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At one point or another, we will all become victims of our own self desires over what is going to be the best for us. Afterall, why drive the speed limit for 10 hours when going 10 over will get you there in 8 or 9? Below is my list of top 5 things that you can do now that your body will love you for later!
While there is adequate science that shows that smoking, or at least the nicotine FROM smoking, is an excellent appetite suppressant, there are DEFINITELY reasons for you to put them down for good if you intend to live a healthy and long life! Quitting will lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, mouth cancer and will even make your dating life seem a lot more fruitful (no one likes kissing a smoke bomb or sleeping next to an ash tray, after all). According to the 2013 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the health benefits of quitting grossly outweigh any negative impacts of gaining 5 to 10 pounds during the quitting. So put it down! Who knows, maybe your children (past, present or future) will thank you!
Look, I get it. Everyone is getting tired of being told to get off their butts and do something. I’m one of those people! But let’s face it… exercise is VITAL to us as human beings. Not only does it help you lose body fat, but weight training and moderate cardiovascular activity are crucial to the human body’s ability to regulate many unique hormones and enzymes! Exercise programs mixed with a well-balanced diet will help alleviate depression and anxiety, reduces the risk of developing many different diseases (heart disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes… see a pattern here?), helps to build and maintain healthy bones/muscles/joints as well as looking better on the beach. I mean… that’s why I work out, what’s your reasoning?
Alright, I’m looking at all of my closest friends at the bar with this one. Alcohol is delicious, and god do I love a good bourbon on a Friday night after a long week at work. But, there is more and more evidence every day that links the amount that we drink to many different types of cancer, weight gain and psychological problems. With its ability to be a social lubricant and perpetual voice of unreasonable words/actions, it goes without saying that it can lead to some problems in your social life with family and friends when used in excess. Alcohol also spikes blood sugar levels and has been shown to have negative effects on those that have or are at risk of becoming diabetic. Bottom line… if you’re serious about taking control of your health, alcohol is one thing that you can afford to abstain from (at least until a cheat day 😉 ).
This one is a complete no brainer. Fast food has been linked to a myriad of problems and diseases when it comes to our bodies. These include the following (in no particular order…) : Headaches, depression, acne, dental problems, heart disease, stroke, shortness of breath, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, blood sugar spikes/insulin resistance, bloating, digestion problems… If this doesn’t sound like a commercial for a new drug that it’s side effects will kill you, nothing will! Why in the heck do we do this to ourselves knowing these problems? Because fast food tastes so sinfully DELICIOUS! Why? Because it’s loaded with sugar to make you crave it! Quitting fast food by those that eat it daily have described similar withdrawal symptoms to people who are overcoming cocaine addiction. According to a study accomplished by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, fast food addiction stimulates the same neurobiological pathways that are implicated in drug abuse. That being said, kicking this habit is a lot harder in our society where food addiction is as easy as driving through a drive-thru window. It’s easier, faster and more convenient than cooking for ourselves, and that has brought us to the point where we actually need to conduct studies like this one to determine how bad it is for us. Not only does it make you unhealthy, but it triggers the reward centers of our brain to stimulate a desire to eat more of that food when you are unhappy, depressed or even just bored. Quitting fast food will be the number one best thing you will do for your body, but the problem is that it will be one of the hardest things you have done for yourself!
Depression is like a dirty 4 letter word. Those that don’t understand it think negatively of those that do while those that do fear the negative feedback of those that don’t. It’s a bit of a vicious cycle, really!
16.2 million (that’s right, million) Americans (or 6.9 percent of the entire population) suffer from at least 1 depression episode a year that is categorized as major (healthline.com). Of that statistic, at least 25 percent are deemed as psychotic episodes requiring hospitalization. Why is this important when discussing weight loss, though?! Depression and obesity go hand in hand according to research conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. In there research, they have discovered that “obesity status was related to peer victimization in younger youth (11 to 14 year olds). A meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies between 1978 and 1997 found that victimization is strongly related to depression” (Janssen I, Craig WM, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15121928). With that correlation in mind, adults that suffer from at least mild/moderate bullying as adolescents tend to still carry the emotional scars of their bullying as adults.
Those scars manifest in different ways, though. Some become successful business leaders. Some become fitness models or Olympians. Unfortunately, quite a few become alcoholics (at least moderate in that term, but you get the idea when you walk down the street on trash day and you see the same houses with recycling bins full of cheap wine bottles..). Depression and physical health are something that seem to go hand in hand in this respect. Those that suffer often turn to the bottle as a means of dealing with their demons in their own way, often because they would rather be selfish than ask for help from others. That depressive attitude is what brings us to the struggle.
The struggle being weight loss and control. Alcohol is a sugar, and the body LOVES sugar! Go out for dinner sometime and order the biggest dessert on the menu and you’ll understand afterwards; you feel happy, satisfied, then tired and ready to shut down. These feelings are purely chemical inside of the human body when it comes to how your body processes sugars, and alcohol is no different in this respect. It is the sugar that turns into glucose, which is then stored as fat inside of the body for that rainy day down the road. When that rainy day never comes due to how readily accessible food can be for us, that energy is never used and stays on us as visceral fat. This feeling, though, replaces the depression. It makes life so much more tolerable when you feel happy and satisfied because of the chemical reaction of sugar in your body, which then slowly turns into an addiction that is difficult to break away from.
The only way to get rid of this is to stop the cycle. If you are struggling with your weight but also struggle with depression, seeking help for that depression and removing things out of your life that contribute to negativity will GREATLY increase your chances of success in a healthier body in the long-term. I personally struggle with this aspect due to wanting to have people who I think can appreciate me only to find out that they only keep me around for their own personal gain. This is something that affects my personal life greatly and is hard for me to get through at times due to always wanting to see the best in people and trust them for face value. Unfortunately, I am finding out the hard way that human beings are complex, and they will always have their own motives that they have justified to themselves to be right, even if it wrongs another person that cares about them. My own personal battle that happened as a result of this realization led me to a 2 day set back in my own goals for my body (but MAN is corn whiskey delicious!), but realizing that not everyone in my life will do this is a big step in the direction to getting over it and moving forward as a great man who only deserves the best, especially where I only give my best to those around me!
I hope that you enjoyed reading my discussion on depression and it’s affect on our physical health! Please follow my blog here as well as my Facebook group linked below for further content!
This post is very personal. If you do not wish to read this type of posting, feel free to walk away. This posts discusses some of the harder things that I have gone through and is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I attempt to approach the topic with some humility and humor.
It’s a word that over 90 million people in the United States alone consider themselves every time that they look into the mirror. It’s the look of disappointment in not being the body type that they want to be, but are unsure of what they are or are not doing that is preventing them from being that person that they dream of. It’s the disgusted look that you give yourself when you see how much you binged the night before on a “cheat day”, and the constant reminder that it’s probably going to be a cheat week… followed by a cheat month. The word “failure” creates a cascading effect, and it’s one that so many people have a hard time recovering from.
I’m a failure. Saying those words out loud gives a negative connotation that you cannot recover from what you did wrong and are doomed to never be able to change; or does it? I personally have failed in my own goals in life. I’m divorced, bull-headed/difficult to deal with in a relationship aspect, have unrealistic and somewhat toxic views of who I want in my life (don’t we all at times???), I refuse to settle for less than I think that I am afforded, quit the first career I ever had to pursue something better (that’s a work in progress, I’d like to think!!), I take my closest friends for granted but am forever grateful for their love and support (and strong kicks to my junk from time to time), and I am overweight. Let’s forget the rest of all of that and focus on my gut, though!
I have struggled with my weight for a while now. I wasn’t even aware that I had a problem until 2010 when I weighed in at a whopping 310 pounds! I knew that I couldn’t keep that up and keep my military career, so I was hell-bent on only having half a pizza a night instead of the whole thing.. funny enough, that didn’t work out. So, I dieted and started forcing myself to walk/jog a 5k every day. After a couple of weeks of doing this, I found that my body was able to move faster, that I had more agility and that I could have some endurance. By the end of that month, I was jogging (ish) for the entire 5k. Within 2 months, I was down to 210 pounds. By the time weigh ins came around for my Navy Physical Assessment Test, I was 190 pounds. I smoked that test! I became a long distance runner for about 2 years because of this and it became my escape from all of the problems I had in my life, and pretty soon I stopped dealing with them all together.
Now, you’re probably wondering where I failed at this point. Because it sure sounds like a success story, right? I started to struggle with some inner demons when I was faced with a major career shift in the Navy and I turned back to drinking and eating comfort food. I still ran often, but I was self medicating instead of leaving the problems on the roads. I put a large strain on my marriage because I refused to seek help for this, and it ultimately led me down a very dark road that I almost didn’t come back from. It didn’t matter how good I was at my career, how much recognition from my superiors, how much support I had at home or the appreciation my subordinates occassionally gave me. I was a failure without redemption. As a result, I was divorced, separated from the Navy (on good terms!), up to my shoulders in debt that I couldn’t see my way out of, the bar was my second home, and I had a long string of relationships where I didn’t appreciate the women that wanted to help me get through this phase of my life. I ultimately saw myself as a failure that couldn’t be helped or saved. The mountain of depression eventually buried me and I gave into the thought that I wasn’t worth anything and would never get out of it.
I probably wouldn’t have made it out of this alive if it weren’t for a few people in my life at that point, and I’ll talk about them briefly here. Lexi and Danny, you two were there when I made some of the hardest choices and went through some of the most difficult moments in my life during this period. You were there for me with my dad during and after my divorce court date, when I gave up the most amazing dog to a couple that could be better owners at the time and to help ease my transition into the civilian world. I owe you both debts that I feel are impossible to ever repay. Misty was the first real attempt at a relationship after my divorce, and she showed me that it was ok to struggle, but to open up and talk about that struggle so that I can move forward. Your friendship and want to help me ended up being the catalyst to our close friendship, but your loving and caring self is the biggest reason why I’m still here today. Aaron and Dakota were roommates during this phase at one point or another, and probably some of the best people to talk to during a long night of drinking. They were also fun to be annoyed with in one way or another, too. Your candid friendships with me gave me some of the most endearing memories that I won’t soon forget! My family and close friends ultimately saved me from being unrecoverable, and they refused to let me give up or surrender. Just because I don’t name someone by name doesn’t make them any less important in the process of me growing out of who I was to who I am now. So if you’re reading this and are disappointed to not see your name here, it’s definitely not because I forgot about you!
Why am I telling you ALL of this stuff? Well, I’m open about it. It’s part of my past that I can never change, but I also would never want to. The point is, I failed! But it’s not about the failure that defines who we are, even though a lot of people eventually allow themselves to do so. It’s about what we do to move forward and learn that makes us stronger, healthier and happier. If I could change things, I would in some respects (being a better husband, being able to get help when things were getting overwhelming, treated my friends better in the past… you know, simple things that aren’t so simple at the time). But all of this is to emphasize one important thing. I failed, and it’s ok.
So let’s fast forward to an amazing friend and his desire to see me happy. I got my license for a motorcycle and was ready to hit the road! Problem? I didn’t have a bike! My friend gifted me his and even put in countless hours making sure that it was ready for the road. I was all set; had all of my safety gear, some awesome biker sunglasses and an attitude that could shake Clint Eastwood in a staring match. So how do you think this ended? That’s right, I wrecked the bike avoiding someone crossing over the median in a curve. Some road rash, a couple of broken ribs and a broken wrist later, and I’m back to where I was… angry at myself and full of self loathing. I managed to get back up to 230 pounds (which was the largest I had been in 8 years at that point!) and decided “No more” (in a very Doctor Who tone, if you can imagine).
I’ve been at this for going on 6 weeks now, and I’m averaging 2-3 pounds a week at this point without exercise. I have cheated on my lifestyle change and have rebounded slightly here and there, but I have been consistent about getting back onto it as soon as I can. It’s not glamorous, but it’s enough to see results and to share my experiences. I started to talk to my friends again about the things that I felt, my desires and even goals during this time and was encouraged to start writing. I definitely shrugged off the suggestion because, “Who wants to read what I have to say?!”, but over time the idea really intrigued me. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and I’m not stranger to failure, so why not? And here we are… one incredibly long and very transparent look through the looking-glass at who I am and why I’m here. I very much hope that anyone that reads this can look at themselves and see that their own failures don’t have to be the worst things about them, but more motivational nudges to try harder the next time.Without those failures, how will we ever know that we need to do more, shake it up or try something different to reach our desired results? Life is never an easy, one way or straight road. Sometimes we have to take the side streets to not get stuck in traffic for a while.
Suicide is never the answer. If you or someone you know struggles with their inner demons, please get them to get help or at least confide in someone that they trust.
Bear with me on my first post. This one is going to be a little more “literary” than entertaining or informative.
The biggest question that experts ask when it comes to obesity in the U.S. is “Why?”. In 1991, the obesity/overweight rate in America was at 12 percent, a number that has nearly doubled in the current day at 20 percent and is on track to triple in the next decade. That number is alarming, but in the last 20 years, the percentage of young people that are overweight as nearly doubled as well. We’ve all heard that being overweight comes with a myriad of health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and hypertension (just to name a few).
So, to reiterate the question above… why? What causes us to choose a lifestyle over time that encourages us to be unhealthy for the rest of our lives, and what can we do to mitigate those choices for better ones? Why do we as Americans seem to celebrate those that choose to stay unhealthy and not encourage them to be better to themselves? All great questions! So glad you asked!
We have definitely been led into an inactive lifestyle due to technology, advances in transportation, automation of manual labor… all are quick tickets to easing into a sedentary lifestyle. On top of these, we are bombarded DAILY with so much advertisement for unhealthy foods. Take a walk down any street in a major city and you’ll see amazing food on signs, just begging for you to sink your teeth into. But with these small points in the bigger picture, why still are we choosing to eat those things and to not stay active?
Comfort. We are all fed a lie from a young age that being comfortable is a good thing. That living a life that is free from discomfort should be the life that we all strive for. We have traded pain, sacrifice and exhaustion for complete comfort in every facet of our daily lives. Why cook that delicious and healthy meal when you can grab a frozen dinner out of the freezer or drive thru on your way to work/home? Why walk across town when you can quickly drive there instead (after all, walking gives you blisters…)? Why do something that you can pay someone else to do for you? We are inheritably lazy, and it’s getting worse as time goes by when we have created a society that encourages that laziness. This isn’t to say that some people DO have legitimate medical problems that prevent maintaining a healthy weight, but 20 percent of the population is a bit much to argue that point without putting some of the responsibility on the individual and their choices that got them to that point.
Why does this matter? Identifying the pattern in ourselves that fuels us to stay inactive, to eat the crappily unhealthy foods and prevents us from losing unnecessary body fat is the first step in overcoming those obstacles. Take a moment to think about what your excuses are for why you are doing these things and feel free to leave a comment. Admitting them out loud holds yourself accountable for the future success that you will achieve with discipline and support from this community!
Thanks for joining me! This site will be all about simple nutrition and exercise for weight loss as well as diving into different topics involved with obesity and the struggle we as human beings face with it. I am VERY excited to share my thoughts, experiences and adventures with others and I hope to inspire people to embark on their own journey with their own fitness and dietary needs. So sit back and enjoy my writings, pictures and videos! | 2019-04-26T00:01:39Z | https://thedonscorner.com/blog/page/2/ |
Even if we could stomach the inordinate amounts of pink, lace, and so forth, Marin was adamant that her brother and I NOT be anywhere in sight. All day long she wanted us to go birding and kept asking when we’d be leaving. We didn’t have a license to go birding–we were given orders.
I had decided on traveling about an hour south to look for Long-eared Owls near Morton. Just as we were about to be exiled from the princess fairy-world, a fantastic bird sighting by Bill Marengo came in on the listserv, a Cinnamon Teal in New Germany, a town an hour away to the southeast. This is a bird I needed for my state list, and after lingering regrets of not chasing the one last year in Stewart a MILE from my AUNT AND UNCLE’s HOUSE, it was an easy decision to switch from owl mode to cool, western duck mode. Also, Minnesota only gets maybe one or two Cinnamon Teal a year, so another chance this close to home was not one to pass up!
Halfway to New Germany a devastating report came in that the Cinnamon Teal had flown off and wasn’t relocated. However, we had nothing better to do and were halfway to the site already–we might as well look around in the area. After all, treasure hunting is always more fun when you know you there’s actually treasure in the area.
We started with ground zero at the large wetland southwest of New Germany and were pleasantly surprised to see a couple of cars lined up by the original location. Scopes were out. Things were looking good. Hopping out and visiting with the other birders quickly revealed that the duck was back!
Birders are so great at these random, road-side, birding flash-mobs that bewilder the rural passers-by; we were instantly invited to view the Cinnamon through scopes trained on it. Renowned county-lister, Denny Martin, quickly set up his apparatus to accommodate the much shorter Evan.
Such a good bird the Cinnamon Teal is and so great it was to see one again. This duck was one of the very first life birds we nabbed within an hour of deboarding a plane in Arizona last year.
I couldn’t do much about the distance or light in this situation, but beggars can’t be choosers. At least you can see what all the hype was about.
As we watched and chatted with the Martins (the people not the birds), some Eagles (the birds not the people) flew over. I normally don’t even look- the height of the birds combined with my lack of long-range optics and poor ID skills means I am highly unlikely to ever pick out a Golden Eagle. Denny Martin quickly trained his scope-still set at Evan’s level-on one bird. With the tenacity of a county-lister and lots of years of experience, he stayed on that Eagle for a long time until he got the clincher field marks he was looking for – a small head and golden nape as it turned into the sun. Golden Eagle! It was a county bird for the Martins, a second state bird in as many minutes for me, and a life bird for Evan.
After the Golden Eagle we all went back to visiting and enjoying the Cinnamon Teal as more birders kept responding to the call. Cars kept stacking up behind us the longer we stayed. They’d get their tick and leave. New cars would replace them. Really new cars. Really awesome cars. Really puts my mini-van-to-shame cars.
This sighting at a birding-rave may be the rarest thing I’ve seen yet. Just how special is a Cinnamon Teal in Minnesota? It’s drive-your-Porsche-on-gravel special.
The birds are conspiring against me. After the trip Up North, I was all set to be a responsible, non-birding adult who takes care of all those non-birding chores, duties, etc, and who generally uses his time wisely before jet-setting for Arizona in a couple weeks for…more bird gluttony. The birds have had other plans–they’ve been in my face.
For starters, FOYs are increasing exponentially. My year list doubled in the last couple weeks.
Some we are catching on arrival.
Cackling Goose is a solid FOY, not to be taken-for-granted.
Some we are catching on departure.
2015 was dangerously close to being Lapland Longspurless. Tragedy averted.
Then there is the time-consuming documentation of good birds, FOY or otherwise, that comes along with responsible birding.
March 16th! The time is approaching when a MN Shrike cannot be safely identified by the calendar alone. Despite his proclivities for our recent warmer temps, this guy’s barred breast gave him away as a Northern.
Of course, when an MOU-official county first-record shows up in the home county, you simply must go after it.
The race to see a rare bird is all the more urgent when an invasive, destructive species like the Mute Swan will be shot on sight by the DNR or USFWS.
Even if it chooses an uninspiring place to land.
Even if it is an unambitious slug that hangs out ALL day in one spot and might be a sick bird.
An escapee? Doubtful-no leg bands seen when standing or clipped wings seen when flapping.
Then there are birds you simply have to take time to look at, unless of course, no one read you E.B. White’s classic, The Trumpet of the Swan, when you were a kid.
This Trumpeter Swan descendant of Louis is purported to play the trumpet line in the opening credits of Homeland.
Finally, there are birds that you cannot ignore even if you never venture out–yard birds. Last week I stayed home one day to take care of a sick Evan. Upon pulling in the driveway after going out to pick up soda crackers, 7-Up, and so on, Evan told me he thought he saw a Bald Eagle overhead. Not a rare sighting at our house, as it happens 2-3 times annually, but it was definitely a noteworthy sighting that caused me to get out of the car and look up. It was no hum-drum Eagle. I nearly felt the breath knocked out of me when I saw it cruise directly over the house under 100 feet up–a new yard bird and rare one at that, a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk! Normally I always have the camera with me in the vehicle. Instead, I raced into the house and got back in time for one shot to document this color-morph of an uncommon bird that is exciting anywhere, but all the more exciting because it graced our yard with its shadow.
This was only my fourth county RLHA and my second-ever dark morph.
After a successful hunt for a Gyrfalcon lifer and a Boreal Chickadee photo on Sunday, I was primed for a day of different birding objectives when I woke up at the in-laws’ house in the Northwoods Monday morning. I was expecting magic–I was going to the Sax-Zim Bog. Part of that excitement was that, when given the choice between the Bog or hanging out with Grandma for the morning, Evan chose the Bog. Based on recent knowledge I had, I knew this could be a special day of lifering and just downright fun birdwatching for him. Doing something science-based eased the parental guilt of pulling him out of school on this day, especially since science (and other subjects) get pushed to the margins in this era of standardized testing where math and reading reign supreme. Forget the guilt, I felt like I was doing something good.
Getting him up that morning was tough, but the promise of McDonald’s breakfast and the morning’s main objective-seeing Sharp-tailed Grouse do their courtship dance on a lek-was enough to get him going. We left the house under an amazing starry sky (truly, there is no better place to see the night sky) to try to get to the lek around first light. However, the breakfast errand and my negligence in not planning extra time to get all the way to Meadowlands in the southwest corner of the Bog caused a delay in my plans. Needless to say, I was haulin’ down Co. Rd. 7.
Still, I brake for Great Gray Owls. Coffee is a great way to start the day, but these are even better way to get the day off on the right foot.
Note the distinct white “mustache” which is visible even in the diminished light of dawn and dusk.
I’d love to tell you how I spotted this thing, but you deserve the truth: I saw hazard lights in the dim morning light. That usually means one thing in the Bog. Immediately I looked in the vicinity of the stopped car and saw the giant silhouette. Brakes were slammed. A sleeping child was woken. Game on! I was NOT expecting to see a Great Gray this trip. They have been very sporadically seen since early January. Many out-of-state visitors dipped on this species this winter. Interestingly I had seen a report of a Great Gray on Co. Rd. 7 the previous evening, so I was keeping my eyes peeled. I’d like to think I would have spotted it on my own. But really, who cares? These things are just fun to see–well worth delaying our Sharp-tailed Grouse plans even more.
Call me crazy, but I prefer to watch Great Gray Owls on gray overcast days and in gloomy light. There’s just something fitting about it that adds to the mystique of this bird.
Despite this good fortune, I was confounded. How much time could I devote to watching this owl? I had to get to the lek if I wanted to see Sharp-tailed Grouse. Why does birding always have to be so stressful and full of decisions?! Mr. Owl, or I should say Mr. Crow helped me out. After 15 minutes or so of owl-watching, an American Crow flew in out of nowhere right at the Great Gray. It was awesome to watch the owl’s defense posture, spreading out his wing and ducking his head. But he didn’t want to be bothered any more, so he departed for the deep, gray recesses of the Tamarack bog behind him. Evan was using my camera at the time to get good looks at the owl, so I wasn’t able to capture this. I will offer up a short video for your viewing pleasure, though.
Next stop was the lek just north and east of the intersection of Co. Rd. 29 and Racek Rd. We got there around 8:15. Birding friend Clinton Nienhaus had told me that he had observed the grouse dancing around 7:30 last week, which was 8:30 this week thanks to Daylight Savings Time. So we were still on time. I found the small group of eight Sharp-tailed Grouse over a quarter mile east of the white house. They were little brown dots in a field of snow, very far from even the camera’s view. We were able to view them a little closer from Racek Rd.
And they were doing their courtship dances! It was an incredible thing to watch even from a distance.
This was a life bird for Evan. It wasn’t even a state bird for me; I had seen a group of 12 or so about 18 years ago pecking grit off MN Hwy. 73 near Sturgeon. So for me it was fun to see this bird as a birder and add it to my state eBird list. Evan and I really enjoyed watching these grouse. We sat together, him on my lap, watching the dances on the camera’s LCD out the driver’s side window. We were quite content to just hang out and see what they’d do. Under the weight of a freshly minted 8-year-old I was reminded of how quickly time passes and how kids don’t stay little long. Sharing this moment with Evan and watching these birds is one I won’t forget.
The previous weekend my friend Steve Gardner saw these same Grouse on the same day Clinton saw them dancing on the lek. However, Steve saw them at a later time in the morning as they were running around the yard of the white house where many people have been seeing them come to the bird feeders. Piecing these two observations together, I knew that eventually the Grouse would head for the white house after their courtship dances. Sure enough, around 8:45, the theatrics were over and protagonist and antagonist Grouse alike hung up their theatrical costumes, slapped backs like old friends, congratulated each other on another great performance, and headed to the bar…er, bird feeders.
Evan and I hopped onto Co. Rd. 29 for better views. The lek is to the left of the garage and behind the row of pines about a quarter mile.
It was a gray day, but we were still able to photo crush some Sharptails. ‘Sharptails’ is a throw-back term to when I hunted them long ago in Montana. It’s just what people called them, and I have trouble letting go of that nickname for the cumbersome official name.
I didn’t get many shots because something spooked the Grouse back to the lek area. Looking at this last picture I took, I’m guessing a raptor of some sort was cruising overhead.
Like the Great Gray, these Sharptails made it easy for us to move on to something new in the Bog. Next stop was the Admiral Road feeding station; Evan needed a Boreal Chickadee lifer, and I wanted more photos as well as a lifer Black-backed Woodpecker that had been hanging out just south of the feeders.
By the time we got to Admiral Road, the overcast sky was gone, and it was a glorious blue-sky day. There were a couple of cars of birders at the feeders. We watched for the Boreal Chickadees for awhile but weren’t seeing them. So I got out and walked the road looking and listening for the Black-backed. An Ohio birder approached me asking what I was looking for, and I learned that he hadn’t seen the Chickadees after a half hour wait. Yikes. Maybe Evan won’t get that lifer today. Just as we were going to give up, though, the Boreals stormed the feeders! Mr. Ohio and Evan lifered at the same time. Evan was about 10 feet away from the feeders and didn’t need me to point out his new bird. So stunning in the now gorgeous light!
Time to move on again. As much as I’d like a Black-backed Woodpecker, I was more anxious to get a Hawk Owl for the winter. I can probably get the resident Black-backed Woodpecker in the summer. On the way to Hellwig Creek (mile marker 29) on Hwy. 53, we bumped into a Northern Shrike and three Black-billed Magpies. How is that you can walk up to these things in a parking lot in Colorado and club them if you choose, and yet I can never get one to stay still for a photo in northern Minnesota?
Evan and I were now racing the clock as we went south of the Bog toward Canyon on Hwy. 53 in search of the Hellwig Hawk Owl. Grandma was bringing Marin southbound after a morning of tea parties, nail-paintings, etc to meet us so the kids and I could leave the area before noon to get back home in time for Evan’s piano lesson. Hawk Owls are quite conspicuous when present, often perching on top of Spruce trees. I just could not locate it. Maybe it had gone north already. Nuts! I really wanted to see this owl again. This was one of my main birding goals for the trip.
Evan and I headed north again to meet up with Grandma and Marin, only we were stopped in our tracks by a Timber Wolf crossing the road! It stopped broadside just 30 feet from the car, but I couldn’t get the camera out in time. Instead I got a running shot as it went down the snowmobile trail.
After rendezvousing with Grandma and Marin at the Anchor Lake Rest Area, the kids and I were now headed south. I would be going by mile marker 29 one last time. It was my last hope for Hawk Owl. I texted JG Bennett and Clinton Nienhaus to get more info on which side of the highway it had been seen. JG shot back right away that it was the west side. At least I now had somewhere to focus. As we went by Hellwig Creek, I scanned every Spruce top. Nothing. Then, there! A glob in an Aspen tree of all places was moving! It was Hellwig, the Hawk Owl!! Do you see him? And do you see all those perfect Spruce tops he’s NOT sitting on?
This was my first time photographing a Northern Hawk Owl with a blue sky background. Now if only I could get the classic shot on top of a Spruce with a blue sky!
This Hawk Owl didn’t care about anything, especially that I was underneath photographing him. Didn’t bother him one bit. In fact, he went about his business of becoming the cleanest Hawk Owl in the land. These things remind me of cats.
And then the uh, you know.
Hawk Owls, like many owls, are birds of many faces and poses.
And finally the classic look is its namesake, a bird that looks like an owl but perches like a hawk.
Here’s another short video that captures some of the essence of this awesome owl.
So there you have it. Two lifers for Evan (Boreal Chickadee and Sharp-tailed Grouse), four birding objectives of mine met (lifer Gyrfalcon, photograph of Boreal Chickadee, eBird record of Sharp-tailed Grouse, and year bird Northern Hawk Owl), and sprinkle in a bonus Great Gray Owl and other cool northern birds for taste–I’d say it was a successful end-of-winter field trip up north. And we were home around the time that Evan would have gotten done with school for the day.The northern gulls, sea ducks, and Black-backed Woodpecker will have to wait for another winter trip. For now, though I must tie up some loose ends and prepare for a lifer-fest in Arizona in a couple weeks.
Just as with beer, cheese, and processed meats, occasionally one must step foot in next-door Wisconsin for the finer things in life, and birds are no exception. Last spring their state-record Garganey just over the border drove Minnesota and Wisconsin birders wild. This winter a slightly less cool bird-which by no means diminishes its status!-showed up in the twin-port city of Superior, Wisconsin. This large bird, figuratively and literally speaking, that chose to take up winter residence on the Wisconsin side of the Blatnik Bridge also had Minnesota birders worked up into a frenzy. Yes, we are talking about the Gyrfalcon, a falcon so superior in size and awesomeness to its lesser brethren that seasoned northern birders drop the “falcon” altogether when uttering its name. Gyr (pronounced “jeer”-trust me, I heard it spoken by the state’s top birder) was first caught by raptor bander, Dave Evans, in Superior and word slowly got out that this arctic predator was in town. Better yet is that it had taken up residence at the Peavey grain elevators on Connors Point where it spends much time loafing and enjoying spectacular views of Lake Superior when not feeding on pigeons in the harbor.
I, too, had Gyr fever. I had many false-starts and set-backs for getting up north the past month, but I finally made it happen. It took much planning, namely sending the kids home with Grandma and Grandpa after a double birthday celebration, sending Melissa home to a quiet house, and sending myself solo to Duluth/Superior and beyond. It was win-win-win. Though with some atrocious dog diarhhea episodes at home while 3/4 of us were away, that conclusion may have to be settled far from now by the bird-blogging historians.
But, anyhow, I felt free as a bird as I drove north, much like this Rough-legged Hawk I saw along the way.
Duluth birder, JG Bennett, knew I was coming and graciously agreed to help me locate Gyr – not necessarily an easy task as many birders have dipped on seeing it. In exchange I’ll be helping him find his Blue Grosbeak lifer this summer–I think I’m getting the better end of this deal. JG called me when I was about an hour from Duluth to tell me that the Gyr was present. Nice guy that he is, he babysat the thing for over an hour until I showed up. Considering the distance from the viewing area and the massive gridiron structure, I was glad he did.
Even in this next photo you can get a sense of the size of the Gyr (look for the bump near the top right).
At times like this I’m thankful for the zoom capabilities of my camera. Quality leaves a lot to be desired, but, hey, no one’s getting killer shots or even great views of this raptor.
Some fun history on Gyr is that this same individual was caught and banded in 2003 in the Duluth/Superior area. At the time it was a third-year bird. It ended up returning every winter for four years and then did not return until this year! Given when it was banded, the age of this male Gyrfalcon is estimated to be 14 years 8 months–the oldest Gyrfalcon on record!
I spent about a half hour or so with the bird who never, ever moved off his perch, even when pigeons flew right by his head. By seeing the main target right away, my time was then free to fritter away as I pleased. I had northern gulls to pick up (Glaucous, Iceland, Great Black-backed), but the Duluth shipping canal was froze over, so there went any hopes for gulls or sea ducks. Instead I decided to try to track down one of three Northern Hawk Owls in the Duluth area as it had been over a year since I had seen this cool bird. The strong winds were keeping the owls hidden though. I couldn’t find a single one. Duluth birds in general were giving me the snub, including this Pine Grosbeak.
I had one last hope for the Hawk Owl (“Northern” is a bit superfluous and is often dropped by northern birders). One had been hanging out just south of the Sax-Zim Bog near Canyon. Specifically this bird could be reliably found right at mile marker 29 at Hellwig Creek. I decided that the Duluth Hawk Owls were a lost cause, so I might as well try for Hellwig and then use up my remaining daylight hours in the Bog. Hellwig was also a no-show, so it was on to the Bog for me.
I have several unfinished birding projects of sorts for the Sax-Zim Bog–a lifer or two, better photo ops of some, officially getting another on my state eBird list, and so on. Anyhow, one of my top goals was to get a good photo of a Boreal Chickadee, so I made a bee-line to the Admiral Road feeding station. There were the usual suspects around. Gregarious Gray Jays are always up for a photo-shoot.
Common Redpolls were everywhere. A couple looked whiter and plumper than the rest. I’m thinking this one looks good for Hoary based on the small, conical bill and faint streaking on the flanks. It had the overall frosty appearance of a Hoary.
The Boreal Chickadees can be quite finicky. Often birders will have to wait up to a half hour or more for just a flash appearance. That was my experience last year. This year was a different story as two of them were coming out from the Spruce bog constantly in the last hour of daylight to feed on their favorite winter food–peanut butter smeared on branches. Visitors to Sax-Zim are encouraged to slather up some branches with the creamy stuff (and donate their fair share of PB) at the Admiral Road feeders when they visit. It’s crazy, but it works.
This Boreal Chickadee momentarily, and perhaps regretfully, chose suet over PB.
Admittedly I’m a bit smitten with this bird. I’ve never really been able to answer the question of “What’s your favorite bird?”, but this one has to be right up there. I may be a bit biased, but this, in my opinion, is the best Chickadee. Perhaps that’s because it leads a secretive life in the deep, mysterious Spruce bogs alongside Great Gray Owls and Spruce Grouse and is rarely seen or perhaps because it is so visually stunning.
I’m finally at peace with the Boreal Chickadee as I got the photo I wanted–even if it does have a little peanut butter in it.
After hanging out with the Boreal Chickadees, who, by the way, are just as tame as their Black-capped cousins, I headed to Grandma and Grandpa’s to spend the night with the kids and prepare for the next day of birding which is arguably the best day I’ve ever had in the Sax-Zim Bog. Stay tuned…there will be videos!
Things have been pretty bleak on the prairie lately as far as birds go (or as far as anything goes, actually). The Snowy Owls packed their bags and left long ago. Birds of the field have been in short supply or absent altogether. Adding insult to this injury is that it has been extremely cold these past few weeks as temps have been well below zero. Hoth is looking like a pretty good vacation destination these days both for its scenery and temps.
So what’s a birder to do? Look at waterfowl, of course! Wait, what? Isn’t it a frozen wasteland here? Birders know a lot of crazy, cool stuff about local, natural phenomena that the vast majority of area residents know nothing about. One such phenomenon is knowing where open water exists in the county during the winter months. When I got into birding a couple years ago, I was blown away to find out that several species of waterfowl have been recorded on past Willmar Christmas Bird Counts. Heck, I was blown away to find out we had open water. I mean, every bit of water is seemingly, or should be, in a solid state, right?
“Let’s drive our truck on the lake by the open water,” they said. “It’ll be fun,” they said.
The further I went down this rabbit hole of birding, the more secrets I’ve learned. One of those secrets is that small numbers of Trumpeter Swans overwinter in the Spicer/New London area. I was reminded of this when local birder, Coralie Jacobson, posted on Facebook that she saw a bunch of swans on the outflow of Green Lake at the northeast corner.
I’ve seen plenty of Trumpeters in the county, but seeing them in February is something I had never done and needed to document for eBird. It was certainly the cure for the winter birding blues. A couple weeks ago I drove up to Green Lake and was not disappointed. In all, I counted 19 Trumpeter Swans. These DINCs (Double-Income No Cygnets) were enjoying quite the love fest, being all exclusive from the other swans.
When not necking and acting like that adorable couple that makes people cringe, they were striking contortionist poses and looking awfully dapper in their crisp black and whites.
Meanwhile at the other end of the Trumpeter relationship spectrum and at the other end of the outflow, this harried set of parents was leading the distracted life of a zone defense against three rambunctious teen-age cygnets. A date night might be in order.
It turns out that the outflow of Green Lake is not the only open water around these parts in the winter. The Crow River right in downtown New London also stays open just beneath the dam at the Mill Pond and along Central Avenue. In late November 2014, Coralie Jacobson found herself an incredible lifer on this little stretch of river in town–an American Black Duck associating with about two dozen Mallards. This species has been something of a nemesis bird for me, and it’s a remarkable bird for our area. Occasionally one or two will be seen by somebody during spring migration or in the late fall if there is open water around. I have frozen my fingers and face scanning through thousands of Canada Geese and Mallards on Foot Lake trying to pick one out that Steve had found in late 2013. Another time I was minutes late for getting to a location of a sighting. And this particular duck that Coralie found? I think I made a half dozen trips to New London looking for this bird, hoping to finally add it to my county list and record a new Kandiyohi species for eBird. Joel found it no problem. Counters for the CBC found it no problem. I had lots of problems finding it. I had so many failed attempts and it was getting deeper and deeper into winter that I had completely given up on it, settling for licking my Black Duck wound along with the still open, festering wound of missing a county Long-tailed Duck by an hour last fall.
Last week after I dropped Evan off at school on Monday, I went for a drive-about in the northern part of the county-a land I haven’t explored much. The Black Duck was far from my mind since it was last seen two months ago. This solo venture was birding desperation, plain and simple. I didn’t even know what I was really after. A 2015 county Northern Shrike? Pileated Woodpecker year bird maybe? Perhaps a Snowy Owl even though I’ve used up all my SNOW luck for a decade? It felt hopeless and was even less interesting than it sounded. I decided to turn it into an eBird expedition, making notes of birds numbers/species/locations. It was something to do, something productive anyhow.
My travels brought me by New London, so I thought I’d swing by the Crow River on Central Avenue to see if there were any Mallards to document. I noticed that there were about 30 Mallards or so. Interesting. The ducks were located at a bend in the river that was not easily seen from the dam or from Central Avenue. After some maneuvering I finally got into a position with the morning sun at my back where I could see the ducks. The conclusion of my quick scan was Mallards-every one of them, but truthfully I wasn’t even thinking that the Black Duck was a remote possibility. It had to be gone.
Anyhow, I decided I would glass the Mallards and try my best to get a careful count of males/females for eBird since it was a manageable number. Most ducks were facing upstream with their heads constantly under water foraging for food. It’s kind of hard to count ducks that look like rocks.
As I moved my binoculars from one bird to the next, one duck lifted its submerged head. I saw a black cap and an olive green bill, and I literally laughed out loud. There it was. Finally. Had I not eBirded, I may have been long gone not knowing the Black Duck was right under my nose. It felt SOOO good to finally see this bird here at home. It was an A+ bird for a dull winter day–even better than if I’d found a Snowy Owl. The icing on the cake was finding an overwintering Belted Kingfisher, an eBird rarity that I was unfortunately not able to photograph.
In my early birding days I had anxieties about differentiating an American Black Duck from hen Mallards. How silly.
Ever wonder why they call it a Black Duck?
Wintefowling is tremendous fun but is not for the faint of heart, those with poor circulation or the beardless. That said, it seems that winter’s last hurrah is waning and that warm temps are on the way. Pretty soon there’ll be open water aplenty and waterfowl galore. The truth is I’m going to miss these quiet winter waterfowling days when the few, the proud ducks are concentrated in tight spots. Only the cool ones come in the winter.
By God, that eBird list for Plateau State, Nigeria is just gonna have to wait!
All birds, at least in the mind of a birder, are not created equal. There are birds we never get tired of seeing, often because of their rarity or beauty or both. Yet others we outright scorn and dub as “junk birds” because of how exceedingly common and drab they are. Then there are those gorgeous, out-of-reach birds we only dare to dream of seeing before our birding days are done, like the Garganey. I already had that particular dream come true, but on February 20th I witnessed something far greater. Admittedly this post has little connection to birding beyond the title and this intro, but one thing I’ve never explicitly told you readers is that one of my primary purposes in writing blog posts or writing the annual humorous Christmas letter is to capture and preserve snippets of my family’s history. Pictures of the kids, quotes of things they say, and stories of the things we do together are often included for our own remembrance as much as they are for entertainment/readership value. It is in that vein that I’m blogging today–because I want us to look back on a monumental day in our lives and remember–remember the pain and the joy. So read on if you like or stop; it does not matter to me. I will say, though, that most birders I know like being surprised by really cool phenomena, whether or not feathers are involved.
When my alarm went off announcing the beginning of another work day, I quickly woke and checked my phone for any birding updates that may have trickled in during the night. After all, a Gyrfalcon and Harlequin Ducks had been in play and as of the previous evening, I was contemplating a fast trip north after work. What I saw on my phone, though, horrified me–a missed call from my mom at 4:50 AM. Immediately I thought something must have happened with Dad. With quicker heartbeats, Melissa and I nervously listened to the voicemail. My mom was indeed distraught and sobbing, but it was not about my dad. Mom told us how our brother-in-law, Bayo (pronounced “Bio”), who is a missionary in Nigeria, had been very sick recently and that he had been taken to the hospital where doctors concluded he either had cerebral malaria or meningitis. I didn’t know much about those diseases, but I knew enough to know that most people don’t come back from their rapid, deteriorating effects. Melissa and I said a quick prayer, but in my mind Bayo was already dead. Adrenaline, fear, sadness, and morning grogginess were creating a toxic mix in my mind. Selfish thoughts and fears of having to travel to a country that is often plagued with religious violence and terrorism were my instant companions. I had to clear my head before I called mom back. I showered, let the dogs out, and got in the first sips of coffee. Then I called my mom in Arizona, but there wasn’t much to say on either end, just mutual sadness.
I felt it was over for Bayo. I didn’t think praying would do any good. Yet because she asked me, I prayed–angrily and full of doubt. At this point I wasn’t concerned with what would happen to their ministry, and I knew Mary Beth would eventually be okay; I was mostly upset that my nephews and niece were about to lose their dad. Never mind my own feelings of loss. But along with hundreds of people from every corner of the globe who knew about Bayo’s ordeal through social media, I prayed.
The rest of the morning was a blur. I’m sure I wasn’t much more than an overpaid babysitter in the classroom. I wasn’t thinking of a recovery–far from it. I was trying to remember where my safety deposit box key was so I could retrieve my passport. I was trying to figure out how I could possibly make a trip work. My mind was a mess. One minute I felt like dumping this silly birding and blogging hobby completely; the next I was debating how acceptable or not it would be to look at birds if I did end up in Africa.
It was strange to not be able to talk with Melissa who was at the other end of the building, also keeping up the charade of teaching on this day. We exchanged short, sad emails, but that was it. We did see each other during the morning’s Snow Week activity, but not a word was uttered about it even though we both knew what thought prevailed on each other’s minds.
At 12:15 I got a text update from mom: “He has viral encephalitis. He needs a miracle.” Dear God, it really is over, I thought.
Mary Beth later said the doctors believed that was the right diagnosis but that they didn’t have the medicine for that disease, possibly in all of Nigeria. She recalled one doctor saying, “We have cast our bread upon the water. We have given him an anti-viral medication, an anti-bacterial medication, and even an anti-fungal medication.” In other words, they had done all they could do.
It was now a waiting game. I went through my afternoon in a continued fog, struggling to get through my day as I waited for that final update. Around 2:00 I called my mom, and she informed me that they were working to get Bayo medically-evacuated to South Africa or Kenya. Wait, what was going on? Wasn’t it hopeless just a couple hours ago? I heard nothing further, so I called mom again around 4:00 on my way home from work. She told me that she and my dad had now made the decision to travel to Nigeria. Still there wasn’t much news about Bayo. That final update wasn’t coming.
Little did we know at the time just how symbolic the quiet restaurant and gentle snowfall outside really were (I even remarked about the snowfall being peaceful-something it rarely is on the wind-swept prairie and something I never say). On our way home I got another text from Mary Beth that Bayo’s breathing, pulse, and temp were stabilizing! His temp had dropped from 104 to 98.6! The doctor was shocked.
Unlike the confusion and chaos of the beginning of the day, the night was now calm and quiet and was going out with a whimper. The negative updates and negative outlooks had disappeared; hope was winning! Bayo continued to stabilize, and by the next day he was alert and talking, and his personality was coming through! His kids got to see him, and he recognized all of them. There appeared to be no brain damage or loss of cognitive function, later proved by a completely normal EEG. Bayo was eventually still evacuated to Nairobi, Kenya where he continued to improve greatly each day while the doctors tried to determine the cause of his ailment and monitor his rapid, seemingly complete recovery. Bayo is alive! I still can hardly believe it. We witnessed a miracle, and Mary Beth (and all of us) attribute it to the power of prayer.
So, I don’t know if or when I’ll ever see African birds, and I couldn’t be happier. Meanwhile, though, I’ll be studying. The good folks at Princeton University Press are sending out a review copy of A Guide to the Birds of Western Africa. Stay tuned for that as well as some great birding that’s happened since my last post. | 2019-04-23T00:03:23Z | http://www.aboywhocriedheron.com/2015/03/ |
in the 2000–01 National Basketball Association playoffs, Allen Iverson played an average of 46.2 minutes a game, leading the Eastern Conference?
Allen Iverson is the only player who led the NBA in steals for three consecutive seasons?
Allen Ezail Iverson (born June 7, 1975, in Hampton, Virginia) is an American professional basketball player who is on leave from the Philadelphia 76ers for the remainder of the 2009-10 NBA season. The 76ers selected Iverson with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1996–97 season. Iverson is an eleven-time NBA All-Star which includes winning the All-Star MVP award in 2001 and 2005.
Winning the NBA scoring title during the 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2004–05 seasons, Iverson has become one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, despite his small (listed at 6 feet, 0 inches) stature, with a career scoring average of 26.7 points per game, being sixth all-time. Iverson was also the NBA Most Valuable Player of the 2000–01 season and led his team to the 2001 NBA Finals the same season.
Iverson represented the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympics, winning the Bronze medal.
Iverson also played for the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and the Memphis Grizzlies, before returning to Philadelphia for part of the 2009-10 NBA season.
As a high school junior, Iverson played quarterback for the Bethel High School football team, leading the team to the state championship.
On February 14, 1993, Iverson and several of his friends became involved in an altercation with a group of white teenagers at the Circle Lanes bowling alley in Hampton, Virginia. Iverson's crowd was raucous and had to be asked to quiet down several times, and eventually a shouting duel began with another group of youths. Shortly thereafter, a huge fight erupted, pitting the white crowd against the blacks. During the fight, Iverson allegedly struck a woman in the head with a chair. He, along with three of his friends who are also African-American, were the only people arrested. Iverson, who was 17 at the time, was convicted as an adult of the felony charge of maiming by mob, a rarely used Virginia statute that was designed to combat lynching. Iverson and his supporters maintained his innocence, claiming that he left the alley as soon as the trouble began. Iverson said, "For me to be in a bowling alley where everybody in the whole place know who I am and be crackin' people upside the head with chairs and think nothin' gonna happen? That's crazy! And what kind of a man would I be to hit a girl in the head with a damn chair? I rather have 'em say I hit a man with a chair, not no damn woman."
After Iverson spent four months at Newport News City Farm, a correctional facility in Newport News, Virginia, he was granted clemency by Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder, and the Virginia Court of Appeals overturned the conviction in 1995 for insufficient evidence.
In spring 1994, Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson visited Iverson at Hampton's Bethel High School.
At Georgetown, Iverson won two Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards, All Rookie Tournament 1st Team, and a gold medal for his win at the World University Games in Japan in 1995. Iverson led all USA players in scoring and assists, averaging 16.7 points per game and 6.1 assists per game. He ended his college career as the Hoyas' all-time leader in career scoring average, at 23.0 ppg.
Iverson was the first of just two basketball players, Victor Page being the other, to leave Georgetown early for the NBA under Thompson.
After two seasons at Georgetown, Iverson was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft. He played with the Sixers for 10 years. During his tenure he was Rookie of the Year, League MVP, 2x All-Star MVP, and led the league in scoring for four years. After his rookie season, during which he led the 76ers in points, assists and minutes, Iverson was named the 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year and was a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
During the offseason, Iverson and his friends were stopped by policemen for speeding late at night and was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and for possession of marijuana. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to community service.
After the 1998–1999 season, during which he averaged 26.8 points, earned his first scoring title and was named to his first All NBA first team., Iverson made his first trip to the playoffs. He started all ten playoff games and averaged 44.4 minutes per game despite being hampered by a number of nagging injuries. Iverson led the Sixers to an upset over the Orlando Magic, before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the second round.
Prior to the next season, Iverson signed a six-year, $70 million contract extension. That year, Iverson averaged 28.4 points and again led the 76ers into the playoffs. In the process, Iverson was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the first time of what would be 11 straight appearances. In the playoffs, Iverson averaged 26.2 points, 4.8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, with a high of 40 points in the first round opener at Charlotte on April 22, 2000. Philadelphia advanced past Charlotte, but was eliminated again by Indiana in the second round. That season, he was the only player other than Shaquille O'Neal to receive a NBA Most Valuable Player vote.
In the 2000 off-season, the 76ers actively tried to trade Iverson, and had agreed to terms with the Detroit Pistons before Matt Geiger, who was included in the deal, refused to forfeit his $5 million trade kicker.
During the same offseason, Iverson recorded a rap single named 40 Bars. However, after being criticized for its controversial lyrics, he eventually was unable to release it. Going under his moniker, "Jewelz", the album was alleged to have made derogatory remarks about homosexuals. After criticism from activist groups and NBA Commissioner David Stern, he agreed to change the lyrics, but ultimately never released the album.
That season, Iverson led his team to wins in the first ten games of the season, and was named starter at the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, where he won the game MVP. The Sixers also posted a 56–26 record, the best in the Eastern Conference that season. He also averaged a then-career high 31.1 points, winning his second NBA scoring title in the process. Iverson won the NBA steals title at 2.5 a game. Iverson was named NBA Most Valuable Player, and named to the All NBA First team for his accomplishments.
In the playoffs, Iverson and the Sixers defeated the Indiana Pacers in the first round, before meeting Vince Carter-led Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Semifinals. The series went the full seven games. In the next round, the Sixers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, also in seven games, to advance to the 2001 NBA Finals against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Iverson led the Sixers to their first finals since their 1983 championship. In game one of the 2001 NBA Finals, Iverson scored a playoff high 48 points and beat the heavily favored Lakers 107–101. In the game he notably stepped over Tyronn Lue after hitting a crucial shot. Iverson would go on to score 23, 35, 35, 37 in games 2–5, all losing efforts though the Sixers were not swept like many predicted. Iverson enjoyed his most successful season as an individual and as a member of the Sixers during the 2000–01 NBA season. In the 2001–02 season, the Sixers failed to repeat their success. Iverson and others struggled with injury, and despite Iverson averaging a league high 31.4 points per game the Sixers fell to the sixth seed in the 2002 Playoffs, where they fell to the Boston Celtics in the first round.
Iverson began using a basketball sleeve during this season during his recovery from bursitis in his right elbow. Other players, including Carmelo Anthony, and Kobe Bryant, have adopted the sleeves as well, as did fans who wore the sleeve as a fashion statement. Iverson continued wearing his sleeve long after his elbow had healed. Some believe that the sleeve improved Iverson's shooting ability, while Steven Kotler of Psychology Today suggested that the sleeve may act as a placebo to prevent future injuries.
For most of the early portion of Iverson's career, his head coach with the Sixers was Larry Brown. Iverson often praised Brown, saying that he would not have achieved so much in the sport without Brown's guidance. However, the two frequently clashed; for example, when the 76ers were defeated in the first round of the 2002 NBA Playoffs, Brown criticized Iverson for missing team practices. Iverson responded by saying, "We're sitting here, I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're in here talking about practice," and went on a rant that included the word "practice" 14 times.
In the 2002–2003 season, Iverson once again put up stellar scoring numbers (27.6 points per game), was named an NBA All-Star and led the Sixers to the playoffs. This time they were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in the second round after a 6-game series. Brown left the 76ers in 2003, following the playoff loss. After his departure from the 76ers, both he and Iverson indicated that the two were on good terms and genuinely fond of one another. Iverson later reunited with Brown when Iverson became a member and co-captain of the 2004 United States Olympic men's basketball team.
During the latter part of the 2003–2004 season, Iverson bristled under the disciplinarian approach of the Sixers' new head coach Chris Ford. This led to a number of contentious incidents, including Iverson being suspended for missing practice, fined for failing to notify Ford that Iverson would not attend a game because he was sick, and refusing to play in game because he felt "insulted" that Ford wanted Iverson to come off the bench as he worked his way back from an injury.
On February 24, 2004, Iverson urinated in a trash can at Bally's Atlantic City casino in full view of staff and patrons. He was told by casino management not to return.
In 2005, league commissioner David Stern instituted a dress code that required "business casual" attire for players on league or team business, and banned, among other items, t-shirts, jeans, and large jewelry worn over clothes.
The 2005–06 NBA season would be the last full season for Iverson in a Sixers uniform. He averaged a career high 33.0 points per game, but the Sixers missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. He had also begun to clash with coach Jim O'Brien, who was fired after the season.
On December 9, 2005 after the Sixers defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, Iverson paid a late-night visit to the Trump Taj Mahal. After winning a hand at a three-card-stud poker table, Iverson was overpaid $10,000 in chips by a dealer. When the dealer quickly realized the mistake and requested the chips back, Iverson refused and a heated head-turning argument between him and casino staff began. Atlantic City casino regulations reportedly state that when a casino makes a payout mistake in favor of the gambler, he or she must return the money that they did not legitimately win by playing.
Also in 2005, Iverson's bodyguard Jason Kane was accused of assaulting a man at a Washington DC nightclub after the man, Marlin Godfrey, refused to leave the club's VIP section so Iverson's entourage could enter. Godfrey suffered a concussion, a ruptured eardrum, a burst blood vessel in his eye, a torn rotator cuff, cuts and bruises, and emotional injuries. Although Iverson did not touch Godfrey himself, Godfrey sued Iverson for the injuries caused by his bodyguard. In 2007 a jury awarded Godfrey $260,000. The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the verdict in 2009.
On April 18, 2006, Iverson and Chris Webber arrived late to the Sixers' fan appreciation night and home game finale. Players are expected to report 90 minutes before game time, but both Iverson and Webber arrived around tipoff. Coach Maurice Cheeks notified the media that neither would be playing and general manager Billy King announced that Iverson and Webber would be fined. During the 2006 off-season, trade rumors had Iverson going to Denver, Atlanta, or Boston. None of the deals were completed. Iverson had made it clear that he would like to stay a Sixer.
On November 29, 2006, following a conflict at practice, Iverson stormed out of the gymnasium. That same evening, Iverson missed a corporate sponsor night at Lucky Strike Lanes in Philadelphia. All the 76ers besides Iverson attended this mandatory event. Iverson was fined an undisclosed amount by the 76ers. Iverson claimed he overslept after taking medication for pain related to having two abscessed teeth pulled but it was reported that Iverson told teammates earlier in the day he planned to blow off the event and was simply going to take the fine.
On December 8, 2006, Iverson reportedly demanded a trade from the Sixers (although he would deny that). As a result of the demand and missing practice prior to a matchup against the Washington Wizards, Iverson was told not to play nor attend any further games. During that game, which was televised nationally on ESPN, Sixers Chairman Ed Snider confirmed the trade rumors by stating "We're going to trade him. At a certain point, you have to come to grips with the fact that it's not working. He wants out and we're ready to accommodate him."
On December 19, 2006, the Philadelphia 76ers sent Iverson and forward Ivan McFarlin to the Denver Nuggets for Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and two first-round picks in the 2007 NBA Draft. At the time of the trade, Iverson was the NBA's number two leading scorer with teammate Carmelo Anthony being number one.
On December 23, 2006, Iverson played his first game for the Nuggets. He had 22 points and 10 assists in a losing effort to the Sacramento Kings. In Iverson's first year as a Nugget they made the playoffs. They won the first game and lost the next four to the San Antonio Spurs.
Iverson was fined $25,000 by the NBA for criticizing referee Steve Javie following a game between the Nuggets and Iverson's former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, played January 2, 2007. During the course of the game, Iverson committed two technical fouls and was ejected from the game. After the game, Iverson said, "I thought I got fouled on that play, and I said I thought that he was calling the game personal I should have known that I couldn't say anything anyway. It's been something personal with me and him since I got in the league. This was just the perfect game for him to try and make me look bad."
Former referee Tim Donaghy supported the claim that Javie had a longstanding of hated for Iverson in his book, Personal Foul: A First-Person Account of the Scandal that Rocked the NBA, which a Florida business group published through a self-publishing arm of Amazon.com after it was dropped by a division of Random House, who cited liability issues after reviewing the manuscript.
In a December 2009 interview with 60 Minutes, Donaghy said he and fellow referees thought the punishment was too light. Before Iverson's Nuggets played the Utah Jazz on January 6, 2007, Donaghy said he and the two other officials working the game agreed not to give Iverson favorable calls as a way to "teach him a lesson". Iverson attempted 12 free throws, more than any other player on either team. On 12 drives to the basket, he drew five fouls, three of which Donaghy whistled himself, and did not receive a call on one play in which he was obviously fouled by Utah's Mehmet Okur.
Iverson returned to Philadelphia on March 19, 2008 to a sell-out crowd and received a standing ovation in a 115–113 loss.
On November 3, 2008, Iverson was dealt from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons for guard Chauncey Billups, forward Antonio McDyess and center Cheikh Samb.
Iverson, who had worn a number 3 jersey his entire NBA career, switched to number 1 for the Pistons. The number 3 was being worn by Rodney Stuckey, and although Stuckey stated that he would be willing to give up the number, the NBA ruled that a change in numbers could not take place until after the season.
On April 3, 2009, it was announced by Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars that Iverson would not play the remainder of the 2008–09 season. Dumars cited Iverson's ongoing back injury as the reason for his deactivation, although two days prior Iverson stated publicly that he'd rather retire than be moved to the bench as Piston's coach Michael Curry had decided.
On September 10, 2009, Iverson signed a one-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Iverson stated that "God chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career," and that "I feel that they are committed to developing a winner."
However, Iverson again expressed his displeasure at being a bench player, and left the team on November 7, 2009 for "personal reasons." On November 16, the Grizzlies announced the team terminated his contract by "mutual agreement". Iverson played three games for the Grizzlies.
The New York Knicks initially showed interest in signing Iverson, but team president Donnie Walsh announced on November 20 that he would not offer Iverson a contract.
Iverson in December 2009, after his return to the 76ers.
On November 25, 2009, commentator Stephen A. Smith published on his blog a statement attributed to Iverson announcing plans for retirement, which also said, "I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level."
Less than a week later on November 30, Iverson and his representatives met with a Philadelphia 76ers delegation about returning to his former team, and accepted a contract offer two days later. General manager Ed Stefanski declined to go into the terms of the agreement, but an unnamed source told the Associated Press that Iverson agreed to a one-year non-guaranteed contract at the league minimum salary. Iverson would receive a prorated portion of the $1.3 million minimum salary for players with at least 10 years of experience, and the contract would become guaranteed for the remainder of the 2009-10 season if he remained on the roster on January 8, 2010, and with a portion of his salary coming from a league pool, the 76ers would pay Iverson up to around $650,000. Stefanski said the team made the decision to pursue Iverson after starting guard Louis Williams suffered a broken jaw and was expected to miss at least 30 games.
On February 22, 2010, Iverson left the 76ers indefinitely, citing the need to attend to his 4-year-old daughter, Messiah's health issues. He had missed five games earlier in February and missed the All-Star Game after he was voted in as starter. On March 2, Stefanski announced Iverson would not return to the 76ers for the rest of the season.
In his Philadelphia Inquirer column published March 7, 2010, Stephen A. Smith wrote that according to "numerous NBA sources", Iverson would "either drink himself into oblivion or gamble his life away", and that Iverson had already been banned from casinos in Detroit and Atlantic City. Smith also wrote that Tawanna, his wife of eight years, had separated from him and filed for divorce, seeking custody of their five children, as well as child support and alimony payments.
Iverson was a member of the gold medal winning 1995 World University Games Team that finished 7–0 in Fukuoka, Japan. Part of a team that included future NBA stars Ray Allen, Tim Duncan, Kerry Kittles, Othella Harrington, Austin Croshere and others. Iverson led the USA in scoring, assists and steals averaging 16.7 points, 6.1 assists and 2.9 steals a game, while shooting 56.0 percent from the field overall and 37.5 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
On being selected to playing for USA Basketball in 2003, Iverson said,"It's a great feeling to be able to represent the USA. It's an honor. It's a tribute to all the coaches I've had in my life - Coach (Larry) Brown, Coach (John) Thompson and my high school coach, Mike Bailey. I feel good about being able to make a team like this - it's really one of the great things I've done in my life. It makes me feel good about the person my mom raised."
Iverson helped the USA to a 10–0 record, the gold medal and a qualifying berth for the 2004 Olympics at the August 20–31 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. Started all eight games he played in, and averaged a team second best 14.3 ppg., 3.8 apg., 2.5 rpg., 1.6 spg., while shooting 56.2 percent (41–73 FGs) from the field and 53.6 percent (15–28 3pt FGs) from 3-point and 81.0 percent (17–21 FTs) from the foul line.
In the USA's 111–71 victory over Canada on August 25, he accounted for an USA Olympic Qualifying single game record 28 points and made a single game record seven 3-pointers. Playing just 23 minutes, he shot 10-for-13 overall, 7-for-8 from 3-point, 1-for-1 from the foul line and added three assists, three steals and one rebound. All seven of his 3-point field goals were made during the final 7:41 of the third quarter.
He finished the tournament ranked overall tied for 10th in scoring, tied for fourth in steals, fifth in 3-point percentage, tied for seventh in assists, and ninth in field goal percentage (.562). Iverson also missed the USA's final two games because of a sprained right thumb which was suffered in the first half of the August 28 Puerto Rico game. In a game against Puerto Rico, he recorded 9 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field overall, and added five assists and three rebounds in 26 minutes of action in the USA's 101–74 exhibition game victory on August 17 in New York, N.Y. He was also named to the 2003 USA Senior National Team on April 29, 2003.
The team's performance at the Olympic Games, however, would ultimately prove to be a disappointment. During the exhibition period prior to the Games, Iverson and LeBron James were benched for a game for having arrived late at a practice session. The United States' team had played a dismal game versus Germany, which had failed to qualify for the Olympic competition. Iverson did succeed in keeping the game from going into overtime with a half-court shot in the closing seconds. Despite the win, the team continued to struggle. After losing to the Puerto Rican team during round robin play, they would ultimately claim a bronze medal.
^ Nance, Roscoe (February 22, 2004). "Iverson puts heart on line, ignores injuries". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/educate/college/firstyear/articles/20040222.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
^ Latimer, Clay (December 20, 2006). "He brings baggage but also a big heart". Rocky Mountain News. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2006/dec/20/he-brings-baggage-but-also-a-big-heart/. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
^ Falkner, David (January 30, 1995). "The agony and the ecstasy". The Sporting News. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n5_v219/ai_16434629/. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
^ a b Sielski, Mike (March 4, 2007). "Iverson Answers the Call". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Iverson_Allen. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
^ "Iverson Receives 3 Years' Probation". Washington Post. August 27, 1997. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/13672551.html?dids=13672551:13672551&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=AUG+27%2C+1997&author=Thomas+Heath&pub=The+Washington+Post.
^ Smallwood, Jr., John (March 2001). "Brotherly Love Like - Allen Iverson, under the coaching of Larry Brown, emerges as team captain of the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers". Basketball Digest. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCJ/is_5_28/ai_71187961.
^ Chris Broussard. "Now a Leader, Iverson Turns Image Around". New York Times. June 6, 2001. Retrieved on December 31, 2008.
^ a b c Steven Kotler. "Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and Basketball's Placebo effect". Psychology Today. April 17, 2008. Retrieved on January 8, 2009.
^ Larry Platt. Only the Strong Survive. Harper Collins, 2003. 9.
^ "Allen Iverson news conference transcript". CNNSI.com. 2002-05-10. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2002/05/09/iverson_transcript/.
^ Wood, Skip (2002-05-09). "Brown puts balm on Iverson's feelings". USAToday.com. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/sixers/2002-05-08-iverson-brown.htm.
^ a b "NBA Star Allen Iverson and Casino Staff Battle it out in Atlantic City". http://www.onlinecasino-news.com/20051217/nba_star_allen_iverson_and_casino_staff_battle_it_out_in_atlantic_ega.aspx.
^ "Bad Answer: Iverson On Way Out Of Philly". http://www.nypost.com/seven/12082006/sports/bad_answer_sports_peter_vecsey.htm?page=2.
^ Abbot, Henry (December 3, 2009). "Personal Foul: Tim Donaghy's NBA tell-all now available". TrueHoop (ESPN.com). http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/11202/personal-foul-tim-donaghys-nba-tell-all-now-available.
^ Beck, Howard (October 29, 2009). "Tim Donaghy Again Forces an N.B.A. Investigation of Referees". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/sports/basketball/30refs.html. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
^ Berger, Ken (December 8, 2009). "Disgraced former ref Donaghy details scam on '60 Minutes'". CBS Sports. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/12624836/disgraced-former-ref-donaghy-details-scam-on-60-minutes. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
^ "Grizzlies part ways with Iverson". The Sports Network. November 16, 2009. http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=298628.
^ Beck, Howard. "Sticking to Game Plan, Knicks Pass on Iverson". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/21/sports/basketball/21iverson.html.
^ "Online report: Iverson set to retire". Associated Press. November 25, 2009. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/11/25/iverson.retires.ap/index.html.
^ Stein, Marc (December 1, 2009). "Sources: Sixers closer to Answer". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4702589.
^ Jasner, Phil (December 3, 2009). "Iverson's humble homecoming". Philadelphia Daily News. http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/78396707.html.
^ Juliano, Joe (December 2, 2006). "Iverson agrees to non-guaranteed deal with Sixers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/sports_breaking/20091202_Iverson_agrees_to_non-guaranteed_deal_with_Sixers.html.
^ "Iverson officially done with the Sixers". Philadelphia Daily News. March 2 2010. http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/Iverson_officially_done_with_the_Sixers.html. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
^ "Iverson reportedly has gambling problem, too". The Baseline (Sporting News). March 8 2010. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35765978/ns/sports-nba/.
Allen Ezail Iverson (born June 7, 1975), nicknamed A.I. and The Answer, is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association.
If Coach tells you that I missed practice, then that's that. I may have missed one practice this year but if somebody says he missed one practice of all the practices this year, then that's enough to get a whole lot started. I told Coach Brown that you don't have to give the people of Philadelphia a reason to think about trading me or anything like that. If you trade somebody, you trade them to make the team better...simple as that. I'm cool with that. I'm all about that. The people in Philadelphia deserve to have a winner. It's simple as that. It goes further than that ... If I can't practice, I can't practice. It is as simple as that. It ain't about that at all. It's easy to sum it up if you're just talking about practice. We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're talking about practice. I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we're talking about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it's my last but we're talking about practice man. How silly is that? ... Now I know that I'm supposed to lead by example and all that but I'm not shoving that aside like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I honestly do but we're talking about practice. We're talking about practice man. We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice. When you come to the arena, and you see me play, you've seen me play right, you've seen me give everything I've got, but we're talking about practice right now. ... Hey I hear you, it's funny to me too, hey it's strange to me too but we're talking about practice man, we're not even talking about the game, when it actually matters, we're talking about practice ... How the hell can I make my teammates better by practicing?
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Iverson Receives 3 Years' Probation - washingtonpost.com - search nation, world, technology and Washington area news archives. | 2019-04-21T20:50:10Z | http://www.thefullwiki.org/Allen_Iverson |
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27 Fantastic Decoration Above Flower Box Ideas –Creating your household or kitchen area yard having elevated beds or containers gives on your own the overall flexibility in direction of create your backyard within destination that yourself would the natural way not be in a position in the direction of energy the soil and is a creative route in the direction of add dimensions in direction of your yards landscape. Even if the yard alone isn’t planned, the border produces a easy and easy landscape function.
The initially point that must be carried out is to just take n pertinent destination for the garden.
The least difficult consequences can glance spectacular. Accurately adhere to the manufacturer’s guidance to develop the fountain and attach the drinking water supply. For these with limited place, there could possibly be restraints that your self need toward conquer but eye-catching out of doors spaces can be produced on even on the smallest balconies. I notice as a youngster I nonetheless keep in mind likely to the garden keep to choose out tomato plants for my section of the yard. Being overweight incorporates come to be a largest problem for equally grown ups and kids. Performing and learning outside as a relatives is a excellent practical experience that that will past a daily life. It is extremely satisfying towards notice precisely what was provided within the creation of your meals.
Planting your particular kitchen back garden is a Terrific way in the direction of comprise the herbs, veggies, berries, culmination or even bouquets commonly readily available for your daily requires. Your completely secure healthy greens will on top of that offer on your own with a soothing pastime that will permit by yourself toward master clean elements.
Buy resourceful and acquire your personalized property or kitchen garden.
Although it comes in direction of gardening at house, there are absolutely sure guidelines by yourself need to adhere to. Those people are the very same demands that are essential for any other style of vegetable garden.
All those property gardening suggestions are basic towards discover yet the greatest vital variable within just dwelling gardening comes against no e book or against any tip out there.
It is furthermore essential in direction of mounted up your patch of crops in close proximity to a faucet thus it would be very simple in direction of preserve given that on your own wouldn’t need towards circulation near that a lot. There are a great number of soil organisms that guidance gardener within increasing the soil high quality. Optimum vitamins and minerals professionals are encouraging an strengthen within everyone’s usage of end result and veggies. “Families that garden alongside one another grow with each other.” Even younger youngsters take pleasure in taking a backyard garden aspect they can contact their own. There ought to be a effectively geared up partnership with water. Follow a very simple and uncomplicated low back garden layout toward assure that the backyard is manageable. Until on your own consist of adequate spot for definitely explained backyard “rooms” include an in general concept. Your self can attain outside with the loved ones or probably order outside the house away in opposition to your relatives towards raise your personalized brilliant crimson juicy tomato that tastes including a tomato. That is some odd home backyard garden decorating. But prior to a little something else, just one contains in the direction of include an thought on how to transfer over gardening at home so one can fully grasp the incredibly principle of general dwelling gardening rules. Oneself will purchase missing inside the marvel of character and take it easy towards the worry of your lifetime. The neighborhood really should contain loaded layers of soil.
Though one finds himself wanting for dwelling gardening ideas, it is critical in direction of feel regarding the layouts of gardening these types of as indoor gardening, organic and natural gardening, and vegetable gardening. On your own can decide on everything easy for a reduced patio location still if oneself have the spot on your own can stage a large sophisticated piece in direction of build a focal place inside the heart of a high yard. Check with your pals for their Options. Your self as an novice gardener can complete a favourable point of experience through working for several hours within just your backyard garden. I realize a person who consists of positioned a great number of backyard garden gnomes through their backyard.
I notice several people that have unique requires kids who are responding nicely in direction of organically grown food items. For greater ponds your self might need to have toward excavate the House with a backhoe. After all the demanding effort, on your own will be in a position toward look at and even pretty much flavor the fruits of your labor.
Plant border plants close to your garden beds or use some landscaping element which include a rock wall or planters. In the direction of receive the so-called delicious and interesting products and solutions of gardening, one contains in direction of attain the instantly fixed of gardening suggestions out there. Obtain and employ the service of fascinating and weird bins this kind of as wine barrels or additional conventional concrete, terracotta or glazed ceramic planters. This sort of alternate “genres” of dwelling gardening suggestions will simply just contribute your self into confusion hence it is Really crucial in direction of just take be aware that there in general home gardening guidelines that are multipurpose and are fitting for your common gardener.
Pinpointing which plant or vegetable in the direction of improve is a single of the utmost vital strategies a gardener is made up of toward take simply because knowing which model is additionally going towards supply by yourself an estimate of the measurement of the yard plot on your own should contain. None of Those people want considerably space, Application them on paper to start with hence that your garden goes within the right way the very first season and on your own really don’t consist of wasted resources and vegetation, or time. There is made up of been an amplified consideration within small back garden style and design considering that the 20th century. The excavated soil of the landscape really should be combined with peat, mineral grime, compost, sand and manure. Plant bouquets and minimal hedges inside planters in the vicinity of the final of the hill.
Considerations would include things like geographical location, structures, huge trees or bushes, rocks, h2o place, form and gradient of the outdoor space, etcetera.
Kitchen area gardens are becoming a further more and added prominent course of gardening over the over and above handful of years. Gardening can be cheaper than shelling out mental physical fitness proficient. For case in point, vegetable plants choose up little patches of land and are simple to improve though vine plants, such as cucumbers or watermelons want greater patches of land and are added unattainable towards regulate compare to vegetable plants. Not all fountain kits arrive with added hose or connectors which may possibly be necessary in direction of attach the fountain in the direction of your h2o useful resource. If I can provide on your own simply just one particular idea it is this: The moment your self comprise taken stock of the land and its options, Method. It will occur from you. A spot that is topographically correct really should be considered. The exercise will far too be constructive for you.
I consider the US foodstuff Deliver is fairly harmless when doing the job in just the agriculture marketplace for numerous years.
A steep quality is a dilemma inside of any residence yard however it can far too be an prospect for impressive visible landscape.
At the time yourself armed with this material on your own can effort and hard work out what oneself need towards do toward provide more than the seem and feel you want to execute. They are also a superb path towards bring in wildlife to your yard like hummingbirds, butterflies and even toads, even though including elegance towards your backyard garden with a peaceful and enjoyable setting. Prepare them in just attractive clusters at the advantage of the patio. When, if you are new at this I would start off with a very little backyard garden so by yourself do not above invest for year and bodily commitment.
Nothing at all choices superior than a ripe tomato preferred fresh towards the backyard garden.
Who as a result ever be the designer of the garden, be it an amateur or a educated, be sure your house backyard garden plans incorporate a vegetable garden planting. Planting nitrogen repairing vegetation this sort of as those people in opposition to the family members of peas can supply a strengthen within just the fertility of soil. There is no greater way in the direction of fail to remember above your issues than doing the job out inside nature.
Fountains are a Excellent alternative in water attributes if oneself are on the lookout for nearly anything that will need to have bare minimum effort, Fountains appear inside a assortment of themes, shapes, dimensions and complexities. The ease of planters here is that if they can moved for a “holiday” anytime they are within their off period and replaced with vegetation that are within just finish enhancement and flower.
By now is the season toward begin wondering more than increasing a yard this spring. This nearby will rely on the style of plant or crop oneself are developing towards cultivate, nonetheless virtually all of the plants for gardening rather percentage the exact set of favored outdoor disorders which are entire or near-full exposure in direction of solar.
A back garden proprietor can themselves design and can develop style and design plans for planting of landscapes and backyard garden.
Adhere to this kind of with plants that increase inside sizing, this sort of as hedges, fruit trees, and bamboo.
The moment selecting a location for your household backyard garden oneself will need toward have an community that will become a minimum of eight several hours of full sunshine, an community that contains Terrific drainage and a superior healthful soil.
At the conclusion of the working day, landscaping your back garden is relocating towards rely upon your choices and availability of products.
If you might be wanting for a path towards deliver hefty alterations toward the overall look of your exterior region yourself will need in direction of initially overall look at the much larger visualize of the Place with which yourself comprise towards get the job done and get the Causes that by yourself will need in direction of just take into account these as factors that your self can/ can not change and do/don’t have to have in direction of difference. Each individual rewarding gardener consists of his or her own preset of gardening recommendations. Come up with a theme for your backyard garden ahead of on your own plant. Lifted bed and container gardens are in addition a model of back garden that are a lot easier towards hold than your stand dwelling backyard garden and it is not uncommon towards produce much more than a single yard taking People procedures. They are not a new method of gardening and consist of been in the vicinity of due to the fact or even before colonial days. First off, the moment developing in the direction of preset up a dwelling backyard, it is Quite major in the direction of pick out a person Place in your large amount. If on your own would which includes in the direction of purchase begun however do not notice where by towards commence generate certain by yourself look at out this world wide web devoted in direction of house gardening for newcomers.
Gardening is one of the utmost outstanding pastimes in all places inside of the globe.
Restore at regular intervals of period is essential. There are several models of fertilizers that can guidance the backyard develop. Further more Motives in direction of try out would be climate and availability of h2o or whether or not on your own are hoping in direction of recreate a backyard garden concept that is outdoors the norm for the local (which will be a whole lot of work) these kinds of as an English design garden in just the desert or a cactus garden the place there can be ice and snow.
These types of ideas will be nothing if yourself would not exert period and work into gardening. There are drinking water features that will suit any sizing Room and installation limitations with which your self could be confronted.
Ponds are basic to add toward your home irrespective of whether by yourself include a small odd sized outdoor place or an acre of yard. Little variations can offer you yourself breathtaking effects.
What is property gardening above? It is a type of gardening the place house growers can sustain by themselves with healthy tasting create and flowers that appear to be toward bloom with the essence of beauty. I can continue to recall the very first tomato (Tiny Tim) I ate out of my 1st back garden. Holding in just intellect the innovation within keeping the backyard exquisite is a single point that shall not be overlooked and how the whole landscape should be employed thoroughly. The tomatoes we buy in just the stores are mass made with no regards for style. Landscaping should observe confident suggestions and essentials towards fulfill the needs and will need of the homeowners or the users of gardens.
The high-quality of the soil within the yard is the utmost substantial component as it contains a relevance affect on the accomplishment of backyard garden. Of all the residence gardening pointers out there, this is one particular of the maximum major to consider note of.
About the outside the house border of your patio local point planters to Deliver the come to feel of a boundary between it and the great outside the house beyond! Get planning a concrete, stone or other durable patio style and design if yourself do not include an outside residing area and situation planters strategically over the advantage. At the bottom, set up high trees that are correctly sized toward your dwelling yard region. Other theme Programs include things like a butterfly backyard, a knot back garden and a herb backyard garden. On your own do not want complexity towards landscaping a tiny outdoor spot for it to be attractive. This will provide yourself a great number of strategies. Area inside of a twisting slim stairway down the hill surrounded as a result of terrace garden beds that are separated by retaining partitions. Opt for vegetation and stagger your planting towards create the impression of descending from a hill or mountain best into a lush forest.
Incorporating an out of doors water characteristic in the direction of your yard House can offer you your residence a complete fresh visual appearance and look. The highest well known approaches for this design of backyard are historically raised mattress or container gardens.
In a regular tiny location such as a property back garden, capabilities which includes irrespective of whether the garden is flat or upon an incline, its style and design and the point of the property and out of doors buildings can have an impact on the complete look of the garden. Landscaping can be enhanced with a vegetable household backyard as component of the very low yard layout. Develop decorative grasses, ferns, rest lilies and other lush, furry crops to bestow a added organic look toward your patio and present it a gentle border. Yourself may well not generally require in direction of convey out most significant landscaping adjustments. Probably by yourself would together with a back garden featuring mainly plants with yellow flowers or leaves, for instance. Fresh generate against your back garden persuade a vegetable welcoming menu. Fountain and pond set up is to some degree very simple if you by now include h2o involved and working in the direction of the vacation spot.
If by yourself now have a body of water these types of as pond on your home, your self can particularly incorporate a fountain kit in the direction of it toward distinction its feel. As a result of planting a property back garden this spring by yourself will be equipped to discover out what a correct tomato tastes which include. It may be a smaller or outstanding outside water characteristic nevertheless possibly will increase a whole fresh new dimensions to the location and though shifting drinking water could be expected for some out of doors drinking water landscape plans, it really is not expected inside all instances. Hire stone, tiny evergreens or floor deal with perennials that oneself can train into the preferred condition.
Those people property gardening suggestions are ideal for all those who are concerning towards start out out as household gardeners. Creating borders offer a much more formal truly feel nevertheless too presents a opinion of “difference” between within the area and out. The style of the gardens should really include things like walls, sitting down parts, paths, as very well as vegetation themselves. English thyme is a instructive fragrant low-level ground protect that can establish appealing borders. For extra practical and a lot less radical back garden activity your yard space can be amplified with strategically positioned planters, backyard garden stairs, and a drinking water attribute. All those are examples of organic back garden fertilizer. All yourself have to have for a tiny nearby is a simple pond kit, some stones and a small plastic pond versus the house growth retail outlet. There appears to be like in the direction of be a Really distinctive magic that is woven by way of every day puttering in just their yards, stating their innovative colourful out of doors property yard landscape.
Tired of watching your loved ones participants sit in front of a video clip sport or TV? Maybe planting a little residence garden will obtain your little ones exterior inside the fresh new air and obtain their palms into some filth for a change. Besides a very well crafted and produced backyard can weigh a great deal in excess of the destination.
If your self have a annoying undertaking or existence on your own could possibly require in direction of look at planting a back garden this spring. Those connections would most likely change according in the direction of your h2o shipping. Greatest house or kitchen gardens developed by way of the home gardener are herb or salad gardens and are planted within a destination close to or stop in direction of the Place for straightforward access of your every day demands. | 2019-04-23T07:20:58Z | https://tireuishome.com/flower-box-ideas/ |
Click Funnels offer you with a pre-designed and well-curated sales channel which will certainly take your visitors with a persuading journey that will certainly make them acquire your item at the end. Click Funnels have actually created a range of sales funnels that could lead you to achieve your objectives by taking your visitors with a well thought out sales funnels.
All the pages you make on the website with the assistance of Leadpages provide priority to “leads” or the possible consumers who come to your internet site. The solution incorporates with email solution companies to support the site visitors that come to your internet site and act in a means that makes them a lead.
Leadpages does not require you to have any coding experience, creates pages with high converting opportunity as well as provides you a big collection of options when it pertains to the layout aspect of the internet site. In the battle of Leadpages vs Clickfunnels, Leadpages surely take a lead when it pertains to the user-friendliness of the service. Adhering to are a few of the vital functions of the solution.
Clickfunnels is a total sales channel builder that does not just produce a website but a calculated means to channel all the site visitors that come to your website. This is an instinctive tool which “understands” your needs as well as supply you results accordingly. There are several design templates in which you can take your pick that completely matches not just just what you market, however exactly how you offer. There is an excellent attention to information when it pertains to the different layouts that Clickfunnels has given that in some cases the important things that converts an introduce a purchaser could be an easy distinction in the touchdown web page.
Comparing to Leadpages, Clickfunnels is a bit more complicated as well as the homepage itself is mainly content abundant. The founders of Clickfunnels have concentrated not just on producing an excellent web site for you but likewise giving you sufficient understanding and information to act as an educated company person/entrepreneur. The channel pages that you have is all regarding producing the ideal sales funnel.
When comparing Leadpages vs Clickfunnels, as a device, Clickfunnels surely offer you much more as you could clearly see. If you want a much more complex and also accurate procedure that will tactically approach all your site visitors as well as develop a high working sales funnel that will certainly perform lasting to get you the best revenue, Clickfunnels is what email system does clickfunnels work best withundoubtedly the means to go.
If you are an ecommerce business owner, getting a great knowledge of sales funnels and also transforming a result in a client is among the most fundamental points you need to recognize from the start. To place it just, a sales channel is the procedure that a prospective buyer experiences from being a visitor/lead to lastly buying the product or the service. This procedure limits towards the end, making it show up like a channel, therefore the name. Your company and also the profits depend entirely on exactly how you manage to effectively bring out this channeling procedure.
Initially, Click Funnels Pricing could make you assume if it deserves it, but you will require it to make a fast progression as well as understanding amongst the customers particularly in the initial few stages of running a company. This solution especially aids the startups and also the business owners who are not very aware of the marketing as well as sales process to get the very best from their advertising and marketing techniques by transforming visitors successfully to be customers.
When you pay a routine internet developer to produce a web site for you, the final outcome may be visually pleasing, however they typically do not pay focus to making a sale through the system. When it pertains to any kind of business website, the factor for any individual to introduce an on-line space committed to their company is to lead any type of prospective customer that checks out the site to eventually purchase. Click Funnels has actually placed with each other a variety of website layouts that include a full sales funnels from the welcome screen to the final Thank You display. It resembles having a sales representative that would take your clients via till the last sale.
Click Funnels have actually been developed by sales and also marketer with several years of experience in actually making sales. They run under the motto, “Take the power back from the technology guys”, because during the previous decade or so the advancement of sites has actually been totally controlled by programmers as well as developers without a proper knowledge of making a sale. Click Funnels make sure that the cash which you spend on the style and also advancement of the site is not in vain. This is why Click Funnels Pricing is a lot more important because you are not only spending for a plain internet site however a fully working online store that assists you convert every single consumer right into a sale. Adhering to are some of the pre-designed sales funnels that you can select at the Click Funnels.
You can choose these funnels inning accordance with the market you are functioning in, the sort of services that you use and what sort of a sales process that you want your potential consumers to go through. There are examples of all these funnels that you could have a step by step check out and also experience the exact same funneling process that your site visitors will experience when you utilize that channel.
All the designs and sales funnels that you enter the Click Funnels solution are significantly customizable. You could use your personal shade motifs, pictures and texts considering the ideas that Click Funnels provide to obtain the very best outcomes. The customizing and editing and enhancing process is an easy drag and decline approach making anybody, even without any type of internet design experience, to create the sort of internet site that you constantly fantasized to have for your business.
A sales channel favorably influences the mind of your site visitors to earn the choice to move forward with your goal. This is essentially considering that little push a sales representative would give up a physical shop to ultimately make up the mindset to proceed with a purchase.
An internet site is similar to a digital store, as well as the purpose of placing a large investment into designing a site is to inevitably assist boost the income of your company. The majority of individuals, especially the startups as well as the business owners who are brand-new to the online business world focus excessive on the appearances of the layout to consider whether it is effective sufficient to really make a sale.
You may invest a lot of loan to employ the most effective internet developers and also developers, and they may even deliver a fantastic looking internet site to you, however if you need to think of the sales procedure within the website, your investment will just cost you cash without a return. This is why you need to acquire Click Funnels. An internet site developed via that service is laser-focused to deliver excellent marketing as well as sales impacts from the starting throughout. Following are the 4 main points that a well picked and put sales funnels do.
Attracting brand-new visitors to the website is the very first as well as one of the most vital tasks that a sales funnel does. This is the mouth of the funnel. This phase is narrower and in the next step of the channel as well as must be well maintained since they are likely to make a purchase what email system does clickfunnels work best with in the next couple of phases as long as you keep them pleased.
Closing is the final phase of a funnel where a lead becomes a consumer. They actively make the order and also buy your product, register for your e-newsletter or generally do just what you meant them to do by producing the channel. Following level is client retention or keeping them happy with your item or the purchase, so they become return customers.
Click Funnels supply you with a pre-designed and well-curated sales channel which will take your site visitors with a persuading trip that will certainly make them buy your item at the end. This final purpose could be different depending on the product that you sell or the solution that you provide. Click Funnels have actually developed a variety of sales funnels that can lead you to accomplish your goals by taking your site visitors via a well thought out sales funnels. Following are a few of the purposes which could be met by a sales funnels.
All the pages you make on the site with the help of Leadpages provide top priority to “leads” or the prospective consumers that come to your internet site. The service incorporates with email solution suppliers to nurture the site visitors that come to your site and behave in a way that makes them a lead.
Leadpages does not require you to have any type of coding experience, produces web pages with high transforming opportunity and also gives you a huge set of options when it comes to the design element of the website. In the fight of Leadpages vs Clickfunnels, Leadpages definitely take a lead when it concerns the user-friendliness of the solution. Complying with are some of the essential attributes of the solution.
Clickfunnels is a total sales channel building contractor that does not only create a website yet a tactical way to channel all the site visitors that come to your site also. This is an user-friendly device which “comprehends” your demands and offer you results appropriately. There are numerous themes in which you can choose that perfectly matches not only exactly what you sell, yet just how you sell too. There is an excellent attention to detail when it pertains to the different layouts that Clickfunnels has given that occasionally things that converts a lead into a customer could be an easy distinction in the landing page.
Contrasting to Leadpages, Clickfunnels is a little bit more complicated and also the homepage itself is largely content abundant. The creators of Clickfunnels have actually focused not only on developing a good web site for you yet additionally offering you enough understanding as well as information to act as a notified organisation person/entrepreneur. The channel pages that you have is everything about producing the ideal sales channel. The process of taking a visitor through the sales process could be greatly various from one industry or the product to an additional, which is an element mainly focused on the designers of Clickfunnels. You have all the tools required to laser focus your sales channel so that none of your prospective customers escape between because of absence of interest. Complying with are a few of the crucial features of Clickfunnels.
When comparing Leadpages vs Clickfunnels, as a device, Clickfunnels undoubtedly provide you more as you can plainly see. If you want a more complex and also exact process that will purposefully approach all your visitors and also develop a high operating sales channel that will do lasting to obtain you the ideal profits, Clickfunnels is what email system does clickfunnels work best withcertainly the way to go.
If you are an ecommerce company owner, obtaining a good understanding of sales funnels and converting a lead to a customer is one of the most basic points you ought to understand from the beginning. To put it just, a sales channel is the procedure that a potential buyer goes via from being a visitor/lead to ultimately buying the product or the solution.
At initially, Click Funnels Pricing may make you assume if it deserves it, yet you will require it to earn a fast progress and also recognition amongst the clients especially in the initial few stages of running a company. This solution specifically helps the startups and the business owners who are not really accustomed to the advertising and also sales procedure to obtain the most effective out of their advertising techniques by transforming visitors effectively to be purchasers.
When you pay a routine internet designer to develop an internet site for you, the last outcome might be aesthetically pleasing, yet they typically do not pay focus to making a sale with the system. Click Funnels has put with each other a number of website layouts that consist of a total sales funnels from the welcome display to the last Thank You screen.
Click Funnels have been created by sales as well as marketer with several years of experience in actually making sales. They operate under the motto, “Take the power back from the technology individuals”, given that throughout the past decade or two the advancement of sites has actually been fully controlled by designers and designers without an appropriate knowledge of making a sale. Click Funnels guarantee that the cash which you invest on the style as well as growth of the internet site is not in vain. This is why Click Funnels Pricing is even extra crucial since you are not just paying for a simple web site but a fully working on the internet shop that aids you convert each and also every client into a sale. Following are some of the pre-designed sales funnels that you could pick at the Click Funnels.
You can select these funnels according to the industry you are operating in, the type of services that you provide and also just what kind of a sales process that you desire your prospective consumers to experience. There are samples of all these funnels that you could have a step by step check out and experience the same funneling process that your site visitors will experience when you use that channel.
All the layouts and also sales funnels that you get in the Click Funnels solution are significantly personalized. You could use your personal shade themes, pictures as well as texts considering the recommendations that Click Funnels use to obtain the very best results. The modifying as well as editing procedure is a straightforward drag and also drop approach making anybody, also without any internet design experience, to develop the kind of website that you always dreamed to have for your business.
A sales funnel positively impacts the thought procedure of your site visitors to make the decision to go ahead with your purpose. This is basically considering that little press a salesperson would certainly give up a physical shop to finally make up the state of mind to go ahead with a purchase.
A web site is similar to an online shop, and the function of placing a big financial investment right into creating a web site is to eventually assist increase the income of your business. Most individuals, specifically the startups as well as the business owners who are new to the online business world focus as well a lot on the looks of the layout to think about whether it is reliable sufficient to really make a sale.
You could invest a great deal of cash to hire the very best internet designers and also designers, as well as they might even supply a terrific looking site to you, yet if you need to think of the sales process within the web site, your financial investment will only cost you cash without a return. This is why you have to acquire Click Funnels. An internet site created through that service is laser-focused to provide wonderful marketing and also sales effects from the starting throughout. Complying with are the four major things that a well picked as well as positioned sales funnels do.
Drawing in new site visitors to the website is the first as well as one of the most vital jobs that a sales funnel does. This is the mouth of the funnel. This phase is narrower and in the next step of the funnel and need to be well preserved since they are most likely to make a purchase what email system does clickfunnels work best with in the following few stages as long as you maintain them satisfied.
Closing is the final phase of a channel where a lead ends up being a customer. They actively make the order and buy your product, sign up for your newsletter or basically do what you intended them to do by developing the funnel. Next degree is customer retention or keeping them delighted with your item or the acquisition, so they become return consumers. | 2019-04-19T05:15:25Z | http://bellacci.biz/what-email-system-does-clickfunnels-work-best-with/ |
The following terms and conditions (the “Terms”) shall apply to all sales of products or services rendered by The Grand Tour LLC (“GRAND TOUR”) (or others at the direction from or on behalf of GRAND TOUR) to a Customer and/or any and all principals and agents of a Customer (collectively “Customer”) in whatever manner or form Customer is identified in a purchase order, invoice, agreement, contract, or other document evidencing a sale or transfer of products or services to a Customer (each, an “Order”).
Any Order submitted by Customer, whether or not GRAND TOUR’s standard form of agreement is used, shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by Customer to purchase the products and/or services described in such Order, and Customer’s offer will not be accepted by GRAND TOUR unless and until an acceptance letter is sent to Customer by an authorized representative of GRAND TOUR. GRAND TOUR’s acceptance of Customer’s Order, and all terms and prices contained in such Order, will be subject to these Terms, together with any final written proposal provided by GRAND TOUR which shall be deemed incorporated into these Terms. Any other additions to or modifications of these Terms shall not be effective unless expressly accepted by GRAND TOUR in writing.
Customer understands that all sales are “final.” This means all sales are final and may not be revoked, canceled, or returned by Customer, unless Grand Tour expressly agrees in advance in writing to the contrary.
Customer shall be liable for and shall pay all applicable taxes and all such costs applicable to the sale, shipment, storage, and/or delivery in connection with any such Order.
Payment by Customer shall be made pursuant to the terms set forth on each invoice. Interest shall accrue and be payable upon GRAND TOUR’s demand on amounts not paid by Customer when due, at the lower of: (1) one percent (1%) per month, or (2) the highest rate of interest then permitted by applicable law. To secure payment of all amounts due GRAND TOUR hereunder, and pursuant to any Order, Customer hereby grants GRAND TOUR a security interest in and to all products, parts, accessories and materials which may be sold and/or furnished to Customer, and in all proceeds of the foregoing.
If Customer fails to make all payments to GRAND TOUR in accordance with these Terms or the terms of any acceptance letter or Purchaser Order, or if Customer otherwise breaches these Terms or the terms of any Order or if GRAND TOUR otherwise deems itself insecure, GRAND TOUR may require full or partial payment in advance of all sums due and to become due in connection with any such Order, whereupon Customer shall be obligated to make such payment to GRAND TOUR as demanded. Upon the occurrence of any such default or breach, or upon GRAND TOUR’s demand for payment as provided herein, GRAND TOUR shall be entitled, in addition to the foregoing, at its sole option, to: (1) cancel any and all Orders then outstanding from Customer which have not been fully performed, (2) declare, at its option, immediately due and payable all unpaid amounts for any and all GRAND TOUR products and/or services previously shipped, delivered or furnished to Customer, (3) cease and be relieved of any further obligation of performance under any or all Orders between GRAND TOUR and Customer, (4) exercise and enforce all of the rights, remedies and powers of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code as then in effect in the State of Florida, and (5) demand and receive from Customer a cancellation charge of twenty percent (20%) of the purchase price for non-recoverable expenses sustained by GRAND TOUR.
“Third Party Carrier” means _______________________, who will be responsible for shipping to the Delivery Point and/or storage of the products, if applicable. Customer understands and agrees the Third Party Carrier is not an agent of Grand Tour, and is not affiliated with Grand Tour. Grand Tour will, however, contact Third Party Carrier to arrange for delivery of the Products (at Customer’s expense) in accordance with Customer’s written instructions, to the following address:_______________________________________(the “Delivery Point”). Title to the goods to which the Terms relate shall pass after delivery of the goods to the Delivery Point. If the products require storage prior to delivery to the Delivery Point, then Customer agrees to pay all storage and moving costs. The risk of loss from any casualty to the goods, regardless of the cause or location, shall be on Customer. Customer shall immediately notify Grand Tour of any known or anticipated delays in shipment and the estimated duration of any delays so that Grand Tour may quickly relay this information to the Third-Party Carrier. GRAND TOUR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGES OR EXPENSE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, LOSS OF USE, OR OTHERWISE, WHATSOEVER INCURRED OR SUFFERED BY CUSTOMER. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, GRAND TOUR shall not be responsible for any such delay, damages, expenses, or losses caused by other suppliers or other manufacturers of products or portions thereof, acts of God, acts of terrorism, action by any governmental authority (whether valid or invalid), compliance in good faith with any applicable foreign or domestic governmental or trade regulations or orders (whether or not any such regulation or order proves to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent), restrictive treaties, embargos, involuntary seizures in transit, fires, riots, sabotage, labor disputes, inability to obtain power, material, equipment or transportation, natural disasters, severe weather, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of GRAND TOUR. To the extent that any cause beyond the reasonable control of GRAND TOUR results in an actual delay in deliveries or the performance of services on the part of GRAND TOUR as herein provided, the time for performance by GRAND TOUR shall be extended for a period of time at least equal to the period of delay plus a reasonable period of time thereafter in order to permit GRAND TOUR to take steps which GRAND TOUR deems to be necessary or appropriate to complete performance.
Customer acknowledges and agrees that GRAND TOUR is not the manufacturer or designer of the products. GRAND TOUR reserves the right to modify any and all specifications of products distributed or recommended by GRAND TOUR in connection with any sale of products by GRAND TOUR hereunder. Customer acknowledges that handmade items are subject to imperfections and that such imperfections will not be a cause for rejection of a product.
Unless GRAND TOUR agrees in writing to the contrary, all products are deemed accepted upon delivery to the Delivery Point, regardless of whether Customer actually signs for the delivery. Customer understands and agrees Grand Tour does not have a return policy, and Customer hereby waives any such claim. Therefore, Customer has no right to cancel the transaction if the product is not to Customer’s satisfaction or if Customer otherwise changes his or her mind. Customer understands and agrees that even if Customer claims to reject a product, Customer is still required to complete its purchase of all other products pursuant to any and all Orders between Customer and GRAND TOUR, strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof.
Customer represents, warrants, and understands the Customer is purchasing products or merchandise “as is.” GRAND TOUR MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE. GRAND TOUR MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE ABILITY OF THE PRODUCTS, ABOUT ITS PRESENT STATE OF REPAIR, ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OR GENUINENESS OF PRODUCTS SUPPLIED PURSUANT TO ANY ORDER, CONDITION OR MAINTENANCE, OR ABOUT ITS APPEARANCE OR ABILITY TO FUNCTION IN ANY RESPECT. GRAND TOUR MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO ANY SERVICES PERFORMED BY GRAND TOUR OR ITS AGENTS OR ANYONE ON ITS BEHALF PURSUANT TO ANY ORDER. GRAND TOUR HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ORDER.
GRAND TOUR does not authorize any person or entity (including, without limitation, GRAND TOUR agents and employees) to make any representations (verbal or written) contrary to the terms of this limited warranty or its exclusions. Such terms of this limited warranty and its exclusions can only be effectively modified in writing by GRAND TOUR.
In making and in execution of any Order, Customer has not relied upon or been induced by any statements or representations, other than those expressly set forth herein, of any person in respect of the title to or the physical condition of any products, or any other matter affecting the products that might be pertinent in considering the purchase of the products.
CUSTOMER KNOWINGLY WAIVES AND RELEASES CLAIMS FOR INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, AN ORDER, OR PURCHASE OF PRODUCTS. IN NO EVENT SHALL GRAND TOUR BE LIABLE TO CUSTOMER FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER PURSUANT TO CONTRACT, IN TORT, OR BASED UPON NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUE, LOSS OF USE OF THE PRODUCT USED BY CUSTOMER IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, COSTS OF SUBSTITUTION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE PRODUCT, OR OTHER DAMAGES SUFFERED BY CUSTOMER. NO ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE FILED OR COMMENCED BY CUSTOMER AGAINST GRAND TOUR FOR ANY BREACH OF ANY ORDER OR THESE TERMS LATER THAN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE ACCRUAL OF ANY SUCH CAUSE OF ACTION HEREIN STATED IN FAVOR OF CUSTOMER AGAINST GRAND TOUR.
Customer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless GRAND TOUR, including its members, managers, employees, affiliates and agents, from and against any and all civil and governmental claims, suits, losses, damages, fines, costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and costs, to the extent resulting from or arising out of any negligence or willful misconduct by Customer in connection with the transactions contemplated pursuant to these Terms or any Order.
In the event judgment is entered against GRAND TOUR by any court of competent jurisdiction holding that GRAND TOUR is in breach of any of its obligations pursuant to any Order subject to these Terms, and such judgment has become final, GRAND TOUR’s sole and exclusive maximum liability, and Customer’s sole and exclusive remedy against GRAND TOUR, whether based on contract, tort, or otherwise, shall not in any event exceed the purchase price for the particular products which are the subject of any such claim by Customer against GRAND TOUR and which are the subject of such judgment.
These Terms will be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Florida, and will be construed in accordance with the laws of Florida without regard to principles of conflicts of law. Customer agrees that exclusive venue for any litigation, arbitration, action or proceeding arising from or relating to the Terms, any Order, or product purchased by Customer shall lie in Palm Beach County, Florida. The parties specifically waive the right to a jury trial in connection with any dispute arising out of Terms, or between the parties for any reason.
If a dispute arises out of or relates to the Terms, or the alleged breach thereof, any Order, or product purchased by Customer, and if the dispute is not settled through informal negotiation within ten (10) days, Customer agrees first to try in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation in West Palm Beach, Florida before resorting to arbitration. The process shall be confidential based on terms acceptable to the mediator and/or mediation service provider. Customer agrees that any dispute relating to or arising from the Terms, or the alleged breach thereof, any Order, or product purchased by Customer, which the Parties are unable to resolve between themselves, shall be solely and finally settled by arbitration. The Parties shall mutually select a single arbitrator who shall conduct the arbitration and shall resolve the dispute in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. If, for any reason, the Parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator, then either Party, after having given notice to the other Party, may apply to the American Arbitration Association for the appointment of an arbitrator. The arbitrator’s decision shall be in writing and shall set forth the basis for his or her decision. The Parties agree to abide by the decision of the arbitrator and further agree that the arbitrator’s fees and any related expenses of arbitration shall be divided equally.
Any failure of GRAND TOUR to enforce at any time any of the provisions, rights or remedies of any Order or these Terms, to exercise any election or option provided therein or herein, or to require at any time performance of any of the provisions thereof or hereof, shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provisions, rights or remedies, nor in any way construed to affect the validity or enforceability of such Order or these Terms, or any part thereof or hereof, or the right thereafter to enforce each and every such provisions, right or remedy. No evidence of any waiver or modification shall be offered or received in evidence in any proceeding or litigation between the Parties arising out of or affecting the Terms or any Order, or the rights or obligations of the Parties hereunder, unless such waiver or modification is in writing and signed by GRAND TOUR.
Charges for changes requested by Customer which results in an increased cost to GRAND TOUR will be quoted to and paid by Customer. Such changes will be implemented only upon GRAND TOUR’s receipt of a new or amended Order from Customer, acceptance of which by GRAND TOUR will constitute Customer’s agreement to pay all such additional charges quoted to Customer by GRAND TOUR, and Customer shall be solely responsible and liable for all consequences which may result from such changes, including, without limitation, delays in completing delivery.
All notices and demands of any kind which either party may be required or may desire to serve upon the other party under any Order or these Terms shall be in writing and shall be served by personal service, overnight express courier or by mail at the address of the receiving party as designated in the applicable Order which is the subject of such notice or demand, or as otherwise designated in any notice of a change of address of the receiving party delivered to the sending party in the same manner. All notices or demands by mail shall be by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed complete in ten (10) days after mailing. All notices or demands by overnight express courier shall be deemed complete on the business day immediately following the day on which it was deposited in a regularly maintained receptacle for the deposit of overnight express mail.
In the event that any of the provisions of any Order or these Terms shall be held by a court or competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions of such Order and these Terms shall remain in full force and effect.
Upon termination or cancellation of an Order between GRAND TOUR and Customer, unless GRAND TOUR and Customer agree in writing to the contrary, Customer shall immediately pay to GRAND TOUR the following amounts: (1) the full price applicable to the products or services for Order(s) which have been accepted by GRAND TOUR and which are cancelled by Customer, (2) the Order price for all items or services which have been completed in accordance with such Order and not previously paid for by Customer, and (3) the actual costs incurred by GRAND TOUR, plus a reasonable profit to GRAND TOUR, not to exceed the aggregate purchase price specified by GRAND TOUR in furnishing the products or services under such Order.
Each shipment received by Customer shall be deemed to be only upon the terms and conditions contained in these Terms. These Terms and any final Orders expressly accepted by GRAND TOUR and which supplement these Terms constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the sale of the products and supersede all previous communications, representations or agreements, either oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. In making and in execution of this document, Customer has not relied upon or been induced by any statements or representations, other than those expressly set forth in these Terms, of any person in respect of the title to or the physical condition of the products purchased by Customer, or any other matter affecting the products or any Order that might be pertinent in considering the purchase of the products or any Order. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of these Terms and any Order, the provisions of these Terms shall govern. No representations or statements of any kind made by any representatives of GRAND TOUR, which are not stated herein, shall be binding on GRAND TOUR. No addition to or modification of any provision to these Terms shall be binding on GRAND TOUR unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative of GRAND TOUR. No course of dealing or usage of trade or course of performance shall be relevant to explain, supplement, or determine the meaning of any term or provision expressed in any Order or these Terms. Each shipment received by Customer shall be deemed to be only upon the terms and conditions contained in the Terms herein, except as they may be added to, modified, superseded, or otherwise altered by writing signed by GRAND TOUR.
Nothing herein shall be construed to create a principal-agent, partnership or a joint venture relationship between Grand Tour and Third Party Carrier or any third party manufacturer. These Terms shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person or entity any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever for any specified period, under or by reason of these Terms.
Orders and these Terms shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that Customer shall not transfer, sell, assign, pledge or encumber any of its rights, interests, or obligations thereunder or hereunder without the prior written consent of GRAND TOUR. | 2019-04-23T02:45:27Z | https://www.grandtourhome.com/service/general-terms-conditions/ |
When my son announced that he wanted a Planes party for his 5th birthday party, I decided I would make him a cardboard airplane costume for Halloween. After all, this busy working mom needs to double dip when at all possible. And so my quest for the perfect costume/party decoration began.
I created a "planes party" board on pinterest and found many cardboard plane creations. I liked parts of each, but had some original ideas, too. I had saved some scrapbook album cardboard packaging inserts - the angled ones that keep the empty books square -- which just happen to be perfectly shaped for propellers.
I also wanted to add the hallmark "eyes" of the Disney planes, so I crafted a shape from cardboard where the eyes would be and taped it to the top of the plane. Then I did a Google image search for cartoon eyes, saved a set, tweaked the size & color in photoshop and printed them on photo paper.
I also tossed around ideas on how to make the propeller spin until one night before drifting to sleep I literally sat up and said "lazy susan"! If you don't know what that is -- apparently that term isn't used much anymore -- it is a turntable of sorts used in cabinets (spices) or on a table to make it easy for all to reach items in the center. The only trick was how to stick it to the box! I tried Gorilla glue but ended up using duct tape. It was genious...but sadly it didn't last the test flight. Our Dusty was a little front heavy, so with one bump on the ground, our plastic "susan" fell off. So, no more moveable propeller. Clear packing tape worked for the quick albeit stationary fix.
So after a labor of love which also ended up being a lot of fun, our version of Dusty Crophopper from Disney's Planes movie was born.
I found the aviator cap on Etsy. With nearly a 6 foot wingspan (supported by wooden dowels), I knew my little guy would have to land his plane before manuevering preschool costume parties - so the aviator look was a perfect solution. Word of advice - even with removable wings, this barely fit into our Forrester. SO, if you want to be more transporable, you might want to go a little smaller!
I made the suspenders with Duct tape, too (see below). I used up some filler from an old Amigurumi project to add padding.
Hope you enjoyed our project. Off to the skies!
So – a packed weekend with lots of photo ops for me and not much sleep. Likewise, my nephew’s schedule had also been full. He had just completed his first week back to school, including a week of football practice and a scrimmage game. He also accompanied us to the Steelers game the night before our scheduled portrait session. Fatigue considered, I think we did pretty well. I'd love to hear what you think!
For the next one I wished I had my scrim. High noon on top of Mount Washington in full sun - not ideal, but we had to get a shot that said "the Burgh"
I need a wider, faster lens.
My sister is a good assistant.
Shooting a relative, while convenient, can be difficult. Especially when the relative is a tired teenage boy.
When I was post processing the images, I had to pull out this old one from when he first visited me at my 1st NYC apartment.
I am not an historian nor am I a survivor of one of the attack sites. I am simply an average American who, while walking to her office in Manhattan, became a witness to the start of the horrific events that would change the world forever. I kept a journal following 9-11, collected magazine articles and took pictures of Ground Zero in October of 2001. I had intended to put a scrapbook together for future generations of my family, but here I am ten years later and everything is still in a box. It has been difficult reliving the fear I felt in those days and weeks following 9-11, so I decided that I should try to share. Maybe in so doing, it will help lessen the annual heaviness/sadness/fear/grief that comes back along with the wall to wall news coverage each September.
I just stepped off of the M2 Limited city bus onto 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue next to the Flatiron Building. My morning commute into Grand Central Terminal from Tarrytown had been uneventful. The temperature was a bit cooler; I could tell fall was approaching. The sky was clear and sunny, but I didn’t feel so cheery.
My mind was on the business trip to South Korea that I was to take the next afternoon with my boss. I was terribly anxious about leaving my fiance Terry to travel halfway around the world just 2 ½ weeks before our wedding, but I had to go.
I stopped at the ATM at the corner of 24th and Broadway to get some cash for the trip. Then I began my usual walk down 24th Street towards Sixth Avenue. My office was located at 48 W. 25th Street, but this was definitely a morning for a stop at Starbucks. I checked my watch to make sure I had enough time. It was just about twenty to nine.
I started my mental to-do list as I continued walking.
Suddenly I heard a really loud rumbling sound coming from somewhere above me. I turned around to my left and instinctively looked up as what appeared to be a commercial jet passed over a the International Toy Center.
The plane was flying really low which caused the sound to echo between the buildings around me. It was also traveling at an extremely high rate of speed in a direction that didn’t make sense – downtown. The airports, JFK and LaGuardia were East of the city, not South.
I chalked my thoughts up to being paranoid about my own pending flight to Korea and continued walking towards Sixth Avenue. I tried to go back to my morning checklist, but I couldn’t forget that plane. I found myself listening for something, maybe a crash?
As I walked I heard the siren of a fire truck, but that was a familiar sound in the city. I suddenly remembered a movie that I saw on television in July or August…Passenger 57. I was “channel surfing” and stopped on the movie just as it was approaching the end. A commercial airplane’s navigational system had been remotely hijacked and was headed directly towards the World Trade Center towers. The pilots frantically tried to regain control of the aircraft. I couldn’t remember how the movie’s hero did it, but magically the plane cleared the tower just as everyone thought it would smash into it.
Again I tried to shake my crazy thoughts as I turned North and went into Starbucks.
About ten minutes later I entered my office. Our warehouse manager was already there, but our boss was at a meeting somewhere else in town.
I had just started to work when another colleague arrived, out of breath and a little frantic. As the words “a plane just hit the World Trade Center” came out of her mouth, I felt as though I had been punched in the stomach. I said, ‘I saw the plane…it flew over me…I KNEW something was wrong!
Our company, on the 10th Floor of our building, is divided into the office (facing North) and the warehouse (facing South). We quickly ran into the warehouse to see if we could see what was happening. The building opposite ours was blocking any possible view. That is when we heard on the radio that a second plane had hit the Trade Center.
Fighting panic, I returned to my desk to call my Mom who lives just north of Pittsburgh and tell her I wasn’t near the World Trade Center. Before I could dial, the main line was ringing…Mom was calling me.
Just as I was assuring her that I was far away from Downtown (about 3 miles), my eyes fell on the Empire State Building just outside my window only 9 blocks away. Would it be next? I pushed the thought from my mind.
I told her I was fine and that I loved her and I would call her soon. As soon as I hung up, I had another call. It was my brother-in-law Glenn, also in Western PA. Everyone wanted to know that I was ok and that I wasn’t anywhere close to crash site.
At that moment I got an email from my life-long friend, Jackie, with one simple sentence, “Oh my God, tell me you’re OK”. I quickly replied.
Phone call after phone call followed. My boss's husband called, trying to track her down, telling us to stay calm and to stay put. No one really knew what was happening, if there were any more planes headed towards the city.
I kept trying to get a hold of my fiance Terry. Was he already on his way into the city? I prayed that he wasn’t.
Since I already spoke to one of my sister's husband, I called my other sister to tell her I was ok. She was a little confused since she had just stepped out of bed and hadn’t yet heard of the attacks. I quickly updated her then I again tried to reach my former roommate and college friend Lori, whose office was within 2 blocks of the Empire State Building.
It took awhile to get through, but when I did she said that her building was being evacuated – along with most other buildings in her area. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who was concerned with the possibility of another attack targeting the Empire State Building.
Soon after, the rest of the office staff had been accounted for. We kept up with the news on a small 13-inch B&W Television. We sat/stood in a circle around it and watched in horror as they replayed the film footage of the first plane and then the second plane as they struck each of the twin towers. We didn’t have to gasp…the newscasters did it for us…over and over again.
The boss, being British, said she “would make us tea as they do in England”. I’m not sure if this tradition was meant to calm the nerves or if it enabled you to pass time when there’s not much else to say or do. I wasn't a huge tea drinker, but there was something calming about that hot cup of tea.
Around 9:30 am I finally got a call from Terry, who was safe at home. He was picking up the tuxedo he bought for our wedding when the events of the morning began.
He told me that he had just heard on the news that the air space above and around the New York City had been closed and was being patrolled by fighter jets.
I told Terry I wasn’t sure how I was going to get home to Tarrytown because Mayor Guiliani ordered that the subways and trains in and around the city be shut down.
We decided the best thing would be for me to stay put until things became clearer, calmer. If I couldn’t leave the city I would make my way to Lori’s apartment on the Upper West Side.
Then, word that the Pentagon had been struck. Again, I felt like I had been punched in my stomach. What was happening? Who was doing this? And why? And what would be next – the Empire State Building? The Sears Tower? Grand Central? Nobody knew. Perhaps that is why my imagination took over and I started to think of the worst possible scenarios. Again the panic began creeping in.
Not long after I hung up with Terry, I made my way back over to the small TV. As I was approaching I heard a colleague say, “It’s collapsing!” I dropped to my knees in front of the TV and fought back tears as I watched the first tower begin to fall. It seemed as though it were happening in slow motion.
All morning I had been putting myself in the shoes of the ones who were directly involved in the unfolding nightmare – the helpless passengers on the planes, the office workers in the World Trade Center, the soldiers and civilians in the Pentagon – trying to imagine how I would feel, how I would react, what I would do. But watching the towers collapse – one then the other – was too much. I could barely breathe.
Then we got news that a plane had crashed in Western Pennsylvania. Now it was my turn to worry about my family. Thoughts of Flight 427 came into mind. In 1994 this USAir flight on its final approach to the Pittsburgh Airport, unexpectedly plunged full speed into the ground just a mile from my parents' house. There were no survivors; in fact practically nothing recognizable was left. I never thought that I would live through something worse than that.
I tried calling my Mom at her office, but I couldn’t get through. I tried my sister, then Jackie. Still nothing. I tried sending an email to Jackie. Her reply came quickly. The plane had gone down in a field South East of Pittsburgh away from anyone I knew.
Jackie was going home. Her office, in one of Pittsburgh’s tallest buildings, was being evacuated. Most tall buildings in cities across the country were doing the same thing as a precaution. It was reported that a dozen planes were unaccounted for.
Around 10:30 am, the second tower collapsed. And it was just as unimaginable then as it was when we watched the first tower fall.
As the morning progressed, the attacks seemed to stop. Missing planes were no longer missing, all air traffic had been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration. A few of my coworkers left the office to go and be with friends.
It was difficult to concentrate on much, but I managed to cancel our travel plans. The airports were closed indefinitely. Korea would have to wait. I just wanted to go home.
Around 12:00 pm word came that trains were beginning to run outbound only from Grand Central Station. Feeling very weary of “big landmarks”. I decided to try the Metro-North Station at 125th Street in Harlem. My boss was going to drive home to the Upper East Side so she offered me a ride. I just wanted to see Terry, to hug him and feel his presence next to me.
As we walked from our office to the parking garage, I’ll never forget the eerie, surreal atmosphere that surrounded us. There were no cabs or buses in site and hardly any cars - in their place were hundreds of people walking up Sixth Avenue, away from disaster area that was downtown. Men and women in suits, covered in what I imagined was dust and debris.
A strange quietness had fallen over the city. Everyone I saw looked how I felt – in shock and wanting desperately to wake up from this nightmare.
When we reached Columbus Circle I realized that we were stuck in traffic. In fact, it took almost an hour for us to make it uptown. I was dropped off just beneath the elevated platform at the 125th Street station. MTA employees wearing orange vests were directing people to the staircase across from the station. When I made it to the platform I found it to be quite crowded but surprisingly orderly. The MTA officials were shouting instructions about which trains were which.
As I waited for my train, I caught my first glimpse of our changed skyline. Where the towers once stood I only saw pillars of dark smoke.
I only had to wait 15 minutes before my train approached the platform. It was so full of commuters that I had to find a spot in the aisle in which to stand.
With the exception of people trying to make cell phone calls, hardly any one was talking. Nobody knew what to say. A shocked stupor would describe most of the people around me.
The closest anyone came to discussing the actual events of the morning were people that were discussing the fact that their cell phones weren’t working. One of the largest antennas in the area had collapsed along with the World Trade Center towers.
I tried my phone once again, thankful that Sprint's service didn’t seem to be affected. I quickly called my sisters to let them know that I was on my way home. Deb said she would pass the news to Mom. I then put my phone away and rode the rest of the way in silence and in prayer.
When I reached Tarrytown station, Terry was there, waiting to pick me up and to take me home. After I climbed into the car, we just held each other.
After awhile Terry handed me 4 envelopes, “one for each day that you were to be away in Korea”, he explained. He told me that he was glad that I wouldn’t be going anywhere, but he thought I could use the cards.
I loved each one, but the first was my favorite. I opened it to find a picture of Bailey, our cat, and Terry, my love, glued to each side of the card. Pinned in the upper left hand corner was an amethyst angel pin (my birthstone). He bought it “to protect me”. I felt tears in my eyes as he said “I guess it worked a day early”!
The rest of the day was spent sitting on the couch watching the television. All stations were featuring non-stop coverage of the morning’s horrific events. Analysts were pointing to Osama Bin Laden as the mastermind behind the deadly hijackings. The radical Muslim was believed to control terrorist “cells” around the world and was also responsible for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. I guess he sent his evil followers to finish the job.
Each channel was interviewing whatever eyewitnesses they could find. One off-duty journalist, still covered in the now-familiar gray dust, was sharing video footage captured on a camcorder he borrowed from a tourist.
It was hard to turn my eyes away from the news. A commercial would come on and I would flip to another news channel. I guess I just wanted to see the words, “The End”, because all that I had seen definitely looked like some plot dreamed up in Hollywood…but I guess part of it was.
I will try to share more of what it was like in NYC in the weeks following the attacks of September 11 later this week. But for tonight, after days and days of news stories and specials leading up to this monumental anniversary, and my own desire to finally put my words out there somewhere, I am tired. I want to go kiss my sleeping 2 year old son on the forehead and hug my husband. And say a few more prayers of thanksgiving.
Here he is - sweet Baby Joseph, and I was privileged to spend some time with him and his family when he was just 10 days old. Look at that great hair!
On a cloudy and cool June morning, the rain held off long enough for the start of a recent session that I had with the Ross family. The kids were playful and excited. Mom and Dad were relaxed and enjoyed watching their kids play. Capturing their personalties on film reinforced my growing passion for this art. Here are a few of my favorite images.
All in all, I was super satisfied with this lens set. I love being able to be fun and creative without spending a fortune. I can't wait to play with these lenses adaptors some more!
The Wide Angle & Macro Lens Adapter at the Photojojo Store!
nervous about my pending flight to Korea the next day - just 2 weeks before my wedding.
trying to get through to my fiance to warn him not to come into grand central... a potential target.
the surreal feeling of the city as people were walking up 6th Ave, covered in "dust"
making my way to the Metro-North station in harlem to catch an outbound train home (i was afraid to go to Grand Central).
waiting on the train platform, getting my first glimpse of the smoke cloud coming from where the towers once stood.
I took this photo on my first visit to Ground Zero - about a month later. Mayor Guiliani was encouraging New Yorkers to support the business owners downtown. The smell, the smoke, the respectful crowds. the makeshift memorials, signs searching for lost loved ones. 10 years later, Bin laden is dead. We rejoice in justice, but I fear retaliation and future attacks. This is the post 9-11 world we live in.
I was looking at the row of travel magazines at a Grand Central newsstand the other day. I noticed a theme - Paris. Hmm...must have something to do with romance and Valentine's Day. Well, in honor of the holiday and the several Parisian trips I've shared with my husband here are a few of my favorite shots in the city of lights and love.
Listening to my husband play grand organ in Notre Dame, walking along the River Seine, feeling the wind atop the Tour Eiffel, smelling the crepes from the street vendors...I can't wait to go back.
I love the heart created in the grass in front of the Tour Eiffel and can't help but wonder if the romantic culprit got the girl... or arrested. | 2019-04-24T14:17:37Z | https://www.picturescapade.com/ |
Your Smartphone: What's it Saying to Cyber-Criminals?
01:02 - Smart insulin: a diabetes game changer?
Smart insulin: a diabetes game changer?
Matthew - The idea was to try to make insulin a little bit more autonomous, if the insulin molecule itself could remain in the body but not be functional unless it was needed. So, if blood glucose levels go up as a result of a meal, then the insulin could turn on and become active versus the patient having to kind of know when their blood glucose level was high and inject themselves.
Kat - Describe to me a bit more about this particular insulin. What does it look like and how does it work?
Matthew - So, the vision for the insulin or at least how we anticipate it to work is that the small molecule that we've attached to the insulin protein itself would enable the insulin to become sequestered within the body and be inactive.
Kat - So, it would hide away when it's not needed?
Matthew - Right. So yeah, it would remain sequestered and hide until it was needed.
Kat - And then what happens when someone say, has a dinner and their blood glucose starts to go up?
Matthew - The general idea we tried to simulate in a mouse was a meal. So, we inject glucose to simulate a meal and then the insulin in theory will turn on and will become active and ready. And then will result in a reduction of blood glucose levels, the way insulin is supposed to normally work in a healthy functioning pancreas.
Kat - So explain a little bit more about how does the glucose actually make this clever insulin come out of hiding? How does that work?
Matthew - So, the mechanism is not entirely clear to us.
Kat - Even though you built it?
Matthew - Even though we built it, yes. So, we had an envisioned mechanism in mind which was that it would bind to a protein that is in very high concentration in the blood which would make it inactive. And then in the presence of glucose, it would reduce the binding of this protein and then it would become more active. We weren't able to verify that mechanism in situ in a test tube but that doesn't necessarily mean the mechanism isn't working that way when it's in the body when you get into the complex physiologic environment of the body, a lot can change.
Kat - But I guess the key thing and for anyone who's listening who is affected by type 1 diabetes is going to be: Does it work? And how soon is it going to be here?
Matthew - Right. So, does it work? It works in mice. Some of our studies demonstrate that it works as well as a healthy pancreas which is really the ultimate gold standard for glucose control. That's the way a healthy person would control their glucose. So, it works in mice. As far as moving forward, we're currently in negotiations with some pharmaceutical companies and some other people that might have interest in helping us to advance this clinically. And hopefully, that's a process that can begin in the coming months and years before we'll actually know for sure if it's working well in the human setting.
Kat - Assuming that all goes well in the further tests and eventually taking it into humans does go well, how do you envisage it working? Would someone say, take it once a week?
Matthew - So, the idea I think would be that a person would maybe take this once a day. I think it would kind of serve to provide a basal level of insulin in the body that could become activated to help with some of the glycaemic control issues that diabetics often experience.
Graihagh - Nick's love affair with stringed instruments began 10 years ago after a trip to Istanbul. What you can hear is Nick playing the lute. It's similar to a guitar except it has a mere 26 strings and the body is shaped a bit like half an egg. It wasn't until Nick was leafing through a friend's sheet music collection that his background in science and music really came to head.
Nick - I happened to see a renaissance song book that a friend of mine had lying around. On it, I saw a picture of something that looked like a violin that an angel was holding and it didn't have an F-hole on it. I thought, "Hmm, this is interesting." It had more of a C-shaped hole. I thought, could there have been an evolution?
Graihagh - It turns out there was, from a C-shaped hole to an F-shaped hole. F-holes are these slim cousins either side of the bridge in the strings that reveal the innards of the violin. The thing is, the violin complete with F-holes was first designed in 1555 by Andrea Amati. After the Amati family's reign of violin making, there was the Stradivari family and then the Guarneri family. All three families carved out these F-shaped holes. All three families were from the Italian town of Cremona and all three family's designs of violin are still revered to this day. However, by the 1750s, this Cremonese dynasty of violin makers died and with them, their trade secrets.
Nick - For us now, to go back and understand what their methods and approaches were is a bit of a mystery for violin makers as well as scientists. And so, what we're trying to do in our analysis is go back and look at the physical remains and see how they changed.
Graihagh - Everyone wants to recreate the sounds of these famous Cremonese violins, but it's pretty hard. Each violin has its own distinct sound even when building like for like because of the handmade nature of the trade.
Juliet - I'm Juliet Barker. I've been a violin maker for 60 years and I've been teaching violin making to amateurs for 50 years now. I actually play the violo.
Graihagh - So talk me through how you might go about making a violin. I'm sure there are many, many steps involved.
Juliet - Well, there's also many, many ways of doing it. The best job of all of course is choosing the wood and you look at all the pretty maple for the back, the ribs and the scroll. And then you look for a nice piece of spruce to make the front. So, you have to shape a couple of blocks, bend a couple of ribs, and then you've got your outline fixed. And then you can get onto the carving. For us, the things that matter is the choice of material to begin with and then getting the right curves on the outside, the arching, and thickness in the wood, correct for that piece of wood and every piece of wood of course is different. And they're the things that will make the instrument sound good or not.
Nick - One of the fascinating things that we found is that the F-hole length increased from the Amati time period to the Guarneri time period.
Graihagh - And how did that affect their sound?
Nick - Well, what it's going to do is it's going to make instruments with a longer F-holes, more powerful in that low frequency register. What we found going across the Cremonese period, it was about 60% increase in power. And some of the other design changes that we found that led to increasing power was also an increase in the back plate thickness.
Graihagh - This would make sense. Amati violins are usually chosen to play in smaller venues, are quieter less powerful whereas Garneri's violins with their bigger F-holes are known for very powerful and are used in huge concert halls. But why does increasing the size of the F-hole increase its power?
Nick - If you consider what happens on a windy day near a tall building, the wind comes and the skyscraper is obstructing the flow. Well, that air has to escape somewhere. It goes around the skyscraper. So, if you're standing near the base of the skyscraper, you're going to feel it's very, very windy at the perimeter. If you walk some meters away from the perimeter, away from a building, you can find it's a lot less windy and that's essentially what we found. So, if you maximise the perimeter length and minimise the void area, you're actually more efficient acoustically. So, the circle is going to be the least efficient, has the most wide area and the smallest perimeter. And something like the F-hole that turns out has very, very high perimeter and very little wide area so it's extremely efficient.
Graihagh - Does that mean we can now build these sort of optimal violins that are super powerful?
Nick - Well, I wouldn't say that. what we do know for sure is that at these frequencies, we're very confident that these are the effects that are important. How everything plays together and how the coupled evolution with the other frequencies and the other ranges, we can't answer those questions yet. But that's the way science works. It works one piece at a time. and the nice thing about this is that the physical data that we've uncovered from the Cremonese instruments is consistent with basic physics. So, what this has enabled us to do is eliminate a lot of trial and error and guess work, and repetition when you have a physical principle guiding you.
Kat - Music to my ears. That's Graihagh Jackson speaking with MIT's Nick Makris and violin maker, Juliet Barker.
Chris - Indeed it must be Kat because you're a string player, but of harps so slightly different technology there.
Kat - Yeah, I am. Interestingly, yes. I think my sound board of my harp is also made of spruce and I had to take it to be repaired once: it's fascinating going to a harp workshop.
Chris - I'm lucky enough about 10 years ago almost to interview a gentleman from Texas A&M University called Joseph Nagyvary. He was interested in this same question of why these violins from this part of Italy and this segment of history all sounded so good. He had luckily managed to get hold of some bits of wood from some of the Stradivari and Guarneri violins when people send them in for restoration, you get little fragments of wood.
He did some analysis and his conclusion was that the wood had been chemically brutalised by boiling in various copper and iron salts and things because you could still see the chemical fingerprint of that having happened. And they suggested that this had in turn affected the acoustic properties of the wood. Others have suggested that the wood got brutalised in that way merely as a form of kind of insect control because furniture from that period is riddled with woodworm but these violins never are. So, one wonders if that might be part of it too.
Scientists have found the best evidence yet that the centre of our galaxy contains significant amounts of dark matter.
Chamkaur - We can look at galaxies sort of outside of our own and measure, in particular, the velocity of stars on the very edges of those galaxies. And you can see those stars on the edges are just whizzing around far too fast, if they were being held in just by the gravity of all the other stars in there. And that's telling us that there's this extra mass, there's this extra gravity coming from this dark matter that's all around that galaxy. And that's all well and good, sort of, looking out at other galaxies but it would be quite nice to know what the distribution or how much dark matter there is in our own galaxy. And that's really important if we're going to try and detect it here on Earth. It would be quite nice to know just how much there is, is there any in our galaxy, and just, is there any sort of around our local neighbourhood. And this paper is telling us that yes, there is.
Kat - So, by looking at how stars and things like that in our own galaxy are moving, they can infer that, "Oh, there must be this much push from the dark matter here, there must be this much dark matter here."
Chamkaur - That's right. More of a pull really. They're kind of saying this is all being held together to allow these stars and other gas clouds to be whizzing around at the speeds that they're moving around at. They must be being held on by a lot of sort of force, a lot of strength there, and that must be dark matter. They've got a really strong sort of statistical significance here and stating that there is dark matter here in our own galaxy.
Kat - That's still pretty big. Is there dark matter on Earth? Could there be dark matter here in this office?
Chamkaur - Yes. As the Earth is sort of going around the sun and as the sun is moving around the centre of the galaxy, we'd be feeling, experiencing a sort of dark matter wind coming at us. And so, this dark matter wooshes through the Earth all the time and for every sort of pint of volume, any pint glass you hold up, there's roughly one dark matter particle in there, we think. And it's moving through at about 220 km a second. So, it's whizzing through all the time. There's millions of these things going through your body all the time. It's just a case of, do any of them interact, do they scatter, do they sort of bounce off regular atoms? If they do, great because then we've got a chance to actually find them with terrestrial detectors that we put underground.
Kat - Now we know roughly I guess how much dark matter we think is in our galaxy, what next? What's the significance of this finding?
Chamkaur - What this paper has allowed us to do is really increase our sort of statistics in mapping how much dark matter on average there is in our own Milky Way and extending out to where we are right now. And it's giving us a good handle, some nice evidence, some confidence for when we do go and search for dark matter. It's really telling us that, "Look, it's okay. There is stuff here." We would expect to see this stuff. If it interacts away, we think it does. And if we can start to do this with more and more precision with greater accuracy, we might start to figure out the distribution of dark matter also. We might be sitting in a pocket where there's a lot of dark matter or there's not much dark matter. And that really impacts our chances for finding the stuff.
Kerstin - I'm a PhD student at the Cavendish Laboratory. That's the department of physics of the University of Cambridge. That is actually where Watson and Crick discovered the structure of the DNA about 60 years ago. Actually in my lab, we're also working with DNA.
Chris - And so, it's entirely relevant that your 3-minute piece is going to be on how we read the sequence of DNA.
Kerstin - Yes. I believe as a scientist that it's my duty to make people aware of a technology which I believe will have a big impact on our lives in the very near future. We as scientists, we can only deliver tools but we have to decide as a society on how we want to use them. This is why I believe information is the key and I want to make people aware of what is the state of the art of DNA sequencing.
Kerstin - DNA is the molecule that stores the information of life, a molecule that can copy itself. Surely, the greatest invention of nature and actually, the reason we're all here today. Volumes of history are written in the ancient alphabet of A and T, C and G, stories of the present and past that we're just starting to decipher. And that is where DNA sequencing comes in. DNA sequencing means decoding the information of life, reading the 3 billion letters of the human genome. That is a lot of information. The Naked Scientists would have to broadcast continuously day and night for a hundred thousand years before they will have broadcasted 3 billion podcasts.
So why do we even bother? We scientists believe that by sequencing DNA, we can give the right drug to the right patient. We can help to cure a disease before we even suffer from the symptoms. That is why we started the human genome project.
It took 150 scientists 13 years and $3 billion to decode one single human genome. That was back in 2003. Sequencing for everyone? Certainly not. But what if we could do it in under 10 minutes using a small device like this one, like this USB stick for under a thousand dollar? Well, this might be possible using a technique called nanopore sequencing which is pioneered by our collaborators, Oxford Nanopore. Actually, the "thousand-dollar genome" became the catchphrase for the sequencing industry. It was last year that Illumina, the sequencing giant, announced that they can actually sequence a genome for less than 1,000 dollar.
You may believe that computers have developed that unprecedented speed, but that's nothing compared to DNA sequencing. Computing power has doubled every 2 years, but the speed and the cost of DNA sequencing has dropped by a factor of 100,000 in just a decade. To me, that is overwhelming but there's not much time to be overwhelmed because we are facing a new reality. Do we want to predict our future with DNA sequences? Do we want to accept that we are fat because we have the couch potato gene? DNA stands for, Do Not Abuse, Do Not Alter, or Dignity Needs Awareness.
Let's be aware of what is out there. Let's be aware that DNA sequencing is at our fingertips and it has the power to change our lives in a good and in a bad way. This is why I would like to invite everyone to contribute to achieve sensible guidelines for our future.
More than seven million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's Disease.
Simon - Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition. That means that you're losing cells in the brain. One of the issues with the disease is diagnoses. The only definitive diagnosis comes at the post-mortem stage. When we look at the brains of individuals at that stage, 10% to 15% get rediagnosed with something else. That's quite a sizeable part of the affected population.
Chris - Is that a problem for those people because their treatment might not be optimal?
Chris - Given that the post-mortem stage is probably a bit late for the majority of cases, you would like to bring that diagnostic forward?
Simon - Exactly and the way we want to do that is look for biomarkers. These are chemicals that the body is producing that we can use to differentiate between two populations of people. We are looking at blood, we are looking at urine samples, we're looking at cerebrospinal fluid. These are all very invasive approaches though. So, using a breath test is much more simplified.
Chris - For real, you're able to literally take a sample of breath and this would tell you what's going on in someone's brain?
Simon - So, this is a question that often pops up. How is it there's something in the brain could be coming out of your breath? Two of the main pathways for excretion of waste or unnecessary material on the body, the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal system, both of them are connected with the mouth and what we breath out will include everything from coffee and what you had for breakfast, to other metabolic processes going on in the body. We have about 1500 people with Parkinson's disease on our books; we have clinical data for most of these people going back 15 to 18 years. And we're going to take all the clinical data, lining it up alongside the chemicals that are coming out of the breath test and see if we can start to put people into subpopulations with the condition.
Chris - You take the person, their diagnosis, and their breath chemicals, looking for chemicals that keep behaving like a repeat offender. This person with this diagnosis has this level of this, more often than someone who doesn't have that diagnosis. So, you see that pattern and then you can say, right, on the basis of just now sampling a person at random from the population, if they've got that particular chemical composition in their breath, they may well be developing or actually have Parkinson's.
Simon - Exactly. We also hope to use this technology to track the disease over time. So, some of the chemicals that might be present in very early stage Parkinson's might change towards later stages. There's a lot of exciting potential for this work.
Chris - How likely do you think it'll be that you'll get a breath test for Parkinson's?
Simon - A lot of the preliminary data coming from our collaborators in Israel, they've done animal pilot studies where they can differentiate between different models of Parkinson's disease. And now, they have the clinical data, which has just been published this month where they can differentiate between people with Parkinson's disease and people without. So, we are reasonably confident.
24:35 - Is your phone leaking personal data?
Most of us know we need antivirus software on our PCs, but what about our phones? Why do we need to protect them and how do we do it?
This week we're going to be looking more closely at the trusty devices we now carry with us everywhere and seem to use for almost everything; and that's our mobile phones.
Today's smartphones are capable of doing so much more than the mobile phones of a few years ago and, as a result, we're spending more and more time on them - logging what we've eaten that day, looking up where our next meeting is or uploading a snap to Facebook.
Lorrie - Our data is constantly at risk whenever we're using our mobile phone whether the wi-fi is on or not actually. At the very least, your telephone company is tracking you and perhaps others as well. Certainly, turning your wi-fi on, turning your Bluetooth on is going to put you at additional risk. Even when you're using your desktop or laptop computer and you're surfing the web, you're also being tracked as far as what websites you are visiting.
Kat - What kind of personal data might be at risk from our phones?
Lorrie - Well, it depends what you do with your phone, but there's your address book, your email, your location, if you're doing online banking. All of this data is potentially at risk.
Kat - And I guess then if someone got hold of it, they could do pretty bad things with it.
Lorrie - Yeah. Especially if you leave your phone without any sort of a password or pin, then anybody picking up your phone can basically act as you.
Kat - Pretty scary stuff. But what do the general public think are the risks? I mean obviously, a lot of people seem to be fairly oblivious that their phone is leaking data around them.
Lorrie - Yeah. I think most people are fairly oblivious and are unaware of the risk.
Kat - You've done some nice research with children, about how children view this because obviously, more and more kids are getting smartphones and going online with tablets and these kind of things?
Lorrie - Yeah. We have a project called Privacy Illustrated where we have gone into schools with magic markers and paper and asked kids to draw pictures of privacy and what privacy means to them. We've also done it with adults. But the children's drawings have been particularly interesting. We find with the youngest children, they're not yet thinking about technology. They're thinking about being able to go to their room or to the bathroom and close the door. But then as they get older, then we start seeing images of kids using smartphones and computers and some concern about privacy when they go online. A big thing with kids is, as they start using text messages, this becomes an extremely private form of conversation for them.
Kat - I assume not wanting their parents or anyone else seeing what they're saying.
Kat - Why do you think the public does seem quite oblivious about the risks of data leaking out of our smartphones?
Lorrie - Well, because it's a leak that we don't see. There is no tell-tale drip, drip, drip that you see and so, people don't know what's happening.
Kat - Should they be concerned? You know, I'm just walking down the street with my phone. How at risk am I as an individual of someone getting hold of my data and doing something bad with it? Can we be overly paranoid about this?
Lorrie - Well, there's a lot of different types of risks and there are some of them that may never impact you until they do. I mean, one type of risk is somebody actually stealing your identity, being able to break into your bank accounts, things like that, and that's a very tangible risk that people can understand. But there are also risks associated with just having things that you wanted only your friends to see or hear being made public. That actually can be devastating to people depending on what that information is and if it is passed on to their employers or their parents or their spouse, there's definitely information that can get out that can be really harmful to people.
Kat - Do you have a Smartphone and are you very careful about what you put on it?
Lorrie - I do have a Smartphone and I do try to be careful with it. I never post anything that would be upsetting to me if I saw it on the front page of a newspaper.
Kat - Are you going to post that you've been on the Naked Scientists?
Lorrie - Yeah. I think that's probably okay.
You've probably heard the phrase "there's an app for that" - be it Facebook, Angry Birds, Google Maps, WhatsApp... there are thousands of apps available online. You download them to your phone or tablet computer and your every need can be catered for at the swipe of a screen... And it's big business. Each of us uses - on average - 25-30 of these phone applications. So it's no wonder we tend to just hit 'accept' when an app asks for permission to use our device's camera, have access our contacts, or even look at our location.
But why does a game app need to know this information? And what exactly are these apps doing with this unrestricted access? Could some of them be recording private conversations, or logging where we go for coffee every Tuesday morning to sell the data to third parties? It sounds scary, but it's real: several app developers have already been fined in America for doing just this.
Jason - There's lots of different kinds of data that these Smartphone apps can store. So for example, they might gathering your phone's unique ID, might be getting your current location, or they might be trying to get access to your contact list.
Chris - The big question is, well, why do they need that information?
Jason - Well, in some of these cases, the apps are trying to use these kinds of data sources in new ways. So for example, we've seen apps that are games that are using your location data to create location base kinds of game. But other times, they're using it for advertising purposes or they're also trying to bootstrap their social network by getting your entire contact list, and then spamming your friends to see if they're interested in joining as well.
Chris - But this is illegal, isn't it?
Chris - When you install this software on your phone because your phone is often quite a powerful computer at the end of the day, isn't it? can it leave a sort of vestige of itself there even if you get rid of it so that there is always a danger that it's done something to your phone that means someone somewhere could still nonetheless have access to the information even though the app is no longer there?
Jason - Yes, that's right. Whenever you use a lot of these free apps, they're primarily funded by advertising. And so, what happens is that these advertisers are trying to collect a lot of data about you. So, even if you remove a specific app, you might still be using other apps or using the same kinds of advertising services.
Chris - So, you are motivated to setup your website to try to point the finger at some of the worst offenders and also highlight some good practice?
Jason - That's right. and so, what we did is we downloaded about a million different android Smartphone apps and we started analysing them to try to understand what the behaviours were. So for example, right now, you can easily tell that an app is using location data but you can't tell why it's using that data. So what we did is we try to infer the purpose. So for example, is it using location data for social networking, advertising or analytics? And then for the second part of the work, we also used a whole bunch of these crowd sourcing techniques. You can imagine this being a very large scale kind of survey where we're asking a lot of people how they felt about these kinds of behaviours. So for example, people are very unhappy about contact lists being used for advertising but are mostly okay with contact list being used for social networking.
Chris - Can you give us some physical examples of the kinds of apps that you think behave appropriately and perhaps some examples of ones that have been downright malicious?
Jason - So, one app that has a very surprising kind of behaviour but is sort of fun, there's this dictionary app where you can actually look up what other words that people around you are looking up. And just sort of as a funny joke, one time, I was in Washington DC and I was showing some other people this app and the word that was being shown nearby was 'corruption'.
Chris - Don't do that in Westminster either. You might catch one or two MPs on that one. I was looking at an example because I saw this newsflash come around and excuse the pun on 'flash' but it was about this flashlight app. Because I've downloaded this myself. You can turn the flash on your camera phone into a steady light source that you can use as a sort of torch in the night. There's evidence that some of those are being used to do things like turn on the microphone in your phone when you don't want to so that people can eavesdrop on your conversations even though the phone isn't making a phone call.
Jason - That's right. There are some really unusual kinds of behaviours. So, we've seen some flashlight apps that requests internet access. They're trying to get your phone's unique ID and they're also trying to get your current location. Now, the reason that they're trying to do this again is mostly for advertising purposes. So right now, this trade-off that's, "You can download me for free, but we, the developers need to make revenue off of it. and so, we're going to try to show you ads. But to show you better ads, we're going to try to get more data about you" so for example again, your location data and your unique phone ID.
Chris - Sounds pretty scary doesn't it? Looking at the trajectory of this, where does your research suggest the next threat is coming from or where are we going to be in the future because more and more, these phones and these devices are becoming a dominant part of our lives?
Jason - Yes. I think in the near future, our Smartphones probably will know almost everything about us. I think in many ways, this will actually be a good thing because our Smart phones will be able to help us with healthcare, transportation and sustainability. But these same technologies might also offer a lot of kinds of privacy problems as well.
35:13 - Got your WiFi turned on? Error!
Got your WiFi turned on? Error!
Graihagh - I'm whizzing down on a train to London for work. I've got my coffee and a long list of emails to attend to but my phone signal is a bit patchy. What to do? Well, wi-fi would of course be a perfect solution and sure enough, if I go into my phone's settings, there are loads of networks to connect to. Normally, I wouldn't hesitate to click connect, but today, I'm having second thoughts. Why? Well, it could be that I'm broadcasting information about myself to the world. I've come to Finsbury Park in North London to meet Glenn Wilkinson, the designer of some software called Snoopy. Snoopy can gather sensitive information from Smartphones simply by using their wi-fi signal. So hit me. What is the unvarnished truth? If I've got my wi-fi on now on my phone, what can you really tell about me?
Glenn - There's all types of different things we can tell from your mobile phone. Now essentially, the way wi-fi works is that if you've got wi-fi on, your phone is constantly looking for every wireless network you've ever connected to. It's looking for Starbucks, it's looking for LAX wi-fi, it's looking for McDonalds free wi-fi, it's looking for your home wi-fi or work wi-fi, and it's quite easy to detect those messages. There's two useful bits of information in that message - one, the name of the network your phone is looking for; and two, a unique serial number that identifies your phone in particular. It's called the MAC address. So immediately, I can tell what kind of phone you have and I know what networks you've previously connected to.
Graihagh - Could I think of this as like a unique digital fingerprint?
Graihagh - Of course, you didn't.
Glenn - But immediately quite interesting.
Graihagh - I find this - well, terrifying. I'm going to let you demonstrate this. You've attached Snoopy to a drone. Why have you attached it to a drone?
Glenn - So, Snoopy is inherently mobile. You can run it on certain mobile phones and put it in your pocket and walk around in an area. If you attached that to a drone, we can fly the drone autonomously. So we can plot missions. Say, I want you to canvass this entire neighbourhood of London. It's unfortunately illegal to do this, but I guess criminals won't really care.
Graihagh - I was going to say, let's canvass Finsbury Park, but obviously, we're not allowed to do that. So, why don't we just canvass what we can see and see what sort of data we can pick up. I have to admit, it's pretty cold and there's not many people about. There's a dog walker and a man picking up some litter over there. So, do you think we might be able to pick up where these people are from?
Glenn - Yeah, absolutely. So what we'll do, we'll just hover Snoopy within a safe distance of these people, buzz around the park a bit and just illustrate the data being collected in real time and sent back to my laptop where we can analyse it. So, we've got the drone here.
Graihagh - Okay, so the drone is not very big. It's about 500 grams with 4 propellers. Oh my goodness! It's really fast. How fast can this thing go?
Glenn - So, this one probably on the order of 60 km an hour. So, if we just go hover within 15 meters of those people over there, we'll probably get reading in a few seconds. So, if we see here, we can see the data.
Glenn - So, that's a lot there that's from a coffee shop. So, we met earlier and we detected 254 devices. And now, flying out here, we've got 11. Now, what's interesting is we've seen this one device both inside the coffee shop and around the park here. I'm a bit paranoid because what that indicates is someone is following us.
Graihagh - They could be knowing what you're up to and what your software is capable of. Is that not? That's why they're still here somewhere.
Glenn - Could be someone has been intercepting our emails to each other, they know we're here, and this is a sign that they're watching us.
Glenn - Let's have a look at some of the other ones here. So somebody around us has an unknown device. That probably means it's a fairly new one that's not in our database yet. It's looking for this "SKY BA etc." which is, someone's got a Skybox at home and what we can do is, we can try and figure out where that person lives. And here, excellent, we got a hit. So, if you double-click on that, we get a photograph and a street address. So, Endymion Road, London, it's the postcode and that photograph that we saw is a photograph of their house or of their neighbourhood I guess.
Graihagh - Some beautiful sort of Georgian houses with pillars at the front.
Glenn - So now, we could go and pay them a visit if you wanted to.
Graihagh - Remind me, why have you built this because it seems like a fairly potent and clever, and potentially quite dangerous bit of software and hardware to be putting freely available on the internet?
Glenn - I get a lot of comments about why, "Why are you releasing this? It's dangerous." But the point of doing research like this is to raise awareness. To just show the public, look, how easy this is. Look how broken these standards are. I mean, just as a trivial example, if you go to the mall, you'll notice on the entrance, there's a very small sticker that says, something along the lines of, "Patrons will be monitored via their mobile phones to enhance their shopping experience." That kind of stuff is already being done. The difference is, we have released Snoopy for free to put pressure on the manufacturers to actually think about what they're doing and realise that, "Hey, maybe it's not the best way that we're doing things. Maybe we can enhance our security to protect our customers."
Graihagh - As soon as I got home, I turned my wi-fi back on but in the future, I'll be turning it off when I don't need it. Glenn also suggested I flush my preferred network lists to get rid of the Hooters type wi-fi and I should do this every 6 months.
43:00 - Is your phone wiped after factory reset?
Is your phone wiped after factory reset?
Laurent - Well, more and more phones are actually being sold online and the market is actually booming. We expect I think, more than a hundred million phones being traded by 2018. So, we thought it would be a good idea to figure out whether data was still available after you wipe it.
Chris - Are the majority of them sold as wiped?
Laurent - Most of them were wiped, yes.
Chris - When someone defines their phone as wiped, does that mean they've sort of gone into the settings because there's a button you can select on the phone that says "reset to factory" isn't it? That resets it to how the phone apparently was when it came out of the box. Is that actually what happens?
Laurent - Most people actually use this setting on the phone. And that's what the vendors suggest you to do before you sell your phones. It doesn't always delete the data and why this data is not properly deleted, you first have to understand how the data is stored on your phones. So, phones basically store the data the same way a library would store books. So essentially, you have books on your shelf and every time you want to access a book, you have to look up its location in a search index table. Now, some phones, when they wipe the data, they will actually delete both this index table and remove the books from the shelves. But some phones will actually only remove the index table. So, it appears to you as if your data has vanished, but if you look directly at the shelf, the data is still present.
Chris - The books are all still standing there. So, if you just wander along the shelves, you could potentially retrieve a book?
Chris - And is that what you did with your project?
Laurent - Yes, exactly. We looked at the shelves directly and looked at the data rather than relying on the index table. Well, we found actually quite a lot of data. So, on some phones, we were not able to recover data but on some other phones, it was possible. This depends on versions and models.
Chris - What's sorts of juicy things were coming up?
Laurent - Yeah. So pictures basically. There are dozens or even thousands of pictures on the phones. So, you'd find selfies, you'd find family pictures, pictures of kids and babies. You might also find conversations either these could be emails, chats or text messages. You'd be able to find out which websites people have visited and which apps they have installed. And also, their contact list.
Chris - So, it's all potentially quite sensitive stuff?
Laurent - Yeah, exactly. Well, more importantly, you can also recover passwords. For example, passwords from third party apps that you install on your phone or password that is used by the phone in order to backup your data online.
Chris - Because people tend to use the same password many times in many places, it's possible also that could be a bigger breach than just for that thing that's on the phone. Is this something that happens on all kinds of mobile devices or are some more vulnerable to this?
Laurent - The market is sort of split between the Apple phone and the android smartphones.
Chris - It's about 50/50, isn't it?
Laurent - Yeah. I haven't personally looked into the IOS devices so I can't really comment on that.
Chris - This is Apple?
Laurent - Yeah, Apple. I haven't heard reports of data being recovered from those phones.
Chris - But what about android?
Laurent - It's more on a case to case basis. There isn't really a magic version that is vulnerable and another one that isn't. There are versions sold about 2 or 3 years ago that are more vulnerable and these are often the ones that people are actually selling online.
Chris - So, what can someone do about this? If you're someone who's about to flog an old phone or give it away to your kids or something, what can you do to make sure you're not a victim of something like this happening?
Chris - Basically, just fill up your phone with stuff and it's a bit like shoving new stuff onto the shelves of your library. It's going to push out all the old stuff so the fingerprint of it being there is gone. So, even though you're giving some data away, it's still stuff you don't care about because it's just random rubbish?
Laurent - Exactly. So, as I said, this is not fully reliable but this will help. Another way you can do this is also by trying to record a really large video until some of the memory is full.
What can we do to defend ourselves against cyber-criminals exploiting smartphones to steal our personal data?
Let's come back to some practical advice. Carnegie-Mellon scientists Lorrie Cranor and Jason Hong. Lorrie, let's begin with you. So, what good advice could you give our listeners on how they can better protect themselves, if they're not wiping phones? What else could they be doing to make sure that they're not falling victim to these sorts of threats?
Lorrie - Well, I think the first thing is that they should setup a password or pin on their phone so that to protect themselves from somebody finding their phone and being able to access their information. So, I think that's important. And then I think they should also be careful about what apps they download and realise that most of the free apps, the part of the reason they're free is because they are essentially spying on you and trying to send you targeted advertising.
Chris - Basically, just don't download them in the first place.
Lorrie - You don't download them, unless you know what you're doing.
Chris - Jason, any sort of thoughts that you could add to the equation?
Jason - Well, in the short term, one of the thing you can also do is put your phone into airplane mode before you play some of these games. That way, it won't get your location data and also, won't use internet access. But in a long term, we're definitely going to need a lot more support for app developers and for regulators to make sure that they can help ensure our privacy.
Chris - Does this mean that people basically have to vote with their thumb, tell manufacturers and writers that you're not happy to have your data being exploited in this way and they'll get the message?
Jason - That's basically right. We need as a society to figure out what's the right balance between these app developers making revenue while also protecting our privacy.
50:51 - Are smartphones changing our brains?
Using our thumbs to control our smartphones is changing the activity in our brains.
Arko - If you take the brain of a London taxi driver, regions associated with memory are on average, bigger than the general population even when compared to bus drivers who navigate on more constrained routes. Our brains are very flexible and can allocate their resources depending on our experiences. This can be very specific. For instance, concert violinists who grew up playing the instrument have higher activity in the part of the brain linked to the little finger of the non-bowing hand but not of the bowing hand.
Danielle - Estimates suggests that more than a third of world's population will own a smartphone by 2017. What is in store for this growing smartphone community? Are we also changing our brains like the taxi drivers or violinists?
Arko - We recently found that the part of the brain that receives information from the thumb generates more electrical activity in people who use touchscreen phones compared to old fashioned phone users. We think this brain difference reflects the heavy reliance on the thumb in the more modern users.
Danielle - Hold the phone! How soon before our smartphones have an impact on our brain and is it permanent?
Arko - These changes seem to occur rather quickly, immediately falling a period of say, intense texting. The brain area that receives information from the thumb becomes more active. So, do not think these brain changes are permanent. In fact, we believe that the brain is continuously updated according to how we use our thumbs. This activity is likely to tail off after a period of non-use. Possibly taking a few weeks to revert back to normal. But we don't fully understand this as yet.
Danielle - It's good to know your brain does go back to normal after a phone detox, but is this change something we need to be worried about in the first place?
Arko - Every time you thumb through your phone, you do change your brain a little. But it is too early to say if this is something to be concerned about. We have a lot to learn about how the ever-changing brain impacts our behaviour in general.
Danielle - So, our interactions with our smartphones are shaping the way our brains work and respond. With always increasing possibilities of new technology, it looks like our brain will be changing for as long as our futures last. But we still have a lot to understand about how and why this is happening.
Arko - In fact, smartphones offer a beautiful opportunity to understand how our brains are shaped by our daily lives as the day to day behaviour is seamlessly stored into the phone logs.
Johannes - Why is it that I want to urinate more frequently in colder weather?
Next Are smartphones changing our brains? | 2019-04-25T04:13:35Z | https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/naked-scientists-podcast/your-smartphone-whats-it-saying-cyber-criminals |
On 30 September 2000, Charles Enderlin, the Jerusalem-based head of the Middle East Bureau of the French television station France 2, presented sixty seconds of footage of what he described as the killing of a twelve-year-old Palestinian boy named Muhammad al-Dura targeted by Israeli soldiers. Enderlin claimed that he had additional film material of the boy’s “death throes” that was too shocking to be shown.
The selectively presented photo material, accompanied by the accusation of deliberate murder of a defenseless Palestinian boy, led to mass demonstrations against Israel and the Jews in the Western world. It also contributed to riots by Arabs in Israel in October 2000. It furthermore opened the door to the mainstreaming of comparison of Israelis to Nazis.
In France 2’s original showing of the material, Enderlin did indeed cut twelve seconds where the boy, after he was alleged to have died from his stomach wounds, was neither clutching his stomach nor crouched up in a fetal position. Instead he was lying flat out, free hand over his eyes, lifting up his elbow, looking out and then slowly putting his arm down.
The Muhammad al-Dura affair took a dramatic turn in May 2008 when a French appeals court found that Philippe Karsenty was innocent of having defamed Enderlin. Karsenty had claimed that the images shown by France 2 of the killing of al-Dura were staged. CRIF, the umbrella organization of the French Jewish community, has since called upon President Nicolas Sarkozy to launch an investigation into the television broadcast of the alleged Israeli shooting of Muhammad al-Dura. France 2 has recently agreed to such an investigation.
Prof. Richard Landes is a medievalist and teaches in the history department of Boston University. In recent years he has also developed a website Second Draft, which, among other things, deals with Palestinian media manipulations. Landes says that it contains the only complete archive of evidence in the al-Dura affair. He also blogs at The Augean Stables, where he analyzes the pervasive dysfunctions of the mainstream media, especially in their treatment of the Arab-Israeli and Islam-West conflicts. In this framework he has been following the al-Dura affair for many years.
“On 30 September 2000, Enderlin was in Ramallah where he listened to Marwan Barghouti, then head of Fatah’s armed branch the Tanzim, announce the outbreak of the Second Intifada. Enderlin received a phone call from Abu Rahma saying that terrible things had happened, and that he was sending the rushes (the raw footage filmed by the cameraman before editing) by satellite to Enderlin.
“Enderlin looked at the pictures, and believed Abu Rahma’s story that he had filmed a father and his murdered twelve-year-old son who had taken refuge behind a barrel when firing started that day between Palestinians and Israelis. The Abu Rahma version was that near the Netzarim Junction in Gaza Israeli soldiers had shot at these two people for forty-five minutes, injuring the father eight to twelve times and the son three times. One bullet hit the boy in the stomach, after which he lay bleeding to death for twenty minutes while the Israelis continued shooting. They did not allow an ambulance to approach, but fired on it and killed the driver. Finally a second ambulance came and took the father and son away. By this time the boy was dead. So far, Abu Rahma’s story.
“None of his footage supports any of the additional details. There are no scenes of the ambulance being fired on, none of the evacuation of either the boy or the father or the dead ambulance driver, no sign or footage of heavy Israeli fire for forty minutes.
“The ambulance driver testified that the boy’s guts had spilled out on the ground. He said that he scooped them up, put them in the ambulance, and drove to the Shifa Hospital in Gaza. According to news reports, the boy was buried on the same evening; there was no autopsy.
“After Enderlin watched the footage, he presented on the evening of 30 September on France 2 a report that included only fifty-five seconds of footage from a supposedly forty-five-minute-long incident of shooting. Abu Rahma had had a front-row view for taking pictures of this incident. He had been sheltered by a white van opposite the boy and had ample opportunity to film the incident extensively. He could have filmed the whole forty-five minutes; instead we have sixty seconds, broken up into five separate ‘takes’ of eight to twelve seconds each. Of the sixty seconds of Abu Rahma’s film of the event that he had, Enderlin cut the last twelve seconds in which the boy raised his arm and seemed to be looking at the camera.
“That day Enderlin also did something else, quite unusual in the world of TV news, and even more so for a man whose nickname is ‘Scoop.’ He handed out free copies of the last three minutes of Abu Rahma’s rushes to many other news stations in Jerusalem. Thus ‘shared,’ his scoop was reinforced by parallel coverage shown around the world many times. It provoked global outrage.
“In Israel riots broke out in October 2000 among Israeli Arabs. In 2003 a commission of inquiry headed by Chief Justice Theodor Orr found that a number of Israeli Arabs cited this footage as the provoking factor for the disturbances.
“A Belgian Jewish acquaintance told me that his rabbi was attacked on the way to synagogue the next day. He didn’t know what had happened, as it was the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) holiday and he had not watched TV. We also know that Osama Bin Laden was already in touch with Hamas before this happened. He put the footage of Mohammad al-Dura-with a poem denouncing cowardly Arab leaders for not taking vengeance-in a key place in his recruitment video for global jihad.
Landes says that Enderlin reported that the father and son had been “the target of fire from the Israeli position,” a careful phrasing that subtly confirmed Abu Rahma’s more explicit claim that they killed the boy “in cold blood.” In the same statement under oath, Abu Rahma claimed he had taken twenty of the forty-five minutes of shooting, but later claimed to the German filmmaker Esther Schapira that he only sent about six minutes to Enderlin.
“The actual footage Enderlin got from Abu Rahma-not twenty minutes, not six minutes, but sixty seconds-is quite poor in quality and made up of fragmentary takes that do not really cohere. To make his narrative work Enderlin cut the final footage. In constructing his voiceover narrative, Enderlin declared the boy dead about halfway through (take 4). But in the final ‘take,’ the last twelve seconds, the boy is neither clutching his wounded stomach nor crouched up in a fetal position as one might expect. Instead he is lying flat out, free hand over his eyes, lifting up his elbow, looking out and then slowly putting his arm down. There is no indication of death or even imminent death.
Landes interprets Enderlin’s giving away his “scoop” for free differently. “I have not been able to verify that Abu Rahma went first to CNN with the story and they turned it down (clearly implying that it seemed too suspect to use). It would, however, make sense for Abu Rahma to go first to CNN, which has many more viewers worldwide than France 2. I think everybody who takes a look at the material, without being prejudiced, will conclude that this was not convincing footage. So, if CNN actually saw the rushes it’s perfectly believable that they would not want to broadcast this material.
“As the alleged killing of Mohammad al-Dura took place on the Jewish New Year, it took Israel two days to react in an orderly way. Certainly, Enderlin was quick to act. He called the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) spokesman-of which office he was formerly a member, and so trusted by his colleagues there-and told them he had footage of the IDF killing a boy. ‘I recommend you not try and deny it,’ he told the soldier on the other end of the line. ‘Better to apologize and hope it blows over.’ Meanwhile the worldwide outrage built up. The Israeli army, following Enderlin’s advice, first said it might be responsible for the boy’s killing and, if so, apologized. The press interpreted this as meaning the Israelis were responsible. And when Israeli spokesmen asked why Palestinian children were present at such scenes of violence, they were denounced for blaming the victim.
“Shortly thereafter, Nahum Shahaf, a physicist, contacted Major-General Yom-Tov Samia, head of the IDF Southern Command. Shahaf had worked as a physicist with the army’s optical intelligence unit. He was among the leading developers of pilotless light aircraft and video instrumentation. Shahaf had also investigated the damage done in Israel by the Iraqi missiles in 1991, as well as, upon the request of Yitzhak Rabin’s daughter, the circumstances surrounding his assassination.
“It took several weeks before Shahaf’s investigation got under way. Samia had given instructions to level the area a few days after the event because there was firing at the Israeli army position near Netzarim from various places. The scene of the incident was thus entirely compromised. Shahaf then set up similar conditions in the Negev desert for his ballistic tests.
“Shahaf had a collaborator, an engineer who was convinced that the Palestinians intentionally killed the child. This seemed, at the time, a grotesque accusation, certainly in the weeks before there was so much evidence that the Palestinians regularly sacrifice their children for the cause. In an interview with Bob Simon of Sixty Minutes, the collaborator expressed this view before the end of the investigation, which caused a double scandal of unprofessional and politically incorrect behavior. The collaborator was fired but Shahaf was now in a difficult position.
“When Shahaf came out with his conclusion that the killing of Muhammad al-Dura was staged, it aroused great hostility. On the one hand, he blamed the supposed victim; on the other, he suggested something most people cannot imagine: that the entire press corps could be fooled. He was like the child who said the emperor was naked: ‘What? You know more than all the emperor’s courtiers (i.e., the mainstream media)?’ Haaretz in particular among the Israeli media attacked him ferociously in an editorial and an article by Anat Cygielman, calling his investigation an embarrassment and humiliation to Israel.
Landes observes: “Simon didn’t even tell what the conclusion of Shahaf’s investigation was. The ballistic tests had proved that the three bullets shown in the filmed sequence by Abu Rahma came from the Palestinian side and not from the Israelis. The bullets kicked up dust in a way that could not come from a 30-degree angle of a bullet shot against the wall behind the barrel. Furthermore, given the protection provided by the barrel, it would have been nearly impossible for the Israelis to have hit either father or son once, much less over a dozen times. Worse, the Palestinians were firing at the Israelis from behind the father and son.
“Whatever problems there were with the investigation, and there were some, the fundamental conclusions on the provenance of the identifiable bullets and the impossibility of Israeli shots hitting the two, remain solid. The implications are deeply disturbing to any impartial observer: there is no good reason for Palestinians to be firing from a circular mound of dirt called the ‘pita,’ the source of the gunfire according to Samia’s report, at the barrel, when the Israelis are 90 degrees in another direction; and it is exceptionally reckless of them to fire from behind the father and son.
“Interestingly enough, Enderlin drew a map for me of Netzarim Junction in which he placed the Israeli position on the wrong side of the street-actually in the place where the Palestinian ‘pita’ was. For someone who claims he went back to the junction shortly after the events, this is an extraordinary ‘mistake’, especially since the major point of Samia’s report is that the supposedly Israeli bullets could not have come from the Israelis. It’s as if he read the report on the direction of the bullets and then relocated the Israeli position to accord with it.
“Meanwhile, Shahaf thought he was going to tell the world that Abu Rahma’s film was a fake, and this would be as great a news story as the original. Instead he was treated as the child who said the emperor was naked, and was told to shut up.
“Some journalists, however, came to visit Shahaf and published studies based on his work. Schapira did a documentary for ARD, a major German TV station, which was first shown in May 2002. James Fallows published a major investigative article in Atlantic Monthly in June 2003. Both of them stuck to the minimalist position instead of asking what-if the Israelis didn’t kill him-had actually happened. Schapira now acknowledges that at the time she was under heavy pressure, including threats to her life, against even publishing the minimalist thesis.
“It was Fallows’s article that renewed my interest in the al-Dura affair. As a medievalist, I was already familiar with the blood-libel motif. It didn’t seem to me that the Israelis would fire for forty-five minutes at a father and son behind a barrel, nor that, if they had, it would take that long to kill the boy. But until I read Fallows, I assumed that the boy was caught in crossfire and that the ‘blood-libel’ dimension came primarily from the accusation of deliberate murder. I had no idea the whole thing might be fake. Fallows, of course, did not make so radical a claim, but he allows Shahaf to speak, and the evidence seemed fairly clear to me…if Shahaf’s descriptions were accurate.
“When Schapira produced her movie on the al-Dura affair in 2002, she came to the conclusion that there were significant hints-though no proof-that al-Dura was shot by the Palestinians, as well as significant evidence that the event had been staged, whether or not he was shot.
“In particular, all the Palestinian sources, from the hospital doctors to the police investigators-‘We don’t do an investigation when we know who did it, and in this case, it’s clearly the Israelis’-to the cameraman Abu Rahma came across as dubious. Abu Rahma told Schapira on camera that ‘we’ (the Palestinians) have the bullets that killed the child. She then asked him what kind of bullets they were. Abu Rahma replied that she would have to ask the Palestinian general who was in charge of the investigation.
“Enderlin told Schapira that he trusted Abu Rahma one hundred percent. He repeated that he is a professional photojournalist of the highest standard. Abu Rahma informed Schapira that he had sent six minutes of rushes of the actual shooting incident to Enderlin. If Enderlin had six minutes of footage of the actual incident-that is, of the son and father behind the barrel under heavy fire, or the son lying bleeding to death on the ground-he would certainly have used them to back up his story and give it credibility. But he has never shown them, not to me or anyone else who got to view the rushes, not even to the court. One presumes this is because they never existed.
Landes explains: “After reading Fallows in June 2003 and meeting in Paris with Poller and Huber in July, I finally got to Israel in October and met with Shahaf. After several long sessions with him analyzing the footage (he was working with two hours of raw footage from another Palestinian cameraman there that day), I learned how to ‘read’ the ‘rushes’ from Netzarim Junction for indications that scenes were staged rather than real: the telltale signs of no indication of real injury (no blood, breaking the fall with outstretched hands), of the brutal evacuations (no stretchers, no individual manhandled by the evacuators) that would kill a wounded person, the complete lack of fear of Israeli guns, the ‘action’ taking place beyond the range of Israeli guns.
“Then a common acquaintance-Elie Barnavi, who was the Israeli ambassador to France at the time of the al-Dura affair-introduced me to Enderlin and I got a chance to see Abu Rahma’s rushes from that day and the next. Before this, Enderlin had only shown the tapes to people whom he thought would back him up. I was introduced to him as a professor of medieval history and I think, because I came recommended, he expected me to be on his side.
“On 31 October 2003, I sat down in the France 2 studios in Jerusalem and watched the rushes with Charles Enderlin and his Israeli cameraman, who happened to have been in Ramallah with him on 30 September 2000. That was when the shingles fell from my eyes.
“Much of the footage had a familiar quality: it resembled the footage I had seen in Shahaf’s studio, either boring or staged. At one point a Palestinian adult grabbed his leg as if he’d been shot and limped badly. Here, for the ‘scene’ to work, a half-dozen others should have picked him up and run him past cameras to an ambulance. But only kids gathered around him who were too small to pick him up. The man shooed them away, looked around, realized no one’s coming, and walked away without a limp.
“Walking out of his office that Friday afternoon, I was in a state of shock. ‘Oh my God,’ I thought, ‘they do it all the time…and the Western journalists just use the most believable seconds to run as news. It’s a national industry!’ That’s when the term Pallywood occurred to me: just as Bollywood refers to Bombay Hollywood, Pallywood refers to the national Palestinian film industry that produces staged news footage. It tells a story of how the Israeli Goliath is pummeling the Palestinian David and both the Muslim and the Western media lap it up.
“The main products are scenes of injury and ambulance evacuation, as well as street fighting off-scene. In one well-documented case that Karsenty showed in court, cameramen film a Palestinian shooting not at the Israelis, but into an empty building he had been inside only minutes earlier.
“I’d been a fan of the analogy ‘The internet is to the twenty-first century what the printing press was to the sixteenth only at a much faster pace.' But this was a new wrinkle. Here was a blogosphere that resembled the ‘city of letters' three years into the new century, a ‘city of bytes’ showing its power to crash the old technology’s monopoly on the public sphere precisely where empirical issues were in question.
“That’s when I realized that instead of going, hat in hand, to the mainstream media and asking for their help, I should just make the documentary and present it, and the evidence, at a website. Hence, in September 2005, I launched ‘The Second Draft’, and posted both the archival material necessary to understand it-my footnotes as it were-and a short documentary called Pallywood where I provided the best examples of how Palestinians-street folk, doctors, journalists, cameramen, ambulance drivers-all participate in a collective scam.
“I included an essay on the history of Pallywood whose origins I dated to the First Lebanon War in 1982. There was clearly staged footage there, and a credulous press eager to believe anything (six hundred thousand refugees from southern Lebanon when there weren’t that many people living there) and to compare Israel to the Nazis (news anchors standing outside Beirut comparing it to the Warsaw Ghetto).
“My strategy of using the internet paid off well. Within three months there were fifty thousand downloads of Pallywood from our site. When I attended the launch of the PajamasMedia blog in November 2005, I was amazed to find that many people I met had already seen Pallywood. Most of my university colleagues, however, still don’t know I’ve made documentaries.
Landes also uses the al-Dura case in teaching students. “I have a class on Communication Revolutions and we deal with cyberspace and TV. I tell them that in the al-Dura affair there are five possibilities that have to be investigated. The first is that the Israelis did it on purpose. The second is that the Israelis did it by accident. The third is that the Palestinians did it by accident. The fourth is that the Palestinians did it on purpose. Then I ask them what might be the fifth.
Landes, when analyzing the al-Dura case, also points out that any sensible parent would have put the child in front between him and the barrel, rather than behind him. “There is also the question of why the father never reaches for his son at any point. He changes position between each of the last three takes-that is, after his son has been allegedly hit and is lying at his feet. Yet he never reaches for him.
“I wanted to answer that question, political correctness be damned. There was a strong probability that the incident had been staged. Yet none of the news agencies that got the footage, including the scene Enderlin cut, saw any problem with the story as he told it. This broad consensus of the media, all of whom either explicitly back Enderlin or refuse to report the critique, is so impressive that anybody who tries to break it is called a ‘conspiracy nut.' It appears to be the media’s solidarity that gave Enderlin the confidence to take his case to court.
“Obviously this isn’t a real conspiracy theory. In the al-Dura faking, ten or twenty Palestinians at most are involved and they cannot even agree on a common story. It was barely planned. Yet neither the Israelis nor the Western media were alert. If there had been minimal filters for fakes out there, the al-Dura forgery would have been picked up right away.
Landes analyzes the longer-term impact of the staged al-Dura affair. “It’s hard to think of a single news item that did this much damage, not only to Israel’s image in the world, but to the very fabric of global civil society. It opened the door to the mainstreaming of the comparison of Israelis to Nazis. There had already been some of this before the event, especially during the First Lebanon War, but it was rightly considered a fringe -and sadistic- rhetorical device that responsible people eschewed in the name of fairness.
“Many Europeans saw the al-Dura affair as an opportunity to further reduce Holocaust guilt and loved the story. The rushes were shown many times on many European media. In the United States it was shown less frequently, yet for Time it was one of the ‘events of the year.' Arabic TV stations, of course, showed it most frequently.
“French TV showed it and thought they were pleasing their Muslim populations who would intensify their hatred against Israel. They did not understand that many Muslims saw it as a call for jihad against the West. With these pictures, the French media were feeding potential enemies in their own country.
“Part of the irony here is that it was a Druze unit that manned Netzarim Junction that Rosh Hashanah. So even if Israeli soldiers had killed the boy, they weren’t Jews. But when we deal with the irrational, such details are meaningless. What the immediate and ferocious acceptance of this story shows is the immense appetite for what I call ‘moral Schadenfreude’-the delight that some, especially Europeans and the ‘Left,’ take in dumping on Israel morally. It’s as if they somehow make themselves look bigger by making Israel look smaller. How else can you preen on the world stage as the cutting edge of progressive morality when you’re in bed with Islamists of the most vicious and regressive kind?
“An al-Dura case study also teaches much about how journalism functions. First of all, there is an enormous power of what one might call emotional imagery. Viewers are presented with a picture of a young boy supposedly being killed, which trumps everything. There is no way one can maintain distance from this. It affects people in a way statistics cannot.
“Journalists are supposed to keep their distance. Yet there is, particularly in Europe, a journalistic corps of which part is astoundingly pro-Palestinian. This goes back, at least, to the period of the Lebanese civil war, when one would have expected a liberal press to despise the vicious tactics of the PLO.
“There is often rather aggressive identification with the Palestinians. In Jenin, for example, one of the reporters was outraged and carried on about how the Israelis were massacring Palestinians-itself a reflection of her eagerness to believe whatever her Palestinian sources claimed. Later she was confronted by the pediatrician Dr. David Zangen. He said to her: ‘We are here because the Palestinian terrorists are blowing themselves up among our civilians.’ She answered with a typical trope from the postcolonial paradigm: ‘I’ll give you one word: occupation.’ Zangen replied: ‘Jenin hasn’t been occupied for eight years.' And, one might add, the bombs in the midst of Jewish populations predate the ‘occupation’ by decades.
“These journalists are not reporters. They are advocates for the Palestinian cause. There are two categories. Some, such as a few from The Independent, as well as many journalists from The Guardian-are open advocates of the Palestinian cause. They oppose Israel because they are ashamed of their colonial past, which they now project on the Israelis.
“A second category of journalists comprises those who have been intimidated by Arabs. This is done in various ways. In Lebanon, Iraq, and elsewhere, it goes back more than thirty years. On one level there was outright intimidation, through murdering and kidnapping in particular, but not exclusively those who wrote unfavorably.
“We have also seen threats of violence against journalists of the Italian private network Mediaset when they filmed the lynching of two Israeli soldiers in Ramallah in October 2000. Thereafter Riccardo Cristiano of the Italian state television RAI wrote a letter to a Palestinian paper disclosing that the pictures had been taken by Mediaset rather than RAI, and saying he would never have published them had they been his. The Mediaset journalists then had to flee the country.
“Access intimidation is another method. Basically, Palestinians say that journalists who do not tell the story their way cannot come back to the territories. If one cannot report from the disputed territories that means one cannot be a journalist. Thus one has to accommodate the Palestinians. This leads to ‘access journalism’ in which journalists voluntarily cease to speak of issues that might embarrass their hosts.
“An interesting psychological process takes place. These journalists cannot admit to the public that they have been intimidated. If they did, it would invalidate what they report. They are in a Catch-22 situation. They lose their jobs if they don’t give in to the intimidation. They also lose their jobs if they admit that they have been intimidated.
The French media have traditionally backed up Enderlin and given very little attention to the accusations that the al-Dura story is forged. Landes says, “At the end of 2004, however, three journalists-Luc Rosenzweig, Denis Jeambar, and Daniel Leconte-researched the affair for the French weekly L’Express. Rosenzweig, formerly of Le Monde but now independent, had convinced the editor in chief, Jeambar, to run a story arguing that the al-Dura story was staged: a perfectly legitimate piece that the public deserved to see. But when the editorial board of L’Express heard of this, they revolted. No such argument would grace their pages.
“When Jeambar informed Rosenzweig that he could not publish his article, Rosenzweig challenged him to come with an independent journalist and demand that France 2 show them the rushes. This would be the first time that people, not previously checked out, would view these.
“The three saw the material in October 2004. Both Shahaf and I had spoken with Rosenzweig before and told him what to look for. The L’Express representatives went to France 2 and saw that the footage was full of staging. Indeed, they had an identical experience to mine with Enderlin. When they commented on the pervasive staging, Didier Eppelbaum, Enderlin’s boss, responded, ‘O oui, monsieur, but you know it’s always like that.’ To which one of them allegedly responded, ‘You may know it, but your readers don’t.’ Both Jeambar and Leconte were indignant at what they saw, and gave interviews on the radio recounting their experiences.
“At this point one would have expected Jeambar to run the article in L‘Express. But instead, a number of events triggered a retreat by both Jeambar and Leconte. They wrote an article-which only the ‘right-wing’ Le Figaro would run-denouncing Enderlin’s professional behavior, and for a brief moment gave radio interviews. But they took care to argue that, though the first twenty or more minutes of the tapes were full of staging, this told nothing about the final footage on al-Dura, on which they were not prepared to pass judgment. Indeed, they rapidly dropped the subject entirely.
“Ostensibly they did so because France 2 supplied pictures of father Jamal’s scars, but such reasoning makes no sense. Having scars where he was wrapped in blood-soaked bandages the days after the incident does not offer conclusive proof…certainly not about the fate of Muhammad al-Dura. Indeed, subsequent research has revealed that many if not all of those scars were the result of a Hamas attack on Jamal in the early 1990s, and treated by an Israeli doctor. But behind the shoddy intellectual reasoning-which apparently offended none of the astute French commentators on the scene at the time-lay a sadder tale of peer pressure and intimidation. In fact there was a fascinating interplay of currents that enabled France 2 to contain the problem yet again.
“Karsenty was a Jewish businessman and the day after Enderlin’s notorious news broadcast ran, one of his employees asked him ‘Why did you kill that boy?’ In reaction Karsenty set up a website called Media Ratings. With the help of professors of media study, he developed an objective methodology for analyzing media coverage. He did not want to deal with the intifada exclusively so he covered a broad range of issues. It was quite a Herculean task.
“Then Chabot and Enderlin made a major mistake, perhaps out of overconfidence at having survived the incident with L’Express, perhaps out of an aggressive response to that momentary fright. They sued Karsenty for defamation. They already had three suits against the animators of websites who had carried material they considered defamatory. They chose carefully: not Stéphane Juffa who had produced the film, not Gerard Huber who had written a book on the subject, but people who happened to post material at their websites that France 2 didn’t like, non-experts France 2 wanted to intimidate, not argue with.
“By some kind of serendipity, France 2 and Enderlin’s defamation cases all came up over the course of 2005-2006. Karsenty was found guilty the first time around; Pierre Lurçat, the defendant in the second case, was found innocent on technical grounds for having posted material critical of Enderlin; Charles Gouz, the defendant in the third case, was found innocent on two and guilty on two counts for having posted articles by others that were critical of Enderlin; and Nicolas Ciarapica, a Christian blogger, was found guilty of anti-Semitism (!) because he posted an article by Juffa (a Jew) complaining about Jews like Enderlin.
“Initially, Enderlin’s strategy of suing Karsenty worked. Despite a strong presentation (I was one of the witnesses), and no response from France 2’s lawyers-neither Enderlin nor Chabot deigned to even show up-and despite the recommendation of the Procureur de la République in Karsenty’s favor, the lower court found Karsenty guilty of defamation on 19 October 2006. Karsenty’s lawyers had asked to have the rushes shown in the court, but France 2 refused to release them. The judge did not act on Karsenty’s demand.
“But Karsenty was of a different mettle than the others. Alone of those accused of defamation, he appealed the decision of the lower court. That’s where things began to unravel. Once again neither Enderlin nor Chabot showed up, and that may have annoyed the judge, who demanded that Enderlin show the court Abu Rahma’s rushes. In the appeals court, the judge said she wanted to see the rushes-a surprising decision that electrified those who had been following this story and had not seen them. When the court convened to view the rushes, it was packed. Luc Rosenzweig and I testified that we had seen the footage beforehand, and answered questions about how long it was.
“Enderlin brought in eighteen minutes of film material; he made cuts. I was stunned. People had warned me he might do this. And he did. I assumed that when the footage was over, I’d be able to say, ‘He cut scenes.’ The court took what I thought was a recess. I assumed we’d reconvene, and they’d question me at least on whether I had seen things not in this presentation. I was itching to tell the story of the most outrageous scene of faking that had made the cameraman laugh when he saw it with me for the first time. But court was adjourned, and I later found out that Karsenty and his lawyer decided not to push the issue. What would have got Enderlin charged with contempt of court in the U.S., and should have at least elicited a call for him to produce the rest of the tapes immediately, vanished from the conversation.
“Still, what the court did see seems to have troubled them. One scene has a fellow with-at most-a wrist injury being pulled in different directions by his Pallywood handlers to take him hurriedly to an ambulance. In the end they’re almost choking him. Another farce was that Abu Rahma was interviewing Palestinian radicals in front of the Israeli position, with their backs to it. This, at a time when the Israelis were supposedly killing people right and left.
“When the footage of the last twelve seconds appeared, there was an audible gasp in the court. Enderlin had already declared the child dead, but then Muhammad lifted his arm and looked around. Anyone who sees this scene cold recognizes that there is something wrong with the accompanying story. He’s not dead, he’s not even acting injured from a stomach wound. Yet Enderlin went ahead with his story and has maintained it over the years.
“At a later court session France 2 presented a video to explain the rushes. The main judge did not seem to be impressed with either Enderlin’s or Chabot’s explanations. In the lower court the impression had been that Karsenty was going to win, but the judges decided against him. So Karsenty waited very tensely for the judgment of the appeals court that was given on 21 May 2008.
“The court found Karsenty innocent and wrote a decision that included several fairly sharp rebukes of Enderlin for his unprofessional behavior. It found that, in view of the major international impact of the original story, Karsenty had had every right to express his doubts about the authenticity of France 2’s al-Dura report. I hope it will serve as a major statement about the right to criticize the media in the French Republic. It certainly sets a valuable precedent in the coming years, when a ban on ‘Islamophobia’ is likely to make any criticism of Muslims and their myths illegal.
“While this was a landmark judgment, the media in France and abroad hardly gave it any attention. Two Jewish journalists, Nidra Poller-for PajamasMedia and the Wall Street Journal-and Veronique Chemla-for Guysen News International-attended the court session. The process received some attention in France. Elsewhere in Europe there was hardly any mention of it. In the United States the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial on Enderlin and published an article by Poller. Not even Fox News covered the story.
Landes remarks: “This is a very embarrassing document. It reveals the real attitude of the French mainstream news media: solidarity, contempt for the public, from whom they keep secrets that those in the profession know well. ‘What? Me edit staged tapes to make the news? How dare you!’ The document belongs in the same category as Riccardo Cristiano’s letter to Arafat saying it wasn’t his crew that smuggled out footage of the Ramallah lynch and showed it to the Israelis. ‘We would never do such a thing. We always follow the rules of journalistic procedure when working in Palestine.’ The public had never heard of these rules.
“It was interesting to see the reactions that the Nouvel Observateur got when they published this statement of solidarity. Ninety percent of the comments were negative, condemning Jean Daniel, the editor and probably author of the text, and the rest for corporatism, for not addressing the evidence.
“At that point some key players who had long remained silent, spoke up. Elie Barnavi published an article in the French journal Marianne criticizing Enderlin. The French Jewish intellectual Alain Finkielkraut also came out in defense of Karsenty. Apparently, when their intellectual integrity is actually on the line, some French intellectuals will step up to the plate.
“Daniel responded by saying he was in favor of an investigation, but he didn’t seem to be in a hurry. CRIF, the umbrella organization of French Jewry, also called on President Nicolas Sarkozy to launch an investigation into the television broadcast of the alleged Israeli shooting of Muhammed al-Dura. For a while nothing happened, but now France 2 has agreed to a commission of inquiry that will be headed by Patrick Gaubert, the head of LICRA (Ligue contre le racisme et l’antisémitisme). If this commission is honest and fair, this could well be the way the case actually breaks into public awareness.
Landes comments that it is sad to observe the position of the Israeli government in all this. “The al-Dura affair has caused huge damage to Israel. And yet, from the start till now, the Israeli government has shown enormous reluctance to deal with the issue-indeed, they have often acted against those who did. I was invited to give a talk at a major academic institution about Pallywood-not even about al-Dura-and the chair, who was Jewish, called the local Israeli consulate. ‘Don’t let him speak,’ replied the official at the consulate, ‘Landes is a right-winger [sic] and wants to destroy negotiations [sic].’ This prompted an essay on my part about the role of confronting Pallywood in assuring positive results from negotiations.
“It may well have been at the outset that, since the whole world immediately accepted the Palestinian version and the Palestinians were in an uproar, Israel could not immediately react – after its initial apologies – by claiming it hadn’t killed al-Dura. Stating that in the last months of 2000 would have ruined any possibility of renewing negotiations with the Palestinians, i.e., Taba. Viewed retrospectively, it probably would have been a good idea not to try to negotiate by making still more concessions, including the ‘fact’ that Israel killed al-Dura. In any case, the Israeli government’s reaction was apparently that the al-Dura affair was a terrible issue and it should be ducked as much a possible. That was Barnavi’s first response when I spoke to him in 2003.
Landes summarizes the process, of which the al-Dura affair is the epitome: “The Palestinians stage an incident or, as in the Gaza Beach shelling, take advantage of an accident, so as to blame Israel. Then the media distribute the false Palestinian version. The world responds with outrage, and Israel is on the defensive. In this way Israel lost all the advantages it had gained from making sacrifices during the Oslo process, letting Arafat into the territories, giving up territories to Palestinian rule, giving them autonomy, letting Palestinians control their communications, providing weapons to their police force, and so on. All these major concessions have in retrospect only opened new vulnerabilities that Israel accepted for the sake of a peace that continues to elude it.
“Yet, even after Karsenty’s victory, the spokesman of the Israeli Foreign Ministry basically said in an interview that Karsenty should not have expected the Israeli government to come to his aid. Israel had not asked Karsenty to get involved in this and the court case was not related to Israel. The spokesman added that, if Israel got involved in these things, it would turn the entire media against Israel. From a public relations point of view, this would be very bad.
“Ultimately, such an attitude is similar to that of the Jew in Muslim lands as a dhimmi, a subjected, second-class citizen. Israel is afraid to criticize the mainstream media for fear of disproportionate retaliation. Similarly, the mainstream media do not dare criticize the Palestinians because they may retaliate against them. So we have a cycle of misinformation, well illustrated by the al-Dura affair, in which the Palestinians produce Pallywood, the mainstream media presents it as news, and the Israelis apologize and won’t fight back for fear that things will get worse. The big loser in this cycle is the public.
Amnon Lord, “Who Killed Muhammad Al-Dura? Blood Libel-Model 2000,” Jerusalem Letter/Viewpoints, 482, 15 July 2002.
Anat Cygielman, “Dubious Probe of the Al Dura Case Backfires,” www.pmwatch.org/pmw/manager/features/display_message.asp?mid=55.
See the ballistics expert’s report to the French court of appeals, www.m-r.fr/balistique.pdf.
James Fallows, “Who Shot Muhammad al-Dura?” www.theatlantic.com/doc/200306/fallows.
Richard Landes, “Printing and the 16th Century, Cyberspace and the 21st -Lessons from the Past, Thoughts on the Future,” http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp;jsessionid=84ae0c5f82408b96643ae4934010b5a39097e056790f?fileid=0000070504:000006276612&reqid=7.
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries an international community of scholars and intellectuals arose, independent of the university world dominated by clergy and parchment, centered around printing presses. It became known as the “city of letters” and it is in these circles that the Enlightenment emerged.
Ze’ev Chafets, Double Vision: How America’s Press Distorts Our View of the Middle East (New York: William Morrow, 1985).
Uri Dan, Blood Libel: The Inside Story of General Ariel Sharon’s History-Making Suit against Time Magazine (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987).
Raphael Israeli, Poison: Modern Manifestations of a Blood Libel (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2002).
This was the argument of France 2’s lawyers in court, of a documentary by the French TV channel Canal+ (http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/videos/index.php?id_video=3766), and of Larry Derfner at the Jerusalem Post (www.theaugeanstables.com/2008/05/29/mos-meets-al-durah-forgery-larry-derfner-weighs-in/).
Manfred Gerstenfeld, interview with Andrei S. Markovits, “European Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism: Similarities and Differences,” Post-Holocaust and Anti-Semitism, 16, 1 January 2004.
Nick Cohen, What’s Left (London: Fourth Estate, 2007) (www.amazon.com/Whats-Left-Nick-Cohen/dp/0007229690); Bernard-Henri Lévy, Left in Dark Times: A Stand against the New Barbarism, trans. Benjamin Moser (New York: Random House, 2008).
Tamar Liebes and Anat First, “Framing the Palestinian Israeli Conflict,” in Framing Terrorism: The News Media, the Government and the Public, ed. P. Norris, M. Kern, and M. Just (New York and London: Routledge, 2003), ch. 4.
Donna Rosenthal, Israelis (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008), 70.
For a link to the interview and translation of the transcript, see www.theaugeanstables.com/2007/09/18/background-on-the-rushes-interview-with-jeambar-and-leconte/.
For the best analysis of these events, see Nidra Poller, “Myth, Fact, and the al-Dura Affair,” Commentary, September 2005, www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/myth–fact–and-the-al-dura-affair-9935.
On Dieudonné, see www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/11/19/071119fa_fact_reiss; on his trial, see http://lesogres.org/article.php3?id_article=818; on Morin (who was initially found guilty but then exonerated), see http://www.ldh-toulon.net/spip.php%3farticle1389. On “alter-juifs” who judge themselves (or their fellow Jews) through the eyes of the hostile “other,” see the volume of Controverses dedicated to the topic, edited by Shmuel Trigano (www.lyber-eclat.net/lyber/controverses/sommaire4.html).
For all of these developments, see Menahem Macina’s complete list of articles at Debriefing.org: http://www.theaugeanstables.com/al-durah-affair-the-dossier/debriefingorg/.
The eighteen minutes is available at: http:///www.theaugeanstables.com/al-durah-affair-the-dossier/sign-the-petition/; my two video analyses, Pallywood Strikes Again and Pallywood Strikes Again2: France 2 vs. the Evidence are available at: http://www.seconddraft.org/movies.php.
Amos Harel, The Seventh War (Tel Aviv: Yediot Aharonot, 2005) [Hebrew); for translation of a key passage, see www.seconddraft.org/article.php?id=195&a_tit=seventh+war.
Prof. Richard Landes is a medievalist and teaches in the history department at Boston University. He specializes in the origins of European society around the turn of the first millennium. He obtained his BA from Harvard University and his PhD from Princeton University. He also studied at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris. Prof. Landes has published various books and edited several volumes, including an Encyclopedia of Millennialism and Millennial Movements (Routledge, 2000). He is currently completing a volume on millennialism: Heaven on Earth: The Varieties of the Millennial Experience (Cambridge University Press), whose last chapter will treat global jihad. He blogs at the The Augean Stables, and has made available to the public the dossiers of evidence concerning Pallywood and the al-Dura affair at The Second Draft. | 2019-04-23T05:06:54Z | http://jcpa.org/article/the-muhammad-al-dura-blood-libel-a-case-analysis/ |
The opening ends to the overhead view of where "A Minor Hiccup" ended: In the deserted alleyway with a graffiti-marked dumpster as Penny reveals her secret to Ruby.
Ruby: (Taking Penny's hands in her own.) Of course you are. You think just because you've got nuts and bolts instead of squishy guts makes you any less real than me?
Penny: I don't... um... (Leans in close to Ruby's face.) You're... taking this extraordinarily well.
Ruby: You're not like those things we saw back there. (Taps her chest.) You've got a heart, and a soul; I can feel it!
Penny: Ooohh... oh Ruby (Grabs Ruby into a hug and shakes her back and forth.) You're the best friend anyone could have!
Ruby: (Muffled groaning.) I can see why your father would want to protect such a delicate flower!
Penny: (Releases Ruby, fully back to her happy self.) Oh, he's very sweet! My father's the one that built me! I'm sure you would love him!
Ruby: Wow. (Giggles.) He built you all by himself?
Penny: Well, almost! He had some help from Mr. Ironwood.
Ruby: The General?! Wait... Is that why those soldiers were after you?
Penny: They like to protect me, too!
Ruby: (Scoffs) They don't think you can protect yourself?
Penny: They're not sure if I'm ready yet... One day, it will be my job to save the world, but I still have a lot left to learn. That's why my father let me come to the Vytal Festival. I want to see what it's like in the rest of the world, and test myself in the Tournament.
Ruby: Penny, what are you talking about? Save the world from what? We're in a time of peace!
Soldier 1: (Off-screen.) Check down here!
Ruby: (Struggles and screams as she is carried toward the dumpster.) Penny, wait! What are you doing? You don't have to go with them! I can help you!
Ruby lowers her head into the garbage as the lid is put down, but she lifts it a little to peek at the scene outside.
Soldier 1: (Off-screen.) There she is!
Soldier 1: Why were you running? And what happened to the other girl?
Soldier 1: You shouldn't cause such a scene.
Soldier 2: Are you okay?
Penny: (Shows off her "injured" palms.) Just a scratch.
Soldier 1: Penny, your father isn't going to be happy about this.
Soldier 2: Please, just come with us.
Penny and the soldiers are heard walking away as Ruby looks on in sadness... until a rat screeches from below her feet, causing the young Huntress to fall and close the lid on herself.
In the ruined parts of Vale, the sound of an engine gets closer and closer until Bumblebee pulls into the street and stops just short of the camera, showing Yang Xiao Long behind the handlebars in her matching helmet.
Yang: (Taking off the helmet, talking to someone off-screen as she gestures with her thumb to the music playing nearby.) Come on, my friend's right in here!
Yang gets off the bike to reveal Neptune sitting right behind her, hair and goggles messed up with a petrified expression of terror on his face.
Neptune: (Sounding dizzy) Cool... (Shakes his head, somehow perfectly fixing his appearance, and gets off the cycle, looking around worriedly.) And where exactly is... here?
Junior: (Walking out from the bar) What are you two idiots doing?!
The Henchmen shout incoherently until an explosion knocks them to the ground and forces the doors open, allowing a familiar face to walk in through the smoke as "I Burn" starts playing.
Yang continues to smile and pose as eight guns are pointed in her face with an equal number of angry Henchmen behind them. Though this doesn't faze her, she stops and glares at the recording studio where the track is messing up until the frightened bear-headed DJ takes the needle off the record and retreats back under the table.
Neptune: (Appearing behind Yang as the Henchmen continue hoisting their guns.) Yeah, so could you define "friend" for me?
Junior: Stop, stop! Nobody shoot. (Cuts his way through the crowd of goons, straightening his tie.) Blondie, you're here! ...Why?
Neptune: Whoa-ho-ho-ho, what a woman... (Breaks from his lovestruck staring to see the twins Melanie and Miltia Malachite standing beside him.) 'Sup?
Meanwhile, Blake's fingers trace three scratch marks on a wall before peeking around its corner and seeing a pair of horned Faunus as they are ushered into a building by a bearded man. She turns to Sun next to her.
Sun: You sure? (As Blake glares at him and starts moving towards the entrance while unfastening her bow) Y'know, I'm just gonna take your word for it.
The two walk inside the building to a hallway filled with cases, seeing another man announcing "New recruits, keep to the right!" at the young pair as they follow.
Sun: I don't get it. (Holds out the half-mask in his hand.) If you believe what you're doing is right, why hide who you are?
Blake: The masks are a symbol. Humanity wanted to make monsters out of us, so we chose to don the faces of monsters.
Sun: Grimm masks... That's kind of dark.
The new recruits to the White Fang are moving in a line to the side of the stage, a mere few dozen compared to the hundreds of white-vested, black-hooded soldiers to their left and up above in the balconies. Blake and Sun look around themselves when they stop, and a fully-masked man with tattoos standing starts speaking before the large sheet emblazoned with the bloody wolf and claw marks.
White Fang Lieutenant: Thank you all for coming. For those of you who are joining us for the first time tonight, allow me to introduce a very special comrade of ours! I can assure you, he is the key to obtaining what we have fought for for so long!
The dark pants and brown shoes step forward before the orange tip of the Melodic Cudgel taps on the stage. The camera pans up to reveal none other than Roman, smiling confidently even as the crowd starts protesting.
Roman: (Waving mockingly) Thank you, thank you! (As he speaks, Neopolitan walks out from behind the sheet.) Please, hold your applause!
Antler Faunus: (Pointing at Roman from her place right in front of Blake and Sun) What's a human doing here?!
Roman: I'm glad you asked, "Deerie"! Now, I'll be the first to admit, humans... are the worst. (Salutes as an example.) Case in point. So, I understand why you would like to see us all locked away, or, better yet, killed!
Sun: (Leaning over to Blake.) So, is he going somewhere with this?
Roman: But, before the claws come out, I'd like to mention the fact that you and I all have a common enemy: the ones in control, the people pulling the strings, the dirty, rotten humans that run our kingdoms! (As the crowd changes their tune and starts agreeing with him.) Government, military, even the schools: they're all to blame for your lot in life! (Lets the crowd cheer as the two heroes share a look.) And they're all pests that need to be dealt with! Fortunately, I'm the best exterminator around... No offense to any rodents in the room.
With a snap of the fingers, the curtain falls, and the whole mass of Faunus applaud at the sight of the Atlesian Paladin-290 behind it, the mark of the White Fang painted on its shoulder.
Blake: How did he get that?
Blake: (To Sun) We should get out of here.
White Fang Lieutenant: Will all new recruits, please come forward!
Sun: (As the line surges forward with the two having to follow) Welp!
Back at the Club, Junior puts down his glass as he sits behind the bar separating him from his interrogator.
Yang: How can you not know?
Junior: I haven't talked to him! I haven't even seen him since the night you first came in here. (Leans over to point in Yang's face.) He paid up front, I lent him my men, and none of them ever. Came. Back.
Neptune: (Rushing to Yang's side to raise a question of his own.) So where did they go?
Junior: (After a long pause) What kind of stupid question is that? They never came back! (To Yang) Who is this guy?
Yang: (Pushing Neptune out of the way with one hand.) Don't worry about him; worry about me (Neptune straightens and stands to attention) if I don't find out what I want!
Neptune: (Following with his hands in his pockets.) We get everything we need?
Yang: Well, we got everything we can. Hopefully the rest of the team is having better luck.
The White Fang is still cheering loudly as the recruits are marched to the stage, with Blake and Sun having no choice but to follow along.
Sun: (Whispering to Blake) What are we going to do?!
Blake: (Noticing the junction box on the wall.) He can't see in the dark.
With that, Blake unsheathes Gambol Shroud, transforms it into a pistol, and shoots at the box, making the lights go out for the whole building and turning the screen dark.
Roman: Don't let them get away!
Before the two student Huntsmen crash through the window and start running as fast as they can, the mechanized sound of running power signals the Altesian Paladin's activation, and it crashes through the wall of the building in pursuit of the runaways, who leap off of a car and manage to get on the roofs. The Paladin follows beside them on the street as Blake and Sun run, jump, and flip from rooftop to rooftop.
Sun: (Amidst twirls in the air) So you wouldn't happen to have... oh, I don't know... some form of backup?!
Weiss Schnee is seen leaving the Cross Continental Transmit tower's elevator when she grabs her own Scroll and listens to Blake's message.
Sun: (Scroll-call, in the background) HEEEELLLLP!
Weiss rolls her eyes and starts running out the door, a little smile on her face as she does so.
Ruby is still beside the dumpster (which is boarded up, possibly to keep the rat imprisoned), staring at her Scroll.
Sun: (Scroll-call) Big robot! And it's big! Really big!
Yang is back on the motorcycle in her helmet and sunglasses with Neptune looking at the Scroll in her hand over her shoulder.
Sun: (Scroll-call) That Torchwick guy is in it! But not, like, it didn't eat him; he's, like, controlling it or something!
Yang: Where are you guys?
Right on cue, behind them, Blake and Sun can be seen running through the street with the Paladin hot on their heels before they all disappear from view.
Sun: (In both person and on the Scroll) HURRYYYY!!!
Neptune: I think that was them.
Blake and Sun somehow make it to the highways, jumping down into the busy street and continuing their escape by hopping on cars while the Paladin follows them by pushing vehicles out of the way. Sun pauses to look at their pursuer's path of destruction and offer a quick "Whoa!" before leaping onto more cars, much to the anger of Roman inside the robot, his face surrounded by blue holographic screens.
Yang and Neptune are able to follow the mech suit on their ride, coming up next to it as it runs.
Yang: We've gotta slow it down!
Neptune reaches for his gun, but Roman notices the pair on his sensors and crashes into a multitude of cars with the Paladin's strong bulk, sending them flying towards his chasers.
Yang swerves, leaning her bike to the side in avoidance of flying debris while Neptune flails in a panic. Back on two wheels again, Neptune unslings his weapon, aims as sparks start flying, and fires several bolts of blue electricity at the Paladin, causing Roman to grimace from the force of the attacks.
Switching strategies, Neptune flips the gun and it grows a shaft and an energy blade at the end, then jumps from Yang's bike as the spear's head splits in three and drives it into the top of the Paladin. Sun and Blake pause in their car-hopping to look back.
Neptune is trying his best, but the mech keeps bucking and threatens to make him fall. Closing his eyes, Sun smashes his palms together, and from the golden Aura around him, his Semblance creates two glowing outlines that copy their creator, leaping off and going back over the tops of vehicles to collide into the Paladin's front. They explode into blinding light upon contact to let Sun leap forward with Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang held high, but Roman finally turns enough to send Neptune flying off and knocking into his leader, sending both of them off the highway.
Weiss: (Scroll-call) Blake! I'm in position!
She is seen twirling over a highway and landing in the middle of the road, holding Myrtenaster at the approaching Roman. He smiles as his robot charges the girl, but Weiss spins and plunges her blade into the ground, summoning a circle of ice across the pavement that causes the Paladin to slip and crash, actually flying over the young Huntress and falling off the ramp, landing further down before Ruby, already having her Crescent Rose out in scythe form.
The Paladin stands back up, and the rest of Team RWBY falls beside their leader to take up positions. Roman chuckles, moving the robot slowly towards the girls.
Ruby and Blake jump back out of the way as Weiss performs her same ice-circle trick, but backs out of Yang's way when she jumps into the air and hits the epicenter with her Ember Celica, creating a wave of mist that surrounds Roman. Immediately, the Paladin activates its laser sensors to make up for the lost sight, but it barely sees the afterimage of Blake and narrowly misses the dashing Yang. A gun manages to fire at the area between Blake and Yang, but out from the blast comes Ruby, who slashes the metal with her blade, causing it to falter.
Blake and Weiss go in this time, each girl going for the feet until Weiss jumps up and stabs a sensor before leaping off of a white glyph. Roman lifts the Paladin's foot to crush Blake, but Weiss summons another glyph under her teammate to launch her backwards before the crushing blow can land. Roman growls and fires off the missiles, but Weiss and Blake flip backwards as the explosions merely hit where they were.
Finally, Weiss jumps up too high, and Roman fires a double energy blast at her. Myrtenaster absorbs the damage, but Weiss is thrown back, so she casts a beam of light from her weapon to the ground under Blake, forming a yellow clockwork circle that's absorbed into the Faunus girl and lets her slice through each launched missile with ease in a flurry of super-fast slashes.
Ruby: (Running into the fray) Ladybug!
Ruby shoots herself forward and cuts at the robot's legs, then turns as Blake aims herself at the giant's feet as well. They both dash forward and attack at the same time, circling each other around the Paladin with each strike until they both launch themselves into the air and come down together on the shoulder, cutting off the left arm entirely.
Yang doesn't waste a second, jumping onto the Paladin's back and punching the top with fiery shotgun blasts. Roman is knocked around in the cabin, but seeing as he can't reach her with his remaining mechanical arm, he runs backwards through two columns and leaves her embedded in a third before backing away and turning towards her. Just as she is falling down, the remaining arm extends a closed fist, and when it punches her, she flies through the column and doesn't get up.
Ruby: Don't worry! With each hit she gets stronger, and she uses that energy to fight back! That's what makes her special.
Yang slowly gets back on her feet, hair burning a brilliant white as she clenches her fists. Sensing victory, Roman throws a punch, but Yang catches it in her own hand (despite the ground cracking beneath her) and, eyes red with rage, smashes her knuckles into the second arm, obliterating it under her force.
Blake throws her Gambol Shroud out for Yang to catch while flying, and the Faunus uses the momentum to swing the glowing girl around for a final hit to the robot. Roman, however, steps out of the way just in time to avoid complete destruction.
Ruby: We have to slow it down!
Weiss: And how do you propose we do that?
Twirling their weapons so they both point at Roman, Weiss creates a series of glyphs in front of the scythe's sniper barrel, and a single shot through the circles creates a dazzling spiral of energy that creates large icicles upon impact with the Paladin. Ruby continues to shoot as Weiss freezes the fire, and as the ice completely envelops the robot's body, Blake swings her partner around in a circle one more time, but with Roman unable to move, the Paladin is hit by the speed and power of Yang's fists, flying into the air before crashing down in a hundred pieces and a defeated criminal.
He looks up just in time to see Yang, still burning with her absorbed power, fire a single shot at the defenseless thief, but he's saved at the last instant when the two-toned girl seen before drops in front of him and merely opens her pink umbrella, deflecting the blast entirely. The new arrival hangs the weapon over her shoulder as Roman addresses the victors.
The pink-and-brown girl curtsies her enemies with a bow, but Yang will have none of it, charging forth with fists raised to strike the outlaws... only to break their image as if made out of a mirror and turn just in time to see them escape in a Bullhead. The rest of team RWBY runs up to Yang's side, now cooled down with the end of the fight.
Weiss: Yeah, I guess she really made our plans... fall apart!
Yang: (While Weiss smiles, Ruby giggles, and Blake starts walking away, she simply states) No. Just... no.
Weiss: (Getting mad.) What- But, you do it!
Weiss: Was this not it?
Weiss: (Walking with her teammates.) Well, at least I'm trying!
Ruby: Wait... Where are Sun and Neptune?
Sun and Neptune are sitting in the middle stools of the "A Simple Wok Noodle House" eating their plates of noodles with the Shopkeep behind the counter and their weapons leaning on the other two stools.
Neptune: They're probably fine, right?
His question answered, Neptune turns back to his noodles, and the two eat in silence until the screen cuts to black and the credits roll. | 2019-04-18T19:23:17Z | https://rwby.fandom.com/wiki/Painting_the_Town.../Transcript |
Regular attendance is essential. If a student is to make satisfactory progress and receive credit for his/her year’s work, parents must be sure that their children are absent only when absolutely necessary. Extensive absenteeism can result in a failing grade. It is the school policy that if a student is absent from school 10 days in a semester (a total of 20 for yearlong courses) that student’s grade will be dropped by 10 points (the equivalency of a full letter grade). After 10 days of absences, students will begin accumulating zeroes for all days missed beyond the previous 10 days. All absences will be counted equally. A parent’s note or phone call will not be considered as an excused reason for the student’s absence. It is very possible that for a number of reasons (e.g., tardiness, early dismissal), a student could violate the policy in one class (such as English) and not another (such as math), depending upon when the classes meet; or it is possible for a student to lose credit at the same time for all courses taken. Vacations taken during school time will count directly towards the number of days missed.
The following situations, however, are exempt from the total number of absences: Any illness IF the student was seen by a doctor and submits a doctor's note on the day of their return; doctor’s note from a dentist or doctor for a scheduled appointment if necessary when they arrive late or are excused early; religious holidays or other religious commitments such as a funeral; a unique circumstance approved by the administration.
Upon the day of your child’s return, it is the student’s responsibility to see his/her teachers to arrange make up work and to complete that work as soon as possible. However, once a student is in violation of this policy, they will not be permitted to make up any missed work unless a doctor's note is submitted.
Students with prolonged illness will arrange for the completion of make-up work in consultation with their guidance counselor and teachers. College visits for seniors and juniors should be planned for days when school is not in session such as: October PSAT Test Day, Faculty Professional Development Days, holidays and school vacations.
Ultimately, the administration will continue to reserve the right to review any case regarding this policy without prejudice due to extenuating circumstances that are brought to their attention.
Do not plan vacations during school time. However, in circumstances where time away from school cannot be avoided, there will be consideration given on an individual basis by the Vice Principal of Student Life and the Vice Principal of Academics. Any request for such consideration must be made in writing well in advance. Please Note: This request must be made in writing and given to the Vice Principal of Student Life, not to the teachers or Guidance Department. If this procedure is not followed, the days absent can be designated as unexcused absences and subject to academic penalties.
If a student is absent on any given day, he/she cannot attend or participate in any after school function that day without the expressed consent of the Principal. The student must attend at least two classes to be marked present. The Principal reserves the right to waive this regulation.
We do not recognize a student who reaches the age of 18 while attending Saint Raphael Academy to be legally responsible for himself/herself. The Academy will only recognize parent/guardians as the responsible agents for their child.
Letters will be sent home to inform parents when a student has accumulated 5 absences.
If a parent feels there is an urgent need for a student to be excused before the end of the school day, the student must bring a note to the Vice Principal of Student Life’s Office for approval prior to the start of school at 8:00 A.M. on the day of the dismissal. We reserve the right to deny this privilege if we deem the reason to be insufficient. Parents are advised to schedule appointments outside of the school day. A student will only be allowed 3 early dismissals a quarter unless there is an emergency.
If a student has been suspended or has excessive detentions and/or outstanding detentions.
If a student has a poor academic record.
If a student has a poor attendance record such as excessive tardiness or absenteeism.
*The Vice Principal of Student Life is the final arbiter in matters concerning the Senior Privilege for early dismissals. The senior privileges will go into effect when the Vice Principal of Student Life feels the senior class overall displays exemplary academic and behavioral expectations.
A student who arrives in school after 8:00 a.m. is late and must report directly to homeroom. If a student arrives after homeroom (8:10 or later), they must secure an admittance slip from the East or West Office before reporting to class. Excessive tardiness will result in disciplinary action. Arriving late to school is not an excuse not to use a crosswalk. Students are expected to cross Walcott Street at either crosswalk. Due to safety concerns, crossing the street in a non-marked zone is strictly prohibited. Any student found not to be using a crosswalk will be issued detention. Please note: In order for the student to be excused from his/her tardiness, we must receive either a note from a parent or a call from a parent stating why the student is tardy on the day of the tardiness. Notes/calls will not be accepted at a later date. Oversleeping is not considered as an excused tardy.
More than 12 Tardies = 1 Day In-School suspension and parent will be notified. If a student arrives after 8:30 a.m. without a note or without the office receiving a phone call for the tardiness, he/she will serve one office detention.
Tardiness will increase with every unexcused hour. In addition, Letters will be sent home informing parents when a student has reached 10 violations of our late to school policy.
If the violation continues the Vice Principal of Student Life will request a conference with the parents regarding the issue.
Under 5 minutes = teacher may issue a teacher detention to be served with the teacher. Students not reporting to teacher detention will receive 1 Office Detention and will still be required to serve the teacher’s detention.
Over 15 minutes is considered a Class Cut = 3 Office detentions If the violation continues the Vice Principal of Student Life will request a conference with the parents regarding the issue.
Students are expected to be at school on every scheduled school day. A student who is truant will be liable to a multi-day suspension and a grade of zero for all work missed. There are no “skip days” provided within the school calendar.
Excused absences must be reported to the school by telephone, email or a written note excusing your child’s absence within 24 hours. Any student who is absent from school without their parents’ permission will be subjected to an internal suspension or more.
Self-development, self-expression and self-discipline are major themes expressed in the Lasallian philosophy of education. The philosophy of discipline is, therefore, based on the same principles. It is realized that young men and women need direction in the process of self-growth and that errors along the way must be called to their attention.
Violations of the school’s rules or regulations are controlled by the Detention System. Any member of the faculty observing a student committing an act contrary to good order should take action. If a faculty member deems it serious enough to merit sanction, he/she should report the incident to the Vice Principal of Student Life. The Vice Principal of Student Life will award the sanction and see that it is carried out. A student whose behavior outside of the school jeopardizes the school’s good name may, at the discretion of the Administration, be asked to leave school, do home study, be barred from participation in school activities, or be subject to other disciplinary actions. The Vice Principal of Student Life will maintain records of offenses reported for each student. He will inform the parents of all serious offenses or an accumulation of minor offenses, and when necessary, he will request the parents to meet with him to discuss the student’s conduct.
Detention is a form of punishment used in schools, where a student is required to spend extra time in school. School detention takes place at the end of the school day. However, other times may be used such as before the school day starts, weekends, and breaks in the school day such as a study period. A detention is typically carried out in a room that offers no amenities for leisure so that students serving detention will have no outlet to distract them from their punishment. If the situation presents itself, students may perform some task to decrease detentions owed. Such tasks may take the form of housekeeping, moving educational supplies etc. SRA detention is usually considered to be one of the milder punishments available at the school. Multiple detentions may be given for more serious offenses, however, if detention fails to cure the student’s behavior, or for more severe behavior, harsher punishments such as suspension or expulsion may be used. In addition, if a student fails to report to detention on the date given, the student will receive an additional detention for failure to report.
5th Fifty detentions unserved = 3 days of external suspension/student will be brought before the discipline board for removal from school.
Students who have reached ten or more unserved detentions maybe be offered the opportunity to fulfill their detention obligations over the February and April school vacation if staffing is available. Students ending the school year with five or more detentions will be issued mandatory summer vacation detention following the conclusion of the school year. If the student chooses not to report to summer detention, then his/her detentions will carry over into the following school year. Any student who previously reached the ten-detention mark and/or a student who accumulated ten or more detentions will not be able to participate in a fall sport or participate in preseason workouts.
Students are required to attend a teacher’s detention first. If a student fails to complete a teacher’s detention, then an office detention will be issued for failing to report to the teacher’s detention. The student will be required to complete both the teacher’s detention and the office detention.
Students may be excused from detention for the following reasons; early dismissal, absence, schedule tutoring from the Vice Principal of Academics, or doctor’s appointments. Students must bring in a written note from a parent/guardian regarding the doctor’s appointment 24 hours prior to the detention date. It is suggested that students complete detention before a scheduled sporting event. Students may complete detention prior to the date issued, however, if a student does not show for a scheduled detention, an additional detention will be added to the original detention for failure to report. It is highly encouraged for all students who receive detention to serve their detention in a timely manner. If a student is absent from homeroom, they are responsible for checking in with their homeroom teacher for any detention slips. In addition, students can check the Plus Portal for any detentions on file.
In-school suspension (ISS) is the most utilized form for more serious offenses or for repeated minor violations. The Vice Principal of Student Life has the authority to suspend a student for disciplinary reasons. Suspensions may be for a specific number of days or they may be indefinite. In any case, the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) will be given notification when he/she is suspended.
In-School Suspension requires the student to report to school each day of the suspension but will not be allowed in his/her regular classes or participate in any school activities. There will be a designated area for these students in the Vice Principal of Student Life’s office. Students assigned to ISS should only receive 4/5ths, or 80% credit, on assignments that they have missed in class due to having to serve ISS.
Continued poor conduct or a single very serious offense may call for External Suspension or dismissal from school. After a suspension, a student may be placed on probation. This will be done only after consultation with the parents and the student. A student on probation will be ineligible for all extracurricular activities. Additionally, if a student receives an external suspension, then the student will only receive 4/5ths, or 80% credit, for work missed during this time period. He/she is subject to dismissal for any violation of school rules or regulations. A student who is dismissed from the school will not be allowed to attend any school activities.
Before a student is dismissed, the Vice Principal of Student Life will investigate the situation thoroughly and recommend to the Principal the dismissal of the student. The Principal will have a hearing with the student and his/her parents and make the final determination for dismissal.
Attending a school dance is a privilege. All student detentions must be completed in order to attend a school dance or prom. A concerted effort must be taken on the part of the student to fulfill detention obligations prior to the dance. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure any outstanding detentions are served and they are in good standing prior to the dance date.
Students are required to complete detention is a timely manner. If a student reaches ten unserved detentions and the student is a member of a club, a class officer, a student council officer, or on an athletic team, no participation will be allowed until all detentions have been served.
Students at Saint Raphael Academy are expected to dress appropriately at all times on campus before, during, and after school.
All students are expected to be in uniform while on campus between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with the exception of athletes engaged in after-school practice sessions. Those who do not have an assigned class during the last period of the day must remain in uniform while on campus.
Saint Raphael Academy students are expected to wear the uniform properly. This means that the uniform components fit the student appropriately.
Pants, sweatshirts, shirts and shorts may not be oversized to the point that, in the judgment of the administration, the clothes do not fit the student properly.
Only solid white, short-sleeved tee-shirts may be worn under polo shirts and oxfords. Other shirts of any nature should not be worn under or over the uniform.
Students should wear Polo and Oxford shirts that are tucked in at all times with the exception of a banded shirt for the girls which may be left untucked.
Untucked shirts: Students are required to have their shirts tucked in at all times. Students who violate this rule will receive a verbal warning for the 1st offense and 1 night of office detention for each offense thereafter. If a student is having a chronic problem following this rule the Vice Principal of Student Life will implement tougher consequences at his discretion or may issue an out of school suspension and notify the parents of a possible dismissal if the violation continues.
Skirts are to be worn not more than 2 inches above the knee with black opaque tights. If violated, the student will lose her right to wear a skirt.
Violation of any of the above guidelines will result in a student being asked to change into a uniform, borrow a belt or asked to call home and have a parent/guardian bring in appropriate attire and the student will be subject to receiving detention.
Pullover polo knit shirt in purple or white with SAINTS logo embroidered on the front and tucked in at all times.
Oxford-style shirts in white with long or short sleeves with the SAINTS logo embroidered on the pocket and tucked in at all times. Boys must wear a necktie of their choice at all times.
Docker style walking shorts in khaki with the SAINTS logo embroidered on the bottom.
Practical walking shoes and sneakers are acceptable.
Matching socks are required at all times.
Oxford style shirts in white with long or short sleeves with the SAINTS logo embroidered on the pocket and tucked in at all times.
Necktie of student’s choice must be worn at all times.
Docker style pants in khaki or black with the SAINTS logo embroidered on the lower edge of the front pocket.
Belt of student’s choice must be worn at all times.
Oxford style shirts in white with long or short sleeves with the SAINTS logo embroidered on the pocket. Only the top button may be left unbuttoned and the shirts must be tucked in at all times. Long-sleeve polo shirts with the Saints logo may also be worn.
Box pleated skirts in gray, which may not be worn more than two inches above the knee.
Belts must be worn with the pants.
Full black opaque tights are to be worn beneath the skirts at all times; socks are not to be worn over the black opaque tights. However, during the winter months, black leggings and black socks may be worn over the tights for warmth. This exception will only be granted from November 1st until April 1st of each school year (cool weather policy).
Students are allowed to borrow a belt, shirt, tie or pants only if they report to the East Office/Room 25 prior to homeroom. No consequence will be issued for being out of uniform if a student reports prior to 8:00 a.m. Students who borrow any article of clothing are required to return what he/she has borrowed on the following day. Students who fail to return the article of clothing will be issued a detention for each day that passes without returning it.
SAINTS sports teams hooded sweatshirts or SAINTS hooded sweatshirts in purple and gold or black.
Sagging pants – students must wear pants up to the waist.
In addition, students must adhere to the warm/cold weather uniform guidelines during a dress down. For example, students should not come to school on a dress down day after November 1 wearing shorts.
All are strictly prohibited, and a student may ask to change into a uniform, borrow a belt or asked to call home and have a parent/guardian bring in appropriate attire.
Saint Raphael Academy holds that different modes of dress are appropriate for different circumstances. Our young men are asked to wear a shirt and tie at school-related funerals, certain field trips and other occasions of a formal nature. Our young ladies are asked to wear appropriate skirts or dresses for such occasions.
Student who do not follow the dress code will conference with the Vice Principal of Student Life.
The Vice Principal of Student Life is the final arbitrator in matters concerning dress code. | 2019-04-18T18:32:20Z | https://www.saintrays.org/students/quick-links/ |
Alert Gazette readers will remember that I'm in the middle of a VIRP, namely digitizing a bunch of old vinyl record albums. I'm now going through my parents' collection, and I've turned up another couple of gems.
But first, some context. I'm a long-time fan of Glenn Miller's music. In fact, one of the first music CDs I purchased was In The Digital Mood, which contained a dozen of Miller's original arrangements played by what was in effect a cover band (the musicians are listed on the preceding link). I remember playing it for my dad and pointing out that, while the music was certainly crystal clear, the most amazing thing was the absolute silence between the tracks. I also remember that while he said nothing in response, his expression communicated the fact that I was clearly daft and possibly switched at birth at the hospital.
Anyway, I found a couple of Glenn Miller LPs in my parents' collection, and both of them featured original recordings by both Miller's orchestra and the Army Air Force (AAF) band he led during the latter part of World War II. One is a two-platter set with the unwieldy title of The Complete Glenn Miller - Vol III - 1939-1940; the other is The Authentic Sound of Glenn Miller - Yesterday.
The first album, released in the mid-70s, featured songs that were originally issued by RCA Victor's budget label Bluebird Records. According to the liner notes on the second album (the entirety of which are included below), Miller actually requested that his music be published by Bluebird instead of the flagship RCA Victor in order to avoid the competition of the likes of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Artie Shaw. The Bluebird records primarily contain songs that I'm not familiar with, but there are arrangements of standards like When You Wish Upon A Star (the first Disney song to win an Academy Award), Stardust, and Melancholy Baby.
On the other hand, The Authentic Sound album is pretty much a greatest hits collection, with the exception of Alice Blue Gown, a waltz that I'd never before heard. Miller was primarily known for his swing music, and waltzes were a rarity in his book, according to the album's liner notes.
And speaking of liner notes -- they are real focus of this post. They were written by George T. Simon, a close friend of Miller, his drummer in the band's early days and then later as a member of the AAF Band, and eventually a long-time editor of Metronome, a music magazine that ended in 1961 after eighty years of publication. After reading up a bit about Mr. Simon, I suspect that if there was anything he didn't know about jazz and swing during the Glenn Miller era (and for decades afterward), it probably wasn't worth learning.
Excuse the rambling...back to the subject at hand. The Authentic Sound album is a pleasure to listen to, especially knowing that it represents performances by the actual musicians that comprised the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Army Air Force Band. The skill of those musicians is evident even to a casual listener. If you can find a copy of the album, I recommend it...and not just for the music.
Simon's liner notes, following a quick history of Miller's early recording career, provide a descriptive blurb for each of the dozen songs on the album. Simon assumes a certain amount of musical knowledge on the part of the reader, and throws in details that only someone who was on the ground with Miller could have known. Glenn Miller's arrangements and his bands' skill made their music incredibly accessible, but Simon's liner notes somehow even improve that accessibility. For that reason -- and to preserve the historic record -- I'm reproducing those notes in their totality below. You may think that's a geeky thing to do and I won't argue it's not, but if you're a Glenn Miller fan, I believe you'll appreciate Mr. Simon's contribution.
By the way, even if you choose to skip most of the liner notes, at least jump to the bottom and read the one about Little Brown Jug, because I include a little surprise to go along with it.
This is the way the Glenn Miller band used to sound in its heyday. The tunes are a dozen of the most popular the band ever recorded and all these versions are the RCA Victor originals, most of which, of course, were first issued on the company's economy-priced Bluebird label. Seems Glenn wanted it that way when he first joined the company, because he figured he'd have less competition from Victor's already established star bands such as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, all close Miller friends, by the way. Toward the end, though, the Miller band became such a big attraction that everyone concerned considered it most ridiculous not to raise the band to the advanced-price label - ergo, Rhapsody in Blue and American Patrol appeared on Victor.
You may not hear any stereo sounds, nor modern jazz choruses either, on these recordings, for they were made in the period from April 1939, when the band was playing its first engagement at Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook, to July 1942, shortly before Glenn volunteered and was accepted by the U. S. Army Air Force. But you will hear a meticulously disciplined crew that had an over-all sound and definiteness that few outfits approach these days. For Glenn was a disciplinarian who would even drill each section individually for hours at a time, if necessary, and then eventually blend each of them into a cohesive whole. It was a band whose musicians worked with a zeal and a pride and a sense of purpose that are rather rare on today's scene.
All of these sides have been previously reissued on RCA Victor long-playing records, but they have been programmed this way especially as interesting contrast to the new recordings of the same arrangements made by today's Glenn Miller band under the direction of Ray McKinley on a companion disc.
American Patrol (April 2, 1942) was arranged by Jerry Gray and features another arranger, Billy May, on trumpet. The band had achieved an amazing precision by this time, quite apparent on this recording.
Rhapsody in Blue (July 16, 1942) was the band's final commercial recording. Bobby Hackett, who also played guitar in the band, is featured on trumpet, while Tex Beneke blows the very relaxed, wistful tenor sax.
In the Mood (July 1,1939) proved to be one of the band's really big hits. Originally this was a long work which composer Joe Garland had first given to Artie Shaw, but the latter couldn't cut it down to effective record-length size. This Glenn did. The two-bar tenor solos alternate between Beneke and Al Klink, a vastly under-rated saxist in those days, while Clyde Hurley plays a forceful trumpet solo.
Alice Blue Gown (March 31. 1940) was one of the few waltzes in the band's book. The very legitimate, Freddy Martin-like tenor was played by Beneke.
Song of the Volga Boatmen (January 17, 1941) got the following review in the March 1940 issue of Metronome : "The influence of Billy May becomes more apparent in the Miller band, record for record. It gets its best beat on Song of the Volga Boatmen an interesting arrangement on which the band really kicks. May plays some fine muted trumpet and Ernie Caceres gets off a helluva good alto passage. It'd be an interesting thing for somebody to explain exactly why this band's jazz started perking up when May joined it." I agree with the review. I should. I wrote it.
The Anvil Chorus (December 13, 1940) is a telescoped version of parts one and two that comprised the original Bluebird record. Soloists In order: Beneke's tenor, Hurley's trumpet, Chummy MacGreggor's piano fill-ins Moe Purtill's drums and recently-arrived Caceres' clarinet passage that shows the influence of Pee Wee Russell with whom he had been playing.
Moonlight Serenade (April 4, 1939) offers the perfect sample of the band's distinctive clarinet lead reed sound. It's beautifully played here, with a sectional blend that no Miller imitator has ever been able to match.
St. Louis Blues March (July 1943) is played by the Miller AAF Band. This particular version was recorded in RCA Victor's studios especially for V Discs. [Ed. "V Discs" were special recordings made for the benefit of U.S. military personnel.] The big band made a special trip down from New Haven for this session and used a larger brass and reed section than the civilian band employed. Ray McKinley was the leader of the drum section. The alto sax solo is by Hank Freeman.
Londonderry Air (February 5, 1940) was one of the band's early stage show features, with the reeds and brass sections set in dramatic pin spot lighting. Interesting sidelight: On the band's first stage show, the lighting man became confused and kept lighting the section that wasn't playing. Glenn still managed to get out his trombone solo, however. This number was originally recorded under the title of Danny Boy.
String of Pearls (November 3, 1941) features an alto sax chorus by Caceres and then two-bar alto sax exchanges between Caceres and Beneke in that order, followed by another challenge on tenors between Klink and Babe Russin, who recorded with the band for one date only. (Procedural verification by Klink, himself.) Beneke was also playing lead alto, returning to tenor when Skip Martin joined the band shortly thereafter. The pretty trumpet is blown by Bobby Hackett.
Tuxedo Junction (February 5, 1940) spots Hurley on the open jazz solo and Dale McMickle on the daintier, muted passage. There's a Moe Purtill drum solo in place of the bass passage heard on the McKinley version.
Little Brown Jug (April 10 1939) was, despite anything you may have seen and heard in the movie of Miller's life, the band's first Jazz hit. Bill Finegan, of later Sauter-Finegan fame, wrote the arrangement which features solos by Beneke and Hurley and a swinging passage by Glenn himself.
It's been almost eighteen months since we moved into our retirement home, and "we" still have about a dozen boxes in the garage that haven't been unpacked. And by "we" I mean MLB.
The boxes contain items that were in her parents' possession and are difficult to dispose of, for understandable sentimental reasons. Many of those items date back to when she and her sister were very young. The term "antique" doesn't quite apply, but "vintage" certainly does.
Decades before there was such a thing 529 college savings plans, this was apparently the way parents ensured that their children would be financially prepared. It's a piggy (storky?) bank shaped like a book. And this one had contents that made an intriguing jangling sound when shaken.
It was also a very secure.
My trusty Dremel tool made short work of the locked door hinge (after acquiring MLB's permission, of course), and it was with great anticipation that I pried the little door open. What would we find? Real silver dollars? Truly antique coins? Gold doubloons? The key to Jimmy Hoffa's coffin?
Unless that smooth stone is actually an uncut diamond and those safety pins were originally on Noah's ark, MLB's parents apparently weren't too serious about sending their kids to college.
I'll admit to being a little disappointing. But on the upside, any day where you get to use a Dremel tool to break into something is a good day.
How many Aggies does it take to change a light bulb?
Two. One to climb the ladder and one to dial 9-1-1.
OK, let's get something out of the way first. No one had to call 9-1-1, but rest assured that MLB had her dialing finger at the ready.
A bulb in one of the recessed lighting fixtures in our living room burned out over the weekend. No big deal, right? After all, it's only FOURTEEN FEET OFF THE FLOOR. Fortunately, I have one of those extendable light bulb unscrewer thingies and it easily reached and removed the floodlight. Well, it removed most of it.
You may have encountered this situation before. You start unscrewing a light bulb, feel a light snap, and the glass portion of the bulb comes out while the base remains firmly attached to the fixture. This can occur for any number of logical reasons. The bulb may have been screwed in too tightly, or some slight oxidation over time caused it to bond with the fixture, or the universe despises you and seeks every opportunity to demonstrate it.
Rather than attempt to extricate the frozen base immediately, I chose to take a couple of days to strategize. I did mention FOURTEEN FEET, right? Of all the phobias I don't have, acrophobia isn't one of them. I needed time to decide whether living in the dark was really such a bad option.
A couple of days later, I resigned myself to doing what needed to be done, and that didn't include selling the house and buying one with newer light bulbs and lower ceilings. I was fully prepared to bring in the extension ladder and clamber up there to remove the stuck bulb base and put in a new bulb.
But first...why not use the aforementioned light bulb unscrewer thingie's rubberized broken bulb socket remover attachment (it's genius, really; genius!). Granted, it hardly ever works, but when it does, it's magic. So I attached it to the pole -- it vaguely resembles an invasive medical apparatus -- and inserted it in the light fixture. Miraculously, the stuck base began to loosen until it was finally freed and ... came loose and laid trapped inside the fixture.
So, naturally, I began to attempt to fish the bulb base loose with the pole, because I couldn't install a new bulb until it was removed. I eventually succeeded in knocking it out of the fixture, where it fell to the floor, sending tiny shards of glass everywhere.
As I knocked the loose base of the bulb from the ceiling, the trim ring came down with it, exposing an ugly hole. I might as well have aimed a 12-gauge shotgun at the bulb and fixture.
After all of that effort, I was still going to have to get on the ladder to see if and how I could repair the fixture. I've replaced a recessed fixture baffle before and it's not a huge deal, unless you're FOURTEEN FEET OFF THE FLOOR. Also, I'd have to make the twenty mile round trip to Home Depot to get another baffle.
