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Nanotechnology Databases
Nano Analytik
nano analytik GmbH has its core competence in the field of sensors, microsystem technologies and electronics. In the field of sensor technology, they are engaged in the development and production of MEMS-based nano-analytical systems that can be used for power, position, flow, mass and heat detection.
| 343 |
I always wished I could have gone into space and, like most of us, I am envious as can be of Mark Shuttleworth. What is it going to feel like to ride that rocket, and what is going to be done up there? Well, part of the answer is that Mark is going to conduct scientific experiments. But is science so important that it deserves such attention and dedication?
Yes, the pursuit of science is seen as a fundamental force in any society that seeks to progress and to improve the overall quality of life. Whether he wants to be or not, Mark is about to become a role model to all aspiring 'space-age' youngsters and his endorsement of science is an opportunity not to be lost. He will be seen to be doing science, and the outcome of the experiments he conducts will in their own way contribute to our knowledge. Moreover it will be African science, and the first science carried out in space by the first African in space.
Space removes Earth's two biggest constraints - gravity and atmosphere - which so often inhibit observations and experiments. In the free fall of Earth orbit, the laws of Nature can proceed, as they must do throughout almost the entire universe. Without looking through the shimmering atmosphere of Earth, the rest of the universe can be observed with unmatched clarity.
I see this as a tremendous opportunity, both to conduct scientific experiments in space and to promote public awareness of science. I only wish I could also be up there!
Anthony Fairall B.Sc. Hons, Ph.D., Assoc. R.A.S.
Professor of Astronomy, University of Cape town,
Planetarium Director, Iziko Museums of Cape Town
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9 for 9
by abcde
I read an inspiring story today about a Sacramento teen named Lloyd Chen who was accepted to all 9 schools he applied to (this includes Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT). Since the young age of 8, Chen held fast to his dream of going to Harvard for college. Now he’s matriculating there with a full-ride scholarship.
In this age of extremely competitive college admissions, Chen’s 100% acceptance rate is impressive on its own. But what makes his accomplishment even more noteworthy is that Chen grew up without a father and “so poor that most of his clothes were hand-me-downs.” Here’s more on his attitude:
“Throughout my life, I’ve learned to grow up without luxuries,” he wrote in his college application essay. “I don’t need fancy clothes. I don’t need expensive SAT classes. I don’t even need a father.”
“I have something more valuable than luxuries: the foundation to grow and prosper,” he added. “My circumstances have not brought me down, but instead, have made me stronger.”
Wow. Truly impressive.
*****
On a related-but-separate note, Chen’s story reminded me that the Supreme Court will soon issue its decision in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. This case, which examines the constitutionality of race-based affirmative action, has the potential to dramatically alter how colleges go about putting together their student bodies. While it’s unclear at this point what would happen if race ceases to be as a legitimate factor in college admissions (as it is expected to), there is the very real possibility that such a ban would create incentives for colleges to make a more serious attempt to use class-based policies. Such a change could both benefit and hurt students like Chen. I’m curious to see what happens.
| 1,809 |
Star Wars Force Awakens BB8 Grey Girls Youth T-Shirt
Get ready to roll with the 60% cotton 40% polyester Star Wars Force Awakens BB8 Grey Girls Youth T-Shirt! Everybody loves BB-8...how can you not? He just rolled right into our hearts and he's one of the best parts of Star Wars: The Force Awakens! The Star Wars Force Awakens BB8 Grey Girls Youth T-Shirt even has a slight gold fleck as an outline so you know this shirt rocks something fierce!
| 447 |
lmao at the pic with the gay pink shirt, with a non matching red shirt under it that only reaches your belly button so you have yet another white shirt under that one so your fat gut doesnt hang out the bottom of your shirt
dude, half of the terms in the human language only ever become popular cuz the media grabs hold and runs with it......pretty soon you see the terms everywhere on tv, magazines, ads, billboards, and then you hear them on the radio and in everyones sentences....
its funny with these terms, just when you think theyve died out, some nerds get ahold of them and use them to be cool, it usually gives the terms another spark or popularity before it assimilates into the human language
| 706 |
Genesis donated design and engineering services for a new Korean Conflict monument and contemplative seating area with an adjacent Medal of Honor memorial.
The design for the park was based on input from the Korean Veterans Association and was funded by both county and private donations.
Genesis | Halff provides Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Planning, GIS, and Urban Design services
for private land developers, government agencies, institutions, and industrial clients throughout
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| 549 |
Grey's Anatomy producers break down THAT emotional scene
Warning: This article contains spoilers about Thursday’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy, titled “Silent All These Years.” Read at your own risk!
In Thursday’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy, a standalone story line about a victim of sexual assault who is fearful about reporting the incident culminated with an extraordinary outpouring of love and support from the women of Grey Sloan Memorial. So we asked three of the show’s producers — showrunner Krista Vernoff, director Debbie Allen, and writer Elisabeth R. Finch — to reflect on the emotional scene and why so many women were eager to participate.
ABC/Mitch Haaseth
KRISTA VERNOFF (showrunner): There was a situation in our political sphere that was incredibly painful and damaging. It was Christine Blasey Ford‘s testimony and how it didn’t mean anything. It hurt our souls. I went to the writers and said, “The message that has just been sent to all young women is that consent doesn’t matter. We have an opportunity here to teach men and women about consent and to talk about how lasting and impactful rape can be for generations.” It’s the first time ever that I reached out to the staff with an actual issue as opposed to saying, “Hey! I have a character idea.”
ELISABETH R. FINCH (episode writer): Three years ago the Writers Guild of America sent out an email about an opportunity for a small group of people to visit the UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center. It’s an internationally known organization that every treatment center ought to be because of the way they have designed their space. One of the most fascinating things about this place is how every time we would go into a room, there would be a series of radio [communique] from a person who checks to see if the hallways are clear. They want to make sure no stranger, not anyone, is walking through that hallway while a survivor is passing through. I thought it was incredible that a place would design an entire program around one survivor. A year later, I watched a YouTube video of someone who donated organs. Part of the hospital protocol is that whenever an organ donor is wheeled down a hallway, every single doctor in that hospital lines the hallways to honor that person. Something clicked in my head about marrying those two things.
VERNOFF: She pitched this scene to me as the “army of awesome,” which was lining the hallways with women who would just stand there and witness this survivor’s journey to protect her. It’s so rare to get that kind of representation in TV that looks at the fallout of violence and focuses on ways we can support and heal each other rather than further damage each other. As a showrunner, when you hear a scene like that, you go, “Yes, please, and make it the entire episode.”
DEBBIE ALLEN (director): Honestly, I was almost paralyzed with a mix of emotions [from reading the script]. This story is so layered. It was a very emotional, personal read for me.
VERNOFF: From the moment the script was published, there was a big reaction to it at Shondaland. Everybody was blown away. We started having people come up and ask if they could be in that scene. The women in that hallway are almost all the women on the writing staff. Many of the women are on the crew, or they are assistants at Shondaland, or they are women who work at ABC. I think there were more than 100 women.
FINCH: I was the only one who went in kicking and screaming.
VERNOFF: We forced her to do it. She is camera-shy but she had to be a part of it. She is on the screen right side, pulling the gurney.
FINCH: I am not a crier. But I could barely keep myself together to walk down that hallway, over and over.
ALLEN: We had to start dancing in the middle of shooting because it was very heavy. We didn’t have all day. We had women who were leaving their jobs to come be in the scene. I had a good hour to shoot it. So we lit it and we hit it.
VERNOFF: There was reverence in that hallway. The feeling that every woman in that room had some kind of relationship to this story was simultaneously devastating and powerfully healing. In this moment we got to say, There are better ways we can all come together. We can witness each other. We can change.
ALLEN: Grey’s Anatomy is about a lot of things. We tackle the most controversial and relevant subject matters as well as wonderful relationships and people trying to find their way. And we will continue. It’s part of the reason why we’re like a brand new show as we go into season 16. We go to the same river but we step in new water every time.
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Don't you just love how french women do no socks even if it's dead cold? Don't you just love it when a beautiful face is not wearing make up? Don't you just love how simple and yet cool this girl looks?
(picture taken in Paris, February 2012)
#beauty
#effortless chic
#paris
#no make up
#winter
#french women
| 308 |
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Great Forum And Thanks
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big thanks for the registration to your website.
Currently an IT Technician and Administrator with numorous technologies with the local council here in the United Kingdom.
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| 2,554 |
Hundreds of jobs could be at risk at Topshop and Topman stores around the country after its parent company announced a management shake-up.
Arcadia, which owns other brands including Miss Selfridge, Wallis and Burton, said it was working to “restructure our retail management” across the stores, but did not provide details of what this restructure would entail.
Reports suggest the changes could affect branches where there is a Topshop and a Topman in the same store.
An Arcadia spokesman said: “As part of an ongoing business review and as a response to the ever-evolving fashion retail landscape, areas in our store management structures have been identified where resource can be used more effectively in servicing the needs of our customers. As a result we are working to restructure our retail management across Topshop and Topman.
“We remain committed to all our team members and our first priority is to redeploy managers into newly created roles within the proposed structure.
“We fully appreciate that this will be a difficult time for those affected and we will ensure our teams are supported through the process of change.”
Arcadia appointed consultants last summer to advise on a new strategic plan after the group’s profits tumbled following the collapse of BHS, also owned by Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green, in 2015.
Last year Sir Philip agreed to a £360m payment towards a bail-out of the pension fund at BHS, which he sold to a consortium led by former racing driver Dominic Chappell.
Topshop and Topman have stores in Norwich, Ipswich, Great Yarmouth, Bury St Edmunds, Colchester and Cambridge.
| 1,635 |
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Why Wisconsin is in Play
MOUNT HOREB, Wis. – At first, Jeff Millard was undecided about who to vote for in November.
“I am not particularly happy with Obama,” the retired auto-parts storeowner said of the man he supported in 2008.
His wife, walking beside him on the Military Ridge state trail, overheard him voicing doubt. She let him know it was not an option.
“What about my reproductive rights?” she asked, clearly upset. “No, we are voting for Obama!”
Discussing his uncertainty, the retired couple walked off along the popular recreational trail in this small town, once known for the National Mustard Museum and an obsession with all things related to trolls.
By all rights, President Obama should easily win this state, with its “progressive” activism and elected liberals such as former U.S. senator Russ Feingold.
Obama won the state within an inch of 14 percentage points in 2008.
Today, he leads Republican Mitt Romney in state polling. But, based on his Chicago campaign headquarters’ reaction to any questioning that support, his lead may be as solid as quicksand.
The Badger State illustrates the political divide gripping segments of America, thanks largely to the reaction of organized labor and Democrat activists to Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s collective-bargaining reform bill.
Since 2011, Wisconsin has endured an unprecedented rash of statewide elections, including recalls of GOP state senators, a February primary for local offices, an April presidential primary, a May gubernatorial-recall candidate primary among Democrats, and then June’s gubernatorial recall election.
Despite millions of dollars spent by Washington Democrats and unions, Walker and Republicans shocked pundits by prevailing in most of those contests.
On Saturday, Obama made his first appearance in 220 plus days in a state that may be politically spent: Less than 19 percent of its eligible voters showed up for an August primary to choose both parties’ U.S. Senate candidates.
An hour’s drive southeast of here, Janesville was put on the national radar by Tobin Ryan’s brother, Paul, the Republican congressman picked as Romney’s running mate.
Like many Midwesterners, Tobin and his family live a block from his brother and his family, and all of them within a stone’s throw of where they grew up.
Tobin is incredibly proud of his younger brother, who he calls “P.D.” He points to their father’s sudden death as the moment that defined his brother’s character:
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Background
Clean Energy Legislation Amendment Bill
2012
The Clean Energy
Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 makes amendments to the CE Act, the
ANREU Act, the CFI Act, the Fuel Tax Act and the NGER Act.
These amendments cover:
â¢
matters raised during the passage of the Act about which the
Government made commitments to examine alternative approaches;
and
â¢
minor and technical changes.
The Clean Energy
Legislative Package implements the carbon pricing mechanism for
Australia to reduce carbon pollution. Legislation in the
package links the carbon price to the CFI and to credible schemes
overseas. The Package provides assistance to households and
industry which will help households with the impact of the carbon
price, support jobs, protect the competitiveness of
emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries and support energy
security.
Further detail
about the policy context of the Clean Energy Legislative Package is
set out in the Explanatory Memorandum for the Clean Energy Bill
2011.
The amendments to
the CE Act make changes to the liquid fuel Opt-in Scheme in Part 3,
Division 7 which alter the criteria that a person must meet in
order to be declared a designated opt-in person for the purposes of
the Opt-in Scheme and also impose notification and reporting
requirements for persons subject to an obligation under the
Scheme. The CE Act and the NGER Act are changed to amend the
definition of ‘carbon dioxide equivalence’ so that it
applies to fuels which are eligible for the Opt-in
Scheme.
The bill amends
provisions in the NGER Act that allow persons to nominate who has
operational control of a facility when it is not clear who has
operational control of that facility. ‘Operational
control’ is a central principle used to determine who has
responsibility for the emissions of a facility which is covered by
the carbon pricing mechanism.
During passage of
the Clean Energy Legislative Package in 2011, the Government
committed to considering the coverage of gaseous fuels in a similar
manner to the way in which large liquid fuel users may opt-in to
the scheme. This responded to issues raised by the gaseous fuels
industry in the final report of the Joint Select Committee on
Australia’s Clean Energy Future Legislation. Since then, the
Government has consulted extensively with participants in the
gaseous fuels sector to develop a new approach to coverage. This
will allow greater flexibility for LPG, LNG and CNG suppliers when
meeting carbon pricing liabilities.
To implement the
changes requested by the gaseous fuels industry, the bill amends
the CE Act and the Fuel Tax Act to reflect changes in coverage
arrangements for gaseous fuels. From 1 July 2013, a carbon
price will be applied to non-transport liquid petroleum gas and
liquefied natural gas through the carbon pricing mechanism rather
than through fuel tax arrangements. Emissions attributable to
compressed natural gas will be covered by the carbon pricing
mechanism, rather than by fuel tax arrangements, from 1 July
2012.
The bill amends
the CFI Act to extend the timing for methodology determinations to
be backdated. The CFI Act established the CFI, a carbon
offsets scheme that credits abatement in the land sector.
Because CFI projects must be conducted in accordance with a
methodology determination, projects that seek to be backdated must
also be in accordance with a backdated methodology. The
amendment to backdating provisions for methodologies will ensure
that existing offsets projects can transition to the CFI as
originally intended.
The bill also
amends the CFI Act to ensure that CFI projects have all required
regulatory approvals in place before they can receive
credits. It also simplifies the process of finalising
methodology determinations by removing a requirement that the
Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee (DOIC) publish on its website
matters incorporated by reference in determinations. The
explanatory material for methodology determinations will contain a
description of the incorporated material and indicate how it may be
obtained.
The bill amends
the ANREU Act to increase the amount of time during which the CER
may defer giving effect to a transfer instruction from 48 hours to
five whole business days. The bill also amends the ANREU Act
to make provision for conditions restricting or limiting the
operation of certain accounts to apply in prescribed
circumstances.
The bill amends
the ARENA Act and the CER Act to provide for the sharing of
relevant and appropriate information between the CEFC and ARENA and
the CEFC and the CER in specified
circumstances.
The Clean Energy
(Customs Tariff Amendment) Bill 2012 and Clean Energy (Excise
Tariff Legislation Amendment) Bill 2012 make amendments to the
Excise Act, the Excise Tariff Act and the Customs Tariff Act.
The amendments provide that, from 1 July 2012, CNG used for
non-transport purposes will not be subject to the effective carbon
price through the fuel tax system so that it may be covered by the
carbon pricing mechanism.
Date of effect:
Clean Energy Legislation Amendment Bill
2012
Sections 1, 2 and
3 commence on the day the bill receives the Royal
Assent.
Schedule 1, which
makes various amendments to the CE Act, the ANREU Act and the NGER
Act, commences on the later of the day after the bill receives the
Royal Assent or immediately after the commencement of Part 2
of Schedule 1 to the Clean
Energy (Consequential Amendments) Act
2011 .
Schedule 2, which
makes various changes to the CE Act and the Fuel Tax Act, commences
on the latest of:
â¢
the start of the day after the bill receives the Royal Assent;
and
â¢
immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the
Clean Energy (Fuel Tax
Legislation Amendment) Act 2011 ; and
â¢
immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the bill.
Schedules 3 and 4,
which deal with amendments to the CFI Act and the ANREU Act, take
effect the day after the bill receives the Royal
Assent.
Schedule 5, which
deals with changes to the Clean
Energy Finance Corporation Act 2012 , takes effect at the
same time as section 3 of that Act commences.
The amendments to
the Excise Tariff Act and the Excise Act commence on 1 July 2012,
immediately after the commencement made by the amendments contained
in the Clean Energy (Excise
Tariff Legislation Amendment) Act
2011 .
The amendments to
subitem 10.19C are taken to commence immediately after the relevant
amendments made by the Excise
Tariff (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Act 2011
commence.
The amendments to
the Customs Tariff Act commence on 1 July 2012, immediately after
the commencement made by the amendments contained in the
Clean Energy (Customs Tariff
Legislation Amendment) Act 2011 . That is, they
will apply to goods that were imported on or after 1 July
2012. It also applies to goods imported before 1 July 2012
but not entered into home consumption until on or after 1 July
2012.
Proposal announced:
The Acts which
make up the Clean Energy Legislative Package passed the Senate on 8
November 2011 and variously received the Royal Assent in late
November and early December 2011.
The measures in
the Clean Energy Legislative Package are based on the announcement
on 10 July 2011 and the publication of Securing a clean energy future: The Australian
Government’s climate change
plan .
On 11 October
2011, the Government announced that it would consider changes to
give effect to alternative coverage of gaseous fuels under the
carbon pricing mechanism. The Minister for Climate Change and
Energy Efficiency said in the House of Representatives
that:
‘[a] number of
companies in the consultation process have also expressed interest
in having liquid petroleum gas included in the carbon pricing
mechanism. The government is open to considering this in a
similar manner to the way in which large liquid fuel users may opt
into the scheme and we will consult on options for achieving
it. No amendments however are proposed in relation to this at
this time.’ [1]
The Government
announced the approach to coverage of gaseous fuels by the carbon
pricing mechanism as part of the 2012-2013 Budget on 8 May 2012,
having earlier informed industry participants.
During the public
exposure period for the Package, industry stakeholders expressed a
desire to manage their carbon liability for fuels under the carbon
pricing mechanism instead of paying the equivalent carbon price
through fuel tax arrangements. This arrangement was given
effect through the Opt-in Scheme set out in Part 3, Division 7 of
the CE Act.
Those amendments
in the bill which make minor and technical amendments concern the
operation of measures previously announced as part of the Clean
Energy Legislative Package and, therefore, have not been the
subject of any further specific
announcements.
Financial impact:
Financial impact
($ millions): Mandatory coverage of LPG and
LNG
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
Total
Change to
administered revenue (ATO)
0.0
0.0
-75.0
-75.0
-80.0
-230.0
Change to
administered revenue (DCCEE)
0.0
0.0
+75.0
+75.0
+80.0
+210.0
Total impact on
fiscal balance
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total impact on
underlying cash
0.0
0.0
-5.0
+15.0
+10.0
+20.0
Financial impact
($ millions): Mandatory coverage of CNG
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
Total
Change to
administered revenue (ATO)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Change to
administered revenue (DCCEE)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total impact on
fiscal balance
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Total impact on
underlying cash
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Summary of regulation impact
statement
Coverage of gaseous fuels - Regulation impact on
business
Impact :
The
Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) for carbon pricing mechanism
coverage of non-transport gaseous fuels (LPG, LNG and CNG) is
available at http://ris.finance.gov.au .
The RIS was prepared by DCCEE and has been assessed as adequate by
the Office of Best Practice Regulation.
Main
points:
The
current approach to carbon pricing coverage of non-transport LPG
and LNG through the excise system would impose additional excise
compliance costs for LPG and LNG suppliers. It would also
increase cash carrying costs and reduce flexibility for suppliers
to meet emissions obligations compared to coverage under the carbon
pricing mechanism.
The
current approach to carbon pricing coverage of non-transport CNG
under the excise system would require up to 50 non-transport CNG
producers that had not previously been participants in the excise
system to install metering equipment to enable excise
participation, potentially curtailing expansion and use of CNG by
small producers. CNG producers would also face increased cash
carrying costs and reduced flexibility to meet obligations relative
to the mechanism.
On balance
the advantages of reducing compliance costs and providing greater
flexibility for liable entities in the sector to meet carbon
pricing obligations warrant the inclusion of non-transport LPG and
LNG in the carbon pricing mechanism. A mandatory approach to
coverage is preferable to a voluntary opt-in approach as it would
reduce the complexity of the carbon price and associated
administration and compliance costs. It is expected to apply to
around 10 entities.
Carbon
pricing mechanism coverage of LPG and LNG should commence from 1
July 2013, as earlier commencement (from 1 July 2012) would
create substantial risks that implementation agencies would have
insufficient time to develop detailed systems for carbon pricing
mechanism coverage and adequately test these with industry
stakeholders.
Coverage
of non-transport CNG under the carbon pricing mechanism is
preferred as it will reduce compliance costs for small producers
and reduce administrative costs for the Government relative to
excise system coverage. The carbon pricing mechanism also
provides greater flexibility for CNG producers to choose whether or
not to directly manage their carbon pricing
obligations.
Statement of Compatibility
with Human Rights
Prepared
in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act
2011 .
These
bills are compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised
or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of
the Human Rights
(Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 .
Overview of the
bills
These
bills amend:
⢠the CE Act, to ensure that
there is no double counting of CNG under the carbon pricing
mechanism established by the Act, to amend the regulation-making
powers dealing with administrative arrangements and eligibility
requirements in relation to the Opt-in Scheme for liquid fuels, to
provide for the coverage of gaseous fuels by the carbon pricing
mechanism from 1 July 2013, and to make certain other minor
technical amendments;
⢠the NGER Act, in
relation to the nomination of the person who is to be taken to have
operational control of a facility when two or more persons could
have such control, and to make certain other minor technical
amendments;
⢠the Fuel Tax Act, to make
consequential amendments in relation to the taxation treatment of
gaseous fuels covered by the carbon pricing
mechanism;
⢠the CFI Act, to extend the
backdating arrangements for methodology determinations, to remove
the publication requirement in relation to the text of any
materials incorporated by reference in a methodology determination,
and to provide for CFI coverage to be conditional on projects
obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals before Australian
carbon credit units are issued in relation to a
project;
⢠the ANREU Act, to create a
regulation-making power to impose restrictions or limitations on
the operation of certain Australian National Registry of Emissions
Units accounts, and to increase the period of time within which the
CER can defer giving effect to a transfer
instruction;
⢠the ARENA Act, to enable the
disclosure of information to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation;
and
⢠the Excise Act, the Excise
Tariff Act and the Customs Tariff Act. The amendments provide
that, from 1 July 2012, CNG used for non-transport purposes
will not be subject to the effective carbon price through the fuel
tax system so that it may be covered by the carbon pricing
mechanism.
Human
rights implications
The bills
variously engage the following human
rights:
Rights of equality
and non-discrimination
The Clean
Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 amends the NGER Act to
enable two or more persons who might otherwise have
‘operational control’ of a facility to nominate one of
them as the person who is to be taken to have ‘operational
control’ of the facility for the purposes of the NGER Act
and, if the facility is not a facility of a joint venture, the CE
Act. The person with ‘operational control’ of a
facility has certain reporting obligations under the NGER Act and
certain liabilities for greenhouse gas emissions from the facility
under the carbon pricing mechanism established by the CE Act.
The Bill provides that if any of these persons is a foreign person
(being an individual who is not ordinarily resident in Australia, a
corporation incorporated outside of Australia, a body politic of a
foreign country, or a trust where the majority of trustees are
covered by any of these categories) and if any of these persons is
not a foreign person, then a foreign person cannot be
nominated.
The
amendment replaces existing provisions dealing with the nomination
of a person who is to be taken to have operational control of a
facility. The main difference between the existing provisions
and the new amended provisions relates to the timing of the
nomination. The Bill continues the existing requirement that
a foreign person not be nominated if a non-foreign person is
available to be nominated.
The Clean
Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 thus continues the existing
provision for different treatment of persons depending on their
national origin.
The
amendment does not prevent foreign persons from operating or being
engaged in the operation of facilities in Australia or otherwise
exercising their property or other rights in Australia.
Rather, the amendment identifies persons who can voluntarily assume
obligations and liabilities under the NGER and CE Acts. The
rationale for preferring the nomination of non-foreign persons over
foreign persons is that non-foreign persons are more likely to have
assets in Australia and are more likely to be amenable to the
enforcement of relevant obligations and liabilities under the NGER
and CE Acts. The amendment, and its rationale, is therefore
considered compatible with the rights of equality and
non-discrimination.
Privacy and
reputation
The Clean
Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 amends the CE Act to extend
the existing provisions in relation to the OTN (Obligation Transfer
Number) Register to gaseous fuel suppliers. The OTN Register
is maintained by the CER and is open to public inspection.
The Clean Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 requires the CER
to publish on the Register the following information about a
gaseous fuels supplier: its name, address, contact details,
Australian Business Number (ABN) and, if its willingness to accept
quotations of OTNs, in cases where acceptance is not mandatory, is
subject to conditions—those conditions. This mirrors
the arrangements in relation to natural gas
suppliers.
The
listing of gaseous fuels suppliers serves two main purposes.
First, it assists users of gaseous fuels to find a supplier who may
be willing to accept their OTN quotation. It also provides
the CER with a list of suppliers who wish to be notified of any
changes to the OTN Register, such as when an OTN is cancelled,
surrendered, when the name of an OTN holder changes, or when a new
entry is made in the Register. This lowers compliance costs
for suppliers as they will be sent up-to-date information on
changes to the OTN Register. The amendment, and its
rationale, is therefore considered compatible with the right to
privacy.
The Clean
Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 also amends the NGER Act in
relation to the content of the material that must be published by
the CER on its website under section 24 of the NGER Act. In
particular, it removes the requirement to publish a registered
corporation’s gross and net energy consumption, and replaces
it with a requirement to publish the corporation’s net energy
consumption only. This helps give effect to one of the
objects of the NGER Act, which is to inform the Australian public
about greenhouse gas emissions, and energy production and
consumption. The amendment does not require the publication
of any personal information about an individual, and is considered
to be compatible with the right to
privacy.
Further,
the Clean Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 amends the ARENA
Act and the CER Act to enable the disclosure of information to the
CEFC. Information can only be disclosed if the disclosure
will enable or assist the CEFC to perform or exercise any of its
functions or powers. Enabling the disclosure of information
in these circumstances is considered to be compatible with the
right to privacy.
Conclusion
The bills
are compatible with human rights because, to the extent that they
may limit those rights, that limitation is reasonable, necessary
and proportionate.
Outline of chapter
1.1
Chapter 1 explains amendments to the Opt-in Scheme set out in Part
3, Division 7 of the CE Act. These amendments:
â¢
further define the criteria that a person must meet to be declared
a designated opt-in person (DOIP); and
â¢
provide for the enforcement of reporting, record-keeping and
notification requirements.
Chapter 1 also
explains amendments to the NGER Act relating to:
â¢
potential greenhouse gas emissions that allow liability to be
assigned before emissions are produced; and
â¢
nomination of operational control of a facility when it is not
clear who has operational control.
This chapter
covers Schedule 1.
Context of amendments
Opt-in Scheme
1.2
The Opt-in Scheme is to be set out in regulations. A person
who meets the Opt-in Scheme’s criteria can choose to have
emissions from specified liquid fuels covered directly under the
carbon pricing mechanism instead of paying an equivalent carbon
price through the fuel tax system. The amendments augment the
existing provisions of Part 3, Division 7 of the CE Act.
1.3
It is very easy to change the composition of GST groups and GST
joint ventures, which may be the way in which persons participate
in the Opt-in Scheme. This raises some practical difficulties
for the operation of the Opt-in Scheme, which is not intended to
operate with the same degree of flexibility as the GST
system. For example, regular changes of membership within an
opted-in GST group would impose significant administrative burdens
on the CER, the ATO and Customs to track changing liability under
the carbon pricing mechanism. It would also present an
opportunity for GST groups and joint ventures to, in effect,
opt-out of the carbon pricing mechanism at any time for selected
amounts of fuel, by changing the composition of the GST group or
GST joint venture.
1.4
The amendments are designed to address these issues, by providing
that the membership of the GST group or GST joint venture at the
beginning of the relevant financial year is, in effect,
‘frozen’ for the year and the DOIP is liable for the
emissions of that group or joint venture for that year. The
GST group or joint venture is ‘frozen’ only for the
purposes of the CE Act.
Potential greenhouse gas
emissions
1.5
The concept of potential emissions is used to assign liability for
emissions before they are produced. Section 7B of the NGER
Act currently refers to the potential greenhouse gas emissions
embodied in an amount of natural gas. However, the Opt-in
Scheme assigns liability for emissions from other fuel types before
the emissions are produced.
1.6
The amendments allow the concept of ‘potential
emissions’ to be used for the purposes of the Opt-in Scheme
by extending it to fuel types other than natural gas.
Nomination of operational
control
1.7
Sections 11 to 11C of the NGER Act deal with the concept of
‘operational control’, which is used to determine who
has obligations under the NGER Act to report a facility’s
emissions, energy use and production.
1.8
Operational control also determines who is liable for the
greenhouse gas emissions from the facility under the carbon pricing
mechanism. The exceptions are where the liability is
transferred under a liability transfer certificate or where a
designated joint venture (JV) has the facility. Liability for
the emissions of a facility of a designated JV is shared between
the participants in the JV on the basis of the participating
percentage determination for that facility. Participating
percentage determinations are made by the CER.
1.9
The person with ‘operational control’ of a facility is
generally the person with the authority to introduce and implement
operating, health and safety and environmental policies at the
facility, or the person that the CER has declared to have
operational control of the facility.
1.10
In some circumstances it may not be clear who has operational
control of a facility, because two or more people have authority to
introduce and implement the relevant policies and two or more of
those people have equal authority to implement operating and
environmental policies.
1.11
Currently, the persons who have equal authority to introduce and
implement operating and environmental policies at a facility must
together nominate one of themselves as the person with operational
control of that facility.
1.12
The carbon pricing mechanism will begin with a fixed charge period
from 1 July 2012 until 30 June 2015 (called ‘fixed charge
years’), after which the carbon price will be determined by
the market (‘flexible charge years’). The current
provisions have the effect of requiring nomination of operational
control up to twice in each fixed charge year and at least once per
flexible charge year. These requirements may impose
additional compliance burdens on liable entities and others.
This is particularly the case for JV participants, because they are
usually unrelated companies which will need to reach agreement on
operational control issues. The amendments streamline the
nomination process and lessen the compliance burden on
business.
Publication of energy
consumption
1.13
Under section 24 of the NGER Act, the CER is required to publish
totals of scope 1 emissions and scope 2 emissions by 28
February. From 28 February 2014 the CER is also required to
publish the totals of energy consumption for the group (i) as
reported and (ii) ‘adjusted in accordance with the
regulations’.
1.14
The amendments streamline publication of energy consumption
data through only requiring the publication of an adjusted
‘net energy consumption’ figure, which is intended to
avoid potential confusion by users of the published data.
Summary of new law
Opt-in Scheme amendments
1.15
The amendments to the provisions in Part 3, Division 7 of the CE
Act, which underpin the Opt-in Scheme, concern administrative
obligations on participants in the Opt-in Scheme and the
eligibility requirements for DOIPs. These amendments provide
additional powers to ensure that the Opt-in Scheme is robust, and
its requirements are complied with by making reporting,
record-keeping and notification obligations enforceable.
1.16
Changes to the eligibility criteria will ensure that the
flexibility available to members of GST groups and GST joint
ventures does not compromise the integrity of the Opt-in Scheme and
the carbon pricing mechanism.
Potential greenhouse gas
emissions
1.17
The amendments to the NGER Act and the CE Act concerning potential
greenhouse gas emissions allow these provisions to apply to the
liquid fuels covered by the Opt-in Scheme, in addition to natural
gas.
Nomination of operational
control
1.18
The amendments to the NGER Act concerning nomination of operational
control streamline the requirements for nominating operational
control, by removing any requirement for nomination to occur up to
twice for each reporting year in fixed charge years and at least
once for each reporting year in flexible charge years.
1.19
The amendments reduce the compliance requirements associated with
making nominations by allowing a nomination to continue until such
time as the CER cancels it, it is revoked by a new nomination or
until it reaches its end date.
1.20
The amendments empower the CER to cancel nominations that become
unnecessary or unsuitable. This is unnecessary under the
current law because nominations that become unnecessary or
unsuitable could be replaced each time a new nomination became
due. The amendments also allow the nominators to make another
nomination which replaces the original nomination. The
nominators may also set an end date so that they can set a time to
review their arrangement in advance.
Publication of energy
consumption
1.21
The amendments to the NGER Act concerning the publication of energy
consumption streamline publication of energy consumption data
through only requiring the publication of a single figure for
energy consumption which represents ‘net energy
consumption’.
Comparison of key
features of new law and current law
New
law
Current law
Opt-in Scheme -
eligibility test
As well as meeting
criteria specified in regulations, the DOIP must pass the
eligibility test. A person will pass the eligibility test for
the fuel for which they are opting in where the person is the
entity that is entitled to the fuel tax credits (FTCs) for that
fuel or where a member of a GST group or joint venture acquired,
manufactured or imported the fuel in a financial year, the person
was a member of that group or joint venture on 1 July of that
financial year and the group or joint venture would have been
entitled to the FTCs for the fuel if the acquisition, manufacture
or import had taken place on 1 July of that financial
year.
As well as meeting
criteria specified in regulations, the DOIP must pass the
eligibility test. A person will pass the eligibility test
where, for the fuel for which they are opting in, they are the
entity that is entitled to the FTCs for that fuel or they are a
member of the GST group or joint venture that is entitled to the
FTCs for that fuel.
Opt-in Scheme -
notification requirement
The
Opt-in Scheme may make provision for a DOIP to notify matters to
the CER.
There
is no provision for the Scheme to require notification to the
CER.
Opt-in Scheme -
compliance with Scheme requirements
The
notification, reporting and record-keeping requirements under the
Scheme are civil penalty provisions.
The
notification, reporting and record-keeping requirements under the
Scheme are not civil penalty provisions.
Potential greenhouse gas
emissions
The
definition of potential greenhouse gas emissions will apply to
designated fuels. Designated fuels include those covered by
the Opt-in Scheme and natural gas.
The
definition of potential greenhouse gas emissions only applies to
natural gas.
Nomination of operational
control
Nominations of operational control begin on
their start date and persist until they are cancelled by the CER,
revoked by a new nomination or reach their end
date.
Nominations of operational control must be
renewed regularly because they only apply for the financial year or
part of financial year for which they are made.
There
is no civil penalty if a nomination is not made by the due
date.
A
civil penalty of 1,000 penalty units applies if a nomination is not
made by the due date.
Where
a nomination has been made and the facility ceases to pass the
eligible nomination test, each of
the nominators has an obligation to notify the CER of the cessation
unless the cessation occurred because the CER declared a person to
have operational control of the facility. Civil penalties
apply.
There
is no obligation to notify where a facility ceases to pass the
eligible nomination test.
Publication of energy
consumption
The
CER is required to publish ‘net energy consumption’
which is adjusted in accordance with the
regulations.
The
CER is required to publish both the totals of energy consumption as
reported and energy consumption adjusted in accordance with the
regulations.
Detailed explanation of new
law
Preliminaries
1.22
The bill, once enacted, will be called the ‘ Clean Energy Legislation Amendment Act
2012 ’. The bill amends other legislation,
namely the CE Act, the ANREU Act, the CFI Act, the Fuel Tax Act and
the NGER Act, and does not contain any substantive provisions of
its own. [Section 1] [Section
3]
1.23 The provisions of the bill
commence at varying times, depending on the provisions
concerned. These commencement arrangements are described
along with the relevant provisions
below. [Section 2]
Amendments to the Opt-in
Scheme
Eligibility test
1.24
Section 92A of the CE Act sets out the eligibility test that must
be passed by a person that is the DOIP for an acquisition,
manufacture or import of fuel that is covered by the Opt-in
Scheme.
1.25
The existing eligibility test in subsection 92A(4) of the CE Act is
replaced with a new test, which provides that, in addition to
meeting the criteria to be specified in regulations, the DOIP must,
for fuel acquired, manufactured or imported in a particular
financial year for which it is opting in:
â¢
have been a member of a GST group at the start of the financial
year where, if it is assumed that the fuel was acquired,
manufactured or imported at the start of that financial year, the
GST group would have been entitled to the fuel tax credit for that
fuel; [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 19, new
section 92A(4)(a), CE Act] or
â¢
have been a member of a GST joint venture at the start of a
financial year where, if it is assumed that the fuel was acquired,
manufactured or imported at the start of that financial year, the
GST joint venture would have been entitled to the fuel tax credit
for that fuel; [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 19, new
section 92A(4)(b), CE Act] or
â¢
if neither of these criteria apply, then the DOIP must be the
entity that was entitled to the fuel tax credit for the fuel.
[Schedule 1, Part 1, item 19, new section
92A(4)(c), CE Act]
1.26
The amendments remove the ability of members of GST groups and GST
joint ventures that have opted-in to change the composition of GST
groups and GST joint ventures for the purposes of changing their
liabilities under the carbon pricing mechanism in a relevant
financial year. This provides clarity and certainty around
the liabilities of those covered by the carbon pricing
mechanism. It will reduce the potential for administrative
complexity and costs for opted-in liable entities and for the CER,
ATO and Customs.
1.27
The effect of the amendment is to, in effect, ‘freeze’
the membership of the GST group or GST joint venture at the
beginning of the relevant financial year for the year so that the
DOIP is liable for the emissions of that group or joint venture for
that year. The GST group or joint venture is
‘frozen’ only for the purposes of the CE Act. The
provisions do not prevent changes in the group or joint venture
under the GST legislation.
â¢
It is intended that in the case of a GST joint venture, the
operator of the joint venture would pass the eligibility test under
the new section 92A(4)(b) if it was also a participant in the GST
joint venture, or under the new section 92A(4)(c) if it is not a
participant.
Notification
obligation
1.28
The Opt-in Scheme may require a person to notify the CER about
matters which are relevant to the Opt-in Scheme. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 20, new section 92DA,
CE Act] This means that the CER may be
informed of matters which may be relevant to a person’s
ongoing eligibility under the Opt-in Scheme and related
matters.
1.29
Under sections 92C, 92D and new section 92DA of the CE Act, the
Opt-in Scheme may impose reporting, record-keeping and notification
requirements for a DOIP. These obligations allow the CER to
adequately monitor the fuel use of a participant in the Opt-in
Scheme and be aware of any changes that will affect the eligibility
of a person to be opted-in. Record-keeping requirements will
allow the CER to ensure that the fuel use of a person, and the
liability of the DOIP for that fuel use, is measured
correctly. These records are needed because detailed
information on a person’s fuel use is not required to be kept
under the NGER Act.
