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A Rightroots Movement != Shilling for the GOP
My post on the rightroots has provoked a few critical responses, the best of which come from Dan Riehl, Melissa Clouthier, James Joyner, and Rick Moran.
Riehl brings up a point I hear quite a lot:
How is it I am supposed to get all fired up about raising money for a GOP that hasn't really looked conservative and perhaps not even worth supporting for a number of years? People will blog AND raise money for things they believe in. Maybe if more Conservative and center-Right bloggers started to believe in the GOP, again - it wouldn't be such a difficult thing to do?
It's a good question, but ultimately a straw man. No one is talking about the right blogs becoming a cheering section for the GOP. This is not what the netroots are to the Dems. What I think I'm talking about is a rightroots that is an independent political force to change the GOP.
Case in point: the 2006 Rhode Island Senate primary.
Many conservative bloggers objected to the NRSC and the RNC propping up Lincoln Chafee. The objections were 1) why prop up someone who is probably a goner anyway, 2) why waste resources on someone on whose vote we could count on maybe a third of the time, when other conservative Senators were equally endangered, and 3) why blow the NRSC's national fundraising and reputation as a good steward of donor-activists' money in an uphill bid to save the most hated "Republican" Senator when the house was burning down across the board?
Republican bloggers fulminated over the race. They clearly wanted Stephen Laffey to win, or at a minimum to keep the national party from poking the base in the eye. But I didn't see very many fundraising appeals for Laffey to blunt the NRSC's $1 million+ infusion into the race.
Would such an intervention have constituted "cheerleading" or "shilling" for the national GOP? Hardly. It would have been the rightroots organizing against the national GOP!
Sometimes the party will be right, and sometimes the party will be wrong. Even as someone who's worked in the party, I want an independent force that can set it right when it goes wrong. We currently don't have that. And it isn't just fundraising, but knowing what buttons to push advocacy-wise. The biggest contribution of the netroots to 2006 wasn't the money they directly raised, but the "use it or lose it" campaign that pushed members with huge warchests to put some of that money into the bid to recapture Congress.
Has anyone even bothered to ask safe small-state Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) to unload some of his $14 million warchest to help save us from complete annihilation in the Senate? No. So, instead, we have the RNC taking out a $5 million line of credit.
How is helping conservatives like John Shadegg and Tom McClintock "shilling"? Should both be part of the next Congress, they will be reliable voices against all that is wrong with the current party. The pundit site of the conservative blogosphere may not want to help the GOP establishment, but they sure don't want to help the people fighting against that establishment either. This isn't just a refusal to help the bad guys, but playing Switzerland when there are actual good guys in the fight.
But then again, I return to my point about needing new voices. Many bloggers, and I think Rick Moran and Joyner channel this, style themselves as new-age George Wills -- pundits who are above all else committed to the correctness and consistency of their own ideas, not any broader party or even cause. Just as George Will won't become Karl Rove overnight, many bloggers won't change because activism is not their cup of tea. That's fine and respectable, but don't talk down the necessity of political action or pretend that punditry is the only way. Conservatism had a well-developed pundit class before bloggers came along. It is our activist class that is wanting.
Amen Patrick
Absolutely... spot on analysis...
The lefty blogosphere didnt just start supporting the establishment in the democratic party, it started actively pushing their own people, ideas and philosophies into prominance, which forced the left's leadership to take notice and start sucking up to that political power.
If a similar grassroots movement began for the right, it would do something similar - DRIVE the conversation, MOVE the political yardstick, and realign the GOP into its more appropriate sphere in touch with the grassroots activists.
Well thought out, sir.
A Serious Conservative in Every Primary
I think your point is spot on as well. I've heard a number of people talk about forming third parties because they're upset with the GOP, but if you're upset with the GOP, vote for primary challengers who are doing things right, rather than ditch the whole party. Let's make the primaries real fights and have some fun.
The Club For Growth has done a nice job recently of making primaries serious business for straying Republicans like Specter and others. The Club for Growth is great, but we need to get a grassroots conservative system set up to recruit, fund and do GOTV for conservative primary challengers nationwide, up and down the ballot.
study your opponents. Tester is for a higher start to the Estate Tax (it's his constituents who get burned, after all). I think you do everyone a disservice by asking for people to run badly.
Good job, Patrick
I think you're right about aspirations to be George Will rather than Karl Rove.
Are we too invested in judging and criticizing than we are in getting our hands dirty in the compromise formation that is practical politics? Sometimes I think modern conservatives are too enamoured of our own ideals to ever make what will always only be a messy progress toward them. We've dominated or controlled most of the Federal government since 1980 and yet from abortion to the size of the government few of our ideals have been realized.
There is a conviction amongst conservatives that our principles and platforms are perfect. We only lack the right people to implement them faithfully. And time and time again we find ourselves disappointed in our our leaders. Perhaps before we seek to hold our leaders and elected officials accountable, we need to hold ourselves accountable. Perhaps each of us needs to ask himself a simple question: what can I do today to make things just a little bit better?
trying to understand
Thanks for the post. It is helping me get a handle on what you are talking about. (I imagine others are a bit confused, too.)
Would I be correct in thinking this would be sort of a smaller, more long-term version of the short, intense anti-amnesty bill blitz? Kind of a continuous, "holding their feet to the fire" process, where the conservative base acts as an independent source of funds and supplies for politicians that actually are good guys?
Am I on the correct path?
re: Rhode Island and 'the cause'
I figured I'd weigh in here since I'm not only a native Rhode Islander, but a native Cranstonian - the same city Steve Laffey was mayor of. I've longed lived in Northern Virginia, well before Laffey was in office. But an observation I'd have is that if you're going to do conservative grassroots stuff, then you're still going to have to tailor it a bit to the state or the district. Different areas of the county will have different appeals. In RI, you an't be too conservaitve on any thing at all - if you do, you'll lose.
Laffey is a 'good goverment' conservative. Cranston was a fiscal mess before he got it. He helped straighten in out. Being very conservative on social issues or pro-Iraq war or to have similar views on the environment as the Bush administration wouldn't fly.
That could be seen as a patial justification for a Lincoln Chafee. And that would be somewhat correct. But for grassroots to work, I'd say it may be necessary to start with with open seats and figure out what touch points can work in that type of district or state. That requires learning what how people think and feel. I remember the RNC ran ads against a Democrat running years ago - I can't remember whom - and they said that we was a tool of labor unions. Well, labor is big in Rhode Island and that was a dumb tactic.
Also, remember, the Kos type grassroots efforts largely failed at first. They were (well, they still are) extremeist types who were too purist. They've now learned and are more successful.
That is good point
Many conservatives don't seem to understand that a national conservative movement simply "projecting" itself into all 50 states makes about much sense as the nationalized, one-size-fits-all health care and public education schemes that the Democrats love so much.
That being said your analysis of your home state makes me glad I'm not a northeasterner. While New England can be very scenic (especially this time of year) it is culturally and economically way too liberal for me. That is why RI has an unemployment rate that is 40% higher than the rest of the nation, precisely because it has some the highest taxes in the country and too much unfettered union corruption, not that the average Rhode Islander would make the connection (they think it is all Bush's fault).
New England used to be reliably Republican
Fiscal conservatives, all. Even with Socialist Sanders up there (and I do love Bernie!)
I completely agree -- I was
I completely agree -- I was just curious when the Kos Kids STOPPED being purist ideologues. I would hate to see what they were before.
try hearing the difference between mydd
and kos. Not that mydd is insane on the purity standpoint, but they are a lot more focused on "old" issues like abortion.
Isn't this where RINOs come from?
Isn't this where RINOs come from? How do we feel about that?
Do we really want to elect more Lincoln Chafees?
You Have to Be Where Your Audience Is
I followed this discussion from the previous thread with great interest. Observations from Darvin Dowdy, Peter Jackson, davidfarrar, Big Ben and others impressed me. But, here is my proposition for debate: Many of the People Who Would Support Conservative Values and Candidates Aren't Reading Blogs
Folks, we are camped in enemy territory. The Millenial Generation (and Millenial +) inhabits the Internet and you have to do a lot of prep work before you can get them to visit the right. ONE reason for their left-spin was nailed by Lagomorph in "The Left has completely hiijacked education and journalism" (100% spot on) .
If this proposition is correct, then you can link, blink rednet(cute davidfarrar), and beg for funds until 2012 with no impact.
I learned this lesson in trying to sell books that men of 40+ would like using online marketing. (www.greatguybooks.com) It's a total flop. I soon found that guys with conservative values are a rarity in the far corners of the Web. On the other hand, I could hardly post on the (small) conservative groups on Facebook, Twitter, or Friendfeed without getting pushback from liberal "trolls" hiding under the bridges (and I see you have one or two of your own... somebody must be feeding them..) These trolls are highly skilled at monopolizing the discussion and making the group or room less useful. They are young, skilled, and motivated. They get the Net.
Your concept of growing the Rightroots movement has to be a lot more directed, targeted, and subtle than Net Blogs. It's extremely difficult to give examples without going to stereotypes, but I can observe that conservative talk radio is a lot more successful..in terms of dollars and influence.. than liberal talk radio!
Instead of putting effort into the Internet where the conservatives largely are not, how about influencing the conservative talk radio "entertainers" to be less critical and more motivational? How about taking back some print media? I note that the WSJ and USA Today are at least flat in growth while the liberal NYT, WaPo, etc are in death spirals. (Take that as a negative proof of the proposition.. liberal content looking for audience in the wrong place.. not Net)
So, while I will and do blog on conservative issues (www.mostlyflying.com) I suggest that our audience is 'elsewhere". .. not Net. I love my Net tools... but the caution about trying to solve all carpentry problems with a hammer applies.
By the way, I'd be happy to make friends with thoughtful conservatives on Twitter or Facebook... I'm Fderfler everywhere.
