers, we get careful about challenging their pressure.
Surely not an easy task with loneliness.
adesh saxena
Jun 23 2013: It does not matter who is the oppressor.
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What prevents us from standing against the oppressor ....FEAR
Fear to loose...
When one is fearless, oppressor has no purcahse on you, you are their toughest opponent.
They have the power to destroy you , you have the power to show them and the world and make them understand that they are wrong and unjust.
Battle is won and that too permanently if that brings change of heart in oppressor whether its a governement or a society , it does not matter who is the oppressor.
Jun 23 2013: Nice comment Adesh. Have you ever had to fight for your beliefs or your rights? If so, please share.
Jun 24 2013: In country like India we always have to fight for our beliefs as well as for our rightJul 6 2013: The battle against oppressive societies are tougher; in oppressive societies the victims are usually a part or group that is weak. The oppression may not even be seen as oppression because of the tyranny of the majority. In nations where women are oppressed for example, a change of government offers no hope if it is just a transfer of power to a custodian of the old order.Jul 2 2013: In my opinion a battle against oppressive society is more tougher than fighting against government for your rights because It is the society that is more closer to you, It can either encourage or discourage your fight.
Continuous motivation and a strong inspiration are two essential things before you start your fight for your rights, which you can get them easily from your nearby society.
If your society is cooperative you may finally win your battle, but if it doesn't promotes you you will feel tired soon and that's all it takes to lose a battle.
Bob Schotman
Jun 30 2013: The short answer from me is: Oppressive society. The argument is that if we did not have the multitude of tendencies and actions that could collectively be called oppressive, we would probably not have as many people in governmental leadership positions exhibiting these same attributes.Jun 29 2013: I think you have your answer Casey. Most societies are formed around religion, and as such have the ability to become very oppresive. Governments have been formed around common sense, and the rights of the people, but can easily become corrupted and the history rewritten so that it looks like the religion was always in charge. This is the case for the U.S. The moral majority has taken control of the republican party, and Barry Goldwaters nightmare has come true.
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Peter Mullen
Jun 29 2013: Just remember Tim, they, (The moral majority) (???) are, first of all (not moral ) as i'm sure you've noticed. Secondly they are simply the "pigeons", (water boys) who will be crushed and discarded by the real power brokers when they have outlived their usefulness. The entire facade of "conservatism" is a (racket), Want proof? Look at the "denotation" in the dictionary, and a few "academic" descriptions of the meaning, then ask someone who identifies themselves as a conservative. You will find that most have no idea what they even stand for. It's true for the reality of "Capitalism" most conservatives have no idea what that means, no clue about the reality, and mechanisms of capitalism. If they actually understood the realities of rampant, predatory unrestrained capitalism, they would probably jump off a cliff in horror. These people have been brainwashed. and the rest are simply creatures of self indulgence who have lost whatever humanity, or compassion they may once have had. It doesn't mean that millions are not sincere, or even wonderful people, They're just really messed up, and confused. The real liars, thieves, torturers, murders, are a different kettle of fish all together.
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Jun 30 2013: I agree Peter, I come from a very conservative democratic family, old time conservative, not new. I always found myself siding with the old time republicans on business but I was very liberal when it came to erring on the side of helping my fellow man. I am apalled that the new republicans would rather force someone to have a child, then refuse to help them out. Just doesn't make sense to hurt those really in need to weed out the bad.Jun 27 2013: Uniqea stated: "...I dont believe everyone who doesnt believe in religion is bad or immoral. But I do have the morals, values, and ethics that I learned while studying religions, and I do believe in a higher power which keeps me in line and it helps me keep those morals..."
This is good for you Uniqea. If you need this higher power to keep yourself in line it is good for you to remain attached to it. It works for you.
However. I am a distinctly moral person and do it without any help from any higher power. To me this is proof the real action necessary to be moral and upright in the world is somehow innate within all healthy human beings. No higher power is necessary. If you remove all the writings relating to a higher power from many of the religious books, what you are left with is a fine, secular description of what is required for all human beings to live together in harmony. Further: it is good guidance for being a moral human being. A higher power is not necessary to enforce this upon humanity. Those who turn away from such religious influence discover this fact as they grow and become decent secular human beings.
Many of the laws we follow in the US and many other modern countries were, in fact, the Laws developed and instituted in the Nation of Babylon, many centuries ago. Their laws, for the most part, were alienated from their religious beliefs.
"Hammurabi was a king of Babylon and was best known for his 282 laws some of which we still use today. The oldest-known legal code, even older than the Ten Commandments, is credited to Hammurabi.
He lived from 1818 B.C. to 1750 B.C. "
Many of the ten commandments are based on these laws. Isn't that interesting?
Jun 29 2013: Great comment John. People who do not believe in god, are not necessarily anti god , or bad people, in fact many agnostics I've met were "some" of the most moral people I know. I would say to all my brothers and sisters who are believers in some god. Look at (your concept of god). Think of that entity as a friend. (theoretically) Understand that entity may be your friend, but at the same time wouldn't that god also have a relationship with all other human beings from a different angle, and perspective? It's not simply 2 sides to a coin but 7,000,000,000 sides 1 for every human on the planet. One person's infidel, is another's saint. Jihad, is a concept, "NOT A PHYSICAL BATTLE PLAN". Cristian's have the same concept from a different perspective. When you grow older as I have, if you've read and studied and had lots of great cups of coffee or tea with intelligent people, an amazing thing happens. "WISDOM" it teaches you that onward christian soldier doesn't mean killing infidels, it means go within yourself, inside your deepest darkest parts of your soul and rid yourself of all that is impure and against health, piety, and compassion. "That is Jihad" it happens inside your mind, inside your being, your soul, if you wish. He that kills, kills all of humanity, he that saves a life saves all humanity. Everybody just mellow out for Pete's sake. "Have a cup of tea."
Jun 30 2013: Thank you Peter.
I'm 62. While I have not dined with billionaires I have with Millionaires.I've had no knowledge imparted my way that was new or insightful. I have shared thoughts with Priests and Rabbi's. I have read every religious book that is considered meaningful. And yes, I do drink tea.
If the life you save is that of an evil person you have allowed evil to endure, along with it's impact on humanity.
Any form of Jihad, or righteous action of God, in my opinion is nothing more but the workings of the minds of men. There is nothing saintly nor holy about it. There are two paths towards peace for mankind to take on this planet:
1. Peace through Communication
2. Peace through superior fire power.
Given man's record, I'm putting my money on option two. When we have rid our minds of the fantasy's of men, perhaps we may find peace. Until then, piety, compassion and impure thoughts will be with us for a long time. We can regulate them and corral them to some degree, not necessarily all.
The world is partitioned into separate social and cultural divisions. When we have eradicated these barriers, we may enjoin with one another to create a one world, Class I civilization. Right now we are Class zero and stand on the threshold of extinction by way of our technologies. We've loads of work ahead of us.
We can follow the ways of ancient people who never shared our body of Knowledge and wisdom or we can put it aside and trust in the wisdom and Knowledge we have at our disposal.
Everyone appears mellow to me. Did I miss something?
Jun 30 2013: You're absolutely right John. I get really pissed when someone starts to force their religious opinion on me, particularly when, someone has been told politely on many occasions that i'm not interested. What I meant in my last reply was that the concept of Jihad isn't exclusive to islam. It goes way back in human history. It's a concept that began long before so called modern religious practices, before Mohamed, Jesus, Buddha or Solomon. It's much the same process a world class athlete goes through, before they climb Everest, or win the decathlon. What I mean is that these guys running around talking about killing infidels,don't know the first thing about the concept. They just pervert it to suit their own fantasie of hate and revenge or what ever else makes them think it's allright to murder people. I'm not one to pussy foot around with thugs, and murderers. I say drop em where they stand when it's perfectly obvious they're trying to kill you. I simply feel Americans, and these fundamentalist wackos are way to trigger happy. There are so many ways to disarm these nut jobs, without starting wars, and dropping bombs. I have never had a problem with a Spiritually /Religiously oriented person as long as they respect my personal space and my view. Live and let live. I've know many a deeply spiritual person who lived dignified pious lives without ever advocating hate, violence, or anti agnostic, anti social behavior. We used to call it wisdom, dignity compassion and being civilized , being and adult.Jun 24 2013: I would like to add,
that it depends in which country we live in ....... but i think that it would be tough to fight against society in country like SAUDI ARABIA , INDIA, CHINA and many more .................. but in country like America it would be tough to fight with Government .... hope you all will understand what i said.
Jun 26 2013: Which situation would you prefer? Strong government, *relatively* free of corruption and oppression or a weaker government, with more corruption and oppression in the government and society? There used to be another aphorism in Russia: "severity of Russian laws is compensated by the lack of their enforcement."Jun 23 2013: Is one really worse than the other? I also listened to this talk and pondered over this question. Trying to imagine myself fighting for my beliefs seems like it would be hard whether my battle was against government or society, especially government and society. It must especially be hard when you are lacking support from others. Or when your family is at risk for your beliefs. I've never been put in this type of situation yet but I can only imagine that either battle is hard regardless of who it is against.Jun 19 2013: Oppressive society. Because you have no clue who is your enemy.
Jun 23 2013: In order to be oppressive, wouldn't members of the oppressive society have to interact with us in some fashion, revealing their identity?
Jun 23 2013: Yes they have to and they do. But these oppressions come veiled as ideas of family/social honor, a stereotypical role model, political ideologies like nationalism, peer pressure to conform and social memes. In such a society a parent, partner, religious leader can be the oppressor.
Jun 23 2013: Indeed.
I wonder if there is some manner to measure the distinctive influences within these societies? We can perceive the incidental affects by merely observing. How could we develop a scale of measure and compare the Government vs. society, Oppressiveness variable?
Could the number of citizens in the Prison system be an indicator? Government controls the prisons but not all prisoners are there due to collisions with the government. Most are there due to social trespasses.
Another question: Are a countries Laws a true indicator of the wishes of a Society?
Ash Bill
Jun 18 2013: Definitely an oppressive society. As a Pakistani, I usually have to deal with this. Fortunately, my family and friends are very supporting and allow me to drive, be educated and even be friends with boys, but I know that there are people who aren't so lucky.
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Fighting against the government is easy. They don't watch you all the time. A society is around you all the time and judge you all the time.
Uniqea Monie
Jun 18 2013: A oppressive society is much harder. To be in a society where everyone is screaming freedom, but only certain groups of beliefs are able to publicly share their opinions and beliefs is sickening. Once that other group of people try to speak their beliefs they are sued or told to be quiet or immediately accused of being the oppressor.
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Its a larger crowd to fight against, its a crowd who doesn't care about professionalism because they aren't under that kind of spot light.
I would say a oppressed society is harder to speak to. Americans are so swooped up in their own personal crap that they don't want to believe the truths, they want to keep being fed lies as long as it will keep them happy and care free.
Jun 23 2013: Is it just "Americans" who are full of crap? Why not other countries and societies? Why just Americans?
Jun 24 2013: No, its other countries. But America is the only one I know of personally because I live here, I dont or have never lived in another country to know how the people are over there, so that was my example.
Jun 24 2013: So, how can you attempt to compare us to others? Most people I know abhor lies and earnestly desire to know the truth. It's the "fool me once; shame on me: fool me twice: shame on you" way of looking at life that give rise to the idea we like being fooled.
The whole idea of "Oppression" is to force people to live and behave in a certain way. We could all stand up and protest but the blunt truth is: we will be arrested and go to jail. What mother or father can afford to be separated from their children in such a way?
Yes. American are oppressed, but it doesn't necessarily follow that we enjoy it or are content with the situation.Jun 24 2013: I don't see how i was making a comparison, I was just using Americans as an example. But an example on how the american society oppress people would be Christianity. Christians are ridiculed and oppressed, their religion calls them to spread the word of God, not to influence but to inform. Society is always trying to sue other parents and schools for providing info or even speaking of God, around the holidays it is no longer appropriate to say merry Christmas, and laws are being passed that demean christian values, traditions, and practices i.e. marriage.
