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On a blistering day in Merrimack, N.H., the townspeople assemble for their annual Fourth of July parade. Little girls, on bicycles decorated with crepe-paper streamers and American flags, buzz with excitement. The fire engine is in place, as are the Dixieland band, the Cub Scout troop, a yellow school bus, and a big, white-columned float full of cross-legged children. New Hampshire Gov. Steve Merrill is at the head of the line. The only ingredients missing are the guests of honor: GOP presidential contenders Bob Dole, Phil Gramm, and Pat Buchanan.
Gramm arrives first, fresh from his self-proclaimed victory derailing President Clinton's nomination of Henry Foster for surgeon general. Marching with Gramm are Sen. Bob Smith (R-N.H.), one of the national co-chairs of his campaign, and Gramm's wife, Wendy, who, as an Asian-American, stands out in Merrimack's parade.
Just as the line begins to move, Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, backed by a herd of supporters traveling in a magnificent old red trolley car, arrive to take their place ahead of the Gramms. Then Buchanan lines up behind the Dole and Gramm contingents. In contrast to the polite reception given the other candidates, the response offered by Buchanan's supporters is spirited. "How ya doin', Pat?" well-wishers shout. "Go, Pat, go!" cry others, echoing his campaign slogan. Buchanan bounds from one side of the street to the other, sweat pouring off him. His right eye keeps snapping shut, perhaps from exhaustion, but that never stops him; he just wears a perpetual wink to match his smile.
Every four years, the campaign circus swings through New Hampshire in homage to the state's kick-off position in the presidential primary season. As a backdrop for political posturing, Merrimack is the perfect Anytown, U.S.A. And its location in the southernmost part of New Hampshire, smack between Manchester, home of the rightward-listing Union Leader, and Nashua, one of New England's high-tech enclaves, places it on the edge of the Boston media market.
If the leading contenders for the GOP nomination are counting on the particulars of Merrimack's political and geographic landscape to win them a national audience, so, too, is the religious right, which has ensnared the town's local politics in a web of hot button issues as it seeks to shape the outcome of the 1996 presidential election. Leading the crusade is Ralph Reed's right-wing Christian Coalition, from whose ranks Gov. Merrill has made appointments to several key state government positions. In May, Merrill hosted Reed's visit to New Hampshire, where Reed addressed the state Senate and organized his local Coalition supporters.
So, prominent among Dole's delegation in the small-town parade is Merrimack School Board Chairman Chris Ager, a Christian conservative. And Buchanan's delegation stars Shelly Uscinski, the county co-chair of his campaign and also a member of the Merrimack school board. Uscinski, who in the past 18 months has catapulted into the national limelight as an activist for the Christian Coalition, won a seat on the school board by a close vote in 1994.
Uscinski and her running mate, who were encouraged to run by Ager, joined him on the board to form a right-wing Christian majority. Since then, school business has taken a backseat to debates over creationism, school prayer, sex education, and--most recently--homosexuality, tearing the town into warring factions.
Soon after taking power, the Christian majority rammed through a policy to start Merrimack's school day with a moment of silence. But all hell broke loose when the school board entertained a proposal to add creationism to Merrimack's science curriculum. No longer a mere stage set for the presidential road company, the town itself became the story--CBS News spent more than six months filming a documentary on its politics, which many locals complain are being manipulated for the benefit of conservative outsiders with their own agenda.
"This used to be a nice, progressive town," then-school board member Chuck Mower complained to a reporter after one raucous board meeting on creationism. "Now we're just a gooberville in Arkansas."
After the parade, Dole poses for photos with locals. A circle of reporters crowds around the GOP's front-runner, holding Dole captive in the high school's shadeless parking lot. When Mother Jones asks Dole about the influence of the Christian Coalition on the Republican race, he reveals his discomfort with the new flavor of his party's politics.
"They're well organized and they do a good job," he says. "But they're like all other voters--they believe in the country; they think that voting's a very precious right we have in America."
Asked to comment on the Christian right's efforts to teach creationism in Merrimack's public schools, the Senate majority leader declines, then breaks in nervously, "I think their normal activity is--they're worried about jobs, they're worried about a balanced budget, they're worried about a tax cut for families with children...."
"The economic issues?" the reporter offers.
"Yes, that's right," Dole replies.
Dole just doesn't seem to want to get it. He wants to win badly, but his heart's not in the fight to make America a Christian nation.
Just as Dole and his followers make a break for the relative cool of the high school's corridors, Phil Gramm heads for the van that will carry him out of Merrimack. Asked about the Christian Coalition, he says, "I'm proud of the fact that people all over the country who hold to traditional values, to family and faith, are coming to the Republican Party. I'm proud of the fact that the people who do the work, pay the taxes, pull the wagon, are coming our way."
And Merrimack's creationism flap? "I want local parents and local teachers to run education," he asserts, "not the federal government." Now that's what social conservatives want to hear--and Gramm got the message the hard way after the religious right's heavy hitters pummeled him last May for not sounding their themes loudly enough. Since then, Gramm has been speaking in Christian code, even making references to the Second Coming.
Buchanan, meanwhile, has already moved on to a pig roast sponsored by the Conservative Party Victory Fund in nearby Dunbarton, where his competitors will rejoin him later. Political pundits are already preaching that the 1996 election may sound the death knell for the two-party system, and Buchanan's name has long been bandied about as a contender who could run strongly on a third-party ticket. The pig roast offers him the opportunity to rub shoulders with George Fellendorf, chairman of the New Hampshire Christian Coalition, and also with the state's most powerful Coalition supporter, Gov. Merrill.
In August of 1992, Patrick J. Buchanan, the blusterous pundit and failed presidential candidate, stunned the nation with perhaps the most bilious political speech since the days of George Wallace. "There is a religious war going on in our country for the soul of America," Buchanan bellowed from the pulpit bestowed on him as a consolation prize at the GOP National Convention in Houston. "It is a cultural war, as critical to the kind of nation we will one day be as was the Cold War itself." He urged conventioneers to "take back our cities, take back our culture, take back our country" from the feminists, environmentalists, and gays who, along with the rioters in the streets of Los Angeles, had stolen America from its rightful heirs.
Buchanan's diatribe brought lots of bad press to the party of Lincoln. After the election, when analysts discussed why Clinton won, they routinely mentioned the Houston debacle. But reports of the demise of Buchanan and his supporters proved to be extremely premature. Three years later, with the successful insurgency of the Christian Coalition in close to two-thirds of the GOP's state organizations, the religious right sees the brass ring of the presidency within its grasp. It has become a controlling influence on the direction of the primaries, forcing top contenders like Dole and Gramm to run a gauntlet that has propelled them even further to the right on key issues.
Although he has no official connection to the Christian Coalition, Buchanan has become an implicit threat to--and a rightward influence on--the Republican Party. He draws key staffers and a significant following from the Coalition's ranks, and he conceivably could take his faithful with him if the Republican Party fails to toe his ideological line.
Though Buchanan bills himself as a proud Roman Catholic, his fealty is to a church that now exists only in his mind. His is the church of the 1950s, before Vatican II blew through, leaving a swath of cultural icons in its wake--the nun's habit, the Latin Mass, Friday-night fish. Buchanan's church occupies a time when men were men, women covered their heads when they entered the house of God, and the blood of Christ remained on the hands of the Jews. He wouldn't recognize the church of Thomas Merton, the Berrigan brothers, or, God forbid, Dorothy Day, if he sat on its steeple. But despite his staunch anti- abortion rhetoric and talk of moral decency, Buchanan doesn't come across as a particularly pious man but, rather, as one whose cultural identity derives from the iron-fisted, anti-communist church of his childhood.
Early in June, Mother Jones caught up with Buchanan at yet another pig roast, an event billed as Family Day on the Merrimack grounds of a gun owner's club that bears a benign name, the Nashua Fish and Game Society. Amid kids decked in camouflage and NRA caps and their swaggering parents, we asked the candidate to comment on the charge that the religious right was dividing the Republican Party. "Oh, I think--look, we had a great leader named Ronald Reagan, who united the Republican Party--all of those folks [who elected Reagan] were religious.... And I welcome them in my camp, and in the party."
Did he have anything to say about the creationism controversy in Merrimack? "Not at this picnic, I don't," he said. But before boarding the van to his next stop, Buchanan turned around and added he'd be happy to comment on the Merrimack situation another time. When contacted later, Buchanan spokesperson K.B. Forbes explained that his boss is in favor of "local control" of the public schools. For more than a year now, "local control" in Merrimack has meant the Christian Coalition's Shelly Uscinski and her allies.
The Christian right is a confounding phenomenon; every time it does itself in, it rises from its own ashes in an even more virulent strain. Neither the death of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority, the scandals of television preachers Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker, nor the failure of Pat Robertson's absurd 1988 presidential candidacy have managed to finish it off.
The history of evangelical Christianity in America predates even the founding of the republic, and its influence on our society cannot be exorcised without unraveling the very fabric of our culture. Born of the Great Awakening in the 1730s, Christian evangelism is a product of the American soil, an outgrowth of Massachusetts Puritanism, conceived in answer to the terrors of wilderness life in territories inhabited only by the "heathen" Indians.
After the Constitution and the secular state it created became the law of the land, America's revivalist religion preached a doctrine advocating "separation from the world," which all but forbade involvement in such a worldly pursuit as politics. But 200 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Jimmy Carter heralded a new age when he ran for president. His description of himself as "born again" in the '76 campaign won him the votes of Southern evangelicals. And there the right saw its opening.
"I think the die was cast 15 years ago," says women's rights activist Faye Wattleton, former president of Planned Parenthood. "People were not paying any attention to the right-wing Republican effort to seize upon televangelism's viewers, to really mobilize them."