1.30
The record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Opt-in Scheme
do not duplicate other record-keeping and reporting mechanisms
elsewhere in the CE Act and only cover those businesses wanting to
participate in the Opt-in Scheme.
1.31
A person who is subject to these requirements is obliged to comply
with them. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 21, new
sections 92H(1), (2) and (3), CE Act]
Furthermore, a person must not:
â¢
aid, abet, counsel or procure;
â¢
induce, whether by threats or promises or otherwise;
â¢
be in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned with;
or
â¢
conspire with others to effect,
a contravention of
new sections 92H(1), (2) and (3). [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 21, new sections
92H(4), CE Act]
1.32
The obligations in new sections 92H(1), (2), (3) and (4) of the CE
Act are civil penalty provisions. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 21, new section 92H(5),
CE Act] Under section 253 of the
CE Act the CER may apply to the court for a civil penalty order
against a person who has contravened a civil penalty
provision. Under section 255 of the CE Act the CER must seek
the order no later than six years after the contravention.
Section 252 of the CE Act provides that the court may order a civil
penalty if it is satisfied a person has contravened a civil penalty
provision.
1.33
Section 9 of the CE Act provides that the CE Act applies to the
Australian, state and territory governments (that is, the Crown in
right of each Australian jurisdiction). However, no
government is liable to a pecuniary penalty. This protection
does not apply to authorities of the Crown or to administrative
penalties or late payment penalties.
1.34
Under section 252 of the CE Act the maximum pecuniary penalty for
contraventions of new sections 92H(1), (2), (3) and (4) of the CE
Act is 10,000 penalty units (currently $1.1 million) for a
corporation or 2,000 penalty units (currently $220,000) for any
other person.
1.35
These are civil penalty provisions because contravening them does
not involve conduct of such serious moral culpability that criminal
prosecution and sanctions are warranted. Further, as most
liable entities are expected to be bodies corporate, the financial
disincentives to misconduct provided by civil penalties are a more
proportionate and effective enforcement tool, reflecting the
practice of other areas of business regulation.
1.36
There is no requirement that the CER prove the person’s
intention, knowledge, recklessness, negligence or any other state
of mind with regard to the penalty provisions in the CE Act.
[Schedule 1, Part 1, item 22, new section
262(1)(ra), (rb) and (rc), CE Act]
Section 262 of the CE Act makes it clear, for the avoidance
of any doubt, that it is not necessary to prove a matter concerning
a person’s state of mind at the time the conduct
occurred. It is simply a matter of proving whether the
relevant provision has been contravened. Where a
person’s state of mind is relevant to the issue at hand, then
this is specifically dealt with in the relevant provision.
1.37
The reporting and notification requirements are continuing
contravention provisions under section 263 of the CE Act. A
person who contravenes these penalty provisions, which involve, for
example, a requirement to do something within a particular period,
commits a separate contravention on each of the days on which the
person fails to comply. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 23, new sections
263(2)(ga) and (gb), CE Act] Under
section 263 of the CE Act the maximum daily penalty for a
continuing contravention of new sections 92H(1), (2), (3) and (4)
is 500 penalty units (currently $55,000) for a corporation) and 100
penalty units (currently $11,000) for any other person.
1.38
The level of civil penalties for a contravention of new sections
92H (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the CE Act reflects their seriousness
and represents a clear and strong disincentive for
non-compliance. The integrity of the Opt-in Scheme and the
carbon pricing mechanism could be compromised by liable entities
failing to maintain records adequately or at all, and failing to
report or notify accurately or in a timely way. For this
reason, the penalties are significant.
Potential emissions embodied in a designated
fuel
1.39
For the purposes of dealing with emissions embodied in a particular
fuel source, section 7B of the NGER Act currently refers to the
‘potential emissions embodied in an amount of natural
gas’. The concept of ‘potential greenhouse gas
emissions’ is used to assign liability for emissions before
they are produced. In the CE Act, this concept has only been
applied to emissions from natural gas.
Nomination of operational
control
1.44
For the purposes of liability under the carbon pricing mechanism
and for reporting in the NGER Scheme, sections 11AA, 11AB, 11B and
11C of the NGER Act provide for the nomination of
‘operational control’ for facilities where two or more
persons have equal authority over operational and environmental
policies. In these cases, nominations are required to specify
a person who has ‘operational control’ for the purposes
of determining the entity with NGER obligations and/or a liability
under the carbon pricing mechanism for a facility.
1.45
To streamline these requirements and, in particular, to remove the
possibility that repeated nominations have to be made, the bill
repeals sections 11AA,11AB, 11B and 11C of the NGER Act and
includes new sections 11B and 11C.
1.46
New section 11B of the NGER Act applies in situations where two or
more persons potentially have operational control of a
facility. One of those persons can be nominated as the person
with operational control of the facility if the facility passes the
‘eligible nomination test’. A facility passes the
test if, at a time after the start of the carbon pricing
mechanism:
â¢
two or more persons have authority to introduce and implement
operating, health and safety and environmental policies; and
â¢
it is not clear who has operational control of the facility because
no particular person has the greatest authority to introduce and
implement operating and environmental policies; and
â¢
the CER has not declared that a person has operational control of
the facility under section 55 or 55A of the NGER Act.
[Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new section 11B(1),
NGER Act]
1.47
If the facility passes the eligible nomination test, the persons
who could be taken to have operational control of the facility can
jointly nominate one of them to be the nominated person for a
specified amount of time.
1.48
New section 11C applies where a trust with multiple trustees has
operational control of a facility, and no declaration of
operational control exists for the facility under section 55 or 55A
of the NGER Act. The trustees can jointly nominate one of
them to be the nominated trustee for a specified amount of
time. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new
section 11C, NGER Act]
1.50
A nomination must specify the start and end days of the
nomination. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new
section 11B(2), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new section 11C(2),
NGER Act]
1.51
The nomination may be made before or after the start day.
However, the start date of the nomination cannot be in a period for
which a person’s obligations under the NGER Act or carbon
pricing mechanism have lapsed and it cannot be after the financial
year next following the financial year that the nomination is
made. There are no restrictions on the end day. This
means a nomination can be in force for a longer time than under
previous arrangements, removing the requirement to make a
nomination at least once every financial year. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new sections
11B(6)-(9), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new sections
11C(6)-(9), NGER Act]
1.52
A nomination has no effect if, at the start day of the nomination,
the facility does not pass the eligible nomination test or if the
nominators are not the persons who have potential operational
control. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new
section 11B(5), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new section
11C(5), NGER Act]
1.53
If a nomination is in force, liability and emissions reporting
responsibilities continue to apply in the same way as under
existing sections 11B and 11C of the NGER Act. That is, where
the facility is a facility of a joint venture, the nomination of
operational control only relates to reporting obligations under the
NGER Act. Liability is determined by the participating
percentage determination. If the facility is not a facility
of a joint venture, the nomination relates to both reporting
obligations under the NGER Act and liability under the carbon
pricing mechanism. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new sections
11B(15) and (16), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new
section 11C(15), NGER Act]
1.54
The rules for liability and emissions reporting where there is no
nomination in force are also unchanged, however, a person will no
longer be liable for a civil penalty if that person fails to make a
nomination by the due date. In these cases, where the
facility is a facility of a joint venture, each relevant person or
trustee is taken to have operational control for the purposes of
reporting under the NGER Act, while liability under the carbon
pricing mechanism is determined by the participating percentage
determination. If the facility is not a facility of a joint
venture, each relevant person or trustee is taken to have
operational control for the purpose of reporting under the NGER
Act, while liability under the carbon pricing mechanism is shared
by the relevant persons/trustees. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new sections
11B(17)-(19), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new sections
11C(16) and (17), NGER Act]
1.55
The CER may cancel a nomination if:
â¢
the nominated person does not have potential operational control of
the facility; or
â¢
the facility does not pass the eligible nomination test;
â¢
the nominated person has become an externally administered body
corporate or an insolvent under administration; or
1.56
The effect of a nomination being cancelled is that no nomination
would be in place for that facility, and sections 11B and 11C set
out the consequences of no nomination being made, in terms of
obligations to report and liability for emissions. A
nomination of another of the persons who could be taken to have
operational control of the facility could be made upon an earlier
nomination being cancelled by the CER. Decisions made by the
CER to cancel a nomination on the grounds that the nominee has an
unsatisfactory compliance record would be reviewable under section
56 of the NGER Act. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 58, new section 56(aaa)
and (aab), NGER Act]
1.57
New section 11D contains a list of matters that constitute an
unsatisfactory compliance record. Those matters may include
acts or omissions by executive officers of a body corporate, such
as where that officer breaches a provision of either the NGER Act
or the CE Act. It is intended that even if that officer
breached a civil penalty provision or committed an offence in
another capacity before becoming an executive officer of the
nominee, this would still constitute an unsatisfactory compliance
record for the nominee. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new section 11D(1),
NGER Act] Additional matters may be
set out in the regulations so as to provide flexibility in
responding to relevant compliance issues, across the range of
reporting obligations, as they are experienced in the early years
of the carbon pricing mechanism. These matters could, for
example, include breaching a provision of climate change
legislation other than the NGER Act or CE Act. Any future
proposed additions to the list of what constitutes an
unsatisfactory compliance record can be the subject of focused
consultation with affected persons and would be disallowable by the
Parliament. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new
section 11D(1)(f)(ii), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new
section 11D(1)(g)(ii), NGER Act]
1.58
Where a nomination has been made and the facility ceases to pass
the eligible nomination test, the nominators have 30 days to notify
the CER of the cessation, unless the cessation occurred because the
CER declared a person to have operational control of the facility,
or because the question of operational control is not relevant to
the NGER Act or the CE Act. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new sections
11B(20)-(22), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 57, section
30(2A), NGER Act]
1.59
A person who fails to notify such cessation is liable for a maximum
civil penalty of 400 penalty units (currently $44,000), and each
day that the CER is not notified can amount to a continuing
contravention. This is a civil penalty provision because
contravening it does not involve conduct of such serious moral
culpability that criminal prosecution and sanctions are
warranted. Further, as most persons are expected to be bodies
corporate, the financial disincentives to misconduct provided by
civil penalties are a more proportionate and effective enforcement
tool, reflecting the practice of other areas of business
regulation.
1.60
The level of this civil penalty reflects the seriousness of the
contravention and represents a clear and strong disincentive for
non-compliance. The integrity of the carbon pricing mechanism
could be compromised by a failure to notify in a timely
way.
1.61
Only one nomination may be in place at any given time. A new
nomination has no effect unless it is expressed to replace the
original nomination. When the new nomination starts, the
original nomination is revoked. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new sections
11B(13)-(14), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 46, new sections
11C(13)-(14), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 57, section 30(2A),
NGER Act]
Publication of energy
consumption
1.62
Section 24 currently requires the CER to publish certain
information on its website relating to scope 1 emissions, scope 2
emissions and energy consumption. In relation to energy
consumption for a registered corporation’s group, the CER is
required to publish a total energy consumption figure as well as an
adjusted energy consumption figure.
1.63
To avoid potential confusion by users of the published data, the
Bill amends the publication requirements to require the CER to only
publish an adjusted ‘net energy consumption’ figure for
a corporate group. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 49, section 24(1)(c),
NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 55, section 24(1C), NGER
Act] As a result, the total energy
consumption figure reported under parts 3 or 3F will not be
required to be published.
1.64
Similarly, the discretionary publication requirements relating to
group members or business units are amended to only include the
publication of ‘net energy consumption’ for each member
of the corporation’s group or each business unit.
[Schedule 1, Part 1, item 50, section 24(1A)(c),
NGER Act]
1.65
To promote consistency and comparability of published data, the
publication requirements relating to data reported by reporting
transfer certificate holders and liability transfer certificate
holders are also amended by the Bill. The new provisions
indicate that for these certificate holders, the CER is required to
publish the ‘net energy consumption’ figure derived
from the report submitted under the NGER Act. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 52, sections 24(1AD)(a)
and (b), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 53, section
24(1AD)(c), NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 54, sections
24(1AD), NGER Act]
1.66
‘Net energy consumption’ for the purposes of
publication is calculated based on an adjustment process to be set
out in the regulations. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 56, sections 24(7) and
(8), NGER Act]
Application and transitional
provisions
1.67
The provisions contained in Schedule 1 to the bill commence on the
later of:
â¢
the start of the day on which the bill receives the Royal Assent;
and
â¢
immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1, Part 2 to the
Clean Energy (Consequential
Amendments) Act 2011 on 1 July 2012. [Section 2]
1.68
The bill provides for transitional arrangements for determinations
made under section 7B of the NGER Act that set out methods for
determining the amount of potential greenhouse gas emissions
embodied in a fuel. An existing determination does not need
to be remade even though the head of power in the NGER Act under
which the determination was made is being amended.
[Schedule 1, Part 2, item
59]
Consequential amendments
Nomination of operational
control
1.69
The bill amends the definition of ‘provisional emissions
number’ in section 5 of the CE Act to indicate that its
meaning is not affected by the repeal of sections 11AA and 11AB of
the NGER Act. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 7, section 5, CE
Act]
1.70
The bill amends section 7 of the NGER Act to include definitions of
‘externally-administered body corporate’ and
‘insolvent under administration’. This gives the
terms the same meaning as those given in section 9 of the
Corporations Act
2001 . The terms are used in sections 11B and 11C
as grounds that allow the CER to cancel a nomination of operational
control. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 26,
section 7, NGER Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 27, section 7, NGER
Act]
1.71
The bill amends the definition of ‘operational control’
in section 7 of the NGER Act to indicate that its meaning is not
affected by sections 11AA and 11AB of the NGER Act, which have been
repealed. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 28,
section 7, NGER Act]
1.72
The bill amends section 7 of the NGER Act to include a definition
of ‘unit shortfall charge’. This gives the term
the same meaning as in section 5 of the CE Act. The term is
used in new section 11D of the NGER Act that sets out the meaning
of ‘unsatisfactory compliance record’.
[Schedule 1, Part 1, item 30, section 7, NGER
Act]
1.73
The bill amends section 7 of the NGER Act to include a definition
of ‘unsatisfactory compliance record’, which indicates
that the term has the meaning given by new section 11D of the NGER
Act. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 31,
section 7, NGER Act]
1.74
The bill amends section 11 of the NGER Act, which sets out the
basic rule of operational control, so that it has effect subject to
new sections 11B and 11C of the NGER Act, and not sections 11AA and
11AB, which have been repealed. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 45, section 11, NGER
Act]
Outline of chapter
2.1
Chapter 2 describes the following amendments contained in Schedules
1 and 2 to the bill:
â¢
amendments made to the CE Act to bring about mandatory carbon
pricing mechanism coverage of emissions from non-transport
LPG and LNG from 1 July 2013; and
â¢
amendments to the CE Act related to the coverage of
non-transport CNG under the carbon pricing mechanism from 1
July 2012; and
â¢
amendments to the Fuel Tax Act which ensure that fuel tax credit
(FTC) entitlements will not be reduced for business use of
non-transport gaseous fuels (CNG, LPG and LNG) when those fuels
move into the carbon pricing mechanism; and
â¢
amendments to the Fuel Tax Act that also ensure that when the
non-transport gaseous fuels move into the carbon pricing mechanism,
the agriculture, fishing and forestry industries will become
entitled to a FTC equivalent to the amount of the carbon charge
that is embedded in the price of the fuel.
2.2
Chapter 2 also describes amendments made by the Clean Energy
(Excise Tariff Legislation Amendment) Bill 2012 to the Excise Act
and the Excise Tariff Act and amendments made by the Clean Energy
(Customs Tariff Amendment) Bill 2012 to the Customs Tariff
Act. The amendments ensure that from 1 July 2012, CNG used
for non-transport purposes will not be subject to the effective
carbon price through the fuel tax system.
Context of amendments
2.3
LPG, LNG and CNG intended for use in an internal combustion engine
for road transport were covered by the fuel tax system from
1 December 2011, when excise and excise-equivalent customs
duty was applied to these fuels. Non-transport LPG, LNG and
CNG is not currently subject to excise.
2.4
The Clean Energy Legislative Package will apply an effective carbon
price to non-transport LPG, LNG and CNG by bringing them into the
excise system and applying an automatic partial remission of excise
of an amount that would leave excise equivalent to the carbon price
applying to LPG, LNG and CNG.
2.5
Application of an equivalent carbon price through the fuel tax
system requires excise licensing for LPG and LNG importers,
producers and distributors and CNG producers and has rigorous
requirements for storage and movement of excisable products.
The excise system also requires remission of excise regularly
during the year.
2.6
On 11 October 2011, the Government announced that it would consider
ways in which gaseous fuels could be covered by the carbon pricing
mechanism, consistent with the treatment of liquid fuels.
Inclusion of non-transport LPG and LNG in the carbon pricing
mechanism provides LPG and LNG distributors and marketers with more
flexibility to manage their carbon pricing obligations than the
fuel tax system.
2.7
Including non-transport CNG in the carbon pricing mechanism allows
the emissions obligation to be placed by default on the supplier of
the natural gas from which CNG is produced rather than producers of
CNG. As natural gas suppliers will already be managing much
more substantial obligations for residential and commercial
consumers, any additional burden for those suppliers will be
negligible. Non-transport CNG may be included in the carbon
pricing mechanism through changes to the excise tariff
system.
2.8
The carbon pricing mechanism allows entities to access emission
unit markets to discharge carbon pricing liabilities.
Inclusion in the mechanism also reduces cash carrying costs
associated with meeting obligations under the fuel tax system
during the mechanism’s fixed price period, with carbon price
obligations accounted for once or twice yearly rather than the more
frequent requirements of the excise system.
2.9
Inclusion of these fuels in the carbon pricing mechanism is also
consistent with the general principle that wide coverage of the
mechanism is desirable to maximise opportunities for least-cost
emissions abatement.
Summary of new law
Commencement of coverage and transitional
arrangements
2.10
Non-transport LPG and LNG will have a carbon price applied under
the carbon pricing mechanism from 1 July 2013 in place of the
current arrangements. The current arrangements will apply
from 1 July 2012 to 1 July 2013 and involve the
application of an effective carbon price to non-transport LPG and
LNG through the fuel tax system.
2.11
Mandatory coverage of non-transport LPG and LNG under the carbon
pricing mechanism will begin on 1 July 2013. This allows time
for transitional and compliance arrangements to be carefully
considered, developed and implemented. This aligns the
treatment of non-transport LPG and LNG with the coverage of liquid
fuels by the carbon pricing mechanism. It is also consistent
with the Government’s original commitment on 11 October
2011 to examine coverage of gaseous fuels.
2.12
Under the carbon pricing mechanism, the point at which excise or
customs duty becomes payable (entry into home consumption,
generally by the importer, manufacturer or marketer of
non-transport LPG or LNG) will be the initial point of liability
for emissions resulting from the use of these fuels.
2.13
Regulations made for the CE Act will be able to specify situations
in which a person can quote an ‘obligation transfer
number’ (OTN). This will allow a large end user of LPG,
LNG or CNG to manage their own liability for emissions from these
fuels in specified circumstances. It will also enable
businesses that use these fuels as feedstock to avoid paying a
carbon price in respect of fuel that does not result in
emissions. To bring about coverage of non-transport LPG and
LNG under the carbon pricing mechanism, these fuels will not have
excise and customs duties applied.
Coverage of non-transport
CNG
2.14
To correctly apply the carbon charge on non-transport CNG under the
Government’s Clean Energy Plan, the exemption from fuel
excise or excise equivalent customs duty for non-transport use of
CNG needs to be restored from 1 July 2012. Non-transport CNG
will instead be subject to the carbon price directly under the
carbon pricing mechanism.
2.15
Coverage of non-transport CNG from 1 July 2012 will occur
because:
â¢
CNG is produced from natural gas that is already subject to an
upstream price under the carbon pricing mechanism. This
allows coverage to be implemented relatively simply by removing the
requirement for producers of non-transport CNG to pay carbon price
equivalent excise duty; and
â¢
some small non-transport CNG producers are not currently required
to participate in the excise system, and would be required to
install metering equipment to enable their participation in the
excise system.
2.16
The requirement for CNG producers to pay excise or customs duty on
non-transport CNG will be removed through legislative changes to
excise arrangements for CNG producers and the adjustment of
administrative arrangements by the ATO. The default point of
liability for emissions from non-transport CNG will then rest with
the natural gas supplier that supplies the gas from which the CNG
is produced.
2.17
CNG producers will have the option of quoting an OTN to their
supplier which will enable them to assume mechanism liabilities for
the natural gas they use to create CNG. The natural gas
supplier would not be able to refuse this transfer of
liability.
Off-road use in agriculture, forestry and
fisheries activities
2.18
An equivalent carbon price is not applied to off-road fuel use by
the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. This policy
will be continued by allowing non-transport LPG, LNG and CNG users
in these industries to claim fuel tax credits which are equivalent
to the amount of carbon price even when the fuel is subject to the
carbon pricing mechanism and no fuel tax has been paid.
Ongoing coverage of gaseous fuels under the fuel
tax system
2.19
Non-transport CNG will be covered by the carbon pricing mechanism
from 1 July 2012. From 1 July 2013 non-transport LPG and LNG
will move from the effective carbon price under the fuel tax system
to being covered by the carbon pricing mechanism.
2.20
Bringing about coverage of non-transport CNG, LPG and LNG under the
carbon pricing mechanism requires excluding non-transport CNG, LPG
and LNG from excise and customs duties and as a consequence
excluding users of non-transport CNG, LPG and LNG from being able
to claim FTCs for their use of the fuels.
2.21
A new FTC will be available for the agriculture, fishing and
forestry industries. The FTC will be equivalent to the amount
of the carbon price that is embedded in the cost of gaseous fuels
acquired for non-transport use. This is consistent with the
general policy that these industries should not be subject to a
carbon price on the fuels acquired for non-transport use.
Comparison of key
features of new law and current law
New
law
Current law
Carbon price on non-transport
LPG and LNG
A
carbon price will be applied to non-transport LPG and LNG
through the carbon pricing mechanism from 1 July 2013.
From 1 July 2012 to 1 July 2013 a carbon price will be applied
through the fuel tax arrangements as set out in the Clean Energy
Legislative Package.
A
carbon price will be applied to non-transport LPG and LNG
through the fuel tax arrangements from
1 July 2012.
The
liable entity for non-transport LPG and LNG under the carbon
pricing mechanism will generally be the person that is liable to
pay customs or excise duty in respect of the LPG or
LNG.
The
liable entity for non-transport LPG and LNG will generally be the
person that is liable to pay customs or excise duty in respect of the LPG or LNG.
Where
it is not possible to identify whether LPG or LNG will be used for
transport or non-transport purposes when it is entered for home
consumption from excise licensed premises, the carbon price will be
applied through reduced fuel tax credits.
Where
it is not possible to identify whether LPG or LNG will be used for
transport or non-transport purposes when it is entered for home
consumption, the carbon price will be applied through reduced fuel
tax credits.
Large
users of LPG or LNG will be able to quote an OTN to assume direct
liability under the carbon pricing mechanism where allowed by
regulations.
Excise liability is not generally transferrable
to end users of LPG and LNG unless they apply for an excise
license.
From
1 July 2013, carbon price liabilities will be acquitted twice for
each financial year during the fixed price period (by 15 June for
liabilities in respect of the first 3 quarters, and the remainder
by the following 1 February), and once during the flexible
price period (the following 1 February).
Carbon price liabilities will be acquitted on a
weekly or monthly basis.
Carbon price on non-transport
CNG
A
carbon price will be applied to non-transport CNG through the
carbon pricing mechanism from 1 July 2012.
A
carbon price will be applied to non-transport CNG through the
fuel tax arrangements from 1 July 2012.
The
default liable entity for non-transport CNG will be the
supplier of natural gas from which CNG is
produced.
The
liable entity for non-transport LPG and LNG will generally be the
producer of CNG that is liable to pay customs or excise
duty.
Producers of CNG will be able to quote an OTN to
assume direct liability under the carbon pricing
mechanism.
The
liable entity for non-transport LPG and LNG will generally be the
producer of CNG that is liable to pay customs or excise duty.
Producers of CNG will be able to quote an OTN to ensure that their
natural gas supplier is not also liable under the carbon pricing
mechanism.
From
1 July 2012, carbon price liabilities will be acquitted twice for
each financial year during the fixed price period (by 15 June for
liabilities in respect of the first 3 quarters, and the remainder
by the following 1 February), and once during the flexible
price period (the following 1 February).
Carbon price liabilities will be acquitted on a
weekly or monthly basis.
Fuel tax
credits
CNG
(from 1 July 2012) and LPG and LNG (both from 1 July 2013) will be
subject to the carbon pricing mechanism rather than the effective
carbon price under the fuel tax system. When this occurs
there will be no reductions in FTCs by a carbon reduction amount
claimed by businesses when using those fuels.
As
part of the application of an effective carbon price the amount of
FTCs otherwise claimable by business are reduced by an amount equal
to the carbon price that would otherwise apply to the emissions
from that fuel. This applies to both liquid and gaseous
fuels.
If
the CNG, LPG or LNG is subject to the carbon pricing mechanism and
is used in the agriculture, fishing or forestry industry, a fuel
tax credit entitlement for the effects of the carbon pricing
mechanism will be available to users in these
industries.
The
agriculture, fishing and forestry industries are exempted from
reduction in their FTCs by the carbon reduction
amount.
Detailed explanation of new
law
Liability under the carbon pricing
mechanism
2.22
The bill amends the CE Act to provide that, under the carbon
pricing mechanism, a carbon price liability for emissions embodied
in non-transport LPG and LNG applies to:
â¢
an importer or reseller of LPG or LNG that enters imported LPG or
LNG for home consumption;
â¢
a manufacturer or reseller of LPG that enters domestically
manufactured LPG or LNG for home consumption;
â¢
a person that quotes an OTN for a supply of LPG or LNG.
[Schedule 2, item 13, sections 36B-36D, CE
Act]
2.23
For LPG and LNG, liability under the carbon pricing mechanism
applies to potential emissions embodied in the LPG or LNG supplied
and not the actual emissions produced at the time the LPG or LNG is
combusted. This is because liability generally arises before
the LPG or LNG is combusted and emissions are released into the
atmosphere. In practice, there is little difference between
the actual emissions arising from the combustion of LPG and LNG
among different non-transport customers. [Schedule 2, item 13, sections 36B-36D, CE
Act]
Definitions
2.24
The bill amends section 5 of the CE Act to replace the term
‘liquid petroleum gas’ with the term ‘liquefied
petroleum gas’, which is the more commonly used term in the
industry. It is also the term used in the Excise Tariff Act 1921 , which sets
out whether a fuel type is excisable or whether it is covered by
the carbon pricing mechanism. Any references in the NGER
Regulations to ‘liquid petroleum gas’ are to be taken
as references to ‘liquefied petroleum gas’.
[Schedule 1, Part 1, item 5, section 5, CE Act]
[Schedule 1, Part 1, item 6, section 5, CE
Act]
⢠‘non-transport
combustion’, being combustion that does not occur in an
internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle or a
vessel. [Schedule 2, item 4, section 5, CE
Act]
2.27
The new definition of ‘gaseous fuel supplier’ is
created as a collective term for the purposes of applying the OTN
provisions of the CE Act, as OTNs will now apply for LPG and LNG,
as well as to natural gas.
2.28
The CE Act defines ‘taxable fuel’ as having the same
meaning as in the Fuel Tax Act. The bill amends the
definition of ‘taxable fuel’ in section 5 of the CE Act
to provide that it does not cover circumstances covered by
paragraph (b) of the definition of ‘taxable fuel’ in
section 110-5 of the Fuel Tax Act (as amended by item 85 of
Schedule 2 to the bill). The effect of this amendment is to
ensure that ‘taxable fuel’ fuel includes CNG, LNG and
LPG subject to the carbon pricing mechanism because this fuel is
excluded from the new definition of ‘taxable fuel’ in
the Fuel Tax Act. [Schedule 2, item 5, section 5, CE
Act]
Liability for LPG or LNG
2.29
The bill includes a new Division 3A after Part 3, Division 3 of the
CE Act which concerns the coverage under the carbon pricing
mechanism of LPG and LNG for non-transport use.
LPG or LNG for non-transport use which is
imported
2.30
New section 36B sets out liability for imported LPG or LNG which is
intended for non-transport use. A person is liable for
potential emissions embodied in LPG or LNG where:
â¢
the LPG or LNG is imported into Australia; and
â¢
the LPG or LNG is entered for home consumption in a financial year
that begins on or after 1 July 2013; and
â¢
customs duty is or was payable by the person on the LPG or LNG, but
duty is automatically remitted because the LPG or LNG is not for
use in an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle or vessel
(that is, the LPG or LNG is for non-transport use); and
â¢
the LPG or LNG is not exempt under the regulations.
[Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36B, CE
Act]
2.31
It is intended that the regulations could, for instance, provide an
exemption for fuel (typically LPG) which is packaged in small
containers for specific applications which use small volumes of
fuel (such as soldering). It would not be cost effective to
require importers of these products to participate in the
mechanism.
LPG or LNG for non-transport use which is
manufactured or produced in Australia
2.32
New section 36C of the CE Act sets out liability for LNG or LPG
which is manufactured or produced in Australia and is intended for
non-transport use. A person is liable for potential emissions
embodied in LPG or LNG where:
â¢
the LPG or LNG is manufactured or produced in Australia; and
â¢
the LPG or LNG is entered for home consumption in a financial year
that begins on or after 1 July 2013; and
â¢
excise duty is or was payable by the person on the LPG or LNG, but
duty is automatically remitted because the LPG or LNG is not for
use in an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle or vessel
(that is, the LPG or LNG is for non-transport use); and
â¢
the LPG or LNG is not exempt under the regulations.
[Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36C, CE
Act]
2.33
It is intended that the regulations could, for instance, provide an
exemption for fuel (typically LPG) which is packaged in small
containers for specific applications which use small volumes of
fuel (such as soldering). It would not be cost effective to
require manufacturers of these products to participate in the
mechanism.
LPG or LNG for non-transport use where an OTN is
quoted
2.34
New section 36D of the CE Act sets out liability where a person
quotes an OTN in relation to a supply of non-transport LPG or
LNG. An OTN holder may quote an OTN in relation to a supply
of LPG or LNG from a person that has a preliminary emissions number
for that supply under s36B or 36C of the CE Act. The OTN
holder will assume liability for potential emissions embodied in
the supply of LPG or LNG. [Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36D, CE
Act] [Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36B, CE Act],
[Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36C, CE
Act]
2.35
New sections 58AA and 58AB of the CE Act provide that regulations
may set out the circumstances in which the quotation of an OTN is
required or permitted for supplies of gaseous fuels. An OTN
holder must give a written notice to the supplier in circumstances
where the acceptance of an OTN quotation is mandatory. The
Government proposes that provision will be made for large users of
LPG or LNG to assume liability for direct emissions from LPG and
LNG. Feedstock users of LPG or LNG would also be permitted to
quote an OTN to ensure that they do not pay a carbon price on fuel
that is consumed without producing emissions. Other
circumstances may also be prescribed. [Schedule 2, item 35, new section 58AA, CE Act]
[Schedule 2, item 35, new section 58AB, CE
Act]
2.36
The acceptance of an OTN quotation will be mandatory where a
quotation is required under the regulations or where quotation is
permitted and the conditions specified in the regulations are
satisfied. [Schedule 2, Item 36, section 59,
CE Act] [Schedule 2, item 52, section 60, CE
Act]
Provisional and preliminary emissions
numbers
2.39
New subsections 36B(1), 36B(2), 36C(1), 36C(2), 36D(1) and
36D(2) of the CE Act give rise to preliminary ENs and
provisional emissions numbers (PENs) for the purposes of liability
for covered emissions embodied in supplies of LPG and LNG under the
CE Act. PENs are used to work out an entity’s total
liability under the carbon pricing mechanism, and therefore the
number of eligible emissions units the entity must surrender to
avoid paying a unit shortfall charge.
2.40
Each amount of non-transport LPG or LNG for which a person is
liable gives rise to a preliminary emissions number (preliminary
EN) for the person. A preliminary EN is equal to the amount
of greenhouse gas emissions in tonnes of CO 2 -e embodied
in the amount of LPG or LNG imported or manufactured. [2] [Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36B(1), CE Act]
[Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36C(1), CE Act] [Schedule 2, item
13, new section 36D(1), CE Act]
2.41
Under sections 33, 35 and 36 of the CE Act a person’s PEN is
the sum of the person’s preliminary ENs for the financial
year. If the person has one or more PENs for imported or
manufactured non-transport LPG or LNG in a financial year, the
person is a ‘liable entity’ for that financial year
(see definition of ‘liable entity’ in section 5 of the
CE Act). Entities liable for covered emissions embodied in
LPG and LNG must surrender eligible emissions units, or pay a unit
shortfall charge, for each tonne of emissions for which they are
liable during an eligible financial year. This includes the
requirement to make a provisional surrender by 15 June in a
fixed price year in respect of the first three quarters of the year
or pay a unit shortfall charge. [Schedule 2, item 71, new section 126(7A),
CE Act]
2.42
Entities liable for covered emissions embodied in LPG and LNG have
obligations to report the calculation of their liability to the CER
under sections 15A, 15AA, 22A and 22AA of the NGER Act (see
Chapter 1).
No double-counting - LPG and
LNG
2.43
Emissions from combustion of LPG or LNG that have been subject to
an obligation under new sections 36B or 36C of the CE Act will not
generally form part of the direct emissions liability for a
facility under Part 3, Division 2 of the CE Act, although they will
count towards calculating whether the facility meets thresholds for
liability. New subsections 20(12) and (13) ensure that
emissions from combustion of LPG and LNG are not counted twice,
once for the liable entity for import or manufacture of LPG or LNG
under new sections 36B and 36C of the CE Act, and again when
combusted at a covered facility. These amounts may be
pro-rated if there is a change in control during the year.
[Schedule 2, item 7, new subsections 20(12)-(13),
CE Act] [Schedule 2, item 8, new subsections 21(8C)-(8D), CE Act]
[Schedule 2, item 9, new subsections 22(10)-(11), CE Act] [Schedule
2, item 10, new subsections 23(9C)-(9D), CE Act] [Schedule 2, item
11, new subsections 224(8C)-(8D), CE Act] [Schedule 2, item 12, new
subsections 25(7C)-(7D), CE Act]
2.44
If a person quotes an OTN in relation to the supply of the LPG or
LNG to a facility, the emissions will form part of the obligations
of the facility, and will be netted-out from the obligations of the
supplier of the LPG or LNG. This will allow direct emitters
to assume liability for emissions from LPG or LNG where they meet
any criteria for the quotation of an OTN for LPG or LNG.
[Schedule 2, item 7, new subsections 20(12)-(13),
CE Act] [Schedule 2, item 8, new subsections 21(8C)-(8D), CE Act]
[Schedule 2, item 9, new subsections 22(10)-(11), CE Act] [Schedule
2, item 10, new subsections 23(9C)-(9D), CE Act] [Schedule 2, item
11, new subsections 224(8C)-(8D), CE Act] [Schedule 2, item 12, new
subsections 25(7C)-(7D), CE Act]
Netted-out numbers - LPG and
LNG
2.45
Where a person receives a supply of LPG or LNG from a supplier that
is a liable entity under new section 36B or new section 36C of the
CE Act and quotes an OTN to take on liability for that supply, then
the quotation will give rise to a netted-out number for the
supplier. The netted-out number can be subtracted from the
supplier’s PEN, reducing the supplier’s liability and
ensuring that the emissions from the supply of LPG and LNG are not
double counted. [Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36B(4), CE Act]
[Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36C(4), CE
Act]
2.46
The regulations may also specify that a liable entity in relation
to import, manufacture or production of LPG and LNG can ‘net
out’ certain amounts of LPG and LNG from their PEN.
This allows for ‘fine tuning’ of a supplier’s
liability, which addresses specific circumstances where the general
rules result in liability being applied in situations when it
should not, such as additional cases of double-counting.
[Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36B(5), CE Act]
[Schedule 2, item 13, new section 36C(5), CE Act] [Schedule 2, item
13, new section 36D(5), CE Act]
Coverage of CNG
2.47
From 1 July 2012 non-transport CNG will be exempt from excise duty
or excise equivalent customs duty. Non-transport CNG will be
subject to the direct carbon charge under the carbon pricing
mechanism and as such will not also be subject to the effective
carbon price as imposed via the fuel tax system.
2.48
The fuel tax system refers to the system which imposes excise duty
on domestically manufactured fuels and excise equivalent customs
duty on imported fuels.
2.49
Previous amendments to the Excise Act and Excise Tariff Act were
made by the Clean Energy (Excise
Tariff Legislation Amendment) Act 2011 , so as to impose
an effective carbon price on non-transport business use of CNG from
1 July 2012. Mirror amendments were also made to the Customs
Tariff Act by the Clean Energy
(Customs Tariff Amendment) Act 2011 to deal with
imported CNG.
2.50
The Clean Energy (Excise Tariff Legislation Amendment) Bill 2012
and the Clean Energy (Customs Tariff Amendment) Bill 2012 will
effectively repeal these previous amendments, which were due to
take effect from 1 July 2012, and restore the provisions in the
Excise Act, Excise Tariff Act and Customs Tariff Act to retain the
legislation on CNG as it is currently written. [Section 1] [Section
3]
Amendments to the Excise Act 1901 and the Excise
Tariff Act 1921
2.51
The non-transport CNG tariff rate will be removed from the
Schedule to the Excise Tariff Act and the consequential amendments
made to that Act by Clean Energy
(Excise Tariff Legislation Amendment) Act 2011 . As
a result, sub-item 10.19D (carbon-rated compressed natural gas) and
the associated a rate of duty will no longer appear in the
Schedule. [Schedule 1, items 2 to 9 and 13,
subsections 3(1), 5(1), section 6H, and the Schedule, Excise Tariff
Act]
2.52
As part of the transitional arrangements for the taxation of
transport use of CNG, amendments are scheduled to commence over the
next three financial years, increasing the rate as contained in
sub-item 10.19C. These amendments assumed the
presence of sub-item 10.19D and referenced carbon-rated
compressed natural gas. The Clean Energy (Excise Tariff
Legislation Amendment) Bill 2012 removes these amendments.
[Schedule 1, items 10 to 12, the Schedule, Excise
Tariff Act]
2.53
The Clean Energy (Excise Tariff Legislation Amendment) Bill 2012
restores section 77HA of the Excise Act, which deals with the
concept of CNG that is exempt from excise, is restored to what was
set out originally prior to the amendments made by the
Clean Energy (Excise Tariff
Legislation Amendment) Act 2011 . [Schedule 1, item 1, section 77HA, Excise
Act]
Amendments to the Customs Tariff Act
1995
2.54
The Clean Energy (Customs Tariff Amendment) Bill 2012 removes the
reference to carbon-rated compressed natural gas and associated
rate from Schedule 3 of the Customs Tariff Act and amends other
schedules that have references to that item to exclude the
reference . [Schedule 1, Part 1,
items 1 to 9, Schedules 3,5,6,7 and 8, Customs Tariff
Act]
2.55
Subsection 19A(3) of the Customs Tariff Act was intended to provide
the means by which changes in the duty rates calculated take into
account increases in the effective carbon price over the fixed
price period and the move to the floating price were inserted into
the relevant schedules. This is no longer required.
