text:
A one minute movie by Chien-Chi Chang
burn is an online feature for emerging photographers worldwide. burn is curated by magnum photographer david alan harvey.
A one minute movie by Chien-Chi Chang
Kurt… it's nearly midnight here.. have you tried to write them an email?
winephoto dot staff at gmail dot com
Don't know what server Winephoto is hosted on, but know that one of the bigger ones over here had some issues today..
Thanks Eva, I did send them an email as well as a picasa link to my images. Hopefully they can slide the images into my folder.
Did not know if anyone has seen this….
MAGNUM PHOTOS captures on film Magnum photographers Martin Parr, Larry Towell, Luc Delahaye and Donovan Wylie, the youngest member, in the field. Well-known photographers Rene Burri and Philipp Jones Griffiths discuss the history of this groundbreaking institution, putting its accomplishments into context. Filmmaker Reiner Holzemar was granted extraordinary access to the intimate workings of the agency. He is the first to have filmed the annual Magnum Photos meeting, where some of the world's finest photographers decide upon the nominations of new members. Reiner was able to film Henri Cartier-Bresson, the camera shy founder of Magnum, shortly before Bresson's 90th birthday.
The video loaded slow for me… I suggest opening the link and pausing it while the whole thing loads before playing.
Part One:
just returned from Sylvia's memorial, no time or energy to write properly…
if either of you think for a moment i was being cool or bashing Magnum, you are both entirely mistaken…..and that interpretation would be an incredible subtraction of both what i wrote and think…and, truthfully, would be even more unfortunate given my respect for what the agency has accomplished and accomplishes and my friendships with the members…shall i never speak a critical opinion about the agency?….
if you think for a moment that my comment was an attempt to throw stones…if you think for a moment that my criticism vis-a-vis it's male/female membership, if you think for a moment that i am trying to be a member or gain 'friendship', well, why don't we end it here…my comments about that….surely, i thought we had a richer/deeper understanding and friendship…
what i mean was a simple one, and i wrote this under John vink's fbook page just last week when other commentators here was maligning the agency, that it is a simple thing to do and most often unfortunate. what i meant to suggest that NO agency is a standard by which to aspire: that is not only silly and euro-n.amnerican centric but dismisses the entire history and aspiration of other photographers/photography. Magnum is an extraordinary agency founded, built, and enlived by some of the artforms greatest practitioners. It continues to thrive and inspire and push. However, there is an entire universe of photographic practice that has no relationship to Magnum or it's history. what i was trying to suggest is that IF a photographer defines her work, her aspiration, her practice by the idea of one organization (substitute, for Magnum, the name of museum, a gallery, a representative, a school), they will not only never achieve depth in their work, but spend their life pursuing a phantom. I know, since i've shifted my own photographic life closer to 'documentary photographers' (a la magnum), so so so many photographers who grave to be in Magnum, who grave to be around magnum photographers, who kiss ass, who bark at the moon and that act all nice, who hero workship and/or belittle others simply for the sake of appearance. What i suggested in my comment David/Paul was that magnum is not what one should aspire to, what one should aspire to is (in terms of photography) pursuing their vision of work, pushing themselves and their boundaries/beliefs and marrying that to the way they live and that defining any photography/photographic standard by the 'name' (for that is what others most likely think of) automatically vichiates great great work. I have immense respect for the agency, but more importantly than an agency, i have immense respect for the photographers there (history) and of those who I have met or know personally.
honestly, anyone who aspires to history is seeking, again, a silly and superficial (but easily understood in that Psych 101 class) dream. History, if it matters, is a construct of back-looking….and then sometimes returns its gaze to those it had overlook…some remain, others don't, most of us just disappear…and so what, who cares….
that is all i am saying…
and yes, i am surely disappointed in the reaction to what i have written…
many of the best and brightest apply for membership, are interested in inclusion…and many many are not…and that is what i was saying…
giacomelli had no such aspiration….Kiyoshi Suzuki, Fukase, Mikhailov, Jack Burnam, Mikhailov, Ginzberg, Seydou Keita, Timanns, Avedon, Frank, Kertez, Klein, Eggleston, Rodchenko, Sherman, Steichen, Uelsmann, Araki, Moriyama, Witkin, Goldin, Meatyard, siskind, vander elskan, Ronis, michals, Strömholm, Sidibe, Bechers, Calle, Raad, etc etc etc…i mean, the yardstick should never be Magnum/vii/MOMA/Louvre/Pace/Gagosian…the yardstick should be the work…period…
that is all i am/was saying….period….
why does an observation/critique have to be interpreted as throwing stones…or some attempt to be so hip as to denounce others (when do i frickin denounce other photographers????)…or as a sickly attempt to somehow kick ass for inclusion….
LBM shows exactly the great truth about photography and especially contemporary photography: it is so so wide and so so exciting that anyone that defines 'greatness' or 'interesting' by any measure other than the work is just blind…and there are many photographers (especially it seems many young ones and many who tend to be oriented toward classical, social-documentary of the Magnum vein (of which, as an agency it is unmatched), who see only through their aspirations to be like/a part of magnum….that is what i was suggested for pitiful….
what a major disappointment to be perceived as somehow cool or so shallow as to be perceived like that Paul/David…
a sore disappointment…….
Bob; No I didn't think that at all; was just commenting about human nature in general. :-)
Pete; That is the Magnum doco (featuring Parr at work) I mentioned last week. An interesting watch. :-)
Bob, that might be a bit of an overreaction there my friend. I believe you may be misinterpreting the response to your original post. But then, I may be an idiot for getting in the middle of this. Just saying, read again, I'm ducking back out the door. You're all okay. I'm running. :))
i'm not angry (wasn't when i wrote), just trying to clarify what i'd written earlier…and also reacting to the perception that a criticism doesn't mean that an observation and a critique of a group, is not in itself a criticism of individuals. my students, daily, criticize my school (as they rightly should) and i never consider this as bitter or throwing stones or hypocritical, and i share many of their concerns and frustrations and that it just doesn't serve the conversation to see an observation as somehow embittered or a suggestion of pining or disappointment….for me, i'm just always open (public and private) about my reaction, good or ill, never trying to say what shall get me somewhere…and again, just suggesting that if the reaction to a criticism is one of suggesting that the commentator suggests being too-cool-for-school, then we should end the dialogue, cause it doesn't serve a purpose….agree to disagree kindofthing….but i am old enough to know (including my own oversensitivity, particularly today, this afternoon) that some things, because of their nature and reaction, just don't provide room for chat….anyway…what's the point…i've wasted y'alls time enough on this, my bad…..
ross: no, wasn't even referring to you…human nature: what else do we have ;)
kurt: just write the Winephoto admin, they're a fabulous outfit…more than likely, they're being deluged by submissions and i'm sure will sort it out…hard to find a better group of folk…good luck, bring home some vino :))
off to bed
There are a heap of gold diggers out there who want that magnum connection why even the ice cream makers have one called ego, me I like the peppermint vesion
Bob, :)
lots of misunderstandings here in all levels..
i believe you wished there should be more women in magnum and everywhere else right?..pilots, soccer players (love Marta from Brazil!) …and any other craft…
we hope for justice for "illegal" immigrants/minorities/we are against police racial profiling..blah blah..
but truth is…statistics say that there are more african american men in jail than whites for example..why? because they are targeted etc..blah bla..blah
we all agree on that, but we also have to agree that the best of the ladies that apply in Magnum, eventually gets accepted..
so its not Magnum's problem if more men (yes yes its still a man's world unfortunately..yikes)apply…but im sure we all know that…
anyway…i see misunderstandings here..yes we all wish for gay rights too but status quo still resisting..but people will insist back and win…
but it takes time..it takes lots and lots of time…for evolution and changes , will get there sometime, i dont think i'll be alive, i hope i will alive… but it takes time..
i dont think we disagree on all that…. maybe its all Utopia!..who knows..time will tell…
but at this time i dont think that Magnum can or it is its job to "discover" women, men or anyone in particular…All, men, women, trannies etc should step out!All welcome, i guess!
next beer on me
USA vs France, women soccer WORLD CUP , Wednesday….
USA beat Brazil in the penalties …
(going to pee!)
Imants; I was in Kaikoura once and saw a bunch of tourists on the road, all clicking away. I couldn't for the life of me work out what they were so excited about. I went up to chat to them; turns out they were from the US and were photographing the huge Magnum ice-cream advert on the side of the truck. They told me that they didn't have (it was in the early 90's) big advertising hoardings on the side of trucks at home!
"A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others."
that's for you BOBBY…
hope vino was good…
EVA…go back to the darkroom…good stuff happens in there…GO EVA!
MYGRACIE…can you bring some peppermint (IMANTS loves it):)
and can you find and bring KATIEEE too…
my people!
and talking about my people
this is what I call …Reporting!!!
"Teachers teach more by what they are than by what they say."
MR.HARVEY …you are MAGNUM !!!