Indeed, it was the secular players of the New Right--Paul Weyrich, Richard Viguerie, and Howard Phillips--who turned the religious right into a political force in the '70s and '80s. The three had met in the mid-1960s as young men working inside the Beltway--Weyrich on the Hill in the offices of Colorado Sen. Gordon Allott, Viguerie in the Washington office of William F. Buckley's Young Americans for Freedom, and Phillips in the headquarters of the Republican National Committee.
Over the next three decades, Weyrich earned credit for being the New Right's principal architect--the issues man, the strategy guy. Viguerie became the resident expert at a new technique, direct-mail fundraising (which he borrowed from the left), creating the lists that formed the backbone of the New Right's support. And Phillips aimed his energies at grassroots organizing.
It was Weyrich who, foreseeing the denouement of the communist Evil Empire, first embraced social issues as a cause to rally the troops. A conservative, Eastern-rite Catholic, he was already sensitive to the issue of abortion, which relatively few Protestants fretted over back in the '70s.
Viguerie, meanwhile, had taken as his first big client Alabama's segregationist governor and perennial third-party presidential candidate, George Wallace. Viguerie's mass-produced missives (sent to a mailing list left over from Barry Goldwater's failed campaign) yielded Wallace some $6.9 million, a substantial sum in 1976 for a long-shot candidate. But the real winner was Viguerie, who walked away at the campaign's end with Wallace's list of angry whites from which to launch his own efforts.
After a stint in the Nixon administration, Phillips began to build his base in 1974, founding the Conservative Caucus. Viguerie did the direct-mail work, while Phillips visited all 435 of the nation's voting districts in search of grassroots support.
Then, in 1979, at the urging of Ed McAteer of the Religious Roundtable, Weyrich and Phillips engineered the Moral Majority, drafting Jerry Falwell to front the first organization that built a mass following for conservative religious politics.
Weyrich, meanwhile, managed to tap the Coors beer fortune to fund his newly founded Heritage Foundation, now one of Washington's most influential think tanks. He and Viguerie also masterminded the Committee for the Survival of a Free Congress, which evolved into Weyrich's present-day Free Congress Foundation (FCF), his base of operations. FCF does everything from training future leaders in Eastern Europe to running National Empowerment Television, the right-wing, tax-exempt network that broadcasts Newt Gingrich's made-for-TV college course, "Renewing American Civilization," as well as several Christian right shows. In 1992, the last year for which figures are available, the FCF, chaired by Jeffrey H. Coors, reported revenues of $5.19 million.
Weyrich also inspired the formation of the Christian Coalition in 1989, and many of the themes sounded in the Coalition's "Contract With the American Family" can be found in one form or another in the secular publications of the Heritage and Free Congress foundations--from school vouchers to the elimination of the Department of Education and of the National Endowment for the Arts. Other conservative causes, such as withholding welfare benefits from unmarried women, also emanate from the brains of Weyrich and his associates.
With his phalanx of think tanks and PACs, Weyrich has maintained an image of public respectability, despite the extremism of some of his views. For instance, in a 1990 speech to Washington's University Club, Weyrich advised Congress to declare an official war on drugs, so that drug users and dealers, once apprehended, could be denied their right of habeas corpus and held as prisoners of war, allowing for their indeterminate incarceration under the provisions of the Geneva Convention. He also advocated the recruitment of high school-aged students for the formation of a domestic "peace squad" under the direction of the military and empowered to conduct surveillance on civilians.
If you think that's scary, consider the clues to Weyrich's personal theology, which appears to be sympathetic to a form of medieval Catholicism exemplified by his support of the arch right-wing Catholic society, Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP). Founded in 1960 in opposition to Brazil's land-reform efforts, TFP recruits adolescent boys and trains them in the use of the combat regalia of the Middle Ages--maces, crossbows, and the like. The organization's Brazilian founder, Plinio Corea de Oliveira, once called the Spanish Inquisition "the most beautiful page in the history of the Church." In 1986, wrote the late Catholic journalist Penny Lernoux, the American branch of the TFP feted Weyrich at its estate in Bedford, N.Y., "as a friend who has defended the TFP movement...and offered sound advice on the battle terrain." Weyrich failed to respond to Mother Jones' request for comment.
Today Weyrich remains the right's kingpin, the point of convergence between the secular and the religious right. An active strategist for the Christian Coalition, he appears with convicted felon Oliver North in a recruitment video, "America at a Crossroads," and speaks to its assemblies, most recently at last September's "Road to Victory" conference. The Christian Coalition embodies the refinement of classic Weyrich techniques, especially the pairing of high technology with a bogus populism directed from the top down. With its professionally produced downlink television show, its site on the World Wide Web, relentless direct-mail efforts, and grassroots organizing, the Christian Coalition epitomizes the thoroughly bankrolled reach of the New Right.
Because of the proximity of its Virginia headquarters to Washington, D.C., and the East Coast media markets, the Christian Coalition comprises the most visible component of the religious right. Forming the root of the Coalition's power is the unlikely wedding of conservative Catholics with Protestant evangelicals, a Weyrich idea.
But deep in the cultural consciousness of American Catholics is the memory of prejudice and exclusion by the Protestant majority, while the doctrines of evangelicals characterize Catholicism, at best, as a heresy and, at worst, as the great whore of Babylon, the leading lady of the Book of Revelation. Just how long these two groups, with their history of mutual resentment, can hold together is a matter best left to the oracle.
Nonetheless, the Christian Coalition, which was created from the mailing lists of the Rev. Pat Robertson's failed 1988 presidential bid, has essentially created its own party within the GOP by encouraging its members to run for the grunt jobs in the local, county, and state Republican committees. According to a 1994 survey conducted by Campaigns & Elections magazine, the Christian right dominates the GOP organizations of some 18 states, and holds considerable sway in another 13. No Republican presidential candidate can win the nomination without the support of the Coalition and its allies, or so goes the conventional wisdom. True or not, none of the GOP contenders seems willing to test the theory.
As revealed in the 1994 congressional elections, in which only 39 percent of registered voters managed to get to the polls, the Christian Coalition has learned to make the most of America's dwindling voter turnout by mobilizing the nation's fearful fringe with the promise of turning back the tide of modernity. When the Republicans won the Congress, Ralph Reed was quick to take the credit.
But the Christian Coalition is hardly what it claims to be--a grassroots organization with a massive membership. Early in 1995, the Coalition spent more than $1 million, by its own account, toward the passage of House Speaker Newt Gingrich's "Contract With America." Its investment apparently ensured Republican support for the Coalition's own "Contract With the American Family," which Reed later unveiled with Gingrich at his side.
(The Coalition waited out the new Congress' first 100 days and then moved in to exact its pound of flesh. "We certainly did not want to do to the new Republican Congress what the gays and feminists did to [Bill Clinton]" in his first 100 days of office, Reed told CBS News, explaining the Coalition's delay in pushing its legislative agenda.)
Many of the Coalition's famously skewed voter guides for local, state, and national races are printed in Robertson's Virginia headquarters and distributed in churches the weekend before an election. And, though the Christian Coalition claims to be a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, Mother Jones found that the IRS has yet to accord it that status. Likewise, the organization's claim of some 1.7 million supporters seems dubious, at best. In its 1995 official statement of circulation for its membership publication, Christian American, the Coalition counted the paper's subscribers at 450,000.
"Sometimes the perception of power is equal to the reality of it," Robertson told a National Journal reporter in 1979, "and if people perceive it's there, maybe we can have some influence."
In the halls of Congress and on the campaign trail, the Christian Coalition certainly suffers no lack of influence, whatever its real numbers. In Washington, money talks, and the Coalition's $25 million annual budget is only a fraction of Pat Robertson's $140 million-a-year empire. Key provisions of the Coalition's "contract" are on their way to becoming law, including the defunding of federal welfare programs, education, arts, and humanities--while providing "family-friendly tax relief."
Most ominously, the contract would recriminalize certain abortion procedures, part of what some have dubbed the right's "erosion strategy" on a woman's right to choose. The fate of the contract's first pledge, the Religious Equality Amendment to the Constitution, is less certain; the amendment would expand the legal allowance for prayer and other religious expression in public settings.
More than just a blueprint for congressional action, the "Contract With the American Family" serves as a manifesto for the major Republican presidential candidates, all of whom have embraced some of its more significant provisions.
Last August, on the eve of his embarrassment in the straw poll sponsored by the Iowa Republican Party, Senate Majority Leader Dole met with Reed and others from the religious right and lurched further rightward, promising to do his best to incorporate their concerns into the welfare reform legislation being hammered out in Congress.
And in his noncampaign sweep through New Hampshire in early June, Gingrich paid his own tribute at a gathering of conservative Christians in Manchester, where he held an installment of his televised college course, "Renewing American Civilization."
"If you had said to the Founding Fathers, all of you who want to belong to the Christian Coalition have to leave, I don't think you could have gotten a quorum in Philadelphia," Professor Gingrich said. He neglected to note that when, at the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin proposed the delegates pray together, his motion was tabled.
If you're planning a revolution, it's always a good idea to have God on your side, and when the right got religion, it found the perfect means to stave off criticism. No one wants to be accused of Christian-bashing, a charge that stands at the ready whenever the right's agenda is held up to the light.
"There seems to be a nerve that's touched in the hearts of more progressive people," says Wattleton, "that maybe these people have a right to work for something they believe in. My view is--not quite. There are limits to what we ought to be willing to tolerate in the name of what people believe in."
Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, Ph.D., of the Interfaith Alliance, a coalition of clergy formed to oppose the religious right, sees something sinister in the language of the right: the exploitation of a religious impulse felt by the economically strapped middle class to further an agenda that will only fill the coffers of the rich. "They are putting on the magic act of family values," says Hertzberg, "while the pickpocket in league with them goes through the crowd and steals their wallets."