[Schedule 1, Part 2, items 11 and 12, subsections
19A(3) to (5), Customs Tariff Act]
No double-counting -
CNG
2.56
Emissions from the combustion of non-transport CNG at a facility
will be counted towards the calculation of the facility’s
threshold for participation in the carbon pricing mechanism, but
will not give rise to an emissions liability, unless the CNG is
produced at the facility and a person quotes an OTN in relation to
the natural gas used to produce the CNG. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 8, new section
20(10)-(11), CE Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 9, new section
21(8A)-(8B), CE Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 10, new sections
22(8)-(9), CE Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 11, new section
23(9A)-(9B), CE Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 12, new section
24(8A)-(8B), CE Act] [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 13, new section
25(7A)-(7B), CE Act]
2.57
Non-transport CNG will be removed from coverage under the customs
and excise systems by legislative changes to excise arrangements
for CNG producers and the adjustment of administrative arrangements
by the ATO. As non-transport CNG will no longer be subject to
any duty under the Customs Tariff Act or the Excise Tariff Act, it
will no longer be excluded from coverage in the carbon pricing
mechanism under section 30(2) of the CE Act.
2.58
In general this will result in liability defaulting to the supplier
of the natural gas that is used to produce non-transport CNG, with
that supplier likely to pass through the cost of compliance with
the carbon pricing mechanism in the price of natural gas supplied
to the CNG producer. However, the CNG producer would also be
able to quote an OTN under section 58 of the CE Act to directly
assume liability for the gas used if it wished to.
2.59
In situations where an OTN is not quoted for natural gas used to
produce CNG, the emissions from combustion of CNG do not give rise
to a direct emissions liability. Otherwise the CNG user would
face the carbon price twice, once from the price pass-through from
the natural gas supplier, and a second time through the direct
emissions obligations for the combustion of the CNG. However,
in cases where an OTN is quoted for natural gas used to produce
CNG, and the emissions from that CNG count towards a direct
emissions liability, the person who quotes the OTN will be able to
net-out the number from its emissions obligations to eliminate
double counting. [Schedule 1, Part 1, item 15, new section 35(6A),
CE Act]
2.60
New section 41-35 of the Fuel Tax Act will provide a general
exclusion for users of CNG, LPG and LNG fuels that are subject to
the carbon pricing mechanism from entitlement to claim FTCs.
[Schedule 2, item 78, section 41-35, Fuel Tax
Act]
2.61
Whether a particular gaseous fuel is subject to the carbon pricing
mechanism is set out by reference to the CE Act. Broadly, if
the fuel is subject to a PEN under the CE Act then no FTCs can be
claimed.
2.62
CNG will be taken to be subject to the carbon pricing mechanism if
a person has a PEN for a financial year and the PEN is attributable
to the supply of natural gas used to manufacture or produce the
CNG. [Schedule 2, item 79, subsection
42A 5(3), Fuel Tax Act]
2.63
Similarly, LPG and LNG will be taken to be subject to the carbon
pricing mechanism if a person has a PEN for a financial year and
the PEN is attributable to the import, manufacture or production of
the LPG or LNG. [Schedule 2, item 79, subsection 42A-5(4), Fuel
Tax Act]
2.64
Broadly, under the CE Act, a PEN represents the emissions which
give rise to a liability under the carbon pricing
mechanism.
2.66
Where a person acquires one of the gaseous fuels and that fuel has
been subject to the carbon pricing mechanism within the meaning of
new subsections 42A-5(3) or (4) of the Fuel Tax Act then the person
will be entitled to a FTC. The existing rule that a person
must acquire the fuel for use in carrying on an enterprise and be
registered for the GST to obtain a FTC operates in this
situation.
Amount of FTC
2.67
In broad terms the amount of the FTC is the amount by which a FTC
will otherwise be reduced by the ‘carbon
reduction’. The carbon reduction for all fuels is the
equivalent of the carbon charge on the fuel had the fuel been
subject to the carbon charge. [Schedule 2, item 81, subsection 43-5(1 ), Fuel
Tax Act] [Schedule 2, item 82, subsections 43-5(4) and (5), Fuel
Tax Act] [Schedule 2, item 85, section 110-5, paragraph (a) of new
definition of ‘taxable fuel’, Fuel Tax
Act]
2.68
The amount of the carbon reduction will be based in 2012-13,
2013-14 and 2014-15 on a carbon charge of $23.00 per tonne, $24.15
per tonne and $25.40 per tonne respectively. From 1 July
2015, the FTC carbon reduction will be based on the preceding
six-month average carbon unit auction price. The average
auction price used on 1 July 2015 will be for the preceding
six-month forward permit auctions. For subsequent periods the
average price used will be for the actual six-month period.
2.69
The new FTCs will be adjusted in the same way.
Example
2.1 Adjusting FTCs
Huey undertakes
qualifying agricultural activities and qualifies for FTCs. He
acquires 210 litres of LPG to use for heating a remotely sited
shearing shed during the 2013-14 financial year. Huey would
be entitled to a FTC credit for the amount of LPG (210 litres)
times the carbon reduction for LPG for 2013-14 (3.864 cents per
litre).
Application and transitional
provisions
Clean Energy Legislation Amendment Bill
2012
2.71
The provisions in Schedule 2 of the bill will commence on the
latest of:
â¢
the start of the day after the bill receives the Royal Assent;
and
â¢
immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the
Clean Energy (Fuel Tax
Legislation Amendment) Act 2011 ; and
â¢
immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the bill.
[Section 2]
2.72
CNG that has been supplied will have a PEN in respect of that
supply from the beginning of the 2012-13 financial year and so
there will be no FTC reductions for CNG acquired from the beginning
of that year. The new FTC for the agriculture, fishing and
forestry industries’ use of CNG will also commence from the
beginning of the 2012-13 financial year.
2.73
LPG and LNG will only have PENs when the fuel is entered into home
consumption from the 2013-14 financial year. Consequently
there will be FTC reductions for those gaseous fuels for the
2012-13 financial year but not beyond. The new FTC for the
agriculture, fishing and forestry industries’ use of LPG and
LNG will also not commence until the beginning of the 2013-14
financial year.
2.74
The amendments to the Excise
Tariff Act 1921 and the Excise Act 1901 commence on
1 July 2012, immediately after the commencement made by the
amendments contained in the Clean Energy (Excise Tariff Legislation
Amendment) Act 2011. [Section 2]
2.75
The amendments to sub-item 10.19C are taken to commence immediately
after the relevant amendments made by the Excise Tariff (Taxation of Alternative Fuels)
Act 2011 commence. [Section 2]
2.76
The amendments to the Customs Tariff Act commence on
1 July 2012, immediately after the commencement made by
the amendments contained in the Clean Energy (Customs Tariff Legislation
Amendment) Act 2011 . That is, they will apply to goods
that were imported on or after 1 July 2012. They also
apply to goods imported before 1 July 2012 but not entered into
home consumption until on or after 1 July 2012.
[Section 2]
Outline of chapter
3.1
Schedule 3 to the bill amends provisions of the CFI Act relating to
projects approved on the condition that they obtain the necessary
regulatory approvals, and removes a requirement that the Domestic
Offsets Integrity Committee (DOIC) publish matters incorporated by
reference in methodology determinations. It also amends the
CFI Act to extend the timing for methodology determinations to be
backdated.
Context of amendments
3.2
The CFI, which was set up by the CFI Act, is a carbon offsets
scheme that is part of Australia's carbon market. The CFI
allows farmers and land managers to earn carbon credits by storing
carbon or reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the land.
These credits can then be sold to people and businesses wishing to
offset their emissions.
3.3
The CFI also helps the environment by encouraging sustainable
farming and providing a source of funding for landscape restoration
projects.
Regulatory approvals
3.4
All CFI projects are required to obtain all necessary regulatory
approvals. This was an important element of addressing
potential negative impacts of projects on the local environment and
communities.
3.5
The CFI Act allows the CER to conditionally approve projects that
have not yet obtained all regulatory approvals. This is
because obtaining such approvals can be costly and time-consuming,
and proponents need certainty that their project would be eligible
under the CFI before making such an investment.
3.6
At present, project proponents are required to obtain the relevant
regulatory approvals by the end of the first crediting period for
the project. A crediting period is normally seven years, or
15 years for reforestation projects.
3.7
Proponents can report on their project and receive credits 12
months after the project commences. Proponents could
therefore receive Australian carbon credit units prior to obtaining
regulatory approval for their project.
3.8
The proposed amendment addresses this risk by requiring that
approvals are obtained prior to the end of the first reporting
period, rather than the first crediting period. This means
that the approval must be obtained before credits are issued.
Publication of matters by the
DOIC
3.9
The CFI Act currently requires the DOIC to publish on its website
the text of any matters incorporated by reference in methodology
determinations, such as an international measurement standard.
3.10
Complying with this provision could involve lengthy negotiations
and some expense to secure the right to publish material on the
DOIC website. This could considerably delay the finalisation
of methodology determinations.
3.11
The amendment will remove the requirement for the DOIC to publish
the matters. Instead, the explanatory material for
methodology determinations would contain a description of the
incorporated material and indicate how it may be obtained.
Material that is incorporated into legislative instruments is
normally dealt with in this way.
Backdating of
methodologies
3.12
All CFI projects must be conducted in accordance with a methodology
determination, which is a legislative instrument made by the
Minister. Prior to the Minister making a methodology
determination, the DOIC must provide a recommendation as to whether
or not the determination meets the offsets integrity standards
established within the CFI Act.
3.13
The CFI Act currently allows for methodology determinations to be
expressed to have come into force on 1 July 2010, if they are made
by 30 June 2012. Projects using these methodologies can be
backdated to 1 July 2010, and can be issued credits for all
abatement that has occurred since 1 July 2010, provided they were
undertaken in accordance with the methodology and met other CFI
requirements in that period.
3.14
It has taken longer than initially anticipated for methodologies to
be assessed and made into methodology determinations. This is
because, initially, each methodology raises new policy and
technical issues.
3.15
This amendment will enable methodologies for existing abatement
projects to be eligible for backdating as originally intended.
Summary of new law
Regulatory approvals
3.16
The amendment will require participants to obtain all regulatory
approvals by the end of the project’s first reporting
period.
Publication of matters by the
DOIC
3.17
The amendment removes a requirement for the DOIC to publish matters
incorporated by reference in methodology determinations.
Backdating of
methodologies
3.18
The amendment allows more time for submission and assessment of
methodology applications that can be backdated.
Comparison of key
features of new law and current law
New
law
Current law
The CER
may declare an eligible offsets project, subject to the condition
that all regulatory approvals must be obtained during the first
reporting period.
The CER
may declare an eligible offsets project, subject to the condition
that all regulatory approvals must be obtained during the first
crediting period.
There will
be no requirement for the DOIC to publish matters applied, adopted
or incorporated by reference in methodology
determinations.
The DOIC
must publish on its website the text of any matters applied,
adopted or incorporated by reference in methodology determinations,
unless publication would infringe copyright.
A project can be
declared to have commenced from a date no earlier than 1 July 2010,
provided:
â¢
the application for the methodology was submitted to the DOIC on or
before 30 June 2012; and
â¢
the relevant methodology determination is made on or before 30 June
2013, and
â¢
the determination is expressed to have come into force on 1 July
2010; and
â¢
the project was undertaken in accordance with the methodology and
other CFI requirements in the backdated period.
A project can be
declared to have commenced from a date no earlier than 1 July 2010,
provided:
â¢
the relevant methodology determination is made on or before 30 June
2012, and
â¢
the determination is expressed to have come into force on 1 July
2010; and
â¢
the project was undertaken in accordance with the methodology and
other CFI requirements in the backdated period.
Detailed explanation of new
law
Regulatory approvals
3.19
The bill amends paragraphs 15(2)(e), 34(2)(a) and 168(1)(h) and
subsections 28(2) and 31(1) of the CFI Act to replace
“crediting period” with “reporting period”
in instances where it refers to requirements to obtain regulatory
approvals. These references relate to the issuance of a
certificate of entitlement, the making of a project declaration
conditional on obtaining a regulatory approval, varying a project
declaration to remove such a condition, unilateral revocation of a
project declaration if the proponent fails to obtain the approval,
and the listing of any such condition on the Register of Offsets
Projects. [Schedule 3, Item 1, section
15(2)(e), CFI Act] [Schedule 3, Item 2, section 28(2), CFI Act]
[Schedule 3, Item 3, section 31(1), CFI Act] [Schedule 3, Item 4,
section 34(2)(a), CFI Act] [Schedule 3, Item 6, section 168(1)(h),
CFI Act]
Publication of matters by the
DOIC
3.20
The bill repeals subsections 106(10) and (11) of the CFI Act.
This removes the requirement for the DOIC to publish on its website
any matters applied, adopted or incorporated by reference in a
methodology determination. The explanatory statements for
methodology determinations will include descriptions of any matters
applied, adopted or incorporated by reference, and include
information on how to obtain the instrument or writing within which
the matter is contained. [Schedule 3, Item 5, section 106, CFI
Act]
Backdating of
methodologies
3.21
The bill amends subsection 122(3) of the CFI Act to provide that
methodology determinations made on or before 30 June 2013 may be
expressed to have come into force at the start of 1 July 2010,
provided that the application for endorsement of the methodology
was submitted to the DOIC on or before 30 June 2012. This
amendment allows the backdating of methodology determinations that
were anticipated to be made on or prior to the originally specified
date of 30 June 2012. [Schedule 3, Item 7, section 122, CFI
Act]
Application and transitional
provisions
3.22
The provisions in Schedule 3 to the bill commence on the day after
which it receives the Royal Assent. [Section 2]
3.23
Transitional arrangements will apply for any projects declared
eligible, subject to obtaining a regulatory approval, prior to the
commencement of these provisions. Any project which,
immediately before the commencement of these provisions, is subject
to a requirement to obtain a regulatory approval before the end of
the first crediting period will be taken to be subject to a
requirement that the approval is obtained before the end of the
first reporting period instead. [Schedule 3, Item 8, CFI
Act]
Outline of chapter
4.1
Chapter 4 explains amendments to the ANREU Act concerning the
circumstances in which restrictions relating to the operation of a
Registry account apply and the period within which the CER may
defer giving effect to a transfer instruction.
Context of amendments
Amendments relating to the imposition of
restrictions on the operation of Registry
accounts
4.2
The ANREU Act provides the legislative basis for the Registry.
The Registry tracks the location and ownership of carbon
units issued under the CE Act, Australian carbon credit units
(ACCUs) issued under the CFI Act, and certain international
emissions units, including certain units issued in accordance with
the Kyoto rules (Kyoto units). Carbon units and ACCUs can
only be issued to or held by a person if the person has a Registry
account.
4.3
Detailed provisions relating to the opening of Registry accounts
are set out in the ANREU Regulations. Those regulations
provide that the CER can only open an account for a person if
satisfied that the person meets the fit and proper person
criteria. In assessing whether a person meets the fit and
proper person criteria, the CER has regard to a number of matters,
including whether the person has been convicted of offences
relating to dishonesty, whether the person has complied with the
ANREU and NGER Acts, and whether the person is an
externally-administered body corporate or an insolvent under
administration.
4.4
Proposed amendments to the ANREU Regulations will relax the fit and
proper person requirement in relation to liable entities and
persons who are eligible to receive free carbon units under the CE
Act. This is to ensure that liable entities are not precluded
from meeting their surrender obligations under the CE Act by reason
of their solvency status, for example. It is also to ensure
that persons who would otherwise be eligible to receive free carbon
units under the Jobs and Competitiveness Program or in accordance
with Part 8 of the CE Act are not precluded from being issued those
units because of their solvency status.
4.5
The amendment to section 27 of the ANREU Act is intended to allow
restrictions to be imposed on the operation of accounts opened in
circumstances where the CER is not satisfied that the account
holder meets the fit and proper person criteria. This is to
safeguard the integrity of the Registry and protect it from abuse,
whilst also ensuring that liable entities can meet their surrender
obligations and persons who would otherwise be eligible to receive
free carbon units can be issued those units.
Amendments relating to the deferral of transfer
instructions
4.6
Section 28A of the ANREU Act confers power on the CER to defer
giving effect to an instruction to transfer a unit to or from a
Registry account for a period not exceeding 48 hours in certain
circumstances. This section is amended to increase the time
in which instructions can be deferred to five whole business days
to enhance the capacity of the CER to deal with suspicious
conduct.
Summary of new law
Amendments relating to the imposition of
restrictions on the operation of Registry
accounts
4.7
The bill amends the ANREU Act to enable regulations to identify
Registry accounts that are subject to restrictions or limitations
in relation to the operation of the account, including restrictions
or limitations on the transfer of carbon units, ACCUs, Kyoto units
or prescribed international units to or from the identified account
or the issue of carbon units to the account.
Amendments relating to the deferral of transfer
instructions
4.8
The bill amends the ANREU Act to increase the period within which
the CER can defer giving effect to an instruction from no more than
48 hours to no later than the end of the fifth business day after
the day on which the instruction was received.
Comparison of key
features of new law and current law
New
law
Current law
Regulations may restrict or limit the operation
of identified Registry accounts.
There
is no power to prescribe restrictions or limitations on the
operation of identified accounts, other than by imposing
transaction limits on accounts that are opened using less stringent
identification procedures.
Instructions to
transfer units can be deferred until the end of the fifth business
day after the day on which the instruction was received.
Instructions can be deferred for no more than 48
hours.
Detailed explanation of new
law
Amendments relating to the imposition of
restrictions on operation of Registry
accounts
4.9
The bill amends section 27 of the ANREU Act to provide that
regulations made for the purposes of subsection 27(1) of the ANREU
Act may restrict or limit the operation of certain Registry
accounts, to be called ‘restricted Registry
accounts’. [Schedule 4, item 2, section 27(3A), ANREU
Act]
4.10
The regulations may prohibit, restrict or limit the transfer of
carbon units, ACCUs, Kyoto units or prescribed international units
to or from a restricted Registry account. The regulations may
also prohibit, restrict or limit the issue of carbon units to a
restricted account. The regulations could, for example,
provide that an account opened for a person who did not meet the
fit and proper person criteria (discussed in 4.3 and 4.3 above) is
a restricted Registry account, and prohibit the transfer of units
into the account if the transfer would result in the account
exceeding a set number of units. [Schedule 4, item 2, section 27(3B), ANREU Act]
[Schedule 4, item 2, section 27(3C), ANREU
Act]
4.11
As the detailed rules relating to the circumstances in which a
Registry account are opened are set out in regulations, it is
appropriate that the rules relating to when accounts are subject to
restrictions limiting the operation of the account are also set out
in regulations. This ensures that the restrictions can be
appropriately tailored having regard to the content of the account
opening rules.
4.12
The CER’s power in section 28C of the ANREU Act to impose
conditions on the operation of accounts is unaffected. The
CER may still exercise this power if satisfied that it is prudent
to do so to ensure the integrity of the Registry, to prevent,
mitigate or minimise abuse of the Registry or to prevent, mitigate
or minimise criminal activity involving the Registry. The
existence of the section 28C power does not limit the content of
regulations made under subsection 27(1). [Schedule 4, item 2, section 27(3E), ANREU
Act]
4.13
Unlike section 28C, the restrictions imposed in accordance with
this amendment are not intended to rely on the exercise of the
CER’s discretion. Rather, prescribed restrictions are
intended to apply in prescribed circumstances.
4.14
The power in section 11 of the ANREU Act to prescribe transaction
limits that apply to Registry accounts opened using less stringent
identification procedures is also unaffected.
4.15
New subsections 27(3A) and (3B) are not intended to limit the
otherwise broad power to make regulations making further provision
in relation to the Registry. [Schedule 4, item 2, section 27(3D), ANREU
Act]
Time period for delay in Registry
transactions
4.16
The bill amends subsection 28A(2) of the ANREU Act to replace the
period in which the CER can defer giving effect to a transfer
instruction, currently set at 48 hours, with a period which lasts
until the end of the fifth business day after the day on which the
instruction was received. [Schedule 4, item 3, section 28A(2), ANREU
Act]
4.17
Business days are defined as they exist in the Australian Capital
Territory, where the Registry will be based, and therefore do not
include Saturdays, Sundays or ACT public holidays as gazetted from
time to time. [Schedule 4, item 1, section 4, ANREU
Act]
4.18
Carbon units, ACCUs, Kyoto units and prescribed international units
must be transferred within the Registry ‘as soon as
practicable’ after an electronic instruction to transfer is
received by the CER (see section 107 of the CE Act, section 156 of
the CFI Act and sections 34 and 51 of the ANREU Act).
International transfers will generally also need to be made as soon
as is practicable.
4.19
It is expected that routine processing of transfer transactions,
including checking for fraudulent transactions, could in some
circumstances take up to five business days and that it will only
be practicable to transfer the units once that processing has taken
place. Only then will consideration be able to be given to
the question of deferral of suspicious transactions under section
28A of the ANREU Act. It is therefore necessary to extend the
time in section 28A to allow for deferral of suspicious
transactions while further action (such as refusal to give effect
to the transfer under section 28B of the ANREU Act) is
considered.
Example
4.1 Current law - Time period in which an
instrument may be made
If Stephen, an
account representative, engaged in trading activity late on a
Friday evening, then the 48 hour period in which the CER may take
action would end on the following Sunday evening.
Furthermore, this sort of activity could also occur on public
holiday weekends, when Stephen may seek to take advantage of a
longer period.
Example
4.2 New law - Time period in which an
instrument may be made
If Zali, an
account representative, engaged in trading activity on Wednesday,
then the five business day period in which the CER may take action
would end at the end of the following
Wednesday.
If Zali engaged in
trading activity late on a Friday evening, then the five business
day period in which the CER may take action would end at the end of
the following Friday.
Application and transitional
provisions
4.20
The provisions in Schedule 4 to the bill commence on the day after
which it receives the Royal Assent. [Section 2]
Outline of chapter
5.1
Chapter 5 explains amendments to the ARENA Act and the CER Act
concerning the sharing of information between the CEFC and ARENA,
and the CEFC and the CER. This Chapter covers Schedule
5.
Context of amendments
5.2
The CEFC will make decisions concerning investments in clean energy
technologies and projects. In making these decisions or
concerning the ongoing efficacy of investments, the CEFC may
require information about specific issues from ARENA or the
CER.
5.3
The sharing of relevant and appropriate information between the
CEFC and ARENA and the CEFC and the CER is limited to the
circumstances spelt out in the ARENA Act and the CER Act
respectively and this is not a general ability for the CEFC to
obtain or request information.
Summary of new law
5.4
The bill includes a new section 73A in the ARENA Act, which
provides that ARENA may disclose information to CEFC if the
disclosure will enable or assist the CEFC to perform or exercise
any of its functions or powers.
5.5
The bill amends section 49 of the CER Act, to add the CEFC to the
list of bodies with which the CER may disclose ‘protected
information’. Section 49 specifies the circumstances in
which the CER may disclose such information and the manner in which
this may occur.
Comparison of key
features of new law and current law
New
law
Current law
ARENA
may disclose information to the CEFC, if the disclosure will
enable or assist the CEFC to perform or exercise any of its
functions or powers .
No
provision is made for the sharing of information by ARENA with the
CEFC.
The
CER may disclose protected information to the
CEFC.
The
CER may not disclose protected information to the CEFC unless the
disclosure is otherwise authorised by Part 3 of the CER
Act.
Detailed explanation of new
law
Disclosure of information by
ARENA
5.6 ARENA may disclose information to the
CEFC, if the disclosure will enable or assist the CEFC to
perform or exercise any of its functions or powers . This will facilitate the sharing of
information between ARENA and the CEFC and ensure the two have a
close working relationship. [Schedule 5, item 1, section 73A, ARENA
Act]
Disclosure of information by the
CER
5.7 The CER may disclose protected information to
the CEFC in accordance with the requirements of section 49 of the
CER Act (which is described below). [Schedule 5, item 2, section 49(1), CER
Act]
5.8
Information obtained by the CER may be commercially
sensitive. For example, it could disclose the market share of
a corporation, or details of its supply arrangements. Part 3
of the CER Act, including section 49, seeks to ensure that
information obtained by the CER is not disclosed unnecessarily or
put to unauthorised use. Personal information collected under
Part 3 of the CER Act is subject to the Privacy Act 1988 . It should be
noted that, under Information Privacy Principle 11.3, a person,
body or agency to whom personal information is disclosed shall not
use or disclose the information for a purpose other than the
purpose for which the information was given to the person, body or
agency.
5.9
Section 43 of the CER Act provides that it is an offence for a
person who is, or has been, an official of the CER to disclose or
use ‘protected information’ - in broad terms,
information obtained in an official capacity - unless one of
a number of exceptions apply. The penalty for that offence is
up to two years’ imprisonment or 120 penalty units (currently
$13,200), or both. This penalty is the same as applies to a
similar offence in secrecy provisions (section 23) of the NGER
Act.
5.10
Section 4 of the CER Act defines ‘official of the
Regulator’ broadly, to include not only CER members and
staff but also:
â¢
public sector employees (state, territory or Commonwealth) whose
services are made available to the CER in connection with the
performance of its functions; and
â¢
consultants engaged by the CER.
5.11
In broad terms, the exceptions - that is, the circumstances
in which ‘protected information’ can be disclosed or
used - include disclosure to specified bodies listed in
subsection 49(1) of the CER Act. The bill amends this list to
include the CEFC. [Schedule 5, item 2, section 49(1), CER
Act]
Application and transitional
provisions
5.12
The amendments to the ARENA Act and the CER Act commence on the
same day as section 3 of the CEFC Act (once enacted). Clause
2 of the CEFC Bill provides that clause 3 of that bill will
commence on a single day to be fixed by Proclamation.
However, if the provisions do not commence within the period of 6
months beginning on the day that the CEFC Bill receives the Royal
Assent, they commence on the day after the end of that
period. [Section
2]
Background
The gaseous fuels sector
Liquefied Petroleum
Gas
6.1
LPG is produced either directly through the processing of crude oil
and natural gas or as a by-product of the petroleum refining
process. LPG is generally supplied for consumption in
pressurised containers and is composed of mixtures of propane and
butane, with bottled LPG used for domestic purposes usually
composed solely of propane.
6.3
LPG for non-transport uses is supplied by approximately 5 or 6
resellers. Of these, 3 are responsible for approximately 90
per cent of supply of non-transport LPG and 2 or 3 smaller
resellers are understood to be responsible for the remainder.
The supply chains by which LPG reaches the end consumer can be
complex. In some rare cases, it will not be readily
determinable at the marketer level whether a particular supply of
LPG is ultimately used for transport or non-transport purposes (for
instance, where LPG is delivered by the marketer into a tank from
which LPG used for both automotive and stationary heating is
withdrawn).
6.4
Transport uses of LPG were brought under the fuel tax system on 1
December 2011 to implement the longstanding plan for energy content
based taxation of alternative transport fuels, but will not be
subject to a carbon price. Non-transport LPG is not currently
covered by the fuel tax system. However, under the Clean
Energy Package it will be brought into the fuel tax system from 1
July 2012 to allow for the application of an equivalent carbon
price.
6.5
In 2009-2010 approximately 800, 000 tonnes of LPG was sold into the
stationary LPG market. This would result in approximately 2.4
million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. This
would account for approximately 0.7 per cent of total estimated
emissions to be covered under the carbon pricing mechanism in
2012/13.
Liquefied Natural Gas
6.6
LNG is natural gas (primarily methane) that has been cooled to
approximately minus 163 degrees Celsius. LNG produced in
Australia is primarily exported, with domestic LNG consumption
accounting for less than one tenth of 1 per cent of Australian
production. Key uses of LNG are as an industrial chemical and
for electricity generation.
6.7
LNG is generally produced at large processing facilities, and
sometimes from upstream supplies of natural gas that will not have
been subject to coverage under the carbon pricing mechanism.
There are 3 large producers of LNG for domestic non-transport
consumption, and it is expected that in most cases downstream uses
of supplies of LNG will be readily determinable.
6.8
Domestic LNG consumption in 2009-2010 was in the region of 35,000
tonnes, leading to approximately 105,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent emissions. Based on this level of emissions,
domestic LNG consumption would account for about 3 hundredths of
one per cent of total emissions estimated to be covered under the
carbon pricing mechanism in 2012/13.
Compressed Natural
Gas
6.9
CNG is created by compressing natural gas for storage in tanks at
pressures of around 200-240 bar. Key
“non-transport” uses of CNG are as fuel for forklifts
and off-road mining vehicles. Non-transport CNG is generally
produced for own use on-site, from supplies of natural gas that
will be subject to carbon pricing mechanism coverage.
6.10
Disaggregated statistics for domestic non-transport CNG consumption
are not available, but CNG consumption is expected to be lower than
LNG consumption.
Current treatment of gaseous fuels under the
Clean Energy Future Plan
6.11
Under the Clean Energy Future Plan, an equivalent carbon price will
be applied to emissions from non-transport LPG, LNG and CNG through
a reduction in fuel tax credits or through changes to excise from 1
July 2012.
6.12
Gaseous fuels are used in large part as transport fuels, and were
included under the fuel tax arrangements along with liquid
transport fuels that face an equivalent carbon price for certain
business transport and non-transport uses. Transport gaseous
fuels are already covered under the fuel tax arrangements (for the
purpose of applying excise duty rather than the carbon
price). As noted in the regulation impact statement for the
Clean Energy Future Plan, applying a carbon price to transport
fuels thorough the fuel tax system has several advantages over the
use of the carbon pricing mechanism, including making use of
existing business systems and avoiding the need for liable entities
to deal with both the ATO and the CER.
6.13
On this basis, it was considered that it would be relatively
straightforward and minimise compliance costs to use the fuel tax
system to apply a carbon price to non-transport uses of gaseous
fuels, which are also used for transport purposes. However,
there are a number of differences between transport and
non-transport supplies of gaseous fuels compared to liquid
fuels. Transport gaseous fuels would be subject to coverage
under the excise system irrespective of whether or not carbon
pricing is applied, whereas non-transport gaseous fuels would not
be subject to fuel tax system coverage in the absence of the carbon
price. By comparison, liquid fuels used for both transport
and non transport purposes are covered under the excise system
irrespective of whether or not carbon pricing is applied.
6.14
Non-transport gaseous fuels also have a lower frequency of supply
and billing in some instances. For instance, on some
occasions LPG is supplied to a central tank for distribution to
multiple users via a reticulated (pipeline) system for commercial
use. A substantial period of time may elapse between the
delivery of LPG and billing for supply after a user withdraws LPG
from the reticulated system, potentially exacerbating cash carrying
costs of carbon price payments relative to transport uses.
The problem
6.15
Industry stakeholders for non-transport LPG and LNG have raised
compliance cost and efficiency concerns with the inclusion of
non-transport gaseous fuels under the fuel tax arrangements rather
than the carbon pricing mechanism.
6.16
Coverage under the fuel tax arrangements generally requires the
settlement of excise returns on a weekly basis with an additional 6
days provided beyond the weekly excise period to enable suppliers
to reconcile invoices issued during that week and finalise
settlement. By comparison, submission of reports and
settlement of liabilities under the carbon pricing mechanism would
occur twice for each year of the mechanism’s fixed price
period (2012-13 to 2014-15) and once for each year of the
mechanism’s flexible price periods (2015-16 and onwards).
Compliance costs
6.17
Coverage of non-transport LPG and LNG under the excise system
imposes compliance costs for suppliers on top of the costs incurred
as a result of their participation in the excise system for
transport gaseous fuel. These additional costs relate to the
need to submit excise returns and make payments in relation to a
larger volume of supplies.
6.18
In the case of CNG an unknown but small number (estimated at up to
50) of producers of CNG for non-transport purposes that would
not otherwise be required to participate in the excise system would
also be required to install relatively expensive metering equipment
to meet the requirements of the excise system. More
importantly, industry feedback indicates that the costs of
installation of this equipment would curtail expansion of
production and use of CNG by small producers.
Efficiency and fairness
concerns
6.19
More regular payments under the fuel tax system during the
mechanism’s fixed price period will result in increased cash
carrying costs for suppliers of gaseous fuels relative to other
non-transport energy sources, such as natural gas and
electricity. In addition gaseous fuels suppliers will not
have access to the flexibility in meeting emissions obligations
provided by the ability to purchase units on international and
domestic markets available under the carbon pricing mechanism.
6.20
These differences, relative to carbon pricing mechanism coverage,
will potentially create marginal distortions affecting the
competitiveness of non-transport gaseous fuels when compared with
other non-transport fuels over the longer term.
Objectives
6.21
The problem being considered is the best approach to apply a carbon
price to non-transport gaseous fuels. In this context, the
key objectives for any approach adopted are to:
â¢
Maximise the economic efficiency of the carbon price, and in
particular to:
-
Incentivise emissions reduction at least cost by sending out a
clear signal about which activities should be reduced;
-
Minimise any competitive disadvantage arising from the way in which
the carbon price is applied;
Options
LPG and LNG
â¢
Option B: Mandatory coverage of all LPG and LNG under the carbon
pricing mechanism. Under this option some supplies of LPG and
potentially also LNG would remain under the fuel tax
arrangements. However, this would occur in very limited
circumstances, as noted above, where it is not possible for the
supplier of LPG or LNG to distinguish whether the supply is going
to be used for transport or non-transport purposes. For
instance, this would occur where a marketer of LPG supplies LPG
into a tank from which LPG is withdrawn for both transport and
non-transport purposes.
â¢
Option C: Coverage on a voluntary opt-in basis under the carbon
pricing mechanism, with currently legislated fuel tax arrangements
for a carbon price continuing to apply to those entities that
choose not to opt-in.
6.23
Also as with Option B, some supplies of LPG and potentially also
LNG would remain under the fuel tax arrangements (and could not be
opted in). However, this would occur in very limited
circumstances, as noted above, where it is not possible for the
supplier of LPG or LNG to distinguish whether the supply is going
to be used for transport or non-transport purposes.
6.24
Because of the difficulty and associated costs in identification by
LPG and LNG suppliers of the end uses of all non-transport gaseous
fuel, complete mandatory coverage was not considered a viable
option.
6.25
A secondary question for consideration was the date of commencement
of carbon pricing mechanism coverage under options B and C, with
dates of 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013 considered.
6.27
Opt-in coverage was not considered for CNG as the ability for
individual CNG producers to opt-in or out of direct management of
liabilities can be provided under mandatory carbon pricing
mechanism coverage. This is possible because mandatory
coverage would involve natural gas suppliers being liable for gas
supplied to entities that manufacture CNG, and the existing
obligation transfer number mechanism provided for in the CE Act
will allow CNG producers to take on obligations from their supplier
for natural gas used to produce CNG.
6.28
A similar approach to mandatory coverage is not possible for LPG
and LNG as the former is not always produced from natural gas and
the latter is not produced exclusively from supplies of natural gas
that will be subject to carbon pricing mechanism
coverage.
Impacts and analysis
LPG and LNG
6.29
The impacts for options for LPG and LNG are summarised in diagram
5.1 and set out in more detail under the headings below.
Diagram
6.1 Impacts of options for LPG and LNG
Coverage
Option A: Status
Quo
Option B: Mandatory
Coverage
Option C: Opt-in
Coverage
Advantages:
â¢
Avoiding administration costs of dual systems
â¢
Avoiding compliance costs of dual systems
Advantages:
â¢
Reduced cash carrying costs (vs Option A)
â¢
Increased flexibility in meeting obligations (vs Option A)
â¢
Reduced administrative complexity (vs Option C)
Advantages:
â¢
Reduced cash carrying costs (vs Option A)
â¢
Increased flexibility in meeting obligations (vs Option A)
â¢
Flexibility to choose between mechanism and fuel tax coverage.
Disadvantages:
â¢
Compliance cost of regular excise returns
â¢
Cash carrying costs
â¢
Reduced flexibility to meet obligations.
Disadvantages:
â¢
Mandatory carbon pricing mechanism compliance costs
â¢
Marginally increased administration cost (vs Option A)
Disadvantages:
â¢
Increased administration cost of dual systems (vs Options A &
B)
Option A: maintain the status
quo
6.30
The main advantage of continuing coverage of non-transport LPG and
LNG solely under the alternative fuel tax arrangements is avoiding
complexities and costs associated with businesses being required to
participate in two systems, one for non-transport fuels (the carbon
pricing mechanism) and the other for transport fuels (the fuel
excise system), as would be the case for Option B.
6.31
An associated advantage is avoiding the need for the ATO and the
CER to maintain and reconcile dual systems for compliance under the
fuel tax arrangements and the carbon pricing mechanism. Dual
systems would be required under Option C, and, to a lesser extent,
Option B.
6.32
The disadvantages of maintaining the status quo are:
â¢
Compliance costs for industry associated with submitting regular
excise returns for a larger volume of supplies of LPG and LNG.
â¢
Cash carrying costs for LPG and LNG suppliers from more regular
payments under the fuel tax arrangements relative to a cash
carrying advantage under the carbon pricing mechanism during the
mechanism’s fixed price period. For instance, one of
the three large LPG suppliers, which is responsible for about 30
per cent of the sector’s supply, would on this basis be
required on average to make 52 weekly carbon price payments each
year of approximately $300,000, but also would generally be billing
their customers on a regular basis. Under the carbon pricing
mechanism, it would make one payment of approximately $12 million
towards the end of the financial year, and a further payment of
approximately $4 million in the February next following the
financial year.
There is no need
to maintain separate systems for transport and non-transport fuels
because coverage will be solely under the fuel tax
arrangements.
Removed need to
reconcile dual systems for compliance
As only one system
is used there is no need to reconcile systems to ensure that a
supply of LPG or LNG has not evaded coverage.
Compliance costs
with submitting invoices and returns
More regular
submission of returns and payment of obligations is required under
the excise system than under the carbon pricing
mechanism.
Cash carrying
cost
Suppliers of LPG
and LNG will only be required to pay carbon obligations once or
twice per year under the carbon pricing mechanism, but payments
will be required approximately weekly under the fuel tax
arrangements. This will lead to higher costs associated with
carrying cash for more regular payments.
Reduced
flexibility to purchase emissions units
Participants in
the carbon pricing mechanism may purchase international and
domestic emissions units to meet obligations during the mechanisms
flexible price period. This will enable them to manage timing
of payments (i.e. choosing when to buy units), and if they
can purchase units cheaply than the average price paid under the
carbon pricing mechanism, they may gain a price advantage over
payments under the excise system.
Option B: mandatory
coverage
6.33
The advantages of mandatory coverage of non-transport LPG and LNG
are:
â¢
Reduced cash carrying costs for LPG and LNG suppliers during the
carbon pricing mechanism’s fixed price period relative to the
status quo.
