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sharing the love of needlework through shows, classes and seminars
Lynda Keske
Lynda began her design work in her 20s for a manufacturer of petit point jewelry. When the business closed, Lynda was encouraged to publish her first six designs. She began to teach her technique called Sym Stitching three years ago. Sym is short for symography, a style mostly associated with string art. The designs appear complicated but with Lynda's technique and an understanding of needle thread counting and the diagrams, you will catch on amazingly fast. Her goal is to teach her students a new technique that they may take and incorporate in to their own work and to learn a few shortcuts; all while relaxing and having fun.
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Posted on 08/22/2012 4:31:56 AM PDT by Kaslin
If Justin Bieber or the Rolling Stones suddenly decided to stage an impromptu concert in a public place somewhere in America without a permit, would the authorities ignore it and shrug it off? Doubtful. Even buskers performing in the New York City subway system can't play without formal authorization from the city.
What about taking such a musical performance into a church? If Jennifer Lopez or Madonna just showed up in a place of worship, stripped down to their skivvies and started dancing around the altar, would that fly in any Western democracy? Not likely.
So why, then, are three young women in Russia getting so much sympathy from the mainstream media for doing precisely this inside a Russian Orthodox church?
Last week, three members of the activist group Pussy Riot were each sentenced to two years in prison for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred. The group's members are part of a larger protest group called Voina, which has previously been involved in various acts of public nuisance, including group sex in a museum and shoplifting a whole chicken from a supermarket by stuffing into an activist's lady parts.
Voina and Pussy Riot are the Russian version of the Occupy Wall Street protest crowd. Their modus operandi is to use "art" in its various forms as a cover for acting like jerks and flaunting police warnings. They exploit the sentiment that artists worldwide generally should be given more behavioral license than the general public because they've historically pushed the boundaries of free expression.
One would hope that the public is able to tell the difference between Pussy Riot and, say, Voltaire -- who was thrown into a French prison for criticizing government and the Catholic Church in his extensive body of writing. Voltaire's career was writing, while Pussy Riot's entire career consists of hooliganism with a sprinkling of poor-quality "music" thrown in. Voltaire published several novels, plays, poems and essays, and in doing so, just happened to tick off the powers that be. Pussy Riot hasn't even recorded an album. Their credibility as artists is poorly established, unlike their activist background.
Boiled down, the Pussy Riot case is just another example of the social media generation's demand for instant gratification and attention in the absence of any sustained hard work. The protesters chose the shallowest form of subversion possible, their rationale apparently being that by doing a lewd can-can-girl number in a church, they can successfully overturn the government of a G8 country. That's some serious stoner logic.
The longer game of subversion would have required them to spend years working to get into a key position within the power structure, then influencing and subverting the system to change what they don't like. The effects of such an effort would have been more organic, credible and durable.
Or, at the very least, they could have practiced for several years to hone their "art" in the event that they were serious about being artists and not just serious about being hooligans. That's why Madonna can say all sorts of nonsense from a concert stage and constantly push the boundaries of free speech without getting arrested -- because she's actually earned the "artist" label and the leeway society affords it.
Somehow Russian President Vladimir Putin has been dragged into all this, presumably because this story is sexier with a Bond villain -- and because it's always preferable to hold someone else responsible for one's own bad behavior. Pussy Riot supporters claim that Putin has the long knives out for the band because they mentioned him in a song. The idea of Putin sitting around blubbering over being badmouthed by some girls in a YouTube video certainly undermines any evil image. The smearing of Putin as hypersensitive and vindictive would have been more credible had they intelligently addressed Putin's policies without breaking any laws, or associated themselves with a larger group of activists known for flaunting it relentlessly and treating it as a joke. Pussy Riot didn't keep its powder dry.
It's not as if Putin just invented the Russian law against hooliganism. The penalty of up to seven years in prison wasn't concocted especially for Pussy Riot. In fact, the same crime of religious hooliganism in Germany carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment -- a year more than the sentence Pussy Riot members received.
The Western media should save its tears for those who truly deserve them.
Solzhenitsyn never would have supported what PR did in the church.
Yes, that's true - good point. Those earlier "activities" give a more complete picture of these women and the rest of their group. But the three women were charged for only the church protest.
They were charged with Russia's version of a hate crime against religion. It carried a maximum sentence of seven years, but the prosecutor asked for three years. They were sentenced to only two. When the story first broke, at first, two years seemed a bit much for one incident - I would've agreed with you there. But, when I found out how much of a public nuisance they've been, I lost all sympathy for them.
I didn't notice these women speaking out against hate crime legislation in their statements. Considering their left-wing positions, maybe they agree with hate crime legislation. Which would be ironic.
I read through their statements earlier. Indeed, they are well-written statements. (I did wonder if they themselves wrote the statements, or if someone else did - or if the translator used creative license...) But, in those statements, they were trying - as you noticed, too - to justify their actions. Also, the way they compared their trial to Stalin's "troikas" and "purges" in their statements - that was quite a stretch.
Well said. It's hard to believe that these people are serious about their political positions when it seems all their forms of protest are some act of deviance. Really, the thing with the chicken-I could have lived all the rest of my life without knowing that-is a serious act of political opposition? That's what they consider effective?
I'm seeing a lot "the ends justify the means" rhetoric from their apologists, and that's a leftist meme. It was their responsibility, if they felt so strongly, to find a venue of protest which didn't assault people of faith's reverence. This is exactly what the left here does-any means of protest, no matter how outrageous and disrespectful, is "justified" by the righteousness of their cause. Greenpeace, Occupy, the Weathermen, all of them. The difference with them and the Revolutionaries is that the Revolutionaries were serious men and willing to take the consequences.
And the eloquence of their statements doesn't justify their actions either. I've read them. I didn't think they were all that eloquent. They didn't explain why the action they took was the only one possible or what it did to forward their cause. Patrick Henry it wasn't.
Yes, that's true. Who knows why they weren't charged for other crimes. But, in any case, under the law, they faced a maximum sentence of seven years for this one crime. They were sentenced to two years - far less than the maximum.
I can't find the group's position on hate crime legislation. To be honest, in searching for it, some of the websites are just too vile. But, considering the group's left-wing politics - according to Wikipedia, they oppose abortion restrictions and support "LGBT" issues - it wouldn't be surprising if they themselves support hate crime legislation (oh, the irony of it all).
Anyway, why are people so supportive of these women? Is it because they're "girls" - more specifically young women in their 20's? They probably look harmless as they skip away from the security guards at the cathedral. Here's a website with more info on what they were singing about and the words they were using.
Suppose these were men doing the same thing? Would they have come across as so harmless? Would so many people be as supportive? Consider how the women were walking up to police women to forcibly kiss them. Would men get away with doing the same thing? We might not have even heard the story if not for the name - PR.
You may be both right and wrong.
AFAIK group claimed it's responsibility for burning a truck but no one was prosecuted for this act because authorities had no evidence to charge any exact person.
They were prosecuted for public pornography, throwing cats at McDonalds, their "performance" in courtroom and damaging another police car, thus they weren't sentenced to any real jail time.
I got your point but that is your achilless heel vs this kind of agitators.
These people are targeting public morals and institutions designed to defend it. It may look pretty innocent at the very beginning but if you won't stop it at that moment it won't be that funny in near future.
Their idea is to make unrest a fact of daily life and accepting it will bring followers. Burning a government vehicle and desecrating church by one group today may lead to full scale attack on public institutions and burning down dozens of churches tomorrow.
"Girls kissing girls" is not innocent. I haven't seen if one was pleased with such an attack.
