text:
Parliamentary Group | Prime Minister's speech
Athens, October 31 2011
Dear Colleagues, dear Chairmen, the Summit Agreement opens up a new era for Europe and for Greece.
Europe has taken an historic decision to move forward united and to demonstrate solidarity with the Eurozone member-states and beyond and we have secured for our country a very important reduction of our sovereign debt. This will relieve us and give our country a new perspective and reduce the difficulties of all families in Greece.
This would not have happened if our Parliamentary Group had not risen to the historic occasion two weeks ago. The Parliamentary Group of Pasok rose to the historic occasion in order to achieve both today and for forthcoming generations, a favourable decision for our country when we sought the support of all so that the Government might go to the Summit Meeting with the maximum of negotiating strength.
I would like to thank all of you and each of you individually for this struggle we are waging together. We are honouring each member of our parliamentary group for their stance, courage, tenacity and endurance in these difficult times.
We have defended patriotically the national and historical interest with a decisiveness that characterises our party, but also every citizen in Greece that knows how to fight.
Dear Colleagues, what have we achieved: the agreement concluded at the European Council removes uncertainty and allows us to look at our future with a considerable burden of the past now removed.
It gives us the opportunity and the necessary tool to determine our own future on the basis of better prospects. Not only does it confirm our position in the hard core of the Euro, that protects us from other ills, but it also reinforces the possibility to regain our strength and stand on our own feet again and on our own forces and not on 'borrowed' ones.
The basic negotiating goal as we said was not only a new programme to support our economy over the next few years, but to safely rid every Greek family from a substantial burden of the excessive debt.
We have succeeded on both counts. With the implementation of the agreement our country will have at its disposal a new support package of 100 billion euros which is the largest such programme on the planet – to cover our borrowing requirements, but also on favourable conditions, much more so that anything the markets could offer us or even from other countries.
In the European Council we also achieved something more important: an agreement to rid us of the excessive debt which is strangling us. Tens of billions of Euros are being taken over by the Banks away from Greek citizens.
This is undoubtedly a huge write-off of debt, perhaps the biggest ever. For decades in Greece the debt mounted up, for the first time our total sovereign debt will be reduced immediately over the next few months by 100 billion Euros.
Our country will also have 30 billion euros for the effort to reduce debt in the individual negotiations to follow with the Banks.
What does all this mean for the country and especially for Greek citizens? First of all, that we have made a huge step towards removing insecurity. The needs of our country are covered for the next few years and the debt is substantially smaller.
This gives us the opportunity to proceed with the changes which we want to make, without worrying about financing our needs.
Dear Colleagues the reduction of debt, combined with low interest rates, the long repayment period, the period of grace all mean quite simply that our country, the state budget, our taxpayers will each year be paying far lower interest rates.
I remind you that the interest repayments increased by 12 billion annually in 2009, 18-19 billion in 2012. You can see the tremendous burden of just the interest
This therefore means that this is an agreement which will reduce the budget burden for a long period of time. This is decisive for our future and the development of the country. This is something that every family understands that has borrowed from the bank.
We have achieved not only low interest rates on borrowing with a long period of grace, but also to have a very large part of old debts written off. This is a tremendous relief for the country and for all of us individually. This is a relief for forthcoming generation which had been condemned to repaying this enormous debt.
It is also a justification of our efforts as a country recently and of the sacrifices and efforts made. Some are saying that we are celebrating, but I must say one thing: nobody is celebrating, because our future has not suddenly become rosy. It has however become easier. Finally, any misery-mongers must understand that nobody will forbid us for being happy at relieving Greek taxpayers of billions of Euros debt.
When the implementation of this agreement is completed, apart from the immediate reduction of our debt, we will primarily have an immediate reduction of interest in our budget over the next few years. This is not an abstract thing. It means that the 2012 and 2013 budgets can incorporate this interest reduction. It means that we will have a breathing space in budget execution over the next few years.
Secondly it means that once the agreement has been implemented in combination with the goal of a primary surplus from next year, the economic image of the country changes internationally.
In other words it means an increase in the level of trust in our country which is a decisive factor to attract investments and for capital to flow into the Greek economy, whether domestic or foreign.
It means that prospects will be opened up for the country to develop again and to overcome the crisis sooner.
Thirdly, the decision is important because it shows that when we work together, when we show tenacity, dedication and boldness in taking difficult steps, we are able to achieve very specific goals. It means that our country has once again shown that it can. It means that our efforts have been recognised. It means that our country, armed with seriousness, effort and credibility can fight and win.
We are step by step attaining those prerequisites for a better future, by our own strengths and efforts. The Council decision of course means something else: that our partners in the European Union recognise these efforts. They are our partners, not our enemies. They wish for our success not our failure. They want to help.
They have no reason to want to lend to the Greek economy. They want it to stand on its own two feet, with its own surplus.
We are also listening to our critics; we are not turning a blind eye. There are also those who genuinely want to help us to improve and achieve more. We are listening carefully and adopting positive criticism.
I am certain that we can all distinguish however well-meant criticism from the crushing accusations from some quarters who want to constantly recycle misery, to cultivate despair and desperation and the feeling that all is in vain.
Here we have a hugely important success, a huge leap for our country. We have been able step by step to help move out of the crisis. We will succeed; step by step we will bring hope.
Dear Colleagues I consider that all the important forces must support this agreement. I consider that when informed correctly, all Greeks will also support it. I understand the concerns however. It is the job of all of us to ally the fears of people and to give the right information. Unfortunately we see the very substantial effort to dismantle and misinform by many mass media and other political parties of course.
There are those who for their own purposes are cultivating fear constantly. They are trying to present the reduction of debt as a problem. We are still hearing criticism from some that we did not negotiate, whereas we have negotiated for up to one hundred billion euro reduction of our debt.
I want to explain and to assure you once again: first of all there is full assurance for the banking system and of course of deposits. If necessary we have all the necessary funds to support the banking system, which includes the 10 billion euros from the previous loan. The reduction of public debt creates more security for the country.
It reduces the uncertainty for the Banks themselves, it increases their possibility to draw upon capital, and thereby, to provide what we and the citizens seek, especially small entrepreneurs, liquidity of the true economy.
If necessary we will able to support the Banks out of the state budget with ordinary shares. This means that the wealth will remain that of our citizens and everybody gains from such moves, the taxpayers in other words and not only those who used to gain up to now and who are of course naturally annoyed.
It may be necessary for them to go through a period of nationalism, in order to achieve financial consolidation and later to be given over to private hands. This will be a beneficial process for the Banks and of course will not be to the detriment of taxpayers but to their benefit.
When things return to normalcy the state can then withdraw and there will be added value for the state as is the case in many other countries.
Secondly, as I have already said: the reduction of debt does not endanger either the Insurance Funds, or pensions. The reduction to the funds' assets is minimal compared to the support that the state budget provides every year.
On the contrary, the radical improvement in the economic situation of the country will bring more development and create a climate for faster economic upturn in the finances of the Insurance Funds, thus improving their viability. The state will also make the necessary moves so as to replenish the assets of the Insurance Funds as I said.
Thirdly, for those who fear that this agreement will bring more austerity I want to assure you, austerity is engendered by debt. Today we are paying the debts of the past which are enormous.
Fewer debts mean increased ability and time to move on with the changes which will engender national wealth. This may sound obvious but unfortunately it is not understood by the mass media or by other parties. It is so easy and self-evident but we need to repeat it.
There are some who are worried and talk of default. This agreement however ensures that the country regulates its debts and will not go bankrupt. This will mean that holders of Greek bonds will pay part of the cost for the irrational management of the Greek economy. This is true. If banks lose part of their finances of course concerns the banks, but we must work for the whole country, for all citizens, in the national interest.
Fourthly, we are being told that Greece will 'be excluded from international markets for many years'. Markets will open when they are convinced that we can ensure the money we have borrowed. This is the same for everybody and for all households. The fewer the debts the more easy it is to borrow as all citizens know. Today we have taken a step in the right direction.
This is why it is so important to create a primary surplus, a goal which is now feasible. This is one of the reasons that today we have been able to reduce our debt – because we are close to creating a primary surplus.
This means that new debts will not be created. Just imagine what would happen were we to simply say 'eliminate our debt, but we will continue to produce more debts'. This would not convince any markets to lend us money given the impasse ahead of us.
Fifthly, we are told that in 2020 we will return to 2009 debt levels, so this would mean that 'nothing will have changed'. This is an immature argument; even a small child knows that there is no correlation between 2009 and 2020.
In 2009 the debt was 129% and a further 36 billion debt, with deficits and an economic recession. This is a certain route to default – that is why the previous government withdrew. In 2020 the debt will be 120%, which is viable and in 2010 lower.
Had we not restricted deficits with enormous sacrifices our debt would be in excess of 230% of GDP in 2020 and of course we would have defaulted long before that.
If we do not make this difficult effort now to drastically reduce the debt, despite the efforts made to reduce our deficit, in 2020 we will have exceeded 170%. We have reduced our debt by 50 unit points by adopting this framework
To explain that in more simple terms, in 2009 was running at 200 kilometres an hour but in the wrong direction, with new debts mounting. Even if you put on the brakes, which we did, we were still some kilometres in the wrong direction. In trying to manoeuvre into position we have taken on more debt.
So first of all we had to stop and turn in the other direction and create a primary surplus. Then help came by way of fuel for the journey, i.e. liquidity, and setting us in the right direction.
One might go over the same route twice but it is one thing to be heading towards the abyss and another thing to be on course for growth. But we are being criticised on account of the reduction!
We are being criticised for not having done this earlier. We said many times over that had we not fulfilled our commitments we could not have negotiated what we did and what we renegotiated to reduce debt. We did something that they thought impossible. We reduced a huge burden safely.
This idea matured within the European Union, it required time, just as the creation of a primary surplus required time. I would like to invoke the discussions I had during my meetings with party leaders and the President of the Republic where I set out all the options and negotiations undertaken on the issue of sovereign debt.
We could not discuss this issue publicly however at a time where there was a lack of credibility and everybody thought that Greece would default. We would indeed have defaulted massively with untold consequences for our citizens, our banks and for our economy.
This is something our critics know full well because I was very clear on this point.
I want to refer briefly to the issue of deficit procedure. Since 2004 the country has been under a deficit procedure, with a small interruption which with the luxury of hindsight should not have taken place. Perhaps we should recall that the government was being attacked since then for crunching the numbers by retroactively adding to the budget defence spending and defence equipment procurements as orders? This meant that the orders and not the deliveries were inserted into the budget so as to burden our governments with deficits we had not created. The result was that we were put under the deficit procedure and seen to lack credibility.
Secondly, I refer to the second time we were put under a deficit procedure for the 2009 budget. When talking to my partners I was told that this procedure is required not only for Greece but for all Eurozone countries because there are countries who were supplying false data.
The deficit procedure was instigated for very specific reasons, and our lenders of course wanted to be sure that their money was being used properly. As Pasok we have nothing to hide, we never did have anything to hide because we want the good of the nation and national development and nothing else.
As to our call for experts we see this as a true opportunity. Who is happy with how the public sector, the health system or bureaucracy functions when businesses wish to invest? Instead of wanting to reinvent the wheel we will seek out those who can bring us best practices.
They will provide solutions which we of course will adapt to our priorities and needs, but this is a major opportunity to make great changes.
I wish to stress something else: we will accept any questioning of our patriotism from anybody. We are doing our patriotic duty. We are taking difficult decisions every day, with sacrifices and with cost.
This is a cost we assume for our country and for nobody else. Anybody who believes that they can speculate or derive profit, whether for party political expediencies or not, by dividing people into those who love this country and those who do not, divisions which this country has paid for dearly in the past, anybody who believes that they will be untouched by any insult to our institutions or symbols of Democracy, are not subverting the Government. They are subverting and refusing the democratic framework which is the achievement through struggles of the Greek people, the achievement of the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement for decades.
Not only are they making an historic mistake to the detriment of themselves and the course of this nation. I cannot in any way condone violence. What we can understand is the anger of people. We too are angry because of what we inherited from the previous government and angry at the faults of the past and the state of country despite its potential.
Patriotism however is not to disdain our history and democracy. Patriotism means creating the democracy we deserve, not to dismantle it. Patriotism today means that we all put our shoulder to the wheel to overcome the crisis more quickly, so as to put our economy on course and not to depend on 'borrowed' strength. This is patriotism.
Patriotism means that we take a look at our history and not repeat the mistakes of discord, divisions and using false arguments in the name of the nation which only lead to its detriment.
This is why I ask all of you to take a deep look at our history. It is only be remaining united, cool-headed, and sober that we will make it. This is the path we have taken and we must follow it to succeed.
Let us all together deny those who want to dispel this effort being made by Greece to stand on its own feet.
Patriotism today would not be the easy solution of flight, of negation and protest without proposals. It would be the difficult choice of endeavour, of collective contribution of our genuine, independent and autonomous nation on its feet.
We must withstand the pressure being exerted from many sides which want to bring us to our knees for their own reasons, which are often speculation.
This is what Wednesday's agreement is all about. These are the advantages it offers us. This is the result of our insistent effects over the past two years and of our citizens of course, especially the middle and low income brackets. This is something we must recognise.
Just as in the past, the heroes of war come from the populace. This is how we arrived at the agreement last week. Is the effort over? Have the problems of the country been solved? -Of course not. – Would that they could be so easily solved by one decision.
Just as with unsurpassable problems in life, so too the problem of the crisis in our country requires much effort yet. Much must still be done, but a unique opportunity is being given to us. Many would wish to distort this truth. They say that 'the debt has been reduced, but the agreement does not provide for the development of the country'.
Perhaps they should read the agreement more carefully. It does provide for growth, but it will not come simply by pressing a button. We know full well that growth means combating bureaucracy, corruption, it requires investment in new technologies, support for education and knowledge, for major changes in this sector too.
This is what we have ahead of us. It is a challenge to utilise this window of opportunity to the hilt. This is what we must do by 2013, by the next elections. What are the steps from now on?
Dear Colleagues, last week we took a decisive step by gaining a great opportunity. Now our first priority is to set the seal on this historic chance and to avert anything that might jeopardise this success, this decision.
Last week's decision requires our decision, careful negotiations, a programme of action and legislative initiatives. The decision of the 26th October must be implemented after negotiation with the banking sector. Many of these decisions pertain only to us, whereas others belong to the common framework of changes attempted within the European Union itself.
This involves support mechanisms, protection against the appetite and the fears of the markets, but supervision and monitoring of all the Euro-group in an effort to put order in our fiscal finances and for Europe to be on track for growth.
These decisions therefore concern not only Greece. The success of Europe will determine our success too. The next few days and weeks are decisive in order to complete steps pending for the 6th instalment by mid-November which will provide substantial market liquidity.
We must also move ahead with our timetable for the major structural changes we must implement and which we recently voted on. We must ratify the 2012 budget. We must hammer out the details of the new support programme until 2014 when it will expire.
By the beginning of 2012 therefore this decision might have been elaborated fully and quantified in detail. We will know by how much debt will be reduced precisely, the decrease in interest, the reduction of burden for our citizens. This is our duty for the immediate future.
We also have a number of outstanding political matters. We have set out our priorities for each sector of public life and those that we are committed to in our election manifesto.
This is not a matter for our creditors, but for our conscience, the soul of Pasok and the deepest desire and hope of citizens for the Greece they deserve.
It is for these changes and for a creative Greece that we came to power. For two years now we have been fighting to save Greece from the abyss of massive default, but we are moving ahead with these changes, and they are more necessary now than ever, because they are the answer essentially to the Greek problem.
We must create a Greece of value, quality, competitiveness, sustainability, which creates jobs, attracts investments, that ensures social cohesion and certainty. These cannot be achieved by wishful thinking, but by radical changes which though arduous are ultimately beneficial.
Dear Colleagues, for so many months our country has been walking a tightrope. Our parliamentary group along with the government has needed to find extraordinary energy to avert the worst within a climate of suffocating pressure.
There will be a new landscape by the beginning of 2012 given the state of affairs we have created. We cannot slacken our efforts, but we are entering a new phase. We will be rid of the stress of wrestling every day with the spectre of default, with debt reduction, interest rates, etc. We will be able to concentrate all our efforts not towards defensive action to avert the worst, but to the offensive for something much more creative.
We will all put our best foot forward to continue with the major changes embarked upon. We will be able to move more freely at a faster pace to gradually build the Greece we want.
This will be done on the basis of dialogue, re-establishing our connection to society, which suffered due to the necessary austerity, but which thirsts for change.