I dont see where you thought I was comparing America to any other country, I was simply answering the question of is the battle tougher against an oppressive society or government and america was my example. But my honest opinion, compared to other countries, we're a few amended rights from being no different.
Just because you and the few like minded people you surround yourself with feel oppressed doesn't mean everyone in america feels that way. There are some people who are happy rights are being taken away, they feel safe, some people want more rights taken away from other groups of people, we still have racism here, we have people who are pro abortion and others who are pro life, we have people that believe certain classes in society should have more rights than others, we have people who believe gays should be brainwashed straight, its some people who want all immigrants to go back to their countries. And some people are just indifferent to it all. To say our society can't be oppressive is absurd, I mean, if that's what you're saying...
Jun 24 2013: I was in a bad situation in Virginia one day in my life. It was Christians who helped me out. I didn't see anyone else trying to help.
I've been in many bad situations in my life, always, it was Christians who were willing to help. No one else was willing. Now, we have Atheist churches. At last there is some competition for doing good in the world.
I hear how Christians are brutalizing all of society everyday, yet, I never see it myself. I sometimes wonder if I'm blind? I'm not a Christian and doubt I could ever be one.
I know some of them can be a pain in the behind but why throw the dog out with the wash-water?
I understand that you don't see the comparison I was alluding to Ms. Monie. It is more of an inference in your writing, rather than an outright testament in what you said.
Think of it this way. How do you know that sugar is sweet unless you have bitter to compare it to?
You said: "Americans are so swooped up in their own personal crap that they don't want to believe the truths, they want to keep being fed lies as long as it will keep them happy and care free."
I noticed that the word Americans was plural, indicating all Americans or at least a whole bunch of them. I also notice that the mental attribute you were attaching to them was not good one:
"...swooped up in their own personal crap...", "they don't want to believe the truths, they want to keep being fed lies as long as it will keep them happy and care free..."
It's not a good description of a harmonic society. The comparison appears almost immediately as you compare good to bad. "Good" was not necessarily mentioned but, "inferred" by contrast.
It just kinda jumped out at me as I read your comment. So that is how it appeared to me that you were making a comparison. :)Jun 26 2013: Re: "Americans are so swooped up in their own personal crap that they don't want to believe the truths, they want to keep being fed lies as long as it will keep them happy and care free."
Does it apply to "other Americans" or to you as well? How do you know that information on which you base your statement is not a lie? You speak of "society" as of "them". Aren't you a part of "society"?
Re: "laws are being passed that demean christian values, traditions, and practices i.e. marriage." Marriage is not exclusively Christian practice. Non-Christians marry as well. Every culture has its own traditions around marriage. It would be absurd to force everyone marry "Christian way". Nobody forces Christians to marry same-sex partners or force the Church to conduct same-sex weddings. So, why do Christians feel compelled to dictate how and whom to marry to non-Christians?
How do you interpret the following quote from New Testament:
"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church."
Do you think, this Christian tradition needs to be kept (even within the Church)?
To whom does this passage apply - to others or to ourselves?
""Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
Well, actually, to say "you hypocrite" to another person is hypocrisy and judging. Something to think about.Jun 26 2013: Arkady, are these sorts of assumptions/claims not practically always about "the (unenlightened) Other?"Jun 27 2013: Uniqea, I understand the utter despair of seeing a world you grew up in desegregate around you, being ridiculed for enjoying things you were brought up to believe. It's a form of heartbreak, especially if that world appeared full of love, affection and joy.
It was the society I was raised up in when I was a child. During a few brief years as a young man, not long returned the War in Vietnam, there was a time of great salvation in the whole country of the United States of America. It was a time when it appeared the whole country was turning back towards it's religious, christian roots. The Out-Law-moteorcycle gangs were converted to Christianity. It was a time when John Leneon was singing spirituous songs and the whole word appeared long for peace on earth.
It all fell apart in the 80's. Religion in schools was questioned heavily and the secular movement came in full force. It was the beginning of the decline for religious zealotry.
I understand it is only natural for someone to want to preserve that which felt good in their lives. But, times change. We live in progressive times and we are looking for solutions that are not so sacredly defined. We don't wont to wait for a solution we want to build one ourselves. It is only natural to want these things also. To those of us who see a increase in secularism, it is just as joyful and comfortable as it is for those who live a different way.
Living without a faith in the hereafter or a godlike being is not something to be afraid of. It just taking responsibility for your own actions. We are still human with human emotions like love and affection and an Ernest desire to help others.
Yes, I miss Christmas, not the sacredness of that day; I miss the joy and family gatherings associated with that day. We still practice Christmas but we don't use the religious trappings. It has no religious meaning to me. I still like to see people smile and be happy.Jun 27 2013: This country was founded and fought for on the basis of religious freedoms. The laws placed and the rights given are on the basis of religion. You take out our foundation, and now we have a mess of corruption and devil worshiping propaganda all over the place. Smh. You can't just pull out a bunch of blocks at the bottom of the tower and expect the tower to remain standing.
I do not believe everything I hear regarding religion, i do not believe everything in the Bible or any religious book is entirely true. I dont believe that I should just wait around for God for things to happen, or that I can do wrong all day and ask for forgiveness later, its unrealistic. I am accountable for my own actions. I dont believe everyone who doesnt believe in religion is bad or immoral. But I do have the morals, values, and ethics that I learned while studying religions, and I do believe in a higher power which keeps me in line and it helps me keep those morals. I feel that everyone should have that, and they dont, and they're being shielded away from it. The government can't teach morals, and Christians are ridiculed and ignored for doing so, other people are labelled paranoid conspiracy theorists.
Every other country keeps their religion(s) in the positive light, we dont, we celebrate removing religion from things... We celebrate removing morality from our lives, everything is about sex and drugs and gluttony and now we praise satanic symbols in our media. Our government is full of sociopaths, our military and police is full of psychopaths, we have the most incarcerated people in the world, our country is going straight to hell, you dont see that?
It's not about being against change, Im all for change, we don't need to go back to killing people in the name of God, but we have no guidance for our behaviors as a whole.
Karmel Blue
Jul 13 2013: Both the same.
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Many tell me 'there is nothing you can do' governments will always win and abuse their power. So stick your head in the sand do nothing just suck it up.
Personally I hate this attitude. A complaint is a way of making things better for all.
We need a complaints process that is allowed to Enforce their own Act. Australia's Human Rights process cannot Enforce its own Disability Discrimination Act 1992 as it is mediation only. Just about no one bothers to do a HR complaint anymore because. Council's - complaints process is just as dismal, as the supposed watchdog is just an excusionist .
People are afraid to support + join those trying for better rights as they get retribution, payback, blacklisted etc.
Sad and counterproductive system run by a few with vested interests.
We'd be better going back to a time when the Elders of the village/community all sat down and heard complaints and made a joint decision.
Adam Read
Jul 13 2013: If we are ever going to get to the bottom of real issues, we need to be able to go much deeper than this.
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Society is actually grown, not built. We cannot simply stack independent blocks on top of or around each other in an array and say that it is truly representative of reality. On the contrary, evolution suggests it is a multi-causal process, and not by any means a linear one.
Ideologies branch off of each other like roots in the ground, and roots seek out water and nutrients in order to survive. People are no different...for where people feel fed, they will congregate and attempt to flourish. This is a major draw to religion. However, the unchangeable ideologies and stories contained within their scriptures presents a naturally fractal pattern from developing, and intellectual evolution ceases to exist because the stories are merely repeated over and over again, while those that follow them continue to expect a different result by repeating them even more.
People will fight as long as they feel threatened. It's a primal instinct, and it will cause them to increase in size, volume, and motion, just as any threatened animal does. So, at the core of feeling threatened is fear, but there are many types of fear.
A few fears readily evident by the tunnel vision that is mimicked by the pattern of the "straight and narrow" are these:
1. The Fear of God
2. The Fear of the Devil
3. The Fear of Change (which is firmly embedded into the idea of an unchanging and invisible deity, as it is the classic presentation of the flight response).
...and ultimately, a society that cannot bring itself to change is subject to the final occluding fear:
4. The Fear of Things Staying the Same.
Address fear, and you will address the problems people have with government, for at the end of the day, people simply want to feel as if they truly matter.Jul 6 2013: In my humble opinion, they are essentially one in the same. I believe the real fight against oppression starts with our 'oppressive' human nature that forms CULTURES of oppression.
The logic; oppressive relationships form oppressive cultures, which develop into oppressive societies which establish oppressive institutions such as 'governments.'
My logic is from a post-modernist point of view, (give me a case for another one, and I'll consider it.) Governments are 'constructs' of people. We had to collectively agree on what a government's form and function was before we established one, with power to oppress its constituency. Who decided we needed one? Look at the definition of 'govern' and you'll see, its arguably a synonym for 'oppress.'
Likewise, the constituents, had to agree collectively on what 'society' was before it became so powerful. The definition of society is "a group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture."
Our culture too, was formed by people with mutual interests, participating in characteristic relationships right? One mutual interest was survival, relationships are essential for survival. (Contrary to the myth of 'Independence' propagated by white Western culture) Relationships are oppressive when one individual or group has power over the other by physical force and or by controlling resources needed for survival.
Look around, relationships commonly involve an imbalance of power. Historically, it was physical dominance of man over woman, so he got to set up the first institutions. Maybe its oil or education now, but its still power, don't be fooled by the 'curtain' of democracy used to hide the great and powerful Oz calling the shots.
So... until we create truly egalitarian relationships, we will always develop oppressive societies and governments. The oppression to fight is in our nature,the man in the mirrorJul 2 2013: I would say a battle against an oppressive society. The government and laws of a country can only reflect the thinking of society.
Pamela Kewin
Jun 28 2013: They are intertwined because the government comes from the people and if society is oppressive the government will be. On the other hand, power can corrupt the most honest people and they can become oppressive governments. Society has to be strong enough to resist corruption from the government. Life is a struggle and we cannot sit back and not take part. Everyone needs to be alert so that oppression can be stamped on if it rears its' ugly head.Jun 27 2013: battle against society will be easy because no one will readily oppose such movements, but history tells that they will be long battles but not so fruitful.
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In case of battle against oppressive government, they will take some time but surely fructify in the course of time.
Governments[even oppresive ones] are vulnerable to social dynamics or "The Change". Societies can change their way of oppresion with time.
regarding the refered article, islamic world now need another hero like "kamal pasha" of turkey.Jun 27 2013: Casey, I am from the USA. Not generally known as a oppressive society. I can only guess at the real truths. It would be my opinion that a oppressive government is dependent upon the oppressed to assist in its control. If stories I have heard of Russia during its darkest periods are true, then the government had people (party members) who were stationed at bus stops, depots, etc to report any and all events. Also party members would "spy" on their neighbors and report their actions to the party.
If I were to use strict definations: A coup can be conducted against a repressive government .... however .... a repressive society would mean that the majority of the society favors the status quo. Thus making the society the tougher battle.
I can however, be thankful for where I am.
I wish you well. Bob.Jun 26 2013: I view government in a (socio-mathematical) way sometimes. Our governments are composed of our (beliefs& superstitions) + (our individual participation) + (aggregate advantage) divided by (reality) X (force). Simply put, it means you have to fight for what you want. The milk of human kindness though a real phenomena, is overshadowed by the mad rush for our individual piece of the survival pie. There is a COSMIC SIZED GAP of wealth in the world , particularly in the UNited States between the insanely, absurdly rich, and the middle class. Median income is $40,000. Try living on that in most cities, especially if you have children. The actual poor, which now represents 26% of children in the US, and 40%+ of families are never even discussed, or represented in the corrupt, insipid main stream media, and certainly not in congress. The constant drum beat of (government good), (government bad) glides over the virus attacking us. Government is neither good, nor bad, but a tool of (organization). Currently it has become an insidious tool of repression, and theft of biblical proportions. It has become a growing (neo fascist international conspiracy) to extract trillions of dollars worth of human, and natural resources to enrich the narrowest of corporate elites, criminal cartels, inhumane self serving banks, and their minions in congress. It is an amalgam of high stakes corporate greed and international criminal cartels, who skirt the laws of every nation. We are currently in a headlong rush to corporate feudalism, and extinction. You have to take what you want! They will never give up their power without a vicious fight. "Peaceful resistance will defeat them, but it's gonna hurt." "Peace!"Jun 26 2013: The only difference between an "oppressive government" and an "oppressive society" is that an "oppressive government" is merely a more visible arm of the underlying "oppressive society". Thus, in theory, since the "government" is less than the whole of a "society", the "government" would be easier to fight.
