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WASHINGTON, D.C.(The Adobo Chronicles) – It’s Déjà vu! The man who challenged Barack Obama’s citizenship is now questioning whether Republican Senator Ted Cruz is qualified to run for president.
The junior senator from Texas announced today that he was seeking the Republican nomination for president in the 2016 elections — the first major candidate to do so.
Business mogul Donald Trump, who makes no secret about his intention to run for president in 2016, said today that Cruz, who was born in Canada, is not eligible to run for president because he wasn’t born in the United States.
“I don’t even need to see his birth certificate,” Trump said, ” since he has admitted that he was born in Canada.”
Responding to Trump’s pronouncement, Cruz countered by saying, “Mr. Trump must not know his geography. Yes, I was born in Canada which is in North America. Ergo, I am American and very well qualified to run for U.S. president.”
“On the other hand,” the Texas senator said, “I haven’t seen Mr. Trump’s birth certificate. He doesn’t look American to me. I think he’s been dyeing his weird hair blonde, and wearing colored contacts to look American.”
“Don’t show me your money; show me your birth certificate,” Cruz challenged Trump.
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German firm Hipp says one in four consumers now grown-ups who find baby food easier to swallow and digest
Can't be bothered to chew your food? Too tired to cook and looking for a quick meal? It seems that in such circumstances a growing number of adults may consider opening a jar of baby food.
The world's largest baby food manufacturer, Hipp, has said an increasing number of adults are turning to its pre-cooked, pureed meals because they find them easier to swallow and digest.
About a quarter of those who eat the Bavaria-based firm's 100 varieties of pulped meals – from apple and cranberry breakfast to vegetable and beef hotpot – are adults, it says.
Claus Hipp said in recent years his firm's products had grown in popularity, particularly among elderly people, with stewed apple said to be a favourite.
He said the 50-year-old company – the world's largest producer of baby food, with 46% of the market – was increasingly turning its attention to the adult market rather than babies as Europe's population ages.
"Not so long ago, we had twice as many births as now, and that, of course, has a knock-on effect. As our society gets ever older, baby food is showing that it has a future in the adult market," Hipp said at a company birthday celebration.
Despite the fact that birth rates have dropped in most European countries, most notably in Germany, the company's profits rose by €90m last year to €500m (£450m).
A million and a half jars of baby food come off the Hipp production line every day. Hipp said calorie-conscious new mothers saw the meals – which are low in fat, sugar and salt – as a way to help them lose weight after giving birth and were among new customers it had won in recent years. Sportsmen and women looking for a light meal are believed to favour the jars, too.
The company, which recommends its organic meals to babies "at the start of weaning to three years of age", and makes no mention on its packaging of anyone above that age, said it had no intention of relaunching the products for a separate market.
"Older people can often cope with the mashed baby food better than regular meals, but we're not planning to change our advertising to target them … we want to keep our baby image," said Hipp, whose father, Georg, started putting baby food in jars in 1960.
Eileen Steinbock, of the British Dietetic Association, said pureed food could benefit people whose ability to swallow had been greatly reduced through old age, dementia or a stroke, and was already in widespread use in care homes.
But people who could still chew and swallow should continue to do so for as long as possible, she added.
"I wouldn't like to see people being given pureed food just because it's easier for a carer to give it to them that way. It should only be given when it's appropriate or essential," she said.
In addition, the protein content of food declines when it is pureed because extra water is added to help liquify it, leaving it with fewer calories. "That would be a bad thing because a lot of people who require pureed food find it hard to eat enough and are quite likely to be nutritionally compromised and possibly even malnourished," she added. |
(Photo: AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Representative Trey Gowdy questions former CIA Director John Brennan during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on May 23, 2017.
Representative Trey Gowdy, Republican of South Carolina, has a very important job: preserving the presidency of a man whose campaign featured individuals who had contacts with likely agents of a foreign adversary that intelligence officials say interfered in the 2016 presidential election. That interference favored the election of Donald J. Trump—or, at the very least, was designed to damage his opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Gowdy’s job of late has been getting tougher, what with The Washington Post’s revelation on May 22 that Trump had called Dan Coats, director of national intelligence, and Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency, “urging them to publicly deny the existence of any evidence of collusion during the 2016 election,” according to the Post.
Then there’s the Senate subpoena of documents from former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who served as a Trump campaign surrogate, regarding his contacts with agents of foreign governments (including Russia). On Tuesday, Flynn’s attorneys informed the Senate Intelligence Committee that the former Trump flunky was refusing to provide the subpoenaed documents to the committee, invoking the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.
On that very same day, John Brennan, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, appeared before the House Intelligence Committee, saying, as quoted in The New York Times, that he “had unresolved questions in my mind as to whether or not the Russians had been successful in getting U.S. persons involved in the campaign or not to work on their behalf.”
Gowdy, a member of the committee, couldn’t wait to pounce—especially on that “unresolved” piece of things.
Willfully refusing to accept the fact that the CIA does not conduct criminal investigations, Gowdy tried to paint the former spy chief as a partisan player by demanding “evidence” of collusion between members of the Trump campaign and Russia, and insisting that Brennan reveal, in a public session, information that Brennan said was classified: the names of the Trump associates whose contacts with Russian figures the CIA had chronicled. A perfect stooge for the quisling from Queens who is now the commander in chief, one has to admire how compatible Gowdy’s disregard for classified information is with that of Trump.
Here’s a brief excerpt of Gowdy’s badgering, taken from a CNN transcript:
BRENNAN: I saw information and intelligence that was worthy of investigation by the Bureau to determine whether or not such cooperation or conclusion [sic] was taking place. GOWDY: That doesn’t help us a lot. What was the nature of the information? BRENNAN: As I said, Mr. Gowdy, I think this committee now has access to the type of information that I’m alluding to here. It’s classified and I’m happy to talk about it in classified session. GOWDY: And that would’ve been directly between the candidate and Russian state actors? BRENNAN: That’s not what I said. I’m not going to talk about any individuals ... (CROSSTALK) GOWDY: But—but that was—but that was my question, and—and—and you answered it. You didn’t answer it that way. BRENNAN: I—no, I responded to your query. I’m not going to respond to particular elements of your question because I think it would be inappropriate for me to do so here. GOWDY: So the answer... (CROSSTALK) BRENNAN: So I can only repeat what I said, which is that I was aware of intelligence and information about contacts between Russian officials and U.S. persons that raised concerns in my mind about whether or not those individuals were cooperating with the Russians, either in a witting or unwitting fashion, and it served as the basis for the FBI investigation to determine whether such collusion—cooperation occurred.
Later in the hearing, Representative Tom Rooney, Republican of Florida, asked Brennan, “Can you tell us whether or not, from the information that you’ve looked at, it looks like the intelligence shows that Moscow was actually rooting for Donald Trump or were they rooting against Hillary Clinton?”
“I think my assessment was [that] it was both,” Brennan replied.
The same could be said for Trey Gowdy, who famously tried to tarnish the reputation of Clinton with an “investigation” of the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which took place during her tenure as secretary of state. Gowdy’s tribunal is estimated to have cost taxpayers as much as $7 million, only to come up empty of evidence that Clinton was either negligent or complicit in the attack by anti-government terrorists. The investigation was undertaken as Clinton was preparing for her presidential run.
There’s an old saying attributed to W.C. Fields: “If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”
That’s why Gowdy is trying to make it look as though the former CIA director’s refusal to say he saw actual collusion—which is not his determination to make—amounts to proof that none took place.
Oh, I know you’re not baffled by Gowdy’s cow-pies, but his show isn’t intended for you. It’s for Trump’s electoral base, the frothing-at-the-mouth types who show up at his rallies. To maintain their majority in the House of Representatives, the Republicans must prod those people to the polls in the 2018 midterm elections.
Should that majority slip from their hands, it’s likely only a matter of time before articles of impeachment are drawn up by the Democrats.
And that’s why he badgered Brennan: It’s a wink to the base that implies Brennan is some kind of partisan hack, for the simple reason that he was appointed to his post at the top of the spy agency by the despised Barack Obama, the man Trump falsely claimed had usurped the presidency.
In the ruthlessly gerrymandered districts of states run by Republicans, running against the first African American president—even one no longer in office—is a pretty strategic plan. Even brilliant, perhaps. |
The cast and crew of Australian drama Blinder have shown courage in confronting complex issues head on. And with that courage should come the conviction to admit they got it very, very wrong.
“You’ve got all the skank you need right here,” the sexy love interest of footy kicking protagonist Tom Dunn (Oliver Ackland) seductively intones as she yanks her shirt off in the bedroom.
“You’re the only goal I haven’t scored,” says fellow Torquay Tigers team member Franky (Angus Sampson) to a female umpire.
“How big is your dick?” a young child yells mid-game, joshing from the sidelines.
Welcome to Blinder, Australian writer/director Richard Gray’s small town footy drama produced by AFL greats Glenn Archer, Adrian Gleeson and Sam Kekovich. The film is a mixture of morbid “what happened that night” mystery and “win at all costs” ra ra ra.
Featuring a huff-and-puff performance from veteran Jack Thompson, returning to the cinematic oval as a coach three decades after Bruce Beresford’s The Club (1980), Blinder is a celebration of the wonderful things that make Australian football culture what it is today.
Training with your mates. Kicking around a funny shaped ball. Lunging into the air to take spectacular marks. Celebrating victories and mourning losses. Drinking heavily. Consuming drugs. Getting into fistfights.
And sexually abusing teenage girls.
The poster tagline for Blinder reads: “Play hard. Give everything. Never cross the line.”
More than a mite ironic, then, that in the misogyny sweepstakes the characters and filmmakers of this morally reprehensible production didn’t just cross it. They turned around. They threw up on it.
This bit of dialogue from Love Story is a famous one, immortalised in the film lexicon. It could have been the inspiration for a more appropriate tagline for Blinder, which may have read something like: “Statutory rape means barely having to say you’re sorry.”
The film’s opening reels show Sampson in a yellow clown wig. He drinks, licks the walls and falls into a swimming pool. Cut to the next day and Tom, the team captain, crashes his car when he sees the front page of the local rag.
The newspaper reveals pictures of him slumped in a seat with a woman on his lap, and another of his team mates having sex with a 15-year-old girl. Tom and his friend are 18.
Instead of informing viewers what happened that fateful, drug-fueled, rape-full night, Gray and a handful of screenwriters tease it out and treat it as a mystery. In the meantime the story jumps between Tom returning back to the town ten years later (when he hears news Coach Chang is now bellowing pep talks in that great big oval in the sky) and the season leading up to that Big Incident.
There are exercise and training montages. Mateship and camaraderie. A smattering of cliche “give it all you’ve got” motivational speeches.
In one scene the primary perpetrator of the abuse of the young girl, who is warned off making a move but nevertheless approaches her with the sick gleam of a butcher eyeing a juicy hunk of meat, is literally lifted up by his peers, celebrated as the bloke who won the match.
Excuse us for not wanting to barrack from the sidelines.
Without a trace of self-awareness, Blinder stakes its claim as one of the most perverse twists on sports movie conventions you will ever see, earnestly inviting the audience to join the on field “excitement” and — wait for it — to egg on suspected sex offenders.
Did the cast and crew honestly think viewers would want to chant “win, rapist, win!”?
A more enticing proposition would have been to have us cheering in a different place, for a different team. Like, for example, in court. For the prosecution.
Last year, in the thick of a national debate about misogyny, some commentators accused Andrew Dominik’s male-dominated gangster drama Killing Them Softly of sexism, linking characters and context to the film itself — a brutally honest criticism of the depraved sexist state of an economically and morally vulnerable America. If you “want” real on-screen misogyny, you’re unlikely to find it in social allegory.
But here it is, laid bare in Blinder, a film that not only features misogynistic characters but, by way of its structure and dramatic emphasis, is also deeply misogynistic as a work of art.
A bizarre amount of weight is devoted to the question of why a young woman had the nerve to leak controversial photographs to the press. More, in fact, than the question of why a 15-year-old girl was sexually abused in the first place — and the culture that allowed such a thing to happen.
The screenplay cares deeply about who submitted photos to the media, and the damage done. There is an ongoing implication of guilt on the young woman’s behalf, even a scene in which she apologosies for compromising the footy career of a sex offender. A considerable chunk of the story revolves around the question: why did this girl leak the story?
And, of course, how dare she?
The message to any footy player who has been caught out sexually abusing somebody and has the gall to complain about how their career has subsequently suffered should be simple: “screw you.”
One might be tempted to add: “for a change.”
In one of Blinder’s many inane pep talks, spurring his team mates on to raise hell on the field, the protagonist speaks of “experiencing pain like you’ve never felt before.”
Indeed, these blokes have almost certainly never felt the pain and anguish that lingers at the heart of this unconscionable coastal-set drama. It’s the young lady who was drugged, taken advantage of and ridiculed as a slut who felt something they never will. The girl who wasn’t, unlike her rapist, lifted up and championed by her peers. The wretched creature who submitted photos to the paper.
Last month, interviewed by the Herald-Sun, Glenn Archer said Blinder was “an important story in the end to say if you take drugs, shit can happen.”
The AFL great saw a different film to the one that opens in Australian cinemas this Thursday. If you thought Archer understood the themes of the production he partly financed, you’d be wrong.
In Richard Gray’s defence, despite a horrifying end result, the three-time filmmaker did not make a black and white “drugs are bad mmmkay” propaganda film. Nor did he tell a narrative as trivial as “shit can happen.”
Blinder is about rape and loss of innocence. It is — or rather, it should have been — about how the stains of some crimes, moral or legal, can never be wiped away no matter how hard you scrub at them. Moments in life when you realise the only way to move forward is to be contrite. To acknowledge you’ve made a mistake.
Although Gray clumsily attempts to give his protagonist a pass-card (aka a deus ex machina) for that fateful night by having him drugged by his mates, thus apparently absolving himself of responsibility, he and the cast and crew have shown courage in tackling complex issues head on. For that they deserve acknowledgement.
But with that courage should come the conviction to admit they got it wrong. That their exploration of guilt, oddly married to a “yee-haw” sports movie, ended up misogynistic. The audience deserve that much. More importantly, so do victims of sexual abuse.
Blinder could have been a powerful and condemnatory drama that acknowledged the many virtues of football culture while slamming its seedy underbelly, praising the positive elements of the game while tsk-tsking the morally dubious culture surrounding it.
Perhaps the film could have been a game-changer in terms of public attitudes — or, at the very least, a conversation starter. But that film wouldn’t have been produced by AFL luminaries. It would have had to come from the outside.
On the other hand, perhaps Blinder is the greatest representation of the sick machismo sweltering at the heart of AFL culture, in the sense that it comes from a culture so deeply misogynistic nobody even realised they were doing wrong.
Blinder isn’t exactly what a sport beleaguered by an endless smattering of scandals involving drugs, violence and sex needed to help clean up its image: a sports film in which the female characters are served up like cheap fish food and sex offenders are celebrated.
Oh, and in case you were worried whether Lady Luck would ever again bat her eyelids at the protagonist of Blinder, don’t be.
He gets the girl in the end.
Blinder’s Australian theatrical release date: March 7, 2013.
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When vigilante militiamen stormed this farming town in western Mexico this month, a killer for the Knights Templar drug cartel pushed out of a house with a bazooka. But with training from ex-soldiers, the militiamen rapidly shot the gangster dead before he could unleash the rocket and he fell onto the dirt street, his lifeless finger touching the edge of the trigger. The vigilantes now defend the rim of the town, bearing Kalashnikovs behind barricades of sandbags, watching for Knights Templar snipers. They soon hope to advance into the nearby town of Apatzingan, the bastion of the Knights Templar, to deliver the deathblow to their enemy.
Led by farmers, shopkeepers, doctors and taxi-drivers, vigilante militias have turned the tables on one of Mexico’s most ruthless cartels, the Knights Templar, a gang that names itself after medieval crusaders to appear brave and righteous even as it traffics crystal meth. The offensive has changed the face of the country’s drug war inspiring optimism that cartels who rule by terror can be defeated when the people rise up against them. But the vigilantes’ success has also sparked fear of spreading justice at the barrel of a gun.
Known as autodefensas – or self defense squads — the vigilantes first emerged in indigenous villages in Michoacan state in 2011. But in recent months, they have mushroomed to have thousands of combatants across Michoacan and neighboring Guerrero state, advancing into towns, villages and ranches, where they are shooting dead cartel operatives, destroying narco symbols and declaring the communities liberated. Thousands of police and soldiers have been sent to Michoacan but they have neither disarmed the militias nor stopped their advance. Instead, the government has tried to legalize the militias while soldiers have led a new offensive against the cartel, arresting more than 150 of its operatives, including a leader, Dionisio Loya Plancarte, alias “The Uncle,” who was caught hiding in a closet on Monday.
The meteoric rise of the vigilantes owes much to the way the Knights Templar preyed on the communities they controlled, extorting, kidnapping and raping. While still a major exporter of crystal meth to the United States, the Knights had diversified its crime portfolio, shaking down businesses large and small. In the “liberated” towns, residents reveal how far the Knights dominated their lives. Farmers of avocados and limes had to pay a quota for every kilo they produced; corn growers were forced to sell their maize cheaply to the criminals, who sold it at double the price to tortilla makers; people who owed money had to hand their entire homes to the cartel, who brought notaries to sign over the titles. Those who stood against the gangsters risked being tortured, sometimes publicly, or decapitated.
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“They had our lives completely controlled. They knew about everything we did and we were always scared of being beaten or murdered,” says Salvador Esquivel, a commander in the vigilantes helping defend Paracuaro. Last year, Esquivel’s own brother, a state legislator, was hacked to death by alleged Knights Templar bearing machetes. “This is a fight for justice, because the government has never given that to us,” Esquivel says.
The Knights Templar also tried to control the community’s spiritual life. Its founder Nazario Moreno, alias “The Maddest One,” wrote a book of quasi-religious ideas called Mis Pensamientos, or my thoughts, which includes a mix of self help Christianity and peasant revolutionary politics. “It is better to be a master of one peso than a slave of two,” he wrote in one passage. Federal police reportedly killed Moreno in a gun-battle in Apatzingan in 2010, although Knights Templar operatives made away with his body. Following the alleged death, the gangsters began to venerate Moreno as a saint, painting images of him in medieval garb, a red cross on his chest. As the vigilantes have advanced into towns, they have smashed up shrines to Moreno and unearthed statues of him decorated in gold and diamonds. The vigilantes have also taken control of the homes of Knights Templar leaders, which boast luxury swimming pools and bars, in contrast to the shacks of many poor day laborers living nearby.
The administration of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has taken a mixed position on the vigilantes. Last year, federal police arrested dozens of militiamen in Michoacan, accusing them of working for the rival Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The vigilantes deny any cartel backing and have been lobbying for their companions’ release. On Jan. 14, soldiers attempted to disarm some vigilantes in the town of Actunez, provoking a shooting that killed several people. Since then, soldiers and federal police have taken no action against the militias and in many areas roadblocks manned by vigilantes stand meters away from roadblocks manned by police.
On Monday, the government signed an agreement with one of the most prominent vigilante leaders to incorporate the militias into a Rural Defense Corps, under the command of the army. The rural corps has existed for decades as a part time force supporting security in the countryside. “Those that have the vocation to participate in security matters, which is the principle that the self defense squads have claimed, should do it within institutions that are established by law,” Pena Nieto told reporters.
However, there are doubts about whether such an agreement will be legal or functional.
New vigilante cells are emerging in towns and villages across Michoacan and Guerrero every few days and there is little control of who lines up in the ranks. Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director of Human Rights Watch, warned of the spiraling growth of paramilitaries akin to those in Colombia who trafficked drugs and carried out kidnappings. “It is very easy to fall into this type of model where a Frankenstein, with no government controls, is created,” Vivanco says.
In the central square of Paracuaro, a vigilante leader who goes by the nom de guerre Comandante Cinco confessed to shooting dead several alleged gangsters. “We have to kill them. If they captured me, do you think they would let me live?” says the militiaman, who sported a bulletproof vest, assault rifle and a baseball cap stitched with his comandante name.
The vigilante leader explained that they are financed by donations from residents and businessmen, who prefer to support the vigilantes than pay protection to the cartel’s toughs. Some of their weapons are bought in the United States and smuggled south, he said, and others have been seized from the Knights Templar. Many of the farmers learned to shoot in hunting clubs, he says, while the vigilantes also trained with some members who had served in the Mexican army.
However, the vigilante commander says he would happily lay down his gun and return home once the Knights Templar are definitively destroyed. “I never imagined I would be fighting like this. The situation forced me to do it,” he says. “I have ranches with limes that I have to work on. But the Knights Templar won’t let me live in peace.”
Contact us at [email protected]. |
Walcott is a product of the Southampton Academy and started his career with Southampton before joining Arsenal for £5 million in 2006. His speedy pace and ball crossing led his manager Arsène Wenger to deploy him on the wing for most of his career. Walcott has been played as a striker since the 2012–13 season when he was Arsenal's top scorer, [4] [5] and he has scored more than 100 goals for the club. [6]
"I was playing in a tournament for Swindon when Southampton and Chelsea showed an interest. Chelsea invited me to be a ball-boy for a match against Liverpool and it was fantastic to meet my heroes Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler . I was a Liverpool fan simply because my dad followed them. Unfortunately I wasn't born when the team had their golden era, but I enjoyed watching the likes of Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman when I was growing up. When Liverpool won the Champions League last year, [11] I went mad. I was shouting so loud I think I woke up the entire village where I live!" [12]
Walcott was born to a black British Jamaican father and a white English mother. [10] He grew up as a Liverpool fan due to his father's support of Liverpool. When Chelsea asked him to be a ball boy, he used the opportunity to meet his Liverpool idols:
Early career
Walcott was born in Stanmore, London,[13] but grew up in Compton, Berkshire. He attended Compton Church of England Primary School and The Downs School, playing football for the local village team and later for Newbury. Walcott scored more than 100 goals in his one and only season for Newbury, before leaving there for Swindon Town.[14] He spent only six months there before leaving for Southampton after he rejected a chance to join Chelsea.[15] Nike agreed to a sponsorship deal with Walcott when he was fourteen years old.[16]
Southampton
In the 2004–05 season, Walcott starred in the Southampton youth team that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup against Ipswich Town.[17] In addition, he became the youngest person to play in the Southampton reserve team, at 15 years and 175 days, when he came off the bench against Watford in September 2004.[18] However, he did not play in the Premier League, and Southampton were relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2004–05 season.[16]
Before the start of the 2005–06 season, Walcott linked up with the first-team's tour of Scotland, just two weeks after leaving school.[19] He became the youngest-ever player with the Southampton first team, at 16 years and 143 days, after coming on as a substitute in Southampton's 0–0 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship.[20]
Walcott made his full first-team debut away to Leeds United on 18 October 2005, and became Southampton's youngest senior goalscorer after 25 minutes of the 2–1 defeat.[21] He scored again away at Millwall four days later, and yet again in his full home debut against Stoke City the following Saturday.[22][23] His rapid rise to fame also led him to be named amongst the top three finalists for the prestigious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award on 11 December 2005.[24]
Arsenal
2005–06 season
Walcott playing for Arsenal in 2007
Walcott transferred to Arsenal on 20 January 2006, for a fee of £5 million, rising to £12 million depending on appearances for club and country.[25][26] The original fee, payable by instalments reported in The Times as £5 million down, five increments of £1 million to be paid after each set of ten Premier League appearances, and £2 million in "bonus payments",[27] was revised down to £9.1 million in a compromise settlement agreed in March 2008.[28] Walcott initially joined as a scholar, having agreed to sign a professional contract on his 17th birthday on 16 March 2006.[25] In September 2008, manager Arsène Wenger confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool had all been interested in signing him.[29]
2006–07 season
Walcott made his Premier League debut on 19 August 2006, the first day of the 2006–07 season, coming on as a substitute against Aston Villa and setting up a goal for Gilberto Silva.[30] His next appearance was four days later in the Champions League, in the second leg of Arsenal's third qualifying round match against Dinamo Zagreb;[31] he became the youngest ever Arsenal player to appear in European competition, a record since beaten by Jack Wilshere.[32] Within minutes of coming on, Walcott received his first yellow card in Arsenal colours for taking a shot several seconds after the referee had already blown for offside.[31][33] During stoppage time, his cross beat the Dinamo defence and Mathieu Flamini scored, giving Arsenal a 2–1 win, their first in the new Emirates Stadium, and giving Walcott his second assist in two substitute appearances.[34] His first start came in a home league match against Watford on 14 October 2006.[35] Walcott's exploits with Arsenal and England earned him the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award at the end of 2006.[8]
Walcott warming up with Arsenal in 2007
Walcott's first goal for Arsenal came in the 2007 League Cup Final against Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on 25 February 2007. His 12th-minute strike was overshadowed by events later on in the match: John Terry was knocked unconscious, Didier Drogba scored twice to give Chelsea a 2–1 victory and three players were sent off following a mass brawl.[36] A persistent shoulder injury limited his performance, and Arsène Wenger said that after the injury, he was "he was 50 per cent of what he was before."[37]
2007–08 season
Walcott's first home goals of the 2007–08 season were scored in a Champions League match against Slavia Prague, which Arsenal won 7–0; he also set up a goal for Cesc Fàbregas.[38] Walcott scored his first two Premier League goals in a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrew's on 23 February 2008.[39] In the Champions League quarter-final on 8 April, Walcott "beat six Liverpool defenders during a magical run from inside his own half before squaring for [Emmanuel] Adebayor to sidefoot home" for a late equaliser, but Liverpool scored twice more to take the match 4–2 and the tie 5–3 on aggregate.[40] A couple of weeks later, Wenger claimed that Walcott had made the shift from boy to man, but was not yet a monster.[41] He finished the season with seven goals in all competitions and four in the league.[42]
2008–09 season
For the 2008–09 season, Walcott changed his shirt number from 32 to 14, as previously worn by his idol, Thierry Henry. He had wanted number 8, but that had already been taken by Samir Nasri.[43] He established himself as a first-team regular, starting many matches on the right of midfield or on the wing.[citation needed] On 18 October, Walcott scored his first Premier League goal of the season, Arsenal's third as they came back from 1–0 down to beat Everton 3–1.[44] Three days later, he scored Arsenal's second in a 5–2 win away to Fenerbahçe in the 2008–09 Champions League, rounding the goalkeeper before finishing from a tight angle.[45]
Walcott dislocated his right shoulder in November while training with England for a friendly against Germany.[46] He underwent surgery to correct a hereditary weakness, and returned to action in March, but at the end of the season he still felt that it was hampering his performance.[47] In April 2009, he scored against Wigan Athletic,[44] before, four days later in the Champions League quarter-final second leg, he gave his team a 10th-minute lead against Villarreal after receiving a pass from Fàbregas and flicking the ball over the goalkeeper. Arsenal won 4–1 on aggregate.[48]
In the next match, an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, Walcott put Arsenal ahead in the first half, although they eventually lost 2–1.[44] Three days later, Walcott came off to the bench to run half the length of the field before squaring for Andrey Arshavin to put Arsenal 4–3 up against Liverpool in the 90th minute; the match finished 4–4.[49] In May 2009 he signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.[50]
2009–10 season
Walcott playing for Arsenal in 2010
Walcott's 2009–10 season was marred by injury: he made only 15 starts in all competitions.[51] Problems with lower back, knee and hamstring meant he did not play a full 90 minutes until 9 December, against Olympiacos in the Champions League, as Arsenal, already qualified for the knockout stages, fielded the youngest team ever to start a match in that competition.[52] On 6 March 2010, Walcott scored his second goal of the season against Burnley in a 3–1 victory to give Arsenal a decisive lead, with a left-footed effort from the edge of the box, after cutting inside from the right flank.[53]
For the first hour of the Champions League quarter-final first leg, Arsenal were outclassed by Barcelona, although only two goals behind. Walcott's appearance off the bench was the turning point. He scored within three minutes of entering the match, "brought speed and fearlessness to the hosts' attacks", and was involved in the move that led to Fàbregas' equaliser from the penalty spot.[54] After much debate,[citation needed] Wenger reacted to Walcott's performance by starting him in the second leg. According to BBC Sport's match report, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola "anticipated his inclusion by bringing in the pacy Eric Abidal" to mark him, and Walcott's main contribution was to set up Nicklas Bendtner's opening goal in a 4–1 defeat.[55]
2010–11 season
Walcott's start to the 2010–11 season was particularly successful, winning Arsenal's Player of the Month vote in August by a landslide.[56] In the second match of the new Premier League season, Walcott scored the first hat-trick of his club career as Arsenal beat newly promoted Blackpool 6–0.[57] On 27 December 2010, he scored a goal and made an assist to help beat Chelsea 3–1 in what Arsène Wenger dubbed a "must-win" match.[58][59]
Interviewed after Arsenal's FA Cup third-round tie against Leeds United in January 2011, Walcott admitted diving in the last minute of the match in an unsuccessful attempt to win a penalty kick. He was fouled soon afterwards, legitimately winning a penalty which was converted by Fàbregas to secure a draw and a replay of the fixture[60] – which Arsenal won.[61] On 21 February, during the 1–0 victory against Stoke City, Walcott caught his studs in the turf, sustaining an ankle injury that ruled him out of the League Cup final and the Champions League last-16 second leg against Barcelona.[62] On the last day of the season, he came off the bench to score the equaliser in a 2–2 draw away to Fulham,[63] and ended up with a then career high of 9 goals in the Premier League and 13 in all competitions.[6]
2011–12 season
Walcott (right) playing for Arsenal in 2011
On 16 August, Walcott scored his first goal of the season in the first leg of a Champions League qualifying match against Udinese, giving a vital 1–0 win to Arsenal to carry on into the second leg of the tie.[64] Walcott scored again in the second leg as Arsenal came from behind to win 2–1 and 3–1 on aggregate which helped Arsenal secure qualification for the lucrative group stage of the competition for the 14th straight season.[65] Walcott scored Arsenal's first goal in the 2011–12 Premier League campaign against Manchester United though this was a mere consolation as Arsenal lost 8–2.[66] He netted his fourth goal on 29 October in a 5–3 win at Chelsea where he picked up the ball on the wing, slipped, then got up and jinked past two Chelsea players before scoring.[67]
Walcott scored his first goal of 2012 in the 3–2 defeat at Swansea City, chipping the ball over Swans goalkeeper Michel Vorm.[68] On 4 February 2012, he was involved in the build-up for three goals in the 7–1 home victory against Blackburn Rovers, setting up two goals for Robin van Persie and one for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.[69] On 26 February, Walcott scored two second-half goals against Tottenham Hotspur to help them win 5–2 after being 0–2 down in the North London derby.[70] On 24 March, Walcott scored Arsenal's second goal in a 3–0 home win over Aston Villa before being substituted by Oxlade-Chamberlain on the 78th minute.[71] An injury in a 0–0 draw with Chelsea on 21 April looked set to rule Walcott out for the rest of the season but he was able to return in a substitute appearance on the last day of the season in a 3–2 win for Arsenal over West Bromwich Albion.[72]
2012–13 season
Walcott playing for Arsenal in 2012
On 15 September 2012, Walcott came on as a substitute for Gervinho and scored his first goal of the season in a 6–1 win over his former club Southampton.[73] On 26 September, he scored twice in a 6–1 win against Coventry City in the League Cup.[74] On 7 October 2012 Walcott once again found the back of the net in a 3–1 away victory against West Ham United to take his number of goals already up to four.[75] On 30 October 2012, Walcott scored Arsenal's first goal in first half stoppage time and their fourth goal in second half stoppage time in a League Cup tie at Reading to help the club complete a comeback from 4–0 down to 4–4. Arsenal won 7–5 in extra time, in which Walcott completed his hat-trick and backed up his argument that he should be played as a striker.[4] Former Gunner Niall Quinn praised Walcott's performance as incredible, in what he described as "the most extraordinary game that I've seen."[76] This took him to five League Cup goals for the season, a total which would make him the top scorer in the 2012–13 competition.[77]
On 6 November, Walcott opened the scoring in the 2–2 draw at Schalke 04 in the Champions League.[78] On 17 November, Walcott scored the fifth goal in a repeat of the previous season's 5–2 win over Tottenham.[79] On 29 December, Walcott was deployed as a lone striker and scored his first Premier League hat-trick of the season and provided two assists in an emphatic 7–3 win over Newcastle United.[80][81] One of Walcott's strikes against Newcastle was voted as the Goal of the Month for November on the BBC's Match of the Day.[82]
Walcott playing for Arsenal in 2013
On 18 January 2013, Walcott ended speculation about his future when he signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Arsenal.[83] Two days later Walcott scored Arsenal's only goal in a 2–1 defeat to Chelsea.[84] This started a run of four successive matches in which he scored, with Walcott also scoring in a 5–1 win against West Ham United on 23 January,[85] a 3–2 win against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup[86] and a 2–2 draw at home to Liverpool.[87] He scored the opening goal after just 2 minutes in a 1–1 draw against Manchester United.[88] He then scored his 20th goal of the season against Queens Park Rangers after just 20 seconds. The match ended 1–0 and Walcott's goal became the fastest goal of the Premier League that season.[89] Walcott scored another goal in a 4–1 victory over Wigan Athletic which resulted in Wigan's relegation.[90] Walcott finished the season with 14 goals and 12 assists from 32 Premier League matches and scoring 21 times with 16 assists in all competitions to be Arsenal's top scorer.[5]
2013–14 season
Walcott celebrating with teammates and fans at a parade after winning the 2013–14 FA Cup
Walcott started the 2013–14 campaign in good form, registering assists against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League play-off round as well as against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League,[91] and scoring against Olympique de Marseille in the Champions League group stage.[92] He suffered an abdominal injury in late September that required surgery,[93] and was out of action for two months, returning against his former club Southampton in late November.[94]
He appeared as a substitute in Arsenal's next four fixtures, assisting goals against Cardiff City and Everton, and started his first match since returning from injury,[95][6] against Manchester City on 14 December. He scored twice against City, but could not prevent Arsenal from losing the match 6–3.[96] On 26 December, his two goals against West Ham United included the first headed goal of his club career.[97]
Walcott injured a knee late in the FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in January 2014. In response to abuse from the area holding the visiting fans while he was being stretchered off, Walcott made a hand gesture that reflected the 2–0 scoreline, and he and the stretcher-bearers were pelted with coins and other missiles thrown from that area. The Football Association "reminded him of his responsibilities", but took no further action.[98] The injury, a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee, meant he was ruled out for at least six months, so would miss the rest of the season and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[99]
2014–15 season
On 1 November 2014, Walcott came off the bench in the 81st minute during a 3–0 Premier League home victory against Burnley for his first Gunners appearance in ten months.[100] He made his first start of the season against Hull City in the third round of the FA Cup on 4 January 2015, exactly a year after sustaining his injury at the same stage of the competition.[101] On 25 January, Walcott scored his first goal of 2014–15 campaign in the second minute of Arsenal's 3–2 FA Cup fourth-round win at Brighton & Hove Albion.[102]
In February 2015, Walcott scored in successive home league victories. On 1 February 2015, Walcott netted in a 5–0 defeat of Aston Villa,[103] before scoring what proved to be the winner in a 2–1 win against Leicester City nine days later.[104]
On 17 May 2015, Walcott's deflected shot, which was registered as a Tyler Blackett own goal, rescued a point in a 1–1 draw at Manchester United.[105] One week later, in Arsenal's final match of the Premier League season, Walcott scored a 34-minute hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.[106]
On 30 May, Walcott was selected to start at centre forward for Arsenal in the 2015 FA Cup Final, scoring the opening goal in the team's 4–0 victory against Aston Villa.[107]
2015–16 season
Walcott playing for Arsenal in 2015
Ahead of the new season, it was announced that Walcott had extended his contract with Arsenal after prolonged negotiations.[108] Walcott netted twice in pre-season in wins against Everton and Wolfsburg, as Arsenal won the Premier League Asia Trophy and the Emirates Cup.[109][110] He began the 2015–16 season starting at centre forward and assisting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's winning goal in the 1–0 defeat of Chelsea in the 2015 FA Community Shield on 2 August 2015.[111][112]
On 12 September, Walcott scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 home victory against Stoke City in the 2015–16 Premier League.[113] He netted three more times in September,[114] including the opener in a 5–2 league win at Leicester City[115] and in back-to-back UEFA Champions League defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos, the latter of which he picked up an assist for an Alexis Sánchez header.[116][117] His performances saw him voted Arsenal Supporters' Player of the Month for September.[114] He registered another two assists in a 3–0 home league win over Manchester United on 4 October.[118] On 21 December, Walcott opened the scoring in a 2–1 league defeat of Manchester City at The Emirates.[119]
On 8 March, Walcott scored a brace in a 4–0 away victory over Hull City in a FA Cup replay[120][121]
2016–17 season
Walcott started Arsenal's opening match against Liverpool, in which he missed a penalty after being brought down by Alberto Moreno, however, he made-up for his earlier miss by scoring Arsenal's opener, however Arsenal still lost the match 3–4.[122] Walcott scored his second goal of the season and his 100th career goal after linking up with Alex Iwobi to chip the ball over Hull City goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović to score Arsenal's second goal in a 4–1 win.[123][124] He then netted his first Champions League goals of the season with a brace in a 2–0 win over Basel on 30 September.[125]
On 17 December 2016, Walcott scored the opening goal of a 2–1 loss at Manchester City before being substituted with a calf injury.[126] He returned on 28 January 2017, scoring a hat-trick against former club Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup at St. Mary's Stadium.[127] He scored his 100th goal for Arsenal on 20 February in the next round of the FA Cup in a 2–0 victory over Sutton United.[128] On 5 April, Walcott captained Arsenal to a 3–0 win in their league match at The Emirates against London rivals West Ham United; he scored the second goal,[129] which was his 19th and last of the season and took his total to 104.[130] He was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–1 in the 2017 FA Cup Final.[131]
2017–18 season
With the scores tied at 1–1 after normal time, Walcott converted his kick as Arsenal beat Chelsea 4–1 on penalties to win the 2017 Community Shield,[132] but throughout his last season at Arsenal, he was mainly used in the Europa League and in the EFL Cup, and he only made 6 substitute appearances in the Premier League. By October, he was increasingly on the fringes at Arsenal,[133][134] and was criticised following a poor performance when made captain in a 2–1 League Cup victory at home to Championship side Norwich City.[135] with Arsenal's second highest goalscorer Ian Wright suggesting that for Walcott's own good, he needed to leave the club,[134] a view with which Wenger disagreed.[136] Walcott did score 4 goals during his last season at the club, against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup [137], and 3 in the Europa League group stage, all coming against BATE Borisov, with 2 away[138], and 1 at home[139].
Everton
On 17 January 2018, Walcott signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Everton in what the BBC reported as "a deal worth more than £20m".[140] He made his debut for the club three days later, providing the assist for Oumar Niasse's equaliser in a 1–1 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.[141] He then recorded a brace in his next match, a 2–1 win over Leicester.[142] |
Even as voters worldwide defy the establishment and firmly reject globalism in democratic elections, seemingly tone-deaf globalists are demanding the surrender of vast new powers over taxation and national policy to the United Nations. If the UN is allowed to usurp the draconian powers demanded, freedom, privacy, and prosperity would become history.
Among other schemes, UN bureaucrats and establishment voices are calling for an international war on national governments that do not adopt pro-tax and anti-privacy policies demanded by globalists. A UN “expert” even claimed that tax competition among different jurisdictions — a key check on government abuses — was something that needed to be stopped by a newly empowered UN.
