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Feb 15th, 2000 #1abdulghafoorkhan----
Draft for publication in the newspapers:
Land Reform a sine qua non To Boost Our Agrarian Economy
By Abdul Ghafoor Khan*
Introduction: It is universally recognized that feudalism in the developing countries is an obstacle to agricultural development; a root cause of socioeconomic inequities and a barrier to the working of a real democracy. The feudal lords by virtue of holding large estates and enormous wealth, exercise excessive power and influence disproportionate to their number; dominate the state apparatus and breed all sort of corruption in the society. No wonder the recent advent of military regime in Pakistan brought joy and relief to the masses fed up with feudocracy. To quote FM Ayyubs Land Reforms Commission, 1958-59, In many areas of West Pakistan the power is largely concentrated in the hands of a few landlords who hamper free exercise of vote by poor peasants, thereby monopolize their hold on local, provincial and federal legislative and executive arms of the state. The purpose of writing this article is to revive the issue of land reform, lying dormant since 1977, in order to boost our dwindling agriculture and the collapsing economy and to rebuff the pressure to restore democracy in Pakistan. Because real democracy is possible only after liquidating feudalism. The article traces the history of past land reforms, attempts their appraisal and presents a proposal for a fresh land reform. I hope the views expressed in this article will stir up the conscience of journalists, economists, sociologists, politicians and human-rightists to highlight the evils of feudalism. The present military regime committed to rebuild the shattered nation, is in the best position to abolish the age-old feudalism and usher an era of agricultural revitalization, industrial revival, fast economic recovery and restoration of real democracy in the country.
2. History of Our Land Reforms: The dismal history of land reform efforts in this region began in 1930 with the agitation of the oppressed haris, when the Sindh Hari Committee joined the Indian peasant movement. The Indian Muslim League Council took up the issue in 1937 and passed a Resolution, Radical land reforms are required to eliminate the existing socioeconomic inequities caused by feudalism Its ideology was based on the just principles of Islam wherein there was no room for oppression, exploitation or enslavement of the poor peasants. Congress Governments in some provinces introduced tenancy reforms in late 1930s. The League Government in Sindh too appointed a Tenancy Legislation Committee (TLC) in 1943. TLC in its Report submitted in 1945, decided to: (I) Grant conditional tenancy rights to haris; (ii) Protect waderas to retain their land; (iii) Replace batai by cash rent and (iv) Prohibit eviction of haris. G.M.Saiyed a member of TLC opposed these measures. In his Note of Dissent he proposed to (I) Grant unconditional tenancy rights to haris; (ii) Abolish batai and adopt state-run tenancy and (iii) Resume all big estates and distribute to haris. The Sindh Government controlled by waderas shelved the TLC Report. The desperate haris resorted to violent agitation, which coincided with the 1946 Indian General Elections. In the election campaign the Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his lieutenants were making loud promises to introduce Islamic Shariat and Land Reforms, soon after the creation of Pakistan. The League Government in Sindh, on advice of the Qaid-e-Azam, appointed a Hari Enquiry Committee (HEC) in March 1947. The HEC submitted its Report in January 1948 and advised to maintain status quo. M. Masud a member disagreed with HEC and wrote a Note of Dissent urging the government to abolish feudalism and to resume large estates. Alas! the Muslim League which had made loud promises for land reform disallowed the publication of this Note of Dissent in the HEC Report, 1948. Rather, some Ulema-e-Su hired by a wadera minister declared M.Masud a communist and his Note of Dissent as Un-Islamic. He sued the minister, but the case was withdrawn on the advice of the then Prime Minister. But the HEC Report, 1948, was quietly filed by the League Government, while the Qaid-e-Azam was Pakistans Head of State. Amazingly, a vast majority of the Muslim masses had voted the Muslim League to victory in the 1946 General Elections, which became the basis of creation of Pakistan.
3. Soon after the death of the Quaid-e-Azam, in September 1948, violent agitation erupted in the country. The press and a pro-reform lobby of politicians pressed the League Government to redeem its promises on land reforms. The Muslim League Council in its meeting held in February 1949 passed a Resolution, This Council is of the opinion that the present land-tenure system in Pakistan is antiquated and harmful and requires drastic changes. An Agrarian Committee (AC) was appointed in April 1949. The AC submitted its Report in July 1949, stating, Our first concern must be to emancipate our economy from the oppressive shackles of feudalism and to restore freedom, dignity and prosperity to the tiller of the soil . It recommended short-term and long-term measures. The short-term measures were to: (I) Abolish all jagirs without compensation; (ii) Replace batai by cash rent and levy tax on farm income at par with non-farm income and (iii). Fix wages, working hours, grant unemployment and health insurance and pension to farm workers. The long-term measures were to: (I) Resume lands above the ceiling of 150/300/450 acres irrigated/semi-irrigated/barani land and distribute it to needy peasants; and (ii) Prohibit zamindars to possess land above the prescribed ceiling by purchase, gift, or inheritance. A Team of Experts was proposed to devise measures to distribute the resumed lands. The Committee aptly warned, The statesmanship, the integrity and the vision of the Muslim Leagues leadership is on test. Unless a clear and precise plan is formulated and implemented it is not possible, nor would be there any justification for sustaining amongst the people any confidence in the Muslim League any longer. Alas! the League Government did not act to abolish feudalism in West Pakistan until 1958. The East Pakistan Government had abolished it in early 1951, replacing the landed gentry in the legislature by middle class farmers. This change created panic amongst the feudal lords in West Pakistan. The then Planning Board in its first FiveYear Plan, 1955-1960 stressed urgent need of land reforms in West Pakistan as India had done it right after partition and East Pakistan in 1951. The Board observed, Feudalism is incompatible with the aspirations of a modern nation and must be liquidated. The poor peasants must have a sense of ownership in the land they till, if the economy is to develop for the benefit of the people and warned the rulers, Land reforms can only be delayed but cant be denied.