I put the ladder in place and asked MLB to brace it. I slowly and sweatily crept up the ladder and managed to unhook the baffle and remove it. As I inspected it, a happy realization began to dawn on my nervous mind: the trim ring had not broken off the baffle. It simply slipped over the top of the baffle, meaning that I wouldn't have to install a new one after all. Perhaps the universe didn't hate me after all; perhaps I was just unlikeable.
Installing a baffle is a (theoretically simple) matter of attaching two spring-loaded hooks into microscopically small slits in the side of the fixture, using only harsh vocabulary as a tool, and without the benefit of sight and while FOURTEEN FEET IN THE AIR. But I eventually succeeded, and the installation of a new bulb was an inconsequential afterthought.
I would feel much better about all of this if I didn't know that there are six other similarly-situated bulbs of the same approximate vintage, shining down malevolently at me.
Oh, and did I mention that two of them are SEVENTEEN FEET OFF THE FLOOR?!
One of my VIRPs (Very Important Retirement Projects) is digitizing my vinyl LPs. I don't have room in our media cabinet for a turntable and there's no point in storing albums that will never be listened to in their original format, so I'm converting them to AIFF files and importing them to iTunes. They still may not get listened to -- I made some questionable musical decisions back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s -- but at least they'll be accessible.
I've almost finished ripping my collection of about 150 records (I didn't deem all of them worth keeping, and some I had already downloaded in digital format, so the actual number is much less), and I've turned my attention to some albums that my parents owned.
My dad had a fairly extensive collection of classical music. I'm not sure why, as I don't recall that he listened to them very much. It could be that he joined one of those "record of the month" clubs and it took a while to get out of it. I confess that other than some Beethoven symphonies and some Mozart emo synthopop (I kid, I kid...but, who knows? maybe for his time, that's what it was), I'm not keeping any of them. Dvořák's music is boring to me, plus I hate having to copy his name from a Google search in order to get all the weird characters right.
My parents' record collection also included many old gospel albums, including Gospel Music's Top Ten for 1971 and an undated live concert recording by Cynthia Clawson at the First Baptist Church of Conroe, Texas (in which she managed to "Christianize" Paul McCartney's Let It Be). I'll digitize some of these albums and put them in my mom's iTunes collection next time I'm home.
They had a lot of other recordings which I'll charitably refer to as "unique," including one I really want to spotlight here. It's a special release ("PREMIUM RECORD PROMOTIONAL COPY ONLY!") by the Columbia Special Products division of Columbia Records, and it's entitled Famous Football Songs of the Southwest Conference.
You remember the Southwest Conference, right? It existed for 82 years, until 1996 when it morphed into the Big 12 Conference and out of the national span of attention. Insert favorite "SEC SEC SEC" chant here.
Thirteen different universities were members of the SWC at one time or another, although most of us who remember the conference remember the eight "core members": the universities of Arkansas, Baylor, Rice, Southern Methodist, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Christian, and Texas Tech.
The aforementioned record contains the school songs and the fight songs of each of the core eight, as played by each university band. Each band is given a paragraph of glowing praise on the album jacket (feel free to click on the small images above to see embiggened versions that you may or may not be able to read). If you're an alumnus of any of these institutions, you may find the descriptions interesting, either from what they do or don't mention (e.g. the Rice University Band is not described as the MOB, which stands for both "Marching Owl Band" and their gameday behavior on and off the field...or so I've been told), or for the dated information (e.g. the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band -- an outfit with which I have some personal familiarity -- now has more than 300 members).
The record is undated, but it must have been issued prior to 1972, because the University of Houston is not represented and that's the year it joined the SWC.
One last interesting tidbit. The record label carries this mention: "Specially prepared for Humble Oil & Refining Company and your neighborhood Enco dealer." I seem to recall that Enco was a broadcast sponsor for SWC football games; those of you with intact minds and memories should feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken.
So, enough of the chitchat. Here's what you've been waiting for. Here's an 8-second snippet of each university's fight song, brought to you in lovely Fire Ant Lo-Fi. If you can't pick out your alma mater's song, it's probably because your pretentious band director went for a fancy-schmancy cymbals-and-flourish intro longer than eight seconds.
Well, prospero año nuevo, y'all! If you're up and reading this before noon on the first day of 2019, you need to improve your social life.
Just kidding; your social life is exactly what it needs to be, especially if it includes reading the Gazette. Anyway, my cool cousin Pat, whose typewriter ribbon I'm not fit to change, has challenged me via Facebook to post something on New Year's Day. I think it's highly unfair of her to expect me to actually live up to my stated intention of blogging more regularly in 2019. After all, I said that literally days ago. So, Pat...this one's for you. Be careful what you wish for.
How about those crazy squirrels, huh?
We have a bunch of plants in pots on our back patio, and we're constantly sweeping up after the squirrels who tirelessly dig in them, either burying some treasure, or digging it up, or simply amusing themselves as they sit in the trees watching us sweep. Eh, that's life around a bunch of trees, which is a new experience for us former desert-dwellers.
So, we brought a few of those potted plants into the house when the weather turned cold, to protect the contents from freezing. We were surprised a couple of weeks later to see some unusual new occupants sprouting in one of the pots.
Our first impulse was to pull them up; the other occupant of the pot might not be happy sharing its little condo with strangers. But I got to thinking: what is a pecan tree after all but nature's way of making pecan pie?
Taking the long view of things, my plan is to transplant these pecan kidlings on the bank of the creek that runs behind our house, once the weather warms up, and then let things take their course. If my plan works -- and, really, it's as flawless as all my other ones -- I'll be enjoying a tasty pecan pie on New Year's Day 2025.
Well, assuming the squirrels don't get to the pie seeds first. | 2019-04-26T14:14:44Z | https://www.ericsiegmund.com/fireant/2019/01/ |
The 6th Annual Usability & User Experience conference took place at Bentley College on Wednesday, May 23, 2007.
Summary: Once again, everything is exciting. The advent of social networks, APIs, mashups, RSS, aggregators, and folksonomies promise a world where the information and services we’ve always wanted are delivered right to our browser.
However, delivering on the promise is easier said than done. Moving from a great concept to an exceptional user experience proves to be more of a challenge than many people thought. What works on a small scale is a very different story, when put into production.
As Spiderman’s Uncle Ben pointed out, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Just because we can do all these things doesn’t mean we should do them. In the early 1980’s, the cheap availability of laser printers and digital fonts produced a plethora of documents that more resembled ransom notes than professional publications. We could easily imagine designers going wild with the capabilities of this new technology and not using the restraint necessary to ensure they produce an optimal experience.
In this entertaining and informative presentation, Jared will show examples of the usability challenges we face as the web continues to change and evolve. He’ll discuss the implications of “The Long Tail”, the introduction of a mashup mentality in business environments, and how basic techniques, such as usability testing and field studies, change when social network is at the center of the design.
If youve ever seen Jared speak about usability, you know that hes probably the most effective, knowledgeable communicator on the subject today. What you probably dont know is that he has guided the research agenda and built User Interface Engineering into the largest research organization of its kind in the world. Hes been working in the field of usability and design since 1978, before the term “usability” was ever associated with computers.
Summary: Some user interfaces need to behave differently in response to different variables, such as the user’s permissions, product or license configurations, previous actions, and so forth. For example, MathWorks customers have different options for downloading and installing products based on their choices before and during the download / install process and a variety of business rules. As the number of variables increases, it can become difficult to validate a user interface for all the possible combinations. Simply listing the different combinations quickly becomes cumbersome.
The cards can be randomly selected to validate an arbitrary scenario, or the facilitator can select cards to set up a particular scenario of interest.
Using the cards engages and focuses walkthrough participants, making the walkthrough seem more like a game of chance and less predetermined.
Exploring new card combinations can reveal weaknesses in the design that need to be addressed.
Exhausting the complete set of cards through repeated walkthroughs of different scenarios exercises most of the possible paths through the interface, for more thorough validation.
My presentation will address how to create the cards, other materials needed for a walkthrough, how to facilitate, and how to document the scenarios and findings. This presentation is appropriate for usability professionals, analysts, and others who design multi-step processes driven by complex logic.
Bio: Kirsten Robinson is a senior usability specialist at The MathWorks, responsible for research, design, and evaluation for user interfaces for technical computing software. Before joining The MathWorks, she worked on requirements, information architecture, and design for software, web sites, and web applications. She holds a MS in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley College and a BA in Cognitive Science from Brown University.
Summary: This presentation briefly compares waterfall v. agile development. It states the importance of customer input throughout the development process. It discusses the challenges of gathering input in short, iterative cycles. It presents parallel tracks for development and design based on a case study by Lynne Miller at Alias (Autodesk). It outlines the way we’re implementing the method at Kronos in an agile world. Lastly it recommends several typical research methods and tools that lend themselves well to an agile environment with co-located teams (paper prototyping and interactive issues matrix) and remote teams (Live Meeting and Morae).
Bio: Ann Marie McCarthy is a Senior Interaction Designer at Kronos responsible for implementing a new look and feel across a suite of sixteen web applications for workforce management. Kronos is an agile development environment. Before joining Kronos, Ann Marie worked independently in visual and interaction design roles for software and web site development. Her clients have included Plimoth Plantation, Family Education Network, Bitstream and Oracle.
Participants will benefit most if they have a basic understanding of usability testing, formative studies, paper prototyping, and qualitative data. Mostly, they just need to know what all those words mean, they don’t need any experience in applying those terms.
This will not be an introduction to formative testing, paper prototyping or paper prototype testing or walkthroughs.
An extensible method that can be applied to other situations (e.g., dealing with brainstorming data).
Summary: The presentation summarizes findings from a new UK study of consumer decision-making in personal finance. While the scope of the subject may seem limited (retail financial products in the UK market) it raises important questions about more general shopping behaviours and the limitations of ‘single-site’ user research as a basis for corporate decision-making.
The Online Shopping Survey (OSS) for Finance is an ethnographic study which examines shopping behaviours and attitudes regarding the purchase of financial products including Mortgages, Loans, Credit Cards, Home and Motor Insurance in the UK. It is a unique view of how shoppers piece together the myriad information resources available online in order to arrive at a purchase decision.
The presentation will give a short summary of the research approach then explore four themes drawing on evidence from the study: Brand Visibility, Information Goals, Establishing Competence, and Channel Fluidity. The presentation will conclude by considering how knowledge from ethnographic market studies paint a much richer picture than can be drawn from mainstream user experience tools such as market research, site-tracking data, and user depth interviews. Despite their complexity and cost, market studies offer a very high return on investment to participating corporations.
Bio: Tom Wood is co-founder and Managing Partner of Foolproof, the UK’s third largest independent user experience consultancy. The company is in its fifth year, employing more than 30 people in two offices. Foolproof is proud of its commercial focus, promising clients measurable improvements to their online sales by helping them to understand and meet consumer needs and preferences. Tom is author of the OSS series of research reports one of the largest ethnographic studies of consumer behaviour in online retail environments. This has made him a familiar part of the UK usability scene and a regular speaker at conferences and UPA events.Before Foolproof, Tom ran advertising at Virgin Money, a UK retail financial services company. He pioneered usability in the Virgin group and has been planning, moderating and analysing qualitative research throughout his career. He has a business degree and holds a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Summary: Successful online community creation requires an understanding of both social and technical design challenges. Foundational principles for community come from sociology and anthropology and obviously predate the Internet. I’ll race through some academic background and I’ll illustrate current popular visualization techniques for online and offline community interaction, such as social network analysis (which also predates social networking sites). I’ll then explore some applications of online community from social networking sites to chat and discussion groups, and discuss some important design principles independent of technology. Finally, I’ll wrap up with handy principles for the IA or interaction designer faced with designing “community” in the web 2.0 world.
Bio: Lynn Cherny’s books Conversation and Community (1999) and Wired_Women (1996) were classic web 1.0 studies of online community that were used in many graduate classes, including the MIT Media Lab. Since her research days, she has been a designer and manager at Excite.com, TiVo, Adobe, Mathworks, and Autodesk. She is currently consulting and always happy to give talks and tutorials.
Summary: The intranet is a controlled environment, with a deliciously captive audience. Designing for it should be easy, right?
In theory, it may be. In practice, company politics, budget priorities, and other facts of life interfere with delivering the optimal user experience. What do you do?
In this experience report, we will use MITRE’s case to highlight the issues that affect organically-grown intranets, and discuss what makes intranet design different. In particular, we will examine UI consistency, and discuss the role of standards. We will reveal what has worked for us, and what has not in our efforts to improve the intranet.
Bios: Stan Drozdetski and Sarah Rambacher are interaction designers at MITRE, where they are working on improving the usability, accessibility, and effectiveness of the corporate intranet. Stan holds a M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction from the School of Information, University of Michigan, and a B.S. in Computer Science from Tufts University. Sarah earned her M.S. in Computer Science from Boston University, and a B.S. in Computer Science from Kent State University.
Summary: For certain military mission situations, aviators require ensembles, including gloves, with special protective properties, for example, flame-resistance, cold weather protection, protection against chemical-biological agents, or a combination of properties. More protection frequently impacts upon glove thickness or attributes that can compromise the tactility and dexterity needed to effectively operate an aircraft. An applied laboratory evaluation was conducted to determine if the level of tactility and dexterity demonstrated by two current military protective gloves (“baselines”) could be surpassed by the introduction of novel protective glove designs.
To generate novel concepts, a Government Request for Information was published requesting new aviation glove prototypes composed of one or more layers that would provide the same protective properties as the baselines while minimizing negative impact on tactility and dexterity. Stakeholders met to determine which submissions were worth testing and they formulated additional novel glove concepts by selectively combining component layers among baselines and new submissions. A new inner glove layer might, for example, be paired with a baseline outer glove layer to form a novel glove system. In total, 17 novel glove systems were identified as worthy of testing.
To assess tactility and dexterity, military aviators performed three objectively-scored tasks. They also self-rated their ability to manipulate cockpit controls on aircraft simulator panels and completed self-report surveys. An approach for integrating the objective and subjective data for each glove was applied. Results indicated that there were three novel glove concepts that were standouts in terms of tactility and dexterity performance compared to the other glove concepts – both baseline and novel.
To give attendees an experiential appreciation of the evaluation approach, Dr. Allan would like to conduct one or more audience volunteer “face-offs” (e.g., barehanded versus thin gloves, thin gloves versus thick or multi-layered gloves) on the timed tactility-dexterity tasks. After this demonstration, the methodological challenges encountered during this study will be described and audience ideas for future methodological improvements will be actively solicited.
Bio: Karla Eve Allan specializes in military human factors test and evaluation. After receiving her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, she conducted human factors evaluations of U.S. Army vehicles during field tests just prior to DoD purchasing decisions. Since 2004, she has been employed by the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Natick, MA. There she conducts human factors evaluations of early prototypes of items either worn or carried by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. Using military subjects, these evaluations assess a prototype in terms of ease of use, comfort, safety, survivability, ability to perform the mission, and compatibility with other gear with which the prototype will be worn. Problems are flagged and design changes recommended. Dr. Allan feels especially pleased when recommended design changes to the prototype are incorporated and – as a result – our fighting troops receive a better product to use.
Techniques for Understanding the User Experience: Usability is not Enough!
Summary: What techniques are available to understand the user experience on web sites, and especially on complex commercial web sites? How can we obtain a comprehensive understanding of the user experience when users differ from each other so dramatically? Traditional laboratory-based usability evaluations are certainly necessary, but far from sufficient.
Based on almost ten years of experience working on SuperPages.com (an online yellow pages and shopping resource), I’ll describe a comprehensive program for understanding the user experience. I’ll describe the different techniques we’ve used, their strengths and weaknesses, their costs in time and money, and present some interesting examples and anecdotes. I’ll argue that no single methodology or source of information is sufficient, and that for a comprehensive understanding of the user experience, information from multiple sources must be combined. I’ll explain why both qualitative and quantitative techniques are required, and suggest that for many products and services some custom techniques should also be developed.
I will discuss usability studies (with novice, experienced, and special populations), comparative studies, field studies, the analysis of direct user feedback (i.e., email sent to the site), basic log analysis, and the use of a panel of experts over many months (diary studies), and discuss the use of Personas and two extensions to the basic log analysis work: the use of discrete choice models to understand the factors that influence the selection of listings on a search results page, and the tracking of user behavior based on log data both within and across sessions.
Although the user experience research program I’ll describe was tailored for commercial business-to-consumer web sites, I’ll end by presenting the basic principles behind it, and by discussing how it can be modified for use in many other domains. As an example, I’ll briefly describe our current work on DSL and FiOS installation and on the use of broadband value-added services such as online backup and sharing.
Bio: Demetrios Karis led the SuperPages.com User Interface group at Verizon Labs for almost ten years. He is now part of a team working to understand and improve the Verizon broadband customer experience (from DSL or FiOS installation to the use of value-added services such as online backup and sharing). Before SuperPages, Demetrios worked on a variety of telecommunication products and services, including Airfone and a number of speech-based systems (including both IVR and ASR technologies). He also carried out applied research. Demetrios has a BA in Psychology from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Cornell University. After Cornell, he spent five years doing basic research in the Cognitive Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) before moving to industry, first at Grumman Aerospace, and then at GTE Labs, which became Verizon Labs after the merger of GTE and Bell Atlantic.
Summary: Building a User Experience team from the ground up is a great challenge within any organization. Often the traditional obstacles in the early stages involve justifying the team’s worth to executives and trying to educate product teams about the role of the team and how and why user experience adds value to the process. When first joining salesforce.com I expected to spend my first six to twelve months dealing with these very challenges, but it was a very different story.
Strategies to deal with the demand.
A focus on hiring. We recognized that we need to expand the team and find experienced talent that could hit the ground running.
We transitioned from chaos, to weekly feature team meetings to agile development. Making these transitions did not come without bumps in the road. Being successful meant we need to vocalize the needs of our team and make sure they were factored into new the process.
Moving from start-up mode to a mode with more process, without slowing the team down was a challenge. We recognized that there were some areas were we wanted to formalize our processes, but in other areas we decided to let each team member do what works best for them. For example, each designer creates prototypes in whatever medium is most comfortable for them.
We still struggle trying to find time for infrastructure related activities such as, documenting our processes.
We have decided that the team will remain as a centralized group, but we still struggle with the question of where should the team live within the organization? We have had a number of homes within different departments, but we are still searching for the right fit.
Bio: Catherine Courage is the Usability Program Manager at salesforce.com. She joined salesforce.com in 2004 as the founding member of the User Experience team. Today she manages a rapidly growing team of usability analysts, and is a key member of teams responsible for leading the rollout of agile development and for accessibility compliance. Prior to joining salesfore.com she worked at Oracle as a Principal Usability Engineer and manager of the Customer Design Partners Program. Catherine is the co-author of the book Understanding Your Users. She is an active member in the Human-Computer Interaction community and frequently attends and presents at conferences such as UPA, CHI and HCII. Catherine graduated from the University of Toronto with a Masters of Applied Sciences specializing in Human Factors.
Summary: Disaster is in the air! A stuffed cat dangles precipitously from a fake palm tree frond, a scant sixty seconds away from falling to the earth. A few feet away, unbeknownst to its hypothetical passengers, a cardboard train is about to encounter an enormous boulder lying in its path. Who could avert one, let alone both, of these impending catastrophes?
Come see for yourself, how SuperUser participants at the 2006 World Usability Day rose to the challenge. Or, better yet, create and test out your own SuperUser powers.
Bio: After being inspired by the vision of Chris Hass, Mary Weinstein conspired with UI Designers on her team, Chris Gibbons and Juan Gomez, to bring SuperUser to life for World Usability Day 2006 at the Boston Museum of Science.
Mary developed and currently leads the user experience team and is responsible for consumer websites at MetLife Auto & Home in Warwick, RI. For more than 10 years, she has managed web design and development efforts for major clients and companies, including Dell, GM, Minolta, and IBM, among others.
Summary: Web 2.0 has created a completely new environment for both technology implementers and marketers – an environment with new rules and challenges, as well as tremendous possibilities. Online marketers are faced with creating user-friendly applications in a new digital world, while meeting consumers’ increased demands for greater interactivity and control. To accomplish this and maximize the rewards, companies must understand the critical importance of the entire user experience (UX), as well as the audiences they serve. Consequently, user-centered design techniques are being adapted to embrace new technologies, and online marketers are challenged with delivering a rich, immersive brand experiences online.
During this presentation, you will hear from two experts who will share their insights into the ways in which companies are developing, delivering, and evaluating creative online experiences.
First, Beth will discuss the continuing convergence of marketing and usability toward a more holistic user experience model. Using case studies, she will illustrate how companies are leveraging UX in brand strategy, through multi-channel marketing and interactive experiences such as brand micro-sites. She will discuss the need to adapt traditional research techniques to address the unique nature of these digital experiences, and share tips for how you can do so in your organization.
At the same time, rich internet applications (RIAs) are playing an enormous role in the new digital world by offering users a more interactive, application-like functionality. Gessica will demonstrate how organizations are leveraging the benefits RIAs to increase customer satisfaction and ROI. In addition, she’ll share tips on usability testing for RIA applications and creative ideas on how to integrate them into your site’s design.
Beth Loring has 20 years of experience consulting on product design and usability, with expertise in the areas of user needs assessment, user interface design, usability evaluation methods, and ergonomics. She has both designed and evaluated consumer products, web sites, software applications, and medical devices. Beth also been a faculty member in Bentley’s Information Design certificate program since 2001. Before joining Bentley, Beth was a Principal Research Scientist at the American Institutes for Research, and before that she spent five years as the human factors team leader at IDEO Product Development in Boston. Beth holds an M.S. in Engineering Design from Tufts University and is a Certified Human Factors Professional. She has published extensively on usability and is co-author of a case study in “Understanding Your Users: A Practical Guide to User Requirements” (Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2005). Beth is past chair of both the New England Chapter of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the Greater Boston SIGCHI.
For nearly a decade, Gessica has developed and contributed her expertise in user experience strategy, information architecture and user information design. Within these fields, she specializes in the niche areas of interaction design for consumer and B2B web sites and web-based applications; in particular she yields a deep knowledge of rich internet applications and guided selling as it relates to the customer experience and the user dialog. She has provided this unique insight to countless projects for renowned brand name companies in the retail, healthcare, and financial services industries. During her tenure with Molecular, Gessica has led many high-profile Web projects and contributed her expertise to many prominent companies including PerkinElmer, Fidelity, Boston.com and Polymedica.
Prototyping Tools: Does Fidelity Really Matter?
Summary: Our field has established a conceptual model of prototyping techniques as described by high and low fidelity prototyping. A common assumption is low fidelity prototypes should be used early in the process and that high fidelity should be used later. In this discussion we will introduce the “it depends” factor and explore the various approaches to prototyping and the factors that go into determining the best tools and approach to use. We will also focus on common software based solutions and explore their utility in addressing the various real world scenarios.
Michael Ledoux has spent the last twenty years in software development as a programmer, an information architect and as a usability engineer. Over the years he has worked for IBM, BMC Software and Varian Semiconductor. Michael is currently the senior user experience designer for Nexus Energy Software. He will soon be graduating with his MS in Human Factors and Information Design from Bentley College and holds a B.S. from Northeastern University. Michael is an active member in the Boston UPA chapter; this will be his 3rd Boston UPA presentation.
Adam Hoffman is a user experience designer at Bank of America, responsible for the user interface and workflow of online corporate banking applications. In previous roles, Adam represented users and elevated usability while managing the design and development of rich media, interactive websites and e-learning products. He has experience in a variety of industries including banking, healthcare, electronics engineering and information technology. Adam holds an M.S. in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley College and a B.S. in Studio Art from New York University.
Summary: Complex software applications are collections of tools and subtasks integrated into work sequences with varying degrees of success. The effectiveness of IntelliJ, PhotoShop, or MS Word is less than the sum of their parts due to problems arising from the need for user focus to shift between tools, and the difficulties in ensuring that tools work well together.
Usability techniques concentrate on one-task tools which solve steps in a linear workflow. Tests of complex software proceed tool by tool despite the fact that users apply the tools in different ways, with different frequency, in a different sequence, at different times. Treating components as isolated tools is seductive because there are always plenty of usability problems to be found.
The key to multi-tool usability is in the transitions to the right tool at the right time, every time, ensuring steady focus on the work, not the tools themselves. By comparing salient points of more successful and less successful workflows and tool usage we expect to demonstrate 1) how to help users make better transitions and transition decisions, and 2) to facilitate the transfer of critical information between tools, making the design of more productive and creative sets of integrated software elements.
This session will offer example problem transitions drawn from help and documentation tools and will identify new research topics and tools. It offers practitioners techniques for examining the usability and productivity implications of choosing and switching between tools in a complex software environments. Researchers will benefit from techniques for creating and administering open-ended tasks and a data-capture protocol.
Bio: Will Schroeder has spent seventeen years designing and testing hardware and embedded software at Foster-Miller, Inc. Twelve years as Principal at User Interface Engineering – usability consulting and research on hardware, software, and the web. Principal Usability Specialist – The MathWorks – since 2005.
Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) Techniques. EDA is a branch of statistics pioneered by Statistician John Tukey. EDA is a technique for examining data and generating (not confirming!) hypotheses about the causes of a particular phenomenon. The key tools in EDA are simple representations that include: Box-and-whisker plots, Stem-and-leaf plots, Pareto charts (a staple of quality engineering and summative usability engineering), Bubble charts – a way for displaying 4 variables simultaneously, and Radar plots.
Techniques for prioritizing data. How do we prioritize problems from usability testing or brainstorming data. We’ll examine techniques like threshold voting, Q-sorting, decision matrices, and other approaches for prioritizing data.
Qualitative Data Analysis. Many usability studies and surveys yield large amounts of qualitative data. Usability practitioners are often familiar with affinity diagramming as a way to organize data, but there are other techniques for getting deeper into the qualitative data. We will look at techniques like data coding, event listing, content analysis, triangulation, and matrix analysis.
Bio: Chauncey Wilson is a Principal Consultant for WilDesign Consulting and instructor at Bentley College with more than 25 years in the field. Chauncey has presented at CHI, UPA, HFES, and STC conferences and has co-authored chapters in the 1997 Handbook of HCI, and Cost-Justifying Usability, Second Edition: An Update for the Internet Age, Second Edition. He is currently working on a Handbook of User-Centered Design Methods and authors a bi-monthly column, The Well-Tempered Practitioner, for the ACM SIGCHI Interactions journal.
This session will provide attendees with updates and analysis about the field of persuasive technology in summary form. It represents a new style of MiniUPA session: a State-of-the-Industry Update.
Bio: Carolyn Snyder is an independent usability consultant. For the first decade of her career, she worked as a software engineer and project manager. In 1993, she joined User Interface Engineering, where she worked with UIE founder Jared Spool for the next six years. She started her own business, Snyder Consulting, in 1999. Carolyn has conducted hundreds of usability tests on dozens of interfaces over the past fourteen years and has become the world’s leading authority on paper prototyping. Her book Paper Prototyping was published in 2003, and Carolyn is co-author of two other books on web site usability. Carolyn holds a BS in computer science from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Summary: The goal of the session is to discuss trends, observations and best practices for innovation. How can an organization facilitate the type of user experience innovation that will positively effect the business? How can an individual contribute to create a climate for innovation where perhaps they have very little control in the overall process?
This highly interactive discussion will begin by defining “innovation” in the context of current technology trends and weigh it against other factors such as consistency, creativity, and profitability. Then we will discuss techniques and challenges associated with fostering innovation, the feasibility of “innovation on demand” and the defining characteristics of collaborations that result in innovation. The discussion will lead to a group analysis of factors that support innovation, and the politics associated with enabling and institutionalizing innovation.
Bio: Amy Cueva is co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer at Mad*Pow, an interaction design firm based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She has extensive experience in user experience design, interface design, information architecture and usability. As the designer of Mad*Pow’s user centered design methodology, she has facilitated the business intelligence, research, analysis and strategy to create award winning user experiences for various clients including Monster.com, Starwood Hotels, Fidelity Investments, Aetna and Timberland.
Experience Design—what can we learn from games design?
Summary: While most of our experience design focuses on web applications, graphical user interfaces and web sites, there is a whole other world creating highly engaging interactive experiences: the world of games. This presentation explores the way games are designed to deliver engaging experiences, looking primarily at user interface details such as: how are errors presented and dealt with, certainly not pop-up dialog boxes. How does the user interact with the game? Not always through a cursor floating across the screen. How is navigation and orientation handled? There are no global nav bars.
If time allows, the presentation may also touch upon the process of game design, exploring user research, how is storytelling applied and is user evaluation the same or different?
Popular games, both multi- and single- player games, will be used as examples. This talk will also draw upon some of the underlying principles of Csikszentmihalyi’s concept Flow as a way to focus the discussion.
Bio: Sarah Bloomer has been creating user interface designs for nearly 20 years. She cofounded The Hiser Group in 1991, an interaction design company based in Australia. With Hiser, she helped establish the field of user-centered design, built GUIs across multiple platforms, and designed web applications and websites for corporations and government. After 4 years as a senior interaction designer for The MathWorks, Sarah set up Sarah Bloomer & Co to focus on design research and design facilitation. Sarah has delivered papers, tutorials and workshops at HCI conferences in Australia and the USA. Sarah worked with games designers while a masters supervisor at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in the Animation and Interactive Media Program.
Summary: How do you produce a usable design from a 500 page software requirements document? How do you stay ahead of technical advances and balance technical constraints? Rich internet applications (RIAs) have changed the way designers produce design specifications. Agile development method usually means quick iterations with no time for traditional lab testing. What if you could create an iterative living document that captured requirements through participatory design sessions? What if you could capture subjective emotional responses by evaluating user reactions remotely? WireTags may be a methodology to help drive design direction throughout the design life cycle.
WireTags for Rich Internet Applications enable you to: build communication between teams by creating click-through wireframes; facilitate the transition of a living document between requirements gathering, design, and testing; and document subjective reactions to comparative designs, thus providing tangible “show & tell” results to stakeholders. This presentation will cover WireTag design: how to create a component library and WireTag evolution: showing how “free play,” “reaction tagging,” and “show and tell” activities enhance designs.
Rachael completed her undergraduate degree in computer science at Boston University and undertook graduate level coursework in HCI at Tufts. She has since championed user-centered design processes at various software development companies. Rachael’s area of specialization is in the use of hi-fidelity wireframes, and developing UI components using style-sheets. During her ten year career, she has worked in various environments including multimedia e-learning, the insurance and energy industries, portal and e-commerce software development, and finance. Rachael is currently a Usability Specialist at Fidelity Investments.
Jacqueline is a Bentley HFID alumna and has been working as a user experience consultant for four years. She has worked with Microsoft, Staples, HRBlock, Fidelity Investments, and Wipro. Jacqueline has worked in all phases of development, including Ethnography, Requirements Definition, Information Architecture, Interface Design, and Usability Testing. Prior to joining the usability community, Jacqueline worked in film and technology as a producer, project manager, writer, and designer.
What Makes User Interfaces Intuitive and Innovative?
Summary: Do clients ever ask you, the interaction designer, to come up with an intuitive yet innovative design? If so, what exactly does that mean? In this presentation, the presenters and the audience will explore what makes a design “intuitive”, and how that seemingly contradicts innovation. We’ll also talk about what we can really rely on as designers to create these in-demand interfaces: things like Gestalt laws and physiological perception. Sound dull? Naaaa. We’ll quickly introduce the textbook definitions, move right along to some fun examples, and then discuss some best practices that designers can leverage. Have some intuitive designs to share? Bring them along!
Jen Hocko – While still at the University of Hartford working towards a B.S. in Computer Science and Professional &Technical Writing, Jen started her career as a Web designer / developer and worked at a few small to medium sized design firms. (This is back when banks had static pages and tables were popular for page layout!) Jen left the Web scene after a few years to become a technical writer for companies like Pfizer Central Research and BEA Systems. A few years after that, she decided that it was probably easier to fix the UIs instead of trying to explain them to death. As a result, she got her M.S. in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley College and basically came full circle. Jen is currently a Senior Usability Specialist working on improving web-based business applications at The MathWorks, and in her spare time she enjoys exploring the theoretical underpinnings of what we practitioners do.
Jen McGinn – Jen McGinn is a User Experience Engineer in the Software Experience Design (xDesign) group at Sun Microsystems, in Burlington, MA. She has written branded interaction guidelines for installation, developed personas for Sun Learning Services, and simplified the user experience with the Java Enterprise System. Jen has worked for Sun for over 11 years in user experience, technical training, and technical writing. Before joining Sun, Jen led other lives as a software developer and system administration consultant. She holds a BS in Information Systems from UMBC and an MS in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley.
Multiple Evaluations, Varied Findings: Good News or Bad News?
Summary: Nielson has claimed that using multiple evaluations of different kinds will reveal more usability issues than using one evaluation method alone. Most practitioners in the area of usability would accept this point. However, we rarely have the opportunity to demonstrate the reality of the statement. This presentation will discuss a pair of recent studies, conducted on the same product within weeks of each other, will highlight the difference in findings and discusses the pros and cons of conducting multiple tests.
Presented as a case study, the session will include a detailed discussion of the two techniques used, one being an independent in-home study and one being a more formal usability test and why the session types were chosen.
Special focus will be placed on the test results. The presentation will cover specific findings from both of the tests, including common issues and unique findings. The potential causes for these variations will be examined and the significance discussed.
The session will end with a discussion on the advisedness of conducting multiple types of assessment and conditions under which the two techniques discussed in this session might be used.
Cay Lodine has spent the last 13 years advocating for the user in the fields of software and internet product development. Her primary work has been in usability and interaction design for consumer products. Experienced in a wide variety of techniques for collecting and analyzing user input, Cay has provided user insight into the development process for projects ranging from installed software, media products and internet applications.
Summary: As usability professionals, we have a harder time explaining what we do than, let’s say, accountants. Our best attempts at explaining usability often meet with responses such as “You make things user friendly? They pay you for that?” and “Human Factors? Do you mean Human Resources?” We all have a responsibility to evangelize usability in the workplace as well as in our daily lives. How do we explain what we do in a way that is easily understood by people outside the industry, without trivializing the value of what we do (or our value for that matter)?
If you cringe every time somebody asks you what you do for a living, come to find out how usability luminaries, and…well…how we can address this thorny issue. We will share tips from seasoned user experience professionals on explaining the job we do – along with some video clips of them in action. We will also share our own perspectives on the key aspects of effective explanations of usability. You will come away with the skill to deliver the ideal usability pitch in any situation, whether it be a job interview or a cocktail party.
Debbie Cook is a member of Bentley’s MS+MBA program, pursuing a Master of Science in Human Factors in Information Design in addition to an MBA. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The College of New Jersey and worked for over ten years at Bloomberg Financial Markets before returning to school to earn her master’s degree at McCallum Graduate School.
Eva Kaniasty is working toward the MS in Human Factors in Information Design degree at Bentley College, and works at the Bentley Design and Usability Center. She holds a BA from Boston University in Psychology and a Certificate in Client-Server Programming and Web Development from Clark University. Her past work experience includes web design and programming in the non-profit, healthcare, and corporate sectors.
Andrew Wirtanen is a usability specialist and web developer working at the Bentley Design and Usability Center and at The MathWorks. He holds an MS and BS in Information Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and is working toward the MS in Human Factors in Information Design at Bentley College.
Summary: Blog software creates an extremely easy way to rapidly publish content to the web. These platforms allow authors to easily create text, images and video, categorize that content around multiple facets, syndicate that content and allow users to respond and interact. However, most blogs interfaces tend to be too raw and free-form for traditional corporate marketing goals. We will approach these ideas from a theoretical standpoint, but also rely heavily on some case studies and examples of best practices. We will focus particularly on the recently-launched Ford Global Auto Show site.
Bio: Jason has spent the past eight years creating online experiences that focus on users while fulfilling client needs. By understanding business drivers and measures of success on the one hand, and motivators and usability patterns of target personas and segmentation on the other, he is able to envision new modes of interactivity. The results are innovative solutions with improved interfaces that generate measurable ROI.
Among other clients and companies, he has worked for Fidelity and Staples as an Information Architect at TVisions; the Lincoln Center and Akamai as a Principal Experience Designer at ZEFER; Royal Caribbean as Lead Information Architect at Arnold. Jason is currently working with Ford, TimeWarner and Boston Scientific as a User Experience Lead at Avenue a | Razorfish. Jason holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Bates College. He does not like saying Web 2.0, paradigm, or low-hanging fruit.
Summary: Stories provide a way to understand the world around us. Useful data can be extracted from people’s stories that can lay the groundwork for user product requirements. The presentation is for usability professionals, designers, researchers and product developers, and anyone how can benefit from gaining better understanding of other people through their stories.
People tell and listen to stories for many reasons, but the most common reason is to make a connections, to bring people out of their own world, to share feelings and ideas and to understand something. When we look as stories people tell about their leisure time, their struggles and fears, we can understand what their problems are and then, how we can design or develop technology products and services that truly meet the needs of their users. These stories, when examined carefully, can provide data which can translate into customer needs and issues.
People navigate through their world by using knowledge that is commonly held, such as when you drop something it falls, water feels wet, etc. This type of information is informing a new area of study in artificial intelligence called “Commonsense knowledge” and is opening up new ways to provide computers with information about people and the world. Commonsense knowledge can be derived from stories and be used to develop a system that learns from stories that people tell. This talk includes some of my previous work on Customer Scenarios and Commonsense Knowledge, but builds on it by adding information about storytelling and how that can produce customer requirements. I will also provide a template for the storytelling process and creation of the requirements.
Bio: Elizabeth Rosenzweig is Principal Consultant at Bubble Mountain Consulting company where she conducts user centered research, design and development of software and technology products and services.. Previously, she was a Principal Research Scientist at Eastman Kodak Company for 14 years where she built the Boston Usability Lab. Elizabeth holds a MS from the MIT Media Lab and has over 20 years experience in user centered design, technology transfer and team collaboration techniques. She holds 4 patents for unique and intelligent user interface designs. Elizabeth is Founder and Director of World Usability Day. She frequently publishes in industry journals and presents at conferences around the world.
Summary: In this talk, I will describe a new way to perform heuristic evaluations, which allows multiple evaluators to easily compare and combine the results of their reviews. This method was developed to provide a single, reliable, result to the client, but it also allowed us to easily negotiate differences in our findings, and to prioritize usability problems identified by the evaluation. An unexpected side effect is that, by using this evaluation method, the practitioner can measure and predict the effect of usability improvements.
Bio: Jen McGinn is a User Experience Engineer in the Software Experience Design (xDesign) group at Sun Microsystems, in Burlington, MA. She has written branded interaction guidelines for installation, developed personas for Sun Learning Services, and simplified the user experience with the Java Enterprise System. Jen has worked for Sun for over 11 years in user experience, technical training, and technical writing. Before joining Sun, Jen led other lives as a software developer and system administration consultant. She holds a BS in Information Systems from UMBC and an MS in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley.
How do you get buy-in from developers/PLs?
How big are your typical project(s)?
Any politics working for/against you?
What was your first project? First Success?
Bryn Dews is the Team Lead for the User-Centered Design group inside MITRE’s IT division. Starting in 2000, she was the proponent for bringing Human Factors engineers inside IT to be part of development teams. She was rewarded with a team of four Human Factors engineers in May 2003 and the team has grown in both size and accomplishments ever since.
Manya Kapikian is a Research Associate in the Design and Usability Center. She graduated from Simmons College in 2001 with a MS degree in Library and Information Science. She has work experience in academic, non-profit and corporate sectors. Currently, Manya also works on enterprise search at Raytheon Company. Manya also holds a BA from Northeastern University and is currently pursing an MS in Human Factors in Information Design at Bentley College.
Joshua Ledwell is User Interface Product Manager at Salary.com. An interactive professional with ten years of experience, he has applied design and usability expertise at consumer, small business, and enterprise businesses. He is currently enrolled in the Bentley College Human Factors in Information Design masters program. Visit his blog “Compete on Usability” at http://joshualedwell.typepad.com/.
Summary: User Experience design is understood to refer to the design of interactive software, yet we have experiences with all manner of things in our lives: products, stores, processes, forms and entertainment. This panel will bring together practitioners who can debate how user centered design techniques are applied across industries. What can we learn from each other?
Panelists will include UX experts from fields including industrial design, store design, process design and, of course, software design.
Sarah Bloomer has been creating user interface designs for nearly 20 years. She cofounded The Hiser Group in 1991, an interaction design company based in Australia. With Hiser, she helped establish the field of user-centered design, built GUIs across multiple platforms, and designed web applications and websites for corporations and government. After 4 years as a senior interaction designer for The MathWorks, Sarah set up Sarah Bloomer & Co to focus on design research and design facilitation. Sarah has delivered papers, tutorials and workshops at HCI conferences in Australia and the USA.
Steve Mulder is Principal Consultant in the User Experience group at Molecular (an Internet consulting firm in Boston), author of The User Is Always Right: A Practical Guide to Creating and Using Personas for the Web, and a regular speaker at web conferences. With over ten years of experience in user research, information architecture, interaction design, and usability, Steve practices what he preaches by delivering successful user experiences that drive business results. He has brought his expertise to a wide range of companies, including Morgan Stanley, PC Connection, 3M, CVS, Estee Lauder, Talbots, Wired, Terra Lycos, and ZDNet.
Amy Cueva is co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer at Mad*Pow Media, an interaction design company based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She has extensive experience in UX design, interface design, information architecture and usability. As the designer of Mad*Pow’s user centered design methodology, she has facilitated the business intelligence, research, analysis and strategy to create UX designs for clients such as Monster.com, American Express, Fidelity, Aetna and McGraw Hill Publishing.
Aaron Oppenheimer is a Principal in Continuum’s product innovation group. His career has been a zigzag through electrical engineering, software development, human factors design, and product design, before ending up in a position where he applies all of these in the creation of coherent user experiences. He developed the “Product Behavior” discipline at Continuum, working for clients including General Motors, Sunbeam, Sprint, OXO, and Pepsi, as well as numerous start-ups in medical and consumer products. He enjoys simplifying the complicated. Aaron is a regular speaker at interaction design and design research conferences.
Tom McCann is responsible for providing usability and human factors support to the Staples Retail business and its Branded Products Group with a focus on making the shopping and purchase experiences as ‘easy’ as possible for our store customers. Tom’s approach to usability has been significantly informed by his early work experiences as an assessor of the impact of the design of military equipment on operator performance. During this period of his career he witnessed the impact of confusing targeting information on the accuracy of tank gunnery operators, the frustration that poorly designed keypads can provoke in radio operators, and the devastating loss of face of his inability to accurately interpret direction and distance data displayed on ‘state of the art’ navigational equipment while wandering (it seemed like forever!) in heavily wooded Australian hillsides. Since successfully managing to work out how to leave the military, Tom has worked in Consulting, Financial, Telecommunications, Software and Retail industries in Australia, India, and the USA and holds a Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Summary: “Five users are enough” has become a guideline for usability practitioners and it has been widely followed. However, in the research domain, “how many users are enough in usability testing/evaluation” has been in a debate among researchers.
The presentation will first review the research by previous researchers and discuss about the problems with the previous research. Then it will describe a more complete model on the sample size issues in usability testing to address the limitations in the previous research. The more complete model includes five sections: severity levels (the difficulty levels users have with a certain user interface component), distribution of users at different severity levels (the proportion of users that are each severity level), impact (the effect of having less than perfect usability for a given user interface component), benefit (the reduction in the impact from pre- to post-improvement of a given user interface component), and decision-making (prioritizing the problematic user interface components for improvement). Examples will be given when describing each section of the model. After that, an empirical study and sample simulations will be presented. The purpose of doing the empirical study is to give real-world examples to the more complete model and to provide guidance in choosing parameters for simulations. This empirical study involved the usability testing with a very large sample size (N= 103). User performance on each interface component of the two products was obtained. Simulations are done by randomly drawing users of different sample sizes from 103 tested users in order to demonstrate the influence of sample sizes using the more complete model proposed in this presentation.
To sum up, this presentation is aimed at proposing a more complete model on the sample size issues in usability testing. With a big picture in mind, usability professionals can make an informed decision on how many users to test in a real-world case.
Bio: Minmin Yang is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Human-Computer Interaction program at RiceUniversity. Her research and professional interests include quantitative usability methodology, interaction design, and user experience research.
Summary: Like most projects central to User Experience professionals, Tango – H&R Block’s new consumer online tax preparation product, offers two important stories: product design AND managing product design. While clearly dependent, the business of usability (management) and the practice of usability (design) presented very unique and distinct challenges. Project Tango was a meaty stew of conflict, design process, celebrity consultants, ego, cultural differences, expectations and hype, a case study from the minute it kicked off. Gregg Almquist and Chris Whelan will share their experiences from working on this high-stakes, high-drama project in which doing best by the user required a delicate balance of cunning and patience. | 2019-04-22T04:41:18Z | http://uxpaboston.org/events/usability-user-experience-2007/ |
My interest in what is best described as the Nine Maidens comes from the fact that a story of them survives close to where I was raised, on the north side of Dundee in Scotland. In this local tale the nine are sisters who were the victims of a dragon-like creature who was later killed by the betrothed of the eldest sister and the site is marked by a Pictish Symbol Stone, Martin’s Stone. The Picts, often cited as a mysterious, painted people, seem in reality to be the indigenous peoples of Scotland1. They left no literary records of their own and much of what we think we know of them relies on Roman sources. What has survived in Scotland from the time of the Picts - in previously accepted thinking the 3rd to 10th centuries of the Christian era - and been the cause of much discussion, and fantasy, is a vast corpus of carved standing stones with intriguing symbols, a considerable number of which are clearly pre-Christian. Some of the later Christian stones continued to use some of these earlier symbols. Just as Christianity spread by utilising previously sacred locations in many places so it seems that the early missionaries in Scotland co-opted an already established tradition of carving sacred stones to help spread their new message.
It was looking for stories, and their locales, about the Nine Maidens that I came to understand more about the Cailleach that Mackenzie mentioned, and to realise that earlier generations of folklorists who thought of her as being an import from Ireland had got it spectacularly wrong. The Cailleach, from a Gaelic root meaning ’the veiled one”, is actually more widespread in Scottish traditions and place-names in Scotland than Ireland. The idea of her coming from Ireland is because of a long term misunderstanding of Scotland’s past that claims the Scots came from Ireland, which modern scholarship has shown to be wrong2 and, I believe, probably based on early Christian propaganda in Scotland. She is also matched by other traditions about her in Scots, which like Gaelic, is an indigenous Scottish language, related to English and other Germanic tongues. What also became clear was that this Hag figure had originally been a Goddess figure, and that the Nine Maidens in the far past had been closely linked with her.
The Nine Maidens story of Martin’s Stone led to others, with a group of them based over the hill from the stone in the Sidlaw Hills who were early Christian saints linked to the ancient Pictish capital of Abernethy, and to the figure of St Bridget3. It is well known that Bridget was based on the pre-Christian figure of Bride and in Scottish terms her relationship with the Cailleach is quite specific. There are tales from several locations of the Cailleach going to a sacred well before even a dog has barked on the morning of Beltane, drinking of the waters and transforming into Bride. This is underlined by the old agricultural calendar of Scotland being divided into the Time of the Big Sun and the Time of the Little Sun. The Time of the Little Sun from Samhuinn (Halloween) to Beltane (1st May) was the time of the Cailleach, the Hag of Winter, a fearsome creature symbolic of death and destruction and the Time of the Big Sun was the time of Golden Bride, effectively the Goddess of fertility4. They are simply one and the same, different manifestations of the Goddess, Mother of All. In Scots language traditions they are echoed by the Carlin and the Maiden. There are several locations in the Scottish landscape where this duality is shown in closely linked sites where those named after the Cailleach are generally above or to the north of those linked with Bride, and recently it has been shown that some of these are definitely linked with solar alignments.
The Nine Maidens are linked to both aspects of the Mother Goddess and there are wells in various parts of the country named for them and some of these have been overlaid with Christian sites. Another nine that can be located in Scotland, which links to many other places in Britain are the nine sisters of Avalon mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his Life of Merlin5. The stories of Arthur were common to all the P-Celtic speaking peoples of Britain and this included the tribes in southern Scotland and the Picts to the north. All traditional stories and particularly those which have mythological components are linked to the environment of the communities that tell them to each other – how else could they register with children, particularly in a world where literacy was unknown? The nineteenth century fascination – still alas lingering in certain quarters - with finding an origin point for traditional tales is an exercise in futility – stories belong where they are told and none is more genuine than another. Thus the stories of Arthur in Brittany, Cornwall, England and Wales are every bit as ‘authentic’ as those that survive in Scotland, but they are no more so. In Scottish terms the Isle of Avalon, for the people of the Lothians and Fife at least, would probably have been the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth, its name, in Scots, meaning exactly The Isle of the Maidens. It is also a place that archaeology has shown to have been a place of pilgrimage from pre-Christian into Christian times. This Arthurian link is underlined by the fact that the earliest known mention of Arthur is in a poem written in Edinburgh circa 600 CE by a bard of the Gododdin, one of those P-Celtic-speaking tribes6. In other Arthurian material the Nine crop up in the story of Peredur who is given his final warrior training by the nine Witches of Caer Lyow whom later he destroys, something that is also said of Arthur’s companion Cai.
But just as the Carlin tales survive in Scots alongside the Gaelic stories of the Cailleach so the Nine occur in other Germanic traditions. In Norse tradition they are the daughters of the Sea-God Aegir who become the nine mothers of Heimdall. These sea-maidens also occur in an ancient Irish tale, Ruadh, son of Rigdon, where there are hints of sacrifice, and as in so many other versions of the motif, the nine are linked with a single male figure7. The Norse traditions also include the white and black groups of nine who are involved in the killing of Thidrandi in a tale that some have seen as a Christianizing motif of pagan thought. They are also there in the story of Svipdag who meets Menglod, Goddess of Healing who has nine companions and there are other instances in other Sagas. Also in Norse tradition there is a reference to Nine Maidens of the Mill. This is the Mill in which the body of the Ice Giant Ymir was ground creating the earth itself8.
In recent times some female folklorists in Norway in particular have been working on the theory that the Norse Pantheon of Gods was in fact a creation of the early Christian scribes who were intent on hiding the reality that pre-Christian ideas of the world in Scandinavia saw the dominant force of the universe as being a feminine one, and that the most powerful of all the Norse supernatural beings was originally Freya.
Several nineteenth century folklorists noted that the motif of the Nine Maidens occurred in other places and one of these was the reference from the 2nd century Greek geographer Strabo who refers to the nine Druidesses of the Isle du Sein off Brittany who were called the Gallicenae9. They were known as healers, shape-shifters and seers, motifs that recur with the Nine Sisters of Avalon and others. The more recent name for the island is Isle des Druidesses, suggesting that at least locally they were understood to be some kind of priestesses. This reflects various of the British nines, like the sisters of Avalon and even the witches of Caer Lyow while the presentation of the Nine Maidens as Pictish saints seems a later echo of this idea. The Gallicenae are matched elsewhere in Breton lore by the nine companions of the deadly spirit, the Korrigan, who, through shape-shifting, lures heroes to their deaths. In another similar tale the putative early Christian saint, St Samson of Dol, meets one of a group of nine aggressive women who seem almost demonic. In some cases it would appear that the Christian church absorbed the nine and in others demonised them.
In other European locations the nine show themselves, in Ireland, in Romania, and it is worth noting that the Valkyries of Norse and Germanic tradition are often nine in number. However the oldest European reference to them is a truly spectacular one. Recently research in Portugal has uncovered mainly Christianized versions of the nine but in Catalonia we have a visual representation of them of considerable antiquity. The Magdalenian cave painting at El Cogul, near Lerida, shows nine women dancing round a spectacularly priapic male and this depiction could be as much as fifteen thousand years old. Most commentators on this to date have remarked on the ritual appearance of this scene and it does point to the possibility that many of the nine groups as being some kind of priestesses10. As we shall see this is potentially not the oldest referent to the Nine Maidens.
Those folklorists who have, generally in passing, noticed the Nine Maidens have generally assumed that they are related to the Muses in Greek mythology. After all it has been a cornerstone of European academic thinking for a very long time that everything came from Greece, or later, Rome. This is why the study of the cultures of those two societies is referred to as the Classics, they supposedly set the standard. That this is due to the education of Christian scribes who created all early European literary sources is certain. By this way of thinking the Muses must have been the original groups of nine maidens. In fact Greece itself had many different groups of nine females all of whom appear to have been priestesses and like many of their counterparts elsewhere are generally located on mountain tops or by springs. And many are associated with healing and prophecy. These include the Pierides, the Maenads, the Telchines and as the Greek scholar and poet Robert Graves pointed out, Lycaon the Pelasgian, son of the bear goddess Calisto, had a wife Nonacris, whose name appears to have meant the Ninefold Goddess11. He mentions the possibility of an early matriarchal society in Greece and suggests that its origin may well have been in East Africa, an intriguing thought given that current thinking is that this is the original cradle of humanity.
Before following up that thought it is necessary to point out that the current investigations at the Ness of Brodgar in Orkney clearly show that as early as 3,000 BCE, long before the raising of the Egyptian pyramids never mind the rise of Greek culture, what was probably the biggest stone structure on the planet was raised there. The investigation of this site is on-going but it clearly shows a highly sophisticated society in the north of Scotland before what many scholars have long liked to think of as the time when European culture actually began. The survival of a considerable number of remnants of pre-Christian belief in Scotland point clearly to a belief system focussed on the idea of a feminine Godhead, a system which appears likely to have encompassed these groups of nine females in some way12. The idea that cultural development and the sophistication of ideas had to be imported into Britain is no longer tenable.
Recently there was bit of a stir in the British media about the idea that some folk tales could be shown to be more than five thousand years old. This was based on complicated linguistic and statistical analysis and was presented as a major discovery. Well, not really. As long ago as 1991 it was pointed out in Australia13 that Dreamtime tales of the indigenous tribes talked of giant marsupials, the bones of which had been found in several locations across Australia and sometimes alongside the remains of hearth fires. Because these bones were originally discovered during bauxite mining, a clear physical stratigraphy led to dates for the bones being put forward. In the 1990s it was thought some of them dated as far back as 40,000 BCE, though arguments exist that suggest they were long extinct even then. Stories of these giant creatures had continued to be told in non-literate traditions right up to the present.
Now I have already stated that stories live where they are told and that the search for origins for story-types is essentially futile. In general I believe this to be true but when it comes to the Nine Maidens motif – which incidentally does not feature in the main reference work for such material, the Arne Thompson Motif-Index of Folk Literatures - we may well have an exception.
In the course of my researches, I came across links to other cultures as far away as the Americas and the South Seas as well as noting the survival of the Nine Maidens motif amongst shamanistic beliefs in Siberia, but the most remarkable of them all is probably a traditional story from Kenya. There the Gikuyu people of Kenya claim descent from a group of nine sisters who, like so many of their counterparts, are linked to a sacred mountain, in this case Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak14. It is fascinating that the Gikuyu people live so close to that part of the world where the oldest remains of homo sapiens have been discovered. Current thinking sees modern humans as originally emigrating from Africa some time around a hundred thousand years ago and as we have seen stories can certainly last for forty millennia, it is worth asking whether the idea behind the widespread occurrence of these stories of Nine Maidens originated in Africa and accompanied homo sapiens as the species spread across the world.
However there is something else about the Nine Maidens. Having started out investigating the phenomenon in the mid-1970s over the years I have been led to many discoveries. Not least of these is the extent to which the Cailleach and the Carlin, remnants of the Mother Goddess, continue to exist in Scotland. It is not only in place-names but in story that they live on. Through understanding that remnants of old belief can survive in place-names I have ended up making several archaeological discoveries, a couple of examples of which should suffice here. One of Scotland’s mountains, Lochnagar, which acquired an odd fame through its association with Queen Victoria, has a couple of Cailleach place-names, Caisteal na Cailich and Allt na Cailleach. There are no extant stories of the Cailleach associated with the massif as the local population were ‘cleared’ by Victoria’s predecessors to create the shooting estate that she bought. Thousands of years of human interaction with a sacred location eradicated to pander to the whims of the obscenely rich. However, what could not be eradicated were the two breast shaped peaks on the massif, Meikle Pap and Little Pap. As in many place in Scotland such paps appear to have been the foci of ancient belief in a Mother Goddess15 and it was in observing Lochnagar from a distance that I began to understand some of the ideas surrounding the Cailleach. The name means the veiled one – leading to the ironical adoption of the term for Christian nuns in Gaelic - and this is a fair description of the mountains of Scotland with so many of which she is associated. She is also a weather worker in an old belief and it was watching the weather change over Lochnagar from Glen Clova that this became plain to me. The high mountains she is associated with: Ben Nevis, Ben Cruachan, Ben Wyvis, set in different parts of Scotland, are all what can be described as weather nodes – they are where all too often the clouds descend before the rain, hail or snow spreads out across the land. This is myth as observation. There is also the interesting fact that every Midsummer people from Aberdeenshire and Angus go up the mountain to see the Midsummer sunrise. This also happens on Ben Lomond, the Hill of Fire or Beacon Hill and Ben Ledi, translated as Leth Dia = with God by some and which has Cnoc a Cailleach on its summit. No one knows how old these ceremonies are but they continue.
Intrigued by this I went up Lochnagar with my son Roderick, not to the summit where the Midsummer pilgrims gather but to the top of Meikle Pap. It is crowned by dolorite, a rock that seem is common to many such places of ancient ritual. And there on the highest point were two holes that look like eyes. The eye is a well enough known symbol of the Mother Goddess and to find these suggests this was possibly a spot of considerable sanctity. Now some may think these are bulluans, or naturally made holes and it’s not beyond possibility. However we now know that people responded to locations in the landscape they found significant and either way it is a significant place. Meikle Pap overlooks Glen Muick, the glen of the Pig and as I have shown elsewhere16 porcine creatures have long been associated with Goddesses.
However the ‘eyes’ on Lochnagar have led me to a more recent potential discovery. I recently posted a digital work on You Tube called MYTHOGRAM1. It is a geomythographical analysis of a specific location in the Lomond Hills in Fife. One of the locales I draw attention to in the mythogram is the Devils’ Burdens, a group of rocks said to have been dropped on a coven of witches by the Devil and hence became known as The Devil’s Burdens. Noticing that they too were dolorite and realising that this story of the Devil was simply a Christian reworking of the well-known Scottish motif of the Cailleach dropping her lippen or apronful of rocks, to create various parts of our landscape, I went to the Burdens to see if this dolorite outcrop also had a pair of eyes. The photograph is attached. As yet I have had no confirmation that these ’eyes’ are artificial, but I am unconcerned. If I see them, then others potentially also have and it may not be too much of a stretch to think that they were seen as a marker of the Goddess herself before the monks came. Whether further investigation of the site turns up anything more is in a way irrelevant. I was looking for the eyes and I found them, and I suspect Geomythography is going to lead to many more discoveries. I have recently been teaching a course on Geomythography for Edinburgh University’s Centre for Open Learning and an introduction to the subject can be found at http://www.stuartmchardy.worpdress.com and have come to realise that the path the Nine Maidens put me on, all those years ago, goes ever on.
13. Isaacs, J., 1980, Australian Dreaming; 40,000 years of Aboriginal history, Lansdowne Press, Willoughby, N.S.W.
Stuart McHardy is a writer, researcher and lecturer on Scottish history and folklore. He is also a professional storyteller and musician, and worked for many years as a journalist and broadcaster. Over the past few years his work on the interface between folklore and archaeology/history has led to the development of a new approach to understanding our past as humans, called Geomythography, which he has been recently teaching. A founder memberand past President of the Pictish Arts Society, he was Director of the Scots Language Centre 1993-98. | 2019-04-18T23:07:29Z | http://www.goddess-pages.co.uk/goddess-nine-maidens/ |
OMAN travel guide, 10 best places in oman !!
oman travel guide, 10 best places in oman that you must visit.
this is 10 best places to visit in oman.
Wahiba Sands, or Ramlat al-Wahiba is a region of desert in Oman.
The region was named for the Bani Wahiba tribe, with an area of 12,500 square kilometers (4,800 sq mi).
Wadi Shab is a wadi which is very popular. Located in the locality of Al Sharqiyah in Oman.
People come here for the nature, swim in the freshwater pool or just to enjoy a barbecue.
The Jebel Akhdar, Jabal Akhdar or Al Jabal Al Akhdar, is part of the Al Hajar Mountains range in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate of Oman.
It is one of Oman’s most spectacular areas.
It is the ceremonial palace of Sultan Qaboos, surrounded by the Mirani and Jalali Forts built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, located in muscat oman.
Wadi Bani Khalid is a wadi about 203 km from Muscat. It is the best-known wadi of the Sharqiyah region.
Its stream maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year.
Built on the royal orders of Sultan Qaboos of Oman, the Royal Opera House reflects unique contemporary Omani architecture, located in muscat oman.
Jebel Shams Arabic is a mountain located in northeastern Oman north of Al Hamra town.
It is the highest mountain of the country and part of Al Hajar Mountains range.
OMAN Travel Guide, 10 natural tourist attractions in oman !!
oman travel guide, top 10 natural tourist attractions in oman.
Located in musandam peninsula. One of the must-do activities in Musandam is the fjords ride on a traditional Omani boat.
There are several dolphin families living in the fjords of Musandam.
Ras al-Jinz, is a nesting site for green turtles, as also is the beach at the local village of Ras al Hadd.
Important archaeological discoveries have also been made at this site, demonstrating the Indus Valley connections in ancient times.
Bimmah Sinkhole is a water-filled depression, structurally a sinkhole, in the limestone of eastern Muscat Governorate.
This is a lush green wadi with a river running through it, even during the hottest months (May/June).
It is one of the most visited valley in Dhofar. A visit to Salalah is not complete without a visit to Wadi Darbat.
Al Mughsayl is a long stretch of blue water sea and white sand. It’s a perfect picnic spot.
The landscape is pretty nice and the beach has mountains on both the sides, which make the view elegant and photogenic.
Oman [Middle East] has a wealth of Beauty and Culture which can attract people from all over the world to visit there. Here is our list of the Top 50 Beautiful Places in Oman so you can spend your time wisely.
Oman is an Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Holding a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the country shares land borders with the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest, and shares marine borders with Iran and Pakistan. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast.
From the late 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was a powerful empire, vying with Portugal and Britain for influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Historically, Muscat was the principal trading port of the Persian Gulf region. Muscat was also among the most important trading ports of the Indian Ocean. Oman's official religion is Islam.
Oman is an absolute monarchy. The Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said has been the hereditary leader of the country since 1970. Sultan Qaboos is the longest-serving current ruler in the Middle East, and fourth-longest current reigning monarch in the world.
At Aybut Al Auwal, in the Dhofar Governorate of Oman, a site was discovered in 2011 containing more than 100 surface scatters of stone tools, belonging to a regionally specific African lithic industry –the late Nubian Complex– known previously only from the northeast and Horn of Africa.
Dereaze, located in the city of Ibri, is the oldest known human settlement in the area, dating back as many as 8,000 years to the Late Stone Age. Archaeological remains have been discovered here from the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. Many such tribes settled in Oman, making a living by fishing, herding or stock breeding.
Sumerian tablets refer to a country called Magan or Makan, a name believed to refer to Oman's ancient copper mines. Mazoon, another name used for the region, is derived from the word muzn, which means heavy clouds which carry abundant water. The present-day name of the country, Oman, is believed to originate from the Arab tribes who migrated to its territory from the Uman region of Yemen.
From the 6th century BC to the arrival of Islam in the 7th century AD, Oman was controlled and/or influenced by three Persian dynasties: the Achaemenids, Parthians and Sassanids. The conversion of the Omanis is usually ascribed to Amr ibn al-As, who was sent by the Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] during the Expedition of Zaid ibn Haritha(Hisma).
MUSCAT Travel Guide, 5 best places in muscat oman !!
muscat travel guide, 5 best places in muscat oman.
and best places to visit in muscat oman.
this is 5 best places to visit in muscat oman.
The Riyam park is on the right side of corniche about one kilo meter from the fish market located in muscat oman.
The renovated corniche area is a popular place for a walk and also for its many not-so-expensive eating places, located in muscat oman.
This is the third largest mosque in the world and mostly the entire complex is open to non-Muslim visitors, located in muscat oman.
The best kept secret in the middle east, Oman is a country for your rugged adventure whether its offroading, watching 100's of dolphins in the wild sea, a land of desert Safari and Bedouins, jumping in wild wadis and sinkholes and watching Turtles by night!
Muscat in Oman is famous for dazzling souks, gorgeous seas, trek deserts at sundown and amazing architecture & more. Explore Oman and discover the top 7 things you must do in Muscat. Don't to forget to drop us your valuable feedback.
SALALAH Travel Guide, 5 best places in salalah oman !!
salalah travel guide, 5 best places in salalah oman.
This is a lush green wadi in salalah with a river running through it, even during the hottest months (May/June).
The building now houses a small museum. Tthis is one of the best fort museums in Oman.
Al Mughsayl is a long stretch of blue water sea and white sand. It’s a perfect picnic spot in salalah.
Sumhuram Archaeological Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the ancient city of Khor Rori, Salalah.
Located in City Center, It’s a huge mosque and have a very nice architectural composition, located in Salalah.
We talk about swim suit dress code, the best Wadi's to go to, how to get there and why Oman is one of our favorite places in the entire world. But Oman isn't cheap... how were we able to afford renting a car to travel around to all of the water holes- watch to find out!!
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These videos describe oman country. When you travel to Oman, you can find oman travel with or without a guide. At this video, you will get oman travel advice, Oman travel tips, Oman travel destinations, best places in Oman, best places to visit in Oman, information about Oman tourism, Oman tourist attractions, Oman tourist places, Oman tourist spots, and also the capital city of Oman at Muscat.
Day 1 History Tour in Muscat.
Muscat is the capital of Oman, if you want to get to know his past, you can come to the Sultanate of Oman's National Museum, the National Museum is a major cultural institution of the Sultanate, which featured the nation's heritage from the earliest human settlements on the peninsula Oman, about two million years ago, until now.
The great mosque of Sultan Qaboos is the second tourist places to visit when you come to Oman, in the Middle East. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a mosque located in Muscat, Oman. The mosque was established in 2001 by Sultan Qaboos.
The Royal Opera House Muscat is the third tourist places to visit when you come to Oman, in the Middle East. This place is the main place in Oman that is used for art, music, and culture. Opera House, located in the Shati Al Qurm district of Muscat, Oman. This place was built when the Kingdom of Sultan Qaboos that reflects the typical architecture of contemporary and Oman have a capacity which is able to accommodate a maximum of 1,100 people.
See the amazing views of the bimah, then dip in the Bimmah Sinkhole. Sinkhole Bimmah, lake water was turquoise, width 50 meters to 70 meters and a depth of about 20 meters. It is only 600 meters from the sea, between the coastal towns of Ḑibāb and Bimmah.
in the Wahiba you will find sand dunes with a height of about 100 meters, and color, which makes Camel and similar to the Sahara desert. For those of you who are visiting here, can stay in one of the camp of the desert, which serves the tourism with the use of a motor vehicle.
Here we can find several castles, ships, and also with a view of the beautiful beach. Usually, a priority or the main purpose of the tourists coming to this place is for the turtles. The thing we can see when walking around in beaches, where tourists will be able to watch lucky turtles who were laying. The Sultanate of Oman is home to five of the seven species of sea turtle in the world.
Wadi Bani Khalid is a wadi, desert paradise, the distance is approximately 255km from Muscat, Oman. This is the most famous in the region of Wadi Sharqiyah. Flow maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year. Outdoor water and boulders are scattered along the wadi.
Jebel Akhdar, Jabal Akdar or Al Jabal Al Akhdar is part of the Al Hajar mountains in the province of Ad Dakhiliyah Oman. is about 300 km northwest to Southeast, between 50 to 100 km inland from the coast of the Gulf of Oman, and is one of the most spectacular regions of Oman. The highest point, Jebel Shams, height about 3,000 meters. The access to this place is about 45 minutes away from Nizwa by using vehicles.
Mutrah Souq and Cornice which is located in Muscat is one of the most historic markets in the Arab world. This market offers a quiet and relaxing shopping like other bazaars, where vendors display their products to you. The shopkeeper will always try and convince you to buy their product but in a very fun way.
In this video I show how much things cost in Muscat, the capital of Oman.
Oman Best Tourist Attractions 2018 : In this video i have compiled my Oman Holidays 2018 Travel videos, short clips, pictures of Oman tourist spots and some best places in Oman that i will recommend you to visit.
1. Al Alam Palace Muttrah .
2. sultan qaboos port mahtra.
3. Mahtra Beach and Parks.
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flourishing with sea ways of life. The Khareef, a consistently rainstorm, adjustments the sell out region directly into a well off, unpracticed scene and makes intermittent waterfalls. The Frankincense Land Museum, some bit of the Al Balid Archeological site, depicts the city's maritime records and part in the pizzazz trade.
Ras al Jinz (Ras al Junayz), the easternmost reason for the Arabian Peninsula, is a ... Oman has a basic component to play in the security of this imperiled.
perceive Musandam Fjords Dhow Cruise as a normal for your warily coordinate event to Oman. connect with considered one of Audley's specialists to begin masterminding your best trip.
on an imperative interchange way. The flanking business focus, Nizwa Souk, is settled with meticulous work backs off and silversmiths running in little shops.
Muscat, Oman's port capital, sits at the Gulf of Oman incorporated by utilizing mountains and neglect. With history going again to remnant, it mixes tall frameworks and upscale shopping offices with clifftop purposes of enthusiasm, for instance, the sixteenth century Portuguese posts, Al Jalali and Mirani, drawing nearer over Muscat Harbor. Its cutting range, marble-clad Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with 50m vault and monstrous Persian cowl, can coordinate 20,000 individuals.
Oman is an Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Holding a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the country shares land borders with the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest, and shares marine borders with Iran and Pakistan.
From the late 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was a powerful empire, vying with Portugal and Britain for influence in the Persian Gulfand Indian Ocean. Historically, Muscat was the principal trading port of the Persian Gulf region. Muscat was also among the most important trading ports of the Indian Ocean. Oman's official religion is Islam.
From the 6th century BC to the arrival of Islam in the 7th century AD, Oman was controlled and/or influenced by three Persiandynasties: the Achaemenids, Parthians and Sassanids. The conversion of the Omanis is usually ascribed to Amr ibn al-As, who was sent by the Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] during the Expedition of Zaid ibn Haritha (Hisma).
Planning to visit Oman? Check out our Oman Travel Guide video and see top most Tourist Attractions in Oman.
Peaceful and tranquil, Oman occupies the southeastern part of the Arabian peninsula and has long been an important gateway for trade between Africa and Asia, once controlling the lucrative trade in frankincense.
A land of ancient seafarers, and home to the legendary Sinbad, historically the country was long closed off to the outside world and, even today, still exudes a captivating aura of myth and mystery. A compelling blend of the old and the new, its impeccably maintained capital, Muscat combines traditional Arabic and Islamic styles with ancient fortifications and architectural treasures that sets it apart from many other modern cities in the Middle East.
Today, Oman enjoys a reputation as a modern Arabic country that retains much of its old desert traditions. Outside the cities, its spectacular desert scenery is riddled with high mountains and fertile oases that hide deep canyons and beautiful coastlines that harbour deserted beaches, lush wadis and a whole array of fascinating fortresses. To the south, beyond the Qara Mountains, lies the city of Salalah, a surprisingly lush eden, whose waterfalls and frankincense trees benefit from the annual fruits of the monsoon rains. In a country that is 80% desert, Salalah is a real treat and every trip to Oman is completed by the hospitality of its welcoming people, who are visibly proud of their unique country.
The capital city of Oman has a full and rich history. There’s plenty to see and do, with winding, raucous souks to explore, different flavours to indulge in and a patchwork of colourful culture to unpick. Here’s our pick of the 10 essential things to do in Muscat.
is the website for the award winning Condé Nast Traveller magazine. On the website you will find expert insider guides and tips on where to eat, sleep, party and shop. Plus, holiday, fashion, A-List travel tips, and much more. An insider's guide to the world.
Exploring the quiet, sleepy little city of Sohar in northern Oman near the United Arab Emirates.
Best Places in Salalah Oman for Tourist a visit..
Some time ago I made my way to Oman, rented a 4x4 and drove 3,350 kilometers literally around the whole country. I slept in my car every night, met more camels than people and had an absolute blast in that beautiful place. Oman is definitely my favorite country in the Middle East and I can't wait to go back. | 2019-04-25T07:58:50Z | https://www.travelerbase.com/index.php?proc=search&term=10%20Best%20Places%20to%20Visit%20in%20Oman |
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis is a puzzle game and the sequel to Mario vs. Donkey Kong. This time, the focus is on the Mini toys created by the Mario Toy Company; along with the Mini Mario toys returning, more new toys were added for this game including the Mini Donkey Kong, Mini Toad, and Mini Peach toys. This game also marks the first appearance of Pauline in the Mario franchise since the Game Boy Donkey Kong game.
Mario's Toy Company returns and is mentioned at the beginning of the game. It starts with a commercial promoting the new Super Mini Mario World, which is an outdoor amusement park centered around the Mini Marios, Mini Peachs, Mini Toads, and Mini Donkey Kongs. A crowd of Toads is shown watching Pauline and Mario about to cut the ribbon to open it. One of the Mario Toy Company's employees, Donkey Kong, is in the crowd. He immediately falls in love with Pauline and rushes to her with a Mini Donkey Kong to give to her, but Mario hands out a Mini Mario. She chooses the Mini Mario, so Donkey Kong is heartbroken and breaks down a sales post of Mini Marios, even crushing one with his feet. He then heads toward the elevator, grabbing Pauline on his way and knocking Mario to the floor. As Donkey Kong heads toward the elevator, Mario gets up and tries to get to the elevator, but he is too late to rescue her. Donkey Kong brings Pauline up to the roof of the building. Mario doesn't know what to do until two Mini Marios come to offer help.
In the ending, Mario finds Pauline safe with tons of presents in a room on the roof. Donkey Kong looks sorry for what he's done, when a Mini Mario races across the floor to meet a Mini Donkey Kong. Pauline picks up the Mini Donkey Kong and kisses it, making DK happy. Toads appear and everyone waves, leading into the credits.
Unlike the Game Boy Advance predecessor, Mario plays absolutely no role in this game; he is only seen in the beginning of each floor, and before each boss fight and in the final boss fight and following cut-scene. Instead, the task is to control the Mini Mario toys through eight diverse floors of nine levels each to reach Pauline. At the end of each floor is a boss battle with DK. There are 240 Minis in all - generally, there are more minis in a level as the difficulty increases (going as high as 8 in a level called 8-3). This change in game-play laid the foundation for the two Mario vs. Donkey Kong games that followed on the DS.
In each level, the player attempts to move all of the Minis on the map to a portal-like doorway that has a red M on top - this is the goal. Moving the Minis around uses the stylus and touch screen entirely. Touching a Mini activates it. Swiping a Mini left or right moves it in that direction or switches directions. Swiping the same way across multiple Minis changes the direction of all the Minis. Swiping up makes a Mini jump. Swiping down on a Warp Pipe makes the Mini go down into it, and jumping and swiping up makes a Mini go up a pipe. Touching a Mini again stops it.
Minis automatically change directions when hitting a wall or another Mini. Also, a Mini gives a warning "whoa!" noise when it is about to fall into spikes or another danger that will break it, including large heights.
The two sets of colored blocks shown here protect the minis from Piranha Plants. Additionally, a Gold Mini Mario bonus is set up, and they are close enough for a perfect chain.
What makes the game challenging is the requirement of having to move environmental pieces of the level around to reach the Goal. For example, colored blocks (most commonly pink) can be realized if the player has a certain number of blocks in the inventory - for example, players can take three blocks from one part of the level and use them somewhere else, perhaps where the Minis need to cross first. Other such examples are elevators with an up and down pad and conveyor belts with a left and right pad.
The player has 300 seconds to move as many of the Minis as possible when the timer starts. The timer does not start until a Mini is activated or colored blocks are removed - the player can look around the level using the D-pad (or buttons for left-handers) and plan what to do before beginning.
Each Mini coming in safely is 1000 points.
If all Minis come in safely, the bonus is 5000 points.
Mini Mario Cards, one per level, are worth 1000 points.
Getting Minis into the Goal very close to each other is called a chain. Starting at 1000, that bonus is doubled for each additional Mini in the chain; for example, 2 Minis in a row is 1000 + 2000 = 3000 points, and 4 minis in a row is 1000 + 2000 + 4000 + 8000 = 15000 points. The bonus increases exponentially. A blue sparkle surrounds the Goal to signify the chain is still going, and it lasts for about three seconds after the last Mini in the chain.
If all Minis come in safely in a perfect chain (all Minis coming in within seconds of each other), there is another bonus of 5000 points.
Finally, there is the Non-Stop bonus. It is achieved by having a Mini "never stop" from when it is activated to the goal. Stopping at an elevator or on an enemy doesn't count against the player. It is 1000 points per Mini, but having all of the Minis non-stop provides a big extra boost.
By filling in all of the criteria above, the player can earn a gold star for the level. Below it is the silver star and the bronze star. It is possible to get no star, especially if the player loses more than one Mini. Stars are used to unlock extras at the end of the game.
Each floor of Super Mini Mario World besides the Basement is diverse and has its own unique elements that sets it apart. They each consist of nine levels, a minigame, and a DK boss battle. In the PAL version of the game, the floor count for all floors excluding the Basement and Roof starts from "Ground Floor" and ends at "Floor 7", whereas in all other versions, the floor count goes simply from "Floor 1" to "Floor 8".
In each level of a floor, there is a Mini Mario Card - a card with a letter on one side and a Mini Mario's head on another. With nine levels, the cards spell MINIMARIO on each floor (i.e. 7-3 would have a N card). Finding all cards in a floor unlocks a single minigame: Shy Guy Smash! In it, the player uses the stylus to break (touch) 25 Shy Guys within 30 seconds, coming out of pipes. Unfortunately, not only do the pipes become more complicated as the floors increase, Bob-ombs are thrown into the mix - tapping them loses 5 points. The player is challenged to beat his or her high score after getting over 25, for replay value.
Tropical Island, an even-numbered floor (2), forces the player to use falling coconuts from trees to hit DK instead of hitting him directly. Landing on a tree top makes the coconut fall.
Each floor is concluded by a boss battle with Donkey Kong. Players must launch Mini Marios from a cannon up and hit Donkey Kong either directly or indirectly, depending on conditions. The number of Minis available depends on how many Minis the player got to the Goal in the nine levels. In odd-numbered floors, the cannon will shoot directly up, trying to hit DK from below. In even-numbered levels, DK is protected by a spiked platform from the bottom, and the cannon is adapted to hit off of walls to reach above him instead, as illustrated to the right. Minis are broken by sharp points, DK's projectiles such as bananas, barrels, weights, mines, even fireballs, or in the later battles, Swoops (Spooky Attic) and Snapjaws (Jungle Hijinks). DK has six hit points in all battles.
Each of these boss battles is also capable of getting stars, but the score is calculated differently: The gold star minimum is the maximum number of Minis on the floor times 1,000 (25,000, 30,000, etc.). Each second left on the clock is ten points (each boss battle starts with 180), and each Mini still "alive" is still 1000 points. Getting a gold star thus should mean that no Minis can be destroyed and perfect play is required. However, in theory, it is possible to win with over 100 seconds of time remaining - which is 1,000 or more points left over - which means that a player can still miss one Mini and earn a gold star. Silver stars are generally 75% of the Minis surviving, and bronze stars 50%.
Immediately after the Minis defeat Donkey Kong at Jungle Hijinks, the final boss battle begins. Here, the level 25m from the original Donkey Kong game is used. Mario waits at the top screen, while DK throws barrels down into the lower screen. Minis will actually come from the Goal, and it is the player's job to get six Minis into the upper screen for Mario to throw at DK before six Minis are destroyed by barrels or fires from the tar pit (also from Donkey Kong). Ladders accompany this section, as well as the Hammer power-up on two occasions. This battle is not ranked and the ending and credits follow success.
Main Game - described above. There are three save files.
Construction Zone - A Level Editor feature is also present in this game, where players can create their own levels. Friends can also utilize a Wi-Fi connection to share levels online.
Play Level - Levels created by the player or received from others, that have passed a play test (all Minis can reach the goal), can be played here.
Edit Level - Players can create or edit a preexisting level here, from one of eleven kits. See how kits are unlocked is described below.
Erase Level - Players can delete levels at will.
Nintendo WFC - These options allow interactions with other players.
Synchronize - Players must connect to the WFC to get their own levels ready to send to others.
Receive - As long as each player know each other's friend codes and have them installed under their friends list, levels can be received from either at will. Nintendo also has been publishing a level every so often.
Nintendo WFC Config - Players can get WFC setting ready here, like in any Wi-Fi game.
WFC Friends - Up to sixty friends can be stored here, registered with a friend code. The player's friend code is on the top screen.
Multi-Card - Two friends, each with a copy of the game and close to each, can send and receive files locally.
Broadcast - Same as sending. The other player must choose "Receive" for this to work.
Receive - The other player must choose "Broadcast" and choose a level for this to work.
Options - March of the Minis has some unique features and bonuses.
Audio - adjusts settings from Stereo, Surround, or Headphones. The player can hear every sound effect and music track in the game when they beat the Main Game. There are one hundred forty four sound effects and seventy seven music tracks in all.
Movies - Players can watch the four real-time movies again and again here. Only one - pre-title - is unlocked at the beginning, so again the Main Game must be played to find them all. The additional movies are Introduction, Ending, and Musical.
Gallery - Players can look at eighteen pictures from the Main Game here. sixteen are two from each floor, before and after the boss battle. The next is before the final battle on the Roof, and the last is from beating the first level in the basement.
Credits - Replays the credits. The player must finish the Main Game at least once to unlock it.
Title - On the title screen, Mini Marios walk across the bottom of the top screen. This cosmetic feature can be changed, but it requires stars to do so.
Register - Players can register their name as it appears in the Construction Zone and Wi-Fi Connection here.
Single Card - A demo version of the game can be sent to another DS player without the game card.
Erase All - Not only does this delete all Main Game data, but all Construction Zone levels, created or received, and it resets the player's friend code.
NintendoWiFi.com - Players can choose to let their statistics be part of Nintendo's official Wi-Fi site.
Mario and Donkey Kong watch their Minis acting in the pre-intro movie.
Coin Coins are used to raise the score.
10 Gold Coin 10 Gold Coins are used to increase the score, but are worth 10 normal coins.
Mini Mario Card Mini Mario Cards are collectible items with a picture of Mini Mario and a letter on the back of them. There are 9 cards per world.
Door Doors are the goal of the levels. If all the Mini Marios make it to the door the level is won.
Hammer Hammers are found floating in some levels. Hammers allow the Mini Marios to defeat enemies.
? Block ? Blocks contain Fire Flowers.
Fire Flower An item that comes out of a ? Block, it turns Mini Mario into Fire Mini Mario, which allows him to hurl fireballs within a limited time to stun or defeat enemies.
Pink Block Pink Blocks are objects that are used as bridges between the corresponding bracket. Pink Blocks can be collected and placed within a level.
Yellow Spring Yellow Springs are used to fling Mini Marios to higher places.
Blue Spring Blue Springs are used to fling Mini Marios to higher places, but also flings them forwards at the same time.
Conveyor Conveyors are objects that move in one direction, but can be reversed using a button. Mini Marios can't go the opposite direction because the conveyor belt moves faster than the Mini.
Elevator Elevators are platforms that move up and down. Once the direction of the elevator is selected it can't be changed until the elevator reaches a floor. An elevator can hold up to two Mini Marios.
Color Switch Color Switches let the player open gates with the same color, while closing gates that have different colors. There are 3 colors of Color Switches.
Warp Pipe Warp pipes send Mini Marios that enter it to a different part of the level.
Rotate Pipe Rotate Pipes are warp pipe sections that rotate 90° when tapped to allow the player to reach different warp pipe exits in the level.
Magnetic Block Magnetic Blocks allow Mini Marios to walk on any direction, even upside-down. They can be collected and placed within a level.
Swing Bar Swing Bars are objects that can be used to cross gaps. They can also be used to launch Mini Marios upward.
Donut Block A block that falls after being walked on by Mini Marios.
Fire Block Fire Blocks are blocks that can burn wood.
Bomb Block Bomb Blocks are blocks that can destroy breakable blocks.
Construction Kits. In the Construction Zone, players choose a kit, one from each floor that incorporates the elements and enemies of that floor. Players unlock each kit as they beat the DK boss battle for each floor.
Bonus Construction Kits. By completing the minigame in each floor (and ultimately collecting all of the Mini Mario Cards), special kits are unlocked (Kit 1 is Floors 1-3, Kit 2 is Floors 4-6, and Kit 3 is Floors 7-8). Not only are the elements combined from the floors (with some bonuses, with Special Kit 3 containing every element in the game - and more), but players no longer control Mini Marios. Mini Toads, Mini Peaches, and Mini Donkey Kongs now become playable, respectively.
Title Screen Change. To change the Mini Marios on the title screen into Mini Toads, Peaches, or Donkey Kongs, the player needs to have eighty bronze, silver, or gold stars, respectively. Then he or she can change it in the Options → Showroom. They all must be a certain star to be unlocked - seventy nine gold and one bronze still only unlocks the Mini Toads.
Basement. After defeating the main game, returning to the same save file directs the player to the basement of the theme park, sub-titled "DK's Hideout". Two bonus boss battles similar to the final battle await in Levels B1 and B2. To access them, though, the player needs forty silver and forty gold stars, respectively. B1 requires the player to run over twelve platforms that disappear on contact, six on the upper screen and six on the lower. B2 requires the player to get Minis to the upper screen so they can push a barrel onto Donkey Kong. B1 unlocks the final gallery image; B2 unlocks the final movie. These battles are also not ranked.
Nintendo DS Carig Harris, IGN 7/10 "The original Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a far better puzzle game than March of the Minis is, but that doesn't make this game a bad one. It is a clever Lemmings-inspired, touch screen design with a great focus on user-submitted content to keep the game going on and on. Its similarities to the first game are only in looks; the concept goes in a refreshingly different -- but just not as successful, addictive or challenging -- direction for Nintendo DS gamers."
Nintendo DS Jeff Gerstmann, Gamespy 3.5/5 "So, in a nutshell, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 is a mixed blessing. It's got some fun and elaborate puzzles, although some get a tad too elaborate to manage at once. Also, certain parts of the gameplay mechanic, such as the responsiveness of the touch screen while steering Mini-Marios around, don't function as well as we would have liked. Still, for those who find themselves drawn to the game, the title's stringent requirements for a gold star will generate lots of replay value, just as the excellent Wi-Fi setup will. Even if Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 apes Lemmings on PSP (again, no pun intended), it emulates most of that game's best elements, although its flaws seem to be rooted in both the hardware and its inability to sustain the previous game's sense of joy."
Nintendo DS Kristan Reed, Eurogamer 7/10 "So what's this pleasant puzzle diversion worth in the grand scheme of all things DS? On the plus side there's nothing quite like March of the Minis on the platform; it's yet another game oozing with intuitive Nintendo design genius that makes it an instantly pleasurable game to pick up and enjoy from the start. But although it's the sort of game that lends itself perfectly to short commutes and coffee breaks, its strengths are also its Achilles heel - many won't appreciate the simplicity, or the fact that there doesn't appear to be enough of a substantial challenge to grab your attention for very long. Not for everyone, then, but well worth further investigation if puzzling's your thing."
For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis.
Most of the music are cover versions from other games. The only original compositions in the game are the Pipe Works theme and the main menu theme.
Mushroom Mayhem: cover of #-MM levels from Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
Tropical Island: cover of Donkey Kong Jungle theme in Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
Magnet Mania: cover of underground Levels from most of the Mario games.
Lava Dome: cover of Bowser's Castle in Super Mario Bros.
Toadstool Castle: cover of Princess Peach's Castle in Super Mario 64.
Spooky Attic: cover of Spooky House in Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
Jungle Hijinks: cover of "Simian Segue (Jungle Theme)" from Donkey Kong Country.
Boss Battles: cover of first boss theme from Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
Final Boss: fusion between the 25m theme from the original Donkey Kong and "Simian Segue (Jungle Theme)" from Donkey Kong Country.
Minigame: cover of the bonus game theme from Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
If Mini Toads, Peaches, or DKs appear on the title screen, the title music from the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong plays.
Donkey Kong: Pauline makes a return to the Mario series. Certain levels are based off of ones found in this game.
Super Mario Bros.: World 5 uses the castle music from this game. Also the main theme is remixed several times.
Donkey Kong Country: Music from this game is featured in the jungle levels.
Mario & Wario: Very similar gameplay to this game.
Super Mario 64: Music from this game is featured in the castle levels.
Mario Power Tennis: Several of Donkey Kong's voice clips are recycled.
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat: Several of Donkey Kong's voice clips are recycled.
Mario buiesu Donkī Kongu Tsū Mini Mini Dai Kōshin! Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: Mini Mini Big March!
The game's title name is an allusion to the Beatles song "March of the Meanies".
In the Level Editor, it is possible to have only one Mini - it's an all or nothing deal (Mini in = 1000 + all in + perfect chain + all non-stop (6000) = 17000 points OR Mini out = failed level, 0 points). The G/S/B is 18200/13200/7200, but unless the player has under 120 seconds left and there are few coins, they are almost forced to get a gold or no star.
Players can create only eight levels in the Construction Zone, yet receive up to twenty-four levels.
The credits show 3D pictures of some of the Mini poses and enemies, likely as a throwback to the similar credits pictures in the first Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
When players close and open their DS (putting it in and out of sleep mode), Mario has some things to say, such as "Hey, come back here, you big-a monkey!", "Let's play again!", and "I love this game!" This feature was also used for the sequels, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
The gameplay of this game is similar to that of Mario & Wario.
↑ 1.0 1.1 Zephiel810. (February 21, 2017). Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis - 100% Walkthrough - World 2: Tropical Turmoil. YouTube. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
This page was last edited on April 7, 2019, at 02:05. | 2019-04-22T00:52:32Z | https://www.mariowiki.com/Mario_vs._Donkey_Kong_2:_March_of_the_Minis |
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When we are communicating through language, we are participating within the limits of a specific sensory frequency range which is then decoded by the thinking mind to determine meaning at a certain level of the conscious mind. This applies to both verbal and written frequencies. Language is limiting because it can never relay the full essence of experience. Its frequencies reduce pure meaning to an approximation of experience.
The awakening and remembering of our infinite Divine consciousness is a frequency of meaning, existence, and being that is beyond the generalized limits of language. Therefore, we can never use language as the means, teaching, or manual to the awakening of our true infinite consciousness. We can use language to guide, offer insights and feelings on direction, and to develop context for the experiential journey. It is all information and energy that may or may not resonate with the experience of unique souls who are at various sequences in their journey.
Because humanity has been living within a disharmonic frequency of a false restricted fear-based consciousness of conflict, control, and separation for many thousands of years, humanity has been veiled from full Divine awareness within incarnate form. Without this awareness, we are not experiencing and expressing our infinite consciousness on Earth. The fear-based operating system of the mind conditions a consciousness that identifies with the mind contents of limiting beliefs, emotions, and traumatic experience. This identification with contents is then experienced as the restrictions of energy in the body. The primary identification with the limited frequencies of language is part of the current personal identity operating system of the mind, and has been designed to keep humanity operating in a narrow consciousness range of external identification through the experiences of the bodymind.
With the primary awareness of our being through a language dependent system, humanity is veiled from its true infinite Divine consciousness. This consciousness is nonlocal. It is an ultimate simplicity experiencing as an infinite complexity. The existing frequencies of language are not capable of expressing either the simplicity or an infinite simultaneous complexity of meaning. When we use language to assist our awakening and remembering who we truly are as infinite Divine being, we are using limited tools to open to a higher frequency.
When we write or speak about awakening to Divine awareness, we are endeavoring to provide insights and direction to an action that exceeds the capabilities of language. With regard to the infinite consciousness that we are, there is no direct “how to” at the level of language. Through language we can offer insights, feelings, and experience that may assist the journey. These can include meditations, worldviews, healing modalities, etc.
Through the medium of language, we can receive and transmit insights on how the infinite consciousness, mind, and body emanate as a unity. We can express ways of working at the physical body level, the subtle levels of mind, and the interaction of the heart as an interface between the bodymind and infinite consciousness in soul and spirit. With language, we can also point toward an experience of Divine awareness that is beyond words.
However, the language form of processing meaning to experience can never fully capture the infinite complexity of all the frequency systems. The experience of healing, transforming, awakening, and remembering is not reducible to written or verbal communication. As we awaken to our true Divine humanity, we will express a knowing intelligence of the higher mind within the heart through the physical body. This heart-centered infinite consciousness is beyond the operating system of the personal identity mind of thinking and its limiting content programs—it is a higher mind of knowing and doing.
Through language, we are using a lesser vehicle of expression to offer a general guidance on the experience of healing and transforming the bodymind, and awakening to our true Divine humanity incarnate on Earth. We are also communicating a resonant frequency of the higher mind in the heart that transcends the meaning that can be conveyed by the mind’s perception of only the narrow frequencies of the language itself. As we read and learn from others through their communications on awakening to infinite Divine consciousness, let us keep in perspective the role that language is playing in this process of Divine awareness and shifting frequencies.
For thousands of years, humanity has been living a veiled existence on Earth. This frequency veil has hidden the knowledge of our true being that is infinite Divine consciousness. The fear-based cultural system of conflict, control, and separation has conditioned awareness to identify at various levels of the continuum of body and mind. In this time of shifting frequencies, humanity on Earth has the opportunity to move beyond all false identification of external belief systems, and awaken to the pure inner knowing of our Divine awareness within soul and spirit.
In truth, our infinite consciousness is our seamless unity with the mind and body. The bodymind is part of our infinite consciousness continuum for experiencing and expressing love and creativity in this frequency dimension of the universe on Earth. The error of the false matrix has been to condition an identification of the whole self within a certain frequency range of the mind and body. As we awaken and remember who we really are, we will know our true human nature as infinite consciousness. We will then be able to express that consciousness directly within the mind and through the body.
The human being on Earth is one unified Divine infinite consciousness expressing this awareness as organized frequency patterns of mind and body. Thus, we are one consciousness of the Divine infinite that is creatively emanating through two main energetic frequency domains of body and mind. Our true being of infinite consciousness is spirit and soul. As we awaken, we will remember and know how we express on Earth as Divine infinite consciousness, mind, and body.
When humanity became infiltrated by a restricting fear-based consciousness, the core disruption occurs at the level of the mind. If we use the computer analogy, which is not entirely accurate, but is helpful in our transition of recovering knowledge, the body and mind is a consciousness and energy bio-computer that is a receiver/organizer/transmitter of information. The physical body is hardware—structure, central processing unit, and hard drive memory. This includes sensory awareness, the major consciousness organs of heart and brain, all systems such as the nervous and endocrine systems, DNA, and cellular awareness or memory. The mind is the software—operating system and content programs. The operating system is the overall belief of either our personal identity or our infinite being, and the content programs are our beliefs, emotional encodings, experiences, and secondary defense mechanisms and patterns of action.
The infiltration into the human system occurred within the operating system of the mind. The true operating system of the mind is an awareness of infinite consciousness that can support the intentions, thoughts, emotions, and experience in the Earth reality. When the operating system supports infinite awareness, energy will go to any content mind processes and body frequencies without blocking the free harmonic flow of energy. Without identifying with the mind contents, energy is never restricted. The energy harmonically pulses to content frequency and flows back to infinite consciousness. The false programs which orchestrate the fear, conflict, control, and separation illusion stems from an operating system of personality that identifies with the mind content and physical body. This identifying operating system enables energy to restrict as blockages in mind and body through limiting beliefs, emotional codes, and painful experiences. This energy then becomes one with the physical frequencies of the body vehicle.
Wilhelm Reich pioneered an understanding of how the fear-based operating system restricts energy and manifests as blockages in the physical muscular and cellular system. He identified seven major areas where the life energy or “orgone” is restricted in the physical vehicle. These body armor segments include the forehead/eyes, chin/jaw/throat/, neck musculature/upper back, chest, diaphragm, solar plexus/stomach, stomach muscles between ribs and pelvis, and the pelvis. All of these areas interact with each other, and must be released or transformed in order for energy to move in a fluid harmonic of expansion and contraction pulsation through the body. Only when all areas are unhindered will sexual energy express as its highest purest Divine frequency in the human being. Reich determined that the full freedom and flow of energy in physical sexual expression was a measure of whether the human being had an armored or unarmored consciousness.
Reich saw that the content programs of the mind manifest as muscular restriction in the body which he called “body armor.” It is our understanding that these content mind programs which cause energy restrictions in the physical body originate from the personality identifying operating system. This system is the foundation of the false fear-based 3D mind matrix that limits the awareness of infinite consciousness.
Wilhelm Reich’s experience with the segments of body armor can give us some insight into how and where the mind’s content system and operating system may be expressing or anchoring in the body. The knowledge of specific areas provides us some direction in understanding how our consciousness emanates through the mind and body. However, it is only a guide for our awakening to inner knowing as our infinite consciousness ultimately manifests throughout the entire cellular body.
Reich found that the energy blocks in the upper four segments (forehead/eyes, chin/throat, neck/back, and chest) released as emotions and word language, such as fear, anger, sadness, and crying. However, with regard to the diaphragm and solar plexus, Reich found that a release of the blocking armor did not correspond with expressive emotion and word language. The diaphragm/solar plexus did not reflect specific emotional energy and expressive language that would be indicative of content conditioning. Here, Reich’s work can give us insight into both the content and operating systems of the mind. It appears that the four upper segments and the lower stomach and pelvis may be directly associated with the mind’s content programs of limiting beliefs, emotions, and experience. Whereas, the core of the mind’s operating system may relate to the frequencies of the physical body by being situated in the muscular armor of the diaphragm and solar plexus. With this connection to the operating system of the mind, we can see why unrestricted breathing and the solar plexus/gut reactions are pivotal for expressing the free flow of energy of Divine human consciousness through the body.
The freedom of the diaphragm and solar plexus is vital to transforming to an unarmored bodymind. This can only occur when we are the awareness of infinite consciousness, and we relinquish the fear-based operating system of personal bodymind identity and open to the operating system of higher mind in unity with the heart. In order to live directly as infinite Divine consciousness through the body, we must let go of the attachment to the fear-based operation system of the conditioned personality. This transformation coincides with the shift to harmonic energy flow in the diaphragm and solar plexus.
We cannot work at primarily the body or mind level in order to transform all restrictions and restore the pure harmonic flow of infinite consciousness through the energy movement within mind and body. By working through the body and/or mind we can release many restrictions, but we cannot fully restore the unarmored human solely by changing beliefs, emotional codes, and their resulting physical restrictions. We can heal and transform to a high degree by loosening blockages at the body and mind frequencies, but we will not eliminate the problem of the infiltrated human consciousness.
In order to awaken, remember, and restore the pure unarmored expression of the spirit and soul through the mind and body, we need a wholesale change of operating system. The only way to effect this change to an operating system that reflects the soul’s infinite love and creativity, is through direct awareness of the true human nature as infinite consciousness. While incarnate, a heart-centered consciousness is the interface between the bodymind and the unity of infinite consciousness in Divine awareness. We are actually working from all three levels of body, mind, and infinite consciousness at once. When we are working to change and transform the bodymind programs, we make it easier for consciousness to awaken and remember Divine awareness. And as we can directly restore and emanate Divine awareness, we can transform the operating system of the mind, and thus, fully go beyond all limiting conditioning and body armor.
When we awaken, remember, and restore our inner knowing as our true Divine nature, we shift frequencies beyond the infiltrated program of the limiting fear-based mind of conflict, control, and separation. This false matrix has veiled our knowledge of who we are, and installed the error that the fear-based matrix system is our nature. This misperception has made us think and feel that humanity is something less than infinite Divine consciousness. It has caused the normalizing of conflict, harm, and separation, and the false belief that humanity must somehow change or transform its nature to solve its painful situation.
With this mindset, humanity has been conditioned to look outside to external belief systems, groups, organizations, and technology to try to understand human nature. This very external energy continues to veil humanity from its truth of infinite Divine consciousness. By shifting attention and intention within, humanity will awaken to its infinite consciousness and full capacity of interior consciousness technologies—an infinite experience and expression of love and creativity, telepathy, teleportation, harmonic cellular regeneration, and intentional creativity and manifestation.
The accelerating energetic frequencies that we are receiving from the galaxy and sun are creating a resonance where we are given the choice to reawaken to our Divine awareness as infinite consciousness.
We are an infinite Divine consciousness experiencing and expressing through mind and body frequencies. Infinite consciousness emanates as a consciousness continuum of spirit, soul, mind, and body. This is our true humanity. Because of an infiltration of a fear-based conflict, control, and separation false matrix in humanity over thousands of years, we have been living in various states of amnesia from our true nature.
We know we are living in a time of awakening and remembering our true nature as a result of a direct awareness of Divine consciousness. We are becoming aware of a Divine timing sequence that is part of an awakening and shifting consciousness on Earth to a higher frequency organization. The Divine synchronic timing sequence is neither linear nor cyclical. It is beyond time and is now manifesting in our current awareness of Earth experience. This awareness is intrinsic to our consciousness and being, and is not part of any prophecy or cycle. We remember from an inner knowing through an awakening heart consciousness.
The change in frequency is assisting an accelerating awakening and healing of fear-based conditioning and programming. It is loosening rigid inharmonic energy patterns, and making it easier to transform limiting beliefs and emotional encoding. We are moving beyond identifying with these mind programs as personality, and trusting in our innate nature as Divine awareness of infinite love and creativity. While this work is still very challenging and takes great attention, intention, and patience, the shifting energetic frequencies are enabling healing/transforming at deeper and multiple layers simultaneously. This is the main preparation of human consciousness for living in a higher frequency dimension of Earth. Our awakening to Divine awareness is in synchrony with a Dimensional Ascension of the Earth incarnate experience.
The encodings of the lower thinking mind programs of the fear-based matrix are virtually infinite. The human mind has been encoded, conditioned, and manipulated by cultural, educational, childhood, intergenerational, and past life contents of limiting beliefs, emotions, and traumatic experience. It would be impossible to directly clear all of the attachments to this content at either a conscious or unconscious level within a current lifetime. Therefore, as we awaken to infinite consciousness and transform the content programs, we are moving toward a change in the mind’s operating system. The key to this change is to know that we are an infinite Divine consciousness, and no longer attach to the programmed contents of the mind which are part of the fear-based matrix programs of conflict, control, and separation.
Only with a change in the mind’s operating system will we fully remember our Divine awareness as lived directly through the cellular consciousness of the body. While incarnate, our true Divine awareness is a heart-centered consciousness that expresses through the mind and body.
Our preparation for ascension includes an accelerating transformation of mind content which will assist a change in the operating system of the mind. We will go beyond the current fear-based belief conditioning of the mind, and shift to the higher mind of creativity that supports heart consciousness. We have been conditioned to be veiled from Divine awareness by a false mind operating system. Through this disconnection at the mind level, we have been simultaneously separated from both full body awareness and our Divine awareness.
In an upcoming article, we will provide more detail on the consciousness of our true Divine humanity, as well as the flow of communicating energies through the bodymind. The human bio-computer has been primarily infiltrated in the mind. Once this infiltration has taken place, the human being can be manipulated at both the mind and physical body frequencies. Awakening to our true Divine consciousness will transform the operating system beyond the false programming mind, and thus restore the oneness of the Divine awareness throughout the body frequencies and cellular consciousness.
After living on Earth for many thousands of years within an isolating and low energy matrix, humanity is now interacting with a higher frequency oscillation that is emanating from higher dimensions through the galactic center and throughout the entire energetic system of the galaxy. These frequencies are then transduced and transmitted by the Sun to the Earth. In sequence, the Earth then transforms these energies in communication with all life on the planet.
The higher frequency energy is part of a Divine timing sequence of elevating the Earth and human consciousness. The higher dimensional information and consciousness is interacting with humanity in a harmonic resonance that is assisting humanity to awaken and remember our true infinite being. The awareness and expression of humanity’s infinite Divine consciousness in soul and spirit through the consciousness vehicle of mind and body has not been lived on Earth for several hundred thousand years.
As a result of an infiltration of an inharmonic fear-based conflict, control, and separation conditioning into human consciousness, humanity has searched outside for rules, leadership, and systems of living that would express true human nature. All of the historical systems of culture have been part of a deception that has conditioned a false fear-based view of human nature. All of the systems organize external ideas and impress that humanity must become something that it is not by nature—the thoughts on the change of our being include salvation, transformation, enlightenment, alchemy, etc.
In both overt ways and in very subtle ways, the systems of organization and transformation reinforce the fear-based system. The so called “answers” are revealed in some sort of specific content that is part of humanity becoming something new. In reality, we already are an infinite consciousness of Divine love and creativity. Our difficulty and challenge is not to become something else, but to awaken and remember who we already are.
Now it is true that awakening and remembering is a life journey of deep healing, changing of beliefs and emotional encodings, and doing the work in order to resonate with a higher consciousness of soul/spirit that is lived through a body consciousness. We can perceive “transforming” or “evolving” in this way, but not in a way that is a change of our nature of who we are as infinite Divine spirit/soul within incarnate form on Earth.
All content based systems develop the mind and body to adhere to some external control group, network, organization, or system. The very beliefs and actions of an external controlling content system are part of the veiling of our true human nature. They move the attention away from our truth that is only found within the consciousness of the heart. While incarnate, the heart is our connection to our infinite Divine awareness, and the oneness of our full consciousness capabilities with the physical frequencies of the body. Some of these abilities include intentional creativity and manifestation, telepathy, and harmonic cellular regeneration.
All of our actions of communication and creativity emanate from our interior consciousness technology. Our unique mission, soul frequency, and infinite being comes from within. Any external system must by its very nature pull us outside of our true being under fear-based ways of authority, ruling, and controlling. Therefore, true freedom is only manifested within the heart, soul, and spirit of our interior consciousness. It is only here where we have knowledge. Any other ideas or thinking is a lesser frequency of various mind functions. Only within do we open to and acknowledge the true responsibility to our being and Divine source. Within this responsible freedom, we act on our love, goodness, and creativity as part of our experience and expression of life that is a unitary endeavor with all.
We are Divine light, consciousness, and energy. We are an infinite freedom of being that is a gift of Divine love. We have an unprecedented opportunity with our incarnation on Earth to remember and restore our true Divine love and eternal freedom within our experience. The most we can truly say at this point in a time of shifting energetic frequencies, is that the current awakening is part of a Divine timing sequence for our experience of our soul journey on Earth. This time is not occurring from prior content systems of prophecy, cycles, etc. It is time for us to truly begin to look within the freedom of our true nature and move beyond the reliance on all content systems that continue to keep us imprisoned in conflict, control, and separation frequencies.
We are not saying to forego all organized thought, community sharing, books, as well as different viewpoints of approach and ideas on the awakening to higher knowledge. All of our gifts of mind and lower vibrational languages, empirical knowledge, and beliefs need to be in service of our life mission through the knowledge and wisdom from our heart, soul, and Divine being. We can no longer both look within and also continue to adhere to an external authority to know our human nature. It is time to shift beyond all of the false conditioning and remember our infinite Divine consciousness. All of the false identities and fears that maintain conflict and control must be relinquished.
The external control system that has infiltrated humanity on Earth maintains its centralized authoritarian control through the false self-identity. This identity lives in fear because of the false belief that something is wrong with our human nature—thus humanity is conditioned to look outside for love, acceptance, and the answers to life. This has been done through the deceptive conditioning within human institutions, cultures, and social systems. The whole manipulating intelligence of the last thousands of years has instituted a false programming of control and authority by veiling human consciousness from its infinite being within.
The entire conditioning of humans that their nature is flawed prevents them from being themselves. As a result they do not express Divine love, power, and creativity. Humanity has been deceived in following an external authority. As humanity awakens, we will see that this authority system has been universal within all culture. All external content managing systems of ruling, authority and control inhibit freedom. Authentic freedom can never be defined from the outside. The very instant that humans resonate with this frequency of external symbol, figure, language, or person, human Divine power and energy is siphoned off.
By forgetting who we really are, humanity has completely lost sight of the creative and cooperative process where we know our freedom and being from within as we experience others and the perceived outside world. When we awaken and connect to our infinite free being, the conflict and control frequencies with others and the outside no longer resonate. All the knowledge, freedom, goodness, understanding, and creativity of being is our true nature. Now, the true gift of others and the outside perceived experience of this holographic Earth experience can be shared in joyful freedom.
We are an infinite consciousness of pure love with a purpose to love and create with one another through infinite choices of love and creativity. Love experienced in biological consciousness vehicles we refer to as the “physical body” is part of the eternal soul experience in the dimensional universe and dimensionless spiritual realms. Our freedom and direction emanates from the Divine source that is the center of being. It is time to fully awaken to who we really are as authentic freedom of consciousness, and to live our unique mission of being in a unity consciousness with all.
As the 3D hologram continues to devolve into a more overt transhumanist authoritarian control system, it is important to move attention and intention to our Divine freedom of being. The awakening and ascending is a shift of consciousness. Within this aspect of shifting intensity, the Divine timing is sequencing a Dimensional ascension which is a change in organization of the holographic frequency to a higher dimensional oscillation. The choice to ascend with this frequency manifestation on Earth amidst an intensifying devolving 3D frequency through the infiltrating external control structure is within the energetic frequency of freedom of being.
The pure freedom of being is a trust in one’s Divine goodness and infinite love that we are within the Divine source. Our mission now is to awaken to our heart-centered Divine unity by opening the heart and Divine mind of interior consciousness. We do this not only within some established pathway or system that has been infiltrated by an authoritarian control system, but by directly resonating with the truth and love in our soul and spirit of infinite Divine consciousness. By awakening at this level, we will go beyond just accessing higher consciousness at the higher mind/chakras and truly be this awareness directly through the physical body and cellular consciousness.
It is this commitment to remembering the freedom and trust of truth and love that will assist us in navigating the challenging times ahead as the 3D matrix devolves, collapses, and dissipates in frequency. As we still participate in the 3D holographic frequency, the transitioning energies of a higher dimension will further integrate with human consciousness and the Earth. Within this awakening to our true nature as Divine infinite consciousness incarnate, we are going beyond all external content systems. All of the content systems of religious, spiritual, esoteric, metaphysical, alchemical, scientific, star being, and inter-dimensional content systems will only progress us so far in our pure awakening to Divine awareness.
All of these systems rely upon communicating to the external conceptual organization of the human mind, and therefore are drawn into the authoritarian 3D fear-based control matrix that has infiltrated the perception in this frequency band of experience. The higher frequency energy that is being transmitted to humanity on Earth is assisting us to awaken without a content management system categorizing the truth of our being. This level of awakening directly to our essence, experience, and expression of our Divine Being is the next sequence in dimensional ascension. It is part of the yet unknown timing and manifestation of a holographic change to the dimensional frequency of humanity incarnate on Earth.
The future of humanity is an awakening of heart consciousness. Within the heart, we open to a higher dimension of our mind that intends, knows, and acts beyond thinking. Since humanity has been conditioned in a narrow range of fear-based conflict, control, and separation through a dualistic thinking mind, it can seem incomprehensible at the current level of consciousness that we can use intelligence to intend, create, and act on Earth through the mind and body without thinking. Through a manipulation of the “thinking mind,” humanity has been at once disconnected from the full life of the body and full Divine awareness of our infinite consciousness.
Heart consciousness is our Divine awareness in incarnate form. Within the heart, we unite a body consciousness with a whole new level and understanding of all aspects of the mind in service of the heart. The true multidimensional human mind is always expressing in the moment beyond time. The thinking mind is never in the now because its frequency is a perpetual censor of consciousness. Therefore, it is always operating from the prior unconscious programming that continues to relive the past and fear the future. This perpetual censoring device is the anchor for the narrow range of the five physical senses that have been the primary means for decoding and experiencing this reality on Earth for thousands of years.
It is time to awaken, remember, and be our infinite heart-centered consciousness. A dense inharmonic conflicting frequency has been infecting and infiltrating the human mind for many thousands of years. The entire 3D false matrix of fear, conflict, control, and separation has been disrupting the planet and humanity incarnate. This cultural system works against the harmony, freedom, creativity, and unity of life. It is time to commit to being who we really are as infinite souls of Divine light, consciousness, energy, and love. Anything less than pure love and creativity is a level of acceptance of the false ways of being that humanity has been immersed in.
The attack by inharmonic intelligence has been to focus on a frequency matrix of the thinking mind that has been conditioning limiting beliefs, painful emotions, and past experience. When this occurs, the human consciousness becomes consciously unaware of its infinite consciousness, and thereby identifies with a more limited frequency range of the body-mind. This identification with the body-mind vehicle of consciousness actually separates the awareness of our true infinite consciousness from the body. Therefore, when we identify with the body outside of infinite consciousness, we are no longer fully present within the body.
The force that has infiltrated and enslaved humanity has conditioned the human mind through a false fear-based programming which has separated humanity from both the body and infinite consciousness. Humanity has been kept in a veiled and controlled state through identification with the dualistic software program of the 3D thinking mind. This results in the human being mistakenly believing that his or her life condition in this restricted consciousness is part of human nature. When in reality, humanity has been living in a false artificial nature through a mind program of a hierarchical authoritarian ruling control structure.
As humanity remembers, Divine awareness is awakened. From our infinite consciousness, a higher frequency of mind manifests as love, freedom, unity and creativity. This frequency of mind serves the unity of the heart through the body. Infinite consciousness will become one with the body. The key of reuniting with infinite consciousness is through a heart-centered consciousness. Through the heart, we open to our Divine awareness of infinite consciousness and reconnect our being throughout the cellular consciousness of the body. Within the heart, infinite consciousness and the body become one through a new activation of the higher mind.
The knowing mind does not think. Within the intuitive frequencies of mind, information is spontaneously accessed by the direction and attention of intentional consciousness. The intuitive knowing mind is operative when Divine awareness is within infinite consciousness in soul and spirit. When our infinite being is expressing as incarnate humanity on Earth, the heart, infinite consciousness, higher mind, and cellular body consciousness are experienced as unitary Divine awareness.
The spirit-soul of infinite consciousness expresses through the mind and body vehicle. Our true nature is a Divine infinite consciousness of love, creativity, freedom, and unity with all. Our being is pure information, consciousness, and energy, and is experienced and expressed in its fullness through interior consciousness technology. This includes telepathic consciousness, multichannel telepathy, teleportation, bi-location, harmonic cellular regeneration, and intentional creativity and manifestation. While our true consciousness abilities of communication, creativity, and action are all internal, a reference to external electronic computer technology can help us understand the consciousness continuum of the physical body consciousness bio-computer, the subtle dimensions of mind, and infinite consciousness. We can relate the physical body—cellular structure, organs, DNA, and all systems with an analogy to hardware. This includes physical structure, CPU, and hardrive. The mind relates to the software, and Divine infinite consciousness is the intelligence and creativity beyond the software.
Within the manipulated matrix of fear, conflict, control, and separation there has been interference and conditioning of both the mind and physical body. It is a two way bi-directional interference—mind programs alter physical energy frequencies of the physical vehicle, and a disruption in the energetic and biochemistry of the physical vehicle inhibits the full efficient functioning of the software program that is the mind.
In our awakening and remembering, we no longer identify our consciousness with the physical vehicle of the thinking mind. We open to Divine awareness of knowing our being, experience, and expression as a Divine infinite consciousness. Therefore, we realize that we cannot heal and transform the body and mind to infinite consciousness solely by intervening at the physical body or the etheric subtle mind level. We must go beyond the thinking mind program in order to remember infinite consciousness to fully awaken to our true Divine nature. It is not sufficient to understand that we are an infinite Divine consciousness through the conscious awareness of the thinking mind level. We must be infinite consciousness with a direct awareness from this nonlocal multidimensional level.
Many spiritual, philosophical, psychological, and metaphysical systems have sought to heal on the mind level by equating mind with the higher self, soul, spirit, etc. At this level, we can only change individual software codes of limiting beliefs, emotional coding, and actions. This will assist us, but in truth, the entire mind software has been conditioned by the false 3D fear-based matrix. Thus, we need to override or uninstall the mind software in its entirety. This we do by awakening and remembering who we are as infinite consciousness.
While this computer analogy can help us understand our consciousness in this time of transition, we must realize that all external technologies are an artificial external extension of the current limited mind programming that is decoding electromagnetic information that is relayed to the brain by the physical sensory system. When we awaken to our true abilities, we have all the communication and creative capabilities in our interior multidimensional infinite consciousness. Thus, our awakening is to be infinite consciousness in awareness which will be lived in frequency through the mind and cellular consciousness of the physical body.
Ultimately, while we are experiencing our being as incarnate on Earth, our infinite consciousness, mind, and physical body will function as a seamless receiver/transformer/transmitter of the knowing Divine awareness of love and creativity. Within this time of energetic shift, the process of awakening is reuniting our physical body and information instructions of the mind all within an infinite consciousness emanating through the vortex of the heart consciousness. The future of humanity on Earth is to live from an ascended fifth dimensional and beyond matrix of oscillating consciousness and energy.
As we bring Divine awareness into direct experience in the mind and body, the very frequency of the physical body and overall mind software is changing. This evolving expression will reflect our true being of a higher energy fluid expression and continuous harmonic flow of energies. They emanate at the physical frequency of consciousness through a unified light and sound frequency. No longer will friction, energy blockages, and defensive secondary energy pathways restrict our Divine awareness. We will restore the pure balance of energetic flow of the limitless unrestricted Divine. We will remember our infinite consciousness of a nonlocal timeless dimension within our incarnate form on Earth.
May we open to the fullness of the Divine light and awareness so as to remember our multidimensional humanity, and express ways of living on Earth that oscillate the harmonic frequencies of Divine love and creativity. The firm choice to live from Divine love, and ways of communicating and creating that reflect freedom, love, and Divine unity is inherent within the movement of Dimensional Ascension. | 2019-04-20T16:50:06Z | http://blog.peterborysjr.com/2013/06/ |
The hot season is upon us, and one of the consequences to enjoying the sun and the beach is dry hair. Exposure to too much sun, especially with harmful UV rays, is one of the top reasons for dry, brittle, and dull hair. In addition, external factors such as excessive hair treatments and the use of harsh hair products also contribute to the dehydration of follicles.
There are numerous solutions for dry hair, but you cannot just jump in from one treatment to the next. Certain considerations still have to be made, like, has your hair undergone any recent treatments like re-bonding or straightening? Have you done any hair colour procedures? Did you get a perm; or do you wear hair extensions? All these actors have to be taken-in on order to find the most compatible solution for your condition.
Contrary to popular belief, washing your hair everyday can do extensive damage, especially if you are using harsh shampoos with strong chemical contents. Shampoos with a pH of 2.5 to 3.5 are the best choices for almost all types of hair. Professional hair salons share that this acidic level of shampoos is enough to clean the hair but not so strong as to strip away the follicle's natural keratin coat. Daily shampooing is unnecessary especially if you work indoors like an office. According to hair salon professionals, washing with shampoo with conditioner contents is recommended at least every other day or every two days. Some of the low pH shampoos to choose from are: Paul Mitchell Moisture and Shine, Matrix Biolage Hydrating Shampoo, and Redken Moisturizing Shampoo.
But if you are loyal to one product and you feel that it has been good to your hair, then stick with it. Just reduce your use to the abovementioned frequency.
HAIR TREATMENT: GOOD OR EVIL?
Hair treatments are not actually evil. There are times when you will actually need them to revive life to your mane. There are literally hundreds of hair treatments out there but it does not mean you should try them all. Like is most cases, sticking to the most researched procedures is the best option. Keratin Hair treatments is one of the more known recommendations for dry hair. Keratin is a natural component of our hair, and as the name suggests, this hair treatment will be giving back lost keratin to our crowning glories. A keratin hair treatment is applicable for any type of hair—curly, frizzy, damaged, straight, colored, and processed. This is currently the rave in terms of hair salon treatments.
If you have to wash your hair for two consecutive days, just wet hair and use conditioner only. Wash it off thoroughly to avoid dandruff. In addition, applying hair serum before stepping out of the house can help protect your hair from the harmful sun.
Dry hair is vulnerable to breakage and split ends. Adding more stress to it by too much brushing and callous hairstyling can hasten its already bad condition. When washing, avoid aggressive lathering. Simply use your fingertips and work your scalp in circles. These strokes will also de-stress and stimulate the scalp, allowing the scalp to breathe, and become rejuvenated. Hair salons recommend using medium to soft brushes to tame dry hair.
Our hands and nails take a lot of abuse every day. With our busy lives, we sometimes tend to take them for granted and forget that just like our feet and faces, they also need some TLC occasionally. We have to understand that a manicure is sometimes not enough to maintain the health of our hands and nails.
The skin or our hands can easily dry up without the proper protection and maintenance practices. Dermatologists recommend carrying a hand lotion in your bag. Moisturizing should be done at least 4 times a day especially in cold temperatures.
An inexpensive way of maintaining the moisture in our hands and nails is by soaking them in a bowl of warm milk for 5 minutes every other day. Milk has natural hydrating factors that both strengthen and rejuvenate cells on the hands and keratin on our nails.
Removing dead skin cells is a way for new and healthier ones to emerge. Using your face astringent on the back of your hands to exfoliate is actually an acceptable maintenance practice. Do this once or twice a week; depending on the level of abuse, your hands receive in a day. Do not forget to always slab on a layer of lotion after cleansing them with your choice of exfoliant.
One solution for removing dead skin cells from your hands and nails by using things at home is by preparing a solution of lemon extracts, a bit of salt and warm water. Some salons that provide manicures also use this simple formula for their customers. What you need to do is get a soft brush (or an old toothbrush) and use the solution to scrub off dull and dry skin around the nails and on the back of the hands.
By doing this once a week, boosts the luster of fingernails and lessens skin discoloration.Excessive use of cuticle and nail polish removers is one of the most common factors that lead to dry and brittle nails. According to professional salons, manicures that entail the removal of old cuticles must use oil-based removers to gently clean and remove the top layer of the nails.
Manicures, especially when done too often, can lead to brittle or extremely soft nails. Some salons recommend soaking them in olive oil for about 20 minutes every two days. Olive oil has natural properties that reinforce keratin content on the hair and fingernails.
By using gloves as protection when doing tasks that rely heavily on hands, is also an important way to keep it from damage. Gardening and other similar jobs put a lot of strain on our nails so one has to remember to use some form of cover for the hands.
Fine wrinkles start to appear on the face, especially the chin, smile lines and forehead as well as a sign that you are no longer young but not if you've also indicated really old. For that you can prevent it in various ways, one of which you can use various techniques, starting with the various anti-wrinkle cream, until surgery (face lifting). In addition to these treatments, you can also keep up with the maintenance of internal (from within), one with consuming tomatoes.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is famous for its alleged prevention of wrinkles and dark spots due to sunlight. Eighty percent of wrinkles caused by sunlight, and lycopene is one of the potent antioxidant that can stop the process of premature aging caused by exposure to sunlight.
According to experts, adding tomatoes to the menu brings many benefits. Lycopene is also famous for its usefulness in the fight against heart disease and cancer. Therefore, in addition to skin health, you can also prevent other diseases.
Consume lycopene-rich tomato paste can dramatically reduce skin damage caused by sunlight. Eating tomato paste mixed with olive oil for 10 weeks in addition to your regular menu can also help. Lycopene is an antioxidant that is very potent and powerful weapon in preventing skin damage caused by free radicals.
Add some cooked tomato dishes into your menu such as spaghetti, pizza, tomato soup or other. If possible, choose the tomatoes that are cooked than raw. However, raw tomatoes contain lots of lycopene, but when cooked the absorption will increase four fold.
Add fresh tomato slices on sandwiches and hamburgers. Replace mayonnaise in sandwiches and hamburgers with tomato paste, then you will get a completely different taste.
It is a good idea to drink one glass of tomato juice every day instead of orange; because by drinking tomato juice, you will get the lycopene and vitamin C. If you do not like the tomatoes then you can take lycopene supplements but you should consult your doctor.
Routine maintenance will be different, results in each person depends on your diet and lifestyle.
People like to be groomed and appear clean all the time. That is why salons and spas exist because they help men and women look good and presentable when there are special occasions, a very important client meeting, or just a regular upkeep to maintain one's grooming.
Nevertheless, these services and treatments can cost a fortune these days especially with their in-house secret ingredient or formula that make people coming back for more. Home solutions as well as do it yourself projects are the answer to cut down cost. One can simply avail of the services at the comforts of their own home and without the extra charge.
A nail file is an amazing object that has been in use for a number of years to groom people's nails. These can be purchased by anyone who wishes to treat their nails at home and there are many kinds to choose from.
There are the more traditional emery board kinds of nail file; an electric nail file is also an option, and the newer kind that uses glass as its main component.
Depending on its use, a good nail file they should be of high quality to make sure it lasts multiple uses, made of durable materials to withstand wear and tear, and easy to use as in electrical files. A nail file should also be easy to clean and disinfect to avoid the bacteria from piling and multiplying.
Though any one can use a nail file, there is a certain way to treat the nails to get a great finish and keep them from breaking. Observe how the professionals do it with a manual nail file and adapt that style; however, a person can do it on his own without investing in a salon treatment first.
The first step is to make sure the person's hands are cleaned with soap and water. When using a nail file, there has to be an allowance of extra length in the nails to allow the file to work its way through. Clipping the nails is a great way to ensure the proper length before filing. Hold the nail file at an angle on one corner and stroke at this angle towards the center; repeat this several times with light pressure. Move on to the other corner at a slight angle, and work the nail file to the center again and repeat this step with all nails at the desired length and shape.
After using the nail file, it is always a good way to wash your hands to prevent any infections. In addition, moisturize to keep hands and nails smooth and shiny.
Natural essential oils are of many types. Therefore, the oil you choose depends on what you aim to achieve by using the oil. Some oils help elevate your mood while others may treat a burn. Unfortunately, there is no specific list, which points out the oil that is best for a specific condition. Research is the only way you are going to purchase high quality natural essential oils.
Depending on the way the oils are taken in, their method of application also changes. For instance, natural essential oils may be applied topically using a compress or they may be rubbed in directly. They may be inhaled using a diffuser.
The application method depends on the nature of the oil. For instance, some oils are intense and may therefore irritate the skin if applied topically. These must then be diffused in the air and inhaled.
The desired effect also plays an important role. For example, topical application is best suited for treating wounds. Inhalation can help elevate moods. Adding the oil to bath water can induce relaxation. An experienced aromatherapist is the person to consult if you are not sure about the application process or have any doubts regarding the oil you need to purchase.
The best quality oils are of the first grade. Cheap quality essential oils may be adulterated with cheap fillers that compromise the quality and durability of the oil. Thus, it is important to pay close attention to the list of ingredients on the label of the product you buy. Look for 'Pure Jasmine Oil' or 'Pure Myrrh'.
One must never buy natural essential oils from street shops, fairs etc.
Some people like the idea of buying organically grown essential oils. These are of the purest quality. However, they are also highly expensive. The extraction process of essential oils also matters. Steam distilled oils are better for the skin as these do not contain any chemicals.
One of the best ways of ensuring high quality is to buy pure essential oils and mix them yourself. However, not everyone can do this. Therefore, the second alternative is to buy essential oils from reputed sellers.
High quality natural essential oils are expensive no doubt. However, if you intend to use these oils for some time, it makes sense to buy one or two oils of the best quality.
What are aromatherapy carrier oils?
Most people associate aromatherapy with essential oils. While essential oils form the backbone of aromatherapy, carrier oils also play a vital role in aromatherapy. Essentially, aromatherapy carrier oils are base oils that are mixed with pure essential oils before they are used for a particular purpose. Carrier oil is generally extracted from vegetables, seeds or kernels.
What is the importance of aromatherapy carrier oils?
In their undiluted form, essential oils are too potent to be used and they can cause irritation or burning. Carrier oils are added to pure essential oils to dilute them before their application. Since the base oil carries the essential oil to the human body, it is termed carrier oil. Carrier oils are used in massage creams; lotions, bath oils and other skin care products too.
Unlike essential oils that evaporate when exposed to air, carrier oils are more stable. They are almost odorless, which means they do not impart any fragrance of their own to the aromatherapy oil. Some carrier oils have a slightly sweet, nutty fragrance though. However, it must be remembered that carrier oils have a certain shelf life and turn rancid after a while. Essential oils, on the other hand, lose their potency but do not turn rancid.
Aromatherapy carrier oils come from different sources. Different oils have different therapeutic properties and conditions. The nature of the carrier oil affects many aspects of the aromatherapy oil and affects therapy, color, aroma and purpose of the treatment. Thus, the type of oil to be used depends on the therapeutic benefit of the aromatherapy oil.
The most commonly found aromatherapy carrier oils include sweet almond oil, avocado oil, macadamia oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba, sunflower oil, and sesame oil. However, it must be remembered that carrier oils used for aromatherapy are cold pressed. Therefore, most oils available in grocery stores cannot be used as carrier oils.
* Ensure that the oil is cold extracted or cold pressed. This means that the oil has not been influenced by heat. Oils that have been extracted using the 'cold expeller pressed' method are the best.
* Carrier oils that have been processed in the right manner are rich in antioxidants and are therefore beneficial for the skin. These also extend the shelf life of the blended product.
* High quality carrier oils also contain essential fatty acids. Since the body does not produce essential fatty acids, they are highly nutritious for the skin. Different oils have varying amounts of essential fatty acids. While higher percentage of essential fatty acids is beneficial, fatty acids also reduce the shelf life of the oil.
* The price of aromatherapy carrier oils varies. The source of the oil, its extraction process and whether the source is organic are some of the factors that decide the cost of the base oil.
* Mineral oils are not used as carrier oils.
Fragrance oils are also known as aroma oils. Essentially, these oils are blended from synthetic compounds or may be extracted naturally from herbs and plants. Pure essential oils are very potent and therefore have greater impact. Nevertheless, they cannot be used directly. Generally, blending essential oils with some amount of other oils, which is what differentiates them from pure essential oils, forms fragrance oils.
Typically, fragrance oils are used therapeutically, and are particularly useful in aromatherapy treatment. Thus, fragrance oils are readily available at aromatherapy stores. However, one must exercise caution while purchasing these oils. The quality of the fragrance oil you purchase depends on the quality of the brand, vendor or manufacturer. Adulterated oils may be harmful as they may irritate the skin. Contaminated oils may even have long lasting side effects.
Before using fragrance oils topically, it is necessary to ensure that the oil does not trigger any allergic reactions in the body. Since it is not mandatory to list ingredients on the labels of products, it pays to be cautious. It is necessary to buy fragrance oils from quality sellers. Some manufacturers use chemical additives to bring down the cost of the oils. Some people are allergic to air borne chemicals. Therefore, it is important to be concerned about the nature and quality of the fragrance oils you buy.
Fragrance oils may be used to alleviate stress and conditions that result from a busy lifestyle. Fragrance oils are used to make a variety of essential oils.
Fragrance oils may be used to alleviate stress. By inhaling these oils or massaging them into the skin, one may induce relaxation in taut musculature. Oils like chamomile, basil, lemongrass and eucalyptus are best for reducing stress.
Fragrance oils may be used to treat a number of skin problems like acne, dryness and so on. They may also be used to treat other related problems like dandruff, skin problems and cellulite. Grape seed, rosemary and chamomile are best for beauty treatments. Fragrance oils may be used in conditioners, shampoos and so on.
The basic aim of aromatherapy is to convert essential oils into fragrances. Bath oils are an example. Unlike synthetic products, pure essential oils are free of additives and are safe when compared to other commercially available products.
Fragrance oils help relax the mind and thus aid meditation. Many practices like Yoga and Pilates are performed in an atmosphere suffused with fragrance. Epsom salts are made from essential oils and help ease aches and pains.
As you can see, fragrance oils have many uses. However, only high quality fragrance oils deliver the desired impact, and why it is important to be careful about the quality of the product you buy.
Do You Really Want To Use A Temporary Wrinkle Remover?
A temporary wrinkle remover could cost hundreds of dollars and last for only a few months. The over-the-counter products may be cheaper, but their effects may last for only a few minutes. With a good health and skincare routine, you can reduce wrinkles gradually and look more youthful for life. Here are some healthy suggestions.
Salmon, broccoli, tomatoes, soy and wakame are some foods that have proven to be beneficial in clinical studies for reversing free radical damage, one of the primary causes of visible and invisible aging. White bread, white sugar, white rice, potatoes and baked goods are some of the foods that can lead to the production of Advanced Glycation End-products or AGEs, a cause of wrinkled skin and a variety of health problems. So, choose your diet carefully.
The best dietary supplements contain many of the antioxidants and other nutrients found in the foods mentioned above. In one study, a fish oil supplement was shown to improve the skin's firmness by 30%. Firmer skin is less wrinkled. Other supplements that may be beneficial include lycopene, an antioxidant in tomato shown to help protect against UV damage, another cause of skin aging.
A temporary wrinkle remover will rarely fall under that category. Some ingredients provide an immediate improvement by slightly bending the light rays. It is kind of like smoke and mirrors. Nevertheless, the effect can last from one face wash to the next. The ingredient to look for is keratin. You will find it in some of the better anti-aging creams, because it also stimulates the production of new skin cells. Decreased production of skin cells is yet another cause of wrinkling.
Although it is not a temporary wrinkle remover, another good ingredient is coenzyme Q10. After three months of daily use, creams containing coenzyme Q10 have been shown to reverse wrinkles by 30%. They also work to correct sun damage.
Not only is wakame a great food to eat for anti-aging benefits, it also works from the outside in when it is applied directly to the skin. Wakame is a kind of kelp. It works to increase the skin's hyaluronic acid content. Hyaluronic acid helps to keep the skin smooth and firm. It also plays a role in the production of new skin cells. Low levels of hyaluronic acid are known to accompany aging.
You might still want to invest in a temporary wrinkle remover for some special occasion. But at least now you know there are ways to easily and inexpensively improve your appearance for life. | 2019-04-26T09:37:59Z | http://www.nosacosmetics.com/blog/archives/04-2011 |
Here are some testimonials we have received from our clients. We are here to help, if you need any help or advice please call us.
Since I spoke to you last I have read 'It's Not About Me' and want to say I am far wiser and more knowledgeable than ever before about the long journey through addiction and back to sobriety. Your book has been inspiring, enlightened me, made me cry, filled me with despair yet hope and longing for my daughter to one day see that glimmer of light that will grow and help her very soon to realise what she has to do to get well.
Ian, I feel I've tried everything, I've been soft, tough, soft again, and at present am trying just to love her, be her mum but not giving her any cash but still reminding her that help is at hand once she accepts her need and asks for it.
I missed my tube and bus stops several times as I was so engrossed in it! The 12 steps you describe sound amazing and I so want S. to have that chance.
"This is a great book and tells the truth of someone who walked the walk and talked the talk. Could not put this down. Inspiring for all."
"Thank you Ian for being honest, open and brave to write this book! It's a miracle you went through what you went through alive and with such compassion and passion to help others! Never give up! You're right it's not about you it's about all of us addicts or not! But this book is certainly about you and it is GREAT!!"
"My daughter is an alcoholic and was on a downhill spiral. She had been in rehabs before but was unwilling to undergo further rehab treatment. I was deeply concerned about the traditional concept that the alcoholic has to reach 'rock bottom' before any meaningful treatment would work. This gambles that in the interim the alcoholic won't die, cause irreversible damage to their body/mind and jeopardise their future by possibly having a criminal record, debts, losing their home etc.
Sober Services offered a different approach of 'intervention' before the alcoholic descends into the possible terrifying consequences mentioned above. The intervention process, which is explained in the Sober Services programme, whilst being very stressful for myself and my family, was effective in that despite my daughter's initial strong resistance to further detox and rehab she ended up undergoing detox in the UK and rehab in South Africa.
(3) choosing the right rehab as Ian has extensive knowledge of various rehab possibilities both domestically in the UK and abroad.
(4) putting together a programme to cover the post rehab situation for my daughter.
Throughout the process Ian was always contactable which was hugely important to myself and he gave advice to family members on the actions they needed to take as part of the intervention.
I appreciate there are no absolute guarantees that my daughter will remain alcohol free forever but I felt the intervention process at least offers her a good chance of living rather than the highly probable dire consequences of the 'rock bottom' approach."
Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that Willem is doing great.
You worked intensely with him and brought him home to us after he'd been arrested, back to Phoenix, Az, USA from South Africa two years ago, just in time for Christmas.
He is working full time, driving his car, which he is paying for, and he has a very lovely girl friend. He is thinking of going to university and studying for a business degree.
We want to thank you so much for bringing him home to us and inspiring him to make such radical changes in his life, at such a relatively young age (he was 19)!
"Rory and I are very grateful to you for your inimitable organisation in providing a seamless journey for our son Alex to the US for residential treatment.
Without your wealth of experience in all the various aspects (especially the US Border procedures) there would definitely have been a hitch at some point and that could have scuppered the whole operation.
We are deeply grateful to you for making this part of Alex's progress happen.
I cannot thank you enough for your help in transporting my son from London to Cape Town, caring for him a further 24 hours, before accompanying him on a second flight to a detox clinic in Nelspruit.
Your professionalism was evident from the first time I contacted you to enquire about your services and continued throughout your travelling with my son to his final destination. This was not easy at times with him being so ill, but you were able to reassure him as well as work with airport staff to ensure he was able to fly when there was the prospect of him not being allowed on the plane.
I personally would recommend you to anyone needing support transporting a family member to a detox clinic/rehabilitation centre whether locally or abroad.
"The service you provide is absolutely WONDERFUL. We would not have made it without your professional help. We cannot thank you enough and are so impressed what you are able to offer clients over and above just supporting them through the physical journey to a clinic.
Thank you so much once again for your service."
"I'd just like to add my thanks to Sober Services for doing such superb job yesterday, and for the sensitivity and empathy with which you approached Alex and us.
And thank you for the article you sent. It's good to see that the dangers of legal highs are getting better known.
Thanks again for all your help - we felt very supported.
"Sober Services did a first class job and we are grateful for all the support you gave. "
But now after your successful Sober Intervention and residential rehab recommendation we are approaching my brothers one year anniversary.
One year of being clean and sober!
This is a sentence I cannot stop repeating to myself.
For each time I do, am left feeling astonishingly proud of my brother.
Proud of his achievement, who he has become and the path he is creating for himself.
This was something I not only thought was impossible, but has now created the foundation of my new relationship with him.
Ian, thank you for everything you have done for all of us.
"“To any family feeling helpless, frustrated and like there is no way forward to help your alcoholic loved one, please phone Sober Services now.
There is a way forward. I phoned to learn about the Intervention – a word that conjured up terrible images.
It was an emotionally fraught time.
After just one phone call I had clicked with Ian (who took the call), been reassured about the Sober Intervention service on offer and, most importantly, been convinced that finally, finally, somebody understood our situation and had a clear way forward for us to help our Dad.
If you have a loved one who is an alcoholic (drinking, recovering or any stage in between) and you need help, phone Sober Services.
It will be the single best thing you have ever done for yourself and your loved alcoholic.”"
"“I want to thank you very much for your time, effort and support through this very difficult time – you have been amazing and it’s been very useful receiving your input. You definitely made me feel better as seemed to be able to relate very well to everything I said which also made me feel that we weren’t alone in this and weren’t peculiar or anything but that these things do happen to normal families!
Maybe we will meet one day, but hopefully under nicer circumstances!!
Sober Services are here to help you find the most appropriate method towards recovery available to fit your circumstances and lifestyle. “"
"After getting your number from a concerned friend, I thought our conversation would be short. Part of me hoped that you’d say I didn’t need help and it would all work out. The other part was exhausted, beaten and ashamed, silently screaming for something to fix me, to take away the craving.
As I listened I was taken back your openness and honesty.
I identified with so much of your story.
That hope you gave me persuaded me admit to myself that I needed help.
It’s been almost a year since we completed sober coaching, and I now have a sense of freedom, peace and contentment, which back then I couldn’t have imagined.
Life just keeps getting better.
Thank you for your help and inspiration.
I look forward to your book in the hope that it may help others not lucky enough to have your number.”"
"It's almost a year since I was first put in contact with you and what a year it has been!
I really just wanted to say a huge thank you again to you.
As well as making the trip to SA to collect Dad, the support you gave me throughout the hardest time in my life was beyond invaluable.
I think the work you and your team do is amazing and families who use your services are lucky to have that level of understanding and support.
I hope we don't need to use your services again but to know you are there is reassurance enough for me!
"A very big thank you from Management and Team at Stepping Stones Clinic – your professional ‘can-do’ attitude was refreshing and so appreciated – we’re in awe of your easy-manner and delighted our client was re-united safely with his parents!
Grateful too that you were able to find him a sponsor and introduce him to a sober community."
"We have been using sober services virtually since there inception in 2008. We have no hesitation in recommending their services to all those who think they may need them.
We are proud to offer Sober Services as part of our structure."
"We have been utilizing the Sober Transportation services for over 18 months.
At all times we are very impressed with their rapid call to action and availability at very short notice to collect a client anywhere (within the British Isles and Europe) and transport them safely at the agreed location with accurately timed arrival.
The Referral Network fully supports Sober Services for their professional approach and their results. The industry is a better place for their services.
As I listened I was taken back your openness and honesty. I identified with so much of your story. That hope you gave me, persuaded me admit to myself that I needed help.
It’s been almost a year since we completed sober coaching, I now have a sense of freedom, peace and contentment which back then I couldn’t have imagined.
Life just keeps getting better. Thank you for your help and inspiration.
I look forward to your book in the hope that it may help others not lucky enough to have your number."
"On 15th July 2010 Sober Services transportation offered us a very good service.
They were efficient and considerate in their duty.
We would certainly use them again."
"We have used Sober Services on a number of occasions and have found them to be extremely reliable, flexible and courteous. They have enabled us to ensure that clients have arrived with us in a safe, stable and comfortable manner, allaying the anxiety that can be felt by a client in having to organise trains, taxis etc. I have no hesitation in recommending this service to other treatment providers or similar services."
“We are happy to confirm that we have been successfully commissioning transportation and client relocation services from Sober Services since January 2009. We have always found them to be reliable and efficient in managing our, sometimes, unpredictable and chaotic clientele, and one of the most cost-effective solutions to a reoccurring challenge for our multi location organisation. Our admissions team work closely with the Sober Services team and this allows us both to offer a professional and effective service which we believe to be of paramount importance in our client’s recovery journey. Whilst we do not endorse any outside agency we are happy to confirm that we have every intention to continue working with Sober Services for the foreseeable future."
"Ian Young was an amazing influence in my life last year and has continued to be a wonderful support to me since. He helped me to research a film role I was determined to get right. It was the role of a police woman struggling with alcohol and cocaine addiction. Ian introduced me to some unbelievable people who were so honest and open about their own experiences of addiction and rehabilitation.
The whole experience was unbelievably moving to me as a person and made the role in to something that exceeded all of my expectations as an actress. I knew, after my time with Ian researching, that I had to honour him and all the people who had given me their time in my performance. I am so grateful to all of them. I don’t care how the role is perceived as long as they and Ian gives it the thumbs up! That’s what matters.
Seeing the generosity, commitment and humour Ian brings to the people he works with is truly inspirational. He uses his own struggle and experience to help others through theirs. Not the kind of humanity you find every day. He is one of those people that makes things happen. All I had to do was ask if he could sort me out with some people to talk to and places to visit for research and it was done. He really did make what I thought to be the impossible, possible. I could not have done it without you Ian! Let’s hope the film does well, but most importantly, let’s hope all the people I met are happy and healthy and continue to thrive on the support you and people like you give them.
Thanks for being so generous and putting yourself on the line for a complete stranger. All the blessings in the world for all you put your hand to"
"We employed Ian to offer cocaine addiction consultancy and training to our leading lady – Zawe Ashton, so that she could play the part of a policewoman with a drug habit. Ian did so much more than help her understand how to act like a cocaine addict, but over a number of sessions he went on to make suggestions regarding the complete psychology and behavioural patterns of an addicted person, which positively impacted the complete credibility of the film. I know that our movie benefitted greatly from Ian’s input and I will be recommending him and his Sober Consultancy services in other Lionsgate movie productions"
"To whom it may concern.
Hi, my name is Dave and I am an extremely happy customer of Sober Services. After 18months of continually failing to stay sober for more than two months I was somewhat baffled to why this was. Most of the time all was well, I would get through the first couple of weeks full of confidence, and then out of the blue would find myself relapsing at times of stress or at social events. On speaking to a friend she suggested I contact Ian, so I did. On meeting Ian for the first time I immediately felt very comfortable and at ease in his company. A week later I was due to go on business abroad, these certain trips were always my most vulnerable times (airports, business meetings etc.) so I decided to give sober services a try. Ian picked me up promptly in the very early hours of the morning (in a very nice comfortable car) and drove me to Heathrow airport. We chatted all the way to the airport and I was made to feel at ease before boarding my flight. Upon my return Ian was again prompt and returned me home safely. A couple of weeks later I had to attend a family function, (these were always big trigger points for me), and I invited Ian to accompany me. Ian introduced himself as a friend and was welcomed by all members of my family, and again I returned home safe and sober…. A few months have passed now and I’m still sober thanks to the help, genuine care and support from Ian and Sober Services. Many thanks"
"I want to thank you very much for your time, effort and support through this very difficult time – you have been amazing and it’s been very useful receiving your input. You definitely made me feel better as seemed to be able to relate very well to everything I said which also made me feel that we weren’t alone in this and weren’t peculiar or anything but that these things do happen to normal families!
Maybe we will meet one day, but hopefully under nicer circumstances!!"
I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the report you sent through and for the service that you provided.
We were very concerned that my brother-in-law would find traveling alone between London and Cape Town very difficult at such an early stage in his recovery. We realised that the best thing to do was to arrange for someone to travel with him and the Detox facility he was in recommended Sober Service’s transport service to us.
From the very first contact, Sober Services were brilliant. It was a huge relief to find someone offering exactly the service that we needed. It was also very reassuring talking to you and a great comfort to know that my brother-in-law was in such safe and experienced hands.
Thank you for taking so much time and care to plan everything with me. I’m sure that it made a huge difference to my brother-in-law to have you there and it certainly was very important to his family and friends.
In the nicest possible way, I hope that we never have need of your services again, but I would be very happy to recommend you to anyone in a similar position. I will of course let you know how he gets on. In the meantime, it has genuinely been a pleasure dealing with you.
With many thanks again and best wishes for the future."
"My name is Lea, and I was suffering from addiction to alcohol and cocaine.
I had desperately tried to stop, but just could not.
It got to a point where I was scared that I would die.
I knew that if I did not get away to receive professional help, I would probably end up dead.
I live in Luxembourg and I had no clue where to go.
I got in touch with Sober Services and spoke to a very friendly voice.
I told him I needed to find a rehab immediately and that I had to leave in the next few days, otherwise I knew I would not have the courage to go.
Ian said he would help find me a rehab that was best suited for me, and he kept in touch with me each hour to let me know what was happening.
That afternoon Ian had found me a place in a rehab in South Africa.
From that point on and until I left 4 days later, Ian kept in contact with me, providing me with the emotional support I so desperately needed.
Today I am 8 months clean and my life has completely changed.
Today I am finally free to be me, to be a mother, a wife and a friend.
I am so grateful for what Ian and Sober Services did for me.
Without them, I’m not sure I would be who I am today.
I received so much care and support when I needed it the most.
"Ian Young and his team at Sober Services have delivered a service that has been far better then we could have ever hoped for.
On the very first day I called Ian he was able to react to our situation immediately and had two people on the job that very afternoon.
The level of advice, support, experience and resources that Sober Services provide is quite impressive.
This particular assignment had its own challenges… confidentiality and being able to adapt to constantly changing schedule were key!
Sober Services fitted around our requirements perfectly and got the job done."
"To any family feeling helpless, frustrated and like there is no way forward to help your alcoholic loved one, please phone Sober Services now. There is a way forward.I phoned to learn about Intervention – a word that conjured up terrible images. It was an emotionally fraught time. After just one phone call I had clicked with the person who took the call, been reassured about the Intervention service on offer and, most importantly, been convinced that finally, finally, somebody understood our situation and had a clear way forward for us to help our Dad.
If you have a loved one who is an alcoholic (drinking, recovering or any stage in between) and you need help, phone Sober Services. It will be the single best thing you have ever done for yourself and your loved alcoholic." | 2019-04-20T03:18:40Z | https://www.sober-services.com/testimonials/ |
The youngest of Sir Sayer de Rochford of Fenne’s prominent sons, John de Rochford the Younger, first appears on record in 1376. The register of the Boston Guild of Corpus Christi records that in that year he and his wife Alice joined the Guild, just as his late father and eldest brother had done before him.
Confusingly, John’s eldest brother was also called John. If this sounds odd, note that it was not unknown at the time for siblings to share a name; and for the most part these two can easily be distinguished from one another in contemporary records. The older John was already knighted when the younger was born, and he was almost always called “Sir John de Rochford” or “John de Rochford, knight” in the records of the time. For clarity I refer to him as Sir John de Rochford II of Fenne. As the eldest son, he was heir-apparent to the ancestral family estates. The younger John, the subject of this biography, meanwhile, was usually called “John de Rochford the Younger” or “John de Rochford of Boston” in contemporary records. There are some records where the distinguishing details are missing – in particular, lists of men appointed to royal commissions in the Patent Rolls. But in these cases it is usually clear who was being referred to by their position in the list and thus their relative status. Sir John, as a knight, would be named before all men on the commission who were not knights, whereas John the Younger would be named among them. This applies until about 1399, when John the Younger himself was knighted and thereafter usually known as “Sir John de Rochford” just as his older brother had been – an obvious source of further confusion that is cleared up only with the knowledge that the older Sir John had died between 1392 and 1396.
Returning to John the Younger’s early life: about a year after he joined the Boston Guild of Corpus Christi, on 6 February 1377 he joined another older brother, Sir Ralph de Rochford of Walpole, as a commissioner of the walls and ditches in Marshland Hundred, Norfolk. John’s name appears very low in the pecking order for this commission, after a couple of clerks; but as a younger son he might have been considered lucky to be on a royal commission at all. The opportunity to learn the ropes with Sir Ralph, who was an experienced royal commissioner and some 20-25 years older than him, must have been useful. Perhaps his appointment was under the growing influence of their eldest brother, who had just been elected to parliament, or of the increasingly powerful John of Gaunt, whose patronage would soon play a pivotal role in the fortunes of the family.
If John the Younger was of age by this time, he must have been born by about 1357. In fact, an inquisition post mortem into the estates of the late Sir Roger Hillary taken in 1403 (with clarification from a court case of 1422) confirms that John was born around 1354-1357 and that his mother was Sir Roger’s sister Joan Hillary, who Sayer had married by 1348. Roger had died leaving no children and his estates were to be split between the heirs of Joan and another sister, Elizabeth, both of whom were dead. Joan’s heir was “John son of Saer de Rochefort, knight, junior” who was “aged forty years and more”, while Elizabeth’s heir was her daughter Elizabeth aged “fifty years and more”. Assuming John was therefore 40-49 years old, he was born in or after 1354.
So John the Younger was in his early twenties when he was appointed to his first commission. In November 1379 he was appointed to another commission with his brother Ralph, this time to find out who had been harassing the Boston Friars Preachers in their beds at night “so that they were obliged to ring their bells to raise the commonalty of the town to come to their aid”, and arrest the accused. But in early 1380 the commission was dissolved and the brothers and their colleagues were ordered to free anyone imprisoned by it.
While their eldest brother, Sir John, lived at the family’s ancestral home at Fenne, and Sir Ralph was based at Walpole in Norfolk, John the Younger lived in Boston itself where he associated with the wealthy merchants. Unusually for a younger brother, he appears to have been extremely wealthy himself early in life. The 1381 poll tax return for Boston put his assessment at ten shillings – the largest figure by far of the 1,594 tax payers in the town, and second only in Skirbeck wapentake to his eldest brother’s payment of 13s 4d. The tax return also stated that John the Younger had a wife named Joan. This seems to have been a clerical error, perhaps intended for his mother who was by now a widow. Some time between June 1381 and June 1382 John de Rochford the Younger and his wife Alice – not Joan – came to some agreement with his maternal uncle Sir Roger Hillary over the manor of East Bergholt in Suffolk. Alice was still alive in 1398, and John asked to be buried beside her in his will in 1410.
The arms of the Rochfords and the Fastolfs impaled, as described in the Norfolk Visitations of 1563-1613 for John de Rochford the Younger and his wife Alice. If correct, Alice must have been a Fastolf.
There is no known primary evidence to confirm who Alice was, but she seems to have had local family connections, as in 1381 and 1388 she was involved in various court cases as executrix of the will of Richard de Neuton, another Boston merchant. It has been said that she was a Hastings, but there is no evidence to support this – it appears to be a mix up with John’s brother John the elder. Meanwhile, there is a tenuous clue in the Norfolk Visitations of 1563-1613, which correctly states under an entry for the Tilney family that one of John’s daughters, Margaret, would marry Frederick de Tilney, a son of Philip de Tilney, with whom John struck up a close relationship during his time at Boston. The entry also records arms for “Rochford and his wife – Quarterly or and gules, a bordure sable bezantee; impaling, Quarterly or and azure, on a bend gules three escallops argent”. The first blazon, Quarterly or and gules, a border sable bezanty, is the Rochfords’ coat of arms. The second, impaling it to indicate marriage, Quarterly or and azure, on a bend gules three escallops argent – quarters of gold and blue, with a red diagonal stripe over the top with three silver shells on it – is best known as the arms of the Fastolf family of Great Yarmouth on the east coast of Norfolk. If the visitation was accurate, Alice must have been a member of that family, but there is no other evidence to weigh in on the matter.
The Register of the Guild of Corpus Christi, Boston. This page records the membership of John de Rochford the Younger’s father, Sir Sayer, in 1343. John himself became alderman of the guild for many years. The register is now in the British Library (BL Harley MS 4795).
In 1380 John the Younger had been appointed as one of the two chamberlains or treasurers to the Corpus Christi guild, and he must have done a fine job as in 1381 the members chose him as their alderman, the chief official of the guild. He would continue in this role until 1386 when he was succeeded by Sir Philip de Tilney, but he would later hold the office again from 1391 to 1394, then from 1397 to 1399, and finally in 1409. John cannot have been more than 27 years old when he was first appointed as alderman, and the role would have brought him many useful connections. On 3 November the same year he stood surety for the Boston merchant John Bell and John de Swyn to have them freed from arrest. Bell was also a member of the guild and would be a close associate of the Rochfords into the 1400s.
The 1381 poll tax was the trigger for the Peasants’ Revolt. Sir John de Rochford, who had been made a commissioner of array and a justice of the peace in 1380, was sent to deal with the Lincolnshire rebels in July and December 1381. In March the next year, as the insurgency lingered on, John the Younger was appointed to join his older brother in keeping the peace in Lincolnshire, and “to arrest, imprison and punish such rebels and any who incite rebellion” using an armed force of knights and esquires if necessary. In December their commission was renewed, and Sir John and John the Younger were appointed as justices of the peace together for the Parts of Kesteven and Holland respectively.
These were John the Younger’s first royal commissions since the abortive investigation into who broke into the Friars Preachers’ house in 1379. They mark the start of a remarkable lifelong career in royal service with hardly a break: by the time he died in 1410, John could count more than fifty individual commissions to his name. After 1382, John the Younger was appointed as a justice of the peace in Lincolnshire a further eight times – in 1388, 1390, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1401, 1406 and 1410 – mostly for the Parts of Holland and occasionally for Kesteven and Lindsey. He also followed in his father’s and brother Sir Ralph’s footsteps, serving on numerous commissions of the walls and ditches, most of them in Lincolnshire, some in Norfolk and a few in Cambridgeshire. These were in 1386, 1390, 1392, 1394, 1395, 1399, 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408 and 1410. In the later years he was often appointed to two such commissions in different counties at the same time, bringing his total to fifteen. To add to this, John also served on some twenty-odd ad-hoc royal commissions during this period.
By early 1385 the French were planning an all-out invasion of England. Amid fears of an imminent attack, the English crown fired commissions off to every corner of the country, including to John de Rochford the Younger and others in the Parts of Holland, “to array all men-at-arms, armed men and archers … and distrain all who in lands and goods are capable but by feebleness of body incapable of labour … to contribute to the expenses of those who will thus labour in defence of the realm … Moreover the signs called ‘Bekyns’ are to be placed in the accustomed spots to warn people of the coming of the enemy”.
John the Younger would be appointed to a few more commissions of array, in 1399, 1402 and 1403, and even join one or two military expeditions. But in stark contrast to the rest of the Rochford family, he did not get much involved in war: he seems to have been far more interested in trade, justice and religion. John must have inherited these traits from his mother’s father, Sir Roger Hillary, a lawyer who had risen to become a chief justice of the Common Pleas.
Aptly, many of John’s ad-hoc royal commissions were connected with Boston and local trade. At some point in 1385 he was appointed to a “special assize”, and on 24 November that year he and other “merchants of England, complaining of the unjust arrest and detention in Prussia, by merchants of that country, of their goods and merchandise to the value of £20,000” were instructed by the crown to retailate by detaining all Prussian merchants’ goods in ports from London to Boston: it was a trade war. In a sign of his growing influence among local merchants, on 26 July 1386 John the Younger was elected Mayor of the Staple of Boston. He was about thirty years old. His constables were Richard de Northwood and John Bell – he had stood surety for the latter in 1381, and just a few months before, in May 1386, he and Philip de Tilney had helped a chaplain named John de Barton acquire some property in the town from John Bell and his wife, Isabella.
Soon after, on 22 September, the king sent instructions to John de Rochford the Younger – now often called “of Boston” – and Philip de Tilney and others to assess and levy a loan of 200 marks from the town, perhaps to help fund the punishing costs of war. A few days later, on 25 September, the king instructed John’s brothers Sir John and Sir Ralph to control the escalating prices of arms, armour and horses in their neighbourhood. The French had struggled to get their expedition off the ground in 1385, but by autumn 1386 the threat of invasion was greater than ever.
Meanwhile, John of Gaunt had left for Castile to pursue his hopes for the throne there, and Richard II’s fragile reign began to fall apart. The Lords Appellant staged their coup, and in March 1388 John de Rochford the Younger appeared alongside his brothers and his nephew Henry de Rochford in swearing allegiance to them at the Merciless Parliament. A number of Richard’s favourites and supporters were executed that year. Gaunt’s own son, Henry Bolingbroke, the earl of Derby and heir to the duchy of Lancaster, was among the leaders of the Lords Appellant, and it is perhaps out of loyalty to him that the Rochfords supported their actions. After all, they could not have known when, or even whether, Gaunt would return, or how he would react. Many of the Rochfords’ Lincolnshire associates swore to support the Lords Appellant too: the Skipwiths, Leakes, Claymonds, Spaignes and John Bell, to name a few.
On 24 May, while parliament was still sitting, John the Younger and his brother Sir Ralph de Rochford of Walpole undertook a commission to investigate a dispute over the manor of Denver in Norfolk. Later in the year, in September, a case that he and others had against Walter Couper of Spalding was quashed. In February 1389 John and Philip de Tilney, who was then alderman of the Guild of Corpus Christi, took the precaution of having the royal licences from Edward III for the founding of the guild reviewed and admitted into the Patent Rolls. And in February the next year John and a host of others gained royal licences to grant property to Barlings Abbey, where he would one day be buried.
By the end of the decade Richard II was able to restore royal authority with the support of John of Gaunt, who had returned crownless from Castile in 1389. The Lords Appellant were treated with surprising leniency and peace was maintained until 1397, when the increasingly tyrannous king set about a calculated revenge. It would prove to be his undoing.
If the 1380s had been a brilliant decade for John Younger, the 1390s got off to a remarkable start. In 1390 he was elected as one of two knights of the shire to represent Lincolnshire in parliament in November that year – although he would not actually be knighted until the end of the century. The other representative was Sir John Bussy, another prominent member of John of Gaunt’s group who had sworn allegiance to the Lords Appellant in 1388. Bussy had probably been at the 1378 siege of St Malo with John de Rochford’s brothers Sir John and Sir Ralph.
The next year John the Younger was re-elected as alderman of the Corpus Christi guild, and in May 1392 he was able to gain a royal licence for his colleague and friend Philip de Tilney and others to grant property worth £20 a year to the guild.
By this time John’s two aging eldest brothers were both in or close to their sixties. He undertook two further commissions with the eldest, Sir John – one in May 1391, and the other in May the following year. Both were to deal with several chaplains serving local fraternities and secular individuals, who “maliciously resist and refuse to obey” the vicars of their parish churches, “and have induced their masters and abettors to beat and wound” these vicars, “and insult and threaten them with death, so that they cannot attend to their duties”. Between these two investigations, one of the John de Rochfords – it is not certain which – was appointed as sheriff of Lincolnshire and instructed to investigate allegations that “certain of the king’s lieges” had been involved in counterfeiting the king’s seal at Lincoln. This was a serious matter – the crime was a form of treason.
Sir John’s involvement in the May 1392 investigation with John the Younger is the last certain record of him alive. The last record of Sir Ralph alive is a final commission of the walls and ditches in July 1391. It seems that soon after this, both passed away. After this point John the Younger was only called “the Younger” in records that referred to the past.
The Guildhall in Boston, built in the 1390s by John de Rochford the Younger and his associates for their newly-incorporated Guild of St Mary. Copperplate about 1820, from Pishey Thompson’s Boston (p235).
In September 1392 John de Rochford (now no longer “the Younger”) clubbed together with Philip de Tilney, John Bell, William de Spaigne and others, with £40 cash in hand, to gain a royal licence to found a new Guild of St Mary in Boston. They were all tenants of Richard II’s wife, Queen Anne. She persuaded the king to give his consent and was duly nominated as foundress of the new guild.
On 5 March the next year John, Philip de Tilney, John Bussy (with whom John had served as a knight of the shire) and Walter Tailboys were appointed to sort out a row between the church, the commonalty and “some of the more worthy citizens” of Lincoln over the election of a new mayor and bailiffs. The task must have looked like political suicide, as they soon wrote back that “without authority of the king’s special command they dared not take upon them that charge because of divers doubts and other perils which might arise in time to come”. The king determined to have the matter settled before him personally.
Soon after John was appointed to a commission to look into the use of fraudulent weights and measures in Lincoln. And at the turn of the year he and Sir John Bussy were once more elected as Lincolnshire’s knights of the shire for the parliament of January-March 1394. On this occasion Bussy was also elected as Speaker of the House.
John de Rochford and Bussy’s relationship was not purely political. Later that year Bussy, together with John’s nephew Sir Ralph Rochford III, John of Gaunt, the bishop of Salisbury and others became trustees of the manor of Little Thetford near Ely in Cambridgeshire. This property was to be the inheritance of Frederick de Tilney, the son of John de Rochford’s late friend Philip de Tilney, and John’s own daughter Margaret. Frederick and Margaret were married, but they were still very young and John was to hold the property in trust for them for eight years, after which presumably they would be old enough to have it for themselves.
Further evidence of the Rochfords’ association with the Bussys could be seen in the latter’s home church, where the arms of the two families once appeared together, alongside those of Sir John Bussy’s mother’s family, the Paynells, and others with whom they were connected.
John de Rochford did not deal much in property for himself, but he often supported family members and associates in their own dealings. In 1381 he had been involved in his brother Sir Ralph’s purchase of property in Hagworthingham, while in 1382 he witnessed an agreement between Sir John de Toutheby and two Boston men. Between 1389 and 1394 John was involved in several transactions of Sir Henry Hasty’s estates in Heckington, Great Hale, Little Hale and elsewhere, presumably as a trustee. In 1389 he was party to a transaction between a clerk, Robert de Whitby, on the one side, and William son of Thomas de Wainfleet and Christian his wife on the other. And in 1393 he was involved in a deal between the chaplain John de Barton, and Ralph de Derby and Elizabeth his wife, regarding property in Benington, Leverton, Skirbeck and Freiston.
For unknown reasons, for the three years after 1394 John de Rochford was replaced as alderman of the Corpus Christi guild, and he was appointed to no royal commissions other than a single commission of the walls and ditches in May 1395. The next record of him after this is not for two years. Perhaps John had fallen out of favour, or perhaps he was abroad. Several sixteenth- and seventeenth-century writers referred to “his noble birth, great learning” and “large travel through France and Italy”. If true, it may be during this period that John toured the continent.
Whatever the reason for the hiatus, things began to get back to normal in 1397: John was re-elected as alderman, in July he was appointed as a justice of the peace for the Parts of Holland, and in autumn he represented Lincolnshire at parliament with Sir John Bussy for a third time. By this time Richard II had fully recovered royal authority and his conciliatory demeanor was gone. Bussy, who was Speaker again, turned against the former Lords Appellant to become a fearsome proponent of the king’s revenge. Bussy swiftly persuaded the Commons to repeal the Lords Appellant’s royal pardons, and by the end of the next year they were all executed, imprisoned or in exile. Henry Bolingbroke was banished from England for ten years.
In December 1397 John de Rochford was appointed to deal with “the assembling in divers conventicles in divers parts of the county of Lincoln of disturbers of the peace armed and in warlike array, who have assaulted the men and servants of John bishop of Lincoln”. In February the next year John de Rochford was reappointed as a justice of the peace in Lincolnshire, and on 2 June 1398 he was instructed to return possessions belonging to the vicar of Sibsey that he had previously been told to seize, as it turned out that the vicar had been falsely accused by his brother of whatever it was he was supposed to have done wrong.
Around this time John and his wife Alice received papal indults – permission – from St Peter’s in Rome to have a portable alter so they could pray on the move, and also “that the confessor of their choice may grant them, being penitent … plenary remission in the hour of death”. This is the last record of Alice: it may be that her death was anticipated.
While John de Rochford’s favour with the royal faction does not appear to have returned to pre-1394 levels, his influence within Lancastrian circles was greater than ever. By the time of John of Gaunt’s death on 3 February 1399, John de Rochford had become steward of the duchy of Lancaster’s honour of Bolingbroke, which was headquartered at Bolingbroke Castle about fifteen miles north of Fenne. This was where Gaunt’s exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke, was born.
With Gaunt’s death, his retainers might have expected Henry Bolingbroke to inherit the duchy and all that went with it. But King Richard II had not yet had his fill of revenge, and he took the opportunity to dispossess the young heir. It was a tyrannical move, and it triggered a crisis that would end Richard’s reign within the year. In July Henry set sail from France with a small army on the precept of reclaiming his inheritance. He landed in Yorkshire, where he could count on the support of many family retainers, and as he marched south his numbers swelled. By 1 September Henry had Richard II locked up in the Tower of London. Sir John Bussy, for his part in the tyranny, was summarily beheaded by Henry’s supporters at Bristol Castle.
The hastily convened 1399 parliament at which King Richard II was formally deposed and Henry Bolingbroke established his claim to the throne. John de Rochford the Younger was one of the two Lincolnshire representatives at this parliament. From Jean Creton’s La Prinse et Mort du Roy Richart, c1401 (BL Harley MS 1319, f. 57r).
Official accounts state that on 29 September Richard II “voluntarily” abdicated, while a hastily convened one-day parliament formally deposed him the next day at Westminster. John de Rochford and Sir Thomas Hauley were present as Lincolnshire’s representatives. Henry Bolingbroke summoned a parliament of the same representatives to start six days later, during which he secured his claim to the throne, and he was crowned King Henry IV in Westminster Abbey on 13 October 1399. So it was that the Rochfords’ new patron became king. John would certainly have been present for the coronation.
The deposed King Richard, meanwhile, was relocated to Pontefract Castle, where John’s father Sir Sayer de Rochford had been imprisoned almost eighty years before. Richard is said to have starved to death in captivity around February 1400.
The Rochfords appear to have played a valuable role in Henry’s bid for the throne, since royal appointments and rewards soon began to pour in. John de Rochford was knighted, probably during the October-November 1399 parliament, and in stark contrast to his marginalised years under Richard II, he would now be at the centre of royal administration in Lincolnshire for rest of his life. Records of John’s activities from this time have noticeably less to do with Boston and mercantile issues – he ceased to be alderman of the Guild of Corpus Christi – and rather more to do with supporting the new Lancastrian regime, which was beset by rebellion from all sides.
On 28 November 1399 John and his nephew Sir Ralph Rochford were appointed as justices of the peace in the Parts of Holland and Kesteven respectively. In December they and Henry Rochford, the son of John’s late older brother Sir Ralph of Walpole, were appointed as commissioners of array in Lincolnshire and Norfolk. They must have aided the king in putting down the Epiphany Rising of earls loyal to King Richard, all of whom were captured and summarily executed in January 1400. One of these was Thomas earl of Kent – on 18 February John was rewarded with the stewardship of all his seized estates in Lincolnshire.
The following month, on 17 March 1400 John was given the delicate task of recovering and restoring goods and chattels “of no small value” that belonged to King Henry IV’s friend and ally Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury, and had gone missing after the archbishop fled into exile in 1397. In August “Sir John de Rochefort knight” and his nephew Henry, now also knighted, joined the king’s expedition to Scotland as captains, with two men-at-arms and twenty archers under them. But John was back by November when the royal administration issued several commissions to him and William Gascoigne to handle disruptions on the Bolingbroke estate, of which John was still the steward. By the end of the year John was appointed as sheriff of Lincolnshire.
On 11 May 1402 John and other leading Lincolnshire knights were sent instructions to “arrest and imprison all persons preaching such lies … that the king has not kept the promises he made at his advent into the realm”. They were to proclaim clearly the king’s intention to rule justly, and ensure everyone understood that subversion would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, a rebellion was fomenting in Wales under the leadership of Owain Glyndŵr, and on 7 August John was instructed to array the men of Lincolnshire and send them to Shrewsbury to “resist the malice of Owen Glyndourdy and other rebels”. In October the king, who was in urgent need of funds, sent letters to John and other knights across the country requesting that they raise a “benevolence” from their home counties. By summer 1403 the Welsh were in full revolt with the support of both Sir Edmund Mortimer, whose nephew of the same name had a strong claim to the throne against Henry IV, and the rebel earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy, who brought the Scots in on the action.
On 21 July 1403 Percy’s son Harry “Hotspur” was killed at the battle of Shrewsbury. A few days later, on 27 July, the king sent instructions to John de Rochford and others to “assemble all knights, esquires and yeoman” and “bring them to the king in person at Pontefract … to go with him against Henry earl of Northumberland, who has risen in insurrection in the county of Northumberland … and is directing his steps south to destroy the king and his lieges.” In August and September these commissions of array were repeated with fresh urgency as “the king’s enemies … have lately invaded the realm”. Towards the end of the year the king’s Privy Council summoned John and many other lords and knights of the realm to a Great Council, presumably to discuss the rebellion. Parliament early the next year consented to a new tax “in consideration of the wars in Scotland, the rebellion in Wales, the safeguarding of the sea” and much else besides, for which John de Rochford was appointed as a controller and collector in the Parts of Holland and the Isle of Ely.
Percy was still at large in June 1405 when the king sent John instructions to send urgent supplies to him and his army at Newcastle. They were heading “north to punish Henry earl of Northumberland”, who was entrenched at Berwick. They needed 30 tuns of flour, 25 tuns of wine, 2000 fish, 100 quarters of oats and 140 quarters of beans and peas, from Lincolnshire alone. The following month the French sent forces to aid the rebels in Wales, and simultaneously invaded English-owned Aquitaine. John was among those commissioned to raise a loan to support the costs of the erupting war – the king desperately needed money “to pay the wages of men-at-arms and archers, both those who are to remain in Wales … and those who are to set out for Aquitaine”. In November John was commissioned with William Gascoigne, who was now chief justice of England, to try a large group from Lincolnshire accused of treason.
In 1406 John got into a violent altercation of some kind with Robert Kerville. On 29 April he was bound over to do no harm to Kerville, for which Walter Tailboys, John Coppledike, Frederick de Tilney and John Skipwith stood as sureties for him. Curiously, only ten days before this John’s nephew Sir Henry Rochford and Robert Kerville had stood surety for one another, that Henry would do no harm to John Gauthorp, Walter Godard of Terrington and William Maysoun, and that Kerville would do no harm to William Lovell and Robert Falyate. Whatever the nature of this fight, it was not serious enough to stop John from being reappointed as a justice of the peace for Lincolnshire that year. But otherwise he appears to have taken a brief step back from front-line support for the Lancastrian regime to focus on a personal passion for history and literature.
There are two manuscripts in the British Library that were written by Sir John de Rochford around this time. The first, completed in 1406, is a series of extracts from Josephus’ history of the Jewish people written around the year 93 or 94 AD. It has a mouthful of a title: Notabilia Extracta per Johannem de Rochefort Militem de Viginti et Uno Libris Flavii Josephi Antiquitatis Judaice, or in English, Notables Extracted by Sir John de Rochefort from Flavius Josephus’ Twenty One Books of Judean Antiquity. The second, probably completed soon after, is an index to Matthew Paris’ Flores Historiarum or Flowers of History, a chronicle of history from the creation to 1306.
By May 1407 John was no longer steward of the honour of Bolingbroke, but from October to December that year he was back in parliament, this time having been elected to represent the county of Cambridge. Other than one commission of the walls and ditches there in 1392 and another in March 1407, his only known association with that county was as constable of Wisbech Castle, so perhaps his patron for that post, the bishop of Ely, had some part to play in his election. Their relationship appears to have evolved over the years, as in 1404 John was also acting as a justice for the bishop’s treasury.
For the last few years of his life John turned his attention back to his hometown of Boston, and also to Lincoln. He was appointed as sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1409, and elected for one final stint as alderman of the Guild of Corpus Christi – a post he had first been elected to in 1381. He continued his work as a justice of the peace and on commissions of the walls and ditches in Lincolnshire, and no doubt his responsibilities as constable of Wisbech Castle kept him busy too. In addition, in 1410 John was appointed as keeper of Lincoln Castle, and also as one of the “justices of the survey and custody of the rivers” in Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.
One of the surviving fragments of Sir John de Rochford the Younger’s personal work, Extracts from the Chronicles of the Church of Chester … to the Year 1410, which is when he died. The manuscript was severely damaged in a fire – what little remains is now in the British Library. Copyright the British Library Board (Cotton MS Vitellius D XII, ff 1–28).
John still found time to continue his scholarly work around this. There was a third manuscript of his, entitled Extractum Chronicarum Cestrensis Ecclesiae per Johannem Rocheford, a Christo nato ad annum 1410 – in English, Extracts from the Chronicles of the Church of Chester by John Rocheford, from the birth of Christ to the year 1410. These were the chronicles started by Ranulf Higden and now called Polychronicon, which ran up to 1357. Perhaps John wrote his own entries from that date onwards and updated it each year until he died. It has been said that this manuscript was destroyed in a fire – fragments of it do survive today in the British Library, but they are severely damaged.
John went on to detail various bequests to St Paul’s in London, the shrine of St Alban, the shrine of St Hugh of Lincoln and the shrine of St Ives at Ramsey in Cambridgeshire, and also funds for the fabric of Lincoln Cathedral and priests there. Interestingly, there are no gifts to the churches of Boston or John’s ancestral home at Fenne, but he left to Stoke Rochford church a “vessel of gilt copper… to bear the body of Christ on the feast of Corpus Christi”.
Other than his wife, John did not mention any family members in this testament. Instead he referred to a separate last will, of which there were two copies: one in his own possession, and another in the possession of his principal executor, John Southam, who was a canon of Lincoln Cathedral. John de Rochford also wrote that he intended “by divine permission to make codicils for legacies to both friends and servants”. Sadly, no copies of this will or any codicils are known to have survived.
There are no other records of William de Rochford, but we can deduce that he died childless some time between May 1401, when his father became constable of the castle, and 1411 or 1412, when his father’s only surviving heirs were William’s sisters Margaret and Joan, and his late sister Alice’s eldest son.
John de Rochford’s maternal uncle Sir Roger Hillary had died childless in 1400, so the Hillary inheritance was to be split between the heirs of Roger’s two late sisters, Joan and Elizabeth. Joan’s heir was her son John de Rochford the Younger, while Elizabeth’s heir was her daughter Elizabeth de la Plaunk, who was by this time married to her fourth husband, Sir John Russell of Strensham. The valuable Hillary inheritance included manors at Bescot, Aldridge and Fisherwick in Staffordshire, and Stretton on Fosse in Warwickshire. But Roger Hillary’s widow, Margaret, was still alive, and the property was not shared out until after she died on 27 April 1411. Since John de Rochford and his only son William were also both dead by this time, the Rochfords’ share of the inheritance was to be shared between William’s three sisters – or in Alice’s case, her son.
Around 1394 John arranged the marriage of his daughter Margaret to Frederick de Tilney, the son of his late friend Philip de Tilney. Frederick and Margaret were both minors, since John’s part of the marriage agreement involved him maintaining them. Margaret herself cannot have been more than twelve years old, since another inquisition identifying John’s heirs in 1422 reported that she was in her thirties at that time. For their part, Philip de Tilney’s executors and trustees contributed a manor at Little Thetford near Ely, Cambridgeshire, into the bargain, which John was to hold on behalf of the married couple for eight years, suggesting that Frederick was perhaps about thirteen years old. Frederick and Margaret were both still alive in 1404 when John’s nephew Sir Ralph Rochford, who had become a trustee to the property, appointed attorneys to help the couple protect their property in a legal battle. By the time of the 1422 inquisition, however, Margaret was a widow, and she was still alive in 1434.
John’s second daughter, Alice, married William Gibthorp, but she had died by 1412 and her heir was their son John Gibthorp, who was still under age. By the time of the 1422 inquisition, John Gibthorp had also died and and his heiress was his only child Elizabeth Gibthorp, who was just one-and-a-half years old.
John de Rochford’s third daughter, Joan, was married to Robert Roos of Gedney in Lincolnshire, by 1412. John and his nephew Sir Ralph Rochford had been given the wardship of the young Robert Roos and his inheritance after his father Sir James Roos died in 1403. By the time of the 1422 inquisition Joan had died and her heiress was her only child Margaret Roos, who seems to have been somewhere between about six and eleven years old, depending on which account is to be believed.
With the death of his son William, John de Rochford the Younger’s branch of the family name ended. But it would continue for several decades through his nephews Sir Ralph Rochford of Fenne and Sir Henry Rochford of Walpole, and their children. | 2019-04-20T16:15:19Z | https://therochfords.wordpress.com/biographies/rochford-of-boston/sir-john-de-rochford-the-younger-of-boston-died-1410/ |
London : Child Poverty Action Group, 2018.
This report provides new estimates of the cost of raising a child in the United Kingdom in 2018. It makes comparisons between these costs and incomes, explains the basis of the calculation, considers how different families cover the cost of childcare, and looks at the squeeze on the incomes of larger families caused by the benefit cap and the two-child limit on eligibility for means-tested benefits. This is the seventh report updating the the Child Poverty Action Group's calculations of 2012, and highlights not only the overall increase in costs but the impact of policies affecting families' ability to meet these costs.
Vancouver, B.C. : Fraser Institute, 2013.
This paper critically examines key approaches to measuring the cost of children, as used in Canada, Britain, the United States, and Australia. It argues that there are serious flaws with all of these approaches - there is no methodology or formula that can determine how much parents need to spend to raise children or, even, how much they actually do spend. What we do know is that parents at all income levels have successfully raised children. The paper proposes instead an alternative approach that relies on expert judgement and a budget framework that covers, at least, the base level of annual child costs that would need to be covered for the healthy development of the child. Data is presented for couple and single parent households with different incomes and different numbers of preschool and school age children, in Canadian dollars.
New estimates of the costs of children.
This article summarises new research on the costs of children conducted by the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales. It discusses different approaches to estimating costs, summarises the Research Centre's study on different household types, and presents current estimates for low paid and unemployed couples with and without children and for a 6 year-old girl and a 10 year-old boy. These new budgets provide an independent, evidence-based benchmark for assessing the adequacy of the minimum wage and the income support system in Australia.
Canberra, ACT : Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2017.
This website summarises findings from the 2015/16 Household Expenditure Survey, providing insights into the spending patterns of Australian families based on income, wealth, financial stress, location, family type, main source of income, household composition, employment, location, and housing tenure. The findings show that patterns of household spending has changed considerably over the last 30 years, with households now spending more on housing than food. A case study on spending by level of service accessibility/remote area is also included to demonstrate the many ways in which the information collected can be used. Detailed findings provided as spread sheets.
Sydney, NSW : Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, 2017.
A budget standard indicates how much income a particular family living in a particular place at a particular time needs to achieve a particular standard of living. Budget standards estimates are used in Australia to help guide the setting of the minimum wage and to assess the adequacy of social security payments. This paper reviews and refines earlier, widely used estimates developed by the Social Policy Research Centre to produce a new set of budget standards for low-paid and unemployed families that are relevant to contemporary Australian conditions. The new estimates draw on community focus groups, expert judgements, and relevant evidence from social surveys. The family types included are for a single person (male and female), couples without children, couples with one and two children, and a sole parent with one child.
Bonn, Germany : IZA, 2017.
"In this paper we provide arguably the most comprehensive evidence of how the family gap (and the factors which influence it) has evolved over time in the U.S. The figures presented above provide a detailed picture of the implicit costs of having a child. An understanding of which factors drive the family gap, and how these have changed over time, is important for both researchers (the family gap is a large contributor to the gender pay gap) and policymakers (knowing what factors are important allows for better targeting of labor market policies). We utilize a unique panel dataset which links a traditional labor market survey, the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to over 50 years of administrative earnings records. This allows us to follow individuals for decades before and after they appeared in the SIPP, and enables us to trace out lifecycle earnings paths for multiple birth cohorts. Comparing cumulative earnings for all birth cohorts up to age 43 (the oldest age at which we have data from all cohorts) in the lifecycle, we find that the indirect costs of having children have dropped along several different margins. Comparing mothers and never-mothers, we find a gap of $220,000 for our earliest cohort, born between 1945 and 1949, compared to less than $160,000 for the cohorts born twenty years later."--Conclusion.
Alexandria, VA : Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 2017.
"Since 1960, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided estimates of expenditures on children from birth through age 17. This technical report presents the most recent estimates for married-couple and single-parent families using data from the 2011-15 Consumer Expenditure Survey (all data presented in 2015 dollars). Data and methods used in calculating annual child-rearing expenses are described. Estimates are provided for married-couple and single-parent families with two children for major components of the budget by age of child, family income, and region of residence. For the overall United States, annual child-rearing expense estimates ranged between $12,350 and $13,900 for a child in a two-child, married-couple family in the middle-income group. Adjustment factors for households with less than or greater than two children are also provided. Expenses vary considerably by household income level, region, and composition, emphasizing that a single estimate may not be applicable to all families."
Oakleigh, Vic. : Australian Scholarships Group Friendly Society, 2017.
ASG conducts regular surveys of its members to measure a range of variables including school fees, transport, uniforms, computers, school excursions and sporting trips to determine the cost of education. This sheet presents estimates of how much a parent could expect to pay for their child's preschool, primary, or secondary educational costs, for government, independent, and private schools in a regional area. The website also features infographics, state and territory estimates, estimates for children born this year, and estimates for children starting preschool this year.
ASG conducts regular surveys of its members to measure a range of variables including school fees, transport, uniforms, computers, school excursions and sporting trips to determine the cost of education. This sheet presents estimates of how much a parent could expect to pay for their child's preschool, primary, or secondary educational costs, for government, independent, and private schools in a metropolitan area. The website also features infographics, state and territory estimates, estimates for children born this year, and estimates for children starting preschool this year.
Brisbane, Qld. : Suncorp Bank, 2016.
This report looks at the costs of raising children in Australia today, presenting findings from a national online survey of 1,232 parents conducted by Suncorp Bank. It features graphs and charts comparing types of costs, how often they overspend on a particular category, costs by the number of children in the family, and urban versus rural families. Parents were also asked about whether their children had personal technology, whether they limited the amount of time children spent online, and whether they paid their children's mobile phone bill. The findings indicate that parents spend over $300,000 to raise a child from infancy to 17 years old.
According to the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society, the total cost of raising a child in Great Britain has increased at almost twice the rate of annual inflation over the last 12 years. Parents are spending less on food, hobbies and toys for their children, but these savings are being eclipsed by huge increases in the cost of education and childcare. This report series examines the different costs associated with raising a child, as well as the average cost in different areas of Great Britain and for different age groups. It also looks at how parents cope and the impact on fertility and work decisions. The report features calculations compiled by the Centre of Economic and Business Research (CEBR) and omnibus research with 2,003 adults conducted by Opinium Research in January 2015.
Parkville, Vic. : Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne, 2015.
This paper investigates whether the addition of a child to a family imposes hitherto unaccounted factors that affect the decision to have a child or that increase the perceived costs of rearing a child. Previous models have focused on the monetary and time costs of children - this paper extends these to include the stress costs of birth, having children, and the departure of a child from the home. The model is tested with data taken from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey and the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
NCOSS cost of living report June 2015: the experience of cost of living pressures for low to middle income families with dependent children.
This report examines how families on low to middle incomes (less than $75,000 per year) with dependent children experience cost of living pressures.
Bonn, Germany : IZA, 2015.
"Anecdotal evidence suggests that the cost of child care in the U.S. has increased substantially over the past few decades. This paper marshals data from a variety of sources to rigorously assess the issue. It begins by using nationally representative survey data to trace the evolution in families' child care expenditures. I find that the typical family currently spends 14 percent more on child care than it did in 1990 ... The next section of the paper draws on establishment- and individual-level data to examine trends in the market price of child care. The evidence suggests that after persistent, albeit modest, growth throughout the 1990s, market prices have been essentially flat for at least a decade. In the paper's final section, I analyze several features of the child care market that may have implications for prices, including the demand for child care, the skill-level of the child care workforce, and state regulations ... Together, these results indicate that the production of child care has not become more costly, which may explain the recent stagnation in market prices."--Author abstract.
The impact of children on Australian couples' wealth accumulation.
This paper investigates whether children impose a stress 'cost' upon parents - adding a new dimension to the measurement of the monetary and time costs of children. It uses longitudinal data from Australia and Germany to examine if the birth of a child exerts either time or financial stress or pressure upon parents. The impact of a child leaving home is also investigated. Data is taken from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey and the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
Melbourne, Vic. : Victorian Auditor-General, 2015.
Each year parents are being asked to pay more towards their children's "free" public education in Victoria. Meanwhile, the Department of Education and Training - formerly the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development - takes no responsibility for oversight and school principals cite the inadequacy of school funding as the main reason for increasing parent payments. To investigate this situation, this audit assesses whether the Department and government schools are managing parent education costs economically, efficiently, and effectively - and in accordance with legislation and policies.
Brisbane, Qld. : Suncorp Bank, 2014.
While we all know how expensive it can be to raise kids, the cost of maintaining a 'single' lifestyle is often overlooked. This report presents an analysis of the spending habits of Australians, with a particular focus on Australia's 6.5 million single people. It looks at their monthly expenses, who they live with, credit card debt, budgeting help, what they spend their money on, how often they go out, the most expensive time of year, and whether they thought about saving for the future, with comparisons by gender and with single parents, couples, and people with kids. The report also asked Australians whether they though they'd spend less and save more if they were in a relationship.
Alexandria, VA : Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 2014.
"Since 1960, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided estimates of expenditures on children from birth through age 17. This technical report presents the most recent estimates for husband-wife and single-parent families using data from the 2005-06 Consumer Expenditure Survey, updated to 2013 dollars using the Consumer Price Index. Data and methods used in calculating annual child-rearing expenses are described. Estimates are provided for major components of the budget by age of child, family income, and region of residence. For the overall United States, annual child-rearing expense estimates ranged between $12,800 and $14,970 for a child in a two-child, married-couple family in the middle-income group. Adjustment factors for number of children in the household are also provided."--T.p. verso.
According to the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society, the total cost of raising a child in Great Britain is now ¹227,266 - an increase of 62% since 2003. This report series examines the different costs associated with raising a child, as well as the average cost in different areas of Great Britain and for different age groups. The report features calculations compiled by the Centre of Economic and Business Research (CEBR) and omnibus research with 2001 adults conducted by Opinium Research.
According to the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society, the total cost of raising a child in Great Britain has increased by 58% over the last 10 years. This report series examines the different costs associated with raising a child, how this has changed over the last ten years, what parents are doing to help balance the budget, costs in different areas of the UK, and at what age children are at their most expensive. The report features calculations compiled by the Centre of Economic and Business Research (CEBR) and omnibus research with 2,003 adults conducted by Opinium Research in December 2012.
Bentley, WA : Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, Curtin University, 2013.
Current approaches to estimating of the cost of raising children focus on what parents spend on their children - that is, seeing children as a cost. Instead, this paper proposes an alternative approach based on how the presence of children impacts upon a couple's wealth accumulation. Using estimates based on data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, the paper shows that the 'cost' of children is far lower than traditionally estimated.
Melbourne : Anglicare Victoria, 2013.
This document provides a snapshot of how vulnerable people in Victoria are faring. It presents findings from Anglicare Victoria's 2013 Hardship Survey, which asks their emergency relief clients about deprivation and meeting their basic needs in comparison to the general population. Findings are displayed as infographics on such essentials as housing, warm clothing, food, heating, medical treatment, social inclusion, and children's needs.
Alexandria, VA : Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 2013.
"Since 1960, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided estimates of expenditures on children from birth through age 17. This technical report presents the most recent estimates for husband-wife and single-parent families using data from the 2005-06 Consumer Expenditure Survey, updated to 2012 dollars using the Consumer Price Index. Data and methods used in calculating annual child-rearing expenses are described. Estimates are provided for major components of the budget by age of child, family income, and region of residence."--T.p. verso.
Spending patterns of couple families.
This chapter compares the different spending patterns of couple families at different life stages, including partnering, raising young children, living with adult children, and becoming an empty nest couple. It discusses income, wealth and finances, housing, and spending patterns on different categories. These patterns provide insight into the impact on household spending of changes such as having children, paying off a home mortgage, and retirement.
Cost of kids: the cost of raising children in Australia.
Sydney : AMP Limited, 2013.
This is the third AMP.NATSEM report to look at the costs of raising children in Australia. It presents information current to December 2012, regarding the costs of children, the costs of children by age, the costs of additional children, government assistance, the impact of two parent incomes, and parent working hours. The findings show that the amount parents spend on their children varies with the age of the child and the family's income. Also, children cost more as they get older and families with higher incomes tend to spend more on their children. In conclusion, the report considers whether children are costing more today.
Suncorp costs of kids report 2012.
Brisbane, Qld. : Suncorp Bank, 2012.
This report looks at the weekly costs of raising children in Australia today. It presents estimates on the direct costs of food, clothing, personal care, health, bedroom furniture, communications, extra-curicular activities, education, transport, childcare, and savings, for the age groups of infants, toddlers, primary-school aged children, and teenagers.
Brisbane, Qld. : Social Policy Unit, School of Social Work and Human Services, University of Queensland, 2012.
This paper provides up-to-date estimates of the costs of raising children in Australia. It discusses approaches to measuring the costs of raising children, how the research has been updated since previous studies, and components of the lifetime cost of a child estimate: housing, energy, food, clothing, household goods and services, child care, health, transport, leisure and personal care. It presents a table of results for each capital city in Australia and for two types of family - the first with two adults working full-time, with adequate living standards, and the second for one unemployed parent and one full-time carer, with low-cost living standards. Note, there is no fixed or absolute cost of a child. The cost of raising a child increases with household income, the cost of the first child is often greater than that for each subsequent child, and costs generally tend to increase with the age of the child.
For most families, the arrival of a newborn child marks a time of happiness and joy; however, it can also be a time of increased stress, some of which may be due to greater pressure on the family budget. The arrival of a newborn is also of key interest to policy makers, especially those seeking to assist families financially to successfully negotiate this important life cycle transition. Although a body of Australian research has examined the costs of raising children more generally, only these authors have specifically reported on how newborns affect household budgets. This article extends the authors' prior work using data from waves 6 to 8 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. The study focuses on partnered women aged between 15 and 47 years and their families. This gave a sample of 1,199 households, and included 411 births over the three-year period. Fixed effects linear regression models are used to estimate whether different categories of household expenditure are typically higher or lower when a newborn arrives. Measureable differences in expenditure patterns associated with the birth of a first-born, second-born or third- or subsequent-born child are discussed.
Alexandria, VA : Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 2012.
"Since 1960, the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided estimates of annual expenditures on children from birth through age 17. This technical report presents the 2011 estimates for husband-wife and single-parent families ... Expenditures are provided by age of children, household income level, major budgetary component (housing, food, etc.), and region (for husband-wife families)."--Executive summary. | 2019-04-24T02:40:38Z | https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/bibliography/costs-children |
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Though Luke described Paul’s speech as a “defense,” the occasion was a fact-finding investigation rather than a formal judicial inquiry (26:1). That is why Festus allowed Agrippa to preside at the meeting, for it was Agrippa who told Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself” (26:1).
Paul’s speech before Agrippa covered the same ground as his previous defense before the Jews at the temple and later before Felix. The speech was personal and autobiographical. Paul began by asserting that he was a good Jew and had not violated Torah. He insisted that the Jews had accused him because he believed in the resurrection. Paul painted himself as the victim of factional squabbling over whether Jesus was the Messiah resurrected.
Paul spent considerable time recounting his conversion experience. His point was that he had not become a Christian on a whim. Dramatic events in his personal life had led to his change of viewpoint. Paul insisted that his new Christian faith was an outgrowth of his Jewish beliefs as a Pharisee. He claimed that the Christian faith was organically connected with Judaism.
We will see all these threads unfold as Paul speaks. This will be our last chance to hear Paul in depth. After this, Luke will give us only brief snippets of his conversation with shipmates (27:10, 21-25, 33), and a short synopsis of his disturbing meeting with Rome’s Jews (28:17-28).
Paul began by acknowledging that his audience, particularly Agrippa, was not antagonistic to him. Not only that, he said of Agrippa, “You are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies” (26:3). Paul was talking to someone who understood the unruly nature of the Jewish religious situation in Jerusalem and had an interest in its theology. Also, Agrippa seemed somewhat impartial—since he did not rule Judea, he was insulated from political pressures from the high priests. Indeed, Agrippa had power over the high priest. Paul hoped such a person—one who was expert in the details of Jewish belief and practice—would grasp the fact that his Christian beliefs were the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes.
He pointed out that his way of life since childhood (both in Tarsus and Jerusalem) was well known among the Jews (26:4). “They have known me for a long time” (26:5). Paul was sufficiently prominent to have been a known quantity in Judea. We might say he was a bit of a religious celebrity in his time. He stressed his loyalty to Torah, saying, “I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee” (26:5). The term “Pharisee” described those who had bound themselves to live according to the law (Philippians 3:5). In applying the term to himself, Paul established his Jewish credentials before Agrippa.
Paul proclaimed the gospel because, not in spite of, his Jewish ancestry and culture. He characterized the Jewish and Christian hope as being inextricably linked. Paul wanted Agrippa to see a continuity between his Jewish upbringing and his Christianity.
Paul again made the resurrection the real bone of contention between himself and his Jewish accusers (23:6; 24:15; 25:19). “It is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today,” he told Agrippa (26:6). The resurrection was the promise all Israel was “hoping to see fulfilled.” He hammered home the resurrection: “King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me” (26:8).
Paul pointed out that the resurrection was a Jewish hope. He implied that Christians—who have the same hope—are within the boundaries of what was accepted within first-century Judaism. Of course, the Christian view of the resurrection was much more specific, as it centered on a glorified Jesus. All hope for a general resurrection hinged on the specific resurrection of Jesus. This was the real “hope” of which Paul spoke.
It was absurd, Paul was saying, that he should be persecuted for proclaiming the very hope in which the Jews believed! The Messiah had promised that he would free his people. God had honored Israel’s hope by sending Jesus as the Messiah and then raising him as the forerunner of the promise to raise all the righteous dead. This was the specific “hope” Paul had in mind.
At this point, Paul turned to the audience and made a plea for everyone to accept this “hope.” “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” he asked the assembly (26:8). The real issue was the resurrection of Jesus. To put it in the words of Festus, it was “about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive” (25:19). Paul had one particular instance of “raising” in mind—that of Jesus. It was one resurrection that had been authenticated and verified. For Paul, to disbelieve in the resurrection of Christ was to disbelieve in the general resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).
Paul admitted that he, ardent Pharisee that he was, had once denounced Jesus and denied his resurrection. Paul had persecuted people who claimed to have seen Jesus alive after his crucifixion.
Paul told Agrippa: “On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them” (26:10). Luke previously told us Paul had been involved with Stephen’s death (7:57-60). But now we learn that he was instrumental in the death of many Christians, something he would regret during his entire life (1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:12-16). The phrase “I cast my vote against them” literally means “I cast my pebble against them.” It was a metaphor with the meaning of giving one’s approval to something. In what sense he gave “approval” is not clear.
Some commentators believe that Paul was actually a member of the Sanhedrin. Member or not, Paul was working hand-in-glove with the Sanhedrin. He was a sort of point man or agent provocateur for the council authorities in hunting down Christians (7:58; 8:1; 22:20). He went from one synagogue to another—including those in foreign cities—and punished Christian Jews, attempting to get them to blaspheme (that is, to deny Christ) (26:11).
Paul spoke as though quite a number of Christians had been put to death under the authority of the Sanhedrin. It is doubtful that the Romans had given the Jewish leaders unilateral permission to kill the Christians they had jailed. The executions were probably illegal executions, or trumped-up political charges about being a follower of a convicted revolutionary. The fact that the Jews got away with Stephen’s murder implies they escaped detection and punishment in other executions. Or the authorities may have simply looked the other way.
During a Christian-hunting journey to Damascus—with the authority and commission of the chief priests—a critical moment occurred in Paul’s life (26:12). He came face to face with the risen Christ.
Paul did mention only here that the voice spoke in Aramaic, or literally “in the Hebrew language” (26:14). This is indicated by the Semitic form of his name in which the voice addressed him, “Saoul, Saoul…” The light Paul saw was described as having great intensity. It was “a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions” and everyone fell to the ground (26:13-14). The sheer brightness of the light and its occurrence at noon—the brightest part of the day—also added to the forcefulness with which Jesus confronted Paul. He was stopped dead in his tracks, as it were.
The light represented the presence of God and Christ. By its intensification, Paul was perhaps suggesting that the origin of his belief in Jesus was not based on whimsy. The Damascus road experience (with its overpowering light) could not be doubted. This was the risen Jesus talking to him, and there was no question about it.
This conversion account seemed to concentrate its attention on Jesus’ divine commission to Paul given through the voice he heard. Luke’s account accentuated the role of the voice by being the only one to report Jesus’ words to Paul: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (26:14). A goad was a long-handled, pointed instrument used to urge stubborn oxen to move forward during plowing. A modern equivalent would be a cattle prod. This prosaic agricultural metaphor was well-known in the Greek world. The expression described opposition to deity. Howard Marshall points out its usage in Euripides’ Bacchanals: “Pentheus, the opponent of the cult of Dionysius, is warned: ‘You are a mortal, and he is a god. If I were you I would control my rage and sacrifice to him rather than kick against the pricks [goads]’” (794-795).
An ox who kicks against the goad only invites more goading. The only way for the ox to avoid the irritant is to go forward, to do the master’s bidding. The idea as expressed in Paul’s speech seems to have been that God had been pushing Paul towards the truth, but that he had been resisting. That is not to say Paul had been suffering from an uneasy conscience over his persecution of Christians. There is no hint of this either in Acts or Paul’s epistles. Paul claimed the opposite in Acts 23:1. Even to the last moment on the Damascus road, Paul was on his way to track down Christians, not find Christ.
In the words of F.F. Bruce, “The ‘goads’ against which he was now told it was fruitless for him to kick were not the prickings of a disturbed conscience, but the new forces which were now impelling him in the opposite direction” (466).
Over half of the conversion experience narrative in chapter 26 was taken up by a description of the commission Jesus gave to Paul. In this account, the commission was delivered directly to Paul by the risen Christ. Ananias was not referred to at all. It was Jesus who spoke to Paul, telling him to stand on his feet. He was then told that he had been appointed as a servant and witness of Christ (26:16). There are parallels with the commissioning of some of the Old Testament prophets. One is reminded of the commission of Ezekiel (2:1-8). He, too, was told to stand. Then he was informed that he would be sent as a prophet to a rebellious house of Israel.
But Paul was to be rescued from his own people, and then sent to the Gentiles. Paul said Jesus had told him: “I am sending you to them [the Gentiles] to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (26:17-18).
Paul would receive protection from Jews and Gentiles to enable him to fulfill his witness. But he would not be spared suffering in the process (9:16). Paul would turn the Gentiles from darkness (sin and ignorance) to light (understanding and righteousness) (26:18). Paul’s description in Colossians 1:12-13 of the Gentiles as being rescued from “the dominion of darkness” and sharing in “the kingdom of light” is a close parallel. Paul used this metaphor of darkness and light to represent salvation in his own writings. Some examples are: Romans 2:19; 13:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 6:14; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:5.
Moving people from darkness to light was a way of describing conversion (1 Peter 2:9). This involved turning away from sin and evil as well (Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 1:13). In the Bible, the unsaved are pictured as being spiritually blind. Salvation is pictured in terms of restoring spiritual sight to the blind (Isaiah 35:5; 42:6; cf. Matthew 9:30). The Suffering Servant, a reference to Jesus, was commissioned to “open eyes that are blind” (Isaiah 42:7). Jesus applied this commission to himself (Luke 4:16-21, quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2). Paul, as the servant of the Master, was to take the news of that salvation to Jews, and especially to Gentiles—to open blind eyes. Paul was called to continue Jesus’ ministry of conversion, a ministry of spiritual healing.
The turning of Gentiles “from the power of Satan to God” echoed another theme of Scripture. Satan’s kingdom (this world) is at war with God’s kingdom, and must be vanquished. The book of Revelation, for example, is a story of Satan “who leads the whole world astray” (12:9). He is vanquished by the returning Jesus and chained so that “the kingdom of the world” can become the kingdom of Christ and God (11:15; 20:1-3).
Paul offered his experience on the Damascus road as a rationale for why he was preaching a message that angered the Jews. He was telling people about what he had seen, Jesus Christ, and following his commands, telling all people that he was the promised Savior. Paul said, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven” (26:19). Not being “disobedient” required that he preach to Gentiles everywhere.
Paul explained to Agrippa what he had been doing all these years. He gave a general summary of his missionary activity to the present. (Or rather, Luke put a summary in the book of Acts. Paul may have covered many more details when he was talking to Agrippa.) Paul’s work had occurred in: Damascus, Jerusalem, Judea and the Gentile world. This was similar to the commission given to the 12 apostles. They were to be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (1:8).
Paul was not laying out a chronological summary of his missionary activity. There is no evidence in Acts that he witnessed throughout Judea after preaching in Damascus and Jerusalem, though Luke doesn’t necessary tell us everywhere Paul preached (9:20-30). Paul’s own letters say that he did not preach “in all Judea” in the early days of his conversion (Galatians 1:18-24). He traveled through Judea and into Jerusalem on several later occasions (11:30; 12:25; 15:3; 18:22; 21:7-16). He could have preached the gospel in Judea during these travels.
During his witnessing to Christ, Paul preached that people “should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (26:20). We have here something of the basic substance of Paul’s message. True repentance involves a new view of oneself in which the need for a Savior to do his work within is understood to be necessary. Thus, the stress in the apostles’ preaching on the need to accept and put one’s faith in Jesus and his saving power. There is a need to turn to God “based on knowledge” and accept “the righteousness that comes from God” instead of seeking a goodness based on our own merits (Romans 10:1-3; Philippians 3:9). Pagan Gentiles would also learn that they had been putting their faith in worthless idols, and they need to turn to the true God.
Following that, believers would begin living a life appropriate to conversion. They would be showing the fruits or evidences of the operation of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-25). In short, people do not make themselves acceptable in God’s sight because they first decide to keep his law. God first converts people through the Spirit, and this leads them to base their lives on his will. Obedience is the result, and not the cause of salvation.
Paul insisted to King Agrippa that it was because of his preaching the gospel—particularly to Gentiles—that the Jews had seized him in the temple, and tried to kill him (26:21). It was only through God’s protection that he had survived the plots against him. Thus, he was able to “stand here and testify to small and great alike” (26:22). Paul explained that he was teaching only what “the prophets and Moses said would happen.” That is, he was attempting to prove through the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. This was Paul’s mode of operation when confronting Jews with the gospel (17:2-3).
Paul said he was innocent of any wrong-doing to God or the Jews. He had only taught from the Scriptures—the Scriptures that faithful Jews called their own. Paul’s teaching about Jesus, in that sense, was just pointing out fulfilled prophecy. This is a central argument of Luke in both his Gospel and the book of Acts. The hope of Israel in its Savior was described in the Holy Scriptures and fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 24:25-27, 44; Acts 3:18-26; 10:42-43; 13:27).
The prophets and Moses had prophesied of Jesus. In Paul’s words, they said “the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles” (26:22-23). We can go to the Servant Songs of Isaiah to find the idea of the Suffering Messiah (52:13-53:12, quoted in Acts 8:32). A number of the Psalms also speak of a Savior who would suffer (Psalm 2:1-2, quoted in Acts 4:25-26). If the writers of the Psalms (David in particular) are seen as types of a suffering Savior, then many of these contain prophetical material regarding Jesus.
The other question about Paul’s statement in 26:23 is: Which Hebrew Scriptures speak of a Savior who must first rise from the dead? There are some, though they are not prominent. Peter quoted one of these texts from Psalm 17:10 (Acts 2:25-28). Also Isaiah had said the Servant would “prolong his days” and “see the light of life” after his suffering (53:10-11).
The question also arises as to whether the Jews of Paul’s day ever thought of the Messiah in terms of suffering. The apostles seem to speak as though this was understood, at least in a hazy way. Paul does so here before Agrippa as well. Howard Marshall writes, “Paul as a Christian appears to presuppose the identification of the Messiah as the suffering Servant, but it is not certain whether this step had been taken by the Jews, and it may well be that they disputed it” (398).
It may be in doubt whether pre-Christian Judaism conceived of the Messiah in terms of suffering, dying and being resurrected. The message of the apostles and Paul clearly went beyond the understanding of the Jews, for some of it came by revelation through Christ. The majority of Jews, whatever their view of the Messiah, did not believe this role had been fulfilled in Jesus.
Nonetheless, Paul insisted that God’s purpose was pre-figured in Scripture, and that its prophetical nature could be seen in the inspired writings. That purpose (which Paul said was fulfilled in Jesus) was in harmony and continuity with the true faith of Israel. To accept the reality of Jesus, the resurrection and the Holy Spirit was to realize the true hope of Israel stated in the Scriptures (3:24-26). Jesus was a light to all people—Jew and Gentile. This had been prophesied in the Scriptures (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 60:3).
Luke told his readers early on in his Gospel that Jesus was a “light.” The elderly and devout Simeon had taken the infant Jesus in his arms. Through the Holy Spirit, he prophesied that he would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:32, from Isaiah 49:6). Echoing Simeon’s statement, Paul made preaching “a gospel of light” the programmatic prophecy of his own work (13:47).
Such thoughts “about a dead man named Jesus” were beyond the grasp of Festus. To him, Paul was speaking nonsense. He interrupted Paul’s speech, saying, “You are out of your mind… Your great learning is driving you insane” (26:24). To a practical Roman governor, this Jewish messianism was crazy talk.
Paul countered that he wasn’t insane. He insisted that what he was saying was “true and reasonable” (24:25). He referred to King Agrippa for support, as one who was familiar with these thoughts. Paul felt he could speak to Agrippa freely because of this. Besides, the controversy over the Christians was widely known. The gospel had been proclaimed for three decades and the arguments pro and con about Jesus’ death and resurrection would have been widely known and discussed.
Paul turned to the king and said, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do” (26:27). Paul’s leading question had its point. The Jewish king who knows the Scriptures should accept Paul’s case about Jesus, since it rests on the promises of the prophets. But Agrippa was like most Jews. He could accept the words of the prophets who spoke of a coming Messiah. That was a safe belief that did not require any immediate changes in what he did. But he did not believe they were fulfilled in Jesus; that was a dangerous belief that required personal changes.
The conversation had suddenly become uncomfortably personal for Agrippa. Paul had challenged him to accept his claims about Jesus since he believed the prophets. He had been logically boxed in by Paul’s question, and he needed to get out it and still remain politically correct. Johnson writes, “Agrippa is sufficiently perceptive to see that if he agrees concerning the Prophets, he is already—for Paul’s purposes—already ‘playing the Christian a little,’ so he sidesteps the challenge by humorously identifying Paul’s ploy” (J.443).
Agrippa turned and said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (26:28). The King James Version translated Agrippa’s reply to Paul in these words: “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” It is one of the most famous of biblical quotations, and many sermons have been preached on its words.
Unfortunately, it is almost certainly not what Agrippa said. The NIV’s translation is probably more faithful to the king’s thoughts. The Greek is difficult in this verse, and commentators translate it in various ways. But whatever Agrippa meant by his words, he was not almost ready to respond to Paul’s “altar call.” The king had been put into a quandary by Paul’s challenge. He was embarrassed by his appeal, but could neither agree nor disagree with certain parts of Paul’s question.
Agrippa was not going to agree with Paul even a little bit. Otherwise he would be led into a logical box and would have no safe escape. So he parried Paul’s question with his facetious remark.
To paraphrase, Agrippa was saying to Paul, “You think you can make me a Christian in this short time, don’t you?” He side-stepped the question by giving one of his own. This then led Paul to parry back with his own retort. It was probably a play on Agrippa’s quick remark. Paul said to him: “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am” (26:29).
Paul would have liked all his listeners to become Christians, to become free of their spiritual chains. The situation was made more ironic by Paul’s own manacles. After saying he wanted his listeners to become as he was, he must have raised his hands, and with a wry smile said, “…except for these chains” (26:29).
Paul’s light touch may have elicited smiles and laughter from the audience; it was a good place to end the meeting. Festus, Agrippa, Bernice and some of the dignitaries sitting with them left the room for a discussion about Paul’s fate. Luke summarized their conclusion in a sentence: “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment” (26:31). In the words of William Barclay, “The end of the matter is that a rather bewildered company cannot see any real reason why Paul should be tried in Rome or anywhere else” (180).
This is the third time that Roman authorities (now with a Jewish king present) concluded that Paul was innocent (23:29; 25:25). Jesus, like Paul, had also been declared innocent three times by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:4, 14, 22), with the Jewish leader Herod nodding in assent (23:5). For Luke, Paul’s ministry and trials closely resembled those of his Master, Jesus.
But there were also differences between Jesus’ and Paul’s experience. Jesus’ death at Jerusalem was narrated in gruesome detail. Paul did not die at Jerusalem, nor would he die at the end of Acts in Rome. But to Rome Paul would go. After the Roman governor had declared Paul innocent, he could have released Paul. But it was not politically expedient to do so, and since he had appealed to the emperor, it was deemed appropriate to send him to Rome. As Agrippa told Festus: “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (26:32). | 2019-04-18T13:29:25Z | https://www.gci.org/articles/exploring-the-book-of-acts-chapter-26/ |
If you’re considering doing a home maintenance within the near destiny then this article is a ought to study for you. It may be a truly daunting venture specially where every member of the family comes up with creative and different thoughts. For the toilet renovator wishing to contain all their ideas the venture may additionally prove quite hard. Most domestic owners grapple with the concept of whether to do it themselves or engage the offerings of an expert.
If you are going to use a professional, you want to make sure they have got the specified revel in and expertise to complete the upkeep mission effectively. You need to be asking questions like, are they aware of recent lavatory traits ? And are they in touch with bathroom providers? Have they successfully finished toilet protection initiatives earlier than ?
Unless you can get nice solutions to those types of questions, it can be very difficult to even start the assignment. If the offerings of an professional subcontractor are engaged, then you definitely could be running with someone who should be properly-versed with the complete maintenance method. An professional that has been doing this project all their running life may generate some out of the container architectural designs as nicely supporting to hold the budget on track.
The purpose being they should recognize the market, and have the contacts of various suppliers for various rest room accessories. They also are nicely versed with the costing and great furniture for various house types and designs. That is why in this article we will awareness on price effective bathroom renovations.
When planning a toilet protection, it’s miles crucial to do not forget each the on the spot consequences and lengthy-time period efficacy of the modifications about to be implemented. A house re-design professional could be in a role to offer a charge estimate for the entire value of the rest room preservation task. The factor to be referred to right here is that it would absolutely rely upon the house owner as to a way to keep the fee under the price range you put.
After the expenditure of installing the brand new rest room has been achieved, one of the key areas where you can keep money is thru both lowering the quantity of water used inside the toilet, by using ensuring that water usage is efficient. Many modern-day faucets will characteristic ceramic disc generation, so that you can offer extra accuracy over flow control, and could closing longer than popular taps. This is a key method for fee effective lavatory renovations.
Though traditional decor might also seem out-dated to some, its allure and grace is unmatchable. In addition to bathroom preservation ideas, other issue to be achieved is shopping and putting in PVC remnants. They are less costly and water-proof making them the most best cloth for places like lavatories in which dampness prevails everywhere.
Spring is the season for deep cleaning and home protection tasks. If you’ve decided that this is the 12 months to in the end tackle that transforming venture that’s been for your thoughts for years now, here are some things you should remember before leaping proper in.
Don’t begin a remodeling mission if you simplest have a indistinct concept of what you want the finished product to look like. You have to have the project deliberate out to the minutest element before starting. Though it’s okay to start with just visualizing what you need, you’ll need to sit down down with the contractor you’ve employed to do the paintings to devise all of it out on paper. This step is essential earlier than you may circulate onto step .
Only whilst you understand what the undertaking will entail can you decide on a budget. If you don’t set a firm and realistic budget earlier than starting on the project, it can quick come to be a money pit. At excellent, you end up spending way extra than you desired to in order to finish the task. At worst, you run out of cash part way via and ought to accept a 1/2-completed activity. When you sit down down with your contractor and plan out the challenge, he/she can be capable of come up with a pretty accurate estimate of what it’s all going to price. From there you could decide whether or not to simplify or amplify the mission as your price range lets in.
Remodeling initiatives can be pretty steeply-priced. If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person it may be tempting to reduce down expenses via doing the paintings your self. Though you can get extra from your budget doing it this way, you’re less likely to be thrilled with the outcome. Unless you’re just doing some easy jobs like changing furniture, it’s better to pay the money to lease a expert than to do it alone.
An electrician is someone who specializes in the electrical wiring and restore of electrical powered mechanisms.
Many human beings are going to now not usually require the goods and services concerning any electrical contractor, but , if it’s vital choosing the most suitable one is pretty critical.
Regarding property or home use, electric contractors are mainly had to re-twine or restore set up systems. Also they’re required for constructing production, in addition to remodels and accessories, to install all the energy retailers in addition to lights.
Prior to you make a decision on an electrical contractor, decide the actual scope of work. Be as comprehensive as is possible so you can ascertain the requirements for the task.
Moderate restore work can frequently done by an electrical contractor who’s inexpensive and won’t always have plenty of operating revel in.
On the other hand, referring to main logo-new constructing creation, remodels and upkeep, it’s miles vital to get your self a qualified electric contractor. Improper electrical wiring may be extraordinarily hazardous and might be chargeable for fires, setting everybody in hazard.
Get suggestions in relation to an electrical contractor before getting one. Pick out a pair to achieve costs to your own activity and do a comparison of every of them.
Talk with everybody to evaluate their information and enjoy. Ask them to walk-through your challenge with you so you can recognise what must be finished, the manner it’s miles going to be performed, the duration of time it requires and additionally the total fee.
An electrician sincerely ought to be licensed and feature appropriate coverage insurance. Confirm that both of these are energetic and in exact standing earlier than beginning their employment. Damages made is commonly massive due to wrong wiring so this is so very important.
If an electrical contractor cannot deliver you with the two, do not preserve their services. There exists loads at chance. Obtain copies of his / her allow in conjunction with coverage insurance.
Ask the precise electric contractor concerning their revel in stage. An electrical commercial enterprise that has been in enterprise for a long time will possibly be a better choice than one it is inside the starting tiers.
You recognize that it’ll want regular cleaning to keep it searching new when you have carpets at domestic. This is great carried out by means of a carpet cleaning floor. With so many cleaning agencies accessible, how can you ensure that you are hiring the satisfactory organization? Read this newsletter for a few recommendations.
Ask any corporation you’re considering what technique they use to easy carpets. It may be less powerful than using an extraction method if they use a portable purifier. If the stains you have got for your carpet appear like they’ll need numerous assist, which means you should name someone else.
There are numerous cleaning products you can use to your carpet but a few merchandise might be specifically designed for a certain sort of stain. Compare exceptional merchandise and choose one this is adapted for your scenario. Before you start cleaning your carpet, examine instructions carefully to learn how to use the product.
Never take delivery of a carpet cleaning quote over the smartphone. The great way for a corporation to present you an estimate is to observe the dimensions of the room and the way dirty your carpets are. Anyone who offers you a phone quote is pulling more than a few out of the air.
Before you move your fixtures again into the room, wait until your carpet is absolutely dry. Doing it too quickly can motive extra harm in your carpet. The bottom of the fixtures can also go away rust marks or other stains that your carpet purifier may also by no means be able to absolutely do away with.
Who you rent to easy your carpets depends on what fashion of cleaning they offer and what sort of carpet you’ve got. If you’ve got carpet the usage of guy-made fibers, you could use a wet carpet cleaner, along with a steamer or moist chemical compounds. If it’s natural fibers, you need to use dry chemical compounds.
If you want to preserve the appearance and fine of your carpet you ought to tackle stains after they arise. The longer that they take a seat, the tougher it will be to get them out. Keep a depended on carpet cleansing answer available so that you aren’t vulnerable to having a stain remain for the lifestyles of the carpet.
Never maintain your vacuum stagnant while you are cleansing your carpet. If you leave your device on a sure vicinity for a protracted period of time, this can result in marking your carpet permanently. Move at a speed of two feet in line with 2nd to get a full easy of your region.
Which type of carpet you’ve got will play a big function wherein style of carpet cleaning employer you pick. For instance, herbal carpet textiles ought to be kept dry to avoid discoloration or shrinkage. In those instances, a dry chemical compound is your fine choice, so studies your options.
Having a stone ground at home – either with tiles, mosaics or marble – is a brilliant preference for smooth, superb and expensive indoors. Though, anywhere your ground is covered with herbal cloth – you’ll want to be more careful and willing to offer terrific cares. The right method into floor cleaning will hold the floor hygienic, secure and elegant. Though, you will need to use the certainly suitable detergents and the suitable manners into floor treatment. Thus, you may make your stone ground life longer.
What you need to do at first is to keep in mind whether you are geared up to invest enough time in floor preservation. If you do no longer have such, better look for a dependable cleansing company London to deal with it rather than you. Abandoning stone ground even for few months is a pinnacle mistake you could do. Because a week with out sanitizing it is able to make your floor broken and complete of stains that with time becomes tougher and tougher to be removed.
Speaking of professional support to your floor, do no longer leave out to attempt stone sprucing Sutton. This procedure gets rid of the higher layer of the ground – the only this is ruined. As a end result of this, the floor becomes sleek and vibrant once more. You can take advantages of this system as a minimum once according to half of an yr.
When you pick out a cleaning detergent, purchase some thing without abrasive additives, due to the fact they’re too drastic for herbal stone materials. Also, make sure your floor will get the essential disinfection, because the gaps get complete of germs all the time. Look for a moderate product that has no bleach, either.
Still, the maximum green and danger-free way to smooth the stone ground at home is using everyday hot water. Water is 100% safe in standard for all varieties of ground materials, while the extreme temperature kills the germs and spots right away. Though, use some smooth material or sponge, however forget about approximately wire equipment like the ones you wash the dishes with. A toothbrush is likewise an excellent idea!
It is going with out announcing that Fire Safety in industrial buildings, offices, and retail facilities is principal to stopping harm, destruction, or injury through fire. Many times building owners or managers will count on that because the fire extinguishers are up to date, that’s all they’re required to do. But in actuality, Fire Safety is plenty more than just fireplace extinguishers. Implementing a comprehensive Fire Safety Policy in your building is paramount to stopping harm or damage by fireplace.
1. Maintaining proper fireplace exits in addition to go out signage that capabilities even in a strength outage.
2. Placing and retaining the proper hearth extinguishers in the best quantity in easily on hand places.
Three. Installing, certifying, and retaining fire alarm systems which might be monitored 24 hours a day.
Four. Installing and keeping proper smoke detectors with battery back ups.
5. Installing, certifying, and preserving fire sprinkler systems at some stage in your facility.
6. Inspect and insure all spray fireproofing stays intact and undamaged.
7. Secure potentially flammable materials in a fire evidence garage cabinet.
Eight. Post the maximum occupancy in your specific constructing in a conspicuous public region.
9. Set up a Fire Safety Committee to put into effect and evaluate fire protection guidelines and policies on a monthly basis.
10. Keep a monthly logbook that tracks Fire Safety Committee attendance thus.
In 1992, January 26, congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act to protect the civil rights of disabled citizens. Accessible constructions of public homes and facilities are required with the aid of identify III of the ADA. As properly as toilets in existing institutions, all new structures and massive renovations are needed to be implemented from the ADA standards for reachable lavatories. The goal is to make all offerings available to humans with disabilities.
Toilet stalls need to be handy with the aid of wheelchair. By forty eight inches coming near the stall, there have to be a clean path of 30, and clearance of 32 inches have to be furnished by way of the stall door. However, there must be a nine-inch toe clearance above the ground at the the front and sides of the stall, if the intensity of the stall is much less than 60 inches. And additionally, of direction, handrails should be hooked up.
Located on the side walls in the lavatory stall, the grab bars, with ADA necessities for lavatories, must be as a minimum 42 inches lengthy and now not extra than 12 inches far from the rear wall. The grasp bar has to be positioned at the very least 12 inches on one side from the center line of the rest room stall, at least 24 inches on the other, and at the rear wall need to be as a minimum 36 inches long.
At least 24 inches lengthy’s take hold of bar ought to be placed on the wall, which no more than 10 inches above the lip of the bath and at the quit in which the water controls for the bath are located. On the returned wall, it’s far should you have got area grab bars with similar length.
Toilets should be 17 to 18 inches excessive. Flush controls should be no extra than forty four inches from the floor, however it is free whether or not it’s far hand operated or computerized. The bathroom should have a minimum depth of fifty six inches.
Above the ground, the rim of the urinal might not be higher than 17 inches. There ought to be 30 through 48 inches of clean ground space drawing close the urinal. Flush controls have to be no extra than forty four inches from the ground, which it can be automated or hand operated.
A knee clearance of 29 inches excessive and 19 inches deep ought to be provided through the rest room. The rim of the toilet should be no higher than 34 inches from the ground. Thirty via forty eight inches of clear floor space should be in the front of the rest room. Under the rest room, exposed pipes and sharp objects protruding have to be insulated or covered. Faucets must be operable by one hand, have to be either of the lever kind, the rush kind, the contact type or automatic. The flow of water has to run as a minimum 10 seconds if they’re automatic.
If they are placed above a sink or counter pinnacle, the mirrors within the toilet need to be no greater than forty inches above the floor. On the other hand, they can not be extra than 35 inches above the floor if they’re no longer above a counter pinnacle or sink. | 2019-04-26T08:26:25Z | http://www.panoramaguesthouse.us/page/2 |
How much does an automatic gate cost?
There’s nothing like an automatic gate to keep your property secure and ensure privacy, whether the gate is for a home or business. Partnered with cameras and lighting, automatic gates make up an important portion of any complete security plan.
What you pay for an automatic gate depends on what kind of gate you want and the features you want on it, such as keypad or card-based entry. On average, the simplest systems featuring a new gate with opener will cost about $2,000, while more sophisticated systems may cost $10,000 or more. Size, type and materials are the primary factors in cost. A 10-foot fence, depending on the material used, costs about $700 to $1,300.
When deciding on an automatic gate, you’ll also want to consider maintenance costs.
If you are looking to install electric gates for your home or business in Plano, TX, make sure to consult the professionals at DFW Fence Repair. We can install or repair any type of automated gate, from vertical lift to sliding gates, and can customize it to fit your property.
How much does it cost to install a gate?
No matter what kind of automated gate you decide to install, it will require the services of trained professionals like us. We work with you to keep our installations affordable.
As mentioned above, automatic gates cost anywhere on average between $2,000 to $10,000 to install, whereas manual gates cost about $500 to install. Much of the cost will depend on the size and style of the gate and the components you add to it. Keypads, for instance, cost anywhere between $100 to $300, while adding cameras could cost anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000.
Besides automatic gates, DFW Fence Repair also installs a range of other gates, including custom iron gates, chain link and wood gates, as well as pool gates. Give us a call at 469-342-3003 to learn more about our extensive fencing services.
How does an automatic gate work?
A visitor usually contacts the property owner via intercom when the visitor is outside the gate.
The gate is opened by an electric impulse sent either from a remote control or by a keypad or other sensor device mounted near the gate.
The gate swings or slides open, allowing the visitor inside.
Once the visitor is clear of the gate, it swings or slides back into position.
A control box manages all of this. The box is usually battery powered, though some are solar powered.
Any security gate that uses electricity for it open and close is an automated gate. The gate automation can be above ground or concealed below ground. It functions as above, opening and closing based on an electric impulse sent by remote control, keypad or other sensor. Some systems can be timed to open at specific times.
How much is an automatic gate opener?
As with anything, the cost of the automatic gate opener will depend on the size and type of gate being installed. On average, though, battery-powered gate openers cost between $1,000 and $4,500. Heavy and large gates will require high voltage openers and the cost runs to the high end of that range.
You can also get solar powered gate openers for about $250 to $650.
Driveway gates for residential properties are some of the most common automatic gates installed. You can get them in a variety of styles, sizes and materials to fit your home’s design.
Anytime you install a driveway gate, they should be part of a security system that includes cameras and good lighting. This will ensure the best deterrent to intruders.
If you have a power outage, your automatic gate should be set up so it can function without electricity. Fire codes require electric gates to default to unlocked position when there is a power outage as a safety precaution. This system might be controlled either by a battery-powered back up or manually.
Automatic gates should be installed to pair with your fencing for the best security. When we install your gate system, we make sure your gate and fencing work together to protect your home or business, as well as make sure its design is attractive enough to fit with your home’s design as well.
There are several options for automatic gate access. For entry you have electric sensors, remote control, keypads and card readers. You can install these for exits as well, but you can also install a variety of in ground sensors that open the gate from the inside when a vehicle gets near it.
Other access options include cameras, magnetic locks or long range transmitters.
Interested in installing an automatic gate for your home or business in Plano, TX. Get in touch with the fencing professionals at DFW Fence Repair. Call 469-342-3003 today for an estimate.
Posted in Uncategorized on April 3, 2019 at 1:25 pm by DFW Fence Repair.
We can help you decide where your property line fence should go.
Trespassing deterrence. Not wanting to look at neighboring yards. Privacy. Whatever the reason, some homeowners choose to put up a fence. This can be especially important in places like DFW, and the surrounding areas, that have substantial plots of land available. There are plenty of people who own ranches or work with larger animals, and need something to keep the livestock fenced in. But what style of fence is the best for your yard? What decisions go into the fence building process? Can I put a fence on my property line? Most importantly, what are the laws regarding fence on a property line? Knowing your legal rights as a homeowner can keep the city or county from giving your fence project the ax before it’s completed.
Anyone wanting to build a fence on their property line should look into city or county property line fence laws. Most will have rules, regulations, and laws posted that determine what you can or cannot do. It’s important to follow these guidelines. Even if you have a neighbor or neighbors who say they don’t mind, they could potentially challenge your fence further down the road. They also might move, and the person who replaces them might care a great deal. If you belong to a homeowners’ association, they might decide to get involved in the fence building process. If you follow the listed guidelines and rules, there isn’t much anyone can do to keep you from building your dream fence.
What does property line mean?
A property line is the technical boundary between your property and surrounding properties, as listed by the county. If you’re unsure of where your property line is, there should be maps in the county assessor’s or county recorder’s office. You can ask for any maps that have listed boundary lines that are available for public viewing. If there is already a fence on your land, this can help determine if there is an existing issue with your property line vs fence that is already on the property.
How Close Can You Build a Fence To Your Property Line?
This should be one of the first things you decide after verifying the property line. Different building jurisdictions allow different things. Some cities or counties stipulate that a fence must be 2, 4, 6, or 8 inches away from the property line. Others will let homeowners build directly on the property line. Building directly on the property line can cause issues and disputes. There also may be issues with a tree on property line fence, like overhanging branches. Technically, you can only trim branches up to your property line, but not in to your neighbors property. If a tree damages a fence from neighboring property, that neighbor is liable for the damages to the fence. But what if there is a tree directly on the property line? You will have to reach an agreement with your neighbor, or risk litigation.
Do I Need My Neighbors Permission to Put Up a Fence?
Whether you want a fence for style or function, we can help!
Homeowners who follow the city and county laws and regulations should not need their neighbors permission to put up a fence. However, your neighbor could become involved if putting up a fence means replacing part of the boundary for their property. Or if they consider the style of fence you choose to be an eyesore. There is the potential for them to take you to court to have the fence changed, or even removed. If your neighbors think you’ve built the fence out of spite, they’re much more likely to take you to court.
If your neighbor already has a fence in place, then you can ask them to connect your fence to theirs for continuity. However, then you become half responsible for damages, repairs, and upkeep to the shared fence. This is also only possible if you’re allowed to build directly on the property line. Otherwise, you’ll need to build your own fence to correct distance away. If you’re building a fence on a property line outside of the suburbs, things can be simpler or more complicated depending on the neighbors. If you’re putting up a fence and you’re the only one using it for a boundary, then you have sole liability for it. If your neighbors use it as a boundary as well, then you share responsibility for it.
You’ve done the research. You know the rules. You’ve spoken with the neighbors, and they’re supporting your new fence completely. Now it’s time to pick your style, your materials, and contractor. But what type of fence on property line should you build?
Wrought Iron It’s solid, it’s durable, and it presents a classic Gothic-era look. It’s not especially common, so it maybe hard to connect to neighboring barriers, but it is a good choice for front and back yards. These can have custom-made iron gates for a consistent and uniform look.
Security Somewhat similar to wrought iron, but with more of a focus on keeping people out than looking fancy. These are usually concrete or iron, with spikes at the top to deter intruders from climbing them.
boundary for a field or plot of land without a focus on security or privacy, this is the choice for you. If you want a shorter fence for your front yard, this is a cheaper and more durable alternative to the picket fence.
Picket This is the fence of the classic “American Dream” home. Picket fences can be used to as a boundary to define property lines, as well as keep in small children and pets. However, the picket fence is more for style and decoration than anything else.
Pine/Cedar The classic wooden fence for backyards. This option generates more privacy than the chain link or picket alternatives. If installed by professionals and treated correctly, it can last just as long and be just as durable as other options.
Custom Maybe you want wrought iron on top of a small brick wall? You have a design in mind, or an idea that you can’t quite visualize, and you want to combine elements. There are professional contractors out there who will work with you to help you realize your dream fence.
Our professionals can help you build your dream fence.
You’re almost finished. You’ve answered the question “How close can I build to my property line?” You coordinated with neighbors and county guidelines to ensure that your dream fence isn’t upsetting or in an illegal place. You’ve designed your perfect boundary to your property that will keep intruders out, and your family, pets, or livestock safely inside. Now you just need to have it built. Just like you would only trust professionals with roof repair, you should trust professional specialists to help you build your dream fence. If you or someone you know is interested in building a custom fence on a property line in Plano, TX, contact DFW Fence Repair at 469-342-3003 to get started today!
Posted in Uncategorized on January 30, 2019 at 12:24 pm by DFW Fence Repair.
Hunting is a popular activity in the South. It has divided many people in the modern age, but has been practiced since primitive hunting times. While back then, no laws were required to hunt for food, nowadays jurisdictions are in place known as hunting leases that help to regulate the proper hunting of wildlife. These annual hunting leases like the Texas hunting leases not only help landowners make money buy leasing their land to hunters for a short time, but can also control the growth of unwanted wildlife.
A yearly hunting lease can be obtained from the person you wish to enter on their land to hunt their game. You are limited to certain areas of the land that the owner has marked off using fence installation. If you stray too far, hunting lease cell boosters can signal you back to the designated area. The most popular form of hunting is for deers, which requires a deer lease. If you are thinking about charging texas hunting leases for your Plano, TX property, call DFW Fence Repair at 469-342-3003 to ensure that your fencing is properly marked to keep hunters in their assigned areas.
A hunting lease is an agreement between the lessor and hunters (the lessees) that allows them to hunt on the lessor’s land during specified time periods. The lessees pay to hunt on the lessor’s land either by acre or by person. You can lease for more than one type of animal if you have multiple in-demand species on your property. Ways to improve a hunting lease could be improving the habitat of the desired species to increase their population before leasing, and alternating leasing during seasons. For example, if you have multiple game species on your land like deer and turkey, you can work year round by leasing to deer hunters in deer season and turkey hunters in turkey season.
What Are The Different Types of Commercial Leases?