THODORI…I need report from Cyprus…
magnum Ego came out in 1998 ….bring back the triple treat
13 years and egos are still running hot on magnum???????
When we were kids in the oz country side we used to make an ice cream called "rats arse" funny how it never took off but ego did
oh,and before I go…
MARC…we love you …sending good energy to you and your family…(thank you BOB)
IMANTS…ice scream on you…:)!!!
I wasn't accusing you of anything of the sort, I was only asking your opinion on why one should not aspire to be a magnum photographer. The second was just me musing and asking generally anyone one round here and your view especially on why does Magnum produce such love hate reactions. But never aimed at you personally, only wanting to hear your opinion which I respect and listen to. I'm absolutely sure David didn't think anything of the sort either…
If I may.. and yes, I know, none of my business and I follow Tom right after this.. you call David your friend.. don't you think that he'll know you enough to KNOW?? Stop taking everything personally. By running off from the discussion yesterday you've wasted way more time and energy today to write the above comments.. would have sufficed to answer Paul's legit question.. not everyone knows what you write elsewhere.
The last person closed to criticism probably is David. And you know that. Criticism here on Burn has never been a problem, as far as I can recall. But that also means one has to explain, otherwise it's throwing stones. And you're not one to throw stones, just not. Just, please, take the time next time, no running, 'k? :)
why one should not aspire to be a magnum photographer………….because time is better spent taking the photographs
Why yes of course :). But surely both things can be done together.
But surely both things can be done together.,, you can but both activities will be comprimised
Now that's interesting! Please keep on… Maybe a risk of one's personal style being too influenced by those one admires?
But doesn't one have to measure one's progress by comparing with others?
"When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice."
Robert Frank
But doesn't one have to measure one's progress by comparing with others?……..No, that's not your domain the audience and critics are at play here. If you want to be a photographer so be it, if you want to take photographs then you have to work despite others. Why all this I want to be different, I want to be history?
An unconfirmed number of casualties, about 50 wounded—only two seriously, extensive damages including one of the tree power stations of the island going offline. Cause seems to be a brash fire that reached a storing facility with ammunition that was confiscated a couple years ago from a ship in Cyprus' international waters.
Sounds like Frank was interested in photography not being a photographer……. grin
one cannot not aspire to be a Magnum photographer except by making photographs…and your "place at the table of history" is determined by others….however, i think any serious photographer/artist will clearly see from whence they came and what influence their work may have…nobody does not care about this…at least nobody honest with themselves does not care…at least not anybody i know….
you are fairly new in this craft..or at least, with the new zeal you have…early on everyone admires someone or some thing…maybe even tries to emulate or copy…this is normal…at some point however, one must break away from any emulation and find out the core of who they are…not who they want to be , but who they are….
your only goal should be the work…i know in society most goals are attained by process of emulation and learning what went before…do this, and that will happen is the normal mantra…not so the case with the upper levels of photography…go now with the flow of your own juices… do not worry about an outcome or any place to be….
only by being a truly unique person will you arrive on the level you want and even then it is a moveable feast…a fragile balance…rare air…you can do all of this by moving not one inch from where you are physically…savor the moments where you are and you will end up way beyond where you wanted to be…
cheers, david
So it should always be like that zen birdie…The birdie sings because she likes singing no other reason…One creates art for oneself, totally personal action… if the audience accept it… great, if they don't… so be it…
i didn't think you aimed ainy attack whatsoever at me….i was reacting to what david wrote and simultaneously trying to react to your question about my original statement that magnum (again, let us replace magnum with any other singular entity) should not be an aspiration, because that goes about the goal of work the entirely wrong way, etc…
eva: listen, i was running yesterday because i had 2 things i had to do right then: 1) talk to marina and then run to prepare for a memorial for a friend who had died…as for david, yes, of course he knows me better and yes we are close friends and yes i know he knows me/my life, but i did believe that my comment may have been seen as an example of what he finds frustrating about others who do that meanwhile harboring ulterior motives…i always explain (way way way too much, too often) what i mean, and i didn't throw stones….i stand by what i said about magnum vis-a-vis women, so be it, that for me, right now, this moment in time as a progressive organization, they should look toward balancing their numbes, but i'm not that important, and it's an irrelevancy, my comment initially was an attempt to be humourous after watching the vid…and by the way, friends disagree, friends argue and friends do in fact get upset with what each other write, not in any grand way (i am not in the least upset with david for goodness sake), but we also write what we react….as for taking things personally…its about language eva…and i'm tired of explaining again…this was all my fault and as my wife would remind me, i should have known better than to get so involved invested in something not terribly important…i take responsibility…please just don't lecture me though
panos: ok, neext beer…gotta run, hugs
there are two audiences..those who purchase your work, either by commission or by buying your prints etc., and your peer group…two distinct groups….for all of their commercial success, just look at Picasso and Matisse…they cared deeply about what the other one thought and at the same time tried to outdo each other…sure they were doing their own thing…singing their own song….this is basic…but you think either lived in a vacuum? don't think so…no way….
i do not think de Niro gives a damn about what his millions of fans think or the fact even that they have bought all those movie tickets…he is happy about it of course…but in the crowded premier of his movie , i am sure he only looks over to see what Pacino thought FIRST, then he bows to the crowd..
cheers, david
No one just does it, works hard at it and well some are accepted others miss out. I wrote a series of visual arts textbooks, not because I wanted to be an author it was about the books, content and education.
well, yes of course…this is not at all apart with what i am saying….and i think Frank calculated very very carefully
I know David that it is not apart just trying to get Paul to do his work not that of others. Frank knew/ knows he was great at his craft
David I will skype soon but early am start to catch a plane for Tasmania and hoping to buy some land to build a house on I am interested in,…………some where to live and die as Bob would say
OK! :) what I don't want is any bad feelings over some comment I made. I respect and honestly appreciate your view/words/feelings. Laughing and please upload Loomings to Burn soon or you'll end up showing it all on Facebook! :))))
Have a good trip and best of luck with that Tasmanian land and hope you get a good deal…
no worries, really. i wasn't angry with anyone, not u and certainly not david…i was frustrated with the amount of time writing saturday (my fault) and debating my comment with eve (not with her personally at all, but frustration with having to explain what i said as not being any kind of an attack) and frustrated with what i'd written about magnum as a photographers focus (i see way too many young photogs and sometiems here too) as a bad thing (just as hero worship)…again, i should have just clarified by initial statement, or written it more clearly, but i suspect i'd be in the same boat, defending what i'd written…the better tact should have been not to write anything, as marina reminded me on skype….but well, that is my nature, to write and to write with passion and write alot…sadly, i can't change this about my self though i try…as for loomings, i haven't shown anything on loomings in a while after promising david not to, …all reason pictures at fbook are either part of a long standing project on russia, or new work (like the picture of the falls)…no one will see anything of it until david sees the whole thing…but, well..got some personal/family issues to resolve 1st before that day happens…but it shalll…
running to teach and shutting down computer, just so no one things i'm cutting off….already late…
as for russia, most of that thing is a total secret from everyone too, well not total secret…anyway….
Thanks Paul but that's where we differ we are not interested in a deal we are after something that both my wife and I can grow and learn with.
Been reading Robert Franks The Americans – extended version and I'm at last begining to understand, appreciate and enjoy that damn book :)! Seeing his earlier work, reading some of his letters and the contact sheets for The Americans has been extremely good. Thank god I'm a so stubborn… Yes, I agree Robert Frank calculated very, very well that work!
Money wise I've never been up to much, never made a good deal in my life. Actually money means very little to me…i wish it did I'm sure my wife would probably be a little happier not that she really is unhappy!!…but can't help it, friendship, honesty and love goes always first… Best thing in my life was losing it all…
i never saw hero worship as being any part of the way any serious photographer would look at Magnum..
should young photographers have a good look at Magnum and the spin off cooperatives? damn well they should…for their own protection and proliferation of their creative life…a way to friggin survive if nothing else…
ok here is the deal…and it is pragmatic not romantic
Magnum was set up to do one thing…protect photographers who by nature need all kinds of protection….to allow the member photographers a distribution channel for their work, to allow control over the use of this work, and to make sure ownership of the photographs was in the hands of the photographer..HCB et al saw that if they did not get a handle quickly on all of the above, the publishers of magazines would quickly take advantage of their "services"…this is a biz battle/war that goes on up to this minute…the model for photographer ownership (cooperative) has worked so well that Noor, VII, Prime, Luceo, and several others have totally followed, with minor changes, the Magnum model…safety in numbers if you will…
Soth is sick today and cannot help to pay for the scanner, but Barbey can, and tomorrow when Barbey wants to go for six months photo sabbatical , Soth has gotten better and can carry the load…group marketing,group books, group shows…tried it alone? not so easy…everyone in a coop is an individual of course, but a group of individuals is hard to beat and at no point does anyone in a coop HAVE to do anything…….one can participate a lot, or not at all…one can make one dollar a month or one million a month and have an equal vote…read that last sentence again…
this is why the selection process for Magnum and the other coops is so so tough…you want great artists you can trust to grow, not just somebody who did great last year…not easy to find a long term person..and we do not always find them either…but that is our goal….that is why we are 65 years old , have outlived all other agencies, all of our clients who tried to take our rights, exhibit in the best venues, have the most prestige publishers, and have the very best talents knocking on our door as never before…other than that, there is no reason to take Magnum seriously… :)
cheers, david
Hmmmm… Burn cooperative?