4. The land reforms were looming large when General Ayyub Khan took over the reins of the State in October 1958. As he was convinced that feudalism was the root cause of multiple malaise of the people, he soon appointed a Land Reforms Commission. The Commission submitted its Report in January 1959. It was not unanimous on fixing the ceiling on land. It recommended to: (I) Abolish jagirdaris without and zamindaris with compensation; (ii) Resume lands in excess of prescribed ceiling for distribution to needy tillers; and (iii) Prohibit abwab, haboob and begar. It fixed the ceiling at 500/1000 acres irrigated/un-irrigated land plus orchards for each landlord, with permission to gift land to his family members and friends. It, however, made some conflicting statements in its Report, such as, It did not aim at breaking the power of the ruling oligarchy with its roots in big estates? It hoped that its recommendations would lead to the creation of a strong middle class! Ghulam Ishaq Khan, a member of the Commission, opposed the liberal measures proposed by it. Such measures would only shift the concentration of land from the individual landlords to their families and friends. He suggested the adoption of the ceilings set by the Agrarian Committee, 1949, at 150/300/450 acres irrigated/semi-irrigated/barani lands. The orchards being highly profitable ventures should be included in the prescribed ceiling, he said. The President, however, accepted the Majority Report. In all 2.5 million acres of land was resumed and 2.3 million acres distributed to 1.8 Lac peasants. However, the abolition of the revenue-free jagirs did not make any difference. The erstwhile jagirdars instead of surrendering their lands started paying land revenue to the state. These reforms were, however, hailed as a first step by a military regime towards abolition of feudalism, whereas the Muslim Leagues so called democratic regimes failed. After the sad debacle of East Pakistan in December 1971, Z.A.Bhutto took over the reins of the truncated Pakistan. He declared,Breaking up of the large estates to destroy the power of the feudal lords is a national necessity. He decreed land reform in 1972, fixing the ceiling at150/300 acres irrigated/un-irrigated land and resuming excess land without compensation. Only 1.3 million acres of land was resumed and merely 0.9 million acres was distributed. He decreed second land reform in January 1977, reducing the ceiling to 100/200 acres irrigated/unirrigated land and resuming excess land with compensation. He also levied income tax on big farmers. But General Zia-ul-Haq took over the reins of the State in July 1977. He halted the implementation of the Bhutto reforms and annulled the tax law on farm incomes. Thus General Zia brought the process of land reforms at stand still for the time being.
5. Appraisal of Land Reforms: The reformers always kept in view the interests of the landlords. Being always in power they managed to keep their lands in tact by resorting to illegal means in league with corrupt revenue officials. The main cause of the failure of the reforms was the liberal ceiling and the generous gifting of land by the landlords. As per Mahmood H.Khans 1981 study the landlords illegally re-accumulated 2,000-3000 acres of land, in excess of the ceiling of 500 acres fixed in FM Ayyubs 1959 land reform. Thus actually 1.6% of farmland was covered by the reforms and not 4.5-5.0% as reported by the Land Commission. Only 50% of the resumed land was distributed as the owners surrendered mostly wastelands. He estimated that 40% of the distributed land was given to only 2% of countrys poor peasants. The rest was auctioned to rich farmers. So also in the Bhuttos 1972 and 1977 reforms, the landlords raised their lands up to 930-1120 acres by illegal means from the fixed ceiling of 150 acres. As such, only 0.6 million acres of land was resumed and not 1.3 million acres as reported by the Land Commission. Moreover, if the suggestion of Ghulam Ishaq Khan (Paragraph 4 above) been accepted in 1959, 8.0 million acres (6.0 m/acres from zamindars plus 2.0 m/acres from jagirdars) of more land would have become available. About 8 Lac instead of only 1.8 Lac peasants could have benefited from this vast area.
6. According to Agriculture Census data for 1959, 1972 and 1980, land concentration, as measured by Gini Coefficient has remained practically unchanged over the years. The reform efforts have not succeeded in changing significantly the status quo in the countryside. Rehman Sobhans global study, 1993, has assessed the impact of land reforms in 36 developing countries. He divided the reforms in 3 categories: (I) Egalitarian with social transition; (ii) Inegilitarian with social transition and (iii) Inegalitarian without social transition. I have picked up 2 countries from each category, (I) China&Japan distributed 50%&41% of land to 65%& 71% of landless farmers; (ii) Mexico&Egypt distributed 43%&15% land to 66%&10% landless farmers and (iii) India&Pakistan distributed only 1.5%&3% land to 2. %&2% landless farmers respectively. It may be noted that China, Japan, Mexico and Egypt distributed relatively more land, so more landless farmers did benefit as compared to India and Pakistan where much less land was distributed, so much lesser landless farmers did benefit. Sobhan aptly observed, To trace the impact of land reform, look into its contribution in raising farm productivity, employment opportunity and living standard of the poor peasant in the generation of savings in the farm sector and its investment in industrial and other sectors. All this did not happen and the unfinished agenda of land reforms is still looming large over Pakistan.
7. A number of global studies show that productivity is inversely related to farm size in labor-intensive cultivation. The land is more intensively used in smaller farms where land/labour ratios are matched more closely to ensure fuller use of these factors of production efficiently. Large estates are more difficult to develop than small holdings in a capital-scarce economy. As such breaking up of large estates in small holdings would be conducive to increase farm output. Of late some progressive landlords have started cultivating sizeable chunks of their land with their capital and hired labour and evolving into capitalist farmers. This happy co-existence of small and medium size farmers with big capitalist farmers, is a new phenomenon in Pakistan. Quoting from Gunnar Myrdals Asian Drama, 1971, The development of a genuine capitalist farming does not imply the retention of absentee-landlords and their tenants The parasite-absentee-landlords simply sap the surplus of the farm sector and contribute nothing to the national economy. He advised, To make a deliberate policy in favour of gradual capitalistic farming to encourage the progressive farmers to reap full reward of their enterprise. However, hasty adoption of such a policy and jumping to corporatization of agriculture on a large-scale at this stage can be disastrous. It shall create massive rural unemployment and spur rural to urban migration. This policy is good enough for sparsely populated, labour-scarce and capital-abundant countries like Canada, Australia, USA and so on. Of course to begin with, orchards, cotton and sugar-cane fields and livestock farms may be run on corporate lines.
8. Before and sometime after partition press/journalists were in the forefront in writing on the need and urgency of genuine land reforms. Now only a few are touching on the matter. The Jang Group, of course, has been holding Jang Forums on such burning issues. So also political parties used to include land reforms in their election manifestos. Now they give only lip service to the peasants cause just to bag their votes. If the non-feudal parties are sincere enough they should enter the countryside to see the rural poor groaning under the yoke of feudalism. But the feudal lords shall resist such entry tooth and nail for preserving their privileged position enjoying since 1947 as the sole successors of the colonial rulers. It is a formidable bloc of old and new landlords- the latter include numerous senior civil and military personnel and urban rich. Most of them are closely related by inter-marriages to safeguard one anothers interests. They monopolize the state power and frustrate land reform efforts. Decades back, the economists/agricultural economists and sociologists used to consider agrarian reforms in their meetings and publish articles in their journals and newspapers. Alas, most of their societies are lying defunct. Cant they revive their societies to hold meetings and publish articles on land reforms to generate intellectual debate and to create public awareness. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is indeed active on the atrocities and digging out the Private Jails and Torture Cells of the landlords. Luckily the press, police and judiciary are currently co-operating well with HRCP in recovering and setting free the bonded rural workers from begar camps and private jails of the landlords.