I disagree with most of your political leanings, Patrick,...
... but you are absolutely spot on in this. It's why I, who is decidedly progressive, read this blog regularly. Most of the time I think it's pure conservative thinking, which I can appreciate, despite disagreeing. Likewise, your analysis of the "left" netroots is correct.
Bottom line is I'd much prefer to debate on our honest ideas rather than the smears and distortions offered up by both parties on a regular basis. "Left" and "right" blogs are, typically, simply more honest.
Who Have You Driven to Vote?
Johnson Springs said, Perhaps each of us needs to ask himself a simple question: what can I do today to make things just a little bit better?
Excellent point... particularly at this instant.. what are we doing in front of our computers at all on October 30?? We certainly are not going to change any minds.
It's time for rubber on the road and faces in the polling places. I have personally driven (in my own car with my own gas) five people to early voting who probably would not have otherwise cast a vote. (two family members and three friends/neighbors). Here in the middle of Florida, that is certainly more valuable than ALL the time I have ever spent blogging!
Who have YOU driven to vote?
well written
I thank you for your service to the cause!
I am going up to PA this weekend and will be there through Election Day. Take some time to consider what you can do to help. if you live in a blue state, consider sending a small contribution or going to the website to make calls into swing states. If you're boycotting McCain, consider helping a conservative running for Congress or Senate.
If nothing else, every time you see The One on TV or in the paper defiling the office he holds for the next 4 years, you won't also have to kick yourself for failing to do everything you could.
You want a movement for what?
if the converservative ideal is basically two things
1) small government
2) free markets,
then when your movement takes control and cuts taxes and keeps the government from regulating then what?
and when the free market wont do it then what? Alan Greenspan said he was wrong, he didn't account for the greed in the system.
do you guys now acknowledge that there is greed in the system, and thus the need to regulate it?
And if you acknowledge a need for regulation, that implies government, thus how small of government do you really want?
can any of you actually quatify if you had power today, how much do you really want to cut government? what is your party plans for Healthcare, energy, and such? if the free market wont handle it then what?
a new movement will probably have to answer those questions.
Hold on a second. No capitalist would have said that there was no greed in the system before this collapse (and if they did, they probably didn't understand capitalism!). The most ardent free marketeers would have said (and still say) that self-interest is a powerful force for good. I think that the lessons are far different.
There are too people who've said there's no greed involved...
That was exactly Greenspan's position until just this week. Read the NYTimes article about Greenspan's role in the economic crisis from about 2 weeks back (HUGE article - you can't miss it in a search there). It's essentially the entire postulate of his recent book, and, again until this week, every time he's been called before Congress he's maintained the "no greed" position.
On a personal level, I've got a (very conservative) friend who's a stock analyst for UBS. He and I have been arguing vociferously about this very subject. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he maintains still that corporate greed had nothing to do with the economic crisis, claiming incredulously that it was all government's fault, and more incredulously blaming the Clinton Administration. (%@##@#^#!!!!!!!111!!!)
You simply can't make the claim that no one is maintaining that greed is involved. It's the crux of the far right conservative defense on the issue.
It's a simple difference
It's a simple difference between spitting out what the GOP decides is best and actually being involved in that proccess.
Patrick also makes an excellent point that most conservatives aren't naturally activists. Or they are activists in a different way than lefties. Lefties try to get other people to changes their behavior to fit a leftist ideology. Righties are usually motivated to activism because something threatens their way of life.
We need active citizenship
It's a simple difference between spitting out what the GOP decides is best and actually being involved in that proccess.
Patrick also makes an excellent point that most conservatives aren't naturally activists. Or they are activists in a different way than lefties. Lefties try to get other people to changes their behavior to fit a leftist ideology. Righties are usually motivated to activism because something threatens their way of life.
Good points. We have patriots who are fighting and dying in foreign places. We should at least have some conservatives who have the gumption to actually want to CHANGE America and save it from the slide towards socialism. Sitting on ones butt and either zoning out or merely pontificating dont cut it.
We need CITIZENS who are conservative activists, fighting the good fight in our culture and our politics for freedom, individual responsibility, America's traditions and values, and our free enterprise open way of life. Because all of this IS threatened - the American way of life is under attack.
As a friend has it as his slogan - Freedom aint free.
Good point.
It has been my experience that most local county Republican Party Executive Committees never ask their grassroot Republicans to participate, except when they send out their GOTV letters before every election. Other than that, the Party leadership considers grassroot Republican participation in party affairs a nuisance.
Sure, you get a limited number of grassroot Party members who supported you in your EXC seat bid to participate, when necessary, but getting general grassroot Republicans who live in your EXC jurisdiction involved in Party affairs opens up a whole can of worms and is generally kept to a minimum.
Let's face it, the party structure, as it stands right now, is perfectly happy with the vast majority of grassroot Republicans quietly going about their business until election time. It is then they are expected, on cue, to quietly march to the polls and vote for the candidate with the "R" beside their name.
If we want to change things, we are going to have to cyberly activate the grassroot Republican base.
So I hope instead of simply copying what the left has done with their netroots, we can learn from them, innovate and improve on what they have done so we can move ahead of them by the 2010, 2012 elections. Integrating the Party structure into any rightroot effort would be just such an innovation.
ex animo
Operation Rednet
Punditary is a disease on the Right
Conservative bloggers love to hear themselves talk and seem allergic to getting their hands dirty in the political trenches. Their efforts are of minimal use.
Nor do I think more Karl Roves is a good idea. Rove directed the 2000 campaign and Bush lost the popular vote (Against Al Gore) and he helped developed the "compassionate conservatism" strategy that cooled the enthusiasm of conservatives and helped lose both Houses of Congress and possibly the Presidency.
No Shills Allowed
Patrick (and a number of commentors) are completely correct on this.
DailyKOS didn't get to where it was because it was a shill for the Democratic party. They got to where they are due to their willingness to push their agenda upon the Democratic party. Now, realize I also believe they got the 'perfect storm' by getting beat twice by George W Bush when they were not promoting their view but focused upon the personalities of their party.
That's where we Republicans are now. It isn't that we promote conservative principles, it is because we have people who are promoting themselves and dragging us along with it. I hate to say it, but I classify McCain in that category. We're being forced in many people's minds into holding our nose to back McCain because the alternative is worse. But in doing so, we are promoting McCain the man, and not conservatism. We do this in many Senate and House races as well as in local races.
Our movement needs to focus on the issues. We've seen spurts of this: the immigration fight and #dontgo/Drill Here-Drill Now. When we do, we win, and win handily...not only against the Democrats/DailyKOS/MoveOn axis, but also against our own RINOs. But we're never organized enough to take this to the next level.
It is going to take time and money to do it, though. DailyKOS/MoveOn had a few big money benefactors to get them past the hump. They had a lot of energy and time from people who were not in the working class, like our side has. (No offense is actually intended in that statement, but conservatives are generally not that numerous in academic fields of work where a lot of spare time can be had.)
An issue that needs to also be addressed, and perhaps one of the bloggers here will agree and expound better than I can on, is the fact that since we aren't in academia, I feel we are slower to adopt technology to pursue our goals. KOS/MoveOn are powered by students, who are more apt to adopt leading edge technology. As part of our conservative nature, we are slower to react. This holds us back, unfortunately.
We have to get past these hurdles. If we can, we will take control of the Republican party just as DailyKOS has taken control of the Democrats.
Kos' key insight
Kos' key insight was that by providing an alternative source of funding to their preferred candidates they could provide safe harbor to those candidates from the necessity of taking party money and corporate money. The trick wasn't to allow elected officials to not be beholden to their funders, but rather to be the funders to whom the officials would be beholden.
Not exactly
DKos and MoveOn may be great at pushing their own "progressive" ideology on the Democratic Party, but their biggest concern is winning elections. For instance, DKos heavily pushed Democrats like Jim Webb and Bob Casey Jr., even though both of those men hold views that the far left would never support. In each case it was more important to pick up the seats of Jim Webb and Rick Santorum respectively. IF John McCain loses, it will not be the time to purge the Republican Party. In two years the GOP will have gone from having control of the Presidency and Congress, to losing the Executive Branch and being the minority party, possibly without the ability to filibuster. That kind of swing in two years can't be explained by some "RINO's" in the party.
What the Republican Party needs to focus on isn't a war between social conservatives vs. economic conservatives or neocons vs. libertarians. The GOP needs to focus on winning. On recruiting better candidates into the upcoming races in the next two years and picking up seats, be they at the local, state, or national level. Candidates that can win in their locations. Someone like Sam Brownback will have just as tough a time winning Pennsylvania as Tom Ridge would have winning in Kansas. That's probably why DKos and Dems were happy to back and raise money for Heath Schuler in NC and Jon Tester in MT and not someone like Nancy Pelosi or Dennis Kucinich. Focusing an organized effort on raising money for GOP candidates throughout the country is what the GOP needs. Ideological debates will surely happen along the way, and there is nothing wrong with that. But sacrificing seats due to a candidate not being "the right type of Republican" or not being pure enough will only prolong our time in the wilderness.
This should be debated
These are good points but I would prefer the have the debate.
What do other think? What is the best strategy? Should we purge and rebuild with better, stronger candidates who really represent the flower of conservatism or should we do whatever we can to hang on to the seats we have and win elections anywhere with any kind of candidate?
You're right. It should be debated.
As I've said elsewhere in this thread, we always need to be focused on helping the most conservative electable candidate. With this as a starting point, our electoral strategy should begin with developing electable Republicans (as conservative as the electorate will tolerate, which means pretty moderate) in the Northeast and other deep blue states, and to a lesser degree purge a few rotten red-state apples like Ted Stevens (should he get re-elected) who are more moderate than their districts.