These changes are of decisive importance and a roadmap we must follow in order to overcome the crisis and safely achieve sustainable growth.
We must not forget that the economic crisis is the symptom and not the cause of our problems. The debt was not created overnight, out of the blue. The problems ran deep and that is why we have priorities far removed from petty party politics adopted by many parties.
We have work ahead of us. We have set as our priority the achievement of an effective state which stands by its citizens as the servant of public interest and not of selfish interests.
With the programme for a new executive state we will present shortly we are making the greatest change ever to the very structure and mentality prevailing in the functioning of the state, based on optimum international practices and OECD studies carried out precisely for this purpose.
This will also contribute to the better functioning of the 'Kallikratis' self-government. With the new Public Sector Disciplinary Code we are building a Public Administration which is held responsible for the public interest, separating out the majority of civil servants who exercise their duties conscientiously from the few who neglect their duties.
A new era will be embarked upon with the digitalisation of all services possible, thus creating state-citizen relations of a different quality as to how the state deals with its citizens.
Secondly, the debt settlement relieves our annual interest payments creating a new economic landscape. It allows us to put all our effort behind growth, to put the country on a course for development, simplifying drastically procedures, cutting through red tape and the bonds strangling creativity.
This has started with the 'one stop shop' service for the establishment of companies. It has become apparent that this is feasible – we have radically simplified economic licences, we have abolished bureaucracy and delays in works permits. By speeding up the National Strategic Development Plan (ESPA) we have been able to achieve the recent decision to reduce the national contribution to this.
By making use of our comparative advantages for quality agricultural production and for green development, as in the case of the major project 'HELIOS', where we can produce solar, wind and wave energy and sell it with great profits for Greece to other European countries and beyond.
Thirdly, to achieve an educational system that does not ossify citizens. Major changes have been made to the new school and there is a great change due to the entrance system to higher education so as to instil critical thought and offer new opportunities to all schoolchildren without the enormous cost of private tuition.
Fourthly we want to have a health system that respects the taxpayer and provides quality service. At the beginning of 2012 at last we will have a primary health care system in our country – a vision postponed for years – and true welfare will be offered to those who need it by rectifying a corrupt system and helping the unemployed especially through a system of training and support.
Fifthly we will have major changes to institutions and to the political system which has been centre stage recently, so that citizens can acquire trust in the State. The rule of law, transparency, a true 'means test' for all involved in public life, not only the members of parliament, but all public functionaries, journalist, judges.
There will be rules of transparency for funding of political parties and a new electoral system to break through dependencies. There will be an amendment to the constitution in the future after substantial dialogue. We will step up efforts to mete out justice because this is one of the basic elements that citizens are fighting for today and for which they feel hard done by. We will also intensify stamping out tax evasion and achieve tangible results.
We have two years ahead of us, dear colleagues, with these major priorities. This is the road to changing crisis into opportunity and to make good use of last week's agreement so as to achieve a much better Greece.
I assure all citizens of Greece that are worried today that the path is not an easy one but it does have an end which will be positive for all of us.
We started out with difficulties but have reached a turning point without falling. There may be wounds as in any battle, but Greeks have endured proud and we are doing and have done our duty.
We are therefore called upon to liberate forces and these are not words chosen lightly. Our country has the potential, the wealth, the human resources, natural resources and can produce and export and import, we have been blessed by nature, tradition and history. We must utilise our cultural heritage, technology, agricultural production. All these are new possibilities providing new jobs for our citizens.
Of course today we cannot say that we will increase wages. We can however say that we will fight for this, we will create new investments, new jobs and new prospects needed. We will intervene with changes here. We will sweep aside the obstacles and create a society where the rule of law prevails.
Dear Colleagues now that we are facing so many major challenges we must change certain practices of the past. Some people aiming for instability are investing in the chaos of this country, each for their own reasons.
Does the majority of this country however wish to enter a phase of instability and anarchy? Does the majority in this country want to cultivate hatred and accuse others of treason? Do we want national division? Will this be the solution for Greece? Will this solve our problems? Will this change the evils of our society if we fight each other? Are we to fight a secret war and think that it is heroic to cancel national parades?
Is it heroic or patriotic to attack elected person – I stress- persons elected by the Greek populace, thus undermining basic democratic institutions? Is it heroic to make insulting gestures instead of engaging in dialogue? Are we to divide Greeks again into nationalists and 'miasmas'?
Who really believes in these solutions? I must stress again dear colleagues – I do not question anybody's patriotism. We are all patriots. But I too have the right to express my opposition to what I consider a disservice to my country. Violence does no service to our nation. I consider that seeking out a scapegoat is not a service to our country. I consider that lies and conspiracy do not serve our nation.
I consider that the 'I'm not paying' movement, harms the nation. Do you think that by closing our borders to the representatives of the Troika that our problems would vanish? Would we solve our economic problems by setting up kangaroo courts as some people suggest? Would this improve our educational or justice systems? Would this stamp out tax evasion? Would this bring investments to the country? Would this change our health system? Would we achieve regional green development? Would we change the political system thereby?
I think that these questions have an obvious answer. Instead of changing Greece it would lead it to a new and bloody division. We would lose a major historic chance to make Greece truly independent, autonomous, and able to stand on its own, with its own strength, not on 'borrowed' strength. This is what patriotism is.
Of course there are interests that are affected by the policies we pursue and which want to halt the efforts of the government which is striving for the rule of law, the right of citizens, for equality in the eyes of the law and for transparency.
They are the ones hiding their true intentions behind patriotic and leftist slogans. Some do not want the agreement to be implemented as it will cost banks billions of euros. They want the banks to be saved and to offload the burden of 100 billion euros onto our citizens.
Others, faced with the default of their businesses which are in truth bankrupt, even among the mass media, hope to avoid a possible nationalisation of the banks and the transparency that consolidation of accounts will bring, so that they can continue to receive loans outside of the bank criteria.
Some would wish a return to the drachma through default and their deposits in euro would be brought from abroad to buy cheap in a bankrupt Greece with its drachma.
Some do not wish for the legislative framework to change, which allows banks to avoid control of their action in and outside of the country, or which allows them not to divulge their names to the Ministry of Finance, as we have now done for the first time in history.
Some people, often the same, hope to halt the government's attempts to discover these amounts which were sent abroad. This effort at transparency would reveal all the truth as to the role they have played.
Others wish for a weak government with shifting government formations, with people under their influence. Some people want to count their election percentages in the belief that it is the time to invest, having exploited the suffering of our citizens, and want to cash in their dividend, indifferent to what will happen tomorrow, as to how the country will be governed, indifferent to the major challenges we have ahead of us now that the country is at its most vulnerable.
Dear Colleagues, all these forces, however different, express the same thing: they want to stop our progress before the results appear. They would want the government to fall, our government, so as to stop the unfavourable developments for them, or to serve their own selfish and petty political interests.
In the name of our citizens supposedly, they are trying to bring matters to where they will be tragic for our citizens and they will be. This is a mentality of rottenness, waging a battle to the end for its interests and impeding any effort at the rule of law.
Dear Colleagues, let us have no illusions as to the nature of the political conflict and battle we wage today. We are faced with a coalition of different forces 'playing their hand', protected by those who uphold their interests, perhaps the bankers, who long for the drachma and think that they will make a profit from a general state of abnormality in our country.
They forget however that we live in a parliamentary democracy with rules. We will therefore continue to prove them wrong by our unity, in their efforts to undermine this course.
According to our Constitution, we will be judged at the end of our four-year mandate, not in the middle of it, especially when our country has immediate and vital priorities to implement, when we are at the worst moment of the storm, it is not possible for us to give up the struggle just because it suits some people.
I also address the New Democracy Party and left-wing factions supporting it. I would have expected you to learn from your history. Look at what demagogy led to in the past, where the outbursts of passions and hatred led society. Wherever such games have been played it led to irregular situations.
The first victims are the weak, not the strong, nor the economic factors. The country always lost out when some people decided to play with the fire of popular ire. We all assume our responsibilities of both today and yesterday. Do they want us to embark upon a never-ending discussion?
Greeks know their history.
Much has been discussed. The idea of co-government has been discussed as well as terms and practices that did not succeed and which remain on our desk from the beginning. Before the elections I asked those forces who want to join us to work with us in the government even. That was before the elections.
On one basis alone: the true intention for real political agreement as to where the country is going. Not to distribute power or to act as bit players for the big wigs. Such an agreement obviously is not in the offing.
Our citizens are seeking a common ground, the obvious, I would say. I am therefore making a proposal: we will not bury our political differences or our ideological platforms, but there are things that are self-evident upon which we should agree, such as transparency, combating corruption, the obligation to pay taxes, through a more just and simplified national taxation system, which we will soon be tabling for discussion in parliament.
We are also proposing meritocracy in the public sector, but this is not accepted by some political forces even today. We also propose major reform to the education system – here we achieved a broad consensus, but education needs further changes and further consensus.
We need further structural changes to our economy, for it to become viable and for us to develop our comparative advantages and to decide together what we should invest in, not because of cronyism or influence.
We must set out the basic direction for our country and support it. We must combat bureaucracy and release the real forces of our country.
This must all be done based on justice and a deepening of Democracy, along with a political system that must change. Let us set two common objectives: first of all the amendment of the Constitution – this is where I believe we can have a substantial dialogue and convergence on these issues.
Secondly, to make a pact: that in the next elections we will hold together, apart from the Constitution, whatever the government elected, the Opposition and any other forces wanting to participate will support the policies of that Government.
This would mean going to certain basic principles and objectives, irrespective of the electoral result, for there to be a common programme of basic changes for all. Let us discuss in this direction therefore. Over and above our differences, let us proceed together to re-establish certain obvious things for our country. We should rationalise the state, deepen democracy and combat illegality.
Greece can no longer endure division by its political forces. Here I refer to the parliament and its role which should be enhanced.
I am asking for everybody to do what our citizens are sincerely asking us to do: the obvious – no to tolerating illegality, no to abstaining and criticising, but to support the obvious for us to move forward.
Dear friends, we are embarking upon a new phase of our history and we need to make decisive changes in our country. Greeks are suffering and are unhappy with our institutions.
There are historical reasons for this – institutions in Greece and the State itself have become estranged from the citizens. A battle has been waged for some 200 years now in our country to shape its institutions which will make Greeks feel that they are not foreign to them, that these are their democratic institutions, which respect, support, liberate and promote the interests of citizens and which contribute to the true growth of the country free of any burdens and dependencies.
We are against any clientelism which the state used to hand out privileges and make citizens dependent rather than free. We must strike at this dependence which has brought us to the situation we are in today, under a deficit procedure.
What can we do? We must ultimately create this confidence in the institutions themselves. We must therefore truly respect our people and make them participate in decisions, a participant in our efforts.
I consider that this is the responsibility incumbent upon us all in this historic moment. It is a collective effort but a personal responsibility. The position of the country must be very clear because it concerns our present and future, free of any distortions or expediencies. Under such circumstances the citizen comes first and has the first say.
This role is paramount without mediators, with open cards and no third-party interpretations. In this case the answer from the people does not concern the election of individuals or the empowerment of parties, but determines directly, not indirectly -, the course of history.
In a Democracy, political parties and the representatives of citizens are the supreme expression of popular will and sovereignty. This is unchangeable as a principle. It is also a supreme democratic function for the will of each citizen to be submitted in a primary, authentic, direct and binding fashion.
This is a clear position that no third party can misinterpret, nor alter in any way. At a time when the political system is under attack and called into question, we have a duty to enhance and increase the role and the responsibility of citizens, thus demonstrating in practice, not only our respect, but also the basic premise that the citizen is the source of our strength and our very existence.
That is what the referendum is, dear friends, where the citizen is called upon to voice a clear 'yes' or a clear 'no'. We must go to referendum for this new agreement. We must ask the Greek people to decide.
Democracy is alive and present and in this the citizen is called upon, over and above the electoral procedures established, to respond to a national responsibility with a ballot paper to hand, not to empower others to decide but to take a decision for his country and for himself.
The referendum which is to provide a national answer to a major national question constitutes the fundamental cornerstone for us to build with principles and rules a new period starting now.
To build a strong Greece where the citizen feels that he himself, with his vote, can shape his country and play a strong and dominant role. We trust our citizens. We believe in democratic participation and are not afraid. We believe in our citizens. We trust their discretion, we believe in their decision. We are asking for sobriety, calmness, full respect of the rightful and substantiated information of citizens and not distortion. Everybody should be heard and it must the citizens who will ultimately decide.
Do citizens want to adopt the new agreement or to reject it? This decision is not avoiding the issue, not at all because this major decision needs to be implemented. Should the Greek people not want it, it simply will not be implemented. If it is wanted, then the people will decide positively.
This is a decision not on what party one prefers, but for which course this country should take. We have shown that we have the political will, the historical courage to take useful and difficult decisions, irrespective of the possible political cost.
I remind you, dear colleagues, that we invited repeatedly the other parties to come to parliament and to vote on the agreement- both the previous one and today's agreement, and for an increased majority of 180 votes, both earlier on, for the medium-term programme, for the new loan agreement, but there was an outburst of declarations by the Opposition denouncing the Government for wanting to avoid the responsibility of governing the country. We of course have never shunned our responsibility but assumed it fully.
The same is true now, – we have a clear position and direct ourselves to all citizens. We call upon them to play a chief role. Our strength is the strength of our citizens. We trust in our people and their judgement. We do not hide behind slogans and generalised programmes or misleading announcements. We are calling upon citizens simply and clearly to make their voice heard with a clear and simple 'yes' or 'no'.
I am certain that all the parties, all social bodies, the young generation will defend the right of citizens to express themselves democratically and will respect their judgement.
The mandate will bind us all. This is what we owe to our citizens. Despite our differences and our conflicts we feel a common duty to serve the mandate of our citizens and the result.
The government has two years of creative work ahead of it with a specific programme. We say no to national elections now because this would constitute an evasion of duty and petty politics which would divide the nation and weaken the effort of the government to devote itself to work of national importance and which will cost Greece a possible sliding along the slippery road towards panic default.
Within a few weeks this agreement will become a new loan agreement which will set out what our country must do to improve and to overcome the deep crisis and to move away from the present gloomy reality.
We must decide upon the new loan agreement, our commitment to the people, to ourselves, to Greece – we must decide. We must all take up a specific position and look forward, we must look at the crucial decisions and dilemmas and assume our individual responsibilities as to whether we accept this loan agreement or not.
This is a supreme act of Democracy. It is a moment of supreme patriotism for the citizen to decide upon. Let us therefore give our people its say and for it to decide not as to individuals or parties, but directly as to the fate and course of the country.
This is the roadmap, dear colleagues, for the next initiatives we must take.
I am asking for a vote of confidence for this roadmap of political initiatives and a robust programme of change for the next two years.
First of all because the situation has changed since June, there is a new agreement from the recent Summit Meeting. We must work in unity and decisively to implement a national plan. This will culminate in a referendum on this crucial national issue.
This effort rests on us, the parliamentary group, so more than ever it is imperative that confidence in our policy is expressed.
The programme of initiatives announced today imposes a vote of confidence being provided. It is clear that with the agreement of the 26th October and the implementation of the new programme we can avoid more measures of fiscal consolidation. It is however to make major changes to overcome the crisis. This is the road map. We are emphasising structural reforms and changes to central government, justice, the political system and the economy.
This is the clearest way to show that united we are proceeding with our plan and initiatives to take the country out of the crisis and for us to assume our responsibilities.
I am certain that the Greek people will, with their judgement open up this road.
Dear colleagues, as I said in my message to the citizens, once we win this battle I am optimistic that we will succeed in our next objective which is to create a productive Greece of justice and creativity.
We have the possibility of overcoming the crisis more quickly and paying less interest each year, re-establishing confidence in our institutions and our abilities.
There is much creative work to be done both within the government and the parliamentary group and within our movement for a period which is more creative than the first two difficult years where we had to deal with the spectre of default.
I am certain that just as we have successfully fought all battles to date to keep the country on its feet, so too we will work with even greater zeal and passion to change the country.
I wish you a successful battle and I thank you.