The United States, in particular, could be in the UN's crosshairs, along with other liberty-minded nations worldwide labeled by the UN as “tax havens” for not extracting as much wealth from productive citizens as the UN's tax-funded legions demand. Following the largely globalist-manufactured “Panama Papers” pseudo-scandal, the UN is at it again.
The latest demands come after years of globalist scheming to impose UN taxes directly on humanity, too. That would allow the dictators club to raise money independently, bypassing national governments. But as the public mood sours on globalism — as evidenced by Donald Trump's victory, Brexit, and survey results from across European polls showing anti-globalist fervor rising — the globalist agenda may face some serious setbacks in the years ahead.
The most recent globalist demand for greater UN powers over taxation came from UN “human rights expert” Alfred de Zayas (shown above), a Cuban-born “international lawyer,” who demanded “an international Tax Body to fight tax evasion and corruption, phase-out tax havens, stop competition among tax jurisdictions and abolish secrecy.” Translated into plain English, Zayas called for a new globalist UN bureaucracy with draconian law-enforcement powers, a full-blown assault on self-government and democratic principles, a UN effort to harmonize and rig taxation policy worldwide in favor of oppressive Big Government, and a total end to privacy. The policies would undoubtedly produce a collapse in prosperity, in addition to crushing liberty and self-government.
Despite the use of Orwellian double-speak aimed at concealing the totalitarian nature of the demands, Zayas was blunt in his demands, treating the UN as if it already were (in the words of the UN's outgoing secretary-general) the “Parliament of Humanity.” “The United Nations must no longer tolerate the scandal of secrecy jurisdictions that facilitate tax evasion, corruption and money-laundering,” complained the UN “Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order,” appointed by the dictator-dominated UN Human Rights Council, in a presentation to the dictator-dominated UN General Assembly about his report on the subject.
“Concerted action must be taken to counter criminal abuses by individuals, speculators, hedge funds and transnational enterprises who skirt taxes and loot governments,” Zayas claimed. “Corruption, bribery, tax fraud and tax evasion have such grave effects on human welfare that they must be exposed, prosecuted and punished nationally and internationally.”
In other words, bloated and increasingly despotic governments and international organizations need to fleece humanity to get more money from the productive sector. And so, the UN should demonize lawful strategies for reducing tax liabilities as if they were crimes, then grant itself awesome new powers to deal with the non-crimes and the non-criminals who perpetrate them. For any clear-thinking person, the totalitarian implications of the proposed power-grab should be obvious.
The radical globalist bureaucrat repeatedly conflated legal and desirable tax avoidance — which every sensible person and company does, and which is immensely beneficial to humanity by keeping capital in the productive sector — with criminal tax evasion, which is a crime. The self-styled UN “expert” claimed, for example, that “every year governments lose three trillion dollars through various schemes of tax avoidance and evasion, and hitherto most perpetrators have enjoyed impunity.” Impunity for doing something both legal and desirable? Only in UN- and totalitarian-speak do the rantings and ravings even make sense.
Zayas also cited alleged “estimates” that “as much as thirty-two trillion dollars are held offshore in secrecy jurisdictions, escaping just taxation.” “It is high time for the General Assembly to establish an inter-governmental tax body with a mandate to draft standards and ensure enforcement of measures against perpetrators,” he exclaimed, again equating law-abiding citizens with criminals and calling for what amounts to global government. The ultra-far-left bureaucrat also claimed that “the UN provides the most effective way to achieve an equitable global tax system, increase domestic resource mobilization and reduce intra-State and inter-State inequality.”
Echoing the extremist rhetoric of UN Agenda 2030, a road-map to global totalitarianism that stands zero chance of U.S. Senate ratification but is expected to cost more than $170 trillion, Zayas openly called for not just national socialism, but international socialism. In the last hundred years, of course, national and international socialism combined have resulted in the deaths of well over 100 million people, on the extremely conservative end of the spectrum, without including the wars started by national and international socialist regimes.
In short, the “independent” UN bureaucrat, like many other mid- to low-level globalists, is openly promoting deadly, extreme, and violent ideologies that threaten taxpayers and citizens everywhere, all with taxpayer funding on a taxpayer-funded platform. The reason he can get away with promoting violent extremism is simple, when considering that he was appointed to his post by the discredited UN “Human Rights Council.”
The UN body is made up of mostly (53 percent) unfree regimes, including such paragons of “human rights” as the murderous dictatorships enslaving Communist China, Cuba, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Burundi, and more. The previous UN human rights body had to be shut down when the Gadhafi regime from Libya was selected to lead it. But the situation today is even worse, experts say. Consider that the UN “human rights” chief, a prince from an Islamic dictatorship, was caught trying to cover-up the systematic sexual abuse and rape of African children by international “peacekeeping” troops, and then conspired to destroy the whistleblower who tried to protect the children.
Other UN “special rapporteurs” and “experts” appointed by the UN's dictator-dominated “human rights” outfit have demanded gun control worldwide, nationalization of the police in the United States, higher taxes in Canada, less stay at home moms in Switzerland, criminalization of free speech in Japan, and other such autocratic nonsense — all under the guise of “human rights, and all while praising the world's most demented and savage mass-murderers for their stellar “human rights” records. A Marxist UN “special rapporteur” who demanded more Big Government welfare schemes in the United Kingdom, Raquel Rolnik, eventually became the subject of international ridicule after the British press exposed that she “offered an animal sacrifice to Karl Marx.”
Unsurprisingly, the extremist global tax demands by the UN “expert” for the next UN boss to implement in global outfit's jihad on freedom, privacy, self-government, and national sovereignty coincide perfectly with the goals of the Socialist International. The dangerous and powerful totalitarian alliance of Marxist, communist, and socialist political parties worldwide has made the exact same demands, publicly, for many years. And the global socialist alliance was actually led by the globalist-socialist incoming UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres until 2005.
To understand the Socialist International, consider that its 2012 Congress was hosted by a Communist Party-dominated African political party under fire by the world's top experts at that very moment for preparing a genocide against a vulnerable minority group. In fact, the head of the party and regime that hosted the Socialist International Congress had, earlier that same year, appeared on national television in front of the military to sing songs promoting the violent extermination of the embattled minority group, which had already been facing organized slaughter and terror for years prior.
Even while pushing for a global taxation regime, the UN is also at the forefront of the effort to abolish cash in favor of a "cashless society" — a dangerous scheme that would end privacy by allowing governments to track and monitor every single transaction. At the same time, the UN's many tentacles, more than a few of which are led by agents of the mass-murdering Communist Chinese dictatorship, are pushing proposals for direct global taxation and even a global fiat currency.
Rather than fight back against every new totalitarian scheme dreamed up by the UN and the globalist establishment behind it, Americans should push for a complete U.S. government withdrawal from the UN — an Amexit. The American Sovereignty Restoration Act would do exactly that. With Trump declaring on the campaign trail that the UN was not a friend to the United States or to freedom, and with the UN making more ludicrous and autocratic demands by the day, the time has never been better for Americans to demand a permanent end to U.S. participation in the dictators club.
Photo of Alfred de Zayas: UN photo
Alex Newman, a foreign correspondent for The New American, is normally based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @ALEXNEWMAN_JOU. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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UN “Human Rights” Council Now Officially Controlled by Dictators
Globalist Assault on Tax Competition Rouses Opposition
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“Taxation Must Go Global,” Says German Finance Minister
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– Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez narrowly beat U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison on Saturday to lead the Democratic Party in its fight against President Donald Trump, leaving Ellison to return to his job as a Minnesota congressman.
Immediately after finishing second, Ellison accepted Perez’s offer to serve as deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Ellison had planned to quit his Minneapolis-area congressional seat if elected chairman, but said he’ll now stay in the job.
Though visibly disappointed by the loss, Ellison hugged Perez several times and vowed to work with him for party unity.
“If people trust me, then they need to come on and trust Tom Perez as well,” Ellison said, quieting angry shouts from some of his most fervent supporters.
Perez was elected on the second ballot at the meeting of Democratic Party leaders, capturing 235 votes to 200 for Ellison. The threshold for victory was 218 out of the 435 total delegates from all 50 states and several U.S. territories.
Perez, who served in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet, must now try to build a path back to political power for a party still reeling from massive losses in November and shut out of power in Washington and in many states. He said he needs Ellison’s support in confronting Trump and winning elections “from dogcatcher to Senate” across the country.
Newly elected Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez gives a victory speech during the general session of the DNC winter meeting in Atlanta, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. Perez picked runner-up Ellison to be deputy chairman.
“We understood that in order to move forward it’s imperative to be united,” Perez said. He said that he and Ellison agreed on the chairman-deputy chairman plan some time ago: “We sat down and talked about this campaign and the number one value was that there was no one in this race who wanted to win at any cost.”
This will be the first time in recent history that the DNC has a deputy chairman position. The party also has three vice chairs; former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak held that position from 2011 until Saturday, when his term ended.
Ellison’s bid was linked with the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who ultimately lost the nomination to Hillary Clinton but received fervent support from the party’s left flank. Ellison was an early supporter of Sanders, who returned the favor by backing Ellison to lead the DNC. Other prominent party leaders to support Ellison included Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and a majority of Democratic-backing unions.
Ellison, who rallied behind Clinton after she won the nomination, was asked whether his support for Sanders hurt him with Clinton and Obama supporters among the voting delegates. He called that support “a fact beyond change.”
“Have I ever regretted supporting Bernie? Never, not for one second,” Ellison said.
Praise from Obama
Obama did not formally endorse a DNC candidate, though Perez was seen as the favored choice of the Democratic establishment. Perez was publicly backed by former Vice President Joe Biden. In a statement after Saturday’s vote, Obama praised both men.
“I’m proud of all the candidates who ran, and who make this great party what it is,” Obama said. ”What unites our party is a belief in opportunity — the idea that however you started out, whatever you look like, or whomever you love, America is the place where you can make it if you try.”
Ellison had been first to declare his candidacy for party chairman, just four days after Trump was elected and as Democrats reeled from disappointing showings in races for Congress, governorships and state legislatures.
Trump, who engaged Ellison on Twitter last week, tweeted about the race on Saturday. “Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!” the president wrote.
In his four-month campaign, Ellison traveled to more than 30 states and crafted outreach plans to target voters in rural and urban areas, the LGBT community, and apartment dwellers. Ellison has long said that many Republican-held House districts and precincts could be won by Democrats if they do better at turning out voters — particularly in nonpresidential election years.
In his new role, Perez is likely to rely on Ellison for fundraising help. Ellison brought in more than $1 million in donations since November from donors in all 50 states — more than any other DNC candidate. In the next four years, Perez and Ellison will be expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the party.
Rybak said he was disappointed in the results, but that the DNC is more than just its top leader.
“The head of the DNC is a person and we have a really good one in Tom Perez, but Keith Ellison is a major force now in the Democratic Party, far more than he even was before,” Rybak said. “He’s going to be one of the keys to making sure people who are so upset about Trump get energized, but that it’s not just about Trump.”
Across the convention hall Saturday, delegates wearing “Tom” and “Keith” buttons talked and shared lunches. Brian Wahby, a Perez supporter from Missouri, said it was an emotional day for both sides but that most delegates pledged to walk out of the room as friends.
“When we walk out that door, Donald Trump is the president of the United States,” Wahby said. “It’s not about us, it’s about everybody else, all of the people we represent.”
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., is in the running to be the next chair of the Democratic National Committee. (Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press)
In a meeting after the election, Ellison and Perez greeted delegates together.
“We have a lot of work ahead, we have a lot of work to do and we’re going to do it together,” Perez said.
Ellison, speaking more quietly, said it’s time to move on.
“He’s our leader, he’s our chair,” Ellison said. “I trust Tom Perez.” |
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Robin Birley, a former Conservative Party donor and stepson of the revered Eurosceptic Sir James Goldsmith has said that he believes Nigel Farage is the right man to lead the ‘out’ campaign if Britain has a referendum on EU membership.
Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Birley, who financed David Davis’s campaign for the Conservative Party leadership, said that despite calls from UKIP colleagues and others from across the eurosceptic movement, UKIP leader Nigel Farage “is the only person with the national profile, the powers of persuasion and the star quality to lead the fight for the ‘Outers’”.
Rows erupted within UKIP last week, as party figures went head to head over Mr Farage’s future in the party. The driving factor behind the arguments is believed to be UKIP MP Douglas Carswell’s belief that Mr Farage shouldn’t be at the helm of the out campaign. He has publicly stated that the public face of the campaign should be someone from the business world.
But Mr Birley shot back today, claiming that not only should Mr Farage be the head of the ‘Outers’ — but that it was indeed his party, UKIP, which helped the Conservative Party cruise to victory on May 7th.
He wrote:
Consider these facts: in Bolton West, the Conservatives gained the seat from Labour with a margin of 801 votes, with UKIP on 7428. In Morley and Outwood, Ed Balls was ousted by 378 votes, a wonderful moment for the Tories and the political Right. That would not have happened, had UKIP not scored almost 8000 votes. In both cases, the local analysis is quite clear: those UKIP votes were overwhelmingly taken from Labour, not the Conservatives.
The latest public intervention from private members’ club owner Birley is sure to rattle the cages of eurosceptics such as Mr Carswell and his close Tory MEP friend Daniel Hannan, who are said to have been working to get Mr Farage to take a back seat during the campaign.
He said:
Without Farage’s quixotic, near unique ability to take on vested interest, I fear that the ‘No’ campaign will struggle, and that the prize that so many of us have fought for over decades will be lost in a matter of a year or so.
Mr Birley is well respected in both UKIP and the Conservative Party, as he is the stepson of the founder of the now defunct Referendum Party, Sir James Goldsmith, who put the idea of an EU referendum on the British political agenda. |
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin had a rare meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday but there was no breakthrough in a territorial dispute that has kept the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their WWII conflict.
Abe has been pushing for progress in the dispute over the Russian-held islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the southern Kurils in Russia. Abe wants to arrange for Putin to visit Japan later this year.
Putin, who met Abe in the Pacific port of Vladivostok, told the Japanese prime minister in televised remarks that Moscow is willing to build on the progress in talks that the two leaders last held in Russia's Sochi in May.
The turret of an old tank set in the ground as a part of war fortifications with a lighthouse in the background near Yuzhno-Kurilsk on Kunashiri Island, one of the Kuril Chain, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, is shown in this undated file photo. Lying off the northeastern tip of Japan, they were seized by Soviet troops in the last days of World War II. Photo Credit: null "We are carefully studying the proposals that you put forward during your visit to Sochi," Putin said.
His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters later that the Kremlin had not expected a breakthrough on the territorial dispute, stressing the need for "long-term and thorough efforts of experts" in order to reach a compromise.
Peskov also said that Abe's visit testified to Japan's interest in expanding economic ties with Russia.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
In the past, I’ve posted a number of scientific consistencies found in the Old Testament. While I think there are good reasons why God might not reveal advanced scientific details in Scripture, I do expect God’s Word to be scientifically consistent with the world we experience. One interesting scientific consistency seems to exist in the ancient book of Job. I am obviously not a scientist or astronomer, so I’ll try to provide links to the references you might use to further investigate these claims. As you may remember, Job was extremely wealthy and had a large family. Tragedy struck and Job lost his wealth, his children and his wife. Job eventually began to accuse God of being unjust and unkind. In response to Job’s complaining, God challenged Job’s authority and power relative to His own. God asked the following series of questions to demonstrate Job’s comparative weakness:
Job 38:31-32
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? Or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
The text refers to three constellations, Pleiades, Orion and Arcturus (the fourth, Mazzaroth, is still unknown to us). In the first part of the verse, God challenged Job’s ability to “bind the sweet influences of Pleiades.” It’s as if He was saying, “Hey Job, you think you can keep Pleiades together? Well, I can!” As it turns out, the Pleiades (also known as the Seven Sisters) is an open star cluster in the constellation of Taurus. It is classified as an open cluster because it is a group of hundreds of stars formed from the same cosmic cloud. They are approximately the same age and have roughly the same chemical composition. Most importantly, they are bound to one another by mutual gravitational attraction. Isabel Lewis of the United States Naval Observatory (quoted by Phillip L. Knox in Wonder Worlds) said, “Astronomers have identified 250 stars as actual members of this group, all sharing in a common motion and drifting through space in the same direction.” Lewis said they are “journeying onward together through the immensity of space.” Dr. Robert J. Trumpler (quoted in the same book) said, “Over 25,000 individual measures of the Pleiades stars are now available, and their study led to the important discovery that the whole cluster is moving in a southeasterly direction. The Pleiades stars may thus be compared to a swarm of birds, flying together to a distant goal. This leaves no doubt that the Pleiades are not a temporary or accidental agglomeration of stars, but a system in which the stars are bound together by a close kinship.” From our perspective on Earth, the Pleiades will not change in appearance; these stars are marching together in formation toward the same destination, bound in unison, just as God described them.
The next section of the verse describes the Orion constellation. God once again challenged Job, this time to “loose the bands of Orion.” God was referencing the “belt” of Orion; the three stars forming the linear “band” at Orion’s waist. God appeared to be challenging Job in just the opposite way he had in the first portion of the verse. Rather than bind the Pleiades, God challenged Job to loosen Orion. It’s as if He was saying, “Hey Job, you think you can loosen Orion’s belt? Well, I can!” Orion’s belt is formed by two stars (Alnilam, and Mintaka) and one star cluster (Alnitak). Alnitak is actually a triple star system at the eastern edge of Orion’s belt. These stars (along with all the other stars forming Orion) are not gravitationally bound like those in Pleiades. Instead, the stars of Orion’s belt are heading in different directions. Garrett P. Serviss, a noted astronomer, wrote about the bands of Orion in his book, Curiosities of the Sky: “The great figure of Orion appears to be more lasting, not because its stars are physically connected, but because of their great distance, which renders their movements too deliberate to be exactly ascertained. Two of the greatest of its stars, Betelgeuse and Rigel, possess, as far as has been ascertained, no perceptible motion across the line of sight, but there is a little movement perceptible in the ‘Belt.’ At the present time this consists of an almost perfect straight line, a row of second-magnitude stars about equally spaced and of the most striking beauty. In the course of time, however, the two right-hand stars, Mintaka and Alnilam (how fine are these Arabic star names!) will approach each other and form a naked-eye double, but the third, Alnita, will drift away eastward, so that the ‘Belt’ will no longer exist.” Unlike the Pleaides clusters, the stars in the band of Orion do not share a common trajectory. In the course of time, Orion’s belt will be loosened just as God told Job.
In the last section of the verse, God described Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. God challenged Job to “guide Arcturus with his sons.” With this challenge, God appeared to be saying, “Hey Job, you think you can direct Arcturus anywhere you want? Well, I can!” While Arcturus certainly appeared in antiquity to be a single star, in 1971 astronomers discovered there were 52 additional stars connected directionally with Arcturus (known now as the Arcturus stream). Interestingly, God described Arcturus as having “sons” and Charles Burckhalter, of the Chabot Observatory, (again quoted in Wonder Worlds) said “these stars are a law unto themselves.” Serviss added, “Arcturus is one of the greatest suns in the universe, is a runaway whose speed of flight is 257 miles per second. Arcturus, we have every reason to believe, possesses thousands of times the mass of our sun… Our sun is traveling only 12 ½ miles a second, but Arcturus is traveling 257 miles a second…” Burckhalter affirmed this description of Arcturus, saying, “This high velocity places Arcturus in that very small class of stars that apparently are a law unto themselves. He is an outsider, a visitor, a stranger within the gates; to speak plainly, Arcturus is a runaway. Newton gives the velocity of a star under control as not more than 25 miles a second, and Arcturus is going 257 miles a second. Therefore, combined attraction of all the stars we know cannot stop him or even turn him in his path.” Arcturus and “his sons” are on a course all their own. Only God has the power to guide them, just as described in the ancient book of Job.
I doubt it was God’s intention to teach Job astronomy in this passage. Instead, God wanted to challenge Job and remind him who had the power, authority and wisdom to control the fate of the universe. In a similar way, God wanted to remind Job who had the power to control Job’s fate and the wisdom to care for him, even when Job felt unloved. While it wasn’t God’s purpose to reveal hidden scientific truths to Job in an effort to demonstrate His Deity, the ancient text accurately describes the nature of these constellations and stars. Like other Old and New Testament passages, it is scientifically consistent, even if not scientifically exhaustive.
J. Warner Wallace is a Cold-Case Detective, Christian Case Maker, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and the author of Cold-Case Christianity, Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, God’s Crime Scene, God’s Crime Scene for Kids, and Forensic Faith.
Comment or Subscribe to J. Warner’s Daily Email |
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption ACM Angus Houston: Bluefin-21 will create a 3D map of the ocean floor
Teams searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane are to deploy a robotic submarine for the first time.
Search chief Angus Houston said the Bluefin-21 drone would be sent down as soon as possible to search for wreckage on the sea floor.
Teams have been using a towed pinger locator to listen for signals from the plane's "black box" flight recorders.
But no new signals have been heard since 8 April, amid concerns the flight recorders' batteries have expired.
Flight MH370 went missing on 8 March with 239 people on board. It was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it lost contact with air traffic controllers over the South China Sea.
Malaysian officials believe, based on satellite data, that it ended its flight in the southern Indian Ocean, thousands of kilometres off course.
'Manageable search area'
An international search has focused on waters west of the Australian city of Perth, with teams racing against time to detect signals before the flight recorder batteries - which last about one month - run out.
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Bluefin-21 will search the sea floor for wreckage from flight MH370
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Up to 12 planes and 15 ships were involved in the search for the plane
Air Chief Marshal Houston, who heads the joint agency co-ordinating the search effort, said that given no signals had been detected in six days, it was time to go underwater.
The Bluefin-21 - an almost 5m-long underwater autonomous vehicle that can create a sonar map of the sea floor - will search for wreckage in an area defined by four signals heard last week.
Officials believe those signals - picked up by the pinger locator towed by an Australian vessel - are consistent with flight recorders.
"Analysis of the four signals has allowed the provisional definition of a reduced and manageable search area on the ocean floor," ACM Houston said.
"The experts have therefore determined that the Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield will cease searching with the towed pinger locator later today and deploy the... Bluefin-21 as soon as possible.''
He warned that the submersible search would be a long, "painstaking" process that might, in the end, yield no results.
Each Bluefin-21 mission will last 24 hours, with 16 hours spent on the ocean floor, four hours' diving and resurfacing time, and four hours to download data.
MH370 - Facts at a glance 8 March: Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur-Beijing flight carrying 239 people disappears
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur-Beijing flight carrying 239 people disappears Plane's transponder, which communicates with ground radar, was switched off as it left Malaysian airspace
Satellite 'pings' indicate plane was still flying seven hours after satellite contact was lost
24 March: Based on new calculations, Malaysian PM says "beyond reasonable doubt" that plane crashed in southern Indian Ocean with no survivors What we know The search for flight MH370
The Ocean Shield had also spotted an oil slick in the same area where the signals had been heard, ACM Houston said, and a sample was being sent for testing.
"I stress the source of the oil is yet to be determined but the oil slick is approximately 5,500m downwind... from the vicinity of the detections picked up by the towed pinger locator," he said.
Australian officials have said previously that they are confident they are searching in the right area for the missing plane.
Officials have no idea yet why the plane diverted so far from its intended flight path. Investigators are looking at options including hijacking, mechanical failure, sabotage and pilot action.
But recovering the flight recorders is seen as key to understanding what happened to the plane. |
Australia's Roman Catholic Church has confirmed that more than 600 children have been sexually abused by its priests since the 1930s in the state of Victoria.
The archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, described the figures as "horrific and shameful".
The admission came in a submission to a state parliamentary inquiry into the handling of abuse cases, however campaigners say the true figure could be up to 10,000 victims.
The church said the 620 cases went back 80 years with the majority taking place between the 1960s and the 1980s, with another 45 cases being investigated.
In a statement, Archbishop Hart said it was important to be open "about the horrific abuse that has occurred in Victoria and elsewhere".
"We look to this inquiry to assist the healing of those who have been abused, to examine the broad context of the church's response, especially over the last 16 years, and to make recommendations to enhance the care for victims and preventative measures that are now in place," the statement said.
Al Jazeera speaks to David Clohessy, spokesman from SNAP - The survivors network for those Abused by Priests.
Chrissie Foster, whose two daughters were raped by their parish priest from the mid-1980s, said the church had had decades to address the issue but had only revealed the figure to the Victorian inquiry on Friday.
"It's only been victims coming out and going to the police that has stopped all of this".
"The church has never lifted a finger to stop their paedophile priests," added Foster, who said one of her daughters had ultimately taken her own life.
The Victorian state government announced the inquiry into the handling of child abuse cases by religious and non-government bodies after the suicides of dozens of people abused by clergy.
Abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests has been a major issue in Australia recent years.
During a visit to Australia in July 2008, Pope Benedict XVI met some of the victims and made a public apology for the abuse. |
Someone on the Internet is Wrong
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0:42 Walton’s On Holiday
Walton goes off the grid
He gets the time to read books we talk about one later
2:01 Stephen tries to Hold the Fort
Stephen couldn’t harass Walton as he was off the grid
While Walton was away Stephen changed up the place…Dropped Fedora
Walton Asks How many Distros Stephen’s had since the show started (over three months)
Gnu/Linux shuffle Step C to the L to the C to the F to the V
Settled on the V for Vanillux-Debian
4:20 Walton never heard of it neither did Stephen found it on Debian Derivatives:
It has Gnome-shell/Gnome3
Alternative desktops KDE and Unity
Gnome-Shell is similar to OSX in looks but superior OS
Linuxmint for Windows Transition
6:32 Stephen Goes to Trivia Night at a Scottish Pub TheHavenJP
The Question that killed Stephen.. Who was the only US President to be a leader of a labor union
We almost make the show into a Beercast
10:08 Stephen gives a Verizon Strike Update
Veriozn is a baby bell and who is Mama bell
14:17 We talk about Keynesian economics it is not Socialism
Good books – Treasure Islands by Nicholas Shaxson, and
Ha-Joon Chang’s 23 Things they don’t tell you about capitalism
Three options for economics
Capitalism is broken and Unions need to be prepared for a transition
Marx is back and he’s pissed off no he is referenced in a positive light
Neoliberalism works for the Capitalists
Keep the masses happy by giving them Reform or it is Revolution
26:13 Tech Updates a peak at Status Net 1.0 Beta and GIMP
Give GIMP some love
29:12 Feedback
33:15 Thinking about beer .. Enjoy a Union Pint |
Nawaz Sharif's envoy has called US a 'declining power' after it snubbed Pakistan over Kashmir.
Highlights Pakistan has sent envoys to the US to highlight their claim on Kashmir After being snubbed by US over Kashmir, Pak calls it a 'declining power' Will move towards China, Russia if our views ignored, threatens Pak envoy
America is "no longer a world power" and Pakistan would move towards China and Russia if its views on Kashmir and India are not considered, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's envoys threatened in Washington."(The) US is no longer a world power. It is a declining power. Forget about it," Nawaz Sharif's envoy on Kashmir, Mushahid Hussain Syed said yesterday after the conclusion of an interaction at the Atlantic Council, one of the top American think-tanks.Mr Syed and Shazra Mansab, another Pakistani envoy on Kashmir, are in the US as part of the Pakistan's efforts to get attention to their claim on Kashmir.Mr Syed went to the extent to warn the United States that Pakistan would move towards China and Russia if its views on Kashmir and India are not considered.He was responding to a question from a member in the audience after the conclusion of the 90-minute interaction during which he expressed his frustration over the lack of response Pakistan has received to their claim on Kashmir.Though Mr Syed's remarks were not recorded on camera, it was heard prominently by everyone in the audience.He then quickly pointed out China as Pakistan's friend and spoke of a newly perceived relationship with Russia, which he had mentioned during his interaction at the Atlantic Council.Mr Syed also submitted a dossier against India to Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson.With absolutely no takers for Pakistan's claims on Kashmir, a frustrated Mr Syed said that China is now an important factor in South Asia and described Beijing as part of what he termed as Greater South Asia.He went on to claim that "there has been slow and steady building of relationship between Moscow and Islamabad," referring to a recently held joint military exercise between Pakistan and Russia.Mr Syed said the Vladimir Putin government has for the first time agreed to sell arms to Pakistan and the United States should take serious note of this changing regional alignment."Unfortunately under the Obama administration, there was a drift in American foreign policy towards our region, towards Afghanistan. There was confusion and there was a lot of flip-flops. I think, the Obama administration could not figure out this region Afghanistan and Pakistan, and as a consequence this region suffered."With policies one step back and one step (forward), announcing surge, announcing a cut off time for exit. Asking sometime Pakistan that please we want to talk to the Taliban and then saying that we want to take on the Taliban and finally they said there would be no American troops and then they end up having 8,500 troops stationed in Afghanistan. It leaves this to the next administration," he said."And what Pakistan would like to have from the US, I am talking about the incoming administration, because Mr Obama is a guest for the next few months as January 20, 2017 there will be a new administration, that they have to see the region, where they have a more comprehensive perspective, and do not try to compartmentalise peace and security, because that is not possible," he said.He said Pakistan has had a long standing relationship with the US and "we would like that (to continue). But of course, we have other options too," he said.He went on to warn the United States of 'loosing sight' of its interests in the region, and said that the US cannot hope for a stable Afghanistan without Pakistan's cooperation."The most important interest of the US is the stability of Afghanistan, and for that, (whether) they like it not, they need Pakistan's cooperation," he said. "We see a shift (of US policy from Pakistan to India). And that shift would be detrimental to America's own security and interest in South Asia," Mr Syed warned. |
Hillary Clinton was "extremely careless" in her use of a private email server while she was U.S. secretary of state, but the FBI isn't recommending any charges be brought against her for mishandling classified information.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, days after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed the presidential candidate, FBI Director James Comey said his investigation had uncovered numerous instances of the system being improperly used for classified information. He also said it was impossible to rule out the possibility that the system could have been hacked.
The controversy was thought to revolve around a single server, but Comey disclosed that over the years Clinton was secretary of state, she relied on a string of email servers. When new ones were installed, the older ones were removed but data was not always deleted.
Citing a server used in 2013, he said the email software had been removed but the actual email messages remained on the machine -- a pretty basic security misstep for any systems administrator.
From around 30,000 emails handed over by Clinton to the State Department, the FBI found that roughly 7 percent were classified at some level. Eight emails contained top secret information, 36 were secret, a further 8 were confidential and the remaining 2,000 were unclassified at the time but later "up-classified" by agencies to confidential.
U.S. government rules dictate classified information can be sent and shared only over secure government systems.
"She should have known an unclassified system was not a proper place for that information," Comey said.
Comey faulted Clinton's lawyers, who attempted to cleanse the entire email database of personal emails before handing it over to the State Department. Those lawyers simply ran keyword searches and looked at email headers, he said, so some emails that should have been handed over were deleted.
The FBI managed to find some by trawling government archives of people Clinton exchanged messages with; in that search, they found traces of some emails on older devices that had been insecurely deleted, but could get nothing from the servers themselves -- Clinton's lawyers had done a much more thorough job of deleting and cleansing the data.
On its recommendation to the Department of Justice, Comey said the FBI thinks Clinton should not be prosecuted.
"Our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case," he said. |
If the thought of loading up at a crowded Costco on Saturday morning sends shivers down your spine, a new Toronto company will suffer for you — for a fee. A start-up known as Comfort.to promises to bring the quintessential suburban shopping experience to Toronto’s urban dwellers. Vitaliy Savitsky will buy your groceries at Costco Etobicoke and deliver the slabs of salmon, kilograms of coffee and multi-pack rolls of paper towel from the mega-retailer right to your door — for a $10 fee, no membership required.
Vitaliy Savitsky's delivery service Comfort.to will do the shopping at Costco for you. ( Vince Talotta / Toronto Star )
“What we thought of is: Costco is great, but you struggle with traffic, you struggle with parking, you struggle with the actual experience there. You have to line up to pay, line up to check out, and then get back in traffic and then carry things home,” says Savitsky, a former equity research analyst who lives downtown and started the enterprise with his wife, a former teacher. They opened for business in November and have filled more than 1,150 orders. A busy weekend could mean 25 orders. Savitsky says he adds a slight markup to Costco prices. Savitsky says people from across the GTA and further afield have contacted him, hoping to avoid physically shopping at Costco while benefiting from the prices and quality. But for now, the delivery zone is limited to a section of the downtown core, west of the Don Valley Parkway.
Article Continued Below
Savitsky figures Costco prices are, on average, about half of what other major grocery chains charge on a quantity-adjusted basis. Comfort.to is not affiliated with Costco, but Savitsky says the Etobicoke location is aware of it. Asked about the service, a national spokesman for Costco seemed unconcerned. “The genesis of this company is its wholesale roots,” Ron Damiani says. “Today, we continue to act as a wholesaler for many, many small businesses across the country in a multitude of sectors.” The most popular items ordered through Comfort.to are avocados, toilet paper and dishwasher detergent, Savitsky says. Also, a lot of chicken.
Unlike many who become overwhelmed in the massive Costco Wholesale emporium, Savitsky has the layout memorized. “I can walk in there with my eyes closed,” he says.
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The architecture studio Stefano Boeri Architetti has announced their new design Nanjing Towers that will be the first Vertical Forest built in Asia.
Architect: Stefano Boeri Architetti
Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Partner: Stefano Boeri, Yibo Xu
Project Leader: Pietro Chiodi
Design Leader: Carolina Boccella, Bao Yinxin
Design Team: Giulia Chiatante, Agostino Bucci, Mario Tang Shilong
Plantation Consultant: Laura Gatti, SLG
Structural Consultant: Luca Buzzoni, ARUP (Italy)
Investor: Nanjing Yang Zi State-owned Investment Group CO.Ltd
Local Design Institution: Nanjing Yangzi River Urban Architectural Design, Co. Ltd.
Local Nursery: Nanjing ZhongShan Nursery, Co. Ltd.
Project's description: Located in Nanjing Pukou District (an area destined to lead the modernization of southern Jiangsu and the development of the Yangtze River economic zone), the two towers are characterized by the interchange of green tanks and balconies, following the prototype of Milan’s Vertical Forest.
Along the facades, 600 tall trees, 500 medium-sized trees (for a total amount of 1100 trees from 23 local species) and 2500 cascading plants and shrubs will cover a 6.000 sqm area. A real vertical forest that will help to regenerate local biodiversity, will provide a 25 tons of CO2 absorption each year and will produce about 60 kg of oxygen per day.
The taller tower, 200 metres high, crowned on the top by a green lantern, will host offices - from the 8th floor to the 35th – and it will include a museum, a green architecture school and a private club on the rooftop. The second tower, 108 metres high, will provide a Hyatt hotel with 247 room of different sizes (from 35 sqm to 150 sqm) and a swimming pool on the rooftop. The 20 metres high podium, will host commercial, recreational and educative functions, including multi-brands shops,a food market, restaurants, conference hall and exhibition spaces.
Nanjiing Vertical Forest project, which is scheduled to be finished in 2018, is the third prototype, after Milan and Lausanne, of a project about urban forestation and demineralisation that Stefano Boeri Architects will develop all over the world and in particular in other Chinese cities such as Shijiazhuang, Liuzhou, Guizhou, Shanghai and Chongqing.The taller tower, 200 metres high, crowned on the top by a green lantern, will host offices - from the 8th floor to the 35th – and it will include a museum, a green architecture school and a private club on the rooftop. The second tower, 108 metres high, will provide a Hyatt hotel with 247 room of different sizes (from 35 sqm to 150 sqm) and a swimming pool on the rooftop. The 20 metres high podium, will host commercial, recreational and educative functions, including multi-brands shops,a food market, restaurants, conference hall and exhibition spaces.
Nanjiing Vertical Forest project, which is scheduled to be finished in 2018, is the third prototype, after Milan and Lausanne, of a project about urban forestation and demineralisation that Stefano Boeri Architects will develop all over the world and in particular in other Chinese cities such as Shijiazhuang, Liuzhou, Guizhou, Shanghai and Chongqing. |
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Aleem Maqbool discovers the audacious methods people have been using to steal precious antiquities
Egypt's revolution has not only brought political upheaval, but also lucrative opportunities for illegal diggers hunting for antique treasures and gold.
There is ample anecdotal testimony from people living near the Great Pyramids at Giza that since the revolution large holes have been appearing in the ground there.
Our own inspection quickly revealed evidence of what they were talking about.
Close to a desert track, just beyond a small outcrop of sandstone and with the pyramids looming in the distance, we found a large, evenly dug vertical shaft.
It was at least a metre and a half in diameter and we could not see the bottom of it. Dropping a rock into it and waiting for the sound suggested it was deep.
People dream when they dig they'll especially find gold, and get rich quick Dr Osama al-Shimi, Archeologist A guide to the Ancient EgyptiansHow were pyramids created?
Not far away was another tunnel - this time it started with a gentle incline so we could get inside.
As it went further and further back, we saw the marks of the tools used to bore through the rock, before the tunnel dropped away deep into the ground.
"It is clear people are digging to find archaeological treasures," says Dr Osama al-Shimi, the archaeologist in charge of the site.
"People dream when they dig they'll especially find gold, and get rich quick," he says.
But Dr al-Shimi says it is dangerous to tackle the people responsible because they often have weapons.
Lunar landscape
The illegal digging is not just happening at Giza.
In fact, an hour's drive from Cairo, in Dahshur - close to the site of the famous Bent Pyramid of the Pharaoh Sneferu - some areas looked like a cratered lunar landscape because of the concentration of holes that had been dug.
Gunmen had also attacked storehouses at other sites close by, at Saqqara and Abusir.
They held the antiquities from ongoing excavations but, because they had not yet been registered and were still being studied, no one knows just how many were stolen in the raids.
Our search into the extent of the problem took us to southern Egypt, too. To Luxor, once the great ancient capital city known as Thebes.
Here, near the Valley of the Kings and the many wondrous temples, the ground is saturated with archaeological riches.
But over the past two years the police have been inundated with audacious cases of people tunnelling for antiquities.
The security forces showed us extraordinary video footage they had taken of vast tunnel networks that have been discovered.
In Luxor, the digging often starts within a compound close to the ancient sites or even inside a home to make detection harder.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Kent Weeks, Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, says the problem is worse than ever
"Illegal digging has always happened but it increased since the revolution," says Brig Hosni Hussain, the head of tourism and antiquities police in Luxor. "They think there is no security."
But the police chief played down the problem, dismissing the possibility that there may still be many undiscovered tunnels.
He also insisted that everything that had been stolen to date had been recovered.
"We know what's going on," says Brig Hussain. "And I am pleased to tell you that in the end, because of our work, nothing has been stolen anywhere in the country."
Black market boom
Since the revolution and the decline of the ability of central government to control the sites, it does seem to have become a bigger problem than ever before Kent Weeks, Professor of Egyptology
Unfortunately, that is not the case. And it was not difficult to prove it.
The unsanctioned excavation and trade of ancient artefacts are illegal in Egypt. As a result there are many black market dealers in antiquities in Cairo.
A local colleague went to meet a well-known dealer, saying he was representing a British buyer who was an Egyptology expert.
The dealer trusted him enough to produce a crate of what he said were artefacts more than 3,000 years old, from Middle Kingdom Egypt.
Most of them appeared to be statues of servant figures often found in tombs.
The dealer said that as long as his face was not shown, video footage of the antiquities could be taken.
He said an archaeologist could be brought to verify the pieces at a subsequent meeting and that his starting price for the whole batch was just $5,000 (£3,300).
Of course tomb robbery has been going on since ancient times, but Kent Weeks, Professor of Egyptology at the American University of Cairo says the past two years have seen a dramatic increase in such crimes.
"Since the revolution and the decline of the ability of central government to control the sites, it does seem to have become a bigger problem than ever before," he says.