First, the libs have been quite happy electing socially conservative and fiscally liberal Democrats in the South to knock off our folks. The new Dems might not spearhead most efforts, but their presence helps ensure majority status and they displace Republicans who might otherwise be conservative leaders in safe seats. If we can elect Snowes and Smiths in blue states to replace the liberal lions, we are all better off. They may not help us very much in enacting our agenda, but they certainly won't do as much damage as Boxer or Reed do.
Second, I have attended county EC meetings in the past and David makes a good point when he says that we shouldn't seek to create new enemies in our own camp. Purging is stupid and if it produces candidates too conservative to get elected in their districts and results in a liberal Dem rather than a moderate Republican. We should be working together rather than fighting a civil war that destroys our trust of one another.
However, I think there is something to be gained from keeping an eye out for folks like Ted Stevens who come from conservative districts and stick their finger in the eye of conservatives. Challenging a handful of wayward Republicans a cycle and doing it successfully is probably enough to keep most GOP members from going off the reservation. Maintaining that credible threat is important.
Finally, though I think the general rule of supporting the most conservative electable candidate is very important, it won't give us the sort of conservative revolution we all seek. Electoral strategies operate in the short term realm and issue positions are fixed. To really push forward conservatism in general and allow for more conservative electable candidates, we need to articulate a detailed vision of how conservatism improves society.
What does it mean to be a conservative county board member (or the equivalent)? What is the non-government conservative plan to reduce hunger in the United States? What should conservative policies for school boards be? In the conservative vision for America, how do individuals, organizations and various levels of government work to build a more prosperous, free, and just society? These questions don't get answered when we focus purely on federal election strategy. This is fine for the statist Left, but not enough for a conservative movement that values people power and subsidiarity.
Let's win these elections but also pay serious attention to articulating a comprehensive vision for renewing America.
The most conservative electable candidate
I agree almost entirely with MiddleClassSqueeze. My comments above were certainly unclear. In any given race, we should recruit, fund and work for the most conservative person electable in that race. We have to account for the situation, including the competitiveness of the race, the possibility of corruption, and most importantly the nature of the electorate, but in every situation we should be seeking to move the bar as far to the right as the constituents will support.
Conservatives have a mutually beneficial relationship with the GOP most of the time and we really have nowhere else to go. However, this means that the primary is the only time that we can really hold Republican incumbents to account. Taking primary challenges off the table means that moderate Republicans in conservative districts can drift leftward if that is their personal preference. However, pushing serious and electable candidates who are more conservative than the incumbent is expensive, not always practical, and in close races would hurt the cause. If we pick out a few wayward Republicans in conservative districts every cycle to challenge, that should get the biggest bang for our buck.
We have other things to focus on, like beating Dems, but when it comes to Republicans we should always be able to put forth the credible threat of a primary challenge.
I think you guys are underestimating the Internet.
But before I pick this apart, I need to know how many of you out there actually have GOP grassroots experience or have actually stood for and won a seat on your local county Republican Party Executive Committee? How many of you are EC members, or have been EC members of your local, county Republican Party in the past?
How many of you have ever actually been to a monthly county Republican Party Executive Committee meeting? How many of you even know where they hold their meetings. How many of you can name your county GOP Chair, or the names of the male and female EC members that represent you?
Please, if I can just get a discussion going with anyone who has answered "yes" to any one of these questions, then hopefully we can make some progress. But whatever we do, we surely can't stop now and re-invent the wheel and expect to be politically significant by 2010 or 2012. Nowbody can afford enemies in politics and succeed. Whatever is done, it must be done in a positive and constructive way.
The rednet can succeed. We just have to be smart about its construction and implementation.
ex animo
Pundits/Blogesphere = Mutual Admiration Society...
...Way overrated. Very tiny percentage of those that actually vote. We look big to each other but lets not kid ourselves. Large fish - small pond. Is there any measurable impact created by blogs? Sure. Mostly among those that participate. The blogesphere certainly is a good starting point and the internet a wonderful tool but what good is a tool unless it is in the hands of a master craftsman?
Lets not lose sight of the mission. That of rebuilding a massive, solid and "generous" voting base. Many of whom rarely sit in front of a computer during their few leisure hours of the day. Darvin Dowdy
You are probably right.
I have still yet to see the data that proves actual positive impact of the nutroots amongst people out side of the left. When I do then I will be convinced that they have powerful force of the left that we one the right will have to deal with.
DD, do you have actual GOP grassroots experience?
I ask you this for two reasons: One, to make sure you understand, we already have a well organized base, whose computer literacy is there and growing every day. I would say of the total registered Republican base, well over 60% use e-mail, even the older generation are using computers to pass on family photographs to other relatives, et cetera. If the Party was to mount an aggressive cyber campaign to bring these people into some sort of an active cyber program, a solid political foundation could be laid for the 2010 Congressional election and the general election by 2012.
However -- and this is my second point -- trying to create an independent cyber network now will be like trying to re-invent the wheel. Of course it can be done eventually but not by 2010 or even by 2012.
We need to create a Rednet to be sure, but one that will integrate itself into the existing party structure -- something our liberal democratic friends have thus far failed to do, but we must.
ex animo
I disagree with this
I cannot answer yes to any of your questions regarding the ECs, David, and I think they are legitimate questions.
Nevertheless, I feel like the party organization has not served the base well. Therefore, I would like to see the roots develop as an alternative to the main party organs to, among other things, put pressure on those organs to better listen to what the base wants.
I think a lot of us would say that Tom Delay has very good conservative credentials yet here is what House Majority Leader Delay had to say about cutting government spending in 2005:
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said yesterday that Republicans have done so well in cutting spending that he declared an "ongoing victory," and said there is simply no fat left to cut in the federal budget.
...Mr. DeLay said, "...after 11 years of Republican majority we've pared it down pretty good."
This nonsense could only be spoken by a GOP leadership that feels it has nothing to fear from its right. I am not interested in enabling that.
Now you raise a good point
The party leadership has been awful since the '95 budget impasse. They have become spineless, and more interested in the trappings of power, than they have representing the base. We do need an alternative organization for real conservatives who have no use for the useless GOP establsihment, many of whom are made up of RINOs, who actually have utter contempt for conservatives who simply want us to vote for their candidates and then "get to the back of the bus".
By accomplishing this we will remind the Republican Main Street Partnership, the Republican Leadership Council, the Log Cabin Republicans, the so-called Republican Youth Movement, the Ripon Society, Christie Todd Whitman's It's My Party Too PAC and its sister organization the Wish List (and other similar organizations) are simply a minority in the party. That they are the fabian socialists to their Marxian counterparts in the Democrat party, who love "big Business" corporatism with all its intendent corporate welfare, appeasing union corruption, and talking about "keeping government out of bedrooms".
That last line always makes me laugh. Any thinking, rational individual would know government has no actual interest in our personal lives but sure the hell loves to stick its nose in our economic lives. And these RINOs have absolutely no probelm with that. Despite their pro-business rhetoric most of them wouldn't know the first thing about running a successful business nor would they actually try to do so. Their whole existence is about government and how to use it to further their own ends.
No Farrar. I like to think of myself...
...as an average or slightly above average intellect w/ common sense and street smarts. No college degree which I wear as a badge of honor. Instead of college I felt it important to spend 4 years in the U.S. Army Infantry/ 11B20. But I see things. I see large groups/ blocks of potential voters that are being totally ignored. I say large blocks - to me they're large. And there are lots of 'em. To the average GOP strategist they're not worth wasting time over. Which demonstrates the reason for the great success the Repbulican party has had lately. Ha!
But you say they all have computers/email/internet access. Might be true. But only a small fraction visit political sites on a frequent basis. Most are visiting fishing sites or quilting or sports, etc. Millions upon millions of voters find politics to be an obnoxious and ultra boring subject. Bringing up the subject is simply a big turnoff. Like a turd in a punch bowl. Few are like us, political junkies, here on this site and other similar sites.
So since we can't lure them to us, we have to go onto their turf. And that is where modern political strategists, both repub and dem, have not a clue. Totally dropped the ball. They're lost wandering aimlessly in the wilderness, to proud/arrogant to admit that they're clueless. What can I say? Its going to take enlightened people and a well financed, oiled and finely tuned org to turn this thing around. Certainly the internet will be a heavily used tool but not the only tool. These "blocks" must be reached using any method available. DD
DD, A patriot's question
You obviously are a patriot as you've got the tour in the Army to prove it. So my question is this: To what extent can we appeal to and/or cutlivate that patriotic sense in those groups of people for whom politics is a turnoff? How can we, if not getting them 'turned on' to politics, at least get them engaged enough to go:
"I NEED to be informed and active enough to keep America on an even keel. So I'll listen to these political junkies and take their advice."
Or is this crowd that you mention too self-absorbed for that ...
Most are visiting fishing sites or quilting or sports, etc. Millions upon millions of voters find politics to be an obnoxious and ultra boring subject. Bringing up the subject is simply a big turnoff. Like a turd in a punch bowl. Few are like us, political junkies, here on this site and other similar sites.
... and if not, what's the "HOOK" to get them on our side? I mean, other than the old-fashioned show-up-at-their-events and wear the silly hats and watch-the-NASCAR-race or do some shooting at duck etc. to show them your 'one of them'. that sells a candidate but I am interested in how to sell political engagement/involvement itself to the political apathetics.
I think the apathetics will no longer have the luxury of
being apathetic. Whatever their interests are, they will come under attack from the power mad Obamunists. These eltists hate many of their actvities for a variety of reasons, they particularly hate the people who enjoy them and they believe they can run the world better than the real people who actually make up the world.
