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*This article is a work in progress. Chapters will be published as a series of installments over the course of the weeks to come. Please comment your feedback to improve this draft
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Keyboards and typing technology have come a long way over the past couple centuries. The first typing devices were designed and patented in the 1700s while the first manufactured typing devices came about in the 1870s. These machines featured “blind typing” technology, where characters were printed on upside-down pages that remained unseen until completion. Since then, we have seen several updates in design, layout, technology, and function that are more efficient and user-friendly. The type-writer has changed shape dramatically over the years, eventually becoming electronic- then practically obsolete as we moved into the age of computers and the birth of the keyboard. The keyboard is the number one computer interface used around the world, and an integral object for many of us that most people take for granted. This paper will explore the history of typing, detailing the innovations across time that have accumulated into the definition of today’s standard for the ultimate typing experience.
Jump to:
Chapter One: Design – The Evolution of the Typewriter
To begin exploration of the first keyboards, we must first examine the origins of typing and the first typing devices. What did the first typing machines look like? The first manufactured typewriters resembled sewing machines more than what most people imagine when they think “typewriter.” Remington, who manufactured the first typewriters, were also manufacturing sewing machines at the time, leading to this initial design atheistic. The first Remington typewriters, created by Sholes, Glidden, and Soule even came with a foot pedal (like a sewing machine) to control carriage returns. So how did we get to where we are now, in the high-tech age of computers and plastics? To move forward, its important to first move backwards in time and see how these first commercially successful type-writers came to be.
Image source: from the Early Office Museum
Technically the first documented typing devices predate the Remington’s Sholes & Glidden typewriter, though none of them were manufactured for commercial use. In 1714, the first patent for a typing machine was issued in London, England to Henry Mill. Though there is no evidence that the machine was in fact constructed, or sold, all we know is that this typing device was intended to prepare legal documents in a manner that was neat, legible, and in a standardized format. Fast forward to 1808, another typing machine was patented to Pellegrino Turri in Italy. His machine was intended to allow the blind to “write.” With Pellegrino Turri’s typing device, also came the first Carbon Copy. Pellegrino’s invention of the carbon copy has made a lasting impact on the modern office (carbon copies are still regularly used on triplicate forms, phone message and memo pads, sales receipts etc.). In 1829 William Austin Burt also created a writing mechanism, a “Typowriter” that instead of keys, used dials to print characters, making this process slower than handwriting to produce words on a page, but it was a way to print legible, uniform text. The typowriter was also created with the intended use for the blind. A later model of the typowriter, created by John Jones in 1852 is pictured below. None of these devices gained much public interest, or commercial success.
Image source: Life photo archive
From 1829 up until 1870 there were many other typing devices that were patented along with the ones mentioned above, and like the previous devices none of them went into commercial production, or mainstream use. The only ones worth mentioning, for the sake of being extraordinary were Father Francisco Jaâo de Azevado’s “homemade” typewriter made from wood and knives in Brasil (1861), and Denmark’s Hansen Writing Ball (1865), both pictured below. Father Azevado’s typewriter is arguably the first “typewriter” as the mechanism is the most similar to the commercial models that followed its inception. It was completely constructed of household materials which makes it particularly interesting and impressive. Brazilians argue that his invention should be credited as the First Typewriter. Moving across the globe to Denmark just a few years later, The Hansen Writing Ball was invented by Reverend Rasmus Malling-Hansen, in 1865. The half-sphere shape of the ball is unlike any other typing device before or after it, and regardless of visual appeal, The Hansen Writing Ball actually gained quite a bit of attention in Europe and England as a fully functional typing device. It is documented that Hansen Writing Balls could be found in operation up until 1909 in many offices and businesses in England and Europe. Because of the relative success of this product, Malling-Hansen released a few different versions of this invention. His first Writing Ball began as an electric device, but later he released the “Tall Model” in 1875- where no electricity was needed. The fact that it no longer required electricity resulted in a broader range of consumers in various rural and urban locales.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Click this link to view additional images of the Hansen Writing Ball
Soon after the the Hansen Writing Ball’s creation, Sholes (an Inventor), Glidden (a Mechanic), and with the help of Soule (a Printer) came along with their 1867 type-writer that changed the world of typing as we know it. It is this “Type-Writer” that gave us the word typewriter, and is the model that is referred to as “The First Typewriter.” Interestingly enough, though this was the most successful typing device of that time, Sholes and Glidden were too frustrated by slow sales so they sold their patent to Densmore and Yost for $12,000. Machinist and clock-maker Matthais Schwalbach made the Sholes and Glidden typewriter in Milwaukee, and had Remington manufacture and sell it. Soon after this sewing-machine-like model was created and sold, the foot pedal was removed with carriage returns being controlled on the typewriter itself. Following this change, a slightly smaller, desk-top version of the typewriter came to be (though still extremely heavy and full of metal), losing the sewing machine look and defining its own look as a typewriter. By 1910 all typewriters were more or less standardized, sharing very similar resemblances across the board, until the IBM Selectric was introduced in 1961.
Image Source: Wikipedia
The Selectric typewriter, no longer used type-bars that struck the page. The Selectrics used typeballs (resembling golf balls) that rolled, tilted, and printed the letters on the page without the typebars. This was huge, because typewriter jams (when two typebars interlocked if you typed too fast) were no longer an issue. This increased typing speed, and efficiency. The other new element brought to the typewriter scene with the Selectrics was that the typeballs could easily be taken out, and replaced with others to change fonts quickly on the same document. This was also a major advancement in the industry. Though the Selectrics were still quite heavy, large, hunks of metal that were difficult to move around, the typeballs were small, easy to move, accessories that gave typists more freedom and accessibility. The Selectric Typewriter was produced up until the 1980s with three models that evolved over the course of those decades: The Selectric I, The Selectric II, and The Selectric III. They were available in a variety of colors including: vintage blue, mossy green, burnt red, beige, and black.
Image Source: Early Office Museum
The typewriter has come a long way over the years, all leading into the age of computers and the most widely used input device: the computer keyboard. Though the first computers and computer keyboards were created before the Selectric, these power-house typewriters were so great at putting text on the page that they continued to be used alongside keyboards, as computers gained in popularity. Hunter S. Thompson was known to write on one, and some writers such as David Sedaris to this day still use and prefer their Selectric Typewriter. Typewriters have largely been replaced and taken over by the keyboard as the preferred, and most used typing device. A few years ago, rumors generated by the Daily Mail even went as far to publish that the, “Last Typewriter Factory Left in the World Close[d] its Doors” which as it turns out was an exaggeration, and false (as confirmed by NPR). Though the age of typewriters has faded and they have become more of a novelty than a necessity, several government offices continue to use typewriters to produce legal documents, which has kept and will keep typewriters in production, at least for the time being.
Chapter Two: Design – The Development of the Computer Keyboard
While typewriters were widely used throughout the 1950s to the 1970s, computers were starting to emerge as a consumer friendly product, beginning the age of the computer keyboard as a primary input device. To understand the development of the computer keyboard, its important to understand the development and evolution of the computer. In 1946, the first computer, ENIAC was constructed and teletype was used to input data. As you can see below, the ENIAC computer took up an entire room, hundreds of times larger than the modern computer laptop. What was teletype and how is it different from from modern computer keyboard input?
Teletype and ENIAC computers used cards (similar in shape to index cards) that were inserted into the Teletype while a series of holes called keypunches would be punched into the cards according to which keys were pressed on the teletype machine. After the cards were keypunched by the computer, they were brought over to a card-reader that would analyze the deck of cards as data (tangible memory). In 1948 the BINAC computer used a different input/output method, with an electromagnetically controlled teletype to input data and print results. The BINAC is what paved the way for the shape of computers and computer keyboards to come, though it would still take a few more decades to move away from the teletype/punchcard computers. Another punchcard computer popular at the time, was the UNIVAC I, produced in 1951 is also pictured below.
In 1964, Bell Labs and M.I.T. created the MULTICS computer, a time-sharing, multi-user system with VDT, a video display terminal. Text was instantly visible on the screen as it was typed, which made communicating commands, programs, and controls to computers more efficient than previous teletype methods of input. By the late 1970s all computers used VDT and electric keyboards. It was simply the most straight-forward and user-friendly method of interacting with computers (no stack of cards to punch holes in and keep organized).
The first keyboards that were sold in the 1970s were all built from scratch, piece by piece, and were heavy as they were fully mechanical. Since so much time and effort was needed to create these keyboards, and since the target market was primarily computer programmers and engineers, they were built for function and not for visual aesthetics. This meant there wasn’t a keyboard cover or cabinet, making the keyboard more or less exposed.
There were also keyboards that were built into personal computers at the time. In the mid-1970s Imsai and Altair created the first small PCs for consumer use, generally referred to as the S100 computer systems. These machines were built piece by piece, and provided the bare essentials. There were no hard drives or floppy discs on these first machines, so there was no way to save data on them. The keyboard was located on the front panel of the computer, as a set of key switches. If users wanted a standard keyboard, IBM sold a converted electric typewriter, but as supplies were limited and the product wasn’t in high demand many users had to convert their own electric typewriters if they wanted an easier to use keyboard to enter programming code. Additionally, a second keyboard had to be connected for data entry. It wasn’t provided with purchase, requiring that users had to build their own. In the late 1970s Apple, Radio Shack and Commodore all had the foresight to see the large market in computer keyboards, and started manufacturing keyboards for their computers, paving the way for the modern assumption that all computers come with a keyboard, and that keyboards are the primary, standard input device. Below is a 1970s Radio Shack commercial for the TRS-80.
In 1981, IBM released their first PC. In 1986, it came equipped with the Model M keyboard. This computer keyboard was wildly successful because it was so easy to use, users didn’t have to convert their typewriters or provide their own build of keyboard to use as an input device for their computers. The Model M was a mechanical keyboard, and used the highest quality construction, giving typists the satisfaction of tactile feedback, acute accuracy and comfort. The only draw backs on this keyboard was that the “Shift” and “Enter” keys were reportedly too small for the majority of user’s preferences. Because of this, IBM made and sold “Keytop Expanders” which fit over the shift and enter key-switches to expand the keys. All of the keyboards at this time were limited in that they were only offered in two colors: beige and grey, until the late 1980s when black was introduced as an option. In the 1990s membrane switches began to replace the mechanical key switch, as it was quieter, weighed less, and suited the needs of the new laptop generation. This was also an advantage for the manufactures because membrane keyboards were much cheaper to produce. Unfortunately the quality of the keyboard significantly dropped as these superficial keyboard aesthetics dominated (slimmer, quieter, lighter weight, easier to be mobile with). The technology and mechanics of these keyboards will be detailed in future chapters, and mechanical keyboard information can be found here: on our Mechanical Keyboard Guide. Here’s a photo showing the dramatic difference between early Apple mechanical keyboards (1983), and decades later the modern non-mechanical Apple keyboards (2010). Other changes in keyboard design, whether or not improving upon function, have included the folding keyboard, the water-proof (and washable) keyboard, the keyboard that also functions as a mouse, thumb-sized keyboards (for mobile devices and travel) and virtual touch-screen keyboards.
Over the years there have been several other designs that verge on science fiction- like the laser keyboard, the flying saucer keyboard, the jellyfish keyboard, and the fully-programable, lcd-key display Optimus Maximus Keyboard. Its mind-bending to see the evolution of keyboards in terms of where they started as teletype machines and typewriters- to where they’ve evolved into all the options we have quite literally at our fingertips. |
1.
It is sometimes hard to remember — in our enlightened Internet era — that the line between writer and critic was once very sharp, and that there was no love lost between the camps. “There are hardly five critics in America,” Herman Melville once wrote, “and several of them are asleep.”
Not that you can blame the man, considering the drubbing he took at the hands of the critical establishment, but the quote gives a good sense of the bad blood brewing between writer and commentator all the way back in the 1850s. We don’t lack for contemporary examples, either; in 1991 Norman Mailer called critic John Simon “a man whose brain is being demented by the bile rising from his bowels,” after Simon panned Mailer’s novel Harlot’s Ghost.
But surely it’s not all bile and bellowing; there have to be other, more civilized examples of the writer playing nice in the critical sphere. Henry James, for example, had a prolific side gig as a writer of judicious criticism, and his essay “The Art of Fiction” is one of the most well-considered and fair-minded examinations of novelistic purpose you could ever hope to read. But even James, in the middle of his reasonable defense of novelistic art, couldn’t help giving a swift kick to an unnamed “writer in the Pall Mall” who opposes “certain tales in which ‘Bostonian nymphs’ appear to have ‘rejected English dukes for psychological reasons’” – Portrait of a Lady, I presume? It seems that, no matter their composure, writers look to draw a little blood when they enter the critical ring. Maybe it has something to do with accepting blows in silence all those years.
Which brings us to the latest example of a writer stepping into the ring to defend his work against a rapacious critic: award-winning author Jonathan Lethem v. award-winning critic James Wood, literary heavyweight bout par excellence. The first round of this fight happened recently, when the Los Angeles Review of Books published an essay by Lethem entitled “My Disappointment Critic,” in which Lethem discussed his anger at Wood for panning his novel The Fortress of Solitude eight years ago.
Lethem is not some cranky author we can write off lightly and go about our business. He is himself a thoughtful critic, and, as if to remind us of this fact, the title of “My Disappointment Critic” (and some of its content) alludes to his book The Disappointment Artist, a series of excellent essays about growing up in Brooklyn, the pleasures and perils of being an autodidact, and Westerns – among other things. His essay on the way to escape a subway train when you fear being pursued by other passengers is one of the best evocations of frightened childhood and how it shapes (urban) consciousness I have ever read.
All this is to say that Lethem is more than familiar with a critic’s responsibilities. Even when you’re an author/critic with fame hanging heavy on your shoulders — especially when you’re stepping into the ring to defend your own work — you’re held to the sort of standard all criticism is held to: you have to marshal evidence and portray your viewpoint convincingly. One might even argue that writer/critic dealing with his own work has a higher bar to vault, because if he fails at any of these aims he looks worse than a reviewer writing a poorly-argued review. He looks like a whiner.
So what are we to make of Lethem’s new essay, in which he steps into the ring to defend his eight-year-old novel The Fortress of Solitude from James Wood, critical heavyweight of the age? Is he merely grousing? Or is he making serious critical claims?
Lethem understands our concerns. He wants us to know right away that he knows what he’s doing.
“Why,” Lethem writes, “violate every contract of dignity and decency, why embarrass us and yourself, sulking over an eight-year-old mixed review? Conversely, why not, if I’d wished to flog Wood’s shortcomings, pick a review of someone else, make respectable defense of a fallen comrade? The answer is simple: In no other instance could I grasp so completely what Wood was doing.”
And later: “Was this how Rushdie or DeLillo felt — not savaged, in fact, but harassed, by a knight only they could tell was armorless?”
This is Lethem’s stated purpose: instead of taking the opportunity to complain about his own disappointment, Lethem is going to give his own disappointment greater cultural relevance. He is going to use his own experience to show us what James Wood looks like without the armor. He is going to accomplish something far more serious than simple griping: a true critical takedown.
2.
The critical takedown is well-known cultural corrective with a long and glorious history. Renata Adler attempted something similar in her New York Review of Books article on Pauline Kael 31 years ago. James Wood himself performed similar treatment on Harold Bloom; it’s no surprise that Lethem quotes both of these projects above his essay.
The fellow critic providing cultural corrective to someone who has gotten too big for his or her britches — it’s practically a public service, if you do it right. In our current literary discourse critics can easily become unimpeachable. Wood gets the lofty heights of The New Yorker‘s book section whenever he feels like it, and if he’s fudging his responsibilities, chances are a lot of people won’t notice. It’s more or less exactly the argument Adler makes in her takedown of Kael: most critics get sloppy on their soapbox. Their ingrained prejudices take over.
So there’s a precedent for the fellow critic accomplishing such a takedown, but rarely does the author being criticized make the attempt. Maybe this is because the burden of proof is uncommonly high when personal interest is involved. And Lethem’s criticisms, for all of their higher purpose, do spring from personal concerns: Wood failed to see what Lethem was getting at in The Fortress of Solitude.
“James Wood,” he writes, “in 4,200 painstaking words, couldn’t bring himself to mention that my characters found a magic ring that allowed them flight and invisibility. This, the sole distinguishing feature that put the book aside from those you’d otherwise compare it to (Henry Roth, say). The brute component of audacity, whether you felt it sank the book or exalted it or only made it odd.”
This comment is, at its heart, disingenuous. Is the magic ring really the “sole distinguishing feature” that separates the Fortress of Solitude from Henry Roth? Wood would never make such a simplistic statement, nor would any other critic with a professional reputation to uphold. The act of criticism, in large part, is to figure out what distinguishes books from each other, and such distinctions never come down to one detail, whether it be a magic ring or a madeleine.
But let’s set this aside for now, and continue to Lethem’s critical conclusion about Wood’s review.
“Perhaps Wood’s agenda edged him into bad faith on the particulars of the pages before him. A critic ostensibly concerned with formal matters, Wood failed to register the formal discontinuity I’d presented him, that of a book which wrenches its own “realism”– mimeticism is the word I prefer– into crisis by insisting on uncanny events. The result, it seemed to me, was a review that was erudite, descriptively meticulous, jive. I doubt Wood’s ever glanced back at the piece. But I’d like to think that if he did, he’d be embarrassed.”
I read Fortress of Solitude several years ago. I remember that magic ring. I remember it having the shaky status of a symbol, and that the boys who used it were themselves unsure of whether it represented real invisibility or some sort of wish fulfillment: imagination grounded firmly in realism (or whatever less offensive word Lethem wants to use). I certainly don’t remember it ever “wrenching” the book’s realism out of whack — it was one thread in the greater fabric of a mimetic narrative.
But let’s set that aside too — maybe Wood was wrong about the magic ring, and its singular symbolism within Fortress of Solitude. What we’re really dealing with here is a takedown of Wood, after all, not a defense of Lethem’s novel. That’s why Lethem proclaims his larger purpose early in the essay. That’s why he includes the paragraphs from Adler and from Wood himself, that’s why he tells us Wood is “armorless” as a critic. What we’re concerned with here is Lethem’s critical judgment of Wood as a critic: “The result, it seemed to me, was a review that was erudite, descriptively meticulous, jive.”
Read that line again, substituting the word “book” for the word “review.” Now imagine that this sentence appeared in a book review. I assume your critical alarm bells are ringing.
Are we as readers expected to believe Lethem when he says that Wood was “erudite” and “descriptively meticulous,” (not to mention “jive”) without evidence?
Lethem obliges us. He drops a Wood quote at the start of the next paragraph.
“Wood complained of the book’s protagonist: “We never see him thinking an abstract thought, or reading a book … or thinking about God and the meaning of life, or growing up in any of the conventional mental ways of the teenage Bildungsroman.” …My huffy, bruised, two-page letter to Wood detailed the fifteen or twenty most obvious, most unmissable instances of my primary character’s reading: Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Lewis Carroll, Tolkien, Robert Heinlein, Mad magazine, as well as endless scenes of looking at comic books. Never mind the obsessive parsing of LP liner notes, or first-person narration which included moments like: “I read Peter Guralnick and Charlie Gillett and Greg Shaw…” That my novel took as one of its key subjects the seduction, and risk, of reading the lives around you as if they were an epic cartoon or frieze, not something in which you were yourself implicated, I couldn’t demand Wood observe. But not reading? This enraged me.”
This is the only quote from Wood that Lethem uses in his essay, and he buries it within a full paragraph of editorialization. This on its own would give the average critical reader pause for thought. But when you look closer, when you read Wood in the original, you notice that there is a more fundamental disconnect at work. Lethem has fundamentally misunderstood what Wood was saying.
Here is the Wood quote in the original, concerning the main character from Fortress of Solitude:
“We never see [Dylan] thinking an abstract thought, or reading a book (there is a canonical mention of Steppenwolf, which is just more cultural anthropology, and just about it for literature in Dylan’s life), or encountering music that is not the street’s music, (italics mine) or thinking about God and the meaning of life, or growing up in any of the conventional mental ways of the teenage Bildungsroman. There is no need for Lethem to be conventional, of course; but there is a need for Dylan to have outline, to have mental personality.”
Wood’s point in his review of Fortress is that Lethem is a fabulous cultural chronicler of childhood, but that he fails when it comes to describing adulthood’s particular individual consciousness. There is something beautiful in Wood’s phrase “music that is not the street’s music” — maybe this is why Lethem chose to elide it in his quote. It reinforces how much Dylan Ebdus’s character is informed by group consciousness.
But all Lethem can see is Wood’s snobbery. “Wood is too committed a reader,” Lethem writes, “not to have registered what he (apparently) can’t bear to credit: the growth of a sensibility through literacy in visual culture, in vernacular and commercial culture, in the culture of music writing and children’s lit, in graffiti and street lore.”
But this is precisely what Wood is talking about. He is pointing out that Dylan, for all his theoretical interest in Sendak and Heinlein, is not very interesting as an individual; far from ignoring street culture, Wood points out that street culture is what makes Dylan who he is. When Dylan grows up and loses sight of the street, Dylan becomes boring. Wood’s snobbery is beside the point here; the critic admits that Dylan doesn’t need conventional interiority, a world of high-brow books or high-brow music — he just needs interiority, period. We’re reminded once again of Henry James, the snobby fussbudget who occasionally got it right — “the only obligation to which we may hold a novel is that it be interesting.” Dylan, in Lethem’s later pages, is no longer interesting, and Wood, as a critic, wants to try and explain why.
3.
Maybe a close examination of Lethem’s article will shed light on the reasons why so many authors attack their critics, and why literary fights can seem so personal. Because authors, at heart, are much more interested in the verdict a critic renders than the evidence they display. And why wouldn’t they be? Authors understand that good reviews sell books and that bad reviews don’t — they are the most consumer-minded of all cultural observers, because they know as well as anyone how hard the literary marketplace can be. This isn’t even considering the personal aspect of having one’s work attacked in public, the feeling, as Edith Wharton put it, that “one knows one’s weak points so well… it’s rather bewildering to have the critics overlook them and invent others.”
Lethem, despite his own critical experience, isn’t immune to this view. “The review,” he writes, “wasn’t the worst I’d had. Wasn’t horrible. (As my uncle Fred would have said, ‘I know from horrible.’)”
Lethem looks at Wood’s review in a familiar cultural context — is it good, or is it bad? Will it sell my book or will it turn people away? Does it make me look foolish or paint me as a genius? What’s the judgment here?
But what if the purpose of a review is not just to render judgment, but to explicate the way literature works? One can’t fault Lethem for disliking having his own work on the operating table, but certainly he’s been on the cutting end before.
The pain of the writer is that he has to sit still while the critic pokes through the vitals of his work and shows them to the audience. When the critical work is at its finest, the audience is like a crew of medical students standing around a doctor at work — even when we disagree with the way things are being handled, we can still see the body of evidence and draw our own conclusions. The process itself helps us learn; it adds to our understanding of literature as a whole. That is, if the body on the table would only stop complaining.
4.
This is extreme, I know. The body of work on the operating table has its own concerns. Staying alive, for example. An irresponsible critic, like an irresponsible doctor, runs the risk of killing the work — we don’t call it a “hit piece” for nothing. And if Lethem is right, and Wood is not doing high-level criticism anymore — if, like Adler’s vision of Pauline Kael, he has gone “shrill,” “stale,” has fallen prey to the tendency “to inflate” — then we have legitimate cause to worry for other books, other authors.
Where do we go to find if a critic — or an author — is being irresponsible, is failing at their literary mission? We go to the text, naturally — we render the evidence as best we can. This is the burden of proof, the burden the critic takes on when making judgments. This is the burden Lethem must assume if he is to be a critic of Wood’s own critical project.
“When Wood praises,” says Lethem, “he mentions a writer’s higher education, and their overt high-literary influences, a lot. He likes things with certain provenances; I suppose that liking, which makes some people uneasy, is exactly what made me enraged. When he pans, his tone is often passive-aggressive, couched in weariness, even woundedness. Just beneath lies a ferocity which seems to wish to restore order to a disordered world.”
Leaving aside the question of whether or not all critics (and readers) like things of certain provenances, we find ourselves again with the verdict but no facts. If Wood is passive-aggressive, why not show it? And what are we to make of Wood’s supposed ferocity, his drive to correct the world? Are we supposed to take Lethem’s word on Wood’s intellectual makeup?
Lethem gives Wood some credit: he points out that Wood wrote “4,200 painstaking words” about Fortress of Solitude. I would highlight another salient point: of these words, eight hundred (or nearly a fifth of the article) are direct quotations. Say what you will about the subjectivity inherent in what a critic chooses to quote, Wood uses ample evidence from Lethem’s own text to make his points — and nearly 600 quoted words come in blocks, without any editorializing from Wood at all; the critical equivalent of a primary source.
This is not just a feature of Wood’s review of Fortress — it is a feature of his critical style. Wood may be blinkered, he may be a high-culture pedant, but he quotes with vicious abandon: great block quotes of prose that give the reader a decent sense of how the writers he picks use language, so that no matter what verdict Wood renders the reader is capable of viewing the evidence on its own merits.
Take Wood’s review of Alan Hollinghurst’s The Stranger’s Child, for example. As readers, we are quite justified in our anger when Wood attempts to parody Hollinghurst’s style with his own prose; critics, whether they are also writers or not, are supposed to keep their own prose out of the critical game, lest we realize just how disingenuous they are. Or, as Hollinghurst himself put it, “it exposes your own fear of the charge that you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
But we can’t fault the rest of the review of Stranger’s Child for anything other than having an extremely intense, well-considered, and well-supported opinion, because we have the tools to respectfully disagree with the opinion if we like — Wood gives us reams of quotation on which to draw our own conclusions. I happen to disagree with Wood’s conclusions about Hollinghurst, as I do with many of Wood’s conclusions, but I do not make the mistake of thinking that my disagreement with Wood’s verdict means his article is a failure. I am interested in his ideas, I am interested in his evidence. Then again, it’s not my book under the scalpel — if I were Hollinghurst, I imagine I would be furious. Not being Hollinghurst, however — a fact I share with the vast majority of the readership of The New Yorker — I am free to enjoy the article on the merits.
Quibble how you will with the verdict Wood renders on The Stranger’s Child, just as Lethem does with the verdict he renders on Fortress of Solitude in 4,200 painstaking words, but it’s difficult to fault his methods — considerable quotation, much of it in blocks, and statements based on these quotations. This is why Wood remains a sometimes inspiring, sometimes infuriating, consistently debatable literary critic.
(A critic, mind you, who saw fit to send Lethem a postcard in return to the angry letter Lethem sent him when this review was published — and here, perhaps, we can allow ourselves a little incredulity — eight years ago. A postcard pointing out that he had actually liked a lot about Fortress of Solitude — maybe it’s Lethem, not Wood, who ought to be embarrassed upon re-reading the review, so many years later.)
Lethem has now written 1,700 words attacking, not just Wood’s article, but his entire approach to book reviewing, his “bad faith” — and he supports his argument with 47 of Wood’s own words. Whether or not you would like to see Wood exiled from his favored perch atop The New Yorker‘s book section — and many do — this is not a ratio to inspire particular confidence.
It is very difficult to analyze anyone’s bad faith. Lethem himself points this out at the end of his essay; that he goes ahead and attacks Wood’s bad faith despite his own assertions is evidence of his critical perspective. Lethem has every right to be angry at Wood, for criticizing a work which he held dearly, for rendering a verdict that might hurt the work in the marketplace. But those of us who care about criticism are more interested in the evidence than the verdict, and in the case of Lethem v. Wood, the evidence is skimpy indeed.
Image: Generationbass.com/Flickr |
Blockchain Ledger – the Conspiracy
The ledger is composed of linked batches of trades referred to as cubes (thus the expression blockchain), along with the same backup is stored on every one of the approximately 200,000 computers which compose the bitcoin network. Blockchain ledgers may additionally enhance financial liquidity. Despite its size, the ledger of trades can be recovered with light clients that don’t require all the blockchain to produce and verify transactions. It’s like a shared ledger, however it’s a shared document. With the objective of cryptocurrency, it’s public electronic ledger.
In the news: Michael Loeb NYC Invests in Mercato and Tech Powering
In healthcare, a tech like blockchain will make sure multiple”signatures” are searched at every amount of information accessibility. Blockchain technology is similar to the internet in it has an incorporated robustness. It has a massive capacity to transform company operating models in the long run. Health information technology and data security specialists are hearing a great deal about blockchain today. This system must supply heavily safeguarded network which is both encrypted and simple to use. Add to the should navigate legal systems in a variety of states and the problem gets harder. Where Hyperledger Fabric breaks from another blockchain systems is that it’s private and permission.
This kind of improvement isn’t just convenient. Therefore, it’s a little capacity increase in the top. It doesn’t incorporate the capacity to use its currency in the retail environment, seemingly vital for long-term achievement. Perhaps the most important but oft-unmentioned advantage of the blockchain architecture is its resilience in conditions of attack. The actual future of bitcoin depends upon a whole lot more than on the views of a couple investors. The point is to keep tabs on how every unit of the digital currency is invested and protect against unauthorized alterations to the ledger. There are several industrial and administrative issues that the tech can resolve for the frequent individual.
The Start of Blockchain Ledger
The organization even offers users the chance to rent out storage capability they don’t need, quite similar to the manner that land owners rent out extra rooms around Airbnb. Blockchain growth businesses like Followmyvote are producing solutions that attempt to make online voting a reality. Business Hiring Firms of all sizes have a tough time locating the proper staff. A web composed of completely decentralized websites has the capacity to accelerate file transfer and loading occasions. The internet itself has turned out to be durable for almost 30 decades. Then imagine this system was made to frequently update this spreadsheet and you obtain a simple comprehension of the blockchain. It was made to operate across a big network of machines known as bitcoin miners.
Who Else Wants to Learn About Blockchain Ledger?
The primary reason behind the move is to execute real-time transfers in a significantly low price. There’s a clear demand for superior identity management on the internet. The use of blockchain technologies helps individuals and companies alike, and in addition, it protects personal information whilst making important data publicly observable. Blockchain security techniques incorporate the usage of both public-key cryptography. The most frequently encountered instance is SHA256 that is used widely in Bitcoin, but there are a range of others such as SHA3, RIPEMD160, scrypt, and many more. Another case of smart contract utilization is in the audio sector. Moreover, there are not any procedure of verifying that the survey outcomes for the normal citizen.
There’s another manner of handling capital on the blockchain known as the account version, but it won’t be covered. It is a sort of cash controlled and saved completely by computers spread throughout the net. Bitcoin Cash is represented by means of many different different ticker symbols based on the wallet or service. Bitcoin Cash was made by a group of individuals who forked the bitcoin blockchain ledger. Banks want to know more about this technology since it has capacity to speed up back office settlement systems. Banks like UBS are opening new research labs devoted to blockchain engineering as a way to research how blockchain can be utilized in financial services to improve efficiency and decrease costs. Everyone can view these transactions that are recorded online.
The Most Popular Blockchain Ledger
Based on whoyou ask, blockchains are either the main technological innovation since the web or a solution searching for a problem. For instance, your will be saved in a blockchain. As web infrastructure, you do not need to know more about the blockchain in order for it to be beneficial in your life. The blockchain gives users the capability to generate worth and authenticates electronic details.
In many different ways bitcoin is over only a currency. Meanwhile, regardless of the fact that it was originally famous for enabling illegal drug sales on the world wide web, blockchains are finding acceptance in some of the world’s biggest businesses. Because it can be readily distributed in small fractional quantities, Bitcoin or something similar to it’s going to probably be the money which gets used for such a trade. Bitcoin along with a number of other cryptocurrencies utilize open ( people ) blockchains. |
Iran Ski Resorts: Jobs, Accommodation, Terrain, Visas and Culture
While not the first destination that comes to mind for powder hounds, skiing in Iran is a growing choice for those keen to ride somewhere different in a country rich in culture off the slopes. With sanctions easing, the country is expected to open up even further and attract even more skiers to its slopes in the Alborz Mountain Range near the capital Tehran. Moreover, the cheap prices mean that powder chasers can go easy on the hip pocket while enjoying famous Iranian hospitality.
Photo: Bowls at Dizin Ski Resort
Season dates
As the mountains are quite high, the ski areas retain their snow quite well. The season usually starts from late November and can stretch all the way through to May, depending on the season.
Obtaining a Visa to Iran
30 day visa on arrival
To encourage tourism, Iran now offers 30 day visas on arrival for citizens of most countries. You are able to get a visa on arrival at the airports in Tehran, Mashad, Shiraz, Tabriz and Isfahan. Conditions include:
You will need to have a confirmed plane ticket out of the country
You will need 6 months more validity on your passport
The visa is for tourist purposes only
Upon arrival, they will also ask for a phone number and address of where you are staying. If you are staying with a friend, just put this number down and they will call that person to confirm you are staying with them.
If you are not staying with anyone, make sure to book your hotel or hostel for at least the first night and put down their phone number and address. Customs officials at the airport will call your hotel or hostel to confirm you are staying there. You only need to book the first night there as you are then, after that, able to travel around the country without notifying Iranian authorities.
The cost of the visa is USD 110. You are also required to buy travel insurance at the airport which costs another USD 20. Make sure you have either USD or Euros on you at the airport to pay for the visa.
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible for a visa on arrival and must apply for a tourist visa in their host country before arriving.
United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Columbia
Jordan
Iraq
Afghanistan
Pakistan
India
Somalia
Bangladesh
30 day tourist visa
Iran also offers 30-day tourist visas to most countries before arrival. If you are from one of the countries listed above, you will need to apply for a visa before arriving if you want to come as a tourist. Be aware that you are not guaranteed to get a visa if you are from one of these countries. You may even need to come as part of a tour group.
To get a visa before arrival, you will need to get a sponsor to "invite" you to the country. This can be done through an online agency that will sponsor you for a small fee and allow you to get the reference number for the application. Place this number at the top of the visa application form that you can download from the Iranian embassy website (in your host country). Individual countries will differ but generally you then express post it to the embassy, along with your passport, reserved itinerary and travel insurance.
For Australians - visit the Iranian Embassy in Canberra website for the forms. See en.canberra.mfa.ir
Visa Extension
As 30 days will not be anywhere near enough to see all that Iran has to give, extensions may be granted by going to the foreign aliens office that are located in all of the major cities in Iran. Tehran is the capital and is the easiest place to get this extension.
Working Visa
Unfortunately, getting a working visa is not so simple as there are no working holiday visas to Iran. You will need an Iranian passport or arrange a job directly with a mountain who can then sponsor you for a working visa. Fortunately, Iran is so cheap that it will probably be better to just save up some money and spend time shredding the powder as much as possible, rather than going through the bureaucratic process of obtaining a working visa.
Photo: Tochal Ski Area, just north of Tehran
Money and Costs
Be aware that Iran still is not linked to the rest-of-the-world banking system. This means you can't pull money out of ATMs using your Visa or MasterCard for the moment. This will hopefully change soon with the lifting of sanctions.
This means you will need to bring in enough USD or Euros to change to last you for your time in Iran. Money can be easily changed at the airport and at banks and exchange centers around the major cities.
Iran is generally quite cheap. You can get a taxi around most places in Tehran for 200,000 Rial (around USD 6). You can get a burger or pizza (favored Iranian food) for around around 150,000 Rial (around USD 4). But you should always bring in extra cash just in case.
Skiing and Boarding in Iran
Dizin trail map | Shemshak trail map
The main resorts are located just north of the capital Tehran, in the Alborz Mountain range. There are four ski resorts in the Alborz Mountain Range.
Dizin
The biggest of the resorts is Dizin, considered to be the global resort of Iran with three gondolas and 12 chairlifts. It is 120km north of Tehran and takes around 2 hours to get there if the road is open, and around 2.5 hours to get there if the road is closed and you need to take the western route up.
Dizin reaches an altitude of 3,600 m and therefore boasts more than a one kilometre of vertical difference. Terrain at this resort is great for those intermediate skiers and boarders trying to move into that more advanced category. It also has smaller and easier hikes for skiers and boarders beginning to dabble in backcountry terrain. Overall, it is best for intermediates. It is by far the biggest resort in Iran.
Dizin is the liveliest of the resorts and is where the younger, progressive-thinking and upper-class north Tehranis go to unwind on their weekend. If you are going to stay overnight up on the mountain, this is the best place to do so.
Cost
A ticket here for the day costs around 1.2 million Rial (USD 35). You can hire gear at the mountain including skis, boots, gloves, pants, jackets etc. for around 1 million Rial for the day (USD 30).
Shemshak and Darbandsar
Along the way to Dizin, you will find another ski area where two resorts are located next to each other - Darbandsar and Shemshak. They are around 90 minutes from Tehran. Dizin is another 35 minutes on from Shemshak when the road is open. Shemshak is around 5km from Darbandsar or 10 minutes. Runs here are between 2,550m to 3,050m.
Despite Shemshak and Darbandsar both being quite a bit smaller than Dizin, they boast much more interesting terrain on-piste and towering mountains behind the ski areas that will leave avid backcountry goers licking their lips.
Shemshak has two main lifts which are double chairs. While they are quite slow, they take you quite high up the mountain and open up some nice intermediate runs on-piste and some very nice off-piste runs. The run top-to-bottom is quite a leg-burner! It is usually not too busy either, especially if you go during the week (Iranian weekend is Thursday and Friday).
Darbandsar is a little smaller than Shemshak with just one main lift. It is sloped on one side which means you are skiing on the side of the mountain a little bit. However, there is probably a little more in the way of off-piste runs at Darbandsar than at Shemshak as the mountain is very open at the top.
Darbandsar is the only one of the Iranian resorts with snowmaking - the others rely on natural snow.
Enduring some of the trickier hikes that getting to the summit of these peaks involves is well worth it as it will allow for runs that can last for 30 minutes and, best of all, will be untouched the whole way down. You do have to be very careful of avalanches so it is highly recommended that people who want this kind of experience should carry all of their avalanche gear and know how to use it.
Cost
A ticket for the day at Shemshak costs 600,000 Rial (USD 17). A ticket for the day at Darbandsar costs Rial 900,000 (USD 25). You can hire gear for the day for around 1 million Rial (USD 30).
Tochal
The last of the 4 resorts, Tochal, is located much closer to Tehran. In fact, the bottom of the lift can be considered as the northernmost part of Tehran. To get up, you take two telecabins - one which takes around 30 minutes and one which takes around 15 minutes.
This is definitely the smallest of the four resorts as it has just two lifts servicing a small area which is mostly beginner terrain. While there is a bit of in-bound hiking you can do to access some steeper terrain, there is not that much back country to be done here. Tochal is good for convenience and price, but the better terrain is found at the other resorts.
Cost
A ticket for they day costs around 500,000 Rial (USD 14). You can hire gear for the day including pants, gloves etc. for around 1 million Rial (USD 30).
Photo: Shemshak ski area, near Darbandsar and Dizin
Lift Infrastructure
A bit of expectation management - the resorts aren't really very commercial like they are in Europe and North America, and the lift infrastructure is a throwback to 70s skiing, for the most part.
Getting to Iran and to the Ski Resorts
Flying into Iran
Despite the visible political issues, travelling to Iran is far simpler than it might otherwise seem. The best option is generally to fly into Dubai and then take a flight into Iran. Emirates does flights from Australia and New Zealand and then into Tehran. Flights usually go for around $2,000 return.
From major European airports, there are direct flights to Tehran. Flights will cost around 1300 euros return. From North America, the best option is again to go through Dubai.
Watch out if you are travelling with bulky skis or boards for which flight companies love to charge excess fees. Check the fee conditions or you may face extra fees at the airport.
Getting to the Ski Resorts
If there is one significant let down for Iran as a fantastic skiing destination, it is the transport to and from the mountains. There are no public buses up the mountains meaning you have to find and haggle with a taxi driver to get you up the mountain.
The airport is around 30kms south of Tehran and you can take a taxi into the city for around Rial 700,000 (USD 20).
You can also hail a taxi from anywhere in town and you will have to haggle a little bit to see if they will take you up to the ski resorts. If you are looking to save a bit of money, you can take the Tehran metro from anywhere in town to Tajrish Metro station, the northernmost metro station, rather than paying a taxi that extra distance, and then get a taxi at Tajrish to the resorts.
From Tajrish Metro Station, where you will find a large taxi rank, you should expect to pay around 700,000 Rial to get a taxi up to Shemshak and Darbandsar. You should expect to pay just a few hundred thousand Rial to get you to Tochal ski area.
You can sometimes find van taxis at Tajrish which is very handy if you have a group of four or more, or you have gear you want to take up. You should expect to pay around 1.2 million Rials (USD 35) for a van up to Shemshak or Darbandsar.
To get to Dizin depends on whether the road is open after Shemshak and Darbandsar. The shorter route up Fasham road to the mountains, which usually takes around two hours, closes after any sort of snowfall, forcing travellers to take the long way around on Chalus road, the western route. This can extends the length of the journey to over 2.5 hours. You will need to speak with the taxi driver about whether the road is open.
If you are just doing day-trips from Tehran, you might need to be flexible about where you ski given that the long route up to Dizin makes the travel time quite lengthy if the road is closed.
Beware also of Tehran traffic! It is among the most clogged in the world and can significantly extend your travel time if you travel in peak times. This is another reason to leave early for the ski resorts if doing a day trip.
Photo: Iranian culture
Is it Possible to get a Job?
The prices are so good in Iran that in most cases it will not be worth the effort of working for a local wage in order to work a season. Instead of working, you can spend more time doing the fun stuff like shredding big mountains.
Also, as it is still not a large tourist destination, English is not yet widely spoken either and you will need a fairly good command of Farsi in order to find a job.
However, you may be able to find work as an instructor at one of the resorts. Dizin will certainly be the most likely option as it is the biggest operation and most global in attitude (it even has a website in English). See www.irandizinski.com/contacts for contact information at Dizin, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Photo: Dizin at night
Finding Accommodation
Both Dizin and Shemshak have large hotels that will almost always have space. Compared to other ski resorts, this on-mountain accommodation is quite cheap. You can find a room that contains a private bathroom and two singles or a double for about USD 50 a night. Chalets hold up to 10 people and cost 8-10 million Rial per night.
There are also several privately-owned cottages around that can be rented out. Prices for these vary on the quality of the cottage.
If you have a large group, you might consider hiring a chalet for the night for a bit of extra luxury.
Iranian Hospitality
One of the biggest advantages of going to ski in Iran is the experience, not only at the ski resorts, but all across the country. People say that the Persians are the most hospitable people on Earth and, after experiencing it, you will probably be inclined to say this bold statement is actually not that far off the truth.
For example, people on the street may invite you over for tea and food after just meeting you. This kind of hospitality is not out of the norm at all. In fact, barely a day will go past when you will not be in some way touched by Iranian kindness and hospitality. It seems that everyone is very keen to help travellers, which makes travelling around Iran quite easy, even despite the lack of Facebook, Twitter and other blocked websites.
As far as a party goes, as you might expect, there is not that much to be done in Iran but if you are observant enough at the ski resorts, then there is a good chance to find something happening on a Thursday night (Thursday night is the Iranian equivalent to Friday night - the end of the working week). Dizin is the best bet for nightlife.
Photo: The village at Dizin Ski Resort
Off the Slopes and Elsewhere in Iran
Despite their being so much to ski in the Alborz mountain range, Iran has so much to offer elsewhere that it is really worth seeing the rest of the country while you are there.
Iran has been inhabited by many different civilisations over the past centuries (even millennia) so it is a country rich in history. It is well worth going all the way south to Shiraz to immerse yourself in some the famous literature of Hafeez or Saadi. It is absolutely recommended to check out the Shah-e-Cheragh shrine or most importantly, to go to Persepolis, to see where the Persian Empire began.
Moving north into the desert (which is not that hot during the winter months, don’t even think about it during summer) you can see the mud houses and Badgirs (a kind of cooling tower) of the old town of Yazd. You could also check out some of the incredible handicrafts (maybe pick up a famous Persian rug for next to nothing) or the beautiful Persian architecture in Esfahan.
Making your way further north back to the bustling capital of Tehran, you will find a significant difference in class between the poorer south and the wealthier north. The most exhilarating experiences you will encounter in Tehran are crossing a road and getting absolutely lost in the Bazaar.
These are just a few of the many unique cities spread across Iran.
Travelling Around Iran
Fortunately travelling around Iran is much easier than travelling to and from the ski resorts with every major city having bus terminals that are easy to get to and with regular connecting buses that will go for around USD 7 (not bad for a 3 hour bus ride).
You can simply turn up at the terminal and buy a ticket to wherever you want to go. Hamsafar and Royal Safar are two of the bigger bus companies which are generally reliable. Your hotel or hostel will also generally offer to book tickets for you, for an extra fee of around USD 1.
A little tip for those really long journeys (Tehran to Shiraz is a 13 hour trip, for example), take a VIP bus. With extra-wide seats that incline to 160 degrees and the extra leg-room, you will will appreciate the tiny extra money you pay.
Flights around Iran are also quite cheap. You can fly from Shiraz to Iran for around USD 40. Airlines include Mahan Air (which has international flights also), Iran Air and Aseman Air.
If you don’t believe all this about Iran, check it out for yourself. In fact, check it all out for yourself next time you want to get away from the daily grind. |
August 22, 2010 protest against Park 51. (Photo: asterix11)
At first, I thought it was just me. I’d witnessed dozens of far-right demonstrations over the years, but this was the first which literally sent chills down my spine.
I spoke to a few activists who’d effectively made attending, confronting, and exposing these sorts of things into their life’s work, and had witnessed hundreds of events staged by all manner of racist groups, from the National Alliance and the Minutemen to the Teabaggers and the National Socialist Movement.
"I’ve never seen anything like this before", one said, as another nodded his head in agreement. "The rhetoric, the music, everything… it was just… overwhelming. Did you see the effigies? I don’t even know what to say."
"Jesus died for you, Allah wants you to die for him!" (Photo: Matt Berkman)
I didn’t either. I’d spent the first hour or so listening for amusing quotes from the speakers to broadcast via Twitter. Then I began paying closer attention not only to the increasingly strident words emanating from the podium, but to the tone, the gestures… and to the response from the crowd.
It stopped being funny.
By the time I arrived home, having had a bit more time to process the experience, I wasn’t even the slightest bit surprised to see a YouTube clip of an African-American construction worker at the rally, mistaken for a Muslim (apparently on account of his hat), being harassed and nearly assaulted by the crowd. The whole event was beginning to feel more and more like the pre-game show for a televised lynching. It hardly mattered if the victim was a real Muslim or not.
There had been numerous streams of stimuli to process. The words were the easiest, at first; I’d heard them all before.
It was "a slap in the face" to build a mosque here, they said.
It would "only add to our pain".
"No place would be far enough."
"Civilizational conflict!"
"Tell everyone who will listen, at every PTA meeting!"
"Mohammed was a pedophile!"
For every incendiary statement from the podium came an even more vitriolic response shouted from one location or another within the crowd, back and forth, with the orators seemingly drawing strength from the crowd and projecting it back in magnified form.
And there had been music, of course, after every speaker. Booming, overpowering. The generic patriotic musical interludes were easy to scoff at, but the instrumentals seemed to gather, solidify, and animate the tension in the air.
(Photo: Matt Berkman)
Then there were the visuals. I’d missed the effigies, but every variety of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sign I’d ever seen was well-represented, some waved by small children from their fathers’ shoulders. Lots of flags, mostly American, a handful of Israeli. One JDL shirt with "Gush Katif Forever" emblazoned on the back.
I’d gotten the impression that that despite the shirt and the flags and the one family I overheard speaking Hebrew, I was actually one of very few Jews here. I wondered if there had been more before I got there, who perhaps felt something unsettling about the atmosphere and decided to leave.
There had been a definite tension between various types of people that the rally had attracted. A handful of people in the crowd apparently made some limited effort to diffuse the episode with the African-American consruction worker. Others had mildly chastised the man shouting that "Mohammed was a pedophile": "That’s not helpful", they said.
There was clear disagreement on what constituted the most appropriate means of expressing xenophobic bigotry. Some attendees seemed genuinely uncomfortable with what they were seeing, like a cat startled by its own reflection in a mirror.
These, unfortunately, were apparently the extreme minority. Most seemed thoroughly enthralled and invigorated by the moment, reveling in the sense of shared outrage and collective determination to do something about it.
It became increasingly clear what I’d found so disquieting about the experience of bearing witness to this. I’d been able to write this phenomenon off as a lunatic fringe movement before. It was certainly no more sane as a result of my having been there, and there had been no more than five hundred to a thousand people in attendance, but I could no longer simply write it off. I’d stood in the heart of it, surrounded on all sides by a teeming sea of hate, and felt its potential. It was utterly terrifying.
The rhetoric of national humiliation, of "us" and "them", of the enemy within, of the state as the vehicle for asserting the supremacy our way of life, and the need to sieze control, in one way or another, should the state continue to be an obstacle to realizing these grand dreams.
I’d never experienced this so directly before, only through multiple levels of abstraction. Only through newsreels.
Despite this deep sense of dread, and the queasiness I feel when playing those newsreels over in my mind, I find one thought reassuring:
These echoes from the past originate from a period before that movement had passed the point of no return, when ordinary people still had the power to stand up and prevent things from going any further.
It wasn’t too late then, and it isn’t too late now, to say…
¡No Pasarán!
Zach Morris is a Jewish activist closely engaged in both Palestine solidarity and antifascist struggles. |
Hockey fans fearing another labour stoppage are right to have early cause for concern.
Donald Fehr suggested Wednesday that the National Hockey League’s decision to skip participation in the 2018 Winter Games could be front of mind when the players and owners sit down to negotiate the next collective bargaining agreement.
“If the notion is that everybody is just going to forget about this, I suspect that’s not the case,” Fehr, the NHLPA’s executive director told The Jeff Blair Show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
“If the notion is that players will just say, ‘Oh, well’… that’s a very, very, very unlikely possibility.”
In response to the NHL’s decision to pass on the Olympics after five tournaments, the PA issued a strongly worded statement in which it “adamantly disagree[d]” with the call.
Players by the droves expressed varying degrees of disappointment to reporters and on social media. Washington superstar Alex Ovechkin lead the charge, stating he will attended regardless.
A big question hangs, however. And it’s one for Fehr.
If chasing the Olympic dream is so important to NHLers, why was participation not included in the current CBA, signed in January of 2013, especially when an Olympic-participation clause existed in the previous CBA?
“No one envisioned that the owners would take this kind of view, which… is basically just short-sighted and clearly, as we see it, contrary to the best interests in the game,” Fehr told Blair.
“There was always a generalized understanding that we’d look at the situation and if we didn’t have costs, we’d figure out a way to do it.”
The PA honcho conceded that “in retrospect, perhaps” it was a mistake to not get an Olympic pact in writing.
Fehr said, at that time, the players’ focus was on other things and both sides had already established an understanding they would go to Sochi in 2014.
The players already gave concessions to owners in the last round of bartering, Fehr said, and evidently they weren’t big enough.
Prior to nixing a two-week trip to South Korea, commissioner Gary Bettman told the PA it would green-light participation if the players agreed to extend the current CBA by three years and eliminate a potential opt-out clause in the fall of 2019.
Had the players agreed, the CBA’s expiry would have been extended from 2022 to 2025.
The players shot that proposal down in early December.
Fehr said he’s hopeful that in “10 or 12 years” the World Cup of Hockey can match the Games as the globe’s premier best-on-best tournament.
“But it doesn’t yet,” Fehr said. “In terms of a global audience, you can’t do much better than the Olympics.
“You’ve got to find a way to take advantage of that.”
Fehr would not speculate on individual players’ situations should they choose to participate against the league’s wishes.
Asked if the door is still open ajar for 2018 participation, Fehr said, “You’ll have to ask Gary that.”
Bettman was asked that Tuesday evening on Prime Time Sports and stated the owners are “not looking to negotiate.”
Fehr said his next step to contact the players and make a judgment as to how to proceed. |
[Dronpes Note: For the sake of timeliness, this preliminary analysis has foregone the Silph Research Group’s standard internal peer review process in the interest of turning this survey around quickly and getting tallies and results back into our travelers’ hands. Please forgive any typo’s or late night errors – I really should have gone to bed many hours ago! ]
Receiving an EX Raid invitation is the key to acquiring the exclusive MewTwo in Pokemon GO.
Niantic recently concluded their multi-month field test of the EX Raid feature and explained three factors that influence the odds of being invited to an EX Raid (plus a note regarding Raid times).
The Silph Road team has conducted a survey of Silph Road travelers who received an invite in the December 1st wave – and for the first time, we’re ready to take a preliminary glance at what the data shows regarding known (and unknown) EX Raid selection criteria.
What We Think We Know
First, let’s review the factors Niantic shared that might be at play:
EX Raid Battles will take place most commonly at Gyms found in parks and sponsored locations .
Trainers with a high-level Gym Badge are more likely to be invited to EX Raid Battles taking place at that Gym.
Trainers who have completed a larger number of Raid Battles are more likely to be invited to EX Raid Battles.
EX Raid Battle start times now take into account popular Raid Battle times at that Gym.
This information has prompted many of our travelers to focus their efforts on Gyms in parks and sponsored locations, and has encouraged many to begin working towards Silver and Gold badges at these Gyms.
But what does the data show?
Finding #1: Head to the Parks, Sponsors, & the Next Best Things
Overwhelmingly we found Gyms located in parks to be the most common location for EX Raids, with 53% of all EX Raids happening in park Gyms. In second place, sponsored locations hosted just under one third (31%) of EX Raids.
Travelers without parks or sponsored locations nearby may look to prioritize universities/schools, statues, and monuments, as these appear to be the most common fallback locations. Take a look:
Suffice it to say, Niantic’s first factor appears to be in full force.
Finding #2: Gym Medal Levels Suggest They Might Matter
Niantic also claimed that high-level Gym badges will make trainers more likely to be selected for EX Raid passes.
In our view this claim in particular presents an interesting problem. EX Raids currently max out at 40 invitations. Should Gold and Silver Gym badge holders always be selected according to a “first in line” methodology, Niantic’s selection algorithm would necessarily need to exclude them in certain rounds, or they would consistently prevent lower-level badge holders from receiving EX passes. Particularly once common EX Raid gyms were made known to local player communities and ‘hardcore’ players all rushed to achieve gold Gym badges at those locations.
It seems likely, therefore, that Niantic may be employing a different approach, possibly either reserving a minority percentage of invitations for lower-level players to ensure they are included when there are ample gold and silver Gym badge holders eligible, or simply selecting all eligible players at a Gym and assigning weighted odds before selection. Under the first approach, the (far more common) low-level gym badge holders would outnumber the high, so higher-level badge holders would have greater odds in their smaller pool. Under the second, depending on the weights, a dedicated local player group might ‘min-max’ the gym providing “too many” eligible gold and silver badge-holders which might effectively exclude casual players entirely (undesirable from a gamemaker’s perspective). But enough speculation; let’s examine the data!
In visualizing the Gym badge level breakdown from our sample group, we find the following:
Immediately, the largest proportion being silver jumps out as suggestive of badge level influence – assuming there are (many) more bronze badge holders than silver in the local player ecosystem.
We expected to see bronze badges take the majority by a large margin (remember: completing even one Raid at a Gym will provide a bronze badge, so everyone who ever Raided at that gym has that badge). Instead silver, which requires four completed Raids (or equivalent badge XP) is surprisingly prevalent. Add to that the gold portion and at this point it would appear that the odds do appear slightly better for silver or gold badge holders.
One caveat to this assumption, however, is that our sample set (of Silph Road travelers) leans heavily towards ‘hard-core’ players. This may have lead to under-reporting from other bronze badge holders.
Finding #3: Over 30% Have Done 1+ Raid Every Day
The number of Raid battles a player has completed has been announced to be a factor in selection criteria. But what qualifies as a “larger number of raid battles?”
On December 1st, the Raid system was roughly 160 days old. If a free-to-play player were to Raid every single day at least 1x, we might expect them to have completed 160 Raids by this date. In examining the completed Raid counts of our dataset, we find the following:
69% of players selected had completed less than 150 Raids, while 30% had completed more.
Once again, we will point out that the nature of our dataset is skewed towards more active players (though Niantic’s selection of our travelers is not necessarily a representative cross-section of the Silph Road’s most active players). Assuming the large majority of players have not kept up the pace of 1+ Raid daily for over five months, this nearly 30/70 split along the line of 1x/day Raiding seems rather active and may indicate that those who Raid more are experiencing better odds.
Further research is needed to truly claim this, however. A baseline survey of how many Raids players have completed (irrespective to EX Raid invites) would provide a valuable reference and enable this comparison.
Finding #4: High Level Trainers Dominate the Dataset
Reports of very low level accounts or very casual/inactive players getting EX Raid invitations spread rapidly when EX waves go out.
Our dataset, however, reflected an entirely different picture:
While 1.5% of accounts reported by our travelers were below level 20, 21% of invites were level 40 players. In all, 93% of EX Raid invites on the Silph Road went to level 28+ accounts.
Finding #5: Seven Out of Ten Are First-Time Recipients
Throughout the EX Raid field test, we observed largely the same group of players continue to receive EX Raid invitations week after week.
Now, however, we’re observing largely the opposite:
Over 70% of EX Raid recipients on December 1st received their very first invite. 21% were receiving their second, and less than 1 in 10 had received more than two.
Of those who were now receiving more than one invite, all were mid to high level 30s, 81% had a silver Gym badge or above, and 95% had Raided at the Gym in at least the past week.
Finding #6: Raid Invite Times Appear to Reflect Player Raiding Times
This is a particularly notable observation. Niantic mentioned that, contrary to how things operated during the field test period, EX Raids will now function at various times dependent on the Gyms’ “popular Raid battle times.”
Interestingly, we managed to see this reflected in a co-occurrence matrix plotting the time our travelers Raided at this Gym vs. the time of their EX Raid invitation at that gym. The results are rather striking:
It seems unlikely to us that the EX Raid times would align perfectly with all our travelers’ Raiding times, but there is an unusually strong correlation from 10am through 6pm (this wave’s EX Raid window) between travelers who raided in a particular hour and travelers having the EX Raid during the next hour.