44% of Russians supporting this trial simply knows a history of their country.
I'm not complaining that they were punished...I just think two years in prison is way too harsh for a public disturbance where no property was damaged and nobody was physically injured. If you held up a sign at some leftist gathering and said some things, do you think you should get two years in prison?
Good statements. This firmly exposes that Vladimir Putin remains an unrepentant unreconstructed Chekist. These women might not have experienced the repression of the Soviet Union firsthand, but they are not ignorant of it. Just what did Putin have on Yeltsin to be his designated successor?
Excellent point.
There's considerable inconsistency in claiming to be serious political dissidents - when it's useful to impress some people - and at the same time claiming they shouldn't be punished because they're just delayed adolescent merry pranksters doing a little sexual posturing for fun.
Just like our "progressives," such serious "causes" providing their justification to copulate and eliminate in public. Nothing I've read on this thread has changed my original opinion, which was that if "our" media and the Zero administration are supportive of this demonstration, then it must be destructive.
After posting, I actually looked into this some more, and if nothing else saw that there are two sides to this.
If nothing else, I got some more info appearing to show that Putin doesnt eff around.
That is assumption on your part, that those who support the prosecution, somehow know more or better about "the history of their country" than those whom do not support the prosecution.
If it be true that 72% view themselves as Russian Orthodox, that still leaves a sizable percentage of Orthodox whom for whatever reasons, didn't think this particular prosecution made good sense.
From all other sources, the criminal charges brought to trial, have been consistently characterized as being solely for the obnoxious activities that transpired in the cathedral.
Criminal trespass charges for those offenses, would have been more accurate, and more likely to have had wider support.
I got your point but that is your achilless heel vs this kind of agitators.
What of your own lack of armor? The shield of faith is what is to be used to quench fiery darts hurled by the wicked one. Not "the powers of the State".
What is more profane? These loud and obnoxious punks, or Putin, the one whom seemingly has no qualms against murder, and lesser acts of injustice perpetrated against political, and business/financial opponents, lighting candles in the Church?
Ask yourself, which is more offensive, and potentially destructive to true worship of our Creator?
Wedding the powers of State, to the Church, has proven to have been a mistake, over & over throughout history.
The Church is called to be holy, and set apart. What State, established by men, managed, governed, used and manipulated by men, has ever truly been that?
AFAIK group claimed its responsibility for burning a truck but no one was prosecuted for this act because authorities had no evidence to charge any exact person. They were prosecuted for public pornography, throwing cats at McDonalds, their performance in courtroom and damaging another police car, thus they werent sentenced to any real jail time.
Have any of you ever lived in a neighborhood where a group of young people were wreaking havoc, but the neighbors could never prove it to the police? I have... many times. I'm betting most (if not all) of you have, too.
In one neighborhood, a group of teens was harassing everyone. Among other things, they even spread feces once all over our front door. The police could do nothing. It was our word against the teens'. Finally, these young people were caught and punished for something minor. I remember hearing them complain that they were being overly-punished. The way they were talking, an outsider who didn't know their history would've felt bad for them. But those of us who lived in the neighborhood were relieved.
Where my folks lived, a few young people have been terrorizing the neighborhood for years. They slit tires, crack windows with BB guns, throw used condoms all over lawns, steal things from private property, and verbally harass the neighbors. Everyone hates but fears them, but for a long time, the police could do nothing. Neither could other local authorities. These young people also deal drugs, and finally one was busted for drugs and put into prison. Things got quieter in the neighborhood. An outsider, who didn't know their history, might think, "This poor young man has been thrown in prison..." But, those of us who knew the history wish they all could be put away for awhile.
Think of Russia as "the neighborhood" and PR as "the neighborhood punks." The police finally got them on something. That's why most Russians are happy about it. We're the outsiders.
Have you considered how the fallout due to the how & why these scene stealing "protestors" were eventually prosecuted, can be more damaging to the Church overall, then it is helpful?
Remember what the [son of] Man said;
"The kingdom of heaven is within".
Why be in such a hurry to wed the powers of the State, and it's own effort to affect civil order, to the Church?
Consider what PR was singing about. Do they have a point? Is there some dis-connect between what the Church stands for as to morality, and how the Russian State exercises it's own powers? There is some un-evenness there, though it also stands to be mentioned that the present Russian State, is not the first to fall short of the high mark.
This other thread has what looks to be an accurate translation of their little protest song;
The Church has always endangered it's own holiness when too strongly allied with State.
If we try to force the one, before the other, then the girls are right. What we result with is truly crap, crap, crap. Decidedly, not so holy.
Or do you think we can force the issue by rule of law? Efforts along those lines have often enough fallen woefully short. The exceptions to this can be seen in clearest example, in the individual first, whom can then lead others by example.
Yet we are living in an age when even the best examples will scarcely be followed, and if followed, then by a great many, somewhat superficially. When that occurs, let us not be so quick to declare victory, when looking at present, and past times.
By which I mean, there is strong tendency among some Catholics to look back upon times when their own churches were blended quite directly & strongly with the powers of State, as some sort of past, rose colored Nirvana.
Clean first, the inside of the cup, then one can see enough to clean the outside. Other efforts tend to result in only smearing the dirt around.
It's a fair point that they are repeat offenders insofar as public disruption is concerned.
Nevertheless, there are a couple of problems with your analogy.
1. PR, by their court statements, have important political, theological and cultural points to make. Teenage hoodlums do not.
2. Putin and his gangster government are the ones terrorizing the neighborhood.
Its a fair point that they are repeat offenders insofar as public disruption is concerned.
Nevertheless, there are a couple of problems with your analogy.
1. PR, by their court statements, have important political, theological and cultural points to make. Teenage hoodlums do not.
2. Putin and his gangster government are the ones terrorizing the neighborhood.
I don't know if Putin is really that bad or not but from these videos Russian government looks like a pretty peaceful bunch.
No batons, no kicks and punches for these "protestors".
Two year term is a joke as well if you'll listen them talking on Stalinism comeback.
I think you're right.
But, considering PR's far-left politics, I'm still surprised at how much support they're receiving on this forum.
I have to disagree. I don't think what PR has been doing is any better than what teenage hoodlums do. IMHO, their political statements are no better than what hoodlums might say.
Putin and his gangster government are the ones terrorizing the neighborhood.
I don't know if that's true. Russia is not what it used to be.
Well, each of us is looking at this story differently, that's for sure.
No one is exaggerating about their behavior.
And both Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church publicly called for leniency. According to the reports, Putin is popular in Russia. This anti-Putin group is so vile that they probably added to his popularity. Apparently, many Russians were sick of this PR group. Russia has been doing well economically under Putin's leadership; this PR group could not have been any threat to him.
And the Orthodox Church publicly asked for mercy for the PR group.
But they've been a public nuisance to everyone else, apparently.
As stated earlier, for this particular crime under Russian law, the maximum sentence is seven years. That means other Russians may have been sentenced to seven years for this crime. These PR women were sentenced to just two... after all the havoc they've been wreaking with their group.
No one is exaggerating about their behavior.
They were tried only for what occurred at the church, yet wasn't it you(?) who tried to claim they were tried for these other things you wish to keep bringing up?
You compared them to tire slashers, drug dealers, and vile hoodlums in the U.S. who spread feces all over YOUR door, also. That sort of comparison would and should get you kicked off a jury.
Yes, I'm sure that many in Russia are sick of them, but less than half (from a statistic brought here by your buddy) actually supported the trial. Even with full-time efforts on the part of Putin's media outlets to paint these punk protestors as some sort of horrible evil..