As a movement made up of people drawn from a range of denominations, the religious right has co-opted the name of Christianity in the service of an overarching doctrine of power known as dominion theology.
"The Constitution of the United States," Robertson told the audience of his television show, "The 700 Club," "is a marvelous document for self- government by Christian people. But the minute you turn the document into the hands of non-Christians and atheistic people, they can use it to destroy the very foundation of our society." Robertson's assertion alludes to his dominionist belief that Christians, while awaiting Jesus' Second Coming, have the duty to "rule and reign" in His absence in order to prepare the world for His return.
Robertson's brand of dominion theology derives from an even more extreme doctrine that evolved in the 1970s, Christian reconstructionism. Despite its obvious contrivances, Christian reconstructionism, the brainchild of crackpot theologian Rousas John Rushdoony, has had a serious impact on the religious right. Hardcore Christian reconstructionists, such as Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry, call for no less than the reconstitution of the law of ancient Israel as the law of the land.
The emphasis here is not simply on the Ten Commandments, but rather the whole of the severe law of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), which calls for death by stoning for adulterers, practicing homosexuals, and insubordinate children. The more humane Jewish law of later years is ignored. And it's hard to find Jesus' teachings in reconstructionist and dominionist thought, which seems to ignore the Savior's lessons about turning the other cheek, rendering unto Caesar, and judging not your neighbor. What, one wonders, do they make of the incident in which Jesus defused a mob keen to stone an adulteress?
Even Howard Phillips, though born Jewish, seems to embrace some form of Christian reconstructionism. "I believe that God does judge a society, and that a society that shows so little regard for God's creation in terms of human life and in other ways, is one from which He withdraws His hand of protection," Phillips told Mother Jones.
"It either is, as the Framers said [that] we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights and God is the source of authority..."--or, as Phillips sees it, the godless doctrines of libertarianism or liberalism supplant the Founders' vision by ceding authority to either the individual or the state.
There's a classic bit of subterfuge in Phillips' invocation of the Constitution's Framers; that document contains no reference to God. The reference to a vaguely defined Creator as the source of human rights comes from the Declaration of Independence, whose principal author, Thomas Jefferson, rejected the divinity of Jesus, whom he believed to be the architect of a sublime system of ethics. Jefferson went so far as to craft his own version of the Bible, omitting the miracles ascribed to the Christian messiah.
Whatever its theological underpinnings, the Christian America envisioned by the New Right is enough to chill the soul. In a Christian America, there would likely be no jails, since the Bible calls for only two punishments for serious criminals: the making of restitution or execution. Women would be mandated to bear any seed implanted in the womb, by whatever means. (Activists like Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum object to exemptions in proscriptions against abortion even for the victims of rape and incest.) And, although Jesus urged His people to suffer the little children, in the right's Christian America, adults would be free to inflict whatever suffering they deign on minors: The intrusive state would be stripped of its power to identify and protect at-risk kids.
Books deemed obscene by the Christian state would be banned, public squares would be dominated by the symbols of the ruling faith, and the borders of a Christian America would be closed to newcomers, regardless of the oppression they experience in their homelands. In short, the inhabitants of the right's Christian nation would find mercy in short supply.
To the outsider, the Christian right appears as a monolith, united against what it perceives to be the twin plagues of permissiveness and pluralism.
But take a closer look and things are not nearly so simple; you'll find instead a teeming mass of competing interests and delicate egos, shifting alliances and ideological spats. In recent months, evidence of a growing rift within the right has become increasingly apparent.
Leading the pragmatic faction are Weyrich and Viguerie, who support the Christian Coalition's determination to back a Republican nominee who looks like a winner. Meanwhile, Howard Phillips, who still counts Viguerie and Weyrich among his close friends, hopes to ride the rage of the purists who are disgusted with Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour's refusal to abandon the party's purported "big tent" (i.e., all positions welcome) approach to the abortion issue.
Phillips and other dissidents see the Coalition's willingness to back a candidate with a pro-choice past as a sellout. They don't like Dole or Gramm, regardless of what these candidates are saying now. Phillips and his fellow conservatives feel burned by their support of George Bush in '88 and '92, and even Reagan in the '80s--because when the 12 consecutive years of Republican White House occupancy were over, abortion remained legal, the Department of Education was still in business, and lesbians and gays had continued to gain acceptance.
"There are some people who would stick with the Republican Party if they nominated Judas," says Phillips. "And they would still call him Christian, and they would still call themselves Christian. I don't know what the opposite of a yellow-dog Democrat is, but there are a lot of those in the Christian right and in the Republican Party."
For his part, the tough-talking Phillips seems determined to bust up the two-party system on his own, if he has to. In 1992, Phillips founded the U.S. Taxpayers Party and ran for president, managing to get on the ballot in 21 states--no small feat. He became notorious in Iowa when he ran campaign ads filled with footage of bloody discarded fetuses. The ads were so gory that local TV stations refused to air them except late at night, but they still got shown in TV discussions of his tactics, thereby affording Phillips his 15 minutes of fame.
Some of Phillips' party soldiers also engage in dangerous rhetoric. According to a report by investigative journalist John Goetz in a Planned Parenthood publication, Rev. Matthew Trewhella, Wisconsin chairman of the Taxpayers Party, told followers at a 1994 convention: "This Christmas I want you to do the most loving thing...buy each of your children an SKS rifle and 500 rounds of ammunition...." Jeffrey Baker, a member of the party's national committee, reportedly received a hearty round of applause when he told the crowd that "abortionists should be put to death."
(When asked by Mother Jones about his party's links to the militia movement, Phillips replied, "It's absolute nonsense. We are not involved in the killing business; Planned Parenthood is Murder Incorporated.")
At the moment, Phillips is consumed, he says, with the work of trying to secure ballot lines for the Taxpayers Party in every state before the party's national convention begins on Aug. 15 in San Diego--the day before the GOP convention closes there. He's hoping to pick up Pat Buchanan as his candidate in the likely event that the Republicans don't nominate him. But, failing that, he'd probably settle for Rep. Bob Dornan (R-Calif.) or another anti- choice zealot.
Phillips thinks Buchanan's chances of winning the GOP nomination are slim. "I love Pat and I wish him well," Phillips explains, "but...I think the present reality, more than ever, militates in favor of an independent candidacy. Does he see that? No, he doesn't see that today. Will he see it later? Well, if I've got 50 ballot lines, and if there are significant voices--people who aren't there now--saying this is something we ought to be doing, it could be a different story."
In February, Phillips announced a strategy whereby Buchanan could launch a third-party bid with nearly unlimited funding, if he'd only reject federal matching funds and choose either a billionaire running mate from the ranks of the right's sugar daddies (a Buchanan/Coors ticket?), or, in a far- fetched scheme, name a different running mate on each state ballot, as long as the running mates were all wealthy. (Federal statutes allow candidates to spend unlimited amounts of their personal wealth for campaigns, but these individuals then can't accept federal matching funds.)
Buchanan spokesperson K.B. Forbes says the "Buchanan for President" campaign does intend to apply for federal matching funds. But Buchanan may be hedging his bets.
He has formed a national advisory committee of wealthy contributors to New Right causes, including W. Grover Coors, Thomas Monaghan of Domino's Pizza, and Roger Milliken, the textiles magnate and longtime member of the John Birch Society.
The Buchanan campaign's national co-chairs are the Rev. Donald Wildmon of the American Family Association, who spearheaded protests against the National Endowment for the Arts as well as Martin Scorsese's film, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Michael Farris, the former general counsel for Beverly LaHaye's Concerned Women for America who evinces nostalgia for Puritan theocracy.
Pat Buchanan and Howard Phillips aren't the only heavy hitters on the Christian right who could split with the Republican Party. Another is James Dobson, the only leader on the religious right who rivals the Christian Coalition's Robertson. Dobson's Focus on the Family empire was built on the success of his 1970 child-rearing book, Dare to Discipline. Dobson's multimedia enterprise, based in Colorado Springs, includes a syndicated radio show claiming 5 million weekly listeners, magazines, a burgeoning video business, a staff of some 1,300, and an annual budget of $100 million.
In March, Dobson fired a warning shot at the GOP. In an eight- page letter to 2 million supporters, Dobson stated his intention to abandon the Republican Party for a third-party candidate if the GOP removes the anti-abortion plank from its platform, or nominates a candidate who is not sufficiently "pro-life."
"There can be no compromise on an issue with such profound moral implications," Dobson wrote. "It is an affront to God Himself."
Dobson's growing power was much in evidence at the May meeting of the Council for National Policy (CNP), a thrice-yearly ecumenical gathering of the right's movers and shakers in McLean, Va. A clandestine organization of some 500 members, the CNP has provided right-wing activists and funders a regular networking forum for the past 14 years. The lack of public scrutiny allows CNP members to get down to business and duke out strategy, says Skipp Porteous, vice president of the Institute for First Amendment Studies, a watchdog group that tracks the Christian right.
At the May meeting, according to documents and banquet hall seating lists obtained by Porteous, Dobson was honored with a seat at one of the most important tables while the leadership of the Christian Coalition was noticeably absent. With Dobson's threat to the GOP ringing like music in his ears, Howard Phillips buttonholed Dobson, pitching his Taxpayers Party as the natural home for an ideologically correct contender. Dobson asked Phillips to put something in writing. In a June 2 confidential memo, which was obtained by Porteous, Phillips states all the things a pro-life president could do "to end legal abortion in America," such as declaring Roe vs. Wade unconstitutional as a violation of states' rights.