â¢
Increased flexibility to manage emissions obligations through the
purchase of emissions units during the mechanism’s flexible
price period relative to the status quo.
â¢
Reduced administrative complexity in comparison to Option C,
associated with the ATO and the CER maintaining and reconciling
dual systems for compliance under the carbon pricing mechanism and
under the fuel tax arrangements.
6.34
The disadvantage of mandatory coverage is the potential compliance
costs associated with carbon pricing mechanism participation.
These include costs associated with managing unit
obligations. A broadly analogous estimate for costs of
participation of a large natural gas supplier under the previously
proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme was that initial costs
to set up systems for compliance would be approximately $375,000
and that ongoing costs of compliance would be approximately
$291,000. To the extent that the largest LPG suppliers will
already be managing carbon pricing mechanism liabilities in respect
of other operations these costs will be largely mitigated.
However, for smaller suppliers of LPG and LNG and those that are
not participants in the carbon pricing mechanism these costs would
be new.
6.35
In respect of timing of coverage, mandatory coverage from
1 July 2013 would require participation by LPG and LNG
suppliers under the fuel tax arrangements for one year from 1 July
2012 to 1 July 2013, when coverage under the carbon pricing
mechanism would commence. This would entail LPG and LNG
suppliers facing increased cash carrying costs for one year.
However, coverage from 1 July 2012 would create substantial risks
that implementation agencies would have insufficient time to
develop detailed systems for carbon pricing mechanism coverage and
adequately test these with industry stakeholders.
Table 6.2 Option B additional
explanation:
Advantage/Disadvantage
Explanation
Reduced cash
carrying cost
Suppliers of LPG
and LNG will only be required to pay carbon obligations once or
twice per year under the carbon pricing mechanism, but payments
will be required approximately weekly under the fuel tax
arrangements. This will lead to higher costs associated with
carrying cash for more regular payments.
Increased
flexibility to purchase emissions units
Participants in
the carbon pricing mechanism may purchase international and
domestic emissions units to meet obligations during the mechanisms
flexible price period. This will enable them to manage timing
of payments (i.e. choosing when to buy units), and if they
can purchase units more cheaply than the average price paid under
the carbon pricing mechanism, they may gain a price advantage
relative to payments under the excise system.
Reduced
administrative complexity
It will be simpler
for the CER (which is the administrator of the carbon pricing
mechanism) and the ATO (which administers the excise system) to
reconcile records between the carbon pricing mechanism and excise
system as almost all non-transport LPG and LNG supplies will be
covered under the carbon pricing mechanism with transport LPG and
LNG covered under the excise system. The limited exception is
cases where it is not possible to apply carbon pricing mechanism
coverage to LPG and LNG because it is not possible for the supplier
of the LPG or LNG to determine whether the LPG or LNG supplied will
be used for transport purposes which will not be subject to a
carbon price or non-transport purposes, which are. This
exception will lead to a limited requirement for the ATO to deal
with non-transport LPG and LNG.
Carbon pricing
mechanism compliance costs
To meet
liabilities under the carbon pricing mechanism liable entities will
be required to report emissions and purchase emissions units to
meet assessed emissions liabilities. This will entail costs
around measurement and purchasing units. As coverage will be
mandatory under option B, the LPG or LNG supplier will not have the
option of choosing whether or not compliance under the mechanism or
excise system would be preferable.
Option C: voluntary opt-in
coverage
6.36
The advantages of a voluntary opt in approach to coverage of LPG
and LNG are:
â¢
Increased flexibility to manage emissions obligations through the
purchase of emissions units during the mechanism’s flexible
price period, relative to the status quo.
6.37
The ability to elect whether to opt-in or remain under the carbon
pricing mechanism allows LPG and LNG suppliers to assess the costs
and benefits of participation under each approach and adopt the one
that best reflects their particular circumstances. For
instance, smaller suppliers that would not otherwise expect to
develop unit purchasing and liability management capabilities may
elect to remain under the fuel tax arrangements whereas large
suppliers that expect to have obligations under the carbon pricing
mechanism for other activities might choose to opt-in to mechanism
coverage.
6.38
The disadvantages of opt-in coverage are that this option would
have the highest administrative complexity for the CER and the ATO
as it would require dual systems for compliance under the carbon
pricing mechanism and fuel tax systems and close interaction
between the two agencies to reconcile these systems. Coverage
under the fuel tax arrangements will apply for both the relatively
limited LPG and LNG supplies that will be impracticable to cover
under the carbon pricing mechanism, and for any LPG and LNG
suppliers that choose not to opt-in to the carbon pricing
mechanism. Introducing an opt-in element will introduce an
additional element of complexity to already complex fuel tax
arrangements for gaseous fuels.
6.39
Only a small number of businesses (around 8 or 9 in total comprised
of 5-6 supplying LPG and 3 supplying LNG) supply non-transport LPG
and LNG. In addition feedback from the three largest
suppliers of LPG (which account for approximately 90 per cent of
the market) is that they would participate in the carbon pricing
mechanism, and it is possible that LNG suppliers and the smaller
LPG suppliers would choose to participate in the carbon pricing
mechanism. Given these factors the expense of setting dual
systems may not be justified.
6.40
Similarly to Option A above, opt-in coverage from 1 July 2013 would
require participation by LPG and LNG suppliers under the fuel tax
arrangements for 1 year from 1 July 2012 to 1 July 2013, when
voluntary coverage under the carbon pricing mechanism would
commence. This would entail those LPG and LNG suppliers that
would choose to opt in to mechanism coverage facing increased cash
carrying costs for one year. However, coverage from 1 July
2012 would create substantial risks that implementation agencies
would have insufficient time to develop detailed systems for carbon
pricing mechanism coverage and adequately test these with industry
stakeholders.
Table 6.3 Option C additional
explanation
Advantage/Disadvantage
Explanation
Reduced cash
carrying cost
Suppliers of LPG
and LNG will only be required to pay carbon obligations once or
twice per year under the carbon pricing mechanism, but payments
will be required approximately weekly under the fuel tax
arrangements. This will lead to higher costs associated with
ensuring funds are available to make more regular
payments.
Increased
flexibility to purchase emissions units
Participants in
the carbon pricing mechanism may purchase international and
domestic emissions units to meet obligations during the mechanisms
flexible price period. This will enable them to manage timing
of payments (i.e. choosing when to buy units), and if they
can purchase units cheaply than the average price paid under the
carbon pricing mechanism, they may gain a price advantage relative
to payments under the excise system.
Ability to elect
whether to opt-in
The ability to
elect whether to opt-in under option C will allow suppliers of LNG
and LPG to assess the advantages or disadvantages of participation
under each of the mechanism and the excise system and choose the
one that best matches their particular business needs. In
particular, this may be relevant for 2-3 small participants in the
LPG sector which may not be participants in the mechanism and may
have relatively limited resources to manage emissions obligations
under the carbon pricing mechanism.
Increase
administrative complexity
It will be
necessary for the CER (which is the administrator of the mechanism)
and the ATO (which administers the excise system) to maintain
systems and reconcile records between the carbon pricing mechanism
and excise system. This will apply to supplies of LPG and LNG
which are opted-in to the carbon pricing mechanism and to those
limited cases where it is not possible to apply carbon pricing
mechanism coverage to LPG and LNG because it is not possible for
the supplier of the LPG or LNG to determine whether the LPG or LNG
supplied will be used for transport purposes (which will not be
subject to a carbon price) or non-transport purposes (which are
subject to a carbon price). This will lead to a higher
requirement for the ATO and the CER to reconcile the two systems
than under options B and C.
CNG
6.41
The impacts for options for CNG are summarised in diagram 5.2 and
set out in more detail under the headings below.
Diagram 6.2 Impacts of options
for CNG Coverage
Option A: Status
Quo
Option B:
Mandatory Coverage of CNG
Advantages:
â¢
Provides for direct management of carbon liabilities under the
excise system if preferred
â¢
Very small increase in the liabilities of natural gas suppliers
under the carbon pricing mechanism.
Option A - maintain the status
quo
6.42
The advantage of a retaining coverage of non-transport CNG under
the fuel tax arrangements is that to the extent that any CNG
producer wishes to manage its carbon pricing obligations directly
it is possible that it may prefer to do so by making payments under
the excise system rather than under the carbon pricing
mechanism.
6.43
The disadvantages of coverage under the fuel tax arrangements
are:
â¢
The imposition of a requirement for an indeterminate number of
small users to install metering equipment to enable participation
in the excise system. Installation of metering equipment
would be costly, and industry feedback indicates that this cost
would be sufficient to stop expansion of the use of CNG.
â¢
The requirement that all producers of CNG directly manage carbon
pricing obligations through participation in the excise system
(with the exception of producers of CNG for non commercial
“home” use which are exempted from excise system and
instead face a passed-through carbon price under the carbon pricing
mechanism on the supplies of natural gas that they convert to
CNG).
â¢
To avoid incurring a ‘passed through’ carbon price from
their natural gas supplier, CNG producers would also need to obtain
and use an obligation transfer number which would also require them
to register and report under the National Greenhouse and Energy
Reporting Act, and to manage carbon price liability for any natural
gas that is supplied to them and that is not used to manufacture
CNG.
â¢
More regular payments under the excise system and lack of
flexibility to manage obligations through the purchase of emissions
units.
Table 6.4 Option A additional
explanation:
Advantage/Disadvantage
Explanation
Coverage under the
excise system may be preferred
It is possible
that a CNG producer may prefer to manage its obligations directly
under the excise system rather than under the carbon pricing
mechanism. Carbon pricing mechanism coverage involves
different costs to the excise system, relating to purchasing units
to meet emissions obligations and differing reporting
obligations.
Installation of
metering equipment
Installation of
metering equipment is required under the excise system to
accurately measure the amount of CNG produced. Under carbon
pricing mechanism coverage the default obligation would apply to
the natural gas supplier that supplied natural gas to the CNG
producer. The natural gas supplier would then pass the carbon
price through to the CNG producer. Direct payment of
liabilities and measurement of CNG production would not be required
by the CNG producer.
Requirement to
directly manage obligations
To participate in
the excise system CNG producers will be required to measure, report
and pay the carbon price for CNG produced approximately
weekly. Under carbon pricing mechanism coverage the natural
gas supplier that supplied the gas used to produce CNG would face
the carbon pricing obligation and the CNG producer would simply
face a higher price charged by the natural gas supplier (i.e.
it would not need to directly manage its obligation by measuring,
reporting and directly paying the carbon price for CNG
produced).
Requirement to
quote an obligation transfer number
Supplies of
natural gas that are used to produce CNG will be subject to a
carbon price under the carbon pricing mechanism. If CNG is
covered under the current fuel tax arrangements for applying a
carbon price, this would lead to the CNG facing a carbon price
twice, once under the mechanism and then again under the excise
system. To eliminate this double pricing, the CNG producer
would be able to quote an obligation transfer number to the natural
gas supplier to remove the carbon price under the mechanism.
This will be an addition piece of compliance for the CNG producer
and lead to extra work for the CER that administers the carbon
pricing mechanism.
More regular
payments and lack of flexibility to manage unit
obligations
Producers of CNG
would be required to make payments of the carbon price
approximately weekly under the fuel tax arrangements. Under
the carbon pricing mechanism only one or two payments a year will
be required. This will lead to higher costs associated with
ensuring funds are available to make more regular
payments.
Participants in
the carbon pricing mechanism may purchase international and
domestic emissions units to meet obligations during the mechanisms
flexible price period. This will enable them to manage timing
of payments (i.e. choosing when to buy units), and if they
can purchase units more cheaply than the average price paid under
the carbon pricing mechanism, they may gain a price advantage
relative to payments under the excise system.
Option B - “Mandatory” carbon
pricing mechanism coverage
6.44
The advantages of mandatory coverage of non-transport CNG under the
carbon pricing mechanism are:
â¢
The removal of the requirement for producers of non-transport CNG
to (i) register and report under the National Greenhouse and Energy
Reporting Act, and (ii) install metering equipment to allow for
excise system compliance and reporting.
â¢
The removal of the requirement for non-transport CNG producers to
actively manage carbon pricing obligations. The carbon
pricing mechanism obligation will by default rest with the supplier
of natural gas, which will pass through the carbon price to users,
including CNG producers.
â¢
Flexibility for non-transport CNG producers to opt-in to manage
carbon pricing obligations. CNG producers will be able to use
existing provisions of the carbon pricing mechanism to quote an
obligation transfer number and directly assume obligations under
the carbon pricing mechanism if they wish to do so.
â¢
A reduction in administrative costs associated with the ATO
administering and ensuring compliance for up to approximately 50
small CNG users under the excise system.
6.45
The disadvantage of mandatory coverage is that there may be a small
increase in the amount of liabilities for natural gas
suppliers. However, any increase in costs is likely to be
negligible as the increase in liability will be tiny relative to
size of obligations managed by gas suppliers for residential and
commercial gas users.
Table
6.5 Option B additional explanation
Advantage/Disadvantage
Explanation
Removal of
requirement to install metering equipment
Installation of
metering equipment is required under the excise system to
accurately measure the amount of CNG produced. Under carbon pricing
mechanism coverage the default obligation would apply to the
natural gas supplier that supplied natural gas to the CNG producer.
The natural gas supplier would then pass the carbon price through
to the CNG producer. Direct payment of liabilities and measurement
of CNG production would not be required by the CNG
producer.
Removal of
requirement to directly manage obligations
To participate in
the excise system CNG producers will be required to measure, report
and pay the carbon price for CNG produced approximately weekly.
Under carbon pricing mechanism coverage the natural gas supplier
that supplied the gas used to produce CNG would face the carbon
pricing obligation and the CNG producer would simply face a higher
price charged by the natural gas supplier (i.e. it would not need
to directly manage its obligation by measuring, reporting and
directly paying the carbon price for CNG
produced).
Removal of
requirement to quote an obligation transfer
number
Supplies of
natural gas that are used to produce CNG will be subject to a
carbon price under the carbon pricing mechanism. If CNG is covered
under the current fuel tax arrangements for applying a carbon
price, this would lead to the CNG facing a carbon price twice, once
under the mechanism and then again under the excise system. To
eliminate this double pricing, the CNG producer would be able to
quote an obligation transfer number to the natural gas supplier to
remove the carbon price under the mechanism. This will be an
additional piece of compliance for the CNG producer and lead to
extra work for the Clean Energy Regulator that administers the
carbon pricing mechanism, and would not be required under
carbon pricing mechanism coverage.
Flexibility to
opt-in to direct management of liabilities under the carbon pricing
mechanism
Under carbon
pricing mechanism coverage the default obligation would apply to
the natural gas supplier that supplied the natural gas from which
CNG is produced. The natural gas supplier would then pass the
carbon price through to the CNG producer. However, the CNG producer
would be able to use the existing obligation transfer number
provisions of the carbon pricing mechanism to take the liability
for emissions under the mechanism. In this event the CNG producer
will take on the obligations to report and purchase and surrender
emissions units to meet emissions obligations, and the natural gas
supplier will be relieved of these obligations.
Reduction in
administrative costs
Up to
approximately 50 small producers of CNG that were not previously
required to participate in the excise system (as non-transport CNG
is not currently required to participate in the excise system)
would be required to register and meet other requirements to
participate in the excise system. This would lead to
administration, education and enforcement costs for the
ATO.
Consultation
6.46
In submissions made during the passage of the Clean Energy Bills in
2011 and in representations to Government, LPG sector businesses
requested coverage under the carbon pricing mechanism instead of
under the fuel tax arrangements. On this basis, the
Government committed to consult on options for including gaseous
fuels in the carbon pricing mechanism similar to the liquid fuels
opt-in scheme, and established an industry technical working group
in November 2011.
6.47
Membership of the Technical Working Group included the three
largest LPG sector participants responsible for the supply of over
90 per cent by volume of non-transport LPG, and also
representatives of LPG producers and distributors of transport
LPG. Producers and distributors of LNG, and CNG producers
were also represented on the Technical Working Group.
6.48
The key messages from the working group in relation to LPG and LNG
were:
â¢
there is broad support for the coverage of non-transport LPG and
LNG in the carbon pricing mechanism, including support from
participants responsible for the supply of over 90 per cent by
volume of non-transport LPG for coverage under the carbon pricing
mechanism from 1 July 2012;
â¢
there was concern from some participants that adequate time should
be provided to allow for the implementation of coverage and along
with opportunity to identify and resolve any potential unintended
impacts on transport uses of gaseous fuel, which would remain
within the excise arrangements.
6.49
Engagement by CNG stakeholders in consultation was more limited,
partially reflecting the more dispersed nature of CNG
production. However, feedback identified:
â¢
some concerns with compliance costs associated with the current
position of excise system coverage for small scale CNG production,
thereby limiting opportunities for expansion of CNG;
â¢
a general level of comfort with carbon pricing mechanism coverage,
particularly to the extent that this may reduce some of the
administrative and compliance costs associated with excise
participation.
Conclusion
LPG and LNG
6.50
On balance the advantages of coverage of non-transport LPG and LNG
under the carbon pricing mechanism of reducing compliance costs and
providing greater flexibility for liable entities in the sector to
meet carbon pricing obligations warrant the inclusion of
non-transport LPG and LNG in the Carbon Pricing Mechanism.
Therefore, Option A (the status quo) is not preferred.
6.51
On balance a mandatory approach is preferable to a voluntary
approach to coverage as it would reduce the complexity of the
carbon price and associated compliance and administration
costs. On this count Option B (and also Option A) is superior
to Option C.
6.52
Mandatory coverage requires that liable LPG and LNG suppliers
assume the costs of managing emissions unit obligations and
participating in the carbon pricing mechanism. However, most
liable entities for LPG and LNG will already be managing
liabilities under the carbon pricing mechanism. From the
perspective of the Government, mandatory coverage has advantages in
reducing administrative complexities and costs compared to an
opt-in coverage.
6.53
Conversely opt-in coverage may reduce overall compliance for a
small number of smaller LPG suppliers (two or possibly three), by
providing them with flexibility to assess which approach is best
for their particular business circumstances. However, it is
not clear whether the smaller LPG suppliers would chose to remain
under the fuel tax arrangements and this flexibility comes at a
significant cost in the form of increased administrative complexity
and cost for the Government. Therefore given the uncertainty
surrounding the use of the opt-in scheme and the administration
costs associated with its provision regardless of its use, on
balance Option B is preferred overall.
6.54
Regarding timing of coverage, the significant risks associated with
implementing coverage by 1 July 2012 outweigh the cash carrying
costs for LPG and LNG suppliers for one year of coverage under the
fuel tax arrangements. The preferred timing option (for
either mandatory or voluntary opt-in coverage) is for coverage to
commence from 1 July 2013.
CNG
6.55
There are clear advantages to Option B (coverage of non-transport
CNG under the carbon pricing mechanism) in terms of reduced
compliance costs for small producers, and reduced administrative
costs for the Government relative to the status quo. Moving
to mandatory coverage under the carbon pricing mechanism also
provides greater flexibility for CNG producers to choose whether or
not to directly manage their carbon pricing obligations.
6.56
The preferred option is Option B.
Implementation and review
6.57
Amendments to the CE Act would be required for carbon pricing
mechanism coverage of non-transport LPG and LNG (whether on an
opt-in or mandatory basis), along with the development of detailed
implementing regulations.
6.58
For mandatory coverage the primary implementing agency would be the
CER. However, the ATO would retain responsibility for
administering the continuation of the excise arrangements for those
limited supplies of LPG and LNG that would not be subject to
coverage under the carbon pricing mechanism.
6.59
For opt-in coverage the ATO would retain a larger role in relation
to the fuel tax arrangements commensurate with the potentially
higher level of coverage. In either case systems and
procedures will be developed to clarify the interaction between the
CER and the ATO on the administration of carbon pricing
arrangements for LPG and LNG.
6.60
The additional burden for the CER would be small, as the number of
additional entities responsible for LPG and LNG will be small (at
around 8 or 9 in total) and most will already be participants in
respect of other emissions.
6.61
The implementing agency for the coverage of CNG will be the Clean
Energy Regulator. Legislative arrangements for coverage of
CNG will be initially implemented via legislative changes to excise
arrangements for CNG producers and the adjustment of administrative
arrangements by the ATO.
6.62
The additional burden for the Clean Energy Regulator would be
small, as the default liability for CNG will rest with natural gas
suppliers that will already be liable entities under the carbon
pricing mechanism, and the number of CNG producers that might wish
to quote an obligation transfer number to directly take on
obligations under the scheme is likely to be small (as it is
estimated there are up to 50 non-transport CNG producers, and only
a small proportion of these are likely to wish to
[2]
See Chapters 1 and 4 of the Explanatory Memorandum for the Clean
Energy Bill 2011 for further explanation of how a person assesses
and meets liabilities for covered greenhouse gas emissions under
the CE Act.
| 154,132 |
Find what you're looking for
Storyhouse is almost one!
Tuesday 24 April 2018
It’s not long until Storyhouse’s first birthday!
On Friday 11 May, we want to celebrate with you! We want to fill Storyhouse with groups, events, activities, performances…and anything else you can come up with! If you or your community group would like to take part, or have any ideas, please fill out the form below or drop Nicola an email at [email protected].
| 453 |
It states that “More than 400,000 people took up subsidised training courses last year, said SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) in a statement on Thursday morning (Sept 14).
This was an increase in the number of people who went for such courses in 2015, said the agency, which spearheads the national drive for skills upgrading.
Two years ago, 379,000 people took up 835,000 training places funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SSG. Last year, this went up to 418,000 people and 950,000 places.”
No. who went for subsidised training last year up by 39,000?
The above means that the number who went for subsidised training last year increased by 39,000 (418,000 – 379,000).
2m get Skillsfuture Credit, but “went for training” only up 39,000?
However, since “The SkillsFuture Credit scheme, which was introduced in January last year for more than two million people, gives Singaporeans aged 25 and older an initial $500 credit to pay for skills courses” – why is it that the increase is only 39,000 when two million were given the skillsfuture credit to use?
Why so low?
Isn’t this rather low?
What are the reasons for this apparently low take-up rate?
Even worse if include new entrants to workforce & new citizens?
Also, if we include the estimated 25,000 new Singaporean entrants to the workforce and 22,102 new citizens (13-year high), of which say an estimated 15,000 are age 25 and above last year – the relative statistics may be even worse.
Even worse with rising unemployment and redundancies?
Moreover, with rising unemployment and redundancies last year – more may have gone for training, which similarly may make the relative statistics even worse.
| 1,696 |
"M'gann! Aqualad... Crimson!" Beast Boy called as he walked. He still had greater hearing abilities but it wasn't enough to track anyone down. "Ugh... I hate being lost."
During that time Maleficent had laid back on the ground. "I am officially done with this mission..." she thought. She'd been trying to contact a helicopter, but there had been no signal. Only fuzz and maybe now and then. So she was "lost" ish. And her water was almost out. So dam.n hot there.
"Yelling will only draw attention. I can't call, can't use communicators, and M'gann's telepathy is a no-go, so I'm a sitting duck," Kid Flash muttered. He lifted his goggles off his lines, the rims of the goggles rimmed with sweat. "And its hot and don't know where I can find clean water on this island."
Crimson was doing the same thing Wally was. She was accessing the environment around her, calculating the chances of survival without water, food, and with carnivorous beasts at every turn, it wasn't looking too great.
Shadow started to take deep breaths, trying to calm down as she desperately looked around. This couldn't be happening... this could NOT be happening.As she kept walking backwards, she kept feeling more and more scared. What if she couldn't find the team again? What if they left without her? What if a dinosaur were to find her? Was that how she was going to die: getting eaten by an extinct animal?She started to get dizzy, the heat not helping... and suddenly she heard a soft 'splash' as she stepped on water.Shadow frowned a little, and turned around. Because of her panic attack, she hadn't heard the river flowing behind her.It wasn't too wide, and it wasn't deep at all, either. But it was a river, and it had fresh water, or so it seemed.
"Maybe I should stay in one place. The others could find me? Or maybe it'd be better to walk? Uh.." Beast Boy wasn't an expert in surviving if you got lost, even if he knew some signs. But it was always easier with powers. Noe Jr had to think.
A couple of hours later, Crimson had finally found a stream with hopefully not too horribly polluted water was. She had already lost the direction that the Bio-Ship could be in, but she had been leaving little marks, a 'C' carved into trees, so she'd find a way back, or if her friends found her. "Still no radio communication," she muttered, having tried every hour. She was doing her best to also stay the way out of dinosaurs, so she didn't die by being eaten.
| 2,451 |
The story of part one of Morgana continues in the Spring of 1278, when she is taken out of Wales to the great castle of Belcarte on the whim of its chatelaine, Edith de Barfleur, the Dowager Countess of Belcarte. Morgana learns she is to be the ward of Lady Edith, and she believes this is great good fortune, for it means she is saved from the Nunnery of St. Wydda.
The English army commanded by Robert Knolles has reached Paris – the capital and the honour of the French kingdom is under threat. But against the backdrop of war another drama plays out – will Eolande find her father? Will Richard seek the redemption he seeks, and what will be the fate of the amoral Minsterworth?
The third part of the Stonehearted series of medieval adventure stories.
All that stands in the way of love is a Cold Heart.
The young woman samurai. The ambitious warlord who loves her. His beautiful sister who challenges her. And the assassin determined to kill her. The adventures of Yamabuki continue in this full-length 83,000-word novel, Book Three of Sword of the Taka Samurai.
From a New York Times Bestselling Author: Fiona and Coll's romance is a battle of the very heart and soul, of desire flaring fierce and strong, and of a hunt across the beautiful wilds of Scotland during a time of war.
From a New York Times Bestselling Author: Twenty-two-year-old Julia MacLeod discovers a secret tunnel leading from Dunvegan Castle, the stronghold of her MacLeod clan. Her chief would never allow her to leave without a guard during this time of war, but she wishes for an adventure.
From a New York Times Bestselling Author: It's time for Colin MacLean to meet his match. Annie MacLeod is the girl he grew up adoring and now as her guardian, the woman he must help find a husband for. If only sparks didn't fly every time he touched her.
The character of Margherita appears at times as a holy figure of the 12th century, and at times in the form of a modern day Margherita. Two historic periods, eight hundred years apart, intertwined with each other, revelations and parallel lives shrouded in mysterious, hallucinatory reality, occurring in the most beautiful region in the world, where history has always blended with romance, religion
Beware: This is not a normal book. After months working with a team of scientists on a top secret project, you are going to be sent back to the medieval age. Will you remain trapped in the past forever? Will you die an untimely and terrible death? Or will you use your wit and intelligence to escape from the medieval age and return to the present? It all depends on the choices YOU make!
November 1147. Called again to England, this time because Prince Henry fears his uncle was murdered, Gareth and Gwen must stop the killer before he claims another victim—and maybe a country. The Favored Son is the tenth Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mystery.
This is a special digital boxed set of The Passion of the Dragon Saga including Hearts on Fire and Love in Flames. These are the first two volumes of this Historical Romance series chronicling The Story of Vlad the Impaler and the Women He Loved.
The second part of the Purity Series. Rezden's New Order promised a better life for all. But now once again, evil incarnate threatens the life-blood of Horizen. An ancient legend whispers of a quest to find a Seed of Reason. Can it be more than just a legend and can it bring redemption? ...Or is it simply a fable...
WHEN HERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO LIVE FOR, IT IS EASY TO DIE FOR SOMETHING.
Contemplate the talents you have and underestimate not the strengths nor the weaknesses of those that stand against you. Though clouds of oppression hang dark and looming, it is the bond that exists between all that lives that holds the key to tomorrow's gate. Sow where the seed may thrive - in the heart of chaos.
The Oiche Sith, the blood drinkers, forged an alliance with the Lathe Sith, a neighboring daywalker clan. For centuries, the Oiche Sith protected the daywalkers from invaders in exchange that once a year, one of their females would wed one of their warriors for the blooding ritual. This was a great honor to be chosen. Unfortunately, the female doesn't survive for long.
In the eleventh century, Viking king Cnute sails to Rome with his son, Harald, and his shield brothers. Thrown off course by a storm, they follow the route up the Rhine where Harald agrees to help Fresian woman, Selia. Robert, Duke of Normandy, plans to assassinate Cnute. If he succeeds, an invasion of Engla-lond will follow. Can Harald reach Rome in time to warn the King?
A short story Introduction to the Tudor Mystery Trials
This short pre-quel sets the stage for the full length book - A Queen's Spy. Enjoy either as a short read on its own, or as an introduction to the Mystery Trials Series.
1211 CE. As Chinggis Khan rolls out his conquest of his neighbours, a low ranking officer named Mongke Nichan uses the war to find the soul who loves him best.
But finding his twin flame and convincing her are two completely different matters in this wartime romance that takes you into the very heart of Asian mysticism.
Andreva de Beringer, a young novice in Toulouse, leaves the abbey to care for her grandmother in Lavelanet. But when she arrives, she finds the village gripped by the terror of the Inquisition. While Andreva strives to hold on to her family, her faith, and the man she loves, all around her, she witnesses Good Men (the Cathars at Montsegur) fighting for life itself.
| 5,504 |
Albertans will see more jobs created this year as the economy revs up, but pipeline bottlenecks could jeopardize up to $9 billion in additional royalty payments over the next five years.
And as the Notley government pushes for new oil pipelines to be built, petroleum producers in the province are already losing an estimated $30 million to $40 million a day.
The province’s third-quarter fiscal update released Wednesday is a study in contrasts, with some bright economic news painted alongside ominous signs for an energy producing jurisdiction.
At the legislature, Finance Minister Joe Ceci aptly called the situation “a mix of positive growth and persistent challenges.”
The good news, if it can be called that, is the annual deficit is expected to come in at $1.4 billion below last spring’s budget projections.
It’s tough to declare $9.1 billion in red ink a victory. But it is better than the original $10.5-billion budget deficit initially forecast for the fiscal year that ends in March.
As oil prices have crested above US$60 a barrel and stock markets have chugged higher, resource revenues and investment income has boosted revenues. Spending, however, is also up.
Oil prices are now forecast to average US$54 a barrel for the fiscal year, a $5 lift from the second quarter.
Overall, the economy is recovering.
After expanding by 4.5 per cent last year, Alberta’s economy is expected to grow by 2.8 per cent in 2018, generating more jobs.
In the past year, almost 90,000 full-time positions were created across the province, although 43,000 part-time jobs disappeared.
The biggest employment gains were seen in sectors hit hard during the recession, such as the oil and gas industry, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing.
The stubbornly high unemployment rate is expected to drop to 6.8 per cent this year, while paycheques will get fatter.
This optimistic outlook matches a new study by the Conference Board of Canada, which also expects to see the economy grow by 2.8 per cent this year.
A rosy forecast doesn’t mean all the pain of the economic downturn has vanished, however.
Some high-paying jobs in the oilpatch have disappeared, some Albertans have stopped looking for work, and with the energy sector in transition, this may be a new state of affairs moving forward.
Thankfully, a jobless recovery has finally given way as companies and consumers grow more confident.
“We saw labour markets start to create jobs and that will firm up in 2018,” said Marie-Christine Bernard, the board’s director of provincial forecasting.
“Businesses were waiting to see signs the economy was on firmer grounds before hiring.”
However, a couple of worrisome signs still hang on the horizon.
Business investment continues to lag, especially for commercial construction.
A Statistics Canada survey released Wednesday on capital spending intentions says Alberta is expected to see a five per cent reduction this year to $54 billion, led lower by falling oil and gas spending.
Several major oilsands projects sanctioned before crude price collapsed are now winding up. Spending in non-conventional oil development is projected to tumble by one-fifth.
Even with today’s stronger commodity prices, spending in the conventional oil and gas area will decline by seven per cent, to $23 billion in the country.
While Canadian energy exploration and development is falling, U.S. oilpatch spending is taking off, thanks to lower corporate taxes and strong growth opportunities in shale oil areas.
“Our investment is significantly down … we’re falling behind the United States,” said Ben Brunnen, a vice-president with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
“The U.S. tax reform south of the border is driving investment south.”
The biggest uncertainty that lies ahead is the hot-button issue that’s commanded headlines for months: pipelines.
The province’s financial report card includes a special section on pipeline bottlenecks, explaining the dilemma facing the oil industry.
Alberta produced 3.5 million barrels of oil per day in December and output is expected to grow by 350,000 bpd this year.
The existing pipeline system is full.
Even if three new oil pipelines — Keystone XL, the Trans Mountain expansion and Enbridge’s Line 3 replacement project — are built, the province will still face constraints moving crude to market throughout 2018 and 2019, the report indicates.
The differential between benchmark U.S. oil prices and Western Canadian Select heavy crude has shot up since November, sitting at more than $28 a barrel on Tuesday — more than double the levels seen last fall.
The wider price spread has chopped an estimated $500 million from bitumen royalties this fiscal year. Heavy oil producers are losing out on up to $40 million of revenues each day, according to the province.
Ceci remains confident the pipelines will be built, although political and environmental opponents — including the B.C. government — continue to fight these developments.
“This discount is problematic and I believe there will be constructive, cooler heads that make this happen,” he said. “This is crucial for Canada.”
If the industry had sufficient pipeline capacity, Alberta producers could net up to an extra $7 per barrel for their oil.
New pipelines would also stimulate about $10 billion in additional oilpatch capital spending by 2022. Over this period, the ensuing higher prices and production would hike royalty payments by up to $9 billion, the report states.
To put that into perspective, that’s enough money to build six new cancer centres or about 400 new schools in the province.
Albertans have shown remarkable resiliency climbing out of the recession. Jobs are finally starting to come back and consumers are showing more confidence.
But to get this province back on firm economic footing, the persistent pipeline problems must be fixed.
| 5,965 |
Hi guys,supposing i apply a schengen visitor visa for a month then due to a need to visit more places and people can i be allowed to extend my visitor visa as long as i dont extend the 90 day rule?kindl assist.
| 210 |
Hi I'm new to this website so I don't know if there's already a topic for this, so I'm sorry if this is a repeat. I have a question about myself. I get these vibrations/tingling feeling in my left hand ususally in active areas, but lately I've also had the feeling in both my hands and arms when I was in a old cemetery. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experiences like this, and if someone can kinda explain what's happening. Also, do any of you feel very spiritually, I guess that's the right word for it, powerful during a certain season?
| 547 |
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Netspaceindia is an Abitindia Group Company, which deals with IT related services. Netspaceindia is India’s fastest growing privately held HSP (Hosting Service Providers) . Netspaceindia provides help customer to host their own server on rentals bases, co-location base, Private and Public Cloud.
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Weights, Dumbbells & Bars home gymnastics equipment, Fixed Dumbbells and Barbells, Fixed dumbbells are an important addition to every strength and conditioning program, dumbbells have become a standard in every gym across the globe.
3D Miscellaneous Items You Might Like
Please help the artist and visitors to improve this model quality and usability. Your opinion is important, it will help future users to overcome the possible model limitations and imperfections. We have zero tolerance to profane and curse language.
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Monday, November 25, 2013
Last month, I featured a Halloween photograph by my maternal grandfather, René Breguet, and mentioned that he had thoroughly documented my childhood. And because a number of blogging friends have encouraged me to do so, today I'm sharing a few more of his photographs.
Above is a self-portrait of the photographer, using a timer on his Zeiss Ikon camera. Though the license plate has the number "37," I believe this car is a 1935 Cadillac V8.
Photograph by René Breguet
Here's an image of my maternal grandmother in the same car. She has just lowered a newspaper, the tip of which can be seen at the lower right. She was a constant knitter, and doubtlessly made the jacket she's wearing.
Photograph by René Breguet
Here's a photo of the photographer's father-in-law, my great-grandfather Cesar. He's standing in his vineyard in Ligerz, Switzerland, and behind him is a great lake called Bielersee. The landmass in the distant right is the island of Sankt-Petersinsel, which was a favorite spot of the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Photograph by René Breguet
Of all my childhood photographs, this is my favorite. My grandfather loved taking photographs of me and the circumstance of this particular one is that I had finally tired of the grandfatherly paparazzi.
Photograph by René Breguet
Having said that, I want to add that I idolized my grandfather, and so this photograph has great meaning for me. At some point I was given a miniature toy camera, one that had no moving parts whatsoever, but which looked authentic. It delighted my grandfather that whenever he took a photograph, I would immediately move into his space to take an identical shot. Here you can see his shadow, including the Homburg hat that he always wore.
Photograph by René Breguet
I spent innumerable hours with my grandfather in museums and galleries. Here I am at the National Gallery of Art, Saturday, March 27, 1954. I never tired of my grandfather's company because he was that unusual adult who never talked down to children. In retrospect, I'm sure that on this particular Saturday he explained the meaning behind any of the paintings that interested me.
Photograph by René Breguet
My grandfather enjoyed photographing art at the National Gallery and kept several photographic albums of paintings and sculptures for his own reference. This is my favorite of that series.
Photograph by René Breguet
Here I am studying a beautifully illustrated Bible. I still remember that afternoon.
Photograph by René Breguet
This is my favorite photograph of my brothers, taken in 1950. My understanding of my grandfather's work has evolved through the years. Because I grew up with his photographs, I knew them first as familiar images and accepted them simply as that. With time, I regarded them as good portraits, and more recently I've realized that they're fine psychological studies.
My grandfather was a psychiatrist, and a great observer of human nature. He was an engaging conversationalist with children and adults alike, and because his camera was also ever-present, his portraits — like the one above — have a very candid aspect. Certainly the words, "Say cheese!" never crossed his lips.
Photographs by René Breguet
These are Neoclassic toy chests that my father painted around the time that he was stationed in Occupation Germany. During World War II, munitions were sent to the front in such wooden crates, and after the war there was a surplus of these. While many were doubtlessly broken down for firewood during an historically cold winter, others were put to more creative use.
Photograph by René Breguet
This is my father and me on Mother's Day, 1957. My father was about to leave on a business trip. I like this photograph for three reasons. First, I like that it's an image Norman Rockwell could easily have painted; though it's not posed, it's how Rockwell would have posed his subjects. Second, the photo perfectly captures my father as I remember him. And finally, I love that the background looks like a painted studio backdrop, but it is in fact one of the streets of my childhood.
Photograph by René Breguet
Oh, my gosh, I loved this car! It was red and to my mind, very classy. I think my grandfather knew my pride in it. I don't know where I'd put it, but I wish I still had it.
Photograph by René Breguet
This is a photograph of my mother in 1958. She's wearing my grandfather's watch chain as a necklace, and from it hangs a Serbian Red Cross medal my grandfather was awarded during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913.
Photograph by René Breguet
When my grandfather wasn't photographing our family, he photographed many evocative images that he entered into photographic shows around the country. He called this Fantasie..
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
My blogging friend Gina of Gina Ceramics recently posted a riveting story about a pioneer family and the scary maneuvering of their Conestoga Wagon. You can read about it here. The story reminded me that I had done an illustration of a Conestoga for the Scott Paper Company, back in the 1970s.
I stained balsa wood blue and inset it into an illustration board, then drew around the sunken "implant" with colored pencils. Today, of course, I'd do it in half the time digitally.