This is one we’ll be watching with great interest.
Finding #7: The Gym Eligibility Day Limit May Be One Week
Contrary to the field test (where we saw testers selected for EX Raids who had merely Raided a gym once, many months prior), the selection criteria appears to have tightened down to a shorter period: one week.
95% of travelers selected for an EX Raid on December 1st had Raided at that Gym within the last 7 days.
Notably, 28% had Raided at the selected Gym in the past 24 hours before receiving their EX Raid invitation. The difference, though, between those who Raided in the past week vs the past two weeks is remarkably more stark than during the field test. This leads us to hypothesize that 7 days is the cutoff for EX Raid eligibility.
We recommend Raiding at all eligible gyms once a week – while additional frequency has had unclear (and possibly little to no) marginal value in this wave.
Anecdotal Outliers and Questions
All in all, travelers, it appears that much of what Niantic shared regarding EX Raid factors is either confirmed or plausible with the limited data we’ve gathered already.
What, then, of the many anecdotal reports of low-level players receiving invites while more active players have to continue to wait? It seems undeniable that Niantic has intentionally included some degree of more casual, inactive, or newer players in the EX Raid pool in this December 1st wave. We may expect this to always be the case with EX Raids for strategic reasons (e.g. inactive player retention).
One apparent irony in Niantic’s selection procedure for these less active players is that it may be (unintentionally) easier for low-level or casual players to net an EX Raid pass if, in fact, very few low-level players Raid at a selected Gym the week before an EX Raid. The algorithm may, while attempting to include a more casual portion of the playerbase, find itself with few options that qualify (ie, have Raided at that gym in the past week) for a specific EX Raid.
Does that irony automatically mean no casual or less active players should be given the handicap? The answer is not black and white – and it’s one Niantic will have to make in alignment with their player retention roadmap. It appears, for the time being, that the selection algorithm may be valuing players who appear to be “coming back” or “testing the waters” greatly and are providing a handicap to these in the weighted EX Raid selection.
The good news is that this does not preclude the many factors identified above from improving your individual selection weight. (Again, it seems very unlikely to us that Niantic is operating with a crude “first in line” qualification system. A weighted odds selection process seems a more likely solution – and in fact aligns with their developer notes.)
What We Recommend
For now, we recommend prioritizing the following:
Raid at least weekly at parks, sponsored locations, monuments, and church Gym locations Try to achieve at least silver gym badge level at these gyms If possible, perhaps observe these gyms’ most busy Raid times and try Raiding during these hours
We do not recommend:
Spending tons of money trying to Raid 10x/day or rack up a soaring total Raid count Raiding at every potential EX Gym every day Using Pinap Berries on a Legendary you need (they really don’t increase your catch chances. No matter what you were told)
Remember: the majority of players have not yet received an EX Raid invite (the Silph Road team included!). We expect to see more and more EX Raid invite waves in coming weeks, however. For now, we hope this analysis puts a little more solid information in your hands when puzzling on how to get that EX Raid invite. Until then, … you can find us at the park!
Travel Safe,
– Executive Dronpes – |
WASHINGTON — Male mice who were exposed as babies to BPA, a chemical common in canned foods and plastic containers, act more like females and are seen as less desirable mates, a US study showed Monday.
The findings could have implications for how BPA, or Bisphenol A, may affect human development and behavior, said the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“The BPA-exposed deer mice in our study look normal; there is nothing obviously wrong with them. Yet, they are clearly different,” said lead author Cheryl Rosenfeld at the University of Missouri.
“Females do not want to mate with BPA-exposed male deer mice, and BPA-exposed males perform worse on spatial navigation tasks that assess their ability to find female partners in the wild.”
Mother deer mice were fed a diet with levels of BPA that were proportional to the amount the US government considers safe for pregnant women to ingest.
The lab mice were fed this diet for two weeks prior to breeding and throughout lactation.
After their babies were weaned, the offspring were fed a BPA-free diet and their behaviors were monitored into adulthood.
The male mice who were exposed to BPA showed less ability to navigate a maze safely. This skill — useful in the search for potential mating partners — is well developed only in male mice, since females do not seek out mates.
“The untreated mice quickly learned the most direct approach to finding the correct hole, while the exposed males appeared to employ a random, inefficient trial and error strategy,” said the study.
When scientists observed how fertile females regarded the BPA males compared to the unexposed males, they found females preferred the chemical-free males by a factor of two to one.
“These findings presumably have broad implications to other species, including humans, where there are also innate differences between males and females in cognitive and behavioral patterns,” Rosenfeld said.
“Whether there are comparable health threats to humans remains unclear, but there clearly must be a concern.”
The US Food and Drug Administration has noted “some concern” with BPA, an industrial chemical that has been widely used in packaging since the 1960s, and is studying the risks of exposure, the regulatory agency said in January 2010.
The European Union and Canada have banned the use of BPA in baby bottles. However, there is no scientific consensus on the dangers BPA poses, the study said. |
, Dave Grossman
Day of the Tentacle is one of my fav. games. I don't even try to explain why. Its something you know and feel.
It great and Im happy to grow up with games like that and.. yeah. Maybe I'm sounds like a grandpa but Kids, please take your smartphone
or pc, load ScummVM and "buy" one of the good old LucasArt classics and play them (okay maybe don't start with Loom xD).
I'm very interested about your experience with this good old classics, so tell me :3
Your RarieDash
You want the picture clean or retro? No prob :3
Ps.:
#9 on EQD
www.equestriadaily.com/2014/07…
Im really surprised to read about, that so many don't know what I'm referring.
Poor Poor world (or lazy cause or didn't read mah description!) and many many other. Got it? Its a masterpiece! ... okay okay. I will come down.Day of the Tentacle is one of my fav. games. I don't even try to explain why. Its something you know and feel.It great and Im happy to grow up with games like that and.. yeah. Maybe I'm sounds like a grandpa but Kids, please take your smartphoneor pc, load ScummVM and "buy" one of the good old LucasArt classics and play them (okay maybe don't start with Loom xD).I'm very interested about your experience with this good old classics, so tell me :3Your RarieDashYou want the picture clean or retro? No prob :3Ps.:#9 on EQDIm really surprised to read about, that so many don't know what I'm referring.Poor Poor world (or lazy cause or didn't read mah description!)
It one of those Ideas how give me a smile. Sorry I'm really happy about it. I'm a big fanof Adventures, and especially of LucasArt Adventures. I mean the old one, I hate the style of the 360 remake of MI 1+2but I love the great voice Acting from Dominic Armato . Do you know his great sound take for job applications? Check it out.They have something, I miss in the Games today. Daedalic is the only GamesPub- and developer who come close to it, with gameslike Whispered World or Deponia (THE BAD ENDING X.X).But still, no one reach Day of the Tentacle. Maybe Monkey Island 3, but this is a personal thing. But Dott is so a perfect polished andsmart game, that everyone MUST HAVE played. Without playing it, your not a real gamer. Sorry. Its true, you have to. |
Posted on
One of Ireland’s premier MMA promotions returns on November 15th and will take place in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast. A pair of professional bouts will top the card and they involve some big names in Irish MMA.
Fresh off his impressive KO win over Conor Cooke at BAMMA Paul Byrne (6-0) will look to continue his devastating streak going in what will be his return to Clan Wars after last competing for the promotion five years ago.
Byrne has managed to win his six professional outings via TKO but now faces arguably his most toughest test to date. His opponent for Clan Wars will be dangerous grappler Ronan McKay (10-11). Don’t be fooled by McKay’s record, the EFR fighter holds wins over the likes of Richard Gorey, Leeroy Barnes, Henry Fadipe and even Byrne’s stable mate and current UFC fighter Cathal Pendred.
Byrne is incredibly dangerous but McKay has that smothering style that can nullify that. A great fight and stylistic match-up that could literally swing either way.
The co-main event is one that certainly has the potential to be fight of the year in Irish MMA as Tommy McCafferty (6-1) takes on the returning Brian Moore (7-4) in the lightweight division. Both men will be looking to make a statement in this fight.
McCafferty is coming off the first loss of his professional career earlier this year at UXC FN 3. Prior to that loss people mentioned his name a potential signing for the UFC in the near future and he will no doubt be looking to get things back on track and go on another run that will get people talking once more.
However, Moore is making his return to the cage after 18 months away and he will certainly fancy himself in this fight. The last time we saw Moore he suffered disappointing back-to-back losses in Cage Warriors, something which knocked his UFC ambitions off track. But now after some time away he has no doubt reassessed and refocused himself. This fight could literally end anywhere at anytime so good luck to anybody picking a winner.
CLAN WARS 23 FIGHT CARD*
Main Event – Pro MW
Paul Byrne (SBGi) v Ronan Mc Kay (EFR)
Co-Main Event – Pro LW
Tommy McCafferty (Team Torres Derry) v Brian Moore (SBGi)
Amateur Middleweight Title
Glenn Irvine (NGNI) v Maciej Gierszewski (Kyoujin)
Amateur Featherweight Title
Paul Hughes (EFR) v Sean Paul Power (Ryano)
Amateur Undercard-
73kg CW- Richard Dowie (EFR) v Jay-Ar Campos (Kokoro)
BW- Ryan McFall (NGNI) v Alex Bediou (Kokoro)
LW- Jonathan Reid (D10MMA) v Ciaran Loughran (Heat MMA)
FW- Daniel Cairns (New Era) v Joe McMahon (FAI)
FW- Stuart Graham (Chum Sut) v Phil Campbell (IFS)
BW- Ryan O’Reilly (D10 MMA) v Harry Scott (IFS)
HW- Marty Corrigan (CRFS) v Mindaugas Gerve (IFS)
MW- Gerard Ward (Mayhem MMA) v Sean Burns (FAI)
LW- Stewart Kenny (CRFS) v Aodan Devlin (FAI)
WW- Daniel O’Connor (D10 MMA) v Gareth o neill (IFS)
BW- Yousef Jaafar (Konfliction MMA) v Quinton McDonagh (CRFS)
W Fly- Megan Hodges (CRFS) v Kaitlin Haplin (D10 MMA)
*card subject to change & more bouts expected to be added. |
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Facebook crashed this evening, leaving millions of users without access to their personal data.
The site, which claims to have 1.23bn monthly users, displayed an error message to users who were trying to log on.
In a rare outage, visitors to the Facebook website just after 8pm UK time were greeted with a message reading "sorry something went wrong. We're working on it and we'll get it fixed as soon as we can."
Read more: How to keep functioning when Facebook crashes
It is the SECOND TIME Facebook has been down recently after the site crashed last Thursday.
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Founder Mark Zuckerberg once gave advice to business founders by saying: "Move fast and break things. Unless you are breaking stuff, you are not moving fast enough."
In a post on his Facebook page, he wrote: "To keep the internet strong, we need to keep it secure.
"That's why at Facebook we spend a lot of our energy making our services and the whole internet safer and more secure.
Read our guide to backing up your Facebook data in case the social network melts down.
Facebook by numbers 802m Average daily users $2.5bn Advertising revenue (Q1 2014) 48% Percentage of 18-34 year old users who check Facebook when they wake up
"We encrypt communications, we use secure protocols for traffic, we encourage people to use multiple factors for authentication and we go out of our way to help fix issues we find in other people's services.
"The internet works because most people and companies do the same. We work together to create this secure environment and make our shared space even better for the world."
In a post celebrating the site's 10th anniversary, he told users: "I'm so grateful to be able to help build these tools for you. I feel a deep responsibility to make the most of my time here and serve you the best I can." |
Image copyright Twitter / @karanfdk Image caption This much shared image compares Ramdev's opinions with those of the leader of the Islamic State group.
If you have a mental image of what a yoga guru does then it would probably tend towards promoting inner peace and good posture. It probably wouldn't include making public statements that it's only the rule of law that's holding them back from beheading thousands of people who don't chant their nationalist phrase of choice.
But just such a bloodthirsty remark has been made by the prominent Indian yoga teacher Baba Ramdev, making collective jaws drop and raising questions about how religious and patriotic sentiments are exploited in Indian political debate.
Ramdev is a successful modern yoga teacher - he's taught all over the world, been credited with re-popularising the discipline among India's young middle class, spoken at the UN, and even branched out into selling his own brand of noodles.
Image copyright Twitter / @siddiquikhurra1 Image caption The yoga guru's remarks have been widely satirised online.
But in recent days, Indian twitter users have been using the hashtag #TalibaniRamdev to compare him to an Islamist extremist after he waded into a debate about a controversial phrase.
The phrase - "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" - means "Hail Mother India", and refers to the nation personified as a Hindu goddess. It's widely used as a statement of patriotism by the BJP, India's Hindu nationalist ruling party. Some politicians have called for all students to be taught the phrase in school.
But some Muslim clerics say it goes against the Islamic belief that there is only one God, and they're trying to stop the phrase being imposed. In March, a prominent Muslim leader said he would never utter the slogan "…even if you put a knife to my throat", and a few days later another politician from the party was suspended from the state assembly in Maharashtra after refusing to repeat it.
Debate on the slogan has raged ever since, with one BJP politician saying those who refused to hail Mother India, whatever their religion, should have no right to remain in the country.
But Baba Ramdev escalated the rhetoric even further when he spoke at a meeting on Sunday, organised by the right wing Hindu organisation RSS with the aim of promoting community harmony. Ramdev made it very clear that only respect for the rule of law was restraining him from beheading anyone who disrespected Bharat Mata. "If someone says that he won't chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai even if his head is chopped off, I want to say there is a rule of law and we respect the constitution, otherwise we can cut hundreds and thousands of heads," Ramdev said in remarks that were filmed and later posted on YouTube.
His outspoken comments have caused outrage in a country where many have commented on a rise in intolerance and bigotry. Last year 200 academics signed a letter saying that the current atmosphere in India encouraged "greater hostility and aggression, especially against religious and caste minorities."
Image copyright Twitter/@iSumitt
Image copyright Twitter/@ShirishKunder
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The hashtag #TalibaniRamdev has appeared more than 35,000 times on Twitter, and many users mocked up pictures of the guru in the place of so-called Islamic State executioners, or compared him to a Taliban fighter, for taking such an extreme position.
"Ramdev is epitome of what religion should not stand for - materialism, religious supremacy & #CulturalTalibanism," wrote one Twitter user. "This thug is unworthy of being called a yogi," wrote another. But some praised his words, saying that Hindus were reclaiming their voice.
Image copyright Twitter/@Logical_Bhaqt
The debate on the phrase is sure to continue. On Friday India's biggest Sunni seminary issued a fatwa - or decree - against Muslims using the phrase, while an educational trust run by a BJP leader has said it will only allow admission to students who write Bharat Mata Ki Jai on their application forms. But there are now calls for the police to investigate Ramdev's remarks.
Blog by Kate Lamble
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Animals are still probably the most popular thing to fold with paper. In this post we’re going to take a look at another group of fantastic origami animals.
Starting off we have this great little rabbit.
Rabbit, Designed by Yoo Tae Yong and Folded by Jack Dreyil
Diagrams available in the Origami Tanteidan 21st Convention Book
Gen Hagiwara designed what’s possibly my favourite origami monkey.
Japanese Macaque, Designed and Folded by Gen Hagiwara
Diagrams available in Spirits of Origami
Gen Hagiwara also designed these cute little chipmunks.
Chipmunks, Designed by Gen Hagiwara and Folded by Eyal
Diagrams available in Spirits of Origami
Here’s an adorable family of pandas photographed out in the wild.
Pandas, Designed by Fumiaki Kawahata and Folded by Folded Wilderness
Diagrams available in Wild Animals of the World
This is one of the best deer designs I’ve seen. It’s not super complex but looks really great and realistic.
Deer, Designed by Yasushi Miyashita and Folded by Alex Mironenko
Diagrams available in the Origami USA Convention 2014 book
Here’s a really cute little origami pig. The paper used is absolutely perfect.
Pig, Designed by Stefan Weber and Folded by Agnieska (Agne) Mackonyte
Diagrams available in the Origami Tanteidan 15th Convention Book
This is a fantastic simple and elegant looking horse design by Fabian Correa. His designs always have this sort of simple curved look to them.
Horse, Designed by Fabian Correa and Folded by Ivan Svatko
Diagrams available in Horses in Origami
This is a great ferret design that really captured the essence of the real animal.
Ferret, Designed and Folded by Charles Wilson
Instructions not available
Here’s a cute little hedgehog out in the wild.
Hedgehog, Designed by Javier Dominguez Perez and Folded by Adriano Davanzo
Diagrams available in the Origami Tanteidan 20th Convention Book
This is a really detailed and awesome giraffe design by Nguyen Ngoc Vu.
Giraffe, Designed and Folded by Nguyen Ngoc Vu
Instructions not available
Beth Johnson designed this awesome beaver with a great colour change so the teeth are white. Using sort of a tessellation for the body is a very unique touch as well.
Beaver, Designed and Folded by Beth Johnson
Instructions not available
Next we have this cute little bear also designed by Fabian Correa.
Grizzly Bear, Designed and Folded by Fabian Correa
Instructions not available
This majestic looking rhino is one of the best rhino designs I’ve seen.
Rhino, Designed and Folded by Nguyen Ngoc Vu
Instructions not available
Hoang Tien Quyet’s fox designs is probably the most famous origami fox design. This one folded by Gonzalo is one of the best versions I’ve seen.
Fox, Designed by Hoang Tien Quyet and Folded by Gonzalo
Diagrams available from Hoang Tien Quyet’s website
Seth Friedman has come up with one of the best origami sheep designs out there. If you use black and white paper the colour changes make it look really great and I especially love the curly horns.
Sheep, Designed by Seth Friedman and Folded by Rui Roda
Video instructions available from Seth Friedman’s YouTube channel
Here’s a whole family of great little paper goats that were folded for the year of the goat in 2015.
Goat Family, Designed and Folded by Nguyễn Hùng Cường
Instructions not available
This excellent bison is folded from a thin sheet of copper instead of paper. It was part of an exhibit at the National Museum of History in Taipei.
Bison, Designed and Folded by József Zsebe
Diagrams available in Paper Conceptions
Here’s the deer from earlier folded by a different artist which gives it quite a different look.
Deer, Designed by Yasushi Miyashita and Folded by Philippe Landrein
Diagrams available in the Origami USA Convention 2014 book
Eric Vigier designed this great little mouse. It’s sort of similar to the design by Eric Joisel.
Mouse, Designed by Eric Vigier and Folded by Luc MARNAT
Instructions not available
Here’s another really great goat. The twisted horns are really awesome, especially with the two coloured paper. Apparently this model only takes 25 steps to fold.
Goat, Designed by Miyuki Kawamura and Folded by Textori
Diagrams available in the Origami Tanteidan 6th Convention book
Quentin Trollip designed this fantastic Red Hartebeest. He’s definitely designed some unique animal models. You can read the legend behind this animal by clicking through to the original image on Flickr.
Red Hartebeest, Designed and Folded by Quentin Trollip
Instructions not available
Here’s a really great and detailed gorilla photographed at the 22nd Tanteidan Convention.
Gorilla, Designed and Folded by Yuta Katsuzaki (Photo by Hiroaki Kobayashi)
Instructions not available
This Jerboa already looks pretty amazing but the whole scene P. Colman assembled here is even better.
Baluchistan Pygmy Jerboa, Designed by Yery J. Astroña and Folded by P. Colman
Diagrams available in the Origami Tanteidan 22nd Convention Book
Our final model for this post is another one of my all time favourites.
Shark Bite Seal, Designed and Folded by Nguyen Ngoc Vu
Instructions not available
That’s it for this post. Which one of these origami animals was your favourite? Let us know in the comments! |
Last night was about the plagiarism allegations. This morning was about the pushback. Trump presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort denied charges of plagiarism on CBS and CNN, and at a press conference Tuesday morning — even as the parallels between Melania Trump's address to the Republican National Convention Monday night and passages of Michelle Obama's speech to the Democratic convention eight years ago seemed too numerous and exact to be coincidental.
Trump campaign co-chair Sam Clovis seemed to acknowledge what Manafort wouldn't when he told MSNBC he was "surprised that somebody missed that" and was "sure action will be taken in the campaign to ensure it never happens again." And Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said at a Bloomberg Politics breakfast event in Cleveland that he would "probably" fire the culpable speechwriter.
The campaign appeared to have been caught off-guard by the allegations, and still seemed to be scrambling early in the day — but this isn't the first time Trump or his aides have had to address charges related to ripping off someone else's work.
During the Republican primary, Trump wrote an op-ed for a newspaper in Guam that bore a striking resemblance to one that former GOP rival Ben Carson submitted to a paper in the Mariana Islands just 12 days earlier. Daily Caller reporter Alex Pappas, who was first to note the apparent plagiarism, tweeted a side-by-side comparison of the two articles. The text in black is the same.
Compare Trump's op-ed to the one written by Ben Carson 12 days earlier https://t.co/aUiXlnKLyl pic.twitter.com/0eHE1R4z6Y — Alex Pappas (@AlexPappas) March 16, 2016
Carson adviser Armstrong Williams told the Daily Caller at the time that some of the doctor's staffers had jumped to the Trump campaign, which could help explain the similarities. One such campaign worker, Jason Osborne, told the Saipan Tribune that "plagiarizing ideas, when you accept those ideas, isn't plagiarism; it's just flattery." (Why didn't Jayson Blair think of that line?)
Last month, the New York Times reported that 20 pages of a Trump Institute instructional book were essentially duplicated from a real estate manual published 11 years earlier.
And in April, the liberal press watchdog Media Matters for America caught on-and-off Trump adviser Roger Stone copying material from the Conservative Treehouse blog for an article in the Daily Caller. The Daily Caller removed the piece from its website, and Stone posted a statement from his researcher on Facebook, in which the researcher took the blame for plagiarism.
On the campaign trail, Trump once touted his record of not plagiarizing material. Last summer, when Vice President Joe Biden was considering a presidential bid, Trump told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that he liked his chances against the veteran Democrat.
"I think I'd match up great," Trump said. "I'm a job producer. I've had a great record. I haven't been involved in plagiarism. I think I would match up very well against him."
When he ran for president in 1988, Biden admitted to committing plagiarism in law school and to lifting speech material from the British politician Neil Kinnock without attribution.
Trump has been on the other side of plagiarism charges, too: In 2014, NFL star Darnell Dockett copied a pair of Trump tweets verbatim.
Stop flights into the U.S. from West Africa immediately! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2014
Stop flights into the U.S. from West Africa immediately! #EBOLA — DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) October 1, 2014
How is ABC Television allowed to have a show entitled "Blackish"? Can you imagine the furor of a show, "Whiteish"! Racism at highest level? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2014
How is ABC Television allowed to have a show entitled "Blackish"? Can you imagine the furor of a show, "Whiteish"! Racism at highest level? — DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) October 1, 2014
Trump, ever-charitable, tweeted a couple days later that he would not sue Dockett for stealing his thoughts. |
One of four remaining Treasure Island areas from which the U.S. Navy is removing toxic material is expected to soon receive a clean bill of health.
By the end of January, the Navy, as part of its required ongoing radioactive and chemical cleanup of the man-made island, is expected to transfer ownership of this area’s batch of parcels to San Francisco, which plans to build thousands of new homes and commercial space there.
The remaining three areas are scheduled to be transferred in the coming years — the last is scheduled for Dec. 31, 2021 — but the results of a radioactive feasibility study next year could shorten that time line.
The Navy used the island as a base from 1941 to 1997, and its activities there — largely during World War II — contaminated the island with radiological materials and other toxins. The agency is required under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act to clean it up, and that work is being overseen by San Francisco’s Department of Public Health and state agencies like the California Department of Public Health and the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
The Navy has already cleaned up about half the island and transferred it to The City in 2015, a milestone celebrated by Mayor Ed Lee.
“It’s taken almost two decades to get to this point, and we’re eager to transform this former naval base into a vibrant community,” Lee said at the time.
The Treasure Island Development Authority’s Board of Directors praised the progress of the Navy cleanup during a Nov. 15 hearing when it received an update on the cleanup effort by Dave Clark, lead environmental project manager for the Navy working on Treasure Island.
“Even that, the 2021 [time line], is still very impressive that we have done all this work, just now getting to that tail end,” said TIDA board member Linda Richardson. “Overall, I think this is great news.”
The first of the remaining four areas expected to be transferred to The City are referred to as Parcels 30, 30 north, 30 south and 31.
“Site 30 was the day care center, and the building itself acts as a cap,” Clark said. “If the building were ever to be removed, The City would remove the debris underneath the building. Site 31, there was no building. The debris has been removed from Site 31.”
Clark said the Navy is waiting to “receive a clean bill of health from the California Department of Public Health” for those sites this month and then would transfer them to The City.
“We are well underway to make that happen by the end of January,” Clark said.
As for Site 24, a former dry-cleaning facility and one of the four remaining areas, the Navy will continue monitoring the remediation work there for two more years before the transfer.
“We got about 80 percent of the contamination removed,” Clark said. “We were effectively using bioremediation to naturally break down the chlorinated solvents used in the dry-cleaning process.”
The scheduled date of this site’s transfer to The City is Jan. 30, 2019.
“I think we will be able to get full cleanup of the site and, ultimately, when we transfer the property, there will be no land use controls to monitor,” Clark said. “That’s why the date of 2019 gives us time to collect more data to represent statistically decreasing trends in both soil and soil gas.”
A third area being cleaned up is grouped together as Site 6, the historical fire-fighter training facility; Site 32, a training and storage area; and Parcel 2, the wastewater treatment plant, are slated for transfer by Dec. 31, 2020.
“Site 32 was a storage facility, and in 2010, we did a large PCB [Polychlorinated Biphenyls] cleanup,” Clark said. “The reason why we haven’t transferred it is we use it as a lay down area, mainly for soil from Site 12.”
Clark said the former storage facility is used for testing and scanning soil from Site 12 to determine whether it contains radioactive material, which would be hauled away for disposal.
Site 12, which includes residential housing, will have the most activity moving forward and comprise both chemical and radioactive material cleanup.
The solid waste disposal areas, where materials with radioactive Radium-226 were buried, is the source of “99 percent of all the radiological contamination” on the island. The Navy used radioactive Radium-226 glow-in-the-dark paint for dials and gauges and deck markers.
“Less than 1 percent of anything on Treasure Island from the solid waste disposal areas has been found outside of the solid waste disposal areas,” Clark said. “But this presents a unique challenge to figure out what is the ultimate remedy going to be for Site 12.”
There are four solid waste disposal areas: Westside Drive, Bayside, Bigelow and Northpoint. Clark said that work at Bigelow and Bayside is complete.
“We have to go back to Northpoint in 2018 for another additional dig. But after that, we should be out of there,” he said.
Next year, the Navy will complete a radiological feasibility study for Site 12.
“The feasibility study is key, really, to the open spaces because that is really the most challenging technical question that we have, ‘What is the final remedy to ultimately support property transfer?’” Clark said.
On the chemical remediation front, Clark said, “We are going to go to the northern area of Site 12 for a lot of those small chemical digs. After this is done, we basically should not be going back into the neighborhoods for any remedial action outside of the solid waste disposal area.”
Even as the remediation work draws to a close and state and local health agencies have said that the radiological material and other toxins don’t pose a health risk to the nearly 2,000 residents currently living there, the island’s reputation may forever remain clouded.
“I came to this area from New York about 30 or so years ago, and when I came, word on the street was, ‘No, don’t ever go over to those islands. They are radioactive.’ So I haven’t spent much time here,” said Ruthie Sakheim, who attended the on-island TIDA meeting.
“And I know a whole community has developed here, and I worry about the health of the people here.”
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Two persons are reflected in the FIFA logo at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday. Swiss prosecutors opened criminal proceedings into FIFA’s awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, just hours after seven soccer officials were arrested pending extradition to the U.S. in a separate probe of “rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted” corruption. (Michael Probst/Associated Press)
(Updated at 12:17 p.m. following news conference involving law-enforcement officials in New York )
The U.S. Justice Department unsealed a massive indictment early Wednesday implicating 14 officials associated with soccer across the world — including much of the leadership of FIFA, soccer’s global governing body — in decades of corruption involving bribery, money laundering and fraud associated with how the organization decides where to host the World Cup and its other prestigious soccer events, and how media and marketing deals associated with those tournaments are awarded. Several arrests were dramatically carried out in a five-star resort in Zurich, where FIFA officials are gathered for their annual meeting.
The indictments announced Wednesday centered on media rights and marketing deals associated with FIFA’s tournaments, but federal officials implied crimes may have been committed in connection with the bid process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch described corruption within FIFA as “rampant, systemic and deep-rooted.”
Wednesday’s indictments did not include Sepp Blatter — FIFA’s longtime president, who is expected to be re-elected to a fifth term Friday — and a FIFA spokesman pledged Blatter was not involved with any of the alleged corruption, and that the organization welcomes this investigation. Anyone familiar with FIFA’s reputation will greet these claims with skepticism.
[U.S. indicts world soccer officials in alleged $150 million FIFA bribery scheme]
What happens next?
In a news conference in Brooklyn on Wednesday morning explaining the investigation, several federal law enforcement officials implied more charges could be on the way. While officials including Lynch and FBI Director James B. Comey spoke in Brooklyn, federal agents in Miami were executing a search warrant at the headquarters of CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in North America, Central America and the Caribbean that is associated with FIFA.
While the indictments announced Wednesday are just accusations, and defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty, it is worth noting that two former FIFA officials and the owner of a Brazilian sports marketing company have pleaded guilty and agreed to forfeit millions. While FIFA maintains it welcomes these investigations, with several top officials now facing federal charges, it will be interesting to see if any more defendants agree to plead guilty and turn over more information, which could result in more charges.
“Let me be clear,” said acting U.S. Attorney Kelly T. Currie of the Eastern District of New York, “this indictment is not the final chapter in our investigation.”
Why are U.S. law enforcement agencies pursuing these charges?
Federal law grants law enforcement agencies broad authority to pursue criminal investigations as long as there is some connection to the United States, even a tangential one such as the involvement of a bank, Internet service provider or cell phone company.
“If you touch our shores with your corrupt enterprise … you will be held accountable,” Comey said Wednesday.
Is FIFA that big a deal?
Absolutely. As the governing body for the world’s most popular sport, its political and economic influence is vast. Read this for a full look at the organization’s structure and reach.
If FIFA officials have been involved in decades of corruption as U.S. officials allege, how has it gone on so long without law enforcement involvement?
Good question. A few years ago, FIFA made a move that seemed to indicate a desire for reform. Facing growing criticism after its controversial decisions involving the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, FIFA hired Michael J. Garcia, a former U.S. attorney, as an ethics investigator. Garcia spent more than a year investigating the bidding process, but resigned in protest after he said FIFA officials inaccurately summarized his findings. FIFA refused to release Garcia’s 450-page report, but announced that it found minimal rule violations. Garcia disagreed, alleging he had uncovered “serious and wide-ranging issues” regarding how FIFA awarded those two World Cups.
What does this mean for soccer fans?
The next two World Cups — 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar — were awarded amid widespread accusations of bribery and vote-trading. A FIFA spokesman maintains they will go on as planned. In a fast-moving story now involving criminal investigations on two continents — Swiss authorities announced Wednesday their own investigation of FIFA — it’s unclear if FIFA can really declare with much authority what will happen this week, let alone in 2018 and 2022.
When asked about this Wednesday, Lynch said U.S. officials would not seek to get involved with deciding of future soccer tournaments should be relocated.
If the bribes were paid by rich marketing executives to wealthy soccer officials, who are the victims here?
U.S. taxpayers, for one. Charles Blazer, a former FIFA official who pleaded guilty and cooperated with this investigation, admitted to evading taxes for years, and has paid $1.9 million in restitution. More charges of tax evasion could come. Also: poor children who want to play soccer around the world. Many youth soccer organizations in developing countries depend on FIFA grants, acting U.S. Attorney Currie said Wednesday, so money diverted into the pockets of FIFA officials was money not spent on youth soccer in poorer nations.
Could prominent officials in American sports be implicated?
Federal officials declined to comment specifically Wednesday on anyone not already indicted, but they did allege two anecdotes of interest with ties to the U.S.
Attorney General Lynch accused an unnamed American sportswear company of being involved in a bribery scheme to obtain a sponsorship deal for the Brazilian national team. When a reporter asked her if the unnamed company was Nike – the Oregon-based superbrand that has long had a relationship with Brazil’s soccer team – Lynch declined to comment.
The indictment also alleges $30 million in bribes were paid in connection with the planning for the 2016 Copa America, a soccer tournament scheduled to come to America that year for the first time. Several soccer officials are already charged with crimes connected to that tournament, but more arrests could come. |
In her short segment on This American Life’s Tell Me I’m Fat episode, Roxane Gay explained that fatness has levels. In Gay’s mind, you’re either just-a-little fat, Lane Bryant fat, or super morbidly obese, and your placement on the fat spectrum probably says a lot about the way you experience both your fatness and the fat acceptance movement.
In the fat activism community, we also talk about levels of fatness. The terms we see most often are “smallfats,” “midfats,” and “superfats,” but the lines between these categories are pretty fuzzy. There are good reasons for this—it’s important that we all get to identify the way we choose, and it’s even more important that no one be excluded from a category that they feel they belong in.
There are some rough guidelines, but I am at the very high end of the fatness spectrum, so I’m going to leave the defining of the smallfat and midfat ranges to the people who occupy them. I do want to talk about “superfat” today, though, and how maybe it’s not the last category on the spectrum anymore.
Origins
The term “superfat” has somewhat unclear origins–Google doesn’t exactly have a tool for determining the genesis of subcultural milestones. My educated guess is that it came from “SSBBW,” a term that, like “BBW” has fallen out of favor because it is usually used by men to describe women to whom they are (or aren’t) attracted. So “SSBBW” came from the “supersize” addition to BBW’s “big beautiful women,” and eventually women who felt that they fit into this category began referring to themselves as “supersize.””Superfat” has become the accepted label more recently–more fat women have rejected the idea that we should be labeled based on men’s attraction to our bodies and have abandoned terms like “SSBBW” for their porn-y associations. But “supersize” lasted a long time, even though its definition wasn’t entirely clear.
Nine years ago I was already well into my fat acceptance life, and I was spending most of my free time on an online message board that was wholly dedicated to fatness. I met what would become my best friends and the most important people in my life on that board, and the conversations I had there were the earliest activism-y sparks of what is now The Fat Lip. The board also developed what was, as far as I can tell, the first agreed-upon-by-fat-women definition of “supersize.”
At that time, in late 2007, the moderators and posters of that forum had created a board specifically to discuss supersize issues. The idea was that supersize women should have a venue that was private to discuss sensitive size-related issues. This was before Facebook groups, and there were so many of us who wanted to talk about these things with women who could relate. This board was to be the place where we could do that. Early on, though, it became clear that we needed to come up with some kind of consensus as to who qualified as “supersize” and who should be given access to this board.
Even then we recognized that choosing an arbitrary weight guideline or clothing size as the only qualification for supersizedom was problematic—what about women who technically didn’t weigh enough to qualify but were short? Clothing sizes differ wildly from shop to shop anyway. What about women who didn’t weigh enough but whose body shapes caused limitations similar to what those that plagued their fatter peers? And what about privacy? Should women be forced to prove their weight or explain their struggles in order to participate in an internet message board?
There were no easy answers here, and, trust me, we did not come to our conclusions lightly.
That was a pun. I’m so sorry.
Ultimately, though, we decided that in order to protect the privacy of these women who were desperately seeking a safe space, we’d have to choose a weight threshold. After much debate, we placed that threshold at 350 pounds. Admission to the board was entirely based on an honor system, and those who said they met the weight criteria were automatically allowed in. Those who did not meet the weight threshold were asked to privately appeal to the moderators to explain how their experiences qualified them and how they could both add value to the discussion on this board and benefit from this discussion in their own lives.
And it really worked. We worked through some real supersize shit on that board, and it felt really good to have a place that was hidden from men who might sexualize our struggles and from smaller fats who might judge or pity us for them. Ultimately, that board and the clearly defined label of “supersize” allowed us to identify who among the fat women in our community shared our unique experiences of superfatness.
Today on the Fat Spectrum
I don’t think any of the women that were active on that board then could have predicted (or even dreamed) that not even ten years later conversations about fatness would be getting the mainstream traction that they are today. Back then the fat community was small and sheltered and hidden. Fats were wearing bikinis all over those boards and at social events for at least 20 years before the word “fatkini” ever existed, but everything was behind the protective wall that guarded our little subculture. Now, though, we’re seeing gleeful fat women in bikinis on Buzzfeed and the Cosmo website. Times have definitely changed.
But even though fat women are now basking in the sunlight, modeling for major publications, and making a career of fashion blogging, the spectrum of fatness is still as significant as ever. For one, as fat acceptance and activism has gained more traction, the definition of “fat” has gotten broader. More people of ever more varying sizes are finding a home in fat positive spaces and claiming the fat identity.
And, to be clear, there’s nothing at all wrong with smaller people now identifying as fat. We should all be free to empower ourselves and our bodies in whatever way we choose. If a size 12 wants to call herself fat, that is totally fine by me.
What this stretching of the fatness spectrum does mean, though, is that those of us on the fattest end are pushed further to the margins. If a size 12 (for example—again, not interested in defining a category I don’t occupy) is on the left side of the fat chart, I’m on the far, far right.
I’ve seen some chatter recently about superfats in fat positive conversations. Just this week I was reading a thread about defining levels of fatness in a Facebook group. In it I saw a user saying that superfat starts at 300 pounds or a size 26. And that’s fine! And it’s not entirely far from the parameter we set on that message board nearly ten years ago even. But it made me think about my current body and my current size.
To Infinity
Here’s the thing. If a size 12 is smallfat and a size 26 is superfat, I’m still on the far, far right. In fact, I have no idea what size I even am. At some point past a size 36 or 38, there just ceases to be any clothing. It is the Great Beyond of fashion. If you’re over a size 36, your fashion choices are knitwear and knitwear. Everything is labeled 6X and it either stretches enough to fit you or it doesn’t.
So if 12 is small fat, 20 is midfat, and 26 is superfat, what exactly does that make a size beyond-36? Because the reality is that my body is as similar to a size 26 as that 26’s is to a size 12—that is: not really similar at all. My experiences and struggles are completely different than a 300 pound person’s. I weigh an entire fat person more than that. How can we be in the same fat spectrum category?
Honestly, I don’t know if this is a question that ever gets asked because my feeling is that a lot of fats don’t even know that beyond-36s exist. But we do. And we need fat positivity too.
So here’s what I think: we need a new category. Because I can’t be outraged that a retailer’s offerings stop at a 26 when EVERY retailer COLLECTIVELY stops well before my size. Because I buy two plane tickets not because I’m hanging over the armrest a little but because I have an entire half of an ass cheek with no place to go. Because Torrid’s size 6 fits SOMETIMES but only when everyone else is complaining that the item is way too big to be labeled a 6.
But what should we fats on the very very very fat end of the fat spectrum be called? I humbly propose “infinifat.” Because what size am I? I really have no fucking idea. A size greater than any assignable size number. Infinity?
Look, this all may seem a little silly. I mean, what does it matter? Having a label isn’t going to change my experiences or the way people react to my body or the way clothing manufacturers think about plus sizes. What it does do, though, is create opportunities for the fattest among us to be represented. It acknowledges that you don’t cease to exist once you become too fat for commercially-available clothing. It proclaims to the rest of the fat community that we are here and we are huge and frankly we’d like to see you try to hide us. |
The sale of Whyte & Mackay was forced by UK competition regulators after Diageo, the maker of Guinness and Johnny Walker, bought a controlling stake in Indian drinks group United Spirits. Last month Diageo made a new £1.13bn bid to almost double its stake to 55pc in the Indian company.
United Spirits approved the whisky deal at a London board meeting this afternoon. The agreement still needs UK and Indian regulatory approvals as well as a green light from the Reserve Bank of India.
The £430m price tag values the whisky unit, where half of the revenues come from white-label blends, at roughly 20 times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of £22.3m.
Emperador is the world’s biggest maker of brandy but generates most of its revenues from the Philippines. Its parent company Alliance Global Group, led by billionaire Andrew Tan, has publicly said that it wants to control a third of the global brandy market in four years.
Analysts have raised concerns that the acquisition might be a gamble for the Emperador as it will be unchartered territory for the company and the Philippines population may not have the taste for Whyte & Mackay.
Advisors at Rothschild led the sale process alongside Rabobank and Standard Chartered and originally allowed suitors to make bids for part or all of the business including offers for premium Scottish Dalmore single malt whisky, known for its stag’s head logo, within their bids for Whyte & Mackay.
However it is understood that it was decided too complicated to evaluate bids on a stripped-out basis. According to sources three bidders remained in the process until Emperador's knock-out offer.
Interested bidders for the scotch that was founded on the docks of Glasgow in 1884 had included rival drinks companies such as Pernod, Remy Cointreau and Campari, private equity groups such as TPG and South African drinks tycoon Vivian Imerman, the former owner of Whyte & Mackay.
Mr Imerman took control of Whyte & Mackay in 2005 through a buy-out with his former brother-in-law, the property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz. He sold the 169-year-old distiller two years later to United Spirits for £595m, a deal that reportedly made him £396m.
Mr Imerman, nicknamed “the man from Del Monte”, has previously said that the scotch whisky brand would make “an important addition” to the spirits and beer business he has built up in Africa and Asia. |
An independent film about a young reporter who is sent back to their hometown to investigate a murder is being filmed right here in Central Alberta next month.
Executive Producer of the film, "Cor Values" Dean Busch, who is originally from the Red Deer area, said he always wanted to work here at home, which will be used as a substitute for a small town in Idaho.
Busch says the director of the film fell in love with the area.
“I was working on a project earlier this year, and I met Gilbert Allen who is the director of this film, and he had mentioned it to me, and asked me about some locations and what not, so he came down and toured around, and he just said ‘This is it, this is the place I want to shoot this movie’”.
They will be filming in areas in Springbrook, Red Deer, and right here in Lacombe.
Filming starts on November 1st, and they are looking for volunteers in a number of capacities, including as extras in the film.
Busch says a few local companies have signed up to be scene locations in the film.
“We’ve got a motel that’s helping us out, we got a couple of restaurants that are helping us out, and just some other locations. We’re hoping to get one of the golf courses to help us out because we got a scene out there. I can’t say too much about that other than once I get them signed you’ll be able to go to the website and see who is participating.”
For more information on how to get involved, you can check out their website, Reyjaxmedia.com, and send them an email regarding this film.
(Poster courtesy Dean Busch) |
After receiving a series of teasers, we finally get a full look at the NikeLab’s upcoming ACG 2017 summer collection. With help from ACRONYM’s Errolson Hugh, NikeLab created yet another collection that looks to bring function and fashion together. The latest collection is comprised of a poncho, convertible shirt jacket, pullover hoodie, cargo pant, cargo short, fleece short and more. But the most standout item from the collection has to be the ACG.07.KMTR footwear model. Crafted for the urban commuter, the shoe features a laceless upper constructed of a water-resistant textile material, magnetic heel closure and bold lockdown toggles that fully expresses the functional aesthetic of NikeLab’s ACG line. Retailing between $119 USD and $295 USD, NikeLab’s ACG 2017 summer collection will be available May 18 from retailers like END.
Also, make sure to check out our on feet look at the ACG.07.KMTR from the collection. |
First, some fire fighters' unions spoke out against presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. Now a police officers' union is totally anti-Rudy.
The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch issued a statement blaming the former mayor for not giving cops raises ("zeroes for heroes" contract) and essentially creating the recruiting/retainment problems the NYPD has. And then there's what the PBA thinks about Giuliani's 9/11 record:
Giuliani has wrapped himself firmly in the cloak of 9/11 for his own political purposes. But the real heroes of 9/11, those who helped to evacuate those towers and lived to tell the tale and all those who participated in the recovery and cleanup, know the truth. Rudy Giuliani has no real credentials as a terrorism fighter. His only credentials lie in managing the cleanup after a terror attack. The New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association could never support Rudy Giuliani for any elected office.
That's gotta hurt! Giuliani's campaign response ? "Mayor Giuliani continues to have strong support from the law enforcement community, which knows his long record of supporting New York’s Police Department and working with the department to make New York the safest large city in America." Where's the mention of Bernard Kerik
Image from Crosswalks Television |
Las Vegas, Nevada – March 26, 2014 – STUDIOCOAST PTY LTD, creator of the Live Production and Streaming Software vMix, has released version 12 ahead of NAB 2014.
New features include live 4K support, Twitter and Facebook integration, playback of additional professional formats including ProRes and support for the Matrox VS4 HD input card.
“This year we will be showcasing 4K, a first for software based live production” says vMix developer Martin Sinclair, “4K support demonstrates the power available in vMix, even if you’re only using HD”. vMix pricing starts from $55 USD for Basic HD up to $630 USD for vMix 4K.
vMix staff will be at the VMIX - STUDIOCOAST PTY LTD booth (C8312) throughout the show demonstrating live 4K production and Twitter integration on a portable production box starting from $7000.
Social Media integration is also available through the new vMix Social app. vMix Social enables producers to send Tweets and Facebook comments directly to live on air graphics and lower thirds. Content can be selected from a tablet or smart phone or sent automatically.
“Live streaming productions have become increasingly interactive, and social media integration is one of the major things our customers have been asking for” says Martin.
Included with this press release is an Ultra HD snapshot of a vMix live production. It simultaneously demonstrates both the 4K ability and vMix Social.
Hardware support has also been expanded with the addition of the Matrox VS4. The versatile VS4 card enables input of up to 4 HD-SDI sources which can then be mixed together and individually recorded.
Users can download and try vMix and vMix Social for free today by visiting WWW.VMIX4K.COM
STUDIOCOAST PTY LTD is a multimedia software development and web services company based on the Gold Coast, Australia.
Contact:
Martin Sinclair
[email protected]
Unit 3 / 79 West Burleigh Road
Burleigh Heads, QLD, 4220
Australia
Ultra HD Snapshot: |
Ever since Yalonda and Kayla Solseng met back in March 2014, they've been living their own real-life fairy tale. The couple recently told the Huffington Post that when they met, it was love at first sight and fairy tales seemed to be a theme throughout their courtship. On their first date, they connected over their mutual love for the show Once Upon A Time. After nine months together, Yalonda popped the question to Kayla by giving her a homemade book recounting their personal love story. She had written and illustrated it herself.Seeing as fairy tales had played such a huge role in their relationship, there seemed to be no better way to celebrate their engagement than with a Disney Princess-themed photo shoot. The session took place in June at Romantic Moon Events Center in Glyndon, MN. Kayla dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Yalonda dressed as Cinderella.In their gorgeous costumes, the women put a romantic, modern-day spin on two classic Disney characters. The couple was photographed by Taylor Snyder of Taylor Snyder Art & Photography and Erin Miller of Sun & Moon Photography The life-affirming photos were shared by the LGBT Facebook page Have A Gay Day . Since being shared back in July, the post has been liked over 17,000 times and share by 8,776 times — and we can see why. Take a look for yourself, here. |
Dealing with people who exhibit passive-aggressive behavior is easily one of the most challenging aspects of our social lives. Here’s what you need to know about this annoying personality quirk and how you can handle people who express their hostility in indirect and backhanded ways.
Interacting with passive-aggressive (PA) people is something many of us are all too familiar with. As a behavior, it manifests in many different ways — some of them quite backhanded and subtle — which can make it difficult to recognize.
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Simply put, passive-aggressiveness is a way of expressing hostility, albeit through typically muted, seemingly apathetic, and indirect channels of negative behavior. It can involve everything from the passive resistance of everyday social and work-related tasks (e.g. procrastination, learned helplessness, deliberate inefficiency, and forgetfulness) through to stubbornness, resentment, and contradictory behavior (e.g. appearing to be enthusiastic about something, but purposefully acting in a way that’s unhelpful and sometimes damaging).
Though no longer recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a formal personality disorder (more on this later), it’s something we all have to deal with — both as something that happens to us, and as something we do to others. While it’s crucial to avoid the pathologization of every single behavior that makes us feel bad, threatened, or irritated, it’s important that we still be able to recognize PA behavior when it happens, and understand the most effective ways to deal with it.
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But before we get into that, let’s take a look at the rather surprising history of this thing we call passive-aggressive behavior.
‘Willful Incompetence’
Passive-aggressive behavior was first documented during the Second World War when it was used to describe soldiers who refused to comply with their officers’ demands. A 1945 U.S. War Department memo complained about soldiers who were shirking duty through willful incompetence. These soldiers weren’t being openly defiant, noted the memo, but they were expressing their aggressiveness “by passive measures, such as pouting, stubbornness, procrastination, inefficiency, and passive obstructionism.” The War Department construed their behavior as an “immaturity” and a reaction to “routine military stress.”
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Over the course of the following decade, this terminology took hold in the military medical literature — and was then passed on to the American psychology community at large. As noted by Northwestern University psychologist Christopher Lane:
Having logged the quirks of servicemen, however, psychiatrists soon began applying the same charges virtually unaltered to civilians. As it readied the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for publication in 1952, the APA simply copied the relevant phrases from the military memo and gave them diagnostic codes. Indeed, it adopted the same practice for a large number of behaviors and ailments, making the temporary frustration of the U.S. War Department a basis for establishing lasting pathologies in the population at large.
So, instead of being concerned about soldiers’ disobedience, the APA applied the concept to conflicts at work and home. Psychologists began to construe struggles in the workplace or family as aggressiveness meted out “by passive measures, such as pouting, stubbornness, procrastination, inefficiency, and passive obstruction.”
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The effect of this was more sinister than it might appear on first glance. The APA was turning fairly common behaviors into actual disorders of personality; “reactions” to many conflicts were defined as symptoms of “personality,” which were in turn assessed as being pathologic. As Lane explains, the
APA soon broadcast that the businessman or housewife with a “passive aggressive personality” revealed a pathologic “trait disturbance.” Marking a clear deviation from normalcy, their behavior was thus a syndrome that might recur if left untreated. The APA was not simply overdramatizing routine behaviors; it was relabeling them malfunctions of biology and neurology, the direction in which American psychiatry overall was heading.
By DSM II, published in 1968, the APA was defining mental illnesses as lifelong conditions that were independent of the contexts in which bad ‘traits’ were surfacing. Such behaviors were considered maladaptive, and psychologists took the stance these conditions should be treated. Adding insult to injury, the second DSM added two sentences that significantly increased the probability of (mis)diagnosis:
This behavior commonly reflects hostility which the individual feels he dare not express openly. Often the behavior is one expression of the patient’s resentment at failing to find gratification in a relationship with an individual or institution upon which he is over-dependent. (APA, 1968, p. 44, code 301.81)
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In the words of Lane, “Not only had the DSM outlawed pouting, then; it left large numbers of people with unfulfilling jobs vulnerable to a psychiatric diagnosis, too.”
The standard was thus set. For nearly four decades, “passive-aggressive personality disorder” (PAPD) was considered a formal DSM pathology.
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It was finally dropped from the DSM-IV in 1994. After much debate, it was agreed that, as a personality disorder, it was too narrow, situational, and behavioral to warrant a full-blown diagnosis. What’s more, the APA didn’t think there was enough scientific evidence to back it as a distinct disorder and that it significantly overlapped with other disorders.
Instead, the disorder was diluted, renamed Negativistic Personality Disorder (NEGPD), and appendicized in the DSM for future consideration and study. Symptoms continued to include passive resistance to routine social or work tasks, complaints of being misunderstood, a disdain for authority, envy, and resentment. But under the new name, it could also include negative moods and other non-specific personality issues.
Calls for a Return
Since then, some psychologists have expressed their dissatisfaction with the omission.
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Psychologists Christopher Hopwood and Aidan G. C. Wright say the re-classification and focus on “negativistic ideas” has done much to undermine and undervalue the condition formerly known as PAPD. They claim that the focus on negativity, both in PAPD and NEGPD, has both altered and diminished the usefulness of the concept at the clinical level.
To back their claim, the researchers recruited 1,453 undergraduates who were asked to complete the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire that corresponds to the DSM. Results showed that the change from PAPD to NEGPD was “substantial” and that the diagnostic criteria has become way too broad. The researchers would like to see Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder returned to its former status, along with a renewed research focus on the core dimensions of passive aggressive personality, including “irresponsible behavior, inner feelings of inadequacy and need for acknowledgment, and ruminative resentment about and contempt for authority figures.”
A 2009 study in the journal Psychiatry reached a similar conclusion, arguing that “PAPD is a useful clinical construct that deserves careful consideration in clinical assessment and may merit further consideration in discussions of [personality disorders].
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With all due respect to these studies, it’s safe to say that PA behavior is problematic and annoying. But whether it deserves to be defined as a bona fide mental illness — and subsequent stigmatization in society at large — seems debatable. Calls to restore its place as a formal pathology are indicative of the struggles of psychiatry to justify its (often qualitative, normative) definitions of mental illness. It’s important to draw a line between pathologizing PA behavior and figuring out how to deal with difficult individuals in one’s life. What’s more, it risks pathologizing compliant defiance in the face of authority, whether it be work-to-rule actions, the Occupy Movement, or (sadly) a potentially abusive home or work environment.
Recognizing Passive-Aggressive Behavior
All this said, there’s no denying that passive-aggressive behavior exists and that it poses a challenge for many of us in our daily lives. Though expressed in different ways, it typically involves non-verbal aggression that manifests as negative behavior. Examples include answering “yes” or “no” to an either/or question, deliberately “forgetting” to send an email attachment, or avoiding communication when there’s clearly something important or problematic to be discussed and resolved (storming off or leaving notes are prime examples).
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An article from the New York Times offers some other real-world examples:
A 45-year-old college instructor in Hawaii recently broke off a long relationship with a man she said was a “wonderful, devoted listener, an extremely sensitive person.” But in time, she said, it was apparent that he was also passive-aggressive. On one occasion, she said, he gave away her seat on an airplane while she was finding a storage compartment for her luggage, saying he thought she had taken another seat. On others, he would arrive home early from work and finish off meals they normally shared, without explanation. And when he was in one of his moods, the listening ceased; she may as well not have been in the room.
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As noted in the NYT post, one of the most challenging things about living/coping with a passive-aggressive person is that one struggles to understand what they did wrong.
According to Out Of the FOG, a website for family members of people with personality disorders, PA behavior looks like this:
Withdrawal - of material support, contribution to shared goals, Re-prioritizing alternate activities and goals, “go-slow’s”, procrastination or targeted incompetence. Silent Treatment - inappropriate “one-word” answers, inattention, making yourself generally “unavailable”. Off-line Criticism - propagating gossip or criticism to a third party in an attempt to negatively influence the third party’s opinion of a person. Sarcasm, Critical and “Off-Color” Jokes - Humor which targets a specific individual is a form of Passive-Aggressive communication. Indirect Violence - shows-of-strength such as destruction of property, slamming doors, cruelty to animals in the sight of another is passive-aggressive.
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The APA says PA can be detected by four (or more) of the following behavioral traits:
The passive resistance of fulfilling routine social and work tasks
Constant complaints about being misunderstood and unappreciated by others
Sullen and argumentative moods
Frequent and unreasonable criticisms of authority
The expression of envy and resentment towards those apparently more fortunate
Exaggerated and persistent complaints about personal misfortune
Toggling between hostile defiance and contrition
As an aside, passive-aggressive personalities often bear resemblance to pathological narcissism, including the expression of such traits as an exaggerated sense of self worth, lack of impulse control, an inability to empathize, and a sense of entitlement.
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Causes and Risk Factors
The precise causes of passive-aggressive behavior are not known, but it’s likely on account of both environmental and social factors.
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In a 2001 study, the heritability of passive-aggressiveness was estimated at 50% in school-age twins (a highly contentious conclusion, to be sure). It has also been associated with a number of social/environmental factors, including ineffective parenting behavior, child abuse, harsh and apathetic parenting, and neglect.
Perhaps counterintuitively, PA behavior also occurs in people who have grown up in loving but demanding families. Benedict Carey from the New York Times explains:
First-born children are prime candidates, [says Dr. Lorna Benjamin, co-director of a clinic at the University of Utah’s Neuropsychiatric Institute in Salt Lake City]. [W]hen younger siblings are born, the oldest may suddenly be expected to take on far more extra work than he or she can handle, and over time begin to resent parents’ demands without daring to defy them. This hostile cooperation is at the core of passive-aggression, she and other researchers say, and in later in life it is habitually directed at any authority figure, whether a boss, a teacher or a spouse making demands. These passive-aggressive people, Dr. Benjamin said, “are full of unacknowledged contradiction, of angry kindness, compliant defiance, covert assertiveness.”
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In terms of risk factors, PAPD has been associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse.
As noted, it also shares characteristics with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). This is interesting because NPD has been linked to fear and decision making processes. Both conditions (such as they are) are characterized by avoidance. In the case of NPD, it’s the fear of dark and negative self-experiences; in the case of PA, it’s the avoidance of direct confrontation and the preference for passive, hostile acts.
Neurologically, there may be something going on in the amygdala, the part of the brain that controls processes like the detection of emotionally arousing and relevant stimuli. There may also be a connection to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for control and our ability to act in socially appropriate ways. Biological alterations or damage could contribute to any number of socially problematic behavioral patterns.
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Dealing with Passive-Aggressive People
In order to deal with passive-aggressive people, it’s important to know why they’re acting that way.
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Here are seven reasons why people use PA behavior, according to Signe Whitson:
Anger is socially unacceptable Sugarcoated hostility is socially acceptable Passive aggression is easier than assertiveness, and a sign of immaturity Passive aggression is easily rationalized Revenge is sweet: “Because it can be difficult to ‘catch in the act’ and often impossible to discipline according to standard HR protocols, passive aggressive behavior often exists as the perfect office crime.” PA behavior is convenient, allows one to avoid an actual fight PA behavior can be powerful, allowing the perpetrator to channel their own anger and frustrations through the reactions of their target
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Living, working, and interacting with passive-aggressive people is not fun. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to intervene.