They like hunting and fishing, well government is gonna try shut down much of the activity in the name of enviromental protection and so-called animal rights, they love guns and recreational shooting, well these anti-2nd amendment zealots are going to try and put a stop to that, and if they love NASCAR, well the green zealots hate all those carbon emissions (and the glorification of the automobile which they think is a greater threat to the world than nuclear weapons). This is going to lead to the ultimate expression of political correctness dogma (PC is the euphemism for cultural marxism) which will be the so-called Fairness Doctrine and its internet counterpart called net neutrality. Ultimately genuine freedom of speech will be dead if these idiotic schemes are successfully put in place.
This is where we conservative patriots must stand up and offer real leadership to the masses in an effort to protect our very liberties. We msut show them how to argue and against these schemes and how they can get involved to protect their interests.
I like it BB4L...
...I think thats the difference between us, who keep up w/this sort of thing and those that run from it. They are being irresponsible. No doubt. And irresponsibility always catches up w/you. We need to get in their face about that truth. DD
FT, hate to say this...
...but its kinda' like dealing w/children. When you're trying to give them some instruction that they don't really want. They're busy playing on the Play Station or something. There are different methods. I'm not going to say much except that its going to take some real intense work and most important time. And just like your children, you can't give up on them. When it comes to people, there's always a "beaten path" to everything, every function, etc. You've got to find those pathes and walk down 'em. Hope I'm making sense here. DD
DD, I am sure you are intelligent and experienced...
...in many areas, politics being one. But I am talking about a single application affecting a singularly organized political system, namely: the local, county Republican Party. In order to discuss this subject in detail, some local knowledge of the subject at hand would be required.
As an example, you are correct when you state,"The Internet is simply not used enough to be effective at this time." True enough. But given a closed organization, situated within a given geographical area, with a "command and control" structure already in place, the Internet can be used to significantly increase the number of active participants within the given organization.
But the larger question is, will the present organizational power brokers allow such a redistribution of their power within the organizational structure?
I believe it can be accomplished. It will require a forceful Party leader, dedicated to giving grassroot Republicans their voice within the Party structure. It will take a forceful Party leader, dedicated to giving grassroot Republicans an opportunity to speak out within the Party structure. It will take a forceful Party leader, dedicated to allowing the voices of grassroot Republicans to be heard by the Party leadership. In short, it can be done. All we need is the political will to get it done.
ex animo
Operation Rednet
Farrar, so comforted to know...
...that you think I'm intelligent and experienced. Ha! In essence I'm like you, just an average Joe-the-Plumber type. The nation (and this site) is full of our ilk. Anyone of them could just as easily do a better job of planning and implementing a winning political strategy as some of those in the GOP Hierarchy. No doubt. I hear what your saying. The grassroots is one thing. But they're generally made up of followers. And they don't have not-a-freakin'-one to follow right now! The true conservative grassroots has become a diaspora over the last 8 years. Especially the last 4. Leaderless! Thats why we, you, I, and lots of the fine people on this comment board are excited about Palin. But its still too early to tell. The jury is still out on her. Once we get the Leader(s), I think things will fall into place. Some of the things that you're saying will, indeed, happen.
Right now I think the most valuable aspect of the internet is that of rapid communication and acquiring information. The networking of millions of individuals is still in its early stages, but, I agree, it could be the future. I mean, certainly there's a lot of it going on now but its still in its developing stages. Lots of work to do in all areas. But I don't see much of it getting done. Do you? DD
I though...
I thought this post was going to be about asking Curt Schilling to run...
Actual GOP experience?
I can answer "yes" to all your questions, davidfarrar, except who's presently on my county EC, because I haven't been in touch for several years. I left my local EC (served as vice-chair) about the time Dubya took office, when the local organization devoted itself to keeping a local cliche in office (all of whom have lost to Dems) and put upholding conservative principles at the back of the bus.
I'm looking for a place to put my anger and money to use, but right now it's not the GOP.
You are absolutely correct, Mr. Howard...
...we have been betrayed. Most of us feel the same as you. What we are discussing here, however, is how best to address this fact in a way that will be politically useful by the 2010, 2012 elections.
While others may have different views as to how we go about addressing the situation, I feel the root cause of our problem stems from the fact that the leadership of the Republican Party did not allow its grassroot membership a voice. They did not allow the grassroot membership to speak out, especially during this last primary season. Now there are many reasons for this, as we have discussed, but I feel our time would be better spent if we focused on how to remedy the present situation as fast as possible so we can have the greatest political impact on the 2010, 2012 elections
Therefore, if we were to give all registered Party members a voice in their own local EXC meetings, not just the seated EXC members, but all registered Party members in the county, it would make it harder for special interests to unduly influence Party leadership. It would act as a counter weight, a check on the Party leadership.
There are many, many other reasons to expand Party participation among registered Party members, in terms of fundraising, consolidation, Party empowerment in terms of "enforcement" should an elected Party member stray, et cetera, plus many others that may not be discussed in an open forum such as this.
Again, the heart of our present crisis stems from the fact that the top Party leadership has lost touch with its grassroot membership. And, again, the remedy is to give the membership its voice, i it speak out, and most importantly, let it be heard by the Party leadership.
With the Internet, we can do just that. All we need is the political will to get it done.
ex animo
Operation Rednet
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Pineapple Coconut Salad
Adapted from Coconut Recipes, www.freecoconutrecipes.com
Sevres 4
Ingredients |
15 oz pineapple (fresh or canned), in chunks |
1/3 - 1/2 cup NOW Real Food® Unsweetened Shredded Coconut* |
1/2 cup sour cream (yogurt if preferred) |
1 - 2 tablespoons honey (to taste) |
1 teaspoon NOW Real Food® Vanilla Extract* |
1 tablespoon arrowroot |
Optional: NOW Real Food® Pecans* |
- Place pineapple in a bowl (drain off extra juice) and add shredded coconut.
- Mix the sour cream (or yogurt), honey, vanilla, and arrowroot together and pour over the pineapple.
- Marinate in refrigerator to moisten the coconut and allow the flavors to blend.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans just before serving if desired.
*NOW items available at your local health food store


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More reviews by mousepotato585
This is a great color. For 99 cents, I found it much prettier and lasting longer than I thought it would. I have several of their other colors too.
I love this shade of red! I decided to spend only 99¢ on a lipstick from Wet n Wild because I don't often wear red lipstick. I definitely got my money's worth! I had tried a different red shade from Wet n Wild before, called Cherry Blossom, which was way too pink. however, Sevilla Sangria is perfect on my fair skin. I'm not sure what it is about the quality of the red, but it just looks so good!
Sevilla Sangria (551C) is a really great red with strong pink undertones. On my lips, it goes on more like a MLBB-pinkish tone. I thought it would appear a lot more sheer and darker, but I find I quite like this color. I have naturally very pigmented lips that are usually a berry-red color, but sometimes when I'm especially dehydrated (or because of the weather), they get this nasty mauve-gray-purple tone to them that doesn't look attractive on anyone. I have a whole array of lipsticks, but I went to the store today looking for a "makeup bag" essential that I could carry around with me at all times just to brighten up my look and freshen up my dead-looking lips for days like those. The pinks are too overtly pink and vampy colors are ... well, they don't brighten. So I found this for less than a dollar at Walmart and figured, eh, why not? The color is bright and cheerful. Very pigmented and not at all sheer, so apply it lightly. Perfect for just brightening up my lips a bit so I don't look like death...!!