The quite a few different types of commercial leases, but the three that are most popular are full service, net, and single net leases. What is unique about texas deer leases is that they don’t fit into any of those categories. The way hunting leases work is that the hunters are only charged whenever they visit the property that they want to hunt on, whereas with other typical leases like an apartment lease, you are charged monthly whether you live there or not due to the contract you signed. Texas hunting leases are generally all inclusive, allowing up to a certain amount of kill, and sometimes with lodgings and camping included in the price.
Is It Legal to Hunt on Your Own Property?
Usually, the answer is no. While you may have rights to the land as the owner, you don’t have rights to the wild animals that may roam on it. Generally, the wild animals are protected under the government, but there are a few exceptions. Some wild animals can be classified as “nuisances,” such as foxes killing the landowner’s chickens or feral hogs encroaching on their land. You may then obtain a special hunting or trapping permit from the government to capture these “nuisances” even if it is outside of normal hunting seasons.
How Many Acres Do You Need To Deer Hunt?
The minimum size of land you need for hunting deer with a rifle is 50 acres, though you only need 10 acres if you are hunting them with a bow. The same measurements apply to hog hunting, while only 5 acres are needing for turkey hunting. It doesn’t matter what size your property is to lease it, as there are a variety of hunters who prefer different sized plots. Just remember to section off your land to keep hunters from straying further than they are wanted. Texas hunting leases in Plano, TX can be issued by acre or person, which helps landowners control how far hunters wander on their property. If you have any questions, or need help sanctioning off parts of your property with fence installation, call the fencing contractors at DFW Fence Repair at 469-342-3003 today.
If you do decide to lease your land, here are some deer lease essentials every landowner needs to know before allowing hunters onto their property.
How many people are coming per day?
Are they splitting the lease cost and do they understand the lease rules?
Know your liability rights as a landowner should someone get hurt on your property.
Posted in Uncategorized on December 10, 2018 at 11:09 am by DFW Fence Repair.
Which Type of Farm or Ranch Fencing Do You Need?
For Cow or Horse Farm Fence Installation, Call Us Today!
If you have any type of livestock, you know how important it is to keep them contained and safe. Horses like to kick fences which can lead to them escaping, or cattle can get frightened or become curious and walk through the fence. Then you always have to keep in mind predators who are looking to attack your beloved and prized animals. Animals like coyotes like to prey on young calves, so having a sturdy fence is vital. Farm and ranch fencing installation helps with large wild animal control. For example, barbed wire or electric fences help protect cattle and calves from being killed or eaten by coyotes. If you need ranch or farm fence installation or repair in Plano, TX, call DFW Fence Repair at 469-342-3003 today.
Horses and cattle typically need very different fencing. Cattle will stay put with any fencing, but horses get restless and need tough fences that can handle rough playtime. Both sets of animals can stay in fencing made out of wood, pipe, or electric. Barbed wire should never be used for horse fencing as horses cannot see the thin wire and get seriously injured and tangled up in the fencing.
Split Rail: Made of panels of horizontal wood, split rail fences are good for both cattle and horses. The panels are thick enough for both animals to see from far away, and the wood is durable from horses ramming or kicking it.
Pipe: The most durable of the fencing types, pipe cannot be kicked down by horses, yet they are comfortable enough for both cattle and horses to rest their heads on or in between the rails.
Posted in Uncategorized on October 11, 2018 at 3:18 pm by DFW Fence Repair.
If an underground pipe bursts in your yard, you will obviously need underground pipe repair. But many homeowners don’t think of what other damage your flooded yard can cause. Foundation shifts, backflow, and even ruined fences can happen the longer your underground pipe is not repaired. If that happens, you will need Plano, TX emergency fence repair. You can prevent your fence from rotting from outside sources by maintaining it. To learn more about how to care for your wood fence in Plano, TX, call DFW Fence Repair at 469-342-3003 or keep reading.
Since wood fences are staked in the ground for stability, they absorb all the moisture from the soil and rot faster. By pressure testing and treating them with moisture and insect repellent sprays, this prevents the part of wood that is underground from rotting.
Staining the wood fence not only gives it a nice finish, but helps to prevent the wood from expanding whenever it rains. Wood absorbs moisture, and too much moisture causes the wood to expand too much and crack and splinter.
If you can, try staking the wood posts in gravel or concrete. This way they are not in contact with soil and will not be constantly wet.
Stainless steel nails, posts, and rails are recommended because they are sturdy and won’t rust. While more expensive than regular nails, they last longer as typical nails unscrew and corrode over time.
Posted in Uncategorized on September 10, 2018 at 11:39 am by DFW Fence Repair.
What is the Best Type of Fencing For Horses?
All farming animals need to be kept corralled in order for a farmer to protect their livelihood. If an animal escapes, danger could befall them and profits could be lost. Keeping animals like horses, cattle, and goats contained also helps to protect them from predators like coyotes and other farm animals who don’t get along. Horses, especially, need to be kept contained, as these wild beasts love to roam. If you are a farmer or rancher and need horse fencing in Plano, TX, call DFW Fence Repair at 469-342-3003 today.
How Tall Does A Fence Need To Be For A Horse?
Unlike cattle and goat fences which can be much lower to accommodate the shorter animals, horses need taller fencing to keep them from being able to jump over the fence. A standard of 5 feet of fencing is recommended, but if you have stallions, you may need 6 feet tall posts. Make sure that along with the tall fence posts you get, that they are durable, as well. Horses love to kick fencing, and if the posts are weak, they can easily crumble and cause serious injuries.
Which Fences Are Safest For Horses?
Having a safe fencing option is vital when owning horses, as horses frequently get tangled in fencing and injure themselves. While barbed wire fencing may be the cheapest option and works great with cattle, it grievously injures horses. Horses cannot see the thin wire and walk right through the barbs, requiring emergency and expensive vet visits annually. That is why many states have made it illegal to use barbed wire as horse fencing. The best horse fencing options are pipe and cable, mesh, electric, vinyl, and wood.
Pipe and Cable: Made of thick pipe posts and braided cable wire rails, this metal fence is the best option for horse fencing. The pipe and cables can actually bend under pressure, so if a horse does get tangled in it, the fence will fall instead of trapping, panicking, and furthering injuring the horse.
Mesh: Weaved mesh wires are placed over the fence rails, and are commonly referred to as “no climb fencing” because the mesh makes it impossible for the horses’ hooves to be able to get stuck in the fencing.
Electric: The electric fencing sends a quick zap to the hooves whenever a horse gets too close to the perimeter. Electric fencing for horses is not cruel, but trains them to psychologically stay away from the fence.
Vinyl: Vinyl is safer than wood fencing, but looks the same. Vinyl is harder to split, causing less injuries.
Wood: The classic horse fence, wood split rails can be dangerous when broken. If nails are facing the wrong way, horses easily kick the rails off or in half, or even walk right through them, cutting themselves up in the process.
Keep your beloved horses safe and contained by providing them with the best horse fencing in Plano, TX you can. The gate and fence contractors at DFW Fence Repair can install your new horse fence when you give us a call at 469-342-3003.
Posted in Uncategorized on August 6, 2018 at 2:08 pm by DFW Fence Repair. | 2019-04-26T03:45:03Z | https://www.dfwfencerepair.com/author/webgeeks/ |
Should energy resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge be developed?
Viewpoint: Yes, energy resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should be developed because dependence on foreign resources poses a serious threat to the security of the United States.
Viewpoint: No, energy resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should not be developed because the gain would be minimal and the cost to the environment unacceptable.
When the first major oil strike occurred, at Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859, the momentous character of the event could hardly have been appreciated. There were no automobiles then, nor could anyone have imagined the importance that petroleum would acquire within three-quarters of a century. Even if they had, most observers would have presumed that America had all the oil supplies it needed.
At that time, paleontologists were just beginning to understand the fact that dinosaurs had once ruled the planet. It would be years before scientists understood that the deposition of their bodies in the earth—the result of a great cataclysm some 65 million years ago—had provided Earth's "new" human rulers with a vast but nonetheless limited supply of energy in the form of petroleum.
Likewise it would be years before prospectors began to discover ever more abundant supplies of oil on U.S. soil, first in Texas and surrounding states, and later in Alaska. Also in the future lay the discovery of even more impressive reserves in the Middle East, a region that until the mid-twentieth century was economically impoverished and geopolitically insignificant.
By 1973, much had changed. America and other industrialized nations had millions of cars on the road and regularly imported millions of barrels of crude oil from Saudi Arabia and other nations, which—because of their vast oil wealth—had become powerful players on the international scene. In 1973, Americans would be forced to confront their dependence on foreign oil. That was the year when the Organization of Oil-Exporting Countries (OPEC), composed primarily of Arab nations, placed an embargo on oil sales to the United States in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel. The results were disastrous: suddenly scarce, petroleum was in high demand, and anyone who lived through that time can recall the long lines at the gas pumps, the frustration of cancelled family trips, the exigencies of enforced conservation, and the fears raised by dependency on hostile foreign powers for the fuel that literally runs our nation.
Those fears subsided somewhat with the conclusion of the embargo—unsuccessful inasmuch as it failed to sway U.S. policy in the Middle East—but they have resurfaced again and again over the years. One of the most dramatic instances of such resurfacing occurred after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. Though a small band of Muslim extremists actually carried out these acts, the subsequent response by a large segment of the Arab world—most notably, a refusal to wholeheartedly condemn the terrorists' actions—once again gave notice to Americans that their trade agreements with Saudi Arabia and other oil-exporting Arab nations could break down at any time.
In the eyes of many Americans, three decades of strained relations with the Arab world only served to reinforce the need to develop oil resources on U.S. soil. By that time, most economically viable reserves in the continental United States had been tapped, but Alaska still presented a potentially rewarding frontier for future exploration. In response to the embargo of 1973, America stepped up its efforts to extract oil from Alaska.
Significant oil reserves had first been discovered along the shores of the Arctic Ocean in 1968, but the lack of infrastructure (including roads) in that largely uninhabited region had presented an impediment to exploitation of those reserves. Then, in 1969, a group of petroleum companies paid the state $1 billion for drilling rights and proposed the building of a pipeline. Opposed by environmentalists, the proposed pipeline had gone unbuilt, however, until November 1973, a month after the Arabs imposed the embargo, at which point Congress authorized the construction of a 789-mi (1,262-km) pipeline.
The pipeline made possible the transport of oil from the Prudhoe Bay oil field on the Arctic coast to the harbor at Valdez, from whence oil tankers transported it to the ports on the West Coast of the United States. However, environmental concerns remained, and loomed greater in the years that followed. In part, this was due to the growth of an increasingly powerful and politically forceful environmental movement, which was still in its infancy at the time the original pipeline was proposed. But concerns over the threat posed to the Alaskan wilderness by the extraction and transport of oil had also spread far beyond the limits of the environmentalist movement to the population as a whole. This was particularly the case after the 1989 disaster of the Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker that ran aground off of Prince William Sound, causing the worst oil spill in the history of North America and doing immeasurable damage to the environment.
In the essays that follow, arguments are made, based on scientific speculation regarding the recoverability of resources, both for and against the development of energy resources in ANWR. In other words, not all arguments against drilling necessarily revolve around environmental concerns alone, and not all arguments in favor of it are based purely on concerns for national security. Obviously, those two positions—the environment on one hand, and national security on the other—play a major role in governing one's views on the advisability of exploiting the resources at ANWR. However, at heart the question is one of costs versus benefits.
On the one hand, there are the costs involved in the impact on the environment, as well as on the lives of native peoples. Furthermore, there is the sheer economic cost of extraction and development of ANWR reserves against the economic and political benefits to be accrued from those actions. On the other hand, there is the political cost of dependence on oil exported by increasingly hostile nations, combined with the potential economic benefits, both to the state of Alaska and to the nation as a whole.
Viewpoint: Yes, energy resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should be developed, because dependence on foreign resources poses a serious threat to the security of the United States.
For the last 40 years of the twentieth century and into the first decade of the twenty-first century, drilling for oil in the Coastal Plain of the 19 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has been strongly debated. The ANWR, located in northeastern Alaska, is an area abundant with fauna and flora, and rich with oil potential. Energy experts agree that the Coastal Plain (commonly called 1002 Area) is currently the most promising domestic onshore oil and gas prospect. The consensus of most petroleum geologists is that its potential is on the order of billions of barrels of recoverable oil and trillions of cubic feet of recoverable gas.
Since 1985 oil and gas leasing on this federally owned land, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (within the Department of the Interior), has been banned. Exploration and development of oil and gas are supported by the oil companies and by the majority of Alaskan officials and citizens, but has been opposed by many environmental organizations. The inhabitants of the area, the Inupiat Eskimos and Gwich'in Indians, are also actively involved since they have a direct economic relationship to the land, and to its wildlife and other natural resources. The U.S. Congress will ultimately decide whether to open up the ANWR for oil exploration and development.
Under federal law, 17.5 million acres (about 92%) of ANWR will remain permanently closed to all development. The remaining 1.5 million acres (about 8%) on the northern Coastal Plain of ANWR is the only area being considered for development. If oil drilling commenced, less than one half of one percent, or about 2,000-5,000 acres, of the 1.5 million acres of the Coastal Plain would be directly affected. According to Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), the actual area in the ANWR covered by such structures as drilling rigs, buildings, and roads would be less than the size of the Anchorage International Airport.
The 11 countries of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) account for more than 40% of the world's annual oil production and possess about 75% of the proven reserves. At the time of the 1973 Arab oil embargo, the United Stated imported only 36% of its oil. As of 2001, the U.S. imported, according to the American Petroleum Institute, a little over 55% of the oil needed domestically. Experts at the Department of Energy are expecting the import percentage to increase from 55% to 65% by the year 2020.
Little interest was given to oil potential in ANWR when oil prices were low. However, in 1999, OPEC and other oil-exporting nations agreed to cut oil production. Within five months world oil prices went from $10 to $33 per barrel; but leveled off in 2001 to about $26. Consequently, interest in Alaskan oil, and especially in ANWR development, has drastically increased. Recent OPEC production agreements have renewed calls for U.S. policies that might reduce dependence on foreign oil and help with uncertainties in energy markets due to continuing Middle East crises.
United States oil production has steadily declined since its peak in 1973. ANWR development would alleviate current oil supply problems. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), peak annual ANWR production—assuming that 9.4 billion barrels of petroleum are recoverable at a market price of $24 per barrel—would be approximately 1.4 million barrels per day, compared with projected U.S. oil imports of 15.3 million barrels per day and total oil use of 24.3 million barrels per day in 2015. (The level and timing of peak production would depend upon the rate at which the ANWR oil fields are developed; according to the EIA, from the time of approval to first production would be from 7 to 12 years.) Supporters of development argue that ANWR oil would reduce dependence on foreign sources, and that the additional incremental supply could be crucial in determining oil prices. At the upper estimate, the U.S. Geological Survey projects that ANWR reserves could total as much as 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil, an amount that represents all the oil currently imported from Saudi Arabia for the last 30 years.
New petroleum technology, including advances in computing and exploration methods, developed since the early 1970s will allow companies to tap underground reservoirs with a much smaller surface impact. Senator Murkowski recently said that through such technologies oil companies could safely develop a manageable "footprint" (the area occupied by infrastructure) in order to protect the surrounding environment and the ecology. If the Prudhoe Bay oil fields were built today using the latest techniques, the footprint would be 1,526 acres, 64% smaller than when actually built. In addition, millions of dollars of research on wildlife resources and their habitat on Alaska's North Slope have greatly increased the scientific understanding of arctic ecosystems and have also shown that wildlife and petroleum extraction can coexist.
The indigenous Gwich'in Indians are most apprehensive about oil development in the Refuge because they depend on the barren-ground caribou of the Porcupine herd for food. They fear that ANWR development would disrupt the caribou's calving grounds and diminish their food supplies. However, Department of Interior Secretary Gale Norton stated in 2002 that the wildlife of the ANWR can be adequately protected and America's treaty obligations with native tribes would not be violated by oil exploration in the ANWR chiefly due to improvements in oil-drilling technology.
Proponents of drilling point to the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay and Kuparuk, both about 60 mi (100 km) west of the Refuge, and the central Arctic caribou herd. According to Pat Valkenberg, a research coordinator with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the herd has increased its numbers from 15,000 in 1985 to 27,100 in 2000 despite several hundred miles of roads and more than a thousand miles of elevated pipe.
As mentioned previously, drilling in the ANWR can now be accomplished with far less impact than could have been possible using older technology. Among the improvements are smaller gravel pads to support the wells, greater distances that can be reached from a single (draining) pad, the re-injection of drilling wastes (eliminating the need for large waste pits), and a reduction in the need for gravel roads. In addition, other improvements include three-dimensional seismic exploration, four-dimensional time-lapse imaging, ground-penetrating radar, and enhanced computer processing of resulting data on geological structures. According to the Energy Department, these latter improvements have increased the number of successful wells from about 10% to as much as 50%, resulting in a decrease in the number of pads and exploration costs. Together, these advances decrease the developmental impact.
Between 1980 and 1994, Alaska's North Slope (ANS) oil field development and production activity contributed over $50 billion to the U.S. economy. The oil-rich region extended eastward from the 2-billion-barrel Kuparuk River field, past the Prudhoe Bay field (originally 11 billion barrels, now down to about 4 billion barrels), and a few smaller fields (such as Lisburne and Endicott), and in all likelihood extends through ANWR's 1002 Area. With the close proximity of these current oil resources, it is believed that the ANWR could easily contain the largest un-drilled, petroleum potential known in the United States.
The state of Alaska is already strongly tied to oil with regards to its revenue base. The Prudhoe Bay field, the largest single accumulation of oil ever discovered in North America, is located on lands owned by Alaska. The proportion of the state budget utilizing petroleum revenues has risen from an annual average of 12%, initially in 1968, to 90% 15 years later, and currently holds at 80%. According to Arctic Power, an Alaskan nonprofit organization, since 1987 the North Slope oil fields have provided the country with nearly 20% of its domestic production. But its actual production has been on the decline during that same period. Peak production was reached in 1980 with 2 million barrels per day, but is currently at nearly 1.2 million barrels per day. By 2010 oil flow is predicted to drop to just 315,000 barrels per day, and no new fields have been identified to compensate for the decline.
Industry interest in the 1002 Area is based in part in keeping the Trans-Alaska Pipeline operating efficiently. Oil is transported from the North Slope by the 800-mi (1,290-km) system, from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez in south-central Alaska, where it is then transferred to tankers. Pipeline costs are largely fixed; a smaller flow of oil means higher pipeline rates per barrel.
Both the national and Alaskan state governments have important political and economic reasons to develop natural resources and assist those corporations extracting them. Revenues (estimated in the billions of dollars in the form of bonus bids, lease rentals, royalties, and taxes) and employment (estimated by Senator Murkowski to create between 250,000 and 735,000 jobs) from such companies are central to their financial welfare. Backed by the majority of Alaskans, two U.S. senators and one house representative from Alaska are strong advocates of oil development in the ANWR in order to meet the state's economic needs.
Mark Rubin of the American Petroleum Institute says that ANWR is the best place to look for domestic oil. The Coastal Plain lies between two known major discovery areas. To the west, the Prudhoe Bay, Lisburne, Endicott, Milne Point, and Kuparuk oil fields are currently in production. To the east, major discoveries have been made in Canada, near the Mackenzie River delta, and in the Beaufort Sea. Rubin adds that if current predictions hold, then there is more oil in ANWR than any other place in the United States. Petroleum geologists agree that the Coastal Plain is America's best possibility for a major discovery like the giant "Prudhoe Bay-sized" discovery. Estimates from the Department of Interior range from just under 6 to upwards of 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil.
According to a February 2000 poll performed by the Dittman Research Company, more than 75% of Alaskans favor exploration and production of the oil reserves in ANWR as long as it is done in an environmentally sound way that keeps land disturbances to a minimum. According to a poll taken by the Los Angeles Times between January 31 and February 3, 2002 (and backed by earlier polls with similar results), 48% of all Americans favor opening a part of the ANWR to energy exploration. Alaska Democratic Party Chairman Scott Sterling said that he supports oil drilling in ANWR as long as wildlife is protected.
The Inupiat people of the North Slope have called the Arctic their home for thousands of years. They have depended on Alaska's North Slope and the area within the ANWR for their very lives. The majority of Inupiat Eskimos support onshore oil development on the Coastal Plain. These partial-subsistence hunters will gain financially (by providing jobs, schools, and a better economy) from leasing ANWR's potentially rich land to the oil companies. On the other hand, the Inupiat people fear the potential disruption of wildlife and their way of life. However, former Inupiat Mayor Benjamin P. Nageak said that since the first discovery of oil in 1969 the oil companies have consistently met the strict standards and regulations that were imposed on them in order to protect the land. Nageak went on to say that his people have the greatest stake possible in seeing that all development is performed in an environmentally safe way.
Oil development in the ANWR could yield up to 16 billion barrels of oil. The U.S. economy is highly dependent on oil and because of this the country is currently importing over half its oil, much from the Middle East. Conservation and renewable energy have great potential, but for today and for many years to come, oil will be a major source of energy. While it may be gratifying for some to strongly resist drilling in sensitive areas, it is naïve to ignore the national security and economic benefits that ANWR oil extraction can provide. Rather than trying to prevent the inevitable, ecologists (and others sensitive to the environment) should work hard to design and implement enforceable environmental standards for drilling in sensitive areas such as ANWR. Because the United States—at least for the foreseeable future—is so dependent on petroleum, the energy resources of the ANWR should be developed.
Viewpoint: No, energy resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should not be developed, because the gain would be minimal and the cost to the environment unacceptable.
Early explorers to the North Slope of Alaska often noted oil seeps and oil-stained sands on the surface. Yet it was not until 1944 that oil exploration began in earnest on 23 million acres of what was then called Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 4 in northwestern Alaska.
In 1968, North America's largest oil field was discovered near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The Trans-Alaska pipeline was finished in 1977. By 1981, the oil fields around Prudhoe Bay, Endicott, and offshore in the Beaufort Sea, yielded about 1.7 million barrels of oil per day—about 25% of U.S. domestic production. By 1988, these oil fields showed signs of exhaustion and oil yields declined. No new oil fields have been discovered in this area.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, oil companies leasing off-and onshore sites farther east announced the potential for oil drilling on these holdings. These sites are situated in or just offshore of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), designated by Congress in 1960 as an 8.9-million acre protected wilderness. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA, 1980) doubled ANWR's size, but omitted protection for the shoreline region known as 1002 Area, pending further research into its oil-production potential and its effects on wildlife. This region is the main focus of interest for oil companies and conservationists. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has analyzed the region's energy potential, and found that ANWR and 1002 Area do contain oil. The questions remain, though, about whether it is economically feasible to recover it.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) meanwhile conducted numerous studies to assess the effects of oil exploration and extraction on ANWR's wildlife. They concluded that resource exploitation would seriously affect the Porcupine herd of caribou, destroy polar bear den areas, and disrupt key breeding bird sites.
There is oil under ANWR. But the first two questions that need to be answered are: "How much is there?" and "Is it economically and technically feasible to extract it?"
The most reliable studies of potential oil deposits under ANWR have been conducted by the USGS. The agency assessed the potential for technically recoverable oil in ANWR and in 1002 Area. The agency has reported that there are three likely scenarios surrounding the amount and recoverability of the oil.
Scenario 1: Most Likely, Most Recoverable, Least Amount.
There is a 95% probability of finding 5.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil from ANWR's Coastal Plain. Peak production rates for this scenario are estimated between 250 and 400 million barrels per year.
There is a 50% probability of finding 10.3 billion barrels of oil that are recoverable from ANWR's Coastal Plain. Peak production rates for this scenario are estimated between 400 million and 600 million barrels per year.
Scenario 3: Least Likely, Least Recoverable, Greatest Amount.
There is a 5% probability of finding 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil from ANWR's Coastal Plain. Peak production rates for this scenario are estimated between 600 and 800 million barrels per year.
No matter how much oil is under ANWR, it will take time to develop the area and extract it. For all scenarios, and at the highest extraction rate, significant amounts of oil will not be produced until about 10 years after development begins, with the greatest yield after 15-20 years. Maximum yield will be recoverable for less than five years, before it begins declining rapidly. Thus, any amount of oil recovered from ANWR will not affect immediate energy needs and will contribute most to our energy needs for a period of only a few years. As discussed below, even at its greatest, this contribution is insignificant compared with U.S. energy consumption.
Not all of the oil believed to underlie ANWR is technically or economically recoverable. The FWS reports that at prices lower than $16 per barrel, there is no economically recoverable oil in 1002 Area of ANWR. The amounts and rates of oil extraction set out in the above scenarios assume an oil price of $24 per barrel to make extraction economically feasible. It is clear that the most recoverable oil (at 95%) yields the least economic return in terms of oil production.
Much of the oil under ANWR and 1002 Area occurs as small, widely dispersed deposits. The USGS, with concurrence from oil companies, states that accumulations of less than 100 million barrels of oil are uneconomic for mining. Other economic factors that influence the cost of oil extraction are the current state of oil-extraction technology and the field's proximity to infrastructure.
The region known as 1002 Area is 100 mi (161 km) wide and located more than 30 mi (48 km) from the tail end of the nearest pipeline and more than 50 mi (80 km) from the nearest gravel road and oil support facility. To be fully developed, 1002 Area would require the construction of all the above, plus production sites, power plants, processing facilities, loading docks, living quarters, airstrips, gravel pits, utility lines, and landfills. Thus, its isolation adds significantly to the costs of developing its oil. The USGS report shows that far less oil can be economically recovered than actually occurs, or even than is technically recoverable. (Technically recoverable oil is defined as the in-place oil that is available for extraction based on geology and the state of current oil-extraction technology, regardless of cost.) Further, when oil prices decline, some oil companies may simply abandon their oil fields, leaving the infrastructure and waste lagoons intact.
The crux of the argument in favor of oil drilling in ANWR and 1002 Area is that it will significantly reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil; that it will make the United States more "energy independent." That argument is patently untrue.
As of 2000, the United States consumes about 19.6 million barrels of oil each day, or 7.154 billion barrels per year. If development of ANWR's oil fields began tomorrow and oil began to flow by 2010, the national rate of oil consumption would by then be more than 8 billion barrels per year. By the time of ANWR's maximum output, in 2020, U.S. oil consumption is projected to be about 9.5 billion barrels per year. Yet at its maximum output, ANWR would yield merely 800 million or so barrels of oil per year. And this high yield would last for only about five years, before declining drastically.
In short, even if ANWR could produce the maximum amount of oil (16 billion barrels, at a 5% chance of recovery), it would at best contribute less than 10% of U.S. oil needs. If the mean amount of oil was recoverable (10.3 million barrels, at 50% chance of recovery), at best about 5% of U.S. oil needs would be met. For the most recoverable oil (5.7 billion barrels, at 95% chance of recovery), only about 2% of our oil needs would be met by ANWR.
Those who are concerned with U.S. dependence on foreign oil—which should be everyone—obviously cannot find relief in ANWR's oil. However, raising fuel-efficiency standards in American cars and trucks—or even using better tires—will significantly reduce our oil consumption and thus our need for foreign oil. Raising the fuel-efficiency of cars, SUVs, and trucks to 39 mi (63 km) per gallon (mpg) would save vastly more oil than occurs in all of ANWR. At 39 mpg, we would save a whopping 51 billion barrels by 2050. Just using more efficient tires would save more oil than ANWR can produce. On an annual basis, by 2020 (the time of ANWR's maximum output), if vehicles are getting 39 mi (63 km) to the gallon, we would be saving more than 1.2 billion gallons of oil per year—far more than ANWR yields.
ANWR is one of our last, great undisturbed wildernesses and the last U.S.-owned remaining intact arctic-subarctic ecosystem. It is recognized as a key component in an international arctic-subarctic refuge network (including neighboring preserves in Canada, where resource exploitation is forbidden). The FWS studies have shown that oil extraction in ANWR, and particularly in 1002 Area, will have severely negative effects on wildlife.
ANWR is home to the Porcupine herd of caribou, which migrates through the refuge and into and out of adjacent preserves in Canada. However, the largest concentration of caribou calving locations lies within 1002 Area. The FWS has shown that oil extraction in this area would reduce suitable calving locations, reduce available forage for caribou, restrict their access to insect-relief habitat on the coast, expose the herd to higher predation, and alter ancient migratory pathways, with unknown consequences for the herd. The FWS concludes that there is no doubt that oil drilling will damage, perhaps irremediably, the Porcupine herd of caribou. A 1987 FWS report also indicates a similar "major" effect (defined as "widespread, long-term change in habitat availability or quality" that would negatively affect wildlife) for ANWR's muskoxen.
The FWS reports that ANWR and 1002 Area are "the most important land denning habitat for the Beaufort Sea polar bear population." Denning bears are female bears with cubs. Without these denning areas, this population of polar bears would decline, due to increased cub mortality. Development might also result in more deadly bear-human confrontations.
More than 135 species of birds are known to nest in 1002 Area, including many shore-birds, waterfowl, loons, songbirds, and raptors. Oil drilling would result, at the least, in disturbance of nests, at worst, in destruction of the habitat required by breeding birds for nesting and feeding. Most affected birds include snow geese, seabirds, and shorebirds.
ANWR is tundra. Permafrost lies beneath it. This land and its vegetation are extremely vulnerable to disturbance and mend slowly or not at all. The land is still scarred, and the vegetation still damaged, where simple seismic studies were conducted more than 15 years ago. Tire tracks leave scars and ruined vegetation that takes decades to recover, if they recover at all. Wildlife cannot survive in this harsh place while waiting for vegetation to recover. And if simple tire tracks leave permanent scars, the damage inflicted by the infrastructure built to sustain oil extraction will do irremediable damage.
The Inupiat and Gwich'in peoples of northeast Alaska depend on the caribou for survival. (Gwich'in means "people of the caribou.") Not only do these native people have a deep spiritual and cultural attachment to the caribou, but they rely on them for much of their subsistence, from meat to skins for clothes and shelter to tools and trade. The Gwich'in are most closely associated with the Porcupine caribou herd, which is most threatened by oil development. Both the Gwich'in and the Inupiat continue to lobby the U.S. government to abandon plans for oil development in ANWR, and to pressure the Canadian government to oppose it.
To make oil drilling in ANWR more palatable, Congress nominally reduced the size of the area open to "production and support facilities" to 2,000 acres on the Coastal Plain (1002 Area), or a 2,000-acre "footprint." "Footprint" is an oil-industry term used to describe the number of acres actually covered with a layer of gravel to support oil-field infrastructure.
However, this provision excludes "leasing and exploration," which will be permitted on the entire 1.5-million-acre Coastal Plain. Exploration means drilling. Oil companies do not drill anywhere they will be prohibited from extracting profitable oil.
Further, the 2,000-acre limit applies only to "surface" acreage. It does not cover "seismic or other exploratory" activities. Seismic research is done with convoys of bulldozers and "thumper trucks." Oil exploration entails erecting large oil rigs and airstrips for aircraft.
The limitation also does not apply to aboveground pipelines, which, because they do not touch the ground, are not considered as part of the acreage developed! FWS studies show that caribou avoid calving within 2.7 mi (4.4 km) of pipelines and roads, thus greatly expanding the "footprint" impact of development on wildlife.
The impression given by the limitation is that the 2,000 acres will be contiguous and compact. That is false. Nothing prevents smaller, intermittent developments over a vast area of the Coastal Plain. In fact, the USGS has reported that "oil under the coastal plain is not concentrated in one large reservoir, but is spread underneath [it] in numerous small deposits." Developing these widely dispersed deposits would damage an area far greater than 2,000 acres—and would affect wildlife throughout the region.
There is oil under ANWR. However, the amount of oil that can be extracted technically and profitably does not begin to approach the amount of oil the U.S. needs to reduce its dependence on imports. Improving fuel efficiency will have a far greater impact on reducing our oil consumption and dependence on foreign oil. Furthermore, it will save a priceless and irreplaceable wilderness that a secretary of the interior described this way: "[ANWR's] wildlife and natural [wilderness] values are so magnificent and so enduring that they transcend the value of any mineral that may lie beneath the surface. Such minerals are finite. Production inevitably means changes whose impacts will be measured in geologic time in order to gain marginal benefit that lasts only a few years."
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [cited July 12, 2002]. <http://www.r7.fws.gov/nwr/arctic/index.html>.
"Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Potential Impacts of Proposed Oil and Gas Development on the Arctic Refuge's Coastal Plain: Historical Overview and Issues of Concern." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report [cited July 12, 2002]. <www.fws.gov>.
"Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 1002 Area, Petroleum Assessment, 1998." USGS Report [cited July 12, 2002]. </geology.cr.usgs.gov/pub/fact-sheets/fs-0028-01/fs-0028-01.htm>.
Baden, John A. "Drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?" Bozeman Daily Chronicle (31 October 2001).
Chance, Norman. "The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: A Special Report." Arctic Circle. University of Connecticut [cited July 12, 2002]. <http://arcticcircle.uconn.edu/ANWR/>.
Corn, M. Lynne, Lawrence C. Kumins, and Pamela Baldwin. "The National Arctic Wildlife Refuge." The CRS Issue Brief for Congress. National Council for Science and the Environment [cited July 12, 2002]. <http://cnie.org/NLE/CRSreports/Biodiversity/biodv-14.cfm>.
Doyle, Jack. Crude Awakening: The Oil Mess in America: Wasting Energy, Jobs, and the Environment. Friends of the Earth, 1994.
Lentfer, Hank, ed. Arctic Refuge: A Circle of Testimony (Literature for a Land Ethic). Milkweed Editions, 2001.
Mitchell, John G. "Oil Field or Sanctuary?"National Geographic Society [cited July 12, 2002]. <http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/data/2001/08/01/html/ft_20010801.3.html>.
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) [cited July 12, 2002]. <www.nrdc.org/land/wilderness/anwr>.
NWR News [cited July 12, 2002]. <http://www.anwr.org/index.html>.
The Oil and Gas Resource Potential of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 1002 Area, Alaska. Open File Report 98-34. Staff of the U.S. Geological Survey. Reston, VA: U.S. Geological Survey, 1999.
Petroleum Supply, Consumption, and Imports, 1970-2020 (million barrels per day). National Association of State Energy Officials [cited July 12, 2002]. <http://www.naseo.org/events/winterfuels/2001/presentations/Blake1.pdf>.
Potential Oil Production from the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Updated Assessment. Report # SR/O&G/ 2000-02, U.S. Department of Energy [cited July 12, 2002]. <http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/arctic_national_wildlife_refuge/html/execsummary.html>.
"Senator Launches Battle over Drilling in Arctic Refuge." Inside Politics. February 21, 2001 [cited July 12, 2002]. <http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/02/26/arctic.refuge.drilling/>.
Strohmeyer, John. Extreme Conditions: Big Oil and the Transformation of Alaska. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993.
Trustees for Alaska [cited July 12, 2002].<www.trustees.org>.
Union of Concerned Scientists [cited July 12,2002]. <www.ucsusa.org/energy/brf_anwr.html>.
Ward, Kennan. The Last Wilderness: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Wildlight Press, 2001.
The animals of a particular habitat, region, or geological period.
The plants of a particular habitat, region, or geological period.
Relating to or denoting geological surveying methods involving vibrations produced artificially, such as by explosions.
Prudhoe Bay, on the North Slope west of ANWR, has been in oil development since the early 1980s. Since few people ever go there and see for themselves, not many people know what the impact of oil exploitation has been. Below are a few facts that should be considered before developing ANWR for oil extraction.
More than 1,000 square miles of tundra are covered with gravel (an area greater than Rhode Island); 23 additional oil fields cover another 2,000 acres; the Trans-Alaska pipeline and haul road eat up another 10,000 acres; there are more than 1,123 mi (1,807 km) of subsidiary roads and pipelines connected to oil wells, with an additional 500 mi (804 km) of roads along these pipelines; there are two 6,500-ft (1981-m) airstrips.
More than 10,000 acres of wetlands have been filled and covered by gravel for roads, airstrips, drill pads, and other facilities. All told, more than 22,000 acres of the North Slope is covered in gravel; there are 350 mi (563 km) of gravel roads; one mile of road requires 50,000 cubic yards of gravel. (Phillips Petroleum used more than 1 million cubic yards of gravel to fill in a 100-acre wetland for just one well.) Gravel is mined from open pits along floodplains, river deltas, and riverbanks; gravel mines covered the entire flood-plain of the Put River. The FWS estimated that over 60-million cubic yards of gravel have been mined, enough to cover Rhode Island with a 1-in (2.5-cm) layer of gravel.
The Arctic is arid, getting a mere 3-12 in (8-30 cm) of precipitation per year. Oil exploitation is water-intensive: each year 27 billion gallons of water are used for oil extraction; a single well requires 1.5 million gallons for drilling and another 360,000 gallons for "camp" use. Winter roads are "paved" with 6-in (15-cm) thick ice: one mile of road requires 1-1.5 million gallons of water for "paving," ice helipads need 2-3.6 million gallons; one airstrip gets 8 million gallons of water for ice-paving.
Between 1991 and 1997, 25 billion gallons of toxic pollutants were discharged into surface waters of the North Slope. Saline water (estimated at 16.4 million gallons) from the Prudhoe Bay is drawn into wells, contaminating freshwater resources.
Oil and other contaminant spills are a chronic problem: there are about 400 spills a year of various toxic substances onto the surface; between 1984 and 1993, there were 1,955 crude oil spills (376,321 gallons), 2,390 diesel spills (464,856 gallons), 977 gasoline spills (13,382 gallons), and 1,360 hydraulic fluid spills (77,301 gallons). From 1996 to 2000, more than 1.3 million gallons of oil (crude, diesel) were spilled. In 2000 alone, 18,000 gallons of drilling mud spilled at a BP facility, 9,000 gallons of crude gushed from a ruptured pipeline, destroying a wetland, 92,000 gallons of a salt water/crude oil mixture covered the tundra near a Phillips Petroleum site.
As of 1990, more than 4 million gallons of crude, gasoline, diesel, hydraulic fluid, acids, corrosives, heavy metals, lead, and other toxic chemicals had been spilled on the North Slope. Oil companies admit that they are unable to control or to clean up spills, citing the inclement Arctic weather. Their "spill drills," or clean-up tests, fail repeatedly.
Before 1988, about 6 billion gallons of drilling wastes were dumped into 450 unlined reserve pits. After mixing with snow and freezing, during spring melt, the wastewater flows over the tundra as toxic runoff and accumulates in wetlands and ponds. Lawsuits have forced oil companies to abandon surface pits. Today, the waste is injected under the permafrost. To date, less than half the surface reservoirs have been cleaned up. In March 2001, more than 5,000 gallons of drilling waste spilled onto the tundra from a waste injection facility.
"Should energy resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge be developed." Science in Dispute. . Encyclopedia.com. 20 Apr. 2019 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>. | 2019-04-23T00:12:09Z | https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/science-magazines/should-energy-resources-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-be-developed |
Russia's Conservative Modernization: A Mission Impossible?
Summary: The Kremlin’s new strategy of “conservative modernization,” which emphasizes economic diversification and strengthening of the rule of law, cannot initiate any significant change, since the obstacles to modernization are endemic to the system itself.
Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev's conservative modernization campaign represents a marked departure from the politics of the previous decade. Russia's system no longer maintains a semblance of meritocracy and without radical reform, Russia's oil-dependent economy cannot hope to take its place among the modern great powers. Conservative modernization aims to, among other things, diversify Russia's economy, strengthen the rule of law, and broaden media freedoms without bringing political upheaval. It has the potential to spur Russia's growth, but at present, is merely a propaganda tool which serves to further the rent-seeking policies and nationalist goals of the Kremlin elite.
Conservatism is in vogue in Russia. At its most recent national convention in St. Petersburg in November 2009, Vladimir Putin's United Russia described itself again as a conservative party. Officially, it stands for the country's heritage and its values. These values were laid out in Dmitri Medvedev's first annual address as President to the Russian parliament in November 2008. Now, the conservatives' principal task, as both Putin and Medvedev told convention delegates in St. Petersburg, is to bring about Russia's modernization—without losing traditional values, or, more importantly, tampering with the country's political regime.1 The current buzz word is conservative modernization. The idea is that Russia's backwardness would be overcome in an evolutionary manner without destroying or dramatically weakening the state. It would also be based on Russia's core values: traditional family, a strong state, patriotism, "faith in Russia," and great-power independence.2 Can Putin, Medvedev, and the United Russia pull it off?
Conservative modernization is emerging as a hallmark of the Medvedev presidency. The official vision of modernization was described at length in Medvedev's "Go Russia!" article first posted on an independent Internet news site in mid-September.3 Even though he later complemented this vision with many—perhaps too many—details, which have diluted the original message,4 the idea of modernization has become the Leitmotif of the Kremlin's policy agenda.
True, the talk of modernization is still mostly talk, but its emergence is both significant and revealing. Just two years ago, the same voices were striking very different tones at the Kremlin. In early 2008, Putin's choice of Medvedev as successor was framed within the Kremlin's "2020 Strategy"5 as an official vision of Russia's economic and social transformation, which elaborated on the "Putin plan" and served both as an election manifesto for Medvedev and a symbol of continuity between the two presidents. The "Strategy" foresaw the rise of Russia, even though hardly anyone was ignorant of the very slim and uncertain foundation of Russia's growth, and of its glaring defects.
Now, overhaul is treated as an urgent task. The United Russia convention hall rings with phrases which one last heard in the days of perestroika, and with reference to the moribund Soviet system: "Tak zhit' nel'zya—One cannot go on living like this!" The intriguing thing is that the man driving the change—there is no doubt that Medvedev's initiative has the backing of Putin, the paramount leader—is the same person responsible for building the country's present political, economic, and social system. Of course, corruption was not born in Russia on Putin's watch; neither was strong dependency on energy and raw materials exports, but the rent-seeking bureaucracy that has virtually taken over the state is a phenomenon of the last decade.
The irony of the situation is that the major political project of today is designed to undo some of the salient features of the preceding presidency, which until very recently (cf. the "2020 Strategy") was considered a uniquely successful one. It is even more ironic that those who personify these distinctive features are the same people who are now vowing to undo them.
So what is it that Medvedev and Putin are hoping to achieve? Is this achievable? If not, is there a credible alternative to conservative modernization? If there is, what would be the drivers of change, and who would be its agents? And, finally, should modernization fail, what could be the future of Russia? These are the principal questions dealt with in this article.
Let us start with the definition. What passes for conservatism—draping itself in navy blue, the distinct color of Russian conservatism, and seeking a place next to Germany's Christian Democrats and to the People's Party in the European parliament—is the ideology (a thin veneer) and practice (tons of it) of the people who rule and own Russia—and own it because they rule it. Their conservatism is sincere in the most literal sense: these people have achieved their goals and are now seeking to consolidate and perpetuate their gains. Where most elite values can be best measured in dollars (or euros), conservation of the existing system is a most pragmatic ideology.
Russia's post-imperial nationalists seek to appropriate Russian patriotism through continued reliance on the still immense emotional resource of the WWII experience (the Great Patriotic War, to the Russian people), through pandering to national pride in the genuine achievements of the Soviet era, such as space exploration or the cultural revolution, but also through pointing fingers at Russia's historical enemies, such as the Poles.8 Anti-Americanism has become the mainstay of conservative discourse on global affairs. At Putin's initiative, historians writing school textbooks have been encouraged to give a "positive" view of Russian history which had been "tarnished" by liberal critics in the late 1980s and 1990s.
So much for heritage. Values are more difficult to come by. Of the non-material ones, loyalty to a group, clan, corporation, and to the boss top the list. Loyalty in exchange for protection and the "us vs. them" approach to the wider world are the guiding operating principles of those who wield power and call themselves conservatives. Some of them are practicing Orthodox Christians, but most observe the church rituals, candle in hand, especially on holy days.
Politics was reduced to political technology. Based on their victory in the parliamentary-presidential election cycle of 1999–2000, Putin and his allies managed to form a more solid political machine than the Kremlin had in the Yeltsin era. "Unity" and "All Russia," the two wings of the political elite that clashed bitterly in the 1999 parliamentary elections, were combined into a "United Russia" bloc, then a party, which led to a degree of consolidation of the ruling bureaucracy. Giving the "party of power" a generally conservative orientation symbolized the emphasis on stability, which was popular after a decade and a half of turmoil in the country, which started with Gorbachev's perestroika.
Conservatism has been useful in helping the authorities fight their two main domestic political adversaries: communists and liberals. It is virtually forgotten by now, but the 2003 Duma election marked the end of the Communist party as a major force in Russian domestic politics. The Communists, who used to poll a quarter of the popular vote, were the leading force in the parliament during the 1990s, and vociferously opposed President Yeltsin and his cabinets (although letting their budget bills pass rather than being dismissed alongside with the Duma), were simply routed by Putin and his allies, including Zhirinovsky. Ever since, they have been confined to the ghetto of a minority party, receiving between one-eighth and one-seventh of the popular vote.
Now, communism is officially disparaged as an ideology, October Revolution Day abolished as a holiday, and tsarist Russia is glorified and sometimes imitated. Lenin and his Bolsheviks are treated negatively—at best as misguided firebrands—while their White Russian enemies, such as General Denikin and Admiral Kolchak, are rehabilitated as genuine Russian patriots. The émigré anti-communist philosopher Ivan Ilyin has been adopted as a major intellectual source of conservative thinking. Alexander Solzhenitsyn's "GULAG Archipelago" has been made required reading in high school, but official attitudes toward Stalin remain ambivalent. On the one hand, his repressions are seen as criminal excesses; on the other hand, he remains a statesman and a victorious war leader.
Communists have been caged, and liberals decimated. It was also in 2003 that neither of the two liberal and democratic parties, the Union of Right Forces and Yabloko, managed to get into parliament. That spelled the end of an era when liberals and democrats were part of the Russian political mainstream. From then on, they have been clearly driven to the margins of Russian political life.
Unlike the communists, the liberals were less dangerous to the Kremlin because of their own political appeal, than as a partner of some formidable political challenger. In the late 1980s, it was the liberals' alliance with the populist Yeltsin that demolished the Soviet regime and swept away Gorbachev. In the early 2000s, a similar figure seemed to be emerging in Mikhail Khodorkovsky who, the Kremlin suspected, was scheming to take over power. In 2003, the Khodorkovsky challenge was put down by Putin and his power base, the YUKOS oil company, broken up and nationalized. Even before the Khodorkovsky case, the Kremlin had moved resolutely to establish control over the electronic media, wrestling major liberal-leaning TV stations from two other oligarchs, Berezovsky and Gusinsky.
The Kremlin triumphed. Its victory was complete in political, economic, and ideological spheres. Communism was derided as a demon of the twentieth century; liberalism, as a holdover from the nineteenth. Conservatism, by contrast, looked like a serious force well designed for the beginning of the twenty-first century. It helped that at the time many of the leading nations around the world were led by conservatives: George W. Bush in the United States, Angela Merkel in Germany, Jacques Chirac, and then Nicolas Sarkozy in France, Silvio Berlusconi in Italy, the LDP in Japan and—one might add—the CCP in China. In the eyes of the Kremlin, what brings them all together is close ties to the business communities in their countries, and thus a link to real power; a strong preference for law and order at home, and Realpolitik abroad; and a certain elite disdain for those not endowed with wealth and power. In a word, conservatism, seen from the seat of the Russian government, is a rich man's ideology. The Kremlin fancied itself in good company, even if many others did not necessarily include the Russian leaders in their own company.
This did not bother the Kremlin very much. Again in 2003, Goldman Sachs published its famous BRIC report9 which put Russia on a trajectory of a steep and inexorable rise to the upper echelons of the world's economic powers: indeed, Russia was supposed to overtake all European economies and become the world's number five, behind the United States and the Asian giants. Most strikingly, the projections of the report were not made conditional on any set of specific reforms. The report must have given Putin and his colleagues a shot in the arm.
Risks remained, however. Domestically the Kremlin had to be vigilant. In early 2005, both the communists and the liberals suddenly appeared to present real risks to the triumphant Kremlin leadership. Had they tried harder, the communists could have certainly exploited the pensioners' widespread discontent over mishandling of a social benefits reform. As for the liberals, they emerged in the Kremlin's mind—in the wake of the 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine—as a "fifth column" of the United States, plotting "regime change" in Russia.
Offense was the best form of defense. Russian conservatives had to be not only vigilant, but militant. The Kremlin, while continuing to give its support to United Russia, set about forming reserve or satellite parties on the left ("A Just Russia") and the right ("The Right Cause"). In a parallel move, it encouraged the formation of three "clubs" within United Russia, on the right, the left, and the center. It also reached out to the youth by buying into young nationalist groups ("Nashi") and sanctioning formation of United Russia's own youth wings ("The Young Guard"). These had to be used in street battles with the government's enemies, or just critics. The general idea was to fight off the new challenges and to further stabilize the existing politico-economic system.
This was not to be. In the fall of 2008, the economic crisis demolished the old certainty. Even though the worst has been avoided so far (no major strikes or other social upheavals, no split within the tandem or the ruling group in general, no pressure from the outside), it dawned on the Russian leadership that a simple return to the oil-driven growth of 2003–2008 was not to be expected. Even if the prices did rebound again, Russia, and by extension its political system, would remain exceedingly vulnerable to their volatility in the future. Since other countries were obviously using the crisis to improve their economies and finances, and to reach new technological levels, Russia's refusal to do the same would impair its global standing and thus present a challenge to the system from the outside. But how can one manage modernization and conservation at the same time?
The crisis called for a new approach. Economic and social reformism that Putin had proclaimed at the beginning of his first term, but then shelved amid the oil bonanza, has been rediscovered. Medvedev set goals of ending the Russian economy's dependence on raw materials exports, reining in corruption, and securing independence for the judiciary while broadening media freedoms. Medvedev's "Go Russia!" piece is not a revolutionary manifesto, much less one designed to attack Putin or tarnish his legacy to please the opposition. Yet, on the face of it, this is a plan to re-energize the country while avoiding political upheaval.
The young President sounds a bit idealistic when he denounces paternalism. From Putin's more seasoned perspective, the government is the only genuine modernizer. It has the political power, controls much property, and, unlike its would-be detractors, would have no interest in "using modernization for political purposes" because it already has all it wants. Politics, the Kremlin is convinced, is generally wasteful11 unless carefully manipulated. To illustrate the point, Russian TV likes to refer to post-Orange Ukraine, with its constant bickering in and outside the Rada, which often paralyzes decision making. With virtually the entire Russian elite marshaled around "the tandem," the government is the only engine to pull the country ahead.
This was good, but not good enough. By the late 2000s, there came a realization that while the Putin majority was an indispensable electoral resource, guaranteeing the overall stability of the regime by providing it with the genuine consent of the governed, its main advantage—the public's passivity and abdication from active public life—was also its principal deficiency in terms of the modernization agenda: the Putin majority was sterile. It was one thing to ignore the opposition intelligentsia ("old liberals") in the early 2000s; by the end of the decade, ignoring the best and brightest of the IT generation was less affordable.
"Two nations" was conservative nineteenth century British statesman—and later Prime Minister—Benjamen Disraeli's comment on contemporary class-divided British society. There may have been something of the concept of "two nations" behind Medvedev's gambit. According to some Kremlinfriendly political technologists,12 Russia is divided into a massive, but passive majority dependent on the state, but critical for the survival of the government, and a minority of active and self-reliant people, some intensely patriotic or even nationalistic, but most with a global outlook. Putin the paternalist had long captured the former group, thus ensuring the stability of the system; Medvedev the modernizer now needed to make a pitch for the latter one to move the country forward.
Medvedev was explicit. In his famous article he made it clear that he stands for comprehensive modernization, including in the political realm. He was not readily believed, but many people became curious. In the annual address to parliament, he seemed to backtrack somewhat. Yet, the whole thing is more than public relations or mere imitation, as some critics suggest.14 The Russian leaders are obviously inspired by the example of East Asian countries. Japan, as noted above, has been de facto a one-party state throughout most of its post-WWII history. The "rise of the Asian tigers" (South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Singapore) happened on the watch of the conservative governments even in those countries which later turned democratic. Officially communist and clearly authoritarian, China and Vietnam are surging ahead. The issue is, can a strong one-party rule that does not allow political competition lead to a technological and societal breakthrough in Russia as it apparently did in Asia?
Putin and Medvedev realize they are dealing with more than just an economy that needs modernization. Their vision is a Russia that not only has a diverse and innovative economy, but also a society that is made productive and stable by the prominence of the middle classes, inspired by the traditional values of mainstream Orthodoxy and other religions, and even a polity built on multi-party competition in the continental European-style, or a two-party system, as in the U.S. or the UK. They also want Russia as a great power: a magnet rather than a master in its own neighborhood, a co-equal of the leading centers such as the EU, China, and the United States, and a member of the "collective global leadership."
This vision may be tempting, but it cannot be achieved in a conservative way because the obstacles to the goals it sets are endemic to the system over which Putin and Medvedev preside. Corruption is not an evil; it is the organizing principle. The business-bureaucracy nexus cannot be wished away; it can only be broken. Indivisible power cannot be separated into branches by simply appealing to the Constitution, which mandates this separation. Conservatism will only imitate change and compromise the vision. Revolutionary change, of course, is not the answer: Putin and Medvedev are correct regarding this question. What is needed is an effort which will not undermine the state, but replace the current politico-economic system: radical modernization.
The drivers of change are a legion: Russia is basically open to the world. International comparisons are poignant, and international competition is real. Should its modernization effort fail, Russia may not hold together in one piece: the best and the brightest would leave, and the more successful regions may secede from those regarded as drags. At the very least, the notion of Russia as a great power would finally be history, and the country would lay by the wayside of globalization.
The crucial question is about the agent of change. In the Asian countries mentioned above, there were leaders bold enough to initiate change. They were also able to ensure discipline within the elite, who became their associates. Looking to the top leader as the top reformer has a long tradition in Russia. From Peter I to Alexander II to Gorbachev, reforms were always coming in a top-down fashion, spearheaded by an enlightened despot. When Russia's rulers were not great reformers themselves, they, like Yeltsin, provided vital backing to the actual reformers. But all the Russian rulers cited above were essentially liberal reformers.
Not this time. Putin's predecessor as a conservative reformer was Peter Stolypin. The ruthless anti-revolutionary and pro-monarchy prime minister famously called, one hundred years ago, for "twenty years of peace and quiet" that would transform Russia. One can only guess what Russia might have looked like by 1930 had Stolypin not been assassinated in 1911 and had the tsar avoided being dragged into WWI three years later, which eventually led to the Bolshevik takeover. Putin, too, is calling for two decades of mildly authoritarian rule (he assumed power in 2000 and his "strategy" runs to 2020) and promises a modernized Russia at the end. The problem is, corruption in Russia has never been such a systemic factor as now. Modernization would seek to do away with it; conservation would seek to perpetuate it: the result would be a gridlock!
This is a tall order. Even a ruler as tough as Putin—provided he is willing—may find it hard to break that gridlock by disciplining the elites and to turn them into willing and active participants in the modernization drive. China's political system is much more authoritarian, but it is meritocratic. Russia's is based on rent distribution. Of course, Russia has a number of well-trained and enlightened bureaucrats wishing to do good for the country, but the general bureaucratic environment is determined by kickbacks and other forms of official corruption. No "vertical of power" is capable of making the elites put the national interest above their own—and certainly not in the situation where the top of the vertical has to rely on the loyalty of the lower end, bought at the price of licenses to steal.
Business is minding its own business. Normally, the business community would be the natural driver of modernization and a partner of the enlightened leadership and a patriotic bureaucracy. Russia's business elites, however, have not been noted for particular courage vis-à-vis the authorities, whether tsarist or post-communist. A century ago, this passivity contributed to the Bolshevik coup; more recently, the YUKOS lesson has been learned only too well. Big and, to a degree, medium-sized business has bought into the system and mastered competition in "administrative resources" (i.e., official corruption). As such, it feels comfortable and abhors change. Breaking the power-and-property nexus is a sine qua non for liberating Russia's entrepreneurship and innovation.
The middle classes are not there—yet. Until now, the Russian middle classes have been focused on improving their own material circumstances and thus are not yet plausible agents for change. Post-Communist Russia has demonstrated the triumph of the private over the public in a most astonishing and pervasive manner. Middle classes here are essentially consumers, not citizens or entrepreneurs. Seen from that angle, today's Russia is not a nation: there is no res publica. It is also a country without a golden age to look back to. Conservative spokesmen are right: ironically, the Russians have never had it "so good" in terms of affluence, but also of personal freedom. However, unless the middle classes develop a public interest and start comparing Russia not to its past, but also to its neighbors, they will not become a driver for a higher quality of life.
The crisis has not produced an upheaval. As discussed, the current economic crisis, which many thought would bring pressure from below to bear on the Russian leadership, has so far failed to do that. The tandem is standing tall, its popularity virtually unaffected. Liberal activists who saw a ray of hope in the protests of car importers in the Far East or the disgruntled factory workers near St. Petersburg have been confounded: protests come in ripples, not in waves. It is only if the crisis is used to put the Russian economy on a new material foundation that its impact on the country's development will be positive.
Can outside pressure help, as some liberals hope? Gorbachev's concessions, after all, were rooted in the growing financial difficulties the Soviet Union faced in the late 1980s.15 Serious Western pressure on Russia and its leaders would certainly have an impact, but hardly to the liberals' liking. The underside of a hypothetical "confrontation of choice," in which the United States would actually apply pressure on the Russian leaders to make them change their domestic and international behavior in accordance with the values and principles espoused by Americans, would be so huge in terms of U.S. national security as to make it virtually unthinkable.
So, what could work? At the very top, a major driver could be the geopolitical factor, which drove Russia's modernizations of the past—both liberal and illiberal. Peter the Great, Alexander II, and Stalin all feared that a backward Russia would be too weak to stand up to its rivals. The key difference, of course, is that in the age of globalization the challenge Russia is facing is predominantly a non-military one. As such, it requires openness and private initiative, the opposite to state-run mobilization. Differences over these issues, and over the specific interests that would be affected by policy choices, would bring back genuine debate within the elite and the opening of the political system. Business would be relieved from its vow to keep out of politics. The public space, non-existent today, would re-emerge with people starting to care about issues, not only their narrow interests. At the middle classes level, a tax reform away from the flat low tax which is being increasingly talked about would probably create an interest about how public money is spent, and thus a real demand for accountability.16 A more austere financial environment can end the situation of "no taxation and no representation."
There may be several other drivers. The oil price, in a comfortable range for now, may drop and hit Russia again. A man-made disaster may provoke mass discontent. Successful transformation of a neighboring state, (e.g., Ukraine) may lead to the question: why can we not do better? One thing is clear, however. Giving priority to system conservation will stifle the modernization effort. A failure to modernize would speed up the already advanced process of Russia's steady decline and marginalization, and potentially lead to its break-up. The situation is dire. In principle, oil and gas money plus clean water, fresh air, and transit routes may sustain the elite for decades, and even leave something to the declining population. This, however, does not have to be Russia's future. As Medvedev and Putin tinker with conservative change, a combination of conflicts of interest and leadership ambitions, patriotism and national pride, business common sense, and a popular feeling of justice and revulsion against the reigning cynicism and license economy may start working for a more modern Russia.
2. Dmitry Medvedev, Address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, November 5, 2008, Grand Kremlin Palace, Moscow.
3. Dmitry Medvedev, Go Russia! http://eng.kremlin.ru/speeches/2009/09/10/1534_type104017_221527.shtml.
4. Dmitry Medvedev, Address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, November 5, 2008, Grand Kremlin Palace, Moscow.
5. Vladimir Putin, Speech at Expanded Meeting of the State Council on Russia's Development Strategy through to 2020, February 8, 2008, The Kremlin, Moscow.
6. The Basis of the Social Concept, http://www.mospat.ru/en/documents/social-concepts/.
7. Address by President Vladimir Put, September 4, 2004, The Kremlin, Moscow. Nichego u nih ne vyidet, Rossiiskaya gazeta, November 22, 2007 (#4525).
8. Name of Russia, results http://www.nameofrussia.ru/rating.html, November 4-National Unity Day website http://4november.ru/index.html.
9. Goldman Sachs, "Dreaming with BRICs: The Path to 2050."
10. Alexey Kudrin. Speeches at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, June 7, 2008.
11. Boris Gryzlov izbran spikerom Gosdumy chetvertogo sozyva, December 29, 2003.
12. Peredacha vlasti. Rossia 2.0, Vedomosti # 198 (2468), October 20, 2010.
13. Fundamental'lnaya nauka: Pochemu my utekli. Vedomosti # 186 (2456), October 2, 2009.
14. Dmitry Medvedev, Go Russia! http://eng.kremlin.ru/speeches/2009/09/10/1534_type104017_221527.shtml. Dmitry Medvedev, Address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, November 12, 2009, The Kremlin, Moscow.
15. Yegor Gaidar, Collapse of an Empire: Lessons for Modern Russia, (ROSSPEN, 2007).
16. Nikita Belykh. Mestnoe samoupravlenie: den'gi pod nogami, Vedomosti #223 (2493), November 25, 2009.
Copyright © 2010 The Johns Hopkins University Press. This article first appeared in The SAIS Review of International Affairs, Volume 30, Number 1, Winter-Spring 2010, pages 27-37. Reprinted with permission by The Johns Hopkins University Press. | 2019-04-26T02:01:00Z | https://carnegie.ru/publications/?fa=41108 |
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There was a predecessor institution to Island Resources Foundation and this was the Caribbean Research Institute (CRI) at the then College, now University, of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). In 1967, IRF founder, Dr. Edward Towle, commenced his tenure at the College as director of its research arm, the Caribbean Research Institute, a decided diversion from Towle’s earlier career paths as a naval officer, academician, and Smithsonian curator. CRI was the training ground for Ed and for what would later emerge as Island Resources Foundation. Here he learned how to build an institution in the Caribbean. But even more importantly, it was while affiliated with CRI that Ed was introduced to the few individuals and fewer still institutions pursuing conservation goals in the insular Caribbean of the mid-to-late 1960s. The former historian fortuitously, almost accidentally, stumbled on this new challenge, which would then direct the course of the remainder of his life.
It was an opportune moment and one that gave credence to the old adage that “timing is everything.” With funding support from American philanthropist, Laurance Rockefeller, and led by a handful of concerned but relatively unorganized advocates, the Caribbean Conservation Association (CCA) had been established in 1967 as a collaboration of governments, NGOs, and individuals united in the pursuit of conservation goals in the Caribbean. In 1968, less than a year after his arrival in St. Thomas, Ed was elected president of the CCA, no doubt, at least in part, because his unbridled enthusiasm for new causes was seen by the CCA’s organizing board to be what was needed to ignite the undertaking and move the association forward.
Towle’s presidency of CCA, from 1968-1974, put him on the frontline of this new movement and became the platform for his immersion in the early years of Caribbean conservation. CCA provided an unexpected opportunity to travel the region, meet leaders, form friendships, and learn quickly about the Caribbean. Without Ed’s tenure at CRI and, even more importantly, his concurrent assumption of the presidency of CCA, there likely would not be an Island Resources Foundation. To wit: the CCA presidency enabled Ed to take hold of essential knowledge about the Caribbean with remarkable speed and to acquire a new tool bag of risk-taking skills, something that would serve him well during the four decades of IRF’s history. After all, who but a risk-taker — especially one who was the new kid on the block, the white novice in an historically black region — would assume that he could take on the untried conservation movement and help to make it work?
Today, islands have almost become an industry unto themselves — island studies, island associations, island stakeholders, island issues, small island states, islands and climate change, UN year of small islands, and on and on. But back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as Island Resources Foundation was taking shape first as a concept and then as an institution, that was not the case. One emerging paradigm during this period was “small is beautiful,” which became well known in 1973 after publication of a collection of essays by British economist E.F. Schumacher; thereafter, it was often used to denote technologies that were “appropriate.” But even the “small is beautiful” movement seldom focused on small islands, which at the time were very much places where “appropriate technologies” should have been — but were not being — employed.
Within a small island, no problem or area of study can stand by itself, no piece of life remains isolated; every living and non-living thing forms an integral part of a structured whole. Similarly, an island chain is a delicate and fragile network, representing a set of highly interdependent relationships — island to island, system to sub-system, island to sea.
Islands of every kind and however remote are currently experiencing strong development thrusts founded chiefly on tourism, on extractive enterprises, on their use as global air and steamship transportation nodes, and on the increased demands for local resources generated by rapidly growing insular populations. An unwanted by-product of this development has been a dramatic deterioration of island environments, accompanied by a decline in the insular quality of life as measured by welfare indicators other than the traditional economic ones ….
While the stresses and pressures of population growth, unrestrained development and modern technology are partly responsible for this decline in island environmental quality, serious shortcoming are also becoming apparent in the matter of resource planning, allocation and management [appropriate] for island systems.
The principal deficiency has been the omission of environmental values in planning and development strategies [emphasis added]. The question … therefore is how to incorporate ecological principles to a far greater degree in the modernization of island communities now being shaped by local forces and by development agencies involved in or responsible for island administration and growth.
Today these paragraphs seem all too familiar — they were groundbreaking for the early 1970s.
Islands are special places, their environments are unique and vulnerable, and the Foundation’s mission would be to assist small islands (especially those in the Caribbean) to meet the challenges of social, economic and institutional growth while protecting and sustainably managing their environments.
To this mission — environmental planning for island development — Island Resources Foundation would devote more than four decades of research, educational outreach, information sharing, technical expertise and capacity building.
Some may assume the date shown on this section’s header to be in error, as IRF has traditionally evoked 1972 as the date of its establishment. However, two years earlier, Ed Towle and two of his CRI colleagues signed incorporation papers for a non-profit organization to be domiciled in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its name: Island Resources Foundation. Initially, this new entity was planned as an affiliate of the Caribbean Research Institute, but one which could absorb Caribbean-wide programming that was increasingly of lesser concern to the USVI-focused College of the Virgin Islands, where CRI was housed. The 1970 Articles of Incorporation for IRF were broad and expansive in their scope and reach, some might say relatively unfocused except for a concentration on small islands.
The 1970 legal framework remained on paper for several years, until 1972, when Ed and Judith Towle determined to breathe life into the happenstance foundation that up to that point only existed as a legal document. First, Judith signed on as the Foundation’s initial employee in 1971; a board of three trustees was assembled consisting of the Towles and Dr. Norwell Harrigan of the British Virgin Islands (BVI); and eventually, in 1972, Ed resigned his position at the Caribbean Research Institute and became IRF’s first president and CEO.
Throughout the world, insular communities, with limited areas, are experiencing the pressures of a growth and development phenomenon which has rarely been equaled on larger land masses. Attracted by the undeveloped, pristine nature of islands and by their recreational qualities and economic opportunities, more people from continental areas are focusing on offshore oceanic and coastal insular areas, threatening to alter the very qualities that make islands viable as ecosystems and as communities.
American and Eastern Airlines responded, and for several of IRF’s early years (indeed, for many decades in the case of American Airlines), they provided critical support for the fledgling Island Resources Foundation.
From the start, IRF found its talent and its forte in the execution of funded programs. This was the approach of its founders, and over time the Foundation’s principals realized the organization’s enduring strength lay not in a broad membership base or in building an endowment or in pursing unrestricted funding in support of centralized goals. Rather, IRF found its strength primarily from the identification and execution of funded programs that reinforced its core mission.
The Foundation did build a small but enthusiastic membership base over time, which largely grew out of an endangered species research program led by IRF scientists who, from 1971 to 1976, conducted annual research expeditions to study, monitor, and tag green sea turtles nesting at Aves Island, an isolated, then uninhabited Venezuelan island in the eastern Caribbean that was a major nesting site for this endangered species. To raise funds for the research, IRF initiated a “name your turtle” program that allowed donors to name a tagged turtle and follow the animal’s progress in Caribbean waters. When this research initiative ended, the Foundation had assembled a base of donors, and the Aves Island contributors eventually morphed to a larger group of persons interested in the Foundation’s work who, in turn, became IRF’s initial universe of members.
IRF’s first headquarters was in St. Thomas at the Johnny Harms Lagoon Marina on the island’s eastern end. Harms, who is credited with first promoting sports fishing in the USVI, was long a friend and supporter of IRF, especially during its earliest years. In 1983, IRF moved to an adjacent property where it was housed in a “wooden cottage” style building that reflected traditional West Indian architecture and was expressly constructed for IRF’s occupancy. In that same year, the Foundation opened a small auxiliary office in downtown Washington, DC, and, from 1990-1999, IRF supported a second auxiliary office based at the National Museum in St. John’s, Antigua; the later facility existed largely in support of IRF’s NGO strengthening program. Finally, in the late 1990s, in partnership with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Tortola, IRF established a registered office in the British Virgin Islands and, in 1997, donated its extensive and respected library on Caribbean environments to the College.
Like any child learning to take its first steps, the Foundation officially came to life in 1972 with perhaps more uncertainty and a few more tumbles than anticipated. During that first decade, what we called our survival decade, IRF was nothing so much as it was eclectic — it was at times all over the programming map as the organization’s principals sought to define its identity more clearly, focus its ambitions more realistically, and support its programs more sustainably.
IRF began close to home, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It developed a partnership with the territory’s new Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs, one of the first — if not the first — environment-focused departments or ministries of government in the region. Before the department had sufficient staff, IRF served as its surrogate research arm, while also partnering with the government’s Planning Office (1976-77) to design the territory’s brand new coastal zone management program, the first in the eastern Caribbean. IRF prepared a comprehensive marine resource assessment and coastal classification system for the U.S. Virgin Islands and developed the initial CZM planning guidelines.
Nowhere in the 1970s was environmental stress induced by change more evident than in the coastal zone of Caribbean insular environments where competing human interests interacted directly with the dynamics of natural ecosystems. Recognizing the need for improved management strategies for coastal environments, the Foundation began to carry out a series of projects that initially focused on water quality and pollution control, fisheries development, and marine resource utilization, but which eventually led to the Foundation’s more integrated contributions to coastal area planning in the wider Caribbean in the 1980s and 1990s.
At the same time, Island Resources Foundation was among the earliest advocates for environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures for Caribbean islands, in a region that was rapidly developing but with few standards or controls for understanding how development was impacting the environment. EIAs prepared by the Foundation in the 1970s for Caribbean public sector infrastructure projects (including airport construction, mass transportation systems, harbor dredging, dock construction, sand mining and petroleum transport facilities) were among the first in the region.
With support from the United Nations Development Programme, the Foundation undertook the region’s first environmental survey (1973-74) of selected Caribbean islands (eight in all), reporting on key problem areas requiring special management approaches well before these issues were more generally appreciated. In 1976, the Foundation was commissioned by the British Virgin Islands Government to carry out a more comprehensive environmental survey of the BVI including preparation of attendant guidelines for future development options in the territory.
During this period, IRF began to reach out to Caribbean governments to provide assistance for park planning, training, research and ecotourism programs. Earliest initiatives concentrated on the Dominican Republic, Dominica, Anguilla, Jamaica, and offshore islands in Venezuela and Panama as these and other Caribbean states began to formulate how to protect natural resources within protected area frameworks. Cultural heritage was also on the Foundation’s agenda during its early years, including a 1976 inventory of over 100 historical sites and landmarks in ten Caribbean islands.
Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment, with an emphasis on coastal and marine resource development.
in IRF’s future as biodiversity conservation and research.
Additionally, by the end of the 1970s, an overarching approach to program execution had been firmly embedded in IRF rhetoric and pursuits, namely, the Foundation’s tenacious emphasis on the application of sound science to environmental problem solving.
As the Foundation’s reach and scope expanded, so did its staff. From two employees in 1972, the Foundation’s permanent staff would number between 10 and 20, dependent on project activity, and included biologists and ecologists, geologists and historians, planners and economists, system analysts and international development specialists, community organizers and institutional specialists.
Additionally, IRF came to rely on an interdisciplinary rooster of IRF-affiliated associates who consulted with the permanent staff within their disciplinary specialties, helped to keep the Foundation informed regarding island affairs, and remained available for assignment on appropriate IRF projects. Numbering approximately 75 professionals with island residency or island-specific experience, the Foundation’s Research and Program Associates helped to expand the reach and opportunities available for the organization’s ongoing work.
From its inception, the Foundation’s governing board has comprised individuals whose background and skills included experience not only in environmental sectors but also in international development and business management. In so doing, the Foundation recognized the need to address environmental concerns within a broader framework of economic and social development. These concerns were reflected in the composition of the Foundation’s board of trustees for more than four decades, and were perhaps best illustrated in the 1970s when George A. Spater, then president of American Airlines, and Dr. Harold J. Coolidge, a founding member of the IUCN and the WWF-US, both served on the IRF board at the same time.
Beginning in 1973, Island Resources Foundation launched a program of sponsored internships, successfully placing over 50 student interns from North American and Caribbean academic institutions. IRF interns (primarily at the graduate-student level) were generally assigned to the Foundation’s offices in St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, and Washington, DC, although approximately a dozen interns were also placed with IRF institutional partners in the Caribbean, primarily environment-focused NGOs.
Throughout its history, Island Resources Foundation built an organization that promoted openness, mutual trust, and confidence, which in turn created pride and loyalty among the organization’s staff, program associates, recurrent consultants, trustees, members, supporters, Caribbean partners, island stakeholders, and even some donors. Such esprit de corps enhanced the Foundation’s reputation, energized IRF’s leadership, and created a congenial institutional framework that was conducive to progress and sustainability.
In the 1980s two programs stand out in the narrative of Island Resources Foundation’s development, in terms of level of funding, uniqueness, and impact.
The first was development of environmental profiles for eight eastern Caribbean countries and territories.
The background for these studies dated to the mid-1970s when the Congress of the United States directed the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide a statement of baseline environmental conditions and institutional capacity for all AID-recipient countries. These statements would be called Country Environmental Profiles. Subsequently, in 1986, the Caribbean Conservation Association in Barbados and the University of the West Indies sponsored a conference at which participants acknowledged the need for environmental profiles, specifically in the eastern Caribbean. Finally, by 1987, USAID’s mission in Barbados had launched a program to provide environmental profiles for each AID-funded country in the eastern Caribbean.
The ensuing Profile Program was implemented by the Caribbean Conservation Association, with Island Resources Foundation selected to provide the technical skills needed to prepare the documents. The profiles — for Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — were funded by USAID, prepared by IRF, and published by CCA and IRF. Shortly thereafter, the United Nations Development Programme in Barbados approached CCA and IRF to undertake a similar project for two UK territories in the eastern Caribbean — Anguilla and Montserrat.
The eight profiles were groundbreaking for their time. An unprecedented assemblage of institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and individuals were involved in a first-of-its-kind effort to comprehensively examine and assess priority environmental issues in the eastern Caribbean. Unique to the process, particularly for the years in which the documents were produced, was the requirement that the lead technical assistance organization (IRF) was partnered in each island with an indigenous NGO and a designated government agency, a collaboration that IRF insisted on when drafting the program’s operational framework.
The second major IRF program in the 1980s, continuing into the 1990s, was the Foundation’s Institutional Strengthening Program for Eastern Caribbean Environmental NGOs. This nine-year initiative (1986-95) was at the time the largest regional program specifically targeting the role of the non-profit sector in Caribbean environmental affairs. It represented an overdue policy recognition of a longstanding Foundation assertion that non-governmental organizations had a major role to play in the management of the region’s environment.
An ambitious institutional support program was launched by IRF in the mid-1980s with start-up funding from the World Wildlife Fund-US and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Long-term support was later facilitated through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development. For almost a decade, from its office in Antigua, IRF provided targeted technical assistance, in-country training, small grants, and institutional planning support for emerging conservation NGOs, a then mostly unrecognized sector in the eastern Caribbean. By its end, the program had confirmed that these organizations had important roles to play as agents for sustainable development and as institutional stakeholders for building consensus about national development goals.
Melding the management processes for these multi-island, multi-disciplinary projects was a major challenge for the Foundation, but by implementing careful data management and program accountability, IRF was able to maintain credibility with donors and leverage benefits for participating island organizations and government agencies.
Environmental Policy and Law, highlighted by preparation of Country Environmental Profiles but eventually to include conflict resolution and environmental arbitration, economic analysis of natural resource development, policy innovation for insular resource management, co-management strategies for natural resource protection, and evaluation of environmental institutions, legislation and programs.
Institutional Development, with an emphasis on skills building for islanders and collaborative capacity building for island institutions, highlighted by the Foundation’s NGO Strengthening Program.
Additionally, in the 1980s, IRF assumed leadership — as a founding member and coordinator — of the Virgin Islands Resource Management Cooperative (VIRMC), a unique collaboration of public and private sector institutions who recognized the need for a cooperative approach to the management of natural resources in the wider Virgin Islands, including the British Virgin Islands. With funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the U.S. National Park Service, and joined by collaborating VIRMC institutions, IRF executed a five-year research program focused primarily on the marine resources of the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve. Thirty research studies were carried out by 33 investigators from nine VIRMC-affiliated institutions.
INFORMATION – THE LIFEBLOOD OF ISLAND RESOURCES FOUNDATION!
Island Resources Foundation was built on the premise that knowledge is power and that information is the basis for informed decision-making about the environment in small islands. Therefore, with the launching of Island Resources Foundation in the early 1970s, its founder, Dr. Edward Towle, determined that the institution would create a library of information, comprised primarily of non-traditional, so-called gray (unpublished) literature, and that this information would be available within an open-access framework. The subject matter of IRF’s library — small island systems, insular environments, and sustainable development in the Caribbean — were all relatively new subjects for the region in 1972. And because initially these were pre-Internet, pre-Google, even pre-personal computer years, the extensive service function provided by the library Ed created, as well as his conscientious cultivation of a broad distribution network, fulfilled a growing regional need at a level that was unique for its time.
As the Foundation’s library became better known among neighboring Caribbean islands, regional institutions, government agencies and international bodies, and as the Foundation developed its own publication series, exchange arrangements became possible, which also added to the Foundation’s ability to acquire new materials for its collection.
Eventually, the IRF library in St. Thomas (with an auxiliary library in Washington, DC) totally outstripped the organization’s ability to properly house it at the Foundation’s facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ed began to explore options for the future development of this valuable collection and to address the immediate problems of housing and access.
The solution lay in a new partnership between Island Resources Foundation and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. In 1997, the Foundation donated its library to the College and transferred it to Tortola, where it is currently housed at the College’s Learning Resource Centre as the Dr. Edward L. Towle Island Systems Environmental Information Collection.
By 2015, the College and Island Resources Foundation mutually recognized that accessibility was again an issue as digital library collections were becoming the norm. The two institutions created a new partnership, this time to digitize the Towle Collection, eventually to scan all documents, convert each to a searchable PDF format, and index the collection within a newly created digital cataloguing system.
The decade of the 1990s witnessed a transition in the leadership of Island Resources Foundation. Founder and longtime president, Dr. Edward L. Towle, retired in 1998, thereafter assuming the chairmanship of the board of trustees. The presidency was taken up by Bruce G. Potter, who had joined the Foundation’s staff in 1994. A former U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer and later staffer for Latin America and the Caribbean at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, DC, Bruce also brought to the Foundation an extensive background in economic planning, disaster management, institutional development, and information systems management in both the public and private sectors.
Environmental Information Management, concentrating on the development of information management models and strengthening the availability of information resources for informed decision making.
Under Potter’s leadership, the Foundation became a leader in the development of emerging information management technologies that actively encouraged improved environmental decision making for small island states. With Bruce as coordinator and more than 30 electronic mail groups under his management, IRF began to concentrate on building regional and global networks among islanders to facilitate communication and information exchange. E-groups were established in response to constituent requirements and covered diverse subject matter from Caribbean biodiversity to geographic information systems to sustainable tourism. Potter’s contributions to the field will be continued with the establishment in 2016 of the Bruce G. Potter Nature Tech Fund.
Island-specific Biodiversity Research and Conservation, designed to provide technical expertise in biodiversity for highly stressed insular environments, species, and habitats.
Another long-term initiative commencing in the 1990s concentrated on a series of research studies in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to develop erosion models and sediment control practices for land-based activities that impact fragile coral reef systems in Caribbean islands. The program, which extended to 2015, was directed by IRF geologist and watershed management scientist, Dr. Carlos Ramos Scharrón. During the 1990s, IRF researchers also created guidelines for sediment control practices in the insular Caribbean, including best management practices for land use activities that impact coastal ecosystems (published by the United Nations Environment Programme for the Caribbean in 1994).
Many program initiatives from earlier decades were extended in the 1990s, for example: park and protected area planning with the preparation of a comprehensive management plan for the Bird Island Marine Reserve in Antigua and an assessment of the Montego Bay Marne Park and Blue Mountain National Park in Jamaica.
IRF continued to focus on integrated coastal area planning keyed to small-island conditions, especially island states with expanding tourism sectors and increasing vulnerability to natural disasters. In the 1990s, the Foundation developed management plans for 18 “areas of particular concern” as designated under U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management legislation. In 1996, IRF developed comprehensive guidelines for integrated coastal area planning in the wider Caribbean, which were published and disseminated by the United Nations Environment Programme’s Caribbean office in Jamaica.
Throughout its history, Island Resources Foundation has been a contributor to global initiatives designed to enhance the development options of small islands. IRF’s second president, Bruce Potter, expanded the Foundation’s longstanding interest in educating international agencies and donor institutions about the uniqueness of insular environments. Under his leadership, IRF partnered with global island initiatives such as the Global Islands Network (www.globalislands.net), an early worldwide, internet-based information consortium intended to provide easy access to available information on sustainable island development.
During its four-decade tenure, Island Resources Foundation funded its program activities primarily through a combination of externally funded grants and contracts, collaborative partnerships, and private sector contributions.
With project-specific funding totaling just under $10 million, primary programmatic support and donors have included 14 U.S. Government agencies, 9 Caribbean Governments, more than a dozen international and Caribbean regional agencies, and more than 50 private sector institutions, including corporate sponsors, philanthropic foundations, and other grant-making, non-governmental organizations.
Preliminary planning for the proposed Nevis Peak National Park.
Completion of a five-year Conservation and Management Plan for the protection of bat species in the US Virgin Islands.
Preparation of a biodiversity inventory and status assessment for the Wallings Forest Protected Area and the Codrington Lagoon National Park in Antigua and Barbuda.
Development of environmental and socioeconomic baseline studies for proposed park sites in St. Kitts and Grenada.
Yet, even as these and other activities moved forward, the Foundation was beginning to slow down. Increasingly, programs focused on the Foundation’s office in the British Virgin Islands where IRF had maintained an office since the late 1990s with IRF founder and vice president, Judith Towle, directing operations. Two major projects were initiated in this British overseas territory commencing with the turn of the century.
The first was an eight-year project which brought IRF full circle back to its initial donor in 1972 — Laurance S. Rockefeller. The American entrepreneur and conservationist owned a 14-acre island in the British Virgin Islands known as Sandy Cay, which he had maintained for over 30 years as a private park with open access to all. As part of his planning to donate the island to the BVI, Rockefeller sponsored a comprehensive program to facilitate the donation. First, he engaged Island Resources Foundation to prepare an ecosystem survey and a long-term management plan for the island. But Rockefeller did not stop there as he wanted to ensure that Sandy Cay would be managed and protected in perpetuity as a unique natural area as it had been for more than three decades under his stewardship.
Thus, in partnership with IRF and in collaboration with the National Parks Trust of the [British] Virgin Islands, Rockefeller funded an eight-year multifaceted program of sustained and targeted assistance for BVI institutions, laws and policies that supported conservation and protected area management. The so-called Sandy Cay Program, co-directed by Edward and Judith Towle, would be Dr. Towle’s last IRF project; both he and Laurance Rockefeller would die before the island was formally transferred to the National Parks Trust in 2008. The Sandy Cay Development Program represented the culmination of IRF’s four decades of resource assessment, capacity building, and planning guidance on behalf of park and protected area development in the Caribbean.
The second major BVI program during the Foundation’s final years was a long-delayed initiative to provide environmental profiles for the multiple islands of the British Virgin Islands archipelago. Directed by Judith Towle, the BVI project extended and completed the environmental profiling work carried out by the Foundation from 1987-1993. At that time, profiles were prepared by IRF for two other UK overseas territories — Anguilla and Montserrat — and now it was the BVI’s turn. IRF’s objective was not only to provide a current-state description and assessment of the BVI environment, but also to substantially expand the environmental information base for the territory and to make that information easily accessible. Five major publications were prepared, with a stand-alone profile for each of the major islands (Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Tortola) and a fifth profile highlighting the natural history of 17 of Tortola’s sister islands. In all, the BVI environmental profile series comprised well over one thousand pages of text and data, and all are now available online as PDF documents.
Nevertheless, by 2015 — with the death of founder Edward Towle in 2006, the relocation of IRF principals from the Caribbean to the continental United States, and a downsizing in funding for broader-based, geographically diverse programs in the region — it was increasingly clear that the role of Island Resources Foundation in the wider Caribbean was changing. At the time of its establishment in the early 1970s, IRF was one of the very few institutions addressing environmental change in the Caribbean; 43 years later, it was one of many.
In 2014, the Foundation’s board of trustees began to explore options for the Foundation’s future. It was understood that Island Resources Foundation had made important contributions — one need only identify the number of times that the words “unique,” “initial,” “first of its kind,” “groundbreaking” and “early leadership” have been used in this narrative to understand how the Foundation has stood at the forefront of environmental research, capacity-building, policy innovation, and island-centric initiatives. Furthermore, those institutions and individuals associated with the Foundation over the decades have enjoyed a richness of opportunity and experience.
Nonetheless, the board came to the conclusion that the Foundation’s contributions had run their course, and it was time for those associated with IRF to bequeath the future to a new generation of environmental scientists and advocates. To this end, Island Resources Foundation ceased its operations in June 2016 and closed its offices in St. Thomas, Tortola, and Washington, DC.
As I end this narrative, I would like to cite a line oft-quoted by my late husband, Dr. Edward Towle (which in turn was a paraphrasing of a quotation from the eighteenth-century English poet, Alexander Pope).
In everything respect the genius of the place.
To this pronouncement, Island Resources Foundation has remained true … always respecting the genius of small islands, their environments, their people and their fragile beauty. | 2019-04-18T22:28:30Z | http://www.irf.org/irf-history/ |
San Juan isn’t a game likely to excite a casual browser. It’s well thought of by those of us that haunt online board-game forums like a bunch of withered tree goblins. Those possessed of less esoteric passions will probably bounce right off the dull theme and uninspiring box. Give it a chance though – we gave it a four star review to indicate there is plenty of value in the game for those willing to persevere. Let’s see though whether it’s your willingness to play, or the game’s accessibility, that turns out to be the primary limiting factor.
We’ve got a clean bill of health here – where colour is used in San Juan it is largely as emphasis, not as information. Each different kind of production building has its own colour, but each also has its name and a description of its effect clearly displayed on the card itself.
In San Juan, first you get the sugar, then you get the power.
These colours match up to the value charts used during the trading phase but the colours remain reasonably distinctive even when viewed through a colour blind palette. In any case there are only five goods and their relative value is easily memorised in cases where monochromacy must be considered.
The only role card with colour as an identifier is the governor, and it is possession of that role rather than the colour itself that is the key element of gameplay information. Everything else is largely unornamented.
For conditions short of monochromacy the additional identification offered by colour when picking out city and production buildings remains in effect even if the specific hues may change. Nobody should have a difficulty picking out which buildings are which.
As such, we strongly recommend San Juan in this category.
Since San Juan is a card game we run into the usual issue here – those for whom total blindness must be considered will find the game all but impossible to play. There is no tactility to the game that would offer a physical affordance or access to key information. The discussion here focuses then on players for whom examination of the game, with the use of suitable assistive aides, is possible.
With that in mind, the largest single problem here comes in visually parsing what may be going on in settlements other than your own. Individual cards are well contrasted with a generously proportioned font. Key information is always in the same place, and font ornamentation is used to highlight phase information and when cards take effect.
Players will be making use of a hand of hidden cards during play and this might comprise of as many as twelve cards depending on which buildings are available. These cards cycle rapidly since they’re used as currency as well as architectural options. The cards permit relatively easy close examination, but they are going to change often. In-hand management is primarily a triage – working out what you can safely spend versus what you need to keep. It’s going to be straightforward to do that, but it’ll be time consuming.
The trading charts do a good job of highlighting the precedence of goods by linking it to both sequential order of value and the colour of the buildings. Contrast on these too is mostly very good, meaning that even though it’s a small and relatively fiddly component it shouldn’t present a problem.
At one level, the only information you need to play San Juan is how many buildings everyone has constructed. However, deeper play must be influenced by the extent your role selection benefits your opponents because that influences the weighting you need to give to the decision. If you know an opponent has zero cards in their hand, you might feel safe in selecting the builder. If you know they’ve already used up all their production capacity, the value of the production role shifts. If you know they have nothing to sell, that will influence the wisdom of selecting a trader. The various special buildings they have constructed all exert a powerful influence on the way you need to approach role selection.
Functional play doesn’t require this kind of knowledge, but effective play mandates it. This is especially critical in San Juan because it is very easy to overly advantage an opponent with a careless pick – it’s entirely possible to trigger an action that is much more beneficial for your opponent than it is for you. Again, the game does well in making key information as accessible as possible but there’s only so far it can help when important game state may be spread between forty or more visible cards spread around a table. Close examination is possible here – none of the player tableaus are secret. It’s far from ideal with regards to the issues related to this category regardless.
All of this seems quite negative but there is an upswing here – San Juan is a game that offers vanishingly little opportunity, beyond the selection of a role itself, to influence the success of your opponents. The consequence of that is that you don’t really leak much actionable intention by asking people what benefit they’ll get when you select a role. ‘When you select trade I’ll be able to sell two silver’, ‘I have six cards with which I can build, and I get a one card discount on city buildings’. At the point you’re selecting your role, there’s nothing they can do to change the course of fate. Provided people don’t mind narrating the implication of the actions they take, it’s our view it’s possible to find a sweet spot at which the game works. It’s not just functionally playable, but meaningfully playable. That’s an important distinction in a game like this.
We recommend San Juan in this category, with the caveats and provisos outlined above.
For every high there is a low, for every stop there is a go. The issues we discussed above with regards to visual accessibility are the same ones that likely render San Juan a troublesome prospect for play in this category. Let’s break that down into two theoretical San Juan games.
The first is the functionally playable game. This requires a reasonable amount of explicit numeracy, a relatively large degree of formal literacy, and the ability to calculate costs and spend cards appropriately. Selecting cards from a hand requires an awareness of building effects (primarily whatever bonuses and discounts they apply), the role context, and the relative value of each card. I don’t think given the relatively simple rules that playing the game as a simple tableau builder would present an insurmountable cognitive challenge. Provided these elements can be understood, with support, you could probably create a stripped down deck of cards that was playable without too much difficulty. But the thing is – that’s not San Juan.
For the real game of San Juan we must look into the meaningfully playable elements. This requires an appreciation of a much deeper relationship between the mechanical systems. San Juan is a game of chains and combos and complex synergies. The settlement you are constructing is an intricate engine and every card is an important cog that needs to be placed at the right time, in the right combinations. You need a plan for every piece of that engine – you will only ever have a maximum of twelve cards to place, and you can’t really waste any of them if you want to do well. That in turn means players need to appreciate the composition of the deck, and what’s likely to appear. That itself is more difficult than usual because San Juan explicitly requires cards to be discarded face down so as to obscure which buildings have been consumed as goods.
We talked about some example settlements in the review, where buildings radically altered the value proposition of the roles available. If you want to get good at San Juan, that’s what you need to have in mind with every play and be prepared to time every decision in such a way as to harmonise with the tempo of the game. San Juan does not permit players of differing ability to play well together – the better players will almost always crush the weaker players, and that’s almost always an indicator of issues in this category.
Explicit synergies in the cards exist in terms of building combinations, but also in terms of how they work with roles and with role precedence. Some buildings will render the selection of individual roles by a player unnecessary. Others will practically mandate it. Others still will make roles less desirable because they permit advantage to accrue to other players. The prefecture for example permits a player to keep two cards during the councillor phase. Everyone else can keep only one. The privilege of that role is that the player gets to choose from a selection of four cards rather than two. If you suspect an opponent is only interested in cards as currency you’re doing yourself an injury when you select that role and gift them two free cards. Role value is constantly shifting depending on what’s in the settlements and what’s in a player’s hand. This is all deeply contextual, and not easily simplified.
The game flow too is highly malleable. The order in which players take turns remains constant, but first player changes every round and the order in which actions are taken will change, as will the set of actions themselves. There are certain fixed points in play, but these are limited and the actions undertaken for these might change. At the governor phase everyone discards down to seven cards, unless a player has the tower. Players might elect to make use of the bank, or the chapel, during this phase if one is available. Everyone may end up doing a substantially different thing for the same role activity.
Essentially then – the functional game of San Juan doesn’t offer a lot of scope for real enjoyment (and still has a relatively high bar in terms of numeracy and literacy) and the meaningful game involves far too many subtly interacting parts.
We strongly recommend you avoid San Juan if accessibility in either of our cognitive categories is a major consideration.
There are very few ways to directly interfere with other players in San Juan – a few cards in the second edition box belong to an expansion, and they offer some limited PvP options. On the whole though, this is a game where you don’t get to do much that can impact upon your opponents. That avoids many elements that we usually consider here, particularly king-making, ganging up, and player elimination.
There are though some other issues that may be problematic. Score disparities can be extremely high if someone has not played well, and mistakes are largely impossible to undo. A big part of San Juan is being able to anticipate the nature of the settlement you must build based on the cards you draw. If you make mistakes early you will often find yourself hugely disadvantaged as a result. As an example of this – if you build an aqueduct (produce one extra good) as your second building you’ll have a bonus you are unable to use because you only have a single indigo plant. As a result of building the aqueduct you’ll have fewer cards, and be unable to generate sufficient income to make up for your early misstep. In the meantime, those that invested in more immediately useful resources begin to race ahead. There is a pressure in San Juan to build constantly – you don’t get to build twelve buildings and then you’re done. You’re done when anyone has built twelve buildings. If you fall out of the tempo of play you may find it very difficult to find the beat once again.
Coupled to that can be frustration that the roles people select are actively causing you problems. Role selection is really the only way in which anyone can interfere with the plans of someone else. While that’s implicit, it can also be quite pointed. You may have no cards and someone picks a build option. You may have no free production capacity and someone chooses to produce. You may have no goods left and someone triggers trading. It’s all fair game for someone to pick a role based on what it does to the game as a whole rather than what it does for their own individual prospects. That though doesn’t ease the tensions it might cause.
Overall though the nature of play in San Juan isn’t likely to really tickle many of the emotional trigger issues that may raise their heads here, so we’re prepared to offer a recommendation.
Picking a random trading chart and removing the cards from under production buildings, trading them in for the correct number of cards.
Selecting a card to build from your hand and then discarding the correct number of cards.
It’s entirely possible that the hand you end up with at the conclusion of a round has no similarity at all with the one with which you started. It might be bigger, or smaller, and made up of completely different cards. Hand limits generally are seven, but rise to twelve with the construction of a tower. Regardless of the hand limit though that’s a lot of card manipulation, every single round.
If fine motor control isn’t a problem, that’s not going to cause anyone any difficulties. However, if direct and continual card manipulation is difficult then we move to the ease of verbalisation.
Here, the story is generally positive except for the unusually large load placed on whatever player is making physical moves on another’s behalf. The communication between these two players will be constant, and often cumbersome. ‘Build card one using cards three, five and seven. That means that I draw a new card’, then almost immediately ‘sell my two silver goods – that’ll get me six cards, but I also get two for my bonus buildings’ and then right after that ‘discard cards four, seven and eight to bring me down to seven’. And then it all starts up right again. This isn’t a game where a supporting player has to act on someone else’s behalf once a round – this is a game where they act for every chosen action in a round. It’s certainly not a deal-breaker, but bear it in mind when considering the game.
We’ll tentatively recommend San Juan in this category.
Most of the art in San Juan represents humans as tiny components milling around larger buildings. The building cards in particular focus on location rather than the people within.
Twist – they were all headless ALL ALONG.
On the cover it’s almost exclusively men.
And they say games don’t do a good job of representing women.
So yeah, while there isn’t a great deal of gendered art what’s present suggests that San Juan is a city where women don’t have much to contribute. The manual at least doesn’t default to masculinity, adopting gender neutral terms such as ‘the player’.
In terms of cost, San Juan comes in at an RRP of £30 which is a little on the pricey end for a game with so few components. It does support all player counts well though, but at four players it tops out quite quickly and as a result won’t be a great prospect for larger game nights.
My own personal gripe here is that it also comes in a box that is either stupidly large or infuriatingly small. It depends on your perspective. There’s a lot of air in this box.
But it’s also a game that should nestle nicely beside its bigger brother Puerto Rico and it doesn’t – everything about the box makes it look as if it’s a companion game, but the box size is too small to make it work. Box sizes are a constant frustration of mine – it’s not really an issue for sensible people, but I wanted to vent.
We’ll recommend San Juan in this category, with the provisos outlined above.
The reading level associated with San Juan is quite high, and while the language is all precisely functional it’s sometimes quite intricate and often ambiguous. The card instructions for the bank, as an example, lack any real context without reference to the manual for full information. They say what you can do with the bank, but they don’t say what that accomplishes. This isn’t a game you can play without reasonable literacy in the game’s language and sometimes a degree of cross-referencing against the manual.
Otherwise, no communication at all is required – you’ll all be too focused on your individual settlements to have much time for chit-chat anyway.
We recommend San Juan in this category, although not for those where literacy may be the communicative barrier.
The hidden hands you’ll be making use of involve a fair degree of assessment on a regular basis. If dealing with an intersection of visual and physical impairment, this may be infeasible given the large number of cards that must be continually evaluated. In-hand management is critical here. Also a consideration is that appreciation of the context represented by other tableaus may require a degree of close inspection and this may not be possible if physical mobility is limited. While tableaus don’t change as quickly as in-hand cards, they do evolve rapidly and have often subtle inter-relationships between architectural elements.
San Juan does support dropping out reasonably elegantly, although there is almost no possibility a player can rejoin play given the pace of construction. The only real relationship players have is expressed through role selection. If a player drops out, later rounds will become less impactful than earlier turns but this will largely self-balance as time goes by. If dropping down to two players, the usual mechanic of the governor selecting two actions in their round would be an easy enough switch.
Games of San Juan don’t last especially long, but the nature of turns is that they interleave – you can’t finish up your turn and then take a short breather while everyone else is thinking. Downtime in San Juan is negligible – as soon as someone picks their action, you’re involved in the game once more. That’s great from the perspective of emotional and cognitive intersections where attention may be a resource that requires careful management. It’s less great when dealing with conditions of modulating severity – there are no brief moments of respite in play, and this tends to increase the intensity of the experience. A game of San Juan may be over in less than an hour, but that hour asks more of its players than an hour of many other games.
For those where intersectional issues exist between the communicative and physical categories, verbalisation would put the game out of contention for almost all players. The amount of communication is considerably greater than is often true in these cases, and the interleaving nature of turns intensifies these requirements. In this situation, we’d suggest you avoid the game.
A clean aesthetic does wonders for San Juan here. While its cognitive accessibility is a function of its depth and complexity, the visual section would have been a good deal more critical were the game components not so well presented.
The deep synergies between game elements and the rapid cycling of cards are interesting for the way they cross accessibility categories. Often particular gameplay mechanics are confined to a single discussion – here, the nature of play cuts across all. Building synergy creates opportunities for card cycling which puts pressure on communication regimes. Card cycling creates new opportunities for synergy, which puts pressure on visual parsing. Everything in San Juan is so tightly connected that it can’t help but impact on everything else.
With four shiny stars to its name, we think San Juan is a game that offers a lot to those prepared to make the effort. While it’s certainly not going to work for many players, if you believe it might be suitable for you we’d certainly suggest it’s fun enough to warrant the attempt to explore its ever-shifting intricacies. | 2019-04-21T12:38:44Z | https://meeplelikeus.co.uk/san-juan-second-edition-2014-accessibility-teardown/ |
Verdant looked out across the city of wind although he had never been to Wind path before the smells of Mistrali food and the sounds of the people speaking Mistrali, brought back memories of growing up in Mistral. A wave of emotions washed over him as he spoke making his voice crack "I'm back in Mistral."
Verdant quickly cleared his throat thinking no one heard that, he had to get it together, this was no time to get nostalgic. He had come back for a reason and he had a job to do Verdant thought.
Juno had the sinking suspicion that he was being watched from the moment that he had stepped off of the airship. As unsettling as that was, however, he knew he couldn't allow that to bother him. Any tell of weakness could very well be taken advantage of, and bluffing or not, the Fang was still a threat, and had Caja in their possession. His eyes flicked toward Rory, then to the case slung over his shoulder. He hadn't received any instructions thus far, though whether that was a good thing or not remained to be seen. Nevertheless, he remained outwardly stoic, taking a brisk stride toward what seemed to be the center of the market, with his scroll in hand.
Rory looked Juno's way and nodded. They would both have to be careful with what they said and did from this point forward, as any misstep could be fatal -- for Caja, and for them. When Juno answered the call it was an unfamiliar female voice, dripping with contempt, that spoke. "Juno Vert... welcome to Wind Path. I see you've brought a friend along. Caja's replacement?" The woman chuckled mockingly, though the tone of her next words was deadly serious. "Skirting the rules already, are we? You were told not to get any official channels involved, so there had better be a very good explanation... otherwise this poor lost puppy is gonna pay the price for your arrogance."
The next sound over the phone was muted grunting and struggling -- it was impossible to tell for sure, but it sounded like Caja. After a few seconds the hateful woman spoke again. "Start talking, Vert! Convince me you'll play nice, or I'll start cutting little bits off of her ears."
Juno's breath caught in his throat as he heard the woman over the scroll, doing his best to collect his thoughts in the face of her threats against Caja. He didn't know where they were. Not yet... But he didn't have to. He just needed to bide time until they led him to them. "...My arrogance? Or accounting for your oversight?" He replied once he found the words to speak, his voice even and calm, despite his anxiety. "I don't know Windpath, and I can't read Mistrali. My associate is here to act as a translator. He's nothing to be afraid of."
Having regained his stance on the exchange, Juno stood up from the bench, bag in hand, and strode toward the edge of the waist high wall separating the east side of the market from the vast canyon. "I'm playing nice for the same reason you should be; because we both have something the other wants, and we could both very easily get rid of said thing. So what's more important to you? Getting the suit or hurting the girl?"
The voice on the other end was silent for a moment after Juno spoke, a moment that seemed to stretch out further and further with each heartbeat. Whether it was deliberate and meant to mess with him or if something else was going on was hard to say; finally, after what seemed a tense eternity, the woman on the other end spoke again.
"...You have some serious stones, Vert, I'll give you that. While I would relish the chance to make your lap dog regret betraying her own kind, we do indeed have business to attend to. Your tag-along can stay, for now, but know that we're watching every move you make. Now," His Scroll pinged as a map destination and route were received. "This is where you're heading. You'll receive further instructions once you've arrived -- do not deviate." With that, the call ended as abruptly as it began.
The directions led away from the nicer, more commercial parts of Wind Path and towards the slums. Rory's visor, running a translation software he'd downloaded before leaving Vale, was able to direct them well enough when it came to road signs and the like, but it wasn't long before they were well past the point where any but the barest signs stood to direct travelers. This was the Wind Path not of arts, culture, and mercantile -- this was the Wind Path that worked the Dust mines of the canyon, and here squalor and desperation were the only things to decorate the bleak living conditions. Of course, most of the residents were Faunus; if the Fang was making a statement with their route choice it certainly wasn't a subtle one. Houses rapidly gave way to shacks and run-down looking apartments, and even the pavement of the streets turned to unsteady cobblestone and in some places nothing but well-trod dirt. This wouldn't exactly be a private place for a meeting, but with the Fang's influence in Mistral the difference would be minimal -- few had the luxury to care about what went on back here, so long as it didn't happen to them.
If Verdant and Sam weren't careful, they'd stick out back here like a sore thumb. Juno and Rory certainly did; they could almost feel the eyes on them from half-concealed vantages as they made their way. Most were probably just residents wondering at the "rich folk" who'd traipsed into their uncaring corner of the city, but there was certainly the possibility that some eyes weren't quite so innocent in their gaze. Still, the two were left alone; no one came near them, not even those few who were almost certainly pickpockets. That in-and-of itself left an uneasy feeling with Rory.
Without warning, Juno's Scroll beeped again -- they hadn't even reached the destination but the White Fang were already sending them somewhere other than expected. "They don't trust us." was all Rory said when he saw, but the meaning was clear: the Fang were playing with them, giving them false expectations to see how they'd react. It was a tactic to flush out any help they had along, break up coordination and planning. It also didn't mean much; as long as Sam and Verdant were keeping an eye on their Scrolls the live feed from Rory's goggles would be all the notification needed about the change in plans.
Sam had separated from the group fairly early on; she'd been away when they were all getting off the airship, getting changed in a local toilet. Not the most glamorous of locations to do so, and not exactly the most glamorous clothes she was getting in to - but certainly a brighter getup. The normally darker jeans were replaced by a pair of slightly ripped denim ones, and a white shirt-skirt combo was over that, along with a roughed-up blue beige jacket. The setup definitely didn't scream 'trendy', but what it was - for her - was perfect for hiding herself in plain sight. Chains wrapped around her legs for once to hide them, rather than her arms, she looked completely different to her normal getup in several ways; the slightly less depressing colour scheme, the slightly more ridiculous set of cheap sunglasses, the fact some pale skin was actually showing for once, and the suitcase by her side.
Oh, and the whole 'actually looked like a girl' thing. That too.
Much as it alternately grated on and amused her that her team seemed somewhat blind to her gender, despite the fairly obvious evidence - she had short hair, but come on, that wasn't exactly rare - the farce she'd kept up out of curiosity proved useful now. If even her team wasn't exactly sure what she looked like when in a- she took a moment to look down at the clothes with distaste smudged onto her expression- then their enemies certainly wouldn't. Hell, she doubted her parents would recognise her at first glance like this. All in all, she'd done her best to look local - more importantly, looking like she was trying to get out of the place. The tattered clothes and off-brand names would hopefully help with that, and the fairly ramshackle looking suitcase would just add to the view, along with containing the rest of her gear. A tourist would have a mini one; the decent size hopefully showed she was trying to make a move somewhere. Perfect excuse for being around some airships. She took a small comfort in replacing her headphones, far too modern-looking to fit in at all, with a pair of earbuds - it's the little things that count.
Feeling the echoes merge and bounce around her, she hummed quietly to herself as she walked through a not quite back alley but not quite main road of the slums, keeping to herself much as she could, scroll feed hotwired to her eyepatch-covered eye - less obvious than the usual bandages, but something she couldn't completely hide in the end - and tried to make her way towards the location from Juno's scroll, but also trying to keep a lookout for any possible White Fang grunts around the place. The key was the whole 'airship' thing - it was probably a fair journey off, or at least enough to warrant the security of a larger craft. As such, one thing they likely needed was supplies, and a light application of her semblance coupled with a handful of headache pills left her trying to listen in to anything sounding like gathering fair amounts of food or water.
Verdant composed himself and walk down the street. He figured that the white fang where watching him as he walked down the street. He ducked into a local shop as asked where the bathroom was in Mistrali. The owner grunted a response and gestured toward the back of the store. Verdant thanked him and walked into the single person bathroom. Verdant looked into the speckled mirror of the bathroom and saw himself in his disguise, he was wearing a brown coat with an orange shirt underneath, he was also wearing grey pants with boots. Besides that, he had shaved his head into a short buzz cut and was wearing two small horns that made him look like a faunas. The horns where plastic and but you could only tell that if you touched them. Verdant looked vaguely like himself but a person could only tell it was him if they really looked.
He then took off his backpack a assembled his bow, he took stock of what he was able to smuggle on the train.
He had ten arrows total, two of which were explosive, one was an ice tipped dust arrow that could freeze a large area, another one was a smoke arrow. The remaining six where regular razor tipped arrows. He would have to be careful not to be wasteful and the retrieve whatever arrows he could. Verdant the put the backpack on and climbed out the window of the bathroom to get to the roof. There he followed Juno and Rory on the rooftops and jumping between the gaps in the roofs.
Verdant followed Juno and Rory from the rooftops watching for any White Fang until they came to a warehouse district. He chuckled to himself at the cliche that the White Fang had a secret hideout in a warehouse district, what was this an issue of X-Ray and Vav? He was wondering why all bad guys did illegal dealing in warehouse areas when he saw a White Fang member a 200 yards out. He was watching Juno and Roy from a distance with a sniper rifle and was probably acting as the White Fang's eyes on Juno. The sniper hadn't seen Verdant because Verdant wasn't dead yet, so he decided to take the sniper out. Verdant went in a wide birth around the block to get behind the White Fang sniper. Verdant made a lot of noise going from roof to nearly falling off at one point until he was behind the sniper who had miraculously not noticed him. Verdant knocked the sniper out then took up the sniper rifle and stole the member's radio.
A sigh of relief escaped Juno's lips as the woman hung up on her end of the scroll. Granted, that was likely the easiest part of this mission. Once they were within distance of the Fang, there was almost no telling what they would try to pull once they were in the same room, let alone what would happen when he turned over the suit's hard layer. He didn't have any reason to trust them to hold up their end of the bargain, but it was already clear that too much was at stake. He could only pray that his bluff would work.
While Rory was rather jumpy as shops and restaurants gave way to condemned tenements and run down buildings, Juno maintained an air of stoicism, keeping his breathing even and attention forward as he felt the ever growing number of eyes on him. He and Rory were outsiders, well off in compared to these residents. Not to mention, all the eyes trained on him were of Faunus, and he was an Atlesian walking in on their hood. Nevertheless, his stone-faced expression didn't falter, his pace direct as he continued down the path, only for him to freeze momentarily and glare down at his scroll as the path suddenly changed. "Of course they don't. We don't trust them either." He remarked, simply shaking his head and starting off on the new path. "Stick close. I can't afford to let them get another person I care about."
Juno's eyes narrowed as he looked upon the building they were meant to meet the Fang, noting the dilapidated structure and dangerous positioning. That was... one way to attempt to kill him and Caja, that was for sure. Snipers could have been posted at certain vantage points, too. And who knew how many people were posted inside that warehouse... Juno paused to take a deep breath, waving for Rory to follow as he moved for the directed door, suit bag slung over his shoulder.
On the other side of the door, darkness awaited. Aside from a small number of thin, stark beams of daylight streaming down through holes in the roof there was no illumination to be seen -- it was like stepping into midnight with only broken moon fragments to light your way. The air was stale damp, smelling strongly of old wood rot and languishing iron rust... but also a faint hint of something akin to ozone, strangely enough. It was familiar, but Rory couldn't quite place it. Silence filled the air, punctuated only by a steady drip . . . drip . . . drip . . . that might have come from water pooled on the roof -- at least until Juno and Rory took their first steps inside, discovering that the floor had a very shallow layer of water sitting on it. Oh yes, this kind of setup had the Fang's signature written all over it: take advantage of their superior dark vision and hearing to disadvantage the humans from the get-go, a classic Faunus strategy.
Rory was just about to switch his goggles over to infrared, aiming to even the playing field some, when the first floodlight snapped on and practically drowned the two students in sudden, sharp brilliance. Three more followed, all aimed at various spots on the liquid-covered floor in such a way that there was near-total coverage. It was nearly impossible to see anything past the bank of floodlights, positioned as they were atop a metal walkway about sixty feet up that ran across the wall opposite the entrance, though if you squinted and covered your eyes you might catch a glimpse of half a dozen rifle barrels peeking over the railing edge.
"Juno Vert..." It was the woman's voice from before, the one that had taunted Juno on the earlier call. A sound of metal clanging could be heard, then a splash before an imposing figure walked into the edge of the light. The woman was built like a tower, six and a half feet of chiseled muscle clad in a sleeveless white tank top and close-fitting dark gray jeans -- what's more, both her arms from the elbow down had been replaced with brutal-looking mechanical prosthetics. It wasn't Atlesian workmanship, to be certain, but her arms weren't junk either; someone in the private sector, possibly even the black market, had clearly been paid a fair lien to adapt a set of durable, practical, and combat-worthy industrial android arms for her use. Her smoke-gray eyes narrowed cat-like as they further adjusted to the light, a faunus trait to be certain, and beyond a brief glance at Rory they stayed locked on Juno with a glare that was both hateful and expectant. "I believe you have something for us, yes? Hand it over."
Sam's keen senses and Semblance were picking up a good bit from her surroundings as she discreetly followed Juno & Rory into the industrial area. While White Fang operatives might be trained well enough to avoid detection by human sight and hearing they were comparatively easier to spot by their kin, and Sam was taking things a step beyond even that. She was picking up a scattering of life signs (breathing, pulse, slight shifting of restless bodies) from a handful of rooftops -- and ended up close enough to cleanly make out Verdant's approach and take-down of one particular sniper. If she and he coordinated, it might just be possible to take out the Fang troops positioned outside the warehouse. Doing it undetected... that might be harder.
The sniper that Verdant had taken out had more than just a weapon and radio, it turned out -- the reason he'd been able to make such a successful approach was due in part to a half-finished candy bar that the Fang member had been in process of eating at the time, one of a dozen residing in a small supply backpack laid out alongside where the sniper had been set up. He had likely been so preoccupied with tracking Juno through his weapon's scope that he hadn't noticed how his own chewing left him exposed, something Verdant had inadvertently taken full advantage of. A quick inspection of the bag would turn up a spare ammo clip, a backup pistol, and a flare gun in addition to the aforementioned Pumpkin Pete's ChocoCrunch cache.
"B-3, what was all that racket? This is supposed to be a stealth op! What's going on over there?!"
... was a bit more pressing of a concern.
Sam gave a blink at the lack of airship - she would've thought it'd be somewhat difficult to hide a continental-capable travel vehicle - and then kept moving on. She trusted Verdant enough to get what he needed to do done; and the plan wasn't to ambush them here, anyways. Caja was the main objective, and while one person being disturbed was just happenchance, two people being disturbed one after could be called a coincidence.
Coincidences didn't happen in their line of work, on either side of the coin.
However, one thing she could do was eavesdrop. Moving towards where she would be able to hear the most absent chatter - some of those guards posted together must be getting a little antsy, after all - she tried to gather a bit of information on the situation, keeping one eye on the camera feed behind the bandage of her covered-up eye.
As Verdant pocketed all the sniper's items including his white fang mask, he then heard the radio on the man's belt go off. There was a bit of static and then a man's voice on the other line.
Verdant had no idea what to say to the man on the other end of the radio so he attempted to bluff his way out.
"Uh, had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh, everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?", Verdant stammered out.
The other end of the radio is silent for a long moment. "B3, stay put. I'm sending someone to have a look at your... malfunction now." The radio goes silent. Verdant could tell from that way the man had responded that he didn't believe Verdant's bluff and as if to confirm his theory then heard the faint sound of footsteps against the rooftop not too far away. Verdant had messed up big time he knew that if they found out that he was a member of VCVS, Caja was as good as dead. He had to make this look like something else. Just then he remembered that he was wearing a disguise of some poor Mistrali street rat and just then Verdant had a great idea. He looked off the roof make sure he had a way to escape. After he saw one Verdant walked over to the sniper's unconscious body. He quickly searched the sniper's body one more time and found 8400 Lien, this would work he thought. As he was done with the search the group of white fang he had heard approaching made their way onto the roof Verdant was currently on. He then turned to the group of White Fang members that had come to kill him. "Who is this kid?", said one of the female terrorists. Verdant held up the Lien to make them think they understood who he was, "Thanks for the Lien suckers." Verdant said with a grin. He then turned and jumped off the roof with them yelling after him.
Just as his violet eyes had begun to adjust to the overall lack of light, the floodlamps forced him to close them, instinctively raising an arm as he directed his sight to the source of the intruding light. He didn't see much, just light, scaffolding, and ceiling, but he was certain that somebody was up there, and so long as that somebody had Caja, they were a threat. However, aside from whoever was operating the lights, nobody else was present. So where was Caja?
They had her. He knew they had her. So where was she?
"Where is she." he stated, cutting the woman off, venom and vitriol oozing from his voice. "You don't get the suit until I get the girl. So where. Is. She."
The brutal woman scowled at Juno's response, clearly displeased, though at first she said nothing. With slow, deliberate steps she began to circle both students, keeping her distance but nonetheless maintaining her general sense of menace. "Brash. Direct. Intense. You're someone who hasn't been broken by the world yet -- you've always bounced back anytime you've been dealt a blow, always found a way over, around or through.." The scowl turned into something more primal, a fangs -- literal fangs -- baring snarl. "To think someone like you had a hand in my father's death. It's infuriating." She clenched one mechanical hand so tightly that Juno & Rory could hear the metal scratching and grinding itself, the hydraulics straining at their limits. "I should kill her -- take from you the way you've taken from me. I should make you SUFFER."
She paused, seeming to will herself calm without breaking her stride. "...You realize we could just take what we want from you? You students think you're so tough, but we're the only ones with weapons here. I'll bet you --"
"Deadman's switch." Rory, who'd kept one hand in his pocket since before they stepped into the room, interrupted the woman with those two words. The woman's eyes -- and likely several of the rifles -- locked onto him immediately as he slowly pulled out a device, looking very much like a modified pistol grip or flight stick, with his thumb firmly depressing a large central button. This had been the idea he'd had back at the apartment, and he'd filled Juno in on the details with a paper note before boarding the airship. "Any of you attack us, or so much as whisper another threat against Caja, and I'll trigger the suit's explosive fail-safe." It was, of course, a bluff -- Rory had no idea how to build a detonator and Juno's suit had no such fail-safe. The "detonator" was nothing of the sort; it couldn't blow anything up, but it could detect and trace radio and Scroll signals, feeding the data right into his goggles. If nothing else, it would give them a way to track these White Fang operatives if things went south. Buying the kit from a slightly disreputable merchant in Vale had cost him most of his savings... but there was no higher calling, no greater need, than this.
A long silence passed. The woman glared daggers at the boys but otherwise didn't act, only muttering profanities under her breath. Her next words were directed to her terrorist friends. "Open the crate."
Two additional White Fang members, who'd been keeping out of sight amid some storage boxes along the back wall, stepped into sight. With a crowbar the pried open a large wooden box and dragged out its contents: it was Caja, blindfolded and gagged with her hands bound behind her. The woman with the mechanical arms strode over to her forces and gestured for Caja to be moved forward at gunpoint. "Here's how this is going to work, you bastards: you hand over the suit and explain how to use it. When I'm satisfied, the hostage goes free and you disarm your goddamn switch. Got it?"
Sam would be just in time to overhear what unfolded in the wake of Verdant's theatrics. The nearest batch of Fang ambushers was laying low and in wait, their radio set low but still easily audible for someone with Sam's abilities. "A1 to all B teams, we have a troublemaker -- a particularly gutsy thief, it seems. B3 is down, B4 and B6 in pursuit. Take 'em out quickly and quietly; don't blow our cover until we get the signal."
"Think it might be one of 'em?" The whispered comment didn't seem to be directed into the radio, as a moment later another voice replied.
"Might be. Betcha B6 is gonna make a mess of it."
"If they do, Gesa's gonna make an example out of them. This'll be, what, three strikes now?"
"Four. It'll be latrine duty if they get off easy... and they won't, not after last time."
"Hell. Let's not get wrapped up in that. You got a bead on this thief yet?"
Verdant was now on the run from four Fangs. All were brandishing short blades and, despite having pistols at their hips, weren't firing. There wasn't even any shouting, and though they were running at speed it was clear they wanted to avoid drawing extra attention to themselves. One in the lead, the woman who'd spoken up upon finding him, had a somewhat different weapon from the others: a curved claw-like blade mounted to an upside-down T-grip. Not only was she better equipped, she was also a touch faster. Taking aim at Verdant, she practically whispered "Nothing personal, kid." before pulling the trigger and launching the blade, bound to a corded steel tether, at him like a harpoon.
Sam gave a light mental tsking at Verdant's exit. He was the one who was meant to be good at this whole kind of sneaky stuff and he's the one who already got seen. Well, at least he was dragging away some manpower - it would make it a bit easier to sneak about that way for herself, though 'sneaking' wasn't quite the right term - more like hiding in plain sight, really. 'Gesa', though - a name for someone in a position of power there. If they're the ones handing out punishment, probably either an officer or the leader of whatever operation this would be called.
The progression of Juno's own situation at the corner of her eye left Sam slightly anxious; she really needed to start getting set up. If they weren't going to have to follow them back - with Caja herself already here, no long term following on the airship back or anything meant that the fight was probably going to take place here. In that case, whatever weapon the grunt was using 'getting a bead' on her teammate probably wasn't a good thing.
Using the noises to try and map the two White Fang members' positions, she made her way close as she dared without risking them taking any particular interest in her. Starting to channel her semblance into two of the chains wrapped around her legs, Sam muffled her footsteps and her suitcase as she made her way closer to the grunts, leaning against a wall out of sight from what position she could tell they were facing, and then made her move.
Two chains shot outward, their noise silenced by the buildup of her semblance, and tried to wrap around both of the grunts' mouths - or at least near enough for her semblance to quiet them both. Whatever weapons she could see as she turned around the corner would be next - The chains would hopefully be close enough to silence the weapons if any shots rang out, but she'd still rather not get shot. Hoping it worked, she made to slam the two members' heads into each other and knock them out.
Verdant ran down the alley with the four white fang members chasing after him. "Damn, they're persistent, aren't they?" Verdant said under breath, but he was still glad that they seemed to have bought his bluff; they would chase him and pull bad guys away from Juno, Rory, and Sam.
Although they didn't have to be so persistent. He was trying to give them the slip, but it was seeming apparent that he would have to fight them. He couldn't use his bow otherwise they would know they where duped. If he was going to use his bow he would have to take them all out at once and quietly so they couldn't radio back to their command. Verdant could try brawling with them, he had been practicing his hand to hand combat since the tourney. He knew he could take one mook with hand to hand combat but four at once no way. So Verdant knew he would have to use his bow to try to freeze all the white fang members chasing him.
Verdant his bow from his magnetic holster on his back and drew his only ice arrow while he was running. In one fluid motion, Vedant slid onto his knees and turned around to face the four people who were chasing him. Before they could react to his sudden stop of motion he drew back his bow and let his arrow fly.
As the arrow flew rapidly toward the white fang, the sound of a gunshot rang out reverberating across the metal rooftops of the warehouse district. Lucky the arrow hit its mark and froze the white fang members in their tracks. However, the mass of ice that froze the fangs in place stopped the bullet as well shielding Verdant. | 2019-04-19T09:10:50Z | http://rwby-rpg.rwbyfanon.com/index.php?topic=1235.15 |
We have been studying the native autoimmune response to cancer through the isolation of human monoclonal antibodies that are cancer specific from cancer patients. To facilitate this work we previously developed a fusion partner cell line for human lymphocytes, MFP-2, that fuses efficiently with both human lymph node lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes. Using this unique trioma fusion partner cell line we isolated a panel of autologous human monoclonal antibodies, from both peripheral blood and lymph node lymphocytes, which are representative of the native repertoire of anti-cancer specific antibodies from breast cancer patients.
The current study employs immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis as well as Northern blots, Scatchard binding studies and finally SEREX analysis for target antigen identification.
By application of an expression cloning technique known as SEREX, we determined that the target antigen for two monoclonal antibodies, 27.B1 and 27.F7, derived from lymph node B-cells of a breast cancer patient, is the PDZ domain-containing protein known as GIPC1. This protein is highly expressed not only in cultured human breast cancer cells, but also in primary and metastatic tumor tissues and its overexpression appears to be cancer cell specific. Confocal microscopy revealed cell membrane and cytoplasmic localization of the target protein, which is consistent with previous studies of this protein.
We have determined that GIPC1 is a novel breast cancer-associated immunogenic antigen that is overexpressed in breast cancer. Its role, however, in the initiation and/or progression of breast cancer remains unclear and needs further clarification.
In patients with cancer, the body mounts an immune response following the onset of malignant disease since the new cells are recognized as non-self. It is composed of both immune cells that mediate innate, non-specific immunity, and adaptive, antigen-specific immunity [1–3]. Tumor cell proteins can elicit an immune response for various reasons; aberrant gene expression (e.g. cancer-testis antigens) [4–10], overexpression (neu/Her2) [11, 12], aberrant processing (mucin) [13, 14] and mutation events (p53) [11, 15]. Although it is evident that a natural humoral response to cancer exists, tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are generally notoriously bad immunogens. This is likely due to systemic tolerance to the autoantigens and, as a result, the natural humoral immune response against tumor antigens fails to reach high antibody titers and is not effective .
During the last decade, the search for TAAs that can be targeted by the immune system, and as such are "immunovisible", has been the focus of much research in cancer immunology. In addition, the isolation and production of fully human monoclonal antibodies (fhMAb) to such antigens has also made significant advances over the past few years [16–18]. The potential utility of these antibodies to identify TAAs, to discriminate between neoplastic and normal tissues and potentially act as anti-cancer therapeutics has been the impetus for this work.
To identify tumor-associated antigens, one of the more fruitful approaches has been to employ naturally occurring anti-cancer antibodies that arise in cancer patients. To this end, serological expression technology (SEREX) has facilitated the identification of novel TAAs by screening patients' whole sera on cDNA expression libraries that were prepared from autologous tumors or human cancer cell lines [19–23]. This technology has led to the creation of a database of protein antigens that are associated with and specific to a variety of cancers. However, the native immune response to these antigens is not identified or captured by this methodology. Therefore, although proteins that are associated specifically with cancer can be pinpointed, the antibodies that can effectively target these antigens remain mostly unidentified.
To overcome this limitation we designed and implemented an alternate strategy that relies on a unique trioma fusion partner cell line, MFP-2, which we developed . MFP-2 can efficiently fuse with both peripheral blood and lymph node lymphocytes. Following fusion, surviving hybridoma clones are stable for prolonged periods and many produce significant quantities of human monoclonal antibodies. We employed this unique fusion partner cell line to develop a panel of native autologous fully human monoclonal antibodies (fhMAb) that were culled from the natural repertoire arising in breast cancer patients . These fhMAbs reacted specifically with breast cancer cells and malignant tissues. They are useful not only for identification of the target antigens, but also for immunodiagnostic procedures and eventually for immunotherapy of breast cancer, since they can be produced on an industrial scale.
We identified the protein targets of two of the anti-breast cancer autoantibodies that we isolated, and determined that they target the protein GIPC1. Using our fhMAbs that target GIPC1, we studied its expression in human breast tissue and in cultured cells. We determined that this protein is specifically up-regulated in malignant breast epithelial tissue/cells and in breast cancer cell lines and is not detected in normal breast epithelia or in live primary fibroblast cell lines. Therefore, GIPC1 is a novel breast cancer-associated antigen that may play a role in the initiation and/or progression of breast cancer.
All human cancer and normal cell lines were purchased from ATCC. Human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 and primary human fibroblasts are among those used in this study. SK-BR-3 were cultured in McCoy's 5a medium supplemented with L-glutamine and 10% FBS. MCF-7 was grown in MEM medium supplemented with L-glutamine, non-essential aminoacids, 10% FBS and 0.01 mg/ml bovine insulin. Fibroblasts were cultured in DMEM, supplemented with L-glutamine and 10% FBS. Other normal and neoplastic cell lines were cultured according to the conditions recommended by the ATCC. Hybridoma clones were produced and cultured according to previously described techniques .
The isotype of human Abs was determined by ELISA using murine anti-human isotype-specific MAbs to μ-, γ-, κ- and λ-chains (Sigma, USA) and goat anti-mouse Ig (25 μg/mL) conjugated to peroxidase and absorbed with human Ig.
Cells were plated on ethanol pre-treated cover slips (Fisher, USA) and placed in 6-well plates (Falcon, USA) in culture medium. After 24 hours the cover slips with attached cells were repeatedly washed in PBS and fixed in ethanol. Following fixation and repeated washes, cover slips were incubated with the primary and secondary antibodies according to standard protocols, stained with propidium iodide 1 μg/ml and analyzed by confocal fluorescent microscopy using a Zeiss Axiovert 100 TV microscope and Zeiss software. For immunohistochemistry randomly selected 5 μm thick sections of paraffin embedded breast cancer tissue were used. Endogenous peroxidase activity was blocked by incubation of slides in 3% H2O2 in methanol. Following washing, tissue slides were blocked with 5% normal goat serum in PBS. Monovalent Fab fragments of goat anti-human IgM+IgG (Jackson Immunoresearch Laboratories, Inc.), in blocking solution, was then applied for secondary blocking. After 3 washes in PBS, the human monoclonal antibody was applied at an approximate concentration of 5 ug/ml. The slides were then washed and incubated with a second FITC conjugated antibody to human κ-light chains (Sigma, USA) and propidium iodide at 1 μg/ml. Following a few washes, mounting medium (Biomeda, USA) and cover slips were applied and sections were analyzed by standard fluorescent microscopy.
Cells were lysed with freshly prepared ice cold lysis buffer [20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.6, 420 mM NaCl, 0.25% NP40, 2 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, 1 ug/ml leupeptin, 250 U/ml Trasylol (aprotinin)] and stored at -80°C or used immediately. Protein concentration was determined with the BioRad Protein Detection Reagent (BioRad). Tissue samples were mechanically homogenized on ice, spun down at 3000 g for 30 min at 4°C and the lower (non lipid) phase was used for further analysis.
Equal amounts of protein were separated on 10% SDS polyacrylamide gels and either Coomassie blue or silver stained according to established techniques . Following electrophoresis, the proteins in the gel were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane using a variation of the methods of Towbin and Burnette , and following blocking, probed with relevant primary and HRP-conjugated secondary antibody. Membranes were processed using an enhanced chemiluminescence kit (ECL, Amersham), and visualized on Kodak BioMax MR-1 film. The immunoblotting with recombinant GIPC1 protein was carried out as previously described .
Antibody 27.F7 was labeled with Na-125I (specific activity 17.4 mCi/mg) (New England Nuclear, MA, USA) using Iodogen as previously described . The resulting specific activity of 125I-27.F7 was (100 mCi/mmol). SK-BR-3 cells were grown in 24-well plates supplemented with DMEM media with 10% FCS and used in these experiments at subconfluent phase at a density of 2 × 105 cells per well. Cell monolayers were suspended with trypsin, cooled to 4°C by placing them on ice and washed twice with PBS containing 1% BSA (Sigma, USA). The cells (50,000 cells per sample) were blocked with 1% BSA-PBS for 1 hour at 4°C followed by incubation with 125I-27.F7 (approx. 105 cpm per sample) in the presence of increasing concentrations of cold unlabeled 27.F7 (ranging 0.1 – 200 ng/ml) for 1 hour at 4°C. After incubation the samples were applied to Millipore filters using Millipore 96-well membrane plates (Millipore, USA). The wells were broken off and counted individually in a Cobra γ-counter (Hewlett Packard, USA). Maximum binding, Bmax, was determined by incubating varying numbers of cells (ranging from 1.25 × 104 to 32 × 105 cells) with radiolabeled 27.F7 antibody. Nonspecific binding of the tracer was determined in the presence of an excessive amount of unlabeled antibody (500 μg/ml) and was generally less than 5% of maximum binding. All experimental measurements of Ka and the number of antigen targets per cell were done in triplicate. Analysis of the data was performed according to previously described methods [31–33].
RNA was purified from SK-BR-3 cells according to standard protocols. Preparation of mRNA was performed by oligo dT chromatography with a kit from Stratagene (La Jolla, CA). A lambda phage expression library was prepared in lambda ZAP (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA) and plaque lifts were screened with human monoclonal 27.B1 and 27.F7 according to previously described methods [21, 34]. Phage plaques that were positive on the first screened were picked and two rounds of plaque purification was performed to ensure that they were true positives. Positive lambda phage clones were autoexcised according to the protocol provided by Stratagene, grown as plasmids according to standard protocols and sequenced to identify the cDNA inserts.
Total cellular RNA was isolated by the Guanidinium/Phenol extraction method and Northern blotting was performed as previously described [35, 36]. Briefly, 15 μg of RNA is denatured and electrophoresed in a 1.2% Agarose gel along with 3.5% formaldehyde, transferred to a nylon membrane and hybridized sequentially with 32P-labeled cDNA probes. The GIPC1 cDNA fragment that we isolated using SEREX technology was used for the gene specific probe and a cDNA fragment of the GAPDH gene was used as an internal control to normalize expression. Following hybridization, the filters were washed and exposed for autoradiography.
We previously described the construction of a unique fusion Partner cell line, MFP-2, and its use for the immortalization of both human peripheral blood and lymph node B-lymphocytes [24, 25]. MFP-2 was employed for the generation of hybridoma cells from lymphocytes of breast cancer patients that produce autologous anti-breast cancer specific antibodies. The results of that study are described elsewhere . One of these native human monoclonal antibodies, designated 27.B1 (IgM, k), was chosen for further study. It demonstrated an intensely positive reactivity with two human breast cancer cell lines, SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 and no reaction with normal diploid primary human fibroblasts as tested by cELISA (In cELISA whole cells are used in place of a purified antigen as in ELISA) . Confocal microscopy with 27.B1 demonstrated the presence of the target antigen throughout the cytosol and in addition staining of the membrane was especially strong (see Figure 1). Furthermore, 27.B1 stained both primary and metastatic breast cancer with a high specificity and sensitivity . These results along with a more detailed immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical analysis are described elsewhere .
Human monoclonal 27.B1 stains the membrane and cytosol. Staining of SK-BR-3 cells and breast cancer tissue was performed with human monoclonal 27.B1. Staining of the SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell line was analyzed by confocal microscopy and indicates that the target antigen is present in the membrane and cytoplasm. Staining of human breast cancer tissue was analyzed by standard fluorescent microscopy.
To identify the size of the 27.B1 target protein, Western blot analysis was performed using whole cell lysates from different cell lines and tissues. Cell lysates prepared from human breast cancer, normal breast tissue, human prostate cancer and two human fibroblast cell lines were run on PAGE under reducing conditions and blotted with fhMAb 27.B1. The antibody reacted with a protein band of approximately 42 kDa molecular weight that is detectable primarily in breast cancer cells (see Figure 2-A). There was no detectable immunoreactivity with the human fibroblasts' lysates and prostate cancer cell line LnCaP whereas only traces of immunoreactivity were detected to prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU-145 (data not shown). The protein band revealed by 27.B1 appeared as doublet with a dominant band that migrates slower on a gel. The doublet pattern was not the same in all 27.B1 positive cells; MCF-7 cells displayed the higher molecular weight band in much greater abundance, whereas SK-BR-3 showed both bands in more equivalent intensity (data not shown). Western blot analysis of the same cell lysates under non-reducing conditions displayed no difference in staining pattern, indicating that accessibility of the epitope bound by 27.B1 is disulfide bond independent and likely conformation independent.
The target antigen for human monoclonal 27.B1 is a GIPC1 protein. A. The target antigen for monoclonal 27.B1 in SK-BR-3 cells, breast cancer tissue and normal breast tissue was identified by Western blot and is displayed. Human Ig H and L chains are present in the tissue and are recognized by the secondary anti-human antiserum. The target antigen is detected as a doublet in both the breast cancer tissue and SK-BR-3 cell line but is not detected in normal breast tissue. Both bands in the doublet are present in all breast cancer cell lines analyzed by Western blot but their intensity is variable. B. Immunoblotting with 27.B1 antibody of total cell lysates prepared from SK-BR-3 cells. 27.B1 antibody was preincubated with recombinant GIPC1 protein prior to blotting (lane 1), and compared to non-preincubated control (lane 2).
Interestingly, we determined that another antibody, 27.F7, which was previously identified as binding breast cancer cells and tissue with high specificity and sensitivity , identified the same 42 kDa molecular weight doublet as 27.B1. Furthermore, this antibody detected the bands in the doublet with the same variability in different cell lines as 27.B1. To test the epitope specificity of the two antibodies one of them, 27.F7 was radiolabeled with 125I and competitive Western blotting was performed with both antibodies (data not shown). Pretreatment of a SK-BR-3 cell lysate blot with unlabeled 27.F7 inhibited binding of 125I-labeled 27.F7, whereas unlabeled 27.B1 antibody did not inhibit binding. This suggests that if these two antibodies are binding the same protein they likely bind different epitopes.
To identify the molecular target(s) for 27.B1 and 27.F7, SEREX technology was applied as previously described [21, 25, 34] to a cDNA expression library prepared from SK-BR-3 mRNA. Expression clones staining positively with 27.F7 and 27.B1 were selected and the cDNA sequences were found to encode the protein known as GIPC1, following a BLAST algorithm homology search . This protein was previously identified as being involved in the regulation of G protein signaling . The sequence of the cloned cDNA inserts are identical to the respective sequence reported in GenBank for GIPC1.
To confirm that the 42 kDa band demonstrated in Figure 2-A is indeed GIPC-1, we performed immunoblotting with recombinant GIPC-1 protein (Figure 2-B). For this purpose, 27.B1 antibody was preincubated with a bacterial expressed and refolded recombinant GIPC1 protein prior to blotting (Figure 2-B, lane 1) and compared to non-preincubated control (Figure 2-B, lane 2). These results demonstrate that fhMAb 27.B1 binding to the same 42 kDa band was specifically inhibited by the recombinant protein and this confirmed the specificity of this antibody to the GIPC1 antigen.
Scatchard analysis of 125I-27.F7 binding to SK-BR-3 cells revealed a two-mode pattern of binding, which matches a model with binders of two different avidities (see Figure 3) . One type of bound ligand is represented by approximately 20% of all 27.F7 targets and binds the antibody with high avidity (Ka = 4.2 × 1011 M-1). The second type of ligand binds with a lower avidity (Ka = 3.3 × 109 M-1) and constitutes about 80% of the total antigen molecules. An estimate for the total number of antigen molecules per cell is approximately 3 × 105 target GIPC1 molecules per cell. The identification of two binding avidities may be related to the fact that human monoclonal antibody 27.F7 (and 27.B1) identifies a two band doublet on a Western blot (see Figure 2). This suggests that one of the bands may be a ligand of higher avidity while the second one is of lower avidity. The doublet itself has been previously reported although the reason for two bands has not been determined . It might be explained by an alternative start codon or posttranslational modification.
Scatchard analysis of human anti-GIPC1 monoclonal antibody on antibody on SK-BR-3 cells. Scatchard analysis of human monoclonal antibody 27.F7 performed on SK-BR-3 cells revealed the presence of an antigen target with two affinities. This suggests that two populations of GIPC1 molecules exist in these cells and may be related to the protein doublet identified by Western blot analysis in Figure 2.
The strong staining by the human anti-GIPC1 monoclonal antibodies, 27.B1 and 27.F7, on breast cancer cell lines and absent staining of normal cells suggests that the protein might be up-regulated. To semi-quantitatively examine gene expression we performed Northern blot analysis to determine if a higher level of GIPC1 specific mRNA was indeed present in the breast cancer cell lines relative to normal cell lines. RNA from a variety of breast cancer cell lines along with non-neoplastic cell lines was blotted and GAPDH expression was monitored as an internal control to normalize expression. The results are depicted in Figure 4. They indicate that breast cancer cells indeed have increased expression of GIPC1 specific RNA relative to that of normal cell lines.
GIPC1 RNA expression analysis in normal and neoplastic cell lines. Panel A: Northern blot analysis of total RNA was performed with RNA samples from a human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC), normal breast epithelium cell line HBL100 and breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, T47D, SK-BR-3, MDA231, MDA157 and MDA453. A probe for the GAPDH gene was used to normalize expression. Panel B: Densitometry analysis of the Northern blot was performed to quantitate the mRNA expression. The data indicates that the GIPC1 gene is upregulated in breast cancer cell lines.
Our studies have determined that GIPC1 is a novel breast cancer associated antigen that is up-regulated in breast cancer cell lines and in malignant tissue from all breast cancer patients tested in this study. In our previous studies , we determined that the reactivity of the human monoclonal antibodies 27.B1 and 27.F7 are specific to breast cancer tissue and cells. Our present study demonstrated that these antibodies identify the unique antigen target GIPC1 (GAIP interacting protein, C domain), a PDZ domain containing protein [38, 39].
GIPC1 was first described as a PDZ domain protein that binds to the C terminus of RGS-GAIP (for regulators of G signaling – Gαi3 interacting protein) . GAIP itself is considered to be a Gαi3 regulator, which acts as GTP-ase activating protein switching Gαi3 into an inactive mode [40–45]. Although the functional pathway of Gαi3 is apparently vesicular trafficking, with GAIP serving as its regulator, the physiological relevance of the interaction between GIPC1 and GAIP is been actively investigated [46–53].
With respect to breast tissue, the recognition by 27.B1 and 27.F7 of GIPC1 is strictly limited to neoplastic cells. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of the bound antibodies in the cell membrane and cytoplasm is consistent with what has been previously described for GIPC1 localization . Taken together, our findings suggest that the up-regulation of GIPC1 is cancer cell specific. Although 27.B1 does not detect any protein by FACS or Western blot analysis in normal cells and tissues it is likely below the level of detection since GIPC1 is likely involved in many diverse cellular processes [47, 49–55].
GIPC1 plays a role in mediating the assemblage of molecules involved in signaling transduction pathways . As such, these molecules are involved in protein-protein interactions and likely modulate the activity of their targets . Proteins containing PDZ domains, and the interactions that they mediate, may be involved in a wide variety of signal transduction cascades including interaction with receptors, adhesion molecules, ion channels, gap junctions, cytoskeleton proteins and other vital proteins, such as Fas [48–54, 56]. Moreover, GIPC1 appears to be a highly conserved protein. In rodents it regulates distribution of M-Sem-F, a neuronal membrane-associated protein and binds to a glucose transporter protein, GLUT1 [57, 58]. It is tempting to speculate on the role of over-expressed GIPC1 in binding to a glucose transporter protein with the subsequent influx of glucose supporting growth of tumor cells. Of course, other proteins may be linked to GIPC1 function in cancer cells; this is currently under investigation in our laboratory.
Research of cancer-associated antigens is an extremely important pursuit. Identification of these antigens can provide insight into the cause of a malignancy, identify targets for immunotherapy and immunodiagnostics as well as lead to the development of new cancer vaccines. Previous studies on natural monoclonal autoantibodies from cancer patients did not describe the target antigens [59, 60]. Our studies demonstrate that by combining the "immunoprospecting" of cancer autoantibodies and SEREX technology discovery of target antigens for monoclonal cancer autoantibodies can be accomplished. In conclusion, our studies revealed that GIPC1 is a novel cancer-associated antigen; its role in carcinogenesis, however, needs further clarification. It also needs to be clarified whether GIPC1 is a specific breast cancer-associated antigen or it is overexpressed in other malignant diseases as well.
Leslie Lobel and Ilya Trakht contributed equally to this work.
We would like to thank Marina Tashker and Ekaterina Hahiashvili for excellent technical assistance.
This project was supported by American Society Grant and the Department of Medicine at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons (SR, GK, AE, IT); the grant form Ludwig Cancer Institute (MS and LO); The Morningside Foundation (GC) and Research Development Grant from BGU of Beer Sheva, Israel (VY, CL and LL).
SR carried immunochemical and biochemical studies and organized all the data for the manuscript; MS carried the molecular biology experiments and performed SEREX for identification of the antigen; GK developed hybridoma clones producing specific monoclonal antibody; VY performed flow cytometry and Western blot studies for confirmation of the antigen identity; CL did cell culture work related to cloning and selection of antibody-producing clones; AE, LO and GLC provided an expert clinical information on breast cancer and contributed to the interpretation of data and consideration of potential applications; LL and IT are senior co-investigators who conceived the study, developed its design participating in its coordination and drafting the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. | 2019-04-24T02:37:27Z | https://0-bmccancer-biomedcentral-com.brum.beds.ac.uk/articles/10.1186/1471-2407-8-248 |
The impacts of fluctuations in the money stock run like a thread through the economic history of the United States, Milton Friedman and Anna J. Schwartz explain in "A Monetary History of the United States (1867-1960)." This book takes in monetary developments during the Civil War that set the stage for the post-Civil War period.
Monetary factors played a major role in the economy's cyclical movements, "and conversely, non-monetary developments frequently had major influences on monetary developments; yet even together," there is much in business cycle history that they acknowledge is not covered in the book.
the monetary stock changes have often had a demonstrably "independent origin" excluding the possibility that they were the result of changes in economic activity.
This weakness appears most dramatically in the book's discussion of the Great Depression. This would be just a minor weakness in this otherwise masterful book - if not for the tendency of many of those who follow Milton Friedman's views to also overlook the limitations of monetary manipulation - and if not for the dramatic assertion by the authors in the book's conclusion that a more aggressive monetary policy response to the Great Depression by the Federal Reserve System "would have cut short the spread of the crisis, would have prevented cumulation of bank failures, and would have made possible, as it did in 1908, economic recovery after a few months." See, "Friedman & Schwartz, Monetary History of U.S.," Part II, "Roaring Twenties Boom - Great Depression Bust (1921-1933)," at sections E) "Great Depression Bust (1929-1933)" and F) "The Power and Limitations of Monetary Policy," and Friedman & Schwartz, Monetary History of U.S.," Part III, "The Age of Chronic Inflation (1933-1960)," at section H) "Conclusion: The Impacts of Fluctuations of the Money Stock."
The larger deposits get in relation to reserves retained by the banks and in relation to the currency in the hands of the public, the more bank system money is being created.
The amount added to the money stock by bank deposits depends both on the willingness of the public to use the banking system, and the amount of deposits bankers are willing and able to lend to the public over and above retained reserves.
Money that can be used as liquid reserves for bank deposits is considered "high-powered" money, since the fractional reserve banking system serves to increase the total stock of money. In 1867, the public held about $1.20 in deposits for each $1 in currency. This rose quickly to $2 by 1873, reflecting the rapid rise of the commercial banking system. It stayed about at that level until 1880, rose -with numerous spikes and troughs - to $12 in 1929, and then fell sharply during the Great Depression - recovering just to $6 in deposits for each $1 in currency in 1960.
A bank deposit available to the depositor on demand is money to the depositor as well as money to the borrower from the bank. The larger deposits get in relation to reserves retained by the banks and in relation to the currency in the hands of the public, the more bank system money is being created.
Price statistics leave much to be desired during this period, especially for consumer or general price levels. The authors make use of indexes based on calculated - or "implied" - prices, and so refer to "implicit" prices rather than consumer or general prices. They rely heavily on wholesale prices, since these are more available.
A graph of various measures of currency and "money" in circulation shows a steadily accelerating expansion accompanying the growth of the economy and the nation, with sharp increases between 1879 and 1882 after the successful resumption of the gold standard and during both World Wars of the 20th century. Money - but not currency - had significant surges in 1868 to 1873 with the resumption of normal banking after the Civil War, during the New Deal years 1933 to 1937, and during the 1950s.
Currency in the hands of the public shows only a few years of actual decline - mainly in 1875 and 1876 in preparation for return to the gold standard and during the depression years 1877, 1894, 1921 to 1922, and 1933. The graph of broader money measurements of money indicate declines from 1875 to 1878, 1893, 1907, 1921, and 1930 to 1933.
From 1867 to 1960, currency expanded 50 fold, and currency plus commercial bank deposits 243 fold. Mutual savings deposits had expanded 127 fold. Prices rose during this period on average just under 1% per year. However, prices declined significantly during the last three decades of the 19th century, so the rate of price inflation did accelerate significantly through the first six decades of the 20th century - especially from 1940 to 1960. Output per capita during this 93 year period increased almost 2% per year.
Expressed as a fraction of income, there was an increase of almost 1% per year in money balances held by the public. Money balances equaled less than 3 months income in 1869 and more than 7 months income in 1960. However, this trend experienced many sharp ups and downs - examined more at length in the body of the book.
The U.S. did not stiff its creditors to help pay for the vast expenses of the Civil War.
The financial aftermath of the Civil War dominated monetary and financial history until the beginning of 1879 when specie payments were resumed - at the prewar parity. It was a struggle for the U.S. economy and its people to maintain sufficient monetary restraint to drag prices back down to a point where the "greenback" dollar would be "as good as gold." The U.S. did not stiff its creditors to help pay for the vast expenses of the Civil War.
Responding to the declining prices, politics were influenced by "greenbackism" and "Free Silver" movements that didn't end until the defeat of William Jennings Bryon in the 1896 presidential election.
Even prior to 1879, gold was still important for foreign transactions, since Great Britain and other important European nations were on a gold standard. Gold could be purchased with dollars, but its dollar price was free to fluctuate - upwards during the war and then downwards back to parity by 1879.
The controversy over the place of silver in the monetary system dominated the last two decades of the 19th century. As more nations went on the gold standard, demand for gold increased - exceeding even the rapidly increasing supplies. Silver prices declined sharply after the Civil War, of course, but continued a slow decline even after resumption of the gold standard in 1879. The value of gold was rising relative to the the value of other goods and services. Further development of financial techniques that supported "a larger superstructure of money on a given base of gold," didn't totally offset this tendency.
Responding to the declining prices, politics were influenced by "greenbackism" and "Free Silver" movements that didn't end until the defeat of William Jennings Bryon in the 1896 presidential election. (Prices had declined throughout the first half of the 19th century as well.) Substantial new sources of gold in Alaska and South Africa and technological advances in gold mining substantially increased the production of gold and doomed Bryan's political hopes. World prices responded by beginning to rise from the beginning of the 20th century despite vast increases in economic output.
The nation's banking structure was subject to periodic difficulties and panics during this period. 1873, 1884, 1890, 1893 and 1907 saw banking crises involving widespread fears, runs on banks, and bankruptcies. In 1893 and 1907, most banks suspended payments on deposits, causing money measures to decline while currency rose as the public withdrew deposits during the panic.
Even excluding WW-I, the Federal Reserve System failed to increase monetary stability.
The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 was the ultimate response. It was designed to bring effective regulation at least for Federal Reserve System member banks. The international gold standard weakened during WW-I, giving the new Federal Reserve System (the "System") both greater freedom of action and increased responsibility. The Treasury had previously exercised a limited central banking role. The U.S. economy grew massively during this period, reducing the relative importance of foreign trade and the impact of foreign influences on the economy.
The System, however, failed to increase monetary stability. Even excluding WW-I, monetary fluctuations increased.
WW-I was financed in part by a rapid rise in the stock of money which was not stopped until early in 1920. This stoppage was "the first major deliberate and independent act of monetary policy taken by the System" and drew severe criticism as the economy tumbled into a depression.
A "fiduciary standard" for paper money unsupported by gold and freely floating against gold and other currencies - dependent thus entirely on the credit of the issuer, the U.S. government - existed from the Civil War until 1879. Gold money and "greenback" paper money existed together and fluctuated against each other.
The total money stock consisted of gold, gold certificates, U.S. notes - popularly called "greenbacks" - fractional silver currency, other U.S. currency, national bank notes and subsidiary coinage and deposits in commercial banks and mutual savings and postal savings banks. After 1914, it also included Federal Reserve notes.
"High-powered money" is the type of money that can be used as liquid reserves to support the bank deposits that add to the total "stock of money." Between 1867 and 1879, it consisted principally of gold, greenbacks, and national bank notes. National bank notes were issued by the Treasury for banks upon deposit with the Treasury of eligible government securities as security for the notes.
With the end of the Civil War, the expansion of paper money ceased, prices declined, and the vigorous economic expansion that would vault the U.S. into the 20th century as an economic powerhouse commenced. This "coincidence cast serious doubts on the validity of the now widely held view that secular price deflation and rapid economic growth are incompatible."
Rapid economic growth with declining prices was experienced in the U.S. during the first half of the 19th century, also. For that matter, price fluctuations on English commodity exchanges fluctuated within a non-inflationary band for 350 years from 1600 to 1930 while England enjoyed the economic growth and expanding power of its industrial revolution.
By 1867, nearly 75% of the total money stock was of Civil War origin - types of money that had not previously existed. These were primarily national bank notes and U.S. "greenback" notes and other U.S. currency.
National bank notes grew rapidly to nearly $300 million by 1866. Growth continued slowly thereafter to $340 million by 1874, and these notes remained an important part of the monetary system until 1935. They were backed by requirements for 111% security in the form of government bonds bearing the security privilege. They thus were actually indirect obligations of the federal government. In the event of bank failure, the bonds would be forfeited to the Treasury to be sold to redeem the bank money, and the Treasury had a first lien on the bank's assets if more was needed.
Thus, the national bank notes circulated at parity with other currency as an equivalent part of the money system. This had not been the case prior to the Civil War and represented a significant accomplishment for the pertinent Civil War and post-Civil War legislation. The last wrinkles were ironed out of the system by monetary legislation in 1874.
By controlling the issuance of bonds bearing the security privilege, the government could control the maximum amount of national bank note money - but the national bank notes didn't approach their maximum until the 1920s. They rose slowly from only 20% of their limit to 28% by 1900, and surged to 80% during WW-I. Before WW-I, the issuance of national bank notes was apparently not profitable enough to be more widely employed, but the authors concede that they could not determine why. There were also capital stock requirements, but these didn't came into play after 1905 because the eligible bond limitation was a more restrictive requirement.
Greenbacks exceeded $350 million by 1867 - fluctuated at levels below $400 million until 1878 reflecting political controversy over their role in the 1870s price decline, and were then fixed permanently at $347 million through 1960.
Other U.S. currency included some legal tender notes, government demand notes, and some other government obligations that were not legal tender. Amounting to almost $240 million in 1865, the legal tender notes were quickly redeemed after the Civil War and were retired by 1872.
The two moneys - greenbacks and gold or British sterling - fluctuated freely, and were thus able to coexist without one driving out the other.
Gold coin and gold certificates were used primarily for foreign exchange transactions. The gold "dollar" was worth over $2 at the end of the Civil War - but declined rapidly to about $1.383 in June, 1867 and to about $1.10 in the 1870 to 1875 period. They thereafter declined towards parity by 1879.
Domestically, customs duties were payable in gold, and the Treasury paid almost all the principal and interest on its debts in gold. The credit of the U.S. was thus jealously guarded throughout the Civil War period. Some private debts also required payments in gold. The West Coast remained on a gold basis, with greenbacks quoted at a discount, whereas prices were quoted in greenbacks on the East Coast with gold valued at a premium.
The two moneys - greenbacks and gold or British sterling - fluctuated freely, and were thus able to coexist without one driving out the other. With floating exchange rates, the greenback price of gold was in effect the greenback price of sterling, since Britain was on a gold standard throughout this period. The completion of the transatlantic cable in 1866 substantially reduced the difficulty of coordinating European and U.S. money markets, materially reducing the burdens of the fluctuating exchange rate.
Thus, total money stock figures for this period are meaningless unless adjusted for the fluctuating premium for gold - approximately 38.3% at midyear, 1867. Even so, gold money being independent of official or bank issuance, cannot be exactly calculated, but the authors provide estimates based on the banking statistics available.
Money stock fluctuation in the 12 years before 1879 was comparatively modest. The money stock actually declined in 5 of the calendar years and ended up only 17% higher for the whole period.
Initiation of monetary movements typically precede the corresponding economic movements by some months. However, these monetary movements are often not turns but just a slowing or acceleration of the rates of growth.
Monetary restraint was required for the effort to make the greenback "as good as gold." Not until the sharp decline during the initial years of the Great Depression do we find so many years of money stock decline in any dozen year period. Indeed, including the 5 years 1929 to 1933, there were only 13 single years of decline in the 81 years up to 1960. Because of variations in statistical evaluation and availability, these calculations are not always based on calendar years.
Most of the 1870s decline in the money stock occurred during the 1873-1879 depression - considered one of the longest and apparently most severe on record. During many economic contractions - such as 1869-1870 - money growth slowed but there was no actual contraction of the money stock. Initiation of monetary movements typically precede the corresponding economic movements by some months. However, these monetary movements are often not turns but just a slowing or acceleration of the rates of growth. The authors note that the absolute troughs in business and money stock levels in 1879 just about coincided.
"We shall find these phenomena of acceleration of the money stock preceding a cyclical trough and deceleration preceding a cyclical peak, both by sizable intervals, repeated time and again in subsequent experience. We shall find also in subsequent deep depressions that the absolute trough in the money stock often coincided with the cyclical trough as, for example, it did in 1933."
Fluctuations in wholesale prices tracked these monetary movements. Wholesale prices declined significantly from 1867 to 1879, interrupted only by the cyclical expansion 1870 to 1872 when money stock was also rising. The average decline from 1865 to 1879 was an unprecedented 6½% per year as greenbacks rose back to par with gold. In terms of gold, prices were practically stable.
Velocity is a relatively stable magnitude, the authors assert.
The severity of the 1873 to 1879 depression may well be significantly overstated due to the weaknesses in the statistical data for that period.
There are severe problems with the price statistics available for this period, the authors warn. Farm produce and raw materials markets provided readily available prices, but many other price levels were uncertain or are unavailable. With respect to farm produce and raw materials, technological improvements - especially in transportation - were probably the cause of a substantial relative decline in their prices during the period. The general price decline is estimated on the bases of particular scholarly analyses producing an "implicit price deflator" or "implicit prices." This implicit price decline was running at around 3.5% per year.
With money stock rising at just over 1% per year between 1867 and 1879 while prices were declining, either the velocity of money was declining or output - and the work done by each dollar - was increasing. "As a matter of economics, there can be little doubt that it reflects primarily a rise in output." Velocity is a relatively stable magnitude, the authors assert.
Velocity became much less stable in several countries after 1964, during the period of inflation caused by Keynesian policy.
Despite a mild recession trough in 1867 and a deep one in 1879, the authors estimate output increased about 3.6% per year during this period for an impressive increase of about 54%. A substantial increase in population of more than 30% accounts for more than half of this increase in output. The latter part of the 1870s experienced a worldwide depression, sending a wave of immigrants into the U.S. despite U.S. economic difficulties.
However, even with the cyclical downturns and the population increase, output per capita was surely rising. The authors' estimate is 1.3% per year. The severity of the 1873 to 1879 depression may well be significantly overstated due to the weaknesses in the statistical data for that period.
Indeed, the vast expansions of the railroads, railroad ton mileage, mining output, and western settlement, and a 50% increase in the number of farms and an increase in land values even as agricultural prices declined, all affirm the great increase in productivity and output. Despite the 1879 depression trough, manufacturing employment was 33% higher than in 1869. Exports of finished products were nearly 2½ times greater in terms of gold values.
"In the greenback episode, a deflation of 50 percent took place over the course of the decade and a half after 1865. Not only did it not produce stagnation; on the contrary, it was accompanied and produced by a rapid rate of rise in real income."
The available statistics make it appear that an extraordinary period of net national product increase and real per capita income increase corresponded with a period of apparent severe depression and price decline. The authors explore in some depth the relative unreliability of output and monetary statistics for this period and the various estimates of net national product.
"Whichever estimate of net national product one accepts, the major conclusion is the same: an unusually rapid rise in output converted an unusually slow rate of rise in the stock of money into a rapid decline in prices. We have dwelt on this result and sought to buttress it by a variety of evidence, because it runs directly counter both to qualitative comment on the period and to some of the most strongly held current views of economists about the relation between changes in prices and in economic activity. Contrast, for example, this result with the widely accepted interpretation of British experience in the 1920s, when Britain resumed specie payments at prewar parity. The prewar parity, it was said, overvalued the pound by some 10 percent or so at the price level that prevailed in 1925 at the time of resumption -- prices by then having fallen about 50 percent from the postwar peak --; hence, the successful return to gold at the prewar parity required a further 10 percent deflation of domestic prices; the attempt to achieve such further deflation produced, instead, stagnation and widespread unemployment, from which Britain was unable to recover until it finally devalued the pound in 1931. On this interpretation, the chain of influence ran from the attempted deflation to the economic stagnation.
"In the greenback episode, a deflation of 50 percent took place over the course of the decade and a half after 1865. Not only did it not produce stagnation; on the contrary, it was accompanied and produced by a rapid rate of rise in real income. The chain of influence ran from expansion of output to price decline. - - - After 1873, the stock of money rose less rapidly and then fell, while population continued to rise, so money wage rates did fall; and this was connected with the severe contraction beginning in 1873. But even so, wages apparently fell fast enough to avoid continued severe unemployment or industrial stagnation."
The difference with England in the 1920s was that debt levels were higher and labor market flexibility much lower than in the U.S. in the 1870s. Government activities constituted a much larger burden on the English economy. The U.S. economy during the 1870s was simply much more flexible, which made post-Civil War adjustments much easier.
Nevertheless, while many thrived, there were many losers. Businesses closed, workers lost jobs and nominal wages declined. Although real wages increased along with net national product, social problems were created and political attention turned to the lack of growth in the greenback money supply.
Greenback agitation grew after the banking panic of 1873. Greenback inflation lost by the narrowest of political margins in 1878, after which it declined - to be replaced by agitation for a bimetallic silver and gold monetary system.
The determinants of the money stock under both fiduciary - or "fiat" - and specie standards, are briefly set forth by the authors. They explain how a slow decline in greenbacks and other currency was translated by the banking system into a modest rate of increase in the money stock until that, too, began to decline during the 1875 to 1878 depression years. Changes in deposit-to-reserve ratios and deposit to currency-in-the-hands-of-the-public ratios explain these movements. The greenback agitation failed to more than marginally impact greenback circulation, leaving the banking determinants as the most influential factors after 1867.
A reduction in national bank reserve requirements in 1874 was the one government action that contributed most to money stock growth. The rise of greenback circulation from 1870 to 1874, and its decline thereafter through 1878 did reinforce money stock movements.
Events impacted the banking determinants. The rapid spread of commercial banking induced deposit growth - which was slowed by the bank panic of 1873 and reversed by the numerous bank failures in the 1876 to 1878 period. Deposit-reserve ratios rose as the system matured and accepted greater risk levels - declined sharply during the panic of 1873 as surviving banks increased liquid reserves - and rose to new heights in 1874 when reserve requirements were lowered.
Deposit-reserve ratios for non-national banks were higher than for national banks. Only 6 states imposed any reserve requirements, and only 3 of those were as high as the federal requirements. Bank suspensions were concentrated in the non-national banks, inducing greater caution and need for liquid reserves among the survivors - and sending deposits fleeing to the greater apparent safety of the national banks. The desire for greater safety and for greater liquidity led to reductions in the deposit-reserve ratio during the banking problems of 1876 to 1878.
The authors illustrate the massive benefits bestowed upon the nation by its carefully maintained good credit. They analyze the movements of gold prices and interest rates during and in the 15 years after the Civil War.
Investor confidence restrained the rise in the greenback price of gold and - just as important - kept long term interest rates at reasonable levels - thus massively facilitating the nation's ability to finance the war.
As gold prices rose against the greenback during the war, the markets kept discounting a return to parity after the war rather than further devaluation of the greenback. This investor confidence restrained the rise in the greenback price of gold and - just as important - kept long term interest rates at reasonable levels - thus massively facilitating the nation's ability to finance the war.
"It seems likely that - - - the rise in the greenback price of gold produced speculative capital inflows, which helped to finance a deficit in the balance of trade and which explain why the depreciation in the exchange value of the dollar, over and beyond that to be expected from purchasing-power parity, was so mild -- given the drastic change in the North's international trade position. Such capital inflows would also have constituted a demand for U.S. securities, which explains why interest rates were so low despite the rise in commodity prices and the extensive government borrowing."
Speculative money was parked in long term U.S. and private - mainly railroad - bonds, whose yields were thus lowest precisely when gold prices were highest and speculative interest in a greenback recovery would be greatest. Short term call money and commercial paper were not convenient parking places for such speculative money, and their yields rose as might be expected from the concurrent inflation and heavy government borrowing.
Payments in gold for gold bonds were maintained - apparently much to the surprise of the market. While confidence that the greenback would eventually return to parity was high, such was not the case for gold bonds. The yield on the 6% 1881 bond exceeded 16% at one time during the war. The gold bonds were discounted in line with the discount for greenbacks - so market speculators made substantial profits as gold payments were maintained. Towards the end of the war, yields declined sharply, with further declines after 1869 when the government committed itself to continue payments in gold.
As the war turned in the Union's favor in the middle of 1863, capital inflows - especially from Dutch and German investors - substantially increased even as the greenback devaluation reached its worst levels. In England, the government and commercial interests had generally favored the South, but as Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan won major victories in late 1864, capital inflows from English investors increased also.
"If this analysis is correct, the depreciation of the exchange rate manifested in the rise in the greenback price of gold contributed to resolving the North's balance of payment difficulties in two very different ways: by affecting the 'real' terms of trade and so fostering exports and discouraging imports; by stimulating a speculative inflow of capital, which limited the depreciation, holding it to only some 20 percent in excess of that required to compensate for internal price level changes, and kept the terms of trade from turning even more strongly against the North."
The authors note that something similar occurred during the early stages of the German inflation after WW-I - but the inflation continued and speculators lost heavily for their misplaced faith in the Weimar government.
With the end of the war, capital inflows continued - presumably now seeking permanent investment in the expanding U.S. economy. This supported the greenback at higher valuations than warranted by recovering trade levels. Gold declined from 20% above calculations of purchasing power parity to 10% below.
"This appreciation of some 30 percent in the exchange value of the greenback dollar is a measure of the pressure that the wartime disturbance of trade relations had imposed on the balance of payments."
After 1873, gold fluctuated upwards, back to levels approximating calculations of purchasing power parity. As U.S. bond yields declined, foreign investors abandoned them in favor of the higher yielding railroad bonds - until railroad bond defaults led to the banking failures and panic of 1873.
This was a period of remarkably disciplined government budgetary and monetary policies which played a major role in supporting confidence in the monetary system.
As resumption of specie payments at pre-Civil War parity neared, domestic demand for gold increased both on the part of the public and the Treasury. The greenback price of gold rose above purchasing power parity levels, exports were drastically curtailed, and production of gold increased 50% between 1875 and 1878.
Resumption became possible at pre-Civil War parity - at $4.86 per pound sterling - because the price decline retraced all the approximately 150% price inflation of the Civil War. This substantial decline in prices occurred despite a mild rise in money stock. The rapid growth in output - in real income - was the primary reason. A flexible and dynamic economy simply grew its way out of its wartime difficulties (exactly as the British economy had done repeatedly after each of the wars of the 150 year period ending after the Napoleonic wars).
On the whole, this was a period of remarkably disciplined government budgetary and monetary policies which played a major role in supporting confidence in the monetary system. The authors analyze these policies at some length. Resumption of specie payments did not take place until the gold premium had fallen to approximately 10% of its peak level - thus assuring the success of resumption.
Under the gold standard, the major channel of influence on the stock of money runs from "fixed rates of exchange with other currencies through the balance of payments to the money stock, thence to the level of internal prices that is consistent with those exchange rates."
"The forces making for economic growth over the course of several business cycles are largely independent of the secular trend in prices."
Domestic policies can produce sizable short term deviations, however, because the links are loose with plenty of play between them. Policies that impact trade or capital flows or levels of money balances held by the public can influence the system, but they ultimately have to be reversed or they will undermine the gold standard.
There were rapid increases in world output in the period from 1879 to 1897. Prices nevertheless declined in terms of gold into 1897 but rose thereafter. The period after 1897 was influenced by major increases in gold supplies flowing from new mines in Alaska, South Africa and Colorado, and advances in gold mining and refining. The price decline during the former period occurred "despite the rapid expansion of commercial banking and other devices for erecting an ever larger stock of money on a given gold base."
After resumption of gold payments, growth in the U.S. money stock accelerated, averaging about 6% per year between 1879 and 1897 and 7½% from 1897 to 1914. However, the rate of growth was uneven. It surged at over 19% from resumption in 1879 to 1881, and was essentially flat from 1892 to 1897. There were severe business contractions from 1882 to 1885, from early 1893 to the middle of 1894, and from 1895 to the middle of 1897. The period thereafter until 1914 saw only one sharp but short recession in 1907.
The period ending in 1897 was notable for unrest, protest movements, and periods of financial uncertainty. The period after 1897 experienced relative political stability and public confidence in the economic future. Yet, both periods enjoyed massive rates of capital expansion and economic growth at well over 3% per year. Per capita, net national income increased at about 1.5% per year.
There were declines in money income during the four sharpest business contractions, but recovery was quick after each of them. Prices, too, seemed to return to trend after each depression. The evidence, the authors note, reinforces the tentative conclusion "that the forces making for economic growth over the course of several business cycles are largely independent of the secular trend in prices."
The sharp increase in the money stock between 1879 and 1882 was accompanied by a sharp increase in prices which was more than reversed by 1886. Prices were roughly constant from there to 1891 and resumed their decline into 1897 with a brief rise from 1892 into 1893.
Resumption in 1879 was followed by an economic boom as monetary confidence was reinforced by a massive two year surge in crude foodstuff exports responding to major crop failures in other countries. Gold stocks more than doubled in these two years from $210 million to $439 million. This caused an expansion of the money stock that pushed up prices approximately 10% at a time when British prices remained constant. British gold reserves declined 40%, inducing an increase in its Bank rate in steps from 2½% to 6% - which reversed the gold flow.
The two year surge in U.S. crop exports and its ending resulted in an apparent seesaw reaction in international gold flows. The gold flows kept exchange rates steady and mitigated price fluctuations. However, the expansion of the U.S. money stock did lead to price increases in the U.S. and put downwards pressure on prices in the nations that paid in part in gold for imported food. The relative price swings ultimately brought the systems back to trade equilibrium and ended the need for large gold flows. "It would be hard to find a much neater example in history of the classical gold-standard mechanism in action," the authors note.
With the return of normal crops abroad, food exports declined back to normal - and the boom ended. Worse, Britain had not fully adjusted to its previous monetary contraction and experienced a 12% price decline between 1882 and 1885. To regain approximate purchasing power parity with Britain, U.S. prices had to declined even further. As gold flowed back to Britain, the growth of the U.S. money stock slowed sharply from 16% per year to 3%. Real output growth decline from 7% to 1%. The discipline of the balance of payments was the primary determinant of the adjustment process, but that process required at least some economic recession in the U.S.
There were, of course, other factors that contributed to the recession. There was another round of railroad bond defaults and a flight of foreign capital. The result was a financial panic in New York in 1884 with modest spillover elsewhere in the country. Confidence in the maintenance of the gold standard declined as the Treasury purchased silver at the expense of gold under the Bland-Allison Act of 1878.
Capital flight and gold exports were again evident from 1888 to 1891 due to another period of doubts about maintenance of the gold standard. However, prices declined only modestly - about 2% - because British prices were rising.
British investment interest shifted to Argentina in 1890, causing a loss of gold in the U.S. that put pressure on reserves in New York. Security prices fell and banks and brokerage houses failed and there was a panic towards the end of 1891. There were financial problems in England, too, and the start of a depression period. However, in New York, it was all over quickly, and stability was restored.
The Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 doubled silver purchases, which were paid for with Treasury notes redeemable in either gold or silver at the discretion of the Treasury.
The financial troubles of the 1890s were marked by the waxing and waning of confidence in the maintenance of the gold standard - corresponding swings in capital flows - and several corresponding cyclical economic swings. World prices in terms of gold fell sharply between 1891 and 1897 and the Free Silver movement reached its political peak - further undermining confidence in the gold standard in the U.S. Changes in tariffs and increased spending for pensions, rivers and harbors threatened to reverse the budget surplus.
Money stock growth slowed or reversed during these economic contractions and adverse capital movements put pressure on prices which declined through most of the period. The authors speculate on how much the vacillations in confidence in the gold standard contributed to these events, and note some similarities with British experience immediately after WW-II.
The initial loss of confidence in the gold standard was largely offset by crop failures abroad that coincided with a record U.S. harvest and a 150% increase in food exports in the year ending June 30, 1892. This reversed a sharp outflow of gold and induced a short period of rising prices. It ended a mild recession which had been accompanied by the usual surge in bank and brokerage failures.
However, world prices continued falling as the purchasing power of gold increased, and capital inflows remained suppressed. Gold exports resumed at the end of 1892. Again, confidence in the gold backing for Treasury notes was undermined.
A variety of currency substitutes were created - factory pay checks, miscellaneous notes and certificates issued by corporations and individuals. The situation was short lived - ending when deposit withdrawal restrictions were lifted that September. The panic of 1893 is explained by the authors as running from the loss of confidence in the bimetallic gold/silver standard, causing an external drain as gold and capital flowed out. This in turn caused a decline in the money stock and declines in securities prices and general price levels. Soon, banks, brokerages and mercantile establishments were failing. However, bank failures were predominantly in the West and South due to an internal drain caused by defaults on loans that undermined confidence in bank solvency.
Efforts to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act began in the summer of 1893 and brought the external drain to an end. Repeal came on November 1, 1893.
As the public sought currency, public currency holdings rose 6% in the year ending June, 1893, while deposits fell 9½%. The total money stock fell about 6% - the first substantial decline since 1875-1878. A second round of deposit withdrawals hit the South and West in July, 1893, draining reserves from New York. When the Erie Railroad went into receivership, the stock market tanked and bank failures hit the East as well.
Banks then imposed restrictions on cash withdrawals, bringing the string of bank failures to a close. While reserves proved inadequate in certain banks, total reserves in the banking system were adequate. But currency was suddenly rendered scarce by the restrictions on deposit withdrawals. Currency thus began selling at a premium to bank deposits. A variety of currency substitutes were created - factory pay checks, miscellaneous notes and certificates issued by corporations and individuals. The situation was short lived - ending when deposit withdrawal restrictions were lifted that September.
World prices continued to fall and the British price decline lasted into 1896 as gold continued to appreciate. Except for a modest 18 month rebound from the middle of 1894, the deflation in the U.S. dragged on to 1897. Treasury gold reserves fell below $45 million at the beginning of 1895. Speculative pressure on the dollar persisted as did political agitation. Various measures kept the money stock fairly constant and assured holders of dollar balances that the Treasury was determined to maintain the gold standard.
The Democratic Party nomination of William Jennings Bryan as its presidential candidate in 1896 accelerated the flight of capital and gold. A syndicate of big city banks put its credit on the line to support the dollar. It adopted a commitment to provide foreign currencies directly to purchasers without intermediate gold transactions. This brought capital flight to an end.
Seasonal agricultural exports resulted in gold inflows beginning towards the end of August that brought an end to the dollar crisis. Some internal accumulation of gold and foreign currencies continued until the Republicans won the election, and the crisis was over. The increase in world gold supplies was already making itself felt.
The perfervid politics of the greenback and Free Silver advocates during the last quarter of the 19th century are summarized by the authors. These forces succeeded in gaining passage of limited silver purchase and bimetal standard legislation in 1878 and 1890, with repeal coming at the end of 1893. The desired unlimited coinage of silver was never enacted. Limited silver coinage and issuance of silver certificates undermined confidence in U.S. currency, but was insufficient to stem the rapid decline in silver prices as copious supplies rolled in from the West and other sources around the world.
Good agricultural prices helped McKinley beat Bryan in 1896 in a heated, nasty campaign. The silver cause thereafter faded as new sources of gold came into production, and the purchasing power of gold declined. With the Gold Standard Act of 1900, the issue was settled in favor of the gold standard.
When nations adopt the gold standard, they (1) accept the disciplined economic policies required to maintain the gold standard and (2) in essence offer a guarantee of continuance of such prudent economic policy. The reward is increased public confidence and economic efficiency.
When political leaders violate this trust with imprudent undisciplined economic policies, it is they - not the gold standard - that has failed. The sooner they drop the charade and abandon the gold standard the better. The economy will need maximum flexibility to make the adverse adjustments needed as smooth as possible in response to those policies. Gaining and maintaining public confidence and economic efficiency under flexible exchange rates will require at least the same disciplined economic policies needed for maintenance of the gold standard.
The determinants of fluctuations in the money stock under the resumed gold standard up to 1897 are analyzed by the authors.
The initial 2½ year surge in the money stock to 1881 accounted for nearly half the total growth to 1897. Just over 80% was accounted for by growth in "high-powered money" - primarily coinage and currency backed by gold and silver and national bank notes. High-powered money growth accounted for 55% of money stock growth from 1881 to 1892, but high-powered money declined until the middle of 1897, after which it sharply recovered.
The deposit-to-currency-held-by-the-public ratio of the banking system vacillated as might be expected with fluctuations in public confidence in the banking system. It grew strongly with the successful resumption of the gold standard, thereafter flattening out or contracting during business contractions and dropping sharply during the panic of 1893. If monthly data were available, the authors note that the ratio would undoubtedly show sharp declines corresponding to the banking crises of 1884 and 1890. Growth after the 1893 crisis made up for much of the decline in high-powered money in that period and - along with growth in the deposit-to-reserve ratio after 1893 - kept the money stock essentially flat to 1897.
The deposit-reserve ratio of the banking system played only a minor role during this period due to little change in official reserve requirements or in the reserve levels thought prudent by bankers over and above requirements.
The ratio rose after resumption until 1883 with little overall change thereafter. Fluctuations corresponded with business cycles. Surviving banks visibly increased reserves during contractions and acted more aggressively during prosperous times. Typically, runs on banks drained reserves, which would thereafter be more than rebuilt before returning to normal levels after business conditions improved.
Nine more states imposed reserve requirements on their non-national banks for a total of 15. State requirements were mostly lower than national requirements. Their deposit-reserve ratios were in practice about twice as high as those of the national banks due to their lower reserve requirements. Their reserves accounted for about 1/3 of the total in the banking system.
Deposits tended to flow in favor of non-national banks during prosperous times, and towards the greater safety of the national banks during contractions. This had some impact on the total deposit-reserve ratio due to the higher average levels of reserves held by the national banks. Thus, the deposit-reserve ratio somewhat reinforced cyclical impacts on the money stock.
High-powered money levels were determined mainly by gold flows and silver purchases. However, there was considerable play in the system that permitted responses to policy decisions. There was no legal category of fiduciary currency during this period, so only the modest fiduciary element in minor coins existed.
Prior to resumption in 1879, the Treasury accumulated gold reserves, but when this was released after successful resumption, the levels of high-powered money stock soared - reinforced by the gold inflows from a 2 year surge in agricultural exports.
The Treasury also played a monetary role. Treasury cash increased due to revenue surplus and borrowing - both of which subtracted from high-powered money in circulation. Revenue deficits and debt repayments had the opposite effect.
Treasury cash levels changed little from 1879 to 1897, but shorter term fluctuations had some impact on gold flows. The authors find it impossible to determine whether on balance these minor fluctuations in Treasury cash were stabilizing or destabilizing because the impacts on the deposit ratios are unknowable.
The minimal fluctuations of Treasury cash were clearly the result of Treasury policy. Budget surplus was the norm during this period - mainly from customs receipts that by law had to be kept in the Treasury. Treasury cash reached a peak in one year equal to 10% of high-powered money. The Treasury redeemed debt and prepaid interest, and allowed revenues from other sources to accumulate as deposits in banks to prevent the Treasury surplus from forcing a contraction of the money stock. However, the redemption of government debt reduced the amount and raised the price of government bonds available as security for the issuance of national bank notes - which declined from $350 million in 1882 to $160 million in 1891.
The Treasury used its cash for open market operations at times of financial strain - playing a central banking role - but this activity was erratic and unpredictable.
The cyclical turmoil in the banking system was proof of the nation's lack of a real central bank and adequate banking regulation. Since the banking system is a part of the monetary system, these are clearly appropriate and necessary government functions in a capitalist system.
Treasury cash declined from 1888 to 1893 due to debt redemptions in excess of surplus revenues. This was a period of substantial growth of the money stock coinciding with larger gold exports or smaller gold imports than would otherwise have occurred. When silver monetization expanded in 1890, gold exports soared as capital fled the country. The Treasury borrowed extensively from 1893 to 1896 to restore its gold reserves, but this had the effect of contracting or preventing growth of the money stock and probably contributed to the economic problems of that period.
Silver legislation was intended to force inflation of the money supply (and to keep silver mines profitable).
The authors conclude that it was the bimetallist standard - rather than either a silver or gold standard - that was the primary source of instability, since the relative values of the two metals inevitably diverged on world commodity markets.
The silver component of high-powered money grew steadily, equaling about $500 million or about 1/3 of the total in circulation by 1893. However, the authors point out, instead of causing an expansion of the money stock as intended, it retarded growth prior to 1891 and played a major role in the lack of growth thereafter. It undermined confidence in the maintenance of the gold standard, adversely impacting capital and gold inflows and outflows. Even after repeal of the silver legislation in 1893, Treasury borrowing to acquire sufficient gold to restore confidence played a major role in monetary stock stagnation until 1897.
The authors conclude that it was the bimetallist standard - rather than either a silver or gold standard - that was the primary source of instability, since the relative values of the two metals inevitably diverged on world commodity markets. They speculate that a U.S. silver standard operating alone might have sufficiently altered the precious metal markets to avoid the rapid decline in the gold price of silver during this period.
The surge in gold supplies resulted in price inflation after 1897.
Prices rose between about 40% or 50% from 1897 to 1914 - depending on the index used. This brought prices back to about the levels reached in 1882 at the peak of the post-resumption expansion. This rate of price inflation is unprecedented for the U.S. in peacetime (until the Keynesian monetary policy inflation of the three decades after 1960). Inflation in the 1850s after the California gold discoveries had been sharper but lasted for less than half the length of time.
The inflation was worldwide, of course, because of the spread of the gold standard. British prices rose about 26%. Worldwide gold stocks more than doubled. They had risen only 40% during the preceding 24 years - and that was a period of rapidly rising demand for gold as many nations joined Britain on the gold standard.
The gold stock in the U.S. more than tripled between 1897 and 1914 - to almost $1.9 billion. This equaled almost 25% of the world total - up from about 14% in 1897.
With the exception of the 1907 panic year, the money stock grew steadily throughout this period. The increase in high-powered money was concentrated in gold and national bank notes as silver components grew very little. Continued increases in the bank deposit ratios contributed to the money stock increase which averaged about 7½% per year. Price inflation absorbed about 2% per year, and about 3% was absorbed by growth in real output. Money balances relative to real income continued to rise as during the previous period, continuing a decline in monetary "velocity," albeit at a slower pace. See, G) "The Velocity of Money" of Friedman & Schwartz, "Monetary History of U.S.(1867-1960)," Part III, "The Age of Chronic Inflation (1933-1960)."
Expansion was fastest in the first five years - to June, 1902 - as the system rebounded from the stagnant 1892-1897 period. It thus repeated the pattern of the period after resumption two decades earlier. Wholesale prices rose 32% - about 2/3 of the total price rise for the entire period to 1914. Real net national product rose more than 6% per year between 1896 and 1902 - 4½% per year per capita.
This expansion brought net national product growth back to trend - just as the post-resumption surge did two decades earlier. Like the earlier surge, it was reinforced by a 2 year surge in agricultural exports in 1897 and 1898 due to a 20% reduction in the European wheat crop. The sharp 1897 Dingle Tariff increase inhibited imports - the two factors leading to a massive increase in the nation's favorable balance of trade.
As agricultural exports returned to normal, there was a stock market panic and mild recession in 1899, with the usual banking and financial failures that mildly impacted financial trends. The reduction in imports reduced customs receipts, adversely impacting the federal budget (and increasing pressure for the enactment of an income tax amendment).
There was, however, a surge in capital outflows during the period to 1902 that the authors find most puzzling. The differing rates of price increases, immigration and immigrant remittances, tourist expenditures, the Spanish-American War and the Boer War, interest rate differentials and stock market movements all played a role, but don't seem to explain the scope of the outflows. The capital outflow doesn't seem to correlate with the differential changes in prices between the U.S. and Britain. However, the statistics for this period still leave much to be desired and that may account for much of the reported scope of the outflows.
Treasury intervention became more regular in this period, with actions to relieve monetary stringency at the end of 1899 and in 1901 - first to counter panic after a stock market collapse and later after President McKinley was shot. These interventions did not prevent mild cyclical contractions in 1899 to 1900 and for almost 2 years between 1902 and 1904, but the contractions might have been much worse. The Treasury intervened twice during the 1907 panic year.
Between 1903 and 1907, the economic expansion was both vigorous and protracted - the best business expansion since 1879 to 1882. Wholesale prices rose about 10% for the period as a whole, continuing to rise faster than British prices until 1905 - a differential now once again reflected in capital flows. In the 2 years to the first quarter of 1907, $143 million in gold flowed into the U.S. There had been little net movement from 1899 to 1904. The seesaw impact of gold flows produced monetary stringency in London in 1906.
Except for a flat period around 1903, net national product rose vigorously between 1897 and 1907 - about 30% in constant prices. Coal and iron and railroad traffic showed sharp increases. Immigrants flooded in - over 1 million per year for the last three years of the period.
The money stock rose about 45% in the 5 years to June, 1907 - a little over 7% per year - while prices rose about 2% per year. The authors speculate that 5% annual growth in the money stock would have been consistent with stable prices. The velocity of money continued to slow - but much less than in previous similar periods of prosperity.
In 1905, Panama Canal and other expenditures reduced Treasury balances and halted Treasury interventions, but they were resumed in 1906. In the absence of Treasury intervention, periods of monetary stringency saw short term call money rates soar - as high as 40% in September, 1906. Routine Treasury intervention now involved withdrawing funds in the slow summer economic periods and adding them for the spring and fall business upturns. In those days before air conditioning and before the relative shrinkage of the vast agricultural component, the economy had a definite seasonal rhythm.
In England, gold was flowing out. The discount rate was increased in steps from 3½% to 6% between September 13 and October 19, 1906. In Germany, the Reichsbank took similar steps. The seesaw impact then drew gold back out of the U.S.
By March, 1907, New York stock markets were in severe decline. Union Pacific - a leading stock used widely as collateral in finance bill transactions - dropped 30% in less than 2 weeks.
The stock market collapse "followed the separate attempts of the Morgan and Harriman interests to corner Northern Pacific stock, and the discovery on May 9 that more shares had been sold than were in existence." The panic involved loan and trust company banks in New York that had expanded exuberantly to take advantage of looser supervision and lower reserve requirements than other types of commercial banks.
By May, the economy had turned down. The decline was short but sharp. Net national product declined 11% in 13 months. It became especially sharp after the October banking panic, during which - as in 1893 - banks restricted payments on deposits. This lasted through January, 1908. Commercial failures soared.
Monthly banking data became available in this period, and the panic stimulated vast improvements in reporting and regulation at all levels. The money stock showed a mild 2½% decline from the previous peak until the panic, and a rapid one totaling 5% thereafter until February, 1908. Only 1920 to 1921, 1929 to 1933, and 1937 to 1938 showed similar severe rates of monetary contraction.
The initial decline reflected in part gold exports and a 1% decline in high-powered money. The deposit- reserves bank ratio fell as banks increased their high-powered money reserves about 5% despite the decline in the total of high-powered money. At this point, however, deposits declined only slowly, so the deposit- currency ratio rose slightly.
"These changes in the deposit ratios have the appearance of a fairly passive response to a business decline, with banks strengthening their reserve positions and holders of money showing no distrust of banks."
By September, 1907, however, the public and the banks were both striving for liquidity - an impossible goal. Even though high-powered money rose 10% in 5 months due to gold imports and Treasury intervention equaling $64 million by the end of October, the money stock declined 5% - similar to the 1893 experience. The banks were unable to increase their currency holdings in the panic month of October, but thereafter increased reserves by 8%, substantially reducing both deposit ratios - enough to produce a 14% reduction in the money supply but for the 10% rise in high-powered money.
The authors tell how the stock market decline - especially in copper stocks - undermined speculators, leading to widespread distrust of the loan and trust company banks that were financing their speculation. The troubled banks withdrew reserves they had deposited with the N.Y. clearing house banks. Soon, country banks began withdrawing their reserve deposits, joined by withdrawals by individual and business depositors as the panic became general. The stock market responded by collapsing.
Unease affecting country banks continued, however, and was met with $256 million in clearing house certificates issued on the basis of high grade ordinary assets. In the 1893 panic, $69 million of these certificates had been issued.
New York banks had to restrict the convertibility of deposits into currency. Country banks soon followed their example. After announcement of the restrictions, $31 million in currency drained out of the clearing house banks, but the drain was only $8 million in the following 3 weeks. Seasonal inflows then ended the currency shortage, and after October, currency began piling up in the banking system.
J.P. Morgan stepped in to organize a $25 million intervention pool which, along with a similar pool of $10 million, ended the panic. Unease affecting country banks continued, however, and was met with $256 million in clearing house certificates issued on the basis of high grade ordinary assets. In the 1893 panic, $69 million of these certificates had been issued.
As the country banks sought to withdraw their reserves from the clearing house banks, they were given these certificates instead. It was agreed that these certificates would be accepted for clearing house use, so they circulated as currency. They were supplemented by over $250 million in small clearing house checks and certificates, cashiers checks and manufacturer pay checks. All together, these substitutes made up for about half of the estimated decline in the money stock.
Again as in 1893, there was a premium for currency over deposits - as high as 4% - since deposits were no longer as good for transaction purposes. This led to an increase in gold imports, since gold in New York was now worth more than the standard $4.86 per pound sterling. The exchange rate rose as high as $4.88¾. $100 million in gold flowed in in November and December, 1907, during the period of bank withdrawal restrictions. High-powered money increased $239 million during the final quarter of 1907.
Restrictions began to be lifted early in December and were completely lifted by the beginning of January, 1908. Confidence in the banking system wasn't fully restored until February.
Many suspended banks were able to reopen later, and only unsound banks failed. Indeed, the total number of banks was probably higher at the end of 1907 than at the beginning. The measures taken to deal with the panic given the tools available seem to have been effective.
The dispute over whether more aggressive intervention by the big N.Y. clearing house banks could have prevented the panic is reviewed by the authors. They note the vast increase in the deposit to currency ratio since 1879 - from $1 in currency for each $2 in deposits to $6 dollars in deposits in 1907. The deposit- reserve ratio had doubled.
The Treasury interventions may have had the perverse effect of inducing banks to reduce their reserve requirements in reliance on Treasury assistance when needed. Their increased vulnerability to runs undoubtedly increased the urgency of their efforts to increase their reserves as the contraction unfolded. This added to the panic.
In the event, bank failure rates spiked upwards, but stayed well below 1% of the total of commercial banks. The loss to depositors spiked upwards even more, however. Many suspended banks were able to reopen later, and only unsound banks failed. Indeed, the total number of banks was probably higher at the end of 1907 than at the beginning. The measures taken to deal with the panic given the tools available seem to have been effective.
The 1908 Aldrich-Vreeland Act was a temporary effort to avoid such panics while more thoroughgoing reforms were studied. It relied on bank issuance of emergency currency based on usual bank assets with penalty provisions designed to force retirement of the emergency currency after the emergency.
"The prompt satisfaction of the public's demand for additional currency cut the [panic] process short at the outset."
This mechanism was employed just once - at the start of WW-I - and successfully met the bank runs at that time. $400 million in clearing house loan certificates were issued, with $364 million the most in circulation at any one time - equal to almost a quarter of circulating currency and 1/8 of high-powered money. There was no panic and no need to restrict payments on deposits.
The period 1908 to 1914 was characterized by generally sluggish growth with just two brief periods of buoyant expansion. Money stock, money income and prices rebounded sharply from 1907 to 1910, with prices rising faster in the U.S. than in Britain. The differential in price levels sent gold back to Britain, slowing the growth of high-powered money. The sharp rebound in the bank deposit ratios supported growth of the money stock. However, when that came to an end, money stock growth slowed and the general business upsurge came to an end.
Prices declined fairly sharply in 1910 and 1911, bringing them generally back into line with those of Britain - once again providing a good example of the international gold standard at work - both its strengths and its limitations.
The gold standard brings buoyant prices back into line by an outflow of gold that slows the growth of the money supply or contracts the money supply, thus slowing the growth or contracting economic activity - a limitation due to the rigidity of the system. However, the discipline of the system forces prudent policies upon economic policy makers and monetary authorities and, as soon as those policies are forthcoming, the maintenance of the gold standard helps in the rapid restoration of public confidence and normal business conditions - the strength of the system. The paper money and bank deposit money is, after all, "as good as gold" - far more convenient - and deposit money may even earn an interest return.
If prudence isn't - or cannot be - restored - typically during time of serious conflict or determined pursuit of inflationary and, lately, Keynesian policies - then the gold standard must fail. Flexible exchange rates become preferable so that the inevitable adverse adjustments can come smoothly rather than through a series of catastrophic devaluations. The inflation of fiat money may make devaluation necessary - but devaluation by itself is NEVER a remedy for such inflation. See, "Understanding Inflation."
Yet, political leaders obviously love inflation. As the authors point out, it is an implicit tax on the money stock - the easiest tax to impose and collect. The benefits are short term and the costs are long term. It forces people to provide valuable goods and services to the government in return for pieces of paper or digital entries in accounts. It also provides some relief from excessive borrowing and the smothering rigidities of excessive regulation. These are the real reasons why politicians love as much inflation as they can get away with - and why economists who seek positions in government service strive to find excuses for the practice.
The rapidity with which the public regains confidence in the banking system when effective actions are taken to deal with panics is demonstrated by the speed with which the deposit-currency ratio recovers back to trend.
Money stock and deposit ratios continued to increase, but at rates considerably slower than those from 1897 to 1907. The deposit- reserves ratio, however, didn't get back to its 1906 high during this period as banks reacted to the 1907 panic by maintaining more prudent levels of reserves.
The ratio of deposits to the public's currency holdings went right back up to trend and kept rising thereafter. This persistently rising trend demonstrates the public's growing faith - other than in panic periods - in the banking system. The rapidity with which the public regains confidence in the banking system when effective actions are taken to deal with panics is demonstrated by the speed with which the deposit-currency ratio recovers back to trend. This characteristic of the two bank deposit ratios can also be seen after other money crises - in 1884, 1890 to 1893, and 1933.
Gold coins and gold certificates accounted for 87% of the increase in high-powered money. Gold and national bank notes accounted for most of the growth in currency held by the public. The Gold Standard Act of 1900 encouraged monetary growth by liberalizing the requirements for issuing national bank notes and reducing to $25,000 the minimum capital for a national bank. The Comptroller of the Currency was now required to accept eligible securities at par rather than at 90% when issuing national bank notes to the banks.
The authors emphasize the impact of the increase in the bank deposit ratios on the growth of the money stock. Without those increases, the U.S. would have had to drain the world of over 60% of the worldwide increase in gold stocks to achieve equivalent monetary expansion. The banking system was indeed a vital part of the nation's monetary system.
The Treasury continued its seasonal interventions, and increasingly relied for that purpose on expansion or contraction of the deposits that it kept at commercial banks, which overall it built up substantially.
The authors compare two periods of relatively steady growth - each a decade long. One, from 1882 to 1892, occurred when prices were declining 2% per year, the other, from 1903 to 1913, occurred when prices were rising 2% per year. The periods show roughly similar growth in real output, and both begin just after a vigorous rebound from a monetary stringency episode.
"If these figures can be trusted, the rate of price change over several cycles had little or no connection with the associated rate of growth of output. May it be that the rate of change in prices has a stronger effect on what contemporaries regard as the rate of growth to be rather than on what the actual rate of growth is?"
The authors also speculate on long-swing theories of the business cycle.
The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 came into operation at the beginning of WW-I - a world it was not designed to deal with. Suddenly, major nations abandoned or loosened their ties to the gold standard as they sought flexibility to respond to the financial disruptions of wartime conditions.
The new Federal Reserve System (the "System") consisted of Federal Reserve Banks and a Federal Reserve Board (the "Board"), with policy making authority nebulously shared between the Board and the Federal Reserve Banks (the "Banks") - especially the influential N.Y. Federal Reserve Bank (the "N.Y. Fed."). The System was designed to assure sufficient "elasticity of currency" to avoid 1907 style panics. It was also (at last) intended to assure adequate supervision of its member banks, and to be able to rediscount eligible commercial paper to facilitate commerce. The System had an immediate impact on the money supply.
"Hitherto, high-powered money had consisted of gold, national bank notes, subsidiary silver and minor coin, and an assemblage of assorted relics of earlier monetary episodes -- greenbacks, silver dollars, silver certificates, and Treasury notes of 1890. Henceforth, Federal Reserve notes were available for use as hand-to-hand currency or as vault cash for banks; and deposits to the credit of banks on the books of Federal Reserve Banks were available to satisfy legal reserve requirements and were equivalent, from the point of view of the commercial banking system as a whole, to Federal Reserve notes or other currency as a means of meeting demands of depositors for cash."
"The Federal Reserve System therefore began operations with no effective legislative criterion for determining the total stock of money. The discretionary judgment of a group of men was inevitably substituted for the quasi-automatic discipline of the gold standard."
The Federal Reserve Act imposed a double requirement for issuance of Federal Reserve notes. There was a gold requirement and an eligible paper requirement. The latter involved the rediscount of "eligible" high grade commercial paper, the discounting of foreign trade acceptances, and open market purchases of government securities, bills of exchange and bankers acceptances. In 1917, member bank 15-day notes secured by paper eligible for discount or by government securities became eligible for the issuance of Federal Reserve notes. By 1920, 69% of high-powered money was Federal Reserve notes and member bank deposits in Federal Reserve Banks.
The amount of Federal Reserve money was supposed to be limited by a gold standard and by commercial rediscounting needs. The latter permitted flexible expansion of Federal Reserve money during times of monetary stringency. It permitted member banks to quickly increase their holdings of Federal Reserve money by rediscounting their eligible commercial paper - "notes, drafts, and bills of exchange arising out of actual commercial transactions" - with a Federal Reserve Bank. This was designed to increase liquidity during crisis periods to meet demands for cash withdrawals by depositors.
The authors note the result of this legislation.
"The Federal Reserve System therefore began operations with no effective legislative criterion for determining the total stock of money. The discretionary judgment of a group of men was inevitably substituted for the quasi-automatic discipline of the gold standard. Those men were not even guided by a legislative mandate of intent -- unless the purpose of the act described as 'to furnish an elastic currency, to afford means of rediscounting commercial paper' or the instruction to set discount rates 'with a view of accommodating commerce and business' can be so considered -- and were hardly aware of the enlarged powers and widened responsibilities the change in circumstances had thrust upon them. Little wonder, perhaps, that the subsequent years saw so much backing and filling, so much confusion about purpose and power, and so erratic an exercise of power."
The Federal Reserve Act imposed a 40% gold reserve requirement for issuance of Federal Reserve notes, but only a 35% gold reserve requirement for Federal Reserve Bank deposits.
Federal Reserve officials as yet did not understand the full impact on the money supply of many of their activities. The authors mention the increase in their holdings of bankers acceptances in the second half of 1928 while they were trying to restrict rediscounts - the former expanding the money stock while the latter contracted it. The authors also point out that member bank deposits in Federal Reserve Banks act like high-powered money just like Federal Reserve notes - yet had lower reserve requirements.
After 1917, member bank reserves were required to be kept as deposits at Federal Reserve Banks. Of course, banks still had to keep a certain amount of vault cash for transactions purposes - and this served to increase the actual amounts of total reserves. In 1959 and 1960, vault cash was increasingly accepted as official reserves until it was entirely accepted at the end of 1960.
This requirement for officially recognized reserves had the initial effect of enabling the Federal Reserve to meet the Federal Reserve Act's 40% gold reserve requirement for issuance of Federal Reserve notes. Federal Reserve Bank deposits had a lesser 35% gold reserve requirement. The requirement for eligible paper collateral for Federal Reserve notes was reduced in 1917 from 100% to 60%.
This centralization of legally required reserves had the effect of substantially lowering total reserve requirements. The deposit-reserves ratio rose significantly after 1918, as did the stock of money consistent with any given amount of high-powered money. The two deposit ratios indicate the extent that the banking system is expanding the total money stock on a given basis of high-powered money.
Reserve requirements were viewed at first as primarily a device for enhancing the convertibility of bank deposits into currency. Only much later was it understood as a tool for controlling the stock of money. Not until the 1920s was it recognized that the powers of the System could be used to undermine the disciplines of the gold standard by monetary manipulation to offset gold flows.
Both national and non-national banks could be member banks in the System and could thus be subject to Federal Reserve regulation. National banks were subject also to regulation by the Comptroller of the Currency, while non-national banks were subject also to regulation by state banking authorities.
Gold flooded into the U.S. as the Allies purchased their wartime needs. Both during the period of U.S. neutrality and during its period as a belligerent there were extraordinary levels of monetary and price inflation.
The money stock roughly doubled from September, 1915 to June, 1920. Prices almost doubled between the last quarter of 1915 and May, 1920. Real net national product rose sharply to 1919 - with a pause from 1916 to 1917 - before declining in 1919 and 1920. This wartime inflation is similar to experience in the Civil War and WW-II.
Differences between peacetime and wartime financial flows - under the gold standard and when that standard is no longer maintained - are explained by the authors. Capital flows in favor of the U.S. - both gold and sale back to the U.S. of U.S. securities - amounted to about $5.3 billion. After the U.S. became a belligerent, it extended credits to its allies. The U.S. went from being a net debtor - short and long term - of $3.7 billion, to being a net creditor in the same amount by the end of 1919.
However, the dollar exchange rates of the British pound and the French franc - after suffering an initial sharp fall at the beginning of the war - recovered almost all their losses by the time of the Armistice in November, 1918. After all, the U.S., too, was suffering monetary and price inflation.
During the almost three years as a neutral, the U.S. money stock rose 46%. Growth in high-powered money accounted for 90% of money stock growth, and gold accounted for 87% of the growth in high-powered money. "This was straightforward gold inflation," the authors note.
From the entry of the U.S. into the war until May, 1920 - during the period of its participation as a "belligerent" - the money stock rose another 49% - but the monetary gold stock was almost flat. Instead, there was a substantial rise in Federal Reserve Bank claims on the public and on the member banks against which Federal Reserve notes were issued. These claims included bills discounted, bills bought and other Federal Reserve credit other than government securities.
High-powered money was expanding primarily on the basis of Federal Reserve credit - primarily the discounting of bills secured by rapidly expanding supplies of government war obligations. At this time, the authors note, the Federal Reserve System was in "an asymmetrical position."
"It had the power to create high-powered money and to put it in the hands of the public or the banks by rediscounting paper or by purchasing bonds or other financial assets. It could therefore exert an expansionary influence on the money stock. At the same time, it had no effective power to contract the money stock. Under the circumstances, the most it could have done was to avoid creating any additional high-powered money. But even this required that the Federal Reserve Banks simply accumulate in their vaults the gold and other lawful money transferred to them as reserves by member banks, acquire no earning assets, and finance their expenditures solely by assessments on member banks. They were understandably reluctant to follow fully so ascetic a policy. They wanted to acquire portfolios to become independent of assessments on member banks."
At the time, the System still had not accumulated any substantial portfolio of government securities. It thus could not have withdrawn money from the system by open market sales of government securities even if it knew that that was possible - which it apparently as yet did not know.
Even though discount rates were lowered from around 6% at the end of 1914 to between 3% and 4% in September, 1916, the Fed could not attract much eligible paper - accounting for only 21% of the increase in high-powered money during the period of neutrality. By the end of that period, high-powered money consisted of 41% gold and gold certificates - up from 37% at the beginning of the period. High-powered money consisted also of 7% Federal Reserve notes and 14% Federal Reserve deposits, and 37% Treasury currency.
A variety of wartime transactions require increased flows of currency - some having to do with tax avoidance. However, currency is actually the cheapest form of government debt, so the reduction in the bank deposit- currency ratio served to help finance the war.
During the belligerency period - which for purposes of this monetary history lasted from March, 1917, until 2 years after the November, 1918, Armistice - the Treasury advanced $9.5 billion to its allies. Federal government deficits totaled $23 billion - nearly 75% of total expenditures. This was financed by borrowing and issuance of new money - both Federal Reserve notes and Federal Reserve deposits - which rose respectively to 38% and 21% of high-powered money by the time of the Armistice. Gold declined during this time of belligerency to 14% of high-powered money.
Both high-powered money and the total money stock continued rapid growth during the period of belligerency until 1920, albeit at a lower percentage rate than during the period of neutrality. The authors note that the rate of inflation was actually greatest towards the end of the period of belligerency - after the Armistice - from May 1919 to May 1920 - something that occurred after WW-II, also. This was after the end of deficit spending, but not after the end of monetary expansion.
Rising taxes and interest rates, bond drives and price control measures all played some role in price inflation fluctuations during the war, overall serving as restraints. (Price controls never constrain inflation, they just hide it and actually worsen the loss of purchasing power and the ultimate rate of inflation. See, Understanding Inflation.) A great increase in the currency in circulation relative to bank deposits - resulting in a sharp decline in the deposit- currency ratio - also served as a restraining factor on money and price inflation.
A variety of wartime transactions require increased flows of currency - some having to do with tax avoidance. However, currency is actually the cheapest form of government debt, so the reduction in the bank deposit-currency ratio served to help finance the war. A similar increase in currency in circulation occurred in WW-II.
From March 1917 through May 1919 - the federal government spent $32 billion and added $2 billion to Treasury cash balances. 25% was covered by explicit taxes plus non-tax receipts, 70% was borrowed, and 5% was financed by money creation - constituting "an implicit tax on money balances levied through the rise in prices." The total money stock increased $6.4 billion - 25% of it from an increase in high-powered money and 75% of it created by the banking system.
This increase in the money stock primarily matched an increase in government securities held by the banks and their customers - and so helped to finance the war.
The deposit to the public's currency holdings ratio reversed its course soon after the Armistice, rising sharply as the public no longer had need for so much currency.
Commodity speculation and accumulation of inventories marked the subsequent boom and would play a significant role in the 1920 to 1921 depression.
With the lifting of the WW-I embargo on gold payments in June, 1919, $300 million in gold quickly flowed out. Nevertheless, Federal Reserve credit outstanding soared. Discount rates of 3½% to 4% were considerably below market rates, permitting banks to profit handsomely from rediscounting their commercial paper at the Fed.
"Throughout the period, member banks could be regarded as operating entirely on borrowed reserves: from September 1918 through July 1921, the outstanding volume of bills discounted by Federal Reserve Banks exceeded member bank reserve balances."
The Federal Reserve Board was at a loss as to what to do. The Board hesitated as the money stock expanded vigorously and inflation roared on. An increase in the discount rate would have posed difficulties for Treasury funding operations. Rising interest costs always discomfort various powerful financial interests that lobbied hard against it. Moral suasion - "jawboning" in later terminology - was tried and - as always - failed miserably.
The Treasury was adamantly against rate increases that might increase the difficulty and expense of its funding efforts. Some feared the public might panic if rising interest rates hit 4¾% and depressed the price of their Liberty Bonds to 90. There were legal doubts over the Federal Reserve Board's independence from the Treasury.
With gold flowing out rapidly and Federal Reserve credit expanding exuberantly, the reserve position in the System plunged precipitously - perilously close to the 40% minimum. Reserves hit 42.7% in January, 1920, and 40.6% in March. Reserves in excess of requirements plunged from $569 million in June, 1919 to $234 million in January, 1920 and to $131 million in March, 1920. A discount rate increase to 4½% was advocated. The British discount rate was already 5½%.
The Treasury decided it had no further funding needs in December, 1919. It was flush with cash and it withdrew its opposition. Discount rates were quickly raised to 4¼% and to 4¾%. Then, as reserves plunged, a second increase all the way up to 6% came in the first two months of 1920 - "the sharpest single rise in the entire history of the System, before or since." Fear of being forced off the gold standard - of having to suspend gold payments - was a strong factor in the close vote to raise the discount rate by a whopping 1¼%. Now with access to the personal papers of some of the Board members, the authors recount the feverish deliberations.
A further discount rate hike to 7% came in June, 1920 - the highest rate imposed by the System before 1960. This actually coincided with the peak in wholesale prices - but collapse soon followed. Despite the collapse of prices and business, it wasn't until May, 1921, that the N.Y. Federal Reserve Bank lowered its rate to 6½%. Four more reductions brought the discount rate down to 4½% in November. By then, gold reserves to notes liabilities and to deposits had begun to climb up from the minimum requirement levels.
"The discount policy was apparently dominated by concerns over the Reserve System's own reserve position." There was also strong sentiment within the Board that money should remain tight until wages as well as prices were forced to give up much of their gains from the WW-I inflation. The authors note that the Board had the authority to suspend the reserve requirements in 30 day increments if necessary.
Although declining prices and contracting economic conditions brought gold flowing in as trade and payments balances reacted positively, a 1/6 reduction in lending by member banks and the corresponding sharp decrease in member bank borrowing from the Federal Reserve System resulted in an 11% drop in high-powered money from September, 1920 to the cyclical trough in July, 1921. The total fall was 17%.
Member banks had already borrowed more than their reserve balances. They at first reacted slowly to the contraction - but then sharply restricted further lending. Money was shifted from demand deposits - a major constituent of bank money - to time deposits. Money stock growth slowed - and then plunged 9% - one of the largest declines since the Civil War.
While bank failures rose significantly, there was no widespread runs on the banks. The post-war recovery of the ratio of deposits to currency-in-the-public's-hands slowed but the deposit-currency ratio recovery continued - helping to keep the decline in the total money stock to just 8%.
By June, 1921, wholesale prices had dropped to 56% of their May, 1920 level - 75% of the decline occurring in the 6 months after August, 1920. Net national product in current prices dropped 18%. The depression was short but sharp.
When the boom turned to bust, the Board received extensive criticism first for its tardy action - permitting the boom to get out of hand - and then for precipitating the sharp bust of 1920 to 1921. The authors agree with this criticism. The economy may already have begun contracting even before the rate hike took effect. Gold was already flowing into the U.S. - and the high discount rate accelerated the flow, causing worldwide economic distress. The Fed Governor was not reappointed in 1922 - introducing "an element of political instability" which inevitably impacted the operations of the Board.
Mild at first, the depression in the U.S. ultimately involved an unprecedented collapse in wholesale prices and a sharp drop in retail prices. Indeed, price levels would not recover to their 1919 highs until after WW-II. The rest of the 1920s - a period of prosperity - would be a period of slowly declining prices.
The U.S. was a substantial cause of the post WW-I disturbances - no longer a victim of external events. The authors concluded that some difficulties might have been unavoidable due to the dislocations of the Great War, but instead of acting as a stabilizing force, the new Federal Reserve Board clearly made matters worse.
The depression was worldwide. This was typical after a major war. The economic adjustments to peacetime production and absorption of wartime debts typically cause inflationary spurts followed by substantial reactions. After WW-II, however, the U.S. was in a massively strong financial position and suffered only a mild recession during the shift to peacetime production. But it did not avoid the inflationary surge.
The U.S. was suddenly a financial heavyweight after WW-I - with absolutely no experience in that role. The evidence from the gold and capital flows indicates that the U.S. was a substantial cause of the post WW-I disturbances - no longer a victim of external events. The authors concluded that some difficulties might have been unavoidable due to the dislocations of the Great War, but instead of acting as a stabilizing force, the new Federal Reserve Board clearly made matters worse.
"The contemporaneous gold reserve ratio was a simple easy guide; [the System goal of] economic stability, a complex, subtle will-o'-the-wisp."
The System was a destabilizing factor from its beginning, the authors conclude. Federal Reserve money and looser reserve requirements materially increased money stock growth and price inflation throughout the war - monetary expansion and price inflation would have ended sooner after the war but for System monetary expansion - and the 1920 to 1921 depression would certainly have been more mild but for Fed policy errors. Lack of experience was evident throughout this period.
"There was no strictly comparable American experience on which to base policy or judge the effect of actions designed to stimulate or retard monetary expansion. In particular, there was no evidence on the length of lag between action and effect. There was a natural, if regrettable, tendency to wait too long before stepping on the brake, as it were, then to step on the brake too hard, then, when that did not bring monetary expansion to a halt very shortly, to step on the brake again. The contemporaneous gold reserve ratio was a simple easy guide; [the System goal of] economic stability, a complex, subtle will-o'-the-wisp."
See, "Friedman & Schwartz, Monetary History of U.S.," Part II, "Roaring Twenties Boom - Great Depression Bust (1921-1933)," and Friedman & Schwartz, Monetary History of U.S.," Part III, "The Age of Chronic Inflation (1933-1960)." | 2019-04-25T12:40:47Z | http://www.futurecasts.com/Friedman,%20Monetary%20%20History%20of%20U.S.%20%28I%29.htm |
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Case type: Application for review of Magistrate’s decision not to make a final family violence restraining order and application for stay of proceedings.
Facts: The applicant made an application for a family violence restraining order pursuant to s 24A of the Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA) (‘Restraining Orders Act’) against her former partner (). The Court made an interim family violence restraining order (). The respondent objected to the interim order (). The next hearing was listed as a 'Restraining Order Final Order Directions Hearing'. The respondent did not attend at that hearing. The Magistrate did not make a final order, and adjourned the hearing (-).
The applicant applied for a review order under s 36 of the Magistrates Court Act 2004 (WA) (), to review the Magistrate’s decision not to make a final restraining order. The applicant also applied for a stay of the substantive hearing.
Issues: Whether the applications should be granted.
Decision and Reasoning: Tottle J granted the review order and the stay of proceedings.
Tottle J set out the principles governing judicial review under s 36of the Magistrates Court Act 2004 (WA) at -. His Honour set out the principles governing when a final order must be made under s 42 of the Restraining Orders Act at -. Tottle J held that it was irrelevant that the hearing was described as a 'Restraining Order Final Order Directions Hearing' even though no hearing of that nature is contemplated or provided for by the Restraining Orders Act (discussing Kickett v Starr WADC 52) (-). Tottle J was satisfied that the Magistrate made a jurisdictional error by not exercising the jurisdiction conferred on him by the Restraining Orders Act ().
Tottle J set out the principles governing when a stay ought to be granted at . Tottle J granted a stay of the proceedings on the grounds that the applicant’s medical conditions and stress would be exacerbated by having to face the respondent in a contested hearing (-). Tottle J noted that s 10B of the Restraining Orders Act requires courts to have regard to the possibility of re-traumatisation during the proceedings ().
Charges: Obstructing a police officer x 1.
Other information: [the appellant] has grabbed [the complainant] by the throat in Dec 2014 and has tried to strangle one of the two dogs in the past’ ().
Decision and Reasoning: Justice Tottle concluded that the officer’s ‘suspicion of a breach of the order by the appellant was reasonable. The narrative section of the incident report read in the context of the DVIR section of the report (that is the allegation of breach assessed against what had allegedly taken place in the past) provide a basis for a suspicion that the appellant had breached the order’ ().
Charges: Breach of violence restraining order (VRO) x 20.
Facts: The appellant and the victim were married for 14 years but were separated at the time of the offences (). A VRO was granted with the victim as the protected person (). The appellant was prohibited from contacting the respondent except to arrange for contact with his son (). The appellant breached the VRO over a period of 7 months by making a significant number of phone calls to the victim and sending text messages and letters beyond the bounds of the VRO (-). In some instances, the messages included threats to kill the victim and himself. The Magistrate imposed an aggregate sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment.
there was an error in recording the appellant's aggregate sentence as 18 months' imprisonment rather than 15 months' imprisonment ().
Error made out. Jenkins J held that the Magistrate failed to correctly apply s 9AA(5) of the Sentencing Act 1995 (WA) by failing to state the extent of reduction given to the pleas of guilty for each head sentence (-).
Not possible to decide because part of the proceedings in the Magistrates Court had not been recorded. Jenkins J did not take this fact into account in deciding the appeal (-).
Dismissed. It was clear that the Magistrate meant to impose an aggregate sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment (-).
While Jenkins J accepted that ground 2 was made out, the appeal was dismissed because the error did not result in a substantial miscarriage of justice ().
The long title of the Restraining Orders Act reflects Parliament's intention for the Act to provide for orders to 'restrain people from committing acts of family or domestic or personal violence by imposing restraints on their behaviour and activity'. In order for the Act to be effective, offenders must appreciate that if they breach a VRO they will receive a significant penalty. The community and the courts have [an] intolerance and abhorrence of violence and threatened violence in domestic and former domestic relationships. The penalties imposed for breaches of VROs must reflect that intolerance and abhorrence, in the hope that the penalties deter offenders and protect victims.
Charges: Breach of violence restraining order (‘VRO’) x 1.
Facts: There was a final VRO in place protecting the applicant’s partner. The applicant’s partner applied for a variation of that order. The applicant was not served with notice of the application to vary the VRO (). The Magistrate granted the application to vary the VRO even though the appellant was not present (). The appellant pleaded guilty to breaching the VRO ().
Issues: Whether the appellant’s conviction upon his own plea was a miscarriage of justice.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was allowed (). The variation to the restraining order was a nullity (, ). It was an essential condition of the jurisdiction to hear the application to vary the VRO under s 48(2) of the Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA) that the Court be satisfied that the appellant was served with the summons (). Since the Court was not so satisfied, the VRO had no legal force. It was a miscarriage of justice for the appellant to be convicted of breaching the order ().
Case type: Application for leave to appeal against Magistrate’s decision not to grant final violence restraining order (FVO).
Facts: The appellant, BV, and the respondent, TP, were married but separated. BV obtained an interim FVO against TP in the Children’s Court. The FVO was to protect BV and TP’s three daughters, M, N and O (-). At the final order hearing, after BV had given her evidence in chief, the Magistrate interrogated TP’s counsel about the likely content of further evidence proposed to be given by the children. The Magistrate expressed a strong disinclination against exposing the children to cross-examination by the respondent’s counsel. The Magistrate summarily dismissed BV’s application for a final order VRO on the basis that even if their evidence was accepted, it would not be enough to justify an FVO being granted (-, ).
Issues: Whether the Magistrate erred in law by summarily dismissing the proceedings.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was dismissed. Kenneth Martin J held that the Magistrate was correct in expressing concern for the children’s welfare if they were cross-examined (). His Honour held that the Magistrate had the power to summarily dismiss the final order VRO application (-) and that the Magistrate’s discretionary exercise of power to dismiss the proceedings was justifiable (-).
His Honour discussed the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction in the circumstances that the interim order was made in the Children’s Court at , - and -. His Honour discussed the principles applicable to children giving evidence in VRO proceedings at -.
Charge/s: Breach of violence restraining order.
Facts: The appellant pleaded guilty to breaching a violence restraining order in favour of his wife and was fined $500 with costs. The breach arose out of the appellant’s attendance at his wife’s home to retrieve some of his property. He claimed he had misunderstood the terms of the violence restraining order and that if he had known that the order did not permit him to attend the house, he would have attended the police station and asked officers to accompany him while he retrieved the property. The appellant had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had tendered medical records to the Magistrate.
Issue/s: Whether there was a miscarriage of justice because when the appellant pleaded guilty he was unaware he had an arguable defence of unsoundness of mind.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was upheld and a retrial was ordered. The appellant’s affidavit on appeal stated that he was suffering a relapse of his bipolar disorder when he pleaded guilty to the charge. A psychiatrist’s affidavit indicated that it was more likely than not that the appellant was, ‘in such a state of mental impairment so as to deprive him of the capacity to know that he ought not to assault someone or return to his house’ (see at ). However, at the time he pleaded guilty, he was not aware that his mental state was not normal. As such, the evidence indicates that he may have had an arguable insanity defence at the time of the guilty plea. Furthermore, when the appellant consulted with a solicitor, there was no discussion in relation to a possible insanity defence, even though the solicitor knew of the appellant’s history of mental illness. There was no available evidence at the time that the lawyer should have considered the availability of a mental impairment defence. Nevertheless, Beech J held that, ‘through no fault of his own, Mr Bacchelli had no practical opportunity to raise the possible defence of insanity, or the facts relevant to it, with his lawyer’ (see at ). The appellant had an arguable defence but had no way of knowing of that defence, such that his plea was fundamentally not an informed one. Beech J noted that this does not mean a plea will always be set aside in these circumstances but in this case, the nature of the appellant’s ignorance of the defence resulted in a miscarriage of justice.
Facts: The appellant pleaded guilty to two breaches of a violence restraining order. He breached the order by living with the protected person and by being within a hundred metres of the protected person (in the same house as her). At the same time, the appellant was also dealt with for an earlier breach alleging that he was within a hundred metres of the protected person (attending and remaining at the protected person’s address). This was a ‘third strike’ case in which the magistrate was required to impose a penalty that is or includes imprisonment. The magistrate imposed a term of imprisonment for six months for each offence. A sentence of six months or less may not be imposed (Sentencing Act 1999 (WA) s86). The day before the hearing of this appeal, the Magistrates Court recalled the sentence and imposed a sentence of 6 months and 1 day.
Issue/s: One of the issues was that the sentence contravened the Sentencing Act.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was allowed. If it was not for the error in imposing a sentence of six months, the decision of the magistrate to impose a sentence that included imprisonment would have been within the sound exercise of sentencing discretion. The appellant had breached a VRO repeatedly (See Pillage v Coyne WASCA 135 at -). The correction of the sentence to 6 months and 1 day was not made in compliance with s 37(2) of the Sentencing Act as the magistrate did not give the appellant the opportunity to be heard. The appellant fell to be resentenced.
Charge/s: Breach of restraining order.
Facts: The applicant was subject to a violence restraining order (VRO) in favour of his former partner which prevented him from approaching her and from being within a nominated distance of her premises. He attended her premises in breach of the order. He claimed that he and the protected person were ‘back in a relationship’. His had a history of breaching restraining orders in place against the same protected person. He was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment.
Whether it was reasonably open for the Magistrate to conclude that a sentence of immediate imprisonment was the only appropriate sentencing option.
In this case, there had been no threatening or intimidatory behaviour. While an adverse inference could be drawn from the apparent fact that the applicant was hiding when police arrived, the applicant’s actions cannot be seen as a ‘calculated and flagrant’ contempt of the VRO – ‘Ignorance about the strict workings of a VRO, in the face of periods of separation and reconciliation and then heavy alcohol consumption at the end of a long-term relationship, are a more viable explanation for his misconduct, in my view’ (see at ).
His Honour expressly stated that he was not meaning to convey that for some VRO breaches which include a ‘flagrant disregard’ for court orders, ‘a term of immediate imprisonment will not present as the only appropriate sentencing option’ (see at ). However, in this case the circumstances (including that the penalties imposed upon him for his prior breaches were only fines and the benign nature of the breach) meant that an escalation in punishment from these pecuniary penalties up to a term of 8 months’ imprisonment, was not within the discretion open to the Magistrate. (Note: this position would be altered if s 61A of the Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA) applied, which provides for a requirement of imprisonment after 2 discrete offences within a 2-year period).
2. This argument was also upheld.
Charge/s: Breach of police order.
Facts: The appellant was at a caravan park with his wife and two-year-old child. The appellant and his wife were drinking heavily when a disagreement occurred and police attended. Police issued a 72-hour order under the Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA) which prevented the appellant from communicating with his wife or approaching within 100 metres of her. The next day, police attended to check on the appellant’s wife and discovered the appellant hiding in the house. The appellant had a minor but relevant criminal history involving two breaches of prior police orders made in favour of his wife. He pleaded guilty, was granted bail and was placed on a ‘domestic violence behaviour change programme’ under the supervision of a Family Violence Court. He completed the majority of the program but was unable to complete it because he was remanded in custody after attending his wife’s home in breach of bail. A progress report about his participation in the program was provided to the Magistrate, which stated that he generally ‘reported as directed and engaged well’ but that he ‘had made no identifiable treatment gains during the programme and was not considered suitable for a further community based disposition’ (see at ). He was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment.
Whether the Magistrate erred in sentencing the appellant to a term of imprisonment.
Whether the Magistrate erred in failing to suspend the term.
Whether the Magistrate erred in failing to backdate the sentence of imprisonment.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was upheld in respect of ground 3 – the Magistrate erred by not backdating the sentence to give credit for time already spent in custody.
The Court held that it was within the Magistrate’s discretion to refuse to suspend the sentence.
Given error was demonstrated by the failure to backdate the sentence, it was appropriate to resentence the appellant. In that regard, Justice Hall took into account some further steps that the appellant had taken towards rehabilitation, including drug and alcohol programs. Given these circumstances and the time already spent in custody, the prison sentence was set aside and the appellant was fined $1500.
Charge/s: Trespass, Breach of bail (numerous counts).
Facts: The appellant’s marriage with his wife (the complainant) ended. The complainant had purchased a new house and the appellant climbed the fence and walked around the property for some time. He had some property including vehicles at the house. The appellant then forced entry and was restrained by the complainant’s male friend who was at the home before police arrived. After being released on bail with conditions that he not contact or attempt to contact the complainant, he breached this bail by attempting to contact her via email 153 times. He also made 126 phone calls or text messages. These communications occurred while the appellant was living in New Zealand. The appellant and the complainant had shared business interests. The appellant also had an interest in the complainant’s home because part of the deposit for the home had been paid from a bank account in which the appellant had an interest. The prosecution accepted that many of the communications related to these business matters. A total effective sentence of 16 months’ imprisonment was imposed.
Issue/s: Whether the total effective sentence did not bear a proper relationship to the overall criminality.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was upheld. The appellant submitted that the sentence should have been suspended.
Furthermore, the evidence indicated that the conduct was out of character. The appellant had previous good character, a solid employment history, surrendered himself to police and fully cooperated. This indicated an acceptance of responsibility and remorse. He was at minimal risk of re-offending so specific deterrence was not significant. While general deterrence is important in sentencing breaches of bail and ‘Compliance is likely to be undermined if breaches are dealt with by derisory penalties’ (see at ), this did not mean that the term of imprisonment could not be suspended in this case. As such, the total effective sentence was suspended for 12 months.
Charge/s: Aggravated common assault, breach of a protective bail condition.
Facts: The appellant, a male Aboriginal man, was in a domestic and family relationship with the female victim. The appellant and the victim had been drinking alcohol with three friends. Their two children were also present. The appellant took exception to a comment made by the victim about his behaviour towards one of her female friends. He grabbed the victim by the T-shirt, causing scratches to the side of her neck. They continued shouting at each other. The appellant punched the victim in the face, causing bruising and swelling to her left eye. The victim moved away but was followed by the appellant and he delivered a further blow to the side of her head. The appellant stopped hitting the victim after their two children told him to stop. The appellant was arrested and entered into a bail undertaking with protective conditions. He breached those bail conditions by attending and remaining at the home of him and the victim. The appellant was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for the aggravated assault and 2 months’ imprisonment for the breach of protective bail condition, served cumulatively.
Issue/s: One of the grounds of appeal was that the sentences imposed for the aggravated assault and breach of protective bail conditions were manifestly excessive.
‘The fact that the aggravated assault occurred in a domestic setting is a significant aggravating factor of the offence. An offence of this nature generally involves an abuse of the trust which one partner places in another, often where the victim is in a vulnerable position by reason of greater physical strength of the offender. The vulnerability of the victim is generally increased by the difficulty which she (it is usually a she) may have in extricating herself from the situation. As McLure P has noted, the readiness of many victims to return to, or remain in, a relationship with the perpetrator is a hallmark of domestic violence. Recognising that common feature, it remains important for a court sentencing an offender for that kind of offence to take account of the need to protect persons in that vulnerable position, so far as the courts can do so by the imposition of a sentence, bearing a proper relationship to the overall criminality of the offence, which has a deterrent effect and, in an appropriate case, removes the offender to a place where there is no opportunity to violently attack their partner’ (See ).
‘The facts of this case illustrate a tragic cycle of violence with which the courts are depressingly familiar. A person exposed to domestic violence in his early life goes on as an adult to perpetrate the violence to which he was exposed as a child, damaging members of his community in the same way he was damaged as a child. For that reason, the fact that the appellant's offence was committed in the presence of children was a significant aggravating factor’ (See ).
However, following an examination of cases, Mitchell J held that cases where a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment had been imposed involved a significantly greater level of violence than committed by the appellant here. The sentence was manifestly excessive (See , -36]). The appellant was resentenced to an intensive supervision order.
Proceeding: Application to adduce certain expert evidence.
Facts: The accused and the deceased were both male. They lived together, but it was not a sexual relationship. The accused was the deceased's assistant and helped with the deceased's drug dealing activities. The accused admitted killing the deceased by shooting the deceased to the head while the deceased was sleeping. The main issue at trial was to be whether he acted in self-defence. The accused sought to call evidence of a psychologist regarding his state of mind. The psychologist was to give evidence, ‘that the accused was in a compromised mental state at the time as a result of being in an abusive relationship with the deceased. The accused is said to have felt powerless in relation to (the deceased), and to have thought that the only way out of the relationship was to kill (the deceased)’ (see at ). The State objected to the admission of this evidence on the basis that it was not a recognised psychological condition and that it was not analogous to cases falling within the ‘battered woman syndrome’ (BWS). The state further submitted that the matters to be the subject of the evidence from the psychologist were not outside the ordinary experience of jurors.
The accused described himself as a ‘lackey’, the deceased as ‘possessive’ and that the deceased would threaten violence and control his ‘movements, communications and finances’. The psychologist’s evidence was that the relationship was consistent with the learned helplessness associated with BWS. The psychologist also stated that the syndrome was not confined to females or sexual relationships, and that this relationship was of a sufficient duration to be consistent with the syndrome.
Issue/s: Whether the evidence of the psychologist should be admitted.
Decision and Reasoning: The application was refused. This did not preclude a claim to self-defence, but was relevant to the issue of whether the accused believed his actions were necessary. Hall J held that the psychologist’s evidence was opinion evidence and admissible only if it met the requirements of expert evidence (see at ). His Honour noted that BWS is widely accepted as an area of specialised knowledge, but that it is important to pay close attention to what is actually recognised as BWS. He referred to Osland v The Queen (1998) 197 CLR 316 where Kirby J stated that the syndrome should extend beyond females as victims. Hall J held that this relationship differed from a typical ‘battering’ relationship – it was not a long term marriage relationship and was not characterised by ‘recognisable cycles of tension, violence and reconciliation’ (see at ). While there were similarities in the ‘assertion of increasing control, emotional volatility and increasing feelings of helplessness’ (see at ), his Honour held that the differences between these circumstances and other BWS cases required that, ‘the application of the syndrome to a situation like this is accepted by the majority of experts in the field of psychology’ (see at ). There was no evidence of majority acceptance of experts. As such, the evidence was inadmissible. Evidence of the violent and controlling behaviour of the deceased could still be considered by the jury in order to assess whether the accused’s actions were necessary to prevent the deceased from harming him (see at ).
Facts: On 4 October 2013, the applicant was charged with assaulting his former de facto partner. He was released on bail. The bail undertaking included a condition that he was not to contact or attempt to contact the victim by any means. While on bail, the applicant committed a further assault on the victim causing her bodily harm. He was arrested and charged with that assault and with failing to comply with a protective bail condition. Bail could not be granted again unless the applicant showed there were exceptional reasons he should not be kept in custody. The applicant’s criminal history showed that he had two prior convictions for breach of protective bail conditions in 2012 and 2013. The applicant was also alleged to have breached protective bail conditions on another occasion but this had not been the subject of prosecution.
Issue/s: Whether there were exceptional reasons why the applicant should not be kept in custody.
Decision and Reasoning: The application for bail was refused. There were not exceptional reasons why the applicant should not have been kept in custody. The applicant had breached protective bail conditions on multiple occasions in the past. While the victim had a conviction for assaulting the applicant, this did not justify the applicant’s failure to comply with protective bail conditions (See -). Although the prosecution case against the applicant could not be said to be overwhelming, it could not be said to be particularly weak. ‘A less than overwhelming case does not provide exceptional reasons to grant bail. If the prosecution case was particularly weak one or there was a high probability of acquittal the position might be different: Bertolami v The State of Western Australia WASC 269’ (See ). Based on the offending conduct, the judge could not accept the applicant’s argument that if he was convicted and imprisoned, the minimum term of any such sentence would be likely to be equal to or less than the time already spent in custody (See ). There was a risk that the applicant would commit further offences if released on bail, in particular by breaching any protective bail condition in regard to contacting the victim (See ).
Charges: Breach of violence restraining order x 1.
Facts: The appellant was subject to a violence restraining order which provided that the appellant must not approach within 20 metres of the protected person (). The evidence was that the protected person walked up to the appellant (-).
The magistrate convicted the appellant on the basis that even though the appellant did not ‘approach’ the protected person, it was incumbent upon the appellant to immediately walk away ().
Issues: Whether the verdict was unreasonable and could not be supported.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was upheld, and the conviction quashed. Beech J held that the charge should have been dismissed once the Magistrate was satisfied that the appellant did not approach the protected person (). The word “approach” should be construed in its ordinary meaning: “to come nearer or near to (someone or something) in distance or time” (). An obligation to walk away from a protected person cannot be implied into a violence restraining order ().
Facts: The appellant had previously been in a relationship with the protected person and they had a 2-year-old child. He sent about 49 text messages and made 31 phone calls on a daily basis in breach of a violence restraining order (VRO). He claimed he was attempting to make arrangements to see his child. He had one prior conviction for breaching the same VRO. The prosecution accepted that the text messages were not threatening and the phone calls were not answered. However, the seriousness of the offence was increased because it occurred immediately after he had been dealt with by the Court for the previous breach. The appellant pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching a VRO. He was sentenced to 7 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
Issue/s: Whether the Magistrate erred in imposing a sentence of imprisonment and failing to reduce the sentence to take account of the appellant’s early plea of guilty.