Jun 27 2013: Exactly!
An oppressive society also presents a stronger 'psychological pressure' on its victims.Jun 24 2013: Hi Casey,
I think in either case, so much is dependent on how the battle is fought - alone, or as a group.
A single individual fighting against an oppressive society or government, is in a weak position, unless that person has a following of passionate believers (I'm thinking especially of Mandela right now...)
Freedom Fighters initiate resistance movements, as a group:
I think the 'harder battle' comes down to support, or lack of it. Someone can feel strongly about a cause, but fighting a battle alone - regardless against whom - is in my opinion the hardest.Jun 23 2013: oppression is indeed very hurting, none would accept it whether from government or from societies, however when it comes from government the only thing that they can give back to you in return on maximum is to put you in jail, but in societies things are more tougher, the prison of government is always better than societies' prison.Jun 23 2013: Hi Dear Casey Kitchel:),Two months ago,I read a book:'Pedagogy of the oppressed' by Paulo Freire.I read it in chinese translation.Unfortunately I couldn't find it's version in english.When we fight for rights,we try to join in the society to show our opinions around.And meanwhile there isn't winner or loser,as well as neither oppressor or oppressed people,We,Gov,Society are the whole world.The more we are aware of it the more we will can see the world is going to be better.It all depends on people's education
greg dahlen
Jun 18 2013: it's a little hard for me to imagine that you could have an oppressive society, but not an oppressive government. Can you explain how this can be?
- +1
Barry Palmer
Jun 17 2013: The rise and fall of the Third Reich took less than two decades. The Soviet Union lasted less than a century. In contrast, the struggle for equal rights for women, people of color and homosexuals has continued for centuries. Oppressive societies are the more difficult opponent, by far.Jul 15 2013: An oppressive government is in my opinion part of an oppressive society
- +1
Jul 17 2013: If your opinion held true then we wouldn't be able to look back on history and see countless examples of tyrannical governments. Society tends to be played by government like a fiddle being played by a master musician.Jul 14 2013: Society. by a large margin. really really huge margin.
1. Let's start with the developing world for my first example. It is illegal to kill people in just about every country. but I have personally witnessed something horrific that was perpetrated by ordinary folk in India. A couple living together in the neighborhood was discovered to have eloped and the wife had left her husband in a different state. The neighbors got together and locked the couple inside and set the hut on fire. this was around 1983.
2. 2002 USA being belittled and called a terrorist supporter at a halloween party for wearing an indian costume and then getting my car keyed before I left.
3. 2007, 8 or 9 The government had just outlawed corporal punishment in indian schools. Not one teacher stopped in the school where I taught. I was called to the principal's office for breaking all the switches I found on the teacher's table. After chastising me, the principal then used a metal ruler to beat a 2nd grader for not doing his homework. This particular student was the son of the teacher who sent him to the office, because her own beatings weren't doing the trick.
4. about a year later: A husband beat his wife right out in the street and there was blood pouring onto the ground and her hair was matted from it. I pull out my cell phone to call the police. The neighbors standing in a circle watching the spectacle grab my phone out of my hand. "you should not interfere between a husband and wife because of the credo "my husband is the god I can see"
Jul 15 2013: Manishka....that is terrible and I hate to read stories like this. I was in India in 1972 and the shock of the poverty has remained with me all my life and I help where/when I can.
India has around 150 million millionaires an Indian friend of mine tells me. He came here as a student runs a taxi business and his wife works for the government and they have only 2 children.
He says the rich in India pay no or little tax and do not support their poorer people. The rapes of the women there is just disgusting and a real turn off for attracting much need tourism.
India and many other countries just have too many children and therefore the poverty and low status of women. Kids sold into prostitution or domestic slaves, or roaming the streets begging. Not good enough.
My wish is that the Gates foundation & Medecines san Frontiere can help supply Bayer microchip contraception for women which lasts 5 yrs. and costs $8.10. With less children the status of women then improves.
A Ghanan doctor has started this program in Africa (Ghana). In first year prevented 500,000 unwanted pregnancies and saved something like 40,000 women dying in childbirth.
I was widowed young and I could only afford one child, he has done well climbing the corporate ladder. I just wish every child in the world could have a decent life , education, food, medical, home.
Jul 15 2013: Karmel, Absolutely agree, population control would help. India could actually take care of it's own issues if the rich got involved. but the rich that stay here are the ones benefitting from this culture.-
The caste system encouraged giving blind respect to those of a higher caste. This means you don't evaluate people as individuals. The higher castes have a sense of entitlement to whatever they can get from the lowers... cheap labor, bribes.
India also has a huge brain drain.. the ones that leave the country are more educated, but generally don't come back. Why? Its too hard to fight here. too hard to accomplish anything. They leave, find a completely different world outside, and never come back.
They end up being successful outside. Why? the same predatory culture they've grown up with is exactly how you get ahead in business.
A social responsibility movement could do wonders. But social responsibility needs to first be explained. One time I spoke about it, someone told me how much gold they gave to the temple. And when I asked how the temple spends it, he said "to build more temples or to beautify the existing one."
Me "do they do anything to help people?"
Him "no"
The rapes in the news...The feeling I get here is of territory. The male marking his territory. Women should not go out at night unless escorted by a male family member. Rapes happen to women who are seen with a "boyfriend".
In the end, it's not the government that's the enemy, it's society.
P.S. I have only one child too :) It's a good number for the world we live in. Did you mourn for his lonely playdays at home? I did.
Jul 15 2013: Being a single Mum it was hard to leave him, in those days there was no single mothers payment I had no choice but to get out to work....or starve. Often I worked 2 jobs 24/7. My Mother stepped in and looked after him and my brothers daughter. Mum used to walk them to school and back. While babysitting Mum taught the 2 kids to read and write and do math and I credit her one on one teaching for him getting a scholarship to University (college).
My Dad was not well enough from WWII injuries to accompany me out at night. My brother too busy attending his child and sick wife. Often I would have to come home from work at night by myself.
Western countries do not have the 'family' network. My nearest cousin lives 3 hours away and 2 overseas.
I will say though that some of our girls/women should show a bit more modesty in clothing. and behaviour. Awful to nowadays see young girls/women going out at night getting drunk in niteclubs or on the street and falling over drunk or drugged.Jul 16 2013: Sounds like you had it tough. I do feel that families are still close in the west, at least some that I have seen. Distance is certainly there, but the view I take is that living further away from your hometown forces independence and also a larger view of the world. I don't know what the answers are, children, especially 10 years old or less need their grandparents and cousins around.Jul 14 2013: I'd say Society. Government is a more organized institution and you kind of have a rough standard procedure laid out. But that is not the case with society. It is like fighting and negotiating with your own inner demons. You never know when who takes control. And when you're tackling society, you never see a clear opponent, which will be the conceptions and beliefs shelved deep in the brains of its members.Jul 13 2013: In the western world, it is pretty easy to flow against the grain of society without any major repercussions, so an oppressive government would be a much tougher issue, however, sine we westerners have so much freedom, an oppressive government would be met by and equally vengeful society. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for the eastern world. Religious governments are far to unstable and oppressive.Jul 11 2013: I posted here a while back. I still don't get the difference. Societies are independent of their governments. But governments arise from the societies wherein they reside. So what exactly is the key issue here and how do we bring clarity to the question(s) that are asked here.
Jul 13 2013: Eventually, society and government become two separate powers. Despite government arising from society, it doesn't take to long before government starts trying to write the rule book.
Jul 13 2013: I thought that was the whole point of government in the first place. Governments write & enforce the laws. And as we all know, laws are written a RULES to be followed.
@Kevin Jacobson - Yeah! it's never really as simple or as straightforward as we might like it to be.
Jul 13 2013: Well, I based what I stated on the belief that government and society should be one in the same that is, it should be by the people, for the people. If we were governed in this fashion, we would never have to worry about the government legislating silly laws or becoming tyrannical. In other words, people don't oppress themselves, but governments will oppress people. Having a governing body that is separate from society is one of the most outrageous things invented by man.Jul 10 2013: Honestly. I believe the battle against an oppressive society is much tougher... the reason behind that? because most of the time your not even aware your oppressed... Or by the time you do realize you are oppressed (mature enough through educaiton and worldview) you already feel like it's part of your life and there is little you can do about it. With an oppressive government it is way easier to spot and do something against because there is a target and a symbol. But with society, the ones that shapes it are your parents, grandparents, friends, and family. It's easier to stand against a government that is unrelated to you but to stand up to your friends and neighbors is a whole different storyJul 10 2013: I believe you can only fight against an oppressive government only when and if your society is no longer oppressive... they are interrelated! So surely your first battle would have to be against the oppressive societyJul 6 2013: Oppressive governments are worse because they use our own money to finance their schemes against us. Many people believe governments are good no matter what evil they commit, especially if a democracy or republic. While much that is oppressive needs the consensus of society to enforce, the elitists in power control the media and schools at all levels. They present their views as those that enlightened people must hold or pander to base instincts to ridicule their opposition. The more intelligent and aspiring parrot these views to gain membership in the club that disdains the unwashed masses. Others snicker at the "out crowd", those who hold views different from those promoted by the elitists.
Our society grows more polarized--divisions are encouraged to divert our attention from the ever encroaching state.
Steve C
Jul 4 2013: Thirty years ago my answer wou;ld've been an easy "harder to fight society."
- 0
But I think it's come that the government now has more information, control, influence, laws, regulations, etc. over us -- and, is increasingly seeking (and sometimes, demanding) the aid of those close to us.Jul 2 2013: Question here Guys...................is this the work of an oppressive society, oppressive Govt or BOTH?
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ead_1372329728Jul 1 2013: "This is why we have laws in the US to provide a jury of our peers because any one individual has personal biases that will always effect their judgement but a jury made up of many people that have no personal interest in the case are more likely (but not always) to render an unbiased decision. " ~ LaMar Alexander
Yes, I agree. OJ Simpson is a case in point. Someone else has come out and taken credit for the killings OJ was accused of.
The Jury found him not guilty. I wonder if the Domestic case against him will be reopened? In that case he was found guilty by a jury of his peers. One says innocent, one says guilty. Luck of the draw?Jul 1 2013: Arkady, you said: "...Religion is interesting to me because it makes me think about commandments like these. I agree that it's impossible to accept them without context. E.g. "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." sounds like a recipe for a financial ruin...
I understand your stance on Religion. I agree is is good to know all things.I'm currently reading Jacques Ellul a Christain Antiarchist. He draws strict distinctions between what concerns a christian god and what is totally within the domain of a Human to fully exercise their will upon.
He states about Technology:"It is useless, he argues, to think that a distinction can be made between technique and its use, for techniques have specific social and psychological consequences independent of human desires. There can be no room for moral considerations in their use:" Not even the moral conversion of the technicians could make a difference. At best, they would cease to be good technicians. In the end, technique has only one principle, efficient ordering."
According to him, there is the domain of God and the things that are God's and the domain of men and the things that belong to men. Being morally upright has nothing to do with the science or tools we create. How we use those tools can be a consideration. If we use them to oppress our neighbors, we are doing a bad thing, in Ellul's eyers.
Ellul, of course was one of Ted Kaczynski's (the Unabomber, a child prodogy), main inspirations.Ellul was also a French Resistance fighter during WWII.