text:
Pressure on Cameron as backlash grows over gay marriage
The Tory heartlands came to Downing Street today to challenge David Cameron over legalising gay marriage. A group of senior activists handed in a letter to Number 10, warning that the upcoming vote will cause "significant damage".
As our Political Correspondent Alex Forrest reports, up to 180 Conservative MPs, including 4 Ministers, look set to defy the Prime Minister.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
RV Solar Hot Water Kit
$349 Free Shipping (continental US)
Beautiful DIY installation on a 40' Motorhome
Completely Off Grid. Save your Batteries and Propane. No switches or complicated wiring. Works great with existing 6 and 10 gallon RV tanks. This simple system is expandable by just adding another panel. (International shipping is available. Please contact us here)
Get free hot water for your RV. These have been tested to
hold up under the most extreme conditions, and are unbreakable.
The front of the panel is twin wall polycarbonate glazing , the same material used for bulletproof windows, robust and lightweight.
They are
affordable AND WORK.
The water gets very hot, very quickly., and this system works with any water pressure.
10 watt solar panel Hot water solar panel details 12 volt solar pump
This Roof Mount Solar Hot Water Kit installs easily using standard compression fittings and 3/8" tubing. Everything is included.
Cold side
Solar hot water panel
12 volt circulating pump
10 Watt solar panel for pump (simply attach 2 wires from panel to pump)
25 or 50 feet of 3/8" OD PEX tubing
two compression elbows to connect the panel to the tubing
the fittings to connect the pump to the tubing
the tees to tie everything into the existing lines to the water heater
Note: Most RVs have 3/8" tubing on the side connections for hot and cold, but some newer RVs have 1/2"
Free hot water in minutes
Kits with Optional shut off valves and / or extra 25' of PEX TubingFree Shipping (continental US)
Add 2 Optional ball valves and fittings
Increase Pex Tubing to 50"
Additional Panel
$119.00 Free Shipping
Top Quality Products
Best Warranties
For a job well done, use a name you can trust
Customer trust and satisfaction is our top priority