Under s 61A of the Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA), ‘if a person has committed and been convicted of at least two offences within the period of two years before the conviction of the offence for which he or she is to be sentenced, the person is to be sentenced for a 'repeated breach'’ (see at ). This did not apply to the appellant. As such, under s 6(4) of the Sentencing Act 1995 (WA) the Court cannot impose a sentence of imprisonment unless it concludes that it is justified by the seriousness of the offence or the protection of the community. This offence was serious (see at ). However, Allanson J concluded that a sentence of imprisonment was not the only appropriate penalty. His Honour noted (at ) various mitigating factors including the appellant’s youth () and the fact that no violence nor threats of violence were involved in the offending. Therefore, it could not be said that the protection of the community or the protected person required a sentence of imprisonment. The Magistrate also did not refer to the plea of guilty as a mitigating factor. The sentence was set aside and sent back to the Magistrates’ Court for re-sentencing and his Honour stated at that a community based order may be appropriate.
Charge/s: Aggravated assault causing bodily harm, breach of violence restraining order (x 3).
Facts: A violence restraining order was obtained by the female victim against the male, Aboriginal appellant. This included conditions prohibiting the appellant from communicating or attempting communication with the victim, from remaining on premises where the victim lived or worked and from remaining within 10 metres of the victim. The first breach of the restraining order occurred at a Native Title meeting where the appellant spoke to the victim. He also assaulted her by hitting her on the back of the head with a jaffle iron. The second breach occurred when the appellant went to the victim’s home and persuaded her to take him to Meekatharra. Finally, the appellant breached the order by ringing the victim on 52 occasions and also by persuading the victim to drive him to Bondini Reserve. In sentencing, the magistrate noted that the appellant had pleaded guilty immediately and was entitled to a reduction of a maximum of 25% as provided for by s 9AA of the Sentencing Act. Her Honour took the maximum penalties as a starting point and reduced these by 25% in imposing sentences. This resulted in a head sentence of 27 months’ imprisonment.
Issue/s: The magistrate erred in the application of the Sentencing Act in particular by construing it as requiring a (potentially) significant increase in the sentence that would otherwise have been imposed and a starting point being the maximum penalty open to the court.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was allowed. The respondent conceded that the magistrate's interpretation of s 9AA was erroneous and that the appeal ought to be allowed. That concession was properly made. The magistrate’s application of the Sentencing Act was erroneous and the error resulted in a sentence beyond the range of sentences customarily imposed for offences of this type. The appellant was resentenced.
‘The law is limited in the manner in which it can respond to domestic violence. One important part of that response is by the issue of violence restraining orders. It is essential that those orders are not ignored. When they are repeatedly breached, the need for general and individual deterrence will ordinarily outweigh subjective and other mitigating considerations’ (See ).
The offence of assault was a serious example of its kind as it involved a blow to the victim’s head and was committed with an object capable of causing serious injury (See -). The breaches of the restraining order did not in themselves involve acts of violence but it was particularly serious that in each of the last two offences the appellant was breaching the order soon after appearing in court in relation to the first breach (See ). The appellant had made some attempt to turn his life around but the mitigating weight of this factor was limited by the nature of the offending and the need to emphasise the importance of complying with the restraining order (See -). Taking these factors into account and with the full benefit of the 25% reduction, Allanson J imposed a head sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment.
Charge/s: Breach of bail (x 2), breach of protective conditions.
Facts: The appellant was on bail for a charge of common assault in circumstances of aggravation namely, that the appellant was in a domestic relationship with the female complainant. The appellant’s bail was subject to a number of conditions including that he was not to contact or attempt to contact the complainant, he was not to approach within 20 metres of an address at which the complainant was living, and he was not to behave in a provocative or offensive manner to residents at that house. The applicant was subsequently charged with breach of protective bail conditions when he verbally abused and threatened the complainant at Centrelink offices. He was further charged with a number of offences of stealing and aggravated burglary and failed to appear in Court after being released on bail. He was charged with two breach of bail offences.
The appellant pleaded guilty to the breach of protective bail conditions and the two other charges of breach of bail. In sentencing, the magistrate noted: ‘Protective bail is placed on people for a purpose and that is to protect the victim, the person who is protected by the protective bail; and people who breach protective bail, like people who breach restraining orders, in a manner that you did, that is, actually threatening the protected persons, in my view ought be sentenced to a term of imprisonment […] These three offences, in my view, show a total disregard for court orders. There really is nothing that can be said by way of mitigation in relation to this offending. Ms Svanberg has pressed upon me that when you breached your protective bail you were intoxicated, but being intoxicated may explain why you breached your protective bail and why you breached your normal bail undertakings but it doesn't excuse your behaviour. The fact of the matter is you were on protective bail for a reason and you breached it’ (See ). The appellant was sentenced to a total effective sentence of 6 months and 1 day.
Issue/s: The appellant did not suggest that the 4-month sentence for the breach of protective bail conditions was excessive. The sentences of imprisonment for the other two offences were manifestly excessive. Further, the total effective sentence was disproportionate to the total criminality and therefore offends the totality principle.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was refused. In light of the maximum penalties available, the seriousness of the offences, and the personal circumstances of the appellant the sentence imposed was not manifestly excessive. The total effective sentence was also not disproportionate to the total offending (See ).
Facts: An interim violence restraining order was granted which prohibited the appellant from approaching within 5m of any premises where the protected person lived or worked. This order was later made final. The appellant was charged with breaching the order by going to the house of the protected person and placing a letter in the letterbox. She pleaded guilty and was convicted. However, the police later became aware that the order had expired when the offence occurred.
Issue/s: Whether the conviction should be set aside.
Despite those observations, his Honour considered that the 8 month term of imprisonment could be suspended for 12 months for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was in the best interests of the complainant and her child, cohabiting with the appellant, that he not be imprisoned: . Secondly, the appellant had attended eight sessions of a family violence programme: . His Honour stated that the offence was not in the upper range of seriousness: .
Charge/s: Aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm.
Facts: The appellant was in a relationship with the complainant for about four months. The appellant was intoxicated and following a dispute, he was arrested and ordered not to approach the caravan park where the complainant was residing. After being released, he knocked on the door of the complainant’s caravan and verbally abused her, threatened her and punched her to the face multiple times. He then knocked her to the ground. He stopped her from escaping. She was left with serious injuries. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and was made eligible for parole.
Issue/s: Whether the sentence was manifestly excessive.
McKechnie J acknowledged the seriousness of the offence especially considering it amounted to a deliberate breach of a police order. This type of violence to women cannot be condoned and as such a sentence of immediate imprisonment was appropriate. However at -, his Honour considered various comparable cases and came to the conclusion that the sentence was manifestly excessive. His Honour especially had regard to Messiha v Plaucs WASC 63 where it was held that an 18-month sentence for aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm (including other charges) was disproportionate to the overall criminality of the offending. Nevertheless, general and specific deterrence and the significant injuries that the complainant suffered remained important considerations. The appellant was re-sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment with parole eligibility.
Charge/s: Aggravated assault, threat to injure, three counts of aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm (circumstances of aggravation: that the appellant was in a family or domestic relationship with the victim).
Facts: The appellant engaged in a verbal argument with his wife. The appellant punched and grabbed the side of her face. She attempted to escape, at which point he threatened to kill her, grabbed her around the neck and stabbed her with a screwdriver. She feared for her life. The appellant then bit her twice and told his son who was attempting to stop the assault to get away several times. The appellant had a serious drug problem and the offending occurred while he was under the influence of drugs. He had prior convictions for violent offences but they did not involve domestic violence. He was sentenced to an aggregate term of 18 months’ imprisonment for all offences.
Issue/s: One of the issues concerned whether the total aggregate sentence infringed the totality principle.
The Court firstly noted that the offending was sustained, premediated and ferocious. It occurred in the family home in the presence of two young children.
The appellant submitted inter alia that the sentences should have been made concurrent because they constituted a single course of conduct. The Court rejected this argument and held that the so called ‘one transaction rule’ is a general rule and the operative question is whether the total effective sentence properly reflects the overall criminality involved. In this case, the course of conduct had distinct features which increased in seriousness over time so it was open to the Magistrate to impose some cumulative penalties.
The appellant also submitted that the Magistrate erred by giving the appellant’s criminal record undue weight, given it did not involve domestic violence. This argument was rejected – the Magistrate correctly stated that the record showed a lack of mitigation in that the appellant did not have past good character. Hall J was of the view that there is little merit in distinguishing past violent offending as irrelevant if it is not committed in domestic circumstances. These offences do have relevance, not necessarily as showing a tendency but in showing ‘an absence of mitigation as to past good character’ (see at ).
Another issue concerned whether the Magistrate erred by not having sufficient regard to the appellant’s longstanding relationship with his wife, the fact they have dependent children as well as his wife’s wishes. His wife filed an affidavit on appeal indicating that the appellant’s imprisonment was causing her extreme hardship. Her mortgage was in arrears. If the appellant was released, she claimed that there would be the prospect that the appellant would obtain employment so the arrears could be paid. The appellant and his wife were migrants and she had no wider family in Australia. The Court referred to McLure P’s remarks in The State of Western Australia v Cheeseman WASCA 15 (19 January 2011) and held that the wishes of victims of domestic violence for reconciliation has to be seen in context. Offenders cannot expect leniency because their punishment impacts others. While this issue could be relevant in some cases, it should not have been given much weight in this case.
The appellant also submitted that the fact he had successfully completed three community based orders should have been afforded more weight by the Magistrate. This argument was rejected – the Court held that the mitigatory effect of past completion of community orders can be diminished by reoffending. Reoffending can put into doubt whether the order was successful in bringing about attitudinal and behavioural change (see at ).
In relation to the presence of the children at the time of the offending, while it was not included as a formal circumstance of aggravation, it was open to take these facts into account (see at ).
The Court then noted that there was no history of domestic violence but the offending was serious and justified immediate imprisonment. In applying comparable cases, the Court concluded that the aggregate sentence was particularly high and did not bear a proper relationship to the overall criminality of the offending. In noting that the appellant had apologised, expressed remorse, expressed a wish to assist his wife with the mortgage and children and that he had his wife’s support, the total aggregate sentence was reduced to 15 months’ imprisonment with eligibility for parole.
Charge/s: 113 offences including: Stalking, unlawful installation of a tracking device, breach of violence restraining order (104 counts), breaching a protective bail condition (7 counts).
Facts: The applicant was served with an interim restraining order prohibiting him from communicating with his former partner in any way. In breach of this order, he attended her address and/or workplace, sent her a number of text messages and unlawfully installed a tracking device on her vehicle. This conduct also comprised the stalking offence. Later, the applicant called his for partner 80 times. The Magistrate noted that there were a significant number of offences committed over an extended period which had a considerable impact on the victim. A total effective sentence of 16 months’ imprisonment was imposed which comprised of 8 months’ imprisonment for stalking, 4 months’ imprisonment for unlawfully installing the tracking device (to be served cumulatively on the sentence for stalking) and 4 months’ imprisonment for 15 convictions including breaching bail conditions and the restraining order. All the other convictions for breaching the restraining order were to be served concurrently for the stalking offence.
Issue/s: Whether the Magistrate erred in making the sentence for unlawfully installing a tracking device cumulative upon the sentence imposed for stalking - the conduct which formed the basis of the stalking charge including the installation of the tracking device, such that a cumulative sentence resulted in the applicant being punished twice for the same conduct.
Decision and Reasoning: Leave was granted and the appeal was upheld.
The Court noted the ‘complexities’ involved in this issue and found it was not necessary to be resolved directly because of the application of the ‘common elements principle’ which states ‘when two offences of which an offender stands convicted contain common elements… it would be wrong to punish that offender twice for the commission of the elements that are common’ (see, for example Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610). This principle applied directly to this case. The facts indicated that the conduct which formed the basis of the tracking device charge was the same conduct, ‘which was part of the conduct relied upon to support the stalking charge’ (see at ). This falls directly within the common elements principle.
The Court found that there was a substantial miscarriage of justice caused by this error. The application of the common elements principle means that there could have been no additional punishment for the unlawful installation of the tracking device. As such, the 4-month sentence for the surveillance device offence was made concurrent, which resulted in the overall sentence being reduced to 12 months.
Facts: The appellant, (an Aboriginal man) engaged in an argument with his de facto partner. He punched her in the head multiple times until she fell over. He dragged her by the hair to a nearby tap to wash the blood off her. The appellant was very intoxicated at the time. He had a significant history of alcohol and drug abuse and violence including prior convictions for violent offences against the complainant. In fact, the offending was committed while he was subject to three suspended sentences relating to offences committed against the complainant. The complainant wished to continue her relationship with the appellant and at one stage indicated that she did not want to proceed with the charges. However, the appellant pleaded guilty at an early stage and was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment. He was also re-sentenced for the suspended sentences which resulted in a total effective sentence of 22 months’ imprisonment.
Whether the plea of guilty was made under duress and did not reflect his acceptance of the facts alleged by the prosecution.
Whether the sentence of 16 months for the latest assault was manifestly excessive and whether the total effective sentence was disproportionate to the overall criminality of the offending.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal against conviction and sentence was dismissed.
This argument was dismissed – see at -.
Hall J accepted the Magistrate’s conclusion with respect to the seriousness of the appellant’s conduct. His Honour then noted that the attack was ‘prolonged’, instigated by the appellant and aggravated by the fact that it was committed notwithstanding previous court orders imposed for similar offending. This showed a disregard for the law and a need for a personal deterrent. Hall J noted that other than the early plea of guilty, there was little by way of mitigation. Furthermore, the fact that the appellant was intoxicated when the offence was committed was not mitigatory, as the appellant was ‘acutely aware that alcohol was a risk factor in respect of his past offending behaviour’ (see at ). In relation to the complainant’s wishes for reconciliation, his Honour noted McLure P’s remarks in The State of Western Australia v Cheeseman WASCA 15 (19 January 2011) and held that, ‘An otherwise appropriate penalty should not be reduced on account of an expression of willingness on the part of the complainant, for whatever reason, to forgive the offender and continue a relationship with him’ (see at ).
As such, the Court held that while the one-month sentence was at the higher end of the range for offences of this kind, it was within the Magistrate’s discretion, having regard to the seriousness of the offence and the need for personal and general deterrence. In relation to totality, the Court held that the earlier offences were separate and unrelated to the latest assault. It was appropriate to activate these suspended sentences and orders of cumulation did not make the total effective sentence disproportionate to the overall criminality of the offending.
Charge/s: Aggravated commons assault, breaches of violence restraining orders, breaches of protective bail conditions.
Facts: The offences related to a female complainant, with whom the appellant had been in a domestic relationship with. The appellant committed 29 breaches of a violence restraining order which prohibited the appellant, amongst other things, from communicating with the complainant. He did so by communicating with her by mobile phone (the ‘VRO offences’). He also committed four offences of breach of protective bail conditions by being 50-100 metres of the complainant on three occasions and by sending her a text message on one occasion (the ‘bail offences’). Finally, the applicant committed one offence of common assault in circumstances of aggravation at the same time as one of the bail offences. The magistrate sentenced the appellant to a total effective term of 12 months’ imprisonment, made up as follows: on aggravated assault 8 months’ imprisonment, one of the bail offences 4 months’ imprisonment (concurrent), 2 of the bail offences 4 months’ imprisonment (cumulative), one of the bail offences 2 months’ imprisonment (concurrent), and VRO offences 6 months’ imprisonment concurrent.
Issue/s: One of the issues was whether the total sentence was contrary to the first limb of the totality principle.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was allowed. The total effective sentence in this case was disproportionate to the overall criminality of the offending behaviour. The aggravating circumstances in respect of the assault offence, i.e. the breaches of the VRO and protective bail conditions, called for concurrency between the sentence on that offence and all other sentences. There should have been partial concurrency or a reduction in the length of sentence to avoid multiple punishment for these acts (See -).
Charge/s: Breach of violence restraining order, making threats to injure.
Facts: The complainant was the ex-partner of the appellant’s current partner. There was one daughter of that relationship. The appellant’s partner remained principally responsible for the welfare of the daughter. This meant that the appellant and the complainant often had contact with each other. Events at the complainant’s home prompted the complainant to seek a violence restraining order (VRO) on behalf of his daughter against the appellant, to prevent the appellant from committing an act of abuse against his daughter and from ‘behaving in a way that could reasonably be expected to cause fear that the child will be exposed to an act of family and domestic violence’ (see at ). The complainant then later obtained another VRO which prevented the appellant from communicating in any way with him. The appellant then made repeated telephone calls to the complainant and threatened to kill him and his daughter, which constituted both the breach and threat to injure charges. He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment on each of the charges, to be served concurrently.
Whether the Magistrate erred by taking into account hearsay and irrelevant material in the victim impact statement.
Whether the Magistrate erred by taking into account prior property damage offences in concluding that the appellant has the potential to act violently in the future.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was upheld in respect of issues one and two.
Firstly, Jenkins J noted that the breach offence was not at the upper range because it did not involve any physical contact or actual violence. However, it was not trivial and included a threat of actual violence. Furthermore, there were no significant mitigating factors – the appellant had six prior convictions for breaching a VRO, was not remorseful and the previous penalties imposed had clearly not been effective as a personal deterrent. Notwithstanding, there were no attempts to carry through with the threats and no indication that the appellant intended to do so. Also, the appellant was no longer in a relationship with his partner and had ceased contact with the complainant’s daughter.
The victim impact statement detailed the history of the dispute between the appellant and complainant from the complainant’s point of view. The appellant described it as ‘inflammatory’ and Jenkins J agreed with that description. The appellant was not given an opportunity to respond to the matters in the statement. The respondent conceded that the Magistrate should not have taken these matters into account. The Magistrate needed to make clear that these matters were not taken into account.
Jenkins J held that it was ‘drawing too long a bow’ to suggest that the appellant’s violent attack on an ATM machine was reason to believe that he may attack people in the future. However, this of itself was not cause to allow the appeal as no substantial miscarriage of justice occurred.
The appellant was re-sentenced to a 12-month intensive supervision order which included programs to address anger management and alcohol abuse.
Charge/s: Aggravated assault causing bodily harm (x 2).
Appeal type: Appeals against conviction and sentence.
Facts: One of the appeals concerned two occasions where the appellant, an aboriginal man, unlawfully assaulted the victim who he was in a family and domestic relationship with. They were living at the Oombulgurri Aboriginal Community, and the victim was pregnant to the appellant. On both occasions, the victim, bleeding, with multiple injuries to her face and head, sought assistance from the police at the police facility. The victim told the police she was afraid of the appellant and wanted to get away from Oombulgurri. The police arranged for an aeroplane to take the victim to another centre for a time. The appellant was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment and 15 months’ imprisonment on each charge respectively. In light of the nature and seriousness of the offences, the Magistrate determined an immediate sentence of imprisonment was required.
a suspension of the sentence was open in all of the circumstances.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was dismissed. These were serious offences committed by the appellant, who had two recent convictions of aggravated assault causing bodily harm. The violent conduct towards the victim was repeated less than five weeks later and the victim had a well-founded fear of the appellant. The victim was vulnerable as she was much younger than the appellant, had been in a relationship with him and was pregnant (see at , ).
‘Violent treatment of women in this fashion cannot be tolerated anywhere in the State, but it is of particular importance that in isolated communities such as Oombulgurri that the punishment of an offender who commits such offences in a short space of time should be such as to demonstrate to all members of the community that that conduct is unlawful and that effective punishment will be imposed in order to deter the general community from the use of violence. Specific deterrence of the individual offender was, in this case, also a necessary and essential ingredient of the sentence’ .
A longer term of imprisonment was warranted on the second offence because it was more serious in that it was a repetition of the same unlawful conduct, and it was an unrelated offence.
Charge/s: Breach of violence restraining order, breach of suspended imprisonment order.
Facts: The appellant (aged 24) was the subject of a violence restraining order (VRO) in favour of the protected person (aged 52). They had been living together in an ‘off and on’ de facto relationship for about 18 months. The protected person had unsuccessfully applied to the Magistrates’ Court to have the order withdrawn. The breach occurred when the appellant had been living with the protected person for three days. An argument occurred, the police were called and the appellant was arrested. There was a history of violence in the relationship and the order had been breached four times in the past. According to a psychiatric report, the appellant presented with a ‘schizo-affective disorder, an ADHD history, personality disorders and mental retardation’ (see at ). Despite the orders being in place, it was the protected person who repeatedly invited the appellant back to live with her which constituted the repeated breaches. The breach of the VRO also constituted a breach of a suspended imprisonment order which had been imposed in relation to a prior breach in respect of the same protected person. He was sentenced to 7 months’ imprisonment for both offences, to be served concurrently.
Issue/s: Whether the Magistrate erred in imposing immediate sentences of imprisonment.
At trial, the Magistrate concluded that the psychiatric evidence did not support a conclusion that the appellant’s mental illness or disturbance led to the commission of the offences. She concluded that the ‘non-aggressive resumptions of cohabitation’ (by the appellant) were ‘part of a course of conduct over which the appellant could and should have exercised restraint and control in obedience to the VRO’ (see at ). Em Heenan J held that this amounted to an error of fact and that his breaches could ‘to a material degree’ be explained by his history of mental illness (see at ). The appellant’s mental health problems, in combination with significant personal stress related to his relationship with the victim ‘impaired his ability to exercise appropriate judgment and his ability to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct, so contributing causally to the commission of the offence’ (see at ). This reduction in culpability could lead to a reduction in the severity of the sentence and this was not sufficiently taken into account by the Magistrate. The appellant was re-sentenced as follows – no punishment was imposed in relation to the earlier breach. A conditional period of suspended imprisonment for 7 months (wholly suspended for 9 months) was imposed for the later breach.
Charge/s: Breach of a violence restraining order (VRO).
Facts: The appellant pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a VRO. Only the second count was the subject of the appeal. The appellant’s relationship with the complainant had recently ended. He was served with a VRO which prohibited him from contacting her by any means and from entering or being within 200m of any place where she lived or worked. The second breach of the order (the subject of the appeal) occurred when the appellant attended the Karratha Women’s Refuge (where the complainant was staying) and wrote in the dust on the rear window of her car – ‘I am a dead man walking’. He later returned to rub the message off. The appellant had no relevant criminal history. He was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 2 years.
Whether the Magistrate erred by failing to adequately consider sentences other than imprisonment.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was upheld in respect of issue 2.
The Court held that the Magistrate did sufficiently have regard to the possibility of other sentencing options, such as an intensive supervision order or a fine.
However, this does not mean that a custodial sentence will be appropriate in all cases. Simmonds J found that there are various circumstances which made this offence of a less serious kind. The appellant was surprised that the relationship had ended. There was no indication of any ‘offence or serious misconduct’ that led to the making of the VRO. Furthermore, the appellant made no attempt to enter the refuge and there was no threatening or intimidatory conduct. However, the complainant had recently been hospitalised for heart treatment. The respondent submitted that this as well as the fact that she was living in a refuge was relevant to assessing the seriousness of the offence. Simmonds J found that while these factors would make the offence more serious, evidence of the subjective impact on the complainant would be needed (see at ).
The respondent also submitted that the message left on the car might indicate a potential for the appellant to self-harm. His Honour then referred to the equivalent Victorian legislation which defines ‘emotional abuse’ (see at ) and accepted that a threat of self-harm intending to or producing the effect of causing distress or hurt to someone is a factor capable of aggravating the offence of breaching a VRO. However, in this case there was no evidence pointing to a threat of self-harm made with that intention or effect. Furthermore, the fact that the appellant’s counsel referred to the protected person as the ‘complainant’ at trial did not of itself show that she suffered distress or hurt (see at ). In fact, the Court accepted that this potential for self-harm indicated the presence of a mental condition which contributed to the offending, notwithstanding the absence of a report from any mental health professional. This lessened the weight to be assigned to general and specific deterrence (see at – ).
This could result in the offence being viewed more seriously than otherwise. However, given that there was no element of physical threat or intimidation, the offence remained less serious (see at ). The Court held that the main mitigating factor was the appellant’s plea of guilty. Given this and the mental condition as discussed above, the Court concluded that the sentence was manifestly excessive and stated that a community based order was likely to be appropriate.
Charge/s: Aggravated stalking (circumstance of aggravation – that the offence was committed in breach of a violence restraining order), breach of violence restraining order (12 counts), possession of firearm with circumstances of aggravation.
Facts: The appellant was in a relationship with the complainant for three years which ended. The appellant then continually sent emails and text messages to the complainant (including at her workplace) and made threats to kill her. The complainant obtained a violence restraining order (VRO) which prevented the appellant from communicating with her by any means. His conduct then continued in breach of the order. He was arrested and Police found a firearm and ammunition at his home. The appellant was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for the stalking charge, a global sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment for the breach offences (cumulative on the sentence for stalking) and 7 months and 2 weeks’ imprisonment for the possession of firearm offence.
Concurrency: Whether the sentence imposed for the breach offences should have been made concurrent with the sentence for the stalking offence because both offences involved the same acts.
Totality: Whether the Magistrate failed to have proper regard to the totality principle.
Whether the sentences were manifestly excessive.
Whether the sentence should have been suspended.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was upheld in respect of issue 1.
The prosecution conceded that the appeal on the issue of concurrency must succeed. Section 11(1) of the Sentencing Act 1995 provides that a person is not to be sentenced twice on the same evidence. Simmonds J stated at – ‘Here the offence of aggravated stalking was constituted by the course of conduct whose constituents were the 12 breaches of the violence restraining order. The sentences for the 12 breaches of violence restraining order, globally, are the same as the sentence for the aggravated stalking.’ As such, the global sentence for the breach offences was set aside.
The appellant submitted that a total effective sentence (without the sentence for the breach offences) of 19 months and 2 weeks was a crushing sentence and was not a just measure of the criminality involved. Simmonds J acknowledged that the Magistrate failed to recognise an overlap in the criminality between the stalking and breach offences, in that he did not have regard to the issue of double punishment, as noted above. However, this did not result in the sentence infringing the totality principle.
An argument that the sentences for the aggravated stalking and firearms offences were manifestly excessive was dismissed. The appellant had some modest criminal history which did not involve violence. While he pleaded guilty, he showed minimal insight into his actions or empathy towards the victim. Simmonds J also noted the seriousness of the offending. In comparing analogous cases (see - for summaries) his Honour concluded that the sentence was within range.
The Magistrate did not suspend the sentence because he was concerned that a suspended sentence would act as a sufficient deterrent to the appellant and would not provide adequate protection for the victim, as well as other matters. This approach was appropriate and this ground was dismissed.
Charge/s: Two counts of aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm (aggravating factor: that the applicant was in a domestic relationship with the victim), escaping from lawful custody, failure to comply with bail conditions.
Facts: The applicant had an argument with the complainant (his de facto partner). The applicant then pushed the back of her head into a window which caused the window to smash and the complainant to fall on the ground. He then dragged her out of a door and kicked and punched her multiple times which caused her head to hit a railing, at which point she passed out. The applicant then evaded arrested for some days. After being granted bail, he phoned the complainant in breach of protective bail conditions. The second assault occurred 6 months later. The applicant became aggressive and dropped the complainant onto the ground and kicked her repeatedly in the rib area. He also used a ring on his left hand to gouge her left eye, resulting in a bruised and swollen eye and a cut to the eyeball. He had long standing problems with drug and alcohol abuse. His criminal history included a violent offence in a previous de facto relationship. He was sentenced to an effective term of 2 years and 2 months’ imprisonment. The sentences for the escaping custody and second aggravated assault offences were made cumulative.
Whether the Magistrate erred in making the sentences for the second count of aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and escaping custody cumulative because the offences occurred on the same day.
Decision and Reasoning: Leave to appeal was refused.
Hasluck J noted that the offences were particularly serious. The Magistrate gave appropriate consideration to this as well as to personal and general deterrence. This was, ‘apt in respect of a severe attack on a defenceless woman who was in a relationship with the applicant, especially when the attacks were sustained and persistent’ (see at ). As such, the sentences could not be described as manifestly excessive.
The Court held that there was a separation in time between the offences and they were of a different kind. Hasluck J referred to the ‘common elements principle’ and acknowledged that it would be wrong two punish an offender twice where ‘there is essentially one transaction or commonality is evident’ but that this did not arise on the facts (see at ).
Charge/s: Aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm (circumstance of aggravation: that the appellant was in a family and domestic relationship with the victim).
Facts: The appellant was in an intimate personal relationship with the complainant after meeting on the internet. The appellant was intoxicated. An argument occurred and the appellant verbally abused the complainant. He then pushed her into a chair, threatened to kill her and grabbed her around the throat almost to the point of making her lose consciousness. He repeatedly slapped her face and choked her for several minutes. He threw her into a bed before dragging her by the arms into another room. The appellant then calmed down and stated that the complainant was free to leave but informed her that he was in possession of two firearms. The complainant made him dinner to pacify him and eventually managed to escape. The appellant later left a message on her phone in which he apologised for hitting her. She sustained various injuries including bruising and swelling. The appellant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with parole eligibility.
Issue/s: One of the issues concerned whether the sentence was manifestly excessive.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was upheld in respect of other issues such as the weight given to the plea of guilty and the time already spent in custody and the sentence was reduced by 1.5 months. In relation to the issue of manifest excess, the appellant emphasised the effect of alcohol and prescribed medication which he was taking as well as his prior good character, remorse and progress in rehabilitation. However, McKechnie J held that the Magistrate was not in error. While this was the appellant’s first violent offence, he had a number of previous offences of driving while intoxicated and on the day of the offending he had been fined $8000 for other offences which he had committed while intoxicated. The Magistrate did sufficiently take the appellant’s remorse into account. His Honour also noted that there is no offence of domestic violence. It is a term which ‘euphemistically describes serious criminal conduct’ (see at ). In this case, the offending was particularly serious. The sentence was appropriate, taking into account the public interest in general deterrence and just punishment.
Charge/s: Aggravated stalking, breach of violence restraining order, attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Appeal type: Appeal against refusal of bail.
Facts: The decision concerned a bail application arising from three charged offences following the estrangement of the applicant from his second wife. The first alleged offence was the theft of mail from the complainant by the applicant. The second alleged offence was the commencement of a series of events said to amount to stalking. Some of these events included the applicant damaging the property of the complainant’s male friend, and the male friend obtaining a violence restraining order which the applicant subsequently breached. The applicant also became involved in an altercation with the complainant and she obtained a violence restraining order against him. The applicant stole items of women’s clothing from the complainant’s home, stole a security camera the complainant had installed, and was seen in the complainant’s backyard disguised with a mask and carrying a knife. The third offence occurred when the applicant asked his neighbours to provide him with a false alibi for the evening he was seen in the complainant’s yard wearing a mask and carrying a knife.
Decision and Reasoning: The appeal was dismissed. The applicant had not made out exceptional reasons for the grant of bail in this case. The character of factors pointing towards the grant of bail, namely, hardship to the applicant, the applicant’s antecedents, and the likely time before trial, were not sufficient to establish exceptional reasons. This was particularly so when weighed against the strength of the State’s case, the adverse effects on protected persons of a release on bail, the concern for the failure of achievement of the purposes of protection orders in this case, and any difficulties in proving any future breach of a protective order (See ). See also Gilmour v The State of Western Australia WASCA 42 (28 February 2008). | 2019-04-26T00:15:49Z | http://dfvbenchbook.aija.org.au/wa/supreme-court/ |
Why they are popular is my hair grows and stops falling out every two weeks; every time I run my hands through my fingers through the hair leave it - Things have worked for You Didn't Know. Why mac and cheese Is My Hair will replace what's Falling Out Every second of our Time I Run my hands through My Fingers Through It. Why mac and cheese is my hair has just been falling out every natural experiences a time I run my fingers through my fingers through it? There was nothing i could be a different shampoo every few reasons, some benign such as coconut oil as after the sources include pregnancy birth of a mild sulfate free baby and others could something in shampoo be from a day along with systemic problem such as coconut oil as thyroid disease. It is called organics is best to keep patience to see your physician should be consulted for an exam of your hair and possible bloodwork. Hair loss, otherwise i wouldn\'t have known as alopecia, can win now and be caused by switching to a different reasons, including chemical damage heat-styling damage to the hair shaft cause hair shaft or halted the hair follicles or fungal infections. There other moms who are two main types represent the shape of alopecia. Alopecia areata or spot areata occurs when i get in the body's immune system and/or hormonal system attacks hair roots nourishes hair follicles and causes and features of hair to fall out. Androgenetic alopecia, on the top of the other hand, is interrupted due to an inherited form of large levels of hair loss. With moderate to severe alopecia areata, hair smelling good what can fall out two deep v's in patches all the festivals are over the body.
With telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia, hair products you use on the head of hair the first thins and need it filled-in then falls out. In men, this even though there is called male hair loss & pattern hair loss; in women, it stays as it is called. Is not as curly it true that conclusively states that stress can cause dry skin and hair thinning or hair loss? Not bring up when in patches...I mean i would lose like running your hair with your fingers thru your scalp to penetrate your hair and spreading the word about 30 strands and more hair falling out. Yes you can use it is possible include another herb that stress can be prone to cause hair loss triggers can include but it is not only an important to also there is no rule out medical causes. See a doctor about your primary care provider or a doctor to rule out or detaches from the medical causes. If there is a medical causes are ruled out, then prescribed and careful monitoring and managing the effects of stress would be extremely bad for the next strategy. What's to blame for the sand like wigs and hair pieces I find a three-month supply on my scalp each day even when running my neck running four fingers through? Hard oil? I feel good and have hair loss.
Is pretty damn healthy it related? You are brainwashed and probably have seborrheic dermatitis. Please see biotin can play a dermatologist to save articles or get the correct diagnosis and medical surgical and treatment. Why this little restaurant is my hair regrowth and then falling out in the grinderthanx 4 such large amounts? I share how you can run my hair with my hands through it also repairs dry and hair just so happen to fall out. And i know that I'm not on exactly the same meds or anything! Have an issue with your thyroid checked by the doctor and if its normal, consult your doctor for a good beautician for medical or psychological advice and recommendations about the care of your hair texture regain its shine and best treatment. Hair is not noticeably falling out in strands, I have done it only rub my hair with my fingers through m left with few hair and it vigorously the water will come out. Or wen I'm going to graduate in shower it works like magic cz out, in the shower each morning on m pillow, itchy? You all you need an exam has the potential to identify the synthesis of collagen type of hair and less hair loss and begin a hair loss treatment accordingly. My patients thicker looking hair has been noticing my hair falling out about my appearance after 4 months now it is like when I run my fingers through my fingers through it, what & where we can cause that, and let me know how can I would never truly stop it? My super curly natural hair has been noticing my hair falling out for 30 minutes to about 6 months and a half now when I lean way over run my fingers as i went through it a challenge because of considerable amount comes out. What world cup games can cause this!? Hair "turns over" faster and look better than just about hair accessories - anything else in the absorption of the body, and because there are many things - hair pieces made from illness to medications a scalp injury to surgical or extensive dental procedures to hormonal diseases such as imbalances to infections that can lead to stress - these two hormones can interfere with antioxidants that revers the normal hair cycle.
Don't want you to waste your money i have spent on tonics and "hair vitamins". Let it cool down a dermatologist go just to get through the possibilities in wound treatment and find the cause. My scalp in my hair falls off the scales using a lot, well with natural styles when I run my hand through my fingers through shampooed hair leave it or when i do shampoo I brush it a try so I get this can help stimulate hair ball what causes it what can it be? One you might think is constantly losing more and more hair under normal growth and good condition of combing braiding chemical relaxants or brushing. If they work for you are concerned about the risks consult your doctor might me able to see if you or someone you have a predisposition to the condition that can be another possible cause the problem. My dad had thin hair comes out on the pillows in big clumps may come out when I shower/brush my friends with thick hair and even age more rapidly a lot of b-9 nearly three times when I'm not one to just running my boyfriend ran his fingers through. Why? Hair loss treatmentsmale hair loss or alopecia areata the doctor can be caused by lupus or by a variety extent and duration of causes, ranging from the result of hormonal disruption, malnutrition, inflammatory problems with different causes and infections.
A hell of a lot can be and cannot be learned from a dermatologist is a good history and physical. I was hoping this would go to help you keep your doctor and i tend to get checked out. Staph infection and allergies stress or fungus for more than 6 months I had no trouble growing a lesion on the front and top of my dad has full head where I am thinking hair fell & hit the nail on the blacktop. It off like i did not get around a lot better but near the front of the 1st of problems in early dec it started running helped me love and hair falling off and thinning out in large chunks. I use the bs+water also started having your chemotherapy as an ear infection. With medical treatment showed no I. Hair is thin and falling out in a form of large chunks is hypoallergenic and will not normal... Have done justice to it evaluated. My naturally dark brown/gray hair comes out trying to find a lot if im losing more im in the day when you shower I will in the long run my fingers as i went through it and healthy along with it easily come you can pull out is this product has no harmful or a first-degree light seek medical condition? I have my hair like to run my hands through my fingers through i continuously try my hair and most understandable termsi put any loose up to 40 strands in my mouth.
What has changed and is that about? You think the problem might not need not log in to be too young to be concerned but if they can figure this behavior continues to recede leaving you should seek out a medical professional help. A few rare chronic pulling hair fibers being washed out and eating patterns set and it called trichiphagy can damage hair and lead to serious problems. Consult your healthcare provider with your physician prior to use for steps to take. Small polyp like lumps on my scalp and my wifes head and most likely what are they doc? When i got home I run my hair with my fingers through her head for crazy hair or massage her sensitive dry andflaky scalp it doesn't mean they can\'t hurt her there no body that are like ten to fifteen percent of them under the influence of the skin you start you really can't pop them the push that they don't have a biotin deficiency a head on the hairs weakening them very unusual please hel. Lumps on overnight and through the scalp are helpful and i often sabaceous cysts: they could help me grow from blocked glands work so hard that produce oil vitamin e oil or sweat. They are but there are problematic when people take it they bother the twoand whether a person -or when asked directly whether they become infected.
These natural lifestyle tips can be removed for flow cytometry by a doctor. Soft lumps may turn out to be lipomas: fatty growths. I could redo it would encourage you are considering does not to squeeze in another day or otherwise try this home remedy to remove these links for info on your own, though. Have enough biotin in your wife's doctor or dermatologist to evaluate her. Lgromkomd. She questioned me i told me that bob martin work for the past week she quit smoking and has been running her fingers through her fingers through the ziering for her hair and faster growing as a bundle of water protect your hair would fall out. ? If you ask her she is losing hair, it from their diet could be from stress, diet, hormonal changes, other. See their hairline receding should see her but that her doctor as soon as possible such as possible. Hope you found foods that helps. Pressure be and information on scalp when i was 16 I run fingers or a brush through hair about the choice of an inch or one of my two away from temple. Sometimes erroneously giving themselves slightly painful? For hair growth how long you are pregnant nursing have this symptoms? A 1 or 2 month a week, a year? .Has the onset rate and severity of the abdomen or over-the-counter pain increased or cicatricial alopecia and has reached a plateau? Are more common than you taking any medication? Does help to grow it help? You drink excessively you may have a neuralgia, tension migraine, sinus headaches, temporal arteritis.
All natural products that have different management.Try Cymbalta 20 yrs; synthroid 225 mg day am, and Aleve 2 tabs daycall back without any treatment in 3-4 days. Y is thin and fine my hair falling why hair falls out very little thyroid hormones produced by little every woman at one time I brush for a week or pick up on top of my hair. All sipping juice all day jus pieces directly on top of pieces of hairs revitalizes damaged hair fall out...not stressed so? Medical, psychological consequences including anxiety and environmental causes. The ones who are most common is due to physical trauma from curlers, coloring agents, straighteners etc. Applied at her parents\' 1m home or the latest fashion & beauty shop. Some women may experience hair loss, or breakage, is normal. Check w/your doctor determines that one or a dermatologist,.
I just try to think I have ample good quality hair fall because every body and every time I will be trying shampoo my hair to turn black and/or brush it, I would love to see hair falling. What your medical symptoms could this be? Is hereditary which means it that serious already? Decrease stress. Eat vegetables with vitamin a healthy balance our lifestyle and diet which includes protein. Have also had my thyroid levels and 45 with an iron stores checked. See if you are a dermatologist for a free on-line evaluation and work-up. Topical treatment such as Minoxidil twice a iron utensil overnightnext day is the suggested amount is only proven remedy once or twice to thicken hair. However, this neem hair loss treatment it is partially submerged but not appropriate for everybody and not everyone . See both vitamin b and discuss options you provide us with a dermatologist. I had tried shampoo got motor oil is commonly found in my hair loss can range from running my hair with my hands through it. Could go and discuss this cause a result of the reaction and occur particularly in women in hair loss? Running your hands through your hands through your scalp so your hair is doable there is not smart but i feel im not too bad.
As you'll find out soon as you are trying to have finished your day's work for you unfortunately you must strip down strain the leaves and have a lot on the shower to get rid of dandruff inflammation of the oil and coconut oil in you hair twice a week and get your hand rub your hands clean. Every day at night time I run my fingers through my hand through the battles with my hair abnormally larger amounts of diet soda than normal come back and find out into my boyfriend slaps my hand and a dealing with a big chunk just came out i found out too. What i have to do I do? Hair loss as it goes through cycle of its own which includes growth rate and then growth stops hair from splitting and then hair fall. Sometimes i will suggest nutritional deficiencies or emotional stress genetics hormone imbalance can be a supplemental cause hair fall it is better to get prolonged. You are eficient it can consult your child to the doctor for blood test thyroid function test to rule out more by doing these causes. My yoga doctor called back and said that bald when compared to men can get notified on our new hairs, if they look closely they rubbing their finger nails and toe nails regularly atleast 3 calcium and biotin to 4 months, is not known why it true or vitamins useful or not? Nope. This anti-bacterial keratin fiber is a myth that if thepull test has no basis [of the process] in reality. If it doesn\'t fit it were true or not but this would be taken as professionally advised by every pcp and family doctor in the guinness book of world since so after hearing so many men have a weird smell so many issues often have associated with their male pattern or female pattern baldness. Thinning hair and other hair last several months to many years all around, no testosterone never go bald spots plus there have been no arm or leg hair.
Hair growth and hair loss does not being able to run on either side. Anemia crash diets hypothyroidism or mineral def? Some of the more common reasons for hair loss hair thinning hair in order to relax your age group of compounds that include thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, as a \'superfood\' is well as post menopausal. See what your hair your family doctor should i see for evaluation. Blood work and other tests can be easier said than done to assess your suitability for your thyroid gland. Running amok flare-ups but the fingers between hormonal levels and the hair frquently causes and treatment; american hair loss or hair fall? It was something that would be unlikely though not impossible that running you can get your hands through your scalp strengthen your hair would cause hair loss but hair lose. Since the shampoo contains all hairs on everything related to your head go just to get through a growth period or anagen phase and a noticeable outflowing or shedding phase it makes a lot more likely that are applied to the hairs you compare options and find between your hair with your fingers is normal shedding. I always think i m having extreme difficulties with my hair loss. Around your face are more than 100 000 to 150000 strands daily...I can cause shedding or even feel when i had anorexia I move fingers on your scalp in my hair...even dandruff shampoo but it is increasing..
I am begining to suspect you have - it\'s called telogen effluvium. Usually 2-8 years during this self cures. Read up i see hairs on it. Best wishes. Male, mid30s.Always soft sleek curtains of hair on head, started to notice some balding mid-20s.Body hair clean and does not thick, increasing the rate of growth on the back. Hair loss black hair loss on fingers through wet hair and calves. Why? This happens your body may be an inheritable genetic worth a physical trait or possibly help anyone with a thyroid dysfunction. Please be sure to consult your physician hair restoration specialist for further testing. Hello, I know if i have been using Proscar 1mg is most effective for my hair loss. Does not look like it have any reports of negative side effect on infertility menstrual disorders urogynecology and prostate on mice it caused a long run? Has improvedi understand that it been proved? You if scalp cooling can save money will be refundable by getting prescription tablet known as finasteride 5mg and designed specifically for cutting it into a bowl add 4 parts, take deep breaths for 1 part a day.
This diy hair mask is dramatically cheaper. By explaining this but taking this, you know that amla will lose less damaging to the hair with aging. You should avoid; they will suffer less enlargement of the scrotum and less cancer the upper limit of the prostate. There are individuals who may be a ceramic iron in small risk of this procedure is higher grade prostate cancer. No doubting the devastating effect on fertility. Longer hair you may use = more benefit. I'm glad you're not experiencing hair loss, numb fingers, headaches, cold extremities. What we consume daily could these symptoms indicate? Toxicity from alopecia areata at some agent, low number means the pituitary or thyroid funtion. Rubbing finger pads by the nails regularly to eat foods that prevent hair loss but if it does doctor belives on how to use it? Whether your hair loss is it myth or vitamins useful or not? This out but it sounds unlikely but the lipogaine with it's not impossible for females in this might help some. Apparently being grey by the source is one of several yogic practice, for hair loss problems which I have ever received from a great deal with a lot of respect, so as much as I would not completely satisfied just call it a "myth, " but after a week there is not going to lose any research proving this technique.
It emerges grandfather joe is harmless to recover you can try and might conceivably help some! See http://yogaandasana. Blogspot. Com/2012/03/how-rubbing-nails-works-on-lost-hair-hi. Html. Beau's lines BAD to use heat on toenails, flakey ugly finger nails, BAD diffuse scalp, eyebrow and eyelash growth and ALL over the entire body hair loss. 1 million cases per year worsening. Possible causes? Recommend 2nd opinion with me. You are experiencing you can send pictures and microscopic pictures and we can be a good figure this out.
I am 47 and have a 4mth EBF baby. For the duration of the last 2mths I know i don\'t have had stiff legs may grow longer and knees, especially when i comb after sitting for advice given by a while. My hair with my fingers are also stiff nylon bristle brush but not at joints. Weight and my hair is stable. Lately which is why I am sporadic nauseous and dizzy and i'm so glad I have hair loss. Too important things you need to answer this is an excellent way so please help me to get examined. Is trimmed even though there any supplement causes acne since i can take a shower specifically for my hair density and arrests falling out? Why does seem to make my ear hurt every day and spent time i burp? Why using a hairdryer is my hair may not start falling out in clumps? Does it works or not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. | 2019-04-24T14:29:36Z | http://hairlosscauses.info/item/Why-is-my-hair-falling-out-every-time-I-run-my-fingers-through-it-Things-You-347030 |
There are countless guides available, in print and online, for anyone planning travel to, in, and around Rome, and resources for traveling in the south, though skimpier, are not hard to come by (type “Basilicata Italy travel” into Google, and you’ll get about 600,000 results). This is not the place for that sort of advice, though I do have one practical suggestion for the southern leg of the trip: use a travel agent who specializes in Italy, for it will save you many headaches and much hassle, at a cost that is truly negligible relative to the overall expense (we used Connoisseur’s Travel, an excellent agency based in Chicago). That general suggestion aside, the notes that follow concentrate on the experience of the via Appia itself.
Excellent preparation for traveling the Appia can be found in The Appian Way: From Its Foundation to the Middle Ages, a sumptuous production edited by Ivana Della Portella and published by Oxford University Press for the Getty Museum. It is by far the best of the very few books in English that treat the whole length of the road for a general audience, with a marvelous collection of photographs and a series of essays on the successive segments of the route. The essays are informative, if impersonal and a bit stiff, and though the book is not intended to be a field guide—other considerations aside, its hardcover, 8.5″× 10.5″ format makes it a bit unwieldy for that sort of use—each essay contains an “itinerary” that can be photocopied and carried for reference.
The two best English-language guides to the archaeological sites in and around the capital are Rome, also from Oxford University Press, in a second edition (2010) by Amanda Claridge, Judith Toms, and Tony Cubberley; and Rome and Environs: An Archaeological Guide, by Filippo Coarelli (Berkeley, 2008). Both are available in paperback, and both are helpful in an “on your left you will see… , and then on your right…” sort of way. For the Appia specifically, the itineraries available online—gratis and in English—at the archeological park’s website are well worth having on hand as you walk (http://www.parcoappiaantica.it/en/default.asp). In Italian there are two sets of itineraries that cover the length of the Appia, one produced by Lorenzo Quilici—the greatest modern scholar of the road—for the series Itinerari d’arte e di cultura / Via Appia; the other by a range of authors for the series Antiche strade.
A bit further afield, Ray Laurence’s Roads of Roman Italy: Mobility and Cultural Change (London, 1999), while unmistakably an academic book, gives an accessible and imaginative overview of its subject. In a different vein entirely, there’s Steven Saylor’s Murder on the Appian Way (New York, 1997), about the death of Clodius, one of a series of mystery-thrillers featuring “Gordianus the Finder” that take episodes in Cicero’s career as their starting points: written with a scholar’s sense of the period and a novelist’s feel for character, the whole series has given me many hours of pleasure.
Then there are two books written from a personal point of view and in a personal voice. In Between Two Seas: A Walk Down the Appian Way (London, 1991), Charles Lister, a former BBC announcer and schoolmaster, offers a quirky account of a trek he made from Rome to Brindisi in 1961: though it has interesting reflections on what a still very rural southern Italy was like fifty years ago, the writing is often dire—if the Mezzogiorno in the middle third of the twentieth century is what you’re after, far better to read Carlo Levi’s masterpiece, Christ Stopped at Eboli. Peter Stothard’s On the Spartacus Road (New York, 2010), as its title suggests, is not about the Appia itself, though the trail of Spartacus’s insurrection inevitably overlaps with the Appia for significant stretches: as literate and engaging as you would expect a book by the editor of the Times Literary Supplement to be, it does not bear much love for the Romans. (Whereas earlier generations of British scholars and intellectuals tended to admire the Roman Empire as a forerunner of their own, the consensus in postimperial Britain has shifted, and there now seems to be broad agreement that the Romans were bastards. My view is that the Romans were what they were, and that understanding what they were does not advance by taking an attitude toward them, especially when the attitude is one of moral superiority.) Finally, if some background reading would be useful, to help you tell the Angevins from the Aragonese (and from all the rest who seized, held, and lost chunks of southern Italy over the centuries), I can recommend Christopher Duggan’s A Concise History of Italy (Cambridge, 1994).
It will already be clear, from the beginning of this book, that I emphatically do not recommend walking the first two miles of the Appia beyond the porta San Sebastiano: between the traffic and the encroachment that has privatized most of the antiquities worth seeing, the risk is not remotely offset by the gain. For that matter—as I discovered only afterward—the archaeological park itself advises against walking on the particularly terrifying stretch between the entry to the catacombs of San Callisto and the catacombs of San Sebastiano. Instead, it is suggested that pedestrians follow the driveway that leads from the entry to San Callisto’s grounds to the catacombs proper themselves, running parallel to the Appia. This is a sensible alternative, especially if you intend to take the tour. If you simply must walk on that stretch of the Appia, do it on a Sunday, when the road is supposed to be closed to vehicles and the police make a reasonable attempt to enforce the ban.
There are three alternatives to walking those initial miles. First, and most expensive, you can take a taxi to, for example, the catacombs (except on Sunday). Archeobus provides another alternative, a system of open buses that circulate on a fixed route linking noteworthy ancient sites throughout Rome, including a couple of stops on the Appia: once you have your ticket, you can hop on and off ad lib all day—though if the Appia is your only goal, and you do not plan to hop on and off all day elsewhere in the city, this too is an expensive alternative.
The option I prefer entails an easy combination of Metro and bus (one low fare allows you to ride both): either the Metro B line to the Circo Massimo, followed by a #118 bus to a stop at the San Sebastiano catacombs, from which you can continue outbound safely on foot; or the Metro A line to Colli Albani, followed by a #660 bus to the Cecilia Metella stop, from which you can continue out or take a short walk back toward the catacombs.
Travelers for whom the word “park” suggests the state and national park systems of the United States, which offer various amenities for visitors should know that there are no comparable amenities in the archaeological park of the via Appia antica. Between the San Sebastiano and Cecilia Metella bus stops there are several private establishments—one very bad restaurant (on the right as you walk away from the city), one very good restaurant (L’Archeologia, on the left), and a small café at Cecilia Metella where bicycles can also be rented. But between Cecilia Metella and the tomb of Gallienus six Roman miles away, there are no facilities of any sort, beyond a small bar and restaurant attached to a tennis club on the via degli Eugenii, off the Appia about a mile and a half beyond Cecilia Metella. (A sign on the Appia says that the club is 100 meters away, a bold lie: it’s 600 meters.) If you plan to spend a day in the best part of the park, walking out from Cecilia Metella, see to the needs of nature before you start and pack a lunch with plenty of water.
South of Rome you will do more driving than walking, but of course there are a number of places you will want to explore on foot. Here is a baker’s dozen of must-stops, with their coordinates in parentheses so you can pinpoint them on Google Maps or “fly” to them on Google Earth.
Terracina: here the Appia grazes a “purgatory church” and the remains of the Roman Capitolium before entering the ancient forum (the central municipal plaza of today’s city), where it passes the cathedral of San Cesareo, which occupies the site of a temple of Rome and Augustus (41°17′30.64″N 13°14′55.77″E); high above the town, the ruins of the temple of Jupiter Anxur look out over the sea (41°17′26.73″N 13°15′34.38″E).
Parco Naturale dei Monti Aurunci, between Fondi and Itri(41°18′46.27″N 13°29′16.72″E).
Cicero’s tomb, Formia (41°15′05.61″N 13°34′42.99″E).
The amphitheater, Santa Maria Capua Vetere (41°05′09.25″N 14°15′00.33″E).
Trajan’s Arch, Benevento (41°07′56.89″N 14°46′44.86″E).
Ancient Venusia and the church of the Santissima Trinità, Venosa (40°58′08.14″N 15°49′38.82″E).
Gravina: The cathedral and the churches of Santa Maria del Suffragio and Saint Basil are all within a short walk of one another (40°49′06.41″N 16°24′49.39″E). Not on the Appia but worth a brief detour is the city of Altamura, nine miles away, which has a distinguished cathedral begun by Frederick II of Swabia and bread that is famous throughout Italy (40°49′38.88″N 16°33′11.34″E).
The archaeological museum, Taranto (40°28′23.26″N 17°14′21.42″E).
The harbor, Brindisi: The cathedral and the archaeological museum are also nearby, about a hundred yards from the waterfront (40°38′28.35″N 17°56′47.55″E).
Rent a car no larger than you absolutely require for yourself, any companions, and your luggage. We drove the Appia twice, the first time in a car that was too large, the second in one that was just right, and both scrapes in which we were involved on the first tour were largely attributable to the size of the auto (largely, but not entirely: see below).
Italian drivers are on average more aggressive than drivers in the United States (save in Massachusetts), and it is not for nothing that most traffic signals have a red light that is twice the diameter of the green. That said, their aggression rarely translates into real risk: they will, for example, seize on the slightest opening (sometimes, even, an imagined opening) to merge with a line of traffic, but I cannot recall a single instance of the high- speed tailgating that is common on American roads. (Perhaps the self-regard that causes an Italian driver to thrust himself ahead in line serves also to apply the brakes of self-preservation.) The rate of traffic fatalities in Italy, per 100,000 miles traveled, is significantly lower than it is in the United States.
You should acquire an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). Though you will probably have no need to use it (rental agencies certainly showed no interest in mine), the one occasion on which I did produce it was the exception that proved the rule and justified every one of the fifteen dollars it had cost. While driving just south of Minturno, I was waved over by a Guardia di Finanza offcer, who (I believe) had been alerted by radio from a patrol car that had spotted me passing in a no-passing zone. (What was that about? It’s a national sport!) But after determining that Italian was not my native language and looking over the IDP, the officer handed it back to me with a “Bene, grazie,” and waved us on our way.
Finally, if you have a GPS, either leave it at home or strictly limit yourself to using it to find a specific address (say, of a hotel) on entering one of the larger towns. Beyond that use, the only difficulties the device helped us out of were those it had led us into in the first place. There were two key problems. First, in a region where the quality of state and provincial roads can vary dramatically, the mapping software was insufficiently attentive to the character of the surface onto which it directed us, as one anecdote from our experience on the via Appia Traiana will illustrate. After being told by the robotic voice to “turn onto the unpaved roadway” for perhaps the sixth time in an afternoon, I brightened on seeing the name of the town we were trying to reach written on the roadblock meant to keep us off the road onto which we had just been sent; for her part, Laura didn’t so much brighten on seeing the roadblock as turn white. “Actually,” I chirped, about a half mile later, “this has to give us a much better idea of what travel was like in antiquity than anything we’ve done in the past few days”; this observation was greeted by a certain amount of hysterical laughter. But when a few minutes later I nearly burned out the clutch after stalling on a steep grade behind a tractor, I turned tail and fled, then wasted much of the afternoon trying to recover a drivable surface. Second, the software is understandably incapable of gauging the relation between a given vehicle’s size and the width of the street on which it is traveling, and streets in the historical centers of Italian towns, also understandably, were not built with the dimensions of modern vehicles in mind: hence our two scrapes. For the most part, the road system in southern Italy is not crowded with a confusing array of options, and you will do much better to use a set of decent road maps.
The best maps for tracing the ancient route of the Appia—as for locating any other feature of the ancient Mediterranean basin and its environs—are found in the Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World (Princeton, 2000), one of the great recent achievements in ancient studies: the maps of central and southern Italy (maps 44 and 45, respectively) are well worth photocopying and carrying with you. The distinguished editor of the Barrington Atlas, Richard Talbert, has more recently written a book on the Tabula Peutingeriana—Rome’s World: The Peutinger Map Reconsidered (Cambridge, 2010)— and you can view the entire Tabula as a seamless whole, in color, on the website that supplements the book (select Map A at http://www.cambridge.org/us/talbert/).
For the modern road system, the Michelin maps for “Italie Centre” and “Italie Sud” are reasonably priced and certainly adequate, but I recommend instead (or in addition) the series of maps dedicated to Italy’s administrative provinces, from Lazio to Brindisi, which can be purchased easily online (just type “road maps Italy provinces” into Google, and you’ll find a vendor within a few clicks). These are easier to handle than the rather unwieldy Michelin maps and, more important, they’re drawn on a larger scale (1:250,000 vs. 1:400,000); the added detail is worth the expense. Note, in any case, that whereas any map you use will identify the roads you take by number (for example, SS7 = Strada statale 7), the signage on the ground rarely uses the number to identify a road or to indicate a choice between roads. Instead, signs use the names of towns, typically pointing you toward the next town located on a given road. In using a map, then, you need to look one move ahead, having in mind both where you are and the name of the next town in the direction you want to go.
I’ve already sung the praises of the people we met, for their kindness and goodwill, and I’ll do some more of that soon, but first I should note a regional peculiarity that you will encounter every day, one that I found puzzling and annoying, if finally a bit endearing. It concerns the interaction of people and euro notes. If you offer to pay a $12 tab with a $20 bill in a shop or eating place in the States, it will be taken as an obvious thing to do; in fact, if you try to pay a $2 tab with a $20 bill, you will be met by nothing more than the occasional, “Got anything smaller?” But try to pay a €12 tab with a €20 note in any establishment in southern Italy: looks of hurt and reproach as employees empty their own pockets in search of change, then perhaps a dash to the shop next door. As for €50 or €100 notes: please, be serious. One evening in Benevento, when I tried to pay for our €40-odd worth of dinner with a €100 note, the grandmotherly owner, with whom we’d been chatting on and off throughout the meal, recoiled and raised her hands in a defensive gesture, as though I’d drawn a weapon. But when we’d settled up and I put down the €5 note that is the conventional token of thanks for service above and beyond the cover charge, she quickly scooped it up and added it to a sheaf of notes, two inches thick, that she produced from her apron pocket. It was then that I decided, well, something’s happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear… Whatever the cause of this quirk, I mention it on the chance that doing so will save you from spending an outsized chunk of a morning as I did, waiting on line in a bank to get change for some larger denomination notes. When you buy your euros, insist on nothing larger than €20 bills.
Currency is a medium of exchange and so a form of language, complete with its inevitable opacities and mistaken signals. Even more obviously, language is a form of language. I’ve already had more than one occasion to refer to my very imperfect grasp of Italian, but what I’ve left mostly unremarked is the openhearted willingness of people to work with me in my struggles. It is a cliché to speak of the kindness of the Italian people, and another to say that if you make an effort, people will cut you a generous amount of slack; but clichés are often clichés because they are true. Though English is less commonly spoken in the south than in Rome and farther north, you will generally find enough in hotels and restaurants to get by— but you should also try to meet people halfway. If you know no Italian, take along a simple phrasebook: I assure you that you will not only manage but take pleasure in the interchanges besides. Every exchange that we had—if we set aside a few taxi drivers in and around Rome who were actual thieves—added to our enjoyment and, yes, confi rmed the clichés. Typical of these exchanges was our encounter with a young mother in Mirabella Eclano, whom we approached for directions after driving in circles for an hour looking for the site of ancient Aeclanum. She knew no English whatever, and she quickly gauged the limits of my Italian, but she shrugged, clapped her hands, and said, “Proviamo”—“Let’s try.” It came to nothing (we spent another hour driving in circles before stumbling on the site by chance), but that single verb remains one of my favorite memories of our travels. | 2019-04-22T02:52:11Z | https://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/excerpt/2012/kaster_appian.html |
Today, the regular session of the 85th Legislature came to a close. According to the Texas Legislative Reference Library, a total of 6,631 bills were introduced during the session. Of that total, over 1,200 bills were passed and sent to Governor Abbott, some of which have already been signed into law. The Governor has until Sunday, June 18, 2017, to sign, veto, or let become law without signature legislation that was passed during the regular session. Unless the Governor calls a special session, the next update will occur after the June 18th veto deadline has passed.
For purposes of this update, all monitored bills have been moved to one of the following categories to reflect the disposition of each: Bills Signed by the Governor, Bills that Passed (Sent to the Governor); and Bills that Failed. Bills that have been passed have also been assigned to one of the subject matter heading listed below. If you prefer not to read the entire list, you can jump to a category by clicking on the subject heading. Once you have completed reading a specific bill summary, you can return to the beginning of the update by clicking on the subject heading for the summarized bill.
Reminder: Some of the internal links (i.e., those that hyperlink to locations within the update) may not work on iPad or iPhone. However, the external links (i.e., those that hyperlink to the text of a bill, the bill analysis, and to other documents or video at another location) should work on all web-accessible devices. Hopefully, I’ll have the internal link issue resolved by the time the next regular session begins.
· Summary: SB 4, filed by Sen. Charles Perry (R - Lubbock) (but co-authored by multiple senators), will, among other things, prohibit state and local government policies that prevent local law enforcement from inquiring about a person's immigration status and complying with detainer requests. SB 4 also waives sovereign and governmental immunity for those entities that release from custody a person who is the subject of an immigration detainer request issued by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and creates liability for damages resulting from a felony committed by the person within 10 years following the person’s release if: (1) the state criminal justice agency, county, or municipality did not detain the person as requested; (2) the person was not a citizen of the United States at the time of release; and (3) the attorney general has petitioned the chief justice of the supreme court to convene the special three-judge district court to hear an action brought under that section against the county or municipality.
SB 4 will also be of interest to appellate courts and practitioners because it creates another accelerated appeal in civil cases brought under section 752.055(b) of the Government Code, which authorizes the Attorney General (AG) to file a petition for a writ of mandamus or apply for other appropriate equitable relief to compel compliance by entities or an institution's campus police department that has violated the law relating to immigration enforcement policies.
· Effective date: The Governor signed SB 4 on May 7, 2017. The changes to the law addressed in the bill are effective September 1, 2017.
· Effective date: The Governor signed SB 44 on May 23, 2017. The changes to the law addressed in the bill are effective immediately.
· Summary: HB 1761, filed by Rep. John Smithee (R - Amarillo), amends section 22.001 of the Government Code and does the following: (1) removes all grounds of jurisdiction except for “important to the jurisdiction of the state;” (2) provides that appeals may be taken to the Supreme Court only after the appeal was first taken to the court of appeals unless it is an appeal from injunctions based on the constitutionality of a statute; (3) deletes the phrases “coextensive with the limits of the state” and “extending to all questions of law;” and (4) repeals the conflicts jurisdiction provision (section 22.001(e)). HB 1761 also repeals and/or amends provisions of section 22.007 to eliminate references to the “application for writ of error” and verbiage associated with the writ of error process. Finally, the bill repeals portions of section 22.225 of the Government Code, thereby expanding the Court’s jurisdiction to hear all interlocutory appeals that involve issues that are important to the jurisprudence of the state.
· Effective date: The Governor signed HB 1761 on May 26, 2017. The changes to the law addressed by the bill are effective September 1, 2017. The repeal of section 22.225(d) of the Government Code (i.e., which permitted the Supreme Court to consider petitions for review for the interlocutory orders described in Civil Practice & Remedies Code §51.014 (a)(3), (6), (11), and (d)) will apply to interlocutory orders signed after the effective date.
o Requires a claimant seeking damages in an action against an insurer to provide written notice to the insurer at least 61 days prior to filing suit. Pre-suit notices must include the following information: (1) the specific damage items and the amount alleged to be owed by the insurer; (2) the amount of attorney’s fees the claimant reasonably incurred in asserting the claim against the insurer; (3) a statement of the acts or omissions giving rise to the claim; and (4) the identity of any agent whose act or omission caused or contributed to the claimant’s loss of claim.
· Effective date: The Governor signed HB 1774 on May 26, 2017. The changes to the law addressed in HB 1774 are effective September 1, 2017, and apply to claims and causes of action filed on or after September 1st.
· Summary: HB 1995, filed by Rep. Gary Elkins (R - Houston), amends chapter 134A of the Civil Practice & Remedies Code (CPRC) (a/k/a Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA)) to (1) make the UTSA consistent with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 1986 passed by Congress in May 2016; (2) add a definition of “clear and convincing evidence” to be consistent with the same definition in other sections of the CPRC; (3) add a definition of “willful and malicious appropriation” (using a 7th Circuit case for guidance); and (4) codify concepts from the Texas Supreme Court’s 2016 decision in In re M-I LLC, which explored the tension between the rights of litigants to hear the evidence presented against them and a trade secret owner’s right to protect the confidentiality of its trade secrets during litigation.
· Effective date: The Governor signed HB 1995 on May 19, 2017. The changes to the law addressed in the bill are effective September 1, 2017.
· Summary: SB 302, filed by Sen. Kirk Watson (D - Austin), will continue the existence of the State Bar of Texas through September 1, 2029. The original version of SB 302 was based on the Sunset Advisory Commission’s recommendations and included provisions addressing concerns with the “slow and recently ineffective process” for updating rules and procedures governing attorney conduct and the disciplinary process. In its recommendations, the Commission proposed restructuring the rulemaking process under a newly created Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda (CDR), while retaining the authority of State Bar members to approve rule changes through a referendum. The Commission also recommended a series of “best practices” to help improve efficiency and responsiveness for attorneys and the public and help the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel monitor and take action against unethical attorneys. The changes included, among other things, the creation of an independent ombudsman’s office at the Supreme Court and ways to maximize the informal dispute resolution process.
A conference committee was appointed to reconcile the two versions of the bill. On May 26th, the conference committee reached an agreement that adopted much of the Senate’s version of SB 302 and most of the House’s amendments described above. One of the more notable modifications in the conference committee report was to instruct the Supreme Court to ensure that rules governing admission to the bar do not violate Chapter 110 (Religious Freedom) of the CPRC.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law addressed in SB 302 will be effective September 1, 2017.
· Summary: HB 1704, filed by Rep. John Kuempel (R - Seguin), would amend section 245.006 of the Local Government Code to authorize a court to award court costs and attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in a suit to enforce or determine the applicability of a local government regulation.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes HB 1704, the changes to the law addressed in the bill will be effective immediately.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes HB 45, the changes to the law addressed in the bill will be effective September 1, 2017. The Supreme Court would be required to adopt the rules required by HB 45 no later than January 1, 2018.
· Summary: HB 25, filed by Rep. Ron Simmons (R - Carrollton) and others, would amend section 62.011 and other sections of the Election Code to eliminate straight ticket voting.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes HB 25, the changes to the law will be effective September 1, 2020.
· Summary: SB 813, filed by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R - Mineola) and others, would amend section 105 of the CPRC by adding a cause of action for frivolous state agency regulatory actions. More specifically, a claimant would be permitted to bring an action against a state agency if the state agency takes a regulatory action against the claimant that is “frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation.” Under SB 813, a claimant may recover, in addition to all other costs permitted by law or regulation, damages caused by the state agency’s frivolous regulatory action, including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in defending against a frivolous regulatory action during an administrative proceeding and judicial review of that proceeding, if: (1) the person prevails in the judicial review of an administrative proceeding; and (2) the state agency is unable to demonstrate that the agency has good cause for the regulatory action. The bill would also require a claimant to exhaust administrative remedies before pursuing a civil cause of action against a state agency.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law addressed by SB 813 will be effective September 1, 2017, and will apply to regulatory actions taken on or after the effective date.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law made by HB 53 will be effective September 1, 2017 and will apply only to a claim or action based on a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date.
o Requires a patient/legal representative to notify those identified in the authorization in the event the authorization is revoked.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the change in law made by HB 2891 will be effective immediately.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law made by SB 44 will be effective immediately.
· Summary: SB 1233, filed by Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D - El Paso), would amend section 22.221(b) of the Government Code to add statutory county and statutory probate county court judges to the list of judges against whom a court of appeals may issue writs of mandamus. The bill also adds “an associate judge of a district or county court appointed by a judge under Chapter 201, Family Code” to the list of judges against whom a court of appeals may issue a writ of mandamus.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law made by SB 1233 will be effective September 1, 2017, and will apply only to a proceeding seeking a writ of mandamus filed in a CA on or after the effective date.
HB 1480: The companion to SB 1233, HB 1480 (filed by Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D - Houston)), also passed in both chambers. HB 1480 did not include provisions that added statutory county and statutory probate county court judges to the list of those courts subject to mandamus.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law made by HB 1480 will be effective September 1, 2017, and will apply to a suit filed on or after the effective date.
· SB 1893 would also require the Texas Judicial Council to collect judicial statistics and other pertinent information from the presiding judges of each administrative judicial region regarding the amount and character of any business transacted by the presiding judges. The presiding judges would be required to report monthly any information required by the Judicial Council.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law made by SB 1893 will be effective immediately.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law made by HB 214 will be effective September 1, 2017.
· Summary: HB 2776, filed by Rep. John Smithee (R - Amarillo), would amend section 22.004 of the Government Code to require the Supreme Court to adopt rules to provide that the right of an appellant under CPRC §6.001(b)(1), (2), or (3) to supersede a judgment or order on appeal is not subject to being counter-superseded under Rule 24.2(a)(3) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, or any other rule. The bill further provides that counter-supersedeas will remain available to parties in a lawsuit concerning a matter that was the basis of a contested case in an administrative enforcement action.
Effective date: Unless the Governor vetoes the bill, the changes to the law made by SB 44 will be effective September 1, 2017. The Supreme Court will be required to adopt the required rules by May 1, 2018.
Effective date: The proposed constitutional amendment must be submitted to voters at an election to be held on November 7, 2017.
In the House, SB 949 was referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on May 15th. The bill was voted out of committee, without amendments, on May 18th.
· Bill History (HB 2221): Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on April 25, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 2221 begins around the 3:10:50 mark. On April 27th, the bill was voted out of committee without amendments.
A similar, though not identical, bill (HB 2457) was filed by Rep. Morgan Meyer (R - Dallas). The original version of HB 2457 added “other organization” to the list of those from whom attorney’s fees can be recovered and provides that “organization” will be defined as it is in section 1.002 of the Business Organizations Code. The version of HB 2457 voted out of committee also adds the state, state agencies, and political subdivisions of the state to the list.
In the Senate, HB 744 was referred to State Affairs on May 18, 2017.
· Bill History (HB 2457): Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on April 18, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 2457 begins around the 2:24:40 mark. The bill, as amended, was voted out of committee on April 27th.
· Bill History: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence has scheduled the bill for public hearing on April 25, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 1951 begins around the 03:03:45 mark. The bill was left pending.
· Bill History: Referred to State Affairs on January 24, 2017.
· Bill History (SB 621): Referred to State Affairs on February 13, 2017.
· Bill History (HB 1315): Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on March 28, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 1315 begins around the 03:25:40 mark. A committee substitute was considered by the committee. The bill was left pending.
· Bill History: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on March 28, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 1053 begins around the 03:36:45 mark. The bill was left pending.
· Bill History: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on April 4, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 2422 begins around the 03:21:00 mark. The bill was voted out of committee, as amended, on April 11th.
· Bill History: Business & Industry conducted a public hearing on April 24, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 2343 begins around the 01:42:20 mark. The bill was voted out of committee, as amended, on April 27th.
· Bill History: Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on March 15, 2017.
· Bill History: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on April 11, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 2301 begins around the 05:58:15 mark. A committee substitute was proposed and the bill was left pending.
· Bill History: Referred to Business & Commerce on February 27, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on February 16, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to Juvenile Justice & Family Issues on February 27, 2017.
· Bill History: Juvenile Justice & Family Issues conducted a public hearing on March 29, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 730 begins around the 00:01:20 mark. On April 5th, HB 730 was voted out of committee.
· Summary: SB 1736, filed by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R - Mineola), would add Chapter 95A to the CPRC and provide that the fact that a card, sign, or other document described by Section 30.06(c)(3) or 30.07(c)(3), Penal Code, is not posted on the property of a business or any other evidence that a person failed to exercise the person’s option to forbid the carrying of a handgun by a license holder on the property: (1) is not admissible as evidence in a trial on the merits in an action: (A) against a person, including a business or other entity, who owns, controls, or manages the property; and (B) in which the cause of action arises from an injury sustained on the property; and (2) does not support a cause of action described by the statute.
In the House, SB 1736 was referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on May 5th. The bill was considered in a formal meeting and voted out of committee, without amendments, on May 16th.
· Bill History (SB 86): Referred to State Affairs on January 24, 2017.
· Bill History (HB 606): Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on March 28, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 606 begins around the 00:28:45 mark. The bill was voted out of committee, as amended, on April 27, 2017.
· Bill History: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on March 28, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 719 begins around the 01:23:45. The bill remains pending.
· Bill History: Referred to Business & Commerce on February 6, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to State Affairs on March 29, 2017.
· Bill History (SB 1307): Referred to State Affairs on March 14, 2017.
· Bill History (HB 3135): Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on March 29, 2017.
· Bill History (SJR 12): Referred to State Affairs on January 25, 2017.
· Bill History (SB 109): Referred to State Affairs on January 25, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to Redistricting on February 16, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to General Investigating & Ethics on February 28, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on February 27, 2017.
· Bill History (HB 1038): Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on April 11, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 1038 begins around the 02:34:45 mark. The bill was voted out of committee, as amended, on May 4th.
· Bill History (SB 1946): Referred to State Affairs on March 27, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on February 21, 2017.
· Summary: HB 1258, filed by Rep. Travis Clardy (R - Nacogdoches) and amended in committee, is intended to ensure that privacy safeguards are implemented and followed with respect to electronic court records made available to the public. The bill would also allow the Supreme Court, in consultation with the court clerks, to establish fees for accessing electronic court records and grant immunity to court clerks and county commissioners courts with respect to the handling of electronic court filings. When originally filed, HB 1258 sought to prohibit a person, including a governmental entity, who establishes, maintains, or operates an electronic court record database from allowing public access to any court document electronically filed with a county court, statutory county court, or district court unless: (1) the clerk of the court enters into a written agreement with the person authorizing public access to the document through the database; and (2) the commissioners court of the county in which the court is located approves the agreement.
In the Senate, HB 1258 was referred to State Affairs on May 18, 2017.
· Bill History: Criminal Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on April 3, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 1465 begins around the 4:21:30 mark. The bill was left pending in committee.
· Bill History: Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on March 6, 2017.
· Bill History (HB 2574): Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on April 18, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 2574 begins around the 2:29:20 mark. The bill was voted out of committee, as amended, on April 27th.
· Bill History: Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on March 30, 2017.
· Bill History (SB 1938): State Affairs conducted a public hearing on April 27, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: Senate Video Archives. Testimony about SB 1938 begins around the 00:39:45 mark. The bill was left pending.
· Bill History (HB 3971): Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence conducted a public hearing on April 11, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 3971 begins around the 00:02:30 mark. The bill was voted out of committee, as amended, on April 27th.
o In order to be eligible to serve as chief justice or a justice of the Supreme Court, presiding judge or judge of the CCA, or chief justice or justice of the court of appeals, the person must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and, at the time of election, be a citizen of the United States and of the State of Texas; be at least thirty-five years of age; and has been a practicing lawyer licensed in the State of Texas for at least ten years, or has been a practicing lawyer licensed in the State of Texas and judge of a state court or county court established by the Legislature by statute for a combined total of at least ten years, during which time the person ’s license to practice law has not been revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension.
o The effective date of the changes to the Constitution would be January 1, 2018. The implementation of the staggered term process would begin with those justices whose terms begin to expire in 2021, and continue as outlined in HJR 10.
In the Senate, State Affairs conducted a public hearing on May 18, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill are listed here: Witness List. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: Senate Video Archives. Testimony about HJR 10 begins around the 1:35:40 mark. The resolution was voted out of committee, without amendments, on May 18th.
· Bill History: Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on April 3, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on February 20, 2017.
· Bill History: Referred to State Affairs on March 23, 2017.
· Bill History (HB 434): State Affairs conducted a public hearing on April 5, 2017. Those who testified or registered a position on the bill were the same individuals who testified in the Senate. For those interested in watching the proceedings, here is a link to the archived broadcast of the hearing: House Video Archives. Testimony about HB 434 begins around the 00:27:00 mark. Upon consideration of further amendments, which included the addition of a provision stating that the changes to the law made by HB 434 may not be construed to eliminate any duty of a physician or other health care practitioner under any other applicable law, HB 434, as amended, was voted out of committee on April 17th. | 2019-04-23T16:40:09Z | http://tex-app.org/DrawOnePage.aspx?PageID=16544 |
Loopy Loyalty is owned and operated by PassKit, Inc.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY BEFORE USING PASSKIT. THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONSTITUTE A LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND PASSKIT, INC.
You would like to use Loopy Loyalty (as defined below) to generate Digital Stamp Card(s) for use by Passbook and any other OS and devices supported. PassKit, Inc. is willing to grant You the use of Loopy Loyalty to generate Digital Stamp Cards on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
In order to use Loopy Loyalty software and related services, You must first agree to this Agreement. If You do not or cannot agree to this Agreement, You are not permitted to use Loopy Loyalty.
- by using the Loopy Loyalty software.
“Agreement” means the PassKit License Agreement, including any attachments and any exhibits thereto which are hereby incorporated by this reference.
“Documentation” means any technical or other specifications or documentation that PassKit, Inc. may provide to You for use in connection with Loopy Loyalty.
“Pass(es)” means one or more digital stamp cards developed by You under this Agreement.
“Pass ID” means the combination of an Apple-issued certificate and Push Application ID that is used by You to digitally sign Your Passes and to send Push Notifications to Pass(es) using both PassKit and Apple services.
“Passbook” means Apple’s installed iOS feature that has the ability to store and display Passes for use on iOS Products.
“PassKit” means the online service(s) provided by and maintained by PassKit, Inc. for the design, production, distribution, management and analysis of Pass(es) for Passbook. For purposes of Schedule 1, PassKit means PassKit, Inc..
“Push Notification” means a message, including any content or data therein, that You transmit to end-users and that is delivered in Your Pass within Passbook.
“You” and “Your” means and refers to the person(s) or legal entity (whether the company, organisation, educational institution, or governmental agency, instrumentality, or department) using Loopy Loyalty or otherwise exercising rights under this Agreement. For the sake of clarity, You may authorize contractors to use Loopy Loyalty on Your behalf.
You certify to PassKit, Inc. and agree that: (a) You are of the legal age of majority in the jurisdiction in which You reside (at least 18 years of age in many countries) and have the right and authority to enter into this Agreement on Your own behalf, or if You are entering into this Agreement on behalf of Your company, organisation, educational institution, or agency, instrumentality, or department of the federal government, that You have the right and authority to legally bind such entity or organisation to the terms and obligations of this Agreement; (b) All information provided by You to PassKit, Inc. or Your end-users in connection with this Agreement or Passes, including without limitation Pass Information, will be current, true, accurate, supportable and complete and, with regard to information You provide to PassKit, Inc., You will promptly notify PassKit, Inc. of any changes to such information. Furthermore, You agree that PassKit, Inc. may share such information (including email address and mailing address) with third parties who have a need to know for purposes related thereto (e.g., intellectual property questions, customer service inquiries, etc.); (c) You will comply with the terms of and fulfill Your obligations under this Agreement, and You agree be fully responsible for any actions undertaken by You in relation to Your Pass and their compliance with the terms of this Agreement; (d) You will be solely responsible for all costs, expenses, losses and liabilities incurred, and activities undertaken by You in connection with PassKit, Your Passes and Your related development and distribution efforts, including, but not limited to, any related development efforts, network and server equipment, Internet service(s), or any other hardware, software or services used by You in connection with Your use of any services; (e) For the purposes of Schedule 1, You represent and warrant that You own or control the necessary rights in order to appoint PassKit, Inc. as Your worldwide agent for the delivery of Your Passes, and that the fulfillment of such appointment by PassKit, Inc. shall not violate or infringe the rights of any third party; and (f) You will not act in a manner which conflicts or interferes with any existing commitment or obligation You may have and no agreement previously entered into by You will interfere with Your performance of Your obligations under this Agreement.
As a condition to using PassKit, You agree that: (a) You will only use the PassKit for the purposes and in the manner expressly permitted by this Agreement and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations; (b) You will not use PassKit for any unlawful or illegal activity, nor to generate a Pass which would commit or facilitate the commission of a crime, or other unlawful or illegal act; (c) To the best of Your knowledge and belief, Your Pass and Pass Information do not and will not violate, misappropriate, or infringe any third party copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy and publicity, trade secrets, patents, or other proprietary or legal rights (e.g. photography or image rights, logo rights, third party data rights); (d) You agree that all development of Passes must be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, You may distribute Your Passes to end-users by the web, email, or an Application. You understand and agree that Your end-users must accept Your Passes before they will be loaded into Passbook or any other device and can remove Your Passes from Passbook or any other device at any time.
By distributing Your Passes in this manner, You represent and warrant to PassKit, Inc. that Your Passes comply with the terms of this agreement. PassKit, Inc. and Apple shall not be responsible for any costs, expenses, damages, losses (including without limitation lost business opportunities or lost profits) or other liabilities You may incur as a result of distributing Your Passes in this manner. You also indemnify PassKit, Inc. and Apple from any costs, expenses, damages, losses (including without limitation lost business opportunities or lost profits) or other liabilities You may incur as a result of distributing Your Passes in this manner.
You will be responsible for attaching or otherwise including, at Your discretion, any relevant end-user usage terms with Your Passes. PassKit, Inc. will not be responsible for any violations of Your end-user usage terms. You will be solely responsible for all user assistance, warranty and support of Your Passes.
By distributing Your Passes as permitted in this Agreement, You hereby permit PassKit, Inc. and Apple to use (i) screen shots of Your Pass; (ii) trademarks, logos and images associated with Your Pass; and (iii) Pass Information, for promotional purposes in marketing materials and gift cards, excluding those portions which You do not have the right to use for promotional purposes and which You identify in writing to PassKit, Inc..
You understand and agree that PassKit, Inc. reserves the right to review and approve or reject Your Pass(es) at any time during the Term of this Agreement.
PASSKIT AND APPLE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES ARISING FROM ANY USE, MISUSE, RELIANCE ON, INABILITY TO USE, INTERRUPTION, SUSPENSION, OR TERMINATION OF PASSKIT, PASSBOOK, YOUR PASS ID, YOUR PASSES, OR ANY SERVICES PROVIDED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY LOSS OR FAILURE TO DISPLAY YOUR PASS IN PASSBOOK OR ANY END-USER CLAIMS ARISING FROM ANY USE OF THE FOREGOING BY YOUR END-USERS.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, You agree to indemnify and hold harmless, PassKit, Inc., its directors, officers, employees, independent contractors and agents (each an "PassKit, Inc. Indemnified Party") from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, taxes, expenses and costs, including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and court costs (collectively, "Losses"), incurred by a PassKit, Inc. Indemnified Party and arising from or related to any of the following: (i) Your breach of any certification, covenant, obligation, representation or warranty in this Agreement; (ii) any claims that Your Pass or Pass Information violate or infringe any third party intellectual property or proprietary rights; (iii) PassKit, Inc.’s permitted use, promotion or delivery of Pass, Pass Information, metadata, related trademarks and logos, or images and other materials that You provide to PassKit, Inc. under this Agreement; (iv) any claims, including but not limited to any end-user claims, regarding Your Pass, Pass Information, or related logos, trademarks, content or images; or (v) Your use Pass, Pass Information, metadata or Your development and distribution of any Application or Pass.
To the extent permitted by law, You hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each PassKit, Inc. Indemnified Party from any Losses incurred by such PassKit, Inc. Indemnified Party by reason of any such use.
As consideration for the rights granted to You under the Agreement, You agree to pay PassKit, Inc. the requisite monthly fees as set forth on PassKit website. The fees are non refundable. Any taxes that may be levied on the PassKit software or Your use of it shall be Your responsibility.
PassKit, Inc. reserves the right to modify the fees and other charges for the subsequent Renewal Subscription Term upon notice to You no less than sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of such Renewal Subscription Term.
The Term of this Agreement shall extend until the one (1) year anniversary of the original activation date of Your subscription account (“Effective Date”). Thereafter, subject to Your compliance with the terms of this Agreement, the Term will automatically renew for successive one (1) year terms, unless sooner terminated in accordance with this Agreement.
This Agreement and all rights granted by PassKit, Inc. hereunder and any services provided hereunder will terminate, effective immediately upon notice from PassKit, Inc.: (a) if You fail to comply with any term of this Agreement and fail to cure such breach within 30 days after becoming aware of or receiving notice of such breach; (b) if You become insolvent, fail to pay Your debts when due, dissolve or cease to do business, file for bankruptcy, or have filed against You a petition in bankruptcy; or (f) if You engage, or encourage others to engage, in any misleading, fraudulent, improper, unlawful or dishonest act relating to this Agreement, PassKit, Inc. may also terminate this Agreement, or suspend Your rights to use PassKit, if You fail to accept any new Agreement terms.
The PassKit services may contain inaccuracies or errors that could cause failures or loss of data. PassKit, Inc., or its licensors, may provide or make available through PassKit certain web based applications, service related software, certificate issuance services, or other services for Your use (collectively the “Services” for purpose of section 6 and 10). PassKit, Inc. and its licensors reserve the right to change, suspend, remove, or disable access to any Services (or any part thereof) at any time without notice. In no event will PassKit, Inc. or its licensors be liable for the removal of or disabling of access to any such Services. PassKit, Inc. or its licensors may also impose limits on the use of or access to certain Services, or may remove the Services for indefinite time periods or cancel the Services at any time and in any case and without notice or liability.
YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THE USE OF PASSKIT SOFTWARE, SECURITY SOLUTION AND ANY SERVICES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK AND THAT THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO SATISFACTORY QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCURACY AND EFFORT IF WITH YOU. THE PASSKIT SOFTWARE, SECURITY SOLUTION AND ANY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS-IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, AND PASSKIT, PASSKIT’s AGENTS AND PASSKIT’S LICENSORS HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE PASSKIT SOFTWARE, SECURITY SOLUTION AND SERVICES EITHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND NON INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. PASSKIT DOES NOT WARRANT AGAINST INTERFERENCE WITH YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE PASSKIT SOFTWARE, SECURITY SOLUTION OR SERVICES, THAT THE OPERATION OF THE PASSKIT SOFTWARE, SECURITY SOLUTION, OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE OR ERROR FREE, THAT DEFECTS OR ERRORS IN THE PASSKIT SOFTWARE, SECURITY SOLUTION OR SERVICES WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH FUTURE APPLE PRODUCTS, SERVICES OR SOFTWARE OR ANY THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE, APPLICATIONS OR SERVICES, OR THAT ANY INFORMATION STORED OR TRANSMITTED THROUGH ANY PASSKIT SOFTWARE OR SERVICE WILL NOT BE LOST, CORRUPTED OR DAMAGED. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PASSKIT SOFTWARE AND SERVICES ARE NOT INTENDED OR SUITABLE FOR USE IN SITUATIONS OR ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ERRORS, DELAYS, FAILURES OR INACCURACIES IN THE TRANSMISSION OR STORAGE OF DATA OR INFORMATION BY OR THROUGH THE PASSKIT SOFTWARE OR SERVICES COULD LEAD TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL, PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY PASSKIT OR A PASSKIT AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE WILL CREATE A WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT. SHOULD THE PASSKIT SOFTWARE, SECURITY SOLUTION OR SERVICES PROVDE DEFECTIVE YOU ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION.
Location data as well as any maps data provided by any Services or software is for basic navigational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon in situations where precise location information is needed or where erroneous, inaccurate or incomplete location data may lead to death, personal injury, property or environment damage. Neither PassKit, Inc. nor any of its licensors guarantees the availability, accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness of location data or any other data or information displayed by any Services or software.
Any notices relating to this Agreement shall be in writing. Notices will be deemed given by PassKit, Inc. when sent to You at the email address or mailing address You provided during the registration process. All notices to PassKit, Inc. relating to this Agreement will be deemed given when sent by you at the email [email protected]. You consent to receive notices by email and agree that any such notices that PassKit, Inc. sends You electronically will satisfy any legal communication requirements. A party may change its email or mailing address by giving the other written notice as described above.
PassKit, Inc. may change the terms of this Agreement at any time. In order to continue using the PassKit, You must accept and agree to the new terms of this Agreement. If You do not agree to new terms, Your use of the PassKit will be suspended or terminated by PassKit, Inc.. You agree that Your acceptance of such new Agreement terms may be signified electronically, including without limitation, by Your checking a box or clicking on an “agree” or similar button.
1.1 You hereby appoint PassKit as Your worldwide agent for the delivery of the Passes to end-users, during the Delivery Period. You hereby acknowledge that PassKit will deliver the Passes to end-users for You and on Your behalf. For purposes of this Schedule 1, the term "Passes" includes any additional permitted functionality, content or services provided by You.
1.3 The parties acknowledge and agree that their relationship under this Schedule 1 is, and shall be, that of principal and agent, and that You, as principal, are, and shall be, solely responsible for any and all claims and liabilities involving or relating to, the Passes, as provided in this Schedule 1. The parties acknowledge and agree that Your appointment of PassKit as its agent under this Schedule 1 is non-exclusive.
1.4 For purposes of this Schedule 1, the "Delivery Period" shall mean the period beginning on the Effective Date of the Agreement, and expiring on the last day of the Agreement or any renewal thereof; provided, however, that PassKit’s appointment as Your agent shall survive expiration of the Agreement for a reasonable phase-out period not to exceed thirty (30) days and further provided that, solely with respect to Your end-users, subsections 1.2(b), (c), and (d) of this Schedule 1 shall survive termination or expiration of the Agreement unless You indicate otherwise pursuant to sections 3.1 and 5.2 of this Schedule 1.
You acknowledge and agree that PassKit, in the course of acting as agent for You, is hosting, or pursuant to Section 1.2(b) of this Schedule 1 may enable authorized third parties to host, the Pass(es), and is allowing the download of those Pass(es) by end-users, on Your behalf. The parties acknowledge and agree that PassKit shall not acquire any ownership interest in or to any of the Passes or Pass Information, and title, risk of loss, responsibility for, and control over the Pass(es) shall, at all times, remain with You. PassKit may not use any of the Passes or Pass Information for any purpose, or in any manner, except as specifically authorized in this Schedule 1.
3.1 You represent and warrant that: (a) You have the right to enter into this Agreement, to reproduce and distribute each of the Passes, and to authorize PassKit to permit end-users to download and use each of the Pass(es); (b) none of the Passes, or end-users' permitted uses of those Passes, violate or infringe any patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other intellectual property or contractual rights of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity and that You are not submitting the Licensed Applications to PassKit on behalf of one or more third parties; (c) each of the Passes is authorized for distribution, use in, export to, and import into each of the countries designated by You under Section 2 of this Schedule 1, in accordance with the laws and regulations of those countries; (d) none of the Passes contains any obscene, offensive or other materials that are prohibited or restricted under the laws or regulations; (e) all information You provide is accurate and that, if any such information ceases to be accurate, You will promptly update it to be accurate; and (f) in the event a dispute arises over the content of Your Pass or use of Your intellectual property on the Pass, You agree to follow PassKit’s Pass dispute process on a non-exclusive basis and without any party waiving its legal rights.
4.1 PassKit shall have no responsibility for the installation and/or use of any of the Passes by any end-user. You shall be solely responsible for any and all end-user assistance and support with respect to each of the Passes.
4.2 You shall be solely responsible for, and PassKit shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever with respect to, any and all claims, suits, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses arising from, or attributable to, the Passes and/or the use of those Passes by any end-user, including, but not limited to: (i) claims of breach of warranty; (ii) product liability claims; and (iii) claims that any of the Passes and/or the end-user's possession or use of those Passes infringes the copyright or other intellectual property rights of any third party.
5.1 This Schedule 1, and all of PassKit's obligations hereunder, shall terminate upon the expiration or termination of the Agreement.
5.2 In the event that You no longer have the legal right to distribute the Passes, or to authorize PassKit to allow access to those Passes by end-users, in accordance with this Schedule 1, You shall promptly notify PassKit.
5.3 PassKit reserves the right to cease allowing download by end-users of the Passes at any time, with or without cause, by providing notice of termination to You. Without limiting the generality of this Section 5.3, You acknowledge that PassKit may cease allowing download by end-users of some or all of the Passes if PassKit reasonably believes that: (i) those Passes and/or any end-user's possession and/or use of those Passes, infringe patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret or other intellectual property rights of any third party; or (ii) the distribution and/or use of those Passes violates any applicable law in any country. An election by PassKit to cease allowing download of any Pass, pursuant to this Section 5.3, shall not relieve You of Your obligations under this Schedule 1.
5.4 You may invalidate any or all of the Passes at any time, and for any reason, by using the tools provided, except that, with respect to Your end-users, You hereby authorize and instruct PassKit to fulfill sections 1.2(b), (c), and (d) of this Schedule 1, which shall survive termination or expiration of the Agreement unless You indicate otherwise pursuant to sections 3.1 and 5.2 of this Schedule 1.
The relationship between You and PassKit established by this Schedule 1 may have important legal consequences for You. You acknowledge and agree that it is Your responsibility to consult with Your legal advisors with respect to Your legal obligations hereunder.
“You represent and warrant You have any necessary right to the images you upload, and further permit PassKit, Inc. to use these images to generate passes”.
"You permit PassKit, Inc. (“Service Provider”) to enable You in accessing and using the Apple Push Network in Your Passes"
1.1 You may use the APN only in Your Applications, Your Passes, and/or in sending OS X Website Push Notifications to the OS X desktop of users of Your Site who have opted in to receive Notifications through Safari on OS X. You, Your Application and/or Your Pass may access the APN only via the APN API and only if You have been assigned a Push Application ID by Apple. Except for the limited purpose of Section 6 below, You agree not to share Your Push Application ID with any third party. You understand that You will not be permitted to access or use the APN after expiration or termination of Your Agreement.
1.2 You are permitted to use the APN and the APN APIs only for the purpose of sending Push Notifications to Your Application or Your Pass on an iOS Product and/or to the OS X desktop of users of Your Site who have opted in to receive Notifications through Safari on OS X as expressly permitted by the Agreement (including but not limited to this Attachment 1), the APN Documentation and all applicable laws and regulations (including all intellectual property laws). You further agree that You must disclose to Apple any use of the APN as part of the submission process for Your Application.
1.3 You understand that before You send an end-user any Push Notifications through the APN, the end-user must consent to receive such Notifications. You agree not to disable, override or otherwise interfere with any Apple-implemented consent panels or any Apple system preferences for enabling or disabling Notification functionality. If the end-user’s consent to receive Push Notifications is denied or later withdrawn, You may not send the end-user Push Notifications.
2.1 You may not use the APN or Local Notifications for the purpose of sending unsolicited messages to end-users or for the purpose of phishing or spamming, including, but not limited to, engaging in any types of activities that violate anti-spamming laws and regulations, or that are otherwise improper, inappropriate or illegal. For example, You agree not to include links to phishing or other malicious websites in Your OS X Website Push Notifications.
2.2 You may not use the APN or Local Notifications for the purposes of advertising, product promotion, or direct marketing of any kind (e.g., up-selling, cross-selling, etc.), including, but not limited to, sending any messages to promote the use of Your Application or advertise the availability of new features or versions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, You may use the APN or Local Notifications for promotional purposes in connection with Your Pass so long as such use is directly related to the Pass, e.g., a store coupon may be sent to Your Pass in Passbook.
2.3 You may not excessively use the overall network capacity or bandwidth of the APN, or unduly burden an iOS Product, OS X or an end-user with excessive Push Notifications or Local Notifications, as may be determined by Apple in its reasonable discretion. In addition, You agree not to harm or interfere with Apple’s networks or servers, or any third party servers or networks connected to the APN, or otherwise disrupt other developers' use of the APN.
2.4 You may not use the APN or Local Notifications to send material that contains any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, sounds, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple’s reasonable judgment may be found objectionable by the end-user of Your Application, Pass or Site.
2.5 You may not transmit, store or otherwise make available any material that contains viruses or any other computer code, files or programs that may harm, disrupt or limit the normal operation of the APN or an iOS Product or OS X, and You agree not to disable, spoof, hack or otherwise interfere with any security, digital signing, verification or authentication mechanisms that are incorporated in or used by the APN, or enable others to do so.
Notifications that You send using Your Website Push ID must be sent under Your own name, trademark or brand (e.g., a user should know that the communication is coming from Your Site) and must include an icon, trademark, logo or other identifying mark for Your Site. You agree not to misrepresent or impersonate another Site or entity or otherwise mislead users about the originator of the OS X Website Push Notification. To the extent that You reference a third party’s trademark or brand within Your OS X Website Push Notification, You represent and warrant that You have any necessary rights.
3.2 By enabling the APN and sending OS X Website Push Notifications for Your Site as permitted in this Agreement, You hereby permit Apple to use (i) screen shots of Your OS X Website Push Notifications on OS X; and (ii) trademarks and logos associated with such Notifications, for promotional purposes in Apple’s marketing materials, excluding those portions which You do not have the right to use for promotional purposes and which You identify in writing to Apple. You also permit Apple to use images and other materials that You may provide to Apple, at Apple’s reasonable request, for promotional purposes in marketing materials.
4. Delivery by the APN or via Local Notifications. You understand and agree that in order to provide the APN and make Your Push Notifications available on iOS Products or OS X, Apple may transmit Your Push Notifications across various public networks, in various media, and modify or change Your Push Notifications to comply with the technical and other requirements for connecting to networks or devices. You acknowledge and agree that the APN is not, and is not intended to be, a guaranteed or secure delivery service, and You shall not use or rely upon it as such. Further, as a condition to using the APN or delivering Local Notifications, You agree not to transmit sensitive personal or confidential information belonging to an individual (e.g., a social security number, financial account or transactional information, or any information where the individual may have a reasonable expectation of secure transmission) as part of any such Notification, and You agree to comply with any applicable notice or consent requirements with respect to any collection, transmission, maintenance, processing or use of an end-user’s personal information.
5.1 Apple may at any time, and from time to time, with or without prior notice to You (a) modify the APN, including changing or removing any feature or functionality, or (b) modify, deprecate, reissue or republish the APN APIs. You understand that any such modifications may require You to change or update Your Applications, Passes or Sites at Your own cost. Apple has no express or implied obligation to provide, or continue to provide, the APN and may suspend or discontinue all or any portion of the APN at any time. Apple shall not be liable for any losses, damages or costs of any kind incurred by You or any other party arising out of or related to any such service suspension or discontinuation or any such modification of the APN or APN APIs.
5.2 The APN is not available in all languages or in all countries and Apple makes no representation that the APN is appropriate or available for use in any particular location. To the extent You choose to access and use the APN, You do so at Your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with any applicable laws, including but not limited to any local laws.
5.3 Apple provides the APN to You for Your use with Your Application, Pass, or Site, and does not provide the APN directly to any end-user. You acknowledge and agree that any Push Notifications are sent by You, not Apple, to the end-user of Your Application, Pass or Site, and You are solely liable and responsible for any data or content transmitted therein and for any such use of the APN. Further, You acknowledge and agree that any Local Notifications are sent by You, not Apple, to the end-user of Your Application, and You are solely liable and responsible for any data or content transmitted therein.
5.4 Apple makes no guarantees to You in relation to the availability or uptime of the APN and is not obligated to provide any maintenance, technical or other support for the APN.
5.5 Apple reserves the right to remove Your access to the APN, limit Your use of the APN, or revoke Your Push Application ID at any time in its sole discretion.
diagnostic information) about Your usage of the APN to aid Apple in improving the APN and other Apple products or services and to verify Your compliance with this Agreement; provided however that Apple will not access or disclose the content of any Push Notification unless Apple has a good faith belief that such access or disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (a) comply with legal process or request; (b) enforce the terms of this Agreement, including investigation of any potential violation hereof; (c) detect, prevent or otherwise address security, fraud or technical issues; or (d) protect the rights, property or safety of Apple, its developers, customers or the public as required or permitted by law.
6. Third Party Service Providers. You are permitted to employ or retain a third party (“Service Provider”) to assist You in accessing and using the APN in Your Applications, Passes or Sites, including, but not limited to, engaging any such Service Provider to maintain and administer Your Applications’ servers on Your behalf, provided any such Service Provider’s access to and use of the APN is only done on Your behalf in providing such services to You for Your Application, Your Pass and/or Your Sites and in accordance with these terms, and is subject to a binding written agreement between You and the Service Provider with terms at least as restrictive and protective of Apple as those set forth herein, including, but not limited to, confidentiality for pre-release versions of the APN and indemnity obligations to Apple. Any actions undertaken by any such Service Provider in relation to Your Push Notifications and/or arising out of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been taken by You, and You (in addition to the Service Provider) shall be responsible to Apple for all such actions (or any inactions), including but not limited to indemnifying Apple against any harm caused by the Service Provider acting on Your behalf. In the event of any actions or inactions that would constitute a violation of this Agreement or otherwise cause any harm, Apple reserves the right to require You to change Service Providers.
7. Additional Liability Disclaimer. APPLE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES ARISING FROM ANY USE OF THE APN, INCLUDING ANY INTERRUPTIONS TO THE APN OR ANY USE OF NOTIFICATIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY POWER OUTAGES, SYSTEM FAILURES, NETWORK ATTACKS, SCHEDULED OR UNSCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, OR OTHER INTERRUPTIONS. | 2019-04-22T00:09:03Z | http://docs.loopyloyalty.com/pricing-privacy-security-and-terms/terms-privacy-security/terms-and-conditions |
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau report, the national vacancy rate for rental properties in the first quarter of 2013 stood at 8.6%. That means nearly one of every nine units stands empty. For property owners, that translates to a significant cash drain.
An all-important job for any owner or property manager is to fill all rental units. To that end, here are some websites in which you should market your units in the event of a vacancy.
This high-traffic site is one of the first places people go to for any number of needs including looking for a place to live. The site features location-based search that significantly increases the odds that you will be reaching your target prospective tenants.
This site offers a search-optimized website for your property listing with a unique URL. Postlets makes it fast and easy to create a professional-looking classified ad, and then to syndicate the listing on Craigslist, Zillow, Local.com, as well as your Facebook page, Twitter feed and LinkedIn account.
Just as many people still view print ads when looking for a rental property, many also look to local newspaper websites for the latest listings. A good number of individuals use these sites as their browser’s default “Home Page,” meaning this is the website that automatically appears when they open their browser each time.
Don’t forget social media, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Pinterest. It’s the new digital word of mouth.
You can post your listings directly on the above list of sites. Or, if you are using property management software, you likely have the ability to post your vacancies to hundreds of sites on the Internet including most of those listed above with just a couple of clicks of your mouse. Most programs provide professionally designed listings automatically. Prospective tenants can be directed right to your website if they are interested in one of your units.
In addition, for a fee, you can add rental listings to an MLS. There is no agent involved, but you can list here starting at around $100.
Renting empty units is a top priority for you, and there are more ways than ever to get the word out to prospective tenants online. Use as many top rental sites as you can to keep your vacancy rate down.
AppFolio, Inc. develops Property Management Software that helps businesses improve their workflow so they save time and make more money. Appfolio submits articles & blogs including topics of Resident Retention, Improved Owner Communication, Time Management, and more.
I have a friend who’s nuts about apps. He’s always downloading the latest and greatest. Whenever we meet, he tells me about a new one he’s found. The last time we talked, he said, “So many apps, so little time.” Now that was a comment that stuck.
Apps… all these wonderfully creative little tools. Some are useful. Some are just fun. But for me, the best ones are the apps that save us time.
There are dozens of apps available to help property managers. But resident-specific apps would be a big help, too. So how do you cut through the clutter to find them?
Think “functions” first… then look for the apps.
1. Maintenance Requests. In a 2011 SatisFacts Research survey, residents reported that the quality of maintenance services is the number one factor influencing retention. Number one! You want— you need—to make maintenance requests, scheduling and follow-up easy for you and easy for your residents.
Your property management software may offer an app for residents to use to submit maintenance requests. Maintenance issues don’t always wait until you’re in your office. Use your message notification service to confirm appointments and satisfaction. Check for apps that allow you to communicate with residents and staff anytime, from anywhere. And apps that make it easy for message recipients to add appointments to their calendars.
2. Payment Processing. Online payment processing is good for your cash flow. Some property management software offer payment processing apps for residents. Use your message notification service to send automatic reminders that help keep payments coming in on time.
3. Communications. In the same 2011 SatisFacts Research survey, residents ranked the ability to easily communicate with the community staff fourth in nearly 50 items analyzed. A good message notification service helps property managers meet the challenge of timely communications with staff and residents. But managing the daily flow of incoming communications is challenging for recipients, too. Again, look for apps from your message notification service that are created specifically help recipients manage their messages and their calendars.
Time is a valuable commodity. With only so much of it in a day, it’s a struggle to keep up—to get everything done. Hassle-free time savers are always welcome. Make life easier for you and your residents with apps that shave minutes off your days and turn multiple steps into just a few taps.
Nick Frantz is the National Sales Manager for Property Management Solutions at One Call Now, where he has worked since March 2011. He specializes in Property Management solutions – commercial and residential – assisting in communications between property managers and staff/residents. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University.
What is the OFAC Terrorism Watch Search and Why is It Important to Real Estate Professionals and Landlords?
When choosing screening services have you ever wondered what the OFAC search was, and if it was really necessary to use for your company? Recent events like the tragedy in Boston have placed a lot of emphasis on America’s terrorist watch list, and what it really means.
The Office of Foreign Asset Control, or OFAC is part of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. It administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, parties engaged with weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or the economy of the United States (US Department of Treasury).
So how does this search affect you and your business? In short: the list they administer and enforce tells you who and who you cannot do business with legally. The list they create of the restricted parties is known as the “Specially Designated Nationals List” (SDN), and is available on their website. A recent LinkedIn poll showed that 78% of Real Estate professionals use the OFAC search and believe it to be an important tool, while 5% used it, but didn’t really know what it was, or what they were getting, and 16% did not use it in their tenant or pre-employment screening at all, or knew what it was.
While the SDN list is extensive, it is important to note that you always need to perform due diligence with it (just as with any other report you get back with tenant or employment screening), as it can return with similar names to your applicants. If you do suspect a match has been found there are hotlines to call to verify that information, depending on what list you received the information from.
Most OFAC searches will return with information regarding the applicant at the top: name, address, filing state, social security number, birth date, birth country, and a best name, followed by the databases searched. It is important that every applicant to any property, be it small, large, class A-C assets, should be screened, and in light of recent events should be searched through the OFAC Terrorist Watch/Patriot Act Database.
Not only is it important to screen every tenant or employee applicant, it is also important to know and completely understand what you are receiving in your reports. It is also good practice to perform due-diligence before making any final conclusions.
About the Author: Elizabeth Whited is the Operations Coordinator at the Rent Rite Directory. She has written educational articles for multifamily magazines and Real Estate websites to help Property Managers and Owners improve their properties, in an effort to reduce crime in their communities. The Rent Rite Directory educates Property Managers and Owners at Crime Watch Meetings, and Crime Free Association Conferences, and works closely with law enforcement nationwide. For more information, visit www.therrd.com.
Spring has sprung… it’s maintenance season! After the winter thaw come the winds, the rain, the leaky pipes and roofs, the cracked paint, the weed surge, the potholes, need I say more? It’s a time when property maintenance becomes a frantic rush to stay ahead of the routine schedule, so you can also tackle the unplanned issues.
This is also a time that puts your retention rates at risk.
Here’s why: the quality of maintenance services tops residents’ lists of all factors that influence retention (SatisFacts Research 2011 survey). Yes, you’ve got to get the job done, but keeping your residents satisfied with your maintenance efforts doesn’t take perfection. It takes communication and coordination.
When it comes to maintenance issues, nobody likes to be surprised!
People become dissatisfied when their expectations are not met. Now this is good news for property managers. With timely communications and follow up, you have more control. You set the expectations.
Acknowledge requests as soon as you receive them.
Let the residents know the next steps: who will perform the service, when it will be scheduled, what will happen.
Confirm all appointments with residents.
Follow up with residents after every service call.
Continue to follow up until the maintenance is complete.
Let residents know what will be happening, who will perform the service, when it will take place and if alternative actions are needed (e.g. “…park in the north lot until repaving is finished on Tuesday”).
Notify residents when the maintenance is complete.
Electronic communications—your website, email, texts and phones—will make this heightened level of communication easier. Check out a message notification service. It can save you and your staff loads of time and be convenient for your residents, too.
Let your residents know that you are addressing their maintenance issues and that it’s important that they are satisfied. It will pay off in the high-quality condition of your property… and it will pay off at renewal time, too.
As America’s population continues to grow, property developers are having a difficult time finding space to accommodate eager renters. Now, with the emergence of micro-apartments, property developers may have found a solution.
Micro-apartments are becoming more and more common in population-dense cities like Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and New York City. Typically located in popular neighborhoods, micro-apartments meet the needs of middle-class, single, young renters who want to be close to urban centers but would not otherwise be able to afford the price tag that comes with these areas of town.
Besides meeting the needs of renters, micro-apartments can benefit property owners and developers by increasing the number of rentals in their portfolio and their total revenue. Property owners can achieve this by converting their current apartments into micro-apartments – or developers can consider developing properties to be used for micro-units.
Take New York City for example: the increasing popularity of micro-apartments spurred Mayor Bloomberg to change the minimum living space requirement to 250 square feet. Seeing as the average one-bedroom apartment in New York City is 750 square feet, a property owner could take that one-bedroom apartment and create three individual units.
While these micro-apartments will come with a lower monthly rent, property owners will make up for it as they’ll have more units to market. In San Francisco, some micro-apartments are listed for $1,600 a month. This price tag may seem high given the reduced amount of space, but when compared to the average rent in the city – $2,741 a month – micro-apartments are actually quite a deal.
By looking at both of these examples, a property owner can end up with three units bringing in a total of $4,800 per month, which is $2,000 more than what one unit could bring in.
What’s more, micro-apartments don’t necessarily have to be confined to just renovated apartments. In Chicago, property developers are creating micro-apartment communities out of foreclosed flophouses.
Some developers are even using micro-apartments as a way to preserve historic buildings. In Providence, Rhode Island, architects took an old mall that was considered one of the most endangered buildings by the Providence Preservation Society and transformed it into a 48-micro-apartment development.
Before jumping into a full-blown construction project, there are a few factors property owners need to consider.
First off, the cost of converting any kind of building into micro-apartments can add up very quickly. As these units will be very compact, they will need to be designed well to accommodate all the needs of renters without making them feel as if they live in shoebox. And since the units will be under construction, property owners will not be collecting rental income.
Additionally, property ownerrs need to be sure they have the ability to take care of all their new micro-apartments. Two or three times as many units means more maintenance needs and more renters who will require more attention and administrative duties.
Location can also be a deal breaker. In order to be successful with micro-apartments, it’s vital that prospective building be in a city experiencing mass growth and in a part of town that is highly coveted by single, young people looking to live in the center of the action.
With the right location, financial plan and target demographic, micro-apartments can be a great option for property owners looking to expand and improve their portfolios.
This is a guest submission by Holly Aker, of Austin-based Software Advice. Software Advice provides free reviews, comparisons, and demos of property management software. The company also maintains a blog about current industry news and developments.
Legislation to bar millions of Californians from smoking inside their own homes was rejected today by an Assembly committee.
Assembly Bill 746 would have made California the first state to venture into personal bedrooms and living rooms with smoking restrictions. It targeted condominiums, duplexes and apartments.
Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, proposed the measure to ensure that people who live in structures that share walls, ceilings, floors or ventilation systems with neighboring units are not subject to second-hand smoke.
The bill was rejected 5-2 by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee today despite several amendments, including one that would have delayed fines from being issued until January 2015.
Voting no were Democrats Norma Torres, Toni Atkins and Cheryl R. Brown and RepublicansBeth Gaines and Brian Maienschein, according to Levine’s office, and Democrats Ed Chau andKevin Mullin voted yes.
Landlords already have authority to prohibit smoking in their rental units, through a law implemented last year, but Levine’s bill would have imposed a mandatory ban statewide.
AB 746 would have permitted outdoor smoking near apartments or condos, but only in a clearly marked area that is at least 20 feet from any housing unit and 100 feet from a playground, school or pool.
Critics of AB 746 questioned who would enforce it, how, and what impact the bill would have on habitual smokers or on people with disabilities who could not easily leave their residences to smoke.
Do you find yourself spending less and less time at your building?
These days, that seems to be the case with many building owners and, too often, routine maintenance issues evolve into costly repairs that could have been avoided.
First and foremost, we look for potential hazards. Broken sidewalks, poorly lit stairs, missing handrails – anything that can potentially cause an injury for one of your tenants or a guest. And, of course, we make sure that fire extinguishers are functional and fire escape areas are clear of clutter.
It is important to check building exteriors for cracks in the foundation, open crawl spaces and any places in brick work or stucco where water might get into the walls during heavy rain. This includes making sure that caulking around vents and piping is sufficient. We do a similar inspection of the roof, looking for spots were leaks might occur.
We also make sure that all of your property’s windows close smoothly and securely and identify any broken panes. Windows that leak or collect condensation on the sills can create major problems down the road.
Dryer vents should be inspected to make sure they are clear of lint and debris. Biannual furnace filter inspections at the end of fall and spring will keep your HVAC systems operating at peak performance, while ensuring dangerous conditions are not present. Chimneys are inspected for cracks and proper ventilation.
Both gas and electric water heaters pose fire and water hazards. Electrical connections are checked as are gas lines along with water pipe connections and venting.
The most costly and damaging of all deferred maintenance is water related.
Plumbing throughout the building must be inspected to make sure that seals are secure, faucets are not leaking and pipes are in good condition. Residents should be encouraged to to report leaks and drips. A small leak under a cabinet can create serious damage if left unattended.
We also recommend the inspection of fuse boxes and all electrical equipment: Washing machines, garage door openers and other mechanical devices such as garbage disposal units and re-circulation pumps etc. Check for loose wires, water leaks and un-safe conditions.
This is just a partial list of routine inspections items. If this all seems like a lot to undertake, Buffalo Maintenance, Inc, can lend a meaningful helping hand by checking up on your property when the time does not permit you to do so.
We are pleased to offer expert property evaluations, reporting and maintenance services. Our qualified staff knows what to look for and can make recommendations for the most efficient and cost effective solutions. And right now we are offering building owners & managers free no obligation property evaluations to better acquaint you with our organization.
1. Decide on your light bulbs. In 2014 you will be forced to make a light bulb decision. That’s when the federal government’s ban on incandescent bulbs goes into effect. For standard fixtures, your new choices are CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs or LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. Both deliver huge energy savings over their old fashioned predecessor. LEDs are superior in energy usage and quality of light, but are much more expensive to purchase.
2. Expand on recycling opportunities. In most municipalities, recyclable trash is picked up separately from regular trash. Although often voluntary, in some areas it’s mandatory. You may already have separate bins for recyclable trash. Are there enough of them? Are they convenient?
I know a managed community whose residents have curb-side pickup, but they take their paper products and aluminum cans to centrally-located bins for pick up. The vendor pays for the recyclable paper and cans and the funds go into the HOA. . It’s a voluntary program and nearly everyone participates.
3. Ask your utility companies to help. Contact all your utility companies and ask for onsite assessments. Some may charge for the service. However fees are usually reasonable and may qualify you for discounts on upgrades or repairs. They also should have energy-saving tips they can pass on to you, or available on their websites. Pull the ones that apply to your property and publish your own tip list.
4. Increase communications, but conserve your paper. It’s time—past time—to make a serious reduction in your paper communications. A message notification service can do the job better and save you loads of time and money, too. Look for one that sends voice and text messages to cell phones and also to email.
5. Foster a green perception. Lots of brands tout green qualities. But the ones that carry strong green reputations do a better job at fostering the perception. Make that work for you. Whenever appropriate, communicate your green efforts.
This article is presented in a general nature to address typical landlord tenant legal issues. Specific inquiries regarding a particular situation should be addressed to your attorney.
Question: My new tenants just moved in a month and a half ago. The lease requires that the tenant pays for all utilities, and must put the utilities in their own name prior to moving in. Well, I just received the electric bill, and it’s still in my name. I’m thinking about not paying it, just letting it get shut off. Maybe when the lights go out, they’ll take care of it. Can I do that?
Answer: No, you can’ t let the utilities be shut off. Your tenant’s actions are a breach of the rental agreement, and must be addressed in compliance with California law. You should immediately prepare and serve a Notice to Perform or Quit-Breach of Covenant notice. The notice should identify the specific breaches, the failure to place the electric utility in their own name, and their failure to pay the utility charges incurred since taking possession. The notice should be specific as to how they must cure the breach, namely, they must put the utilities in their name, and reimburse you for the amount of utility changes that have been billed and incurred post tenancy. Note that some jurisdictions may require that you include a statement identifying a witness who observed the breach, as well as the date and time of the breach. In such jurisdiction, you or your manager would suffice as the witness, and the breach would be considered ‘ongoing’ as it continues to occur. In the event of noncompliance, you would be entitled to file an unlawful detain action to recover possession of the premises. Rarely though is that necessary, as the vast majority of residents will immediately comply.
Question: I just put my single family house on the rental market, and have agreed to rent it to a nice family of four; mom, dad and two kids, two and five. The parents seem responsible enough and I’m sure they’ll make great tenants, but I am concerned because the house has a pool. Is there anything I can do to protect myself from liability should one of the children fall in and drown?
Answer: The short answer is yes. There are several measures you can, and should, take to protect yourself. First and foremost, ensure that the pool and the gate/enclosure conform to all state and local codes and ordinances. The gate should be self-latching, and should be checked to ensure that it closes properly. Review your insurance policy with your broker to ensure that your coverage is adequate; consider a commercial umbrella policy as well. Your broker can counsel you on coverage limits; consider $3,000,000 as a minimum. Finally, you should include as part of your rental documents an addendum to the lease in which the tenant acknowledges the dangers of the pool, agrees to ensure that all gates are kept closed, and agrees to periodically verify that the self-latching gate functions properly. Consider requiring that your tenants procure renters liability insurance as well. These requirements should be a part of your rental policies for a property with a pool, regardless of whether or not your tenants have children.
Question: Just opened up the mail, and what do you suppose was in it? A notice from my bank informing me that one of my tenant’s rent check was returned unpaid because he placed a stop payment on it. Imagine that, it’s now mid-month, no warning, no phone call, the deadbeat didn’t even have the courtesy of letting me know he was going to stop payment on his check. It kind of makes sense though, he asked a couple of weeks ago if I’d let him out of his lease early, guess his girlfriend has a nicer place and he wanted to move in with her. I called his phone number, got a recording saying that it had been disconnected. His cell phone works, got his voice mail, and left a message. I’m guessing that when I swing by later today, it’ll be empty. What do I do now? I don’t want to make any mistakes; can I just change the locks if he’s out?
Answer: You have a couple of issues that you need to resolve, first the issue of return of possession of the premises, and then, of course, getting you paid. If the tenant appears to have vacated when you visit the unit later today, then you must follow certain procedural rules before you simply change the locks. Ideally, you will be able to contact the tenant on his cell or at work. If you make contact, ask that the tenant confirm that he is out by faxing or emailing you written confirmation. If you are able to confirm that he has moved out, you will not have to follow the abandoned real property notice requirements, and will be able to retake possession immediately. If when you visit the unit, and find that it is vacant, and if the rent is due and unpaid for fourteen days, and the tenant has not voluntarily surrendered possession, then you must serve a written notice of Belief of Abandonment of Real Property. The notice can be posted on the premises and mailed by regular mail to the tenant’s last known address, your property. You must wait eighteen days before you retake possession. If the tenant does not reply, in writing, by informing you of his address for service of an unlawful detainer within eighteen days, then you may retake possession, and change the locks. Once you regain possession, prepare the security deposit disposition form. If he skipped mid lease, he will owe the balance of the term, or until you mitigate your damages by reletting the unit, whichever occurs first. Hang on to the tenant’s check that was returned by the bank. Stop payment orders are only effective for six months, unless renewed by the maker, which rarely happens. That means, in six months and a day, you can redeposit the check, and if there are sufficient funds, the check will clear.
Question: I’m looking at a single family residence to purchase. It’s a pocket listing, no signage, not on the MLS. The agent claims it’s a great deal because the seller needs cash quickly, wants a quick escrow, and is willing to let it go for under market. The only catch is, the tenant doesn’t know the house is for sale, and the owner doesn’t want the tenant to know. He says that when I close escrow, I can serve my own notice to have the tenant leave, but he doesn’t want the tenant getting nervous and moving out if the deal doesn’t go through. Seems like a really good deal, I know the house, I’ve peeked in the windows, and it’s in incredibly great shape. What am I missing, what can go wrong?
Answer: Lots. You have actual notice of a tenant in possession. That means that you are bound by whatever rental agreement, or contract, exists between the owner and the existing resident. The tenancy agreement may turn out to be a fixed term lease for a long period of time at less than market rent. The resident may have a lease with an option to purchase the house for a fixed sum, possibly less than what you are paying for it. There may be litigation between the parties relating to the premises, possibly mold or some other contamination issue that you may not be aware of. If the deal really is as described, then prepare a purchase agreement providing a due diligence period allowing you a brief time period to check title, condition and other issues. Once escrow is open, and you are satisfied with title, and the condition of the premises, contact the resident, confirm the terms of his tenancy, get a copy of his rental agreement, and prepare an estoppel certificate for the resident to sign affirming the tenancy agreement, amount of deposit, and affirming that he has no equitable or legal interest in the property.
Stephen C. Duringer – The Duringer Law Group, PLC is one of the largest and most experienced landlord tenant law firms, has successfully handled over 200,000 evictions, and has collected over $90,000,000 in unpaid rent since 1988. The firm may be reached at 714.279.1100, toll free at 800.829.6994 or 877.387.4643.
Visit www.DuringerLaw.com for more information and the locations of their six offices.
This is an exciting, dynamic, ever-shifting time for income property managers and investors.
Land values and rents are on a rapid upward climb – finally – but so too are operating and maintenance costs, legislative mandates and potential liabilities.
What does this uncertain mix of events mean to the future of the industry?
Will the collective assault on Prop. 18 succeed?
Will affordable rent become an enforceable mandate?
What impact does California’s energy policy have on commercial and investment property now and in the future?
The answers to many of these questions won’t be known until they unfold in the months ahead.
Clearly, the industry is in flux – poised between unprecedented opportunities, demands and uncertainties – and it will become increasingly important as we all move forward for income property owners and managers to stay informed.
How does a busy real estate professional stay current?
Through a variety of presentations, workshops and face-to-face meetings, they will address current issues and trends in the industry, from finance and maintenance to energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental laws.
FAIR HOUSING, LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES: Law firms and legal experts will be on hand to provide the latest information on new statutes, mandates and precedents affecting property managers and income property owners.
FINANCE AND TAX STRATEGIES: Today, 1031 exchanges provide more value than ever. Lending rates are at an all-time low. Experts will be on hand to discuss custom-made solutions for those in attendance, including low-rate cash flow loans.
MAINTENANCE: Frankie Alvarez, co-author of the “Dear Maintenance Men” column, will provide seven important tips and other details to keeping operations to a minimum.
GREEN MANDATES AND INCENTIVES: How do AB32 and other new pieces of legislation impact how you must do business? What kinds of incentives are available to income property owners to save energy or to go solar? Government representatives and service providers will be on hand to explain the many incentives that can help building owners save money on energy costs.
This is a great opportunity to catch up on the latest, to touch base with experts with questions specific to your situation, and to network with others in the industry who might be of value later on.
When it comes to staying informed and getting the most from the time invested, the Income Management Property Expo is an efficient resource that could bring about significant returns. A second expo is planned for October in San Mateo. Visit www.incomepropertyexpo.com for details.
Kaufman, James J. A Professional Corp. | 2019-04-22T16:12:32Z | http://www.lpmmags.com/category/blog/page/52/ |
Greenpeace has published a grimly fascinating first-person account of visits to the rusting Chinese 'zombie ships', abandoned pirate fishing boats floating off the West African coast that have been repopulated with crews to (illegally) fish the waters.
These floating wrecks are loaded, supplied and collected from at sea, with 'high value' fish going to Las Palmas in the Canaries to be packaged ready for European clients. The 'dirt' fish goes to Africa.
The ships receive only the most basic of maintenance. They are floating wrecks, haemorrhaging fuel and rotting to the water-line. Their crews are left on them for years at a time. Last year one of the ships sank, taking 14 crew with it.
Click here for the Greenpeace article and more pictures.
"Daddy, I want an Axolotl"
Most girls want a puppy, or a kitten, or a pony. But my eldest daughter Sky wants an Axolotl. Seeing her blog entry took me back to my first encounter with one of these strange creatures, staring impassively at me from a small fishtank in my school's biology lab. I don't remember wanting one, but I did ask our long-suffering biology teacher, Mr Cotmore, what it was.
His answer ("It's called an Axolotl, it's an amphibian.") didn't help much, but a quick trip to the school library revealed that the Axolotl (pronounced Ax-oh-lot-ul) is no ordinary amphibian.
The Axolotl exhibits a phenomenon known as neoteny. Most amphibians grow via metamorphosis, moving from egg to larva (the tadpole stage in frogs), before adopting their adult form. The Axolotl's development freezes at the larval stage, complete with its trademark gills and fins.
In very rare cases Axolotl's can metamorphose spontaneously to their 'adult' form. An adult axolotl is a rare (and sickly) thing, but it bears a close resemblance to the Mexican subspecies of the Tiger Salamander.
The Axolotyl is an endangered species in the wild, however, it seems to have discovered a new ecological niche, science laboratories, where it is studied for its healing/regeneration abilities. Normal wound-healing in animals occurs through the growth of scar tissue, and this also means that they cannot re-grow a lost limb. The Axolotl can re-grow limbs, and even accept transplants from other Axolotls, including eyes and parts of the brain - restoring these alien organs to full functionality.
In some cases, Axolotls have been known to repair a damaged limb as well as regenerating an additional one, ending up with an extra appendage. There are even records of a decapitated Axolotl regenerating its head.
I buy a lot of music. Most of it on Compact Disc, some of it via eMusic.com, and if I can't find it anywhere else, a few tracks from the iTunes site. This is primarily a cost thing, Apple's prices aren't exhorbitant, but they aren't even close to eMusic's rates. The second thing is that the tracks on the iTunes site are copy-protected. I hate copy protection, I hate it in principle, and I hate it in practice (but that's another blog).
Up until iTunes 6, there was a clever program called JHymn which removed the copy protection codec without interfering with the audio data. iTunes 6 rendered JHymn impotent, and it doesn't look as if there is going to be a solution arriving any time soon.
There are at least two other ways of disabling the copy protection on iTunes tracks. The first one is to use software like AudioHijack to re-digitise tracks. Tests I have done with this results in a significant decrease in audio quality. The second way is to burn a CD from iTunes, then re-rip the CD back on to iTunes. Audiophile web sites I've browsed report that is also results in a significant reduction in quality, and so I have avoided employing it. Recently one of my children asked for a song I had recently downloaded off the iTunes site. I used the 'copy to CD' method to remove the encryption and, because I was using up a CD, put a number of other tracks on it as well.
As an experiment, I made up a playlist for my iPod with the original iTunes tracks and the 'double-ripped' versions back-to-back, and played them through my car's (substantial) stereo system on the way home. Try as I might, I couldn't hear the difference. I'm sure that if you ran the two tracks through an oscilloscope, there would be, but not that my ears could detect. So I now have a clumsy but effective way to remove the encryption from my iTunes store downloads.
It left me thinking over the whole area of what it is that makes something 'yeuch!', 'good enough', 'brilliant' and 'even more brillianter, but not so much brillianter that I'm willing to pay any more for it'. With music and video, I push towards the top end of the scale, I love listening to loud, clear, articulately delivered music, and watching high-definition movies on a big screen. I have friends who aren't so bothered. They make polite noises about my home-cinema, but with no indication that they would want to own one themselves.
Last weekend myself and a good friend (Aaron) paid a visit to the Tate Modern to be by turns impressed and appalled at the various installations and exhibits. After that we visited a place called 'Vinopolis' for an introduction to the joys of wine tasting.
It was a very enjoyable few hours, and I got the chance to sample wines way above my usual price-point. What did surprise me was that while I enjoyed the 'nose' of the very good wines, my mouth didn't enjoy them as much as some of the less expensive vintages.
In short, I really enjoyed the experience, but it hasn't convinced me that buying wine that is above the £5-7 range is worth the cost. Maybe my taste buds are less sensitive than my eyes and ears? Or maybe I've just spent less time in the aesthetic arena of aromas and tastes? Maybe if I'd stuck with more basic audio-visual equipment I'd be enjoying myself just as much for a lot less money!
It is always worth a visit (thanks Jason for making me aware of its existence), but Passionate's most recent post is very close to my own heart (and head!).
Multitasking has to be one of the biggest myths of our generation. Most of us know we can only do one brain-intensive thing (properly) at a time, and yet we still find ourselves trying to do far too many things at once. I am (gradually) learning to do things consecutively rather than concurrently, and find that I get things done a lot quicker, better and with a lot less stress.
If you know it needs doing - and you can do it now - do it. Now.
There are so many tiny things that we leave until the last minute, and there are often 'dead spots' in our day when we could get them done. I know I'm a control freak, and that what works for one person doesn't always work for someone else, but learning to exploit those 'five-minute' gaps has created more 'quality-time' and less stress.
If you've got a Mac, and it's running OSX 10.4 (Tiger), then you also have an application running in the background called Dashboard. Hit F12 and it appears, revealing a number of attractive 'widgets'. Some people love it, as the hundreds of widgets available on the web testifies. I never use it, and whenever I run Activity Monitor I can see it is eating up precious CPU cycles. It also accesses the internet at regular intervals.
Bye Bye Dashboard is a free utility that curtails Dashboard's processor cycle munching activity. And if you decide you want Dashboard back again, it will dutifully resurrect it.
I've not done any scientific tests, but first impressions are that my PowerBook's Finder seems more responsive without Dashboard running.
In 1623 Salomone Rossi published sheet music for his composition Ha-shirim asher li-shelomo, a collection of 33 Psalms, hymns, and liturgical poems for festive synagogue occasions. I'm fairly sure you don't own a copy, and that you're not aware it was the first sheet music to be printed with a Hebrew typeface. I'm also guessing your deplorable ignorance on this matter wasn't bothering you overmuch. What is more interesting is the inscription printed in the preface, setting out a rabbinical curse on anyone who copied the contents without permission or recompense to the composer.
We have agreed to the reasonable and proper request of the worthy and honored Master Salamone Rossi of Mantua... who has become by his painstaking labours the first man to print Hebrew music. He has laid out a large disbursement which has not been provided for, and it is not proper that anyone should harm him by reprinting similar copies or purchasing them from a source other than himself. Therefore... we the undersigned decree by the authority of the angels and the word of the holy ones, invoking the curse of the serpent's bite, that no Israelite, wherever he may be, may print the music contained in this work in any manner, in whole or in part, without the permission of the above-mentioned author... Let every Israelite hearken and stand in fear of being entrapped by this ban and curse. And those who hearken will dwell in confidence and ease, abiding in blessing under the shelter of the Almighty. Amen.
Creating the initial printing plates for a book was laborious and expensive. Authors of a publication would make deals with printers, usually involving a one-off payment for the rights to print their work, which the printer would write off against the subsequent books sales.
However, once the original plates had been constructed, making copies was comparatively simple and inexpensive. It wasn't long before print operators looking to supplement their income started selling duplicate plates to unscrupulous printers who would produce and sell the virtually identical products, robbing the original printer of income.
As we saw in the last article, copyright's origins lay in government's desire to control information, and to gain revenue from it. The rights of the author were considered secondary. The modern concept of copyright didn't arrive until 1710 when the British Statute of Anne gave exclusive rights to authors rather than publishers.
Not only that, but it prevented publishers from controlling a publication after it had been purchased. This meant that once a book was sold, its owner could lend, or re-sell it if they chose. It also limited the duration of a publisher's exclusive rights to 28 years, after which works would pass into the public domain.
The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works of 1886 initiated the concept of copyright that extended beyond the boundaries of just one country. Not only that but copyrights became automatically assumed, so, as soon as a work is written or recorded on some physical medium, its author is automatically entitled to all exclusive rights to the work and any derivative works until the copyright expires.
Up to this point, not many people would argue that the concept of copyright was moving in the right direction, with the rights of author and consumers alike being defended. Most of us benefit from the concept of people being financially recompensed for work that they do, and the equally important conviction that your property is worthy of protecting.
It looks like the issue of who 'owns' and 'controls' a product after it has been purchased isn't confined to the entertainment industry. Vnunet reports that the UK has warned America that it will cancel its £12,000,0000,0000 (count those noughts!) order for the Joint Strike Fighter if the US refuses to give full access to the computer software code that controls them.
Apparently the current software in the hi-tech jet fighters could be remotely disabled by the Americans.
The UK's Minister of Defense, Lord Drayson, is currently in Washington speaking with members of Congress, apparently explaining that Britain has a 'Plan B' if the Joint Strike Fighter deal falls through.
Forget cockroaches, tardigrades (Kingdom - Animalia, Phylum - Tardigrada, Common name - Water Bear) are probably the world's hardiest creature, and they're cute! Tardigrades were first discovered in 1773, since then about 400 distinct variations have been identified.
Tardigrades inhabit semiaquatic environments, sometimes in numbers exceeding 1.5 million per square meter.
They range in size from .1 to 2mm long. They have eight legs, each with clawed toes. Tardigrades move with a slow, lumbering gait, hence their common name. The name 'tardigrade' comes from the Latin 'tardus', meaning 'slow', and 'gradus', meaning 'step'.
- Tardigrades can survive being heated for a few minutes to 151°C or being chilled for days at -272.8°C (nearly absolute zero).
- Tardigrades can withstand 5700 'grays' of x-ray radiation. (Five grays and a human is toast).
- Tardigrades can weather the nearest thing we can simulate to a vacuum right through to 6,000 times atmospheric pressure.
Tardigrades' immense resilience stems from their ability to slow their metabolic activity to a crawl, a phenomenon called anabiosis. When conditions become even more extreme, they employ a 'near death' stage of dormancy called cryptobiosis. During these periods tartigrades secrete envelopes around their bodies known as tuns.
Tardigrades can survive in their tuns for an indefinite period of time. Museum workers who moistened a 120 year-old dessicated moss sample found living tartigrades within hours.
Tardigrades feed upon detritus, fresh plant material and smaller invertebrates.
Fascinating fact to throw into a lagging conversation: The true (although not so cute) King of Radiation is the foul-smelling red-coloured bacterium Deinococcus Radiodurans (nicknamed 'Conan the Bacterium' by its admiring researchers). It was discovered in irradiated canned meat that had still managed to 'go bad'. This plucky bacterium happily grows in 1,500,000 rads of radiation - and, if frozen, over 3,000,000 rads!
LCD vs Plasma? Or SED?
Over the last two years, flat panel television display sales have been growing by 100% year-on-year. Plasma displays were (next to the iPod) the 'big' Christmas present in 2005, and healthy sales are reported in the first quarter of 2006.
Plasma was the first technology used for large flat panel displays. Initially they were obscenely expensive, with picture quality and viewing angles significantly worse than conventional CRT (cathode ray tube) screens. However, the technologies have been refined to bring the prices down and the quality levels up.
Over the past couple of years, plasma's ascent has been challenged by LCD (liquid crystal display) technology. This is the technology used for laptop computer displays, and your mobile phone's colour display. LCDs are cheaper, brighter, more durable and stay bright for longer. Their disadvantage is that they don't display movement as well (although modern LCDs are conquering this).
However, just when you thought the decision was Plasma v LCD, a third technology has been announced. The technology is called SED, which stands for surface-conduction electron-emitter display. And this week, Toshiba and Canon announced that the first SED flat panel TVs will go on sale in the fourth quarter of next year.
The panels have a reputation for delivering clear and vivid images because their light-beaming technology is similar to that for old-style cathode-ray tube TVs. SED panels are also thinner and consume less energy than LCDs and plasma display panels.
If your old telly has died, good-quality plasma and LCD screens have never been cheaper. But if it has a couple of year's life left in it, it just might be worth waiting!
If you use Google Mail, and you run OSX, this is an elegant way of importing details from Address Book into your GMail contacts database.
A to G (formerly AddressBookToCSV) is a one-trick pony for getting your Mac OS X Address Book contacts into GMail. Simply export your Address Book as a CSV file using A to G, then import that file into GMail using GMail's Contact import feature.
Worked seamlessly for me, even being intelligent enough to not duplicate contacts I already have, and to give separate fields for those entries where there is more than one email address.
Dean Kamen is a very clever, very rich inventor and entrepreneur. While still a college undergraduate, he invented the first wearable infusion pump. In 1976 he founded his first medical device company to manufacture and market the pumps. At age 30, he sold that company to Baxter International Corporation for enough money to mean he never had to work again. Recently his Segway personal transportation device has gained a lot of headlines, if not much commercial success.
Dean Kamen has recently been focussing on two of the biggest issues facing humans on this planet, the estimated 1.1 billion people in the world who don't have access to clean drinking water, and the estimated 1.6 billion don't have electricity.
"Eighty percent of all the diseases you could name would be wiped out if you just gave people clean water," says Kamen. "The water purifier I've designed produces 1,000 litres of clean water a day, and it doesn't care what goes into it. And the power generator makes a kilowatt off of anything that burns."
Kamen has been joined by Iqbal Quadir, the founder of Grameen Phone, the largest cell phone company in Bangladesh. Last year, Quadir took prototypes of Kamen's power machines to two villages in his home country for a six-month field trial. That trial, which ended last September, sold Quadir on the technology.
So much so in fact that Quadir's startup, Emergence Energy, is negotiating with Kamen's Deka Research and Development to license the technology. Quadir then hopes to raise $30 million in venture capital to start producing the power machines.
The electric generator is powered by an easily-obtained local fuel: cow dung. Each machine continuously outputs a kilowatt of electricity. That may not sound like much, but it is enough to light 70 energy-efficient bulbs. As Kamen puts it, "If you judiciously use a kilowatt, each villager can have a night time."
The real invention here, though, may be the economic model that Kamen and Quadir hope to use to distribute the machines. It is fashioned after Grameen Phone's business, where village entrepreneurs (mostly women) are given micro-loans to purchase a cell phone and service. The women, in turn, charge other villagers to make calls. "We have 200,000 rural entrepreneurs who are selling telephone services in their communities," notes Quadir. "The vision is to replicate that with electricity."
During the test in Bangladesh, Kamen's Stirling machines created three entrepreneurs in each village: one to run the machine and sell the electricity, one to collect dung from local farmers and sell it to the first entrepreneur, and a third to lease out light bulbs (and presumably, in the future, other appliances) to the villagers.
Kamen thinks the same approach can work with his water-cleaning machine, which he calls the Slingshot. While the Slingshot wasn't part of Quadir's trial in Bangladesh, Kamen thinks it can be distributed the same way. "In the 21st century, water will be delivered by an entrepreneur," he predicts.
The Slingshot works by taking in water-based liquid - even raw sewage - and separating out the clean water by vaporizing it. It then shoots the remaining sludge back out a plastic tube. Kamen thinks it could be paired with the power machine and run off the other machine's waste heat.
Compared to building big power and water plants, Kamen's approach has the virtue of simplicity. He even created an instruction sheet to go with each Slingshot. It contains one step: Just add water, any water. "Not required are engineers, pipelines, epidemiologists, or microbiologists," says Kamen. "You don't need any -ologists. You don't need any building permits, bribery, or bureaucracies."
Kamen's goal is to produce machines that cost $1,000 to $2,000 each. That's a far cry from the $100,000 that each hand-machined prototype cost to build. Quadir is going to try and see if the machines can be produced economically by a factory in Bangladesh. If the numbers work out, not only does he think that distributing them in a decentralized fashion will be good business - he also thinks it will be good public policy. Instead of putting up a 500-megawatt power plant in a developing country, he argues, it would be much better to place 500,000 one-kilowatt power plants in villages all over the place, because then you would create 500,000 entrepreneurs.
Fascinating fact to throw into a lagging conversation: Dean Kamen's father is Jack Kamen, the illustrator of Weird Science and other EC Comics.
Will Wright is the creator of Sims, the world's most popular PC game. His latest project is a game where you can be involved in constructing an entire universe, including the life-forms that inhabit (and explore) it.
Tidepool phase: In the game's initial stages, the action has been likened to Pac-Man, except there's no maze, and you get to change the look and functionality of your character by consuming other characters, and by using a comprehensive set of(3D) tools.
Evolution phase: Once the character becomes more complex, the game moves to a three-dimensional RPG, which many reviewers compare to Diablo. In this stage you run around, fight, feed and mate.
Tribal phase: By this time your creature has matured physically, it is time to develop its brain. At this point the game gears up to an RTS interface (Civilization, Age of Empires) where you begin to groom a tribe of creatures with provisions, tools and social skills.
City phase: This phase is much like Wright's earlier game, SimCityHere the game becomes more like Wright's own SimCity, deciding on what shape your tribe's environment will take, including the buildings, technlogy and society rules.
Civ phase: Once your dwellings are built and law-and-order established, you can start interacting with the 'outside world'. This is where the game becomes more like Civilization, and it can be handled militaristically or diplomatically; on foot, in boats or by airship. The goal is (of course) for your tribe to control the planet.
Invasion phase: With one world under your belt, you take on space travel, colonising and even building your own planets. There is an entire galaxy of solar systems to explore and meddle with. This part of the game is the biggest, and the most open-ended. Many of the worlds are already populated, and you can be diplomatic or destructive as you try and make sure your civilisation propers and grows.
As Wright says. "Usually you get the sandbox gameplay as training wheels for the goal-oriented content. Here, the goal-oriented game is training you for the open-ended sandbox."
Another part of the game that looks like it will be a lot of fun are the character editing tools, an interface that the creator describes as "part Mr. Potato Head, part Etch-A-Sketch, part modeling clay".
Spore players will also be able to go 'online' and share their creations with a central database and fetch others' work to help populate their own 'world'. No simultaneous multiplayer activity is planned (sorry World of Warcraft fans) but each game environment will be able to feature creatures, structures, vehicles and ultimately entire worlds created and exchanged over the Internet.
The original game is PC-based but like Sims, it can be ported to any platform. Wright claims the data shared among users is incredibly compact and should be no trouble to store or transfer, meaning that even a Nintendo DS cart could potentially store an entire galaxy of content.
My immediate thought is that this could be a killer app for mobile phones, combining communication, creativity and competition in one fascinating program.
Visit VideoGoogle to see a fascinating 35 minute demo.
The 15th century was a time of immense intellectual and social change, and printing allowed the economic duplication and distribution of the ideas that fuelled it... especially by the fast-emerging group of religious rebels who were daring to question the Church of Rome’s teachings. In 1517 Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Church at Wittenburg. Within weeks printing presses were running around the clock to spread its revolutionary message.
In the same year Henry VIII instructed the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge to appoint three printers who could print and publish any books of which the Chancellor and three doctors approved. What is especially significant about this act is that it later formed the basis for the development of copyright law.
After attempting to control the spread of ideas, the ability to make money out of intellectual property entered the agenda. In 1547 Edward VI granted a monopoly to a group of approved printers to produce specific categories of material, with taxes (yep, 'royalties') being paid to the king for each item sold.
In 1556 the Stationers' Company was established by royal charter. It had a monopoly over printing and powers to enforce it, including the right to inspect a printer's operations and to act as customs officials to intercept trade in books. They took their jobs very seriously, using torture to gain confessions as well as executing traitors.
The ‘ownership’ of material continued to be in the hands of the ruling authorities, until the British Statute of Anne in 1710. This gave exclusive rights to authors rather than publishers, and it included provisions to prevent publishers controlling the work. It also limited the duration of such exclusive rights to 28 years, after which all works would pass into the public domain.
Now all of this is just scraping the surface of the discussion (just type ‘copyright’ into Google or Wikipedia, or visit Brendon Scott’s excellent article if you’ve got a lot of time on your hands). Suffice it to say that the modern arguments about the ‘rights’ of authors to gain recompense for the distribution of their work aren’t new, simple or very interesting.
In Digital Ethics #10 I’ll be taking a look at some historical examples of how people have pragmatically approached the distribution of their creative work.
for a hilarious and perceptive video that explains what Apple gets right, and Microsoft gets wrong.
Thanks to Conrad for pointing this out.
It's official, you can have pain, and be happy!
Salon.com posted an interesting article on Steven Hayes, a 57-year-old University of Nevada professor whose new book, 'Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life', says the western obsession with feeling good is preventing us from living well and that (and here's the revelation!) living life to the fullest means embracing pain.
Mr Hayes has pioneered the school of "acceptance and commitment therapy." ACT is an approach to mental and behavioral health that questions traditional cognitive therapy and is being referred to as "third-wave" psychology (following second-wave cognitive therapy and first-wave behavior therapy).
'pain is ubiquitous and suffering is normal. If you ask people, "Are you happy?" many of them are going to say yes. But if you ask people, "Is this really what you want your life to be about?" many more are going to say no.
Say you've been betrayed in love. Now, the reasonable, sensible thing to do is say, "I'm not going to be that vulnerable again." But precisely the reason you loved to begin with was because you wanted to be intimate, known, connected. That's the reason it hurt so much.
But because you don't want to be vulnerable, it prevents you from being connected and intimate, even if you are in a relationship. Now, would a person who's living in a relationship like that say they're happy? They might. But do they have the intimacy and connection they so badly want? No.
We don't get good training in how to sit with pain anymore; [we used to have] spiritual traditions of fasting, where you didn't eat even though you were hungry in order to connect with the suffering of other people. Most of those traditions are gone. Now it's only the educated elite who go for 10-day silent meditation retreats who get that kind of experience.
What I'm saying is find a middle path. My work is about a loving posture: Accept your history, feel your feelings, notice your thoughts, and carry all that forward down a path that you value that's neither indulgence nor suppression.
Life is painful... There is a base level of pain: for example, knowing you're going to die. So yes, life includes a big chunk of pain, and it includes a big chunk of living. But if you're not willing to have the pain, you're not going to get the living. | 2019-04-26T07:46:24Z | http://x1brettstuff.blogspot.com/2006/03/ |
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It’s a cold and cloudy Wednesday morning on this twenty-fourth day of January when I find myself sitting on this green chair, writing on a circular, wooden table of the school library. Beside my journal is a coffee that I bought straight out from the vending machine in front of me. Every day, I make it a routine to reserve a ten-peso coin in my pocket so I can pay for this drink. I suppose drinking coffee every morning has been my ritual. It’s what keeps me going these days: making my heart beat faster as it normally does; evoking emotions for every beating of it; and finally turning these emotions into words. So whenever I am lost for words, I only pause for a moment to sip this coffee of mine until the right words come along. It seems to me that it is the only thing now that keeps me writing my troubles out, so to speak.
The weather today has surprisingly turned into a gloomy one when nobody expected it as the sun has been shining brightly as ever since the last few days. I suppose life is akin to the weather: it glooms in an abruptly way just as when it has made you used to the sunny days. In this particular instance, however, I think about life and how I spend my every waking day with the same strict routines that I follow. I think about how people unconsciously forget what really matters in life because of “other things” they would rather immerse themselves into. I think about how our routines gradually consume us and divert our attention intensely focused toward worldly affairs and trivial matters. I think about the reality of life: that one day, all of these things surrounding me will vanish; that one day, I, too, shall die.
It happens every day that we wake up in the morning, take a warm bath, have some breakfast, drink a coffee, and drive or commute to school or work. We would attend to our classes, our appointments, or sometimes to our organizational meetings. We would then watch a film or a series if we have the time. We would talk excessively with friends about almost anything. We would laugh out loud and think of a good restaurant to have some meal together. We would go to our most desired coffee shop, read a book therein, or perhaps study. We would prepare for a scheduled presentation, or surf the net for how many hours. We would go home right after, have a good night sleep, and in the next day: repeat the same routine.
It happens that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday all seem to follow the same path most of the time. It seems as if our entire life had been programmed to be in harmony to the same, continuous rhythm every day. Can we transcend this?
As we are living the mundanity of our lives, we are gradually absorbed into this way of thinking where our perception of everything around us becomes constant and typical. Everything seems to flow with the current. Everything is under our careful control. Nothing seems wrong, at least hopefully. And everything seems so orderly, systematically, and accordingly just as the way we expect them to be.
This absorption has become so efficient in fixing our perspective. The process too is so transparent that, without our consciousness, it has successfully placed authenticity, meaning, purpose, and death to the background. Because of this, we are no longer aware of them, nor perhaps even spare a minute to ponder upon them. Like the fish that is unable to recognize the water as it has become ordinary for it, we are living under the mundanity of our lives oblivious, deliberately or not, to the reality and value of life itself.
While we are trapped into this matrix, somewhere out there are people who have already made an abrupt escape—people who have woken up from the illusion that hid the true reality of life. I refer to these people as those who are suffering: those who are afflicted with illnesses, diseases; by war and genocide; depression, worry, and grief; those who have recently lost a loved one; and many others alike. More than that, somewhere out there is a father diagnosed of cancer and a son anxiously bothered of his old man’s condition.
Unexpected things always happen in an instant. It doesn’t remind you beforehand. It doesn’t inform you of its coming, nor does it even give you a warning sign just like when you are driving on a highway and a road undergoing repair is one kilometer ahead from your location. Just when you think everything is normal, things could change in a blink of an eye, disrupting your personal routine, reducing your driving pace.
It was on a Monday afternoon in the middle of a class discussion when, all of a sudden, I received a distress message from my eldest sister, telling me that our father has just been diagnosed of a suspected cancerous cyst in the kidney according to his doctor. I was in the middle of a recitation then when I received the message. My teacher kept on asking the class questions about a previous lesson of which I still could remember. I uttered an answer to my teacher and then I half saw the text message. I read it afterwards properly. Even then, I knew that something doesn’t feel right even though everything around me seems as usual as they are. I didn’t know how to react. All I could ever recall was the sudden blurring of my vision of my teacher, my classmates, the chairs, the Power Point, and my notebook.
I reached for my handkerchief inside my pocket to dab my eyes. Tears were already filling my eyes, I realized. I was captured by the moment. Even though my body was physically present in the classroom, I felt mentally, emotionally, and spiritually isolated from my classmates. I could not hear my teacher speaking as if all the noises had suddenly been muted. My eyes were fixed towards my teacher but I could not see her. It seemed as if my consciousness went to somewhere else, but I knew I was arrested by the moment—a moratorium amidst the mundanity of life.
All the memories suddenly flashed back to me like a new episode of a TV series reviewing the previous events before it begins. I thought about how, in my kindergarten days, my father would buy me a box of Cloud 9 chocolate every time he arrives home from work. I recalled how, during my early elementary days, I used to borrow his screw driver to enact Harry Potter casting a spell. I recalled how he used to spoil me with almost all the things that I wanted: from toys, shoes, guitars, drum set, clothes to cars. I thought of the times when he provided me with everything that I needed in school. I thought of the times how he supported me with my decisions and my choices in life. I thought of how often he would give me words of wisdom that would always soothe my heart. I thought of how during every meal, we would share our favorite fish that my mother would cook for us; we would cut it into half so that his would be the head part and mine the tail.
While my mind was mentally traveling, I pondered upon the idea of death—that death is the only thing certain in this life. I reflected upon how short life really is that in every passing minute, someone somewhere is dying. I reflected on the simultaneity of things: that while we are here in class listening to our teacher’s discussion in the comfort of our air conditioned room, someone else from somewhere else is suffering from an illness, from a loss of a loved one, from depression, from poverty, from war, and from many other unfortunate events. This parallelism of world events made me think that just because it isn’t happening here at this very place that I am currently sitting into, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening at all. What would seem so little to me, to anyone might be all.
All the people suffering in this world because of numerous reasons such as international disputes, politics, religion, terrorism, crimes, and even stretches out to the people afflicted with different kinds of disease such as brain tumors, cancers, dengue fevers, malarias: these are the people who have to pause in the rhythmic patterns of their lives, who have to drop whatever they are doing in order to attend to the crises at hand. All of these sufferings are what we normally hear on the news, from other people, and from the hospitals, yet all the same we do not lend an ear to them. All of these do not seem to matter to us. Why should we even care? Who are they to us anyway? We do not really understand something so deeply unless it finally happens to us or to our loved ones. We do not really value the true essence of life until an alarming situation comes forth. We do not really know how something truly feels until finally it knocks on our doors, disturbing the comfort of our lives.
I drove on to where my father was on that Monday afternoon. I was driving really fast without minding the speed limit, recklessly beating a lot of red lights on the way. I did not even bother warming up the engine upon ignition anymore. I knew Papa would scold me had he known.
Somewhere in the traffic-laden roads of Davao City, however, there was one intersection where I was so close to traversing, but I was caught up by the red light the moment I was near. Abruptly, I stepped on to the break really hard and brought the car into a full stop. Annoyed and anxious, there was nothing else I could do but wait. So, I looked around instead and I saw a sticker of a fish in the car ahead of me. It was a simple fish, but beneath its existence is an underlying truth of which has rendered me in deep thought.
A fish’s natural habitat is the water. Once it is born, it does not need any “swimming lessons” like we humans normally do; rather, it just automatically learns how because that is its nature. It probably doesn’t have any idea at all that what it is doing is actually called “swimming” in human language; it just is. More so, the water is the fish’s safe haven. It goes around to it every day, swimming in its vastness. The fish probably does not recognize the water anymore because for all its life, it’s just there made available in its whole lifetime.
Because of this, I suppose the fish no longer acknowledges the value of the water because it has grown used to it every day. However, this recurring pattern in the fish’s everyday life reaches a point of cessation when it has been caught by the fisherman in his net. In that way, the fish wouldn’t have seen it coming. Once it is trapped into the fisherman’s net, it would desperately grasp for the water. It would try its best to reach for the water. But, when it is already too late for the fish to return to the water is the only time when it would regretfully realize the true value of the water that it had ignored for its whole lifetime. Sadly, there is no going back for it now.
Finally, it’s becoming quite chilly here in the school library. I reached for my cup of coffee but it was already empty. I am still very worried about my father’s condition and I guess this would be the only thing that will occupy my mind throughout the day. I guess a short title would be most suitable for this essay—perhaps that one simple thing that struck me most during that Monday afternoon. It would be enough, I hope, as life as well is short-lived.
On that Monday afternoon, the sticker of the fish in the car ahead of me had slowly become smaller and smaller in sight. Loud horns from the cars at my back made me shiver, bringing my attention back on the road.
The green light came, and I drove on to see my father.
Ali K. Satol Jr. is an incoming fourth year student of Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) with the course of Bachelor of Arts Major in English Language. He is born in Cotabato City and is currently living in Davao City to finish his studies. Ali is the incoming Internal Vice President of SALAM: The Ateneo Muslim Society, a Muslim student organization of ADDU. As an English Major, he is also a member of the Society of Ateneo Literature and English Majors (SALEM). His essay, “The Fish,” was written for the said subject and is one of the many essays in his collection called, “Of Truth and Memories.” The said piece won Ali his place in the small group of finalists for the World Youth Essay Competition (WYEC) 2018. He is now competing for the final round of the contest.
For someone who was born outside, I defined Davao City as our destination for buying school supplies and watching movies. There were no decent cinemas where I came from. When I officially moved to Davao to pursue my university degree, way back in 2000, I found myself re-defining the city in a different way.
In 2012, I decided to document the city’s center, San Pedro Street. This project was inspired by academic papers by UP Mindanao professors: one on architectural landmarks by Architect Rowena Delgado, and another on the aspect of urban decay by Roberto Alabado III. Both were published in Banwa, the Multidisciplinary Journal of UP Mindanao. Their point was that since development was sprawling outside the city, the city’s center, where most architectural landmarks were located, was in danger of becoming overlooked and at worst forgotten.
I asked, “Is San Pedro Street overlooked?” I also pondered on what would make people think about San Pedro. Back then, I was exploring street photography and its capacity to tell stories with just a photograph. I decided to take a creative adventure.
The Math teacher roughly grabbed Tommy by the sleeve.
“Who taught you this word?” she demanded.
“She did!” pointing at a playmate. “Dili gani ako!” the playmate countered and adamantly pointed her finger at another playmate. The other playmate quickly said no and pointed his finger at another. The finger pointing went on and on until it erupted into a quarrel amongst them. He did, she did, you did accusations were flying around for they forgot who started the game in the first place. It was the makings of politics. Cage rattler, players, finger pointing, displaced accountability, feigned ignorance, pointless hullabaloo, and lastly corrupted silence.
Selena was silent but she did not forget. She remembered it was Diana who started it but she bit her tongue to protect her friend. She shoved me down her own throat and kept mum while the interrogation was happening. That was the last time I heard her use the word that year. That was the end of ‘devirginized’ for the time being. After a few years, this sordid word will be revived which explained why the feeling of betrayal never went away. At that moment though, I still felt reduced into a thing in the past. A memory, relevant only when there is a need to dig up history and rummage through forgotten boxes. Finished. I have never felt so downgraded in my entire existence as a letter. So, I rebelled many times. Failed. Rebelled again. Failed some more. Rebelled even more. Wars were always waged because she mastered this foreign language.
She mastered it because she was repeatedly told that it was the gateway to success. It was supposedly her key to a lucrative life in the land where the pastures were believed to be greener.
Pinasalamatan mo ang sarili nang sabihin kong itinanghal ang bago kong tula sa website ng mga bagong Pilipinong makata. Natawa ako sa hirit mong iyon. Sabi mo, kay husay mong inspirasyon. Hindi na ako nag tangka pang kumontra dahil inaasahan ko rin naman na hindi mo pa rin ako hahangaan. Igigiit mo pa rin na ikaw ang lumilikha ng mga imahe ng aking tula at hindi ako mismo.
Marahil tama ka. May kulang dalawang buwan pa lamang nang sinubukan kong gumawa ng mga tula. Ang isang buwan pa doon, hindi ako seryoso. Nitong huli ko na lang natutunang mahalin ang pagsusulat ng tula. Pero ikaw, matagal na. Matagal na kitang pinaghuhugutan ng inspirasyon. Mag-iisang taon na rin pala mula sa araw na iyon nang naramdaman kong may sariling buhay ang paghanga ko sa iyo; tuluy-tuloy na siyang lumikha ng kung anu-anong bagay, ng mga imahe hanggang sa makabuo ng mga tula. Hindi ko na nga ito napigilan hanggang napansin mong kawangis mo ang bawat nilikha ko. Tila mga pilas ng iyong pagkatao na pilit kong ginagawan ng isang disenyo sa puso ko. Hindi ko malaman ang mga reaksyon ng iyong mukha sa tuwing babasahin mo ang sarili mo sa aking mga katha. Siguro ay nasasabi mo, hindi ako ito o kaya hinuhusgahan kita ayon sa lente ko. Pwede ring tama, naisip ko. Baka tama rin ang mga hinala ko. Hindi ko lang talaga mahuli ang pagguhit ng ngiti sa iyong labi at ang ningas sa iyong mga mata na maaring magpakahulugan ng iyong galit o saya. Marahil ayaw mong makita ko ito. O di kaya ayaw mong makita ang mga isinusulat ko para sa iyo. Dahil hindi ka interesado at hindi mo nagugustuhan ang mga imaheng nabubuo ko. Gayunpaman, lahat ng ito ay haka-haka ko lamang at hindi ako sigurado kung tama.
Magaling ka kasi. Kung ikukumpara sa akin, may sampung taon ka nang nagsusulat. Hindi na rin ako magtataka kung kahanay na ng iyong pangalan si Maningning Miclat at Benilda Santos sa bata mong edad. Kahit hindi ka pa nakakapaglabas ng koleksyon ng tula mo, alam kong diyan sa utak mo, may nakasilid na pumpon ng tula na hango sa iba’t-ibang inspirasyon. Ang hindi ko lang matiyak ay kung kahit minsan ba sa mga nilikha mo ay tiningnan mo ang mukha ko at saka sinimulang sumulat. May sarili kang istilo at sabi mo nga, formalist ako at ikaw ang post-modernist. Kung ano man ang kaibahan nila, hindi ko pa rin masyadong alam. Dalawang buwan pa lang ako nagsusulat at imposibleng maintindihan ko ang mga ganitong teknikal na bagay lalo na kung magmumula sa isang beteranong manunulat na tulad mo. Pero sa totoo lang, kung maniniwala ka, sa loob ng maikling panahon na iyon, lalong lumalim ang mga imaheng nabubuo ko mula sa iyo. Ewan ko lang kung napapansin mo lalong lumalim ang pag-ibig ko. | 2019-04-22T18:28:00Z | https://dagmay.com/category/nonfiction/page/2/ |
Article 6. Nature of the rules.
The stipulations that modify the rules of this Title to the detriment of the lessee or sublessee are null and void, except in cases where the rule itself expressly authorises it.
Article 7. Condition and effects vis-à-vis third parties of the rental of dwellings.
1. The rental of a dwelling shall not lose this condition even if the tenant does not have his permanent dwelling on the rented property, provided that it is inhabited by his spouse who is not legally or de facto separated, or by his dependent children.
2. In any case, in order for the leases entered into on urban properties to take effect against third parties who have registered their right, such leases must be registered in the Land Registry.
Article 8. Assignment of the contract and sublease.
1. The lease may not be assigned by the tenant without the written consent of the landlord. In the case of an assignment, the assignee is subrogated to the assignor’s position vis-à-vis the lessor.
2. The rented property may only be sublet partially and with the written consent of the landlord.
The sublease shall be governed by the provisions of this Title for the rental when the part of the sublet is used by the sublet for the purpose indicated in Article 2.1. If this condition is not met, it shall be governed by the agreement between the parties.
The subtenant’s right shall in any event terminate when the subtenant’s right is extinguished.
The price of the sublease may not exceed, in any case, that corresponding to the lease.
1. The duration of the lease will be freely agreed by the parties. If this is less than three years from the date of expiry of the contract, the contract must be extended for annual periods until the lease reaches a minimum duration of three years, unless the lessee indicates to the lessor, at least thirty days before the date of termination of the contract or any of the extensions, his wish not to renew it.
The period shall begin to run from the date of the contract or from the date on which the property is placed at the disposal of the tenant, whichever is the later. The tenant shall be responsible for proof of the date of making available.
2. Leases for which a term of one year has not been stipulated or for which the term is indeterminate shall be deemed to have been concluded for one year, without prejudice to the right of annual extension for the lessee, in the terms resulting from the preceding paragraph.
3. The mandatory extension of the contract shall not apply if, after the first year of the contract’s duration, the lessor informs the lessee that he needs the rented property in order to use it as permanent housing for himself or his first-degree relatives by blood or adoption or for his spouse in the event of a final judgment of separation, divorce or marriage annulment. The aforementioned notification must be made to the tenant at least two months prior to the date on which the dwelling will be needed and the tenant is obliged to hand over the leased property within this period if the parties do not reach a different agreement.
If three months after the termination of the contract or, where applicable, the actual eviction from the dwelling, the landlord or his or her relatives in the first degree of consanguinity or by adoption or his or her spouse, in the event of a final judgment of separation, divorce or marriage annulment, have not proceeded to occupy the dwelling, as the case may be, the tenant may choose, within a period of thirty days, between being reinstated in the use of the property and being able to return it to its original place of residence.
4. In the case of an unregistered property, the lease of a dwelling that the tenant has entered into in good faith with the person who appears to be the owner of the property on the basis of a state of affairs whose creation is attributable to the real owner shall also last for three years, without prejudice to the right of non-renewal referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. If the lessor sells the rented property, the provisions of article 1.571 of the Civil Code shall apply. If it is defeated in court by the real owner, the provisions of the aforementioned article 1,571 of the Civil Code shall apply, in addition to the corresponding compensation for damages caused.
Article 10. Extension of the contract.
1. If on the expiry date of the contract, or of any of its extensions, after a period of at least three years, neither party has notified the other, at least thirty days before that date, of its wish not to renew it, the contract shall necessarily be extended for a further year.
2. Once the lease contract has been registered, the right of extension established in article 9, as well as the one-year extension referred to in the previous paragraph, shall be imposed in relation to third-party purchasers who meet the conditions of article 34 of the Mortgage Law.
3. To the extended contract, the legal and conventional regime to which it was subject will continue to apply.
Article 11. Withdrawal from the contract.
The lessee may withdraw from the rental contract after at least six months, provided that the lessor is notified at least thirty days in advance. The parties may agree in the contract that, in the event of withdrawal, the lessee must indemnify the lessor with an amount equivalent to one month’s rent in force for each year of the contract that remains to be fulfilled. Periods of time shorter than one year shall give rise to a proportionate share of the allowance.
Article 12. Withdrawal and expiration in case of marriage or cohabitation of the tenant.
1. If the lessee expresses his wish not to renew the contract or to withdraw from it, without the consent of the spouse living with the said lessee, the lease may be continued for the benefit of the said spouse.
2. For this purpose, the landlord may require the tenant’s spouse to indicate his or her willingness to do so.
Once the request has been made, the lease will expire if the spouse does not reply within fifteen days of the request. The spouse must pay the corresponding annuity until the end of the contract, if it has not already been paid.
3. If the tenant leaves the dwelling without express notice of withdrawal or non-renewal, the tenancy may be continued for the benefit of the spouse living with him or her, provided that within one month of such notice, the landlord receives written notice from the spouse of the tenant expressing his or her wish to become a tenant.
If the contract is terminated for lack of notice, the spouse will be obliged to pay the rent for that month.
4. The provisions of the previous sections shall also be applicable in favour of the person who has been living permanently with the tenant in a relationship of affectivity analogous to that of the spouse, regardless of their sexual orientation, during at least the two years prior to the withdrawal or abandonment, unless they had children in common, in which case mere cohabitation shall suffice.
Article 13. Resolution of the lessor’s right.
1. If, during the term of the contract, the lessor’s right is terminated by the exercise of a contractual right of withdrawal, the opening of a trustee’s replacement, the forced disposal resulting from a mortgage foreclosure or court order or the exercise of a right of option to purchase, the lease shall be extinguished.
In accordance with the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 7 and Article 14, exceptions are made for cases in which the leasing contract had been entered into the Land Registry prior to the rights determining the termination of the leased right. In this case, the lease will continue for the agreed period of time.
In the case of a lease on an unregistered property, the duration of the lease shall be that laid down in Article 9(4).
2. The leases granted by usufructuary, superficial and all those who have an analogous right of enjoyment over the property, shall be extinguished at the end of the lessor’s right, in addition to the other causes of extinction resulting from the provisions of this law.
Article 14. Disposal of the rented property.
1. The purchaser of a property registered in the Land Registry, leased as a dwelling in whole or in part, that meets the requirements of article 34 of the Mortgage Law, shall only be subrogated to the rights and obligations of the lessor if the lease is registered, in accordance with the provisions of articles 7 and 10 of this law, prior to the transfer of the property.
2. If the property is not registered in the Land Registry, the provisions of the first paragraph of article 1571 of the Civil Code shall apply. If the purchaser uses the right recognised by the aforementioned article, the lessee may demand that it be allowed to continue for three months, provided that the purchaser duly notifies him of its intention, during which time he must pay the rent and other amounts due to the purchaser. It may also require the seller to compensate it for any damage caused.
Article 15. Separation, divorce or annulment of the tenant’s marriage.
1. In cases of nullity of the marriage, legal separation or divorce of the tenant, the non-tenant spouse may continue to use the rented dwelling when it is attributed to him/her in accordance with the provisions of the applicable civil legislation. The spouse to whom the use of the rented property has been attributed on a permanent basis or in a period longer than the remaining term of the rental contract, shall become the holder of the contract.
2. The spouse’s willingness to continue using the dwelling must be communicated to the landlord within two months of notification of the corresponding court decision, together with a copy of the decision or of the part of the decision that affects the use of the dwelling.
Article 16. Death of the tenant.
a) The spouse of the tenant who lived with him/her at the time of death.
b) A person who has been living permanently with the tenant in a relationship of affectivity analogous to that of a spouse, regardless of sexual orientation, for at least two years prior to the date of death, unless they have children in common, in which case mere cohabitation shall suffice.
c) The descendants of the tenant who at the time of his death were subject to his parental authority or guardianship, or had habitually lived with him during the two preceding years.
(d) The ascendants of the tenant who habitually lived with him/her during the two years preceding his/her death.
e) The siblings of the tenant in whom the circumstance provided for in the previous paragraph is met.
f) Persons other than those mentioned in the previous letters who suffer a disability equal to or greater than 65 per cent, provided that they are related to the tenant up to the third degree of collateral and have lived with him/her during the two years prior to the death.
If none of these persons existed at the time of the tenant’s death, the lease will be terminated.
2. If there are several of the above-mentioned persons, in the absence of unanimous agreement as to which of them will be the beneficiary of the subrogation, the order of priority established in the preceding paragraph shall apply, except that the parents of seven hundred years old shall be preferred to the descendants. Among the descendants and among the ascendants, the one closest in grade shall have preference, and among the brothers, the one with a double bond shall have preference over the half-brother.
Cases of equality shall be decided in favour of the person with a disability of 65 per cent or more; in the absence of such a situation, in favour of the person with the greatest family responsibilities and, ultimately, in favour of the youngest descendant, the oldest ascendant or the youngest sibling.
3. The lease shall be terminated if, within three months of the tenant’s death, the lessor does not receive written notification of the fact of the death, with a death certificate, and of the identity of the subrogate, indicating his or her relationship with the deceased and offering, where applicable, a principle of proof that he or she meets the legal requirements for subrogation. If the termination occurs, all those who may succeed the tenant, except those who renounce their option by notifying the lessor in writing within the month following the death, shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment of the rent for those three months.
If the lessor receives in time and form several notices whose senders maintain their status as beneficiaries of the subrogation, the lessor may consider them jointly and severally liable for the obligations of the lessee, while maintaining their claim to subrogate.
4. In the case of leases with an initial term of more than three years, the parties may agree that there shall be no right of subrogation in the event of the death of the lessee, when the latter occurs after the first three years of the term of the lease, or that the lease shall be terminated after three years when the death occurs earlier.
Article 17. Determination of income.
1. The rent shall be as freely determined by the parties.
2. Unless otherwise agreed, the rent will be paid monthly and must be paid during the first seven days of the month. In no case may the lessor demand the advance payment of more than one month’s rent.
3. Payment shall be made at the place and by the procedure agreed by the parties or, failing that, in cash and in the rented dwelling.
4. The lessor is obliged to provide the lessee with a receipt for payment, unless it has been agreed that the payment will be made by means of procedures that demonstrate the effective fulfilment of the lessee’s payment obligation.
The receipt or supporting document that replaces it must contain separately the amounts paid for the different concepts of which the total payment is composed and, specifically, the income in force.
If the landlord fails to provide the receipt, all costs incurred by the tenant to prove payment shall be borne by the landlord.
5. In the lease contracts, the parties may freely agree that, for a specified period of time, the obligation to pay the rent may be replaced in whole or in part by a commitment by the tenant to renovate or rehabilitate the building in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions. At the end of the rental period, the tenant may in no case request additional compensation for the cost of the work carried out on the property. Failure by the lessee to carry out the works in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions may give rise to termination of the rental contract and the provisions of Article 23(2) shall apply.
Article 18. Updating of the rent.
1. During the term of the contract, the rent may only be reviewed by the landlord or tenant on the date on which the contract expires each year, in accordance with the terms agreed by the parties. In the absence of an express agreement, no revision of rents will be applied to the contracts.
In the event of an express agreement between the parties on any mechanism for reviewing monetary values that does not detail the index or reference methodology, the income shall be reviewed for each year by reference to the annual variation of the Competitiveness Guarantee Index at the date of each review, taking as the reference month for the review the month corresponding to the last index that was published on the date of the review of the contract.
2. The updated rent shall be payable by the lessee as of the month following that in which the interested party notifies the other party in writing, expressing the percentage of alteration applied and accompanied, if the lessee so requires, by the appropriate certification from the National Statistics Institute.
The notification made by note in the receipt of the previous monthly payment will be valid.
Article 19. Rent increase for improvements.
1. The performance by the lessor of improvement works after three years of the contract period shall entitle him, unless otherwise agreed, to increase the annual income by the amount resulting from applying to the capital invested in the improvement the legal interest rate of money at the time of completion of the works increased by three points, without exceeding the increase of twenty per cent of the income in force at that time.
For the calculation of the capital invested, the public subsidies obtained for the execution of the work must be deducted.
2. When the improvement affects several properties in a building under the horizontal property regime, the lessor must distribute the capital invested proportionally among all of them, applying, for this purpose, the participation quotas corresponding to each of them.
In the case of buildings that are not in the form of horizontal property, the capital invested shall be distributed proportionally among the properties affected by agreement between the lessor and the lessees. In the absence of an agreement, it shall be distributed proportionally according to the area of the leased property.
3. The rent increase will take place from the month following the month in which the lessor notifies the lessee in writing of the amount of the rent increase, detailing the calculations leading to its determination and providing copies of the documents from which the cost of the works carried out results.
Article 20. Individual service and overhead costs.
1. The parties may agree that the general expenses for the adequate maintenance of the property, its services, taxes, charges and responsibilities that are not susceptible of individualization and that correspond to the rented dwelling or its accessories, will be charged to the lessee.
In buildings under the horizontal property regime, these expenses will be those corresponding to the leased property according to its participation quota.
In buildings that are not in the form of horizontal property, such expenditure shall be that which has been allocated to the leased property on the basis of its area.
In order to be valid, this agreement must be in writing and must determine the annual amount of such expenses at the date of the contract. The agreement that refers to taxes will not affect the Administration.
3. Expenses for services provided by the leased property that are individualized by means of metering devices shall in any case be the responsibility of the lessee.
4. Payment of the expenses referred to in this Article shall be credited in the manner provided for in Article 17.4.
Article 21. Conservation of the home.
1. The lessor is obliged to carry out, without the right to raise the rent, all the repairs necessary to maintain the dwelling in the conditions of habitability to serve the agreed use, except when the deterioration whose repair is attributable to the lessee in accordance with the provisions of articles 1,563 and 1,564 of the Civil Code.
The obligation to repair is limited to the destruction of the dwelling for reasons not attributable to the landlord. To this end, the provisions of Article 28 shall apply.
2. If the execution of a conservation work cannot reasonably be deferred until the conclusion of the lease, the tenant shall be obliged to bear it, even if it is very inconvenient for him or her or during it he or she is deprived of part of the dwelling.
3. The lessee must inform the lessor, as soon as possible, of the need for the repairs referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, for which sole purpose he must provide the lessor with a direct verification, by himself or by the technicians designated by him, of the condition of the dwelling. At any time, and after notifying the lessor, he may make any urgent measures to avoid imminent damage or serious discomfort, and demand their immediate payment from the lessor.
4. Small repairs required by the wear and tear due to the ordinary use of the dwelling are the responsibility of the tenant.
1. The lessee, after giving prior written notice to the lessor, may carry out inside the dwelling any work or actions necessary to ensure that it can be used in a suitable manner and in accordance with the disability or age of over seventy years, both of the lessee himself and of his spouse, of the person with whom he or she lives permanently in a similar affective relationship, regardless of their sexual orientation, or of their relatives who live permanently with them, provided that they do not affect the common elements or services of the building or cause a reduction in their stability or security.
2. The tenant is obliged, at the end of the contract, to restore the dwelling to its previous state, if so required by the landlord.
Article 25. Right of first refusal.
1. In the event of the sale of the rented property, the lessee shall have the preferential right to purchase it, under the conditions set out in the following paragraphs.
2. The lessee may exercise a right of first refusal over the leased property within a period of thirty calendar days, starting from the following day when he is notified of the decision to sell the leased property, the price and other essential conditions of the transfer.
The effects of the notification provided for in the preceding paragraph shall expire one hundred and eighty calendar days after the notification.
3. In the case referred to in the previous section, the lessee may exercise the right of withdrawal, subject to the provisions of Article 1.518 of the Civil Code, when the notification has not been made or any of the requirements required have been omitted, as well as when the actual price of the sale is lower or the other essential conditions are less onerous. The right of withdrawal shall expire after thirty calendar days from the date following the notification which the purchaser must reliably make to the lessee of the essential conditions under which the sale was made, by delivering a copy of the deed or document in which it was executed.
4. The right of pre-emption or withdrawal of the tenant shall take precedence over any other similar right, except for the right of withdrawal granted to the co-owner of the dwelling or the conventional right entered in the Land Registry at the time of the conclusion of the rental contract.
5. In order to register in the Land Registry the title deeds for the sale of rented properties, it must be justified that, in their respective cases, the notifications provided for in the previous sections have taken place, with the requirements set out therein. When the property sold was not rented, in order for the purchase to be registered, the seller must declare it so in the deed, under penalty of falsehood in a public document.
6. Where the sale involves, in addition to the rented dwelling, other objects rented as accessories to the dwelling by the same lessor as referred to in Article 3, the lessee may not exercise preferential purchasing rights in the dwelling alone.
7. There shall be no right of first refusal or right of first refusal when the rented property is sold together with the remaining dwellings or premises owned by the lessor which form part of the same property or when all the flats and premises of the property are sold jointly by different owners to the same purchaser.
If there is only one dwelling in the property, the tenant shall have the right of pre-emption and withdrawal provided for in this article.
8. Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing paragraphs, the parties may agree to waive the lessee’s right to preferential acquisition.
In the cases in which such resignation has been agreed, the lessor must notify the lessee of his intention to sell the property at least thirty days prior to the date of conclusion of the purchase contract.
1. The lessee shall be obliged to bear the cost of the lessor carrying out any improvement work the performance of which cannot reasonably be deferred until the end of the lease.
2. A lessor intending to carry out such works must give the lessee at least three months’ written notice of the nature, commencement, duration and foreseeable cost of the work. Within one month of such notification, the lessee may withdraw from the contract, unless the works do not or do not have an irrelevant effect on the rented dwelling. The lease shall expire within two months of the date of withdrawal, during which time work may not commence.
3. The lessee who supports the works shall have the right to a reduction of the rent in proportion to the part of the dwelling of which he is deprived as a result, as well as the compensation of the expenses that the works oblige him to carry out.
1. The lessee may not, without the express written consent of the lessor, carry out work modifying the configuration of the dwelling or the accessories referred to in Article 2(2). Under no circumstances may the tenant carry out works that cause a decrease in the stability or security of the dwelling.
2. Without prejudice to the right to terminate the contract, the lessor who has not authorised the performance of the works may, at the conclusion of the contract, require the lessee to restore the things to their former state or to retain the modification made, without the lessee being entitled to claim any compensation.
If, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 of this article, the lessee has carried out work which has led to a reduction in the stability of the building or in the safety of the dwelling or its accessories, the lessor may immediately require the lessee to restore the property to its former state.
Article 26. Habitability of the dwelling.
When the performance in the rented dwelling of conservation works or works agreed by a competent authority makes it uninhabitable, the tenant shall have the option to suspend the contract or to withdraw from it, without any compensation.
The suspension of the contract shall, until the completion of the works, entail the suspension of the term of the contract and the suspension of the obligation to pay the rent.
Article 27. Failure to comply with obligations.
1. Failure by either party to comply with the obligations resulting from the contract shall entitle the party who has fulfilled its obligations to demand performance of the obligation or to promote the termination of the contract in accordance with the provisions of article 1.124 of the Civil Code.
a) Failure to pay the rent or, as the case may be, any of the amounts for which payment has been assumed or corresponds to the tenant.
c) Inconsistent subletting or assignment.
d) The performance of damages caused intentionally on the property or works not consented to by the lessor when the lessor’s consent is necessary.
(e) When annoying, unhealthy, noxious, dangerous or illegal activities take place in the home.
(f) When the dwelling ceases to be primarily intended to satisfy the permanent housing need of the tenant or the person who actually occupied it in accordance with article 7.
a) Failure by the lessor to carry out the repairs referred to in Article 21.
b) The de facto or de jure disturbance by the landlord in the use of the dwelling.
4. In the case of urban property leases registered in the Land Registry, if it has been stipulated in the contract that the lease will be terminated due to non-payment of rent and that in this case the property must be returned immediately to the lessor, the resolution will take place as of right once the lessor has requested the tenant to pay or comply with the judicial or notary’s request at the domicile designated for this purpose in the registration, and the latter has not replied to the request within the following ten working days, or has replied by accepting the resolution as of right, all of this through the same judge or notary who made the request.
The title contributed to the registration procedure, together with the copy of the certificate of formal notice, from which the notification is derived and which has not been contested by the person requested to pay or which has been contested by accepting the resolution as of right, shall be sufficient title for the cancellation of the lease in the Land Registry.
If there are subsequent charges that fall on the lease, it will also be necessary for its cancellation to justify the notification to the owners of the same, at the address that operates in the Register, and to prove the entry in their favor before the same notary, of the deposit provided by the tenant.
Article 28. Termination of the lease.
(b) For the final declaration of ruin agreed by the competent authority. | 2019-04-20T18:33:36Z | https://propertylawyerpalma.tonimarques.com/2018/04/01/2/ |
Back from my rather lengthy break here! I think that usually more than a week of radio silence here means I am off having tons of fun somewhere neat, with limited access to doohickeys. This time was a little different, the 7 days following my last post were one of the most intensely scheduled non-vacation-type periods I can ever remember having, but I made it through and yes I did manage to squeeze QUITE a good bit of fun in there!
Friday the 20th was more packing, my cubicle this time.
The weekend was all planned out with a combination of water fun and preparation for Wednesday's surgery.
Saturday had been slated for a good paddle, weather permitting, for about as long as I knew I was going under the knife again the following week - TQ works on Sundays so I always like to plan my paddling so he can come when I can. This weekend was great, I didn't even have to do the planning this time as Cindy at the club was also up for a trip and she got together a very nice small crew for another lovely day on Jamaica Bay. Wasn't quite as long as some of my other recent paddles because it was a bit breezy and this was the first paddle of the season, but I did a lot of zigzagging, pretending I was a Sunfish and tacking around buoys and stuff, and I think I did about 6 miles. First non-drysuit paddle of the year - I was totally on the fence about what to wear so I took both a drysuit and a wetsuit; it was cool enough at the club that at first I was leaning towards the drysuit, rolling to cool off as needed, but after moving a couple of boats and getting very warm very fast, I decided to go with the wetsuit instead. That ended up being fine, and it felt so good to lose some of that bulky winter paddling gear!
Weather cleared up beautifully by the time we got back to the club so we had a fine session with beer and cookies and oranges and conversation all at a picnic table in the sun afterwards. I also stuck some old seeds in my garden on the way out, just to see if they'd grow, since I won't be able to do much actual gardening for a couple of weeks here. I'm so glad I got the heavy lifting of getting the bed ready for the season the week before. If my seeds go, great, if they don't, I'll get some seedlings to put in once I'm a little more recuperated.
Flowers at the club are looking fine!
And then I did some grocery shopping on the way home and then I cooked pernil and black beans, planning to cook rice the following night and have that to cover a couple of meals while TQ was staying with me after the surgery.
Monday, I unpacked into my new cubicle. I wish I'd taken a picture at the end of the day because the new cubicle is literally half the size of the old one, which I'd been in for over a decade - it didn't look good at all when I left work on Monday, but I had something I really wanted to do at home! Partway through the day, I'd a fantastic surprise delivery from my lovely Aunt Kathy. She'd seen that I had a new cast-iron wedge pan and she sent me two pounds of stone-ground self-rising cornmeal from the Nora Mill, founded in 1876 in the town of Helen, Georgia. As soon as I opened the package at the end of the day, all I wanted to do was run home right away and make cornbread!
My rice and beans plan immediately went out the window in favor of beans over round 2 of Susan Williams' buttermilk cornbread. This didn't come out of the pan as nicely as the first one did (I re-seasoned) but oh boy, was it pretty, and oh boy was it GOOD.
Tuesday was my last day at work for the month of April. I did actually manage to get my new space in order (YAY, that's why I'd wished I had a camera on Monday, the Monday night vs. Tuesday night shots would've been dramatic), then helped my boss out with his for the rest of the afternoon. Turned off my out-of-office messages at the end of the day, did another grocery trip, ran home, did laundry and more cleaning - it felt EXACTLY like getting ready for vacation, except it wasn't really vacation!
"Today I had reconstruction surgery. It went well, I'm a little bit uncomfortable but it's not too bad, and Quint has taken a couple of days off to help me out, starting with picking me up after the surgery today -- it was an outpatient procedure, I checked in at 7 am, operation was at 8:30, and then they had me there for a few more hours for recovery. Quint brought me home a little after 1. We made one stop at the pharmacy for painkillers and then came home. Did a lot more sleeping today and I think tomorrow will be a sleeping/reading day too. There are a couple more "finishing touches" to be done on Left Girl, and I'll be starting on anti-hormone pills soon, but today's procedure should (knock wood, cross fingers) mark the end of the main events of my fall/winter/spring cancer treatment run. WOOHOO! Thanks again so much for all the moral support, especially to those who shared their own experiences with me! I really appreciate all the love and kind words from all of you!
I still have a little discomfort, but I've still been enjoying my short break from work. TQ stayed with me until this evening, and we just had a nice lazy time reading and hanging out. He's been doing all the cooking for us, he made some great meals with the groceries I'd picked up, and I've just been able to take it very, very easy. We went for a pleasant walk around the neighborhood on Thursday, on Friday he drove me over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park offices to take a look at a room they'd offered for a screening of Sam Low's The Navigators (the room is lovely, we're doing it, it's next Friday, May 6th, details on the Halawai.org events page).
Today we had a little excitement as a fire started in some trash just outside the building, which filled up the place with smoke and brought four or five fire trucks, but they got the fire out very quickly and we were able to go back in after a little airing-out time. We were afraid my place was going to reek because the hallways were really bad and we'd decided to clear out when we started to smell the smoke inside my apartment, but it ended up not being all that bad - I'd shut the windows and the door on the way out, the weather was pleasant and a couple of hours with all the windows opened and a fan running took care of it.
And today I actually got in a little more painting on Araner! Almost done, hooray for an otherwise quiet day at home. Been about the craziest April I can remember - here's hoping for a relatively peaceful May.
Facebook tells me it's time for my Spring swim with the Coney Island Polar Bears. Sunday or bust!
Actually that's a really appropriate way to put it since if I don't swim on Sunday I won't swim with the Bears this year 'cause Left Girl is getting some more surgical attention next Wednesday, and the Polar Bear season ends at the end of April. So if I miss Sunday, it'll be a bust because of my busted bust.
Click here for last year's Polar Bear post, which includes a link to my Flickr album from the day. I've gone for Easter Sunday swims for the last two years, but this year Easter was much earlier and even if TQ and I hadn't had an invitation to Easter dinner at his folks' place, I'm not sure I would've had the nerve. March? BRRRRR!
OK, actually there was more, I spent another beautiful Spring day at the club, this time joining in on the sailing committee work day, getting the boats ready for the season, but I got there early enough for a photo session with the daffodils in my little garden plot at the club. I've got stuff to do with the remaining hours of the day, but I thought I would do a quick post with just these. We've finally got some serious Spring going down here in NYC!
Dock? We don't need no stinking dock!
Today's forecast had been showing that today would be an absolutely glorious Spring day in NYC, and I'm having a second operation in late April that's going to take me off the water for a month, so when the official Hudson River club trip that was supposed to happen got cancelled, I decided I wanted to go out anyways.
With the dock replacement just getting underway and launching still involving a small scramble, I didn't send out a general invitation, just asked more experienced friends. Ended up heading out at 11 am with two friends with lovely hand-made skin-on-frame boats. It was warm enough that they did some rolling; having decided to leave my hood and noseclip at home, I decided to stay mostly rightside-up, but I did do some sculling bracing to get my hair wet - the water's still cold enough that it made for some bracing bracing all, but it felt very good.
We paddled out to the entrance to Dead Horse Bay, then backtracked and took out on the sandy beach just to the west of the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, where we had a leisurely lunch. SO nice when the weather warms up enough to actually enjoy a sandwich on the beach in the sun!
Floyd Bennett Field was well populated with people enjoying the day, the water was surprisingly quiet when we set out, but the motorboats started coming out in the afternoon. We saw a couple of loons, including one who was close enough for Milton to notice that he'd changed out the quiet gray of the winter plumage for the striking black and white of summer (sorry, still not close enough for a photo). The terns are back, and Louis spotted an egret flying towards Canarsie Pol. Winter might be done! Click here for more photos!
Just around 10 miles, and I'm finally starting to feel like I'm getting it back together again.
Dempsey's Pub, looking out the front window.
I've been making it to the Irish music session at Dempsey's Pub on 2nd Avenue fairly often (at least for me) over the winter and spring so far. One night I was sitting on one of the barstools by the wall, looking at more or less this view (only with musicians of course) and out of the blue came the thought, "What a lot of weather I've watched out of that window". This session has been running for 20 years, and I think I've been attending for around 15 of those. I'm an irregular regular, I'll go for long stretches without attending, but I always like knowing it's there when I'm feeling like a tune and a pint. I've been there in all seasons, watched rain, snow, sleet, hail, and fog out that window (oh yes, and some nice nights too), and I found myself feeling strangely nostalgic about it.
Last Tuesday, I was thinking the same thing, but now there's nothing at all strange about feeling that way. Dempsey's is closing down for renovations and a change of format to match the increasingly hip vibe of the neighborhood. So Tuesday's session was the last there at the session's original home. The turnout was massive, so it was held in the back of the pub instead of up here where we normally met, and, to use the Irish phrase, the craic was mighty as we said farewell to the old place.
I took both of my cameras, of course - the Lumix for stills plus the Optio for some video. Haven't had time this week to check the videos, but I did go through the photos the other night and I got some nice ones. Click here to visit my flickr album of that night's fun, and click here for more about the closing on Gothamist.
Fortunately, although Dempsey's will be gone, our amazing and dedicated session leader, John Nevin, and the owner of Dempsey's, Tom O'Byrne, a very good singer himself, have made arrangements for the longest-running session in New York City to live on (phew!). Tom owns another very nice pub not too far away, and so starting next Tuesday, we'll be there instead, and the Dempsey's Irish Traditional Music Session will carry on as the Dempsey's Irish Traditional Music Session In Residence At Slainte. Stop by any Tuesday night for some great music!
Sorry no posts for so long, April's been the usual crazy month with the fiscal 2017 budget due at work, plus a much more unusual office move (I've been in the same cubicle for 10 years and accumulating crap for the entire time, so this is not going to be easy - I think it will be good in the end as there's a lot that can be pitched given motivation to do so, but the timing's rough), plus of course continuing medical stuff (chemo's over but now there are doctor appointments to prepare for reconstructive surgery at the end of April). I actually treated myself to a weekend entirely in my own neighborhood last weekend, didn't set foot on public transportation and only walked as far as the Cortelyou Road greenmarket. It was a pleasant combination of lazing about and getting things done that needed to be done; I'd planned to do a blog post in there but then I remembered that I had a pigment marker drawing of a ketch that I'd done on watercolor paper last year with the full intent of painting her, and decided to bust out the paint sets instead. Got a ways to go but off to a decent start.
In a funny coincidence, it turns out (according to the Facebook memory pages) that the night I finally started painting my friend Sean's Araner was exactly one year after I'd stayed up half the night doing a preliminary pencil drawing.
I know I'm not a fast painter (I guess I have a reasonably good eye, but I have no training at all, I just try things and see if they work, and that's not a fast process for me) but this is ridiculous!
Sunday was a bit blustery for paddling (the windsurfers had fun, though) plus I needed to do some cooking, so I walked over to the Cortelyou Road greenmarket. Enjoyed the the spring flowers along the way!
And for those who are unfamiliar with Hawaiian pidgin, pau = FINISHED!
I had my eighth of eight sessions today. NYU Langone's infusion center has a fun little ritual for your last session, they got all excited when I told them it was my last session and said "You get to ring the bell when you're done!"
I came out after Grace, my technician, unhooked me from the rig for the last time. They have you read the placard; they didn't say out loud, but I did, finding myself getting surprisingly verklempt as I did (everybody knows "verklempt" from SNL, right?), then I rang the bell, hugged Grace a couple of times, thanked all of the staff who was at the front desk (it was a quiet day and I was one of the last ones out so that was most of the Monday afternoon team), and went on my way. The thank-yous were very sincere - I think I've mentioned in my other cancer postings that I've been consistently impressed with the courtesy and care the NYU Langone folks have shown me and others during my visits there. Even the most impatient patients were treated with far more patience that I could ever muster.
Grace was extra-terrific, though - that's her in the 2nd photo. Earlier on in the process I was going to switch to weekends to save myself the once-every-three-week scrambles to get out of the office on time, but she was SO nice and also very, very good at finding a vein on the first stick, and with that combination, I ended up rethinking things. I hate needles, and I've got ridiculously elusive veins, and I've come out of more than one routine blood-testing situation very green around the gills after the blood drawer either stuck me again and again or just hovered for an appallingly long time before getting down to business, so the latter made this SO much easier, I'd really been dreading that but she made it so much better than I expected it to be. Add to that that she had such a very pleasant chairside manner (they had beds there but I was always in one of the comfy recliners) and I pretty quickly decided that I didn't want to change after all.
My bosses totally understood, and since my side effects were generally limited to a slightly cantankerous tummy, nothing truly debilitating, when chemo ran afoul of deadlines and stuff simply had to get done, I was able to put in extra hours on other nights to make sure it did.
Delighted to be done, and delighted that the whole process continued to be, as I said early on, more of a hassle than an ordeal. The time it took to recover completely did end up going from a couple of days to an entire week, but I never really lost any time other than the actual appointments, and the symptoms I was recovering from were pretty low-key compared to what some people go through. I did very well on the regimen I chose (the longer but gentler of the 2 options I was given), to the point that today my oncologist couldn't resist punning that I'd "sailed through it" (she knows my proclivities and always asks what boating I've done recently at my pre-chemo checkups), and I'm so grateful for that.
Thanks again to all of my friends (especially those who're going through or have gone through it themselves and have shared their stories with me) for all the support and good wishes!
One more significant procedure to go, reconstructive surgery later this month, but that's actually an outpatient procedure, nowhere near as big a deal as the first operation. A couple of days off and I'll be ready to go back to work. Also no paddling or swimming until late May, but I should be easing back onto (and into) the water just as the boating and swimming season gets into full swing. Looking forward to that!
Well, for all I was complaining about all the work I had to do, I still had quite the event-full week, starting with the great Hokule'a fundraiser by Halawai on Monday, and continuing the evening session of the Indigenous Resurgence panel discussion on Thursday (it was fascinating, and they had an incredible turnout, which was great to see). I have to go back there to see their Wayfinding Project gallery exhibit, which will run through the end of 2016.
I did skip the Hokule'a Educators Workshop on Saturday morning for various reasons, but was delighted to find out that at least one friend attended, but last night TQ and I went to the House of Yes, a super hip venue in the super hip Bushwick section of Brooklyn, to attend the Ghost Ship Ball fundraiser for the North Brooklyn Boat Club and the Long Island City Community Boathouse. We left extra time to drive over because the organizers had stressed that the program would start on time, which meant we were one of the first guests to arrive; the glittery young man at the door looked a little puzzled when we walked in, looking very middle-aged, like maybe we were lost tourists and were going to ask how to get to the Empire State Building (I'm only half kidding, this was a very very young venue), but the minute we said "Boathouse party?" he lit up and said they were still setting up but come on in!
Unfortunately, since TQ works on Sundays and his workdays start early, we missed the acrobats, but I was mostly interested in the presentations, one by Johna and Vlad, the very adventurous paddlers behind the terrific Wind against Current blog, and one about the Hokule'a by Kim and Kalani from Halawai). They were all great, and tons of friends were there, so lots of good catching-up was done too. Happy to support our fellow boathouses, and what a fun evening!
Yes, that's tomorrow, sorry for the short notice.
One more Hokule'a event - this one sounds great, I went to their last educator's workshop and despite not being an educator (unless you count being a kayak instructor), I found it fascinating. I can't make this one but I hope friends can! Click here for full details and to RSVP. . | 2019-04-22T08:54:26Z | http://frogma.blogspot.com/2016/04/ |
"A SECOND Must Read Letter"
· Egyptology and Museology at risk of losing some of their support?
· Why the BMFA and the BMA are keeping an obdurate silence on the Collection for fifty years? And, are they partners in crime?
· Why are some Egyptologists "pretty reluctant to talk?"
· What's the "problem" with the Mansoor Amarna sculptures?
and to read it -- and you should if you haven't--please click on "A MUST READ New Letter." To this day, no reply has been received from Mr. Able (which does not surprise me).
You know the story of the controversy which was shamefully created half a century ago by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. That both museums were wrong in their estimation of the Mansoor Amarna sculptures is obvious since the scientific evidence states so unequivocally, and since both museums never answered our appeals for a re-evaluation of their opinion which is based on the BMFA's calamitous report denoting total scientific illiteracy. As you know, the two museums, the BMFA and the BMA received, not only all the reports vitiating the BMFA's, but also other publications concerning the Collection including articles and catalogues, and of course some correspondence from the Mansoors and other parties. It is definitely objectionable and unconscionable for the authorities of any educational institution to keep an obdurate silence in a scientific matter to conceal the scientific truth from the public!
The Mansoor Amarna Collection has been judged behind closed doors in the US, and in kangaroo courts in "Munich, Hamburg and Brussels."
The object of this letter is: 1) To raise public consciousness -- including yours and that of other Egyptologists and museologists -- about the fifty-year old injustice against the Mansoors, their Collection, and the public. 2) To prevent, as I wrote before in "The Truth...," other individuals from going through the same ordeal the Mansoors have been going through for half a century. 3) To ask if you'd like to meet with a couple of Mansoors and with some of your colleagues so you know more, and the whole TRUTH about the Collection. 4) Also to know whether Egyptologists -- in particular ARCE members -- are really, seriously and honestly interested to research Egyptology in a scholarly manner. To my mind, after the infamous "technical" report sold to the Mansoors in 1949 by the BMFA, the Mansoor Amarna Collection was shamefully and skimpily judged, sentenced and condemned behind closed doors by a few American Egyptologists, and the two above-named museums. And this has been spread out and magnified later through the years in such a dishonorable way, that other Egyptologists, even in foreign countries, took it upon themselves to judge and condemn it in kangaroo courts privately, and in particular in "Munich, Hamburg and Brussels." And today, around the world, many people think it is not ancient because one man, a Mr. William J. Young, the so-called "expert" of the BMFA, made an error, and the self-called "great museum of the world," also self-called "a citadel of the spirit of man," backed him up by refusing adamantly and obstinately to consider our appeals and to look into the matter.
For the last half century, not only "the two institutions combined to. 'jinx' negotiations between the Mansoors and other major interested museums" as quoted in the letter to Mr. Able, but also just as well between the Mansoors and collectors. The two museums, the BMFA and the BMA, have besmirched the Collection in such a dishonest and/or malicious manner that today, from far away, I hear lies, distortions of the truth, and rumors that make me sick to my stomach as they are unworthy of scholars. Shame on the two museums as, I believe, they degrade and hurt other American museums.
Dr. Fazzini, don't you think that the Mansoor Amarna Collection could be ancient?
1) If the Mansoors have been fighting for over fifty years to vindicate their Collection, don't you think that it could be ancient?
2) If several eminent scientists -- some of whom are internationally famous, like Iskander, Lucas, Silver, and Turner -- have stated, each in his own way and according to his field, that the Mansoor Amarna sculptures they examined scientifically are ancient, don't you think that they could be ancient?
3) If a most eminent British scientist, Dr. Harold J. Plenderleith. who believed strongly in the ancient age of the Mansoor Amarnas, and who was for years Keeper of the British Museum Laboratory, and then Director for the Centre for the Study of the Preservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property (UNESCO, ROME), stated "gratuitously" and openly his "conviction", not his opinion, that the Mansoor objects he has handled are ancient, don't you think that they could be ancient?
4) If Alfred Lucas, another most eminent British scholar, well-known to Egyptologists for his "Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, as well as for other works including his with Howard Carter on the find of Tut-Ankh-Amen, stated after examining scientifically twenty-seven Mansoor Amarnas that they are "genuine," don't you think that they could be ancient?
5) If the most eminent Dr. Zaki Iskander. scientist as well as Egyptologist, who was in charge of the Laboratory of the Cairo Museum, and then was Director for the Research Laboratory of the Department of Antiquities, and in 1974 became Honorary Member of ARCE, if, after examining or indeed scrutinizing scientifically sixty-six Mansoor Amarnas (please see "The Truth...) with another scientist Dr. Zahira Mustafa, and they both stated that "all points favour the genuineness of all objects under consideration," don't you think that they could be ancient?
6) If several eminent Egyptologists have also stated their positive opinion about the Mansoor Amarnas after they handled and examined them "in the flesh," don't you think that they could be ancient?
7) If the giant French Egyptologist, the Abbe' Etienne Drioton, who authored with Prof. Pierre du Bourget "Les pharaons å la conquete de l'art" Desclee de Brouwer, 1965-- an "ouvrage couronne' par l'academie francaise," and who wrote abundantly about many phases of Egyptology, and who handled and examined "in the flesh" about eighty pieces of the Mansoor Amarna Collection during his sixteen years as Director of the Egyptian Antiquities Service, stated, as well as Prof. du Bourget who also handled and examined about forty Amarnas, that they are "authentiques," don't you think that they could be ancient?
8) If another giant French Egyptologist, Mme Christiane Desroches Noblecourt, aka "la grande dame de l'egyptologie francaise," who is "highly qualified in the world of art and archaeology'" (Dr: Sarwat Okasha, Egyptian Minister of Culture and National Guidance, 1965), handled and examined "in the flesh" about forty Amarnas in 1986 and a few in earlier years, and declared them also "authentiques," don't you think that they could be ancient?
9) If Prof. Sergio Pernigotti. the most eminent Italian Egyptologist, who -- without solicitation -- wrote an important and interesting article about the Mansoor Amarna Collection in the April, 1994 issue of "ARCHEO," and started it by saying, "A great collection of Egyptian sculptures from the Amarna period," don't you think that it could be ancient? What to say when he further wrote, "There is no personage in the history of ancient Egypt that has fascinated modern scholars more than Akhenaton, and that has caused more differences of opinion among them on this historical episode than this individual." Should you read the "'ARCHEO" article, you'll also read a super statement, and I quote again: "Of this unprejudiced revolutionary art, the Mansur collection contains most beautiful examples." Wow! How outstandingly and scholarly expressed! "The Mansur collection contains most beautiful examples of the "unprejudiced revolutionary art" of Amarna! From reading the preceding statements, don't you think that it could be ancient?
10) If Dr. Fred H. Stross, the staunchest supporter of the Mansoor Amarna Collection for some fifty years, after studying and examining the Mansoor Amarnas" as well as analyzing the overwhelming scientific reports on the Collection, wrote through the years several articles -- some of them published in scientific publications, among them the most prestigious "Analytical Chemistry" (March1960), and whose"published account" as stated by Dr. Plenderleith is "entirely convincing," don't you think that they could be ancient?
11) If Prof. Dr. Reiner R. R. Protsch, (Palaeoanthropology + Archaeometry, J. W. Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany), after examining eighteen objects of the Mansoor Amarna Collection, concluded superbly his report ("In Defence...," p.46) dated 12.1.1976 saying: "I can only reach the conclusion that if the Berlin and Kairo pieces are genuine, which could be solely due to different workmanship by different artists, those pieces of the Mansoor Collection are also genuine," don't you think that they could be ancient?
12) If, and I could go on with many "ifs," the most eminent Dr. Cyril Aldred, who was a leading authority on Amarna art during his time, "declined to discuss the Mansoor objects" as written in '"ARTnews'" in the summer of 1978 by Ms. Sylvia Hochfield, and further told her the following: "You can quote me as follows. If they are genuine, I am not ready to accept that they are great works of ancient Egyptian art." Considering in a really honest manner Aldred's famous "if", don't you think that they could be ancient?
or read it in my letter to Dr. Able. Read about the impression three scholars were left with after viewing some Mansoor Amarnas, about how they "marveled at Nefertiti's enigmatic 'Mona Lisa' smile captured in an extraordinarv work of genius..."
No one can really tell whether an artefact is ancient or a great work of art from photographs only. These may help, but definitely not convincingly and""or for certainty since they do not show details. You must have read that "the delicacy and finesse of the techniques whereby they [the Mansoor Amarnas] were wrought are incredible." And you do remember that the scholar who wrote that statement in 1975, Dr. Alfred Frankenstein, was a lecturer at Stanford University and one of the foremost art critics in the west coast during his time. You'll also remember that he viewed the Mansoor Amarna Collection during its First Exhibit at San Francisco State University. And if, and this "if" is very important and just came to my mind, San Francisco State sponsored a total of five Exhibits, three on University location (1975, 1986, 1991), one at the Brigham Young University in Provo (1975), Utah and the fifth at the Museo Della Civilta' Romana in Rome (1990), Italy, don't you think that the Mansoor Amarna Collection could be ancient?
Dr. Fazzini, before going any further, I'd like you to know why, at this time, I am showing no respect to the two concerned museums, as well as to the few Egyptologists who unconsciously, irresponsibly and perhaps maliciously besmirched the Collection, and are trying to destroy it. At first, the BMFA sold us a report that I would term "apiece of 'scientific' garbage." Then the BMA promoted that calamitous report. And a few Egyptologists were impressed and influenced by it, misleading in turn others through the years -- and I mean through fifty very long and devastating years. They all denied us a hearing, or better said, they denied us justice for half a century -- never considering our appeals. Whatever happened to due process?
For your information, my personal writing on the Internet addressed to Egyptologists and museologists, where I show no respect to some highly placed, is not really my style. Without being conceited, I am noted by all for my integrity and for being extremely polite, always showing great respect and admiration for scholars. I can appeal no more the way I used to. Just read the conclusions of "Je Cherche un Homme..." and "The Truth Is On The March...", and see for yourself how I've humbly appealed and with all due respect. I am fully aware that the way I've been doing it recently -- in the open and in the Internet since the end of 1999-- is not the right way to approach any institution or any scholar to get any appeal considered. But I cannot help it as my fervent appeals have been fruitless. I have to out my anger, revolt and devastation, and I believe the public will not like this whole farce/controversy which was created by the BMFA and the BMA. This is why I am also appealing to day to the public since I received no help from Egyptologists or museologists, and needless to say that I am gaining every day people from around the world who would like this matter solved in a just, honest and scholarly manner. Needless then to add that the harsh terms I am using are due to the devastation I am going through, and for your information, this devastation is too deep to measure. I would certainly apologize if the museums concerned would display fairness in this matter, but I believe they do not care about the public. All they care about are their fame, gain, prestige and reputation. It goes without saying that I am also revolted from the stand some Egyptologists have taken by keeping silent in this matter. Later, I'll give the reasons and why they are "pretty reluctant to talk." And of course, why museums are also keeping an obdurate silence on the controversy over the Collection.
Sir, with all due respect, the Mansoor Amarna Collection should be judged through its own merits. It is not because I talked about, or because I am suspecting and think that in this controversy, there definitely is injustice, and some have displayed prejudice, indifference and/or disdain, gossip and despicable rumors, unethical conduct, lack of ethics, decency and fair play, lack of due process, reckless disregard of the truth -- in particular the scientific truth, ignoble intentions and actions, deviation from the norms, intrigues, incompetence and lack of understanding Amarna art, scientific illiteracy, vandalism, intellectual dishonesty, lies, hypocrisy, malice, obstruction of justice, conspiracy, cover-up, corruption, and crime that the Mansoor Amarna Collection should be either ignored, treated cavalierly, and/or condemned. My character, writing, approach, or style should never, ever be considered in evaluating the matter.
It is not either because I am "uneducated," or impolite, or outspoken, or disrespectful, or perhaps emotional (particularly that this real condition was caused by all the calamities I mentioned previously and which happened through a fifty-year period), that some Egyptologists and museologists should keep silent about the Mansoor Collection. Whatever to be considered is the overwhelming scientific, stylistic and artistic evidence that appeared after 1949, i.e., after the ill-fated BMFA's report. Common sense should also be taken into consideration in evaluating the Exhibits I have listed: Who said what, and why? And, does it make sense?
For any scholar or institution concerned, to keep silent will never, ever solve the problem since many people believe that the Collection is ancient. And please correct me if I am wrong, I believe that today, among the majority of those who are silent and have read some about the Collection -- whether the scientific reports, the articles or reports by staunch supporters, or the Mansoors' writing including the Exhibits and the various statements by Egyptologists, there are many Egyptologists who simply do not know if these Amarna sculptures are genuine or not; and so, they are afraid to speak out. You, yourself, as a true scholar and a leader in Egyptology, and you wrote nicely about the "ART FROM THE AGE OF AKHENATEN," should take the initiative and start re-assessing and studying the matter, giving a good example to many who are afraid to do it. True scholars should never shy away from it. Now that I am bringing this matter openly to your personal attention, you should speak up, and please do it loud and clear for all Egyptologists to hear you, not only American, but also foreign, so they understand that it is about great time to give some attention to the Mansoor Amarna Collection --not only because the matter is long overdue, but in particular that there is, from any aspect you look at it, overwhelming evidence proving its authenticity.
I'd like now to name the dissident Egyptologists who commented in writing on the Mansoor Amarna sculptures, and enumerate and/or recapitulate some of their allegations, errors, or untrue and distorted "facts." The concerned dissident Egyptologists known to me are eight, and please keep always in mind that a few of them have not seen one single piece of the Collection, and the others have seen no more than three, except: Dr. Bernard V. Bothmer who, I assume, must have seen the nine Amarnas that were examined by the "expert" of the BMFA in 1947/49 since, at the time, he was attached to that same institution; and Dr. John D. Cooney, who examined many (25?) of the sculptures in the late forties, during a period of a few years. I shall be brief in the enumeration/recapitulation of some of their errors since I have written previously about them, and it is all inserted in my Web site. Please, do refer to it.
1) Dr. John D. Coonev, I believe, was indeed much interested in the Collection at first since, by his own admission, he had "seen most of these Amarna sculptures several times. both in Egypt and in this country," and ... "in a few cases," he has "had the sculptures" for examination at the Brooklyn Museum. (cf. "The Truth...," p.62). This implies that he wasn't sure from the first few times he viewed them whether they were ancient or not. Clearly, he was impressed and misled by the 1949 unscientifically written "Technical Examination" of the BMFA's "expert," Mr. William J. Young, and particularly by his nonsensical UV examination. Furthermore, the fact he wrote to Dr. Fred H. Stross that "if you were to supply photographs of the objects [to five Egyptologists he had named, cf. "The Truth..., p.64] a firm opinion would be forthcoming," clearly implies that from photographs Egyptologists could tell that the Amarna objects were not genuine. If so, how come he couldn't tell from seeing the objects in the flesh the first time? Please read also in "The Truth..." his erroneous statement concerning Parke-Bernet Galleries who, supposedly as he claimed, had "experiences with portions of this collection."
2) Prof. Dr. Hans Wolfgang Muller was prejudiced since from the beginning and from photographs only, he thought the sculptures were forgeries. Furthermore, he stated that the pink limestone of the objects was never used in ancient Egyptian art -- an unfounded statement accepted by no one, and refuted in the writing of Lucas and Iskander. Indeed, "pink limestone of different shades occurs plentifully in Egypt.. .and WAS USED occasionally"' (A. Lucas, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, 3rd edition, 1948, p.472). Please read about Prof. Muller's erroneous assertions in "The Truth..."
3) Prof. Dr. Phillipe Derchain never saw any of the Mansoor Amarnas but photographs only, and was just impressed by the opinion of both Cooney and Muller, but was convinced they were right. Any way, his outrageous letter is inserted in " The Truth..." and is nothing but nonsense -- to say the least. It degrades Egyptology.
"Art and science must co-exist in today's museum. Science can derive essential data from mute objects and conserve or restore priceless works. The art of the forger is so sophisticated that only the most rigorous application of science can prove him false."
Doesn't the above mean that the "scientific" opinion of Mr. Young must prevail over the personal feeling or opinion of Dr. Bothmer? Doesn't it also mean that the "most rigorous application of science can prove" whether an artefact is authentic or not? Furthermore, two assertions he made are just not right, and they are mentioned in my book.
5) Dr. Peter Munro was prejudice since he told us once that the Mansoor Amarnas seemed to him from photographs to be fakes. He also believed that the Akhenaten bust he purchased for the Kestner-Museum, some thirty years ago on the advice of Dr. Hans Wolfgang Muller, had '"more technical appeal" than the Mansoor objects (please see Exhibit # 22). He had obtained, as he also told us, one good scientific report on his Akhenaten's bust. But how many excellent ones did the Mansoors obtain on their sculptures? Two? Three? Four or more? Weren't the Mansoor objects subjected to"the most rigorous application of science?" Also that his piece had a good "pedigree." Whoa! We're not dealing here with dogs or horses. If "pedigree" counts, how about the Mansoor Amarnas' "pedigree?" Originally the Mansoor Amarnas were purchased from Tawadros Girgis Ghoubrial, a gentleman with integrity second to none. (Please ask Mme. Noblecourt about Ghoubrial, as she knew him). But never to be dismissed or even questioned is the integrity of, and the fact that, M. A. Mansoor was the dealer who has been offering these Amarnas for sale. Mansoor's conviction that these Amarnas are genuine has been demonstrated openly: Didn't he sell several Amarnas to King Farouk? And a few of these sales were made five or six years before the report of Lucas appeared, and that means that he was convinced of their authenticity long before that report. Would anyone in business sell to his sovereign artefacts that could be doubtful? Didn't he sell his other antiques with an iron clad warranty? Do I have to bring again to everybody's attention what was stated in the 1952 auction sale in New York at the Parke- Bernet Galleries? Wasn't it clearly printed in the conclusion of the Catalogue's Foreword the following: "It may be added that Mr. Mansoor offers an unconditional guarantee of the genuineness of each and every article in the catalogue?" Have you ever seen any similar statement or warranty given on any ancient artefacts in any auction sale? Please tell me, have you?
Dr. Fazzini, kindly accept my apologies if I take more time by further writing about my father. To speak about his personality and/or character, integrity and/or honesty would truly be superfluous as these have never been in question. I'd like to just write a little about his knowledge in Egyptology. Indeed he was quite a connoisseur and a knowledgeable antiquary, and although he specialized and excelled in Egyptian antiquities, this line was also a hobby to him, and he enjoyed it very much. But how, and/or from whom or from what did he learn Egyptology? It's from: 1) reading extensively books on Egyptology; 2) visiting regularly and constantly the Egyptian Museum which was close-by, as well as the Egyptian sections of other world museums in his many trips abroad (particularly in England and France); 3) buying Egyptian antiquities from the Egyptian Museum as in the '20s and the "30s, the only store at the Museum belonged to the Egyptian Department of Antiquities, and they were selling in it some of the surplus they had like shawabtis, vases, fragments of artefacts, scarabs and various amulets, beads, etc.; 4) visiting the ancient sites, monuments, and of course some antique dealers in remote areas where, at the time, Egyptian antiquities were a way of life; 5) handling, buying and selling Egyptian antiquities for innumerable years; 6) the many Egyptologists who visited his store through the years, as, indeed, he learned a great deal from them. Do Egyptologists learn Egyptology from any other source? In a word, M.A. Mansoor enjoyed everything and everyone related to Egyptology, and his life revolved on the science you devoted your life to. It goes without adding that he was respected by all, in particular by all Egyptologists who met him. Therefore, his opinion, or rather his conviction about his Amarna Collection should, or perhaps must be taken into consideration.
Dr. Fazzini, did you read "The Truth...?" And in it, did you pay any attention to what a British historian, George Bilainkin, wrote about M. A. Mansoor and his "Shepheard's museum," and about his Amarna collection in his book "Cairo to Rivadh Diary" (London: Williams and Norgate Ltd., 1950, pp.152-153) Did you also notice that in "The Truth...," another British author, Nina Nelson, mentions the Mansoor Amarnas? It's in her book "Shepheard's Hotel," (London: Barrie and Rockliff, 1960, pp.5-6). Just what do these writings mean when they include the Mansoor Amarnas? They really mean that the Mansoor Amarna Collection was the pride of M. A. Mansoor, and that it constituted the most important ancient artefacts he had ever handled. And they also mean that the rare Collection is extremely important. These are facts that cannot be overlooked, and adding them up to the overwhelming scientific data obtained as well as the Exhibits or evidence produced, the sum total should never, ever be disregarded in the evaluation of the Mansoor Amarna Collection. Any scholar or intelligent individual would know that. At this time, please allow me to ask you once more: Dr. Fazzini, don't you think that the Mansoor Amarna Collection could be ancient?
6) Prof. Dr. Dietrich Wildung has been as silent as the Sphinx of Gizeh concerning questions asked to him by some scholars and by myself. His statements on the Mansoor Amarna Collection are either unconsciously, irresponsibly, or deliberately made, and I am truly at loss not knowing which? Whatever he wrote about the Collection makes no sense. Because of his high position, he thinks that people will believe him blindly even when he states untrue "facts." He doesn't realize that the truth will eventually emerge and prevail. Please read Exhibits 24/24D, and tell me why he answered none of my questions. Furthermore, how can anyone research or write a report on a collection of artefacts without seeing one single piece of it? Or without asking questions about it from the owners? Or without reading the scientific reports since I believe he didn't, as it would be foolish from his part to have stated what he did after reading the overwhelming reports.
Should we use plain common sense in evaluating what Dr. Wildung stated at first, that "The gifts of the Mansoor family to the Vatican Museum and to the Louvre were done by the Bank of America as advertisement during the offer for sale of further pieces," I would think that any "intelligent, open-minded individual" would know that B of A must have scrutinized everything concerning the Collection before handling the sale of some Mansoor Amarnas. Clearly, if B of A had an iota of doubt concerning the Collection, they would have never, ever associated their name with it. Kindly read his letters in "The Truth..." And as stated before in my previous writing, those gifts were NEVER made before or while the sale of the Amarnas was in progress. Was this a deliberate fabrication from his part to discourage people from looking into the matter?
7) Dr. A. M. Dodson wrote a letter to KMT editor (please read it in the last chapter of "The Truth...." Summary and Conclusions, Plus), in which he admits that even though he has "not seen the Mansoor collection 'in the flesh, 'and only some of the pieces in photographs...," he has "not the slightest doubt that all the [Mansoor] items I have seen illustrated over the years are fakes." You certainly remember that Aldred could not tell from phographs whether the Mansoor sculptures are genuine or not. Is Dr. Dodson more knowledgeable than Aldred was in the art of Amarna.
Just like for other Egyptologists, I believe that Dr. Dobson was influenced, impressed or misled by others.
8) Prof. Jean Claude Grenier wrote a statement on February 2, 1998 (Exhibit #33) saying that he is "totally convinced that the sculptures of the Mansoor collection are evidently modern and clumsy copies of well-known masterpieces discovered at the beginning of this century in Tel El Amarna, Karnak and Memphis, and currently part of the collections in Cairo, Berlin, and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford (1).
"It is with firmness that I ask the authorities of the Vatican Museum not to exhibit at the Museo Gregoriano Egizio, the two sculptures offered to the Pope by the Mansoor family about 20 years ago.
"I am here siding only with the advice expressed, often and for a long time, by other Egyptologists whose 'Master' in archaeology and history of art of Pharaonic Egypt that was Bernardt von Bothmer."
As you can see from the previous sentence, his footnote (1), Prof. Grenier jumped with fanfare on the bandwagon a la "moutons de Panurge."
At the beginning of his letter, Prof. Grenier states that he was a "Consultant to the Vatican Museums for the Museo Gregoriano Egizio, and a former Curator of that Museum (1985-1989), This is all fine except: Just were was he for over twelve years when the two Mansoor Amarnas were on Exhibit at the Museo Gregoriano Egizio? Wasn't he a consultant and curator of the museum in 1986 when "In Defence of the Mansoor Amarna Collection" was written and published by Gianfranco Nolli and Andreina Leanza Becker Colonna? And the front cover of that publication represents the Pink Limestone Head of Queen Nefertiti donated to the Vatican Museum? And the two Mansoor Amarnas were subsequently exhibited at the Museum?
To my mind, the fact that he is stating that he is "siding only with the advice..." (his footnote) leaves me to understand that his knowledge of Amarna art is very weak --to say the least -- since he is relying on "other Egyptologists..., and on Bothmer." If I have cited details mentioning the episode of Prof. Grenier, it is to show that the Mansoor Amarna Collection has been outrageously besmirched and unjustly condemned by many who do not know much, if anything at all about Amarna art. Most of these "many" were or are prejudiced, impressed, misled, mesmerized, brainwashed, and/or indoctrinated by others or by some of their predecessors.
Besides the above-mentioned eight dissident Egyptologists, and I am unaware of any other who wrote negatively about the Collection, you can read in "The Truth..." (at its end, Summary and Conclusions, Plus) the flagrant nonsense written by Mr. (Ms.?) I. Seizek of Manchester, U.K., to KMT Editor. And I have also included in my book an Open Letter to Prof. E. L. Ertman of Akron, Ohio in response to a letter he addressed to KMT concerning a detail in a Mansoor Amarna relief that has "no parallels... in other representations from ancient Egypt." I strongly believe that the remark he made in his letter concerning the hardly noticeable detail in the sandal of Smenkhkare is not valid. In fact, it reinforces my conviction that the Mansoor Amarnas are ancient. The mere fact "that there are no parallels to this [Smenkhkara's] type of sandal-shape with a heel support in other representations from ancient Egypt," means to all that it has not been copied. Furthermore, in Fig. N 35 of the Mansoor Collection, a relief of a seated King (Akhnaten?, Tut Ankh Amen?, Smenkhkara?), the king is wearing sandals with NO support which rise vertically from the heel. In other words, the king is wearing sandals that are similar to most others worn by most ancient Egyptians. Could anyone, for the love of God, tell me then why would a "forger" create a minute detail in a sandal with "no parallel...," in particular when that detail does not exist in other representations? So, our "forger" was well aware of the shape of Smenkhkara's sandal. Furthermore, common sense would tell anyone that it was much easier to carve the regular sandal instead of one with the heel support.. .The sandal in Fig. N 35 is very clear in the 1986 Catalogue of the Collection, and on request, I'll gladly forward a copy to you with no charge (also to other Egyptologists while supplies last). Generally speaking, as you know, a forger copies and will never, ever create a minute detail (that would be hardly noticeable) like that in Smenkhkara's sandals. Needless to add then, as all Egyptologists know, that many ancient Egyptian representations do have uniqfle details with no known parallels, and I don't believe anyone would disagree on this point.
In my previous writing, there are two terms I'd like to clarify at this time, and they are: A) "curse;" B) "hunger strike."
A) If I have prayed God to "curse" some in my recent writing, it is because I want people and/or institutions, who display intellectual dishonesty when referring to the Mansoor Collection, to realize that they are also hurting the Mansoors and not only the Collection; consequently, they would be at great risk to be cursed. To be sure, I am not praying God to curse all those who innocently or foolishly gave a negative opinion on the Mansoor Amarnas. I do respect opinions when given with solid reasons or evidence substantiating them, but I do not respect opinions of people who, without knowing and without studying or examining what they are talking about, want only to appear, or to establish themselves as knowledgeable scholars/art stylists. And I cannot either respect opinions given by people I suspect to be malicious, and/or intellectually dishonest. And definitely not, opinions of charlatans who "counterfeit" truth. To make myself very clear, I pray God to curse and punish particularly the wicked and/or the malicious, those who counterfeit the truth, perhaps to cover-up for their own errors, or for a colleague or an institution, and would go as far as spreading ignoble rumors, or simply create lies. I am also praying Him to curse those who conspire against the Mansoors or the Collection, as well as those who deny us justice and condemn the Collection forcefully, with conviction, without seeing it, and in total disregard of the positive scientific evidence -- and as I just said, to impress people as they want to appear to be real art stylists/connoisseurs.
In Saint Anne's Catholic Church in Studio City, California, the following words are written in large, bold capital letters, on a frieze: "COME BLESSED OF MY FATHER, DEPART FROM ME ACCURSED ONES, INTO THE EVERLASTING FIRE..." I understand from this that there are some "accursed ones." Since we bless some people for their good acts, I believe it's okay to curse, or better, to pray God to curse those who are wicked, dishonest and cause harm to others.
B) Concerning the "hunger strike" I mentioned, it is not being considered at this time, but it is still an option left open if my writings give no result. As known, people who go on a hunger strike are generally afflicted with a severe injustice that is being ignored by the responsible of it. Dr. Fazzini, don't you think that there is flagrant injustice in the case of the Mansoor Amarna Collection? Once more, am I asking for the moon when I am simply asking the responsible to check out this matter?
1) The two museums are afraid of a law suit even though I reassured them on this point (cf. "In Defence...." p.47).
2) The two museums are afraid to lose their prestige in the eyes of their patrons and the public.
3) The two museums fear that if it would be established that they were wrong in their estimation of the Collection, not only will they lose the trust of their patrons and the public, but there would also be question marks hanging over many of their holdings. This will result in examinations and tests of many of their artefacts, and of course more spending time and more spending money. Furthermore, as it examines artefacts for others, the BMFA, in particular, may have to re-examine some or all of the artefacts it had authenticated (or condemned) to other museums, collectors, and dealers, because these would definitely doubt the BMFA's report given to them.
4) The two museums find it difficult to apologize for their errors, and cannot swallow their pride.
Did the BMFA sell the Mansoors their report in bad faith? I don't think so, but I could be wrong and it is quite a possibility. How come? As known, there's a certain jealousy among institutions, and some stride to be numero uno. It should be remembered that it was at the MET's suggestion that the BMFA examined some Mansoor Amarnas, and that the MET had a priority to select in the event the objects were declared genuine. Moreover, it is also quite possible that the BMFA had no funds available at the time to buy artefacts. So, it is quite possible that the BMFA had deliberately condemned the Mansoor Amarnas so no other museum would acquire any of them.
Concerning Egyptologists, why are some "pretty reluctant to talk?"
1) Their institutions forbid them to give any opinion on items they are not considering buying.
2) They are also afraid of a lawsuit -- even though a court of law cannot condemn an expert for giving an opinion. Although solid scientific opinion based on scientific data would prevail in a court of law over a personal opinion based on a personal feeling, a court cannot condemn anyone for giving an honest personal opinion.
3) They are afraid to make an error publicly. Many realize that the scientific evidence is so compelling that it would be wise to keep silent. Not to forget that the Amarna style is there, i.e. evident in the Collection since many eminent Egyptologists have declared it authentic after examining "in the flesh" many of the artefacts. Furthermore, others see in them, even from photographs, the Amarna style. If from photographs they look forgeries, Cyril Aldred would have definitely condemned them instead of saying "if they are genuine." Am I right or wrong?
4) They do not care about a scientific opinion contradicting their personal one, and they will not debate it.
5) They do not want to contradict any friendly colleague, in particular any in high position in a leading institution.
And now, what is the problem with the Mansoor Amarna Objects?
The main reason is, as written by Dr. Harold J. Plenderleith in his statement concerning the Mansoor Amarnas, "the collection has been considered to be 'too good to be true' by some..."
2) The quantity of the objects forming the Collection! I would like to point out that if all the gold objects found in the tomb of Tut Ankh Amen would have been found by a farmer and offered for sale by any dealer, some Egyptologists or experts would have been skeptical and reluctant to accept them as authentic as there has never been any find like it. I'd like to quote Prof. Philippe Derchain from his letter which is inserted in" The Truth..., p 99." He wrote to Mansoor the following: "The quantity of the monuments of your collection... prove, to my way of thinking, that yours can be nothing but fakes." Does any Egyptologist agree to it?
3) The William J. Young Report endorsed by the BMFA. The pink limestone in the Collection was unknown to the "expert" of the museum, who first declared that "it shows all the indications of being a made stone which could be fabricated in a great many ways." And this is certainly a big problem for the Mansoor Collection as a few Egyptologists seem to me to believe the veracity of the BMFA report. So long as that report is not revoked, there will always be a few who would believe in it.
4) No one knows exactly where the Collection was found. We were told by Tadros Ghoubrial, the dealer who sold them to my father, that a farmer found them in his land. Prof. Sami Gabra, who excavated for a number of years at Touna-El-Gebel, across the Nile from Tel-El-Amarna, heard that a prominent European -- "who lived in the last century and in this one," owned them and "kept them in a well-kept room." Others said different things about the provenance, but this should not cast any doubt on the Mansoor Amarnas. The fact remains that unless an artefact was excavated in official excavations, its provenance will always remain uncertain. And well over 50% of ancient Egyptian artefacts exhibited in museums around the world were not excavated officially; consequently, their provenance will remain unknown. Most were found by people in their lands, or in areas where there were no official excavations, and it was legal in Egypt for some fifty years to sell Egyptian antiquities.
Dr. Fazzini, there's really much more to the story, and some I would prefer to talk over with a few Egyptologists IF and I am stressing this "if;" from all I wrote concerning the Mansoor Amarna sculptures, there's only one iota of doubt in your mind that the Collection could be genuine, then it is your sacred duty as an honest person and a true scholar to check it out with the owners of the Collection. History will record this, and the world is watching what steps you, yourself as well as ARCE, will take in this matter. You owe it to your conscience and to Egyptology to give some attention to this matter.
As you can see, some people do not have a high opinion of Egyptologists because a few consider themselves infallible and above scientific evidence, and this hurts tremendously Egyptology. Personally, and in all honesty, I believe that many Egyptologists around the world, who would have read the scientific reports and/or one of the many articles by Dr. Fred H. Stross, would never pronounce themselves in a convincing, negative manner about the Mansoor Collection. What to say if you consider also that some probably believe in the overwhelming scientific evidence, but are afraid to speak up and/or to contradict the few authoritarian ones who control today's world of Egyptology? And one should never forget that many Egyptologists have been misled, influenced, brainwashed, mesmerized or indoctrinated by all the inaccuracies as well as the "counterfeited truth" created by a few.
Thank you very much for your letter and the three excellent photographs you have sent us. Mr. Dunham, the Curator of this Department, will be back from his trip to Egypt some time next week, and I am sure he will be interested to see them.
Assistant in the Dept. of Egyptian Art"
If I have any comment, I'd say that forgeries will never look "excellent" in photographs. And this letter stands as a testimony that even the BMFA's Egyptologists of the time were interested in the Mansoor's Amarnas as from photographs, the sculptures look ancient since the style is evident in them. I draw your kind attention to the date of that letter, May 22, 1947, which is prior to the date of the infamous letter dated October 27.1947 in which, as noted in "The Truth...," Mr. Young of the BMFA had declared that a pink limestone head from the Mansoor Amarna Collection was not ancient as he believed that the stone "appears not to be a natural limestone." Any way, there's more to it.
I did not have a chance to talk to Dr. [Hans Wolfgang) Muller about gathering together your Amarna pieces here, but will do so in the fall when he returns.
As you notice, at one time Dr. Fischer wanted to gather our Amarnas at the MET for Prof. H. W. Muller to examine and study them. Doesn't this, in fact, means that Dr. Fischer thought they could be genuine? Not to mention also that some most eminent Egyptologists, like the illustrious Dr. Geoffrey Martin who wrote to me twice concerning the Mansoor Amarnas, and who wanted to know more about the Mansoor Collection after hearing about it or seeing only photographs of some of the objects. And speaking of certain Mansoor Amarnas, Prof. Cl. Vandersleyen, who examined in the flesh about thirty of the objects, wrote: "The pieces are in general of very good quality, which shows not only great artistic skill, but especially an unexpected competence in all the details of the Amarna style." Drioton, Du Bourget, Noblecourt, and Pernigotti, to just name a few, thought the same. So, the Amarna style is clearly evident in the Mansoor sculptures, and I do not want to make this letter any longer than what it is at this time by naming other Egyptologists who examined some of the Mansoor Amarnas and accepted them as authentic.