First, it’s critical that you identify passive-aggressive behavior when it happens. This isn’t always easy by virtue of the act itself, which is meant to be indirect. Things to look for include people who avoid an argument, fight, or conflict at all costs, being put into “never win” scenarios, constantly having to please a person by telling them what they want to hear, and listening to incessants complaints that “no one wants to know how I feel” or “understand how I feel.”
Second, you need to look at your own behavior and how you’ve been dealing with the passive-aggressive behavior directed towards you. Specifically, it’s important to evaluate whether you’ve contributed to the conflict and determine if your actions have worked to either escalate or de-escalate the confrontation. (At the same time — and this is not easy — it’s important that you not feel responsible for another person’s PA words or actions.)
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The College of Education + Human Development says that:
One good reflection of what works and does not work are your feelings after a conflict. If you end up feeling helpless, powerless, angry, and confused, your methods have not worked and you should change them. If you end up feeling calm, the [PA person] has regained composure and you believe that they may have learned something to help improve behavior, your methods are an effective way of dealing with [them]. In short, drop what is not working and identify methods which are working.
Other tips: Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated, stay emotionally calm, and don’t respond with your own set of passive-aggressive tactics. Also, do something healthy and productive for yourself.
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Another way to deal with passive-aggressive people is to disarm them with honesty and focus the conversation on the real issue. Writing in her blog, Trulia, Mallory Carra says we should open up communication immediately rather than storming off or engaging in reciprocal passive-aggressive behaviors. She quotes marriage and family therapist Lisa Bahar who says:
Generally, the feeling that you feel from the individual that is acting out passive-aggressive can give you some information on what they are trying to communicate; however, the goal is to not trouble yourself with reading into the implied message. The idea is to communicate in an assertive way. Be matter of fact, avoid gossip, cold shoulders, huffing and puffing.
Indeed, sometimes it’s best to initiate the conversation and tell the other person that they can always speak directly to you if they have an issue. The practice of leaving notes or hinting at things in an obfuscating or abstract way doesn’t really help the situation.
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It’s also important to realize that you probably won’t be able to change the person. What you can do, however, is establish the normative parameters as it relates to your interactions with them. Your PA friends, co-workers, and family members may eventually learn that the best way to engage with you and address contentious issues is to avoid passive-aggressive behaviors in favor of more direct methods. But this will only be possible over time and with great patience and consistency on your part. That said, it’s important to model constructive behavior, hand out heaps of positive reinforcement, and cooperate and negotiate in ways that’s fair to both of you.
Additional reporting by Levi Gadye.
This article originally appeared at io9 on January 22, 2015.
Sources: NYT (2) | APA: DSM5 | C. J. Hopwood et al.: “The Construct Validity of Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder” 2009 | CEHD | C. Lane: “The Surprising History of Passive-Aggressive Disorder” 2009 | Out of the FOG |
George Bluth is portrayed by Jeffrey Tambor and appears in 69 episodes of Arrested Development. He is last seen in "Premature Independence."
About
George Oscar Bluth, Sr. (also known as Prisoner # 1881372911) is the patriarch of the Bluth family and the founder of the Bluth Company. While running his real estate empire for five decades he stole exorbitant amounts of money and unlawfully built houses in Iraq for Saddam Hussein. He was incarcerated for a year, on the lam (living in an attic) for a year, and under house arrest for several months before his exoneration.
George is married to Lucille Bluth and is the biological father to Michael Bluth and G.O.B., adopted father to Lindsay Bluth Fünke and Annyong Bluth, and legal guardian and father/uncle to Buster Bluth.
Career and incarceration
George Bluth founded the Bluth Company in 1953 and proceeded to grow it into a real estate powerhouse in Newport Beach, California. He didn't do so entirely legally or morally, and in his 50 years as CEO and president George fired his identical twin brother Oscar, ("Missing Kitty") systematically replaced the entire staff with younger, cheaper employees, ("Family Ties") and worked with Saddam Hussein for a quick buck. ("The One Where Michael Leaves")
On the day of his retirement party George was arrested by the SEC for defrauding investors, petty theft, and grand theft by using the company as his personal piggy bank. ("Pilot") He was also under investigation for "light treason" regarding his dealings in Iraq. ("Shock and Aww") George briefly enjoyed his incarceration at Orange County Prison but eventually fled to Mexico by faking a heart attack. ("Let 'Em Eat Cake") He then fakes his own death and retreated to hide in the attic of the model home. ("Good Grief") Word got out that he was still alive so he shaved Oscar's head and had him arrested, while he fled to Reno to be a member of the Blue Man Group. ("Righteous Brothers") He was then put under house-arrest at Balboa Towers, under the watchful gaze of his wife Lucille. ("For British Eyes Only")
George was exonerated of all crimes after it was discovered he was hired by a British syndicate hired by the CIA to build model homes in Iraq to spy on Saddam Hussein. ("Exit Strategy") He couldn't stay out of trouble and soon found himself planning on exploiting the US government as they tried to build a wall between the US and Mexico. ("Borderline Personalities")
Side businesses
A talented businessman, George Bluth is also the inventor of The Cornballer, a faulty product which has been banned in numerous countries. Despite this, he still sells them in Mexico. ("Bringing Up Buster") Some of the Cornballers were turned into Babytock units which taught babies perfect rhythm. ("It Gets Better") George is also the founder of Bluth's Original Frozen Banana Stand, an idea he stole from a Korean immigrant in 1953. ("Development Arrested") George also filmed and sold a series of Boyfights films of his sons brawling. ("Making a Stand")
While in prison, George attempts to monetize the newfound Jewish "faith" by distributing a series of Caged Wisdom tapes and Bluth Banana Jail Bars. ("Marta Complex")
Religion
George has also had two religious awakenings in his life. The first was becoming Jewish after a brief period of isolation in prison. He then cuts off part of his left shoe and wears it as a yarmulke and quotes fake scripture to his family. His new divine way of life causes the guards to fear him but annoys Lucille. ("Storming the Castle") His newfound Judaism helps him cope with prison life, and he even attempts to evangelize to others in prison. ("Staff Infection") He is a self-taught Jew so he makes up a lot of the religious Dogma as he goes along.
He later becomes a Christian after reading a pamphlet left by Ann in a garbage bag while hiding in the attic. ("Shock and Aww")
Personality
George is an extremely manipulative individual. On multiple occasions he has proved himself very willing to endanger or even sacrifice his children if it is to his benefit, including turning Michael and G.O.B. against each other. ("Making a Stand") He is also serial poisoner, dubbed by the media as "The Muffin Man". He used poisoned muffins to intimidate the teachers of his children in the 1970s, and later his grandchildren in the 2000s. ("S.O.B.s")
He has a soft spot for ice cream sandwiches and Franklin but is usually sarcastic and demeaning to other people. After years of being gruff and harsh, George's testosterone levels began to plummet and he eventuall found he wanted to live his life as a woman. ("Double Crossers")
Family
George has a deep-seated loathing for his twin brother Oscar. Partly because he is jealous that Oscar has hair while he does not. George stole Lucille from Oscar ("Switch Hitter") and although he loves her, he is afraid of how controlling she can be. ("Development Arrested") He has had several affairs on Lucille, most notably with his assistant Kitty.
George doesn't respect his oldest son G.O.B.'s magic career and often asks him to do reckless or dangerous tasks, knowing he'll obey because he wants to prove himself,("Charity Drive") but identifies him as having "charm", trusts him on occasion with dirty work, and overall seems to love him more than Lucille does. He respects Michael's business abilities but has never told him, as a motivation technique. ("Switch Hitter") He arguably gets along with Michael better than his other kids, though they butt heads often. He is proud of his daughter Lindsay's looks but has never thought of her as having any other respectable qualities. ("My Mother, the Car") He deeply dislikes Buster, perhaps because he knows Buster is not his biological son. ("Bringing Up Buster")
Character history
Season One
George is arrested at his retirement party for defrauding Bluth Company investors by using the company as his personal piggy bank. ("Pilot") George is evasive when Michael tries to learn the location of the family storage unit, so Michael burns down the banana stand to teach him a lesson. Unfortunately George was not able to get the message across that "there's always money in the banana stand!" ("Top Banana") Michael seeks his father's parenting advice, but George has been busy with prison life, such as strip poker. ("Bringing Up Buster") G.O.B. tries to connect with his father while incarcerated as a publicity stunt, but G.O.B. is stabbed by White Power Bill. ("Key Decisions")
George convinces G.O.B. to sneak into a permit office to file some late permits. ("Charity Drive") George tells Michael "daddy horny" so Michael arranges a conjugal visit between him and Lucille. George arranges a conjugal visit from his assistant/mistress Kitty and G.O.B. must distract Kitty. ("Visiting Ours") George is released from prison for one day to participate in the Living Classics Pageant as God. He tries to escape but is caught. ("In God We Trust") Lindsay starts visiting George in prison but turns no heads. She eventually starts wearing a SLUT shirt and George pleads with her to stop, as he has been paying off his fellow inmates to not look at her. ("My Mother, the Car")
George converts to Judaism after being locked in solitary for his escape attempt. He is, for the first time in his life, supportive of Buster. ("Storming the Castle") When Michael wants to teach his son a lesson about marijuana, George refuses to lend him J. Walter Weatherman, and instead uses the one-armed man to teach Michael a lesson about teaching lessons. ("Pier Pressure") George videocalls into a family PR meeting, but gives Judaism lessons to fellow inmates instead. ("Public Relations") Lucille visits George in prison and he suggests his line of Caged Wisdom tapes to keep her company. ("Marta Complex")
George is taken to the courthouse for his arraignment and upon hearing his full list of charges decides to flee but accidentally ends up in a cell. ("Beef Consommé") George is approached by SEC mole Cindi Lightballoon who attempts to get him to confide in her. ("Shock and Aww") Tobias is admitted to George's prison to prepare for the role of Frightened Inmate #2 and George trades him to White Power Bill for a pack of cigarettes. ("Staff Infection") Cindi, now really in love with George, tells him that she knows for a fact he can get out of prison, but he finds out she mistook a blooper on his Caged Wisdom videos and opts to take a plea bargain. ("Altar Egos")
G.O.B. steals a binder of evidence from Michael (who is carrying it for Maggie Lizer) and George asks G.O.B. to break into her house to steal more evidence. ("Justice Is Blind") George and Tobias come face to face when Tobias is named "Dorothy" in the prison after kitting White Power Bill. George tells him he resents him for taking his daughter away. ("Missing Kitty") George throws G.O.B. a bachelor party with an ulterior motive: to frame Bluth Company accountant Ira Gilligan with a fake murder so he won't testify about missing funds. ("Best Man for the Gob")
George asks Michael to give his twin Oscar a little bit of money but Michael gives him $10,000 for a lousy lemon grove. Michael tries to blame George or the shoddy deal but George Michael and Maeby give up the game when they visit George in prison. ("Whistler's Mother") George grows angry when he finds out from Buster that Lucille is seeing Oscar. ("Not Without My Daughter") George is submitted to a lie detector test and gives himself an injection of medicine to fake a heart attack at the last minute. He and Kitty escape from the hospital to Mexico. ("Let 'Em Eat Cake")
Season Two
When Tobias is admitted to the hospital, George, disguised as Oscar, steals the briefcase of evidence G.O.B. found in the wall of the Bluth Company offices. ("The One Where Michael Leaves") Kitty and George wait in a Mexican hotel room until George flees to call Michael. He is arrested and held for illegal distribution of The Cornballer in Mexico. ("The One Where They Build a House") A fake funeral for George is held in Mexico which his sons don't notice when they try to find him. ("¡Amigos!") George pays off the police to fake his death and escapes back to Newport Beach and hides in a hole in the ground. George Michael finds him and hides him in the model home's attic. Ice tells the Bluth family that George has been killed so they hold a wake for him. Michael discovers a box of Glisten in the dirt and finds his father in the attic and tells his family he is alive and has escaped. ("Good Grief")
After seeing Lucille with Oscar at his wake, George tells Michael he will turn himself in if his wife is in love with his twin brother. Both Michael and George learn that Lucille is, in fact, in love with Oscar but Michael's care for George keeps him in hiding. ("Sad Sack") George makes Michael concerned that George Michael is pulling away from him. ("Afternoon Delight") George sneaks out of the attic to be an umpire at a Bluth Company softball game against Sitwell Enterprises. ("Switch Hitter") He tries to talk Michael out of getting a company car, and critiques some of Maeby's assigned screenplays. ("Queen for a Day")
Still jealous of Oscar, George tries to console himself by buying a hot tub for the attic, but the steam causes him to pass out in exhaustion. ("Burning Love") George suggests Michael call Jack Dorso to raise some sudden cash for the Bluth Company. ("Ready, Aim, Marry Me") George orders Michael to forbid Buster to go to army. George then sneaks into Balboa Towers and tells him the same directive, but Buster thinks he is Oscar and questions who he real father is. ("Out on a Limb") George sneaks out and test drives a Ford Escape. ("Hand to God") George begins having tea parties in the attic and is interrupted by Tobias, whom he begins coaching on how to portray him in Scandalmakers. ("Motherboy XXX")
After getting stuck next to a hot water pipe for a day, George converts to Christianity and refuses to help Michael help George Michael win a student council election. ("The Immaculate Election") George records a video for Bluth Company employees and has Tobias deliver it to the office. The FBI gets ahold of it and thinks he is in Iraq. ("Sword of Destiny")
When G.O.B. heads to the attic to retrieve Franklin, George tasks him with kidnapping Lucille and taking them to the Church of the Good Shepherd to renew their wedding vows. He flees when the police arrive. ("Meat the Veals") After watching Scandalmakers Kitty finds George in the attic and locks him in a hotel room during Spring Break. Michael and G.O.B. break in and rescue him. ("Spring Breakout") Out of brotherly love, G.O.B. knocks out George and prepares to turn him in to the police. G.O.B. discovers Michael lied about listening to Franklin Comes Alive! so the brothers fight on the courthouse lawn. George arrives and turns himself in. In the bathroom, he shaves Oscar's head and switches clothes, and escapes yet again. ("Righteous Brothers")
Season Three
George has fled to Reno and is a performer in the Blue Man Group. When Michael discovers that Oscar is imprisoned in George's place George drives the family cabin off with his son and grandson inside. ("The Cabin Show") Michael convinces the authorities to put George under house arrest in Balboa Towers where he becomes the sexual prisoner of Lucille. He pleads with Michael that he is innocent of his treason charges and was set up by a British syndicate. He has G.O.B. perform a Free Chicken illusion at the courthouse to help him escape, but G.O.B., afraid of Steve Holt, flees instead. Michael pleads "not guilty" and decides to find out the truth. ("For British Eyes Only")
To circumvent his house arrest, George hires surrogate Larry Middleman to represent him in Bluth family meetings. He tries to escape from the apartment via balloons tied to a chair. ("Forget-Me-Now") As community service, George gives a "Startled Straight" talk to young gay men (instead of the intended at-risk youth) at the Church and State Fair. He tries to flee in the fake Popemobile. ("Notapusy") George has Larry represent him at a family meeting but gets bored and grabs an ice cream sandwich. He tries to escape the apartment through a hole behind the refrigerator but gets stuck in the walls. ("Mr. F")
When Michael tells his parents he is marrying Rita, George thinks it is because she is after Bluth family money. Later he and Lucille find out Rita is a millionaire and an MRF and they try to rush the wedding. When Larry reveals the fact they knew she was mentally challenged George fires him. ("The Ocean Walker") Lucille flirts with Warden Stefan Gentles and stages the annual TBA fundraiser at the Orange County Prison to get the combination to George's ankle monitor. After he escapes, he heads to the prison to claim his wife before Warden Gentiles can make a move. ("Prison Break-In")
When George has G.O.B. build a Banana Shack to launder Colombian money, G.O.B. and Michael try to teach him a lesson about pitting them against each other by faking his kidnapping. He hires J. Walter Weatherman to scare them in return but they are one step ahead of him. ("Making a Stand") George suggests his family through a party to ask for legal fund donations. ("S.O.B.s")
George participates in the filming of the Mock Trial with J. Reinhold episode and is proven wrong by Michael, whom he had no faith in to act as their lawyer. ("Fakin' It") George tries to have another "Black Friday" at the Bluth Company by erasing all company computers, but Michael discovers his old files of Nellie. ("Family Ties") George send G.O.B. to Iraq to burn down some model homes, and pretends to go into a coma to escape his looming trial. In Iraq his sons discover he was set up by the CIA to monitor Saddam Hussein. ("Exit Strategy") An exoneration party is thrown for George after the CIA forgives him of all charges. Lucille is in turn arrested for masterminding his thieving. George stows about The C-Word and absconds to Cabo with Michael and George Michael. ("Development Arrested")
Season four
After his exoneration party, George finds out that Stan Sitwell has landed a government contract to build a wall between the US and Mexico. George finds out that Oscar and his friends are living on some land on the border and buys it so he can gouge the government when they want to build the wall. Lucille suggests they build the wall themselves. As they wait for the project to start, George and Oscar start a "sweat and squeeze" at Father B.'s Colony to make money, where wealthy CEOs visit for "enlightenment" but George squeezes them for $15,000 for a glass of lemonade. ("Borderline Personalities")
After discovering he owes $15 million on the land, George bribes Herbert Love to build the wall. He then discovers the land is entirely in Mexico so he tries to get Michael to stop Love from supporting the wall. He also meets with Dr. Norman as he is feeling impotent. At Cinco de Cuatro George finds out from Dr. Norman he has no testosterone. ("Double Crossers") He also tells Lucille that occasionally he and Oscar had been swapping out so she demands a divorce. ("Queen B.")
He finds Lindsay's red wig in the garbage at Cinco and goes back to the penthouse to start his new life as a woman. ("Double Crossers")
George's two focal episodes in Season Four were "Borderline Personalities" and "Double Crossers". He also appears in "Flight of the Phoenix", "The B. Team", "A New Start", "Colony Collapse", "Red Hairing", "Queen B.", "Señoritis", "It Gets Better", and "Blockheads".
Season five
George Bluth appears in Season Five and is dealing with suicidal thoughts because of the loss of his libido.
Trivia
The character of George Bluth was originally only supposed to appear in "Pilot" but Mitch Hurwitz was so thrilled that Jeffrey Tambor was interested that he made the character a full fledged member of the main cast.
George appears in all 53 episodes of the first three seasons of Arrested Development as well as the fifth season. In Season Four, he does not appear in "Indian Takers", "Smashed", "A New Attitude", and "Off the Hook".
Images
→ See 526 pictures of George Bluth at Images of George Bluth.
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Videos
→ Watch more videos of George Bluth at Category:Videos of George Bluth |
'Pride And Prejudice' Meets 'Clue' At 'Pemberley'
During the 50-plus years that Agatha Christie actively reigned as "The Queen of Crime," it became something of a tradition in England to give one of her novels as a holiday present; in fact, she and her publishers popularized the slogan "A Christie for Christmas." Dame Agatha died in 1976, but the association of murder most foul and the yuletide season lingers.
This year, British mystery lovers in particular have a glorious plum pudding of a whodunit awaiting them. P.D. James has taken up the challenge of feeding readers' holiday hunger for homicide. What's even more tantalizing is the fact that James' latest mystery is also a tribute, of sorts, to one of her most cherished authors, Jane Austen. James' new novel is called Death Comes to Pemberley: Think Pride and Prejudice meets "Clue."
To enjoy this mystery — which I did, enormously — you must take it on its own terms: Death Comes to Pemberley is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, written in the spirit of what Graham Greene famously called "an entertainment." James is having fun in her own intelligent, literate way, and this novel is an invitation to her readers to join in the revels.
In so many ways, James and Austen are suspense sisters under the skin. Money, one of Austen's chief themes, certainly lies at the heart of many a crime in James' mysteries. Another commonality is that James' writing style has always had something of the 18th century about it: Think of all that formal, balanced poetry her detective, Adam Dalgliesh, cranks out.
Naturally, then, James is adept at spinning out those skewering epigrams that we associate with Austen. You'll recall the immortal first line of Pride and Prejudice: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Well, James is much too wise to go toe to toe with Austen on that line, but she does produce some gentle Enlightenment zingers of her own. Speaking of the odious Mr. Collins, the narrator here tells us that his canny wife, Charlotte, "consistently congratulated him on qualities he did not possess in the hope that, flattered by her praise and approval, he would acquire them."
There's something even more profound, however, that James brings to her reading of Austen: In Death Comes to Pemberley, she ferrets out the alternative noir tales that lurk in the corners of Pride and Prejudice, commonly thought of as Austen's sunniest novel. Ruinous matches, The Napoleonic Wars, early deaths, socially enforced female vulnerability: Austen keeps these shadows at bay, while James noses deep into them.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ulla Montan/Knopf Ulla Montan/Knopf
Death Comes to Pemberley takes place six years after Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have wed. Lizzie has dutifully produced an heir and a spare, and seems, at first, to have lost her girlish sass and sparkle; but marriage does tend to drain life out of our intrepid literary heroines: consider Jo March or Bella Swan. On a dark and stormy night before the annual great ball at Pemberley, a carriage careens up the drive and out stumbles Elizabeth's ne'er do well sister, Lydia, shrieking hysterically about her missing husband, Wickham. The men of the manor launch a search party and, later that night, in the middle of some blasted woods, Wickham is spotted, spattered with blood and bending over the body of ...
But, I won't let the identity of that corpse out of the cupboard. As Austen did in her elegant spoof, Northanger Abbey, James clearly enjoys muddying her Wellies here in the Gothic literary terrain of ghosts and ancestral mansions and curses. Throughout the mystery that unfolds, she ingeniously works in characters and themes, great and small, from Pride and Prejudice, and also gives erudite nods to the history of forensics and jury trials in Great Britain.
I cautioned earlier that Death Comes to Pemberley should be read in the spirit of "an entertainment," but certainly even "entertainments" have the power to be moving. James has said in interviews that crime fiction and the novels of Jane Austen have been two of her life's "abiding passions." To think of P.D. James, at age 91, so successfully uniting those passions between the covers of one book is a thought to warm a reader's heart in the dead of winter. |
(CNN) President Barack Obama bid farewell on Tuesday night in a formal address to the nation from his adopted hometown of Chicago, calling on the country to be "anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy."
The speech centered on the values of the democratic system despite challenges he perceives from his successor, Donald Trump, though he was only named once.
Here's a look at the night's most memorable lines:
On democracy
"Democracy can buckle when it gives in to fear," he said.
Obama: "Democracy can buckle when it gives into fear" https://t.co/npB1afOJkP https://t.co/IabWo7zDnY
On Michelle
"You have made me proud, and you have made the country proud," he said of his wife as he at one point wiped back tears.
JUST WATCHED Obama tears up talking about Michelle Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Obama tears up talking about Michelle 02:00
On believing in America
"Yes, we can. Yes, we did. Yes, we can," he said, repeating his catchphrase from his 2008 campaign as he concluded his address.
On the lack of common ground
"It's not just dishonest, this selective sorting of the facts; it's self-defeating," he said. "Because as my mom used to tell me, reality has a way of catching up with you."
Obama: Without a willingness to concede new information, "we're going to keep talking past each other" https://t.co/sfDVDR8xeK — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 11, 2017
On race in America
"After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America," Obama said. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic."
On American exceptionalism
"Not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change, and make life better for those who follow."
President Obama: "For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back" https://t.co/npB1afOJkP https://t.co/m0g2LQ2JQh — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 11, 2017
On setbacks
"For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back," he said. "But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some."
President Obama: "For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back" https://t.co/npB1afOJkP https://t.co/m0g2LQ2JQh — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 11, 2017
On bipartisanship
"Only if all of us, regardless of our party affiliation or particular interest, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now," he said.
On political discourse
"We weaken those ties when we allow our political dialogue to become so corrosive that people of good character aren't even willing to enter into public service; so coarse with rancor that Americans with whom we disagree are not just misguided, but as malevolent," he said.
"We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others; when we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt, and when we sit back and blame the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them."
On "four more years" chants
"I can't do that," he said when the crowd of Obama fans begged him to run again, which is not allowed by the Constitution. |
Izvor: N1
Glasnogovornik Mosta Nikola Grmoja nije se pojavio na ročištu u sudskom sporu koji je protiv njega zbog klevete pokrenuo bivši ministar unutarnjih poslova Ranko Ostojić nakon tvrdnji da je naložio praćenje i prisluškivanje Bože Petrova, a ispitani policijski čelnici odbacili su tvrdnje da im je Ostojić nezakonito naložio analitičku obradu Petrova.
Bivši načelnik PNUSKOK-a Mario Bertina je na zagrebačkom Općinskom kaznenom sudu rekao da sve što je iznio okrivljeni Grmoja ne odgovara istini. Osvrćući se na navode iz predstavke upućene saborskom odboru u kojoj se navodi da mu je Ostojić osobno naložio da izvrši praćenje – odnosno analizu kontakata Bože Petrova, Bertina je naglasio da u MUP-u postoji hijerarhija te da kategorički tvrdi da u ovom slučaju nije postojao nikakav nalog za tajnim praćenjem.
"Tvrdim da nikada Ostojić od mene osobno nije tražio da poduzimam radnje koje nisu sukladne zakonu pa ne stoje nikakvi navodi da bi dobivao bilo kakav usmeni nalog od Ostojića da se naprave analize praćenja Bože Petrova", istaknuo je Bertina.
Bivši načelnik kriminalističke policije Vitomir Bijelić, kao nadređeni Marija Bertine, potvrdio je da je o slučaju navodnog prisluškivanja Bože Petrova saznao iz medija u siječnju. Odmah je, kaže, od svojih podređenih tražio odgovor jesu li provedene navedene "radnje" i dobio kategorički odgovor "da takvog postupanja nije bilo".
"Mogu samo potvrditi da u konkretnom slučaju od tadašnjeg ministra Ostojića nije bilo niti je moglo biti bilo kakvog naloga za nadzor ili analizu kontakata ili nečega što se navodi u predstavci", zaključio je Bijelić.
Na ročištu je svjedočio i Vitomir Šimić koji je Grmoji, prema njegovom prijašnjem iskazu, prenio informaciju o navodnom praćenju Petrova koju je doznao od vlasnika zaštitarske tvrtke General Security Enimarka Ponjevića, kojeg je Ostojić također tužio.
Sljedeće ročište 21. studenog
Šimić je istaknuo kako je od Ponjevića na kraju prošle godine dobio informaciju "da su djelatnici PNUSKOK-a u tijeku pregovora o sastavljanju vlade vršili radnje obrade gospodina Petrova, da su navodno analizirali s kim se sastajao, konkretnije s kim je bio u kontaktu". Istaknuo je i da je od Ponjevića dobio tu informaciju samo dan prije nego što je gostovao na televiziji gdje je "iznio određene tvrdnje".
Iduće ročište u ovom postupku u kojem Ostojić od Grmoje, nakon neuspješnog mirenja, osim novčane kazne od 400 dnevnih dohodaka traži i javnu ispriku, zakazano je za 21. studenoga kada bi trebao biti ispitan Enimark Ponjević. |
The recent decision by the University of California, Berkeley, to restrict public access to free online educational content has raised questions about whether other colleges and universities will do the same to avoid legal action.
The university this month announced it will remove audio and video lectures currently available to the public on platforms such as iTunes U and YouTube. Berkeley said it reached that decision after determining that retroactively making the content accessible to people with disabilities would be “extremely expensive.”
Berkeley has pledged to create new publicly available content that conforms to web accessibility standards, but restocking its online libraries will take a long time -- its decision to remove content encompasses tens of thousands of publications. The university’s YouTube channel, for example, includes 9,897 videos.
The U.S. Department of Justice in August found Berkeley was in violation of Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and ordered it to make the content accessible. The department's investigation only looked at content available to the public, and not how Berkeley serves students with disabilities.
It is unclear whether the Justice Department will take as active a role in accessibility lawsuits under President Trump. Disability rights groups, however, have been open about continuing to take the legal route -- “university by university,” as a spokesperson for the National Federation of the Blind once said -- to ensure that institutions don’t discriminate against students with disabilities.
Inside Higher Ed asked several universities that offer free online courses and other educational content if they are considering following in Berkeley’s footsteps. Several of them did not immediately respond, including Arizona State, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, Vanderbilt and Yale Universities and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The institutions that did respond, all of them public flagship and private research universities (which tend to have large online collections available to the public), were unanimous in their responses: they will continue to offer publicly available content.
On YouTube, the universities vary in how they caption videos. They frequently include correct, prewritten captions for promotional videos, but other videos -- including recorded lectures -- often rely on YouTube’s hit-or-miss automatic captioning feature or lack captions altogether. Some of the universities have settled or face ongoing accessibility lawsuits.
Here are the universities’ responses:
University of Minnesota
“The University of Minnesota has no plans to restrict access to public-facing content. University staff including instructional designers, developers, communication professionals and accessibility professionals are aware of accessibility requirements and are committed to a collaborative inclusive design approach where accessibility is built in as part of development and improvement cycles.”
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
“MIT OpenCourseWare and MITx on edX plan to continue sharing content with the world, for free. MIT’s Office of Digital Learning is committed to making its online educational material accessible to students and online learners with disabilities.”
Georgia Institute of Technology
“None of our credit course offerings that we produce are released to the general public for free or under any other circumstance. Our recordings require an official GT username and password in order to be viewed. Additionally, all of our recordings, past and current, are transcribed and made available on demand.
“In addition, our MOOC offerings are fully compliant.”
Stanford University
“At the moment we are not considering the same [as Berkeley]. We have an active captioning program.”
University of Texas at Austin
“UT Austin has not begun doing anything like this.” |
Police on Monday were searching for a thief who broke into a San Francisco antiques store and stole $40,000 in sterling silver items, some of which date back to the 18th century.
Officers responded to Daniel Stein Antiques, located at 458 Jackson St., shortly after 1 a.m. after the store owners’ alarm company alerted them to what turned out to be the business’ first major break-in since opening at that site three decades ago.
“We came down here and saw that somebody had taken down the window, entered, smashed in a showcase that had some very precious sterling silver items we had on display and then left rapidly,” said Diane Tucker, the store’s vice president.
“It was very sad,” she added. “Nobody was hurt, but it was a costly loss.”
Among the items taken were Georgian sterling candlesticks made in 1771, pieces of a Gorham silver Eglastine pattern service set from the 1800s and an American sterling silver pitcher made by Grosjean & Woodward in 1855, Tucker said.
The stolen items would almost certainly arouse suspicion if the thief attempted to sell them, according to Tucker, who added that it’s possible the thief will sell the items to silver melters.
“[That] is another sad part of the story,” Tucker said. “[That’s] parts of history being melted.
San Francisco police spokesperson Officer Grace Gatpandan said there was no suspect description available.
The items stolen include:
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In a press briefing at the Department of Justice today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and other law enforcement officials announced international cybercrime enforcement action against the darknet’s largest marketplaces: AlphaBay and Hansa Market. During the briefing, Sessions revealed that President Donald Trump had directed the Department of Justice to go after international cybercrime organizations such as AlphaBay.
“[Trump] gave us several directives,” said Sessions. “One is to dismantle internet transnational criminal organizations. That is what we are announcing today. Dismantling of the largest dark website in the world by far.”
Various agencies within the US Government worked with law enforcement in Thailand, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France on the takedown of AlphaBay.
“The Deadliest Drug Epidemic in Our History”
During his opening remarks on the takedown, Sessions focused on an “epidemic” of opioid addiction in the United States.
“Among other challenges, our great country is currently in the midst of the deadliest drug epidemic in our history,” said Sessions.
Sessions claimed that an American dies of a drug overdose every eleven minutes and two million Americans are addicted to prescription drugs.
“We know of several Americans who were killed by drugs on AlphaBay,” Sessions added.
Sessions then told the story of an eighteen-year-old girl and thirteen-year-old boy who died after using synthetic opioids that were allegedly purchased from vendors on AlphaBay.
The Largest Darknet Market Takedown in History
According to Sessions, “some of the most prolific drug suppliers use what’s called the dark web,” which is where AlphaBay could be found before it was taken down by various law enforcement agencies around the world.
Sessions referred to the AlphaBay takedown as the largest darknet market takedown in history. Acting Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe later added that AlphaBay was ten times larger than the original Silk Road, which was taken down by law enforcement in 2013.
According to data shared by Sessions during the press briefing, AlphaBay had 40,000 vendors, 200,000 customers, and 250,000 listings. Out of those 40,000 vendors, 122 are said to have offered fentanyl for sale and 238 are said to have offered heroin.
“By far, most of this activity [on AlphaBay] was in illegal drugs, pouring fuel on the fire of a national drug epidemic,” said Sessions.
Law Enforcement is Aware That Their Work is Not Finished
Multiple law enforcement officials also indicated that their work is not done during the press briefing.
“Critics will say as we shudder one [darknet market], another will emerge,” said McCabe. “And they may be right. But that is the nature of criminal work. It never goes away. You have to constantly keep at it, and you have to use every tool in your toolbox.”
“We are keenly aware there will be another AlphaBay,” DEA acting deputy administrator Robert Patterson later added.
Multiple law enforcement officials in the press briefing also claimed that they have learned a lot over the years and continue to find better ways of preventing to proliferation of darknet market activities.
“I believe that because of this operation, the American people are safer,” said Sessions. “People around the world are safer.” |
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jerome Schmelzer was a child in 1948 when his father bought the eight-story Finance Building in downtown Cleveland. In the mid-1990s, Schmelzer and his brother, Lawrence, acquired three neighboring buildings and remade them, playing off a massive public investment in pro sports facilities in the city's Gateway District.
On Wednesday, the Schmelzer brothers sold their downtown holdings.
The $5.25 million sale of the Pointe at Gateway, to a local doctor, ended more than six decades of family control between Prospect Avenue and Huron Road. The transfer marks another hand-off of high-profile property in an increasingly busy downtown. New ownership might bring fresh investments and ground-floor tenants to the Pointe, a wedge-shaped cluster of historic buildings filled with condominiums, offices, restaurants and retail space.
"We've gone through thick and thin here, and it was a long, arduous process," Jerry Schmelzer said, reflecting on the $12 million Pointe project and its health during the past 20 years.
"We're not giving up on real estate. We still own other buildings. ... I'm 76 years old, and there comes a time when you just want to take it easier."
The Pointe deal comes amid renewed interest in Gateway and heightened enthusiasm about downtown's resurgence.
The long-empty Ameritrust complex on East Ninth Street reopened this year, anchored by a hotel, apartments and Cuyahoga County's new government headquarters. Investors are snapping up smaller buildings, some unoccupied for decades. And developer Bob Stark is talking up ambitious plans for new construction, including high-rise apartments and offices, just north of Quicken Loans Arena.
That's the type of development civic leaders envisioned 20 years ago, when they pumped taxpayer cash into a new ballpark for the Cleveland Indians and a downtown arena for the Cavaliers. At the time, Mayor Michael White asked Schmelzer to buy up dilapidated properties around the Finance Building and prove that public spending would beget private investment.
The result was a preservation project that remade old offices and dingy storefronts with 42 apartments and restaurants including the Winking Lizard and the short-lived, but wildly popular, Diamondback Brewery. Today, all but five of those apartments upstairs have been sold as condominiums. Last summer, a nonprofit called City Year Cleveland moved into the pie-slice-style Flatiron Building at the east end of the complex, facing East Ninth.
But the former brewery, since home to a series of restaurants that flopped, is empty. That space, roughly 26,000 square feet, could be diced into more bite-sized bays for restaurants under the new owner's plans.
"Diamondback Brewery was extremely profitable early, and I think it was the highest grossing restaurant downtown -- or one of the highest," said Tom Yablonsky, executive director of the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corp., a nonprofit group.
"It was a boom, and then it busted. The building has great potential for being re-worked as a retail location, with possibly smaller places than have been in there historically. ... The beauty or curse of these buildings is that they have both a Huron and a Prospect address. Do you keep that throughway? Or cut it up?"
Real estate records identify the buyer as a company tied to Dr. Kailash Kedia, a Cleveland urologist. Another company tied to Kedia recently paid $5 million for a Garfield Heights office building called One Infinity Corporate Centre. Kedia did not respond to a request for comment about his recent real estate acquisitions.
Rico Pietro, a local real estate broker who represented the buyer, wouldn't talk about Kedia. But he was willing to discuss possible redevelopment plans.
"I think our idea is to potentially look at separating the [former brewery] space, maybe carving it up for two or three or four occupiers rather than just one mega-restaurant," said Pietro, a principal with Cushman & Wakefield/Cresco Real Estate in Independence. "We're also investigating adding a rooftop patio to the building as part of the redevelopment that's happening in the neighborhood."
Bob Garber, another Cresco principal, represented the Schmelzer brothers in the sale -- though the Pointe never officially hit the market. Instead, the deal came together behind the scenes, in a convergence of the right players, timing and price.
The $5.25 million sale price covers the non-condo portions of the Finance Building, once called the Belmont Building; the Flatiron Building, which houses the Winking Lizard and City Year; the Koller Bros. Co. building, named after a longtime hardware store; and the Bill Taylor Hat Co. building. The property also includes one of downtown's largest billboards, which looks over the intersection of Huron, Prospect and East Ninth.
Though Jerry Schmelzer no longer controls the Pointe, he doesn't plan to leave downtown. He has a short-term lease on his offices, in the basement of the Finance Building, and continues to work with the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, a nonprofit that represents property owners.
Now he has a full-circle story to tell -- one that starts with his immigrant father's dry-cleaning business and real estate investments in the 1930s and '40s, follows Prospect Avenue through redevelopments and recessions and ends on a hopeful note, with new money flowing in to a prime corner of downtown.
"We haven't lost money," Schmelzer said. "We've made a modest profit. But how shall I put it? If we had taken that money and invested it in government bonds that paid 1.5 percent or something, we probably would have done better than making this investment."
He added: "I don't regret it. ... I think this property will only get better. This neighborhood's only going to get better. I know the buyer will reap the benefits, and I'm happy about that." |
It was a succesful debut for Chris Armas as a head coach.
The New York Red Bulls‘ assistant coach guided his team to a 1-0 win over New York City F.C. on Wednesday night in the U.S. Open Cup. It is a sign, perhaps, of things to come for the talented and gregarious Armas.
He is a man, a personality, who is clearly poised for a bigger role down the road in his career.
If head coach Jesse Marsch moves on from the organization someday, it will be Armas who likely will take the reigns of the Red Bulls. Long Island born and bred, Armas began his playing career with the Long Island Rough Riders before moving on to MLS in its nascent year in 1996.
Six All-Star appearances and 66 caps with the national team later, Armas is arguably the best defensive midfielder in league history. It is this experience coupled with his soccer acumen and a quick wit that will make him a natural someday as a head coach in MLS.
[Red Bulls Insider Podcast: EP 1 – Chris Armas]
And if reports earlier this season were to be believed, other teams have circled around to enquire about him interviewing for head coaching jobs.
Armas stepped in Wednesday night along the sidelines for Marsch, who was suspended for the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup stemming from an incident a season ago. The Red Bulls, without Marsch, looked prepared and ready for what turned out to be a heated match.
“I enjoyed the whole day today. Game day for me is my favorite day of the week. It’s almost like when I leave the office on the night before, I feel like work is done. Like, Jesse, we call him the madman. He’s incredible how he works. The demands he puts on himself, then us.
“Yesterday evening, it starts the enjoyment, like I can’t wait for game day. Then, to have a little bit of a different role today. Again, my role didn’t change that much. Pregame talk, halftime talk, just try to let it breathe a little bit, then the guys take it over, as we hope that the guys can do,” Armas said after the match.
[Listen to the Red Bulls Insider Podcast]
“I enjoyed the game tonight. I really did. One, we move on in the tournament, right? Mission accomplished there. Two, probably mostly important, I think we’re most proud of the coaching staff. I mean, they’re a great team. To watch what they do … Again, it’s my job these days to watch how they can dismantle teams, pull them apart. Knowing what they’re going to do, knowing what we’re going to do, [it’s] very conflicting.
“To see our guys come out ahead, moving on is good, moving on in the tournament is good. Especially that second half, I thought we had a good grasp on it.”
Marsch’s seat on the front row of the bench was left empty. Armas occupied his normal seat, immediately to the right of where Marsch would sit.
Armas has been an assistant under Marsch the past two seasons. Before this season, it was Denis Hamlett who served as the interim head coach when Marsch faced similar suspensions, always in league play.
Now that Hamlett got a much-deserved promotion to sporting director this offseason, it is now Armas who steps into this role when Marsch is unavailable. Earlier this year when Marsch was in Scotland working on his UEFA coaching license, Armas took over training duties ahead of a regular season game for the Red Bulls.
Armas found out on Monday that Marsch would be suspended by US Soccer for the Open Cup match just two days later.
After a scoreless first half, the Red Bulls dominated the second 45 minutes. The Red Bulls were lethargic in the first half, allowing NYCFC attacking midfielder Maxi Moralez to repeatedly threaten on the counterattack, cutting through the center part of the midfield. The changes made by Armas, noticeably the insertion of Daniel Royer on the wing at halftime, certainly paid dividends.
Royer scored the game-winner midway through the second half.
“Well, it’s the halftime talk,” Armas jokingly said about the halftime changes.
“No, there wasn’t a whole lot said at halftime. Listen, taking off Moralez maybe helps us in terms of them not being able to find the game a little bit more. I think beyond that, it was a real will to come out on our team. We talk about the New York Red Bulls, what makes us-us, I think we saw that in the second half to the highest level.
“So you credit the guys. Again, we’re in a single-elimination tournament here. How bad do you want this? It comes down to that oftentimes, and I think we saw that. It was dominant in the second half. For whatever reason, yeah, the guys get tons of credit for that.”
Red Bulls Notes
Wednesday’s match drew an announced 11,311 to Red Bull Arena, the second largest U.S. Open Cup crowd in franchise history. Two years ago a match against the NASL’s New York Cosmos set the franchise attendance record in the tournament, with 11,442 at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls won that match against the Cosmos as well.
set the franchise attendance record in the tournament, with 11,442 at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls won that match against the Cosmos as well. Right back Michael Amir Murillo (Panama) and left back Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica) missed the Wednesday night win, the likely starters both away with their national teams. Both players are expected to be available for Sunday at the Philadelphia Union.
(Panama) and left back (Jamaica) missed the Wednesday night win, the likely starters both away with their national teams. Both players are expected to be available for Sunday at the Philadelphia Union. Ryan Meara posted a shutout in goal, a rare start for the team’s backup goalkeeper. For Meara, it was especially sweet as he was on loan two years ago in NYCFC’s inaugural season, but played just one match. |
In a leaked memo, an official says the machines have been recalibrated to an "unacceptable" level meaning travellers whose faces are shown to have only a 30 per cent likeness to their passport photographs can pass through.
The machines, undergoing trials at Manchester airport, have apparently been questioning so many passengers' identities that they were creating huge queues.
The technology was designed to help immigration officials spot people traveling under false passports, particularly terrorists, but the multi-million pound scheme now appears to be in jeopardy.
In the email, the official says: "Update on the calibration – the facial recognition booths are letting passengers through at 30%.
"Changes appear to have been made without any explanation [or] giving anyone a reason for the machines [creating] what is in effect a 70% error rate.
"[The fact that] the machines do not operate at 100% is unacceptable. In addition it would be interesting to know why the acceptance level has been allowed to decrease."
Rob Jenkins, an expert in facial recognition at Glasgow University's psychology department, said lowering the match level to 30 per cent would make the system almost worthless.
Using facial recognition software from Sydney airport in Australia set at 30 per cent, he found the machines could not tell the difference between Osama bin Laden and the actors Kevin Spacey or even the actress Winona Ryder while Gordon Brown was indistinguishable from Mel Gibson.
Announcing a trial of five of the devices at Manchester airport last August, Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, said they would improve security by making it more difficult for terrorists using false passports.
At the moment the technology is only being used on British and European travelers on "high risk" flights but it is planned to extend the technology to almost all non-European Union citizens by the end of 2010.
Patrick Mercer, chairman of the House of Commons subcommittee on counter-terrorism, said he would be asking the UK Borders agency about the warnings.
The Home Office said: "We can categorically confirm that the gates are making the same high level of checks on the British and European passengers using them as they were when the trials began in August last year.
"Previous tests show that they system can reliably pick out imposters and even distinguish between identical twins. An immigration officer supervises the whole process and will intervene where necessary." |
“Something tells me we’re not going to like this place,” declares Rosemary Hoyt’s mother in the first spoken words of Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night. “I want to go home anyway,” Rosemary replies. It’s a moment of exquisite irony, considering Fitzgerald has just spent 500 words describing the perfect isolation of the Hoyts’ French Riviera environs, where “the pink and cream of old fortifications, the purple Alp that bounded Italy, were cast across the water and lay quavering in the ripples and rings sent up by sea plants through the clear shallows.” It’s a traveler’s utopia, with all the romance of an undiscovered paradise and none of the touristic trappings — yet Rosemary, a follower in all things, doesn’t immediately see it that way. But with her unexpected introduction to Dick and Nicole Diver, models of cool elegance and social surety, Rosemary feels the sense of possibility she longed for in her travels open up. With one chance encounter, the promise of the trips unfurls itself. Dick’s voice “promised that he would take care of her, and that little later he would open up whole new worlds for her, unroll an endless succession of magnificent possibilities.”
Possibility is, of course, the raison d’etre of the vacation novel: the narrative is a respite from the tiresome repetition and banality of daily life. It’s a crisp Mediterranean breeze floating through our hunched-over-turkey-sandwich-at-our-desk lunch break, a rustle of forest leaves instead of the shuffle of files. And that could be enough: the power to transport and entertain is a worthy goal for the novel to pursue.
But the best vacation novels offer something more: they join the reader and the character in the same spirit of removal from the bounds of the quotidian. In these narratives, characters observe the world like readers do, with fresh eyes and no foreknowledge. The strictures and parameters of normal life aren’t merely loosened, they’re set aside, and an entirely new assumption about how to live and why we live are taken on. In the vacation novel the character is offered a compact period of time in which to step outside the incessant onward march forward through time. A vacation novel may stretch beyond that period, but the effect remains: we are reminded that pleasure and possibility are fleeting and that our attempts to shoehorn them into a week or month of our lives will leave us, at best, still searching, and at worst, disenchanted and unfulfilled.
Precisely what is a vacation novel? Simply labeling any work in which “a man goes on an adventure” a vacation novel too broadly sketches the category. After all, there is nothing truly pleasure-seeking about Joachim’s “rest cure” in The Magic Mountain or Kafka’s sojourn in the library in Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore. Even novels based specifically around travel don’t inherently capture the same effervescence that the holiday novel does. Henry James’ transplants, who move to and fro among the old world and the new, may be on adventures, but Lewis Strether and Isabel Archer and their ilk aren’t seeking breaks from the routines of daily life, they’re seeking new daily lives entirely. Agatha Christie’s detectives simply must go on holiday — otherwise they would run out of dead bodies to investigate in their quaint British towns. It is the expectation of a short release, combined with the possibility of possibility, that separates the travel novel from his cousins.
E.M. Forster’s A Room With a View immediately establishes what its characters are seeking on their Italian holiday. While Charlotte Bartlett is immediately concerned with the disregarded promise of “south rooms with a view close together,” Lucy Honeychurch cannot move past the very Englishness of their hotel. “And a Cockney, besides!” she exclaims, “It might be London.” The two women talk past one another, both dissatisfied with the Italian hotel, but for very different reasons. Miss Bartlett’s frustration is practical: the two ladies were not given the rooms they were promised, and the quality of their stay will certainly be suppressed by this fact. But Lucy’s irritation stems from a feeling that she has not truly slipped away from the stifled, close collar of English society. Even on this holiday, she fears, her posture must be ramrod and her moral compass must point her north.
But Italy performs for Lucy precisely as she might have hoped. Although she has a chaperone in Miss Bartlett, Italy (a favorite dumping ground for British authors seeking romantic but “dangerous” settings; see: Daisy Miller) repeatedly thrusts Lucy out into the world. First, the room without a view draws over the charming, if uncouth, Emerson pere et fils, a duo with whom she would never mix in English society but who will continue to swerve in and out of her life. Then, her faithful Baedeker fails her and Lucy loses her way in Santa Croce, where she is truly alone for perhaps the first time in her adult life. Next, she witnesses a murder on the streets of Florence — a crime which we understand to be nearly as offensive to Lucy’s innocent eyes as to the body of the slain man. And then, after a simple linguistic mix-up, Lucy is brought out to a swaying field of violets, where she is kissed in plain view. It is a sequence of events only made possible because Lucy can dance around propriety for this short period of time.
The first part of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse is, as Eudora Welty put it, “thronging with possibilities,” and with Mrs. Ramsay’s opening statement in medias res, “Yes, of course, if it’s fine tomorrow,” the novel juts out into the world. “To her son these words conveyed an extraordinary joy,” it goes on, “as if it were settled, the expedition were bound to take place, and the wonder to which he had looked forward, for years and years it seemed, was, after a night’s darkness and a day’s sail, within touch.” In fact, all of “The Window” (a rather poetic name for this section) is enlivened by this quest, and as we pass from character to character, from Mrs. Ramsay in her quiet certitude to Lily Briscoe in her meditative state to young James’ innocent wonderment, Woolf slowly builds a strange excitement among the characters and then her readers. There is something about the island and the lighthouse and its perch on the horizon — visible and yet perhaps unreachable — that keeps the Ramsays and the readers aligned toward the possibility of conquering it, even after years of war and death and destruction. The lighthouse stands firm.
Of course, the allure of change and reinvention that a holiday brings can be crushing rather than enlivening. Edna Pontellier emerges from the sea with her young lover on the first pages of Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, and walks back into the waves alone after the strictures of normal life prove too confining for their love. Loosened by the excitingly charged setting of her visit to the abbey, Northanger Abbey’s Catherine Morland mistakes hidden sadness for intrigue, nearly costing her love and her reputation. Daisy Miller cannot, or will not, control the urge for freedom and boldness that she perceives as the mark of a well-traveled woman, a naivety that ultimately kills her. And the Divers of the French Riviera are ultimately not the real Divers, a fact that Rosemary cannot know until she reunites with them back in America. But it is often the blow we suffer after returning from a geographical dalliance that most firmly establishes in us a desire to escape yet again. |
Syrian troops and allied forces fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, known as ISIS) group have reportedly reached the Iraqi border for the first time since 2015, advancing close to a strategic area that has been at the centre of tensions between Damascus and Washington.
State news agency SANA, citing a military source, said that "army units in cooperation with allies managed to arrive at the border ... with Iraq" on Friday, and "set up positions in an area northeast of At-Tanf".
Forces from a US-led coalition fighting ISIL in Syria and Iraq are using a garrison in Al-Tanf to stage attacks against the armed group and train Syrian rebels to fight them.
The SANA report said the advance came after "the last" ISIL fighters in the area "were eliminated".
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier said that dozens of pro-government forces had arrived at the point on the Syria-Iraq border around 70km north of Al-Tanf.
"What you're seeing now ... is the cutting off of access of coalition-led efforts to push north," Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkish-Syrian border, said.
"Why this is important is because up from there is Abu Kamal, a border crossing that ISIL controls on both sides [between] Syria and Iraq - it is the only area of highway that ISIL controls because [the rest] is all desert land."
READ MORE: Syria's civil war explained from the beginning
Asked about the Syrian government's advance, the US-led coalition expressed concern.
"The demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces near coalition and partner forces in southern Syria ... continue to concern us, and the coalition will take appropriate measures to protect our forces," it said in a statement.
"As long as pro-regime forces are oriented towards coalition and partnered forces, the potential for conflict is escalated," it added.
On Thursday, a US jet shot down a pro-government combat drone that fired what turned out to be a dud bomb close to the coalition's Al-Tanf garrison near the Jordanian border.
The drone fired into empty space, but the coalition considered it to be a threat.
The Pentagon credited Syria's ally Russia with helping to calm tensions after the drone incident.
The Pentagon has not said who was operating the drone, but the area near Al-Tanf has seen a surge in activity by Iran-backed troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
IN PHOTOS: How do trapped Syrians tackle fuel shortages?
It was the third time the coalition has struck pro-government forces near Al-Tanf in less than a month, as tensions in the border area grow.
"Russia has been very helpful [in resolving these latest tensions] and I think that the calm we see today is largely due to their efforts," spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said on Friday.
The coalition has established a "de-confliction" zone extending 55km from the garrison, in which pro-government and Russian forces are not supposed to operate.
Syria's government has been eager to reach the eastern border after recapturing territory in central Homs province once held by ISIL.
The government is hoping to lead the battle against the armed group in the eastern province of Deir Az Zor and head off any attempts by the US-led coalition to do so.
Syria's government has not held positions on the border with Iraq since 2015, when ISIL swept down from neighbouring Deir Az Zor and captured positions in Homs province, including the ancient city of Palmyra. |
Fox Sports issued an on-air apology Sunday for using fabricated newspaper headlines critical of quarterback Jay Cutler on its season-opening Chicago Bears broadcast.
As a Tribune report detailed last Sunday, the Fox telecast flashed three ficticious headlines across the screen -- "Cutler Leaves With Injury," "Cutler Lacks Courage" and "Cutler's No Leader" -- that Fox color analyst Daryl Johnston described as "actual headlines from the local papers in Chicago." A Tribune search yielded no such headlines in any newspaper in the United States.
Fox studio analyst Curt Menefee apologized during Fox's NFL Sunday pregame show.
"Before we move on, I want to go back to Week 1, during the Atlanta-Chicago broadcast, when our production crew that was doing that game displayed an incorrect graphic," Menefee said. "Now, the production team told our announcer Daryl Johnston that a taped video package that made air came from actual headlines concerning Bears quarterback Jay Cutler's performance during last year's NFC Championship Game. While in fact, they were not. FOX Sports regrets this mistake and apologizes to Cutler, the Chicago Bears organization and everyone involved" |
No one can understand the phrase "opposites attract" better than this trio.
An American black bear, an African lion, and a Bengal tiger are the best of friends at the Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary (NAAS) in Locust Grove, Georgia. In fact, they're known collectively as the BLT (an acronym for bear, lion and tiger) around the rescue center.
Read: The 10 Most Unexpected Animal Friendships We Fell in Love With
They are so inseparable that the trio shares living quarters, which is usually dangerous for wild animals of different species, according to NAAS Curator Allison Hedgecoth.
Hedgecoth explained that the danger in placing powerful animals together is that they can often misinterpret each other. While cat species, like Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger, might be able to coexist, a different species, like Baloo the bear, might be a risky addition because their methods of communicating are completely foreign to each other.
"Even though they live in a three-acre enclosure, they're usually within 100 feet of each other," Hedgecoth explained to InsideEdition.com. "That's proof that they're not just coexisting or cohabiting, they actually do enjoy each other's company."
Further proof is that the trio prefers to eat next to each other, which is rare since their natural instinct is to be protective of their food.
But Hedgecoth said that she has no doubt the BLT are communicating perfectly, especially in the way the playful Baloo teases the stoic Leo.
"Once a day, the bear will bite the lion on the eyebrow, or he will grab his eyebrow and pull" and Leo might respond with a growl, Hedgecoth said. She compared the interaction to the way loving brothers might try to annoy or embarrass each other, adding that the animals have never injured each other.
"The tiger is very mischievous," Hedgecoth said. "He likes to sneak up behind them."
The BLT have been together for the past 15 years, partially due to having shared a traumatic past.
"They were rescued from a drug dealer's basement in Atlanta," Hedgecoth said. "They saw each other as family so they don't know any different."
All three of them had suffered severe injuries, including various internal and external parasites, but the bear's condition was by far the worst.
Hedgecoth said Baloo the bear was found strapped to a harness that had not been loosened as he matured. The harness eventually grew into Baloo's skin, and had to be surgically removed upon rescue.
Baloo's surgery was the first and the last time the BLT had been separated. Now, if any of them has to be removed for medical procedures, Hedgecoth said that they will go out of their way to bring the other two, "just as comfort."
Read: Sheepdog Gives Birth To Record-Breaking Litter of 17 Puppies
Hedgecoth said they once had another bear and tiger share an enclosure as cubs, but noticed it was time to separate the pair as they matured two years later. However, she said that the way Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger snuggle together in their enclosure assures her that the trio will live out their days by one another's side.
Watch: Tiny Kitten Rescued From Inside Wall of Abandoned Hospital |
dancinfeet Tue 14-Nov-17 14:45:40
first time was as a student. No student loan available due to the type of course I was on. One time there was a delay and my part time job wages weren't paid into the bank on time and I had to wait for head office to sort them out, which took 3/4 days. Being so hard up that weekend, and having to face the shame of the queue in the bank when I went in and asked to draw out my last 50p over the counter to buy a loaf of bread and a few tins of beans to last the weekend. (back in the 90s when you could make 50p stretch to a loaf and couple of tins from Aldi).
Second time nine years ago when I lost my business in the recession. A 8 week wait for benefits to be processed as I had to prove paperwork wise that my business had been steadily making a loss, and that I hadn't closed it fraudulently to claim benefits. That time I had to go cap in hand to my ex husband for some money to feed the children which he did, though barely enough for 1 weekly shop which I had to stretch over 8 weeks . And the school shamed me (by the teacher mentioning it loudly at collection time in front of everyone) for sending jam sandwiches in their pack ups / not healthy food (because that was all I had in at the time), and the bread slices had holes in where I had picked the mouldy bits off, but it was that or the kids didn't eat. No food bank in my town at the time. Couldn't get free school meals until benefits claim went through. My daughter's tenth birthday came and went with no card or present from me, and barely any food in the cupboard. What made it worse was that her dad and rest of family planned to give her gifts when they saw her later that week, so she got up on her birthday morning to no cards or presents. Most horrible time of my life. Though I did make it up to her later on in the year when I was back working, but it still didn't make up for the sadness we felt that day. She put such on a brave face and went off to school and I sat at the kitchen table and cried my heart out for her. I know that there are people in far worse situations though, and I am thankful for all we do have now, which isn't a massive amount, but I am just about paying the bills and keeping a roof over our heads.