text:
Vimes hardboiled egg speech from night watch, would be up there. But Death's speech to susan on the nature of his job in soul music is the one that sticks out the most.
"But most people are rather stupid and waste their lives. Have you not seen that? Have you not looked down from the horse at a city and thought how much it resembled an ant heap, full of blind creatures who think their mundane little world is real? You see the lighted windows and what you want to think is that there may be many interesting stories behind them, but what you know is that really there are just dull, dull souls, mere consumers of food, who think their instincts are emotions and their tiny lives of more account than a whisper of wind."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ivory Latta Nfinity Sneaker Release #ILL12st And RollinOut Was There To Capture It All
Ivory Latta Nfinity Sneaker Release #ILL12st And RollinOut Was There To Capture It All
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While some may be packing their bags and heading to the beach or hitting up a series of barbecues this
When Diddy was first charged with assaulting his son Justin Combs' UCLA coach Sal Alosi last week, fans were worried


text:
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text:
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Phone Call of the Wild
My first and only cell phone, an ancient Motorola Star Tac, passed away quietly on Sunday morning after a long life plagued with illnesses and abnormalities. I hated it. It had lousy reception and a dodgy LCD display. It kept a battery charge for about as long as a second-rate cowboy keeps his seat on the back of an angry bull. It combined the toughness of a Fabergé egg with the aesthetics of a dung beetle.
After buying it, every time I'd hear news of layoffs at Motorola, which is a local company, I'd think, "Good. Serves you right."
I might have mourned the demise of Ugly Phone a bit more if I'd had any clue how things have changed in the past three years. Apparently, a telephone is no longer a small appliance. It is now a fashion statement. A mobile office. An entertainment center. A status symbol. And possibly a sex toy, given the way the guy at the Verizon store was quivering as he showed me what was for sale.
He positively bounced from model to model, flipping them open and fondling them. Camera phones, phones with Global Positioning capabilities, phones that would allow me to play violent computer games and catch up on "Dawson's Creek," phones that would allow me to select any song from the oeuvre of 50 Cent as my personal ring tone.
He was visibly deflated when I didn't join in the orgy of phone love.
"I don't want a phone with a camera," I said. "I have a camera."
"But you probably don't always have it with you," he said.
"I'm more likely to leave the phone at home than my camera," I said.
He got that "does-not-compute" look on his face.
"And I don't need the games, either," I said. "I don't play computer games."
"But hey, man, what do you do when you're waiting for the subway?" he said.
"I knit," I said.
"Okay, man, that's cool, that's cool, no games," he said, as I helped him up off the floor.
"And I want a phone that just rings. I don't want it to play music. I just want it to ring. Just ring, ring, ring. It could beep, maybe. But no music."
He was still smiling broadly, but I think he was wondering whether I might be dangerous or deranged.
"So, okay. No camera, no games, and you don't want it to play music."
"Nope. I just want a phone. I want to call people and get calls, but I don't need to hear from Gladys Knight and the Pips every time my mother wants to chat."
"Gladys? And the what?"
"Never mind. What do you have that just acts like a phone, and not a Chuck E. Cheese?"
He had completely ceased to vibrate. He pointed to one small, unassuming phone in the corner. It looked like a geek phone, a phone that never gets invited to cool parties, a phone that would rather stay inside and read than go play baseball. I felt a kinship with this phone.
"This is the simplest phone we got," he said. "It, um, doesn't do much. It has a color display. They all have color displays now, is that okay?"
"That's fine," I said. "Charge it up and let's go."
Het set it up for me, sighing and looking a little glum. But he got his own back. I stuck the thing in my pocket and forgot about it until I was halfway home on the subway, sitting the middle of the usual comatose cubicle victims. A friend of mine called and suddenly, inside my pocket, an entire mariachi band began to play the "Mexican Hat Dance" in living stereo at full volume.
And I realized I hadn't figured out how to shut off the phone yet.
Progress. Olé.
36 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Not half way to 40 yet?
- Margot said...
Haha, that was great. Sometimes a phone is just a phone, you know?
And I had no idea you were still a teen. You're very maturea nd um, well-developed for someone who is so young. *giggle*
- Sister Sue said...
I have had pretty a rotten day (week?), but when I got to the bit about Gladys Knight and the Pips I burst out laughing, and it felt awesome. Thanks for the cheer-up. You are ever my super brother.
- Christopher said...
I decided I needed a new ringtone one night so I went to my provider's website. I spent hours downloading songs that in the end I would be embarrassed for anyone to hear. Total buyers remorse. Did I need the theme for "Facts of life" ?
- Kris said...
I hated every cell phone I ever had until about 4 years ago when I got my nextel i90. Since that time, Nextel keeps telling me they have bigger and better phones, phones to do this and phones to do that. But...I don't even use everything that's on my current... out of date.... four-year-old phone. Why can't the cell phone companies be happy that I'm a satisfied customer and just leave me alone!
Love the "Gladys and the who". Thanks for the giggle.
- Marilyn said...
My ringtone is "Sharp Dressed Man" for the boyfriend; "I Want to be Sedated" for all others.
Franklin is my longlost son. I'd gladly take Sue in as well, even though I have two daughters already. Always room for more. With Joe as a brother, my family is complete.
- JoVE said...
I am still resisting even getting a cell phone. I'll need to prepare a spiel for when I finally do have to go buy one.
- M-H said...
I feel your pain. Last new one I got, I thought I'd turned off the ringer but it rang in a public seminar at work. I pushed the off button but it went off again. I pushed the off button again and held it, but it... you get the picture. I had to push past a whole row of people to go outside and answer it to stop the pesky person ringing me yet again. That night I sat down with the manual and mastered the bastard.
- Cheryl said...
it could have been "the Macarena".
- Jen said...
I'm with you, Franklin. My husband and I got new phones this spring, and we had to make it clear that we didn't need text messaging, walkie-talkies, e-mail, web browsing, paging, or any of the seemingly endless alternative methods that a single cell phone can communicate with these days.
I think we get less of a confused reaction from the salesperson for it here, though, since we're in small town New England, and I think the Verizon store gets lots of curmudgeonly Yankees, young and old, who know what they need and don't want one darn thing more.
Thanks for sharing the story, Franklin, it's the best laugh I've had all week!
- knittingwoman said...
I laughed a lot when I read about the mariachi band. My new phone whinnies, it was the quietest thing i could find. I would have to pay to get something that actually sounded like a phone ringing. My 8 year old daughter calls it my horse phone.
- stephanie said...
I had this exact conversation with a phone geek a few weeks ago. Exactly. The only difference actually, was that when my phone went off, it played the theme from Flashdance.
I had to get some cute young thing to make it stop.
- Norma said...
Yeah. I'm not "halfway to 50 yet," and OHMYGOD DID I JUST SAY THAT? Excuse me. I need to go hit my head against the wall. I was going to comment on your post, but now....
- doloreshaze said...
I'm with you about simple phones, Franklin, though I have to confess that mine is also my Palm Pilot. And while I am generally a Luddite to the last, my Palm Pilot has Changed My Life (I actually mostly show up where I'm supposed to, actually can find people's contact information, etc.). Other than ordering my life, though, my phone just does a simple "ring, ring", I have no games, it doesn't take pictures, walk the dog or fly through the air with the greatest of ease.
- Marion, on Long Island, NY said...
I, also, had to replace my cell phone. When I went to the T-Mobile store and was asked what kind I wanted, I said free. I got what I thought was the most low tech phone. I rarely use the cell phone and this is so full of buttons and screen displays I don't know where to begin. Showed it to my 11 year old granddaughter and she started pushing buttons and changed the "wallpaper", now if she will explain how to make a call and answer one I'll be set.
- Jean K said...
What a great post! I am cell phone clueless. My husband and I share one between the two of us, and it is generally more than we need. It takes me a couple of tries to figure out how to make a call on it.
On the bus the other day, I heard one that sounds like an actual phone ringing (you know, old, Western Electric, when they had actual, phyisical bells in them). It made me jump.
- Carol said...
Oh, how dearly I love you.
Yes, Christopher, yes, you did need the theme from Facts of Life. I would love to find the theme from the Greatest American Hero for mine....
- Carol said...
Now my mind reels with the possibility of downloads for my cell phone ring. "8-6-7-5-3-0-9- {Jenny)"? The Addams Family? The opening guitar riff from "Crazy Train"? The theme song from "Days of our Lives"?
I used to work with someone who had an old-fashioned, fifties phone "brr-ing" on her cell phone. It would have been funnier if she hadn't been born in the 1980s.
My word verification says "Pez" in it. Do you think it's a message?
- Colleen said...
I could probably dig out an old bag phone and mail it to you if you'd like.
- Buzz said...
Of course, I live on the other end of the spectrum, I want a phone that picks out my clothes in the morning, tells me I look good and picks winning lotto numbers on the side. In fact, I'm in the process of buying a new one, the Audiovox 5600 (i can just hear reader's eyes rolling back in thier heads) it has Bluetooth, infared, usb connection, it will text, page and web browse, plus synch up to my home and office computers. Ok, fine,I'm a geek, but they pay me well for it. And, turth be told, isn't it better to be ahead of the wave, rather than behind it?
- Juno said...
That was a cruel and clever vengance. The son of a friend of mine managed to change the message tone on my phone to something he liked - he's 8 - and it took me months to figure out how to turn it off. Everytime I missed a call and it let me know I had a message I had to fight the urge to drive over the phone.
But I recall those distant days when the motorola was the apex of consumer desire.
- Maeve said...
wait until you have to change your service plan, and you get to explain over and over that you don't want picture mail, or text messages, or wireless web, or anything else. you just want to TALK ON THE PHONE. I swear that's what I said, but apparently it came out as "I like to kill small children with medieval torture implements." Sometimes, just to listen to their heads expload, I explain that I don't have cable. It's a lot of fun.
- Anonymous said...
Welcome to the 21st century - it's not all fun and games! I'm over 50 (!) and have young friends who play video games for hours on end. I tell them if they spent that much time knitting they'd have something beautiful in the end. And then they ask me to knit socks for them - I don't think so! btw - I received my Venus de Milo bag the other day and it was the hit of the office. It took some people a few minutes, but then they laughed like crazy. Dorothy (http://www.missouristar.typepad.com)
- goblinbox said...
L O fucking L!!!!!!
- Wanda said...
freaking hilarious! The salesman definitely got you back.
- birdfarm said...
Loved this post! I'm in the public library again and when I got to, "they all have color displays now, is that okay?" I literally laughed out loud, then couldn't stop (muffled, half-suppressed) giggling as I finished the rest. It made me feel like I was back in LoHo dining hall with you & Sylvia...
I knew you meant "halfway from thirty," but maybe that's because we almost have the same birthday. And/or almost the same brain.
- nadine said...
My old cell phone had a great ring - the gentle sound of crickets. Fairly innocuous and yet it was one of those sounds that made people look around and wonder if they were hearing things.
My new phone doesn't have a single ring that I like. Maybe I should try to find I'm A Little Teapot. The brain truly changes when one spends a lot of time with a toddler.
- Judith in Ottawa said...
Now, Franklin, don't be defaming dung beetles. If you could see the range of metallic colours and the amazing variety of horn and antenna shapes...
- Adele said...
My sister bought a new phone/palmtop computer/all in one gizmo for work. She put it down when she got home and, by the time she looked at it an hour or so later, her son had already programmed it.
He'd recorded himself singing What's New Pussycat, taken a photo of his face, and set both of them as her ring tone.
All by a just-seven-year-old who couldn't read the manual.
- Yvonne said...
My dear Franklin...I was drinking my morning tea when I read the last paragraph of your blog. My computer keyboard and monitor thank you, for your wit enabled them to partake in the tea also...albeit after it had been swirled about in my mouth for a second.
I love you. You are SO fun.
- Sahara said...
Oh lord, Franklin why did I click on this post?
I too need a new phone, as mine's waiting for an inconvenient moment to die. I am completely dizzy at the new array of phones, out there. The local phone store doesn't want to deal with me. They said "they're AREN'T any phones that don't do nothin.'"
Wish me luck
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- obatwasir alami said...
Bagi anda penderita Wasir atau ambeien mulai dari Stadium 1, Stadium 2, Stadium 3 bahkan Stadium 4 yang ingin mengobati penyakit tersebut dengan cara alami atau dengan pengobatan alternatif yaitu dengan obat herbal Ambeclear dan Salep Salwa adalah pilihan yang tepat karena obat herbal ini telah terbukti ampuh mengatasi penyakit wasir atau ambeien mulai dari stadium awal hingga stadium lanjut selain itu
obat ini murni dari tanaman herbal sehingga tidak menimbulkan efek samping apapun bagi pengggunanya dan bahkan obat herbal kami ini aman dikonsumsi oleh wanita yang sedang hamil maupun ibu menyusui. obat kami telah terbukti khasiatnya telah banyak pasien kami yang sembuh baik yang wasir dalam hingga wasir luar baik yang baru gejala wasir atau ambeien maupun yang telah stadium lanjut bahkan yang pernah operasi wasir pun beralih ke obat ambeienherbal kami ini.kami ini. kami ini.
- Robi Erwansyah said...
Kondiloma akuminatum ialah vegetasi oleh Human Papiloma Virus tipe tertentu, bertangkai, dan permukaannya berjonjot. Tipe HPV tertentu mempunyai potensi onkogenik yang tinggi yaitu tipe 16 dan 18. tipe ini merupakan jenis virus yang paling sering dijumpai pada kanker serviks. Sedangkan tipe 6 dan 11 lebih sering dijumpai pada kondiloma akuminatum dan neoplasia intraepitelial serviks derajat ringan. Kondiloma akuminatum ialah vegetasi oleh Human Papiloma Virus tipe tertentu, bertangkai, dan permukaannya berjonjot. Tipe HPV tertentu mempunyai potensi onkogenik yang tinggi, yaitu tipe 16 dan 18. tipe ini merupakan jenis virus yang paling sering dijumpai pada kanker serviks. Sedangkan tipe 6 dan 11 lebih sering dijumpai pada kondiloma akuminatum dan neoplasia intraepitelial serviks derajat ringan segera kontak kami untuk mendapatkan obat kutil kelamin paling manjur
- cara mengobati wasir dalam said...
Wasir atau ambeien adalah penyakit yang terjadi pada bagian anus, jenis wasir atau ambeien sendiri ada dua yaitu wasir atau ambeien dalam dan wasir atau ambeien luar. Dalam penangananya sendiri wasir atau ambeien dapat disembuhkan dengan dua jalan yaitu pengobatan medis dan pengobatan non medis atau pengobatan alternatif. Pengobatan alternatif disini salah satu pilihanya adalah dengan menggunakan tanaman herbal atau dengan ramuan tradisional. Ambeclear dan Salep Salwa adalah hasil pengolahan tanaman herbal daun ungu, kunyit putih, dan mahkota dewa yang telah terbukti ampuh mengatasi wasir atau ambeien baik wasir stadium satu, stadium dua, stadium tiga maupun stadium akhir atau stadium empat. Wasir berdarah, wasir yang telah kronis, semua dapat diatasi dengan menggunakan obat ini selain ampuh obat ini juga aman dan tidak menimbulkan efek samping apapun bagi penggunanya sehingga obat ambeclear ini aman dikonsumsi oleh penderita wasir yang sedang hamil maupun menyusui.
- Lukman - said...
Wasir atau ambeien adalah penyakit yang terjadi pada bagian anus, jenis wasir atau ambeien sendiri ada dua yaitu wasir atau ambeien dalam dan wasir atau ambeien luar. Dalam penangananya sendiri wasir atau ambeien dapat disembuhkan dengan dua jalan yaitu pengobatan medis dan pengobatan non medis atau pengobatan alternatif. Pengobatan alternatif disini salah satu pilihanya adalah dengan menggunakan tanaman herbal atau dengan ramuan tradisional. Ambeclear dan Salep Salwa adalah hasil pengolahan tanaman herbal daun ungu, kunyit putih, dan mahkota dewa yang telah terbukti ampuh mengatasi wasir.