More reviews by allawallaballa
This is part of the Silk Finish lipstick line. I'm fair, warm and freckled and was looking for a warm red lipstick and found exactly that in Sevilla Sangria. It's moist, lasts a fairly long time and most importantly, suits my skin tone. I have tried other reds and they were ok but always seemed to look a little too dramatic on me (kind of like I'd been borrowing mommy's makeup). I figured out that the problem isn't that I can't wear reds, it's that I'd been wearing too neutral/cool/true red shades. I could wear this color every day. While my camera is kind of crappy and fails to capture the shade on either myself or in the tube, here's a good simulation of the way the shade looks on me:


text: 15 Recipes to Beat the Winter Blues When the weather outside is frightful, we think what you're eating should be extra delightful. Tara Fuller @tarasoph February 20, 2014 1.7K Pin it Share Email Stumble The polar vortex strikes again! And it's showing no signs of stopping — until late spring, that is. (Thanks a lot, ground hog). It may be tough to wear enough layers to keep the cold at bay, but there are plenty of ways to turn up the heat in the kitchen: We're talking hot chocolate, soups galore, and plenty of melted cheese. So shrug off those winter woes and fill up on these warming treats. They're not only physically hot (consume with caution), but also comfort food to the max — ensuring even someone as grouchy as The Grouch himself cracks a smile. Drink Up to Warm Up 1. Mexican Hot Chocolate with Coconut Whipped Cream via Minimalist Baker Photo: John & Dana / Minimalist Baker Sweet, spicy, piping hot… this vegan hot chocolate brings everything to the table (and palate). It's also relatively healthy — especially in comparison to Starbucks options — meaning you can have a nice, hearty cup without experiencing sugar overload. Insider tip: Mix full-fat coconut milk with almond milk to make it extra decadent. 2. Spiced Bourbon Hot Toddy with Green Tea via Wishful Chef The season for hot toddies expands well beyond the holidays. In fact, we can't think of many better ways to recover from a long day of battling wind, rain, and snow than sipping a piping hot cup of tea — spiked with bourbon. 3. Paleo Chai Latte via Elana's Pantry A hot, delicious drink that doubles as a nutritious breakfast? Don't mind if we do! This latte is also Paleo friendly — a quality few winter beverages can boast. We say brew it up, sip to your heart's content, and enjoy momentarily forgetting that it's frigid outside. Start Your Day the Warm Way 4. Salted Caramel Apple Oatmeal via Oatgasm Photo: Meghan / Oatgasm Eating dessert for breakfast is an easy way to brighten any day. But that can also lead to stomachaches and sugar crashes, which aren't quite as fun. This oatmeal is the perfect happy medium, thanks to its healthy grains, fiber-packed apples, and salted caramel topping. We recommend serving a nice, generous portion for maximum satisfaction. 5. Oven Baked Ham and Eggs via The Whimsical Wife There's just something comforting about baked eggs, especially when they're layered with ham and topped with oozing cheese. And prepping them is a breeze: Simply crack the eggs into a ramekin, add whatever fillers fit your fancy, pop them in the oven, and viola! Breakfast is served. 6. Healthy Stuffed French Toast via Holy Cow! Healthy French toast may sound too good to be true, but fortunately for every breakfast lover out there, it isn't. Simply stick to whole grain bread, stuff with berries and heart-healthy nut butter, and try to go easy on the syrup. (Keyword: Try.) A Spoonful of Soup Helps the Temperature Go Up 7. Veggie Miso Udon Soup via Produce on Parade Photo: Kathleen / Produce on Parade We're uber into udon. And not just because it's delicious. The combination of the thick noodles, Asian flavors, and subtle spice are perfect for sick season, and the addition of steamed veggies makes it quite the well-rounded, nutritious meal. What's even better? Just one serving will keep you feeling full for hours! 8. Low-Fat Turkey Chipotle Chili via misoginger Whether fueling up after hitting the slopes, enjoying during Sunday game day, or just looking for a tasty, filling meal, chili is tough to beat. It can be easy to go overboard though — after all, why wouldn't you want to add a hefty handful of cheese and generous dollop of sour cream as a topper? However this recipe keeps it simple and healthy by opting for lean turkey, plenty of veggies, and enough flavor to satisfy without too much dairy. 9. Smoky Spicy Tomato Soup with Salt and Pepper Croutons via Penelope Macaroni Chicken soup may be good for the soul, but we think tomato get the job done just as well (if not better). Plus, this recipe is chock full of roasted veggies, just enough spice, and one of our favorite secret ingredients: tahini. It's so healthy you don't even have to eat in moderation. Make Dinner a Warming Winner 10. Veggie Pot Pies via Naïve Cook Cooks Photo: Ami / Naïve Cook Cooks Let's face it: Anything served in a puff pastry is pretty darn tasty. Take this veggie pot pie, which has loads of veggies and a light sauce that only tastes like a splurge. Bonus: These mini delights offer built-in portion control (though we're still tempted to have seconds). 11. Creamy Caprese Quinoa Bake via Half Baked Harvest Heavy cream and cups upon cups of cheese may not be the makings of the healthiest meal, but the decadent ingredients certainly deliver in the taste department. Plus, quinoa is a protein-packed superfood. Everything in moderation, right? So when icy winds blasts get you down, we say turn to this meal of melted goodness — and perhaps serve with a green side salad. 12. Lightened Up Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower via Eat Yourself Skinny From butternut squash sauce to broccoli breadcrumbs, mac and cheese seems to be on a mission to make a healthy transformation. The latest trend: Halve the amount of pasta and adding extra cauliflower. We love the addition of a little tender crunch, and a lot more nutrients! Treat Yo'self to Warm Yo'self 13. Healthy 3-ingredient Chocolate Fudge Sauce via Top With Cinnamon Photo: Izy / Top With Cinnamon Most things taste better with a drizzle of warm chocolate — it's a fact. But that small spoonful can also mean extra calories and sugar, which isn't always best for our bodies. Fortunately this sauce squashes those concerns (it's sugar-free and vegan!). That may sound like a flavor buzzkill, but we assure you it isn't. And hey, isn't adding two spoonful's better than one? 14. Banana Protein Soufflé Muffin via Gabby's Gluten Free Soufflés may conjure up ideas of fluffy chocolate goodness smothered in sugary sauce (please pause while we drool), but they can actually be pretty healthy. So healthy, in fact, this recipe could serve as breakfast or dessert. We just might eat it for both. 15. Blueberry Ricotta Cups via Southern in Law Don't let the 'blue' in blueberries fool you: This dessert achieves just the opposite of a downer affect (don't all treats?). And they're pretty good for you too! With low-fat cheese, egg whites, and honey, there's no reason not to have seconds. You can also make the recipe gluten-free and substitute banana for honey or syrup. Bon appetite! What's your favorite blues-busting meal? Share in the comments below! Send Me the Ingredients! Powered by Popcart Pin it Share Email Stumble Like Us On Facebook Greatist Table Winter Recipes Cold Weather More from Tara Fuller 9 Healthier Ways to Enjoy Your Favorite Girl Scout Cookies I've Tried Almost Every Cleanse. Here's Why I'll Never Do One Again 9 Breakfast Quinoa Recipes That'll Make You Forget All About Oatmeal


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September 23, 2008, 6:41 AM
By Chris Jones
Andrew Rowat
Today, the problem is lead.
Barrett Comiskey sits on a couch in a factory behind a brick wall and a sign that reads SHANGHAI HONG HUI PLASTICS COMPANY. He's a thirty-two-year-old New Yorker with an open, friendly face and his shirtsleeves rolled up, sipping from a bottle of water. Across from him sits Mr. Sun, the factory's Taiwanese owner, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and still sweating, having just supervised the loading of yet another truck. His is one of the hundreds of factories here in Minhang, the manufacturing district southwest of downtown Shanghai. Minhang is the birthplace of much of America's stuff.
Mr. Sun is a tough old bastard who hits his palm with his fist when he talks. Comiskey has come to sit with him on behalf of an American client who has ordered thousands of plastic rulers with MADE IN CHINA stamped on them. Comiskey and Mr. Sun have done business before, producing parts for another of Comiskey's American clients, a vending-machine company on the East Coast. Those parts are being churned out on the factory floor this afternoon, as they almost always are, spun from bags of melted pellets by rows of injection molds and Chinese migrant workers, recent transplants from the valleys and farms.
But making plastic rulers requires an extruder, which Mr. Sun does not have in his factory. So Mr. Sun subcontracted the job to another factory, and the rulers have since tested positive for lead. Although there are no regulations in China or America restricting the lead content of rulers -- lots of plastic products, from lawn chairs to picture frames, have traces of lead in them, because lead is used as a stabilizing agent in liquid plastics -- Comiskey's client is demanding a new, lead-free batch. His client is not interested in the letter of the law. Unlike lawn chairs or picture frames, rulers sometimes end up in people's mouths.
This Comiskey understands. His job is to understand. The next part of his job -- the harder part -- is helping either his American client or his Chinese counterpart, depending on which party finds itself lost in translation, to understand, too. Now, after a long, loud conversation in Mandarin punctuated by his incessant fist pounding, Mr. Sun comes to understand that because Americans eat their rulers, today the problem is lead.
Here, however, their understanding ends.
Mr. Sun wants to give his subcontractor another chance. That's the Asian in him.
Comiskey wants to find a different factory. That's the American in him.
He takes a sip of water and contemplates the ocean in between.
Shanghai is a fifteen-hour flight from New York but so much farther.
Comiskey landed here for the first time in 2002, when he was working on his M.B.A. at Stanford. A group of students decided to tour industrial China, wanting to see what hypercapitalism looks like, and out of so many cities, massive and teeming, Shanghai -- and its eighteen million inhabitants -- dug its elbows deepest into Comiskey's ribs.
In the rain, the city looks like the Los Angeles of Blade Runner. Every glass-and-steel skyscraper is taller and gaudier than the one thrown up in the weeks before it; spotlit billboards and an overabundance of blue neon turn dusk into dawn; a high-speed maglev train, the world's fastest, rockets from the futuristic airport into towering Pudong, an entirely new section of the city that has risen double-time out of the marshes along the river, an instant metropolis. Walking wide-eyed through the bustle, Comiskey felt the crackle of pure, unhinged commerce. "It felt like the frontier, like the Wild West," he says now. "It felt electric."
He's yelling his memories over the music pounding at an upscale dance club. This is the last stop on an all-night bender, a Shanghai weekend staple. Saturday nights and Sunday mornings are when valves are opened and a week's worth of pressure is released into the muggy dark.
The bar is filled mostly with white men and women. These particular whites are not scruffy English-as-a-second-language teachers or hippies looking for what's become of Buddha. Those foreigners are asleep on their futons, three to a room, their bellies filled with ramen. In this obnoxious bar, at this obnoxious hour, it's all about the money, newborn millionaires toasting their success, a thousand smiling Maos folded and stuffed into their back pockets. These are Germans, Brits, Americans, a few French, most of them young, most of them rich or well on their way to being rich. They are the high-priced consultants who work for McKinsey, the emissaries for international interests in steel or copper or indium, the princes and princesses of manufacturing empires that span three quarters of the globe and have their eyes on that last quarter. These people are in love with Shanghai so long as Shanghai turns them a profit during the day and supplies them with a dance floor at night.
Comiskey watches the show and can laugh, because over the years he's been able to remove himself from it. When the sun rises and the window behind the bar fills with light, he heads out to the street, waves down a taxi, and directs the driver in his new language to his new home, the house where he's built a garden and is building a family.
In his first days in Shanghai, he thought he could help change this place, make it cleaner and fairer and better. Change has come, but it has come slowly, and while Comiskey remains an idealist, a believer in an almost quaint theory of world progress, inching forward transaction by transaction, Shanghai forced him to develop a more practical streak. He decided, instead, to let the city change him. He hasn't joined the ranks of pirates and robber barons -- the "devils with white faces," the Chinese call them -- except when he drinks in their bars just before sunrise. He is still Barrett O'Connor Comiskey, proud Irish son of New York. But in his time in this city, he has also become a new kind of American, one made in China along with everything else.