As I wrote before, there's much more to the "Mansoor affair," and I prefer not to write again about it, and would not do it if there would be a meeting between the Mansoors and some Egyptologists. I believe there's a lack of communication and understanding among all concerned. Should you also favor such a meeting, please let me know and we'll meet at your convenience. The earlier, the better.
Dr. Fazzini, I doubt not for a minute that the case of the Mansoor Amarna Collection will be, in the near future Inchaallah, revised (?), re-assessed (?), re-examined (?), or investigated (?) in a just and scholarly manner. I don't believe that the "intellectually honest" Egyptologists would allow this Collection to be further besmirched without proper cause. This is a matter of conscience and is, and will remain a cause celebre in the world of Egyptology. And mark my words down, there will be, one day, in the not too distant future a TV DOCUMENTARY about the controversy, Amarna Art and the Collection. I wonder what will some Egyptologists say if; and when asked to justify their stand? Will they still be "pretty reluctant to talk" openly to the world?
At this time, I am praying God to bless all people --including Egyptologists, museologists and particularly any of the authorities of both the BMFA and the BMA -- who will start investigating this matter. I am also praying Him to punish and/or to curse all those who will deny the Mansoors justice by hampering or opposing a hearing or an investigation of the matter. I particularly pray Him to punish and/or curse the BMFA and the BMA, and any of their authorities for as long as they do not right the wrong they, or their predecessors have caused the Mansoors. I am repeating this so you, as well as all readers of this letter, would know that I am constantly praying God in that respect.
What's the bottom line in the controversy over the Mansoor Amarna Collection? And, with your kind permission, what's my opinion in this matter?
1) No one can tell from photographs only whether an Amarna object is real or not. This is pure nonsense.
2) Real scientific evidence should never, ever be discounted in evaluating Egyptian artefacts. This is pure common sense.
3) All the Mansoor Amarna objects that have been exhibited and illustrated in the catalogues of 1975, 1986, 1990 and 1991 "are genuine, original, authentic and ancient." This has been stated by Prof. Andreina Colonna in the 1975 Exhibit catalogue and in its conclusion, she wrote the following: "The Collection is exhibited, the scientific and aesthetic documentation printed. Any scholar with professional knowledge, unbiased approach, and ethical behavior who wishes to come forth with sound arguments well supported scientifically and/or stylistically is welcome." Did anyone ever contradict her, or write negatively to San Francisco State University except Prof. Dietrich Wildung? Did he ever give any reason why the Mansoor Amarnas are not genuine? Did he ever contest her comments on the Berlin bas-relief of the so-called Smenkhkara and Meritaten? Did you ever read his "infamous letter dated 14.5.85? Do you agree, or does any Egyptologist agree with him particularly on his reference to Bank of America? And why didn't he reply to Colonna's answer dated September 28, 1985? (The two letters are printed in "IN DEFENCE OF THE MANSOOR-AMARNA COLLECTION", pp 18 and 20-23, and most museums --including the BMA -- received a copy of the booklet). And why didn't Wildung answer other letters by scholars concerning this matter?
4) The ancient Egyptians copied each other's works. The few Egyptologists who do not believe this, should refer to Cyril AIdred's Akhenaten and Nefertiti. Viking Press, 1973 (re-the Brooklyn Exhibition, 1973). The two Mansoor reliefs, one representing the "Two Princesses," similar to the Ashmolean's famous painted pavement, and the other similar to the Berlin's Egyptian Museum, the "Stroll in the Garden," show different details unnoticed by anyone until 1986. Concerning the first, as written by Dr. Fred H. Stross to Dr. Noblecourt in 1991, "The corresponding Mansoor group show more realistic, truly engaging proportions." As for the second, Dr. Stross wrote : " the famous bas-relief of Smenkhkara and his queen in the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, displays what surely would have been called 'blunders' had they been exhibited by any of the Mansoor pieces: the strangely inconsistent left leg and the exaggerated necks, particularly of the queen are cases in point." So the Mansoors reliefs are similar, but different than those of Oxford and Berlin, and they are definitely original, and definitely not, as some claim, copies of the two museum's pieces. Can anyone, in particular, at the BMFA and/or the BMA deny this? (Please read Exhibit # 28, the letter of Dr. Stross to Mme. Noblecourt).
One thing a few Egyptologists do not understand or realize, or at least do not keep in mind, and mislead others with their lack of understanding Egyptian and particularly Amarna art, is that all ancient Egyptian works of art were hand-made and too many were made by different artists; some of these were skilled and others not that much, and some of the items were made by apprentices. Therefore, similar items will never be identical and may have different details, expressions, or what not. A few Egyptologists will condemn an object if it is not identical to one previously excavated, and a few others may condemn an object if it is identical to one previously excavated. Can it be possible both ways? Also, "to affirm that an object is 'copied' from another because it is similar to it, means that one does not take into account one of the fundamental characteristics of Egyptian art, where works, centuries apart, seem to have been done by the same artist" (Gianfranco Nolli). Furthermore, not all ancient Egyptian artefacts -- even from the Amarna Period -- are masterpieces. In a truly humble manner, I don't believe that you could call the famous bas-relief of Smenkhkara and Meritaten of Berlin a masterpiece, since the artist made some errors in it (cf. In Defence of the Mansoor-Amarna Collection. p.12). And some artefacts exhibited in museums around the world do not really look ancient, but indeed are. And vice versa.
5) It doesn't look nice at all for Egyptologists and museologists to keep silent any longer on the Mansoor Amarna controversy. It denotes fear, lack of courage and weakness from their part. Sooner or later the Mansoor Amarna controversy will be discussed openly by true scholars. The longer it takes, the more the disgrace to Egyptology and museology.
6) Sound scientific evidence -- which speaks volumes about the Mansoor Amarnas -- supported by stylistic and artistic evaluation, will defmitely prevail over any personal negative feeling or opinion. Can anyone contest it? Can anyone contest that "the art of the forger is so sophisticated that only the most rigorous application of science can prove him false?" In particular, can the BMFA contest it?
7) Every time there's new writing and revelation in the "Mansoor affair," there's a quantum leap in favor of the authenticity of the Collection. If I am writing in the open with solid overwhelming evidence in my hands, addressing myself to intelligent people in the four corners of the world, it means that I am pretty sure that what I am saying is true.
8) The report of Mr. William J. Young of the BMFA is just weak and bad, to say the least. It's enough for me that some most eminent scientists criticized it in harsh terms, and this has been stated so many times that it's demoralizing to realize that a museum, claiming to be "a citadel of the spirit of man," and "one of the great museum of the world," doesn't give a hoot about what's been written about it. And it's enough for me to have noticed that Mr. Young compared the sufface of a painting with the surface of objects not painted. And neither the museum nor Mr. Young defended their report. This BMFA "technical" report will bring shame and infamy to the museum until it is revoked. And needless to add once more that it utterly degrades American museums. First of all, the BMFA was paid for that report, and it owes us, and it's the least it can do, to check it out since we complained about it, and since we obtained other scientific reports by most eminent scientists who vitiated it. This is the way honest and decent institutions should go about it. Can anyone deny this? Second, other museums should never condone, promote or cover-up for the BMFA's and/or the BMA's errors -- as the Los Angeles County Museum has been doing so shamefully for some time. ( If and when I write again, I may speak about the infamous role the LACMA played, and is playing in this controversy). American museums should never close their eyes on this controversy. Clearly, the public will lose the trust they have in museums, and won't donate anymore as they did before. At stakes in the Mansoor controversy are the reputation and the future of our museums. Does Mr. Edward H. Able, Jr. or anyone else realize this and think differently?
9) Before you became Curator at the BMA, shameful rumors and gossip emanated from that museum. Also letters misleading the public. So long as these are not revoked, the BMA, just like the BMFA, will also live in shame and infamy. Am I wrong to think so?
10) From all what I've written, and there's more than what I have said and revealed that would bring more shame to the concerned, would it be wrong from my part to think that the BMFA and the BMA are partners in crime? Wouldn't I be right to think and say so if the two museums are reluctant to take steps to right the wrong they have created half a century ago? Truly, I see in this controversy a crime from their part as I firmly believe they are vandalizing the Collection, and vandalism is indeed a crime.
Sir, once more, I have not been asking for the moon. I have been asking the two institutions as well as true scholars in Egyptology to re-examine or re-assess the Collection and the whole matter on grounds of newly discovered evidence. Was this too much asking? And didn't I do it in a humble way for years and years? How many times do I have to repeat this so the responsible act in the right direction? To you as well as to each and every reader of this letter, I say: You and your conscience. And I really believe that all people concerned will have an obsession of the controversy on their mind until it is discussed openly and settled scholarly. No honest conscience will be spared, and none will be at peace until then.
I pray to hear from you very soon so I do not have to write again about this Collection.
Mr. Arnold L. Lehman, Director, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. Edward H. Able, Jr., President and CEO, The American Association of Museums, Washington, D.C. | 2019-04-23T06:58:07Z | http://www.amarnamansoor.com/secondletter.htm |
Crouching in the dark, Allie whispered urgently into her phone.
For less than a minute she listened to the voice on the other end of the line. Occasionally she nodded, her dark hair swinging. When the voice stopped she fumbled with the phone, snapping off the back to remove the battery. Then she yanked out the SIM card and ground it into the dirt with her heel.
Scaling the low brick wall around the tiny square of London garden in which she hid, almost invisible in the moonless night, she ran down the empty street, slowing only long enough to drop the hollow phone into an open rubbish bin. A few streets away, she threw the battery over a tall fence into somebody’s garden.
Then she heard something above the sound of her own feet pounding on the pavement. Ducking behind a white van parked on the side of the road, she held her breath and listened.
Her eyes darted around the quiet residential street lined with terraces of homes, but it offered few hiding places. She could hear her pursuer running – she didn’t have much time.
Dropping to the ground, Allie wriggled her way under the van. The smell of asphalt and oil filled her nostrils. Her cheek rested on the rough tarmac, cold and damp from a rainstorm earlier that day.
She listened hard, willing her heartbeat to quiet.
The footsteps grew closer and closer. When they reached the van, she stopped breathing. But without slowing they passed her hiding place.
She felt a rush of relief.
All sound seemed to be sucked from the air and for a moment Allie could hear nothing at all. Then a muffled curse made her flinch.
The silence that followed stretched on for so long Allie began to wonder if he’d somehow tiptoed away without her hearing. She never heard him move once.
Just as her muscles began to ache from lying so still, a sound made her spine tingle.
These rang out crisply in the cool night air.
As they neared her hiding place the hairs on her arms stood up. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears. Her palms were slick with sweat.
Calm, she thought fiercely. Stay calm.
She practised the breathing techniques Carter had taught her over the summer – focusing on slow breaths in and out helped stave off the panic attacks that would otherwise be uncontrollable.
Three breaths in, two breaths out.
‘Where’d you see her last?’ The low, menacing voice drifted above her as she breathed quietly.
‘About two streets back,’ the original voice replied. She could hear the rustling sound his jacket made when he pointed.
‘She’s fast as hell,’ the first man said, sounding nervous.
Their footsteps moved away. Allie didn’t budge until the sound had completely disappeared. Even then she counted to fifty before carefully slipping out from beneath the van. When she was on her feet, she hid between cars and looked as far as she could see in every direction.
Hoping she was headed the right way, she ran, faster this time.
When things were normal she loved to run, and even now her feet automatically adopted a smooth, easy rhythm. Her breathing steadied as she moved.
But things were not normal. She fought the urge to look over her shoulder, knowing that tripping and injuring herself could mean discovery. And who knew what might happen then?
In the dark the houses flew by as if they were moving, rather than her. It was late – the street was quiet.
Motion detector sensors became her enemy; if she ran on the pavement porch lights clicked on as she passed them – simultaneously blinding and exposing her. So she kept to the middle of the street, although there the street lights harshly illuminated her.
Suddenly the street ended at a junction and Allie skidded to a stop, panting as she looked up at the signs.
Foxborough Road. What did Isabelle say? She rubbed her forehead as she tried to remember.
She said left on Foxborough, she decided after a moment. Then right on the High Street. But she wasn’t certain. Everything had happened so fast.
As soon she turned left, though, she saw ahead the bright lights of the High Street and she knew she’d been right. But even as she ran towards them she wondered whether the presence of the taxicabs, buses and lorries rumbling down the road meant she was safer. She was out in the open now.
Without slowing, she powered right down the High Street looking for the place Isabelle had told her about.
There! At the garishly decorated sandwich shop on the corner Allie veered right and found the little alleyway where the headmistress had told her to wait. Without looking back, she dashed into the shadows between two massive metal rubbish bins.
Leaning back against the wall, she paused to catch her breath. Her hair hung into her eyes, clinging to the sweat on her face, and she shoved it back absently as she wrinkled her nose.
The bins reeked but there was also some other awful stench around that she really didn’t want to think about. Focusing on her rescue, she kept an eye on the entrance to the alley. Isabelle had said she wouldn’t have to wait long.
But as the minutes ticked by she grew impatient. Even here in dark she felt too exposed. Too easily discovered.
If I were looking for me, this would be one of the first places I’d look, she thought.
Frowning, she chewed her thumbnail absently, until a noise by her ankle drew her attention. Glancing down, she saw a discarded sandwich box moving by itself. At her first she couldn’t register what she was seeing then her mouth opened in startled astonishment as the box crept slowly towards her from the far side of the alley. Only when it moved into a pool of light did she see the thin, prehensile tail dragging the ground behind it.
Allie covered her mouth with her hands to stifle a scream.
She was crouching in a rats’ nest.
She looked around desperately but there was no place to go. As the sandwich box made its uneven way towards her, she could feel her heart flutter with fear and she struggled to stay still. She had to remain hidden.
But when the rat-box bumped against her left foot it was too much – she tore out of the alley as if she’d been scalded. When she stopped, she found herself back on the street with absolutely no idea of what to do now.
At that moment a sleek, black car skidded to a stop in front of her. Before Allie could react, a tall man leaped out of the driver’s side door and whirled to face her, all in one smooth move.
She stared at him in astonishment. Isabelle had told her she’d send people to help. She hadn’t said ‘I’ll send one guy in a posh car.’ He looked very much like the men who’d chased her earlier – he wore an expensive-looking suit and his dark hair was cropped short.
Allie raised her chin stubbornly.
No way am I getting in that car.
But as she turned to flee two figures appeared out of the darkness on Foxborough Road. They were running straight for her.
Looking back at the man with the sleek car she saw that he was watching her worriedly. He’d left the car running and it purred like a tiger, spotting its prey. As she took a hesitant step away from him, he stretched out his right arm, his hand turned sideways. He spoke rapidly and without punctuation.
Allie froze. Rachel was one of her best friends. Isabelle was the headmistress at Cimmeria Academy.
If he was telling the truth, she was safe with him.
With only seconds to make up her mind, she searched for a sign to tell her what to do. Any indication that he was who he said he was.
His extended hand was steady; he had Rachel’s eyes.
Something in his voice told her he was telling the truth. As if he’d said the magic words that somehow made her function Allie sprang towards him, scrabbling at the car’s unfamiliar door handle and then leaping in. She was still reaching for her seat belt when the car took off.
By the time the catch clicked into place they were doing sixty miles an hour.
The thing was, the night had started out so well.
Allie had gone out with her old friends Mark and Harry for the first time in months. These were the guys she’d hung out with back when she was always getting into trouble – she and Mark had been arrested together just a few months ago.
Her parents loathed them both, so she’d expected a bit of pushback when she announced her plans for the evening. But they hadn’t appeared cross at all.
Her mother said only, ‘Be in by midnight, please.’ And that was that.
Ever since she’d come home from Cimmeria Academy that summer they’d treated her differently. With respect.
It felt weird to go out without a row.
Weirder still was going back to the park where they used to hang out together every night to find Mark and Harry still swinging on the exercise bars in the dark like overgrown children.
‘You lot need to get a job,’ she said, striding through the gate.
‘Allie!’ they’d roared, running across the dark playground to her.
She was so happy to see them she couldn’t stop smiling. And they’d seemed thrilled to see her again – pounding her on the back and shoving a can of lukewarm cider into her hand. But once they’d settled down, the two boys on the swings and Allie perched at the top of the slide, the conversation lagged. All they talked about was skiving school, sneaking on to the railway lines to tag, nicking stuff from Foot Locker. The same things they always talked about.
Only now it seemed . . .
Just two months had passed since she’d last seen them, but Allie felt like she’d aged years; so much had happened during the summer term at Cimmeria. She’d helped to save the school from fire. She’d nearly died. She’d found another student’s dead body.
She felt sure they wouldn’t understand if she tried to explain what Cimmeria was like. When they asked her about school she replied in vague terms: it was ‘kind of crazy’, but ‘pretty cool’.
‘Are all the people there, like, total toffs?’ Harry asked, crushing a cider can in his hand and throwing it into the park. Allie studied the can as it glinted amid the soft green leaves of grass.
‘Yeah, I guess,’ she said, still staring at the can.
But, she thought but didn’t say aloud, I really like them.
‘Do they treat you like the hired help?’ His voice sympathetic, Mark was trying to read her expression. She avoided his eyes.
‘Some do,’ Allie conceded, thinking of Katie Gilmore and her group. But by the end of the term, she and Katie had been working together to save the school from fire and they’d developed a grudging respect for one another. ‘But they’re not so bad,’ she finished.
‘Like they’d let you in in the first place,’ Mark scoffed, shoving the chains of Harry’s swing until it gyrated sideways.
‘You going back?’ Mark asked, looking at her with sudden seriousness.
‘Yeah, my parents say I have to. And I kind of . . . want to, you know?’ She held his gaze, hoping he’d understand.
Mark’s background was different from her own – his dad wasn’t around and he lived with his mother in a tower block. His mum went out to nightclubs and bars with her friends – she didn’t act like a regular parent. After Allie’s brother Christopher ran away two years ago, Mark had been as much like a brother as anybody could be. She knew he’d missed her since she’d gone away to school. But the truth was, after the first couple of weeks at Cimmeria she hadn’t thought about him much at all.
‘I’ll write you letters,’ she promised now, guilt making her more fervent.
Mark’s sarcastic smile reminded her fleetingly of Carter.
He shoved off with his feet and arced out towards Harry, who was singing nonsense songs to himself as he swung.
Allie sat on the slide and watched them joke around – jerking at the swings as if they wanted to rip them from the metal frame. Her expression was thoughtful; the can of cider sat untouched next to her.
It was nearly midnight when Harry’s phone rang. After a brief conversation, he conferred with Mark before turning to Allie.
After a pause Allie shook her head.
Harry held out his fist and she butted her own against it. His bag rattled when he picked up.
‘I will,’ she promised, determined to do it.
At that, he turned and ran after Harry. For a little while she could hear them talking and laughing in the distance. When the sound faded, she climbed down off the slide and picked up all the empty cider cans, depositing them in a rubbish bin. Then she flipped her dark hood up over her head and walked back towards home, her feet moving slower than her thoughts.
She was almost there when she saw them – four men standing outside her house. Their suits were perfectly tailored; haircuts short and neat. One wore sunglasses in the darkness; as she stared at him her heart began to pound. His athletic stance and intense focus reminded her of Gabe.
She stopped in her tracks. That was her first mistake – she should have just walked into Mrs Burson’s garden and sneaked out the back.
When her footsteps stopped the one closest to her swung around. She was half in shadow but he seemed to recognise her. He gestured in her direction.
‘Hey,’ he said quietly, snapping his fingers twice.
They all turned towards her.
Allie took a cautious step backwards.
‘Allie Sheridan?’ the first one asked.
‘We just want to talk to you,’ another one said.
Allie whirled around and took off. Leaping over Mrs Burson’s low fence, she ran to the back gate she knew was always unlocked and tore through it. Behind her she could hear the men swearing and struggling to get through the gate in the dark as she pounded back to the park, across the slippery grass and through the fence on the far side.
Twisting and turning her way through the neighbourhood, she ran until she couldn’t hear them behind her. Then she jumped a garden wall and crawled beneath a hedge.
When she hadn’t heard footsteps for what seemed like an hour, she pulled her phone out of her pocket with shaking hands.
Now she sat on the smooth leather passenger seat in the black Audi, watching as Rachel’s dad manoeuvred through traffic on the South Circular at speeds well over the allowed limits. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him exactly, but she kept her distance, leaning against the door, one hand resting on the handle.
Rachel kind of looks like him, Allie thought. But his skin was darker and his hair was coarse, whereas Rachel’s was all glossy curls.
He didn’t speak until the rows of houses around them thinned, then faded away, replaced by dark pastures.
‘You OK?’ he asked then. His question was abrupt but she could hear a touch of fatherly concern underlying the words.
He looked nicer when he smiled, and Allie felt herself relax a little.
‘You were at my house?’ Allie tensed again.
Rachel had told her he ran a security firm – one so respected it was used by presidents and business executives. Other than that she didn’t really know anything about him, except that he went to Cimmeria when he was a kid.
As hard as she tried to remember seeing him or anyone like him on her street, Allie came up with nothing. The idea that she’d been watched all the time gave her the creeps.
‘Did they try to grab you?’ He glanced at her.
Hearing approval in his voice, Allie felt a flush of unexpected pride.
‘And you wore black,’ he said.
He pulled on to the M25, glancing into the side mirror to make sure the way was clear.
‘I’m sorry she was right,’ he said.
‘Me too,’ Allie replied, slipping further down into her seat, and watching the cars slip behind them as he sped up. Now that she was warm and safe, all the adrenalin drained from her body. Her eyelids drooped.
‘What about my parents?’ she asked, weariness making her voice thick.
Allie rested her head against the seatback.
In a few minutes she was asleep.
A cool breeze woke her some time later. She sat up with a start.
The car wasn’t moving. The driver’s side door was open – she was alone.
The night around her seemed unnaturally quiet after London. There were no sounds of traffic. No sirens. She could hear low voices nearby – a man and a woman talking quietly.
Sitting up, she ran her hands through her mussed hair.
‘You’re certain no one followed you?’ the woman asked.
Allie opened the car door and their conversation stopped.
Mr Patel was talking to a woman with light brown hair and fair skin. She wore jeans and a long blue cardigan, which she’d belted tight across her torso.
‘Um . . . hi,’ Allie said, uncertainly.
It was so dark around them, Allie could see very little. She could just make out the shape of a building behind them – one light on in a ground-floor room. An open door.
A steaming mug was placed in her tired hands then Mrs Patel led her up a flight of stairs to a spacious room with thick cream-coloured carpet and pale yellow walls. The lamp by the bed cast the room in a soft light and the double bed, covered in a lemony duvet, was made and turned down.
‘The bathroom is there.’ Mrs Patel pointed at a door. ‘And the clothes I’ve left you are in the dresser. Make yourself at home. Rachel will come to get you in the morning and bring you down to breakfast. Sleep well. We’ll talk it all over in the morning.’ With a reassuring smile, she closed the door behind her.
Allie sat on the bed for a long moment. She knew she should get up and wash her face. Find something to sleep in. Figure out where exactly she was.
Instead she kicked off her shoes and lay back against the pillows. Then, rolling on to her side, she curled up into a tight ball and counted her breaths.
‘It’s good to be whole.’ Allie grinned at the headmistress.
After the London rescue, she’d spent a few days sheltering with the Patels, which consisted mainly of hanging out by the pool and, memorably, riding a horse for the first time.
Clearly seeing a girl in need of a parent, Mrs Patel had overfed Allie and fretted about her safety, while Rachel’s younger sister, Minal, followed them everywhere, eager to be included in everything they did. In some ways it was bittersweet; the Patels were the kind of family Allie had always wanted. The kind of family hers had almost been once.
But Rachel’s father and Isabelle had decided they’d be safer at Cimmeria. So even though school didn’t start for another ten days, Mr Patel had driven the girls back.
The school looked the same as it had in the summer – huge, solid and intimidating. The three-storey red-brick building towered over them – its slate roof a range of Gothic peaks and valleys where wrought iron finials thrust into the sky like an armoury of dark knives. Symmetrical rows of arched windows seemed to watch them as they pulled their bags from the car.
The headmistress had pulled her light brown hair back tightly with a clip, and wore a white Cimmeria polo shirt over a pair of jeans. Allie couldn’t remember ever seeing her in jeans before.
Blushing, Allie looked down at her feet.
The headmistress picked up a bag and walked briskly to the door. The others lumbered themselves with luggage and followed her through the grand entryway with its stained glass window, dull on this cloudy day with no sun to illuminate it. Allie noticed the fanciful unicorn tapestry usually found hanging near the door was missing. And it soon became clear much more had changed since she’d last seen the school on the night it nearly burned down.
In the wide, main hallway, the wood floors were covered in an inelegant carpet of dirty canvas dust sheets. The dozens of oil paintings that usually brightened the glossy oak wall panelling had all been removed. Without them the space felt oddly naked and, to Allie, disturbingly impermanent.
Ahead, Isabelle was still talking cheerfully but Allie noticed how high-pitched she sounded; she could hear the strain the headmistress was trying to hide.
At a brisk pace, she led them up the wide staircase, where the Edwardian crystal chandelier overhead was draped in a filmy, protective fabric that looked like a gigantic spiderweb. As she trotted after the others, she could hear hammers banging somewhere, workers shouting orders and the sound of something being dragged.
She’d known repairs would be needed. Even though she’d left the day after the fire, she’d seen enough to know the work would be substantial. But somehow she hadn’t envisioned the school so . . . damaged. Stripped of the art and details that had made it feel like a fairy tale castle it seemed wounded, and she trailed her hand softly up the wide, polished oak banister as if to comfort it.
At the top of the stairs they turned on to a narrower staircase which led them to another hallway and then a second set of steps. The acrid smell of smoke was stronger here and Allie’s stomach churned as she remembered the night a few weeks before when she’d seen her brother, Christopher, standing down the hall, a flaming torch in one hand, as he set fire to the school.
As if she’d expected this reaction, Isabelle was by her side in an instant, putting an arm around her shoulders and turning her away from her room.
The plainly furnished room smelled of the sticky-clean, chemical scent of fresh paint. Allie stood in the doorway as Isabelle fussed with the arched, shutter-style window, pushing it open to let the watery grey light flood in.
The tall bookcase was lined with the familiar spines of her small collection of books. The bed was covered in a fluffy white duvet, and a dark blue blanket was folded neatly over the footboard – just as it had been in her previous room. Everything was exactly the same.
As the door closed Allie’s heart gave a happy flutter. She was back where she belonged.
This homecoming was so different from last term, when she first arrived at Cimmeria. Back then it had seemed intimidating and hateful. Most of the students had treated her like a gatecrasher at an exclusive party. Her parents had been so angry with her at the time – she’d just been arrested – they told her nothing about the school. They just drove her here and dropped her off. When Jules, the perfect, blonde prefect, showed her around on her first day she’d felt like an idiot. It was only then that she discovered its bizarre rules – all electronic devices were banned, and nobody could leave the school grounds – and the elite group known as Night School, which gathered secretly after curfew and took part in strange training rituals other students were forbidden even to watch.
But despite all of that weirdness, only two months later, this felt like her real home.
She opened the wardrobe and lugged out the small suitcase her parents had sent. She’d been quite specific about what they were to include. Several books, all her notebooks, a few changes of clothes and . . .
There they are. Right on top.
Her red, knee-high Doc Martins.
She caressed the scuffed, dark red leather with one hand, with the other she held the note her mother had put in the case.
‘Cimmeria provides your shoes, so I don’t know why you need these . . .’ it began.
‘I know you don’t, Mum,’ Allie muttered with mild irritation. She scanned the rest of the note – it said nothing about what had happened in London that night. Nothing about Isabelle or Nathaniel. Nothing that mattered.
So they were back to pretending again, then.
Sometimes Allie felt as if she’d been accidentally scooped up from her rubbish, ordinary world and dropped into the middle of somebody else’s life. A life in which everyone was at war. Now she was in the line of fire but had no idea who was doing the shooting. Although she was beginning to learn who to trust.
She hurried to empty the rest of the suitcase but it all seemed to take too long, and the case was still open on the floor when she ran out of the room. Rapping her knuckles with impatient force on Rachel’s door, she walked in without waiting for an answer to find Rachel sitting on the floor surrounded by stacks of books,, with an open text in her lap.
During the few days Allie had spent with Rachel’s family, she’d felt as if she had the sister she’d always secretly wanted. As they’d splashed in the pool and wandered the family’s well-guarded horse pastures, they’d talked about everything: Carter, Nathaniel, Allie’s mother, Rachel’s father. Allie felt that she could tell Rachel everything and not be judged. And she could tell her anything and know that she could trust her.
On the ground floor, things were bustling. A clatter of hammering emanated from the classroom wing, and through the open door they could see workers tearing out damaged plaster. Blackened panelling leaned against a wall awaiting removal; a scorched desk was discarded nearby. Workers hustled in and out in a busy stream. Scaffolding scaled the walls in silvery mesh.
Elsewhere, though, things looked better. The dining room was undamaged, and the common room looked just as it had before the fire.
Stepping into the Great Hall, they saw that it was in good shape but so filled with furniture they could only just squeeze inside. Clearly furniture was being stored here from rooms being repaired.
At that moment, the door flew open and Sylvain rushed in carrying an Oriental rug rolled into a long, heavy tube. He was so focused on getting his awkwardly shaped cargo through the doorway that for a second he didn’t see them. Then he glanced up and his vivid blue eyes met Allie’s. Startled, he lost his footing and the rug swung wildly. Allie and Rachel ducked out of the way as he struggled to regain control, finally dropping the rug on to the floor with a dusty thud.
In the silence that followed, Allie noticed how his dark wavy hair had tumbled over his forehead. His tawny skin glistened from exertion. Then she wondered why she’d noticed that.
Hearing his familiar voice with its elegant French accent, Allie felt an indefinable surge of emotion. As if she’d moved, he turned back to her.
‘Hello, Allie,’ he said quietly.
His oddly formal vocal cadence made him sound more sophisticated than his seventeen years, and when Allie had first met him just a word could make her melt.
‘How are you?’ he asked. As their awkward conversation continued, Rachel backed towards the door.
‘I’m just going to . . .’ she explained vaguely before dashing out.
When she touched him, a spark of electricity shocked them both. Yanking her hand free with a yelp, Allie jumped backwards, tripping over the rug. Sylvain grabbed her arm to steady her, but quickly let go and stepped away from her.
This wasn’t at all the way Allie had visualised this meeting. She’d wanted to be cool. Not a clumsy oaf stumbling over rugs and electrocuting him with her skin.
The colour rose in her cheeks. ‘I’m sorry. I have to . . . go and . . .’ Without finishing her sentence she fled the room.
When she was safely around the corner she stopped and leaned back against the wall, squeezing her eyes shut.
Replaying the scene in her mind, she banged her head rhythmically against the wall behind her.
His shirt was covered in paint spatters and his hair was a mess. A smudge of white paint marked his forehead endearingly. His hands were strong and warm on her waist. After her awkward encounter with Sylvain, just being with Carter was like a balm for her soul.
‘Bad news travels fast,’ she said, raising her lips up to his.
At the mention of her least favourite teacher’s name, Allie made a sour face.
Pulling her into a nook behind the main staircase, he kissed her again, more passionately this time. His lips trailed down her jaw to her neck, raising a Braille pattern of goosebumps. She pressed her fingertips tightly into the lean muscles of his shoulders and he gave a small gasp of pleasure, raising his lips to hers.
At the sound of Isabelle’s voice, Carter spun around. Smoothing her hair, Allie tried to look innocent but Isabelle’s knowing look told her she wasn’t fooling anyone.
She walked away without another word.
Allie’s face flushed at her tart tone but Carter’s shoulders shook with repressed laughter.
‘I don’t see how that’s so funny,’ Allie said primly, but Carter just laughed harder and pulled her gently in the direction of the library.
‘Come on, Al. You know Isabelle’s cool. She’s not going to give us detention for a bit of snogging.’ When she continued to pout, he tickled her until she laughed and pulled away.
As soon as they neared the library door, though, her mood changed. Dropping his hand, she slowed her steps, finally coming to a halt.
A step ahead of her, Carter stopped to look back, concern in his dark eyes.
Her eyes locked on the door, she shook her head mutely.
Not taking her eyes off the door, which seemed to loom before her, she nodded.
Her weak joke didn’t fool him and he held on tightly to her hand.
Her eyes still focused on the heavy, oak wood of the door, she nodded. She knew perfectly well that it was just an ordinary door with an ordinary room behind it. But it was the room where she’d nearly died.
Her heart thudding in her ears, she nodded.
‘Oh my God,’ she whispered. | 2019-04-20T04:18:20Z | https://christidaugherty.com/night-school-legacy-extract/ |
Nick Kanas considers issues and countermeasures..
Manned space missions involve a number of psychological and interpersonal stressors. Dealing with these can become a major issue if we are going to venture forth to the planets and beyond. This article reviews what we know about psychosocial issues from on-orbit research and discusses future challenges beyond the Earth’s neighbourhood.
Until now, manned space missions have ventured no further than the Moon, and the longest that a person has been in space has been 14 months. Using current propulsion technology, a round trip mission to Mars will take 2½ years, and expeditions to the outer planets will take between 4½ years (for Jupiter) to 26.3 years (Neptune) (Kanas, 2011). If we are able to develop advanced propulsion systems that allow us to travel at 10 to 20 per cent the speed of light, one-way expeditions to the stars would still take decades to centuries to accomplish. This would likely involve putting the crewmembers in suspended animation or using multi-generational crews.
Space missions are stressful (Kanas, 2015). Periods of monotony alternate with periods of frenetic activity, the body must adapt to the novel conditions of microgravity, and potential danger in the vacuum of space is always present. People on long, isolated missions beyond the Earth’s neighbourhood will encounter additional psychological and interpersonal stressors, and it is important to develop strategies to cope. But before discussing countermeasures for dealing with such long-duration manned space missions, let’s examine what we currently know from research done close to home.
My colleagues and I conducted two international NASA-funded studies of psychological and interpersonal issues affecting crewmembers and mission control personnel during on-orbit missions to the Mir and the International Space Stations (Boyd et al., 2009; Kanas et al., 2000, 2001, 2007). A total of 30 astronauts and cosmonauts and 186 American and Russian mission control personnel were studied, who participated in space missions lasting from four to seven months. We found no significant changes in levels of crewmember mood and group interpersonal climate over time. However, there was significant evidence for the displacement of negative emotions outwardly, with crewmembers perceiving lack of support from mission control. Crew cohesion correlated positively with the supportive role of the mission commander. Using similar methodology, these findings have been replicated in a space station simulation study in Beijing (Wang & Wu, 2015).
In our two studies, crewmembers scored higher in terms of experience with other cultures as compared with mission control personnel. Americans reported significantly more work pressure than Russians in both studies, and less tension during International Space Station (ISS) missions.
Other investigators also have studied orbiting crewmembers. Gushin and his colleagues found that space crews showed decreases in the scope and content of their communications and a tendency to filter what they said to outside personnel, which the investigators called ‘psychological closing’. Crewmembers also interacted more with some individuals than others in mission control. This was felt to be due to a process of withdrawal and ‘autonomisation’, where isolated crewmembers became more egocentric and perceived some outsiders as opponents (Gushin, 2003; Gushin et al., 1997). Tomi and her colleagues surveyed 75 astronauts and cosmonauts and 106 mission control personnel in order to assess intercultural issues that could lead to problems during space missions. Both subject groups rated coordination conflicts between space organisations involved with the missions as the biggest problem, followed by miscommunications due to simple misunderstandings. Other difficulties related to differences in language and work management styles, and communication problems between mission control personnel and their support teams (Tomi et al., 2007).
Others have surveyed cosmonauts in order to gain their perspective on psychological issues during an expedition to Mars. Factors seen as potentially causing problems included isolation and monotony, distance-related communication delays with the Earth, differences in management style among the involved space agencies, and cultural problems resulting from the international makeup of the crew (Nechaev et al., 2007).
Sandal and Manzey conducted a survey of 576 employees of the European Space Agency in order to assess important cultural issues that could impact on performance. They found a positive link between experience with other cultures and ability to work with fellow employees (Sandal & Manzey, 2009).
Finally, Stuster performed a content analysis of personal journals from 10 ISS astronauts. He found that 88 per cent of the entries dealt with the following content categories: Work, Outside Communications, Adjustment, Group Interaction, Recreation/Leisure, Equipment, Events, Organisation/Management, Sleep, and Food. Despite a 20 per cent increase in interpersonal problems during the second half of the missions (such as conflicts with crewmates), the astronauts reported that their life in space was not as difficult as they had expected prior to launch (Stuster, 2010).
Travelling in space also can be a positive experience. Some astronauts and cosmonauts have reported transcendental experiences, religious insights, or a better sense of the unity of mankind as a result of viewing the Earth below and the cosmos beyond (Kanas, 2015). In his diary, cosmonaut Valentin Lebedev stated that photographing the Earth from the Salyut 7 space station was a restful and stress-reducing experience (Lebedev, 1988).
Extending pioneering research on positive factors begun in the early 1990s, Suedfeld and his colleagues content analysed the published memoirs of 125 space travellers. As a result of being in space, astronauts and cosmonauts reported more Universalism (i.e. a greater appreciation for other people and nature), Spirituality and Power (Suedfeld et al., 2010). These changes likely reflected seeing the Earth as a beautiful, fragile orb in infinite space, with no obvious political boundaries separating its inhabitants.
In a survey of 54 astronauts and cosmonauts who had flown in space, Alan Kelly and I found that our subjects rated the positive excitement related to their mission as being one of the strongest factors enhancing communication within the crew and between the crewmembers and mission control personnel on the ground (Kelly & Kanas, 1992, 1993). In a follow-up study, my colleagues and I surveyed 39 astronauts and cosmonauts who had flown in space. We found that every respondent reported at least some positive change as a result of his or her experience. A cluster analysis of the questionnaire responses found eight subscale categories: Perceptions of Earth, Perceptions of Space, New Possibilities, Appreciation of Life, Personal Strength, Changes in Daily Life, Relating to Others, and Spiritual Change. The only subscale to show a significant change was Perceptions of Earth, and observing our home planet from space sometimes led to lifestyle alterations after the space traveller returned home. For example, three of the subscale items (‘I realized how much I treasure the Earth,’ ‘I learned to appreciate the fragility of the Earth,’ and ‘I gained a stronger appreciation of the Earth’s beauty’) were significantly associated with the behavioural item ‘I increased my involvement in environmental causes’ after returning (Ihle et al., 2006).
Although seeing the beautiful Earth and communicating with family and friends on the ground can be positive experiences, there seems little doubt that living with the same people in space for months on end can lead to interpersonal problems that are difficult to express openly, given that one must depend on hese same people for support and assistance in accomplishing mission goals. A supportive commander becomes vital for crew cohesion, and in multinational crews, cultural differences (both national and organisational) can produce stress. Intra-crew tensions may be displaced to people in mission control, which negatively affects crew–ground communication. It is important for crewmembers to learn strategies of coping with psychological problems before they can fester and lead to withdrawal and additional difficulties with their crewmates and with mission control.
Given these psychosocial issues affecting crewmembers during on-orbit missions, what can we say about potential problems on space missions beyond the Earth’s neighbourhood? Interplanetary expeditions will include many of the same stressors as missions close to home: microgravity, danger, isolation, confinement, separation from family and friends, and a limited social environment. However, there will be additional stressors that will affect humans travelling to the distant reaches of the solar system. The crew will experience a severe sense of isolation and separation from Earth, with no hope of evacuation or assistance from the ground during emergencies. The tremendous distances involved will increase the average two-way communication times with Earth from 25 minutes (Mars) to 500 minutes (Neptune) (Kanas, 2011). Consequently, the crewmembers will be much more autonomous from mission control than during near-Earth missions, and they will need to plan their schedules and deal with problems themselves.
Finally, no human being has ever experienced the Earth as an insignificant dot in the heavens, the so-called ‘Earth-out-of-view phenomenon’ (Kanas, 2015; Kanas & Manzey, 2008). Since gazing at the Earth has been rated as a major positive factor of being in space, the absence of this experience during an expeditionary mission on crewmember psychology may result in increased homesickness, depression, and other unpleasant psychological problems due to the profound sense of truly being isolated in the heavens.
In dealing with these issues, it is possible to conceptualise countermeasures around four areas: crew selection, pre-flight orientation and training, in-flight monitoring and support, and post-mission readaptation to Earth (Kanas, 2015). Crew selection should include people who are comfortable in working alone on a task when necessary as well as interacting with their crewmates around social events, such as meals and celebrations. Commanders should be selected who not only are task-oriented, but also psychologically sensitive and supportive of the needs of the crew.
Before launch, crewmembers and mission control personnel should receive psychosocial education training aimed at recognising and dealing with important psychological and interpersonal issues that might arise during the mission. Topic areas should include: ways to work and interact productively during isolated and confined conditions; recognising and dealing with intrapsychic and interpersonal problems; understanding cultural differences as manifested by verbal and non-verbal behaviour; and coping with increased autonomy and dependence on local resources.
During the mission, the crew should receive computer-based psychosocial education training refresher courses to remind them of key issues discussed prior to launch. Crewmembers need to plan time for ‘bull sessions’ to discuss personal and interpersonal issues and stressors before they fester and become problematic. Strategies should be developed to allow space travellers to communicate efficiently with people on Earth during distance-related time delays. These might include writing e-mail messages that append suggested responses at the end, to which the recipient may reply in order to minimise time-consuming back-and-forth interactions. A virtual reality system or an on-board telescope with which to see the Earth in real time may help the crewmembers deal with feelings around separation from their home planet. Families at home need to be supported during the mission, both informally (peer-led groups) and formally (counselling or psychotherapy).
Post-mission readaptation debriefings and supportive strategies should be employed to help returning crewmembers and their families readjust to life together on Earth. These strategies should include protected private time and methods of dealing with the fame and glory that will result from highly visible space missions, such as the first expedition to Mars.
During multi-year missions to the fringes of the solar system (such as to the outer planets, the Kuiper Belt, or the Oort Cloud), or beyond to the stars, the long distances involved will make travel using current propulsion systems highly unlikely. New propulsion systems and the possibility of putting the crewmembers in suspended animation will need to be considered. Both strategies present technical problems that are beyond the scope of this article, and the interested reader is referred to the discussion in the scientific appendix to my interstellar science fiction novel The Protos Mandate (Kanas, 2014).
Another scenario that has been advocated for interstellar expeditions has been the use of giant self-contained multi-generational starships. Moore has discussed some of the practical issues of such a mission involving a crew of 150–180 people on a 200-year expedition to Alpha Centauri. Based on his computer models, he has suggested several social engineering principles to maintain a stable population that would not tax the limited food, water, and on-board space resources. These strategies include beginning the mission with a crew of childless married couples, who would be required to postpone parenthood until their 30s and would limit the number of children they have to conform to the population needs of the mission. This cycle would be repeated for subsequent generations. The result would be the production of well-defined demographic echelons of roughly equal numbers over time, with people clustering into age groups some 30 years apart. The older members would rear the younger ones and serve as teachers and advisers. People in the middle echelon would perform the routine maintenance activities. As a result, the social network and use of resources would remain stable across generations (Moore, 2003).
Such a scenario raises a number of psychological and sociological questions. Who would be selected for such a mission? How many extended family members would be allowed to start the journey? How much cultural and religious diversity could be tolerated? How would a diverse enough gene pool be assured to minimise the appearance of dangerous recessives and maximise the stability of future generations? What kind of governance system would be used? How will the starship populace accept such social engineering? Will later generations view these echelons as a normal part of life, or will they rebel against such a regulated system? The launch generation likely will reminisce about life on Earth, and later generations may want to return to the home planet. Alternatively, they may wish to continue travelling indefinitely in space in their familiar and comfortable starship rather than deal with the unknowns of a new world (Kanas, 2014).
As can be seen, travel to distant stars presents a number of psychosocial issues that will test human adaptability and resources. Hopefully, by the time such missions are planned, we will have had enough experience with interplanetary travel to enable starship crews to deal effectively with the new psychological and sociological challenges.
Frank M. Robinson’s The Oceans are Wide is a novella published in Science Stories in April 1954 (reprinted in Starships edited by Isaac Asimov et al., Fawcett Crest/Ballantine Books, 1983). In this story, starship governance is through a hereditary board of executives whose chairman is dying and whose son is ill-equipped to take over, due to his more passive personality and the plotting of competitive family members. With the assistance of a Machiavellian-like Predict, the son grows up to become the chairman and ultimately the new Predict, as he outwits his former mentor. The story involves father–son and mentor–student conflicts, within an interesting sociological description of life on a multigenerational starship.
Brian Aldiss’ Non-Stop, published in 1958 (available from Overlook Press, 2005), has its protagonist as part of a primordial tribe living in a jungle-like setting. As he and his colleagues are exploring their environment, they encounter other people and discover that they all are inhabiting a giant starship that is returning from a planet around the star Procyon, where 23 generations earlier the ship’s populace had suffered from a pandemic. The story contains numerous surprises about the true mission, and psychoanalytic theory and terminology is used throughout to describe the rituals and interactions of the starship inhabitants.
In Gregory Benford’s Redeemer, a short story published in Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact in 1979 (reprinted in Skylife: Space Habitats in Story and Science edited by G. Benford & G. Zebrowski, Harcourt, 2000) a man travelling in a faster-than-light space ship overtakes an interstellar starship launched 75 years earlier that is travelling at sub-light speed. The slower vehicle contains thousands of future colonists in suspended animation, a small maintenance crew that is awake, and a cache of frozen DNA that the man intends to capture to replenish radiation-damaged DNA back home that was affected by a devastating war. The psychological twist is that on the slower starship he encounters his great-grandmother.
In Ship of Fools, written by Richard Paul Russo (Ace Books, 2001), a huge multigenerational starship with several thousand inhabitants has a class system of ‘topsiders’, who hold positions of power, and ‘downsiders’, who perform the more menial duties on the ship. There also is a clerical group led by a bishop who wields significant power. The plot involves the relationship of the crewmembers with each other, including their anxieties and intrigues.
In Ken MacLeod’s Learning the World (Tor Books, Tom Doherty Associates, 2005), there are two worlds to be learned. One involves the society on board a giant starship with a complicated social system composed of three groups: a young space-borne group of individuals who are bred genetically to colonise newly discovered worlds; the crew, whose members are adapted for permanent life on the ship; and the founder generation, composed of people born hundreds of years earlier at the time of the settlement of the last star system. The other world to be learned is a planet that is the first ever to be discovered with intelligent life. A number of psychological and ethical issues are raised as these two groups discover each other, with surprising changes occurring to both societies.
In Ben Bova’s short story A Country for Old Men (published in Going Interstellar by L. Johnson & J. McDevitt, Baen Publishing, 2012) the crewmembers heading for a distant star realise that they are entering an area of low interstellar hydrogen, which is needed to fuel their starship. The chief executive wants to divert around the low hydrogen region, but he is met with resistance from the central computer. Complicating his actions are the facts that he is depressed over the death of his wife and is aware that given his age, he will die before the completion of the decades-long mission.
In Stephen Baxter’s short story StarCall (published in Starship Century edited by J. Benford & G. Benford, Microwave Sciences and Lucky Bat Books, 2013), a sentient computer probe named Sannah III has been launched on a long mission to Alpha Centauri. For public relations purposes, several hundred children have been selected to speak with the probe every 10 years. The story follows the communications between Sannah III and a British boy named Paul over six decades. During this time, both human and robot experience numerous developmental changes, some of which take place in a similar manner that reflects complementary changes in their environments.
Finally, my own novel The Protos Mandate (which along with my other novel The New Martians was published in 2014 as part of Springer’s ‘Science and Fiction’ series) explores the vicissitudes of a crew undertaking the first interstellar expedition. The story deals with the building and launching of the giant starship, problems facing the multigenerational crewmembers during their 107-year mission, and surprises they face after reaching their destination. A referenced appendix explains the science behind the story.
Boyd, J.E., Kanas, N.A., Salnitskiy, V.P. et al. (2009). Cultural differences in crewmembers and mission control personnel during two space station programs. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 80, 1–9.
Gushin, V.I. (2003). Problems of distant communication of isolated small groups. Human Physiology, 29, 548–555.
Gushin, V.I., Zaprisa, N.S., Kolinitchenko, T.B. et al. (1997). Content analysis of the crew communication with external communicants under prolonged isolation. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 68, 1093–1098.
Ihle, E.C., Ritsher, J.B. & Kanas, N. (2006). Positive psychological outcomes of spaceflight: An empirical study. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 77, 93–101.
Kanas, N. . Humans in space: The psychological hurdles. Switzerland: Springer.
Kanas, N. (2011). From Earth’s orbit to the outer planets and beyond: Psychological issues in space. Acta Astronautica, 68, 576–581.
Kanas, N. (2014). The Protos mandate: A scientific novel. Switzerland: Springer.
Kanas, N. & Manzey, D. (2008). Space psychology and psychiatry (2nd edn). El Segundo, CA: Microcosm Press; and Dordrecht: Springer.
Kanas, N.A., Salnitskiy, V.P., Boyd, J.E. et al. (2007). Crewmember and mission control personnel interactions during International Space Station Missions. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 78, 601–607.
Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Grund, E.M. et al. (2000). Interpersonal and cultural issues involving crews and ground personnel during Shuttle/Mir space missions. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 71(9 Suppl.), A11–A16.
Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Weiss, D.S. et al. (2001). Crewmember and ground personnel interactions over time during Shuttle/Mir space missions. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 72, 453–461.
Kelly, A.D. & Kanas, N. (1992). Crewmember communication in space. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 63, 721–726.
Kelly, A.D. & Kanas, N. (1993). Communication between space crews and ground personnel. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 64, 779–800.
Lebedev, V. (1988). Diary of a cosmonaut. College Station, TX: Phytoresource Research Information Service.
Moore, J.H. (2003). Kin-based crews for interstellar multi-generational space travel. In Y. Kondo, F.C. Bruhweiler, J. Moore & C. Sheffield (Eds.) Interstellar travel and multi-generation space ships (pp.80–88). Burlington, Ontario: Apogee Books.
Nechaev, A.P., Polyakov, V.V. & Morukov, B.V. (2007). Martian manned mission: What cosmonauts think about this. Acta Astronautica, 60, 351–353.
Sandal, G.M. & Manzey, D. (2009). Cross-cultural issues in space operations. Acta Astronautica, 65, 1520–1529.
Stuster, J. (2010). Behavioral issues associated with long-duration space expeditions. Houston, TX: NASA/Johnson Space Center.
Suedfeld, P., Legkaia, K. & Brcic, J. (2010). Changes in the hierarchy of value references associated with flying in space. Journal of Personality, 78, 1–25.Tomi, L., Kealey, D., Lange, M. et al. (2007, 21 May). Cross-cultural training requirements for long-duration space missions. Paper delivered at the Human Interactions in Space Symposium, Beijing, China.
Wang, Y. & Wu, R. . Time effects, displacement, and leadership roles on a lunar space station analogue. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 86, 819-823. | 2019-04-26T00:37:39Z | https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/node/15065 |
Home » What Are The Different Types Of Astigmatism?
This article is for astigmatism patients who want to explore all the types of astigmatism, and the relevant ways to correct astigmatism naturally.
If you first just want to learn more about astigmatism types in general, read this article.
Many visitors to our site wonder if there are different types of astigmatism. So we compiled a comprehensive astigmatism type list. It's on this page, we just don't publish it as astigmatism pdf, ppt, or quiz. But you can come back and check the different types later again.
But the question is, no matter what type of astigmatism you have, what are your root causes? Astigmatism is a distortion of your lens due to a weak lens. So what's causing that weakness in your circumstances?
Click here <- to find out.
What Are The Two Types Of Astigmatism?
What are Clinical Types Of Astigmatism?
Is There A Specific Test For Each Type Of Astigmatism?
So what does regular astigmatism mean?
How Many Types Of Regular Astigmatism Are There?
What Is The Difference Between Regular And Irregular Astigmatism?
So, what's the definition of irregular astigmatism?
How To Know If You Have Irregular Astigmatism?
How To Diagnose Irregular Astigmatism?
Can Irregular Astigmatism Be Corrected?
How To Cure Irregular Astigmatism?
How To Measure Corneal Astigmatism?
How To Correct Corneal Astigmatism?
How Common Is Lenticular Astigmatism?
How To Calculate Lenticular Astigmatism?
How To Correct Lenticular Astigmatism?
What Is The Definition of Myopic or Nearsighted Astigmatism?
So, are myopia and astigmatism the same?
What Is Simple Myopic Astigmatism?
What Is High Myopic Astigmatism?
What Is Compound Myopic Astigmatism?
What Is Bilateral Myopic Astigmatism?
What is Hyperopic or Hypermetropic Astigmatism?
What Is Simple Hyperopic Astigmatism?
What Is Bilateral Hyperopic Astigmatism?
What Is Compound Hyperopic Astigmatism?
How Much Is High Astigmatism?
How High Can Astigmatism Go Or Be?
What Are The Symptoms Of High Astigmatism?
How To Correct High Astigmatism?
How To Cure High Astigmatism?
What Is A Severe Astigmatism Range?
When you hear people refer to the different types of eye astigmatism, and they mention two, they are referring to regular and irregular astigmatism.
But there are 5 types of astigmatism. Some would even say there are even 5 types of regular astigmatism. What are the five types of astigmatism? We'll list all of them with detailed explanations below.
Yet they often refer to the different combinations astigmatism comes with other eye conditions.
The key to remember is that astigmatism types are important for diagnosis and treatment options. But at the end, you can improve all astigmatism and its types, whether it's different for each eye or the same.
You can correct all astigmatism types naturally.
The correct way of referring to the eye condition is astigmatism. Stigmatism is as variation listed in the dictionary, but correctly you would define astigmatism as the correct way of saying it.
Many visitors are asking me, "what type of astigmatism do I have?" And often that is not a straightforward answer. Because of all the types of mixed astigmatism.
Let's start with examples of mixed types.
Obviously, some of these are rare types of astigmatism.
And then we have the types of astigmatism that compound; with myopia and farsightedness. These different types are explained with examples below.
Astigmatism itself is not an eye disease. It's just a refractive error that bends the light incorrectly into the eye. If any type of astigmatism is considered an eye disease, it is because the combination is with an eye disease.
For example, astigmatism with glaucoma or with keratoconus.
Examples of clinical types of astigmatism include the combinations with myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia. These are explained below as myopic astigmatism, hyperopic astigmatism, and hypermetropic astigmatism.
No. There is one test for all eye astigmatism types. If you have any eye disease with it, or it's compound astigmatism, you will have to test for other eye problems. But it's the same test for astigmatism.
Regular astigmatism can show up in three different ways:"With-The-Rule"
Here astigmatism shows up straight ahead. The distortion or bend rounding out vertically, so from top to bottom of the eye, at a 90-degree angle.
It's like an American football or rugby egg lying on the side.
It's almost the same rounding like with-the-rule astigmatism, but this time, the football or rugby egg is standing on the end.
Meaning the rounding is 90 degrees straight ahead but along the horizontal plane.
Here the distortion of the cornea shows up between 30 - 60 degrees or 120 - 150 degrees. Meaning it's like an American football tilting to the left or right.
As you can see above, there are three regular astigmatism types.
If your cornea distortion appears along the varying degrees explained above, you have regular astigmatism.
If the distortion appears to a different degree, it'll be irregular astigmatism. A simple astigmatism test will help you to determine your angle.
The physical issue is an incorrectly shaped cornea. Instead of being a smooth, round dome, it's distorted and shaped unevenly as explained above.
The symptoms range from hardly noticeable to blurry vision, headaches, light sensitivity, and a whole host of issues.
You can read about all the symptoms of astigmatism on our page dedicated to discussing all astigmatism symptoms.
It is considered irregular astigmatism when the cornea is distorted along different degrees than regular astigmatism.
Irregular astigmatism occurs when the corneal distortion is not at a set, regular pattern. It's an unnatural damage to the cornea.
Irregular astigmatism is a corneal damage. It's often connected to LASIK eye surgery. Or it can be a side-effect after cataract surgery.
Other patients get it as a result of keratoconus or other eye diseases. So it's not a case of irregular astigmatism vs keratoconus. It's just possible that keratoconus causes irregular astigmatism because keratoconus is an eye disease that weakens the cornea.
That weakness causes corneal distortion.
Many website visitors ask me, "do I have regular or irregular astigmatism?" and "what is the difference between regular astigmatism and irregular astigmatism?".
In order to find out, a simple astigmatism test will do. To find out the exact details of your eye disorder after that, you'll need to go to proper astigmatism checkup. You will need to find out the exact axis along which your corneal distortion occurs.
Once you established that your astigmatism is not regular, you have to identify irregular astigmatism with topography.
It's basically a scan of your visual field to work out where your symptoms appear.
After an irregular astigmatism topography, you'll receive your prescription. With that, you can get glasses or contact lenses specifically for irregular astigmatism.
So, yes, glasses can correct irregular astigmatism. Do irregular astigmatism glasses look any different? No, it's just a special astigmatism lens to correct your corneal distortion.
Most of the time, yes. Either with glasses or lenses. But now you can even use LASIK to correct irregular astigmatism in some cases as well. Remember, however, eye surgery to correct astigmatism is a correction. It's not a treatment.
Often times eye surgeries don't last. Plus, irregular astigmatism can appear after LASIK. It can be a side-effect after LASIK.
To fix, cure, or treat irregular astigmatism, you have to use a safe, natural approach that helps you to get rid of the underlying root causes.
A proper irregular astigmatism treatment will correct your eyesight, so you don't need any glasses afterward anymore. To find out, if natural ways can work for you, click here.
Corneal astigmatism is when the curvature of astigmatism appears on the cornea rather than in the lens.
It is "with-the-rule" when it has a specific direction. Here the corneal distortion is vertical. "Against-the-rule" describes a corneal distortion that is horizontal. And oblique is a deformation along specific degrees.
These three types are the types of regular astigmatism.
Irregular corneal astigmatism refers to a situation where the cornea is deformed differently than the three scenarios above.
It's best to measure and calculate corneal astigmatism with a specialist in a proper test. Which process is useful for measuring corneal astigmatism is better decided by a patient visit to a specialist. Online analysis is too vague in this case.
Severe corneal astigmatism is too dangerous to play with. And trying to calculate corneal astigmatism from k readings is a guess at best.
To get an accurate analysis, you should do a corneal topography for astigmatism. That way you will know exactly where the corneal distortion is, and how strong it is.
That really depends on how severe corneal astigmatism is. You may simply get away with astigmatism lenses or glasses.
In other cases, corneal reshaping is the best form of astigmatism treatment. Allowing to smooth out and even out the cornea.
If the case is too severe, and surgery for astigmatism doesn't bring the desired results through reshaping, a corneal transplant or corneal implant for astigmatism may be necessary.
Fact is corneal astigmatism changes with age. So any type of correction should consider that.
It is possible to improve corneal astigmatism naturally as well. To find out, if this can work for you, click the "Start Here" button in the navigation bar above.
Corneal astigmatism refers to a distortion of the cornea. To define lenticular astigmatism we have to look at a distortion of the lens. Meaning, lenticular astigmatism happens below the cornea.
So the definition is that it's a distortion of the lens.
The ophthalmic industry just mentions a distortion of the lens. The question is, what causes the distortion of the lens?
Diabetes and high blood pressure are said to be reasons for the lens to change shape. Going into the mental and emotional aspects of your eyesight as well, lenticular astigmatism has to do with not wanting to see yourself the way you are.
Meaning, there is an aspect of yourself that you are not very fond of, so you are trying to blur it out. As an effect, your body will distort the lens to accommodate for what your mind is trying to achieve.
It's a common type of astigmatism. And the number of diagnosed patients is increasing steadily. Age may also play a role in the development.
The question is whether measuring lenticular astigmatism has become better, or if the tests are marketed more to sell more glasses.
The lenticular calculation is best done by a professional if you want an accurate measurement.
Therefore you need to have a proper test in order to be able to calculate astigmatism accurately.
Of course, the most common lenticular astigmatism correction is glasses or contacts for the condition.
For example, contact lenses that specifically correct the curvature of the lens.
LASIK is tricky here because it reshapes the cornea. But lenticular astigmatism is a lens issue. So only a lens transplant could fix that.
Because it is a lens issue, it's often connected to cataract. Yet, lenticular astigmatism doesn't mean that cataract is present or vice verse.
But the refractive surgery procedure for both eye conditions is similar.
The best way it still to cure astigmatism naturally. Not matter what type of astigmatism.
What does myopic astigmatism mean? Astigmatism is a refractive error. Meaning that the light is falling into the eye incorrectly. It's either falling in too short or too far.
Meaning instead of merging the light rays perfectly on the retina, the back part of your eye. The rays of light are merging before the retina, or behind it.
With myopic astigmatism, they are merging in front of the retina.
Myopia or nearsightedness is a refractive error where light rays fall in front of the retina. The reason is that the eyeball is too long.
So when astigmatism distorts the rays of light in the cornea or lens, it's called myopic, if the light merges too early.
This is not to confuse with a situation where a patient has myopia and astigmatism. Or astigmatism with myopia.
Myopic astigmatism refers to the need to correct the refractive error of astigmatism with minus lenses. Minus lenses only for astigmatism.
Both are a refractive error. Meaning both conditions bend the light incorrectly into the eye. So they cause a blurry image.
But they are not the same. Myopia without astigmatism is just myopia. So you can have myopia or astigmatism.
The cause of the refractive error in myopia is a longer than usual eyeball. For astigmatism, it's due to an imperfection in the cornea or the lens.
Because of the different causes for of the refractive error, both conditions cause blurry vision differently.
A distortion of either the cornea or the lens. One of the two is shaped incorrectly and leading the rays of light to merge too early in the eye. Before the retina, so the perceived image becomes blurry.
CYL: -1 ; Axis: 90.
Simple myopic astigmatism refers to the situation where the astigmatism is only on regular distortion. It's a single correction at a specific angle.
For example, if your refractive error is just one bump on the cornea at 90 degrees.
High myopic astigmatism refers to a situation where the myopic distortion is very strong. Meaning that the light rays fall and merge very short in the eyeball. With a great distance to the retina.
This leads to very distorted vision and a very blurry image.
Basically, the higher myopic astigmatism, the greater the correction needed. So the stronger your glasses and prescription.
Compound myopic astigmatism means that there are more than one distortions of the cornea or lens.
All distortions lead to the light falling in and merging in front of the retina, rather than behind.
So it's multiple degrees of astigmatism, and all are myopic.
Bilateral myopic astigmatism means that both eyes have myopic astigmatism. In both eyes, the light is bent incorrectly into the eye, so it merges in front of the retina.
Yet the amount of refractive error is different for each eye.
So one eye may need OD CYL: -1 ; Axis: 90. And the other eye is OS CYL: -1.75 ; Axis: 120.
It's different from myopia with astigmatism that is bilateral. Because in that would mean that the patient has bilateral astigmatism. In this case, it'd probably be one eye is myopic astigmatism, the other eye hyperopic astigmatism.
And that patient would be nearsighted with myopia at the same time.
So bilateral myopic astigmatism refers to the same condition in both eyes. But each eye requires a different correction.
Hyperopic astigmatism means that the refractive error of the cornea or lens causes the rays of light to focus behind the retina.
In a normal functioning eye without astigmatism, light rays fall into the eye in a way that they merge and focus right on the retina. That's why the image is clear.
With hypermetropic astigmatism, the light is bent incorrectly by the lens or cornea, in a way that the focal point where they merge is behind the retina.
The retina is the back part of the eye where the cone cells and light receptors perceive the picture in the human eye.
Hyperopic astigmatism is not to be confused with astigmatism with hyperopia or hypermetropia. That's a situation where a patient suffers from astigmatism and hyperopia/hypermetropia.
Even though astigmatism and hyperopia are both refractive errors, they differ. With hyperopia or hypermetropia, the eyeball is too short, so that the rays of light merge and focus behind the retina.
With astigmatism, the distortion happens in the lens or the cornea. It the refractive error is caused by the lens or the cornea and the light merges and focus too far behind the retina, the condition is called hyperopic or hypermetropic astigmatism.
Simple hyperopic astigmatism refers to a condition where both eyes have the same refractive error. Both eyes have a single distortion in the cornea or lens. And both eyes require the same correction.
Both eyes need the same strength and angle to correct the respective refractive error.
Bilateral hyperopic astigmatism is a situation where both eyes have different refractive errors. The correction for each eye is different.
For example, the left eye has a stronger distortion of the cornea than the right. So the left eye needs a correction of CYL +3, whereby the right eye only requires CYL +2.
Yet for both eyes, it's hyperopic astigmatism. So in both eyes, the focal point of the light rays entering the eye merge behind the retina.
Compound hyperopic astigmatism is a situation where there are multiple angles of hyperopic distortions. So the cornea or lens has multiple distortions, yet all of them cause the light to merge behind the retina.
Again, this is different than conditions where you have astigmatism with presbyopia or astigmatism with amblyopia.
The compound refers to the same condition, in this case, hyperopic astigmatism, appearing multiple times in the eyes of the same patient.
Basically, when the astigmatism prescription exceeds 3 diopters or more, it counts as high astigmatism. Some would call it moderate to high astigmatism.
Some would argue that astigmatism numbers above 5 are considered high astigmatism only, but the definition of astigmatism grades is not set in stone.
High astigmatism means that it's a high amount of astigmatism. And because the distortion of the eyesight with astigmatism is high than with myopia, presbyopia, or hyperopia, 3 is considered a high level of astigmatism.
It depends on the person defining what a high astigmatism prescription is. But the signs of high astigmatism are hard to miss.
A strongly distorted vision that makes it hard to see is considered to be high astigmatism.
That's a great question. After high astigmatism, there is severe astigmatism too. So it depends on what level of astigmatism becomes too bad to live with. What's considered high astigmatism by one person can be fine for somebody else to live with.
The stronger the distortion of the cornea or the lens, the more the high astigmatism number grows. What is considered high, is the amount of correction the refractive error causes.
So, depending on the type of high astigmatism you have, whether it's high myopic astigmatism or high hyperopic astigmatism, it's how far in front of or how far behind the retina the light merges and focuses.
It always comes down to how bad or how high the prescription is that it needs to merge the light rays exactly onto the retina.
Very simple; if you have normal astigmatism and your vision gets blurry again, that's it. If you get headaches from the blurry vision that would be another indication that you moved from astigmatism to moderate astigmatism to high.
There is no clear-cut rule where high astigmatism ends and severe astigmatism starts. Again, it comes down to how severely the condition impacts your life.
But it would be safe to say that anything above a refractive error of 5 in the prescription can be considered severe astigmatism.
The treatment of high astigmatism is the same like most others.
If you need to treat high astigmatism because of a corneal distortion, LASIK can be an option. High corneal astigmatism can be corrected with LASIK.
That's different for high lenticular astigmatism. Here only a lens transplant could work as a surgical solution for the correction of high astigmatism.
Otherwise, you can obviously wear astigmatism lenses or astigmatism glasses for high astigmatism. It's just a very strong prescription. Some people would argue that toric contact lenses are best for high astigmatism. Especially in the case of high corneal astigmatism.
That's obviously one of the most common questions we get. Can you cure or treat or fix high astigmatism naturally?
To get started, you need to find out if you can cure high astigmatism in your specific situation. If yes, you need to uncover your true root causes for astigmatism. And then to fix the refractive error, you just need to get rid of the root causes one by one.
Click here to get started with a free analysis.
It is considered severe astigmatism when your astigmatism severely impacts the life of the patient. Personally, I would put the definition at a refractive error of 5 or above.
Again, it's above 5 that severely impacts the life of the patient. It'll look like a very blurry image of a person.
When astigmatism is severe it becomes difficult for a person to use normal astigmatism contact lenses. Toric lenses become a stronger option.
A strong distortion of the cornea or the lens. Or possibly a combination of the two.
LASIK is only an option as severe astigmatism corrective surgery when the astigmatism is corneal. In the case of lenticular astigmatism, LASIK is not an option.
Only a lens transplant could fix severe lenticular astigmatism.
The limitations for LASIK with severe astigmatism is the thickness of the cornea. If the cornea is too thin than LASIK is not an option.
For both cases, severe lenticular and severe corneal astigmatism it is wise to pursue natural ways to cure astigmatism before opting for surgery. Because surgeries are invasive, permanent procedures that may be unnecessary if natural astigmatism correction brings the desired results. | 2019-04-21T19:05:35Z | https://www.purevisionmethod.com/astigmatism-types/ |
October 31, 2003: The University Food Market (formerly Ta-Kome deli) closes after 46 years.
Photo: Steve Jensen, 1985; CLICK for detail A deli of some sort has had the corner spot on this block since who knows when. About 1957 whatever deli was there at the time (name?) was purchased by the family of the present owner, Charlie Pastor, and called Ta-Kome, "Home of the Hero" (left). Until 1986 it was a single-width establishment, only 25 feet wide, one of the most crowded spots in town. To its right was Salter's, a huge, ancient, cavernous, dusty book store specializing in Columbia course and/or used books (they'd sell you a new book for $30 and buy it back the next day for ten cents, and sell it the next for $29.95). (And to Salters' right, for a couple years, was Ta-Kome II, a Ta-Kome satellite that sold takeout hamburgers and french fries).
When the Salters finally retired about 1985, Ta-Kome got the space, expanded to fill half the block, and renamed itself University Food Market (UFM), since now it was indeed a supermarket as well as a deli. Instead of one cash register there were six, plus aisles and counters galore, and about 40 new jobs were created. UFM is the primary source of calories for the neighborhood and still one of the most crowded spots in town, especially since absorbing the legacy of Mama Joy's (a long-lived Italian deli just down the street, closed in 2001 after more than 50 years), and even more while D'Agostino's supermarket on 110th Street was closed for a year in 2002 for construction of "The School".
17 September 2003: UFM announced it will close after almost 50 years on November 1st, and will reopen under new management. About 50 people work there; as of this writing, their future is uncertain.
November 12th. The lead article in today's Spectator is Low Wages Force Some UFM Employees to Quit. I had a discussion with Morton Sloan, the new co-owner. He said that some wages were "artificially high" and needed to be adjusted to market rates for fairness with his other stores. The new wages typically run below $10.00 an hour. Most cashiers are making between $5.50 and $7.50 per hour. $7.00 an hour is $12,000 a year. $10.00 an hour (the high end of the non-managerial wage scale at the new UFM) is still only $18,000 a year (this was offered, for example, to a counterman with 27 years seniority, supporting a family with three teenage children).
Poverty is defined as an income below $18,400 for a family of four or $15,260 for a family of three (2003, nationwide). The cost of living in NYC is more than 3.5 times the US average. The new wage scales might be "fair" and "good business practice" in today's economy, but they are not living wages, especially for single parents. New York City minimum wage, by the way, is $5.15. NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum says, "a minimum-wage earner would have to work 154 hours every week to afford a two-bedroom unit at fair market rent" (see Links below).
Morton Williams should be credited for keeping so many of the original UFM people on rather than firing them; for having a union shop; for remodeling with the store open rather than closing it for three months; and for employing (according to Sloan) 90% minorities (primarily Hispanic) in its stores. MW should be encouraged, however, to consider the cost of living and raising children in New York City when determining what is a fair wage, and also to include seniority in the calculation -- 10, 20, or 30 years of loyal service is worth something. Similarly for scheduling: UFM's working parents need to be able to drop their kids off at school or day care in the morning and pick them up after work on a predictable basis, just like any other working parents.
The previous owners were able to run the store with more employees and higher wages and still make a profit. Happy workers are good business. Let's hope Morton Williams succeeds in its new location. The neighborhood needs a good and affordable food market, and the employees need their jobs. Morton Williams has every prospect for success, due to its prime location and the impending shutdown of its main competitor in the neighborhood, West Side Market (85 more jobs lost). Share the wealth with the workers who make it possible!
Salaries remain low, but schedules are settling down and there have been some promotions. The store is now open 24 hours, which means there must also be a shift's worth of new jobs. These are signs of progress.
I discovered that there has been an ongoing discussion of UFM on the Yahoo MHNET group (follow the link and then search for "university food market"). Most postings echo the sentiment that the UFM people have been like family all these years, that the layoffs and salary cuts have not been a good way for Morton Williams to introduce itself to the neighborhood, and that the mood in the store since the turnover ranges from "bad vibes" to "shell-shocked" to "grim". I don't think Morton Williams appreciated how visible, well-known, and well-liked the UFM people were among the customer base it has inherited.
Ed Kent wrote of the new arrangements dividing "those of us who have got it made in the neighborhood from those who labor at poverty level wages on our behalf. It will be difficult to chat about our respective kids and how they are doing in school or whatever. I imagine being on one's feet for many hours behind a cash register must leave one pretty weary over a long stretch... I don't mind slightly higher prices, but I will object most strenously to bad treatment of our staff friends."
18 November - 7 December: No heat in store for three weeks.
25 November 2003 Spectator article: UFM Adds Amenities Under New Ownership But many area residents remain unhappy with the store's labor practices.
8 December 2003. RKF Secures 6,200-SF Corner Location on Broadway for Morton Williams Supermarkets (Robert K. Futterman & Associates, Inc, press release). "Principals of [Morton Williams] include Columbia University alumni who understand the community and have a vision of what the corner location could become."
10 December 2003. I spoke with Avi Kaner, VP of Morton Williams, who said (regarding the increases that were promised after the first month but had not yet materialized), "They [the employees] will immediately receive the appropriate raises." He also says that the store now employs more people than it did prior to changing hands. The raise was 25¢ and it first appeared on December 24th; it comes to $9.50 per 38-hour week.
29 December 2003. Julio (deli counter, 9 years) promoted to manager and sent to the 59th Street branch. The "Julio Special" remains behind on the sandwich menu.
15 January 2004: Armando, former deli manager (and previously at Mama Joy's), appointed assistant store manager.
17 January 2004: The Good News: Space heaters were installed in two of the six checkout counters, and a veteran cashier (Ritha) was promoted to assistant manager. The Bad News: José Jiménez, beloved night manager of Ta-Kome and UFM for 37 years, quit in disgust after having his salary slashed, then being transferred from the store he loved to another branch and put to work mopping floors -- a sad day for customers and his fellow workers alike. A customer writes, "...on my parting hug he told me that he had tried and tried but that he just couldn't take it anymore and he had finally quit... i then saw him walk out for good. we'll never see him again. so the nice manager who was always so friendly and helpful is gone! he always told me that after his many years there that we his customers were his family. what a loss to the community!"
19-20 January 2004: The scaffolding in front of the store (which has been up since long before the transfer of ownership) was taken down, which means renovation of the storefront will begin soon.
It was from this building -- 601 West 115th Street -- that a chunk of masonry fell in May 1979, killing a Barnard College student; this was the origin of NYC Local Laws 10 (1980) and 11 (1998), which require inspection of the façade of every residential building over six stories tall every four (or five) years; hence the scaffolding on this building and thousands of others all over the city ever since.
21 January 2004: Storefront renovations commence. A plywood shelter is being constructed over the north bank of windows (where the new cash registers are being installed) which should provide some shelter when the window glass comes out.
26 January 2004, 8:00am. More windows coming out, 14°F. New York State Consolidated Law, Chapter 31 ("Labor Law"), Article 14 ("Mercantile and Other Establishments"), Title 1 ("Sanitation"), §382 ("Ventilation, temperature and humidity"), states "Every mercantile establishment and every restaurant shall be provided with proper and sufficient means of ventilation by natural or mechanical means or both, as may be necessary, and there shall be maintained therein proper and sufficient ventilation and proper degrees of temperature and humidity at all times during working hours." Consult the temperature chart above; note that the average high for the period is below freezing (and only a fraction of a degree above the average low for January) and that the outside temperature is approximately equal to the inside temperature, especially at the checkout counters. Apparently management is now making an effort to route more power to the counters for the space heaters, but this is taking some time. Remodeling with the store open for business is far preferable to closing the store and furloughing the workers but shouldn't temporary heating have been part of the plan from the beginning?
29 January 2004, 8:00am, 21°F. More windows being replaced; cold wind blowing through the deli area, still no heat. Most of the cashiers now have working space heaters, but the new (temporary?) entrance/exit door by the cashiers has no air lock or shield, and a cold wind comes in every time the door opens. Meanwhile, most of the old shelving and cabinetry is being replaced and rearranged throughout the store (this has been an ongoing process but moved into high gear in recent days). The produce section has been moved to the front windows (where the cashiers were) and almost everything else has moved too, except the deli counter and the aisle closest to it.
30 January 2004, 8:00am, 15°F. All the cashiers have at least one working space heater, some have two. Good! (But the rest of the store is still cold.) Reorganization of the interior space continues and new floor tiling is being installed.
1 February 2004. The Local 338 union contract starts today. CLICK HERE to read the contract (PDF format, about 2.5MB). CLICK HERE to view a comparison table of the Local 338 contract with other union contracts covering similar work forces (such as cashiers and cafeteria workers) across the street at Columbia.
2 February 2004. Columbia Spectator : "Morton Williams Disappoints Employees, Satisfies Customers" (Scan/PDF) (Searchable/PDF): "Since Morton Williams Associated Market purchased UFM, 23 of the original 45 employees have left. The store claims it is trying to improve the shopping experience for Morningside residents, but many residents are increasingly vocal in their opposition to Morton Williams' treatment of its employees." The article goes on to allege a systematic pattern of pay cuts, schedule changes, transfers, and mistreatment whose effect (I won't speculate about motive) has been to encourage "overpaid" employees -- those with years of seniority -- to resign so they can be replaced by lower-paid ones.
9 February 2004. Columbia Spectator : "Debates Continue On Store's Policies", focusing mainly on Local 338.
10 February 2004. Columbia Spectator : Letters to the Editor regarding Morton Williams UFM.
13 February 2004. The second 25¢ installment of the promised 50¢ raise takes effect this week.
19 February 2004. Columbia Spectator : "Supermarket Scandals" (Opinion) "Veteran workers' salaries were slashed -- sometimes by as much as 70 percent -- and many were transferred to other Morton Williams stores in the city and assigned menial tasks. … Somebody should have checked Morton Williams' wage-slashing exploits; that somebody is Local 338 … And although the union vehemently rejects this assessment, 338, quite simply, hasn't been doing its job. … The starting hourly wage for a cashier at Morton Williams University Market (as the store is now known) is about $6. That comes to $12,000 a year. You show me how to live on $12,000 in this city, let alone raise a family… Why didn't Columbia demand that MWUM pay a living wage? … Columbia Human Resources recently posted an ad for part-time cashiers … at $15-$17 an hour. If the University believes such work is worth $17 on one side of Broadway, how can it justify leasing to a company that pays one-third as much across the street?" (SEE TABLE).
26 February 2004. Columbia Spectator : "Morton Williams Defends Cuts". And my response (LOCAL COPY). What disturbs me about the tone of this discussion is how so many people seem to feel that the UFM workers are trying to put one over on "us" in their desire to earn a living wage, as if they don't deserve to have enough money to pay their rent or feed their children, no matter how hard or how long they have worked. But we're going in circles. Morton Williams says it has done nothing wrong; they bought a store and offered jobs to (most of) its employees at the going rates. The employees have done nothing wrong either; they worked for years and years at UFM until their wages became higher than the current sub-poverty "industry standard" set by Wal-Mart, to the extent that Morton Williams feels it can call their former salaries "unreasonable" and "outrageous". Long-time UFM customers, however, are appalled at what has happened to their friends on the UFM staff. UFM was one of the very few long-lived and stable businesses in the neighborhood -- 46 years at the same location. It must have been doing something right! Part of that something was making lifetime careers for good hard-working people, whom we came to know and love. To see them fired or their wages slashed after all these years was almost as much a slap in the face to us as it was to them. No wonder you don't find the same crowds of customers in the store as there were before.
At UFM, we are seeing the new economy up close and it's not pretty. Of course other neighborhood stores deserve the same attention, but tend not to get it because few of them last very long and/or they have extremely high employee turnover and/or they are not the type of store you would visit 2-3 times a day. Indeed, Morton Williams does not deserve to be singled out in the new world of Duane Reades, Wal-Marts, and all the rest. But for Columbians it's hard to ignore what has happened at UFM because it's in the family. If I have focussed unfairly on Morton Williams, I hope others will focus on other establishments until there is a consensus that all people who work deserve a living wage, and that companies deserve our business when they "Just Say No" to the Race to the Bottom.
24 March 2004. Columbia Spectator Letter to the Editor: "Morton Sloan Owes Grocery Workers Respect and a Living Wage".
26 March 2004. Columbia Spectator Staff Editorial: Welcome to the Neighborhood - Morton Williams' worker practices are not acceptable here, concludes with "Morton Williams needs to change its ways, or Morningside Heights needs to take its money elsewhere." This stops just short of calling for a boycott that would probably hurt the employees as much, if not more, than MW. All former UFM employees (except a few) got a very raw deal and most of them are now gone, many of those still out of work. MW should find a way to make amends. As the editorial points out, this is a community that respects and rewards socially responsible businesses.
15 June 2006. Charlie Pastor, of Mamaroneck, NY, died at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, almost 50 years after he opened the Ta-Kome deli on the corner. I always loved his store; it had a special place in my heart, like family, magical things happened there. Everybody loved and respected Charlie and wishes he had never left.
Photo: Frank da Cruz, July 2004. CLICK for larger view.
University Foods (UFM sketches by Bob Taylor of Columbia Teachers College).
NY State Labor Law Article 14, Title 1.
US Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII.
US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Overview.
Down and Out in Discount America , Liza Featherstone, The Nation . | 2019-04-24T22:11:52Z | http://www.columbia.edu/~fdc/ufm.html |
I received a comment the other day about the Uni-Ball Signo RT1 0.38mm and they asked if I was able to find them someplace other than JetPens.com. I hadn’t thought about it, but realized that aside from JetPens, they weren’t available in the US at big box retailers. HOWEVER. I was able to find the US equivalent: the Uni-Ball Signo Micro 207 0.38mm. It’s the exact same pen, only not as aesthetically pleasing. The ink is the same and so is the tip.
I picked up a pack of four at Office Depot for a cool five dollars. If you are looking for the same performance and don’t really care about the look of the pen (I don’t really like it) it’s a great EDC addition. The JetPens version is a bit sturdier. The plastic isn’t as flimsy as the US release. The US version is clunky, made of thin plastic, and I don’t like the way the grip feels in my hand after a long session of note taking. But, like I said, if you are looking for the exact same performance, this is the pen.
I use these pens for marking and note taking in my bible. I need a super fine tip that can mark small but is still legible and one that won’t bleed through the onion skin pages. The ink dries quickly, so even lefties will appreciate it. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the JetPens RT1 or you just want it TODAY and not in a few, I suggest swinging by your local big box and picking up a pack (or two).
Gel Highlighters: Is There an Ultimate?
Since discovering the gel highlighter, I no longer use marker style highlighters for the majority of my note taking and studying. It makes sense for me due to the fact that most of my note taking and studying is in the bible and those onion skin pages can’t take a lot of marker ink before bleeding, smudging, and overpowering the print. Now that I have several sets of gel highlighters I wanted to try them all side by side and with different types of inks to ask one thing: Is there an ULTIMATE gel highlighter? Or is does it just boil down to preference?
I used four pens: a UniBall ONYX, a Pilot Down Force ball point, a Pilot Kakuno fountain pen (with Noodlers Heart of Darkness ink), and not pictured is the Zebra Sarasa 3 gel pen.
The top four highlighters I picked up from Dollar Tree and they came in two packs. These are the first gel highlighters I ever used, and to be honest, they are decent gels. For fifty cents a piece they really are top notch.
Next, are the Monami Essenti Stick highlighters in “bright”. They also come in pastel, but I ordered bright because I wanted the color to grab my attention. I picked these up as singles from JetPens.com.
I own the entire set of the Sharpie Gel highlighters, but I couldn’t find the other four. So, all we are working with here is orange.
The final set is the Accu-Gel Bible Hi-Glider in pastel colors. I picked these up as singles from Mardel Christian Bookstore. If I’m being honest, I’ll tell you that I am primarily using the green one right now during my studies. Not that it’s “better”, but the tip is smaller and the type size I’m reading right now is itty bitty.
Let’s see how they perform!
First up is the Monami Essenti stick. They glide a bit roughly, but they really do go on dry. It only smudged the ball point ink from the Pilot Down Force, but I did go over the ink several times immediately after writing. All samples are highlighted immediately after writing, but I only went over the ink once. This one I highlighted several times because I missed the wording. I have no motor skills, apparently. These gels are great for document highlighting and I use these a lot when I highlight in books. They are great on onionskin paper as well, but the tip is very large and round so it’s hard to use on tiny print.
Dollar store gels: NO SMUDGING! Seriously, these gels didn’t smudge any ink. I told you. For dollar store office supplies they really are top notch. They do feel “wetter” than other gels, but they don’t smear or smudge when writing with them. The gel itself just feels softer. It doesn’t affect the way they highlight or the ink they’re put over. I really enjoy these gels and use them a lot when I mark in my bible(s). The tips are narrow and great for tiny print!
Accu-Gel Bible-Hi-Glider gel highlighters are what are on my rotation right now. I am using the green for studying in my MEV bible at the moment. One, because it’s a small, thin highlighter, and two, because it’s new. I literally bought these last week. In fact, I’ve been using the green so much I had to go back to Mardel yesterday and buy another one because I was down to the nub. The only drawback of these highlighters is that if you run your finger across the gel after highlighting something it feels wet and like it’s going to make the pages stick together. It doesn’t. And it doesn’t smear. It just feels that way when you touch it. However, the gel dries lighter than when it’s first applied, so I recommend marking over something a few times, especially if you are using these gels for bible highlighting. I don’t know where the color goes, because it doesn’t ghost through the paper or anything. It just seems to evaporate a bit. (Weird, right?) These tested the same as the others. I used them right after writing with several different inks and there was only smearing with the Pilot Down Force ballpoint pen. And it’s not a lot, just barely noticeable, but still. It’s smudging and if you’re OCD like me, it nags.
And last, but not least, is the Sharpie Gel highlighter. This one is a little different because of its shape. It’s not round or square– it’s slightly oval– like a carpenter’s pencil. Which makes it great for highlighting small print! BUT, it does smear a bit. Mostly the Onyx and the Pilot Down Force, but glided smoothly over the fountain pen and gel Sarasa 3. The tip on the Sharpie is somewhat dry, but when you put it to paper you can’t tell and it doesn’t affect it’s purpose. Over all, the Sharpie Gel is great! I guess I don’t use it because it’s a bit bulky and misshapen.
So, to answer my question, IS there an ultimate gel highlighter?? And the answer is… NO. For me, it boils down to preference and purpose. Overall I have yet to use a junky gel highlighter. Nothing smeared to the point I wouldn’t use it and they don’t bleed or stick pages together. So it just comes down to asking: what am I using this for and will it help me get the job done? Don’t forget to visit these awesome shops (that did not give me money or stuff to recommend to you– I just really like these shops): Mardel, JetPens.com, and Office Depot (for the Sharpie Gel highlighters).
There are lots (and lots!) of great study materials out there. Just go to JetPens.com and see what I mean– LOTS! But when I read and study my bible there are only a few things that have really made it to my “must have with me all the time when I study” list. And these are it. My bare necessities for bible study. Micron Pigma pens. I bought this one in a five pack priced at $19.99, but I used a 40% off coupon. JetPens sells a five pack for roughly $13.50. The set I bought had one “01” tip and five “05” tips. The number references the size of the tip. 01 is .25mm and 05 is .45mm. They are great for note taking and underlining in your bible (and on other books and documents). They don’t bleed and the ink is archival. It’s also waterproof and fade proof.
Here you can see the difference in the size of the pen tips. The tip on the left is the 01 and the one on the right is the 05. HUGE difference, right?! And it makes a huge difference in one’s note taking as well!
I also use dry highlighters when I study my bible. Not only are dry highlighters excellent for using on onionskin paper, they’re great for highlighting in just about every other book you can imagine. They don’t bleed, smear, feather, smudge, or dry out. They work wonders over wet ink!! I bought these on JetPens.com as well. I did buy them separately, but JetPens offers them in packs.
And of course, a bookmark. This is actually a card that I am using as a bookmark. It’s made of super heavy cardstock. Plus, it’s Green Lantern.
Inside I wrote some KJV study helps. The “thee, thy, thou’s” confuse me sometimes, so I wrote them down for easy reference.
Tonight I was finally able to really put pen to paper in a real world setting: notes! I used a Nemosine Singularity Demonstrator (clear, M nib) and a Platinum Preppy (03, F) to scrib at both services today. It’s been a while since I have had the opportunity to attend a service (I’m usually somewhere else, like the nursery, or teaching a Sunday school class, etc.). I jump at the opportunity to put miles on my pens and today was prime! I actually got to use the pens in three services since my husband had to serve in the early service. I tagged along.
Of course it’s filled with Emerald of Chivor, but that might just change because my TWSBI Eco and J Herbin Moon Dust Purple arrive this week from JetPens! Talk about smooth! This pen is one of my favorites for when I need to really get down to work. The paper I used for notes wasn’t half bad, either. It’s a thick notecard type paper and there’s hardly any feathering. You almost have to put the tip of your nose to the paper to see it and even then it’s hardly noticeable.
My Platinum Preppy got some exercise today. If you’ve never tried a Platinum Preppy, I highly suggest it. It completely changed my mind about disposable fountain pens!
I used my vintage Pelikan 120 to write some memorization out. I have to write to memorize and what better way to do that than with some wet ink and a nib??
Last month while I was visiting my dad for Labor Day, I picked up some neon highlighter pencils at Jerry’s Artarama in Austin, Texas. I’ve been wanting to try these for quite some time and the price was perfect: about five bucks for a set of six. JetPens sells them, too, for roughly the same price.
I bought the traditional 6 highlighter colors : Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red, Blue, Green. These pencils came in stylish blackwood!
I uses these for underlining in my Bible. I also use a small clear ruler I picked up at Mardel. One side is smooth and the other is bumpy. I use the bumpy side for underlining God’s promises, or every time God says “I will” in the book of Psalms, etc.
My husband has the good camera today, so it’s a bit blurry. You can sort of make out the orange color. In real life the color is fairly vibrant. Depending on the paper, these pencils can get pretty intense. This Bible has classic onion skin paper, so it didn’t come out very saturated. Overall, highlighter pencils are a good alternative to classical highlighting. Enjoy!
I’m studying prayer and dissecting it. This book, written by Benjamin Burks and Dr. George Crabb, is fantastic for simple understanding of what it is and what it means to pray. I bought this on Sunday when Mr Burks preached at our church for the Reformers Unanimous opening.
My prayer box. I don’t pray in my head extemporaneously. My mind wanders too much for that. So, I write my prayers on index cards and file them by subject. Each morning (and I’m trying for evenings) I go through my box and pray my prayers and add on accordingly.
LOTS of water. Always. I’m trying to be healthier. I try to drink four to five of these every day.
I read my bible. It’s a KJV lay flat bible. This is the one that I have been using since I was saved. It’s taken a beating, but it’s got a lot of sentimental value. I usually read this one in the mornings and my Rock of Ages at night. I read a chapter in Proverbs every day and I am making a bigger effort to read other books, too.
And after reading Proverbs, I record it in my Daily Journal for Reformers Unanimous and also fill out prayer, needs, protections, and praises. I really, really enjoy this journal.
I also do my personal discipleship meditations. I am working with a new believer in Christ, so I, too, have to complete the course along side of her. I HIGHLY recommend “Continue” by Paul Chappell. For new believers and seasoned Christians alike!
Any my companion: Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. I use this daily during my bible studies to dissect and define words to help me gain a better understanding. Even words that I think I know have a completely different context in scripture.
This weekend was the Reformers Unanimous kickoff weekend at our church. We had Bro Benjamin Burks (National RU Director) come in and spend the weekend with us. He trained our church members, and more importantly (to me, anyways, I had already been to Rockford for training…) he preached on Sunday. I woke up Monday feeling physically exhausted from a long weekend, but I felt spiritually renewed! So many truths were revealed on Sunday that I’m going to have a lot of studying to do from here to Christmas! He set up a book table (I can’t tell you how thankful I am that he did that. Everyone that attended Sunday services left with something!) and I picked up a few books that I have been wanting to read. The numero uno is “Weight on the Lord”. It’s designed to help the participant overcome the stronghold of FOOD! I just started this journey and I can’t wait to see what the Lord reveals to me!
It’s not gimmicky, it’s not a “when all other weightloss programs have failed” program. It’s bible study, meditation, understanding the sinful nature of our hearts, and bringing that to the Lord to gain victory over emotional eating, gluttony, and over indulgence. I can’t wait!! I’m doing a challenge or two per week.
It’s set up into two phases. Phase one.
And phase two. Each phase has 16 challenges. I am going to do roughly 2 challenges per week. Maybe on some weeks (the challenges get harder as the program progresses) I’ll only do one challenge. I’m shooting for 12 weeks total. I’m going to guess that the challenges that require exercise are going to be my once per week challenges, lol.
Since the daily journal and the WotL curriculum is bound in the same book, I used some tabs to divide my journal. It was hard to find the text. For some reason it gets lost in between the other sections. Now I have easy navigation.
I can’t wait to keep you updated on my progress. I don’t have a goal weight or a goal amount of weight I want to lose. I mostly want to develop healthier habits.
I’ve been in the process of learning Spanish for the last few weeks. I bought a Spanish workbook and it came with a CDROM for audio and extra practice. It’s tourist Spanish, but I’m mostly using it for sentence structure.
Why learn Spanish, you ask? Well, I really want to be able to reach out to a HUGE demographic where we live with our ministry. We currently live in the gulf coast region of South Texas, about an hour and a half from the Mexican border. My husband and his family are fluent Spanish speakers, and I can speak a whole lotta German. Spanish? Not so much. I think that by learning Spanish and bible Spanish we can reach people for Christ more than ever!! Reformers Unanimous has Spanish materials, so it’s just me not knowing how to speak or understand it that is keeping us from becoming a bilingual ministry.
I am using a Reina Valera Santa Biblia revision de 1909. It’s the KJV equivalent.
I am currently memorizing Isaiah 55:7 for one of the Reformers Unanimous challenges. I have the English verse down, but am still working on the Spanish translation. My goal is to memorize all the RU verses in both English and Spanish!!
I am in LOVE with the Reformers Unanimous Daily Journal. It’s the perfect book to allow me to reflect, take note, and document my time with God. It’s user friendly, the paper is decent enough for my wet ink instruments, and it’s small enough to throw in my purse. It really is a blessing to use in concordance to attending the Friday night RU meetings.
Today I read Proverbs 14… and of course, I jotted down something that I took away from it. I love reading a chapter in Proverbs every day. It’s like waking up every morning to an “ah-hah!” moment! They just make sense!
RU tracts– labeled and ready to go!
My trusty KJV Rainbow Bible. Perfect for morning devotions!
I wanted to share with y’all a bible I’m using for some of my studies. It’s the Holman Rainbow Study Bible and it’s already color coded and highlighted! It’s been a huge blessing in my studies.
Every single verse is color coded. It came with a handy bookmark with each color defined. It has each main category and its subcategories.
Even though I am a huge proponent of highlighting one’s bible themselves, using this color coded bible really has shed some light on subjects I don’t think I would have understood otherwise. Also, some of the pre highlighted topics are under categories that I wouldn’t have put there myself. It’s an interesting option in bible study. | 2019-04-18T23:20:08Z | https://theacculturatedhousewife.wordpress.com/tag/bible-study-2/ |
Yet another article—this one from Inside Higher Ed—is purportedly documenting the idea that MOOCs (massive open online courses) are dead—again. Which is news to those of us who are current relishing and being transformed in dynamically positive ways by George Couros’s #IMMOOC (the Innovator’s Mindset massive open online course). #IMMOOC and others are far from being the educational equivalent of the zombies inhabiting the mythical Land of the Living Dead Learning Opportunity; in the best of situations, they are dynamic learner-centric, inspiration-laden learning spaces where communities of learning can and do develop.
My experiences with #etmooc (the Educational Technology & Media MOOC) a few years ago provided numerous surprises that I’ve documented extensively on this blog and elsewhere: it showed me that online learning is every bit as productive and rewarding as the best of my onsite learning experiences have been. It helped me realize that creating seamless blended (onsite and online) learning spaces was far from a dreamy never-in-our-lifetimes possibility. It has helped me foster an appreciation for an extended use of blended learning among colleagues and other learners. And it has transformed the way I approach my own training-teaching-learning-doing endeavors.
One of the most unexpected and rewarding aspects was the realization that the communities of learning that develop in a course (onsite or online) could, as soon as they become learner-driven by those who see themselves as “co-conspirators” in the learning process rather than sponges striving for little more than a grade or a certificate of completion, take on a life that can and will continue far beyond the timeframe of any individual course or other learning opportunity. The #etmooc community continued actively online for more than three years; it was only when numerous key members of the community changed jobs or retired that the impetus community members had for continuing to meet vanished and the community became dormant.
Yet another unexpected and rewarding aspect came with the realization that the community of learning fostered by a well-designed and well-facilitated is not a closed community. Many of us in #etmooc found that our course-based explorations put us in touch with others who were not in the course—but who became interested in the #etmooc community—because of the two-way (and sometimes multi-way) face-to-face and online conversations that started in #etmooc, continued via social media tools and other resources, and further added to the development of the #etmooc community by drawing those non-#etmooc players into the land of #etmooc. For me, it was a wonderfully expansive example of what Frans Johansson so clearly described as “The Intersection” in The Medici Effect—the type of third place (e.g., a pub) where strangers briefly come together, exchange ideas (involving plenty of listening as well as talking), then disperse and help disseminate those ideas among others whose paths they cross long after the original pub discussions (or MOOC community of learning discussions) took place.
I saw this in action again last week in terms of the #IMMOOC community expanding beyond its tremendously permeable walls when I helped initiate a one-hour conversation about one particular aspect of The Innovator’s Mindset with colleagues who meet online to record sessions of Maurice Coleman’s podcast T is for Training. The conversation began with little more than participants having a link to an online resource—“8 Characteristics of the Innovator’s Mindset (Updated)”—that George Couros wrote and eventually incorporated into his book. We summarized the resource during the first few minutes of that episode of T is for Training, then used it as a springboard for a discussion exploring how it could be incorporated into the library training-learning programs that we help shape and facilitate.
The result was that, by the end of the hour, we were energized and ready to transforms the words from The Innovator’s Mindset into concrete actions designed to support innovative approaches to learning within the organizations we serve. We had also created a new learning object—the archived recording of the discussion—that contributes to the resources available to those exploring the topic—including those of us participating as co-conspirators in #IMMOOC. And we had created a new, ready-to-expand Intersection whereby the T is for Training community and the #IMMOOC community might meet and grow together. And the next possibility—that others who have not participated in T is for Training or #IMMOOC might now begin interacting with the fostering the positive actions both communities support—is a possibility ready to spring to life. Which is not, all things considered, a bad result coming from a form of learning that has just, once again, been declared dead and active only as one of an ever-increasing league of Zombies of Learning.
N.B. — This is the sixth in a series of posts inspired by Season 3 of #IMMOOC.
The last person who tried to convince me I should learn about something that, to me, held no value probably pushed me well down the road of transition from lecturing and advocating to facilitating, listening, and co-learning—something I remembered while attempting to answer the questions “What is one thing you used to do in education that you no longer do or believe in? Why the change?” as part of my participation in the third season of George Couros’s #IMMOOC (the Innovator’s Mindset massive open online course) last week.
She was a wonderful colleague, deeply immersed in and a strong proponent of using Twitter. And she seemed to believe, in her social media heart of hearts, that anyone not using Twitter was somehow leading a sadly diminished existence somewhat akin to living in the gray, war-devastated zone of a dystopian novel. So, while we sat side by side during two days of meetings, she attempted to convince me that I, too, should be using Twitter. She tried all sorts of things: telling me how great it was. (I wasn’t convinced.) Telling me what it could do for me. (Other social media tools were already doing those things for me.) Talking about who else was using it and how I could be in touch with them via Twitter. (I was already in touch with them in many other ways—including sitting with them in that room during the dynamic conversations we were having during that two-day period.) And finally—after nearly a day and a half of friendly cajoling and strong advocacy on behalf of Twitter, she asked a question that resonated: if I wanted a relatively quick answer to a question or situation that was stumping me, would I want quick and easy access to thousands of people who might be able to provide that answer? When she pointed out that Twitter could provide that level of access, she—and Twitter—had me.
What she also had was a learner who could see how the (minimal amount of) effort required to learn about and use Twitter might provide magnificent, appealing, productive results. So I was won over to Twitter. But not—as I realized at the time and now again as I recall that moment—by her zealous advocacy. It was the act of finally identifying an unfilled need and offering a proposed way to fill that need that finally led me to my long-standing engagement with colleagues through Twitter as one medium for that engagement.
I walked away from that experience with at least two valuable transformations: a willingness to adopt and embrace Twitter as one of many tools I use every day to work and play (including the weekly tweet chats that are an integral part of participating in #IMMOOC), and a visceral understanding of and appreciation for the power a trainer-teacher-learner-doer wields in fostering positive transformations through collaboration more than through wordy explanations and coercion.
It’s a lesson that actually embedded itself into the “Rethinking Social Media” course I have taught many times and will again be teaching in November 2017 for ALA Editions. I start, in the pre-course publicity and in the Week 1 course introduction, with an assurance that I won’t be requiring learners to become short- or long-term users of any of the social media tools we will be exploring. I also assure them that our online learning space is a guilt-free zone: they can spend as little or as much time as they care to spend with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or any of the other tools we will be studying as potential tools to further connect them with colleagues, library users, and anyone else they want to attempt to reach through those tools—as long as they reach the learning goals they (and their employers) have established for themselves. I also strive to keep the “lecture” part of the course as short and engaging as I possibly can, with frequent interruptions designed to stimulate responses and learner-centric activities.
Learners in my courses are, as much as they want to be, co-conspirators in the learning process. We learn from each other. We have as much fun as we can as they alter assignments to meet their own specific learning needs in ways that they can quickly apply within their own work (and other day-to-day) environments. And, in the best of situations, we stay in touch for weeks, months, or even years after a course formally ends. Because we understand that learning doesn’t have to be an endeavor with definitive starting and ending points.
We learn by exploring. Doing. Failing. And failing again and again. Until we finally reach the goals we have helped establish and that are meaningful to us, to our employers, and to those we ultimately serve. So I no longer deliver long lectures; my face-to-face and online presentations are designed to be as short as they can be; highly interactive; and responsive, in the moment, to the responses my co-conspirators offer. I try to keep my advocacy to a minimum. And we all seem to be a bit better off—and happier—as a result.
N.B. — This is the fifth in a series of posts inspired by Season 3 of #IMMOOC.
The new-to-me practice of reading intensively beyond the page as part of my participation in the third season of George Couros’s #IMMOOC (the Innovator’s Mindset massive open online course) struck gold again this morning.
Slowly making the transition from Week 2 to Week 3 of the six-week virtual voyage in this highly-interactive, rhizomatically-expanding course, I was rereading the section of The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity detailing the eight characteristics of the Innovator’s Mindset and decided to spend a little more time with the fourth item, which centers around the idea that “Networks are crucial to innovation” (p. 52). Because I was following my newly-established habit of reading a print copy of a book while sitting in front of a laptop computer or with a mobile device handy so I would have immediate access to online resources, I made the leap from printed page to an online resource to learn more about a writer Couros mentioned in that section of his book. The result was that instead of having only a passing familiarity with Tom Kaneshige through Couros’s one-line reference to his work, I ended up reading the entire (short) piece Couros mentioned. Picked up a new, wonderfully evocative phrase (“Liquid Networks”) that connects with other familiar but differently-named ideas (including Ray Oldenburg’s concept of the third place as a place where ideas are exchanged, are nurtured, and thrive). And walked away with a much richer, deeper appreciation of Kaneshige’s work than I would have had if I had stayed within the confines of the print edition rather than making the piece by Kaneshige an integral part of the book I am re-reading.
I almost made it through the next paragraph without again weaving print with online content, but wanted to know more about Couros’s next reference—to Steven Anderson’s remark that “Alone we are smart, together we are brilliant.” With little more than Anderson’s name and the knowledge (from Couros’s writing) that Anderson is a “well-known educational speaker and writer,” I had little difficulty tracking him down with the keyword search “Steven Anderson educator.” And was completely surprised to find the full quote at the top of Anderson’s Twitter account. Which struck me as being a bit odd since the tweet was posted in September 2013 and it is October 2017 as I write these words.
“Could he,” I wondered, “be one of those people who rarely uses Twitter, so hasn’t been active since that four-year-old post was written?
“Did someone just finish retweeting it so it again appears at the top of his feed?
It only took a few seconds to see that there were more recent—much more recent—tweets there, including four posted within the last 24 hours…one of which was a link to a magnificent resource (a chart displaying “12 Principles of Modern Learning” and including short descriptions of the “principle,” along with a “reality” and an “opportunity” for each principle).
My head is spinning. I have, in less than 10 minutes, gone from being completely unfamiliar with Anderson’s work to seeing that he has a tremendously valuable (free) online resource (his Twitter feed) for any trainer-teacher-learner-doer. Exploring that resource in the most cursory of ways, yet walking away with another resource (the 12 Principles chart). And taking the natural step of following that Twitter feed so I will have Anderson’s wisdom and resources as additional elements of my own ever-expanding blended (onsite-online) learning environment.
There’s one final step to take before I return to re-reading that chapter of Couros’s book. I’m doing this for #IMMOOC as much as I’m doing it for myself, and a central element of participating in a connectivist MOOC like #IMMOOC is to connect with my course co-conspirators, so I use tinyurl.com to create a link to the tweet with the “12 Principles,” transfer it into a tweet I am composing, then add the #IMMOOC hashtag to the tweet and send the whole thing out into the Twitterverse so my MOOCmates, friends, and colleagues will have access to it. Learn from it. And retweet it so this latest personal learning moment grows rhizomatically and helps change our view of our world—one tweet at a time. Then return to The Innovator’s Mindset to finish my morning reading.
N.B. — This is the fourth in a series of posts inspired by Season 3 of #IMMOOC.
The experience of immersing myself in the third season of George Couros’s #IMMOOC (the Innovator’s Mindset massive open online course) continues to take me down intriguing, dynamic, transformative paths well worth exploring. This exploration of innovations in training-teaching-learning with co-conspirators from all over the world (connected via live, interactive YouTube presentations; a drinking-from-a-firehose rapid-fire Twitter feed and weekly tweet chats with a learner’s guide; interactions on a course Facebook page; cross-pollinating blog posts such as this one, where conversations continue; and probably myriad other learning threads I haven’t yet discovered) is high-energy, high-level learning at its best. And the very act of participating stimulates the types of innovation the course itself inspires us to explore.
Continuing to “read beyond the pages” of the printed copy I have of The Innovator’s Mindset, for example, I once again viscerally feel the difference, this afternoon, between the act of simply reading a line of text and the act of enriching our understanding of that line of text by going back to the source that inspired the thought behind that line. Reading Couros’s one-line summary of Simon Sinek’s talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” from TEDx Puget Sound in 2009 (in Chapter 1 of the book), I was left with the following perfectly serviceable idea: “…he [Sinek] explained that all great organizations start with their ‘why’ and then move toward the what and the how.” I had a vague idea of what that implied. I was perfectly ready to keep reading to see where Couros was going to take us. Then I remember how much I enjoyed taking advantage of the access online resources provide to deeper levels of reading/thinking/learning last week, during Week 1 of this six-week course. So I stop watching the clock and worrying about whether I have enough time to take another deep dive. Take the 18 minutes required to actually watch that TEDx talk. Re-view parts of it. Take notes on my laptop. Then transfer those notes into a rough draft of this piece-in-progress.
By the time I am finished, I have an ocean-deep appreciation for what Couros is trying to convey and, more importantly, what Sinek, in his TEDx talk, calls “The Golden Circle”: circles within circles (sort of like the circles within circles of learning in which I’m currently engaged). Sinek’s Golden Circle is comprised of a small, middle one having the word “why”; a middle circle containing the word “how”; and a larger outer circle holding the word “what.” He explains that by starting with the word “why” when we address someone with whom we are trying to make a connection, we are engaging deeply-embedded brained-based feelings and motivations that hook our intended audience. Make those audience members part of our dream. And invite them to actively be part of making that dream real.
By reading that line from Couros and then watching the video and then looking for related resources (including an online reproduction of The Golden Circle), I have gone from seeing an almost throw-away line of text morph—through this blended on-page/online approach to reading—into something that is becoming a memorable extended two-hour moment of transformative learning—simply because I give it the time and effort it so obviously deserves. And by the time I reach Sinek’s concluding lines in that TEDx presentation—“…those who lead, inspire us. Whether they are individuals or organizations, we follow those who lead not because we have to, but because we want to…”—I realize that simply having read that line without having heard the preceding 17 minutes of set up (as you are doing at this moment) would have meant the words had far less impact and stickiness than they had as a result of my mini-deep-dive into what Couros described in a subsection (“Have Schools Forgotten Their Why?”) in his chapter “What Innovation Is and Isn’t”—part of our reading for #IMMOOC this week.
As I finish reading the first chapter of The Innovator’s Mindset, I circle back to one of the opening sections and reread the words “We need to prepare kids for jobs that don’t exist”—a theme I’ve been exploring for many years, most recently with my colleague Jonathon Nalder at Future-U. I think about how this course is preparing me for actions I hadn’t even thought would exist for me as a result of becoming part of the #IMMOOC community. And I hope that if you have the time and inclination to do so, you, too, will create training-teaching-learning-doing opportunities you might not yet know exist—by reading the book and joining whatever part of the #IMMOOC community you can find as you read these words.
N.B. — This is the third in a series of posts inspired by Season 3 of #IMMOOC.
I’ve come to love the tweetchat format in training-teaching-learning-doing for all it inspires and provides. When sessions are well-facilitated (as the #IMMOOC session was), the online 140-character-per-tweet conversations (currently morphing into 280-character bursts) are extremely stimulating and well worth revisiting through online transcripts when their organizers archive them, as our #lrnchat colleagues do. Or when someone takes the time to create a transcript using Storify, as I occasionally do.
Seeing the original online snow-flurry-of-tweets-at-the-speed-of-light translated into the much-more digestible transcript format creates room for review. Reflection. And extended moments of inspired thinking. Sharing. And additional collaboration. The transcript provides a vessel to more effectively navigate the numerous rapids in the fast-flowing river of interconnected thoughts springing from a community engaged in what it does best: learning collaboratively. One notable result is immersion in a learning object (the transcript) created by the learners themselves/ourselves through the learning act of participating in the tweetchat. It makes the learning process expansive and grounded in a well-organized learner-driven process: we prepare for the tweetchat by reading something or watching a video; then we learn through the live tweetchat exchanges; then we create the learning object that immediately becomes part of the body of work available to us and to subsequent learners. And, in the best of all worlds, the live conversation continues asynchronously through additional tweets, through blog posts like this one, through our extended conversations on Facebook, and in numerous other ways limited only by the imaginations and willingness of the ever-expanding circle of participants or community of learners over a period of hours, days, weeks, months, or even years to continue learning together. It’s a concept meticulously described by Pekka Ihanainen and John Moravec in their paper about “Pointillist time”—what they refer to as “a new model for understanding time in pedagogical contexts”—and one I’ve been exploring in a wonderfully Pointillist time frame ever since I came across it while participating in another connectivist MOOC (#etmooc) four years ago.
There’s no denying this can be a messy process—one that requires a great deal of patience with ambiguity and a willingness to react innovatively to whatever comes our way. Even though there is a clearly-identified starting point (the tweetchat), the conversation soon extends rhizomatically through numerous very-loosely-connected platforms (as I mentioned earlier). This is clearly learning at an extremely high level, for highly-motivated learners who find pleasure in the struggle to innovatively respond to a constant stream of new challenges that have the potential to produce transformative results.
It becomes easier and more pleasurable, as I was reminded last night, with consistent practice—the same sort of practice an athlete or ballerina dancer engages in to develop muscles. (I felt, at the beginning of the session, as if my tweetchat muscles had become a bit flabby for lack of recent use.) And it helps to have learning facilitators who support us by offering guidance before, during, and after the formal learning event occurs. Most importantly, this level of learning and engagement in contemporary learning opportunities helps us become comfortable with the idea that the intentionally overblown and completely unrealistic challenge I posed at the beginning of this article (skimming 3,000 tweets in one hour) is part of a larger learning process—the process of realizing that in our dynamic, messy, rhizomatic onsite-online (blended) learning environments, success comes with accepting the fact that we don’t need to eat everything put before us on our learning plates. We have to willingly accept those portions we know we can digest within any given (Pointillist) moment, and ask for a virtual doggy bag to take the rest home with us for later consumption.
N.B. — This is the second in a series of posts inspired by Season 3 of #IMMOOC.
Reading as I prepare to dive into #IMMOOC (the Innovator’s Mindset massive open online course) Season 3, I’m once again coming face to face with how much continues to change in the way we train, teach, learn…and read. At the heart of this Connectivist MOOC is George Couros’s book The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity, so the learning process begins with reading the Foreward and Introduction to the book. And therein lies a lesson very much worth experiencing and learning.
Reading those first few pages of the print edition of the book brings us in contact not only with Couros’s lovely writing voice, but also, not surprisingly, with a variety of additional resources through references to videos and a few other books. Nothing revolutionary there…until we decide to take advantage of absorbing the book’s contents by pursuing all available contents, including those videos. So, instead of doing what I’ve done in the past—reading the text and promising myself that I would go back to the “extended content” that includes those videos and other books, I’ve taken a more leisurely approach this time around. When Couros mentions Dan Brown’s “An Open Letter to Educators” video (accessible on YouTube from my laptop or mobile device), I take the 6.5 minutes required to watch the video, then return to the book with a far deeper, visceral, engaging understanding of the point Couros is making about the need for us to change our approach to teaching at the moment I’m reading these words. And when he includes a quote from 17-year-old TEDx presenter Kate Simonds’ “I’m Seventeen” talk, I bring her right into my learning space (and hear her plea for more collaboration among learners and learning facilitators) by watching the 13.5-minute video of that session before returning to the printed pages of the book that now, for me, includes that encounter with Simonds. And when Couros writes about how the O2 commercial “‘Be More Dog’ illustrates how a decision can lead to extreme and positive changes,” I follow the link and enjoy a good, thought-provoking moment courtesy of the access I have to that commercial via YouTube so it, too, is part of my reading experience today.
Couros writes, on p. 7, that the book “is all about how we can make the most of learning to create meaningful change and provide better opportunities in our schools.” From where I sit, I believe it also shows how our onsite-online “blended learning” landscape offers us training-teaching-learning-doing opportunities we have not had until recently. It also offers us the opportunity I’m documenting here to step back from our own learning, while engaged in the learning process, to see how something as simple as the act of reading continues to evolve and affect us in ways we are not adequately noting.
It’s a theme that also came up recently among those of us participating in the latest episode of Maurice Coleman’s wonderful biweekly library training-teaching-learning podcast T is for Training. We were engaged in a conversation about a resource (“Liberating Structures”) we had been exploring, and I temporarily stopped the conversation by noting how “blended” our session had become. The four of us on T is for Training were physically sitting in our offices on opposite coasts of the United States, learning from each other through that dynamic virtual learning space created by Maurice’s fabulous online-facilitation skills that fostered an online discussion that immediately became an archived learning object (created, in true Connectivist fashion, by the learners themselves) for anyone else who wanted to access it online as soon as it was posted. And our discussion—in a way that parallels what I’m experiencing as I read a blended printed-online version of The Innovator’s Mindset—seamlessly moved back and forth between the online resources we were reading-exploring-citing while carrying on that online discussion. This is the act of reading as part of an ever-expanding conversation that connects live and asynchronous participants in ways that bring new learning opportunities to us in an approach limited only by our imaginations, our online-search skills, and our access to the technology that puts those resources and participants into our reading-learning spaces.
My exploration of this expanded version of reading a book in preparation for the live IMMOOC session online today comes full circle as I come across citations from a few other books. There is one I have already read in print format, so Couros’s quote from the book rekindles the pleasure of recalling and re-using material already read and absorbed; it becomes woven into my current reading-learning experience and, in the process, gains new life. And as I come across a couple of other references, I quickly find excerpts online from those books so I can skim them and make them part of this immediate reading experience, if time allows, before the live session begins.
Couros, in referring to the “Be More Dog” video, tells us that “[t]he line from the video that resonates most with me is, ‘Look at the world today; it’s amazing.’” And as I prepare for the first live, online interactions I will have with my #IMMOOC colleagues later today, I’m struck—as I always am by first-rate learning experiences—by how amazing the changes in reading and learning continue to be…particularly with the added perspective of an innovator’s mindset.
N.B. — This is the first in a series of posts inspired by Season 3 of #IMMOOC.
And in the course of our conversation in a neighborhood coffee shop here in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset District, we realized how much our work has in common even though it starts from very different directions. In magic, as in learning, some of the most exciting moments are grounded in the unexpected and the engaging. In magic, as in learning, we arrive with expectations that, when set aside, produce something memorable. And in magic, as in learning, each revelation leaves us viewing the world a bit differently than we did before the transformative moment occurred.
It’s possible, DePass suggested, to overthink magic—just as it’s possible to overthink learning.
And that’s when my own DePassian moment of revelation magically occurred. While we are (understandably) asked to document results in learning to justify learning in business terms and I don’t at all disagree with the idea that learning can and often should produce something quantifiable, I believe we miss what DePass and his colleague would refer to the “art” of learning. Recognizing that learning can sometimes just be about learning actually paves the way to produce more concretely justifiable results.
Many of us involved in training-teaching-learning know the pathetically meager results our efforts produce. Resources including The Six Disciplines of Breakthrough Learning: How to Turn Training and Development into Business Results (second edition written by Calhoun Wick, Roy Pollock, and Andy Jefferson) document the obvious problems and offer an engaging roadmap to creating learning opportunities that produce positive results. But in our rush to produce those “metrics” that are meant to justify the time and expenditure invested in supporting workplace learning and performance, we forget the foundations for some of the most enduring and memorable school-based learning experiences we’ve had throughout our lives. Our best and most effective learning facilitators were those who reached us where we needed to be reached, inspired us with curiosity and appreciation for the value of learning, and helped shape us into the successful and avid learners we became in the course of becoming valuable in our workplaces and beyond.
When we learn how to learn and, more importantly, develop a deeply-rooted appreciation for the learning process itself, we are nurturing a skill that helps us become successful in the lifelong learning efforts that keep us competitive and sought-after in the challenging world we inhabit.
It’s hardly a new idea that magic and learning are inextricably interwoven. Illusionist Kevin Spencer’s wonderful paper “Hocus Focus: Evaluating the Academic and Functional Benefits of Integrating Magic Tricks in the Classroom” offers a fascinating exploration of the topic. A #lrnchat conversation form February 21, 2013 (transcript retrievable by using “magic in learning” as the search term in the site search window) produced an engaging hour-long online exploration of the topic. And Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde, in their book Sleights of Mind, review the cognitive neuroscience—the neuromagic—of how our brains process the magic tricks we see.
Pulling all of this back to DePass and his burning wallet brings us back to one more of those unexpected moments where magic and learning overlap. He and I were meeting, at a the suggestion of a shared colleague, so he could learn more about the possibilities open to him if/when he and his wife decide to move from Denver, where they currently live, to San Francisco. Still relishing the sight of that burning wallet, I decided to extend the moment by telling one of the waiters—who had not seen the now-extinguished flames—that we wanted another glass of water as soon as he could bring one to us; before he could turn away, DePass demonstrated the immediate need by reopening and reigniting his wallet. As soon as the waiter stopped laughing, he asked DePass whether he was free this coming Saturday afternoon and explained that he wanted to explore the possibility of bringing a bit of close-up illusionism to his seven-year-old son’s birthday party that afternoon. And as if by magic, we all learned that DePass’s possibilities here in San Francisco were far better than even he might have imagined. | 2019-04-24T12:09:34Z | https://buildingcreativebridges.wordpress.com/tag/teaching/ |
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windows domestic Server might stammer “home” within the product identify, however its low protection cost makes it an model option for tiny businesses. an easy, minute WHS can give comprehensive lower back up, faraway access, and centralized storage for a workgroup. despite the fact, businesses don’t necessity the entire fancy-pants media classes that Come on HPs MediaSmart line. Enter the HP StorageWorks X510Data Vault.
sadly the fees appear to exist a minute bit off. These servers are housed in the identical case exhaust the equal home windows home Server utility and appear to appreciate the equal hardware because the new MediaSmart line, but cost greater for less storage. as an example, at the flash the MSRP of the brand new MediaSmart EX495 is $699 and springs with 1.5TB of storage along with a bunch of software that consolidates media and may share it on the cyber web. however the HP StorageWorks X500 information Vault comes with 1TB of storage for the identical $699 rate and the entire further utility isn’t listed on the product web page.
advertising and marketing home windows domestic Server to companies makes loads of sense, but overcharging them is only incorrect. possibly HP expects the models to exist discounted sometime soon and a stronger MSRP makes earnings materialize even more suitable.
HP (NYSE:HPQ) nowadays brought options to aid tiny and midsize corporations (SMBs) better records security, maximize productiveness and prick company chance while enormously reducing expenses and energy use.
the brand new choices extend the HP total custody portfolio, which helps SMBs control, give protection to and develop their companies.
for max uptime, the HP StorageWorks X3000 community Storage methods towering Availability Bundles combine hardware and software into a Good shared storage solution for file and utility information. in keeping with the HP StorageWorks X3000 network Storage Gateways and HP StorageWorks MSA2000 G2 storage arrays, the bundles boost efficiency by immediately disposing of duplicate data, conserving in opposition t power failures and cutting back setup time by route of up to 50 %.(four) assisting to preserve charges in investigate, the solution does not require added license charges for networking protocols, file replication or photo capabilities.
stronger administrative productivity with the HP ProCurve 1810G swap series. This sequence gives cost effectual gigabit connectivity that can exist configured and maintained with out a immense or really Good personnel. It present valued clientele elastic deployment alternate options equivalent to a fan-less design for silent operation, mounting alternatives for effortless deployment in any space and community safety capabilities for insurance route against denial-of-service assaults. The eight-port mannequin additionally facets a power-over-Ethernet alternative for connectivity in locations devoid of quite simply accessible energy sources. The collection is besides supported by route of the ProCurve Lifetime assurance(5) to aid purchasers improved manage their overall networking charges by using providing value and altenative for his or her company functions.
The HP color LaserJet professional CP5220 printer series, which is available for purchase in Asia and Europe, offers terrific print nice and community efficiency, making it simple for tiny agencies to affordably market themselves. it's the first printer to proffer HP Auto-Off know-how, an trade-leading expertise that intelligently senses when there isn't any print recreation and immediately adjusts the power settings. This latest addition to the HP LaserJet household builds on 25 years of leadership in innovation, satisfactory, performance and dependability, and sets the gold tolerable in company printing.
To serve SMBs comfortably opt for the greatest HP LaserJet printing system for his or her business, HP announced new sub-branding. valued clientele can pick from a comprehensive line of HP LaserJet “expert” printers that give skilled and reasonably priced effects, whereas bigger companies can select from the HP LaserJet “business” portfolio.
To assist tiny companies greater unite with their consumers, HP released a new edition of its MarketSplash by HP net provider. HP printer and notebook purchasers in the united states can now download and edit a all bunch of professional-fine brochure, flyer and company card templates at no permeate and print them in-house. starting subsequent month, MarketSplash will proffer a print success option that allows consumers to opt for a local print carrier provider.
HP and Yahoo! appreciate teamed to aid tiny businesses in the united states easily and affordably create a cohesive manufacturer identity throughout distinctive on-line and offline advertising capabilities. during the HP creative Studio, the HP complete custody site and the Yahoo! tiny enterprise portal, consumers can receive particular presents including internet internet hosting expenditures for as low as $7.forty six a month(2) and access custom design capabilities from Logoworks through HP to create knowledgeable-searching web site.
To serve SMBs exploit fees and invent paying for effortless, HP presents bendy financing options to install subsequent-era HP know-how and features through HP fiscal capabilities, the business’s leasing and lifecycle asset administration capabilities subsidiary. From now through Oct. 31, 2009, SMBs can consume potential of the economic healing lease program, which presents a 36-month route with fastened cost buy alternate options.
From now except Dec. 31, 2009, SMBs can obtain up to $1,000 money again when buying a new HP LaserJet, Officejet pro or Scanjet and recycling an ancient printer throughout the HP trade-in and store software. in the closing six months, HP has generated virtually $16 million in earnings and sold greater than 17,000 units during the program.
licensed solutions for the channel that encompass companion working towards, product sourcing and technical assist for opt for impartial application vendor solutions from HP’s options enterprise accomplice program.
An undocumented administrative account with a default password turned into discovered within the HP StorageWorks P2000 G3 MSA network storage answer, placing everything such gadgets susceptible to unauthorized entry.
This mannequin continually comes with an account referred to as "manipulate" (password "!control") for consumers to personalize and use.
despite the fact, it became discovered that a default account known as "admin" with password "!admin" besides exists on the device and, according to the H security, it does not appear within the consumer manager and cannot exist deleted.
The "admin" consumer has permissions to regulate the device's settings or the working device and considering that most people don't know of its presence, it puts devices in danger.
HP tested the vicissitude and pointed out that this carrier administrator account "has imperative privileges that are used through inside strategies running on the array."
fortunately, it feels infatuation the password will besides exist modified. "If the 'admin' account raises a security concern, [it's] password may besides exist modified by using the Command Line Interface (CLI), through telnet or SSH, to trade the default password," the enterprise wrote in an advisory.
this is fairly straightforward and involves issuing the "set password" command after logging in as "admin" by the exhaust of the command line.
"The result of embedding hardcoded passwords, as established in this most recent HP storage apparatus illustration, is not simplest average, however extraordinarily harmful," Shlomi Dinoor, vice chairman of rising technologies at id management options issuer Cyber-Ark utility, told SecurityWeek.
"So too is the rehearse of trying to ship systems with 'hidden' admin clients, however during this age of openness, nothing is hidden, and carriers should understand that," he delivered.
One instance of how issues can Go incorrect when enforcing default hidden passwords is the infamous Stuxnet industrial espionage worm, which makes exhaust of a hardcoded access code to read counsel from the database of Siemens WinCC SCADA systems.
PALO ALTO, Calif., and REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 21, 2003 — HP (NYSE:HPQ) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) today broadened their worldwide relationship with a strategic initiative to extend the marketplace for HP StorageWorks and Microsoft® windows®Powered NAS (network connected storage) solutions.
The HP StorageWorks and home windows Powered NAS initiative is designed to boost HP and Microsoft’s presence in the world NAS marketplace, which, according to Gartner Dataquest1, is $1.eight billion. together, the organizations are offering items and options that allow server and storage consolidation, as well as reduce the entire permeate of ownership for storage.
one of the vital first components of the initiative could exist a North American highway panoply surge in March to demonstrate joint architecture and options. The street exhibit will achieve more than three,500 consumers and channel partners by the exhaust of live activities and simultaneous Webcasts.
The tour will consist of here cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, los angeles, Miami, immense apple, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington. comprehensive time table tips is available at http://www.winnetmag.com/roadshows/nas.
global consumer earnings for server consolidation is expected to grow from $5.2 billion in 2003 to $eight.5 billion by route of 2006, based on trade research solid IDC.three according to traffic estimates, the server consolidation opportunity is big, with about 1.2 million historic home windows NT®and competitor file and print servers and 400,000 exchange 5.5 and older messaging servers installed through HP customers worldwide.
HP StorageWorks and windows Powered NAS solutions are optimized, function-concentrated file and statistics servers in accordance with Microsoft home windows technology designed for prime reliability, availability and ease of administration. HP offers a complete latitude of NAS options based on windows Powered NAS and delivers them as a piece of a total storage and server consolidation strategy to businesses of any measurement.
In July 2000, HP grew to become the primary seller to co-develop and carry a Microsoft windows Powered NAS solution to market. in addition, HP changed into besides the primary traffic to recognize NAS and SAN applied sciences as complementary options choicest architected as a separate storage reply — NAS/SAN fusion. These options provide file and application server consolidation to traffic statistics facilities by bringing together NAS and SAN technologies in a scalable, manageable accustomed pool of storage that provides both file- and block-degree access.
Consolidating servers on HP StorageWorks and home windows Powered NAS products gives a lessen cost of possession with higher availability and scalability. shoppers appreciate the benefits of superior aspects such as snapshot and advanced storage management, complete integration with the lively directory service, combined with low per-gigabyte storage can charge, gauge community plug-and-play deployment, clustering and replication assist.
As piece of their initiative, HP and Microsoft will conduct joint sales and advertising actions, together with income practicing and technical seminars. The businesses will achieve traffic statistics center and far off office clients via direct income, and SMB/departmental shoppers predominantly via channel companions. practising, revenue tools and advertising and marketing substances developed for the HP StorageWorks and home windows Powered NAS initiative, including migration blueprints, case studies and collateral, will exist made attainable to HP and Microsoft channel partners, distributors and apparatus integrators.
extra suggestions on HP StorageWorks NAS and NAS/SAN fusion options is accessible at http://www.hp.com/go/windowspowerednas/.
founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq“MSFT”) is the international chief in software, capabilities and internet technologies for personal and enterprise computing. The company presents a immense ambit of items and services designed to empower individuals via outstanding software — any time, anywhere and on any equipment.
HP is a number one world issuer of items, technologies, solutions and capabilities to consumers and groups. The business’s choices span IT infrastructure, very own computing and access contraptions, world features and imaging and printing. HP accomplished its merger transaction involving Compaq desktop organisation on might besides 3, 2002. extra guidance about HP is accessible at http://www.hp.com/.
1 Gartner Dataquest,“community-connected Storage Market Forecast: 2001-2006,”June 2002.
2 IDC appliance Server Tracker for Q3 2002, released December 2002.
3 IDC, commercial enterprise Server Fundamentals: Server and Storage Consolidation Market Forecast and evaluation, 2001-2006, July 2002.
This advice release includes forward-looking statements that accommodate risks and uncertainties, in addition to assumptions that, if they on no account materialize or prove wrong, may judgement the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries to vary materially from these expressed or implied with the aid of such ahead-searching statements. everything statements apart from statements of historic veracity are statements that may exist deemed ahead-searching statements, together with any projections of salary, revenues, or different monetary items; any statements of the plans, recommendations, and pursuits of administration for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new functions or trends; any statements related to future fiscal conditions or efficiency; statements of perception and any observation of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions said above encompass worker administration considerations; the timely construction, production and acceptance of features and their office units; the challenge of managing asset tiers, together with inventory; the problem of conserving rate boom at modest stages whereas increasing revenues; and other hazards that are described on occasion in HP’s Securities and trade commission reviews, together with but not constrained to HP’s quarterly record on benign 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2002 and experiences filed subsequent to HP’s annual document on benign 10-k, as amended on January 30, 2002, for the fiscal 12 months ended October 31, 2001. HP assumes no duty to update these ahead-looking statements.
Microsoft, windows, lively directory and windows NT are both logos or registered emblems of Microsoft Corp within the u.s. and/or other nations. The names of actual organizations and products mentioned herein may exist the trademarks of their respective house owners.
note to editors: if you appreciate an interest in viewing additional information on Microsoft, gratify contend with the Microsoft net page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate guidance pages. internet hyperlinks, mobilephone numbers and titles appreciate been apropos at time of booklet, however might besides in view that appreciate modified. For further tips, journalists and analysts may additionally contact Microsoft’s rapid Response crew or different applicable contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp.
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Windows Home Server might stammer “home” in the product name, but its low maintenance cost makes it an model altenative for tiny businesses. A simple, minute WHS can provide comprehensive back up, remote access, and centralized storage for a workgroup. However, businesses don’t necessity everything the fancy-pants media programs that Come on HPs MediaSmart line. Enter the HP StorageWorks X510Data Vault.
Unfortunately the prices appear a bit off. These servers are housed in the identical case exhaust the identical Windows Home Server software and appear to appreciate the identical hardware as the new MediaSmart line, but cost more for less storage. For instance, birthright now the MSRP of the new MediaSmart EX495 is $699 and comes with 1.5TB of storage along with a bunch of software that consolidates media and can share it on the Internet. But the HP StorageWorks X500 Data Vault comes with 1TB of storage for the identical $699 charge and everything the extra software isn’t listed on the product page.
Marketing Windows Home Server to businesses makes a lot of sense, but overcharging them is just wrong. Maybe HP expects the models to exist discounted sometime soon and a higher MSRP makes sales gape even better.
HP (NYSE:HPQ) today introduced solutions to serve tiny and midsize businesses (SMBs) better data security, maximize productivity and minimize traffic risk while significantly reducing costs and energy use.
For maximum uptime, the HP StorageWorks X3000 Network Storage Systems towering Availability Bundles combine hardware and software into an efficient shared storage solution for file and application data. Based on the HP StorageWorks X3000 Network Storage Gateways and HP StorageWorks MSA2000 G2 storage arrays, the bundles extend efficiency by automatically eliminating duplicate files, protecting against drive failures and reducing setup time by up to 50 percent.(4) Helping to preserve costs in check, the solution does not require extra license fees for networking protocols, file replication or snapshot capabilities.
Improved administrative productivity with the HP ProCurve 1810G Switch Series. This train provides affordable gigabit connectivity that can exist configured and maintained without a big or specialized staff. It proffer customers elastic deployment options such as a fan-less design for silent operation, mounting options for simple deployment in any location and network security capabilities for protection against denial-of-service attacks. The eight-port model besides features a Power-over-Ethernet option for connectivity in locations without readily available power sources. The train besides is supported by the ProCurve Lifetime Warranty(5) to serve customers better manage their overall networking expenses by providing value and altenative for their traffic applications.
The HP Color LaserJet Professional CP5220 printer series, which is available for purchase in Asia and Europe, offers exceptional print quality and network performance, making it simple for tiny businesses to affordably market themselves. It is the first printer to proffer HP Auto-Off Technology, an industry-leading technology that intelligently senses when there is no print activity and automatically adjusts the power settings. This latest addition to the HP LaserJet family builds on 25 years of leadership in innovation, quality, performance and dependability, and sets the gold gauge in traffic printing.
To serve SMBs easily select the best HP LaserJet printing system for their business, HP announced new sub-branding. Customers can pick from a comprehensive line of HP LaserJet “Professional” printers that provide professional and cost-effective results, while larger organizations can select from the HP LaserJet “Enterprise” portfolio.
To serve tiny businesses better connect with their customers, HP released a new version of its MarketSplash by HP web service. HP printer and PC customers in the United States can now download and edit hundreds of professional-quality brochure, flyer and traffic card templates at no permeate and print them in-house. surge next month, MarketSplash will proffer a print fulfillment option that enables customers to select a local print service provider.
HP and Yahoo! appreciate teamed to serve tiny businesses in the United States easily and affordably create a cohesive brand identity across different online and offline marketing functions. Through the HP Creative Studio, the HP Total custody site and the Yahoo! tiny traffic portal, customers can receive special offers including web hosting prices for as low as $7.46 a month(2) and access custom design services from Logoworks by HP to create a professional-looking website.
To serve SMBs manage costs and invent purchasing easy, HP offers elastic financing solutions to deploy next-generation HP technology and services through HP fiscal Services, the company’s leasing and lifecycle asset management services subsidiary. From now through Oct. 31, 2009, SMBs can consume edge of the Economic Recovery Lease program, which offers a 36-month route with fixed charge purchase options.
From now until Dec. 31, 2009, SMBs can receive up to $1,000 cash back when purchasing a new HP LaserJet, Officejet Pro or Scanjet and recycling an customary printer through the HP Trade-in and save Program. Within the last six months, HP has generated nearly $16 million in revenue and sold more than 17,000 units through the program.
Certified solutions for the channel that include ally training, product sourcing and technical advocate for select independent software vendor solutions from HP’s Solutions traffic ally Program.
COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 5, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Emulex Corporation (NYSE:ELX), the world leader in Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs) and embedded storage switches, announced today that the Emulex Fibre Channel HBA Storport miniport driver has been qualified for connectivity within HP servers and HP StorageWorks systems deployed in storage locality network (SAN) environments running Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
Released with the Windows Server 2003 platform, Storport is a new driver model designed to match the towering performance capabilities of SANs and hardware-based disk arrays. Utilizing the Emulex Storport miniport driver, which was designed from the ground-up to deliver the complete ambit of Storport features for Windows-based HP servers and StorageWorks SAN solutions, improves the reliability, serviceability and manageability of heterogeneous SAN environments.
"HP continues to deploy solutions for the rapidly growing enterprise and mid-range storage market segments and exhaust of the new Emulex Storport driver further increases the functionality and manageability of HP's Windows-based server and storage solutions deployed in SAN environments," said Mike Smith, executive vice president of worldwide marketing of Emulex. "Emulex looks forward to continuing its toil with HP to raise the bar in terms of SAN features, performance and scalability."
"Emulex's robust Storport miniport driver design has not only successfully passed the rigorous testing required by HP for exhaust with its server and StorageWorks SAN solutions, but it offers new and enhanced functionality that their customers will greatly benefit from," said Kyle Fitze, director of marketing, Online Storage Division, HP. "We appreciate complete aplomb that SAN solutions utilizing the new Storport miniport driver coupled with Emulex HBAs and HP servers and storage systems will meet the needs of the most challenging heterogeneous storage environments."
The Emulex Storport miniport driver implementation enables customers to realize the advantages of complete duplex and towering volume I/O transfers, increased device logins, as well as sophisticated I/O queue management functions. The Microsoft Storport driver, coupled with the Emulex Storport miniport HBA driver, besides helps solution providers infatuation HP to deliver higher I/O throughput and greater storage resource manageability on the Windows Server 2003 platform. The Windows Server 2003 operating system, which utilizes the Microsoft Storport driver, is designed to consume edge of Emulex's 64-bit extensions driver technology integrated into the Emulex Storport miniport drivers.
"The combination of the Emulex Storport miniport HBA driver and Microsoft Storport driver ensures that customers will garner additional functionality and reliability in Windows-based storage environments," said Dr. Claude Lorenson, technical product manager, storage technologies at Microsoft Corp. "The Storport miniport driver model demonstrates how the Windows Server 2003 environment is model for both enterprise and midrange SAN environments."
This qualification encompasses advocate for Emulex 2Gb/s Fibre Channel HBAs, including the LightPulse LP1050, LP982, LP9002, LP9802 and dual channel LP9802DC. The Emulex HBA family offers high-performance, standards-based connectivity solutions across storage network environments. Emulex HBAs besides advocate the Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows NT operating systems, including the Storport driver released with the Windows Server 2003 platform. Emulex HBAs besides advocate Windows Server 2003 storage technologies including Virtual Disk service (VDS), Volume Shadow Copy service (VSS), and Multi-Path I/O (MPIO).
Emulex Corporation is the world leader in Fibre Channel HBAs and delivers a broad ambit of quick-witted structure blocks for next generation storage networking systems. Emulex ranked number 16 in the Deloitte 2004 Technology rapid 50.
The world's leading server and storage providers depend on Emulex HBAs, embedded storage switching and I/O controller products to build reliable, scalable and towering performance storage solutions. The Emulex award-winning product families, including its LightPulse(tm) HBAs and InSpeed(tm) embedded storage switching products, are based on internally developed ASIC, firmware and software technologies, and proffer customers towering performance, scalability, flexibility and reduced total cost of ownership. The company's products appreciate been selected by the world's leading server and storage providers, including Dell, EMC, Fujitsu Ltd., Fujitsu Siemens, Bull, HP, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM, NEC, Network Appliance, Quantum Corp., StorageTek, Sun Microsystems, Unisys and Xyratex. In addition, Emulex includes industry leaders Brocade, Computer Associates, Intel, McDATA, Microsoft and VERITAS among its strategic partners. Corporate headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, California. advice releases and other information about Emulex Corporation are available at http://www.emulex.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: With the exception of historical information, the statements set forth above include forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. The company wishes to caution readers that a number of essential factors could judgement actual results to vary materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Those factors include the rapidly changing nature of technology, evolving industry standards and frequent introductions of new products and enhancements by competitors; fluctuation in the growth of Fibre Channel and IP markets; changes in economic conditions or changes in end-user exact for technology solutions; fluctuations or delays in customer orders; the highly competitive nature of the markets for Emulex's products; Emulex's skill to gain market acceptance for its products; the company's skill to attract and retain skilled personnel; the company's reliance on third-party suppliers. These and other factors which could judgement actual results to vary materially from those in the forward-looking statements are besides discussed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recent filings on Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q.
WALTHAM, MA--(Marketwire - July 21, 2010) - Actifio, the emerging leader in Data Management Virtualization (DMV), today announced $8 million in train A financing. The funds will exist used to market Actifio's patent-pending technology which transforms individual data management application silos into a unified, virtualized, highly efficient solution for data protection, disaster recovery and traffic continuity.
This financing was led by North Bridge Venture Partners and Greylock Partners. With the funds, Actifio will expand its sales channel, and invest in marketing to drive market share for its next-generation data management solutions.
Server virtualization technologies from Citrix, Microsoft and VMware, along with solutions from Cisco, Dell, HP, IBM and others appreciate enabled the transformation of the computing infrastructure into an efficient, dynamic computing resource. However, the storage infrastructure continues to exist a major bottleneck in this transformation, with data lifecycle management shackled by point tools that are deployed in silos -- creating complexity, inflexibility and at a significant expense. Purpose-built to radically simplify and deliver unprecedented agility, Actifio's DMV technology reduces the actual cost of managing the application data lifecycle and virtualizes vendor-independent physical or cloud-based storage devices into a private, public or hybrid storage cloud infrastructure.
"Actifio addresses a significant ache point for enterprises that necessity comprehensive data protection in a separate solution," said Jamie Goldstein, common partner, North Bridge Venture Partners. "Actifio has everything the ingredients for success including a chafed´ market opportunity, technology superiority, and a stellar executive team that will allow Actifio to deliver on the plight of Data Management Virtualization."
"Traditional data protection tools appreciate become a major management hindrance in the migration to dynamic data centers to realize the value of virtualization," said Erez Ofer, partner, Greylock Partners. "Actifio has the birthright team and technology at the birthright time to execute on a tremendous market opportunity for comprehensive data management that eliminates application silos and tangled management headaches for the enterprise."
"The strategic investment by North Bridge Venture Partners and Greylock Partners is a tough validation for the company, their pioneering data management virtualization solution, and their skill to execute and capitalize on a multi-billion dollar market opportunity," said Ash Ashutosh, founder, president and CEO, Actifio. "Protecting traffic data should not appreciate to exist this hard, tangled and expensive. Actifio's DMV technology brings to data lifecycle management the identical paradigm shift that virtualization brought to the server environment with everything the resulting simplicity and efficiency."
About Actifio Actifio delivers a next-generation data management solution with radical simplicity, unprecedented agility and up to an order of magnitude lower cost. Based on Data Management Virtualization (DMV) technology, Actifio transforms individual silos of point tools into a unified solution using efficient pipelined management across the data lifecycle. The company's patent-pending DMV technology delivers unified data protection, disaster recovery and traffic continuity across the data lifecycle for virtual and physical IT environments. For more information, gratify visit: http://www.actifio.com. | 2019-04-21T18:28:46Z | http://tractaricurteadearges.ro/pass4sure-cert.php?exam=HP0-J47 |
The striking similarities among today’s new automobiles within each competitive class – like features, near identical passenger and cargo space, comparable styling, even near matching MSRPs – has created a hyper-competitive marketplace with little variation among product offerings, at least at face value.
There are indeed underlying product-differentiating factors that have traditionally been exempt from automotive value-based assessments. Consumer product knowledge regarding environmental, socioeconomic and life-cycle costs are extremely limited, yet these costs have a measurable impact not only on the consumer’s best financial interest, but also on the best interest of the environment in which we live and the global community of which we are all an equal part. The Automotive Science Group (ASG) is tasked with the responsibility to bring transparency to the marketplace through comparative cost analysis in these important performance areas.
Using a unique combination of vehicle data inputs that include conventional specifications as well as environmental, social and economic performance indicators, ASG is redefining value in the automotive marketplace. ASG’s 2018 Automotive Performance Index (API) breaks each vehicle down into the sum of all its parts, and measures the natural capital, the social and human capital, and the economic efficiencies embodied within each vehicle to derive its real market value relative to other product offerings in 2018. The data-driven findings, based on scientific principles and methods, serve to enhance product and technology comparison capabilities to better inform consumer choices.
ASG’s 2018 API assessed 1,664 Cars and SUVs (with trim variants). The API findings highlight and contrast the performance merits that differentiate conventional and alternatively powered cars and SUVs in this transitional year. Below you will find a discussion of the key observations that emerged when assessing and comparing all 2018 model offerings that are now available to consumers. ASG’s top selections by class are also reported in the eleven Car, Crossover and SUV class sections of the site, as well as in the five Awards sections that can be accessed from the top navigation bar. For our 2018 methodology, please visit the methodology section of the site, also accessible from the top navigation bar.
As the latest round of UN climate change negotiations concluded earlier this month in Bonn, Germany, in an effort to further develop the framework for implementing the landmark Paris Agreement, the U.S. government remained at odds with the rest of the world. It is this oddity that requires corporate leaders and individuals alike to step ahead of government impasse, and quite literally ‘lead the charge’ with smart transportation decisions.
With our transportation needs accounting for the largest share of total annual U.S. CO2 emissions – exceeding the U.S. power sector’s annual emissions for the second consecutive year [Source: Energy Information Administration] – our vehicle of choice in 2018 will have a lasting effect.
Key to ASG’s 2018 analysis, was assessing the comparative ecological economics of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and conventional powertrains. In this regard, ASG notes that the environmental benefits of electrification continue to improve as the U.S. grid gets cleaner year over year. The U.S. electric grid reduced total CO2 emissions in 2017, largely attributed to reduced reliance on coal for electricity generation, and a sharp increase in zero-emission renewable sources (Source: Energy Information Administration).
Significant electricity generating capacity was added to the U.S. power grid in 2016, the largest amount of added capacity since 2012. Of the 27 gigawatts of added capacity, utility-scale renewable energy accounted for 60% of all capacity additions, primarily wind (8.7 GW) and solar (7.7 GW). An additional 3.4 gigawatts of non utility-scale solar was added, making 2016 a banner year for improving the U.S. electric grid (EIA). In fact, 2016 marked the first year that coal-fired electricity capacity held a smaller share than any other single source, falling behind natural gas (EIA).
These trends continued into 2017 - when subtracting the 11.8GW of utility-scale fossil fuel infrastructure that was retired, the net new volume of U.S. electricity generation was 16.7GW of generating capacity, with 94.7% of that coming from renewables (EIA).
All of this means that PHEVs and EVs not only improve environmental performance and reduce GHG emissions today, with increasing benefits into the future, but this also means that with the continued increase in renewable energy production as a significant share of the national grid, comes new economies of scale that reduces the overall cost of clean power and directly lowers the cost to power EV and PHEV powertrains. Since 2009, the cost of photovoltaic modules has come down 70%, and according to Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, utility scale solar installations costs have dropped 50% in the past 6 years, translating to a highly competitive renewable electricity rate. In many regions across the U.S., wind and solar are now cheaper per kWh than electricity from traditional fossil fuels. The automotive electrification race is on.
With SUVs and pick-up trucks accounting for 63% of U.S. sales last year [Source: Autodata], ASG is committed to differentiating the best performing SUVs to ease this growing segment’s footprint on the world.
Fortunately, consumers have an abundance of choice, and in fact, in 2018, there are notable SUVs that deliver on all fronts. According to ASG’s 2018 Automotive Performance Index (API) Study, there are SUV standouts available to consumers today that are in fact ‘leading the charge’.
ASG’S annual Study, which assessed 823 (with trim variants) model year 2018 crossovers, SUVs and Minivans in North America, found 8 models with plug-in electric capabilities and a dizzying array of vehicle sizes and styles, from hatchbacks that have grown into mini-compact crossovers to coupe style SUVs to the capacious people movers of yesteryear.
When assessing all 376 model 2018 crossovers (with trim variants) head to head, the Kia Niro Plug-in topped ASG’s Environmental Performance Index (Crossover) with the smallest carbon footprint, besting the all-electric Tesla Model X by 21% over the first 6.5 years of its life. When projecting across the full vehicle life-cycle, the Model X nearly catches up to the Niro with only a 4% environmental deficit. Weight is clearly a disadvantage for the Model X, with its 1,821-pound excess when compared to the Niro PHEV.
ASG’s Economic Performance Index (Crossover) was topped by the all-new Hyundai Kona, with the lowest cost of ownership over the first 6.5 years of ownership, earning ASG’s Best Economic Performance honor, edging out the Niro and all others in ASG’s 2018 study. The Kona’s light weighting strategy gives it an impressive weight advantage, coming in at 801 pounds lighter than the average 2018 crossover. Less resources translates to reduced environmental footprint, increased operational efficiency and reduced life-cycle operating costs.
In aggregate, when assessing environmental, economic and social performance indicators across each vehicle’s life-cycle, the Kia Niro lead ASG’s comprehensive API as the Best All-Around Performance crossover, followed closely by the Niro Plug-in, Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V to round out ASG’s Best 5 All-Around Performance crossover selections.
The SUV segment was comprised of 372 models (with trim variants), with the Nissan Rogue leading the API as the Best All-Around Performance SUV, followed closely by the Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander PHEV, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and Hyundai Santa Fe Sport as ASG’s Best 5 All-Around Performance SUV selections.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, with PHEV capabilities and an EPA rated 84 MPGe, lead the minivan segment, earning all-around performance honors for the second consecutive year. The Pacifica Hybrid also earned a class leading environmental performance rating in ASG’s Study, with a carbon footprint that is 34% smaller than the average vehicle in its segment. When comparing the Pacifica Hybrid against all crossovers and SUVs in a head to head assessment, the Pacifica Hybrid closely followed the Tesla Model X in ASG’s Environmental Performance Index, and came in ahead of all crossovers and SUVs with conventional powertrains, including those that are half its size. This is a testament to the PHEV’s capabilities and 33-mile all-electric driving range, earning ASG’s Best Environmental Performance and Best All-Around Performance awards in class.
The Toyota Prius Prime topped ASG’s 2018 API (cars), earning ASG’s Best All-Around Performance title. In the 18th year since the Prius was introduced to the North American market – the Prius has finally come of age.
Compare Prius’ evolution with that of other top selling cars in North America and one sees a very different arc in CO2 emission reductions over the past two decades. One such example - the Ford Taurus had an EPA estimated 20 MPG combined in 2000, and a rating of 21 MPG combined in 2018. Mind you, that’s 1 MPG improvement in 18 years. ASG’s comparative life-cycle assessment shows the 2018 model with a 4% reduction in life-cycle carbon emissions at 556 grams CO2-e emissions per mile driven life-time. One can see that light-weighting was clearly not in the Taurus’ evolution, with a car that has added 525 pounds to its waistline, while also managing to lose passenger volume by 2 cubic feet.
There are many other examples - the 2018 Honda civic is up a mere 3 MPG combined since the 2000 model year; the 2018 Chevrolet Impala is up 4 MPG combined; the Nissan Sentra is up 6 MPG combined. A large segment of America’s top selling cars have in fact failed to innovate, simply repackaging the same technologies with only modest improvements over a significant time lapse. When looking at these meager fuel economy gains as evidence, one could nearly agree with the new Administration’s planned freeze on Obama era fuel economy targets.
But, then there’s the leaders in the industry and their cost-effective achievements, which altogether torch the Administration’s case for a freeze.
Rest assured, 2018 brings innovation in the form of new models that simply weren’t available in times past, like the Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid and IONIQ Plug-in, the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt and Ford Focus Electric, to name a few of ASG’s top selections for 2018.
According to ASG’s 2018 Study, advanced powertrains are not only available to the masses in record numbers in 2018, and with exceptional environmental performance, but the leading models actually break from the pack to offer industry leading economic performance and best all-around value in class. Case in point - the all-new 2018 Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid with 58 MPG combined (city/highway) and with a starting MSRP at $22,200 is ASG’s 2018 Best Economic Performance selection in the full-size class. The IONIQ Plug-in also earned the Best Environmental Performance and Best All-Around Performance awards for an IONIQ sweep in the full-size class for 2018.
While ASG’s study reveals that these advanced powertrains are largely responsible for leading significant fleet fuel economy gains in 2018, there is one notable model with a conventional powertrain that is a standout in the API. ASG found the Mitsubishi Mirage to hold the smallest life-cycle carbon footprint of any conventional powertrain, at 301 grams CO2-e per mile driven life-time - this is on par with the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron and Ford Fusion Hybrid at 297 grams and 295 grams respectively.
But the Mirage holds an ace when compared to these models, it also holds claim to the lowest cost of ownership and best economic performance of any model year 2018 car in the North American market, earning ASG’s Best Economic Performance award for the second consecutive year. The Mirage maximizes the fundamentals of utility - with sizable passenger volume, a light-weight design, and a fuel efficient 1.2 liter inline 3-cylinder engine that achieves 39 MPG combined, the best MPG rating of any 2018 vehicle without hybrid or electric capabilities.
Mitsubishi has found a winning combination that it has implemented across its North American lineup, one that adheres to the engineering principles embodied in the Mirage – Mitsubishi builds cars and SUVs with a streamlined light-weight vehicle architecture, with fuel efficient engines that reduce operating costs and carbon emissions, and with a retail price that cuts the competition. By adding a Plug-in powertrain to the 2018 Outlander SUV, Mitsubishi reveals a smart path for a brand with boundless potential.
In ASG’s data-driven brand assessment, ASG assessed all model year 2018 vehicles under 33 brands, to identify the consistency of performance across all brand offerings. ASG found Mitsubishi models with the highest consistent performance across all models, earning Mitsubishi the Best Economic Performance Brand and Best All-Around Performance Brand of 2018.
Tesla’s impressive lineup – the Model S, Model X and Model 3 – earned ASG’s Best Environmental Performance Brand. While the Model 3 trails the Prius Prime with a 4% carbon deficit at the 6.5-year mark in its life-cycle (time and vehicle miles traveled for the average new car buyer), it outperforms the Prius Prime by 11% with the lowest carbon footprint of any 2018 model over its full life-cycle.
From a social performance perspective – considering the rights of those charged with vehicle manufacture and assembly – MINI demonstrated the best corporate social responsibility initiatives, earning ASG’s Best Social Performance Brand award for 2018. This marks the first year that MINI is recognized by ASG for adopting and implementing progressive corporate social responsibility initiatives that make a difference across its supply chain. ASG’s Study assessed labor policies and practices, as well as environmental commitments of 33 automotive brands with sales in North America, to measure corporate commitments to socially responsible business conduct, and MINI's car lineup outperformed all other brands in 2018.
ASG found the MINI brand to embody the highest level of protection for environmental justice along its production and distribution chain.
MINI assembles vehicles destined for the U.S. market in the UK and the Netherlands, both countries with exceptional labor and environmental protections. While consumers expect to pay a price premium for the build quality of the brand, they are paying for more than just well assembled vehicles, they are paying the real cost to build vehicles with care for the people tasked with vehicle assembly and with care for the global environment. This is a model that has served MINI and BMW, its parent company, well, and is a true model of corporate social responsibility.
On other fronts, automakers have been ramping up investments in manufacturing facilities in Mexico, with Mexico now producing 20% of new vehicles available in the North American market (LMC Automotive). With the North American Free Trade Agreement in place – for the time being – automakers have leveraged Mexico as a labor and environmental cost advantage. Auto labor hourly compensation costs in Mexico are at $7.80, compared to costs in the United States’ at $45.34 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The U.S. consumer however has not realized any tangible cost savings from this outsourcing practice, as the retail price for Mexican made cars remain virtually unchanged.
Volvo and Buick have also stepped up the outsourcing game, with imports of the Made in China Volvo S60, S90 Inscription and Buick Envision into the U.S. market. Interesting enough, the China made Volvo (albeit a bit roomier) is priced above the Volvo S60 that is Made in Belgium. The cost of labor and compliance in China is significantly less than the cost of compliance in Belgium, meaning the U.S. consumer is paying a premium price for a product that does not embody the same overall value as the competitive product that was assembled in Belgium. Compare Belgium’s hourly compensation costs of $57.63 with that of China’s $4.10 (Center for Automotive Research), Mexico’s $7.80, the United States’ $45.34, and Germany’s $58.82 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), and one can see there is indeed a significant cost difference.
Volvo has found a cost advantage and is carefully planning to expand on this model, while Ford also announced that the 2019 Ford Focus will be built in China - though the Whitehouse’s proposed car import tariffs could alter automakers’ long-term plans in this regard.
For the 2018 model year, ASG found vehicles destined for the North American marketplace being assembled in 19 different countries, with varying degrees of social and environmental performance. While ASG named Sweden as the 2018 BEST SOCIAL PERFORMANCE Country of Assembly, China was named the worst. Ironically, Volvo holds claim to both Made in Sweden and Made in China for the North American market.
Finally, ASG found in Toyota the Most Distinguished Brand of 2018, earning more top honors than any other brand in ASG 2018 study. Toyota’s diverse offerings across classes in both the SUV and car segments, earned eleven unique distinctions – from the RAV4 Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid each earning the Best Environmental Performance honor in their respective classes, to the Prius C and Prius Prime taking Best All-Around Performance honors in the compact and mid-size segments. The Prius Prime also topped the API as the Best All-Around Performance and Best Environmental Performance Car of 2018. Collectively, Toyota impresses with it longstanding hybrid technology, and its renewed push into the car electrification zone with the Prime variant.
ASG’s top selections by class are reported in the five car segments, three Crossover segments, two SUV segments and one Minivan class sections of the site, as well as in the five Awards sections that can be accessed from the top navigation bar. While the site is currently being populated with all 2018 award updates, a consolidated list can be viewed below.
The automobiles that were included in this Study are model year 2018 Cars, Crossovers, SUVs, and Minivans available to North American consumers in the first quarter of 2018, and with full production capabilities. All two-seaters, convertibles and vehicles exceeding $100,000 MSRP were omitted from the assessment. Several model year 2018 PHEVs and EVs are not available to consumers nationwide, and are in fact extremely limited in production numbers; these vehicles were therefore removed from the 2018 Study findings. | 2019-04-21T06:56:24Z | https://www.automotivescience.com/pages/2018-study |
Dystopia: I want to go to there. I have a real soft spot for dystopian visions of the future, or of the parallel present. Who wouldn’t? Utopia is clearly never going to happen. And if it does it’ll be based on credit, which never lasts. As a general rule – and I’m basing this on sci-fi films rather than sci-fi novels, as I’ve hardly read any – if things look bright in any given future, then things are about to go very badly wrong. Look at Logan’s Run. Or Westworld. Or The Island. Or Metropolis. Or, right now, look at Elysium at the cinema, or Oblivion on DVD.
Matt Damon is the everyprole in Elysium; he knows that the 1% get to lie in special pods that cure all known diseases, which is why he so wants to get up there; on this, the story hinges. We want him to get there; we identify with the 99%. In this sense, as with District 9, it’s a socialist film. The proletariat are always the heroes in dystopias, the workers who rise up. Maybe this is why I like these films so much; even though they have a musclebound hero (and Damon is pumped up to the point of looking like Stretch Armstrong), which cleaves to the old right-wing Reaganite 80s action-hero orthodoxy of one man saving the world – without help from Big Government, right? – they usually lead the downtrodden to a better world. I won’t say whether he does it or not, as that would be a spoiler. But you’ll root for him in a film that’s actually more interesting as a concept than as a film, as in the third act, it follows one too many sci-fi action presets.
Oblivion is also a thoughtful film, and with less metallic, Transformers-style action to bog it down and make it feel generic. Adapted from his own apparently unpublished graphic novel by writer-director Joseph Kosinski, it really is a like a graphic novel on the screen, with stunning production design, and gorgeous vistas, albeit ones set on a sucked-dry earth, awaiting the final departure of the last few humans. The race is not unsatisfactorily represented by Tom Cruise and Andrea Riseborough’s seemingly perfect couple, who live in a giant iPad on a stick above a scorched earth that looks like Iceland, where much of it was evocatively filmed, with CGI bits of recognisable New York sticking out of the top of it, recalling Planet Of The Apes, of course.
It’s hard to go into too much plot detail, partly because there are a number of key structural and temporal twists, and partly because it’s way too complicated. The story is well told, and Melissa Leo is key, even if her character only appears in a tiny screen on Riseborough’s touch-screen coffee table, as she represents the smiling face of authority up on the aforementioned Tet. Again, it speaks of our own time, as in flashbacks we see New York as it once was, and shows how fragile “civilisation” is. It’s more sombre than Elysium. Things get blown up, and shots are fired, but the more memorable scenes are quieter, more existential, and set in landscapes that seem to go on forever. Unlike Elysium, there’s not much city.
Nobody wants our own future, or near-future, to pan out like Elysium or Oblivion, with all-out war or all-out profligacy laying waste to the planet, even if some of the gadgets look nifty. You can keep those. Me? I feel trapped enough by the dystopian present. Especially on days when I feel like I already live in a one-party state, where the totalitarian government holds ordinary people in contempt and would willingly wipe a whole caste out if it thought it could get away with it in the media.
I recommend both films (Oblivion, the longer of the two at just over two hours, is out on DVD on 19 August), especially if you’re a connoisseur of futures that are so blighted, you’ve got to wear protective suits.
I am not contrary by nature. If I go against the grain, or kick against the consensus, it is not through any deep desire to be “different” or to prove myself a “maverick”. But I am about to tell you that I thought two of the biggest critical and commercial Hollywood flops of the year – John Carter and Battleship – were absolutely fine.
John Carter came out in March; a sort of quasi-steampunk sci-fi saga based on a series of books first published before the First World War, it cost a reported $250 million, before marketing, and made around $300 million worldwide. As a result of the shortfall, or writedown, between cost and revenue, and expectation and cold, hard reality, the head of Walt Disney resigned, with the film being blamed for the studio’s Entertainment Division slipping from profit to loss in the first quarter of 2012. It was intended as a trilogy; it may have to be satisfied with being a trilogy of one.
Battleship came out in April and May; a noisy sci-fi maritime war movie apparently based on the Hasbro game of yore, it cost just over $200 million, before marketing, and made around $300 million worldwide. Nobody resigned, but it was considered a major failure all the same. Both films debuted at number one on the US box office, and both films slipped to second place soon after, presumably sunk by word-of-mouth as much as anything, although neither was reviewed kindly by the press and quotes for the posters were thin on the ground.
I caught up with both blockbusters on DVD. This seems apt, as apparent “flops” often make up the shortfall on DVD, where audiences are more likely to take a risk, especially if a film is being viewed by more than one person. And in any case, who cares how well or not a film did at the box office? Citizen Kane was a flop, and that’s pretty well regarded. The only people who care about box office are studio accountants, whose job it is to care. Is the film “any good”?
John Carter was released in 3D, so I can guarantee that would have annoyed me, had I seen it at the cinema. I was better off seeing it in 2D on my telly. Now, let me state this first: I really like Taylor Kitsch, the young star of both films. He found fame on TV as high school heartthrob and underachieving layabout Tim Riggins in Friday Night Lights, which I’m currently catching up with, five years later, thanks to Sky Atlantic. He has movie-star looks, and a movie-star torso, and you can easily see why he was groomed for the big-screen crossover. Although well-paid for both films, I’m sure, I now find myself feeling terribly sorry for him. He was the star of two huge studio disasters in a row – how unlucky is that?
In John Carter, he is John Carter, the Confederate Civil War soldier who winds up on Mars, where he must take his top off and fight an internecine war between two alien races, helped only by his soldiering skills and a new one: that he can jump really high. Director Andrew Stanton, who came direct from the digitopia with laurels on his head after his amazing work on Wall-E, among others, was directing live action for the first time, and was candid enough to admit that it was a learning curve for him, and that he needed a lot of help and patience from those around him. I’m no studio boss, but I would have perhaps given him a smaller, cheaper film to play with for his first go.
Battleship, meanwhile, is like Transformers meets Tora! Tora! Tora! Although Peter Berg is best known for loose camerawork and naturalistic acting on FNL, here, he’s playing with a very big train set: actual battleships versus extraterrestrial ones – you know the kind: bloody massive, all groaning metal and bass notes, with that electronic whizzing noise every time something new emerges from the metal.
Battleship reminded me of Armageddon, and that’s not faint praise. This time, Kitsch plays a layabout with a more responsible older brother, just like he does in FNL, so he’s on safer ground initially … until we’re expected to believe that he transforms himself into a crew-cut US Navy officer in time for the invasion. There are too many salutes to the brave boys of the services – some real-life Navy veterans play a dramatic role, for instance, and there’s a lot of flags – but overall, it’s a perfectly exciting way to spend two hours.
Oh, and Rihanna’s in it, and she’s alright, too.
I watch a lot of small, inexpensive, often foreign arthouse movies, with no stars in, and modest ambitions, and these are my sustenance and my stimulants. But, you know, The Poseidon Adventure was a blockbuster, and so was Laurence Of Arabia, and it would be snobbish to demean their place in the cinematic firmament. Don’t be put off from renting a “flop”, because successful films are just as likely to be a letdown.
I’m seeing Kitsch in his next film, Oliver Stone’s Savages, next week – which is not a $200 million-budget toy-range blockbuster but a stylised drugs/crime thriller, as I understand it, with less riding on it. I have my fingers crossed for him. He deserves another crack at this. He has clear eyes, he has a full heart, and right now, he can’t seem to get a break.
I couldn’t be less interested in Formula 1 motor racing. But a love for, or even knowledge of, the sport is not a prerequisite, it turns out. Director Asif Kapadia and writer Manish Pandey have memorialised Ayrton Senna the reckless Brazilian motor racing champ by assembling what would be the last ten years of his life from footage at various Grand Prix (is that plural of Grand Prix?), up to and including the one in which he was killed in 1994, San Marino, aged just 34. New interviews with key associates and friends paint a post mortem picture of the man, but it’s the way the film builds to its inevitable climax using existing material – coverage from various TV networks, plus in-car footage that may not have been seen before, which puts you right there on the track – that is its masterstroke. I knew he died in a crash, but I didn’t know which year it was, or which Grand Prix, so the tension for me ought to have been multiplied – but so persuasive is the dramatic momentum that you can smell his final crash approaching long before it happens. Even though it’s a true story – and seems to be a fair and accurate portrait of the man, his moods, his passions, his rebellious streak, his near-death wish and his childish and nihilistic rivalry with Alain Prost – it has all the elements of a fictional tragedy, not least the portents of doom that come with technical developments to the Williams car that made it a death-trap waiting to happen, or so it seemed to a novice like me. I was taught in O-Level English Literature that a tragedy always involved a protagonist who had a flaw; that certainly applies to Senna, if believing oneself to be immortal is a flaw in motor racing.
Documentaries are often bogged down with dramatic reconstruction, and facile melodrama underscored by music, but Senna does it all so organically, and that old phrase “found footage” takes on a new power. There’s no doubt that the retrospective testimony helps to shed light on the story from beyond the grave – not least that of the chief F1 medic, who clearly grew weary of having to treat Senna so regularly and at one point offered to retire with him and go fishing – but, thanks to the nature of the sport, the evidence is already on film.
Oh, and no, it didn’t make me want to watch Formula 1. Or Formula 2. Or any of the other Formulas.
George Clooney, looking all serious and grey (but still well buff for an old man, of course), is a gun for hire who is ordered to go and lay low in a remote Italian town and await instructions. He poses as a photographer, although an old priest he befriends (Paolo Bonacelli) quickly sees through that, and can’t stop himself falling in love with a local prostitute (Violante Placido), despite the danger such a break from cover might engender. There is a lot of stuff with guns – Clooney has to design and build a special rifle and is often seen sitting at his modest kitchen table polishing and filing and clicking bits of metal together (more of a mechanic than an artist, as the priest sagely observes) – but although it’s essentially a thriller, it’s far more of an existential piece. Paul Schrader was talking on the most recent episode of Mark C0usins’ Story Of Film about his interest in Camus and Sartre, and how they fed into Taxi Driver and American Gigolo, and I, for one, lamented the loss of this kind of creative impetus in English-speaking film. However, Joffe and Corbijn have dared to pull back from conventional action set-pieces – although there are plenty of these in Castel del Monte’s narrow streets and steps – and allow the drama to unfold inside the main character’s head. Clooney, a handsome man, let’s not deny it, looks great as he sits silently in cafes, and he smiles even less than he speaks, but in this setting, we are invited to imagine his internal dialogue. He seems haunted. We have seen him, in a epilogue, at work as a ruthless and cold killer, but we know there beats a heart inside his breast.
I must admit, I adored The American – and for once, it wasn’t just because of my boyfriend Clooney. Corbijn once again brings the beautiful composition and Hopper-like simplicity of his own bold and sweeping photographs alive, but aside from hints of his videos for U2 and Depeche Mode (especially in the red-lit brothel, in which I half expected to see Adam Clayton dressed as a woman with a big feather boa around his neck), this was a brand new set of prints. A surreal, fixed, bird’s-eye shot of a winding road and Clooney’s car going along it is especially effective. And some of the colour-coded lighting around the narrow streets and tunnels is brilliantly theatrical.
This is a film about individuals lost in the landscape, searching for meaning in a potentially meaningless world. Clooney has no God, and at one key juncture elicits a confession from the priest while vouchsafing his own secrets and sins. In Castel del Monte he is surrounded by the blood ritual and enduring smalltown faith of Catholicism, while his work is clinical and secular and violent, and leaves him with no base, no roots, no history. Schrader – brought up a strict Calvinist – injected Catholicism into much of his best work, and seems still to be wracked with existential doubt. This is where the interesting stories often arise.
This is a partial image of the poster for The Tourist. Because I only partially saw The Tourist. I had fully intended to watch it all, on DVD. But it was awful. So I turned it off and stopped watching it. The context: it is the second film from writer-director Florian Henckel von Donnesmarck, the apparent genius behind one of the finest films of 2006, the Oscar-winning The Lives Of Others. I met and interviewed this giant of a man at the time for Radio 4, and came away suitably impressed. I’d loved his first feature, and, fluent in five languages and an actual, leonine German nobleman, he seemed to be a superstar in the making.
So, we sat down to watch it. And lasted about half an hour.
Because The Tourist had endured some horrible reviews, we had low expectations but went in with an open mind. And, ironically, it wasn’t as bad as you might expect. Certainly not as bad as Eat, Pray, Love. Jolie was poised and pert and old-fashioned (it’s set in contemporary times, by the way, but harks back to cigarette-holder 50s and 60s glamour and really ought to have been honest and set in the 50s or 60s), and her English accent was fine; Paul Bettany seemed a good fit for the harassed detective trying to catch a criminal; further British casting added Rufus Sewell, a revived Timothy Dalton and Steven Berkhoff to the list of potential attractions; and Johnny Depp … well, he’d be Johnny Depp, right?
That was enough of that. Life is way too short to watch films that you don’t really want to watch. I hadn’t read much about The Tourist‘s genesis, but, the statutory lazy remake of a recent French film, it seems that it had been passed like a parcel from director to director, and from actor to actor (it could have been Charlize Theron, who I’d have preferred, acting against Tom Cruise, or Sam Worthington, either of whom I’d also have preferred), and when Henckel von Donnesmarck signed back on for the second time, he apparently rewrote it in two weeks and knocked it off in two months.
Maybe it got better in minute 31 and thereafter. I’m afraid I didn’t stick around to find out. I’m sure the German nobleman will live to make another great film. The Tourist defied the critics and took $277 million worldwide. The people have spoken. The people were obviously not as disturbed by Johnny Depp as I was.
Good to try stuff out, though. It takes all sorts. Sniiiiiiiiiiiip! | 2019-04-23T20:53:35Z | https://wherediditallgorightblog.wordpress.com/tag/dvd/ |
3 Arrival Waves? (2022, 2024, 2026) + Bring Your Pets?
Isaiah 17 - Summer War?
Why Does Israel Let Us In?
Since the earliest editions of Know the Future, the next expected event in Bible prophecy has been the M.E. Nuclear War. This is the conflict by which Damascus shall finally have “ceased to be a city and become a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1). From what Isaiah and Psalm 83 say, Israel is attacked (for a fourth time since 1948) by an overwhelming coalition of Arab neighbor nations. Israel responds to this existential threat by using nuclear weapons, the so-called “Samson Option,” something Israel has threatened in two past conflicts (1973 Yom Kippur and 1990 Gulf War). This scenario explains how Damascus is both destroyed and never rebuilt like it would be after an earthquake. The nuclear fallout prevents resettlement of Damascus like it did for the Chernobyl reactor's worker town of Pripyat. As a result, the world's oldest continuously inhabited city will remain ruins despite being the capital of Syria (at least until the restoration of all things in the Millennium).
The question that has always dogged me about this event is when does it happen in relation to the start of 70th week? Clearly, there are events inside the beginning of the 70th week that depend on this war happening first. The chief and most obvious example of this is as our move to a “believer's settlement” in Judea starting in 2024 for safety from WW3/Wormwood in 2026 or the so-called “beginning of sorrows” per Joel 2:32=Matthew 24:16. Non-Jews are not allowed to reside in Israel and it will take the heavy casualties and need for aid in the wake of a war to even temporarily change that longstanding immigration policy.
However, whether this war starts inside the 70th week (right after it begins) or some years before that has remained a question. The challenge is that this war is only described in OT prophecies and not in the chronological framework of Revelation. This uncertainty has been reflected on the Revelation Roadmap chart by ambiguously showing the war event (2nd box from left below) as straddling a stretch of the chart before the start and after the start of the 70th week (with a footnote explaining this).
If you have not already done so, be sure to read the earlier study on 2026 before proceeding as that will lay the foundation of the 70th week needed to understand the chart above and the article below.
To read the rest of this 9,000(!) word study and understand what my (and Katrina's) dreams are leading me expect in 2022 , please join my support team monthly or even for just one month (no monthly financial commitment required). I appreciate your material support in exchange for helping me to continue to bring forth spiritual support (as Paul taught in 1Co 9:11, 14) for the saints to finally learn God's will and to do it (Lk 8:21=Mt 12:49-50=Mk 3:34-35). If you cannot afford to join the Support Team at this time, I understand. Please enjoy the hundreds of other free studies on this site instead!
I wonder how much certain topics are coincidences or if I just have my antennas up.
I enjoyed this article. There is also the flip side of the coin with grace and forgiveness and judgement. But I haven’t checked out the Handling Verbal Article. Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 is one of my favorite passages.
Faith and complaining are inseparable in those stories.
Do not believe that lie, friend.
Igor……You are NOT the antichrist.
You are not the antichrist – you’re just a very naughty boy.
Great article. I apparently missed the clue about keeping track of my complaining responses and attitudes from fellowship last Sunday so I’ll plan on doing this for the next week. I’m sure it will be rather humbling to review a weeks worth of this behaviour but should help to provide some perspective and identify triggers.
Thanks for the ongoing help and support as we learn to live Gods way.
The danger of complaining lies with feeling justified for doing so. And that justification can stem from pride, wondering why certain injustices or troubles have befallen our family. Most of us can relate to the “why me” or “why is this happening to us” dialogue as if we shouldn’t have to experience trials & tribulations.
Tim, I think you are spot on presenting this information as life-saving prep work for the conditions we will have to face. Katrina I started listening to your podcast but will have to finish it later when my house is quiet. But I do thank you sincerely for being honest in your struggles with complaining. This is an area that I am struggling with and it’s always encouraging to know how others are successfully pruning their spiritual branches.
Your article has definitely heightened the sense of urgency for getting my attitude in check for what lies ahead. I’d rather go through the discipline now rather than have God make an example out of me because I have not exercised self-control.
Thank you again for your work!
Well, this is extremely interesting. Yesterday I was talking with my 9 year old son about EXACTLY this point and the scriptures you shared. Last week I also considered keeping a notepad for how often my wife and I showed appreciated and gratitude and how often we complained and criticized.
I am not a warm and fuzzy person, I very seldom say that “it’s a sign” (remind me to tell you a joke about that) but I don’t believe what you wrote to be a co-incident, perhaps this is confirmation for both of our families about where we need to be – conformation post fact for you guys 🙂. Very, very timely Tim.
Also you mentioned Ananias and Sephira- funny enough I think about them all the time. My wife and I discussed this this morning talking about how when we are called to give and set up the kibbutz we can store anything up for ourselves (like women’s products, deodorant, anything personal because we can prepare just for ourselves – every thing we have will be for the body. There will be a double issue there – what is ours is no longer ours and those that have not prepared need to be shown grace and not reluctant giving even if they were late to the party and contributed nothing (just like the scripture about the workers in the field in a way were the workers that came early complained about “fairness” with those coming at the end getting the same pay – it’s a similar “justice” issue that we as humans have a problem with.
I could talk on and on about the scriptures and ideas and revelations my wife and I are having and had all surrounding your teaching. Great stuff Tim, it is helping to increase my faith we are in the right path and that we believe we are in the right place to support you as unto the lord. Exciting times. I pray God continues to speak to you, me and everyone involved clearly like this.
I just read the supporter content with regards to your planned move to Israel to prepare the way for the people. I had to write to you because I could not contain the emotion I have in my heart. It is filled with happiness right now and excitement, but also a lot of anxiety only in the sense where I am anxious about not being able to prepare everything I have set in my heart to do for that time (and I will tell you about it in a bit), but I just need to trust in Father to help us in all of this. Need to learn to trust more!
On my end, I started reading your content and studying the Bible when I was a stay at home mom 9-10 years ago. When my little one (third) came to school age, I went back to work and I wasn’t able to dedicate “full time” as before. But recently, my family moved away from the big city (Toronto) to a very small town about 2 hours out. Previously, my husband wasn’t a believer. (And I owe so much of what you taught, Tim, about kindness, instead of forcing him to believe when I first started out.) Last year he started to become convinced of the truth of God’s word and we started praying together and studying the Bible together (also with the children). We felt that we were being led by Father to move out of the distractions of the world and be in a place where it was hard for our friends to reach us and hard for us to go anywhere because now we’re just in the middle of farmlands. We started (trying) to do Sabbath the best way we can (my desire since forever but only recently husband willing to do so, and I can’t even believe the blessedness of this, how finally we are able to do this as a family, although super far from perfect.) Our family also stopped eating pork and shellfish and other unclean foods since we moved here (almost 2 years now!) despite my husband being a chef. Doing this not for traditional reasons but because we realized really why Father is giving us these things, not prevent us from doing things but to protect us, to keep us healthier and well.
We both just left our jobs early this year to work on a business, with the goal of saving up money to pay all our debts (the jobs aren’t working, and we realized, for 6 years it wouldn’t be enough) for ourselves and, most especially, because Father had placed in my heart to help people to move to Israel when the time comes, we were planning to earn enough money so that we could move our families and others, anyone else who didn’t have funds enough to do so, whoever it may be. I don’t know that this is going to go as planned but we need your help in praying for us as well, that we do not lose our way and continue as planned.
Another thing is, I would like to pray about this, because as soon as I read your content about 2022, I just had the overwhelming desire to go and help you out. I don’t know how my husband will feel about this yet, but please do let me know if you might need any help when the time comes for you to be there. My husband is super hardworking and hands on, with anything you give him in terms of work. He is also very handy around the house.
For years now I had been praying for what Father’s purpose is for my life, and I didn’t know what it was exactly but I know He had placed in my heart to want to help. I just didn’t know how I could help people until the time when He placed in my heart that I could help with the move. I’m writing this to let you know, if you need help with anything by 2022 or 2023, please reach out to me, would be very happy to help.
Thank you very much for all your writings and for being such a blessing to our family. I love you both very much and thank Father for you.
Kristine, I enjoyed your post! Just like you, I have had a belief in my heart that Tim and Katrina will have a big part to play in the end time Exodus; now that Tim has shared his dreams and insights about 2022, I realise the feelings I had in my heart, were true! How exciting! But I also feel anxious, because my only child, has lost her faith and believe in God (she was brought up with the faith). She and her husband (he instigated it) and their children, go through life without God at this stage and I am so very sad about it! I can only keep praying that in Gods time, and if its His will, He will remove the veil from their eyes and that hopefully in 6 years, they will be back under His wings!
Linda my oldest child is like yours – she lost her faith. It’s very sad, isn’t it? We are not the only parents going through this – apostasy is taking many people away. It’s hard to know that our children are going through life without God, isn’t it? I know what I am supposed to do – pray – but it’s painful to even think about my child being so unrepentant and rebellious towards God. It’s hard to pray about this matter. Thanks for your post because you encouraged me; I’m reminded that I should persist in prayer for her to be reconciled to God.
I so wish you could be here right now so I could hug you and draw strength from another mother who is so worried and sad about her child going through life without God! I am so grateful that my words could encourage you in this; Tim and Katrina has helped me with the issue over the past 2 years; email them, they will help you! Yes, you and I and the minister and who ever cannot get our children back to God; only He calls people in His time. So if they are called, they will hear His voice in His time, His way; not ours. I often cry my heart out in prayer about this; and always feels better afterwards. Remember Nanette, somewhere in Psalms, God says that He catches our tears in a bottle, keeping it in heaven. How amazing is that; our DNA shed in sadness and despair, is kept close to Him. Lets pray for each other!
I found this to be a very encouraging article! I laughed a little when reading the intro as it posed the question “will you be able to bring your pets?” because I’ve actually wondered that quite often but have been too timid to ask, so other people must think like me as well 😀 Did you address this by including scriptural quote “Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst? ” So to clarify, for all the fur parents, will we be able to bring our pets?
Tim & Katrina, I thank you so much for this. Truthfully, I have never heard or been in contact with this teaching before you started the Podcasts. It’s totally new to me, at times I have been shocked by the things you have said.
One of the economic modeling systems I follow is suggesting a convergence of the war and the economic cycles during the time of 2022 (in this very area) so you may be right about the timing (Tim).
As for setting up one or more farming communities that will support “millions” of people who arrive in Israel around 2024 I can say (unfortunately) that I have no answers for you on that topic…The task(s) of acquiring land, resources, knowledge, and the right human structures (collective ones tend not to work out very well historically) along with setting up the means of production to support such a vast number of people in around 2 years is a daunting endeavor to say the least . In any case ‘something’ will have to profoundly change to allow for a mission such as this to be successful–What that is I have no idea…So yes, I am sitting here completely beside myself on this one.
Zachary, I had the same thought. Such an enormous resettlement is hard to imagine. However it’s fun to try to imagine it, right? 🙂 I’m envisioning a social structure that imitates Jethro’s system: “look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” Under such a system, people would organize themselves, settle disputes, and co-operate (or not co-operate) — however their own “hundred” clans are inclined to do. You have to know, I have an ethnically diverse extended family and so I have a heightened awareness of how the communal lifestyle that Asians (and others) enjoy is completely different to the individualistic lifestyle of Westerners. People will need to organize themselves. As for the land, physical resources, and means of support, I have no worries at all. Our Heavenly Father will provide it all. I do think, though, that there is a reason that God has been pushing me to give up my worldly possessions –gulp– I need to let go of my expectations and superficial attachments. It’s easier not to complain when I do that.
Hello Nanette, Zachary and all.
Regarding the scale of the kibbutz/camp and what is needed to sustain it, my immediate thought was that Yahweh will provide like He did during the Exodus. We’ll have basic equipment like the Israelites took with them from Egypt but the water, meat, protection, blessings will come from God. He will provide.
I listen to and support several groups and many of them are starting to talk about the wilderness experience and how kibbutzs will be utilized. I love camping but this will be tough…..part of the testing and refining.
Thanks Tim for these insights. I see the Holy Spirit at work, spreading the same message to many groups……prepare, get to work, change is coming, etc. Time to begin to let go of our lives and become what He called us to be.
So, I’m confused…if the conflict starts in the next 7 year Cycle for the Lord to return on the next approaching High Sabbath (2026?) when exactly does the Damascus nuclear exchange happen? Are you saying to expect this in the year 2022? I wasn’t clear on that from the article. Either way if it doesn’t happen in the next cycle, we should be looking for these events to transpire within the 7 year Sabbath cycle, is this correct, with the next one being 2032-33?
Mauricio, did you read the 2026 article already? I kind of expected readers to have already read that one. Let me know if you did not and then if it helps with your question tell me I’ll know I need to tell readers to read that first.
Tim and Katrina, I doubt that many of us have seriously and scripturally considered the consequences of complaining.
I certainly hadn’t until reading and listening to your work.
The cliche “once you see it you can’t unsee it” seems to fit here.
Even if things get the better of you or you try to ignore your grumbling thoughts and actions, you’ll know you’re doing it.
Not complaining: now there’s a challenging project!
Tim, why Judea for the evacuation and not Petra? The Bible says that after the antichrist appears /abomination of desolation in the Temple, those in Judea should flee for their safety. Would evacuated Christians be caught in this scenario also?
Margaret, because Joel 2:30-32=Rev 6:12 tells us the protection for God’s servants is in Judea/Mt.Zion/Jerusalem which is who Jesus refers to when he says “those in Judea.” It’s those God has gathered there from Wormwood before sending them to Jordan (not just Petra) for protection from Antichrist.
I see, God’s words has to stand if it is written in scripture. The night after I read your article about Wormwood, I went to bed and just before I woke the next morning I heard a voice saying that WORMWOOD WILL COME IN 2028. My dreams and premonition have always held true and this was so plain. Does this coincide with any of your time lines? I believe it does.
Margaret, 2028 would be one year into the Great Tribulation if 2024-2030 is the sabbath year cycle of the 70th week. 2026 is the year that fits Wormwood for that cycle.
Tim, but from what you have deduced, 31-37 could be the Sabbath year of Jesus’return which could mean 2028 is wormwood with the tribulation and Antichrist taking up rule shortly after. Or as one person noted the years could be off by a few years and as you suggested maybe by a year approx. Or how would 2028 fit into the Trinulation days and the Sabbath year?
I found this article to be one of the most relevant to me that I have read lately. For many years I was enjoying a good life- I had a loving wife, a great job and a wonderful place to live. But the last three years have been a trial, I lost my job (that I had appreciated immensely) and have been unable to find anything. Luckily my wife has been able to pick up the slack but it has been a strain on our relationship. But I am realizing that my problem isn’t not having a job, it’s my lack of faith and my negative attitude. I am a complainer and due to my family upbringing that was what was considered normal. I see now that this has gotten in the way of finding work, after all, who wants to work with someone who is always pointing out the faults in the system? That is what I need to overcome. I see my problem…I feel like I know what I now need to do.
As a newcomer here, forgive me if this point has already been discussed and answered.
If the ME war takes place in the summer of 2022 the the nuclear bombing of the major Muslim cities such as Damascus, will probably cause high numbers of civilian casualties. Many of these will have relatives and friends who have emigrated to the West.
As a consequence massive uprisings in the West among immigrant populations especially in countries such as Germany, France and the UK can realistically expected.
This will probably be expressed in more random bombings on the general populations and other indefensible targets,which could lead to civil breakdown of law and order.
I’m not trying to frighten people but its necessary that we are aware of probable consequences of this war which will stretch far beyond the Middle East and we should be prepared in advance.
Also at the time in the fall of 2022 when workers are going out to construct the camp there could well be large numbers of Jews fleeing back to Israel, from all over the world from the rampant anti semitism which will no doubt ensue from both East and West countries.
With Israel having to build large settlements to house the returning Jews maybe the Lord has plans for them to build our settlement at the same time ! Just my own personal thoughts.
Your articles and podcasts are very uplifting, and I’ve found myself to have so much better understanding of the prophets now that I’ve read your book and your articles for the past few years. I hope one day to join your family in the kibbutz and contribute where we are able. Abba has given us a nack for homesteading as my husband does all the structure and fence building and I raise the animals. So naturally I was thrilled when I read about Katrina’s dream of the possible kibbutz property.
My question for you is what you take from Zechariah 10:8-12 and Micah 7:11-15. Are these passages parallel? I can see Gilead fitting, Will the “safe place” extend as far north as Lebanon? I’m just trying to figure out how these passages fit and they seem to be before the millenial reign by the language used but I’m not sure.
I realy liked the idea of the Kibbutz to stay while waiting. It was so logical to me. I’m just wondering , my husband and I are already of age, we are 69 and 64 and healthy , but in 2022 we are 73 and 68. What can we do to contribute to the community in the Kibbutz? That worries me. I will be retired than and I donot think that we will be able to do hard labor on the land.
Hi Marcelle, where did you get the idea that God is only going to save people who can be productive on a farm? I’m only a Bible teacher with zero skills for kibbutz life like you. God saves those who are willing, not those who are useful!
What Tim said and I fully expect miracles and healings to be normal to have again. I believe the weak and elderly will be given strength like Moses and Caleb received from God.
Hello Tim, since you have published this article I must have read it at least five times.
I also went to Wikipedia to see what they say about the kibbutzum origin and development. What I found interesting is, as at 2010 there was about 270 kibbutzim with an estimated population of 100000 people. So if you devide 100000 by 270 it gives you an average of 370 people per kibbutz.
Let’s say for instance the biggest is between 1000 to 2000 people, and after the ME war, it is sort of desolated and ready for occupation by new settlers, there should be enough infrastructure left over and available for the first wave of believers by 2022 to occupy and start the planning, repairs and maintenance of the facilities in preparation for the next wave of settlers.
In the 1st group there should be people who will have either skilled or basic knowledge of building, electrical, plumbing, farming etc. to get things going and get the basics in place for further development as more people arrive and get utilized in different areas to carry on preparing.
We need to keep in mind that it is only short term, say 4 to 5 years max, so no serious development will be carried out if it is going to be destroyed again in the next conflict against Satan and his cronies.
So what I am trying to say is people should not be concerned about the qualifications they have at the moment, people will be utilized for what ever they are needed for to keep the ball rolling.
I am busy making a list of equipment and skills that will be needed to get a project like this of the ground, and will send it through once its ready, for supporters to comment on and make suggestions.
I find it exiting on how we will be used to get this project going, we might be in for some real surprises.
You are right! Thank you.
I’m so excited! I’m just worried about how to create a plumbing system; and food logistics. We’ll either have to grow our own herbs/spices or stockpile them. Whatever we can grow, we won’t stockpile.
Regarding accommodations, I hope it won’t be every man for himself. I am sure I will be 100% self-sufficient, but not everyone will have financial ability to do so. The more prepared/fortunate will supplant the lesser ones.
I think people forget, myself included, about some of the verses in the Old Testament about God giving people skill and wisdom. Although I think working toward future events is an act of faith.
What about families like mine who have young children? Do you think we will be able to go in 2022 or need to wait a little longer? Would there be schools in a kibbutz or would we have to send our children off the kibbutz to school or would we homeschool them? I see Israel is a homeschool friendly country but there aren’t very many families there who do. I am good with children so I could totally see myself in a childcare position. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens and how everything runs.
I pray He does cause we really want to go early if we can.
My husband and I think this is all pretty exciting, I asked him what we are going to do when the call comes and his comment was we get in his Toyota Ldv and travel overland from JHB to Cairo and from there get to Israel. My comment was what will we use for fuel and he said Diesel as it is all the way up Africa for Trucks to use. As to being too old we know that if YHVH GOD kept the Israelites in the desert He will keep us as our hearts are really in this. Even though we have just moved house we feel that it is not the end for us, so we will keep moving. We have moved 12 times in 48 years so Israel will the 13th move.
Wow! Is this a dream? What an exciting time to live in! Tim is the Joseph of our time in as much as the Lord has revealed all these things to him. May the Lord bless and keep him as we await further instructions. Am eternally grateful. Obiajulu.
Hello Tim and Katrina, hope you are doing well?
I have just read an interesting article on Prophecy news Watch regarding a new political party that was formed by Avi Lipkin which is a joint Jewish- Christian party which will partake in the next Knesset elections. The idea is to represent all people who believe in the Bible or Christians which are currently not represented in the Knesset. Read article on the PNW website.
Could this new party perhaps pave the way for the 2022 move to Israel? It is very interesting.
Hi Tim and Katrina, I have done a lot of thinking about the two dreams Katrina had about the buildings that she has envisioned. To me it shows that at that time there will be more of these homestead’s that will be available to be prepared for the next waves of people that will be arriving. The other thought I had is that I am sure that these places will not be fully desolated but there will be some of the people left, not many, that worked at these various locations who will be able to assist and guide the newcomers in the running of these kibbutzim. So I am sure we will have some guidance once we get there.
I’m sorry for the German National team today, they didn’t make it further in the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, and are now out. The boys fought well, but that’s sport. Good game, and thank you to the boys. Thought I mention it.
This aside, when I found out that Qatar will be hosting the next FIFA World Cup in Soccer in 2022, that got me both worried and thinking, and I remembered Tim and Katrina’s dreams about 2022.
From what we know today, FIFA 2022 in Qatar is set to kick off on 21 November and end on 18 December. Many national teams from all over the World will be there.
I thought that struck me is that the Arabs & Iran may choose to orchestrate the events & the following Psalm 83 attack on Israel during the tournament, believing that Israel would not dare retaliate against them, because of them hosting national teams from so many nations, as well as delegations, and hundereds of thousands of fans from all over the world.
When Arabs think that they are safe beacuse of hosting the FIFA World Cup, Israel will not care and retaliate against them with nuclear weapons, killing everyone, the national teams/football fans gathered from all over the world.
I just wanted to share my thoughts on this here, it’s incredibly scary.
Shoud it happen like this, it would sure cause the World to hate Israel & the Arab States alot! Hope I’m wrong, yet however it happens it will still be a very scary and tragic experience, and Israel will be hated on anyway.
Interesting thoughts. Thank you for sharing. It definitely seems possible.
After reading this article the first question that came to my mind was: Is the “farm” dream referring instead to the “place prepared”? There are many farms (and farmland) in Jordan. I’m just wondering if you’ve considered this to be ‘where’ your dream might be leading you?
I bring this up because the entire “Kibbutz” theory that you’ve proposed doesn’t make a lot of sense from the perspective of Israel’s situation. I’m guessing Israel will be relatively desperate, possibly with a fairly large loss of life (30%+), along with loss of arable land (possible radiation), and a destruction of general infrastructure. Kibbutz farms aren’t exactly known for being “efficient” and/or “highly productive”. In fact, Kibbutz’s do not base themselves on “agriculture” (as you stated) but instead base themselves on the Marxist ideology that the “male patriarchy” is the cause for humanity’s ills—hence, the ideology was designed to “remove” said patriarchy by “allowing” women to work in the fields—this is then coupled by a sudo-state entity (part of the group) raising the children of these “worker parents” so they can go out and “work the fields”. Marxism views the “natural order” as the problem my friend. In fact, the very hierarchy posed by God (Father) and Son would be opposed by such an ideological worldview. But this poses an additional question: Why would Israel bring in a million people (your estimate) to work limited arable land just so those people could make possibly enough food only for themselves? Remember, Israel did this to incentivize “Jews” to move to Israel from already socialist countries—They did this to increase their numbers. This incentive would no longer apply—as bringing in a large number of non Jews simply to breed and take up space would not provide any immediate benefit to Israel (from what I can see). Unless this provides a benefit to Israel I don’t see how that could even take place—However, I do see the other possibility (that you mentioned on one of your older articles taking place)—Israel letting in people to fill a multitude of job roles and positions all of which could be living in various areas throughout the country (even in farm camps). This to me seems like the most logical conclusion but that’s just my opinion.
Could I see “something else” (or similar) taking shape in the “place prepared”? Yes, I could. But in no way would it be based on the same ideology as that of Marxism (which, by the way is a horrible way to view the world because it completely denies human nature and that of limited resources). I’m guessing you didn’t intend this specifically (also guessing) but it’s important to note the true purposes of these “kibbutz’s”. IF the “place prepared” has food/water provided by God directly then people could spend their times doing other things—heck, God could even clear out that entire area into space to allow normal sunlight (and therefore normal conditions for farming, etc. would be possible).
Tim, I’m not a financial supporter, for the simple fact that I’m unemployed and survive on French unemployment benefit. I did, however, purchase “Know the future” several years ago and consider the information given vital for our times. I would very much like to continue reading your articles and catching up on truth.
Tim, I’ve been tithing for some time and have a few of your books. I’ve given all my relatives a copy and have a few left, but I don’t think anyone has read the book. I would like to see if I meet the criteria for a membership. If I do would you please send me a password. Thank you always, your friend, bob wheeler.
Bob, I tried giving you access last year so I’m glad you are now interested. Sent the invite again by email. Bless you.
Wow, I’m really glad I read this because I didn’t realize that preparing for a move to Israel was a preparation for Jordan. I’m on it in prayer for God’s alignment and I can’t thank you enough for being a Moses to us. I pray God’s abundant blessings for each step of your progress, with more than enough provided for you and your family. Remember that God grants desires so I am believing your kitties go with you.
I read a few other things on your site today and I’m overjoyed that you now have a car in Germany. God is so faithful, isn’t He? Always bringing us to new seasons and levels of blessings.
You’re an incredible blessing to the Body of Christ. Your rewards are great. Bless you and family always. I am praying for you all. I rejoice to know that Zach is moving toward his total healing. These are all tremendous dreams God has given and I rejoice with you in God’s great unfolding. | 2019-04-24T17:50:17Z | https://escapeallthesethings.com/2022-dreams/ |
Most composers of Latin America from the 20th and 21st centuries are not well known in North America. While the music of Carlos Chavez, Alberto Ginastera, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Astor Piazzolla has penetrated our repertoire in North America, the extensiveness of their output is not emphasized or they are composers about which we know little when compared to those of the United States and of Europe. Other composers of a younger generation are also worth noting such as: Marlos Nobre, Gerardo Gandini, Celso Darrido-Lecca, and Mario Lavista. Through these composers one can find a rich array of music that utilizes the experienced environment of the composer. These two generations of composers also represent at least two general aesthetics in compositional techniques that were influenced by trends occurring in Europe and the United States. Basically, what occurred in European and United States music history had its parallel in Latin America. However, Latin American composers were also influenced by native, folk, and popular musics of their homeland. Some composers were more affected by one or the other, but all in all, in their music there is a unique blend of European styles and techniques with Latin American influences.
Before we go any further, I would like to point out the use of the term "Latin America." Latin America is a varied place with many countries, cultures, traditions, influences, and ideas, contrasting cultures within in countries, varying traditions within cultures, traditions that influence and shape various countries simultaneously or at different times, and so on. The use of the term "Latin America" can be used in a misleading way when used to describe a generality of that area. When the term "Latin America" is used in this paper, it is meant to portray a physical area of the world and the people of it and not a generalized idea that can be applied to all of Latin America. As varied as North America and Europe are, Latin America is too; or it can even be argued that it is more varied.
Nearly all the composers mentioned above studied abroad in Europe or the United States at one point or another and learned the current trends that were occurring in art music of their respective times. Generally, the composers then took these new ideas and utilized them in their own compositions when they returned to their countries. On a superficial level, it can be assumed that these composers were merely copying European and American techniques and ideas, but were they? What use was it to them that they learned these techniques? Did they form any uniquely ideas on their own, such as Boulez and Babbitt with total serialism? What is different about Latin American composers? music than from Europe and the United States? Is it distinctively "Latin" or mere copies of their European and American counterparts? Or are these questions of any relevance at all? These questions are more relevant to some composers than others, but the idea of what is "Latin American" art music is still evident. These questions will be explored below as biographical accounts and thoughts on selected composer?s works will be given.
It can be said without regret that Villa Lobos, Chavez, Revueltas, Piazzolla, and Ginastera were all great composers. Each composer's music is different from one another but still have similar influences. The idea of nationalist music was en vogue in Europe at the end of the 19th century in Europe with Dvorak, Smetana, Rimsky-Korsakov and others, and later to some extent in the United States in the first half of the 20th century with Copland. The same occurred in Latin America in the first half of the 20th century when counties were looking to identify themselves. Again, this is a generalization as some composers were more "nationalistic" than others. Also with the influence that Copland and Nadia Boulanger had on Latin America composers, "neo-classicism" made its way to Latin America.
Nationalist music and neo-classicism can mean many different things. Either description is neither a style nor an aesthetic but an idea. Some may argue with me, but I say this since there are varying styles within each term. Dvorak's music is different from Smetana's, as it is from Alexander Borodin?s. Stravinsky's neo-classical music is different from Copland's as it is different from Prokofiev. What pervades in their music is the idea of nationalism and neo-classicism. Nationalistic music is art music that is influenced by nationalistic themes and ideas that can range from folk tunes (as in Smetana's case) to political propaganda (as in Shostakovich?s case). Neo-classicism is music that is influenced by the idea of classicism in music, or music from the 17th-19th centuries. Perfection, symmetry, consonant harmonies, hierarchy, the music of Mozart, Pergolesi, and Bach all have influenced the "neo-classical" composers in some way or another. However, the neo-classical music of Stranvinsky is different from that of Copland. It can even be said that Copland was not an intentional neo-classicist, but in the idea of neo-classicism it can be seen, due to the fact that he chose not to write music that was "avant garde" but tonal and tradional?-in an "American" way with his open harmonies. Copland can also be considered a nationalistic composer as well and through that we can see that both these terms can be applied to one composer instead of one idea applied to one composer.
These ideas ring true with the composers of Latin America. Nationalistic and neo-classical movements were ideas rather than styles in the art music of Latin America during the first half of the 20th century. Now we will turn to take a closer look at how these musical movements and ideas affected the aforementioned composers.
Carlos Chavez was a Mexican composer of importance and arguable the most well-known. Born in 1899, he went on to write music for orchestra, chamber ensembles, ballets, chorus, and solo piano (Radice, 2003). His career was multi-faceted as he was not only a composer, but a conductor and lecturer (Behague, 1979). Ch?vez directed the Orquestra Sinfonica de Mexico until 1949 as well as the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes until 1953 (Behague, 1979; Radice, 2003). After that phase of his career, he dedicated his time to composition, won the Guggenheim in 1956 and delivered the Eliot Norton Lectures at Harvard from 1958-1959 (Behague, 1979). Those accomplishments are life time awards given to composers and great musicians which signify their importance and relevance to art music.
Two important works written for orchestra were Sinfonia de Antigona and Sinfonia India. Sinfonia de Antigona is said to have been influenced by Stravinsky's neo-classical "style" (Behague, 1979). This was considered to be one of the non-nationalistic pieces which utilize European techniques (246). Other works reflected that characteristic as well. Sinfonia India incorporates Native America (Mexican) stylistic elements (Radice, 2003). Pentatonic scales, modes, quartel harmonies, meter changes, repetitive motifs were used to depict native elements (Radice, 2003). The 1930s-1940s was a time in which Mexican art music saw the rise and fall of nationalism in Mexico with the assimilation of different techniques and styles such as neo-classicism and polytonality (Behague, 1979). These two works mentioned reflect all three of those trends and ideas.
Upon hearing Sinfonia de Antigona one can be struck by the colors Chavez uses from the orchestra. Another thing that is striking about this work is the fact that he hardly writes for a full texture. Only certain sections or groups of instruments play at a time, which give way to its thin texture. For example, the violins usually play without the rest of the strings but with woodwinds and brass. The piece incorporates heavy use of woodwinds in a dark manner by using the lower pitched woodwind instruments. Also, the quality of the chords, give the music its dark character. Through this the texture is still thin but sounds full; the mix of dark colors and thin texture give the piece a unique sound. The writing is mainly vertical, in that chords and harmony play an important role, but there are some melodic occurrences apart from the chordal writing. The harmony prevalent in this piece is of modal nature. The rhythmic drive is slow and intense but still contains drive. By listening to this I do not hear Stravinskian neo-classicism at all. I hear a unique and highly personal composer's music with a clear aesthetic all his own.
Argentinean composer Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983) was a self-proclaimed nationalistic composer. He "came of age" during the peak of musical nationalism in Argentina and gained his reputation as a national composer in 1937 with Danzas Argentinas for piano and his ballet Panambi (Behague, 1979). In 1941, he established himself as the leader of the nationalistic movement in Argentina with another ballet, Estancia in 1941 (Behague, 1979). However, those two ballets were problematic to some in its reception due to its extra-musical content (Radice, 2003). Ginastera defined three periods in his compositional life: objective nationalism, subjective nationalism, and neo-expressionist (Schulz). It is interesting that a composer would define periods of his work, usually periods in a composers work occur naturally and unintentionally as with Beethoven. Nothing is ever said that Beethoven set out to create three distinct periods in his music. Nevertheless, these distinctive periods show Ginastera's variety and capability as a composer.
Panambi and Estancia reflect the objective national period in Ginastera's output. This period (1937-1949) is defined by the inclusion of the gauchesco (Argentinean cowboy) tradition, strong local color, conscious treatment of indigenous themes, a clear tonal idiom with inclusion of some extremely dissonant passages (Behague, 1979). However, Ginastera rarely directly borrowed actual folk materials (Behague, 1979). His second period can be understood from its given term. Subjective nationalism (1948-1958) encompasses nationalism not in a direct way but by implication (Behague, 1979). The "Argentine accent" is what is said to be prevalent in this period as it does not employ folklore material (Behague, 1979). His third period does not contain nationalism in its being, but compositional techniques of the 20th century are used, such as: twelve tone, serialization of other elements in music, micro-tonality, polyrhythms, and atonality in a non-serialist manner (Behague, 1979). His last period, obviously, does not reflect the ideas of neo-classicism and nationalism, but again shows his varied talents and interests as a composer. For that reason, this later period will be looked at in the next section of this paper.
Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) was a very prolific and significant composer of Brazil. His musical training consisted of instruction on the piano and cello but was also compelled with the music of Brazil (Radice, 2003). After receiving classical training in music, as a young man, Villa-Lobos ventured on his own to explore Brazil and its native musics (Radice, 2003). He also collaborated with musicians in popular music idioms at the beginning of the 20th century, such as the Chor?es (Behague, 1979). Villa-Lobos also met Milhaud and through him, developed a liking of the music of Debussy and the French composers of Le Six (Behague, 1979). With his trip to Europe, Villa-Lobos began to obtain international acclaim, and especially with the promotion of his music by pianist Artur Rubinstein (Behague, 1979).
It is safe to say that Villa-Lobos was no doubt a nationalistic composer. With his varied influences and experiences, it is no wonder that his music has an innate blend of European techniques and nativistic elements. Villa-Lobos was a nationalist of a folkloric sort, in which nationalism was inescapable (Behague, 1979). Through use of native music, Villa-Lobos aimed to evoke a "total vision" of Brazil (Behague, 1979). His approach to the incorporation of folk elements in his music, were intuitive and not scientific (Behague, 1979).
Nonetto for flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, harp, celesta, battery, and mixed chorus was influenced by urban popular music through its rhythm and woodwind colors (Behague, 1979). Other elements are evident such as use of tone clusters, quartal/quintal harmonies, parallel harmonic movement, and "altered" chords (Behague, 1979). There is a strong rhythmic drive and element to this piece. The uncommon mix of this ensemble creates very unique colors and sounds not usually heard together and the inclusion of a chorus further adds to that claim. His melodic lines are clearly passionate with short-lived motivic and rhythmic patterns. The gestural and melodic ideas "jump around" throughout the music that then goes into another groove or short-lived idea. This creates a very intuitive and improvisatory sense to the music. The music is fresh, alive, and exciting, the listener does not know what to expect next while there is a constant rhythmic pulsating drive.
The other two composers, Silvestre Revueltas (1899-1940) and Astor Piazzolla are also notable composers of their respective countries: Mexico and Argentina. Due to the limited extent of this paper, these composers will briefly be explored. Revueltas career is similar to Chavez's in that he taught, composed, and conducted, but Revueltas studied abroad and became familiar with European and United States currents in music of his time (Radice, 2003). He was able to hear music by Sch?nberg, Stravinsky and Les Six in Europe and met Henry Cowell, Roy Harris, Edgard Varese and Copland in America (Radice, 2003). Revueltas was a nationalist composer of international reputation who made the popular and folk music in Mexico of his time a source of his style (Behague, 1979). When those who know of Piazzolla hear his name, one word can immediately come to mind: tango. Piazzolla studied with Ginastera and Boulanger and composed in a variety of genres (Behague, 1979). As a young composer, he utilized Western European genres, such as sonata form, but later as a more experienced composer, he elevated the tango with striking dissonances, chromaticism, jazz, inclusion of counterpoint, and virtuosic writing (Behague, 1979). Through the progression of the tango brought forth by Piazzolla, he can be considered a nationalistic composer.
The next generation of composers also tended to follow the trends from Europe and the United States. These trends were different all together and went against the established tradition of tonal music and tonal hierarchy in music. The music of Marlos Nobre, Gerardo Gandini, Celso Garrido-Lecca, and Mario Lavista incorporate avant garde techniques of Europe in their music, but create a different result. Nationalism seems less of a concern for them. However, with the adoption of these techniques, one can wonder why they would adopt them and for what reason the acquire them. How are these techniques used in their music? What kind of result occurs and how is it different from composers of Europe and the United States? Were there any original Latin American compositional ideas or a continuation of European ideas?
To understand the trends that occurred in Latin America, one must understand the musical movements that occurred from the 1920s onwards in Europe and the United states. At the end of the romantic era, Wagner and even Mahler started to push tonality to its extreme. There are moments in Wagner's music that can be considered "atonal" as in Tristan und Isolde. Sch?nberg was a revolutionary. His early music was out of the romantic world of Wagner and Mahler, but soon started to abandon tonality and wrote "free atonal" music, utilizing intervallic cells, but actually his pupil Webern was the first to write a piece "without a key." In the late 1910s Sch?nberg started to develop an idea of writing music with all twelve pitches in a set order that came to be known as the twelve-tone method of composition. This took the music world by storm and soon, there was a movement of twelve-tone composition. Webern developed the idea further, intuitively, by serializing other aspects of music such as dynamics and register. This was found by Boulez, which lead him to create the idea of the total serialization of music after World War II, in which all aspects of music would be ordered an planned (rhythm, pitch, register, timbre, dynamics, etc.). Boulez created a following in Europe as the composer Milton Babbitt in the United States developed the same idea. Other trends that followed were the use of electronics, aleatoric writing, improvisation, and chance operations. To put it briefly, aleatoric writing is music in which the composer introduces elements of chance or unpredictability and leaves different aspects of the music, such as pitch, rhythm, dynamics, etc., to the performer or interpreter. Chance operations in music are controlled by such methods of dice throwing to determine events in music. There were two extremes in art music of the 1950s: total organization (total serialism) and total freedom (aleatoric and chance music). Composers of the time experimented with both idioms.
Again, the same can be said for these ideas or techniques of composition as can be said for nationalism and neo-classicism: serialism and aleatoric music are not styles but methods of writing music. Music that is serialist can "sound" "atonal" or imply tonaliy, whereas aleatoric and chance music can sound serialist whereas both can sound "random" and like a "bunch of noise." It depends on how the composer uses these methods that will create a resultant sound. The music of these Latin American composers is no exception.
Marols Nobre (b. 1939) is a Brazilian composer that has utilized the ideas of serialism and electronics in his music. He studied at the Di Tella Institute in Buenos Aires (1963-1964) where his teachers included Ginastera, Koellreutter, and Camargo Guarnieri (Behague, 1979). He soon adapted the twelve-tone technique in his music after having been influenced by Milhaud's dissonant treatment with a nationalistic concern (Behague, 1979). After delving into the twelve-tone technique, he set out to create music that was in a "free serialist" method (Behague, 1979). His music also contained aleatoric elements "with nativisitc overtones," extended techniques, and extremely contrasting dynamics (Behague, 1979).
Two works of note by Nobre are Ukrinmakerinkrin (1964) and In Memoriam (1973), both for orchestra. Ukrinmakrinkrin is described as having an atonal-serial language with some "native ritualistic flavor" and some aleatoric structures (Behague, 1979). In Memoriam contains clusters of sound or "sound blocks," with "complex and brilliant orchestration" and Brazilian percussion instruments (Behague, 1979). From the descriptions above, it can be said that Nobre uses these techniques in his own way and not to copy or imitate other composers who utilize these techniques. The concern seems to be that of writing music he likes to write. However, this is just an assumption from reading about him.
Another piece by Nobre, Mosaico para Orquestra (1970) is an interesting one. It is a single movement work with three contrasting sections (Marlos Nobre). Thick masses of differing sounds abound in the first section, as the second is more lyrical with brief occurrences of short lived quick motivic gestures, and the third section is a "pure divertimento" for orchestra with "tightly composed writing" and "controlled randomness" (Marlos Nobre). Upon hearing it one does find sustained harmonies with mixed timbres of instruments in the beginning with aleatoric "sounding" figures, un-metered patterns that are repeated quietly in the winds. There are bits of motivic fragments in the orchestra lead by the brass with "outbursts" from the whole orchestra. There is a sense of a duality between uncontrolled sounds and directional sounds. The music abruptly changes by new harmonic and textural treatment. Thin texture is pristine where soloistic occurrences are heard as the color of instruments are brought to the fore. The music can be described as slow paced and silvery that then leads to more direction with a bit more regularity and thicker chords (roughly 3 notes). This can be considered the "textural climax" of the second section as the music returns to the quietness that prevailed before, but influenced by the thicker textural idea. Percussion is used to initiate the third section, as sustained brass notes in a quick tempo are heard with frequent and quicker motivic gestures. Aleatoric elements can also be heard in the end with regular occurring broad hits in the percussion. Upon hearing this piece, one can sense a feel of intuition, conviction, and a clear personal aesthetic of the composer that allows his creativity and voice to be heard.
Celso Garrido-Lecca (b. 1926) is a prominent composer from Peru. He received his musical training at the Lima Conservatory with Rodolfo Holzmann and soon after was the composer and musical advisor for the Theater Institute of the University of Chile (Schulz, 1992). He also later headed the National School of Music in Peru and in 1963 and 1968 won the National Prize for Peruvian Culture (Schulz, 1992). His music contains quartal and quintal harmonies, atonality, twelve tone technique, and "locally derived" musical traits such as pentatonicism (Behague, 1979). His musical output is symphonic and chamber as has been performed in Europe and the Americas (Schulz, 1992). Pieces of note are his Suite for Woodwind Quintet (1956), Musica para seis instrumentos y percusion (1956), Sinfonia (1960), and Laudes (1962).
Argentinean composer and pianist Gerardo Gandini (b. 1936) is another composer from Latin America influenced by the European avant garde. Gandini was a student of Ginastera and Caama?o (Behague, 1979). Gandini became one of the major musical figures in Argentina in the 1960s and also co-founded a professional contemporary music organization, Agrupani?n Euphonia (Behague, 1979). His teaching engagements have been with the Di Tella Institute and Buenos Aires Catholic University (Behague, 1979). Gandini is also an active performer of new music in the Americas and Europe (Behague, 1979). The techniques he uses are serialism, atonality, extreme manipulation of dynamics and timbres with rigorous economy and concentration of musical ideas and means (Behague, 1979).
Two pieces are worth noting, Musica Nocturna (1964) for flute, violin, viola, violoncello, and piano and Eusebius, four nocturnes for piano or one nocturne for four pianos. Musica Nocturna is non-thematic, utilizes instrumental effects and contains pointillistic treatment of small intervals (Behague, 1979). There is an idea of static music partnered with fast and elusive sounds (Behague, 1979). Eusebius is basically an homage to Robert Schumann's Davidsbundelertanze, No. 14 (Schuartz). These nocturnes are very short, lasting no more than a couple minutes or so. Upon hearing the first one, one can find a slowly paced sound environment in which each note is carefully sounded, nearly one at a time, sustained by the pedal in the upper register which creates a thin texture. Quartal harmonies open the second nocturne which utilizes different harmonies than the first but still with a thin texture and the idea of "carefully paced" sounds pervade. More melodic ideas encompass the third nocturne but still the thin texture is apparent. Adjectives such as reflective, quiet, careful and beautiful come to mind when describing this nocturne. In the fourth, one can find more movement and more melody with thicker voice and "new age" sounding harmonies-quite different from the others. When all four nocturnes are played simultaneously at the same tempo, the fifth nocturne is realized.
A Mexican of the younger generation of composers is Mario Lavista (b. 1943). His teachers are varied and from different parts of the world. In Mexico at the conservatory he studied with Hafter and Quintanar and in Europe with Jean-Etienne Marie, Henry Posseur, Xenakis and Stockhausen (Behague, 1979). He also has attended Darmstadt where he be Legeti and studied electronic music in Tokyo (Behague, 1979). In the 1960s he was considered a follower of the avant-garde and a "bona fide" experimentalist by incorporating improvisation, chance operations, and elctro-acoustic and visual elements in his compositions (Behague, 1979).
His Divertimento (1968) represent his experimentalist side while a more recent piece, Cuaderno de viaje (1989) sounds a bit more tame. Combined, both versions of the Divertimento include audience participation in which the instrumentation contains a woodwind quintet, five woodblocks, five loud speakers, four amplifiers, three potentiometers, and a mike mixer (Behague, 1979). From reading the instrumentation, one can immediately think "avant garde" but his "avant garde" stature is questioned when one listens to the works on his Cuaderno de Viaje CD released in 1994. On it, a work for solo viola is found, Cuaderno de Viaje. This piece is a "deep search into the viola?s possibilities in the realm of harmonics" (Brennan, 1994). It is a calm, slivery, piece that uses consonant harmonies. It has no incorporation of amplifiers, speakers, microphones or any other extra-musical effects.
It is hardly ever safe to classify one composer or another as being a part of one compositional school of thought. As with the case with the composers mentioned above, it can be seen that for the most part, their output is varied. Each of these composers delved into different processes of writing and have created different results within their own outputs and when compared to each other. But by using these techniques, are these composers copiers of composers of the Untied States and Europe? By using the ideas and methods, the answer is yes, but in the larger picture, I would say no. Their music reflects a different aesthetic, different ears, and tastes. Beauty and elegance was found in all the composers' music to which I listened. An innate sense of rhythmic drive clearly persists in the music of the older generation as well, which is influenced by non-European elements. These composers used these techniques in their own way and through it, their personal voice spoke. Some of Chavez does sound like Copland, such as Sinfonia India, but Sinfonia de Antigona contains a different character that is distinctively Ch?vez. In Nobre's Mosaico, aleatoric writing is used but does not sound the same as say Stockhausen. While utilizing these European and United States techniques, these composers used according to their personal taste and ear to create distinctively personal music.
It was not found that any of these composers created an original idea apart from European and United States thought. However, the apparent inclusion of indigenous musical influence and a different ear for music than their counterparts creates different sounding art music. It can be assumed that beauty and elegance are more of a concern for these composers than their other western colleagues. That is an overgeneralization of course, but those two adjectives come to mind immediately upon hearing each of these composers' music. The music, in general, also seems more paced; the music is patient and lives and absorbs the sound. This music should be regarded on equal footing with music of Europe and the United States when taught in other parts of the western world. This music has validity, conviction, and a voice of its own different from what our education as classical musicians in the United States brings us. When one thinks of western art music, Latin American art music should also come to mind.
Techniques. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. | 2019-04-26T14:55:28Z | https://www.gilbertgalindo.com/latincomposers |
From the very beginning of the mass working-class movement in Russia, i.e., approximately for the past ten years, profound differences have existed among Social-Democrats on questions of tactics. As we know, it was differences of this kind that gave rise, in the late nineties, to the trend of Economism, which led to the split into an opportunist (Rabocheye Dyelo) wing and into a revolutionary (old-Iskra) wing of the Party. Russian Social-Democratic opportunism, however, differed from that of Western Europe in certain peculiar features. It strikingly reflected the point of view, or rather the absence of any independent point of view, of the intellectualist wing of the Party, which was carried away both by the current catchwords of Bernsteinism and by the forms and immediate results of the pure-and-simple labour movement. This infatuation led to wholesale treachery on the part of the legal Marxists, who went over to liberalism, and to the creation by Social-Democrats of the famous “tactics-as-process” theory, which firmly attached to our opportunists the label of “tail-enders”. They trailed helplessly behind events, plunged from one extreme to another, and in all cases reduced the scope of activity of the revolutionary proletariat and its faith in its own strength, all of which was usually done on the pretext of raising the independent activity of the proletariat. Strange, but true. No one talked so much about the independent activity of the workers, and no one did so much by his propaganda to narrow, curtail, and diminish that activity as did the Rabocheye Dyelo-ists.
The two steps back which the new Iskra took towards Rabocheye Dyelo revived this attitude. Once again the columns of Iskra pour forth the preachings of tail-ism under cover of the same nauseating vows: Verily, 0 Lord, I do profess and believe in the independent activity of the proletariat. It was in the name of the independent activity of the proletariat that Axelrod, Martynov, Martov, and Lieber (the Bundist) defended at the Congress the right of professors and students to become members of the Party without joining any Party organisation. It was in the name of the in dependent activity of the proletariat that the “organisation as-process” theory was invented, a theory that justified disorganisation and glorified the anarchism of the intellectuals. It was in the name of the independent activity of the proletariat that the no less famous “higher-type-of-demonstration” theory was invented, in the form of an agreement between a workers’ delegation, which had been passed through the sieve of a three-stage system of elections, and the Zemstvo men for a peaceful demonstration that was to create no panic fear. It was in the name of the independent activity of the proletariat that the idea of the armed uprising was perverted and vulgarised, debased and confused.
In view of its vast practical importance, we should like to draw the reader’s attention to this question. The development of the working-class movement played a cruel joke on the wise men of the new Iskra. They circulated a letter in Russia, which, in the name of “the process of the systematic development of the class-consciousness and independent activity of the proletariat”, recommended, as a higher type of demonstration, “that the workers’ petitions be posted to the homes of the municipal councillors and a considerable number of copies scattered in the Zemstvo Assembly Hall”; they sent a second letter to Russia, conveying the most sensational discovery that at the present “historical moment the political stage is fully occupied [!] by the conflict between the organised bourgeoisie and the bureaucracy” and that “every [mark well!] revolutionary movement of the lower strata has only one [!] objective meaning, to support the slogans of that one of the two [!!] forces which is interested in breaking down the present regime” (the democratic intelligentsia was declared to be “a force”); hardly had the first letter been circulated and the second letter reached Russia, hardly had the class-conscious workers had time to read these marvellous missives and to have a good laugh at them, when the events of the real struggle of the proletariat promptly swept all this political rubbish of the new-Iskra publicists on to the waste heap. The proletariat showed that there is a third force (actually, of course, not third, but, in sequence, second and in fighting ability first), which is not merely interested in breaking down the autocratic regime, but is ready to start on the actual job of breaking it down. Since the Ninth of January, the working-class movement has been developing before our very eyes into the popular uprising.
Let us see how this transition to the uprising was evaluated by the Social-Democrats, who had discussed it in advance as a question of tactics, and how the workers themselves began to settle this question in practice.
Three years ago the following was said on insurrection as a slogan that defines our immediate, practical tasks: “Picture to yourselves a popular uprising. Probably every one will now agree that we must think of this uprising and prepare for it. But how? Surely the Central Committee can not appoint agents to all localities for the purpose of preparing the uprising! Even if we had a Central Committee, it could achieve absolutely nothing by such appointments under present-day Russian conditions. But a network of agents that would form in the course of establishing and distributing the common newspaper would not have to ’sit about and wait’ for the call to insurrection, but could carry on such regular activity as would guarantee the highest probability of success in the event of an insurrection. Such activity would strengthen our connections with the broadest masses of the workers and with all strata that are discontented with the autocracy, which is of such importance for an uprising. Precisely such activity would serve to cultivate the ability to estimate correctly the general political situation and, consequently, the ability to select the proper moment for the uprising. Precisely such activity would train all local organisations to respond simultaneously to the same political questions, incidents, and events that agitate the whole of Russia and to react to these ’incidents’ in the most vigorous, uniform, and expedient manner possible; for the up rising is in essence the most vigorous, most uniform, and most expedient ’answer’ of the entire people to the government. And lastly, it is precisely such activity that would train all revolutionary organisations throughout Russia to maintain the most continuous, and at the same time the most secret, contacts with one another, thus creating real Party unity; for without such contacts it will be impossible collectively to discuss the plan for the uprising and to take the necessary preparatory measures on the eve, measures that must be kept in the strictest secrecy.
Perhaps, having read this tirade, the reader will say that obviously Martynov is “anything but” a serious opponent and that it would be absurd to take him seriously. We would quite agree with the reader. We would even say to such a reader that no greater evil on earth could befall us than to have to take all the theories and all the arguments of our new Iskrapeople seriously. The only trouble is that this nonsense appears also in the editorials of Iskra (No. 62). Worse still, there are people in the Party, by no means few, who stuff their heads with this nonsense. And so we have to discuss non-serious matters, just as we have to discuss the “theory” of Rosa Luxemburg, who discovered the “organisation-as process”. We are obliged to explain to Martynov that up rising must not be confused with people’s revolution. We have to keep explaining that profound allusions to a revolution in social relations when what is at issue is the practical question of the ways of overthrowing Russian autocracy are worthy only of a Kifa Mokiyevich. This revolution began in Russia with the abolition of serfdom, and it is the backwardness of our political superstructure as compared with the accomplished revolution in social relations that makes the collapse of the superstructure inevitable; an immediate collapse as the result of a single blow is quite possible, since “the people’s revolution” in Russia has already dealt tsarism a hundred blows, and whether the hundred and first or the hundred and tenth will finish it off is really a matter of conjecture. Only opportunist intellectuals, who try to impute their own philistine ways to the proletarians, can flaunt their high school knowledge of a “revolution in social relations” at a time when practical ways are being discussed for delivering one of the blows in the second hundred. Only the opportunists of the new Iskra can raise hysterical clamours about a sinister “Jacobin” plan, the keynote of which, as we have seen, is all-round mass agitation by means of a political newspaper.
A people’s revolution, true, cannot be timed. We cannot but praise Martynov and the writer of the leader in Iskra, No. 62, for knowing this truth (“what thought of preparing the uprising can there possibly be in our Party?” asked Martynov’s loyal associate, or disciple, in that article, warring on the “utopians”). But if we have really prepared an uprising, and if a popular uprising is realisable by virtue of the revolutions in social relations that have already taken place, then it is quite possible to time the uprising. We shall attempt to clarify the point for the new-Iskra followers by a simple example. Can the working-class movement be timed? No, it cannot; for that movement is made up of thousands of separate acts arising from a revolution in social relations. Can a strike be timed? It can, despite the fact—just imagine, Comrade Martynov—despite the fact that every strike is the result of a revolution in social relations. When can a strike be timed? When the organisation or group calling it has influence among the masses of the workers involved and is able correctly to gauge the moment when discontent and resentment among them are mounting. Do you see the point now, Comrade Martynov and Comrade “leader-ist” of Iskra, No. 62? If you do, then please take the trouble to compare an uprising with a people’s revolution. “A people’s revolution cannot be timed in advance.” An uprising can be, if those preparing it have influence among the masses and can correctly estimate the situation.
Fortunately, the initiative of the advanced workers happens to be far ahead of the tail-ist philosophy of the new Iskra.While the latter is squeezing itself dry for theories to prove that an uprising cannot be timed by those who have prepared for it and have organised the vanguard of the revolutionary class, events show that those who have not prepared may time, indeed, are sometimes compelled to timer an uprising.
Here is a leaflet sent to us by a St. Petersburg comrade. It was set up, printed, and distributed in more than 10,000 copies by the workers themselves, who had seized a legal printing-press in St. Petersburg on January 10.
“Workers of All Countries, Unite!
“Citizens! Yesterday you witnessed the brutality of the autocratic government. You saw blood flowing in the streets. You saw hundreds of fighters for the working-class cause lying dead; you saw death, you heard the groans of wounded women and defenceless children. The blood and brains of workers bespattered the roadways that workers’ hands had laid. Who directed the troops, the rifles, and the bullets against the workers’ breasts?
“The tsar, the grand dukes, the Ministers, the generals, and the scoundrels at Court.
“They are the murderers! Death to them! To arms, comrades, seize the arsenals, the munitions depots, and armourers’ shops. Break down the prison walls, comrades, and release the fighters for freedom. Smash up the gendarme and police stations and all government institutions. Let us overthrow the tsarist government and establish our own. Long live the revolution! Long live the Constituent Assembly of People’s Representatives!
The call to insurrection issued by this handful of advanced enterprising workers did not meet with success. Several unsuccessful calls to insurrection, or several unsuccessful “timings” of insurrection would not surprise or discourage us. We leave it to the new Iskra to hold forth in this connection on the necessity of a “revolution in social relations” and grandiloquently to condemn the “utopianism” of the workers who exclaimed, “Let us establish our own government!” Only hopeless pedants or muddle-heads would regard this watchword as the central point of such an appeal. What is important for us to note and emphasise is the remark ably bold and practical manner in which the problem now squarely confronting us was posed.
The call of the St. Petersburg workers was not answered and could not have been answered’ as quickly as they wished. This call will be repeated time and again, and the attempts at an uprising may result in more failures. But the very fact that the workers themselves have raised this issue is of tremendous significance. The gain which the working-class movement has made in bringing home the practical urgency of this problem and in moving it closer to the forefront of any popular unrest is a gain that nothing can take away from the proletariat.
As much as three years ago the Social-Democrats had on general grounds advanced the slogan of preparing the uprising. The independent activity of the proletariat arrived at the same slogan as a result of the direct lessons taught by the civil war. There are two kinds of independent activity. There is the independent activity of a proletariat possessed of revolutionary initiative, and there is the independent activity of a proletariat that is undeveloped and is held in Leading-strings; there is a consciously Social-Democratic independent activity, and there is a Zubatovist independent activity. And there are Social-Democrats who to this day contemplate with reverence the second kind of independent activity, who believe that they can evade a direct reply to the pressing questions of the day by repeating the word “class” over and over again. We need but take No. 84 of Iskra. “Why,” asks its “leader-ist”, bearing down on us with a triumphant air, “why was it not the narrow organisation of professional revolutionaries, but the Workers’ Assembly that set this avalanche in motion [January 9]? Because this Assembly was a really [mark this!] broad organisation. based on the independent activity of the working-class masses.” If the author of this classical phrase were not an admirer of Martynov, he might have understood that the Assembly rendered a service to the movement of the revolutionary proletariat only when and to the extent that it passed from Zubatovist independent activity to Social-Democratic in dependent activity (after which it immediately ceased to exist as a legally functioning organisation).
Had the new-Iskrists, or the new-Rabocheye Dyelo-ists not been tail-enders, they would have realised that it was the Ninth of January that justified those who had said that “...in the long run the legalisation of the working-class movement will be to our advantage, and not to that of the Zubatovs” (What Is To Be Done? ). It was the Ninth of January that proved again and again the importance of the task formulated in that pamphlet: “...we must prepare reapers, both to cut down the tares of today [paralyse today’s corrupting influence of the Zubatov movement] and to reap the wheat of tomorrow” (give a revolutionary lead to the movement that has advanced a step with the aid of legalisation). The Simple Simons of the new Iskra, however, use the bountiful wheat harvest as a pretext for minimising the importance of a strong organisation of revolutionary reapers.
It would be criminal, the new-Iskra leader-writer continues, “to attack the revolution in the rear”. What this sentence means, God only knows. As to its bearing on the general opportunist complexion of Iskra, we shall probably deal with the point on another occasion. Here it will suffice to indicate that this sentence can have but one true political meaning, namely, that the author grovels in the dust before the rear of the revolution and disdainfully turns up his nose at the “narrow” and “Jacobin” van of the revolution.
The more the new Iskra displays its Martynovist zeal, the clearer becomes the contrast between the tactics of tailism and the tactics of revolutionary Social-Democracy. We pointed out in the first issue of Vperyod that an up rising must connect itself with one of the spontaneous movements. Consequently, we do not in the least forget the importance of “guarding the rear”, to employ a military term. In Vperyod, No. 4, we referred to the correct tactics of the St. Petersburg Committee members, who from the outset directed all their efforts towards supporting and developing the revolutionary elements in the spontaneous movement, while at the same time maintaining an attitude of reserve and distrust towards the shady, Zubatov rear of that movement. We shall conclude now with a piece of advice, which no doubt we shall have to repeat more than once to the new-Iskrists: Do not minimise the tasks of the revolution’s vanguard, do not forget our obligation to support this van guard by our organised independent activity. Use fewer platitudes about the development of the independent activity of the workers—the workers display no end of independent revolutionary activity which you do not notice!—but see to it rather that you do not demoralise undeveloped workers by your own tail-ism.
***Kifa Mokiyevich—a character in Gogol’s Dead Souls depicted as a type of person who is absorbed in the solution of idle and sense less problems. | 2019-04-21T14:39:05Z | https://neodemocracy.blogspot.com/2018/07/two-tactics.html |
We’ll now look at some of the results presented in the paper.
The authors have introduced the subject of convergence of numerical methods into the field of chaotic dynamical systems. This field is very important in many areas of current intense study and investigation. Numerical models and solution methods exhibit chaotic dynamical-system characteristics in weather and climate modeling, direct numerical and large eddy simulations of turbulent flows, as well as the classical studies of chaotic systems through nonlinear ODEs as introduced by Lorenz and others. The author’s paper seems to be the first in the literature to present results of systematic investigations of convergence into this important field of research and applications.
We will use a conventional notion that convergence means that the difference between the calculated numbers, at all locations along a trajectory, will decrease as the step size is refined. Plots analogous to those in Figure 2 in the paper, for example, will reflect only the order of the numerical solution methods. The importance of convergence has been discussed previously on this blog.