MR.HARVEY…oime,you are lot's of work for a civilian
you are so quotable…
copy and paste…niahh… I will let the words go…BUT I will keep the "feeling"…
IMANTS…if you change your mind,come over…we are on sale:(((
somewhere to live and die…as BOB would say
What not to love…
THODORI…sending good energy…
That was a very enjoyable video, and shows very well the slippery sense of humour Chien-Chi Chang has. I just bet he added some sound effects for fun. I'm not sure if Mr. Burri's group portrait shows so much a "Men's Club", but it certainly looks as if the Magnum Agency is filled with wannabe fly-fishermen!!! ;)
Like any fishing club or society, Magnum is a group which shares a common purpose; David speaks of the protection it offers its partners…there are other strengths inherent as well. The emphasis on photojournalism for sure – either straight or artistic – is one commonality, but a more broad, general shared interest would be their fascination with Man in the world. There is an obvious love for humanity, and whether the members' work is approached through beauty or anger, the summit they attempt to reach is Truth. In that, we here on Burn share this passion. I cannot see any reason why the Burn editors wouldn't publish an essay on landscapes, or still lifes, but for the most part it is our appreciation for humanity that drives us to this site. Keep in mind that not all photographers share the point of view and subject matter that we do.
David mentions the relationship Matisse and Picasso had; it was based on profound respect for one another and the realization that, at the time, they were at the top of the game for their totally divergent approaches to art. It was a very peculiar relationship, and I don't think it is accurate to say that it was strictly a friendship – there was much hen gossip spoken behind the back of the other, and sometimes quite bitter – nevertheless both realized that the dynamic rivalry between them was a positive force to their creativity. Again, something that Magnum shares…and maybe we, too? Picasso was also quite comfortable in borrowing techniques and styles from the past, as well as his contempories – he is famous for saying "I do not borrow…I steal" – and this should bring some comfort to those who feel imitation and emulation can be a positive force as they hone their authorship.
Another thing: Sometime after the May workshops – led by Towell, Chang, Reed, Gilden, Barbey and David – it dawned on me that these particular photographers were so damned engaged with the teaching experience (in such an open, intimate and democratic manner) perhaps because they realized what was left now for them was to leave a heritage, a legacy; to pay back what they borrowed from whomever by giving it over to us in the present. Whether it is through the viewing of their work, their mentoring and teaching, or even by the moulding of some lucky protege, these photographers are well aware of the importance of their place in history, and the importance of how the dynamics of simultaneously open rivalry and assistance is to creativity.
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South Africa's economy shrank more than one-half a percent in the first quarter of the year. It's the worst performance since the global recession five years ago. Most of the decline is blamed on the country's prolonged platinum mining strike.
The decline in South Africa's economy follows a nearly four-percent growth rate in the last quarter of 2013. However, the platinum mining strike is now in its fifth month. The government has made a new pledge to mediate the labor dispute, saying mining companies "have not done enough to address the well-being of workers."
David Shapiro, a director at Sasfin Securities, said the strike has been a big drag on the economy.
"Platinum today is one of our biggest exports. In fact, it certainly exceeds gold. You know, gold production in South Africa has fallen dramatically over the last decade or so. Not for any reasons other than we've run out of cheap gold and it's more difficult to get to the gold. So platinum today is a major mineral export."
He described the strike as a major worry. It's unclear how quickly the mining sector would bounce back once the strike does end.
He said, "When we talk about mines, if you keep them closed for that long there are all kinds of issues even if labor does come back to work. These are deep underground mines and require a lot of attention. So you can't neglect them. And even if they came back to work it'll take some time to fire them up again."
Local economies are formed where mines are located.
"People live around the mines and of course they earn their income there. The go out and spend it either on entertainment or they buy groceries. So every industry around the mine also starts to suffer as a result," said Shapiro.
Many of the miners in South Africa are migrant workers. Mine companies offer them either a housing allowance or actual housing. Shapiro said the decision they make can have long-term financial effects.
"A lot of these miners decided to accept a payment, an allowance, instead. And what they did is instead of buying a decent house or renting a decent house, they would send most of the money back home and then rent shacks. And when I say shacks - literally shacks -- living in really dire circumstances, terrible conditions. And that started strike action," he said.
Because of the strike, the miners are not being paid, and are not able to send any money back home. In addition, there are also tensions between trade unions representing the miners. And while miners demand higher wages, demand for platinum is currently down.
South Africa's economy has also been affected by a slowdown in China's economy. Shapiro said from 2000 to 2010, the country benefitted greatly from China's expansion and demand for natural resources, such as iron ore, copper and coal.
"Now that China is slowing down emerging countries, such as South Africa, which are major exporters of minerals, are also starting to feel the pinch. So, that's contributed, as well."
Shapiro also said manufacturing in South Africa has declined as it imports cheaper goods. At the same time, families are under greater pressure to pay back loans and have cut back on buying consumer goods.
Despite the first quarter's bad news, the Sasfin Securities director is optimistic. But he said South Africans are looking to the government to tackle some big issues.
"We're a rich economy," he said, "It's a problem we can overcome. Yes, we've got a lot of people that are unemployed here. That's a throwback from apartheid. Skills development here is very low. But it's an economy that is blessed with so many natural resources. We have a massive array of minerals here. We have natural beauty, which should attract tourism. It's a country that should be flourishing. We shouldn't be where we are."
Three mining companies are negotiating with AMCU, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union. However, little progress has been made so far regarding a pay hike.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Sly Moore
this wiki
|Sly Moore
|Biographical information
|Physical description
|Hair color
|Eye color
|Skin color
|Chronological and political information
Sly Moore was a female Umbaran Force Adept who was employed by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine as his Senior Administrative Aide during the final decades of the Galactic Republic. In secret, Moore was also an acolyte of the dark side, trained in the ways of the Force by Palpatine, who was in truth the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Sidious.
A Force-sensitive Umbaran, Sly Moore was not inducted into the Jedi Order, for she was abducted from Umbara by a tattooed Zabrak assassin named Darth Maul and imprisoned for months in an ancient tomb somewhere in the Cron Drift. While imprisoned, she was mentally and spiritually assaulted by long-dead Sith Lords on a daily basis and only her natural strength of will kept her from going completely insane. After surviving such rigorous trials, the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Sidious rescued the girl from the tomb and nursed her back to health.[4]
Known to the Umbaran girl as Senator Palpatine from Naboo, Sidious cared for the girl and educated her in politics, forming a close bond over the years. The trust between Moore and Sidious was so strong, the Sith Lord revealed his own Force-sensitivity and his true identity as a Sith. Over time, Sidious let Moore in on the Sith Grand Plan to bring peace to the galaxy and topple the Jedi Order.[4] Vowing eternal loyalty, Moore went on to become one of Senator Palpatine's most trusted aides in the Galactic Senate and followed him from his days as Senator to the time he was elected Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic.[1]
Following the Vote of No Confidence in Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, Moore was rumored to have removed Valorum's Staff Aide Sei Taria from public office so that she herself could take the position as Palpatine ascended to the Office of the Supreme Chancellor.[6] As the Separatist Crisis threatened to tear the Republic apart, Moore retained her position as administrative aide, standing atop the Chancellor's Podium opposite Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda during sessions of the Galactic Senate.[3]
With the outbreak of the Clone Wars, Moore continued to serve her master, even impersonating his alter-ego Darth Sidious to force disloyal pawns into line.[7] As the war dragged on, Sly Moore came under scrutiny by the Jedi High Council; the Jedi Order's leadership correctly suspected that the mysterious Darth Sidious had infiltrated the highest levels of the government.[8] Before the High Council could complete the investigation, however, Chancellor Palpatine eradicated the Order and transformed the Republic into the first Galactic Empire. Attending the declaration of a New Order, Moore bore witness to the end of democracy all the while maintaining her ties with the newly-proclaimed Emperor.[9]
Appointed as one of the first members of Palpatine's Imperial Ruling Council, Moore was transferred to the secret Sith planet Byss to oversee the culling and training of captured Padawans and Jedi Service Corps members. Torturing the captives and pitting them against one another, Moore attempted to convert the acolytes of the Jedi Order into slaves of the dark side of the Force.[10] Moore thrived during the first year of the Empire, developing a cold rivalry with the jealous Grand Inquisitor Malorum as the man climbed through the ranks of the Inquisitorius; Malorum often wondered why lesser beings attained the ranks he desired, pondering on Moore's presence.[11]
Personality and traitsEdit
An Umbaran, Sly Moore could only see in the ultraviolet spectrum and wore a shadowcloak of her homeworld. A private person who revealed little of her torturous past, Moore's detractors in the Senate believed that she had a hidden agenda and that she was capable of driving others from office. Taciturn and ambitious,[6] Moore was a telepath and was known to exude a fear-inducing stare.[2]
Behind the scenesEdit
Sly Moore was portrayed by Sandi Finlay in both Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
Sly Moore's first mention as a Force-sensitive was in the Saga Edition Core Rulebook when she was given as an example of a Force Adept.