He was drawn to Asia even before he felt Shanghai's buzz, shaking the money trees for a start-up called E Ink, which he cofounded shortly after his graduation from MIT in 1997. A mathematician by training -- he still illustrates his thoughts with napkin sketches of parabolas and vectors -- Comiskey invented magical balls of ink that alternate, on command, between black and white. They promised a future of constantly changing electronic ink. (Some of you can see it in action on the cover of special editions of this issue of Esquire.) But after spending three years perfecting E Ink's technology, he had grown weary with the company's science and wanted to try his hand at the company's art: those tricky, delicate negotiations that bring together investors and invention, building the bridges that cross the water.
America felt tapped out. Up rose Asia over his mind's horizon, and off he went. A colleague beat him to the money in Japan, but Comiskey did one better and found a future wife, Jojo, in Taiwan. Having caught the business bug while he was at it, he left E Ink, earned his M.B.A., got married on a California beach where he liked to surf, and together he and Jojo booked passage for Shanghai to make their fortune -- by selling eyeglasses.
Guys like Comiskey, they're awake with ideas. Some of his ideas, like E Ink, had worked. Some of his ideas, like the Argentine vineyard that sold wine the way time-shares sell sunshine, had not. But along with a Shanghainese classmate at Stanford, Comiskey had come up with his young life's can't-miss.
The existing model for selling eyeglasses is flawed, he decided after a long and careful analysis. (He is an unrepentant logician, even here in Shanghai, a place that defies rationality.) Most eyeglass stores are high-inventory, low-volume enterprises, and high-inventory, low-volume enterprises are death from above and below.
Comiskey and his friend were going to change that, targeting their stores toward narrower markets: trendsetting women and children, the two groups that go through frames the quickest. And afterward, they were going to build their own shining tower into this crowded, birdless sky.
That was before Comiskey's friend -- the local partner, the one who could make sense out of Shanghai's glorious, infuriating tangle -- decided New Zealand was a better bet. Fuck New Zealand, Comiskey thought. He had his heart set on Shanghai. "It was where I wanted to be," he says.
And as luck would have it, right about then, E Ink decided it wanted to start production in China, making displays for clocks, calculators, cell phones, and electronic books. They became Comiskey's first American client, and he became their first man in Shanghai, and alone but for Jojo he began cold-knocking on factory doors.
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Indian landscapes by Western Artists
Over the last weekend, I thought I should get some culture. But instead of all those New Agey painters that may be too highbrow for me, I thought I'd take in something that's a bit more accessible. So, I traipsed into the domed CSMVS, as those in the know now call the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya to check out their latest exhibit.
Indian Life and Landscape by Western Artists is an exhibition of paintings and drawings by European artists from the 17th to the early 20th century, culled from the collection from London's Victoria and Albert Museum. As I walked around the gallery, I was transported into a different world. This was an India that was exciting even as it was familiar. The past connected to the present via an urban landscape that was still so recognisable. I thought the Mumbai street scene was fabulous in its detail and execution; so true-to-life that it could be a digi-pic snapped only moments ago!
One section showcased paintings by people who had never visited the country but drew from their imagination, based on travellers' descriptions. I was especially entranced by The Four Sons of Shah Jahan, an oil painting by 17th century Dutch artist Willem Schellinks, which resembled a Mughal miniature in style and detail. Another segment introduced me to the 'picturesque' style of painting, where buildings and landscapes are aesthetically composed to look as pretty as possible. Totally, there were around 100 works that characterised the architecture, landscape, people and everyday life of India.
I came away enriched. And I have the 'been there, done that' take-home treats from the gift shop — illustrated coasters and a print of Marine Drive in its early years — to display on my coffee table to prove it.
Indian Life and Landscape by Western Artists: On till February 8th at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum), SP Mukherji Chowk, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai: Tel 22844484/22844519; Cost: Regular museum entrance charges to enter, while memorabilia starts at Rs 40.


text: Hiroshima Best of Hiroshima (Epic) According to the L.A.-based Hiroshima, jazz plays a small role in its jazz-rock formula. On this best-of package, too many simplistic melodies laid on mechanistic rhythm beds make for a bland listening experience, badly needing jazz's spontaneity and rough edges. Hints of exotica come from such Japanese instruments as koto, taiko, and shakuhachi, but this Asian-American hybrid band lacks for anything deeper than surface appeal. C --Josef Woodard


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Parking 2 Hours
On a walk during school...
This photo was shot on film. Taken by izyfizy with a polaroid land camera 250 loaded with Fuji FP100C film in Alameda, CA, United States. These tags describe this photo: parking and hours. Date: 2012. Time: Afternoon. This photo can also be found in the album Signs.Please login to get more out of this site
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2008 Topics |
Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Review 12/22/2008 With the introduction of the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS as successor to the popular SD870, Canon's latest DIGIC IV processing power comes to t Head to Head: Canon PowerShot SX10 vs. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 12/12/2008 This month's Head to Head comparison takes a look at two popular ultrazooms: the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50. Canon PowerShot E1 Review 12/8/2008 The Canon PowerShot E1 is a 10 megapixel compact aimed at capturing the interest of younger shooters seeking a fun, colorful, high-spec came Canon PowerShot A1000 IS Review 12/1/2008 In round two of our PowerShot A model reviews, we bring you our full write-up on Canon's latest budget shooter, the Canon PowerShot A1000 IS Canon PowerShot SX10 IS Review 11/20/2008 Canon's been slow to up the ante on its flagship ultrazoom, but with a nice 20x optic, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS may just prove to be wort Canon PowerShot A2000 IS Review 11/13/2008 The Canon PowerShot A2000 IS may look familiar, but it's a revolutionary departure from the basic design philosophy behind previous Canon A Canon Pixma MP620 All-In-One Printer Review 11/12/2008 The Canon Pixma MP970 earned high marks the last time we looked at a Canon all-in-one printer. Can the smaller Canon Pixma MP620 follow suit Canon EOS 50D Review 11/9/2008 The Canon EOS 50D sits in the middle of Canon's DSLR lineup, offering reasonably priced performance for working pros and amateurs alike. Canon PowerShot G10 Review 11/3/2008 Canon's PowerShot G models are the 500 pound gorilla in the world of advanced compact cameras. Can the new Canon PowerShot G10 live up to th Canon fixes 50D shutter error with firmware update 10/28/2008 Canon has posted firmware version 1.0.3 for its EOS 50D advanced consumer DSLR to its support site. Canon Rebel XS Review 10/21/2008 With lots of carry-over parts from the advanced Rebel XSi, the entry-level Canon Rebel XS is a budget model that's anything but bare bones. Canon PowerShot G10 First Thoughts and Video Preview 10/20/2008 The Canon PowerShot G10 offers a lot of what advanced shooters are seeking in a compact. We've got early sample images and a video overview Canon announces Q4 lens/flash rebates 10/20/2008 If you're looking to buy a Canon lens or flash unit between now and the first of the year, Canon's offering a promotion that may make doing Canon launches new iP6000S large-format printer 10/15/2008 Canon is bringing a new large-format printer to market: the 24-inch Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6000S. Canon PowerShot A1000 IS First Thoughts 10/13/2008 In round two of our PowerShot A model reviews, we bring you first impressions and sample shots from Canon's latest budget shooter, the Canon Canon PowerShot A2000 IS First Thoughts 10/8/2008 The Canon PowerShot A2000 IS offers almost everything we've come to expect from Canon's A series. But where are the manual exposure controls Canon shows how to carve your own balsa wood EOS camera 10/1/2008 If you've ever wanted to know what all goes in to making the balsa mock-ups still used by the design departments of many manufacturers, Cano Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Review 9/26/2008 Full-size ultrazooms offer great performance, but if you can be happy with "only" 10x zoom, the Canon PowerShot SX110 IS is definitely worth Canon releases redesigned 24mm f/1.4L 9/18/2008 Canon has launched a redesign of its 24mm f/1.4 L lens, the Canon 24mm f/1.4L USM II. Out of the shadows: Canon EOS 5D Mark II announced 9/17/2008 A 21.1 megapixel full frame sensor. HD movie recording. ISO 25,600 shooting. And, a price that's not as high as you might think. It could on PowerShot G10 updates Canon's advanced compact 9/17/2008 The latest Canon G camera, the Canon PowerShot G10, brings more resolution, a wide-angle zoom, and better raw shooting to an increasingly cr Canon PowerShot SX10 IS to replace S5 9/17/2008 The 20x zoom Canon PowerShot SX10 IS will replace the popular but aging S5. Even more exciting? A CMOS version with HD is on the horizon as Canon PowerShot SD990 IS, SD880 IS join Digital ELPH series 9/17/2008 Two new ultracompact cameras, the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS and Canon PowerShot SD880 IS, will soon be joining the ranks of Canon's Digital E Carl Zeiss launches lenses for Canon EF mount 9/15/2008 After teasing the launch of a new mount a few weeks ago, Carl Zeiss has provided details on the lucky new system. As we predicted, the winne Canon expanding Taiwan lens production facility 9/5/2008 If you're looking for proof of just how fast the consumer DSLR market has grown, industry leader Canon has it: in spite of slowing sales in Canon Pixma MP980, MP620 offer new AIO photo printer options 8/27/2008 Canon announced two new additions to their "All-In-One" (or AIO) inkjet printer line on Tuesday morning. The PIXMA MP980 and MP620 feature W Semi-pro Canon EOS 50D officially announced 8/26/2008 The Canon EOS 50D hasn't exactly been a well kept secret, but that doesn't make this attractively priced 15.1 megapixel advanced DSLR any le Canon PowerShot A1000 IS, A2000 IS revamp popular "A" models 8/26/2008 Canon is reworking its popular PowerShot A series of affordable, feature-rich compact cameras to include two new 10 megapixel models. Canon updates SX line with PowerShot SX110 IS 8/26/2008 Canon has added a second-generation model to its SX line today with the announcement of the Canon PowerShot SX110 IS. Canon targets "tweens" with PowerShot E1 8/26/2008 The Canon PowerShot E1 is a 10 megapixel compact aimed at capturing the interest of younger shooters seeking a fun, colorful, high-spec came Canon ships 100 millionth PowerShot 8/19/2008 Canon has reached a significant milestone this week with the shipment of its 100 millionth point-and-shoot digital camera. Canon Pixma MP480, MP190 expand budget-friendly printing options 8/11/2008 Canon has added to its Pixma multifunction printer/scanner all-in-ones today with the official launch of the Pixma MP480 and Pixma MP190. Rob Galbraith: Canon EOS 1D focus issues finally resolved? 