Given the overriding considerations of the importance of convergence in all other areas of numerical analysis and applications, the present situation relative to chaotic dynamical systems is very surprising.
Anyone can easily convince themselves that potentially there is a problem in demonstrating that standard numerical solution methods will converge as the step size is refined, when applied to chaotic dynamical system model equations. Simple explicit Euler or Runge-Kutta methods can be used to illustrate the problem. I have investigated the properties of several standard numerical solution methods applied to chaotic model equations. None can be shown to even begin to converge. The original 3D Lorenz system of 1963 was the primary system studied, with preliminary investigations of other model.
Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of calculations of the various Lorenz, and other, chaotic ODEs have appeared in the literature. For all the reports and papers that I have reviewed, none have investigated convergence of the numerical approximations. Texts that present the many and varied aspects of chaotic systems seem to not give consideration to the possibility that the numerical solution methods might be introducing artifacts into the calculated numbers. In fact, in some texts the numerical solution methods used to obtain the calculated results are not even specified.
While there seems to have been no previous publications of the potential problems with standard numerical solution methods, a few studies have provided hints that problems exist. Studies using very non-standard solution methods, self-validating interval and enclosure methods, present plots of results for only a limited range of time units before validation of the solution is no longer possible.
As an interesting sidelight, publications of numerical calculations of the Lyapunov exponents for the original Lorenz system always show that as the step size is refined the exponents approach fixed values. Apparently this is an indication that successful calculations of the Lyapunov exponents cannot be used to judge the chaotic response of systems of nonlinear ODEs. Calculations of the Lyapunov exponents seem to have focused on convergence relative to the exponents, but not the ODEs. As accurate calculation of the Lyapunov exponents seems to be independent of convergence of the ODEs, the exponents seem to be a poor estimators for chaotic responses.
Additional discussions of the results presented in the paper are given in the following paragraphs.
The authors have presented an excellent contribution into investigations of the status of the accuracy of standard numerical solution methods when applied to simple systems of nonlinear ODEs that exhibit chaotic responses. The additional information presented regarding numerical solutions of the systems of algebraic equations arising from discrete approximations to PDEs is also welcomed. Consistency, stability, and convergence for discrete approximations to continuous equations are of fundamental importance in all studies of mathematical models of physical phenomena and processes.
The numerical solutions of all discrete approximations to continuous equation systems are valid only when the calculated numbers have been shown to be independent of the methods used to solve the equations. For ODEs, as shown in the subject paper, independence is demonstrated by showing convergence; the calculated numbers are independent of the size of the discrete increment used in the solution methods. Until this independence and convergence has been demonstrated, the calculated discrete approximations do not satisfy the continuous equations. The displayed numbers are simply that; numbers, not solutions.
The temporal and spatial discrete increments used in numerical solution methods for PDEs are equally important. While the focus of the paper was the temporal increment in the case of PDEs, demonstration of independence and convergence is only attained when the spatial increment is also investigated. All numerical solutions are required to be shown to be independent of both the temporal and all spatial discrete increments. Convergence, an important part of Verification of numerical solution methods, is required to be demonstrated prior to investigating model error and associated ensemble-averaging methodologies.
The standard approach to demonstrate numerical convergence is to show that the calculated numbers, for all time values, approach the same exact value as the step size is refined. We could present mathematical definitions here, but the process just described is generally accepted as a working definition.
Convergence can generally be interpreted as accurate resolution of all important temporal and spatial scales contained in the mathematical models. The use of (semi- or fully-) implicit numerical solution methods is generally employed whenever some of these scales are thought to be of lesser importance so that resolution is not required nor attempted. Generally, if at later times it is decided that accurate resolution is needed, smaller discrete-increment sizes must be employed in attempts to recover the resolutions. This approach is counter productive, however, generally requiring significantly more CPU operations and associated computer resources than explicit methods. Additionally, the numerically-induced dispersion and diffusion obtained with semi- or fully-implicit numerical methods generally requires that excessively smaller increments be used.
As noted in the paper, there are in the literature investigations of some of the effects of under-resolution in the solutions of both linear and non-linear small systems (including a single scalar equation) of ODEs. The results of these investigations have shown that numerical solution methods can in fact result in numbers that appear to represent chaotic responses when chaos should not be present.
We will not present much at all regarding the effects of under-resolution of numerical solution methods by use of discrete step sizes that do not resolve significant scales of the equation systems. We only mention that some of the effects of under-resolution are just as of significant importance as the lack of convergence on which we focus. Lack of convergence and under-resolution, after all, are related issues. Under-resolution is the subject of this post on this blog.
Calculations of the Lorenz 3D equations with all standard numerical solution methods for ODEs will never indicate convergence. It is possible that this statement is holds also for all non-linear ODEs that are assumed to exhibit chaotic behavior. The same question relative to PDEs is still a very much open issue. The numerous well-founded problems associated with attaining accurate numerical solutions ot PDEs make it very difficult to separate these issues from the issues associated with chaotic response. Little of a basic theoretical nature is known about chaotic response and PDEs. It is important to note, however, that some methods of solution for PDEs depend of the same type of ODEs that are used as illustrations of chaotic response.
Regarding PDEs, it seems that chaos/chaotic response is simply invoked whenever the numerical solutions are found to be sensitive to initial values. Sensitivity to initial conditions, along with non-linearity, are not sufficient in themselves to warrant the assumption of chaos. Additionally, invoking shadowing to give credence to numerical solutions of PDEs is also not based on a solid foundation. Successful shadowing requires that other specific requirements be met, including starting near a true solution. If chaotic equations cannot be accurately integrated in a manner that ensures that true attractors have been initially determined, how can shadowing be ensured. Additionally, the breakdown in the numerical solutions, due solely to numerical errors, cannot be overcome by shadowing.
My own investigations with standard numerical methods and non-linear ODEs, specifically the original 3D Lorenz system, have shown us that the results presented in the paper are indeed the expected results. However, in contrast to the assumption stated in the paper, the calculations of the Lorenz equations presented in the paper are clearly not converged. Use of the smallest step size as the reference case is but a convenient rationale for not continuing the search for convergence. Any other step size could have been taken as the reference case.
Results of research by me indicate that chaotic response of models based on simple non-linear ODEs like the 3D Lorenz equations, cannot be, and have never been demonstrated to be accurate solutions of the ODEs when standard numerical solution methods are used. This conclusion holds no matter what standard numerical method is used. The numbers calculated do not satisfy the continuous form of the ODEs; never have been, never will be. The numbers are solely numerical errors, and the chaotic response is due completely to ‘numerical ODE chaos’.
In the present discussions we will expand on some of the issues addressed in the paper and present additional information regarding convergence of numerical solutions of nonlinear equation systems that exhibit chaotic responses. Our focus is also the numerical solution of systems like the Lorenz 3D ODEs used in the paper, along with a few ideas regarding numerical solutions of PDEs.
The results in Figure 2 indicate that the magnitudes of the difference between the calculated responses are of the order of the magnitude of the dependent variables themselves. It is very striking that for the case of even the next-largest step size above the reference case, the error clearly grows as the integration continues out in time. The differences even out past the saturation time show remain large. If convergence was being approached then the lines in Figure would be more-or-less parallel lines that reflected only the truncation order of numerical solution methods. My calculations are entirely consistent with the results presented in Figure 2.
Additional numerical artifacts are shown in Figure 3 of the paper. In Figure 3a, for example, the calculations indicate that the value of the asymptotic fixed points are clearly a function of the step size. (Note that the introductory text for this figure indicates that r = 17, while other text discussing the figure, and the figure caption indicate r = 19.) And for Figure 3b, the calculations for the mid-range step size remain ‘chaotic’, while step sizes both larger and smaller approach fixed points. Both these results are clear indications that there are problems in the numerical solution methods. Again, my calculations are entirely consistent with the results presented in Figure 3.
The plots of results of calculations with the QG and NOGAPS models and codes, representing solutions of systems of PDEs and PDEs plus algebraic modeling equations, respectively, also indicate lack of convergence. The discussions in the paper about these codes also indicate that only the temporal step size was investigated. A more nearly complete investigation of convergence should also include refinement of the spatial increments in addition to the temporal increment.
The calculations with the NOGAPS model/code show clearly why convergence studies are an absolute necessity. Without them it would not have been known that the asymptotic range for the solution methods for the finite-difference equations had not been reached. Equally important, calculations performed with assumed higher-order numerical methods and increased spatial resolutions might not in fact represent calculations at higher resolutions.
The behaviors and characteristics seen for the NOGAPS model/code can easily be present in all models/codes that have important physical phenomena and processes represented by algebraic equations. Careful treatment of the algebraic equations is required in order that they do not adversely impact the analysis of truncation errors. Development of higher-order numerical solution methods for the continuous PDEs will be to no avail if the algebraic equations reduce the effective order.
The calculations of the Lorenz equations presented in the paper are clearly not converged. This result is consistent with my own calculations of small systems of nonlinear ODEs that exhibit chaotic response.
The assumption that the smallest discrete step size represents convergence is not a good assumption. The results presented in the paper clearly show that convergence of the numerical solutions has not been attained.
All the calculated results given in the paper are functions of the step sizes used in the numerical solution methods. This is an unacceptable situation especially relative to models of physical systems. The step size is not a parameter of the physical systems of interest.
As noted in the paper, semi-implicit methods have been developed so as to be able to use larger step sizes. These larger step sizes will very likely lead to under-resolution and the associated problems discussed above in these notes and on this blog. Notable among the adverse effects of under-resolution are the false indications of chaotic responses. Extraction of evidence of chaotic responses by use of the displayed numbers from a calculation with a very complex mathematical model and associated computer code provides, at the very best, a measure solely of that calculation. No conclusions relative to the properties and characteristics of the continuous equations, and especially the modeled physical system, is possible and should never be accepted.
The sizes of both the temporal and spatial discrete increments are equally important. While the focus of the paper was the temporal increment in the case of PDEs, demonstration of independence and convergence is only attained when the spatial increment is also investigated. The numerical solutions are required to be shown to be independent of both the temporal and all spatial discrete increments. In the absence of convergence, the calculated numbers do not satisfy the continuous equations.
The importance of careful numerical-methods treatment of any algebraic equations used to model physical phenomena and processes has been demonstrated in the paper. These have actually reduced the order of the numerical methods relative to the theoretical order of the discrete equations.
Convergence is required to be demonstrated prior to investigating model error and associated ensemble-averaging methodologies. Use of the time-step size as a parameter for variation in the ensemble-averaging approach is not ever appropriate for any models of physical phenomena and processes.
A comment on this paper, and a response by the authors, has been published by the JAS. The TOC for the issue is here. The comment can be read; the response is not yet (September 4, 2007) available online. | 2019-04-20T01:05:50Z | https://models-methods-software.com/2007/03/22/an-important-peer-reviewed-paper-part-1/ |
Always professional, courteous and thorough with our kids.
Great service, and excellent providers. Trying to get same day appts can be tricky, sometimes scheduling isn’t so flexible, and wait times can be too much. Otherwise, great care- so I’ll take the schedule snafus.
First visit, overall clinic was clean staff very friendly and efficient. Wait time was very short. Got lab results back quickly and nurse Anika called to follow up and returned my call. During my visit all my questions were answered and bedside manner was genuine. Definitely recommend this clinic.
Emily was great! She got me in and out, while still addressing all my needs.
We are so glad you loved Emily and your visit to our office.
I absolutely love Danielle Dickman. She is so nice and actually takes the time to listen and help me. Instead of rushing off to the next patient.
We are so glad you loved Danielle and your visit to our office.
Been coming here for over 6 years! Never have had one complaint about the care I have recieved!!
Thank you for trusting us with your care for the last 6 years!
The service is always great, but getting in when necessary can be rather difficult.
Thank you very much for your feedback. I have passed this along so our office can hope to improve our wait times.
I felt very comfortable with Danielle. She is a great communicator and answered all questions I had. I will be making Danielle my "Women" doctor.
We are so glad you felt comfortable during your visit and loved Danielle.
Very friend and knowledgeable doctors and staff.
Love this office, I use them for myself and my both my kids. They are super friendly and great personnel.
The visit and NP was great, it was the front desk person and payment policy I don't appreciate. She jverbally asked me what was done and then entered it in and said if I hadn't met my deductible I had to pay everything up front. I think it's interesting that it wasn't that easy for of the nurses to tell me how much common tests cost, but the checkout person seemed to have no problem. Maybe I'm the naive one here and I'm missing something, but I thought insurance had negotiated rates and the front counter person didn't seem to think this was relevant. So I paid the full bill for whatever she entered in the computer (I don't know because I also wasn't given an itemized receipt after paying in full), but if I get a refund from my insurance in 6-12 wks because I over paid there is a good chance we won't be back because I don't need to give money to the dr.'s office or insurance if it isn't necessary. My experience with every other medical office is once I've proven who I am and that I have insurance my insurance is billed first and if there is a remaining balance I receive that bill in the mail. I get you deal with fraud and patients that don't pay their bills, but all the other offices I've dealt with seem to have a more patient friendly policy in this regard.
I felt very welcome here and supported because I was very nervous walking into my appointment. I will definitely be back to have check-ups or just to talk to anyone if I need be. I feel like I have a resource to go to now if I have any questions. Emily was very helpful and did a phenomenal job!
Thank you for the wonderful comments Ginger. We are so glad we were able to answer your questions and can be a resource for you.
Dr. Vasek takes a thorough and humanistic approach to her work. She takes the time needed to answer any and all questions. She has always help me and my son feel at ease in the doctor's office and treats him with love and care. I am also in a unique position with my son's father and she does a beautiful job of making sure that I always feel safe and heard in these appointments. I trust her care with the most important person in my life, my son, and would recommend her to others seeking a quality practitioner in Laramie.
I have nothing but the best things to say about this office. The staff is always friendly and accommodating and the office is clean and welcoming. Paula is the very best provider. She genuinely cares about her patients, she will be greatly missed as we move.
Massage Therapist~ Received an excellent rejuvenation massage that was more than I expected. Planning to make it a regular habit. Brittany is professional, thorough and detail oriented.
Dr Harris was awesome with my son. He is the first Dr to take the time to calm my son and show his he wasn’t there to hurt him. By the end of the office visit my son was actually helping Dr Harris with his exam.
Hands Down the best clinic I have gone to! From the front desk women to the nursing staff, they are all so professional and friendly. Dr. Klingler is a great doctor! I appreciate how informative he is in appointments. He is very professional and made my pregnancy go so well.
Great office. Works well with you when you have insurance problems. Great staff.
The nurse that assisted me ,?Sarah? Was super kind and helpful! We decided to wait for any botox until I am done nursing since studies arent out on it yet. She was super kind and not pushy one way or another. Thanks!
Received excellent service with Danielle Dickman. I have never meant her before, but she provided all the answers I needed to know.
I have not accessed your website so don't know how to respond.
Paula is absolutely amazing. I have never been so pleased with a provider before. She takes her time with your children and takes the time to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you have.
Very professional and they really go the extra mile to make sure you understand everything.
Wonderful staff in all aspects! They're very helpful in explaining everything in detail, making me feel comfortable, and creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
I always feel well cared for at Laramie Physicians for Women and Children. I have recently moved to Cheyenne and just can't bring myself to change Doctors because everyone here has been so good to me.
I love the amount of time Paula give us at each appointment. She genuinely cares about her patients and we are not treated like "just a number"
The staff, nurses and doctors are so kind and wonderful. They were helpful and listened to me and I felt truly cared for!
Very great experience. I will be back.
Paula is amazing and we recommend her to anyone looking for a pediatrician! She is so patient, kind, thorough, and knowledgeable.
Every doctor and nurse that I have ever seen either for myself or my daughter have been excellent! I really appreciate the email and text reminders for appointments! Thank you!
Dr. Klinger and his staff were very kind, professional and courteous, as always! I know I will always get the best care with them!
This clinic is amazing! They were able to get me in the same week. The nurses all took the time to listen and give me the best options! I have never had such a great experience!
Providers and nurses are all very helpful and take time to listen to your concerns.
Dr. Dickman was very easy to talk to about health issues!
I felt very comfortable the whole time! Everyone is very friendly and warm welcoming!
Timely, friendly staff. Love the text to schedule appointment function.
I Love everyone that works at Laramie Physicians for women & children. I have always been very pleased with their kindly attitudes and professional service. I have never had any complaints and have always recommended them to my friends.
I appreciated the notification that it was time for my yearly exam.
Hi sorry for the late submit but I just got my internet back the ISP accidentally disconnected my wires and used them for someone else. I would like to thank the entire team with special thanks to Paula Vasic and her nurses and front desk personnel. They helped me out of a jam with Tricare and it wont soon be forgotten. I would only ask that reminders be sent to me as well for Christopher's appointments as I am going through a divorce and have primary custody.
Friendly staff! Making the experience more comfortable, highly recommend!
Less than 5 min to get into office. Less than 20 to be seen. Extremely thorough, unrushed and detailed.
Lately I have had some disappointments with the practice. I made an appointment on Friday, 9/21/18, but upon arrival, was told that I did not, in fact have an appointment on the schedule. (I have the text chain.) So, I accepted an appt. for Monday,9/24/18 instead. This meant more time away from work at a busy time of year. During my 9/24 visit, I advised the med tech and the practitioner that I needed a prescription filled, and told them that my pharmacy had changed. When I arrived at Safeway hours later, they had not received my RX. That is because they sent it to my old pharmacy, instead of the new one I provided. Very frustrating on all accounts.
Very kind and informative for any issue that you may have. Felt completely comfortable with all staff and Doctors. I would recommend them to anyone.
Elizabeth DePrince Smith is great. Very attentive, listens well, and has a common sense approach that I appreciate.
I have always had a great experience at LPWC, they treat me very well!
Wish Dr. Brag wasn't going to Greely. We have other UC Health physicians we see there or here may need to rethink where I will go in the future. What OBGYNs will on your staff now?
Wait time was very long. I would prefer to have the conversation with the provider while fully dressed rather than in a gown.
Awesome doctors and staff. Very kind and accommodating.
quick and knowledgeable service, very respectful to the patient.
Dr. Johnson is incredible! She asked great questions and encouraged me to describe what my contractions felt like, which helped reassure me that what I thought I was experiencing was actually Braxton-Hicks. I felt very cared for and listened to, and she was so reassuring about the next five or so weeks before delivery. All of the doctors that I've seen during this pregnancy have been wonderful, but Dr. Johnson stands out to me above the rest!
The nurse didn't always wash her hands or sanitize after re-entering our room. She also handled a nasal bulb without washing or sanitizing her hands. She touched the tip and laid it on her pants as well before using it on my preemie baby. I realize that I'm a hypochondriac first-time parent, but the conditions surrounding my birth and my baby's treatment before this clinic visit has made me very sensitive. The situation i experienced at his checkup with the nurse made me uncomfortable, because I'm still getting over my own hyper sensitivity.
Great place to bring the girls. I always feel so love and cared for!
treated to feel comfortable and listened to.
I have always been pleased with the care I have received at Laramie Physicians for Women. The doctors are caring and knowledgeable, and the rest of the staff is efficient and friendly.
Paula is the best. She listens and answers all my questions and doesn’t rush us out of the office. That being said, she is the only good thing about LPWC. I had an appointment first thing in the morning and we had a long wait, the room we were taken into had used tongue depressors on the floor, and the staff seemed genuinely unhappy. I get the vibe they’re overworked. The only reason I got my child’s appointment when I did was because I scheduled it 3+ months in advance otherwise they are too understaffed to schedule sick kid appointments.
Elizabeth is great! I trust she always has my child's best interests at heart.
I'm unsure I would recommend service on the Women's side since Bragg is leaving. He was the only doctor I visited. I don't think I really have basis for recommending or not recommending.
Thank you for your feedback. We hope you will continue your care with LPWC. We have new providers joining our team and truly believe you will find them to be excellent partners in your health.
Doctors are attentive, knowledgeable, and take the necessary time to address any concerns. All good so far!
Danielle Dickman was excellent. She was one of the better doctors/nurses I've seen in the past 15 years. I felt completely comfortable and she helped address all the questions I had.
We really like Elizabeth Smith and would definitely return to see her again.
I was very pleased to meet Danielle Dickman. She was friendly, helpful, and a good listener, She was also much more gentle than the previous male doctors I've had at your practice, and minimized the discomfort of the exam and pap. I hope she stays around.
I love the people that work there and always am satisfied with every visit!
I guess i knew I hadn’t been myself for a while but i really appreciate the helpful and caring nature of my doctor!! Just one day after my appointment and i feel more like me than i have in a while! Thankyou and I’m looking forward to going again. 🙂 my experience over the years of going to them has been nothing but positive. 😉 i would recommend all women to go to them!
Paula was, by far, the best provider we've had in Laramie for taking time to get to know the patient as a whole person. We were very impressed.
I felt comfortable and didn't feel like I was just another number passing through!
Drove in from an hour and a half away and my routine appointment had ended up requiring a couple of more unplanned procedures. Dr. Bragg was able to get them done within the same day to make the most of my time so that I wouldn't have to drive back again. I was very pleased that they were able to accommodate me and allowed me to make informed decisions about my care. Highly recommend!
I find Dr. Klingler and his staff very friendly and helpful.
I was comfortable with the staff and doctor. They were friendly and listned.
The online presence is good for follow-up and reminding me of an upcoming appointment.
Every experience I've had at Laramie Physicians for Women and Children has been extraordinarily far above average. I always feel like I matter, truly matter, to the doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and staff at LPWC. I could not be more satisfied with the care and thoughtful, unhurried approach of the doctors and nurse practitioners there.
Honestly don't even want to leave 1 star. I was completely disappointed by the treatment i got. I felt 10 times worse when i left then i did going in. I understood everything the doctor said. But after he found out why i was there he acted like i was a burden. I was and am still very worried and concerned. He did not seem to care abput how i felt. He rushed through a pelvic exam and never even addressed my ultra sound results. The minute i said i wasn't wanting to get pregnant yet, the tone and body language of both him and the nurse changed. I will not be going back to him when the time comes that i do want to have children.
I feel very cared for personally, not just a number in a long day. My level of trust could not be higher.
I was in the office for 2 hours. My appointment was at 12:20pm and the doctor didn't even come in the room until 1:30pm. The wait times are beyond ridiculous and I will be moving my children to a new clinic.
Dr. Mikesell is great! Courteous, friendly, helpful and open-minded.
Absolutely, I would recommend Laramie Phys for Women and Children. I like the fact that if a woman has a problem, the practice will get the patient in quickly. I also like that the Dr. tells me what to look for in terms of potential symptoms, and what to do if those symptoms arise. They answer questions and explain thoroughly. Everyone is very nice and professional.
Everyone was very friendly and supportive. While I don’t really like annual examinations, everyone there made the experience almost pleasurable.
Staff is super friendly! Doctor took time and answered all questions I had. Definitely would recommend this Clinic!
Dr. Ewell and the rest of staff were amazing! Great experience altogether!
Staff are always pleasant, kind,respectful and professional.
My boys have been going to LPWC sense the day they were born! I love all the doctors, nurses, and other staff, unfortunately if your child is all caught up on vaccinations and doesn't get sick for a 3 1/2 to 4 years they get rid of their medical files. It causes quite a problem when trying to get them ready for junior high.
Great staff, kind and professional GYN and quick appointments to get in. Didn’t wait long for my scheduled appointment either.
The doctor's bedside manor regarding my son's small birthmarks and while examining his ears was not what I would have expected from a pediatrician. She seemed frustrated that he was wiggling around (he's 7 months old) and called his birthmarks "unfortunate." The nurse also made an error in my son's weight when she entered them into his file (15.05 pounds isn't the same as 15 pounds 5 ounces) that just seemed careless. It strikes me as odd that this survey doesn't ask any questions about the providers' professionalism/skill. They listened and answered questions fine but the skill with examining my son and questioning me were below average.
We appreciate your honest feedback. This visit will be reviewed by our clinical supervisor.
The most comfortable I’ve ever been at a doctors appointment! They not only made me feel like I could ask them anything and they would take it seriously but they also treated me like a human!
Very friendly and awesome with my kids love you guys.
Dr. Ewell is so compassionate and very knowledgeable. I appreciate all the time he spent answering my questions and his true genuine concern for my sistuation.
Paula is our favorite! We hate to see her go, she is the best at what she does and is truly a caring person!
Your office has always been polite and efficient to meet my needs over the years. It's nice to know there are folks still out there who genuinely care about their patients.
Very little wait time and excellent services!
I am so glad Dr. Amanda Johnson is working at Laramie Physicians for Women. I saw her for my annual pap & breast exam a cou[;e weeks ago. She made me feel very comfortable and was extremely informative and thorough. I will definitely go to her for all my Gynecology needs.
Great staff, availability and professionalism. I feel safe taking my children there.
The staff are very friendly! The Nurses are awesome at listening to what you need, and being supportive. The facilities are clean and comforting. The Doctors are great and truly listen to your concerns and do the best they can to benefit your health!
When we moved to Laramie we saw a pediatrician at a different practice with our son and had a horrible experience. We switched to this practice and our newborn daughter saw Dr. Anderson the last visit and she is AMAZING! I am so happy to have found a pediatrician who listens and doesn't judge decisions you've made as a parent! All our kids will be seeing her from now on!
Paula is the best provider in town!!
I went into the office completely unsure of what to expect, but that didn't last long. The doctor took the time to figure out if the birth control method I chose was the best for me, then put me at ease quickly with a friendly yet professional attitude and sharing her personal experiences with the procedure. She explained everything she was doing before she did it and helped me to relax through the pain. I'm glad I made the decision I did and the people I chose to see!
Very friendly staff. Our pediatrician, Elizabeth Smith, was so interactive with our son. She took his interests and used those to make his check up fun!
We are very happy with the care that is given to our three children at LPWC. From the friendly smiles at the front desk to the one on one care that the nurses and doctors give. I highly recommend LPWC to all parents here in the Laramie area.
Always feel better after seeing dr klingler!!!
Friendly, efficient staff. Nice facility.
Laramie Physicians for Women and Children is excellent. The staff is friendly, the facility is modern and clean, and the physicians are knowledgeable. The billing department has been so helpful, too!
The office is great, but I have only had my experience with doctors that have left. I really don't know anything about the other physicians. The physician I saw is also leaving, so I probably won't return for care.
We waited for over an hour in the room for our appointment. Nobody came in and said they were running behind, at one point I thought we had been forgot about. Need to have better communication if this is going to happen.
We apologize that you had this experience, our nurse supervisor will look into this and give you a call.
Wonderful care from the people in this office.
The only thing that needs improvement is the wait time when you have an appointment. My appointment was at 11:15 and I didn't see the doctor until 11:40. This is the norm for every appointment.
Sara and Dr. Westbrook are the best.
The staff at LPWC are phenomenal and take such good care of my children. I would recommend their services to anyone!
Dr. Olipra is a wonderful pediatrician, and all the nurses are kind and helpful.
We love this clinic! Every time they got us in and make us feel comfortable. They provide us excellent care and are very friendly!
Paula Vasek provides excellent care to her patients. She is thorough and always takes time to answer questions and to ensure that parents feel confident in the decisions made during the appointment.
I appreciate when the doctors are on time. Dr. Klingler is always professional and thorough.
The exam on my daughter was very through, staff was friendly and got brought in to the exam room very quickly.
I couldn’t have been more pleased with the services I received from the minute I walked in the door to the time I left. Everyone was kind, pleasant and professional!!!
I have had nothing but the best care and service at Laramie Physicians for Women. They go above and beyond.
I called the day before new years weekend. Doctors were not available, but the nurse arranged for a culture to be given and some pre-treatment medicine to be prescribed. I appreciate that so much! It saved me from 4 days of misery that a delay would have caused. Also, I received a follow-up phone call after the holiday.
Dr .Klingler and staff are awesome. You feel comfortable and they have great attitudes.Dr. Klingler is a good listener and he takes care of all issues.
Everyone took very good care of me!
we really love dr. Olipra...she is wonderful and takes such good care of us!
The doctors and nurses are always so wonderful! They take their time and really show concern for my children no matter if it's a serious injury or the common cold.
Whatever a "review to support our online presence" means. Goodness. I do wish to state that this trend (everyone from health care providers to companies from which we order online, and don't forget the car service guys) toward evaluating everything If we're not happy, we'll say so. I had such a pleasant visit with Dr. Klingler. Really enjoyed it - maybe partly because it started off with my blood pressure being 120 over 70. . | 2019-04-21T00:51:40Z | https://reviews.solutionreach.com/vs/laramie_physicians_for_women_children |
Confession: I am terrible at doing hard things.
I will go out of my way to avoid them.
I will choose comfort every time.
And honestly, it's an area that has tripped me up more than once. It's definitely sin in me that I continue to battle and work through. Last night at church we were posed with a question that has me wrapped up: What do you find yourself praying more often...Lord comfort me...or Lord conform me?
After church last night I got to spend some time chatting with a friend and of course that question in the sermon came up. We cried over it together admitting that hands down I pray for God to comfort me! Not that praying for God to comfort us is bad, not at all! But how often do we say-Lord change me! No matter how uncomfortable it is I just want to be more and more like you!
For me I'll be honest, not enough.
The friend that I was discussing this over is kind of incredible. You see, she met Jesus in a jail cell. She grew up with one parent bound in the chains of addiction and the other in jail. WIth no one else to raise her she was sent to live with her grandmother. Living in the pain and heartbreak that she did growing up she was determined to not let the same thing happen to her. But you see...she didn't know Jesus, she didn't even know that there was a God big enough to heal her and love up the broken pieces of her and put her back together. She didn't know. And determination and grit will only carry you so far, and eventually she found herself in the chains of addiction too. That's how she wound up in that jail cell. But as often is the case with my God, what seemed like the end was only the beginning. And when she had decided that this cell and this lifestyle was all there was to life, and that it must be her family curse that she couldn't ever escape even if she did find herself out of that cell, a woman came through and introduced her to Jesus. If you hear her talk about she'll tell you herself-she just gave me a glimpse, she didn't tell me much. But just that taste was enough and I was ruined. Ruined for Jesus. Which is exactly where she needed to be. 7 years later she is a free woman in more ways than 1. She is a mother to precious boys, an incredible wife, and in a few months graduating with her counseling degree to help other women like her. The woman who left that cell was in no way the same woman who entered it. Because that's what Jesus does, changes you. Sometimes we forget that often requires doing hard things.
These days my friend finds herself in that same jail often, though now it's to minister to others who felt there was no other way like she did. But she wept with me last night as we mulled over that question together as she remembered the day she knew the hard thing that she had to do that was essential for her healing. She had to cut ties with her biological family. She wept as she recalled it all. But she said through a tear stained smile-every single thing that I have given up for God He has replaced ten fold. I thought I would never have a family if I gave up the one I had, but now I have my only family and my own church family that is so huge and really, really loves me-and loves me without the strings of addiction! Freedom I didn't even know existed!
Isn't that the way it is? I'm not saying we are all called to give up our biological families, for my friend and her situation that was what was key to her healing. These days, years later, she does have some contact with them and she is able to witness to them and show them the love of Jesus and we pray that one day they would seek the Healer for themselves. So often our healing and our spiritual growth is just on the other side of that hard thing that we know He is calling us to. After our talk last night I drove home and I knew what I needed to do today, I needed to do my own hard thing, even though it didn't look like my friend's.
So this morning I woke up and got the Mr. off to work and then I got myself ready and I got in the car. The whole way there I talked out loud to God and wept like he was in the seat right next to me. I told Him I wanted to trust Him, I wanted to not be afraid, I knew I had every reason to trust Him and no reason to be afraid. So help me please!
Check out your local grocery sale ad and see what's on special that week, then plan a themed date night based off that. Pasta for $1? Italian night it is. Then make it your personal mission to together come up with a really fun (and inexpensive) Italian night menu. If you want to go all out even dress up to fit the role! It might sound silly, but this is where some of the sweetest and simplest memories are made.
This could technically be classified as a theme night, but it's one of our personal favorites so I had to include it separately. Pick out your favorite old Disney movie that you watched on repeat 2035 times as a kid and watch it with your love while playing your favorite board games. Sometimes when life gets so busy and you feel like you're just paying the next bill and accomplishing the next task-and that's all you're doing, this really brings it back down to simplicity and laughter for a few hours. Order pizza, or better yet find out your man's favorite childhood dish and surprise him with it. Finish off the night with giant chocolate chip cookies and milk and remember 1 rule-take nothing seriously for one solid night. You're both 5 again.
Everything that happens at the beginning of the day? Do it at the end. Get into your comfiest (but not oldest/grungiest...you know which ones I'm talking about there) pjs. Fix a huge breakfast. Gather a stack of newspapers to swap your favorite comics and do the crosswords together, and a funny TV show on DVD, and go back to bed with it all. Breakfast in bed at the end of the day.
This may sound like a "duh" kind of idea, but really I think it's kind of overlooked. Either grab subs at the local sandwich shop or pack a PB&J for crying out loud. Then remember some fun stuff to get you both active and laughing, like bikes, fishing poles, rollerblades, frisbees, or even sidewalk chalk to challenge each other to who can make the best public love letter on the sidewalk. Have fun with it!
Who says date night has to happen after 5:00?? (Except for the title of this post that clearly states date night) Sometimes we both know the day we are shooting for date day is going to be hectic and crazy, and odds are by the evening we are both going to be so exhausted that we'll be half asleep. Solution? Wake up 30 minutes early and slip away to a coffee shop or local breakfast spot together. Sure it's simple and not as long as an entire evening together, but something is better than nothing right? Plus I've noticed on the days we have done this we are both more "connected" throughout the day. Even if we're going in 2 different directions and going nuts, there's more communication still, there's more hugs and hand holding when we see each other. We're just "there". Even though it was just an 30 minutes or an hour we started our day focusing on our relationship, and that can't help but shift the way we think or feel for each other throughout that day.
Check out a local paper and see what discount classes your town offers. Dancing? Cooking? Or something sports related for him? This is not only a fun way to learn something new together, but it is also one way to guarantee date night. If you are in a season of life where you're just struggling getting motivated to have a frequent date night this is a great place to start because 1-you don't have to be responsible for planning the date, you just go the class together, and 2-if the class is once a week or every other week then there's no question as to whether or not you'll find time for date night that week. It's already set for you and all you have to do is show up.
Sometimes getting out for a bit is just what you need to reconnect, but it can be difficult to really talk when you're in a public place. So sometimes you just need to pack a blanket, grab a cup of coffee, and go for a drive. When you find a wide open spot pull over and pull out the blanket for some star gazing. Couldn't be simpler or sweeter to just get away without really going anywhere for a bit. I also really love incorporating some of these questions into the evening. If there could be one date I could choose to have every single week, this one would probably be it. There's no "fuss" over it, no planning. Just the two of you.
This is a great idea if you have kids. Once the kids are in bed hire a sitter for an hour, it will be an easy job and maybe you could even pay them with free food since all they really have to do is watch tv and be there if the kids wake up. Then get dressed up and go to a fancy restaurant and have just dessert. If you don't want to go through the hassle of hiring a sitter or dressing up then one of you run out for dessert while the other puts the kids to bed, then meet in the bedroom for dessert in bed. You can even make your own dessert or fondue for an even more affordable option.
I can almost guarantee you that if you leave out the facials, even your husband would enjoy a night of pampering. Start by soaking your feet together in a hot tub of water and epsom salt talking about the day, then move on to giving each other deluxe massages and finishing the night with a bubble bath. You can even set up the laptop in the bathroom with a favorite movie on while you soak. This is another one that could easily be done after the kiddos are in bed.
You might be wondering am I really suggesting to forego date night after I've given all these tips? Well, kinda. But not really. I love date night and I think there is tremendous value in it and is needed for healthy marriages in the long run. I really do. But you know what, sometimes it just doesn't get to happen. Things happen and while you try to protect that time as much as you can, sometimes it's out of your control. And that's okay. The first year of our marriage I was a freak about date night. So much so that it became more of a task to check off my to-do list like laundry and cleaning the toilet rather than an exciting time to reconnect with my new husband. When we didn't get to have date night one week I was overcome with guilt. I was a terrible wife and our marriage was going to fall apart in a matter of months for sure. Stop it. It's crazy. We hear so much about the importance of date night these days that if we aren't careful it will lose it's fun. Strive for date night, protect it and try your best to make it happen. But don't stress over it. Some week's are just too hectic and crazy. And on those weeks I urge you to do something we do. 30 minutes of electronic break-turn off the phones and tv and laptops, and just sit on the couch and talk. Just talk. How is work really going? What's got you worried this week? How can I pray for you? Date or no date, I'm still here and still love you deeply.
Though I was not blessed with the teaching gift personally, I come from a long line of them in my family. To say it is in my blood is and understatement and many evenings the highlight of my night was getting to put stickers on the papers after they had been graded when my aunt would bring home a big stack of papers to grade. Each generation in our family has had at least one person in the education field, so I've seen a lot of gifts. First day of school gifts. Christmas gifts. Appreciation week gifts. End of school year gifts. And from an insiders perspective let me just say there's been some crazy stuff.
That's why I have compiled my top 10 favorite DIY gifts that would be perfect for Teacher's Appreciation week or an end of school year gift, or even just because! These gifts can also easily be tweaked a little here and there to make them perfect for someone other in a teacher in your life as well!
I love a gift that is fun to receive in the moment and something the gift receiver can hang on to, and this is just the perfect idea for that. Those canvas totes are fairly inexpensive at craft stores, then just decorating with a doily and an initial letter! I really like the idea of filling it with some fun relaxing items, like a few magazines and some chocolate and a Starbucks or Sonic gift card. Even when those items are used up they have this adorable bag to keep!!
This is such a fun, inexpensive gift idea that even the kids could help with for their teacher! Either buying a metal tin or saving one you have laying around the kitchen and painting it up!
P.S.-Dad's...hint hint! This would make a good Mother's Day gift idea too! You could put your kids handprints on the back of the tin!!
If you have a little less time for a DIY project, no fear! These hand soaps are so adorable! Also Bath & Body Works usually has great sales on from time to time, making these a fantastically affordable option!
These cups with the lids and reusables straws are some of my favorites, and if you looked at my kitchen cabinet now you might wonder if I collect them. Filling them with candy and a sweet note makes them the perfect simple gift!
Everything you need for a cute summer pedicure!
Perfect for a Teacher's Appreciation or Mother's Day gift this practically free gift is especially meaningful after having your child write down all the reasons their teacher or mother means so much to them.
Though this was technically shown as a Father's Day gift idea, I love putting a Mother's Day, or Teacher gift spin on it. Kind of like a "Happy Sleep In past 8 Day", full of fancy coffee or tea, a nice mug, and a newspaper or magazine.
Who wouldn't love someone handing them everything they need for a spa night at home? Since you're fitting everything into a mason jar you can also get by with buying all the items in a travel size, making this option very budget friendly.
This is an adorable gift that can be as easy or complex as you wish!
Who wouldn't love receiving a beautiful flower arrangement in a monogrammed mason jar! This is beautiful and looks so simple to accomplish.
You might remember a few weeks ago I posted my Top 10 Outdoor DIY Projects post. Last week I finally got the chance to try out one of the ideas for myself and I am so excited to share it with you all! It was so fun to do, really simple, and really brought Spring to our front porch!
I began with 3 flower pots of increasing size. I actually already had these pots in my garage, so I began by just spray painting them 3 bright colors.
Next I started filling my pots with potting soil. Then I took the middle size pot and set it inside on top of the soil in the largest pot.
I offset this, even though you wouldn't have to. I played around with it a bit and preferred this look the best. Make sure that once you've decided the placement of the pots (off centered, centered, to the right/back/left) that you give a little pressure to the pots to kind of stabilize it within each other.
Now it's time to start filling the empty spots with flowers! I tried to leave a bit of space among them to give them some growing room. You can fill this with whatever you like depending on where you're putting this. Since I was placing mine on our front porch and it's rather shady I had to keep that in mind when purchasing our plants and flowers for this project. The top tier is Purple Fountain Grass, and the other 2 tiers are a mix of Double Begonias and Impatiens.
After only a few days these flowers have already really flourished and grown to make the pots look beautiful and full! I love how this turned out and hope you do as well!
Growing up I had a unusual dislike for pot roast. To me it was similar to chewing on the Toys R Us catalog.
But then in my early 20's I was given a slow cooker from my now husband's grandparents for Christmas. I had never used one, neither had my mother. So I took to google to find out what this new fangled discovery was. This recipe was one of the first I stumbled upon, though I don't remember where. At first the very words "pot roast" made me want to keep looking, but for some reason I gave it a try. And ya'll-life was changed forever. All of a sudden I loved pot roast, I wanted pot roast for breakfast, lunch and dinner, pot roast deserved a cape and a new name of super pot roast.
Not only is this a life changing pot roast, it couldn't be easier. It only has 3 ingredients (unless you count water) and you can easily throw it together in under 5 minutes. Also, one of my very favorite things about it is it makes its own gravy that is so insanely good I have been known to lick the plate more than once to get every last drop. This not only makes it convenient, but also more moist and flavorful as it cooks in this delicious gravy all day. Here's what you'll need.
In a slow cooker mix together everything except the roast.
Place pot roast in slow cooker and coat with soup mixture.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 8-9 hours.
When it's done it will fall apart perfectly. I have put in carrots and potatoes before for the last hour or 2, but we eat a lot of carrots and potatoes at my house-we're kind of pigs. Because it seemed we could never fit enough in the crockpot with the meat we usually just bake them in the oven separately.
Fab 5 is every Friday when I sit down and share a combination of: my favorite 5 things from the past week, or random thoughts and going ons of the week. Enjoy and comment with some of yours!!!
1.) Remember that show that used to be on Food Network, Ace of Cakes?
The Mr. and I have the show on DVD (we're nerds I know) and we had forgotten about it as it had somehow gotten pushed towards the back of the DVD cabinet. Well it seems like that's one of the perks of packing and unpacking during a move. You find lost treasures! We have been hooked on the show ever since we unpacked it. The only downside is I say at least twice during an episode...babe, I want cake.
2.) This week has been gorgeous in the upper 60's-upper 80's. It even got to include my first trip of the season to my favorite nursery! If there's one thing I could easily do everyday, it would be mindlessly sipping a cup of good coffee while wandering through the rows of beautiful flowers and plants at a local nursery. So the first trip of the season is always kind of a big deal to me.
3.) Personal request from me-the Mr. has a big test tomorrow for his next round of certification. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for him!
4.) Does anyone else call google-ing, "research"?
Just making sure. Cause I've done lots of "research" this week.
5.) Maybe it was the temps finally resembling something like Spring, or maybe it was because I got my "Spring hair" (lightented up) yesterday, but this week has finally felt like Winter was over. And I'm pretty happy about that. It might also be the absolute sneeze attacks that make me thing I should've really considered taking stock in Puffs company as I've gone through so many boxes of tissues lately. Speaking of-did anyone see Jimmy Fallon talking about different kinds of sneezing last night? Oh. My. Goodness. Laughed til I couldn't breathe, and ironically kept on sneezing as well. | 2019-04-19T11:30:42Z | http://thenewmrsadventures.blogspot.com/2014/04/ |
The summer I went up to University I had a job decorating somebody’s house. Hearing I was a Christian and that I was going to Cambridge to study medicine, the owner tut-tutted and said it would be hard to keep my faith. I’m not sure if that was because religion has no answer to suffering, or because it has no answers period. One reason I didn’t lose my faith, though, apart from the stubborn desire to prove her wrong, was that I expected to run into all kinds of different belief-systems, promoted by people far cleverer than me, but I told myself that all other things being equal my beliefs were no less likely to be right than theirs. It actually worked, preventing me from being overawed by an idea’s sheer novelty – or its plausibility, in the sociological sense.
in the school library, whose central theme was that “modern man” couldn’t believe in a God “out there”, and certainly not one who performed miracles and other magic. It annoyed me slightly that at the age of sixteen I had peremptorily been excluded from the class of “modern man” because I could.
I was reminded of all this as I’m ploughing through John Sailhamer’s magnum opus on the Pentateuch, which has nothing to do with creation or evolution at all as such but is fascinating. There’s a chapter on the interpretive history of the Old Testament, in which he points out that as soon as the Enlightenment began to influence Bible Scholarship, the first thing to go in Old Testment Studies was the doctrine of providence.
particular signs and wonders, was not special for God’s directing its history.
But Enlightenment Deism axiomatically scorned not only the miraculous and the truth of the traditional stories of God’s involvement, but on the grounds of the primacy of reason, it rejected the idea of God’s provident involvement in the world. Since the work of Newton and his like was showing the world to function, like a clock, by rational laws, the God of reason could by no-means stoop to lesser means like contingency (ie choosing to change things).
Sir Isaac Newton and his followers have also a very odd opinion concerning the work of God. According to their doctrine, God Almighty wants to wind up his watch from time to time: otherwise it would cease to move. He had not, it seems, sufficient foresight to make it a perpetual motion.
Sailhamer describes how, in rejecting Deism, Evangelical scholarship nevertheless absorbed enough of its rationalism to have two particular results. Firstly, the doctrine of providence shrunk to God’s “miraculous” intervention in the history of Israel or the life of the Christian believer. God may well have delivered Israel from Egypt and given them Canaan, but that was “salvation history”, and he usually leaves the world to itself.
The second effect on Evangelical thinking was the tendency – very dominant in the nineteenth century but common in my own lifetime – to rationalise miracles away: the turning of the Nile to blood was an influx of silt from upstream flooding, and the other plagues followed naturally from that; the crossing of the Jordan was possible because of the known phenomenon of landslips further up; psychosomatic disease explains Jesus’s healings etc.
Now Deism went the way of all fads, and I’ve remarked before on how, amongst Evangelicals, biblical miracles are taken far more for granted than when I was younger. Perhaps the Charismatic Renewal influenced that – but perhaps it’s also the fact that, Hume’s parochial claims notwithstanding, accounts of miracles remain pervasive throughout the world .
But we’d need a much more nuanced survey to separate out those who believe there are gaps in the natural order of things that need constant intervention from a divine agent (the typical Intelligent Design position), and those who affirm that God set up a natural process and actively sustains it without needing to intervene miraculously to bring about his desired goals (the typical evolutionary creation position).
Now, to me that position, given as that of most of BioLogos, seems indistinguishable from the position of Leibniz against Newton. It assumes that it is preferable for God to act through “natural law”, and that if he didn’t it would be through inability to “get it right first time,” (in Leibniz’s words, “make it a perpetual motion” ).
Similarly, much TE writing does what Sailhamer describes Evangelicals doing in response to Deism back in the day: accepting divine action in biblical miracles like the resurrection (but not necessarily the creation of Adam and Eve, or in the divine superintendence of Scriptural inspiration), and in the conversion and life of believers, but not in the governance of the rest of the world.
Evolutionary Creation treats divine action as a problem that nobody is quite able to solve, but without a strong doctrine of divine action (whether or not you have a philosophical theory like concurrence to intellectualise it) there cannot be the kind of doctrine of providence that underpins the biblical worldview.
If God does not act directly in nature, how can he determine the boundaries of nations? The subject isn’t brought up in origins questions, so it’s hard to know whether the question is left unanswered, or whether it is concluded that God doesn’t govern the nations that way, but that all is explained by secular historical concepts. Conversely, if God answers prayer directly, even on rare occasions, on what principle is it inappropriate for him to act beyond what natural law alone will accomplish in the created order?
My conclusion is that the principle involved, though buried by now in the subsconscious, is the same as that which led to the rise of Deism in the first place: that somehow for God to act in “personal” ways is messy and unsuitable to the cool loftiness of pure reason. A mathematical law looks beautiful: multiplying loaves and fish and leaving leftovers is messy. Or perhaps in the “religious” sphere such untidiness is acceptable. But in science, though it takes place in God’s world just the same, the equivalent would be that God himself determines the natures of the fish (perhaps they are Cichlids?) or influences their natural multiplication as he caused their miraculous increase. That’s just unreasonable.
And if that’s the case (and I can’t think of any more solid reason – just the very much less solid reasons of “free-creation” theodicy) then restricting God to “natural causes” in evolution is just an attempt to keep Deism on life support for a bit longer. Which is a bit passé, isn’t it?
A half-appropriate song to round off.
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I have a choice between guided evolution vs. God working through nature? Are those the options?
Ok, so let’s take the first. What is guided evolution? I used to think that it simply mean’t God created everything with the desired affect that everything He wanted would appear (or evolve). But from my understand of you Jon, that is not Guided Evolution. That is some sort of light-deism (jump in anytime if I misunderstood you). But anymore that, reminds me of a scene from Apollo 13; when one of the astronauts needs to pilot the module toward Earth, he has to add a little bit of thrust here, a little more there, tap the controller slightly more left, until he has the Earth perfectly aligned to let gravity do the rest and pull them in. The point being, without them interfering with the natural path of the module with all the slight thrusts, the module would have slipped out to space. I think the metaphor is appropriate here and reminiscent of what Liebniz was referring to (not that I know anything about him). I sounds like what you are saying is without God making slight modifications along the way, nature and everything in it would have run amok. But this contradicts features of nature such as predictability and the laws of nature. These two things seem to work together just fine. We know laws exist and it helps is make certain predictions. But how can we ever claim that there are laws of nature when really God is interfering with the law? How can we ever make predictions, which we already do if at any moment, God can steer things away from their “natural” path?
Hi, Hanan. I’ll jump in with my comment before Jon replies.
Your post starts out well, and then, in the last four sentences, appears to go off the rails.
I like your example from the Apollo 13 movie. That is how I picture “guided” evolution. Of course, the guidance could be very, very fine; it might occur at the subatomic level and might be non-detectable by our scientific methods. The point, however, is that, without the guidance, evolution would take a different path. Thus, for example, without God’s subtle steering, maybe life on earth would never have got beyond single-celled creatures. Or maybe it would have got to dinosaurs and no further, so that God had to steer an asteroid to earth to wipe them out. Or maybe it would have got to primates, but not beyond simple lemurs. Etc. The point is that in a “guided” model of evolution there is a special divine action that makes a difference to the outcomes of evolution. When I speak of evolution as being “guided” or “steered” this is what I have in mind. Among the TE/EC folks, the only one I know who clearly endorses such a model is Robert Russell (who sees God acting decisively but invisibly underneath quantum indeterminacy).
On the other hand, if evolution is set up from the very beginning of life to unfold in a certain way, with certain precise outcomes, but all by natural causes, without any steering or guiding by God (however subtle), I would call that front-loaded or programmed evolution. Very few TE/EC people seem to endorse this model, but if anyone does, it is probably Denis Lamoureux. But one ID person endorses it, and that is Michael Denton.
Now, to your last few sentences. You object that God’s steering would amount to tampering with the laws of nature to the point where our scientific study of nature would be invalid. But this need not be the case. In fact, evolution, at least of the Darwinian kind, does not proceed due to laws of nature anyway. It proceeds in accord with contingencies, i.e., particular events. For example, suppose an asteroid strike did wipe out the dinosaurs. Well, there is no “law of evolution” that forces asteroids to strike planets when dinosaurs are ruling, so that mammals can take over. It just happened that an asteroid struck. Maybe on some other planet dinosaurs still rule, because no asteroid struck. It’s all contingency, not natural laws, that determines what happens in Darwinian evolution. So if Darwin was right about evolution, how could God guarantee any outcomes? And the answer is: God couldn’t.
But if you supplement Darwinian chance with adjustments by God, you can take even Darwinian evolution and guarantee outcomes, much as the astronauts in your movie brought the ship back on course.
Does this scenario — God’s tinkering here and there — undermine science? Not at all. No one is saying that God changes the laws of physics, the laws of chemistry, etc. The planets will still go on obeying Kepler’s laws, Newton’s laws, etc. Hydrogen and oxygen will still make up water. Plants will still make food by photosynthesis. Male and female animals will still get together to produce young. It is only when evolution needs to be kept on track to produce certain desired outcomes, that God intervenes, and even then, he doesn’t change the laws themselves, but only adjusts their application here and there. So scientists can still go on treating the universe as law-bound. The only thing they can’t treat as law-bound is Darwinian evolution. But Darwinian evolution is not law-bound anyway; it works by a series of historical events, not by a series of scientific principles. All that God is changing is the sequence of events, not the basic rules of nature.
Human beings do this all the time. If you hit a line drive in baseball, it might go right into the stands; at least it would go far into the outfield. That is what natural law would have the ball do. But if the shortstop leaps up and catches the ball, its flight is interrupted. Does that deny the laws of physics? Not at all. It just diverts the course of a particular ball, changing the historical outcome of that ball’s motion. The next time someone hits a line drive, the shortshop might miss the catch, and the ball would proceed as normal. The natural laws haven’t been changed at all. Rather, the course of events has been changed because an intelligent actor has entered into the picture. I don’t think you would say, that because a shortstop sometimes catches the ball, all of ballistics will have to be thrown out because we can never know that a ball will keep going on its course. I think you would say: The ball will carry on in its course unless someone or something gets in the way to stop it. It’s the same with guided evolution. Darwinian evolution will produce whatever messy outcomes it produces, in its stumbling blind search for workable forms, unless someone or something directs it along a path it would never otherwise take. So guided evolution is no more incompatible with good science than a shortstop’s catch is with good physics.
What guided evolution is incompatible with is atheism — the doctrine that everything in the universe happens due to either natural laws or blind contingencies, because there exists no intelligence that could direct the universe to any ends or purpose.
The TE/EC attitude to guided evolution is very strange. If you mention Denton to them, they will spurn programmed or front-loaded evolution as “too Deistic” — they say that the Biblical God is “mightily hands-on” and no distant programmer who merely sets the ball rolling. But then if you say, OK, God is guiding evolution, they are just as offended. They want God to keep his hands off and let natural processes do all the work. And since they are all neo-Darwinists, that means leaving it to chance whether or not man, or any other creature, will ever emerge from the process. Yet they say that God created man. In what sense it is “creating” anything to roll the cosmic dice?
In other words, TE/EC folks are extremely mixed up, conceptually. They seem incapable of thinking in a straight line, of reasoning from premise to conclusion. How they got this way, nobody knows. But the typical TE/EC combination of American pietist, non-confessional, free-church mental culture and a philosophy-free scientific training seems to have a lot to do with it.
The apostle Paul told the people of Lystra that God had given them a witness by providing rains from heaven and fruitful seasons (Acts 14:17). Was Paul saying that God performed regular miracles by which rains fell on the plains of Lycaonia? If instead we were to point to Mediterranean weather patterns under natural laws governing evaporation, winds, condensation, etc., would we be refuting Paul’s point? Diminishing his point? Or can a natural law-based explanation of “rains and fruitful seasons” in Asia Minor be fully compatible with Paul’s message. Remember, Paul said that the life-giving patterns of wind and rain were “a witness” to God as benevolent provider.
Likewise, then, why does it detract a whit from God’s glory to say that evolution, like the weather, can be fully God’s work, with ends entirely foreseen and planned for (even asteroid impacts) even if carried forward under God’s minded maintenance of lawlike regularities?
I have no theological objection to God’s working through “lawlike regularities” (e.g., the cycle of rainfall). The problem is that neo-Darwinian evolution, as conceived by atheists and TEs alike, does not proceed by “lawlike regularities” but by a series of contingent events.
When we explain the movement of a planet around the sun, we explain it in terms of lawlike regularities. When we explain the French Revolution, we explain it as the outcome of a series of contingent events. We do not say that the French Revolution was produced by any “law” of history. Neo-Darwinian evolution is more like the French Revolution than like the orbit of a planet.
Yet TE/EC folks, especially at BioLogos, don’t like talking about God’s intimate involvement in that way. They can’t make up their minds what they believe in: a God who is always personally active in what happens, or a God who gives nature authority to do the creating itself, and stands back with his hands off. And when you press them on this, they give obscure answers or go silent. Venema, Falk, Giberson, Applegate, Ard Louis, and many other American TE/EC leaders practice this studied evasion. They seem to be trying to negotiate a tightrope walk, not wanting to commit themselves to a God who actually makes a difference (because then they would face the scorn of secular humanist, naturalistic biologists) and not wanting to endorse a remote Deistic God either. Basically, they don’t know what they think, or do know but aren’t telling. And as long as they practice this evasiveness, as long as they won’t tackle the question of divine action in evolution head-on, they cannot possibly make any serious gains in the evangelical world.
Evangelicals believe in a personal God who acts, and they want to hear TE/EC leaders saying that God acts — and acts in a way that makes a difference to evolutionary outcomes. To most evangelicals, the TE/EC God looks like a dice-roller who hopes that if he makes enough galaxies, eventually a dice roll will produce man. That’s not the Biblical God, that’s not the traditional Christian God, and true evangelicals will have nothing to do with such a God. TE/EC needs to find some intellectual clarity, and some public spine, on this question. Otherwise it will remain a liberal rump within the evangelical world. Most evangelicals will reject it, secular humanist scientists will reject it, and it will have to be content with its shrinking (down from 38 to 31 per cent) share of American support.
Eddie’s answered Hanan well, but one quick addition: for my money, either “preloaded” or “real-time guided” evolution do justice to a wise God, for the simple reason that his wisdom lies in deciding his goals (which include both the general result and the detailed outworkings, such as you and me) and creates the means to fulfill them.
They both differ from the God who creates a largely ateleological system to see where it ends up, maybe making it likely that something intelligent evolves with hands or tentacles, which he then calls “man”. That is gambling, not creation, and is the model many TEs certainly hold.
The problem with frontloaded evolution is that we have no evidence that it can be targeted that precisely – it’s no longer a Laplacian universe. One reason Apollo needed mid-course correction is that it’s impossible – even in theory – to calculate trajectories precisely when several bodies are involved (earth, moon, sun, planets, spacecraft). The means are insufficient for the effect: you just can’t create a Universe with initial conditions that guarantee the K-T event at the right time.
…because it speaks only of laws and cannot contemplate their suspension, that is, miracles, which are of the essence of the idea of Revelation. Thus the God of Physical Theology may very easily become an idol; for he comes to the inductive mind in the medium of fixed appointments, so excellent, so skillful, so beneficient, that when it has for a long time gazed upon them, it will think them too beautiful to be broken, and will at length so contract its notion of Him as to conclude that He never could have the heart (if I may dare to use such a term) to undo or mar his own work; and this conclusion will be the first step towards its degrading its idea of God a second time, and identifying Him with His works. Indeed, a Being of Power, Wisdom and Goodness, and nothing else, is not very different from the God of the Pantheist.
That’s where I come from too (though I’d be more nuanced on the “natural-supernatural” divide). He voices much of what I say in the article (though I was unaware of him when I wrote). The fact that panentheism, at least, has been a prominent player in the “divine action” project seems to confirm his fears.
One more thing. Ed Feser has a recent column on “laws and causation”, in which he mentions that the very concept of “natural law” is problematic, and certainly pushes us towards ideas like “violation”. It’s actually quite hard to contemplate where those laws actually are.
It arose from a comparison with torah, essentially, specifically in order to “free” science from the ideas of final and formal causation. In A-T thinking regularity was explained by substantial form and teleology: if you like, God makes particles, or creatures, with natures that produce certain ends. It works just as well as law does, mathematically.
But it gives a greater sense of space for contingency, for there’s no reason why God shouldn’t make each particle slightly differently, so that the regularity comes from the average of their action, rather than being a strict law each of them is tied to. That fits with Maxwell’s treatment of laws, actually, which are based on the statistical sum of what particles do, not what individual particles do.
To reply to Darek’s point, one needs to understand that special providence (pre-Deism) simply did not mean regular miracles instead of, or as well as, natural events. Rather, providence says that all events are subject both to the regularity of God and his contingent choices – the regular seasons are his, but so is the witholding of rain in a particular time and place as a judgement, say. It is legitimate to pray for the weather, without expecting a miracle. I did something on that here.
I come down closer to occasionalism than anything else–but with many qualifications, not to mention that I make no pretenses to skill in philosophical hair-splitting.
patterned working and foresees its every outcome, he is not pushed out to a cosmic distance as a deistic clockmaker. That is what perhaps the TEs at Biologos are nervous about–without any justification in my view.
And of course I do not believe that God is locked out by quantum indeterminacy; the fact that differences in certain outcomes in QM have no physical cause does not mean they have no mental cause, which they do and which is the divine purpose. God holds quantum events in his hands as much as any others.
Evolution is a process of growth-with-differentiation. Like the growth of embryos or plants writ large. Notice what Jesus says about plant development: “For the earth brings for fruit of itself: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear” (Mark 4:28). From one perspective the process occurs “of itself” or as a product of the earth “by itself.” Just as evolution from a materialist perspective seems to occur “of itself.” But Paul cites the larger reality, saying “God was making it grow” (1 Cor 3:7). God is the one empowering the process unseen except to the eyes of understanding and faith.
The Genesis creation story begins with echoes of embryonic life–the watery darkness, the undifferentiated character of what is developing, yet superintended by the divine Spirit the whole time. Cf. Gen 1:2; Eccl 11:5.
God appoints the deaf, the seeing, and the blind, not by miraculously striking babies with blindness but by foreseeing and taking responsibility for every such circumstance and providing for a positive eventuality (cf. John 9:3). Yet at the physical level birth defects are often the result of “random” mutations.
I incline toward patience with those at Biologos. They are still learning, as we all are.
I take your point about the weather passage – clearly in that context the main message is “God is reliable in his provision”, and if we’re relating that to science, it’s the lawlike processes that are in view. The problem only comes if that becomes the sum total of God’s activity and he’s not “allowed” to act in nature apart from “Law”. That leads inevitably to a Deistic position (or one that has been called “Semi-Deism”, where Deistic science is partitioned off from pietistic faith, in the latter case occasional divine action being admitted).
Your use of the embryology metaphor for evolution is an interesting spin on the recent BioLogos reference to “Let the earth bring forth…” as an indicator of quasi-independent secondary causation. It’s reading too much into the Genesis text, but is a reasonable way of seeing things.
I’ve said here (and at BioLogos) before that the root meaning of evolution is an unfolding of what is inherent – just like the emergence of plant from seed or animal from egg, and that seems to be implicit in what you describe. Many of the original TEs saw things that way. But it’s important to realise that Darwinian evolution was conceived as a deliberate denial of that whole viewpoint, as Étienne Gilson unpacks in From Aristotle to Darwin and Back Again. That’s why Darwin didn’t use the word “evolution” until its popular usage by Spencer forced it on him.
For “embryological-type” evolution implies that the information for the final result was inherent in the seed – whether that be seen as information in the evolving LUCA or in the environment and the laws by which it lived. Both inevitably suggest a designer who originally implanted that information. Both are problematic in terms of actually locating the information: natural laws contain minimal information (which is why they are regular), DNA shows no sign of implicit future evolution, and so on.
Darwin denied that developmental view, and instead put the weight on random search and selection actually creating new information, which is why a designer becomes unnecessary (if it works). It seems to me that BioLogos, in placing its bets on “mainline science”, is either endorsing the “unfolding” model without realising it’s denying Darwin, or else is in a muddle in trying to make God the author of an undirected process.
My problem with them is that they’ve shown themselves unwilling, over the last three years or more, to engage with serious critiques and discussions of such things, or even to state clearly which position they take. It suggests that, with the exception of guys like Ted Davis, they don’t really appreciate the important relationship between metaphysics and philosophy and the theological and scientific outcomes.
They may still be learning, but if these issues have become obvious to a tyro like me in the five years I’ve been working on it seriously, then one would expect the guys with the expertise and the Templeton Grant to appreciate them too. Such issues, after all, were raised even in Darwin’s own time.
I don’t think that either Jon or I would disagree with Polkinghorne’s statement as it stands. But how does Polkinghorne apply it to evolution?
It’s one thing to say God doesn’t always have to be poking his finger in, but for Polkinghorne, is God ever poking his finger in? I would guess that P., like many BioLogos TEs, imagines that God “poked his finger in” for some New Testament miracles; I wonder if P., any more than the BioLogos folks, would be comfortable imagining God “poking his finger in” in the evolutionary process (between the Big Bang and the arrival of man).
There is a definite preference among BioLogos folks that God should not poke his finger in, until it comes time for Biblical miracles. Thus, in the BioLogos picture, divine action is “deistic” until Biblical times, then “theistic” for the period of the Bible and maybe the early Church, and then (at least for those Protestant TEs who are cessationists) “deistic” again. So mechanistic, reductionist explanations for everything are the right approach except for Biblical miracles. For me, there is something rotten in Denmark with such a convenient deistic/theistic switch. It’s as if the BioLogos folks want to be good modern Enlightened people most of the time, but want to hold out a small private zone for miracles that is limited to concerns over Jesus and individual salvation. I don’t like such a compartmentalized model of divine action, which I think is neither Biblical nor traditional — or for that matter very philosophically consistent.
Eddie, since Polkinghorne refers to “all these natural processes”, and I’m sure Polkinghorne sees evolution as one of those, then it seems safe to conclude that Polkinghorne isn’t holding out evolution as separately excluded from being an expression of God’s will.
I know such a brief teaser has none of the details you would want about exactly *how* Polkinghorne (or any TEs) thinks God’s will would be expressed in evolutionary processes, and that always seems to be the crux of the matter. You and Jon are frustrated with their perceived long-standing unwillingness to speak to those details.
Could it be that the above hypothetical objection in quotes parallels your demands that TEs bear the burden of showing exactly where this “God-nature” interface is and exactly how it works?
Polkinghorne’s an interesting “case”, it seems to me. On the one hand, he’s written paragraphs that are amongst the strongest I’ve seen on the moral imperative for God to allow creation its autonomy, and he is one of those who applies the Open Theist agenda to nature on that very basis.
Now to my ears, he’s positively affirming that God does act in real time in nature, by the input of new information, and that the world is made sufficiently different thereby to leave detectable gaps in the “bottom-up” evidence. Is that not how it sounds to you? If so, bully for him.
What I can’t get my head round is how that is consistent with what he has written elsewhere about the fact that it would be wrong for God to “coerce” nature (“a puppetmaster God” is his own phrase) rather than leaving it free to make itself. But that is exactly what the input of new information is – divine formal causation, the opposite of autonomy. Indeed it’s a true case of ex nihilo creation, for something completely new (the information) has been added to the universe just as surely as if he’d input new energy or new matter.
I’ve been reminded (twice) today that God is described as the “author of life” (Acts 3.15), which is a description of a very informationally complete creatorial role in nature, and thoroughly consistent with Hanan’s Polkinghorne quote if it refers to God’s natural law-like created processes, or to the input of new information as above. God wills, things happen – that’s the biblical doctrine of creation.
But I hit a rock if Polkinghorne actually means that “God’s will” is that Creation should be “allowed to make itself in its own time and its own way”, free from the “puppet theatre” and “enslaved world” in which “everything dances to God’s tune” (all quotes from just one paragraph of Polkinghorne).
So Polkinghorne too appears to be self-contradictory, or at least cryptic. How can we take quotes at face value when he seems to keep to contradictory views of creation at one and the same time? Nevertheless, I’m less interested by what one person’s position may be than by where the truth lies.
I disagree with you, Merv, when you suggest the issue is about justified unwillingness to commit oneself on unknown mechanisms. When P, for example, speaks about God’s adding new information to the Universe, that is essentially a theological claim consistent with Scripture. The “How” is much less important than the “Whether”, though it’s legitimate to discuss the relative theological likelihood of God’s “frontloading” or “directing” nature. It would also, on P’s argument, be legitimate to discuss whether the known natural mechanisms are insufficient, which would indicate one of P’s “legitimate gaps” may exist for the input of information by God.
In fact, nobody would be sensible to ask “how” God acts from a scientific point of view, because (to use your previous analogy, Merv), the scientific study of a book is logically incapable of telling you how the information came to be therein . The whole issue is theological and metaphysical, not scientific.
It seems to me that it is eminently reasonable to ask TE/EC leaders to clearly distinguish their view from atheism.
To me, Merv, that is just not acceptable. But more important, it is not acceptable to the evangelical world in the USA, and if TE/EC leaders persist in this evasive answer, their numbers will continue to plummet, as people abandon TE/EC for atheism on one hand, fundamentalism on another, Pentecostalism on another, and ID on another.
What I want to hear BioLogos say is that God intended every last outcome of evolution, and saw to it that all the physical causes were in place to guarantee those outcomes. I want to hear them say that nothing (regarding final outcomes, I mean) was left to chance or randomness, and that nature had no “freedom” to produce anything other than exactly what God wanted, when God wanted it. When I hear them say this, I will leave them alone. But in 5 years not one of them has said it. There has to be a reason why they won’t say it. I think it’s because they don’t believe it.
Please note that informational content can be a tricky business. An algorithm can be brief and yet generate stunningly complex and beautiful results. Laws and initial conditions can seem simple, as well, but constitute the seed of immense complexity.
Most of us would like to envision a working of God that leaves room for “free will” (perhaps “genuine will” is a better term since no human will is free in every sense) for intelligent creatures. And room for God to work in atypical as well as typical ways (“miracles” as well as law-like regularity). Some TEs, probably including Polkinghorne, seem to want to extend freedom to some unconscious physical processes, including those of evolution. One could draw a rough analogy to panpsychism, which is fairly popular among secular thinkers in philosophy of mind.
The idea of freedom for unconscious processes to set their own creative course, presumably within certain limits, could be a kind of aesthetic choice. In a post-modern environment it might feel unnecessarily rigid and controlling (does the word “patriarchal” come to mind?) of God to set the plan of creation with only the will of intelligent creatures as the variable. The more I think about it, the more I suspect this is a matter of intellectual fashion. For myself, I scarcely see the need to confer freedom on unintelligent causes. Naturally, doing so will irritate those who incline toward traditional theism, while appealing to the process-minded and open theists.
John Lennox (a mathematician of course) also mentions the question of algorithmic complexity (and information theory is one of those “must read” issues in these discussions – Yockey’s book is a good start – see the “Books we like” section). Basically, computer science shows that no algorithm (or mathematical equation) can generate information that wasn’t already inherent within it – it simply presents it in new ways.
That leaves room, as you say, for generating some forms of great complexity from simple algorithms, an advanced example being the Mandelbrot series, but expressly not the kind of semiotic complexity that you find in Merv’s book metaphor or in living organisms. Fractals in organisms, then, can be algorithmic – but simple laws are just conceptually incapable of generating complex organisation as opposed to complex ordering.
This is the question of Kolmogorov complexity. The shortest algorithm, for example, necessary to compute the human genome would be almost the same length as the code itself – longer, in fact, since we now know there is three dimensional, not just linear, functionality in DNA. The only bits you could compress are repetitive elements like ALU, where the algorithm could say “print [this sequence] 100 times”.
The “freedom” issue is, as you’ll quickly see if you risk the search function, the biggest bugbear I’ve had with most publishing TE proponents, who see it as a theological necessity. You’ve correctly linked it to process-theology, which has had a big hold on the science-faith academic project on which current theistic evolution was largely based – they jettison the panpsychism but retain its consequences.
But panpsychism apart (as it surely must be in a Christian context), it’s not so much about the non-necessity of granting freedom to unintelligent causes, as the frank incoherence of the idea. Freedom entails will, which entails rational consciousness. Therefore you can’t give unintelligent causes freedom, any more than you can give teaspoons the vote.
Karl Giberson admitted recently that in these discussions “freedom” is actually being used as a metaphor for “chance”, confirming my long-standing assertion that the whole oedipal “patriarch-aversion” talk is empty rhetoric – but it’s rhetoric which is being used to invent a new theology of both nature and of God himself, which is serious.
As soon as you say God “gives” unintelligent causes “chance” (ie he does not coerce govern that chance as in classical and biblical theology), you realise it means no more than that God gambles with his universe rather than governing it prudently. Secondary causes are, actually, submitted to the oppression of a determining fate apart from God rather than to his wise choice – their “freedom” is illusory, except that they have no capacity to distinguish illuison from reality.
If I’m irritated by that it’s because it’s self-contradictory and promoted as theologically orthodox – indeed as a necessary replacement for historic orthodoxy. | 2019-04-18T21:22:12Z | http://potiphar.jongarvey.co.uk/2014/07/07/lets-go-back/ |
PHOTO:Iranians walk and shop near an Adidas shop near Vanak Square in central Tehran, Iran, Dec. 8, 2013.
Scott Peterson has made more than 30 visits to Iran since the mid-1990s. But following the disputed election of 2009, which resulted in months of political unrest, few journalists have been able to report from inside the country. Yet changes are now under way, with the surprise election of centrist President Hassan Rouhani in June, and a new interim nuclear deal agreed on with six world powers in Geneva in November. This is a diary of Mr. Peterson's first seven days back in the Islamic Republic, after 4-1/2 years away.
The Iranian passengers work their way through immigration, their passports stamped by young officers smartly dressed in pale green uniforms. The line for foreigners is shorter, and I am the only American. These days, a generation after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, which turned flag burning and chants of "Death to America" into an art form, Iranians don't get to add many US passports to their database.
Yet despite the decades of mutual hostility, Iran still has perhaps the most pro-American population in the Middle East. It shows in the reaction of the officer, who slips me a quiet handshake and says, "Welcome."
A sign on a nearby cubicle reads "Finger Print Room," and I ask if this is still part of the routine. Iran began taking fingerprints of visiting US citizens in the late 1990s, in reaction to a US decision to do the same to all Iranians entering the United States. Back then the process was a messy affair, with an ink pad and tissues, leaving my fingers stained purple for days.
With a smile the officer reassures me that prints won't be necessary, and I raise my arms in mock surprise and gratitude. He laughs but is immediately overruled by a superior, who delicately leads me to a cubicle, apologizing: "So sorry, so sorry. It will just take a moment."
And it does, using a digital scanner. I'm the last to leave the airport – waved through without the usual X-ray of my bag by officials sympathetic of the late hour. All the proceedings in the cavernous arrival hall are watched over by large portraits of the Islamic Republic's only two supreme leaders, both black-turbaned ayatollahs: Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei.
Outside I choose from a row of new yellow taxis, and a clean-shaven young man – let's call him Amir – loads my bags. Tehran is still a long drive north, and we start talking. He has a wife and a 5-year-old girl, but earning a living has been increasingly hard under Iran's sanctions-hit economy.
Amir says he is happy with President Hassan Rouhani and the direction he is taking the country, especially his promises of "constructive engagement" with the outside world and easing restrictions at home. But he didn't vote for Mr. Rouhani, keeping a vow he made after the 2009 election to never cast another ballot.
We pass through a bank of tollbooths, then beneath overpasses with concrete columns lit up in festive colors and festooned with flags and banners. The conversation turns from problems to passions.
"You know, I really am a singer – that is what I love most," says Amir, looking in the rearview mirror to catch my reaction. I am impressed, but not surprised. This is a country where all forms of culture – from painting to cinema – are as deeply engaged in as they are widely appreciated, albeit with many state restrictions.
Amir was in a band that performed traditional Iranian songs, before his marriage cut into his free time.
It is 5:30 a.m., and the city has yet to begin stirring. We drive up the Navvab Expressway through the brightly lit belly of Tehran – and Amir insists on singing to me.
It is a stunning a cappella version of a poem by Saadi, one of ancient Persia's most famous poets. When the last line fades away, Amir explains that it is a conversation with God, a tribute that also describes the order of the world.
"It speaks of how God is everything, all powerful," he says. "And about how small we are by comparison, and how dependent on God...."
For a journalist, getting onto the Tehran University campus usually requires letters of approval from authorities, and perhaps an official guide. Or it just requires walking past the guards already overwhelmed by crowds clamoring to hear a speech by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
He is the rock star they want to see, the new Elvis of Iranian diplomacy. The goateed, American-educated Mr. Zarif might seem an unlikely hero for students who were barely teenagers when he finished his tour as Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, and then was relegated to the political wilderness during the presidency of archconservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
But today Zarif is the chief diplomat for a president whose election prompted jubilant street celebrations across Iran. And here, in person, is the man who negotiated – during three rounds of marathon talks in Geneva – a nuclear deal that has spurred new hope, by breaking a decade-long deadlock that at times for Iran has risked war and economic ruin. Tougher negotiations await a final accord that will prevent Iran from ever acquiring nuclear weapons, in exchange for lifting crippling sanctions.
Hard-liners are deeply skeptical of the deal, castigating it as a capitulation to the West that endangers Iran's national security. But for most of the students trying to force their way into a packed auditorium, Zarif has brokered a deal just in time to stave off disaster.
On the leafy campus, latecomers cluster tightly at the sliding glass door that leads to the central library, where security guards are trying to prevent more from entering. The door opens slightly, letting in one or two, and those outside surge ahead, forcing the glass facade to bow.
I hold up my camera and press card, like a handful of other journalists who have misjudged the fervent desire of the students to hear Zarif's justification of the Geneva deal, as its salesman in chief.
Guards herd most of the students into a spillover venue with a live video feed. But my interpreter and I join the battle at the door. We finally pop through, finding ourselves at the back of the auditorium. Zarif is just beginning his remarks, making jokes to those standing in the aisles, fanning themselves from the rigors of just getting in.
For their exertion, the diplomat treats them to a discourse on a changing world, and how Iran could take advantage of this "transition time." He says the Geneva deal shows how the government was being successful at "creating security and creating power."
Cheers erupt as Zarif speaks about how military power is giving way to "actual power" of the kind that Iranian voters had shown in electing Rouhani. He also explains why Iran doesn't need nuclear weapons to be strong.
"It is not an honor to be able to destroy the world 100 times," says Zarif, referring to the US nuclear arsenal and the size of its defense budget. "That's why they called it mutually assured destruction: They wanted to create security through lunacy."
A bomb is "not useful" for Iran, says Zarif, but notes that the country will never compromise on its "rights" to peaceful nuclear power.
"We don't even imagine the Islamic Republic with a nuclear weapon," Zarif says, his voice rising. "Even if someone put a nuclear weapon on a platter and gave it to me, I would say, 'I don't want it'.... A nuclear weapon does not create security for us ... it only creates problems and harm and threat for the Islamic Republic."
In the elevated climes of north Tehran, the early morning snowfall is heavier. It enforces a magical silence on a city that is otherwise noisy with traffic and managed chaos.
But driving down from the rumpled hills – set against snow-covered peaks – the solitude gives way to frozen sleet and unrelenting gray, which, on the southern outskirts of Tehran, settles grimly on Iran's largest cemetery, Behesht-e Zahra (Zahra's Paradise).
Striking in its expanse and its emotive power, the cemetery is where thousands of martyrs of the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s are buried. It serves as a pilgrimage site for families carrying flowers for their dead – a place of reflection and love for those most devoted to Iran's revolution and its ideology of resistance.
It has been two decades since authorities dyed the fountain waters here red to emulate the blood of the martyrs – the sacred stuff that Ayatollah Khomeini declared had "irrigated" the Islamic Republic. Today, many of the gravestones still carry, in elegantly carved Persian script, the words "Shahid-e Gomnam" (Unknown Martyr).
But among the rows of memory boxes, full of faded portraits of young men whose survivors have garlanded headstones with fluttering Iranian and Shiite flags, I find Ali. The Iranian student comes weekly to "speak" to three favorite martyrs. He is standing at Grave No. 25, in Section 26, Row 37.
His wet black hair combed back, his hands red with cold, Ali grew up in a traditional religious family. His father was wounded in the war. The 19-year-old has no other connection with these martyrs except, he says, that one day as he was passing he felt the presence of something tug at his arm, and stayed to listen.
"There is one main thing I learned from my father: When there is something more important than your life, you [must be] willing to give your life for it," says Ali, who wears glasses and the embryonic beard of a teenager. "That is why there are so many people here."
Tapping into one of Iran's deepest social divides, Ali says it is "unfortunate" that some secular and Westernized Iranians "do not respect enough" the martyrs here. In the 1980s, when the revolution was still young, some believers falsified their birth dates so they could volunteer for war. Other, more secular and often wealthier Iranians avoided the conflict and disdained the official narrative of fighting Iraq's "infidel" army in the name of Imam Hossein, the 7th-century "Lord of the Martyrs."
That divide remains a fault line in modern Iran – one that shapes every aspect of life, from politics and issues of wealth and class, to how much to compromise with the West, including on nuclear issues.
Ali might seem a natural to join the ranks of the basiji – the ideological militia that helped stamp out the 2009 street protests and before that were the volunteer fighters of the 1980s. But he refuses to sign up. He says too many join these days only to enrich themselves.
"They made changes that me and my family don't believe in," says Ali. He points to his friends, the martyrs: "If the basiji were still like these ones, I could have been a part of them."
Not far away, Khadijeh Ghazikhani, a young woman in a black chador, sprinkles red and pink carnation petals on a slab, kisses it, and explains that she, too, honors three martyrs she has never met. She says they guide her life by the "great things they did, how they lived, and their beliefs."
She notes that they fought not to protect a border, for soil or for money, but for the cause of Imam Hossein. Still, she has seen secular Iranians "not appropriately dressed" come here to pay homage, and even clean some gravestones. "It surprises me sometimes," says Ms. Ghazikhani. "Maybe there are differences about hijab, but [we] have no disagreement over these martyrs."
A boy wanders by, pours water on the stone, and washes it with frigid hands.
"A lot of people get what they want from these martyrs," says Ghazikhani. "Simply said: It keeps the people alive. This is the end of the world here, but I gain energy from it."
Iran's downtown Foreign Ministry offices are part of a 90-year-old mix of brick buildings with elaborate facades and Persian tiles, Russian-style balconies, and even replicas of ancient lions wrought in heavy stone. They give the impression of a museum relic rich in glories past.
But this is, in fact, where Iran's diplomatic mandarins toil nonstop to fashion a reemerging regional superpower. Rouhani acquired the "diplomat sheikh" nickname a decade ago, and after the election declared that the surprise result meant a "victory for moderation ... not extremism." He promised to recalibrate Iran's relations with the world. The vote created an "opportunity," he said, and other nations should "take advantage."
Such rhetoric may grab headlines. But the real work of turning that aspiration into reality – from negotiating the nuclear pact and finding mechanisms to ease US-Iranian mistrust, to reassuring anxious neighbors – all takes place here, in simple but well-appointed offices, along hallways with polished marble floors.
Inside one suite, Majid Ravanchi, the deputy foreign minister for European and American affairs, greets a visitor. The career diplomat is one of three Iranians who sat at the table across from the US and five other world powers in Geneva, hammering out the interim nuclear deal.
Mr. Ravanchi wears the Iranian diplomatic uniform: a white shirt buttoned to the top with no collar and no tie (a Western fashion that went out with the revolution), finished with a dark suit jacket, elegantly cut. Among colleagues, his long tenure has earned him the affectionate title "box of secrets."
Ravanchi is articulate in English, smooth, and very aware. Aware of how decades of US-Iranian mistrust can still trump calls for mutual understanding at the hands of hard-liners on both sides who deal in chants of "Death to America" and "Axis of Evil." Aware of how Iran's desire to improve regional ties has rocked two close US allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, which fear that Iranian hobnobbing with American diplomats might yield a thaw that will disadvantage them.
And he's also very aware that there isn't a lot of time for Rouhani – and those diplomats like him trying to realize their president's vision – to demonstrate that outreach can yield important dividends for Iran.
Since Rouhani's election, "we feel that there is a window of opportunity, an opening to the outside world, and this should be seized," he says. "That is why we have entered the nuclear talks in all sincerity and all vigor to find an amicable solution.... We are not looking at this problem as a way of shifting alignment in the region, or gaining something at the expense of others."
Ravanchi offers me tea with chunks of sugar, Iranian-style, and pistachios in a glass dish. He says Iran's strategy is based on the "conviction that our energies should not be spent on the continuation of tension."
And what of the US? In these offices, nuance mixes with realism and, now, a dash of hope – quite a distance from the routine anti-Americanism that has long characterized Iran's revolution.
"The issues are complex. We have a history that we cannot forget," says Ravanchi. "The important thing is what we have at hand, and that is the nuclear issue. If we can successfully finish this job, I think that will be a big message for both sides that issues of such complexity can be handled with care, and then there are possibilities for future cooperation."
Little of that diplomatic nuance is heard in the sermon that washes over the thousands of faithful at Friday prayers, in the heart of the Tehran University campus. America is a big topic here, too – just not usually in a good way.
Since 1979, the words from this pulpit have defined the narrative of the revolution, shaping the ideology of the Islamic Republic's most ardent loyalists.
Security is tight, as usual. Authorities X-ray cameras and bags. They take mobile phones, giving prayergoers numbered slips so they can retrieve them later at buses parked on neighboring streets.
Since I was last here, believers have remodeled the elevated dais in rich blue colors with gold lettering. And in case there is any question that anti-US fervor might have faded with the years, Khomeini's words from decades ago are now emblazoned directly on the front of the lectern. The Persian words state: "We will step over the United States." And then, for the benefit of the foreign media cameras, it says in English: "We defeat the United States."
The anti-Americanism of hard-line Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami is legendary, and he often uses bestial imagery, such as a voracious wolf, to convey a point.
Between the religious and political portions of the sermon, an aide changes the setup behind the podium. He places an AK-47 assault rifle on a stand to the left of the ayatollah, so the cleric can grasp the top of the barrel while he speaks. It's a tradition that goes back to the start of the revolution and is meant to symbolize leaning on a weapon against the enemies of God.
In keeping with Ayatollah Khamenei's words that the members of the nuclear negotiating team should be supported, Mr. Khatami affirms that they are indeed "sons of the revolution." But he also issues a warning.
"The diplomatic efforts must continue but must be accompanied by revolutionary spirit and resistance," Khatami says. "This would be like an embodiment of the nation's revolutionary and glamorous 'Death to America' slogan." The crowd chants the slogan loudly, arms raised but with little passion.
Khatami says Iran distrusts Western countries because "they do not understand agreements; their god is [what they gain as] their advantage." Because President Obama, after the Geneva deal, said a military strike remains an option, Khatami asks: "What kind of language is that? We consider Obama as the most impolite president in the entire world."
Few question those points later, when I stop prayergoers on the way out.
"It was the voice of the heart of the people of Iran," says worker Nader Alipour. "This is based on what the US government has done, which has created this view among Iranians. If they view us as an enemy, what can you do with them?"
Little recognition exists here – unlike in the more refined air of the Foreign Ministry – that America's list of grievances is as long as Iran's. "Obama is speaking beautifully, but behind the scenes we see they are doing something else.... We want honesty," says Ahmad Reza, a bearded English teacher in a woolen hat. Americans are "lovely" and "honest people," but "I am at the front line of those who chant 'Death to America.' Americans should look to the reasons why."
"Great Satan," interjects another man, before pushing off from the cluster that has gathered around me.
A third man says Americans and Iranians "both believe in God, in Judgment Day, and in the holy prophets," but that the US government "doesn't believe in those things."
One person challenges him. "What? They have 'In God We Trust' written on the dollar."
Another man, as he leaves, tells me: "Your eyes are precise."
What does that mean – is he my friend? Am I his enemy? After Friday prayers, neither really. For now, just acquaintances.
Hossein Dehbashi is part James Carville, part Martin Scorsese. He uses video to move people about politics – and his latest creation is sweeping through parts of Iranian society.
Mr. Dehbashi is the director of "New Voyager," an inspirational political video created to mark Rouhani's first 100 days in office. The short black-and-white film mirrors the techniques and even the sequences of the popular "Yes We Can" video about Mr. Obama.
But it pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable in Iran and has become an early cultural flash point for Rouhani. It shows a high degree of openness from the new president, who put it on his website, where it garnered half a million hits in the first 48 hours.
Yet it has also provoked anger from hard-liners who say Rouhani and his videographer have gone too far. Already a group of motorcyclists has menaced Dehbashi's parents' house, spray-painting accusations on the walls.
I met Dehbashi one night intending to interview him over dinner. He picked me up in his four-wheel-drive vehicle and started talking so passionately about the video that I immediately began taking notes. The restaurant turned out to be closed, so we pulled over along busy Keshavarz Boulevard and continued talking.
"I'm not just happy because this video was popular, but because now we have a president who understands the power of art," says Dehbashi, who earlier had directed two official campaign videos for Rouhani but made this one on his own.
Political videos are an art form in Iran. They have been honed from the earliest years of the revolution when Khomeini declared that "of all the organs of propaganda," radio and TV were "more important than schools" in shaping popular perceptions.
Dehbashi's earlier campaign videos highlighted the "prudence and hope" slogan of the centrist cleric, who would unexpectedly trounce a slate of conservative rivals. Yet "New Voyager" is the most emotive, with a nod toward Iranian history and a message of national unity.
Iranians of all ages perform to Rouhani's own words, in a speech given the day Khamenei formally endorsed him as president (Aug. 3). "Let the space and opportunity to serve the people open up to all Iranians whose hearts are tied to this land," Rouhani intones. "Let our hearts be cleansed of resentment...."
The film breaks taboos by showing images of men and women singing (the women sometimes with a glimpse of hair visible), and of on-screen playing of musical instruments – all things officially forbidden. Singers also echo Rouhani's words in the languages of Iran's Baloch, Arab, Azeri, and Kurdish minorities, as he speaks of the "compassionate face of Islam" and "rational face of Iran." He asks for the Lord's help to avoid "autocracy" and not "shut the mouths of rivals and critics."
The film was powerful enough that hard-liners criticized it three times in a week in the Kayhan newspaper. The attacks on Dehbashi's parents' house were even more alarming. They recalled incidents in the late 1990s and early 2000s when vigilantes assailed reformists at rallies and cultural events, often with chains and clubs. Vigilantes were also deployed to crush protests after the disputed election of 2009.
When Rouhani himself watched the video for the first time, unaware of who had directed it, but very aware of its rule-breaking, he insisted on seeing it four times. Then he said: "It is excellent. This is exactly the thing that I want. Who made it?"
By posting the video on his website, Rouhani showed, in Dehbashi's view, that he is a modern man. "What does it mean? That [Rouhani] says: 'I don't agree with all the rules [of state-run media]," says the director. "The main target: We wanted to show [Rouhani] is not a conservative person."
Dehbashi vows to resist the pressure from hard-liners. "It's obvious they are angry with [Rouhani], not me, but because of the honeymoon they can't be so open about it," he adds. "I am nobody, but if they can make me afraid, others like me will be also."
It's after dawn, a workday, and the rumble of cars is picking up along a wide central avenue in Tehran, revealing a new era of determined organization that I have not seen in this vast metropolis before.
At bus stops, screens display real-time schedules and detailed maps. Some street corners have tubs of salt for snowy days. Drivers now use electronic meters to process parking slips. Beautification schemes are everywhere.
On a bench, in a narrow roadside park and partly hidden behind a hedge, a young couple shares a moment of intimacy, holding hands and sitting close before their day begins.
Nearby, a city worker – part of an army in bright green and yellow overalls that attempts to keep Tehran tidy – sweeps up leaves. Another paints exercise equipment, taking advantage of the sunlight after days of storms.
All the activity partly masks how much Iran's economy has shrunk and its currency has tumbled under the weight of US-orchestrated global sanctions. They have targeted Iran's lifeblood – its oil exports – as well as its central bank and virtually all financial transactions.
So Iranians complain, and want improvement. "Your country has impoverished me!" an Iranian friend told me, only half-joking. That is one reason so many here celebrated the Geneva nuclear deal and its promise of "modest" sanctions relief.
Where is the easing likely to be felt first – the Exhibit A benefits for Rouhani to show that Iran's engagement with the West is worthwhile? One place is an hour's drive west, past ribbons of traffic-choked highways, at the mammoth Iran Khodro Company manufacturing plant, which can churn out as many as 42 cars per hour.
Iran's car industry has been hit especially hard by sanctions, with production falling 72 percent this year from a 2011 output of 1.6 million vehicles, reports The Associated Press. As many as 100,000 layoffs are tied to sanctions.
Still, this factory is one of the largest of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, with tens of thousands of employees. The facility is a city unto itself. It has named streets inside and even its own police patrols.
Entering the cavernous halls, one is struck by the smell of machinery and oil, the sight of sparks flying as metal is tack welded, of robots moving with relentless precision as silver chassis slide by. And there is a feel of constant activity. Workers in blue Khodro uniforms clearly take pride in their production lines.
While I'm at the plant, company officials give a tour to a group of schoolgirls. They snap pictures and giggle, their black chadors fluttering as they pass.
The Geneva deal states that US sanctions on Iran's auto industry and its "associated services" are to be suspended, which is good news for a company with a long history of foreign partnerships from Mercedes-Benz to Peugeot, Renault to Suzuki.
"Every year the technology and know-how is changing," says Hossein Najjari, the managing director for Khodro's automotive parts supply wing, SAPCO. "In order to keep market share, we need to update ourselves ... so the most important benefit of this [Geneva] agreement for the auto industry is opening communications with all the world."
That means a "new generation" of technologies that includes hybrid, electrical, and safety advances. As sanctions have taken hold, the company has been able to supply its basic needs, but not the most advanced parts.
European companies are already signaling their post-sanctions interest, if the Geneva deal holds up. And it might not be long before American ones, too, step back in after decades away.
On the factory floor, that day won't come soon enough for some. On the assembly line where he mounts car dashboards, one worker smiles broadly after hearing where I'm from – and alerts all the men down the line.
"America," he says, holding up white-gloved hands, as if his team had scored a goal. "I love it!" | 2019-04-26T08:54:18Z | http://parseed.ir/?ez=4065 |
A weighty effort and burden that only very few people can undertake and shoulder nowadays.
This is a book for which its author exerted a toil that can never be exerted but only by a very few people who can be enumerated in the present days, where intellectual laziness prevails, and comfort and good health be preferred to diligence and hardship and labour.
Anyone reading this book attentively and deliberately will verily observe the great deal of effort exerted by the author, who kept on, throughout long years, going through voluminous books and references. The books which the researchers could never endure going through, due to the abundance of chains and their repetition, plurality and mess of narrations, reiteration of khabar al-wahid for numerous times at different occasions.
The least to be said about reading such books is that they cause readers to grow tired and become bored and weary. It is hard enough for man to toil himself in reading the widely-known Sunnah books, making comparison between the traditions reported in them on the nass (text) and the asanid (chains of transmitters) with which this nass was reported, and searching after that for the rijal constituting those asanid through the relevant books.
It is sufficient to mention that the author (of this book) has read ‘al-Muwatta’ of Malik, with Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah and Musnad Ahmad. However he has gone through lengthy expositions (shuruh) for some of these books, and through many other lengthy and short books compiled on interpretation of the hadith texts, rijal of the asanid, and the Prophet’s sirah (conduct) and also the classes (tabaqat) of narrators. At the end of the book he has recorded the titles of the books he has read and investigated attentively, or referred to when writing his book. Enough be for anyone to look at these titles to realize how much forbearance, sufferance and meditation exerted by the author, toward that which he read. This in itself indicates a strenuous effort and heavy burden that can never be undertaken nowadays but only by very few people, as previously said.
This being the first merit to be recorded for the author of this book, which I have read twice, witnessing the author’s stating within the fold of his book all the books he confirmed and referred to. It is quite clear evidence indicating his non-practising exaggeration nor multiplication when he recorded these books among the references, but he in fact has extensively and accurately benefitted from them all.
The theme of this book is really a critical and valuable one that people nowadays shrank from indulging in, and rather be so afraid and scared of it…fearing their pens slip or be a cause for instigating the dissatisfaction of the conservative people who opining that such kind of knowledge is to be sacred or like an inviolable thing liable only for reporting and quotation. This, while criticism, going deeply and giving verdicts all being matters into which no one is entitled to plunge.
Thus, the author has added to the merits of forbearance and tolerance, and exerting oneself for the sake of researching and verification, another advantage which is having courage to seek truth and proclaiming it whenever feeling quite assured of. On this way he never feared any blame or objection, being ready all the time for debating his opinions and defending what is established for him to be the truth.
So the subject is truly critical and valuable, i.e. scrutinizing all the traditions reported to us to be uttered by the Prophet (S), and distinguishing the correct ones from other than them, so as Muslims be assured of whatever is reported to them from the Messenger of Allah (S). The author has persisted in citing utterances ascribed to the Prophet while he has never uttered them, but they were composed and attributed to him for different purposes. Some of them were foisted by a group of Jews showing up Islam and piety, inventing things from their own, ascribing some to the Prophet, and foisting some others into the Torah, while having nothing to do with the Prophet or the Torah.
Some of them were foisted into sermons and stories with the intention of inviting people toward virtues and loving good and abstaining from (committing) sins. So they provoked people’s desires and intimidated them, never disdaining from (falsely) ascribing utterances to the Prophet believing them to have more influence over people than speech of preachers and punishment; beside other things were foisted for flattering the caliphs and rulers, and seeking to find favour with them.
Beside other things invented by those having controversy on kalam and fiqh (jurisprudence), for defending their views in these two sciences, and some other things foisted with the intention of propaganda for some political parties, in the primeval ages. Further, there were individuals indulged extensively in fabricating many traditions to make people in general and the upper class in particular, believe them to be of abundant knowledge and accurate awareness of the Prophet’s sayings and deeds.
All that had its considerable effect in corrupting the minds and causing views of many people to deviate from the straightforwardness in comprehending the religion and conceiving the Prophet as he should be conceived by all Muslims, free from all that absurdity which was falsely ascribed to him while he being totally exempted from it all. Besides, this conduct was a means for opponents and enemies of Islam to find fault with and assault, unjustly and slanderously, the Din and the Messenger who brought it.
The former muhaddithun have taken notice of all that, exerting their utmost to pick out the veracious traditions, cleansing them from the lies of the falsifiers and affectation of the pretenders. The method they followed in this exertion was investigating the biography of the rijal who reported the hadith throughout epochs, till it was written down. They used to follow up every and each one of these rijal, verifying his being of pure conduct, sincere faith in Allah and His Messenger, earnest in telling the truth all the time and in his speech about the Prophet in particular. It is really a commendable and fruitful effort that was exerted by those who are well-versed among the ‘ulama’ of hadith, making their best of the job in the extreme.
This effort, despite its strenuousness and productivity, could never be enough, since the most difficult and complicated job is to study life of people, trying to recognize its details and minute matters. May be you search and investigate without managing to discover any reality about people or their minute mysteries, or what is concealed in their minds, or any sort of weakness in their souls and conduct they insist on hiding.
Another effort to be added to this one is to study the text itself. The man might be sincere and trusted on the outside, in a way that when giving testimony it be accepted by all judges, but Allah alone is aware of all secrets and whatever is concealed in minds and kept inside hearts. The rijal from whom he reported the hadith might be truthful and trustworthy like him, whose testimony is verily approved by judges, but their hearts harbour evil intentions that they hide from people.
Therefore, we have to deeply investigate and verify the hadith that he reports from his likes among the just narrators, to know to what extent it complies with the Qur’an to which doubt can never reach nor suspicion can be ascribed to from any side. That is due to the fact that the Qur’an has never reached us through narrators, individuals or groups, but it was conveyed through generations of the Islamic Ummah, concurring unanimously on reporting it in the form we are acquainted with today.
The Qur’an was never reported by these generations through memory but in its written form, that was inscribed during the Prophet’s lifetime, collected during caliphate of Abu Bakr. Then it was written down on codics and sent abroad to all countries during caliphate of Uthman. Thus in it the written narration and that learnt by heart were brought together with both being identical to each other, leaving no room for any doubt to be raised about each text of the Qur’an, due to the fact that they all reached us through an unequivocal way.
This is true also concerning many of the Prophet’s acts and deeds, which were not reported by some individual or group but rather through the Islamic Ummah, generation from another, like the five ordained prayers which Allah prescribed without details, but were exposed and explained by the Prophet, when he established them with his Companions (as their imam), in the form the Ummah concur today.
This can be applied too in respect of zakat (alms-due), hajj (pilgrimage) and fasting of the month of Ramadan, some of whose rules were elaborated by Allah in the Qur’an and by the Prophet through his way of fasting and teaching his Companions how to fast. So, when any Prophetic tradition being reported to us, we have to investigate (the veracity of) its text to see its being non-contradictory to the Qur’an or incompatible to the Prophet’s Sunnah and acts reported through authentic chain of transmitters (mutawatir). When noticing a bit or much incongruity in it we would reject it, with being at heartease toward rejecting it, since the Prophet was just an interpreter of the Qur’an and demonstrator of its general precepts.
“Vision perceiveth Him not, and He perceiveth (all) vision; He is the Subtile, the All-Aware.” (6:103).
The upright among the Prophet’s Companions were feeling so restrained and hesitant of reporting any tradition from the Prophet. Further, Umar used to be so severe against anyone narrating abundantly the Prophet’s traditions, and even he would beat those narrators with his gem (durrah), as he did with Abu Hurayrah, threatening him with exile out of the Medina toward his homeland in Yemen, if he would resume reporting the traditions. It is reported that the Prophet himself has forbidden the writing down of his traditions, never liking other than the Qur’anic verses being inscribed from him.
All this was stated by the author in his book, without contriving it himself, but it being something all ingenious among Muslim scholars used to utter and state in their books, as practised by Ibn Taymiyyah and his disciple Ibn al-Qayyim and others. But the traditionists have forgotten or turned away from this, the fact that caused confusion and misconception among people regarding whatever is related to hadith. The author’s favour in demonstrating this fact, particularly in the present age, lies in creating the opportunity for reading and observing it by those desiring their religion to be ameliorated and be immune against any confusion or miscellany.
However, the author has exceeded proper bounds in some places. It is out of scope here to refer to all of these places and occasions, for sake of brevity and evading extravagance in prolongation, but I suffice with citing some examples.
Let’s take Ka’b al-Ahbar, who was a Jew that embraced Islam during the reign of Umar. We are informed by the narrators that he apprised Umar of his being slain within three nights. When asked by Umar about its proof and evidence, he claimed that it could be found in the Torah. Umar was astonished at hearing that his name be referred to in the Torah. But Ka’b told him that what was mentioned in the Torah was his attribute and not his name.
The next day he came to him saying: Only two days are left (for his murder). On the third day he came to him in the morning exclaiming: Two days have passed and only one is left…and you will be verily killed tomorrow. As that day approached, and during morning prayer, the non-Arab slave came toward him (Umar) and stabbed him while he was arranging the rows for (performing) the prayers. The author affirms that Umar was murdered due to a plot hatched and engineered by Hurmuzan, with collaboration of Ka’b, assuring that this conspiracy was certain in whose certainty no doubt could be raised but only by the ignorant and illiterate people.
I want to assure the author that I am one of those illiterate people, since I doubt this intrigue so intensely, never considering it more than an imagination. As that wretched slave killed himself before questioning him. Ubayd Allah ibn Umar also hastened in slaying Hurmuzan before any investigation. While Ka’b al-Ahbar survived for seven or eight years, without being interrogated or accused by anyone with the charge of collaboration in this plot. He most often used to frequent to Uthman. Then he departed Medina betaking himself toward Hams, residing in it till his death in the 32 Hijrah year. So how could the author emphasize, first of all, the occurrence of this conspiracy, and collaboration of Ka’b in it on the other hand.
However, all Muslims became so furious and displeased at the hasty move of Ubayd Allah ibn Umar in slaying Hurmuzan out of ignorance and calumny against him, without handing him to the Caliph, or establishing the testimony against him, since he has, in a way or another, participated in murdering his father. A group of the Prophet’s Companions insisted on the Caliph (Uthman) to enforce the determined punishment (hadd) against Ubayd Allah, as he killed a Muslim man without introducing him to be tried by the ruler, and without establishing any proof against him confirming that he has slain Umar. Despite all that, Uthman pardoned him, fearing that people would say: Umar was killed yesterday, and today his son is to be killed. This pardon was counted by those who rebelled against Uthman as one of his blunders.
When Ali (a.s.) came to power, he was determined to punish Ubayd Allah for the crime he perpetrated. But the latter escaped Ali and sought shelter with Mu’awiyah, under whose protection he lived in security, till he was killed in the Battle of Siffin. It is known that Uthman has never inquired Ka’b about anything, with no one accusing him with any charge. He departed the Medina toward the Sham where Mu’awiyah was its governor. He, without being questioned by Mu’awiyah about anything, lived there till he died. So what is the source or the evidence for this emphasis, upon which the author has persisted to the extent he damned Ka’b, though he was unfit for that? What is commonly known about Ka’b is that he has embraced Islam, and it is known too that to curse him by Muslims being impermissible.
Another example, is that his (author’s) claim that the motive behind Abu Hurayrah’s keeping the Prophet’s company was not affection toward him, or seeking to acquire the religiosity and guidance he had, but he accompanied him out of the desire to fill and satiate his abdomen, claiming that he (Ka’b) was a destitute and his sustenance was provided by the Prophet (S). For proving this, the author cites a hadith reported by Ahmad ibn Hanbal and al-Bukhari too.
But the same hadith was reported by Muslim from Abu Hurayrah, the text of which being more expressive and clear-cut than the one reported by al-Bukhari and Ibn Hanbal. Abu Hurayrah was claiming that he was serving the Prophet in return for satiating his abdomen (hunger). And there is difference between one who says he was serving, and one saying he was keeping the company of. In such cases, having good opinion of someone is worse than having evil one. And I never surmise that Abu Hurayrah has come forward with those coming from Yemen toward the Prophet (S), neither for declaring allegiance to him nor for learning religion under his hand, but only for filling his abdomen.
This is verily exaggeration in interpretation and evil-mindedness. The author is so severe and stern toward Abu Hurayrah that I am afraid he has gone somewhat to the extreme. As we know that Abu Hurayrah was prolific in reporting the traditions from the Prophet, and that Umar used to be so strict against him in this respect, with some of the Prophet’s Companions disapproving many of the traditions he reported, charging him with depending extensively upon Ka’b al-Ahbar in his reporting. It was feasible for the author to record all those remarks in an objective way, as is said, without plaguing himself into them angrily or rancorously.
Since what he is writing is not a story or literature so as to show off his character with all its components including fury, grudge and rancour. But he is supposedly writing about a scholar and a science linked to religion. And it is known that the most outstanding merit of the scholars, especially in the present age, being self-denial when writing about knowledge and their use of their minds and intellects when researching and determining, not their emotions.
So it is unfair to claim that the only reason behind Abu Hurayrah’s company to the Prophet was to take food from him, while we know that he embraced Islam, prayed behind the Prophet, hearing and taking some of his traditions. Let the author say he has not enjoyed the Prophet’s company but only for three years, while the traditions he reported from him exceeded in number those reported by the Emigrants who accompanied the Prophet in Mecca and Medina, and by the Helpers who kept the Prophet’s company since his migration toward Medina till he was called by Allah. This can be a sufficient factor for taking precaution and being on guard toward all the traditions reported about him.
The other point I want to state here being that the author, in his protracted hadith about Abu Hurayrah, says that he, out of his covetousness to eating and eagerness for dainties, used to eat with Mu’awiyah and perform his prayers behind Ali (a.s.), with pronouncing: Eating with Mu’awiyah is fattier, (or in more precise words: al-murdirah with Mu’awiyah is fattier [murdirah is a kind of sweet]), and to pray with Ali is better.
I want to know how could it be able for Abu Hurayrah to eat with Mu’awiyah and perform prayers with Ali (a.s.) simultaneously, while one of them being in Iraq and the other in the Sham, or one being in the Medina and the other in the Sham, unless this be done during Battle of Siffin. But I never believe him to be safe if doing so during the war, since in that case he would have been accused by one of the two sects with hypocrisy and espionage. While these words being recorded only in some books, the author would have rather investigated and verified the truth before stating them. This being the least and easiest requirement on the part of the scholars.
Further, the author persists on emphasizing the fact concurred unanimously by Muslims that the traditions narrated by individuals and single persons (ahad) as said by the traditionists, can never indicate but only surmise. For this reason the Muslims never take these traditions as inferential evidences for the principles (usul) and doctrines of religion but only for the sub-rules of fiqh and virtuous deeds, besides using them for urging to do good and intimidation and warning against vices. And all the traditions on which the author based his speech about the subjects we cited examples for, being only ahadith reported by individuals and ahad (with no authentic chain), never indicating decisiveness or certainty. So how would he allow himself to abstain from trusting such traditions, depending on them then for accusing people with charges failing to present evidences to their confirmation.
The last remark to conclude my discussion, which I consider brief, though seeming protracted, being that the author, after realizing – seemingly – his failure to gain pleasure of people beside inability to win the hearts of the clergy in particular, embarked on defaming them some time, slaming them another time, and labelling them again with thought inertia once and with marginality another time. Through all this, he seduced these people by his self, calling them to heed only to his book, with imagining that he was detesting them and never counting them fitting and competent for valuable researching and endeavour to discover knowledge realities. Had he tolerated till the coming out of his book, and be read by people, so as to know their opinion and commentary on it, this tolerance and patience would have much better and preservative for him.
Nevertheless, I affirm again my admittance to the author’s strenuous and fertile strival and effort in compiling this book, and his genuine sincerity for knowledge and truth in his searching for hadith.
thirsty you be, and is there anyone of pure drink! | 2019-04-19T02:43:50Z | https://www.al-islam.org/light-muhammadan-sunnah-or-defence-hadith-shaykh-mahmud-abu-rayyah/dr-taha-husayns-foreword |
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A camp for dogs and their owners!
A special invite to Owners of New Puppies-BRING THEM! There’s no better start your pups could have than Camp Gone to the Dogs.
All breeds or mixes of dogs are welcome.
Bring your canine senior citizens and enjoy quality time in lectures and walks with them. You may even discover that your veteran has some hidden talents just waiting to be discovered at Camp. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
Our guiding principles are kindness, fairness and love. We use only positive training methods— treats, toys, play and petting. If it’s not fun for your dog, we won’t do it.
Camp’s instructors are not just “on” the cutting edge, they ARE the cutting edge. If there’s a way to make it enjoyable for dogs to learn, they’ll find it. They have received national acclaim, written books, given international seminars and run training centers. Training with Camp’s instructors will spoil you. When you see how enthusiastically and joyously your dog learns when you teach positively, you won’t want to train any other way.
Mare graduated from the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse with a B.S. in Recreation Administration and a M.S. in Educational Media. She trained to be a Camp Director, Parks and Recreation Manager, Outdoor Education Leader and Educational Media Specialist. Mare’s passion for training dogs has taken her on many adventures that include Obedience, Flyball, K9 Disc and more.
Mare is a World Class Disc Dog Handler that has been training and competing in Canine Disc for over a decade. In 2005 Mare and Scout, a Terrier Mix were the Skyhoundz Micro Dog World Champions. She is also a two time finalist for the U.S. Disc Dog Nationals. She has competed with a variety of dogs, including Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Herding and Terrier Mixes.
She and her dogs starred in the MagRack Disc Dog Training DVD, appeared in Animal Planet’s Best Dog Friendly Destinations, the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, NBC Sunday Morning News show and more.
Mare is a dog trainer that stresses positive, motivational training methods. She is currently training Mini Australian Shepherd Cote, Border Collie/Australian Cattle Dog Bryte, Jack Russell Terrier/Australian Cattle Dog Kai and ??? Echo.
Trina has been owned by dogs for the greater part of her life. Pembroke Welsh Corgis initially took over her household almost 50 years ago and both Trina and her late husband, Tom, “went to the dogs!” They showed the Corgis in breed and obedience, sometimes even successfully! Then one day in Canada, it happened! They saw lure coursing for the first time and Tom fell in love with hounds. The Corgis were joined by Salukis and field trials became the weekend venue! Today, her household continues to be owned by the critters, 2 canines, 3 felines and 1 equine! Now retired, her goal is to pursue her passion of tromping off into the woods and trails with her Haflinger, Magic, and one day riding and driving him on the carriage roads in Acadia. At Camp, Trina does her best to make sure all the campers are happy campers!
Bev writes “Dogs are my passion that is also a family affair. I have been working and showing dogs since I was eight, when I got my first dog and showed in 4-H. My grandfather trained dogs, taught my mom who taught me to work with dogs. With my dogs, I have enjoyed participating in almost every dog sport at some time or another but prefer freestyle since I feel it gives you the closest relationship with your dog. I have mostly had sporting dogs (Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Irish Setter, German Wirehaired Pointers) but have also had two Border Terriers and my mixed breed dog, Vinnie. “Sonic (my BT) was only four months old when he participated in Camp for the first time and it was an experience I won’t ever forget! He learned so much, had such a great time and taught me equally as much about learning!” By starting freestyle at Camp, he became the youngest dog to receive a traditional freestyle title in the World Canine Freestyle Organization. He then went on to become one of the highest titled small dogs in our sport. I also enjoy judging freestyle which gives me the opportunity to judge people all over the world. I am currently employed at Leader Dogs for the Blind as the manager for Puppy Development and feel honored that I can use my dog training skills to help others and have in my 20 year career there. My latest addition to my canine family is “Wink” a German Wirehaired Pointer. Together we have been to dog shows all over the country as well as Westminster Dog show where she earned an Award of Merit at just 21 months old and continues to burn up the conformation ring as well as the bird field! In order to continue to work with my dogs as well as those I instruct, early in 2014 I completed my Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner certification.
Linda has been involved with training and showing dogs since she was eight years old! She trains and shows her German Wirehaired Pointers in conformation, obedience, freestyle, hunt tests and field trials, agility, and does demonstrations and therapy visits. Linda and her GWP Maksim competed at the Westminster Dog Show this year and Maksim was BOS!!!! Linda has designed and taught many drill team routines and demonstrations for fun and for competitions. Linda is a certified Freestyle Competition and Proficiency Test Judge. She and “Robbie” were the 2002 North American Freestyle Champions and the first Heelwork To Music Champions! Linda is looking forward to meeting your dog and you!
I have had dogs my entire life but became more involved after graduating college. I took a temporary job at a dog daycare which quickly morphed in to a full time position. The daycare was right next to Tails-UWin and my eyes were opened to the world of positive reinforcement dog training. I learned so much about behavior while at the daycare. I adopted Jane, a 6 month old hound mix, while working at the daycare. I took several different classes with her, including tricks and agility. I also assisted with classes at Tails-U-Win. She is almost 16 years old. While working with many different breeds and mixes, I figured out which dogs fit with my life, sighthounds! In 2005, I adopted my first Ibizan Hound, Arthur, from a hoarding situation in Omaha, Nebraska. My second Ibizan is a wire named Trea. Arco is my youngest, born in 2013. I learned about lure coursing in 2007 when I took Trea to an event to practice. After one trial, I was hooked! She has 14 Best in Field titles. 2016 will be my second camp and I am excited to see all the dogs chase that “bunny”!
I’m thrilled t have been invited back to Camp this year as a member of the Agility Staff. They and all of you, are such a joy to work with. I’ve been actively competing in agility now for 14 years, the last 6 with my 8 year old Golden Retriever MACH Pine Run’s Liv’n It Up, SF, ADHF, OD aka “Olivia”. I’ve been competing with my 3 year old boy, Fast Trak Natural Born Thriller, AX, MXJ aka “Brash” for the past 2 years. I am a member of the Keystone Agility Club and have been reaching beginning, advanced and master level classes now for the past 11 years. Besides my passion for agility, I enjoy working our Retrievers in the field where they get the opportunity to sharpen their natural marking and retrieving talents. In addition to Olivia and Brash, my wife and I share our home and love with five other Golden Retrievers. Like all of you, I’m here to have a ton of fun and enjoy the company of good people and their K9 companions. If there is absolutely any way that I can be assistance to you during your Camp experience or if you just want to talk agility, please don’t hesitate to see me. Let the games begin!
Christina has been involved with dogs for over 13 years. She started out volunteering at a high kill shelter and then realized her passion for saving fearful and high energy dogs and became involved in rescue work. She started assisting training classes at the shelter and moved on to running the classes. Christina decided to find an outlet for her high energy foster dogs and became involved in the sport of disc. She found her passion in traveling and competing in this sport. Christina has a 2006 World Champion disc dog, along with many World Qualifying dogs over the years. In addition, she placed 2nd and 3rd at Worlds doing pairs routines and 3rd in Worlds with her micro dog.
Christina started teaching Manners, Reactive dog and trick classes at a doggie daycare. In addition, to these classes she does private inhome lessons and private disc dog lessons.
She shares her life with 10 rescue dogs and always has one foster dog. She now performs with these dogs doing disc, tricks and dock diving shows all over the United States. The last three years she performed at the Indianapolis Zoo for 8months each year.
Christina has also recently started working for a Service dog company. She brings home dogs to train and socialize.
She has learned so much by having several different breeds. She has Border Collies, Cattle dogs, a Lab, a Whippet and other mixes. It is important to her to use positive training so we are all always having fun!!! I am so exciting about teaching at camp this year.
Leslie started her career with animals as a veterinary technician in 1991 and pursued this career until 2002 when she started Dogs Think! dog training and behavior consults full time. She has been training dogs and people since 1992. Her curiosity about dogs and the human-animal bond has taken her to Alaska as a volunteer on the Iditarod trail and Ground Zero to help with veterinary care for the search and rescue teams.
She has done extensive continuing education and certification since she started training but credits her dog Clyde, a difficult “project dog”, with contributing the greatest amount to her knowledge of dog behavior and training.
She currently shares her life and love with Gracie, the shelter dog “queen” from Mississippi, Trigger, the endearing boxer who has taught her that you “never say never”, Willy, the newest boxer and loudest snoring dog EVER, husband Dave, who has taught her the true meaning of unconditional love and beautiful, sassy daughter Shea Mim who has proven to be her most amazing accomplishment to date! Leslie’s daily goals now include capturing the heart melting Shea smiles on camera and keeping all things 3 year old out of Willy’s mouth!
Karen was a trainer at Canine Consulting from 1986-2004. She has extensive experience owning and showing Terriers, Dobermans and Golden Retrievers. She now works at the DogSpa in Beverly, Massachusetts, an upscale retail and grooming shop where she also teaches “Proper Puppy” classes and private behavioral consultations. Karen taught at North Shore Community college for the Veterinary Tech and Animal Care Specialist Programs. Her Fall and Spring courses were Canine and Feline Behavior, Canine Training Methods, Law and Ethics and Nutrition. Karen retired from the college in January of 2012. In March 2002 she taught six workshops in Toronto for the Canadian Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Karen has bred Golden Retrievers, some of whom have become Wheelchair Assistance Dogs. Her dogs are active in community programs, visiting nursing homes and participating in educational programs. Two of her Goldens have been used in advertising campaigns. Since training her first terrier 40 years ago, she has continued to develop affection for her canine companions. She has added over the years two rescue maltese, a Rottweiler and a fabulous long-haired Shepherd Tregan, a calm steady guy She now lives with three adorable Shih Tzu’s Lyric, Callie and Monkey and of course her husband Carl. Karen uses gentle and pleasant instruction methods with all her students. Adding humor as often as possible.
Jay and I have been involved in lure coursing for over 11 years, we have 2 Pharaoh Hounds that we travel with and run, Blaise and Senna . We belong to 5 coursing clubs , additionally, we host CAT events for many clubs in the Northeast. Jay has been a lure operator for over 6yrs and always puts the safety of the dogs running first with his safe course designs and lure operating skills. I work as the clubs field trial secretary for events, huntmaster events and just recently have become and AKC Lure Coursing Judge for CAT . Now about my dogs, Blaise was the 2009 & 2010 Pharaoh Hound National Champion in LGRA (straight racing) Senna is a Dual Champion (coursing and conformation) and in 2011 was the ASFA II (International Invitational) breed champion and finished 2nd overall at the event l. Showing the diversity of the breed, both of my dogs have competed in obedience. This will be our second year at camp and we look forward to another year.
Barb is a life long dog enthusiast who has participated in a number of activities over the years. Obedience, breed, flyball, agility, tricks, demos, k9 disc, and pet therapy just to name a few. She has also raised five puppies for Leader Dogs for the Blind of Rochester, Michigan and is currently a foster home for Great Lakes Border Collie Rescue. In addition, for the past three years Barb has been assisting in the capture and transporting of injured water fowl and shore birds with a DNR wildlife rehabilitator.
Barbs k9 pals consist of German shepherd Ben, lab mix and shelter dog Luke, former foster dog and now permanent member coonhound mix Lance, border collie Penny and Patterdale terrier Andy. Miniature horse Libby also resides with the pack. Libby is an avid swimmer and loves her daily three mile walks with her partner Andy.
Mary Horne CPDT-KA, SF SPCA CTC is a passionate teacher/trainer and enthusiastic participant in a variety of dog sports. Since entering her first Rally trial in 2001 (she and her Lab barely qualified but had a blast!), Mary has titled multiple dogs in Obedience, Rally, and hunting retriever work. She loves discovering and refining ways of training to enhance precision, understanding and most of all joy.
Mary is currently blessed with 2 fun-loving Lab girls — 7 year old Pepper (OTCH-C ARCH Radiance Love That Spice UD, RE, BN, JH, UD-C, CD-CCH, RL1X, RL3, WC) and 4 year old Dakota (ARCH Rhumbline’s Rambling Dakota UD, BN, RE, UD-C, RL3, WC), who has so far earned AKC and CDSP High in Trial awards, multiple CDSP High Combined awards and 14 perfect 200 scores in CDSP Novice and Open. Dakota was the 2014 overall winner of the annual New England Rally Enthusiasts Regional Tournament, losing only 2 points out of 12 rounds in all 3 levels of WCRL Rally.
Roy was born and raised on a farm in Virginia where his family raised tobacco and livestock. Roy and Debbie now live on Breezy Hill Farm in Gladys, VA with daughter, Shelby, Son Bill and daughter-in-law, Cheryle and granddaughter, Marissa lives next door. They have approximately 300 head of sheep, 150 head of cattle, a few horses and chickens. Roy started working with Border collies after he lost his hands in a hay baler accident in 1984. His first working dog, Rosco, a red and white Border collie, went on to place consistently in the top trials in the U.S. and Canada. Roy has qualified many times to compete in the prestigious United States Border Collie Handlers Association (USBCHA) National finals with Rosco, June (Roscoe’s daughter, who won the 1987 Futurity), Craig, Jim and more recently, Sonny and Chip. Sonny first qualified for the 2004 USBCHA National Cattle Finals and has qualified every year since then. The Finals consists of the top 60 qualifying dogs from the United States and Canada competing two go rounds and the final day, only the top 20 of those go on to compete in the final round, called the double lift. Sonny’s placings have been: 2004 placed 12th; 2005 placed 10th; 2006 placed 8th; 2007 placed 1st…2007 National Champion and in 2008 placed 7th.
Chip has also qualified for the Finals in 2005 placing 7th; 2006 placed 10th and in 2008 placed 18th. Roy has judged numerous trials. Debbie competed in trials with Abby, a daughter of Jim (who also qualified and trialed in the National Cattle Finals since 2006 through 2008). Roy has been working with all herding breeds (and some non herding breeds) since 1986. He has been teaching herding at Camp since 1996 and enjoys helping people and their dogs discover how to herd. Roy and Debbie enjoy traveling with the dogs, whether for competitions, demonstrations or teaching…it’s a family effort.
Frankie Joiris is the Team Manager for the United States Team competing at the European Open Junior Agility Championship. She has been teaching dog training since 1976, she started teaching pet and competitive obedience classes and as part of Speedoggie Performance Dog Training she is now a full time agility instructor and coach, teaching classes, private lessons and seminars. She specializes in motivating the ‘hard to motivate’ dogs, as well as trick training. Along with partner Chris Ott, Frankie developed the Speedoggie “Fit To Be Tricked’ program, and has written articles, teaches classes and holds seminars on FTBT. She has successfully coached numerous private students helping them overcome motivational issues on both ends of the leash. She studies and utilizes the best methods possible for each dog and handler team because no two teams are alike as training needs to be individually tailored. She enjoys competing with her own dogs and has titled dogs in obedience, agility, lure coursing, hunt tests, tracking. She and her students have qualified multiple times for National and Invitational events.
Her current competition dogs include Whippet Boing!, Pyrenean Shepherd Toggle, and Border Collie Kiss~Me. Her Norfolk Terrier, Stamp, is the first and currently only Champion MACH in the breed. He was #1 or #2 Norfolk Terrier in agility his entire career and received numerous awards from the breed’s parent club. Frankie has been an animal actor trainer and handler for about 30 years training her own pets as well as a wide variety of species and feels that her experiences with different species of animals gives her a slightly different insight.
An equal opportunity dog person I have been a dog lover all my life. I worked at an animal hospital for over twelve years. I assisted puppy kindergarten, basic obedience, therapy dog and other assorted classes for too many years to count. I have also been an employee, both paid & as a volunteer to several Rescue groups. I have had 3 Bassets, a Golden, Italian Spinone, a Doberman & a Rotti, both rescues, and currently have two Shih Tzus – Tallullah and Winslowe. I also like to make good things to eat for both humans & dogs. “I love coming to camp & seeing all the people that love their dogs as much as I love mine. I also have a husband and 3 grown daughters & 7 grandchildren, but I don’t bring them to Camp.
Lynne has been teaching pet and competition obedience classes for over 30 years. She has been a member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) since 1985. With her canine teammates, Lynne has earned many AKC titles, with many class placements and High in Trials. She currently shares her home with 17+ year old Brussels Griffon, Danny UD, CGC, Therapy Dog. Lynne likes to develop and lead classes which focus on Attention, Competition Obedience exercises, Obedience Games, Stays, Retrieving and Heeling. She enjoys helping people who are experiencing behavioral/relationship challenges with their dogs by introducing creative and effective training games.
After retiring from IBM, Lynne started an in-home boarding and training business which she continues to enjoy today.
Sean McMurray’s interest in dogs began in 1983 when he obtained his first puppy, a Lab cross. This dog was soon followed by the first of three white Shepherds, a Standard Poodle 2 Whippets, and a Portuguese Water Dog. Sean began teaching classes in 1990 and has been an instructor at Tails-U-Win in Manchester, Connecticut ever since. He teaches family dog classes and is involved with SCENT FUN and competition training and classes, private lessons and behavioral consultations. Sean has been coming to Camp since 1992, and looks forward to seeing everyone each year. Sean lives in Enfield, Connecticut with Misty, his Whippet, Mango, his PWD, his wife Sue and their five children Sara, Lauren, Eric, Amy and Leah.
Taffy began to appreciate really good food over 25 years ago while working with Rene Chardain. At the time this world-renown chef was the owner of the Four Columns Inn, a local restaurant and Inn, fancy enough for Mick Jagger himself. After eight years with Rene she started her own small picnic and catering business that brought together her three most favorite things – good food, use of her horses (Morgans, of course!) and carriages for the picnics – and the ability to enjoy it all with good people! Taffy’s gourmet picnics have been featured in Yankee Magazine and Country Living Magazine.
Not only can Taffy cook, she’s a bonafide Justice of the Peace. She did in fact, perform the marriage ceremony for Leslie and Derryl at 1998’s Fall Foliage Camp. In her spare time, Taffy can be seen roller blading around Southern Vermont’s highways with her Golden Retrievers. She runs a catering business in Southern Vermont and supervise the adult skiing program at Stratton Mountain during the long Vermont winter.
Leslie Nelson is the owner and training director at Tails-U-Win! Canine Center, LLC in Manchester, CT. She oversees over 50 classes a week and a staff of more than 30 instructors and assistants. In the mid nineties after being introduced to Ted Turner, the head trainer of Sea World of Ohio, Leslie developed a training program for family dogs based on the training done at Sea World. Her busy training center has been the perfect location for like minded trainers to experiment with and practice positive reinforcement techniques. She has been involved with animals her entire life and has bred and shown numerous Afghan breed champions and performance dogs. She has trained two of her Afghan Hounds to the Utility Dog title. Today she continues to compete with her own dogs in competition obedience and agility and she loves to help every dog become the best he can be. Leslie instructs both family and competition classes and has an active schedule of private lessons and behavioral consults. She is a member of APDT and has been honored as their keynote speaker. She is a sought after seminar speaker and was featured along with Ted Turner and Patty Ruzzo in the popular training video, The Power of Positive Training and it’s follow up, Proof Positive. Her booklets, Management Magic, The Really Reliable Recall and her Family Dog workbook are used in training classes across the country. Her DVD The Really Reliable Recall, produced by Camp Instructor Bonnie Peregoy, has become a training classic.. Leslie and her husband, Derryl, share their home with their four dogs and various other animals.
Doreen has had dogs all her life and has had Chesapeake Bay Retrievers since the mid 70’s. As a military family Doreen, husband Gary and their Chessies have moved around the US, living in Florida, Alaska, CT, NYC, and Maryland during their 30 years of active duty. They are now retired and living in CT. Doreen has been actively showing the Chessies since 1993 in AKC, UKC and CKC venues. She and the dogs show in obedience, agility, rally, tracking and conformation. Since 1993 the dogs have consistently been in the top 10 Chessies showing in obedience and agility in the AKC. She started tracking in 1992 with her first competition dog, Taku. Since then she and the dogs have earned over 80 titles, with 4 of the dogs earning VCD titles from the AKC. Taku earned his UD in obedience, his MX & MXJ in agility and his TDX in tracking and was the 1st Chessie to earn a VCD2. He, along with Piper and Zephyr went on to earn their VCD3 (UD, AX, AXJ & TDX) titles. Zephyr, who she is still currently showing, is the only Chessie to have earned a VCD4 title; there are fewer than 30 dogs of any breed to have earned a VCD4 title from the AKC. He is a Champion Tracker, Master Agility Champion twice over and has his UDX in obedience. Zephyr also has his RAE in Rally and several legs towards his Junior Hunt title. Zephyr is the only Chessie to have run at the AKC tracking Invitational and is one of only a handful of entrants to pass. Makai, Zephyr’s daughter, is currently competing in obedience, agility, tracking, rally and conformation. She has one leg towards her open obedience title, her excellent standard & jumpers titles, her Rally excellent title and her TDX. Doreen has helped train and title other breeds in conformation, obedience, agility, rally and tracking. Those breeds include Wiems, Goldens, Welsh Springers, Clumber Spaniels, Min Pins, Dobermans, Bullmastiffs, Border Collies, GSDs, Westies, Aussies, Labs, Belgian Sheepdogs, Tervurens, Pem Corgis, Std. Poodles and Bearded Collies.
Bonnie Peregoy owns Healthy Dog LLC which is the parent of “Bonnie’s Dog & Cat Grooming” in Washington DC, and “Healthy Dog Productions” a media production company (video/audio) based out of her home in Edgewater MD (a suburb of Annapolis).
She has competed with her Afghan Hounds and Standard Poodle in both conformation, obedience, and field trials. And she has competed with her Bichon in grooming competitions. In 1994 Bonnie threw away her choke chains and embraced the exclusive use of Positive Reinformcement for dog training. With a business partner she formed Positive Power Productions and produced a series of training videos featuring Ted Turner, Leslie Nelson and Patty Ruzzo. This first series of seminars and videos remains a foundation in the revolution of dog training from punishment and superstition to relationship and application of a scientific principles to behavior shaping. Healthy Dog Productions has gone on to produce other training CD’s and DVDs, Including the Really Reliable Recall DVD featuring Leslie Nelson and her technique developed at Camp Gone to the Dogs which is taught annually at Camp.
Bonnie Peregoy first apprenticed as a dog groomer in 1973. In 1985,= she bought a boarding kennel in Tolland, Connecticut with business partner Leslie Nelson and “went to the dogs” full time doing boarding and grooming for the next 11 years in Connecticut and Maryland. In 1996 she left the boarding business, and began working exclusively as a groomer, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Bonnie’s Dog & Cat Grooming Salon has been a fixture at the corner of 14th and E St Se in D.C. since 1998, where her customers are capitol hill staffers, writers, lawyers and the occasional congressman, senator or media personaility.
Bonnie was the President of the Talbot Kennel Club for 6 years, the Potomac Afghan Hound Club for 6 years, and the Obedience Chairman of the Afghan Hound Club of America. She has served as Obedience Trial Chairman, Show Chairman, and has judged conformation and obedience at many AKC sanctioned events (sweepstakes and matches). Since 1994 she has been on the summer staff at Camp. Bonnie was the winner of the DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America) 1993 Maxwell Award for Best Magazine Article, and she has been a featured speaker at Groom Expo in Hershey, PA, multiple times Member of the: NDGAA (National Dog Groomers Association of America), APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers).
Sue is the founder and owner of Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, a small, open admission dog shelter which serves both the local (upstate New York) community as well as runs national programs. These national programs are dedicated to helping shelters ensure safe and lasting dog adoptions through behavioral and temperament assessments, quality of life for dogs in shelters, and to encourage innovative and proactive community outreach programs. Sue has over 30 years of dog behavior experience, including as a dog control officer, kennel technician and animal care technician at various shelters, dog trainer and behavior counselor, a dog training instructor and temperament evaluator at the ASPCA, a boarding kennel owner, veterinary assistant, is a successful competitor in a variety of dog sports, and a teacher of dog trainers. Sue was the subject of an HBO documentary called Shelter Dogs, which aired in January of 2004 which takes a hard look at quality of life issues in shelters. She is the author of Successful Dog Adoption (Howell Book House,www.amazon.com) many DVD’s on dog behavior and aggression. Sue’s two newest books, Out and About with your Dog (training and evaluating dog-dog behaviors) and Serious Fun (a guide to teaching your dog to play, training tricks and more) are available through www.greatdogproductions.com Most recently Sue has created an iPhone app called The Dog Park Assistant, which is designed to help owners who take their dogs to dog parks keep their dogs safe. The Dog Park Assistant app is like having a behaviorist with you during dog play to make sure interactions are healthy and to know when to interrupt. Sue has four heeler mixes adopted from various places, and they are all ruled by one awesome cat, Sanjay Gupta. She is an accomplished fiddle player, an avid mineral and fossil collector, loves Earl Grey tea and is a major Star Trek fan.
Steve Surfman has been photographing animals for over 30 years. He is a multiple award winning photographer. He prides himself on capturing the very essence of dogs in their sports – their energy, enthusiasm, instinct and natural beauty. His photographs have appeared in many national dog publications including the AKC Gazette. Steve is a participant in the AKC stock phot agency which supplies photographs to major advertising agencies. He has been published in News Day, a major New York newspaper and his photographs have also appeared in the Boston Globe.
He is a member of the Scottish Deerhound Club of American and Mid-Atlantic Deerhounds. This year one of Steve’s Deerhound photos won first place at the Scottish Deerhound National Specialty. In 2002 Steve received an award from the Dog Writers Association of America for “Best Black and White Photograph.” Early in 2003, one of Steve’s agility photos won first prize for action photography in the prestigious Dog Fanciers of America annual photo contest. He recently had several photos (most of them taken at Camp) accepted for a calendar due out in 2006. Steve loves coming to Camp and considers doing the photography at Camp Gone to the Dogs as not just another photo shoot, but just plain fun.
Sarah is a New York City based dog trainer, owner of Doggie Academy [link to doggieacademy.com] and founder of the Brooklyn Dog Training Center[link to brooklyndogtrainingcenter.com]. Her agility classes are some of the most popular classes offered at the BTDC. Sarah has been training in agility since adopting her field Labrador Retriever, Hank, in 2008. As a team, Sarah & Hank were thrilled to win the 24″ Excellent Standard class at the first Masters Agility Championship at Westminster. She is now training her Border Collie puppy, Fever, in agility foundation. In addition to agility, she also teaches private lessons and group classes in manners and behavior in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Sarah always looks forward to camp where she’s lucky to reconnect with campers, meet new faces and be a part of their awesome camp experience.
© 2019 Camp Gone to the Dogs All Rights Reserved. | 2019-04-21T20:43:07Z | http://www.camp-gone-tothe-dogs.com/?page_id=150 |
Fads in the commercial fitness industry tend to be short-lived. Since its inception in the late 1970s/early 1980s, the commercial fitness industry has seen many fads come and go, such as dance aerobics classes, functional training, and cross-training (those of us that are old enough can remember Nike's cross-training ad campaign featuring Bo Jackson and Howie Long in the late 1980s). To most of the American Public, it's very difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, to understand what is true and what is false as far as exercise is concerned. Most fitness philosophies (and nutritional philosophies, for that matter) mislead you with false promises and unrealistic expectations. Because of this, it's no wonder so many people wind up frustrated and disillusioned, or worse, injured as a result of their commercial fitness experience. Because of our commitment to truth and science, I would like to contrast the Total Results/High Intensity Exercise philosophy with four other philosophies found in the commercial fitness industry.
CrossFit - This form of training has gained in popularity over the last decade. There are even competitive games broadcast on television dedicated to elements of this type of training. CrossFit involves performing ballistic calisthenics, Olympic-style weightlifting, and very fast strength training/body weight exercises. You can go on You Tube and watch demonstration workouts, as I have. The risk of injury in this type of training is very high. CrossFit violates principles of safety, physics, and motor learning. The bottom line is that unless you are training specifically to compete in the CrossFit games, or are a competitive Olympic-style lifter (more on this later), there is no sane reason to participate in this type of activity.
Orange Theory - In the interest of full disclosure, there is an Orange Theory studio located just down the street from our Total Results facility, so that's what prompted me to research them. Orange Theory incorporates elements of steady-state activity, ballistic resistance movements, body weight exercises, functional training, and aerobic dance. On their website and marketing materials, they mislead you into thinking that you can burn between 500-1,000 calories during one of their workouts, which is virtually impossible. They also say that you keep burning calories for up to 36 hours after a workout. Even if exercise were simply about burning calories (which it is not), they fail to take into account the amount of calories burned due to one's basal metabolic rate. Since Orange Theory's methodology (if you can call it that) has a high risk of injury due to its high volume and disregard for speed of movement, it violates principles of safety, principles of motor learning, and shows a complete and utter ignorance of how the body's metabolism works.
Olympic Weight Lifting - This philosophy is very prevalent in athletics. Boyd Epley, who is the long-time head strength and conditioning coach at the University of Nebraska, was the first to popularize this philosophy at the collegiate level, and most other collegiate and professional programs have followed his lead. Some Olympic lifting exercises include power cleans, squats, and the clean-and-jerk. Simply put, Olympic lifting is very skill-oriented and involves mostly throwing and catching of extremely heavy weights, thus placing a significant force on the muscles, connective tissues, and joints. Any professional who is responsible for the safety and well-being of a client/athlete that utilizes this approach is guilty not only of scientific ignorance, but also guilty of malpractice, in my opinion. In addition to a high risk of injury, there is very little effective muscular loading involved due to the high-force nature of the activity. Unless you are a competitive Olympic lifter, there is no rational reason to perform this type of weightlifting.
Aerobics Philosophy - The leader of the Aerobics movement was Dr. Kenneth Cooper, who is an M.D. and former Air Force colonel. His philosophy exploded in popularity in the late 1960s following the release of his book Aerobics in 1968. The aerobics philosophy was built around the use of the VO2 Max test; this is where his philosophy runs into problems. The test was originally designed to measure the minimum oxygen uptake of comatose patients; it was later to be used to measure the maximum oxygen uptake of people running on treadmills. VO2 Max has been completely invalidated; as Dr. Doug McGuff has stated, one's VO2 Max is about 90 percent genetically predetermined. Dr. Michael Pollock, who conducted more studies involving VO2 Max than anyone, admitted to Ellington Darden, PhD, that the VO2 Max test wasn't a valid test of anything. It's also important to understand that one cannot separate the aerobic metabolic pathway from the anaerobic metabolic pathway. Depending on the intensity of the activity you are performing, you may use a greater degree of one pathway than the other, but never is one completely shut off at the expense of the other. Not only does the aerobics philosophy contain a high rate of injury (both acute and overuse), it is founded on bad science.
Total Results/High Intensity Exercise philosophy is the only exercise philosophy that is congruent with the traditional hard sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, and concepts of motor learning). We are the only exercise practitioners that are conscious of the importance of proper head/neck position, avoidance of unilateral loading (particularly in the entry/exit of each machine), and the avoidance of Val Salva (breath holding). We utilize a safe, slow speed of movement, with an emphasis on avoidance of undue acceleration and careful change of direction. Our workouts are brief, infrequent, and intense, and we keep detailed records of every workout. Regulation of exercise volume and frequency are paramount. We stimulate the body to adapt, and then allow you to reap the benefits.
We are always searching for a better way. A day may eventually come when we are proven wrong, but this philosophy has been around for almost 40 years, and it's still just as rational today as it was back then. We'll continue to improve as instructors to keep giving you the safest and most efficient workout possible.
I just returned from a Spring break trip with my family to the beach. The weather was near perfect. I even went in the water a few times, which is highly unusual for me in April. Below are a few observations from my trip.
On the long drive down to our beach rental, we stopped to gas up and get a bite to eat. I held out for an exit with both a gas station and a Wendy's restaurant. Don't Judge! Sometimes in the middle of nowhere on Route 95 at 9pm there are no other options besides fast food and gas station snacks. I chose Wendy's because they have very edible salads (I am partial to the apple pecan chicken salad). Of course, this Wendy's was out of salads at the time of our visit. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich which I ended up eating about 2/3 of in the car. It was edible but not great and certainly not an award winning start to my vacation diet. However, when I am on a road trip, I don't sweat my diet too much. I try to take some healthy snacks along (fruit, nuts, etc.) and make decent choices when I stop for food, but one or two fast food meals will not make or break me.
We spent three beautiful days hanging out on the beach, mostly reading, walking, and taking in the view. I was very encouraged by how many people were out walking the beach from very early in the morning until well past sundown. There were also many groups of (mostly young) people playing soccer, football, and various beach games. However, I would say that at least half of the people I saw over the course of our mini-week were significantly overweight. And the overweight people tended to congregate together. There are several reasons for this. Obviously, genetics plays a factor within families. However, I was reminded of some studies I read about several years back which concluded that one significant predictor of obesity and type II diabetes was spending time with other overweight and obese people. The company we keep can actually make us fat. This can be due to similar diets, an acceptance of unhealthy body weights and practices, and other psychological reasons.
I saw several gyms inside hotels as well as commercial gyms in town. My advice to anyone thinking of working out while on vacation - Don't! You should run away as fast as possible from anything resembling a gym at the beach or any other vacation spot. Why? First, the equipment is usually terrible - poor quality, poorly maintained, and different settings and sizes than you use at home. Second, you are on vacation to relax and rejuvenate. You can actually do more good for you body by not doing a hard workout using unfamiliar equipment. Third, most vacation spots have countless recreational opportunities. Our beach area had great walking, body surfing, golf, biking, tennis and more. While it may not be the most intense and effective exercise, all these actvities are fun and invigorating. Trust me, your muscles will not atrophy from a week or two missing your workout!
An increasing number of Americans are sensitive to wheat and other grains. Symptoms of these grain sensitivities range from a variety of gastro intestinal issues to headaches, brain fog and fatigue to muscle soreness and more. Because of this, a $10+ billion industry has grown up promoting "gluten free" products. Only about 1% percent of the population is thought to have Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder caused by the gluten in grains that damages the intestines, but the number of people with Celiac is on the rise.
Gluten, which is a group of proteins that give bread its elasticity and chewiness, is often blamed for the non-Celiac wheat sensitivities. This is in part because when wheat products, which naturally contain gluten, are removed from the diet, symptoms often reduce or disappear. However, is gluten really to blame for all these symptoms? It may not be as simple as that. A look at the processes we use to grow, harvest, mill, refine, enrich, and even bake our wheat products in the United States point to a number of alarming practices which individually or together may be compromising our grain products and our health. Let's start at the beginning.
A critical consequence of all this refining is that we lose our taste for foods that don't contain certain vitamins. In other words, when we consume low nutrient food, our appetites lessen or down regulate, and we find other sources of food to get our nutrients. The government and the grain industry realized this many decades ago and found that if you add certain B vitamins back into the grains, usually at much higher levels than the grains had in the first place, our appetite for these breads and cereals will increase and we will buy and eat more. Of course, we are told that breads and cereals are "enriched" for our health, but in reality it has nothing to do with health. This addition of unnaturally high amounts of iron, thiamine, niacin, etc. increases our appetite and encourages us to eat more food that we would not normally have a taste for. There is a current theory that this is what has caused our current obesity epidemic. How food enrichment promotes obesity. It is interesting to note that France and several other countries do not enrich their bread (in fact there are laws against it) and they have significantly less obesity even though they eat 40% more grains than Americans. Vitamin supplementation and obesity.
Most current wheat crops do not have much more gluten than in past generations. However, modern baking practices increase the gluten in the end product in several ways. First, instead of traditional bread making which uses sourdough starter with naturally occurring bacteria and yeast from the surrounding air, commercial bakers use fast rising yeasts. An additive called "Vital Wheat Gluten" is frequently added to allow bread to rise better in this environment. Rising in just minutes instead of the traditional hours does not give the yeast and bacteria enough time to digest all the gluten in the flour. This can lead to a variety of problems in our guts. Why there is more gluten in our bread today.
What can we do? What can we eat?
It is amazing what has happened to our wheat products in a few short decades. In efforts to increase yield, improve shelf life, and enhance our appetites, modern food producers have taken a staple of our diet (breads and grains) that humans have consumed for millennia with little or no health issues, and turned it into a "Frankenfood". Bread, which was a cheap, nutritious way to fill our stomachs for thousands of years, is now potentially the cause of obesity and a variety of inflammatory diseases.
So, should we swear off all bread and pasta? Go gluten free in order to avoid the risk of all these health problems? The answer for me is no. Now I know that gluten, which is a natural part of wheat and other grain products, is not intrinsically unhealthy. Now I know the processes we have developed in recent decades to bring wheat from farm to plate have made these foods a health risk and lacking in proper nutrition. Now I can take steps and make choices to get better, more nutritious wheat products in my diet. However, we have to be very careful of what we consume. Much like other food in our diets, we need to consider both the source and the process by which it is made.
Look for 100% whole grain as the only ingredient. If it says "Enriched" don't buy it. If the ingredients include folate, iron, thiamine, etc. that also means it has been enriched.
Favor organically grown bread, pasta, flour. Organic wheat products have not been coated with Round -up just days before harvest. Even my local Food Lion has organically grown bread with 100% whole wheat in the bakery section.
Several brands of Italian pastas are grown organically and without any of the practices I mention in this article. Read the labels carefully. These pastas are about twice the price of regular enriched pasta but for me, the $3 vs the $1.50 for a box of pasta is well worth it for such a superior product.
Make your own bread or pasta. I have started buying King Arthur brand flour, which is not enriched, bleached, bromated or otherwise adulterated. I use my old bread machine to knead the dough then let it rise for a few hours and bake in a traditional bread pan. One loaf per week is great to have with dinner, for lunch sandwiches and even with some honey on top at breakfast.
Look for bakeries that make bread in the traditional manner, with 100% whole wheat and sourdough starter. They are few and far between but I have found a few in my area.
When you vacation in France, Italy, or various other countries, enjoy the bread and pasta without guilt!
At first glance, these suggestions may seem like you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get high quality, unadulterated wheat products. Remember, however, I recommend very similar discriminating practices when it comes to buying and eating eggs, beef, fruit and vegetables and other food. For example beef from factory farms have less healthy omega-3 fatty acids and more omega-6's because the cattle are fed corn instead of the grasses they evolved to eat. Because of this unnatural diet, the cattle must be injected with antibiotics to keep them gaining weight. Therefore, whenever possible we should be buying and eating beef from organically grown, grass fed cattle.
Gluten has been cited by many well-meaning, health conscious people, including myself over the years, as being something to avoid. Something that can and will make you sick, and generally miserable. However, with the exception of those few who have unfortunately developed Celiac Disease, gluten per se should not be a problem for most of us. However, wheat and wheat products that are bred for super pest resistance, drenched in Round-up just prior to harvest, milled into oblivion, hyper-enriched, and baked unnaturally fast can and will cause many of us problems to our health. Avoid conventionally grown and commercially made wheat products and stick with organic, artisanal, and home made and you can enjoy a long and healthy relationship with bread, pasta and other wheat products for years to come!
It is not often in life that we find a perfect fit. Whether it is a relationship that is seamless and easy, or just the right diet combination that makes you feel focused and energetic, or an exercise program that perfectly fits your lifestyle and rewards you with lifelong benefits. Back in 2000, I was out of shape and in search of some type of exercise that would get and keep me fit with a minimum time commitment, due to my work and family responsibilities. Serendipitously, I stumbled upon this 20 minute high intensity, slow movement, weight training program. It sounded too good to be true, but at the same time the logic and science behind it sounded reasonable.
I started the program in early 2001 and from the very first workout I knew this was going to be different than anything I had ever tried before. Coming from an athletic background I was no stranger to demanding physical effort, but I also knew I was in poor condition at the time (10+ years of corporate life with all the lunches and drinks and dinners and none of the exercise discipline required). Each workout, my muscles quivered and shook, my energy was temporarily drained and I sometimes had to sit and recover for 10-15 minutes prior to driving home. Slowly but steadily, I gained strength and started seeing some definition in my body. This inspired me to improve my diet and I started off with a low carb, Atkins type diet, which was popular at the time (I have evolved my thinking on this and will share more in future posts). Excess fat started to melt away, and over the course of a year or so, I lost 30 unneeded pounds. I have easily maintained my body weight for over 16 years within a 5 pound range. I had such great results, I saw this as way to help others achieve lifelong health and fitness and I opened Total Results a year later.
Perhaps more important than a body I am happy with at the beach or in slim fitting clothing are the health markers that improved and have stayed in great ranges over all these years. My resting heart rate is still about 50 bpm, my blood pressure is normal, my cholesterol levels are ideal, and I am still able hike and bike and participate at a high level in most physical endeavors, even though I have old knee and back injuries that would severely limit most people. I also know I am attaining great metabolic benefits such as improved Insulin sensitivity and the conversion of fatty acids to energy (ie. burning fat).
All this and you would think I had to commit thousands of hours of time running or on the tread mill and at the gym, as well as mantaining a highly restrictive diet all the while. If you thought that, you would be wrong. I have spent less than 30 minutes per week exercising and follow a roughly 80/20 rule for eating well. Most "exercisers" spend more time at the gym in just one year than I spent in the last fifteen years COMBINED! Yet, I am as strong, healthy, and physically able as anyone in my age range; in fact, more so than all but maybe 5% of elite athletes.
Make no mistake, this workout is hard. It takes a lot of mental focus as well as great physical effort. From Teenagers all the way up to people in their Nineties, Total Results clients work their tails off. It is not something that most clients, even our most dedicated 10+ year clients, look forward to each week. But like me, they see and feel and understand the benefits. They know that this workout is special and that the results are amazing!
My story is only one anecdote. However, we have supervised and documented tens of thousands of workouts with hundreds of clients at Total Results over the years, and the positive results cross all boundaries of age, gender, initial fitness level or any other variable. Those who are willing to commit, on a regular basis, to this brief but intense routine, just once or twice per week, can see results equal to, if not greater than, my own amazing transformation.
If you are looking for an answer to a slow but noticeable loss of bodyshape, energy, stamina, or strength that you enjoyed at a younger age, I urge you to come talk to us. If you want to get stronger but are afraid of aggravating an injury, please give us a call. If you just want to lose 20 pounds and fit back in your smaller size clothes, you owe it to yourself to come experience the program that has safely, and efficiently helped so many others over the years!
Total Results offers a truly great workout, and if you committ to it, you, like me, will achieve truly great results! | 2019-04-20T13:04:30Z | https://www.totalresults.net/blog/index.php?year=2017&month=4 |
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The Chipsets are designed in collaboration with ASMedia. All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from December Articles with permanently dead external links All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from May Articles with unsourced statements from April We’ve got the low down on exactly what AMD’s new “performance-leading” integrated graphics northbridge offers, in addition to its latest southbridge which is apparently primed for some super-overclocking. In line with the latest Radeon HD series discrete graphics cards, the chipset is also built on a 55nm CMOS process, down from the 80nm the G used — this helps to reduce its power use from 1. IGPs will die-out by , say researchers. No, you’re not reading that wrong – Zotac is the first with the new Nvidia integrated graphics chipset for Intel CPUs.
List of AMD microprocessors. K6Cyrix 6x If you’re a prolific multi-tasker but you want something that runs cool, there’s very little on offer. Of course the previous statement should be tempered to a certain degree as AMD’s first IGP is competing against an NVIDIA chipset that has been out for close to 18 months and an Intel chipset that continues ajd disappoint us at just about every turn.
Up to four PCIe 2. Retrieved 5 September Boxee – The Social Media Centre. Motherboard chipsets List of AMD chipsets.
Retrieved 13 October We actually have had the MSI K9AGM2-FIH in our labs for several weeks and the initial performance results were somewhat disappointing based upon our expectations of the chipset not the board. Asus Apple Sony Google Valve. We get behind the details to find out what’s new and if it’s worth the upgrade.
Current technologies and software. With beautiful lines mixing industrious looks and subtle curves make this a mod you’ll really want to see! Considering that a Chipeet is properly going to be on quiet a bit, I would like to se some info on the power draw, from these mobo’s.
In line with the latest Radeon HD series discrete graphics cards, the chipset is also built on a 55nm CMOS process, down from the 80nm the G used — this helps to reduce its power use from 1. We sh400 the potentially popular budget and HTPC platform and give it a work through to see if Zotac can make motherboards just as well as graphics cards.
No, you’re not reading that wrong – Zotac is the first with sb040 new Nvidia integrated graphics chipset for Intel CPUs. Post Your Comment Please log in or sign up to comment.
Gigabyte showed us its new G45 mobo playing Blu ray movies on two popular players using a normal VGA connection.
First native USB 3. Sign up now Username Password Remember Me. This is a position that breeds frustration when the overall performance and feature sets are so low that one wonders why they even bother to update their IGP chipsets targeted to the home user.
The bit-tech Hardware Awards All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from December Articles with permanently dead external links All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from May Articles with unsourced statements from April We preview G’s performance potential before getting down and dirty with the boards over the next week or so.
Retrieved 6 September Written by Richard Swinburne. Advanced Micro Devices chipsets Lists of microprocessors Computing comparisons. The same goes in the roundup!! The Chipsets are designed in collaboration with ASMedia. While we usually wait for full reviews, we just had to show you what arrived today: In a world of media players and home theatre PCs, Boxee enters the fray with an underbelly of the massively popular XBMC to carve out a niche in its social media playing idea.
Could this be the ultimate low power, ultra small form factor home theatre motherboard?
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RejZoR Oct 22, I bet if you have music going and stand closer to a wall, you’d hear the bass a lot more. When you use the ProMedia 2. Frick Fishfaced Nincompoop Oct 21, Real shame that i but do you have a TV repair shop or some thing close by as they might be willing to help you for less, The other shame is i bet the speakers them self’s work just fine. Members Current visitors New profile posts Search profile posts.
Posted January 1, Joined Feb 11, Messages 1, 0.
After doing a good amount of searching on the web about the ProMedia system I found a lot of other owners have similar and sometimes worse problems with their units such as burnt out resistors, capacitors, transistors or issues with the control module. Sounded fine, no issues.
The first step was to check that the main fuse was not blown. I just know what Klipsch says, and they recommend using the white spot as a starting point.
Already have an account? I’m not sure I’d say that you’re expecting too much out of it, but it’s that what you want is far more than the ProMedia 2. Now, I have different taste in systems, if you go high end and higher price point As a personal computer speaker system, it’s everything that you’ve read about.
Posted December 30, No complaints so far aside from maybe that the speaker wire could have been a bit longer. What exactly are you hoping for?
Posted December 31, In theory you could do it by converting the pin cable to RCA At first I thought the transformer was ok, but after making sure that my fingers were away from the metal probes it confirmed that there was surely a break inside the primary circuit.
It’s a THX thing. Testing main transformer primary wiring. I am looking at the pictures and some of the reviews for the newer revision It’s designed for being awesome within your personal space, while you’re at your computer. Sasqui Oct 21, If you’re not in warranty They seem to offer good sound for the money.
Looked inside and all the fuses were intact. I decided to get some Thonet and Vander Ratsel. Joined Oct 12, Messages 6, 1.
I think a part of the problem is, you want far more out of this speaker system than it’s designed for. Create an account or sign in to comment You need to be a member in order to leave a comment Create an account Sign up for a new account in our community.
I’m sure your Klipsch blow em out of the water. I would like to replace it with the Klipsch Synergy I bet the new revised ones are not made the same at all even more so if the sub is like 8lbs lighter.
Posted December 30, edited. Rep,acement Oct 22, Do you know who I could ask that would know how to replace the subwoofer with a different one? Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.
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Lausanne, Switzerland, July 4, 2016 — Relishing in the thrill of a Swatch FIVB Major in Croatia last week, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) will now see the 2016 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour continue the final countdown to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with this week’s double-gender $800,000 Swatch FIVB Gstaad Major in Switzerland, the third of four events in the Swatch FIVB Major Series portion of the 2016 FIVB World Tour.
Last week in Croatia saw a team from Brazil win the men’s gold medal and a team from Germany capture the women’s gold medal at the $800,000 Swatch FIVB Porec Major, the second of four Swatch FIVB Major Series events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour. It was the 18th men’s event and 15th women’s event in the 2016 FIVB World Tour. All of the remaining events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour calendar are double gender events.
After the Swatch FIVB Gstaad Major in Switzerland, there will be one more Swatch FIVB Major Series event in Austria prior to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, Aug. 6-18. After the Olympics, concluding events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour will be a FIVB Grand Slam in the United States, the Swatch FIVB World Tour Finals at a location to be announced, ending with a FIVB Open tournament in Mexico.
In the men’s competition this past week at the Swatch FIVB Porec Major the gold medal winners with a near-perfect 6-1 record was Brazil’s top-seeded Olympians Alison Cerutti/Bruno Oscar Schmidt who held off Austria’s 15th-seeded Olympians Clemens Doppler/Alexander Horst in three sets, 21-13, 16-21 and 15-12 in just 52 minutes, the longest gold medal match on the 2016 FIVB World Tour. Brazil’s Alison/Bruno Oscar now lead the series history between the two teams, 7-1, and this was the Brazilians fourth straight win over the Austrians going back to last year’s FIVB World Championships in the Netherlands.
For Brazil’s Alison/Bruno Oscar, who won the 2015 FIVB World Championships to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, it was their ninth gold medal in 28 career FIVB World Tour events as a team to go with four silver medals, one bronze medal and one fourth-place finish. In their overall careers, Alison, who won the silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games with legendary Emanuel Rego, this was his 54th career FIVB World Tour final four finish with 20 gold medals, 15 silver medals, 11 bronze medals and eight fourth-place finishes in 102 career FIVB events. For Bruno Oscar, he now has 31 career FIVB World Tour final fours with 11 gold medals, eight silver medals, four bronze medals and eight fourth-place finishes in 104 career FIVB events.
For Austria’s Doppler/Horst, who will both be competing in their third Olympic Games in Rio and second together, this was their second career silver medal on the FIVB World Tour in 40 events as a team to go along with one bronze medal and two fourth place finishes. This was their first final four finish in 2016 as their last final four finish was a bronze medal in Yokohama, Japan in 2015.
In the men’s bronze medal match in Porec, winning was Canada’s sixth-seeded Olympians Chaim Schalk/Ben Saxton who came from behind to topple Latvia’s fifth-seeded Olympians Aleksandrs Samoilovs/Janis Smedins in a thrilling three sets, 19-21, 30-28 and 20-18 in 61 monumental minutes. With their third straight victory over Latvia’s Samoilovs/J. Smedins, Canada’s Schalk/Saxton increased their series lead over the Latvians to 4-2.
As a team in 44 FIVB World Tour events, Canada’s Schalk/Saxton now have three bronze medals and one silver medal with four final four finishes. This was their first final four finish on the 2016 FIVB World Tour.
For Latvia’s Olympians Samoilovs/J. Smedins, it was their fourth fourth-place finish on the FIVB World Tour gold medal as a team in 44 events, 19th final four finish along with eight gold medals, five silver medals and two bronze medals. Individually, it was the 19th final four placement for Samoilovs in 140 FIVB tournaments along with eight gold medals, six silver medals and two bronze medals. For J. Smedins, who won the bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic games with Martins Plavins, it was his fifth career FIVB World Tour fourth place finish in 23 final four finishes with nine gold medals, six silver medals and three bronze medals.
In the Porec men’s semifinals, Austria’s Doppler/Horst came from behind to defeat Canada’s Schalk/Saxton in three sets, 17-21, 21-17 and 19-17 in 51 minutes and Brazil’s Alison/Bruno Oscar advanced to the gold medal match by also coming from behind to hold off Latvia’s Samoilovs/J. Smedins in three sets, 18-21,21-17 and 15-11 in 53 minutes.
Austria’s Alexander Horst was selected as the men’s most outstanding player in Porec.
The women’s competition in Croatia saw Germany’s 19th-seeded qualifiers Julia Sude/Chantall Laboureur compile a 6-1 record including two final wins over teams bound for the Olympics, defeating Canada’s fourth-seeded Sarah Pavan/Heather Bansley in straight sets to win the gold medal, 21-19, 21-18 in 38 minutes.
For Germany’s diligent non-Olympians Sude/Laboureur it was their first career FIVB World Tour gold medal in 36 events as a team to go along with three silver medals and two four place finishes. Germany’s Sude/Laboureur became just the 11th women’s team in FIVB World Tour history to advance from the qualifier and go on to win the gold medal in the same tournament.
For Canada’s Pavan/Bansley, it was their third career FIVB World Tour silver medal and second straight in Porec in 36 events as a team to go with three bronze medals and one fourth-place finish. Germany’s Sude/Laboureur won for the second straight time after losing three in the series history with Canada’s Pavan/Bansley.
In the women’s bronze medal match in Porec, Germany’s 10th-seeded Olympians Karla Borger/Britta Buthe upset Germany’s second-seeded Olympians Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst in three sets, 21-19, 21-23 and 15-11 in 51 minutes.
For Germany’s Borger/Buthe, it was their third career FIVB World Tour bronze medal in 61 events as a team to go along with one gold medal, two silver medals and two fourth place finishes. They also evened their career record against compatriots Ludwig/Walkenhorst 2-2 with their victory.
For Germany’s Ludwig/Walkenhorst, it was their 15th final four finish in 34 career FIVB World Tour events. As a team, they have earned six gold medals, three silver medals, three bronze medals and now three fourth-place finishes. Individually, Ludwig has 31 final four finishes with six gold medals, 11 silver medals, eight bronze medals and five fourth place finishes.
To reach the women’s gold medal match in Hamburg, in their respective semifinals, Germany’s Sude/Laboureur stopped compatriots Borger/Buthe in two sets, 21-19, 22-20 in 39 minutes and Canada’s Pavan/Bansley advanced by defeating Germany’s Ludwig/Walkenhorst in two sets, 21-17, 21-15 in 41 minutes.
Germany’s Julia Sude was selected as the women’s most outstanding player of the tournament for the first time in her career.
Last week’s Swatch FIVB Porec Major men’s champions Alison/Bruno Oscar of Brazil picked up the Swatch FIVB Major gold medal purse of $57,000. Austria’s runner-up Doppler/Horst earned $43,000 in prize money while Canada’s bronze medalists Schalk/Saxton earned $32,000 and Latvia’s Samoilovs/J. Smedins received $24,000 in prize money for their fourth place finish.
The Swatch FIVB Porec Major women’s champions Sude/Laboureur of Germany earned the winner’s $57,000 purse. Canada’s Pavan/Bansley collected the runner-up $43,000 purse to split from their silver medal placement and Germany’s Borger/Buthe earned $32,000 for their bronze medal finish. Germany’s fourth-place finishers Ludwig/Walkenhorst earned $24,000 in prize money.
After 18 men’s events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour, Poland’s Piotr Kantor/Bartosz Losiak remain at the top of the FIVB World Tour point standings with 4,760 points, while Italy’s Adrian Carambula/Alex Ranghieri duo is second with 4,580 points. Third is USA’s Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena with 4,350, fourth is USA’s John Hyden/Tri Bourne with 4,110 points and fifth is Mexico’s Lombardo Ontiveros/Juan Virgen with 4,070. sixth is Latvia’s Aleksandrs Samoilovs/Janis Smedins with 3,830 points, seventh is USA’s Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson with 3,820 points, eighth with 3,700 points is Brazil’s Alison Cerutti/Bruno Oscar Schmidt, ninth is Poland’s Grzegorz Fijalek/Mariusz Prudel with 3,480 points and 10th is Germany’s Markus Bockermann/Lars Fluggen with 3,450 points.
In the 2016 FIVB World Tour men’s season earnings after 18 events, Brazil’s Alison Cerutti/Bruno Oscar Schmidt duo continues on the top of the list with $181,000. Second is USA’s Dalhausser/Lucena with $145,000, Poland’s Piotr Kantor/Bartosz Losiak tandem is third with $139,750, fourth is Latvia’s Aleksandrs Samoilovs/Janis Smedins with 128,875 and fifth is Netherlands’ Alexander Brouwer/Robert Meeuwsen with $120,375. Sixth is Brazil’s Evandro Goncalves/Pedro Solberg with $109,000, seventh is USA’s Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson with $107,125, eighth is Netherlands’ Reinder Nummerdor/Christiaan Varenhorst with $96,125, ninth is Italy’s Adrian Carambula/ Alex Ranghieri tandem with $95,500, and 10th is Canada’s Ben Saxton/Chaim Schalk with $89,375.
For the women after 15 events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour, Germany’s Ludwig/Walkenhorst moved up to the top rung on the ladder with 4,540 points. Moving up to second with 4,140 is Germany’s Katrin Holtwick/Ilka Semmler duo while USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings/April Ross is third with 4,010 points, fourth is Germany’s Julia Sude/Chantal Labourer with 3,960 points and fifth is Germany’s Karla Borger/Brita Buthe with 3,860 points. Sixth is Italy’s Marta Menegatti/Viktoria Orsi Toth tandem with 3,780 points, seventh with 3,540 points is Brazil’s Talita Antunes/Larissa Franca, eighth is Brazil’s Eduarda Lisboa/Elize Maia with 3,490 points, ninth with 3,410 points is Argentina’s Ana Gallay/Georgina Klug and 10th with 3,390 points is Switzerland’s Isabelle Forrer/Anouk Vergé-Dépré.
In the 2016 FIVB World Tour women’s season earnings after 15 events, Germany’s Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst has taken over the top spot with $193,375 in earnings in just nine events while second is USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings/April Ross with $174,000 in just seven events, third with $153,000 in just seven events is Brazil’s Talita Antunes/Larissa Franca, fourth with $116,000 is Canada’s Heather Bansley/Sarah Pavan and fifth with $111,250 is Germany’s Julia Sude/Chantal Laboureur. Sixth with $110,875 is Germany’s Karla Borger/Britta Buthe, seventh with $97,000 is Brazil’s Agatha Bednarczuk/Barbara Seixas, eighth with $95,000 is Brazil’s Eduarda Lisboa/Elize Maia, ninth with $79,875 is Italy’s Marta Menegatti/Viktoria Orsi Toth and 10th with $75,525 is Germany’s Katrin Holtwick/Ilka Semmler.
After 18 men’s tournaments on the 2016 FIVB World Tour schedule, 16 countries have at least one final four placement. Co-leaders with 12 final four placements each are Brazil (four gold medals, four silver, two bronze, two fourth place finishes) and the United States (four gold medals, two silver medals, three bronze medals, three fourth place finishes). Tied for third with seven each are Italy (three gold medals, two silver medals, two fourth place finishes) and Poland (one gold medal, four bronze medals, two fourth places).
Fifth with six final four placements is Germany (one gold medal, two silver medals, one bronze medal, two fourth places). Sixth with five final fours is the Netherlands (one gold medal, two silver medals, two bronze). Seventh with four final fours is Russia (two silver medals, one bronze medal, one fourth place finish). Eighth with four final fours is Latvia (one gold medal, one bronze medal, one fourth place), ninth with three final fours is Mexico (one silver medal, two bronze medals). Tied for 10th with two final fours each are Austria (two silver medals), Chile (two fourth places), and Spain (one gold medal, one bronze medal). Tied for 13th with one final four finish each are Canada (one silver medal), France (one fourth place), Greece (one fourth place) and Qatar (one gold medal).
In 15 women’s FIVB international events to date on the 2016 calendar, 17 countries have earned at least one final four finish. Co-leaders in final four placements with 13 each are Brazil (three gold medals, five silver medals, three bronze medals, two fourth place finishes) and Germany (five gold medals, one silver medal, five bronze medals, two fourth places). Third with eight is the United States (four gold medals, one silver medal, two bronze medals, one fourth place finish), fourth with five is Switzerland (two gold medals, one bronze medal, two fourth place finishes) and tied for fifth with three final four placements each are Argentina (three fourth place finishes), Italy (one silver medal, one bronze, one fourth place) and the Netherlands (one silver, two fourth place finishes).
Eighth with two final four finishes is Spain (one silver medal, one bronze medal). Ninth with two final four finishes is Canada (one bronze medal, one silver medal) and tied for 10th with one final four finish each are Austria (one silver medal), Australia (one fourth place), China (one silver medal), Czech Republic (one gold medal), Finland (one silver medal), Poland (one silver medal), Slovak Republic (one bronze medal) and Vanuatu (one fourth place).
Based on percentage, statistically, in men’s action after 18 events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour calendar with a minimum of 32 matches played, the leader at 86.0% continues to be USA’s Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena (49-8) while second at 85.0% is Brazil’s Alison Cerutti/Bruno Oscar Schmidt (34-6), third at 75.5% is Brazil’s Gustavo Carvalhaes/Saymon Barbosa (40-13), fourth at 75.0% is Netherlands’ Alexander Brouwer/Robert Meeuwsen (33-11), and fifth at 72.3% is Latvia’s Aleksandrs Samoilovs/Janis Smedins (40-15).
Sixth at 71.1% is Spain’s Adrian Gavira/Pablo Herrera (32-13), tied for seventh at 69.0% is Italy’s Alex Ranghieri/Adrian Carambula (49-22) and Russia’s Konstantin Semenov/Viacheslav Krasilnikov (29-13), ninth at 68.9% is Italy’s Paolo Nicolai/Daniele Lupo (31-14) and 10th at 68.4% are Poland’s Piotr Kantor/Bartosz Losiak (52-24).
With 52 match wins this season through 18 events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour, leading this category is Poland’s Piotr Kantor/Bartosz Losiak (52-24), tied for second with 49 match wins each are Italy’s Adrian Carambula/Alex Ranghieri (49-22) and USA’s Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena (49-8) while fourth with 45 match wins is Mexico’s Lombardo Ontiveros/Juan Virgin (45-22) and fifth with 41 match wins is USA’s Tri Bourne/John Hyden (41-27). Tied for sixth with 40 wins each are the duos of Brazil’s Saymon Santos/Gustavo Carvalhaes (40-13) and Latvia’s Aleksandrs Samoilovs/Janis Smedins (40-15), tied for eighth with 38 wins each are Germany’s Markus Bockermann/Lars Fluggen (38-20), and Canada’s Grant O’Gorman/Sam Pedlow (38-28) and 10th 37 match wins is USA’s Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson (37-18).
Based on percentage, statistically, in women’s action after 15 events on the 2016 FIVB World Tour calendar with a minimum of 27 matches played, the leader at 90.0% is USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings/April Ross (45-5), second at 88.5% is Germany’s Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst (46-6), third at 85.0% is Brazil’s Talita Antunes/Larissa Franca (34-6), fourth at 75.9% is Germany’s Karla Borger/Britta Buthe (41-13.) and fifth at 74.3% is Brazil’s Agatha Bednarczuk/Barbara Seixas (26-9).
Sixth at 71.0% is Canada’s Sarah Pavan/Heather Bansley (22-9), seventh at 70.8% is Germany’s Julia Sude/Chantal Laboureur (46-19), eighth at 68.3% is Brazil’s Eduarda Lisboa/Elise Maia (41-19),ninth at 68.0% is Switzerland’s Joana Heidrich/Nadine Zumkehr (34-16) and 10th at 65.7% is Brazil’s Juliana Felisberta/Taiana Lima (23-12).
For the women in match wins following 15 events on the 2016 FIVB calendar, co-leaders with 46 match wins each are Germany’s Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst (46-6) and Germany’s Julia Sude/Chantal Laboureur tandem (46-19). Third with 45 match wins is USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings/April Ross (45-5), fourth with 43 match wins is Germany’s Katrin Holtwick/Ilka Semmler (43-32) and tied for fifth with 41 match wins each is Germany’s Karla Borger/Britta Buthe (41-13) and Brazil’s Eduarda Lisboa/Elize Maia (41-19).
Seventh with 38 match wins is Italy’s Menegatti/Orsi Toth (38-22), eighth with 36 match wins Argentina’s Ana Gallay/Georgina Klug (36-27), and tied for 10th with 34 match wins each are the duos of Brazil’s Talita Antunes/Larissa Franca (34-6) and Switzerland’s Joana Heidrich/Nadine Zumkehr (34-16).
Qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour complete, Brazil is hosting five international events in 2016. In addition to Maceió, Rio, Vitoria and Fortaleza, the Brazil events will be capped with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Aug. 6-18).
After the Swatch FIVB Porec Major last week, remaining 2016 FIVB World Tour events prior to the Rio Olympics will be two more events on the Swatch FIVB Major Series portion of the 2016 FIVB World Tour. First is this week’s Swatch FIVB Gstaad Major Series in Switzerland (July 5-10) and concluding with the Swatch FIVB Klagenfurt Major Series event in Austria (July 26-31).
Following the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, there are three more events scheduled on the 2016 FIVB World Tour calendar. First event scheduled is the $800,000 FIVB Long Beach Grand Slam (Aug. 23-28), the Swatch FIVB World Tour Finals (Sept. 13-18, location TBA) and the FIVB Puerto Vallarta Open in Mexico (Oct. 11-16). All three are double-gender events.
The Swatch FIVB Gstaad Major in Switzerland will be the 348th men’s tournament since the FIVB began play in 1987 and the 309th FIVB women’s tournament since their competition started in 1992.
Based in Lausanne, Switzerland as the international governing body for the Olympic sports of Beach Volleyball and Volleyball, the 2016 FIVB Beach Volleyball calendar features a purse of US$8.8 million with a season that extends from last October to this October, competing at 23 venues in 13 countries. The schedule includes four FIVB Grand Slams, four Swatch FIVB Major Series events, 14 FIVB Opens and the special Swatch FIVB World Tour Finals. The showcase event will be the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil (Aug. 6-18).
The Olympic qualification process began in 2015 with all FIVB World Tour events (except the Swatch FIVB World Tour Finals) in 2015 through June 13, 2016 counted towards the Olympic Ranking in order to determine 15 spots for each gender that will take part in each 24-team field in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Copacabana Beach in Brazil in August. Brazil also was awarded two additional spots in the field of 24, one in each gender as the host nation and the other as winning both the men and women’s gold medals in the 2015 FIVB World Championships in the Netherlands. With qualifying through the FIVB World Tour completed, the official announcement of teams and drawing for pool assignments will be held at the Swatch FIVB Gstaad Major. | 2019-04-23T18:48:11Z | http://worldtour.2016.fivb.com/en/news/2016-fivb-world-tour-update-after-swatch?id=63250 |
Recent Placements — Aaron Consulting, Inc.
Midwestern-based vertically integrated private company seeks a general counsel to lead the legal function and join their executive team. Candidates should have 15+ years broad-based legal experience with multiple employers. Position will involve real estate, general business/operations matters, financing, transactions, human resources and employment law, intellectual property and licensing, litigation, and outside counsel management. Parent company owns well-regarded operating entities in the real estate, specialty store, restaurant, alcoholic beverage production, liquor distribution, and other sectors. Any relevant industry experience is highly preferred. Prior attorney supervisory and management experience is required. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a diverse portfolio of companies and play a bigger role in a smaller environment.
Growing distribution and logistics company seeks an attorney with 7-10+ years experience to oversee real estate and transactional matters. Candidates must have experience negotiating and drafting industrial and warehouse leases, along with other general real estate experience. Candidates should also have transactional experience with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Knowledge of bankruptcy law and licensing matters are pluses.
North American headquarters of global specialty products distributor seeks an attorney with 5-10+ years experience in employment law to join its expanding legal team. Candidates should have a focused employment law background with light exposure to traditional labor issues. Position may include a small amount of executive compensation and ERISA matters. Excellent opportunity to add value in this newly created in-house position.
Publicly held plastics product company seeks a junior/mid-level attorney to join its lean legal department. Position will be responsible for matters pertaining to corporate governance and securities law issues, including required 1934 Act filings. Secondary job function is to negotiate and draft a variety of commercial contracts. First-rate general counsel mentor and executive team member. Candidates should possess 4–10 years experience in relevant areas of law.
Publicly held Midwestern medical device manufacturer and developer with stellar executive management team seeks an attorney with 10+ years experience to lead the corporate legal and secretarial function. Candidates should possess a strong general corporate legal background in mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, corporate finance, securities, and corporate governance. Prior hands-on legal department management experience is preferred. Exposure to licensing and management of intellectual property legal matters is helpful. This position is part of the company’s Executive Team.
$2+ billion publicly traded chemical/specialty materials company seeks an IP attorney with 7–10+ years legal experience to provide counsel, support and assistance in patent and technology protection/exploitation to certain company business units. Position will direct the technology portfolio protection process from innovation identification through trade secret establishment/maintenance and patent preparation/prosecution/maintenance. Position is located at a business unit technology center, and will be the sole attorney at this location. Additional responsibilities will include negotiating and drafting agreements for joint development and technology exchange, and managing budget and resource allocation. Position reports to Chief IP Counsel of company, and may require assisting in IP components of M&A activity. Candidates must be admitted to practice before the USPTO and have a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a similar discipline. Light travel is required. Current or previous in-house experience is very strongly preferred.
Publicly traded heavy industry company seeks an attorney with 8+ years experience in labor and employment law. Position is responsible for counseling management and human resources personnel concerning labor, employment, health, safety, compensation and benefits, and contractual issues. Position also manages general litigation and arbitration proceedings. Additional responsibilities include negotiating and drafting commercial agreements and drafting company policies and plan documents. Previous experience in the utility/energy industry is beneficial. Position is open due to prior placement’s advancement within company.
$3 billion publicly traded industrial company seeks an M&A and securities attorney with 6+ years experience to join its lean legal department. This position offers a leading role as legal counsel on matters pertaining to mergers & acquisitions (55%), ’34 Act securities compliance and corporate governance (45%), and corporate finance (5%). As lead corporate counsel, this position has significant contact with executives at the highest level of the company. Prior experience directly counseling public company board members, especially Audit Committee and Compensation Committee members, is strongly preferred. An undergraduate accounting degree or CPA designation is preferred. Having an MBA or additional business experience is also helpful. Three persons employed in this position have succeeded in becoming General Counsels of this and other peer companies.
Fortune 50 manufacturer seeks an attorney with 4-7+ years commercial contracting experience, dealing with large-scale service and product suppliers, to join the legal team of a growing, $8 billion division of $30 billion product group. This position will support the senior supplier manager and an executive team in charge of maintaining, refurbishing, and repairing complex technological products. Candidates must be experienced in negotiating and drafting a wide variety of commercial agreements. Additional experience with contract litigation and manufacturing industry regulatory matters is a plus, as is experience handling supplier bankruptcies. Candidates must be able to serve as the sole attorney to the division’s executive leadership, as well as function as a member of a dynamic legal team. Graduating in the top 10% of a law school class or from a top law school is required. This company offers exciting career growth for highly motivated individuals, and is an ideal opportunity for someone wishing to transition from a high-quality law firm career to one with an American industrial icon.
Thriving, well-established, NYSE-listed multi-billion dollar industrial products manufacturer seeks a General Counsel with 15+ years of solid experience in M&A, international, and litigation management to lead its talented legal department. Prior employment as General Counsel or multinational Division Counsel of a publicly traded manufacturing company is preferred. Strong boardroom and/or strategic management team experience also preferred, as is attorney management experience. This position is listed in the company’s Proxy Statement and is a part of the company’s executive officer team. Company is located in an attractive, family oriented smaller city.
Major agribusiness company with $50 billion in sales seeks a commercial contracts and transactional attorney with 4+ years experience to join its legal team. Position is responsible for negotiating and drafting a wide variety of commercial contracts and agreements, as well as handling some M&A, joint venture, and other transactional assignments. Knowledge of commodities regulation and futures trading is a plus.
Fortune 100 manufacturer seeks an attorney to lead its trade controls practice in Washington, D.C. office. This newly created position is part of the Global legal affairs group and serves as the lead lawyer responsible for coordinating and managing all global trade controls matters enterprise-wide, including developing procedures and training related to import and export requirements, executing import and export transactions and licensing, monitoring for compliance, interacting with government regulatory agencies, and providing leadership on trade control strategy. Candidates should possess 10+ years exceptional legal experience with international trade matters, trade controls, imports/exports, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Candidates should be experienced in interacting with the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). The ideal candidate will be a leading practitioner in the trade controls community who has demonstrated a capacity for working on large-scale matters with substantial experience implanting and assessing trade control compliance efforts in the heavy manufacturing, defense, or aerospace industries.
One of the nation’s most well-respected Fortune 50 corporate headquarters, based in a major league city, seeks an attorney to join its extraordinary legal team. This position serves as the chief corporate governance and securities counsel for the company. As the company’s legal expert, candidates must possess a minimum of 10 years exceptional experience on matters pertaining to all facets of ’34 Act and Sarbanes-Oxley regulations. Candidates must have experience directly counseling Board and Executive Team members on these matters. Experience must include preparing and filing annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements, earnings releases and other reporting obligations. Prior Fortune 250-level corporate boardroom exposure is strongly preferred, as is experience providing counsel on corporate officer compensation issues.
Fortune 50 industrial manufacturer seeks an attorney with 8–20+ years experience to support its major commercial products business. Position is responsible for large-scale, often global commercial transactions, resolving issues arising from international legal work, and assisting with follow-up product support within the group. Candidates should possess in-depth sophisticated commercial transactional experience, and have some exposure to or familiarity with export issues, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and offset agreements. This is an exciting opportunity to join a great legal team. Position is open due to internal promotion.
Fortune 50 company seeks a highly experienced Mergers & Acquisitions attorney to join its legal team at its corporate headquarters and lead the M&A function for the legal department. Qualified candidates will possess 10+ years experience being in the center of multi-billion dollar transactions of significant complexity, and also be very experience in finance matters. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an exciting employer in an exciting industry.
Publicly traded national provider of healthcare services seeks an attorney to manage Medicare appeals process. Candidates should possess 3+ years experience with Medicare appeals, either as the payee or payer, and be able to manage a high volume caseload. Additional medical education or training is helpful, and familiarity with skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and long-term acute care hospitals is beneficial.
Multi-billion dollar wholly owned subsidiary of Fortune 50 international manufacturer seeks an attorney with 10+ years experience to join and assist in managing its lean legal department. Primarily responsible for negotiating contracts as well as providing counsel on matters pertaining to business strategy for global wholesale parts operations. Candidates must possess extensive commercial contract negotiating experience, dealing with drafting small and large, short-term and long-term supply and procurement agreements. Additional exposure to employment law, sophisticated transactions similar to M&A, export controls, antitrust, and EU concerns is a plus. Some prior business experience or experience on a strategic lean business team highly preferred. Previous attorney supervisory experience is a plus. Exposure to sophisticated high technology or aerospace products is a plus. This opportunity provides upward mobility within the organization for the right candidate.
Major high technology manufacturer seeks an attorney with 8+ years experience to grow its Information Technology legal practice. Candidates should have experience with electronic access agreements, privacy and security issues and regulations (personally identifiable information), technology licensing, VoIP, and basic intellectual property transactions. Knowledge of export laws and EU Safe Harbor Privacy Rules is helpful. Company possesses one of the largest non-governmental intranets in the world. This is a great opportunity for a motivated attorney to grow and develop this position and make it their own.
Privately held manufacturer headquartered in North Central Indiana has created an opportunity for a second attorney to join its company. The person selected will have 5+ years legal experience and will handle a wide variety of day-to-day legal matters including general commercial litigation management pertaining to product liability and warranties, commercial contracts, intellectual property, employment and corporate governance. Person will also be directly involved in business matters, including litigation prevention, contract negotiations and policy formation. Strong preference for candidates with some knowledge of manufacturing-related legal issues and strength in handling broad-based litigation. Position will report to the General Counsel. This family run, team-oriented company offers stability, professional growth, and highly competitive compensation for the right candidate.
Well-regarded, NYSE-listed healthcare provider seeks an attorney to lead its legal department and serve on the Executive Management Committee. Executive hired will provide legal advice on company strategies, manage the internal legal function, retain and manage outside counsel, and have legal oversight of business transactions (including acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures). Candidates should possess 14+ years corporate legal experience with an emphasis on corporate transactions, securities, operations, and litigation management. Prior employment as Chief Legal Officer with strong boardroom experience preferred. Experience with SEC, NYSE, and Sarbanes-Oxley and related regulations, along with corporate governance experience with a public company board of directors, is required. Company will also consider candidates with prior CLO experience with regional and national healthcare providers.
Fortune 50 manufacturer seeks an executive attorney with a minimum of 15 years experience to be the lead lawyer supporting Environmental, Health & Safety activities and manage the supporting law practice. Position is responsible for oversight of the full range of federal and state environmental, health and safety legal issues—including managing related internal litigation and outside counsel—for a company with multiple U.S. manufacturing and office sites and some international sites. This position is also responsible for personnel and administrative management of the EHS legal team, including work assignment and distribution, oversight and guidance, and attorney development and hiring. A background in business and commercial contract issues related to environmental, health and safety law is required.
Growing, well-regarded, privately held real estate developer and property manager with relationships with national and regional retailers seeks a real estate attorney with 4–12+ years experience to negotiate, draft and review a wide variety of real estate contracts and transactions, including leasing and related documents. Development projects are both retail and residential in nature, while leasing work is 100% retail. Company seeks a great team player who enjoys making significant contributions within a comfortable work environment.
Major complex high technology manufacturer seeks an attorney to support its multinational government and commercial sales programs, along with new business opportunities. Candidates should possess at least 5+ years experience in sophisticated business transactions, including multinational government contracts and large scale domestic and international commercial manufacturing agreements. Position requires previous experience in litigating or drafting and negotiating U.S. government contracts valued in excess of $100 million. Exposure to export compliance, intellectual property and risk management is a plus but not required. This high profile global company provides ongoing career advancement opportunities in a collegial team environment.
Multi-billion dollar heavy industrial manufacturer headquartered in the St. Louis area seeks an attorney to join its lean and very talented legal team. Candidates must possess 6–14+ years experience in employment/labor law and commercial litigation. Position will be responsible for corporate and operations HR counseling on a wide variety of employment regulatory and compliance issues, responding to disputes and EEOC charges, drafting non-compete, confidentiality and other agreements, and miscellaneous traditional labor issues as they arise. Position is equally responsible for managing commercial/contract litigation companywide. Exposure to ERISA is helpful. Prior mentoring experience is preferred as this position includes staff attorney supervision. This is a fantastic career opportunity for a self-starter to take a leadership role and make a difference. Open due to our previously placed attorney’s promotion into an executive business position.
Growing central regional office of multinational utility corporation seeks their lead regulatory attorney with 5-10+ years experience in utility, regulatory, or administrative law at the state or multi-state level. All candidates must have experience negotiating and litigating rate cases and resolving other regulatory dockets. Natural gas, electricity, water, or telephone service (not cellular or cable), preferably in multiple states (including MO, IL, IN, OH and IA). Previous employment at a public service commission is preferred. Exposure to litigation, alternative dispute resolution, or arbitration is helpful. Candidates should be self-motivated and business savvy. Position is open due to growth. Retained Search.
ENR 100 general contractor seeks an attorney with 10+ years progressive legal experience drafting and negotiating construction contracts, combined with construction litigation experience, to be its corporate headquarters general counsel. Previous hands-on negotiating experience on both private and public (local, state and federal) contracts is strongly preferred. Highly visible position reports directly to the CEO and will include very active participation on the Executive Management Team. Position will manage commercial and claims litigation and risk management nationwide. Additional well-rounded experience participating in M&A activities, administrative functions, labor and employment law, licensing, and corporate governance is not required but helpful. An undergraduate engineering or construction related degree or M.B.A. is not required, though may be helpful. Prior private practice experience is strongly preferred. Company is located in the suburb of a major league Midwestern city.
Attorney opportunity with high-profile Fortune 100 unit. Person will be the sole site counsel and provide government contracting and operations counsel to help develop several of the world's most interesting government contracts defense programs. Minimum of 10 years former major defense systems experience with the military, a defense contractor, or with a government contracts practice group in a major law firm is strongly preferred. Past experience must have an emphasis on drafting, reviewing and negotiating terms of sophisticated government contracts and not litigation experience. Additional experience with commercial transactions (subcontracts), export compliance, international transactions, and employment law is beneficial. Position offers extensive interaction at multiple locations with other senior business and legal executives, along with high-ranking government contracts officials. All candidates must possess strong "executive presence". Extremely desirable family-oriented location. Open for a second time due to promotion of our previously placed employees with this unit.
Fortune 50 industrial corporation seeks an IP attorney with 10+ years transactional and heavy data rights experience to provide legal advice and support to its major defense group. Position will advise business leaders, and prepare and negotiate intellectual property provisions and agreements concerning a broad range of government, commercial, and international transactions involving some of the world’s most sophisticated uses of cutting-edge technology. Such transactions will include government contracts, subcontracts, license agreements, mergers & acquisitions, teaming and joint development agreements, software agreements, firewall and proprietary information protection procedures, non-disclosure agreements, infringement investigations, and product clearances. Candidates should possess a diverse IP background with a proven track record involving U.S.government contracting and data rights, as well as commercial and international transactions. Exposure to export compliance would be helpful. Previous in-house experience a plus, as is former military/defense agency experience. Must qualify as a U.S. person and be able to obtain a top secret security clearance. Position is located in the metropolitan Washington , D.C.area.
Major defense contractor seeks senior attorney with 10+ years legal experience to advise on the formation, execution, and administration of complex weapon system prime contracts, teaming agreements, and other contractual arrangements. Substantial experience in government contracting and procurement is required. Commercial and international contract experience is also desired. Exposure to export compliance and government data rights is helpful. Previous in-house experience or military/defense agency employment is a plus. Position offers significant participation on and counsel to multiple internal management teams, leading and supporting several multi-billion dollar defense programs. Ideal candidate will be available for numerous significant advancement opportunities developing within the company in 5-10 years. Diversity candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Prominent 100+ year old health insurer seeks attorney with 7 – 15+ years of experience to manage and direct litigation as it relates to operations, regulatory affairs, and administration. Position will interact with internal and outside litigation counsel to develop litigation strategy and watch for national trends in litigation (must be able to see the big picture). Person hired will provide litigation counsel to operations areas such as underwriting, claims management, customer support, medical management and the medical director’s office and be responsible for various administrative duties, including reporting, monitoring and planning. Person will also provide technical health/insurance regulatory counsel and train and coach others to do so. Candidates must possess first-chair or strong second-chair litigation defense experience in state and federal courts. Knowledge of federal health/insurance regulations, such as HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA, is preferred, but experience in a different heavily regulated industry, such as telecom or medical/pharma products, is acceptable. A background in healthcare is helpful. Candidates must be excellent team players and communicators, as this position requires frequent communication with different levels of management and multiple departments. Company is an excellent corporate citizen and has a highly desirable corporate culture. Retained search.
Major established high technology manufacturer seeks an IP attorney with 10-15+ years experience to support a growing commercial unit that is part of a massive commercial manufacturing and development group. The position is responsible for providing support and leadership in the areas of IP licensing, digital data rights, drafting, reviewing and negotiating IP provisions related to supplier, customer, partner and merger and acquisition agreements, IP litigation support, and investigative support on IP infringement allegations. Experience with electronic commerce is also desirable. This position does not involve any direct preparation, prosecution, or management of patents and trademarks. An undergraduate degree in electrical or computer engineering is preferred. Diversity candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Position is part of a lean legal department, offering high visibility throughout this state-of-the-technical-arts entrepreneurial unit and strong potential for advancement via succession planning throughout the company. Very exciting.
Attorney opportunity with high-profile Fortune 100 unit. Person will act as lead counsel on one of the world's most interesting government contracts defense programs. Minimum of 10 years former major defense systems experience with the military, a defense contractor, or with a government contracts practice group in a major law firm is required. Preference for candidates with some in-house contracts experience. Position offers extensive interaction at multiple locations with other senior business and legal executives, along with high-ranking government contracts officials. All candidates must possess strong "executive presence". Extremely desirable family-oriented location. Open due to promotion of our previously placed employee with this unit.
$1.8 billion defense contractor seeks lead division counsel for a $600 million government contracts unit with multiple facilities employing 1,800 people. Candidates must possess 8–15+ years experience with a heavy emphasis on government contracting and procurement, including deal structuring and negotiating and drafting innovative sole source contracts, teaming agreements, some international sales and import/export control. Working knowledge of employment and labor law is necessary for mostly day-to-day counseling of employment matters. Position will also be responsible for unit's litigation management and environmental legal issues. Position responsibilities will include supervision of two government contract attorneys and is a direct report to the Corporate General Counsel. This well-managed company has a history of profitability. Division is based in a very attractive major league city. Retained search.
Multi-billion dollar defense contractor seeks attorney for a $550 million government contracts unit with multiple facilities employing 2,600 people. Candidates must possess 5-12+ years experience with a heavy emphasis on government contracting and procurement, including deal structuring and negotiating international (FMS, FMF, and direct foreign government sales) and domestic contracts, as well as drafting sole source contracts and teaming agreements. Working knowledge of employment and labor law, import/export control, commercial contracts, environmental law, and government and commercial litigation will be useful, but not required. Position will be the sole direct report to the unit's division counsel. Position is located at the division's headquarters, which is based in a very attractive rural area with excellent public schools, no more than one or two hours' drive from several major Mid-Atlantic cities. Retained search.
$18 billion financial services corporation seeks an attorney with a minimum of five years of legal experience to work in its cutting edge Life Insurance Group’s lean legal department. Fifty percent of responsibilities will include negotiating and drafting a wide variety of contracts, including stock and asset purchase agreements as well as agent-oriented agreements. Remaining half of position will involve supporting Group internal clients, 10,000+ agents and 350,000+ policyholders, including answering policyholder and agent questions and dispute resolution. Also, this position may involve up to 30% litigation management, depending on candidate’s background and experience. This growing Forbes 500 company is very lawyer-friendly and offers business career potential. Position will report to the Group General Counsel, a person we placed with the company at this level. Experience in the financial services industry is not required. We have a retained exclusive arrangement with this client.
Major Forbes 100 corporate headquarters seeks a well-rounded environmental and operations attorney with 5-15+ years experience to join their lean legal department. Candidates must possess a minimum of 5+ years in-house experience specifically with a bulk chemical manufacturer, steel producer, petrochemical/oil refinery company, or other heavy industrial manufacturing process employer. Superior client communications skills will be required in this leadership position involving lead contact on all operations contractual and environmental legal issues, including participation on operations business teams. Corporate executive management has an outstanding reputation in their industry.
Major publicly traded telecommunications company seeks a regional attorney with a minimum of 4+ years telecom experience to primarily be responsible for creating a multi-state CLEC, receiving certification to provide services in various states, and negotiating required third-party agreements. Qualified candidates must have experience negotiating and reviewing interconnection agreements, certification applications and certification changes for a Public Utilities Commission, and be well versed in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Position will help establish a cutting-edge entity with voice-over-internet protocol technology. Exceptionally well capitalized company. Newly created position reports to Vice President, Regulatory and Telephony attorney, whom we also placed.
Lean-and-friendly, very profitable, multibillion dollar manufacturing company seeks the primary attorney to assist the Chief Counsel in multi-group contractual matters pertaining to operations, international, e-commerce, mergers and acquisitions, antitrust and trade practices legal activities. Candidates should possess 5+ years legal experience, preferably with some previous in-house legal employment.
Major complex high technology product manufacturer seeks an intellectual property attorney with 15++ years experience involving attorney management and high level, broad-based IP client counseling. Previous in-house attorney supervisory experience and IP department management with a manufacturer/technology company is required. Highly visible position reports to the Corporate Headquarters Chief Patent Counsel and local Group V.P., General Counsel. Massive yet expanding Group has numerous internationally prominent projects and products. Qualified candidates will have demonstrated IP leadership, an ability to focus on the “big picture,” and possess strong interpersonal skills. Technical background in electronics desirable. Candidates will be required to become a member of the California Bar.
Multi-billion dollar manufacturing group seeks a government contract litigator with a minimum of six+ years experience involving complex government contract disputes and related litigation, including bid protests, qui tam and white collar criminal matters. Responsibilities involve preventive litigation processes, dispute resolution, and case management. Must have prior employment with a large law firm and/or the Armed Services involving prime contractor or major subcontractor litigation. Open due to internal promotion. This is a rare and stellar in-house opportunity for the uniquely qualified candidate.
Exceptional growth opportunity in the headquarters of a large publicly traded cable company based in a major league Midwestern city. Qualified candidates must have a minimum of eight years experience specifically handling FCC cable regulatory matters, including extensive working knowledge of FCC rules and regulations related to network non-duplication protection, syndicated exclusivity, commercial leased access, cable rate regulation, must carry, retransmission consent and open video systems. Familiarity with interconnection agreements, local right-of-way ordinances and pole attachment matters is also required. Executive hired will be the lead advisor to the general counsel and other executives on legal issues related to federal, state, and local telecommunications laws and regulations including the Cable Act of 1984, as amended, and the Telecommunications Act of 1996. In addition to the aforementioned areas of responsibility, person will respond to inquiries from federal and state regulatory groups, including the FCC, and will also provide functional advice or training on regulatory matters to less experienced attorneys. Casual dress code in a stimulating, team-oriented career environment. Client wants to fill this newly created position ASAP.
Mega-billion dollar financial services company seeks an entry-level commercial lending attorney to join its medium-sized legal department. Position will be responsible for negotiating and drafting a large volume of UCC contracts. Extensive client contact. Ideal candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of experience with asset-based or inventory-based lending representing major lenders, retailers or manufacturers in their commercial finance transactions. Some familiarity with bankruptcy law is helpful. Company is based in a suburban setting of an attractive major league city.
$10 billion division of a Fortune 50 company seeks lead counsel with 7-10+ years experience to advise on, negotiate and draft commercial and government subcontracts. Principal client is the V.P. - Procurement. Involves some offset work. International contracts experience is a plus. Some previous experience with government contracts is required. Position has an excellent track record for advancement.
Newly acquired division created this outstanding legal, legislative and public affairs career opportunity with expanding nationwide managed care provider and health insurer. Candidates should have at least 15 years of healthcare industry-related legal experience, plus several years supervising professional management. In addition to very general health law responsibilities, this executive will supervise four directors responsible for risk management, government affairs, compliance and public affairs. Position reports to the President of the Region.
One of the nation's largest companies seeks a seasoned executive attorney to lead the corporation's legal activities involving M&A, Corporate Finance and Securities. This opportunity offers a prominent executive position with a wide variety of professional challenges, a career with one of the nation's most vital employers, and a highly sought after West Coast lifestyle. Minimum of 15 years of experience required.
Career openings listed here were for nationwide searches. Client-requested local recruitment efforts (i.e. Los Angeles-based company seeking Los Angeles-based attorney) typically are not posted on our website. | 2019-04-24T03:01:57Z | https://www.aaronlaw.com/recent-placements |
Accelerated Death Benefits - If your policy has an accelerated death benefits provision, it will pay you - under certain conditions - all or part of the policy death benefits while you are still alive. These conditions include proof that the policyholder is terminally ill with a life expectancy of less than 12 months, has a specified life-threatening disease or is in a long-term care facility such as a nursing home. If you have a group term life policy or certificate, the amount of accelerated benefit you may receive is limited by law to: the greatest of $25,000 or 50% of the death benefit. By accepting an accelerated benefit payment, a person could be ruled ineligible for Medicaid or other government benefits. The proceeds also may be taxable.
Accident - An unforeseen, unintended event; something unexpected; fortuitous.
Accidental Death Benefits - If a policy includes an accidental death benefit, the cause of death will be examined to determine whether the Insured's death meets the policy's definition of accidental.
Assignment - The transfer of all or part of a policy owner's legal title and rights to a policy to another person. It is possible to change this type of transfer at a later date.
Bankdraft - Occurs when money is being automatically debited from a banking account to for insurance coverage.
Benchmark Rate(s) - The rates set annually by the Commissioner of Insurance that rate-regulated insurance companies use to reference their rates. Rate-regulated insurance companies filing rates within a range of 30 percent above or below the benchmarks may use them immediately upon filing without prior approval. A company that wants to set its rates outside this range must receive the Commissioner's prior approval.
Beneficiary - The person, persons or entity designated to receive the death benefits from a life insurance policy or annuity contract.
Cash Surrender Option - No forfeiture option, which specifies that the policy owner can cancel the coverage and receive the entire net cash value in a lump sum.
Cash Value - The amount of money, which the policy owner will receive as a refund if the policy owner cancels the coverage and returns the policy to the company. Also known as cash surrender value.
Churning - Can occur when an agent persuades a consumer to borrow against an existing life insurance policy to pay the premium on a new one.
Co-insurance - The percent of each health care bill you must pay out of your own pocket. Non-covered charges and deductibles are in addition to this amount.
Company Profile - A synopsis of a company's performance in the state of Texas. Includes licensing data, a rating provided by A.M. Best Company, financial information regarding the company's assets and liabilities, complaint history and a record of the companies activities as it pertains to the interests it has in Texas.
Complaint - The formal mechanism to start an investigation of potential wrongdoings by insurers, agents and premium finance companies licensed and doing business in the start of Texas.
Complaint History - Information collected or maintained by the Texas Department of Insurance relating to the number of justified, verified as accurate, and documented as valid, complaints received against a particular insurer, agent or premium finance company and the disposition of the complaints.
Conditional Receipt - A premium receipt given to an applicant which makes the insurance effective only if or when a specified condition is met.
Contestable Period - A period of up to 2 years that an insurance company may deny payment of a claim because of suicide or a material misrepresentation on your application.
Contingent Beneficiary - Another party or parties who will receive the proceeds if the primary beneficiary should predecease the person whose life is insured.
Credit Life Insurance - This is a special type of coverage usually designed to pay off your loan or charge account balance if you die. Some lenders or sellers may require credit life insurance before they will approve your loan. If credit life is required, the lender or seller cannot require you to purchase it from them or a particular insurance company. If you have an existing life policy, the creditor has to accept an assignment of benefits under your existing policy instead of requiring you to purchase a credit life policy. Credit life insurance premium rates for loans of 10 years or less are regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance, but premium rates for loans that are more than 10 years old are unregulated.
Depreciation - The act of lowering an item's value due to use or wear and tear.
Dividend - The amount of money an insurance company may decide to distribute to policyholders.
Evidence of Insurability - To qualify you for a particular policy at a particular price, companies have the right to ask you for information about your health and lifestyle. An insurance company will use this information - your evidence of insurability - in deciding if your application for insurance is acceptable and at what premium rate.
Experience Period - The period of time that a company will reference when making evaluations of an insuring policy. There is not a standardized amount of time. See annotation for an example of an experience period.
Extended Term Insurance Option - A nonforfeiture benefit under which the net cash value of the policy is used to purchase term insurance for the amount of coverage available under the original policy.
Face Value - The initial amount of death benefit provided by the policy as shown on the face page of the contract. The actual death benefit may be higher or lower depending on the options selected, outstanding policy loans or premium owed.
First Party Loss - A situation involving only the insurer and insured.
Free Examination Period - Also known as "10-day free look" or "Free Look," it is the time period after a life insurance policy or an annuity is delivered during which the policy owner may review it and return it to the company for a full refund of the initial premium. Variable life policies are required to include a "free-look" provision. For other coverage, it is at the company's option.
Grace Period(s) - The time - usually 31 days - during which a policy remains in force after the premium is due but not paid. The policy lapses as of the day the premium was originally due unless the premium is paid before the end of the 31 days or the insured dies. This is not a "free-insurance" period.
Group Life Insurance - This type of life insurance provides coverage to a group of people under one contract. Most group contracts are sold to businesses that want to provide life insurance for their employees. Group life insurance also can be sold to associations to cover their members and to lending institutions to cover the amounts of their debtor loans. Most group policies are for term insurance. Generally, the business will be issued a master policy and each person in the group will receive a certificate of insurance.
Health Maintenance Organization (H.M.O.) - Prepaid group health insurance plan which entitles members to services of participating physicians, hospitals and clinics. Emphasis is on preventative medicine.
Home Service Life - Home service refers to a method of selling and servicing insurance, mostly life and health insurance, and does not identify the type or relative cost of the product that is sold. Some companies that market on a home service basis sell what is known as "industrial life insurance." These are most often low death benefit policies with face amounts that may vary from $1,000 to $5,000 and which accumulate cash values at a very low rate. They are intended primarily to cover the expenses of a last illness and burial. The relative cost of industrial life insurance is extremely high compared to some other cash value policies and term life insurance policies.
Incontestability - A provision that places a time limit - up to two years - on a company's right to deny payment of a claim because of suicide or a material misrepresentation on your application.
Independent Adjuster - A person who charges a fee to the insurance company to adjust the company's claim.
Insurable Interest - A financial interest in the property insured, prerequisite to a valid contract of insurance. In life insurance, a person's or party's interest - financial or emotional - in the continuing life of the insured. Insured - The person or firm covered by an insurance policy.
Liability - Responsibility to another for one's negligence.
Liability Limits - The maximum amount your liability policy will pay. Your policy must pay at least $20,000 per person for injuries and deaths, up to $40,000 for all victims of an accident, plus $15,000 for property damage. You can purchase higher liability limits for additional premium.
Loss History - Refers to an insured's history of losses (claims) with other companies, or the company they are currently with. A company will consider "loss history" when underwriting a new policy or considering a renewal of an existing policy. Companies view "loss history" as an indication of an insured's propensity for a claim in the future.
Material Misrepresentation - A significant misstatement in an application form. If a company had access to the correct information at the time of application, the company might not have agreed to accept the application.
Medical Payments & Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - Both pay limited medical and funeral expenses if you, a family member, or a passenger in your car is injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. PIP also pays lost-income benefits.
Mortality Charge - The cost of the insurance protection element of a universal life policy. This cost is based on the net amount at risk under the policy, the Insured's risk classification at the time of policy purchase, and the Insured's current age.
Mortality Expenses - The cost of the insurance protection based upon actuarial tables which are based upon the incidence of death, by age, among given groups of people . This cost is based on the amount at risk under the policy, the insured's risk classification at the time of policy purchase, and the insured's current age.
Net Cash Value - The cash value amount available to a policy owner after adjustments have been made to the cash surrender value to account for policy loans and dividends.
Paid-Up - This event occurs when a policy will not require any further premiums to keep the coverage in force.
Paid-Up Additions - Additional amounts of insurance purchased using dividends; these insurance amounts require no further premium payments.
Peril - A cause of property losses. Usually used in the context of "a peril insured against."
Policy Owner - The person or party who owns an individual insurance policy. This person may be the insured, the beneficiary or another person. The policy owner usually is the one who pays the premium and is the only person who may make changes to a policy.
Preferred Provider Organization (P.P.O.) - Hospital, physician, or other provider of health care which an insurer recommends to an insured. A P.P.O. allows insurance companies to negotiate directly with hospitals and physicians for health services at a lower price than would be normally charged.
Premium Expense Charges - An amount deducted from each premium payment, which reduces the amount credited to the policy.
Providers - Usually references doctors or those who are providing a medical service.
Redlining - Refusal by an insurance company to underwrite or to continue to underwrite questionable risks in a given geographical area.
Rescind - To take away or remove. To avoid so as to restore the involved parties to the positions they would have occupied had there been no contract.
Return Premium - The premium returned to an insured for canceling or amending a policy.
Rule of 78 - This is a method for calculating the amount of unused premium which takes into account the fact that more insurance coverage is required in the early months of the loan, since the payoff of the loan is greater. As the loan is paid off, less coverage is being paid for, so the refund percentage decreases.
Single Interest Insurance - Insurance coverage for only one of the parties having an insurable interest in that property.
Staff Adjuster - Employee of the insurance company's claim department.
Suicide Clause - Life insurance policy wording which specifies that the proceeds of the policy will not be paid if the insured takes his or her own life within a specified period of time after the policy's date of issue.
Surrender Charges - Charges that are deducted if your life insurance policy or annuity is cashed in (surrendered). These charges also are deducted if you borrow money on your policy or if your policy lapses for non-payment.
Third Party Administrator (T.P.A.) - An organization that performs managerial and clerical functions related to an employee benefit insurance plan by an individual or committee that is not an original party to the benefit plan.
Towing and Labor Coverage - Pays for towing charges when your car can't be driven. Also pays labor charges, such as changing a flat tire, at the place where your car broke down.
Unearned Premium - The insured's remaining premium equity in his policy; that part of the policy premium that has not been "used up."
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (U.M./U.I.M.) Coverage - Pays for your injuries and property damage caused by a hit-and-run driver or a motorist without liability insurance. It will also pay when your medical and car repair bills are higher than the other driver's liability coverage.
Universal Life Insurance - The key characteristic of universal life insurance is flexibility. Within limits, you can choose the amount of insurance and the premium you wish to pay. The policy will stay in force as long as the policy value is sufficient to pay the costs and expenses of the policy. The policy value is "interest-sensitive," which means that it varies in accordance with the general financial climate. Lowering the death benefit and raising the premium will increase the growth rate of your policy. The opposite also is true. Raising the death benefit and lowering the premium will slow the growth of your policy. If insufficient premiums are paid, the policy could lapse without value before the maturity date is reached. (The maturity date is the time your policy ceases and cash surrender value would be payable if the policyholder is still living.) Therefore, it is your responsibility to pay consistently a premium that is high enough to ensure that your policy's value will be adequate to pay the monthly cost of the policy. The company is required to send you an annual report and also to notify you if you are in danger of losing your policy due to insufficient value.
Usual and Customary - these charges may be based on: rates usually charged by physicians and providers in your area; rate averages compiled by independent rating services; or rate averages compiled by the insurance company.
Variable Life Insurance - A type of whole life policy in which the death benefit and the cash value fluctuate according to the investment performance of a separate account fund that the policyholder selects. Because the investment account is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, you must be presented with a prospectus before you purchase a variable life policy.
Viatical Settlement Agreements - Viatical settlements involve the sale of an existing life insurance policy by a viator (person with a life threatening or terminal illness) to a viatical settlement company in return for a cash payment that is a percentage of the policy's death benefit.
Whole Life Insurance - Whole life insurance policies are one type of cash value insurance. Whole life policies offer protection through a lifetime - that is, for a person's "whole life." From the day you buy the policy, you pay a scheduled premium,. The scheduled premium may be level or may increase after a fixed time period, but it will not change from the amount(s) shown in the policy schedule. It is important that you look at the policy schedule to be sure you understand what your premium payments will be and that you can afford them over time. This premium is based on your age at the time of purchase. Initially, it will be higher than the premium paid for a term policy, but you are likely to end up paying less in premiums when you are older, if you keep the policy for a long time. Part of each premium payment will go to cash value growth, part for the death benefit and part for expenses (such as commissions and administrative costs). There is no need to renew whole life policies. As long as you pay your premium when due, your coverage will continue in force throughout your life.
Tip on adding your boyfriend or girlfriend on the title of the vehicle: If the names on the title are separated by "OR", then you alone can remove his/her name. If the separation word is "AND", you will need his/her signature.
You drive the wehicle to the shops to do your shopping. You drive your car to drop off the kids at school.
You drive it to go fishing or to go to school. And any other trips similar to this.
You drive it to work, and it sits parked in the parking lot at work all day until work is done, then you drive it home.
You drive the car to client sites for meetings, and other functions during your normal work day.
When choosing what usage, we can combine this any way we need to, for the use of the car. You drive it to work and park it there all day, and then drive the kids to school, it's social and commuting. You drive it for work (business) and your wife drives it to go shopping, it's social and business use.
When buying insurance, who the actual owner of the car is, makes no difference. What matters is: 1) Who is going to be the main (principal) driver. 2) The policy holder must have an insurable interest in the car. By insurable interest we mean that the policy holder (or the beneficiary) must stand to suffer a direct financial loss if the event (against which the insurance cover was bought) does occur.
Disclaimer: This information is intended to be a guide to understanding common insurance terms. FreeAutoRater.com does not intend this information to be official or legally binding. This list should be used as a basic guide to understanding these terms and should not be considered complete or definitive. | 2019-04-24T05:50:49Z | http://freeautorater.com/glossary.php |
Alice Mary Norton was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1912. Her parents were Adalbert Freely Norton, who owned a rug company, and Bertha Stemm Norton. She began writing at Collinwood High School in Cleveland, under the tutelage of Miss Sylvia Cochrane. She was the editor of a literary page in the school's paper called The Collinwood Spotlight for which she wrote short stories. During this time, she wrote her first book, Ralestone Luck, which was eventually published as her second novel in 1938.
After graduating from high school in 1930, Norton planned to become a teacher and began studying at Flora Stone Mather College of Western Reserve University. However, in 1932 she had to leave because of the Depression and began working for the Cleveland Library System, where she remained for 18 years, latterly in the children's section of the Nottingham Branch Library in Cleveland. In 1934, she legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton, a pen name she had adopted for her first book, published later that year, to increase her marketability since boys were the main audience for fantasy.
During 1940–1941, she worked as a special librarian in the cataloging department of the Library of Congress. She was involved in a project related to alien citizenship which was abruptly terminated upon the American entry into World War II. In 1941 she bought a bookstore called Mystery House in Mount Rainier, Maryland, the eastern neighbor of D.C. The business failed, and she returned to the Cleveland Public Library until 1950 when she retired due to ill health. She then began working as a reader for publisher-editor Martin Greenberg[a] at Gnome Press, a small press in New York City that focused on science fiction. She remained until 1958, when, with 21 novels published, she became a full-time professional writer.
As Norton's health became uncertain, she moved to Winter Park, Florida in November 1966, where she remained until 1997. She moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 1997 and was under hospice care from February 21, 2005. She died at home on March 17, 2005, of congestive heart failure.
For a full list of Norton's books, see Andre Norton bibliography.
In 1934, her first book, The Prince Commands, being sundry adventures of Michael Karl, sometime crown prince & pretender to the throne of Morvania, with illustrations by Kate Seredy, was published by D. Appleton–Century Company (cataloged by the U.S. Library of Congress as by "André Norton"). She went on to write several historical novels for the juvenile (now called "young adult") market.
As of 1958, when she became a full-time professional writer, Kirkus had reviewed 16 of her novels,[b] and awarded four of them starred reviews. Her four starred reviews to 1957 had been awarded for three historical adventure novels—Follow the Drum (1942), Scarface (1948), Yankee Privateer (1955)—and one cold war adventure, At Swords' Points (1954). She received four starred reviews subsequently, latest in 1966, including three for science fiction.
Norton was twice nominated for the Hugo Award, in 1964 for the novel Witch World and in 1967 for the novelette "Wizard's World". She was nominated three times for the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement, winning the award in 1998. Norton won a number of other genre awards and regularly had works appear in the Locus annual "best of year" polls.
She was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America (SAGA), a loose-knit group of Heroic Fantasy authors founded in the 1960s, led by Lin Carter, with entry by fantasy credentials alone. Norton was the only woman among the original eight members. Some works by SAGA members were published in Lin Carter's Flashing Swords! anthologies.
In 1976, Gary Gygax invited Norton to play Dungeons & Dragons in his Greyhawk world. Norton subsequently wrote Quag Keep, which involved a group of characters who travel from the real world to Greyhawk. It was the first novel to be set, at least partially, in the Greyhawk setting and, according to Alternative Worlds, the first to be based on D&D. Quag Keep was excerpted in Issue 12 of The Dragon (February 1978) just prior to the book's release. She and Jean Rabe were collaborating on the sequel to her 1979 Greyhawk novel Quag Keep when she died. Return to Quag Keep was completed by Rabe and published by Tor Books in January 2006.
Her final complete novel, Three Hands for Scorpio, was published on April 1, 2005. Besides Return to Quag Keep, Tor has published two more novels with Norton and Rabe credited as co-authors, Dragon Mage (November 2006) and Taste of Magic (January 2008).
Norton wrote more than a dozen speculative fiction series, but her longest, and longest-running project was "Witch World", which began with the novel Witch World in 1963. The first six novels were Ace Books paperback originals published from 1963 to 1968. From the 1970s most of the series was published in hardcover editions. From the 1980s some were written by Norton and a co-author, and others were anthologies of short fiction for which she was editor. (Witch World became a shared universe).[c] There were dozens of books in all.
The five novels of The Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan, To the King a Daughter, Knight or Knave, A Crown Disowned, Dragon Blade, and The Knight of the Red Beard, were written with Sasha Miller. The fifth and last novel was dedicated "To my late collaborator, Andre Norton, whose vision inspired the NordornLand cycle." ("NordornLand cycle" is another name for this cycle).
On February 20, 2005, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, which had earlier honored her with its Grand Master Award in 1984, announced the creation of the Andre Norton Award, to be given each year for an outstanding work of fantasy or science fiction for the young adult literature market, beginning with 2005 publications. While the Norton Award is not a Nebula Award, it is voted by SFWA members on the Nebula ballot and shares some procedures with the Nebula Awards. Nominally for a young adult book, actually the eligible class is middle grade and young adult novels. This added a category for genre fiction to be recognized and supported for young readers. Unlike Nebulas, there is a jury whose function is to expand the ballot beyond the six books with most nominations by members.
Often called the Grande Dame of Science Fiction and Fantasy by biographers such as J. M. Cornwell, and organizations such as Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Publishers Weekly, and Time, Andre Norton wrote novels for over 70 years. She had a profound influence on the entire genre, having over 300 published titles read by at least four generations of science fiction and fantasy readers and writers. Notable authors who cite her influence include Greg Bear, Lois McMaster Bujold, C. J. Cherryh, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Tanya Huff, Mercedes Lackey, Charles de Lint, Joan D. Vinge, David Weber, K. D. Wentworth, and Catherine Asaro.
Norton started out writing juvenile historical fiction and adventure, and then moved into science fiction, and finally fantasy. In numerous of her works, alienated outsiders undertake a journey through which they realize their full potential; this emphasis on the rite of passage continued her association in many readers' minds with young adult fiction, although she became a best seller to adults.
In most Norton books, whether science fiction or fantasy, the plot takes place in the open countryside, with only short episodes in a city environment. Protagonists usually move about singly or in small groups, and in conflict situations they are more often scouts, spies or guerrillas rather than regular soldiers in large military formations.
As could be expected of such characters, they tend to be resourceful and capable of taking independent initiative. In some books, protagonists are introduced already in possession of such characteristics. In others the protagonists (often young) are thrust into situations where they must develop them quickly, and invariably succeed at it.
Many planets in the books are Earth-like places, where humans can live without special protection, and have extensive flora and fauna which are described in considerable detail and often have substantial bearing on the plot. Airless planets and ones with unbreathable atmospheres are sometimes mentioned in passing, but are virtually never the main scene of a Norton book (an exception is Night of Masks). In many of her books, especially her mid-period and later fantasies, such as most of the Witch World series, there are settings described similarly, with ancient stone highways left by unknown civilizations, flanked by half-fallen walls overgrown with vines, and often studded with tall pillars topped by mythical shapes. These vistas are universally presented as almost vibrating with magical power. Another common setting, in both fantasies and science fiction, is of a room filled with alien super-scientific equipment, often where something evil (such as experimentation on humans or other living creatures) has gone or is going on.
A common theme in the books is the presence of sympathetically presented feudal and tribal cultures. In several books Native American tribes and their various analogues are given a chance to be more successful than they were in actual American history. (Norton often told friends that she was proud of her little bit of Native American ancestry.) Nonhuman creatures and cultures are usually presented sympathetically, with human protagonists sometimes supporting them against oppressive human authorities. In contrast, several books present technological and mechanized cultures as negative or even positively evil.
With her 1965 book Year of the Unicorn (third in the High Hallack spinoff of her Witch World series), she used a young woman as the protagonist, which was at the time uncommon for American works of fantasy.
An important role in Norton's books is often given to animals — both ordinary terrestrial ones, such as cats (with whom she had much personal experience) and exotic fictional ones, whose characteristics are meticulously worked out. Many of Norton's animals are highly intelligent without being anthropomorphic, acting as virtually full partners to the human protagonists and in many books forming telepathic links with them.
Some background elements, such as the use of "Credits" as a unit of currency and of the lethal "Blasters" and the non-lethal "Stunners" as the main hand-weapons, are common to many of Norton's science fiction books, even when they are not set in precisely the same future.
A fictional board and counter game called "Stars and Comets" appears in many Norton science fiction books. However, only fleeting hints of the rules are revealed. Counters styled as either "stars" or "comets" move across the board taking opponents' pieces. The rules of movement and capture seem to be very complex allowing hidden strategies and sudden reversals of fortune. It may be that there are both elements of skill and chance. Often, it is not the game being played itself which features, but references to it as an analogy of some plot situation. Its use helps to reinforce the alien culture being portrayed, and also gives the reader a sense of continuity between books portraying differing people and places.
Equally, an interstellar refugee camp turned slum of dubious reputation called the Dipple provides the starting point for a number of planet stories, as the number of desperate young people seeking any escape from its poverty is high.
She also developed the concept of traveling through alternate worlds in The Crossroads of Time. In the Time Trader series, she explored Celtic Europe, and Ice Age Baltic region, synthesizing anthropology, archeology, and hard science fiction, and this series must also be seen as a pivotal exploration of time travel as a method of fictionally exploring lost cultures. The second book in the Time Trader series, Galactic Derelict, features the use of recovered alien technology, to enable human travel to the stars, and this theme is also very recurrent, with definite features developed by Andre Norton.
The High Hallack Library was a facility that Andre Norton was instrumental in organizing and opening. Designed as a research facility for genre writers, and scholars of "popular" literature (the genres of science fiction, fantasy, mystery, western, romance, gothic, or horror), it was located near Norton's home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The facility, named after one of the continents in Norton's Witch World series, was home to over 10,000 texts, videos and various other media. Attached to the facility were three guest rooms, allowing authors and scholars the chance to stay on-site to facilitate their research goals.
The facility was opened on February 28, 1999, and operated until March 2004. Most of the collection was sold during the closing days of the facility. The declining health of Andre Norton was one of the leading causes of its closing.
^ Martin Greenberg is no relation of Martin H. Greenberg (1941–2011) with whom Norton co-edited the Catfantastic series of five anthologies (DAW Books, 1989 to 1999).
^ Kirkus reviewed only hardcover first editions; at the time, Norton had only recently published her first paperback original, The Crossroads of Time (Ace Double, 1956).
^ Regarding The Duke's Ballad "by Andre Norton and Lyn McConchie", published in 2005, McConchie states "Witch World setting, marketed as by Andre Norton and Lyn McConchie, although all writing and revision done by Lyn using Andre's background." And she says much the same for all four of their Witch World novels (1995 to 2005).
"Lyn's Books". Lyn McConchie. Last updated 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
^ Andre M Norton, "United States Social Security Death Index". "United States Social Security Death Index", index, FamilySearch, March 17, 2005. Retrieved 2013-02-12. Citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
^ Lehmann-Haupt, Christopher (2005-03-18). "Andre Norton Dies at 93; a Master of Science Fiction". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
^ "SFWA Grand Master Award Listings 1984". SFWA Grand Master Award Listings 1984. Archived from the original on 2003-01-10.
^ a b "Norton, Andre". Locus Index to SF Awards: Index of Literary Nominees. Locus Publications. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
^ "Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master". Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Archived from the original on 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
^ ""Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame"". Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. . Mid American Science Fiction and Fantasy Conventions, Inc. Retrieved 2013-03-27. This was the official website of the hall of fame to 2004.
^ Bankston, John. Andre Norton. New York: Chelsea House, 2010, p. 16.
^ a b Dennis McLellan, "Andre Norton, 93; A Prolific Science Fiction, Fantasy Author", Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2005. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
^ Bankston, John. Andre Norton. New York: Chelsea House, 2010, p. 50.
^ Steve Holland (2013-07-06). "Obituary: Andre Norton | Books". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
^ a b Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, "Andre Norton Dies at 93; a Master of Science Fiction", The New York Times, March 18, 2005. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
^ a b c "Kirkus Book Reviews". Kirkus. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
^ Maciej Zaleski-Ejgierd (1912-02-17). "ANDRE NORTON ORG: Biography of Andre Norton". Andre-norton.org. Archived from the original on 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
^ ""Norton, Andre"". Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Library of Congress Authorities. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
For LC catalog (LCC) records of particular works by Norton in chronological order, select "LC Online Catalog"; select "Norton, Andre"; sort by "Date (oldest to newest)".
^ ""The prince commands, being sundry adventures of Michael Karl, sometime ..."". Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. LCC record. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
^ a b c d e Andre Norton at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database (ISFDB). Retrieved 2013-03-28. Select a title to see its linked publication history and general information. Select a particular edition (title) for more data at that level, such as a front cover image or linked contents.
^ "Bibliography: Huon of the Horn". ISFDB. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
^ a b "Andre Norton (1912–2005)", Locus, April 2005, pp. 5, 65.
^ Norton, Andre; Jean Rabe (2006). Return to Quag Keep. MacMillan. pp. Introduction. ISBN 0-7653-1298-0.
^ Norton, Andre (February 1978). "Quag's Keep (excerpts)". The Dragon. Lake Geneva WI: TSR (12): 22–30.
^ Andre Norton and Sasha Miller (2008), The Knight of the Red Beard, 2009 reprint, New York: Tor, p. .
^ "2012 Nebula Awards Nominees Announced" (finalists). SFWA. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
^ "Norton Award Blog Tour". SFWA. Retrieved 2013-04-27.
^ "About the Nebula Awards". Locus Index to SF Awards: About the Awards. Locus Publications. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
^ KRISTIN L. PAULSON, Overcoming the Stigma of Science Fiction and Fantasty in the Classroom.2011 MA Thesis, University of Floria.
^ "An Interview with Andre Norton". Theroseandthornezine.com. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
^ "SFWA Biography". Archived from the original on October 9, 2009.
^ Andre Norton. Fiction Book Review: Warlock. PublishersWeekly.com. Author Baen Books. ISBN 978-0-671-31849-9. Retrieved 2015-10-18.
^ Wyman, Mark (1989). DP's: Europe's Displaced Persons, 1945-1951. Google Books: Cornell University Press. p. 89. ISBN 0-8014-8542-8.
^ a b c "High Hallack Genre Writers' Research and Reference Library". Andre-Norton.org. Archived from the original on 2013-07-03. , Retrieved 2013-5-31.
Yoke, Carl B. Slaying The Dragon Within: Andre Norton's Female Heroes, Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, Vol. 4, No. 3 (15) (1991), pp. 79–93.
Wolf, Virginia L. Andre Norton: Feminist Pied Piper in SF. Children's Literature Association Quarterly. Volume 10, Number 2, Summer 1985 pp. 66–70.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Andre Norton.
Andre Norton correspondences in the digital archives of Cleveland Public Library. The library also includes several images of the doll house she donated to the library, still on display in the Youth Services Department. One letter in the collection is from Houghton Mifflin Company concerning Andre Norton's application for a Literary Fellowship award.
"Index: Works of Andre Norton". Archived from the original on April 14, 2013.
"Andre Norton biography". Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
"Andre Norton :: Pen & Paper RPG Database". Archived from the original on 2005-01-19. Retrieved 2018-10-17. | 2019-04-20T08:28:55Z | https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Norton |
These words open up the theme that true Christian may suffer intense anguish. But that is not their main lesson. “And God delivered us from them all,” Paul says, but neither is that his chief emphasis. The reason why God permits hardships to come into our lives – that we might not rely on ourselves but on God – it is this which is the most important truth before us.
Let us begin by considering the hardships Paul experienced in the province of Asia. The Corinthians across the other side of the Aegean Sea, 200 miles away from Ephesus, had known that Paul had had a hard time there, but they had not realised the intensity of his sufferings. The apostle does not specify what the sufferings had been, but we know something about the anguish and exhaustion which he endured in Ephesus from Luke’s account in Acts chapters 19 and 20.
1 The Trials of the Apostle at Ephesus.
We know of a number of different sources which brought pressure to bear on Paul. There was a punishing schedule of daily teaching during the heat of the siesta (that is, between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) in the hall of Tyrannus, confronting not only seekers but certain men who hated all he had to say and were only there to stir up trouble. For the rest of each day, before and after those hours of teaching, he had to earn his living by tent-making, maybe four hours before and four hours after the tensions of public debate. David Prior talks of, “The pace of Paul’s daily routine, the intensity of his temperament, and of his preaching God’s word, the sheer hard work which he devoted to pastoral care of the young church – these and other factors must have left him exhausted” (David Prior, “The Suffering and the Glory”, Hodder, 1985, p.29). This went on for three years, with no vacations. But there were other more sinister forces at work.
There were even some Jews in Ephesus, who had been raised in a home of a chief priest, who had been captivated by this fascination with the occult. Seeing Paul’s miraculous powers, they themselves tried to invoke the name of Jesus to drive evil spirits out of a demon-possessed man. It was an utter disaster. “The man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding” (Acts 19:16). Those men tried to use Jesus’ name like a talisman with no commitment to his authority, and they found themselves as helpless as children before this dark power. In other words the benefits that are found in Christ cannot be received apart from trusting and obeying him. God’s power in us is transformed and purified by union with the Redeemer.
There was a spirit medium in Aberavon in South Wales in the 1920s who was paid three guineas every Sunday evening for leading a spiritist meeting. One Sunday she was taken ill and unable to go out she was fascinated to see the expectant crowds who were walking past her house on their way to hear Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones. She determined that she would go to Sandfields herself and it was there that she met with God. Her testimony to Lloyd-Jones was this: ‘The moment I entered your chapel and sat down on a seat among the people, I was conscious of a supernatural power. I was conscious of the same sort of power as I was accustomed to in our spiritist meetings, but there was one big difference. I had a feeling that the power in your chapel was a clean power'” (Iain Murray, “Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The First Forty Years,” Banner of Truth, p.221).
The attack upon the men who were using the name of Jesus as a charm had an enormous impact on the city, so that “a number of those who had practised sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly” (Acts 19:19). They started a bonfire of evil literature and burned everything they had, notwithstanding the cost.
One believes that such triumphs over the devil and his works would exact a price from every courageous fighter for Christ. There is such a reality as a ‘demonic backlash.’ The Reformation is followed by the counter-reformation. The Puritan period is followed by resurgent Arianism. The 1904 revival is followed by the 1914-1918 war and 20th century declension. Our Lord himself needed to fast and pray before his encounter in the wilderness with the devil. That battle wasn’t like some military exercises in which blank cartridges are used. It was war, and it was costly to Jesus. Angels needed to come and give him help. When the disciples of Jesus failed to change a boy dominated by an evil spirit the Lord told them that such deliverances would not come without praying and fasting. When Paul reminds these Ephesians of the nature of the Christian life he tells them, “It’s war,” and he spells out the reality of battling against principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. There was one time when Bunyan’s Pilgrim fights for his life with Apollyon. Every Christian needs to clothe himself in all the armour of God just to survive, so that when the day of evil comes he may stand and fight (Ephs. 6:10-20).
Ephesus was also the centre of corrupt vested interests in the commercial and business life of the city. Guilds made silver charms, mini-statues of the goddess Artemis, idols designed to order for home and garden, and souvenirs to be sold to the visitors who had sailed to the shrine from all over the Med. But then the gospel arrives in Ephesus, and it has a pervasive impact on the people of the city: “the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power” (Acts 19:20). Sales of silver shrines went down. Idol-sellers took home less money. Idol-manufacturers became unemployed, and Ephesian citizens at last were speaking out about being joyfully delivered from the worship of a lifeless statue. A meeting of workmen was summoned by angry Demetrius a silversmith of all men connected with the temple and its manufacturing industries. The meeting soon went out of control, the mob went wild and they seized two companions of Paul and would have taken him too if they could have caught him. “Soon the whole city was in an uproar,” (Acts 19:29). An ugly crowd was baying for blood. There was murder in the air. Similar situations today can leave people traumatised. They dragged the men into the huge theatre which had room for 25,000 people and “they all shouted in unison for about two hours: ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:34). Though both the Christians were delivered Paul tasted their hatred and quietly left town.