- Darth Plagueis (Mentioned only)
- Jedi Quest: The False Peace
- Palpatine Sets Army Vote Date—HoloNet News Vol. 531 46 (content now unavailable; backup links 1 2 on Archive.org) (First appearance)
- RRM Fundraiser a Huge Success—HoloNet News Vol. 531 53 (content now unavailable; backup links 1 2 on Archive.org)
- Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones comic
- Star Wars: Republic 61: Dead Ends
- Jedi: Yoda
- Star Wars: Republic 64: Bloodlines
- Secrets of the Jedi
- Jedi Trial
- Star Wars: Obsession 2
- Reversal of Fortune
- Labyrinth of Evil
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novel
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith comic
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith junior novel
- Evasive Action: Recruitment
- Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
- The Last of the Jedi: Death on Naboo
- The Last of the Jedi: A Tangled Web
- The Last of the Jedi: Master of Deception
- Star Wars: Attack of the Clones The Visual Dictionary
- "Ask The Master: Q&A"—Star Wars Insider 77
- Star Wars Miniatures: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Scrapbook
- Star Wars: The Original Trilogy Collection (Pack: Sly Moore (Coruscant Senate))
- Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide (Picture only)
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
- Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook
- Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Special Edition (Picture only)
- "Strangers Among Us: The Aliens Who Built the Galactic Empire"—Star Wars Insider 96
- Aliens in the Empire
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- The Clone Wars Campaign Guide
- The Essential Atlas (Picture only)
- Galaxy of Intrigue
- Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 35
- "Ask Lobot"—Star Wars Insider 126
- Star Wars: Head-to-Head Tag Teams
- Sly Moore in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
- Sei Taria in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
- Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Updated and Expanded
- Star Wars Character Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Episode Guide
- "Barely Tolerable: Alien Henchmen of the Empire, Part 1," The Official Star Wars Blog (link)
- "Barely Tolerable: Alien Henchmen of the Empire, Part 3," The Official Star Wars Blog (link)
Notes and referencesEdit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Star Wars: Head-to-Head Tag Teams
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Clone Wars Campaign Guide
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sly Moore in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
- ↑ Jedi Trial
- ↑ Labyrinth of Evil
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- ↑ Reversal of Fortune
- ↑ The Last of the Jedi: Death on Naboo


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Who can resist a little pleather? AKIRA High Waisted Pleather Leggings in Matte Black feature a wide waistband, a stretchy material, and a rolled hem at cuffs. Throw on a moto jacket or an oversized sweater for a seriously badass look. Unlined.
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The long winter and wet spring will make for a rough mosquito season
June 12, 2013 in River Falls Journal
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June 12, 2013 in River Falls Journal
Wisconsin News
You may not have liked the snowy winter and rainy spring but mosquitoes are loving it. Continue Reading
April 3, 2013 in River Falls Journal
On Monday, April 8, Jim Gulliford will host a town-hall style, discussion titled, "Seeds to Supper: What's Happening on the Land." Continue Reading
May 24, 2012 in River Falls Journal
All St. Croix County residents are invited to participate in the appliance and tire collection on Saturday, June 2. Continue Reading
May 4, 2012 in River Falls Journal
Wisconsin's inland-lake fishing season opener begins on Saturday, May 5, resulting in many tourists traveling into the storm-damage area of northwest Wisconsin. Continue Reading
April 30, 2012 in River Falls Journal
An upcoming collection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Hudson Prairie Elementary School's parking lot, 1400 Carmichael Road, offers drive-through convenience for Pierce and St. Croix county residents. Continue Reading
April 24, 2012 in River Falls Journal
On Thursday, April 19, city employees braved the elements and set their regular work tasks aside to lend an extra hand in making our city a more beautiful and safe place to live and work. Continue Reading
April 23, 2012 in River Falls Journal
On Saturday, volunteers coordinated by the Kinni River Land Trust (KRLT) converged on the Kinnickinnic River for a cleanup effort. Continue Reading
February 2, 2012 in Hudson Star-Observer
Wisconsin NewsMore farmers are complaining about crane damage to crops. The sandhill is the most abundant of all cranes. Wisconsin has around 25,000 of them. Continue Reading
December 20, 2011 in River Falls Journal
At last night's Town of River Falls board meeting the parks committee asked for reconsideration on the Anderson Park, W9978 792 St., budget. Continue Reading


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Hezbollah members parade during a ceremony in Beirut's southern suburbs, Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. (The Daily Star/Hasan Shaaban)
BEIRUT: Chances are slim that the European Union will imminently blacklist Hezbollah as a terror organization after a probe accused the party of involvement in a 2012 deadly bus bombing in Bulgaria, European diplomatic sources and analysts said Wednesday.
"Placing Hezbollah on the EU's terror list will eventually be explored after the results of the Bulgarian investigation are carefully scrutinized," a European diplomatic source told The Daily Star, speaking on condition of anonymity. "However," the source confided, "several EU member states view such a measure as imprudent as it cuts off all future routes of dialogue."
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton was also vague about Bulgaria's Tuesday announcement of the alleged involvement of two Hezbollah members in the July 2012 bus bombing at Bulgaria's Burgas Airport, near the Black Sea, that killed five Israelis and wounded 30.
While Ashton underscored the "need for a reflection over the outcome of the investigation," in order for EU member states to discuss "the appropriate response based on all elements identified by investigators," the United States, Canada and Israel reiterated calls for the EU to label Hezbollah a "terrorist" organization.
Brussels-based lawyer Gabriel Helou, who specializes in international and European law, and Brigitte Herremans, Middle East desk officer for peace-building Belgian NGO Broederlijk Delen, concur that given the current circumstances, it is highly unlikely that the EU will blacklist Hezbollah.
"There is [so far] no unanimity among EU member states on Hezbollah, which would be needed to pass an EU decision enlisting it as a terrorist organization," Helou said.
"However," Helou added, "that could change as a result of the latest developments in the Burgas case." He explained that in the event the EU blacklists Hezbollah, the decision would impact the party specifically rather than the whole country, by means of sanctions and asset freezing.
The Netherlands is the only EU member state that has listed Hezbollah as a "terrorist organization."
Other EU member states, such as the United Kingdom, differentiate between Hezbollah's military wing, which is banned in the U.K., and the Lebanese party's political wing.
The rest of the EU member states, including France – whose envoys to Beirut hold regular meetings with Hezbollah officials – do not consider the group a terrorist organization.
In the past 20 years, Germany has mediated major swaps between Hezbollah and Israel.
Herremans doubted that France would change its position on Hezbollah "so quickly."
An angry article published Wednesday in The Jerusalem Post lashed out at the EU member states' policy toward Hezbollah, saying placing the group on the EU's terror blacklist would be "no slam dunk" even after the probe into the Burgas bombing "pointed the finger directly" at its alleged involvement.
The piece specifically slammed the positions of France and Germany, saying the EU has chosen to "avert its eyes" from Hezbollah's practices because of "interests and political considerations," irrespective of the Burgas investigation.
According to Helou, the EU is well aware of the fact that since the end of the summer 2006 war with Israel, Hezbollah has cooperated with the UNIFIL to restore and maintain stability in south Lebanon. Several European countries have dispatched troops to serve as part of UNIFIL.
Helou added that the EU also understands Hezbollah is an integral part of Lebanon's political makeup and that it will no doubt be part of future Lebanese governments.
Based on this, "the EU should strike a balance," he continued.
"I'm not sure that the EU would be ready to ignore and sacrifice these facts [about Hezbollah]."
Drawing from the Hamas experience, Herremans maintained that quite a few European policymakers regret the decision to deem the Palestinian group as a "terrorist organization" as it eliminated the chance for dialogue with the influential faction.
By banning Hamas, the EU "lost leverage "because it is very easy to put an organization on the list but extremely difficult to take it off," he said.
Helou explained that the EU has no specific criteria for classifying terrorist organizations. "Blacklisting a certain organization in Europe is merely a political decision."
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King Salman urges Lebanese to elect president
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An Australian actress.
Renée Kathleen Zellweger (born April 25, 1969) is an American actress and producer, who has won an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards and three Screen Actors Guild Awards, was named Hasty Pudding's Woman of the Year in 2009, and has established herself as one of the highest-paid Hollywood actresses in recent years. Zellweger first gained widespread attention for her role in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire, and subsequently received two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her roles as Bridget Jones in the 2001 comedy Bridget Jones's Diary and as Roxie Hart in the 2002 musical Chicago, and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama Cold Mountain in 2004. Her other popular films include Me, Myself and Irene (2000), Shark Tale (2004), Cinderella Man (2005), and Bee Movie (2007).