8/4/2008 Rob Galbraith's name is likely familiar to those who've followed developments with Canon's EOS 1D Mark III and EOS 1Ds Mark III professional Canon PowerShot SD790 IS Review 8/3/2008 The Canon PowerShot SD790 IS, sports a unique control layout. Can the rest of the latest Digital ELPH live up to high expectations? Canon, Nikon DSLRs offer highest customer satisfaction 8/1/2008 California-based research firm J.D. Power and Associates reported yesterday that consumers ranked DSLRs from Canon and Nikon highest for cus Tamron developing 15x zoom for Canon, Nikon SLRs 7/30/2008 In an announcement today, third-party lens maker Tamron unveiled plans to develop a 15x wide-angle zoom for SLRs. Canon second-quarter income down 13 percent 7/25/2008 We'd seen preliminary signs of a slowing global economy begin to affect the imaging market, but quarterly financials from industry leader Ca Canon Rebel XS officially launched in US 7/8/2008 Although Canon's Rebel XS has already been released internationally in the form of the Canon EOS 1000D, the new Rebel has been officially la Canon announces plans for new Nagasaki factory 7/7/2008 In order to meet growing demand for the company's DSLRs and compact digital cameras, Canon has announced today its intention to construct a Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Review 6/20/2008 Canon's classic box and circle takes another trip around the block in the snap-happy Canon PowerShot SD770 IS. Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens Field Test 6/19/2008 We get a first look at one of the most highly anticipated pro lenses of the year, the impressive and imposing Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM. Head to Head: Canon PowerShot SD890 IS vs. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150 6/16/2008 PowerShot. Cyber-shot. This month's Head to Head comparison pairs two heavyweights of the lightweight camera world. Canon unveils Speedlite 430EX II flash unit 6/10/2008 In conjunction with its Rebel XS release, Canon has unveiled the second generation of its Speedlite 430EX external flash unit - the Speedlit It's official: Canon Rebel XS announced 6/10/2008 Canon's latest entry-level DSLR - the 10.1 megapixel, live-view equipped Rebel XS - made its media debut this evening. Editor's Choice, May 2008: Canon Rebel XSi 5/31/2008 Representing a reconsideration of the boundaries that have traditionally separated entry-level and advanced cameras, the Canon Rebel XSi is Canon offering instant rebates on DSLR equipment 5/21/2008 Canon launched a new rebate program this week, offering instant savings on several of its advanced DSLRs, lenses, and flash units. Canon PowerShot SD890 IS Review 5/14/2008 With the Canon SD850 remaining one of the most popular compact cameras out there, its follow-up model, the Canon PowerShot SD890 IS, had som Canon Rebel XSi Review 5/1/2008 With its long-running Rebel series of consumer DSLRs, Canon has earned a reputation for cranking out new models on a consistent timetable th Noise, Noise, Noise: Three Canon SDs put to the test 4/26/2008 As consumers, we tend to buy in to the idea that technology marches forward, offering substantive improvements with each new generation of d Canon Pixma MP970 All-In-One Printer Review 4/20/2008 As an urbanite living in a tiny apartment, space to house all of the requisite equipment for my digital darkroom is at a premium. Given thes Canon PowerShot SD890 IS First Thoughts 4/18/2008 In a year where "retro chic" designs for consumer electronics seem to be, in fact, chic again, the Canon PowerShot SD890 IS updated version Head to Head: Canon PowerShot A470 vs. Nikon Coolpix L15 4/16/2008 We field a lot of questions in our forums from camera buyers who are drawn to the convenience of digital shooting, but simply can't or don't Canon Rebel XSi First Thoughts 4/6/2008 For better or worse, this is it: the standard by which this year's entry-level DSLRs will be judged. Owing more than a little to its prevale Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Review 3/25/2008 Last year's retro-minimalist Canon PowerShot SD1000 got rave reviews from both professional camera reviewers and ordinary consumers because Canon PowerShot A470 Review 3/19/2008 Ok, I'll admit it. The Canon PowerShot A470 is far from the smallest camera on the market, and it's certainly not the sexiest. In spite of a Canon SD890 IS, SD790 IS, SD 770 IS join PowerShot lineup 3/12/2008 In a surprise announcement this evening, Canon unveiled three new PowerShot SD models: the SD890 IS, the SD790 IS, and the SD770 IS. All thr Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS First Thoughts 3/10/2008 Canon has lots of experience creating ultra-compact, feature-rich, easy-to-use digicams, but they really outdid themselves with last year's Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review 3/9/2008 When last I visited with a Canon SD camera wearing a 900-something number, it was the SD900 with a 10 megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom and Canon PowerShot SD950 IS First Thoughts 3/3/2008 The Canon SD950 IS is the proverbial "800 pound gorilla" in the maker's SD series of point and shoots - sporting a 12.1 megapixel sensor, wh Canon PowerShot A590 IS Review 2/21/2008 It's a common sense principle that a successful performance is often a hard act to follow. Following up on Canon's highly successful perform Canon PowerShot A590 IS: First Thoughts 2/15/2008 How do you follow up on one of the most popular and bestselling gadgets of 2007? If you're Canon, maker of the highly successful PowerShot A Head to Head: Canon PowerShot SD870 IS vs. Nikon Coolpix S700 2/14/2008 This month's "Head to Head" installment offers yet another take on the age-old Nikon versus Canon rivalry, pitting the popular Canon PowerSh Head to Head: Canon SX100 IS vs. Panasonic TZ3 vs. Sony H3 1/27/2008 This month, DigitalCameraReview.com is launching a new regular column called "Head to Head." In this monthly feature, we'll pit two (or more Camera Announcement Run-Down: Canon Digital Rebel XSi, Olympus SP-570 UZ, Fujifilm S100FS, and more 1/24/2008 The last few days have been chock full of new digital camera releases from several major players, and things only got more exciting as yeste Canon Digital Rebel XSi (EOS 450D) announced 1/23/2008 In a press release today, Canon announced the launch of a new consumer-level DSLR, the EOS 450D or Digital Rebel XSi. The new camera, which Canon PowerShot A470, A580, A590 IS announced 1/23/2008 Canon announced three replacements in its popular PowerShot A series with the release of the new PowerShot A470, A580, and A590 IS. The budg Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS goes public 1/23/2008 In the DigitalCameraReview.com forums last week, one of our members posted about stumbling upon a one-off Canon SD model on Target.com. As i |
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Florida Gators Implicated as Not Just SEC Villains, but Possibly Rank Music Theives
Everyone knows that America's youths just love pirating music. However, as in all things, there must be a winner, someone whose devotion goes above and beyond, a town that pulls together to reach number one. And so–drum roll, please!–CNET has a list of the metro areas with the most offenders per capita. Taking home the crown?
Gainesville, Florida, the home of the University of Florida. Surprise, surprise.*
As CNET notes, it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out who the culprit is here: Read More


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Cheltenham Town vs Everton Live Streaming English FA Cup 7/1/2013
Get ready to watch Cheltenham Town vs Everton live stream streaming online on 7/1/2013. The live online stream commentary and live online radio broadcast English FA Cup match between Cheltenham Town and Everton at Abbey Business Stadium could still produce the biggest shock of the third round with the last kick of the match. Cheltenham Town will be keeping their fingers and toes crossed in this live English FA Cup online streaming football game against Everton that Toffees manager David Moyes will choose to rest his key players and put out a weakened lineup in order to cope with the unrelenting festive period. However, the lower division side may have to contend with the fact in this live streaming commentary and live online TV telecast English FA Cup match between Cheltenham Town and Everton that Moyes has a yearning desire to finally win his first piece of silverware with the Toffees and will thus ensure that whatever lineup he chooses has enough quality to overcome even the best teams out there. It is thus possible that Everton could have Tim Howard in goal against Cheltenham Town as Moyes may not be wise to still use Jan Mucha in such games given that the latter is set to leave the club next summer. For all his recent blunders and dip in form, Howard is still the most reliable goalie Everton has and his dependability in between the posts will help calm nerves against Cheltenham. In defence, Everton will hope that Seamus Coleman is fit to return from injury and take his place at right-back – a problem area for the Toffees in recent games. Phil Jagielka had been filling in for his teammates over the period but the central defender is naturally more suited in his preferred position. Jagielka will also be needed in the centre to possibly guide a couple of youngsters that Moyes may choose to field against Cheltenham Town. Some of these youngsters include Shane Duffy, who has already had cameos in the English Premiership as well as spending some time on loan in the Championship. The experience of playing next to Jagielka against a committed Cheltenham Town side will also do Duffy good, testing his nerves and putting him in good stead for more testing games in the future. Bryan Oviedo may replace Leighton Baines at left-back in order to rest the latter who has had to manage some injuries recently.