"Like Asa in the Bible, he can teach the nation about the laws of God and the obligations of man," Phillips wrote. His choice of Asa, a minor biblical king, is telling. Asa's claim to fame was his promise to put to death all who worshipped gods other than Yahweh, "whether of high or low degree, man or woman."
Phillips went on to urge Dobson to help him secure the ballot lines he needs. "More than anyone else in America today," he added, "you have the power to make that happen." Dobson's response to the memo is unknown, but Phillips contends that "significant people--people whose names are household words" support his plan.
Whatever the outcome in 1996, Howard Phillips sees the election in the year 2000--the millennium--as the day of reckoning. He predicts a "hyperinflationary depression" due to the strains of the national debt on the economy, which will "terminally undermine confidence in whoever controls the presidency when it hits."
What the Christian right realizes and is poised to take advantage of, Phillips implies, is that social movements are built on economic distress. "The death of the Weimar Republic, the opportunity for the National Socialists to come up in the '20s, was the result of the fact that the people were hurt economically," Phillips told Mother Jones. "...In the United States, we got under way because of economic concerns.... The French Revolution was, to some degree, fueled by economic concerns. So, I think what will trigger [a right- wing Christian revolution] is the economic problems."
The real issue is not so much whether the religious right wins this particular national election or the next, nor whether it launches a third-party candidacy, controls the GOP nomination process, or both. The real problem for an economically troubled America is the tremendous political power the religious right already wields. As Faye Wattleton notes, "What frightens me most [about the Christian right] is that most people are not frightened by it."
On a balmy August night, the Merrimack High School auditorium is packed with some 400 people, the biggest turnout for a school board meeting since the board debated creationism earlier in the year.
Tonight's hot button issue is homosexuality; Ken Coleman and Brenda Grady, the board's progressive minority, are battle-ready to take on the Christian majority's new anti-gay measure, crafted, they believe, to broadcast one of the Christian right's favorite themes in the advent months of the presidential primary. The proposed measure, modeled after a national amendment pushed by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and Sen. Bob Smith (R-N.H.), would prevent the schools--including counselors--from offering any instruction or advice that would have "the purpose or effect" of affirming homosexuality as an acceptable way of life.
Outside in the parking lot, while the anti-gay measure is being debated, a somber crowd assembles around a pickup truck set up like a stage. Former school board member Chuck Mower stands in the pickup, surveying the dozens of candles held by the crowd. Mower, a stocky, bearded man of 46, allowed another progressive candidate to replace him on the school board earlier this year after he became exhausted by the creationism battle.
Ever since the Christian right chose Merrimack for its test market, the lives of those committed to an ethic of civic responsibility have been forever changed. The effort to turn back the right demands a near full-time commitment, depleting incomes and straining family ties.
Tonight Mower is about to declare his candidacy for next spring's school board elections, something he's still not sure he wants to do. Really, he tells the reporter, he'd rather get back to his business of making Windsor chairs, which he crafts in the barn of the house where he grew up, a 200-year-old homestead where he now raises his own family.
But the times won't wait, so, after telling a story about how his experience as a member of the multi-ethnic troops that braved the jungles of Vietnam steeled him against the forces of intolerance, he throws his hat into the three-ring circus of Merrimack's national politics.


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Thu, Dec 23, 2010 at 4:30 PM
New Artist From O-Town
I love Nicki Miinaj. i cherich her real talk i was tired of listening to guy rappers-no offense. iI needed someone to relate to i been rapping since i was abot 12 i remeber when grinding came out i did my first freestyle with my friend joshuwa and his brother n my sister an thier lil sister its gos down im ready to be under your wing please give me try nick
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subset: commoncrawl


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A Very Las Vegas Vacation
Las Vegas Suites at The Signature at MGM Grand • Las Vegas, NV
Escape Kit
- A Two-Night Stay for Two in a Junior Suite, Sundays through Thursdays ($189) or Fridays and Saturdays ($299)
- Or, a Two-Night Stay for Two in a Junior Suite, Sundays through Thursdays ($329) or Fridays and Saturdays ($469), with Two Show Tickets to "Absinthe" or "Rock of Ages"
- Two Passes for VIP Front-of-the-Line Access and No Cover Charge at Two Select Nightclubs (Four Passes Total)
- Combine Unlimited Vouchers for an Extended Stay
The Destination
A world of entertainment condensed into 4 miles, the Las Vegas Strip takes visitors from the pyramids of Egypt to Paris's Eiffel Tower, past the Statue of Liberty, and through an electric maze of neon lights, extravagant fountains, and roller coasters. And that's just the outside. Inside the belly of the beast is another world unto itself, a place where all walks of life converge at the gaming halls that keep this 24-hour clock ticking, where six continents are represented at myriad buffets, and where the world's top entertainers stage their biggest shows. Las Vegas is many things—boring is not one of them.
The Digs
Just off The Strip and adjacent to the MGM Grand, the non-gaming and non-smoking Las Vegas Suites at The Signature at MGM Grand features three towers, each with luxurious suites boasting breathtaking views, deluxe pillow-top mattresses, kitchenettes, wireless Internet, and HDTV flat-screen TVs in the living area and bathroom. A few of the amenities here include concierge service, airport check-in, a 24-hour business center, and a 24-hour fitness center.
The Diversions
Start the day at one of the hotel's private pools, which feature exclusive cabanas, entertainment, and poolside cocktail service. Or indulge in a superstar spa treatment without ever leaving your suite. Guests at the Signature also enjoy direct access to the casino at the MGM Grand as well as renowned restaurants like Joël Robuchon, Craftsteak, Nobhill Tavern, and Cheeseburger Las Vegas.
At night, you'll get two front-of-the-line access passes and no cover charge at two select Vegas nightclubs, while guests who purchase the show package will have their choice of two hot shows. Rock of Ages, originally a Broadway musical, features the music of Journey, Whitesnake, Styx, and Bon Jovi, while the cabaret variety show Absinthe takes audience members on a whirlwind adventure of strength, balance, and flexibility.
"Absolutely loved this! So nice to find a quiet retreat in the heart of Vegas."-- LivingSocial Member
escapes 30-day promise
LivingSocial gives you up to 30 days to return your unused voucher for a full refund. Once you've made a reservation, you are subject to the merchant's cancellation and refund policy. If you want to secure your preferred dates of travel, we strongly recommend that you complete reservation with the merchant within 30 days of your purchase—after that, LivingSocial will not issue any refunds.
the fine print
- Vouchers may be combined to extend stay
- Only valid for stays until December 27, 2013
- Reservations required and subject to availability
- Cancellations must be made 30 days prior to arrival date for a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee or 7 days prior to arrival date for a credit toward a future stay. No refunds or credit for cancellations made within 7 days. Any changes will incur a $25 re-booking fee.
- Valid for up to 2 guests
- Free valet parking included for one vehicle per reservation
- Must be at least 21 to check-in or consume alcohol
- Children are allowed
- Credit card is required for incidentals
- Not valid on existing reservations
- Airfare not included
- 12% taxes and $25 daily resort fee are not included and will be collected at time of booking
- Nights must be used consecutively
- All deal components must be redeemed during one stay
- Important notice: the units offered for rental through Las Vegas Suites are hotel-condominium units owned by individuals. Neither the rental of these units nor any aspects of this promotion including the VIP passes is handled by The Signature Condominiums, LLC or MGM Grand. Signature, LLC is the company that manages the shared access and amenity areas of The Signature at MGM Grand property. The Signature is not responsible for the availability of the unit for check in and does not provide housekeeping, laundry, maintenance or other services for this u nit. All inquiries regarding this rental must be direct to 702-606-4575 or email@example.com
- Customers will be asked for a credit card at check-in to cover incidentals
- Additional nights and suite upgrades may be available for an additional cost at time of reservation; subject to availability
- VIP night club passes for two select clubs are subject to blackout dates and venue hours of operation. Customers' passes will be in-room upon check-in and customers must be at chosen venue (Haze, Bank, Savile Row, LAX, or Pure) before 12am the night they wish to attend
- Voucher includes departure cleaning only
- No pets allowed
- Blackout dates include June 20-23, July 3-4, July 27-31, August 30-31, September 1-2
- vouchers include Two Passes for VIP Front-of-the-Line Access and No Cover Charge at Two Select Nightclubs (Four Passes Total)
- Other conditions apply • PAID AND PROMOTIONAL VALUES EXPIRES ON December 27, 2013 • PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE • PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON December 27, 2018 • PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON December 27, 2013 • Enjoy By December 27, 2013
Other conditions apply
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• LivingSocial Terms and Conditions - https://www.livingsocial.com/terms


text:
Through the Coral Triangle Support Partnership, USAID is supporting Timor-Leste's efforts to anticipate and adapt to climate change and natural disasters, especially in coastal communities. Read more >>
Tag archives for coral reef
PEER Program Impact: Addressing Global Coral Reef Health through Science and Collaboration
In recent years coral reefs have increasingly come under threat from climate change, overfishing, pollution and disease. To tackle complex global issues such as this, USAID is tapping into the vast potential of the science and technology sector.
Young Communicators Promote Climate Change Awareness
Climate change is impacting life in the Dominican Republic. Read more >>
Working to Preserve the Coral Triangle
Scientists warn that, by the year 2030, virtually all coral reefs in the Coral Triangle Region will be threatened by ocean warming and acidification, and human activities. Read more >>


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BC And Far Rock Fall Short In PSAL Playoffs
BC And Far Rock Fall
Short In PSAL Playoffs
By Elio Velez
This is a roundup of the PSAL B softball and baseball playoffs for Far Rockaway and Beach Channel.
PSAL B Second Round Softball Playoffs at Beach Channel on Thursday, May 23, 2002.