I'm going to assume some of the majority of Russian citizens whom disagree with the prosecution, may have thought PR improperly charged, or over-charged for what they did do in that church, since less than half are fully on the side of the government. The case has been all over the news and media in Russia recently.
Excuse me? They were a component of the vocal opposition whom pointed out multiple instances of voter fraud during the last election. You know, the one where Putin was looking to be re-elected? And did. These protest punks jeopardized that, embarrassing both Putin and the Patriarch. At first Putin's government tried to laugh it off, but the Patriarch and a significant portion of the Orthodox were offended. That it ultimately what they were prosecuted for. Even then the government fell short of actually proving their case.
Ask Gary Kasparov. He was there, and among many others, and concurs Putin's operators jiggered the election. Pussy Riot just pushed too many buttons, calling foul in their foul way, for his using the Church as an election campaign backdrop (which he undoubtedly DID do).
After the fact that Patriarch Kirill very publicly demanded they be tried in the first place.
One prominent Orthodox commentator called for them to be burnt at the stake, as I have already provided quotes and links for, here previously on this thread.
Do you even read what I have to say before replying? I ask this, for the replies from you seem always the same old, same old. Just repetition of the enmity which you seem to hold for them...
Try looking into a conversation I had with a Catholic living in Poland, on this thread...he might not fully agree with me in all which I have otherwise said, but I'm certain he doesn't agree that the slant you keep pushing here, is the full and complete story, either.
Many Orthodox in Russia are not quite buying the State media line --- which is the line you are pushing here, whether you know it or not.
There you go AGAIN! Convicting them for all this other junk, which charges were not brought for, nor for which they were allowed any chance to provide for their own defense. What is this? The Inquisition?
The five months they spent waiting for trial was more than enough "time served", for their real crime or offense (trespass) but the government can't admit that, so the girls are stuck.
Possibly yourself, and more assuredly a number of Orthodox in Russia, view these girls' "punk prayer" as blasphemy, as a desecration. Yet the "prayer" was not an indictment against the Church itself, for the motives of the performance were political. It's not their fault, after all, that the KGB has long sought to control, and frequently has succeeded in controlling or manipulating the Church.
The difference being is that nowadays, rather than just keeping it repressed as in Soviet times, they now co-opt the Church and religious sentiments, when they can get away with it.
"In conclusion I would like to read the words of a Pussy Riot song, that, strange as they may be, proved prophetic. We foresaw that the Head of the KGB and the Chief Saint of the land place the protesters under guard and take them to prison. This was about us."
And here's a clear example that these are anarchists, not real protesters — now it's "inspired" Germans to do the same thing inside another cathedral —> http://rt.com/news/pussy-riot-cologne-cathedral-463/
No, I did NOT make such a claim. I brought up those other "activities" to give a more complete history of what this group has really been doing.
Please, try and get news and background information about this case from sources other than limited only to 'Life Site News' and the official Russian State informational/propaganda organs.
I did check a variety of sources before forming an opinion on this story. However, I do wonder about the sources YOU have been reading.
You compared them to tire slashers, drug dealers, and vile hoodlums in the U.S. who spread feces all over YOUR door, also. That sort of comparison would and should get you kicked off a jury.
We're not on a jury. This is an internet forum. We're not on jury duty; we're just talking. I'm allowed to say: "This group is nothing more than a group of hoodlums." Or, are you saying that this PR group can do and say anything they want as a form of protest, but no one should comment on their behavior? Why, how dare I comment on their behavior on an internet forum! What is this world coming to when a group of young women can't burst into a cathedral and cause a disturbance without being criticized for the many other disturbances they caused? /sarcasm
full-time efforts on the part of Putin's media outlets to paint these punk protestors as some sort of horrible evil..
The Russian media didn't have to do anything. The hoodlums themselves filmed their activities and posted videos and pictures of what they did on the internet.
...a component of the vocal opposition whom pointed out multiple instances of voter fraud during the last election... etc. .... Ask Gary Kasparov. He was there, and among many others, and concurs Putin's operators jiggered the election... etc.
On the one hand, you're very defensive of this group of hooligans who engage in sexual activities in public, flip police cars, set police vehicles on fire, and use profanity to disrupt the public, among other "activities." Because they were convicted for only ONE crime, you seem to think no one should criticize their other activities. You even excuse their other activities.
Yet, without any real evidence, you believe their stories about elections being rigged. Maybe the elections were rigged; maybe they weren't. Where is your proof that they were? Because Gary Kasparov says so?
Also, you insist that the PR group's former activities should have nothing to do with the discussion. But then you keep bringing up Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church.
Putin has been doing some rather interesting things to keep himself in power. Maybe he is a bad guy. Maybe not entirely. The U.S. should never trust him completely. But that is a completely different topic of discussion. These "girls" weren't convicted of speaking out against Putin. They were convicted of Russia's version of a "hate crime."
(And, yes, I do read your entire posts, unfortunately.)
Hey Jack-ass. I never said they couldn't "be criticized" for other disturbances. Only that they were not formerly on trial for those other antics.
Quit lying about my own comments.
This obnoxious group has been running around mocking what they see as absurdities of cultural conventions in present-day Russia, using State institutions as a backdrop. That has been their schtick. I am aware enough of that.
Yet it is you and your ilk who persist in justifying long prison terms for their form of expressing "criticism", while they were tried mainly, only for offending the sensibilities of the religious, in a church of historical, religious, and now political significance.
That last part is quite important. It IS central to the entire affair, but is hiding itself behind the umbrage of the reaction, frequently characterized by such as your own refusal to consider much beyond this groups history of being disruptive.
Now they get punished for all of that, rightly or wrongly, but with the Church left holding the bag as being the repressive bad guys.
Is that the image we should want? The Church as part of a power paradigm which cannot suffer it's critics gracefully? Is willing to imprison them, if they become inconvenient to the image they have been carefully working to portray?
Putin has been at least partially successful in portraying, & selling himself as some sort of Orthodox Catholic.
Ask yourself --- do you think he has repented yet for all the killings of journalists his previous regime indulged itself with? Some criminals are punished in today's Russia. An entire other class appears to be the most deadliest to cross, and are above the law. Sound familiar?
Which is more profane, what those girls did, or Putin being given communion without repentance on his part, for evils perpetrated by his regime against critics? That is the taste left in the mouth of many in Russia and elsewhere concerning this.
It's like trying to go back to the time when the Tzars and the Church were united in one near monolithic entity.
Do we really want a return to that? With this time "the Tzars" being the oligarchs who control everything (including apparently, the Church?).
Many in Russia today, including a sizable number of Orthodox, and some number of the priesthood, do not want that.
Such a subtle liar you are. I most certainly never "excused" the above, save for "the use of profanity", which are just words, after all. That, and my being not too overly upset with them mugging police cadets with hugs and kisses...which "mugging" had as it's basis, it's own intended agitation of the political realm in Russia today.
That particular guerrilla theater was employed to frame the issue of questioning support for the current cultural paradigm, in which police powers are routinely employed as political weapon against investigators, questioners, and political challengers across the board, both "morally" legitimate or otherwise.
Perhaps you've missed notice of such? Or is this a growing case of the denials, allowing your boy Putin to F' over anyone he wants to, as long as he gives the Catholic Church, in this instance the [Russian] Orthodox Church it's "due"?
Ask guys like Kasporov, what happens to some dissenters, or other competitors to the regime. It can get real ugly. Should the Church give rubber-stamp to such? All in the name of suppressing the indecency of Pussy Riot, of course...