OP - I am sorry that things are tough right now, and I hope that things get better for you soon xx |
Aaron Hernandez's guilty conviction in the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd has been overturned
A judge has thrown out the 2013 murder conviction of ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez because he died before his appeal could be heard.
The former New England Patriots tight end hanged himself in his prison cell on April 19 while serving a life sentence in the killing of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd. His suicide came just five days after he was acquitted in a separate double slaying in 2012.
Judge E. Susan Garsh said a legal doctrine that calls for vacating convictions when a defendant dies before an appeal can be heard was binding precedent. She said she was compelled to follow it.
Judge Vacates Hernandez Murder Conviction
A judge has thrown out the 2013 murder conviction of late NFL star Aaron Hernandez. (Published Tuesday, May 9, 2017)
"Abatement has been practiced in federal and state courts for more than a century," she said, adding that there is no proof that Hernandez killed himself knowing it could lead to his conviction being tossed.
"This court cannot know why Aaron Hernandez chose to end his life... a tragic act that may have complex and myriad causes," she said.
Ursula Ward, Lloyd's mother, and Shaneah Jenkins, Lloyd's girlfriend, were among those in the courtroom Tuesday.
"I know everyone is looking for me to be angry, but I'm not," Ward said following the hearing. "In our book, he's guilty and he's gonna always be guilty."
'He's Always Going to Be Guilty': Hernandez Victim's Mother
The mother of Odin Lloyd, Ursula Ward, whom man Aaron Hernandez was initially convicted of killing back in 2013, spoke following a judge's decision to vacate the murder conviction. (Published Tuesday, May 9, 2017)
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said his office will appeal the decision to Supreme Judicial Court.
"There was a trial, he was convicted," Quinn said. "You can't just snap your fingers and have that go away."
Garsh's ruling came following a 40-minute hearing Tuesday in Bristol County Superior Court.
Hernandez's appellate lawyers said his conviction in the Lloyd case was not considered final because the automatic appeal he was entitled to had not been heard at the time of his death.
"This is an established common law doctrine," appellate attorney John Thompson argued. "It involves just two questions - is there a pending direct appeal and has the appellant died during the course of the pending direct appeal? Both of those facts are undisputed here."
Drama Inside the Courtroom as Hernandez Verdict is Read
Prosecutors, however, argued that dismissing Hernandez's murder conviction would reward his "conscious, deliberate and voluntary" act of taking his own life. They said a defendant's death while an appeal is pending does not always require what is known as "abatement," including when "a defendant's death is a result of his own conscious, deliberate and voluntary act."
"It was a purposeful act. It's a conscious and voluntary act," said Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Patrick Bomberg. "There is a reason, a motive for the defendant to have done it. That, I'm suggesting, separates this case.
"The defendant should not be able to accomplish in death what he could not accomplish in life," he added.
In a motion filed before Tuesday's hearing, Thompson said documents including the state's death certificate and excerpts from a suicide note Hernandez wrote to his fiancee should be disregarded because they are irrelevant to the proceedings.
That motion was denied by the judge on Tuesday morning.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC10 Boston |
Paul Johnston, CP24.com
Toronto police have released photographs of a man wanted following a sexual assault onboard a TTC streetcar earlier this month.
It happened on a car travelling west on Dundas Street, near Bay Street, during the evening rush hour on Oct. 1.
A 26-year-old woman told police she was sexually assaulted by a man standing behind her.
The man exited the streetcar a short time later at Spadina Avenue.
The alleged assault was witnessed by another passenger, police said.
Images of a suspect were provided in a news release issued early Thursday afternoon.
He is described only as being in his late 50s to early 60s. He was last seen wearing glasses and carrying a dark leather briefcase.
Police believe there may be other victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477). |
Mormon missionaries have been responding to the Broadway show, “The Book of Mormon,” all across the country. The Fresno Bee recently explained that Mormon missionaries stand outside of the theatre before and/or after the show to answer people’s questions and hand out copies of the actual Book of Mormon.
This news story stood out to me because of the flack I’ve taken over the years for doing a similar thing outside of various Mormon venues; that is, being available before and/or after Mormon pageants to answer people’s questions and hand out literature. Many Mormons have told me I should not be there. They say it’s disrespectful and ruins their family outings. They often say, “We wouldn’t do that to you!”
But Mormon missionaries are engaging in a similar outreach approach, and LDS Church leadership whole-heartedly approves it!
Certainly there are some differences between what I do at a Christian outreach and what the Mormon missionaries are doing, but the basic idea is the same. So with that in mind, I’ve rewritten some portions of the Fresno Bee article to reflect how it would read if the journalist was writing about a typical Christian outreach at a Mormon venue. (I’ve chosen the annual Christian outreach in Nauvoo, Illinois for my example.)
Anyone planning to attend the [City of Joseph Pageant] in [Nauvoo] next week…should be prepared to see missionaries, real ones, as they approach the [pageant grounds].
They won’t be picketing, just politely offering information about what [the LDS] religion is really about…
Since the [City of Joseph pageant] opened in [Nauvoo]… the [Nauvoo Christian Visitors Center] has encouraged its [missionaries] to conduct themselves with “dignity and thoughtfulness” in their response to the show…
[Steve Dealy], who presides over the [Visitors Center], home base for [outreach] missionaries from around the world, said a number of missionaries will be handing out copies of [The Nauvoo Times] outside the [pageant grounds].
[Christian] missionaries have done the same in many other cities where [LDS pageants have] toured. Based on their experiences, [the director] expects to give away between [4,000 and 5,000] copies…
“We don’t want to harass anybody. We just want to be available.”
…a public affairs assistant for the [ministry] in Nauvoo, said of the [pageant]: “We’re not really saying we’re against it. We are just saying, ‘Hey, if you want to know the true story of [Mormonism], we’d love to tell you that.’”
“Of course, [the pageant] isn’t reality,” [a Christian might say] of the musical, “and it’s the very distortion that makes it appealing and often funny. The danger is not when people laugh but when they take it seriously — if they leave [the pageant] believing that Mormons really are [biblical Christians].”
While the [Christian ministry] isn’t “opposed” to the musical,… “we would like the truth to be known about what these guys (Mormon missionaries) … really [want you to believe].”
I’ve never read a traditional media story that reports so positively on Christian outreaches at Mormon events. But if such a news story were written as above, it would be true. Even so, Mormons might not see it that way, perhaps objecting that the Mormon missionaries are merely providing a positive response, via their scripture, to a show that mocks their faith; while Christian missionaries are distributing negative literature that criticizes the Mormon Church.*
Well, without getting too far into this anticipated objection, I’ll just say that LDS pageants (and temples) mock my faith, and the Book of Mormon (that is handed out by LDS missionaries) criticizes my beliefs. There is no difference of substance between the Mormon outreach and the Christian outreach here.
Yet there is a difference worth mentioning. The Broadway musical aims only to entertain audiences. It is a musical parody that never pretends to be anything else: it makes no truth claims. But Mormon pageants and temple open houses aim to gain converts to Mormonism — proselytizing is a prime element of each event. In addition, Mormonism makes many truth claims; and these declared “truths” have the potential to negatively impact a person through all eternity.
Because the stakes are so high, Christians often stand outside Mormon events, engaging in evangelism with a commitment to be “kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting…opponents with gentleness.” We hope and pray that by doing this, “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
Christians have been doing this for decades, patiently enduring accusations and denunciations from Mormons and their friends. Now, at long last, we have LDS leadership’s tacit approval of our outreach approach. I hope this means we can now move past the common Mormon objections to our outreach presence, and instead talk about what really matters.
*Just to be clear, the literature I’ve handed out during these Christian outreaches has certainly discussed Mormon doctrines and history, but it also explains my own, biblical faith. The format of this literature is very often a compare-and-contrast approach.) |
Greece is relying on Iran for most of its oil as traders pull the plug on supplies and banks refuse to provide financing for fear that Athens will default on its debt.
Traders said Greece has turned to Iran as the supplier of last resort despite rising pressure from Washington and Brussels to stifle trade as part of a campaign against Tehran?s nuclear program.
The near paralysis of oil dealings with Greece, which has four refineries, shows how trade in Europe could stall due to a breakdown in trust caused by the euro zone debt crisis, which is threatening to spread to further countries.
?Companies like us cannot deal with them. There is too much risk. Maybe independent traders are more geared up for that,? said a trader with a major international oil company.
?Our finance department just refuses to deal with them. Not that they didn?t pay. It is just a precaution,? said a trader with a major trading house.
?We couldn?t find any bank willing to finance us. No bank wants to finance a deal for them. We missed some good opportunities there,? said a third trader.
More than two dozen European traders contacted by Reuters at oil majors and trading houses said the lack of bank financing has forced Greece to stop purchasing crude from Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in recent months.
Greece, with no domestic production, relies on oil imports and in 2010 imported 46 percent of its crude from Russia and 16 percent from Iran. Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan provided 10 percent each, Libya 9 percent and Iraq 7 percent, according to data from the European Union.
?They are really making no secret when you speak to them and say they are surviving on Iranian stuff because others will simply not sell to them in the current environment,? one trader in the Mediterranean said.
Leading Greek refiner Hellenic Petroleum denied having any difficulty in buying crude and declined to comment on the exact breakdown of oil supplies. Greece?s second biggest refiner Motor Oil Hellas declined to comment.
Greece?s four refineries, belonging to Hellenic and Motor Oil, together can process around 400,000 barrels per day. That figure has fallen to around 330,000 bpd in recent months due to maintenances and upgrades.
?Our crude slate is broadly unchanged over the last few months and we are always viewing to optimize our refining operations,? a Hellenic spokesman said.
?Our supply agreements are based on purely commercial considerations, no other factors interfering,? he said.
Shipping data obtained by Reuters showed four cargoes taking crude from the Middle East outlet of Sidi Kerir on the Egyptian Mediterranean to Greece in September. Three sailed in October. Traders said all carried Iranian Heavy crude and more was coming in November.
?Iran is the only one who might be working on an ?open credit? basis right now, given its own difficulty in selling crude,? one trader said.
Imports of Iranian oil to the United States are subject to sanctions but are still fully legal to Europe and Asia. The European Union said this week it may consider oil sanctions against Iran within weeks, after a UN agency said Tehran had worked to design nuclear bombs.
Iran denies trying to build atom bombs and an Iranian official, who declined to be named, said Tehran has no difficulty in selling its oil.
However, shipping sources said that interest in Iranian crude, which is cheaper than competing Russian grades but politically sensitive, has prompted the country to continue storing crude in the Red Sea, to make it available for swift delivery.
The rest of the oil industry drastically cut crude storage last year after forward prices for crude moved to a discount to prompt, making such operation loss-making.
Iran is storing crude in four very large crude carriers (VLCCs) in the Red Sea. [Reuters] |
By Scala IDE team on Jun 07 2013
We are very happy to announce the simultaneous release of four products today:
the first release candidate of the 3.0.1 maintenance release for Scala IDE, based on the fresh Scala 2.10.2 release
an updated Scala worksheet
a bugfix release of the Play plugin
..and the first preview release of Scala Search, the new semantic search for Scala code, with Find References support!
This release is available only for Scala 2.10.2
Scala IDE 3.0.1-RC1
Besides upgrading to the fresh Scala 2.10.2, we fixed 22 tickets since our 3.0 release in March. Some of the highlights:
correctly attach the Scala debugger to a running JVM, and support JRebel
correctly use a configured JDK, other than the one used for running Eclipse
correctly implemented Skip all breakpoints in the Scala debugger
much cleaner Open Type dialog
dialog deprecation warnings accumulating
For the complete list of fixes, please see our changelog.
Scala Search
Over the last 4 month we’ve been hard a work developing a new search infrastructure for the plugin. The goal is to extend the IDE with a range of search-related features that focus on improving code navigation, understanding, as well as some kinds of refactoring. The initial set of features that we’re focused on are
Find occurrences of any Scala entity : By selecting the definition of a Scala entity the user should be able to find all occurrence to that specific entity in the workspace
: By selecting the definition of a Scala entity the user should be able to find all occurrence to that specific entity in the workspace Call-Hierarchy : By selecting a method definition the control graph should be displayed, focusing on that node. That is, it should display all the in- and out-going method references, allowing the user the select any of the references as the new center of the control graph; thus traversing the control graph of the program.
: By selecting a method definition the control graph should be displayed, focusing on that node. That is, it should display all the in- and out-going method references, allowing the user the select any of the references as the new center of the control graph; thus traversing the control graph of the program. Type Hierarchy: The plugin should be able to show the type hierarchy of any given type, that is, show all the direct sub- and super-types. Again, the user can select any of the super- and sub-types as the new center of the type-hierarchy to traverse it.
24 pull-requests have been through careful review by the IDE team and the project now consists of 3.306 lines of Scala code (without comments & blank lines) where 1.762 of them are tests.
In this first release we’ve focused on building a solid foundation for the plugin and get all the components working smoothly together, so, this is not a release that boasts a lot of features but it’s an important step along the way to the features we want.
For this release we have Find Occurrences working for fields (methods, vals, vars). See the documentation for details on how to use it.
The plugin is part of the IDE Ecosystem so it should show up in the “Incubation” category if you update your IDE installation. When the Scala Search plugin is more mature it will be merged with the IDE. If you want to see it in action before installing it have a look at this small video on Youtube.
Follow progress on Github
The Scala Search plugin is the product of Mads Hartmann’s (ongoing) master thesis. Ping him on Twitter @Mads_Hartmann
Scala Worksheet
We also upgraded the worksheet to 0.2.0, featuring a few fixes related to encoding, and allowing to set JVM arguments (thanks to Nadav for this great contribution!).
Play IDE
The 0.3.0 release of the Play2 plugin is mostly a bug-fix release. We’d like to welcome Jedd Haberstro on the team and to thank him for making this release possible!
auto-format on save in route files
quick-fix respects formatting of route files
code-completion on single-word actions
faster hyperlinking to Java methods
The complete list of tickets is available in the 0.3.0 milestone.
All the goodness can be installed from our milestone page, in the dev ecosystem:
Thanks
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all contributors for the amazing work they have done to make this release possible. Special thanks go to Luc Bourlier, Mirco Dotta, Iulian Dragos, Jedd Haberstro, Mads Hartmann, Vincent Munier, Simon Schäfer and Nadav Wiener |
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Cremation Urns and Cremation Jewelry for Ashes is just part of the solution. Cremation Solutions strives to support the people who choose cremation. We offer many Cremation Urns for Ashes and Jewelry for ashes and lockets that hold ashes, but have special focus on those that choose scattering ashes. We are a resource for creating cremation ash scattering ceremonies, or any kind of funeral ceremony.
Cremation Solutions has been helping people with the many tough decisions involved in planning cremation services and providing a dignified and memorable funeral event for loved ones who have passed on for many years. Owner, Jeff Staab, was a funeral director and counselor to bereaved families and friends for over 20 years. Realizing that the industry didn't provide adequate assistance and methods for the scattering of ashes, he developed Cremation Solutions to provide support for those who are faced with the many options that cremation allows. Now Cremation Solutions has assembled one of the most innovative collections of cremation products to celebrate and memorialize the lives of our departed loved ones. |
DoA Profile Blog Joined October 2010 Korea (South) 584 Posts #1
Where to start? I suppose we can begin with a comment that was made on the Pulse today.
Hey guys. I’ve been holding off on writing a blog about this for a while. It’s a topic that’s always bothered me for various reasons, but I needed time to investigate various things and solidify my opinions a bit more before talking about it. Since the subject is fresh in everyone’s minds after the section on NASL’s Pulse today (starts at ~2:00:00 http://www.twitch.tv/nasltv/b/363697714 ) I thought it would be a good time to write down my thoughts in it.Where to start? I suppose we can begin with a comment that was made on the Pulse today. ”LoL is like Walmart and SC2 is like Whole Foods. We’re a bit stuffy...”
Now one could make an argument that this comment refers to the popularity of the two in terms of sheer viewership. The “we’re a bit stuffy” part at the end along with the context of the comment reveals the intent of the statement for what it really is though; a commentary on the quality of the games in question, not their popularity. Walmart is known for being a place to consume cheap, low quality goods while Whole Foods stores have more expensive, higher quality fare. Essentially this is saying that LoL is cheap in quality while SC2 is not. This is simply a thinly veiled insult whether that was the intent or not. A very similar comment was made awhile back that included text to the tune of “LoL is like American Idol and SC2 is like Breaking Bad.” Again, possibly (probably/politically) spun as talking about popularity, but these types of comments at their core are a commentary on quality.
“Wow Doa must be pretty butt-hurt or something about someone knocking LoL” you might think to yourself. This isn’t the case. I’m personally not bothered by it at all. What I’m bothered by is the implications of comments like this in terms of the influence that they have on esports fans individually and as a community. Making comments likes this aren't just an insult to the game. It’s an insult to the game’s players, fans, and commentators. It says that the interest and effort they put into their game isn't worthwhile. In esports we should always try our best to respect each other’s games and statements like this coming from prominent personalities in the industry do the opposite of that. It helps to cultivate a divisive, self destructive culture that we certainly don’t need in esports and frankly can’t afford in an industry so young.
During the NASL segment Frodan was actually “booed” for having casted LoL in the past. While I’m sure this was done in jest, professionals in the industry really need to be careful about the examples they set for the community. It’s not OK to boo someone for liking a game you don’t like. It’s worse do it publicly on a popular talk show. I’m calling on all the professionals in esports to make an effort to really understand their place and understand the examples that they set through their actions. I’m not saying everyone needs to be G-rated and starched and pressed, but there are certain things that simply aren’t up for debate or even conversation on these shows if we want this industry to grow in a healthy manner. Criticising people for the games they are involved in is definitely one of those things. If you’re lucky enough to be listened to by a lot of people you need to remember what Bob Denver (who played Gilligan on GIlligan’s Island) said once:
Now one could make an argument that this comment refers to the popularity of the two in terms of sheer viewership. The “we’re a bit stuffy” part at the end along with the context of the comment reveals the intent of the statement for what it really is though; a commentary on the quality of the games in question, not their popularity. Walmart is known for being a place to consume cheap, low quality goods while Whole Foods stores have more expensive, higher quality fare. Essentially this is saying that LoL is cheap in quality while SC2 is not. This is simply a thinly veiled insult whether that was the intent or not. A very similar comment was made awhile back that included text to the tune of “LoL is like American Idol and SC2 is like Breaking Bad.” Again, possibly (probably/politically) spun as talking about popularity, but these types of comments at their core are a commentary on quality.“Wow Doa must be pretty butt-hurt or something about someone knocking LoL” you might think to yourself. This isn’t the case. I’m personally not bothered by it at all. What I’m bothered by is the implications of comments like this in terms of the influence that they have on esports fans individually and as a community. Making comments likes this aren't just an insult to the game. It’s an insult to the game’s players, fans, and commentators. It says that the interest and effort they put into their game isn't worthwhile. In esports we should always try our best to respect each other’s games and statements like this coming from prominent personalities in the industry do the opposite of that. It helps to cultivate a divisive, self destructive culture that we certainly don’t need in esports and frankly can’t afford in an industry so young.During the NASL segment Frodan was actually “booed” for having casted LoL in the past. While I’m sure this was done in jest, professionals in the industry really need to be careful about the examples they set for the community. It’s not OK to boo someone for liking a game you don’t like. It’s worse do it publicly on a popular talk show. I’m calling on all the professionals in esports to make an effort to really understand their place and understand the examples that they set through their actions. I’m not saying everyone needs to be G-rated and starched and pressed, but there are certain things that simply aren’t up for debate or even conversation on these shows if we want this industry to grow in a healthy manner. Criticising people for the games they are involved in is definitely one of those things. If you’re lucky enough to be listened to by a lot of people you need to remember what Bob Denver (who played Gilligan on GIlligan’s Island) said once: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
In the end bashing a game someone likes and then mentally high-fiving yourself or a friend about it just comes off as this:
A funny thing I’ve noticed about esports fans is that for some reason it seems to be very difficult for them to acknowledge that it’s OK to like one game and not like a different one while at the same time accepting that people like the game that you don’t. It’s fine to have preferences, but that doesn’t entitle you to impose those preferences on other people. Doing this as a prominent person in one game community or the other is an abuse of power in my mind. It's certainly possible to talk about the virtues of your favorite game without condemning another. Fans should be able to make up their own minds about what they like without any sort of artificial guilt placed on them by figures they may look up to.
Mechanically there is more to do in Starcraft 2 than in LoL. This is a fact and not an opinion. Keep in mind thought that this simply means that your hands are doing more things, not your brain. There is also the common human fallacy that says more = better and less = worse. People like to apply that a lot when they talk about Starcraft and LoL. They’d like to think that doing more mechanically means you’re more talented as a videogame player. Anyone who applied that logic to other sports would be laughed at. You won’t see any LoL players switching to SC2 because they don’t feel “hardcore” enough just like you won’t see Football players switching to Hockey because Hockey players perform on ice with skates and manipulate their game object with a bent stick instead of just their body. Sounds silly, doesn’t it?
I don’t want to get into specifics with SC2 and LoL that much because of the above reasons, but I do briefly talk about the mental aspect of LoL. I think everyone on TL is pretty familiar with the multitude of things that go through a pro player’s mind during a game of SC2, but perhaps not as much from the perspective of a LoL pro player. I’d argue that they’re fairly equal, all things considered. Before you rate my blog a 1 and close the tab, let’s take a moment to examine what a Top Lane player is thinking about during the early stages of a typical pro LoL game. It would go something like the following. Don’t worry if you don’t understand all of the terminology. We’re concerned about volume here.
1) I must last-hit to gain gold
2) How do I farm and harass regarding my opponent’s abilities
3) How do I farm and harass regarding my opponent’s starting items
4) Where is my Jungler?
5) Where on the map is the enemy Jungler likely to be due to the farming and ganking path I expect him to follow?
6) Should I push my lane, freeze it, or farm under my turret?
7) Can I leave my lane to go gank another one?
8) When will a good time be to leave my lane to recall and buy items without putting pressure on my lane and thusly, my teammates because of it?
9) What items should I buy considering the state of the other players in the game and the state of my lane?
10) In what order do I level my skills based on the enemy team composition and the items they buy?
Keep in mind these things are being thought about at the same time and that the list will be very different for each of the 5 positions on the team. This list is also probably pretty incomplete (I’m no pro) and changes as the game goes on. My point in listing all that is that very few people really understand the challenge that games like LoL, Dota, HoN, etc have at the professional level. Add to that list that you’ll be doing all that while coordinating as a cohesive unit with four other people against another cohesive unit that will be playing at your level. Playing solo or with a friend or two even at a very high level is literally a different game than the game the pros play. The MOBA genre is just as challenging at the pro level as the RTS genre. The same goes for any fighting game, FPS, you name it. One's just as good as the other and decisions on what to watch are based on personal preference rather than which is the "better game".
In the end mechanics aren’t actually that important. Pro-gaming is a beautiful thing in any game and any genre. Putting mechanical difficulty first is like saying that the instrument someone plays is more important than the music that they make with it. You can’t tell me Wilhelm Kempff is a better musician than BB King because one plays the piano and the other plays the guitar. You could, however tell me that you like BB King more because you like listening to the guitar more than the piano. That difference is one that I wish everyone in esports understood and appreciated. I’m aware that some never will and we’ll have to endure their comments on reddit, casts, and shows (maybe even in this thread!) for all of eternity, but my hope is that as time goes on more and more people will get it. If you’ve gone this far at least I hope you’re bored enough to go and actually play or watch a game you like! We’re wasting our time having to deal with this issue.
I’ll appear on the next episode of The Pulse to discuss it a bit more, but after that I’m done. There’s nothing more to be said and I’ve got casts to prepare for, a HotS clan to run, business-type stuff to do, and games to enjoy myself. You've got a lot of better stuff to do to.
p.s. to Rotterdam, you will come to me for hearing about changes in the PvZ metagame in HotS, but that's a whole different conversation. In the end bashing a game someone likes and then mentally high-fiving yourself or a friend about it just comes off as this:A funny thing I’ve noticed about esports fans is that for some reason it seems to be very difficult for them to acknowledge that it’s OK to like one game and not like a different one while at the same time accepting that people like the game that you don’t. It’s fine to have preferences, but that doesn’t entitle you to impose those preferences on other people. Doing this as a prominent person in one game community or the other is an abuse of power in my mind. It's certainly possible to talk about the virtues of your favorite game without condemning another. Fans should be able to make up their own minds about what they like without any sort of artificial guilt placed on them by figures they may look up to.Mechanically there is more to do in Starcraft 2 than in LoL. This is a fact and not an opinion. Keep in mind thought that this simply means that your hands are doing more things, not your brain. There is also the common human fallacy that says more = better and less = worse. People like to apply that a lot when they talk about Starcraft and LoL. They’d like to think that doing more mechanically means you’re more talented as a videogame player. Anyone who applied that logic to other sports would be laughed at. You won’t see any LoL players switching to SC2 because they don’t feel “hardcore” enough just like you won’t see Football players switching to Hockey because Hockey players perform on ice with skates and manipulate their game object with a bent stick instead of just their body. Sounds silly, doesn’t it?I don’t want to get into specifics with SC2 and LoL that much because of the above reasons, but I do briefly talk about the mental aspect of LoL. I think everyone on TL is pretty familiar with the multitude of things that go through a pro player’s mind during a game of SC2, but perhaps not as much from the perspective of a LoL pro player. I’d argue that they’re fairly equal, all things considered. Before you rate my blog a 1 and close the tab, let’s take a moment to examine what a Top Lane player is thinking about during the early stages of a typical pro LoL game. It would go something like the following. Don’t worry if you don’t understand all of the terminology. We’re concerned about volume here.1) I must last-hit to gain gold2) How do I farm and harass regarding my opponent’s abilities3) How do I farm and harass regarding my opponent’s starting items4) Where is my Jungler?5) Where on the map is the enemy Jungler likely to be due to the farming and ganking path I expect him to follow?6) Should I push my lane, freeze it, or farm under my turret?7) Can I leave my lane to go gank another one?8) When will a good time be to leave my lane to recall and buy items without putting pressure on my lane and thusly, my teammates because of it?9) What items should I buy considering the state of the other players in the game and the state of my lane?10) In what order do I level my skills based on the enemy team composition and the items they buy?Keep in mind these things are being thought about at the same time and that the list will be very different for each of the 5 positions on the team. This list is also probably pretty incomplete (I’m no pro) and changes as the game goes on. My point in listing all that is that very few people really understand the challenge that games like LoL, Dota, HoN, etc have at the professional level. Add to that list that you’ll be doing all that while coordinating as a cohesive unit with four other people against another cohesive unit that will be playing at your level. Playing solo or with a friend or two even at a very high level is literally a different game than the game the pros play. The MOBA genre is just as challenging at the pro level as the RTS genre. The same goes for any fighting game, FPS, you name it. One's just as good as the other and decisions on what to watch are based on personal preference rather than which is the "better game".In the end mechanics aren’t actually that important. Pro-gaming is a beautiful thing in any game and any genre. Putting mechanical difficulty first is like saying that the instrument someone plays is more important than the music that they make with it. You can’t tell me Wilhelm Kempff is a better musician than BB King because one plays the piano and the other plays the guitar. You could, however tell me that you like BB King more because you like listening to the guitar more than the piano. That difference is one that I wish everyone in esports understood and appreciated. I’m aware that some never will and we’ll have to endure their comments on reddit, casts, and shows (maybe even in this thread!) for all of eternity, but my hope is that as time goes on more and more people will get it. If you’ve gone this far at least I hope you’re bored enough to go and actually play or watch a game you like! We’re wasting our time having to deal with this issue.I’ll appear on the next episode of The Pulse to discuss it a bit more, but after that I’m done. There’s nothing more to be said and I’ve got casts to prepare for, a HotS clan to run, business-type stuff to do, and games to enjoy myself. You've got a lot of better stuff to do to.p.s. to Rotterdam, you will come to me for hearing about changes in the PvZ metagame in HotS, but that's a whole different conversation.
I cast, therefore I am. |
Eloquent JavaScript second edition
This is a book about JavaScript, programming, and the wonders of the digital. You can read it online here, or get your own paperback copy of the book.
Written by Marijn Haverbeke.
Licensed under a Creative Commons attribution-noncommercial license. All code in this book may also be considered licensed under an MIT license.
Illustrations by various artists: Cover by Wasif Hyder. Computer (introduction) and unicycle people (Chapter 21) by Max Xiantu. Sea of bits (Chapter 1) and weresquirrel (Chapter 4) by Margarita Martínez and José Menor. Octopuses (Chapter 2 and 4) by Jim Tierney. Object with on/off switch (Chapter 6) by Dyle MacGregor. Regular expression diagrams in Chapter 9 generated with regexper.com by Jeff Avallone. Game concept for Chapter 15 by Thomas Palef. Pixel art in Chapter 16 by Antonio Perdomo Pastor.
The second edition was made possible by 454 financial backers, with significant contributions from , , and .
Contents
Other pages
A paper version of Eloquent JavaScript, including a bonus chapter, is being brought out by No Starch Press. They also sell an ebook version more polished than the files linked below.
Translations |
MOSCOW, April 15 (RIA Novosti) - Four volunteers will spend ten days in a compression chamber with a reduced oxygen level as preparation for Mars-500, a Russian ground-based experiment to simulate a flight to Mars.
A spokesman for the Moscow-based Russian Institute of Medical and Biological Issues, which runs the project, said that four healthy men will be held in a chamber with the pressure equivalent to being five meters underwater.
"For the first six days, the decompression chamber will maintain a standard oxygen level, and then from the seventh to tenth day of their stay, the oxygen level will be lowered to the equivalent of the atmospheric level at an altitude of 3 km. The participants in the experiment will live in accordance with a special daily routine," he said.
The experiment will provide information on the physiological impact of a flight to the Mars and back, he said.
The test is one among several preparatory trials for the main experiment, expected to begin in late 2008 to simulate a space flight to Mars, including a 250-day journey to the Red Planet, a 30-day period on its surface, and a 240-day return flight.
Two Europeans and four Russians have been selected for the main flight simulation, which may last from 520 to 700 days.
During nearly two years of isolation, crew members will experience many of the conditions likely to be encountered by astronauts on a real space flight.
They will adhere to a strict daily regime of work, rest and exercise, and exactly follow the diet of crews aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The first experiment of the project was conducted on November 15-29. |
Image copyright Channel 4 News Image caption Undercover filming by Channel 4 News at the call centre in Neath claimed the Tories broke electoral law and data protection rules
Claims the Conservatives used a call centre in Neath to canvass voters during the general election campaign are being investigated by police.
The party previously denied it had broken electoral law by using the Blue Telecoms call centre.
South Wales Police said the probe was of "scale and significance" in a letter to Labour MP Wayne David.
The party said it was unable to comment on an ongoing investigation.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) also confirmed it was "currently investigating the Conservative Party in relation to a possible breach of Regulation 21 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR)".
A Channel 4 News report earlier this year claimed the UK Conservatives contracted Blue Telecoms to conduct marketing campaigns ahead of the vote on 8 June.
The undercover investigation claimed the workers may have been carrying out paid canvassing, banned under electoral law, as they promoted key Conservative messages to undecided voters in the weeks before the election.
The report claimed calls were made to voters in key marginal seats, including Bridgend, Gower, Clwyd South and Wrexham.
Image caption Wayne David said he was pleased with the investigations
The Conservative Party had said it did not break the law by using the company, which it said was hired to carry out legal market research and direct marketing.
In a letter to Mr David, South Wales Police said there was no timescale for the investigation because it is of "sufficient scale and significance that South Wales Police are unable to offer any".
Mr David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, said: "I am pleased that both the police and the Information Commissioner's Office are conducting detailed investigations.
"The allegations that the Conservative Party and Blue Telecoms broke electoral law during a general election campaign are extremely serious and the public need to have confidence in our electoral process. That is fundamental to our democracy."
A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: "South Wales Police can confirm it is investigating allegations relating to the Representation of the People Act 1983.
"As an investigation is underway, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time." |
Structure Edit
The structure of the Adam's apple forms a bump under the skin. It is typically larger in adult males, in whom it is usually clearly visible and palpable. In females, the bump is much less visible and is hardly perceived on the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage.[1] Sex difference Edit An Adam's apple is usually a feature of adult males, because its size in males tends to increase considerably during puberty. However, some women also have an Adam's apple.[2] Its development is considered a secondary sexual characteristic of males that appears as a result of hormonal activity. Its level of development varies among individuals and the widening of that area in the larynx can occur very suddenly and quickly.[citation needed]
Function Edit
The Adam's apple, in conjunction with the thyroid cartilage which forms it, helps protect the walls and the frontal part of the larynx, including the vocal cords (which are located directly behind it). Another function of the Adam's apple is related to the deepening of the voice. During adolescence, the thyroid cartilage grows together with the larynx. Consequently, the laryngeal prominence grows in size mainly in men. Together, a larger soundboard is made up in phonation apparatus and, as a result, the man gets a deeper voice note.[3][4]
Society and culture Edit
Cosmetic surgery to reshape the Adam's apple is called chondrolaryngoplasty (thyroid cartilage reduction). The surgery is effective, such that complications tend to be few and, if present, transient.[5]
Etymology Edit
Additional images Edit
Laryngeal prominence
Laryngeal prominence
Laryngeal prominence
See also Edit
References Edit |
[Update: Further information from Microsoft has led us to correct and amend significant portions of the analysis in this piece related to undercounting of usage data. Please read our full explanation of these corrections.]
For three years now, Ars’ Steam Gauge project and the public sampling projects it has inspired (such as Steam Spy ) have provided an important behind-the-scenes look at what kinds of games are popular on PC gaming’s most popular marketplace. Today, after years of work, we’re ready to unveil a new effort that similarly uncovers what’s popular among Xbox Live users on the Xbox One and Xbox 360.
As we introduce you to our data and our methodology, you probably won’t be surprised to see the enduring popularity of franchises like Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, and Halo on Microsoft’s platforms. You might be more surprised by just how often the average Xbox console is used as nothing more than a streaming video box, or by how a relative handful of games dominate the total play time spent on both consoles, or by the specific, branded Xbox 360 adver-game that still sees relatively significant play years after its release.
We’re just beginning to play with all the data about Xbox Live users we now have at our disposal. But first, a little about where that data comes from.
Opening the box
Shortly after I published my first Steam Gauge analysis, I realized something similar might be possible for the world of Xbox Live. You might not realize it, but Microsoft generates a list of every game that’s owned by every public Xbox Live account, and that list can be easily accessed by anyone who knows the Gamertag in question. You can see this for yourself by navigating to the Profile page for pretty much any arbitrary Gamertag on Xbox.com and clicking the Achievements tab (You’ll need to sign in with your own Xbox Live account to access this page—a free silver account will do).
Even games where the owner hasn’t earned Achievements yet, or hasn't even played the game yet at all, seem to show up in this listing. Here’s my profile as an example. Here’s one for Xbox community manager Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb.
This listing covers both online and single-player games, and it seems to be updated as soon as the game is first played on the console (Update: We originally said games showed up here as soon as they were purchased digitally. Ars regrets the error). The listing even shows certain PC games that connect to Xbox Live through the Xbox for Windows interface, though we’re not clear which games trigger that as of yet. And while users can decide to block this information from the public in their Xbox Settings, very few seem to go to the trouble.
Xbox.com isn’t the only way to gain access to this kind of Xbox game-ownership data, though. Thankfully, the folks over at XboxAPI.com have created an easy-to-use service that spits this kind of information out in an easy-to-parse JSON format, suitable for easy insertion and manipulation in a database. By randomly sampling this information over time (more on this below), we can get a robust sense of what proportion of Xbox Live users own each game in a system’s library. While we don’t have any particular inside knowledge of precisely how XboxAPI generates its information, the data seemed perfectly reliable when we tested it on our own Gamertags and our own gameplay and ownership patterns.
The information available via that API actually goes well beyond mere game ownership—or, rather, it did until recently. For quite a while, XboxAPI also provided a wealth of information on the games that Xbox Live users had actually played over the last month, including when they played those games and for how long. Using that data, for example, I could have told you the precise time and length of each of Major Nelson’s frequent gaming sessions over the past 30 days (though of course I wouldn’t, out of respect for his privacy).
Microsoft appears to have stopped surfacing this kind of extremely granular Xbox Live usage data sometime in mid-February, which is probably a good thing from a user-privacy perspective. Before the company turned off this data spigot, though, we were able to randomly sample the Xbox-usage activity of hundreds of thousands of active Gamertags over a period of more than four months (see below for more on how we did that sampling). This has allowed us to create a wide-ranging, anonymized, aggregate look at what the average online Xbox 360 and Xbox One owner was actually doing with their systems on a day-to-day basis during that time.
Tagging those Gamertags
With an API data source in place, we only needed one more piece to start generating our sample: a comprehensive list of Xbox Live Gamertags. Unlike Steam, which assigns its users semi-hidden numerical IDs in more-or-less sequential order, the Xbox API only spits out data when given a user’s chosen Gamertag. Getting a complete list of all such Gamertags (or at least a suitably large and representative subset) to sample from was not an insignificant challenge.
After a lot of searching for a way to get at those Gamertags, I stumbled on a gold mine. Buried in the achievement leaderboards on XboxLiveScore.com was what seemed to be an extant list of over 48 million Xbox Live Gamertags (the site is offline now, but you can browse a limited copy on The Internet Archive).
It’s unclear to me if this list came from the now-defunct Xbox Community Developer Program (which once powered excellent sites like MyGamerCard.net) or from the site’s owner simply scraping of the public Xbox.com site. It’s also unclear how up-to-date the list was when I found it in 2015, though it had certainly grown considerably since starting with about six million Gamertags back in 2011.
Regardless, this was just the kind of find we needed to get things going. As we started developing and testing the API and database algorithms that would eventually power our reports, we also started expanding our Gamertag list by looking at the friends lists of every user we touched on. If any of those friends’ Gamertags weren’t in our database, we added them. This expanded the total possibility space for further sampling going forward.
After running this process for many months, our initial list of just over 48 million Gamertags is now approaching 74 million (73,928,903 as of this writing, to be precise). Considering that Microsoft reported only 55 million active Xbox Live users at the beginning of 2017, we feel that’s a pretty good sample space, even accounting for the mass of “inactive” and/or defunct Gamertags that are doubtlessly wasting space in our list. |
Dozens of U.S. cities are facing price tags in the millions or even billions to remediate their combined sewer systems, which currently channel stormwater and household waste into the same pipes, risking untreated wastewater flowing into waterways during heavy rain.
Though the EPA mandates that cities eliminate these combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to comply with the Clean Water Act, cities are largely left to fund these expensive remediation projects on their own — through federal loans that must be repaid, or increased residential sewer rates.
“Clean environment is sort of like motherhood and apple pie. You tell somebody we’re in favor of clean water and they’re like, ‘that’s a good idea.’ So we pass these laws that say you have to clean up your water, but no one really assesses the cost to these communities of implementing these regulations,” says Aaron Renn, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a right-leaning think tank, and author of a new report that suggests policy changes to help cities comply without saddling them or their residents with debt.
Many of these systems, some of which date back to the mid-1800s, are located in the Midwest and industrial north. The mandates, while necessary and well-intentioned, leave cities and their residents doubly burdened: Many of these same cities are still reeling from high unemployment atop of entrenched poverty. And the rate hikes disproportionately burden low-income residents, who spend a greater percentage of their paycheck on bills.
The report, “Wasted: How to Fix America’s Sewers,” suggests a revision of EPA affordability guidelines, modified sewer rate structures, enhanced state and federal aid, and a more aggressive shift to green infrastructure, which could mitigate the problem by preventing or delaying stormwater from reaching the sewers.
“I began thinking about a lot of these cities in the Rust Belt that have not come back and what are the things that hold them back from being able to be more competitive again,” says Renn. “If we’re going to help these cities, one of the things that can be done is help them address these big environmental liabilities that are on their plates.”
CSO remediation is not the only unfunded mandate struggling cities face, but it’s one of the most invisible. Chicago and Detroit have received ample press for their unfunded pension crisis, “but these sewer projects are sort of just viewed as things in the background and a lot of people don’t realize how much money is being spent on combined sewer remediation,” says Renn.
By the EPA’s estimates, the costs are staggering. The projected expense of remediation in just 31 U.S. cities totals $29 billion. The price tag is estimated at $4.7 billion in St. Louis alone. Cleveland’s compliance plan will cost $2.7 billion. That’s a quarter of the city’s entire general fund operating budget — and four times its $719 million unfunded pension liability.
Though certain grants and other forms of aid are sometimes available for these projects, most cities are paying for the repairs by issuing bonds backed by rate increases. “[A rate hike] doesn’t seem like a tax increase, which in effect it actually is,” says Renn — a regressive one.
“Your sewer bill is sort of a rounding error to someone with a six-figure income,” but it can be a significant portion of a lower-income household’s paycheck. Some cities offer discounts to qualifying households, but “half a bill that’s doubling is still doubling,” says Renn. “That’s not my idea of environmental justice.”
Cities are trying to comply in a variety of ways. Some are increasing treatment capacity; some are trying to separate the pipes into two systems. (A 2014 brief from the Natural Resources Defense Council noted that water conservation also can play a role.) Some cities are even constructing massive underground tunnels that will temporarily store excess wastewater until it can be treated.
“But a huge underground cavern dug out for sewage really has not much community value,” says Renn. “Why not, instead … redo your streets with permeable pavement, and bioswales and other things that take care of your streets and take care of your sewers at the same time?”
Renn points to Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters plan as exemplary of this approach. The city is the first to try to meet CSO regulations primarily through green infrastructure. The approach isn’t cheap — Philadelphia will spend $2.4 billion over 25 years — but it shows results sooner and confers other benefits in the process.
Renn would like for the EPA to more aggressively support such alternative solutions, and for state governments to provide technical expertise to smaller communities that may not have the resources to experiment with new technologies on their own.
His report also suggests more flexibility to redirect existing funding streams to these CSO remediation projects. Without support from the state or federal level, “it makes really no economic sense,” says Renn, for cities to undergo these projects. “It’s not like there’s going to be some massive number of new jobs in your city if you fix the sewer issue. It’s more we’ve decided it’s the right thing to do, and if that’s what we’ve done as a society, then we should pay for it that way, as a society.” |
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Nov. 15, 2017, 8:00 PM GMT / Updated Nov. 15, 2017, 8:00 PM GMT By Sarah Kendzior
There are two ways to interpret the testimony of Attorney General Jeff Sessions as he faced yet another round of questioning over his role in the Russian interference scandal. The first is that he is a skillful liar, flagrantly flirting with perjury as he denies or pretends to forget his well-documented connections to Russian officials and his relationships with Kremlin-tied Trump lackeys like George Papadopolous and Carter Page. The second is that Sessions is suffering from severe memory loss, has a poor understanding of US law and is incapable of meeting basic requirements of his job, like properly filling out security clearance forms.
But both of these interpretations lead me to the same conclusion: It is dangerous for Jeff Sessions to be the Attorney General of the United States.
There is arguably no one in the Trump administration who has been as loyal and consistent a player as Sessions. He was the first Senator to endorse Trump, appearing at a rally with him in August 2015 when Trump was still a long-shot candidate. He has remained a steady presence ever since: Running the national security board of Trump’s campaign starting in March 2016 before becoming Attorney General in February 2017. In an administration replete with resignations and dramatic dismissals, Sessions has remained stable and bore witness to it all, making him perhaps one of the most well-informed people in Trump’s circle.
But despite his unparalleled access — or, more likely, because of it — Sessions claims to have tremendous difficulty recalling the last two years, at least when it comes to discussing matters of national security while under oath. When forced to confront new developments in the Russian case head on, Sessions simply changed his story, seemingly unfazed that this made his prior testimonies look deceitful.
“I always told the truth,” he told the House Judiciary Committee in a possible act of meta-perjury, seemingly lying about his seeming lies. For some House officials, Sessions’s lack of concern about the incongruity of his statements proved exasperating. “When you answer the way you have, it suggests that the rule of law is crumbling at our feet,” said Representative Ted Deutch.
Eroding the rule of law may well be the point. At the heart of the hearings are three disturbing questions: first, was Sessions involved in or aware of the Trump campaign’s possible collusion with Russia; second, did he obstruct the federal investigation by hiding what he knew; and third, is he planning to use his position to go after Trump’s enemies, as the plan to open a second special counsel into debunked Hillary Clinton conspiracy theories seems to indicate?
All eyes on Sessions. Aaron P. Bernstein / Reuters
These are the sorts of questions one generally asks in an autocracy, not a democracy. And unfortunately, autocratic tendencies are what we should expect from Sessions, who has long acted more as Trump’s personal attorney than as a protector of the Constitution and a public servant to the American people. The administration of “alternative facts” has sought from the start to dilute the value of truth — both to soothe Trump’s ego, but also because the value of truth is closely linked to the integrity of law.
An experienced politician and prosecutor, Sessions is no fool, but it is in his best interest — and Trump’s — to play one. Doing so is not only a protective legal strategy, but part of a purposeful dissolution of legal norms. When truth erodes, and the law crumbles, an independent judiciary loses its rigor. In this formulation, Trump does not serve the law; Trump is the law, and Sessions is Trump’s willing servant.
The degradation of the law is not limited to abuses by Trump and his inner circle, however. One can see it in the new wave of appointments of young conservatives being selected for lifetime positions, including one 36-year-old blogger, Brett Talley, who has never even tried a case. Talley was the fourth judicial nominee to be given the extremely rare “not qualified” designation by the American Bar Association; by comparison, no Obama appointee received it. Of the four lifetime federal judges to be unanimously voted unqualified since 1989, two were Trump’s picks.
Trump’s priority in filling an appointment is speed: a stacked judiciary means a decreased likelihood that his policies will be effectively challenged. Having no qualms about abusing executive power, and lacking effective opposition in the legislature, the judiciary remains the greatest check on Trump, and so it is not surprising that he would try to radically reshape it. |
Launching a Career in Voiceover Is Tough Work
Sara Krieger, a veteran commercial voiceover artist, says it's a common mistake to believe that having a deep, resonant, well-trained voice makes you a shoo-in for a career in voiceover. But neither does having a quirky, distinctive voice, she adds: "When someone comes to me and says, 'I've been told I have a voice for voiceovers,' I say, 'Can you read copy? You have to be able to get a point across, relate a feeling, and nail it the first time. It's being able to act on a mic.' It used to be about vocal type. Now it's about how you read." Other words and phrases used by experts to describe the craft are "conversational," "sounding as if you're talking to a friend," and "selling something without sounding as if you're selling something."
Commercial voiceover is an actor's medium today. The work is relatively fast and painless, and many actors like the anonymity it affords. Today's plethora of cable TV and online outlets has been a further boon to the business. The bad news is that the competition is stiffer than ever, thanks in large part to voiceover casting websites and electronic self-submissions. Anyone can post voice samples online and announce that he or she is available for hire—and some people do land gigs that way. At the same time, celebrities have made major inroads into commercial voiceover and are being well-compensated for their time and efforts. There's still a commercial voiceover market for journeyman actors, but fewer of them are making the kind of bucks they once did, when it was a closed world and a handful of performers took the lion's share of assignments on the three major networks.
Breaking In
One constant remains, however: To have a serious career in commercial voiceover, an actor needs representation, preferably in a major market. Carol Hanzel of Carol Hanzel Casting in New York spells it out. While anyone can submit him- or herself online, she says, "we only work with established agents." Others agree.
So how do you land that elusive voiceover agent? Jessica Felrice, a voiceover agent at Abrams Artists Agency in New York, says most of her actors came to her attention through referrals from producers or on-camera agents in her office. She often takes on actors she has seen perform in legit venues, especially if they demonstrate a "facility with comedy and improvisation," she says. "Being loose and quick serves them well in voiceovers." Beyond their craft, she is attracted to actors who are working, whether professionally or in an acting class: "I like actors who are flexing their muscles in all aspects of their craft." On occasion she'll meet with someone on the basis of a demo, but that's rare, she says.
Other agents insist they must hear a demo before representing someone, maintaining that the recorded voice is the actor's calling card and that it's distinctly different from the live voice. But there is little consensus on how polished the demo needs to be. Professional clips from actual commercials are clearly preferable, though some say that simply hearing an actor read commercial copy can be enough to determine whether the actor has voiceover talent. Jeff Danis, a voiceover agent at DPN Talent in Beverly Hills, Calif., has no problem with an actor reading five or six pieces of ad copy on a demo, as long as the reading is "real and credible," he says. "I like humor and individuality and a voice that has a distinctive quality that cuts through. If you don't have professional credits, go to a professional who does audio demos and they'll tell you what to read."
Most CDs and agents urge aspiring voiceover artists to take classes or workshops with professionals—performers who make a living doing voiceovers, voiceover agents, or casting directors—before creating a demo. Krieger, who is also a vocal coach, says it's essential that before you make a demo, you know your range and style and the types of roles you'll be cast in. Will you be selling cosmetics with a sultry voice or playing the nurturing mom or the ironic pal? "You need to identify where you fit as opposed to believing you can do anything," she says. "It's also important that you can read copy cold and take direction. Only then are you ready to do a demo."
Your demo can then be posted on your own website or on a voiceover casting site, or you can send it to agents and casting directors—who may or may not listen. Auditions take place electronically or in person. They may be laid-back or more structured, depending on who's conducting them. Terry Berland of Terry Berland Casting in Los Angeles says she takes more time auditioning actors for a voiceover job than for an on-camera job. Her first step is to explain to the actor what she wants to hear beyond the actual text. "The talent will read, and then I will make adjustments," she says. "I will give an actor three or four shots during the audition, which may take five to seven minutes. I rarely do callbacks. I like it when actors come into my office. There are times when someone can't come, so I'll send them written directions or I'll have a conversation with them on the phone. They can then send me an MP3 file. Some do it from their homes; others do it from their agent's office."
Voiceover artist Mandy Steckelberg, who lives in L.A. but has worked on both coasts, says recording in a home studio presents its own set of challenges, especially if the casting director hasn't given her instructions. "It's very easy to fall into the trap of sounding the same and then editing yourself to death," she says. "Then at the actual recording in L.A., nine times out of 10 it's me and the engineer. The client is hearing me, having been patched through. In L.A., I've worked with people I've never met. In New York, there's always a client in the room." It's also more common in New York to meet with the casting director for the initial audition, she says, while in L.A. the reverse is usually the case.
On both coasts and all points in between, you need to be organized and self-motivated, but being a self-starter is even more important in L.A. So is self-branding, Steckelberg says. You need to know your voice type and promote it. Another regional difference: In New York, most voiceover artists are actors, whereas on the West Coast a fair number may be musicians, songwriters, or stay-at-home moms. Some do nothing but voiceover work, Steckelberg says. In L.A., she notes, the voiceover artist "is often a straightforward, compassionate, intelligent storyteller."
A Voiceover Tool Kit
According to Steckelberg, her comedic and musical skills have helped her throughout her voiceover career. In fact, they led to it. An agent discovered her performing at a comedy show in New York. He signed her immediately, and shortly thereafter she was working in voiceover steadily. Her natural musicality—her rhythm and timing—is what she believes caught the agent's attention.
"A good voice talent has an internal clock," explains Atlanta-based voiceover artist David de Vries. "So when the casting director says, 'I need this copy read in 28.7 seconds,' you land it. This is an innate talent and it cannot be taught." His voiceover career began when a legit agent sent him out on a commercial voiceover audition on the basis of his demo. "I was at the right place at the right time," de Vries says. "It was the early '80s and I had that cool voice which was starting to emerge in voiceovers. I booked my first audition, and it turned out to be a Clio-winning spot. After that, I was booking regularly. I was also doing industrials, live corporate events, the odd movie of the week, and stage work. The fact that I was a legitimate actor helped me get voiceover work. The voiceover casting directors were confident they had found someone who could read text."
Eric Nelson, a voiceover artist in New York, believes that his ongoing career as a legit actor helps him in voiceover. "I'm always reading sides, and the more you read out loud, the better you'll get at commercial voiceovers," he says. "You have to know how to articulate and where to emphasize punctuation, and acting has helped with that. The only time my acting background may have gotten in the way was when they were looking for a person without credits, someone who would sound 'real.' But that hasn't happened very often." A major virtue in working with an actor, adds Hanzel, is that he or she can take direction and "understands the buzzwords."
Brian Cummings, a performer based in Los Angeles who does animation and promo work in addition to commercial voiceover, contends that success in one genre boosts opportunities in the others, though the skills needed for each are not the same. The key talents required for voiceover are believability and communication ability. You have to convey the text and then add something surprising that makes the listener want to hear it again, all within time constraints, Cummings says. With animation, he explains, you're playing a character—sometimes cartoony—over a period of time, and the character has a chance to evolve. "In some ways, commercial voiceovers are infinitely harder," he says. "But I like doing it all."
The big difference between animation voiceover and commercial voiceover is that in the latter, you are playing yourself, says Lisa Fischoff, a casting director with Broadcasters in New York. "To be good at commercial voiceovers, you have to know how to pull back," she says. "It's not about being able to project or be big. The most important quality for success is being able to connect with the copy."
Loving the work is also essential. Consider Krieger. A singer who toured and made records for close to two decades, she began her voiceover career 15 years ago because she was worried about her financial future. Voiceover had always appealed to her, and she was already well-versed in the workings of a recording studio. "I got into voiceovers to make a living supporting my music," she says. "I fell in love with voiceovers and never went back to the music. I never anticipated I would be doing this full time."
Still, the voiceover performers Back Stage spoke with report an economic downturn in the business. Steckelberg admits she had more gigs years ago, when she was in New York, suggesting that part of the problem is the large number of people trying to get into the field on the West Coast. De Vries observes that at one time there was a viable market in Atlanta for commercial voiceover artists, but much of the work has dried up, in part because of the consolidation of advertising agencies under huge corporate umbrellas, "which has had the effect of centralizing accounts back in L.A., New York, and Chicago, leaving secondary markets like Atlanta, Dallas, and Minneapolis with crumbs," he says. "And technology has in some ways contributed to the centralization."
Wherever you're located and whatever stage of the game you're at, the experts say you must treat it as a business. And "there are no guarantees," Cummings points out. "The people who hire you today may or may not hire you tomorrow." Krieger agrees, calling the whole field "a crapshoot."
"Have flexibility, patience, and enjoy what you're doing," says Berland. "Keep a positive attitude. People say it's a closed field and wonder if there is a possibility of getting in. Yes, and there are lots of ways to get in. It's a tough field, so you have to have another means of income. But even when you are established, you can't rest on your laurels. You have to constantly assess how you sound and be aware of the trends."
Put simply: It's no different from any other part of the industry.
Want more advice? Check out this video:
Inspired by this story? Check out our voiceover audition listings! |
It was a bustling day in inkopolis, young squid kids were going to shops and doing turf was all preparation for tonight,today was the splatfest, and everyone was excited for the squid sisters live performance.
All of them except for one,Hunter was older then most of the squid kids, at 17 years old and 6'1 he towered over most inkling something was different about hunter, hunter didn't like the squid sisters, he despised the music, the songs, the looks, all of it.
Hunter was sitting on his couch watching Squid lord: the legend of squiddy in his apartment when his squid phone rang, he picked it up and put it to his ear "hello?" hunter asked "i have a contract, meet me outside of the performance center at 7:00" the voice on the other end told him before hanging up.
Hunter knew what this was about, he had gotten several phone calls about this before. Hunter grabbed his hoodie and keys and set out towards the performance center.
The splatfest was in full swing, Callie and Marie were singing there hearts out on the stage. inklings were partying hard, all except for hunter who was outside the stage talking to the planner
"so which one do i hit?" hunter asked "either one is fine but try to get both, losing a close family member is hard" the planner told hunter "i have an inside man who will get you to the right floor for the best view on them, and remember for the sake of tomorrow, do your part" the planner told him handing him a suit case with a logo that looked like a squid with multiple guns around it as hunter went into the building to look for the inside man.
"This splatfest is amazing!" Kolya told Alfie, struggling to tell him over the music. Kolya was a 15 year old Russian inkling who knew how to speak English quite well for a Russian. "I know right!" Alfie told Kolya, as well yelling to have Kolya even faintly hear him.
The two special effects guys were watching over the stage getting ready to do the special effects signalling for Callie to go into the solo. "our manager told us to press the right button in one minute" Gabriel told Bonny, Gabriel was a 19 year old goth inkling who liked to be called samhainfang(HHey-n).
Hunter opened the briefcase, revealing a taken apart sniper rifle. Gabriel pressed the button on the right having smoke come up on the right side of the stage signaling for Callie to begin her solo, but when it started the only sound you could hear was a rifle fire.
When the original bullet fired the whole crowd started screaming in shock and terror(no birdemic reference).Marie ran backstage in case another bullet the inklings that weren't in the first second or third row or on the dance floor didn't see where the shot landed, and were rushing to see what had happened while others were running out of the auditorium.
Hunter put down the rifle and started to walk out of the auditorium as inklings rushed by him in a mad dash for whatever they were looking for. Hunter saw a doctor followed by some security guards running by with Callie on a stretcher, Knowing that hunter had done the job he walked out of the auditorium into the dimly lit streets, where reporters and bloggers were rushing in to see what had happened.