Beach Channel 15
Far Rockaway 5
In the fourth meeting of the year between the two teams, Beach Channel won again for the fourth time as they eliminated Far Rockaway from the PSAL B tournament. The Dolphins stormed out to a 5-1 first innings lead and never looked back. Dana Butera went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and Natasha Simon went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for Beach Channel. Candace King led Far Rockaway with 2 hits and Angelic Whitmore showed great patience at the plate with 3 walks. BC improved to 17-0 and Far Rockaway ends their season at 13-4.
PSAL B Second Round Softball Playoffs at Beach Channel on Thursday, May 23, 2002.
Beach Channel 3
Samuel Gompers 1
After the women's softball game between Beach Channel and Far Rockaway ended, the baseball team took to the field and soundly beat Samuel Gompers. BC pitcher Jarred Burns was the star of the game as he held the Panthers to 2 hits, 1 run and struck out 14 batters in a complete game victory. Jonathan Cuba and 2 hits and his second inning RBI were the go ahead run for the Dolphins. The 12th seeded Beach Channel improved their record to 11-6 and the 21st seeded Gompers fell to 12-6.
PSAL B Third Round Softball Playoffs at the Great Lawn in Central Park on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.
Roosevelt 6
Beach Channel 5
Trailing by the score of 4-1, Roosevelt scored four runs in the sixth inning to upset Beach Channel (17-1). Jennifer Rosado had four RBI and Rosaura Arias scattered three hits over seven innings and fanned seven batters for Roosevelt. Roosevelt was 12-0 in the Bronx IB division in the regular season. They will face 3rd seed Newtown in the semifinals of the PSAL B tournament. BC Pitcher Lucia Sirica gave up 4 earned runs in 7 innings pitched. Though she gave up only 3 hits, her downfall was allowing a game high 10 walks to give Roosevelt many chances to score runs. First baseman Katreem Palmer was the hitting star for the Dolphins as she drove in 2 RBI and walked twice.
PSAL B Third Round Softball Playoffs at Levitt Field on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.
Flushing 7
Beach Channel 4
Beach Channel traveled to Flushing High School and lost to the 5th seeded Red Devils to be eliminated from the playoffs. Flushing led 6-0 in the 4th inning and a late 3 run rally in the last inning by Beach Channel was not enough. Danny Dioguardi threw a complete game and struck out 11 and Jose Diaz was 2-for-3 with three runs to lead Flushing. Flushing improves to 17-2 and Beach Channel ends their record at 11-7.
In Other News…
The Far Rockaway High School girls track team finished 10th place out of 27 schools overall in the PSAL Outdoor Track & Field City Championships at St. John's University from Monday, May 20 to Sunday, May 26. Jeavon Benjamin finished in first place with a time of 56.03 in the preliminaries of the 400-meter dash and finished in second place in the finals with a time of 55.47. Tiashi Hyatt from Far Rock finished in third place in the 1500 girls meter run.
In the finals of the 4X400 Meter Relay, The Seahorses' Jessica Belgrave, Jeavon Benjamin, Gaelle Okio and Doreen Russell finished in fourth place. Hannah Omolade finished sixth in the girls' high jump finals. Michell Beckford and Shamar Stewartson tied for fifth in the pole vault.


text:
Enter a search term such as "mobile analytics" or browse our content using the filters above.
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We've just published our 2007 Search Engine Marketing Buyer's Guide and the sector is looking as healthy as ever.
We forecast that UK spending on Search Engine Marketing will increase 58% this year to £2.22bn - and although that growth rate is down from 65% in 2006, the market still looks to have plenty of room for growth in the future.
As you can see from the chart below, we estimate that the value of paid search alone will near the £2bn mark this year, reaching around £1.97bn, up 56% from 2006.
But for the first time, spending on organic search will grow more quickly, increasing 68% to £252m. Our estimate includes payments to agencies, as well as investment in client-side staff to manage SEO and implement changes.
In a survey of search marketers we carried out with Neutralize (*\*) in March this year, around two thirds of respondents said they would be increasing their budgets in the next 12 months for both paid search (65%) and search engine optimisation (64%).
As competition heats up between advertisers, shifts in spending have also become apparent, including more investment in SEO and an increased focus on other factors, such as usability, that can affect search marketing campaigns.
The buyer's guide itself includes extensive details on 29 search agencies and their specialities, as well as some tips and pitfalls and a 'SWOT' analysis of the marketplace.
We also recommend you take a look at our Paid Search and SEO Best Practice Guides before embarking on a new search campaign.


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http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/04/subaru-impreza-coupe-coming-in-2010/The hottest Subaru ever!!
If car companies are listening, I am full of free advice.
dupe thread!
-----------------how does it stay so small and skinny when it has single handedly eaten all those fat muscle cars?"I don't want the world, I only want what I deserve!"
ruspan:dupe thread!Caught in the wild!!! If there is one I haven't seen it, until I see some proof feast your eyes on more info:http://news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/coupes/spied-first-ever-look-at-toyota-subaru-rwd-coupe/
If car companies are listening, I am full of free advice.
Here's your proof: Other Thread
______________________________________________________________________Sword in my hand, Axe on my side.Valhall awaits me, Soon I will die.Bear skin on my back, Wolf jaw on my head.Valhall awaits me when I'm dead.


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In the simplest words possible, I'm a die-hard meatatarian (if that word even exists). Since I was little, I have pretty much despised all things that had to do with veggies other than corn and a few others- mushrooms, cucumbers, and carrots, and when I did eat them I only ate them fresh, meaning I hate cooked carrots and cooked broccoli- I'm weird, I know.
Even now, I find it hard to eat certain meals that center around vegetables even though most of my family and friends have grown accustomed to my picky food preferences. One night when cooking dinner with our friends Ryan and Rachel, Ryan prepared the absolute BEST green beans I have ever tasted so a few weeks ago when Rory and I decided to cook a gourmet dinner for my parents, we decided to include these as one of our delectable sides. The recipe is easy and OH SO GOOD!
4 servings of fresh green beans from your local produce area at the market (usually about 3 or 4 beans per bunch per person)
Minced garlic (the kind in the can is what I used)
1 bottle of Catalina French dressing
1 package of bacon (any kind will do- if you're dieting, try turkey bacon as a substitute)
Salt and pepper
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees
*Wash the green beans and drain excess water using a colander
*Mix 1/2 of the bottle of french dressing, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, and toss green beans in a mixing bowl as a marinade
*Individually wrap 1 piece of bacon around 3 green beans creating little "bunches of beans"
*Place bunches on cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt/pepper and then drizzle each bunch with French dressing
*Bake at 350 degrees for 11-14 minutes and then serve warm


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The other area where the iPad's design comes up short is in features. While competitors have added: memory card slots for either expanding the tablets storage or simply looking at photos straight from your camera; HDMI ports for connecting your tablet straight to a TV; USB ports for attaching peripherals; and even sophisticated pen input for accurate drawing and note taking, the iPad remains very simple. On the top is the headphone jack, along with the power button, down the right edge are the volume and mute controls, on the front and back are the cameras and on the bottom is the new Lightning connector, and that's it.
You can convert the Lightning port to be a USB port, a memory card reader or a video output but then you'll need to buy all the accessories to do so, which if you pay Apple prices are ridiculously expensive - £39 for an HDMI adapter!? Likewise there are some great cases that add useful functionality but they can be quite pricey, with top keyboard cases costing well over £50 (and they don't add battery life like on the Asus Transformer range).
As to the Lightning connector itself, it's a marked improvement over the previous connector type, being much smaller and reversible so you can plug it in either way round. However, it doesn't actually transfer files any quicker, unlike USB 3.0 for instance, and it does mean you'll have to buy adapters for all your old cables and docks.
We would also complain that Lightning is a proprietary connector, rather than an industry standard one like microUSB but actually things are a bit different in the world of tablets. Apple's proprietary stance is very annoying when it comes to phones because every other phone manufacturer uses microUSB for both charging and connecting to a computer. But for larger tablets, the higher power requirements have meant that most of them require non-standard charging cables of some description anyway. Given this, Apple's single connector for all its mobile devices is actually something of a bonus.
Another area where the iPad trumps many is that it's offered with 3G/4G connectivity for wirelessly browsing while out and about. Many other devices support this but the 3G versions can often be difficult to get hold of, with them either not supported or sold in any given country. Here the SIM is of the microSIM type as used on the iPad 3 and iPhone 4/4S, rather than the nanoSIM of the iPhone 5, so that's one less thing to worry about if you're upgrading (though equally it means you can't swap your SIM from phone to tablet if you've an iPhone 5 and iPad 4 - ho hum).
Something you may find keeping you up at night, though, are the prices of the higher capacity versions of the iPad 4. With no ability to add extra storage through a microSD card, you have to pay up front for as much storage as you think you'll need. The entry level models with 16GB are very reasonably priced but paying £80 more for 32GB and another £80 more for 64GB is extortionate.
Admitedly, most people will probably find that 16GB is plenty enough, considering your iPad is unlikely to be your primary music player in particular. However, when some iPad games are already pushing 1.5GB in size, it won't take long for you to have to start removing apps, games, music and videos to make room for more.
So, all told Apple hasn't reinvented the tablet with the iPad 4 so those of you that haven't been convinced before will have little reason to suddenly be converted. Plus, we really would've liked to see the weight come down a little. But, if you know and love the iPad design, then it's business as usual here.
But what of that new processor…
It makes me really mad how you guys can regard an upgraded port as a plus.
"Lightning connector is better than old connector"
ITS A CONNECTOR! It holds no purpose other than connecting things (which you can no longer do because all of your accessories are now incompatible), and the upgrade is for one reason and one reason only - for Apple to completely take advantage of its user base and make massive profit margins with a nice patent on this new port so they can have complete monopoly.