9. Proposal for A Fresh Land Reform: The facts and figures stated above, amply substantiate the evils of feudalism and causes of failure of our land reforms. As such a fresh land reform has become a dire national necessity. The rationale for a land reform is based on three key factors namely, (a) Economic- productivity increase, employment creation, better income distribution and surplus farm output; (b) Social- breaking up the antiquated class structure, promoting education, health and other services in the rural areas and (c) Political- establishing (free) citizenship of the rural (enslaved) masses and their integration into national mainstream. All advanced and advancing countries carried out land reforms to so as to head towards industrialization. Quoting from Jonathan Petrikans Third World, 1995 and Colliers Encyclopedia, 1983, There is of course the example of Japan that has made transition from a feudal society and a rural economy to be among the leading advanced nations it started to industrialize after the Meiji revolution, 1868 and stepped into the modern world in 1877 when the daimyos and samurais (feudals) lost their hereditary rights to rule, after a collective decision of the Japanese. This change involved lot of opposition as there were several revolts, which were suppressed by force. Pakistans daimyos and samurais may be seen in A.R.Shiblis book, Pakistan ke Daihee Khuda, 1994.
10. Let us look into the ethical aspect of land reform. Hazrat Saiyed Qutub RA in his study, Al Adl Al Ijtimaiya Fil-Islam (Arabic)/ Islam men Adle Ijtimaee, (Urdu), 1969, discussing Islamic economic policy in light of Holy Quran and Sunnah, noted that,The real owner of all wealth is Allah swt who entrusted it to the Umma. The right of private property is a conditional and restricted trust in the hands of those who possess it. Some form of wealth is considered as a common public property and none has the right to possess bulk of it. Islam gives right of ownership of private property, but sets out conditions, imposes restrictions and fixes limits on its possession, uses and benefits Let me narrate the period of caliph Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz RA. He began his reign by decreeing all the landlords to return all lands to their rightful owners. He destroyed all their lease deeds, beginning with his own. Such an exemplary act calls for sacrifices from our landlords to surrender their lands in excess of a moderate ceiling of land. They would thus repay the debt of the poor peasants who have been making all sorts of sacrifices for them since long. To set example this act may begin with the ruling junta and its civilian associates, so that all others follow suit.
11. What should be the moderate ceiling of land is a moot point. In my modest opinion the ceiling may be fixed in the range of 25-50 acres of land for consideration. For example, Egypt initially set the ceiling at 200 acres in 1952. It reduced to 100 acres in 1961 and 50 acres in 1969. None may be allowed to own land in excess of the fixed ceiling, by inheritance, gift or purchase. No land may be leased to non-cultivators, even as grant/reward. The orchards may be auctioned to the highest bidders and run on corporate lines. The shikargahs may be given to the Forest & Wild Life Department. For smooth running of capitalist farming, protection may be provided to farm labour- by fixing wages, working hours, granting health and unemployment insurance and pension. The landless peasant-allottees from the resumed lands may be initially provided financial and technical assistance. The proposed land reform would be far better than the earlier ones devoid of social, economic or political impact. This reform if properly implemented under military surveillance is bound to bring about desired change. Above all it shall boost our agriculture, as all farmers- small, medium and big shall equally participate in maximizing farm output. It will help achieve domestic self-sufficiency as well as enough exportable surplus farm products to earn foreign exchange. That will facilitate repayment of external debt and import of capital goods for rapid industrialization.
12. CONCLUSION: Given Pakistans historical and geopolitical scenario vis-à-vis India, it has become imperative to abolish feudalism. Because the feudal lords influence the political processes and shape the economic and foreign policies in their own interests that go against the aspirations of the nation. As such the proposed land reform deserves serious consideration by the policy-makers as an effective instrument to revitalize agriculture, revive industry and boost our economy. Although our successful nuclear test has placed Pakistan in the rank of atomic powers, yet this is not enough guarantee to our lasting security. We must have a sound economic base, with progressive agriculture, modern industry, and high standard of education in science and technology. Its my firm conviction that Pakistan as an atomic power with a strong economy, can play a strategic role among Muslim countries as well as in the Comity Of Nations. This is the right time to abolish the age-old feudalism, which is the CRUX of all our national ailments. Any delay or hesitation to act in time would nullify all other good deeds of this regime by the feudal lords who will reemerge in the next elections.
13. John Galbraith in his 1951article, Conditions for Economic Change observed, Land reform in fact is a revolutionary step. It passes property, power and status from one group in a community to another. Only an authoritative regime committed to revolutionary approach can carry out such a reform. US President Franklin Roosevelt remarked in 1937 on oppressive farm tenancy in the US, We have to deal with abuses that have been developing for two centuries. We cannot correct overnight. But we can begin. Let me conclude with the sagacious words of Johann WV Goethe the great German philosopher-poet, Seize the moment. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has tremendous amount of genius, power and magic in it The military junta is earnestly urged to fulfill its commitment to rebuild this shattered nation by taking drastic measures without fear or favour. They can earn a place in history as the architects of a prosperous modern Pakistan by their courageous act of liquidating feudalism, a relic of the past. Quoting President Abraham Lincoln, we may then have a truly representative Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
* The writer is the Ex-Economic Adviser to the Ministry of Finance & Economic Affairs, K.S.A., Riyadh and a former Director of Statistics Sindh, Pakistan. Presently visiting a son in USA and other in Canada. E-mail address: <email@example.com>
[1] Pakistan Government, Report of the Land Reforms Commission for West Pakistan, 1959.
[2] Naqvi, SNH; Khan, MH, & Chaudhry, MG., Land Reforms in Pakistan, A Historical Perspective, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad, Pakistan, 1987.
[3] Khaddarposh, M. Masud, Hari Report, Kal-aur-Aaj (In Urdu), Jang Publishers Press, Lahore, Pakistan, 1991
[4] Pakistan Government, First Five Year Plan, 1955-1960, National Planning Board, 1957.
[5] Khan, Mahmood H, Underdevelopment and Agrarian Structure in Pakistan, Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, USA, 1981
[6] Sobhan, R, Agrarian Reforms & Social Transformation, -Precondition for Development, 1993, University Press Dacca, Bangladesh.
[7] Berry, RA. &Cline, WR. Agrarian Structure and Productivity in Developing Countries, Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Md., USA, 1979.
[8] Naqvi, SNH; Khan, MH, & Chaudhry, MG, Structural Changes in Pakistan Agriculture, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad, Pakistan, 1989.
[9] Myrdal, Gunnar, Asian Drama- An Inquiry into the Poverty of Nations, 1968, condensed by King, SS, 1971, Pantheon Books, Random House, Newyork, NY, USA.