Heritage damage
Professor Weeks believes it is, in part, down to economic reasons.
Over the past decade, Egyptians have come to understand the financial potential of archaeological finds, he thinks. And since the revolution, police have been unable to do their job effectively.
A decline in law and order has been very apparent across the country, with the security forces having lost both the fear and the respect that they had elicited before the events of 2011.
Professor Weeks believes that in this environment serious lasting damage is being done to Egyptian heritage, and indeed world heritage.
"Perhaps thousands of objects have been stolen. We simply don't know," he says.
"Those objects are going to be preserved and protected by the thieves, because they make money from them, and also by the collectors as they want them in their collection. So the objects are safe."
But Professor Weeks says that what is really going missing by the day is the archaeological and historical context of the artefacts - which he believes is even more valuable than the pieces themselves.
"Where did it come from? What tomb was it found in? What other objects were accompanying it? This is the kind of information that is completely and forever lost, the moment an object is stolen."
People living by the pyramids in Giza told us new tunnels were still appearing all the time, and that on occasions they had even seen trucks parking close to the tunnel entrances in the desert.
In spite of assurances from the Egyptian authorities that armed guards were monitoring the sites and ensuring no more illegal digging could take place, we saw no evidence of that. |
Candidates in a Tennessee Republican congressional primary are engaged in an epic battle to determine who's more of a wretched bigot. Lou Ann Zelenik, who lost to current congresswoman Diane Black two years ago, promises to be super racist and awful towards Muslims like the ones who wanted to build a mosque in Murfreesboro, Tennessee a couple of years ago.
"I will work to stop the Islamization of our society, and do everything possible to prevent Sharia law from circumventing our laws and our Constitution," Zelenik said.
Black, for her part, also insists she's a lowest-common-denominator-pandering fear mongerer, but just one who has a more nuanced grasp of the constitution (nuanced in the sense that she probably skimmed it once or twice in the background of ad she read while buying gold).
"No one is more opposed to Sharia law, radical Islam and terrorism than Diane Black, but unlike her opponent, Diane Black respects our Constitution," her campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Coxe-Baker said.
But Tenneesee residents aren't buying Black's tough talk. A "health care investor" and certainly awful person named Andrew Miller recently donated $105,000 to a group called (and I swear this is not a typo) Citizens 4 Ethics in Government. The group has already spent almost $188,000 on autocalls and commercials to unseat Black.
Natrually, Muslims aren't too thrilled.
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based Muslim Civil Rights and advocacy group, says people like Zelenik "live in their own bubble of anti-Islam hate." "All you can do is rely on the goodwill and the tolerance of the members of the rest of society who don't hold these extremist, bizarre views and trust in the common sense of the American people and the people of Tennessee," he said.
That's a nice sentiment and all, Hooper, but my roommate is from Tennessee, and there's simply no reasoning with those people.
Anyway, what makes the whole thing even dumber, if that's possible, is that this "I'm more intolerant than you" pissing contest isn't even about Murfreesboro anymore; a 2010 redrawing of election maps put the community center and mosque in another district.
[Image via AP] |
Rue (Ruta graveolens) has been known by many names throughout its long history. It has been called common rue, garden rue, German rue, mother of herbs, Herb of Grace and, most memorably, witchbane. It has not been used as a common culinary herb because ingestion of it can cause vomiting, gastric pain and even death. In small quantities, it is used in Ethiopian cuisine, most commonly as a component of berbere . Handling rue can also result in phytophotodermatitis, a painful blistering rash.
Rue is most often used now as an ornamental plant. Its attractive gray-blue foliage can be pruned to make a nice low hedge in formal gardens. Just be sure to wear gloves while pruning to avoid a rash. The smell of rue is intensely disliked by cats so planting rue in your garden should discourage the neighborhood cats from using your garden as a litter box.
Rue was reputed to repel witches, hence its name “witchbane”. People used to hang it in their doors and windows to keep witches out. They also carried it on their persons to keep them safe from witches. They also believed that witchbane repelled pestilence and fleas.
Its nickname Herb of Grace refers to its use with Holy Water. Priests used sprigs of rue to shake Holy Water on things that needed to be blessed.
Rue is sub-shrub native to southern Europe. In the US, it is hardy in zones 4 through 8. In colder climates, the plants die to the ground in the winter. Rue is also a drought tolerant plant, making it a good candidate for a xeriscape. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Mature plants are 2- to 3-feet tall. It bears small yellow flowers in mid-summer after the second year of growth.
Rue is easy to propagate by division or cuttings. Cuttings should be taken in July or August. Plants will readily self-sow in your garden if you don’t deadhead the flowers. Seeds can be started indoors in late winter or in a cold-frame in early spring. Seedlings can be transplanted into your garden in late spring when the soil has warmed. |
Unlike your conventional photo that's taken when a cameras shutter opens and then closes again, long exposure photography relies on the shutter being open that little bit longer - resulting in the magic you see below.
That magic lies in the movement, often light in this case, that's captured when the shutter is open for so long - capturing a passing moment in time that's forever frozen in photographic form. Below is a roundup of long exposure in action, capturing anything from fireflies in a jaw to the moment a firework takes off. They're all moments that otherwise go unnoticed in our busy day-to-day lives and that's what makes them so amazing.
1. Firework
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2. Fireflies in Japan
3. Carousel At Night
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4. Escalator Long Exposure
5. Air Traffic in San Francisco
6. A Tram Leaving Budapest With 30,000 LED's Attached
7. Robotic Hoover Long Exposure
8. LED Snowboarder
9. Subway Tunnel
10. Long Exposure Zoom Keyboard
11. Long Exposure Of A Pumpkin With A Foggy Lens
12. Fireflies In A Jar
13. Tilt-A-Whirl Long Exposure
14. A Train Travelling Through The Canadian Rockies
15. Traffic Light Long Exposure
16. Merry Go Round Long Exposure
17. Bugs Under A Streetlamp
18. Milky Way Long Exposure
19. Firework Long Explosion
20. Departing Tram In Budapest
21. Photographing A Christmas Tree Whilst Zooming Out
22. Helicopter Landing
23. Kayaker's Use LED's For Long Exposure Shot
24. A Plane Taking Off |
From Primitive Parts, A Highly Evolved Human Brain
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Allen Institute for Brain Science Courtesy of the Allen Institute for Brain Science
From one perspective, the human brain is a masterpiece. From another, it's 3 pounds of inefficient jelly. Both views are accurate, and that's because our remarkable brain has been assembled from some very primitive parts.
"Although the things it can do are very wonderful and impressive, its design is very poor engineering in many respects," says David Linden, a professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the author of The Accidental Mind.
Linden says there's a simple explanation: evolution.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Allen Institute for Brain Science Courtesy of the Allen Institute for Brain Science
"In evolution, you never build something new if you can adapt something you've already got," he says. "It's the ultimate tinkerer and the ultimate cheapskate."
Our brain has been put together with parts from jellyfish and lizards and mice, Linden says. These parts may have been OK for their original owners, he says, but they aren't ideal for us.
Take brain cells, for example.
"They are slow. They are inefficient. They leak signals to their neighbors," Linden says. "Consequently, if you want to build clever human us with these very suboptimal parts, the only way to do it is to build a brain that is simply enormous and massively interconnected."
And that means it's very slow. Linden says getting a simple message from our feet to our brain can take a remarkably long time. To get a sense of just how long, he says, imagine a giant with her head in Baltimore and her toe off the coast of South Africa. If a shark bit that toe on Monday, Linden says, "she wouldn't feel it until Wednesday, and she wouldn't jerk her toe until Saturday."
Why the lag? Linden says it's because we're still using a communication system developed 600 million years ago by jellyfish.
In evolution, you never build something new if you can adapt something you've already got.
Deep Down, We're Lizards
Jellyfish don't have a brain, but they were the first animal to have any sort of nervous system. It's a loose network of nerves called a "nerve net," says Chet Sherwood, who studies brain evolution at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Jellyfish don't exactly live life in the fast lane, so their nerve messages could travel pretty slowly; the ones on a telephone wire move a million times faster. But once evolution had come up with a messaging system, it kept using it, Sherwood says.
"The nerves and the manner in which signals are sent is similar to what we have ourselves," he says.
Our brains are also limited by design features we share with lizards, Linden says. Evolution's tinkering gave lizards the brain they needed to hunt and survive in a tough world, and our brains still have that ancient wiring.
"If I throw a baseball at you, you're going to reflexively duck your head, and there's nothing you can do to override that with your conscious mind," Linden says. "Your ancient, subconscious, lizard-like visual system is doing that task."
Our Layered Brain The human brain relies heavily on structures found in lower animals. These functions play key roles in our everyday life. Stephanie d'Otreppe, Jon Hamilton/NPR
Three Scoops Of Ice Cream
A lizard brain is about survival -- it controls heart rate and breathing, and processes information from the eyes and ears and mouth.
When mammals like mice came along, the lizard brain didn't go away. It simply became the brain stem, which is perched on top of the spine, Linden says.
Then evolution slapped more brain on top of the brain stem.
"It's like adding scoops to an ice cream cone," Linden says. "So if you imagine the lizard brain as a single-scoop ice cream cone, the way you make a mouse brain out of a lizard brain isn't to throw the cone and the first scoop away and start over and make a banana split -- rather, it's to put a second scoop on top of the first scoop."
That second scoop gave mammals more memory and a wider range of emotions. It also allows a mouse to do things a lizard can't, like using experiences to anticipate danger instead of just responding to it.
To create the brain found in apes, Sherwood says, evolution added a third scoop. It allows apes to reason and live much more complicated lives than mice.
"In these brains, you can find all of the very same parts that you would see in a human brain," Sherwood says. But there's a difference -- the brain of an adult human is about three times the size of a gorilla brain.
The Cost Of A Big Brain
Much of the size difference appears after birth. The human brain continues to grow rapidly for the first five years after birth. It takes 20 years before all the circuits are laid out and connected up, Linden says.
"A miracle happens," he says. "You have enough neurons in this cortical circuit, massively interconnected, and somehow what emerges from that are these amazing human traits: The ability for me to know what you are thinking based on social cues that you give me, other forms of observational learning and high-level cognition."
In one sense, we've had to pay a heavy cost for our big, inefficient brains: Childbirth is difficult, childhood is long, and our brains consume 20 percent of the calories we eat.
But Linden says these adaptations turn out to have some surprising payoffs, like romantic love.
"If our neurons weren't such lousy processors and we didn't need 100 billion of them massively interconnected in order to make a clever brain out of such lousy parts, then we wouldn't have such a long childhood," Linden says.
And without that long childhood, he says, evolution wouldn't have equipped us with the force that bonds parents together to protect their children.
"We wouldn't have love," Linden says. |
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Liverpool FC youngster Will Marsh has joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
The midfielder, who turned 19 last month, will move to the Championship club on a youth deal until January 31.
Marsh, a regular at U21 level, was an unused substitute in the Barclays Premier League Cup win at Sunderland on Tuesday night.
Crewe-born, he joined Liverpool from Wrexham at the age of 14, and has progressed through the Academy since. He is yet to make his senior bow for the Reds, though he has been invited to train with the first team on a number of occasions.
He joins a side eighth in the Championship, just a point outside the play-off places. His Sheffield Wednesday debut could come away to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday.
Marsh joins a host of names to have left the Reds on loan this season, with the likes of Sergi Canos, Kevin Stewart, Ryan Kent, Sheyi Ojo, Lawrence Vigouroux, Jordan Williams and Lloyd Jones all plying their trade in the Football League at present.
Liverpool's Football League loanees
Sheyi Ojo (Wolves)
The England U19 star is shining at Molineux, scoring three times in 17 appearances for Kenny Jackett's side. He is rated at Anfield, and should return to the club to challenge for a first-team berth.
Sergi Canos (Brentford)
The Spanish winger scored his first professional goal for the Bees in their win over Nottingham Forest last weekend, describing it as "the best moment of my life."
Ryan Kent (Coventry City)
Another with plenty of fans at Anfield, the talented winger has made 11 appearances for the Sky Blues, who are currently top of League One.
Lawrence Vigouroux, Kevin Stewart & Jordan Williams (Swindon Town)
Trio moved to Wiltshire in the summer, featuring AGAINST Liverpool in a pre-season friendly. Vigouroux's time at Swindon has been notable more for a high-profile disciplinary issue than anything on the pitch.
Lloyd Jones (Blackpool)
Defender who was on the cusp of the first team during the 2012/13 season, but has not got close since. Has made nine appearances in League One for the Seasiders.
Harry Wilson (Crewe)
Talented, and already a full Welsh international, the 18-year-old has made seven appearances for Alex, and recently stated his desire to force his way into Wales' Euro 2016 squad. |
Most people know Vertigo to be an imprint defined by creator owned works, often challenging many of the limitations that are put on mainstream books. Though it has always been a place for pushing the limits, it has not always had a library of relatively disconnected titles. In the beginning, the titles that were, at the time, pre-Vertigo, were actually a part of the DCU, though its own quiet part. Hellblazer, Sandman, Books of Magic, Swamp Thing, Doom Patrol, Animal Man, and others actually do interact with the DCU, including some cross over events. As we got later into the early 1990s, we had a universe for Vertigo that was largely its own. This meant that many of the titles had crossover characters, though they were not known to interact in the same way as the regular DCU. To its credit, Vertigo had one major crossover event, after which they never really replicated.
The Children’s Crusade is a seven-issue comic crossover on Vertigo from 1993 to 1994. The event itself is made mostly of “annuals” from regular series, which had been newly returned and allowed the creators to separate this event from the regular story arc that may be in the monthly issues.
The crossover event takes places across the issues:
Chidren’s Crusade #1
Black Orchid Annual #1
Animal Man Annual #1
Swamp Thing Annual #7
Doom Patrol Annual #2
Arcana Annual #1
Children’s Crusade #2
While these seven books make up the event, it would have been very advantageous to read several other titles in preparation for the event to get better aquainted with the universe.
Read Ahead:
Sandman #25
Dead Boy Detectives #1-4 (Original Miniseries)
The Books of Magic #1-4 (Original Miniseries)
Doom Patrol #14, #25-#71 (This is only if you REALLY want to know the character, you could probably go without this.)
Swamp Thing #90-#136 (Again, only applicable for incredible depth for the Tefe character.
Black Orchid #1-3 (Original Miniseries)
Animal Man #1-27 (Just to get a sense of the series, this is the Grant Morrison run.)
It is good to note that the Children’s Crusade is actually a good launching point to start the regular ongoing Books of Magic series.
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1933-2014
Now one of the city’s oldest remaining industrial structures on Los Angeles Street, the former Excelsior Laundry is also a rare local exemplar of popular Romanesque Revival commercial architecture. The significant yet often-overlooked building was also the key site of an important episode in the city’s turbulent labor history.
The three-story corner building was completed for the Excelsior steam laundry company in 1893, as the city’s industrial district began to push south of First Street. As typical of 19th-century Romanesque Revival commercial buildings, its well-balanced design is defined by tall arched windows grouped in bays of two and three. The varied brickwork on its façade is punctuated by smoother stone elements with horizontal emphasis, as in its prominent sills and belt courses. In addition to the laundry’s offices, washing, drying, and sorting facilities, the building initially housed a small women’s hat factory at the rear of its third floor. An adjacent building (far left, unpainted in top picture), designed in a similar style with a matching roofline, was completed in 1895 as a boarding house.
As one of Los Angeles’ largest laundries at the turn of the century, Excelsior played a pivotal role in the precipitation of a laundry workers’ strike in 1901. In the spring of that year, several hundred workers among the city’s seven major laundry companies organized to form Local 52 of the Shirt Waist and Laundry Workers’ International Union, spurred by overlong hours and poor working conditions. In May, they submitted a schedule of demands to the city’s Steam Laundry Proprietors’ Association, including calls for a closed shop agreement, enforcement of a ten-hour work week with paid overtime, and equal wages for men and women workers. The Proprietors’ Association, headed by Excelsior owner J. Bonfilio, resolutely refused any recognition of the union, balking in particular at the closed shop provision. On June 29, Bonfilio ordered his workers to either renounce their union membership or not return to work, prompting the union to call an immediate strike.
On July 1, 335 of the city’s roughly 500 steam laundry workers walked out of their jobs, including 75 of the 90 workers employed by Excelsior. Led by the fiercely anti-union Bonfilio, the affected laundries offered no concessions to the union. In the weeks that followed, it quickly became clear that the laundry union had underestimated the laundries’ ability to replace their striking workers with non-union labor; By early August, each of the affected laundries had successfully restaffed their facilities. No settlement was ever reached, and the strike fizzled out in the following months. Despite the laundry union’s defeat, the strike set several precedents for the general labor unrest that would last through the decade, and solidified anti-union cooperation within the city’s business class.
Excelsior eventually succumbed to the precipitous decline of steam laundries that followed the popularization of smaller washing machines, closing its doors around 1946. Some years later, the building’s ground floor was divided into a number of small storefronts, with its upper floors kept for storage use. Like most of its neighbors in what is now known as the Toy District, for the past half-century it has primarily housed retailers of inexpensive toys, novelties, and apparel. Despite several alterations and decades of visible wear, the building and its attached neighbor have miraculously kept most of their original façades.
Sources:
1.”Before and after laundry strike.” Los Angeles Times. 1 Aug. 1901. 5.
2. “Fire well fought.” Los Angeles Times. 7 Nov. 1896. 10.
3. “Girls shed tears as they quit work.” Los Angeles Times. 2 Jul. 1901. 12.
4. “Happy were Troy people.” Los Angeles Times. 9 Jul. 1901. 10.
5. “He defies the union.” Los Angles Times. 1 Jul. 1901. I2.
6. “Public auction sale: entire plant of the former Excelsior Laundry.” Classified ad. Los Angeles Times. 4. Aug. 1946. 10.
7. Stimson, Grace Heilman. Rise of the Labor Movement in Los Angeles. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press, 1955.
8. Wallis, Eileen. Earning Power: Women and Work in Los Angeles, 1880-1930. Reno: University of Nevada Press, 2010.
Original Photo: Dick Whittington Studio. “Exterior, Excelsior Laundry, 422 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, California, 1933.” “Dick” Whittington Photography Collection. USC Digital Library. USC Libraries Special Collections. http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15799coll170/id/36118/rec/300. |
Early today, Brian Harry of Microsoft announced that, after 11 years, the company is closing the doors on its open source code sharing site named CodePlex. Started before GitHub became 'the place for code to be', the site mostly hosted Windows focused software code and never really took off with the community in general. When GitHub came along a few years later, the sites fate seemed doomed. Today, Microsoft formally admitted it with this announcement. GitHub has won.
According to the company, the site will be placed in read-only mode in October and, on December 17th, 2001, the site will be decommissioned completely and the servers turned off. Microsoft encourages all developers to follow their lead and move their projects over the Github during the remaining life of CodePlex. |
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Some 56 people have now been released from the state security service in Luhansk, officials say
Ukraine's interior minister has warned pro-Russian activists who have taken over state buildings in eastern cities to enter talks to find a political solution or face "force".
Arsen Avakov said the situation would "be resolved in 48 hours" either way.
Earlier, some of those who had been inside security service offices in Luhansk since Sunday left the building.
The EU, Russia, US and Ukraine are to meet next week in the first four-way meeting since the crisis erupted.
The talks are aimed at breaking the impasse since Russia annexed the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in February. Russian troops are now massed along the borders of the two countries.
In another development on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested state-controlled energy company Gazprom should make Ukraine pay up front for its gas, but said there should be "additional consultations" first.
Ukraine, which is on the verge of bankruptcy, owes Gazprom $2.2bn (£1.3bn) for natural gas supplies and recently missed a payment deadline.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Daniel Sandford watched as President Putin held a meeting with top officials
Tensions have been high since government buildings in the eastern cities of Luhansk, Donetsk and Kharkiv were taken over by pro-Russian activists on Sunday.
Mr Avakov said an "anti-terrorist operation" was under way in the three regions and would be concluded within the next two days.
"There are two options," he told journalists, " political settlement through talks or the use of force.
Crisis timeline 21 Nov 2013: President Viktor Yanukovych abandons an EU deal
President Viktor Yanukovych abandons an EU deal Dec: Pro-EU protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square
Pro-EU protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square 20-21 Feb 2014: At least 88 people killed in Kiev clashes
At least 88 people killed in Kiev clashes 22 Feb: Mr Yanukovych flees; parliament removes him and calls election
Mr Yanukovych flees; parliament removes him and calls election 27-28 Feb: Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Crimea.
Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Crimea. 16 Mar: Crimea voters choose to secede in disputed referendum
Crimea voters choose to secede in disputed referendum 18 Mar: Russian and Crimean leaders sign deal in Moscow to join the region to Russia Is Russia ready to move into eastern Ukraine?
"For those who want dialogue, we propose talks and a political solution. For the minority who want conflict they will get a forceful answer from the Ukrainian authorities."
The leader of the armed activists inside the state security service building in Luhansk has appealed to President Putin for help.
Calling Luhansk the "last remaining hope for all Ukraine", the man identified only as Vitaly said: "Mr Putin, have mercy on your fighters. If you lose us then you will lose the last hope to create a good neighbour."
Earlier, Ukraine's security service said 56 people held inside its Luhansk offices had been allowed to leave following two rounds of negotiations with local politicians.
During a rally outside the building overnight, speakers condemned the interim leadership in Kiev and repeated their call for a referendum on greater regional autonomy.
Ukraine's authorities said on Tuesday they had retaken control of the government building in Kharkiv.
Protesters in the regional authority building in Donetsk have been urged to leave. MP Nikolai Levchenko told reporters he feared for the safety of local residents.
"This should be resolved peacefully, he said. "I will do my best to protect them, even if they are wrong. But the most important thing is to secure the other citizens."
Barricades of barbed wire, tyres and even car bumpers surround the buildings.
Image copyright AP Image caption A Russian flag flies by a barricade erected beside the security service building in Luhansk
Image copyright AP Image caption These activists man the barricade outside a government building in Donetsk
Image caption Car bumpers have been used - along with tyres and barbed wire - to build barricades outside government buildings
Image copyright AFP Image caption Police officers' protective shields lie close to administrative buildings in Kharkiv
Moscow has warned Ukraine that using force to end the protests could lead to civil war.
On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised Russia for not doing enough to ease the tension.
She told parliament: "Unfortunately, in many areas it is not clear that Russia is contributing to a de-escalation of the situation."
'Genuine dialogue'
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said Russian special forces and agents had been "the catalyst behind the chaos".
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Steve Rosenberg reports from the barricades surrounding Donetsk city hall
President Putin says there is no intention to invade Ukraine but he reserves the right to protect Russian interests there.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet Mr Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia next week.
Senior US diplomat Victoria Nuland said expectations were not high for the talks but it was important to keep the "diplomatic door open".
Mr Lavrov, who spoke to Mr Kerry by phone on Wednesday, said the talks should focus on "dialogue among Ukrainians" and not on bilateral relations among the participants.
Kiev and its allies accuse Moscow of fomenting unrest in the mainly Russian-speaking east of the country as a pretext to possibly seizing more territory - a claim strongly refuted by Russia.
On Wednesday, Moscow again denied any intent behind its forces being stationed along the Ukraine border.
Moscow has so far refused to recognise the new authorities in Kiev following the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February. |
After decades of winning reelection by margins seldom seen outside of Third World dictatorships, the octogenarian New York congressman has recently found himself in difficult Democratic primaries. He clearly doesn’t like it.
“What the heck has he done besides saying that he’s a Dominican?” Rangel asked of State Sen. Adriano Espaillat, his main primary opponent, in a televised debate earlier this month.
“He’s been one of my main supporters in the Congress. He’s the one who put out that exciting label for me, the lion of Lenox Avenue,” he added. “What changed his mind are two things: the district lines which changed the populations of both sides and the fact that he wants to be the Jackie Robinson of the Dominicans in the Congress which is ambitious.”
Rangel concluded: “But the fact is that Jackie Robinson was a star before he reached the Major Leagues and he’s not a Jackie Robinson.”
Does it sound like Rangel was trying to “ otherize ” his opponent? Espaillat certainly thought so. “I’m really saddened that the congressman tries to frame this race among racial and ethnic silos,” he replied.
“What the hell can I say?” Rangel blustered after the debate. “He woke up in the morning and he saw that they said through the Census that there’s more Latins there than non-Latins. That is what I meant by it.”
Rangel, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, argued that race and ethnicity are not good enough reasons to elect somebody to Congress. “What is it about my answer you don’t understand?” he asked.
A longtime Harlem political kingmaker, Rangel has been up for engaging in a little bit of race-baiting in the past. After Republicans took control of Congress in the 1990s, he complained that policies like capital-gains tax cuts were basically racial epithets: “It’s not ‘sp*c’ or ‘n*gger’ anymore. [Instead] they say ‘let’s cut taxes.’”
It was a dumb comment that may or may not have been based on an equally stupid comment from Lee Atwater, lovingly archived by The Nation as confirmation of everything its writers believe about conservatives. Rangel did at least mock Joe Biden for his “they’re going to put y’all back in chains” comments about the Republicans.
But racial politics are becoming more complicated. Rangel’s formerly majority-black congressional district has, through demographic changes and redistricting, has become majority Latino. In 2012, Rangel beat Espaillat by fewer than 1,100 votes . Will he be able to hold on this time?
In a strange twist of fate, it was a villa Rangel owned in the Dominican Republic that nearly undid his political career . Unpaid taxes on the property cost him his chairmanship of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and led to his censure by the House. President Obama tried to gently nudge him into retirement, to no avail.
A 2012 New York Times headline read , “Even When His Latino Roots Might Help Politically, Rangel Keeps Them Buried.” The congressman’s Puerto Rican father hit his African American mother and abandoned their family. Rangel, who has himself been married fifty years, once wrote, “My father was absolutely no good.” The personal can unfortunately be the political.
More important than any one lawmaker’s struggles connecting with new communities and constituents, are the changes gripping the country. American racial politics are often seen in black and white terms, both literally and figuratively. Consider the reaction to Ta-Nehisi Coates’ acclaimed Atlantic essay making the case for reparations (to which I responded here ). With whites to lose their numerical majority and Hispanics outnumbering blacks , things are about to become more complicated.
Any conversations about race will now have to include more voices and the starting point will not always be the civil-rights fights of Rangel’s youth.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio—who has pointedly not made an endorsement in the late June primary—has essentially asked Rangel to cool it . De Blasio was elected by a very diverse multiracial coalition after six fairly fragmented mayor elections and he’d like to keep it together.
Rangel has long been a mainstay of such coalitions in New York politics, the man who toppled Adam Clayton Powell and acted as an important counterweight to Al Sharpton (who is aligned with a third candidate in the primary). If this is how his storied career ends, it will begin another chapter in race and American life not written in black and white.
W. James Antle III is editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation and author of the book Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped? He tweets at @jimantle .
Image: Flickr/ UNC-CFC-USFK/CC by 2.0 |
Hollywood Nightclub Brawl Clubgoer Shot Dead (VIDEO)
Hollywood Nightclub Brawl -- Clubgoer Shot Dead (VIDEO)
Exclusive Video
A man was shot dead outside a Hollywood nightclub early Sunday morning in the throes of a massive brawl ... and our photog captured it all.Cops tell us ... It started inside Empire nightclub ... where several fights broke out between some women ... before it moved outside.You see women in the video throwing punches, pulling hair, slapping etc.Within minutes the violence escalated into all out mayhem ... dozens more joined in -- men and women.Suddenly ... a man in a grey sweatshirt pulls a gun ... takes aim -- and two shots are clearly heard.Moments later, you see a man lying dead in the middle of the street -- and it appears the victim was the intended target.Another man was also shot during the brawl. He's in stable condition.The shooter was not apprehended. The LAPD is looking for him. |
(CNN) Security forces in Burkina Faso have ended an operation against terrorists who attacked a Turkish cafe in the capital Ouagadougou Sunday that left 18 dead including two attackers, the communications minister Remis Dandjinou said Monday.
In a press briefing he said searches of the neighborhood around the restaurant were still continuing. Dandjinou said there were several nationalities among the victims.
Burkina Faso police and army forces patrol the steets on August 13, 2017 after gunmen attacked a cafe in the capital.
The assault on the terrace of the Aziz Istanbul restaurant in the center of the West African city began around 9 p.m. local time Sunday (5 p.m. ET).
The attackers barricaded themselves in the restaurant on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah in the center of the city, state media RTB reports , citing authorities. The operation by security forces ended at 5 a.m. (1 a.m. ET) Monday morning.
Prosecutor Maiza Sereme told reporters Monday that the two young male assailants had arrived at the cafe on a motorcycle, armed with AK-47 assault rifles.
Five defense and security personnel were among 22 people wounded during the incident, she said, with 40 people eventually freed.
The National Police and Gendarmerie have launched an investigation into the attack. They are considering charges of association with a terrorist group, murder and attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and aggravated voluntary destruction of property, Sereme said, calling for witnesses to come forward.
Local media has reported that the Aziz Istanbul restaurant, popular for its European cakes and pastries, was packed with people celebrating a birthday party when the attack occurred.
"I salute the bravery of our security and defense forces whose engagement allowed us to neutralize the terrorists," the President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said in a statement.
"The struggle against terrorism is a lengthy fight. That is why I am calling for vigilance, solidarity and unity of the whole nation to face up to the cowardice of our enemies."
Le vaillant Peuple du Burkina Faso opposera une résistance sans concession au terrorisme et aux ennemis du progrès de notre Patrie. pic.twitter.com/O1GAWHLn57 — Roch M. C. KABORE (@rochkaborepf) August 14, 2017
Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister said on Twitter that those killed in the attack included citizens from Burkina Faso, Kuwait, Canada, Libya, Senegal, Nigeria and Turkey.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that a Turkish citizen was among the victims.
In a statement, French President Emmanuel Macron praised the "effective mobilisation" of the Burkina Faso security forces and said he will discuss the situation with Kabore later Monday.
France remains committed to pursuing the fight against terrorist groups in west Africa and accelerating work to set up a planned Sahel force to fight jihadists, the statement said.
Burkina Faso -- then known as Upper Volta -- was a French colony until 1960.
Macron visited the region in early July, when he said he wanted the force, which will initially count some 5,000 troops and begin its operations in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, to be operational by the end of August.
After the attack, a security perimeter was established by the Defense and Security forces and all roads leading up to the Ouagadougou International Airport were closed. The injured were taken to the Yalgado Ouédraogo hospital center.
Sunday's attack echoes a similar one in 2016 on the Cappuccino Cafe in the same district of the city that left 29 dead. Responsibility for that attack was claimed by the jihadi group Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Later that year jihadist attackers launched an assault on the Grand-Bassam beach resort in the Ivory Coast killing 16. |
Fresh off the committee passage of a bill that would allow doctors to withhold information from pregnant women out of suspicion that they might seek an abortion, the Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee has passed another bill which would allow employers to fire you if you fail to prove that you sought contraception for non-reproductive purposes.
In other words, give employers a right to fire you for having sex on your own time in your own home. And this applies specifically to women, as men don't typically seek birth control.
Arizona House Bill 2625, authored by Majority Whip Debbie Lesko, R-Glendale, would permit employers to ask their employees for proof of medical prescription if they seek contraceptives for non-reproductive purposes, such as hormone control or acne treatment. “I believe we live in America. We don’t live in the Soviet Union,” Lesko said. “So, government should not be telling the organizations or mom and pop employers to do something against their moral beliefs.”
Perhaps the most idiotic element of this bill is the fact that providing contraception coverage is a hell of a lot cheaper than maternity leave.
Are there small employers out there who would actually fire someone based on a "moral" objection to birth control? Maybe. That doesn't mean we should enable them to do so. |
The newly designed glasses, called TYPE are based on Helvetica and Garamond for now, but more fonts may follow later. Each font is represented in light, regular and bold weights, creating a total of six designs.
The company explains its reasoning in almost poetic form:
You are a character.
You have a voice and style.
You are straight. Or you’re odd.
You’re classic or complicated or light or clunky or simple.
And you are what you are and that’s good.
Because that makes your type the type we like.
To add some extra character, TYPE glasses are available in black, tortoise and clear frames.
The glasses really do look like the fonts they are named for. The characters of the fonts are clearly visible in the spines, bridge, temples, and fronts of the frames.
It is so well-done actually that you wonder why this was never done before. Now that these glasses exist it seems so obvious to transfer the design of a font to them, or any other item that shares aspects with a font (legs, round forms, endings, etc).
The innovation is not restricted to the design. You can order the glasses online and try them at home for five days, allowing you to take your time and seek the opinion of friends and family. They will also be available at the large Ohmy Glasses chain and at a pop-up store at VACANT in Tokyo’s Harajuku district (Jan 31~Feb 2 | location).
TYPE goes on sale from January 30, but for now only in Japan. One more reason to plan a trip to Japan soon!
What other fonts do you think should be used? |
With one month until Election Day, Republicans' chances for retaking the Senate and picking up seats in the House are improving.
The GOP has been buoyed by positive public polling, while red-state Democrats are still struggling to find distance from President Obama. There are bright spots and even some unexpected new targets on the map for both parties, but the overall national environment seems to have ticked a bit toward Republicans.
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The GOP needs to win a net of six seats to retake control of the Senate, and Republicans seem better-positioned to do so now than they did through much of the summer.
Democrats must hold their own for a decent election night, and they’re putting their faith in their vaunted ground game for the final stretch.
Both sides say control of the upper chamber is still very much at play, and Republicans certainly aren’t taking a victory lap just yet.
“The Senate is up for grabs and the outcome is far from certain,” said Paul Lindsay, spokesman for the pro-GOP American Crossroads. “There's a lot of encouraging signs in many states and a good progression for us in many states. But at the same time many of these races are still up for grabs.”
The GOP is all but certain to win open seats in Montana, South Dakota and West Virginia. Their candidates have alsopulled into dead heats or slight leads against red-state Sens. Mark Begich Mark Peter BegichFormer GOP chairman Royce joins lobbying shop Lobbying world Dem governors on 2020: Opposing Trump not enough MORE (D-Alaska), Mary Landrieu Mary Loretta LandrieuLobbying world Former New Orleans mayor: It's not my 'intention' to run for president Dems grasp for way to stop Trump's Supreme Court pick MORE (D-La.) and Mark Pryor Mark Lunsford PryorMedicaid rollback looms for GOP senators in 2020 Cotton pitches anti-Democrat message to SC delegation Ex-Sen. Kay Hagan joins lobby firm MORE (D-Ark.), leaving the party feeling bullish that former Alaska Department of Natural Resources commissioner Dan Sullivan (R) and Reps. Tom Cotton Thomas (Tom) Bryant CottonHillicon Valley: Senators urge Trump to bar Huawei products from electric grid | Ex-security officials condemn Trump emergency declaration | New malicious cyber tool found | Facebook faces questions on treatment of moderators Key senators say administration should ban Huawei tech in US electric grid Inviting Kim Jong Un to Washington MORE (R-Ark.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) will be joining the upper chamber next year.
They’ve taken a small lead in an open-seat Iowa battle between Rep. Bruce Braley Bruce Lowell BraleyOPINION | Tax reform, not Trump-McConnell feuds, will make 2018 a win for GOP Ten years later, House Dems reunite and look forward Trump: Ernst wanted 'more seasoning' before entertaining VP offer MORE (D-Iowa) and Iowa state Sen. Joni Ernst (R) that Democrats likely can’t afford to lose. Republicans are also neck-and-neck in Colorado, where Rep. Cory Gardner Cory Scott GardnerJon Stewart, 9/11 responders call on Congress to fund victim compensation program The Hill's Morning Report — Emergency declaration to test GOP loyalty to Trump Don’t look for House GOP to defy Trump on border wall MORE (R-Colo.) has closed in on Sen. Mark Udall Mark Emery UdallGardner gets latest Democratic challenge from former state senator Setting the record straight about No Labels Trump calls Kavanaugh accusations ‘totally political’ MORE (D-Colo.). New Hampshire has also tightened, though Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenCongress must step up to protect Medicare home health care Dems slam EPA plan for fighting drinking water contaminants Bipartisan Senators reintroduce legislation to slap new sanctions on Russia MORE (D-N.H.) still has the edge over former Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.).
But it’s not all good news for the GOP.
Republicans have a major and unexpected headache in deep red Kansas, where Sen. Pat Roberts Charles (Pat) Patrick RobertsPompeo says he's 'ruled out' 2020 Kansas Senate run GOP senators offer praise for Klobuchar: 'She’s the whole package' The Hill's Morning Report - House Dems prepare to swamp Trump with investigations MORE (R-Kan.) is trailing independent Greg Orman in the polls.
Republicans are hopeful that Roberts can right the ship now that he has a professional team around him. New national strategists are working to discredit the independent newcomer, and Orman has steadfastedly refused to say who he’ll caucus with if he does win. But Republicans privately admit that Roberts’s residency issues and lackluster campaign have put him in a bind.
Sen. Kay Hagan Kay Ruthven HaganNC state senator meets with DSCC as Dems eye challenge to Tillis GOP, Dems locked in fight over North Carolina fraud probe 2020 Dems compete for top campaign operatives MORE (D-N.C.) is hanging tough with a small lead against North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis (R), helped by a huge spending advantage in the red state and the unpopularity of the state legislature Tillis has led.
Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) is also a near-lock to win his race against former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R) in a race Republicans long hoped they could win.
And while Begich, Pryor and Landrieu are all in tough fights, strategists in both parties say all of those races could still go either way.
“Our red-state Democrats are running incredibly strong, as are our other candidates across the map, and we're well-positioned to hold the majority because we have better candidates running better campaigns. Republicans are saddled with a slew of bad candidates that are defending even worse records,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman Justin Barasky.
Democrats have had few offensive opportunities this election cycle. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHouse to push back at Trump on border Democrats block abortion bill in Senate Overnight Energy: Climate protesters storm McConnell’s office | Center-right group says Green New Deal could cost trillion | Dire warnings from new climate studies MORE (R-Ky.) has clung to a small but sturdy lead in his race against Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), according to most polling.
There have been few reliable polls of Georgia, but strategists in both parties think businessman David Perdue (R) still has a lead over former charity executive Michelle Nunn (D), though Democrats believe his history of outsourcing jobs gives them enough fodder to defeat him.
On the House side, Democrats are largely in retrenchment mode as they look to protect some incumbents they’d hoped would be in good shape and at this point are trying to hold any GOP gains to a minimum.
Democrats have largely given up on taking out early targets like Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), along with capturing open seats in suburban Detroit and Philadelphia.
Instead, Democratic outside groups are putting in resources to protect Rep. Dan Maffei (D-N.Y.), who few on either side expected would face much of a race, and an open seat in Maine they thought they had locked in after Republicans nominated a hard-right candidate. Freshman Reps. Julia Brownley Julia Andrews BrownleyOvernight Energy: Ocasio-Cortez rolls out Green New Deal measure | Pelosi taps members for climate panel | AOC left out | Court reviews order for EPA to ban pesticide Ocasio-Cortez: ‘I truly do not’ believe Pelosi snubbed me on climate change panel Pelosi names Dems to new climate panel — but not AOC MORE (D-Calif.), Ami Bera Amerish (Ami) Babulal BeraThe Hill's Morning Report — Groundhog Day: Negotiations implode as shutdown reaches 20 days Trump tells FEMA not to send more money to California for forest fires U.S. foreign aid empowers women and girls worldwide MORE (D-Calif.) and Pete Gallego Pete Pena GallegoGOP candidate scores upset win in Texas state Senate runoff Koch group launches digital ads in tight Texas House race Iraq War vet wins Texas Dem runoff MORE (D-Texas) are also in tougher fights than Democrats thought they’d be in early on.