Scottie was in his apartment making a sandwich in front of the TV when the Breaking News! icon appeared on screen,Scottie looked up from his sandwich expecting to see Callie and Marie but he only saw some reporter for the news station "There has been a sniper at the splatfest who landed a direct shot on Callie's abdomen, with this happening and the threat of it not happening once we have delayed the splatfest and backstage tickets for the show have been refunded. More updates on this will be posted on our website and on the news when more info comes in. I'm Byron Raymond for inkopolis news." |
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I was in Cambridge a few weeks ago to meet with family. We ate at this noodle bar called Wagamama. It wasn't bad. But that's not the point of this blog entry.Across the street, there was a record store called "Planet Records". It was a pretty cool place. I was looking through a rack of CDs when I came across this:At first, it looked weird. I read the back, and then I looked at the front, seeing the Harmonix label. Unsuprising, since I was in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where their headquarters is located.I didn't get it that night because I wanted to do more research. Plus, if Ebay is any indicator, this thing isn't of much value (it was two bucks at this record store)Turns out this was the first retail product that Harmonix put out, wayyyyy back in 1997.Despite being all "revolutionary" and whatnot for the time, it was a commercial failure.So, I asked my sister (who lives in the area) to pick it up for me next time she was around that area and give it to me the next time she saw me. I saw her tonight, and she gave it to me.These are my impressions of "The Axe".In "The Axe", you use your mouse (or a joystick) to play along to music.You do so by clicking/holding the mouse buttons while moving it around a square playing field. The instrument will play automatically, in perfect sync to the music. As you go higher, the instrument you have selected will play faster, and as you go left to right, the pitch gets higher. You can also do stuff like creating short loops, holding down notes, and modifying how the instrument sounds.You can play along to multiple types of music.You can play using various instruments.You can also choose the environments in which you play on, which are called the "IMVs", or "Interactive Music Videos". Depending on the one you select, it alters what you see on the screen as you move your mouse around as well as the background.There are a few of these, like a generic mountain, a weird, blob-esque theme, and, my personal favorite, the "Clay Musicians".In this IMV, depending on the instrument, you get different clay people playing instruments, etc.This IMV is my favorite because of the little touches that are put into the clay animations.For example, here are two things that happen if you hold a note for a while.Overall, the "game" is a fun diversion, kind of limited, but still fun. It's interesting to see how far a small company like Harmonix has gone. They've gone from small CD-ROM diversions like "The Axe" to big budget smash-hits like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. But, they still remember their roots.Remember the remix power-up from FreQuency and Amplitude? Now you know where Harmonix came up with that.*Side note: The music tracks in the game are in a proprietary format, so I can't rip them from the game.*Another side note:According to Google, there were multiple CDs of "The Axe" made, and they allowed new music tracks to play along to. |
It's no white Ford Bronco, but a notorious silver Toyota 4Runner is suddenly the hottest piece of murder-linked sports memorabilia on four wheels. Yesterday, a pair of New England car dealers posted an eBay listing for the 2006 Toyota once leased by former Patriots player Aaron Hernandez and allegedly used in the drive-by murder of two men. Though he was found not guilty in the trial last month before his suicide, bidding for the "REAL DEAL" truck "just the way it came from the impound yard" (which was on the block along with a signed Hernandez jersey) briefly topped $100,000 last night before eBay pulled the listing.
And they weren't kidding about the crime-scene condition of the 4Runner. Pictures from the original ad show black powder all over the overhead reading lights and sunroof switch where police dusted for fingerprints. Hernandez first leased the Toyota from a Rhode Island car dealer in 2010 in exchange for promotional appearances right after being drafted by the New England Patriots, but effectively put it in storage in July 2012 after prosecutors alleged he fired five shots from the passenger seat of a "silver SUV" into a neighboring car following a dispute at a Boston nightclub, killing Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu.
After his arrest in 2013 for the murder of Odin Lloyd, police discovered the 4Runner in the garage of one of his relatives in Connecticut and realized it matched witnesses' descriptions of the truck used in the drive-by shooting. It was a notable piece of evidence in the recent trial, as no one debated its involvement in the crime; prosecutors pointed to the suspicious storage timeline as Hernandez's attempts to hide his guilt, while his defense team successfully argued that it was his friend who pulled the trigger. |
The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the Centre's plea to recall its 2011 order to set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe all cases of black money, maintaining it stepped in 65 years after the government failed to bring back the money stashed in foreign bank accounts.
"Let us see whether the SIT will do things which this court is dreaming of," a three-judge bench headed by Justice HL Dattu observed, pulling up the Centre for its reluctance to accept the July 4, 2011 order to constitute an SIT headed by two retired judges of the SC.
"Since 1947, nobody thought for 65 years to bring these money stashed in foreign banks to the country. (The) government has failed in its role for 65 years. We are not impressed by your statement. If you had undertaken the exercise there was no need for us to step in," the bench said.
The Indian economy would have been in a better situation if the money wasn't stashed in those accounts and pumped into the market here, the court added.
"The per capita income would have gone up. Income tax rate which we are paying at 30 per cent would have been reduced," the bench told solicitor general Mohan Parasaran.
The government's contention that there was already a mechanism in place to deal with the issue was brushed aside with the court noting the Centre was "literally running away" from the SIT-monitored probe.
Justifying the order for setting up of a SIT, the bench said the SC can't "ignore" the government organisation "if it loses faith in it".
The Centre came in for further criticism for not complying with the court's order to conduct a probe against Pune stud owner Hassan Ali Khan and businessman Kashinath Taporiah.
"Three yars have passed but you haven't done anything," the bench told Parasaran.
The SC order on the formation of SIT in the black money case was passed on a PIL filed in 2009 by noted jurist Ram Jethmalani and others who had claimed that Rs 70 lakh crores of black money was stashed abroad in foreign tax havens.
First Published: Mar 26, 2014 19:16 IST |
A US drone strike targeted a convoy of vehicles outside of the Somali port city of Barawe today, destroying multiple vehicles and killing at least five people, including an al-Shabaab commander named Ahmed Sahal Amey.
Amey was heading to Barawe, according to al-Shabaab reports, to take part in a meeting of the organization’s leadership. The identities of the other four slain are unknown at this time.
Also unclear is if Amey was even the intended target, as separate reports quoting US officials suggested they were aiming to kill Mohamed Abdikadar, and they are unsure if he was killed or wounded in the attack. The Shabaab reports make it unclear if he was even present at the time.
This is the first US drone strike against Somalia since October, when an attack in Juba killed two people, both declared “senior leaders” in Shabaab, but neither was ever named.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz |
Bill Shorten's chief spin doctor, Kimberley Gardiner, is leaving the Opposition Leader's office by mutual agreement following an internal review ahead of the next election.
In a move that will be interpreted as the Opposition Leader looking to sharpen his political messaging and re-connect with voters in 2016 after falling well behind Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the opinion polls, Ms Gardiner is leaving the role of communications director after more than three years working for Mr Shorten.
The review of Mr Shorten's office was undertaken by chief of staff Cameron Milner, a former Queensland Labor state secretary who replaced Ken Macpherson as chief of staff in September last year.
Ms Gardiner was a long serving staffer to Julia Gillard when she was deputy prime minister and worked for Mr Shorten when he was a minister in the former Labor government as well as in opposition. She has clocked up almost a decade of service in total with the ALP, including time with former Queensland premier Anna Bligh, as well as for AFL club St Kilda. |
One day, I was playing with my daughter and she asked me to cut a square out of paper. We often grab items from recycling pile and use our creativity to craft something out of it. This particular request was not unusual. We usually glue things together to create small dolls, animals or plants. Yet, I asked her why do I need a paper square.
— Because you will need to sit on it — she answered
So it needs to be rather big and also durable. — I thought — Big square. Cardboard should do fine here.
I questioned my own assumptions. Forgot for a moment about what we usually build and what I am usually asked for. This allowed me to decide the size and material upfront, without going through failure.
I questioned my assignment. It was easy. My daughter is six.
Children at this age, when being asked a question, they don’t judge. They don’t think you are lazy and try avoid doing work. They don’t think you are questioning their authority or creativity. It is just a question. They ask questions all the time and they are being asked as frequently. Questioning is common practice. Transaction cost is near to zero.
Eventually, we get older
We exchange sandboxes for development environments. Exchange Indians and cowboys for developers and managers. Exchange recycling pile and crafting for Balsamiq and wireframes. Exchange gamemasters for Scrum Masters. You know, sort of.
We also exchange curiosity and naivety for judgement, fear and suspicion.
Bad leaders are afraid of the Why. They expect discussion to change strength of their original request. Through questioning and critique their proposition will become a tentative one, which will only be accepted if reasoning behind it is good enough. While the process of asking does not change value of the proposition, it exposes weak points. Moreover, knowing the Why allows others to come up with even greater ideas. Believe me or not, ideas change the distribution of power in the relationship.
Bad leaders are afraid of losing power.
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
True leaders are team players. They share the Why and place their bets on the team success. They are curious about what team can achieve and are interested in building trust. Their What, the proposition, might become an initial seed or a backup policy, so that the worst case scenario is implementing the proposition they donated. They win when their team wins. Power shifts from leaders to teams, initially. Yet, in the long run, something interesting happens. The teams are more successful and feel free to be curious, honest and trusting. They give the power back to the leaders.
Success of both types of leaders is limited by what they, themselves, allow to happen.
Get more meaningful work accomplished
How does your organisation achieve success?
Probably a group of experienced and important people meet and discuss strategy. Let’s assume a pretty good scenario in which they understand identity of the organisation along with underlying values. They discuss and define what they want to achieve, distil it down to measurable goals. Let’s even assume the organisation was able to come up with a set of measurable KPIs related to fore mentioned goals. The teams are empowered to make decisions and some nice practices are in place (say Impact Mapping) for ensuring the goals are met. Sounds good?
I currently work in travel industry, so let me provide an example from this area. Say, CTO could ask the teams to ‘make 95% passengers register in our systems’.
Without a culture of sharing the Why, and having many creative people on board, teams could easily came up with plenty of ideas.
Provide passengers with mobile application that delivers top class user experience and they will register. Give people who work with customers easy to use, online system and they will either gather required data or make customers register. Consolidate data we have in back-end systems, and it will look like they registered. Offer some benefits, like free tour ticket lottery, and they will register.
All that ideas. Tempting. Convincing. Profitable even.
“We do the What without knowing the Why.”
― Tobias Mayer |
The Russian Republic is not the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, the Kremlin described America as the "Main Enemy," and Soviet agents as well as communist sympathizers in America colluded against our nation as part of an ideological jihad against us.
Today that Soviet Empire has lost its satellites in the Warsaw Pact nations as well as the old Marxist states of Yugoslavia and Albania, a loss to the old Soviet Empire of about 125 million people. The disintegration of the Soviet Union itself into twelve nations means that the Russian Republic has 117 million fewer people than the old Soviet Union. The Russian Republic has only 37% of the population of the old communist empire, which stretched from the Elbe River to Sakhalin.
The changes from the old, threatening Soviet Empire into the Russian Republic today involve more than just a dramatic loss of territory and population.
Russia is much freer and more democratic than the old Soviet Union. Four different political parties are represented in the Duma. Putin's party barely has a majority – and it lost seats in the last election. Five different candidates ran for president of Russia in the last election, and although Putin got over 60% of the vote, that result corresponded closely to independent public opinion polls. There is little doubt that Putin won the election, although it is also likely that the voting process was sometimes suspect. Putin is the sort of strongman Russia has historically embraced.
Russia today is much more religious than many of our allies in NATO, and it is overwhelmingly Christian. Putin himself professes a strong Christian faith and wears a cross around his neck, he says, at all times.
Russian aggression against Ukraine and Georgia ought not to be ignored, but the theme of Putin's actions – that Russia is a great nation and ought to have a grand role to play in the world – is not inherently wicked or false. Moreover, as Trump slyly suggests, it is silly for us to be paying much treasure today to protect Europe from Russia, because the capacity for self-defense already exists, and it is the political will of richer European nations that is their security problem vis-à-vis Russia.
Russia really does not threaten us directly at all. Historically, Russia has viewed America as a fellow transcontinental power with vast frontiers and wildernesses. It has never been fully European any more than America has been fully Europeanized. Since the early days of our republic, Russia has viewed America sympathetically, almost as a partner in the greater stage outside the confines of tidier Europe.
What Russia does have is the sort of toughness absent in the politically correct and immigrant-swamped Western Europe. Russia also has as much experience dealing with the Islamic world as any other great power except, perhaps, India. Russians have fought for centuries against different incarnations of Islamic power, and they know how to win these conflicts.
If President Trump could actually create an informal alliance with President Putin, guided by mutual self-interest for both nations, then we might be able to accomplish a lot fairly quickly.
Russia could do much to contain Iran, which has historically been a rival of Russia, and Russia could even prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons (does Moscow really want a nuclear Tehran?). Russia has the power to invade and occupy North Korea, especially if we supported a Russian occupation and took care not to exclude China. Russia has long supported different factions in the Middle East (the Kurds, for example), and a collaborative effort with America and moderate powers in the region could dramatically reduce Islamic terrorism. Russia has also viewed China as much as a rival as an ally. If Russia were accepted by us as a de facto ally in the region, we would gain – and Russia would gain – an important balance against the growing power of China.
The price of all this would be that we would have to grant Russia a high place at the table of great powers and something very much like the old "spheres of influence," which implies the right of a great power to guide events of smaller neighboring nations. This is the old style, rough-and-tumble Realpolitik, guided by self-interest. It also works, as Trump understands. |
11 Most Shocking Tweets From #IStandSunday
Sunday's antigay rally in Houston tried to promote its agenda using #IStandSunday, but LGBT activists had other intentions for the hashtag.
On Sunday, antigay activists rallied at Grace Christian Church in Houston promoting an effort to repeal the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance in a way only Christian extremists can: With lofty rhetoric of pastors, politicians, reality TV stars, and children proudly promising to "refuse service to homosexuals."
Initially positioned as a rally to support five Houston pastors who the city had subpoenaed to testify in a lawsuit challenging the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, the event's tone shifted after Houston mayor Annise Parker withdrew those subpoenas last month. Instead, as David Badash at the New Civil Rights Movement notes, the event "turned into an antigay hate rally, sponsored by the antigay hate group, Family Research Council."
Attendees and supporters at the rally created the hashtag #IStandSunday to use on Twitter and social media, but before long, LGBT activists had hijacked the hashtag to stump for equality and call out antigay bigotry and hypocrisy.
Nevertheless, the event featured right-wing heroes and antigay celebrities, including would-be HGTV reality stars David and Jason Benham.
David graciously shared this photo of some of the high-profile haters:
Today as we Stand let's not forget to 1st Kneel - #IStandSunday @BeardlessBro @toddstarnes @joshduggar @AnnaDuggar pic.twitter.com/NBZ0GoKLBm
— David Benham (@DavidDBenham) November 3, 2014
And let's not forget that all "religious freedom" rallies should be a family affair.
Let's not forget that as we stand to our feet in boldness we must also fall to our face in brokenness. The time has now come. #IStandSunday
— Jason Benham (@JasonBBenham) November 3, 2014
It wasn't long before LGBT activists took to Twitter and changed #IStandSunday into a pro-equality campaign:
"@LibertyS999: Civilized REAL Americans don't support Jim Crow style discrimination laws #IStandSunday pic.twitter.com/gFM5TA5u5B"
— Darius D. Harrison (@Darius_H89) November 1, 2014
Some used historical photos and references to point out the drastic nature of utilizing children to spread the message of discrimination:
Bring the kids too! God bless. #IStandSunday pic.twitter.com/KQSpMp7kh8
— American Putz (@papalputz) November 1, 2014
Some LGBT activists utilized the social media website to showcase the outlandish and hateful things said by some of the event's most highly anticipated guests.
Do u know that an #IStandSunday spkr insists AIDS = God’s punishment & wants class action lawsuit agnst homosex’lity? http://t.co/wDZNs6RiqD
— Jeremy Hooper (@goodasyou) November 1, 2014
Attendees still wanting to repeal the HERO made it known that they feel an unjust attack on their fundamental rights:
RT @JPDuffy: Stand up for our 1st freedom: #ReligiousLiberty. Join #IStandSunday online 11/2 7PM ET: pic.twitter.com/XlCssDM2Zi
— Scott Wooledge (@Clarknt67) November 1, 2014
While many Christians stood up for equality and dismissed the antigay notions of the extremists:
.@FRCdc @txvalues @AllianceDefends @tperkins - Neither Christian nor patriotic. Fear based control of otherwise good & faithful people Shame
— Kimberly A Knight (@KmbrlyKnght) November 3, 2014
The event drew responses from other antigay celebrities like 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar.
"There is a war on religious liberty in America...and is it targeting people of the Christian faith." - @toddstarnes #IStandSunday @FRCdc
— Josh Duggar (@joshduggar) November 3, 2014
After some time, users supporting the original antigay intent of the Twitter thread took aim at the LGBT users who were redefining #IStandSunday, hurling angry, hate-filled tweets.
A healthy heterosexual society OR a society of perverted LGBTs, S&M, pedophilia, porn.-CHOOSE ONE #tcot #4houston5 #ERLC2014 #IStandSunday
— Alessandra Ref (@Alessandra_Ref) November 3, 2014
Despite the viciousness of anti-equality tweets, LGBT activists continued to fight back using humor:
— Rebecca Gardner (@BikerBecca) November 3, 2014
Some LGBT supporters even generously offered a sartorial history lesson for the self-proclaimed Christians who are opposed to LGBT equality:
Bigotry 2014 style, courtesy of the religious right. #IStandSunday pic.twitter.com/QRbp9jLiEg |
Green and gold kangaroo labels will show consumers how much of their food contains local ingredients and whether it was made in Australia, but the changes have been criticised by a consumer advocate for not requiring the origin of non-local ingredients.
The new labelling system, which is expected to make food slightly more expensive, followed demands for clearer information on the origin of food products following an outbreak of hepatitis A caused by frozen berries imported from China earlier this year.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce unveiled the new food labels on Tuesday, saying some businesses would start using them on a voluntary basis before the end of the year.
"If a product has got the green and gold kangaroo triangle, it is made or processed in Australia," Mr Abbott said. "If the product has the gold bar, the product is Australian." |
NATURALLY all the talk turns to the fierce state rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland at this time of the year but the State of Origin arena is not the only place where plenty goes on the line.
Back in clubland, NRL sides are robbed of their best players, giving the chance for other players to have their moment in the sun.
There’s also coaches and whole teams that run into make or break scenarios in this strange part of the season.
So who’s got the most to lose? We look at the NRL’s 10 most at stake during Origin.
AGREE/DISAGREE WITH OUR PICKS? VOTE IN THE POLL AND LEAVE A COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO JOIN THE DEBATE!
Moses Mbye
The ladder-leading Bulldogs have had their heart ripped out by Laurie Daley’s stunning decision to add Trent Hodkinson and Tony Williams to a NSW side that already included Josh Morris and Josh Reynolds. The biggest benefactor? Moses Mbye. The 20-year-old created ripples of excitement in the pre-season with an electric match winning display against the Storm. With Hodkinson, Reynolds, skipper Michael Ennis and international Sam Perrett filling his most likely positions, Mbye has barely been sighted since. This Friday night he gets his opportunity to pull the strings for Des Hasler’s side in a blockbuster against the premiers. Chances don’t get much bigger.
Roosters halves
A fortnight ago Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney were sitting pretty as the Blues incumbent halves pairing, with Laurie Daley determined to keep the faith. Pearce had his misguided night on the tiles with Boyd Cordner and the rest is history. It’s often said that what separates the champions from the rest is how they hit back from adversity. So Pearce and Maloney now have their chance to fight for the jerseys they lost and show Daley they deserve another shot by lifting the Roosters back to the form that took them to last season’s title.
Nathan Merritt
Dropped to NSW Cup a month ago and out of contract at the end of the year, things don’t get much more desperate for a player who made his lone Origin appearance just last season. South Sydney’s all-time leading try-scorer replaces Greg Inglis at fullback for Monday night’s clash with the Sharks. Play out of his skin and Merritt might just prove to Michael Maguire he still deserves a spot in first grade for this season and beyond. Fail and he might see his NRL career slipping away.
Rabbitohs halves
Unlike the Roosters halves who have had their chance at Origin level and watched it slip away, Adam Reynolds and John Sutton are still waiting for their first crack. Sutton in particular can count himself unlucky not to at least claim a bench spot for the Blues but there still could be opportunities for both to play in this series if they can respond in the right fashion.
Putting Origin aside, these two will need to have a big six weeks to give the Bunnies the best chance of a top four spot at the end of the season. With Inglis in and out and backing up, the attacking responsibilities will fall just about exclusively to the halves.
Robert Lui
Picked up by the Cowboys in 2012 to ease the pressure on Johnathan Thurston, it’s fair to say Lui has been a big disappointment so far. After bursting on the scene with the Tigers as a youngster, Lui’s career was derailed by off-field issues but his talent has never been questioned. With Thurston’s attentions turned to Origin, all of a sudden Lui must be the primary playmaker and if he’s not up to the job the Cowboys simply won’t win. Fail and he might quickly find himself at yet another career crossroads.
Tariq Sims, Jason Taumalolo
While Lui will shoulder much of the ball-playing burden for the Cowboys, powerhouse forwards Jason Taumalolo and Tariq Sims must also assume greater responsibility with the likes of James Tamou and Matt Scott away on Origin duties. It’s one thing to be a star in the making. It’s quite another to step up to the plate and show the guts to be a leader. Taumalolo and Sims have both been touted as rep players of the future. Now’s the perfect time to show why.
Ricky Stuart
After a period of promise early in the season, the Raiders are sinking like a stone towards the bottom of the ladder and Ricky Stuart’s career’s unlikely to survive a second straight wooden spoon. To avoid that dubious honour, the Raiders need to capitalise on the relatively minimal impact felt by their club during Origin, with Josh Papalii the only player selected. If they can snag a win against a decimated Cowboys outfit on Sunday, it might give them the bit of momentum they require to turn things around, potentially saving Sticky’s job.
Benji Marshall
After a horrible return to the NRL against the Eels on Saturday, it would come as a big relief to Benji and his teammates that they’ve got a bye this weekend. It’s an incredibly important fortnight for the Dragons. They need to work out how to tinker with their structure to get the best out of both Marshall and Gareth Widdop. If they can get their halves firing quickly the Origin period should be a fruitful one for the Dragons, given they only have to do without Trent Merrin and Brett Morris. If the struggles continue, the decision to sign Benji is going to start to look like a massive howler.
Warriors
The Warriors have looked a different team under Andrew McFadden and out of every side in the NRL they have the most upside during the Origin period. If they can take advantage of the fact that they don’t have to contribute a single player to NSW or Queensland, they’ve got every chance of nailing down a healthy position in the top eight when the stars from the other clubs return. Can they take that opportunity or will their trademark inconsistency come back to haunt them?
Ben Hannant, Josh McGuire
With Sam Thaiday injured and Corey Parker and Matt Gillett two of the first players picked for Queensland, the core of Brisbane’s forward pack has been shredded. To compete, the Broncos will need a lift out of their entire forward pack but Hannant and McGuire have the most at stake for different reasons. McGuire is full of mongrel and has been on the edge of Origin selection for a couple of seasons now. Step up under tough circumstances and he’ll be in poll position to take the next available slot in the Maroons. After reports of a falling out with coach Anthony Griffin, Hannant needs to take every opportunity just to stay in the shop window. |
“We’re not trying to be a jerk bike shop,” says David Archard.
As someone who generally avoids bike shops, and “jerk” bike shop employees as well, preferring to slip quietly in and out of low-key co-ops like Missing Link, that’s good to hear. In other words, I’m Archard’s target customer for Luckyduck, a soon-to-open bike shop, café and “social club” in downtown Oakland.
According to the company website, Luckyduck aims to “focus on self-actualized education, camaraderie, and general bicycle advocacy” in an environment that combines the services and products of a bike shop with the “positive and relaxed vibes found in a coffee shop or beer garden. No pretension or pressure.”
Luckyduck is a passion project for Archard and his partner, Aaron Wacks, who bonded over their love of bikes while living together in a West Oakland art warehouse. They launched Luckyduck as an online blog and shop called Wheelhouse Oakland, but the project was re-named after learning of another similar project, called The Wheelhouse, in Los Angeles.
A third partner, Jimmy Ryan, joined the team two years ago.
Archard has been building custom bikes since 2010 and selling them through Brazen Bicycles. Brazen bikes are built from used steel bike frames and restyled to suit the customer’s measurements, use for the bike, and style requirements. He will continue to sell Brazen bikes through Luckyduck’s bike shop, but they will not be the primary focus. Instead, Archard and Wacks will offer a broad range of used bikes encompassing a wide price range. Other than the repurposed custom builds, they will not sell any new bikes. “There are plenty of used bikes out there [people should be riding],” said Archard.
More importantly for the two, selling lower-cost used bikes helps to keep the shop accessible to the biggest range of customers. “We want to cater to underserved populations, like women, people of color, Oakland locals,” said Archard.
That’s where the café comes in. Archard said that the café will make the space more versatile and welcoming. “We want people to come in and not be pressured to know about bikes or talk about bikes,” he said. “We want a space that feels comfortable, so it’s not like when you go into a bike shop and [the employees] are like, ‘Why are you here?'”
“We want people to come here to find people with similar interests,” said Wacks. “We want people to meet over a handshake instead of on the internet.”
Luckyduck’s food will be simple, said Wacks. The café portion of the space does not have a hood, so they’ll be cooking with a panini press and a convection oven.
The focus will be on sandwiches made with interesting ingredients, but they won’t be super fancy. “You can’t get a good deli sandwich around here,” said Ryan. That’s what he and the rest of the team want to offer — think tuna melts or a roast beef with blue cheese.
Notably, however, most of the offerings will be meat-free. The Luckyduck team is working on developing vegetarian and vegan options that are far more creative than the average hummus and sprouts on rye. Ryan and Wacks are currently throwing around ideas like a jalapeño popper grilled cheese, a vegan chili dog with cashew cheese, and a vegan twist on pulled pork using jackfruit.
Alongside all orders will be, according to Ryan, “some sort of interesting pickle.” They’ve been working with a chef friend from Gather in Berkeley to develop a lineup of various fermented vegetables, which they’ll also serve as an assorted vegetable “charcuterie”-like platter.
A few salads and breakfast items from local purveyors such as Authentic Bagels will round out the food menu.
On the drinks side, Luckyduck will have local beer, wine and cider, as well as coffee and espresso drinks courtesy of Red Bay Coffee. It will open with four standard beer taps, a nitro beer tap and a nitro tap used exclusively for cold brew coffee. Ryan hopes to double up the beer taps over time.
As is standard for most new cafés, Archard, Wacks and Ryan plan to source as many local ingredients as possible, and they hope to keep things affordable. Wacks said he would like to keep everything on the menu under $10.
The team expects much of Luckyduck’s daytime food business to come from local office workers, especially from the café’s building, which is populated mostly by tech workers and architects. “The office workers have been bugging the owners forever to add a café in this space,” said Ryan.
Indeed, when the café opens, the team plans to focus on breakfast and lunch hours. They will eventually add evening and nighttime hours. Archard said he would like for Luckyduck to stay open until 10 p.m. most evenings for those who want to come in for a few beers. “We’re going to be more alcohol-heavy than a basic café,” he said.
In the evenings, the bike shop will close and make room for a small performance area towards the back of the café.
Wacks said that he hopes Luckyduck will open in mid-August, pending health inspections.
Luckyduck Bicycle Café will be at 302 12th St. (at Harrison Street), Oakland. Connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Connect with NOSH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to the free NOSH Weekly email for all your East Bay food news. |
"We were overwhelmed with the logistics as we only had a few days in Rome and Venice and wanted to be near everything," said Ellis. With the help of an agent, "We stayed in some of the nicest places ever and they all seemed very local in their feeling, at our request," she said.
Karen Wickre, an internet industry veteran and founder of KVOX Media, relies on a travel adviser who can "see competitive pricing and scheduling," when planning complex trips outside the U.S.
On a two-week, multi-city visit to Spain and Portugal, Wickre and a friend figured chose the hotels and length of stays in each city, but turned to the agent to book flights, trains, and airport transfers.
"All the travel documents and details were in one itinerary," said Wickre, "They even have an app we could look at along the way. And it was easy to pay one bill to the agent." |
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump fields a question during the first Republican presidential debate hosted by Fox News in Cleveland, Ohio. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Friday night that Fox News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly "had blood coming out of her eyes" when she aggressively questioned him during Thursday's presidential debate.
"She gets out and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions," Trump said in a CNN interview. "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever. In my opinion, she was off base."
(On Saturday morning, Trump tweeted that he was referring to Kelly's nose. His campaign also issued a statement, claiming Trump said "whatever" instead of "wherever," while again repeating that the reference was to her nose.)
In Thursday's debate, Kelly questioned Trump over his history of offensive statements about women.
Calling in to CNN for a 30-minute interview on Friday night with Don Lemon, Trump hurled insults at Kelly, calling her a "lightweight," and bashed her co-moderators, Chris Wallace and Bret Baier, as well as other Fox talent.
"I just don't respect her as a journalist," Trump said of Kelly. "I have no respect for her. I don't think she's very good. I think she's highly overrated."
Trump said he is considering skipping the next debate hosted by Fox News Channel, scheduled for January in Iowa, because he believes he was treated unfairly by the network's moderators. |
The latest edition of MLBPipeline.com 's Prospect Team of the Week (April 17-23) is led by an all Milwaukee Brewers outfield, with Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison and Demi Orimoloye all earning a spot. This marks the first time one team has accounted for all three outfield spots on the Team of the Week.
MLBPipeline.com's Prospect Team of the Week honors the best performances from the previous seven days. Any player currently on an organization Top 30 Prospects list on our Prospect Watch is eligible, including big leaguers.
MLBPipeline.com's Prospect Team of the Week honors the best performances from the previous seven days. Any player currently on an organization Top 30 Prospects list on our Prospect Watch is eligible, including big leaguers.
The latest edition of MLBPipeline.com's Prospect Team of the Week (April 17-23) is led by an all Milwaukee Brewers outfield, with Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison and Demi Orimoloye all earning a spot. This marks the first time one team has accounted for all three outfield spots on the Team of the Week.
Prospect Team of the Week
Harrison and Orimoloye both have struggled to begin their pro careers, but the duo was hugely productive last week for Class A Wisconsin, combining to hit .420 (21-for-50) with six home runs, 17 RBIs and 16 runs scored to pace the Timber Rattlers to four wins in seven games. Brinson, meanwhile, has flat-out raked since missing a week after dislocating a finger in the season opener for Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Here's our complete Prospect Team of the Week:
C: Will Smith , Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Class A Advanced)
(Dodgers' No. 14 prospect)
7 G, .440/.548/.920, 4 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 5 BB, 5 K, 4 SB
Smith tallied a hit in all seven games last week for the Quakes, with six of his 11 hits going for extra bases. Three of those hits were home runs, largely thanks to his first career multihomer game on Sunday, and he also stole four bases in as many attempts. And though he started a majority of his games behind the plate, Smith started two games at second base, as well as one at the hot corner.
Video: Top Prospects: Will Smith, C, Dodgers
1B: Ryan O'Hearn, Omaha Storm Chasers (Triple-A)
(Royals' No. 8 prospect)
6 G, .423/.444/.846, 3 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 0 BB, 2 K
O'Hearn batted just .235 over his first nine games before catching fire last week. The 23-year-old first baseman hit safely in all six games for Omaha, including home runs in three of his final four contests. He's now gone deep five times in 15 games, during which he's hitting .317/.369/.650.
Watch: O'Hearn goes yard
2B: Shed Long, Daytona Tortugas (Class A Advanced)
(Reds' No. 14 prospect)
6 G, .385/.407/.769, 4 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 1 BB, 4 K
Long, 21, found his power stroke for the Tortugas, homering in three of his final four contests to close the week. He drove in multiple runs in each of those games en route to seven RBIs, giving him 12 RBIs through his first 16 games this season in the Florida State League.
Video: Top Prospects: Shed Long, 2B, Reds
3B: Michael Chavis, Salem Red Sox (Class A Advanced)
(Red Sox's No. 10 prospect)
7 G, .476/.607/1.333, 8 R, 3 2B, 5 HR, 10 RBIs, 5 BB, 4 K
Chavis returned from a brief stint on the disabled list to smash five home runs and three doubles in 21 at-bats last week. He hit a career-high three homers against Wilmington on April 19, capping the performance with a walk-off two-run shot. In 2016, Chavis, 21, hit eight homers in 81 games between Class A Greenville and Salem.
Video: Chavis' red-hot bat lands him on the team of the week
SS: Luis Urias, San Antonio Missions (Double-A)
(Padres' No. 7 prospect)
5 G, .545/.583/.909, 7 R, 4 2B, 2 3B, 3 RBIs, 2 BB, 4 K
Urias turned in back-to-back 4-for-5 performances on Thursday and Friday, during which he recorded five extra-base hits and scored seven runs for the Missions. And by batting .545 (12-for-22) for the week, the 19-year-old shortstop raised his average to .350 from .237.
Watch: Urias belts second triple of game
OF: Monte Harrison, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Class A)
(Brewers' No. 22 prospect)
7 G, .423/.483/.846, 5 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBIs, 3 BB, 7 K
After two injury-plagued seasons, Harrison finally appears to be firing on all cylinders this year in the Midwest League. He hit multiple homers for the first time in his career on Thursday in a week that saw the 21-year-old outfielder tally four multihit and multi-RBI games each.
Watch: Harrison goes yard
OF: Demi Orimoloye, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Class A)
(Brewers' No. 24 prospect)
6 G, .417/.462/.917, 11 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 SB
Beyond him hitting safely in all six games, Orimoloye, Milwaukee's fourth-round pick in 2015, scored two runs in all but one of those contests to finish the week with 11 runs. Meanwhile, with five home runs in his first 15 games, the 20-year-old outfielder already has matched his total from 2016, which he achieved over 61 games in the Rookie-level Pioneer League.
OF: Lewis Brinson, Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Triple-A)
(Brewers' No. 1 prospect)
6 G, .458/.481/.792, 6 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 SB
Brinson had his season-opening hitting streak snapped on Sunday, but it was still an impressive week for MLBPipeline.com's No. 16 prospect. He went 4-for-6 with a homer and five RBIs on Monday before notching two more multihit performances and finishing with a .458 average (11-for-24).
Watch: Brinson belts solo shot
LHP: Drew Harrington, Columbia Fire Frogs (Class A Advanced)
(Braves' No. 25 prospect)
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 12 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 0.83 WHIP
After struggling in his second start for the Fire Frogs (6 ER on 12 H in 4 1/3 innings), Harrington worked 12 innings without allowing an earned run last week to lower his ERA to 2.42 through four turns. The 22-year-old lefty was particularly sharp on Sunday, tossing seven frames of three-hit ball with three strikeouts against Clearwater.
RHP: Tyler Mahle, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Double-A)
(Reds' No. 10 prospect)
2-0, 0.64 ERA, 2 GS, 14 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 15 K, 0.36 WHIP
Mahle captured the headline of the week on Saturday by tossing a perfect game for Pensacola against Mobile -- the first nine-inning perfect game in the Southern League since 1970. The 22-year-old right-hander, who pitched a no-hitter for Class A Advanced Daytona on June 13 of last season, struck out eight and needed just 88 pitches (68 strikes) to accomplish the feat. Mahle is 4-0 in four starts this season, with 0.68 ERA, a 0.45 WHIP and a 27-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 26 2/3 innings.
Video: Mahle lands on team of the week after perfect game
RP: Edgar Santana, Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A)
(Pirates' No. 24 prospect)
2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 4 G, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0.25 WHIP
Santana notched saves in two of his four appearances last week, during which he permitted just one hit and faced the minimum 15 batters across five innings. The 25-year-old righty has been dominant for Indianapolis in the early going, posting a 0.84 ERA and going 3-for-3 in save opportunities after an eye-opening showing in last year's Arizona Fall League (0 ER in 10 2/3 IP). |
by Preston James
Is there a major faction in the Pentagon that is run by PNACers and Top NeoCons that has gone rogue?
Was the Pentagon’s top control structure hijacked by Rumsfeld and Cheney during Bush2’s presidency and do they still maintain control through their high positions in the Secret Shadow Government?
Is JSOC now a rogue operation? For years some insiders have claimed that Richard Cheney took complete control over JSOC, turning it into his private assassination squad while VP and never relinquished control.
Is there any substance to the rumors that Cheney’s health is excellent and the so-called heart problems and transplant are all a ruse to get the heat off him for all the war crimes and crimes against humanity he is responsible for?
Many believe that Cheney and Rumsfeld were both deeply involved in the operations behind the attack on America on 9-11-01 and that Cheney ran the FAA, the US Military and NORAD stand-down, permitting the Mossad to run this Gladio-style False-flag attack targeting NYC and the Pentagon.
It was allegedly Rumsfeld that called a special meeting of the Able Danger Task Force to meet in the Pentagon on 9-11-01 in the exact location targeted to be there at the exact time. Why would he do such a thing?
The most reasonable answer to this question is that Able Danger was tracking the Mossad group and the nuclear warheads they stole from Pantex in Amarillo, Texas. It was this group that stored the nukes near the Twin Towers and then deployed them in the Twin Towers using Mossad front company Urban Movers.
If most members of this task force had not been present in the targeted area of the Pentagon that morning on 9-11-01 and murdered, they would have quickly been able to connect the dots of who was responsible for nuking the Twin Trade Towers.
Those that missed this meeting and survived have been too afraid to ever speak out about what they discovered and know that they are likely being closely surveilled and believe they will be severely sanctioned by a “with prejudice” final judgment if they speak out.
Who has allowed the Pentagon’s top control structure to go renegade? The answer is that a lot of powerful USG officials that should have done their jobs and stopped this hijacking of the American military by the World’s largest Organized Crime Syndicate. This syndicate is also the World’s largest Opium Cartel, the World’s private “bloodline” Money-changers who run almost every monetary creation and lending system. And their top leaders are known to be secret Baal worshipers continuing the same anti-human evil occult practices all the way back to ancient Babylonia. These practices include infant and child sacrifice and mass-sacrifices of thousands and millions innocents using wars. These parasites believe they get supernatural powers from shedding the blood of innocents and sacrificing them to Baal (Lucifer).
We now know for certain that the main espionage group responsible for the inability and unwillingness of Congress to protect We The People as their Oath of Office requires has been AIPAC, which we now know for certain is an Israeli espionage front inside America that funnels massive campaign funds and other perks to Members of Congress and top USG Officials. Anyone doubting this can study the testimony provided by great American Hero and former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
So far it is apparent that every single sitting member of the US Congress except one, Representative Walter Jones signed the AIPAC Loyalty Oath to place Israel first even before America. This is a clear violation of ones Oath of Office and is Treason too.
Why is this Treason? Because we now have incontrovertible clear-cut evidence that Israel covertly attacked America on 9-11-01 and is therefore an enemy of the USA. The perps never thought they would be exposed for this but thanks to the Worldwide Internet, the New Gutenberg Press, the truth is now known to many and the evidence that has emerged is overwhelming.
The Pentagon has been used to foment terror in order to psyop the American masses to draw Americans into illegal, unConstitutional foreign wars of aggression for war profits for the Military Industrial Complex.
Because much of the Pentagon has been hijacked and gone rogue, it can be easily used by the PNACers and Top NeoCons to create and support terror anywhere desired in America, the Middle East, Africa or anywhere. This engineered, staged terror can then be used as an excuse to justify the deployment of the American Military machine to counter that False-flag terror.
The result: the Military Defense Complex is able to generate billions of dollars of war profits for the Banksters and their associated international defense contractors. But the human cost is so great it is beyond normal human imagination. Being responsible for millions of deaths of innocent humans beings and thousand of deaths and disabilities of good American Soldiers is nothing to these soulless criminal monsters who walk among us and pretend they are normal.
But perhaps one of the worst scandals the Pentagon has ever become involved in is its secret role in trafficking huge amounts of opium from Afghanistan, using remote piloted Global Hawks to transport it into America and some other countries. So we have a situation where the US Army protects the opium crop in Afghanistan and uses it to provide massive amounts of “off the books” money for black operations. But the US Military is also in Afghanistan to provide easy, cheap, protected harvesting of Lithium needed for high tech batteries.
Of course this is nothing new for the USG because we now know for certain that the CIA trafficked in massive amounts of opium from the Golden Triangle during the Vietnam war, often stuffing drugs in the body cavities of American Soldiers killed in Action in an illegal, unConstitutional war that should never have been allowed by any honest US Congress. Any soldier who found out about this and reported it to their base commander usually ended up dead in a strange jeep accident.
Instead of being used to defend America the Pentagon has gone rogue and has been assisting the CIA in trafficking illegal narcotics and creating and deploying Terror to justify sending in the American War Machine run out of the Pentagon.
For years the CIA has been illegally deployed inside the continental USA, spying on Americans, running operations to abuse, harass and even murder dissidents and whistle-blowers for the Bush Crime Cabal. But it has also been a major trafficker of illegal narcotics for the large Opium Cartel associated with the Rothschild *Khazarian Mafia (RKM Banksters working out of the City of London) which is believed to be the true force that hijacked the Pentagon and still runs it using Israeli Likudists and stateside PNACers and Top NeoCons.
Numerous insiders have claimed that it was Bush1 that hijacked the CIA and who was the main controller of the JFK Assassination, being present in Dealey Plaza that day November 22, 1963, watching it happen.
Has the whole Pentagon gone rogue? Apparently the US Navy is still under control of the US President even though there may be good reason to suspect tat the USAF rent rogue right before the JFK Assassination with its association with the now defunct but formerly quite powerful E-Systems of Fort Worth.
It is interesting to note that the US Navy has withdrawn its last carrier group from the Mideast. That decision makes sense and would have to have come from the US President. The reason it makes sense is that there have been numerous credible reports that the new Russian anti-ship missile systems cannot be stopped by the Aegis Radar operated defense system or anything else the US Navy has.
The USS Donald Cook incident in April 2014 is a strong reminder of what some of the new Russian electronic warfare capabilities are, and they are extremely effective. According to reports Russian aircraft doing a flyby on that day shut down the American Aegis system and other electronics, rendering the USS Donald Cook defenseless, a sitting duck in the water.
And now we have news reports that America is sending some USAF F-15 fighter aircraft to fight ISIS in Syria. But they have not been officially invited by Syria as the Russians were, who are a major long term ally of Syria. Some are concerned that this constitutes a ploy to draw America into a major war with Russia in the Mideast, a war that could escalate to a large scale nuclear exchange involving America, Russia, Europe and the Mideast.
Did President Obama order this deployment of F-15s or was he informed it was going to be made and just went along because he knew he couldn’t stop it?
It is important to note that we now have Senator John McCain as head of the Senate Armed Services Committee and many expect him to be around into the next Administration, while President Obama has only a little over a year left in office. Senator McCain is the only American charged with Treason during the Vietnam War because his fellow officers reported how he collaborated with the enemy while a POW. McCain’s betrayal resulted in numerous deaths of American Pilots.
McCain was granted immunity because blanket immunity was granted to all POWS to provide cover for his betrayal. And Senator McCain played a central role in blocking any real investigation and rescue of the MIA’s left behind by Henry Kissinger and President Nixon at the end of the war. But this should come as no surprise since his father a Navy Admiral was an important player in the cover-up of the Israeli False-flag attack on the USS Liberty Ship.
This alone may make it easy for some top Pentagon Officials to cooperate closely and maintain loyalty to Senator McCain and other Top NeoCons rather than to President Obama.
How interesting it is that President Obama has so far refused to send the American military into a full air and ground war in Syria, Iraq and Iran as the PNACers and Top NeoCons have been coercing him to do. he has been apparently willing to send special ops to train Syrians rebels fighting against Assad and also to train ISIS. Or did he? Or were these rogue Pentagon operations done without President Obama’s approval?
America has worked covertly with Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to create, train, supply and pay ISIS which is nothing more than a paid mercenary force with deep support from the CIA and the Pentagon and all at US taxpayers expense without their knowledge or permission.
And now thee Russian Federation at the request of its long term ally Syria has completely checkmated this Israeli-American Terror Machine in Syria. This checkmate has exposed all the lies about ISIS that the USG has been feeding to the American people through a crooked, lying Controlled major Mass Media illegal News Cartel.
And President Obama and former US Generals have even admitted that the USG was supporting ISIS and used Terrorists to attain goals.
Insiders call this rogue group that has hijacked much of the pentagon, the Israeli-American Terror machine. We know now for certain that it plays an important role Psyopping the American Masses to motivate them to support illegal, unConstitutional, undeclared, unwinnable wars of aggression in the Mideast.
Former President George Herbert Walker Bush (Bush1) just published a biography characterizing Cheney and Rumsfeld as too hawkish and blaming them for hurting the administration of his son George W. Bush (Bush2). Has Bush1 made a serious effort to extricate son Jeb from any guilt by association between his brother Bush2 to Cheney and Rumsfeld who hijacked the Pentagon and JSOC and were deeply involved in the Israeli attack on America of 9-11-01?
Is this a signal that the top few folks that really run things behind the dark curtain have decided to cut Cheney and Rumsfeld loose along with the rest of the top NeoCons and the Israeli-American “Israeli-first” Dual Citizen PNACers?
Does this mean that the ADL, AIPAC, DHS and the like will soon be finished as an espionage fronts for Israel and the RKM in America? Does it mean that Israel will also be cut loose to be dealt with by the rest of the World and the American masses for the 9-11-01 attack on America and Apartheid, tyranny, massive land theft and genocide against Palestinians?
And is this an omen that it has already been decided that the RKM stranglehold on the American monetary creation and distribution system with the fraudulent, criminal, unConstitutional Federal Reserve System is going to end soon? Sure seems that way.
Does this mean that Hillary Clinton was right when she confided and griped to a group of insiders that “we are losing the information war”? Yes, it is now becoming quite obvious that thanks to the Worldwide Internet, the New Gutenberg Press, We The People and the citizens of the World are beginning to win the information war. It’s been a long, slow, disheartening process, but serious progress has been made and is now accelerating noticeably.
It’s time for America to take back control of the Pentagon, the CIA and the US Military before the PNACers and Top NeoCon Traitors seduce America into more illegal, unConstitutional unwinnable wars of aggression to make big profits for the Military Industrial complex. We know that the Pentagon hijackers are the RKM Banksters which run the World’s largest Opium Cartel and the principals of this cartel are the same few individuals who have hijacked the Pentagon. This is why the Pentagon and the CIA have become as addicted to drug revenues for black ops as any mainlining heroin addict.
But in order to drive these World’s largest organized crime moguls away from Pentagon control it is probably going to be necessary to expose the true perps who attacked America on 9-11-01 with nukes. These folks are the same individuals who hijacked the Pentagon, run the drugs and also run the CIA as a deniable source of international Terror used to start proxy wars for Israel and the RKM.
And in order to do that it is going to be necessary to either break up the CMMM News Cartel, an illegal news monopoly, or at least reach a point where the majority of Americans no longer believe any of its lies which is most of what it broadcasts and publishes.
Conclusion:
Everyday more and more US Special Operations warriors become more and more disillusioned and distrustful of the Pentagon’s command structure. They know that the Seal Team Six members involved in the fake assassination of Osama bin Laden (aka Colonel Tim Osman, his CIA tradecraft name) who died in late 2001 of Marfan’s Syndrome were all murdered to keep them from talking. Many of the surviving families know this too and are very angry and want payback.
But murdering America’s most brave and heroic soldiers who have served their nation diligently is nothing new. Eleven of the Twelve spooky Teams in South America were murdered to keep them from talking about the CIA’s involvement in illegal narcotics trafficking into America.
In fact in the last 20 years most US Special Ops have been murdered or disabled at the hands of the USG. This is a disgusting betrayal of loyalty and trust. It is getting to the point where no special ops will trust any higher command anymore.
Right now there is major dissatisfaction growing inside the Pentagon and perhaps especially among the USN “Greybeards” who know that the Naval Intel offices were targeted by the USAF on 9-11-01 in a long term secret war between the USAF and the USN.
And to make matters even worse, many Americans are just now starting to understand that not only has the RKM been able to use their main action agent the Israelis to hijack Congress, the CIA and most of the Pentagon, but they have been able to consolidate all American Law Enforcement and the Alphabets into one centralized agency, Homeland Security (DHS) run by them.
How sick and twisted it is it for our Traitors in Congress and our Administration to allow a foreign based espionage group of perverts who are secret Baal worshiper to consolidate all American law Enforcement into their own secret police and run it as an extension of the Israeli IDF anti-terror forces? Can you say “enemy within our gates”.
And if you doubt how malignant a development this is to have a foreign operated RKM/Israeli secret police organization running our Law Enforcement, just consider how much damage the ADL has been doing to Americans by training and militarizing the police. American Police have been receiving military grade heavy weaponry from the Pentagon and are now being trained and mind-kontrolled by the ADL to view average Americans as domestic terrorists to be shot down at a minor lack of compliance to verbal orders. What a creative way to oppress, tyrannize and eliminate even more American Goyim. Not as good as fighting Israel’s wars to establish a greater Israeli based new Mideast and then a whole RKM NWO however. Right now it looks as if the RKM Globalist Plan for their NWO system based on a greater Israel and the transformation of America into GAZA II with American Goyim the New Palestinians is checkmated thanks to Putin and the Russian Federation.
If we continue to keep the pressure on and getting the facts out about how Israel and our USG Traitors attacked America on 9-11-01 and started and have been suporting ISIS and all the other so-called terror groups, we can break their back and dis-empower them.
Be certain of this. There are many good Americans in the Pentagon and the US Military at all levels. because they have been fed continual lies for many years that are now being exposed in spades thanks to the Internet’s alternative news and the Russian Federation’s checkmate of the Israeli-American Terror Machine in Syria.
Every day more and more of the big lies, false-narratives and propaganda of the PNACers and Top NeoCons that hijacked the Pentagon are being exposed and even driven into the Controlled Major Mass Media (CMMM) peripherally. All secrecy is ending. Who can we thank for this exposure of almost every secret that has been kept behind the evil curtain and used to oppress us and the many good changes which have happened lately?
Yes, as you probably guessed, it’s the Intel cowboys. Some you know who they are and many are inside at the highest levels and you will never find out who they are. These magnificent Intel Cowboys are not just from America but are from all over the World and many nations you would never expect. These unspoken heroes of America and many other nations are folks who now fully understand what and who the Khazarian Mafia is and will no longer put up with all their perpetual, unwinnable their wars for profit and mass death and incalculable human suffering and loss. Stay tuned because things are going to get interesting fast.
It’s not over until the fat lady sings and despite the great malignant seemingly overwhelming evil we all face and must fight and defeat together, we must not think it’s hopeless. Americans from all walks of life and every occupation are now finally waking up and ready to create serious change and put an end to the Khazarian Mafia’s occupation. Every day more and more Americans are realizing that the PNACers and the Top NeoCons have been working hard to asset strip America and transform it into a political province of Israel and the RKM Banksters.
We must all work together to stop allowing them to asset strip up and so much of the World of their hard earned income. We must no longer allow them to function as the World’s largest parasite and War Machine, earning endless profits i the process of mass-murdering and disabling millions and destroying whole nations.
* The Khazarian Mafia is an abbreviation to represent the organized crime group that later morphed into the Rothschild Khazarian Mafia. VT Financial Editor Mike Harris coined the term “Khazarian Mafia”. His VT radio, “The Short End of the Stick” show is on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9 PM CST. Mike Harris started using this descriptive term Khazarian Mafia after extensively researching the true but hidden history of the nation of Khazaria and its connection to Rothschild World Zionism now centered in the City of London. He also discovered the long held hatred that the RKM has harbored since about 1020 AD for the non-Khazarian Russians that is still a major motive for the Khazarian Mafia today in its quest to destroy Persia (Iran) and then encircle and once again destroy Russia. Their goal? To steal all Russia’s its assets like in 1917, and mass-murdering any non-Khazarian Russians remaining alive, as a replay of their Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. |
By 1992, federal agents were closing in on Kevin Mitnick, the FBI's most-wanted hacker. But he already knew this; he was watching them.
Mitnick broke into the local cell phone network, allowing him to detect when agents were near his apartment. When they were close, he removed evidence but left behind a box of donuts in the refrigerator, labeling them "FBI donuts" to annoy his pursuers.
Such games of cat and mouse are recounted in Mitnick's new book, "Ghost in the Wires," which details his life as a hacker and fugitive, breaking into computer networks, creating false identities and running from authorities.
Today, Mitnick, 47, runs his own computer security consulting firm and laments how hacking has changed since his youth. He says it has shifted from what he considered to be a hobby for computer enthusiasts to a global criminal enterprise.
"My drivers for hacking were intellectual curiosity, pursuit of knowledge and seduction of adventure," he said Monday at a book signing in New York City. "It was never about stealing money or writing malware."
Mitnick said he initially became a computer hacker because he loved magic. As a 10-year-old boy, he rode his bike to the magic store to learn how tricks were performed. In high school, he met a friend who introduced him to "phone phreaking," or playing pranks by hacking the circuits and switches of telephone companies. This drove him to greater conquests as a young adult, like stealing source code from IT companies, which drew heat from authorities.
In 1995, after three years on the run, Mitnick was arrested in Raleigh, N.C. He confessed to breaking into corporate computer networks and stealing software. After serving five years in prison, he was released in January 2000, but his plea agreement restricted him from using the Internet for three years and profiting from his story for seven years.
Mitnick said he still feels the same high from hacking into computer systems, even though companies now pay him to find and fix their security holes.
"I did get a huge endorphin rush when I was able to crack a system because it was like a video game," he said. "I get the same endorphin rush today when I get into a client's system. I really feel good about it. So I get paid for what I did illegally years ago."
Convicted computer hacker Kevin Mitnick is seen in this Jan. 21, 2000 file photo after being released from the Federal Correction Institute in Lompoc, Calif.
His book signing Monday night at The Half King Bar and Restaurant in New York was like a miniature version of the DefCon hacker conference in Las Vegas, where hackers demonstrate security flaws in various technologies. In addition to signing books, Mitnick showed how to steal credentials from security access cards and quickly search databases to find Social Security numbers. He also gave out his business card, which doubles as a lock-picking set.
Afterward, Mitnick sat down with The Huffington Post and shared his take on today's hacker world, the biggest cyber-security threats and how consumers can protect themselves from being hacked.
How has hacking changed?
Now it's a trend. Hackers are breaking the systems for profit. Before, it was about intellectual curiosity and pursuit of knowledge and thrill, and now hacking is big business. You have the Russian Business Network that leverages hacking skills to commit crime, credit card theft, bank fraud, identity fraud and securities fraud. It's actually a smarter crime because imagine if you rob a bank, or you're dealing drugs. If you get caught you're going to spend a lot of time in custody. But with hacking, it's much easier to commit the crime and the risk of punishment is slim to none.
Is being a hacker today easier or harder?
It's harder in the sense that companies are more secure than they were in the '80s and '90s, but it's easier in the sense that now you have a community of security professionals that share exploit code, develop open source frameworks and have conferences on new security vulnerabilities. So there's a lot of information that is now available that could be used to compromise systems and networks that did not exist when I was a hacker.
Do you think there is more hacking occurring, or is it just being reported more often?
There's more because now hacking has become a mainstream type thing. Before it was computer geeks. The numbers were significantly less. For example, the first DefCon conference [in 1993] was a few hundred people. When I went to DefCon this year there were over 16,000 people.
What do you think of the hacker groups Anonymous and LulzSec?
I think LulzSec started off doing attacks because they perceived a wrong and it was more like sending a message. And then they got so much media attention and so many followers on Twitter that I think they continued because they loved the media attention. Then you had spinoffs because there are young kids who see all the media attention that these guys are creating and want to jump on the bandwagon.
What are the biggest threats to cyber-security today?
I think malware is a significant threat because the mitigation, like antivirus software, hasn't evolved to a point to really mitigate the risk to a reasonable degree. I think insecure web applications and social engineering [are significant threats]. All the major attacks on Lockheed Martin, RSA and Google have used spear phishing.
What should consumers do to protect themselves from being hacked? |
ON JULY 12, the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica disgorged a chunk of ice the size of Delaware, a small state on America’s east coast. America’s government seems unfazed by the possibility that such shifts might one day threaten Delaware itself. Its climate defiance grows not only from the power of its fossil-fuel industry and the scepticism of the Republican party, but also from a sense of insulation from the costs of global warming. This confidence is misplaced. New research indicates not only that climate change will impose heavy costs on the American economy, but also that it will exacerbate inequality.
Calculating the economic effects of climate change is no simple matter. It means working out how a given increase in global temperature affects local weather conditions; how local weather affects things like mortality and crop yields; how those changes add to or subtract from regional GDP; and how thousands of local-level changes in GDP add up nationally or globally. No sweat.
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The sheer number of moving parts means that the “damage function” used in many papers, which links changes in global temperature to economic costs, is not well characterised. The authors of a new study published in Science aim to firm things up. Solomon Hsiang of the University of California, Berkeley, Robert Kopp of Rutgers University and their co-authors run their climate models repeatedly, for three different temperature scenarios, to see how 15 different economic variables behave in 29,000 possible future states of the world, for each of 3,143 American counties.
Using that information, they assemble probability distributions showing the costs America is likely to sustain by the end of the century. Their findings are stark. Even a modest rise in temperature impairs American economic performance. An increase in global temperature of 1.5°C is very likely to reduce annual output by the end of the century by between zero and 1.7%; a rise of 4°C would probably generate losses between 1.5% and 5.6% of GDP. These figures mask considerable variation across America. In some counties the models forecast a rise in local GDP of 10%; others face a staggering expected decline in annual output of 20%.
It is not surprising that the nationwide costs of climate change should conceal losses in some places and gains in others; that is how averages work. But the distribution of losses matters. The study shows that the pain of climate change will fall more heavily on America’s poorest bits than on its richest areas. Falling crop yields and labour productivity, and rising mortality and crime, are expected to be especially pronounced in America’s hot southern counties, where incomes are below the national average. In richer New England and the Pacific north-west, in contrast, winters will be milder and less deadly, and agricultural yields may rise. The aggregate economic cost of climate change is reduced because the burden disproportionately falls on those with low incomes, hardly the ideal way to slash the cost of warming.