text:
I believe we do!
All we were missing was the next probowl level running back. Now, I am not saying that Murray WILL be that guy, (or maybe I am - though I try not to predict), only that we have a guy that sure fits the part, and after 3 games there is a strong case for him to be the next great back in Dallas. We have had Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, Hershell Walker, and Emmitt Smith, and none of those great backs ever put together a three game run like Murray did. And he did it with an O-line that hasn't been together for very many games. That is really saying something.
We have our QB in Romo, our WR in either or both Miles or Dez, and now we have our RB in Murray.
Tony Fiammetta has also been a big part in our Running game. He and Murray finally allow us to have a great shot at having great success at running all 4 of the basic Power Running plays that all teams run.
1. The "Lead Strong" - The Fullback "leads" up into the hole created by the line. (The Strong Side is the Tightend Side. Also called the "closed" side.)
2. The "Power Bob O" (Sometimes just called the "Power O") - The TE blocks down, while you pull the backside guard into the hole, while the FB takes on the Linebacker. (Bob = Back on Backer, and O= Open or weak side)
3. The "Lead Open" - The FB leads up into the hole on the Open (Weak) side of the line.
4. The "Counter O" or "Counter OF" as it is sometimes called. - This is where the RB runs a "Counter" ,(Misdirection), or Cutback off of the block of the backside pulling guard. It can be run to the weakside or the strongside.
One of the things that really helps a QB be at the top of his game is to have a good running game. When the linebackers have to stay up to guard against the run, it leaves the mid level routes, (most routes are designed to be in that 12-15 yard area), easier to complete.
The "play action" fake, is one thing that "holds" the linebackers and allows for more space for the WR's and TE's to operate. DeMarco Murray has shown so far that he will finally let Romo be the best he can be. His ability to break the first tackle is eye-popping and when a team gets a lead and needs to run clock in the 4th quarter, they need a good running game to do it. And lastly a good running game and a back that can break tackles also allows a team in the Redzone to "spread them out" and then fake the quick pass and let the single back run with the 5 Olinemen blocking against just 4 near the Line of Scrimmage. (No Pile to drive, just open a hole.)
Currently Romo is ranked 5th in TOTAL QBR for this season and the ranking says he is playing at a PRO BOWL level. With DeMarco, his rating should only go up from here.
The arrow is definately pointing up.
Am I just wearing my "Rose Colored Glasses?"