The question remains. Should Putin be allowed to get away with cloaking himself with the righteousness which could more properly belong only to the Church?*
That is what Pussy Riot, in all their profanity, was focusing upon that day, when they entered into that church.
We can all be uncomfortable with the way the question was framed, (and who it was that framed it) yet still the question leads us to ever more questions.
Questions such as reexamining, once again; "what is the Church?", and what should be "the State"? How best should the two exist?
Kirill I has long ago made up his own mind and expressed himself concerning the hoped for inter-action of the two.
That particular hope sounds all fine and well.. but while these two entities, Putin, and the former "tobacco Metropolitan" are blowing kisses towards one another "in mutual respect", then what are the rest of us to make of it? Shall we call it "holy"? Or is it as much or more, something else instead?
I do think we have all seen this particular movie before. It has it's high points, times when the human spirit be can touched by the Divine. Yet in the basements and dungeons, are works and deeds, acts of men committed in the name of that which is Holy, but are more suited for hell itself.
In the end (of the movie?) does the cozy relationship not result in a profanity far more disgusting than even one of these girls masturbating (the one previously put in a mental hospital for being rebellious) in a grocery market, using a chicken leg?
For sake of comparison, let us now look at how the most fanatical among the Islamists, in their own wettest dreams, fantasize about a much similar Church/State relationship, as Kirill hopes for.
Why should not the Islamists think it their right? In their perspective, that "right" has been rightly endowed to them by the Creator. For they too make the claim "we have Abraham as our father", with in their instance, Mohammed of course [may-pork-be-upon-him] being the interpreter of God's heart & mind towards man.
I know the answers to why the Islamists shouldn't be allowed to rule...but it runs a bit deeper than "the hierarchical entities of Catholicism instead...should be the ones to rule".
If I have uncovered our philosophical differences here, I must tell you, it is not news to me. I have understood this from the very beginning of our conversation.
No, I don't think you've uncovered our differences at all. You seem to believe that I believe a theocracy would be a good idea. If so, you have the wrong person. I have never been in favor of a theocracy.
Here's where I think we really differ: Because you believe Putin is guilty of rigging elections, etc., you are supporting these women because they oppose Putin.
To be perfectly frank, even if Putin was guilty of rigging elections, I still would have no sympathy for these women based on their other behavior, much of which would be criminal here in the states.
Also, because the Patriarch spoke out against the group, you believe the Orthodox Church is responsible for the group's conviction. Whereas I believe many Russians were just sick of the group's antics, and the courts probably were glad to be able to prosecute them for something.
BTW, after accusing me of lying about you excusing the PR group's activities, you did it again - you excused their activities:
Such a subtle liar you are. I most certainly never "excused" the above, save for "the use of profanity", which are just words, after all. That, and my being not too overly upset with them mugging police cadets with hugs and kisses...which "mugging" had as it's basis, it's own intended agitation of the political realm in Russia today.
As posted earlier: The group was facing seven years under the law. The prosecutor asked for three. They were sentenced to two. That begs the question: How many Russians have been sentenced to the maximum under the same law? And what did they do?
Notice the PR women didn't speak out against the "hate crime" legislation under which they were prosecuted. I didn't see in their statements where they spoke out against the anti-hate crime law itself. Instead, they merely contended that they weren't guilty of breaking it.
IMHO, we've both spent too much time talking about this ridiculous group. There are many more serious cases in the world, including cases in our own country, that merit more attention. You think these women were railroaded. I think they got what they asked for. I don't think we will change each other's opinions.
The first part of the above statement is next to meaningless.
They did make the claim the prosecution didn't make the case against them, that they were "hate crime" motivated. And that they were scarcely at all allowed to defend themselves against that core element of the charge. That element was discussed by way of "expert opinion" brought in by the prosecution to prove that crucial point, but lacked basis in actual facts of evidence. They were convicted to a large extent by "opinion", if it be any "hate crime" charge stuck. As for "hooliganism", what they did falls a bit short of what that sort of law was intended to punish, for they scarcely damaged a thing. Leaving only the less than proven, religious hate crime stuff. The charges brought were a poor fit.
What is up with this other weird tangent? They are somehow supposed to be opposing "hate crime" law? What good would that do them? Bringing up that element is ridiculous. Is that the best you've got?
Try reading what my stated reasons for opposing this prosecution are. I have been extensive enough. Election irregularities are but one part of the larger overall picture. Am I supposed to touch upon every aspect of that larger setting?
Flat, linear descriptions of the type which you have expounded, misidentify more than adequately describe. Hence my continued effort to deny those descriptions to be fair assessment, or the real truth behind the story, the only parts which can matter.
Why persist in trying to tell me what I believe? Like you know better my own mind, than I do?
I guess subtleties, and layers of complexity are over your head. You offer above, more lopsided, woefully limited comprehension -- interestingly enough, favoring the status quo of the State. The very storyline they have been wanting to push. Half-truths designed to mislead (away from the substance of the complaint the protest punks made) leaving Putin's gang apparently more firmly in control.
"Hey, don't look at us, we are the good guys. It's those profane punks who are the real threat to your humanity. Just look at how indecent they are, blah, blah, blah..."
That issue, the emerging Church/State issues, and how such a blend is problematic given the situation in Russia (if not most anywhere), is still much larger than the conviction of Pussy Riot, in and of itself. The trial simply helped underscore those elements particularly and presently Russian.
The Patriarch publicly called for the prosecution. Now he and the church are stuck with the outcome, regardless of how much that may irk some.
The Church is being increasingly linked to the Putin regime. That can be or become a big problem, undermining the mission of the Church, turning the Church into a moral/political arm of the State -- driving many away, making it more difficult to trust the Church, since who in their right mind trusts Putin & his crew? Obama maybe?
Those are the things I "believe", that I've been trying to say. It is not limited to the overly simplistic "just because they also oppose Putin" or oppose and hate the church, etc. That sort of thing is the exact line from the Putin administration. And you are consistent in repeating it.
As far as any "excusing" of these profane punks went, I underlined and explained as honestly as possible, to what extent I did explain their reasons, or as you wish to put it, "excuse".
That admission of what my own words were intended to mean, falls far short of the way which you attempted to characterize, what I allegedly "excused".
Burning, overturned police vehicles? You included such and more in your initial list. That sort of over-reach is simply effort to dismiss the argument of those which you are in disagreement with.
I see right through that sort of half-baked "crap, crap, holy crap", to borrow a phrase from the newly minted convicts.
It's fairly obvious to me you either do not understand what I've been trying to say all along, or are unwilling to contemplate the implications of that which I have expressed.
You are correct we will not agree. Otherwise as a mind reader, you suck.
What is up with this other weird tangent? They are somehow supposed to be opposing "hate crime" law? What good would that do them? Bringing up that element is ridiculous. Is that the best you've got?
By pointing out the PR group's obvious lack of interest in opposing anti-hate crime legislation, here's what I'm getting at: They most likely support anti-hate crime laws. That's the irony in the whole story. Do you know what this PR group has been protesting against? Not just Putin's election and the Orthodox Church. They have been protesting against restrictions on abortion and in favor of "LGBT" issues. They are on the far left politically. Therefore, they most likely support the very kind of law under which they themselves were prosecuted - as long as they themselves aren't the ones being convicted. (If you can find evidence that they oppose such legislation, post it, but I don't want to click on a link to one of the PR websites. I checked one PR website for more information, and it turned out to be pornographic.)
That issue, the emerging Church/State issues, and how such a blend is problematic given the situation in Russia (if not most anywhere), is still much larger than the conviction of Pussy Riot, in and of itself.