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- Sen , drinking Peet's since 2010 6/16/14
- Owens Valley, CA
This is one of my favorite blends. It's smooth and immensely flavorful. BONUS for being organic!
- Shay , drinking Peet's since 2010 12/4/13
- San Mateo, CA
I absolutely Love, love, LOVE this blend! My introduction to this coffee came while doing an internship at a Medical facility. The taste is smooth, the blend is flavorful and it has a wonderful aroma. If you are not treating your taste buds to a cup of this love in the morning, you are missing out!
- Diane , drinking Peet's since 2008 6/8/08
- Orange, CA
Gaia Organic Blend quickly became our family''s favorite coffee. A smooth, rich flavor with an aroma sent from heaven!
- April Yahne 3/9/08
- San Marcos, CA
It,s splendid in all its rich notes.
- anon 4/9/07
- Vancouver, WA
Up until a few weeks ago, the Ethiopian Fancy was my favorite Peet's coffee. I sampled the Gaia at the new Peet's Coffee & Tea shop here in Vancouver, Washington and was sold from the very first taste. It is a smooth coffee for any time of day or night. It is so good to see Peet's up here in the Great Northwest! I have so many coffee places to choose from, and Peet's is still the very best! I wear my "41" hat proudly!
- Rosamond J. Bovey 11/27/06
- New York, NY
This is a wonderful coffee, much less acidic than most , yet with deep, complex satisfaction as part of its appeal. I drink it for breakfast even though my stomach generally does not react well to coffee in the morning, and think of it as a treat to start my day. Nice breakfast coffee with lots of character, mostly chocolaty and soothing. A great coffee!
- Zabed Monika Choudhury 9/8/04
- Program Manager, Mission & Leadership Development
- Roasting Plant, Emeryville
- Roasting Plant, CA
I started drinking Gaia because I
- Aaron Vick 6/5/00
- Tasting Trainer
- Roasting Plant
- Roasting Plant, CA
Mild and aromatic, hints of cocoa and cinnamon, subtly earthy and nutty. Among our many organically grown coffees this one is the well behaved middle sibling; alwyas cleaned its room, said "please" and "thank you," picked up the dishes and chose the prep school path where it could get up the credentials it knew were needed for that coveted designation, "Certified Organic." Never one for staying out late or playing the music loud, it's always been reliable, in a button down Oxford sort of way, which may be its most endearing quality.