text:
A keynote by medtech inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen prompted one engineer to look back on what inspired his career.
By Bill Betten
Kamen spoke at the MD&M East Exposition in New York City this past June.
I recently attended a speech by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen. Kamen is most famously known as the inventor of the Segway, but in this case he was being recognized as the recipient of the 2014 MDEA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the medtech industry. Listening to his keynote address at the MD&M East Exposition in New York City triggered some thoughts...


text:
Maurice Jones-Drew
Around The NFL: Dashon Goldson Suspended, Jaguars Ailing, Patrick Willis Wants Opponents To Hit Like Men
There is a lot of heavy hitting going on around the NFL, and it is causing problems all over the place. One Tampa Bay Buccaneer got suspended. Some big-time hits caused numerous injuries in Jacksonville. And one 49er wants opposing players to hit him like a man.
Top 10 NFL Comeback Player Candidates
There are a large number of high-profile players who, due to injuries or poor performance, disappointed last season. Here are 10 who are poised to return to form this year.
Fantasy Football: Top 10 NFL Running Backs
Fantasy football owners want a workhorse running back who can carry an offense. Here are your top 10 options.


text:
Military branches: Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP) (2013)
Definition: This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces).
Source: CIA World Factbook - Unless otherwise noted, information in this page is accurate as of December 6, 2013
© 2013 IndexMundi. All rights reserved.


text:
SNAPThe Supernova Acceleration Project is a space based project aimed at measuring the properties of Dark Energy. The project is led by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and has an extensive project web site.
The science goals of SNAP are now being addressed by the Joint Dark Energy Mission (JDEM). More information is available at the NASA/Goddard and DOE/LBNL websites.
The science goals of JDEM are now being addressed by the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST). More information is available at the NSASA Goddard website.
Upcoming EventsScience Operations Center July 23-25 2008 Workshop
Contributions to the Project
Mailing List
Talks and Papers
|last modified 5/5/2010
|Security, Privacy, Legal


text:
STARmeterSEE RANK
Up 3,959 this week
Viva (I)
Viva was born Janet Susan Mary Hoffman, the first child of a devout Catholic family. Her father, a well-to-do lawyer, and her mother had eight more children. She told her mentor, Andy Warhol, that her father was a religious fanatic and her mother worshiped the Irish-Catholic Witch-Finder General Joseph McCarthy, insisting that the children watch ... See full bio »
More at IMDbPro » Contact Info: View manager
Represent Viva? Add or change photos


text:
Tommy Phillips has been pilot for 13 years for Williamsburg Air service, contracted out by Chas. County mosquito control division.
Phillips received numerous complaints about flying too close to the Ravenel Bridge several weeks ago.
News 2's Brendan Clark took a flight with Phillips to get his side of the story and see firsthand what he does, and how dangerous it is in the air.
Brendan also talked with the FAA about the ongoing inquiry into complaints on his flying and Charleston County about how much they put into mosquito control every year.
210 W. Coleman Blvd.Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Telephone: 843.216.4875
Fax: 843.881.3410
Email: email@example.com


text:
A Hartsville woman charged in connection with the deaths of her four young children was released from jail after her bond was lowered to $50,000 in a ruling Tuesday.
Judge Paul Burch said that after much consideration he decided to reduce Hawkins' bond because she has no previous record, there is no evidence of drug abuse or use, and there is no indication of premeditation. Judge Burch also told Hawkins that once she was out on bond she could not leave the state of South Carolina or be alone or live with anyone under the age of 18.
Her mother, Leigh, was present in court along with several other family members who were very happy with Judge Burch's decision.
"I got what I wanted! My baby's home!" said Leigh. "She's home, no more worrying! Thank you Lord Jesus!"
Hope Hawkins, age 21, was indicted last week on various charges including new charges of involuntary manslaughter in the April deaths of her children ages 10 months to 4 years of age.
Authorities say that Hawkins was not at the home when a fire broke out, swept through the mobile home and killed the children; however Hawkins' attorney, Tonya Copeland Little told News 13 otherwise on Tuesday afternoon.
Little said that according to her phone records, Hawkins was actually the first to dial 911, but because she was so frantic, dialed "699" instead. Little also stated that they have an eyewitness that puts Hawkins at the mailbox in front of the house at the time of the fire.
"She's innocent until proven guilty, they say she wasn't home, but nobody knows that," said Tamika Wright, Hawkins' aunt. "The only people who know what happened are Hope, those kids and God, so they need to stop judging her."
Hawkins appeared at an earlier bond hearing last month where a judge left her bond unchanged at $80,000.
But, in the bond ruling at 2 pm Tuesday, Judge Burch set an accumulative bond of $50,000.
Hawkins walked out of jail around 5:50 pm Tuesday and only shook her head when asked if she had something to say to reporters; but her cousin Katherine Douglas said that she was very happy to coming home, where she can continue to grieve over the loss of her four children.
At her initial bond hearing in April the judge denied bond for homicide charges and set bond at $20,000 per count of unlawful neglect.
In Hawkins' last bond hearing on May 21, the judge said bond was under advisement and a decision will be made this month, after the grand jury met to consider the involuntary manslaughter charges.
A trial date has not yet been set.
210 W. Coleman Blvd.Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Telephone: 843.216.4875
Fax: 843.881.3410
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
A pigeon takes one dainty step onto a slatted table of golden wood. Bits of granola and French bread make an ordinary breakfast, but on a nearby table, that pastry box is the color of cinnamon, and it must be full of something wondrous.
A brief glide, landing on a nearby chair, gazing at the woman sitting there. Jerking its head to the side, asking "You gonna eat that?"


text:
Should Christians be reading the "Harry Potter" books? This question raises huge amounts of debate among Christian experts. Some equate the books with the fantasy novels written by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien while others believe that the books promote the occult through witchraft and spells. Let's take a closer look at some of the arguments surrounding these seven books.
A Little Background
If you have not been exposed to the "Harry Potter" books series you may not have the background needed to understand the controversy surrounding the books. Here is some basic information:
Author: J.K. RowlingBook Titles:
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Philosopher's Stone in U.K.)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Plot Synopsis: Harry Potter begins the series as an 11 year old orphan who discovers that he is a wizard. He is accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where his adventures begin. His parents were killed by an evil wizard named Voledmort who also attempted to kill Harry, but who's spell backfired, causing Harry's trademark lighting bolt scar and providing Harry with even greater wizarding skill. Voldemort continues his rise to power while also attempting to ride the world of his nemesis, Harry Potter. Harry's best friends are also wizards-in-training - Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Harry and his friends have faced various magical creatures and Volemort's evil followers known as "Death Eaters." Throughout his adventures he has had to face mortal peril, and in the last book will have to face, and possibly kill his greatest enemy, Voldemort.
The Objections to Harry Potter
While millions of people around the world read and enjoy the "Harry Potter" books, there are many people that object to the content of the Harry Potter books, stating that they go against the world of God. The objections are based on the bible teaching that practicing witchcraft or other occult acts is a sin.
Objections to "Harry Potter" usually reference Deuteronomy 18:10-12, "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you." (NKJV)These Christians believe that the books promote the modern religions of Wicca, Paganism, and Neopaganism. They point to the terms "witch," "wizard," and the variety of spells presented in the books as leading children and Christian teens down the path to the occult.
Other Christians believe that the novels are just pure fantasy, but they object to the dark nature of the books for younger children. As the books go on they become more violent, scary, and people die. Some parents believe that these book's violent undertones promote violence in children.
Finally, many Christians have an issue with the moral ambiguity presented in the books. J.K. Rowling has presented a world where moral questions do not always have clear answers, and this presents an issue for some parents who feel her characters are not being appropriate role models for their children. There are good characters that commit murder and other good characters that lie and steal. Some characters are considered "evil," but Rowling presents them as having a psychology that makes them somewhat sympathetic. Also, there are some references to swear words that offend some Christian teens and adults.
The Positive Side of Potter
Are you surprised to hear that there are Christians that actually stand behind reading the "Harry Potter" books? While many conservative Christian groups have gotten a lot of press with talks of book burnings and banning the books from school shelves, there is also a large contingent of Christians that see Harry Potter as a fantasy character in a fantasy world. They equate the books with those written by Tolkien and Lewis.
The pro-Harry Potter Christians believe that the books do a good job of describing a world where good and evil are not always obvious, while giving readers a hero on the "good side" fighting evil. They also applaud the virtues of compassion, loyalty, courage, and friendship present in many of the main characters.
These Christians also denounce the idea that the witchcraft present in the novels represents anything close to Wicca or new age beliefs. Many of the people on the side of Harry Potter books believe that it is up to parents to discuss occult practices with their children and explain why Christians do not participate in occult religions. They also advocate parents discussing the darker aspects of the novels with their children, opening up the door of communication between Christian parents and their children.
The pro-Harry Potter Christians also stand behind the author's statement that she does not believe magic even exists, only using it as a plot device to tell a story. They believe other Christian authors have used magic as plot devices, and the magic used in the stories is not the same magic Christians are warned about in Deuteronomy.


text:
Ofcom probes Big Brother complaints (From Halstead Gazette)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting HG to 80360, or email us Click here for more details »
National Entertainment News RSS Feed
Ofcom probes Big Brother complaints
2:00pm Monday 9th July 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2014
Ofcom is investigating Channel 5's Big Brother after viewers complained over three separate incidents.
More than 1,000 people have voiced concerns to the regulator about the programme and its spin-off show Big Brother's Bit On The Side, presented by Emma Willis.
Ofcom is looking into whether the incidents may have breached the broadcasting code.
Any material which fails to meet "generally accepted standards" must be justified by context according the code.
One incident - in which housemate Conor McIntyre launched a tirade of insults against Deana Uppal - has prompted 1,108 complaints. Many viewers thought it amounted to bullying.
In another, which prompted 114 complaints, contestant Caroline Wharram described a black housemate, Adam Kelly, as a "ridiculous gorilla" with "no sanitation", which some viewers saw as racist.
And in a further incident during an edition of Big Brother's Bit On The Side, former BB housemate Victor Ebuwa used the word "retard" to describe contestants, prompting three complaints.
Last year Big Brother was found to have breached the code after airing offensive language immediately following the 9pm watershed.