Conestoga Wagons were made by the Pennsylvania Dutch in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Because the Pennsylvania Dutch cartwrights traditionally painted their wagons blue, and the Pennsylvania Dutch wheelwrights traditionally painted their wheels red, the Conestoga wagon is almost always seen in this color combination.
Illustration by Robert Layport, 1973
The toolboxes that hung on the side of the wagon had wrought iron hinges, and the hinge designs, also coming from Lancaster County, are evocative of German metalwork.
Illustration by Paul Rendel or John Banks, 1973
Quoting from the Scott Paper sample: "Shoeing a wheel in a hot cloud of sweat, steam and smoke. Iron rims were cut a full ¾ inch smaller than the circumference of the wheel. They were heated red hot, sledged into place, then doused with water. The iron contracted violently, tightened all the wooden joints, and further emphasized the "dish" in the wheel."
click to enlarge
click to enlarge | Scott Paper Company
The Conestoga Wagon was used in the early 1700s when colonial settlements were established in the Appalachians, and into the late 1800s, as pioneers moved all the way to the West Coast..
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
"The Finest Cafeteria in the South." So says an early postcard of St. Petersburg's Tramor Cafeteria, built in 1929.
A prime example of Mediterranean Revival architecture, the interior was designed to resemble the patio of a Spanish hacienda, complete with arches, balconies and a condiment station that could just as easily be a fountain. The ceiling is a painted sky, just as it was in 1929.
Back in the 1930s a small band would play on the balcony seen below. I wonder if lunch patrons ever danced to the music? I'll bet they did.
In 1980, the St. Petersburg Times (now the Tampa Bay Times) bought the Tramor and renovated it. The Tramor reopened as a staffer's cafeteria in 1985, and I've had many meals there. For a little privacy, the balcony area was always a good choice (below).
The publisher requested that I design a sign for the entrance, and I created this image, which is about five feet wide, maybe a little wider.
I wanted to convey a 1930s atmosphere, so I used a typeface called Mona Lisa. It was originally designed by Albert Auspurg in the 1930s, and updated for modern use in 1991 by Pat Hickson.
You'll notice that there are no people in these photographs and that this wonderful landmark looks quite bare. That's because financial strains have caused the newspaper to put the Tramor up for sale, and there are no takers in sight.
The Tramor is still open to newspaper staffers, but this is the only food served there these days..
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
As I've mentioned before on this blog, I'm interested in graphology. Because of that, I've collected tomes that often reference the old-fashioned autograph book. In Victorian times, people — including Queen Victoria herself — enjoyed collecting autographs. In the latter part of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century, people also kept pig books, books filled with pigs that had been drawn blindfolded!
It's rather delightful to see the eminent people who tried their hand at
drawing pigs blindfolded, and below are just a few. They all came from
the same pig book, and are included in The Stein and Day Book of World Autographs, by Ray Rawlins.
Friday, November 1, 2013
If you are like I am, magazine images like the ones above and below make you pause and inspect what inspires their owners. It can be very insightful. And I always get a secret satisfaction knowing that a designer and I have a title or two in common.
click to enlarge | Architectural Digest, January 2013
Oscar de la Renta loosely alphabetizes his books, and collects ones from Goya to Raj India, to those of his competitors.
Recently, my blogging friend Alan Carrol of Surface Fragments asked artists to reveal some of their reference material by sending photographs of their bookshelves. His posting — Alan's been good enough to link many of the books to book sellers — is interesting and a valuable resource. While you're at his site, browse through his many excellent and erudite posts.
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More and more people are now opting for online shopping over going to crowded stores and malls. A global survey conducted by The Nielsen Company recently revealed that 85% of Internet users are into purchasing items online, and more than half of the online population shops regularly through the Internet.
Spring and summer are my favorite seasons. I love everything about them, particularly the clothes and the accessories. I love the bold colors and vibrant prints- they make clothes so much more fun to wear. I know most fashion magazines always make such a big deal over fall and winter
My sister-in-law gave birth to my nieces approximately nine months ago, which means they'll be celebrating their first birthday in three months. You'd think it'd be easy to get gifts for a one-year old, but it's actually not. There are so many choices, yet so many limitations.
If getting to the gym on a regular basis is becoming more and more difficult for you, then it makes sense that you might decide to buy fitness equipment that you can use in your own home. Working out at home can fit any type of schedule and is often
I'll admit that I don't know designers too well. In fact, I would have trouble listing off more than ten names for you. To me what matters the most is if the article of clothing fits well, if it's comfortable, and if it
I have found a great site for all of the readers out there with a passion for books: AbeBooks.com. AbeBooks is a site where you can order used books at extremely low costs and get your order in a very short amount of time. As long as you
It is not uncommon to come across a product on television that grabs your attention. Whether it is a kitchen gadget, something innovative for the car or a piece of jewelry that would make a lovely birthday present for your sister, the television can be a convenient and easy way
When I use shopping as therapy, I don't go to the nearest shoe store or clothing store. I go to the nearest grocery store. Sometimes that can be the most dangerous thing, but I'm lucky. I always seem to feel down when I need to do my grocery shopping.
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Partnerships & Strategic Alliances
We partner to increase our trait pipeline, enhance our germplasm base or build channels to deploy technologies in the marketplace;
We collaborate with large players in the forestry, biopower and biofuel industries to develop special crops based on our germplasm or their proprietary germplasm
We partner with entities to develop processes that can better utilize our modified germplasm for enhanced post-harvest production
We license our technologies, processes and germplasm in non-core sectors
FuturaGene's Partner of Choice positioning allows us to offer partners the full range of capabilities from integrating and prototyping a trait through field trials and elite event selection, as well as regulatory expertise and market deployment with guaranteed offtakes.
Recognizing regional differences in agricultural practice, crop types and varieties, we continuously seek local research and business partnerships in many geographic regions worldwide to collaborate in our R&D efforts and join our commitment to the development of versatile and environmentally sustainable products.
Academic Relationships and Technology Sourcing:
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Israel
Oregon State University - USA
Purdue University - USA
University of Arizona - USA
Research Institute of Forestry (RIF) of the Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF) - China
Research Institute of Tropic Forestry (RITF) of the Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF) - China
Guangxi Academy of Sciences - China
Beijing Forestry University
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01-04-2013
• arclein
under the influence of psychiatric drugs or withdrawing from such drugs. At least 5,000 other news stories, including school shootings, link psychiatric drugs to violent crime on the web site SSRI Stories.
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Los Angeles collects 950 guns in buyback event
Almost 1,000 guns — including 31 assault weapons — were surrendered at Saturday’s four gun buyback sites that allowed people to turn in weapons in exchange for gift cards, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Charlie Beck announced Monday.
The city also collected 476 handguns, 273 rifles and 170 shotguns, for a total of about 950 firearms turned throughout the city.
“The shooting in Isla Vista was a tragic reminder of the consequences of gun violence in our state and our country and redoubles our efforts to do everything we can as quickly as possible, to keep our communities safe and get deadly weapons off our streets,” Garcetti said, referring to the May 23 rampage near UC Santa Barbara in which 22-year-old Elliot Rodger left six students dead and 13 others wounded.
Garcetti said 27 percent of the weapons were brought in for someone else, and 89 percent of those who surrendered weapons said they felt safer after having gotten rid of the gun.
The weapons might have been family heirlooms “passed down from generation to generation” or “used in acts of horrible violence in our communities, but one thing is certain — the chapter ends here for these weapons,” Garcetti said.
“Each gun that gets off the streets represents one less opportunity for tragedy, one less weapon that could be used, that could lead to a loss of life,” he said.
The buyback program, which offers up to $200 in grocery cards in exchange for guns, is organized by the mayor’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development office.
The city’s latest buyback — the eighth such effort since 2009 — brings the total number of guns turned in with no questioned asked to 12,918, according to city officials.
Beck said “many of the weapons,” including some assault weapons, surrendered this past weekend are “illegal on their face” and “don’t belong in a civilized society.
“Unwanted firearms don’t belong in anybody’s home,” he said. “This is not about the right to own guns. This is about the need to get rid of the guns that serve no useful purpose.”
The weapons will be sent to a facility in Riverside to be melted down for a second life as rebar in houses and bridges, he added.
Beck noted the city does not check for identification or confirm ownership of the guns. “The value of getting (the guns) out of the house and off the streets far outweighs the possibility of their use in prosecution, because we would never have come into contact with them anyway,” he said.
The LAPD chief credited the buyback program, along with “smart” police work, for a reduction in gun violence in recent years, saying just under 1,000 people were shot in 2013, compared with more than 1,600 in 2008.
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“It wasn’t so long ago this was the gun violence capital of the United States. It wasn’t so long ago this was the per capita murder capital of this nation,” he said. “That is no longer true.”
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This should fuel some of the Zero Dark Thirty controversy fire once more: the movie about the killing of Osama bin Laden, which contains a controversial depiction of torture, will screen at the place that became synonymous with torture.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blur, The Stone Roses, and Phoenix have been confirmed as this year's official Coachella headliners. And judging from online reaction, there are already a lot of ways to whine about this year's lineup.
The New York Post is reporting today that the voice of supposedly duped Notre Dame football player Manti Te'o's non-existent girlfriend belongs not to admitted hoaxer Ronaiah Tuiasosopo but to Tuiasosopo's (female) cousin, Tino.
In his much anticipated first on-camera interview since a fake-girlfriend hoax took over his career and everyone else's rumor-mongering obsession, the fallen Notre Dame star didn't let on too much — but Couric definitely went there.
At some point every year someone will say to you, "It seems like everyone's sick, huh?" Except! Right now, everyone really is sick, aren't they? Walking around town is like the "before" part of a DayQuil commercial. Sniffling and sneezing and coughing and hacking. It's everywhere.
We've been getting dribs and mostly drabs of what each track of his career might look like this year — including the new Coen brothers trailer today — but let's break down which is really bringing Justin back.
AMC has now released staged, non-episodic press shots ahead of the new season, featuring our beloved misanthropes at a party that might (emphasis on the "might) just offer some clues about where (and when) we're at this time around.
Today in show business news: A Fox comedy gets the axe a day after an ABC comedy did, Showtime is developing a potentially controversial new show, and an American Horror Story alum returns to the show.
The day that the White House and everyone else started to get a little too sick of "Beyoncé-Gate" ended with word arriving from Beyoncé's camp and an inaugural source that she did, in fact, mouth the national anthem over a pre-recorded track at inauguration.
Last night I was faced with a terrible dilemma. There I was, safely inside after braving the miserable cold, ready to sit down on the sofa and settle into a cozy night of TV-watching. But then, to my horror, I realized something awful: There was nothing on.
So it's been announced that Mad Men, perhaps the most-beloved show of the current Quality TV age, will be returning for its sixth (and likely penultimate) season on April 7th. Most people are reacting to the news with excitement but we're feeling a little more subdued. Not because we don't like the show. But because we know where too much hype can get us.
At his daily briefing, the ever-serious White House press corps asked Press Secretary Jay Carney to comment on what is, apparently, one of the most important issues of our time: Did Beyoncé lip-sync at the inauguration? And does the President know?
As content providers continue to intimidate tech companies with a couch-potato conundrum, the latest innovation in the war to win your living room is not some new gadget from Apple or Netflix — it's a protocol that helps our screens talk to each other.
The Oscars are just about a month a way, and between the Academy's official word and lead-up interviews, a picture is beginning to emerge of who might be there, who might sing, and who might be telling some dirty jokes. Here's what we think we know.
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There have been a few requests for some source code so
I thought I'd put something up. Have a look at:
http://raw.netnation.com/~rgwood/SAS/sas.html
if you're interested in SAS at all.
It's very terse but you should be able to see what SAS is all about.
+---------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| R Garth Wood | Storm Linux: Taking Linux by storm. |
| Stormix Technologies Inc. | www.stormix.com |
| Senior UNIX Developer | |
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THERE is plenty still to do of course, but Gloucester collected their second successive Guinness Premiership victory with a resilient second half fight-back against Harlequins at Kingsholm.
Gloucester are not functioning with anything like the alacrity we know they can but they did just enough here against Quins' cut and thrust counter-attacking game to take the spoils in another tight, tense afternoon in the Guinness Premiership.
They had to show all their wit and tenacity to over-turn 10-0 and then 13-5 deficit after Quins had smashed and grabbed two opening scores in the first-half.
Gloucester were solid and workmanlike - it was Quins who provided the cut and thrust. Danny Care was excellent, Mike Brown loved a break from deep and David Strettle was a handful when given room to move into - but this was a priceless victory given the mine-field start to their season.
It was not until the second half, when Gloucester denied Harlequins possession, that their obvious threat was nullified but there is more to the visitors these days. There is substance and obduracy to go with their threat.
Although the contact area was a mess and Quins looked to contest suspiciously off their feet at times, particularly in the first-half, Will Skinner was a menace, Chris Robshaw looks a tremendous athlete and the rest were far more than the sum of their parts.
Gloucester were not helped after losing Carlos Nieto with a pulled muscle in the first scrum but it was the visitors who supplied the movement away from the mass of bodies. They were streets ahead after 15 minutes with two tries that threatened to establish a serious advantage.
First, Brown scored down the left side following a period of heavy pressure that was instigated by Strettle's slashing break for their opening try. It hardly came as a surprise given Quins' attacking potency but then Gloucester cut their own throats with they conceded a second try two minutes later.
Willie Walker's high kick was taken by Brown and when he returned possession with another high punt, Olivier Azam misjudged the flight of the ball and Care picked up and made his way to the line for what was essentially a gift of a score, depsite the fact he looked off-side.
Chris Malone missed the conversion but a 10-0 lead in this day and age is nothing but significant and it required every ounce of Will James' belligerence, Azam's coolness at line-out time and some heavy carrying by the likes of Mike Tindall and Olly Barkley to check Quins' progress.
Gloucester's route back into the contest came after 22 minutes. They controlled a line-out and then a scrum before Walker and Tindall combined and the skipper sent a long pass to Olly Morgan and the full-back beat two defenders to reach the line and score.
But there is nothing simple about Gloucester at present. Straight from the re-start, Morgan couldn't take the ball and Gloucester were penalised for hands in the ruck. Malone nudged over the penalty and Quins led 13-5.
There was no question Gloucester needed to drag themselves together. It required a new energy level at the tackle area and some thought and control outside. Straight after the re-start, Walker found himself in space down the short side, Luke Narraway added his bulk, Tindall came in to support and James clattered up the middle as the home side raised the temperature.
Walker kicked a penalty after 43 minutes and then four minutes later landed a drop-goal to bring the hosts back to within two points at 11-13.
It was now the likes of Alasdair Strokosch, James and Narraway turned the screw. Quins also began to feel the heat at the breakdown and when Walker landed a 58th minute penalty after Skinner had been shown a yellow card, Gloucester were ahead for the first time.
Without a consistent supply of ball in dangerous areas, Quins' back-three threat was significantly reduced and Gloucester, with their tails up for the first time in the game, scored the try that should have broken the contest open.
Rory Lawson took a quick tap penalty from a scrum and hardly and Quins defenders were looking. The scrum-half carried well before finding Narraway on the burst. The number eight took over and released possession just at the right time for Strokosch to burn clear to the whitewash for the score.
Walker converted and Gloucester were 21-13 ahead. Just when the majority inside Kingsholm thought they could breathe easily again, Gloucester produced yet another string of mistakes to hand Quins a third try.
Walker couldn't take a high ball, Lesley Vainikolo failed to scoop up possession and with Quins all over Gloucester on the line, Malone ghosted over to bring the scores to within a point again.
The contest was still to be won for Gloucester but they wasted little time in nudging further ahead. Barkley, on his debut, landed a left-footed penalty eight minutes from time to finally end Quins' resistance and hand Gloucester another priceless win.
Head Coach Johan Ackermann is under no illusions about the task in hand as Gloucester continue their Aviva Premiership campaign at Worcester on Saturday, the Warriors coming off the back of a fine win at Exeter last weekend.
Skipper Willi Heinz told GRTV that he was proud of his team's commitment in the 24-17 Aviva Premiership win over the Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm, but also in the brand of rugby they played in testing conditions.
The Aviva Premiership returns to Kingsholm on Saturday with Gloucester Rugby taking on the Leicester Tigers (kick off 2:30pm). Head Coach Johan Ackermann is anticipating a challenging game against a talented Tigers squad.
Jeremy Thrush described captaining Gloucester as 'awesome' and a privilege despite Saturday's 31-19 Anglo-Welsh Cup defeat, explaining that the team had set out to play good rugby and enjoy themselves and he felt that they'd achieved that at times.
Speaking after Gloucester bowed out of this year's Anglo-Welsh Cup with a defeat at Newcastle on Saturday, Head of Academy Richard Whiffin praised his team's efforts at Kingston Park but pinpointed a lack of accuracy which contributed to a win for the Falcons.
It's a short hop up the M5 for Gloucester Rugby on Saturday as they continue their Aviva Premiership campaign at Sixways against the Worcester Warriors, and the Cherry and Whites make two changes to their starting line-up.
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A few sweet US deals are available today on Samsung, Apple and Sony smartphones.
Free memory card (up to 256GB) with Galaxy S9/S9+ and Note8
Samsung is offering a free microSD card if you purchase any of the company’s current flagship smartphones, including the Galaxy S9, S9+, and Note8.
For Galaxy S9 series, memory card size depends on the internal memory of the device you purchase – for example, if you go for a 64GB Galaxy S9, you’ll get a 64GB card. For Note8 however, the max you’ll get is a 64GB card.
The promo ends July 31, and you can redeem your offer by August 7.
Save up to $200 on Apple iPhone 8/8+
Best Buy is offering discounts of up to $200 on Apple’s iPhone 8 series phones, including the Product RED edition. The condition here is that you need to make your purchase on a monthly installment plan.
Participating carriers include Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. Not all models have the $200 discount on them though – the minimum you get to save is $50, while there are certain variants that are discounted by $150.
Get Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact for $360
A couple of US retailers – Amazon and Best Buy – are offering the Xperia XZ1 Compact for $360. That’s a discount of $240 when compared to what these devices usually cost at these retailers.
The deal is only available on the black color model. As you can see, Best Buy clearly says it’s a clearance sale, although Amazon doesn’t mention anything like this.
For more information on these deals, as well as to make purchases, head to the links below.
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How consultants can work smarter with shared dashboards
Whether you’re an independent consultant or part of a larger firm, there’s one skill that's critical for every consultant: communication skills. That's where tools like Power BI’s shared dashboards can help! Using shared dashboards to communicate updates can save time and money, keep stakeholders happy, and leave consultants to spend their time focusing on the more important (and interesting) parts of their work.
In the Power BI service, dashboards can be shared for free with both internal and external audiences, which makes them well suited to the needs of consultants. A dashboard link is emailed directly to recipients, who can then just log into their Power BI account to see what was shared. Shared dashboards are read-only, but can be cross filtered, sliced, and queried. Row-Level Security settings apply to shared dashboards as well, so consultants can be granular when deciding who gets to see what pieces of information.
Sharing dashboards outside of your organization has a number of useful applications, no matter what kind of project you’re working on.
For example, imagine that you’re a data analyst consultant who was contracted to create a dashboard that monitors online product sales for a local company. You would collect and analyze the data, create a report, publish key elements as a dashboard, and then share it with the Sales Manager who hired you for the project.
The read-only status of the dashboard then ensures that you maintain control of your work. There’s no tampering with your data, no sharing beyond the originally defined scope, and the open possibility for more billable hours in the future in the form of updates.
Consulting agencies can also benefit from shared dashboards. For example, sharing dashboards would be helpful as a marketing agency that has been contracted to manage a third party’s direct mail campaigns. As with the first example, you would collect and analyze data from the results of your campaigns, create a report, publish a dashboard, and then share it with the Director of Marketing for the firm that contracted you.
This shared dashboard becomes an easy and quick way for all stakeholders, across organizations, to monitor the status and effectiveness of the campaigns. It helps foster a positive working relationship where no one feels left out of the loop, and provides a virtual “paper trail” for your data-driven marketing decisions.
Consultants already have enough on their plate balancing the expectations of clients with the reality of project, but thanks to tools like Power BI’s shared dashboards it's easier than ever to share and sync real-time information on data analysis, status updates, and more, in a way that encourages finding insights while protecting your hard work.
Do you have your own time-saving tips for analyst consultants? Share them in our Community!
Get started sharing your dashboards with external audiences:
1. Open the dashboard and select Share.
2. Select Invite, and type their email address(es) in the top box. Include a message if you like. You’ll see a warning for addresses outside of your organization, but you can still share with them as usual.
3. Select Share.
Your recipient will get an email with a link to the dashboard. If they have not yet created a Power BI account, they will be prompted to do so after clicking the link.
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More Views
Coast - LC5256
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Asscher
Marquise
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Details
Coast - An elegant cushion-shaped halo of diamonds makes this engagement ring an instant classic. A diamond-encrusted shank adds to the allure of this tasteful design. Total carat weight is 0.35.
Additional Information
Model #
LC5256
Side diamonds weight (Carat)
0.3500
Engagement Ring Type
Halo
Jewelry Type
Engagement Ring
Designer
Coast
Coast : Elegant design and superb quality are the hallmarks of a Coast Diamond ring. Since 1978, Coast has designed classic and romantic bridal jewelry with the highest standards. Jay Gilbert introduces exquisite designs that are graceful and stylish. Charisma is the newest Coast Bridal Collection, featuring timeless engagement rings with excellent craftsmanship down to the last detail.
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Online Class Instructions
Congratulations on taking the first step in enhancing your skills as a makeup artist and/or hairstylist! We are pleased to welcome you to the MKC Makeup & Hairstyling Academy of Hollywood’s Online Program.
Our Online Courses are artistically challenging and provide exciting opportunities for you to pursue your interests and prepare you for a career in the Beauty Industry.
All of our online courses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year for anyone, anywhere to enjoy and to learn. MKC Online classes are a great choice, whether you are just taking a course for fun, you are preparing for a new career through online courses or you plan to transfer to an MKC On-Campus class to complete your education.
IF YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS….
To have fun while learning a new skill: Enjoy any of our online courses at your own pace, at a very reasonable price.
To start a new career while keeping expenses as low as possible: Fill free to take any courses you wish at your own pace. No additional steps are necessary.
To complete an MKC Program as if you are attending on campus and receive instructor support and a certificate: Make sure to take the courses in order and do your work reviews and video reviews. When you are finished, work with MKC to create your portfolio.
Contact Us
About
MKC Academy was founded in 2001 by world renown Makeup Artist & Author Margaret Kimura. Margaret believes being a teacher is being a mentor and every student receives Margaret’s personal attention.
This institution meets the minimum standards for integrity, financial stability, and educational quality, including the offering of bona fide instruction by qualified faculty, during, and at the end of its programs.
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SWAT Presents: Key and Peele
Key and Peele from Comedy Central are coming to Wright State University's Nutter Center on November 17th at 9pm! Tickets are $5 and $10 for students and can be bought at the Student Union Box Office.
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are the stars of "Key & Peele," an original new sketch-comedy show that examines life in a provocative and irreverent way, through a combination of filmed sketches and live stage segments. Whether it's satirizing the President, spoofing Nazis, or ordering up some soul food, Key & Peele showcases their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view, born from their shared background and experiences growing up biracial in a not quite post-racial world.
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The Next Big Mobile Magazine
[How to] Install CM 12.1 (Android 5.1) on Sony Xperia Z2
Sony Xperia Z2 was released in the first half of year 2014. It has a 5.2″ IPS LCD display, with a resolution of 1920×1080. it’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, with 3GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage and a microSD slot. The Z2 has a 20.7MP camera, with 4K video recording at 60 frames/second. All this is powered by a 3200mAh battery.
Sony has recently started rolling out the Android Lollipop update to the Xperia Z2. But it is Android 5.0.x based and not the latest Android 5.1. You can install Android 5.1 on the Xperia Z2 using the CM 12.1 custom ROM. Follow the guide below.
Disclaimer: Follow the instructions at your own risk. If the device gets damaged, the writer or the owner of the site must not be held responsible.
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Kiva.org is connecting people through a shared goal of alleviating poverty.
A new breed of social networking sites focused on charity makes it easier not only to give, but also to show others that you're doing so.
Got a problem with that? Philanthropy should stem from a sincere desire to help, of course, not from a desire for recognition.
But there's something to be said for sharing one's passions with a broader community -- and possibly inspiring others.
One site that emerged from beta this summer, Ammado.com, is counting on it.
The site is free to use for individuals and non-profits. It's hoped that other income, for example from corporations looking to improve their corporate social responsibility efforts through the site, will sustain the for-profit venture.
For individuals, using Ammado is a bit like using Facebook: You can share your hobbies and favorite movies, add friends, and post photos of yourself.
Don't Miss
Unlike Facebook, there's a feature called the Giving Circle, a multi-colored wheel where each color represents a charity category, such as disabilities, environment, and human rights.
Visitors can see what percentage of your giving goes to what category based on how much of your circle is that color. And if they click on the color, they'll see the names of the charities you've given to in a box below.
If that seems showy, consider that "any charity that has donors would love all their donors to talk about the money they gave," notes Joeri Gianotten, a managing director for Ammado.
"It's like going to great restaurant and never talking about it to your friends."
So while "social credit" is one reason people give -- you can display the Giving Circle on your blog, too -- another is the hope that it will inspire others to do the same.
Below the Giving Circle, visitors can not only see your charities, but also link to and easily donate to them as well.
The site Change.org is similar to Ammado.com, with the same kind of social networking aspect. Charities on either site go through a thorough vetting process before they can be listed.
Another site, the non-profit Kiva.org, is also social in nature, but instead of donations to charities, it lets you make interest-free loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Brooke Estin, a 24-year-old who works at a non-profit in Bangkok, has made nearly two dozen personal loans of $25 each to entrepreneurs from Azerbaijan and Kenya to Samoa.
She decides which to give to based on their profiles, posted on the site. Estin teamed up with other givers to lend $325 to Khurshida Tursunova, a woman who lives in Tajikistan and used the money to buy a cow and then sell milk products.
Some such entrepreneurs remain unaware of Kiva.org -- or of the Internet, for that matter -- even as they benefit from both. Kiva teams up with micro-finance organizations on the ground, which vet the borrowers to help ensure they can repay their loans (about 98% do, as did Tursunova).
But some recipients do become aware that a group of random foreigners, in Tursunova's case from Canada, the U.S. and Israel, has formed online to help them -- and to follow their progress through email updates.
For one such woman, says Estin, it was actually "empowering for her to be able to show someone, 'Look at how much I've accomplished -- thank you.'"
As satisfying as helping with loans is, says Estin, it's the information-sharing aspect of the social networking that's been key for her.
Even if it's just the sharing of web links, "the primary thing that I've been able to get from it is exposure to ideas," she says. "I think there's a hugely significant amount of power behind it."
One site, the non-profit Nabuur.com, goes beyond networking and ideas sharing with like-minded people. In addition to that, it lets you communicate directly with the needy themselves.
Instead of giving money or a loan, you share your knowledge, expertise, or just advice to help them improve their lives.
For instance there are some organizers in the beautiful but obscure Sankhuwasabha district in Nepal who are certain their homeland has much to offer visitors but don't know how to make it a tourist destination. Have any ideas for them? Do share. You might make some new friends in the process.
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Celeron 300a or 366? (Slot-1)
Here's the question. With a choice between the 300a vs. the 366a (Slot-1), which should I get? I have a place where I can get the 300a for $65 (Costa Rica) or $70 (Malaysia). The 366 runs about $80 bucks or so. I've heard that some 366's can get to the big 550, but that the success rate is fairly low. This is going into a brand new system, so the PCI devices *should* be able to handle a odd bus speed (I'm getting PC100 RAM).
As long as you get a quality SlotKet adaptor (MSI, Abit, Asus), you should have no problems. I would stay away from the Abit BE6, as I have heard about many nightmares with them (not holding voltages, etc.). Get an Abit BH6 v.1.1. It has all of the toys of the BH6, just without the semi-funcitonal ATA/66. Be sure to get rev 1.1, not 1.01, of the BH6, as they changed the clock generator to give you more bus speeds. You should also be sure to get a Celeron 366 PPGA Malay made in week 14 or later. Week 13 PPGA celeries are as bad as the early Slot-1 366s, but strangely, almost ALL of the PPGA week 14 366s will run 550 without problems (they changed something between week 13 and week 14).
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Here's the stream of consciousness that got me to this Beauty Fix post, hold on tight:
A couple of days ago I watched the PBS airing of the documentary Makers: Women Who Make America (f you haven't seen it yet, woman or man, you MUST watch this) and became fixated on Gloria Steinem. I walked away feeling beyond inspired to do good work and inspire others to redefine what they think is possible (in this case, I'm referring to personal style, but that's just the beginning).
The StyleShaker is my platform to do just that, in my own small way, and for lack of a better expression, I was completely fired up. So, before getting down to work, I thought I'd channel the great Ms. (pun-intended) Steinem via a little back-combing action and some eyeliner. I felt inspired beyond words so I wanted to use my look to express this newfound energy, strength, and excitement. It's the whole, "when you FEEL good, you look good," as opposed to the other way around. I felt amazing.
This is nothing new in my life.
In some random, and fundamentally oversimplified way, I equate attempting to emulate the look of someone I respect with somehow harnessing a small piece of what that person stands for.
Obviously we copy celebrity and runway fashion, it's what the industry is about, but in this case, I'm using the personbehind the look, and not just the look as inspiration. I don't attempt to become them, I just absorb the best about them that resonated within me and empower myself via small aesthetic changes. Makeup and hair happen to be some of the easiest ways to do this. Clothing works too.
I did it with Katherine Hepburn and perfectly constructed jackets/blazers, Blondie's Debbie Harry and red lipstick, and now Gloria and those eyes.
My first attempt at the remarkable Ms. Steinam's look was a bit of a challenge, hence this post. Cut to thirty minutes after having sat down to put on my makeup, when I came to the glaring realization that I am completely lost when it comes to eyeliner application, especially when attempting to pull off the 'cat-eye' look. I know, I went from the Women's Liberation Movement to eyeliner issues. It's just how my brain works, and it's a good thing for you because, instead of wasting another thirty minutes, I dug around for some tips that I want to share with you.
I started off searching for your everyday, classic black eyeliner out there in the form of video tutorials and product reviews. Along the way I stumbled past black and spotted a few articles on navy blue liner. Ohhhh. Not only is navy a personal favorite of mine on the color spectrum, it also happens to be the perfect color complement to pop a dark brown eye (which I have).
First, the how-to-wear-it inspiration. I found six ways to wear this deep blue, practically-black-but-not-quite, shade of eyeliner that I happen to love (read: adore and am completely obsessed with).
That is what's great about makeup. You get to play, try out new looks, be who you want to be (clean-faced, sun-kissed girl next door or super-sexy, lip-stained vamp owning the room, etc.) and not worry about fit or even budget in most cases.
Take any picture that inspires you, pop into Sephora, M.A.C., Ulta, whatever is close by, and try to re-create the look, or just stick right here. If it's doesn't work for you, no big deal, all it takes is a q-tip and kleenex to get back to where you want to be.
Naturally, after having completely inspired myself to try out navy eyeliner and pull off my own take on the cat-eye look, I immediately started checking out product reviews. Cue the shopping inspiration part of the equation. I've narrowed it down to my top 3 shopping picks to try (which I am going to check out today) below based on reviews.
Finally, now that I have the shopping and look inspiration covered, it's time to solve my initial problem, how to apply this liner without looking like a clown.
Evidently, I'm not the only one struggling with the application issue. I scoured YouTube for a video tutorial that made the most sense to me and also included it below.
Scroll away, get inspired, try something new out, and shake things up a bit in the beauty department. Isn't that what it's all about anyway? If you never try you'll never know...
Grab your pen and paper people. It's time for a little tutorial (if you know of any others or have product suggestions, help us out and share!). The video uses liquid eyeliner and a '210' brush which, evidently, I'm insane for not already owning, who knew. I think it's possible however, to pull it off with a well-sharpened pencil too. Take a look:
Sure, the laser-like shopping focus of this post is navy eyeliner, but why stop there? Keep the momentum going and shop the closet by clicking below:
At The StyleShaker we believe 'when you FEEL good, you LOOK good.' We flipped the well-known saying on it's head for a reason. How do you capture that serotonin-filled feel-good moment everyone's always chasing? You create it. But you don't have to do it alone. The StyleShaker is here to get you inspired, excited, and in the end, help you take your personal style to levels you never thought possible. Aim higher, think bigger, walk into every day feeling confident and always, ALWAYS ask for help (a sign of strength, not weakness; took me awhile to figure that out) or know it's here if you need it.
See more on what to wear, how to wear it, and soak up some inspiration that will help you redefine what you thought was possible.
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Easy Leprechaun Traps for Kids St. Patrick’s Day Activity for Kids
It’s St. Patrick’s Day again and that means leprechaun traps. Irish legend says that if a human catches a leprechaun the leprechaun has the power to grant that human 3 wishes in exchange the human has to let the leprechaun go after the wishes are granted.
Step 3: Cut of the rainbow and tape/glue it to the back of the shoebox.
Step 5: Cut 1 pipe cleaner into 3 equal parts. Take one of the three parts and cut it into 3 smaller parts. Lay the two larger pipe cleaner pieces next to each other. Lay the 3 smaller pieces across the two larger pieces and wrap each end around the larger pieces. This will make the leprechaun ladder. You can glue it to the side of the box.
Step 6: Take a piece of gold tissue paper and rip it up into small pieces. Crumble it up into little balls. Place them in the cup or cupcake wrapper. This will be your gold coins, you can also use pennies, play money, craft gems or chocolate gold coin. Place your cup or cupcake wrapper under the rainbow in front of the trap door. Place some “gold” from the top of the ladder over the trap door to lead your leprechaun to the trap.
Leprechaun Trap 2:
Variation: Instead of orange construction paper you can use cardboard. Instead of pennies you can cut circles out of paper or cardboard and use gold glitter to make it look like gold.
Step 1: Take your green sheet of construction paper. Your going to cut the paper at each corner. Cut in about 2 1/2 inches in. Then fold the sides in.
Step 2: Next turn your paper over and decorate it. You can use makers, crayons, glitter or anything you like.
Step 3:After your finished decorating your going to turn the paper over so that the decorated side is facing down. Fold the sides back up and tape together.
Step 4:After your trap is taped together you’re going to put it on the tape with decorated side facing out. Tape your cookie/candy stick to the front inside side of the box.
Step 5: Place your trap on an orange piece of paper. Put the cupcake wrapper underneath the trap and fill it with pennies. Make a trail of pennies leading to the pot of gold. Add glitter and your done. Instead of construction paper you can use cardboard to make a stronger base.
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Men's Designer Shoes
Written by Kevin Little
Men's designer shoes are becoming more and more common on city sidewalks and country roads. Once upon a time, one could only hope to see such shoes at a special occasion or a business function. These days, more men are discovering just how good a great pair of shoes can make them look and feel.
There are other considerations to weigh when looking over the range of men's designer shoes. One factor that gives such shoes an advantage over cheaper shoes is long-term performance. Designer shoes cost more, but they are also made to withstand many more strides. A designer shoe with a look that suits your perfectly can become a long-standing companion on the road of life.
Men's designer shoes also have an edge when it comes to comfort. More and more of these shoes are being made with the ergonomics of the foot in mind. Feet are among the most active parts of the body, and must be given a proper amount of support. Some companies also offer shoes in different widths to accommodate different foot shapes.
Men's Designer Shoes on the Internet
Not only are these shoes superior products, they are also among the easiest products to find. Many online shoe stores offer all the selection one could ever need. These stores know that you're looking for a shoe that fits your foot to a tee, and are thus generous with their return policies.
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Apparently, there was a leak regarding the next multiplayer DLC, which is looking set to include
Spoiler
mostly Earth-themed stuff. The maps are apparently going to be set in Vancouver, London, and Rio. Three new weapons will be the Pirahna assault shotgun, Acolyte pistol, and Typhoon light machine gun. The new classes will all be Human: Destroyer, Paladin, Demolisher, Slayer, Shadow, and Fury.
Why would they change the names of the classes? And don't we have enough humans?I bought a veteran pack and a premier spectre pack to round out today so far. Snagged both a grenade bonus and a shield bonus for my gear slot, and also a geth plasma smg and the REVENANT (<3)
I've been playing the game for a second time through on insanity; And I have quite enjoyed the challenge.I've made some different choices this time through, and although it doesnt affect much right now, it's nice to have the differences there. Right now I am up to the point of where they said the extended cut will work from, so instead of continuing on I will just wait until the DLC is out in two days so I dont immediately have to replay the campaign a 3rd time.Few suggestions I have for you guys(and I'll spoiler tag all of this)
Spoiler
Firstly, the weapons. I wouldnt recommend carrying an SMG at all, it's not needed. In terms of shotguns, I think the geth plasma shotgun is an obvious choice. It is really the only thing that will save your bottom when it comes to fighting banshees(And yes, they are HARD. One hit of their warp and you will be shieldless, and your health will be going down fast) and also phantoms. For pistols, some people like the arc pistol during geth fights, but for the entire campaign I've stuck with the scorpion pistol. It's very effective when you have decent damage attachment and upgraded clip. Good for getting those annoying enemies out of cover, and it finished enemies quickly so you can duck back into cover; something that is hard to achieve with an assault rifle. Speaking of assault rifles, my choice may be surprising to you; The geth pulse rifle. It's best against geth, but the huge clip size and excellent accuracy is the key points that make it very effective. Though admittedly, this will be your least used weapon. Finally, the gun that is MANDATORY. The widow. If you do not have a widow, you are going to have a bad time. This thing is absolutly amazing; I have mastered quick scoping out of cover and getting headshots. That is the tactic. Headshots. Even those pesky rocket geth and such will fall to it. I wouldnt recommend using the javelin; I have the javelin X and widow X for campaign, and the widow is far superior.As a general note about weapons, insanity has a nice bonus that when you pick up a gun, it upgrades 3 times. So if you didnt pick up a javelin your first time through, you will pick it up and it'll automatically go to 3. If you have a gun from your first play-through at 5, itll go to 8 when you pick it up again. Oh and yes, do insanity on your second playthrough or with an ME2 import so that you can get your guns up to X, it helps a lot.Next is the squad you choose. The one character you want to keep throughout EVERY SINGLE mission is garrus, and make sure he is equipped with the widow, and eventually while dong side things for characters he can get armor piercing rounds which help. Now as your second character, this may vary. Some people will use javik, some will use liara. I used edi for almost all of the missions, and when I didnt have her I used tali(though tali died in my play through so) If you use edi/tali, make sure they have the scorpion equipped. They are great with this, and they have have saved me many times during the missions.Of course make sure you are doing every single sidething you can. Even small things like getting upgrades for shields and weapons and health from glyph can help immensely.In terms of some specific parts or enemies...-Geth primes: Always tackle them by going into cover and waiting for them to pause after their bout of shots. Use geth plasma shotgun. Charge first shot, then empty the clip.-banshees: Always be running away from them, but stay to an area where you can get into cover for when they warp. if they hit you with warp, immediately use medigel. Once their barrier is gone, hit them fast; The barriers come back very quickly.-Phantoms: Same tactic as banshees, mainly using the shotgun and staying far back from them-Harvesters: Shotgun and widow, but always stay far back, for they can shoot like crazy-Brutes: Plasma shotgun as usual, though if you chose to use a widow, garrus can assist with that and they go down pretty fast.