I've said it for years, Apple is the devil and they will do everything they can to own you. It starts with tying you in to Apples system that can only be stopped by jailbreaking the device and voiding your service warranty. Then its changing the port so you have to go out and buy £40 HDMI cables and £30 chargers all over again (but of course you die hard Apple fans will say "But the new port is so shiny, I love it, it makes me happy"... morons).
Soon it'll be locking your phone number, your internet access and all kinds of other properties that you have purchased to Apple's system, such that if you ever decide to switch phones, computers or anything you will be losing hundreds of pounds of software and hardware that you have paid for because Apple will insist that you are just a licensee and that all the money you spent means nothing. It makes me sick to my stomach that the world is so blind to this Big'n'Large crap that will surely end in disaster for all subscribers to this particular brand of closed technology.
Can't you see that they are laughing at you all the way to the bank?
You lost me at "Apple is the devil"...
Read the review properly.
"You lost me at "Apple is the devil"...
Read the review properly." Ed
I did actually read the whole thing, unlike you who reportedly stopped reading less than half way through. I don't understand your devotion to Apple - they are taking advantage of the weak minded people who must sell their 6 month old iPad 3 to buy the new one because fashion and popularity say so. Apple products are 90% Marketing and have no actual function outside of checking your email. Productivity on tablets is 0 compared to laptops that can actually access flash based websites and do crazy things like word processing. So really anyone who buys an iPad is just doing so because "me like shiny shiny!"
"Given this, Apple's single connector for all its mobile devices is actually something of a bonus."
No it isn't, and it would be just fine with a MicroUSB but Apple has somehow convinced the ignorant masses that making a port that is hard to replicate so that they can have monopoly over the accessories market too is a great idea for consumers. Its pathetic how much ass you guys kiss.
You're totally blinded by your own prejudices. I say a number of times that it's not worth upgrading from the iPad 3 to the iPad 4, I make a point of saying we don't feel the iPad actually makes sense as a form factor and I also dwell on the shortcomings of the new connector.
I even say "Apple's proprietary stance is very annoying when it comes to phones because every other phone manufacturer uses microUSB for both charging and connecting to a computer." Couldn't be much clearer than that.
The point I'm making about the connector being a bonus is that unlike other large tablets that require a completely proprietary charging cable that works with nothing else - not even the company's own other products - and necessitates having two cables (one for charging and one for data transfer) at least Apple's single connector works across its range of mobile devices.
Finally, a review that feels unbiased!
The Ipad is a great toy, I have no objections about that. I'm no Apple fan and the only reason why I have one is because my girlfriend bought one (The second generation one). I have to admit though, I love browsing the Web, reading books and watching movies on it when I'm in bed.... But that's about it! Anyone who claim it is a work tool clearly doesn't work very hard.
Giving this latest Ipad 4 stars is justified - As long as you view it as a toy and nothing else. Also, there is a clear decrease in innovation since Ipad 2 and I have not felt the need to upgrade. Everything still runs fine on the Ipad 2 and I can see no point of a faster processor considering what I use for. I cannot understand why all other website give this Ipad 4 full marks, and this really affects their credibility in my point of view.
Good on you TR to be the only website I have seen who gave a score I can agree with.
My iPad gets far more use than any desktop or laptop I have ever owned! It is one of the best tech investments I have made. OK I also love my iPhone, which I use daily, but the iPad is the best too for couch surfing and travel.
The latest model is just a steady progression as expected but is still the best tablet of its size on the market.
The iPad 4 in my opinion is the best tablet on the market. I purchased my first Apple product in January 2012, and I have never regretted the decision. Having a Degree in IT I was not a fan of Apple's OS, I felt that I needed more control of my systems. I was wrong!
I purchased a Galaxy Tab 10 in January and after 9 days it locked up! I returned it for a refund and purchased the iPad 2. This device simply converted me to Apple. This device is bullet proof, the most dependable computer I have ever owned! I have owned and operated computers since 1980 and the iPad has proven to be the most useful device I have ever owned. It will not replace a work PC for crunching numbers, but that was not what it was purchased for. For a home tablet, or a field auditing tool it can not be beat.
After almost a year of testing I have made the decision to purchase an iPhone and a new iPad 4. My Samsung Galaxy III was deposited into the recycle bin. In my opinion the iPad 4 has raised the bar beyond any other tablet manufacturers ability to compete. Apple keynotes asked a good question...If the iPad consumes over 90% of the broadband utilized by tablets... What are the other tablet users using their tablets for?
@Kaiser - the honest truth is that my iPad is one of the most productive tools I own - and as a researcher, technical author and illustrator, that may come as a surprise to you!
Whilst I'd love Apple to change some of their ways (their refusal to allow us to use SD Cards for more than importing photos is a particular frustration of mine!)- the iPad easily overcomes any serious limitations in it's bundled apps, through cheap 3rd party software.
My favourite MindMapping tool isn't the £200+ MindManager application I invested in on Windows - it's a low-cost alternative on the iPad that is a pure joy to use, hugely intuitive and much faster in practice. This is especially true on the iPad 3's and 4's large retina screen, where you can zoom out a long way whilst leaving even tiny text perfectly legible (the reason that I, too, have to disagree with some of TrustedReview's comments in this review).
Many of the things you moan about are easily and cheaply fixed with just a little imagination and research. For my needs, a good BlueTooth Keyboard, a DropBox account, a phone with wireless tethering over 3G and a handful of Dropbox-enabled apps – is all I need to be incredibly productive anywhere. Zero boot time, less weight to lug around.
So much flexibility, I've never felt the need to jailbreak.
The ability to develop iOS applications from Windows (within Delphi XE2 & XE3 for example) and even on-board the iPad itself (e.g. Codea is a fast implementation of LUA with solid support for the iPad's sensors & graphics capabilities) people are developing all kinds of software for all kinds of purposes.
The iPad, for me isn't a replacement for my PC – but it does perform an ever more important role in my daily planning, communication and output.
@BigMoose - depends on your line of work - for me, it's of far more practical use than you could imagine.
Hyperbole much? Not sure if you still wear the tin foil hat and hide from nasty aliens, but I think you give Apple way too much credit. And besides, you have heard of free will right?
The best pad on market, quality of material, performance, fluidity and high resolution are at top. really a great product
I find it hard to comprehend your 9/10 for design and screen attributes. The iPad4 is the same design as the 2 and 3 but even my android fan-boyism has me struggling to find a more elegant device from an industrial design standpoint. And I can't imagine a screen that beats the iPad in any way, so your 9/10 is baffling. 3-D is literally all that is missing. The iPad4 screen is admittedly the same as the 3 but how is that a deduction?
found your site after googling about the battery life of my new iPad4. Not sure i will return :/
I am looking to get the new IPad 4 I have never got a tablet before and im sure this is gonna be the correct one!
Performance wise, the iPad 4 is excellent and I cannot fault this. The design is also impeccable (although the aluminium can feel a little cold on first touch and the 4:3 aspect ratio is not the best for streaming content) however I have to say that i'm disappointed with the lack of features with iOS. The operating system is simply terrible compared to the now very mature, stable and polished version of Android 4.2. Combine this with the system freezing for no apparent reason, lag and applications not downloading until you perform a hard reset, I can't help but feel this product is way overpriced. It is for this reason, i'm now selling on Kijiji. I have the Nexus 10 also, and I have to say, apart from fully optimized apps (although all the biggest and most popular apps are e.g. Flipboard, Pulse, News 360 and so on), it beats the iPad hands down in every single department and its over $100 less. I did try, however iOS is simply not an OS at all. iOS has very limited capabilities, far less intuitive and not suited to my particular needs... you can't even access the files.. come on Apple, I know you like control, but its not 2007 anymore. Lets see a new UI this year with new features and also, let us consumers decide what we want to do with our mobile devices?
Hmm... I don't think the iPad (2, 3, 4) is the best tablet on the market. Hey, guys, did you forget all the apps on the App Store aren't free - you need to pay them. You can't watch YouTube videos or download media without a registration on iTunes and you need a credit card for that. So, the iPad is totally ANYTHING. I know this sounds stupid, but it's true. I wish you a lot of happy moments with the iPad!!
There is no iPad 4 , and to make sure I am right please open http://www.apple.com/ipad/c... the official site of apple
there are only ipad 2, 3, and mini
See by your self
the retina display one is ipad 4...
the new connector is faster, that is the point
Is this guy real? Can someone please tell him not everyone owns an iPad 3 and thus, this device is not made to "take advantage of the weak minded people who must sell their 6 month old iPad 3 to buy the new one because fashion and popularity say so"? The previous iPod cable had a higher transfer rate than the standard mini USB, and so does the current Lightning over micro USB. You are provided with the cable and a wall charger on purchase. If you want to take HDMI out on 99% of HDMI out capable non-Apple devices you still have to buy micro usb-hdmi / mini hdmi-hdmi adaptor.
The previous connector cable had to go, it had many pins that just did not have any more use, and was too thick to be able to make a device as thin as the iPhone 5.
Flash is dead, get over it. Not being able to access flash means nothing more than what non-techie anti-apple sheep spout in hopes to have something as close as possible to an argument. Even android has stopped supporting the world's most zombie, ancient and inefficient memory-wise software ever kept alive by any company-flash. You can have a bluetooth keyboard and do as much word processing on any tablet, Android or Apple alike, as you can on a laptop.
Also, FYI, unless you brick your device (which can't be done with any jailbreaking program, you'd have to do it on purpose), jailbreaking does not void your guarantee. Just restore an official iOS and you are good.