An Australian actress.
An american film actress and a Goodwill Ambassador for the U …
A celebrity from Swansea West Glamorgan Wales


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The Global FlyFisher - The Largest and Best Place to go for Online Fly Fishing and Fly Tying
Close up of a carp, caught in Holland on a warm evening with the dry fly. What an excitement when the fish swims very slowly towards the fly, opens its mouth and finally takes it. And what an explosion in the first microsecond, when it realizes that it is hooked!
Etten-Leur, Holland
Submitted by: Hans Bock
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Western Larch
Pages in this Story:
- • Western Larch
- • Wood identification
- • Uses in woodworking
- • AvailabiIity
- • Machining methods
- • Carving comments
- • Turning tips
- • Shop-Tested Techniques
Turning tips
Turning tips
- Larch sawn into thick stock blanks could contain resin pockets. If the pitch is still runny, droplets of it will appear on the surface of freshly turned wood. Let them harden before scraping off, then finish the wood.
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Uke stands on two legs and is vulnerable is you enter into his blind spot!.
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Holiday Decorations
At holiday time, we all do a bit of decorating around the house: lights, tree, wreath ... But what about an upside-down Christmas tree or blowing your own glass ornaments? The not-so-traditional holiday decorating ideas in the Christmas 2003 edition of Mixed Media are from Nanz & Crafts and Glassworks.
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Happy 60th for Furness Judo Club
Last updated at 14:26, Friday, 22 June 2012
REIGNING as long on the Barrow martial arts scene as Queen Elizabeth II has over Britannia, Furness Judo Club are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year.
The club marked the occasion with a reunion of past and present judoka from far and wide.
Members from across all generations of the club reminisced on previous conquests, relived competitions and met up with old training companions.
Varying judo styles and strategies were discussed throughout the evening and long into the night.
The club's current youngsters mixed with their elders, with memorabilia collated by Christine Tucker on display.
Dennis Wrightwebb, the club's 1st Dan, and Jim Wood, their second, were joined by successor John Bell and Alan Sharpe.
Sharpe, besides competing at a high level, held the reins of a number of successful juniors for a long time.
Also present were Eddie Backhouse, Steve Cresswell and Simon Burns, who all competed for the north west, ex-national junior champion Paul Neatis and former coach Pip Larkin.
The club was first founded in 1950 by Fred Edwards, but folded as members were drafted into the Armed Services. It restarted in 1952 as an affiliate to the British Judo Association, with William Armstrong, Jack Harrison and George Kirkby among the founders.
Furness regularly hosted visits by 'the grandfather of British judo' Gunji Koizumi in those early years.
The club have been based on the Strand and in the Lyric Hall, before moving to their present base at St Matthew's Community Halls in 2005.
They have a large number of both junior and senior members who compete in the north west and further afield.
Many of the club's members were recognised on the reunion night for their contribution over the past 60 years.
Long-service awards were handed out to Peter Leach – a coach for more than 40 years and a committee member – James Wood – a competitive 3rd Dan and a formidable competitor in the late 1960s, who still trains the junior section – and Wrightwebb – a former Great Britain international, who still coaches today.
Club president Steve Murray presented the awards, as well as thanking present coach Colin Tucker and Christine Tucker for their help and organisation.
lFurness Judo Club train at St Matthew's Community Halls, Highfield Road, Barrow, on Mondays and Fridays. The junior sessions (for children aged eight and over) run from 6.45pm until 7.45pm and the seniors (for 16-year-olds plus) from 8pm until 9pm.
First published at 13:06, Friday, 22 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Have your say
This is a great club full of friends, and happy times, good luck for the future.
Was such a welcoming club. Congrats and thanks for the memories.
View all 4 comments on this article


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Category Archives: Field Reports
Aitutaki Island, By Peter Morse
Here's a piece from Peter Morse, our Australian Ambassador, on his recent trip to Aitutaki.
October Babine River Wild Steelhead
If anyone has ever dreamed of fishing at a world class steelheader's lodge on the beautiful Babine River, this may whet your appetite. Here's a field report from Sage Ambassador, Lani Waller, that was just too good to keep to … Continue reading


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Luanda — The visiting Serbian Defence sector delegation, on Wednesday in Luanda commended the Angolan Executive and people for the successes achieved in the stabilisation and security of the country.
The praise comes in the final communiqué distributed to the press in the end of the two-day official talks that took place in Luanda, under the chairmanship of the incumbent Defence ministers of Angola and Serbia, respectively Cândido Van-Dúnem and Dragan Sutanovac.
In the document, the Serbs salute also the Angolan government for their commitment to the country's economic and social development.
On their turn, the Angolan team praised the government of Serbia for the success achieved in the process of stabilising the country, aiming for development.
Meanwhile, the communiqué stresses that the Serbian Defence minister has invited his Angolan counterpart to visit the Republic of Serbia, at a date still to be agreed on.


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NEW YORK: Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first prosecutor of the International Criminal Court whose term ended in June 2012, said the ICC can provide an alternative to the dilemma of either a military intervention or doing nothing that faces the Security Council in managing some conflicts.
He suggested that referrals to the ICC could follow a staged approach and said that, in the case of Syria, this would be a "ticking bomb" for President Bashar Assad. And in the absence of a Security Council agreement, he said that if a new Syrian government was formed and internationally recognized, it could request the ICC intervention.
In a long interview conducted in New York and published, in part, by The Daily Star, Ocampo reflected on Palestine's request before the ICC and on the cases of Libya and Sudan.
TDS: A few weeks ago, 57 countries called for the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC. What in your opinion are the possibilities and obstacles regarding such a referral, especially in view of the Libyan referral when you were still the prosecutor?
LMO: First I think that the request to refer the case of Syria to the ICC reflects a new rule in the world. And this rule is at the basis of the Arab Spring: Leaders cannot commit massive atrocities in order to gain or retain power.
Sometimes, as in Libya's case, the rule was expressed by the referral to the ICC, even though Gadhafi was later executed without trial after his arrest. In Syria the rule is also working in the Arab League's position that Assad has to go because of the crimes he committed. And I think it is very important that the Arab League took this position.
However, the ICC cannot take the initiative to intervene in Syria because Syria never accepted to be a party to the court. So the only way to intervene is if the Security Council refers the situation in Syria to the ICC. The Security Council can, for the sake of peace and security, take such a measure in accordance with Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter. It did that by referring the situations in Darfur and Libya and before the establishment of the ICC the Security Council created the tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
Now the decision in the Security Council is a political one, and there are probably many reasons why there is no agreement on Syria. But I think that one important reason is that Russia felt betrayed by the attitude of some leaders like [U.S. President Barack] Obama, [U.K. Prime Minister David] Cameron and [former French President Nicolas] Sarkozy who after the Security Council resolution to refer Libya to the ICC, started to call for a regime change. Russia would never have accepted that. Russia voted in favor of the intervention of the court but not for regime change. And I think that South Africa and India were in a similar situation.
So this excess, the call for regime change in Libya, has created a problem in handling the Syrian situation. Interestingly enough, I believe that some people in the U.S. are also not enthusiastic about the referral of Syria's situation to the ICC, because they think that the ICC intervention in Libya reduced the options for negotiations. And they don't want to repeat this in Syria.
TDS: In the absence of any agreement in the Security Council on this issue, is there another channel for the ICC to intervene, for example, if a new Syrian Government is formed?
LMO: In the present situation, the Security Council is the only channel. But things could be different if a new Syrian government is formed and recognized. This government could then make a sovereign decision to either become a member of the ICC or to request its intervention.
In the first case the ICC can take action without a request. And in the second, it will take action in response to the request, because any state can accept the jurisdiction of the court without being a member. For example, Ivory Coast is not a member state; however it requested the court intervention.
TDS: What if Russia and China don't recognize such a new government? Would that affect the position of the ICC?
LMO: Syria is not like Palestine in 2009 where we had to look into whether it is a state or not. No doubt Syria is a state. The issue is only who represents the state. If this government is recognized by the United Nations then it does not matter if this country or that didn't recognize it.
TDS: Are there any other ICC-related options for the situation in Syria?
LMO: There are many ideas. You can look at the ICC as the Empire of the Law because 120 states accepted its intervention. And you can look at it as used by the Law of the Empire which is the Security Council acting as a collective Empire imposing the ICC intervention on countries that are not members like Libya and Sudan.
In any case, whether the ICC's intervention is a sovereign decision by the country or imposed by the Security Council, the legal work is the same and the main concept is that people who are victims of massive atrocities should be protected and in particular if the state is attacking them.
What's happening in the case of Syria is that the Security Council is appointing mediators with no real power in their hands to negotiate. This happened first with Kofi Annan and it's happening now with Lakhdar Brahimi.