text:
Thespians face off
Sonora, Wall battle 6 others for state title
SAN ANGELO, Texas - Daubed with makeup and swathed in costumes from Roman togas to Victorian bustles and spats, the teams from Wall and Sonora take the stage today in Austin, battling with six other schools for the Class 2A One-Act Play state championship.
On Wednesday, Irion County High School's team will compete for the 1A state title.
Sonora High School, making a historic 18th trip to the UIL One-Act Play State Meet, hasn't won at state since 2006 so it's shaking things up.
"We kind of stepped out of our comfort zone," director Cy Scroggins told the audience at the school's 500-seat auditorium this past Wednesday night. "We normally do dramas but we decided to do a comedy and it really paid off. We've been having a lot of fun, laughing since January, that's when rehearsals started."
Scroggins explained that the cast and crew, performing for the Sonora community ahead of today's contest, would start by practicing the setup for the smaller stage at the McCullough Theatre at the University of Texas in Austin.
He had outlined the size of the McCullough stage in pink tape on the Sonora High stage.
Sandaled feet flashed under the curtain as the patient audience waited for the rare treat of live theater.
Ranchers and businessmen, parents and teachers, babies in their mothers' arms, younger siblings, classmates, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents filled the seats to overflowing.
The comedy, "Epic Proportions," was first performed on Broadway in the early 2000s.
"For UIL rules we had to cut it down to 40 minutes," Scroggins said in an interview.
The play, set in the 1930s, spoofs a Cecille B. DeMille-type director's effort to film a historical epic such as "The Ten Commandments" on a set in the Southwestern desert.
Lead actors Zachary Leonard and Clayton Parks play brothers in a style reminiscent of the classic comedies of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin.
"This year, with the students that I have, I felt a comedy fit them better. I always try to fit the play to the kids I have," Scroggins said.
Wall High School's team, which is performing "Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play," faces the same challenges of doing a physical, fast-paced comedy.
But the cast and crew, making a first trip to state since the 1990s, face two additional hurdles.
Another school, Sadler S&S Consolidated High School, is performing the same play and Wall's students won't take the stage until 10:30 p.m. today.
In each class, four plays will be performed, one after the other, beginning at 4 p.m., and four plays will be performed back-to-back starting at 7:30 p.m.
The winner will be announced and the performances critiqued the same night, after the completion of the last play.
Lance Labedelle, who plays the role of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde in a spoof of the classic horror story, must make the transformation from intellectual Dr. Jekyll to the evil Mr. Hyde through acting alone.
There are none of the special effects on stage found in movies or television.
He said the dual demands of acting and physical comedy are challenging.
"By the end of it I'm sweating," he said.
He said the biggest challenge in Austin will be "keeping up the high energy" at the late time slot.
"I couldn't have done anything without the directors," Vicki Williams and assistant director Angie Baird, Lance said about developing his character. "They gave me the ideas and then we mold it."
Wall has one big advantage in Austin: the legendary enthusiasm of its community.
Jennifer White, mother of Kaitlyn White, who plays an evil twin in the play, and Paige Bickford, mother of Turner Bickford, who plays a police lieutenant hunting the evil Mr. Hyde, said they had been to every performance and will be in Austin to cheer their students on.
"They tweak it every time so we're excited to see it this time," Paige Bickford said at the school's public performance earlier this month at the Lake View High School Auditorium, its 550 seats filled to overflowing.
"When we went to regional, the school let the academic UIL kids who were going to be in Odessa anyway attend and provided transportation," Bickford said. "That was great. When their friends were there in the audience they really hammed it up."
The students face one last performance today, then the verdict of the judges.
"I think from this year we've learned that comedy is definitely more challenging than drama, just trying to get the comedic timing down," Scroggins said.
For some, it's just as hard to let go of the role.
Marci Parks, who plays Estelle, a queen of the Nile in gold-beaded headdress, tossed her head with royal disdain after the performance in Sonora.
"I thought I was completely typecast in it, obviously," she said, "but I was able to reach deep, look for the depth in the role."
On a serious note, she said, "one-act play means the world to me. It's become a whole different family for me."
Bickford also noted the relationship the cast and crew develop.
"This group of friends have become such special friends," she said.
And win or lose in Austin, Scroggins said it is an honor for two schools from the same district to meet again in Austin.
"It's really neat for two schools to go from district all the way to state together," Scroggins said. "It's a neat accomplishment for our district."
Subscribe to the San Angelo Standard-Times
Need Help? Call us at 1-877-304-7763.
Monday-Friday: 6am-8pm / Saturday: 6am-12pm / Sunday: 6am-1pm


text:
Mexican Made Easy
Hosted by Marcela Valladolid
Fridays 1:30|12:30c
Seafood Grill
Marcela treats friends to her Mexican Shrimp Burgers inspired by a classic Puerto Vallarta street food and tops them with a Mexican-style aioli with avocado, chile, and lime. To finish her festive seafood menu, she prepares Grilled Avocado and Scallop Salad and a side of Jalapeno Buttered Corn. (Episode: VM0201H)
Upcoming AiringsVIEW FULL TV SCHEDULE
Fri, August 22
Recipes from this episodeAll Mexican Made Easy Recipes
Mexican Shrimp "Burgers"Recipe courtesy of Marcela Valladolid
- Cook Time:
- 8 min
Grilled Avocado and Scallop SaladRecipe courtesy of Marcela Valladolid
- Cook Time:
- 10 min
Jalapeno Buttered CornRecipe courtesy of Marcela Valladolid
- Cook Time:
- 25 min


text:
June 12, 2005
Lee County- March 29th one Lee County family made a quick decision to move most of their furniture to higher ground as floodwaters closed in. Two months later, the Beaver family is still homeless and with recent rain showers they're worried about the work they've already done.
It's been two months since the Beaver's home and pool were flooded by the Kinchafoonee Creek. The before pictures look just slightly different from what's going on inside the house just two months later.
"We've had some problems with some of the workers on the inside," said Teresa Beaver, homeowner.
It's been a tough struggle to put their home back together.
"You look inside and you have walls now and it's like, God, we're so close, but we're not there yet," said Beaver.
There's still a lot to be done. "All the toilets, cabinets, tile, carpet, paint, there's a lot to do," sighed Beaver.
The Beavers are staying with their daughter, but are anxious to move back home.
"My husband says he's in there Friday. It's not happening, but, he's in there Friday," laughed Beaver.
It's been an expensive endeavor, with little help from their flood insurance.
"A sheet of sheet rock is $11.25 and all they cover is a dollar, $1.25. Then they pay you $1.15 to finish it, which is to have somebody hang it, the paint, all that," said Beaver.
Making it just too hard to total up all the damages. "I have every receipt to this house in my purse and I have not totaled it up because I'm just....scared to," said Beaver.
With some grateful help from their friends, they're getting by. "We did well because my brother did all of the changing framing wise, any framing we did. My husband has a good friend that has helped tremendously, with plumbing, electrical stuff," said Beaver.
The pool and yard are finally finished. The brown muddy water and ripped liner, replaced with fresh water and a new liner. The cost, ten thousand dollars, not covered under their flood insurance, but priceless.
"They say I have my priorities wrong I have the pool, but not the house yet," said Beaver.
With this weeks rains, the family is keeping a watchful eye on the creek and hoping for the best.
"I hope it doesn't do it again. I hope it doesn't, but I guess as my husband says, if it's going to do it, he wished it would do it now before we get any further," said Beaver.
feedback: email@example.com
P.O. Box 3130
Albany, GA 31706
(229) 446-1010
FCC Public File
(229) 446-4005
EEO Report
Closed Captioning


text:
Thousands across the South Plains are constantly without immediate emergency health care. It's a rural trend that could eventually strip small communities of health care altogether. In a special report, NewsChannel 11 gives you the findings of a two week investigation into how communities are now trying to fend off the demise of rural healthcare.
Rural population in West Texas is declining, which makes it difficult to support health care facilities. In fact, 27 West Texas counties have one or no physician. However, one local community is battling to keep its clinic.
In the town of Post, one physician sees 4,000 patients. That is, unless they take after Post resident, Pepper Edwards. "We don't have a specialized pediatrician in post so we go to Lubbock. We want to have the best care," says Edwards.
Thousands travel to see Lubbock doctors and use its hospitals everyday. University Medical Center reports 37% of last year's inpatient admissions came from counties other than Lubbock. At Covenant, inpatient and outpatient admissions from outside counties make up almost 50%. Those numbers are partly due to the fact that many rural counties have only one physician or no physicians.
Texas Tech Vice President for Rural and Community Health, Patti Patterson says, "When your physicians leave, your hospital goes down. All that revenue actually just starts bypassing the small town." Patterson said the steady population decline in West Texas counties makes it difficult to support a practice or a hospital. Garza memorial hospital closed in 1996.
Vicki Gray with the Garza County Health Clinic said, "As a citizen of Garza County, I've seen it coming for a long time and it's just hard to support and maintain a rural hospital."
Garza county is fighting back. When Covenant closed its clinic in Post in 2003, Garza County opened its own clinic, treating 650 patients a month. The Garza County Hospital District remains in tact, collecting $400,000 a year to support that clinic.
Patterson said, "Often your older people will think they need to move, the people who worked there are out of jobs. You can really get into a spiral so it's very important to keep that healthcare infrastructure there."
The doctor that works at the clinic in Post right now only works two days a week. In August, another physician will live in Post and work full-time at the clinic. They're hoping to attract those who drive to Lubbock for health-care.
5600 Avenue A
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2014 Worldnow and KCBD. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.