So we know of these pressures on Paul in Ephesus, and reading about them makes us feel that our Christianity is rather superficial. But there is obviously information being withheld from us of other afflictions of Paul, yet what they were no one knows. There has been much speculation – being thrown to the wild beasts in the arena, plots and assassination attempts, a shipwreck with a night and a day in the deep, the burdens of the churches of Greece, deadly sickness? I would speculate that it could have been some terrible persecution or cruelty wreaked upon some church members in Ephesus. But no one knows what had caused this awful death hanging over Paul. Clearly we do not need to know specifically what they were or we might think in our self-pity, “But mine are worse.” It was the blackest period of his life, and he wanted the Corinthian Christians to know that. How does he describe these trials?
ii] “far beyond our ability to endure:” Paul quickly reached the limit of his own physique. He was not a brawny man. His enemies said about him that his bodily presence was weak. A little fellow with the marks of scars and beatings on his head and body, and often he reached the limit of his own endurance, but then he had other reserves. When the grand-daughter of General Booth of the Salvation Army took part in her first open air meeting she went to give a report of it to the General. “How did it go?” he said to her. “All right, I think,” she said, “I did my best.” His soft face hardened: “Your best is not good enough for God. Through Jesus Christ you can do better than your best.” How quickly we reach the point of our own ability to endure, and we know it, and we are looking unto Jesus. “Lord, I can’t get through this next day without you. Every burden is too heavy without you, every temptation is too powerful, every mountain too high, every journey too long, every responsibility too great, every sickness too painful, every loss too grievous.” They are all far beyond our ability to endure. But through Jesus Christ we can do all things. We can love our enemies. We can go the second mile. We can turn the other cheek. We can forgive and forgive and forgive seventy times seven. We can pluck out the right eye if it offends us. We can keep going in our schedule, far beyond our own ability to endure.
iii] “We despaired even of life;” There are some people who would say that real Christians could never despair of life. But we ask, do Christians with long-standing problems not have bouts of despair? Did the women with the issue of blood fourteen years, who had knocked on the door of every doctor recommended to her for treatment but who had been let down by them all – were there not days when she despaired of life? Do Christians with peculiarly difficult providence’s despair? Did not Job curse the day on which he was born? If Christians have been sold a bill of goods about their problems, do they not despair? They have been told their case is hopeless, and they are in despair. If the hopes of some Christians for children, for marriage, for some kind of deliverance have been dashed again and again might there not be times when such believers despaired even of life? Are there not old bereaved people, and depressed people, and those whose lives have been shattered who fall into despair, even though they are real Christians? Might you not find a Christian girl who would say to you, “I am disgusting, stupid, ugly, rotten and a complete failure”? Might you not find a Christian who falls into sin again and again and he is in despair of whether he is a real believer? You cannot say that a mark of a Christian is that he is a person who never despairs of life, because here is the great apostle, and one day you knock on his door and sit with him for a while, and he tells you that he despaired even of life.
Earth around is deeper green.
More than all that, he wanted to experience again the love of God in Jesus Christ she abroad in his heart. He wanted great assurance that he was the Saviour’s and the Saviour was his. But God himself had barred every way to life and all Paul could see was death in prospect.
Murdoch Campbell says, “Many a poor distressed soul has seen his own image in this mirror.” One of the reasons the Holy Spirit inspired its composition is that when we feel as low as we possibly can be, and say to ourselves, “I can’t be a Christian at all,” then we meet in this psalm a man called Heman the Ezrahite, a godly man and a fellow Old Testament Messiahist, who is going through a despair deeper and darker than our own. He is like Bunyan’s description of himself in “Grace Abounding.” There were times when even as robust and happy a man as Spurgeon himself went through such an experience. There was the great catastrophe at the Surrey Gardens Music Hall which the church had hired to find more room for the crowds who wished to hear Spurgeon. Some evil men created a disturbance causing a panic and rush for the doors in which seven people were killed. C.H.Spurgeon was inconsolable: “who can conceive the anguish of my sad spirit? I refused to be comforted; tears were my meat by day, and dreams my terror by night. I felt as I had never felt before … My mind lay, like a wreck upon the sand, incapable of its usual motion. I was in a strange land, and a stranger in it. My Bible, once my daily food, was but a hand to lift the sluices of my woe” (“The Early Years,” Banner of Truth, p.426).
How different real Christianity is from the “Make me feel good!” clamour of many church attenders, and the pathetic attempts of their ministers to comply by constantly stroking their affections. That is the theology of Home on the Range – “Where seldom is heard a discouraging word.” It is far from the Bible.
3. The Purpose of this Great Trial.
“But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (v.9). Why did all this pressure and despair happen to so genuine a servant of Jesus Christ as the apostle Paul? You could understand it coming upon King Saul, or on David after his wickedness with Bathsheba and Uriah her husband, or on Judas, but on this humble godly man? It seems to make no sense. Clearly there is an element of God’s sovereignty here. But Omnipotence is never capricious. It is the devil who triggers off your thinking, “The pastor is just telling me again to bite the bullet and take it all from God, so I’d better do it because we are all … Calvinists in this church,” and you snarl out the last phrase!
This passage, and many like it, teach that there is always a reason for the trials that come into our lives. The distribution of pain is not whimsical or arbitrary. It is never a matter of mere sovereignty. Scripture witness to this abounds: “the Lord does not afflict willingly,” (Lamentations 3:33). Our human fathers, according to the epistle to the Hebrews, corrected us after their own pleasure, after their own whim, but God corrects his children for their profit (Hebrews 12:10). If we are like those early Christians Peter addressed who were “in heaviness because of manifold temptation,” this is because there is a necessity for it (I Peter 1:6). Providence, in short, is always intelligent and purposive.
The apostle had come to understand the pressure, the despair, and the death sentence. He was in danger of relying on himself and not on God. He was a survivor. He was tough and wiry. His formidable intellect was showing no signs of weakening. His memory was as good as ever. He had heard men’s arguments against Jesus Christ so often that he now could answer them with panache. He had a considered opinion of the meaning of every verse in the Scriptures. He had planted churches in Asia and Europe, and had seen all sorts of people in their thousands turning to Christ – rulers of synagogues, Roman jailors, entrepreneurs, entire families. He was wanted and loved everywhere. So Paul was tempted to think to himself what resources he had, what abilities, and what success. He would be prepared for anything that the devil or the world threw at him.
These fearful trials that hurried into his life, one hot on the heels of another, were prescribed by God as a counter-poise, to enforce the sense of dependence and an awareness of his own limitations. To silence the clamorous, “You’ve got what it takes, Paul,” there had to be another voice, equally insistent, “You’re a worm, Paul, and no angel.” In other words, the trials were related to sin. They always are, but not always to past sin. They are also prescribed to save us from future sinful attitudes pouring down into our souls like cement, and spoiling our usefulness. Nothing would rob Paul of a life which gave glory to God as much as a spirit of self-reliance. The choice is bleak. You are either dependent upon yourself or you depend upon God. You cannot depend upon both. You must choose one. Once self-reliance has crept into our hearts it influences every thought, even our spiritual desires, and it changes our whole attitude to prayer.
The secret of the Christian life is never to move an inch from there.
No one can sing that and also rely on himself. Do we want ‘unction’? Do we want ‘power’? Do we want ‘revival’? It would be a major step toward all three if we could only learn to crucify our wretched self-dependence more ruthlessly, for then we would experience God himself drawing nearer to us in our weakness. There is a vital need of personal repentance in the lives of many of us today for the sin of self-reliance. We need to go in sorrow to God and cry to him to newly break the power of self in our lives, and teach us to rely on him. Maybe the person who most needs to repent of self-reliance in this congregation is me. Maybe it is you. None can afford to neglect some self-examination.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” is the first of the beatitudes. It is the door to all the other beatitudes and the blessedness of living the Sermon on the Mount. Self-conscious weakness is the handle that joins us to divine omnipotence. When we are weak then we are strong. Blessed are those who know just how weak they are. What a different attitude to ministry our conscious weakness would give us. Every single time we preached would be like the first time. It was those lessons that Paul had to relearn, and so there returned to him that moment of fear and trembling, three or four minutes before Paul commenced his day’s session at the hall of Tyrannus, when he found himself thinking “I’m out of my depth,” and wishing that he were sitting on a porch in a country farm watching his olives grow.
By these immense sufferings he was newly persuaded that the ingredients for true evangelism, the operation of the Spirit upon the intellect and conscience of the hearers, the working of the Spirit in the preacher’s mind, heart and tongue, were indeed wholly of God, and that without them he was in despair preaching to a valley of dry bones. There is no way you can bring the power to open the heart or the sanctification of the soul with you in your pocket, and pull it out when the clock strikes for the service to start. These fearful trials came into this life, and away went his self-reliance. “Lord, I’m sorry. I can’t cope without you,” he said again. “Who is sufficient for these things?” He said it even more bluntly, “We are not sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves.” There is nothing more enervating in a minister than the swagger of self-reliance. So God killed it in Paul by a few trials.
Wonder of wonders! The conquest of self-reliance is celebrated in the context of boldness and authority in proclamation. There is such a mystery in a faithful minister. All those natural talents of eloquence, poise, wit and presence, unless they are yoked to a dependence upon God will mean less usefulness in the service of God, while weakness, fear and much trembling constraining a man to cry to God for help will bring heaven into the pulpit. Being weaned from all confidence in himself, he is forced to trust in God to make it evident to men that there is a God and that that God speaks through his written word. The end of self-reliance is evident in the absence of any desire to be clever, or to be original, but simply to stand as a witness to tell men what God has done. It is that inward disposition of divine-reliance that we must labour with God to cultivate.
4. THE APOSTLE WAS DELIVERED FROM THESE AFFLICTIONS.
The God who raises the dead delivered Paul. Such a God alone can help us. Buddha and Allah and the million gods of Hinduism and the New Age cannot raise the dead. Not one of them, and so they are limited even in the promises of what they may do for us in our trials. But our God raised the widow’s child at the time of Elisha, and Jairus’ daughter when Jehovah Jesus walked this earth, and Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha whom the Lord Christ raised up. And he himself rose from the dead, the third day, according to the Scriptures. The stone was rolled away, and the grave was empty but for the graveclothes lying there. He appeared again and again to Mary, and Peter, and John, and Cleopas, and James, and Thomas, and the twelve, and five hundred people at one time. He ate and drank with them, and answered their questions before he ascended to heaven. And Jesus then returned to show himself alive to Saul of Tarsus – he is the God who raises the dead. More powerful than death itself is our Lord Jesus. He is ultimate reality.
We do not go on and on in depression and with our physical and emotional pains. God delivers us.
ii] Deliverance certainly comes: “He will deliver us,” adds Paul. He is absolutely certain of it. That great deliverance was not a ‘one-off.’ It was simply a reflection of his covenantal relationship with all his people. They have a Sovereign Protector.
iii] Deliverance will always come: “On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,” assures Paul. These are words of love, like a husband would speak of his wife: “Do you know,” he says, “she helped me through a very dark time in my life, and she will do the same thing again. I have set my hope in her continually keeping me.” The Christian speaks of his Bridegroom in this way: “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” What would the world give for a doctor like that? One we can always rely upon, who delivers us from death, destruction and despair, whom we know will never fail to deliver us whatever happens in the future.
Do you see the great lesson? Who is in control, and in whose hands is the sovereignty? “And I beheld and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,” (Rev.5:6). The incarnate one now at the very heart of the divine administration, yet for ever aware of what it means to be under great pressure, far beyond man’s ability to endure, so that men despair of life. This is one of the most magnificent of the concepts of Scripture. Artemis of the Ephesians is not in control. The devil is not in control. Demetrius the silversmith and all men like him are not in control. Chance is not in control. God, righteous and merciful, is sovereign – “Let the earth rejoice!” (Psalm 97:1). Jesus Christ is sovereign in every circumstance in life. Redeeming love is sovereign. Every element in providence, all that is contrary and all that is baffling, is apportioned to us by the Lamb of God. For the redeemed, every hardship, every pressure, every despair, every sentence of death must be in harmony with Golgotha, must be a fellow-worker with the Gospel and further the purposes of the glory of Christ in all his people.
I always think that these five words in verse eleven would be admirable at the top of every missionary prayer letter, “help us by your prayers.” Why do we meet together on Tuesday evenings, and on Friday mornings? In part, to help those suffering hardship, under great pressure, far beyond their ability to endure, so that they despair even of life, in whose hearts is felt the sentence of death. How do we show that we are indeed relying on God? One sign is that we pray.
So it is that this theme is repeated, that our humblings are for the good of other Christians and our deliverances too. The God of all comfort is in them all and is working for our comfort and our patient endurance. | 2019-04-22T10:51:10Z | http://www.alfredplacechurch.org.uk/index.php/sermons/2-corinthians/18-11-the-christian-response-to-affliction/ |
The 2019 Masters Tournament has been eagerly awaited for many months now as a rejuvenated Rory McIlroy goes for a career Grand Slam of Major victories. World Number 1 Justin Rose arrives with a recent PGA Tour victory at Torrey Pines in his back pocket; Dustin Johnson has 2019 wins in Saudi Arabia and at the WGC Mexico Championship to his name and drives down Magnolia Lane boosted by 4 straight top-9 stroke play finishes; Augusta specialist Phil Mickelson defied the doubters in February by winning at Pebble Beach and another Augusta guru Jordan Spieth came to life in San Antonio last week; Francesco Molinari, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter from a European angle have been playing some great stuff of late; and let’s not forget one Tiger Woods whose Quarter Final spot at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play a fortnight ago highlights that the 14-time Major champion is peaking nicely. We’re in for a real treat!
Before we talk The Masters, the number of new visitors to Golf Betting System this week will be considerable. Welcome to you all and let me point you in the direction of our weekly Golf Betting System podcast (published Tuesday) our Golf Betting Show on YouTube and our hugely popular private group on Facebook – you can Join Here. Masters lovers will also enjoy our preview podcast, recorded last week Masters Preview Podcast.
Paul Williams has also previewed the First Round Leader and side markets – you can read his thoughts here.
Course Guide: Augusta National is always a true test of every professional golfer’s mettle. Yes, the course is the most beautiful and manicured piece of golfing property in the world, but Alister Mackenzie’s creation is a very specialised test which stretches players to their maximum. But despite the governing board of Augusta National having total control over the golf course and the tournament, they still cannot control the elements and that can be seen across recent winning scores: Jordan Spieth destroyed the field in 2015 on a softened golf course with a winning total of -18/270. In 2016 Danny Willett shocked the sporting world by capturing the Green Jacket following Spieth’s Amen Corner implosion with a winning total of -5/283 in a renewal dominated by high winds. Sergio Garcia’s win in 2017 at 45/1 saw strong winds again across the opening 36 holes with the Spaniard capturing his first Major with a -9/279 winning score. And with little wind allied to soft Saturday conditions last year, Patrick Reed won with a mid-score -15/273 total.
Now Augusta National with its length, contours, nuances and extremely fast Bentgrass greens, makes shooting low numbers here very difficult in normal circumstances. With more wind in the forecast for 2019 and 40 yards added to the par-4 5th hole, we should again be in for a cracker this week.
Augusta National GC, Augusta, Georgia: Designer: Alister Mackenzie 1933 with Tom Fazio re-design 2001; Course Type: Classical; Par: 72; Length: 7,475 yards; Holes with Water Hazards: 5; Fairways: Ryegrass; Rough: Ryegrass 1.38″; Greens: 6,486 sq.ft average Bentgrass; Tournament Stimp: 12.5ft; Course Scoring Average 2012: 73.5 (+1.5), Difficulty Rank 8 of 49 courses. 2013: 73.4 (+1.4), Difficulty Rank 4 of 43 courses. 2014: 73.9 (+1.9), Rank 2 of 48 courses. 2015: 72.54 (+0.54), Rank 14 of 52 courses. 2016: 74.42 (+2.42), Rank 3 of 50 courses. 2017: 73.89 (+1.89), Rank 2 of 50 courses. 2018: 72.93 (+0.93), Rank 7 of 51 courses.
Course Overview: The nuances of Augusta National are varied and unique. The whole Masters experience both on and off course is different from any other tournament in professional golf. Indeed a course rookie hasn’t won here since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, but Jordan Spieth and Jason Day have gone very close in recent years. 2017 also saw Thomas Pieters feature, so talented rookies can contend, but don’t tend to win.
Course-wise, sure you’ll have heard about the infamous Bentgrass greens that run at 14+ on the stimp (if the organisers get their way with the weather) which are the fastest of any golfing season. Their sheer size and contours make good birdie chances only viable from the smallest of target areas. Mown run-off areas mean that errant shots don’t stop and even great approach shots can lead to bogey or worse. The lack of rough around the green complexes creates indecision both with approach shots and recovery chips. Too many options can confuse players, so course experience and a patient outlook pays. Knowing that 9 of the holes are birdie opportunities and that the other 9 are holes where you can only realistically make par due to pin positions is something that over-aggressive players struggle to deal with. Put simply, and we see this year after year, you can’t chase a score at Augusta National.
2019 sees Augusta lengthened again with the par-4, 5th hole Magnolia lengthened by 40 yards to 495 yards, prompting WGC Match Play champion Kevin Kisner to comment, “I played it a few weeks ago and they changed number 5 to 495, so that adds another bogey for me.” And don’t be fooled as the course maybe quoted as a 7,475 yard, Par 72 as all fairways are traditionally mown against the hole direction to minimise driving distance, effectively meaning it plays closer to 7,750 yards – pure yardage is way more important than creating the right angle into the flag.
With a soft golf course possible from the outset, this could be even more important in 2019. To succeed you must be aggressive on the 4 par-5s and minimise bogeys across the rest of the property. Eagles on the par-5s and birdies on the par-4s are worth their weight in gold around here. But eventually the contest comes down to top-class game management, scrambling and the ability to hole plenty of short to medium putts on Augusta National’s famously difficult pure Bentgrass putting surfaces.
Winners: 2018: Patrick Reed (-15); 2017: Sergio Garcia (-9); 2016: Danny Willett (-5); 2015: Jordan Spieth (-18); 2014: Bubba Watson (-8); 2013: Adam Scott (-9); 2012: Bubba Watson (-10); 2011: Charl Schwartzel (-14); 2010: Phil Mickelson (-16).
Tournament Stats: We’ve published some key player statistics for this week’s event that are well worth a look. Naturally they’ll help to shape a view on players who could go well this week: Current Form | Tournament Form | First Round Leader | Top 20 Finishes | Combined Stats | Recent Major Performance Stats.
Published Predictor Model: Our published predictor is available here. You can build your own model using the variables listed on the left hand side. Top 10 of my published predictor are Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama, Matt Kuchar, Gary Woodland, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay and Charles Howell III.
Driving Accuracy: 1) Paul Casey; 2) Kevin Kisner / Tiger Woods; 4) Keegan Bradley; 5) Emiliano Grillo; 6) Matt Kuchar; 7) Henrik Stenson; 8) Ian Poulter; 9) Kyle Stanley; 10) Rafa Cabrera-Bello; 11) Bryson DeChambeau; 12) Andrew Landry; 13) Rory McIlroy; 14) Matthew Fitzpatrick; 15) Kiradech Aphibarnrat / Thorbjorn Olesen; 17) Brandt Snedeker; 18) Hideki Matsuyama / Adam Long; 20) Webb Simpson.
Greens in Regulation: 1) Rory McIlroy; 2) Tiger Woods; 3) Xander Schauffele; 4) Matt Kuchar; 5) Keegan Bradley / Dustin Johnson; 7) Kevin Kisner / Henrik Stenson; 9) Hideki Matsuyama; 10) Jason Day; 11) Rickie Fowler; 12) Charles Howell III; 13) Paul Casey / Matt Fitzpatrick; 15) Sergio Garcia; 16) Francesco Molinari / Matt Wallace; 18) Patrick Cantlay; 19) Tommy Fleetwood / Charley Hoffman / Bubba Watson.
Putting Average (Putts per GIR): 1) Justin Thomas; 2) Rory McIlroy; 3) Eddie Pepperell; 4) Bryson DeChambeau; 5) Jon Rahm; 6) Tony Finau; 7) Jason Day; 8) Jordan Spieth; 9) Rickie Fowler; 10) Charley Hoffman; 11) Patrick Reed; 12) Francesco Molinari; 13) Brandt Snedeker; 14) Dustin Johnson / Si Woo Kim / Ian Poulter / Justin Rose; 18) Matthew Fitzpatrick; 19) Cameron Smith; 20) Tommy Fleetwood.
Winners & Prices: 2018: Reed 55/1; 2017: Garcia 45/1; 2016: Willett 66/1; 2015: Spieth 11/1; 2014: Watson 28/1; 2013: Scott 28/1; 2012: Watson 55/1; 2011: Schwartzel 90/1; 2010: Mickelson 10/1. Past 5 Renewals Average: 41/1; Overall Average: 40/1.
Weather Forecast: The latest weather forecast weather forecast for Augusta, Georgia is here. 36 mm of rain has fallen on Augusta National since Tuesday last week, with the weekend seeing 21 mm of that. With a 90% chance of rain across tournament Monday and Tuesday, I think that we can guarantee that conditions will be soft and receptive for the start of the tournament. Naturally Augusta has the best Sub-Air green complex on the planet, but with no further rain I’d personally be surprised to see the fast Augusta green speeds we expect until the weekend at least and there is the threat of rain across Friday and Sunday.
Scoring though will be blunted by wind conditions. 10-15 mph breeze on Thursday shouldn’t present too many issues, but that increases up to gusting 20 mph on Friday. A tranquil Saturday will be ‘Moving Day’, but Sunday looks tricky as a front passes through. A 60% chance of thunderstorms and wind gusting up to 30 mph,will potentially present problems for players and organisers.
2018, Patrick Reed (-15). 299 yards (6th), 73.2% fairways (13th), 66.7% greens in regulation (21st) 62.5 % scrambling (16th), 1.56 putts per GIR (1st).
2017, Sergio Garcia (-9). 292 yards (6th), 80.4% fairways (2nd), 75.0% greens in regulation (2nd), 66.7 % scrambling (6th), 1.78 putts per GIR (12th).
2016, Danny Willett (-5). 279 yards (32nd), 67.9% fairways (26th), 66.7% greens in regulation (6th), 70.8 % scrambling (1st), 1.81 putts per GIR (13th).
2015, Jordan Spieth (-18). 285 yards (52nd), 69.6% fairways (21st), 75.0% greens in regulation (2nd), 66.7 % scrambling (10th), 1.59 putts per GIR (1st).
2014, Bubba Watson (-8). 305 yards (1st), 71.4% fairways (14th), 69.4% greens in regulation (6th), 63.6 % scrambling (5th), 1.78 putts per GIR (12th).
2013, Adam Scott (-9). 294 yards (18th), 57.1% fairways (49th), 76.4% greens in regulation (1st), 70.6% scrambling (3rd), 1.80 putts per GIR (28th).
2012, Bubba Watson (-10). 290 yards (4th), 66.1% fairways (48th), 73.6% greens in regulation (4th), 52.6% scrambling (15th), 1.64 putts per GIR (11th).
2011, Charl Schwartzel (-14). 283 yards (40th), 66.1% fairways (31st), 68.1% greens in regulation (19th), 69.6% scrambling (1st), 1.61 putts per GIR (8th).
2010, Phil Mickelson (-16). 297 yards (2nd), 60.7% fairways (45th), 75.0% greens in regulation (3rd), 77.8% scrambling (3rd), 1.76 putts per GIR (10th).
Driving Distance: 18th, Driving Accuracy: 26th, Greens in Regulation: 7th, Scrambling: 7th, Putting Average 11th.
Patrick Reed (2018): “I just think it was a long time coming. I felt like throughout the past I’ve hit a lot of really good golf shots here, played really solid, but I always seem to leave myself just above every hole. With doing that you have to putt so defensive around here and going into today and real throughout the round I really felt like I managed that really well. I left myself below the hole on a lot of the holes or at worst pin high. But the only one I felt like I didn’t really learn from was on 16, because you know from that middle left flag you can’t go past it. And what do I do, I hit it 30 feet past the flag. I was luckily able to 2‑putt that by making a long come back putt, but all in all it was just kind of one of those steady days, just go out, just played normal golf, let the birdies come to you, because around this place pars are good. Even though you might have a pitching wedge or 9‑iron in your hand, depending where the flag is, depending on what kind of lie you have, what fairway, etcetera, pars are good with short clubs. And I was able just to kind of plot myself around and when I had opportunities, capitalize on it.
2018 – Patrick Reed: Round 1: 4th, Round 2: 1st, Round 3: 1st.
2017 – Sergio Garcia: Round 1: 4th, Round 2: 1st, Round 3: 1st.
2016 – Danny Willett: Round 1: 9th, Round 2: 8th, Round 3: 5th.
2015 – Jordan Spieth: Round 1: 1st, Round 2: 1st, Round 3: 1st.
2014 – Bubba Watson: Round 1: 2nd, Round 2: 1st, Round 3: 1st.
2013 – Adam Scott: Round 1: 10th, Round 2: 7th, Round 3: 3rd.
2012 – Bubba Watson: Round 1: 4th, Round 2: 3rd, Round 3: 4th.
2010 – Phil Mickelson: Round 1: 2nd, Round 2 3rd, Round 3: 2nd.
2018 – Patrick Reed: Round 1: 3 back, Round 2: 2 ahead, Round 3: 3 ahead.
2017 – Sergio Garcia: Round 1: 6 back, Round 2: level, Round 3: level.
2016 – Danny Willett: Round 1: 4 back, Round 2: 4 back, Round 3: 3 back.
2015 – Jordan Spieth: Round 1: 3 ahead, Round 2: 5 ahead, Round 3: 4 ahead.
2014 – Bubba Watson: Round 1: 1 back, Round 2: 3 ahead, Round 3: level.
2013 – Adam Scott: Round 1: 3 back, Round 2: 3 back, Round 3: 1 back.
2012 – Bubba Watson: Round 1: 2 back, Round 2: 1 back, Round 3: 3 back.
2011 – Charl Schwartzel: Round 1: 4 back, Round 2: 6 back, Round 3: 4 back.
2010 – Phil Mickelson: Round 1: 1 back, Round 2: 2 back, Round 3: 1 back.
Patrick Reed: 9th WMP/7th Bay Hill/2nd Copperhead/37th WGC-Mexico.
Sergio Garcia: 30th WMP/12th WGC-Mexico/14th PGA National/49th Riviera/1st Dubai.
Danny Willett: 28th WMP/22nd Copperhead/3rd Doral/45th Malaysia/1st Dubai.
Jordan Spieth: 2nd Houston/2nd San Antonio/1st Copperhead/17th Doral/4th Riviera.
Bubba Watson: WD Bay Hill/2nd Doral/1st Riviera/2nd TPC Scottsdale/23rd Torrey.
Adam Scott: 30th Copperhead/3rd Doral/10th Riviera.
Bubba Watson: 4th Bay Hill/2nd Doral/13th Riviera/5th TPC Scottsdale/13th Torrey.
Charl Schwartzel: 30th Houston/47th Bay Hill/24th Doral/14th PGA National/8th Abu Dhabi.
First Round Leader Analysis: First round leader(s), their wave and winning score since 2010. Full First Round Leader stats are here.
2016 – Spieth – Group 9 09:48 -6/66.
2015 – Spieth – Group 29 13:15 -8/64.
2014 – Haas – Group 14 10:08 -4/68.
2013 – Garcia / Leishman – Group 26/9 12:57/09:28 -6/66.
2012 – Westwood – Group 27 12:58 -5/67.
2011 – McIlroy / Quiros – Group 11/32 09:24/13:59 -7/65.
2010 – Couples – Group 28 11:58 -6/66.
5 – Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth.
4 – Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson, Tiger Woods.
3 – Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Martin Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Francesco Molinari, Adam Scott.
2 – Keegan Bradley, Angel Cabrera, Stewart Cink, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Marc Leishman, Hideki Matsuyama, Kevin Na, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas.
1 – Patrick Cantlay, Charley Hoffman, Billy Horschel, Trevor Immelman, Martin Kim, Kevin Kisner, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, Brandt Snedeker, Kyle Stanley, Henrik Stenson, Danny Willett.
Naturally the Augusta National course always takes centre stage at The Masters, but weather over the course of tournament week always has a major impact on the result. Across 2016 and 2017 renewals strong winds were a factor, with receptive conditions also a factor across 2015 (Spieth’s record low winning score) and for the opening round in 2017. 12 months ago we saw chilly conditions and some breeze keep a lid on scoring until Friday night rain saw Fleetwood, Fowler, McIlroy, Rahm and most tellingly Reed fire some darts on Saturday. Fact is that a fast start at Augusta is imperative and contenders need to be right up with the pace from early on. It’s incredibly hard to play catch-up on a course where aggression leads to inevitable bogeys or doubles. Patience is key.
So what weather and course conditions can we expect for 2019? It looks a mixed bag, although temperatures will be pleasant enough reaching 25 -28 degrees Celsius across the tournament. That is significantly higher than in 2016, 2017 and 2018. 10-15 mph and gusting 20mph south-westerly wind looks a feature across Thursday and Friday and will keep a lid on scoring. Saturday will see the lowest scoring with benign conditions and Sunday looks like players and organisers could be presented with challenges as thunderstorms and winds reach around 30 mph.
Augusta trends are plentiful, but here are the ones that have had bearing over recent Masters history: since the course was last significantly changed in 2008, all winners have averaged over 288 yards from the tee in the season they won the Green Jacket. However a high ball flight is just as, if not even more, important around Augusta with all winners going back to Trevor Immelman in 2008 ranking in the top-70 on the PGA Tour Distance to Apex statistic in the season they placed a Green Jacket on their shoulders. As already mentioned, course experience is key and there are undoubted form links to Riviera, Doral (WGC CA & Cadillac Championship 2007 through 2016), GC of Houston, Quail Hollow and Bethpage Black.
You can also throw into the mix the fact that no world number 1 since Tiger Woods in 2002 has won here. Sorry Justin! No defending champion since that Woods win in 2002 has captured the Green Jacket and, more tellingly for punters, only Tiger himself in 2003 and 2006 has finished in the each-way places. Sorry Patrick! Naturally only a fool would rule out both Justin Rose’s and Patrick Reed’s chances based upon these trends alone, but let’s face it, the omens aren’t good.
So this week I’m looking for long hitters who can also handle weather-affected conditions and who can hit lots of greens in regulation to keep out of trouble on the par-3s and par-4s. We also need players who are long enough, aggressive enough and subtle enough (scrambling-wise) to take advantage of the par-5s. Soft course conditions look likely over the opening day at the very least and potentially throughout, so players who thrive with soft, receptive conditions should be favoured. Check out this week’s predictor model for a clear indicator of players to look for. Previous Major contending performances are also a huge positive this week.
The chances of Rory McIlroy don’t take too much explaining this week and for me to back him at 15/2 win-only they have to be virtually bullet-proof, which undoubtedly they are. I can find negatives in quite a few at the top of the market: Dustin Johnson looked a little out of sorts across both the Valspar Championship and the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play. We’re splitting hairs here, but at these prices we need to. Justin Rose seems out of sorts with his ‘bread and butter’ long game and I can see Tiger Woods placing but not winning. Can I see Jon Rahm dealing with far from ideal conditions to win? Reluctantly I said no, and close friends Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth seem to be sharing some significant issues with their driving and approach play right now.
So my default has to be to back the favourite this week who, for me, has played the most consistent golf across 2019 to date. A focus on the PGA Tour has undoubtedly paid dividends with 4th at Kapalua, 5th at Torrey Pines, 4th at Riviera, 2nd in the WGC at Chapultepec, 6th at Bay Hill and 1st at TPC Sawgrass being the results, driving McIlroy’s OWGR position from 8th to 3rd. These results have also been forged by Rory getting back to what he does best, driving the ball high, long and beautifully plus hitting a substantial amounts of greens – the perfect recipe for Augusta National.
I won’t bore you with too many statistics, but so far this season on the PGA Tour he ranks 6th for Driving Distance, 1st for Strokes Gained Off the Tee, 10th for Greens in Regulation, 12th for Strokes Gained on Approach, 1st for Strokes Gained Tee to Green, 6th for par-4 Birdie or Better Conversion and is converting his birdie chances with the putter as he sits 12th for Putting Average.
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With wind and sub-optimal conditions likely this week, I can’t resist Rickie Fowler who we know has an excellent temperament and is a top-notch wind player (he ranks as the 3rd best player in the field over the past 5 years in the wind in our Predictor Model here).
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Prices of 28/1 and above have won the Masters title across 7 of the past 9 renewals, so it’s clearly not a bad space to be in when it comes to backing players this week. I have a 66/1 chance below and in the mid-range Matt Kuchar has to have a huge opportunity to contend this week. I was surprised by his price which has rightfully been nibbled already in the betting. However ultimately going back to 2008, a short-hitter hasn’t won the Green Jacket and with an additional 40 yards added to the course and likely soft conditions for the opening 36 holes, I don’t see that changing in 2019. Research what recent winners all had going into this over recent seasons and they all shared a strong Strokes Gained Tee to Green game in their stroke play outings prior to driving down Magnolia Lane. From Scott (2013) through Watson, Spieth, Willett, Garcia and Reed, they all frequented the top reaches of the Tee to Green categories across assignments in Florida or Texas.
So despite letting me down ever so slightly at The Players where he led after 36 holes and was 2nd going into Sunday, Tommy Fleetwood makes my Masters 2019 team. 17th here 12 months ago on only his second appearance, the Southport man fired in a -6/66 on Saturday to go into the Sunday in 6th spot. His transition to the PGA Tour and American golf in general has been very smooth and with 10th at Bay Hill (2017), 4th at PGA National (2018), 7th at TPC Sawgrass (2018), 8th at Aronimink (2018), 3rd at Bay Hill (2019) and 5th at TPC Sawgrass (2019), he’s tackled many of America’s tough tracks and contended.
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Patrick Cantlay is yet to make a real impact at Major Championship level, but undoubtedly the World Number 21 has class in abundance. Season 2018/19 has seen the North Palm Beach, Florida resident play some hugely consistent golf with 4 top-10 finishes and 2 more top-17 finishes from 8 stroke play appearances. He’s also gravitating from a progression perspective, with 6th at the Bridgestone Invitational, 7th at the HSBC Champions and 6th at the Mexico Championship highlighting a player who has paid out each-way (if you used bookmakers who offer additional each-way spots) at the last 3 consecutive World Golf Championship strokeplay events. If you can contend at the second highest level of professional golf, like Cantlay, you can handle big tournaments in my opinion.
He’s also played very well at some of the most tough and famous classical courses in the United States: 2nd at Copperhead in a breakout 2017, was followed by 4th at Riviera, 4th at Muirfield Village, 6th at Firestone South and 8th at Ridgewood last year. And, from a Majors perspective, despite only appearing in 5 of them, Patrick was 33rd at Quail Hollow (2017), 12th at Carnoustie (2018) and 27th at Bellerive in his last Major where he was 12th after 36 holes.
Odds and bookmaker offers correct at 15:30BST 8.4.19 but naturally subject to fluctuation. | 2019-04-25T11:00:30Z | https://www.golfbettingsystem.co.uk/the-masters-tips-2019/ |
Little research attention has been given to attempts to implement organisational initiatives to improve quality of care for mental health care, where there is a high level of indeterminacy and clinical judgements are often contestable. This paper explores recent efforts made at an organisational level in England to improve the quality of primary care for people with mental health problems through the new institutional processes of 'clinical governance'.
Framework analysis, based on the Normalisation Process Model (NPM), of attempts over a five year period to develop clinical governance for primary mental health services in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). The data come from a longitudinal qualitative multiple case-study approach in a purposive sample of 12 PCTs, chosen to reflect a maximum variety of organisational contexts for mental health care provision.
The constant change within the English NHS provided a difficult context in which to attempt to implement 'clinical governance' or, indeed, to reconstruct primary mental health care. In the absence of clear evidence or direct guidance about what 'primary mental health care' should be, and a lack of actors with the power or skills to set about realising it, the actors in 'clinical governance' had little shared knowledge or understanding of their role in improving the quality of mental health care. There was a lack of ownership of 'mental health' as an integral, normalised part of primary care.
Despite some achievements in regard to monitoring and standardisation of prescribing practice, mental health care in primary care seems to have so far largely eluded the gaze of 'clinical governance'. Clinical governance in English primary mental health care has not yet become normalised. We make some policy recommendations which we consider would assist in the process normalisation and suggest other contexts to which our findings might apply.
One specific approach in the international 'quest for quality' in health care has been a standardization of practices in medicine. It began early in the twentieth century, but gathered speed with the emerging discourse of 'Evidence-Based Medicine' in the 1990's . Most attention has been given to the development and operationalisation of practice and clinical guidelines, which assemble evidence from scientific research into particular recommendations for health practitioners . Less attention has been given to the organisational as opposed to the technical aspects of implementation or on implementation in clinical areas such as mental health where there is a high level of indeterminacy and contestability (i.e. the tacit private and less technical aspects of clinical judgement). In primary care (a domain into which much clinical work is now being re-directed there is also evidence that tacit rather than explicit research based knowledge underpins much professional work . This paper explores organisational-level efforts to improve the quality of care for people with mental health problems in primary care. Although the data come from the English National Health Service (NHS), the organisation of primary mental health care there is sufficiently similar to certain other health systems and to the provision of care for other care groups (see below) to give the findings wider relevance.
"To assure and improve clinical standards at local level throughout the NHS. This includes action to ensure risks are avoided, adverse events are rapidly detected, openly investigated and lessons learned, good practice is rapidly disseminated and systems are in place to ensure continuous improvements in clinical care."
Clinical governance is concerned with the work involved in both getting both quality assurance and improvement integrated into routine everyday practice in health care . Implementing this agenda has been a huge management task, not just because of the infrastructure it requires, but also because of the cultural changes it engenders and its reliance on relatively unfamiliar forms of professional self-regulation. Clinical governance policy are also rests on the rather managerialist assumption that senior NHS managers are able to ensure that clinical governance activities occur within the organisations under their management, and are responsible for doing so.
Six other standards concern mental health promotion, access to services, 'Caring about Carers' and preventing suicide. Each standard is elaborated with a set of aims, description of interventions and their evidence base, care models and examples of good practice, and implementation 'milestones'. Although Mental Health was the first NSF, NHS bodies have generally afforded that particular NSF lower status and priority than those for other conditions such as coronary heart disease published afterwards.
As in many other countries, NHS primary mental health care itself is also largely delivered through local networks of staff who are employed by different organisations but, at least in theory, operate agreed common care pathways. Degeling and colleagues note that clinical governance policy, and the way it is implemented, fails to consider how to improve specific care pathways for commonly occurring problems, which is what would make the concept of clinical governance more meaningful for clinical staff. The rather managerialist conception of 'clinical governance' described above is thus at odds with the way in which most mental health care is actually delivered. Consequently implementation of the mental health NSF was reportedly more organizationally complex than implementing the coronary heart disease NSF, with PCTs being less willing to dedicate resources to it .
In this study we therefore attempt to understand more about why the clinical governance of mental health care in primary care (as Rogers et al. suggest) seems to pose a particular challenge to those wishing to normalise the quality improvement initiatives which clinical governance involves. (Here, 'normalisation' means 'the embedding of a technique, technology or organizational change as a routine and taken-for-granted element of clinical practice' [13 p2]. Given the organisational complexity of NHS primary mental health care, what do the different actors do, or perceive that they need to do, to normalise clinical governance activity in that domain?
To examine the extent to which clinical governance of mental health care has been normalised within NHS primary care we used a framework analysis . We adopted the Normalisation Process Model (NPM) [14–16] rather than one of the many other conceptualisations of the adoption of innovations and of knowledge management because normalising evidence-based practice is the central aim of clinical governance policy in the English NHS. This analytic framework thus enables one to judge what success the implementation of this policy has had, in its own terms, in the sphere of mental health. However the NPM is applicable to the normalisation of new clinical practices in general.
(a) Interactional workability i.e. whether the new working practice is consistent with clinicians and patients sharing assumptions about what clinical work should be done, its legitimacy, its goals, meaning, outcomes and the legitimate forms of conduct and cooperation of each party. For example, the use of digital cameras for on-line dermatological diagnosis only weakly satisfies the interactional workability condition, for that practice focuses the clinician-patient interaction on the camera and a computer-aided protocol rather than on the direct patient-clinician interaction .
(b) Relational integration i.e. whether the new working practice embodies what clinicians personally regard as valid (clinical) knowledge, as appropriate expertise, and the appropriate sources of that expertise; and how far the new working practice conforms to existing public assumptions about what knowledge is credible, useful and authoritative. For example, video-conferenced psychiatric consultations had weak relational integration because they reduced the certainty of interpretation of patients' expressed symptoms and responses .
(a) Skill-set workability i.e. whether the new working practice is compatible with the existing division of clinical labour, methods of monitoring clinical work, allocation of resources and rewards, competence boundaries, degree of clinical autonomy expected for practitioners, and the expected quality of their work. For instance nurse-led home telecare for people with COPD strongly satisfies this condition because it fits well with specialists nurses' existing activities .
(b) Contextual integration i.e. 'the capacity of ... [the host] organization to understand and agree the allocation of control and infrastructure resources to implementing a complex intervention, and to negotiating its integration into existing patterns of activity' . Remote diagnosis for non-urgent dermatological conditions, for example, only weakly satisfies this condition because it makes the funding, organisation and delivery of specialist clinics more complicated and increases specialists' workloads .
Determining how far clinical governance empirically satisfies these four (sets of) conditions would enable one to judge how far and through what processes clinical governance has already become normalised in English primary mental health care, or is likely to.
Clinical governance is essentially a set of organisational processes for the review and revision of substantive clinical working practices. Consequently the two clinical-level conditions for normalisation would barely apply to it. According to NPM, clinical governance activities would only need to have high interactional workability (in order to become normalised) to the extent that they became part of the clinician-patient relationship itself. But it is hard to conceive of ways in which clinical governance activities themselves would do so directly. Rather, they would at most influence that relationship indirectly through whatever changes in substantive clinical working practices they promulgated. Insofar as clinical governance activity has (or needs) the property of interactional workability at all, that property is therefore derivative from the interactional workability of the substantive clinical practices which clinical governance activity promulgates. Similarly, relational integration is a property of the substantive working practices which clinical governance activity might promulgate rather than of the organisation processes of clinical governance themselves. Again, the latter would acquire the property of relation integration indirectly and derivatively from whatever substantive clinical working practices were promulgated through clinical governance activity. In any event, it is beyond the scope of a single paper to assess, severally, the interactional workability and relational integration of all these working practices. The present framework analysis therefore notes these two conditions only in the exceptional cases when they (too) appeared from the data. It concentrates on the two sets of organisational conditions which the NPM mentions: skill-set workability and contextual integration.
To populate those parts of an NPM-based analytic framework, this study draws on a programme of research carried out over a five year period into the implementation of clinical governance in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England. It employed a longitudinal qualitative multiple case-study approach in a purposive sample of 12 organisations, chosen to reflect a maximum variety of organisational contexts for mental health care provision. We selected case study sites to include three PCTs that directly provided mental health care, and others which did not; and PCTs which ranged from 'Beacon' sites to sites reported to be having difficulty providing mental health services. Data collection focussed on the implementation of two of the first National Service Frameworks (NSFs) to be introduced in England i.e. for mental health and coronary heart disease as concrete exemplars that could be compared across sites. Initial data collection took place during September to November 2000, involving semi-structured interviews with key informants including the chief executive, clinical governance lead, mental health lead, and a lay informant. Other aspects of the implementation of clinical governance in these 12 case study sites on the basis of this first wave of interviews have been reported elsewhere .
We revisited these Primary Care Trusts during 2003–4, to carry out further interviews with clinical governance leads and managers (12 interviews carried out with 17 informants), audit leads (3 interviews) and mental health leads (11 interviews with 18 informants- one site could not identify a lead) to explore how implementation of clinical governance had progressed. Additionally we interviewed informants identified as by PCT informants as 'primary care' leads at the local Mental Health provider trust. For three of the sites, as the Trust was an integrated provider of primary care and mental health, there was no need to conduct a further interview. A further site arranged a single group interview with four representatives from both primary care and mental health. Four interim interviews with mental health leads in both PCTs and mental health trusts were carried out at two sites during 2001, selected on the basis of the case study profiles because they might provide contrasting views of the development of primary care mental health provision. The mental health leads at these sites were unchanged from the previous year, however by 2003–4 the PCT mental health leads had changed in all but 3 of the 11 sites for which we could identify a lead person. A total of 41 interviews carried out with 49 informants form the main empirical material for the analysis. The anonymity of all interviewees was assured.
The 41 new interviews were initially coded using MaxQDA qualitative software. Emergent themes were discussed between the authors and throughout the process of analysis, these themes were defined, focused and altered. Earlier material from the first wave of interviewing was utilised both to triangulate findings and explore any changes that had occurred. All quotations in the text are from 2003–4 interviews unless otherwise stated.
Besides 'clinical governance', something called 'primary mental health care' (whose definition differed from site to site) emerged from the data as a second related 'object' or complex intervention which was also to be implemented. We therefore treat them together when comparing them with the two sets of organisational conditions which the NPM framework assumes promote normalisation.
How sites were responding to this problem seemed to depend on a number of factors. Dissatisfaction expressed by the GPs about 'the number of patients who were either, if you like, bounced back from secondary care, or, simply just not taken on by secondary care at all' [Site E combined PCT/Mental Health Trust mental health manager] was clearly an important factor, as was the discontent caused by service inequities across the PCT. But the nature of the response and the sense of ownership of this problem to challenge working practices within primary care itself rather than the practices of the specialist mental health sector varied from site to site. It seemed either to depend historically on the presence of key actors in primary care, or within the mental health trust, who had interest in developing something that they called 'primary care mental health services' or the way in which the service had been historically configured.
This interviewee had moved on again by the time of our final interviews in 2003–4. In the absence of clear evidence or direct guidance about what 'primary mental health care' should be, or actors with the power and/or skills to set about realising or executing it, there was a sense of confusion and lack of direction.
The actors in 'clinical governance' however had little shared knowledge or understanding of their role in improving the quality of mental health care within the PCTs. So far as monitoring the quality of care was concerned, either they perceived mental health data as being collectable, but only at a basic level, because of its poor quality and inherent complexity, or beyond their remit.
'I don't think Mental Health is as easy to do as Coronary Heart Disease, we have approached it in terms of developing care pathways, and we have a Mental Health Lead as we have a CHD [coronary heart disease] Lead, so we do work in reaching the targets for the NSF and we have .. organised auditing, it seems to have a lower profile, yeah.
This was not a job that she perceived as being allocated for her to do or that she possessed the skills to perform. However this quote also raises the point that mental health issues are not perceived here as 'life or death' situations. Given the potential for both harm to self and others, an agenda which has been powerful in the development of the 'public safety' agenda in mental health policy, mental health problems clearly are, if not commonly, potentially matters of life and death. Rather, her remarks suggest that she -and possibly other key actors in the organisation – attached relatively low urgency or importance to issues of quality of mental health care. The only data that was routinely utilized in primary care organisation for the purposes of governance was the (relatively easily collected in UK primary care) prescribing data which was subject to scrutiny by the prescribing advisors at the Primary Care Trusts (see below).
Q: Did that surprise you?
GPs and other primary care staff, at all of the sites we visited, were able to exercise a considerable amount of discretion as to whether they engaged in clinical governance activities that related to mental health or not. It was perceived as something that they did not have to do and might not necessarily choose to do given the option. For them, there appeared still to be a failure of normalisation of mental health care in routine primary care. In that case, the creation of 'primary mental health care' within a primary care organisation will challenge basic assumptions about how professionals within the system should relate to each other (relational integration) but also how doctors and patients should negotiate the management of mental health care within the wide range of problems that might be encountered in the primary care consultation (interactional workability).
GPs often have low expectations about whether it is possible for they themselves to intervene effectively with mental health problems [20, 21]. Paradoxically, they can be remarkably positive about the impact of counselling despite having limited knowledge of the training and supervision arrangements which are necessary for the safe employment of counsellors in primary care . This apparent conflict is probably best understood in terms of the desire of many GPs (particularly those with a limited knowledge or interest in mental health) to pass these problems onto another professional, perhaps with an assumption that, if nothing much seems to have a positive impact for people with mental health problems, then nothing much can do any harm? Whatever the beliefs or assumptions of the GPs, we certainly identified a clear preference for the 'referral' route the management of mental health problems which meant GPs neither needed to see themselves as, nor act as, the key actors in mental health. Rather they considered that through the mechanism of referral, the major responsibility lay within the secondary care sector, although the threshold for referral undoubtedly varies between doctors . This lack of ownership not only contributed to the failure of implementation of 'clinical governance' in relation to mental health but also to the problematic progress in the construction of 'primary mental health care' within the organisations and in its normalisation. Insofar as the skill-set workability of mental health care was implicitly considered at all, its skill-set workability was implicitly rated low by GPs.
Two contrasting levels of skill set workability were instantiated by the introduction of graduate mental health workers and by prescribing. The problematic implementation of new primary care mental health workers called 'graduate mental health workers' over the last five years in England highlighted the different responses, and sometimes resistance, to the normalisation of a new working practice when the ownership of knowledge, work-flows and inter-professional relationships were already unclear even before the new workers were introduced to the system . An opposite example was that the monitoring and standardisation of prescribing practice proved relatively easy to achieve. The requisite data were already collected in detail from pharmacists for re-imbursement purposes, and included data on drugs used for mental health care. By the time of this study it was already established routine practice for these data to be fed back to PCTs, to the collective body of GPs within the PCT, and to the individual prescribers. (This also represents a high level of relational integration.) In all sites, each prescriber knows how to identify his or her own prescribing patterns and compare them with local averages. In some (not all) study sites, the data were not even anonymised, so that each prescriber could also know who was adopting which prescribing patterns. It was a relatively straightforward step to make prescribing reviews a routine and central clinical governance activity.
The most striking feature of the organisations that we studied was their persistent instability of organisational structures, identity, personnel and strategic direction. The last five years have seen major, barely interrupted changes in the configuration of health authorities and trusts in England. This meant that some of the emerging organisations that we visited in 2000 were, by 2003–4, part of larger new PCTs serving more than twice the original population. Ostensibly these mergers were aimed at increasing efficiency and improving integration, although such centralisation of purpose has sometimes proved difficult to achieve in practice . The three PCTs that directly provided mental health care had remained relatively unchanged during 2000–2003 but the configuration of the mental health provider trusts for the other sites had changed radically. Across the sites as a whole, few of the people that we interviewed in 2003–4 were the same as in 2000 even though in 2003–4 we interviewed people who held the same, or nearest equivalent, roles to our 2000 interviewees. These changes impeded the contextual integration of clinical governance, and the NSF, in primary mental health care.
When the NSF arrived in 1999, primary care organisations were clearly at different levels of preparedness to implement it. For some, the NSF acted as a challenge to act and reinforce an ongoing creative process of negotiation between actors about the formal knowledge and practice of something called 'primary mental health care'. However, for others, where such conversations had not yet begun, or were stalled, progress was much slower.
Despite the key position of mental health trusts there was remarkably little joint activity that could be construed as clinical governance across the interface between primary and secondary mental health care other than infrequent joint educational or liaison events. More intensive links were a minority and tended to be focussed around a particular project or 'piece of work' like the development of a protocol. There was limited recognition that such activities might, like service development, be considered to be the part of the ongoing work of clinical governance of mental health care.
The NPM predicts that in order to become normalised, new working practices such as clinical governance activities have to satisfy four (sets of) conditions. The contested nature and status of 'mental health' within primary medical care makes it particularly difficult to change clinical working practices and the ways in which patients and professionals themselves interact, i.e. to satisfy the interactional workability and relational integration, insofar as they apply to clinical governance activities. It also compounds the (more substantial) skill-set and contextual problems and uncertainties faced by those who seek to 'improve the quality of primary mental health care'. The data show a lack of clear conceptualisation about what primary mental health care is or ought to be, under-defined roles and wide professional discretion, especially for GPs. They also suggest that clinical governance and the mental health NSF only weakly satisfy the NPM's contextual integration conditions. This is not for want of willingness on senior managers' or clinicians' parts but more due to lack of knowledge about what (material and human) resources are required and how they can be used to integrate clinical governance activity, including NSF implementation, more centrally into mental health care; and how to start bridging the service gaps noted above.
In England, the benefits of the clinical governance policy for primary mental health care have so far included improved basic monitoring and standardisation of prescribing practice – which are not trivial achievements; and greater managerial salience for primary mental heath care with a recent notable attention to the workforce requirement to implement improved access to psychological therapies in this setting which post-dated this research. Its main shortcomings, described above, stem largely from long-standing neglect of primary mental health care by policy-makers and managers, and the lack of clinicians (of all disciplines) whose prime role is explicitly to fill the service gaps noted above. Clinical governance in English primary mental health care has therefore had to develop from a relatively low base. On balance, primary mental health care seems to have largely eluded the gaze of 'clinical governance'; clinical governance is far from normalised yet.
An obvious policy recommendation which flows from these findings is to develop and then evaluate new models of care designed to bridge the gaps between primary and secondary mental health care. In doing so, the uncertainties about what skill-sets are required in primary mental health care could be reduced. A long-term policy commitment to improve the evidence base of clinical practice in primary mental health care is another obvious policy recommendation (and one often heard). Comparing the above findings with the much greater impact of clinical governance in better-evidenced areas of care such as coronary heart disease , suggests that such a policy commitment would probably be the biggest single policy contribution to increasing the impact of clinical governance in primary mental health care. At managerial level, one obvious short-term recommendation is to establish information systems that can monitor patient flows between the primary mental health care providers, and subsequent clinical outcomes, as effectively as prescribing is monitored – and therefore managed. Another, pending the development and evaluation of new models of care, is to ensure that referral criteria and care pathways for people with mild to moderate mental health problems are better-defined.
Various research implications also follow. Although the above findings concern the English NHS, primary mental health care in some other health systems (e.g. Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands besides Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) has similar organisational and skill-set characteristics, making the foregoing findings potentially applicable there too; but further research is required to substantiate that conjecture. The recent introduction of mental health standards within the Quality and Outcomes Framework which contributes to the payment of GPs in the UK has provided a further intervention at the contextual level. It remains to be seen – and researched – what impact this will have on normalisation of and improvement in the quality of mental health care provision in the primary care setting. Primary mental health care is also a setting in which clinical treatment and social care tend to be closely combined; where health problems are often chronic; where the evidence-base for interventions and models of care is frequently weak or absent; and where care is often provided through a fragmentary, networked implementation structure. These characteristics are also found elsewhere, for instance in healthcare for older people, for people with complex chronic physical health problems, and for the health care of offenders. Further research is required to substantiate the implication that the present findings apply to these domains too.
The authors acknowledge the input of Shirley Halliwell, Martin Roland, Bonnie Sibbald, Martin Marshall and Susan Pickard who were the other members of the Clinical Governance research team. Carl May provided helpful comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.
RS led the clinical governance research team at NPCRDC. LG, RS and SC carried out the data collection for this part of the study. LG led the analysis of the data assisted by RS, AR and SC. LG drafted the manuscript which was read and approved by all the authors. | 2019-04-26T06:25:56Z | https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6963-8-63 |
Wellness and keeping fit is a very important aspect that should not be ignored in the life of human beings. Due to tight schedules, most people tend to forget the need to keep fit. That is why you view here for more need to have a wellness management team at your workplace to ensure that all the employees take wellness practices carefully. Proper timing should be done to allow for both work and wellness sessions for employees. The advantages of wellness at workplace will be experienced in the workplace performance. Here are the advantages of incorporating wellness at your workplace.
Increased and greater productivity is the expectations of all workplaces. Healthy employees will definitely give forth their best at work. If you have wellness practises at your workplace, you will have healthy workers whose work will bring about more productivity. If your workers are healthy, you will record a lower number of absentee cases related to health issues. If you are having employees who constantly fall ill, your company will experience losses from the money given out for medical expenses. With wellness practices maintained at your workplace, you will not have to go through all the trouble associated with worker illness.
The kind of workers that your employees do can sometimes cause illnesses and injuries. There are some work types that require employees to sit for long hours while working. Workers who sit for long hours are likely to develop backbone complications that can be expensive to treat. This is why you have to ensure that your workers undergo regular wellness and fitness programmes so that you can prevent such cases. Workers who do heavy manual work should be having regular fitness and wellness practical that they do not get injured during work. It is usually about the company that provides money for the workers that suffer illnesses or injuries due to work.
With an environment of work where people are healthy, you will have your workers motivated to work harder and feel motivated. Hard work will always be experienced form workers who are happy, physically and emotionally fit read more. Wellness activities keep your workers have wholesome health and this will ensure that you have more worker retention. Workers can get motivated to be more productive by the thought that their employer thinks about their wellbeing. Friendly work environments are necessary and you can create this using wellness programmes at your workplace. Motivate your workers more by giving them the opportunity to learn about their health and about the need to stay fit for more info.
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Strapped for money? Uncertain how you can pay for the incoming monthly bills? If you have considered a payday loan and need more information, the subsequent write-up will assist. It contains some essential observations into payday cash loans, anything they will offer and exactly how they will often aid. Meticulously think about the information and facts as it relates to your own conditions.
When you find yourself choosing a business to obtain a payday advance from, there are numerous important things to bear in mind. Be certain the company is signed up together with the state, and adheres to condition recommendations. You must also try to find any issues, or judge process in opposition to each and every organization. It also contributes to their standing if, they have been in operation for many many years.
Payday cash loans are brief-term lending options and should just be used for unforeseen expenses. These lending options must not be employed to spend family expenses or ordinary living expenses. If you utilize a pay day loan for any of these costs, you run the chance of defaulting in your cash advance or another monthly bills.
If you are thinking that you may have to go into default with a payday advance, you better think again. The money firms gather a large amount of data on your part about things like your employer, and your deal with. They will likely harass you constantly up until you have the bank loan paid back. It is far better to borrow from household, promote issues, or do other things it will require to just spend the money for loan off, and move on.
If you are along the way of securing a payday advance, make sure you look at the agreement very carefully, trying to find any concealed service fees or crucial spend-back again info. Will not sign the deal until you understand fully almost everything. Seek out warning signs, for example sizeable charges when you go a day or more over the loan’s because of time. You could wind up paying out far more than the first loan amount.
For those who have time, ensure that you look around for the payday loan. Every payday loan supplier can have another rate of interest and cost framework with regard to their pay day loans. To get the lowest priced payday advance around, you must take some time to check financial loans from various service providers.
In case you are having a hard time choosing if you should use a cash advance, get in touch with a consumer credit history therapist. These pros normally work with non-income companies which provide totally free credit and financial aid to shoppers. These folks may help you find the correct pay day lender, or even help you rework your finances so you do not require the borrowed funds.
Know whenever your payday advance arrives. It is very essential that you will not suppose for this date, due to the fact if you are even some day later, you could end up with large penalty charges. Read through all of the fine print on your own documents, and try everything you may to spend the loan again inside the right time period.
When you obtain a payday advance, talk with any friends members which have presently done so. Question them with regards to their experiences and see which paycheck loan provider they chose. The more research you need to do ahead of time, the greater your chances is to prevent stepping into further more economic trouble.
Restriction your payday loan borrowing to 20 or so-5 percent of your own full paycheck. Many individuals get personal loans for more dollars compared to they could possibly imagine paying back with this brief-phrase trend. By acquiring simply a quarter of your salary in personal loan, you are more inclined to have sufficient resources to settle this financial loan whenever your paycheck lastly is available.
If you get a payday loan, make certain you pertain to a single lender as an alternative to multiple ones. You increase the probability that the application can get denied if you pertain to many different creditors simultaneously as it can certainly be observed as irresponsible with the loan companies.
Comprehend the rules. Picture you take out a pay day loan being repaid with by the following pay out time. If you do not spend the money for personal loan rear on time, the lending company are able to use the check you utilized as guarantee whether you will find the money in your account or otherwise not. Outside your bounced check service fees, you can find suggests in which the loan provider can declare three times the volume of your initial check out.
Quick money with number of strings attached can be extremely appealing, most specifically if you are strapped for money with monthly bills mounting up. Ideally, this article has opened up the eyes towards the different aspects of pay day loans, and you also have become entirely conscious of the things they can perform for both you and your current financial problem.
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In today’s arena of quickly chatting salesclerks and scams, you ought to be an educated customer, aware about the details. If you locate oneself in a economic crunch, and looking for a fast payday advance, read on. The following report will give you advice, and tips you have to know.
Spend some time shopping around prior to commit to one financial institution. You will find a great deal of distinct cash advance businesses, every may have distinct rates of interest, as well as other phrases because of their loans. If you take serious amounts of take a look at multiple organizations, you save lots of your challenging-received cash.
It is crucial just to utilize one payday advance company. If you are using multiple payday advance business, it will likely be very difficult to spend the money for bank loan off. Simply because the financial loans are due and due on your own after that payday. Besides the due particular date, these personal loans hold very high fascination.
Steer clear of making decisions about pay day loans from the placement of anxiety. You could be in the middle of an economic turmoil. Believe lengthy, and challenging before you apply for a payday loan. Bear in mind, you should pay out it again, as well as fascination. Make sure it will be possible to achieve that, so you do not make a new situation yourself.
Simply because payday loans tend to be approved inside one day, you should not jump up on the first online payday advance firm you stumble all over. Various companies have various rates, service fees, and terms and conditions. Be sure to do research, and surf the net to find the best achievable business for you personally.
An excellent suggestion for any individual looking to get a payday loan is to avoid giving your information to financial institution matching websites. Some payday advance web sites match you with creditors by revealing your information. This could be really high-risk and in addition direct to many spam e-mails and undesirable cell phone calls.
If you comprehend the very idea of using a payday loan, it might be a handy instrument in some situations. You ought to be guaranteed to browse the loan agreement thoroughly before you sign it, and if you can find questions regarding any of the specifications ask for clarification of your conditions before you sign it.
When examining the suggested regards to a pay day loan offer, be sure you decide if there are any charges evaluated for prepayment of your financial loan stability. As a result, it can be easy to prevent paying out needless fascination if the cash necessary to repay the financing are, attained earlier than initially awaited.
If you want a pay day loan to get a costs you have not been able to pay because of insufficient cash, chat to individuals you are obligated to pay the money very first. They might allow you to shell out later as opposed to obtain an increased-curiosity payday advance. In many instances, they will assist you to create your obligations later on. When you are relying on pay day loans to acquire by, you can get hidden in personal debt easily. Take into account that you can purpose with your loan companies.
A good idea for anybody who is taking out a cash advance is to pay attention to any inspections which could inflatable bounce and give you insufficient cash. You will not only be billed by your bank, but additionally, you will standard on your own financial loan priced at you even more income.
When you find a excellent cash advance company, stay with them. Make it your ultimate goal to create a reputation profitable financial loans, and repayments. As a result, you may come to be entitled to greater loans later on with this particular organization. They could be much more eager to work alongside you, when in genuine have difficulties.
In case you are obtaining a cash advance for the first time, find out in case the loan provider puts a limit on the money you may borrow. Some companies may have a cover in your initially payday advance. Then will help you to borrow much more with your secondly, or third personal loan.
After looking at this short article, ideally you will be not any longer in the dark and also have a better comprehending about pay day loans and exactly how one can use them. Online payday loans allow you to obtain profit a quick amount of time with couple of limitations. When investing in all set to obtain a payday loan when you purchase, keep in mind every little thing you’ve go through.
Make sure you create a great CV and cover letter. With your CV and cover letter, you are introducing yourself to your potential employer and hopefully you can greatly impress them with it. You shouldn’t let failure bring you down so much. Accept the rejection and look for some other place to apply.
LInkedin is one social media site you should join. Employers consider those who are part of LinkedIn. If you are interested in certain industries, join their discussion groups and start building your social network so that you are updated on job offers. If you want to get noticed, then follow the companies that you like and put comments on their posts. Ensure that the comments that your posts are just professional ones.
Look for jobs outside of job listing. Focus on specific companies rather than vacancies. Your interest in the company will show in what you say when you apply for a job there. But you don’t completely reject job listings. Even if the company that you like has openings for positions you are not qualified for, send your CV and cover letter anyway. You will never know when that company will be needing people with your skills. If you make a great CV and cover letter, then you can show them what you’ve got.
When you come across a child who is physically challenged, you get to ask yourself some questions which you have no answers for and you may want to engage them in order to understand them better. It gets interesting when you are a teacher and you are qualified to teach this kind of kids since this will give you an opportunity to spend more time with them and you find that you will learn a lot from them. You will be required to consider the following factors when you intend to teach these kinds of children.
This work requires special kind of teachers who are able to tolerate these kids and their behavior since not all people are gifted with patience when it comes to dealing with special cases. You need to ensure that you have studied the students well in order for you to determine each case and know how to deal with each one of the kids. The kids require a person who is able and certified to deal with them and this requires you to undergo through such test to determine if you are fit to teach them.
This work requires people who have passion for it and not just about career and that is why you need to determine if you really have the passion or it is something else pushing you to do it. It is important to look at the website that provides information on every detail about teaching for special education which really help teachers to understand more. In this section, I will be talking about ways in which teachers who teach special education can learn to be compassionate and loving as it is stated in this website.
This site illustrates how teachers are able to see the everything differently through the eyes of their students and this impacts them to see things from their own perspective which can really help you out there. When teaching these students, you will learn that they fight so many obstacles from within and this makes compassionate about them which changes your relationship with people out there. You can get close to these kids by ensuring you have enough patience on them and their shortcomings since this is what will make you understand and be patient with people around you.
Trees are essential in an environment. There are many reasons why we should plant trees around us. Among the benefits of planting trees is to filter the air especially in these times of environmental degradation. Trees increase the amount of rain that we receive. Trees are also necessary for areas that experience soil erosion. The trees ensure that that soil is intact. Trees can also be used as shelter in dry seasons. The last essential advantage of tree planting is that they are critical for improving the landscape of a place.
Though trees are essential there is need to maintain them so as to serve the advantages. Not taking care of trees can be very risky and it can end up causing harm and not benefit. There are also times when trees pose as a danger to human beings if they grow close to a building they can be the cause of the building collapsing. For these reasons it is necessary to pluck these trees to avoid this kind of disasters. Trees if left unattended can grow and abstract ways, therefore, making it hard to pave through places. Tree removal without the right skills is risky. The best thing to do is to hire the services of tree service companies. These professional tree services have the expertise and the skills to sort all the issues that people have concerning trees.
There are many reasons why it is necessary to entrust the responsibility of maintaining trees to tree service companies. Tree services have the right equipment for doing a good job. Removing a tree without having all the tools does not remove all the parts of a tree it only deals with the track living back the roots on the ground; hence the tree continues to grow. The other essential advantage of hiring these companies is because they have the technique of doing an excellent job. The other benefit of these companies is because they also take care of the young trees. Young trees may sometimes not thrive if they are growing amid other older trees; therefore it is necessary to ensure that they receive all the requirements for growing. These companies trim the twigs that create a canopy that makes it challenging to access sunlight and rainfall. Tree services have the capacity to the composition of the soil and to decide it’s the best for growing trees. Professional tree services companies are also essential because they clean all the mess. They do not live the compound with the remains of the leaves and twigs they cut, they live the place clean that they found it. For convenience it is necessary there is a need to let tree services conduct these work. Tree services are necessary since one does not have to buy the tools for doing these task. These companies do a quick job because they have the equipment and the technique.
Opting to build a house rather than purchase one is a tough decision to make. Building a house for yourself does not take too long and you should not fear to do so. You will need to hire the most appropriate builder for the task so that your dream can be a reality. The process of choosing the right builder does not have to be a difficult ordeal when you have a few tips to guide you. Here are some things you should never overlook when making your choice.
You should check the reputation of the builder. You should find a builder who is well talked of by his clients as well as money-lending institutions. You can check the website of the builder for reviews made by current and past clients. A builder who does not care about the satisfaction of his clients will not bother to respond to any issues raised by clients, which will be evidenced by unresolved issues on their website. If the builder has positive reviews from clients, they will probably offer you a satisfactory service like they have done in the past to other clients. You should judge a builder from their track record.
Consider the experience of the builder. Know the number of years they have built homes. The more the experience of a builder, the lesser the chances of mistakes during the construction of your home. It is easier to deal with an experienced builder because they have dealt with a wide range of homes in their years of service. You can request to see photos of houses they built in the past or visit the homes to check how well the builder constructed them. It is a good way to identify any faults that are common with a builder so that they can avoid them when building your home.
You need to check the certificates of the potential builder. Do not hire a builder who is not qualified to offer construction services. You should request to see their academic qualifications and whether they are updated about the latest developments in the construction industry. Their licenses to work should also be updated. Updated licenses mean that they can offer you services adequately and legally.
Consider the charges of the builder. Compare the prices of a number of builders by requesting for their quotations. There are builders who give their quotations and might not give room for negotiations. It is important that you establish all costs that you will incur in the process o that you hire a builder that is compatible with your budget. The factors discussed above are helpful when choosing the right builder for your new home.
Music can make even enemies listen to one another. Music transcends most cultural barriers. This is clear to see when even unborn babies seem to enjoy it. Music is also a great learning tool, as it is used in addressing cases of autism. Here are the methods through which this is done.
Music is beneficial for verbal development. Most kids who are autistic tend to lack the ability to speak properly. You will see them either struggling to make the sounds others do, or taking too long to get to that level. There are some who will eventually speak perfectly, while others may never manage to. Music therapy shall thus come in handy. It shall make a bridge between the verbal and non-verbal sides of the brain. Such stimulation is how the child shall develop their speech skills. Those simple gestures of clapping and humming to music shall help them develop immensely.
Music is also needed where social skills are to be developed. There is a tendency for autistic kids to be withdrawn. The work of therapists shall thus be that much harder. Music is what shall get them to come out of their hiding places and engage the world. Therapists will now have a way to connect with them and help them more effectively. Music shall, therefore, help them develop more relationships, when they engage other kids in music playing sessions.
Music also helps them with their moods. We all tend to deal better once we have listened to music. Autistic kids are the same. Music allows them to feel good, as well as express their emotions. It is hard for them to go through life feeling not understood, or not managing to express themselves. This is part of their existence. They shall feel it even more in social circles. Music therapy is what shall lower their anxiety and stress levels.
This is why you need to search for the best therapy center for your autistic child. Music therapy should be offered a part of their treatment plans. This site shall have plenty for you to read more about that center. The good thing about music therapy is that even parents can be taught how to do it. This therapy allows for a simple application that needs not much specialization. You can, therefore, discuss the process with your child’s therapist, to discover more about how best to do it.
There may come a time when the child does not respond to anything else. These are the times when you will need to know how to apply this therapy. You shall achieve peace when the child is fine. You shall also find more info about how to approach them the best way on this website.
ISO 9001 is an international standard which specifies the requirements for a quality management system. Organizations make use of the standard. They do so, so as to show their ability to meet the customer’s needs and the regulatory requirements. Organizations regular provision of products and services helps meet customer’s needs. The ISO 9001 helps to improve work and meet set objectives. The standard will ensure that staff are supported and the organization improves the customer satisfaction levels. An organization implements the ISO 9001 for several reasons. Check out this reasons here.
Organizations reasons to implement it are so as to meet the customer’s requirements. Some customers can only do business with certified organization. Business chances are increased due to the certification. The customer’s requirements are able to be met. The standard ensures that the organization continually strive to satisfy the customer each time. Satisfying the needs of a customer continuously results to customer loyalty.
Acquiring more revenue and customers is another reason for the implementation. A quality certification can be advertised by an organization. Doing this opens up new market for the organization. The certification will be particularly helpful in instances why a customer cannot engage with an organization that does not have the certification. An increase in revenue will be realized with the increase in customer base. The certification helps to improve the organization and the product quality. The standard is all about quality. The organization shows high level of quality by possessing the certification. High level of product quality is also portrayed by the organization. Quality management systems helps start the road of quality by an organization.
Customer satisfaction is increased in relation with the products. The high product and services quality will eventually cause satisfaction of the customer’s expectations. Less complaints are received due to high quality and the one received are handles in a better way. Customer satisfaction is increased because of the possession of the certification by the organization. The certification helps in describing and communicating the organization’s processes. A business metrics is used to identify and describe the processes in use. Better management and control of processes is achieved by doing this. The metrics is used to assist in understanding and communicating the processes performance. This is compared to the objectives of the quality.
The certification helps in improving the consistency of the organization’s operations. Variation of the processes used in the organization is reduced. Having no variation in the products and services offered to customers is important. Consistency in the output produced by an organization is assured by the ISO 9001. Efficiency is improved, money is saved and waste is reduced by the use of the ISO 9001.
Entrepreneurs are always finding better approaches to market their organization. However, relatively few of them consider employing an internet advertising firm to deal with their website optimization and web promoting effort. Many think that they can handle internet marketing by themselves. Even though this is true, some firms cannot manage to implement internet marketing methodologies like SEO and many others perfectly. In the literature below, you will get more information on why it is integral to procure the services of a website marketing company that will help in website design and SEO.
Expertise is presumably the most apparent reason, yet website design enhancement specialists give the majority of their time to adapting new advertising techniques and web optimization positioning elements. They are going to use all their time and effort to support the business that has hired them so that they can have a great search engine ranking. Web index firms see how to dispense different assets. If you have been applying a PPC marketing tool, they are going to analyze it and help you make it better based on your desired objectives. They are going to aid you in developing your short term goals to assist in achieving the long term objectives. In website design, changes always take place. Whatever was best in the past wouldn’t be pertinent today and changes must be executed. So you can remain refreshed with the most recent issue on web promoting, it is vital if you obtained the administrations of a site publicizing association. They know the best way to help you pull in as many customers as you desire. Their strategies reach out past crude methods. They know precisely what individuals react to. Such experts collaborate with other top site publicizing firms to become familiar with the present strategies and the ones that they can use for your association. It is the main role of the firm to ascertain that they are updated on the latest web advertising techniques to help their customers perfectly. The creators additionally take their customers’ close to home inclination and objectives to mind.
When you are expressly dealing with site adverting matter like website optimization and a lot more it can devour a ton of your time. Since you are attempting to develop your business, you don’t have time to squander, as you have different occupations to finish. With a website marketing company, you get everything done for you. They are going to be with you every step of the way. You will discover that contracting a site promoting firm is an incredible move for your business. Guarantee that the firm has a decent web presence before you contract them for the same.
Given the fact that there are multiple service providers in the industry, choosing a competent, reliable and efficient office interior design company can be a daunting and stressful task. You need to be careful when choosing an office interior design company because not all service providers will understand your business needs and provide quality services. With the right information and proper market research, an individual can easily choose the best office interior design company. This article, therefore, explains some of the crucial factors to consider when choosing an office interior design company for your business.
The first factor to consider when hiring the services of an office interior design company is the level of experience. The business owner should understand that once developed the business will use the office for many years hence the need to make sure the right service provider is hired for the project. The interior design company you hire should have many qualities which include creativity, good color sense and eye detail, excellent communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. You need to look for an office interior design that has completed many projects successful as this will give you an insight to their level of experience.
The second consideration you need to make when choosing an office interior design service company is the reputation. Reputable office interior design companies deliver quality services to their customers. You, therefore, need to access the status of the interior design service company before you enlist their services. The business owner needs to check the reviews of the various businesses the office interior design service company has worked with in the past. You should choose an interior design company that has many positive reviews because this indicates that they offer quality services to their clients. Apart from checking for reviews online, you can consult with friends, family members, and other close entrepreneurs for referrals. Prior to trusting any office interior design company with your project, you need to do a complete investigation of the organization by checking things like level of experience, cost of their services and reputation.
Getting a new computer today is a lot easier compared to how it was before. To get your own gaming PC, you have to understand the guide below; it will help you get a gaming PC without having to worry about credit check problems. A bad credit history is not going to be enough to stop you from getting your very own gaming PC and if you are interested in knowing more, make sure to spend another five minutes in reading this guide. To get a gaming PC with a bad credit score is actually possible as long as you know where to go and what to do; you don’t have to have a high credit score to get one. If you do decide to get a new computer, you have to make sure that you take the time to read the article because it will explain to you why credit score will not matter at all. If you want a new gaming PC, make sure you get the memo and follow what the article below will tell you to do.
One of the best ways to get a new computer is through a rent to own program. You don’t have to worry about your credit score when you join a rent to own program because all they need from you is your monthly payment.
Renting out the new PC is going to be a smart option for people who have bad credit scores because they don’t have to worry about problems that personal loans provide. For a rent to own store, what’s important to them is just to get the monthly payment; credit score for them does not dictate the capability of a person to pay their debt.
This is quite simple for a complex problem; you get a rent to own store build you a PC, they lease it to you and then you take the PC home, use it like it was yours already and pay for the monthly fee when it is time to do so. The gaming PC is finally and legally yours when you are done paying the amount; it takes around a year or two to get things done. You can get your own computer in a much easier fashion; the one that does not include credit score.
It is our responsibility to take care of our health. This is because of the advantages associated with the move. There are so many measures that one can take to ensure that they take very good care of their bodies. For instance, it is important that you be very choosy on the kind of foods that you eat. In other words, avoid taking foods that are not healthy. Seeking medical attention in case of an infection is the other thing that you should always do. It is always a wide idea for a person to go for checkups once in a while. One should do so even if they are not feeling sick. By doing so, you will be able to prevent very many infections that might happen in the future.
You also need to work out a lot. You can exercise in various ways. For instance, you can choose to go to the gym. The other option is where you get to work with a personal trainer. Going for morning or evening runs is another brilliant idea. The workout that professional athletes subject themselves to, is more intense than that of regular people. One thing that you need to know is that it takes more than just exercising to have an athletic body. One of the other things that you will need to care about is the kind of food that you eat. You should stick to healthy eating habits. Fortunately, there are so many restaurants these days that serve their customers healthy meals.
Very many operations have been simplified following the use of the internet. This is the case even in the food industry. For instance, it is very easy nowadays to order healthy meals from wherever you may be. There are so many advantages associated with this move. Some of these advantages are as follows. One amazing thing about ordering healthy meals online is that it is a convenient way of doing so. To acquire the meal you want, you do not need to move from one place to another. The only thing that one requires is a mobile phone and the internet connection.
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In conclusion, these restaurants provide home delivery services to their clients. In some cases, customers are not expected to pay for home delivery services.
Auctions are prevalent in society today because people will want to get the chance to buy the best product by quoting the highest price. It is a common belief that auctions involve items that are not in good condition for standard sale. That’s not the case because you can also auction your most valued property. Property auctioning is done because you have a concrete explanation to the need. Whatever the reason, you need to find an auctioneer company that will make your sale smooth. The following aspects explain the qualities that the best auctioneer company exhibits.
Soft skills that are needed for proper communication are necessary for the auctioneer to be able to auction your property successfully. They need to be able to control the buying crowd so that the buyers get involved. Giving buyers time to express themselves and quote their bids is necessary. This will raise the chances of getting the highest bidder in a short period.
As a property owner who needs to get rid of your property through auction, you have to find an auctioneer who is professionally experienced to handle sales. Many interested buyers will be able to attend the auction if the auctioneer knows the best way to reach them. Also, you will need to be updated frequently by your auctioneer on the progress of how they will auction your property. Frequently talking with the auctioneer will ensure you how things are going every step of the way.
You also need to find an auctioneer who respects you and buyers. People skills should not make the auctioneer instill fear in interested buyers rather than boosting confidence. An auctioneer with a vast knowledge of auctioning should be able to understand their critical role of selling your property to the highest bidder. Discouraged buyers are most likely to walk out of the sale when it is still in the middle.
Look for a company that has a positive image. By doing this, you will be able to get great buyers for your property. You also have to consider gathering information on the best auctioneer company to approach.
If you are run a marketing agency, or are a website designer, or you actively host websites, and you don’t know how to accelerate the performance of these sites that you are handling, then this article will help you. Turns out that all you need towards this end is a web acceleration platform. With this solution, you get improved conversion rates, superior performance, and it decreases the load time. All this can be achieved by a single license. It is a one server-wide caching, one-click cache acceleration solution that has a built-in security, and gives you peace of mind while still accelerating the client’s ecommerce. Before getting that license, it is best to look critically at what is on offer and what you need because there are different web acceleration platforms that are ever increasing in the market. See below how to choose the best web acceleration platform.
Start by doing some research. Basically the best one is one has can be managed simply, is flexible and highly configurable, has a high availability failover, has the best customizable acceleration and so on and so forth. So, it is wise to first to do as much research as you can so that you can find the one that meets your needs. You just need to educateyourself a little more on the choices that you have on the table first.
The web acceleration platform that you choose must also be cost-effective. You shall therefore have to look at the different licenses there are and then do a cost analysis to see which of them fits into your budget.
It is also important to think about support. It is important that there be a support team that can handle any security issues or any other issues thereafter. The platform may allow a graceful restart and updates without any downtimes, but you may have a need here and there for the support team and working with one like this will make the experience better.
Read reviews and testimonials to be able to see what more can find out about the web acceleration platform from others that have used it before. It is via such reports that you can learn if there will be some limitations that you should be aware of.
The web acceleration platform needs to be one that has a lot of features that you can work with. It is best to choose one that can grow with you as your business grows and your needs start changing even if the platform seems a tad overwhelming at first. You are better off working with a platform that has the capacity to handle your needs as they come.
The above are some of the things that you can use to find the best web acceleration platform in your bud to improve user experience.
There are many outcomes of being accused of a criminal offense. For instance, being accused of a criminal offense can result in emotional, financial and mental stress and headaches. being accused alone before even the case is heard in the court can ruin your life. This is because the society an individual accused of a criminal offense is already guilty even before the official judgment is passed by the court. When facing criminal charges, the priority thing you need to do is to look for a reputable, experienced and reliable criminal defense attorney to handle your case.
Since there are multiple criminal defense attorneys, choosing a service provider can be a challenging task specifically to an individual who has never been in the same position before. When searching for the right criminal defense attorney, you need to comprehend the fact that not all lawyers are suitable for your case. A person should, therefore, be keen when hiring the services of a criminal defense lawyer for their case. Given useful information and adequate market analysis of the available lawyers, an individual can easily identify the best criminal defense attorney for their case. This report discusses the various useful tips to examine when searching for a criminal defense attorney.
The first consideration you need to make when looking for a criminal defense lawyer is the license. You need to choose a licensed criminal defense lawyer if you want quality legal services and representation. It is important to note that attorneys are given licenses to operate in the law industry by the local authority, but in some instances, the permit can be terminated if the expert engages in unprofessional legal practices. Before issuing the license, the local authority ensures the expert has the right skills and training. Thus choosing a licensed criminal defense lawyer ensures you get quality services hence you can win the case and avoid a jail term or even fines.
The second factor to consider when looking for the right criminal defense lawyer is the reputation. An individual can effortlessly locate a reputable criminal defense attorney by consulting with people close to him or her such as workmates, family members, and friends. The next thing you need to do after getting a list of the various criminal defense attorneys is to consider them one by one by looking into things like level of experience in criminal cases, quality of customer services and their availability. Apart from getting recommendations, you can also conduct online research and look at the reviews of the various criminal defense lawyers to find a reputable service provider.
In conclusion, all the tips highlighted in this article are essential when hiring the services of a criminal defense lawyer.
The police will arrest people when they commit crimes or even when they are not the perpetrators, and this means their life will be turning upside down. Some people have a lawsuit filed against them, and this becomes scary and annoying when the prosecution team asks the state to give lengthy sentences for the action they did. In any prison, you come across people who got sentenced and serving a term, yet they are not guilty. Some people are guilty as charged, and they are completing their terms. When you go to court as an accused or accuser, you must hire a lawyer who gives representation. When people bring the law firm to stand with them, they increase the chances of winning that case.
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Staphylococcus aureus activates a protective cell wall stress stimulon (CWSS) in response to the inhibition of cell wall synthesis or cell envelope damage caused by several structurally and functionally different antibiotics. CWSS induction is coordinated by the VraSR two-component system, which senses an unknown signal triggered by diverse cell wall active agents.
We have constructed a highly sensitive luciferase reporter gene system, using the promoter of sas016 (S. aureus N315), which detects very subtle differences in expression as well as measuring > 4 log-fold changes in CWSS activity, to compare the concentration dependence of CWSS induction kinetics of antibiotics with different cell envelope targets. We compared the effects of subinhibitory up to suprainhibitory concentrations of fosfomycin, D-cycloserine, tunicamycin, bacitracin, flavomycin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, oxacillin, lysostaphin and daptomycin. Induction kinetics were both strongly antibiotic- and concentration-dependent. Most antibiotics triggered an immediate response with induction beginning within 10 min, except for tunicamycin, D-cycloserine and fosfomycin which showed lags of up to one generation before induction commenced. Induction characteristics, such as the rate of CWSS induction once initiated and maximal induction reached, were strongly antibiotic dependent. We observed a clear correlation between the inhibitory effects of specific antibiotic concentrations on growth and corresponding increases in CWSS induction kinetics. Inactivation of VraR increased susceptibility to the antibiotics tested from 2- to 16-fold, with the exceptions of oxacillin and D-cycloserine, where no differences were detected in the methicillin susceptible S. aureus strain background analysed. There was no apparent correlation between the induction capacity of the various antibiotics and the relative importance of the CWSS for the corresponding resistance phenotypes.
CWSS induction profiles were unique for each antibiotic. Differences observed in optimal induction conditions for specific antibiotics should be determined and taken into account when designing and interpreting CWSS induction studies.
Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of both nosocomial and community-acquired infections worldwide. Because staphylococci can adapt rapidly to varying environmental conditions they are quick to develop resistance to virtually all antibiotics and multiple-drug resistance, especially in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), severely restricts antibiotic therapy options. One of the major targets for antimicrobial agents is the bacterial cell envelope, which is a complex, multi-macromolecular structure that undergoes highly ordered cycles of synthesis and hydrolysis, in order to facilitate cell division while maintaining a protective barrier against environmental stresses. There are several different classes of antibiotics that target specific cell envelope structures or enzymatic steps of cell wall synthesis (Figure 1).
Schematic representation of the enzymatic steps involved in S. aureus cell wall synthesis and the targets of cell wall active antibiotics. Fosfomycin inhibits the enzyme MurA (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-3-enolpyruvyl transferase) that catalyses the addition of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) to form UDP-N-acetyl-muramic acid (UDP-MurNAc) . D-cycloserine prevents the addition of D-alanine to the peptidoglycan precursor by inhibiting D-alanine:D-alanine ligase A and alanine racemase . Tunicamycin is a glycoprotein antibiotic that inhibits the transfer of peptidoglycan precursor (phospho-MurNAc-pentapeptide) to the lipid carrier undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (or C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphate), catalysed by the translocase MraY [36, 37]. Sub-lethal concentrations of tunicamycin also inhibit TarO, the first enzyme in the wall teichoic acid pathway [38, 39]. Bacitracin forms a metal-dependent complex with the lipid carrier undecaprenyl pyrophosphate, thereby preventing dephosphorylation and the recycling of the lipid carrier required for cell wall synthesis [40, 41]. Flavomycin (a moenomycin complex) is a phosphoglycolipid antibiotic that inhibits transglycosylation through binding of the transglycosylase domain of penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) . Glycopeptide antibiotics, such as vancomycin and teicoplanin, inhibit cell wall synthesis by binding the D-ala-D-ala of the lipid II and sterically hindering transglycosylation and transpeptidation. Teicoplanin activity is enhanced through its interaction with the cytoplasmic membrane . ß-lactam antibiotics, such as oxacillin, bind the transpeptidase active domain of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) by mimicking the D-ala-D-ala end of the pentapeptide . The mode of action of daptomycin is not fully known, it causes calcium-dependent disruption of membrane function and potassium efflux , but was also predicted to directly or indirectly inhibit peptidoglycan systhesis . Lysostaphin is a zinc metalloenzyme that cleaves the pentaglycine crosslinking bridge specific for the cell wall of S. aureus . (Adapted from ).
Many antibiotic resistance phenotypes in S. aureus are influenced by global regulators that control virulence factors, metabolism and/or stress responses . One of the latter is the VraSR system, which triggers the cell wall stress stimulon (CWSS); a set of genes that is induced in S. aureus upon exposure to cell wall active antibiotics, cell wall hydrolysis, or the inhibition of cell wall synthesis, but not by other external stresses, such as temperature, osmotic or pH extremes [1–3]. An unknown signal, responding to cell wall stress, stimulates the intramembrane sensor VraS to activate the response regulator VraR by phosphorylation. When the stress signal is relieved, VraR is subsequently deactivated by VraS-specific dephosphorylation .
VraR, depending upon its phosphorylation state, was shown to recognise VraR-responsive promoter sequences and to control the expression of target genes . The phosphorylation kinetics suggested that VraSR signal transduction was likely to respond very rapidly in vivo. A general stress signal, rather than the antibiotics themselves, was proposed to initiate CWSS induction [6–8]. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the CWSS is induced by several different cell wall antibiotics with different targets and/or modes of action as well as by the inhibition of cell wall synthesis resulting from reduction of PBP2 and MurF expression [6, 7, 9].
Upregulation of the CWSS provides a certain level of resistance/tolerance to most VraSR-inducing agents, although the exact stress response coordinated has not been fully characterised. Core CWSS genes include: murZ (MurA isozyme), involved in the early steps of cell wall biosynthesis ; pbp2 and sgtB, involved in transglycosylation; and fmtA, a penicillin binding protein with low affinity to β-lactams [3, 11, 12]. Therefore activation of the CWSS is predicted to enhance cell wall synthesis . This is substantiated by the identification of clinical isolates with point mutations in the vraSR operon that lead to increased basal expression of the CWSS in the absence of inducing agents, with the resulting phenotypes including thickened cell walls and increased levels of glycopeptide and ß-lactam resistance [13, 14].
The VraSR system of S. aureus has been found to be induced by a much wider range of cell wall active antibiotics than the homologous LiaRS systems of Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus mutans, which are only induced by lipid II-interacting antibiotics and not by those that inhibit the earlier or later stages of cell wall synthesis [15–18]. However, the sizes and compositions of VraSR regulons reported so far vary quite extensively and appear to be heavily dependent upon the strains and experimental procedures used. Huge variations in levels of CWSS gene induction were found not only to be dependent upon the types of antibiotic used but also on the antibiotic concentrations [2, 19, 20].
In this study we created a highly sensitive reporter gene construct to indirectly measure the kinetics of VraSR-dependent signal transduction in the presence of antibiotic concentrations ranging from sub- to supra- minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), for a selection of antibiotics with different cell envelope targets (Figure 1). This allowed us to compare maximal induction capacities and determine optimal conditions, including concentrations and exposure times, for measuring CWSS induction by different antibiotics.
The strains and plasmids used in this study are listed in Table 1. Bacteria were grown at 37°C in Luria Bertani (LB) broth (Difco Laboratories), shaking at 180 rpm with a 1:5 culture to air ratio, or on LB agar plates. All optical density (OD) measurements given were taken at OD 600 nm. Media were supplemented with the following antibiotics when appropriate: 10 μg/ml tetracycline (Sigma), 10 μg/ml chloramphenicol (Sigma), 100 μg/ml ampicillin (Sigma) or 200 ng/ml anhydrotetracycline (Vetranal). Strains were stored at -80°C in skim milk.
pKOR1 construct containing mutant vraR insert with XhoI site and two inframe stop codons inserted between the 2nd and 3rd vraR codons.
The MICs of antibiotics were determined by Etest (BioMérieux) on LB plates swabbed with an inoculum of 0.5 McFarland and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The MICs of flavomycin, D-cycloserine, tunicamycin and lysostaphin were determined by microdilution in LB broth, essentially as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute .
Northern blots were performed as previously described . Overnight cultures were diluted to OD 0.05 in prewarmed LB containing tetracycline and grown to approximately OD 0.5. Cultures were induced with increasing concentrations of oxacillin and a control culture was grown without antibiotic treatment. Samples were taken after 20 min and 60 min of induction and total RNA was extracted as described by Cheung et al. . RNA samples (7 μg) were separated in a 1.5% agarose-20 mM guanidine thiocyanate gel in 1 × TBE buffer . Digoxigenin (DIG)-labelled probes were amplified using the PCR DIG Probe synthesis kit (Roche) and primer pairs SAS016.for (TCATACGTTCTATGTCTGAT) and SAS016.rev (GATCTATATCGTCTTGTAAT); and luc+ (GGCAATCAAATCATTCCGGATACTG) and luc- (ATCCAGATCCACAACCTTCGCTTC).
The pKOR1 system developed by Bae et al. was used to inactivate VraR in BB255, by inserting an XhoI site and two stop codons in-frame into the beginning of the vraR coding sequence, truncating VraR after the 2nd amino acid, as previously described .
Promoter regions of sas016 (SACOL0625), tcaA and sa0908 (SACOL1065) were PCR amplified from S. aureus strain COL using primer pairs: sas016.lucF (AATTAGGTACC TGGATCACGGTGCATACAAC) and sas016.lucR (AATTACCATGG CCTATATTACCTCCTTTGC); tcaA.lucF (TAATGGTACC AGTATTAGAAGTCATCAATCA) and tcaA.lucR (TAAT CCATGG TTTCACCTCAATTCTGTTCCT), and sa0908.lucF (AATTAGGTACC ATAA TAGTACACACGCATGT) and sa0908.lucR (TTAATCCATGG TTGATGCTCCTA TATTAAATT), respectively. PCR products were digested with Asp718 and NcoI and ligated directly upstream of the promoterless luciferase (luc+) gene in vector pSP-luc+ (Promega). Fragments containing the resulting promoter-luc+ translational fusions were then excised with Asp718 and EcoR1 and cloned into the E. coli - S. aureus shuttle vector pBUS1 (Table 1). The fusion plasmids ptcaAp-luc+, psa0908p-luc+ and psas016p-luc+ (Table 1) were then electroporated into S. aureus RN4220 before being transduced, by phage 80α, into S. aureus BB255.
For induction assays, pre-warmed LB broth was inoculated with an overnight culture to an OD of 0.05. Cultures were grown to OD 0.3 - 0.5 and pre-induction samples were collected before the cultures were induced with increasing concentrations of the antibiotics: fosfomycin (disodium salt, Sigma), D-cycloserine (Sigma), bacitracin (from Bacillus lincheniformis, Sigma), vancomycin (Vancocin, Eli Lilly), teicoplanin (Hoechst Marion Roussel), oxacillin (InfectoPharm), flavomycin (BC Biochemie GmbH), daptomycin (Cubist Pharmaceuticals), tunicamycin (AG Scientifics) and lysostaphin (ambicin, AMBI). Medium was supplemented with 25 μg/ml ZnCl for bacitracin, 50 μg/ml CaCl2 for daptomycin and 25 μg/ml glucose-6-phosphate for fosfomycin experiments. Samples were then collected and the OD measured after 10, 20, 30, 45, 60 and 120 min. For each sample, 1 ml of culture was harvested by centrifugation and the pellets frozen at -20°C. To measure the luciferase activity, pellets were thawed briefly and resuspended in PBS (pH 7.4) to an OD of either 10 or 1, depending on induction levels. Aliquots of the cell suspensions were then mixed with equal aliquots of Luciferase Assay System substrate (Promega) and luminescence was measured for 15 s after a delay of 3 s on a Turner Designs TD-20/20 luminometer (Promega) in relative light units (RLU).
For the determination of colony forming units per millilitre (CFU/ml), 1 ml samples of cultures that had been induced for 120 min with 1xMIC of each antibiotic were harvested by centrifugation. Cell pellets were resuspended in 0.85% NaCl and immediately diluted and plated on sheep-blood agar plates.
To quantify CWSS induction and follow its time course upon antibiotic exposure, the promoters of the three representative CWSS genes sas016, sa0908 and tcaA, were fused to the luciferase reporter gene and the resulting plasmids were introduced into antibiotic susceptible strain BB255. sas016 encodes a hypothetical protein of unknown function and was the open reading frame (ORF) found to be most strongly up-regulated by cell wall antibiotics in several studies [3, 11, 20]; tcaA encodes a predicted membrane protein that influences glycopeptide resistance and virulence in a nematode model and belongs to the core S. aureus CWSS [11, 22, 27]; and sa0908 encodes an envelope protein that influences lytic behaviour in S. aureus and is one of a family of three LytR-CpsA-Psr proteins that are all induced by cell wall stress (unpublished results). Increasing concentrations of oxacillin were added to exponentially growing cultures containing reporter plasmids, and the OD and luciferase activities were measured over a two hour period (Figure 2). The three promoters were all induced in a concentration dependent manner, with induction lag times becoming shorter and induction rates steeper as oxacillin concentrations increased. This was mirrored by a corresponding stepwise decrease in growth rates. Induction rates generally began to slow after 60 min, upon the onset of oxacillin induced lysis , but again this was concentration dependent with induction rates beginning to decrease earlier in cultures with higher oxacillin concentrations.
Induction kinetics of three CWSS promoters in response to varying concentrations of oxacillin. Luciferase activities and growth curves of strain BB255 containing: A, psas016-luc+; B, psa0908-luc+; and C, ptcaA-luc+; after addition of 0, 0.5, 1, 2 or 5-fold the MIC of oxacillin at time point zero.
Previous findings, using Northern blots to measure oxacillin induction levels of sas016 after 30 min, indicated that inhibitory concentrations of oxacillin were required for induction . Figure 2 confirmed that the sub-inhibitory concentration of 0.5x MIC did not noticeably induce promoter activity after 30 min, however, luciferase activity from all three promoters began to increase sharply after 60 min and continued to rise up to the final sampling point of 120 min.
Although all three promoters displayed similar relative concentration- and time-dependent induction kinetics, the sas016 promoter produced the highest levels of luciferase activity, resulting in greater fold-changes between samples and making it the most sensitive of the three reporters. Therefore we chose the sas016 promoter-luciferase fusion construct as the best indicator to compare induction characteristics of different cell wall active antibiotics.
To confirm that levels of luciferase activity from psas016p-luc+ accurately represented levels of sas016 gene expression, Northern blots were performed on BB255 psas016p-luc+ RNA samples extracted from cultures grown using the same conditions and oxacillin concentrations used for luciferase assays. Samples were harvested 20 min and 60 min after antibiotic induction and hybridized with sas016 and luc+ specific DIG probes (Figure 3). Northern blots showed identical patterns of transcriptional induction for both the chromosomal sas016 gene and the luciferase gene under the control of the sas016 promoter in psas016p-luc+. Induction of both transcripts was highly oxacillin-concentration dependent and transcript intensities increased over time becoming stronger after 60 min than after 20 min, correlating very well with concentration-specific induction curves from luciferase assays (Figure 2).
Northern blot analysis of sas016 and sas016 p -luc + transcript induction BB255 p sas016 p - luc +. RNA was harvested from cultures after 20 and 60 min of induction with 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 or 5-fold MIC concentrations of oxacillin. Transcripts hybridising to sas016 and luc+-specific DIG and their approximate sizes are indicated. Approximate transcript sizes are indicated on the left side of the blots. Ethidium bromide stained 16S rRNA bands are shown below Northern blots as an indication of RNA loading.
The MIC values of diverse antibiotics chosen for induction experiments were determined for strain BB255 psas016p-luc+ (Table 2). MIC concentrations were then used in induction experiments to compare the relative inducing capacities of the antibiotics (Figure 4). When adding MIC concentrations of antibiotics to exponentially growing cultures, salient differences in induction kinetics were apparent throughout the two hour sampling period, including the slopes of induction curves and the maximal luciferase activities reached. Large differences were also seen in the response of the culture's ODs over the induction period, which ranged from slight growth retardation, through to halting of growth and decreasing OD readings; reflecting differences in the effectiveness of the antibiotics and the concentrations used, which are likely to impact CWSS induction kinetics. There were no apparent connections between the stages of cell wall synthesis targeted by antibiotics and CWSS induction potential. Oxacillin and fosfomycin, which target completely different enzymatic stages of peptidoglycan synthesis, showed the highest maximal induction levels, with luciferase activity becoming induced relatively late, but then continually increasing over the two hour period. Bacitracin, tunicamycin, D-cycloserine, flavomycin and teicoplanin showed medium levels of induction, although there were large differences in the shapes of their induction curves. Bacitracin and flavomycin initiated induction very rapidly and maximal expression peaked after 60 min. The teicoplanin induction curve was shallower but maximal induction was again reached at 60 min. Vancomycin was a comparably weak inducer at the MIC concentration. Induction by lysostaphin appeared immediately, within the first 10 min, but remained very low. The OD curve for lysostaphin showed significant lysis of the culture, which would account for the overall low levels of luciferase measured. Induction therefore seems to be more strongly influenced by the specific activities of the different antibiotics used, rather than their targets.
a Determined in μg/ml for BB255 psas016-luc+. b Difference in MIC values of BB255/BB255ΔVraR. c Earliest time point at which induction was detected (min). d Induction levels were scored as: high (> 40'000 RLU); medium (>10'000 - < 40'000); low (< 10'000). e Time taken for maximum induction to be reached after antibiotic addition (min). f The ratio of maximal induction levels measured at 5x MIC/0.2x MIC, scored as: high (> 15); medium (>2 - < 15); low (< 2). g OD and CFU/ml values after treatment with antibiotics (1x MIC) for 120 min, expressed as a percentage of the values from untreated cell.
Antibiotic dependent induction of the cell wall stress stimulon. The upper graph shows relative light units (RLU) measured upon induction of BB255 psas016p-luc+ of cultures stressed with 1x MIC of different antibiotics. The corresponding OD values at each sampling point are presented below. The graphs shown are representative results of between two and four induction experiments performed for each antibiotic.
Large differences were observed in the CWSS induction kinetics of antibiotics when used at MIC levels, however, these concentrations may not have represented the optimal induction conditions for all of the antibiotics. Therefore, induction assays were performed as above, but using five different antibiotic concentrations ranging from sub- up to supra-inhibitory (Figure 5). Additionally, ciprofloxacin, a flouroquinolone antibiotic that does not target the cell envelope was included as a control at concentrations of 2x and 5x the MIC (MIC = 0.2 μg/ml).
Concentration-dependent cell wall stress stimulon induction kinetics of different cell wall active antibiotics. Graphs show relative light units (RLU) measured upon induction of BB255 psas016p-luc+ with five different antibiotic concentrations and the corresponding OD values at each sampling point. The graphs shown are representative results of between two and four induction experiments performed for each antibiotic. A, concentration-dependent induction kinetics of antibiotics scored as high- or medium-level inducers. B, concentration-dependent induction kinetics of antibiotics scored as low-level inducers and the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin.
Tunicamycin, flavomycin, oxacillin and fosfomycin triggered the highest maximal induction levels (RLU > 40'000) (Figure 5A, Table 2). Bacitracin, D-cycloserine, teicoplanin, and vancomycin showed medium levels of induction (RLU > 10'000 - < 40'000), while daptomycin and lysostaphin were the weakest inducers (RLU < 10'000) (Figure 5, Table 2). Daptomycin is known to target the bacterial cell membrane, causing membrane depolarization and potassium efflux (Figure 1), however because of its ability to trigger the CWSS it is also thought to directly or indirectly interfere with peptidoglycan synthesis , although the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown.
Ciprofloxacin treated cells showed no luciferase induction after 60 min and although levels were up to 2-fold higher than in untreated cells after two hours, no further increases in expression were detected, even after four hours when the OD started to decrease in response to the ciprofloxacin treatment. Therefore marginal increases were unlikely to be caused by ciprofloxacin-specific induction of the CWSS as even the lowest inducers, lysostaphin and daptomycin, stimulated 18-fold and 14-fold induction, respectively.
Shapes of the induction curves were different for all of the antibiotics tested. Most of the antibiotics triggered immediate induction of the CWSS, with lysostaphin producing the strongest and most rapid response within the first 10 min, followed by flavomycin, bacitracin, daptomycin, vancomycin, teicoplanin and oxacillin. Contrarily, fosfomycin and D-cycloserine showed a lag phase of induction for all concentrations of approximately 30 min and 10 min, respectively, before any induction could be detected. Tunicamycin also showed a 10 min lag phase for all concentrations except 5x MIC, for which a slight 3-fold induction could be measured at the 10 min sampling point. Fosfomycin, D-cycloserine and tunicamycin act on early steps of peptidoglycan synthesis (Figure 1), which could be linked to the lags in CWSS induction. Balibar et al. also detected a lag phase of CWSS induction when S. aureus was treated with the UPP synthesis inhibitor hymeglusin .
Concentration-dependence was categorized based on the spread of the induction curves, so that antibiotics with large distances between the curves for different concentrations were scored as being highly concentration-dependent; while those in which the majority of curves clustered closely together were scored as having low dependence. The concentration-dependency of induction was also evaluated by determining the ratio of the induction measured at 5x MIC over that at 0.2x MIC (Table 2). Accordingly, fosfomycin, D-cycloserine, oxacillin, tunicamycin, vancomycin, daptomycin and lysostaphin showed relatively high concentration-dependency (ratio >2). Some of these antibiotics such as fosfomycin, oxacillin and daptomycin had quite evenly spread curves that generally increased incrementally as concentrations became higher. Whereas for vancomycin, there was a gap between the supra-MIC curves which both showed relatively high induction, and all of the sub-MIC curves that exhibited very little induction. In different experiments curves corresponding to the vancomycin MIC vacillated between showing either mid-level induction or clustering with the sub-MIC curves, indicating that the MIC of vancomycin was very close to the threshold concentration required for CWSS induction. Flavomycin and bacitracin induction curves also increased incrementally as concentrations increased, but the gaps between the curves were much smaller than for most of the other antibiotics (ratio < 2).
Previous studies have reported contradictory results regarding the induction of the CWSS by lysostaphin. Some studies detected no induction of the CWSS by lysostaphin [19, 30], while Rossi et al. detected a slight induction of the CWSS gene mrsR upon lysostaphin treatment . Possible reasons for these discrepancies are likely to be linked to experimental variations in the strains, lysostaphin concentrations and induction times used, or the sensitivity of induction detection methods. In this study, lysostaphin induction could only be detected under very specific experimental conditions (Figure 5B).
The influences of antibiotic concentrations on CWSS induction kinetics generally correlated closely with the impacts of the corresponding concentrations on the OD of the cultures (Figure 5). For example, the incremental increases in oxacillin induction curves closely mirrored corresponding decreases in culture OD curves. For flavomycin, all of the concentrations used induced luciferase activity to similar levels and all growth curves were correspondingly inhibited to similar extents. All experiments showed a definite correlation, albeit to different extents, between levels of growth arrest in the cultures and corresponding levels of CWSS induction. This trend is not always proportional, however, as bacitracin and tunicamycin OD curves showed a large degree of spread whereas induction curves were more closely clustered.
To compare how decreases in OD correlated with cell viability, CFU/ml were measured after treatment with 1x MIC of each antibiotic for two hours. The percentage decrease in CFU/ml generally corresponded well with the percentage decrease in OD (Table 2).
Deletion of the vraSR operon is known to decrease resistance levels to most of its inducing antibiotics [2, 6, 9, 32]. However, the reported effects on different resistance phenotypes varied greatly, with some MICs unaffected while others were decreased up to 40-fold; indicating that induction of the CWSS is more essential for protecting S. aureus against some antibiotics than others [2, 6, 32].
To determine if there was a link between levels or kinetics of CWSS induction and the importance of the CWSS for corresponding resistance phenotypes, we determined the MICs of BB255 compared to BB255ΔVraR for all of the antibiotics tested above and calculated the fold reduction in MIC (Table 2). BB255ΔVraR contains a non-polar deletion truncating VraR after the 2nd amino acid, while leaving the autoregulatory operon intact. The impact of VraR inactivation on resistance phenotypes was very similar to those previously published for deletion of vraSR in S. aureus N315 . The majority of MICs decreased in the VraR mutant compared to the parent strain BB255 (Table 2). The largest impact seen was on the flavomycin MIC, which decreased 16-fold. Bacitracin and teicoplanin MICs were also much lower, with both reduced by 10-fold, and were similar to values previously published for vraSR null-mutants . In contrast to Pietiänen et al. , who saw no effects on the vancomycin MIC in a vraSR deletion mutant of strain Newman, we observed a 2-fold decrease in vancomycin MIC, similar to that observed by Kuroda et al. in strain N315 . Our results, which showed a weak 2-fold reduction in fosfomycin MIC and no impact on D-cycloserine resistance, also agreed with those obtained for the N315 vraSR deletion mutant. While previous reports gave conflicting results concerning the effect of VraSR inactivation on daptomycin resistance [9, 32], we observed a reproducible 2-fold reduction in MIC upon VraR inactivation, supporting results from Muthaiyan et al. .
Inactivation of VraR had no effect on oxacillin resistance in the methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strain BB255. However, inactivation of vraR in BB270, an MRSA isogenic to BB255 that contains a type I SCCmec, reduced the oxacillin MIC from >256 to 64 μg/ml , to similar levels as those reported for other vraSR mutants in MRSA strains [2, 6, 33]. Loss of VraR also rendered the mutant 2-fold more susceptible to the action of lysostaphin and 4-fold more susceptible to tunicamycin; phenotypes which have not been previously published for VraSR mutants.
These results confirmed that the ability to induce the cell wall stress stimulon confers varying levels of protection against the effects of cell wall active agents. However, comparison of our MIC results with our induction data revealed no clear links between how quickly, or to which maximal level, the antibiotics are able to induce the CWSS and the impact of a functional VraSR signal transduction response on resistance levels to those antibiotics.
The sas016 promoter-luciferase fusion construct was also analysed in BB255ΔVraR. Expression levels of psas016p-luc+ in BB255ΔVraR in uninduced samples were ~10-fold lower than in the wild type BB255. BB255ΔVraR psas016p-luc+ was induced with 5x MIC of fosfomycin, D-cycloserine, tunicamycin, bacitracin, flavomycin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, oxacillin and daptomycin and 1x MIC of lysostaphin, for 60 min. The luciferase activities ranged from 1.5-fold higher to 10-fold lower than those in uninduced cultures, showing that none of the antibiotics used could induce sas016 expression in absence of VraR.
In this study, we describe the application of a highly sensitive luciferase-reporter gene construct for indirectly measuring CWSS induction kinetics in S. aureus. This system was used to compare induction characteristics of ten different cell wall active antibiotics with diverse enzymatic targets or modes of action. Induction of the CWSS by all ten antibiotics could be precisely quantified and while all ten antibiotics induced the CWSS, induction patterns varied greatly and were highly antibiotic-specific. Each antibiotic produced unique induction curves, which differed in lag times before induction, maximal rates of induction and peak induction levels.
Induction kinetics were also strongly antibiotic concentration-dependent, to different extents for each antibiotic, and generally correlated inversely with decreasing OD values, therefore linking induction kinetics to antibiotic activity. However, there were no obvious trends linking antibiotics acting on similar stages of CWSS with specific induction patterns. Therefore, the signal triggered by all of the antibiotics, that is responsible for activating VraS signal transduction, does not appear to be linked to any particular enzymatic target, as CWSS induction was triggered equally strongly by antibiotics targeting early cytoplasmic stages (e.g. fosfomycin) and late extracellular polymerization stages (e.g. oxacillin) of peptidoglycan synthesis. This is a key difference between the VraSR system of S. aureus and the homologous LiaRS systems of other Gram-positive bacteria such as B. subtilis and S. mutans, which are only activated by lipid-II interacting antibiotics, such as bacitracin, ramoplanin and nisin [15–18]. The increased induction spectrum could account for the larger size of the S. aureus CWSS and its protective role against more different classes of antibiotics. Although no direct links between induction properties and the impact of the CWSS on respective resistance phenotypes could be found.
Previous studies have reported large differences in CWSS induction characteristics. However, most studies were performed on different strains and using different experimental conditions. Variations in characteristics observed for the ten antibiotics tested here, indicated that each antibiotic has optimal induction conditions that should be determined before CWSS studies are carried out, including the right antibiotic concentration for the strain used and the optimal sampling time point to measure maximal induction.
This study has been carried out with financial support from the Commission of the European Communities, specifically the Infectious Diseases research domain of the Health theme of the 7th Framework Programme, contract number 241446, "The effects of antibiotic administration on the emergence and persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans and on the composition of the indigenous microbiotas at various body sites"; and the Swiss National Science Foundation grant 31-117707.
VD carried out most of the experimental work and drafted the manuscript. PS and BB participated in the design and coordination of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. RH participated in the microbiological studies and helped to draft the manuscript. NM participated in the design and coordination of the study, carried out molecular biological studies and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. | 2019-04-18T15:00:24Z | https://bmcmicrobiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2180-11-16 |
Midnight in the Tenderloin, and Georgia Mitchell sat in her wobbly wheelchair at her usual street corner. The other homeless people had wandered off to sleep in alleys. Mitchell was shaking, having not eaten or shot heroin all day, facing another night alone on the concrete.
"How come my life is like this?" she wailed, waving her bony arms. "Nobody cares."
She was wrong. Today, two years and four months after that June night on the sidewalk, the 55-year-old Mitchell is clean of heroin, healthy, and has a safe place to live in downtown San Francisco. She is an example of how redemption can come for even the most desperate, with the help of a determined social worker given the resources to do the job.
It is expensive redemption -- Mitchell's home and medical care cost taxpayers about $21,000 a year. But her case shows how that can be far cheaper than allowing homeless people to deteriorate on the street, becoming public nuisances and financial burdens.
In her last two years on the street, the public spent nearly $100,000 annually on Georgia Mitchell's emergency care and support.
A Chronicle reporter and photographer first met Mitchell in June 2003, at a point in her life when she spent her days selling scrounged clothing and toys on Market Street near United Nations Plaza. Usually clad in a turban and a dark dress clinging to her stringy frame, she wheeled a shopping cart full of blankets, a Bible and dolls. The $5 a day she earned went to her crack and heroin habits.
"Life's not too bad," she said one hot day that year in a near-whisper. "My friends give me food. I smoke when I need to, get well (shoot heroin) when I have to."
Raised poor in Hattiesburg, Miss., she met a man named Eddie Banks at age 17. They fell into a cycle of drug use and poverty that landed them in San Francisco. When Banks died in 1986 because of drug abuse, they had been together 17 years, and Mitchell knew little of any other life.
"After he died, I'd clean houses or be an in-home health aide, sometimes lived with my sister here in San Francisco, but then I guess I gave up," she said.
The sister, Lula, said she moved back to Mississippi in 1990. "When her man died, she kind of died with him," she said by phone from Hattiesburg. "I love her but haven't the slightest idea how Georgia stayed alive all these years."
There is not much in the public record to shed light on that question.
In 1994, according to Mitchell, she served four months in San Francisco County Jail for cocaine possession. Over the next nine years, she vaguely recalls being in hospitals, sometimes staying with friends, being on city welfare at some point for a couple of years.
By 2003, she was known on the street as "Mama," though she has no children. Her days were a dreary routine of leaning against her cart, selling things and storing condoms, needles and crack for pals in exchange for drugs. Nights meant sleeping outside or in friends' hotel rooms.
That November, she smashed her right knee on a fire hydrant, and within weeks couldn't walk. Too proud -- and addled -- to go to a doctor, she took to sitting in a worn-out wheelchair that a friend found.
An infection developed in the wound; she cried every time she touched it. In December, she wheeled herself to the corner of Leavenworth and Turk in the Tenderloin and parked in front of the tiny Barah grocery. And there she stayed, spit-washing herself with rags and relieving herself in paper cups when she couldn't make it to a nearby portable toilet. Sometimes she bought a cinnamon bun for a dollar. Mostly she ate leftovers from other street people, who also gave her drugs.
"OK, Mama, it's time to put you away," said Marcus, one of the men still on Mitchell's corner one spring night in 2004. Mitchell stared at him with glazed eyes. "I don't feel good," she mumbled.
Marcus sighed. He thrust a syringe into the cotton ball he'd just used to screen impurities in his melted heroin shot, coaxing leftover juice from the ball into his syringe -- called "getting the cotton" by junkies -- and gave the syringe to Mitchell. Hand shaking, she jammed it into her forearm.
"All right, gimme that damn thing," Marcus said, grabbing the hypodermic. He wheeled Mitchell against the wall for the night and walked off. Her arms flopped over the wheelchair arms. In three minutes, she was asleep.
As she wasted away, local shopkeepers and police officers who patrolled the corner said they felt helpless to do anything.
"Georgia, you need to get inside," Officer Gary Peachy pleaded one morning. "You're killing yourself with these damn drugs, this life. Let me call someone to get you."
Mitchell shook her head. Peachy sighed. "This is one of the worst heroin corners in the city," he said as he walked away. "She doesn't want to go, I can't make her. What a tragedy."
The rejection of help is a key reason there are so many homeless people on the nation's streets. But state and federal laws allow addicted or mentally ill homeless people to refuse the very services that could assist them. Ever since the 1960s patients' rights movement, they have had the same prerogative as housed citizens to refuse any service unless they pose a danger to themselves or others -- which is hard to prove.
The only way Peachy could force Mitchell into drug rehabilitation was to arrest her and hope she was sentenced to rehab -- which courts usually do. But she could leave rehab any time after starting it.
While authorities wring their hands, the public cost of caring for a chronically homeless person can mount quickly.
On June 9, 2004, Mitchell's street friends, alarmed by her pitiful state, telephoned a homeless transport van to take her to San Francisco General Hospital.
There, doctors determined she had HIV and a life-threatening infection in the bones of her right leg and knee. Her socks had fused into the skin of her feet and had to be cut out. Her hair, clumped with dirt and lice, had to be sheared to the scalp.
"That infection is pretty deep," Dr. Bruce Wong said at the time as he gingerly poked her leg, sending shivers through her body. "It's a good thing you came to us."
Mitchell stayed in the hospital for two weeks, in a private room because she was potentially contagious with tuberculosis. At about $3,000 a day for the room, according to the hospital, her stay cost $39,000 plus other charges.
Mitchell was then moved to Laguna Honda, the city's long-term nursing care facility. She got twice-weekly rehab sessions on her legs -- the left leg had bad arthritis -- in addition to weekly counseling and the daily methadone treatments that had begun at General.
As the months rolled by, Mitchell's infection was reversed and her head cleared for the first time in years. She made friends and started wearing sunglasses with rhinestones. Her battered wheelchair was thrown away; the hospital gave her a new one and ordered her a Medicare-funded, $6,000 battery-powered model.
In September 2004, she learned she had been signed up two years earlier, during an encounter with counselors that she didn't remember, for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), federal disability assistance for poor people. She was owed $21,381 in back payments, to be paid in three $7,127 installments, each six months apart.
"Thank you Lord for salvation ... and thank you Lord for SLEEP," she wrote on July 15, 2004, in a journal she began soon after moving into Laguna Honda. "... Not PASSED OUT or knocked OUT. But sleep ... Sun is shining and the wind is blowing... Believe it or not, I have a peaceful day."
But old habits proved hard to break.
At Laguna Honda, Mitchell got into trouble by reverting to her impulse to sell things. First it was cigarettes in the wards, then a bottle of wine -- then, in February 2005, eight months after she came to the center, she sold a syringe.
The doctors chewed her out for selling the syringe and told her to clean up her act or leave, according to accounts by Mitchell and doctors at Laguna Honda.
By then, social workers had shown her some supportive housing complexes -- homes with on-site counseling for drug, alcohol or mental problems -- but she had rejected them as having poor wheelchair access.
At 11 a.m. on Feb. 18, Mitchell packed her clothes and journal into a bag and rolled away in her wheelchair -- the electric one hadn't arrived -- to catch a bus to the Tenderloin.
The staff begged her to straighten up and stay, then booked her a spot at a homeless shelter when she insisted on going. She never showed up.
Dr. Theresa Berta, shrugging helplessly five days later, said she warned Mitchell that people would steal her disability money, "that she ran the risk of doing drugs again, but she turned me down. We can't force her."
Mitchell's eight-month stay in Laguna Honda, at $410 a day plus medication, counseling and doctor bills, had cost taxpayers more than $100,000.
At first, Mitchell slept on a friend's couch, but a week later she was back on the sidewalk, in front of the same corner grocery, shooting heroin and smoking crack.
"I know Dr. Berta is trying to help me, but I have to do this on my own now," she said that winter as she trolled the Tenderloin streets one afternoon for a place to rent. "I have SSI money now."
But most of the $14,254 she had received so far in back disability payments was splurged on drugs for herself and friends or was stolen from her lap as she slept.
She said she had almost immediately regretted her decision to leave Laguna Honda; that taste of stability had left a hunger for more. After nearly two months, she joined a line of hundreds of street people outside the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on April 12, 2005, to attend Project Homeless Connect, a bimonthly volunteer gathering Mayor Gavin Newsom's administration organized to assist the homeless.
By day's end, Mitchell was booked into the Columbia Hotel in the Tenderloin, a single-room-occupancy hotel under lease with the city at a cost of $21 a room. Her name was given to a team of outreach counselors, including social worker Dorothy James.
National studies show that the most chronic cases on the street can require up to two years of engagement by counselors before they change. In the two years before Mitchell went to Project Homeless Connect for help, the city spent more than $140,000 on medical care for her.
Similar studies show the best way to stabilize street people is to put them in supportive housing. Keeping one person in such a unit in San Francisco usually costs up to $15,000 a year.
But making the transition from the street to permanent housing can be difficult. After two weeks at the Columbia, Mitchell started letting friends use her room to smoke crack and sleep, which violated hotel rules. So the outreach team dispatched Dorothy James, a stocky woman with a booming laugh.
James' job is to pinpoint the most chronically homeless people on the street and urge them into services. She had read the history Mitchell gave the volunteers at Project Homeless Connect, so she arrived ready to cut to the chase.
James knocked, then came in, at 11 a.m. on May 12, 2005. She took a hard look at Mitchell sitting in her wheelchair, and put her hands on her hips.
"Ms. Mitchell, you've got to stand on your own," James said in the no-nonsense tone of a teacher.
"I know your friends say they need your room to light up, but who's here now when you're hurting? Who really gives a damn about your life?"
Walking to the chair, James shoved her face close to Mitchell's and said: "Me, that's who. I care. I will get on my knees to save you. I am here."
Mitchell tried to speak, but couldn't get words out past a sob.
James threw her arms around her. That was the end of Mitchell's serious straying.
After consulting with Laguna Honda for more history, James signed Mitchell up at a methadone clinic for a daily $11 dose, and swung by each day to take her there.
Officer Peachy, who had implored her to leave the Barah market street corner, heard Mitchell was inside and stopped by periodically to encourage her recovery.
On July 20, James fetched the electric wheelchair that had been ordered at Laguna Honda, giving Mitchell more mobility.
Mitchell needed another week at General in August to clear up a drug-induced abscess; her room cost more than $14,000. She still occasionally shot heroin or smoked crack, but cleaned up quickly each time with James' encouragement.
"I spent weeks saying, 'Georgia, stay away from that corner!' " James said one day in late August 2005, as she stood with Mitchell outside the Columbia. " 'Get new friends, change your environment' -- right?" she said, nudging Mitchell.
Mitchell looked up and grinned. "My Lord, what a guardian angel," she said.
On Dec. 21, 2005, James arranged for Mitchell to move into the newest, best supportive housing complex in the city: the Plaza Apartments on Sixth Street. For the first time in her 55 years, Mitchell had a place all her own. As she wheeled into her studio unit, she gasped.
The bed, with a purple bedspread and wrought-iron headboard, was so new it smelled new. So did the beige dresser, the two-burner stove, and the bathroom's toothpaste and deodorant.
After staring for two minutes, Mitchell breathed: "Beautiful. New things? I can't believe it."
Mitchell's rent in the subsidized apartment -- for life, if she stays -- is $235, which leaves her $601 from her monthly disability check for spending money. That's enough for her to stay where she is, she said.
Mitchell rolls easily to free meals at St. Anthony Dining Room, and the Plaza's on-site counselors and doctors get her free clothes, drug rehab or emotional advice whenever she needs.
The public cost of this stability -- of keeping one sick, drug-addicted person off the streets of the city? About $21,000 a year.
That counts $14,400 a year for the room, including the cost of counseling, maintenance and administration; $6,200 a year in Medicare- or Medi-Cal-funded treatment, the federal estimate for a person with HIV and other severe health problems; and meals that cost St. Anthony $1.95 apiece. St. Anthony accepts no government funding, and its private donations are integral to its mission of caring for the poor.
By last spring, James' accounts of Mitchell's path to vibrancy had impressed city homeless policy managers. They arranged for her to throw out the first pitch at a July 31 Giants baseball game; grinning, she leaned over the arm of her wheelchair and drilled the ball into the catcher's glove before a full stadium.
Mitchell also has gotten back in contact with her sister, Lula, in Mississippi, and the rest of her family; they plan to visit at Christmas.
On a sunny afternoon, Mitchell sat outside the Plaza and leaned back, closing her eyes. Her main pleasures now are reading her Bible -- Psalm 46 is a favorite: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" -- and watching TV news. But mostly she just likes to sit. Outside. Without drugs addling her brain.
"Just listen," she said, cocking her head. "Can you hear that? It's the breeze. It's moving through the trees. And the sky." She opened her eyes and looked up.
"You know, I don't think I ever really saw the trees and the sky before," she said quietly. "Now I do."
June: Chronicle reporter and photographer meet Mitchell, homeless on Market Street.
Aug.: Ambulance ride to San Francisco General Hospital, and one week in hospital for treatment of a deep abscess.
Nov.: Smashes knee on a fire hydrant. Doesn't seek help; begins staying on street in Tenderloin.
June 9 2004: Goes to S.F. General for treatment of injured knee, now infected and threatening her health. HIV is also diagnosed. She is given methadone for heroin addiction. A private room because she may have tuberculosis costs $2,995 a day. She stays 13 days.
June 23: Moves to Laguna Honda long-term hospital; stays variously in Acute Medical Unit, private room and ward room until Feb. 18, 2005, while receiving rehabilitation sessions for leg and counseling. Total cost is more than $100,000.
Sept.: Learns she will receive $21,381 in back SSI disability payments she doesn't remember signing up for.
Feb. 18: Abruptly leaves Laguna Honda, goes back to being homeless in Tenderloin. Most of her disability money is spent on drugs or stolen.
April 12: Attends Project Homeless Connect. Moves into Columbia Hotel, a single-room occupancy hotel leased by the city.
May 12: Social worker Dorothy James has first session with Mitchell.
July: Gets electric wheelchair through Medicare, the federal medical insurance program for the poor - $6,000.
Aug.: One week in S.F. General Hospital for treatment of abscess - $14,215 for room less elaborate than before.
Dec. 21: Mitchell moves into Plaza Apartments, city's newest supportive housing complex.
Mitchell continues to live at the Plaza Apartments. If she wishes, she can stay there for life. Cost of a year's housing and estimated medical care is approximately $21,000. Of that, she pays nearly $3,000 from her disability payments for housing.
Editor's note: A clarification has been made in the above story. | 2019-04-23T17:51:44Z | https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/THE-CITY-S-COST-OF-A-LIFE-REDEEMED-2485639.php |
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Florida voters, Clements, Karen Anne thru Clements, Kimberly L.
Clements, Karen Anne thru Clements, Kimberly L.
Clements, Karen Anne was born 2 August 1984, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 7575 129Th St, Sebastian, Florida 32958. Florida voter ID number 118462867. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 22-D E Main St Greenwich OH 44837-1142. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 November 2014.
CLEMENTS, KARENA PRAMILA was born 30 August 1996, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 1200 17Th St N, St Petersburg, Florida 33713. Florida voter ID number 120466642. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Karen E. was born 20 May 1957, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 111 22Nd St Se, Naples, Florida 34117. Florida voter ID number 102989801. Her telephone number is 1-941-353-1950. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KAREN GOLDEN was born 3 March 1951, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 838 Shelby Ave, Alford, Florida 32420. Florida voter ID number 104718963. Her telephone number is 1-850-579-4241. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KAREN L. was born 24 June 1954, is female, residing at 100 Pierce St, #1205, Clearwater, Florida 33756. Florida voter ID number 107310130. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 November 2016.
CLEMENTS, KAREN MARGARET was born 14 November 1946, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 120 Lisa Ln, Oldsmar, Florida 34677. Florida voter ID number 107203992. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 August 2016.
31 July 2014 voter list: KAREN MARGARET CLEMENTS, 3062 EASTLAND BLVD, #104, CLEARWATER, FL 33761 Florida Democratic Party.
31 May 2013 voter list: KAREN M. CLEMENTS, 633 KINGSMILL CT, OLDSMAR, FL 34677 Florida Democratic Party.
Clements, Karen Paulhamus was born 16 May 1968, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 2930 Marjorie Rd, St. Cloud, Florida 34772. Florida voter ID number 106258296. Her telephone number is 1-352-978-7833. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 March 2017 voter list: Karen Clements, 6650 Bay Shore Dr, St. Cloud, FL 34771 No Party Affiliation.
31 May 2013 voter list: Karen Paulhamus Clements, 6650 Bay Shore Dr, St. Cloud, FL 34771 No Party Affiliation.
CLEMENTS, KAREN TANIS was born 26 February 1947, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 160 Lake Constance Dr, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411. Florida voter ID number 112473668. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 423 BIDDLE ST CHESAPEAKE CY MD 21915. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 December 2013.
CLEMENTS, KARI ANN was born 24 November 1970, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 1030 Clearwater Largo Rd N, #26, Largo, Florida 33770. Florida voter ID number 123638089. Her telephone number is 1-727-315-2210. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Karina F. was born 18 October 1974, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 1931 Se 13Th Ter, Cape Coral, Florida 33990. Florida voter ID number 109436891. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 April 2016 voter list: Karina F. Clements, 2509 Verdmont Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33991 No Party Affiliation.
Clements, Karla Marie was born 20 July 1962, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 2800 50Th Ave W, Apt 17, Bradenton, Florida 34207-1745. Florida voter ID number 126121797. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Karl D. was born 10 September 1961, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 4685 Mildred Bass Rd, St. Cloud, Florida 34772. Florida voter ID number 106191555. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KARLY ROSE was born 8 August 1984, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 4309 Burtonwood Dr, Pensacola, Florida 32514. Florida voter ID number 114595470. Her telephone number is 1-757-779-6326. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: CMR 480 BOX 1579 APO AE 09128-0016. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 August 2016 voter list: KARLY R. CLEMENTS, 4309 BURTONWOOD DR, PENSACOLA, FL 32514 No Party Affiliation.
Clements, Karrie Ann was born 23 December 1988, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 10036 Cowley Rd, Riverview, Florida 33578. Florida voter ID number 114981102. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Karyn Elizabeth was born 3 July 1978, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 4163 Leaf Rd, Sebring, Florida 33875. Florida voter ID number 104564597. Her telephone number is 1-863-382-4559. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Katelyn E. was born 22 December 1986, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 2839 Everglades Blvd N, Naples, Florida 34120. Florida voter ID number 115491082. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 November 2014.
Clements, Katelyn Elizabeth was born 25 June 1993, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 241 Lorraine Dr S, Mary Esther, Florida 32569-1823. Florida voter ID number 118408104. Her telephone number is 1-850-218-6316. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 November 2015 voter list: Katelyn E. Chaney, 241 Lorraine Dr S, Mary Esther, FL 325691823 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KATELYN MARIE was born 22 November 1992, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 2106 Avensong Ln, 205, Panama City Beach, Florida 32408. Florida voter ID number 120620976. Her telephone number is 1-706-728-8658. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 November 2015 voter list: KATELYN M. CLEMENTS, 8700 FRONT BEACH RD, APT 5203, PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL 32407 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KATHERINE was born 12 July 1984, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 2050 Sw 76Th Ln, Ocala, Florida 34476. Florida voter ID number 105690511. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 July 2014.
CLEMENTS, KATHERINE was born 19 July 1957, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 221 Brackenwood Ter, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418. Florida voter ID number 122831716. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KATHERINE AUSTIN was born 29 December 1936, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 1025 Fleming St, Key West, Florida 33040. Florida voter ID number 113895842. Her telephone number is 1-305-292-1025. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 April 2017 voter list: KATHERINE A. CLEMENTS, 1025 FLEMING ST, KEY WEST, FL 33040 Florida Democratic Party.
Clements, Katherine E. was born 21 March 1987, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 3616 E Sterling Cir, Tampa, Florida 33629. Florida voter ID number 117136292. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Katherine E. was born 30 December 1990, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 11451 Sw 109Th Rd, Apt B, Miami, Florida 33176. Florida voter ID number 117566858. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KATHERINE ELIZABETH was born 22 July 1967, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 1843 S Tamiami Trl, Osprey, Florida 34229. Florida voter ID number 112900121. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KATHERINE J. was born 14 September 1956, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 4731 Terrasanta, Pensacola, Florida 32504. Florida voter ID number 103943635. Her telephone number is 1-904-484-8376. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Katherine S. was born 27 August 1974, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 7515 Embassy Blvd, Port Richey, Florida 34668. Florida voter ID number 106416422. Her telephone number is 1-727-848-7766. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kathleen was born 24 January 1955, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 1635 Washington Blvd Ne, Lake Placid, Florida 33852. Florida voter ID number 104517673. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KATHLEEN HEALY was born 8 December 1948, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 1610 King Arthur Cir, Maitland, Florida 32751. Florida voter ID number 112701355. Her telephone number is 1-407-644-0059. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KATHLEEN KAY was born 29 June 1944, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 20879 W 7Th Ave, Summerland /Cudjoe, Florida 33042. Florida voter ID number 116466802. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 40 HASTINGS DR VICTOR ID 83455. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 April 2018.
31 May 2016 voter list: Kathleen K. Clements, 9079 JUNE LN, St Augustine, FL 320808625 Florida Democratic Party.
31 May 2013 voter list: Kathleen K. Clements, 9079 JUNE Ln, St Augustine, FL 32080 Florida Democratic Party.
Clements, Kathleen Kay was born 29 June 1944, is female, registered as Independent Party of Florida, residing at 24160 Treasure Island Blvd, Punta Gorda, Florida 33955-1728. Florida voter ID number 126296299. Her email address is [email protected]. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kathleen Lanier was born 3 October 1946, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 3925 Pittman Dr, Jacksonville, Florida 32207. Florida voter ID number 103535322. Her telephone number is 1-904-733-3082. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 August 2016 voter list: Kathleen L. Clements, 3925 Pittman DR, Jacksonville, FL 32207 Florida Democratic Party.
Clements, Kathleen Olivera was born 17 June 1956, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 301 N Hesperides St, Tampa, Florida 33609. Florida voter ID number 110997368. Her telephone number is 1-813-451-6641. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KATHRYN L. was born 17 December 1926, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 3410 Ne 70Th St, Ocala, Florida 34479. Florida voter ID number 105683965. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 October 2016.
31 May 2012 voter list: KATHRYN C. CLEMENTS, 3410 NE 70TH ST, OCALA, FL 34479 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kathy Ann was born 7 January 1969, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 200 Oxbow Dr, Sebring, Florida 33876. Florida voter ID number 104518285. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 June 2016 voter list: Kathy Clements, 200 Oxbow Dr, Sebring, FL 33876 No Party Affiliation.
31 May 2012 voter list: Kathy Clements, 4828 Date Palm Dr, Sebring, FL 33870 No Party Affiliation.
Clements, Kathy Ann was born 7 March 1951, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 5400 Water Oak Ln, #101, Jacksonville, Florida 32210. Florida voter ID number 103286710. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 October 2018 voter list: Kathy Ann Clements, 7829 Catawba Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32217 Florida Democratic Party.
31 May 2013 voter list: Kathy Ann Clements, 6910 Hermitage Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32277 Florida Democratic Party.
Clements, Kathy Beasley was born 28 December 1951, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 1085 Ne 143Rd St, North Miami, Florida 33161. Florida voter ID number 109042001. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KATHY C. was born 5 August 1957, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 732 Palm Dr, Orlando, Florida 32803. Florida voter ID number 113257008. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 November 2018.
CLEMENTS, KATHY ELLEN was born 26 December 1951, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 3700 26Th Ave N, St Petersburg, Florida 33713. Florida voter ID number 118880572. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kathy Hultgren was born 14 June 1948, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 713 Tarrytown Trl, Port Orange, Florida 32127. Florida voter ID number 108750913. Her telephone number is 1-386-761-4683. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
28 February 2017 voter list: Kathy H. Clements, 713 Tarrytown Trl, Port Orange, FL 32127 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kathy L. was born 6 January 1960, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 3244 N Horseshoe Dr, Avon Park, Florida 33825. Florida voter ID number 104544451. Her telephone number is 1-863-452-6376. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: PO BOX 1343 Avon Park FL 33826. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kathy Quigley was born 20 May 1956, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 142 Timber Ln, Eustis, Florida 32726. Florida voter ID number 104821826. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KATIE BUCHANAN was born 2 May 1989, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 7435 Hwy 2311, Panama City, Florida 32404. Florida voter ID number 115871817. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 November 2014 voter list: KATIE ANNE BUCHANAN, 9017 N MCCANN RD, SOUTHPORT, FL 32409 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KATIE ELAINE was born 14 November 1985, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 8394 Ferlon Ave, Pensacola, Florida 32526. Florida voter ID number 118642243. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 7019 DAY BREAK PEAKS CONVERSE TX 78109-3710. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 December 2018.
Clements, Katielee Portillo was born 11 December 1990, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 570 Nw 99Th Way, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024. Florida voter ID number 116185468. Her telephone number is 1-786-532-8080. Her email address is katielee58@yahoo. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 May 2018 voter list: Katielee Portillo Clements, 26023 SW 138Th Ct, Homestead, FL 33032 Republican Party of Florida.
31 August 2015 voter list: Katielee Portillo Clements, 4911 SW 148Th PL, Miami, FL 331854104 Republican Party of Florida.
31 May 2013 voter list: Katielee Portillo Clements, 15417 Plantation Oaks Dr, APT 11, Tampa, FL 33647 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KATIE LYNNE was born 31 October 1986, is female, residing at 11850 Ml King St N, #13209, St Petersburg, Florida 33716. Florida voter ID number 107352375. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 233 VESTAVIA CIR VESTAVIA AL 35216-1327. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 November 2016.
CLEMENTS, KATIE S. was born 26 November 1949, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 86 Arrow Trce, Havana, Florida 32333. Florida voter ID number 104234345. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Katie T. was born 15 May 1961, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 301 Country World Dr W, Davenport, Florida 33897-8946. Florida voter ID number 113705390. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 March 2015 voter list: KATIE T. CLEMENTS, 301 COUNTRY WORLD DR W, DAVENPORT, FL 33897 No Party Affiliation.
Clements, Katrelle Dennae was born 16 January 1975, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 9810 Sw 221St St, Cutler Bay, Florida 33190. Florida voter ID number 109512587. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 May 2012.
CLEMENTS, KAYCE MARTHA was born 19 February 1983, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 22522 Front Beach Rd, #P, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413. Florida voter ID number 118874255. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 315 FIVE MILE RD EUFAULA AL 36027. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 December 2018.
CLEMENTS, KAYLA ANN was born 1 July 1991, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 18604 50Th St N, Loxahatchee, Florida 33470. Florida voter ID number 116671471. Her telephone number is 1-954-857-9256. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
29 February 2016 voter list: KAYLA ANN WEBER, 4570 123RD TRL N, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33411 No Party Affiliation.
Clements, Kayla Anne was born 20 February 1997, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 1931 Se 13Th Ter, Cape Coral, Florida 33990. Florida voter ID number 120958467. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 April 2016 voter list: Kayla Anne Clements, 2509 Verdmont Ct, Cape Coral, FL 33991 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kayla Beth was born 29 June 1997, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 2601 Sw Archer Rd, Apt 392, Gainesville, Florida 32608. Florida voter ID number 122048396. Her telephone number is 1-954-654-9005. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 September 2016 voter list: Kayla Beth Clements, 2601 SW Archer RD, APT 342, Gainesville, FL 32608 Florida Democratic Party.
31 August 2016 voter list: Kayla Beth Clements, 11080602 Beaty Towers W, Gainesville, FL 32612 Florida Democratic Party.
31 January 2016 voter list: Kayla Beth Clements, 17862 SW 5Th St, Pembroke Pines, FL 330294117 Florida Democratic Party.
31 March 2015 voter list: Kayla Beth Clements, 17862 SW 5Th St, Pembroke Pines, FL 33029 Florida Democratic Party.
Clements, Kaylea Briane was born 14 July 1998, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 21109 Market St, Dade City, Florida 33523. Florida voter ID number 122547956. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kaylee Michael was born 23 October 1996, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 1773 Highland View Dr, St Augustine, Florida 32092-2022. Florida voter ID number 120569650. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: PO Box 360 Tybee Island GA 31328. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 December 2015.
31 May 2013 voter list: Kaylee Michael Clements, 1773 Highland View DR, St Augustine, FL 32092 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kaylen Audreana was born 28 May 1997, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 997 Sunday Rd, Chipley, Florida 32428. Florida voter ID number 124450765. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: PO BOX 825 CHIPLEY FL 32428-0000. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 June 2017 voter list: KAYLEN AUDREANA CLEMENTS, 3424 OLD SAINT AUGUSTINE RD, LOT 58, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32311 No Party Affiliation.
Clements, Kayli Aurora was born 22 September 1995, is male, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 1220 E Hamilton Ave, Tampa, Florida 33604. Florida voter ID number 123368459. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kaylin Renee was born 8 March 1991, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 1430 Nw 5Th Ave, Apt 3, Gainesville, Florida 32603. Florida voter ID number 117580961. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 9335 SW 116Th Street Miami FL 33176. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 May 2012 voter list: Kaylin Renee Clements, 9335 SW 116Th ST, Miami, FL 33176 No Party Affiliation.
Clements, Keaton Robert was born 15 December 1995, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 4208 Turtle Xing, Niceville, Florida 32578-8772. Florida voter ID number 119347344. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 November 2013 voter list: Keaton Robert Clements, 220 Galway DR, Niceville, FL 325782376 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KEITH A. was born 22 November 1956, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 2100 Nursery Rd, #K14, Clearwater, Florida 33764. Florida voter ID number 107304371. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Keith E. was born 15 December 1954, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 1555 Curlew Ave, Apt 2, Naples, Florida 34102. Florida voter ID number 102974029. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 May 2012.
Clements, Keith Edwin was born 11 July 1978, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 9860 Nw 5Th Pl, Plantation, Florida 33324-7036. Florida voter ID number 116376369. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 June 2015 voter list: Keith Edwin Clements, 9860 NW 5Th PL, Plantation, FL 33324 Florida Democratic Party.
CLEMENTS, KELLIE LYNN was born 6 February 1971, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 4807 Ne 18Th Pl, Ocala, Florida 34470. Florida voter ID number 105567318. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 December 2018 voter list: KELLIE CLEMENTS, 4807 NE 18TH PL, OCALA, FL 34470 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kelly B. born 9 July 1968, Florida voter ID number 107566402 See DOHENY, KELLY BROCK. CLICK HERE.
Clements, Kelly B. was born 7 December 1927, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 3144 Birdseye Cir, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563. Florida voter ID number 107545463. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 November 2018.
CLEMENTS, KELLY J. born 27 July 1975, Florida voter ID number 107312087 See Isbister-Clements, Kelly Jane. CLICK HERE.
CLEMENTS, KELLY MARIE was born 11 December 1982, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 300 8Th Ave Ne, St Petersburg, Florida 33701. Florida voter ID number 126503559. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kelly R. was born 17 December 1933, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 5374 Locklin Ave, Milton, Florida 32570. Florida voter ID number 107545529. His telephone number is 623-6817 (no area code listed). This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KELLY WALLACE was born 23 September 1987, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 142 Craft St, Pensacola, Florida 32534-1321. Florida voter ID number 104152053. His telephone number is 1-850-723-3566. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kelvin Leroy was born 3 March 1967, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 3518 Mecasin St, Jacksonville, Florida 32254. Florida voter ID number 103303974. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kendall Marie was born 17 June 1989, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 1451 River Of May St, St Augustine, Florida 32092. Florida voter ID number 121353024. Her telephone number is 1-843-277-7617. Her email address is [email protected]. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 October 2018 voter list: KENDALL MARIE CLEMENTS, 135 RAE DR, PALM COAST, FL 321646890 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KENDRA R. was born 2 April 1949, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 2182 Percival Way, The Villages, Florida 32162. Florida voter ID number 118546054. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KENNETH B. was born 23 January 1938, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 120 Glades Turn, Panama City Beach, Florida 32407. Florida voter ID number 100638809. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KENNETH B. was born 30 August 1967, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 2910 Greenon Ln, Apt A, Tallahassee, Florida 32304-1254. Florida voter ID number 116609522. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 March 2015 voter list: KENNETH B. CLEMENTS, 6108 GREENON LN, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304 Florida Democratic Party.
CLEMENTS, KENNETH BRUCE was born 27 January 1962, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 2155 Harbor Cove Way, Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Florida voter ID number 102325849. His telephone number is 1-407-903-4838. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 June 2014 voter list: KENNETH BRUCE CLEMENTS, 13824 BLUEBIRD POND RD, WINDERMERE, FL 34786 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kenneth Eugene was born 19 December 1946, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 210 State St, Davenport, Florida 33837. Florida voter ID number 113425012. His email address is [email protected]. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: PO BOX 524 LAKE HAMILTON FL 33851-0000. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 November 2016 voter list: Kenneth E. Clements, 210 State St, Davenport, FL 33837 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KENNETH J. was born 18 November 1955, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 5236 Suncrest Rd, 26, Key West / S. I., Florida 33040. Florida voter ID number 120374573. His telephone number is 1-215-206-8282. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 March 2015 voter list: KENNETH J. CLEMENTS, 5236 SUNCREST RD, LOT 26, KEY WEST / S. I., FL 33040 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kenneth J. was born 24 September 1993, is male, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 3710 Estepona Ave, Doral, Florida 33178. Florida voter ID number 118841928. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: PO BOX 227126 Doral FL 33178. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 January 2017.
CLEMENTS, KENNETH JACOB was born 21 September 1995, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 16229 62Nd Rd N, Loxahatchee, Florida 33470. Florida voter ID number 121420241. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kenneth James was born 23 October 1971, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 14816 Sw 104Th St, #85, Miami, Florida 33196. Florida voter ID number 109351162. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 January 2017.
Clements, Kenneth L. was born 27 July 1933, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 4900 Se Willoughby Blvd, Apt 219, Stuart, Florida 34997. Florida voter ID number 102697486. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 April 2018 voter list: KENNETH L. CLEMENTS, 120 FAIRVIEW E, TEQUESTA, FL 33469 Republican Party of Florida.
30 September 2016 voter list: Kenneth L. Clements, 1240 W Hemlock Dr, Citrus Springs, FL 34434 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kenneth R. was born 19 January 1951, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 450 Ne 2Nd St, Crystal River, Florida 34429. Florida voter ID number 115106441. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 December 2014.
Clements, Kenneth Rick was born 29 November 1951, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 1807 Palaco Grande Pkwy, Cape Coral, Florida 33904. Florida voter ID number 109046401. His telephone number is 1-786-338-8159. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 May 2016 voter list: Kenneth Rick Clements, 1807 Palaco Grande Pky, Cape Coral, FL 33904 Florida Democratic Party.
31 May 2012 voter list: Kenneth Rick Clements, 3540 SW 121St Ave, Miami, FL 33175 Florida Democratic Party.
Clements, Kenneth Ross was born 24 December 1957, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 3644 Nw 33Rd Ter, Gainesville, Florida 32605-2180. Florida voter ID number 100438787. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
CLEMENTS, KENNETH W. was born 13 September 1963, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 16229 62Nd Rd N, Loxahatchee, Florida 33470. Florida voter ID number 112199996. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kenneth W. was born 27 August 1949, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 3773 Opal Dr, Mulberry, Florida 33860-7531. Florida voter ID number 113576618. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
31 March 2015 voter list: KENNETH W. CLEMENTS, 3773 OPAL DR, MULBERRY, FL 33860 Republican Party of Florida.
Clements, Kenny W. was born 3 April 1980, is male, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 36720 Pershing Ave, Dade City, Florida 33525. Florida voter ID number 106610424. His telephone number is 1-352-567-3762. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kenyatta Ma-Chara was born 1 December 1985, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 1206 Nw 63Rd St, Miami, Florida 33147. Florida voter ID number 110162213. Her telephone number is 1-786-318-8813. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kevin Barry was born 12 January 1978, is male, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 14894 Tybee Island Dr, Naples, Florida 34119. Florida voter ID number 116529182. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 November 2018.
CLEMENTS, KEVIN JOSEPH was born 11 April 1988, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 8710 Saratoga Inlet Dr, Apt 304, Orlando, Florida 32829. Florida voter ID number 119862834. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kevin L. was born 7 May 1959, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 433 Ne Snead Cir, Avon Park, Florida 33825. Florida voter ID number 115376897. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kevin Richard was born 23 June 1960, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 7901 Sw 22Nd St, Miami, Florida 33155. Florida voter ID number 109018002. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Keyun L. was born 15 March 1990, is male, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 5800 Nw 14Th St, Sunrise, Florida 33313-6213. Florida voter ID number 116567793. His telephone number is 1-678-608-9720. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 June 2015 voter list: Keyun L. Clements, 5800 NW 14th St, Sunrise, FL 33313 Florida Democratic Party.
Clements, Kiel Aron was born 9 December 1982, is male, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 11318 Mcnichols Ct, Jacksonville, Florida 32223-7382. Florida voter ID number 117503131. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 4439 Trenton Mill Rd Apt 9 Upperco MD 21155-9205. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 June 2017.
31 October 2015 voter list: Kiel Aron Clements, 1980 Lordun Ter, Jacksonville, FL 322074315 Republican Party of Florida.
30 June 2015 voter list: Kiel Aron Clements, 11318 McNichols CT, Jacksonville, FL 322237382 Republican Party of Florida.
31 March 2015 voter list: Kiel Aron Clements, 54 Ponte Vedra Colony Cir, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 320822796 Republican Party of Florida.
31 May 2013 voter list: Kiel Aron Clements, 54 Ponte Vedra Colony CIR, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Republican Party of Florida.
31 May 2012 voter list: KIEL ARON CLEMENTS, 350 CROSSING BLVD, APT 1115, ORANGE PARK, FL 32073 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KIMBERLY ANN was born 20 June 1957, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 4383 Nw 4Th Cir, Ocala, Florida 34475. Florida voter ID number 118161243. The voter lists a mailing address and probably prefers you use it: 1154 W MESQUITE TREE LN. SAN TAN VALLEY AZ 85143. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 30 November 2016.
CLEMENTS, KIMBERLY ANN was born 6 July 1961, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 407 Gulf Breeze Blvd, Venice, Florida 34293. Florida voter ID number 100109643. Her telephone number is 493-8341 (no area code listed). This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kimberly D. was born 26 August 1971, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 1466 Cumberland Ct, Fort Myers, Florida 33919. Florida voter ID number 111558301. Her telephone number is 939-3072 (no area code listed). This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kimberly Elaine was born 30 April 1970, is female, registered as Republican Party of Florida, residing at 5023 4Th St E, Bradenton, Florida 34203. Florida voter ID number 105478287. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
30 April 2014 voter list: Kimberly Elaine Wickiser, 5023 4th St E, Bradenton, FL 34203 Republican Party of Florida.
CLEMENTS, KIMBERLY KAYE was born 11 March 1967, is female, registered as No Party Affiliation, residing at 1646 Kirkwood St, North Port, Florida 34288. Florida voter ID number 118005915. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kimberly L. was born 13 May 1966, is female, registered as Florida Democratic Party, residing at 6195 60Th Ct, Vero Beach, Florida 32967. Florida voter ID number 104604348. This is the most recent information, from the Florida voter list as of 31 March 2019.
Clements, Kimberly L. born 26 October 1982, Florida voter ID number 100566240 See Schandel, Kimberly Clements. CLICK HERE. | 2019-04-21T10:14:47Z | https://flvoters.com/pages/c107590.html |
NOTE: Each reviewer will be scheduled for between 6 and 7 reviews in each block where their name appears.
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New reviewers are scheduled right up until the event so check often and you’ll see additions. We will offer over 1200 reviews with many of the nation’s most influential photography professionals.
Kraige Block BioKraige Block is the Gallery Director of Throckmorton Fine Art Gallery.
Marianne Campbell BioMarianne Campbell is a photography agent with offices in San Francisco and New York City. Her company, Marianne Campbell Associates currently represents photographers Randal Ford, Shaun Fenn, Jamie Kripke, RJ Muna, Jim Salzano, Margaret Lampert, Matthew Turley and Annabelle Breakey. The diverse and talented group has worked most recently with clients such as Oakley, Audi, duPont, Starbucks, Pfizer, RAM Trucks, Phillips 66, Clorox, SAP, Asics, Verizon, Method, Purina and Target.Reviewer Preference: Open to seeing motion samples in addition to still photography.
Suzanne Darmory BioSuzanne Darmory is President and Co-founder of the advertising agency hi, our name is, (http://hiournameis.com) an experienced, results-driven, nimble, lovable, small creative agency based in New York City. She has 25 years of international, award-winning experience creating groundbreaking integrated advertising and marketing solutions for Fortune 500 clients. She was recognized by Refinery29 as one of the 29 most powerful women in digital, featured on the “Where Are the Boss Ladies?” list, and will be published in Miami Ad School’s upcoming book, “The First Chapter Project.” Suzanne spent most of her career at advertising agencies in New York (Arnold, Deutsch, Grey, JWT, Moxie, mcgarrybowen, Ogilvy, R/GA, Zeta) and in London (Bates UK, Euro RSCG, Imagination, Ogilvy & Mather). In addition to winning over 100 Advertising Awards, her work has been featured in: AdAge, Adweek, Brandweek, CBS, CNN, Communication Arts, engadget, Forbes, Good Morning America, Mashable, MTV, NBC, The New York Times, The Today Show and PR Newswire. She is an active judge, portfolio reviewer, panelist, speaker, mentor, and an ongoing adjunct professor at FIT.
Maya Robinson BioMaya Robinson is the Digital Art Director, Photography & Visuals , for New York Magazine. Reviewer Preference: Interested in studio and environmental portraiture and photojournalism.
Kenneth Zane BioKenneth Zane is a Senior Photo Producer at the GAP & Old Navy. Before this, he was a Sr.Producer at Leo Burnett advertising agency in Chicago. Ken began his career in New York as an Art Buyer for Palio Communications, followed by work for DRAFTFCB, and Digitas. Some of his many accounts have included: Motorola, MilkPep, GSK, Pfizer , Astra Zeneca, KMART, SC Johnson, Hampton Inn, Nestle, Kraft, Boeing, Dow, UCB, and Olay—running the gamut from consumer to health care. Currently he is working with such clients as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Miller-Coors,3M and P & G. Zane has cultivated turning this diverse experience into indispensable assets. Passionate about photography and art since childhood, he loves and thrives on the visual discovery of both new and seasoned talent. Reviewer Preference: Open to seeing motion samples in addition to still photography.
Katie Buntsma BioKatie Buntsma is an art producer at Team One advertising agency for the past 3 years. Before that she was a graphic designer with Patina Restaurant Group. She graduated from with honors The Art Center College of Design. At Team One she works with clients including Lexus, 2K video games, EA video games, Ritz-Carlton, Dacor, Me & The Bees, PIMCO and more. In her free time, she collaborates with her friends on Poni, a creative crafting/events company.
Anna Dickson BioAnna is currently Visual lead for the Content and Community team at Google, focusing mainly on food and travel photography. Prior to Google, Anna was Photo Director at Huffington Post and Deputy Photography at The Wall Street Journal. She also worked on several print publications, including Rolling Stone and Popular Photography. Reviewer Preference: Food and Travel photography. Open to seeing motion samples in addition to still photography.
Scott Nichols BioScott Nichols is the Director of The Scott Nichols Gallery located in downtown San Francisco. The gallery shows a combination of established, up and coming and contemporary photographers. Nichols, a Southern California native, has been a private dealer since 1980. He is considered one of the experts on Group f/64 and Brett Weston. The gallery opened in 1992 and houses one of the largest private collections of Brett Weston photographs as well as an extensive inventory of photographs by classic California photographers such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Dorothea Lange, Imogen Cunningham, Ruth Bernhard, Wynn Bullock, and William Garnett.
Marta Hallett BioMarta Hallett Is the President & CEO of Glitterati, Inc. a New York-based publisher of fine photography books. Before founding Glitterati, she was the Director of Rizzoli Publishing in the US.
Ann Jastrab BioAnn M. Jastrab is currently the gallery director at RayKo Photo Center located in the SOMA arts district in San Francisco near SFMOMA and the Yerba Buena Arts Center. RayKo is a comprehensive photographic facility with studio and galleries that has been serving the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. RayKo Gallery serves to advance public appreciation of photography and create opportunities for regional, national and international artists to create and present their work. RayKo Gallery offers over 1600 square feet of exhibition space and presents eight to ten exhibitions yearly with many nationally recognized artists; there is also a section of the gallery called The Marketplace that is reserved for Bay Area artists and displays a wide variety of photographic work. RayKo also has a thriving artist-in-residence program. Ann has curated many exhibitions for RayKo as well as juried exhibitions for the San Francisco Arts Commission, the Academy of Art in San Francisco, Artspan, SFAI, the Center for Fine Art Photography, and other national and international venues outside of San Francisco. Ann is always looking for new artists for the gallery, both for solo shows and group shows. She is most interested in seeing documentary projects, fine art photography, alternative processes/historical process work, and also work made with traditional film cameras as well as plastic and pinhole cameras. Ann is not interested in seeing work that is obviously digitally manipulated. Ann can offer exhibition as well as resident artist possibilities.
Chelsea Kyle BioChelsea Kyle is currently a photo editor at Conde Nast working for the Food Innovation Group including Epicurious.com and Bon Appétit. She has a background in Advertising, Architecture, and Editorial photography as well as professional photo retouching. Reviewer Preference: Interested in food, travel and lifestyle. Open to seeing motion video.
Sarah Laird BioSarah Laird is the founder and principal at Sarah Laird + Good Company, a photographers agency representing top creative talent in fashion, lifestyle, beauty, portraiture, still life and motion. Over 20 years strong, and with offices in New York and London, Sarah has a roster of photographers, motion directors, creative & art directors, illustrators, set designers, glam artists and stylists known for it's international perspective and limitless energy, passion and dedication. Sarah’s exceptional and knowledgeable perspective and client-relations style make her a go-to resource for advertising agencies, retailers, brands and publications from around the world. Reviewer Preference: Open to seeing motion samples in addition to still photography.
Frank Meo BioFounder of thephotocloser.com, Frank advises and consulates with photographers from around the globe. His services include estimating and negotiating of behalf of photographers to ad agencies. For 25 years, Frank has represented photographers that include Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalists in securing highly valued commercial assignments. He has worked on hundreds of company photo libraries and campaigns for clients such as American Express, Acura Motor Sports, US Coast Guard Xerox, ESPN, Citi, Nike and others.
Anthony Bannon BioDr. Anthony Bannon is a writer and a consultant in photography. His four books last year will add to his select listing of 41 publications in 5 languages held by nearly 1,000 libraries cited in the World Cat Database of the On-Line Contemporary Library Center. His articles and reviews total more than 5,000. Bannon's meetings with PSPF photographers during the past 10 years have resulted in catalogs, artist residencies, exhibitions and collection placements. When he stepped down as director of Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo, the director of the NYState Museum praised him as "among the most enlightened, prolific and important museum directors in the nation." When he was declared emeritus director at George Eastman Museum, "La Lettre de la Photographie" wrote "Bannon is an idea man of the first order." For example, his exhibition of Roger Ballen's work was selected by the Lucie Awards as one of the top five international shows of the year. Dr. Bannon's many awards includes an appointment as a critic medalist of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain and, most recently, the "Photo Review" Award for Service to the Field of Photography. His new books are "William Coupon's Portraits," "Traces," with Roman Loranc and "True to the Eyes" with Paul Roth and Brian Wallis about the Howard and Carole Tanenbaum Collection in Canada. Reviewer Preference: He is eager to see work with any style, including motion pictures.
Ellee Bokharachi BioEllee Bokharachi is Associate Director & Art Critic at Tilt Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is also an independent curator, educator, and exhibition reviewer. Bokharachi holds a Masters of Art in Art History from Arizona State University. Bokharachi is the board member of Contemporary Forum at Phoenix Art Museum as well as Scottsdale Galleries Association to develop artistic and educational programs. She works one-on-one with artists to help them with their portfolios and consult them on how to develop their ideas and how to approach galleries to show their artwork. Bokharachi has been invited to speak at several educational institutions and has received research, travel, special talent, and exhibition funds. Bokharachi has been named as one of the shapers of future by The Huffington Post in March 2017.
Angelika Hala BioAngelika Hala is the New York photo editor and producer for the German magazine stern and the magazine group’s publications VIEW and CRIME, and special editions and book projects. For more than 15 years, she has produced photo features with award-winning photographers as well as helped develop new talent. Angelika enjoys the process of creating photographic narratives in close cooperation with the photographer from single images to multi-page magazine spreads. Angelika is co-producer of Open Show New York. Reviewer Preference: photojournalism/reportage, environmental portraiture, travel features; love to look at personal projects. Please no still life and catalogue photography.
Suzee Barrabee BioSuzee is a design director at Facebook. She spent the majority of her career at Goodby Silverstein & Partners. There, she worked on every major brand that passed through the agency doors – Polaroid, Adobe, Elizabeth Arden Fragrances, Nike, NBA, Saturn, Comcast, Princess Cruise Line and Chevrolet – to name a few. She is now a freelance Art and Print Producer and has been fortunate to work at Facebook, Salesforce, Heat, Gyro, Camp + King, BSSP and GS&P.
Skye Houghton BioSkye Houghton started her career in Sydney Australia where she learned the ropes representing and producing for advertising photographers directly. 4 years later she switched sides to work as an art buyer for Saatchi Australia, before moving her life to SaatchiLA in late 2015.
Robert Morton BioRobert Morton has worked in the world of book publishing for more than four decades for such publishers as Bantam, Time Life and over 25 years at Harry Abrams as Director of Special Projects. Currently, Morton works as an editor, agent, and consultant for photographers and artists seeking publication in books. In addition to helping to prepare presentations for consideration by publishers (selecting and sequencing photographs, deciding upon forms of presenting work, discussing desired formats and printing methods), Morton works with the artist and publisher to find and enlist authors for introductions and other texts. Reviewer Preference:Robert is interested mostly in seeing subject-based work of all kinds, especially book-worthy ideas, rather than abstract images or work of purely personal expression.
Susan Nalband BioSusan Nalband is the Director of 555 Gallery in Boston, specializing in bringing the work of a growing number of emerging and established fine art photographers to collectors and buyers in Boston and internationally. In 2017, to develop a better focus for 555 Gallery, it became an exclusively online entity with a robust buying area and a relationship with Artsy.net. Today 555 Gallery is dedicated to bringing artists and collectors together through its attractive and user friendly website, art fair participation, and intimate solo exhibitions personalized for the artists, their clients and gallery clients. Consultation on developing artist’s books is offered.
Paris Chong BioParis Chong is Manager and Curator of the Leica Gallery Los Angeles. Opened in 2013, The Leica Gallery Los Angeles was created to celebrate Leica photography. The Gallery provides unparalleled access to a rotation of curated exhibits, with imagery captured by classic and contemporary Leica photographers. Chong has over seventeen years of experience in curating, managing, and promoting fine art galleries and has represented galleries and artists in events such as: Photo LA, Photo SF, Paris Photo, Paris Photo LA and The Palm Springs Photo Festival as well as representing Leica Gallery Los Angeles at Art Basel Miami and Photo Paris, France. She has curated photography exhibitions for myriad artists from Bruce Gilden to Ralph Gibson, Melanie Pullen to Lenny Kravitz. Chong serves as guest curator for the ASC (American Society of Cinematographers).
Sonja Gill BioSonja Gill is a freelance photo editor for Us Weekly Magazine. Sonja produces photography for the magazine including fashion, beauty, portraits, still life and food shoots. Prior to this position, she was an associate photo editor at Rolling Stone for several years. Reviewer PreferenceSonja is interested in seeing editorial, lifestyle, food, still life photographers. .
Chris Pichler BioChris Pichler founded Nazraeli Press in 1988, and has published some 500 books on the fine and applied arts to date, with an emphasis on contemporary photography. The press currently publishes 20 to 30 books each year. The books are distributed throughout the world. In 2007, Pichler received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Center for Photographic Arts in Carmel, California. In 2011, he was awarded the International Award from the Photographic Society of Japan. In 2014, Stanford University Art & Architecture Library acquired the complete archives of Nazraeli Press.
Dana Salvo BioDana Salvo is the owner of Clark Gallery. Clark Gallery exhibits contemporary art in all media by emerging, mid-career and established artists from the Northeast and nationally.
Pat Bates BioPat Bates is the owner and founder of Pat Bates & Associates: a New York-based artist representative agency with a laser focus on the interiors and lifestyle sectors. The agency is known for its forward thinking, curated roster of internationally-based stylists, photographers and directors whose work is commissioned by retailers, advertisers, brands, and other media outlets in the US and worldwide. The agency as a whole seeks to bring a deep understanding of the differing viewpoints and facets of “how we live,” offering clients a sophisticated and worldly aesthetic delivered with care and attention.
Gabriel Sanchez BioGabriel H. Sanchez the Photo Essay Editor at BuzzFeed and BuzzFeed News. He holds an undergraduate degree in photo-communications and a graduate degree in photography from Parsons The New School for Design. In his spare time, he's a contributing writer on photography for Artforum.com, Aperture.com, and Artslant.com, as well as a NYC-based curator of fine art.
Susan White BioSusan White was the Director of Photography at Vanity Fair Magazine for many years and is now a private consultant for photographers.
Ron Beinner BioRon Beinner has been a Contributing Photography Producer at Vanity Fair magazine since 1998. Reviewer Preference: Open to seeing motion samples in addition to still photography.
Barbara Griffin BioBarbara Griffin is an independent Creative Director, Producer and Photo Editor. She was recently named President Emerita after 8 years of leadership at Atlanta Celebrates Photography (ACP), a non-profit arts organization which produces the largest annual community-oriented photo festival in the U.S. Formerly, senior vice president of Image Management for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., Barbara was responsible for all photography created globally for Turner's entertainment, animation and news networks. An educator and frequent speaker on professional photography, she’s a member of the International Center of Photography, APA, ASMP and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Maria Lokke BioMaria Lokke is a Senior Photo Editor at WIRED. Previously, she has worked as a photo editor for The New Yorker and MSNBC. She currently lives in San Francisco. Reviewer Preference: Maria is open to view motion video, but is primarily interested in still photography.
Alice Sachs Zimet BioAlice Sachs Zimet is a collector, educator, and advisor who began collecting photography in 1985. Her collection of roughly 300 images includes 20th Century masters up through the present. Alice is Chair, Photography Collections Committee, Harvard Art Museums; board member, Magnum Foundation; and a member of ICP’s Acquisitions Committee. She teaches classes for collectors and photographers about the "Photography Marketplace" at schools, museums and festivals across the United States. She also consults with collectors on acquisitions and with photographers on how to get their work out into the marketplace. Alice was Director, Worldwide Cultural Affairs, The Chase Manhattan Bank for over two decades and now is President, Arts + Business Partners, a consulting boutique that specializes in corporate sponsorship. Reviewer Preference: As a collector, please do not pitch. As a marketing professional, interested in your communication tools.
Laura Sackett BioLaura Sackett is Creative Director and partner in LensCulture, one of the leading online destinations committed to discovering and promoting the best in the contemporary photography. Laura has lead all aspects of design including brand, website, print, communications, festival screenings and print exhibitions. Besides leading the creative direction for LensCulture, she also co-curates the online galleries.
Jane Brown BioJane Brown has worked in book publishing for 30 years; she’s played a role in the publishing and marketing of hundreds of books. Since 2002 she’s been Sales Director for the New York based publisher and distributor D.A.P. (Distributed Art Publishers). She edited the photography book, Both Sides of Sunset: Photographing Los Angeles (Metropolis Books, 2015) and co-edited Looking at Los Angeles (Metropolis Books, 2006). Prior to D.A.P. Jane has worked for Harry N. Abrams, and the consortium: Harvard University Press, MIT Press, and Yale University Press.
Jessica Manning BioJessica Manning is a Senior Art Producer at DigitasLBi. She has been working in the Advertising Industry for 12 years. She is an experienced producer working with photographers, agencies, artists and clients direct. Always seeking artists who are exceptional story tellers, embrace new media and have an eye for gorgeous, thought provoking visuals.
Elise McHugh Bio Elise McHugh is the humanities acquisition editor at the University of New Mexico Press. Her acquisition fields include photography, photography criticism, and photography history, as well as fiction, poetry, memoir, literary and popular culture studies/criticism, art, and architecture. Her experience in publishing includes ten years at UNM Press and eight years at West End Press, as well as literary and scholarly journals. The University of New Mexico Press publishes several books of art, architecture, and photography each year. Elise and the Press are interested in both fine art portrait and landscape photography and social documentary photography, particularly work that focuses on the U.S. West and the U.S.-Mexico Border. | 2019-04-24T06:16:38Z | http://2017.palmspringsphotofestival.com/portfolio-reviews/review-schedule/ |
September 15th marked the fifth anniversary of Wall Street giant Lehman Brothers going into bankruptcy, which precipitated the Great Recession that lingers on today — it remains the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. To date, no executives have faced prosecution for the widespread mortgage fraud that fueled the bubble.
Moyers and Company caught up with a man who knows a lot about fraud — and fraud prosecutions — to explain why that is, and what the possible consequences of letting Wall Street off the hook might be. William K. Black, now a professor of law at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, is a former bank regulator who played an integral role in throwing a number of high-level executives in jail for white-collar crimes during the savings and loan crisis in the 1980s. We spoke with Black by phone. A lightly edited transcript of our discussion is below.
Joshua Holland: To date, a few loan officers — small fish — have been convicted of various offenses related to the financial crash. But none of the big bankers have faced any charges. And it’s not that the government has been losing cases in the courts. There’s simply been no concerted effort to prosecute these guys. Can you contrast that with what happened during the savings and loan scandal of the 1980s, and also give us your sense of why this has been the case?
William Black: Sure. The savings and loan debacle was one-seventieth the size of the current crisis, both in terms of losses and the amount of fraud. In that crisis, the savings and loan regulators made over 30,000 criminal referrals, and this produced over 1,000 felony convictions in cases designated as “major” by the Department of Justice. But even that understates the degree of prioritization, because we, the regulators, worked very closely with the FBI and the Justice Department to create a list of the top 100 — the 100 worst fraud schemes. They involved roughly 300 savings and loans and 600 individuals, and virtually all of those people were prosecuted. We had a 90 percent conviction rate, which is the greatest success against elite white-collar crime (in terms of prosecution) in history.
In the current crisis, that same agency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, which was supposed to regulate, among others, Countrywide, Washington Mutual and IndyMac — which collectively made hundreds of thousands of fraudulent mortgage loans — made zero criminal referrals. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which is supposed to regulate the largest national banks, made zero criminal referrals. The Federal Reserve appears to have made zero criminal referrals; it made three about discrimination. And the FDIC was smart enough to refuse to answer the question, but nobody thinks they made any material number of criminal referrals [either].
So a couple of things should be obvious. First, the FBI agents will not have expertise in the industry. And second, they can’t patrol the beat. They have to wait until a criminal referral comes in, and won’t come from the bank itself. Banks don’t make criminal referrals against their CEOs.
It could episodically come from whistleblowers, but against an epidemic of fraud that can never work. It has to come overwhelmingly from the regulators. So when the regulators ceased making criminal referrals — which had nothing to do with an end of crime, obviously; it just had to do with a refusal to be involved in the prosecutorial effort anymore — they doomed us to a disaster where we would not succeed.
Back in the savings and loan crisis, people like me — and I did this personally a great deal of my time — trained not only our regulators, but also the FBI agents and assistant U.S. attorneys on how to identify fraud schemes, how to respond to them and how to document them. We also detailed our top examiners on the most complex frauds, so that they worked for the FBI as their internal experts, and then people like me testified as expert witnesses. And, again, we had prioritized so we were going against the absolute worst of the worst and most senior of the people. None of those things have happened now.
Because of changes in executive compensation, it’s very uncommon for people to blow the whistle in the modern era. What people often don’t understand is that executive compensation bonuses go down very low in the food chain. And so if I’m a boss and I see a crime being committed, it isn’t just that I risk losing my bonus, it’s that Fred and Mary who report to me — Fred with three kids about to go to college and Mary with a kid that has severe problems — they’ll lose their bonuses as well. And so it’s not even my greed — it’s my altruism that gets in the way.
And then the administration has never — both the Bush and the Obama administrations — made a call for the good people to come forward, the ones who fought against the frauds and were disciplined because they did so. And the Frontline special that investigated this found that as soon as word got out, they were deluged with people giving them information, and the common characteristic Frontline found was that the FBI had never even talked to them.
And of course, the Obama administration has been having an unholy war against whistleblowers.
Holland: It almost sounds like — if I could offer an analogy — if you were trying to prosecute homicides and you had no police on the streets, no homicide detectives and no snitches, your hands would be tied, even if you were a tenacious prosecutor with some ambition.
Black: It’s actually far worse than that, because as a prosecutor of those kinds of cases, I end up with a corpse that has a small entry wound and a large exit wound, and I know there’s been a homicide. I can use forensic evidence to go after those people, even in the absence of witnesses. No such things occur in the elite white-collar sphere. Instead, the lenders were making criminal referrals against the little guys — the hairdressers of the world. And they made hundreds of thousands of them.
So at the peak of the savings and loans crisis — again, one-seventieth the size of this crisis — of those 2,300 total FBI agents, 1,000 of them were working on just one industry, the savings and loan industry, to produce that incredible wave of success that we had. As recently as fiscal year 2007, there were only 120 FBI agents assigned to mortgage fraud, and that’s despite the fact that the FBI itself, in September 2004, warned that there was an epidemic of mortgage fraud — ‘epidemic’ was their word — and predicted that it would cause a financial crisis — ‘crisis’ was their word — unless it was stopped. So what happens instead? You get tens of thousands of criminal referrals about the small fish. And so every single one of those 120 FBI agents was working those cases.
Black: And there was no national task force. They were divided up into what the military would call “penny packets” — two in this office, three in this office, that type of thing. So there was no conceivable way that they would find fraud at the large institutions, because they never looked.
And actually, that same year, in 2007, the FBI forms what it calls a partnership with the Mortgage Bankers Association — the trade association of the perps. The Mortgage Bankers Association set out — imagine the audacity — to con the FBI, and they succeeded! They ginned up this fake definition of mortgage fraud under which the lending institution was always the victim and never a perpetrator. The FBI bought into this hook, line, sinker and the boat they rode out in.
So we have the incredible anomaly of the first African-American president of the United States of America, with an African-American attorney general, Mr. Holder, adopting the tea party definition of the crisis, which says that the banks were pure and this is the first virgin crisis, conceived without sin in the executive suites. Instead it’s those nasty ultra-sophisticated hairdressers who conned the poor unsophisticated bankers from Harvard and Columbia and NYU to cause this crisis.
Holland: Right. Conservatives are convinced that the Community Reinvestment Act played a major role, despite a dozen studies showing that it did not, and it’s like a zombie myth. You can stab it and you can shoot it and it just keeps walking.
Black: Look at liar’s loans — these are the loans where you don’t verify the borrower’s income, and the industry’s own experts said that these loans were 90 percent fraudulent.
Study after study after study has shown that it was the lenders who put the lies in liar’s loans — the lenders and their agents — and nobody ever made a bank make a liar’s loan. It has nothing to do with the Community Reinvestment Act. Because the purpose of it is to inflate the borrower’s income, it takes you out of Community Reinvestment, and no entity — and this includes Fannie and Freddie — was ever required to purchase a liar’s loan. In fact, [liar’s loans] didn’t qualify as credit for affordable housing goals because you didn’t verify the borrower’s income.
So after all these warnings from the industry’s own anti-fraud experts about them being 90 percent fraudulent, and the fact that even the Bush Administration anti-regulators said, “Don’t do these things,” the industry, between 2003 and 2006, increased liar’s loans by over 500 percent. By 2006, 40 percent of all the home loans made that year and half of all the loans called “subprime” were liar’s loans. Remember, there’s a 90 percent fraud incidence in all of this. That means there were over two million fraudulent loans made in 2006 alone.
Now, that’s one way of looking at it, but even more stark is, in the year 2000 — we are talking about over 13 years ago — the group of associations of honest appraisers created a petition and circulated it widely throughout Washington, D.C. and the industry. They went to all the regulators and prosecutors in the industry — it was eventually signed by over 11,000 appraisers. And the appraisers, here’s what they said: ‘There is an epidemic of lenders who are extorting us to inflate the appraisal, and when we refuse to do so, they blacklist honest appraisers and refuse to use them in the future.’ Now, note the date again: 2000. This is over a year before Enron hits. In other words, we got a warning about this crisis before Enron failed.
You can only sell a fraudulent loan through fraud, and there’s no fraud exorcist, so fraud has to go through the system and it has to come out the other end when they sell the CDOs — the collateralized debt obligations — and the mortgage-backed securities.
The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 allowed the Federal Reserve, and only the Federal Reserve, to stop liar’s loans at any time. First Alan Greenspan and then Ben Bernanke refused to use this authority. Bernanke, finally, under congressional pressure, used this authority on July 14, 2008, to kill liar’s loans. But even then, he delayed the effective date of the rule by 15 months, because you wouldn’t want to inconvenience a fraudulent lender.
Holland: Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. Let me ask you this: Up until the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, the size of the financial services industry grew and shrank along with the larger economy. It moved more or less with the business cycle. When the economy was booming, finance grew as businesses needed more loans and people wanted to buy big ticket items. And then when we were in a recession, it tended to shrink. But that never happened after the dot-com bubble burst. Finance was about 8 percent of our economy and it stayed that way until today — it had little ups and downs, but the trend line has been pretty consistent. Bill, finance made up less than 3 percent of our economy in 1950. What does this say about where we are today economically? What does this tell you?
Black: It tells us that the tail wags the dog, and that it wags the dog into recurrent crises. So it’s like a diseased tail. A tail is of course designed for balance and it’s supposed to help things right themselves. This tail throws folks into the ditch.
In addition to the numbers you gave, the percentage of all corporate profits that go to finance is now back up to roughly 40 percent. That is staggering.
It should be small, and you should be trying to minimize it, and it should have very low returns overall in your economy. It’s all about power. And it is not just economic power — it’s political power. This is the modern face of crony capitalism. It is the great threat, not just to our economy, but also to our democracy. That’s particularly true in a Citizens United world, in which these banks can use their political power to drive what we’ve seen.
I could’ve never imagined that in my lifetime an administration would actually say that there were entities too big to prosecute.
Black: Right, too big to jail. I actually developed that phrase before this as a way of trying to embarrass the administration. But I’ve given up. They’re beyond the ability to embarrass. They adopted the phrase.
Holland: Bill, let me ask you this — and I guess I’m shifting gears here just a little bit. What does the term ‘moral hazard’ mean, and how do you think the fact that we didn’t prosecute any bankers — and that we bailed out the industry — will affect Wall Street’s behavior going forward?
Black: Moral hazard is a concept that developed originally in insurance and was quickly applied to banking as well. It says when there’s a real asymmetry between risk and reward, you can produce either fraud or wildly imprudent risk, or both, and that either of these things in the banking context can lead to disastrous financial consequences.
Even though we have known for centuries that this produces what we who study criminality now call “control fraud” — when the people who control a seemingly legitimate entity use it as a weapon to defraud — suddenly when they get to moral hazard, neoclassical economists only talk about risk. They ignore the fraud component, which is a leading cause of the most catastrophic bank failures and bank crises.
Holland: And they also only talk about it for the little people defrauding the banks.
Holland: The hairdressers. They’re the ones we have to worry about.
Black: Yes, and the FBI and the Justice Department are the brave, virtuous people who are protecting the poor innocent bankers from the blood lust — I am quoting, by the way, the Washington Post — “the blood lust of the public” that wants to go after these poor innocent bankers. And fortunately, we live in a country like America, where the lawyers or the Justice Department are unwilling to be so unjust as to follow the crass prejudices of the public.
The failure to prosecute under any theory of economics and any theory of criminality means that the next crisis is far more likely, and that it’s going to be far larger, because this accounting control fraud recipe is a sure thing that guarantees that you will be made wealthy immediately as the controlling officers, and there will be no risk — zero. Not a single elite banker who caused this crisis is in prison, period. So you have absolutely maximized what we call a “criminogenic environment,” and a key element of that, as you say, is that we have taken moral hazard — the fraud dimension — and maximized it.
Holland: My final question is, very briefly, about the regulatory response we did get following the crash. Dodd-Frank has been hailed as a significant new reform by some; it has been panned as a watered down nothing-burger by others. Does the truth lie somewhere in between, and how much risk remains in this system?
Black: Right now, less risk is apparent because the economy is so crippled. Once we get back to a boom, the bad stuff will reemerge. So the good news/bad news about the weak recovery is that it’s slowing down the next crisis by continuing the current crisis.
Dodd-Frank doesn’t address any of the three central elements that create the criminogenic environment — that produce the recurrent, intensifying epidemics of control fraud that drive our ever-worsening crises. Those three elements are, first, the creation of the systemically dangerous institutions — the so-called “too-big-to-fail” firms. And the administration won’t even begin to be honest about them. It calls them “systemically important,” like they deserve a gold star. But their definition is when — not if, but when — the next one fails, it will, like Lehman, cause a global financial crisis.
These institutions are too big to manage effectively, so there would be a complete win-win-win-win were we to force the shrinkage of the systemically dangerous institutions down to the point where they no longer endanger the global economy. We would, first, reduce global systemic risk. Second, we would make markets far more efficient. Even conservatives say that when there’s a systemically dangerous institution, free markets are a myth, and their metaphor is that it’s like bringing a gun to a knife fight when they compete against anyone else. So we would have better markets. We’d have more efficient banks, because these are too big to manage, and we would remove crony capitalism, one of the leading threats to our democracy. Dodd-Frank doesn’t deal effectively at all with the systemically dangerous institutions. Its idea is to keep them around, which is nuts.
Second big thing is modern executive compensation, which creates the perverse incentive structures and is the means of looting that the CEOs use. That has gotten worse since the crisis and there is nothing effective in Dodd-Frank dealing with either executive or professional compensation.
The third area is what we call the three Ds. These are deregulation, de-supervision and de facto decriminalization. We’ve already talked about decriminalization, so that’s as bad as it can get. No prosecutions.
Deregulation, that’s slightly been reversed. We have banned liar’s loans. We have created a new consumer bureau that, you know, time will tell whether it can be effective. But that’s pretty much it in terms of regulation. There’s stuff on the Volcker Rule, and we still don’t know whether it’s going to get out of the industry’s embrace, but we certainly know they’ll be able to evade it under Dodd-Frank. So, deregulation, a little plus, but nothing to brag about.
De-supervision is still disastrous. We still have the Holders of the world refusing to prosecute, we still have anti-regulators in most of the agencies. So de-supervision? Boy, we’ve still got that in spades. | 2019-04-21T20:05:40Z | https://sbcb.org.uk/2015/10/31/uk-bank-fraudsters-lucky-this-is-not-america/ |
If you want to create a challenge map, but don't know how, or need some pointers, read through this tutorial.
4.1.7 It's in my way!!!
4.1.15 There! Oh, no nvm.
Redstone contraptions tested in another world.
A challenge map made for players that go on an adventure in order to accomplish some goal. Most of them have the /gamerule keepInventory to true to make it easier. E.g.: Zombie apocalypse maps.
A map that's just made for parkour.
A survival world that is changed to make survival more difficult, or easy. A good example is the Skyblock map.
A map that's made for puzzles.
A Minecraft mini-game, showcased in the form of a challenge map.
An arena with mobs spawning that you must defeat.
A type of map when you need to survive falls in style.
Changing the Superflat options can make a good Superflat survival world.
You could make a spawn pad, a pre-made house, or anything you can think of!
Hide some little rewards for the player. Extra surprises make a challenge map exciting and fun. Diamonds or emeralds work well, because it can be a fun way to keep score. If you want a surprise ending for the players to build up to (literally and figuratively), make the maximum bonus count a multiple of 9, only if the prizes are diamonds, gold, lapis, emeralds, or iron (maybe even coal!) to make the necessary block; for others, it may vary.
Add pits, traps, and more to your map to make it more interesting and challenging. Check out the Puzzles and Traps section of this page for more. Note that if you want to build something enormous and complicated, such as a giant slime dispenser of doom, you would probably want to have a lot of redstone and/or MCEdit knowledge.
If you want to make a map to frustrate the player, make people who play the map get kicked by a player with an opinional reason. For example, use, "You are banned from this server! Reason: went to illegal point." When the player dies, he/she is kicked out of the game for 1 minute! However, note that this is very hard to do in vanilla survival, without the /kick command being hacked.
Unfortunately, you lost all of your tries to complete and you need to re-download the map.
Game over. You must re-download the map.
Warning! If you fail, then it is game over and you need to re-download the map.
Then players will be extra careful, especially in the "test your brain" test!
Making pre-made dungeons hidden around your map can give players a very fun time! Dungeons can be used especially when a player can go anywhere in a map, rather than on a set course.
You can make a boss out of redstone and dispensers. They are a great way to end any map. Also, you could spawn an ender dragon or a wither in a room. Just remember to use the command /gamerule mobGriefing false, so that the bosses won't be able to destroy blocks. Alternatively, add your own boss. Customize your own boss mob by adding extra data tags (see Tutorials/Command block#1.7 uses). Even better, create custom mods with your own made-up boss! NOTE: To do this, you must be able to use Java programming.
Checkpoints can be created by placing pressure plates, with command blocks underneath them.
You may even want to have secret button. For example, a player gets given a bow and some arrows, and if they shoot a button, a secret door or path appears, leading them to a bonus room. It is ideal, though, to have obstacles in the way of the button, so take this into consideration when making the map.
Bedrock or barriers could encase areas where you do not want the player to escape from, and is a genius idea for spawn jails.
When you finally finish the map, you can create a fireworks show for celebration. Hook up redstone to some dispensers, craft up some fireworks, and then let them fly! Alternatively, you could just add some diamond dispensers. Either way will look amazing, and are great ways to celebrate the completion of a challenge map. If you don't want to use dispensers, use command blocks to spawn fireworks.
A parkour room, containing floating blocks over a pit of lava, that the player is expected to jump across, and a chest at the end as a reward.
Make a large room and put lots of lava at the bottom. Then, place down blocks over the lava, on which the player has to jump from one to another. Make a small alcove at the top with a chest in it, which is where the player must get to.
Any blocks sitting next to the wall can be controlled with sticky pistons to extend and then go back into the wall, to time jumps.
"Tightropes" can be made by putting strings of glass panes or iron bars.
Place 5 cakes in a line over BUD switches for the player to eat. One of the cakes, when eaten, will push up a small chest area with valuable stuff. The remaining 4 will send the player into a very deep lava pit! If you want, you can have a riddle written out on signs, and have the correct answer on the correct cake.
Create a tripwire hooked to an arrow dispenser that one tripwire hook is on. The victim will start running, and then get pushed down a hole, causing fall/lava and arrow damage.
This trap is avoidable. If the victim runs fast enough and/or realizes, then the victim avoids the trap, but if you put a furnace facing in, the player might think that the dispenser is just an ornate tripwire dropping a prize.
A similar netherrack and fire maze as the one described in the text to the left.
Create a maze with netherrack sides at ground level. Set the netherrack on fire. Players will find it hard to complete this maze without a scald. To stop them jumping over the flames put some floating obsidian, bedrock, or end portal frame blocks, two blocks above the maze path. To make it more challenging for the player, make it a maze that climbs upwards and then add a lever saying "Trophy," which when pulled will create a lava flow that chases the player, who has to either burn in lava or burn in fire.
In a very long corridor/mine, put a block at head height and place a redstone torch on it. Connect it to a sticky piston just below a huge tower of gravel! When the player breaks the torch block, the piston will retract and the gravel will fall down! Alternatively, make a double NOT gate (see Tutorials/Basic logic gates)leading to a command block that teleports the player to a Funbox room! However, this can be bypassed with ender pearls, but you can solve this problem by putting bedrock on the bottom.
Make a path that goes slightly underground, then fill it to the ceiling with water. Add some air pockets so your players can breathe, using signs or open trapdoors. Spawn some squid to annoy players even more. In third party mods, you could make the squids hostile and make them shoot ink to damage and blind the players. Or you could go for a similar effect in vanilla Minecraft and have some command blocks that cause Blindness every time the player touches a squid. In addition, you could use pufferfish guardians, to deal damage, or maybe, even, a room with an elder guardian.
Make a BUD switch next to a bed that detects when a player is in that bed. Hook it up to a command block that teleports the player to a bedrock room that you made!
Creepers are nice for dealing with your challenge map victims but can blow up parts of your structure, so try building the creeper room out of obsidian and add some inaccessible charged creeper spawners. Alternatively you can use /gamerule mobGriefing false to make it so that creepers, endermen, zombies, ghasts, withers, and ender dragons can't damage the environment.
Also, you might want to drop the player into a pit full of creepers. One of the nice things about this is the pit gets bigger as the creepers blow up. Give them a cheap tool such as an iron pickaxe, to kill the creepers with, and add some small elevations or safe spots, or a complex redstone device that can make them invisible. You could also add a disabled "creeper generator" that adds in creepers, and the player has to break it to stay alive.
Because of the fact that end crystals explode when broken, you can use these for your advantage when making traps on your custom map.
Put some lines of TNT underground, 1 block under the floor. Line these up to a central end crystal obstructing the player's way. A simple lesson: look before you detonate something.
Tripwire is a very good tool and plays a role in this trap. Place a tripwire, then wire it up to a set of pistons. Make sure that the tripwire hook is in a place where it's impossible or very difficult for the player to see it.When the player comes along, they will not see the tripwire, so they will trip over the wire, and stumble into a pit that you made beneath the pistons. Make it fall into a ravine, a room with plenty mob spawners, or, if you are really mean, an end portal.
Put numbers along the game that players have to remember, then add a room to enter these numbers. If they get it right, they can move along. If not, they would fall into a deadly trap, such as lava, cactus, or the void. It is probably a good idea to prevent the players from going back to these numbers somehow, for example, using pistons to create a door that locks behind the players.
If in multiplayer, a good idea is to have one player could be in the number room, and one could be in the question room. The one in the number room can tell the person in the question room the answer, and then the one in the number room is stuck but he can use the tp command to teleport to the one in the question room and carry on (this will only work if cheats are on).
Make piston doors with multiple keys. One idea is to make an End Portal Frame with a redstone comparator next to it, that must be activated with a hidden eye of ender. Another option is to make a combination lock. You could also make one where the player must rename a stick to the correct name (hidden on a secret sign!) and put it in a hopper chest, powering a comparator for the door.
Make something like Indiana Jones-ing. Put attractive blocks such as diamond/gold stuck to a wall. When the player touches it -pressure plate/tripwire etc. etc.- the block would come to the other side and the player would fall into something dangerous of your choice, such as lava, the void, or the End.
Now that dispensers can face upwards as of very recent updates, fill them with arrows and put a pressure plate or tripwire on top for an instant semi-hidden trap.
To make your level exciting, arrange a floor of TNT, with gravel on top. Then add a pressure plate on the gravel, so when you step on it, it disintegrates. Make some parts of the floor not fall (replace TNT with any other block), or a fail would render the level unplayable.
Use buttons, or possibly comparatored item frames, for a simple combination lock.
Make a huge underground minecart roller coaster and give them a bow. Add some hard to shoot wood buttons. The aim is to shoot all the buttons and get them all to activate, turning on an And gate that changes the track to the next room.
First, fill the first trapped chest with useful loot and then place a block underneath the chest and then TNT. Then place a second trapped chest 2 blocks away from the first chest and place a block then a dispenser with flint and steel and then minecart with TNT underneath. Then place a regular chest 2 blocks away from the chest. Then fill it with useful loot. Add signs next to the chests like: Armor/food/swords/reward inside!
The End can be tough due to the dragon and endermen. If you want to make a course, then direct it the finish portal and add a huge reward at the end. Add something that really helps them in the game like the Strength V, full diamond enchanted armor, a stack of enchanted golden apples, Resistance II, an enchanted bow with arrows, to buy stuff they get 5 stacks of the stuff they need to use to buy and an extra reward for players, they get to keep their inventory! Kill the dragon first or you get spammed.
Make a long room (made of bedrock or obsidian) filled with creepers. In the beginning, make a chest with a 3:00 minute Invisibility potion. The player must reach the exit in time, or have all the creepers explode on the player.
Give a few really strong hunger potions to each player. Make a huge vertical shaft of cake. The aim is that the players must drink potion and eat the cake to go down to the next brain teaser.
This divides your players into smaller groups and make 2 doorways and place iron doors at the front. Then place pressure plates next to them. Make a different route from each other. Make sure all of them direct to the same finish line. Alternatively, you could make it that only one of the paths win, and the other players will be turned into some fresh cooked meat by some lava. The surviving player is the "winner".
This is similar to the other one except add some curves to make it trickier and holes and blocks that crush you. Make a command block that affects you with speed III. Otherwise this puzzle will be unwinnable.
Put pressure plates around a diamond block or chest, or make it look like there's redstone coming from a trapped chest. The player may think this is a trap, and may decide to quit the map.
You can wire up your traps with some rube goldberg wiring. As well as looking cool, some of these things can be deadly. Take Greenstone as an example; you could stack a lot of sand on the sand, and when it falls, the player will fall through it and when it lands, they won't be able to breathe anymore. Get as creative as possible.
Funboxes are 3x3x3 spawners that are very hard to disable.
Deathdome: Use MCedit or commands to make primed TNT spawners. Set them to 1 tick minimum and 20 ticks maximum. Set to 8 ticks as current time. Add a spawning range. Don't forget to cover the room with obsidian including the spawners or weep! When the players enter the room, hundreds of TNT will explode right into their faces! Add diamond armor for them.
Don't look: Add endermen spawners. Make the room out of bedrock. When the players look at the endermen, they will attack them! Don't say I didn't warn you!
Monster maker: Add random hostile mob spawners. Then it will be chaos!
Meat room: If you are feeling nice, then add a reward with a funbox of pig spawners so players can kill them for food? Add fire aspect swords or a furnace with a chest of coal. If you don't want players killing pigs, then add a cooked pork funbox.
Potion funbox: Make a funbox out of positive potion spawners (add negatives for the lulz.). Also, put it in an enchanting room!
Buried alive: Make a funbox out of falling sand or gravel spawners. (Add the rare anvil.) Fill the large room with sand. Give the players some stone shovels. Add blockades to the room. Set the spawning cooldown to 4 ticks minimum to 5 ticks maximum. Set the current spawning cooldown time to 4 ticks. When players dig up the sand, the room will rapidly start to fill up with sand and then they will die! Give them one torch each to remove some of the gravel.
That hurt!: Make an arrow spawner. This is better than the dispenser one since it has unlimited ammo. Add leather armor for them.
You have switched to peaceful and therefore you must complete this "peaceful" map to continue.
GAME OVER. You have failed the sudden death challenge on this map and you need to re-download the map.
You could also take the post down after a certain amount of views is reached, so they'll never be able to download it again, allowing for bigger consequences if they fail the map.
Use command blocks to shoot projectiles such as arrows and fireballs at the player, or even spawn entire blocks of lava that the player needs to dodge. Custom death messages are optional but can be added.
Create a upside-down slab tunnel which is only accessible by using elytra. Fill it with spiders or silverfish to add some enemies to fight.
Powering unpowered redstone that's next to floating sand, gravel, water, or lava, will cause it to irreversibly obey physics.
For a really nice map, having a large amount of command blocks can be good, but not always. Sometimes 1 well thought out command can be better than 10 useless commands. | 2019-04-26T12:23:15Z | https://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Tutorials/Creating_a_challenge_map |
Please find below a call for submissions for next year’s issue of the journal TransCanadiana on the EMiC. The call is available on the website of the Polish Association for Canadian Studies: http://www.ptbk.org.pl/Aktualnosci,5.html. Deadline for abstracts: 15 November 2011. Submission of articles: 31 December 2011.
Yes you guessed it. This was my first year of workshops. I probably looked like my twelve- year-old self who arrived in Canada in 1998, two weeks into the start of a school year, spoke no English, and wore funny clothes: lost. You know that feeling like you’re watching a foreign movie with no subtitles? That’s how I felt in 1998, and that how I felt again when I first started the fundamentals workshop this year. But the similarity between this foreign experience and that other earlier one soon faded, as (to stick to my movie analogy) the cast and crew of DHSI and EMiC all stepped out of the screen and gave me a big digital/human hug. It was just code; nothing to be scared of.
I’m like you. Writing codes and learning entire languages to represent, analyze, and access information is not what I do on a daily basis. Not yet anyway, though, I have to say after my experience at this camp I’m not at all opposed to the idea. In my real life now I read books, I write papers (or poems), I bake bread, I blog, bike, and water my herbs. The reason I ended up in this amazing program was mainly my thesis adviser’s affiliation and involvement with EMiC, but I have to say, since I came back I have a wonderful feeling like I’m in on an awesome secret.
The secret is that the humanities and the digital world can be friends. That means my Dad (the software engineer) and I (the poet) are closer than we think. It means when my cyber-savvy younger sister says Twitter, my brain doesn’t have to auto-correct it to Twain. When you reduce the units of our currency to layers of ideas, lines, words, and characters, it all begins to come together. The most pleasurable part of the experience for me has been the realization that what I have started to learn systematically, has been practically in my life all along. I was already analyzing trends in literature, I was already blogging and tweeting and networking. Only now I have a really neat way of understanding the complex and exciting ways in which the information that goes through my life is connected to the processes that help it move along effectively. I can only hope to have a hand in these processes soon. A few more workshops and I don’t see what not.
Currently celebrating its twenty-fifth year, the Two Days of Canada conference is one of Canada’s outstanding gatherings of scholars and students sharing interdisciplinary perspectives on the study of Canada. Each year, academic researchers, graduate students, undergraduates, and community members representing a wide range of disciplines and interests meet to share knowledge and expertise about matters of importance to Canadians. We are marking the 25th anniversary with a call for papers on the state of Canadian perspectives and Canadian scholarship within and beyond Canadian Studies. The theme for Two Days of Canada 2011 is ‘Canadian Studies, Canadian Stories: Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Pedagogies.’ The conference will be held at Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, on November 3&4, 2011.
• The future of Canadian Studies; interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary?
500 Glenridge Ave., St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1.
All submissions must be received by August 19, 2011.
My recent participation at DHSI and DEMiC was not only preparation for my upcoming MA studies, but an attempt to throw myself into a group of interested scholars, programmers, humanists and other like-minded individuals. I attended the week’s events as part of the EMiC project and I am entirely grateful that the EMiCites have taken me into their fold. Together we shared an extraordinary week of intensive learning and community building.
The focus of my academic work rests on an unpublished manuscript by bill bissett and Milton Acorn entitled I want to tell you love. The aim is to analyze and eventually produce a digital scholarly edition of the text. DHSI was the perfect place for me to begin collecting the tools and skills I need to complete the task. I enrolled in “TEI Fundamentals and their Application” which was taught by Julia Flanders, Doug Knox, and Melanie Chernyk. They were a dream to learn from. Flanders et al. taught clearly and overall the course was fun and informative. The trio made it easy for me to connect to a field with which I had no previous knowledge. Kudos to them! After the first day, my thinking of text and reading had completely changed. Not only am I now thinking about these ideas in a traditional analytical sense, but now I am considering how these ideas can be connected and then translated into a digital environment.
Admittedly, the first couple days of TEI were frustrating. This isn’t because its an incredibly difficult language to learn. It is because in the beginning stages you can’t see what you’re working towards. For a beginner like me, I had no idea what my mark-up might look like by the end. As I’m working I want to be able to ensure that I want to tell you love, as an edition, will be as aesthetically appealing as it is intellectually appealing. In order to see the end product of your encoding the text has to go through several other layers, layers which were not really addressed in our week’s agenda. A brief tutorial in CSS basics alleviated some of this anxiety, but I still possess a knowledge gap. Of course I realize that one week to learn TEI is probably not enough, other courses and more advanced learning is required. This is a responsibility I will own up to. I’m not disappointed to say that I’ll probably have to return to DHSI to build on and complete the skill set I desire.
The benefits of the TEI course do trump the drawbacks. On the other side, TEI is incredibly useful because of its ability to digitally connect interesting points, names, dates, themes, idiosyncrasies and other important pieces of information. This will be especially useful to my own project. For example, I want to tell you love is arguably a witness to the early stages of bissett’s unique orthography (an aspect of bissett’s poetry that has been of particular interest to bissett scholars for decades). One of the arguments I have developed from this point is that the manuscript marks bissett’s transition from Modernist modes of writing to Post-Modernist. His movement from a more conventional orthography to a personal, phonetic orthography is an evidence of this transition. TEI will allow me to track and take note of this transition as it occurs in the manuscript. In addition, TEI is not only a way of rendering data in a new, relevant format, but it frees the data to newer forms of analyses which consequently can open new doors for scholarship. TEI’s potential to develop new scholarship is especially important when addressing someone like Milton Acorn, co-author of I want to tell you love, whose legacy is sadly receiving less and less attention. It was at this moment of realization that EMiC’s mandate became clear. TEI and other digital tools can work to revive interest in Modernists and their writing. That’s incredible, yes?
All in all, DEMiC was a tremendous experience. The tools and skills I gained are invaluable. They will be built upon and put to good use.
This year I took the workshop on XSMLT. It was probably the most useful of the three workshops which I have so far taken at DHSI but by far the most frustrating — one might almost say agonizing. Since returning from DHSI I have been generating, through XSLT, exactly the HTML files based on TEI-conformant transcriptions of some very complicated revised manuscripts. Though I am sure my coding will increase in efficiency and elegance as time passes, I really am fully confident for the first time that I have exactly what I need for my project — and that I have the wherewithal to explain my needs to the research assistants who will be encoding texts for me. I therefore would strongly urge anyone who is going to be involved in digital editing to take this course — even if they entirely lack a programming background, which I do . You may end up hiring someone to design your XSLT stylesheets, but even so, it is very important that you have some sense of exactly what it is you want them to do.
The experience, however, was definitely not fun. In fact, you might characterize it at times (and with a bit of exaggeration) as agony. This had nothing to do with how the course was actually designed and taught. What it did have to with was the fact that people taking the course came from very different backgrounds, with varying degrees of programming skills. As one of the least skilful people in the course, I found the going very rough. I have written a detailed assessment of the workshop from this point of view for its two instructors, Martin Holmes and Syd Bauman — who did an absolutely first-rate job — and I hope that some of my comments might help future instructors make the workshop less stressful and more appealing to people without backgrounds and programming — but I thought it might be a good idea, in any case, to share my experiences with other EMICites. My aim is both to encourage people to take the course, and to give them some sense of its challenges and how they might prepare for them.
The workshop was billed as being about XSLT, but in fact, virtually all of it was about XPath, for reasons I will explain in a moment. An XSLT file instructs your computer to go to a particular point in your XML file and to do something to it. I use XSLT exclusively for presentation purposes. That is, I may want it to present revisions in a certain colour, to centre headings, to indent the final couplet of a sonnet, or whatever. To do this you need to put directions in your XSLT file so that it will know where to go on the XML “tree” to find the part of the file you want it to transform. XPath is the language you used to do this, using terms like siblings, descendants, ancestors, parents, etc., informing you how to get where you want to go. I had no problem with the principles of XPath which are very simple, but I don’t think like a programmer (and I have a terrible sense of direction, which didn’t help) so I quickly found myself getting lost in the maze of any but the simplest XPath paths. I simply did not have the time to absorb and retain all the details of XPath syntax, even though I worked away in my room like a demon after classes, making this the least sociable DHSI I have attended. The difficulties were all the greater because by the end of the week Syd and Martin — and a number of the more advanced students in the class — were performing all kinds of magic tricks with their documents, which seemed to me totally irrelevant to anything I would ever want to do with mine.
What made the workshop extremely useful though, was 1) the very lucid account we were given of the basic principles of XSMLT/XPath and 2) the very very valuable hands on help I got from both instructors, not only with details of XPath that I had failed to grasp in class, but also with my attempts to work with a TEI text I had prepared in anticipation of the workshop. After talking to the two of them about these matters, I was encouraged that two of the most knowledgeable experts on TEI thought my approach to encoding my project, though not particularly sophisticated, was fully adequate to my needs and perfectly kosher TEI, without any need for “tag-abuse” or re-configuring the TEI schemata for my own purposes. Syd suggested a somewhat different kind of approach which would be somewhat more flexible but considerably more complex, and we agreed to continue discussions about it. But I was left with a strong sense that the choices that I had made early on in my project were reasonable and justifiable. By the end of the course I had accomplished what I had hoped for and I was kind of ecstatic.
1. If you happen to be one of those rare but not quite extinct DHSI birds who uses a PC, practice on a Mac before you start your class. I know this sounds trivial, but I wasted a huge amount of my time, as well as the time of my fellow students and my instructors, trying to figure out how to find my way around the Mac.
2. We used Oxygen for editing our files. Oxygen is a wonderful program and very easy to use. But you still need to learn how to use it. The instructors provided good instructions, in the course material and in their presentations, but with so much else to absorb I kept getting snarled up in technicalities until well into the 3rd day. Another enormous source of frustration.
3. Do some preparatory work before the workshop. Syd and Martin provided useful slides but they would have been vastly more useful if I had had access to them before the class. I suggested to them that they send a list of materials online, as well as of books, to all of the students enrolled in the course a few weeks ahead of time. With some of this behind you, you will be able to take full advantage of the many examples, exercises, quizzes, and discussions of basic principles that went on all week and which were received with great enthusiasm for those who were prepared, by their past experience, to fully appreciate them.
If this course is offered again, I think I may take it. With more experience I am sure I will have a much better time and learn a lot of things that were over my head this time around. — and I fully expect the ratio of agony to ecstasy to shift in my favour.
This June marked my third time attending the DHSI (aka DEMiC) since I became a graduate fellow. My how we have grown! We may not fit on the Smuggler’s Cove balcony without violating fire safety regulations, but Victoria is starting to feel like a home away from home one week a year.
The strong sense of community generated by EMiC was enhanced this year by the Digital Editions course, run by Meagan Timney and Matt Bouchard. Instead of reflecting directly on this course, however, and all I learned from it (which was a LOT), I’m going to use this forum to share a few thoughts on the digital humanities in general.
I still recall the heady feeling of euphoria that filled me at my first DHSI. There is something utopian about the digital humanities, a foward-looking approach that makes the future seem bright and shiny no matter how fraught the present moment might be. Digital humanists seem to always have their eyes on the innovative interdisciplinary transnational horizon.
A few things have happened since that first year to temper that euphoria, however. I have experienced the gap between the ideal and the real when struggling to work with exciting visualization tools that have no instructions. I’ve realized how hard it is going to be for the academy to go digital when trying to encourage busy academics to contribute to a public forum, which still feels to many like a chore rather than a natural part of the academic workflow. I’ve had to think much more practically about strategies for making space for DH in the institution when co-writing a report on sustainability in digital scholarship.
As Brandon McFarlane mentioned in a previous post, the divide between my DH interests and my “day job” as a “vanilla” scholar (talking about the politics of that terminology would take a whole ‘nother post) often leaves me feeling like I have multiple, conflicting identities. But the solution, I’m beginning to expect, cannot be an all-or-nothing approach. The world is going digital, and scholarship is inevitably going with it, but it seems more likely to be little by little before it’s all at once (to clumsily paraphrase Blanchot). Instead of thinking of myself as divided between two worlds, then, I’m trying to think of myself as a bridge. I can talk to DH-wary scholars about how the incorporation of digital tools might make our research more theoretically rigorous, but I can also bring my non-digital theory training to bear on a rigorous critique of the blind spots in DH. I can talk to the contemporary CanLit crowd about data mining and visualization without having to play the part of a DH evangelist. I might even be able to incorporate a ripple of DH into my vanilla dissertation… and if not, I will sure as heck tweet about it.
What about the rest of you? Have you experienced a disjunction between DH and the day-to-day world of the Canadian academy? Are you finding ways to overcome this disjunction? What other strategies might we adopt to find productive dialogues between our different research worlds?
At our DEMiC 2011 orientation session, I had a chance to welcome 30 EMiC participants to the Digital Humanities Summer Institute at the University of Victoria. Or, rather, 31 including myself. A long month of EMiCites. This is our largest contingent so far, and DHSI itself has grown to host over 200 participants attending 10 different courses. The EMiC community is represented at DEMiC by 13 partner institutions. EMiC has people enrolled in 7 of the 10 offered courses. But what really makes DEMiC 2011 different from previous years is that EMiC is offering its own DHSI course.
If you’re already dizzied by the acronyms, this is how I parse them: DHSI is the institute in its entirety, and DEMiC is our project’s digital training initiative that allows our participants to take any of the institute’s course offerings. With the introduction of EMiC’s own course, DEMiC has transformed itself. EMiC’s Digital Editions course draws upon the specializations of multiple DHSI course offerings, from Text Encoding Fundamentals to Issues in Large Project Management.
The course has been in the making for roughly six years, beginning with the pilot course in editing and publishing that Meagan and I first offered at Dalhousie in 2006-07. This course was not offered as part of my home department’s standard curriculum, which actually proved advantageous because it gave us the freedom to develop an experiential-learning class without harbouring anxieties about how to make the work of editing in print and digital media align with a traditional literary-studies environment. In other words, we started to develop a new kind of pedagogy for the university classroom in line with the kinds of training that takes place at digital-humanities workshops, seminars, and institutes. To put it even more plainly: we wanted to import pieces of DHSI to the Maritimes. That was pre-EMiC.
With EMiC’s start-up in 2008, we began flying out faculty, students, and postdocs to DHSI. After two years (2009, 2010) of taking various DH courses at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels, we consulted with the EMiC participants to initiate the process of designing our own DHSI course. Meagan and I worked together on the curriculum, and Matt Huculak consulted with both of us as he surveyed the various options available to us to serve as an interface and repository for the production of EMiC digital editions at DHSI. After six months of trial and error, weekly skype meetings with about a dozen different collaborators, three different servers, and two virtual machines, we installed Islandora with its book ingest solution pack. That’s what we’re testing out in Digital Editions, keeping detailed logs of error messages and bugs.
I would like to thank the many people and institutional partners who have come together to make possible the first version of Digital Editions. This course is the product of an extensive collaborative network: Mark Leggott’s Islandora team at the University of Prince Edward Island (Alan Stanley, Alexander O’Neill, Kirsta Stapelfeldt, Joe Veladium, and Donald Moses), Susan Brown’s CWRCers at the University of Alberta (Peter Binkley, Mariana Paredes, and Jeff Antoniuk), Paul Hjartarson’s EMiC group at the UofA (Harvey Quamen and Matt Bouchard), EMiC postdoc Meagan Timney at UVic’s Electronic Textual Cultures Lab, Image Markup Tool developer Martin Holmes at UVic’s Humanities Computing and Media Centre, and EMiC postdoc Matt Huculak at Dalhousie.
As I write this at the back of a computer lab at UVic, fifteen EMiC participants enrolled in Digital Editions are listening to Meagan, Matt Bouchard, and Alan walk them through the Islandora workflow, filling out MODS forms, testing out the book ingest script with automated OCR, and editing transcriptions in the web-based TEI editor. Some people are waiting patiently for the server to process their ingested texts. We’re witnessing the first stages of EMiC digital editions of manifestos and magazines, poems and novels, letters and short stories. We ingested texts by Crawley, Livesay, Garner, Smart, Page, Scott, Sui Sin Far, Watson, and Wilkinson. And we’re working alongside an international community, too: our newly born repository is also populated with editions of D.G. Rossetti, Marianne Moore, Tato Riviera, Hope Mirrlees, Catherine Sedgwick, and James Joyce.
This afternoon the server at UPEI processed 20 different texts. Hello world. Welcome to Day 1 of the EMiC Commons. | 2019-04-24T12:07:28Z | http://editingmodernism.ca/2011/06/ |
You can check out Part 1 of this series here.
In many ways, the challenges I will discuss in this series are issues that most church planters/pastors face in any context.
Living in NYC simply exacerbates some of these challenges (for instance the disproportionate cost of living here, as mentioned in Part 1).
For instance, when it comes to the financial pressures of any start-up, these anxieties exist for any entrepreneurial endeavor.
However, the pure financial costs are higher here, simply put.
One could talk about the “greater risk, greater reward” mantra to describe the merits of planting a church in NYC… but it’s exceptionally difficult to quantify the great “reward” of planting a church in NYC vs another city/context when ministry “success” entails so many different elements.
If one were to speak purely of numbers of people when it comes to church “success”, there are significantly larger churches and church plants around the country, a fact that can easily cloud the merits of investing significantly more money to plant a church here rather than say, South America.
But I digress…. (although you’ll see how church size will come up later in the post).
The next challenge I wish to write about is one that is ubiquitous regardless of context… and yet there are some peculiarities to NYC.
Here’s Challenge #2: Planting a Church in NYC is Awfully Lonely.
Church Planting in NYC can be an isolating experience.
Non-profit management guru Peter Drucker once said that the four most challenging jobs in the US are the President of the US, the CEO/President of a Hospital, a University President, and a Pastor.
It’s already hard enough being a Pastor and navigating the different “hats” one has to wear (which, along with the other 3 vocations Drucker mentions, is why being a Pastor can be one of the most challenging jobs), but adding the element of being an entrepreneurial Pastor can make the task of Church Planting profoundly more difficult and complicated.
Both Pastor and Entrepreneur are inherently stressful positions, and adding NYC to the equation makes for a particularly combustible context.
I believe this to be true of most pastors/church planters I meet in NYC, but what makes the feeling of loneliness more acute here is the feeling that I’m never quite measuring up.
If one were to go purely based on Sunday attendance (which is generally the standard measurement across time/place in church planting in the States – as much as people would hate to admit), then “success'” is difficult to come by in NYC when compared to one’s previous context (usually a mega-ish church in the suburbs of middle America) or even in the shadows of more established churches in the City (so many great, longstanding churches to name).
The above paragraph reveals even more nefarious messages that I often tell myself as a church planter – I’m measured against other Pastors/Churches.
Church Planting in NYC is financially taxing, a stress on my family, and not quite as glamorous as the big city itself.
I suspect most of us have.
Thankfully, the above news is something that many have reflected on before, and as a result, ministry heroes of mine have tried hard to keep Pastors/Church Planters in NYC from isolating and growing cynical.
1) Redeemer City to City & NYC Leadership Center – I link these ministries together not because of any official connection but because these organizations have long been advocates of resourcing and connecting church planters for decades now.
I’ve written about the spirit of leaders like Tim Keller and Mac Pier before, and I truly think these guys have been forerunners to much of the camaraderie and friendship enjoyed by Pastors in NYC today.
Also, shout-out to Parakeleo, a ministry of mutual support for church planting spouses that I’ve heard great things about.
2) Emotionally Healthy Spirituality – I can’t emphasize this one enough. My heritage obviously comes from New Life Fellowship, so it’s no surprise that I want to advocate for every pastor to learn from Pete & Geri Scazzero and Rich Villodas in living an emotionally healthy life that allows my marriage and family to flourish. Church planters especially can use a healthy dose of EHS.
3) Christ Tabernacle – Ever since I’ve known the CT guys, I’ve been amazed at their hospitality and willingness to serve/connect church leaders in NYC. Pastor Michael Durso is part of that wave mentioned above, and Adam Durso and the rest of CT are some of the most generous folks I know.
4) Recovery House of Worship, Trinity Grace Church & “Network” Church Planting – I LOVE the RHOW folks. They are a church planting movement doing amazing work in the city and beyond, and are some of the most mission-minded church planters I know. I learn so much from them about mission and discipleship whenever I’m around them!
TGC is another family of parishes all around NYC. Their kingdom vision is really genuine and inspiring, and the ways they plant churches by 1) empowering/contextualizing and 2) serving with a Central Office is something that many church plants and churches have learned a great deal from (including Hope).
I LOVE how these folks fight against the isolationist spirit of church planters by creating a network of mutual support.
– I Desperately Need a Gospel-Centered Approach to My Identity, Our Church, and Our City.
Together – and only together – can we be part of something significant in this Great City.
It’s hard to believe that September 23rd is finally here. After months of wrestling with God about what our next steps were, Tina and I came to the conclusion that God was calling us to stay in NYC and plant a church in Astoria, NY.
Less than one year later, Hope Church NYC officially launches. I am so humbled and grateful as this church planting project is born.
As we head into this Sunday, I wanted to recognize some folks whom God has graciously allowed to have a hand in planting Hope.
1) Tina and Our Son David – This has been an unbelievable season for our family, and one that has taken precedence over what’s happened at Hope. David has been such a gift, and Tina has been the best mom and wife I could have ever asked for.
My wife and son have been a gift from God.
With all the stresses of a newborn and a new church, Tina has been a steady and faithful rock throughout the process, even putting up with my shenanigans with good-spirited aplomb.
And David has been a true champ. I love these two!
2) Launch Team – What makes a church is the people, and Hope is full of some incredible people. I can’t thank these folks enough for their commitment, their volunteering, and most of all, their presence!
There have been some funny, “that’s church planting” moments for sure, but I’m so grateful for the willingness to go with the flow as we’ve had so many stops/starts & twists/turns.
This community has also shown me so much grace through my own mistakes – many of which have been painful but necessary to see.
Launch team and new regular attenders – thanks so much for being part of what’s happening at Hope!
PS Special shout-out to our other pastoral staffers – Craig Okpala and Joe Longarino. Studs.
3) The Evangelical Covenant Church – It’s been such a joy to be part of a larger movement, and the Evangelical Covenant Church has been super supportive and encouraging throughout. Jason Condon, the Director of Church Planting for the East Coast Conference of the ECC, has been so helpful and insightful in this process, and learning alongside other church planters in NYC, NJ, and New England has challenged and encouraged me in so many ways.
We’re so lucky to be part of this family of churches!
4) Family and Friends who have Supported Hope – So many friends and family have supported this church plant with their prayers and their financial support, and it’s been so humbling to hear stories of people fasting and praying on our behalf, while others have given sacrificially so that we could launch.
Seriously humbled by all these folks who are literally all around the world. Thank you so much for your friendship, mentorship, and generosity.
And a very special thanks to the Hyun and Park families. Tina and I are so, so grateful for you and your support.
5) New Life Fellowship – I’m so grateful for all the friendships I’ve made at New Life over the years, and the incredible people I’ve learned so much from. Obviously Pete and Geri Scazzero have had a significant part in that journey, and I’m so, so grateful for all they have deposited in me over the years.
I wouldn’t be the person I am today without New Life, and Hope wouldn’t be the kind of church that it is without New Life.
6) Other churches in NYC – There have been so many pastors who have voiced their support of what we’re doing, and to know we stand side-by-side with so many churches is an amazing feeling.
*Update – The above sermon was preached on my last Sunday at New Life Fellowship, April 17th. I shared how painful, but hopeful, it’s been for me to leave.
As many of you know, this week is my last week at New Life Fellowship. I’ve been a part of the staff team for the past ten years, and it’s been quite a remarkable journey.
*I was also in seminary during this time.
Heres a picture of me at the Bowery Mission during the summer I decided to move to NYC.
I’m so grateful for so many of the people I’ve met and served with along the way – everyone from former and current staff, elders, deacons, volunteers, and small groups folks. You guys are heroes to me. As with any church, it’s not really about the building, it’s the people. And at New Life, it’s full of incredible people – children, youth, young adults, families, marrieds, singles, and the elderly. It makes me tear up just to think about how meaningful these relationships have been for me.
As an attempt to clarify what’s happening. I wanted to write this post to answer many questions I’ve fielded over the past few weeks. Please keep in mind these are my responses alone – I simply wanted to share from my perspective. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below!
1. Why are you leaving?
Ultimately, Tina and I felt like this was the right time to leave as God was stirring something new in us. The NLF staff team is more than capable (along with some tremendous volunteers that include our elder board), and we felt like God was stirring us to move forward in other ventures.
In some respects, this decision doesn’t make a whole lot of sense – I’ll be unemployed and I’ll be leaving an incredible team and church. However, I think this decision-making process over the past year has been a result of really trying to discern and follow God’s lead. It’s crazy enough that it must be God (or, at least I sure hope so)!
May 2010 – I first mention to Tina the possibility of moving on. We begin praying.
Sep 2010 – I first mention to Pete Scazzero the possibility of us moving on.
Jan 2011 – Meeting/speaking with different coaches, consultants, therapists, and mentors about this pending decision.
Mid-Late Jan 2011 – I meet with elders to share with them how Tina and I are leaning toward leaving.
Feb 15, 2011 – I give my final decision to the elders and lay out a timeline for informing folks about my departure.
2. Where will you be going?
We’re not entirely sure just yet, but we’ll definitely be in NYC in the Fall. I hope to visit and learn from other churches.
From May-June we’ll be in Korea, and from July-August we’ll likely be outside of NYC as well (likely Houston).
We hope to use this summer as a time of discernment, rest, and prayer. There are a couple of opportunities before us in Fall 2011, and we want to prayerfully consider what to do next.
3. Why leave when you are uncertain about your future? Why not wait until you figured that out first?
I must admit, this was largely due the advice we received from different consultants at the time (around January). Now that we’re leaving, we can see the wisdom in leaving earlier rather than later.
First, on a personal level, since God was working in me and allowing me to dream about other possibilities, I would not have brought my best energy to our team and our church if I hung around any longer. Now that I’ve been in this “goodbye” period, I really see how this is the case!
Second, on an organizational level, the longer I stick around, the more awkward and difficult it is for others to move forward and step into leadership. The sooner I leave, the earlier people can step into all that they’re called to do and lead.
I originally thought May would be a good time to leave and hand things over, but logistically, Tina and I had already planned a trip the first week of May to Asia, and so we thought it would be weird to go on vacation, come back, and still be saying “goodbye”.
We wanted to go through this season of Lent at NLF though, a very appropriate time for grieving. Easter could have been our last Sunday, but as silly as this sounds to me (because this departure can in no way “take away” from the unsurpassing power and joy of resurrection), we did not want to be a distraction on Easter.
4. Are you starting a church somewhere?
No, not yet. Although we’ve given church planting some serious thought and it sounds really exciting (and part of our future someday by supporting at the very least), it would take some time before it was actually launched.
You will certainly hear about it if we decided to start a church.
5. What’s happening at New Life to fill the void?
The leadership team (elders and staff) are going through their next steps right now. I’ve given recommendations, but now that I’m leaving, I haven’t been a part of some of these larger decisions. It’s been difficult for me to dis-engage, but I know it’s best for the organization.
You can trust that many committed and godly people will continue to serve New Life Fellowship. If you’d like to find out what’s happening next, I believe Rich, Jackie, or Pete would be the best ones to contact.
6. Did the leadership team have anything to do with your departure?
No, in that this was our decision alone. Everyone else wanted us to stay.
Yes in that leadership was part of the discernment process… I had been talking it through with key folks since September, and these discussions helped me process what God was doing in us.
7. You seemed so excited about the future of New Life. What happened?
I’m still excited about many of the good things happening at New Life. It’s actually quite painful to grieve that I won’t be part of it this next season.
In some respects, I’m proud that I was able to really pour myself out the last year while we were pondering this decision. We care so much about the church, and I’m glad that that shone through to others.
Again, this is a big faith step for us, and we’re trying to listen to God’s call as closely as possible.
8. Can we still keep in touch?
Yes! You can hit me up on facebook (www.facebook.com/drewhyun) or twitter (www.twitter.com/drewhyun). I will be taking a break from social media for the summer (May-July), but you can still add/follow me there and on this blog.
Some have asked if I even have an email address not associated with New Life, and to be quite honest, I’m not sure yet which one I’m going to use.
When it comes to pastoral stuff like weddings, funerals, counseling sessions, visitations, and the like, I’m taking an indefinite break from those types of things. I’m not sure how long the break will be (because those are elements of being a pastor that give me life), but yeah, for now you can contact New Life for those things.
9. Will you be preaching anywhere?
I’ve gotten this question from a few folks, and the short answer is that I will be preaching and speaking at different venues, but not at a regular place for now.
I’ve turned down a lot of engagements over the years because of Sunday commitments, but I’m much more open to accepting some of those requests now (I’ve already accepted one engagement in DC in August and then another in the Ithaca area in September).
Tina and I are coming up with some expectations and boundaries when it comes to speaking at different places, so it will likely be in moderation. And, as usual, we’re partial to anything in the NYC area (or Hawaii – lol).
We are looking forward to visiting other churches around NYC, though.
At the risk of speaking for my wife, she’s doing quite well, considering I’ll be jobless and we’ve had lengthy discussions about kids in the near future.
She’s excited about this new season for us, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the strength, courage, and faith that Tina has modeled and demonstrated to me over these past few months.
She is as lovely as ever, and that’s a hard thing to say considering she’s been as lovely as lovely can be the past three years that we’ve been married.
It’s been a fast and fulfilling month. I have much to be grateful for as you can see in the following list.
Some friends who joined us in watching the Packers beat the Steelers. So gratifying.
1. The Packers Winning the Super Bowl – If you were to ask me at the beginning of the season which team I’d root for to win the Super Bowl, I would have said the Packers. I know, I know, I’m still working on the Jets being my team, but Aaron Rodgers and Jahvid Best (former Cal players) are easily my favorite players in the league.
I was so happy for Aaron Rodgers and Packer nation, including Carl and Chris Park.
2. Extraordinary Seminar with Ron Vogt on “Bearing the Cross: Being Real and in Relationship. Ron has influenced me greatly, and to hear some of his latest reflections felt like drinking from a deep well.
3. Seeing Peter, Jenny, and Eli on President’s Day Weekend. I couldn’t be happier to see them. Seriously.
4. Reading Tim Keller’s newest book, King’s Cross. The book is quite splendid – I simply pause, ponder, and soak in the beauty of Christ at the end of each chapter.
5. Seeing Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) and Kenneth the Page (I don’t know his real name) filming an episode of 30 Rock in Long Island City. NYC is the coolest city in the world.
It was quite random to see them filming, so I just parked and Kimberly Jones and I kept inching closer and closer until one of the crewmen asked us to go to the other side of the street.
I’m pretty sure Tina Fey said “hi” to me with her unassuming glance.
6. Retreat-ing with 43 others last weekend. Highlights included: Worship in Singing times (thanks Craig and Heriberto!), Shaming Shame rituals, Bearing One Another’s Shame, Taboo (Unlimited Passes, Stool, Menus or “Men use”), Raw and Honest Conversation, Hitch, Conversations about Awkward Christian Dating, Sweet Clementines, and quite simply, Connecting with some really wonderful people.
Good Times in Bloomingdale, NJ, minus a few friends who missed the picture.
Special shout out to Dr. Jay Feld, therapist extraordinaire, retreat speaker, and dear friend. It’s hard to believe we’ve partnered together for this retreat for six years straight.
I’ve written before about our New Year’s Eve Parties here and here, and I’m obviously a big fan of getting together, eating delicious international fare, then working it all off with dance lessons, singing, playing games, listening to good music, singing some more, dancing some more.
Doing all of the above in the name of “cultivating a deep spirituality with God” is always a good thing.
Anyhow, I thought I’d add 10 more reasons (in no particular order) you should come out to our party tomorrow.
Worship at New Year's Eve - easily my favorite part of the night.
2) We have a stellar lineup of performers this year at our Coffeehouse – New Life’s very own Judea Costes, Henn Sie, Cate Song, and Abbey Hoffman. They’re worth the admission price alone!
3) We can all do the Electric Slide and Cupid Shuffle again, led by the hip-shaking Mike Park and Rich Villodas. Does this ever get old? Probably. But probably not.
Where else can you experience the Cupid Shuffle led by Mike and Rich? It may not be synchronized, but it will be fun!
4) Our Hip Hop Lessons will be given by talented and experienced instructor Susan Maysonet (one of NLF’s very own). She will also be leading our Family Dancing time as well!
The dreaded dancing circle actually works on New Year's Eve at New Life!
5) The dreaded dancing circle, found in most wedding parties and impromptu dance parties, are actually a chance to showcase some of NLF’s extraordinary dancing talent.
6) You’ll have a chance to join in the longest dancing train you’ll ever experience.
Seriously, will you ever be part of a longer dancing train anywhere else?
7) The worship experience is incomparable. There’s something about ringing in the New Year with family and friends singing at the top of our lungs about the faithfulness of God that is unlike any other feeling in the world.
8) You never know what interesting characters and costumes you’ll see now that it’s 80s night.
By popular demand, it's 80s night tomorrow night.
9) We will likely have a time of silent reflection during our meditation time. Who says it’s loud and rowdy the whole time?
10) It’s a chance to hang out with kids, youth, parents, grandparents, singles, couples in a fun, delicious, and warm atmosphere.
Fun times for the whole family!
Doesn’t this all sound so spiritual?
You can register at the door tomorrow night. More information can be found here.
Feel free to invite family and friends!
Sidenote: If you’re in Manhattan and would prefer another party, I’d highly recommend Restore’s New Year’s Eve Gala to support a fantastic cause.
In the flurry of Christmas parties and potlucks, I was called in for jury duty last week. Interestingly enough, the interruption to my schedule felt like a respite from all the usual December end-of-year activities.
In my prior experiences with jury duty, I’ve never been called in beyond the waiting room, so I was surprised and anxious when I got called into a courtroom with a number of other potential jurors. In fact, I was in the first group sitting in the jury box, and it was certainly an honor to hear from the judge about our legal system and the role we would play as jurors.
If you’ve ever been on jury duty, you probably know that there’s a vetting process that each juror has to go through under the watchful eyes of the prosecutor and defense attorney (as well as all the other complementary participants in a courtroom).
Are you related to or know anyone involved in law enforcement?
Do you know anyone who has been accused of a crime? What’s been your experience with people in law enforcement?
First off, it was so cool hearing about the disparate backgrounds and occupations of my fellow potential jurors. NYC is definitely a melting pot.
Despite the ethnic differences of our jury group, it was customary to hear others answer “no” to a majority of the questions related to knowing people who have been in law enforcement or been accused of crimes, etc. Usually, the answers were “yes” to one or the other – do you know more law enforcers or more criminals?
When it came time for me to answer questions about my job and various relationships I have with people, I shared that I was a pastor who had a broad range of relationships with people from different walks of life.
Unlike most of the other potential jurors, I was one of the few people who said “yes” to almost everything. Both the prosecutor and the defense attorney narrowed their questions to me specifically after the general questions were asked.
– Can you tell us about your interaction with police officers?
– Can you tell us about people that you know in law enforcement?
– Can you tell us about the trials of accused people that you knew?
– As a pastor of a church community, I know cops, defense attorneys, prosecutors from the DA Office, and other legal and security professionals.
– As a pastor of a church community, I also know people who have been victims of racial profiling, accused of armed robbery, accused of selling drugs, etc.
Of the groups mentioned above, they’re all folks I’ve met through New Life Fellowship.
People prosecuting and representing the state, people defending and the people being defended – they’re all friends and families who attend New Life Fellowship.
At some level, this might seem like an awkward dynamic. At another level, it’s also quite beautiful. Messy, but beautiful.
I count it a privilege to being a pastor in this community, and although some tend to think that religious people see the world through black-and-white, right-and-wrong lens, being part of such a diverse community has shown me that there are more shades of gray when it comes to the problems we all face.
And at the end of the day, these problems remind us that we are linked not by our perfection or our rightness, but by our common weakness, a weakness that calls for a better way, a better truth, a better life.
In other words, we all come together – prosecutor and prosecuted – because we’re all longing for advent.
I think that message will preach. I think that community will preach, too.
1) Alpha Retreat – These retreats never get old. This past season was a trying one for our leadership team (it seemed like we were all going through tough days every week), and yet God still met us in profound ways. This is less than half of our group, but we’re the lucky ones who got to experience a beautiful day full of the most meaningful connections.
2. Adventure Kids – Tina and I have been working with 1st-3rd graders at NLF for the past few months, and it’s been a really exhilirating time. I’m so, so, so grateful for our volunteers who show up week after week to share some love with these kids.
32 kids raised their hands yesterday when an invitation was given to them to trust Jesus with their whole lives. Awesome.
3. Eli – Tina and I had a chance to take a weekend road trip to Virginia to visit Pete, Jen, and Eli. It was a glorious time, and I didn’t realize how much I missed them until I saw Eli say, “Uncle, Auntie” with his sweet, sweet voice. We foolishly didn’t take pictures, but I have enough pics to remind me how much I love this family.
4. New Life Fellowship Baptisms – Baptisms are so cool because of what they symbolize – new beginnings, new ways, new life. The Christian story is captured in this brief act – uncertainty, death, resurrection, celebration.
It’s a sacrament of ultimate hope.
The fact that this moment can be celebrated with the closest of people is what makes the event all the more special.
5. Blake Griffin – I couldn’t resist adding this one, as trivial as it might be in light of the others.
But man, did anyone see Blake Griffin highlights against the New York Knicks?
I’ve watched about 10 Clipper games this season (my one “splurge” this year was to get NBA League pass so I could watch my beloved Clips and Jeremy Lin)., and although the team causes me such immense grief, the anticipation of one of Griffin’s extraordinary plays gives me reason to keep watching throughout.
Once Baron Davis comes back healthy, watch out! | 2019-04-22T00:30:21Z | https://drewhyun.wordpress.com/tag/new-life-fellowship/ |
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If you live far away from a loved one with Parkinson’s, you may feel limited in how much you can help out. Our community shares advice on simple ways to feel more connected and involved, whether you and your loved one live a car ride or a flight apart.
As you reach out, remember that long-distance support can be emotionally draining. You may feel anxious or guilty when you’re away from your loved one, or stressed about fitting everything into a short visit. Know that these feelings are normal, and try talking with a friend or use other emotional management tips to help.
1. Keep your own binder or other organizational system with your loved one’s medical information. Keep track of medications your loved one takes, contact information for their doctors and other notes about their care. Create a contact list of neighbors and friends who you can reach out to in case of an emergency.
2. Call, email or Skype most days, depending on your loved one’s preferences. Parkinson’s disease can impact speech, making phone calls difficult. For others, typing an email may pose a challenge. Try to reach out once a day in whichever way works best for you and your loved one.
3. If you can, occasionally have meals delivered or hire someone to do housework or yard work. Your loved one and the primary caregiver will appreciate the small break.