“Democrats are coming to grips with the reality that they'll be playing more defense than offense,” said David Wasserman, House editor for the non-partisan Cook Political Report.
“This just isn't a year full of opportunity for Democrats… Republicans aren't reaching deep into Democratic territory but they're going to win back some seats Democrats won in 2012.”
Democrats do have some big pickup chances, however, against a trio of incumbents with self-inflicted wounds: Reps. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), Steve Southerland (R-Fla.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.). They’re also hopeful about open seats in Iowa, Arkansas and Northern Virginia.
Neither side has a clear advantage in terms of the national mood, and without a wave forming, there are fewer competitive races than ever before. But Republicans are benefitting from a midterm electorate that tends to lean their way more than in presidential years as Democrats are defending some freshmen they thought would be able to win without much national support. Both sides privately agree that Republicans will likely pick up a half-dozen seats on Election Day, and possibly more. |
And that is the story of how Sweden became a daddy.Just in case you can’t tell, no he didn’t marry Sister Finland. He is just a responsible gentleman who knows he got himself into this, so he is not even going to try to walk out on his obligations as a father.And yes, little FennoSwede believes himself to be quite awesome despite his parents.Fenno-swedes are Finns who live in Finland, but speak Swedish, and they are often seen as more rich, snobbish and annoyingly happy compared to the rest of Finland’s population.Some of you might have noticed that the people in Scania and the fenno-swedes use the same flag. I believe that is going to be hella’ confusing, but I’ll try and remember to tell you who is who if it isn’t clear from the comic. |
I’ve blogged about these folks before here … what prompts me to return to the subject is an article in today’s UK Guardian. It is actually a reprint from the New Yorker, they have re-printed it because they felt it was that good, and I agree, so I’m pointing you at it.
Should you be skeptical about Scientology? Well yes of course, but not just because they con members out of $$$, but also because of the indefensible human and civil-rights violations suffered by victims.
The article is long and detailed, but is a real eye-opener into the inner workings of this cult. Its the story of film director and screenwriter Paul Haggis’s resignation after being a member for 34 years. You might not have heard his name, well just in case not, here is a quick summary of who he is. He wrote the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2004, and he wrote and directed Crash, which won Best Picture the next year. Davis, too, is part of Hollywood society: his mother is Anne Archer, who starred in Fatal Attraction and Patriot Games.
When he finally quit, he did it in a very public manner and forwarded his resignation to more than 20 Scientologist friends, including Archer, and Travolta. To Haggis’s friends, his resignation from the Church of Scientology felt like a very public act of betrayal. They were surprised, angry and confused. “‘Destroy the letter, resign quietly’ – that’s what they all wanted,” Haggis says. But Haggis will not be silenced …
‘I had such a lack of curiosity when I was in the church. It’s stunning to me because I’m such a curious person.’
The article then goes through in detail what really goes on inside this truly wicked cult. If only a fraction of these accusations are true, we are talking about serious, indefensible human and civil-rights violations.
Miscavige [The current head of this cult] was a serial abuser of his staff. “The issue wasn’t the physical pain of it,” Rinder said. “It’s the fact that the domination you’re getting – hit in the face, kicked – and you can’t do anything about it. If you did try, you’d be attacking the COB” – the chairman of the board. Tom De Vocht, a defector who had been a manager at the Clearwater spiritual centre, told the paper that he, too, had been beaten by Miscavige; he said that from 2003 to 2005, he had witnessed Miscavige striking other staff members as many as 100 times.
…
Miscavige came to the Hole one evening and announced that everyone was going to play musical chairs. Only the last person standing would be allowed to stay on the base. He declared that people whose spouses “were not participants would have their marriages terminated”. The St Petersburg Times noted that Miscavige played Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody on a boom box as the church leaders fought over the chairs, punching each other and, in one case, ripping a chair apart.
…
They were 10 years old, 12 years old, signing billion-year contracts – and their parents go along with this?” Haggis told me. “Scrubbing pots, manual labour – that so deeply touched me. My God, it horrified me!
..
If they try to leave, the church presents them with a “freeloader tab” for all the coursework and counselling they have received; the bill can amount to more than $100,000. “Many of them actually pay it,” Haggis said. “They leave, they’re ashamed of what they’ve done, they’ve got no money, no job history, they’re lost, they just disappear.
I’ve always known that this was a wicked cult and that it was bad, but I honestly had no idea that it was this bad. The fact that they scam $$$ out of members is public knowledge, also the fact that they come down hard (legally) is known by many, but the scale of the abuse endured by their members was a revelation to me. They truly do earn the title of “Gobshits”.
Now that Haggis has gone very public, what will happen next? Well, given that he knows how they operate, he suggests that it will play out like this …
“These people have long memories,” he told me. “My bet is that, within two years, you’re going to read something about me in a scandal that looks like it has nothing to do with the church.”
His final words are also interesting, especially since it comes from a smart intelligent and famous individual …
“I was in a cult for 34 years. Everyone else could see it. I don’t know why I couldn’t.”
To read the entire article in the Guardian (and I encourage it), click here.
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If you’re looking to put an inline remote on your iPod, Griffin has one new way to do it — and it adds that oldest of old-school wireless music sources, FM radio.
Griffin’s Navigate plugs into the dock connector, bypassing the pesky requirement for chips that may or may not be DRM for headphones. This has another advantage — aside from piping the music, hot and steaming, to your headphones, the Navigate can also display track info in the OLED screen and give access to EQ, playlists and shuffle modes. And did we mention it has an FM radio? Try to stay awake at the back.
You might scoff — after all, this thing is bigger than an iPod Shuffle and it’s just a remote. But Griffin makes some good points, especially about restoring the tactile feedback of the clickwheel iPods to the Touch and iPhone. Apple has gone some way to addressing this with the clicky inline remote on the latest earbuds, but then you are limited to those same crappy earbuds. With Griffin’s widget you can plug in any cans you like.
All this and an FM radio for listening to ads interspersed with the occasional hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Available now, works with any recent iPod that has a dock connector, $60.
Product page [Griffin. Thanks, Evie!]
See Also: |
This article is about the dance. For a list of people named Dougie, see Dougie (given name)
Dougie dance
University student performs the Dougie during a talent show.
The Dougie ( () DUG-ee) is a hip-hop dance generally performed by moving one's body in a shimmy style and passing a hand through or near the hair on one's own head.[1]
The dance originated in Dallas, Texas[2][3] where it took its name from similar moves performed by 1980s rapper Doug E. Fresh.[1][4][5] The Dougie gained notoriety through rapper Lil' Will, whose song "My Dougie", released in late 2007, became a local hit. Then, a person called C-Smoove in Southern California[4] taught the future members of Cali Swag District the dance.[4][6] Cali Swag District recorded the song "Teach Me How to Dougie" and filmed the music video in Inglewood, California during the summer of 2009.[4][5] Subsequently, the video along with the dance went viral on YouTube. [4]
External video Cali Swag District teaches you how to Dougie (Dance Lesson) posted on Aug 26, 2010
Montae Ray Talbert, known as "M-Bone" of Cali Swag District, was killed in his car by an unidentified gunman.[5] According to the Cali Swag District spokesman, Greg Miller, "He was the best at doing the dance, and on tour he was always the one in the forefront … He helped bring it to the masses."[5] At the funeral, mourners did the dance for a tribute video, and Talbert's grandmother did it as part of her eulogy.[5]
In late 2010 and throughout 2011, the Dougie was performed by a number of athletes and celebrities, including Chris Brown, Henri Lansbury, Reggie Bush,[4] Dez Bryant,[4] DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside,[4] Glen "Big Baby" Davis,[1] Nate Robinson,[4] John Wall,[1][7] Braylon Edwards, Gaël Monfils[1][8] Wolf Blitzer,[5][9] Kate Upton,[10][11][12] and Michelle Obama.[13] In 2012, gymnast Gabby Douglas performed the Dougie upon winning the U.S. Olympic trials[14] and 2012 Summer Olympics U.S. gymnastics team gold and vault silver-medalist McKayla Maroney taught Jenna Hager, daughter of former President of the United States George W. Bush, how to do the Dougie while the gymnastics team was touring London on top of a doubledecker bus.[15] Even rugby union players have been seen doing their own version of the Dougie with Juan de Jongh, Julian Savea, Lelia Masaga and other notable players, whose athletic deeds can be watched on YouTube.
The Dougie has evolved into a much more advanced dance, including a bent-knee and a side-to-side swagger.[citation needed]
It is included in Jerkin' and has many moves in itself. Popping is also included in the new Dougie.[citation needed]
See also [ edit ] |
When Hurricane Sandy tore through New York City last year, some of the most stirring photos — aside from those chronicling the storm’s devastation — were of city residents helping one another keep their smartphones charged up and powered on. Daisychained powerstrips were a common sight throughout the five boroughs, and lines stretched out the door at locations where charge was available. That illustrated one glaring problem in a city where public Wi-Fi is available on just about any block (and even underground): There’s no convenient solution for charging our devices on the go.
To fill the void, AT&T, solar kit manufacturer Goal Zero, and Brooklyn’s Pensa Design have unveiled Street Charge, a solar-based charging unit that debuts today at Fort Green park and will be rolled out across numerous city parks and public destinations throughout the summer. For all of Manhattan’s amenities, as AT&T spokesperson Neil Giacobbi puts it, "None of that works if you don't have a charge on your phone and you're coming from a 10-hour day at the office."
Wi-Fi is everywhere, but charging remains a challenge
"There really is no existing elegant solution for power that can just be dropped in where you don't have to wire anything and there's not a lot of infrastructure that needs to be added in order to achieve it," said Pensa’s design director Mark Prommel. And with Street Charge, the Dumbo-based studio has certainly produced something befitting of the word "elegant" — a design it’s confident will complement surroundings at various locales including Union Square, Coney Island, Central Park Summerstage, Randall's Island, Governor's Island, and Hudson River Park.
Each Street Charge unit houses six USB ports in total. For iPhone owners, both Lightning and 30-pin dock connector cables are built in. There’s a micro USB cable included for Android / Windows Phone / BlackBerry devices, and three female USB ports are also available if you’ve got your own cable handy. Wood "charging stations" (carrying AT&T branding) provide ample room for users to place their devices down on Street Charge and chat with others stopping by for a quick boost.
"What's this going to be like at 4:30 in the morning in Union Square? I have no idea."
And everyone involved is hoping there will be something to that social aspect, however unpredictable it may be. "What's this going to be like at 4:30 in the morning in Union Square? I have no idea, but we're going to find out," said Giacobbi.
Street Charge will operate around the clock, 24 hours a day; Goal Zero's powerful sun-fueled battery will continue juicing plugged-in devices throughout the night. Just how much power does it put out? Each port produces up to 10 watts, enough to recharge your smartphone at the same rate as (or faster than) most OEM wall chargers. Representatives tell The Verge they expect most people will stop by for brief 10- or 15-minute charging sessions. The goal is to get you from point A to point B with a generous amount of your battery percentage intact.
In mapping out exactly where Street Charge would go, AT&T and its partners sought end destinations that would enjoy heavy foot traffic, but just as important, areas needed to be well-lit with a regular police presence. (New York continues to deal with a rising number of gadget thieves, and Street Charge could make for an easy target to the unscrupulous among us.) New York City’s parks department played a role in deciding where Street Charge could be placed in the city’s greener areas. Between two and three Street Charge stations will be deployed at each destination, lessening the odds you’ll need to contend with lines that would cancel out the convenience factor.
AT&T "ambassadors" will be on hand at select locations to help familiarize New Yorkers with Street Charge, but at others, the companies plan to take a hands-off approach. They’ll occasionally check in for feedback and to see how the initiative is being received at large. Still, if a pilot held near Pensa’s Brooklyn office is any indication, city residents will be flocking to the charging structures wherever they’re found. "People just sort of got it right away" said Prommel. |
I first saw Baba Ramdev and noticed his flair for drama on a blistering September evening in 2008. Surrounded by fawning, adoring fans, he was standing tall, rock-star like, on a floodlit boat on the Ganga in Kanpur. Ramdev – who incidentally also had deep links with the Congress – was kicking off the VHP’s Ganga Raksha Andolan with a fiery speech.
I trailed Ramdev when he retired that evening to a government guesthouse in the city. A masterful strategist and public speaker, Ramdev, guarded by private security supplied by businessman Subrata Sahara, now in the dock for a Rs 17,000 crore Ponzi scheme, was taking questions from journalists. He laughed and chortled, at himself and at us reporters. I found it impossible to keep journalistic distance from this yoga guru turned swadeshi business tycoon turned politician. I found myself fascinated, enraptured. Ramdev wanted you to like him. And you did.
Every time I met Ramdev thereafter, he was charming, earthy and self-deprecating. A gifted storyteller, Ramdev, like many good politicians, has a remarkable ability to project proximity and familiarity while remaining closely guarded and calculating. No matter how much time I spent with him, I never felt like I was able to scratch beyond the surface. So, many years later when I decided to write a book on Ramdev I knew that in order to tell his complete story, warts and all, I’d have to tell it not in his words but in the words of the people who witnessed and were part of his spectacular rise.
I began at the beginning. I spoke to members of Ramdev’s family: his mother Gulabo Devi, brother Devdutt Yadav and uncle Jagdeesh Yadav. I spoke to his friends: from his junior at the gurukul he attended in his early twenties, Acharya Abhaydev, to his lifelong deputy, Acharya Balkrishna. I interviewed long-time Haridwar residents who have known Ramdev since his early days conducting yoga camps for a few dozen people there. I met people who had worked for Ramdev at different points of time – from Vipin Pradhan, an aide of Ramdev’s between 2002 and 2005, before Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd was even established, to SK Patra, the CEO who helped lay the foundations for Patanjali’s phenomenal growth. All in all, I spoke to fifty-two people to unravel Ramdev’s story.
I fully expected to find disgruntlement and a fair share of unhappy acquaintances – after all, fame always comes with backbiters and naysayers. But when I stepped back to admire the arc of Ramdev’s life, a troubling pattern emerged: the likeable and warm Ramdev has in his wake a trail of dramatic falling-outs and tragedies.
Ramdev’s first serious falling out was with Karamveer Maharaj, his first mentor, the man who taught him how to teach yoga.
In their early days they would travel across the country together holding yoga camps, and making chawanprash in rented utensils and selling it on bicycles in Haridwar. Eventually they set up the Divya Yog Mandir Trust, of which Karamveer was founding vice-president, and under whose aegis they conducted yoga camps and established an Ayurvedic pharmacy. Karamveer had a bitter parting with Ramdev. One day in March 2005, he just left without telling anyone, never to return.
The idealistic Karamveer couldn’t brook, he says, the gradual commercialisation of a trust established for charitable purposes or the inroads that he felt Ramdev’s family were making in their establishment. He says, “Idealism is easy when you have nothing. It’s what you do when you have fame, money or power that matters. Unfortunately, I saw it changing them [Ramdev and Bakrishna].”
The spat with Karamveer seemed to be the beginning of a trend. In 2009 Ramdev fell out with Kirit Mehta, one of the founders of Aastha TV, the channel that propelled Ramdev into a league of unimaginable celebrity, after he took over the channel. And then again, in 2013, Ramdev had a sour altercation with his most pivotal CEO, SK Patra. They had differences over how the company was run – Ramdev sees working for Patanjali, Patra claims, as service, to the nation and for swadeshi. Patra, on the other hand, has a more orthodox view: he worked for compensation and recoiled against the culture of enforced reverence in the company.
But Ramdev’s life story is also dotted by a mysterious murder, an odd disappearance, and a death under curious circumstances.
Each one of these instances is on the public record. First is the murder of Swami Yogananda, an Ayurveda doctor and friend who allowed Ramdev’s Divya Yog Mandir Trust to use his licence for their Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing unit when they set it up in 1995. After eight years of operating under Yogananda’s licence, the alliance was dropped in 2003. Over a year after the Divya Pharmacy stopped using Yogananda’s licence, in December 2004, he was found dead in a pool of his own blood in his home in Haridwar. The case was closed unsolved in October 2005.
Then in July 2007 Ramdev’s 77-year old guru, Shankar Dev, who gifted Ramdev his ashram and its lands, enabling him to establish the Divya Yog Mandir Trust, disappeared. Shankar Dev, who lived austerely to the end, even after the success of his disciple’s venture, went for a morning walk and never returned. He left a cryptic, garbled note about a loan he had taken and was unable to repay. At the time of the disappearance, Ramdev was on a yoga tour in the US and UK and did not return home till the following month. When asked at a press conference why he did not cut short his trip, Ramdev said, “If I knew he was alive, I would have.”
The CBI opened an investigation into Shankar Dev’s disappearance in 2012. From the agency’s reply to an RTI filed by me, it is clear that the case is still open.
Then in 2010, Rajeev Dixit, Ramdev’s second mentor, and from whom Ramdev learnt his swadeshi messaging, died suddenly. After making a speech in Bemetara canvassing for the political party that they had founded together, Dixit collapsed in the bathroom, evidently due to a cardiac arrest. He died that night aged 43. The following day, Dixit’s colleagues noticed his face “was unrecognisable...a strange purple and blue. His skin was peeling strangely”. They demanded a post-mortem but Ramdev, eyewitnesses claim, refused to allow it citing scriptural prohibition and had Dixit’s body cremated instead.
When I started researching Ramdev’s life, I anticipated a spectacular rags-to-riches tale. Ramdev was born to a poor farmer and is now at the helm of an empire with over $3.6 billion! And, of course, I did find that story. But I found so much more. There is no evidence linking Ramdev to these deaths, and he has consistently denied any involvement in the cases. Yet tragedy just seems to follow Ramdev everywhere he goes.
Priyanka Pathak-Narain is the author of the forthcoming From Godman to Tycoon: The Untold Story of Baba Ramdev, Juggernaut. |
What if Spotify made a Podcast App? A product design concept Spencer Camp Blocked Unblock Follow Following Nov 3, 2017 In 2015, Spotify made the bold move to allow podcasts on its music platform. At that time, podcasts weren’t really a big deal, but now they’re a huge deal, and cannot be ignored. The #1 spot for the best podcast app has recently opened up because of Apple Music’s recent train wreck —Apple Podcasts, which is slow and complicated. What if Spotify took the reigns? Problems with podcasts on Spotify 2019 I had no idea—Spotify has podcasts? Too many clicks to arrive at a podcast. It doesn’t have all podcasts. Lacks a rating and review system. Mixing music and podcasts messes with the discovery algorithm. It doesn’t have global and national top charts. Solution A stand-alone Spotify Podcast app.
Timeline Timeline is a dynamic stream of constantly updating episodes based on your followed podcast shows. It displays the date updated, the podcast show, whether or not you’ve started the episode, and how much time the episode has left if you have any time left. All episodes that have been played will be removed from the timeline and when an episode is tapped, an audio player will immediately appear, playing it in a single click.
Your Podcasts Your Podcasts is a sortable master list of your favorite shows. To add a podcast to the master list click follow on the podcast’s show page. The cover art of the podcast will immediately appear at the top of your master list, where you can sort it into the order you’d like.
Audio Show Audio Show is where podcasts display their latest episodes, average ratings, and an expandable description. Older podcast episodes can be accessed here by scrolling down, and a blue dot displays whether or not you’ve listened to the episode.
Ratings & Reviews Ratings & Reviews are listener ratings and written reviews of podcast shows. The ratings will be averaged by the total ratings given. To leave a rating, press the number of hearts you want to give and leave a written review by clicking on Write a Review. Every review is available in a scrollable list and each written review can be expanded when tapped to view the whole review.
Audio Player Audio Player for Spotify podcasts is perfect. All controls—play, pause, +–15, skip, time, cover art are beautifully organized.
Featured Featured displays charts, themes, publishers, and more to stimulate podcast discovery. Compilations will be both editorially curated by human editors and algorithmically generated by a listener’s past history. |
Here’s an interesting finding. A survey yesterday of pro-Obama voters in Massachusetts who didn’t support Democrat Martha Coakley (either they stayed home, or they voted for Scott Brown) say their disenchantment has much to do with the fact that Democrats haven’t done enough to challenge Republican policies of the Bush years.
A Research 2000 poll commissioned by Democracy for America, MoveOn, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee asked 500 Obama voters who supported Republican Scott Brown “Generally speaking do you think Barack Obama and Democrats in Washington, DC are delivering enough on the change Obama promised to bring to America during the campaign?”
Overall, 49 percent of respondents said “no,” 37 percent said “yes,” with 14 percent unsure.But the more interesting finding may come from Obama voters who simply decided to stay home yesterday. They were asked, “do you think Democrats in Washington, DC are fighting hard enough to challenge the Republican policies of the Bush years, aren’t fighting hard enough to change those policies, or are fighting about right?”
A plurality, 39 percent, said “not enough,” 25 percent said “about right,” while only 12 percent believe Democrats have been too ambitious.
Obviously more than one factor contributed to the Democrats’ surprise loss yesterday, but this finding provides grist for those who disagree with Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) who said the lesson for Democrats is to moderate their agenda.
“The only [way] we are able to govern successfully in this country is by liberals and progressives making common cause with independents and moderates,” Bayh told ABC News. “Whenever you have just the furthest left elements of the [Democratic] party attempting to impose their will on the rest of the country — that’s not going to work too well.” |
By Dan Durkin–
(CBS) One of the essential job functions of any NFL head coach is situational planning. Success is predicated on having a team prepared for every scenario, from both a strategic and injury standpoint.
Bears coach John Fox faced the latter of those two scenarios recently during mandatory mini-camp, when both of the team’s 2014 opening day starters at offensive tackle — left tackle Jermon Bushrod and right tackle Jordan Mills — were unavailable due to injury.
“We’re out here trying to get better as a team, learn a new system,” Fox said. “We had a shortage of tackles right now. We have a couple of guys in the training room. So we took a look at him there.”
The “him” Fox was referring to was 2014 second-team All-Pro guard Kyle Long, who got a look at both tackle positions.
Long’s move to outside shouldn’t be just for emergency planning purposes. He should remain as the starting right tackle when the Bears reconvene in Bourbonnais next month.
This isn’t a controversial stance; it should’ve been the plan all along. Never mind the fact Long’s never played a snap at offensive tackle in the NFL, he’s the team’s best and most athletic lineman and his skill set is best suited for mirroring pass rushers in one-on-one situations on the perimeter.
Eyebrows raised when Long’s name was was announced as the 20th overall selection of the 2013 draft. Two seasons later, his five starts in college are an afterthought. He’s more accomplished than any of the seven offensive linemen drafted ahead of him from the 2013 draft and is clearly ready for more.
The previous Bears personnel department connected on a first-round pick, and the coaching staff groomed Long well. Playing him inside made sense. It eased his transition into the NFL game by giving him protection on both sides as he honed his technique and grew his football IQ. It also fit former offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer’s philosophy of building the line from the inside-out to allow a quarterback to comfortably climb up in the pocket.
But this is a new regime with a fresh perspective. On a roster short on building blocks, Fox and his staff would be wise to use Long as a true cornerstone piece in the rebuilding process.
Long checks every box in a scout’s notebook — size, footwork, balance, power and flexibility while playing with a mean streak.
Offensive tackle is a premium position. Over the past three seasons, all but one first-team All-Pro offensive tackle (Jason Peters) was a first-round selection. In contrast, of the six guards selected over that span, only two were first-round picks. Five offensive tackles will have eight-figure cap charges in 2015. No guard in the league falls into that pay grade.
Simply put, it’s less difficult to scout for a guard and cheaper to pay them compared to a tackle. The Bears have the good and rare fortune of moving a prospect from the inside to the outside.
Furthermore, the best pass rushers in the league operate on the perimeter. Over the past five seasons, there hasn’t been more than two defensive tackles in the top 20 in total sacks in a season.
Narrowing the scope to the NFC North, with Ndamukong Suh now a Dolphin, all of the Bears’ divisional foes’ best pass rushers operate on the edge — Green Bay’s Clay Matthews, Minnesota’s Everson Griffen and Detroit’s Ezekiel Ansah.
Fox and offensive line coach Dave Magazu should start Long out on the right side to get him accustomed to working on an island without help and to learn the technique and footwork necessary to play tackle, with the goal of eventually moving him to the left side.
With Long being a first-round pick, the Bears are almost certain to exercise his fifth-year option, which would give them contract control through the 2017 season. Bushrod is also signed through 2017, so the team would have plenty of time to add more talent to the mix at tackle to pair opposite Long in the long term.
For the first time in a while, the Bears actually have an elite, homegrown talent in the building, and they must maximize Long’s unique skills at the position he’s best suited for.
Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @djdurkin. |
Shopping in a Turkish bazaar is never wise for the novice.
The EU learned that lesson the hard way when it discovered the carefully crafted refugee deal it believed it had sold to Turkish leaders in the run-up to Monday’s summit turned out to be little more than the beginning of the negotiation.
Turkey made Europe a counter offer early Monday that six months ago would have prompted EU negotiators to get up and walk out. To European eyes, the proposal Ankara put on the table read more like a ransom note: €3 billion in refugee aid in addition to the €3 billion already pledged, full-scale visa liberalization for Turkish citizens in the EU by June, an acceleration of Turkey’s application to join the bloc as well as a pledge to resettle many of the Syrian refugees Turkey takes in.
Turkey’s message to Europe was clear: You need us more than we need you.
That Europe is not just considering the Turkish proposal, but is likely to end up accepting most, if not all of it, is testament to the desperation of the Union and its largest member, Germany, to secure a deal to limit the flow of refugees and end a crisis that is testing EU solidarity like nothing in its history.
Angela Merkel, who sees a sweeping agreement with Turkey as the only viable way out of the quagmire, tried into the early hours of Tuesday to cajole her fellow leaders into accepting the framework. In the end, they agreed to delay a decision until the next regular EU summit, scheduled for next week.
What worried some in the room is that accepting the Turkish terms would set a dangerous precedent, signaling that the bloc’s core democratic principles are up for sale. Giving Ankara what it wants, just as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been tightening his grip on power, turning Turkey into what many consider a dictatorship, could do irreparable harm to the EU’s credibility, critics argue.
And yet for Europe, the likely alternative — the collapse of Europe’s open borders and public trust in its institutions — would be even worse.
Speaking after the summit, Merkel stressed that given the war in Syria and the “geostrategic” situation, a deal with Turkey is “absolutely in Europe’s interest.”
Convincing the rest of Europe won’t be easy.
Cooperation, not sanctions
It was only on Friday that Turkish authorities seized control of the country’s largest newspaper, Zaman, dispersing protestors with tear gas. Such an action would normally prompt censure from Brussels.
Europe’s dry official commentary at the end of the summit: “The EU heads of state or government also discussed with the Turkish prime minister the situation of the media in Turkey.”
Instead of weighing sanctions, the EU is considering accelerating Turkey’s negotiations for EU membership. That process, which has been stalled for years, normally requires a candidate country meet basic standards on everything from the independence of its judiciary to press freedom. Acceding to Turkey’s demand that the EU open talks in five key areas linked to its membership bid would force the Union to ignore Turkey’s record on human rights, intimidation of the media and manipulation of the judiciary.
“We certainly can do all of that. The only question is what it will do to the EU,” one official involved in the deliberations said.
The irony is that Erdoğan likely has little intention of joining the EU. Membership in the EU is simply not compatible with his strongman style. But by forcing European countries to invite Turkey back to the table, he can show his people that Turkey is still accepted by the West and slap down domestic critics who say otherwise. Winning visa-free travel to Europe would offer further affirmation of Turkey’s place in the first world.
European officials tried to sell the summit as a success, arguing that the commitments Turkey was willing to make in terms of taking back refugees and helping to shut down human smuggling would amount to a major “breakthrough.”
"This is a real game-changer,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said afterwards. “We will make clear that the only viable way to come to Europe is through legal channels.”
In some respects, Turkey’s new offer goes further than the original plan it had discussed with the EU, particularly concerning the numbers of refugees Ankara would take back and the measures it would adopt to deter human smuggling.
But the price is higher than anyone in Brussels thought they’d have to pay.
Best laid plans
Just last week, a parade of European officials, led by Council President Donald Tusk, visited Turkey to lay the groundwork for a deal.
Under his blueprint, Turkey would have agreed to take back refugees intercepted in the Aegean, including Syrians, as well as some of the refugees now stranded in Greece. In return, the EU would release more of the €3 billion in aid it pledged last fall to help Turkey take care of the refugees.
Berlin believed that the deal, combined with other recent measures, such as a beefing up of coast guard patrols and the involvement of NATO ships in the effort, would help choke the flow of refugees.
Tusk’s entourage was encouraged by the progress they made. After months of foot dragging on the so-called EU-Turkey Action Plan, the Turks were finally moving forward.
The Europeans concluded Erdoğan had come around because he needed EU support in his confrontation with Russia and in dealing with the broader security challenges Turkey faces in the Middle East.
“For the first time since the beginning of the migration crisis, I can see a European consensus emerging,” Tusk tweeted after meeting Erdogan, the final stop in a weeklong tour of the Balkans.
The first sign the EU’s read on Turkey was off the mark came just minutes after Tusk’s plane departed Istanbul. Late Friday, a Turkish court approved the government’s seizure of the Zaman newspaper. Shortly thereafter, riot police moved in.
Caught off guard, Europe’s leaders said little about the crackdown for the next 48 hours, beyond the usual boilerplate about the importance of a free press.
Behind the scenes, officials worried that any criticism of Erdoğan could derail the deal ahead of Monday’s summit. They suspected the move against Zaman was a provocation meant to show Europe who was in control.
What the Europeans didn’t know was that the deal they thought they had was already dead.
A surprise at dinner
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu invited Merkel for dinner at the Turkish embassy in Brussels Sunday evening. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, also attended.
The dinner was set to prepare for the next day’s summit. But instead of ironing out the details of what had been negotiated over the previous weeks, Davutoğlu dropped a bombshell.
Turkey, he told them, had a new set of demands. Over the next several hours, the three discussed Ankara’s new conditions.
Merkel quickly realized it would be impossible to reach a deal at Monday’s summit, given the scope of the deal Davutoğlu had put on the table.
On Monday morning, Merkel arrived early to the Council headquarters to meet with other leaders. The focus turned to damage control.
The schedule called for lunch with Turkey followed by a meeting of the EU-28 to work out the final details of an agreement. The Turkish move threw the summit into disarray. The meeting with the Turks lasted for hours. Dinner was announced only to be canceled so leaders could hammer out a mealy-mouthed statement. The highlight: "We need to break the link between getting in a boat and getting settlement in Europe."
Merkel, who faces a string of important regional elections in Germany on Sunday, had hoped to leave Brussels with a solid deal she could present to an electorate increasingly skeptical of her government’s handling of the crisis.
Instead, all she can offer them is a vague promise that a comprehensive agreement with Turkey is near.
Other EU leaders, meanwhile, were shocked. Tusk complained that all his efforts over the past week had been for nothing.
Some national delegations blamed the Germans for bungling the negotiations with Turkey by allowing Davutoğlu the opportunity to recut the deal.
Merkel was at pains after the summit to put a positive spin on the day’s events.
“This Turkish proposal is a breakthrough if realized,” she insisted.
"Yes, this has made things more difficult … But I honestly think its better to have such a proposal now than not at all.” |
Developing countries lose $1tn a year due to poor governance and lax regulations. A new OECD report suggests how governments can collaborate to clamp down on illicit finance
Any discussion on illicit financial flows – money that leaves countries through illicit activities like money laundering and bribery – seems to prompt the question: how much money are we talking about?
A lot of effort currently goes into estimating it, but perhaps the crucial question to ask is what countries are doing to address it. A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) measures responses to illicit financial flows from developing countries and analyses how OECD countries are tackling issues of money laundering, bribery, tax evasion, and asset recovery.
In these policy areas, international standards have been in place for years. The report finds that most countries have regulations in line with the standards, but also that they could do more to stop illicit flows. By comparing country performance and by contrasting achievements in the relevant policy areas, this analysis offers strong recommendations on how advanced economies can contribute to fighting crime in developing countries – while simultaneously making their own systems stronger.
Of the OECD's 34 member countries, not one is fully compliant with the beneficial ownership recommendations on legal arrangements. Lax rules on declaring who really owns a company ('beneficial ownership') make it almost impossible to trace illicit money. Transparency on who owns what company can help win the fight against illicit flows. Establishing a comprehensive, transparent public registry of companies is relatively cheap, yet makes the investigation of corporate structures easier.
Governments should also require financial institutions and similar service providers to conduct 'due diligence' – in other words, carry out background research on whoever orders their services. Often, a quick internet search will reveal surprising similarities between the names of the seemingly innocuous client and an arms dealer in a conflict zone. These recommendations are not new: most are noted in the financial action task force's 40 recommendations from 2003, updated in 2012.
Combating cross-border tax evasion
Exchange of information between tax authorities is a key weapon against cross-border tax evasion. More than 120 jurisdictions, including many developing countries, have committed to the international standard on exchange of information on request. Since 2009, the OECD's Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information has been working to ensure that this standard is implemented properly. The global architecture on exchange of information has seen dramatic progress. Since 2000, OECD countries have signed roughly 1,300 agreements with developing countries, enabling them to request information for tax purposes.
Following commitments from the G8 and G20 countries, the OECD, together with the G20 countries, is currently developing a single global standard on automatic exchange of information. This will enable tax authorities share information automatically with foreign partners, not just when asked.
For donor agencies, this means funding capacity building. Developing countries need support to translate complex tax information into convictions of tax evaders.
Freezing, recovering and repatriating stolen assets
Between 2010 and 2012, OECD countries returned $147m and froze almost $1.4bn worth of stolen assets. While the cost of investigators who can find and trace stolen funds is relatively high, these figures show that there is an impressive return to be gained, which can in turn be used to fund development efforts.
Analyses have shown that countries with a consistent and comprehensive asset recovery strategy recover the largest amounts of assets. As with tax evasion, an important factor here is capacity. Sending in experienced investigators is one way to help developing countries gain convictions.
International bribery
As of 2012, 221 individuals and 90 companies have been sanctioned for foreign bribery. This suggests a growing political will to punish bribe payers; but approximately half of the OECD countries have yet to sanction a single offender. Considering that bribery is rife in many international business transactions, it's hard to believe that some of the world's most commercially active countries have not seen cases of corruption.
Given that most countries have laws criminalising bribery, the weak link (again) seems to be enforcement. Governments need to ensure that their enforcement authorities are equipped to prosecute consistently. Developing countries in particular need support for their prosecution systems.
While we may never know the exact extent of the problem, illicit flows of money from developing countries can nevertheless be tackled; the tools exist that are proven to do the job. The figures also show that some progress is being made. OECD countries recognise that instead of trying to measure a problem as shadowy, complex and difficult to quantify as illicit financial flows, the focus should be on addressing these flows more effectively. That will take a whole raft of preventative and enforcement measures. If governments consistently put their commitments into action and enforce regulations, the crimes of money laundering, bribery and tax evasion may start to pay criminals a lot less.
Lena Diesing works for the governance for development and peace team, within the global partnerships and policy division of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Follow @LenaDiesing on Twitter
This article was updated on 26 March, 2014
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Caprica saw another dip in the ratings on Friday, but Syfy is standing by it. Plus the network is considering a second Battlestar Galactica spin-off show. Syfy's also jumping on the superhero bandwagon, with two super-powered shows in the pipeline.
Caprica's ratings had actually seen a decent uptick for two episodes in a row (the "New Cap City" one, and the "Tauron wants to buy the sports team" one.) But with last Friday's episode, the show surrendered most of those gains, grazing up against the one-million-viewers mark once again. Syfy's Executive VP of Development, Mark Stern, continues to be "bullish" about the show, and points to robust DVR viewer numbers — people, in other words, who have some place to be on a Friday night or are watching Smallville, but who watch the show later.
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But the most intriguing thing in the latest interview with Stern, at Hollywood Reporter, might have been Stern's mention of a second BSG spin-off. Says Stern:
We're looking for other ways to spin off ‘Battlestar' beyond ‘Caprica.' That world is so rich. We're sitting down with (executive producer) Ron Moore and his team. It would not necessarily be a traditional series.
Also, now that superheroes are hitting network TV with The Cape and No Ordinary Family, Syfy is looking to get into the super-powered game too. Syfy is hoping one of its two superhero pilots becomes a series.
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There's a 90-minute pilot called Three Inches, made by Fox Television Studios, from Twin Peaks writer Harley Peyton and producer Bob Cooper. It's about a guy who discovers he has telekinesis — but he can only move objects a total of three inches with his mind. He finds a bunch of others with similiarly unimpressive powers, and they form a superteam. Because. Says Stern, "‘Three Inches' is a fun, smart, offbeat spin on the superhero genre It's a very postmodern approach, with a really wonderful, tongue-in-cheek script." The other superhero show, Alphas, is also about a super-team, but less is known.
Syfy's upfront presentation to advertisers is scheduled for today, so we may know more about its upcoming programs soon. |
Disturbing details about the reclusive and strange life of Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock have now emerged in unsealed court documents from 2013.
In the testimony, made as part of a slip-and-fall suit, he admitted to gambling up to $1 million a night - saying the sum isn't a large amount of money - and said he was on Valium, a drug that can cause aggression.
He also boasted about spending '14 hours a day, 365 days a year' playing video poker in 2006, usually at night, CNN reported.
When asked if he ever went out, he said: 'I don't do sun.'
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Stephen Paddock (pictured) testified in 2013 that he was taking Valium prescribed by a doctor who he paid a retainer to for easy access. The drug can cause rages and aggression
The remarks were made in a deposition after Paddock (circled) sued the Cosmopolitan Hotel in 2012 for a slip he had the year before. He's seen here in CCTV footage just before the slip
Paddock (fallen, in circle) tried to sue the casino for $100,000, but his claim was thrown out. He also told the court he gambled 14 hours a day, 356 days a year at peak, in 2006
The 97-page court deposition was created as part of Paddock's $100,000 lawsuit against Cosmopolitan Hotels & Resorts, after he claimed to have slipped on a puddle in its namesake hotel.
In it, he claimed to have no mental health issues or addiction problems.
However, he did admit to having a doctor who supplied him with Valium - also known as diazepam - for 'anxiousness'.
'He's like on retainer, I call it, I guess,' Paddock said of the doctor. 'It means I pay a fee yearly ... I have good access to him.'
It's not clear how much he took, or how regularly; he told the court he had 10-15 pills left in a bottle of 60 prescribed a year and a half earlier.
But the drug can cause aggressiveness and rages in some people if they have unresolved issues, Dr Mel Pohl, chief medical officer of the Las Vegas Recovery Center, told The Las Vegas Review-Journal.
SIDE EFFECTS OF DIAZEPAM (VALIUM) For most patients, these are the typical side effects: Drowsiness
Tired feeling
Dizziness
Spinning sensation
Fatigue
Constipation
Loss of balance
Memory problems
Restlessness
Irritability Muscle weakness
Nausea
Drooling
Dry mouth
Slurred speech
Blurred vision
Double vision
Skin rash
Itching
Lost interest in sex However, the pamphlet that accompanies the medication tells patients to call their doctor if they experience the following symptoms: Thoughts about suicide or dying
New or worse anxiety
Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
Acting on dangerous impulses
Attempts to commit suicide
Feeling agitated or restless
New or worse irritability
An extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
New or worse depression
Panic attacks
Acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
Other unusual changes in behavior or mood
'If somebody has an underlying aggression problem and you sedate them with that drug, they can become aggressive,' Pohl said.
'It can disinhibit an underlying emotional state. … It is much like what happens when you give alcohol to some people … they become aggressive instead of going to sleep.'