Well, here's one point on which we might agree: The conviction of PR is not very important in the grand scheme of things. We're only talking about it because the press is driving the story, and celebrities and other misguided people are supporting the group. Meanwhile, Russian politics is not what people are talking about. And there are many other cases in the world that deserve far more attention than this one.
Burning, overturned police vehicles? You included such and more in your initial list. That sort of over-reach is simply effort to dismiss the argument of those which you are in disagreement with.
I don't see how pointing out their many activities is an overreach. They were prosecuted for the nature of one of those activities.
Speaking of hooligans, btw, someone stole from our car last night. But, hey, maybe whoever did the stealing was just protesting against oil dependency... maybe I should just try to understand their message...
No, nope. We're never going to see eye to eye on this issue. Good day.
Because you claimed I was defending or excusing such which include burning, overturned police vehicles, etc.
Can't you see that? I excused no such things.
As far as the irony you were pointing towards, yeah, I got that part right off the bat. No need for you to have to explain it. I can well enough imagine you posted that with a smug little smile on your face, too.
What is actually more ironic, while you continue to post against crime in general, mentioning your own car being broken into, etc., the "hate crimes" this group have been convicted of, could hardly have occurred.
That is, unless the mocking of Putin's recent exploitation of the Church in using it as campaign backdrop "scenery" (both physical & conceptual) and the mocking of some of the "religious" in the blind following of the man, can be best interpreted and defined as "hate".
Which ends up with YOU supporting the hate crime legislation! Even as it was misapplied! How's that for irony?
It's not like Putin's electoral competition ran on a pro-crime platform, either. But he did paint his opposition as being of the lawless profane sort such as these punkers.
You seem to keep trying to do the same thing, to me.
The inherent irony, the reality turned inside out, is obviously lost upon you.
It's a good thing you have decided to have made your "last reply" to me concerning this. The hole you dig just keeps getting bigger.
You have defended/excused their "protest" inside a cathedral even though they were disrupting everything and using foul language.
Here are the other activities you've defended:
You've defended their interruption of the court hearing (according to the translation, they were using profane language there, too):
The trial they disrupted... interrupting the hearing set to send 2 leading curators of contemporary critical art in Russia to prison. needed interrupting. Simply respectfully "protesting" outside wouldn't accomplish diddly squat. That action most certainly WAS civil disobedience.
You defended their pranks:
The one with the guy running on foot over the top of the "KGB" political police official's car qualifies as a form of civil disobedience. It was funny in a way. The guy making a fool of himself did a good job of making a fool of the political minders/ political police.
You defended the women for walking up to and forcibly kissing policewomen who quite obviously were trying to fight them off:
The girls kissing other girls -- whom cunning fish termed "attacks on police cadets" --- were "attacks" of unasked for hugs and kisses. Oh the horror!
You have been consistently defending this group.
I can well enough imagine you posted that with a smug little smile on your face, too.
Not so. I'm not smiling at all. Discussions on the internet can be very frustrating because no one really knows each other and cannot see each other (therefore, cannot read facial expressions). So, everyone fills in the blanks with their own imagination, whether we realize we're doing it or not. When you read what I've written, you imagine me smiling smugly. And, when I read your posts, I hear the voice of Stewie on Family Guy. That's why these types of discussions never get anywhere.
Which ends up with YOU supporting the hate crime legislation! Even as it was misapplied! How's that for irony?
I oppose "hate crime" legislation because all crimes are hate crimes. IMHO, public disturbance and harassment are bad enough. I don't care what reason this group used for their public disturbance. I don't care if they were poking fun at the church (which they were) or criticizing Putin. Based on their other despicable behaviors (for example, having public sex as a form of protest), I wouldn't care if their message was the opposite of left-wing, and they were protesting in favor of traditional marriage and against abortion.
When I first heard the story, I was on their side... but decided to do some digging. When I found out what they actually did in the cathedral, I thought two years was too excessive. When I found out the maximum they faced was seven years - and that the prosecutor asked for three - two years didn't sound so long. And then when I found out about their other "performances" in public, the story was complete - it's obvious they've been a nuisance, and the public probably wanted to catch them on something and teach them a lesson.
There are other real cases of innocent people being thrown into prison wrongly in other countries (and in our country, too). The only reason these women are receiving so much international support is that they're left-wing.
The bolded portions I of course in no way defended, and objected to your adding those. Then you end with the twisted and specious
Which is galling, for you bring up these things consistently to provide cover for the sham of a trial, ending with them convicted of "hate crimes", which you otherwise claim to oppose. Some claim. HA.
I don't believe you. You seem all for it, in this instance. Along with having repeatedly reminded you they were not on trial for these other things mentioned (which you seem rather desperate to pin on myself also) I pointed out to you also, that they were not allowed much opportunity for defense against those particular "hate crime" charges, either.
As others here have mentioned, including myself, the charges didn't fit well. Something like trespass, disturbing the peace, etc., would be more fitting. I didn't as you say "excuse" the actions as much as you would like to twist my own words into meaning. They could well enough have been tried for other disturbances of "the peace", and I wouldn't much complain of criminal, "civic" charges in and of themselves, for those other offenses. But they were not put on trial for those other disturbances, no matter how much you'd like to obfuscate your way away from that. Which leaves us in the end with a misapplication or miscarriage of justice having your seeming support.
I can only assume, judging from your own words, it is because you find PR offensive. Jesus never promised us we would not be "offended" for His sake. He promised us the opposite.
What is truly frustrating here, is the scarce attention paid to all the rest of the pertinent issues touched upon. I can only conclude you wish to avoid looking into the more difficult elements which extend beyond that which I've mentioned. That sort of thing is near replica of how the social "conversation" went on in Russia concerning the trials, first of the art curators, then Pussy Riot.
Although it is easy enough to see how many of the "forbidden images" can be found offensive, the curators too, were brought up on "hate crimes". Concerning that trial; http://finrosforum.fi/art-trial-reveals-clash-of-russian-cultures
Russian society was pretty well split over that issue.
Of course no charges were brought against the "vandal", but I can easily enough understand why he tore the image in two which he did. It was without a doubt provocative. I don't much like that image, and another like it, in particular. Using the same reasoning which you've previously employed against my own person, (here used for "excusing" the vandal) am I now to be seated with the fundamentalist Orthodox babushkas?
Yet you've continued here to make one over-simplistic statement after another, ending the latest diatribe with the partially true, (which results in coming across as another LIE);
The only" The ONLY? What of the Orthodox priests whom opposed the trial, conducted as it was, with the charges which were brought? Are they of the profane libertine left also?
I object to the phrasing, using the word "only". You have held closely to the Party line. Congratulations comrade. Putin and his band of powerful thieves thank you.
Thanks bro. I will actually go ahead and take your word for all this. I, frankly, don't have the time nor the energy to put into 'Pussy Riot' issues. Right now, the fight is on my streetcorner.
To that end, please send me your phone number by freepmail again.
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text: Men's and Women's Injinji Toe Socks Sale(From $6.93) Flag this deal What's the matter? Choose a reason Dead deal Duplicate Bad link Spam Inaccurate No value Alive again Edit deal erick99 Jun 29, 2012 Are toe socks comfortable? I would think having the sock material between each toy would kind of keep your toes spread apart so your overall foot would be wider. Can you wear these in shoes? Reply Load More Comments


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ODOT District Two announces that on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 8-11 a.m., the right lane of northbound I-280, from Greenbelt Parkway to I-75, will be closed for interstate cleaning operations.