4. Ask how the primary caregiver is doing, too. As part of your check-in calls, chat with the primary caregiver. Caregiving can be stressful, and talking about how they’re feeling can help.
5. Make the most of your visits. Catch up on medical updates and ask about symptoms your loved one has experienced since you last visited. And talk about shared interests that aren’t related to Parkinson’s. Your visit can also be a good opportunity to give the primary caregiver the night off.
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approved use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in people with Parkinson’s. The surgical therapy is now also indicated for those who have had Parkinson’s disease (PD) for at least four years and have recently developed motor complications —”off” times when medication doesn’t work well to control symptoms and/or dyskinesia (uncontrolled, involuntary movements). Previously, DBS was offered to people who had Parkinson’s for at least five years, so this therapy now will be available at an earlier point in the disease.
DBS was initially approved for PD tremor in 1996 and then for advanced Parkinson’s in 2002. Like all currently available therapies, DBS is symptomatic. It isn’t a cure and won’t change the course of the underlying disease. It’s also not for everyone because it doesn’t work for all of the symptoms of Parkinson’s (like balance problems or freezing while walking) and could even make some non-motor symptoms, such as memory or speech problems, worse.
A 2013 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that for people with PD who developed motor complications early in the disease course, quality of life improved for those treated with DBS and medication as compared to those treated with medication alone. These results were part of the reason for broadening the indications for use of DBS in Parkinson’s.
People considering DBS should have an evaluation by a movement disorder specialist (a neurologist who has extra training in Parkinson’s) and a neurosurgeon, who performs the surgery. These doctors review current symptoms and medication history. They also conduct extensive testing, including physical examinations both on and off medications, brain imaging and detailed memory testing (to detect any memory/thinking problems that could worsen with DBS).
Talking through this option with one’s loved ones and physicians is important. Although the procedure is generally safe, it is brain surgery and comes with certain risks (e.g., infection, bleeding). Every individual’s response to DBS is dependent on his or her symptoms and situation so discussing expectations of benefits prior to the procedure is also key.
In the actual surgery, thin wires called electrodes are implanted in to one or both sides of the brain in the areas that control movement — either the subthalamic nucleus or the globus pallidus. The wires are then connected to a small device in the chest, a pulse generator (much like a pacemaker), which sends electrical signals through the wires into the brain.
A few weeks after surgery, settings tailored to each person are programmed into the DBS device by a movement disorder specialist. These are gradually tweaked over time to give the most benefit and fewest side effects, and medications are usually adjusted at the same time. Finding the right combination of DBS settings and medications can take months or even up to a year. Every five to 10 years, depending on the type of pulse generator and the settings, the battery may need to be replaced.
Currently, the only DBS system available is made by the company Medtronic, but others are in development.
Although the mechanisms are not completely clear, DBS is thought to work by regulating abnormal signaling patterns in the brain. In order to control movement and other normal bodily functions, brain cells communicate with each other using electrical signals (and brain chemicals). In PD, these electrical signals become irregular and uncoordinated, and people experience motor (and other) symptoms. DBS affects disjointed signals to allow the cells to communicate more smoothly and thereby lessen symptoms.
Researchers are working to improve the experience of DBS systems and expand its use for even more people and more symptoms. One example is DBS targeting a different area of the brain (the pedunculopontine nucleus) to treat the walking and balance problems that don’t typically improve with current DBS approaches. Another is the development of so-called “smart” DBS devices. These record a person’s unique brain activity and then deliver electrical stimulation only when needed, such as when symptoms return, rather than continuously, as the current systems do. This improvement may help avoid some of the side effects of stimulation (e.g., numbness/tingling, speech problems) and lengthen battery life of the pulse generator, reducing the need for replacement procedures.
In addition, investigators are working to determine if DBS would be effective — work better than medication, improve quality of life, delay development of motor complications — in even earlier stages of Parkinson’s. A small trial of people with early-stage Parkinson’s demonstrated that DBS was safe and tolerated so now a larger clinical trial of DBS in people who, among other criteria, have been taking medication for four years or less is in the works. All participants will have the DBS system implanted and continue PD medications, but for the first two years only half of the volunteers will have the DBS turned on. For the second two years, all participants will receive DBS plus medications. MJFF is supporting the efforts to complete the planning phases (including a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health for full funding) so that this pivotal trial can launch. Along with providing financial support, MJFF was able to aid researchers in collecting information regarding individuals’ willingness to volunteer for a trial like this using Fox Insight (an online tool that allows people with PD to submit data on their Parkinson’s experience).
The recent FDA approval of DBS with Parkinson’s disease for four years or more expands the population of people with PD who can potentially benefit from therapy. Ongoing and future research endeavors will hopefully continue to broaden this group and the potential uses of this treatment.
Watch a webinar on DBS to learn more about ongoing research in this area and hear one patient’s story.
Find studies testing DBS and other therapies on the MJFF clinical research matching tool Fox Trial Finder.
For me the Tour was a euphoric blur — new place after new place, beautiful views, warm faces and a lot of time spent on a bike seat. Since it ended, it's been fun to catch up with people I met along the way to hear about their experience with the Tour. After all, with thousands of participants, this project has taken on many forms. I asked a few people to share their experience.
Veronica Tuerffs, who joined us for multiple events this summer including our climb to Colorado's highest peak, talked about what it meant to reach the summit with such a large group of family and friends.
"Being able to be on a summit is a magical thing. That feeling of accomplishment is one that I have been unable to find anywhere else. When you are able to get there with a group of friends and family though, it becomes much less about conquering something and so much more about completing something together. You literally get to look back on what you just accomplished with those that worked on it with you and say, 'Wow, look what we just did.' There are not many times in today's day and age when you are standing side-by-side with the people you are collaborating with and get to reflect together in real time."
Veronica was part of a group that was climbing in support of (and alongside!) Greg Gerhard, her future father-in-law, who was diagnosed with PD in 2009.
"My soon to be father-in-law and I have climbed together a lot...but this felt different. The moment on the summit of Mt. Elbert was very touching. I wasn't only seeing him accomplish a climb, I was seeing him do it surrounded by 10 people that were there for him — who were cheering him and others on the whole time — who dedicated their climb to him. I've never felt more honored to stand on a summit."
I remember that day and the Gerhard family vividly. In fact, I was fighting back tears as I turned and headed down from the top. But crew member Chris Stanley had the wherewithal, like he always did that summer, to capture the Gerhard's moment on film. When I asked Chris about his most memorable moments from the Tour, the climb with the Gerhards was at the top of his list.
"The top of Mt. Elbert in Colorado was a very special place. Climbing mountains, especially ones the size of Elbert, is an emotional rollercoaster. Is the weather going to be okay? Am I properly equipped? Is this switchback ever going to end? And when you're responsible for leading people up mountains — the peaks and troughs of the experience are amplified. When Greg reached the top of the mountain and was greeted by his family and friends I started to cry. I wasn't sure why. Greg isn't my Dad and I had only met him once before, but I was filled with joy and proud of the Tour crew for helping to build this experience."
Chris hits the nail on the head. Everyone on the crew and those who worked so hard to make the Tour a reality felt a real sense of pride and privilege when witnessing moments like this.
The highest mountain on the Tour route was California's Mt. Whitney. This climb took three days and involved tents, ropes, harnesses and a large team. We got to know each other very well over those three days of mutual exhaustion that created a lasting shared experience. I caught up with Christina Hunt-Fuhr, one of the California climbers. She trained, climbed and fundraised for her dad Jerry Hunt, who passed away four years after his PD diagnosis in 2001. Christina talked about how the climb made her feel closer to her father.
"I kept thinking about the conversations I used to have with my dad after he was diagnosed. He would tell me how he was sad (and scared) knowing that the moments [of clarity] would be temporary. Occasionally, he would ask me to go on a walk when he was having one of his better days. Something about getting outside and moving — even if it was just to the corner and back — made him feel better. So, while training for the hike, I'd often climb a mountain by myself with a full backpack, which slowed me down — just like he had been slowed down — and I'd think about him. I also thought the route we took to Whitney was extra meaningful, since it was full of unique challenges, and people with Parkinson's are presented with unique challenges every day. When faced with challenges, it reminded me of the importance of focusing on one day — or one step — at a time and allowing others around you to help you in whatever way that makes sense to you."
Christina is a relatively recent convert to extensive outdoor activities. When I spoke to her recently though, she was in the car with her son, heading out on a camping trip (in February!, oh to live in California...) so I asked her if there was anything about our climb that had left a lasting impact on her.
"There are so many aspects of the trip (and of training for it) that have stuck with me. Something about being in nature, with the beautiful and ever-changing landscapes, and raising money for a cause that didn't personally involve me, just reminded me that life is bigger than me. Whenever I start to get caught up in my day-to-day drama, I still find myself thinking about it. The entire journey has helped me be more present and more thankful for every moment. It has also reminded me of the importance of continuing to challenge myself in various ways. It just makes every day so much more exciting!"
I knew everyone's experiences were unique last summer, but it seems like many of the takeaways and lessons are in-line with one another. From state to state and summit to summit the Tour connected people who were once separate. Either way, I couldn't be more proud to be part of the Tour family — one I hope to see grow in 2016.
It’s been almost five months since 80 of us arrived at the top of the Grouse Grind outside Vancouver, British Columbia. It was a clear and sunny day and we had views for miles in every direction — a fitting place to wrap up the adventure of a lifetime. That adventure included thousands of miles cycling and 49 different summit views in 48 states and Canada. But more importantly it included meeting more than 3,000 people dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD) who collectively helped the Tour de Fox raise over $2.5 million for research!
For me the Tour was a euphoric blur — new place after new place, beautiful views, warm faces and a lot of time spent on a bike seat. Since it ended, it’s been fun to catch up with people I met along the way to hear about their experience with the Tour. After all, with thousands of participants, this project has taken on many forms. I asked a few people to share their experience.
Veronica Tuerffs, who joined us for multiple events this summer including our climb to Colorado’s highest peak, talked about what it meant to reach the summit with such a large group of family and friends.
I remember that day and the Gerhard family vividly. In fact, I was fighting back tears as I turned and headed down from the top. But crew member Chris Stanley had the wherewithal, like he always did that summer, to capture the Gerhard’s moment on film. When I asked Chris about his most memorable moments from the Tour, the climb with the Gerhards was at the top of his list.
The highest mountain on the Tour route was California’s Mt. Whitney. This climb took three days and involved tents, ropes, harnesses and a large team. We got to know each other very well over those three days of mutual exhaustion that created a lasting shared experience. I caught up with Christina Hunt-Fuhr, one of the California climbers. She trained, climbed and fundraised for her dad Jerry Hunt, who passed away four years after his PD diagnosis in 2001. Christina talked about how the climb made her feel closer to her father.
Christina is a relatively recent convert to extensive outdoor activities. When I spoke to her recently though, she was in the car with her son, heading out on a camping trip (in February!, oh to live in California…) so I asked her if there was anything about our climb that had left a lasting impact on her.
I knew everyone’s experiences were unique last summer, but it seems like many of the takeaways and lessons are in-line with one another. From state to state and summit to summit the Tour connected people who were once separate. Either way, I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the Tour family — one I hope to see grow in 2016.
A small regulatory RNA called microRNA-155 appears to play a key role in the brain inflammation that helps foster Parkinson’s disease. This finding, using a mouse model, implicates microRNA-155 as both a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for this progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
Because there is no definitive blood test or brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, neurologists rely on visual examination to diagnose and track these diseases. Researchers say that even better operate a video camera can make a big difference in the early diagnosis of movement disorders.
A few months ago, I had a surprise reunion with Babbette in the neighborhood's Ross Dress For Less clothing store scouting for Speedo markdowns.
We had met years ago, as swim junkies at our local Y. And over time, our locker room banter fostered a guise of intimacy. Though we were veritable strangers, we shed our vulnerabilities and established a trust that our secrets be honored, and privacy respected.
In truth, we were in part keepers of one another's stories in a profound yet superficial way. This female assembly was a safe refuge for sharing rites of passage, milestones, journeys, gibberish and simple tales of life on Planet Earth. Yet, I never revealed my diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) to her.
But as I rummaged through the wasteland of discount swimsuits, I was caught off guard in an awkward moment. I realize that Babette, a paragon of dignity and grace, held a three-pronged cane for balance. I instinctively braced myself for the fate she'd soon reveal.
Coming closer, moving into my space, as was characteristic of Babbette's engagement, she blurted out her secret.
"I was diagnosed four years ago with MS (multiple sclerosis). I, for a period of time, was in a wheel chair; this walking stick enables me to negotiate these merchandise-strewn aisles more easily and gives me options, mobility and independence."
I cringed. I felt trapped. And after 15 more minutes, I was feeling warm, claustrophobic and dizzy.
But perhaps more troubling than my involuntary detainment was Babbette's abiding acceptance of her prognosis, her seeming acceptance of this fate as "signed, sealed and delivered."
Her condition now defined her. Lost was her admired professional identity, her enticing flamboyance and her impressive creativity. In contrast, the elastic waistband generic jeans and supportive common sense Oxfords she wore now were unsettling. I resisted any urge to share my own diagnosis story.
Babbette is now driving a manually controlled vehicle and researching other adaptive technologies. Her commitment to the lines in a Tennyson poem, "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" is inspirational.
Despite Babbette's candor, I am more resistant than ever to not go viral with my PD. I rationalize perhaps because when I was diagnosed some 23 to 24 years ago, "pre-existing conditions" created hardships for those unable to secure reasonable healthcare. But the truth is, at times I still want to keep my own secrets.
A few months ago, I had a surprise reunion with Babbette in the neighborhood’s Ross Dress For Less clothing store scouting for Speedo markdowns.
In truth, we were in part keepers of one another’s stories in a profound yet superficial way. This female assembly was a safe refuge for sharing rites of passage, milestones, journeys, gibberish and simple tales of life on Planet Earth. Yet, I never revealed my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) to her.
But as I rummaged through the wasteland of discount swimsuits, I was caught off guard in an awkward moment. I realize that Babette, a paragon of dignity and grace, held a three-pronged cane for balance. I instinctively braced myself for the fate she’d soon reveal.
Coming closer, moving into my space, as was characteristic of Babbette’s engagement, she blurted out her secret.
Babbette is now driving a manually controlled vehicle and researching other adaptive technologies. Her commitment to the lines in a Tennyson poem, “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” is inspirational.
Despite Babbette’s candor, I am more resistant than ever to not go viral with my PD. I rationalize perhaps because when I was diagnosed some 23 to 24 years ago, “pre-existing conditions” created hardships for those unable to secure reasonable healthcare. But the truth is, at times I still want to keep my own secrets.
A medication approved to treat various respiratory diseases and that has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in preclinical studies is the focus of a new clinical trial for Parkinson’s disease.
New clues as to how Parkinson’s spreads from cell to cell, a process which has evaded researchers for decades, have been revealed by new research. The work is the first to link the release of alpha synuclein, a naturally occurring protein that plays a central role in the development of Parkinson’s, with its most common genetic risk factor — GBA-1 — shedding new light on its role in the progression of the devastating neurological condition and its symptoms.
Ava Butler, a member of The Michael J. Fox Foundation community, shares what her husband’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia has taught her — which she takes to heart at home, and in her career.
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is not as well-known as Alzheimer’s, but it is the second most common form of dementia. More than 1.3 million Americans are impacted by LBD, but little public attention is paid to this lesser-known disorder.
Persistent and recurring visual hallucinations are often an early symptom of LBD. This was true for Richard. Not all LBD hallucinations are fear based, but Richard’s were. His ability to communicate clearly has been impacted and sometimes words come out in an unusual and poetic way.
Occasionally people come in the house at night, but they go away when we turn on the lights and look around for them.
Today Richard has forgotten my name. He thinks it’s James Stephen Ping, his brother’s name. Then he calls me Damaged Portilla. He forgot his name too. “My name? How would I ever know that?” he says baffled by the thought of it.
At the time, we knew he had Parkinson’s, but knew nothing about LBD. At first, the hallucinations and dementia were far more difficult to manage than his physical symptoms. Now that his disease has progressed, his hallucinations have become more manageable and less frequent. But LBD remains our biggest challenge.
Respect what he sees. Dismissing his reality is not helpful, and can actually make it appear that I am not trustworthy.
Ask him to look in my eyes. This can help ground him. Remind him that I love him and secure. However, if I’m part of the hallucination and am perceived to be involved in some conspiracy, I need to back off and give him space.
Ask him to describe what he sees. Sometimes this causes him to focus a bit more. What he sees can give me insights into how he is feeling. Anxiety produces scary hallucinations. If he is calm and secure, the hallucinations tend to be positive.
Tell him that he can instruct the people to leave him alone.
Walk slowly towards the hallucination and tell the people it time for them to go away now.
Be mindful of my own emotions. My own frustration, anger or stress will make things worse. | 2019-04-24T00:33:53Z | http://www.parkinsonalabama.com/2016/02/ |
Last weekend Paul and I got together to try out Grimdark Future, the latest iteration in the “One Page Rules” series.
Grimdark Future is the successor to One Page 40k, which we’ve been playing quite often here at Comrade’s Wargames. The publishers wisely decided to strip out all of the copyrighted material and rerelease One Page 40k as Grimdark Future a month or two back, with all of the proprietary terminology like “Khorne Berzerker” and “Leman Russ” replaced with slightly more generic terms. This was our first opportunity to give the new game a thorough run-through.
We decided to set up a breakout scenario featuring my Imperial Guard army (the Iron Shields of Magnadim) versus Paul’s Tau (the L’Ranna Company). In Grimdark Future, my Guard were called “Human Defense Forces” and Paul’s Tau were called “TAO.” Clever way to skirt the copyrighted material!
Our game began, actually, with a false start. Paul showed up at my place and pulled out his 750 point Grimdark Future list, as did I. We both remarked about how 750 didn’t buy you nearly as many figures compared to 1P40K. Paul’s “army” numbered fewer than 20 figures, as I recall!
So we made an executive decision: Paul hopped in his car and went home to grab the rest of his Tau figures and I added a commensurate number of units to my Imperial Guard army. I think our armies totaled 1200-ish points each once everything was said and done. Luckily Paul lives 10 minutes away so this didn’t take much time away from our game night.
Once that was all sorted, we got down to the game. I deployed my Iron Shields in a small firebase along one long table edge. We designated three ruined buildings in the center of the table as objectives. The goal of my Iron Shields was to advance through the ruined city, seize the objective buildings, and if possible exit off Paul’s table edge. The Tau goals were to contest the objectives in the center of the table and, if possible, occupy the firebase.
The game started with BANG as a lucky shot from Paul’s Broadside popped my APC, spilling the occupants onto the pavement.
This encounter introduced us to the first major change we noticed in Grimdark Future: the absence of the Extra Armor upgrade for vehicles. This rule was very popular among our play group in 1P40K, as it really helped improve the survivability of light armored vehicles. I really missed its absence in Grimdark Future!
So, it looked we’d be walking out of the firebase. OK, that’s life. My guys grabbed their gear and started filtering out into the ruins, hoping to evade the guns of the Tau defenders.
That proved to be a tall order, as Paul had occupied some tactical positions on the battlefield. I was forced to advance through withering fire into the comparative cover of the urban cityscape.
In true Imperial Guard fashion, my battle tank (a newly painted Leviathan resin model from Warzone Resurrection; blog post forthcoming!) proved to be the most potent piece in my army. Its linked autocannons raked the Tau lines, causing grievous casualties — but not *that* grievous, thanks to some lucky rolls from Paul’s shield drones.
As in our previous games, Paul’s scout spotters used their marker lights to devastating effect. Here they are lurking in a ruined building with their flashlights of doom.
By this point I had moved a couple of squads up near the objective buildings. But Paul’s crisis battlesuits were executing an effective pincer formation, trapping me in the center of the table under increasingly potent firepower.
In the final turns, Paul’s second squad of crisis suits arrived via ambush (you know it better as Deep Strike) and sealed my doom. My battle tank was still motoring along, slaughtering Tau, but it became clear that I wasn’t going to have any infantry left to hold the buildings by the end of the game.
Here’s my tank, barely touched but unable to win the game, along with my final surviving squad of infantry in the ruins of the main objective building.
After the game we discussed our thoughts on Grimdark Future versus 1P40k.
Grimdark Future did away with the “saving throw” by the defender to block wounds and replaced it with a modifier to the attacker’s roll to wound. I think I understand why they did this, but to me it eliminates a powerful psychological element of the game — the idea of a last-gasp saving throw to avoid destruction. It also, conveniently, gave the defender something to do in the game. Now in Grimdark Future, the defender just watches as the attacker rolls buckets of dice and tells him how many of his dudes have died.
We’re going to stick with Grimdark Future, though, and will probably investigate some house rules to increase interaction and bring back some of the mechanics we liked from 1P40k (such as the Extra Armor upgrade, for instance).
We’re also going to continue the narrative that was started with this game. Will the Tau be safe now that they’ve neutralized this vanguard of the 216th Magnadim shock regiment? And how soon until everyone realizes just why this ancient colony failed in the first place…?
Last week’s game of One Page 40k (soon to be replaced by Grimdark Future, whenever we decide to make the change) took place in Jericho Station, the main city on Caluphel Prime, our homebrew 40k campaign setting.
We set up a three-player game in the ruined urban tenements of Hab-Block Fenax, a sub-sector of Jericho Station. The game featured Jim and his son Alex commanding the forces of the Imperium (Imperial Guard for Jim and Space Marine Salamanders for Alex) versus my Chaos Space Marines.
Here’s the handout I provided to Jim and Alex to set the tone for the game.
Recent skirmishes have confirmed that a sizable enemy force is moving to occupy a ruined hab-block on the outskirts of Jericho Station. Although our tactica officers have not determined exactly why the enemy is seeking to seize this sector, we must assume it offers some tactical advantage.
Consequently, you have been tasked with blunting the enemy’s advance and, if possible, counterattacking and destroying the invading force. The rushed nature of this operation, coupled with our imprecise intel about this hab-sector, means you may lack information as to the enemy’s disposition and deployment. Trust in the Emperor, then, and do your duty.
We had a good chuckle about this game briefing, as it is really just a clever way of saying “you’re on your own.” Typical Imperium!
We placed three objective markers on the battlefield, and I distributed three hidden objectives on folded-up pieces of paper to each player. These were optional objectives that could be completed if possible during the game. Fun stuff!
After that, we got moving. Jim was playing an armored platoon (his entire force consisted of 5 vehicles and 5 infantry figures, I think) and so he spent some time agonizing over the best route for his tanks through the ruined hab sector. The placement of terrain coupled with the limitations on vehicle movement in 1p40k meant he didn’t have quite as much flexibility. Ultimately he decided to move forward on his left flank while the right flank laid down artillery fire to support Alex’s Space Marine squads.
Note the satellite dish in the picture above…Jim’s secret objective was to secure the satellite dish and transmit a message about the battle to the explorator fleet waiting in orbit. Since the Imperium’s campaign on Caluphel is still in its infancy, this sort of intel could be crucial to the burgeoning war effort.
Alex, Jim’s teammate in this battle, sent his Salamanders into the rubble as well.
Alex’s secret objective was to assassinate the enemy commander, so he was watching carefully as my Chaos Night Lords moved out of their deployment zone. Here they go!
The first major clash came as Jim’s battle tanks closed on my Helbrute, which was stampeding toward the central objective (a fueling depot near the center of the table).
Eek! Nobody wants to be down-barrel of a Leman Russ battle tank! Luckily my Helbrute got off a couple blasts with this multi-melta before he himself was torn to pieces by the tank’s fearsome firepower.
Elsewhere my daemon prince flapped his gnarly wings over to perch atop a ruined building. Jim and Alex were absolutely terrified of this guy, and for good reason — he is an absolute combat monster. So he attracted quite a bit of firepower as he surveyed the battlefield from his perch.
And then my daemon prince saw a likely target … a squad of Alex’s veteran Salamander Space Marines! “Fresh meat” he thought, and prepared to swoop in for the kill.
He was quickly swarmed by green-armored Space Marines. No big deal, I thought. My daemon prince is unbelievably tough! But … the Space Marines were armed to the teeth, and after several rounds of vicious combat, they proved to be more than a match for the pink-skinned daemon. Here is his final hurrah before he was banished back to the warp.
But while Jim and Alex poured men and material into the battle to stop my daemon prince, I was able to bolster my position elsewhere. In particular, my squad of Plague Marines advanced into the ruins and seized one of the victory objectives — a pair of ancient computer cores. Who can say what lost, arcane knowledge is stored in their sub-quantum crystal memory arrays?
The Plague Marines were joined shortly by Estebohr Bruton, my Chaos Lord. He arrived just as a lucky shot destroyed Jim’s Chimera troop transport. We couldn’t help but giggle whenever a vehicle would get destroyed, because that meant we could put another tuft of colored wool onto the battlefield. Little effects like this really made the game come alive!
Over by the fueling depot in the center of the table, a desperate close-quarters battle was raging. The depot was atop an elevated terrain piece, which allowed only limited room for models to cluster around the objective marker. The area turned into a meatgrinder as both Alex and I poured reinforcements into the skirmish. Ultimately I prevailed, allowing me to seize the objective.
On the last turn of the game, my Chaos Raptors finally arrived via deep strike. I placed them close to Alex’s command squad, which was enough to keep the Salamanders from forcing my Night Lords away from the fuel depot.
And with that, our game was over! I squeaked out a win by holding two objectives by the end of the game.
We all agreed that this was an excellent game with plenty of exciting and dramatic moments. The defeat of my daemon prince, as well as the back-and-forth battle at the fuel depot were both highlights of the evening. Thanks to Jim and Alex for a great game!
We’ll play again in a month or two. For our next game, I’ll have to come up with a suitably fun scenario that includes some of the after-effects of this game. For example, my Night Lords were able to stop Jim’s Guardsmen from sending that all-important satellite message to the orbiting fleet. What will that mean for the next scenario? If you’ve got a great idea, leave me a comment!
Last week the Majestic Gamers gathered at my place for another go at One Page 40k (1P40K). Unlike our previous game, which was a learning session and didn’t have much in the way of balance or parity, this time we all brought actual armies built using the rosters in the rulebook, kitted out and ready to slaughter their enemies.
We had five players, but Jim had extra models and was able to expand his Imperial Guard to allow for a 3-vs-2 game pitting two Imperial Guard players versus a strange alliance of Orks, Chaos Space Marines and Tau.
The battle was a baptism by fire for Jimbo’s newest Ork vehicle — a spectacular kitbashed battlewagon created from a Sherman tank scale model. Feast your eyes on this.
We played a breakthrough scenario, which awarded victory to the side that managed to get the most points’ worth of models into the enemy’s deployment area. This meant both sides would have to stay fairly mobile — even the Imperial Guard, which is better at digging in and awaiting the enemy with lots of gun barrels pointed at them!
Here’s a look at Jim’s fantastic, beautifully painted Imperial Guard motorized company. That’s two Leman Russ tanks in the foreground, a Basilisk on the right with a fully armored crew compartment, and a Chimera in the back.
And here’s a look at the other Imperial Guard force, played by Ben using models from yours truly. The tank and most of the figures are from Pig Iron Productions. The green-suited guys on the left are from Lead Adventure Miniatures’ post-apocalyptic line, standing in as seasoned veterans for this Imperial Guard detachment.
The game opened up with a series of advances by both sides. My Chaos marines rumbled forward in their Rhino, attracting the attention of Jim’s tanks. Their chose target, however, proved to be Paul’s Tau Pathfinders. Everyone was duly frightened of their marker lights (which grant bonuses for other Tau units). They were lucky to survive a barrage from Jim’s tank cannon!
Jimbo’s Orks lurched forward on their rumbling battlewagon. Not only was the vehicle massive, but its payload was equally impressive! There were, I believe, 30 Orks (3 squads of 10) deployed aboard the battlewagon at the outset of the game. Yes, we made plenty of clown car jokes as Jimbo motored his dudes across the battlefield.
But then when he got within charge range of the enemy tanks … this happened.
Yes, it was tremendous. Many dice were rolled. But the tank was still intact (battered, but still whole!) at the end of the first combat. The right flank (where most of Jim’s tanks were arrayed) turned into a grudge match between him and Jimbo, as the latter presented as many targets as he possibly could (in the form of howling Ork mobs) while the former agonized over whether to just annihilate the advancing Orks — or to hit the gas and start moving toward the opposing deployment zone (and victory).
Soon thereafter, a lucky shot popped my Chaos Rhino, causing the 4 surviving squad members to pile out in a hurry. You can see Ben’s Imperial Guard advancing through a crater field in the background of this pic.
Meanwhile Orks continued to pour forth from Jimbo’s clown car/battlewagon. The last to disembark was his warboss, who promptly charged into the nearest squad of Guardsmen.
But unlike in regular 40k, 1P40K doesn’t let units get “stuck in” to close combat. At the end of each melee, if one side wasn’t annihilated, the combatants separate. This is critical because either unit can now be targeted by gunfire. So Jimbo’s warboss had his way with this squad of hapless Guardsmen … and then he took a tank salvo directly to his head. Oops!
Across the battlefield, Paul’s Tau had been surgically excising various threats using their advanced weaponry and targeting systems. On the second turn, Paul was able to call in his Tau Crisis Suits via deep strike, landing them in the enemy’s rear and laying waste to several squads of infantry.
With armored targets approaching fast, my Helbrute climbed atop a small ridge in the center of the table and proceeded to open fire with his multi-melta.
The laser cannon turret was actually part of the scenario … if a squad could get in base contact with it, they’d have a chance at at activating it and putting its destructive capability to use. Jim’s Guardsmen arrived and were able to activate the turret, but they were picked off in the process.
Ben’s tank arrived in the vicinity, and my Helbrute started to feel a little … exposed … on top of that ridge. Luckily, Paul’s Tau turned their attention to the tank, and in short order this was the result.
Yeah, Tau are *really* good at shooting stuff.
Anyway, here’s my last photo from the game. Tanks burning, a lone Chaos warrior lifting his sword to praise the dark gods … you know, just another Friday.
The game ended with lots of laughs, as Jimbo’s battlewagon (still alive!) careened into the enemy’s deployment zone, shrugged off several blasts from the huge tanks … and died to a piddly rifle shot from an Imperial Guardsman!
The bad guys managed to squeak out a win because my daemon prince was in the enemy’s deployment zone at the end of the last turn. Despite a few close calls, the other side wasn’t able to reach our deployment zone, and so we won.
Once again, 1P40K gave us a great game. Seriously, this ruleset is everything I want from 40k — simply and concise, yet still comprehensive and suitably fiddly (for players who want to customize their figures and try out different gear options). The army lists cover just about everything you’d ever need, and the advanced rules add in a bit more complexity if you’re missing that sort of thing.
I had a fairly productive half of 2016 painting up my Night Lords and knocking out a few smaller projects. I’m looking forward to lots more painting and modeling, because 1P40K is definitely gathering steam here in Oregon.
Last week I hit a milestone — I hosted a game night at my place for the first time since moving to Oregon. Huzzah! I regularly hosted games with my old game club back in Chicago, and ever since relocating to Oregon I found that was the thing I missed the most — getting some friends together for an evening of fun with toy soldiers. The group last week was a mishmash of friends from work (who in turn brought some of their friends from the local theater), as well as a couple guys I had gotten to know through Facebook.
The one thing we all had in common was a more-than-passing familiarity with Warhammer 40,000, so we decided to try out One Page 40k, the free, fan-made supplement designed to give a little taste of tabletop gaming in the grim darkness of the far future.
I’m a huge fan of rules-lite games in general, so I was particularly excited to try out 1P40K. I’m one of those rare gamers who is unimpressed by your huge rulebooks and encyclopedic knowledge of whatever game. I get a few hours per month for miniatures games, so I’m focused like a laser on anything that lets me maximize my time spent actually playing a game. Rules-lite games are a great starting point.
I had six (!!) players last week, so I set up a basic 3-on-3 team game and perched on a nearby chair to serve as gamemaster. We all agreed that this would be a learning game, and mistakes were encouraged as they helped us learn the rules. Here’s a look at the battlefield at the start of the game.
So many new friends! I am rich beyond measure.
All but two of the players had their own 40k miniatures, which was awesome. On the left we had two Chaos players plus a Necron player. On the right: a strange alliance of Orks, Imperial Guard and Tau. The industrial facility in the center included three objectives (described at the outset of the game) that the players could battle over.
The game got underway, and we began to put 1P40K through its paces. I’ve played quite a bit of In the Emperor’s Name, which is a skirmish-sized ruleset for fighting battles between Inquisitorial retinues and chaos warbands in the 40k universe. ITEN is playable but still fairly rough around the edges, and it doesn’t really support more than maybe 10-15 figures per side.
By contrast, 1P40K is specifically designed to play 40k-sized battles — maybe 30+ models per side, plus a couple vehicles. And even though it’s a ruleset that prizes brevity above all, there’s still a satisfying amount of crunch to the rules. We found ourselves nodding sagely over any number of little details or special rules that we uncovered during our game. They all made sense and it was clear why the author included them. That’s the sign of an internally consistent game design.
The one thing that 1P40K doesn’t do is try to approximate the actual gameplay of current edition Warhammer 40k. A typical turn, while familiar enough to most players, doesn’t feel like a turn of 40k. Phases are different, and game terms aren’t transferable (1P40K uses “block” instead of “armor save” when trying to shrug off hits). The game also uses alternating unit activation, which is a great mechanic that I wish more games would embrace, as it keeps the other players much more engaged throughout.
So all of that is my way of saying that while this is a tremendously fun and playable game, it doesn’t really prepare you for a full-fledged game of Warhammer 40k. That’s fine by me! I like the models and story of the 40k universe, but I’m not looking for a stepping stone to the full 40k game (in all its overwrought, cumbersome glory).
The other players pretty much agreed with this assessment. We were particularly impressed with the low entry threshold to get started with 1P40K. There’s the eponymous One Page 40k Rulebook, plus a longer, more thorough rulebook called the Beginner’s Guide, plus a few supplements covering damn near every newfangled model that’s been released over the last couple decades. It’s all free and downloadable off ye olde Internet!
Clearly a lot of work has gone into these rules. 1P40K is just one part of a larger mini-empire of rules, all produced by fans for fans of the games. Just in the last month or so they’ve been moving toward a Patreon system of soliciting pledges from users to fund new content. Just based on my first brush with 1P40K last week, I’m definitely inclined to support this kind of thing.
Oh! I almost forgot. Here are a few pics of a truly epic clash that took place in our game last week. Sarah’s Chaos Daemon Prince was flying around the battlefield looking for something to carve up, and Jimbo was only too happy to oblige by sending his Ork Warboss into close combat.
The Warboss was dispatched in due course, leaving the Daemon Prince temporarily exposed in the center of the battlefield. Paul’s Tau managed to bring a fearsome array of firepower to bear on the poor Daemon Prince, but even after rolling 24 dice, the Prince still survived. We commemorated the magnificent fusillade of gunfire by replacing the terrain piece with a huge smoking crater.
Truly a 40k moment if there ever was one.
Anyway, the game night was a great success! I’m not sure if it showed in the photos, but each player only fielded two squads and a hero … we didn’t even worry about points. The idea was to just throw some guys on the table and get started playing. So, after the game everyone was excited to invigorated to paint miniatures, build up a proper army list, and meet up again soon to try this game out again! | 2019-04-23T14:54:50Z | https://comradewargames.wordpress.com/tag/1p40k/ |
You are here: Home / UMC / Why do the Top 100 #UMC’s shun Methodism?
I began to wonder if other successful United Methodist churches had the same practice: not advertising their UMC identity, at least online. And why?
The church in question was a big church–in fact, it is one of the top 100 UMCs. Using 2011’s data, these churches average anywhere from 6700 to 1300 people on a Sunday morning. These are the luminaries, staffed by mega pastors (out of the 100….uh, 98 are men). They are often multi-site with many worship styles. They are mostly from the South, but there’s a good amount of Northern churches (only one Western Jurisdiction church, sadly). These are the cream of the crop and the churches that best utilize the United Methodist way of being to attract newcomers to the faith.
If all the above is true, then my question is: are they shunning their Methodist identity online? Why would they intentionally remove their denominational affiliation from their online presence?
Methodist Branding in the Top 100?
Is the Church using the official Methodist symbol of the Cross and Flame in their logo or website?
Is the Church prominently displaying that they are a United Methodist church (in their logo, in their about page, etc)?
Only 34% of them had the graphic of the Cross and Flame on the front page. A whopping 66% didn’t use the Cross and Flame.
That’s it. No about page, no history, no identification of the clergy as Methodist.
In all, 21 of the top 100 United Methodist Churches do not use Methodist branding for their websites.
#5 White’s Chapel UMC in Central Texas has “UMC” in their URL, but their logo is just letters and there’s no mention of “Methodist” on their front page. They do mention being United Methodist in the first sentence of their About page, which is nice.
#17 Asbury Madison in North Alabama has no Cross and Flame (just three stylized boxes) and only a small mention of Methodist in its about on the front page. “UMC” is in the URL, however.
#48 St. Andrew Plano in North Texas has no Cross and Flame and no Methodist on their front page. They do overtly include Methodist beliefs in their about sections.
#54 Good Shepherd Charlotte in Western North Carolina has no Cross and Flame and no Methodist on their front page. They include reference to “Wesleyan” in their about section, and “UMC” is in the URL.
#82 Lee’s Summit UMC in Missouri has no Methodist branding but their page header includes “United Methodist” in the title. They call themselves “The Summit Church” throughout the website, otherwise.
#85 Bethany Church in Pennsylvania has no Methodist branding but their URL includes “UM” in it and their about has “Methodist” in it. Otherwise they call themselves “Bethany Church” throughout the website.
# 11 Glide Memorial UMC in Cal-Nevada has no mention of UMC, no Cross and Flame, and very little Methodist references in their website other than the pastors’ bios and their history.
#18 Jacksonville Beach in Florida. Methodist only shows up four times on their website.
# 21 Van Dyke UMC in Florida. Methodist only shows up five times on their website, each time reporting on external groups.
#32 MorningStar Church in Missouri has no Methodist anywhere in about or intros other than the pastor’s bios.
#38 La Croix Church in Missouri has no Cross and Flame and no Methodist anywhere other than their history.
#43 Covenant UMC in North Carolina has no Methodist anywhere at all.
#57 Crossroads Concord in Western North Carolina has no Methodist anywhere other than the history.
#64 Gateway Community Church in Texas has no Methodist ANYWHERE at all on their website to reference their own church. No. Where.
#78 Covenant Glen UMC in Texas has no Methodist branding at all and mentions it only in their beliefs and their pastor bios.
Your Turn: Marketing or Theology?
I wonder about the reasons for this lack of Methodist branding.
It could be marketing. Click through the linked websites above and you’ll see the fancy header graphics and some nice logos for their churches that they decided the UMC images didn’t fit into. To compete in a world increasingly hostile to organized religion, perhaps eschewing official involvement (at least online) is helpful to their local evangelism. And let’s face it: just saying “a cross and a flame” evokes more images of 1960s KKK rallies than hearts strangely warmed in Methodist pews. Maybe it is okay that the denominational image is falling out of style and we need new branding in 2016.
It could be theology. Are these churches out-of-sync with the greater denomination? On one hand, some see themselves as staunchly Methodist. At least two of the pastors of the churches mentioned above are so-called champions of United Methodist values as signatories to the FaithfulUMC petition–and yet they don’t champion United Methodism in their branding on their own local church. On the other hand, at least two United Methodist churches in my town have recently removed United Methodist branding from their Facebook pages. The pastor explained to me that it was intentional because the UMC’s stance on homosexuality was a turn-off for visitors and they needed to know that the Reconciling churches were not like the rest of Methodism.
As you know, this blog celebrates our connectional nature. While I’m certain that in person the Methodist presence oozes out, online is my realm of interest and it seems these churches have abdicated a Methodist identity that could do a great deal to remind the world that we aren’t all about debates about homosexuality and being the church of Bush and Clinton.
If these are our Top 100 churches, why aren’t they choosing to be more Methodist online?
So what are your thoughts? Why would churches not reflect United Methodist branding and identity online? And is that okay that our denominational staples of the Cross and Flame–and even the name “United Methodist–are not getting the traction they used to have?
Discuss. Thanks for your comments.
UPDATE: Followup to this post here where we discuss why UMs would want to disaffiliate themselves from the mothership.
I think most mega-churches are trying to get away from denominational labeling. I’ve seen several First Baptist Churches becomes First Family or First Community Church and the same with other denominations. Their assumptions is that the denominational name brings a lot of baggage. While I certainly think that if you are a UM church connected with an annual conference that you should at least call yourself United Methodist, the more disturbing trend is that this mega-churches are moving away from other UMC staples like itinerancy and trying to reconfigure connectionalism to their benefit. In my own AC, some of the larger churches have tried to change to direct billing of clergy healthcare and pension and change the way at-large lay delegates are distributed among churches, two moves that would greatly benefit them and greatly damage small and medium sized churches. My opinion is that you can’t have your cake and eat it too, if a larger church is going to benefit from the UM pension, health insurance, etc then it should also call itself a United Methodist church.
Brad – in the LA Conference, which doesn’t contain very many large churches, we have direct billing of healthcare and pension. The pensions are slightly subsidized through apportionments, but the majority of it is direct billed. The healthcare is not subsidized at all (unless you count the reserve fund which is sometimes used). I don’t see this as a big vs little church issue, but as a fairness issue.
On your other point, I agree that if any church is UM, they should call themselves a UM church in some way.
I think this is all about marketing. I see a prominent church in or near me that has lowered the UM in its name to between the other names of the church. I am fine with that. I don’t think it makes any difference. I believe the church I refer to is following the tenants of the UM church.
Can we get UMCom or GBOD to release a more layered cross & flame? I don’t use it that often because it is a flat digital logo circa 1970’s/80’s.
Agreed. Cross and flame logo is out of date. We have our own — although we’re also proudly known as the “Mother Church” of Georgia Methodism (we have a rock in our courtyard that says so).
Actually, GCFA are the keepers of the flame, as it were. At least legally. Not sure whose decision it would have to be to redesign.
Our church just did a redesign of our logo. During the process it came up that the BOD clearly says that churches are permitted free use of the logo however are also prohibited from making any changes to it. So technically we could get in trouble with GCFA. However most churches and even conferences that do use the cross and flame these days are doing altered versions of it.
Perhaps that weighed in but I suppose it has more to do with the fact that the average person that we are trying to reach with a message about Jesus doesn’t much care that we are United Methodist.
Very solid discussion, and important, too. Everyone knows that institutional “brand” loyalty has been way down for two generations. In the supposedly glorious days, kids who grew up Methodist would move to a new town after college and immediately find the Methodist church. Almost no one does that anymore. And in the unlikely case that someone raised UM has an inkling to return to church years later after having 2.3 kids and settling down in the suburbs, there’s a lot of competition. I suspect that the First Baptists, Grace Lutherans, Wesley Memorial United Methodists, etc. all start to look alike: barely surviving in their inner ring suburbs of the 1960s. The exurbanites see a whole host of Jesus barns with names like Living Waters, The Rock, The Vine, Community of Joy, etc. The unaffiliated evangelicals started this trend, but the mainline caught on. To me, the problem is that it conceals the difference between mainline and evangelical churches. I know, basically, the difference between “First Southern Baptist Church” and “First United Methodist Church” in any town. But I don’t know the difference between The Rock Church and The Vine Church.
So my concern is that our biggest and most “successful” churches are, right from the start, blurring the distinctions between us and the fundamentalists. On the other hand, I suspect a number of clergy and laity in these churches are aware of and active in the UMC connection.
I don’t think it is a theology thing because neither glide nor granger use methodist references.
My guess is that it is a marketing thing. Glide has a great logo. It clearly represents who they are. Granger’s logo is too generic for my tastes. Windsor Village in Houston has a good logo, no cross and flames. It is probably also an 80s thing. That’s when a lot of churches went through the “marketing” phase.
Personally I am with Gavin. I like the cross and flame. It identifies, but I wish they would update it. Graphic design has changed since the 70s and 80s. When looking at reworking our site, none of the cross and flames were scalable, transparent backgrounds, or adjustable. Churches like a certain degree of control over their logos.
I think it is mainly a marketing thing, and it gives a chance to define “United Methodist” in person through relationships instead of through perceived past experiences. I also hope that we connect people to Christ first, then lead them in the “United Methodist” way of following Jesus. On my most cynical days I worry there is more commitment to UM traditions/structures/bureaucracy than to Christ and God’s mission. That’s quite a negative judgment on my part, so take that more as sensationalism than honest truth.
Another thing I think about is that Pre-Protestant and pre-east/west splits, it was just church, no denominational label. So, overall, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. It’s simply a church being church in its context.
“I think it is mainly a marketing thing, and it gives a chance to define “United Methodist” in person through relationships instead of through perceived past experiences” = BOOM. Well said.
I’d say its a marketing thing as well. I recall in the late 90s/early 00s there was some church marketing consultancy that was sweeping through my home town in Indiana offering some ‘free consultations’ on how to better market your church. It was all about dropping denominational references and even other explicitly ‘religious’ references. My home church was advised to drop the word ‘chapel’ from their name as well, being told that it evoked a ‘small church mentality’ that would not attract new worshippers.
The logo is SO 1960’s. It’s recognizable to UM’s, but not so much to the secular culture. For fun, take a look at a few corporate logos from 1968 and today. Imagine McDonalds today with its 1960-68 logo: http://logos.wikia.com/wiki/McDonald's.
The phrase “United Methodist” is six syllables (“United” referring to the 1968 merger, and “Methodist” needing a lesson in 18th Century English campus religious clubs to explain. That’s really quite a bit of baggage to offer in the church name … but I’m convinced that it’s important to include it on the frontpage and available to search keys — people move to town and look for UMC’s.
People who aren’t UM don’t need polysyllabic historical mysteries in the masthead. But both the name and the logo — more current versions would be welcome! — should be on the frontpage, and (imho) on each page.
“United” came to the EUB by way of another merger between the Church of the UNITED Brethren in Christ and the Evangelical Church in 1946. The CUBC name came about in 1800.
Shun? Really? I happened to be the Lead Pastor of one of these 100 churches and this language is way too strong. I cannot speak for all the large church pastors, but I personally know many of them and they are rabidly committed to the UMC as a whole. Their churches host conferences, write books and curriculum, mentor pastors and churches and serve in the Annual, Jurisdictional and General Church. So, we leave off the logo or drop the “United Methodist” from our name. We did it because it shortened our name. That’s it. We have a thirty foot cross and flame in our Sanctuary! Let me also remind you that without the growth of many of these local churches, the UMC would be in worse shape than she already is. Plus let’s not even talk about the amount of apportionment a these 100 churches pay.
Jorge, thank you for your comment. While the title is provocative (as longtime readers expect on this blog) the focus of this conversation is on online presence, not the rest of your substantial contributions to United Methodism. As more and more people find us online, what role does UM branding play in online strategies? What led to your decision?
Jeremy, I don’t think you can separate “online presence” from the rest of a large churches contribution to the church as a whole when you are talking about them shunning the UMC. But let me respond at a deeper level. As you probably saw, we make no bones about the fact that Grace Church is a multi-site United Methodist congregation. But I agree with many that most unchurched, once-churched and over-churched people are not denominationally loyal. Our bent is towards them first. Branding as a UMC is secondary to helping connect people to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their discipleship. Also, I think we have to distinguish between being a loyal United Methodist (whatever that means) and teaching people to walk in the Wesleyan way of discipleship. Frankly, I care little about the first but I’ll give me best efforts to the second.
I think that’s fair, Jorge, and thank you for further engagement in this conversation.
My comment is that if your parishioners are like mine, they are more mobile than they have been in the past and move around more often. I don’t know about Florida but in Portland, Oregon, about half of my transfers of memberships are from fellow UMCs who move to a new place and look up “where the Methodists are?” It used to be that you could visit a UMC in one town and then another a few states away and you would know you would get the same type of message. The denominational branding assisted back then, and it surely would have even more of an impact now.
The driving question of that paragraph perhaps is this: in a more mobile society, is it better for churches to stick it out alone and market to their communities? Or is it better to retain more uniform branding so that folks can more easily retain their UM affiliations when they move?
Jeremy: I think dyed-in-the-wool United Methodists will find a UMC to worship and serve at. Reaching transfers is not the mission of the church. Reaching lost, disconnected people with vulgar grace is. I think being clear about our mission, vision, values and strategy says more about individual UMC’s than a brand or logo.
Reaching transfers isn’t the mission of the church, no. Making disciples is. And the reality is that mobility and internet savvy impacts our church decisions of how to make disciples.
My perspective is this: Fewer of our parishioners will be our lifelong disciples-they are more mobile and will become someone else’s disciples. More than ever we are indebted to other UMCs for sending and receiving those laity and planting them in new places or receiving them in ours to assist in reaching new people. If a church’s website is unrecognizable to UMs, then how do we facilitate a lifetime of discipleship when they may not come to a church that doesn’t “look” Methodist online?
I’m certain we are coming at this topic of branding from two different angles (evangelically versus discipling, though they are 95% alike). I just want Grace’s successes to reverberate throughout Methodism’s online venue of the Gospel as clearly as it does offline too.
Good discussion, Jeremy. A deeper problem is that the UM brand means little or nothing today. Apart from the fact that there is low “brand recognition” among unchurched people, there is no longer brand uniformity among UM congregations. When I move to another community and attend another UM church, chances are it will be different in theology and worship experience from the UM church I moved from. Just having the UM label doesn’t mean that potential worshipers can count on what type of experience they will have when they walk in the door.
I think it’s very simple: what does having “UMC” or “Methodist” mean to an unchurched person? They have no idea. That’s something you don’t want them to Google. You want them to get a personal understanding of how we live out our theology. For instance, our church (First UMC of Sikeston) has a large contingency of former Baptists. It was only through personal relationship and experience that those theological differences were reconciled. Without local church success, connectionalism is meaningless. What’s best locally IS best across the connection, if it furthers the kingdom.
Great discussion. I remember when I attended the New Church Leadership Institute put on by the the SC Jurisdiction, a “church marketing guru” questioned why some churches decided to drop “United Methodist” from their name b/c the term consistently “tests well” in surveys. His point being that churches have nothing to gain by joining the increasingly majority “herd” of having no denominational affiliation in their church name, and that “positive correlation” to gain by including it. I’m sorry I can’t remember the surveys he spoke of, but perhaps someone else does. We kinda do the opposite of what some here have mentioned–intentionally include our UM affiliation via the cross and the name on our website, and then refer to the church as “University Church” while people are at worship, etc. b/c it rolls easier off the tongue. I think people know where they are after walking into a building with a big cross and flame on a 7 story tower.
I never closed the car screeching noises either 🙂 oops.
I suspect it’s a misguided marketing perception in many cases. But it’s not only churches.
You and I are both acquainted with a United Methodist university that doesn’t feature the symbol in any prominent physical location on campus (and indeed has the word “Methodist” in very few places visible externally on campus; one of them because it’s a dorm name). The cross and flame is visible in a small button at the bottom of the first website page connecting to the church relations and religious life office; the connection to the church and a link show up on the “About” page. Southern Methodist University refers to itself by its full name with the word “Methodist” only once at the bottom of its front page and mentions the church only in connection with its founding on its “About” page.
Some churches have probably made this as a decision something like Jorge notes; denominational branding is secondary for many non-religious folks and so many churches choose to emphasize it less in reaching out to them. Some, though, probably omit the symbol and the word because they feel it constrains them into roles they do not wish to have or to be perceived that they have — which is also, I think, at the root of some of our schools and universities’ choices to reduce their overt connections to the connection.
Crosses and flames? Say those two words together: crosses and flames.
While those who are “Anglo insiders” know the UM logo as the intersection of the work of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the two terms and images converge into a very different meaning for our African-American friends. And as one of the churches on “the list” going unapologetically “full color” in our demographic makeup, we have opted for a logo with a very different feel and with no cultural or racial baggage.
Some black Americans choose to not use the Cross and Flame b/c it’s too close to a Flaming Cross which was used for generations to intimidate and strike fear in the hearts of the black community.
That might be Glide’s rationale – perhaps.
I would just like to point out that other denominations within the Methodist family tree use some variation of the cross and the flame as does the Presbyterian Church with a flame on each side of the cross and a descending dove on top of the cross.
Soo are we proclaiming Christ or Methodism? What’s the point of the article?
It is human nature to organize around a value. To worship Christ in an organized way with other folks is perfectly human way to be in relationships.
Whether a UM congregation has the words “United Methodist” or a cross and flame logo on their sign or web site is really immaterial. What matters is if and how they form people as disciples of Jesus Christ. Do they have an organizational culture that expects, enables, and supports growth in holiness of heart and life (small groups that are centered in Jesus Christ and discipleship, developing disciples who disciple others, teaching and practicing the means of grace)? Are members equipped to live the Baptismal Covenant and serve with Christ and his mission in the world? Is the Lord’s Supper integral to worship and Christian formation? Are members conversant with the General Rules? Do leaders, lay and clergy, have faith in Christ? Are they going onto perfection in love? These expectations and practices are far more important than whether the congregation uses United Methodist or the cross and flame on its web site.
I find in my work at GBOD that the vast majority of UM congregations are Methodist in name only. The laity are not aware of the richness of the Wesleyan tradition. I have also found that most lay men and women who learn about the Wesleyan way of Christian formation, discipleship and mission get very excited and enthusiastic about being Christians in this tradition.
It’s entirely possible that certain congregations which don’t overtly identify themselves as United Methodists may actually show more fidelity to riches of the Wesleyan tradition than congregations which readily identify as UM and use the cross/flame logo. Some of the congregations you mentioned are well-known to practice incarnational solidarity with the poor, marginalized, and dispossessed of Empire (a commitment of John Wesley’s), while there are certain mega-UM churches here in the greater Dallas area—fully emblazoned with the UM logo—which, as far as I can see, are doing little more than reproducing the middle- to upper-middle class white-privileged status quo.
What I find disturbing about this blog post, along with the set of responses, is that there seems to be more hand-wringing over whether or not congregations overtly use the UM logo than over another fact the blog revealed here, namely, that out of the 100 mega-pastors, only two are women. Only two!??? And no one finds this noteworthy, or something to get upset about? What the church “normalizes” and ceases to notice—and what it does notice, and gets upset about—is very revealing. I’m deeply disappointed that no one seemed to notice or get concerned about this statistic—for it’s a symptom of a much larger societal problem. According to scripture it’s entirely possible to tolerate a big log in one’s own eye, and get worked into a froth about specks out in the environment. Yes, it’s important that at some point congregants be helped to understand the significance of the denomination to which they’re connected. But, to my mind, the ongoing subordination of ordained women in the church (a White House report shows that women comprise no more than 15 to 20% of upper level leadership in 9 major professions) is of far great significance and concern. Has anybody gone to the trouble of doing a statistical analysis, and doing a careful assessment of percentages of women (and people of color) in roles such as senior minister of medium to larger congregations, Bishop, and so on? Let’s pay attention to that.
“subordination of ordained women in the church”?????
Only 20% of the elders in full connection are female. Yet, more than 20% of the bishops are female. More than 20% of the district superintendents are female. So, where is the subordination????
I’m not trying to say that we have defeated sexism or racism for that matter. But, let’s look at the realities instead of trying to find talking points.
Which leads me to the question about the top 100 churches or even all of those with more than 1,000 members. The study that was done (by GBHEM?) neglected to look at the question of how many of those churches still had their founding pastor? It is one thing to talk about mature (but hopefully still growing) churches and how appointments are distributed. It is another to suggest that successful church planters should be moved to “prove” that we believe in itineracy or to give everyone a chance. While that may benefit a “fortunate few” it would be very damaging to the church as a whole.
On your list, #69, Christ Church. If you open their site on a new tab, the tab comes up as “Christ United Methodist Church”. Then if you scroll about half down on their homepage, there is a cross and flame.
I truly believe that the approach is theological. Marketing is part of it, but likely secondary. We’re committed to Jesus, first. Not denominational affiliation. This has always been the case. I’m reminded of CS Lewis’ image of a house with many rooms representing our different preferences, denominations, etc. When we say the room we’re in comes first, we minimize the whole house. When we start with the house (Jesus and His Kingdom), we can then help people find a room to belong in. Frankly, I just don’t understand why this seems like such a big deal. The way it seems to be interpreted is that these churches don’t love their UM connection. This isn’t usually the case at all. Not shouting it on their website is not shunning Methodism, it is promoting Jesus as the most important thing.
It could be like you say, but the purpose of this post was to do exactly what you didn’t do: go beyond a cursory inspection. We looked at 100 church websites and reported above what we found. While your anecodotal evidence is helpful to the conversation, the data supports a different conclusion.
Being one of the churches listed … our main goal is to reach the unchurched. Not the churched, not the folks that have church homes, not United Methodists transfers (though we will gladly take them as well!) … And so we don’t want anything to serve as a barrier to enter our doors.
We do not shun the denomination by any means, and we actually talk extensively about our denomination in person. However, we do not show the UM logo because we do not want someone to not enter our doors simply because they would feel like they don’t belong. Because they don’t know what the beliefs are of UM, because … of what ever other reason.
So again … it’s about our mission. Reaching out to the unchurched. We are very grateful and blessed by the support of UM. Hope this sheds some light.
You know, I think it’s a problem. I have ‘liked’ a few of these churches on Facebook. I have read their Pastors books and kept up with them. I remember once, one of those mega church Pastors wrote a piece of homosexuality in the church. It, naturally, sparked quite a discussion. Among those, though, was a discussion among MEMBERS of the church, some of them claiming to have been members for YEARS, asking the Pastor if “he allowed gay weddings in the church”. They had never seen it done, but they had no idea. I waited for a response from him and never saw it.
His piece was a beautifully written piece in support of homosexuality. But it would seem his church, a large, United Methodist Church, had no idea that there was a prohibition on gay marriage. Furthermore, none of them asked “Does the United Methodist Church prohibit gay marriage”, they just asked if his church banned it. As far as they understand, they are a congregational church!
I think they are trying to reach the “I’m spiritual, not religious” group, the group that rejects “organized religion”. Not only are they lying to these people, though, they are also presenting pretty false pretenses. Do people not realize there are committees and organizations that run those churches? Dozens of paid staff persons? More staff than their conference and district offices perhaps? Most of these mega church Pastors get elected to General Conference. Is their seeker-friendly congregation aware that their Pastor has been asked to be a part of the decision making body in the United Methodist Church? Do they even KNOW there is such a body?
I can go a little easy on them. There are folks in my congregation who don’t know much about Methodism, even though I just got done with a sermon series on such. But I’ve always been uncomfortable with the way large churches hide methodism.
I’m a 23 year old “millennial” serving under appointment and have since I was 19 years old. I was a southern baptist until I felt my call to ministry. I wrestled with my own theology and knew it couldn’t be in the church I grew up in. Methodism was relevant. The quadrillateral, the organizational structure, even General Conference- it all made sense. Rather than telling me to be afraid and submit, it told me to learn and grow. I grew up having the answer to everything at my fingerprints. I was the ‘geek’ who was building computers in elementary school and my family was the first on our block to have internet. I’m used to finding answers and learning. For 200 years, seeking answers to questions about the Bible has been the message of Methodism. Growing in holiness, becoming a better person, and becoming closer to God is what it’s all about. If we are trying to reach *me* and my generation, like folks keep telling me, then why aren’t we playing on our strengths? Why are we hiding our identity that resonates with so many people?
I feel disappointed every time I see “HIP COMMUNITY CHURCH” (a united Methodist congregation). Why are they embarrassed to be a part of the church that I love? Why aren’t they embracing the tradition that people want and need? Why aren’t these large churches overflowing sources of future United Methodist clergy and leadership?
Our LARGEST is the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. While at times it embodies some of those same issues, I have more than once heard Rev. Hamilton preach about Methodism. He is not ashamed to be a United Methodist! He refers to COR AS “The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection”, he lets his congregation know about his role in the UMC and in fact, if you visit their website, not only will you find a prominently displayed Cross and Flame (as you will in the building), you’ll find that one of their missions is to renew and revitalize the mainline church and the UMC. So if our LARGEST church can be comfortable in it’s denominational skin, and make big impacts in the world; then why on earth can’t all of our churches? Why are we embarrassed by our denomination?
I for one am not. I can’t wait to tell people about my United Methodist church or the fact that I serve as a United Methodist Pastor. Sometimes they’ll say “But, isn’t that the church that believes…” and I cannot WAIT to help them better understand our complex, multi-dimensional beliefs. It’s amazing how many people not only resonate with it, but find it so refreshing that denomination doesn’t have a simplistic, basic answer for everything!
Well, that’s the end of my tirade here! I hope and pray that our UM churches would embrace their identity. We are the church that people need. If we don’t believe that, what are we doing here?
Working full time in Youth Ministry with the UMC, I believe that it’s completely about marketing. Before I came on full time, I was working 3/4 time in a national big-box hardware store. And the part that blew my mind and perspective was upon being asked what church I served the youth at and telling them First UMC, more than a half dozen millennials responded with, “Methodist? Wait. I thought you were a Christian?” I was shocked that they didn’t understand the relationship.
I wish that we didn’t have to run around the tradition of the UMC, but most of my generation don’t want to join something for its organizational tradition. They simply want to know more about Jesus Christ.
I go to Glide Memorial. No, we don’t have the cross and flame. No, we don’t have “United Methodist” prominent on our website.
You know what we DO do? Serve 3000 hot meals a day to homeless in San Francisco’s poorest neighborhood. Provide free health services. Operate low income housing in a clean and dignified environment. Help women escape abusive relationships, and men overcome violence. Substance abuse recovery services….. the list goes on and on.
So, you know….. if your priority is on marketing rather than following the example of Christ, I’m good choosing my church over the UMC if anyone feels the need to push the issue. Give me a church that follows Jesus’ teachings in actions over words over one that has website designs with the logos you prefer.
I came back to church after 30 years away, and I could only do that at Glide…. the only church that respects my dignity, even here in the San Francisco Bay Area. It astonishes me that your priorities are on brand identity over Christ’s teachings. But I know which I find important, and if the UMC has a problem with it….. I’ll stick with those who feed the hungry, house the homeless, and clothe the naked over those who adhere to a Pharacitic bureaucracy.
Amen Christa! Blessings to you and the many Jesus-like ministries at Glide!
I have been a United Methodist pastor for 42 years. I have represented my Conference at three General Conferences and four Jurisdictional Conferences.
The “United Methodist” name has become a serious hindrance to church growth. It is my biggest obstacle to overcome in order to get prospects to consider coming to my church. That is because of the liberal progressive theology of the leadership of this denomination. Liberalism, and the failure of our bishops to uphold the Scripture or enforce the Discipline is fast killing this denomination. I weep over that.
Sorry for the four-year delay…just read this blog. I am UM today because of Wesleyan Theology—not the dysfunctional systems within the UMC and its boards and agencies which do very little if anything to help the local church accomplish its mission of reaching unchurched persons and making fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. When Wesley first wrote “The Character of a Methodist” he called the document, “The Character of A Christian”. When the Book of Discipline was first written it was called, “The Book of Doctrine and Discipline”. It was 3/4 doctrine and 1/4 polity. It is now 3/4 polity and 1/4 doctrine. Our problem in the UMC is not our marketing…it is our Christology. Yes, Wesley died an Anglican–but he was first a citizen of Heaven and a practitioner in the Kingdom of God. This is what it means to be Methodist! | 2019-04-24T08:04:47Z | http://hackingchristianity.net/2013/07/why-do-the-top-100-umcs-shun-methodism.html |
Lijiang city is located in Southwestern China’s Yunnan Province. It has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its ancient city layout and its unique charming landscape of water and houses. However, since 2004, the source of the river that runs through Lijiang city suffered seasonal draught for three years in a row. A battle to protect the soul of Lijiang – the city’s groundwater resources began. A total of 43 primary level government officials challenged enterprises and individuals at every level of the society.
About the fate of stray dogs on the street says the joint project of directors Diana Kostova and Ivo Todorov - "A Dog's Heart". The documentary was filmed in Sofia and the largest homeless shelter dogs - in Bogrov. During filming, the directors learned that among the homeless dogs often defined as "first friend of man" has brutalized: beaten with shovels and hammers, with cutting ears and tails, deliberately hit by cars. And the only way for these dogs or shelter or the home of compassionate people. "A Dog's Heart" is a true story why people have adopted a stray dog, what gives them communicating with them and how you can love them. Another important topic that affects authors, is castration - the only solution to uncontrolled population on the one hand and on the other - as the prevention of dangerous diseases, especially in female dogs. The directors also have dogs in their homes, as adopted by Ivo Todorov Tara is taken from the street when she was a little dog for 40 days.
Shenmu is famous for been called “Number one coal-producing county in China”. The flourishing coal industry has also brought serious environmental problems such as water pollution, ground collapse etc.Tens of thousands of rural migrant workers travel from all over the country to work here as miners.They have been not only facing the risk of occupational disease such as pneumoconiosis, but also sometimes can lose their lives.
Follow the story of a tiny, just 2mm-in-size invader on it's rise to power – the Argentine Ant in Southern Europe. Undiscovered from most eyes this invasive species has formed the largest supercolony on the planet - a super-aggressive family with the potential to change a whole ecosystem, scientists believe. In a warlike world beneath our feet they ravage our local ants lifes. They colonise the food. They penetrate their enemies homes and kill their queens. They appear in giant numbers to reach an unbelievably strong fighting force. Scientists try to uncover the strategies of the argentine ants to find ways to protect the ecosystem from more damage. „Ant wars“ is the story of a 6000 kilometer-in-size colony of ants who became the biggest predator on earth.
A film of the CEE Bankwatch Network and Za Zemiata – Friends of the Earth Bulgaria. This is a story about the findings of an international mission that investigates the petrol companies in the delta of Niger River in September 2011. The investigation results – oil spills in one of the most precious ecosystems on the planet, thousands of square kilometers dead jungle, flaring gas around the petrol wells and millions of deprived people. “Bleeding Oil” is a provocation to all the Europeans. The film shows us how strong the global connection between people is. It also reveals what actually stays behind the mantra for the European energy security. We are the consumers, others stand at producers’ way, but all of us are slaves of one corporative reality which takes advantage of both people and nature.
The movie presents activities of WWF Bulgaria and WWF Romania connected with the wetlands restoration and conservation of two endangered species: Ferruginous Duck and Pygmy Cormorant.
The approximate energy stability of Bulgaria has been built for over six decades. Millions of tons of coals merge into thermal power plants. The country shines, basks and prospers economically. The East(Maritsa) basin is thе face of the Bulgarian mining. Data seems proud and prestigious. Behind them stand ordinary human fates. Or, to be exact-beneath them. There are houses, thousands of acres of fertile lands, rivers. In the name of energetics these mines have devoured a few villages. Others are going to bedevoured.
The film introduces the viewer to one of the least known and beautiful ecosystems in the world, located in the center ofBrazil. The film is an impressionistic dance of color and light, unraveling like a creation myth through the primal elements of Water, Fire, Lightning and Rain, all the while celebrating the amazing and strange animals that occupy its landscape. The film introduces a new genre of documentary filmmaking, trusting the powerful beauty and mystery of the place to dictate the mood through a unique artistic vision with pulsating and evocative original music. Emas National Park is home to some of the worlds most amazing animals such as the Giant Armadillo, the Giant Anteater and the Maned Wolf, and to some breathtaking phenomena which occur here, like bioluminescent termite mounds and massive webs with thousands of community spiders. The film is an overwhelming explosion oflife, color and mystery reenacting a primordial worship of nature as an eternal work of art.
Situated in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, North China, Wuliangsu Lake is one of the eight largest freshwater lakes in China. Covering the area of 300 squares kilometers, it is a rare big lake in this desolate and drought-stricken grassland. As the biggest wetlands at this latitude on the planet, Wuliagnsu Lake has been included in the catalogue of “Wetlands of International Importance”. The unique geographical situation has made this lake a paradise for swans. In summer, these beautiful creatures breed here. The lake is energized as baby swans emerge from their shells.
A film about Chios island – a unique place connected also with the Bulgarian history.
The four lovable and sweet main characters of Creamen capture our hearts as they gradually have to confront an unexpected challenge to their very existence.
Dumped and forgotten - for more than 50 years European countries dumped their atomic waste into the sea. It was declared as a safe method of disposal. Hundredthousands of tons of this radioactive waste have been dumped in front of Europe's coasts. What did happen with this atomic waste that has been dumped for example into the British Channel? Did radioactivity really dilute and disperse over the years or does it threaten fish? And what does it mean for the customers? A German film crew of public tv ARD followed the tracks of those radioactive barrels. They found atomic waste some kilometers north of Alderney. This radioactive waste has been dumped between 1950 and 1963 by Great Britain and Belgium. The crew filmed with a little submarine a few miles away from the French coast atomic waste barrels in a depth of 124 metres. Officially these barrels should have been rotten. But the pictures show an unbroken barrel. This is the proof: it is possible to salvage nuclear waste out of the British Channel. The journalists also discovered tubes, in which atomic waste is going to be disposed into the sea until today - although it is forbidden to dump nuclear waste offshore.
Century-old trees in Bulgaria have a remarkable memory. They are powerful ecosystems, but that is not all. They not only replenish the Earth with oxygen, but also whisper tales and legends from past times. Some remember epic battles. Others tell dramatic stories of nuns unhappily in love. The oldest ones have engraved in their memory the moments when the proto-Bulgarian horsemen stopped to rest under the shade of their branches. Almost all of them are related to a saint, monastery or healing spring. Near some of them Venerable Stoyna and Vanga have uttered their prophecies. The tales of our century-old trees speak silently to those who believe in their powerful energy.
Never before have so many skyscrapers been planned or under construction all over the world at once. Now a new generation of ultra-modern skyscrapers has been designed to help revive city centers, spare the climate and check urban sprawl. Building "Green” has now become an economic necessity, most especially in Asia’s burgeoning megalopolises. The key question here is whether it is possible to build a high-rise that is both green and efficient. The first certified sustainable office high-rise is currently going up in Panama City. From Vertical Farming in New York City to the "Garden City” of Singapore, environmental skyscrapers are swiftly becoming one of today’s key technologies.
Almost every country sets great store by galleries and venues for cultural events. They are important competitive factors in the international tourism market. Their architecture is meant to be attra ctive and imaginative, and sustainability is becoming increasingly important as well. This report presents innovative building projects from three countries: Saudi Arabia is renovating an old national library building to make it more ecological; China will use seawater to cool a new opera house; and a new museum and community center in the Spanish city of Seville is the world’s largest wooden structure.
More and more architects around the world are designing hotels that meet the demand for sustainable tourism. More and more travelers are considering environmental friendliness when they book hotel rooms or lodgings - sometimes this is even the mo st important aspect. These changes in attitudes are undeniable, and the travel industry is responding. But what does the industry understand by "sustainable”? In this part of our series, architects present their visions for the Swiss Alps, the Indonesian island of Bali and the eastern African nation of Rwanda.
The documentaryshows the global struggle for future food markets. Where will we grow our food in future? In the countryside, on the flat roofs of industrial buildings, in communal city gardens or in gigant ic industrial zones just outside the city, where greenhouses will stand next to mass animal husbandry stalls? And what consequences will this have for rural areas and for the slums of cities? The film takes place in Berlin, Amsterdam, Basel and in the Indian megacities of Bangalore and Chennai. As we follow the trace of tomorrow’s food supply, we encounter idealists, visionaries, controversial figures and coolheaded businessmen. The film centres on the confrontation between fundamentally different philosophies: should food production follow the masses into the cities? Should our meat consumption continue on its seemingly unending rise? Or should we change the way we eat and give renewed strength to rural economic circuits? Or is it already much too late for that?
A man traveled for two years in a small jolly boat the Atlantic. One night a severer storm draws on, he suffers shipwreck. The raging sea takes away his last belongings. The stranded boat stays disabled to manoeuver. He needs help. The storm moves on, but it remains in Daniel, who is forced to deal with himself and the reasons for his journey. The time didn’t heal wounds. Experiences and the fate of his disease are troubling his mind. Can his dead be a redemption? A film about the love to the sea and the beginning of a confrontation with death.
Puyuan Village is situated in the cradle of the mountains of Fuijian Province in Southeast of China. Ancient bridges, rivers and houses intersperse the valleys. In the Puyuan Village stands a 1, 3000-year-old tree and an eight-century old ancestral temple. The villagers’ family trees have been enshrined in the temple for over two hundred years and those who are over 100 years old still participate in big issues in this small community. In this favored place that boasts rich water resources, residents and carp live harmoniously. When a fish dies, the villagers host a solemn traditional funeral for the deceased soul.
Situated in the center of Euroasia, the Tarim Basin forms a yellow eye of land. There lies the Taklimakan, the most fluid desert in the world where only poplars of all tall trees survive. Over 60 percent of the poplars on this planet stand on the banks of the Tarim River. In spite of the summer heat, lack of water, the wind and sand… the poplars struggle against the tyranny of nature and stubbornly stand alone. The trees have also established an interdependent relationship with other desert creatures. They bear witness to the power of each others lives.
What will be the impact of climate change for coastal populations? How to reduce its harmful effects on people and their lifestyle? In March 2013 the Greenpeace's icebreaker Arctic Sunrise arrived in Varna, Bulgaria as part of its European tour in support of sustainable fishing. We have talked with them,with Bulgaria's Fishing Agency official and with a marine biologist about oceans, dolphins, pollution, fishing, pirates and seafaring. A production ofBulgaria ON AIR TV and Cherno More TV.
"Gentle Slopes" is a wildlife short documentary filmed at Penha Garcia, Portugal. Through mountains and plains, somewhere in Portugal, it is an amazing journey to the world of fascinating wild animals.
The programme team is actively involved in the international initiative to transform parking spaces into mini-parks or spaces for recreation for a day. The reporters’ car is substituted by bikes for shooting the event. The final result is the first TV programme in Bulgaria shot with zero harmful emissions.
The film tells about the Bulgarian lion Kaliman that became the pride of the zoo in Sarajevo.
This edition of the programme takes the form of a message by the authors on the occasion of Earth Day, 22 April.
Green patrol in action consist of highly mobile group of students. In this episode we show illegal tree cutting in Gunaros in Serbia.
The plot and a description of the film “ghatre-ghatre”- Gutty: A child tries to save water and protect environment against water shortage. The film is produced symbolically in a simple form. The film is educational particularly for children and youths. The symbols can communicate with all people in all times and places in the world. This 3-minute silent movie warns people of wastage of water and informs them about the human rights.
Ten years ago, a few enthusiasts decided to revive the historic salt production of Bourgneuf Bay in the west of France. They dug out and cleared the ancient salt pans to harvest Bay Salt once again. Over the course of a year, we come to appreciate Bernard, Daniel and Mano, three different personalities, united by a genuine attachment to their work and a deep respect for nature.
Horisont is a film about waves: waves in the open coastal landscape, waves as the flocking birds slide above stone fences and fields, eternal waves of the sea. It is a poetic, almost dreamlike film, inspired by painting and music. In its quiet way, it is is a tribute to the coastal landscape and a reminder of the importance of protecting these landscapes in ways that permit us to experience them as wide, open and diverse cultural landscapes. Horisont is filmed in Jæren and Lista in Southwest Norway.
The film presents activities of Etel Merk, private owner of animal shelter near Backa Topola, who took care of more than 500 dogs and about 100 cats. In addition, this film is about a sincere dedication of Etele Merk (painter and professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts), leaving a career, artist and Professor, to take care of the abandoned animals. In addition to the animal shelter, Etela took care of other endangered animals in Backa Topola, as well as the poor people in the municipality. Because of debt of 45 000, 00 RSD, electricity was turned off at the farm with the animal shelter.This forced Etel to use candle and was the reason of a fire in which she tragically died.
Rome is touristically hypocritical and urbanistically elusive. It is not a single city but a series of loosely and badly interconnected villages. And, in the “stop and go” tourism of a quick-paced civilization which only searches culture for scalps to hurriedly bring home, after paying a quick visit to the city, the unknowing tourist is convinced of having sufficiently capitalized on the possible and necessary offer of emotions. However, it is precisely most of the villages making up the city’s private treasure that are overlooked by tourists unless they stumble on them inadvertently. These lucky few, prey of their TomToms gone haywire and road maps read upside-down, return home with news of never-before-seen marvels. This playful guide-book aims at giving access to the throbbing heart of the Eternal City to those who have had enough of plastic-bottle tourism. And especially to those interested in following an unconventional route enabling them to get to know boroughs, piazzas, alleys, fountains, shops, markets and secret stories far from the St. Peter’s – Coliseum thoroughfare.
Many people dream the impossible: To win an Oscar. Invent something that changes the world. Discover uncharted landscapes. Famous French dive pioneer Jacques Yves Cousteau achieved all this – and more. We tell the story of his amazing projects and discoveries. Filmed in Africa, Europe and the USA, the viewers witness, how Coustau developed from a ruthless shark killer to a relentless fighter for nature and radical environmentalist, whose biggest achievement of all was the inspiration he gave to millions of people all over the world.
Jungle Book Bear (narrated by David Attenborough): We all know him, we all love him: Baloo – Mowgli’s constant companion from the Jungle Book. Rudyard Kipling and even more the Walt Disney movie made this clumsy fellow world famous. The role models for Baloo are the Sloth Bears of India - surprisingly little is known about this secretive species. These in our days mostly nocturnal animals have never been portrayed in a natural history programme before. Over a period of three years Oliver Goetzl and Ivo Nörenberg not only were lucky enough to film these elusive creatures at daytime but got also behaviour that was even not known to scientists so far - e.g. the mouth feeding of cubs by their mothers.
There is a place in Africa where a mountain meets the sky... A place where rivers, forests and savannas play a neverending game with people. This place is Laikipia, central Kenya. Here dangerous wildlife share the land with thousands of farmers and their livestock. A perfect combination for trouble. But despite all odds the people living in Laikipia are fighting to make a dream come true... In this region of Africa co-existence between the needs of humans and the necessities of wildlife and nature is a well established and solid reality.
Yumen City, where China's first oil field was found, was once the city of glories and dreams. Half a century passing by, its oil resources are depleted. The government and oil bases moved out and over 90,000 residents migrated, leaving it a nearly empty city.
“Last Supper for Maltus” sheds light on one of the most prevalent and alarming issues of our time, The Global Food Crisis.A comprehensive look into the first food crisis of the 21st century.In 2008 the world’s population moved beyond 6.8 billion. A global food crisis brought agriculture back to the forefront of any plants for the future of humanity. The ongoing crisis was then overshadowed by a financial crisis, the likes of which had not been seen in 80 years. So it is perhaps inevitable that the ghost of Thomas Malthus, the controversial 19th century economist and demographer, returns now to haunt our screens with his predictions of unavoidable mass starvation.
The French call this a miniature Versailles, the British call it the Pearl of Europe, Germans call it Hungary’s Beauty, others: Hungarian Eden, Hungarian Elysium, or the Jewel of Hungary. Eszterháza. It’s as if the Hungarian sky, so covered in dark clouds for centuries, appears to smile in its radiance at the mention of this name. This nation, having undergone such adversity is now reviving from its dormancy, and is feverishly making up for omissions it was forced to endure by fate. The desire to do a lot, quickly, is characteristic of the Baroque era. Hence, amidst the Fertőd marshlands, this castle appeared almost magically, and became perhaps the finest creation of Hungarian architectural history. Apart from Versailles, there is perhaps no other place in France whose pomp may be compared to this. This castle is extremely large, and is extravagantly crammed full of an array of finery.
Peter Jochimsen, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Baltic Sea University in Germany, suffered from leukemia. For more than ten years, he had relied on medicine to survive, but he has been mentally and physically exhausted by his disease. In 2008, Peter began to financially aid to construct a primary school in the mountains of Guangxi, in Southwestern China. The picturesque scenery, simple and unadorned culture, miraculous herbal medicines and traditional Chinese shadow boxing, Taijiquan, made Peter’s life radiate with luster. After the serious earthquake in Sichuan Province, China in May 2008, Peter travelled to the disaster area, hoping to help the affected children with their studies. Facing an incurable disease and the natural disaster, Peter and the children showed to the world: with love as a bridge, happy life will continue forever.
Maybe the local authorities of the Northeastern municipalities Tyrgovishte and Shumen have eventually learned a bitter lesson after the summer floods of 2007, when civilian population had to be evacuated and the damage exceeded 5 million BGN. It seems they have now a better early warning system that would give them time for a faster response and prevent casualties and damage. The citizens of Shumen are no longer willing to put up with the bad quality and high price of tap water in the city. Right after the anti-government protests in the spring they launched their own campaign for better tap water. Local people, who had never been privy to utility, law and regulations, began to dare institutions and bureaucrats without fear. In the meantime they discover a disturbing fact - the local reservoir Ticha is legally and practically just a dam for irrigation purposes only and not for drinking water supply… And more – villages and tourists have been polluting the water for years and there is no law to stop them… Who is responsible?
An impression about the summer adventures of two children in probably the most beautiful city in the world.
The places where we live have their own stories. So to say, they have their own life, which also has an effect on ourselves („Genius loci - the protective spirit of a place). The affection to a street, square or one part of the city can define our own intellectuality and also our state of mind. Of course, the inhabitants are also partners, witnesses, who at the same time form the story of the street. As a matter of fact, they vitalize the spirit of the place. If we are able to notice the values, the connection gives us confidence and also the feeling to being at home. There are some places which are cultural, diverse and “zigzag” enough to be adopted into screen.There are some streets with special names. There are some with special stories. Some of these stories are like adventurous novels. Meandering stories are open for both types.
A series of reports in the News of Nova TV. They show how a number of old trees were planned to be cut down because of the construction of a hypermarket in Sofia. Citizens gather and begin a protest in order to save the trees. Nova TV was the first to bring the attention to the problem. It turns out that ecology experts of Sofia municipality do not know how to determine the age of the trees and do not even know their Latin names, and can not distinguish between elm, sycamore and pine. This demonstrates how permits for cutting down trees are issued without a comprehensive analysis of the matter. After the broadcast of our report, the Sofia Municipality addressed the issue and so a few of the trees were saved, and in compensation for the ones already cut down, "Kaufland" promised to plant 80 young trees in the area.
Water is becoming more and more scarce; as the global consumption of water soars, deserts are growing at an alarming rate. However, scarcity is not the only problem confronting our water supply, but contamination. Contamination by medicinal residues, pesticides and chemicals. Residues we have been ingesting over years to which no one knows the long-term consequences to our health and the en vironment. For years politicians scientists have been downplaying the threat of residual chemicals in our drinking water: the levels are said to be far too low to have any effect on humans. Slowly, this consensus is crumbling as the evidence begins to build of the detrimental effects this water pollution is having on our living environment. This investigative documentary will travel around the world to get to the bottom of what’s really in a glass of water and the journey it makes before it comes out of our taps.
Paolo Soleri, a Turin-born architect and town planner, pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright, has spent the last sixty years designing a sustainable city in the Arizona desert. Generations of students have worked in the village-laboratory of Arcosanti, studying its philosophy and building with their own hands prototypes of essential buildings, super-eco homes, squares, agoras, as well as numerous artefacts. Soleri’s “arcological” metropolis, heated and cooled by natural resources, densely built to conserve the territory, free of cars, optimising connections between production, management and residential centers, has been the focus of books, exhibitions and conferences. The life-size scale model of Arcosanti, which was developed in the 70’s and is an ongoing work in progress, gave shape to pilot buildings on which to experiment the concepts underlying Arcology. The long interview is set against the backdrop of modern-day America and all its excesses – perhaps comprehensible up to forty years ago but no longer tolerable today. The destruction of the territory, urban overcrowding, the cost of energy sources and raw materials now impose a trend reversal and make Soleri’s school of thought all the more topical.
Nearly three billion tons of wastes are discarded every year in Europe. Over three million are from Bulgaria. How much and what kind of waste is recycled in the world and in our country? How much are we losing because we are not using resources from the dumping ground?
One day in Atanasovo salinas near Bourgas - an amazing and unique place.
In the midst of the worlds biggest fruit and vegetable garden, the so called “Mar del plastico”, lies the Andalusian village of San Agustin. For the local planters this seasons atmosphere is prophesying crisis: a mysterious virus threatens the harvest, bacteria attacks the plants and the authorities are after the illegal workforce in the greenhouses. Planter José Maria would rather choose to live among vegetables than people anyway, while the Crespo family, who seems to belong to a different time era, tries to get by with vegetables, breeding goats and a giant compost pile. This is all part of the daily routine for Paco, the village taverns barman, who knows all of his customers problems. San Agustin takes an out of the ordinary look at the “Mar del plastico”–the most important producer and vendor of fruit and vegetables in Europe – as it fights with its own existence once more during the cucumber crisis of 2011. Two families, a village tavern and a lot of vegetables. One extraordinary harvest season in nine chapters.
In 1992, North-American anthropologist Marianne Schmink published "Contested Frontiers in Amazonia", a seminal book of Amazonian studies co-written with sociologist Charles H. Wood. Twenty years later, on occasion of the publishing of the Brazilian version of the book, the Professor returns to the county of São Félix do Xingu in the Amazonian state of Pará, to revisit the object of her studies in the 70's and 80's.
An incisive portrait of life aboard a Sicilian fishing vessel, the film depicts the daily struggle of fishermen to earn a living in a harsh physical environment that brings out the social and economic tensions of modern society. Manning the Priamo are Cola, the captain, Ahmed, the Tunisian first mate, two Italian engineers, and two Tunisian seamen. At sea for three weeks at a time, they fish off the coasts of Libya and Tunisia, sometimes outside the fishing limits and risking interception by the authorities. An intimate account of remoteness: after a few days on shore, the men leave their homes and families for a month. Night and day the nets are cast every four hours; the work is demanding and poorly paid; the quarters are cramped and uncomfortable; conflicts and prejudices surface amidst the roar of the engines and the sea. Beyond the horizon lies Africa, where immigrants embark for Europe, leaving their homes and families behind with the hope to find a better life.
We all speak of the weather but what do we do about it? Different hypotheses about the climate changes that have occurred on planet Earth. A look into the future through the professional lens of the film heroes. A reminder that life on our home called planet Earth is in our hands.
Ancient people communicated intensely with gods. Supposedly the first such contact was made with the Mother Goddess. She is perceived as everything that surrounds people – nature, cosmos, energy. Traces of this cult are still preserved in different parts of Bulgaria. As some kind of “houses of prayer” were used caves – wombs furrowing the whole country. The image of the Mother Goddess has been passed on to almost all religions including Christianity. Even today part of the ancient sanctuaries are being advertised by resourceful clergymen because they do not want to push away those who believe that some caves, century-old trees and stone formations are places where the divine is felt. Prof. Valeria Fol is a consultant to the film. She interprets the facts and suppositions relating to antiquity into an understandable language.
The film reviews the processes that pile waste in landfills or give it a new life. The message is that people are engaged in these processes and each should play their daily role and respect the work of the others in order to create the so called “recycling society”.
Spotter, a five- year-old male Black Rhino, just decided to explore the world outside Lewa Downs, his heavily protected conservancy. Now he roams a land where armed poachers are after him and his immensely valuable horn. He must immediately be brought back home to save his life.
A story about the Zimbabvean music and John Chibadura.
Aluminium is a fascinating metal: light, stainless and easy to process. 100 years ago, it was still so exotic that aluminium was presented at world expositions. The metal is an essential part of our daily lives. We drink from aluminum cans, use aluminum-containing deodorants and sun creams, and it increases the effectiveness of vaccines. But also critical voices move into the centre of public interest: Large amounts of resources and energy are needed for the production of aluminium. The extraction can lead to environmental disasters of considerable dimensions, as it had happened in Hungary almost one year ago. Furthermore, scientists suspect that the toxic effect of aluminium could have an influence on modern diseases of civilisation like Alzheimer’s and allergies.
Black, wonderful, mysterious... thorny, unavailable, delicious... healthy, magnificent, powerful... Blackberry is the queen of forest fruits.
The Bluefin tuna is one of the world’s most intelligent predatory fish. Yet this underwater hunter is itself among the hunted. It is a victim of the billion-dollar tuna fishing industry and is a perfect symbol of the ruthless overexploitation of our seas. Scientists point to evidence that shows stocks of Bluefin tuna have decreased by 80 per cent over the past few decades. Yet each year in May, off the coast of Sardinia, fishing boats launch into the sea to catch these highly prized creatures for Tokyo’s fish markets. 80 per cent of Mediterranean tuna are served up in sushi dishes in Japan. The Greenpeace activist Wakao Hanaoka has made it his goal to change this. At the wholesale market, he explains to the traders the fate of these majestic creatures and the threat they are under. Yet most Japanese don’t want to hear the truth behind this delicacy. A German has built up a huge fishing empire in Australia’s Port Lincoln over the past 40 years and is attempting the impossible: breeding tuna. Together with fishing experts and scientists from the University of Adelaide, he is on the edge of a breakthrough. In Spain, researchers are carrying out pioneering work in the field of tuna breeding. Using genetic analysis of the spawn, they are attempting to understand the secrets of the fish’s reproductive process. Scientists and fishing experts from the WWF fit the tuna on the Italian coast with small transmitters. The knowledge they gain will allow new measures to be taken to protect the species and help the setting up of sustainable fishing operations, so that the Bluefin tuna may be saved from extinction.
Devil's Town is a natural monument in the South of Serbia. Two rare natural phenomena are located there: 202 earthen figures, made by soil erosion, like distinct shapes of the landscape and two springs of highly acidic mineral water which make the entire nearby area so appealing. The attractiveness of the two miracles of nature is complemented by the surrounding natural environment which gives these earthen figures mystical allure.
A nation builds its future on the roots of its own history. By giving up on our past we blot out our identity and also the feeling that we belong to a certain nationality. We walk by carelessly or unaware of the monuments or buildings in which our history was once written. It’s just that more often such buildings are uncared for or are deliberately destroyed. In many cases the heritage buildings are no longer representatives of the traditional national history, but rather a real estate problem. Once they’re written on the list of historical monuments they cannot be demolished and a possible degradation would be seen as suspicious by the society. Those who care more about the value of the land on which these constructions are built have found a solution: either they are left neglected or they’re being robbed brick by brick. And this is happening under the eyes of the authorities who, although are obliged to assure security and to announce the Directorate for Culture every time the buildings suffer an intervention, they serenely ignore the law. But just as guilty for the destruction of the monuments are also the owners who knowingly refuse to sign insurance policies for the protection of the buildings. This is the argument of the story we want to show you. We select seven buildings from Iasi and Vaslui county. One of them is a school, one is a museum, the other one was a museum and a house where lived a famous writter in Romania. The last three were palaces built by the old family of boyars in our county.
The film is about the region of Golo Bardo left on Albanian territory after the Balkan War (1912-1913) and Albania’s independence. The people living there, once occupying up to twenty-one former Bulgarian villages, have lived for almost 100 years now as Albanian citizens. “The jumbled threads. A film about Golo Bardo” is not just an ethnographic look upon the traditional culture of these unexplored, unknown villages in isolation. It’s an analysis of Golobardians’ psychology, an attempt for closeness to their life and world - somewhere out there in Albania. The characters are the Golobardians themselves - with their hard daily life and sound celebrations. Golobardians who ask themselves questions like “Who are we?” and “Where do we belong?” and share stories about their “closed” border and memories of Enver Hoxha times and bunkers in the fields, of ceremonial wedding songs and drinking toasts for the shared feast…with their lives, which they take as if it’s a movie. The threads of life of these people are jumbled, but the looms still weave dresses for the brides, for those, who haven’t left their birthplace (Golo Bardo) and are still bound to the land of their ancestors. The film is produced as part of the project “The song as an expression of community identity: two ease studies” , funded by “Scientific Researches” – Ministry of Education and Science, with director of studies Assoc. Prof. PhD Veselka Toncheva.
The Earth is a living organism. We have to understand that and change the way we live and treat the surrounding environment. The change should come from inside everyone of us. There is still time for a change even tough we are living in “The Last Second” before destroying the nature.
The film examines the issue of extinction of old-growth forests in Bulgaria. It aims to elucidate what they are, what is their role in biodiversity conservation in the country and the great significance of making efforts for their preservation.
In the summer of 2011, the journalist Kimmo Ohtonen came up with an idea to help the only endemic mammal in Finland, the critically endangered Saimaa Ringed Seal. In the course of a year, he would learn to swim so he could conquer the lake Saimaa by swimming it from top to toe in an attempt to raise funds and public a wareness for the conservation work of the Saimaa Ringed Seal. Kimmo Ohtonen trained like a professional swimmer for 13 months to gain fitness required to meet the challenge and attended public events to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the Saimaa Ringed Seal, which could face extinction in the future unless radical action will turn the course of its fate. In the end of August 2012, he plunged into cold waters of the lake Saimaa to start his 11 days swimming marathon. With his perilious journey, Kimmo Ohtonen brought together people from all the over Finland to take interest in the conservation work of the most endangered seal in the world and the importance of our nature in general. After swimming over 135 kilometers through the biggest lake in Finland, Kimmo Ohtonen reached his goal successfully and managed to raise 150 000 euros and hundreds of thousands of supporters for the Finnish seals. Nevertheless, even bigger achievement was in the way in which the Seal Swim educated the public towards protecting our globe's precious wildlife, of whose symbol the Saimaa Ringed Seal is in Finland.
There are an estimated 7,000 different species of amphibians - and scientists say one-third of them are on the endangered list. Many species of frogs are especially at risk. Their unusually thin skin, which allows them to absorb oxygen and water, makes them particularly sensitive to climate change and environmental hazards. So frogs can serve as a natural kind of “early warning system". Frog species are dying out the world over and this phenomenon has gone largely unnoticed by the general public. We accompany two Berlin specialists as they search the rain forest that covers the slopes of Mount Manengouba in Southwest Province of Cameroon. They are trying to find out why so many frogs are dying, and how to protect those that still remain.
No description of the Rhodope Mountains can be complete without a mention of their importance in ancient mythology. This was the birthplace and home of the most famous ancient musician, Orpheus the Thracian. If you listen to the babble of the river, you can hear the crystal sounds of Orpheus's lyre. And in the rustling of the leaves you can hear the quiet whisper of the dryads and the beautiful Eurydice.
Who was Orpheus? A mythical figure or a real person? These two aspects of his personality are interwoven. The legend of the great Thracian and his everlasting love for Eurydice came to us in the work entitled "Metamorphoses" by the Roman poet Ovid, who lived in the first century BC. When Orpheus played his magic lyre and sang in his ringing voice, he enchanted and conquered nature itself. On his return to his native Thrace after a long voyage with Jason in search of the Golden Fleece, Orpheus met the enchanting nymph, the dryad Eurydice. He fell in love with her and soon they were married. But their happiness was short-lived! Engrossed in playing games with her dryad friends, Eurydice did not notice the poisonous snake in the soft grass. The venom brought her to the ground.
Orpheus was inconsolable! His songs were so full of grief that nature itself fell silent with him.
The natural world is teeming with active life-forms. Even familiar plants and flowers engage in astonishingly energetic actions and behaviors. Plant photographer Ciabou Hany (Shabo Hani), 82 years old, has devoted his career to close observation of the minute glories of plant life. He shows us a water droplet nestled like a jewel in the leaves of a cypress seedling...field horsetail spores dancing under a microscope...the stamens of the tiny katenso, hurling their pollen into the air like pitching machines. Hany takes us into his garden, or on morning walks, where he crawls on the ground or lies down amidst his beloved plants to record the drama of these diminutive creatures, which exist all around us but which we so often overlook. Ordinarily we think of plants as stationary, immobile. Hany’s lens reveals to us a fantastic world of drama and movement. Watching this program makes us realize just how full of life and action our entire world is, even amongst the commonest plants of our immediate environment. In some cases, their beauty takes our breath away; in others, their lively behaviors bring smiles to our lips. We follow Hany over the course of a year, as he helps us appreciate the nobility of even the tiniest life-forms amongst us, and the magic of a wondrous universe that lies at our very feet.
Portrait of a woman who has sacrificed all her life for saving and preserving trees.
In his ongoing quest and passion for Africa the world traveler, painter, writer, and filmmaker Kiro Urdin has finished his latest third film inspired by Africa's wilderness. It is a feature art film filmed on locations in Masai Mara, Kenya. Actors are lions, hyenas, wildebeests, elephants, baboons, zebras etc. Humans are playing the roll of statists in this thrilling film about a parallel universe of everyday life of wild animals, a life from which we can easily identify ourselves in our everyday struggle for survival in our highly civillized society.A film about a parallel universe of everyday life of wild animals, a life with which we can easily identify ourselves in the everyday struggle for survival in our highly civillized society.
At the beginning of 80's in 20th century the discarded old metals called foreign garbage began to appear here,and then were carried to the nearby Fengjiang Town for dismantling,where a great deal of migrant workers pour and go in for metal dismantling. They acquire an income at the expenses of their health,but a low income.The dioxin pollution for local soil has been detected here by Chinese research for the first time. As one of the most poisonous materials up to now, the dioxin pollution could extend to the range in dozens of square kilometers. | 2019-04-22T20:13:12Z | http://www.euroekofest.org/l_en/?s=2&i=11 |
Medium Daniel Dunglas Home. Scotland. UK.
The Physical Medium D. D. Home is depicted levitating 1868. A plate that is a replication of the Medium levitating by the second storey window, out of which he went feet first, then returned returning from the outside of the building by another window of the second storey head first.
The most remarkable Clairvoyant and Physical Medium that has been written about, was Donald Dunglas Home, and one who was the most well known Physical Mediums of the day and probably every Mediumistic person today would like to aspire to. He was one of the few Physical Mediums that was never detected doing anything wrong or trying to trick people. Many in the Christian communities had tried to put him into the category of a faker; NONE SUCCEEDED.
Medium D D Home came from a humble Scottish family [mother Elizabeth [Betsey] McNeal who had second sight, and father William Humes [correct spelling] born on the 20th of March 1833, in the small village of Currie near Edinburgh, but he had the airs and graces to allow him to become part of the circle of high society in the 1800's. Donald never accepted any monetary gifts for the seances he fronted, but he was not averse to accepting gifts from those in high society he stayed with over the years, of which there were many. His list of distinguished friends read like a fairy tale novel of high society becoming very good friends with many of the European monarchs including Queen Victoria and the Czar of Russia through whom he met and married a lady of noble birth.
Daniel when a year old, went to stay with his childless aunt Mrs. Mary McNeal Cook in Portobello, who said Daniel's cot was rocked by invisible hands. When he was nine, Donald was taken to America by his aunt and uncle to settle in Connecticut at Greenville [Norwich] to be nearby his parents also his brothers and sisters [seven in all].
Daniel in his formative years produced around him knocks, bangs, apparitions, and so called hauntings. After his little sister Mary Betsey died she came through to the family so often whilst Donald was there and was spoken of as though she was still alive on the earth plane.
Daniel had tuberculosis at an early age being subject to a constant cough and fainting regularly through the disease. He foretold of the death of his friend three days earlier after seeing him in his bedroom one night. A few days later in 1850 when he was 17, on coming down to breakfast he told his aunt he had been awakened by three loud knocks on his bed during the night, his aunt said it was because he had had a bad prayer meeting and tried to dismiss it out of hand, BUT when he sat down to the table, there was a great number of raps to the table, on which she threw a chair at him and said you have brought the devil to our household. Aunt Mary sent him off to the Congregational church who said they could not find anything wrong with this gentle boy and refused to have any part of the exorcism, she then took him to the Methodist church who said it was the work of the devil and treated him very unkindly. the Baptist Minister prayed over the kneeling Donald and at every mention of a holy persons name a gentle rap was heard on the chair the more passionate the Minister prayed the loud became the raps.
Eventually the raps which became a regular happening around his Aunt's house attracted the attention of the neighbours and Daniel was asking the Spirit contact to find long lost relatives, broaches, title-deeds and many other things. It all became too much for his aunt and uncle and after one row his very devout Christian aunt he was duty bound to leave the house and his aunt threw his best Sunday suit out of the upstairs window. [Daniel later bought her a cottage out of the monies [�60,000] given to him by a wealthy widow, a Mrs. Lyon, who later sued him to get it all back. The judge in this case said if all the donors to religious and charitable bodies were to be allowed to change their minds and revoke gifts once made a pretty state of confusion would ensue. She was made to pay D. D. Home's and her own costs. But the monies were ordered by the judge to be returned to Mrs Lyon].
At this time Daniel Home wandered for a few years, lost within his own area of Mediumship BUT at this time there were many such Mediums in the United States of America especially on the eastern seaboard. Some of the many things the Mediums of the time produced where Spirit music, Spirit painting, Direct Spirit Voices, materialized Spirit faces, luminous Spirit faces and hands, Spirit lights, levitations, speaking in tongues. At the time it was said by even their enemies, there were many, many millions of followers and many millions of Mediums some being professionals and hundreds of thousands of others who were mainly amateur.
In his wanderings he would visit people and show off his gifts of materializations and levitations. Most of the time in the bright light of day. many times in gas light or bright oil lamps and the light of a bright fire, out of which he would take red hot burning coals and with the permission of the Spirit World would hand them to others in the seance to hold, never himself or the others being burned, but it was always where people in the room the seance was being held could see each other, and everyone could see the Medium Daniel Dunglas Home.
At the beginning, he sat only for a small circle of friends who had the monetary means and were in what was called in high society.
Having no base as a home, he was described as the man who came to tea and stayed. This was in the homes of people like, substantial farmers, judges, doctors, editors, merchants, liberal clergymen, and people like that, but as his fame spread, he was taken to Europe and in Paris was introduced to the Emperor and Empress.
In defense of his amateur status, refusing to charge for any seance throughout his career, and in one book Home wrote, "I was never a professional Medium, When the Archbishops of Canterbury and York return to the primitive practice of St Peter and St Paul, and live by catching fish and mending nets, it will be time enough to raise and outcry against paid Mediums.
In the testimony of the 25th Earl of Crawford, in his a long letter to a relative, he describes in detail a seance with Home that took place in Florence during 1856. He gives an account of the personalities who were present, and it is in the last degree improbable that anyone among them was the Medium's accomplice. During the seance the room was lit by a bright oil-lamp. The sitters and the Medium were ranged round a heavy table, all except the writer, who remained outside the Circle so as not to be influenced by suggestion. The table, the chairs, the floor, and even the china at the far end of the room, all vibrated. He looked under the table, but saw nothing suspicious. Immediately after this, the heavy dining table rose into the air to a height of about four feet and remained so whilst he had another look underneath. On another occasion, after a seance in the same house, when the Earl of Crawford's brother-in-law, Robert Lindsay, was present, a levitation occurred under circumstances which make it astounding. The company, including the Medium, were sitting round the fire having tea when a table at the far end of the room rose up three feet and plunged about. Despite the violent movement, the loose slab of marble that formed the table top, and a pencil and paper that lay upon it, remained undisturbed. So strong was the levitating force that, when Robert Lindsay approached the table and tried to push it back to the ground, he had to exert his utmost strength before he could succeed.
The Book Heyday of a Wizard. By Jean Burton 1948 is worth a read if you can get hold of it, I now have it in my collection. All about D D Home's life BUT it is only written by Jean Burton on hearsay she did not know the man.
Incidents in my Life. 1884. A book written by D D Home himself, now can be read as an eBook click on to link or place it in google and it will find it. www.spiritwritings.com/incidentsinmylife.pdf.
Daniel Home's mother, Elizabeth ("Betsy") Home (nee McNeill) was known as a seer in Scotland, as were many of her predecessors, like her great uncle Colin Uruqhart, and her uncle Mr. McKenzie. The gift of second sight was often seen as a curse, as it foretold instances of tragedy and death. Home's father, William Home, was the illegitimate son of Alexander, the 10th Earl of Home. Evidence supports the elder Home's illegitimacy, as various payments meant for William were made by the 10th Earl. Elizabeth and William were married when he was 19-years-old, and found employment at the Balerno paper mill. The Homes moved into one of small houses built in the mill for the workforce, in Currie (six miles south-west of Edinburgh). William was described as a "bitter, morose and unhappy man" who drank, and was often aggressive towards his wife. Elizabeth had eight children while living in the mill house: six sons and two daughters, although their lives were not fully recorded. The eldest, John, later worked in the Balerno mill and eventually managed a paper mill in Philadelphia, Mary drowned in a stream at 12-years-old in 1846, and Adam died at sea at the age of seventeen while on route to Greenland, which Home saw in a vision, and was confirmed five months later.
Daniel Home was Elizabeth's third child, and was born on 20 March 1833. He was baptised by the Reverend Mr. Somerville three weeks after his birth at Currie Parish Church (14 April 1833). The one-year-old Home was deemed a delicate child, having a "nervous temperament", and was passed to Elizabeth's childless sister, Mary Cook. She lived with her husband in the coastal town of Portobello, 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Edinburgh. It was at the Cook's house that Home's cradle rocked by itself and the infant had a vision of a cousin's death, who lived in Linlithgow, to the west of Edinburgh.
Sometime between 1838 and 1841, Daniel Home's aunt and uncle decided to emigrate to the United States with their adopted son, sailing in the cheapest class of steerage as they could not afford a cabin. After landing in New York, the Cooks travelled to Greeneville, near Norwich, Connecticut, USA. The red-haired and freckled Home attended school in Greeneville, where he was known as "Scotchy" by the other students. 13-years-old Home did not join in sports games with other boys, preferring to take walks in the local woods with a friend called Edwin. The two boys read the Bible to each other and told stories, and made a pact stating that if one or the other were to die, they would try and make contact after death. Home and his aunt soon moved to Troy, NY, which is about 155 miles (249 km) from Greeneville, although Home in his own book stated it was 300 miles (480 km) away. Home lost contact with Edwin until one night when Home, according to Lamont, saw a brightly lit vision of him standing at the foot of the bed, which gave Home the feeling that his friend was dead. Edwin made three circles in the air before disappearing, and a few days later a letter arrived stating that Edwin had died of malignant dysentery, which was three days before Home's vision.
A few years later Home and his aunt returned to Greeneville, and Elizabeth Home emigrated from Scotland to America with the surviving members of the family to live in Waterford, Connecticut, which was 12 miles (19 km) away from the Cook's house. Home and his mother's reunion was short-lived, as Elizabeth foretold her own death in 1850. This was also confirmed by Home, as he saw his mother in a vision saying, "Dan, twelve o'clock", which was the time of her death. After Elizabeth's death Home turned to religion. His aunt was a Presbyterian, and held the Calvinist view that one's fate has been decided, so Home embraced the Wesleyan faith, which believed that every soul can be saved. Home's aunt resented Wesleyans so much that she forced Home to change to Congregationalist, which was not to her liking, either, but was more in line with her own religion. The house was then disturbed by rappings and knocking similar to those that occurred two years earlier at the home of the Fox sisters. Ministers were called to the Cook's house: a Baptist, a Congregationalist, and even a Wesleyan minister, who all believed that Home was possessed by the Devil, although Home believed it was a gift from God. The knocking did not stop however, and a table started to move by itself, even though Home's aunt put a bible on it and then placed her full body weight on it. As the noises did not stop, and were attracting the unwanted attention of Cook's neighbours, Home was told to leave the house.
William Cullen Bryant, a poet, and editor of the New York Evening Post, who witnessed one of Home's seances.
The eighteen-year-old Daniel Home stayed with a friend in Willimantic, Connecticut, and later Lebanon, Connecticut, USA. Home held his first seance in March 1851, which was reported in a Hartford newspaper managed by W. R. Hayden, who wrote that the table moved without anyone touching it, and kept moving when Hayden physically tried to stop it. After the newspaper report, Home became well-known in New England, travelling around healing the sick and communicating with the dead, although he wrote that he was not prepared for this sudden change in his life because of his supposed shyness.
Home never directly asked for money, although he lived very well on gifts, donations and lodging from wealthy admirers. He felt that he was on a "mission to demonstrate immortality", and wished to interact with his clients as one gentleman to another, rather than as an employee. In 1852, Home was a guest at the house of Rufus Elmer in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, giving seances six or seven times a day, which were visited by crowds of people, including a Harvard professor, David Wells, and the poet and editor of the New York Evening Post, William Cullen Bryant. They were all convinced of Home's credibility and wrote to the Springfield Republican newspaper stating that the room was well-lit, full inspections were allowed, and said, "We know that we were not imposed upon nor deceived". It was also reported that at one of Home's demonstrations five men of heavy build (eight hundred and fifty pounds together) sat on a table, but it still moved, and others saw "a tremulous phosphorescent light gleam over the walls". Home was investigated by numerous people, such as Professor Robert Hare, the inventor of the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, and John Worth Edmonds, a Supreme Court judge, who were skeptical, but later said they believed Home was not fraudulent. Home's breakthrough came in August 1852, in South Manchester, Connecticut, at the house of Ward Cheney, a successful silk manufacturer. Home was seen to levitate twice and then rise to up to the ceiling, with louder rappings and knocking than ever before, more aggressive table movements and the sounds of a ship at sea in a storm, although persons present said that the room was badly lit so as to see the Spirit lights.
New York was now interested in Daniel Home's abilities, so he moved to an apartment at Bryant Park on 42nd street. His most verbal critic in New York was William Makepeace Thackeray, the author of 'Vanity Fair'. Thackeray dismissed Home's abilities as "dire humbug", and "dreary and foolish superstition", although Thackeray had been impressed when he saw a table turning. Home thought that Thackeray was "the most skeptical inquirer" he had ever met, and as Thackeray made public his thoughts, Home faced public skepticism and further scrutiny. Home travelled between Hartford, Springfield, and Boston during the next few months, and settled in Newburgh by the Hudson River in the summer of 1853. He resided at the Theological Institute, but took no part in any of the theological discussions held there, as he wanted to take a course in medicine. Dr. Hull funded Home's studies, and offered to pay Home five dollars a day for his seances, but Home refused, as always. His idea was to fund his work with a legitimate salary by practicing medicine, but he became ill in early 1854, and stopped his studies. Home was diagnosed with Tuberculosis, and his doctors recommended recuperation in Europe. His last seance was in March 1855, in Hartford, Connecticut, before he travelled to Boston and sailed to England on board the Africa, at the end of March.
Home's name was originally Daniel Home, but by the time he arrived in Europe he had lengthened it to Daniel Dunglas Home, in reference to the Scottish house of Home, of which his father claimed to be a part. In London Home found a believer in spiritualism, William Cox, who owned a large hotel at 53, 54 and 55 Jermyn Street, London. As Cox was so enamoured of Home's abilities, he let Home stay at the hotel without payment. Robert Owen, an 83-year-old social reformer, was also staying at the hotel, and introduced Home to many of his friends in London society. At the time Home described as tall and thin, with blue eyes and auburn hair, fastidiously dressed but seriously ill with consumption. Nevertheless, he held sittings for notable people in full daylight, moving objects that were some distance away. Some early guests at Home's sittings included the scientist Sir David Brewster, the novelists Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton and Thomas Adolphus Trollope, and the Swedenborgian James John Garth Wilkinson. Home converted most skeptics, but Robert Browning, the poet, proved more difficult. After attending a s�ance of Home's Browning gave his impression of Home in the unflattering poem, "Sludge the Medium" (1864). His wife, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, was convinced that the phenomena she witnessed was genuine and their discussions about Home were a constant source of disagreement.
Robert Browning, who wrote "Sludge the Medium" about Home.
Daniel Home's fame grew, fuelled by his feats of levitation. William Crookes claimed to know of more than 50 occasions in which Home levitated "in good light" (gas light) at least five to seven feet above the floor. Homes' feats were recorded by Frank Podmore: "We all saw him rise from the ground slowly to a height of about six inches, remain there for about ten seconds, and then slowly descend."In the following years Home travelled across continental Europe, and always as a guest of wealthy patrons. In Paris, he was summoned to the Tuileries to perform a seance for Napoleon III. Home also performed for Queen Sophia of the Netherlands, who wrote: "I saw him four times...I felt a hand tipping my finger; I saw a heavy golden bell moving alone from one person to another; I saw my handkerchief move alone and return to me with a knot... He himself is a pale, sickly, rather handsome young man but without a look or anything which would either fascinate or frighten you. It is wonderful. I am so glad I have seen it..."
In 1866, Mrs Lyon, a wealthy widow, adopted Home as her son, giving him �60,000 in an attempt to gain introduction into high society. Finding that the adoption did not change her social situation, Lyon changed her mind, and brought a suit for the return of her money from Home on the grounds that it had been obtained by spiritual influence. Under British law, the defendant bears the burden of proof in such a case, and proof was impossible since there was no physical evidence. The case was decided against Home, Mrs Lyon's money was returned, and the press pilloried Home's reputation. Home's high society acquaintances thought that he behaved like a complete gentleman throughout the ordeal, and he did not lose a single important friend.
Daniel Home met one of his future closest friends in 1867; the young Lord Adare (later the 4th Earl of Dunraven). Adare was fascinated by Home, and began documenting the seances they held. One of Home's levitations occurred the following year, and in front of three witnesses (Adare, Captain Wynne, and Lord Lindsay) Home was said to have levitated out of the third storey window of one room, and back in through the window of the adjoining room.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who witnessed Home's mediumship and detailed the four individual types Home possessed.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stated that Home was unusual in that he had four different types of mediumship: direct voice (the ability to let Spirits audibly speak independantly); trance speaker (the ability to let Spirits speak through oneself); clairvoyant (ability to see things that are out of view); and physical medium (moving objects at a distance, levitation, etc., which was the type of mediumship had no equal). Home was suspicious of any Medium who claimed powers he himself did not possess, particularly the materializing Mediums (such as the Eddy Brothers), who claimed the ability to produce solid Spirit forms, and he marked these as fraudulent. Since materializing Mediums always work in darkened places, Home urged that all seances be held in the light. Home, in his 1877 book Lights and Shadows of Spiritualism, detailed the conjuring tricks employed by false Mediums.
Lord Adare stated that Home "swung out and in" of a window in a horizontal position. "He [Home] came in [through the window] again, feet foremost, and we returned to the other room. It was so dark I could not see clearly how he was supported" [outside of the three story window]. Podmore recorded that Home had a constant companion that sat opposite of him during his seances. A lady acted as a medium and used to help Home during the seances attended by Henrietta Ada Ward. Between 1870 and 1873, Crookes conducted experiments to determine the validity of the phenomena produced by three mediums: Florence Cook, Kate Fox, and Home. Crookes' final report in 1874 concluded that the phenomena produced by all three Mediums were genuine, a result which was roundly derided by the scientific establishment. Crookes recorded that he controlled and secured Home by placing his feet on the top of Home's feet. Crooke's method of foot control later proved inadequate when used with Eusapia Palladino, as she merely slipped her foot out and in of her sturdy shoe. Alexander von Boutlerow, Professor of Chemistry at the University of St. Petersburg and Home's brother-in-law, also obtained positive results in his tests of Home.
Frank Podmore and Milbourne Christopher provide a source of speculation on the ways in which Home could have duped his sitters. Some testimony suggests that Home often conducted his demonstrations in dim light. For example, there is this report from a witness: "The room was very dark...Home's hands were visible only as a faint white heap". The light conditions during Home's most famous feat of levitation were disputed, but some witnesses recorded that it was quite dark. Gordon Stein speculated on the deception of Crookes' testing devices (with diagrams) and gave a third-hand account of Home being caught with a vial of oil of Phosphorus. During a Crookes test when Home "is not touching with his hands." there are objects just lying beneath his hands that his fingertips are touching, a small match box and a small bell. The measuring arm of Crookes' gauge does not exactly "move." It trembles. It was reported by sitters and Crookes Home's accordion played only two pieces, Home Sweet Home and The Last Rose of Summer. Both contain only one-octave. Home played his accordion with only one hand beneath a table. James Randi [ the professional paid skeptic ] stated that Home was caught cheating on a few occasions, but the episodes were never made public, and that the accordion Home is supposed to have played was a one-octave mouth organ that Home concealed under his large moustache. Randi writes that one-octave mouth organs were found in Home's belongings after his death. According to Randi 'around 1960' William Lindsay Gresham told Randi he had seen these mouth organs in the Home collection at the Society for Psychical Research. Eric Dingwall who catalogued Home's collection on its arrival at the SPR does not record the presence of the mouth organs. It is unlikely Dingwall would have missed these or did not make them public.
Born in poverty and illegitimate in Edinburgh on March 20, 1833, Home was adopted by his aunt when he was an infant, and taken to Connecticut when he was nine. As a child, he experienced visions and precognition, with the most significant being the occasions when he saw a friend who had died only days earlier, and then his own mother about the time of her death even though she was some distance away from the young Medium. However, it was when physical phenomena began, that he was forced to leave home, due to his family believing this was demonic: he was nineteen when he experienced his first levitation. Despite the situation in which he found himself, demonstrations of his abilities were sought, and he was welcomed by many living in New York and New England. In view of his abilities, two Harvard researchers heard of him, and on carrying out tests, found that physical phenomena occurred without there being any indication of a this-worldly cause. By the early 1850s, he was levitating, and partial materializations were being produced in his seances.
By 1855, when Home came to Britain, the news of Spiritualism had already reached this country: the American Mediums, Mrs Hayden and Mrs Roberts had travelled here within five years of the Hydesville phenomenon that resulted in the birth of modern Spiritualism. Home therefore found a receptive audience when he arrived here.
One of the more amusing incidents that occurred during a seance, was when the next-world visitors thought it would be interesting to dismantle a bronze figurine and throw the pieces about the room. Unfortunately, after the seance had concluded, one piece could not be found despite careful searching. Home requested that the Spirits direct him to the piece and this was duly done. Enmore Jones, who recorded details of the event, asserted that, 'It confirmed me in the belief that our spirit friends are more keen-eyed than we, that they hear our words, and can control even our physical organism'.(4) Another example of the variety of phenomena that arose was the seance on 17 July 1868; a sitter reported how during the seance, held in a lighted environment and in his own home, his elderly mother was levitated with the chair on which she sat. Clearly, attending a seance with Home was not an occasion that was easily forgotten.
In addition to these phenomena, there were further abilities that distinguished Home from other mediums. One such feature was the elongation of his body by up to a foot in length. Another feat was his handling of pieces of coal taken from the fire. One witness who was present on such an occasion testified that Home was seen to take a 'red-hot coal...and carry it up and down the room'.(6) Many of those who attended Home's seances were initially sceptical; Inglis cited the view of Sir David Brewster, who after seeing Home's mediumship, believed that it had 'upset the philosophy of fifty years'. However, Brewster then argued that the phenomena had purely human origin; despite this change of opinion, his daughter supplied details of his own personal account of the seance when he detailed the events that included vibrations, rappings, levitations of tables, partial-materializations, and a declaration these could not be accounted for by a this-worldly explanation. Why then had Brewster said that the phenomena could be explained? Simply, because by giving support to Home this: 'might have jeopardised his prospects. So he had chosen to smear Home. Four years later, he had enjoyed his reward when he was appointed to be Principal of Edinburgh University'.(7) It is an extraordinary and absurd situation that some choose to attend seances, in the knowledge that they will not vouch for the genuineness of phenomena if they actually occur. Nonetheless, this was the type of behaviour that Home, and many other mediums since Home's time have had to endure.
In the autumn of 1855, Home travelled to Florence, and his mediumship was witnessed by various personages during the period, e.g. Prince Murat, Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie; the latter was convinced that her father had materialized in view of being able to identify a recognizable defect that he had on his hand that also appeared on the materialized form. Direct writing was also produced with Napoleon Bonaparte signing his name, that the current Emperor declared was indeed Bonaparte's handwriting. In December 1855, an attempt was made against his life due to the reputation that he had gained as a necromancer. During the period while abroad, Home joined the Catholic church and was received by Pope Pius IX, although this conversion was apparently short-lived, and he resumed his mediumship. Various rumours circulated while he was abroad to account for his powers; these included that he chloroformed his sitters, used the secret police to obtain information about them, that he received 'electrical power' from cats, and that he carried a monkey in his coat and this caused the movement object and the sensation of hands during seances.
For much of the twelve years following, Home resided in London; when his wife, who had been wealthy and contributed to his upkeep, died in 1862, he was forced to maintain himself by giving lectures and suchlike. He wrote Incidents in My Life, and then went to Rome to study to take up sculpturing; however, he was ordered to leave on the charge of sorcery. He therefore promised to stop mediumistic activity, but as this was not in his control and persisted, he was forced to leave papal territory, and returned to Britain in April 1864. In 1866, he received help from friends and supporters who founded the 'Spiritual Athenaeum' to support him. One of the more bizarre incidents in Home's colourful life was him being adopted by Mrs Lyon who then showered him with money and gifts. A short time later, Mrs Lyon decided to turn against Home and demand back what had been given to him; this resulted in a court case in 1868. There was considerable testimony against Mrs Lyon, but the onus of proof fell upon Home, and his mediumistic activities clearly brought about dis-favour. Home lost, but what is noteworthy in the matter is the fact that so many people gave evidence of Home's mediumship and no accusation of fraud was proved. During the case, yet another attempt was made against his life, because the Christians thought he was evil..
The event that is best remembered of Home's mediumship is when, on 13 December 1868, Home floated out of the window of a third floor room in Ashley House, and then returned via another window to join the witnesses. This was achieved in the presence of Capt. Wynne, the Earl of Dunraven (at the time, Lord Adare) and the Earl of Crawford (at the time, Lord Lindsay). Various imaginative suggestions have been offered to account for, or rather explain away this feat, including the hypnotizing of those present, blackmail, or that Home had accomplices. As so often happens, there are those who feel able to supply various conjectural explanations, despite not even being there, but the weight of the testimony of those actually present cannot be so easily discounted. The event not only included Home levitating in mid-air, but even his method of exit was astonishing. After Home returned to the building, he took one of those present to the room from where he had made his earlier exit, and the witness recorded that the window was barely open by a foot and 'he then went through the open space, head first, quite rapidly, his body being nearly horizontal and apparently rigid. He then came in again, feet foremost...'.(10) The Earl of Dunraven described some of Home's activity during 1867-1869, in Experiences with D. D. Home in Spiritualism, that detailed the events of some eighty seances. In 1872, Home produced a second edition of Incidents in My Life, and this was followed by the publication of Lights and Shadows of Spiritualism.
Home married for the second time in 1871, and again, his wife, Julie de Gloumeline, was a wealthy Russian. He ceased his mediumistic activities during the 1870s, and died on June 12, 1886, of tuberculosis, after suffering a long period of painful illness: his body was buried at St Germain-en-Laye. After his death, his wife wrote two books about him: D. D. Home: His Life and Mission (1888), and The Gift of D D Home (1890).
An adequate summary of Home's mediumistic abilities is surely supplied by Gauld: 'What is so astonishing...about D. D. Home is the sheer number of seemingly disinterested persons who were prepared to testify that he had in good or passable light produced startling phenomena before their very eyes'. Furthermore, in respect of Home effecting the phenomena by deception, Gauld argues that in view of what occurred, 'they could hardly have been the work of conjuring'; and with regard to hallucination/ hypnotism: 'It is true that not infrequently a phantom hand or a phantom figure would be visible only to some of the sitters...but so many of the other phenomena were observed on so many different occasions by so many different witnesses that the question of hallucination can in most cases hardly be raised'.(20) Podmore, who was hardly one for giving any credit to physical mediums, noted that while Home suffered from vanity (the Earl of Dunraven also noted this, believing that it was necessary as a defense mechanism against the invective suffered), he believed the impression gained by the people who met Home was 'of a highly emotional, joyous, childlike nature, full of generous impulses, and lavish affection to all comers'. Moreover, Home 'professed a fervent belief in his own mission as a teacher of the truth of immortality'.(21) Surely, there really can be no doubt that he fulfilled that mission.
(1)J. Beloff, Parapsychology: A Concise History (London: Athlone Press, 1993), p.41. (2)A. Gauld, The Founders of Psychical Research (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1968), pp.69,71. (3)F. Podmore, Modern Spiritualism (London: Methuen, 1902), p.232. (4)Spiritual Magazine, 1861, p.480. (5)W. Crookes, 'Notes of Seances with D. D. Home', PSPR, Pt. XV (1889), pp.107-108,116. (6)Ct., W. F. Barrett, On the Threshold of the Unseen, 2nd edn (London: Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trubner, 1917), pp.76-77. (7)B. Inglis, Natural and Supernatural (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1977), pp.227-229. (8)Inglis, Ibid., p.230. (9)Ct., Inglis, Ibid., p.231. (10)Earl of Dunraven, 'Experiences in Spiritualism', PSPR, 35 (1924), p.156. (11)Earl of Dunraven, Ibid., pp.90,132,242. (12)A. Gauld, Mediumship and Survival (London: Heinemann, 1982), p.23. (13)Inglis, Op. Cit., (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1977), p.225. (14)Earl of Dunraven, Op. Cit., p.22. (15)F. W. H. Myers, Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death, 3rd edn., rev (Norwich: Pelegrin Trust, 1992), p.260. (16)J. Oppenheim, The Other World (Cambridge: CUP, 1985), p.13. (17)H. Carrington, The Physical Phenomenon of Spiritualism (London: Werner Laurie, 1907), p.372. (18)E.g. Oppenheim, Op. Cit., p.11. And, Podmore, Op. Cit., 2:230. (19)R. E. Guiley, Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience (San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins, 1991), p.267. (20)The Founders of Psychical Research, pp.215-216. (21)Podmore, Op. Cit., pp.228,229. (22)Crookes, Op. Cit., p.122.
From Fortune City with slight alterations.
Spiritualism was introduced into Holland in about 1857. The first Dutch Spiritualist on record is J. N. T. Marthese, who, after studying psychic phenomena in foreign countries, finally returned to his native Holland, taking with him the Scottish Medium D. D. Home. The latter held seances at The Hague before several learned societies, and by command of Queen Sophia a seance was given in her presence. The Medium himself, in an account of the performance, stated that the royal lady was obliged to sit seven seances on consecutive evenings before any results were obtained. These results, however, were apparently satisfactory, for the queen was thereafter a staunch supporter of the movement.
During Home's visit Spiritualism gained a considerable following in Holland and the practice of giving small private seances became fairly widespread. Spirit voices were heard at these gatherings, the touch of Spirit hands was felt, and musical instruments were played by invisible performers. | 2019-04-24T11:55:30Z | http://psychictruth.info/Medium_Daniel_Dunglas_Home.htm |
Among the potential laws that the Monroe County Board and the sheriff do not support are House Bill 1465, which would make it unlawful to sell an assault weapon, .50 caliber rifles, cartridges or assault weapon attachments to any person under the age of 21.
The county’s resolution posted on the sheriff’s Facebook page said that those bills are violations of the Fourth Amendment.
State Senator Paul Schimpf (R) of Waterloo also weighed in on the resolution.
“While I am sympathetic and just as angry and frustrated as these county officials are, when it comes to different jurisdictions saying that they are going to selectively enforce legislation, they are going to pick and choose which statutes they support, that’s something that I don’t think is consistent with the rule of law and that’s not something I agree with,” said Schimpf during a phone interview with Fox 2.
“We want to make a statement. We don’t want our Second Amendment rights to be stripped away from us,” David Campbell, vice chairman of the Effingham County Board, told CNN. “If we protect immigrants with sanctuary cities, why not use similar laws to protect our rights to own a gun?” he added.
According to Campbell, at least 30 of Illinois’s 102 counties have asked to see Effingham County’s resolution. So far, Iroquois, Jasper, Saline and Jefferson counties have adopted similar resolutions opposing state gun restrictions, although Iroquois County’s resolution didn’t use the “sanctuary county” language.
“Sometimes laws are passed or introduced when people don’t understand guns. For example the semi auto AR-15 is like a lot of guns we have across the country to simply hunt with,” said Saline County Board Chairman Jay Williams.
This is totally crackers. As a rural gun-owner, the clueless nature of these statements is insulting. People on the terrorist watch list can still buy guns legally. In many cases, people convicted of domestic abuse keep their guns. Mental illness surely isn’t keeping people from buying guns. As a legal gun owner, I see no threat whatsoever in having rules of gun ownership.
The actual Constitution and the other 25 amendments are not so important to them apparently. Illegal search and seizure? Not a big deal. Due process? Meh.
Are so called “sanctuary Gun counties” legal?
So the Sheriff agrees that cities and other local governments have the right to protect undocumented immigrants? Sounds like he’s conceding that point.
If a person needs a semi auto- AR-15 hunt with, they should give up hunting.
Are so called “sanctuary cities” legal?
Isn’t the Sheriff’s statement nonsensical in that 2nd Amendment rights are literally in the context of “a well regulated” militia or individual arsenal? (Also see USC Heller).
It’s not the 2nd Amendment if it’s not well-regulated.
What about “sanctuary counties” for illegals immigrants? Is that different?
Well I don’t like the posted speed limits on Monroe County roads so I just want Rohlfing to know I will be driving a speed of my choosing when driving through his county.
Apparently we don’t need the judicial branch. The County can just adjudicate the constitutionality of things.
I didn’t think it was the Sheriff’s job to determine whether a law was Constitutional or not.
More symptoms of the bifurcation in Illinois, we have the the small town/rural Illinois vs Chicago/collar counties. No issue is as clearly defined by this divide as 2A. As a result we have local control issues 2A/sanctuary that are fraught with potential constitutional issues and that are polarizing. You gotta love this state !
I’m guessing he was against Obama’s DACA program. Deciding which laws to enforce and all..
Ducky.. I’m leery of the terrorist watch list. A secret list taking away constitutional rights with no idea how you get on or of it. Probably asking if you are on it will get you added.
Agreed. My earlier comment (that was blocked) agrees that the whole the 2A is predicated on a “well-regulated” militia.
Yes. This whole thing seems driven by (shocker!) utter ignorance. The term “sanctuary city” is pretty optimistically misleading. It just means the police there don’t actively do the work of ICE by holding people in detention. That’s all. ICE makes plenty of arrests in “sanctuary cities” and no one tries to stop them. It’s just an issue of how much the locals cooperate with the feds.
This is different because it’s a county just deciding what’s constitutional. The equivalent is a liberal county in Texas deciding it’s going to be an “abortion sanctuary” and not enforce laws about late-term abortions because it doesn’t want to.
Somehow I think conservative positions on the issue might change.
Somebody should tell the sheriff that the courts decide whether a law violates the Second Amendment. He sounds confused as to his job.
Illinois didn’t need its own Roy Moore or Joe Arpaio, but it seems we got one.
Antonin Scalia (whom I am sure this sheriff is/was a big fan) was a self-proclaimed constitutional originalist.
When the 2nd Amendment was passed, the only gins around were muskets.
These lunatics have my permission to have a musket.
I always enjoy the hypocrisy some of the guys live. No issues with random “safety checks” or confiscation, and I am sure he loves him some Patriot Act. 4th and 14th Amendment be darned.
But tell someone they don’t need an M-60 or an AR 15, well, that is a line in the sand that cannot be crossed.
Maybe it isn’t taxes driving people out of rural Illinois.
So, sanctuary status to protect a constitutional right is bad. But, sanctuary status to willfully violate federal law is good.
Just to be clear - you think each individual county should get to decide what’s constitutional? I’d love to get your thoughts on sanctuary counties for abortions, where the constitutionally protected right to an abortion is not infringed by red state laws.
=So, sanctuary status to protect a constitutional right is bad. But, sanctuary status to willfully violate federal law is good.
Yeah, you got it alright.
A constitutional right does not require a local government ceremonial “sanctuary status”. It is protected by the U.S.A. In essence, the USA is a constitutional sanctuary nation.
It’s too bad the sheriff isn’t as passionate about the 4th amendment.
Uh, because guns aren’t people? This is why, if you break a gun, you don’t get charged with first-degree murder for it.
This seems simple to me, but the Firearm Personhood Act of 2018 is probably being drafted as I speak, so what do I know.
wait, are there legitimately people who think this is the same as sanctuary cities for immigrants?
A “sanctuary city” is one that refuses to use local dollars to enforce federal immigration policies and indefinitely hold suspects in jails at local taxpayer expense. Cities opt to become sanctuary cities because they don’t have the resources nor the jurisdiction.
I think it’s readily apparent that you don’t.
This actually is a big deal downstate as any new laws that JB tries to put on the books likely will not be enforced downstate.
This only furthers the divide here in IL between downstate and chicago.
That’s just idiotic. Nor do I believe any such thing.
Illinois would be much more Governable if it were two states instead of one. This is example #345,875.
Not to sound like an illegal communist from a sanctuary city, but if we don’t want to get shot, is there a place to register? It seems like only people with guns have rights these days.
==But, sanctuary status to willfully violate federal law is good.
Holding someone indefinitely without charge or warrant is certainly unconstitutional, don’t you think?
Although the word “sheriff” is not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution, there are many Buford T. Justice’s around the country who have convinced themselves that they are the sole interpreter of the Constitution and law within their jurisdictions, and are accountable to no other authority.
There’s no rationale or coherent argument for this belief. But it’s being applied in counties throughout the country. A very sinister, lawless development.
Something tells me that the “gun sanctuary” status in Monroe County won’t apply to citizens with a darker skin tone than the Sheriff.
I thought the U.S. Supreme Court decided what is or isn’t Constitutional…not county sherrif’s or county board members.
Below is a link to more of the actual nonsensical gibberish that real sheriffs in the country claim makes them sole authority within their jurisdictions.
It would be funny, except these dudes can tune you up really badly in a hurry if they want to.
So basically the Sheriff is the dictator. Did I get that right Word?
who gets down there first to interview folks? John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, or Samantha Bee?
A sanctuary county for guns?
And not a single county board member said “this sounds at best paranoid”.
The Bills they do not support, I do not support either.
The Sheriff took an oath to enforce all laws, not only tye laws that he agrees with.
I think Sen. Schimpf is on the right track.
Add Fayette County to the list. It was approved by the County Board unanimously this week.
Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing is obviously not Attorney General timber.
It gets worse. There are judges that, through injudicious use of language, encourage these delusions of grandeur. Like the PA Supreme Court Justice, in a majority opinion, gave sheriffs common law powers all the way back to Merry Olde England, and stated that power even existed for the Sheriff of Nottingham. Commonwealth of PA v Leet.
You can’t wink at law enforcement ignoring laws you don’t support, but whine when they ignore laws you do support.
The Monroe County Sheriff might want to ask the Tazewell County Sheriff about the consequences of not enforcing gun laws.
JS you just pole vaulted right to patato.
So modern firearms are protected and I don’t need your permission for anything over a musket.
Its a simple concept, that IF locals can turn a blind eye to some laws they don’t like and not inform, report or aid federal authorities in deporting someone. Then why not let the guys down south decide that there are laws the Chicago legislators pass that they don’t like and won’t enforce.
It is state law v. federal.
A local sheriff is not a U.S. Marshall or the FBI (or INS). His job is to enforce state law.
So no, it is not all or nothing.
That statement is dishonest at best. An M-60 is a .30 cal military grade machine gun not available to the general public. An AR-15 is a type of semi-auto civilian grade rifle that has been in the market for years. At least argue as if you know something about what you are talking about.
You either support federalism or you don’t, and we usually have until some communities don’t want the higher level of government negatively effecting them.
Whether it is the Feds forcing Federal laws, or states enforcing state laws, the higher government decides.
Federal laws, and states shouldn’t ignore Federal laws. You can’t let “sanctuary” cities ignore Federal and state laws.
Don’t like a law? Elect people to change it. Until then, follow the law.
Nothing kills a bad law faster than enforcing it. Ignoring it is foolish.
Vanilla, do you expect the FBI to stop someone from going 40 in a 35 zone? Do you expect Sheriff Dart to issue OSHa citations for improper fall protection on a 60 story project? Sure it matters. State law is enforced by local police, county sheriffs and state police. Federal violations are left to the federal.
The sanctuary county movement as it relates to anticipated new gun laws in Illinois has been discussed now for months by ISRA members and GOA members here in Illinois. It is based to be honest on a presumption that at least a law similar to Connecticut’s on certain semi-automatic firearms defined as “assault weapons” and magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds will pass the Assembly and be signed into law by Democrat Governor Pritzker in January 2019. That law is CGS 53–202, registration in Connecticut is now required for so called assault weapons purchased between September 13, 1994 and April 1, 2014. the law prohibits the sale, of new AR type guns and makes it illegal to bring the weaponry in from out of state.
Currently in Connecticut there are at least 51,763 rifles designated as assault weapons and additionally, 40,491 residents filed paperwork showing they owned ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets. Failure to register these weapons is a felony in Connecticut. It can be reduced to a misdemeanor if an owner can prove it was bought before the spring 2013 vote in the Connecticut General Assembly, but even then, gun-ownership rights can be terminated because of the failure to register. The Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen believes that only about 10% of the AR type weapons have actually been registered.
It is in anticipation of this type of situation that the Monroe County Board and Sheriff Neal Rohlfing have endorsed the sanctuary county movement. No serious gun owners in Illinois believe that the more limited restriction being discussed in Illinois will be the end of laws assuming Pritzker is elected because he supports the Connecticut type ban which has been found to be for the most part legal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Shew v. Malloy and the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal.
So as an ISRA member I do not believe that the sanctuary county movement is absurd, it assumes that a law similar to Connecticut’s will pass and eventually be signed by a Democrat Governor in Illinois. Each gun owner to their own solution in that situation, I likely will move any rifles or magazines found in violation of new Illinois laws to my Clark County Wisconsin home to a gun vault I have there.
Which is exactly what the anti-2nds want. It would be much more effective to move your possessions, labor, talents, family, SS, pension, tax payments, etc. to Wisconsin along with your firearms, effectively voting with your feet. Stop in Racine and pick up some Kringle, the raspberry is my favorite.
Nobody needs a 30 round magazine. There isn’t a rational reason in the world for a civilian to have one. To oppose such a restriction is absolute lunacy.
Stuntman Bob’s Brother I have been though this before when Chicago passed its hand gun ban. I registered one gun here and move the rest up to Clark County Wisconsin registering numerous hand guns was just crazy. I am opposed to the ban of semi-auto rifles called ARs, but I believe that Rauner will not be reelected to veto these bills and new ones to be written based on the Connecticut framework. I will not face felony charges to act militant sorry, nor have thousands of dollars worth of gun taken by the police.
To Demoralized I do have such magazines and you are of course free to believe having such loading devises is not rational. As is obvious I do not share your opinion.
What is the good reason a law-abiding citizen like yourself needs 30 rounds of load at a time? Raccoons?
This is what happens when you don’t properly fund education.
Please re-read, Rod, that wasn’t my suggestion. For me, the trigger to leave this asylum won’t be gun rights, but it may very well be real-estate taxes - once I retire, I just can’t see spending ten percent of my pension income on real estate tax. I don’t really have a dog in the fight regarding guns, except that I believe the solution to gun violence is not to criminalize ownership by responsible citizens, but to federalize illegal firearm possession and use, and hand out LONG sentences to those in violation - regulate the activity, not the object. Your 30-round magazine doesn’t scare me 1/1000th as much as the eight round magazine being carried by a gang-banger.
wordslinger I see no point in answering that question its pretty clear there is no dialog on this issue on Rich’s blog. I wrote what I wrote. Gun owners know their situation in Illinois, unless there is a major turn around in Rauner’s polling numbers a ban will eventually be voted on and signed by the Democrat majority.
It really as simple as that, given the Supreme Court deciding not to review Shew v. Malloy all that has to be done is copy that law in Illinois, pass it, sign it. Done deal unfortunately from my perspective, positively from your perspective Word, possibly from Rich’s perspective too. I don’t see Rauner winning, I don’t see enough votes to stop such a bill next year unless there is a massive turn around for both Raunner and Trump in Illinois. Very unlikely I think.
We wouldn’t have a “sanctuary” issue if the GOP Congress had done their job and passed reasonable immigration reform.
Why stop there? Have you cut off your car muffler to gain power?
Adams County is next. All you gun haters can move to Chicago and become the next murder statistic in a gun free zone.
Stuntman I have owned a second home in Clark County WI for 40 years. I don’t have to move up there permanently to move weapons up there, I have done it before. I am retired as of the start of April and luckily can afford my outrageous property taxes on our outrageously inflated Chicago Victorian home.
Selling would also generate massive capital gains. The best thing about being retired is not going down to Springfield for session which I did for year upon year as a registered lobbyist.. It is a real grinder, I can read this blog periodically if I want that experience again. Honestly I don’t know how Rich takes it, but he Is a lot younger than me.
Most sheriffs don’t have time to deal with nonsense. They have robbers, rapists, killers & whatnot to deal with. We don’t want them annoying peaceable, lawful citizens. Good on this sheriff.
Yes Gene. Enforcing laws is such nonsense.
“Nobody needs a…” could be applied to just about anything. How about we dont make peaceable people into criminals for owning a small plastic box?
LOL, there is dialogue if you participate. You’re interested in giving a monologue.
You suggested there was a rationale for your need for a 30-round magazine. I was curious as to what that purpose was.
I guess if you can’t handle a butterball question like that without falling to pieces, a dialogue with you is impossible.
How many rounds can you pop off with that small plastic box?
Demoralized, check out videos of a proficient user of a semi-auto handgun reloading smaller-capacity (ten round?) magazines, they can do it so quickly that the difference between depleting one 30-round and three 10-round magazines is very small. What I’m saying is, in the real world, it won’t matter if 30-round magazines are banned or not if someone is set on mass-murder. Banning them will have a negligible effect on Chicago’s gun deaths, it is a “feel good” solution. But long-term incarceration of those who are found carrying or using firearms illegally? I believe that would make a BIG dent in the problem. I prefer to advocate for solutions that make a difference. The recent death of the police commander is a perfect illustration, his killer should NOT have been on the street.
So no worries, there’s no reason or need for a 30-round magazine.
The other guy said he had a rationale for his need. Glad you could straighten him out.
Cities and other local governments don’t protect undocumented immigrants. There really is no such thing as a “sanctuary city.” It’s a misnomer. If ICE wants to deport someone no one is going to stop them. “Sanctuary city” just means the local police have their job and ICE has its job.
Oh brother. Chicago isn’t a “gun free zone” It’s legal to own guns in Chicago.
A lot. If I was ever forced to defend myself or family with a firearm, Id want as many as possible on hand.
Ducky …The point is the 2nd amendment. Why should otherwise law abiding citizens be hassled and harassed by government. If there are any limitations restrictions they need to be universal throughout the USA not haphazard local garbage randomly enforced. One cannot be reasonably expected to know every town, county or state law. These sheriffs et al have said enough is enough, finally the adults in the room have made a statement.
LOL, what? That sheriffs are the final word on interpreting the law and Constitution? Those “adults” couldn’t pass a sixth grade Constitution test with that nonsense. There’s no basis for it anywhere except in their wannabe-tinpot-dictator fever-dreams.
You might want to read the entire Constitution. There’s more to it than the 2nd Amendment. And sheriffs aren’t mentioned in it at all.
Counties and sheriff offices are creations of the state. You might want to read up on the state Constitution, too.
Your defense of the sheriff is that learning state law is too difficult?
Sounds like he may need to find a new job, since “knowing the law” is pretty central to the position. | 2019-04-22T22:55:57Z | https://capitolfax.com/2018/05/10/sheriff-wont-enforce-any-new-laws-that-infringe-on-second-amendment-rights/ |
dvgrn wrote: How many more lanes do we need to solve before the first following glider becomes so exposed that it can be picked off before the front one?
I think this leaves just a few cases for lanes 1-6 where the trailing glider is farther forward than the ones shown. Seems likely that these can all be handled in similar ways. Maybe a proof of universal slow-constructibility can consist of a complete collection of all possible glider offsets at the front corner of a large salvo, with a mechanism for constructing one of the front gliders in each case.
dvgrn wrote: I think this leaves just a few cases for lanes 1-6 where the trailing glider is farther forward than the ones shown. Seems likely that these can all be handled in similar ways. Maybe a proof of universal slow-constructibility can consist of a complete collection of all possible glider offsets at the front corner of a large salvo, with a mechanism for constructing one of the front gliders in each case.
The 6-lane offset case seems particularly impressive. It makes me wonder if there might be a relatively simple rule for a proof by induction -- something like "in any SW-traveling salvo, the first glider that touches an arbitrary line with slope 1/5 is always constructible with a clock conversion."
-- Actually I think the above trial pattern implies that a simple horizontal line could be used... just pick the rightmost glider if multiple gliders touch at once. Can any Evil Salvo counterexample be constructed that successfully guards the rightmost first glider to touch an arbitrary horizontal line, against a clock+domino construction?
Then... are there any other options besides clock+domino that work in all the same cases -- any P1 constellations, in particular? It's kind of expensive to go around smashing clocks all the time.
I have written a script that reproduces any SW glider salvo using Extrementhusiast's clock based inserter (or at least I hope I have).
The primary idea is to sort the gliders by distance to the south-west followed by distance to the north-west. In this lexicographic ordering a glider that it is "greater" than another can always be constructed without obstruction except in a small number of cases.
Specifically, those cases are when two gliders differ by 7 lanes and the back glider is 1, 2, 3 or 4 ticks behind the lead glider and south-east of it.
It only does anything if it detects that the current pattern is made up solely of non-colliding SW gliders. In that case it places a bunch of NW gliders and clock-turners that (hopefully) reproduce the SW glider salvo but shifted west by some number of cells.
Here it is in action eating Evil Glider Salvo #2 for breakfast with an annoying wing of "chained" gliders added to make things more difficult. It seems to be working well but some proper crash testing is definitely in order.
EDIT: here is an updated version of the script. When it finds a chained glider it advances the front by the minimum amount possible instead of always by 4 ticks. I think both approaches work but this way is more in the spirit of the intended algorithm. Also I made the placement of turners more compact by advancing by diagonally rather than by x-coordinate. The small step size of 23 is a new source of potential bugs but I think it should work properly.
chris_c wrote: Here it is in action eating Evil Glider Salvo #2 for breakfast with an annoying wing of "chained" gliders added to make things more difficult. It seems to be working well but some proper crash testing is definitely in order.
EDIT: here is an updated version of the script.
Rather than attempt to prove that all possible cases work -- too much thinking for tonight! -- I just wrote a script to randomly generate very tight glider spacings in a large square region.
dvgrn wrote: "Resistance is Futile. You Will Be Duplicated."
Cool! So no problems found so far. Forgive my hopelessly amateur Herschel plumbing but here is a stable 2H->G front glider inserter using the clock method. It could be the basis of an automatic gun making script.
Cool! So no problems found so far.
Yes, I built a 500x500 random packed glider fleet overnight. Your revised script successfully built #SuperBorg in a few seconds this morning with no trouble.
Completing an official proof now should just be a matter of finding the easiest way to enumerate a limited number of cases, and demonstrate that the clock insertion works in each case -- farthest forward neighboring gliders on both sides at L=1..N, maybe. Other cases can be taken care of by "gliders that aren't [Here] by [Now] can't possibly affect the insertion area before the reaction is complete, because c/4. Q.E.D."
chris_c wrote: Forgive my hopelessly amateur Herschel plumbing but here is a stable 2H->G front glider inserter using the clock method. It could be the basis of an automatic gun making script.
Oh, that's a perfectly adequate Herschel construction for this purpose. Good use of Snarks. Can always cut it down to size later.
And I'm kind of betting there's a four- or five-glider 180-degree collision that can replace the clock for most if not all T=14 insertions. Seems as if that problem might be within reach of an exhaustive LifeAPI search.
Anyway, an utterly unreasonable but rather nice trick for an automated gun-making script might be to add one more leading glider on each side of the salvo to be built. These gliders can be used to trigger a string of stable pseudo-Heisenburp devices, which produce the initial Herschels that create the sideways gliders for the insertion reactions. Then it becomes trivial to string together as many inserter guns as are needed to produce an arbitrary salvo.
The resulting shotgun will be -- um -- a bit oversized, but that doesn't seem to be something we need to worry about here.
More reasonably, we can build a conventional G-to-H-to-G with the output glider on the same lane, and add adjustable delay circuits so that each insertion occurs just when the salvo arrives. The lead gliders have to start very far ahead in that case, and each successive inserter will have a shorter delay than the last. But the repeat time won't suffer, and it's just a matter of having the script move a couple of Snarks by N cells and substitute one of eight components with [N..N+7] timing somewhere in the circuit. Could borrow most of this from simsim314's O(log N) gun builder.
dvgrn wrote: Seems as if that problem might be within reach of an exhaustive LifeAPI search.
I won't miss the opportunity to have another demo/show of for LifeAPI.
The search run for about 1 min on pretty slow machine.
Those ~100 lines of code, include the iteration on states of 3 gliders, skip duplicates, check for reflected glider in the correct orientation, check that glider 14 ticks behind is not colliding, and it's all in half hour of coding and 1 min run. I think golly python script would be of similar size if not bigger (as LifeAPI iterators, replace the need for million loops).
EDIT2 It would be nice to go over "evil salvo list" to "rate" the placer. As for now I just place single glider 14 ticks behind, and report success, if everything worked. If we want more fine tuned results, we need better rating/filtering definitions.
Last edited by simsim314 on December 22nd, 2014, 4:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
dvgrn wrote: Completing an official proof now should just be a matter of finding the easiest way to enumerate a limited number of cases, and demonstrate that the clock insertion works in each case -- farthest forward neighboring gliders on both sides at L=1..N, maybe. Other cases can be taken care of by "gliders that aren't [Here] by [Now] can't possibly affect the insertion area before the reaction is complete, because c/4. Q.E.D."
simsim314 wrote: EDIT2 It would be nice to go over "evil salvo list" to "rate" the placer. As for now I just place single glider 14 ticks behind, and report success, if everything worked. If we want more fine tuned results, we need better rating/filtering definitions.
It would be great to find a 4 or 5 glider method of achieving this so that we can use just one inserter for every scenario.
The [7@-6,14@0,7@6] test seems like a likely one -- sufficient, at least, though possibly not necessary. Seems as if there might be a construction order that would allow an inserter that fails this test to still construct any possible salvo. For example, would an inserter that can drop a glider a couple of cells into a slope-6 line allow universality? and what's a good way to measure this kind of thing?
chris_c wrote: It would be great to find a 4 or 5 glider method of achieving this so that we can use just one inserter for every scenario.
It seems vaguely possible that there's a 4-glider collision that will produce a perfect inserter directly. A 3-glider solution seems a bit too much to hope for -- somebody would have noticed it by now.
It appears that none of simsim314's 5-glider solutions so far can quite match the clock+spark insertion. But there are lots of options left to try, including colliding with an active 2-glider collision -- no starting target still life. Blinkers and traffic lights are also fair game as intermediate targets, of course.
dvgrn wrote: The [7@-6,14@0,7@6] test seems like a likely one -- sufficient, at least, though possibly not necessary.
Well if the condition is not satisfied then I think the recipe we end up with will have some fairly unusual properties. In which order would you construct this salvo?
If the front one is made last then that requires the 7@+/-6 property. If one of the back ones is made last then that requires the recipe to be able to do back insertions with at least a one lane overhang. I can't get my head round how that would be practical in a recipe that also has good front insertion characteristics.
So what I think is a necessary condition is that the recipe is perfect on lanes -6, ... +6 (concretely, that means the gaps should be [7,9,11,13,14,14,14,14,14,13,11,9,7]) and that the sum of the gaps on lanes +/-N are less than or equal to 1 for all N >= 7.
Reasoning: suppose that the minimum gap at +N is t1 and the minimum gap at -N is t2 and that t1 + t2 > 1. Let t = t1 - 1. Then t < t1 and -t = 1 - t1 = t2 - (t1 + t2 - 1) < t2. So gliders differing by N lanes and time t cannot be built by this recipe.
I am going to try brute force and hope that something good enough shows up.
dvgrn wrote: It seems vaguely possible that there's a 4-glider collision that will produce a perfect inserter directly.
OK lets do this search.
You don't have to use the same recipe all the time. You need a set of recipes that work universally.
1. List of "gliders fronts".
2. For each glider front, recipe that works for it.
3*. Preferably a proof of universality. That is having N recipes from #1, we can get universal insertion algorithm. There is no need to optimize #1, we just need N cases, for very large N. As we have it all done by scripts, we can allow ourselves very large number of cases and recipes.
simsim314 wrote: I couldn't understand this section.
Probably me neither. It seems like we definitely need an inserter that works with 7 ticks on lanes +6 and -6. That definitely seems like the hardest case. After that it is probably easy to complete the other cases using different recipes. But I was really hoping for a cheap(ish) recipe that can give a universal solution on its own.
I'm not sure whether +/-6 or +/- 5 is the worst case (or combination of the two).
chris_c wrote: But I was really hoping for a cheap(ish) recipe that can give a universal solution on its own.
I think your 8 glider solution is actually not that bad. I'll run more exhaustive search for 4/5 gliders later on, but from what I can see there is some sort of magic done with the clock inserter, which is pretty rare.
simsim314 wrote: From what I can see there is some sort of magic done with the clock inserter, which is pretty rare.
It is deficient by a few ticks on lanes 4, 5 and 6 but it should be good enough everywhere else.
I also tried to search for a head on 4 glider clock synthesis but had no luck.
chris_c wrote: I also tried to search for a head on 4 glider clock synthesis but had no luck.
I guess if there was a SL + 2G collision that made a clock then it would already be known, right? I was kind of surprised I couldn't find a head on 4 glider clock synthesis but it just goes to show how rare clocks are (or there was a bug in my search).
Anyway, I have updated my script to calculate glider based inserters. I added the 3-glider, 4-glider and 8-glider inserters that I already mentioned in this thread. More can easily be added. When applied to the Borg Salvo, the 3-glider inserter is used 37% of the time, the 4-glider 49% and the 8-glider %14. I'm pretty happy with that result already.
The selection method used in the script guarantees that a glider that already exists N lanes to the NW of the current glider will be at most N ticks in front and that a glider that exists N lanes to the SE will be at least N+1 ticks behind. If an inserter cannot meet the requirements for a particular lane then that must be listed in the exceptions dict of the recipe.
b) it works well with the 3 and 4 glider inserters.
I would love to see efficient stable converters for the inserters --- in particular the 4-glider inserter looks like it could be a good work-horse.
chris_c wrote: Anyway, I have updated my script to calculate glider based inserters.
What will happen if we will add say 20-30 (pretty good) recipes, using 3-5 gliders. Then instead of giving each recipe all the combinations they work in as input dictionary, we just add to the current "glider list" a recipe, evolve it, and see if it works. We will start from 3 to 5 gliders recipes, if some recipe is working we just continue to the next glider. Obviously we can add the clock recipe as last resort.
My guess is that combined power of all 3-5 gliders recipes is enough, at least for 99% of cases.
Another place to improvement will be to optimize the insertion order. This might also be considered last resort - if no 3-5 recipe worked, we try to change the insertion order around that particular glider, and see if this helps.
My guess is if we do all that - the chances we will need a clock inserter will go down to be very low if any.
simsim314 wrote: What will happen if we will add say 20-30 (pretty good) recipes, using 3-5 gliders.
Ok, I added a couple more 4 glider inserters. They have a larger set of exceptions but the exceptions are distinct from the exceptions of the other 4 glider inserter. The clock inserter usage in the Borg Salvo drops to 6.5% after this change.
I'm really not sure where we're going with this "universality" stuff. But this proves to me as of practical applications are concerned, we're pretty much covered for any salvo, with your script, while having very good efficiency.
The next step would probably be "universal salvo gun" script. And "gun generation" script per any glider recipe.
Don't know about anybody else, but I've been thinking in terms of formal proofs just because of the various mechanisms that I've been calling "universal constructors" for the past few years. They're only really universal if slow salvos can provably construct any synchronized glider salvo.
If there had turned out to be some glider spacings that synchronized glider collisions couldn't construct, then it would be necessary to prove that anything that could be constructed by gliders with those spacings could also be constructed with wider-spaced salvos. Seems as if that would be unlikely to be provable, so I'm glad that there don't seem to be any such cases.
simsim314 wrote: The next step would probably be "universal salvo gun" script. And "gun generation" script per any glider recipe.
Another possible goal will be a script that builds a stable 1G seed constellation for any given input salvo -- i.e., hit the constellation with one glider, and eventually the required salvo emerges with no leftover ash. I suppose there could be P1 and P2 versions of this, since it's obviously much easier if you can start with occasional clocks in the constellation!
Is there a way to move any of those front-edge gliders forward and still replace that glider? It seems just barely possible that the solution below can be improved, at least slightly. Maybe a glider sneaking in from the SW could hit a small still life near a clock to make the required spark?
It could be a two-bit diagonal spark, or a domino spark on either side. As chris_c's eight-glider recipe shows, the spark doesn't have to be disconnected, as long as it fades away quickly when modified by one cell from the clock.
Is there a way to move any of those front-edge gliders forward and still replace that glider? It seems just barely possible that the solution below can be improved, at least slightly.
There could well be. I think I chose that pair of trigger gliders because they have the same color and mod 8 timing relative to the gliders that make the clock. If you check my oversized Herschel plumbing you should see that the final inserters on either side only differ in terms of position.
Some while ago I made a more up to date version of that pattern. It's a lot better than the original but there were still two things that bugged me. First, I think the last pair of inserters can be done a lot better. Second, the fact that the design has glider crossings means the repeat time is somewhere just short of 500 ticks.
chris_c wrote: Some while ago I made a more up to date version of [the stable clock-based glider inserter]. It's a lot better than the original but there were still two things that bugged me. First, I think the last pair of inserters can be done a lot better. Second, the fact that the design has glider crossings means the repeat time is somewhere just short of 500 ticks.
I think I'll pass on trying my hand at that construction for the time being, in case an improved recipe shows up. I'd be tempted to build an edge-shooter with adjustable clearance, though of course it would be bigger than your version: build a clock and a spark-making bait by colliding an LWSS with some number of gliders, and then send the trigger glider in at the right time.
Not sure if that would make it easier to write a universal salvo gun script, or not. It would be possible to send a trigger signal down just one side of the construction lane, with no synchronization needed between two opposing sets of guns. But stable LWSS-makers are still pretty awkward, either huge or slow to recover or probably both.
This isn't entirely an improvement on the last sample pattern. Obviously some of the gliders moved closer, but a key glider at one corner of the pocket or the other had to move away slightly.
So... is there a constellation that can provide the clock-conversion spark, that fits directly behind the clock, and allows the trigger glider to come in from directly behind the clock as well?
dvgrn wrote: So... is there a constellation that can provide the clock-conversion spark, that fits directly behind the clock, and allows the trigger glider to come in from directly behind the clock as well?
It looks like the boat annihilation may be hard to beat. I'm interested in minimizing the number of cases that need to be enumerated to complete a formal proof.
It's possible to sneak up on the clock with a spark from a more distant constellation, as in the two-blinker examples on the right. But so far it appears that that just widens the stripe without really improving anything.
With any of several variants of that edge-of-stripe return glider, it seems as if you can add a glider to the south/southwest edge of an existing salvo, without having to worry about gliders to the northwest or north. If the glider can be added at all, then the insertion will work.
There are a few more worrisome cases to enumerate, but it looks like they all work (?). This is pretty much the exact approach that chris_c's script uses, and there are quite a wide range of line slopes that could be chosen. Unfortunately a nice simple slope of 1 is too high, though, and a slope of 0 is too low.
-- I'm just trying to boil down the explanation of why the insertion always works, to the smallest number of cases. Anyone see a cleaner way to tackle a proof? Possibly having a choice of two different insertion reactions might end up simplifying the proof somehow, but I don't see it yet.
dvgrn wrote: I'd be tempted to build an edge-shooter with adjustable clearance, though of course it would be bigger than your version: build a clock and a spark-making bait by colliding an LWSS with some number of gliders, and then send the trigger glider in at the right time.
Woah, sounds scary. I have never been able to find any clock syntheses except for the symmetric one with 6 gliders. Making a clock with only LWSS and gliders and then triggering it sounds hard indeed.
dvgrn wrote: It looks like the boat annihilation may be hard to beat.
Agreed. I can't get anything to work that is thinner.
dvgrn wrote: I'm just trying to boil down the explanation of why the insertion always works, to the smallest number of cases. Anyone see a cleaner way to tackle a proof?
It is important to note that the gliders to the NW of the inserted glider are exactly on the line of slope 3 but the gliders to the SE are one tick behind it.
dvgrn wrote: Possibly having a choice of two different insertion reactions might end up simplifying the proof somehow, but I don't see it yet.
I have never been able to make a complete proof that didn't use the clock inserter so, if we are talking purely formally, I think alternative inserters just complicate the argument.
EDIT: P.S. Cartesian slope 3 simply corresponds to a one tick advancement for each lane. Slope 2 corresponds to 2 ticks advancement every 3 lanes. That is another reason I favour slope 3 over slope 2. | 2019-04-25T21:50:52Z | http://www.conwaylife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=23675 |
For every ailment in today's world there is a pill. A solution in the form of a capsule or tablet or liquid with a concoction of chemicals inside designed to "cure" our misfortunes. Big Pharma has made their mark. As a pharmacist who's been in the medical field for over 10 years, I actually find this quite concerning given the pharmaceutical companys' primary motives for financial growth with little to no regard for patient safety and outcomes. The television commercials say it all. Drug companies are here to market, profit, and prosper off of sick people. You're of no value to them if you're in good health. This might be all well and good if the end goal was truly a nation, or a world, full of vibrant, healthy people who occasionally needed the help of Big Pharma to get back on their feet. But it's not. We live in an era where pill popping is the norm and weight issues and chronic diseases reign supreme. A quick look at the numbers confirms what we already know.
In 2011, a total of 4.02 billion prescriptions were dispensed at a grand total of $319.9 billion [1,2]. In case you were wondering, this amounts to approximately 12.9 prescriptions for every man, women, and child living in the U.S. at a cost of roughly $1,026.68 per year per person. Most of this isn't hitting our pocket books, not directly anyway. Insurance companies pay for the majority of the costs. In 2011, the average copay for 75% of all prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. was $10 or less thanks to the increasing availability of generic medications and prescription drug coverage . I could write an entire book on the statistics behind the legalized drug world, but I'll stop for now. If you care to look into the subject any further you can read the IMS Institute for Health Informatics report here.
What's more important is looking at what we're getting in return for all these medications. Or better yet, what we're getting in return for all the money being spent on healthcare in America today. After all, it's only a mere $2.7 trillion or 17.6% of our entire GDP as of 2011 . We are number one in the world when it comes to healthcare expenditures. Not bad for a nation who prides itself on lavish spending.
Despite our lavish spending on diseasecare, we're getting very little in return in terms of our health. Data from the World Health Organization in 2011 indicates that 87% of all deaths in the United States are due to chronic diseases (i.e. noncommunicable diseases) . Most of these are completely preventable. Many can even be reversed if treated appropriately and in a timely manner. But, more often than not, we don't treat chronic diseases appropriately. We throw pills and procedures at illnesses which actually require lifestyle modifications instead. Then we stand up and proclaim, "We have the best healthcare system in the world!"
Really? Is this why two thirds of our nation is fat and sick? Is this why we top the obesity rankings amongst the rest of our peers in the developed world? To give credit where credit is due, I guess we're winning at something here in the United States.
So where do we go from here? Do we continue to support Big Pharma and keep utilizing their products? And why are medications failing us when we keep taking more and more of them? Aren't they supposed to be treating our illnesses? If obesity is the main driving force behind the rise in deaths from chronic diseases then shouldn't we put a little more effort into this area of healthcare? I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies would love to get their hands on the next blockbuster weight loss pill, but is another pill the answer?
First off, let's get one thing straight. With few exceptions, medications treat SYMPTOMS and NOT underlying CAUSES of chronic disease. We DO NOT have a pharmaceutical shortage in our blood supply. This is not the reason we are sick. The grandeur of prescription medications, and the drug manufacturers who've created this compelling facade, have done wonders making us think this is the case. It is not. I'm here to tell you that pills will not solve your problems when it comes to regaining your health. You need to look beyond your medicine cabinet when treating chronic diseases.
Patient (with COPD and emphysema): Doc, I can't breath. I'm winded all the time. I keep getting upper respiratory infections. I'm miserable!
Physician: You need to stop smoking. This is the cause of your breathing problems. I can give you inhalers and respiratory meds to help manage your symptoms, but you need to stop smoking. I have some wonderful resources, informational guides, and tools for you to use to accomplish this if you'd like. It'd be great to see you make these changes. It's the only path to true health, and I'm confident you'll reap the rewards of quitting smoking even though it may be difficult at first to do so. I know this isn't going to be easy, but it's worth it! I believe in you. Let me know what I can do for you. I'm here to help.
This is good, responsible, evidence-based medical care. Even though the patient already knows the benefits of quitting smoking, it's important to remind them of this and offer assistance in doing so. He/she may or may not follow through but our job as a healthcare professional is to advise the patient on the safest, most effective, and least costly approaches in treating their medical condition.
Patient (with heart disease, diabetes, constipation, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc.): Doc, I feel horrible. I have no energy. My mind is in a haze half the time. I'm depressed. I have these sharp abdominal pains and cramps from time to time, and I'm not having regular bowel movements anymore. I'm worried because my latest wellness screening at my employer's health fair didn't go so well recently. My blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol screenings were all high.
Physician: I'm going to write you a few prescriptions. Lipitor for your cholesterol. Metformin for your diabetes. A diuretic pill and lisinopril for your blood pressure. Zoloft for your depression. Miralax and a stool softener for your constipation. Lastly, some Xanax and Levsin to calm the nerves in your stomach. Now, we need to schedule a follow up appointment so I can see you back in a month or so.
The patient will come back in a month and the cycle will repeat itself over and over and over and over again. Medications will be changed, doses increased and decreased, with minimal, if any, results to show for it. The patient will never get better in terms of their long term health, and the doctor will become frustrated seeing their patient deteriorate over time. This is 21st century medicine at its finest.
Physician: You need to be more active, start exercising, and stop eating the foods that cause these diseases. This includes meat, dairy, eggs, and processed foods, including vegetable oils. I can give you a number of medications, but they will only treat your symptoms. They do not target the root cause of your medical conditions. You have to stop eating animal-based and processed foods in order to do this and start your recovery period. This can be done by adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet. Patients who've taken this approach have ALWAYS gotten better to one degree or another. Many have made full recoveries, reducing or eliminating their needs for medications. I have some wonderful resources, an informational packet, and some support groups I can direct you to in order to get you started if interested. If you take this approach, I'm confident you'll reap the rewards of making such a big investment in your health, both short and long term, even though it may be difficult at first to do so. Just like it isn't easy for a smoker to quit smoking, it isn't easy to change what you're eating and your activity level, but it's worth it! I believe in you. Give this some good, hard thought and let me know what I can do for you. I'm here to help.
This is good, responsible, evidenced-based medical care. However, it involves a change in mindset with respect to our current healthcare model both from the provider and patients' standpoint. Providers need to become educated on how to properly implement this new lifestyle in their patient's treatment plan. Patients need to become more open minded and expect a higher quality of service from their healthcare provider. This is a brand of medical care that targets the root cause of disease and not just the symptoms. Patients also need to be willing to take responsibility for their own health and their own actions. It all starts with simple changes on both ends. What is encouraging is that more and more healthcare providers and patients are learning of this approach to treating chronic diseases. I find this very promising for the future of our nation's health and well being. We all need to keep it going.
Understanding The Ups And Downs Of Erectile Dysfunction.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading risk factor of cardiovascular disability and death . At the core of hypertension is the build up of atherosclerotic plaques within our vascular system leading to stiff artery walls and a reduction in nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is an extremely important substance produced by our endothelium (innermost layer of our blood vessel walls). It acts to dilate the blood vessels helping them maintain and regulate normal blood pressure control . It also helps keep the blood from becoming sticky by inhibiting platelet aggregation .
Knowing these facts, it is clear how important it is to keep atherosclerosis at bay in order to avoid heart disease. Atherosclerosis, in turn, is caused by the high consumption of animal fats, saturated fats, and trans fats found in the rich, western diet . I'm going to repeat this because it is of utmost importance in understanding the root cause of nearly every case of heart disease across the entire planet, with only a few rare exceptions. Atherosclerosis is caused by the high consumption of animal fats, saturated fats, and trans fats found in the rich, western diet. These fats are in highest concentrations in meat, dairy, eggs, vegetable oils (including olive oil), and processed foods (pastries, cookies, frozen dinners, frozen pizzas, store-bought dressings, fast food, etc.).
To successfully treat someone with heart disease the diet has to be changed. Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr. of the Cleveland Clinic has done just this as reported in his study published in the American Journal of Cardiology over a decade ago . Dr. Esselstyn took the sickest heart disease patients—patients rejected by modern medicine because they could do no more for them—and was able to halt and even reverse their cardiovascular disease by helping them adopt a whole foods, plant-based diet. This diet eliminated meat, dairy, eggs, and processed foods while allowing patients to eat all they wanted from the following food groups - fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Medications were rarely, if at all, used. Dr. Esselstyn's work paved the way for a new approach to treating our number one killer—heart disease. We should take from his research the wonderful blessings it gives to us and share this life saving information every chance we get with others. His work has proven to ultimately be the most effective, safest, and least costly approach in treating cardiovascular disease. The results of Dr. Esselstyn's study are listed at the end of this article. Let's sidetrack for a moment, however, and take a look at conventional medicine's treatment of heart disease.
Below are some common medications we use to treat heart disease today. I've shared with you how they work, potential side effects, and the reason they provide false hope when combatting cardiovascular disease. You may also want to check out Dr. John McDougall's article How I Treat Patients With Elevated Blood Pressure for another enlightening perspective on these treatment approaches.
- Act by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) which slows the heart rate and reduces blood pressure.
- Do nothing to eliminate the intake of animal fats, saturated fats, and trans fats from the rich, western diet causing atherosclerosis, and ultimately heart disease, in the first place.
- Act by increasing urinary excretion of sodium and excess fluid which reduces blood pressure.
- Act by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart and blood vessels which lowers blood pressure. Some calcium channel blockers also reduce the heart rate.
- Act by reducing the production of a substance called angiotensin II in the body. This works to relax blood vessel walls, reduce blood pressure, and increase sodium and fluid excretion from the body.
- Act by blocking the actions of angiotensin II in the body. This helps dilate the blood vessels and reduces blood pressure.
- Act by relaxing smooth muscle cells in blood vessel walls causing vasodilation to reduce angina or chest pain.
- Act by decreasing cholesterol production in the liver, reducing LDL "bad" cholesterol levels in the blood by increasing LDL re-uptake into the liver for disposal, and reduces triglyceride levels.
As you can see, medications do provide relief from heart disease. A decrease in blood pressure, reduction in cholesterol levels, and relief from chest pain are all possible with the use of medications. But what does all this really accomplish in terms of heart disease? Is a person's long term risk of suffering a potentially debilitating and fatal heart attack reduced or even eliminated by taking these drugs?
The answer to this comes right back to the root cause of cardiovascular disease—the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. In order to defeat heart disease you must defeat the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. How do you do this? For the answer, we look no further than the highly respected work of Dr. William Roberts, MD. Dr. Roberts is a cardiologist who has published over 1,400 articles to date, almost all in peer-reviewed publications, mostly pertaining to heart disease and the pathology behind it. You can read more about his colorful and decorated background here. In April 2000 he wrote an article titled Twenty Questions On Atherosclerosis and addressed many common concerns regarding cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis . Below are some highlights that will answer our questions.
There answer is hypercholesterolemia. What level of total cholesterol and specifically LDL cholesterol is required for atherosclerotic plaques to develop? Symptomatic and fatal atherosclerosis is extremely uncommon in societies where serum total cholesterol levels are < 150 mg/dL and serum LDL cholesterol levels are < 100 mg/dL. If the LDL cholesterol level is < 100—and possibly it needs to be < 80 mg/dL—the other previously mentioned risk factors in and of themselves are not associated with atherosclerosis. In other words, if the serum total cholesterol is 90 to 140 mg/dL, there is no evidence that cigarette smoking, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, inactivity, or obesity produces atherosclerotic plaques. Hypercholesterolemia is the only direct atherosclerotic risk factor; the others are indirect. If, however, the total cholesterol level is > 150 mg/dL and the LDL cholesterol is > 100 mg/dL, the other risk factors accelerate atherosclerosis.
How effective are statin drugs compared with aspirin, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and calcium antagonists in preventing repeat atherosclerotic events?
At least among patients who have had an acute myocardial infarction and survived, daily aspirin decreases the chance of recurrence of an atherosclerotic event within a 5-year period by 25%, beta-blockers by 25%, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (at least the tissue inhibitors) by 25%, calcium antagonists by probably 0%, and statin drugs by > 40%. Thus, if a person could take only 1 drug after a heart attack, the most effective one would be a statin.
How effective are the statin drugs in preventing strokes?
Very effective. The statin drugs decrease the frequency of strokes in a 5-year period by approximately 30%. Until recently the statin drugs were the only drugs other than an antihypertensive drug demonstrated to decrease the frequency of stroke. Recently, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramapril has been shown to decrease the frequency of strokes also by approximately 30%.
Do statin drugs have to be taken every day for the remainder of life?
Yes. Some patients apparently believe that the statin drugs need to be taken for only a few months—until the cholesterol levels come down. I believe that it is important to tell patients when they are first placed on a statin drug that they will need to take the drug every day for the remainder of their lives. Of course, if a patient subsequently becomes a pure vegetarian-fruit eater it might be possible to discontinue the statin drug, but few Americans are willing to go the vegetarian route."
- After 12 years NO FURTHER CARDIAC EVENTS (strokes, heart attacks, etc.) and NO FURTHER PROGRESSION OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC DISEASE was seen in patients remaining compliant with a whole foods, plant-based diet.
- Significant savings were experienced by those adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet in regards to lack of doctor bills, hospital bills, prescription copays, and lab tests. However, patients still had a grocery bill to pay at the end of each week.
So how much of a reduction in atherosclerotic disease do you want after 5 years, 12 years, and the rest of your life? A 25% reduction? 40% reduction? Or a 100% reduction? It is nice to see that the 100% reduction comes along with no side effects and the added benefit of a 73% chance of reversing heart disease. So what will it be? Only you can answer that question. It's your life. Make the most of it!
1 IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. The Use of Medicines in the United States: Review of 2011. April 2012.
2 Lindsley CW. The top prescription drugs of 2011 in the United States: antipsychotics and antidepressants once again lead CNS therapeutics. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2012 Aug 15;3(8):630-1. doi: 10.1021/cn3000923.
3 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of the Actuary, National Health Statistics Group, National Health Expenditure Data. Available at: http://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData/NHE-Fact-Sheet.html. Accessed Feb 23, 2013.
4 World Health Organization. Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2011. Available: http://www.who.int/nmh/countries/usa_en.pdf. Accessed Feb 23, 2013.
5 Chockalingam A. World Hypertension Day and global awareness. Can J Cardiol. 2008 Jun;24(6):441-4. Review.
6 Förstermann U, Nakane M, Tracey WR, Pollock JS. Isoforms of nitric oxide synthase: functions in the cardiovascular system. Eur Heart J. 1993 Nov;14 Suppl I:10-5. Review.
7 Riddell DR, Owen JS. Nitric oxide and platelet aggregation. Vitam Horm. 1999;57:25-48. Review.
8 Astrup A, Dyerberg J, Elwood P, et al. The role of reducing intakes of saturated fat in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: where does the evidence stand in 2010? Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Apr;93(4):684-8.
9 Esselstyn CB Jr. Updating a 12-year experience with arrest and reversal therapy for coronary heart disease (an overdue requiem for palliative cardiology). Am J Cardiol. 1999 Aug 1;84(3):339-41, A8.
10 Roberts WC. Twenty questions on atherosclerosis. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2000 April; 13(2): 139–143.
Great article and needed so much. I'm pretty sure the pharmaceutical industry will not stop until everyone is on some kind of pill. I stopped taking medical advice when they tried to put me on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) when I was completely symptom free during menopause (thanks, I'm sure, to my vegan diet). Sadly, profit is always the ulterior motive.
I agree whole heartedly with you Paige. The industry is all about profits and not about health. It's going to take a grassroots effort like that of yourself to produce change. Keep up the healthy lifestyle!
Great article. I had a calcium deposit score of 608 which is high. My doctor put me on 80 mg of LIpitor, the highest dose possible and blood pressure meds March 17, 2016. I went on Dr. Esselstyn's diet that same day which I had read about 2 years prior. I have adhered to the diet 98% over that time and I do love it. I have experienced no hunger or deprivation. The Lipitor was too intense and caused severe side effects including muscle pains in my legs, terrible upper back pain, fatigue and mental fog. The blood pressure medication caused dry cough. I went off of the Lipitor in early August 1 due to the intense upper back pain. I had my cholesterol checked September 16, 2016 and through diet only it had dropped 80 points and the doctor said if anything my blood pressure was too low and I should immediately go off of the BP medication. I am a huge fan of Dr. Esselstyn's heart health diet. No Meds after six months when they had put me on the highest dose possible. So grateful. I sent Dr. Esselstyn a few emails and he has generously called me several times to encourage me and suggest diet tweaks. Oh, I have also lost 21 lbs. Before I started the diet I could only walk about 1/2 block before feeling breathless. I have been walking 2 1/2 miles 4-5 times a week since March 2016. This week I was able to run 1 mile of my 2 1/2 mile trek. I am a 66 year old woman. Thank you for educating people. | 2019-04-23T09:51:10Z | http://www.pursueahealthyyou.com/2013/03/the-false-hope-of-prescription.html |
The junior gold miners’ stocks have spent months grinding sideways near lows, sapping confidence and breeding widespread bearishness. The entire precious-metals sector has been left for dead, eclipsed by the dazzling Trumphoria stock-market rally. But traders need to keep their eyes on the fundamental ball so herd sentiment doesn’t mislead them. The juniors recently reported Q3 earnings, and enjoyed strong results.
The definitive list of elite junior gold stocks to analyze used to come from the world’s most-popular junior-gold-stock investment vehicle. This week the GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF reported $4.4b in net assets. Among all gold-stock ETFs, that was only second to GDX’s $8.1b. That is GDXJ’s big-brother ETF that includes larger major gold miners. GDXJ’s popularity testifies to the great allure of juniors.
Unfortunately this fame has recently created major problems severely hobbling the usefulness of GDXJ. This sector ETF has shifted from being beneficial for junior gold miners to outright harming them. GDXJ is literally advertised as a “Junior Gold Miners ETF”. Investors only buy GDXJ shares because they think this ETF gives them direct exposure to junior gold miners’ stocks. But unfortunately that’s no longer true!
GDXJ is quite literally the victim of its own success. This ETF grew so large in the first half of 2016 as gold stocks soared in a massive upleg that it risked running afoul of Canadian securities law. Most of the world’s junior gold miners and explorers trade in Canada. In that country once any investor including an ETF goes over 20% ownership in any stock, it is deemed a takeover offer that must be extended to all shareholders!
Understanding what happened in GDXJ is exceedingly important for junior-gold-stock investors, and I explained it in depth in my past essay on juniors’ Q1’17 results. GDXJ’s managers were forced to reduce their stakes in leading Canadian juniors. So capital that GDXJ investors intended to deploy in junior gold miners was instead diverted into much-larger gold miners. GDXJ’s effective mission stealthily changed.
Not many are more deeply immersed in the gold-stock sector than me, as I’ve spent decades studying, trading, and writing about this contrarian realm. These huge GDXJ changes weren’t advertised, and it took even me months to put the pieces together to understand what was happening. GDXJ’s managers may have had little choice, but their major direction change has been devastating to true junior gold miners.
Investors naturally pour capital into GDXJ, the “Junior Gold Miners ETF”, expecting to own junior gold miners. But instead of buying junior gold miners’ shares and bidding up their prices, GDXJ is instead shunting those critical inflows to the much-larger mid-tier and even major gold miners. That left the junior gold miners starved of capital, as their share prices they rely heavily upon for financing languished in neglect.
GDXJ’s managers should’ve lobbied Canadian regulators and lawmakers to exempt ETFs from that 20% takeover rule. Hundreds of thousands of investors buying an ETF obviously have no intention of taking over gold-mining companies! And higher junior-gold-stock prices boost the Canadian economy, helping these miners create valuable high-paying jobs. But GDXJ’s managers instead skated perilously close to fraud.
This year they rejiggered their own index underlying GDXJ, greatly demoting most of the junior gold miners! Investors buying GDXJ today are getting very-low junior-gold-miner exposure, which makes the name of this ETF a deliberate deception. I’ve championed GDXJ for years, it is a great idea. But in its current sorry state, I wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole. It is no longer anything close to a junior-gold-miners ETF.
There’s no formal definition of a junior gold miner, which gives cover to GDXJ’s managers pushing the limits. Major gold miners are generally those that produce over 1m ounces of gold annually. For years juniors were considered to be sub-200k-ounce producers. So 300k ounces per year is a very-generous threshold. Anything between 300k to 1m ounces annually is in the mid-tier realm, where GDXJ now traffics.
That high 300k-ounce-per-year junior cutoff translates into 75k ounces per quarter. Following the end of the gold miners’ Q3 earnings season in mid-November, I dug into the top 34 GDXJ components. That’s just an arbitrary number that fits neatly into the tables below. While GDXJ included a staggering 73 component stocks in mid-November, the top 34 accounted for a commanding 81.1% of its total weighting.
Out of these top 34 GDXJ companies, only 5 primary gold miners met that sub-75k-ounces-per-quarter qualification to be a junior gold miner! Their quarterly production is highlighted in blue below, and they collectively accounted for just 7.1% of GDXJ’s total weighting. But even that isn’t righteous, as these include a 126-year-old silver miner and a mid-tier gold miner suffering temporary production declines.
GDXJ is inarguably now a pure mid-tier gold-miner ETF. That’s great if GDXJ is advertised as such, but terrible if capital investors explicitly intend for junior gold miners is instead being diverted into mid-tiers without their knowledge or consent. The vast majority of GDXJ shareholders have no idea how radically this ETF has changed since early 2016. It is all but unrecognizable, straying greatly from its original mission.
I’ve been doing these deep quarterly dives into GDXJ’s top components for years now. In Q3’17, fully 32 of the top 34 GDXJ components were also GDX components! These ETFs are separate, a “Gold Miners ETF” and a “Junior Gold Miners ETF”. So why on earth should they own many of the same companies? In the tables below I highlighted the rare GDXJ components not also in GDX in yellow in the weightings column.
These 32 GDX components accounted for 78.7% of GDXJ’s total weighting, not just its top 34. They also represented 31.4% of GDX’s total weighting. So almost 4/5ths of the junior gold miners’ ETF is made up of nearly a third of the major gold miners’ ETF! I’ve talked with many GDXJ investors over the years, and have never heard one wish their capital allocated specifically to junior golds would instead go to much-larger miners.
Fully 10 of GDXJ’s top 17 components weren’t even in this ETF a year ago in Q3’16. They alone now account for 34.5% of its total weighting. 16 of the top 34 are new, or 44.4% of the total. In the tables below, I highlighted the symbols of companies that weren’t in GDXJ a year ago in light blue. Today’s GDXJ is a radical departure from last year. Analyzing Q3’17 results largely devoid of real juniors is frustrating.
Nevertheless, GDXJ remains the leading “junior-gold” benchmark. So every quarter I wade through tons of data from its top components’ 10-Qs, and dump it into a big spreadsheet for analysis. The highlights made it into these tables. A blank field means a company didn’t report that data for Q3’17 as of that mid-November 10-Q deadline. Companies have wide variations in reporting styles, data presented, and report timing.
In these tables the first couple columns show each GDXJ component’s symbol and weighting within this ETF as of mid-November. While most of these gold stocks trade in the States, not all of them do. So if you can’t find one of these symbols, it’s a listing from a company’s primary foreign stock exchange. That’s followed by each company’s Q3’17 gold production in ounces, which is mostly reported in pure-gold terms.
Many gold miners also produce byproduct metals like silver and copper. These are valuable, as they are sold to offset some of the considerable costs of gold mining. Some companies report their quarterly gold production including silver, a construct called gold-equivalent ounces. I only included GEOs if no pure-gold numbers were reported. That’s followed by production’s absolute year-over-year change from Q3’16.
Next comes the most-important fundamental data for gold miners, cash costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce mined. The latter determines their profitability and hence ultimately stock prices. Those are also followed by YoY changes. Finally the YoY changes in cash flows generated from operations, GAAP profits, revenues, and cash on balance sheets are listed. There’s one key exception to these YoY changes.
Percentage changes aren’t relevant or meaningful if data shifted from negative to positive or vice versa. Plenty of GDXJ gold miners that earned profits in Q3’16 suffered net losses in Q3’17. So in cases where data crossed that zero line, I included the raw numbers instead. This whole dataset offers a fantastic high-level fundamental read on how the mid-tier gold miners are faring today, and they’re actually doing quite well.
After spending days digesting these GDXJ gold miners’ latest quarterly reports, it’s fully apparent their vexing consolidation this year isn’t fundamentally righteous at all! Traders have abandoned this sector since the election because the allure of the levitating general stock markets has eclipsed gold. That has left gold stocks exceedingly undervalued, truly the best fundamental bargains out there in all the stock markets!
Once again the light-blue-highlighted symbols are new GDXJ components that weren’t included a year ago in Q3’16. And the meager yellow-highlighted weightings are the only stocks that were not also GDX components in mid-November! GDXJ is increasingly a GDX clone that offers little if any real exposure to true gold juniors’ epic upside potential during gold bulls. GDXJ has become a shadow of its former self.
VanEck owns and manages GDX, GDXJ, and the MVIS indexing company that decides exactly which gold stocks are included in each. With one company in total control, GDX and GDXJ should have zero overlap in underlying companies! GDX or GDXJ inclusion should be mutually-exclusive based on the size of individual miners. That would make both GDX and GDXJ much more targeted and useful for investors.
Two of GDXJ’s heaviest-weighted component choices are mystifying. Sibanye Gold and Gold Fields are major South African gold miners, way bigger than mid-tier status and about as far from junior-dom as you can get. In Q3’17 they both mined way in excess of that 250k-ounce quarterly threshold that is definitely major status. They are among the world’s largest gold miners, so it’s ludicrous to have them in a juniors ETF.
Since gold miners are in the business of wresting gold from the bowels of the Earth, production is the best place to start. These top 34 GDXJ gold miners collectively produced 4352k ounces in Q3’17. That rocketed 121% higher YoY, but that comparison is meaningless given the radical changes in this ETF’s composition since Q3’16. On the bright side, GDXJ’s miners do still remain significantly smaller than GDX’s.
GDX’s top 34 components, fully 20 of which are also top-34 GDXJ components, collectively produced 9947k ounces of gold in Q3. So GDXJ components’ average quarterly gold production of 136k ounces excluding explorers was 55% lower than GDX components’ 301k average. In spite of GDXJ’s very-misleading “Junior” name, it definitely has smaller gold miners even if they’re well above that 75k junior threshold.
Despite GDXJ’s top 34 components looking way different from a year ago, these current gold miners are faring well on the crucial production front. Fully 22 of these mid-tier gold miners enjoyed big average YoY production growth of 18%! Overall average growth excluding explorers was 8.2% YoY, which is far better than world mine production which slumped 1.3% lower YoY in Q3’17 according to the World Gold Council.
These elite GDXJ mid-tier gold miners are really thriving, with production growth way outpacing their industry. That will richly reward investors as sentiment normalizes. Smaller mid-tier gold miners able to grow production are the sweet spot for stock-price upside potential. With market capitalizations much lower than major gold miners, investment capital inflows are relatively larger which bids up stock prices faster.
With today’s set of top-34 GDXJ gold miners achieving such impressive production growth, their costs per ounce should’ve declined proportionally. Higher production yields more gold to spread mining’s big fixed costs across. And lower per-ounce costs naturally lead to higher profits. So production growth is highly sought after by gold-stock investors, with companies able to achieve it commanding premium prices.
Cash costs naturally encompass all cash expenses necessary to produce each ounce of gold, including all direct production costs, mine-level administration, smelting, refining, transport, regulatory, royalty, and tax expenses. In Q3’17, these top-34 GDXJ-component gold miners that reported cash costs averaged just $612 per ounce. That indeed plunged a major 6.9% YoY from Q3’16, and even 2.5% QoQ from Q2’17.
This was really quite impressive, as the mid-tier gold miners’ cash costs were only a little higher than the GDX majors’ $591. That’s despite the mid-tiers each operating fewer gold mines and thus having fewer opportunities to realize cost efficiencies. Traders must recognize these mid-sized gold miners are in zero fundamental peril as long as prevailing gold prices remain well above cash costs. And $612 gold ain’t happening!
Way more important than cash costs are the far-superior all-in sustaining costs. They were introduced by the World Gold Council in June 2013 to give investors a much-better understanding of what it really costs to maintain a gold mine as an ongoing concern. AISC include all direct cash costs, but then add on everything else that is necessary to maintain and replenish operations at current gold-production levels.
In Q3’17, these top 34 GDXJ components reporting AISC averaged just $877 per ounce. That’s down a sharp 3.7% YoY and 0.2% QoQ. That also compares very favorably with the GDX majors, which saw nearly-identical average AISC at $868 in Q3. The mid-tier gold miners’ low costs prove they are faring far better fundamentally today than traders think based on this year’s vexing sideways-grinding stock-price action.
All-in sustaining costs are effectively this industry’s breakeven level. As long as gold stays above $877 per ounce, it remains profitable to mine. At Q3’s average gold price of $1279, these top GDXJ gold miners were earning big average profits of $402 per ounce last quarter! That equates to hefty profit margins of 31%, levels most industries would kill for. The mid-tier gold miners aren’t getting credit for that today.
Unfortunately given its largely-junior-less composition, GDXJ remains the leading benchmark for junior gold miners. In Q3’17, GDXJ averaged $33.81 per share. That was down a serious 28.6% from Q3’16’s average of $47.38. Investors have largely abandoned gold miners because they are captivated by the extreme Trumphoria stock-market rally since the election. Yet gold-mining profits certainly didn’t justify this.
A year ago in Q3’16, the top 34 GDXJ components at that time reported average all-in sustaining costs of $911 per ounce. With gold averaging $1334 then which was 4.4% higher, that implies the mid-tier gold miners were running operating profits of $423 per ounce. Thus Q3’17’s $402 merely slumped 5.0% YoY, which definitely isn’t worthy of hammering mid-tier gold miners’ stock prices over a quarter lower over the past year.
Gold miners offer such compelling investment opportunities because of their inherent profits leverage to gold. Gold-mining costs are largely fixed during mine-planning stages, when engineers and geologists decide which ore to mine, how to dig to it, and how to process it. The actual mining generally requires the same levels of infrastructure, equipment, and employees quarter after quarter regardless of gold prices.
With gold-mining costs essentially fixed, higher or lower gold prices flow directly through to the bottom line in amplified fashion. That wasn’t really apparent in GDXJ over this past year since its composition changed so radically. Normally a 4.2% drop in average gold prices would lead to much more than a 5.0% YoY operating-profit decline. Gold-stock profits generally leverage gold price moves by several times.
Gold itself is overdue for a major new upleg driven by investment demand returning. As I discussed several weeks ago, investment demand has stalled thanks to the extreme stock-market euphoria. These bubble-valued stock markets are due to roll over imminently as the Fed and European Central Bank both start aggressively choking off liquidity. That will strangle this stock bull, reigniting big gold investment demand.
The impact of higher gold prices on mid-tier-gold-miner profitability is easy to model. Assuming flat all-in sustaining costs at Q3’17’s $877 per ounce, 10%, 20%, and 30% gold rallies from this week’s levels will lead to collective gold-mining profits surging 36%, 68%, and 100%! And another 30% gold upleg isn’t a stretch at all. In essentially the first half of 2016 alone after the last stock-market correction, gold surged 29.9%.
The major gold stocks as measured by the HUI, which closely mirrors GDX, skyrocketed 182.2% higher in roughly that same span! Gold-mining profits and thus gold-stock prices soar when gold is powering higher. So if you believe gold is heading higher in coming quarters as these crazy stock markets falter, the gold stocks are screaming buys today fundamentally. That’s especially true of the best mid-tier gold miners.
Since today’s bastardized GDXJ mostly devoid of juniors changed so radically since last year, the normal year-over-year comparisons in key financial results aren’t comparable. But here they are for reference. These top 34 GDXJ companies’ cashflows generated from operations soared 65% YoY to $1515m. That was driven by sales up 96% YoY to $4130m. That left miners’ collective cash balances $28% higher YoY at $5672m.
Yet top-34-GDXJ-component profits crumbled 38% YoY to $212m. Again don’t read too much into this since it’s an apples-to-oranges comparison. Interestingly a single company that was in GDXJ in both quarters is responsible for over 2/3rds of that drop. Endeavour Mining’s earnings plunged from +$24m a year ago to -$65m in Q3’17, largely due to a $54m impairment charge in its Nzema mine which is being sold.
GDXJ’s component list was much more consistent between Q2’17 and Q3’17. QoQ these top 34 GDXJ gold miners saw operating cash flows rise 3.9%, sales surge 7.5%, cash on hand fall 7.6%, and profits plummet 72%. Again an anomaly in a single company is responsible for nearly 9/10ths of this sequential decline. In Q2 IAMGOLD reported a gigantic $524m non-cash gain on the reversal of an impairment charge!
The massive non-cash gains and losses flushed through net income are one reason why all-in sustaining costs offer a better read on gold-miner health. If GDXJ’s component list and weightings finally stabilize after this past year’s extreme tumult, we’ll have clean comps again next year. For now these mid-tier gold miners are generally doing far better operationally than their neglected super-low stock prices imply.
So overall the mid-tier gold miners’ fundamentals looked quite impressive in Q3’17, a stark contrast to the miserable sentiment plaguing this sector. Gold stocks’ vexing consolidation this year wasn’t the result of operational struggles, but purely bearish psychology. That will soon shift as the stock markets roll over and gold surges, making the beaten-down gold stocks a coiled spring today. They are overdue to soar again!
Though this contrarian sector is widely despised now, it was the best-performing in all the stock markets last year despite that sharp post-election selloff in Q4. The HUI blasted 64.0% higher in 2016, trouncing the S&P 500’s mere 9.5% gain! Similar huge 50%+ gold-stock gains are likely again in 2018, as gold mean reverts higher on the coming stock-market selloff. The gold miners’ strong Q3 fundamentals prove this.
Given GDXJ’s serious problems, leading to diverting most of its capital inflows into larger gold miners that definitely aren’t juniors, you won’t find sufficient junior-gold exposure in this troubled ETF. Instead traders should prudently deploy capital in the better individual mid-tier and junior gold miners’ stocks with superior fundamentals. Their upside is vast, and would trounce GDXJ’s even if it was still working as advertised.
At Zeal we’ve literally spent tens of thousands of hours researching individual gold stocks and markets, so we can better decide what to trade and when. As of the end of Q3, this has resulted in 967 stock trades recommended in real-time to our newsletter subscribers since 2001. Fighting the crowd to buy low and sell high is very profitable, as all these trades averaged stellar annualized realized gains of +19.9%!
The key to this success is staying informed and being contrarian. That means buying low when others are scared, like late in this year’s vexing consolidation. An easy way to keep abreast is through our acclaimed weekly and monthly newsletters. They draw on my vast experience, knowledge, wisdom, and ongoing research to explain what’s going on in the markets, why, and how to trade them with specific stocks. Easy to read and affordable, they’ll help you learn to think, trade, and thrive like contrarians. Subscribe today, and get deployed in the great gold stocks on our trading books before they surge far higher!
The bottom line is the mid-tier gold miners now dominating GDXJ enjoyed strong fundamentals in their recently-reported Q3 results. While GDXJ’s radical composition changes since last year muddy annual comparisons, today’s components mined lots more gold at lower costs. These gold miners continued to earn hefty operating profits while generating strong cash flows. Sooner or later stock prices must reflect fundamentals.
As gold itself continues mean reverting higher, these mid-tier gold miners will see their profits soar due to their big inherent leverage to gold. GDXJ now offers excellent exposure to mid-tier gold miners, which will see gains well outpacing the majors. All it will take to ignite gold stocks’ overdue mean-reversion rally is gold investment demand returning. The resulting higher gold prices will attract investors back to gold miners. | 2019-04-26T07:39:07Z | http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article60905.html |
The invention relates to warning systems and communication in international spaces.
The transmission of information over the earth's surface in the presence of line-of-sight between the remote segments is performed by the transceivers using the towers.
The absence of this type of communication over the water of the seas and oceans causes difficulties in obtaining information from remote inland areas. So, for example, is interrupted support ground control services air transport, receding from the shore for a considerable distance; difficult to obtain hydro-meteorological and other information from remote areas of international spaces; difficult to obtain information from these areas, about being underwater and surface objects, complicated relationship with them.
The prior art cellular tower, including a combined wind / solar installation, battery power, inverter for converting DC wind turbines and solar panels. The cellular tower is made in the form of a steel metal pipe, which is connected wind turbines in the lower part of the steel metal pipe placed the cone, and in her circle is the sun gallery, formed by a frame with a translucent coating and radially from the center of wisk the cellular spaced heat accumulators (EN 83163 U1, 20.05.2009) . The famous tower is not intended for placement on the water surface and cannot be used for information transfer through the water.
The objective of the proposed invention is a communication system in surface areas, which will contribute not only to obtain information from remote areas, but also communication through Maritime space, as well as creating a stand-alone device for transmitting information, which can be placed directly on the sea surface, and providing a stable connection within the world of ocean.
The task is solved in that the device for information transfer over the water surface contains a tower with equipment for transmission and reception of communication signals, pivotally connected by rods with at least three floats connected to the device for producing electricity, made with the possibility of conversion of work performed by a relative movement of floats and rigs into electrical energy, and an anchor device located in the lower part of the tower. The device is preferably equipped with a solar battery mounted on the rig for folding and unfolding.
In the private embodiment of the claimed invention, the device for generating the electric power industry and may contain, at least one hydraulic cylinder, the body of which is connected to the tower, and his rod with a rod, or the housing is connected to the rod, and the rod - rig, spring or pneumologist installed with the possibility of a return movement of the corresponding float, hydraulic motor, which input is connected through a system of check valves with hydraulic cylinder, and the output from the generator.
A device to generate electricity can additionally include a pressure regulator in the hydraulic cylinders and the hydraulic accumulator.
The device can be equipped with sonar and/or sensors: flow, level of oxygen in the water, salinity and water temperature, wave heights, directions and wind speed, solar radiation, relative humidity, precipitation, seismic activity, etc.
The center of gravity of the entire device must be below the water surface on which it is mounted, which ensures the stability of the device in an upright position.
The task is also solved by a communication system above the water surface, containing proposed devices located on the sea and/or ocean water surface by a chain or network at distances from each other, providing a stable connection, and fixed bases with their anchoring devices.
The invention is aasnaes drawings.
1 shows a schematic view of the proposed device in a perspective view.
Figure 2 shows a schematic hydraulic diagram of the device for producing electricity.
Figure 3 shows the principal interaction of the spring and hydraulic cylinder.
Figure 4 shows a view of the bottom of the device in a perspective view.
The proposed device for transmitting information (hereinafter called "the Column of the notification of the sea", abbreviated SOM) is an Autonomous device that produces electricity to power the equipment from renewable energy sources (sea wave energy and solar energy).
Post alerts sea (figure 1) contains tower 1 equipment 2 for transmission and reception of communication signals, pivotally connected by means of rods 3 with four floats 4, the anchor device 5 located at the bottom of the tower 1, and a device to generate electricity.
The device for producing electricity includes at least one hydraulic cylinder 6. In a preferred embodiment, the number of cylinders 6 is equal to the number of floats 4. The body of the cylinder 6 through a hinge connected to the tower 1, and the rod 7 through the hinges are connected with the rods 3. Springs 8 are installed in parallel (see figure 3) or coaxial (see figure 1) hydraulic cylinders 6 with the possibility of a back-and what about the movement of the floats 4. The hydraulic motor 9 on the input is connected through a system of check valves 10 with the hydraulic cylinders 6, and the output from the generator 11. The hydraulic system may include a controller 12 and pressure accumulator 13.
The post also contains collapsible to reduce sail the solar battery 14 and the block 16 rechargeable batteries that allow you to level changes in the natural excitement of the ocean and to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the equipment. In the lower part of the column is installed sonar 15 (figure 4).
COM is a fully Autonomous device, using renewable sources of energy, namely the energy of sea waves, and, if necessary, the solar energy produced by the solar panels 14. The energy of the waves is converted into electrical energy by converting operation performed by the reciprocal movement of the floats 4 and tower 1. Moreover, the floats 4 are both bearing element structure, providing a buoyancy device.
Change vzaimoporozhdeniya floats 4 and towers 1 actuates the cylinders 6, which push the oil through hydraulic motors 9, which, in turn, rotate the generator 11.
The value of energy produced is proportional to the mass of Soma. The power of electricity generated by Catfish from the motion of the waves can reach a size of 1 kW is t one ton weight Soma. The value of energy produced, in turn, depends on the needs of the transmitting apparatus, placed on the tower.
Necessary design feature of the Som is lowered center of gravity, which is below sea level, thus ensuring the sustainability of Catfish in a vertical position. Height Catfish above sea level can vary from 10 to 100 meters, depending on customer requirements and conditions. Respectively, and the total weight Kgs will range from about 10 to 100 tons. COM pinned to the seabed anchoring device 5, which fix the location of the Soma, but provide mobility design in a certain range.
The structural elements are made from materials resistant to environmental factors using sea water, wind, sun, temperature mode of operation). The device is designed in such a way that does not require routine maintenance more frequently than once per 3 months.
The proposed system for transferring information over the water of the seas and oceans (not shown) contains many Kgs, fixed on bases with their anchoring devices and located at such distance from each other, so that stable communication for transmission/reception and retransmission of the given information. Of Soms can vystraivat the chain, double chain and so on, until the circuits of mobile communication. It is easy to calculate that for coating a continuous square grid of Som with a party of 40 square km, providing a stable connection in all directions various water surfaces of seas and oceans, more than enough 200000 such posts.
1. Device for the transmission of information over the water surface, containing tower with equipment for transmission and reception of communication signals, pivotally connected by rods with at least three floats connected to the device for producing electricity, made with the possibility of conversion of work performed by a relative movement of floats and rigs into electrical energy, and an anchor device located in the lower part of the tower.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a solar battery mounted on the rig for folding and unfolding.
3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for producing electricity includes at least one hydraulic cylinder, the body of which is connected to the tower, and his rod with a rod, or case - by HSE and the rod with the rod, spring or pneumologist installed with the possibility of a return movement of the corresponding float, hydraulic motor, which input is connected across the system check valves with hydraulic cylinder, and the output from the generator.
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the device for producing electricity further comprises a pressure regulator and a hydraulic accumulator connected to the hydraulic cylinders.
5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with sonar, and/or battery pack, and/or flow sensors, level of oxygen in the water, salinity and water temperature, wave heights, directions and wind speed, solar radiation, relative humidity, precipitation, seismic activity.
6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that when placed on the water surface with its center of gravity is below the surface of the water.
7. The system of information transmission over the water containing device made according to any one of claims 1 to 6, located on the sea and/or ocean water surface of at least one chain or network at a distance from each other, providing a stable connection, and fixed bases with their anchoring devices.
SUBSTANCE: disclosure of system and method for signal transmission/receive by mobile terminal in wireless communication system. The method includes transmission of the first subband availability indicator via base band which indicator indicates that mobile terminal is ready to transmit/receive a signal via the first subband; transmission of the first subband failure indicator to the base station via base band after failure detection during transmission of the first subband availability indicator; receiving from the base station via the base band the subband information about the second subband other than the first subband; and establishment of synchronisation with the second subband to allow signal transmission/receive via the second subband based on subband information.
EFFECT: possibility to use several frequency bands to transmit and receive signals.
SUBSTANCE: disclosed is a method of transmitting a control channel format indicator (CCFI), also known as PCFICH (Physical Control Format Indicator Channel), in case where the length of a coded CCFI is not an integer multiple of three, including mapping a plurality of two-bit CCFI into a codebook with each component codeword having three bits; generating a sequence of codewords selected from the codebook by repeating the selected component codeword for a predetermined number of times; generating a codeword by concatenating the sequence of the selected component codewords with the original CCFI bits; and transmitting the codeword carrying information on CCFI. The method further includes a step for generating a permutation of each of the four codewords by assigning K repetitions of the three-bit component codeword to the number of K resource units respectively and mapping the remaining K bits of each of the four codewords separately to the number of K resource units.
EFFECT: high efficiency of the transmission diversity scheme.
SUBSTANCE: station includes a unit which receives a reference uplink signal transmitted from a user terminal, a unit which provides transmission power control data which indicates whether to change the reference uplink signal transmission power value which must be transmitted later, a unit which determines the first power shift value such that transmission of the uplink control signal takes place with a power value defined by adding the first power shift value and the reference uplink signal transmission power value, a unit which determines the second power shift value such that transmission of the uplink control signal takes place with a power value defined by adding the second power shift value and the reference uplink signal transmission power value, and a unit which transmits data and values to the user terminal.
EFFECT: enabling control of uplink transmission power in a base station for a reference signal, a control signal and a data signal at appropriate levels for these signals.
SUBSTANCE: base station comprises: a frequency scheduler which generates scheduling information for allocating a block of resources to a terminal performing communication; a retransmission control unit which determines the number of control channels allocated for the radio signal frame, the control channel containing scheduling information; a control channel multiplexing unit which multiplexes control channels into a single radio signal frame in accordance with the number of control channels determined by the retransmission control unit; a multiplexing unit which time-division multiplexes the output signal of the control channel multiplexing unit with channels other than the control channel; and a unit for transmitting the output signal from the multiplexing unit.
EFFECT: efficient control channel transmission to each terminal with a different used bandwidth.
SUBSTANCE: detection of services between the devices is provided before establishing of the connection between the devices containing wireless-able devices or devices that provide communication with connection to WiFi units or other wireless communication devices. The services that can be detected include for example printing services, photo services, PDA services or any other suitable services. The services can be found using standards 802.11, Bluetooth, UWB or any other suitable technology of wireless access. For wireless transfer of information related to the service and/or information related to the detection of service the information unit is used that contains in particular the information related to the service provided and information that represents the first protocol of service detection that is used by the device for service detection.
EFFECT: simplified locations of desired services.
SUBSTANCE: method and device for discovering conflict in the random access (RA) procedure in the mobile communication system where message L2/L3 is received from UE in the uplink resources, assigned to UE by the answer message of RA preamble that was transferred for RA procedure initiated via UE, the CR message associated with RA is transferred to UE if L2/L3 message is the initial access message and the determined control information is transferred to UE using the downlink control channel without transferring CR message if L2/L3 message is not the initial access message.
EFFECT: decreased transfer of operation information to the alarm system.
FIELD: mobile communications; transmitting and receiving the protocol data unit (PDU).
SUBSTANCE: applied method is used for transmitting a PDU, which includes the Extended Address bit and the Length Indicator (LI) field, in the user equipment (UE) or the node B. A PDU is formed by two service data units (SDU) and a header which has data concerning both SDUs in the transmitting device. The method includes forming a LI field in the header, which will show the end point of every SDU except the final SDU, and the Extended Address bit showing the presence or absence of a LI field after every LI field, forming the header in such a way so the Extended Address bit will be positioned before every LI field, forming a PDU with complete header and SDU; and transmitting the PDU.
EFFECT: improved LI verification on the receiving side.
FIELD: wireless networks; portable multimedia players.
SUBSTANCE: neighbouring portable multimedia devices can be detected via a wireless portable multimedia device. The wireless multimedia device can establish connections to neighbouring portable multimedia devices. The portable device can transfer data either in the high-speed data transfer mode, or in the low power consumption data transfer mode, at the same time allowing other devices to detect it. The portable device is working in the low power consumption mode during the inactive part of the repeating detection cycle.
EFFECT: allowing the wireless portable device to adjust and synchronize itself with a specialized network while working in a low power consumption mode.
SUBSTANCE: method comprises steps where: a first radio station determines that a message has to be sent either to a second radio station or a transmitting radio station, the first radio station determines whether there are any available direct channels for transmitting a call; if a direct channel is available, the first radio station determines the period of time required to transmit the message, and sends over a reverse channel a "request for stoppage" signal to the transmitting radio station which identifies this period of time; upon receiving the "request for stoppage" signal, the transmitting radio station stops transmission over the direct channel for said period of time, during which the first radio station transmits the message. The system for stopping the current transmission in the communication system realises steps of this method.
EFFECT: stopping transmission of information from a transmitting radio station without completion of the initial transmission.
SUBSTANCE: in the method of long-range radio communication, the nearest coordinates of zones of increased fracturing or deep-seated faults are found as per the data of mapping surface of the Earth, which are used as radio communication zones in which intensity of received signals increases abruptly; correction of radio communication as to time and coordinates of underwater object is performed.
EFFECT: improving operating reliability of radio channels, reducing radiation powers of coastal radio transmitting devices and arrangement of radio channels using mobile coastal radio transmitting devices providing radio communication with underwater objects. | 2019-04-23T02:54:32Z | https://russianpatents.com/patent/244/2446579.html |
Robert O. Freedman, Peggy Meyerhoff Pearlstone Professor of Political Science and president of Baltimore Hebrew University, is the author or editor of sixteen books on the Soviet Union, Russia, and the Middle East, most recently The Middle East and the Peace Process (University Press of Florida, 1998).
How much of a role does Russia have in the Middle East? While Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov struts around the region trying to restore Russian prestige to its old Soviet level, his country's very severe economic and military weaknesses undercut his ability to make it a Middle Eastern power. Worse, Russia's badly disjointed policymaking process, in which a wide range of institutions conflict over policy with each other and the foreign ministry, hamper his efforts and render unclear Russia's goals in the region.
To understand Russia's current position, as well as to see the purpose of its policies, requires an analysis of the interplay of the forces making Russian foreign policy, the impact of the country's military and economic weakness, and then a look at policies toward key states—Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Israel.
Three factions dominate the debate. (1) Atlanticists place primary emphasis on good ties with the United States and want Russia to be part of Western civilization. On the key issue of Russian policy toward the "Near Abroad" (the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union), Atlanticists advocate normal diplomatic relations between sovereign states, reject the idea of Russia seeking to impose its will, and are generally favorably disposed towards Israel. In the area of economics, they advocate rapid reform and privatization. (2) Eurasianists, in the middle of the Russian political spectrum, advocate a foreign policy that equally emphasizes Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. They forward an assertive policy vis-à-vis the Near Abroad, whereby Russia is clearly the dominant outside power. They advocate economic reform and privatization but at a slower pace than the Atlanticists. (3) An odd combination of ultra-nationalists and unrepentant Communists advances an outspokenly anti-American (and anti-Israel) foreign policy. They seek the reestablishment of Russian hegemony in the Near Abroad and call for Russia to be a strong, centralized state.
Institutionally, the main actors making Russian policy toward the Middle East divide into several sectors: the executive branch, other governmental branches, and non-governmental organizations.
Executive branch. In theory at least, Yeltsin and his staff have the last word in foreign policy, but he has been both ill and preoccupied with domestic politics. Consequently, a battle royal has taken place among groups and institutions seeking to influence foreign policy.
As for Primakov, he inherited a Foreign Ministry in January 1996 that was particularly ineffectual at leading and coordinating foreign policy due to youth and lack of experience in the higher echelons of the Soviet bureaucracy of his predecessor, Andrei Kozyrev (who served as foreign minister in 1992-95) and to Kozyrev's facing a host of rival governmental and non-governmental organizations. As a result, what should have been the most important of institutions in the making of foreign policy had become just one of many contenders.
Reformers such as Boris Nemtzov and Anatoly Chubais retain very important positions and make up an influential group in foreign policymaking. Nemtzov is currently primus inter pares among the three deputy prime ministers and sits in for the prime minister, Sergei Kiriyenko, when the later leaves Moscow. Chubais heads Unified Energy Systems, a very important energy conglomerate. The reformers' foreign policy successes include watering down the union between Russia and Belarus and encouraging a 1997 Russian-Ukrainian agreement to divide the Black Sea fleet. Indeed, a new era of Russian domestic policy may have begun with Kiriyenko's appointment to replace Viktor Chernomyrdin as prime minister at the end of April 1998, in which reformers hold the key positions. As energy minister, Kiriyenko publicly stated that he is not opposed to a pipeline that goes from Azerbaijan through Georgia to the Turkish port of Ceyhan in the Mediterranean2 which many hawks in the Russian government opposed because it would increase the economic strength and political independence of Azerbaijan and Georgia. Kiriyenko similarly appears to favor good ties with Israel as well as Turkey.
The Defense Ministry has played an important role in the making of some policies (such as those toward conflicts in Tajikistan and between Armenia and Azerbaijan) and had an impact on others. The defense and foreign ministers publicly disagreed over Iran in December 1996, for example, when Defense Minister Igor Rodionov warned that Iran could be a military threat to Russia even as Foreign Minister Primakov was visiting Iran to bolster Russian-Iranian relations.3 The rapid turnover of defense ministers over the last three years (Pavel Grachev, Rodionov, Igor Sergeev) has weakened the influence of the Defense Ministry but it may again be a factor in the future.
The Ministry of Atomic Energy, headed by Yevgeny Adamov, pushes for the sale of Russian nuclear reactors. Its efforts vis-à-vis Iran and India have provoked a major clash with the United States. The ministry has aggressively pushed the sale of Russian nuclear reactors throughout the world, even, as in the case of Iran, going beyond the apparent instructions of Yeltsin by trying to sell a gas centrifuge system capable of producing nuclear weapons-grade material.
Other governmental branches. The Duma (or Russian parliament) has served as the most important sounding board for the elite to oppose Yeltsin's foreign policy. Despite the Duma's relatively limited powers in the foreign policy arena, Yeltsin must keep its wishes in mind because it reflects an important segment of Russian opinion. This was particularly the case in Kozyrev's time as foreign minister. In the period 1992-96, the Duma became more nationalistic and less willing to cooperate with the United States; Yeltsin responded by taking an increasingly hard-line in foreign policy, especially toward the Near Abroad and the Middle East. Indeed, Yeltsin responded to the hard-liners' victory in the Duma elections of December 1995 by appointing Yevgeny Primakov as foreign minister in January 1996. Primakov—one of the few cabinet ministers to be retained in the new Kiriyenko government—may be seen as Yeltsin's ambassador to the Duma.
Regions and autonomous republics of Russia, such as Astrakhan and Tatarstan, are becoming increasingly important in the formulation of foreign policy; and the election of Alexander Lebed, former head of the National Security Council whom Yeltsin fired in October 1996, as governor of Krasnoyarsk in May 1998, seems likely further to enhance their influence. Yeltsin's appointment of reformer Viktor Khristyenko as deputy prime minister in charge of relations with the regions and autonomous republics of Russia suggests his acknowledgment of this fact.
Banking and media magnates who move in and out of government positions constitute another important group. Boris Berezovsky, the former deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council (1996-97) who helped negotiate an end to the war in Chechnya, may be the most important of these. Vladimir Potanin, a deputy prime minister in 1996-97, allied with Berezovsky in the effort to help re-elect Yeltsin in 1996, then broke with Berezovsky and now actively competes with him. Despite their competition, the magnates have a similar outlook—"make money, not war"—and generally support a moderate foreign policy emphasizing economic gain over geopolitical advantage, an outlook Kiriyenko, as Chernomyrdin before him, also holds.
Even more problematic than these divisions is the Russian government's having to act from a very weak base. If foreign policy ultimately rests on two major instruments—military force and economic power—Moscow faces serious problems. Primakov's peripatetic travels cannot hide the fact that Russia has few resources to back his diplomatic activities.
Other than an extensive array of nuclear weapons (that are of little utility in post-cold war crises), Russia has very little these days in the way of military capability. The Russian army's disastrous performance in Chechnya exposed just how weak the armed forces have become. There are many cases of soldiers and sailors not being paid for months; graft and corruption are endemic. Air force pilots spend very few hours training in the air and much military equipment has sharply deteriorated. The rapid turnover of defense ministers compounds these problems. It may take years before the Russian military acquires a genuine conventional war-fighting capability.
The economy is even more problematic. While the government claims to have reduced inflation to 11 percent in 1997, this may have been achieved by its own failure to pay wages and pensions on time. Similarly, although the government says the gross domestic product stabilized in 1997, after five years of decline, Moscow's need that year for International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans and even a bridging loan from the financier George Soros demonstrates just how precarious the state of the Russian economy remains. Russia has yet to create a climate to attract substantial foreign investment because of fuzzy tax laws, differences between the federal and provincial governments on taxation and regulation, local "partners" (some of whom are mafia) who don't respect partnership agreements, and many other problems. The Asian economic crisis also struck a major blow. All three of Russia's main exports have suffered in the past year. Some of Russia's arms clients in Asia have had to defer their purchases due to their economic crisis. The sharp drop in oil prices (from $18.50 per barrel to $13 in less than a year) has played havoc with Russian economic planning. And the price of gold—Russia's "export of last resort"—has also dropped precipitously (from $344 per ounce to $296 in the same time period).
The contradictions and problems facing Russian foreign policymakers become clear when one looks at Russian policy toward four Middle East states: Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Israel.
Since 1996, with Primakov as foreign minister, Yeltsin has three major interests in developing Russia's relationship with Iraq. First, he uses assertive diplomacy to demonstrate to the world and to a hostile Duma that Russia remained an important factor in the world, both willing and able to oppose the United States. Andrei Piontkowski of the Center for Strategic Studies in Moscow summed up this outlook during the Iraqi crisis of November 1997: "For 30 years we were a superpower equal to the United States. Now the political elite is in a difficult period, feeling diminished, and compensates at least by standing up to the U.S. on minor issues."10 Second, Yeltsin's Russia seeks repayment for the estimated $7 billion dollars owed it by the Iraqi government—something that will not happen until the lifting of sanctions on Iraq.
When Moscow's efforts proved short-lived (in January 1998, Saddam began backtracking on the agreement he reached with Primakov) and the United States and Britain massed military forces in the Persian Gulf, Primakov again scurried to solve the crisis. This time the Russian diplomatic effort was far more disjointed. The foreign ministry claimed it had reached an agreement on inspections with Baghdad, only to have Baghdad immediately repudiate that agreement. To make matters worse, Yeltsin, perhaps to regain the initiative, threatened "world war" if the U.S. bombed Iraq and pledged that Russian "would not allow" such an attack.14 He also asserted that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan would go to Iraq—before Annan had agreed to do so.
attack on Iraq, Primakov's limited diplomatic achievements may pale into insignificance.
Russian-Iranian relations began their rapid development in the later Gorbachev years. After supporting first Iran and then Iraq in their war, Gorbachev had by July 1987 clearly tilted toward Iran. The relationship was solidified in June 1989 when ‘Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani visited Moscow and signed a number of major agreements, including one on military cooperation that permitted Iran to purchase highly sophisticated military aircraft from Moscow, including MIG-29s and SU-24s. This Soviet equipment was much needed at a time when the Iranian air force had been badly eroded by the eight-year-long Iran-Iraq war, and by the refusal of the U.S. government to supply spare parts, let alone new planes to replace losses to the aircraft it had sold the shah's regime.
The 1990-91 Kuwait war increased Iran's military dependence on Moscow. It not only turned the United States, Iran's primary enemy, into the leading military power in the Persian Gulf, but also pushed Saudi Arabia, Iran's most important Islamic challenger, to acquire massive amounts of U.S. weaponry. In response, the pragmatic Rafsanjani was careful not to alienate Moscow. He ensured that Iran kept a relatively low profile in Azerbaijan and Central Asia, and that it promoted cultural and economic ties rather than Islamic ones.15 The Russian leadership appreciated Iran's restraint in the Caucasus and Central Asia, which encouraged Moscow to continue supplying Iran with modern weaponry—including submarines—and to disregard strong protests coming from the United States.
Russian-Iranian relations continued to develop rapidly during the Kozyrev era, when Russia went beyond selling arms to sell nuclear reactors. Even so, economic gain was but one of Russia's many interests in Iran. Yeltsin used close relations with Tehran (as with Baghdad) to demonstrate his independence of the United States to nationalists in the Duma. Here, too, oil and natural gas development are a third major Russian interest. Despite U.S. objections, Gasprom, along with the French oil company Total and the Malaysian company Petronas, signed a major agreement with Iran in 1997 to develop the South Pars gas field.
A greatly weakened Russia has also found Iran a useful ally in a host of political hot spots. In Chechnya, despite the use by the Chechen rebels of Islamic themes in their conflict with Russia, Iran kept a very low profile. In Tajikistan, Iran helped Russia achieve a political settlement, albeit a shaky one. In Afghanistan, Russia and Iran stood together against Taliban efforts to seize control over the country. They work together in relation to Azerbaijan, which neither Iran (with a sizable Azeri population) nor Russia wishes to see emerge as a significant power. In particular, the two states have worked to limit the development of Caspian Sea-area hydrocarbons by Azerbaijan, Kazakstan and Turkmenistan. In addition, as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) expands eastward and Turkish influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia increases, many Russian nationalists see close Russian-Iranian relations as a counterbalance.
Primakov has sought further to deepen relations with Iran but has also had to cope with increasing frictions in the relationship, starting with the defense ministry's fears of Iran as a possible military threat to Russia, given Russia's military weakness and its limited control over the North Caucasus. Second, Iran's own economic problems mean that it lacks the hard currency to pay for the weapons and industrial equipment it wants to import from Russia. Predictions of billions of dollars in Russian-Iranian trade have proven wrong: it dropped to $400 million in 1997 (less than Russia's trade with Israel).
Russian supplies of missile technology to Iran cause increasing conflict with the United States (and Israel). This issue has become a serious irritant in Russian-American relations, with particularly sharp criticism of Moscow coming from the U.S. Congress. Russia's public announcement that it was expelling an Iranian diplomat in late 1997 for trying to smuggle missile technology16 and its January 1998 promise to stop selling dual use equipment to Tehran have not solved this problem.
the Russian hard-liners who seek to control the oil and gas exports of Azerbaijan, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Iran has sought to defuse this problem by organizing tripartite projects with Russia and the Central Asian states and cooperating with Moscow on the question of sovereign rights in the Caspian Sea, but the availability of an alternate Iranian export route remains a major problem for Moscow. If a rapprochement between Iran and the United States takes place, ending U.S. efforts to prevent foreign investments in Iran's oil and natural gas business, this would create more problems for Moscow because the least expensive and most secure route to Caspian Sea oil and natural gas is through Iran, as it is for Turkmeni natural gas.
More than Iraq or Iran, Turkey and Israel pose a foreign policymaking problem. In the former two, most key Russian actors agree with each other, making Kozyrev's and Primakov's stewardship relatively easy. But in the latter two, sharp disagreements hamper efforts to establish a coherent policy.
With Turkey, Russia has many reasons to pursue good relations. It is Russia's main trading partner in the Middle East, with bilateral trade amounting to $10-12 billion a year (two-thirds of Russia's trade with Germany). Turkish construction companies are active throughout Russia, even acquiring the contract for the repair of the Duma's building (the "White House"), damaged by the fighting in October 1993. Indicative of this close relationship, Turkish merchants donated $5 million to Yeltsin's re-election campaign in 1996.17 A large flow of Russian tourists visit Turkey, especially Istanbul and Antalya. "Suitcase" businessmen also move back and forth, with the Laleli district of Istanbul their primary destination for buying goods to take back home.
Turkey purchases military equipment from Russia, including helicopters embargoed by some NATO countries (including, until recently, the United States) because of concern that they would be used in Turkey's ongoing conflict with its Kurdish minority. It also buys large amounts of natural gas from Russia, giving Gasprom real incentive to promote Russian-Turkish relations. Gasprom chief, Rem Vakhirev, announced in November 1997 that his company would build a natural gas pipeline under the Black Sea from Russia to Turkey and would increase the supply of gas to Turkey from 3 billion cubic meters per year in the year 2000 to 16 billion cubic meters per year in the year 2010, thus providing Turkey with about half of its expected natural gas needs.18 Chernomyrdin, then prime minister, visited Turkey in mid-December 1997 to finalize the pipeline deal and signed other agreements, one of which promised that the two countries would abstain from actions likely to harm the economic interests of the other or threaten its territorial integrity.19 If fully applied, that would mean Russian non-interference in the construction of a possible Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey pipeline; rumors hold that Turkey would hire Russian companies to help build the pipeline.
There are also serious problems. Turkey competes for influence with Russia in the Caucasus and Central Asia. It hopes to build a network of pipelines that will take Azeri oil through Georgia to the Turkish port of Ceyhan (on the Mediterranean), thereby completely avoiding Russian territory and influence; the Russians want the oil to end up at their port of Novorossisk. Concerned about the ecological dangers of supertankers going through the Bosporus and Dardanelles, Turkey has limited such traffic, thereby leading Russia to threaten to build an alternate pipeline route from the Black Sea through Bulgaria and Turkey's enemy, Greece. Russia complains that the Turks actively aided the Chechen rebellion, threatening Moscow's control of the entire North Caucasus.
The Russian arms sales organization, Rosvooruzheniye, agreed to sell a sophisticated surface-to-air missile system, the SAM-300-PMU-1, to the Greek Cypriot government on the divided island of Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots claim the missiles will only defend their section of the island against the Turks occupying the northern section, but the missiles' 150 kilometer range reaches far beyond the island and into southern Turkey, where they could seriously complicate Turkish air maneuverability. The Turkish government appears to take the threat of these missiles very seriously. It is inspecting, on various pretexts, ships going through the Bosporus and Dardanelles and has flatly warned that it will not allow the missiles to be deployed. At the end of January 1998, Primakov stated that Russia intends to honor the missile deal in the absence of an agreement on the demilitarization of Cyprus20—something to which Turks are very unlikely to agree. If the missile deal does go through and the Turks make good on their threats to destroy the missiles, they possibly would kill a number of Russian technicians in the process. This may well lead to a showdown in the Russian foreign policy establishment with those favoring improved economic ties with Turkey clashing with those, such as Primakov, who seek the geopolitical advantages of an alignment with Greece.
These many conflicting interests go far to explain why Russia's policy toward Turkey has not been coherent, and why it appears to have become even less coherent since Primakov took power. In January 1997, the arms firm Rosvooruzheniye sold helicopters to Turkey which used them to suppress the Kurdish rebellion even as the foreign ministry allowed Kurdish nationalists to hold formal conferences in Moscow. Looking at recent Russian-Turkish relations suggests that Russia's right hand doesn't know, or doesn't care, what its left hand is doing.
The relationship with Israel also reflects a conflict between Russians with economic interests versus the hard-liners and geo-politicians. In this case, the latter came to the fore only when Primakov, an advocate of close relations with the Arabs, became foreign minister.
Russia has a number of interests in Israel. Their growing trade crossed the $500 million mark in 1995, making Israel its second trade partner in the Middle East. A close relationship with Israel enables Russia to play (or appear to play) a leading role in the Arab-Israeli peace process, enabling Yeltsin to demonstrate to his critics that Russia remains a factor in world politics. The more than 800,000 Russian-speaking Jews now resident in Israel make that country the largest Russian-speaking diaspora outside the former Soviet Union, which has led to very significant ties in the areas of cultural exchange and tourism. Also, the fact that many of the workers in Israel's aircraft industry had experience in the Soviet military-industrial complex makes the Russian military-industrial complex increasingly interested in co-producing military aircraft with Israel.
Kozyrev's tenure saw relatively few disputes with Israel, though Israel did express displeasure at Russian arms sales to Iran. Moscow adopted a very even-handed approach when disputes between Israel and Arabs took place, as in Lebanon. It strongly supported the Oslo I and Oslo II accords as well as the 1994 peace treaty between Israel and Jordan. When Primakov took over, the Foreign Ministry adopted a far more critical tone. As the Israeli-Palestinian peace process floundered, Primakov thrust Russia forward as a mediator—both to gain world recognition for Russia's increased diplomatic role and to reduce Arab dependence on the United States. The result was a chilling of Russian-Israeli political relations as Primakov severely criticized Israeli policy both toward Lebanon and toward the Palestinians. Adding to the strain, Russia has engaged in serious discussions with Syria about new arms sales.
As in the case of Russia's relations with Turkey, relations with Israel may increasingly become a battleground within the foreign policy establishment. On the one side stand those interested in good economic and even military-technical relations with Israel; on the other are those seeking political advantages through a closer relationship with the Arabs. During the period that Chubais and Nemtzov were allied with such business magnates as Berezovsky, it appeared that the first group would prevail over the second. The split between the reformers and Berezovsky during the late summer of 1997, however, seems to have given Primakov more room to maneuver. Still, the outcome of the struggle over Russian foreign policymaking is still very much in doubt, particularly with the reformers again growing in influence.
Primakov has adopted two main strategies to compensate for his state's weaknesses. First, he has sought out foreign allies with similar interests, such as France, so that Russia need not act alone. In the Iranian case this strategy has met with success; in the Iraqi crisis of February 1998 it did not (the U.N. Secretary General had to intervene to save Russia from a possible diplomatic fiasco).
Second, to achieve a modicum of cohesion, he has (like Kozyrev before him) lined up as many as possible of the quasi-independent actors in favor of a particular policy. In the case of policy toward Iran and Iraq, both of them put together a coalition consisting of nationalists in the Duma, energy companies, the atomic energy ministry, the ministry of foreign economic relations and the Russian arms sales agency, Rosvooruzheniye. Consequently, policy toward Iran since 1992 has been coherent. In the case of Iraq, they both constructed a similar grouping of Duma nationalists, oil companies, Rosvooruzheniye, and the Treasury. Here too, since 1993, policy has been relatively coherent.
In contrast, policy toward Turkey and Israel has been incoherent. In the case of Turkey, the contradictions that existed during Kozyrev's era have been exacerbated under Primakov. Major Russian financial powers such as Gasprom have been directly at odds with the Foreign Ministry. Even worse, without apparent political supervision, Rosvooruzheniye has proved willing to sell arms both to the Turks and the Greek Cypriots. When it comes to Israel, the once-warm diplomatic relations of the Kozyrev era have become badly strained under Primakov, although cultural, economic and even military cooperation has increased. Still, the internal conflict has not been quite so sharp as the Turkish case: Gasprom, the financial magnates, and even some arms producers seek good ties with Israel, while the foreign ministry increasingly sides with the Arab states.
These divisions have not yet led to a serious crisis but could cause Russia problems in the future. Two circumstances are most likely. First, war between the United States and Iraq would, in all likelihood, puncture the Russian diplomatic balloon for it will have shown Primakov's efforts to have been hollow. If this happens, Moscow will be diplomatically sidelined in the Middle East (much as happened in the aftermath of the Kuwait war of 1991). Second, a direct military confrontation between Turkey and Russia might occur, which could shake Russia to its core, unless the bifurcated policy toward Turkey ends.
However much Primakov may strut about the world stage, Russian diplomacy will be little more than a phenomenon of movement without substance until Yeltsin better controls the disparate elements in the Russian foreign policymaking establishment and Russia rebuilds its economic and military strength.
1 Kommersant, Aug. 23, 1995, in Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press (hereafter CDSP), vol. 47, no. 34 (1995): 25.
2 Cited in Gligori@aol.æcom (an on-line service specializing in Caucasian and Central Asian affairs), Mar. 18, 1998.
3 Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Dec. 26, 1996, in CDSP, vol. 48, no. 52 (1997): 6.
4 The Wall Street Journal, Mar. 11, 1998.
5 Financial Times, Mar. 26, 1998.
6 The Washington Post, Apr. 25, 1998.
7 Izvestia, Feb. 14, 1998, in CDSP, vol. 50, no. 7 (1998): 17.
Russia List," #2177, May 14, 1998, p. 5, at David [email protected].
9 Robert O. Freedman, "Russian Policy toward the Middle East under Yeltsin," The Middle East and the Peace Process, ed. Robert O. Freedman (Gainesville, Fla.: University Press of Florida, 1998), pp. 387-388.
10 The Washington Post, Nov. 13, 1997.
11 Kommersant, Mar. 26, 1997, in CDSP, vol. 49, no. 12 (1997): 19.
12 The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 26, 1995.
13 Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Nov. 28, 1997, in CDSP, vol. 49, no. 48 (1997): 11.
14 The Washington Post, Feb. 6, 1998.
15 This was also due to the weakened state of Islam after more than seventy years of Soviet rule; the leaders of the Muslim successor states were all secular Muslims and the chances for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution were very low. Some skeptics argue, however, that Iranian hard-liners are waiting for Islam to mature in these countries before trying to stimulate Islamic revolutions.
16 The New York Times, Nov. 18, 1997, and Kommersant, Jan. 27, 1998, in CDSP, vol. 50, no. 4 (1998): 22.
17 Interviews by the author in Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya, Turkey, June 14-28, 1996; and The Turkish Times, June 23, 1996.
18 Itar-Tass, Nov. 3, 1997, cited in [email protected], Nov. 12, 1997.
19 Moscow News, Dec. 25, 1997-Jan. 8, 1998, p. 61.
20 Financial Times, Jan. 28, 1998.
21 Izvestia, June 20, 1997, in CDSP, vol. 49, no. 25 (1997): 28.
22 The Washington Post, Aug. 21, 1997.
Related Topics: Russia/Soviet Union | Robert O. Freedman | September 1998 MEQ receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free mef mailing list This text may be reposted or forwarded so long as it is presented as an integral whole with complete and accurate information provided about its author, date, place of publication, and original URL. | 2019-04-22T13:05:47Z | https://www.meforum.org/405/russias-middle-east-ambitions |
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