[10] Dorner, Peter, Land Reforms & Economic Development, 1972,Penguin Books Inc. Baltimore, Md, USA.
[11] Petrikin, JS, The Third World, Greenhaven Press Inc. Santiago, CA, USA.1995
[12] Macmillans Publishing Inc, Newyork, Colliers Encyclopedia, Vol. 13,1983.
[13] Shibli, AR, Pakistan-ke-Daihee Khuda (In Urdu), Aatish Fishan Publications Lahore, 1994, Pakistan.
[14] Qutub, Saiyed, Al-Adl Al-Ijtimaiya Fil Islam, /Islam men Adl-e-Ijtimaee, 1969, (Translated in Urdu by Dr. Nijatullah Siddiqi), Islamic Publications Ltd., Shah Alam Market, Lahore, Pakistan
[15] Galbraith, JK, Conditions for Economic Change in Under-developed Countries, Journal of Farm Economics, 1951, Volume, 33.
[16] US Government, Report of the Presidents Committee on Farm Tenancy, 1937.
Feb 15th, 2000 #2
Land reforms would have helped Pak like anything. Agricultural production improves when people produce for themselves. Indian Punjab and Haryana produce wheat for entire India. pakistani Punjab, bigger in size, can not feed itself. Despite all chaos, Indian Kashmir is better of than Bihar. It is due to land reforms by sheikh abdulla. People have a piece of land to live on. It will create much needed middle class and more egalitarian society. There was an article saying how per capita in karachi and Islamabad is one of highest in Asia. This shows how bad the distribution of wealth is in Pak. Land reforms are must. but who will bell the cat?
Feb 17th, 2000 #3
ah.. no response... talk of wars and there are 35 responses, at least verbal.. have no idea if any of these blokes shouting hoarse have ever engaged in a fight. all verbal jihadis and jahannatis among the youth in Pak. nobody bothers about people who are toiling on land without anything in return, even verbally.
Feb 17th, 2000 #4----
Even thought your way of provoking for responses is lame, but still I have to agree with you that real topics are not so hot, and this is not just a problem we Pakistanis have, look around and youll find Indian youth spreading hatred every were.
Now back to the topic, Ive only read the start of this post, and printed it so I could read it when I got more time. As for agriculture of Pakistan it is on Paks agenda and we are improving like never before. Lekin as they say some times things take time.
Rest when I read the post.
Feb 17th, 2000 #5
donno if it is lame.. but reading this newsgroup would give an impression that an average pakistani sleeps eats and drinks kashmir. i dont think average pakistani has time to think of india more thna average indians think of pakistan, and that is very little time. there are of course, issues, and political ones, beyond it. i do not see them here.
perhaps, it is the rich class which has access to internet and issues like land reforms are not close to their heart.
Feb 17th, 2000 #6----
Dear Mr. Khan,
Too much history and too little economic analysis.
The only place in your long boring paper you touch a little about why it might be economically unfeasible to own large tracts of land is in paragraph 7. Other than that your paper is full of hot air, as many other have been written before on the topic.
I am totally opposed to feudalism and many of the problems in our nation are a result of feudal rule, but land reform is not the reason for lack of our progress, it may be one of (a very minor in fact) many issues confronting our nation. Technocrats like you get on this wagon of looking for excuses to have something to write about.
In reality, and I will give you references (a lot sexier than your Bibliography) that show that the reason for lack of progress are (a) rural-urban migration; (b) the inequity of wages in Rural Agricultural and Urban Industrial sector. Basically an ISLM model, where Marginal Productivity of Labor in Agricultural Sector is way below that in the Industrial Sector, and if you draw a bi-polar diagram it shows the hyperbolic curve and shows you a huge gap (i.e., unemployment) that is caused by not paying attention to Ag sector.
Enjoy your visit to the US and Canada.
Best wishes.
Feb 18th, 2000 #7
land reforms help to have better social indicators like literacy and health. all the indian states where land reform have not taken place, e.g. bihar, telangana, have bad social indicators,
Feb 18th, 2000 #8----
Dear ZZ,
Please explain why that might be the reason.
In Central and South America there are Haciendas twice the size of AP, and over 90 % of the land is owned by less than 2% of the population (of which over 50% owned by Multinational and other foreign interests) the literacy rate on average there is twice that of India.
There is no correlation between land reform and improved development indicators.
In fact, to the contrary, an unemployed Indian laborer living on streets in New Delhi gets better medical care than a rich Landowner living in a rural area. Same goes for education.
The only result of land reform might be a greater disposable income for some, but not necessarily an improvement in education or healthcare. These issues are more ubiquitous and require different approaches and are not a result of land re-distribution.
Please note that I am not opposed to land re-distribution, but I do have questions about how doing so would improve things. In Pakistan, at least, this has been talked about for as long as I can remember. The more cardinal approach should be lets see what can be done given the current situation.
Feb 23rd, 2000 #9
central america is not aright comparison. africa would be right comparison. right now, land is owned by whites in Zimbabwe and South Afica by whites still. do u think blacks will raise in the social ladder unless they get the land. in unindustrialized socities which most of India is, land is only wealth producing stuff and there is little hope without its proper distribution. improved indicators will need improved finances and i believe they will percolate below only with reforms.
Feb 24th, 2000 #10
ZZ is right. Our society is basically an agricultural society and more or less based on that only. So is our economy. Very few countries have such a wide agricultural base as India and Pakistan, because of their sheer size and a dealyed industrialization. India, of course has started industrialisation and has developed a lot of other industries, but still basically our people live on agriculture. Quoting othe countries from American continent or Europe may not be the right way to see things.
Feb 24th, 2000 #11----
OK ZZ, fine. Then give Kashmiris the land that belongs to them (only kidding!!).
But purely from economics point of view, Schools improve Education, more Hospital Beds per capita improve healthcare, More telephones per 1000 indicate an improvement in communication. Breaking up land in smaller pieces does not mean anything. It might look like that on the onset, but the reasons for progress and development are not what the land ownership structure in a nation might be. Here in USA, small farmers stand no chance. Not to say that it is any parallelism to the Indian case, but where would small farmers get the capital to make any use of the economies of scale? Ag is my favorite areas of interests, and all the studies that I have read all seem to suggest that owning of Land in our culture is not necessarily for increasing ones wealth but it is more of a pride of possession phenomenon than it is yield per hector.
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International workshops bridging the gap between ocean acidification impacts and economic valuation
Although many uncertainties remain, ocean acidification will likely have important effects on marine ecosystems and coastal economies world-wide. The best available scientific information on ocean acidification must be used by stakeholders to make decisions aimed at improving human society and the deteriorated condition of the ocean environment. Without the reversal of the source of the physical phenomenon, namely anthropogenic CO2 emissions, societal impacts of ocean acidification will require adaptation and forward planning in the ways living ocean resources are harvested and used.