text:
Wolves were once federally protected but now can be hunted again, making the fate and future of the wolf more controversial than ever. UK journalist Jim Wickens reports from Wyoming and Montana to provide his unique insight into the wolf wars of the West. His blog accompanies the exclusive Earth Focus report, Shades of Gray: Living with Wolves, now online!
Tears began well up in the corner of his eyes, but I wasn't sure if it was because of the icy wind blowing in from the mountaintops around us, or the questions that I was putting to him. We were speaking with Nathan Varley and his wife Linda, a couple whose economic survival is intricately intertwined with that of the wolves. But unlike the ranchers or the elk hunters, they need the wolves alive.
Growing up within the Park community Nathan knows Yellowstone better than most, working first as a wolf biologist and then seven years ago setting up a wolf watching eco-tourism company, one of several to have sprouted up in the wake of growing national and international interest after wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone. Today Nathan and Linda take small groups of tourists on foot into the Park, relying on expert knowledge and careful reading of conditions to guide paying members of the public to witness the spectacle of wolves in the wild.
For Nathan, the shooting of wolf number 832F, a famous Lamar Valley alpha female pack leader, potentially hurts him in his pocket book. He told us how he has been fielding dozens of calls from shocked and devastated clients, some of whom he said, return every year simply to see 832F or other favorite wolf individuals: iconic animals that now face the firing line should they stray outside of the park.
Native to the region, Nathan stands in a difficult position and he is careful to avoid criticizing his fellow Montanans, preferring to quote University of Montana research, which suggests that as much as $34 million may be generated every year in and around Yellowstone because of wolves alone. According to Nathan this kind of research demonstrates what he already knows: that wolf tourists come all year round to the Park and that they stay longer; which means they buy more food, and rent more rooms. Compelling financial facts that highlight another competing angle in this complex discussion around the fate of the Rocky Mountain wolves.
Nathan knows that among hard-talking outdoor pragmatists in Montana, it is the language of economics, not emotion, that stands the best chance of winning better support for wolf acceptance in the areas around Yellowstone. With this in mind, it seems that he is careful to avoid showing too many feelings on camera, but nonetheless his soft-spoken words and pregnant pauses seemed to say it all. The pain felt by them over the loss of the 'Yellowstone' wolves to a hunter's bullet is all too evident. But Nathan and Linda carry on, their fates intertwined with the future of the wolves under threat.
Driving away from Yellowstone, I get the chance to digest some of the facts and the voices that we have heard around this debate so far. Whether you love wolves or not, I can't help but get the sense that the ambitious scale of the quotas to trap and shoot wolves in the Rockies can be partly understood as a kind of blood-letting backlash, 16 years of pent-up resentment at the reintroduction of wolves, released at last. Just 20% of Yellowstone's 70 odd wolves are radio collared, but five of the seven wolves shot this year from the park were wearing radio collars. Though radio hunting is banned and frequencies are scrambled, statistically these figures do seem to suggest some kind of targeting.
F-you to the Feds. It seems Montana and Wyoming are quietly getting their own back on Washington's wolves, whether Nathan, Linda, or the cash-generating tourists they work with, like it or not.
The wild, it seems, is an unforgiving place.
Read the next installment of Jim's wolf blog, "A Taxidermist Talks."
Read the previous installment of Jim's wolf blog, "Celebrity Killing: Yellowstone Wolves in the Firing Line."
Jim Wickens is one of Britain's leading investigative journalists and the co-founder of both the Ecologist Film Unit and also Ecostorm, the environmental media agency. Jim has spend the last decade documenting unreported issues around the world, including exposing illicit whale-meat smuggling networks in Japan, filming the brutal Namibian seal hunt, documenting soya-related murders and poisoning in Argentina, breaking the story of fracking problems in the US, and filming illegal trawlers far out to sea on the Burmese border.


text:
Like Harry Houdini or David Blaine I feel that Ron 'BAMF' Rivera has some tricks up his sleeve at DT. Rotoworld has mentioned Pat Williams, so at this point anything is possible.
THIS IS NOW AN OPEN THREAD! Sound off Panthers fans, who are you and where are you from?


text:
Florida Amendments
Florida Amendments coverage on PolitiFact Florida is a partnership with the Collins Center for Public Policy, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization seeking solutions to Florida's toughest issues.
Under a proposed medical marijuana amendment in Florida, "you don't get refills -- you get it forever."
The medical marijuana ballot initiative "doesn't require a physician writing a prescription" and can be for conditions like "having a back that needs to be scratched."
The Florida Supreme Court has "no express authority in the Florida Constitution" to remove questions from the ballot proposed by the Legislature.
"Liberal out-of-state special interests are spending millions on 5 and 6 to change the way Florida draws its congressional and legislative districts."
"Many of the companies bankrolling the ad campaign against Amendment 4 are recipients of a congressional bailout, in the form of humongous tax refunds earlier this year."
Says PolitiFact says Amendment 4 "will force counties and cities across Florida to raise taxes and fees."
"There currently are 825,000 student stations sitting empty across Florida in every district and at every grade level."
"What is the maximum number of students allowed in your classroom? ... 30 or more!"
"Amendment 4 will reduce Florida's economic output by $34 billion annually."
"For every dollar a county gets in taxes from new development, it costs us 40 to 50 percent more to provide services."
"In the last 6 years, there have been 420 elections for State Senator and State Representative. Only three incumbents have been defeated!"
St. Pete Beach's experiences are a "fair example" of what could happen if Amendment 4 passes.
Because of a local version of Amendment 4, "the taxpayers of St. Pete Beach have had to pay hundreds of thousands in legal bills."
St. Pete Beach's local version of Amendment 4 resulted in "seemingly endless lawsuits (that) decimated the city's legal budget and forced the city to raise the property tax rate."
Page 1 of 1
How to contact us:
We want to hear your suggestions and comments. Email the Florida Truth-O-Meter with feedback and with claims you'd like to see checked. If you send us a comment, we'll assume you don't mind us publishing it unless you tell us otherwise.
Do you know your lawmaker?
Browse The Florida Truth-O-Meter:


text:
Just ahead of its fall open house, the Orange County Free Clinic is celebrating a milestone. It now has more than 2,000 registered patients.
Given the uncertainty of the Affordable Care Act, people who do not have insurance say it's more reason for free clinics to help people in the here and now.
"The right thing to do is look out for the people that can't afford it, and I'm one of them," said George White, a patient.
White is one of the millions of Americans who do not have health insurance. He says he's not relying on Washington to come through.
"It's a lot kids' play going on with grownups and playing with people's lives. I'm not holding my breath on what they're going to do," said White.
"They say affordable, but for each person there is a different affordable, you may make it $150 a month, that may be affordable to this person, but to me that's not going to be affordable," said Debra Bryant, another patient.
But in the middle of all the uncertainty, there is one place White and thousands of others have been able to count on, the Orange County Free Clinic.
"If some of our patients do qualify, of course we would want them to move on, but at the same time most of our patients will not qualify, so if Virginia opts out, we will still be their primary care physicians," said Alyson Hodge, fundraising coordinator for the Orange County Free Clinic.
The clinic's demand has grown over the years starting with just 86 patients in 2007 providing primary medical care and prescription assistance without any government funding - but through community support.
Thursday, the clinic will have its fall open house to show how far it has come.
"It's really a time where we think we should invite everyone over into our clinic and open our doors and say thank you," said Hodge.
As for the patients, they are thankful that the clinic has given them hope and options during times when it seemed like there were none.
"Not everybody can afford this insurance like everybody else can, so having this building open is the best thing we could have here. Come to the free clinic," said Sally Holmes, a patient.
The clinic relies on grants, individual donors, and foundations. The fall open house is this Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sign up to receive NBC29 news and weather updates in your inbox daily.