On my Vanguard Insanity run, I ultimately wound up rocking nothing but a Geth Shotgun upgraded all the way with some nice modifications. It's just that versatile, and the extra cooldown lets you do some crazy stuff.
Speaking of Vanguards, I took my Krogan Vanguard for a run yesterday to complete the squad challenge. Ended up on a team of three Krogan Sentinles and spent about half an hour dominating Cerberus troopers. Highlights include beating an Atlas to death and chasing a Nemesis around the map for about five minutes.
I have a question for anybody who has played the Extended Cut and made the relevant decision, as I am a PS3 player and have only watched a few videos on the DLC.
Spoiler
Is it possible to win if you select the refusal option? All I have seen is the option where the cycle is completed.I feel like the way the game should have ended with the refusal option as the only choice, if Bioware insists with sticking with the deux ex machina abomination that is the Crucible. Instead of the three space magic choices, the God-Child (who should have manifested in a different form, imo, if they insist on including him)instead tells you that the cycle will continue, and that the Crucible was a trap to lure the armed forces of the galaxy to one spot_ instead of giving the responsibility of to doing with the galaxy for inexplicable reasons. (I also like the dark energy expansion ending, but that's another discussion) So from there, in typical Shepard fashion, you tell the God-Child that you gathered the strength of the galaxy and you know that you can beat the Reapers. So from there, you sit back and watch the battle unfold. If your war assets were too low, the galaxy is harvested and the cycle continues. The middle ground should bring a victory with heavy sacrifices, and the extent of the losses depends on your war assets. From Commander Shepard herself, Garrus, the other crew members, a significant portion of the fleets and ground forces, these are all losses that would have weight in such a context. The better the war assets, the better you lose, similar to how you could save your entire crew in ME2 if you made the right choices and did everything that was required beforehand. If ME3 gave you similar choices in how you attack Harbinger and subsequently the other Reapers would have given some of the most powerful and inhuman antagonists within a fictional medium proper justice, instead of hitting a button, you win. Imagine a scenario where Reapers zerg the Crucible, and your actions and war assets decide whether or not Commander Shepard survives. Finally, with a perfect war asset, you suffer minimal losses, Commander Shepard lives guaranteed, as well as your crew and a majority of the united fleets. From there, you get to see your choices did on the galaxy, similar to what they did with the extended cut with the expansion. Then I would have been happy, even if I would preferred that the campaign of ME3 played out in a radically different way, with a few exceptions.All in all, the extended cut proved to me that Bioware came stupidly close to a good ending, but ultimately failed. At least they elevated it from being horrible to somewhere between bad and halfway decent. If it turns out that you can win if you refuse to make a choice, then I would personally try to forget that you had to option to pick your favorite explosion and except that as the only canon ending, but as it seems, the refusal option was only there to appease some of the fans' request for such an option with the least amount of effort or change to the ending they envisioned.
Edited by Derpman!, Jun 26 2012 - 03:05 PM.
0
"No, you clearly don't know who you're talking to right now, so let me clue you in.
I am not in danger. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot,
I think the ending would have been alright if you hadn't actually been able to choose it. Instead of the 'pick a colour' ending, it would have been much better if what the Crucible does was down to every other decision you've made through the whole series.The extended cut adds a bit to the ending, and makes it seem less rushed over, but doesn't fix the 'pick a colour' problem. I don't mind the Crucible being a bit of a deus ex machina, but it's the way it was handled that annoys me.- Tilius
also, why did they keep the breath clip in the destroy ending? To quote the glorious Plinkett, "that don't make no sense." I always considered that clip to be the biggest piece of evidence to the indoctrination theory, as that theory is the only thing that explains that clip. What, are we supposed that Shepard fell through the atmosphere and survived? Why is this only possible if you pick the ending where the God-Child tells you'll die? So to add to his completely paradoxical logic, he's a liar too? It only makes sense if you assume the clip is your Shepard waking up from being hit with Harbinger's beam of death, and the reason that the destroy ending is the soul means to survival is because it is the only one that allows Shepard to resist the indoctrination. So by not confirming exactly why the breath clip is included at all, Bioware basically proves the indoctrination, even though every other single aspect of the Extended Cut basically contradicts that theory. Why? Why, Bioware?
Edited by Derpman!, Jun 26 2012 - 05:16 PM.
0
"No, you clearly don't know who you're talking to right now, so let me clue you in.
I am not in danger. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot,
The new ending left me satisfied. I still don't like it, but I guess I understand it. I'm just glad they gave more explanation to the god child and closure.Also, started up my save of MUFASA Shepard to see if I could just restart the last mission where you fight Marauder shields and the 3 husketeers, since I've played multiplayer too much and my Galactic readiness is way too high. I did this because the game stops counting new or lost war assets after the cerberus base, and on this old save, I had below 1500.Anyway, because of my awful Shepard, I got to hear what I think is the most hilarious line of the godchild.
Spoiler
First off, these first two things he says anyway, regardless if you have the new content. Instead of saying "wake up", he asks "Why are you here?", and when he tells you "you have choice, more than you know", instead he says "you have choice, more than you deserve".And now for what I thought was hilarious. I'm not sure if it was for low EMS or just what he now says if you question him about the control ending, but still, considering who he was talking to, it was pretty funny."I don't look forward to being replaced by you, but I have no choice."
No indoctrination at all. Instead, the ascended Shepard is using the Reapers to help rebuild the mass relays and Citadel and repair the damage caused by the war.Nicely capped off by the promise that Shepard would protect everyone.
0
~Everybody wants to rule the world.~
~Electronic Manic Supersonic Bionic Energy~
~"If I am afraid of criticism, I won't be able to challenge anything new." - BoA~
I am now satisfied. While Synthesis is obviously best for the galaxy, what with enlightenment and all, I like Control the best, because it leaves more room for personal, relatable stories in a post ME3 series. I guess you could say the same of Destroy, but I refuse to acknowledge a Mass Effect without Geth, my favorite species, and EDI, my favorite character.
So now that we know how the series actually ends, someone should make a TBRPG.
Looked up the endings, they're better, but not tolerable. Ah well. I think I can still hock the games for a decent amount of money. Wish I hadn't bought the DLC, but eh, live and learn right?
0
I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are the good people and the bad people. You are wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides.
also, why did they keep the breath clip in the destroy ending? To quote the glorious Plinkett, "that don't make no sense." I always considered that clip to be the biggest piece of evidence to the indoctrination theory, as that theory is the only thing that explains that clip. What, are we supposed that Shepard fell through the atmosphere and survived? Why is this only possible if you pick the ending where the God-Child tells you'll die? So to add to his completely paradoxical logic, he's a liar too? It only makes sense if you assume the clip is your Shepard waking up from being hit with Harbinger's beam of death, and the reason that the destroy ending is the soul means to survival is because it is the only one that allows Shepard to resist the indoctrination. So by not confirming exactly why the breath clip is included at all, Bioware basically proves the indoctrination, even though every other single aspect of the Extended Cut basically contradicts that theory. Why? Why, Bioware?
One question though,
Spoiler
why is the Shepard being alive clip somehow perceived as proof for the indoctrination theory?Couldn't it just be that Shepard simply survived re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere on a very thick piece of Crucible (or Citadel) hull plating (like Master Chief's re-entry on Halo 3? (Granted, he had full armor, but still...))? That's what it has always meant to me, lol. Nothing more, nothing less.There are other things about the IT that don't make sense to me, btw.
Anyway!Who is everyone's favorite background character?Mine's Matriarch Aethyta, the Asari-Krogan bartender on Illium on ME2 and the Citadel in ME3
Spoiler
and father of Liara.
She's just hilarious.
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~Everybody wants to rule the world.~
~Electronic Manic Supersonic Bionic Energy~
~"If I am afraid of criticism, I won't be able to challenge anything new." - BoA~
I honestly have to say Conrad Verner. I feel kinda bad that I immediately suspected that from the "autograph" conversation in ME1 that he was going to try to steal my identity, only to be proven that he was going to do exactly just that in ME2, but in a three-legged pathetic puppy kind of way.And then that scene in ME3 where you get him as a war asset is just so blindsiding, you have no where to go but "Huh."
I honestly have to say Conrad Verner. I feel kinda bad that I immediately suspected that from the "autograph" conversation in ME1 that he was going to try to steal my identity, only to be proven that he was going to do exactly just that in ME2, but in a three-legged pathetic puppy kind of way.And then that scene in ME3 where you get him as a war asset is just so blindsiding, you have no where to go but "Huh."
The most absurdly complicated sidequest in the game, really. And that's why I love it.I went to "Huh," then on to hysterical laughter because it required so much of you to complete it.
That Conrad Verner moment was easily one of the best sidequests in any of the 3 games.Also, that return to Earth free multiplayer DLC is true, and it's coming out next week. Also, the prothean particle rifle is now available as an ultra rare gun in multiplayer.Lastly, this week's challenge "Operation Broadside". Details:Squad Goal: Extract at least one squad member against Reapers on Gold difficultyAllied Goal: Extract 400,000 squads against Reapers on ANY difficultySpecial Circumstance: NoneSquad Goal Success: All squad members awarded a Commendation PackAllied Goal Success: All players awarded a Victory Pack. Medi-gel cap increases from 5 units to 6.EDIT: Wow, found a bunch of new information. Here's pictures and descriptions of all the new classes, and the guns.N7 Fury (adept/Kasumi clone): Throw, Annihilation Field, Dark ChannelFury operatives use implants to fuel biotics and their incredible movement speed. These operatives wind an unpredictable path on the battlefield, moving in and out of combat before returning to unleash a sweeping biotic attack on their unsuspecting targets.N7 Destroyer (soldier (awesome terminus armor)): Multi-Frag Grenade, Missile Launcher, Devastator ModeThe Destroyer's T5-V Battlesuit gives these strong-but-slow soldiers mech-like protection. Driven by eezo-assisted actuators, these frontline troopers carry heavy weapons onto the battlefield.N7 Demolisher (engineer): Homing Grenade, Arc Grenade, Supply PylonThe Demolisher uses grenades to attack at range and to terrorize the battlefield. Demolishers can also create a supply pylon that stocks allies with an unending reserve of grenades and thermal reloads.N7 Paladin (sentinel (not a huge fan of the inferno armor, but whatever)): Snap Freeze, Incinerate, Energy DrainThe Paladin carries a powerful omni-shield onto the battlefield to block enemy fire. The Paladin also uses the shield as a heavy-melee weapon that, when modified with incindiery or cryo upgrades, creates a devastating combination attack.N7 Shadow (infiltrator/ex-phantom): Tactical Cloak, Shadow Strike, Electric SlashShadow infiltrators use implants to dramatically improve agility, making them slippery combatants on the battlefield. Their monomolecular blades are a menace from cover and close range.N7 Slayer (vanguard/Kai Leng?): Phase Disruptor, Biotic Charge, Biotic SlashSlayers use implants to dramatically improve mobility. Their dizzying sword attacks can hit multiple opponents, and the Slayer's ability to slip fire makes them hard to pin down on the battielfield.And here's the guns: Gun 1Gun 2Gun 3 (pistol)Also, there's a platinum difficulty now.~U_K~
So, some single player DLC coming soon. Honestly I can't decide if I can muster a care. We'll see.Also I find the Shepard breathing thing at the end of the Destroy ending to be a bit disturbing. Is it weird that it bothers me? I just think it's ridiculous that it suggests he could survive reentry. Also, in that ending EDI is dead. D:
FOR ANYONE WANTING TO BEAT REAPERS ON GOLDI have beaten reapers on gold on Firebase white countless times, I did it roughly 10-15 times last night already with my team. However I am willing to help anyone who requires assistance. Our basic strategy is to camp in the back of the room. However, you will NOT waste ammo or equipment. Basically, here is our strategy:Three people sit behind the barrier that looks down the hallway. One person sits behind the barrier to the left. That person is one of my friends who had a particle rifle(we all have it, but for my role I do not use it) He sits and uses it against enemies with armor.I play as a justicar. I place down a bubble in front of the barrier. Anything in that bubble gets destroyed by biotic explosions. The other two people nexto me play as Phoenix adepts or human male adepts. It's essentially biotic explosion cluster, but barely anyone ever goes down, and all you have to use is your powers. Objective rounds can get annoying, but we manage. Banshees are NOT a problem. Since three people are behind one barrier, the banshess 98% of the time target us. The thing is, they CANNOT get past that barrier, they just sit there while we explode them and it works very well.I promise you this works, we used to do white on geth until we realized this is actually BETTER and easier. last night every game ran a time of 26-28 minutes. If you want help with this, send me a friend request, my gamertag is Toxic White. Send me a message saying "help with reapers gold" And I'll queue you for a game with us, you will get your pack, I can assure you that.
Hey, I was wondering how do you get more then 2 supply bonuses (medi-gel, missile launchers, ammo packs, op packages) in co-op. I know you can get five, even in Silver, which strikes me as slightly overpowered, but handy. Do you need a certain amount of each type in stock? If so, how many?
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"No, you clearly don't know who you're talking to right now, so let me clue you in.
I am not in danger. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot,
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Mego Talk - The Arcadehttp://megomuseum.com/community/
Discuss the Arcade games at the Mego Museum.enThu, 14 Dec 2017 02:21:03 GMTvBulletin60http://megomuseum.com/community/images/misc/rss.pngMego Talk - The Arcadehttp://megomuseum.com/community/
Gaming advice wanted---please!http://megomuseum.com/community/showthread.php?115332-Gaming-advice-wanted-please!&goto=newpost
Fri, 24 Nov 2017 21:00:47 GMTI'm looking at buying a gaming system for the first time in probably thirty years. I know a lot of you folks are pretty avid gamers, so any advice you could provide on which one is a better investment would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm not really looking to join in with a bunch of other players, so networking capabilities are not a huge consideration for me. I'm just looking for what is prone to giving me the BEST, not necessarily the BIGGEST, bang for my buck[s]. Thanks, in advance, for any info...
]]>The Arcadeemeraldknight47http://megomuseum.com/community/showthread.php?115332-Gaming-advice-wanted-please!
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Interstate 29 from Brookings to ND border closing
December 30, 2010
Interstate 29 from Brookings to the North Dakota border is closing at 4 p.m. today.
Heavy snow and strong winds are creating blizzard conditions with drifting snow and limited visibility making travel dangerous to impossible, according to a release from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
There is no timeline at this point for reopening the section of interstate. Officials say further closures on South Dakota’s interstate system are likely as the storm continues through Saturday morning.
Officials are urging no unnecessary travel throughout the state until the storm passes.
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The 245 yards he amassed in his first varsity start was an impressive feat Saturday, but it was during the game's opening series when Constantine defensive back Justin Hull formally introduced himself to Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central.
St. Mary's never recovered from the momentum-setting play, when Hull – a 5-foot-9 sophomore – delivered the hit of the game on a much-larger Chinedu Nwosu on third-down-and nine at Constantine's 39-yard-line.
The takedown knocked the senior off his feet for a 3 yard loss and brought a standing ovation from the hundreds of red-and-white-clad Constantine fans.
The third playoff game in four years between the Division 6 teams proved to be a one-sided affair, as Constantine – fueled by the carnage Hull left as a one-man wrecking crew – coasted to a 36-14 victory at Harper Creek High School.
Coach Shawn Griffith said Hull was a difference-maker on Constantine's junior varsity squad last year. Griffith, however, singled out a strong offensive line that played an understated role in the team's 439 rushing yards Saturday.
"We've had (Hull) up all year, it's just, sometimes, you get caught in the numbers game … we've got some real good running backs – even Andres Montoya comes off the bench and breaks a couple of key runs for us today," Griffith said. "But once again, our people up front did a tremendous job springing Justin and giving him the day that he had."
Next up for the 11-2 Falcons is a rematch against the Ithaca Yellowjackets at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Ford Field in Detroit. Ithaca, which has won 41 consecutive games, topped Constantine a year ago to collect its second straight Division 6 championship.
Saturday's win marks the first time in school history that Constantine has gone to the state championship game in back-to-back years.
Hull, who has been a season-long fixture on Constantine's secondary, started on offense in place of senior Payton White.
Not to be overlooked, a strong supporting cast was equally vital in helping the Falcons secure the win. Senior quarterback Tommy Reed had 65 rushing yards, scored two touchdowns and led on defense with six solo tackles. Senior Justin Bontrager hauled in a pair of passes for a total of 53 yards, senior Jeff Steiner scored a touchdown and was an offensive workhorse and senior Ben Mallo also scored a touchdown.
Griffith said without question, the 48 minutes of football was the best he's seen from his team all year.
"We were rallying to the football on defense and offensively we were really churning things out," Griffith said. "You throw in a couple of key pass completions and you can have a day like this."
Inspired by Hull's leveling of Nwosu, Constantine fielded the subsequent punt at its own 10-yard line and marched downfield in a 12 play drive that culminated with a 7 yard run by Mallo. Reed's toss to Bontrager on the conversion put the Falcons up, 8-0.
Page 2 of 3 - SMCC made it 8-6 by responding with a touchdown of its own on the next series and setting the stage for what appeared might be a back-and-forth affair.
But Constantine never trailed and added seven more points on its next offensive opportunity. The 80 yard series was highlighted by a 52 yard run by Hull and culminated with a 4 yard run by Steiner on the first play of the second quarter.
Hull struck again late in the second quarter, racing 54 yards for what would be the difference-making touchdown and a 22-7 halftime lead.
Echoing Griffith's comments, Reed said Constantine's offensive line was the difference between the two teams.
"Our (offensive line) just dominated from the beginning … just pushed their defense and we had our way with them," Reed said. "And our defensive line created piles and we were able to have all the linebackers come up and make all the tackles."
As it did on its initial possession of the first half, Constantine reached the end zone on its first series of the second half. A methodic, 12 play sequence that covered 65 yards and ate more than seven minutes featured a big-time fourth-down play.
On fourth-and-14 at SMCC's 29, Reed connected with Bontrager for a 25 yard gain. Two plays later, Reed scored on a 1 yard run to make it a 29-6 game.
Reed scored Constantine's final touchdown on a 15 yard keeper at the 7:32 mark in the fourth quarter.
By the time SMCC added a touchdown and two-point conversion late in the game, however, the contest was out of reach.
Falcon guard Nate Petoskey, who transferred to Constantine, said he will need time to process Saturday's win and make sense of the fact he's going to the championship game.
"Unreal … it's just so bizarre to me. I've been crying for the past five or 10 minutes; I'm so happy," he said. "We just came out so jacked up and so ready to go, smacked 'em in the mouth on the first play and they weren't ready for that."
Reed, meanwhile, said with all due respect to SMCC, Ithaca is an entirely different football team.
"They spread the ball out and like to throw it, and I've heard they have a big back … it should be an all-out war," Reed said.
With Reed healthy, Constantine's chances of ending Ithaca's run of dominance could be in jeopardy. In the semi-final contest a year ago, Reed suffered an ankle injury and saw limited playing time in the title game as a result. The senior said he's looking forward to being more than just a spectator this year.
"It'll be more enjoyable being able to help out," Reed said.
SMCC ends its season at 10-3.
Page 3 of 3 - NOTES
Cody Hartwick was 4-for-4 in extra-point attempts … Constantine dominated in time of possession, 31:28 to 16:32 … the series record between the teams is now 2-2, with all four games played in the post-season … Hull's 245 rushing yards do not include 14 additional yards he picked up on a kick return … SMCC's final offensive play of the game was intercepted by Bontrager … the press box and scoreboard operations were run by personnel from Battle Creek Pennfield, as Harper Creek's workers were in Chelsea watching the Beavers in their semi-final matchup against Orchard Lake St. Mary's … Ithaca enters Friday's state-title game with a 12-0 record. The Yellowjackets' last loss was a 47-16 setback to Montague in the 2009 MHSAA semi-final.
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Congratulations to the winners of the third and final week of Aquila Ascension. Cabals have fought and the best players have been rewarded. Check the photo or in-game to see if you’ve won!
In an operation commanded by the experienced player Gecko, Queen Mab with most of her force owing allegiance to the Danaan Covenant triumphed over the troops of Elder Zhang Guo. The opposing general had amassed an army of Eastern power with some contributions from the Sons of Osiris. Guo’s forces fought valiantly but sadly, the tricks of the faery folk proved too much for the Dragon Enclave army to bear.
The month’s battles and operations are increasing in ferocity and are expected to culminate in a quick, 2-day event that will conclude the Aquila Ascension. Check the Aquila Mayhem thread for information on rewards.
Next month the Vril Society is looking to bolsters their ranks and to achieve this they will be hosting the Vril Escalation!
Aquila Ascension ends but there is still fighting to be done. In the last frantic battles of the month the opportunity presents itself to earn awesome rewards. As the cabals prepare to execute their next plans the top 60 Neophyte, the top 30 Adeptus and the top 10 Cabalist players will all get a random Elite card from any cabal.
It’s a fight to the finish line as the next leaderboard reset is no more than 2 days away, on the 1th of December at 00:00 PDT.
Congratulations to the second week’s winners. Glory has been earned as the cabals and alliances have battled against one another. Check the photo or in-game to see if you’ve won!
As just one example of the week’s fighting the top 2 Neophyte Kekkonen led an offensive with the elusive Mr. Rosenau against a force lead by the mysterious Fulcanelli. While both brought forces from the Vril Society and the Order of Zahir to the battlefield it was the mighty Kekkonen who emerged victorious by outlasting their opponent. Many observers reported seeing strange alchemical concoctions and blasts of Vril energy being used to a great effect. A local farmer reported seeing a mighty Champion of Hyperborea on the field, but his claims cannot be confirmed for sure.
Nevertheless, the fighting continues. The next reset is on the 29th of November when the top fighters divided into Neophytes, Adepti and Cabalists can expect a reward of Influence and a rare random card from any cabal. The top New Stars will get Influence and a random card from any cabal.
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Progressive cinema: Spotlight on Detroit
DETROIT – There’s been a rash of films lately about Detroit. Maybe that’s because many consider it to be ground zero for the U.S. economic decline. World artists travel to Detroit to see ‘the ruins‘ – an apocolyptic sight with major blocks of enormous empty buildings. But until now, there hasn’t been a movie that really captured the soul of the city and the real people who live here.
Most seem to overlook the fact that metropolitan Detroit is the most racially segregated big city in the country, that African Americans comprise over 90 percent of the population, and that there were possibly good reasons for the infamous 1967 Detroit ‘Riot,’ (‘Rebellion’ to many) that’s blamed for the ‘white flight to the suburbs.’
There are those who hope that the white folks and businesses that fled come back and take over the city again, ignoring that racism might have been one of the main causes of the problem in the first place.
This view is prominent in a short film shown at the Traverse City Film Festival, entitled “After the Factory,” that promotes this ‘white savior’ mentality. Young white professionals and artists are featured in a film about a city that’s mostly Black, and compares Detroit’s flight of industry to the economic woes of Lodz, Poland. At times it’s hard to tell if the Poles speaking in the film are in Poland or Detroit, and although two well-known activists, Grace Boggs, who is Asian American, and Yusef Shakur, who is African American, are included in the mix, they are disproportionally represented.
The French came recently and made “Detroit Wild City,” a philosophical treatise based on the ‘ruins’ concept, with impressionistic images of vast emptiness. Very few people were featured in the film, and certainly not many Black residents.
But recently, two new rewarding films about Detroit have been released and were shown at the Traverse City Film Festival. “Burn: One Year on the Front Lines of the Battle to Save Detroit” honors the resilient and heroic Detroit firefighters who battle sometimes as many as three fires a day in a town that is literally burning itself down. This heartbreaking film, which won a top prize at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, was shown at a special screening for the many volunteers and supporters of this community-oriented film festival. Back in the shop for final editing, the film will be available soon for public viewing.
The best film to date about beloved Motown, “Detropia,” (Detroit + upotia) captures the richness and rawness of the people in a city that refuses to die. This is a loving tribute to the real people who live here and who fight to keep the city alive. The film starts out following a young woman documenting with her phone camera decaying landmarks while teaching the rich history associated with them. Later on, Local 22 President George McGregor drives us through Detroit past the gutted out Cadillac plant where he worked most of his life, and then takes us through a day at his union office dealing with the realities of another manufacturing plant, American Axle, leaving the city and taking jobs with it.
But what really convinced me that directors Heidi Ewing (Jesus Camp) and Rachel Grady were going for the real thing was their choice of interviewing Tommy Stephens, owner of the venerable Raven Lounge, the oldest Blues and R&B club in Michigan. It’s frequented mostly by Detroiters and defiantly exists on Chene Street where houses are disappearing around it daily. Tommy makes one of the most profound observations in the movie when he remarks at the Detroit Auto Show that the Chinese equivalent to the American Volt electric car costs half as much and gets way more mileage per battery charge. He was counting on growing numbers of workers at the Volt factory coming down the street to help his business survive.
The film is visually stunning and profoundly enriched by a blend of music ranging from operatic styles to hip-hop. Directors Ewing and Grady, obviously sensitive to racism and its ramifications, point rather to the shrinking industrial base and the loss of jobs as a major factor in the decline of the city.
In the last 10 years, Detroit has lost nearly half of its manufacturing jobs. During the same decade, 50,000 American factories closed. Six million workers have lost their jobs. But they make it clear – this isn’t only a Detroit problem. So, watch for this alarming film, and possibly the financial crisis, to come to your city soon! For you Detroiters, it will be shown FREE, Thurs Sept 13th at 7pm at WSU Community Arts Auditorium with filmmakers and local subjects in attendance.
Two popular music films celebrating Detroit as a world music center were also featured this year. “Searching for Sugar Man” tells the amazing story of a 60s singer/guitarist who failed to make it in the music biz and went into other work to survive. Years later it was discovered that his album had become a hit in South Africa and Sixto Rodriguez was as big a name there as The Beatles. It’s claimed that his lyrics even helped inspire activists to fight the oppressive apartheid system and eventually bring it down. Most people there thought he was dead, but to everyone’s surprise…here he is!
And the hugely popular “Louder Than Love” celebrates Detroit as a rock and roll center and focusses on the grand history of the Grande Ballroom, home for many classic performances by the rock stars of the time.
Detroit is a story close to my heart, having been born here 68 years ago just a few blocks from where the Raven now stands, and now living…still just a few blocks from the Raven. I’ve seen it all, spending most of my time as a jazz musician and activist in the African American community. I love this city and lament the loss of some great landmarks and businesses.
But ultimately it’s the people that make a city. Many have left, forced out by foreclosures and loss of jobs, but there are still many good people here; many great activists and endless joys left in this embattled city. Once we address racism in all its modern forms and identify allies in the class struggle, we’ll be better equipped to fight together against a system that puts profits before people.
CONTRIBUTOR
Bill Meyer frequently writes movie reviews for People’s World, often from film festivals. He is a keyboardist at Bill Meyer Music and current member of Detroit Federation of Musicians. He lives in Hamtramck, Michigan.
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Put 23 people into a room and there is a 50% chance that two of them will share a birthday. This has implications for the security of stored credentials and sets a fundamental limit on our ability to ensure the integrity of data.
In the 1940's Claude Shannon proved the existence of a cryptosystem that afforded perfect secrecy -- a cipher with no mathematical weaknesses. The recipe? A random key equal in length to the message that can be used only once. Leave it to the Soviets to re-use keys, a fatal mistake that did not go unnoticed by American cryptanalysts during the Cold War.
If an intruder gains access to your network, these are some of the methods they will employ to eavesdrop on and hijack communications. After demonstrating several examples, we discuss recommended defenses.
Upon establishing a man-in-the-middle on the LAN, the intruder attacks a variety of cleartext and encrypted communications. We demonstrate what this looks like from the intruder's perspective, and describe several techniques for getting around the encrypted protocols in common use today.
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- Additional Modification Slot to every original Car- Variable Turbo up to 150psi because why not?- Additional Indestructible Block because your engine won't take 10bar of boost- Water & Oil Cooler no more overheating problems!
Tipp: You can twincharge your engine by equipping a supercharger to your engine.
The idea for this mod I got from @Msaxflismyren with his mod "Supercharge Any Engine"
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``Without some accounting for the influence of former SEC lawyers at the pre-enforcement stage, said POGO investigator Michael Smallberg, the new study may be too quick to minimize the impact of the revolving door. "I don't think one could fully 'alleviate concerns' about the revolving door without researching the interactions between current and former SEC staffers in these other areas," Smallberg told me in an email.''
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Premium apartment using passive house technology. These are buildings whose energy efficiency is much higher than that of traditional buildings, since they use the resources of bioclimatic architecture.
These constructions are only made of environmentally friendly materials and offer a comfortable room temperature all year round (unlike traditional construction) without the use of conventional heating.
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Following the news of the first bitcoin exchange launching in Egypt, a senior official at the country’s central bank promptly issued a statement that no entities have been authorized to trade bitcoin. As the central bank reiterates the legal status of the digital currency, other government agencies also weigh in.
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Biggest ever win on roulette machine
What’s the Biggest Win in Roulette Ever? The truth is that the biggest win in roulette is not known and is kept quiet on purpose. Even with the big win, 6 of the Biggest Vegas Wins in History. BY David K. Israel. Most of them felt it was the worst commercial they had ever seen. 'My biggest single daily win was just over £4, 'But the fact is I was winning consistently and nobody has ever done that before with roulette.'.
What are the 5 Biggest Casino Payouts Ever Awarded?
The only change was that the woman with the hammer was now listening to an iPod, which remained clipped to her belt as she ran. The marketing logic was brilliantly simple: Even so, there have been many people who have beaten the game and won large sums of money. Joseph Jagger Total Take: IBM already held the nickname "Big Blue," so the parallels, at least to Jobs, were too delicious to miss.
Croupier's clothes are given out by the casino. There are no pockets there, so you can not hide or steal chips.
The center of the casino is Las Vegas. Every year 40 million gambling people from all over the world come here.
Biggest Casino Wins in Las Vegas | Caesars Casino Blog
By Andy Cunoi on June 15, One of the most popular games at casinos these days seem to be the jackpot games. Jackpot games are your typical casino games such as Blackjack, Slots or Video Poker, but have a jackpot attached to them that can be won. Sometimes these jackpots reach into the millions of dollars and award one lucky player at random a huge payday.
Since their introduction, we have heard tales of players winning small fortunes and life changing money. Some may be false, but we were determined to find out which ones were true.
And, believe it or not, sometimes a story that sounds too good to be true can be a reality, as your about to find out. He is most famous for being known as the man who broke the bank in a casino in Monte Carlo. His epic gambling tales inspired a song to be written about him as well. To make this story even better was the fact that Charlie won a bet on number 5, 5 consecutive times. Football is the most popular sport in the world and has the richest sports figures in the world as well.
The owners of these teams have to be even wealthier to pay the salaries worth millions and millions of dollars every year. One day he strolled into the Fifty Casino and decided to play a few spins at the table. He walked in, slapped down a massive bet on number 17 and completed that bet by betting on the color of 17 and odd.
sexadir. Cassie took it and smiled gently as she shook. sculpted eroticobscene artworks in food (bananas, carrots, apples. Jeff turned, pulled his jeans up, and walked along the alleyway slowly. Cassie took it and smiled gently as she shook. Yet, of the almost 600 million the federal government spends on AIDS prevention, probably less than 10 is spent on high-risk groups. The reality is that Dalia is no angel when the lights are turned down low.
Details
The house may have the advantage over the long term, but people do win. Some people win big. This post is all about the people who have beaten the odds and taken the house for astronomical sums of money. I originally planned to rank these winners in order of the amounts of money they won. Gates mean as much as the guy who sells everything he owns and bets it all on red? In pure money terms, sure. Also, you can bet there are even bigger winners than these that we never hear about.
Also, this post only includes live roulette winners. Ashley Revell Total take: Wagered life savings on red One day in , Ashley Revell took his life savings to Las Vegas and wagered everything on a single spin of the wheel.
And when I say life savings, I mean everything. With not a single possession except for the clothes on his back, Ashley Revell flew to Las Vegas and bet everything on red. The roulette ball began making smooth trips around the wheel and then began to slow. The orbit wobbled, the ball clanged down into the bottom of the wheel, took a few bounces and eventually came to rest on red 7. With one spin of the roulette wheel, Ashley Revell had doubled his net worth.
This one bet represented everything Ashley had accumulated over 32 years of life. Where is he now? The site is still live, but I saw a few rumors on the internet that he was looking to sell the site in It looks like he might still run that site though, so take that rumor with a big grain of salt.
As of March , he helps people find online casino jobs at igamingrecruitment. The site is only a few months old, but it looks like Ashley Revell is staying busy and doing well for himself. Charles Wells Total take: Luck Charles Wells won a million francs at the Monte Carlo in a single night in He returned later that same year and won another million francs. Unfortunately, his luck came to an end after that. Charles continued gambling and lost everything.
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Roulette pour ilot central
Turns out he was gay. 436. A date with Nora will take your breath away, a divine experience that you will want to experience again and again. He sat on the sofa next to us, and began loosening his belt. ) _______________________________________________________________________________ Section 7: Alternate Choices.
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One Glass Video Production Reel
About One Glass
One Glass Video has one mission: to engage audiences. Through branded entertainment, non-fiction and
commercial content, One Glass offers the best in quality and an unmatched personal touch.
An award-winning staff provides all the necessary tools and skills to get the job done on-time and within budget.
From planning a production, providing professional crews, to editing and animation — it is the One Glass policy
to exceed expectations, every time.
We take visions and turn them into something you can actually see. We're nimble, experienced, and inspired. We love what we do.
Woman v. Workout is a 27-episode reality web series that pits Lauren Berlingeri, a world-traveled fitness model, against every workout imaginable. Whether training with the FDNY, tossing axes with STIHL Timbersports legends, or taking on Tough Mudder, our fearless host manages to land on her feet with a smile (most of the time!). In this trailer for a 3-part episode, Lauren takes on Navy SEALS training with former Navy SEAL and Youtube star, Don Shipley. One Glass Video produced, filmed, and did all post production for the series. The series has over 4 million views, and a strong subscription following.
Sexy is more than just looking hot, it's a mind, body and spirit connection that few people embody. In this 13-episode series for YouTube's 3V channel, host and comedian Carey Reilly is talking to some of the sexiest people around to find out their secrets to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In each episode, Carey spends a day with celebrities such as NFL's Steve Weatherford, TV host Robert Brace, Broadway star Amra Faye Wright, and more. In this episode, she and HGTV design guru and author Sabrina Soto immediately form a very unique friendship. One Glass Video produced, filmed and edited the series.
In this fish-out-of-water reality series, Compton Timberwolf, an eccentric and charismatic self-taught drummer from the Bronx, is thrown in over his head as he attempts to broaden his musical horizons. In each episode we pair him with a band from a wide spectrum of world genres. He has a crash course with the band, and then performs with them in front of a live audience. The show is about connecting across musical genres, and finding the common ground between people from different cultures through the joy of music.
Cultural Kitchen is a 13-episode web series that takes a look at popular chefs and the cultural inspiration behind their cuisine. In this episode, learn how to make gumbo that'll taste like it was delivered straight from Bourbon Street's French Square in New Orleans, Louisiana. Celebrity Chef Paul Prudhomme shows us how how easy it can be to marry the flavors of aged hen, andouille smoked sausage, dark roux, chicken stock, onions, bell peppers, celery and Cajun spices into a warm, flavorful meal. One Glass designed graphics, produced, filmed and did post production on the full series.
One Glass Video produced the eye-catching opening sequence to the web series My Ultimate Sandwich for YouTube's Tasted Channel. My Ultimate Sandwich scours the nation for some of the most creative and covetable sandwiches, asking chefs, bloggers, self-made sandwich masters, and many others to show us their epic creations. One Glass chose to use a variety of frame rates to create slow motion and accelerated motion effects that highlight the textures of some typical and not-so-typical sandwich ingredients.
Behind the Drink is a web series on the Tasted YouTube channel that takes viewers behind the bar and behind the crafting of some very hip and unique cocktails. The drinks expert host and professional bartenders whip up some recipes and tricks for kicking back with some fancy cocktails at home. One Glass designed and executed the show graphics packaging.
One Glass Video has worked with NYC comedians Kendra Cunningham and Vicky Kuperman on many comedy video projects through the years. This series entitled Why Is Everyone Always Hitting On Me? explores the consequences of one woman's overly large ego. One Glass produced, filmed, edited and designed the opening animation.
For more Kendra Cunningham and Vicky Kuperman check out their websites: http://www.kendracunningham.com/
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This is one part of Malibu Rum's Maliboomboom series. This episode shows how a whole office is reacting to Bernard's goodbye note... and you'll never guess where he left it. Fun fact: One Glass filmed the Post-It note mural inside a studio, using quarter sized post its!
"Game Changers" is a web series in which renowned relationship author Andrea Syrtash sends popular comedian Michael Somerville out to test established "pick up community" strategies and coaches him with the help of hidden cameras. The show is about discovering the best ways to make a connection and a good impression through real life application of dating advice.
Andrea Syrtash has been featured as a dating and relationship expert on NBC Digital, the OWN Network, VH1, and The Today Show as well as authoring three books of her own, contributing to over a dozen other books and regularly writing for Yahoo, MSN and Oprah.com.
Michael Somerville has had multiple stints on The Late Show with David Letterman, hosted shows for Nickelodeon, Starz and Encore and been featured on various programs as a panelist for VH1, Bravo and The History Channel. Michael also spent three years as an regular dating columnist for Glamour Magazine.
One Glass Video filmed and edited this provocative commercial in partnership with Better World Advertising.
Karlsson's Vodka believes that Vodka should be simple. A single-distilled and unfiltered expression of the delicate raw ingredients from which it is made, Karlsson’s Vodka is the world’s only vodka made from Virgin New Potatoes. The company needed a commercial conveying the simplicity and elegance of their product, and this project was born. Shot in Brooklyn, One Glass used animation to contrast the complexity of other Vodka producers' process.
GadgetLab is Wired Magazine's cutting edge series that highlights the coolest new gadgets you can't live without. This episode takes a look at the Logitech UE Boom, a speaker that combines Bluetooth streaming with 360-degree sound. One Glass directed, filmed and edited the 15-episode season.
Woman v Workout - Navy SEALS
How Are You So Sexy - Sabrina Soto
East Coast Compton - Teaser
Cultural Kitchen - K Paul's
My Ultimate Sandwich
Behind The Drink
Why's Everybody Always Hitting on Me?
Stickies
Game Changers - Teaser
Better World Ad Tobacco
Karlsson's Vodka
WIRED Gadget Lab
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of filmmaking, she quickly became an expert in post production. She worked as a television promo
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Gerald Sievers is a producer/director with a knack for crafting stories that brands are
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He is focused on series development and targeting new audiences.