You need to pay for decent android apps too. Here is the kick about android apps: none of them are made for your device. I had a galaxy note before giving it back to the store to trade for an ipad mini, 90% of apps i downloaded were just ugly upscalings of lower scren resolutions. Even official apps, facebook and twitter were just huge-ifications of their phone versions. On the ipad you get an app made specifically for your device screen size and processor. So yeah, you pay for some iOS apps, but you get what you pay for. My 18 yo brother has an iPad mini too and has used it since launch without ever paying a cent for any app, he does school projects on it and powerpoint presentations.
SOMEONE HELP ME. I recently purchased the iPad 4S retina display. First ever iPad purchase. I was surprised at the new Lightning input. So my question is are there headphones with the lightning input? If not is there an adaptor. I am also hard of hearing and I use a boosteroo (3.55mm) that plugs into my pc, iphone etc. Is there a way to utilize this?
iPad 3 is also Retina Display
The ipad needs a USB.
More information -
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Welcome to District 200's Virtual Backpack service. We are "going green" by using this eco-friendly system for distributing informational materials to District 200 families about opportunities that are available for them and their children outside of school. Instead of sending paper copies home with students in their backpacks and folders, we will post the information on this web page for all to see.
This process not only saves paper and helps protect the environment. It also saves money in production costs and time needed to sort and handle the materials. No more risk of information getting lost or misplaced either.
A limited number of print copies provided by the requesting organization will also be available in each school for anyone who does not have Internet access.
The RSS feed for this page is an easy way to stay informed of new postings on the Virtual Backpack. Please click here for more information on RSS.
Materials eligible for publication on the Virtual Backpack include activities and events sponsored by non-profit and not-for-profit groups, intergovernmental agencies and other approved community organizations. The text of the material must be geared toward providing services for children and families within the District 200 community. Those wishing to submit information to be posted must do so electronically by emailing a completed Request Form and a PDF of the flier to Lynn Mohan, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent at least 10 days in advance of the posting date. Prior to submitting, please read the complete details described in the Posting Guidelines. Organizations may also be asked to submit a Verification of Nonprofit Status form.
We hope that you will support District 200's efforts to be good stewards of the environment and that you will find this service helpful.
Materials posted on this page are the responsibility of the organization represented. Distribution is for the convenience of students and families and does not imply endorsement by Woodstock Community Unit School District 200.


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I have read in some bee literature that FGMO and oxalic Acid will kill Tracheal mites, if that is the case why should I use menthol for the treatment of T mites.
I use oxalic acid for varroa mites and menthol towels for T mites and have good success.
Thank You


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USA – OGG is a well-known audio compression format that is made available to users free of cost, as unpatented and open software. This file is designed to deliver efficient manipulation and streaming of digital multimedia of high quality. This popular sound format has been used widely by a number of users from across the world.
Convert Audio Free has developed an audio application named Free OGG Converter, which converts all OGG audio files into some of the most popular file formats like Free Lossless Audio Codec or FLAC, AAC, M4a, WMA, WAV and Mp3. Complex settings such as Bitrate, Channel, Sample Rate, encoder Type and others are not present in the Free OGG Converter. The conversion of files is said to be carried out on the basis of input file settings, and therefore users do not require any professional knowledge.
The website says, "The speed of conversion is really fast, also the application is extremely easy to use; just select input file and press Convert button and there you go, the converted file will be saved in the same directory as input file."
Free OGG Converter is said to be compatible with operating systems like Windows Server 2008, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 8, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2003 and Windows 7. The available version of this application is 22.214.171.124. The 10.9 MB file-size Free OGG Converter can be easily downloaded from the website Download.com.
Specifications, features, characteristics, reviews and other details of OGG Converter are also made available to potential customers, so that they will gain an insight into the quality of this application.
To get more information about the Free OGG Converter, visit http://download.cnet.com/Free-Ogg-Converter/3000-2025_4-76026810.html
About Convert Audio Free
Convert Audio Free aims at developing various user-friendly audio conversion tools. This firm is planning to launch four other applications in the immediate future. Most of the conversion tools offered by Convert Audio Free are available to users free of cost.
Media Contact
Convert Audio Free
Email: email@example.com
URL: http://convertaudiofree.com
ListFree.org: Embedded data.


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Key Ministries
- BCCL - Bicol Center for Christian Leadership
Gregg Evans - Volunteer NAB Field Director Gregg's email
Gregg and Maria
Mayette Ativo-Bueno - Director of the Bicol Center for Christian Leadership (BCCL)
We have opened a Facebook account for BCCL where students, teachers and friends can post pictures and comments. This is our way of giving and getting updates to/from those who are interested to know what the Lord is doing thru the BCCL ministry. You can join us by being friends with bccl.legazpi.


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Private bedroom available in SADADEEN, for professional working individual or couple. The room is furnished with a Queen Bed, wardrobe built in and air con. You will share the bathroom ( bath + shower ) with a couple. The house is fully furnished and comes with air con, wifi, TV and Netflix. Small garden, BBQ area and Off road parking are also available.
Easy going, clean, own car, non smoker
Hi, I am Ison, a backpacker from Taiwan. I am 24 year-old. Now I live in Melbourne but I will move to Alice Spring as my next stop of working holiday. I like the accommodation to stay clean and tidy. I don't make noise at night and I respect the others who live together. Btw, I like to cook, if you would like to try any Taiwan food or know more about Taiwan, welcome to contact me!
Happy go lucky chef likes both the quiet and the not so quiet.I am a chef at the aurora alice springs hotel so cooking and great food not a problem for me to cook and share
Just moved to Alice for work


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Alicia in not related to TV host Alan Keyes.
Alicia was a fan of Sue Monk Kidd's book The Secret Life of Bees long before the film adaptation came about. When Alicia was in talks to co-star in the movie, she initially wanted to play tormented younger sister May, because the character was so "interesting and unexpected." Eventually, though, it was decided that the role of headstrong June was better for Alicia.
Alicia was ranked #77 in Maxim's Hot 100 Women 2008.
Alicia teamed up with Jack White from The White Stripes in 2008 to record the song, Another Way To Die, the Bond theme for Quantum of Solace. It is the first time a Bond theme has been recorded by a duet.
Alicia did an advertisement for keepachildalive.org in 2007.
She has brown eyes and dark brown hair.
She was named one of People's "Breakthrough Stars of 2001."
Alicia was accepted into the Professional Performance Arts School of Manhattan and her musical talent as well as her grades allowed her to graduate, as valedictorian, at only sixteen.
Alicia was ranked #73 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2007 for her music video "Like You'll Never See Me Again."
Alicia's astrological sign is Aquarius.
Her favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla with chocolate fudge.
According to herself, Alicia's worst feature is her calves.
Alicia's secret talent is that she is a very good swimmer.
Her idols are Stevie Wonder and Maya Angelou.
She describes herself as 'evolving.'
Alicia's bad habit is cracking her neck.
Her first public performance was performing in The Wizard of Oz, at age four.
She would like to collaborate with Gwen Stefani and Lauryn Hill.
Alicia can play the guitar and piano.
Her musical influences are Mary J. Blige, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, Chopin, Beethoven, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield and The Notorious B.I.G..
Alicia's favorite colors are purple and blue.
Alicia Keys was the first artist to sign with J Records.
Alicia's maternal grandmother is of Puerto Rican descent.
She wrote her first song at age 14.
Her nickname is Lellow.
Alicia was chosen as one of People Magazine's annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World, in May 2007.
Alicia was ranked #33 on VH1's 50 Greatest Women of the Video Era.
She has been good friends with fellow R&B singer Usher since she was 14.
Alicia Keys's hit "Fallin'" was ranked #37 on VH1's 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 Years.
Alicia wants to put together an incredible symphony, an orchestra, to bridge the musical gap between the young and old.
Alicia plans on finishing college, continue to eat a healthy diet, sort of a modified vegetarianism, so that she is fabulous at age 50, and to take more time for herself to get her hair and nails done, have a massage, and just relax, for her goals in the next few years.
Alicia isn't content with stopping at movies and music, she is planning on releasing a book of her poetry, and she intends to write a fictionalized account of her childhood diary as well.
Alicia was honored when she was approached by Halle Berry to star in a movie that she is producing, called Composition in Black and White. The true story of Philippa Schuyler, a famous pianist of the 1940s and 50s. Both Alicia and Philippa are biracial, they spent a lot of time in Harlem, studied piano from an early age, and made music their passion.
Alicia's next award goal is to win an Oscar, so that her nine Grammy Awards don't get lonely. She appeared as an assassin alongside Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, and Jeremy Piven in Joe Carnahan's movie Smokin' Aces.
Alicia signed on with Columbia Records at 16, but after a private meeting with legendary music mogul Clive Davis, he took a liking to her and her music. Clive bought her out of her record contract with Columbia, and gave her the artistic freedom to do her own thing. She's been with him, first at Arista, then J Records ever since.
Alicia was raised in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood by a single mother. She started playing an inherited piano at age 7, and began writing a journal of her own songs at age 11. She was the lead singer for a girl group called Yikes-EmBishion when she was 12.
Alicia and Bono, the frontman of the rock band U2, recorded a version of the Kate Bush/Peter Gabriel song 'Don't Give Up', made available on iTunes, with all proceeds going to provide African families that can't afford medical attention that are affected by HIV.
Alicia does charity work with the African organization 'Keep A Child Alive', a group that supports children in Africa that have AIDS, but no medication. She also goes to the orphanages in Africa, and spends time with the children herself.
Alicia's production company is named Krucial Keys, named after the man she has been dating for years now, Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers.
Alicia is notorious for never talking about her relationships, but she will divulge her plan to steer clear of marriage and children until she is at least thirty years old.