text:
Boss Chairs Drafting Stools Executive Seating Folding Chairs Guest Seating Medical Stools Reception Seating Task Seating Traditional Seating
Boss Chairs > Executive Seating
Boss Executive Pillow Top Chair with Headrest
Part Number: B7101
Patented perforated pillow top design. Executive high back chair. Upholstered in Black CaressoftPlus. Padded armrests. Adjustable tilt tension control. Pneumatic gas lift seat height adjustment. Large 27-inch base with black caps. Hooded double wheel casters. Head rest.
Upholstery: Black, CaressoftPlus
Weight Limit: 250 lbs
Share Item


text:
Program Overview
Students pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Leadership must complete a 36 semester-hour program, including an internship that extends over a full P-12 school year. Candidates must also attain a satisfactory score on the Louisiana State Department of Education identified test for educational leaders, successfully make a culminating program oral presentation, and receive a passing grade on a culminating e-portfolio. Applicants must be nominated by appropriate professional individuals and meet additional specified application requirements, including the holding of a current state-issued Level II or Level III Professional Teaching Certificate or its equivalent. For more information, contact the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership or the Office of Graduate Studies in the College of Education.
Program Faculty
- Dr. Carrice Cummins
- Dr. David Gullatt
- Dr. Lawrence Leonard
- Dr. Pauline Leonard
- Mr. Randy Moore
- Dr. Carynn Wiggins
Program Links
Program Curriculum
The M.Ed.E.L. program consists of a 36 semester-hour curriculum that includes various topics of interest to a future educational administrator as well as an internship that extends over a full P-12 school year. Candidates must also attain a satisfactory score on the Louisiana State Department of Education identified test for educational leaders and successfully make culminating program oral presentations to designated audiences.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
|EDLE 500 - Research and Applications
Research knowledge and skills in collecting, analyzing, interpreting and using data to lead school improvement and designing action research.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 501 - Curriculum Development and Assessment
Application of curriculum research and theory to inform practice; curriculum issues and trends, strategies and techniques for aligning curriculum to state and national standards.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 510 - Teacher Leadership and Professional Practice I
Students will be exposed to conceptual frameworks needed to become effective instructional as well as peer/teacher leaders and to make calculated decisions based on best practice and research-based findings to positively impact teaching and learning at the local school site.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 511 - Teacher Leadership and Professional Practice II
Foundations laid in the Teacher Leadership and Professionalism I course will be enhanced with an emphasis on technology skills to serve the teacher leader in making the best research-based decisions to effect positive teaching and learning at the local school site.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 530 - Professional Development
Designed to help educational leaders understand the links between sustained, intellectually rigorous staff development and improved teaching and learning.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 531 - Supervision of Instruction for School Improvement
A study of instructional leadership processes, functions, and tasks for effective teaching with particular emphasis on acquisition and assessment of numeracy and literacy skills.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 540 - Organizational Behavior and Innovation Leadership
A study of the various elements of organizational behavior in education environments and how they function to mediate planned change and school improvement.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 541 - Effective Leadership Management
Duties and responsibilities in finance, business management, organization, leadership, administration and supervision of personnel in elementary/secondary schools.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 551 - Facilitating School and Community Partnerships in Diverse Settings
This course is designed to familiarize educational administration candidates with the elements of efficient and collaborative school-community relations programs and campaigns for schools and school districts serving diverse educational settings.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 553 - E-Leadership for School Technology Integration
This course is designed to enable aspiring education administrators to plan, manage, lead, and sustain effective technology implementation in schools.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 561 - School Law, Policy, and Ethics
State and national aspects of school law as well as implications of legal issues, policy, and ethics for educational leaders.
|3 hrs
|EDLE 562 - Internship I
Structured field-based experiences in educational leadership and supervision. By application only.
|1 hr
|EDLE 563 - Internship II
Structured field-based experiences in educational leadership and supervision. By application only.
|1 hr
|EDLE 564 - Internship III
Structured field-based experiences in educational leadership and supervision. By application only.
|1 hr
|EDLE 599 - E-Portfolio
Graduate Standing Required and Consent of College of Education Graduate Director. Required for all graduating graduate students enrolled in the Master of Education Educational Leadership program who began their program Fall 2008 or later. May be repeated.
|0 hrs
|Total Program Coursework
|36 hrs
Admission Requirements
A satisfactory grade point average, a satisfactory GRE score and a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution are required. Admission may be conditional or unconditional. Students entering this program must be certified school teachers and be recommended for admission by appropriate professional individuals. Applicants must also submit a portfolio addressing their leadership experiences, be interviewed by an admissions panel, and provide timed written responses to appropriate questions at the time of the interview. Contact the College of Education's Graduate Studies office or the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership for additional information.
Applications to the Master of Education Educational Leadership program will be processed only during Spring and Summer sessions. Applications for admission in Summer Quarter must be completed by April 1 and applications for admission in Fall Quarter must be completed by July 1. Applications processed during Spring Quarter will be for admission in the following Summer Quarter and applications processed during Summer Quarter will be for admission in the following Fall Quarter.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred from other regionally accredited institutions with the approval of the advisor, department head, and college Director of Graduate Studies if the grades earned are "B" or better and the credit fulfills requirements for the degree sought. No correspondence credit is applicable toward the M.Ed. degree. Graduate transfer credit is normally limited to work completed within the past six years.
Grade Point Requirements
A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on graduate credit pursued is required for the degree.
Graduate status will be lost if the cumulative or quarterly grade point average falls below 3.0 for three consecutive quarters of matriculation for unconditionally admitted students or one quarter for conditionally admitted students.
No grade lower than "C" will count toward the degree. Two "C's" will result in removal from the degree program, regardless of grade point average. Consideration for reinstatement by the College of Education Graduate Committee requires a written recommendation from the Department.
Time Limit for the Degree
A time limit for the completion of all requirements for the master's degree has been set at 6 consecutive calendar years from the time of initial enrollment.
Plan of Study
The plan of study must be submitted to the Graduate School prior to the end of the 1st quarter of enrollment in order to continue enrolling in classes. Plans of study are available for download from the Graduate Studies Office's Plans of Study page.
Graduating Students
If you plan on graduating at the conclusion of the coming quarter you must register for graduation. Have your academic adviser review your plan of study before completing the graduation registration form.


text:
What's on your mind? (BC Version)
View Single Post
April 9, 2010, 07:36 PM
bujhee kom
Cricket Sage
Join Date: June 27, 2007
Location: Dhaka Mental Hospital
Favorite Player: Mo Chow = Chow Mo
Posts: 21,463
Lats few days and right now, this's been on my mind....how to increase my match rating in senior FTP and increase experience level of some of my fast bowlers....I am really struggling with this!!
T20 WC-e duto assoc team-ke hariye ekti darun bissucup upohar debar jonno BD team-er dui galey shikto chumbon...
bujhee kom
View Public Profile
Send a private message to bujhee kom
Find all posts by bujhee kom


text:
» Posts Tagged 'sam levy'
Cinematographer Sam Levy on Motivation: 'It's Just a Feeling'
From Wendy and Lucy to The Romantics, Sam Levy's work as a cinematographer is marked with naturalism and attention to character blocking. Here he sits down with Craft Truck to discuss his work, how he began as an assistant and lensed his first feature film on a standard def Mini DV camera. Hit the jump to learn more and to watch the full interview: More »


text:
Where are 'Married... with Children' stars today?
POSTED: 08:26 PM MST Jan 20, 2014 UPDATED: 12:00 AM MST Jan 21, 2014
Katey Sagal has found fame again for her role on "Sons of Anarchy," but another generation of TV viewers know her better as Peggy Bundy. In honor of her 60th birthday, join us for a look at where she and her "Married… with Children" co-stars are today.


text:
You might think days pass slowly in Room, but you would be wrong. Five-year-old Jack is always busy there. And so is his Ma.
"We have thousands of things to do every morning, like give Plant a cup of water in Sink for no spilling, then put her back on her saucer on Dresser," explains the precocious narrator in Emma Donoghue's startling new novel. There's also Breakfast and Bath and one TV show (only one, though, because "before I came down from Heaven Ma left it on all day long and got turned into a zombie. . . . So now she always switches off after one show, then the cells multiply again in the day and we can watch another show after dinner and grow more brains in our sleep."
Later, there's Phys Ed and Lunch and Scream, where Jack and Ma shout at the top of their lungs. Jack doesn't know why they must yell so loud, but he's 5; he likes to yell. Sometimes there's Orchestra (''where we run around seeing what noises we can bang out of things'') and always there's reading, although there is only a handful of books to choose from, and Ma is getting awfully tired of repeating Dylan the Digger.
Room, you see, is Jack's whole world, even though it is only an 11-by-11-foot shed with a skylight in the back yard of a monster they call Old Nick, who kidnapped Jack's Ma off the street seven years earlier. But Jack doesn't know that part. He doesn't really know that Outside is real -- Room has never seemed like a prison because of his mother's determination that they create a life together -- until Ma begins to wonder if there isn't a way to expand their world.
Donoghue's story -- urgent, sly, funny, terrifying, affirming and sometimes all those things at once -- is remarkably simple but full of hidden complexities, a heartbreaking story of love and survival that's every bit as compelling as any thriller. It's based only loosely on real-life cases of abduction, though it brings too easily to mind the horrific Josef Fritzl case out of Austria (if you're not familiar with Fritzl, who kept his daughter in a dungeon for 24 years, Google him and await nightmares). Room has been shortlisted for Britain's prestigious Man Booker Prize, and it deserves the award for its extraordinarily graceful navigation of horror, compassion and humor observed through the eyes of an extremely bright child whose imagination and courage can't be contained by four walls.
Author of three story collections and six novels including the bestselling Slammerkin, the Dublin-born Donoghue never strays from Jack's unique voice, deftly conveying more information than even he understands. Jack doesn't know exactly why he has to shut himself up in Wardrobe when Old Nick makes a visit every few nights, but when he goes to bed "I always try to squeeze my eyes tight and switch off fast." Good plan. He wouldn't understand what Old Nick is doing to his mother or the fact that the terrible act is why he exists. But we do, and our horror can't be quelled.
When Jack and Ma find themselves having to confront life Outside, Donoghue's novel becomes slightly less thriller and more a poignant psychological exploration of resilience. She never lets us forget that her story is essentially about plain human heroism -- from a mother, from a son -- a spark that can be kindled in the most unlikely circumstances.