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BodyguardOpen Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2014; US$ 6.99
Max Maxon is an ex-marine who makes his living with a gun. Sasha Casad is a rich teenager trying to catch the next spaceship home. Max's job is to get her there alive. Somebody's trying to stop them--somebody with plenty of money and firepower. That doesn't bother Max. A contract is a contract. Against all odds, he's going to fulfill this one. And... more...
Hitman: Enemy WithinRandom House Publishing Group 2007; US$ 7.99
The clone assassin has been played long enough? now it?s more than a game. Bred to kill, Agent 47 is The Agency?s most valuable assassin. So when a competing murder-for-hire organization decides to destroy The Agency, the first person they target for elimination is Agent 47. Tasking someone to off the best hitman in the business is one thing; getting... more...
Resistance The Gathering StormRandom House Publishing Group 2009; US$ 7.99
Great Britain. July 1951. Three years ago, Russia went dark. Nothing got in. Nothing got out. The world assumed it was political strife. But it was the Chimera: voracious extraterrestrial invaders. And in December 1949, they burst across the Russian border and poured into Europe. The luckiest humans died. The less fortunate succumbed to an alien... more...
StarCraft II: Heaven's DevilsPocket Books 2010; US$ 7.99
For the poor, hardworking citizens of the Confederacy's fringe worlds, the Guild Wars have exacted a huge toll. Swayed by the promise of financial rewards, a new batch of recruits joins the fight alongside a slew of mysteriously docile criminals?and a few dubious military leaders. Eighteen-year-old Jim Raynor, full of testosterone and eager to make... more...
Halo: The FloodTom Doherty Associates 2010; US$ 9.24 US$ 7.39
REACH HAS FALLEN. THE COVENANT WAR MACHINE RAGES ON. HUMANITY'S LAST HOPE LIES WITH THE CREW OF THE PILLAR OF AUTUMN ?THE INDOMITABLE CAPTAIN JACOB KEYES, STAFF SERGEANT AVERY JOHNSON, THE AI CORTANA, HUNDREDS OF FEARLESS MARINES . . . AND SPARTAN 117, THE MASTER CHIEF. Having barely escaped the battle for Reach, the crew of the Pillar... more...
Mass Effect: DeceptionRandom House Publishing Group 2012; US$ 7.99
An all-new adventure inspired by the award-winning videogame from BioWare! The universe is under siege. Every fifty thousand years, a race of sentient machines invades our galaxy to harvest all organic life-forms. They are the Reapers. Two people who know the truth are desperately searching for a way to stop the cycle: Navy admiral David Anderson... more...
Resistance: A Hole in the SkyRandom House Publishing Group 2011; US$ 7.99
The official prequel to the blockbuster videogame Resistance 3 America. July 1953. � In this official prequel to Resistance 3, prospects are not looking up for planet Earth or Lieutenant Joseph Capelli. With the Chimera invasion in full swing, America has crumbled under the fierce alien juggernaut, its defenses overrun, millions dead, the rest left... more...
Imperial BountyOrion 2011; US$ 3.99
Since her brother's absence, Princess Claudia has seized the throne and brought the Empire to the brink of war with the Il Ronn. Only the missing Prince Alexander can stop Claudia's plans - and Sam McCade has only three months to find him. But Princess Claudia controls the Imperial Fleet and will stop at nothing to keep McCade from bringing in his... more...
Snake EyeOrion 2011; US$ 3.99
FBI Special Agent Christina Rossi had it all-for a while: a loving family, a career on an upward track, the works. Then a takedown of some eco-terrorists turned unexpectedly bloody, questions are being asked and the fast track is nothing but a memory as she doggedly pursues a slave labor case that might involve a Chinese mob and might be a complete... more...
DrifterOrion 2011; US$ 3.99
Smuggler Pik Lando is hired by a beautiful woman named Angel, and suddenly he finds himself involved with her and a group of hell-bent revolutionaries... and there is a price on his head. more...


text:
The first details have been revealed for the biggest Dota 2 tournament to-date -- The International 2012. Similarly to The International 2011, this year's tournament will feature a $1 million grand prize. 16 of the best Dota 2 teams will battle it out through a playoff-style double elimination bracket. Two teams have been invited so far: dominant Chinese team DK, and 2011's International champions Na'Vi.
While last year's tourney took place in Cologne, Germany, this year's will be featured in Seattle, Washington during PAX Prime. Yes, the convention that sold out of tickets in less than 24 hours of availability. Don't fret if you didn't get your tickets, because the entire tournament will be broadcast live with commentary free of charge.
Only two of sixteen teams have been announced, but it's already enough to get excited about. Both teams are on tournament winning streaks in 2012, and a matchup at the International would be momentous. For example, Na'Vi won both The Premiere League and The Defense this year, two large Dota 2 online tournaments. The prize pools for those were $5000 and 6000 EUR respectively. The International will be huge -- and possibly mark Dota 2's release.
Dota 2 is coming to PC and Mac later this year. Expect more news from Valve on The International as we approach the August 31 start date.


text: I recently returned from CUN. I flew via New York on VS upper and then AA on to CUN. My Aunty is a contractor for airlines and has rumored that BA is interested in the LHR-CUN route. As more 5 star hotels open in CUN like LA AMADA, why don't BA and VS want to fly this very popular route.


text:
Martin E. Lybecker is a partner in the firm's Business practice. Martin is
considered to have been a leader in the development of the legal theories with regard
to the substantial growth of bank securities activities. He also has
considerable experience representing the insurance industry in disputes over the
authority of banks to engage in insurance underwriting activities.
Martin serves as
counsel to investment companies and their independent directors, investment
advisers, broker-dealers, depository institutions and their holding companies,
insurance companies and several financial services trade associations. Martin is one of the leading practitioners in counseling family offices about their status and transactions under the Federal securities laws. Martin is a former Chair of the ABA Section of Business Law, and of its Committee on Banking Law.
Prior positions:
Partner, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr, 2001-2010
Partner, Ropes & Gray, 1987-2001
Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath, 1981-1987
Associate Director, SEC Division of Investment Management, 1978-1981
Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, Division of Investment Management, 1972-1975
Law Professor, Georgetown (1974-1975, 1980), State University of New York at Buffalo (1975-1977), Duke (1977-1978, University of North Carolina (1977), Duke 2000-2015, Georgetown (2015- )
Law Professor, Georgetown (1974-1975, 1980), State University of New York at Buffalo (1975-1977), Duke (1977-1978, University of North Carolina (1977), Duke 2000-2015, Georgetown (2015- )
"Mr. Lybecker is an attorney who embodies virtually every characteristic you hope to find in counsel. He's got great command of the 40 Act, an insatiable intellectual curiosity and a passion for his clients' issues. He is highly analytical, an outstanding teacher, always available and, moreover, an interesting individual. Most importantly, he does what he does without hubris. "


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Plasmonics has recently received a tremendous amount of attention, in particular, due to its potential for generating exceptionally large optical field enhancements in cubic-nanometer volumes. Among the many unique features of plasmonic structures, this field enhancement phenomenon has inspired researchers to construct refractive index sensors that utilize localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs).1–3
Complex metallic nanostructures are able to support bright as well as dark optical modes.4 When designed with the appropriate geometry and symmetry, metallic nanostructures have the potential to exhibit narrow Fano resonances due to destructive interference of the different modes.5–8 These Fano resonances can provide enhanced sensitivity and figure of merit of localized plasmon sensors,9–12 which easily reach or even exceed the best known LSPR sensors in single plasmonic particles.13–15 This is due to the fact that the complex geometry and the many degrees of design freedom allow for tailoring the resonant near-fields in a very small volume. Additionally, the spectrally narrow Fano resonances provide steep spectral features, which shift strongly upon refractive index change of the surrounding material and hence the local field. Therefore, measuring transmission and reflection intensity gives a strong response upon change of the environment.