Alicia was born as Alicia Cook, and at age 16, she decided to change her name to reflect the changes in her life. She flipped through the pages of a dictionary, and had almost settled on Alicia Wilde, but was saved by a phone call from her manager. He started to tell her about a strange dream that he had the night before about them, they were trying to open a briefcase together but couldn't find the right key. That's when the right name fell into place, Alicia Keys.
Alicia's talent for singing was discovered when she was five years old, singing in her church choir. She went on to develop her talents as a choir major at Manhattan's Professional Performance Arts School.
Alicia's songs have appeared on movie soundtracks for Shaft and Men in Black.
Alicia's release of her debut album Songs In A Minor sold more than 50,000 copies on the first day.
Alicia has been nicknamed the youngest singer with the oldest soul by her fans as well as her contemporaries.
Alicia composed 'Dragon Days', a tune with a slightly sinister edge was written on her tour bus. She was half way through her tour, living out of her suitcase when the inspiration hit, and she played the chords on her cell phone, so she wouldn't forget them when she was back at her piano.
Alicia wrote the song 'Diary' after having a deeply personal conversation with someone on the road. They traded secrets as if he was her diary and she were his for the moment. After the converstaion was over, she wrote the basis for the song in ten minutes.
In January 2007, Alicia confessed to carrying a knife for protection when she was a teenager growing up in the tough New York neighbourhood, Hell's Kitchen.
In January 2007, Alicia revealed she was considering buying a gun for protection. Alicia had to learn to shoot in her movie Smokin' Aces and as a result she is now confident with handling a firearm.
Alicia went to college at New York University.
Alicia was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2002.
Alicia was ranked #99 on VH-1's 100 Sexiest Artists.
Alicia was ranked #8 in FHM's "The Hottest Women In Music 2002".
Alicia was ranked #65 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement.
Alicia was ranked #95 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement.
Her father is of Jamaican ancestry and her mother is of Italian and Irish lineage.
Alicia has one younger half-brother.
She began working on her debut album Songs in A Minor when she was 14 years old.
She is a 9-time Grammy Award winner.
Alicia's height is 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Alicia: If you're not totally head over heels, adoring and loving me at every moment, I'm not even into you.
Alicia: I believe AIDS is the most important issue we face, because how we treat the poor is a reflection of who we are as a people.
Alicia: I love Bono. I really respect what he has done for Africa and how he has used his fame to do good in the world. I hope I can do half as much in my life.
Alicia: (about the road to fame) This is something I have been working at for a long time and through a lot of different situations. Now that it's finally tangible, it's something I really and truly appreciate.
Alicia: (about her musical style) I like to incorporate classical songs that people know and throw a beat and some guitars on it to make it real crazy. It's a familiar tune, but you've never quite heard it that way before, so it's really cool.
Alicia: (about her decision to pursue music) There was no other path for me. I knew this was my path. I had to follow it.
Alicia: I would love to see less focus on the physical. It's a very physical buisness, very skin-driven, very body-driven, and I have big fights about that.
Alicia: My music doesn't have a beginning or end. It's continuous. I didn't stop writing after the first album came out and everything I wrote since came from the experiences in my life, of being on the road, traveling, and dealing with different situations.
Alicia: I'm tired of the carbon copies and the music that is only interesting for about a week. I feel the sadness in the air, the apathy, and the boredom. We're all looking for something to hold onto, something with depth and understanding, feeling, care, time, and love. To create it and it's just really hard to find.
Alicia: In the darkest times, the only thing we've always had, no matter our race, class, spiritual beliefs or situation was music. The purest expression of pain, pleasure and our deepest wishes and now I wonder if the plan is to numb us completely? I sometimes wonder if it is working.
Alicia: (revealing she is contemplating buying a gun for her own safety) I've never owned a gun, but I'm seriously considering owning one now. God forbid, if anything happened I would be prepared.
Alicia: My music doesn't have a beginning or end. It's continuous.
Alicia: Keep A Child Alive is my passion and my mission.
Alicia: I always want to stay focused on who I am, even as I'm discovering who I am.
Alicia: I knew that the second album would naturally be different from the first one because of all the growing I did during the past three years.


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New E46 M3 owner/ unfortunately have discovered an issue.
4 Attachment(s)
Good day all. Finally picked up my E46 M3 dream car about 2 months ago from dallas TX. Carbon Black 6MT with 56,000 miles, clear PPI, great condition. Have put just over 5000 miles on her as I live in New Mexico which is quite a large, sparsely populated state. Recently had an indy shop do all of Inspection II aside from valve inspection/ adjustment. Took the car into the stealership to have valve adjustment taken care of as I am still searching for that perfect one stop indy shop here in Albuquerque. Unfortunately they discovered a crack in the vanos cam gear assembly. They want $4500 for the parts :lmao: Im in the process of finding a solution for my current issue, which will probably consist of sending my head to VAC in philly to build and prep it for any future high performance mods. The service Tech called me and let me check everything myself as the pictures supplied below will show. I know this has happened to a number of E46 M3s or S54 engines, however I have babied mine compared to the majority of those I know with performance cars. Any thoughts on more cost effective, aftermarket solutions besides what I've already alluded to?
that is very surprising to have vanos problem ,every one knocks the SMG, but the previous owner on the manual down shifts must have been really harsh , every one thinks the way I talk that I can't drive a 6 six speed but where I am from original you had to take your driver's test on a standard , I have a 03M SMG carbon black 50 mils no problems
Wow that is very unfortunate, I wish I had an insightful solution. Bump for someone who does.
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Offered for the first time at auction, Christie"s announce the sale of Villa on the Nivelle, 1945, by Sir Winston Churchill, O.M., R.A. (1874-1965) in London on 26 May 2011 (estimate: £200,000-300,000). Churchill executed this work during a critical window in history: between the British general election on the 5 July - resulting from the coalition government"s resignation following the triumphant defeat of Nazi Germany in May 1945 - and the announcement of the result on 26 July, which heralded Labour"s unexpected victory. Blissfully unaware of the pending outcome, the heroic wartime Prime Minister and his wife Clementine took a short holiday in the Basque region of France, at the Château de Bordaberry. Inspired by the beauty of his surroundings and persuaded by his companions in France, this painting marks only the second time that Churchill had picked up a paintbrush since the start of World War II. The existence of the remarkable photograph, illustrated above, documenting Churchill working on this canvas is extremely rare and highly evocative.
At this time, in stark contrast with the enveloping warmth and tranquility captured in this idyllic image, Japan"s 59th Army - which was formed on 15 June under the Japanese 15th Area Army – was in the midst of a desperate final defence effort against potential landings of Allied forces in the San"yo region of western Honshū during "Operation Downfall". They were officially demobilised after Japan surrendered on 15 August, 1945.
Philip Harley Director, Head of 20th Century British & Irish Art, Christie's London: "This important work by Sir Winston Churchill provides the global market with the extraordinary combination of a great British picture in excellent original condition and a highly desirable palette, by a highly sought after artist who was one of the most famous historical figures of 20th century British politics, dating to a critical window in history when the immediate political future of post-war Britain was in the balance. The existence of the photograph documenting the Prime Minister, as artist, at work on the painting is exceedingly rare. Taken through the grasses, its composition suggests that the viewer is privy to a very private moment of this great man, whose passion for painting is well recorded." Rachel Hidderley, Christie's International Specialist and Director, 20th Century British Art: "The market for Churchill is consistently strong and extremely international due to the enduring appeal of his style, decorative choice of subjects and his political significance. Due to the greater historical context of this very figurative work, its multifaceted appeal will undoubtedly reach beyond the broad band of existing collectors."
Having been painted during a brief "pause" in British politics, caused by the number of votes which had to be gathered from British citizens serving in the forces overseas, the eventual Labour victory was finally declared on 26 July whilst Churchill was at the Potsdam conference with Truman and Stalin. Due to the heroic status of Churchill as one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century and Britain"s great wartime Prime Minister, this result came as a shock to the whole world.
The guests of Brigadier-General Brutinel, other members of the party alongside the Churchills at Château de Bordaberry included Mr. Bryce Nairn, British Consul in Bordeaux and his wife Margaret, who had been a professional painter before their marriage. It was Margaret who encouraged Churchill to paint again, for only the second time since the war had begun. They went on to paint together at St Jean-de-Luz, at Hendaye and on the river Nivelle where the current work was executed. Churchill"s daughter Mary Soames notes in her book, Winston Churchill His Life as a Painter, that her father was very focused on this painting and sat for so long that he was struck by a bout of indigestion. He did not paint imagined or composite scenes, instead always depicting real locations which resulted in very evocative works which not only captured an actual place at a specific moment, but continue to hold relevance in the present day, conjuring memories of one"s own relaxing holidays and travels, filled with the warm glowing light of summer sun.
Sir Winston Churchill started to paint at the relatively late age of 40, it was personal pastime which was to play an increasingly important role in his life; providing him with inner serenity in times of unrest and driving away periods of depression which he referred to as "Black Dog." In the celebratory January 1946 issue of Life Magazine, in which the present lot is featured, he stated that "There is no subject on which I feel more humble or yet at the same time more natural", "it is a delightful amusement to myself." "When I get to heaven I intend to spend a considerable portion of my first million years in painting and so get to the bottom of the subject."
In M. Soames book Winston Churchill His Life as a Painter, London, 1990, Winston Churchill is recorded as painting only one picture in almost five years during the war in Europe. Following the ten day conference of Roosevelt and Churchill and their closest military and political advisers at Casablanca in Morocco in January 1943, Churchill persuaded Roosevelt to accompany him on a short visit to Marrakech where he painted A view of Marrakech, with the tower of Katoubia mosque. He later gave this to Roosevelt as a memento.