I think the Security Council can be smarter and take advantage of the existing institutions. For example it can adopt a resolution saying the conflict in Syria threatens peace and security and give the parties a time limit – say three months for example – to reach an agreement, end hostilities and form a new government. If they don't abide by this time limit, the resolution would also provide for the ICC to start its investigations. Next the Security Council can prepare a plan to implement the eventual arrest warrants the ICC would issue.
You see the sequence. Basically, this will give time for negotiations and provide leverage for the mediator by telling the parties that if you don't cooperate the ICC will start to investigate in three months, and if during these three months you don't cooperate, then the Security Council implementation plan will be carried out. That will be a different game plan.
Such a resolution could serve as a model resolution for the Security Council in other conflicts too. And I think that we, lawyers, should remind the political actors that they now have a new instrument in their toolbox, which is the ICC, and that it could be better used to protect civilians.
In the case of Syria, as soon as Assad receives such a clear message, it's a ticking bomb.
TDS: Why would the major powers today agree on such a resolution?
LMO: Because it's an alternative to the dilemma of either a military intervention or doing nothing. And what I'm saying here is that ICC can be something between bombing and nothing.
TDS: Some people argue – and you've mentioned that earlier – that referring a situation to the ICC could compromise negotiations and the possibilities of finding a political solution. How do you comment on that in view of the Libya and the Sudan cases?
LMO: First, there is much confusion here. No ICC investigation blocked any peace process. On the contrary the intervention of the court could help trigger a peace process.
For example, when the court issued an arrest warrant against [Ugandan warlord head of the Lord's Resistant Army] Joseph Kony, Sudan reached an agreement with the prosecutor's office to implement the warrant. This is one of the reasons why Kony left Sudan and went to Congo and requested a peace process.
The same happened in Sudan. A few months after the court issued an arrest warrant against [then minister of state for the interior, holder of the Darur file Ahmad] Harun, the U.N.-African Union peace negotiations started between Jan Eliasson and Salim Ahmad Salim.
They resigned in June 2008 after the failure of the negotiations.
And in July 2008, I issued a new arrest warrant and after that a new peace process lead by Qatar started with the Arab League and the African Union. So contrary to what people say, the court helped in launching peace processes.
In any case, the Security Council has the power to defer ICC intervention and give the space to the negotiations. So ICC will never be an obstacle to a real negotiation.
TDS: Do you think that indicting Gadhafi helped in initiating a peace process and ending the bloodshed?
LMO: The prosecutor's mandate is to investigate the facts with impartiality and to apply the law. It does not include political negotiations. But the political negotiator would have to adjust to the presence of a judicial actor.
It's always complicated to negotiate a conflict. If you're trying to negotiate with the top guy who commits the crimes, you have problems. But there should be new strategies where negotiations are conducted with second level officials. In this case, a judicial investigation helps. And that's why we need more sophisticated negotiating tactics.
In Gadhafi's case for instance, I remember some people in Misrata telling me that if there were negotiations with Gadhafi and he were allowed to keep Misrata under his control, "we'll be exterminated, Gadhafi will finish us all. The fact that you indicted Gadhafi, gave us a new life."
In this sense, yes, I think indicting Gadhafi helped end the conflict.
In fact, it's difficult for people like Gadhafi – Hitler, Kony – to negotiate, because as soon as they negotiate they lose power. We should understand that.
If you are involved in Libya to protect civilians, you cannot negotiate with Gadhafi and allow him to stay in power. No way. The problem with people like Gadhafi is that they cannot stop committing crimes, because if they stop, they will be thrown out. They cannot suddenly start respecting elections and freedoms. They are killers. That's the problem. It's not just a legal issue. If your negotiations aim at protecting people and stopping massive atrocities, you should find a different tactic.
Same applies to Seif [al-Islam Gadhafi]. Unfortunately some people had an illusion that Seif would be a better replacement. They didn't know the facts. Sometimes negotiators don't want to see the facts. I remember when there were negotiations with Kony and we informed the negotiating team about his crimes in the Central African Republic, they said it's time to talk about negotiations not about crimes. But if you don't acknowledge the crimes how can you negotiate?
The court is an incredible change in the management of conflict. Yet the Security Council retains the power even to negotiate with killers. The ICC does the legal work. The Security Council is not a court, it has the power to suspend investigations by the ICC and give space to the killers to escape. In this sense it can provide them immunity. Of course it will not do it for no reason ... for example, had Gadhafi decided to leave Libya, there would have been a possibility that the SC stops the investigation. The Security Council can make a political move not the ICC.
TDS: Are the situations in Sudan, Libya and Syria comparable? What about the cases of Gadhafi, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Assad?
LMO: There are many factors at play in each situation. The Gadhafi case worked well because there were a lot of efforts to stop him; ICC intervention, strong media coverage, international support and very clever and strong rebel activities. This combination produced results in a very short time. And in some ways, the ICC intervention helped define the game.
In Darfur we had the opposite situation. Bashir used the ICC indictment to put more pressure on the West regarding the agreement on South Sudan. So there was a court of justice saying Bashir is committing genocide in Darfur but its indictment was used as a bargain tool to negotiate the independence of the South.
TDS: Can you elaborate on this point, especially that there was a strong international push against Bashir?
LMO: I think that the U.S. had three interests in Sudan: The South, Darfur and collecting intelligence on Al-Qaeda, and it privileged the South over Darfur. So basically the U.S. spent its capital on the independence of the South and after that it lost interest in Darfur.
The problem is that when the U.S. loses leadership, no one replaces her. So that was basically the end of the international pressure on Darfur.
This is bad. This is wrong. ... Because the information I have is that nothing has changed in rapes, nothing has changed in the conditions of the camps. It's worse.
Yet, eventually in five years or 10 years, Bashir's destiny is justice but in the meantime many people will die. The time is not good for the victims. Justice can wait but the victims cannot.
TDS: Can justice really wait?
LMO: The court is permanent. It can put Bashir on trial next year, in two years, in five or even in 10 years.
However, Bashir learned that it is easier to kill through starvation. That's what he is also doing in Kordofan and Blue Nile in the south. He is killing in this less noisy way. The story is repeated, the same tactics: bombing civilians, using militias, raping, starving, and the same actors.
Not just Bashir. Abdel-Rahim Hussein [who was interior minister when indicted] is the defense minister; Harun is the governor of South Kordofan. These guys are the ones who committed the crimes in Darfur, and now they are committing the crimes in Kordofan. This shows that, unfortunately, without U.S. leadership no one is taking action on Darfur.
TDS: Early 2009, during the Israeli war on Gaza; the Palestinian Authority requested your intervention. Your office issued a statement saying that the prosecutor had no jurisdiction over the Palestinian territories until the U.N. recognized Palestine as a state. Now that Palestine has been granted an observer status by the General Assembly, will the court proceed with the Palestinian request?
LMO: I'm no longer the prosecutor, but for me, the Palestinians have to decide whether they will follow on the request or not. ... I think the rules are clear; the General Assembly has pronounced itself on the question of statehood. It's up to Palestine to proceed or not. Palestine can decide to become a state party or it can accept the jurisdiction of the court.
TDS: This raises a question on double standards. Notwithstanding the issue of Palestinian statehood, the Security Council could have referred the situation in Gaza to the ICC even though Israel is not a member. It didn't. And the same council that referred the situations in Libya and Darfur is not referring Syria's. How do you read that?
LMO: The world has double standards and this is not a mere perception. However, for the 122 states which are members of the ICC Rome Treaty, the standard is the law. That is what I called the Empire of the Law. They have accepted ICC jurisdiction ... But there are 72 states that are not members of the ICC and the court cannot intervene in them.
Only the Security Council can permit that. Here we get to the political aspect. Sometimes the Security Council members are in agreement like on Libya, sometimes they are not like on Syria and Palestine.
Of course changing reality in the whole world is complicated and will require time. But I can say that justice improved in the last 10 years more than it did in the previous 20 centuries. The last 10 years witnessed an incredible leap forward ... And during my tenure I learned that more and more regional organizations are gaining importance and the Security Council is taking that into consideration.
For example, when it decided to refer the Libya case to the ICC, it was very critical for a country like China that the Libyan ambassador, supported by the representative of the Arab group in the council. was requesting the referral.
No less important than the Arab league's role is that in the wake of the Arab Spring more individual states join the ICC. Tunisia did. Libya expressed its intention to do so. And I hope that Egypt will follow.
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my rail plan: abandon all hope
By enelson
Friday, August 24th, 2007 at 8:36 pm in Misc. Transportation.
Focused as I have been on the Bay Bridge (Did you hear? It's to be closed Labor Day weekend), I've felt guilty all week that I haven't paid much attention to the Bay Area's Regional Rail Plan that was put before the public Aug. 15 by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, BART, Caltrain and the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
So I called several people that know something about it, including the author of the legislation that made the plan possible, and I must say it wasn't much better than when those hasty Web reports came out saying that Harry Potter had been eaten by Voldemort.