Climate change is costly in part because its effects are uncertain, impairing investments and other actions which might mitigate its harms. Thus people would be willing to pay some money to know with greater certainty what higher temperatures will mean in future. Uncertainty around economic projections is highest in the poorest counties. For some of these places the worst outcomes could mean GDP losses of 40% or more. The authors reckon that after adjusting for the uncertainty of climate change, and for its unequal effects, the economic damage caused by a global temperature rise of 3°C could be 1.5-3 times bigger than the unadjusted aggregate figures suggest.
Though focused on America, the analysis also describes the world’s climate problem. The costs of global climate change will again be unevenly (and uncertainly) distributed, but harm will often be smaller for richer, temperate countries. As a result the estimated economic loss from warming is almost certainly understated, because the nastiest effects are concentrated in places where incomes are lowest: and, correspondingly, where tumbling incomes have the smallest effect on global GDP.
Yet just because a county in Mississippi faces a harsher future as a result of climate change than a county in Washington does not mean Mississippians must fare worse than Washingtonians. The authors hold the distribution of America’s population constant in conducting their analysis, but point out that harm could be reduced by large-scale migration. Is that a realistic possibility?
People do move as it grows hotter—but not in a uniform way. Research by Cristina Cattaneo and Giovanni Peri, for instance, shows that migration is an important element of the response to warming in middle-income countries, but that in poorer places the cost of moving locks people in place, amplifying the regressive impact of climate change. What is more, climate change might well require broad migrations from the middle latitudes to countries farther north or south, yet rich-country borders are far less porous (with respect to migrants from poorer countries, at least) than those in the developing world. Even within the large domestic territory of a country like America, mobility cannot be taken for granted; it has been falling in recent decades, even as economic fortunes have diverged and an opioid epidemic has ravaged some parts of the country while sparing others.
Ice in their veins
The rich are disproportionate contributors to the carbon emissions that power climate change. It is cruel and perverse, therefore, that the costs of warming should be disproportionately borne by the poor. And it is both insult and injury that the wealthy are more mobile in the face of climate-induced hardship, and more effective at limiting the mobility of others. The strains this injustice places on the social fabric might well lead to woes more damaging than rising temperatures themselves. |
There is something very wrong with this story. Two months ago, the world's most legendary race track, Germany's Nürburgring filed for bankruptcy. As AP wrote then: "Germany's legendary Nürburgring racetrack and entertainment complex is effectively bankrupt. The circuit—which hosted Formula One's German Grand Prix last year—is to launch insolvency proceedings amid fears that it could run out of cash while the European Commission considers planned government aid. The state government in Rhineland-Palatinate, which owns the financially troubled Nuerburgring GmbH, decided on the move on Wednesday, the dapd news agency reported.... A state subsidy had been in place since a disastrous development plan left the 'Ring organization saddled with more than 350 million euros in debt. While the Nordschleife—the circuit's famous “North Loop” which covers more than 13 miles—generates healthy operating profits, the income does not cover the interest payments on the enormous debt incurred when the state entered into the plan with two developers, Kai Richter and Jorg Lindner." Sadly such is life in a world in which not everyone is bailed out by the government, and when it comes to the "fairness for everyone, bankruptcy for no one" doctrine, Germany has still not jumped on the bandwagon.
One country which has is the country which many say is alive only due to German generosity, is Greece. And in what may be the biggest slap in the face to Germany, and its recently defunct race track, is the news that Greece is now "unblocking a subsidy" (a subsidy which came from Germany) for €29 billion to, get this, build a Formula 1 racetrack. The same type of racetrack that just went belly up in Germany and cost countless jobs.
And if that isn't efficient Keynesian allocation of capital in a fixed currency regime, we don't know what is. What we also don't know is how Germany will react to know that instead of bailing out its own racetrack, and in the process "creating or saving" several thousand German jobs, German money will instead be used to the same purpose, only a thousand kilometers to the Southeast.
From Bloomberg:
Greece unblocked a subsidy of 28.9 million euros ($37.2 million) for the construction of an international-standard racetrack that can be used for staging Formula One car racing, the Ministry of Development said. The track, which will be designed to host other events as well, including world championship motorbike racing and go-kart racing, will be built in Xalandritsa near the western port city of Patras at a total cost of 94.6 million euros, the Athens- based ministry said in an e-mailed statement late yesterday. Racetrack Patras SA, a private investment company, will oversee the project. Greek Deputy Development Minister Notis Mitarakis also signed documents to unblock other subsidies worth a total of 44.4 million euros for a project to build a glass pane-making factory in northern Greece and for modernizing and expanding facilities at the luxury Elounda Bay palace hotel in Crete, including the building of a new conference center, according to the statement. The three projects are the first of seven, each worth more than 50 million euros, that were delayed amid funding difficulties and two general elections. The three projects are collectively expected to generate over 800 new jobs, the ministry said.
The racetrack from the air:
Next: soon to be bailed out Spain gets German subsidies to build BMW and Mercedes plants even as the same plants shutter in Germany. Cue thousands of happy Germans celebrating the efficient allocation of capital.
h/t Stefan |
Medical marijuana is spreading in acceptance, with Illinois this month becoming the 20th state to legalize medical marijuana.
This week a Federal court judge ruled that religion can be used as a defense in a marijuana distribution charge. But so far no states have legalized religious marijuana use, even though there is compelling reason to do so.
People consume alcohol for religious reasons, especially Jews. At least 25 states even allow minors to consume alcohol for religious purposes. So why not legalize marijuana for legitimate religious purposes?
Various world religions include the practice of ritual drinking of alcohol. Christians drink communion wine. Jews drink Kiddush wine, Passover Seder wine, and consume alcohol on festivals such as Purim where the tradition is to celebrate by drinking until one can't distinguish Haman (our enemy) and Mordecai (our hero).
Last year, Northwestern University defrocked Chabad rabbi Dov Hillel Klien for serving alcohol to underage students. Klien maintains that he was serving moderate amounts of alcohol for legitimate religious purposes, such as Kidush wine on Shabbat, with the knowledge of university officials. Klien is currently suing Northwestern for religious discrimination and for "singling (Jewish groups) out from other campus religious organizations that 'commit the same acts' -- meaning Christians who celebrate the Eucharist with wine."
Similarly, many religions engage in ritualistic marijuana smoking dating back thousands of years. It was used in the worship of the Hindu deity, Shiva, and most widespread today by Rastafarian's as a Bible study, and meditation aid.
Roger Christie is a minister of the Religion of Jesus Church, which uses marijuana as a "sacramental herb." Christie and 13 others associated with his ministry are currently facing marijuana possession and trafficking charges for offering pot as a part of supposed religious services in Hawaii.
Whether Christie was using and selling marijuana for bona fide religious purposes, or as a cover for conventional drug dealing is unclear, but the question remains whether marijuana should be permitted for sacramental use.
Even though religious marijuana use is not generally permitted, in 2006 the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Brazilian-American church União do Vegetal could import and use illegal drugs in worship services. Native Americans are routinely given exceptions to use an illegal Schedule I substance called peyote.
Under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), passed by Congress in 1993, amended in 2003 to only include the federal government and its entities, the government is required to show a "compelling interest" in order to "substantially burden" a legitimate religious practice. If hallucinogens like peyote can be legal under this standard, why should more mild drugs like marijuana be any different?
(Although some states have adopted mini-RFRAs, many states are still governed under the Employment Division v. Smith case which allows states to pass neutral laws of general applicability, such as drug laws, even if those laws incidentally affect religious practices under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment).
Even Prohibition, which banned alcohol in the U.S., exempted wine "for sacramental purposes, or like religious rites." Why not exempt marijuana for genuine religious purposes?
Alcohol is a drug like marijuana with potentially harmful effects. But if alcohol is widely accepted for religious use among Jews and others -- maybe marijuana should be too. |
Willis McGahee has been rumored to be on the roster bubble for the Denver Broncos all offseason, a rumbling that only has picked up since the team selected running back Montee Ball in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Those rumors aren't going to change McGahee's offseason approach.
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Make sure you vote for the Top 100 players of 2013. Voting ends May 31. Get your vote in.
McGahee will not be a part of Monday's organized team activities, which is consistent with his approach in the past. His attendance at offseason voluntary events always has been spotty as he trains in Miami with other players from "The U." McGahee also hasn't been around a ton for the Broncos' conditioning program, according to the Denver Post.
"He's following the same routine he's done his whole career. He'll be there," agent Chafie Fields told Mike Klis of the Post. "He's ready to compete. No messages.'"
We're far less concerned about McGahee's OTA attendance than his health. He's coming off a torn medial collateral ligament and a broken leg. If he can't prove himself healthy in training camp, it's possible the Broncos might move on from his $2.5 million salary.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal. |
The New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils drop the opening puck during a preseason game at Barclays Center. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
By Daniel Friedman
For the Islanders and their fans, the last few weeks (and months) have ushered in the Brooklyn era. Early indications have been, aesthetically, it’s not getting off to a great start.
We all knew this day was coming. We all knew this team was going to Barclays Center and that making the transition would entail both positive experiences and growing pains. But we never expected this. We never expected much of the franchise’s charm and tradition to be left on Hempstead Turnpike.
Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark has promised time and time again to protect and continue the Islanders’ rich tradition. It’s even the central theme of the team’s marketing slogan for the inaugural season in Brooklyn: “Tradition’s New Home.”
MORE: Schwartz: Islanders Fans Need To Relax And Stop Complaining
And yet, you look at what’s transpired and details that have come to light recently and see little evidence to support that rallying cry.
In fact, what you see suggests that there’s been very little respect for tradition.
Originally, the plan was to completely rebrand the Islanders. After figuring out that fans would prefer that not happen, to put it mildly, the idea was scrapped.
“I use social media, and fans are very adamant and very crystal clear about what they’re looking for as they continue to be fans of the Islanders as the team transitions to Brooklyn,” Yormark said. “During the course of the year, we spent a lot of time going to games (at Nassau Coliseum) to better understand the traditions of Islander hockey and see which should come with the team to Brooklyn.”
It took severe fan backlash to get all of the division and conference championship banners in the Barclays rafters. It took a massive reaction to scrap the idea of completely rebranding the team.
The new alternate jersey wasn’t such a big deal, but the new goal horn is brutal and, more importantly, it’s a new goal horn. There was no reason to change it. It was arguably the best one in the league and it’s something with which Islanders fans can (and want to) identify.
After what these fans have been through, and how they’ve taken it upon themselves to try and embrace Brooklyn, they have the right to complain about a goal horn. They have the right to say this is a big deal, especially since Barclays Center brass initially told fans the original goal horn would be brought along to Brooklyn. It turns out that was just a bunch of baloney, so I don’t blame the fans one bit for being peeved.
Fans have also reportedly been turned away from lower bowl seats for warmups, unless they have tickets in those sections. That was a Nassau Coliseum pastime and, frankly, something that fans are allowed to do in most NHL arenas. It’s not just an Islanders tradition; it’s a hockey tradition.
Even the division banner thing was a big deal. If you win the division and can’t hang a banner to recognize that feat in your home rink, it’s not much of a home rink.
If the Nets won the division, would they not hang a banner?
You’ll tell me the Isles aren’t the primary tenant and I’ll tell you that’s not the point. That’s not how you treat a co-tenant that plays just as many games in that building a season as you do. That’s not how you treat a fan base when you promised to maintain tradition. That’s simply unacceptable.
“The banners of the team’s four Stanley Cup championships and the retired Islander jersey numbers will hang as permanent fixtures at the Barclays Center and will pay tribute to the rich history of Islanders hockey,” said Yormark. “We obviously want people to come into the building for preseason games and opening night and feel like, boy, nothing has really changed. Maybe the address has changed but the feeling you get hasn’t.”
We’re not up to opening night yet, but after a few preseason dress rehearsals, people have come into the building, and both the address and feeling have changed. The sentiment has changed. There’s uncertainty as to how far Barclays Center will go with these types of things, and just how long the team’s historic brand has left before it’s completely replaced. Yormark has promised that won’t happen, but you can’t help but fill in the word “yet” every time you hear him say that.
This is a fragile fan base right now. There needs to be a certain amount of respect and sensitivity shown towards Islanders fans and, so far, it hasn’t happened.
Barclays Center had years to brush up and get ready for this team’s arrival, and it seems to me that Yormark & Co. have been woefully unprepared. They’re like that kid who realizes he has a test the next day and that he should probably study for it. How can you claim to have spent the last few years doing your homework, only to do things (or contemplate doing things) you know won’t go over well with Islanders fans?
Never mind the fact this building should’ve been built for both sports all along. How could they not see this coming? As soon as they put a shovel in the ground I knew the Isles were either getting a new building in Nassau or going to Brooklyn.
Some things do change when you move to a more controlled, more corporate environment. But some things – like tradition – are better left unchanged, depending on the situation.
Barclays Center’s marketing machine has done some great things. It has marketed the Islanders more aggressively than anyone else has in decades, and it is committed to making a push. But mistakes have been made, and in too many cases already, tradition hasn’t been respected.
This fan base complains a lot, most of the time over nothing. Not this time. This time, it’s completely justified.
Barclays Center promised to bridge the gap between Long Island and Brooklyn, and, like its scoreboard, it’s attempt has been off-center. Yormark is playing with fire, because he’s dealing with a fan base that is fiercely proud of its heritage and is passionate – but that passion can work both ways. If he wants to channel that energy in the right direction, he needs to be more sensitive and respectful of what those fans and the team they cheer for represent.
Tradition’s new home? I’ll believe it when I see it.
Follow Daniel Friedman on Twitter at @DFriedmanOnNYI |
The 400,000 Tesla fans that preordered the company’s Model 3 have a long wait ahead of them. They know this. They chose this. But I assume they don’t mind waiting because they love Tesla and appreciate its aesthetic, like its supercharger stations. But still, I imagine they’re all sitting at their desks right now daydreaming about driving their Model 3. You know what could make those daydreams even more real? A mini supercharger station for a phone.
A Tesla enthusiast named Martin Hansen created the blueprints so anyone can either purchase or 3D print their own phone supercharger. It looks like a baby Tesla charger! I know we all love mini things. The charger works with either a Micro USB or Lightning cable and costs $109. Hansen says it's a "must-have for every TESLA Enthusiast." You heard him, Tesla fan.
MySupercharger - Print your own smartphone Supercharger from Jan-Hendrik Paulsen on Vimeo. |
ROME (Reuters) - When the Italian central bank’s deputy governor joined a radio phone-in show last week, many callers asked why Italy didn’t ditch the euro and return to its old lira currency.
Magnets are displayed in a souvenir shop in downtown Rome, Italy February 1, 2017. Picture taken February 1, 2017. REUTERS/Tony Gentile
A few years ago such a scenario, that Salvatore Rossi said would lead to “catastrophe and disaster”, would not have been up for public discussion.
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Now, with the possibility of an election by June, politicians of all stripes are tapping into growing hostility towards the euro. Many Italians hold the single currency responsible for economic decline since its launch in 1999.
“We lived much better before the euro,” says Luca Fioravanti, a 32-year-old real estate surveyor from Rome. “Prices have gone up but our salaries have stayed the same, we need to get out and go back to our own sovereign currency.”
The central bank is concerned about the rise in anti-euro sentiment, and a Bank of Italy source told Reuters Rossi’s appearance is part of a plan to reach out to ordinary Italians.
Few Italians want to leave the European Union, as Britain chose to do in its referendum last year. Italy was a founding EU member in 1957 and Italians think it has helped maintain peace and stability in Europe.
And the ruling Democratic Party (PD) is pro-euro and wants more European integration though it complains that the fiscal rules governing the euro are too rigid.
But the three other largest parties are hostile, in various degrees, to Italy’s membership of the single currency in its current form.
The PD is due to govern until early 2018, unless elections are called sooner. The PD’s prospects of victory have waned since its leader Matteo Renzi resigned as premier in December after losing a referendum on constitutional reform, and polls suggest that under the current electoral system no party or coalition is likely to win a majority.
Italians used to be among the euro’s biggest supporters but a Eurobarometer survey published in December by the European Commission showed only 41 percent said the euro was “a good thing”, while 47 percent called it “a bad thing.”
In the Eurobarometer published in April 2002, a few months after the introduction of euro notes and coins, Italy was the second most pro-euro nation after Luxembourg, with 79 percent expressing a positive opinion.
Italy is the only country in the euro zone where per capita output has actually fallen since it joined the euro, according to Eurostat data. Its economy is still 7 percent smaller than it was before the 2008 financial crisis, and youth unemployment stands at 40 percent.
5-STAR THREAT
The right-wing Northern League, the third biggest party, is the most critical of the euro. Party leader Matteo Salvini calls it “one of the biggest economic and social crimes ever committed against humanity.”
The party has promised to pull Italy out of the euro if elected but it only has about 13 percent of voter support.
The anti-system 5-Star Movement may pose a bigger threat to Italy’s membership of the currency club. Polling roughly level with the PD at about 30 percent, 5-Star says it will hold a referendum on euro membership.
But Italy’s constitution forbids referendums on matters that are governed by international treaties such as euro zone membership. 5-Star says it could organize a non-binding “consultative” ballot to gauge public opinion.
A post last week on its official mouthpiece, the blog of founder Beppe Grillo, was headlined “A referendum on the euro before it’s too late”.
“I would vote to leave the euro as it stands,” lower house deputy Luigi Di Maio, who is widely expected to be 5-Star’s candidate for prime minister at the election, told Reuters.
“We should return to a sovereign currency or, if there is an agreement with the other countries, form a new common currency with new rules.”
Italy’s other significant party, Silvio Berlusconi’s center Forza Italia, is not pushing for outright euro exit, but he has argued that Germany should leave instead, or that Italy should use the euro and the lira at the same time, an idea that many economists say is unworkable.
CENTRAL BANK WARNING
Economists in favor of leaving say a devalued currency would revive Italy’s exports and that by throwing off the shackles of the EU’s fiscal rules the country could ramp up public spending to boost growth and create jobs.
Those wanting to stay in the euro say an exit would trigger a surge in interest rates and inflation, capital flight, a banking crisis and possibly a default on Italy’s public debt.
Slideshow (7 Images)
The central bank warns Italians that leaving the euro would sharply erode the value of their savings.
However, after repeated banking crises it is widely blamed for not preventing, and years of over-optimistic economic forecasts, the Bank of Italy no longer commands the respect among Italians that it used to.
Northern League and 5-Star politicians also point to the British vote in June to leave the European Union and Italy’s ballot in December that threw out Renzi’s constitutional reform. They say they did not lead to the chaos that some mainstream economists forecast. |
Hey Dudes,
This is a limited run of Fet Boosters, handmade by Tribute Audio Designs. These boosters will bring a fullness to your sound, and help you to cut through the mix. They add a nice "sparkle" to your tone without changing the characteristics of your guitar/amp combo. This pedal can be used to help push your tube amp into sweet overdrive. At max volume the FET booster will have a bit of it's own sweet breakup. One knob for Boost - It couldn't be simpler!
This is a limited run of 4 pedals, for sale exclusively at Reverb.com.
As these pedals are handmade, there may be some minor imperfections/differences in the finish, etc. that will be unique to each pedal (this isn't a mass produced numbers factory over here! - and that's a good thing!).
Also - these pedals run exclusively on a 9VDC adapter with a 2.1mm barrel, negative center pin (Boss style, or One Spot). No batteries here - trying to keep it green! If you need an adapter, I have them for sale on my reverb site for only $14.99 (if you buy one with the pedal, I will waive the shipping fee for the adapter).
Abide! |
But only if your family is code.
So this is a bit of a terrible blog post because a) it’s about a really obscure atrocity that happens in C++ (as opposed to the common atrocities that happen in C++ on the regs) and b) there are not enough funnies in the world to make up for it. I recommend skipping it if you’ve just eaten, are feeling light-headed, or don’t want to make eye contact with C++. As a general policy, you should probably never make eye contact with C++. It can smell fear.
Programmer, meet static initializers
We’re going to be talking about static class objects, or objects defined in a global/unnamed namespace, such as these fellas:
namespace { static const std :: string kSquirrel = "sad squirrel" ; static const Superhero batman ; } // or class Foo { static const std :: string panda_ = "also a sad panda" ; }
Static initialization is the dance we do when creating these objects. This is not a dance we do when we initialize things with constant data (like static int x = 42 ); the compiler sees that the thing after the = is constant and can’t change, so it can inline it. However, if you try to initialize a variable by running code (e.g. static int x = foo() ), then this is not a constant anymore, and it will result in a static initializer. In C++11, I think constexpr will let you hint to the compiler that the thing after the equal is a constant expression, if it is that, so it can compute it at compile-time. I don’t get to use a lot of C++11, so this is still about nightmares of C++ past, and I don’t think constexpr will do away with all of the murders anyway. Finally, the compiler promises you to run all the static initializers before the body of main() is executed. That, unfortunately, doesn’t mean much.
Why static initializers are bad news bears
As Douglas Adams, the inventor of C++ said, static initializers have “made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move”. Apart from being hard to spell, they tend to throw up on your shoes:
Static variables in the same compilation unit (or the same file) will be constructed in the order they are defined. This means that this code is predictable, and always does exactly what you think it does. This is also the last of the good news:
namespace { static Superhero batman ; static Superhero robin = batman . getSidekick (); }
Static variables in different translation units are constructed in an undefined order. This is so terrible it has its own name: the static initialization order fiasco. It goes like this:
// In x.cpp: static Superhero batman ; // In y.cpp: static Superhero robin ( batman . getSidekick ()); // If that wasn't believable, imagine it was something like: // static Superhero robin(BestSuperhero::batman); // where BestSuperhero is a namespace or a static class and // you call batman.getSidekick() in robin's constructor.
Yup. That’s it. Whether x.cpp or y.cpp gets compiled first is not defined (because C++), which means if y.cpp gets compiled first, batman hasn’t been constructed. You know what happens when you call getSidekick() on an uninitialized object? Regrets happen.
We’re not done yet. Why have insanely terrible code when you can have insanely terrible EXPENSIVE code! Evan Martin has a really, really good post about this, but the tl;dr is that because the static initializers need to happen before main() , that code needs to be paged, which leads to disk seeks, which leads to awful startup performance. Seriously, read Evan’s post because it’s amazing.
Spotting static initializers in the wild: an incomplete manual
Here are some examples of things that are and aren’t static initializers, so that at least we know what we’re looking for before we try to fix them.
// Both of these are ok, because 0 is a compile time constant, so it can't // change. The const doesn't make a difference; it's the thing after // the = sign that makes the difference. static const int x = 0 ; static int y = 0 ; // Below, both the pointer and the chars in the string are const, so the // compiler will treat this as a compile-time constant. So this is ok // because both the thing before and after the = sign are constant. static const char panda [] = "happy panda" ; // This, however, calls a constructor, so it's not ok. static const std :: string sad_panda = "sad panda" ; static int a = 0 ; // This is not ok, because the thing after the = sign isn't a const, // so it can change before b is initialized. static int b = a ; // This has to call the Muppet() constructor, and who knows what that // does, so it's definitely not a const, and a case of the static initializers. static Muppet waldorf ;
Them’s the breaks
There’s a couple of ways in which you can fix this, some better than others:
The best static initializer is no static initializer, so try const-ing all your things away. This will take you as far as defining an array of strings, for which you can’t pray the initializer away. (Trivia: Praying The Const Away™ is what I call a const_cast )
) Place all your globals in the same compilation unit (i.e. a massive constants.cpp file). You can certainly try this, but if your project is the giant Snuffleupagus that Chrome is, you might be laughed at
file). You can certainly try this, but if your project is the giant Snuffleupagus that Chrome is, you might be laughed at Place the static globals inside the function that needs them (or, if they’re the village bicycle, make a getter for them), and define them as function-static variables. Then you know they will be initialized only once, the first time that function is called. Whenever it is called
That last bullet sounds like black magic, so here’s an example. This is the static initializer that we are trying to fix. Convince yourself that this code is no good:
namespace { static const std :: string bucket [] = { "apples" , "pears" , "meerkats" }; } const std :: string GetBucketThing ( int i ) { return bucket [ i ]; }
We can fix it by moving bucket into GetBucketThing() :
std :: string GetBucketThing ( int i ) { // Sure, it's a non-trivial constructor, but it will get called once, // the first time GetBucketThing() gets called, which will be at runtime // and therefore a-ok. static const std :: string bucket [] = { "apples" , "pears" , "meerkats" }; return bucket [ i ]; }
Yup. That’s pretty much it. If you want more reading on the topic, here’s a neat chromium-dev thread discussing this in more details (and talking about when these static globals are actually cleaned up).
Mmmmkay.
I don’t know why you’ve made it this far. Maybe you thought there was going to be a joke or a prize at the end. There isn’t. There’s just this gif, and you could’ve just scrolled down for it. |
TRIBAL feuding among the Al Thanis, Al Khalifas, Al Sabahs and Al Sauds has been the norm for centuries. From their beginnings in Nejd, the barren interior of the Arabian peninsula, they sparred for the best coastal spots from which to launch pirate raids into the Gulf. But even at the height of acrimony, they always observed unwritten rules of refuge and hospitality. When the tribes became states five decades ago, their people still travelled, lived and intermarried across lines in the sand. Their sheikhs might withdraw their ambassadors when tempers flared, but even when King Salman of Saudi Arabia went to war in Yemen in 2015, he let more than a million Yemenis in his kingdom stay.
For Gulf Arabs, the expulsion of Qataris by Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia ordered on June 5th is more shocking than a declaration of war. It has torn up their code of conduct. With two weeks’ notice to leave, Saudi husbands fear they might forfeit their livelihoods if they follow their Qatari wives. The queues at Qatar’s only land border, with Saudi Arabia, already tail back for miles. The dunes have become barriers, preventing the entry of people and goods, including much of Qatar’s food supply. Short-haul tourism has collapsed. The UAE has criminalised any expression of sympathy for Qatar, tweets included. Diplomatic ties have been severed, and air, land and sea links closed by the three neighbours, as well as by Egypt and Yemen.
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Protruding like a sore thumb from the Arabian peninsula, tiny Qatar has long bugged its neighbours. But the explanations offered for the sudden, unprecedented closure seem inadequate. Only a fortnight beforehand, the Qatari emir had stood smiling alongside those who have now banished him. In a show of unity, they feted Donald Trump, the American president, in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia blames Qatar’s involvement in terrorism, which to those recalling the role Saudi jihadists played on 9/11 sounds rich. Qatar’s ties to Iran, too, irk Saudi clerics and kings, particularly the joint and expanding development of South Pars, the world’s largest gasfield. But Kuwait and Oman are on similarly good terms with the Islamic Republic, and Dubai, one of the UAE’s seven emirates, provided the biggest back door into Iran when the world imposed sanctions on it.
The pretensions of Qatar’s ruling Al Thani family to global grandeur have also vexed other rulers. The statelet has sought significance by offering a sanctuary to the Muslim Brotherhood, the Arab world’s foremost Islamist movement. Diplomats found in Qatar a place in which to talk to Islamists, including Yousef Qaradawi, the Brotherhood’s favourite preacher; Khaled Meshal, until recently the leader of Hamas, the militant Palestinian group; Abbassi Madani from Algeria; and several of the Taliban’s leaders. A media empire led by Al Jazeera, a satellite TV channel, has for decades helped Qatar find a mass audience. It offered a platform to dissidents from across the region (except Qatar), giving voice to popular anger which erupted in the Arab spring of 2011. It then goaded revolutionaries to take up arms, and endorsed Islamists who stood in elections. Qatar bankrolled their campaigns and filled their coffers when they took power.
The Arabian peninsula is not big enough, however, to realise all its rulers’ ambitions. Rivalries have grown as each struggles to create global shipping hubs, airlines, media arms, expeditionary forces and financial districts. A generation ago the Gulf was led by consensus-builders, whose prime concern was stability. But petrodollars, vast arsenals and Mr Trump’s blessing risk turning their descendants into vainglorious autocrats with talents for inflaming, not compromising. Saudi Arabia’s young deputy crown prince and de facto ruler, Muhammad bin Salman, it is said, likes to be called Alexander [the Great]. Their intelligence agents run amok, spreading dirt on each other, true or false. One of the triggers offered for the latest showdown is the revelation in Qatari-owned media of e-mails purportedly hacked from the account of the UAE’s ambassador in Washington, Yousef Otaiba.
For now, the Al Thanis have the means to withstand the pressure. The sheikhdom is the world’s biggest supplier of liquefied natural gas. Mr Trump might celebrate Qatar’s come-uppance in tweets, but he must still consider the roughly 10,000 soldiers stationed there at al-Udeid, America’s largest air base in the Middle East (though the Emiratis would prefer he move it their way). Egypt, which has also severed ties, knows that Qatar may retaliate by expelling its workers if it hinders Qatari exports through the Suez canal. Even the UAE worries that Qatar might shut off the gas pipeline supplying its domestic market.
But things can get much nastier. After Saudi Arabia closed Qatar’s only land border, Iran offered to make up the shortfall. If Qatar drifts further into Iran’s orbit, Gulf officials warn that more “punitive, economic measures” could follow. An attack, claimed by Islamic State, on Tehran’s parliament on June 7th has heightened the tension: Iran is blaming Saudi Arabia, though without evidence.
There will be few winners. Airline embargoes harm tourism across all Gulf states, in the eyes of foreigners who cannot tell one sheikhdom from other, just when they are trying to diversify their economies. Investors already unnerved by Yemen’s protracted war have further cause to fear Arabian instability. Mr Trump’s recent proposal for an Arab NATO looks aborted. Plans for the Gulf Co-operation Council to forge a common foreign and economic policy lie in tatters. If only the world had a superpower focused more on diplomacy and less on selling weapons. |
These beautiful creatures were granted their wings by the resplendent goddess Akari herself. They are brave and fair, and they prize valour and justice above everything else. The Wingar however are not without their faults: they are arrogant and consider other races as lesser beings. Along with this arrogance, these creatures have a fiery temperament and can always find a reason to duel (be it a reasonable or an artificial one). Guests of their camp should be especially careful with what they say!
Skilled Marksmen
You can find the Winged People all over the mainland. You will encounter your first one in Sulan, but that will hardly be the last one. If you'd like to know their people better, you should pay a visit to their training camp, which is situated in the north-east of the mainland. The Wingar are skilled marksmen, taught to shoot a bow in their childhood. They stand guard for justice in the world of Revelation, their deadly weapons ready in their hands.
A deadly conflict
Still, the excessive haughtiness of these people earned them much ill will. For many a year, the inhabitants of the Bear Mountain have been fighting a bloody war with the Wingar. Day after day, the opposing sides clash at Snowpine Crag. The adventurers whose paths take them to those parts may join any of the sides and participate in the battle. Besides, they must defeat monsters and complete various quests to win. The best fighters will be handsomely rewarded for their feats.
You need to help the Wingar cleanse their lands of wild beasts, if you want to win favour of these mighty people. As a token of their gratitude, they may grant you the right to bear a beautiful hunting bow - a true pride of this soaring race. Additional rewards may comprise of elegant accessories and useful consumables such as feathers and bonus XP stones.
‘Like us’ on Facebook, follow the game’s development on Twitter @RevOnlineGame, and join us on Discord! |
Biopsychosoc Med . 2011; 5: 3. doi: 10.1186/1751-0759-5-3 PMCID: PMC3045887 PMID: 21303552 Clearance of fear memory from the hippocampus through neurogenesis by omega-3 fatty acids: a novel preventive strategy for posttraumatic stress disorder? 1,2 Yutaka Matsuoka 1Department of Adult Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan 2Department of Psychiatry, National Disaster Medical Center, Tokyo; and CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan Find articles by Yutaka Matsuoka Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer 1Department of Adult Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan 2Department of Psychiatry, National Disaster Medical Center, Tokyo; and CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan Corresponding author. Corresponding author. Yutaka Matsuoka: pj.og.pncn@akatuy Copyright ©2011 Matsuoka; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract Not only has accidental injury been shown to account for a significant health burden on all populations, regardless of age, sex and geographic region, but patients with accidental injury frequently present with the psychiatric condition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prevention of accident-related PTSD thus represents a potentially important goal. Physicians in the field of psychosomatic medicine and critical care medicine have the opportunity to see injured patients in the immediate aftermath of an accident. This article first briefly reviews the prevalence and associated factors of accident-related PTSD, then focuses on a conceptual model of fear memory and proposes a new, rationally hypothesized translational preventive intervention for PTSD through promoting hippocampal neurogenesis by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The results of an open-label pilot trial of injured patients admitted to the intensive care unit suggest that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation immediately after accidental injury can reduce subsequent PTSD symptoms.
Introduction Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious public health problem. Approximately 6.8% of persons in the United States develop PTSD at some time in their lives [1]. PTSD most often develops from traumatic events such as rape, assault and combat, and results far less frequently from experiencing natural disasters and accidents [2]. However, accidental injury is a frequent event and represents a considerable public health burden worldwide. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, the top three contributors to worldwide burden of disease in the year 2020 are expected to be ischemic heart disease, major depression and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) [3]. From the Japanese perspective, in 2008 approximately one million individuals were severely injured in MVAs, and recent advances in critical care medicine have increased the number of seriously injured patients who are able to survive their injuries [4]. Over the past decade, increasing attention has been devoted to psychiatric morbidity after accidental injury [5-12] as well as other critical illness requiring treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) [13]. Indeed, important roles for mental health professionals in general hospitals are the early identification of injured patients who are at risk for developing PTSD and the prevention of the disorder. It is difficult to eliminate traumatic antecedents altogether, but preventive intervention for PTSD does seem possible. Secondary prevention involves intervening in the aftermath of a traumatic event to forestall the development of PTSD [14]. At the present time, the most well-known and evidence-based secondary preventive intervention for PTSD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A study by Roberts and colleagues [15] found that trauma-focused CBT within 3 months of a traumatic event appeared to be effective for individuals with traumatic stress symptoms, especially those who met the threshold for a clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, a brochure on bereavement designed as a proactive end-of-life communication strategy was reported to decrease PTSD-related symptoms and symptoms of anxiety and depression among relatives of patients dying in the ICU [16]. Preliminary studies suggest that propranolol [17,18] or cortisol [19,20] can reduce subsequent PTSD, but controlled trials of pharmacologic prevention of PTSD are scarce to date. Although trauma-focused CBT has been demonstrated to be effective, there are few practitioners of psychosomatic medicine working in critical care medicine, and more convenient and evidence-based preventive intervention is desired. This article provides an overview of the literature on psychiatric morbidity in injured adults admitted to the ICU, with special emphasis placed on PTSD in order to understand the current situation in the field. Following a discussion of the neurobiological mechanism of fear memory, a novel, translational early intervention for preventing PTSD is proposed in which fear memory is minimized through the activation of hippocampal neurogenesis [21].
Prevalence of PTSD after accidental injury Recent studies with strict methodology have shown that accident-related PTSD is fairly common (Figure ). The prevalence of PTSD determined by structured clinical interviews with injured patients consecutively admitted to the ICU or emergency department ranges from 5-30% at 0-3 months after accidental injury [7,9,10,12,22-24] to 2-23% at 4-12 months after [7,9-11,22-25]. Recent large epidemiological studies have reported a 17-23% point prevalence of questionnaire-estimated clinically significant PTSD symptoms at 4-12 months after accidental injury [5,6]. Comorbidity between PTSD and major depression is also highly prevalent in these injured patients [7,12,26]. Open in a separate window It has been pointed out that traumatic brain injury, subsequent traumatization, use of narcotic analgesia, timing of assessment, sample selection, and the role of litigation all have the potential to confound the results for the prevalence of accident-related PTSD [27]. In addition, Schnyder and colleagues found that intercultural differences play an important role in the development of PTSD [11]. Recently, the author and colleagues examined the relation between infant mortality rate and prevalence of PTSD in the reliable cross-country data available [25]. Infant mortality rate is well known to be associated with levels of basic health care, well-developed technology, and medical advances and is also commonly included as part of standard of living evaluations in economics. We showed that infant mortality rate was associated with the prevalence of PTSD and as such, our study findings could provide a plausible explanation for the observed discrepancies seen in the prevalence of PTSD following injury [25].
Risk factors for accident-related PTSD Numerous studies have assessed the predictors of accident-related PTSD. Potential risk factors identified in the early aftermath of the accident include increased acute stress symptoms [28,29], female sex [28,29], pre-injury depression [6], ICU admission following the trauma [6], benzodiazepine prescription [6], intentional injury [6], penetrating trauma [28], perceived threat to life [12,26,28], increased heart rate at the time of admission [7,12,30,31], elevated respiration rate on the initial day of injury [30] and intrusive symptoms [10,12]. On the contrary, the risk of subsequent PTSD might be reduced by the use of morphine during trauma care, as demonstrated among US military personnel who experienced combat [32] and individuals injured in accidents [33].
Consolidation of fear memory The preclinical approaches to PTSD are examining the mechanisms of memory consolidation and how this consolidation process could be interrupted to prevent the development of trauma-related disorders. An excellent review by Ressler and Mayberg [34] notes that preclinical studies have demonstrated that memories do not immediately become permanent at the time of initial experience. They exist in a labile state for at least a period of hours and possibly days, during which time they become consolidated into more permanent memory. During this consolidation, molecular, synaptic, neurotransmitter and system-level changes occur consecutively [35]. The neural circuitry implicated in fear memory likely involves complex interactions between the hippocampus (which is involved in short-term memory and probably fear of the context of an event), the amygdala (which is involved in conditioned fear response) and the medial prefrontal cortex (which is believed to extinguish the more primitive subcortical response) [36]. The neurocircuitry model of PTSD also implicates the involvement of the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus [37]. As the hippocampus can process and temporarily store new memory before transferring labile memory to the cortex for permanent storage [38], it has been suggested that during the immediate period after fear training in an animal model and after a traumatic event in human patients, it may be possible to modulate the consolidation of new fear memories in the process of being formed [14].
Role of hippocampal neurogenesis in memory consolidation In rodents, primates and humans, the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus is one of the two brain regions with lifelong neurogenesis. Despite the wealth of accumulating data on the characteristics of neurons in newborns, the specific contribution of their generation to memory formation by the hippocampus remains unclear [39]. Recently, Kitamura and colleagues showed that severe impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis attenuated the loss of hippocampus-dependent remote contextual fear memory in mice, while conversely, exercise on a running wheel, which promotes neurogenesis, increased the rate of loss of hippocampus-dependent contextual fear memory [21]. The hippocampus-dependent periods for fear memory are modulated by various conditions. Independent lines of evidence strongly suggest that the level of hippocampal neurogenesis plays a role in determining the hippocampus-dependent period of memory in adult rodents. In short, the level of hippocampal neurogenesis was able to be modulated and was associated with a causal relationship between adult neurogenesis and the hippocampus-dependent period of fear memory. Therefore, it is theoretically possible that promoting adult neurogenesis early in the transition period might facilitate the clearance of fear memory from the hippocampus (Figure ). Open in a separate window
Modulating consolidation of traumatic memories According to Pitman's theory of the pathogenesis of PTSD [40], in trauma victims who develop the disorder, the traumatic event stimulates an excess release of stress hormones, which in turn over-consolidates fear memories of the event, which subsequently manifest themselves in the intrusive recollections and re-experiencing symptoms characteristic of PTSD. Fear consolidation can be blocked after training by an antagonist of noradrenergic activation. Such an antagonist is propranolol, a common beta-blocker used for hypertension, and following on from animal research, its effectiveness for the secondary prevention of PTSD has been studied in clinical trials [17,18]. However, as traumatized people are not psychiatric patients, daily life-based intervention for prevention of PTSD is preferable. From my own clinical experience, prophylactic pharmacotherapy targeting subsequent psychiatric illness for injured patients would not be allowed easily. As much as diet has an impact on cardiovascular health, cancer risk and longevity, it also has an impact on mental health [41]. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been directly linked to cognition and mood [42]; therefore, modulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis by diet could emerge as a possible mechanism by which nutrition impacts on mental health. Taken together with Pitman's theory and the conceptual model of fear memory presented herein, it is possible that PTSD can be prevented by facilitating hippocampal neurogenesis in the aftermath of a traumatic event to modulate memory consolidation.
Omega-3 fatty acids and hippocampal neurogenesis A growing number of epidemiological studies have suggested an association between mental health and reduced dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids, essential fatty acids that humans cannot synthesize de novo. Recent clinical trials are supportive of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms, although it reduces anxiety symptoms only slightly [43,44]. Based on the animal research to date, omega-3 fatty acids are the most promising candidate for dietary intervention in the aftermath of a traumatic event to facilitate adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Animal studies have revealed that short-term augmentation of dietary omega-3 fatty acids relative to omega-6 fatty acids up-regulated adult neurogenesis [45], and that dietary omega-3 fatty acids elevated levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which promotes neuronal survival and growth [46,47]. Further, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), a 22-carboned omega-3 fatty acid, promoted the development of hippocampal neurons in vitro by increasing neurite extension and branching [48] as well as the maturation of neurons and hippocampal neurogenesis in adult rats [49]. Venna and colleagues have shown that the increase in newborn hippocampal cells by polyunsaturated fatty acids occurred in parallel with an increase in hippocampal volume and over-expression of BDNF mRNA and protein in the hippocampus [50]. BDNF influences the survival of existing neurons and the growth and differentiation of new neurons, and is also implied in the regulation of various neurotransmitter systems [51,52]. Moreover, BDNF infused directly into the dorsal hippocampus of rats significantly increased the granule cell layer, indicating neurogenesis [53]. Wu and Gomez-Pinilla have indicated that DHA dietary supplementation enhanced the effects of exercise on cognition and BDNF-related synaptic plasticity [47]. Evidence has accumulated that omega-3 fatty acids have an influence on hippocampal neurogenesis by increasing BDNF. In addition, Watanabe and colleagues have revealed that brain fatty acid binding-protein 7 (Fabp7) which preferentially binds DHA, plays a significant role in neurogenesis, most likely thorough maintenance of neural stem/progenitor cells [54]. The possible effects of omega-3 fatty acids on brain structures are also highlighted by clinical observation. A significant correlation was found between omega-3 fatty acid consumption and gray matter volume of the amygdala, hippocampus and anterior cingulate gyrus in healthy adults [55]. Conversely, a selective deficit of DHA was reported in the postmortem frontal cortex of patients with depressive disorder [56]. Hippocampal volume appears to be diminished in PTSD in some [57-70] but not all studies [71-77]. The author and colleagues have reported smaller volumes of the amygdala and hippocampus in a cohort of breast cancer survivors experiencing intrusive recollections of traumatic memory, compared to survivors without intrusive recollections [78,79]. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation has been shown between script-driven enhanced emotional memory about MVA and urgent surgery and hippocampal volume in healthy women [80]. Two studies have suggested that hippocampal volume might increase following treatment with antidepressants [81,82]. While the origin of small hippocampal volume is unknown, the result of one twin study suggested that small hippocampal volume might be a familial risk factor for developing PTSD [60]. As well, the nutritional environment, including omega-3 fatty acids, may contribute to hippocampal volume.
Clinical trial for PTSD prevention by omega-3 fatty acids Support for the ability of omega-3 fatty acids to minimize subsequent PTSD symptoms comes from one published but preliminary open trial [83]. The author and colleagues [83] recruited 15 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU at a Japanese general hospital immediately following accidental injury (mostly MVA). Patients received omega-3 fatty acid capsules containing 1,470 mg DHA and 147 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, equivalent to 140 g of grilled cololabis saira 'SANMA in Japanese', daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was score on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was well tolerated and resulted in a significantly increased DHA concentration in erythrocytes. Compared with the hypothetical mean in our previous cohort study [84], omega-3 fatty acid supplementation resulted in a significantly reduced mean CAPS total score (11 vs. 25, p = 0.03), and over the 12-week period, only one patient (1/15, 6.7%) developed symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of both PTSD and major depression. Regarding the adherence, significant differences in erythrocyte DHA concentrations were confirmed between weeks 0 and 12 (mean % total fatty acids: 5.9 ± 1.4 vs. 8.4 ± 1.7, p < .001). The author and colleagues also investigated the potential role of BDNF as an underlying mechanism of omega-3 fatty acid action for the prevention of PTSD [85]. Serum BDNF was significantly elevated from weeks 0 to 12 (n = 11, 52.4 ± 16.7 vs. 79.8 ± 13.8, p = 0.001), although it was largely unchanged in the two patients who developed PTSD or major depression during the trial. Change in the serum BDNF between weeks 0 to 12 was significantly larger in the non-distress group than in the distress group, who met the criteria for PTSD or major depression (median, 33.5; range, 8.5-56.0 vs. median, 5.4; range, 4.4-6.4, p = 0.037). Recently, Peters and colleagues [86] have reported excellent work that BDNF infused into the infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex (IL mPFC) reduced conditioned fear, even in the absence of extinction training. And they reported that rats failing to learn extinction showed reduced BDNF in hippocampal inputs to the IL mPFC and that augmenting BDNF in this pathway prevented extinction failure. Hence, our observation would be reasonable. Increasing BDNF activity in hippocampal BDNF may prove to be efficacious intervention for PTSD. Because of the open-label design and the lack of controls, however, no definitive conclusion could be drawn from the trial and we must wait for the results of an adequately powered randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00671099","term_id":"NCT00671099"}}NCT00671099) (Figure ). However, this pilot study has provided promising support for our hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation started shortly after accidental injury may be efficacious in attenuating PTSD symptoms. Open in a separate window
Conclusion and perspectives This review has highlighted the major epidemiologic findings of PTSD and possible nutritional intervention that could be implemented in the aftermath of accidental injury for prevention or amelioration of the disorder. It is now becoming clearer that the modulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis by diet affects learning, memory, cognition and mood [41]. It is suggested that adult hippocampal neurogenesis may play a role in the periodic clearance of hippocampal memory traces in contextual fear conditioning [21]. Accordingly, adult hippocampal neurogenesis is emerging as a possible mediator of the effect of diet on learning, memory, cognition and mood. Consequently modulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could be a target of choice to prevent PTSD. Such intervention would likely be acceptable in clinical practice in both mental health and critical care medicine because of its convenience, empirical results in animal studies and less frequent side effects. The paucity of empirical data on nutritional intervention in the immediate aftermath of extreme psychological trauma at present indicates that more controlled trials based on translational research are needed.
List of abbreviations BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CAPS: Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale; CBT: cognitive behavioral therapy; DHA: docosahexaenoic acid; ICU: intensive care unit; MVA: motor vehicle accident; PTSD: Posttraumatic stress disorder.
Competing interests The author declares that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions The author wrote the manuscript and holds final responsibility for the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. |
Baki's hooligan past! Blades director part of Fenerbahce's Kill For You gang
Sheffield United director Selahattin Baki was part of a gang of Turkish football hooligans and was once filmed boasting about his violent past.
Baki, who arrived at Bramall Lane last month, was involved with Fenerbahce followers Kill For You.
The Sun reports that 38-year-old Baki appeared on Danny Dyer's Real Football Factories in 2007, bragging about 'non-stop action' and revealing 'sometimes knives start talking.'
Scroll down for video
You're on camera: Selahattin Baki spoke to Danny Dyer for the 2007 programme Real Football Factories
Presenter: Dyer travelled to Turkey where he covered the derby between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray
He also admits throwing flares at fans of rivals Galatasaray.
According to Paul Okan, a film maker interviewed on actor and presenter Dyer's programme, Kill For You (KFY) have 'violent passion which can turn into violence.'
After speaking with Baki, Sheffield United board member Jim Phipps told The Sun: 'In the years since those youthful indiscretions, he has demonstrated better judgment.'
The Turkish businessman is a close friend of Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad and helped the Saudi royal buy a 50 per cent stake in the League One club. |
This subject of this article goes by multiple names that apply to other articles as well. See Jetfire (disambiguation), Skyfire (disambiguation).
Jetfire is an Autobot and former Decepticon from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Science means that not all dreams can come true.
Jetfire (aka Skyfire) is a bot of science, literally. Not only is his mind dedicated towards scientific pursuits, but his body is a testament to the technology he studies so intensely. (Some would say "religiously", but not in his presence.) Every inch of his chassis is cutting-edge and kept up-to-date. However, he does not have the trust of his teammates; it was not so long ago that he was a Decepticon. Jetfire is compassionate, so some Autobots feel that he could be soft on their enemies or, even worse, he may turn on them after realizing his "cold calculations" swing the other way.
Jetfire would find their misconceptions about science appalling. After all, is not science just the pursuit of truth? And truth, he maintains, walks hand-in-hand with liberty.
“ Sorry, Sunstorm. I don't believe in destiny. ” —Jetfire, "Atonement"
Fiction
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Transformers cartoon
They dug him out of the Arctic to be their taxi.
Millions of years ago on Cybertron, before the war, Skyfire and Starscream were good friends and fellow scientists. On a mission of exploration to prehistoric Earth, Skyfire was lost in a storm. Starscream searched, but there was no sign of his comrade. He returned home.
Millions of years later, after the Autobots and Decepticons had crashed and awoken on Earth, the Decepticons found Skyfire encased in a block of Arctic ice and revived him. Skyfire joined them due to his past friendship with Starscream, though he expressed discomfort with their methods. When Skyfire's compassion for humans and, later on, several Autobot prisoners led to his disobeying orders, Starscream, who had changed much in the intervening millennia, turned on his friend. Skyfire left the Decepticons and joined the Autobots, sacrificing himself to be buried beneath the ice again to stop the Decepticons' plans. The Autobots held a memorial service for him at the location of his involuntary burial. Fire in the Sky
Good boy, Skyfire. Wanna Snausage?
Wheeljack and Sideswipe returned later to dig him up when the Autobots needed a ride down to South America. Megatron and his Decepticons were in Peru seeking the Crystal of Power, which was kept in an Incan temple. He dropped off Brawn and Windcharger so they could see what the Decepticons were up to, but a short time later had to go back and rescue them—intercepting them mid-jump—to return to Headquarters. Collecting the other Autobots, he took them all to Peru and earned a pat on his nosecone from Optimus Prime. Scouting ahead, he arrived at the temple, only to be shot and disabled by Starscream. Skyfire was dumped inside the temple, where Bumblebee, Spike and Luisa found him and effected emergency repairs while under attack from Ravage. Reactivated, Skyfire dealt with Ravage before giving the Autobots outside some much-needed aerial support as they attacked the Decepticon positions. He destroyed Megatron's cannon in a strafing attack and later helped Wheeljack cap the energy geyser that remained. Fire on the Mountain
Grand Theft Skyfire.
"I'm perfectly all right, Susan."
When the energies unleashed by Cybertron's presence in Earth's orbit caused activity in the volcano in which Headquarters was embedded, Skyfire evacuated the base with most of the rest of the Autobots. Ratchet , Windcharger and Huffer were ejected from the top of the mountain in a violent eruption, and Skyfire swooped in to save them. Spike learned that his father had been taken to Cybertron, and Skyfire volunteered his services to fly the boy and several Autobots there. After some deft flying, they landed on the other planet, but Skyfire, Wheeljack and Trailbreaker were separated from their smaller companions, who fell into a trap.The trio caught up with their fellows in time to rescue them from Shockwave . Skyfire thanked Shockwave for blasting a hole in the wall large enough for him to fly through. He provided air support against some tetrajets , allowing the ground-based Autobots to reach Wheeljack's workshop . Once Wheeljack worked out a way to counteract the hypno-chips which the Decepticons were using to control humans, Skyfire ferried everyone back to Earth to put the invention to good use.
Following strange reports of giant robotic insects in Bali, Skyfire carried Brawn, Windcharger and Spike there, only to discover a field being consumed by the Insecticons. Despite believing the trio would be a pushover, the Autobots found themselves outnumbered by clones, and the arrival of Megatron and a couple of his goons didn't improve the odds. Fortunately, the rest of the Autobots arrived and, after a brief fight, the Decepticons departed for an oil refinery. Some quick repairs were made on Skyfire to fix his ability to transform, and the Autobots began the pursuit. The Insecticons latched on to Skyfire's wings until Wheeljack was able to lend a hand, or rather, a couple of missiles. A short time later, Skyfire caught Brawn after the latter's failed attempt at a mid-air brawl. When they reached the refinery, he kicked the battle off by physically knocking the Insecticons off the oil tanker they were drinking from. A Plague of Insecticons
"I have an inside, you know."
Skyfire and most of the Autobots were distorted by Megatron’s personality destabilizer, turning them evil. As Skyfire was hunting down and blowing up human aircraft, Autobots who had been reverted to good by Sparkplug’s attitude exchangers arrived on scene and changed Skyfire back. He then flew the Autobots and humans to save Optimus Prime and the others. The Decepticons managed to launch a rocket they'd commandeered, so Skyfire dropped Optimus and Ratchet off on it so they could steal its cargo. As the Decepticons attempted to fight off the boarders, Jazz climbed on Skyfire's nose and used his sound and light show to provide a distraction. Finally, Skyfire flew them up into space, so the satellite from the rocket could be properly placed in orbit. Attack of the Autobots When Carly was captured by the Decepticons, Ironhide blamed himself, but was persuaded by Sparkplug to try and rescue her. Hitching a lift with Skyfire, Ironhide located Bumblebee and Spike before bailing out so he could tell them what had happened to Carly. The Immobilizer
Mid-transformation, or a reference to the toy's "third mode"? CHOOSE WISELY.
Skyfire ferried Spike and Hound to the middle of the Atlantic to investigate an unexplained change to oil tanker shipping patterns that converged suspiciously close to Decepticon Headquarters. Flying overhead, the trio discovered that the bad bots were stealing the oil using a platform docking structure secured by a force field. Skyfire, Hound and Spike hid aboard one of the tankers and attacked Megatron and Hook as they siphoned the oil. As usual, Spike was captured by the Decepticons and held hostage, forcing Skyfire and Hound to surrender. Confined to a cell on a lower deck, Skyfire warned Spike to be careful of an electromagnet he found as the human put his escape plan into action. With Rumble and Ravage incapacitated by the magnet, Skyfire punched through the cell door. The three rushed to the control room for the force field generator. Skyfire and Spike kept Frenzy distracted as Hound blew up the generator, causing the force field dome to collapse. Facing defeat, Megatron activated the platform’s self-destruct function, which left Skyfire and his two friends stuck inside as the structure began to sink. Optimus Prime ripped through the bulkhead above them, and the three were able to climb out. Skyfire then flew them all to safety. Day of the Machines
In 2006, Skyfire (or a very similar space vehicle) was briefly seen as part of the Autobot fleet attacking the Quintessons. He was shot along with Powerglide and several Aerialbots. Dark Awakening
The Aerialbots were later shown to have survived, so Skyfire could possibly have survived as well... assuming it was actually him getting shot. Due to the number of animation errors in this episode, it is by no means guaranteed that these were the "real" Skyfire or Powerglide "really" perishing. However, in " Grimlock's New Brain " when Grimlock lists the then-active Autobots capable of spaceflight, he does not mention Skyfire.
Japanese cartoon continuity
Dark Skyfire bio
In an era millions of years before the establishment of the Decepticon faction’s army, Skyfire was specialized for outer space exploration, his entire body coated with a substance that protected it against unknown viruses, magnetic storms, and the like. Although he had a strong scientific curiosity, he agonized over it being at odds with his great combat skills.
The Battle of the Star Gate
Skyfire was led to Japan by Optimus Prime, along with a small team of other Autobots, to stop the Decepticons’ latest Energon-gathering scheme. Optimus ordered him to pursue Astrotrain to prevent the Decepticons from escaping with their loot. Activation
Skyfire was amongst the Autobots who once more confronted Megatron and his Decepticons at the Trigger in Earth orbit. When Starscream combined himself with the Trigger to create a powerful new body for himself, Skyfire had to contend with the volley of asteroids thrown towards both Autobots and Decepticons from Starscream’s star gate. He was then almost sucked into a portal to a black hole when Starscream neared defeat, but was instead sent plummeting down to Earth when Optimus and Megatron worked together to defeat Starscream. The Battle of the Star Gate
Legends comic
Skyfire was at the Autobot base when Overkill and Slugfest wrecked its intruder alert in preparation for a Decepticon attack. Slugslinger's Ambition
As Skyfire grew more willing to fight for the sake of protecting innocents, he changed his name to Jetfire to symbolize his change as a person. Bonus Edition Vol. 7 In 2004, he and R-Blade were working with a piece of solitarium at the Autobot base when Sky-Byte attacked and blasted the material, causing an reaction that sent both him and Jetfire to another dimension. Bonus Edition Vol. 6 There, Jetfire witnessed Tankor terrorizing the populace and stepped in to put a stop to it, blasting the villain so hard he turned back into the harmless Rhinox. He then used another solitarium stone to open a portal back home, inviting Tankor's directionless cohorts, Whirl and Roadbuster, to come with him and join the Autobots. They accepted, and Jetfire attended the unveiling of their new unit, the Wreckers. Bonus Edition Vol. 7 Jumpstarter Chapter He later told Perceptor of the Legends World. Bonus Edition Vol. 56
In 2022, Jetfire battled the forces of the Concurrence alongside Marissa Faireborn. Bonus Edition Vol. EX Decades later, he was present when Optimus Prime announced his plan to revive Ultra Magnus. LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue
The Headmasters cartoon
Jetfire was present at Autobot City (alongside Ironhide) while the Headmasters were repairing Fortress Maximus. Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)
Wars manga
While Jetfire was stationed at Scramble City during its rebuilding following an attack from Metrotitan, the Decepticons attacked again. With fellow Cyberjets R-Blade and Delta Seeker, Jetfire helped defend the city. Metrowars
G-2 story pages and pack-in manga
Generation 2 Jetfire was the same character as Generation 1 Jetfire/Skyfire, the same would not appear to have initially been the case in Japan. In Japan, the Generation 1 character was called "Skyfire" in the cartoon, which was the only Japanese media he appeared in, as his toy was never released in Japan. The "Jetfire" that appears in the G-2 comic probably would have originally been a different character, though Robotmasters backstory and the character's appearance in the 15 Go! Go! comics seemed to consolidate the two retroactively. The While in the English continuity,Jetfire was the same character as Generation 1 Jetfire/Skyfire, the same would not appear to have initially been the case in Japan. In Japan, the Generation 1 character was called "Skyfire" in the cartoon, which was the only Japanese media he appeared in, as his toy was never released in Japan. The "Jetfire" that appears in thecomic probably would have originally been a different character, thoughbackstory and the character's appearance in thecomics seemed to consolidate the two retroactively. The Legends comic eventually confirmed this by having Skyfire explain he changed his name to Jetfire.