One suitable geometry to generate sharp resonances is the asymmetric double split-ring resonator, where two crescent shaped nanoparticles with different lengths are placed facing each other. In this structure, two gaps are present, and these are placed at angles other than 180°.16–18
Examples for sensors based on such asymmetric split-ring resonators include biosensors in the GHz and THz region,19, 20 as well as sensors in the mid-infrared.21, 22 The asymmetric plasmonic geometry provides also the potential for other nanophotonic applications, such as lasing spasers,23 coherent plasmon emitters,24 and tunable metamaterials with narrow linewidth and varying coupling strength. However, the large scale application of Fano sensors has been hampered by two issues: one is the ability to utilize low-cost visible or near-infrared lasers as light sources, and the other are pathways to mass-fabricate Fano sensors over cm2 areas at low cost. Nanostencil-type fabrication has been suggested25 but has yet to prove its potential. Nanoimprint lithography might provide another option,26 which to date has not been applied to fabricate Fano sensors.
In this paper, we demonstrate how to overcome these two major obstacles, which would pave the road towards wide utilization of this cutting-edge technique. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first large-area low-cost plasmonic Fano sensing LSPR structure.
We fabricate asymmetric double split-ring-resonators (ADSRRs) by hole-mask colloidal nanolithography27–30 and vary the degree of asymmetry to study the evolution of the Fano resonance. Thermal annealing31 is utilized to improve the modulation depth of the Fano resonance or to turn off the coupling. In particular, we carry out time-dependent in-situ studies of the plasmonic spectra during heating. Refractive index sensing with different liquids on our low-cost substrate around the Fano resonance in the near infrared is demonstrated.
Figure 1a shows the schematic diagram of the fabricated ADSRRs with gap angle δ, width of the ring w, radius of the ring r, arc angles l1 and l2. We use a constant radius r in the experiment, so the gap δ, as well as the arc angles l1, l2 are given as angle for easy reproducibility. Both arcs are aligned along the y-axis. The degree of asymmetry is defined as a = l1/l2. Normally incident light with different polarizations, with the y-axis defined as 0° is used in all measurements. Figure 1b is a photograph of one of our 1 cm2 samples, which is covered completely and homogeneously with the plasmonic nanostructures, except for the little dark spot near the center, which was caused due to a problem with our spin coater.
ADSRRs with different geometrical parameters and their optical properties are shown in Figure 2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of large-area ADSRR samples A to D (Figure 2a) demonstrate the low defect concentration. Higher magnification micrographs (Figure 2a inset) show the geometric details of the ADSRR, the low size and shape variation, as well as the sufficient spacing between neighboring elements (i.e., no dominant near-field interaction in the few 10 nm range). The cobweb-like structures and the nanoparticle in the center of the ADSRRs in the insets arise from residual PMMA that was not removed by oxygen plasma etching and the subsequent lift-off process. This residual PMMA does not affect the optical properties of the structures very much, except for a small red shift due to its refractive index. It can be removed by additional oxygen plasma cleaning (see supplement). The gap size δ = 30° (∼45 nm) is kept constant, while the left arc length l1 is increased and the right arc length l2 is decreased from sample A to D. Therefore, the asymmetry parameter a also increases. The width of the ring w depends on the hole-size of the mask and the evaporation angle, which are shown in methods section. For all samples, we use the same hole-mask and a constant evaporation angle. The gold thickness of all samples is about 15 nm. Optical characterization of structures was carried out using a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer (Bruker Vertex-80). Optical spectra were obtained using normally incident light with polarization 0° (black), 45° (blue), and 90° (pink), with 0° parallel to the arcs. The required geometry parameters are simulated using an FIT code (CST Microwave Studio), as shown in Figure 2c. The refractive index of glass is assumed to be n = 1.5, and the permittivity of bulk gold is described by a Drude model with plasma frequency ωp = 1.37 × 1016 Hz and a damping constant κ = 1.2 × 1014 Hz. The used SRR structure in simulation is rectangular, with semicircular shapes on the two ends. The simulation agrees very well with our experiments. For 0° polarization, we observe an asymmetric Fano resonance at around 220 THz in sample A, due to the coupling of a subradiant dark mode with a superradiant bright mode. This coupling becomes stronger with increasing asymmetry parameter a. In the spectrum of sample C, the Fano resonance becomes very sharp and deep. As the asymmetry parameter increases more, the subradiant hybridized mode changes from dark to bright. In sample D, the Fano resonance disappears and only hybridization and dipole-dipole coupling is observable. For 90° polarization, we observe a weak Fano resonance at around 410 THz in simulation, which also becomes stronger with increasing a, and disappears for too high degree of asymmetry a in sample D. Due to the weak signal near to the limit of near infrared range of the light source in FTIR spectrometer, this Fano resonance for 90° polarization is not visible in experimental results. We only observe an asymmetric broadening of the resonance at around 400 THz in the spectra for 90° polarization of sample B and C. For 45° polarization, all plasmon modes for 0° and 90° polarization are excited simultaneously. To confirm these assessments, we calculate the electric field distribution for all the numbered spectral positions and respective polarizations of Figure 2.
Figure 3 displays these electric field distributions for the samples C and D. Image 1 and 3 show a superradiant hybridized dipole mode (depicted by black arrows) in sample C at 0° polarization. The two parts of the SRR oscillate in phase. Image 2 shows a subradiant hybridized dark mode (i.e., the antisymmetric mode distribution does not couple well to the incident light field), which is located at the Fano peak, and the two SRRs oscillate out of phase. Image 4 and 6 shows the superradiant coupled 2nd-order SRR modes of sample C at 90° polarization, and image 5 shows the dark hybridized subradiant mode. For sample C at 90° polarization, we observe a relatively strong plasmon mode at 480 THz. This mode is a hybridized dipole mode perpendicular to the arcs due to the large width w of the SRRs. For sample D at 0° polarization, the Fano resonance disappears because of the too large asymmetry parameter a. We only observe a subradiant hybridized bright mode (8) at the transmittance dip, which is exited directly from the incident light, due to a relatively large residual aggregate dipole moment in the structure. In mode 9, only the right SRR is exited.
From the experiment and simulation results, we find that the modulation depth of the Fano resonance depends on the degree of asymmetry a. The Fano resonance appears first with broken symmetry and becomes stronger with increasing a. The structure geometry changes also a lot, while we increase the asymmetry parameter a. The difference of the arc lengths l1 and l2 becomes larger, which influences the position of the plasmon modes of the two individual SRRs and reduces the coupling strength. Therefore, to achieve a pronounced Fano resonance, we should use the optimum asymmetry parameter a, as well as suitable geometry parameters l1 and l2.
In order to improve the modulation depth of the Fano resonances, we introduce an additional controllable process, namely time-dependent annealing of our samples at various temperatures and simultaneous measurement of their optical behavior by in-situ spectroscopy. A different approach, such as electropolishing of plasmonic structures, was investigated recently by other groups.32, 33 During the annealing, the gold coalesces due to high surface tension.34 If the sample is annealed too long, especially for very thin films, the structure can be destroyed, and the desired optical properties are not observed. This can be avoid with our in-situ measurement by annealing.