The short version is that any meaningful improvement in our regional rail network, including BART, Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, ACE and the San Joaquins, would cost so much that there's no point in worrying about it.
Why do I think that?
Because one of the conclusions to come out of this is that the best hope for major improvements is to piggy-back our local system, i.e., the system that might get people off of those backed-up freeways connecting the Bay Area with the Central Valley and San Jose with San Francisco, is to hitch a ride with the California High-Speed Rail system.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, the California High-Speed Rail System is something that will whisk passengers from Oakland to Los Angeles in under three hours, relieve congestion at local airports and remove the "remote" from in front of the Central and Antelope valleys.
It will do this all for less than $50 billion, by current estimates. So far, the entity charged with doing that, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, has received less than a 10th of that, and was lucky to squeeze $15 million past the governor today and another $5 million from Orange County this year.
If $20.7 million sounds like a lot of money, consider that the down payment on this system is a $9.9 billion bond that has a good chance of being removed from the 2008 ballot so we can borrow for some other worthy purpose.
I should disclose here that I think the bullet train is way cool, and I'm partial to trains in general. That's why this whole regional rail plan thing is somewhat depressing.
Since I now work across Interstate 880 from Oakland Coliseum, my long-distance commute often starts and ends at one of the loneliest and scariest Amtrak/Capitol Corridor stations I've chanced to wait at.
There is no office, a malfunctioning arrival information sign and a homeless encampment literally a stone's throw from the platform.
As sad as I thought this was, I was surprised when a conductor asked me if I was sure I was going there. Why? Because the southbound/westbound trains scheduled to terminate there in the morning don't actually go there because no one's riding them.
At some point, people will get the idea that they can take the train to the airport, especially when there's a BART connector that the federal government just coughed up $25 million for (again, remember how they laughed at Dr. Evil for his $1 million ransom demand).
But until then, I have the shame of knowing that a monstrous huge locomotive is chugging diesel and blowing particulates for 10 minutes every morning just so I don't have to drive from the Central Valley.
The rail plan for the next 40 years, properly put together, might, I'm told, make such inefficiencies a thing of the past.
If you can make rail transit faster than driving (which it already is during bad rush hours), you can conceivably coax 50 percent of commuters along that corridor out of their cars. Otherwise, it's more like 2 percent to 3 percent, according to transportation planner Ezra Rapport, <cm cq> who helped write legislation that created the rail planning process.
Unfortunately, he contends, the process didn't provide any guidance to get us to that point.
After having difficulty getting the data showing future ridership, the process shut down before actual strategy could be worked out, he said.
The MTCommission convinced the other parties to the process that a September legislative deadline needed to be met, and now the public is left scratching its heads wondering what the whole thing means.
It does have some ideas, such as a second BART tube to move more people across the Bay, adding tracks to the commuter rail corridors and building a rail line through Marin and Sonoma counties, a battle that has already been joined in the North Bay.
What does the MTC have to say about this?
"This was a tall order with respect to forecasting of ridership into the future from around California that took longer than originally expected," said MTC spokesman Randy Rentschler. "It's a lot less picking things than articulating what things could look like … It's a big subject and I think a lot of folks would keep talking about it for a long period of time."
But considering that the thing was done in large part to see how our regional rail system would mesh with High-Speed Rail, "this is not going to be the last time this subject is going to be discussed."
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opinionBy Raheem Oluwafunminiyi
At a time when we ought to have learnt one or two lessons from the Ibori trial in the Southwark Crown Court and the declaration of the former Delta State governor as "a thief in government house", we are confronted with yet another brand of kleptocratic tendency, this time around perpetrated by some among Nigerian federal lawmakers.
It is common knowledge that corruption permeates all strata of Nigerian establishment, most especially those that involve policy makers in high places and the offices they control, but one establishment, however, stands out in all respect.
The Nigerian legislature and all its vestiges of law-making are so ridden with corruption and thievery that one begins to wonder how we got ourselves into this opprobrium.
When one looks at the connection between Chief James Ibori on the one hand and our lawmakers on the other hand, one would discern that the former stole money from his own people and state, secretly defying all laws to achieve this and went as far as keeping such wealth in the trust of foreign banks through the help of financial shenanigans, while the latter openly steal the wealth or to use the word 'appropriate for themselves' monies belonging to the vast majority of the people all in the name of legislating, yet leave nothing but stagnation, misery and poverty upon the land.
To sum it up, the lawmakers are therefore, 'pretenders of their respective offices' (to borrow the words from the Southwark Court) because what they were voted to do is the opposite of what they are doing.
It is quite sad that the House of Representatives many felt was going to show more concern towards the feelings, plight and aspirations of the people, having had fresh individuals or representatives from other political parties within it, went berserk by raising their quarterly allowance from 15 million naira to 27 million naira.
As if that was not enough, the Senate whose actions in the last twelve years have been nothing short of misunderstanding of the practices of legislative duties and functions awarded for themselves 45 million naira each.
By the time one does the simple mathematics, we are confronted with a House of 360 representatives whose allowances gulp 38 billion naira, while the Upper Chamber with 109 Senators has 19.62 billion naira per year. These staggering amounts of money are not part of the emoluments prescribed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the only statutory body empowered by law to fix salaries and allowances of public office holders.
It is unfortunate that despite the alarm raised last year by the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that the 158.91 billion naira spent on the legislature as overhead amounted to 25 per cent of all federal overhead expenditure in 2010, the federal legislature went ahead to increase their allocation to 232.74 billion naira from 111.24 billion naira earmarked for it by the Presidency.
It seems the act of law-making in our hallowed chambers has turned into money-making, in which the bellies and financial gratification of a few has become the norm. The fact that millions of Nigerians live below one dollar a day should have sent a signal to our legislatures that living in opulence at the expense of those who had voted them into power is not the step to take at this time when economic meltdown is busy tearing apart many nations.
The speech made by President Goodluck Jonathan during the January fuel subsidy brouhaha which stipulate cuts in government spending had failed to materialize within the Executive arm of government, else such initiative ought to have been extended to the legislature, whose members are increasing greedy.
If Ibori has been found guilty of being a thief in government house, our lawmakers too cannot be too far from such description. The vast majority of the people who are bled on a daily basis by these set of few hijackers of our commonwealth must stand up for what is our right and bring our lawmakers to their senses.
It is not enough to criticize on paper and hope all would be well. We must ensure that the good old days of law-making is brought back to life, while the bad eggs within the chamber, whose urge is to further enrich their pockets should systematically be flushed out and punished through enabling laws. The law must always take its course so as to keep thieves from occupying the government house.
Oluwafunminiyi wrote from Abuja


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The number of grade points obtained by a student in any course shall be computed by multiplying the number of credits in the course by the grade-point equivalent of the grade in the course as specified in Section 47-60. Courses taken under the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading system are not used in computing grade points.
Example: HIST 020, 3 credits, grade B, produces 9 grade points, and MATH 006, 3 credits, grade F, gives 0 grade points.
Revised: 9/9/75


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There's a new craze sweeping college campuses around the globe: SEX!
Sex has always been popular with college students. Being free from their parents allows students to shrug off their scholastic responsibilities and fuck a stranger. Yes, college chicks sure are great.
But it's not just regular, young people sex that's popular among today's students. More and more college students are going to site's like www.seekingarrangement.com to get themselves a sugar daddy. College babes are trading sex to pay for their studies.
Isn't having sex for money prostitution though?
Not exactly because it's structured more as a relationship between two (or more) consenting adults. It just so happens that one person is nubile and broke while the other has an excess of wealth and loneliness.
"students, actresses, models or girls & guys next door. You know you deserve to date someone who will pamper you, empower you, and help you mentally, emotionally and financially," is how SeekingArrangement likes to describe it.
It's like a dating service for people aspiring to be or looking a trophy-spouse.
If the opportunity arose, would you be a Sugar Baby for a Sugar Daddy/Sugar Momma?
Before you decide, watch Alyssa Branch to see how much fun being a Sugar Baby can be:
Source: xvideos.com via crazykd183 on Sex.com


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Current political and economic conditions, both national and international, make the introduction of the major in AAF particularly useful. This period of increased immigration and globalization of the labor market make it increasingly important for students to become familiar with peoples and cultures non-European. In addition to academic exposure for students, the Program offers possibilities for workshops and seminars for public school teachers and other professionals in the State whose job responsibilities have been expanded by changing demographics in the nation.
African and African American Studies is more than an effort to make our curriculum inclusive. The Program will introduce new methods of inquiry which are grounded in an interdisciplinary approach. The internships planned for students and the senior seminar required for majors are designed to maximize students' opportunity to apply research and training.
We are hopeful that this Program can help to build new bridges within the State between communities. Our objective is to both ensure that students stay in tune with their communities and to link faculty and their research to the larger community. In so doing we seek to aid the process of community development.