Ten points if you can find Wheeljack and Perceptor in this picture!
Jetfire was once friends with the Decepticon Cyberjets during his days back on Cybertron. However, after the war had raged on for centuries, two of his Cyberjet friends (Strafe and Aero Raid) began to have their doubts about the Decepticon cause. Taking Jetfire's advice, the two Cyberjets switched sides and became Autobots. This act forever earned Jetfire, Strafe and Aero Raid the hatred of the remaining loyal Decepticon Cyberjets. G-2 Part 4
At one point, Megatron kidnapped the Autobot Laser Rod, Electro. While Megatron attempted to persuade Electro into joining the Decepticons, Jetfire infiltrated the headquarters. Busting-in at full-force, Jetfire took the Decepticons by surprise and managed to successfully rescue his fellow Autobot. G-2 #16
Jetfire was also the head of a research team staffed by Wheeljack and Perceptor that discovered a new attribute of the Matrix. This discovery allowed Optimus Prime to survive a fatal attack from Megatron and form a newer, more powerful body. G-2 Part 4
15 Go! Go!
Whoever he is, he looks awesome.
Bandai's gonna suuuuue.
On a trip into the future with her companion Steeljaw, the humanoid computer Teletraan 15 encountered the Autobot scientist Jetfire. He immediately realized that they had come from a different time and cautioned them that the area was about to become a war zone. Recognizing Jetfire's scent despite the unfamiliar body, Steeljaw asked if he was the same being as his old warrior acquaintance. Steeljaw Volume
Concerned for the pair's safety, Jetfire offered to take them to his commander, unaware that the Decepticons Smokescreen and Dreadwing were following. Under heavy attack, Jetfire and his passengers were saved by the intervention of Battle Convoy. Battle Convoy Volume
After the battle, Teletraan 15 recorded Jetfire's information and announced that her mission to restore Teletraan I's damaged databanks was at last complete. Before she and Steeljaw returned to their own era, Jetfire asked 15 to tell him something: in her travels through time, had she ever discovered when the fighting would end? When would the progress of science finally bring about peace? Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go! Volume 14
Madman The Transformers comic
In the year 2001, the Decepticons had managed to conquer Cybertron completely. Jetfire aided in the Autobots' exodus of the planet, though he came under heavy enemy fire during this mission. The Transformers
Ask Vector Prime
In Primax 1185.04 Alpha, Skyfire was one of the few allies who Megatron found in his campaign against Cobra-controlled Earth. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/13
Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comics
Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.
Brainless Jetfire brings home small mammals.
Early in the war on Earth, Shockwave held the head of Optimus Prime captive, hoping to use the Creation Matrix he possessed to create a new army of Decepticons, including the Constructicons and Jetfire. Optimus Prime had secretly passed the energies of the Matrix onto the teenaged human, Buster Witwicky, so although the Constructicons were brought to life The Next Best Thing to Being There! Shockwave was stopped short of animating Jetfire's constructed body. Shockwave soon learned of the human's involvement, so he sent Jetfire after the human even though the lifeless robot could do nothing more than follow orders. When Jetfire found Buster, he was accompanied by the Autobots Bluestreak and Bumblebee for his protection, but it was Buster's Creation Matrix powers that ultimately disassembled Jetfire before their eyes. Buster reassembled Jetfire, and with Bumblebee's help, changes were made to allow Buster to directly control him. Brainstorm!
A sense of humor that borders on murderous negligence.
However, Jetfire's programming reasserted itself, and maneuvered so wildly that Buster, riding in the cockpit, blacked out. Buster woke up inside Shockwave's base at Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One, strapped to a machine ready to drill the Creation Matrix out of him. In the meantime, knowing that the Autobots were eavesdropping on him, Shockwave sent Jetfire to drop a fake Optimus Prime head at a disclosed location for the Autobots to find. The fake head attached itself to Optimus Prime's body and began attacking the Autobots, causing many injuries. At the last moment, Buster was able to control Jetfire once again, knocking out Shockwave, and delivering the true Optimus Prime head to the Autobots, allowing them a costly victory. Prime Time! These events were observed by the time travelling Dicet Alpha-zero. The Quest!
With Optimus Prime fully restored, Jetfire was quickly given life and joined the Autobots. He was briefly mistrusted due to his Decepticon origin, and during the "Dinobot Hunt" Ironhide resented being given orders by someone with a Decepticon insignia; Jetfire proved himself by restraining Slag, and had his badge torn off in the process. Dinobot Hunt! Wheeljack, who still didn't trust Jetfire, almost deactivated him and returned him to the Decepticons as part of a deal for technology with Ravage, but decided against it at the last minute. ...Perchance to Dream
Having proven himself, he was granted the Rite of the Autobrand marking him as one of their rank. Rock and Roll-Out! When Bumblebee, depressed, had left the Autobots and gotten himself attacked by the Decepticons, Jetfire eagerly came to his rescue. He arrived to the battlefront ahead of the rest of the Autobots and attempted to take on Shockwave and his troops on his own, but was no match for the Decepticon commander. The enemy was driven off when the rest of Optimus's troops caught up to him. Plight of the Bumblebee! Later, Jetfire helped the Autobots approach the Decepticon base to steal information that would allow them to build their own combiners. Command Performances!
When Optimus Prime and Prowl were lost in Limbo and Galvatron assumed command of the Decepticons, Jetfire became acting leader. His headstrong tactics got the Autobots defeated several times, and out of desperation he even formed an alliance with Megatron and Soundwave. He also mistrusted Ultra Magnus, thinking his arrival too convenient. However, after seeing Magnus be beaten half to death trying to stop Galvatron, Jetfire realised he was wrong and came to his aid. When the future Decepticon was driven off, Jetfire thanked Magnus for all he'd done. Target: 2006
Jetfire accompanied Donny Finkleberg to the spot where Finkleberg claimed seven Autobots had crossed over from Cybertron, though they found nothing but traces of fuel. Aerialbots over America! Soon afterwards, he was sent to provide air support for Trailbreaker and Prowl as they attempted to prevent Soundwave, Dirge and Kickback from contacting Cybertron at a NASA facility. Ignoring Prowl's orders to stop Soundwave, Jetfire instead attempted to engage Kickback but the Decepticon merely shrank to insect size, effectively disappearing. This gave Dirge ample time to floor Trailbreaker, pick up Soundwave and escape, leaving Jetfire to be bawled out by Prowl.
Just before Christmas 1986, Jetfire and Jazz were taking delivery of a consignment of fuel at Blackrock's chemical plant when they came under attack from Thrust and Bombshell. An out-of-control fire threatened to set off a chain reaction within the plant that could kill thousands of people, and at Blackrock's urging Jetfire quickly saw off the Decepticons and extinguished the fire, averting disaster. The disparity between the results of these two missions made Jetfire worry that his response time was quicker when humans were in danger than Autobots were, and he talked with Buster Witwicky to come to terms with this; he came to realise that it was because he viewed Earth as his home, as he'd been built there. The Gift
At some point, Jetfire supervised the Aerialbots as they prevented the Decepticons from using a power siphon to drain a power plant of its energy. He was shot down early in the battle and so did not witness the Aerialbots' subsequent disunity, giving them a positive review in his report back to Optimus Prime. The Return of the Transformers
At least look at him when you're killing him, Starscream!
After reviewing Jetfire and the other Autobots' performance against Galvatron, Optimus Prime decided that he needed to fake his own death in order to teach them how to cope without him. Jetfire was one of a team of Autobots that found a destroyed facsimile construct of the Autobot leader Prey! and believing it to be the real deal, buried it with a headstone in accordance with Earth custom. However, Prime, who had been on Cybertron, was returned via space bridge before the funeral was even over. Resurrection!
After Optimus Prime died for real, Jetfire was among the many Autobots who watched on as Ratchet futilely tried to repair his body. With the attempt a failure, Jetfire joined his teammates in paying their respects at Optimus Prime's funeral, where they blasted his body into space instead. Funeral for a Friend! Ashes, Ashes...
Naw, you think?
After the death of Optimus Prime, Jetfire was among several Autobots gathered to determine who would next lead their forces. The meeting was interrupted by the Dinobot Grimlock, who demanded that command was handed to him. The other Autobots dismissed him at first, but when Grimlock proved himself a worthy leader against Trypticon, they reevaluated their opinion of the Dinobot. After Trypticon was driven off, Jetfire and the rest of the Autobots voted Grimlock to take command. King of the Hill! He later seemed to regret this decision, offering to help Blaster usurp him Spacehikers! and when the rivalry ended in a duel staged on Earth's moon, he was among the Autobots who watched. There, the Autobots were ambushed by the entire Decepticon army and he was blasted out of the sky by both Vortex and Laserbeak. Totaled!
Jetfire was among the Autobots who responded to a distress signal sent out by Buster Witwicky, after the boy had been captured by the Decepticons and subsequently escaped their Arctic base. A confrontation against the Decepticons inevitably ensued, though it was cut short when both sides realized the whole set-up was a distraction, orchestrated to divert them from Starscream's bid for the legendary Underbase. They were unable to prevent Starscream from sampling the Underbase's power, allowing the Seeker to begin a rampage across the globe. Jetfire led the Aerialbots in the first attack against him in New York. Only Jetfire managed to evade Starscream's lethal retaliation but a second shot following the death of the last Seacon was not as easily avoidable. Dark Star
Blaster later reported that Jetfire was alive but no further exploits have ever been detailed. Darn 'N' Blast #301
Transformers Comic-Magazin
Jetfire was among the Autobots monitoring the Decepticons from a distance when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in New York City. The Autobots returned to the Ark and discovered that a statue of Snaptrap that the Decepticons had gifted to New York was actually Snaptrap in disguise. Snaptrap went on a rampage and the Decepticons used this distraction to attack various other targets. Optimus Prime led the Autobots to narrowly defeat this menace. The Troy Principle Those events were recorded on a videotape that was later found and watched by Autobots on Cybertron after a nuclear disaster in Kalis. In Memory of Earth
Classics
Classics continues from the continues from the Marvel US series , and does not include the UK stories or any subsequently published stories.
Jetfire, Prime, Grimlock, and Mirage encountered Megatron just as he was smashing his way through the human RUNTs and a mysterious extra-dimensional arrival named Skyfall. Crossing Over #1 Learning that the Decepticons were staging an attack in South America to secure a new energy source, the Autobots traveled to face them, with Jetfire meeting with their aerial force as they tore through human-piloted jets. Crossing Over: Part 3 Jetfire engaged in a dogfight with Starscream and Ramjet while the rest of the Autobots dealt with the bulk of the Decepticon forces on the ground. Crossing Over: Part 5 Though Ramjet managed to bypass him, Jetfire kept Starscream busy until Megatron called for a withdrawal of his troops. Crossing Over: Part 6
After that battle came to an end, the Autobots reconvened at their headquarters. Optimus had Jetfire contact Walter Barnett to tell him not to have his troops engage the Decepticons without Autobot support again, as doing so always ended in too many human casualties. Games of Deception
At another time, Jetfire fought alongside Prime, Ironhide, and Sunstreaker in order to protect some humans from Thrust, Dirge, and Ramjet. At Fight's End
Regeneration One
After the Gene Key fiasco, Jetfire attended the Autobot leadership conference to get up to date. Destiny, Part One
When the Warworld appeared in the skies over Cybertron, Jetfire and the flying Autobots attempted to engage it. Destiny, Part Four He provided a smokescreen cover for the Wreckers' vessel to land on the Warworld and infiltrate it. Destiny, Part Five
Jetfire was at the next leadership conference when Rodimus Prime was officially named Autobot leader by Optimus stepping down. The War to End All Wars, Part 1 He acted to support Rodimus during talks with Jhiaxus, but was shot by the visiting "delegate". The War to End All Wars, Part 2
As the Autobots took the fight to Jhiaxus, Jetfire served aboard the Priam as part of Rodimus's bridge crew during the assault. The War to End All Wars, Part 3 Unfortunately, the enemy response was hopelessly beyond the Autobots' ability to counter, and they were captured until Jhiaxus was dealt with by an outside party. The War to End All Wars, Part 4
Jetfire and the Autobots returned to Cybertron, only to find it overrun by shadow-demons that could turn Cybertronians into more of their number. He retrieved the Sword of Primus for Rodimus, who was able to use the blade to generate a temporary safe zone for the group. The War to End All Wars, Part 5
See & Read Video
He went on a lot of suicide missions.
I want to tell you about the Transformers! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their fictional appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it.
Kid Stuff Talking Story Books
Skyfire was scouting the Kalahari Desert, on the lookout for the many humans to have been abducted by the Decepticons. He found one of the humans, lying unconscious on the desert floor. Patching the information to Optimus and Prowl at Autobot headquarters, he continued his search.
Once the Autobots learned the full extent of the Decepticons’ plans, Skyfire was sent out to intercept the satellite they had been building as it launched from the Earth’s surface. Optimus ordered Skyfire to destroy Megatron and his newest weapon, but his weapons were ineffectual against it. The satellite then soared out of Skyfire’s range, and the Autobot superjet was forced to return to Optimus for further instructions.
Skyfire was retro-fitted with external fuel tanks in order to be able to reach the satellite in orbit. He then headed out to destroy Megatron’s instrument of destruction, despite knowing that he would not have the fuel necessary to return safely from his mission. Out in space, he once more attempted to destroy the satellite with his arsenal of null-rays and missiles, to no avail. His weapons and fuel depleted, Skyfire fell back to Earth and burned up on re-entry. Satellite of Doom
Skyfire attempted to bring down the Decepticons’ hovercraft oil transporter after it had stolen several gallons of crude oil from the Prudhoe Bay company. He only had enough fuel to maintain his attack for a short period of time, but managed to do a substantial amount of damage to the Decepticons’ transport in that window of time. When Continents Collide
Skyfire spotted the Decepticons in the middle of their deforestation plot while flying overhead. He was able to make contact with Autobot headquarters, despite Soundwave’s attempt at garbling his communication network. He returned shortly with Optimus and Bumblebee and forced the Decepticons to retreat once more. Storms of Destruction
Skyfire led the Autobot superjets on their routine patrols over the Pacific, on the lookout for Decepticon activity. His patrol was interrupted by Ramjet, Skywarp and Starscream in a hit-and-run attack. Skyfire gave chase. These kinds of attacks repeated themselves over the next several days. Slaves of the Insecticons
Marvel Storybooks continuity
As part of a strategy to liberate a group of Autobots held captive by the Decepticons, Jetfire and several other Autobots hid within a statue of Devastator that was then wheeled before Decepticon headquarters as a peace offering. Once the Decepticons had let down their guard, Jetfire and the others burst forth from within the statue and ambushed the evil robots. Though Megatron deployed the Decepticon jets to combat Jetfire and the other Autobot fliers, the Autobots nonetheless arose victorious from the battle that day. The Autobots' Secret Weapon
Milton Bradley mini-comic
With Cybertron heading towards an asteroid belt, the Autobot leader Jetfire had an ark constructed with which to clear a path. The ship was attacked by the Decepticons, and Jetfire set the spaceship on a crash dive towards Earth. When it hit dirt, the crew were knocked out. Four million years later, an erupting volcano triggered the ship's computer, causing the systems to repair Jetfire and the other Autobots, as well as the Decepticons. Their civil war began anew on this strange new world. In the Transformers
Beehive Books continuity
Jetfire was one of many to participate in the battle at Castle Decepticon. He may have in fact been a Decepticon himself. Transformers Pop-Up Book
Attack of the Insecticons
The following summarizes one or more multipath adventures . Details vary depending on the paths taken in-story. See the book's page for information on alternate paths.
Jetfire was present, yet mostly uninvolved, in a number of possible adventures revolving around the Sun-Pak, a device invented by Sparkplug that would end the Autobots' energy woes. Attack of the Insecticons
The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual
Jetfire was the Autobots' resident technological genius. After the Autobots and Decepticons had been left in a prolonged stalemate during their battles on Earth, Prowl devised of a plan that would at least temporarily rid the planet of the Decepticons. The Autobots concocted a story wherein Jetfire had uncovered an ancient Cybertronian spaceship, out-of-phase with their dimension, atop of Table Mountain in Africa. After Jetfire had managed to recall the ship to the material plane, the Autobots had discovered that it contained a star map which pointed the way back to Cybertron. Starscream was allowed to "overhear" this story, and the Autobots then stationed themselves around their prop spaceship on the mountaintop. When the inevitable attack came from the Decepticons over control of the ship, Jetfire was easily batted away by Megatron. The rest of the Autobots made themselves scarce after a brief skirmish, and allowed the Decepticons to claim their prize. Once Megatron and his cronies were locked inside the vessel, it blasted off uncontrollably away from the planet. Day of the Decepticons
During an aerial patrol, Jetfire uncovered a Decepticon construction project on Clarke Atoll. His report confirmed information already uncovered by Mirage; Megatron was building giant rockets to shift the Earth out of its orbit. The Autobots launched a sabotage mission, hearing that the rockets would fire in twenty minutes upon their approach. The more maneuverable Jetfire and Deftwing entered the thruster tubes to destroy the rockets from within while the others kept the Decepticons busy. Finding that the engines were power by the Earth's molten core, the pair set about disrupting the machine's electromagnetic coils and have the plasma wreck up the structure for them. Successfully doing so, Jefire and Deftwing then darted back to the surface to avoid getting caught in the resulting explosion. As the entire island was caught in a lava swell, they helped carry all earthbound Autobots to safety. Moving Day Planet Earth
Dreamwave Generation One continuity
I bet Skywarp pulled that mask over his face a lot in junior high.
Before the war, the scientist Jetfire and Starscream were friends. But when Starscream joined the Decepticons in their assault on outlying city-states, Jetfire was torn. If he followed his beliefs and upheld justice and life, he would end up facing his dearest friend on the battlefield. Jetfire did end up with the Autobots, but not before a barrier of distrust had been built between them due to his inaction and his past loyalties.
These loyalties came to a head during a period when Optimus Prime and Megatron were presumed lost forever, the two factions splintered into five. After going out for a routine metallurgical survey, Jetfire returned to the Autobots' base to find that the place was both deserted and on high-alert. Escalation Events conspired behind the scenes, building up to an unknown crescendo, and Jetfire was suspicious, not knowing that he was being targeted by The Fallen for an arcane ritual. Putting his already-shaky trustworthiness on the line, Jetfire met up with Shockwave in secret to discuss the looming front of darkness. However, The Fallen had leaked their correspondence to Grimlock, who held a grudge against the scientist. Devastation
I've always said there's nothing an agnostic can't do if he really doesn't know whether he believes in anything or not.
As Jetfire and Shockwave were exchanging information, Bludgeon, Bugly, and Mindwipe, three followers of The Fallen, attacked them. Jetfire found himself at their mercy, until Grimlock intervened and defeated all three mystics. Jetfire then tried to explain to Grimlock about the forthcoming evil he and Shockwave had discovered, only for Grimlock to assault Jetfire, intending to execute him for treason. Revelation Before Grimlock could act, both Autobots were overwhelmed by The Fallen. The ancient Transformer dragged his victims far inside Cybertron, and strapped them to a four-paneled contraption in the Well of All Sparks. Confrontation Jetfire, Grimlock, Hot Spot, and Blitzwing were the "Angles of Dissolution", four "unique sparks" which could catalyze the breach of the Seal of Primus. Combined forces from several factions penetrated The Fallen's operation, but despite Jetfire and Grimlock's teamwork, The Fallen was destroyed only by his own scheme — the hand of Primus reached out, awakened from his slumber, and smote the enigmatic being to pieces. Jetfire, a skeptic towards things supernatural, began to wonder if there might be something bigger than them going on, something no one could comprehend. Conflagration
Long after, Jetfire and Omega Supreme were sent out into space to search for the missing Ark as part of one of the last Autobot space programs. The two eventually parted ways with the other members of the operation in order to investigate a beacon emanating from the Sol System. Destined for Nothing Arriving on Earth, they were attacked by Scourge, whom Jetfire disabled him with an EM pulse from their ship. He then ventured outside to identify his assailant, and enclosed him within a stasis pod. But as he was dragging his prisoner along, he was caught in an avalanche and buried in ice. Original Sin
The power of Primus compels you!
Millions of years later he was found by Starscream and stored aboard the Nemesis, still encased in a block of ice. When the zealot Sunstorm arrived on Earth, Starscream freed Jetfire from his icy prison to stop him. Black Sunshine Thanks to the radiation shielding built-in Jetfire's armor, he was able to defeat Sunstorm... only for his opponent to rapidly begin regenerating. Skyfire With only a brief respite, Jetfire and Starscream traveled to meet with the Autobots aboard the Orion. Black Sunshine An uneasy alliance formed between Jetfire, Starscream, and Bumblebee's team of Autobots as they tried to come up with a plan to stop the unbelievably powerful Seeker, but Sunstorm was unstoppable. Despite all signs pointing towards Sunstorm being a supernatural being, Jetfire stuck fast to his belief that what they were dealing with was simply "unexplained" and not "unexplainable." By pooling their knowledge on the clone, the Autobots were able to formulate a plan on how to stop Sunstorm; by creating a mock-signature based on Starscream for the clone to follow, they would distract him long enough to suppress his power-cells, putting him in stasis-lock. Though Jetfire protested the arrangement, Bumblebee was the first to take on Sunstorm next, while Jetfire was left behind to keep an eye on Starscream. The battle turned sour for the Autobots quickly, and Jetfire left his post to once more confront the super-clone. With his help, Bumblebee managed to attach an inhibtor on Sunstorm, but before it could take on its full effect, Sunstorm flew off. Skyfire Jetfire and the others returned to the Orion, only to find its entire crew disabled. After a brief scan, Jetfire concluded that it hadn't been Sunstorm responsible for this, but rather Starscream, who had betrayed them and fled. As the Autobots were tending to the wounded, they heard a distant explosion, signifying that Omega Supreme, their last ace-in-the-hole, had tracked down Sunstorm and engaged him in combat. Bumblebee was confident that the titan would be able to subdue Sunstorm, but Jetfire warned him not to underestimate their opponent. The Omega Effect Indeed, Omega Supreme did not end up emerging victorious from the encounter. Leaving Cliffjumper behind to tend to the giant, Jetfire and Bumblebee blasted off together to track down Sunstorm once more. They came upon Starscream and his "brother" opening up an ancient Cybertronian bunker, and swooped down to stop whatever machinations the Decepticons were partaking in. Following them underground, Jetfire was able to subdue Starscream, only to find himself in a stare-down against Sunstorm, who had Bumblebee in his irradiated grasp. Unexpectedly, Starscream turned on his clone to bring an end to the stand-off... only to knock out Jetfire with his null-ray immediately afterwards. Original Sin
Jetfire quickly recovered, finding Sunstorm ranting more deliriously than ever, while the energies within him erupted more and more violently. Jetfire came to realize that Sunstorm's internal fusion reactor was about to go critical. Turning to his Starscream one last time, and telling him he "owed him one," Jetfire left Bumblebee and his former friend behind to fly Sunstorm up into orbit. Contemplating how he had neglected to accept all possibilities during his struggles with Sunstorm, mainly ones of divine origin, Jetfire flew grappled with his opponent until Sunstorm went critical. The Earth was spared any damage from the blast, but Jetfire was annihilated. His demise caused Bumblebee to throw down his arms and quit the war. Atonement
Generation One ceased publication before the story could conclude. The following would have taken place in unpublished issues.
Returning to consciousness, Jetfire found himself within the Well of All Sparks, with the unnerving sensation that he was being watched by a familiar presence... In this place, he was witness to a vision of Primus deconstructing The Fallen with a gesture of his hand! Jetfire refused to believe the legitimacy of what he was witnessing, as it contradicted his long-held atheistic beliefs... only to be confronted by The Fallen, who informed him that his mindset would be the cause of Jetfire's undoing, and The Fallen's return to power!
After a brief scuffle with his opponent, Jetfire suddenly found himself elsewhen: on a prehistoric and mobile Cybertron, heading towards a monstrous and enormous malevolence. In this era, The Fallen attacked him again, only for Jetfire's surroundings to shift once more. This time finding himself in a war-zone dominated by The Fallen, Jetfire took the initiative and struck against the fiery enemy, only to be returned to the Well of All Sparks. Now closer to the present, Jetfire looked on as Shockwave planted a siphon into the Well... and puzzled out that through it, The Fallen had been loosened from his prison. In time, The Fallen's essence found a home in Sunstorm, who transferred it into Jetfire upon his demise.
Jetfire's mind was finally returned to reality, where the Autobots were nearing freeing him from the icy prison he had found himself trapped in after his bout against Sunstorm. Though he tried to warn his comrades about The Fallen, his words were not heard by his rescuers... The Enemy Within
The Beast Within
In the aftermath of a brutal battle against first the Decepticons, and then The Beast, the Dinobots’ monstrous combined form, Jetfire ran rescue by himself. He managed to pick up Springer and Wheeljack’s unconscious forms before meeting with Optimus, still on the run from The Beast. Lowering himself, Jetfire picked up Ironhide, Jazz, Ratchet and Bumblebee from Prime’s trailer, leaving Optimus to finishing off The Beast on his own. He nonetheless gave The Beast a blast from his rockets as a parting gift. Jetfire managed to make it back to the battlefield after dropping off the Autobots within him, just in time to witness Optimus leading The Beast over the edge of a chasm. Swooping down at the last possible moment to rescue his leader, Jetfire then dropped Optimus off on the Cliffside, and both of them contemplated The Beast’s inert form below them. The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences
G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers
During a Decepticon attack on an Autobot peace ceremony, Jetfire fought back and fired on Reflector, only to be ordered to cease fire as Optimus Prime was using the Decepticon to negotiate with Serpent O.R. When it turned out that the negotiations involved Prime giving himself up to the Decepticons, Jetfire joined a team of Autobots led by Hot Rod who were planning on rescuing him. The Art of War #4 Together with G.I. Joe, they fought and defeated Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army. The Art of War #5
IDW Generation 1 continuity
Classics toy bio
The first Cybertronian to travel to the black depths of deep space, Jetfire encountered the Star pirates of the Blot Nebula, and is the only one to ever have faced and defeated them. He was known as a famous hero for these deeds, but he disappeared millions of years ago, much to the dismay of Cybertron's populace. However, once he was uncovered from inside a glacier, he rose to challenge the threat of the Decepticons immediately. Voyager Class Classics Jetfire toy bio
Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga
No magic insignia-swapping stickers this time.
Ramjet questioned Starscream about the new mech they'd found frozen in a glacier up in the Arctic Circle, but Starscream had unsavory plans for it involving a mind-control helmet.
Back in Japan, the Seekers raided an energy plant, revealing the newcomer as Skyfire. Amidst the plundering, Skyfire pleaded with Starscream to stop shooting at the human workers, but to no avail. Luckily, the Autobots showed up to save the workers. Skyfire's pleas caused Starscream to yell at him, exclaiming that Skyfire's reason for living was to be a soldier. Just before getting shot at, Skyfire finally ripped off the control helmet and declared himself a scientist (with a sweet new Autobot symbol, too). However, he said he would become a soldier, if only to defend humans from those like his old friend. Watching the Seekers retreat, Skyfire wistfully reminisced that he and Starscream never really got along that well in the past, anyway. Henkei! Henkei! volume 4
Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-
I want to tell you about the Transformers! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their fictional appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. Visualize Shot 6
Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga
Transformers: All Spark
BeCool shorts
White Jet (白のジェット機 Shiro no Jettoki) was part of the audience of Quiz! BeCool. The Story of Quiz! BeCool
Kre-O online manga
Somewhere, Harmony Gold is getting a greed-chubby.
After being asked to by Megatron, the Autobots attacked the Decepticon Base and chased away the overzealous guard Vortex. In thanks, Megatron hosted a gathering in the base, which Jetfire attended. A Reliable Warrior!? Vortex the Lookout from Hell
Generations toy bio
A peaceful scientist at heart, Jetfire preferred to stay in the background rather than on the front lines. The senseless violence of the Decepticons sickened him, and thus he left Cybertron and went into hiding on Earth. Upon being reawakened by the arrival of the war on Earth, Jetfire decided to join the Autobots. Thrilling 30 Jetfire toy bio
Timelines
In Primax 096.0 Beta, Jetfire was a member of General Optimus Prime's newly reconstituted Firestormer Squadron. At the final battle of the third Cybertronian war on Mirtonia, the General led the Autobots to victory over the Decepticon Star Empire, though this ended with the General and Sergeant Hound being blasted away by an energon explosion into Nexus 208.0 Epsilon. General Optimus Prime's profile card
IDW Beast Wars comics
Jetfire was one of the many casualties of the Great War before the signing of the Pax Cybertronia in 2035. Dawn of the Predacus
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
Jetfire was a repentant former Decepticon who became a member of the Rescuebots, a team of Autobots dedicated to protecting humans. He formed one half of the torso of Defensor, the team's combiner form. Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12
Of Masters and Mayhem
In a manner reminiscent of other realities, Jetfire was reportedly created by the Decepticons when they temporarily had access to the Creation Matrix, or a reasonable facsimile. Fortunately for the Autobots, he ultimately chose to join their side. Deadly Aim
Jetfire was a scientist working on the Ark project, designing heat regulators to compensate for quantum irregularities while moving at hyper-speed. The factory came under attack by the monstrous Decepticon creation known as Toxitron, however. The entity's toxic sludge made close quarters combat virtually impossible for most Autobots. Jetfire fared better than most due to the heat shielding in his exo-armor. With the death toll rising and the Ark damaged in the fighting, Jetfire ordered an evacuation of the facility. He apparently died in battle with Toxitron while trying to stall for his fellow Autobots to safely escape. The Toxic Transformer
Games
Transformers Battle Circuit
Jetfire, one of the "greatest Transformers of all time," was part of an Autobot team that participated in a tournament on Cybertron. He faced off against a team of Decepticons in a series of one-on-one matches. If he managed to defeat Menasor, Trypticon, Astrotrain, Starscream, and Megatron, Jetfire was declared to be the tournament's champion! Transformers Battle Circuit
Transformers G1: Awakening
The Decepticons found Jetfire on Earth and tricked him into joining their ranks. He joined Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp in an attack on Dyson Dam, however Optimus Prime and the Autobots were on hand to defend it. They badly damaged Jetfire during the battle, but were puzzled when Metroplex could find no record of him existing. Once the situation was established and Jetfire realized he'd been duped, Optimus invited him to join the Autobots. Jetfire's first mission was to take out three power stations which were generating force fields. Despite Megatron's anger at seeing the traitor return, Jetfire was able to capture all three of the stations and bring the force fields down, revealing that the Decepticons had built a space bridge. He also later helped save Grimlock from some attacking Decepticons. Transformers G1: Awakening
Bot Shots Battle Game!
Jetfire participated in numerous one-on-one matches against other Autobots and Decepticons, using his fists, his sword, or his gun to defeat his opponents. Sometimes, he even faced off against himself! Bot Shots Battle Game!
Transformers: Legends
Jetfire was dug from his icy prison by the other Autobots and sent to South America to help stop the Decepticons from building a cannon to harness the Crystal of Power. He and his teammates managed to destroy the cannon and cap the shaft on which the crystal had stood. Fire on the Mountain Jetfire was part of an escort squadron led by Omega Supreme, tasked with protecting important cargo from a Decepticon strike force. Cold Delivery When the Military Patrol team ran amok in New York, Jetfire led a team including Hound and Warpath which succeeded in driving them from the city. Full Assault
In the chaos following Optimus and Megatron's clash during a battle in Autobot City, Omega Supreme arrived with reinforcements, including Jetfire. The newcomers were able to bring some order to the battle. The Omega Corps
At some point Jetfire fought in a battle alongside Sunstreaker, Rumble, and Overlord. Fan Favorite
Jetfire designed an experimental space bridge. Galvatron sought to take control of the device in order to teleport weapons into enemy territory, and Jetfire helped Rodimus defend his invention. A stray shot threw all nearby combatants into the distant past, where they witnessed the epic battle between Primus and Unicron before Cybertron's formation. The Autobots allied themselves with Primus while Galvatron joined forces with Unicron. The Autobots eventually prevailed, and were sent back to their proper place in the timestream by Primus. Battle of the Brothers
Transformers: Battle Tactics
Jetfire participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in two different bodies:
Jetfire — This Rare character could be recruited by collecting 150 units of Cybermetal, 90 units of Transmetal, and 55 scout cores.
— This Rare character could be recruited by collecting 150 units of Cybermetal, 90 units of Transmetal, and 55 scout cores. Jetfire II — This Super Rare character could be recruited by collecting 250 units of Cybermetal, 75 units of Transmetal, 50 exclusive cores, and 5 cores of this character. Transformers: Battle Tactics
Transformers: Frontiers
The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. Transformers: Frontiers
Transformers Operation Omega
The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. Transformers Operation Omega
Transformers: Earth Wars
I don't think I'm supposed to be fighting... I mean, I am only a scientist.
Jetfire was distrusted for his Decepticon past and, due to his daring in battle, often seen as just some gung-go dude. In actual fact, he thought the Autobots needed calm, methodical, lab-based scientific work if they really wanted to defeat the enemy. Jetfire bio
Jetfire was the very first Autobot to reach Earth, and he set up base next to the Ark. Jetfire soon found a Quantum Crystal and brought Ironhide though. Ironhide stated that the base was in dissarray and missing Energon. Lots of missing Energon. They built a harvester, and Ironhide decided it was time to beat up Decepticons. They destroyed a base and Blaster told them to upgrade the HQ. After that they received a transmission from Optimus Prime. Prime desperately needed to get to Earth or else Megatron would beat him there. They brought in another recruit and all three of them headed out to get a Leader Crystal to get their leader through. Prime came to Earth, then commanded Jetfire and Ironhide to help him find the Fractal Map. Get Optimus! campaign
Jetfire and Ironhide started to worry about the mortar and beam lasers that are ahead of them at the next outpost. But Optimus told them not to worry and led the charge in an Inspiring Charge. Optimus then congratulated everyone on the victory, for which Jetifre was impressed. The Lost Map campaign
Jetfire was present for the battle for the Codex Key. Codex Showdown campaign
Class: Aerial
Aerial Lowest Star Rating: 1 Star
1 Star Weapons: Jetfire uses a standard issue photon rifle to blast targets for moderate damage.
Ability: Airstrike : Hits the target with four powerful missiles dealing moderate damage! Cost : 4 ability points +3 for reuses.
: Hits the target with four powerful missiles dealing moderate damage!
Jetfire at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki
Commercial appearances
Tired of losing battles due to the Decepticons' air superiority, the Autobots created the ultimate flying warrior: Jetfire! The newborn Autobot managed to take down Starscream and Thundercracker, but was in turn countered by the Decepticons' newest secret weapon, Shockwave! Jetfire and Shockwave commercial
Jetfire was standing idle inside the Autobots' base when Punch reported back to Optimus on what he had recently found out about the Decepticons. BotCon 2010 Promo
Toys and merchandise
Why "Skyfire"?
I went from 98-ton weakling to muscle-bot on... the Dery plan!
We may never be certain of the exact circumstances behind the change from Jetfire to Skyfire. There are, however, a few known factors, and a lot of theories.
Not all of Hasbro's Transformers product originated with Takara. Among others, the Macross Super Valkyrie, the toy that would become Jetfire, came from a company called Takatoku Toys. Why did Hasbro market non-Takara product? Bob Prupis, one of the original members of the Transformers marketing team, would frequently go to Toy Fairs in Asia, where "any product that really looked good that was exciting we didn't care where it came from. We did some work with Bandai, who had been working with other people, and took a few products that looked right for our line" . [1] The Super Valkyrie, then, must have met their criteria for inclusion.
product originated with Takara. Among others, the Super Valkyrie, the toy that would become Jetfire, came from a company called Takatoku Toys. Why did Hasbro market non-Takara product? Bob Prupis, one of the original members of the Transformers marketing team, would frequently go to Toy Fairs in Asia, where . The Super Valkyrie, then, must have met their criteria for inclusion. As a larger toy, it would follow that Hasbro would want to sell Jetfire by including him in the Transformers animated series. However, even though Hasbro had the rights to release Takatoku's Super Valkyrie in the US Transformers toyline, Hasbro's chief collaborator on Transformers was still Takara. It may have been that Takara always had plans to air the Transformer animated series in their own market (as it featured a majority of their products), and objected to the inclusion of a competitor's product on the show. This may also be why no other Takatoku-designed toys appeared in the series, although their relatively smaller sizes as compared to Jetfire may have been a factor in Hasbro not including them.
toyline, Hasbro's chief collaborator on was still Takara. It may have been that Takara always had plans to air the Transformer animated series in their own market (as it featured a majority of their products), and objected to the inclusion of a competitor's product on the show. This may also be why no other Takatoku-designed toys appeared in the series, although their relatively smaller sizes as compared to Jetfire may have been a factor in Hasbro not including them. As the theory goes, the Jetfire animation model was adjusted to look less like the toy as a compromise to Takara. However - perhaps because it now failed to look like the product it was supposed to be advertising - the character became "Skyfire".
Conversely, it is possible that licensing issues played in to the decisions to change Jetfire to Skyfire; the story bible for G1 writers mentions how Jetfire had been "transformed" into Skyfire for "legal reasons". See also Notes.
The evidence of Robotech influencing Jetfire-related decisions is murky. That show began airing in syndication in March 1985, whereas "Fire in the Sky", the first episode with Skyfire, aired December 8, 1984 - and would have had to have been written and animated much before then. Statements indicate that it took nine months to edit Robotech together, placing the start of production somewhere around July 1984. So... who knows. All that's certain is that Hasbro licensing the Super Valkyrie seemingly did prevent the use of that toy in Matchbox's Robotech toyline (though Playmates Toys would release it as part of a co-branded Exosquad/Robotech line in the mid 1990s).
Beyond Prupis's statement and the notes in the story bible, however, nothing supporting (or denying) any of the previous statements have come out.
Notes
know you want to make a "Skull Squadron" version of some C'mon, Hasbro. Youyou want to make a "Skull Squadron" version of Jetfire . What's Bandai going to do? Sic the Power Rangers on you?
As mentioned above, unlike most of the early Transformers range, the Jetfire toy was designed by Takatoku Toys, being a redeco (with a minor retool to blunt the nosecone) of their 1/55 Macross VF-1S Super Valkyrie. Naturally, because he was not designed by Takara, Jetfire was not released in Japan, since the toy (or, at least, a dozen variations of it) was released by one of Takara's rival toy companies.
range, the Jetfire toy was designed by Takatoku Toys, being a redeco (with a minor retool to blunt the nosecone) of their 1/55 VF-1S Super Valkyrie. Naturally, because he was not designed by Takara, Jetfire was not released in Japan, since the toy (or, at least, a dozen variations of it) was released by one of Takara's rival toy companies. The story bible for the original animated series contains a different character model for Jetfire, one clearly based on the actual toy. This model did appear three times "fictionally", once as a miscolored, partially-obscured background character in the fourth Marvel Comics issue, again in the Marvel Comics as a spectator at Optimus Prime's funeral (right next to his "Skyfire" model) and finally in the Milton-Bradley promotional comic. It would also occasionally crop up in secondary media, such as coloring books and the animated portion of the commercial for Jetfire and Shockwave.
Jetfire had the preliminary name of Fireball.[2]
In fact, the Transformers story bible offers seemingly contradictory statements on Jetfire. An early page notes how "JETFIRE has been "transformed" into SKYFIRE — with a different model — due to legal reasons. Do not use this character unless necessary" , [3] whereas a subsequent page on new Season 2 characters notes that "Although Reflector should no longer be used as a character in the series, JETFIRE will be redesigned and reintroduced in the near future" . [4] As the Valkyrie-derived animation model never appeared in the cartoon, and Skyfire was never redesigned, it's uncertain just what these notes refer to.
, whereas a subsequent page on new Season 2 characters notes that . As the Valkyrie-derived animation model never appeared in the cartoon, and Skyfire was never redesigned, it's uncertain just what these notes refer to. "Jetfire" is listed as a "Special Guest Star from Cybertron" on the Sunbow Productions cast list entry for "Fire in the Sky". Later, on the cast list entry for "Fire on the Mountain", "Skyfire" is typewritten as part of the main cast list, but a drawn dash pointing to (or from) it leads to the handwritten name "Jetfire". From there on out, Skyfire is referred to as Jetfire in the listings.
In the aforementioned Jetfire commercial, it claims that the Autobots created Jetfire, the "ultimate robot jet", to counter the Decepticon planes. As Sunstreaker, Hound, and Prowl are under attack, the trio release Jetfire from within an opening cliffside, revealing their new creation. (See image above.)
Crazy moonman language!
When Hasbro launched the Transformers line on the European continent using the domestic subsidiaries of Milton Bradley in 1985, Optimus Prime was notably absent from the initial line-up and Jetfire was declared leader of the Autobots instead. He not only appeared in that function in a pack-in mini-comic, but Dutch comic book publisher Junior Press even changed Optimus Prime's name to "Jetfire" in their translated version of the Marvel Transformers comic until the Optimus Prime toy was released in Europe after all, and Junior Press corrected the name for subsequent issues. A commonly cited explanation for this is a trademark problem,[5] but a more likely theory suggests that an exclusive contract between Takara and French toy company Joustra, which allowed Joustra to release their own version of Takara's Diaclone line in Europe, initially made all the toys released by Joustra (which included the Optimus Prime sculpt) off-limits for the MB line-up until a deal was made between MB and Joustra.[6]
Curiously, for the toy commercial the animators chose to go with the 1st version of the Jetfire model rather than any of the two revised versions.
Foreign names
Japanese: Skyfire (スカイファイアー Sukaifaiā ), Jetfire ( G-2 , ジェットファイヤー Jettofaiyā )
(スカイファイアー ), ( , ジェットファイヤー ) Czech: Premiant
Cantonese: Tin Fo (Hong Kong, 天火, "Sky Fire")
(Hong Kong, 天火, "Sky Fire") French: Bolide (Canada, "Meteor")
(Canada, "Meteor") Hebrew: Sh'méy Ésh (שמיי אש, "Skies of Fire")
(שמיי אש, "Skies of Fire") Hungarian: Röptűz ("Fly Fire")
("Fly Fire") Italian: Aquila ("Eagle")
("Eagle") Mandarin: Tiān Huǒ (China, 天火, "Sky Fire")
(China, 天火, "Sky Fire") Portuguese: Jacto (Portugal comic, "Jet")
(Portugal comic, "Jet") Russian: Istrebitel' (Истребитель, "Aircraft Fighter")
(Истребитель, "Aircraft Fighter") Ukrainian: Blyskavka (ICTV, Блискавка, "Lightning") |
Hindus and Christians converted to Islam besides Muslims were among 52 people arrested for allegedly being ISIS terrorists, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said today, adding they included engineers and post-graduates.
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Almost 80 per cent of the accused had formal schooling and rest went to Madrassas, it said. The agency registered a highest of 12 Islamic State (ISIS) terrorism-related cases and arrested these accused last year. It is the highest number of cases and arrests made by the NIA in a year since its inception in 2009.
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In 2015, only two such cases were registered, the NIA said.
Those arrested for allegedly being ISIS operatives were of different age group. A total of 28 were in 18-25 year group, 20 between 25 to 40 years and four were above 40 years, it said.
A highest of 20 accused were graduates or engineers, 13 were matric passed, 12 were diploma holders, four were senior secondary passed while three were post-graduates with Master of Arts or Master of Computer Application degrees, the NIA said whe releasing data on the arrests.
Giving details of the religious affiliations of the accused, the agency said 50 per cent belong to ‘Ahle Hadith’, 30 per cent to ‘Tabligi/Jammat’ and 20 per cent followed Deobandi.
Of these 52 Islamic State-influenced persons held by NIA, 85 per cent of them are Sunni Muslims and rest are converted from Hinduism and Christianity, a senior NIA official said.
These persons hailed from various states across the country. A highest of 12 belonged to Maharashtra, 11 from Kerala, 10 from Telangana, five from West Bengal, four from Uttar Pradesh, three from Tamil Nadu, two from Rajasthan and one each from Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Those arrested by the probe agency were of different income groups. As many as nine were from upper-middle income group, 30 from middle-income group and 13 from low-income group, the official said.
In 2016, a highest of 34 cases were registered by the NIA. Of these, 21 were related to Jihadi terrorism, five related to Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and terror funding, three related to north east insurgency and two relating to Maoists, among others.
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As many as 112 accused were arrested in these cases. Of them, 64 were held for their alleged involvement in Jihadi terrorism, 17 for north east insurgency, 12 for FICN and terror funding and three for left wing extremisms. |
Alamo Colleges trustees OK new approach to textbooks
SAN ANTONIO — Alamo Colleges trustees have approved a controversial approach to instructional materials that aims to bring down the cost of textbooks for students and move toward electronic formats and open source materials.
Trustees voted 8-1 to approve the strategy Tuesday. The board also unanimously authorized establishing six new early-college high schools to begin fall 2014 in partnership with nine area school districts and one charter school. They are: Harlandale, San Antonio, Seguin and Southside independent school districts; New Frontiers Charter School and a cluster of districts including Somerset, Southwest, Poteet, Lytle and Jourdanton ISDs.
The textbook strategy calls for identifying the most effective instructional materials, which eventually could be adopted across all five Alamo Colleges. Students' tuition and fees will pay for electronic materials so that they have them before classes begin, according to board documents.
Faculty leaders say they also want students to have their books by the first day of classes but think the new process will restrict students' purchasing options and limit educational diversity.
Trustee Anna Bustamante voted against the proposal, raising concerns about the availability of Wi-Fi and adding another expense.
“I just have a problem with requiring students to pay when they may not want to have that expense,” she said. “That doesn't feel good to me.”
Thomas Cleary, a vice chancellor who oversees technology, said Wi-Fi is available in Alamo Colleges buildings and the district is expanding it to high-traffic areas outside.
Each college already has one set of instructional materials per course. Jo-Carol Fabianke, the vice chancellor for academic success, said the new strategy will start by evaluating materials for high-enrollment courses.
For instance, in English 1301, each of the colleges might have their own sets of instructional materials from various publishers for the fall 2014 semester, Fabianke said, but in the future, faculty members will work with the publishers to determine if additional electronic resources are available. After test-driving those resources, they'll evaluate the materials and the results, such as student engagement and persistence.
“We want the faculty to do the analysis ... to determine if there are some materials that are better than others and are economical for students,” she said.
If the evaluation bears fruit, some courses could move to a single set of instructional materials across all colleges by fall 2015, Fabianke said.
[email protected]
Twitter: @jlloydster |
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If you’re planning to head to China to sample some of the most authentic noodles the country has to offer, don’t be surprised if what you’re eating is the product of Chef Cui. Chef Cui makes perfect slices of noodles every time, shaving equal flour pieces — all of which are the same length and size, cooked to delicious consistency. But if you want to meet Chef Cui, however, prepare to be a bit underwhelmed… this masterful culinary figure is actually a 3-foot-tall robot replacing workers in noodle cutting factories across China.
Named after its developer Cui Runguan, a Chinese restauranteur, Chef Cui is a humanoid-shaped robot whose only ability is lifting its arms back and forth, slicing a ball of dough into strips of noodle. It’s also got some funky, multi-colored glowing eyes for the fun of it, along with superhero-like headbands in place of where chef hats should be. The design make these robots look almost toy-like, similar to a Japanese action figure except with a dangerously sharp hand.
At a cost of approximately $1,500 per robot, Chef Cui is meant to replace human workers who would be paid approximately $4,700 annually for the same task. The robots can pre-slice the noodles, or cut them directly into pots of boiling water for the freshest consistency.
“The noodles made by the robot are as good as the man-made one,” said Kang Dayuan, a local Chinese customer tasting Chef Cui’s creations in the video below. “They taste good and it looks great.”
Since Chef Cui’s release in March of 2011, about 3,000 Chef Cui robots have been sold with more anticipated to replace humans in the coming years. While you might think of this as a bit sad to see robots taking over human jobs, the symbiosis is actually sitting well with Chinese workers. Many of the young are seeking better jobs than resorting to a lifetime of noodle slicing, so robots taking up the market allow people to hunt for a career more meaningful and worthwhile. If the youth’s passion is in culinary arts, at least he or she can still become the chef that actually cooks the robo-shaved noodles.
Watch the video below to see an army of Chef Cui’s slicing away. If you ever get to meet Chef Cui in person, don’t dare try to shake its hands. |
Description: Sometimes its best not to trust seemingly friendly Chrome extensions
We've been monitoring the situation carefully.
According to our calculations, the best time to push the button
will be in a few weeks. The red flair is almost guaranteed-
as long as we stay vigilant. I'm receiving constant updates
in order to prevent the timer from reaching zero prematurely.
I installed a nifty Chrome extension
that shows the current color of the timer.
Mein Fuhrer...
That extension....
That extension has malicious code.
It presses the button automatically. You now have purple flair.
Unless you have the following flair, leave immediately: Grey, Green, Yellow, and White.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME??!?
WHY WOULD SOMEONE CREATE SUCH A THING??
YOU'RE TELLING ME ALL THE PLANNING AND WAITING WAS FOR NOTHING?
I just wanted the subreddit to look cool...
The mods of r/button wasted no effort
And now you tell me someone would go to such lengths
to fuck over the patient non-pressers?!?
HOW CAN THIS EVEN WORK IF AUTOMATIC BUTTON PUSHING IS ALLOWED?
Mein Fuhrer, we combed through every line of code of the Enhancement Suite to avoid this disaster
You could have been combing through my ass hairs all the good it did
Mein Fuhrer, there was always the chance that we would have ended up with 60s flair..
You fucking idiot, its the principal of the matter. This is the Internet. We should hold ourselves to higher standards.
JUST BECAUSE I CAN'T READ CODE
doesn't give them the right to fuck me over.
That extension was suppose to make this whole experience better.
Now its all garbage, I might as well unsubscribe and stop participating in this whole wretched affair.
You think I have alts? Do you honestly believe
I can go on another account and keep staring at the button without shame in my heart?!?
I was so confident!!!!!
I could laugh as a proud Grey at that purple bastard Stalin!
Who wouldn't want that extension.
The colors changed seamlessly with the timer.
I thought I was being tech savvy..
Its all lies.
I NEVER tried to convince others to push the button. The thought of forcing someone to push the button makes my stomach turn.
I NEVER tried to make low-effort content to cash in on the massive karma grab.
All I wanted was to meaningfully participate.
I even had dreams of not pushing at all.
But what could have been a red flair is now a stain of blood!
He's just waxing poetic now, soon enough we'll be back to browsing r/TrollXChromosomes
I didn't even get the satisfaction of pushing it.
Its high time we remember the original purpose of The Button.
A zany April Fools joke.
Well, the joke's on me.
What does it even matter, I still have no idea what the fuck that Team Orangered trophy is about.
and you know the Redguard is going to let the timer slip through their fingers
Take me to r/Destructionist |
Wednesday marked the third mass shooting in five years on a U.S. military base, and the second at Fort Hood, in Killeen, Texas. The shooter, who was an Iraq War veteran being treated for mental health illness, killed three and wounded 16 others, before turning the gun on himself. The tragedy has sparked important debate over several subjects, including military base safety, gun control, mental health issues, workplace violence, federal spending and public safety. But the controversies that surround these issues are long-running. In fact, just last September we explored them by the numbers in the wake of the Navy Yard shooting. Since another tragedy has raised the same questions, we've re-posted the story here, updating numbers where possible.
463 workplace homicides in 2012
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked a slight dip in workplace killings in 2012, the latest year for which data is available, with 698 people killed by an intentional injury and 463 of these cases classified as homicides. But workplace violence experts like Larry Barton, who counts 40 Fortune 500 companies among his clients, noted an uptick in violent incidents linked to the economic anxieties of the recession and its aftershocks. A 2012 report from the Ethics Resource Center found that physical retaliation against those who report misconduct lept 25 percent since 2009.
64 percent increase in depression or stress between 2010 and 2013
Between 2010 and 2013, the number of people who sought professional help for stress or depression increased from 9 percent to 14 percent, according to a 2013 study by the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. At the same time, the study found that one-third of Americans cut back on doctor visits or medical treatments in the last five years. A previous study by the Heldrich Center of the long-term unemployed found that 32 percent were experiencing "a good deal of stress" and half had avoided friends and associates.
One percent of adults made suicide plans in 2010
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet released suicide data for 2011 or 2012, but the suicide rate has experienced a steady increase over the previous five years. In 2005, there were 10.9 suicides per 100,000 people, and in 2010 that number had jumped 11 percent to 12.1 per 100,000 people -- the highest since 1991. In 2010, one percent of the adult population made suicide plans, 0.5 percent attempted suicide, and on average, 105 people committed suicide every day.
Source: CDC
The U.S. has cut $4 billion from its mental health budget since the recession
The number of psychiatric beds in American has plumetted from more than half a million in the 1950s to only 35,000 in 2012, Al Jazeera English reported. Millions of mentally ill Americans are now reliant on community health networks. Last month, one of Minnesota's largest mental health agencies abrupty closed its doors under budget woes, forcing the state's Department of Human Services to send out an urgent memo to community agencies, requesting that they provide mobile crisis services in the area.
The murder rate increased 1.1 percent between 2011 and 2012
That increase, estimated by the FBI, comes after an extended period of decline. Specifically, U.S. gun-related homicides plummeted 39 percent between 1993 and 2011, reports the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
The NRA spent $3.4 million on lobbying last year
The National Rifle Association spent a record $3.4 million lobbying the federal government last year. And with a with a lobbying bill greater than $1.8 million, the National Association for Gun Rights, a newcomer gun rights group, beat even the NRA's record generosity in the first quarter of the last year, according to an analysis by OpenSecrets.org.
Mayors Against Illegal Guns spent $1.8 million |
Judge who let off 'spoiled' rich teen who killed four in DUI previously put boy aged fourteen in prison for TEN YEARS
Judge Jean Boyd is facing an avalanche of criticism after sentencing Ethan Couch to 10 years probation for killing four people in a car crash
In the past she has handed out tougher sentence and last year an African-American teenager was jailed for 10 years for punching a man who died
A petition has been launched to have Boyd removed from her position
A psychologist blamed Couch's behavior on 'affluenza' claiming his parents gave him too many freedoms
Couch will now spend time at the swanky Newport Academy rehab center in California with his parents footing the bill
Sergio Molina, now 16, was in the back of Couch's pickup truck and survived the accident but is now paralyzed
Molina's family are now suing Couch and his father's business - as the car was owned by the company - for $20million
The judge in the controversial Ethan Couch case hasn’t always been so lenient and last year sentenced a 14-year-old African American boy to 10 years in prison after he punched someone and they died.
Judge Jean Boyd is facing calls to be removed from her position after she handed out the remarkably lenient sentence - 10 years probation - to 16-year-old Couch who killed four people and injured seven while on a drunken joyride.
The case has attracted nationwide attention after a psychologist claimed that Couch suffered from ‘affluenza’, a condition in which his wealth and privilege kept him from understanding the consequences of his actions.
No jail: Judge Jean Boyd is facing calls to be removed from her position after she handed out a remarkably lenient sentence of 10 years probation to Ethan Couch who killed four people while on a drunken joyride
Last year Judge Boyd sentenced a 14-year old boy to prison for killing one person with a powerful punch. The teenage suspect’s name was never made public since he was prosecuted as a juvenile.
'Just after 10 p.m. on October 6, the teen was riding in a Cadillac with two friends when he suddenly jumped out of the vehicle in the 1700 block of Vaughn Avenue and punched [Mark] Gregory, who was 5-foot-1 and weighed 106 pounds,' said the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office in a statement.
'Gregory’s head struck the pavement and he died two days later.'
The 14-year-old boy admitted to the crime and never expressed remorse for the murder, according to prosecutors.
Gregory’s mother, Anita Lauterbach, said she remembers Judge Boyd pushing for rehabilitation, much like in the Couch case.
No jail: Ethan Couch pictured here in December, avoided prison for killing four and injuring two more after his attorney argued that he was mollycoddled by his parents so much that he didn't understand the difference between right and wrong
'She wanted to send him to one of these special places in Arizona, but no one would take him,' Lauterbach told WFAA.
'We were horrified. We just couldn't believe it. The district attorney and I were just sitting on pins and needles. But, when nobody would take him, [it was] a sigh of relief.'
Lauterbach said she's still disgusted at her experience with the judge.
'She's too easy on them,' Lauterbach said. 'I don't think she needs to be sitting on that bench.'
Boyd is expected to retire next year, but a petition has been launched at change.org demanding that Texas Governor Rick Perry remove her from the bench immediately.
Instead of prison, Couch is set to spend time at the swanky Newport Academy male residential rehabilitation center in California with his parents footing the bill
'This sentence is a slap in the face [of] the families of those who were killed. He's sent to California to a spa-type center while the families of the victims get to go to a cemetery,' wrote a supporter of the petition, Stephen Pyka of Texas.
'This is another disgusting display of the wealthy trying to change the rules when they break them. This judge should be removed for aiding a murderer,' noted another supporter, Nina Eagle of Appomattox, Va.
The relatives of one of the seven friends who were piled into Couch’s pickup truck have spoken out about the ‘living hell’ they have been in since the accident six months ago.
Sergio Molina was in the back of a pickup truck being driven erratically by Couch when he slammed into four people on the side of a road.
Those four people - a young woman whose car had broken down, a Good Samaritan trying to help, and a mother and daughter who also got out to see what they could do - were all killed.