In response to recommendations of several policy briefs, including the Monaco Declaration signed by 155 scientists in 2008, an effort to bridge the gap between ocean acidification impacts and economic valuation was jointly initiated in 2010 by the Agency and the Centre Scientifique de Monaco.
A first international workshop, organized in November 2010, provided an opening venue for natural scientists and economists to introduce their perspectives on the topic of ocean acidification and to build solid linkages between these two communities. The outputs of the meeting were a baseline of scientific and economic information, integration of the language and concepts of different research methodologies, and publication of conclusions and recommendations related to the anticipated impacts of ocean acidification on ecosystems and ecosystem services.
|55 experts participated in the second international workshop on the economics of ocean acidification in Monaco from 11 to 13 November 2012.
A second workshop took place 11-13 November 2012 and aimed at providing policymakers with recommendations to prepare for social and economic impacts of ocean acidification on livelihoods, trade and food supply from ocean resources. This workshop focused on fisheries and aquaculture, and regional aspects of species vulnerability and socio-economic adaptation. The workshop brought together 55 natural and economic scientists in an attempt to provide policymakers with recommendations for regional priorities in fisheries and aquaculture. The workshop started with talks on four main topics:
- ocean acidification status of knowledge (Jean-Pierre Gattuso);
- anticipated biological and ecological effects (Manuel Barange);
- status of fisheries and aquaculture and anticipated changes (Kieran Kelleher);
- economic impacts and human adaptation measures in fisheries and aquaculture (Cassandra de Young).
Results of the meeting are expected to give rise to a special report on regional aspects of ocean fisheries and the possible impacts of ocean acidification on coastal ecology and human economy. A brochure with conclusions and recommendations was produced and is available for download here.

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I just taped a phone interview with Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette that will air later today on "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" on MASN, and he commented on Matt Klentak's decision to accept a job as assistant general manager with the Los Angeles Angels.
I asked Duquette how big a loss it is for the front office, and he replied, "I don't know if I would term it a loss. It's certainly a transition, and Matt has done a good job from what people told me here. I enjoyed working with him for the short time that I was here and I wish him the best of luck.
"The good news is we've got some capable people from within the organization who can handle a lot of the administrative duties, and I'm in the process of setting up my administration and bringing in some people who will help us improve our ballclub. I think it's probably the right time for everybody.
"We have some people in-house here who have been helping me during the time that Matt was considering this new opportunity. There are some other people from outside the organization who would like to come and join the organization. I just have to figure out exactly what we need. The major league administration part we can handle from some people we have in-house."
By the way, I've heard that the Orioles couldn't deny the Angels permission to interview Klentak. He was free to leave if he got an offer to his liking, though it sounds like his duties will be very similar to the ones he handled in Baltimore.
Duquette still needs to hire a scouting director.
"I've been working on scouting director," he said. "I interviewed several candidates this week and I'm going to try to get that resolved for the organization next week. That's obviously an important hire and I want to hire somebody that has strengths for evaluating pitching and also has a lot of good contacts at the amateur free agent level. There are some good candidates there,too, and I hope to have that position filled prior to the winter meetings."


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Songwriting is a very personal experience for an artist. Oftentimes, it exposes the artist's vulnerabilities to everyone in the room during the recording process. How else can a belter like the late Roy Orbison be able to give people chills up and down their spines when they listen to his recording of "Crying," or feel the wounds in country legend Johnny Cash's voice when he sang, "Ring of Fire?" Stevie Holland's voice emotes a similar passionate elegance only with female timbres. Luckily for this savvy jazz singer-songwriter, she married the man who would bear witness to her emotional nudity in the recording studio. If she was going to expose herself to anyone during the recording of her latest album, Before Love Has Gone, it was going to be to her producer, co-collaborator and husband, Gary William Friedman.
She provides, "Gary and I were introduced 10 years ago by our mutual friends, Joanna Simon (Carly's sister) and Gerald Walker, as potential songwriting collaborators. We formed a great working relationship, and it soon got personal - we married. We've partnered on many albums, songwriting projects, theatrical ventures, and it's always been a challenging and creative experience. His roots are in jazz. He was a sax player with the Free Form Improvisation Ensemble (Burton Greene, Alan Silva) before becoming a successful composer in theater, T.V. and film. I have very strong ideas about what songs I want to record, and how I'd like to approach them, and then Gary shapes the arrangements, and takes the songs to yet another level, utilizing his jazz musician and composer's instincts."
She shares that the songs selection for the album was personal. "I wanted to record some of my favorite love songs that have been with me for practically my whole life, and to present them with a classic jazz trio sound with occasional sax, or just solo piano, to shape the stories of these songs in the purest and most intimate way possible. Every single song on Before Love Has Gone has a personal history behind it with many memories."
Though many of the songs on the album are standards, two of them, "Before Love Has Gone" and "The Music in Me That Plays," were written by Holland and Friedman. She cites, "Nine times out of ten I'll write a lyric first, and then lay it on Gary. We truly collaborate on each song, developing the lyric and melody together in a back-and-forth dance. Fortunately, we established the professional working side of our relationship early on, so when our creative heads 'clash,' we can pretty much keep focused and disciplined and not let the personal side interfere too much with the process, but it's not always easy! And we write a lot of love songs, so it's going to get personal. The great reward is the mutual satisfaction of a completed piece."
Holland and Friedman also relied on two additional producers, Tim Peierls and Todd Barkan, for the recording. Holland explains how all three producers served different roles, "Gary focuses largely on the charts and the musician's interpretations. This is my second project with Tim Peierls as a co-producer, who not only helps to hold the whole fabric of the project together, but is technically astute, and a musically knowledgeable presence who weighs in on every step of the process. Todd Barkan was a tremendous asset to this project. His ears in the studio are second to none when it comes to approach, honesty, tempos and getting that right groove. Todd really connected with me as a vocalist. As I have a bit of range in my vocal arsenal, he helped me stay true to that vision of intimacy, which enabled me to trust simplicity. I was blessed to have this great group to work with, and there was never a 'too many cooks' moment. We found ourselves in a completely harmonious and cooperative collaboration."