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To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website
The Citizens' Military Training Camps are conducted by the War Department under the National Defense Act. The objects of these camps are to bring together young men of high types from all sections of the country to develop closer national and social unity. Pamphet also includes an application.
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4 comments:
Thank you for contacting the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Information Clearinghouse with your question about the clinical trial entitled “Dopamine Function in Developmental Stuttering.” The NIDCD supports and conducts research and research training on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech and language and provides health information, based upon scientific discovery, to the public.
Unfortunately, there have not yet been any results or articles published on this study.
To find published research about this study in the future, please search the National Library of Medicine’s (NLM’s) PubMed, (http://pubmed.gov), a computerized database that indexes medical journal articles and research reports. The final outcomes for these studies may not be published yet, but you may find preliminary and related study outcomes. Searching this online database will provide abstracts of published reports related to your topic.
You may also wish to search the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT) website at http://report.nih.gov/index.aspx. The following link will take you to the annual report on the project leader’s, Carter Van Waes’, studies which include “Dopamine Function in Developmental Stuttering”: http://projectreporter.nih.gov/project_info_description.cfm?aid=8149710&icde=18272390. Results and articles published on any of these projects can be found under the “Results” tab.
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As Apple and Samsung renew their worldwide and long-running legal embroilment, the three co-chief executives of the South Korean manufacturer will be comforted by the fact that they had earned much more than their counterparts in the Cupertino-California based company. The component division of Samsung is headed by Kwon Oh-hyun who took home a salary of about $6.4 million last year. This information was revealed by the company because new regulations have been enforced, which indicate that the salaries of top executives would have to be revealed by South Korean companies. The head of the mobile arm of Samsung, Shin Jong-kyun and Yoon Boo-Keun, the chief of consumer electronics also took paychecks that were near the mark of $6 million.
More than 70% of the pay of the three co-executives comprised of bonuses. Regardless, each package managed to beat the one paid to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook, who took a paycheck of $4.25 million. The companies are meeting in US District Court in San Jose, California in a recent patent battle. However, in 2011, Mr. Cook was awarded about $378 million in terms of deferred stock due to which the Samsung pay packets are way less. As far as chief executives of other major US companies are concerned, they were awarded an average salary of about $10.5 million.
According to the investors in Seoul, because of the strong performance of the company in the past few years, they aren’t very much concerned with the pay given to Samsung’s executives. However, the miserly dividend yield is in direct contrast with the healthy paychecks awarded to the executives of the company. This has become a huge source of shareholder unrest because the cash pile of the company keeps on expanding amidst the decline in profit growth. This is the first time that South Korean companies like Samsung have disclosed the salary paid to individual executives.
This change was made last year via the introduction of new laws and before that only the aggregate amount paid to board members was disclosed. However, it has been warned by corporate governance experts that there is a loophole in the new law due to which some of the top businessmen in the country are able to keep their salaries a secret. The new regulations state that only the income of registered directors has to be published, which means that the pay of senior officials of Samsung like its vice-chairman Lee Jae-yong still remains a secret. His father is not a registered director and does not receive a salary either, according to a spokesperson of the company.
In comparison, the chairman of other top companies in South Korea also disclosed their salaries for the first time. This included the name of prominent companies such as Hyundai Motor and also its sister companies Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Steel, which published the salaries that are paid to their respective chairmen. Another major South Korean firm LG Electronics also published the salary of its chief executive and vice chairman, Koo Bon-joo.
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Contemporary art trends and news from Asia and beyond
About Art Radar Asia
Art Radar Asia News conducts original research and scans global news sources to bring you selected topical stories about the taste-changing, news-making and the up and coming in Asian contemporary art.
Posts Tagged ‘Central Asian art’
How and with whom does the contemporary art of Central Asia communicate? To whom is it addressed? In which language does it speak? Does it use a lingua franca, the language of most effective communication, or does it twist its language towards outsiders?
This is the proposition set down by the curators for the Central Asian Pavilion at next year’s 54th Venice Biennial. Georgi Mamedov (Moscow) Boris Chukhovic (Montreal) and Oksana Shatalova (Rudnyi) have sent out an open call to artists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to submit work under the theme of “Lingua Franca”. The project has been commissioned by Asel Akmatova (Bishkek) and Andris Brinkmanis (Venice) with Beral Madra (Istanbul) and Gulnara Kasmalieva and Muratbek Jumaliev (Bishkek) as special consultants.
The focus of the pavilion looks to play upon the gap in artistic communication, similar to the project Making Interstice that featured at Venice two years ago. The curators maintain that in communicative terms, the contemporary art history of Central Asia is balanced between two poles; communicating with the international “Western” art scene and with the “local” community.
How far are these respective forms of communication effective? Next year’s project will explore not only this gap in communication but how they might be brought together.
Asian Contemporary Art Week director Leeza Ahmady talks about the ‘ incredible’ initiatives in India and Hong Kong which are helping to build an Asian art infrastructure, Indian collector Anupam Poddar’s first time purchase of art from Afghanistan and where to see exciting art from Central Asia, the Middle East and Iran at New York’s Asian Contemporary Art Week May 2009.
AR: If visitors to Asian Contemporary Art Week 2009 in New York want to learn more about Central Asia at Asia Contemporary Art Week, what can they see and where they can go?
LA: People can see some of the best artists from Central Asia and the Middle East at an exhibition titled: Tarjama/Translation I have co-curated with Iftikar Dadi and Reem Fada at Queen’s Museum produced by ArteEast. Many of them are internationally-renowned artists but for some reason they are not being exhibited in New York yet.
Akram Zaatari and Lara Baladi from Lebanon, Esra Ersen from Turkey and Sharif Wakid from Palestine are represented and Almagul Menlibayevaof Kazakhstan who is getting a lot of attention here in New York and now has a gallery representing her. We have specially commissioned a video work by her entitled “Queens”. It is an extraordinary work. Almagul has juxtaposed her signature style-using performance as a base revolving around ritual and the fantastic to captivate the Central Asian diasporas like the Bukharan Jews, the Samarkand Uzbeks and the Afghans living in Queens, New York.
Among the Iranian artists included in Tarjama/Translation, Farhad MoshiriI have heard is totally galvanising the art market which is very encouraging. Often these artists do well in the biennale or academic arenas but we do not see them in the market arena so there is a shift there as well.
There is a whole lot of fascination going on with Iran this year I have to tell you. Thomas Erben, one of the best galleries in my opinion for working with cutting edge artists from Pakistan and India, has just come back from Iran. So in honour of ACAW, he will be curating an exhibition of artists living and making art in Iran and he has been going through all kinds of hoops to get the work to New York. The Chelsea Museum is also organizing a large exhibition in June showcasing Iranian artists from the 60’s up to the present.
AR: What do you see in the future for Asian art? Will Asia continue to rely on Western art centres as a platform for international recognition or will it start to happen within Asia itself?
LA: The Western world is way ahead, years if not centuries, in having the institutions which help with not just showcasing but also maintaining, archiving and saving works of contemporary art. We can’t really have a conversation which compares the two because of that disparity. What I can say is that changes will not just happen in the future …. they are already happening.
Arts i is the new 12,000 square foot art space of one of the largest investment companies in India. It is based in New Delhi and has launched the Religare Arts Initiative which acts as a corporate champion of art. Most galleries, auction houses and art funds operate art businesses but the Religare Arts Initiative tries to leverage business for art through a host of activities – exhibitions, residency programs, library, documentaries, art fund, seminars, documentation etc. The intention of the initiative is to have a 360 degree platform for art in India and really have it create change in society. It is not just a group of people but it wants to actually create an impact on society. I think that is incredibly novel.
Often it is easy for us to say that there is not enough expertise and not enough critical dialogue but the fact is if you really want to look there are some incredible things happening. In India another example is Devi Art Foundation started by a mother and son team who turned their private collection into a public venue. They opened a huge space last summer and already have had two or three critically-acclaimed exhibitions.
They are looking not only at promoting Indian art but also at what else is going on in the region. They reached out to me and we purchased two works by Afghan artists for their collection. This is very encouraging.
To have come this far is wonderful. I want to acknowledge that there is a handful of us out there and it is changing. Another great example is Green Cardamom Gallery in London. They are contributing to the discourse by providing critical context through artist-generated collaborative exhibitions and writing projects.I cannot speak for China as I have never been there except for Hong Kong. But I have to say organisations like Asia Art Archive or your publication now, these are huge leaps forward in creating forums where critics can have space to say what they need to say.
AR: Do you have anything to say about the market for Asian art?
LA: What has astonished a lot of people is that art from India and China has been successful because of locally-based collectors not just outside collectors. The whole market frenzy and speculation was accelerated by this local interest. In the long term this interest will continue to grow. What is happening in the Middle East is also incredible. For the first time in the last 2 years we are seeing auctions of contemporary art from the Middle East. Who would have thought it? And they did not do too badly at all.
AR: Perhaps it speaks about the quality and freshness of the work coming out of the Middle East, what do you think?
LA: That is true. It is fresh because there is a cultural specifity which is very intriguing yet at the same time the art is universally relevant. For me when art tells me something specific but is still relevant whether or not I know where it is from or what it is about – if I can connect with it from that universal place – then it is good art. That is not to say that everything that is coming out of Asia is good of course! (Laughter)
Leeza Ahmady talks to Art Radar about her involvement in the Asian Contemporary Art Week (ACAW) in New York. She discusses her two missions: first to broaden the definition of Asian art – yes, she tells us, the Middle East is part of the Asian continent – and second, to connect Asians with one another.
This is the first part of a 3 part interview.
AR: You have an interesting story tell us about how you got involved with the Asian Contemporary Art Week. What happened?
LA: Some time ago I was studying arts and cultural management at Pratt Institute in New York and writing my thesis on Central Asia. One of my classes was about leadership and we were given the assignment to choose a leader in the arts field and have a daring interview with them.
Well I really took that on. Who do I want to do this with, I asked myself. I remember choosing Vishakha Desai who is now the president of the Asia Society but at the time was the Museum Director. I hounded her assistants and emailed them until I got an interview. And we had a wonderful very pleasant interview. I asked her standard questions about how she started and what she envisioned for her role. I asked her how much of that she had managed to accomplish and questioned her about her leadership style.
Then I took a deep breath and I dared to ask the real question I wanted to ask. How did the Asia Society justify calling itself the Asia Society when half of the Asian continent is missing from its programming. She was amazing and answered me carefully and diplomatically.
AR: It is a provocative question! What did she say?
LA: Very matter-of-factly she explained to me that everyone has to narrow their mission and the Asia Society was supported by the Rockefellers in the early days and their original mission focused on East Asia. She explained that of course other regions are now being integrated.
Then she looked at me and said 10 years ago when I came on the scene, there was no such thing as India particularly from a contemporary art perspective. Then it was only about antiquities so what I had to do was make it my mission to change that and I did that. She didn’t say it in so many words but I got this really wonderful answer which was if you want to make something happen don’t complain about it. You have to take it on and make it happen yourself. It was as provocative as my question to her.
AR: And then?
LA: Well we kept in touch and I kept her up-to-date about my research in Central Asia. A few months later she wrote to me: “Leeza I have a wonderful project for you. Talk with Melissa Chiu and get involved in the Asian Contemporary Art Week” and that was 4 years ago – the end of 2004.
LA: The Asia Contemporary Art Week is an initiative started by a group of independent curators, museum directors, collectors and seminal people interested in creating awareness about Asian art primarily in New York, but also elsewhere. They formed a consortium, the Asian Contemporary Art Consortium, in 2001 to create public educational programs.
Rather than doing things in isolation, they felt it would be more effective to join forces once a year or so and make this one big loud noise together. When I came in it was small and limited to galleries and museums already focused on Asian art. But I was interested in encouraging others to jump on the wagon. I wanted to motivate those who were thinking of showing a couple of Asian artists but who were, perhaps, a little reluctant because they did not have the backing or voice.
AR: Vishakha Desai helped to raise the profile of India in the Asia Society. What has been your mission and your contribution to Asian Contemporary Art Week?
LA: My contribution has been based on my strong desire to expand participation not just by the galleries and museums but also by the artists.
We now have featured artists from all over Asia, not only from the traditional participants of China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. We have gradually moved West and we now include more artists from, amongst others, Vietnam Thailand Pakistan Indonesia Iran Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Now over the last 2 years I have been trying to really broaden the notion of what constitutes Asia by bringing in the Middle East. Lebanese, Turkish, Palestinian and Israeli artists have been represented in 2008 and 2009.
AR: That sounds like an enormous undertaking. Asia is a huge continent.
LA: My specialty is Central Asia so of course I have had to learn a lot. If you want to be involved in something I believe that you really need to know the players and what is going on with everyone. And by being involved in Asia Contemporary Art Week I am lucky enough to be at the centre of a lot of networks.
AR: What has been the response?
LA: I have spent a lot of time figuring who would be interested in opening their doors to help broaden frontiers. Fortunately people have been very open because of the success of artists in the international arena from Central Asia. And people are curious, they do want to know what else is out there.
AR: How much do people know about the Asian continent in New York?
LA: Well there is a lot of confusion. For example take the Middle East. Iran is somehow there and not there at the same time. Afghanistan? There is also a lot of confusion about where it is and whether it is in the Middle East, Central Asia or South Asia.
AR: In the past you have talked passionately about opening up Asia to the Asians. We often hear people talk about connecting East and West but why do you feel there is a need for connection within Asia?
LA: Well the fact that the Middle East is a vast territory within Asia surprises people. In the US, Asia represents China Korea and Japan and only very recently has it been expanded to include India and Pakistan.
There is tremendous ignorance about Central Asia and when I tell someone from Korea or Japan that I too am from Asia, they look perplexed and ask well where are you from? When I say, “I am from Afghanistan” they look confused. Afghanistan shares a 76 kilometer border with China. To me it is simply incredible that in such an interconnected world, people on the same continent can still be so disconnected from eachother. There were years of Soviet rule which kept Central Asia out of reach but at the same time it is now 20 years since the Soviet rule ended.
AR: Why do you feel promoting connections within Asia is so important?
LA: I remember learning so much about all the countries around the world when I was at school in Kabul in Afghanistan. Why do I feel its important ? There is something wise about knowing yourself well. Asians share so may linguistic, spiritual and cultural ties which have broken down as a result of politics.
Historically Iran and Afghanistan were regarded as part of Central Asia. This changed for Iran after the Shah was deposed in 1979. With the dissolution of Soviet rule, 5 states from the USSR became independent including Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. These 5 states are now more commonly referred to as Central Asia.
Meanwhile Afghanistan was left hanging in limbo until the events of September 11 shot it directly back into the Middle East. Recently Afghanistan has been referred to as part of South Asia.
AR: Why have these connections within Asia broken down?
Economic and political policies create disconnections and I feel the best way to make things whole is through art. At least that is what artists do. They try to break things down and put them back together. The idea of deconstructing and constructing, I see art as something beyond aesthetics and intellectual mumbo jumbo. I see it as a tool for people to become more aware, spiritual and connected to themselves and others.
Leeza Ahmady was born in Afghanistan and lives in New York. Her specialist area is Central Asia.
For the first time since its inception in 2004 Cambodian and Tibetan artists will be on show in the 200 artist, 8 day event to be held in New York May 10-18th. But this is not the only first for ACAW in 2009.
The event which, according to Asia Society director Melissa Chiu, aims to present “the latest trends in Asian contemporary art” will also highlight the new vitality and increased international profile of artists from Central Asia and the Middle East.
Coming up soon on Art Radar is an exclusive interview with ACAW director Afghanistan-born Leeza Ahmady and her ground-breaking initiatives to change the perception of Asian art. In the art world, Asia traditionally refers to East Asia but Ahmady speaks passionately with us about how she has made it her mission to overtun this narrow definition and why it is important.
Qiu Zhijie, Failing City, installation 2009
Also new at this year’s event is a platform called Open Portfolios, a series of 20 artist talks and performances, each of which will focus on one aspect of the artist’s work and allow visitors to get up close and personal with artists. Artists involved include Qiu Zhijie (China), Mitra Tabrizian (Iran), Zaher Shah (Pakistan) and Zarina Hashim (India) at the Museum of Modern Art the husband and wife team Muratbek Djumaliev and Gulnara Kasmalieva from Kyrgyzstan. Seven selected artists will discuss their work in exclusive interviews available on www.acaw.net
In an astounding display of commitment to public education despite the weak economic climate, the ACAW team and the 35 participating venues will together present over 60 events, most of which are free to the public. In fact this year’s event has a record number of artists on show and includes many countries whose artists rarely exhibit work in the United States.
The first of its kind in the field, AAA Research Grant was created by Asia Art Archive with the generous support of Martell in 2005.
It was established to encourage understanding of the exciting developments taking place, provide much-needed resources to individuals wishing to carry out focused research projects in Asia, and to endow future generations with material on artists working today.
The grant is thematic in approach and requires the collection of rare documents, original materials and first-hand information on contemporary Asian art.
The US$10,000 grant is offered every two years.
Deadline for proposals 30 June 2009.
The interest in contemporary Asian art over the past decade has surged with an increasing number of Asian artists taking part in major international exhibitions, a growing art market and a mushrooming of art events and spaces in the region. Despite these developments, there has been a lack of research and in-depth writing, which is very important for the long-term understanding and healthy growth of contemporary art in the region.
Afghanistan born and New York based curator Leeza Ahmady is currently director of Asian Contemporary Art Week New York. Click on the link above to see the results of the research online.
Leeza Ahmady organised an exhibition and symposium entitled “The Taste of Others: Contemporary Art in
Central Asia” in New York in March 2005, with the aim of closing the gap that exists between the international
and Central Asian art communities. With the support of the Research Grant, Ahmady traveled to Central Asia
in August and September 2005 to further conduct interviews with artists and curators, and collect up-to-date
materials of the developing art scene.
2. Richard Streitmatter-Tran, Mediating the Mekong
Vietnamese artist and curator Richard Streitmatter-Tran has exhibited at Venice, Singapore, Gwangju and Hong Kong Biennales. He will be assisting the Queensland Art Gallery as a co-curator for the upcoming Asia Pacific Triennale in 2009 for a Mekong focused platform.
Richard Streitmatter-Tran’s research looked at the Mekong region, where he examined the importance of the media in effecting work produced in the region. Over the life of the project, Streitmatter-Tran travelled to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. He proceeded by making a general assessment of the media infrastructure for each country and then seeking out artists that were either using, commenting or resisting media in the production of their work. Videos, images and documents were collected in the course of his research.
The strong presence of Central Asian artists at recent art fairs and exhibits in New York is helping to underscore the fact that the region has joined the mainstream of the international art market reports Eurasianet.
A special exhibition titled Given Difference at the Asian contemporary art fair in New York in November featured six artists from Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan was represented by two rising stars of the Central Asian art world — Erbossyn Meldibekov and Almagul Menlibayeva.
Menlibayeva videos punkshamanism
Almagul Menlibayeva’s works attempt to distill traditional practices, ideas and imagery into a contemporary art form. Often described as punk-shamanism, Menlibayeva’s videos are theatrical and laden with complex references — from tribal symbolism to images of the communist industrial past.
A New Silk Road installation view
One of Menlibayeva’s videos shown at the New York art fair — Headcharge — is a story that casually begins in a restaurant in the city of Almaty and gradually slips into a disturbing ritual performed by the female protagonists. The video shows several urban young women eating a sheep’s head and feeding each other, thereby underscoring the juxtaposition of traditional nomadic beliefs with today’s urban lifestyle. Step by step, the film gives way to a parallel reality, referring to shamanistic travels between worlds.
Born and raised in Kazakhstan, Menlibayeva currently lives and works in Berlin and Amsterdam. Art curators say she often depicts the cultural and spiritual traditions of her native country as erotic and strongly feminine dream sequences.
Menlibayeva’s second film, Kissing Totems, is a surrealistic journey inspired by her childhood memory of walking past Soviet factories, seeking the help of a shaman to cure her mother’s severe illness. With what seems to be the clear influence of Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky’s enigmatic style (particularly the bleak interiors of Stalker), the split-screen video follows a girl, accompanied by her mother, entering an abandoned industrial complex filled with birds. The video then takes a surreal turn when she encounters female-like creatures, called peris.
Meldibekov: photographs of leaders and Peak Communism
The other Kazakh artist presented at the Asian art fair, Meldibekov, explores the question of belonging, but through a different prism. His series Family Album (made together with his brother Nurbossyn Oris) are historic photographs of groups of ordinary people — families or friends — posing in front of a public sculpture of their country’s leaders. Each old picture shot during the Soviet period is matched by a newer one of the same people at the same spot but with a different sculpture behind them — a change in the figure with whom they are associated, determined by the state and history.
Meldibekov looks at the figure of the leader as fetishized by ordinary citizens. He also shows people as if both empowered by virtue of proximity to the great leader and the due diligence of paying homage to him.
Meldibekov has recently begun a series entitled Peak Communism which was also featured at the New York Asian Art Fair. The artist inverts cheap metal pots and bowls and moulds their tops to show their shapes as different shapes — such as Communism Peak, Lenin Peak and Peak of the Pioneer.
Kyrgyz art: video and photography at Winkleman New York
Elsewhere, an exhibition of Kyrgyz artists Gulnara Kasmalieva and Muratbek Djumaliev, entitled A New Silk Road, is on display these days at the Winkleman Gallery in New York City. The show runs through January 10. A series of photo images and a 5-channel video, shot along the highways and small villages connecting China through Kyrgyzstan to Europe, capture the determination and resourcefulness that define this mountainous and economically impoverished region and provide snapshots of how local and global economics are intertwined.
To represent Central Asia and the Caucasus in 2008 Shanghai art fair Best of Discovery, curator Sara Raza has alighted on the work of the outlandish Kazak performance artist Erbossyn Meldibekov and also on the emerging Georgian artist Sophia Tabatadze (see post click here)
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Vikings Release First Depth Chart of 2018: 6 Takeaways
Our first initial glimpse into the construction of the 2018 Minnesota Vikings.
On Tuesday, in advance of the Saturday showdown against the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings released the first preseason depth chart of 2018. Although roles may change leading up to the regular season, here’s a look at how the 90-man roster is currently comprised in eyes of the coaching staff.
Borman breakdown
Pat Elflein is currently on the physically unable to perform list. As soon as he’s cleared by the medical staff he’ll be placed on the active roster as the starting center.
Mack Brown is currently listed as the number three running back. He’ll need to maintain his strong performance throughout the rest of training camp and the preseason to fend off Mike Boone, who has shown off his athleticism and speed in Eagan, as well as Roc Thomas. Thomas has been banged up lately but is expected to receive opportunities in the preseason. In a bit of a surprise Thomas is currently listed ahead of Boone on the depth chart.
The starting kicker spot currently belongs to Kai Forbath AND Daniel Carlson. There’s not much of a surprise here considering neither has pulled ahead of the either in training camp, although you have to give the edge to Carlson considering his draft position.
Backing up starters Linval Joseph and Sheldon Richardson at defensive tackle are Jaleel Johnson and Ifeadi Odenigbo. After losing Shamar Stephen earlier in the offseason, two 24-year olds will get their opportunity to spell the veteran trench-men.
Behind starting linebackers Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Ben Gedeon are Kentrell Brothers, Antwione Williams and Eric Wilson. All three received praise from defensive coordinator George Edwards for their training camp performances thus far. Since Brothers received a four-game suspension earlier in the offseason it’s possible the Vikings will keep an extra linebacker on the roster while Brothers is out. That could create an opportunity for one of the young linebackers to make the team, but Edwards specifically mentioned that Williams has been performing well at multiple positions. That versatility could help earn Williams a job.
The starting right tackle is Rashod Hill. While that’s not much of a shocker, rookie Brian O’Neill took first-team reps at RT when Hill missed time in camp due to illness. Hill recently returned to practice and re-took his role atop depth chart. The offensive line has suffered multiple injuries in training camp. While the return of Elflein and Mike Remmers are expected in the coming weeks, the future of starting left guard Nick Easton is unknown. Easton is currently receiving a second opinion from a doctor on neck and back issues. If he is to miss a significant amount of time the team may look to address the o-line issues via free agency or trade.
Sean Borman is a writer with Minnesota roots that's still somehow an optimist. He was an intern with the Vikings during college and previously wrote for Rant Sports. You can find Sean on the golf course and on Twitter @SeanBoarMan.
2 Comments
Either Odenigbo gained a lot of weight or they are just messing with us. He’s a 258 lb defensive end, I could see them rotating him inside on passing downs but his inclusion as a DT must be a mistake. I also thought they were working Johnson more at 3-tech vs nose, so that’s the one position where it looks like they may have just picked names out of a hat after the starters. Can’t wait for the games to begin so their play can sort them out.
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A 19 year old Chinese woman, Yue Jiang has been killed in a road rage shootingat the hands of 32 year old Arizona woman, Holly Davis after writing a note ‘promising’ violence.
Yue Jiang’s death came after Davis got out of her car and opened fire on an automobile driven by the Arizona State University exchange student, Saturday afternoon along frequently traveled intersection, Broadway Road and McClintock Drive, Tempe.
Losing control of her car, Jiang crashed into another vehicle where she later died of her injuries after being rushed to hospital according to a report via The Arizona Republic.
The incident led to five other people, traveling in Jiang’s car also being injured, including a pregnant woman.
Pursuant to the shooting, Holly Davis fled the scene, hiding evidence of the crime.
Court documents reveal Davis had ‘expressed a desire to be shot by law enforcements’.
An investigation of Davis’ apartment led to the discovery of shell casings matching those at the shooting scene. Police also discovered a note ‘consistent with defendant planning to engage in violence.’
A report via KNXV-TVdescribed Davis suffering from depression and living with her boyfriend in the apartment in nearby Mesa for four days after being estranged from her husband. Court documents cited indicated Davis being sentenced to three years in a Missouri jail after a conviction for resisting and fleeing a lawful stop in that state.
Upon interviewing the woman’s boyfriend, the man conceded that they had been ‘drunk’Saturday morning. Davis admitted using painkiller oxycodone, though it wasn’t known whether she was impaired at the time of the shooting.
‘This just amounts to Holly Davis doing a completely senseless, violent act which resulted in the death of Yue Jiang.’
At the time of the road rage incident, Jiang was driving home with her boyfriend, who is also from China, after the couple went shopping Saturday afternoon, according to a statement posted on FacebookSunday by the ASU Chinese Students and Scholars Association.
Told the association’s president, William Zhu: ‘Her boyfriend is also a sophomore student majoring in communications,’
‘I talked to him this morning on the phone. Looks like he’s in shock.’
Davis faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person and disorderly conduct with a firearm. Davis’ bond has been set at $1.5 million.
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Some of the most astounding trees on earth grow in Africa—huge and ancient baobabs; the Kosi palm, which reaches a towering height only to fall over; and the Welwitschia, a living fossil of the Namib Desert—and these trees have marked much of that continent's rich history and been a vital part of its folklore. Here the author of Remarkable Trees of the World and also The Scramble for Africa offers this gorgeously photographed tree safari through southern Africa and Madagascar, seeking the rare, the giant, the ancient, and the simply beautiful, as well as trees imbued with significance, written about by great explorers, or associated with magic and ritual.
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Best known as the lead guitarist for teen pop band the Jonas Brothers, Kevin Jonas came from a musical family. Encouraged to sing and play instruments from a young age, he was only 15 when he collaborated with his brothers to help write and play for brother Nick's debut solo album. Execs were so impressed with the brothers' collective sound that they were signed as a band, releasing the debut album It's About Time in 2006.
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FULL-MOVIE-DOWNLOADS.NET provides links to other sites on the Internet. We do not host or upload any video, films, or media files. Therefore, FULL-MOVIE-DOWNLOADS.NET is not responsible for the accuracy, compliance, copyright, legality, decency, or any other aspect of the content of other linked sites. If you have any legal issues please contact the appropriate media file owners or host sites.
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Black Girls Will Always Be…Magic!
I joined the millions of supporters who cheered on the recent news of Malia Obama’s acceptance into Harvard University. We celebrated online with strangers, mentally high-fived each other on news feeds and collectively felt like we were sending one of our own daughters off to college. It was another beautiful Obama family moment that made us all so proud.
I felt the magic moving through us, finding its way into our hearts and allowing us to celebrate this young woman’s accomplishment. You know, we’ve watched her grow up – rather gracefully I might add – right before our eyes. She, if no one else, deserved a day in history to be publicly acknowledged for this mighty achievement.
It wasn’t long before we got wind of the derogatory tweets and negative comments online. There was hate speech, insults, name calling and more. There was no regard for this young woman’s feelings. The haters didn’t care that she was only 17-years-old. It didn’t matter that she was the daughter of the President of the United States of America or that she studied hard, made straight A’s or aced the SAT/ACT scores. None of that mattered to them at all.
What did matter is that we witnessed Malia’s black girl magic and her popularity grew in spite of the hatred. In fact, it rallied our spirits and we built yet another wall of sisterhood around her, because we protect our young. This is the magic of us. She was stepping into her awesomeness and giving us just a peek into her power. In that brief moment in time, we watched her put on the strength of her mother and the foresight of her father and walk proudly into her own sunlight.
She became a part of us, a part of the whole, a part of what makes us magical.
Coined by CaShawn Thompson over a year ago, the phrase “Black Girls Are Magic” and the accompanying hashtag #blackgirlmagic continue to roll off our tongues. Celebrities like Willow Smith and Amandla Stenberg – both with their own black girl magic – lend their voice to the movement. Through her idea, Thompson has taught the world to collectively celebrate black women and girls where ever we see them.
She caused a spark. It caught fire. We are producing yet another chapter – black women who do magical things every day.
Here’s to Malia Obama and you. Thank you for sharing your magic. To all of our mothers who didn’t get much credit for their miracles, thank you. To my sisters who are making magical moments as we speak, you reminded us that we are still, amazingly phenomenal, brilliantly resilient, genuinely inspiring, and forever magical!
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Underneath the Glebe Point Bridge
Had a scartch only you could itch.
This blog is a stream of consciousness discussion of alternative music past and present, with a disproportionately high representation for Australian bands. The blog covers websites, releases (rare and common), songs, gigs, random reminisces and other tidbits.
Monday, January 09, 2006
aof
Art of Fighting is just the most beautiful band. I listen to their 'Second Story' LP regularly. So soft and delicate and beautiful, and the lyrics are so senstiive. You can listen to songs (including Along The Run, some lyrics below) at their website:
http://www.artoffighting.com/
"try not to feel let downget filled up with the pouring rainor the the wind with its awful soundor the sun with its simple shameyou know i always will see your faceand i always will say your nameyeah i'll always remember you"
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Grey
'Sound As Ever', the first You Am I LP (though that is controversial, as there is an earlier two-EP compilation that many claim counts), was dedicated to the late Stephen Gray, better known as Goose, frontman for Sydney band Box The Jesuit (a nautical term for masturbation btw), a major influence and close friend of Tim Roger's who died of leukaemia in 1993 (while Sound As Ever was being recorded in Minnesota). He was also the inspiration behind the song Gray from Hi Fi Way.
This song on the subsequent LP is one of the most beautiful Tim Rogers songs. There is a lovely version by Tim Rogers and Wayne Connolly on the Underworld Medium Rare cd#1, a CD that came with issue #1 of Underworld Magazine in 1995. I can forward it to anyone who would like it.
GRAY - Hi Fi Way
Drunk at Cannon FallsI never made the callI had your numberIt was chiselled on my hand and stainedFell asleep to the lineLyle sung "She's made up her mind"Now I'm the twenty first descendant of the age and
I don't want it getting 'round town'cause you'll kick my skinny ass if you ever saw me downI can deny it 'til they all gone awayBut I just don't think we'll ever get that other band together
Tried on all of your clothesBut even me and your girlfriend knowThat there's only so much one guyCan steal and so
We'll all choke on the slackTry like hell to dream you backOf the nothing I gotYou know that you've always got half a soul
Saturday, December 24, 2005
the last gorgeous gig
6th November at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne.
It was the last Gorgeous (http://www.gorgeous-band.com/) gig in Melbourne (and second last all up - the final one will be in Brisbane some time). The reasons for the split are uncertain, though it seems that half of Gorgeous, Fi Claus, is returning to Brisbane, from Melbourne, where they originally hail from. Since Gorgeous arrived in Melbourne in 2003, their output slowed.
On the back of their first LP,'More', and the higly promising self-titled sophmore effort, they moved to Melbourne and released their third LP 'Twelve Plus One' (Thirteen is unlucky - and a Teenage Fanclub LP). 'Twelve Plus One' was a little disappointing after Gorgeous, and it was clear there was a divergence between the writing of Heeney and Claus emerging. Typically, the song writing responsilbities are split down the middle; tracks alternating Claus then Heeney then Claus then.. and so on.
Another challenge for the band, one that is arguable essential, was cracking Sydney. While Gorgeous played regularly in Brisbane, Melbourne, and even Newcastle, and was receiving airplay on JJJ, they never really established themselves in Sydney, and rarely visited.
Yet in the last two years, only two releases surfaced; an EP 'Air Balloon' in 2004 and a single in 2005, 'Big Fit Heart'. Both contain the assertive vocal workings of Fi Claus, but Heeney's soft delicate acoustic efforts shine through (and she dominates the songwriting on those two final releases).
And so to the final show, six months after 'Big Fit Heart' was released. The set was restricted almost exclusively to tracks off the three most recent releases; indeed, when an early song was requested; they laughed and said they couldn't remember it! The early tracks were played a little faster than the album versions, but once the nerves associated with a final gig settled down, so to did their rhythm.
One of the delights of seeing Gorgeous live is the intimate, two way excahnge with the audience. No mindless banter; the girls will often pause to explain what a song is, or isn't, about. For example, 'Work Your Way Down' is not the ode to oral sex that one might assume from listening to the track.
Gorgeous played for two hours - the song that received he loudest cheer, and justly so, was the beautiful and delicate 'Glock Song' (from 'Gorgeous') - it is perhaps the that most perfectly merges the acoustic harmony of Emma Heeney with the moodiness of Claus' violin and glock. They hardly touched their back-catalogue, amounting the five releases, and a cover of 'Little Suicides' on JJJ's 'Like a Version' album.
Gorgeous are a band that deserved to be more popular than they were. They wrote the right songs, they did it from the heart, and they were unashamedly original. Their last gig conveyed a sadness. Both are going on to new things; Claus has formed a new band in Brisbane, and Heeney is launching (or rather, continuing) a solo career.
It makes me sad that THIS was never finished:Top 100 Australian albums of the 90's, at the Australian Music Projecthttp://www.ozmusicproject.net/top100/
What was your #1 album of the 90's?
For me it was probably Hi Fi Way by You Am I, even though it was less sophisticated than Hourly Daily; I think it struck a strong chord with my own lack of sophistication, and awkward teenagerness. When Hourly Daily came alon, I was in a suburban cultural cringe mindset, and therefore it didn't immediately grab me.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
jbt in the dc
(Cross-posted in )
John Butler Trio played in DC last night; they were amazing. After he played 'Ocean' (one of the first pieces of music he busked with way back when), the crowd roared for a few minutes before it was quiet enough to start the next song. It would have been a standing ovation were the crowd not already standing. And it seems the US crowd has really gotten into them; they sang along to 'Peaches and Cream' and 'Zebra'.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
The life of an expat
Spreading the word about music is an important aspect of being an Aussie in America. You Am I are well received - always the first band I tell people about. Others include Something For Kate and Jebediah.
In the US, Missy Higgins and John Butler Trio are getting good airplay, and when the new Wolfmother cd comes out, I expect that will be popular here too.
Another aspect is hearing new music... unfortunately I achieve this mostly by trusting the US site pitchforkmedia.com as i don't listen to the radio.
But the true challenge is keeping up with new Aussie music. Most new stuff I got into back home was found at gigs. So it's frustrating. There are a few Aussie bands touring - in fact this Thursday night I'll be seeing the John Butler Trio in DC. EXciting stuff indeed.
So how do I keep track of new music? There is a sad dearth of good alternative music news in Australia - we need a pitchforkmedia equivalent actually - but I don't have the time to do it! Not the internet experties.
I listen to JJJ steraming twice a week, which helps me keep track of some new music. I also check out the websites of my favourite bands for new releases... but clearly this doesnt generate 'new' music finds for me. It's really hard to do - in fact most new stuff comes from emails from friends raving about a band.
Monday, January 17, 2005
5 random songs from my iTunes, and what they remind me of (if anything). An experiment.
Yellow, Coldplay (Parachutes, 2000, British, www.coldplay.com) - I listened to Parachutes a lot while falling for a girl named Annaleise, so this reminds me of her. I think it was the soaring hopefulness of the album that I possessed a certain affinity for at the time.
Thoughts of a Dying Atheist, Muse (Absolution, 2003, British, www.muse.mu) - I actually didn't know much of Muse till the 2004 Big Day Out. I was immediately impressed, and purcahsed their album. This particular song is most appropriate, as it describes the fear of a godless man. I used to play this loud in my walkman walking home late down the alleys of Glebe from Chemistry to home. I was finishing my thesis at the time (Jan-Mar) and wouldn't get home till 1-2 am each night. Even that late, the heat of the tar and walls could be felt on my cheeks.
I'm Affected, The Ramones (Anthology, American, www.ramones.com) - Probably the biggest mistake I made at the 1994 Big Day Out (yes, I'm old) was missing the Ramones (except for a little bit). I really only appreciated them after sitting at home on my own feeling sorry for myself and watching the 'Rock and Roll High School' movie on Foxtel and realising how heart-felt they were.
Pack Yr Suitcases, Custard (Wahooti Fandango, 1994, Brisbane, Australia, http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~custard/) - Ah, the optimism of year 12. This snappy happy little track about heading to heaven for the weekend is so Australian, and was on very high rotation at JJJ that year. Custard (and their lead singer Dave McCormack) were experts at incorporating the larrikin into their lyrics - no high-brow attitude from them. Their music regularly accompanied my frenetic and long-running study sessions in my bedroom, getting ready for the HSC. The that time of heightened mental activity, the music was seared in my mind alongside the algebra. As the eldest of four kids in a small house, that radio was needed to swamp out the screams, yells and arguments. Now I always need some sort of music to work - it's almost autism. Custard are no longer with us, though Dave McCormack and the Polaroids have moments of Custard-like zany-ness.
A.D.D., Spiderbait (The Flight of Wally Funk, 2000, Finley, New South Wales, Australia, www.spiderbait.com.au) - I first saw Spiderbait between the Mark of Cain and Primus in the Sydney Uni Refectory at an all ages gig in February 1994. The room was chockers, and a weird drummer, a female bass player with hairy legs (catholic school boy remember) and and brilliant guitarist whipped the crowd into a frenzy - indeed they eclipsed Primus for many attendees that night. The belting drums, wall of fuzz, and (back then) faint touches of folk/country rhythm were new to us all. Walking along Parramatta Rd afterwards, Janet from the band drove by and asked us what we thought. We all enthused in unison, startling her slightly, and I remember going to HMV the next day and buying all (both) of their cds and lying on bed listening to them over and over. I've seen them many times since, and every album has proved good quality and popular. Their most recent album, Tonight Alright (2004) has brought them full circle musically, as they return to the rough and fuzzy rock of their first releases.