Annealing is performed using a small hot plate on the sample holder in the FTIR spectrometer and adjusting the temperature accordingly. Hence only reflectance measurements are possible. A spectrum is recorded every minute, until no changes are observed. In Figure 4a, no Fano resonance in the reflectance spectrum of sample C at room temperature (black curve) is observed, and the surface of the structures in the upper inset is rather rough. As the temperature increases to 150 °C, a rather unpronounced Fano dip appears in the reflectance spectrum (red curve). With longer annealing at 150 °C, the modulation depth of the Fano resonance becomes even larger, and all the resonances shift blue, because the arc lengths become shorter by about 10° during annealing. After 15 minutes, the Fano resonance becomes very sharp and deep (orange curve), and the structure surface is also much smoother, as shown in the lower inset.
Figure 4b shows the in-situ annealing of sample D. At room temperature, only a rather unpronounced Fano resonance is visible in the spectrum, which does exist due to the relatively small gaps before annealing and sufficient coupling. However, because of the high degree of asymmetry, the residual dipole moment in the subradiant mode is relatively large, and this mode is not really dark. During the annealing, the gap size becomes larger by about 10° (∼15 nm), which reduces the coupling strength. Hence, the Fano resonance disappears quickly, and the coupling is turned off. We only observe a bright hybridized mode at lower energy and a fundamental dipole mode of the right SRR at higher energy. Using this in-situ spectroscopy during thermal annealing, we can monitor the improvement of sample quality.
Plasmonic Fano sensors have shown tremendous potential for LSPR sensing due to their large field enhancement as well as their extremely small mode volume, which can reach atto- or zeptoliters.22 They also show very high sensitivity around the Fano resonance.10–12 In order to evaluate the suitability of our low-cost Fano structures for refractive index sensing, we use sample C, which shows the best modulation depth, and measure its transmittance spectra upon exposure to ethanol (n = 1.354), butanol (n = 1.387) and glycerin (n = 1.460), refractive indices at ∼1500 nm (Figure 5a). We observe the expected redshift of all spectral features. Figure 5b shows the simulated transmittance spectra, which agree very well with the experiments. To quantify the sensitivity of the Fano resonance for sensing, we use the figure of merit (FOM) introduced by van Duyne and co-workers35
Here Δλ/Δn is the resonance shift per refractive index unit. For the Fano peak, Δλ/Δn is around 460 nm/RIU in experiment and 560 nm/RIU in simulation. The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) is defined as the distance between the antipeak on the short wavelength side and the peak,36 which is around 170 nm in measurement and 196 nm in simulation, and the corresponding FOM is around 2.7 and 2.9, respectively. The dip in the transmittance spectra at longer wavelength is even more sensitive than the Fano peak, giving a sensitivity of Δλ/Δn=520 nm/RIU in experiment and 605 nm/RIU in simulation. The FWHM of this dip is around 180 nm in measurement and 125 nm in simulation, and the resulting FOMs are 2.9 and 4.8, respectively. Previous single particle LSPR sensors such as gold nanostars have reached sensitivities up to 665 nm/RIU and FOMs of 5.4.13, 15 The best electron beam lithographic structures exhibited FOMs up to 5.7.37 Regarding our minimal fabrication effort, our sensitivities and FOMs are suitable and could be easily improved in the future by using thicker structures, different geometries, and variation of evaporation conditions.
In summary, we presented the application of hole-mask colloidal nanolithography for low-cost large-area metallic nanostructures, in particular asymmetric double split-ring resonators. Our high-quality samples exhibit sharp and narrow optical Fano resonances in the near infrared around λ = 1.3–1.5 μm, which are well suited for localized surface plasmon resonance refractive index sensing with atto- or zeptoliter volumes. We achieve experimental sensitivities of up to 520 nm/RIU and experimental figures of merit of 2.9. Annealing the sample at a temperature of 150 °C for 15 min can lead to a strong improvement of the shape and the modulation depth of the Fano resonances due to the reshaping of the metal during heating. Our method will allow for large-area low-cost fabrication of high-quality complex plasmonic structures, such as oligomers38, 39 and chiral structures.40 This technique will pave the road for real-life plasmonic applications like optical gas sensors,41, 42 biosensors,22, 43 leak detectors,44 artificial nano-noses,45 as well as chiral plasmonic enantiomer sensors46 that could for example detect specifically glucose, which is a handed molecule. Our method is very flexible towards other structure geometries, scalable to even larger areas, very reproducible, and adaptable for other substrate materials and metals.


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Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, or "Vinny" for short. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the technical aspects of winemaking to the fine points of etiquette. I hope you find my answers educational and even amusing. Looking for a particular answer? Check my archive and my FAQs. You can also follow me on Twitter: @AskDrVinny.
Do you have a question for Dr. Vinny? Ask it here...
Dear Dr. Vinny,
I'm interested in making sparkling wine. I have read the "Champagne" method, but that is too difficult for me to attempt. Is there an easier method? Or is there some product you can add to the wine to produce the same effect? In the past, quite by mistake—I suppose because I bottled the wine before complete fermentation was over—I have had some excellent results, but the bubbles lasted only a minute or two.
—Vincenza, Canada
Dear Vincenza,
Home winemaking isn't my forte, but I can answer some of your questions generally. First off, oh my gosh, you are correct that the méthode traditionnelle is very complex. First you have to ferment the grapes into wine, and then you have to do a second fermentation, but this time inside each and every bottle. That second fermentation creates the carbon dioxide, which you have to keep in the bottle but remove the dead yeast cells, which takes up a lot of different steps.
If you've made wine that ended up unintentionally carbonated, it might be that a secondary fermentation occurred in the bottle. As you noted, the result isn't likely to be as carbonated as a typical sparkling wine. This can be called "spritzy," and it's usually considered a flaw, mostly because of a swampy note that often accompanies it.
There's a more direct way to make a sparkling wine, and that's simply to pump in carbon dioxide, just like the way soda pop is made. I was at a picnic a few years ago where a winemaker was making sparkling rosé with a tank of carbon dioxide, which was fun to drink. There is a downside—the bubbles from this method tend to be bigger and coarser, and some people complain that they get headaches from sparkling wines made this way.
—Dr. Vinny
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text: With a stay at Hotel Dynasty in Sapporo (Kita Ward), you'll be minutes from Hokkaido University Museum and Sapporo JR Tower. This hotel is within close proximity of Daimaru Sapporo and Seikatei. Make yourself at home in one of the 97 guestrooms. Enjoy a satisfying meal at a restaurant serving guests of Hotel Dynasty. Featured amenities include a computer station, a 24-hour front desk, and an elevator (lift). Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.


text:
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For her 49 fellow Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Haley Bonneval
School: Fontainebleau (Mandeville, La.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Outside hitter/middle blocker
Height: 6-foot-1
Athletic achievement: Bonneval led the Bulldogs to a 44-1 record and the Division I state title this past season. She recorded 632 kills, 288 digs, 59 service aces, 40 blocks and 20 assists while posting a kill percentage of .440. An American Volleyball Coaches Association Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American, Bonneval is a three-time Division I First Team All-State pick. She concluded her prep volleyball career with 1,628 kills and 581 digs.
Academic excellence: Bonneval has maintained a 4.16 weighted GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: Bonneval has volunteered locally at the New Orleans Children's Hospital, on behalf of Habitat for Humanity and as a youth volleyball coach.
"Haley Bonneval may be the best outside hitter from Louisiana in a very long time," said Jimmy Miranda, the director of the New Orleans Volleyball Club. "Haley leaps very high and hits above everyone. She is probably the only Louisiana player who can play for a high level Division I team."
Bonneval has verbally committed to play volleyball on an athletic scholarship at the University of Notre Dame beginning in the fall of 2012.