Forever changed: Sergio Molina, now 16, was in a coma following the June accident but now has been transferred home and has been awarded a $2 million settlement by a court in Texas
Heartbreaking: Sergio now must be cared for by his mother Maria Lemus (left) and older brother Alex (right) around the clock and they have already accrued $1million in medical bills
Expensive: Alex Lemus (left) had to quit his job to help care for his brother and the family has already accrued more than a million dollars in medical bills since the accident in June 2013
Sergio, who is now 16, is still alive but has a completely different existence than he did before the accident as he is paralyzed, ‘minimally conscious’ and needs constant medical attention.
Speaking to CNN, Sergio’s older brother Alex Lemus said that doctors warned them of getting their hopes too high.
‘That’s all we can hope for, is how he is now for the rest of his life,’ Lemus said.
He attended Couch’s trial in place of his brother, who can barely move without assistance.
When the judge handed down a sentence of 10 years’ probation and no jail time for the crash, Lemus said that he had trouble processing his anger.
He said he was ‘disappointed, so outrageously angry that I couldn’t say anything’.
His mother, Maria Lemus, still breaks down in tears when thinking about all of Sergio’s dreams that seem so far out of reach in light of the accident.
Drunk: Couch's blood alcohol reading was .24 and he also had a Valium in his system when he killed four people and injured several more on June 15
‘He was the best son, he was the kind of boy who had a lot of dreams,’ Lemus said.
‘He was his first dream was to be a soccer player. He was sweet.’
Sergio’s family estimates that they have accrued more than $1million in medical bills over the past six months, and they are now suing Couch’s family and his father’s business - the car that the boys were in was owned by the company - for up to $20million.
Before: Sergio had dreams of playing professional soccer before the accident
‘That kid killed four people and crippled my little brother and doesn’t even have to serve one year? If he were poor like us, he would’ve gotten 10 years, I bet,’ Alex Lemus told The Dallas Morning News.
They are not the first victims relatives to speak out in light of the controversial ruling, as Eric Boyles, who lost his wife Hollie and 21-year-old daughter Shelby in the accident said he is dissatisfied with the easy sentence, and thinks Couch should have been tried as an adult.
Since he was tried as a juvenile, Couch faced a maximum of 20 years in prison but would have been eligible for parole after two years.
'You look at 180 years of future life taken from the four individuals...Even a two year deal, a two year sentence before he's eligible for parole, didn't seem exactly fair under those circumstances,' Boyle said.
Additionally upsetting to Boyle is the fact that Couch will receive his counseling at a 'country club'-style treatment center- with a pricetag of $450,000 per year and features equine therapy and organic menu options- in ritzy Newport Beach, California.
The fatal accident occurred around 11:45pm on June 15, Couch and a group his friends who were all drunk, got into a red Ford F350 pick-up and were speeding 70 mph in a 40 mph zone when the truck left the road.
As it careered out of control, it clipped a broken down SUV, throwing the owner and four good Samaritans, who were trying to help, 60 yards in the air. Youth pastor Brian Jennings, mother and daughter Hollie and Shelby Boyles and 24-year-old Breanna Mitchell were all killed on impact.
It was revealed soon after that Couch's blood-alcohol level was 0.24 - three times the adult limit, though minors aren't allowed any alcohol in their system - and that he was also on the prescription drug Valium when he started the chain reaction of crashes.
The impact flung the four people 50 to 60 yards, authorities reported.
Speaking out: Eric Boyles, the father and husband of two women killed in a June drunk driving accident, isn't pleased that the teen driver got off with just a 10 year probation sentence
Killed: Hollie Boyles, 52, and her daughter, Shelby Boyles, 21, were helping out the driver of a broken down SUV when they were struck and killed by Couch's out-of-control pickup
Victims: Breanna Mitchell, and Brian Jennings, 41, were both killed in the horrific crash
A psychologist called by the defense, Dr Gary Miller, blamed the teen's behavior on his parents, claiming they gave him whatever he wanted including 'freedoms no young person should have'.
Dr Miller called Couch a product of 'affluenza,' where his family felt their wealth bought privilege and there was no rational link between behavior and consequences. He added that the boy had an 'intellectual age' of 18 but an 'emotional age' of 12.
'The teen never learned to say that you’re sorry if you hurt someone,' Dr Miller said, according to the Star Telegram. 'If you hurt someone, you sent him money.'
State District Judge Jean Boyd appeared to agree with the defense.
She told the teen that he is responsible for what happened, but she said she didn't believe he would receive the therapy he needed in jail. If he violates the terms of his probation, he could be sent to prison for 10 years.
Defense attorneys asked that he be sent to a private rehabilitation home near Newport Beach, California, which costs an enormous $450,000 a year. His father said he'd foot the bill.
Scene: 911 callers described cars everywhere and kids' lying in ditches' after the June 15 smash
Injured: Sergio Molina (left) and Soliman Mohmand (right) were two of was seriously injured. They were both riding in Couch's truck when the cash occured
Prosecutors said the juvenile justice system also offered counseling.
Breanna's mother, Marla Mitchell, said she was 'mad' about the sentence and embraced the families of the other victims outside of the courtroom. |
Very specific information about the next-generation Xbox code named Durango has gone from a few leaks to a full-fledged gusher with the latest bit of so-called intelligence coming from a Kotaku source called SuperDaE.
The big news, if SuperDaE is to be believedthe next-gen Xbox will ship with a vastly improved Kinect motion sensor that "will always be watching you," according to Kotaku. In fact, the so-called Xbox 720 won't work unless the next-gen Kinect is plugged in, the source said.
Microsoft, of course, is remaining mum on all such leaks about the next Xbox. Nintendo released its eight-generation game console, the Wii U, at the end of 2012. As expected, Microsoft and Sony held out on making theirs available until this yearmost industry watchers figure the next-gen Xbox and PlayStation will hit shelves sometime just before the end-of-year holiday season, but it could be sooner.
SuperDaE, who claimed to have two Durango development kits, gave the gaming site an earful about what to expect from the successor to Microsoft's current Xbox 360 , most it apparently gleaned from informational materials sent to game developers being courted by Redmond to create titles for the coming console.
SuperDaE's tale comes on the heels of a new spate of Xbox rumors that emerged last week, as well as some purported info about Sony's next-generation PlayStation console that cropped up around the same time.
In fact, much of what SuperDaE had to say seemed pretty familiar. The Edge last week was peddling a similar story about Microsoft's plans for the next version of Kinect and tipping the new console's support for Blu-ray, as well as suggesting there will be a hefty hard drive in the next-gen consoleKotaku's source got specific on that front, saying it will be 500GB.
What Kotaku's source didn't have a handle on was a rumor promulgated by the Edge that Microsoft's next Xbox will only work when connected to the Internet and won't play used games.
But SuperDaE did offer up quite a bit of other stuff. The new Kinect camera "is able to track up to six individual 'skeletons' in the same room at all times," according to Kotaku, which mentioned 'automatic player identification" and "maybe even charging users based on who is watching what" as possible applications. The rumored Kinect improvements also allow the sensor to conduct more refined tracking of game players' body movements and possibly even their facial expressions, the gaming site said.
The Kotaku source also pointed to some welcome improvements under the hood of Microsoft's next-gen console, including tech that supposedly allows gamers to pop in a game disc and start playing almost immediately as the bulk of the installation process takes place "in the background." There will also supposedly be multi-tasking capabilities on the new Xboxas Kotaku pointed out, not exactly a revolutionary step for a computing device, but a fairly big deal for a game console.
One tip from SuperDaE that will likely leave some grumblingcurrent Xbox 360 controllers supposedly won't work with the Durango system, which uses "new wireless technology," according to Kotaku.
The gaming site also offered up basic schematics for the motherboard layout in the next-gen Xbox, as passed along by its source. Again, there's a lot of familiar stuff here that has been previously reported by other outlets. According to SuperDaE, Durango's engine is a hybrid CPU-GPU package featuring eight cores of 64-bit central processing clocking at 1.6GHz and featuring 4MB of L2 cache coupled with Direct X 11.x-capable graphics running at 800MHz. There's 8GB of DDR3 RAM in that package, plus 32MB of Flash memory "for system tasks," as Kotaku notes, run via special computational accelerators also included in the CPU-GPU package that handle things like audio and video codecs.
The rest of the mainboard block diagram published by the gaming site details storage and I/O, the latter of which includes HDMI 1.4a, USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, as well as ports for the Kinect and game controllers.
For more from Damon, follow him on Twitter @dpoeter. |
Clogs are often associated with whole foot style klompen from the Netherlands
Clogs are a type of footwear made in part or completely from wood. Clogs are used worldwide and although the form may vary by culture, within a culture the form often remained unchanged for centuries.
Traditional clogs remain in use as protective footwear in agriculture and in some factories and mines. Although clogs are sometimes negatively associated with cheap and folkloric footwear of farmers and the working class, some types of clogs are considered fashion wear today, such as Swedish träskor or Japanese geta.
Clogs are also used in several different styles of dance. When worn for dancing an important feature is the sound of the clog against the floor. This is one of the fundamental roots of tap, but with the tap shoes the taps are free to click against each other and produce a different sound from clogs.
Types [ edit ]
Overshoes type of clogs ( pattens ) with leather shoes (German), reconstruction of the Middle Ages
The Oxford English Dictionary[1] defines a clog as a "thick piece of wood", and later as a "wooden soled overshoe" and a "shoe with a thick wooden sole".
Welsh traditional clog maker Trefor Owen identified three main varieties of clogs: wooden upper, wooden soled and overshoes.
Wooden upper clogs; are made by hollowing out a lump of solid wood to make a combined upper and lower. Two main variants can be seen: whole foot clogs; where the wooden upper covers the whole of the foot to near the ankle, such as the familiar Dutch klomp. They are also known as "wooden shoes". Whole foot clogs can give sufficient protection to be used as safety footwear without additional reinforcements. half open clogs; where the wooden upper extends over the toes or slightly further, such as the Italian "zoccolo" or Belgian sabots. The upper is similar in outline to a court shoe. Half open clogs may have additional covering or securing straps in some sort of fabric or leather.
Wooden soled clogs; use wood for the sole only. Wooden soled clogs come with a variety of uppers: complete uppers made from leather or similar material, such as English clogs. For more protection, they may have steel toecaps and/or steel reinforcing inserts in the undersides of the soles open sandal type fitting. For example, Japanese geta toe peg styles. For example, Indian paduka
Overshoes; are wooden soles with straps designed to be worn over other footwear for protection, commonly known as pattens. Patten style clogs are not used anymore. However the derivative galoshes are common worldwide.
These divisions are not fixed: some overshoes look more like whole foot clogs, like Spanish albarca, whilst other wooden soled clogs raise and protect clothing in the way that overshoes do, such as Japanese geta.
The type of upper determines how the clogs are worn. Whole foot clogs need to be close fitting and can be secured by curling the toes. In contrast wooden soled clogs are fastened by laces or buckles on the welt and therefore the toes are relaxed as in shoes. Half open clogs may either be secured like whole foot clogs, or have an additional strap over the top of the foot. Some sandal types, and in particular toe peg styles, are worn more like "flip-flops" and rely on the grip between the big and next toe.
Being wood, clogs cannot flex under the ball of the foot as softer shoes do. To allow the foot to roll forward most clogs have the bottom of the toe curved up, known as the cast.[3] Some styles of clogs have "feet", such as Spanish albarca. The clog rotates around the front edge of the front "feet". Japanese and Indian clogs may have "teeth" or very high pegs attached to the soles. The clog can rotate around the front edge of the front "tooth" as the wearer strides forward. Some medieval pattens were in two pieces, heel through to ball and ball to toes. Joining the two was a leather strip forming a hinge, thus allowing the shoe above to flex.[4]
Origins [ edit ]
The origin of wooden footwear in Europe is not precisely known. De Boer-Olij reference to the high, thick-soled boots of the Greek tragedy actors in Antiquity (the buskin) and to the shoes worn by Roman soldiers (the caligae).[5] However, there is a possibility that the Celtic and Germanic peoples from Southern- and Northern Europe were familiar with some sort of wooden foot covering. Archaeological finds of these are not known. Wooden footwear often ended up as firewood and, because of its nature, wood will rot away in the long run. The oldest surviving wooden footwear in Europe is found in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and dates from 1230 and 1280.[6] These finds look very similar to the wooden shoes that are still worn in The Netherlands.
Manufacture [ edit ]
Since wooden footwear was a hand-made product, the shape of the footwear, as well as its production process showed great local and regional diversity in style. At the beginning of the 20th century machine-made wooden footwear was introduced. After WW2, in particular, wooden shoes disappeared from sight. They were replaced by more fashionable all-leather and synthetic footwear. At present, only the so-called Swedish clogs (wooden bottom and leather top) is still seen as a trendy fashion item, often as ladies’ high-heeled boots. Nevertheless, traditional wooden footwear is still popular in several regions in Europe and in some occupations, for its practical use. Some historic local variations have recently been replaced by uniform national models.
More information on the various methods of manufacture can be found from the gallery below.
Gallery [ edit ]
Presented below are typical clogs from the countries where they are found. Like many folk items the boundaries of manufacture and use are regional and therefore do not always exactly follow those of modern states. So, in some countries two or more different types can be found. It is also possible that one type can be found in bordering countries. For example, Danish, German, Dutch, Belgian and clogs from Northwest France look quite similar. The links provide access to pages dealing with the different types of clog, their design, origin and manufacture.
Traditional European clogs [ edit ]
Traditional Asian clogs [ edit ]
Geta from Japan
Tai-Ping boots from China
Paduka from India
Bakiak [id] from Indonesia
Namaksin from Korea
Terompah from Malaysia
Bakya from the Philippines
Fashion clogs [ edit ]
In the 1970s and 1980s, Swedish clogs became popular fashion accessories for both sexes. They were usually worn without socks and were considered suitable attire for the avant-garde man.
In the 1980s and 1990s clogs based on Swedish clogs returned in fashion for women. Platform clogs or sandals, often raised as high as 6 or even 8 inches right through between sole and insole, were worn in many western countries. The large mid layer was often made of solid cork, although some were merely of plastic with a cork covering. The sole, more often than not, was made of a light sandy-colored rubber. Some of the platforms of these clogs were encompassed about with a string-laced effect.
In 2007 Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf introduced high heeled Dutch clogs on the catwalk, with their winter collection of 2007/08.[7][8] In 2010, Swedish clogs for women returned again in Chanel's and Louis Vuitton's Spring / Summer 2010 collection.[9]
Museum [ edit ]
Notes [ edit ] |
Spock testing framework versus JUnit
Spock is the newcomer in the test arena. The king of the arena is of course JUnit. Even though JUnit has served us well for the last 15 years, its age is starting to show. Spock comes with several fresh ideas that vastly improve unit testing.
In this post I will summarize 5 big differences between the two frameworks so that you can draw your own conclusions. If you wish to see more details about Spock, consult its official documentation.
Each of these areas will probably need a full article on their own to talk with more detail on the new features that Spock brings into the table. We will only scratch the surface for each one.
Consider this article a really quick tour of major Spock features. There is much more detail in each individual area and for brevity purposes it is impossible to cover everything in this single post.
1. Spock enforces a clear test structure
The number one reason for using Spock is to make your tests more readable. This may not seem important to you if you are just working on small projects created over the weekend. For big enterprise projects however test readability is a crucial factor when it comes to working on existing code.
JUnit tests lack formal semantics
If you look at any good JUnit test you will see a pattern in its structure. The structure is the well known arrange-act-assert pattern that clearly splits the test into three phases:
@Test public void chargeCreditCard () { CreditCardBilling billing = new CreditCardBilling (); Client client = new Client (); billing . charge ( client , 150 ); assertEquals ( "Revenue should be recorded" , 150 , billing . getCurrentRevenue ()); }
The arrange phase sets up the needed classes. In the example above the first two statements are that phase (a client and a billing service are initiliazed)
The act is the trigger of the test. This phase should call the method(s) of the Subject under test. In our case that subject is the billing service. The trigger is the charge of 150 dollars.
The assert phase is the final one. It checks the actual result of the trigger with the one we expect. If they match the test succeeds. Otherwise the test fails.
The arrange-act-assert structure is only present if developers account for it
The example above is very simple so all three phases are instantly visible. One could improve the test even further by using blank lines as bellow:
@Test public void chargeCreditCard () { CreditCardBilling billing = new CreditCardBilling (); Client client = new Client (); billing . charge ( client , 150 ); assertEquals ( "Revenue should be recorded" , 150 , billing . getCurrentRevenue ()); }
However in really big tests, these phases are not always evident. Imagine a large JUnit test with complex business logic. Seasoned developers will still demarkate the phase with comments in order to improve readability:
@Test public void veryComplexLoanApprovalScenario () { //Prepare loan request and client details [... lots of statements here ...] //Customer asks for a loan [... lots of statements here ...] //Check that loan was approved [... lots of assert statements here ...] }
The usage of comments certainly makes the test more readable but this technique is far from ideal. First of all big JUnit tests are an anti-pattern and should be refactored using private methods that correspond to business needs. Secondly, not all developers put comments, and those comments are only accessible to programmers. (i.e. they never appear on test reports).
Spock tests make the arrange-act-assert structure explicit
Let’s rewrite the first unit test with Spock:
public void "charging a credit card - happy path" () { given: "a billing service and a customer with a valid credit card" CreditCardBilling billing = new CreditCardBilling (); Client client = new Client (); when: "client buys something with 150 dollars" billing . charge ( client , 150 ); then: "we expect the transaction to be recorded" billing . getCurrentRevenue () == 150 }
Even though this code is Groovy, I have kept it as close to Java as possible. The first thing you will notice is that the name of the method is full English text that clearly describes the test (more on this later). The second thing that you should notice is the set of given-when-then labels that split the code intro three parts.
It should be obvious that these blocks are directly mapped to the arrange-act-assert part of JUnit. The statements in the given block are the arrange phase, those in the when block correspond to the act phase, and the assert phase is handled by the then block in Spock.
There are two big advantages of Spock labels against using plain comments (like the JUnit example)
The Spock labels are full English text that also appear on test reports (more on this later) The Spock labels have also semantic value
The second point is best illustrated with a bad example.
In JUnit test the arrange-act-assert pattern is implied
Let’s assume that a naughty Java developer modifies the JUnit test as below:
@Test public void chargeCreditCard () { CreditCardBilling billing = new CreditCardBilling (); Client client = new Client (); billing . charge ( client , 150 ); assertEquals ( "Revenue should be recorded" , 150 , billing . getCurrentRevenue ()); Client client2 = new Client (); billing . charge ( client2 , 100 ); assertEquals ( "Revenue should be recorded" , 250 , billing . getCurrentRevenue ()); }
This test is badly designed. The arrange-act-assert pattern has been broken. In this simple test, it is easy to understand what has happened. But in bigger tests the addition of extra asserts and setup statements makes the test very hard to read.
Spock can keep the test structure very clear
Spock has several other blocks apart from the basic given-when-then. They can be used to keep the structure of the test clear.
The naughty developer would not modify the Spock test in a similar way. Instead a better Spock test would be the following:
public void "charging a credit card - two transactions" () { given: "a billing service ready to accept payments" CreditCardBilling billing = new CreditCardBilling (); and: "two customers with valid credit cards" Client client1 = new Client (); Client client2 = new Client (); when: "first client buys something with 150 dollars" billing . charge ( client1 , 150 ); then: "we expect the transaction to be recorded" billing . getCurrentRevenue () == 150 when: "second client buys something with 100 dollars" billing . charge ( client2 , 100 ); then: "we expect the transaction to be recorded" billing . getCurrentRevenue () == 250 }
Here I have used the and block to merge the two arrange phases. Also the when and then blocks make the test have a natural reading flow. Just by reading the block names (given-and-when-then-when-then) one gets a good idea of what the test does.
2. Spock is much more helpful when tests fail
This is the killer feature of Spock that played a pivotal role on its adoption on my own projects.
Never trust a test you haven’t seen fail –Colin Vipurs
The primary purpose of unit tests it to catch regression errors. This happens when a test that passed in the previous build, fails in the current build. It might seem counterintuitive but you want your tests to fail. A test that fails is a test that works.
Failures in JUnit tests always need a debugger
Unfortunately a failed JUnit test is usually the start of a debugging session as the information given in case of a failure is very basic. Here is a contrived example:
@Test public void similarBooks () { Book book = new Book ( "The Murder on the Links" ); List < String > similar = book . findSimilarTitles (); assertEquals ( "Murder on the Orient Express" , similar . get ( 0 )); }
Let’s say that the latest build of your project fails. You checkout the code locally, run all tests and get the following:
Just looking at this failure is not very helpful. You know which test has failed, but it is hard to understand how to fix the failure. In this example you need to run the test in a debugger to understand why you get a different value instead of the one expected.
Spock provides you with the surrounding context
Let’s say that you rewrite the same test with Spock:
public void "find books with similar titles" () { given: "A book that contains the word murder" Book book = new Book ( "The Murder on the Links" ) when: "we search similar books" List < String > similar = book . findSimilarTitles () then: "similar books should have murder in the title" similar . get ( 0 ) == "Murder on the Orient Express" }
The test fails of course, but this time you get the following:
Unlike JUnit, Spock knows the context of the failure. In this case Spock shows you the contents of the whole list of similar books. Just by looking at the failed test you see that book title you search for, is indeed in the list but in the second position. The test expects the value in the first position and thus fails.
Now you know that the code fails because of an index change (or code that changes the order of similar books). Armed with this knowledge you quickly pinpoint the problem in a much faster way.
3. Spock tests are readable by non technical people
Naming of unit tests is a big problem in Enterprise applications. Developers usually think in technical terms never really showing any respect on how reports from tests are generated.
There are only two hard things in Computer Science: cache invalidation and naming things. – Phil Karlton
Methods names in JUnit are constrained by Java conventions.
The classic mistake here is unit tests that really say nothing in their title. Here is a particularly bad example:
The problem with this naming “scheme” is that it is not helpful for people who do not have the code in front of them. If the test named “scenario2” fails for some reason, nobody but the developer can understand its impact.
Seasoned Java developers attempt to name their unit tests with their true purpose. This is obviously better but still not perfect as they are constrained to the camel case (or underscore) format of the Java language:
Spock supports plain English sentences
The beauty of Spock tests, is the ability to enter full English descriptions in the method names (already showcased in the code examples in the previous sections)
Maven (and any other JUnit related tools) will format them with no extra configuration:
However Spock can take this report a step further. Spock has its own reports module that shows in the reports all text contained in the Spock blocks (i.e given, when, then). The result if the following:
This is massive improvement in the readability of Spock tests. Non-technical people can see this report and take proper decisions without actually knowing how Java works.
Testers can read Spock tests and compare them against their own test cases
Business analysts can read Spock tests and verify that they reflect the specifications of the system
Projects managers can read Spock reports and understand the status of the system. They can instantly decide if a failed test has high or low impact.
4. Spock has a custom DSL for parameterized tests
A very common anti-pattern in JUnit tests, is a series of tests that are 99.9% same where only some variables really change. Here is an example:
@Test public void acceptJpg () { ImageNameValidator validator = new ImageNameValidator (); String pictureFile = "scenery.jpg" ; assertTrue ( validator . isValidImageExtension ( pictureFile )); } @Test public void acceptJpeg () { ImageNameValidator validator = new ImageNameValidator (); String pictureFile = "house.jpeg" ; assertTrue ( validator . isValidImageExtension ( pictureFile )); } @Test public void doNotAcceptTiff () { ImageNameValidator validator = new ImageNameValidator (); String pictureFile = "sky.tiff" ; assertFalse ( validator . isValidImageExtension ( pictureFile )); }
Those JUnit tests are clearly not DRY as they share a lot of common code. Actually all of them share the same test logic (pass an image to the ImageValidator class) and the only thing that changes is the filename and the expected result.
This is a better illustration of the similarity of these tests:
This type of tests are called parameterized tests because they share they same test logic and all scenarios depend on different parameters passed to that test logic.
Parameterized support in JUnit is very limiting and restricting
Parameterized tests with JUnit are possible, but the resulting syntax is certainly ugly. I challenge you to read the official documentation of JUnit. I will wait for you to come back.
If you have never seen the approach of JUnit for parameterized tests, do not worry. It should be clear that:
it requires a custom runner ( @RunWith(Parameterized.class) ) the test class must be polluted with fields that represent inputs the test class must be polluted with fields that represent outputs a special constructor is needed for all inputs and outputs test data comes into a two dimensional object array (which is converted to a list) test data and test descriptions are in different placed you cannot easily use two tests in the same class.
Essentially the “solution” offered by JUnit is more trouble than its worth and this is why so many Java developers are not aware of JUnit parameterized tests.
I know that there are external libraries that augment the way JUnit handles parameterized tests, but their existence further enforces my argument that Spock is batteries-included unlike JUnit.
Writing parameterized tests in an intuitive way
Spock can instead offer data tables that present the unit test in a much more understandable manner. Powered by its Groovy DSL it allows you to keep together data and its description in a tabular format:
public void "Valid images are PNG and JPEG files" () { given: "an image extension checker" ImageNameValidator validator = new ImageNameValidator () expect: "that only valid filenames are accepted" validator . isValidImageExtension ( pictureFile ) == validPicture where: "sample image names are" pictureFile || validPicture "scenery.jpg" || true "house.jpeg" || true "car.png" || true "sky.tiff" || false "dance_bunny.gif" || false }
Here you can see that 3 JUnit tests were consolidated in a single Spock tests with obvious advantages:
There is no code duplication. The test logic is written only once All input and output parameters are gathered in a single place (the where: block) The names the parameters are clearly denoted at the table header
The flexibility of the Spock data table is even more powerful if you consider how this test grow over time. Adding a new test scenario is literately a single line addition. In the example above I have added two more scenarios for png and gif images with minimal effort.
Adding a new input or output variable is also very easy as you just need to add one more column to the table.
What is interesting also is the fact that if you run this single Spock test you will actually get multiple test runs (one for each test line) if you use the Spock Unroll annotation. Even better you can name each test run with any custom string so that each test run describes exactly what it does
@Unroll ( "Running image #pictureFile with result #validPicture" ) public void "Valid images are PNG and JPEG files" () { given: "an image extension checker" ImageNameValidator validator = new ImageNameValidator () expect: "that only valid filenames are accepted" validator . isValidImageExtension ( pictureFile ) == validPicture where: "sample image names are" pictureFile || validPicture "scenery.jpg" || true "house.jpeg" || true "car.png" || true "sky.tiff" || false "dance_bunny.gif" || false }
And here is the output result:
This is especially helpful with a large number of tests. If one of them fails it is essential that you can see on the test report which scenario failed (instead of failing the whole unit test method).
Spock data tables are the most basic form of parameterized tests. Spock also supports data pipes and even custom iterators for more powerful ways of dealing with input/output parameters.
In a future article we will explore all facilities offered by Spock for parameterized tests - as they deserve an analysis on their own.
5. Spock has built-in mocking and stubbing capabilities
When it comes to mocking, there is really no comparison against JUnit, as JUnit does not even support mocking. Until recently you needed a separate framework if you wanted to use mocking in your unit tests. Several mocking frameworks exist for Java, but lately the dominant one is Mockito.
Spock on the other hand wants to help you for all your testing needs by providing access to powerful facilities for mocks and stubs built-in into the base package.
Note: If you don’t know what mocking is, or have never used Mockito at all, then you should first read this introductory post about Mockito.
Basic Stubbing with Spock
Spock supports the typical Mockito mantra of when(something).thenReturn(somethingElse) with its own simpler syntax. Rather than introducing two new methods ( when and then ), Spock uses the >> operator which means “return that”.
As an example let’s assume that you are writing unit tests for a bank that approves loans. Here is the central logic
public class LoanApprover { public boolean approveLoan ( Customer customer , long amount ){ if ( amount < 1000 ){ return true ; } if ( amount < 50000 && customer . hasGoodCreditScore ()){ return true ; } return false ; } }
Here is the same unit test for both Mockito and Spock
//JUnit/Mockito Test method @Test public void goodCredit (){ Customer sampleCustomer = mock ( Customer . class ); when ( sampleCustomer . hasGoodCreditScore ()). thenReturn ( true ); LoanApprover loanApprover = new LoanApprover (); assertTrue ( loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 10000 )); } //Spock Test method public void "customer with good credit and loan of 10000 should be approved" () { given: "a customer with good credit" Customer sampleCustomer = Stub ( Customer . class ) sampleCustomer . hasGoodCreditScore () >> true expect: "an approval of the loan" LoanApprover loanApprover = new LoanApprover () loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 10000 ) == true }
As you can see in this simple example, both Spock and Mockito work in a similar manner. The caret syntax in Spock combines the when/thenReturn syntax of Mockito.
It is interesting to note that unlike Mockito, Spock is clear about the nature of the fake object (i.e. stub vs mock). In this particular example we only query the Customer for a return result, and therefore in Spock we create a Stub instead of a Mock. The difference is subtle and will become more apparent in the following sections.
Every feature you love in Mockito when it comes to stubbing is also supported by Spock. I won’t get into details here but things like returning values multiple times, matching specific arguments or creating custom responses are very easy to implement with Spock (and usually in a simpler syntax).
Basic Mocking with Spock
Let’s say that our LoanApprover class was a bit more smart. Instead of reporting back with a boolean result if the loan is approved or not, it instead sends an email. Here is the code:
public class LoanApproverWithEmail { private final EmailService emailService ; public LoanApproverWithEmail ( final EmailService emailService ){ this . emailService = emailService ; } public void approveLoan ( Customer customer , long amount ){ if ( loanApproved ( customer , amount )){ emailService . sendConfirmation ( customer . getEmailAddress ()); } else { emailService . sendRejection ( customer . getEmailAddress ()); } } private boolean loanApproved ( Customer customer , long amount ){ if ( amount < 1000 ){ return true ; } if ( amount < 50000 && customer . hasGoodCreditScore ()){ return true ; } return false ; } }
This time, we use constructor injection to use an external email service, which for our purposes has two methods called sendConfirmation() and sendRejection() .
As our test method - approveLoan - is a void one, we cannot use a stub here to write a unit test. We have to mock the EmailService instead, and check what it does after our unit test has finished.
Writing a Mockito test is straightforward (assuming that you are already familiar with Mockito). Instead of using JUnit assertions, we need the Mockito verify directives.
@Test public void lowAmountIsAlwaysAccepted (){ Customer sampleCustomer = new Customer (); EmailService emailService = mock ( EmailService . class ); LoanApproverWithEmail loanApprover = new LoanApproverWithEmail ( emailService ); //Loans that low will be accepted regardless of credit score loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 600 ); verify ( emailService ). sendConfirmation ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress ()); verify ( emailService , times ( 0 )). sendRejection ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress ()); } @Test public void bigAmountsAreAlwaysRejected (){ Customer sampleCustomer = new Customer (); EmailService emailService = mock ( EmailService . class ); LoanApproverWithEmail loanApprover = new LoanApproverWithEmail ( emailService ); //Loans that high will be rejected regardless of credit score loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 75000 ); verify ( emailService , times ( 0 )). sendConfirmation ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress ()); verify ( emailService ). sendRejection ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress ()); }
These two unit tests mock the EmailService class. Then after the loan is requested, we check the kind of email that was sent to the customer. If a confirmation email was sent, we know that the loan was approved. If a rejection email was sent, we know that the loan was not approved.
Just to make the unit test more strict, we also verify that indeed only one kind of email was sent to the customer. It would be very unfortunate for a customer to receive both a rejection and an acceptance email for the same loan.
In this particular case, the mocking of the email service was essential so that we also avoided sending a real email every time this unit test runs.
Now let’s see the same test with Spock:
public void "very low loan amounts are always rejected" () { given: "a customer with any credit" Customer sampleCustomer = new Customer () and: "an email service that is mocked" EmailService emailService = Mock ( EmailService . class ) LoanApproverWithEmail loanApprover = new LoanApproverWithEmail ( emailService ); when: "customer requests a loan lower than 1000 USD" loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 600 ); then: "a confirmation email is sent to the customer" 1 * emailService . sendConfirmation ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress ()) 0 * emailService . sendRejection ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress ()) } public void "very high loan amounts are always rejected" () { given: "a customer with any credit" Customer sampleCustomer = new Customer () and: "an email service that is mocked" EmailService emailService = Mock ( EmailService . class ) LoanApproverWithEmail loanApprover = new LoanApproverWithEmail ( emailService ); when: "customer requests a loan higher than 50000 USD" loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 75000 ); then: "a rejection email is sent to the customer" 0 * emailService . sendConfirmation ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress ()) 1 * emailService . sendRejection ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress ()) }
In a similar manner with Mockito, the JUnit asserts are not used at all. Instead, a special Spock syntax is used for method verification. This follows the format:
N * mockedObject.method(arguments)
This line means: “after this test is finished, this method of mockedObject should have been called N times with these arguments ”. If this indeed happened, the test will pass. Otherwise Spock will fail the test.
The syntax is a bit cleaner than Mockito because you don’t need special verify and times directives. The verification code is much closer to the actual Java code.
Also notice, that the mocked object is created as a Mock() this time, and not as a Stub() like the previous example. Spock makes it very clear for the reader which classes are instrumented with dummy results (stubs) and which are used for verification (mocks) while Mockito does not make this distinction.
Technically, the test will work the same in both cases, but for readability purposes the Spock approach is obviously better, especially for large unit tests where multiple fake objects are created.
Spock matchers (and why they are better than Mockito)
Let’s say that our email service also keeps a timestamp of when an email was sent. The two methods that sent email are augmented with this extra argument.
public interface EmailService { void sendConfirmation ( String emailAddress , LocalDateTime when ); void sendRejection ( String emailAddress , LocalDateTime when ); }
Let’s also assume that this date is not known in advance. Maybe it is the current date, maybe it is the next working day, maybe it is the end of the week, we don’t really care. But we have to mock it.
Mockito offers several matchers for ignoring the exact values of arguments.
Unfortunately as you may already know Mockito does not support mixing matchers with actual arguments. Our first try with Mockito would be the following:
@Test public void lowAmountIsAlwaysAccepted (){ Customer sampleCustomer = new Customer (); EmailService emailService = mock ( EmailService . class ); LoanApproverWithDate loanApprover = new LoanApproverWithDate ( emailService ); //Loans that high will be rejected regardless of credit score loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 50000 ); verify ( emailService , times ( 0 )). sendConfirmation ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress (), any ()); verify ( emailService ). sendRejection ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress (), any ()); }
If you are a veteran user of Mockito you will know already that this test will not even run.
Here Mockito clearly tells us that we need to use matchers for all arguments. To overcome this limitation we modify the unit test and ignore the first argument of the email method as well using the anyString matcher.
@Test public void lowAmountIsAlwaysAccepted (){ Customer sampleCustomer = new Customer (); EmailService emailService = mock ( EmailService . class ); LoanApproverWithDate loanApprover = new LoanApproverWithDate ( emailService ); //Loans that high will be rejected regardless of credit score loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 50000 ); verify ( emailService , times ( 0 )). sendConfirmation ( anyString (), any ()); verify ( emailService ). sendRejection ( anyString (), any ()); }
Now the test correctly runs. However it is not as strict as we want. Because the email address is now ignored we are no longer sure that the email address is correct and actually reflects the email address of the customer.
In this contrived example, this might not seem like a big problem, but in a real world unit test this Mockito limitation might let bugs slip into production.
Like Mockito, Spock supports ignoring method arguments and uses the underscore character _ to mark them. Unlike Mockito however, it does support mixing matchers with real arguments. So our original test that ignores the date but checks the email is directly supported in Spock.
public void "very low loan amounts are always rejected regardless of credit" (){ given: "a customer with any credit" Customer sampleCustomer = new Customer () and: "an email service that is mocked" EmailService emailService = Mock ( EmailService . class ) LoanApproverWithDate loanApprover = new LoanApproverWithDate ( emailService ); when: "customer request a loan lower than 1000 USD" loanApprover . approveLoan ( sampleCustomer , 600 ); then: "a confirmation email is sent to the customer" 1 * emailService . sendConfirmation ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress (), _ ) 0 * emailService . sendRejection ( sampleCustomer . getEmailAddress (), _ ) }
This test runs correctly because Spock can indeed mix matchers and real arguments:
I consider this a big advantage of Spock over Mockito. The ability to define exactly what you want to ignore is an important pillar of strict tests. I hope that Mockito can overcome this limitation in the future, but until that happens, Spock can help you to refine your tests with the exact arguments that you want.
Spock has several other capabilities when it comes to mocking and stubbing, but these deserve a full article on their own. As always, more details can found in the Spock documentation pages.
Conclusion
This was just a small selection of cases where Spock makes your tests better. I have left out several other advanced features of Spock for brevity reasons.
Even if you are a diehard JUnit fan, you should acknowledge the advantages of Spock and what it means for your unit tests when it comes to size of code, readability and built-in features.
It should also be clear that Spock aims to be the ultimate solution when it comes to testing, covering the full testing lifecycle, without any additional libraries.
You can find some additional information in the PDF slides of my presentation for Spock versus JUnit.
Go back to contents, contact me via email or find me at Twitter if you have a comment. |
There is lots of official and unofficial information about visas for Japan. The aim of this page is to share a bit of my *unofficial* knowledge on the subject, and help you to understand the official guidelines (i.e. the information issued by the Japan immigration, and Japanese embassies).
Always trust the official information rather than unofficial information (don’t trust me for example), but be aware that sometimes there is a difference between the ‘official’ information, and what is actually possible :)
What is a visa?
A visa for Japan allows you to be given a specific status of residence in Japan at the airport – as long as immigration allows you to enter the country. Which they probably will as you have a visa and so have already been checked out by the Japanese government. There’s no guarantee though, even with a visa you can be sent back home after reaching the airport in Japan.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/system/
This is what a visa looks like when stuck inside a passport.
Do I need a visa to come to Japan?
This depends on what you want to do in Japan and what country you are from. If you are just coming for a holiday and are from a Western country then you probably don’t need a visa. If you are coming to start a pre-arranged job then you will.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/
If you come to Japan as a tourist under the visa waiver scheme you will get a ‘temporary visitor’ status of residence. If you are in Japan on the visa waiver scheme your ‘temporary visitor’ status isn’t a visa – you never had a visa! That’s the whole point of the ‘visa waiver’. Here is the landing permission stamp for a temporary visitor.
So when most people say they have a touist visa, they usually don’t… unless they are from a country that requires them to get an actual tourist visa before visiting. In which case they get a temporary visitor visa before going to Japan which then gives them a temporary visitor status of residence.
How can I get a visa?
Again the official information at http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/ is a good place to start, but I’ll give you a summary. Here are some of the main types of visa.
Work visa – you will need an employer in Japan to sponsor your work visa. They will file much of the paper work for you, but you will have some paper work to do as well. Your visa will give you permission to work in a specific industry (e.g. in the public school system, as an engineer etc). Even though you need sponsorship from one company the visa does not tie you to that company, only to the particular industry for which it is granted.
Working holiday visa – if you are young enough and from one of the countries that has a reciprocal working holiday visa scheme with Japan then you may be able to get this type of visa which allows you to stay in Japan for an extended time and work with no employer sponsorship necessary. If you qualify for this visa it is a great scheme as it gives you a large amount of flexibility in who you work for, what type of work you do, and how long you can work. This is one of the most relaxed visas you can get for Japan. I wrote about my experiences of getting on on my working holiday visa for Japan page.
Student visa – if you are going to study in Japan your college / University can arrange your student visa, which gives you the potential to do a small amount of work if you get permission.
Medical stay visa – you can get permission to stay in Japan for extended medical procedures – you’ll of course have to have the money to afford the treatment.
There is a list of all 27 types of visa, along with basic explanations on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/
The Embassy of Japan in the UK has more detailed explanations of some of the 27 visa types.
http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/visa-work.html
How long will my visa be valid for?
The visa is valid between the dates printed on the visa (which should be glued in your passport). It will be invalidated the momement you enter Japan*. The immigration inspector will stamp a big ‘USED’ on it (see the visa photo above) to highlight that you visa is no longer valid!
* Unless you have a multiple entry visa which some business travellers are able to obtain, or a transit visa. Note a multiple entry visa is not the same as having a normal single entry visa which a multiple re-entry stamp. So if you are coming to Japan to do a normal job (such as teaching English) put the multiple entry visa out of your mind – you won’t need or get one. You’ll have to buy your re-entry permit once you get in the country.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/procedure/validity.html
My visa says ‘For stay of 1 year’ but it is only valid for three months. Why?
The dates refer to different things. The visa validity is the time period of when you must enter Japan. The ‘For stay of x years’ is how many years you can stay in Japan from the day you enter the country.
But if my visa is now invalid how can I stay in Japan?
Because as well as invalidating your visa the immigration inspector will put a ‘Landing permission’ sticker in your passport stating your residence status, and the validity of your residence status. The example landing permission sticker below says that the status is ‘designated activities’ (which you get if you enter on a working holiday visa) and the validity is one year from sometime in 2010, to sometime in 2011.
It is this residence status that allows you to live, work and stay in Japan. The visa just allows you to get the residence status.
This is where people get confused, and why they find it hard to understand the official infoarmtion. If you understand the difference a visa and a residence status you should be able to understand the official information from immigration.
If the residence status if the important thing, why does everyone keep referring to visas?
Because visa is a nice short word whereas talking about landing permissions and residence statuses is more convoluted.
Most employers, people on the street, and the contributers to Japan discussion forums will talk about visas when they may be referring to either visas or residence statuses.
There’s nothing wrong with referring to your residence status as a visa to employers, friends and family as it makes it easier for them to understand. If you talk about your residence status they’ll probably just get confused.
But when you want to understand the official immigration guidance it is very useful to understand the difference.
Can I come to Japan without a visa and find a job?
Officially no. But people do this all the time.
The main advice I’d give you if you want to follow this route is: don’t whatever you do tell immigration at the airport that you are coming to Japan to look for a job! They might send you straight back. Tell them that you are here on holiday, make sure you have a return / onward plane ticket to keep them happy, and then try to find a job once you are in.
If I come to Japan without a visa and am offered a job do I have to leave the country to get my visa?
No you don’t. You don’t even need a visa – you need to change your residency status.
There is some old information that keeps being repeated on internet forums that you have to do something called a ‘visa run’ to South Korea to get permission to work. You don’t. The change of status can be done from within Japan.
All you need is for immigration to change your status of residence from temporary visitor, to one of the statuses that allows work.
As you aren’t officially supposed to be looking for work on a temporary visitor permit they have a special disclaimer in the ‘change of status’ rules. It says that a change of status from a temporary visitor status will only be allowed if due to ‘unavoidable circumstances’.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/02.html
Fortunately for the large number of people who do this every year, getting an English teaching job whilst in Japan appears to satisfy their ‘unavoidable circumstances’ criteria.
How can I extend my visa?
You can’t. It is invalidated by immigration when you enter the country.
But you can extend or change your residence status which will allow you to be in the country for longer.
If you are staying in the same job or same industry your employer will have to give you the paper work to allow you to file an ‘application for extension of period of stay’.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/03.html
If you are starting a job in a different industry from that which your residence status allows you to work your new employer will have to give you the paper work to allow you to file an ‘application for change of status of residence’.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/02.html
Here are the passport stamps for successful change of status, and extension applications.
Can I stay in Japan while my application is being processed?
You may end up in a situation where you current permission to stay in the country is about to expire, and you are just about to submit your application for a change of status, or extension.
As processing can take 2-3 weeks, or sometimes more, you may be worried about being left in a state of limbo whilst you wait for the results.
Fortunately the amendments to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act that were passed in 2009 clarrify the situation. You’ll see that a special excemption has been put in place that allows you a two month grace period beyond your current period of stay expiration if you have to wait for a result.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/newimmiact/koumoku7_english.html
The information on that page is a bit basic, but when you make the application (change of status / extension), you will get an ‘Application’ stamp in your passport with a reference number.
They should also staple in (or give you) a sheet of paper with some information. This piece of paper states that you can stay beyond your period of stay if you are waiting for a result, but that you must contact immigration if you haven’t had your notification within a certain time. It also makes it clear that this two month period is a hard deadline. If you were to stay for two months and one day without getting a result you are now an illegal resident and subject to deportation!
My period of stay expires on 4th May, can I leave on the 5th May?
Yes – But only if you want to be regarded as an illegal resident, banned for re-entering the country for five years, and possibly be interrogated, jailed or fined.
Don’t overstay by even a day – it is not worth it!
My landing permission says I can stay until the 5th July 2011, but my alien registration card expires in 2015. Can I stay until 2015?
No! The date that counts is the one on your latest landing permission / status change / extension sticker that is in your passport. The expiry date on your alien registration card is the date when you need to renew the card, and does not have anything to do with your permission to stay in Japan.
I have accidently overstayed in Japan, what do I do?
If you want to avoid being deported you should hand your self into immigration and tell them you want to leave voluntarily. They have the option to allow you to leave with a ‘departure order’ rather than being deported. Read their information on departure orders carefully to understand the consequences.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/taikyo/syutukoku.html
And read up about the deportation process so you know what the other option is.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/t_main.html#taikyo
Can my employer cancel my visa / residence status?
If you are still in your own country, have accepted a job, and have submitted the visa application then your employer can cancel the visa application.
If you have entered the country and got your landing permission then there is nothing your employer can do to cancel your residence status.
As you have your landing permission you can work for whoever you want (subject to the conditions of your status of residence).
Your employer can not cancel your issued landing permit / status of residence. Only immigration can cancel your residence status.
I have six months left before my residence status expires. Do I have to work?
If you have a normal work visa then you aren’t officially supposed to be unemployed for more than three months. Immigration can technically invite you in for an interview and cancel your residence status. However I don’t know how often they actually do this.
See the question “I heard that my status of residence would not be revoked even if I fail to engage in my intended activity relating to my status of residence for three months because of “justifiable reason.” It is true?” on this page.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/qa.html
If you have a working holiday visa then don’t worry. You don’t have to work at all. You can just have a holiday for the entire duration of your stay. The permission to work with the WHV is there to support your holiday. If you don’t need the money then you can just relax.
What is a re-entry permit?
If you want to leave Japan without cancelling your status of residence (and losing your right to work) you’ll need a re-entry permit.
Information about the application procedure is here:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/06.html
It can be issued on the day, and it will take about 30 minutes as long as there isn’t a huge queue! You can either buy a single re-entry permit, or a multiple re-entry permit. I wrote about getting a re-entry permit here.
Where can I find information about coming to Japan to study?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a good website about studying in Japan. Here is a direct link to the immigration part.
http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj04e.html
Where can I find more about the working holiday visa?
You can read my own working holiday visa account, but a good general resource is the official Japan Association of Working Holiday Makers page. It has links to all the individual Japan embassies where you can get country specific information about the programme.
http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/
Is the information on this page accurate?
I’m not guaranteeing anything. You should use your own judgement.
However as I have provided (where possible) links to official Japan government sources you can read the accurate official information yourself and make up your own mind.
Useful official links
Official visa information – http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/
Study in Japan – http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/
Working holiday – http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/
Good general info from the Japan embassy to the US – http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/travel_and_visa/visa/faq_new.htm
Comments / corrections?
If you have further questions or comments do leave feedback below. I’ll update the article with any corrections or new questions I get.
If you like this post please consider linking to it using this code: <a href="https://www.reviewmylife.co.uk/blog/2011/05/30/japan-visa-faq/" >Japan visa FAQ</a>
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Tags: change of status, extension, immigration, japan, reentry permit, visa |
Bitcoin, a digital currency introduced in 2009, is already being used by investors who place bets on its volatile price, and increasingly in retail, with Overstock.com being one of the latest to accept Bitcoin as payment.
Another application of Bitcoin that’s gaining traction is as a means of rewarding programmers in open-source software projects.
“The real potential [of Bitcoin], the mass-market potential, is the stuff we are working on with these new projects,” said David Johnston, executive director of BitAngels, a loose network of angel investors that back Bitcoin startups. “It’s where we replace more consumer-facing things, like eTrade or Dropbox ,” he said. “In the next couple of years this next wave of applications will be built on top of Bitcoin.”
Open-source software is often developed by many programmers who volunteer their skills. Some developers have found ways of getting compensation for their work via crowdfunding on Kickstarter or on BountySource.com, a platform specifically for funding open-source software development.
Mr. Johnston believes that Bitcoin may be another and, possibly, better way of sponsoring open-source development. “It’s a new way to monetize open-source,” he said.
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Copyright by WCMH - All rights reserved
WASHINGTON D.C (WCMH) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning parents that homeopathic teething tablets and gels may pose a risk to infants and children; including seizures and breathing issues. The FDA recommends that consumers stop using these products and dispose of any in their possession.
Homeopathic teething tablets and gels are distributed by CVS, Hyland's, and possibly others, and are sold in retail stores and online.
Parents should seek medical care immediately if their child experiences seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation after using homeopathic teething tablets or gels.
"Teething can be managed without prescription or over-the-counter remedies," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "We recommend parents and caregivers not give homeopathic teething tablets and gels to children and seek advice from their health care professional for safe alternatives."
The FDA is analyzing adverse events reported to the agency regarding homeopathic teething tablets and gels, including seizures in infants and children who were given these products, since a 2010 safety alert about homeopathic teething tablets. The FDA is currently investigating this issue, including testing product samples. The agency will continue to communicate with the public as more information is available.
Homeopathic teething tablets and gels have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safety or efficacy. The FDA says it is also not aware of any proven health benefit of the products, which are labeled to relieve teething symptoms in children.
For more, check out the FDA's website: Click Here |
Two polls released Sunday show Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton tied with presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump in a likely general election race, after having a double-digit lead just months ago.
Clinton leads Trump 46-to-43 percent in a NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, compared to a similar one in April in which Clinton had an 11-point lead.
The new poll also shows Clinton primary rival Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders leading Trump by 15 percentage points, 54-to-39 percent, in a hypothetical November matchup.
“Polls this far out mean nothing,” Clinton said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “They certainly mean nothing to me. And I think that if people go back and look, they really mean nothing in terms of analyzing what's going to happen in the fall.”
Earlier Sunday morning, a Washington Post/ABC News poll showed voters favored Trump over Clinton 46-to-44 percent. The numbers also show Clinton losing an identical 11-point lead since earlier this spring.
Both polls were within the statistical margin of error, which means Clinton and Trump are essentially tied.
Trump said on the Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” show that he suspects some of the support is coming from Sanders’ backers, now that their candidate faces very long odds in winning the Democratic nomination.
“I hear and I look at polls, and I hear a lot of those people are coming with us,” Trump said in a phone interview. “A lot of the Bernie Sanders’ voters, they do not like Hillary Clinton. … A lot of those people will come with me.”
The Washington Post/ NBC poll also shows a majority of the electorate has an unfavorable impression of Clinton, a former secretary of state, and Trump, a billionaire businessman, and that likely voters are “motivated as much by whom they don’t like as by whom they do.”
According to The Washington Post: “Never in the history of the Post-ABC poll have the two major party nominees been viewed as harshly as Clinton and Trump.”
The NBC/Wall Street Journal poll reported voters also have record-low opinions of those two candidates.
“Trump and Clinton are currently the two most unpopular likely presidential nominees in the history of the NBC/WSJ poll,” the pollsters said. |
LOS ANGELES -- Pitcher Dan Haren said Wednesday that he likely would walk away from baseball -- and leave $10 million in pretax income on the table -- if the Los Angeles Dodgers trade him to a team other than one of his former clubs, the Angels.
Haren's 2015 option with the Dodgers kicked in when he reached the 180-innings mark in September.
"My signing with the Dodgers last year and my decision to exercise my player option were based on my desire to play in Southern California near my family," Haren told ESPN in an email. "I had other opportunities, but at this point in my career, I have no interest in playing in a city away from my family."
Haren's name surfaced in trade discussions recently, according to a CBSSports.com report.
Haren made little secret of how difficult it was to be away from his family during the 2013 season, when he pitched for the Washington Nationals. A native of West Covina, California, and a product of Pepperdine, Haren and his family now live in Orange County.
Haren, 34, went 13-11 with a 4.02 ERA and, after a midseason slump, proved to be a reliable No. 4 starter as the Dodgers were sewing up their second straight NL West title, so it's unclear why the Dodgers would look to move him unless, contrary to what they're saying publicly, they simply want to dump salaries. The Dodgers have no obvious replacements who would come from the minor leagues and, if anything, it was assumed they were looking to add a starting pitcher in free agency.
Haren does not have a no-trade clause, but then again, judging from what he's saying, compelling him to pitch somewhere he doesn't want to be would be a tall order. |
The Hillary Clinton campaign has returned to the Democratic presidential candidate’s Goldwater roots by using ‘Red scare’ tactics against her main rival, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
As polls show Sanders closing the gap with Clinton in Iowa and pulling way ahead of her in New Hampshire, her campaign has been hinting that Republicans will use the C-word (communism) against Sanders if he wins the Democratic nomination.
A secret dossier prepared by Sanders opponents and given to the Guardian this week by a “Democrat” alleges that “Sanders ‘sympathized with the USSR during the Cold War’ because he went on a trip there to visit a twinned city while he was mayor of Burlington.”
The dossier makes other “associations with communism”, linking Sanders to countries like Cuba, China, and Nicaragua, according to the Guardian.
Guardian writer horrified by Clinton camp's vile oppo research on Sanders https://t.co/1BaXA6dtQn Expect to read every word of it @politico — Dan Froomkin (@froomkin) January 22, 2016
A New York Times article this week said some Democrats are “highlighting his socialist beliefs to warn that he would be an electoral disaster who would frighten swing voters and send Democrats in tight congressional and governor’s races to defeat”.
Longtime Clinton ally James Carville warned: “Once you get the nomination, they are not going to play nice.”
The NY Times article also quotes Democrats like Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, who said about Sanders: “Here in the heartland, we like our politicians in the mainstream, and he is not — he’s a socialist.”
Speaking in Iowa earlier this month, Clinton said: "Think hard about the people representing themselves to you. Their experience, their qualifications, their positions, and particularly for those of us who are Democrats, their electability and how we make sure we have a Democrat going back into that White House on January 20, 2017."
While the tactic has been about questioning the electability of Sanders, Clinton’s ability to win in the general election is also in doubt with high negative ratings and polls showing her struggling against theoretical GOP opponents including frontrunner Donald Trump.
The same polls show Sanders would beat the billionaire Republican in November with a double-digit lead.
If you hear a pundit say that @BernieSanders is not electable. They are either grossly incompetent or lying to you. https://t.co/Dm8v44vm6D — Guerrilla Democrats (@GuerrillaDems) January 19, 2016
The "electability" argument is so dumb. Hillary, unlike Bernie, has literally zero cross-party appeal. — YeaYouRite (@YeaYouRite) January 17, 2016
Sanders addressed electability concerns on ABC’s program "This Week" hosted by former Clinton press secretary George Stephanopoulos: “If people are concerned about electability — and Democrats should be very concerned because we certainly don’t want to see some right-wing extremist in the White House — Bernie Sanders is the candidate.”
Clinton even implied Sanders is more establishment than she is on CNN on Thursday, when asked by Wolf Blitzer.
“I just don’t understand what that means. He’s been in Congress. He’s been elected to office a lot longer than I have. I was in the Senate for eight wonderful years representing New York. He’s been in Congress for 25. And so I’ll let your viewers make their own judgment,” said Clinton.
Clinton adopted similar efforts during her 2008 presidential run, framing Barack Obama as unelectable, and calling him “irresponsible and frankly naive” on foreign policy, particularly his comments on meeting with Iran.
Repeat of 2008? Clinton allies increasingly alarmed by Sanders' Iowa momentum https://t.co/auFIOxt7N4pic.twitter.com/tFfdMhZiiL — Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) January 23, 2016
During last Sunday’s Democratic debate, Sanders said: "I think what we've got to do is move as aggressively as we can to normalize relations with Iran. Can I tell that we should open an embassy in Tehran tomorrow? No, I don't think we should. But I think the goal has got to be as we've done with Cuba, to move in warm relations with a very powerful and important country in this world.”
The Sanders campaign takes issue with Clinton strategist David Brock, who they say launched a dirty attack using the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
“Twenty-five years ago it was Brock, a mud-slinging, right-wing extremist, who tried to destroy Anita Hill, a distinguished African American law professor. He later was forced to apologize for his lies about her. Today, he is lying about Sen. Sanders. It’s bad enough that Hillary Clinton is raising millions in special-interest money in her Super Pacs. It is worse that she would hire a mudslinger like David Brock. She should be ashamed of her association with Brock,” wrote Sanders communications director Michael Briggs.
Brock this week admitted he was planning to raise the issue of Sanders’ health, but when news of this strategy got out, the Clinton campaign quickly distanced itself, including chairman John Podesta.
.@davidbrockdc: Chill out. We're fighting on who would make a better President, not on who has a better Physical Fitness Test. — John Podesta (@johnpodesta) January 17, 2016
Some on social media believe this was just a stunt coordinated by Brock and Podesta.
Podesta and Brock are obviously coordinating this adolescent stunt: https://t.co/8vmBge2Dz2#feelthebern — Ed Flemm II (@Ed_Phlegmsnark) January 17, 2016
Before she was a Democrat, Hillary Clinton worked for Republican nominee Barry Goldwater during the 1964 election, one of the dirtiest campaigns in US history that many believe set the tone for the modern era.
Hillary will now sing some spirituals so you forget she worked on the Goldwater campaign. #DemDebate — Milksteak&Jellybeans (@Tallulahs_Ghost) January 18, 2016
“Fifty years later, it is apparent that Goldwater’s nomination was far from a 'defeat'. It signaled the arrival of conservatism as a serious political force, moving it from the realm of scholarly books and the pages of Buckley’s small magazine to the corridors of power in both politics and the media,” wrote Jeffrey Lord in the American Spectator in his article “The Vindication of Barry Goldwater: The man who made Reagan possible”. |
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