At campuses across the country, students have been demanding a new cultural pluralism - greater diversity in the courses offered and in the faculty hired to teach them. African and African American Studies at URI opens the university to minority students. Part of this department's academic mission is its potential to foster a positive self-image for the African American community and alter the often negative images of African and African American history and culture widely disseminated in American culture at large. This aspect of the program is crucial to providing the support necessary for many African American and other minority students to achieve success. The AAF Program, with its interdisciplinary goals, aims to encourage the aspirations of African American and other minority students, and the actualization of those aspirations - that is, to expand their sense of the contributions they already make to the university and to the larger American community and to help them to envision themselves making further contributions.
Courses developed in this department will provide additional opportunities to all students to enrich their university experience in multicultural and international education. The AAF Program also functions as a center for the investigation of intercultural processes and development. This is critical during a period of transforming global relations. America's demographic shifts have the potential to transform politics and culture as the number of non-Europeans grows in every major urban area.
The African and African American Studies Program is interdisciplinary, drawing on the arts, humanities and social sciences. It offers a wide range of courses which explore the history, culture, politics and economics of people of African origin, particularly those who live in the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The AAF Program presents new intellectual and cross-cultural enterprises, incorporating alternative historical reconstruction's and formulating methodological, theoretical and analytical forms into the social sciences as well as the humanities. We sponsor lectures and workshops in collaboration with other departments and with the Multicultural Center for students and the community covering a variety of topics from international, national, state and community politics to educational, social, cultural and economic issues.


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Why one machine is better than three
Pennsylvania acreage owners downsize equipment to one Toolcat utility work machine
If you've ever questioned what the word "versatility" means and how it applies to compact equipment, Toolcat� utility work machines define it. Susan Gumpher's experience with her Toolcat 5600 on her Pennsylvania acreage is a perfect example.
A Toolcat 5600 suits homeowner Susan Gumpher perfectly.
Susan and her husband, David, live on 4 acres that include their home, the office for Gumpher Electrical Contracting � which they've owned and operated for 30 years � and their many perfectly manicured landscapes with numerous annuals and perennials. Landscaping is something Susan has fashioned into a serious hobby, complete with her own garden planting shed.
Replacing three machines with one
The Gumphers previously owned three pieces of equipment to manage their property, particularly in the winter for snow removal and in the spring for delivering mulch to the many plant beds on the property. Last year the couple opted to replace their three machines with one Toolcat 5600 and attachments from their local Bobcat dealer, Best Line Equipment. The reason for such a change was that they could get more productivity out of one machine with multiple attachments than they could with three machines, and the new 5600 is much more comfortable than the previous equipment, according to Susan.
"The Toolcat machine has a lot more power than the equipment we previously owned, and the 5600 is easier to maneuver, especially in the all-wheel steer mode," she says.
The Gumpher's Toolcat utility work machine is usually in one of three places: at the Gumpher acreage, helping Susan move mulch, haul dirt or carry water to her flower beds or transport materials in the cargo box; on an electrical jobsite where it complements other construction equipment; or on a hunting expedition with David.
"My husband will remove the front-mounted attachment and take it on hunting trips," Susan says. "With the cab, heat and radio, he can sit in the woods, and when someone is ready, they'll call him and use it to transport the deer in the cargo box."
Homeowner Susan Gumpher enjoys operating the machine to maintain her many gardens, distributing mulch on the property and clearing snow.
Attachments = Productivity
Beyond two buckets, the Gumphers purchased multiple Bobcat� attachments, including a snowblower, snow blade, pallet forks and an auger. When the machine is on an electrical jobsite, they've rented a trencher attachment and a grapple from their Bobcat dealer.
Around the acreage, it's easy for Susan to change attachments, and if they're non-hydraulic attachments, like switching between buckets, she can do so from inside the comfortable Toolcat cab without even stepping outside. Their 5600 includes the optional Power Bob-Tach� attachment mounting system, which allows her to push a button, raise the Bob-Tach levers, disengage one bucket, drive up to another bucket, engage it, activate the Bob-Tach levers again, and she's connected to the next attachment. It's as simple as that. Add up attachment changes every day, week and month, and pretty soon you're saving a lot of time and energy.
When asked how it compares to other equipment she's operated in the past, Susan says it's considerably more comfortable and easier to operate. "The ride is much smoother, and with the all-wheel steering, I can maneuver into spots a lot easier, back into them, rather than going forward and back until I get to my desired place," she explains.
To put it nicely, Gumpher's prior equipment wasn't attachment-friendly. They had attachment options, but they were a "pain." "With our other equipment, you had to struggle with chains and clip-on things," she says. "It was difficult to get something on. The Bobcat� attachments are much, much easier. And the visibility at night, with the lights on, is great." Another plus for those early mornings or late nights moving snow.
Lending a helping hand (or attachment)
In addition to clearing out their own driveway, the Gumphers help their neighbors with snow removal, which Susan says will be a lot easier this winter with their Toolcat 5600 and front-mounted snow removal attachments.
Once inside the 5600's enclosed cab, it's easy not to want to get out. "Our Toolcat 5600 has a superior heating and air conditioning system," Susan says. "I have much more control with this system, as far as the fan speed, and it cools or heats much quicker, too."
When Susan and David Gumpher wanted to work more efficiently on their acreage, the couple quickly learned how one Toolcat machine could replace three machines they already owned. Work doesn't seem quite as difficult, thanks to their 5600 and attachments.


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VILLAGE HALL: Work is beginning on the roof. Unfortunately this means the hall is out of action until near Christmas. The latest computer class have just finished their course and is hoped to begin another beginners course in January and perhaps a follow-on course for the latest graduates. For the last six weeks a "Drop In" session has been held in the afternoon at the cost of £3, which will begin again in the New Year. Information on the beginners course, which is sponsored and is free, will follow but please contact Gavin Bolton, Director of Switch on 01209 310331 or 07794582944 email@example.com to register your interest and hear more details.
LUMC: On Remembrance Sunday, a Parish Act of Remembrance will take place at 10.45am at Praze War Memorial. This is to be followed by a Parish United service at Leedstown United Methodist Church at 11.30am. The service will be taken by the Rev Steve Wild, Chairman of the Cornwall Methodist District.
Junior Church will take place at the usual time of 11am in the Sunday schoolroom.
At 6pm the Rev Phillip Williams will take holy communion.
The Christmas Bazaar was very successful and many thanks are given to everyone who helped. Thanks are also given for the 65 shoeboxes which were provided to be sent to needy children in deprived areas of the world. Twenty-two boxes were for 2-4 year olds, 28 boxes for 5-9 years and 15 boxes for 10-14 year old children.
The collection of socks filling up the Big Sock in the chapel is coming on nicely. The socks are being collected for the St Petroc charity for the homeless. Donations are still very welcome at the chapel or Tuesdays Coffee Stop which is 10am till noon in the Sunday school.
LEEDSTOWN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: There is to be a market and craft fair held at Leedstown Chapel Sunday schoolroom in aid of the Christmas lights, on Saturday November 17, 10am-1pm. This is a change of venue due to the work in progress at the village Hall. To book a table at the cost of £5, contact Mr and Mrs Christopher on 01736 850315. Please support and keep the festive lights shining. The switch-on of Leedstown's Christmas lights is on December 14 at 7pm.
DUKE OF LEEDS: The Harvest Home evening raised just over £800 for local good causes. It was a very enjoyable evening with Tommo the auctioneer in good form, and Emma and Stuart would like to thank local business for their support and also everyone who came along to spend some money and join in the fun. LEEDSTOWN C P S: The school has been collecting Morrison's vouchers – 829 so far – please bring all vouchers in to school by Friday. The school is supporting CPR Foodbank – Santa's Meal Appeal. To support a local charity, they would like to try to put together a box for the Santa's Meal Appeal. This organisation is aiming to supply 200 families with a Christmas meal this year. If you would like to donate please contact Don Gardner on 01209 714592. Boxes will be in the foyer at the school, if you would like to make a contribution.


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Male , 18-21
Feeling calm
I'm a complete lunatic and I love it. I have no filter and I'll never apologize for who I am.
Last Seen Aug 18, 2014
Member Since May 03, 2014
Favorite Quote \"If you can\'t swim, you bound to drizown\"
- a little Egyptian
Vices big booty, smoking, being bad,GP,
Politics Liberal
Horoscope Virgo
Special day
Books I don\'t read
Music r&b,indie,gospel,rock,
Local Time July 3rd, 7:05 PM
I Will Answer Anything You Dare To Ask
Ask and I'll tell ... Go!!!!! [more]
I remember when my cell phone would be flooded with text and calls. I loved that I had all these cool *** friends. I couldn't believe how close I was with the guys who played sports. They didn't care … [more]
1-2 of 2 Stories


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I'm not sure how I missed this. The dev of one of my favorite iOS games, the retro-style arcade game Forget-Me-Not, released free versions for PC and Mac last summer. Those who aren't joined at the hip to an Apple […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
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