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The Peru Water Report has been researched at source and features latest-available data covering public and private sector investment in all major water projects, including desalination, storage, transportation and network expansion. The report analyses the impact of regulatory changes, GDP growth and the background macroeconomic and socio-demographic outlook on future demand and supply growth and features competitive intelligence. The report features our industry forecasts and analysis of latest industry news, trends and regulatory developments in Peru.
Our Peru Water Report provides industry professionals and strategists, sector analysts, business investors, trade associations and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the water industry in Peru.
Key Benefits
- Benchmark our independent water industry forecasts for Peru to test other views - a
Author:Mike Kinge-mailWeb: www.companiesandmarkets.comPhone: London: +44 (0) 203 086 8600


text: In context of the time Punk's promo had more impact on wrestling than Austin's did hands down. Austin's promo was your typical promo directed at a single wrestler to out-talk that wrestler. Was it funny? Yes. Was it different? Sure Did it change the direction of the company and the way story lines were written? Not really. Punk's promo however delivered on all fronts in this PG era of lame programming. Just giving Punk the chance to do the promo was a fresh escape from the "All hail John Cena" attitude the company was going which also took the spotlight off their golden boy and gave an unexpected superstar a chance to show what he could do. Punk's promo was also more real in spirit because it had truth behind it (whether or not it was actually scripted). Not to say SCSA did't have attitude, it did, however devoid of emotion as Punk produced. Also look at what happened in WWE after Punk's promo. Cena lost the title IMO the best match he has competed in, unique story lines emerge with the belt leaving the company (which should have lasted longer IMO) and cha few in the front office (Mr. MacMahn stepping down as COO), Punks epic title run, etc. Punk created a hell of a lot of more change in the business during the time of his promo then SCSO did. Oh yeah Punk sold a few more t-shirts too.