Holland's band which comprises of Martin Bejerano on piano, Edward Perez on bass, and Willie Jones III on drums, also played on the recording. She notes, "I've worked with Martin for a few years now, and this is my second album with him. He's a technically brilliant and gifted player, and has had enormous experience backing artists like Roy Haynes and Russell Malone, which has no doubt helped to shape his great accompanying skills. I met Edward through Martin and we did some live work together, and what can I say another incredibly gifted musician who I knew I wanted to record with. Martin and Edward really helped us to infuse that classic Latino sound for (the track) 'Carioca.' We first saw Willie with Kurt Elling at Birdland, and fell in love with his playing. It was a great fluke, timing-wise, to get him on the project, and we're thrilled we did. All of these guys happen to be the sweetest class-A human beings to work with, as well."
Holland also recruited two guest musicians, saxophonist Ole Mathisen and guitarist Paul Hollenbeck, for the recording. She recalls, "I met Ole Mathisen, a fellow Viking, when I was invited to perform for the King and Queen of Norway at a special event in New York a few years back. Ole was playing with Eivind Opsvik's band for the event. Maybe it's the Norse connection, but I'm totally at ease with Ole. He's a killer sax player with a very peaceful, serene way about him. We decided to add guitar a little later on in the project, and Todd Barkan brought Paul in, and he blew us away. He's one of these guys who just walks in, gets it, and lays down a brilliant performance, and he listens, very sensitively to the vocals."
She expresses that the recording of Before Love Has Gone was more accessible acoustically compared to her previous record, More Than Words Can Say, although both albums were released on Holland and Friedman's label, 150 Music, "More Than Words Can Say was a much bigger production, with string orchestra on several tracks. The approach to some of the material was, well, big. I pulled back quite a bit on Before Love Has Gone, and didn't try to take over the world with my vocals. I think I've grown as a vocalist, in the sense that I've really learned to trust the less can be more factor. The songwriting skills continue to evolve, hopefully," she intones, "just by living, listening, and disciplining myself to keep writing."
Holland describes about herself, "I'm a born performer, and have always been comfortable on the stage. This may have led to some heavy dramatics in my early days, though. As I continue to evolve as a musician in the world of jazz, I'm finding more of a comfortable middle ground that allows me to be completely in the music, while still communicating the story of the lyric to the audience, and hopefully still entertaining them."
She acknowledges that being a good recording artist and live performer has so many more challenges to it than just being a good singer. "The studio has been a trial and error journey for many years, and one in which I've been mostly self-taught in, though certainly listening to advice from producing partners. When it comes to live performances, I've pretty much relied on my own instincts as well, but will say that every single performance I get to see by another artist serves as a learning experience in some way."
Stevie Holland can re-trace her steps back to her childhood, when she points to what influenced her to pursue a life as a singer, "My dad was a sax player in several bands (later becoming a commercial artist) and my Uncle Mike was Fred Astaire's Music Director in the USO, so I was raised on a lot of jazz, swing and big band music. Being the youngest of seven kids, there was plenty of rock and folk music coming out of the household speakers too, and my mother was an opera singer, so I had a multitude of musical influences. But as I entered my 'adult' years, the standard songbook became the one that I turned to the most, when not performing original songs."
She reflects about her early musical experiences, "I did a lot of musical theater, from childhood through high school and into college. Musical theater pretty much dried up in New York City by the time I left college, so I started to go the solo route in cabaret rooms and clubs. As I was the 'entertainer,' I did go for the occasional shtick I even used a boa, as in feathers, not snake. I'm not sure how this prepared me to become a recording artist, but it was certainly good for a few laughs."
She attended New York University after high school and tells, "I chose New York University because I received a scholarship in drama, and it had an excellent department. I didn't want to study in the musical theater department, and so I studied classical acting, movement, improvisation and the like, in what was the then-budding "experimental theater wing". One of my favorite professors was Ann Bogart, who is a very much respected director in theater today. I minored in political science."
When you hear Stevie Holland sing, you have to admit that she has a voice that belongs in front of a microphone. Ironically, the photo of Holland, shot by Tom LeGoff which graces the album cover for Before Love Has Gone, shows this. Although Holland reveals that she does not spend all of her days singing. She mentions, "I handle a lot of the business aspects of our record label 150 Music, so that keeps me pretty busy at times. I've also worked with vocal students and produced several other singers' projects. I enjoy hanging and having fun with friends and family. When COMPLETELY away from it all, I simply love nature. I hike all of the time and try to drag Gary up to the top of as many mountains as he'll allow."
As to what she is looking forward to in the coming year, she answers, "Performing, creating, and watching the current administration leave the White House."
Holding onto the belief that joy will come out of the darkness which is encompassing America, is probably the only ray of hope that is keeping everyone's head in this country above the water. Luckily, Stevie Holland's record offers people that gentle hand which lightly grazes under their chins and lifts their faces upward. Just like these standards, which Holland recorded on Before Love Has Gone, did for her during the transitional phases of her life, only this time, it is Holland's voice that beams with radiance.


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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is vibrant, thriving and ready to assume its position as leader in the global marketplace, Board of Commission Chairman Pete Amos said.
The remarks were part of the annual State of the Community address and luncheon held May 2 at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
"At every turn, you can see the signs of progress throughout our county," Amos said.
City of Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt and Forsyth County Board of Education Chairwoman Darla Light were also speakers at the event, which is put together by the Council for Quality Growth and the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce.
Mason Zimmerman, board chairman for the Council for Quality Growth and senior vice president of Pope & Land Enterprises, who emceed the event, said Cumming and Forsyth County have come a long way from 20 years ago.
Zimmerman said from infrastructure to leadership and real estate, "look at all you have accomplished."
Linda Cole, chairwoman of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and senior vice president of operations at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite, said from a chamber perspective, the year has started right. Since the beginning of the year, six projects have been brought to the county and will generate about 100 jobs and $5 million in capital investment.
"For the first four months of 2013, we're off to a great start," Cole said.
Last year was also good, with nine new companies moving to the area and nine companies that expanded, generating about 762 new jobs and $71 million in capital investments.
Amos spoke about parks and recreation amenities, the new 158,000-square foot courthouse and 170,000-square foot jail, which will begin construction in July. He spoke about strides in public safety, including new fire stations in Ducktown and Matt community and five additional outdoor severe weather sirens – bringing the total number of sirens to 17.
"Our community certainly has not been exempt from the economic challenges facing communities nationwide; however, thanks to the steadfast commitment of business leaders like you, our economic fabric has continued to expand and we have seen impressive investments by critical business sectors," Amos said.
Gravitt, who has been the mayor of Cumming for 44 years, said finances for the city have "never been better."
He said the financial situation and the economy in Cumming and Forsyth continues to grow and lead the region in low unemployment. Gravitt said the city has completed a $32 million wastewater facility and said a $17 million water intake facility on Lake Lanier will provide water for Cumming and Forsyth County for the next 50 years. He also spoke about the new the 106,000-square-foot Georgia Army National Guard's readiness center in Cumming near the Aquatic Center on Pilgrim Mill Road, which is scheduled to be complete in the fall this year.