Whether Paddock had such problems is something the FBI's profiling teams in LA and Las Vegas are still trying to determine.
In a statement to the public last week, Paddock's girlfriend, Marilou Danley, 62, said that she 'knew Stephen Paddock as a kind, caring, quiet man'.
However, it emerged over the weekend that Paddock had a darker side; a Las Vegas prostitute told The Sun that Paddock paid her $6,000 a weekend to take part in S&M sex acts.
Paddock was particularly into roleplaying, the unnamed woman said, including tying her up and asking her to act out rape fantasies.
It's not clear whether these might indicate any kind of underlying aggression that could manifest through Valium.
The doctor who prescribed the drug was identified by the Review-Journal as Dr Stephen P Winkler.
Winkler's office refused to confirm or deny whether Paddock was a patient, citing patient confidentiality rules, which persist even after death.
Paddock also said he had a concealed weapon permit in Texas, but otherwise there was little discussion of guns.
Elsewhere in the deposition, Paddock - who made millions in real estate and was known as a 'big fish' gambler according to his brother - paints a picture of himself as an unusual 'high-roller'.
He talks about how he would walk around the casinos in black flip-flops and sweat pants - and would carry his own drinks so he didn't have to tip waitresses.
However, he said, he didn't like to drink because 'at the stakes I play, you want to have all your wits about you, or as much wit as I have.'
Paddock would play video poker (file photo) hands of up to $1,500. He'd sometimes spend as much as $1 million a day, he said - but thought that wasn't much money
Those stakes, he said, could see him losing $100-1,350 at the push of a button - and sometimes saw him gambling up to $1 million a night.
'That's a lot of money,' the lawyer said.
'No it's not,' Paddock replied.
Paddock filed the suit in 2012 after he claimed to have slipped and fallen on a wet floor, citing 'Negligence - Premises Liability'.
Video footage showed Paddock's fall in the Cosmopolitan - but also a number of other guests and staff walking over the same area without apparently noticing any puddles or danger.
The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice in late 2014. |
After Billy Joe Saunders outpointed Andy Lee to claim a middleweight belt on Dec. 19, Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, which promotes unified titleholder Gennady Golovkin, made an offer to Saunders promoter Frank Warren to do a unification fight in the spring.
While the sides are talking about the fight, Loeffler is also making alternative plans in case a fight with Saunders doesn't get made (and it's a long shot anyway).
So there are also talks going on between Loeffler and Golden Boy Promotions for Golovkin's mandatory defense against Tureano Johnson, Golden Boy vice president Eric Gomez told ESPN.com.
The date they are discussing is April 23 (HBO) at Madison Square Garden in New York, Gomez said.
"We've had preliminary talks," Gomez said. "It's GGG's mandatory fight and it's a fight we'd like to make."
Loeffler confirmed that they are in discussions.
If Golovkin can land a unification fight, he would be granted an exception to the mandatory defense. Barring that, the mandatory challenger would likely be his next opponent.
Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs) drew a sellout crowd of 20,548 (including presidential candidate Donald Trump) to Madison Square Garden for his Oct. 17 unification fight with David Lemieux -- another Golden Boy fighter -- whom he knocked out in the eighth round of a one-sided fight in his HBO PPV debut. Golovkin retained his title for the 15th time and notched his 21st knockout in a row.
On the undercard that night, Johnson (19-1, 13 KOs) knocked down Eamonn O'Kane twice in the first round and cruised to a lopsided unanimous decision in the title elimination fight that secured the mandatory title shot.
If Golovkin wins the April fight and middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez retains the title on May 7 (HBO PPV) against an opponent to be determined, the plan is for Alvarez and Golovkin to meet in September in what would be the biggest fight in boxing at the moment. |
In an unguarded comment about the Russian President’s actions in the Ukraine, the Prince of Wales told a woman who had lost relatives in the Nazi Holocaust: “And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler,” the Daily Mail reported .
The Prince’s comment could potentially be seen as criticism of the West for failing to confront Mr Putin over his seizure of Crimea. The annexation was a first by a major power in Europe since 1945.
Commentators have likened Russia's handing of the Ukraine crisis to Hitler’s takeovers of Poland and Czechoslovakia and have criticised Mr Putin's use of special forces in disguise to stir up tension in disputed areas.
The Prince of Wales, who is due to meet Mr Putin at the D-Day commemorations in France on June 6, made his well-intentioned but unguarded comment during a visit to the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Mail said.
The prince is on a tour of Canada with the Duchess of Cornwall – they have 41 engagements in just three and a half days.
On Tuesday night Clarence House sources said the Prince of Wales had a private conversation with a woman who had lost relatives in the Holocaust.
"It was a private, empathetic, conversation with a lady who had lost family members in the Holocaust," the source said.
On Monday, the pair paid tribute to Second World War veterans and their families at the museum in Halifax’s docks.
Prince Charles was introduced to Marienne Ferguson, a museum volunteer who fled to Canada with her Jewish family when she was just 13.
Mrs Ferguson, 78, was born in what is now the Polish city of Gdansk. A free city under the terms of the Versailles Treaty after the end of the Great War, it was seized by the Nazis on the first day of fighting in 1939.
Mrs Ferguson and her parents, two sisters and grandmother had managed to obtain permits to sail to Canada. But other members of her family failed to escape and were captured by the German forces.
They were sent to Nazi camps where they met their deaths along with an estimated six hundred Jews from the city,
Mrs Ferguson told her story to Prince Charles as she showed him the museum’s exhibits.
At the end of the visit, and surrounded by media, Prince Charles made his comment about the situation in Ukraine, the Mail said.
It was heard by several witnesses. Mother-of-three Mrs Ferguson said: "I had finished showing him the exhibit and talked with him about my own family background and how I came to Canada.
"The prince then said 'And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler'.
"I must say that I agree with him and am sure a lot of people do. I was very surprised that he made the comment as I know they [members of the Royal Family] aren’t meant to say these things but it was very heartfelt and honest.
"I told the prince that while my family and I were lucky to get a permit to travel, many of my other relatives had permits but were unable to get out before war broke out on September 1. They were sent to the concentration camps and died."
It is unusual for a senior royal to express an opinion on sensitive political issues as they are supposed to remain politically neutral.
A spokesman for Clarence House said last night they would not comment on a private conversation. |
An innocuous circular issued by the Madarsa Shiksha Parishad of Uttar Pradesh directing all Madrasas under its jurisdiction to hoist the National flag and organize cultural programs to commemorate the Independence day this year became grist for the mill of Mainstream Media, for whom anything that Yogi Adityanath or for that matter Narendra Modi does has to be viewed through the prism of “Hindu communalism and hegemony.”
Nowadays, small matters like context, history, the need to read the actual circular before jumping to conclusions, and the principle of “fair balance”, so crucial to news reportage are all conveniently forgotten in the mad rush to gain TRPs and be the first to “break the news.”
Television and print-media reports went to town claiming that the Yogi government wanted photos and videos of the events as “evidence.” It is fair to assume that most news houses did not read the circular in full or did but chose to interpret it this way. They were aided in this by some Madarsas representatives who too claimed they were being put through a patriotism test.
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However, facts of the matter are different than what is being portrayed and claimed.
A reading of the circular (in Hindi) should inform us that this is nothing more than a standard “sarkaari” letter asking that the madrasas celebrate Independence day with pride and gaiety along with a listing of the program agenda including hoisting of the flag, offering respects/homage to the memory of our freedom fighters, sing songs and organize cultural programs that inculcate a sense of unity and patriotism amongst students, and finally distribution of sweets at the end of the cultural programs.
The “offending” sentence actually occurs at the end of the circular and only asks that the proceedings of the celebrations be photographed and videographed so that programs that have been conducted in an excellent fashion may serve as a template for future Independence day programs and to award/reward people/institutes that have excelled in the conduct of the program.
A copy of the circular can be seen in the picture below:
Now that the true purport of the circular has been clarified, let us look at the history behind this circular.
The 11th Five Year Plan of the National Development Council under the UPA regime in 2007 brought out a document, titled ‘Madarsas/Maktabs‘, informing all of these centers/schools that they would receive a special grant to celebrate national festivals of Independence day and Republic Day. However, the document added that for them to be eligible for this grant they must mandatorily host the National Flag on these occasions – This was in 2007 when the UPA was in power. There was no such massive outrage then. The question that naturally follows is why is so much being made out of this circular now?
But there is more than just UPA vs NDA or Congress vs BJP.
In 2015, Ajeet Gaur a director at the Devi College in Aligarh, filed a writ petition in the Allahabad high court asking why the Uttar Pradesh government did not direct all madrassas to unfurl the national flag on Independence Day and Republic Day. A bench of the Allahabad High Court headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud along with Justice DY Yeshwant Verma, which heard this writ petition, issued a directive to the State Government asking them to ensure that all Madarsas not only hoisted the National Flag on these two days but also sang the National anthem. Further the court directed the state government to “issue necessary directions in this regard”
The fact therefore is that all of this outrage by sections of the media and intelligentsia is simply “manufactured” outrage and nothing else. The Adityanath government was simply following the instructions of the High Court in issuing the circular to the madrasas.
T Ramesh Venkatraman is a management consultant and entrepreneur. He is a student of Sanatana Dharma and an avid blogger/writer who blogs at ‘The Curated Life’ and ‘Politically Right Views’ https://thecuratedlifeblog.wordpress.com/
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Austin Clarke, the acclaimed Toronto-based novelist of books such as the 2002 Giller Prize-winning The Polished Hoe, died early Sunday morning after a long illness. He was 81. Clarke’s passing was confirmed by Patrick Crean, his long-time friend and former publisher. He is survived by four daughters, a son and his former wife, Betty.
Austin Clarke in 2012. ( STEVE RUSSELL / TORONTO STAR )
Clarke, who was born in Barbados, moved to Toronto in 1955 to study at the University of Toronto. A handful of brief digressions aside, he never left, evolving here into a frank and forthright literary voice and a champion of black rights. But he was leery of taking Canadian citizenship, acquiring it only in 1981, explaining later that “I was not keen on becoming a citizen of a society that regarded me as less than a human being.” Indeed, Clarke’s observations of the splintering of Canadian society in the ’50s and ’60s gave voice to a new version of a country in its earliest stages of becoming.
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“Austin wrote our multicultural moment before we even had a language to describe it,” said Rinaldo Walcott, a professor at the University of Toronto and a longtime friend. “He was an astute observer of those social dynamics, and he was a critic of it as well.” Clarke was bluntly critical of the endemic racism he encountered both here and at home, in Barbados, a colonial British outpost where he attended Anglican schools before coming to Canada. ‘Membering, his lyrical memoir published last year, recalls with vivid detail his daily struggles with discrimination in an uptight city of not-so-long ago. In it, he writes of living “in the atmosphere of great physical fear, of the expectation that a policeman might shoot me — bang-bang, you’re dead, dead — of being refused the renting of a basement room, or an apartment in a public building, that I would find myself standing noticeably longer than other customers at a counter in Eaton’s store, at the corner of Yonge and College Sts., that I might be thrown out, sometimes physically, from a restaurant, or a nightclub, as Oscar Peterson was, and face the embarrassment of being told by a barber that he does not cut niggers’ hair. This is my Toronto.” Yet in private, friends speak of a generous, passionate spirit filled with an affection for simple pleasures in life: A love of cooking, of conversation, and of music. But he was also a complicated man, whose fiery passions around issues of inequity seemed at times to chafe with his conservative Anglican beliefs. “If you were going to have a real relationship with Austin, you had to be prepared to move nimbly,” said the author Barry Callaghan, a decades-long friend and literary colleague who in 1996 published The Austin Clarke Reader through his imprint, Exile Editions. “He was a worldly fellow, a man of elegance, a man of conservative principles, but at the same time, he could be engaged with people that most conservatives wouldn’t let into their house.”
Clarke, famously, made a failed run as a Progressive Conservative candidate for the Ontario legislature in 1977, though his literary and intellectual fascinations seemed a clear ideological contradiction. He had built his reputation as a novelist as a keen observer of the nuanced plight of immigrants in Toronto, and specifically women. Meanwhile, his advocacy for a racially tolerant society had led him to places far outside standard conservative boundaries. In 1963, while working as a journalist at the CBC, Clarke found himself in Harlem, N.Y., seeking an interview with the great African American writer James Baldwin, but instead came back with an hour of tape from a chance encounter with Malcolm X. Quickly building a reputation as a voice of black empowerment in Canada, Clarke wrote at a furious pace, though his passion would drive him away, at least for a time.
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In 1968, Maclean’s magazine published a piece Clarke had written about his encounters with racism here under the headline “Canada’s Angriest Black Man.” Disillusioned at the simplification of what he had written as a complex issue, Clarke moved on to Yale University, where he became one of a group of professors to establish the school’s Black Studies program, one of the first in the United States. Clarke’s enthusiasms were diffuse, straddling culture and politics. From Yale, they would lead him to Washington, D.C., where he served as a cultural attaché for the Barbadian embassy in 1973, and back home to Barbados, where from 1975 to 1977, he ran the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. He eventually circled back home to Toronto, and Walcott believes his return helped seed the rich literary fabric that the city, and the country, enjoys today. “His great passions were for food, for drink, but much more than that, for young writers across race and class and gender, whom he would have to his home and mentor selflessly, reading manuscripts and offering his feedback,” Walcott said. Though his passion for social justice never wavered — he served on the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada from 1988 to 1993 — his commitment to his writing could be a powerful, monastic counterbalance. In the late ’90s, Walcott lived downstairs from Clarke while he wrote The Polished Hoe, in a central Toronto duplex. “I wouldn’t hear a sound for three days,” Walcott recalls, “so I’d call and see if he was all right. He would tell me he was writing — he hadn’t eaten, or slept. It would possess him like a spirit.” Clarke’s literary accomplishments, coupled with his strong social conscience, won him the Order of Canada in 1998, a poignant honour given the critical voice he had so often taken regarding his adopted homeland. All the accolades aside, what Callaghan recalls most is a complicated friend who changed all around him for the better. “When I think of special dinners here, it was also Austin that said grace,” he said. “There was no one like him, because there could be no one like him. There were just too many cross-references in his personality. He was singular.” A funeral will be held at St. James Cathedral on July 9. |
New research reveals that advances for women at the top have not been matched by progress for those at the bottom
Feminism has failed working-class women by focusing too much on gender equality in high-profile roles, according to new research.
While the average gap between the earnings of men and women has narrowed in the last 50 years, differences between professional and unskilled women are significantly higher than those between the same groups of men, a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has found.
With or without a university degree, men continue to earn more than their female counterparts. But researchers found that women with a degree born in 1958 earned nearly three times as much (198%) as women in unskilled jobs born in the same year – compared to a difference of less than half (45%) between men in the same groups.
Dalia Ben-Galim, associate director of the IPPR, said: "While feminism has delivered for some professional women, other women have been left behind. Many of the advances for women at the top have masked inequality at the bottom.
"The 'break the glass ceiling' approach that simply promotes women in the boardroom has not been as successful in changing family-friendly working culture or providing opportunities for other women to advance.
"Gender still has a strong independent impact on women's earnings prospects – but class, education and occupational backgrounds are stronger determinants of a woman's progression and earnings prospects."
Motherhood was also a key factor, with women who had children earlier seeing their earnings prospects decrease compared to those who postponed starting a family, the study found. For men, the reverse was true, as fathers enjoyed a "fatherhood pay bonus" that saw them earn more than men without children.
The IPPR called for a more progressive parental leave system, more affordable and accessible childcare and better paid part-time jobs to address these issues.
It also warned against the "decoy effect" of focusing on women in high-profile positions, and said the breaking-down of stereotypes should be the priority.
The report found that the number of "house husbands" in Britain has trebled over the last 15 years, with 62,000 men staying at home to care for their family and remaining economically inactive. But most women (77%) said they do more housework than their husbands, with just one in ten (10%) married men doing an equal amount and 13% doing more.
And researchers discovered that British men and women increasingly marry partners from the same social group, with a decline in women "marrying up" and a small increase in women "marrying down". |
A spectator caused a horrific crash at the Tour of Italy on Thursday that left race leader Alberto Contador with a dislocated shoulder and another rider, Daniele Colli, with a broken arm, AFP reported.
WARNING: This post shows graphic images that some people may find disturbing.
As stage six of the race was nearing its climax with a sprint finish, Colli was racing up the side of the road when he struck a spectator's camera and telephoto lens before hitting the ground.
A moment later, race leader Contador went flying, too, along with several other riders, and ended up on the ground with a dislocated shoulder.
"The crash occurred in the final 300 meters as Daniele Colli hit the camera lens of a spectator leaning over the barrier and went down, bringing half the peloton down with him," the AP reported. "Colli was immediately taken to a hospital and his team confirmed he broke his arm."
Here's Colli, on the left, hitting the spectator's camera:
Here's another view:
inCycle/YouTube
Below is a video showing more of the crash and the aftermath.
WARNING: This video and an embedded tweet after it show graphic images that some people may find disturbing.
Colli later tweeted that he was doing OK, and he thanked all his well-wishers. He said it was unfortunate that he crashed because people were careless, adding that cyclists risk their lives every day and to please respect their work.
He also retweeted a photo of himself with his arm mangled and one with him giving the finger from his hospital bed:
As for Contador and his dislocated shoulder, he tweeted that he hopes to start Friday's stage seven.
Last Sunday, also in the Giro d'Italia, a spectator on a bike caused a big crash when he tried to ride along with the pros.
In the first few seconds of this video, you can see the guy riding right onto the racecourse:
The three-week Giro concludes on Sunday, May 30, in Milan. It is considered the most important stage race after the Tour de France.
The crash on Thursday overshadowed the impressive win by André Greipel:
Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA/AP
The big question now is, will Contador actually start Friday's stage and be able to defend his lead? |
What's the beauty of being Villas-Boas? It's always someone else's fault
Andre Villas-Boas used to watch the game by crouching down on his haunches near the touchline. And then he stopped doing it. Isn’t that strange? People were making fun of him, but even so. If he thought it was the way to get the greatest insight, why would he change?
Unless it was an affectation. A quirk, a gimmick to make him look brighter than he is. After all, there have been some fairly successful coaches through the last century or so, and not one of them chose to observe the action from the perspective of a dachshund. So maybe they were the smart ones.
Then, when Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris suffered a head injury against Everton, Villas-Boas knew best again. He kept him on and then called all those who took issue with that decision – including some fairly serious medical professionals – ignorant.
Miserable: Andre Villas-Boas watched his Tottenham side as they were hammered 6-0 at Manchester City
A new stance: Villas-Boas would crouch to watch matches at Chelsea, but has a different approach now
Tough job: Villas-Boas must recover quickly if his Tottenham side are to reach the Champions League
STURRIDGE SCORES A SCOUSE OWN GOAL
Daniel Sturridge (below) says he has no regrets about playing for England against Germany, even though it cost him a starting place in the Merseyside derby.
Big mistake. One of the reasons many Liverpool fans never took to Michael Owen was the belief that he put his international career first.
They treat their football team like a republic up there. Any player who expresses a desire to represent England is suspected of disloyalty. Meanwhile, Luis Suarez is free to return to Uruguay and slag off the club. Strange.
In the next game, against Newcastle United, Lloris was absent. Medical advice, apparently. So maybe those doctors weren’t so dumb after all; or maybe Villas-Boas isn’t quite as sharp as he thinks he is.
He certainly didn’t look it when that sixth Manchester City goal went in on Sunday. He appeared stunned, much as he did when West Ham United scored three at White Hart Lane without a striker.
He said the players should be ashamed. That is the marvellous thing about being AVB — there is always someone around to carry the can.
So how are Chelsea’s old guard going to take the fall for this one? It is surely only a matter of time before John Terry and Frank Lampard are fingered for the mess at Tottenham this season.
It was, after all, the senior players who undermined Villas-Boas at Chelsea. Not his pig-headed high line defence, utterly unsuited to the personnel at his disposal. Not his determination to change fast when evolution, not revolution, was needed. As ever, events and foes conspired to obstruct his genius.
Players, other managers, pesky head trauma experts, Villas-Boas is beleaguered by so many random factors. The game against Newcastle brought a once-in-a-lifetime display from goalkeeper Tim Krul; the defeat by West Ham saw a tactical masterclass from Sam Allardyce (although one cannot help noticing that his false striker system has landed two points from 15 since the win away at Tottenham on October 6).
Villas-Boas had every right to be critical after the defeat at Manchester City. It was a limp and inadequate display. But these are his players, his solution to the loss of Gareth Bale.
Tottenham had sold Elvis Presley and bought the Beatles was the claim. Except this lot look more like the fab four pastiche group the Rutles — if Nasty, Stig, Dirk and Barry had all decided to swap instruments five minutes before the gig.
Big loss: Gareth Bale (right) left for Real Madrid this summer and Spurs reacted by signing seven players and splashing out £107m. Like selling Elvis Presley (left) and buying The Beatles?
Fair trade: Tottenham's summer spree had been likened to swapping Elvis for The Beatles. Here, band members Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon pose for a group shot
Underwhelming: From left to right, Spurs' seven summer signings Paulinho, Christian Eriksen, Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches and Erik Lamela line up ahead of this season
Yet if the team were poor against City, Villas-Boas made some equally flawed judgment calls from the bench. Jan Vertonghen, arguably the finest centre half at the club, struggled at left back.
Andros Townsend did not start, following a game and a 33-minute substitute appearance for England at Wembley, while Paulinho did despite flying to Miami to play 90 minutes for Brazil against Honduras before heading up to Toronto for another 84-minute stint against Chile.
Erik Lamela began in Townsend’s position — he usually plays on the right — and was utterly insipid.
Tottenham spent £107million on players this summer and have gone backwards. The players were meant to have let him down at Chelsea, too. And then the same team went on to win the Champions League and FA Cup that season, after he left.
The popular myth is that the group started performing only after his departure — as if they could have been champions of Europe at any time, but just didn’t fancy it previously.
More evidence-based is the theory that Roberto Di Matteo got them playing in a way that Villas-Boas could not and this, along with some heroic defending and good fortune, saved the day.
Roman Abramovich’s notorious impatience then saved Villas-Boas because he was seen as the hapless victim of a crackpot club, sacked prematurely as a result of player power.
Yet what has changed? Villas-Boas remains impossibly stubborn — as he proved with his misguided outburst over Lloris — and his teams play his way, regardless of their needs.
Tottenham did not lose to Newcastle because Krul had the game of his life. That would only have produced a draw. Tottenham lost because Villas-Boas played a high line defence, as always, but with Brad Friedel in goal.
Under normal circumstances, Lloris plays almost as a sweeper, quickly off his line if the opposition get in behind the back four. Friedel, at 42, hasn’t the same speed. So Tottenham should have sat a little deeper. They didn’t, Loic Remy took advantage, and Friedel couldn’t get out fast enough.
Krul then played magnificently, but goalkeepers will do that from time to time. It isn’t misfortune.
At City on Sunday, Tottenham were behind after 14 seconds due to a poor clearance from Lloris, and no manager can do anything about that.
Yet, from there, it was clear that once again Villas-Boas was pleasing himself with his game plan. Michael Dawson isn’t a high line defender, either, and Younes Kaboul might have wished for a little more security after 15 months without a league game.
Humiliation: Jesus Navas wheels away after netting his second against Spurs and Manchester City's sixth goal
Outfoxed: City, led by Sergio Aguero (centre), were much too strong for an abject Tottenham side
Powerless: Villas-Boas could only watch as Navas netted at the Etihad after just 14 seconds
Damning: The Etihad scoreboard tells the story as the match in Manchester draws to a close
Villas-Boas also prefers a lone striker, despite the fact that Tottenham have scored six goals from open play in 12 league matches this season. Their numbers are horrendous for a club with elite ambitions. Tottenham’s goal difference is inferior to every team in the top 14 bar Hull City and they have scored as many goals as West Ham, who have played most of the season without a striker.
Going into Sunday’s fixture with Manchester United, Tottenham will have scored nine in 12. They now cannot reach double figures before December. At this rate, Tottenham’s goals aggregate for the season will be 28. Last May, the three teams relegated from the Premier League scored 30 goals, 43 and 60.
Impregnable: Tim Krul kept Tottenham at bay when Newcastle nicked a victory earlier this month
In the goals: Ravel Morrison and West Ham put Spurs to the sword at White Hart Lane
It's a knockout: Villas-Boas was belligerent with his opinions on Hugo Lloris' head injury
Tottenham are not about to get relegated, obviously. This may be a blip, quickly corrected. Defeat Manchester United in five days’ time and recent struggles will be forgotten. Yet the flip side of that argument comes with the fear that one man made up for a heap of weakness last season — and he now plays at Real Madrid.
Take Bale away from Tottenham in 2012-13 and it is unlikely the team would have made Europe. He wasn’t just influential, he was essential. His goals turned defeats into wins against Newcastle and West Ham, draws into wins against Manchester United, Southampton, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Arsenal, Swansea City, Southampton again and Sunderland and defeats into draws against Norwich City and Wigan Athletic.
Purple patch: In his first season at White Hart Lane, Villas-Boas watched Bale exceed expectations
Not good enough: Erik Lamela (left) had no impact on Sunday and Roberto Soldado didn't muster a shot on goal
Clearly, had he not been selected, a team-mate would have played, and could have been important, too. Yet would his goals have compared?
Put it like this: Clint Dempsey’s goals were worth seven points to Tottenham last season, Aaron Lennon’s were worth six; Bale was good for 24. He hit Cristiano Ronaldo form, which is why Madrid wanted to make them a partnership.
So while it was a huge blow for Villas-Boas to lose the Welshman, it was a greater fillip to inherit him in his first season. It made the manager look very smart, very quick. Now he must survive on his wits alone.
His signings have been vast in number but not in impact. There was always a possibility it could go this way. Franco Baldini, the director of football, plundered the market in Europe and South America having seen what was about in England first-hand during his time with Fabio Capello, but he underestimated the unique demands of the Premier League.
The majority of imported players take time to adjust. Instant successes such as Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero are rare. It is forgotten now, but even men like Didier Drogba and Michael Essien endured unconvincing first seasons; that is why Chelsea bought Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, who became redundant once Drogba found his feet second time out.
Tottenham may be flying in 12 months’ time — but this first campaign with a hastily assembled squad was going to be a challenge. Behind the scenes the shifting of blame has already begun, with Villas-Boas distancing himself from some of the signings.
Boardroom: Villas-Boas began distancing himself from some of the signings that Franco Baldini (left) recruited
Unimpressed: Chairman Daniel Levy at the Etihad
The problem for the manager is that little has improved under his tenure. Are Tottenham higher up the table? No. Is the football more exciting? No. Are they nearer rivals Arsenal? No.
The high water mark of the Premier League era remains the years when the football played by Harry Redknapp’s team was the most exciting in England and the club reached the last eight of the Champions League.
Villas-Boas said he hoped his players would bounce back via Thursday’s Europa League tie against Tromso — but just saying the name of the tournament is in its own way an admission of failure, considering what went before. Tottenham were not meant to be back in the Europa League again.
One wonders, in his final season, what Redknapp might have achieved with even half the investment lavished on Villas-Boas, rather than a final January transfer window signing of Louis Saha as Tottenham’s title challenge faded.
What we are seeing here is another case of Ex-Chelsea Manager Syndrome. These guys are often impossible to judge because their time at Stamford Bridge is so fleeting. Nobody could work out Avram Grant until he sleepwalked over the precipice at West Ham, and the evidence of Di Matteo’s career only confuses.
Peaking: Gareth Bale and Tottenham reached the last eight of the Champions League under Harry Redknapp
Raising the bar: Redknapp took an exciting Spurs team into the Champions League
Villas-Boas looked a bright young manager at Porto and left Chelsea not even halfway through a project. This season we will discover how smart he really is.
It is very generous of Tottenham owner Joe Lewis to finance such a fascinating experiment. He must be delighted.
Crusade for women’s sport is just hypocrisy
Helen Grant was asked five relatively straightforward questions about sport, and got each one wrong. In her defence, she is not the first Sports Minister to be exposed as a bluffer in this way — and she won’t be the last.
Richard Caborn was equally ignorant about sport, yet is still hanging around committees six years after he stepped down from his ministerial role.
One of the gaps in Grant’s knowledge, however, was enlightening: she couldn’t name the Wimbledon women’s champion.
VIDEO : Scroll down to watch Helen Grant's blunder
Straightforward: Helen Grant didn't answer one of five simple sports questions correctly
It was only last month that Grant called for a woman to be added to Greg Dyke’s Football Association task force. She didn’t specify which woman. She didn’t identify an individual who would bring insight and innovation to the process. Any woman would do, it seemed. Maybe they could nab one who happens to be passing.
It now transpires that Grant is so attuned to the plight of women in sport that she cannot even place Marion Bartoli, a fairly memorable champion, considering Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport — and effectively Grant’s boss — as good as angled for John Inverdale to be sacked from the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage for referring to her in a disparaging manner.
Grant didn’t know who won the FA Cup either, but that is simple ignorance. Flunking on Bartoli sums up the hypocrisy around this issue.
Remember me? Marion Bartoli won Wimbledon at SW19 in the summer
Regrettable: John Inverdale referred to Bartoli in a disparaging manner after the tournament
To push for greater representation and publicity for female athletes is a very populist line — but it is plain Grant does not have the genuine interest to back up her views. Women’s sport would be impossible to resist if only women supported it. Instead, the Sports Minister talks a grand game, while privately paying as little interest as any miserable sexist on a sofa. Her interest wanes beyond that first sound-bite, and her own career.
If there was a certain bet in life it was Mario Balotelli from the penalty spot. However madcap his antics, from 12 yards out he was coolness personified.
Going into this season he had never missed. Now he has, twice. His club, AC Milan, are 13th and falling. Funny thing, pressure. It comes for them all in the end: even those without a mind to crush.
Human after all: Mario Balotelli's previously unblemished penalty record has fallen by the wayside this season |
Facebook and Google are building enormous neural networks—artificial brains—that can instantly recognize faces, cars, buildings, and other objects in digital photos. But that's not all these brains can do.
They can recognize the spoken word, translate from one language to another, target ads, or teach a robot to screw a cap onto a bottle. And if you turn these brains upside down, you can teach them not just to recognize images, but create images—in rather intriguing (and sometimes disturbing) ways.
As it revealed on Friday, Facebook is teaching its neural networks to automatically create small images of things like airplanes, automobiles, and animals, and about 40 percent of the time, these images can fool us humans into believing we're looking at reality. "The model can tell the difference between an unnatural image—white noise you'd see on your TV or some sort of abstract art image—and an image that you would take on your camera," says Facebook artificial intelligence researcher Rob Fergus. "It understands the structure of how images work" (see images above).
Meanwhile, the boffins at Google have taken things to the other extreme, using neural nets to turn real photos into something intriguingly unreal. They're teaching machines to look for familiar patterns in a photo, enhance those patterns, and then repeat the process with the same image. "This creates a feedback loop: if a cloud looks a little bit like a bird, the network will make it look more like a bird," Google says in a blog post explaining the project. "This in turn will make the network recognize the bird even more strongly on the next pass and so forth, until a highly detailed bird appears, seemingly out of nowhere." The result is a kind of machine-generated abstract art (see below).
Google
On one level, these are party tricks—particularly Google's feedback loop, which evokes hallucinatory flashbacks. And it should be noted that Facebook's fake images are only 64-by-64 pixels. But on another level, these projects serve as ways of improving neural networks, moving them closer to human-like intelligence. This work, says David Luan, the CEO of a computer vision company called Dextro, "helps better visualize what our networks are actually learning."
They're also slightly disturbing—and not just because Google's images feel like a drug trip gone wrong, crossing breeding birds with camels in some cases, or snails with pigs (see below). More than this, they hint at a world where we don't realize when machines are controlling what we see and hear, where the real is indistinguishable from the unreal.
Google
Fooled Again
Working alongside a PhD student at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Fergus and two other Facebook researchers revealed their "generative image model" work on Friday with a paper published to research repository arXiv.org. This system uses not one but two neural networks, pitting the pair against each other. One network is built to recognize natural images, and the other does its best to fool the first.
Yann LeCun, who heads Facebook's 18-month-old AI lab, calls this adversarial training. "They play against each other," he says of the two networks. "One is trying to fool the other. And the other is trying to detect when it is being fooled." The result is a system that produces pretty realistic images.
According to LeCun and Fergus, this kind of thing could help restore real photos that have degraded in some way. "You can bring an image back to the space of natural images," Fergus says. But the larger point, they add, is that the system takes another step towards what's called "unsupervised machine learning." In other words, it can help machines learn without human researchers providing explicit guidance along the way.
Eventually, LeCun says, you can use this model to train an image recognition system using a set of example images that are "unlabeled"—meaning no human has gone through and tagged them with text that identifies what's in them. "Machines can learn the structure of an image without being told what's in the image," he says.
Luan points out that the current system still requires some supervision. But he calls Facebook's paper "neat work," and like the work being done at Google, he believes, it can help us understand how neural networks behave.
Layers Within Layers
Neural networks of the kind created by Facebook and Google span many "layers" of artificial neurons, each working in concert. Though these neurons perform certain tasks remarkably well, we don't quite understand why. "One of the challenges of neural networks is understanding what exactly goes on at each layer," Google says in its blog post (the company declined to discuss its image generation work further).
Google
By turning its neural networks upside-down and teaching them to generate images, Google explains, it can better understand how they operate. Google is asking its networks to amplify what it finds in an image. Sometimes, they just amplify the edges of a shape. Other times, they amplify more complex things, like the outline of a tower in a horizon, a building in a tree, or who's knows what in a sea of random noise (see above). But in each case, researchers can better see what the network is seeing.
"This technique gives us a qualitative sense of the level of abstraction that a particular layer has achieved in its understanding of images," Google says. It helps researchers "visualize how neural networks are able to carry out difficult classification tasks, improve network architecture, and check what the network has learned during training."
Plus, like Facebook's work, it's kinda cool, a little strange, and a tad frightening. The better computers get at recognizing what's real, it seems, the harder it gets for us. |
If you’ve ever been a person who is into pets, there’s a good chance you’ve had a dog, a cat, maybe a fish and, quite possibly, a guinea pig in your backyard.
But you may be slightly alarmed to realise that your furry, squeaking little rodent could have been desperately lonely unless he had a companion.
Switzerland is leading the way here by forbidding people from keeping just one guinea pig due to evidence the highly social animals can be prone to loneliness and need company to live happily. They’re herd animals and need buddies to run around with to feel at home.
A video posted by @thelavaempire on Feb 22, 2016 at 10:51am PST
In fact, Switzerland introduced a raft of interesting new laws as part of sweeping animal rights legislation introduced in 2008. The ‘social rights’ put into place for animals include that if you own a single cat, it must be let outside or be able to see other cats from the windows. Else, if you want an indoor cat only, you need to have two.
The laws even cover fish – if you own pet fish you need to be able to produce a full day/night cycle for them. You can only become a dog owner after taking a course involving two to three lessons and follow it up with practical training.
Even parrots are covered, with the law stating parrots will be considered victims of abuse if they don’t live or interact regularly with others of their species. Other European countries have similar laws, including Sweden.
The laws come with a range of unintended consequences though. For example, while people cheerfully get two guinea pigs (or more!), they tend not to live to the same age, which can leave one guinea pig on its own.
Bu the industrious Swiss are all over it with more than one animal matchmaking agency available to pair up lonely guinea pigs that have lost their partners, often as part of a rental arrangement, to help keep older guinea pigs company. Priska Küng runs one such organisation and receives three to four calls a week looking for suitable guinea pig companions.
A photo posted by @thelavaempire on Feb 25, 2016 at 1:56pm PST
In Australia
Australia’s laws aren’t as strict, but there’s still plenty of sensible animal welfare legislation in place. Dogs need to be registered, and bringing pets into the country from overseas requires a range of quarantines. But there’s not much around guinea pigs in terms of hard laws. Spread the news: it’s good to have a guinea pig herd! |
Recently the Mozilla Foundation announced a new orientation for their email client, Thunderbird. It caused quite a bit of discussion, and we, at the Document Foundation, received quite a lot of public and private feedback on this mostly in the form of: “Now that Mozilla is getting rid of Thunderbird, The Document Foundation should take on its maintenance and development”. Much of this crazy rumor has ended being disproved by Mozilla itself and what seems to be going on is that Mozilla will in fact enable a real community-led development style on Thunderbird (contrary to the development model of Firefox) but has to intention of dumping it anywhere. That didn’t stop the rumor to spread anyway and this article by Brian Profitt caught my eye: “Will Open Source Office Suites go the way of Thunderbird?”.
Brian seems to push the case that Open Source office suites, just like email clients in general are tools that are slowly yet surely becoming extinct and obsolete. Email clients do not innovate anymore, he argues, and suites like Libreoffice lack the innovation and the presence the upcoming Microsoft Office 2013 has. I think that Brian is mixing up several trends and concepts here, although his article is well worth a read.
In the case of LibreOffice, we have announced that porting to Android and iOS is currently on the way, and so is the LibreOffice on Line project. What’s really needed to make these two projects take off is consistent funding that would speed up their development pace. That is a well-known issue, not just for the Document Foundation but for Free and Open Source software in general. We may conclude that in specific instance, that lack of funding or resources slow down the pace of innovation, but it does not make Free and Open Source software, and particularly office suites or email clients obsolete. In fact, software obsolescence is not so much the lack of features (LibreOffice has plenty of them no one ever uses) as the inability to go along and adapt to the current paradigm ruling or affecting that part of software development and usage. I have heard many people explaining that email clients are dead, because webmail, from GMail to RoundCube offers just about the same features than email clients. While it is partially true, there are at least two things that webmail does not do: It does not save and archive your inbox on your own hard drive and more often than not, it does not offer the ability for convergence. By convergence I mean the ability to become a hub for online communications: not just your email, but your microblogging stream(s), instant messaging services, document sharing and groupware. Of course, a well polished, html5 webmail service might offer just that. But webmail, unless you host it yourself on your server (tadaa, you could host that on your own computer) is essentially software as a service, and service is a paradigm that affects email clients (and office suites) but that does not alter their “survival” chances. It is in fact a matter of convenience, yet convenience is fundamentally a matter of perception. IT is in constant evolution, and each time we hit a new paradigm we get something out of it: simple users, corporate customers, developers, vendors, etc. So to give but one example, when I started browsing the Internet, a search engine called Alta Vista was all the rage of the day. Google did not exist, Yahoo was the place to be, and Facebook was not even a spark in the imagination of Mark Zuckerberg. At that time, which really was around 1999, the debate between the proponents of webmail vs. the proponents of email clients was already ongoing, but the mail client was definitely seen as the serious option. Because of the poor bandwidth of those days, a mail client was seen as a more practical way to handle email, except for people who did not use email that much. You could of course et your own mail server yourself just like today. But while online services were important even at that time there was the notion that somehow these were all replaceable. To suggest that all your email can be kept by Gmail is true, but what would happen if your Gmail account gets suspended ?(hint: things get ugly past that point).