text: Haltwhistle is a small town in Northumberland dating back to Roman times. It expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries due to coal mining in the area and its close proximity to the main Newcastle to Carlisle road and railway line. Paint manufacture then became the town's major industry, but now the tourist industry dominates the economy.


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A helicopter has crashed in central London, coming down near a railway station after hitting a crane on a building site.
The London Fire Brigade says it has received multiple reports of the incident near Vauxhall station, a major commuter station on the south side of the city.
"We're attending reports of a helicopter crash," it said in a statement.
Police say they are aware of an incident but have declined to give any further details.
"You can see smoke billowing out just past the bridge," Robert Oxley, an eyewitness at the scene, told Sky News.
Footage on the BBC showed flames raging on a road.
More soon.


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OW2 Open Source Cloudware Initiative
OSCi Home - OSCi Documents
OW2 Open Source Cloudware initiative
Call for participation
Open Source Cloudware initiative is a joint effort of 26 partners from Brazil, China, Europe and USAActiveEon, Bonitasoft, Buaa, Bull, Cvic, Ecole Mines Nantes, Edifixio, Engineering, Fraunhofer Fokus, Ingres, Inria, Iscas, Jaspersoft, Konsultex, Neociclo, Nudt, O-Engine, Orange Labs, Pku, Petals Link, Talend, Institut Telecom, Ucm, Unifor, Usp, xWiki All sharing the same goals:
For openness and freedom in the Cloud, feel free to join us!Open Source Cloudware initiative is open to everyone i.e. OW2 members and non OW2 members from industry, academy or SMEs and to other related open source projects which may enter in synergy with OW2's intiative. Our goal is to build a common vision of what should be an open cloud based on open source and open standards, and to develop key software technologies according to an R&D agenda collaboratively defined. This document will introduce the ideas and rationales which supported the creation of this initiative, the first technological elements composing the bedrock of this initiative and the envisonned roadmap for the coming months.
Why the OW2 Open Source Cloudware initiativeMid-March 2010, the Technology Council and the Board of Directors agreed that Cloud Computing represents a strategic opportunity for OW2. We started an internal discussion, code named JetStream and we decided to launch a new Initiative dedicated to combining our open souce software cloud-oriented community assets. On May 5, we announce the OW2 Open Source Cloudware initiative. Open Source Cloudware initiative (OSCi) is lead by OW2 Strategic Members Bull, France Telecom and INRIA. OSCi is a joint effort set up to help define the future of open source cloud computing:
Where are we nowEnd of may and beginning of June 2010, a first set of meetings and conference calls were set enabling to OW2 members to show their interest for Open Source Cloudware initiative. You may find the minutes of these meetings here . As you may read, discussions were fruitful with participants from Industry, academy and SMEs and from Europe, China, Brazil, USA, all willing to collaborate. Based on the inputs, we have elaborated a Collaboration Framework of the initiative has been discussed in July and September by all partners (see minutes July September). This Collaboration Framework is now available here . During these discussions, we initialized an expert group whose missions are to monitor the progress of the initiative and to establish Open Source Cloudware initiative R&D Agenda i.e. vision, state of the art and technological domains. Next steps consist for the OSCi Expert Group to define the scope and vision of OW2 Open Source Cloudware. This scope and vision is based on well identified technological domains such as "Self-sizing and Green Paas", "Massively distributed services", "Business Intelligence for Clouds" and "Massively distributed clouds", each domain covering a specific aspect of cloud computing for which OW2 OSCi partners are mastering the challenges and for which OSCi Partners are committed to establish connections with 3rd Party Projects or similar initiatives. Discussions are now in progress on OSCi mailing-list to determine for each domain the contributions of OW2 OSCi partners.
How to take part in the Open Source Cloudware initiativeNow that the initiative is launched, the leaders invite OW2 members and non-members alike to take part in the Initiative by submitting contributions. The protocol for intializing your participation in the Open Source Cloudware initiative is as follows: 1. Subscribe to the mailing list: send an email to sympa AT ow2.org with the following subject: SUBscribe cloud-initiative YourName 2. When subscribed, send an email to the list cloud-initiative AT ow2.org with the following information:
- an introduction to your activities in cloud computing,
- your roadmap if any,
- an introduction to your planned contribution to the OW2 OSCi.
BenefitsThe OW2 Open Source Cloudware initiative offers a number of benefits to the partners:
- a market opportunity
- the chance to drive the growth of their OS Cloud solutions in a common direction achieving a great worth
- the involvement in research activities driving innovation
- a facilitation in driving OS Cloud solutions in the emerging countries' markets.
News and eventsNews
- 2010, June 5: Launch of the OW2 Open Source Cloudware Initiative - Press Release (English / French )
- 2010, July 22: OW2 Consortium will Support OpenStack with its Open Source Cloudware Initiative - Press Release
- 2010, May 5-6: OW2 Session at Datacenters and Cloud computing, Paris La Defense (FR)
- 2010, May 20: System@tic Cluster Open Source Cloud conference, Paris (FR)
- 2010, May 25: Sino-French seminar on the OW2 Open Source Cloudware Initiative, Paris (FR)
- 2010, June 8, 10: First Open Source Cloudware Initiative Conference Calls (Minutes)
- 2010, July 13, 15: Open Source Cloudware Initiative Conference Calls (Presentation) ( Minutes )
- 2010, August 18: CONSEGI, Brasilia (BR) - "Open source vs Cloud: the OW2 Open Source Cloudware Initiative" (Presentation)
- NEW 2010, Sept 6 (6:00PM CEST), 7 (10:00AM CEST): Open Source Cloudware Initiative Conference Calls (Presentation)( Minutes )
- 2010, Sept 21: OW2 Cloud Computing Workshop, Beijing (PRC)
- 2010, 28 Sept: ICT2010 Networking Session - Research/Industry Collaboration on Open Source Cloud Middleware, Brussels (BE)
- 2010, Sept 30 - Oct 1: Open World Forum, Paris (FR) - Open Cloud Conference
- 2010, Oct 5: IRILL Open Days, Paris (FR)
- 2010, Oct 19: Internet of Services 2010, Collaboration Meeting for FP6 & FP7 Projects, Brussels Belgium (Open Source & Virtualised Service Platform)
- 2010, Oct 26, ITEA & ARTEMIS Co-summit 2010, Ghent,Belgium (Cloud Computing Parallel Session)
- 2010, Nov 23: OW2 Open Source Cloudware initiative Workshop, Paris (FR)
- 2010, Nov 24 - 25: OW2 Annual Conference, La Cantine, Paris (FR)
Papers (NEW)
- Internetware: Challenges and Future Direction of Software Paradigm for Internet as a Computer by Prof. Hong Mei, Key Laboratory of High Confidence Software Technologies, Ministry of Education School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Peking University, Beijing, China (meih at pku.edu.cn) Abstract: Internet is becoming an open, global, ubiquitous and smarter computer for our society and planet. Such "Internet as a Computer" requires substantial improvements in software characteristics such as collaborative, situational, autonomous, evolvable and trustworthy, which challenge existing software paradigms, including software model, software middleware and engineering approach. In this talk, a new software paradigm, called Internetware, is presented as a synergy of these future directions. Download PDF
- Event-based Business Process Editor and Simulator by Vatcharaphun Rajsiri, Nicholas Fleury, Graham Crosmarie and Jean-Pierre Lorré Project page ~~Abstract: The growing of business market dictates new requirements of agility to the business process environment. An event-driven approach can deal with this issue since an event can be defined as a significant change in the state of a system or an environment. This paper is focused on the combination of the event-driven approach and the business process modeling one by developing a cloud-enabled event-based business process editor and simulator. BPMN2.0 is the relevant business process formalism used since it can represent graphically various kind of operating activities and events.