"We have a great economic output," Gravitt said.
Gravitt said education has been a strong hand for the county and with the University of North Georgia's campus, the community gained another advantage.
The campus opened last year, expecting 400 students, and is inching closer to 800, Gravitt said.
"Hopefully this will work out great for years to come for higher education," he said.
About 8,000 new students have been added to the school district in the last five years, a video presented at the event said. Six new schools have been opened, bringing the total to 35 schools, in addition to a virtual school; however, the operational budget has not increased.
Forsyth County Schools boasts the lowest tax rate in metro-Atlanta and lowest expenditure per child. In addition, for the first time in 15 years, there's no money available for capital improvements to support student growth, while 15 schools are overcapacity and doubling the number of portable classrooms.
A strategic plan the district is working on hopes to provide solutions to dealing with the rapid growth in the county.
"That's what we will be talking about in our board meetings in the next few months," School district Chairwoman Light said during a question-answer portion of the event. "Do we want to expand schools, build more schools, what's the best thing to do with the taxpayer money?"
Light, who grew up in the county and attended Forsyth Central High, said when she graduated, there were 20,000 residents living in the community. There are nearly 40,000 students in the district nowadays and about 170,000 residents who call the county home.
"My future as well as yours depends on those students," Light said.


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Rays go back-to-back-to-back vs. Angels
Rays go back-to-back-to-back vs. Angels
"I didn't expect any of that," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "To hit home runs at night like that in this ballpark, they just don't go to left field. The back-to-back-to-back, quite frankly, was a surprise. But I'll take it."
Never before in Rays history had the team hit three consecutive home runs. And not since April 18, 2000, had the Angels allowed three straight, which they did on that date in Toronto.
Longoria's home run came first, when he hit a 1-0 pitch from Angels starter Joe Saunders deep into the left-field stands, reminding everyone of the 452-foot blast he hit Friday night in Texas.
"I don't know [which home run went farther]," Longoria said. "It's hard to tell with the parks. I mean, I hit that one pretty much as good as I could hit it too. I don't know, they say not too many balls get hit over that bullpen, so like I said, 'I hit it good.'"
Aybar then stepped into the batter's box and ran a 1-0 pitch from the left-hander into the Angels' bullpen over the left-field fence.
Saunders got the count to 3-2 against Navarro before the Rays' catcher connected with the payoff pitch and drove the ball on a line over the left-field fence.
Each time, after congratulating the player for hitting a home run, the Rays' players hustled back into position in the dugout, hoping to keep the positive karma going.
"Gabe Gross came out of the dugout and said, 'Man, they're putting a little pressure on us now,'" Navarro said. "After [Navarro hit his home run], I walked by [Gross] and said, 'Now the pressure's on you.'"
Gross followed Navarro and grounded out to first base to end the streak, drawing sarcastic applause from the partisan Angels crowd.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Like the vampire on the prowl for fresh prey, it seems that the paranormal element is on a search for new territory. The hunt is closing in on the Literary Fiction Genre. Is this shift a result of fiction running out of places to go? Or rather is it born out of the desire to get new readers from the Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance genres into Lit Fic? At any rate, the escapism of the supernatural is becoming more desirable to mostly traditional regular fiction readers (not genre readers). People are looking for a way to escape the day to day drudgery of "real life" into worlds of the unknown, the urban legend and others while demanding a more challenging read. Here are some books that are blurring the lines between literary fiction and paranormal romance:
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.
Much of the story takes place in France and Oxford's Bodleian Library. A vampire and witch meet, and what ensues is a Da Vinci Code meets Practical Magic sort of story. Discovery of Witches concerns a magical text and the battle of who will eventually possess it. Harkness draws elements of esoterica, wine making and even gemology into the story, something I found interesting, but at some points does make the story read a bit text bookish. Her main characters are stubborn, egocentric and not particularly likeable, but those elements are what makes this book stand out and place it in the lit fic arena.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.
True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.
Illusion and love set in turn-of-the-century France makes this paranormal thriller a must read. It's not paranormal in the traditional sense; instead, it's more the "illusion" of the paranormal. Take a dash of magic and the occult mystery of John Fowles's The Magus and you've got it! This book is so evocative you will crave red wine and Gauloises in no time.
The Radleys by Matt Haig
Peter, Helen and their teenage children, Clara and Rowan, live in an English town. They are an everyday family, averagely dysfunctional, averagely content. But as their children have yet to find out, the Radleys have a devastating secret.
In this moving, thrilling and extraordinary portrait of one unusual family, The Radleys asks what we grow into when we grow up, and explores what we gain – and lose – when we deny our appetites.
The Radleys is my favorite book in this new genre. On the surface it's about a typical British family...but this family is hiding a deep dark secret, one drenched in blood—and that's only scratching the surface. The Radley children Clara and Rowan are entrenched in vampire turmoil, along with their own puberty. This book touches on all kinds of taboos, one of the main themes being adultery. Gritty, often hopeless and very snarky, Matt Haig is a new talent on the horizon.
The Taker by Alma Katsu
On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.
This is a story of immortality and lost love. Spanning many decades and with a large cast of characters, The Taker details the epitome of regret and bad choices. Do we want to live forever? This book will make you ask yourself this very question, as it is a story of self-discovery. Highly disturbing, well written and with incredible pacing, Katsu's offfering is definitely something to add to your to-be-read list.
Is this new crossover genre something that piques your interest? Have you read any of these books? What did you think?
More titles:
- The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
- The Reckoning by Alma Katsu
- Johnathon Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Synde Korman talks music and books on her website Tombstone Tails, along with creating a line of literary jewelry on her etsy site Cemetery Cat Designs.
When she's not herding cats or creating art, she works as a part-time bookseller. You can find her on twitter as @psynde.


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Southern Tier snowfall outdone by northeast Ohio
Areas of the Southern Tier from the Chautauqua Ridge south saw some snow accumulation overnight Wednesday and into Thursday.
One spotter in Frewsburg reported 3 inches of snow by Thursday morning. Additional accumulation was expected in those areas and others farther south and west.
"The west-northwest wind is blowing the snow south of Buffalo," said David Thomas, National Weather Service meteorologist, who added that a few wet flakes might also mix in with rain around metro Buffalo.
Meanwhile, Cleveland and northeast Ohio were hammered when a lake-effect snowstorm dumped several inches overnight Wednesday, with as much as six more inches expected throughout Thursday, felling trees and causing power outages.


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While many retailers are struggling to boost sales, cobblers are finding it easy to take advantage of the bad economy.