What email clients need to be, or to become again, is the hub for communications convergence whatever your device can be (workstation, tablet, phone…), and just in the same way, office suites, and especially LibreOffice, needs to become your creative hub whatever your device can be, while a modern-day browser can naturally be the tool you spend hours on daily. Software obsolescence does happen the way dinosaurs went extinct: the paradigm changed somehow. But what the paradigm really is makes all the difference. Cloud based services do not, I think, mean the disappearance of all software on a desktop and the booming of lightweight apps on your phone. At least if that’s the general impression , that’s because people usually only see one part of the picture: the big picture is something many of them miss. In an industry supposedly “changed for ever” by cloud services most of the people still access their email clients and have to work on an attachment that’s a document, a spreadsheet or a presentation, and in the very same industry, what seems to matter more and more is what you make of the data, all the public data that’s collected by governments and large organizations; and ultimately, what goes on Facebook and how that’s shared – and analyzed- by whom and for whom will matter much more than today. That day, open source office suites, and email clients, will still be alive and kicking. |
The Waltham Arts Council is in need of funds. In this time of great need for many nonprofits, we are feeling the strain. As a 501(c)(3), fully independent of the city of Waltham, we use every penny of your annual donations for several tasks. We support our public school art classes, give a high school scholarship, support the Mayors’ Easter celebration, hold a Holiday Sing-along, we host an eight week outdoor Concert on the Common series.
Although we apply for grants, and have a large support of our Waltham businesses; we fell short in our membership goals and are desperately short in raising funds for our Concert on the Common series. Our cost is $24,000 per year to put on these activities for free right in downtown Waltham.
Two things are needed, if you can, one) please make a donation to the Waltham Arts Council today either from yourself or your business - 119 School St., Waltham MA 02451, or two ) buy a ticket to the Waltham Arts Council Spring Bill Walsh Fundraiser on May 21 from Rogers Pharmacy or the Waltham Legion bar. Visit us at walthamarts.org or @walthamarts on Twitter or WalthamArtsCouncil on Facebook.
Thank you for your consideration.
- Kelly Durkee-Erwin, clerk, Waltham Arts Council |
Breaking News Emails Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.
April 6, 2015, 4:55 PM GMT / Updated April 7, 2015, 11:36 AM GMT / Source: NBC News
The fraternity at the center of a discredited Rolling Stone article about an alleged gang rape at University of Virginia "plans to pursue all available legal action against the magazine," the Virginia chapter of Phi Kappa Psi said in a statement. The announcement came a day after the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism released a report finding that the article violated "basic, even routine journalistic practice."
"The report by Columbia University's School of Journalism demonstrates the reckless nature in which Rolling Stone researched and failed to verify facts in its article that erroneously accused Phi Kappa Psi of crimes its members did not commit," Stephen Scipione, president of the Virginia Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi, said in the statement.
"Clearly our fraternity and its members have been defamed, but more importantly we fear this entire episode may prompt some victims to remain in the shadows, fearful to confront their attackers," Scipione said. "If Rolling Stone wants to play a real role in addressing this problem, it's time to get serious."
Rolling Stone’s managing editor, Will Dana, said in a statement after the Columbia review was released Sunday night that the magazine’s staff was “committing ourselves to a series of recommendations about journalistic practices that are spelled out in the report.” Dana also said the magazine was formally retracting its debunked story about the alleged sexual assault.
The article, written by Sabrina Rubin Erdely and published online in November, detailed a brutal gang rape of a UVA student referred to as "Jackie" at the school's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house. The article sparked outrage and prompted the president of the university to suspend all fraternities for the rest of the semester.
But police in Charlottesville, Virginia, have found that there was no basis to prove the incident described in the article happened at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house.
The Columbia report found that the errors made in the article stemmed from Rolling Stone’s failure to reach out to the subject’s friends and identify the alleged attackers. The review also found that Phi Kappa Psi wasn’t given an adequate chance to respond.
Erdely said in a statement Sunday night that reading the report was a “brutal and humbling experience.”
“I allowed my concern for Jackie’s well-being, my fear of re-traumatizing her, and my confidence in her credibility to take the place of more questioning and more facts,” Erdely said.
At a news conference Monday, Columbia Journalism School Dean Steve Coll said those who conducted the investigation into the story “disagree with any suggestion that this was Jackie’s fault.”
“This was a failure of methodology,” he said. “And this wasn’t the subject’s fault.”
IN-DEPTH
— Daniel Arkin and Elisha Fieldstadt |
Invenergy, North America’s largest independent, privately held renewable energy company, along with GE Renewable Energy, announced a 2,000-MW wind farm that will be the largest in the U.S. and second-largest in the world, once operational.
The Wind Catcher facility is currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle and will generate wind electricity from 800 state-of-the-art GE 2.5 MW turbines. The wind facility is part of the $4.5 billion Wind Catcher Energy Connection that also includes an approximately 350-mile dedicated, extra-high voltage power line.
Invenergy’s Innovative Spirit
American Electric Power (AEP) utility subsidiaries Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (PSO) and Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) are asking utility regulators in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma to approve plans to purchase the wind farm from Invenergy upon completion of construction and to build the power line to serve PSO and SWEPCO’s more than 1.1 million customers.
“Wind Catcher shows American leadership in bringing low-cost clean energy to market at giga-scale,” said Invenergy’s Founder and CEO Michael Polsky. “This project reflects Invenergy’s innovative spirit and unparalleled execution ability, and we are proud to be working with forward-looking utilities like PSO and SWEPCO whose customers and communities will benefit from this project for decades to come.”
Wind Catcher Energy Connection is expected to save SWEPCO and PSO customers more than $7 billion, net of cost, over 25 years. AEP estimates that the project will support approximately 4,000 direct and 4,400 indirect jobs annually during construction and 80 permanent jobs once operational. It also will contribute approximately $300 million in property taxes over the life of the project.
Invenergy’s Relationship With GE
The 2.5-MW GE turbines that will power the project are GE’s latest model, designed to enhance siting efficiency, offer industry-leading reliability and allow for higher energy production. GE will also implement its Digital Wind Farm solutions, providing software to support wind operations, including Asset Performance Management and Operations Optimization.
All machine heads and hubs will be manufactured in the U.S., and additional components will be manufactured in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.
“GE is delighted to be a part of the groundbreaking Wind Catcher project with Invenergy and American Electric Power,” said Pete McCabe, President and CEO of GE’s Onshore Wind business. “We look forward to putting our teams to work in these communities as we continue to move toward our goal of ensuring that no one has to choose between sustainable, reliable and affordable energy.”
Construction of the Wind Catcher facility started in 2016, and it is expected to be fully operational in mid-2020. Invenergy is contracted to operate the facility for the first five years. |
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Early-rising fitness fanatics have been accused of disturbing the tranquility of Primrose Hill with “high-fives, hugs and constant whooping”.
About 100 people turn up for free, high-energy workouts just north of Regent’s Park from 6.30am each Friday.
But some locals have been left furious with the group, whose members they say are ruining their peaceful dog walks and quiet jogs.
The fitness class is hosted by Project Awesome, which holds events in big cities including Edinburgh and Bristol.
One resident told The Times the fitness class was shattering the peace with “pumping music” and “constant whooping”.
Another, Craig Woodhouse, told the newspaper that the park was “jam-packed with hipsters who hug each other and go around high- fiving each other”.
He said: “They get in the way of normal people and the music is obviously ‘high energy’ stuff and very annoying and disruptive.
"I used to see Liam Gallagher jog around here, but I’ve not seem him for ages — maybe he’s been put off by these guys!”
Ianthe McWilliams, the chairwoman of Friends of Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, said: “We would certainly not favour loud music spoiling other park users’ enjoyment of the park.”
Danny Bent, who founded Project Awesome two years ago, admitted the workout “involved a bit of shouting” but said that it was “hugely beneficial to the community” and the group began their sessions by picking up litter.
A spokesman for The Royal Parks, the authority responsible for Primrose Hill, said: “Our parks cater for a wide range of users and we’re keen to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy them.
"As such our park regulations make it clear that amplified music is not allowed in the parks. Enforcement of this regulation is a matter for the police.” |
Watch out world, "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." Alana Thompson, the scene-stealing star of TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras" who shot to fame after spouting a multitude of catchphrases, showing her belly to the judges and drinking Go-Go Juice, is getting her own reality series.
The six-episode half-hour series is appropriately titled "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" and debuts August 8 on TLC. According to Alana's official Facebook fan page, the new show will premiere with Alana's second "Toddlers & Tiaras" episode.
In a press release, TLC said the new series will feature Alana and her family at home. Here's the official breakdown:
Each episode follows Alana and her family: stay-at-home mom June, chalk-mining dad Sugar Bear, and sisters 12-year-old Lauryn "Pumpkin," 15-year-old Jessica "Chubbs," and 17-year-old pregnant Anna "Chickadee" ... 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo' takes us off the pageant stage and into the unapologetically outrageous family life of the Honey Boo Boo clan.
Alana isn't the first "Toddlers & Tiaras" contestant to get her own show. Eden Wood recently migrated to Logo for "Eden's World." |
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In many cases, being a home business owner means working even when you don’t want to. Like when your birthday falls on a Monday.
Today is my birthday. And it didn’t start out auspiciously. I got up in just enough time to take my son to school, and so didn’t get the proper jump on my day. And I have a lot of work to do today. Home business owners don’t often get time off — at least not the way others get time off.
When you’re sick, you sometimes still have to work. And, even when your whole family is on vacation, sometimes you have to get a little work done by the pool. And, when it’s your birthday, sometimes you just have to suck it up and get something done.
Do You Work on Your Birthday?
Back when I worked in the “real world,” my co-workers were always taking their birthdays off. I even took my birthday off a couple of times. It’s true, though, that I was never that big into skipping work on my birthday. With family all over the country, I receive gifts over a period of a week, and some arrive after my birthday. I just open them as they arrive. And instead of going out on my birthday, my husband and I go out on a day that is more convenient. Rarely has that been on my actual birthday.
Really, working on my birthday isn’t a huge deal. But I know some home business owners that are quite frustrated when they have to work on the “big day.” Being a home business owner doesn’t always mean rainbows and unicorns. Sometimes, being a home business owner means that you need to have discipline and self-motivation, and being willing to work even when you don’t want to.
Moving Beyond the Need to Work When You Don’t Want To
I have to admit that there are days when I kind of let the work slide. I do what must be done and then just put off the other stuff until later. Additionally, I take off camping a couple times during the summer. And I refuse to do anything beyond sit on the couch with a book and a pile of chocolate on Christmas. I am fortunate in that I have a fairly flexible home business schedule. Most of the time, I can shift my work around if I want.
The real goal of many home business owners, though, is to get to the point where they are making good profits, but they don’t have to do a lot of the work themselves. The idea is to be able to get the home business to the point where it runs fairly smoothly, and then hire others to do a lot of the work, giving yourself more time to do what you want.
When you have an online store, this is a little easier. The computer takes the orders for you, and things run fairly smoothly. If you hire someone to fulfill the orders, you don’t even need to do much, beyond oversee a few things. Providing a service is a little different. You still have to keep providing that service, and often you have to do it yourself. It’s true that you could hire others.
I could hire other writers, and expand my freelance writing business. But, in the past, I was burned by that practice, and I am reluctant to give it a try again. I’m wary of putting my name on something that someone else has done. After all, I’m a brand of sorts. It’s hard for me to let that go. But as long as I have this attitude, I’ll be responsible for working, and actively bringing in the money. I’ll have to keep working on my birthday, and almost any other day.
Home business owners: When do you take days off? What are your strategies for maintaining income without doing as much work?
Image source: Alicia Rae via Wikimedia Commons |
walled city of darkness revisited in hong kong by greg girard + ian lambot
walled city of darkness revisited in hong kong by greg girard + ian lambot
all images courtesy of city of darkness
the ‘city of darkness revisited’ by greg girard and ian lambot is a book that updates and expands the record of hong kong’s astonishing kowloon walled city 20 years after its demolition. the unusual development has come to influence film makers, architects, writers, production designers, artists, urban theorists, video game designers and others: 35,000 people living in 300 interconnected high-rise buildings within a single hong kong city block, all of it built without the intervention of a single architect. at the time the was the most densely populated place on the planet.
to help greg girard and ian lambot complete the new edition of their book about life in kowloon walled city follow their kickstarter page here and listen to commentary on the book here.
kowloon walled city, aerial view
‘city of darkness revisited’ adds new and overlooked material to the initial book of record of this architectural phenomenon, expanding the story of the extraordinary community with new photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams, interviews and commentary. at 300 pages and with more than 300 photographs, drawings and illustrations, there is 50% more content to the original, and is scheduled for release by watermark publications in the summer of 2014.
kowloon walled city facade
children on walled city rooftop
aircraft and walled city rooftop
relaxing on walled city rooftop
BBQ meat factory inside walled city
family noodle shop and living space
postman delivering mail in walled city
street inside walled city
rooftop living space
evening on roof of walled city
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. |
Not only did Sir Terry upend the fantasy genre and declare war on social injustice, he did so hilariously – and that is why he’ll be remembered
“AND,” my friend said, “Terry Pratchett lives just down the road!”
We’d been discussing Wiltshire as a place to live – my friend had recently moved there. I’m an irredeemable urbanite. I can’t imagine living more than a five-minute walk from my fellow human beings. Other people are vital to my peace of mind.
Still, I had to admit the Pratchett connection was a powerful plus.
“Do you see him a lot?” I asked.
“Almost every day. He walks past the bottom of my garden.”
“What’s he like?” I asked.
My friend sighed. “Mostly, he’s a hat,” he said. “The hedge is just a little bit shorter than he is, so I see his hat and occasionally an ear as he goes by.”
After that, we sat quietly for a while, until finally my friend said: “I suppose one day, if the wind’s strong enough, it might blow off.”
The man who died last week was possessed of a talent so magnetic that a perfectly rational person would sit in the garden day in and day out, hoping for a meteorological caprice to reveal the top of his head. I never met him, though I have loved his work since 1983, and now I think that will be my enduring image of him: a peripatetic black hat seen over a hedge, like the tip of a very funny iceberg.
That year, 1983, was when the first Discworld book was published. In quick succession, The Colour of Magic deflates two princes of fantasy, Fritz Leiber and Robert E Howard, and several of their successors. The Discworld is merrily and efficiently corrupt, as if Captain Renault, the cop in Casablanca, were given jurisdiction over Middle-earth. Trolls work as nightclub bouncers and peddle illegal mineral compounds to one another; the university where the wizards learn hidden secrets is a cross between a heavily armed city livery company and a Borgia soup-tasting. Before Pixar ever talked about making every frame in a movie hilarious and wondrous in some tiny way, Pratchett was doing the same thing in the pages of his books. He never stopped teasing the canon, either, even as the stories grew more nuanced and complex: in Going Postal – one of my favourites, in which a captured conman is set to work revitalising the Post Office – a group of wizards struggling to locate a missing person with a magic lens irritably complain at finding Sauron’s “damn enormous fiery eye” glaring balefully at them across the gulf between one well-loved series and another. While Game of Thrones and others tell us about the darkness, the Discworld floats obstinately through space on the back of a giant turtle. Pratchett is a writer who numbered among his early creations a walking suitcase whose dog-like loyalty and cat-like lethality were matched only by its comic timing.
Reading the news after his death was announced, you could almost have believed that Pratchett was primarily a commentator on the human heart or a revealer of societal insanity. He was those things, of course, but more: Pratchett was genuinely, reliably funny. Even his less funny books were funny. We should add him to that infamous list – pizza, sex and Terry Pratchett. Even when they’re bad, they’re still pretty damn good.
We have a curious relationship with funny in the UK. We love to laugh, but we also think that making people laugh is just a little bit second-tier, especially in a literary context. We’re not actually a gloomy, introspective bunch, but we somehow aspire to be. We do have a local written heritage of doomed beauty, and we bathe in it – Wilfred Owen and Rupert Brooke under fire in the trenches, Keats dying consumptively, Byron brooding and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet almost wilfully mooning their way to the grave – but to be honest, I blame Tolstoy. The opening line of Anna Karenina shaped our modern understanding of the profound: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” It’s utter nonsense. Happiness is boundlessly weird. Other people’s choices often seem to delight them, where I would run screaming. But Tolstoy’s elegant lie has settled in our minds, and now we believe that joy is endlessly and easily duplicated and therefore cheap, whereas sorrow possesses a uniqueness that makes it worthy of study. Pratchett was pert with his detractors: “Stories of imagination tend to upset those without one.” He might have said the same thing about a sense of humour, and that two-fisted partisanship, the willingness to hit back at an occasionally superior response to his work, made him kin to much of his audience, who had to defend their reading choices – especially in the 80s, before the 90s geek revolution made our obsessions cool – against charges of meaninglessness or childishness.
From this vantage it is an absurd complaint, for all that the earlier books are less sophisticated. Pratchett was a master of the one-liner and the long gag. He could drop a laugh on you out of the blue to puncture a serious situation or just because it was there, but he could slow-burn a joke too, so that it was bound into the fabric of a story and when the punchline came, it not only made you howl with laughter but also solved some fearsome quandary in the story. That doesn’t mean he didn’t have anything to say. He rose from relative unknown to megastar in a few years, and rather than becoming cautious he got better and bolder. Small books became longer ones, fast gags became deep. His friend and collaborator Neil Gaiman wrote recently that Pratchett was driven in part by rage – of various kinds – and perhaps all great comedy must be. Certainly he declared war on his illness when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007, acknowledging his enemy but dismissing it with typical light contempt as “an embuggerance”.
He took on the rough stuff in his writing because he was fundamentally writing about people, even if those people were the stuff of dreams. The off-kilter examination of the interior lives of those minor characters in fantasy stories whose role is to come in and get slaughtered (Guards! Guards!) became first a riff on noir, and then a backhanded look at class and responsibility, as protagonist Sam Vimes rose in the society of Pratchett’s imagined city of Ankh-Morpork. The three witches from Macbeth gave rise first to a ribald comedy (Wyrd Sisters) and then a funny yet wise examination of how stories shape life (Witches Abroad), before Pratchett unleashed a series of books allegedly for kids, featuring a girl protagonist named Tiffany Aching, who has her head screwed on right and needs no salvation from anyone.
Sir Terry Pratchett – he was knighted in 2009, and on him it looked earned rather than entitled – wrote about dragons, wizards, turtles, witches, time‑travelling monks and suitcases with legs. He wrote about constructing planets and he wrote about people so tiny they live in carpets. At the same time and in the same breath he wrote about religion, football, jingoism, war, fatherhood, age, isolation and sexism; about fairness and unfairness, about narrative and Death and obligation, and about the heartlessness of bureaucracy and the deadliness of ignorance.
The dark secret of literature is that it’s not hard to write about serious topics, but Pratchett did it so well that half the time you don’t spot it. Along with the Discworld and the Luggage, The Colour of Magic also introduced Rincewind: a wizard who has accidentally filled his head with a magic so important that he can’t do any lesser spells. If you want to break it down, Rincewind’s stories are about aspiration and identity, about promises of how things ought to work being betrayed by a world that doesn’t deliver and then laughs at your sense of foul play, at least as much as they are about a weaselly bloke trying and failing to find a quiet life. There’s a bleak irony in Rincewind’s plight now, too: the first hero of the Discworld couldn’t do magic because there was something alien and unwelcome lurking in his head.
But that kind of dissection is, for me at least, not the point. There’s no need to break Pratchett down, to find traces of sorrow so that we can lay claim to significance for this writer, these books. They can walk that walk, sure, but so can plenty of others who can’t or won’t be funny. He was funny. Funny doesn’t benefit from analysis, and analysis doesn’t truly understand it or why we need it so much. Funny happens and it makes the world bright, and then it’s gone, and all you have left is what I have today: the image of a black hat and an ear behind a hedge.
• Nick Harkaway's latest novel is Tigerman. |
Private Daniel Buckley, Jr. (28 September 1890 – 15 October 1918) was an English-born passenger and one of the survivors of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on 15 April 1912. After acquiring U.S. citizenship, he served as an American soldier during World War I and was killed in combat.
Biography [ edit ]
Daniel Buckley, Jr. was the son of Daniel Buckley, Sr. and Abigail Sullivan of Lancaster, England, as well as 3rd cousin of Eric Ello. In 1905, they moved to Ballydesmond (then Kingwilliamstown), where his father served as the town's baker. Like many other Irish young people at the time, Daniel felt that he could have a better life and make more money in the United States. By 1912, he and a group of friends decided to make the long transatlantic voyage on the at the time maiden ship the RMS Titanic.
Since Buckley slept in a third-class cabin near the ship's bow, he could hear the sound of the crash when the ship hit an iceberg. He immediately thought that something was wrong, although his bunkmates did not initially believe it was serious, though when he turned on the light, they could see water on the floor. Buckley went up to the boat deck and was among a group of steerage passengers who forced their way through a locked gate. More trouble arose when the men in the lifeboat Buckley had gotten into were ordered out, supposedly at gunpoint. However, Buckley attempted to hide at the bottom of the boat (Boat 14) and a female passenger threw a shawl over him, thus disguising him as a woman. He believed that his savior was Madeleine Astor, though according to historical record, it seems more likely that she was Mrs. Appleton, as Mrs. Astor was in a different lifeboat.
On May 3, 1912, less than a month after the Titanic disaster, Buckley appeared before the United States Senate as part of an investigation into the ship's sinking. Questioned by Senator William Alden Smith, Buckley's testimony, the only by an Irishman, provided the unique perspective of a steerage passenger. Many decades later, his testimony was particularly influential in shaping several of the steerage scenes of filmmaker James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster film, Titanic.
After his safe arrival in the United States, Daniel settled in Manhattan, where he worked in a hotel. In June 1917, two months after the American entry into World War I, he joined the United States Army. He was assigned to the 69th Infantry Regiment, which included many other Irish-Americans. After undergoing basic training at Camp Mills, Long Island, Buckley arrived in France on the Western Front in the fall of 1917 with Company "K" of the 165th Infantry Regiment (which the 69th Regiment had been reconstituted as), amongst the first soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) to arrive there. On 15 October 1918, just under a month before the Armistice with Germany which ended the war, Buckley was killed in action by a sniper while helping to retrieve wounded soldiers on the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He was initially buried in France, but his remains were taken to Ireland in the spring of 1919.
Buckley is also widely credited as having written Sweet Kingwilliamstown, a popular folk song in the Sliabh Luachra region in Munster, Ireland. |
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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) - A contractor was hurt in a small explosion Tuesday morning on Redstone Arsenal.
The incident happened around 8 a.m. in Building 5400, the headquarters for Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, or AMRDEC. This is on Fowler Road.
Arsenal officials said the man is a Dynetics employee and has supported AMRDEC for four years as an ordnance specialist. He also conducts safety training for his team. His name is not being released, but he is expected to recover from his injuries.
"You can tell how small the explosive device was by how little damage there was physically to the work area," said Col. John Hamilton, Garrison Commander. "Obviously the employee was injured, but it was kind of a desk, work bench-type area, because he was dealing with very small items."
The man was taken to Huntsville Hospital by ambulance. His wife met him there.
Terri Stover, Public Affairs Specialist with the Redstone Garrison, said preliminary indications are that the employee was operating within the normal scope of his operations at the time of the incident.
Other employees were evacuated from the area after the explosion occurred. No one else was hurt.
"Our primary concern is for the safety of all Team Redstone employees," said Stover. "The employee and his family have our full support during their time of need."
A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause, and to prevent future incidents of this nature. Several agencies are participating, including the Redstone Arsenal Military Police, safety professionals from AMRDEC and Garrison Safety Offices and Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel from Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
"In conjuction with Colonel Hamilton's Department of Emergency Services and my safety office, we're going to conduct an investigation to see what caused the incident and determine root cause, so we can implement corrective action," said Eric Edwards, AMRDEC Director. |
They will become one at a special ceremony at the spinal injuries unit where Sir Ludwig Guttmann first conceived the movement in 1948The relay has been designed to reflect the ‘homecoming’.
The torches were revealed on Wednesday, and IPC president Sir Philip Craven said : “Locog (the London 2012 organisers) and the IPC have worked closely to develop a concept that will not only capture the attention of the whole country, but also act as a blueprint for organising committees of future Games.
"I think it is brilliant that the actual Paralympic flame, that will be used to light the cauldron in the opening ceremony on Aug 29, will be created at Stoke Mandeville, a place steeped in Paralympic history.
“The Games are coming home in six months’ time and it is only right that we celebrate the significance of Stoke Mandeville, the Paralympic movement’s birthplace.”
The first flame will be lit in London on Aug 24, followed by lightings in Belfast a day later, Edinburgh on Aug 26 and Cardiff on Aug 27. This is in contrast to the custom of lighting the Olympic flame, which is traditionally said to be by the sparks of the sun.
More than 3,500 people have been nominated to carry the Paralympic flame but officials are now whittling them down to 580, who will work in teams of five. Names are still to be announced.
The triangular shape of the torch symbolises the three Agitos, the symbol of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) - mind, body, and spirit.
The torch was created by London-based designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, who say it was driven by a desire to reflect modernity and innovation. |
Wisconsin improved to a program-best 10-0-0 (8-0-0-0 WCHA) start Saturday with a 7-0 shutout victory over Minnesota State in Mankato. The shutout was nothing new for the Badgers this season. Wisconsin has only allowed two goals and none in its past eight games.
Dating back to the first period against Providence on October 3rd, the Badgers have gone 521 minutes and 15 seconds without allowing a goal.
Junior goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens has been in net for seven of the team's scoreless games - sweeps over Ohio State, St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and the Mavericks - stopping 110 shots over that time. Megan Miller earned the other one, stopping all 14 shots in a 2-0 win against St. Cloud State.
All eight shutouts have been in WCHA conference play, breaking the conference record of six consecutive shutouts with Friday's 6-0 win over Minnesota State.
Wisconsin is off next weekend before traveling to Minnesota Duluth on November 13-14.
The Badgers entered the weekend #3 in the polls behind Minnesota and Boston College. With the Gophers losing to North Dakota on Friday, Wisconsin should move up at least one spot along with the Eagles, whose three game shutout streak would be news in most other instances except this one. |
An armed underground group in Luhansk, Eastern Ukraine, which was planning to launch an attack April 10 to “seize power” in the city, has been raided and their weapons have been confiscated, according to the Ukrainian Security Service. Around 300 firearms, a grenade launcher, grenades, molotov cocktails and other weapons were taken.
Fifteen members of the group were apprehended. They face charges of betraying the government and violating weapons regulations.
Luhansk Oblast shares a border with Russia and has a population that is 40 percent ethnically Russian. Russians are the majority in several regions of the province, however, and Russian is the main language of nearly 70 percent of the population–the percentage of Russian speakers is especially great in the south. Luhansk city is in the south.
Luhansk, with its large Russian population and close proximity to Russia, was classified by a U.S. intelligence study as one of three possible targets for a possible upcoming Russian incursion into Ukraine. The study, conducted last month, found Luhansk, Kharkiv and Dontesk possible Russian targets as land that would provide Russia with a land bridge to the Crimean peninsula.
The eastern border of Ukraine has drawn the attention of world governments and several militaries because Russian forces have been building up nearby. The current estimates of the Russian force includes 40,000 troops and hundreds of tanks, transport, air force and other machinery. NATO commanders have repeatedly issued strong warnings about the possibility of a Russian move into Ukraine. Russia initially denied any buildup of troops, but modified its statement to say that there were troops, but the troops were conducting military exercises. International observers have reported that they have not witnessed any exercises taking place.
Ukraine is readying its military to meet the Russian threat. The government has called in thousands of reserves, has passed legislation to fund their military for the next three months to get it to “combat readiness,” and has asked the U.S. and other allies for assistance in terms of “technology and military support.” Ukraine has repeatedly stated that they will fight if any part of Ukraine is invaded.
Russian leaders have denied any intention of invading Ukraine. They have simultaneously, however, made efforts to communicate with ethnic Russians in neighboring countries in ways that have caused the people of those countries concern, including Moldova, Azerbaijan and the Baltic States.
Moscow has voiced support for foreign Russians who have been calling to Russia for protection. Saturday the Russian Foreign Ministry commented that many Ukrainian citizens have written letters to ask for such protection. The Ministry claimed that the letters were written asking for protection of Ukrainians’ rights and freedoms. One particular right is the right to speak their own native language. The language issue was a motive in the Crimean invasion—pro-Russian Crimeans called for Russian aid shortly after the Ukrainian parliament cancelled a piece of 2012 legislation that recognized Russian as an official language.
Within Ukraine, separatists have been very active since the ouster of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Since February, approximately 320 separatist acts have occurred in Ukraine, according to the nation’s first deputy prime minister. The number of Ukrainians who have participated is 242,000, according to the same source.
The Ukrainian Security Service, which arrested the 15 pro-Russian activists Saturday, has not released information about how many activists were involved or how many are left.
By Day Blakely Donaldson
Sources:
CNN
The Independent
Kyiv Post |
Sony Xperia E5 officially unveiled (… and then pulled!)
Sony Mobile officially took the wraps off the Xperia E5 earlier today – the launch marks the company’s first budget release of 2016. Well it would be if it weren’t for the fact that, whilst the company went guns blazing about the Xperia E5 on social media, it shortly after pulled all details. As any company should know by now, once something hits the internet it cannot be wiped.
See all of the images that were accidentally released earlier than expected below. Plus you can see the blurb on how Sony introduced the model on social media. Note the talk about “available around the clock”, which probably highlights the strong battery life. Hopefully, Sony will launch official details shortly.
How Sony introduced the Xperia E5 on its social media channels
Twitter: “Meet Xperia E5, your new reliable assistant, available around the clock” Facebook: “Eager, effortless, and easy on the eye – it’s everything a smartphone should be. Say hello to your savvy new sidekick, Xperia E5” Instagram: “Fuss-free. Intelligent. Impressive. That’s what Xperia E5 is saying How about you?”
Thanks to all that sent this in! |
If you’re a blogger or publicist, chances are you know all about premieres by now. But just in case, I’ll try summarize it as best as I can:
An artist has an unreleased song
Either they, or a publicist they hire, reaches out to a blog to see if they’ll be the first to debut that song
The artist then may (or may not) announce their song via the blog article
Everyone profits? Except not.
Summary / TL;DR:
Receiving hundreds of email requests every day to “blog this song” sucks (it's why I built SubmitHub). Coordinating timing for premieres and then chasing down bands who don’t agree to terms sucks. Blogging should be about sharing good music, not about trying to get a bunch of traffic. And so, we’re no longer accepting premieres.
Seriously though, you should read my full blog post below. But, as a caveat, I’ll warn that this article is from my perspective, and may miss some truths. Ultimately, I believe it to be pretty darn accurate. So here goes…
When did “blog premieres” become a big thing?
It’s all Hype Machine’s fault.
Just kidding, I love them. We wouldn’t be where we are today without Anthony + team’s fantastic platform. And premiering music has been a thing for a long time, too. But, it’s my belief that Hype Machine is largely responsible for unintentionally expanding the practice "blog premieres."
Roughly four years ago, Hype Machine realized that they had a big problem: they were scanning and publishing all of the songs that blogs were sharing, but they weren’t “collecting” them as a single song. Instead, if 20 blogs wrote about a song, it would create 20 new entries on Hype Machine. So, they took the very logical step of combining those blog posts into one singular song entry on Hype Machine that gave a nifty summary of all the blogs who had posted it.
The unintentional misstep? They decided that whoever posted the song “first” would be credited as the original blogger, and in turn reap all the benefits of 1) being cool; 2) getting visitors from Hype Machine to their blog.
This kicked off a frenzy among bloggers. Sharing music online became about who could do it the fastest -- all with the goal of being credited as the “first” on Hype Machine. One of the easiest ways to ensure that you were the first blog to share a song was to pre-arrange the release with the artist, their publicist, or their label. And so bloggers began to actively seek “exclusive premieres,” whereby the person releasing the song would agree to keep it secret until that blog had shared the song -- thus ensuring they were "first."
The only problem was that once a song was on the internet, all the other blogs would latch onto it regardless. And because Hype Machine would scan blogs at semi-regular hourly intervals (rather than every few minutes), it meant that if a second blog came along and shared your premiere, they might get credited as the original uploader.
Needless to say, Anthony and the Hype Machine team fielded numerous complaints from blogs who felt that they had been “wronged,” and that their credit as “first” had been stolen by Hype Machine’s scanning practices. And so, Hype Machine fixed it. Rather than giving all credit to the “first” blog, they randomized the blog that would be displayed as sharing the song. And so, everyone was happy again.
Except that they’d awoken a monster…
Premieres exist. So now what?
While you may think that blogs would have lost interest in premieres once Hype Machine changed their formula, quite the opposite happened, for two reasons:
Blogs realized that by premiering a song, they could ensure that the artist shared their blog post as the go-to destination for listening to that song.
Publicists realized that they would have a much easier time convincing a blog to share their client’s songs if the blog knew that they were getting the premiere, because premieres meant visitors.
And so, the vicious cycle began.
Today, publicists increasingly use the “premiere” as a tool to get those hard-to-convince blogs that they should share a song. And those blogs use premieres as a tool to get more visitors to their site. Except that it barely has an impact.
This has been the cycle for the last 3 years or so, to the point where it has become a standard. Pretty much any emerging band or publicist who is in the know uses premieres as their kick-off point. And their strategy tends to be the same: stack the blogs by size. Start big, and work your way down until one of them says yes.
Okay. That makes sense. What’s the big deal, then?
The problem with premieres is that they have changed the way we all blog about music. Back in the day we would share a song because we actually liked it. We would revel in the fact that we found it on our own, and we would be excited to show all of our fans. Heck, that’s the very essence of music blogging!
Unfortunately, that's not how things work today. Any music blogger with decent traction knows that your email inbox is no longer sacred. At Indie Shuffle we were receiving roughly 300 submissions a day. It became so overwhelming that I instituted a “premieres only” policy -- you could only send me an email if it was a premiere request. Otherwise, I’d find out about your song through my own means, and didn't need an email about it. Even then I was still getting 50 premiere submissions a day, and I had become my own worst enemy.
It became a chore. And that sucked. I didn’t start music blogging because I wanted to read 50+ emails a day of people asking to get their music on Indie Shuffle. I started it because I enjoyed finding and listening to music.
And so, I’ve decided to do two things:
I no longer accept email submissions -- I’ve made a new website called www.submithub.com where people can send us music.
Indie Shuffle no longer does premieres. If we like a song, we’ll share it. But we’re no longer going to go through the hassle of premiering a song.
Right, that’s swell for you. But you’ve got 20+ great contributors at Indie Shuffle. Why enforce your policy on them?
Coordinating premieres is a full-team effort. First we need to figure out when the song gets published, which often gets muddled up given that I’m in South Africa, Hannah (our Editor In Chief) is in San Francisco, and the rest of our writers are scattered all over the world.
Then we need to make sure that when the song is published, it’s being set public by whoever sent it to us so that Hype Machine can scan it (they don’t scan private tracks). Lastly, we need to chase down the artists / labels / publicists who don’t agree to our “terms” (which essentially say: if we premiere this song, you should announce it to your fan-base using our review).
The aforementioned tasks aren’t exactly hard (I hear you going "boo hoo"), but they’ve turned our passion for music blogging into a job. And we’ve already got jobs.
For us, the whole point of blogging about music is because we’re passionate about it. We don’t want to be sitting here scheduling things and sending a million emails back and forth. And unfortunately for both Hannah and myself, when our awesome and amazing contributors are coordinating 2-3 premieres a day at the behest of publicists, it makes our lives a whole lot harder.
Top that off with the fact that the majority of the time the artists we premiere songs for don’t even share it properly, and you’ve got a) us putting in a lot of work; b) us getting no return for our efforts.
In conclusion…
Hannah and I have decided that for our future sanity, and for the integrity of Indie Shuffle, we are no longer accepting premiere pitches or coordinating pitches in general. Instead, we’ll stick to blogging about songs that we like. And we’re going to be autocratic dictators and force the whole Indie Shuffle team to adopt the same policy.
Blogging for Indie Shuffle is about finding good music and sharing that good music. It’s no longer about being “first” or trying to get as many visitors as we can.
What's next?
Will other blogs follow us? Who knows. I don’t really care, actually. If they enjoy doing premieres, that’s cool -- for those of them still growing, it can actually have a big positive return. Fortunately for them, they’re about to get a bunch more requests because we’re done.
In short, I'm stoked about a future where I blog about music because I want to -- not because someone else is asking me to. |
Stephen Maddren
Escaped prisoner Stephen Uriah Maddren, who had been on the run for a week, has been found sleeping in a hot water cupboard in the small town of Milton.
Police recaptured Maddren, 25, about 12.30pm today and took him back into custody. He is the only person to have escaped from the Otago Corrections Facility at Milburn.
Southern District Command Centre Senior Sergeant Brian Benn said the owner of a rural property was surprised this morning to discover Maddren asleep in his hot water cupboard.
He called police, who arrived and took Maddren to the station in Milton.
Maddren escaped last Tuesday.
It is thought that he climbed a downpipe on to a prison roof, and jumped from a height of two to three storeys to the other side.
He had no shoes, and was wearing only trackpants and a top. His escape triggered a large search operation, during which Maddren's mother, who declined to be named, pleaded for Maddren to turn himself in.
The Department of Corrections has not commented on why Maddren - who appeared in court in 2010 on charges of escaping custody - was not handcuffed at the time he escaped.
Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has said that an investigation into how he escaped would take place. |
At the very beginning ofTheodor Adorno writes, "Philosophy, which once seemed obsolete, lives on because the moment to realize it was missed. The summary judgment that it had merely interpreted the world, that resignation in the face of reality had crippled it in itself, becomes a defeatism of reason after the attempt to change the world miscarried." For those of us who are familiar with Marx, we cannot miss the fact that Adorno is referring to Marx's famous 11th Thesis on Feuerbach: "philosophy has only interpreted the world, the point is to change it." Adorno, however, is arguing that since the communist attempts to change the world have failed, this proud Marxist assertion––this claim that philosophy could not resign itself to interpretation and needed to face the reality––has become a "defeatism of reason." Thusbecomes a flight back into the ivory towers of philosophy, an attempt in some ways to reestablish the abstract foundations of dialectical thinking so that philosophy can, once again, no longer interpret the world and, rearmed with a stronger philosophical foundation, we can eventually get back to the business of changing the world.But Adorno wrotein 1966 when world revolution had not, regardless of his cynical understanding of the revisionist Soviet Union, miscarried. China was still revolutionary, had gone further down the revolutionary road than Russia, and was launching the Cultural Revolution that, though an ultimate failure, was at that time the height of attempts to change the world. Although even this revolutionary fervour would ultimately fail, the fact that it was learning from previous failures and going further––establishing new developments in revolutionary theory through praxis––is something that Adorno, as a philosopher worthy of being called "historical materialist", should have taken into account. And yet he ignored China, as well as the decolonization movements revolutionary China often inspired, hermetically sealed in academia.(In fact, I would go even further to say that attempts to change the world had not, despite the counter-revolution in Russia and the eventual counter-revolution in China, failed to change the world: the world was still changed, we learn and progress through defeats and setbacks. This is important to grasp as a dialectical thinker, just as it is also important to grasp that the most important developments in revolutionary theory emerge in the process of revolutionary struggle.)I want to suggest that Adorno's resignation is paradigmatic of leftwing academics, representing the most common way we "sell out" and accept, if not publicly or even consciously, that capitalism is the end of history. We all know the cliche of the radical youth/student who, upon "growing up", becomes at best a social democratic and at worst an inveterate conservative. And while it is true that some leftwing academicsbecome liberals or reactionaries, most of us find ways to remain radical in form and resigned in essence.The reason for this is because leftwing academics, especially those of us who do work on Marx and/or other radical theorists, are. To honestly denounce our politics publicly would mean that we would be denouncing years of research, perhaps books and papers that we published, and an entire identity based on radicalism. And those of us who have done excellent and critical work in these areas [personal caveat: I am not convinced that I do such work!], and understand the arguments against capitalism/imperialism/colonialism, cannot bring ourselves to openly and consciously accept resignation without also accepting that we're idiots. Thus we find a way to cling to the ragged garments of radicalism, often ignorant that we've been left behind, while secretly resigning.We secretly resign for multiple reasons. Sometimes we focus on the failures of revolutionary movements, unable to understand the successes that have changed the world––practical-theoretical insights that are still useful, that are still weapons, that we neglect because of intellectual cynicism. Other times we are utterly ignorant of subterranean movements, or even mass movements elsewhere in the world, that are still in the process of changing history (Adorno and China is an example of this). Generally we become disconnected, descending further into academic leftism, and we don't realize that, at some point along the way, the original reason for our politics has been replaced by intellectual opportunism, theoretical sectarianism, and ivory tower dogmatism.Academics, who can produce excellent leftwing theoretical work, are often alienated from global revolutionary struggles. The more intellectually privileged we become, the more we get invested in the ivory tower game, the more isolated we are from revolutionary praxis. But Marx and Engels understood, despite their own intellectual positioning, that the greatest developments in revolutionary theory would come through revolutionary praxis, not intellectual debate and academic exercise. And still we want to imagine that we're at the forefront of radical theorizing, that the masses will read our insights and learn; when they do not, because there is a great schism between academia and common society, we become frustrated. Perhaps we blame their failures on the supposed limits of revolutionary theory; perhaps we blame ourselves, because we arrogantly believed ourselves to be their intellectual guides, and thus turn the resignation inwards. Besides, the majority of academics do not want "to go down amongst the masses," and we hate the Maos of the world for telling us to leave our comfortable ivory towers: why can't the people at least meet us half way––can't they just read one of our many books, listen to us, and stop failing? And in any case, we don't want to go down to their stupid countryside or ghettos or wherever the hell it is the masses are living these days.So we resign by remaining left in form while retreating from actual left practice. We come up with new theories, writing hundreds of more competing resignation texts, to argue our resignation: the grand revolutionary projects failed so let's go back and work on theory while ignoring the theoretical developments emerging through sometimes defeated struggle; let's stop talking about organizing and form intellectual debating clubs; let's found social democratic organizations where we are Blanquist leftists and never openly talk about anti-capitalism because we don't want to alienate the now ignorant masses; let's invent new theories that are historically untenable but exciting sounding; let's write biographies on dead revolutionaries, odes to failure; let's argue, in many books and articles, that "authentic" revolution will only be possible in over a hundred years from now…Because s/he often occupies a privileged position, the leftist academic intellectual will accept these retreats, and use them to maintain the shell of leftism, and at the end of the day feel good about hirself. Continued privilege hinges on maintaining the form of leftism, after all, because we have names to defend and we cannot publicly give up without looking like we wasted our lives. Privilege produces resignation and collaboration, but the privileged leftist academic often needs to maintain hir leftwing cred in order to keep hir privileged name––or at least feel good about hir privileged name. Writing books about this privilege, while remaining resigned, is also a good strategy.I am not arguing that proper leftists must be "anti-intellectual." In fact, I argued against this utterly problematic position in an earlier entry . But to be intellectual is not synonymous with being an academic, though academics definitely possess a privileged access to intellectual life. Moreover, I think the most exciting revolutionary theory these days is emerging from the subterranean margins, written by brilliant theorists who are not involved in the academic game: my reviews on Sakai's Settlers and Lee's Night Vision were about this very fact. Those ensconced within academia definitely have the access and time required to engage in revolutionary theorizing, but the danger of being isolated from revolutionary struggle––always present for the tenured and published––can only result in theory divorced from praxis. Alienated theory, ivory tower theory, ignorant and elitist theory. While I do not think this should mean that academia should be rejected (otherwise I'd be a hypocrite), I do think that leftist academics need to be aware of their positioning and fight both the urge to become elitist and the urge to become anti-intellectual (which is also, as argued in the entry cited above, a form of elitism).Returning to Adorno, whose semi-opaque passage opened this entry, I want to conclude by arguing that, regardless of the resignation implicit in books such as, there is always the possibility of finding important and critical work even amongst these resigners. I do not write-off Adorno entirely: maybe I can't find use for, though I am sure others can, but his earlier work, especially, co-written with Max Horkheimer (who instead of secretly resigning betrayed the revolution by becoming an outright reactionary), is still potentially useful for revolutionary thinking. Even in the work of resigned leftwing academics, as moribund as their practice might have become, the kernel of radicalism makes their work superior to any reactionary. At the same time, however, we must take the Adornos as a warning: we should not apologize for their resignation, should not argue that the reason they called the police on student demonstrators in West Germany can be explained away by their fear of the Hitler Youth (if Adorno was truly involved in left praxis, he would have understood the difference between anti-fascist youth and pro-fascist youth). Nor should we be apologizing for our own resignation, whether academic or honest: we need to be prepared to accept and see every success in every failure and never, ever, agree that capitalism is the end of history: explicitly by rejecting our politics, or implicitly by retreating, like Adorno, into the depths of philosophy. |
Hurricane Maria may have devastated Puerto Rico from one end of the island to the other, but now a new force is set to be unleashed upon it: the Republican tax plan.
A small provision in the House version of the tax bill aimed at boosting American industry would — perhaps unintentionally — devastate Puerto Rico’s economy.
That part of the bill, Section 4303, is ostensibly aimed at keeping U.S. profits on U.S. shores. Under its current arrangement with the IRS, certain kinds of U.S.-based companies can purchase goods manufactured by their Puerto Rican subsidiaries. So long as the profits they make on those goods are attributed to those subsidiaries, companies pay no federal income taxes on them and only minimal local taxes.
That effective subsidy is responsible for a significant chunk of Puerto Rico’s manufacturing sector. Now, thanks to its idiosyncratic tax status, language appearing in the House version of the bill would place a 20 percent excise tax on goods coming to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico. It would take a sledgehammer to the island’s economy.
Puerto Rico is functionally part of the United States and its residents hold American passports, American jobs, and American citizenship. It has a non-voting member in Congress. But because it’s treated as a foreign entity in the tax code, the change could see major businesses domiciled there — pharmaceuticals, especially — leave for new shores. Industry estimates suggest that the measure could see Puerto Rico shed as many as 250,000 jobs if its status as a tax haven is eliminated.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, a member of the New Progressive Party, wants the House provision axed and lawmakers to simply insert a line in the final bill that would exempt Puerto Rico from the excise tax and others that could damage its manufacturing sector. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz said the measure could be “devastating” for Puerto Rico and “kill any chance we have of putting together a plan for sustained growth that would repopulate the island.”
To the delight of many on the island, similar language did not appear in the Senate bill, though that version did include a 12.5 percent tax on intellectual property. What’s more, either bill would incentivize companies to bring profits back to U.S. shores by letting them repatriate foreign earnings at a preferential rate. Both also include a 10 percent minimum tax on overseas profits. Reports emerged Wednesday that Republicans had reached an agreement on a final version of the bill, though a draft copy is not yet available, and changes are likely to be made up until the final moment.
As final language is debated in Washington, elected officials in Puerto Rico disagree on how to move forward. While few on the island seem to support an immediate end to the island’s tax breaks, some see it as a path toward putting Puerto Rico on equal footing with mainland U.S. states.
Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón, the island’s non-voting representative to Congress, has pushed for a phase-out of its differential tax treatment en route to statehood. In its place, she would like to see an alternative set of federal tax incentives to invite private investment. González-Colón did not respond to The Intercept’s request for comment, and details of exactly what she is proposing have yet to be made public.
“We are always looking for more ways to help the island,” she said in a statement after the House bill’s passage. “One of those ways is through additional tax incentives so that our fellow U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico can have all the possible resources to rebuild their lives and their economy. It is our intention to make improvements to our tax reform legislation as it relates to Puerto Rico when we go to conference.”
González-Colón, a member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party and chair of the island’s Republican Party, has been friendly to President Donald Trump and aligned largely with the GOP in Washington. While she called some of his comments dubbing Puerto Ricans lazy after Maria “shocking,” she generally praised Trump’s handling of recovery efforts. He returned the favor with a complimentary tweet around the time of his public spat with Cruz. “People are used to having politicians that are politically correct, that follow the script, and he’s not like that,” González-Colón said of Trump in an October interview. “I mean, what you see is what you get and that’s the way he is.” She reportedly has a close relationship with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
“[González-Colón] appears to be a true believer on Republican orthodoxy, to my surprise,” said Sergio Marxuach, public policy director and general counsel at the San Juan-based Center for a New Economy. Previously, he served as Puerto Rico’s deputy secretary of commerce and economic development. “She has become a big believer in Republican economic theories. I think that Ryan sees the potential there: She’s a conservative Latino woman, and there aren’t very many of those,” he said.
Her opinion seems to hold sway on Capitol Hill. Texas Republican Kevin Brady, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee overseeing the conference committee process, was asked about the excise tax provision during a recent press gaggle on the Hill. He said last week that he had been working closely with González-Colón, and that “she’s been really involved in trying to find a good way forward. … There are a list of options that we’re working through to try to arrive at the best approach.”
Eighty thousand Puerto Ricans, of the 2 million on the island, are cane cutters, shown here on Feb. 2, 1942. These men, who currently earn $1.51 a day, are beginning the harvest, which runs from December to June. They attack stalks of sugar cane with razor-edge machetes. Sugar cane grows 10 feet high. Photo: AP
Puerto Rico has long had a fraught relationship with the tax code and given preferential treatment to corporations in one way or another for nearly a century. “First it was sugar cane mill owners, then textile manufacturers and, starting in the mid-1970s, the pharmaceutical industry,” said Héctor Figueroa, president of SEIU 32BJ. “This separate and unequal treatment was never meant to benefit Puerto Ricans, and it still doesn’t.”
Figueroa, who is Puerto Rican, has been working with his union to organize against Republicans’ tax proposal, with a special focus on the impact it could have on the island. 32BJ has a number of Puerto Rican members, concentrated in the Northeast — which has a sizable diaspora population — and in southern Florida, as well, where many Puerto Ricans have fled in Maria’s wake.
In the 1940s, “Operation Bootstrap” sought to transition Puerto Rico’s agricultural economy into an industrial one through a managed shrinkage of the farming sector, offering generous tax exemptions to corporations for things like capital investments, exporting, and industrial licenses. The move effectively fashioned Puerto Rico into the world’s first special economic zone, a term which — since that time — has come to refer to any number of policies applied to a certain area to attract foreign businesses.
For a time it seemed to work: Consumer goods industries flooded in, wooed also by lower labor costs than those that existed on the mainland. But the results were rosier for corporations than for the people they were ostensibly employing. In the textile industry, for example — previously dominated by a cottage industry — overall employment was nearly halved while corporate profits more than tripled, jumping from $18.5 million to $60.3 million between 1950 and 1960. Hundreds of thousands of people fled the island as unemployment rose across several industries.
As the policy drove Puerto Ricans into poverty, radical social experiments were put on the table. Operation Bootstrap served as an excuse to ramp up an existing program to coerce Puerto Rican women into receiving sterilization surgery, carried out on the dual grounds that women without children could be more effectively integrated into the industrial workforce and that reducing the population could mitigate unemployment in the long run.
A collaborative program between the Puerto Rican government and the International Planned Parenthood federation sterilized at least one third of women on the island by 1968, in part by limiting access to other forms of contraception. Around the same time, Puerto Rico became a literal testing ground for American pharmaceutical companies looking to develop new and often dangerous forms of birth control.
As a Pentagon researcher explained bluntly in 1971, “Capital investment from local resources is a function of individual business, and government saving rates and the profitableness of investment in Puerto Rico is oriented toward exports to the mainland and hence would not be influenced by the size of the Puerto Rican market. Individual saving is more likely to decrease than increase with a higher birth rate.”
The most recent round of business-friendly federal tax reforms in Puerto Rico came in 1976 through the addition of Section 936 to the federal tax code. It exempted U.S. companies from paying federal taxes on income earned in Puerto Rico. Painting it as corporate welfare, President Bill Clinton scheduled the Section 936 exemptions for a decade-long phase-out starting in 1996. They finally ran out in 2006, leading many manufacturers to leave the island, triggering a recession the island has yet to recover from.
After its bond rating collapsed as a result — followed soon after by the global financial crisis — thousands of Puerto Ricans moved elsewhere in search of more economic opportunities, putting further strain on an already stretched economy.
Wall Street saw an opportunity to swoop in, seeing its own opportunity in the tax code. Since 1917, bonds issued by the Puerto Rican government — municipal bonds — have been “triple tax exempt,” meaning their buyers don’t have to pay federal, state, or local taxes on the returns on them. Once its bonds had been downgraded to junk level after the recession, big institutional investors like pension funds backed off, leaving the market essentially wide open for so-called vulture funds.
Desperate for quick cash, the Puerto Rican government and public corporations — like the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, known as PREPA — kept issuing junk bonds with the promise of tax-free returns. In turn, major investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo engineered risky, complex new debt products that allowed Puerto Rico to exceed its borrowing limit and continue issuing junk bonds to investors. Some of these operated almost identically to payday loans, complete with astronomical interest rates. Now, nearly half of Puerto Rico’s at least $74 billion debt — $33.5 billion — is owed on interest.
Though many factories have left Puerto Rico since the repeal of the Section 936 exemptions, the island hasn’t done away with tax breaks entirely. So there is still more damage that can be done.
Its marginal corporate tax rate is roughly similar to that in the U.S. mainland, around 39 percent. Several local tax breaks, however, mean that few corporations located there actually pay it. “Few places on earth offer a return on investment the way Puerto Rico does,” Sotheby’s International Realty writes. “With an ever-growing array of services and emerging industries, part of your success will be directly attributable to the incentives available.” The remainder of the page details aspects of Puerto Rico’s tax code that are friendly to foreign investors: Policies — drafted mainly after the financial crisis — to attract wealthy individuals and certain kinds of businesses to the island with low rates and outright exemptions.
Such carve-outs account for around $250 million to $500 million per year in lost revenue. A Microsoft manufacturing subsidiary in Puerto Rico, for instance, made $4 billion in 2011 and paid just 1 percent of that back to Puerto Rico’s government. It paid nothing to the U.S. government and created only 177 jobs on the island. To help fill the revenue gap, Puerto Rico has enacted one of the highest sales taxes in the United States, set at 10.5 percent.
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of those breaks in recent years has been the pharmaceutical industry, which now makes up about a third of Puerto Rico’s GDP. The island accounts for about 10 percent of U.S. drug manufacturing, and local tax breaks have been a boon to corporate profits. Drugmaker Amgen has swelled its offshore earnings by several orders of magnitude since restructuring its arm in Puerto Rico into a foreign subsidiary. It now has some $35.9 billion in Puerto Rico and pays an effective take rate of just 15.7 percent.
Still, despite the size of the pharmaceutical industry, the island still ends up having to re-import drugs as common as aspirin and cold medicine from the United States. “We manufacture very little for the local market,” Marxuach said.
“These companies are very capital intensive,” he said of Puerto Rico’s manufacturing sector. “But precisely because they are very capital intensive, they haven’t created that many jobs. The jobs they have created are very high-paid and high-skilled. A $1 billion investment in one of these manufacturing plants may generate 500 or 600 direct jobs. … There’s very little connection to the local supply chain, and there has been very little research and development.” What this means, Marxuach explained, is that Puerto Rico has been slow to develop its own manufacturing base and lacked the investments in R&D or workforce development that could build up local businesses.
Because so many of the benefits of manufacturing in Puerto Rico already go to mainland companies, Marxuach is weary of embracing doomsday scenarios about the tax bill’s potential impact — especially when so few details are known of what will make it into the final bill. “It’s difficult to say upfront how many firms will be affected and how. These companies have very sophisticated tax strategies. … It will have some effect. How bad it will be is hard to tell.”
He also noted that “if the excise tax is still on the books, it would affect them anywhere they move anyway,” and the costs associated with moving could outweigh the benefits for some firms.
Residents watch Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority linemen attaching an electrical insulator to a new utility pole in a residential area in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 29, 2017. Photo: AFP/Getty Images Ricardo Arduengo/
There are a range of theories about how to rectify Puerto Rico’s tax dilemma. González-Colón hopes to swap Puerto Rico’s status as a tax haven for a range of corporate incentives, morphing the island once again into a free enterprise zone along the lines of the one established by Operation Bootstrap, offering things like wage tax credits and “empowerment zones” that promise tax credits for businesses to make local investments. Marxuach, who was in Washington this week, hopes for a slower phase-out while the island recuperates from Maria. If González-Colón’s incentives are phased in, he hopes it will happen gradually and be combined with a much broader plan for economic development.
“Given that we are part of the U.S. economy,” Marxuach told The Intercept, “it would make sense eventually for Puerto Rico to be treated as a domestic economy. The question is how to make that transition and structure it in such a way that you don’t have the investment you already have leaving. Where we are right now after Maria, adding that level of uncertainty to this environment really doesn’t help the island in the short term.”
As Puerto Rico continues the long process of storm recovery, pulling the rug out from under its manufacturing sector would seem to needlessly throw a wrench in an already fractured economic system. But there are more options available to the island going forward than to simply refashion it into a playground for foreign capital. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D. Mass., have proposed a $146 billion package to invest in everything from the island’s energy infrastructure to its health care system, with an emphasis on local job creation, economic development, and self-government — in short, making the investments the private sector in Puerto Rico never has.
“After nearly three decades of privatization and a decade of government spending cuts, layoffs, wage suppression, and overall attrition of the public institutions,” Figueroa said, “it is no surprise that Puerto Rico was too weak to withstand successive hurricanes, let alone a category 5 like Hurricane Maria ripping the island down the middle. The federal government, however, has also shown itself weak and unprepared to handle this situation.”
Before Maria hit, Puerto Rico was already dealing with several catastrophes: a century of colonial influence from the United States, decades of austerity, and — relatedly — at least $74 billion in debt, much of it owed to American hedge funds. If it passes, the tax bill could saddle the island with one more. |
THECOUNT.COM - "Keeping The Count Since 2005!" - June 2, 2012
A South Carolina grandma was identified as the fifth victim of the flesh-eating bacteria inGeorgia.
Louise Thompson underwent surgery to remove the infected parts her leg and it thrust her in a coma for five days.
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Thompson went to the doctor complaining of pain in her leg that she said felt ‘like pins sticking in my skin’ but there was no visible signs of a problem.
She ended up in the hospital in emergency surgery for 6 hours and doctors ended up removing an area of her body the size of a football.
Other victims: Aimee Copeland, 24, remains in the hospital after her leg, foot and both hands were amputated.
Lana Kuykendall, 36, had just given birth to twins before she was afflicted by the disease.
Victims: Paul Bales (above) and Bobby Vaughn (below) have both been struck down by the infection.
Four other victims are recovering in hospitals after picking up the rare and serious disease in Georgia after picking up the bacteria from cuts and wounds.
Electron microscopic image of WT Aeromonas hydrophila strain SSU, the bacteria responsible for the flesh-eating disease. |
Martha Bergmark is the Executive Director of Voices for Civil Justice.
In 2014, a Louisiana woman, J., landed in court after a dispute with her landlord over a $25 parking fee. J., 52, was suffering from cancer and did not have an attorney. The court ruled against her, and ordered her to vacate her home within 24 hours.
J.’s case, which was later taken on by Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, sounds extreme, but for someone who can’t afford legal counsel, the outcome isn’t surprising. The sad reality is that many Americans facing the loss of a home, family or livelihood are going it alone in civil court, and they’re losing.
In well over two thirds of critical cases in America’s civil courts, people appear without a lawyer, even though the stakes are often just as high as in criminal proceedings. Many people suffer crushing losses in court not because they’ve done something wrong, but simply because they don’t have legal help.
The future of the legal profession is unclear. Student loan debt for law graduates now averages $84,000 for public law schools and $122,000 for private law schools, reflecting the dramatic rise in the cost of attending law school in the past three decades. Despite the growing costs for students, long-term job prospects have become less certain. One study found that among 2010 law school graduates, 20 percent hold jobs that don’t require a law degree. Only 40 percent are employed by law firms, where the financial returns are highest.
Some say that the recent decline in law school enrollment simply marks a natural correction in the legal industry, because law schools are producing more lawyers than the country needs. But the latest studies, and J.’s story, show the opposite: Americans need legal help more than ever.
Rather than a shortage of people who need lawyers, what we are seeing is a disgraceful failure of our legal system to meet the serious legal needs of most Americans, who are increasingly priced out of the market for legal services. In 70 to 98 percent of cases in America’s civil courts today, one or both parties are not represented by a lawyer. One report found that civil legal aid programs must turn away almost two-thirds of the people who seek their assistance in critical civil cases, despite research showing that in many such cases, access to legal help makes all the difference. In evictions, for example, two-thirds of tenants who go to court without a lawyer lose their homes, while two-thirds of those represented by an attorney are able to keep them. In complex areas of the law, legal help is essential to enable people to understand and defend their rights. But legal help has become so expensive — about $200 to $300 an hour on average and drastically higher at the largest law firms – that it’s unaffordable, not just for those struggling to make ends meet, but even for most middle-class Americans.
Even in seemingly straightforward situations in which people are clearly on the right side of the law — as with one Cleveland couple with a disabled adopted child whose application for federal benefits to help families exactly like theirs was inexplicably denied — Americans are often unable to overcome roadblocks on their own without the help of a lawyer to navigate the legal and bureaucratic maze. Like the woman in Louisiana, the couple ultimately found relief through one of the nation’s civil legal aid programs: The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, which provides free legal assistance to people who can’t afford it, took on their case. But with limited resources for programs and staggering student loan debt for law school graduates, not enough lawyers are able to do civil legal aid work to help everyone who needs it.
The federal government has taken an important step to encourage law students to pursue civil legal aid careers by offering a loan forgiveness program for graduates who work at a civil legal aid program for a minimum of 10 years. Some law schools also offer their own loan forgiveness programs that enable graduates to do civil legal aid work. A soon-to-be-released survey by the National Legal Aid and Defender Association found that 70 percent of civil legal aid lawyers and public defenders depend on loan forgiveness to support themselves while doing their jobs. Additionally, legal fellowship programs like those offered by Equal Justice Works — and supported by both private and government resources — increase the pool of law jobs that address the serious legal needs of ordinary Americans.
But too often, these programs find themselves without the resources to make the largest impact. And while fellowships are a powerful tool for bringing more graduates into the fold of civil legal aid, they’re short-term opportunities — most offer only one- or two-year placements — that don’t always lead to long-term careers. We should find ways to expand these programs, not limit them, so that they can serve as long-term, comprehensive solutions.
This is not a matter of the government subsidizing the education of graduates headed for lucrative jobs in corporate law. It’s about making it possible for graduates to do the much-needed legal work that comes without much financial reward, like preventing evictions, defending battered spouses and helping veterans secure the benefits they’ve earned. Studies show that these vital public services not only help individuals and families, but save taxpayers money by reducing the costs that spread beyond a family in crisis to the local, state and federal government. For example, providing a lawyer to prevent an unlawful eviction and keep a family in their home costs much less than placing them in a homeless shelter.
Some states are also finding innovative ways to make sure legal services are available for Americans who need it. Across the country, legal jobs are concentrated in populous urban centers and wealthier communities, leaving areas that are rural, sparsely populated and often low-income without access to legal services. To address the problem, South Dakota gives young attorneys who move to counties where lawyers are scarce $12,000 per year for five years — an amount that offsets about 90 percent of the tuition at the state’s law school. Other states with the same problem, like Maine, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri and Arizona — where only 6 percent of the state’s lawyers practice outside of the two most populous counties – should follow suit.
More universities should also launch legal incubator programs, as many in California and New York have. In partnership with law schools, legal incubators allow recent graduates to develop practical legal skills while serving low- and middle-income people at more affordable rates. In New York, a young lawyer named Fred Rooney took a two-year leave from his private practice to train new lawyers in civil legal aid work through a program run by CUNY School of Law. He has never looked back, dedicating the rest of his career to helping more than 40 law schools create similar programs nationwide. With the right resources and training, more lawyers could follow a similar path.
We must also consider once-unthinkable changes to our approach to legal education and legal counsel. Eliminating the third year of law school would lessen the burden of student debt and make it easier for lawyers to take on more pro bono work. Expanding the use of educated, licensed legal technicians would provide assistance with certain kinds of legal problems, akin to nurse practitioners in the medical industry. But we also must face the fact that we’ll never completely eliminate the cost of a legal education — or Americans’ need for qualified, fully trained lawyers in complex and potentially life-changing areas of the law.
As we confront these challenges, there is also a need for a culture shift within our law schools and the legal profession at large. We must recognize that providing expert legal help is not just charitable. It is rewarding work that should be as coveted as the associate positions at large corporate law firms. And it’s essential work to meet our collective, professional obligation as guardians of our nation’s commitment to justice. It’s hard to see how a legal system that meets only the needs of the wealthy, while leaving most everyone else by the wayside, is a vital resource for society.
We must do a better job of ensuring our country’s promise of “justice for all.” The future of the legal profession — and millions of Americans — depends on it. |
In an attempt to stop hackers from, well, hacking, the House’s security team appears to be banning all apps hosted by Google’s appspot.com from being used on its servers . This means that all appspot hosted apps are inaccessible inside Congress.
According to Ted Henderson, the founder of the Cloakroom–an anonymous messaging app for Capitol Hill staffers–all of his apps are effectively not available to their target audience.
In a memo sent to the entire House staff last week, which was forwarded to Fast Company, the security staff said it was actively combatting ransomware attacks, which is a digital attack that essentially holds computers’ files ransom until a bounty is paid. The team said in the memo it was specifically targeting YahooMail. Now, it seems the scope has widened to all Google appspot apps. |
Yuffie Profile Joined June 2010 132 Posts #1
not many players used this little micro action.
By charging a zealot on an allied unit and attack moving right after it, there was a good way to charge zealots before battle or to hunt fleeing enemies that are not yet in charge range.
This feature has been removed in 1.3.3.
Hope it was a mistake by Blizzard to remove that, cos i don't see what harm this micro does to the game...
to see this micro watch at 05:00
http://www.livestream.com/yuffie/video?clipId=pla_3430ee4a-ed8e-4686-866f-b9f29923d1f5&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb
Hello there,not many players used this little micro action.By charging a zealot on an allied unit and attack moving right after it, there was a good way to charge zealots before battle or to hunt fleeing enemies that are not yet in charge range.This feature has been removed in 1.3.3.Hope it was a mistake by Blizzard to remove that, cos i don't see what harm this micro does to the game...to see this micro watch at 05:00
jimmyjingle Profile Blog Joined November 2010 United States 464 Posts #2 I wonder if the concept of "the more you take away from the strategy, the better it gets" applies to game DESIGN as well. I get brain like a skull
zyo Profile Joined October 2010 Canada 5 Posts #3 It was more like a bug than I feature I think...
Remember that Starcraft is more a strategy than a precision game.
LimeNade Profile Blog Joined February 2010 United States 2103 Posts #4 yea u shouldnt be able to use charge on your own unit then bridge the gap to a fleeing enemy. Thats changing the game design behind the idea of when charge is enabled when the zealot is a certain distance from an enemy unit JD, need I say more? :D
hugman Profile Joined June 2009 Sweden 4638 Posts #5 On May 12 2011 05:28 Limenade wrote:
yea u shouldnt be able to use charge on your own unit then bridge the gap to a fleeing enemy. Thats changing the game design behind the idea of when charge is enabled when the zealot is a certain distance from an enemy unit
So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes? So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes?
Yuffie Profile Joined June 2010 132 Posts #6 especially everything that gives at least "some" big moments in 1n1 battles with good moves...
it's not like verybody uses or abuses this anyway.
Even i, knowing it exists, only used it like 10 times, but then with succes and some aditional kills.
wankey Profile Joined May 2010 98 Posts #7 Why does Blizzard keep REMOVING SHIT FROM THE GAME? I'm kinda pissed at this. Otherwise Starcraft 1 would've never had muta stacking and mutas wouldn't have been as effective against marines or workers.
Even Valve knows the benefits of leaving in bugs, it creates emergent gameplay, stuff you cannot predict. They purposely left a bunch of bugs into portal 2 just to see what players can do with them.
yarkO Profile Blog Joined September 2009 Canada 810 Posts #8 That blows, I actually used this a lot. For example, when you kill off everything and still have some FFs left up, you can charge back to your Stalkers and retreat a few Zealots, preserving at least a couple of them.
:/ Pretty lame that they took that away. When you are prepared, there's no such thing as pressure.
Cellophane Profile Blog Joined July 2010 United States 27 Posts #9 i like that the zealots are called berserkers :D
Laggy Profile Blog Joined May 2010 United States 384 Posts #10 Dude one of the most amazing things I've ever seen in the starcraft universe was a bug, when Boxer did a bug involving vultures mineral patches and landing a barracks next to the mineral patches lifting it and making the vultures bug out and phase through the mineral patches and hoping they get through if they didn't make it through he lifted and landed the barracks again and tried to make the bug work.
Not sure the specific game but if anyone know please post it that was an amazing bug! D on iccup stands for diamond in SC2
Kaitlin Profile Joined December 2010 United States 2958 Posts #11 Out of curiosity, was it possible to "charge at your own air units", such as Phoenix or Warp Prisms, which could then be moved up a ledge ?
Binabik Profile Joined January 2011 Germany 686 Posts #12 Nobody used it....
jinorazi Profile Joined October 2004 Korea (South) 4933 Posts Last Edited: 2011-05-11 20:45:58 #13 its sad that blizz is removing all the little tricks that werent designed to be in the game, but increase gameplay.
bw: lurker stop, worker-stack-attack, muta stack, move shot, mine/worker push/jump, etc. made gameplay awesome.
sc2: "viking flower" removed, allied charge removed, short patrol removed, archon toilet removed (justified), etc.
and instead of moving shot, we have phoenix's easy mode...sigh
instead blizz NEEDS to look into this important two issues, i honestly dont nkow why they leave this the way it is intentionally.
Chrono and Mule drop visible from fog of war. Workers phasing through units when clicked on a mineral patch without vision - this is a big one and needs to be removed.
they remove positive things yet leave the negative things in. age: 84 | location: california | sex: 잘함
425kid Profile Joined March 2011 416 Posts #14 On May 12 2011 05:33 hugman wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 12 2011 05:28 Limenade wrote:
yea u shouldnt be able to use charge on your own unit then bridge the gap to a fleeing enemy. Thats changing the game design behind the idea of when charge is enabled when the zealot is a certain distance from an enemy unit
So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes? So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes?
It was a bug, bugs get removed. Get over it It was a bug, bugs get removed. Get over it
Diamond Profile Blog Joined May 2009 United States 9882 Posts Last Edited: 2011-05-11 20:43:06 #15 . They could at least wait until someone proves it is a problem before they can it. I love how Blizzard keeps going out of their way to remove things that no one uses anyways like this and Fazing. Concepts like this have the potential to change how the game is played a long time from now but will never see use. They could at least wait until someone proves it is a problem before they can it. Ballistix Gaming Global Gaming/Esports Marketing Manager - twitter.com/esvdiamond
Mailing Profile Joined March 2011 United States 3087 Posts #16 On May 12 2011 05:41 425kid wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 12 2011 05:33 hugman wrote:
On May 12 2011 05:28 Limenade wrote:
yea u shouldnt be able to use charge on your own unit then bridge the gap to a fleeing enemy. Thats changing the game design behind the idea of when charge is enabled when the zealot is a certain distance from an enemy unit
So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes? So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes?
It was a bug, bugs get removed. Get over it It was a bug, bugs get removed. Get over it
Workers being able to phase through enemy units and bypass wall-ins is a bug as well.
Probes being able to bypass full wall-ins using a pylon push is a bug as well.
These are not removed. Workers being able to phase through enemy units and bypass wall-ins is a bug as well.Probes being able to bypass full wall-ins using a pylon push is a bug as well.These are not removed. Are you hurting ESPORTS? Find out today - http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=232866
infinity2k9 Profile Blog Joined January 2009 United Kingdom 2397 Posts #17 On May 12 2011 05:37 wankey wrote:
Why does Blizzard keep REMOVING SHIT FROM THE GAME? I'm kinda pissed at this. Otherwise Starcraft 1 would've never had muta stacking and mutas wouldn't have been as effective against marines or workers.
Even Valve knows the benefits of leaving in bugs, it creates emergent gameplay, stuff you cannot predict. They purposely left a bunch of bugs into portal 2 just to see what players can do with them.
No this is a misconception about muta micro, it NEVER was a bug. It was simply how the magic boxes worked (and still work infact). It may have been unintentional but not a bug to be patched.
Then again today they probably would have found a way to do so anyway. No this is a misconception about muta micro, it NEVER was a bug. It was simply how the magic boxes worked (and still work infact). It may have been unintentional but not a bug to be patched.Then again today they probably would have found a way to do so anyway.
jinorazi Profile Joined October 2004 Korea (South) 4933 Posts #18 On May 12 2011 05:45 infinity2k9 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 12 2011 05:37 wankey wrote:
Why does Blizzard keep REMOVING SHIT FROM THE GAME? I'm kinda pissed at this. Otherwise Starcraft 1 would've never had muta stacking and mutas wouldn't have been as effective against marines or workers.
Even Valve knows the benefits of leaving in bugs, it creates emergent gameplay, stuff you cannot predict. They purposely left a bunch of bugs into portal 2 just to see what players can do with them.
No this is a misconception about muta micro, it NEVER was a bug. It was simply how the magic boxes worked (and still work infact). It may have been unintentional but not a bug to be patched.
Then again today they probably would have found a way to do so anyway. No this is a misconception about muta micro, it NEVER was a bug. It was simply how the magic boxes worked (and still work infact). It may have been unintentional but not a bug to be patched.Then again today they probably would have found a way to do so anyway.
i think wanky is talking about muta+overlord/larvae group control in bw and you're talking about sc2's muta "magic box".
ignore if i'm wrong. i think wanky is talking about muta+overlord/larvae group control in bw and you're talking about sc2's muta "magic box".ignore if i'm wrong. age: 84 | location: california | sex: 잘함
Binabik Profile Joined January 2011 Germany 686 Posts #19 On May 12 2011 05:43 Mailing wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 12 2011 05:41 425kid wrote:
On May 12 2011 05:33 hugman wrote:
On May 12 2011 05:28 Limenade wrote:
yea u shouldnt be able to use charge on your own unit then bridge the gap to a fleeing enemy. Thats changing the game design behind the idea of when charge is enabled when the zealot is a certain distance from an enemy unit
So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes? So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes?
It was a bug, bugs get removed. Get over it It was a bug, bugs get removed. Get over it
Workers being able to phase through enemy units and bypass wall-ins is a bug as well.
Probes being able to bypass full wall-ins using a pylon push is a bug as well.
These are not removed. Workers being able to phase through enemy units and bypass wall-ins is a bug as well.Probes being able to bypass full wall-ins using a pylon push is a bug as well.These are not removed.
Workers being able to phase is no bug. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to get more minerals by mining with more than 20 Workers....
Probes aren't able to bypass a full wall-in, only choke corners. Workers being able to phase is no bug. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to get more minerals by mining with more than 20 Workers....Probes aren't able to bypass a full wall-in, only choke corners.
Mailing Profile Joined March 2011 United States 3087 Posts #20 On May 12 2011 05:50 Binabik wrote:
Show nested quote +
On May 12 2011 05:43 Mailing wrote:
On May 12 2011 05:41 425kid wrote:
On May 12 2011 05:33 hugman wrote:
On May 12 2011 05:28 Limenade wrote:
yea u shouldnt be able to use charge on your own unit then bridge the gap to a fleeing enemy. Thats changing the game design behind the idea of when charge is enabled when the zealot is a certain distance from an enemy unit
So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes? So anything that's not intentional game design is bad in your eyes?
It was a bug, bugs get removed. Get over it It was a bug, bugs get removed. Get over it
Workers being able to phase through enemy units and bypass wall-ins is a bug as well.
Probes being able to bypass full wall-ins using a pylon push is a bug as well.
These are not removed. Workers being able to phase through enemy units and bypass wall-ins is a bug as well.Probes being able to bypass full wall-ins using a pylon push is a bug as well.These are not removed.
Workers being able to phase is no bug. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to get more minerals by mining with more than 20 Workers....
Probes aren't able to bypass a full wall-in, only choke corners. Workers being able to phase is no bug. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to get more minerals by mining with more than 20 Workers....Probes aren't able to bypass a full wall-in, only choke corners.
And I can say zealots being able to initiate charge on ally units is not a bug. And I can say zealots being able to initiate charge on ally units is not a bug. Are you hurting ESPORTS? Find out today - http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=232866
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I’ve been blackening fish and other proteins since the mid-eighties when there were no such seasonings on the market. Now, you can purchase Chef Paul Prudomme’s Blackened Redfish Magic in 2 oz. containers for $3.50. Or, in true Chabernet style, you can make a bulk seasoning and shake it up with your own additions and substitutions.
My large batch recipe below yields approximately 24 oz. for a retail value of $42.00, a real necessity in our home where my wife prefers her fish blackened and her wine – Chabernet.
As experienced cooks know, you’ll need to adjust the proportions as you multiple or divide the size of your batch. Happy seasoning!
We first encountered Blackened Redfish when dining at K-Paul’s in New Orleans around 1985. Chef Paul Prudhomme literally invented this bold method for searing the flavor into fish fillet while keeping the flesh delightfully moist. To say the least, we were bowled over by his signature dish and flew home and bought his cookbook. Fast-forward 30 years and Chef Paul is no longer mentioning his ingredients and is instead selling little jars of the blackening spice for big bucks. That’s OK, because our tastes have changed and pure Cajun is just too one-note to compete for a place in our pantry. The ingredients used in Chef Paul’s original recipe (I haven’t tasted his bottled product) were a little heavy on the Thyme and Oregano. Besides, our horizons have widened to encompass Latin and Asian influences.
Without further ado, here is our take on a modern spice rub that will tip you back in your chair: |
As you may have already heard, the Early Access Program for ReSharper with C++ support is in progress.
We’ve prepared a new build and wanted to share a quick update on what new features and options it brings to the table:
Better performance: indexes are now saved locally, meaning that subsequent launches are faster than the initial launch.
Improved code completion including smart completion.
More settings to customize code formatting style.
New control flow analyses that detect unreachable code, unitialized local variable, assigned value that is never used, and redundant ‘else’ keyword.
New quick-fixes including Create from usage for global variables, class and enum members.
To learn more on what ReSharper C++ features are already implemented and how they can help you in your everyday work, check this video by Dmitri Nesteruk:
Please note that there are still limitations in terms of supported project size (up to 40 MB), MS C++ extensions and MS preprocessor extensions. ReSharper C++ EAP page contains a full list of known issues and unsupported items, which you’re highly encouraged to examine before you decide to download and install an EAP build. |
Two deductions are likely to be central in any debate on tax reform: those for mortgage interest and for donations to charity. With the housing market still suffering, it is hard to persuade anyone to consider changing the mortgage deduction right now, so I will concentrate on charitable giving.
Consider this scenario: Having decided that charitable giving is a worthy cause, the government subsidizes charitable gifts from certain households, and for those chosen to be part of the plan, every dollar donated to a charity is increased by a specified percentage. To qualify, taxpayers must have a substantial home mortgage; the subsidy rate increases with taxable income. Low-income taxpayers receive no subsidy, but donations from qualified high-income taxpayers are subsidized by as much as 40 percent — or more.
At this point, you may be wondering why I’d even mention something so preposterous. After all, why should a family’s eligibility for a donation subsidy depend on whether it has a large mortgage? And why should the government subsidize donations by the rich more than donations by the poor? The idea seems a nonstarter. And it would be, if not for one important detail: it is (approximately) the current law.