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2013 Mount Wilson Trail Race - Youth Opportunities
Kids' Fun Run
Join the Sierra Madre Community Foundation and CATZ Sports for the 2013 Mount Wilson Trail Race Kids' Fun Run. The Kid's Fun Run is an absolutely free event for youth ages 3-12 years of age. The Kid's Fun Run will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Youth will have the opportunity to run up and down Baldwin Ave. and finish under the same banner as MWTR runners! Youth 3-6 years of age will run a ½ mile course, while youth 7-12 will run the full mile. All participants must sign up with a parent or guardian beginning at 7:00 a.m. in Kersting Court. The first 250 youth to sign up will receive a free T-shirt, compliments of Sierra Madre Community Foundation and will receive a ribbon for their participation.
Kids' Fun Run Training Days
Join past MWTR Women's Race Winners Sharon Pevsner and Jill Liston as they prepare you for the MWTR Kids' Fun Run. Training days will be held on Saturday April 27, 2013 and Saturday May 11, 2013 beginning at 9:00 am at Sierra Vista Park – Westside, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Participation in the training days is free for all and participants should bring running shoes and water. Participants will learn basic running technique, complete running drills, and take part in a question and answer session with Sharon Pevsner and Jill Liston.
Kids' Fun Run T-Shirt Design Contest
Your artwork can be featured on the 2013 Mount Wilson Trail Race Kids' Fun Run T-Shirt! Youths in Kindergarten – 8th grade are encouraged to submit their artwork for this contest. The winning entry will have their artwork displayed on the back of the Kids' Fun Run t-shirt, be recognized at the Mount Wilson Trail Race and receive a t-shirt with their design. Participation in the contest is absolutely free. Contest application and guidelines are available on the City's website, www.cityofsierramadre.com, on the Community Services Department page or at the Community Services office located at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Applications are due by Friday, April 26, 2013 at 5:00 pm.
For more information on any of the 2013 Mount Wilson Trail Race Youth Opportunities please contact the Community Services Department at 626.355.5278.


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KENTUCKY (5/7/13) – This is your daily update of what has happened on this day in history.
The city of New Orleans was founded 295 years ago today.
The first Inauguration Ball, for George Washington, was held 224 years ago today.
The American Medical Association was formed 166 years ago today.
The Beatles last American Release, "Long and Winding Road" hit the radio 43 years ago today.
President Ford declared an end to the Vietnam Era 38 years ago today.
The tomb of Herod the Great was discovered six years ago today.
SurfKY News
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By NATHAN GREGORY
email@example.com [2]
Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker qualified Tuesday to run for re-election against fellow Republican challenger David Little.
Parker currently serves on several city committees including the budget and audit, recycling and storm water review committees. He is also the board of aldermen's liaison to the Starkville Park Commission.
Parker said stabilizing the city's budget, adopting a storm water ordinance and authorizing a building plan for a new city hall were among accomplishments he was a part of during his first term.
"The city now has a new storm water ordinance that protects homeowners while not putting unnecessary burdens on businesses. We finally have a plan, and are almost complete with bringing water and sewer service to the annexed areas of 1998. The city has worked with developers and offered (Tax increment financing) bonds to encourage development of new areas and the redevelopment of some older areas like Middleton Market Place," Parker said in a release. "The board finally improved the sidewalk ordinance and created zones where sidewalks must be added where they are needed and not in other areas where they serve no purpose. We started the first free curbside recycling program in the state and continue it today."
Developing a long-term capital improvements plan is another step that had been taken during his term, he said.
"The city now has a long range plan for streets, capital improvement projects and drainage that will help us in future budgeting and applying for grants. After much discussion over the years we finally have started a long range plan for the South Montgomery (Street) corridor," he said. "We have completed the engineering study with traffic counts and recommendations for improvements and have begun to save money in our budget to pay for the improvements in the future."
Parker said he realized how much controversy arose from the board's decision to use a lease-purchase funding mechanism for a new city hall and renovated police station but was confident enough in that option to cast his vote in favor.
"I can assure the residents of Ward 3 that I took this decision very seriously and, given the information that I had and the research I did, I made the best decision for the City of Starkville," he said. "This issue has been a burden to this city for over 10 years and I felt it was time for someone to step up and solve the issue, once and for all. We will have a new city hall and police station in the next three years without any increase in our taxes."
Parker said during his first term he and the board had fostered relationships with other area entities, including the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors and Mississippi State University, that continued to improve.
"Our population continues growing to where we are now the largest city in the Golden Triangle. Our sales tax revenues continue to grow, even during tough economic times. From an economic development standpoint, we now have partnered with the Golden Triangle (Regional Development Authority) to recruit industry to our community," Parker said. "… We have made other key hires that will help facilitate our recruitment of the restaurant and retail businesses that are so desired and needed in the city."
Parker said if elected for a second term, he wanted to follow through with a project to widen South Montgomery Street and a comprehensive review of city ordinances to remove whichever ones were outdated or unneeded while revising others to encourage city growth.
"I want to make sure our community development department grows into a department that is known for helping people gets things accomplished rather than hindering them," he said. "I truly believe that the City of Starkville is on the verge of seeing unprecedented growth in industry, retail and population in the very near future and I want to use my experience of the last four years to make sure these things happen."
[1] http://starkvilledailynews.com/sites/default/files/SDN Logo_409.jpg
[2] mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com


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Alerts and Important Information
This is a large group tent site and is not intended for single family occupancy. Check-in/registration is at Whitewater Lake Entrance Station. Vehicles, wheeled camping units and trailers are restricted to the parking area at each site. A minimum of one adult leader required for every 10 juveniles. Setting up a campsite is not allowed between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Vehicle admission stickers are required.


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Find a course
Contact us
Do you have a question about the School?
You can contact us on 9360 6843 or email us.
Welcome to the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Students in the School can pursue a variety of exciting disciplines that relate to the science of life on our planet, spanning the study of animals, plants, microorganisms, the environment, chemical processes and the molecular basis of health and disease - in humans, animals and plants. We offer some of the country's most progressive courses in environmental, biological and veterinary science, and are driven to developing individuals who are interested in all components of our living world.
We are continually generating research that addresses significant issues in our local, state and regional communities, as well as being of international significance. We maintain strong relationships with government agencies, major research laboratories, industry partners and key Universities and academics throughout the world.


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initially loved this cream but upon further investigation found that it makes my hands itch.
I love this stuff! I highly recommend it for swedish and deep tissue work. Keeps a nice slip, yet works well for deep tissue. Little bit goes a long way. Never going back to oil.
All of our clients love this scent and the feel!


text: BMA was established in 1996 as a youth initiative supporting and promoting Belarusian rock groups (i.e. those groups which use the Belarusian language). It started by preparing cover notes for Belarusian rock albums and the first web-sites related to Belarusian music. Giving professional promotion to Belarusian musicians, the BMA is the country's biggest music producer, records albums and organises concerts, festivals and musical art projects.


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If you're tired of having to settle for a color that's merely "close," look toSher-Color
Can there be anything more challenging and frustrating than color matching? If you're tired of having to settle for a color that's merely "close," look to Sher-Color, Sherwin-Williams' exclusive computerized color-matching and tint-dispensing system. Sher-Color gives you quick, more accurate color matches in mere minutes – across product lines and sheen levels.
Here's how it works: You bring the item you wish to match – a color chip, rug, pillow, carpet sample, etc., – to any Sherwin-Williams store. Just make sure it's at least the size of a dime and has a consistent color and finish – nothing porous, mirrored or high-gloss. The Sher-Color "eye" then analyzes the sample and provides:
- A custom formula for a more accurate color match using Sherwin-Williams paint.
- Formulas for the closest colors available in the Sherwin-Williams palette.
But the results don't end there. Sher-Color connects the color eye and tint dispenser with the store's sales terminal and label printer, transferring, recording and storing all information. Sherwin-Williams then archives orders for up to six years, so you can easily retrieve and replicate color formulas. This improved technology is especially useful in tracking colors on large, complex commercial and residential projects.