At Atkinson Shoe Repair of Jacksonville Beach, sales are up at least 20 percent over last year, said Charlie Atkinson, the owner.
"Sales are higher now than they have been since we opened," he said of the business that has been open for 40 years.
Jacksonville cobblers also say the bad economy is bringing in a new customer base — the under-30 crowd.
Gregory Vaccaro owns one of the oldest shoe repair shops in the area, Gus and Co., which has been located downtown for more than 100 years.
"Sales haven't been this good since the recession back in the '80s," Vaccaro said.
Leather repair is up along with everything else, he said.
So good, Vaccaro recently added a second shop in Orange Park.
His customer base includes real estate agents, lawyers and even day laborers, he said.
Dave Brecher, an attorney with Smith, Gambrell and Russell LLP, has been doing business with Gus and Co. for more than 15 years.
"I keep coming back because of their high quality of work," he said while getting a shoeshine.
Though some repairmen, like Atkinson, think shoe repair is a dying craft, a new Murray Hill repair shop opened in May and is doing quite well.
Joy Lee, owner of Edgewood Shoe Repair, said it seemed like the perfect place to open a business.
"My uncle is from Korea and is skilled in repairing shoes," she said.
Opening a business in the midst of a recession usually isn't the easiest thing to do — but the recession bolstered this one.
"I didn't know the bad economy would help sales so much, but people are driving from all over the Northside to come to us," she said.
Lee is noticing the same thing that other cobblers, like Vaccaro and Atkinson, are noticing.
People are more often having old shoes repaired instead of buying new.
"It's the tough economy," Atkinson said. "Even laborers are coming in to get their work boots fixed to delay getting new ones."
In Jacksonville, there are about 15 shoe service stores, many of which repair other leather goods such as purses and bags.
While business is good now, the longer-term fate of the shoe repair business looks grim.
"Over the next five to 10 years, the number of shoe repair stores will probably decrease from 7,000 to 5,000," said Jim McFarland, historian of the Shoe Service Institute of America.
The family trade that takes about three years to learn is dying, he said.
"Every year, family repair stores are closing because there is no one left to keep it open," he said. "The children are either not interested or are going to college."
But for now, business is pretty good.
"The recession has educated the young people to use shoe repair," McFarland said.


text:
Give Wings To Your
The Dudley Difference.
The Dudley brand began in 1967 when Joe and Eunice Dudley, co-founders, made a commitment to offer high quality products. Today, Ursula Dudley Oglesby, CEO, continues this legacy. Our mission is to enrich every life we touch by providing exceptional products and opportunities that enable men and women to celebrate themselves, celebrate their lives, and give wings to their dreams.
Part Time OpportunityBecome a Dudley
Beauty Advisor
This exciting program provides you with the opportunity to share our top quality products with your friends and families while earning some income part-time.
FULL Time OpportunityBecome an Independent
Dudley Distributor
We are looking for success-minded individuals with good communication and listening skills who want to be their own boss.


text:
Jerusalem Hotels, Map & Guide
by: Free Travel & Tourist Guides • 67
All Android applications categories
by: Free Travel & Tourist Guides • 67
☆☆☆ Best Mobile Guide 2012 - ACS Award Winner! ☆☆☆
Our free Jerusalem Guide 4T is a mobile app that helps you find nearby attractions, hotels, most popular restaurants, nightclubs, sights, museums, ATM, pharmacy.
This smart and intelligent mobile city guides are created to help you discover Jerusalem.
Features of Jerusalem City Guide guide
☆ City attraction list
- multilingual description with photo
- direction and route on map
☆ Weather forecast
☆ Place Finder with complete information about object (adress with map, users rating, route, website, phone number)
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Night club
- Lodging
- Hotel
- Museum
- Pharmacy
- Bank
- Gas station
☆ City Trips added and recommended by users ☆
- Interactive map & route with POI
- Trip photos
- Description, distance
☆ Event manager with with full information about the event
- Concerts
- Events
- Performance
☆ Interactive map of the city
☆ Offline Currency Converter
☆ Offline city info and attraction list
☆ Multilingual interface (english, chinese, spanish, german, japanese, korean, russian, french, portuguese)
☆ ☆ ☆ What people are saying about our guides: ☆ ☆ ☆
- Yriy: "Thing Excellent idea!"
- Zeynepalp Alptekin: "Very nice Istalbul guide"
- Kaka' Ganteng: "Jakarta city guide Great !!!!"
- Frank Gonzales Martinez "Bueno Me gustó esta app tiene futuro si recibe actualizaciones constantes" (Well I liked this app has a future if it receives constant updates)
- Hair Luis Eguiluz Ricalde "Buena Me gusta la interfaz, es fluido y encuentras de todo." (Good I like the interface, is fluid and find everything.)
- Victor Resende "Muito bom, informa o tempo a visibilidade humidade, eventos q vao acontecer no Rj bem atualizado. Perfeito" (Very good, tells time visibility humidity, events happen in vain Rio de Janeiro. Perfect)
Jerusalem (pron.: /dʒəˈruːsələm/; Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yerushaláyim ; Arabic: القُدس al-Quds and/or أورشليم Ûrshalîm)[i] is the capital of Israel,[neutrality is disputed] though not internationally recognized as such,[ii] and one of the oldest cities in the world. It is located in the Judean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the northern edge of the Dead Sea. It is Israel's largest city in both population and area, if East Jerusalem is included, with a population of 801,000 residents[4] over an area of 125.1 km2 (48.3 sq mi). Jerusalem is also a holy city to the three major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. The oldest part of the city was settled in the 4th millennium BCE. In 1538, walls were built around Jerusalem under Suleiman the Magnificent. Today those walls define the Old City, which has been traditionally divided into four quarters—known since the early 19th century as the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters. The Old City became a World Heritage site in 1981, and is on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Modern Jerusalem has grown far beyond its boundaries.
Tags: guia em jerusalem mi , free mobile wallpapers of jerusalem , jerusalem guide
from 67 reviews
by Ayush Joseph
Mar 26, 2016 | "Poor"
For an older version
by Pamela Fiedler
Aug 08, 2013 | "Awesome"
Easy to navigate and learn.
by Abel Lau
Jun 30, 2013 | "OK"
Not useful at all
by Avi Vizel
May 28, 2013 | "Poor"
Looks like alot of links are broken
by mohamad hamed
Mar 28, 2013 | "Poor"
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text:
AT&T subscribers will get a free subscription to Hulu this year
AT&T has announced a new partnership with video streaming service Hulu and made sure that its subscribers get a bonus out of it.
On Wednesday, May 13, AT&T officially announced the new partnership with Hulu and also revealed that, beginning in 2015, Big Blue subscribers will get a free subscription to the video streaming service. ... Read More »