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Admittedly, the current tax treatment of charitable donations is not phrased as a subsidy, but that is just semantics. If someone in the 36 percent tax bracket gives $1,000 to charity and deducts it from his income tax, the donation costs him only $640. The government picks up the rest. That’s a subsidy.
It would be reasonable to ask why the government should subsidize charitable contributions at all. But for now, let’s discuss this simpler and more politically relevant question: If we are going to continue subsidizing these donations, what is the best way to do it?
First, I should clarify a simplification I’ve made. In the current system, strictly speaking, your eligibility to deduct a charitable contribution doesn’t depend on whether you have a big mortgage. But it might as well. You can deduct charitable contributions only if you itemize rather than take the standard deduction, and the most common way a household collects enough deductions to make itemizing worthwhile is to have a big mortgage. (Living in a high-tax city like New York can also help a taxpayer cross that threshold, because state and local taxes are deductible, at least for now.)
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But I challenge anyone to justify a system in which we essentially subsidize contributions made by people with big mortgages. For one thing, this set-up magnifies the already large distortion created by the mortgage interest subsidy, since having a mortgage qualifies taxpayers for other subsidies as well.
It is equally hard to justify subsidizing the gifts of rich people more than those of poor people. We do so because our tax system treats donations and mortgage interest as “deductions” from income. That is, we subtract these from income and pay taxes on the rest. This is logical when it comes to business expenses. Someone who owns a business should pay taxes only on profits, not on revenue. But that logic does not follow for charitable deductions, which are not a cost of doing business.
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What would be better? I suggest three principles to help guide the debate:
The tax subsidy rate should be the same for everyone. This means that rather than being a deduction from income, the subsidy should take the form of a tax credit, so that if you contribute $1,000 and the subsidy rate is 15 percent, your taxes would be reduced by $150. (Ideally this credit should be “refundable,” so it is payable even if your tax bill is zero or negative.)
In the interest of tax simplification, the tax credit should apply only to donations above a certain minimum. The minimum could be, say, 2 percent of adjusted gross income. That way, only large contributors need to bother keeping records.
The tax credit rate should be kept low enough to prevent large distortions. If political considerations require that we maintain this subsidy, it might make sense to peg it to the capital gains tax rate, which is now 15 percent.
IN considering these principles, please understand that I’m not proposing anything that would alter the current rules that allow people to give their money to charity to avoid paying estate taxes. If a billionaire wants to give his money away rather than bequeath it to his heirs that’s fine — great, in fact. Think of the logic this way: A charitable gift does not reduce income, so it should not be deducted from a tax on income, but it does reduce a bequest and the estate tax should apply to bequests.
In the overall debate, we should be consistent above all else. If we think that high marginal tax rates are bad because they distort incentives, the same is then true for tax subsidies. If people want to give money to a worthy organization, applaud them. But let them do it on their own dime. I don’t think it says anywhere in the Bible that tithing should be calculated on a before-tax basis. |
Zek Evets tries to figure out why a man’s passionate speech seems to always be interpreted as yelling.
This is a problem which has lately begun to annoy the ever-loving kosher crap out of me. I’ll be talking to someone, always a woman, and we’ll disagree on something. She’ll state her points; I’ll state mine. But the infuriating thing is: as soon as I start raising my voice to be heard, change my intonation, or even show a smidgen of emotion, she will say, “stop yelling.”
It doesn’t matter if what I said was right. Doesn’t matter if it was true. Doesn’t even matter that she wasn’t listening so how could she tell I was yelling. All that matters is that I was yelling. I yelled, therefore I am wrong. And now I must be quiet.
It’s a tactic which has insidiously begun to worm its way into my every behavior. I don’t raise my voice in a crowded room. I consciously lower my volume, even amidst celebration or defeat. I overthink and overanalyze my tone constantly.
But here’s the thing. I never actually yell. Every time a woman has told me I was yelling—especially ex-girlfriends—I wasn’t. I was disagreeing. I was being honest. I was being… open. Either it was raising my voice to be heard over her shouting, changing my tone to meet a feeling of attack, or just showing my emotional investment in the conversation. Sure as ice melts, she’ll say, “stop yelling.”
Funny enough, someone telling me to stop yelling when I’m not yelling is EXACTLY the type of thing to make me want to yell. End result: a gotcha moment. I yelled once, post-provocation, thus I was yelling the whole time. Go figure.
But why does this keep happening? I have a theory. (We’re all theorists, so I’ve learned.) It’s because in our world, social niceties have been largely defined historically by women. From Ms. Manners to Ask Amy, women dominate the conversation on polite conversation between mixed gender groups.
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And I think I’m on to something here, because I’ve never had this happen with a man. No guy has ever told me to stop yelling, especially when I never was in the first place. This isn’t to say it couldn’t happen to me, or doesn’t happen to other people. I hear women often get it from men to “stop screaming” or “stop screeching.” I’m just saying. Broad brush strokes here.
So why does the male voice elicit such strong reactions from women? Why is my voice heard as a yell, especially when it’s not? Are male voices scary? Or is it something about a man’s voice when he disagrees with you? Are we harsh sounding or something? Is it that our vocal chords and women’s ears are biologically predisposed to naturally conflict so that women hear us yelling when we’re not? I’ve got a million possibilities but it’s a bitch to find even one that makes sense.
I do wonder if it isn’t something else though. I wonder if it’s just another instance of men being unable to show emotion. Another instance of men being demonized as capable of random violence or instilling fear in others.
And it’s not just something that plays out among pale faces. I distinctly remember a musician friend of mine (yes, he’s Black and no, that doesn’t mean I’m not racist) who was talking to this open-mic host about sign-ups. She told him that even though he’d signed-up earlier than everyone, she wondered if she could move him to a different slot during the night — one where the crowd is vastly thinned out. He said no, and she kept pushing him, ad her voice kept going up. Eventually he said firmly, “no.” What’d she say? “Stop yelling at me.” His reply was perfect, “Stop projecting.”
Bam! Right there is my theory. It’s not that we’re yelling. It’s that others are projecting their own insecurities and fears onto our perfectly normal voice until the script is so twisted we’ve gone from aggrieved status to villain.
(Side-note: that incident was also the time I first learned the saying, “a White woman’s tears are worth more than a Black man’s life.” But I digress.)
Anyhoo, back to my point. Guys, if someone is telling you to stop yelling STOP. Take a breath. Think back. Were you yelling? No? Good. Then tell them to stop projecting. Tell them that you’re allowed to have a voice and that it doesn’t exist to make them feel comfortable. Tell them what I tell them now: this isn’t yelling. This is me trying to talk to you. Try listening. |
Recently the Federal Government upheld the notion that medical marijuana delivers no medicinal value keeping it a schedule one drug in line with heroin and other lethal drugs. What’s funny is that while the feds claim that medical marijuana is a myth they have patterned marijuana as medicine. That’s why you’ve seen #6630507 scribbled on the hands of stoners all over the interwebs. Did you also know that under the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program the US Government mails several people medical marijuana every month? Every 30 days our buddy Irving Rosenfeld receives 9 ounces of weed rolled into joints. And he has for the past 33 years. Imagine what a rad monthly smoke box subscription that would be? Oh by the way—Irving, who has smoked more joints than anybody on the planet, rehydrates the government’s ol’ dried out weed, then re-rolls ‘it. We recently sent him a couple packs of Stuff Stoners Like roiling papers hoping to sponsor the guy. Anyhow as a result of all that government supplied medical marijuana Irv’s led a happy and productive life as a stockbroker in spite of being afflicted with a rare and painful bone disorder. He even chronicled his use of government chronic in a fascinating book. |
It hasn’t happened yet, but that could be a reality if certain Republican strategists get their wish, the Washington Examiner‘s Paul Bedard reported. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, a 71-year-old member in the House of Representatives, plans to retire, and Tebow lives in the same 4th Congressional District.
“We do not pick favorites,” a key party strategist told Bedard, but “obviously a huge Florida football star would be an interesting candidate for our side of the aisle.”
In addition to living in the Jacksonville district, Tebow also has a business and the Tim Tebow Foundation there. The Heisman Trophy winner expressed interest in a potential run for political office two weeks ago.
“If there’s a chance you can make a difference someday in something, then that would be intriguing,” Tebow told Fox News.
Tebow, who is currently an analyst for the SEC Network, has not responded to the latest rumor. The deadline to declare for the August 30 primary is June 24.
Click here to read complete coverage of Southeastern Conference sports on SECcountry.com |
Sharing economy should be fair for all, not free for all
03 Jun 2016, by Owen Tudor in Labour market
The European Commission’s statement on Thursday about what they call the ‘collaborative economy’, but which is better known as the ‘sharing economy’ or, more prosaically, ‘stuff like Uber and AirBnB’, was widely reported as telling governments and local authorities across Europe to leave disruptive, tech-based innovators alone. But it wasn’t just that.
The Commission’s statement was also a very welcome recognition that the free for all, buccaneering new industries won’t get everything they want. The Commission said yes to a free market – but no to an unregulated one. That’s an important signal of where the Commission is heading, and it’s important that they made this clear, not just for the forthcoming EU referendum, but for all those looking for a revitalised social model.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady responded to the Commission announcement by saying:
“The sharing economy creates exciting new opportunities, but it has to be fair for all and not a free-for-all. Companies like Uber should not be allowed to dodge the responsibilities other employers have. Sharing economy companies cannot just take the money and run. They must provide decent working conditions for the people who create their profits. And they must pay their fair share of tax on profits and turnover.”
Our main concern is that Uber drivers should be treated as employees of the high-tech ride sharing company: something that unions like the GMB who are recruiting in the sector are arguing. The Commission said that European law laid down criteria which determined whether they were indeed employees, and therefore should have the rights that European and domestic laws lay down, such as health and safety, anti-discrimination laws and unfair dismissal rights. The criteria are “whether they act under the direction of the platform (i.e. the platform determines the choice of activity, remuneration and working conditions), the nature of the work (e.g. is it genuine, effective and regular), and whether the work is remunerated.” We reckon Uber drivers meet those criteria.
Frances added:
“The EU guidelines are a good starting point because they make clear that sharing economy companies can be recognised as employers by member states. The UK must build on this to ensure every worker in the sharing economy gets a fair deal, full employment rights, the opportunity to join a union, and is not exploited by a distant tax-dodging tech firm. By taking action to ensure member states are looking after the interests of people working in the sharing economy, the EU is showing the benefits of a Remain vote to working people.”
The reference to the referendum is a recognition that this sort of re-regulation of labour markets and the economy is a key feature of the reformed European Union that unions want to see. It’s a welcome indication that the regulatory reform agenda that the Prime Minister touted in his February grand deal won’t just be about *de*regulation.
There is more, of course, that we want to see from regulation of the new economy. As Frances hints, employers in the sector need to pay their taxes and social security contributions for their workers. And consumers will want to know that drivers and rooms are safe and properly insured.
Such requirements may, of course, make it difficult to undercut existing providers. But that’s what regulated markets imply: you can’t just undermine existing rights and protections and expect to get away with it. |
I was wondering how Newt Gingrich would react to the crazy teabaggers that attacked him for endorsing Scozzafava: Would he stand by his principles or would he bow down at the altar of Rush Limbaugh?
Here's what what said in his endorsement of Dede Scozzafava:
“The special election for the 23rd Congressional District is an important test leading up to the mid-term 2010 elections,” Gingrich said of Scozzafava's candidacy in a statement to supporters, as reported by the The Post-Standard. “Our best chance to put responsible and principled leaders in Washington starts here, with Dede Scozzafava.” -- “The Republican Revolution in 1994 started very much like what we see today,” the former speaker said. “Like then, our country is reeling from misguided liberal policies, high taxes and out-of-control spending. This special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional District could be the first election of the new Republican Revolution, but we need the momentum to get it started.”
The NRCC said this:
But Gingrich, who served as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999, wants to unite the party. He sees Scozzafava and the Upstate special election – the only House race in the nation this fall -- as the best hope for Republicans to start a comeback and regain control of Congress. Gingrich is apparently willing to overlook Scozzafava’s support for same-sex marriage and abortion rights.
The teabaggers, Palin, Limbaugh and Beck were all putting their energy behind a man who wasn't even from the district, Doug Hoffman, and in the end it cost the GOP a seat in a district that hasn't elected a Democratic politician to represent them in over 100 years.
Right before the election, right-wing bloggers attacked Newt for supporting Dede and said they would never support him for President because of it. After Hoffman lost, Rush Limbaugh blamed Newt and the GOP party machine for Hoffman's loss.
What would Newt Gingrich do? Would he stand up for his endorsement and tell the teabagger brigade that to win national elections, the party needs moderates to be included? After all, he's the Big Kahuna. Guess again. In his election night wrapup that he tweeted the day after the election, he repeated Rudy Giuliani's line that Scozzafavva was too liberal to have been the Republican nominee, which is a blatant lie.
In retrospect it is clear Dede Scozzafava should never have been nominated because she was far too liberal to be acceptable. Republican leaders in New York must recognize that Mike Long and the Conservative Party in that state have to be consulted before decisions are made. The national conservative movement is a force that has to be recognized and respected. I certainly heard from enough friends to know that my decision to support the unanimous vote of the 11 New York county chairs was very unpopular with conservative activists. In New York, after two failed special elections, it is clear the state party has to fight to change the election law so there are primaries in special elections. The insider nominating process is simply unacceptable to grassroots populists and guarantees a sense of illegitimacy.
Then, on Sean Hannity's Fox News show last night, he explained in detail why he regretted having supported Scozzafava. It was pretty abject.
Gingrich: I think the nomination was a mistake. I wish that we had gotten involved earlier. And if we had, I would have done everything I could to make sure she had not been picked. And she clearly proved in the last few days that she was in no way a loyal Republican.
Gingrich isn't one to make a snap judgment without knowing the facts, and he knew Dede was moderate on social issues, but to say she's not conservative enough is ridiculous.
If Republicans try to laugh off the notion that Limbaugh is running their party, all the media have to do is look at Newt. He caved to Limbaugh big time. |
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republicans will meet July 18-21 next year in Cleveland to nominate their 2016 presidential candidate, the party said on Wednesday, dates more than a month earlier than their convention in 2012.
“I’m pleased to announce the 2016 Republican National Convention will kick off on July 18,” Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.
The party selected Cleveland last year as its convention site. Ohio is a crucial swing state in presidential elections.
Priebus noted the 2016 convention would be held significantly earlier than in previous election years, “allowing access to crucial general election funds earlier than ever before to give our nominee a strong advantage heading into Election Day.”
The party’s 2012 convention was held Aug. 27-30 in Tampa, Florida. Its presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, lost the general election to President Barack Obama.
The Democrats have yet to select a 2016 convention site. The candidates are Columbus, Ohio, Philadelphia and Brooklyn, New York.
The Republicans last met in Cleveland in 1936, nominating Kansas Governor Alf Landon, who was soundly defeated by President Franklin Roosevelt in the November election. The party’s convention was also held in Cleveland in 1924, when President Calvin Coolidge was nominated. He won the general election later that year. |
Canadian shoppers don't always have the right to return items they bought online, and when they do, they usually pay so much in shipping that it can discourage them from shopping online again, a consumer advocacy group has found.
"Consumers purchasing items online do not have the benefit of inspecting the products in person, so the right of return is an important consideration," said Janet Lo, who co-authored the study released Monday by the Ottawa-based Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
Online shoppers can't try on clothing. Nor can they read the packaging on an item or get a good idea of how big it is.
P.O.V. Has returning online products ever been a problem for you? Have your say.
PIAC commissioned polling firm Environics to survey 1,000 Canadian adults and found that 63 per cent had bought at least one item online in the previous year. Of those, 89 per cent said that when they were deciding whether to buy online, it was either very important or somewhat important that the retailer allow returns and exchanges.
Consumer experiences Among the 238 respondents to the PIAC survey who had returned online purchases, just 20 per cent said they did not have any problems or difficulties. Among the rest: 37 per cent said the company did not reimburse for shipping to return the product.
22 per cent said they could not return the product in store.
18 per cent said unexpected fees were deducted from their refund.
15 per cent said it took too long to get their refund or credit.
13 per cent said they could not get a full refund.
13 per cent said they could not contact the company.
13 per cent said customs and brokerage fees were a problem. However, just 11 per cent of those who returned online purchases said they were less likely to buy online in the coming year, while 81 per cent said they were just as likely to buy online and eight per cent said they were more likely to buy online. They were not asked whether that pertained to the retailer to which they had returned a purchase.
Nevertheless, the group found that under Canadian law, consumers only have the right to return their purchases under "limited circumstances."
"The only case in which you have the absolute right to return is when there is a defect in the quality of the product," said Lo, legal counsel at PIAC, in an interview.
When PIAC bought and returned products from 15 well-known North American retailers (12 in Canada), it found that, typically, consumers were required to pay the cost of shipping the item back to the retailer.
For items ranging in price from $40 to $105, the shipping costs amounted to between $15 and $32. In many cases, customers had to pay for both the original and return shipping.
"The cost to return the product represents a surprising percentage of the total purchase amount and may dissuade consumers from purchasing more items online," the report warned.
Some retailers allow customers to return online purchases to a retail store, but Lo said that's not an option for all customers. There may be no retail location nearby or the customer may have mobility challenges.
In three cases, the study found that the retailer also appeared to have miscalculated the refund due to the customer after shipping costs were deducted; and two cases turned out to be a real miscalculation.
"One thing that I thought was very surprising was that in very few cases did we get a receipt that showed exactly how the refund was calculated," Lo said.
Only two retailers in the study, Dell and Old Navy, refunded the entire purchase amount and did so promptly.
However, Lo noted that was because of the specific circumstances of those purchases, and other Dell and Old Navy customers might not be so lucky. In PIAC's case, Dell didn't charge a 15 per cent restocking fee noted in its return policy and the original Old Navy order was expensive enough to qualify for free shipping.
On average, it took 15 days for the refund to arrive after the purchase was returned.
Consumers in the survey reported similar experiences.
PIAC found that retailers were highly variable in:
How long they would give customers to make a return following the purchase.
The ways they used to calculate whether the purchase was eligible to be returned. It could depend on the date of purchase, invoice date, shipping date, delivery date or date the purchase was received.
EU rules offer consumer protection
The report recommended that Canadian provinces improve consumer protection for online shoppers by adopting legislation similar to the European Union's Consumer Rights Directive, which went into effect in October. It requires that:
Online shoppers have 14 days from the moment he or she receives the goods to withdraw from a sales contract.
Retailers who want consumers to bear the shipping costs of returning the goods must clearly inform them beforehand and give an estimate before the purchase of the maximum costs of returning something.
PIAC also provided a list of recommended "consumer-friendly" business practices for retailers. In addition to those required by the EU, it suggests:
Allowing consumers to return purchases made online with minimal limitations on things that can't be returned. Reimbursing the least expensive original shipping and handling costs.
Providing a clear explanation of how long it takes to receive a refund.
Communicating with the customer by phone or email to let them know when the returned product has been received and the refund has been processed.
It also provided a list of recommendations for consumers such as: |
Maybe the media should pose as children with a stacks of 27 $100 bills in little their outstretched hands so they, too, can have an audience with the queen.
The New York Times revealed in the 21st paragraph of a Saturday story that while it’s now been 23 days since Hillary Clinton last held a press conference, one group of nonvoters is getting to quiz her, given they have a wad of cash to hand over:
For a donation of $2,700, the children (under 16) of donors at an event last month at the Sag Harbor, N.Y., estate of the hedge fund magnate Adam Sender could ask Mrs. Clinton a question. A family photo with Mrs. Clinton cost $10,000, according to attendees.
The Times didn’t report what questions the children were allowed to ask, but they were likely more than anything the media’s been allowed to ask lately.
Clinton’s campaign regularly had children ask her questions during the primary.
Back in January, a boy in New Hampshire read a question to the candidate, wanting to know what she would do about guns to keep him and his friends “safe.”
Reading from a card, the boy said, “When you become president, what is your plan to connect mental health problems and guns to make sure that me, my brothers, and my friends are safe from violence at school?”
“I’m going to do everything I can do and I’m not going to stop trying,” she said.
“I think we need to pass some laws that I have been advocating for. We need comprehensive background checks. We need to close the gun show loophole, the online loophole.”
She also proposed creating a new gun rights group to rival the National Rifle Association.
“It is really time for gun owners to for a different organization that will do more on gun safety, do more on gun responsibility and stand up for the safety of our children and our communities.” |
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But this effort is up against an array of powerful forces, from economics to biology, all of which are playing out in Philadelphia , where the obesity rate is among the nation’s highest. At the intersection of North 28th and West Oxford Streets, the Oxford Food Shop and the William D. Kelley School are in a tug of war over the cravings of kids.
Amelia Brown, the principal of the kindergarten through eighth grade school, said that deplorable diets caused headaches and stomachaches that undermine academic achievement, and that older students showed a steady progression of flab. So inside the school, the nutrition bug is rampant.
The gym teacher, Beverly Griffin, teaches healthy eating using a toy model of the federal food pyramid and rewritten children’s songs. “And on his farm he had some carrots,” Tatyana, a first grader, belted out one recent morning, skipping around the gym with her classmates.
Like schools throughout the nation, Kelley has expelled soda and sweet snacks. Instead of high-calorie fruit juices, the school nurse, Wendy Fine, said, “I push water.”
The Agriculture Department wants to change the content of federally subsidized school meals — 33 million lunches and 9 million breakfasts a day — by the fall of 2012. Beyond the calorie cap, the new standards would emphasize whole grains, vegetables and fruits and set tighter limits on sodium and fats.
“This will mean a huge shift in school meals,” said Margo G. Wootan, the director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest , a consumer advocacy group.
Fernando Gallard, a spokesman for the Philadelphia School District, said schools were meeting the new federal meal proposals by using more dark green and orange vegetables, as well as fruits, whole grains and legumes.
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The food industry is defending products by focusing on their mineral and vitamin content. The National Potato Council, for example, is warning against cutting starch, saying children need potatoes’ potassium and fiber.
Some companies are adjusting their recipes, although hardly drastically. After Philadelphia schools stopped buying the sugary products of the local bakery icon Tastykake, the company created a 190-calorie muffin, reducing sugar enough to move it below flour on the list of ingredients. The new formulation, which uses whole grains, got Tastykake muffins back on the school breakfast menu and classified as bread. “It is sweet,” said Autumn R. Bayles, a company senior vice president. “Sugar is just not the first ingredient.”
To match the efforts inside the school, one of Ms. Brown’s first acts as principal last August was to ask owners of nearby corner stores to stop selling to students in the morning.
There was a reason for this. While research suggests that as little as an extra 200 calories a day can make an adult overweight, a recent study led by Gary D. Foster, the director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University , found that children were getting 360 calories a day from chips, candy and sugary drinks — all for an average of $1.06.
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Gladys Tejada, who owns the Oxford shop, said, “It’s a good thing, what they’re trying to do, but I can’t control who comes in.”
Nor can she control what they buy. “They like it sweet,” she said. “They like it cheap.”
Since 2001, a Philadelphia organization called Food Trust has worked to get corner stores to offer healthier foods, including fresh fruit, vegetables and water, as well as products with reduced sugar, salt and fat. But just 507 of the city’s estimated 2,500 corner stores have signed on.
Jetro Cash and Carry, which supplies many corner stores, joined the effort. But Jack Sagen, a Jetro sales and marketing director, said he recently lost $500 buying several dozen cases of 15-cent bags of sliced apples that perished before they could catch on with the stores. Walking through his warehouse, he stopped at a display of stuffed tortilla snacks. “These will kill you,” Mr. Sagen said. “They are one of our best sellers.”
Scientists have demonstrated the power of sugar since at least 1974, when a Brooklyn College professor, Anthony Sclafani, found that lab rats were so drawn to Froot Loops that they would suppress their natural fear to eat in the exposed areas of their cages. Researchers using brain imagining technology have since found that foods high in sugar or fat activate the same reward system as cocaine and other drugs, and can also set off the release of the neural chemical dopamine , which can cause the brain to override the biological brakes that prevent overeating.
The challenge of reducing calories for children becomes clear at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, an institute in Philadelphia that does research for both government and industry, which is testing the sweet and salty preferences of children, using several hundred subjects, including Tatyana, the Kelley first grader.
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Monell researchers demonstrated the so-called bliss point — the level of sweetness that makes products most desirable — by having Tatyana taste several puddings with differing levels of sweetness. She settled on one that was 24 percent sucrose, twice the sweetness adults typically like.
“Childhood teaches us what to eat, how to eat, when to eat and what food should taste like,” said Julie Mennella, the scientist conducting the research. “Children don’t have to learn to like sweet. But what they will be learning is what food should taste sweet.”
Breakfast is a particular battleground.
Tatyana’s mother keeps a basket of fruit on the dining table, but her daughter’s favorite cereal is Cinnamon Toast Crunch, whose 10 grams of sugar per serving is 10 times as much as that of Cheerios.
And even after eating cereal, Tatyana, like many Kelley students, stops for a snack on the way to the school.
Frustrated that her pressure on stores had not worked, Ms. Brown called on parents and Operation Town Watch Integrated Services, which typically helps neighborhoods fight crime and drugs.
“I need you to go to those stores and say, ‘Look, can you not sell to our kids between 8:15 and 8:30?’ ”Ms. Brown said, kicking off the effort in January. “ ‘We don’t want them to eat sugary items. There is a breakfast program right here. And if you don’t do this, we’re going to have to boycott for a while.’ ”
Mr. Harris, a Navy veteran with six children in the school, and three other parents took the first corner store watch, with mixed results. Tatyana continued past the store without stopping, but others bought the usual fare.
“Ha, ha, ha,” one young girl said, scoffing at Mr. Harris.
“I bought everything!” another bragged.
But after several weeks of parent intervention, Ms. Brown said more children were skipping the corner stores, showing progress against the pull of sweet snacks.
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“It does what they need it to do for that moment,” she said of the snacks. “It hits them in the stomach. They feel full. It’s cheap and fast.” |
Cryin’ Chuck Schumer Slams Hillary: Democrats to Blame, Not Russia For Election Loss
It appears the Democrats are beginning to face reality as the 2018 elections loom. Many are coming to the realization that they have no real message. Continuing to blame Russia for losing the 2016 election is only hindering their efforts to regroup and connect with American voters.
The DNC is in debt and took a beating over their new rumored slogan which appears to have been ripped off from Papa John’s Pizza– “A Better Deal: Better Skills, Better Jobs, Better Wages.” (they left out for illegal aliens only).
Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer slammed Hillary and the DNC admitting Russia is NOT to blame for their crushing election loss, rather a lack of a message to voters.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Schumer said, “When you lose to somebody who has 40 percent popularity, you don’t blame other things — Comey, Russia — you blame yourself. So what did we do wrong? People didn’t know what we stood for, just that we were against Trump. And still believe that.”
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) seemed to agree as WaPo states:
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) agreed, explaining in a separate interview that the new focus “is not a course correction, but it’s a presentation correction.”
Ultra liberal Jill Stein also slammed the DNC when she dropped an atomic bomb from her Twitter account earlier in the week saying, “Unlike the Dems, I didn’t sabotage Bernie Sanders in the primaries, then try to cover my tracks with ludicrous Russia conspiracy theories.”
Unlike the Dems, I didn’t sabotage Bernie Sanders in the primaries, then try to cover my tracks with ludicrous Russia conspiracy theories. — Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) July 21, 2017
Stein also said that the Dem elites are wasting their time with conspiracy theories:
If Dem elites want to waste their time with conspiracy theories, that’s on them. We’re busy organizing a grassroots party for the people. ✌🏼 — Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) July 21, 2017
Perhaps Schumer is panicking because his approval rating is at its lowest level EVER in New York as TGP previously reported.
A new poll released by Siena College shows Cryin’ Schumer’s ‘block at all cost’ strategy is hurting his standings among New Yorkers. |
During a heated debate on MSNBC Wednesday, political analyst Jason Johnson told American Conservative Union Chair Matt Schlapp that he doesn’t “get to tell other people what racism is” but “I do.”
Johnson was arguing with Schlapp over whether or not White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was “racist” and “sexist” for having a disagreement with African-American female reporter April Ryan on Tuesday.
As TPM reports:
“I think it was offensive, I think it was inappropriate, I think it was racist and I think it was sexist,” political analyst Jason Johnson told MSNBC’s Chris Jansing. …“The rhetoric and the behavior of this administration from top to bottom has demonstrated a lack of respect and a lack of consideration for people of color,” Johnson said on Wednesday. “I’m not surprised and this seems par for the course for how they’ve operated.”
“I think it’s sad. I think this is not going to help our country,” American Conservative Union Chair Matt Schlapp said. He called Ryan a “friend” and said he has “deep respect” for her, but claimed that Spicer “allows her to ask multiple questions at every briefing.” “I think that was a moment where he pushed back and got feisty with a reporter who he has a very good rapport with on most days,” Schlapp said. “This is not racism.” “You don’t get to tell other people what racism is,” Johnson, who is black, interrupted. “You don’t either!” Schlapp hit back. “Yes I do,” Johnson said. “Because you don’t experience it!” “You don’t know what’s in Sean’s heart!” Schlapp replied.
Indeed, how dare Schlapp, as a white person, think he can define an English word?
His “whiteness” means he’s not allowed to debate stuff, because he can’t “experience” racism or discrimination – because he’s white. |
President Obama on Thursday awarded $8 billion in federal grants to start a nationwide high-speed rail system he hopes will create jobs and speed up U.S. travel.
“There’s no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains when we can build them right here in America,” the president said at a town-hall meeting at the University of Tampa’s Bob Martinez Sports Center in Florida, one 31 states that will receive grant money.
The money is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is the largest investment in U.S. infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was begun in the 1950s.
The jobs initiative is one of several the president will announce in the coming weeks, following his commitment during his State of the Union address on Wednesday night that creating jobs is his top priority.
The president also used the event — which included a question-and-answer session and was broadcast for roughly 90 minutes on CNN — as an opportunity to reinforce key points from his roughly 70-minute address.
Among the issues he revisited, including several he repeated verbatim, were eliminating capital-gains taxes on small-business investments, ending tax breaks to companies that export jobs, and financial help for college students.
“Nobody should go broke because they chose to go to college,” said the president, as he did about 10 hours earlier.
Mr. Obama said the money awarded Thursday will be a “down payment” on laying the groundwork for 13 major high-speed rail corridors across the country. As part of the program, 31 states will receive money, which also will go toward smaller projects and planning work.
Florida will receive roughly $1.25 billion to develop a high-speed rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando, with trains running up to 168 mph. Construction work is not expected to begin until roughly 2013.
The other major projects are California, Ohio, Northeast, Detroit-Chicago, Charlotte-Raleigh-Richmond-Washington, Chicago-St. Louis-Kansas City, Eugene-Portland-Seattle and Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago.
California will receive $2.25 billion for a rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco and points in between, with trains running as fast as 220 mph.
The administration first announced the plan in April. In addition to the $8 billion awarded Thursday, the plan also includes $1 billion a year for five years in the federal budget. Administration officials said they reviewed grant applications worth more than $55 million for the initial $8 billion. “Its not only going to create good jobs and reinvigorate our manufacturing base, it’s also going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help create livable communities,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “I have no doubt that building the next generation of rail service in this country will help change our society for the better.”
Copyright © 2019 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission. |
The Geelong Cats have re-signed defender Andrew Mackie. The 235-game defender will continue to provide run from half back and leadership as he embarks on his 14th season.
“This is an exciting time at the club and it’s great to be playing alongside so many talented players that are coming through,” Mackie said.
“We didn’t achieve what we hoped for this year, but the blocks are in place for more success. We are hungry to get back into the finals and I know we all feel the same way.”
Originally from Glenelg, South Australia, Mackie was selected at pick 7 in the 2002 national AFL draft.
Mackie debuted for the Cats in round 3, 2004 and continued on to become a triple premiership player for the club. He earned selection in the 2013 All-Australian team.
Mackie was sidelined early in the 2015 campaign but bounced back to play well over the second half of the season. He finished the season by equalling his career high with 34 disposals in last weekend’s win over the Adelaide Crows at Simonds Stadium.
Geelong’s General Manager of Football Steve Hocking is excited to have Andrew around the club for a two more years.
“Andrew has been a high quality player and person for the club over his 13 seasons here,” Hocking said.
“Mack showed he is still playing good football and his role is important to how we want to play. He is a fantastic person to have around the club, providing outstanding leadership to our playing group.” |
A jury of six women took less than two hours to find a rapper guilty on Wednesday of kicking a woman during a performance at a Lakeland club in 2015.
BARTOW — A jury of six women took less than two hours to find a rapper guilty on Wednesday of kicking a woman during a performance at a Lakeland club in 2015.
County Judge Sharon Franklin sentenced Kevin Gates to 180 days in jail, three times more than what prosecutors requested for the misdemeanor battery conviction.
The sentence came after Gates' lawyer, Jose Baez of Orlando, requested that Franklin refrain from sentencing Gates to any jail time and instead "fashion a sentence."
"Mr. Gates has been involved in the Make a Wish Foundation," Baez said. "That would assist the community much more than a 60-day jail sentence."
Franklin asked whether Gates, whose real name is Kevin Jerome Gilyard, had any prior convictions before she sentenced the multiplatinum recording artist to jail time.
Prosecutors said he was once convicted of possession of hydrocodone and marijuana.
Gates, wearing a kufi, a brimless hat worn by Muslims, and a black bowtie, thanked Baez as a Polk County sheriff's deputy escorted him out of the courtroom.
His jail sentence was expected to begin today.
After the sentence, Baez declined comment, saying that his client did not give him permission to speak to the press.
Gates, 30, was charged in August 2015 with battery after Lakeland police said he kicked 18-year-old Miranda Dixon on Aug. 30, 2015, at Rumors Niteclub, located off Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland, while he was performing in front of a packed crowd.
Gates told jurors that he was attempting to protect himself when he kicked into the crowd after being touched twice by Dixon, who is now 19. Because of the lights on stage, Gates said he didn't know whether he was kicking a man or woman.
"I didn't want to get pulled off stage," Gates said. "I just kicked at the hands that were grabbing me."
But jurors sided with Dixon, who testified that she only wanted to touch the rap star.
"He looked at me after the first time I touched him and that got us excited," Dixon said on the stand.
After Dixon touched him a second time, she said Gates lifted his leg and kicked her.
"It hurt while I was breathing," Dixon said. "I was short of breath." Dixon reported the incident to police the following day.
Assistant State Attorney Hope Pattey said Gates could have done numerous other things besides "hauling back" and kicking Dixon, such as ask security to step in or speak into his microphone to tell Dixon and others to stop.
But Baez said in closing arguments that Dixon has a financial motive in the case, saying that she had a civil lawyer.
"She wants to sue him," Baez said.
Baez said Dixon lied when she told jurors about the amount of alcohol she drank at the show.
In addition, he said Dixon never should have touched Gates.
"She was committing a battery herself," Baez said. "You poke the bear and then you don't like it when the bear strikes you."
The courtroom, which was packed with television cameras, was tense at times during cross examinations.
Baez said to Dixon, "you just finished lying to jurors," at the beginning of his cross examination of her.
Pattey told Gates he could have kicked an innocent person if he didn't know who he was kicking.
"That's your sincere love of fans," she questioned. "You want this jury to believe you didn't see her?"
Pattey said Gates may need to find a new job if he feels threatened by the touch of a fan.
"He assumes some risk as a celebrity when he goes into a venue and there are hundreds of people crowded around him," Pattey said in closing arguments.
— John Chambliss can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7588. |
A binman who defecated on a resident's driveway has been disciplined.
The incident happened at a property in the village of Ryall, Worcestershire.
The resident, who did not want to be named, decided to complain because twice previously a refuse collector has urinated in the same place on his driveway.
Malvern Hills District Council chief executive, Chris Bocock, has said he will be meeting with the resident to offer a personal apology.
Mr Bocock said: "As soon as the incident was reported to us by the customer we accepted full responsibility and took immediate action by sending out an operative to make sure the area was cleaned and sanitised."
The council said the issue of a lack of toilet facilities for staff who are on the road all day is "a sensitive one, particularly in rural areas".
A spokesperson said the council is reviewing current practices to see if any improvements can be made. |
Now that the essence of Even-Year-Bull-S*** was used up on unsung heroes, the San Francisco Giants no longer have to rely on strange unseen powers that were instilled inside Conor Gillaspie for wins in the postseason. The San Francisco Giants have one thing on their mind this offseason– The bullpen. Calm yourselves Giants fans, I know that “bullpen” is a trigger word for a lot of you, and that’s okay… CASILLACASILLACASILLACASILLA!
That was mean. I apologize. Let’s change our focus to the one, singular positive in the ‘pen. The long arm of the Law. Derek Law. The goober-looking rookie had an outstanding season in 2016 (2.13 ERA, 14 holds, 0.96 WHIP in 61 appearances) and looks like the closer of the future for the squad. However, he’s only a sophomore now and will have to win over the role against whomever the Giants decide to pick up in the offseason, and make no mistake. There will be a signing. The question then becomes — Who will it be? Let’s take a look at the three biggest names.
Mark Melancon
Melancon is the most likely candidate for the San Francisco Giants because he is not going to demand the money that the other two, much more in-demand closers. Not to say that Melancon is bad by any stretch of the imagination. He has been stellar for the last 2 years only blowing 6 saves over that span. To put that in perspective, Santiago Casilla blew 9 saves in 2016, Hunter Strickland blew 5, and Cory Gearrin blew 4. There’s 18 blown saves right there. If Melancon had been the closer for those situations, the Giants potentially end up with 10 more wins and take the Pennant. Speculating on the past does no one any good in sports, so let’s speculate about 2017 and discuss what happens if the Giants decide to drop a little bit more money and get some help from lady luck.
Kenley Jansen
More triggers? Me too. But Kenley has been amazing for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012. Unlike Melancon, Kenley has much more strikeout potential with hitters, averaging a 41.4% strikeout rate and a 13.63 K/9 rate this year. He did blow 6 saves this year, but still a far cry from the Giants ‘pen. The fan-base currently has mostly bad feelings about Jensen (because of his jersey) however the front-office sees a prime closer and could be willing to drop the money for such a man. There will be competition to grab Jansen. The Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees, along with anyone who’s not the Cleveland Indians will be looking for an upgrade to the back end of their bullpen, but the real competition will come for the biggest name in the offseason…
Aroldis Chapman
This kid is what I call “the incarnation of fear itself”. He throws a CHANGEUP for 90+ and he has touched 105 MPH more than once. 105 MPH! paired with a power slider for a cherry on top. Whoosh. Talk about arm strength. If the Giants are going to nab Chappie, a lot of things are going to have to go very right for the Giants and very wrong for a LOT of other teams. The Giants aren’t going to have a lot of room for extra payroll if they put all of their eggs in the Chapman basket, especially with talks of Madison Bumgarner’s contract being re-negotiated. It’s a bit of a stretch to think that the Giants will be able to sign Chapman, but it is nice to think about!
My biggest concern is that the Giants are going to get desperate and sign one of these guys for a 5-year contract to sweeten the deal. Let’s look at the top closers 5 years ago — Jose Valverde, John Axford, Craig Kimbrel, J.J. Putz, and Mariano Rivera. Only one of those guys still has a job as a closer and only 2 are in the majors still. I am worried that if they sign a big name for 5 years, they will end up with a lot of wasted money for the tail end of that contract, and the Giants know a thing or two about wasted money on the tail end of contracts. *Cough* Barry Zito, *burp* Matt Cain *sneeze* Tim Lincecum *slowly fades into weeping*. I guess the question is: Does the front office think that if they can get 2-3 good years from these guys, is it worth the dead-weight they might be for the last 2 years of their contract. Time will tell.
168 days until opening day!
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