Watch as Everton will definitely have to field a strong midfield in order to ensure they control the proceedings in this live commentary and live streaming radio broadcast English FA Cup match between Cheltenham Town and Everton and not allow their lower league opponents to dictate the pace of the game. Everton will thus likely have Marouane Fellaini involved from the start in this English FA Cup live online streaming soccer game against Cheltenham Town and there should be little need to rest the toweing Belgian given that he had a short rest due to a recent three-match suspension. Fellaini should also have his usual partners in midfield to accompany him in this live stream commentary and live streaming online TV telecast English FA Cup match between Cheltenham Town and Everton so that the Toffees can rely on experience to decide whether to slow down or speed up the pace of the match. Moyes could give young hopeful Ross Barkley another opportunity to develop his potential against Cheltenham Town as the winger cum midfielder has shown promise over the last season and a half. There is no doubt that Barkley has the qualities to succeed in the English Premiership, but he has not made the most of the league starts given to him as his nerves and lack of experience betrayed his composure, while appearances from the bench have provided better glimpses of his real qualities. With Cheltenham Town players sure to press hard, Barkley will have to show that he is a step above their quality by keeping possession and hurting the opposition from the wings when given the chance. With Kevin Mirallas still absent through injury, Victor Anichebe will continue to feature upfront with Nikica Jelavic. The Croatian has not been as prolific this season and is lacking confidence, so a goal or two against Cheltenham Town could help the Everton star emerge from his recent slump.
The English FA Cup online stream game Cheltenham Town vs Everton will be shown on many of the best major satellite TV and telecast networks, with live streaming online on Internet PCs, sopcast, streamtorrent, torrentstream, flash and online channels also available. Do not miss out on the games with the best and most reliable broadcasters and stations from the opening kickoff.


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Hello all! While at home depot today, amidst all the plant clutter, this BIG guy, with leaves almost the size of a banana tree, popped out at me!
I mean it looks like a really red "red emerald", which I usually see them as green lol... but its really the size of this one, and the development of what appears to be aroid roots that are shocking and stumping the heck out of me!! what do you think? |
Here is a link that might be useful: What kind of Philo am I?
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by hopefulauthor z5IL (firstname.lastname@example.com) on Sat, Oct 22, 11 at 20:47
Joe..Your Philo is really nice and very healthy. Is the leaf on the left side dark...black/purple? It could be P. 'Black Cardinal,' but I'm not 100% certain. Are the leaves firmer than other Philos? Why not Google, P. Black Cardinal, and P. Prince of Orange. A new Prince of Orange leaf is orange, then turns green when mature. A Blck Cardinal's new leaf ir Red/black. The problem with Googling plant pics online is, they post plants with a lot of coloring. Grown is perfect environment, more than likely the plant will have more than 10 orange or red/black, colored leaves. lol. One other thing. Young specimens grow upright. As they mature, they vine. (Not all Philos.) Some start vining at a young age, others when Philos are 1' or taller. Whichever species, your Philo is doing fantastic. Toni |
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Posted by Nichole Johnson |
Thursday, January 09, 2014
Congratulations to Capital University's Professor Jim Swearingen who has been named the recipient of the Ohio Music Education Association Distinguished Service Award for 2014. This is the highest award given by OMEA, an affiliate of the National Association for Music Education. He will be recognized at the annual Professional Development Conference opening session in Columbus on Friday, February 7."Words alone cannot even begin to describe how honored I am to be the recipient of this year's OMEA Distinguished Service Award. While a large part of my professional career has been associated with writing music, teaching has always been at the heart of who I am and who I've always wanted to be," Swearingen said. "Capital University, my colleagues, and the many wonderful students who have passed through the hallways of the Conservatory have truly helped to make this award possible, and for that I'm extremely grateful."Swearingen is a professor of music education at Capital, having joined the faculty in 1987. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Music Education from Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University, respectively.A prolific, gifted composer and an inspiring educator, Swearingen's career spans nearly 50 years in both public school and higher education. If you or your children have ever played an instrument in a school band, chances are very good Swearingen's music was part of their repertoire. With over 550 published works, he has written band compositions and arrangements that reflect a variety of musical forms and styles. Many of his pieces, including over 100 commissioned works, have been selected for contest and festival lists throughout the world. Swearingen is a recipient of several American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awards for published compositions, and in 1992 he was selected as an Accomplished Graduate of the Fine and Performing Arts from Bowling Green State University. In March of 2000, he was invited to join The American Bandmasters Association, considered to be the most prestigious bandmaster organization in the world. Swearingen received the 2002 Community Music Educator Award given annually by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. In 2009, the American School Band Directors Association, Inc., presented him with the A. Austin Harding Award, which celebrates valuable and dedicated service to the school bands of America. And in 2011, the Ohio Chapter (Mu) of Phi Beta Mu presented him with The Hall of Fame Award. "No one has worked harder or more sincerely for the benefit of music education here in Columbus, regionally or nationally, than Jim Swearingen. Under his leadership, the music education program at Capital University has maintained its rich tradition of excellence," said Associate Dean Lynn Roseberry. "He has generously given of his time and expertise to his students here at Capital for generations, just as he did when he previously taught in the communities of Sunbury and Grove City, Ohio" she continued. "He is a role model for all of us as music educators. The fortunate students who have worked under his tutelage are now doing the same for their students, which is, as he would have it. His legacy of high standards and inspired teaching will always be reflected in many, many lives."
Located in the Columbus, Ohio, community of Bexley, Capital University is a private, four-year undergraduate institution and graduate school. Capital prepares students for meaningful lives and purposeful careers through a relevant liberal arts core curriculum and deep professional programs. Influenced by its Lutheran heritage, Capital places great emphasis on the free and open exchange of ideas, seeking out diverse perspectives, active participation in society, leadership and service. With a focus on rigor and experiential learning, the University capitalizes on its size, location, and heritage to develop the whole person, both inside and outside the classroom.
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CVMP is a unique opportunity to network with production and post-production specialists from the worlds of film, broadcast, games and imaging and graphics researchers. If you register on or before 17th October 2010 you can save yourself £100 on full registration!
October Free Tutorials
I find it really annoying when I find freebies that are 'for a limited time only', and it's something we've been guilty of with our free tutorials. We've had some great feedback about them, and with that in mind we've decided to revamp the way our freebies work.
Junior Artists - Keep that VFX Shot Simple
A common misconception amongst Junior Artists when preparing their first reel is that they have to come up with some overly elaborate and complex VFX shot to wow future employees. These usually feature exotic spaceships, massive explosions and weapons of mass destruction. It doesn't have to be like that. So, what makes a good CG shot? I had a chat with our Training Development Director and Maya Guru Lee Danskin to find out.
CG Whiz 2010 is coming! Adam Droy our 2009 winner tells all
When Adam Droy entered the CG Whiz competition, he didn't believe he'd even make it to the runners up stage. Like many, knowing that the competition was tough, he submitted his showreel and forgot all about it. When he got the call asking him to come along to the CG Whiz reveal event he was astounded, and when we called his name as winner, he just about managed to find his feet to collect the prize. 3D Artist caught up with Adam to find out what life has been like in the aftermath of winning the competition. As a judge of this year's CG Whiz, we're excited to know what he's going to be looking for.
Paul Franklin, VFX supervisor of Inception talks to our students
Few VFX artists can claim to have as prestigious a career as Paul Franklin. From junior VFX artist to co-founder of Double Negative, one of London's most prestigious post houses, Paul has been on quite a journey. He's worked on some of the most memorable and successful films of recent times, titles such as Batman Begins, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and The Dark Knight. His work has brought him nominations for an Oscar and two BAFTAs along the way.
Free 1-Week Mentored VFX Training
So, to celebrate the launch of our Online Mentored VFX course, we have decided to go mad and give away for free the first week of the course to fifteen lucky people.
Sixty Seconds with Featured Artist: Compositor Tara Roseblade
The compositing industry is booming right now which is why we were grateful to Tara for taking a couple of minutes out of her busy day to answer a few questions about what it's like working in the industry since leaving Escape Studios. Tara's reel shows everything that a good junior compositing showreel should. It includes examples of roto, rig/wire removal, colour correction and some good CG comping. Each shot is accompanied by a detailed breakdown - which is a great way of demonstrating these skills.
New online courses for next generation of bedroom CG enthusiasts
We're launching a brand new set of online courses – Self Directed Learning. These low-cost distance learning courses are aimed at students, aspiring 3D artists and computer graphics (CG) hobbyists across the world, and cover CG industry staples Maya, ZBrush and Nuke in detail.
New Skillset course open for applications
We're pleased to announce that we're running a '3D for Visual Effects' classroom course, which runs for 12 weeks and includes hands-on practical training using the latest industry standard software and techniques.
Featured Artist: VFX Graduate Claire Harrison
Welcome to our new fortnightly 'Featured Artist' blog post! From now on I'll be giving some insight into what's going on in the industry, as well as showcasing some of our outstanding candidates.
Survey - State of the CG industry
You might have read a couple of weeks ago about the winners of a prize draw we held for those who completed our survey. We wanted to see what people in and around the CG industry thought about their jobs and the world in which they work. We had a fantastic response, with over 2,800 professionals, hobbyists and students answering questions for us, and the results make for interesting reading.
We've reached the halfway point
We're halfway through the competition and we've already had 49 entries – a great response, but we're still keen to see what everyone else is working on.
Keep those entries coming…
Our CG Whiz competition has got off to a fantastic start - we've already had an impressive 27 entries but there's still time to submit your best work.
Are YOU a CG Whiz?
Enter our YouTube Competition and Win a Course at Escape and a Placement at The Mill
Give us a break
I've been reading a lot about tax breaks in the past couple of months. First there was the anticipation and ultimate disappointment of Digital Britain, when we hoped that the games industry might get the tax breaks it needed. A missed opportunity, many said.
The reality of being a Games Artist
I have just finished teaching the summer games course, an intense 3 days that serves as an introduction to games art production and the many tools that games artists use.
Games Magazine talks training with Escape Studios
When Edge magazine came along to talk to founder of Escape Studios, Dominic Davenport, Recruitment Director Paul Wilkes and Games tutor Simon Fenton, what one thing did they all agree on? That, becoming a games artist has never been trickier without the right training. You can read the full article in the June issue of Edge magazine...