Heh. Note how excited I get when Australian music is the topic. I liked that experiment.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Tim Rogers from You Am I, taken at the Gaelic Club, Sydney on Friday 29th October 2004.
Had a scratch only you could itchunderneath the Glebe Point Bridge
Purple Sneakers, You Am I (from Hi Fi Way)
Surely these are two of the most fantastic opening lines to a song. Purple Sneakers appeared on one of the (if not THE) best Australian rock albums of the 90s, Hi Fi Way by You Am I (http://www.youami.net); their second album (1994), following the remarkable Sound As Ever. Recorded at Geene Street Studios in New York, produced by Lee Ronaldo (Sonic Youth) and mixed by Ronaldo and Jon Auer (The Posies) following their support slot for Soundgarden (http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/) across the US (after being ‘found’ by them at the Big Day Out), it hit the Australian music scene with a thump. It spawned the singles Cathy’s Clown, Jewels and Bullets, and aforementioned Purple Sneakers. The Sydney band sold out six shows at the Metro Theatre (Sydney) in a row – the only band to ever do so to date.
As a Juice magazine review said at the time:
The cause behind them is the near (just for the record, "Gray" is simply good) comprehensive brilliance in conception and execution of this album. Put simply, Hi Fi Way sets a new benchmark in Australian music. 5/5
The songs hark back to lead singer Tim Roger’s childhood, and dwell on the daily grind of life and growing up in Sydney. They rock, they strum, they strut, they take hold of the foot and make it tap, tap, tap. The track Applecross Wing Commander is about pretending to be an airplane as a 9 year old (in the Perth suburb Applecross), and the tracks She Digs Her, Minor Byrd and Punkarella are inspired by people around him. Purple Sneakers was released as a single in June 1995 and reached number 24 in the 1995 Triple J Hottest 100. The song was inspired by the school-yard taunts Tim suffered after he wore purple sneakers (a twelfth birthday present from his father) to school. It also touches on the over-use of drugs to keep inattentive children at bay.
The Glebe Point Bridge, permanently swung open to allow shipping to pass through.
But, as with many of the tracks, the lyrics capture the heart of the listener, and take them on a reminisce. The Glebe Point Bridge, now decommissioned, squats insignificantly below the huge ANZAC (Glebe Island Bridge) that feeds traffic from the west into the heart of Sydney. But before 1997, the little four-lane swing bridge was an archaic (and infuriating at peak hour) reminder of a time past, when Sydney was about cans of KB lager, Fords and Holdens, and when we could play cricket on the street in bare feet and ride our BMX bikes off into the distance.
Find this song on your music-swapping programme. Listen. Love it. Then buy it.
Purple Sneakers
Had a scratch only you could itchUnderneath the Glebe Point BridgeAnd now every boy in a knitted vestHas got some precedentSo we took a personality pillAnd something red to swillAnd now every fire has gone outin every heart that wanted to killLet's call it a day
Every thought that once had a soundWe'll have to hide 'til no one is around'cause there ain't no room in the city todayFor explanations that you just can't sayFound out what shame can meanIn purple sneakers and grey jeansAnd every walked to a school that once made senseSure felt like an accidentLet's call it a day
For every trouble you foundThere's a drink to lose it and drownBut do you need somebody, to feel somebody?
Every day that once had a soundWe'll have to hide 'til no one is in townI don't hate I just feel betterWhen no one else is aroundSo we'll take a personality pillAnd something red to swillAnd now every fire has gone outin every heart that wanted to killLet's call it a day
For every trouble you foundThere's a drink to lose it and drownBut do you need somebody, to feel somebody?
You can shave a million waysTo make damn sure that the twelve in you staysBut do you need somebody, to feel somebody?
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Why the name? Fromlittlethings.blogger.com?
From little things big things grow.
This is true.
It’s not just a clever reference to my aspirations for this blog, it’s also the title of a beautiful song about a beautiful moment in Australian history. In this sense, it hybridises my hopes for this blog with music (the theme of the site) and politics (a passion of mine), which often impinges on (and sometimes appropriates) the lyrics of great songs.
As you’ll hear. Because this site will discuss songs, albums, gigs and music in general that I love and enjoy. What they mean. What I think they mean. What they mean to me. Where they fit into music. In general, this will be about alternative music, and in many cases, Australian. The main driver for establishing this site is that I’m moving to America and worry that I’ll lose touch with new Australian alternative music. I also associate things strongly with the music I’m listening to, and always have. So Sydney will be appearing a lot through the songs I tap about occasionally.
And so to the song. From little things big things grow (Comedy, 1995) performed by Paul Kelly, and co-written with indigenous musician Kev Carmody (with didgeridoo at the end performed by actor and personality Ernie Dingo). Paul Kelly (www.paulkelly.com.au) put his mark on the Australian songwriting scene with the release of the classic Australian song From St Kilda to Kings Cross – a story of his travel from the gritty side of Melbourne to its partner in Sydney. He has had a string of hits in Australia since 1984 (Before Too Long, Dumb Things, Bradman, To Her Door), and is, in my opinion, a brilliant singer-songwriter and has the rare ability to capture the essence of that which is Australian. There is little romanticism though, he is honest and does not pretend that life is easy; he exposes the difficult underbelly of society (http://www.abc.net.au/enoughrope/stories/s1147867.htm).
Gather round people let me tell you're a story
An eight year long story of power and pride
British Lord Vestey and Vincent Lingiari
Were opposite men on opposite sides
Indeed they were. In 1966 (the year indigenous Australians were recognized as legal citizens, counted in the census, and allowed to vote for the first time) Vincent Lingiari led his tribe on a strike on a large cattle station in the Northern Territory, demanding pay, decent work conditions, and that the Gurindji tribe have their land returned. Over eight years, their struggle gained momentum and support through across Australia, and a cry for human rights through the Union movement.
Eight years went by, eight long years of waiting
Till one day a tall stranger appeared in the land
And he came with lawyers and he came with great ceremony
And through Vincent's fingers poured a handful of sand
bringing the strike to an end and restoring ownership of the land to it's traditional owners. Gough Whitlam's words at the 1975 ceremony were "Vincent Lingiari, I solemnly hand to you these deeds as proof, in Australian law, that these lands belong to the Gurindji people and I put into your hands part of the earth itself as a sign that this land will be the possession of you and your children forever." Whitlam was a leader of rare vision and clarity, who changed the face of Australia for the ordinary person.
Paul Kelly will be visited again here for sure; much more needs to be discussed; albums and discographies plugged. That is for another time. For now, it is important to showcase the song behind the web address. A song about a man who decided enough was enough a paved the way for indigenous land claims in Australia, and the man who responded and gave them the first indication that Australians could care.
That was the story of Vincent Lingairri
But this is the story of something much more
How power and privilege cannot move a people
Who know where they stand and stand in the law
| 19,098 |
This one was one of the most picturesque and best powder days I’ve ever seen on a weekend
Sunday morning we woke up to a few inches of fresh powder and headed over to Winter Park as quickly as we could. We jumped onto the Zephyr lift as soon as it started and rode up to the top to see how the Vasquez Ridge compared to the day before. It was amazing!
Skiing in the trees at Winter Park
We played in some of the trees off the Looking Glass lift and the Olympia Express. I had never been on some of these runs including Tweedle Dum (a new favorite).
Snow frosted trees at Winter Park
We also found some of the most beautiful snow-covered trees off the High Lonesome Express lift. The soft greens beneath the lift meant fun, meandering tree runs in a frosty winterland.
Overall we fit in 9 runs covering about 10,000 vertical feet for the day.
Welcome to Colorado Snow
Also known as cosnow, this is an online resource and journal created for Colorado skiers, snowboarders and mountain enthusiasts covering local events, powder days, terrain, restaurants, gear, activities, and more. Learn more »
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Facebook was the first social network to introduce the big image banner on its profile pages, giving them a kind of blog-magazine look. Now it’s pretty standard – LinkedIn being the latest platform to roll it out. You can always stick with a standard old plain colour background or one of the free images that come with the platform. But why not create a custom image?
Your header image is a prime piece of online real estate – a strong header will increase your branding and visibility, showcase you or your work and help attract new connections. What I’m talking about here is the big image which spreads across the top and behind some elements of your profile page. (This is different from your profile photo/avatar/headshot.)
Here’s a quick run-through of what you need to know.
1) Find out the optimum size for your profile header image – this differs from one platform to another. (Remember that the image will display differently on tablets, mobile phones and computers with different size screen resolutions.)
You can change your Twitter header image in the settings as shown here, or just click ‘Edit Profile’ on your Profile page.
Recommended sizes are currently:
Twitter: (‘header image’) 1500 x 500 pixels, max 5mb
Facebook: (‘cover photo’) 851 x 315 pixels, minimum size 399 x 150 – but this will be stretched to fill.
There’s a great Facebook Page that explains in detail the current different areas of the cover picture, how it scales on mobile devices and more, so if you want to make a precise job of it then take a look and download the latest templates here.
LinkedIn: (header or ‘hero image’) 1400 x 425 pixels, max 4mb
YouTube Channel: (‘channel art’) 2560 X 1440 pixels. Refer to this helpful article to find out more, including how it will display on different devices.
Google Plus: (‘cover image’) Max size 2120 x 1192 pixels, minimum 480 x 270. However, to ensure maximum quality on all screens, tablets or smartphones, the recommended size is at least 920 x 250 px but not more than 1080 x 608 px, otherwise some of the information will get lost.
2) Check out what others are doing – find some striking examples of header images and get inspired.
3) Decide on what you want the image to convey. This is your showcase – what do you want to get across? Your personal ‘brand’? The genre or style of your writing? Something more specifically about your current book? Dates and times of forthcoming appearances? If your image is to contain specific information then make sure the important stuff is in the ‘safe’ areas of the image. Some of the resources referred to here will help you with that, or you can do it the old fashioned way – trial and error!
4) You can create a custom image even if you don’t have design tools like Photoshop. Check out Pixlr it’s a free online image manipulation software and easy to use.
5) Follow the instructions from your profile or settings page, and save your new header image. If it doesn’t quite fit or look right, you can tweak it and re-upload.
In Facebook, hover over your cover photo and the ‘Update Cover Photo’ will appear – click on that
TIP: if you hit the ‘upload’ button but nothing happens, it could be that your image is too large (file size) or the wrong dimensions, or the wrong file type. You won’t always get a message telling you what the problem is. So if your image isn’t uploading double-check all the sizes and instructions about permitted file types (eg .jpg and .png may be permitted, but not .tif or .psd).
There’s so much more to Twitter than just posting links to your blog posts or tweeting the odd ‘what I’m up to’ update.
I’ve found Twitter to be a fantastic tool for connecting with all sorts of people I wouldn’t otherwise have met. OK, so it was easier in the early days, when there were fewer of us using it and before the marketers and scammers had moved in!
If you’re wondering how on earth to unlock the real power of Twitter then let me tell you there are no quick fix ways of doing it, but take it one day at a time and in six months you’ll wish you’d started a year ago.
It’s about small things … and they all add up. To give you an idea what I mean, here are seven tasks to set yourself, one for each of the next seven days. Come on, how hard can that be? Just remember a general point – when you refer to another person or entity in a tweet, reference them by their Twitter (@) name, because that way they will see your tweet. If you don’t know their Twitter name, use the Twitter search box to find it.
So here goes…
1) Do something nice for someone
This might be, for example, answering a question, or retweeting a question you can’t answer yourself, but one of your followers might. You might tweet how much you enjoyed someone’s latest book, or review, or poem in such-and-such magazine. Or how about starting a conversation with someone who’s new to Twitter or not very active, to encourage them along?
2) Retweet something useful and say why
If you’ve just learned something useful, or come across a resource you know your followers will find useful, or a news story people will want to know about, tweet a link to it. Add your own comment or endorsement.
3) Find THREE book bloggers/reviewers to follow
You can use the Twitter search box to search for names or keywords, or do a general search on Google – look for people who actively review work in your genre. You might find one, and then from their lists of followers or followees you might find more. Don’t follow more than three at a time, for now … if you stumble of a rich seam of people to follow, go to point 4 –
4) Start a new list
Remember you can add someone to a list without actively following them as an individual. You can then follow that list. If you’re using Tweetdeck or Hootsuite, create a new column for that list and voila. (See this post about Lists if you’re not sure).
5) Find a writing-related hashtag and use it
There are so many great writing hashtags, many of them are ‘slow chats’ – in other words, it’s an ongoing conversation around a theme. Well-used ones are #amwriting, #selfpublishing and #kidlitchat. But there are many, many more – here’s a mammoth list of Twitter hashtags for writers!
6) Take a long hard look at your profile page
When did you last refresh it? Could it do with a makeover? The new profile pages allow for a wonderfully big header image – make the most of this space. Look at how other people are using it, get some inspiration. What about your profile picture? Looking a tad tired? And your bio – are you making the best use of your 160 characters, with key words for people to find you by?
7) Thank someone
Ah yes – we so often forget to this. Who doesn’t love to be thanked? Just think for a moment – is there someone you follow on Twitter (who perhaps you’ve never met) who often tweets useful things, or answers questions, or retweets other people’s posts? A ‘thank you’ out of the blue from a relative stranger is a wonderful thing.
Have a great week on Twitter – who knows, you might set yourself another #7things for the week after, and the week after …
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Janet L. Yellen Sworn in as Fed Chair
Janet L. Yellen on Monday took the oath of office as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The oath was administered by Governor Daniel K. Tarullo in the Board Room.
President Obama announced his intention to nominate Dr. Yellen to be the Chair of the Board of Governors on October 9, 2013, and the Senate confirmed her on January 6, 2014. Prior to her appointment as Chair, Dr. Yellen served as Vice Chair of the Board of Governors.
Dr. Yellen's term as Chair ends February 3, 2018, and her term as a member of the Board ends January 31, 2024.
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BUBBA’S RIGHT AT HOMIE
MAYBE record king Quincy Jones is responsible for Bill Clinton relocating to Harlem. Quincy tells Talk magazine that the former president is “just like a homie now! He, Hillary and Chelsea are like part of my family!” Jones says Chelsea writes him notes once a week. “I love me some Bubba,” Quincy adds.
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Dover International Speedway
No rain dance is being done at Dover this weekend!
This website is an online resource for NASCAR enthusiasts: welcome to our info page for Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware.
Dover International Speedway has an impressive Cup racing history. From 1969 to 1980, 21 of the 22 Cup races held there were won by drivers who either already had or would go on to win championships in NASCAR’s top series. About 3,200 seats were added to the facility in 1982. Each following year until 1998, more seats were added.
In 1995, DIS’s surface was switched to concrete, making it the first all-concrete superspeedway.
Dover hosted the first Cup race held after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001. Dale Earnhardt Jr. got the win that day and took a giant American flag on a victory lap.
“A NASCAR Foundation Track Walk is a great event for friends and family members looking for entertainment at the track between race activities. Event participants will enjoy a kick-off celebration prior to entering the track for their one lap trek. Get your group together today and get on track for charity! Track Walk participants also have the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the charitable causes supported by The NASCAR Foundation Track Walks by using our online fundraising tools and other fundraising resources.”
RV Lot 6 and RV Lot 7 are designated for Disabled RV Parking. RV Lot 6 is filled on a first-come, first-served basis only for disabled patrons who meet the Disabled RV Parking Requirements (see below). General RV parking rules apply. Disabled customers who meet the Disabled RV Parking Requirements will have the opportunity to pre-purchase RV Lot 7. This is still a general lot, but they will pre-sell the available spots. For more information, contact the Dover International Speedway ticket office at 800-441-RACE.
RV Lot 8 is a reserved lot only. Limited spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Lonnie Steele of Slicer’s Outdoor Rentals at (302) 836-4110 for availability.
RV Lot 9 and RV Lot 10 are filled on a first-come, first-served basis only. Saving spaces is prohibited. Once a RV lot is filled, another RV lot is opened. NOTE: RV Lot 10 does not appear on the facility map.
Disabled RV Parking Requirements
Spaces are first-come, first-served. All general RV parking rules apply. For access, patrons must have a handicap hang tag or license plate.
To insure that our guests with disabilities receive the opportunity to park in our RV accessible/handicap parking area (RV Lot 6 & RV Lot 7), we have enlisted assistance from law enforcement to monitor and enforce proper use of state-issued disabled parking permits at our upcoming race weekend.
Delaware law requires that the person to whom the disabled plate or hang tag was issued must be the driver, or passenger in, the vehicle bearing the plate or hang tag at the time the vehicle is parked in restricted areas (i.e. RV Lots 6 & RV Lot 7). See Section 2134 of Chapter 21 of the Delaware Code.
Before loading into RV Lot 6, patrons will be required to show their state-issued disabled parking photo identification card to verify ownership of their state-issued plate or hang tag. When purchasing a spot in RV Lot 7, patrons will be required to send a copy of their state-issued disabled parking photo identification card and state-issued hang tag or registration for state issued plate. For patrons in Delaware and other states who are not issued a disabled parking photo identification card, the police will verify the state-issued plate or hang tag number and request photo identification (such as a driver’s license) to match the name on the plate or hang tag.
Follow-up checks will be conducted throughout the event weekend to assure that spaces are being used properly. They thank you in advance for your cooperation.
RV Lot Fees
RV Lot 2 is a reserved lot only and the fee is $130 plus (2) three-day ticket packages.
RV Lot 6 is general lot for handicap and the fee is $60.
RV Lot 7 is pre-paid for handicap and the fee is $130.
RV Lot 8 is a reserved lot only and the fee is $165.
RV Lot 9 and RV Lot 10 are general lots and the fee is $60.
Rules & Regulations
Infield RV parking is not available at Dover International Speedway.
It is essential that every RV patron/owner complete and sign a RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM.
Parking attendants will direct RV patrons to the correct lots.
All RVs must be self-contained and must feature on-board sanitation facilities.
Due to limited RV parking space, Dover International Speedway reserves the right to marshal RV patrons in the RV parking areas. If you are asked to move your vehicle, please cooperate. We reserve the right to tow vehicles at the owner’s expense if necessary.
Please Note: RV’s are not permitted to relocate once Dover personnel has assigned a spot, or another $60 fee is required. If RV patrons/owners move their RV from their initially assigned space, Dover International Speedway is not responsible for holding that space.
Only two (2) tow vehicles are permitted per RV parking space.
Quiet hours must be observed. All generators are to be turned off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Also, ice trucks in RV lots will shut generators down by 10:00 p.m.
You are parking an RV on Dover International Speedway property AT YOUR OWN RISK. Please lock your vehicle at all times.
Please do NOT leave propane tanks or any type of barbecue unattended.
Please OBSERVE ALL SIGNS. STAY OUT OF restricted areas and OBEY instructions from Dover International Speedway personnel.
Please BE RESPONSIBLE in the consumption of all alcoholic beverages.
Please BE COURTEOUS to other guests. Let’s make Dover International Speedway an even more exciting and enjoyable place for all race fans!
o Saving spaces is prohibited.
NOT PERMITTED in RV AREAS on DOVER International Speedway PROPERTY
Ground fires are NOT permitted in the RV Parking areas. The Fire Department will monitor fires in RV lots and will extinguish them if necessary.
Please do NOT erect flags or other structures within 100 feet of any telephone or power lines.
Tent camping is NOT permitted on Dover International Speedway property.
Pop-up RV’s are not permitted in reserved RV Lot 2.
RV Parking Services
A disposal station is located to the left of the main entrance off Route 13 behind the credential trailer, and also in RV Lot 10. This service is available to all RV patrons on Dover International Speedway property.
NOTE: It is prohibited to discharge any wastewater from holding tanks onto the ground. This includes gray water, CHT, or any other tank. Officials with the Delaware Natural Resources & Environmental Control Department (DNREC) will patrol the RV parking lots to monitor compliance. Violators will be fined.
Trash pickup is daily from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please use red barrels for the disposal of all trash, as trash will only be picked up from these designated areas. Please do not move the barrels. RV Parking attendants will have trash liners available for the convenience of RV patrons.
Water is available at RV Lot 10 and near the Dump Station at the main entrance off Route 13. If you would like water delivered to your RV,Are you lacking water at your RV space? Don’t worry, for a small fee you can contact U.S. Lawns at 302-270-1705 for water delivery. – See more at: http://www.doverspeedway.com/parking-info/#sthash.xotI6UAi.dpuf
A courtesy shuttle service is available from RV Lot 10, which is located on the east side of the Speedway and Route 1. An ADA shuttle will also be available to pick up patrons with disabilities from RV Lots 8, 9 & 10. This shuttle will run from 8:00 a.m. until 1 hour after race activities on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Pick-up will be at the ADA sign at the entrance to RV Lot 10.
These are photos from the truck and Busch races at Dover International Speedway 06/2007. Thanks to Scott Haley. Click on images to enlarge.
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fight
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Agenda apparel convention last night, promoters threw an industry-only party at Lush Lounge in Long Beach, CA featuring sets from Travis Barker and Yelawolf as Psycho White, […]
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ONLY ON 4 TONIGHT, IT IS THE LATEST WEB VIDEO TO GO VIRAL, GETTING ATTENTION NOW FROM PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD. IT WAS MADE RIGHT HERE IN PITTSBURGH. ALL RIGHT, SO, IT'S AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR A PITTSBURGH CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY, AND PITTSBURGH'S "ACTION NEWS 4" REPORTER MATT BELANGER WAS THE FIRST TO TALK TO THE MAN BEHIND THE AD. AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH THE APPROACH, IT'S WORKING. ? Reporter: IT'S AN EDGY ONLINE COMMERCIAL FOR LEGAL SERVICES YOU JUST HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE, WHERE CRIMINALS APPEAR TO BE THANKING THEIR LAWYER FOR GETTING THEM OUT OF TROUBLE. ? THANKS, DAN. Reporter: DAN IS 32-YEAR-OLD DANIEL MUSIC. HE'S A FORMER RAPPER TURNED ATTORNEY. THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH LAW GRAD MAY JUST BE STARTING OUT IN HIS CAREER -- THANKS, DAN. Reporter: BUT THANKS TO THIS WEB AD WITH MORE THAN 80,000 VIEWS, HE'S ALREADY A HOUSEHOLD NAME. LOOK AT THAT, THREE, TWO, ONE. Reporter: DON'T BELIEVE ME? EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR INTERVIEW, SOMEONE STOPPED AND ASKED FOR A PICTURE. I MAY HAVE A LAW DEGREE, BUT I THINK LIKE A CRIMINAL. Reporter: MUSIC SAYS HE WANTED TO REACH YOUNGER CLIENTS WHO HEAVILY USE SOCIAL MEDIA, AND IT'S WORKED. HE SAYS HE'S RECEIVED MORE THAN 500 PHONE CALLS IN THE PAST TWO DAYS THE AD HAS BEEN ONLINE. THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REACH THE PEOPLE THAT WE WERE TRYING TO TARGET WAS TO MAKE SOMETHING THAT WAS NEW AND FRESH AND DIFFERENT. Reporter: AND FOR THE SKEPTICS OUT THERE, MUSIC WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHOW US HIS LEGAL CREDENTIALS. AND THOSE CRIMINALS YOU SEE IN THE AD, THEY'RE ALL MUSIC'S FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. IT WAS VERY MUCH A TYPICAL HOMETOWN PITTSBURGH THING, YOU KNOW? YOU CALL UP YOUR FRIENDS, YOU GET A BUNCH OF COOL, CREATIVE PEOPLE TOGETHER, YOU BUILD ON SOMETHING AND YOU GO GET IT DONE. ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE COMMERCIAL ARE ACTORS AND THEIR PARTICIPATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ENDORSEMENT. Reporter: IF YOU WATCH THE WHOLE THING, YOU'LL HEAR A DISCLAIMER AT THE END. MUSIC SAYS IF SOMEONE EXPLAINS HOW THE AD BREAKS SOME RULE HE MAY NOT BE AWARE OF, HE'LL TAKE IT DOWN, BUT UNTIL THEN, IT STAYS. YOU'RE ENTITLED TO YOUR OWN OPINION JUST LIKE I'M ENTITLED TO TRY TO CONNECT WITH MY CLIENTS IN A WAY THAT I SEE FIT. I WANT TO BUILD MY PRACTICE. I WANT TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ATTORNEY BY ALL THE CONVENTIONAL STANDARDS OF BEING ONE, BUT I WILL BE MYSELF WHILE I DO IT. HOW, GET THIS, MUSIC TELLS ME HE ACTUALLY HAD A NEAR-DEATH SCARE LAST YEAR WHEN HE WAS HOSPITALIZED. HE LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION. HE'S RECOVERED NOW, BUT HE SAYS THAT THAT EXPERIENCE REALLY CHANGED HIM. HE'S GOING TO, YOU KNOW, DO WHAT HE WANTS, SAY WHAT HE THINKS, AND I THINK THAT OBVIOUSLY COMES THROUGH IN THIS AD. AND SOME PEOPLE WILL APPRECIATE THAT. HE'S GOING TO GET SOME BUSINESS FROM THIS.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that a proposed agreement between world powers and Iran was "a bad deal" that would not stop Tehran from getting nuclear weapons -- but would rather pave its way to getting lots of them and lea...
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"That target was itself reassessed during the year to 904h, in reflection of the difficulty being experienced in keeping enough helicopters available," the report said.
New Zealand aims to have three Seasprites deployed on its Anzac-class frigates at any one time. This requires that four aircraft be operational, with the fourth required for training and certification.
In October 2010 just one Seasprite was available, with two helicopters undergoing heavy maintenance and two others awaiting heavy maintenance.
"Corrosion and vibration damage are the main maintenance issues on the Seasprite," said the ministry. "Regular operation of the Seasprite in a corrosive, salt-laden environment exacerbates maintenance issues.
"Good prevention and husbandry can slow, but not stop, the rate of airframe deterioration."
It added that "vibration damage is endemic to helicopters and worsens in line with hours flown rather than physical age. The only way to ameliorate is to lower flying hours, which is not a viable option if capability is to be maintained."
New Zealand has identified several other problems, including long lead times for spares and engineering support from manufacturer Kaman.
It also identified problems with New Zealand Defence Force training and processes.
The report makes a number of recommendations, most focused on addressing procedural and training shortcomings. It makes no mention of possibly replacing the aircraft.
The Super Seasprite entered service in New Zealand in 2001.
The Egyptian air force and Polish navy are the only other operators of the type, withFlightglobal's HeliCAS database recording them as having active fleets of 10 and three, respectively.
1 komentar:
I think it's time for New Zealand to retire the Seasprite and either go with Eurocopter's NFH or go with a Seahawk like Australia. They know they can't get parts for Seasprites and i think it's time for them to upgrade.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Whitegrass in the snow
These 3 images are from Whitegrass, a X-Country ski facility in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. We love going there because of the skiing and the people and the food in the Cafe and the fact that it's not Washington, D.C. Sometimes there's no snow and we like it even then. This global warming thing is not going to be kind to ski resorts in West Virginia. It probably won't be that good for the business models of places in Vermont either, come to think of it. But, for the time being, things are still good.
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Here on TechClient, everyday we present free best (HQ) resources for your web design & graphic design projects. Today we are going to share free Samsung Galaxy S6 Flat PSD Mockup. This is a 100% PSD Mock-Up and fully Resize-able and Scale-able with high resolution. This freebie comes with
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The stake sale brings one of India’s biggest corporate houses, the Aditya Birla group, into mainstream magazine and television space (the K.K. Birla group owns the newspaper Hindustan Times); sets up a clash of telecom titans for the 4G space (Mukesh Ambani‘s Reliance Industries has bought into the TV18 network); and raises questions over growing corporate ownership of the media.
I am pleased to inform you of a significant development for the INDIA TODAY group.
Just this afternoon, the $35-billion Indian multi-national, ADITYA BIRLA GROUP (ABG) and your company, which is India’s most respected and diversified media corporation, have come to an agreement for a 27.5% financial investment by a private investment company of the Aditya Birla Group in our holding company, Living Media India Ltd.
Commenting on the investment, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla group said: “The Indian media sector is a sunrise sector from our investment point of view. I believe that the India Today group offers one of the best opportunities of growth and value creation. ITG’s management ethos, values, brands, product portfolio and future plans offer one of the best opportunities for growth and value creation.”
Aroon Purie, our chairman said, “I am delighted to partner with the Aditya Birla Group to aggressively address the current and future potential of the Indian media business which is at a tipping point. The Aditya Birla group with its strong leadership, global footprint, diversified business interests and its shared values of integrity, commitment and social responsibility make it a perfect fit with the India Today group.”
By virtue of this development, your company will embark on a high growth and expansion strategy across all its existing and new businesses.
The capitulation of the Congress-led government at the Centre in the Ambedkar cartoon controversy was welcomed with the thumping of desks by parliamentarians who seemed to have little appreciation of the legendary Shankar‘s work and even less of what its inclusion in a school textbook meant.
From Congress president Sonia Gandhi (whose mother-in-law Indira Gandhi ushered in press censorship in 1975 and whose husband Rajiv Gandhi tried to pass the defamation bill in 1987) to the BJP which opposed both; from the supposedly “liberal” Left to the young MPs who represent the “future”, no one (bar one) raised a voice.
It is indeed sad and unfortunate that the only letter you chose to address to me personally should convey to me your intention to bow out. It is going to be a painful ordeal for thousands of your readers including myself, to go without the Weekly. I must believe you when you say that advancing age and ill-health have compelled you to close down Weekly, but I see neither of them reflected in your magazine. Indeed a tribute to your spirit – so young despite age! I am sure the Souvenir you propose to bring out will be an adorning piece on your lovers’ and admirers’ book-shelves! It will also serve as a lesson and guide to the new generation of cartoonists and journalists, convincingly telling them what an individual can achieve single-handedly.
S.B. Chavan
Chief Minster, Maharashtra
***
I was rather distressed to hear that the great journal is closing down after twenty-seven years of yeomen service to the nation and significant contribution to journalism in India. I really wish I could compel you not to close down Shankar’s Weekly, but I quite understand the reasons that have forced you to take this painful decision.
Harideo Joshi
Chief Minister, Rajasthan
***
I have received your letter with mixed feelings. That a journalist of your eminence has excellently finished his innings in this harsh world in a tribute to your sobre manners, accommodating spirits, and the immense sense of humour which you have been exhibiting for the last quarter of a century. You have shone on the horizon of Indian journalism in a manner which is difficult to imbibe. You are an institution in yourself and the younger generation in the journalistic field will feel proud to emulate your example in all spheres of life.
H N Bahuguna
Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh
***
Sorry too learn that you are not keeping well, but I am impressed to find that your sentiments remain the same. Your effort to publish a souvenir of Shankar’s Weekly are praiseworthy.
Jagannath Mishra
Chief Minister, Bihar
***
I am really sorry that you are closing down Shankar’s Weekly.
D. Devaraj Urs
Chief Minister, Karnataka
***
I read the contents of your letter with deep concern. I know how the Shankar’s Weekly was started with your efforts and made a name of itself and continuous devotion and dedication. I am sure you have taken the decision after deep thinking and for the good of your health and for other reasons. You always had my admiration and regards, and it will grow whether you are with the Shankar’s Weekly or not.
Radha Raman
Chief Executive Councillor, Delhi
***
Shankar’s Weekly has served a very good purpose for over 25 years and could rank as one of the best cartoon journals in the world.
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Stay connected with the City of Columbia!
Join the City Email Network to get all the latest Columbia news delivered straight to your inbox. Our electronic newsletters are sent regularly and they are the best source for up-to-date news, events and meetings in the City of Columbia.
You can also follow us on our social media platforms; watch City News on City TV (Charter Spectrum CH. 1301) and YouTube; and listen to our weekly interviews on City Talk (Sound Cloud/YouTube). Send an email to [email protected] to join the City Email Network.
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Here are 3 prayers for happier endings and good beginnings as we approach the end of one year and the start of another.
Go with God.
And if you’re looking for guidance on what to focus on in your walk with God in the coming year, here’s Paul’s advice, from his first letter to the Thessalonians:
16 Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. 19 Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. 20 Don’t despise what God has revealed. 21 Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good.
A new story
Author of Salvation, write in us a new story.
Erase the sins of the past and create a new narrative,
one in which we seek Your love and justice in this world.
Write a new direction for our lives,
away from the busy-ness
and cares of the world for success and stability,
and instead plot us towards ways of living Your compassion,
care and grace in the world.
Create new opportunities for us, O God,
to explore and live this adventure of life in bold and daring ways,
in which new insights may unfold for us.
Grant us the fullness of life by living for others,
as You taught us to love our neighbour as ourselves,
but most of all, may our story be about You,
about Your love for us,
and what Your love for us calls us to do.
In the name of Christ,
who writes the new ending and beginning, we pray.
Amen.
God’s timing
O God of all seasons and senses,
grant us the sense of your timing
to submit gracefully and rejoice quietly
in the turn of the seasons.
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
teach us the lessons of endings;
children growing, friends leaving, loved ones dying,
grieving over,
grudges over,
blaming over,
excuses over.
O God, grant us a sense of your timing.
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
teach us the lessons of beginnings;
that such waitings and endings may be the starting place,
a planting of seeds which bring to birth
what is ready to be born –
something right and just and different,
a new song, a deeper relationship, a fuller love –
in the fullness of your time.
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The Retro-Cool Analog Vibes of Nick Waterhouse
It’s a typical story: Boy meets vinyl. Boy falls in love with vinyl. Boy buys tons of vinyl. Boy learns how to write music. Boy eventually makes his own vinyl.
Okay, well, perhaps it’s not the most typical story there is, but it’s a story that most aptly describes the life arc of one Nick Waterhouse, the retro-cool singer/guitarist from Southern California who’s absolutely mastered the art of analog presentation on wax. (Working at Rooky Ricardo Record Shop in San Francisco during his younger days certainly didn’t hurt either.)
On his self-titled fourth album, Nick Waterhouse (Innovative Leisure), the soulful, genre-bending songsmith brings all the worlds he loves as an artist together on his preferred format, 180-gram vinyl (though digital and CD versions are also available). “This album had a couple of working titles while I was doing it, but when I sequenced it, I realized it was a statement,” Waterhouse explains. “The last three albums I made were almost like developing three different muscle groups, and this one is just an execution of everything I had learned over the last three.”
To that end, Nick Waterhouse percolates and hums along like a retro-chic dream by blending blues, R&B, jazz, and timelessly catchy pop into a fine sonic consommé, from the Ray Charles leanings of “I Feel An Urge Coming On” to the hi-hat shuffle manifesto of “Black Glass” to the fully accelerated swinging groove of “Wreck the Rod.”
For Waterhouse, exerting even more control over the proceedings was of paramount concern. “For this album, I finally went, ‘Hey, I have a say in what’s going on here’,” he continues. “I read an interview with Eric Clapton where he was talking about making the Derek and the Dominos record [1970’s Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs]. He said that during the first five years of his career, all he was doing was reacting. He didn’t have any time to think about what he was doing. This album comes from that idea. That’s why I decided to call it my own name, and also to help break out of the trilogy trajectory of the first three.”
I called Waterhouse, 33, at his homebase in Southern California to discuss how an artist’s name can come to define their personal brand of sound, how he reconciled his mono tendencies with making an album in stereo, and the clever but logical way he mixes his passion for both 45s and 33s. I can’t hold back — wreck the rod, and bring the strap. . .
Mike Mettler: You recorded at Electro-Vox Recording Studios in Los Angeles this time around, right? There must have been some kind of a great vibe going on in that studio.
Nick Waterhouse: Oh yeah — and that’s also me in front of Electro-Vox on the cover, out on Melrose [Avenue]. Now that I think about it, my whole career has been about getting into rooms like that. That’s actually the thing I get off on. It’s less than getting accolades or being in front of people (chuckles), but it feels like somebody let me in the back door, or something.
Mettler: I’ve been in a number of studios while artists have been recording, and there’s nothing like being in a room like that whenever a cool new sound comes out of it.
Waterhouse: Absolutely! On the very first day there, “Wreck the Rod” was the very first song we were cutting. We started running it, and by the sixth take, it was like, “Alright, that’s what the room sounds like! We don’t need to touch anything else the rest of the time we’re here!”
Mettler: And you’ve done the perfect retro kind of video for that song too, where you’re dressed in your pseudo-Tony Clifton mode on a vintage talk show. [Sleazy lounge singer Tony Clifton was one of the many alter egos of the late comedian Andy Kaufman, a mantle later picked up by writer and Kaufman confidant, Bob Zmuda. You can watch the video here.]
Waterhouse: (chuckles) Gilbert [Trejo], the director of the video, and I kept talking about that. There were a number of different wardrobe choices, and initially we were going for the Van Morrison-on-cocaine/Last Waltz period [i.e., circa the 1976 movie of The Band’s historical final concert]. (both laugh)
Once you put the prosthetics on me and try to match the hair to what the period would have been, then it unfortunately puts me much closer to Tony Clifton, I think.
Mettler: Somewhere between Van and Tony isn’t too bad, I guess. Tony had his moments as a singer too, sort of.
Waterhouse: That’s true! They also had the same disposition towards show business.
Mettler: Clearly! The swing of that track and the way the girls sing on it shows how you always know how to capture that exact right sense of space that fits the vibe of your material, which really defines your brand, or sound, as an artist. Your name, in essence, now defines what we hear from you, and how we hear it.
Waterhouse: What’s funny is, living in this era, nothing’s really “new,” is it? The concept of a “brand” in the past was more like “Produced by” or “Directed by,” and you would know what you were getting. But now, you would call that a “brand.” (chuckles)
Mettler: Phil Spector had his “Wall of Sound,” so this is the “Wall of Nick,” if we can call it that.
Waterhouse: Sure, that’s fine — trademark it! Or you could call it “The Big Wave.”
Mettler: Oh, I like that too. Your first couple of records were done in mono, but this one is in stereo.
Waterhouse: Yeah, well, Paul Butler co-produced it with me, and Paul is my absolute favorite person I’ve worked with in terms of just matching my energy. I’ve found that I’ve had good working relationships with people in the past, but there was less empathy at times, or I’d wind up fighting. But Paul was someone who ushered himself into this world of mine, and he was in absolute harmony with what my vision was.
Paul is somebody who thinks in stereo, and he would instinctively do stuff in stereo that was really subtle. Most of the times when I’ve worked with people who want to use stereo, they don’t want to use it for space necessarily — they want to use it almost out of obligation, or without much thought. But we did do mono mixes of all this stuff that may make it to a limited-edition LP, eventually.
Mettler: I’m almost predisposed towards hearing your music that way, in mono. You kind of live in-between the era where mono and stereo lived side by side in the late-’50s on into the late-‘60s, though almost in reverse.
Waterhouse: (chuckles) I know, I know! I also think that’s where my mind lives — with a lot of those great records like the ones by The Isley Brothers or Chuck Jackson’s Big New York Soul on Wand Records — those records that had more of that early-1960s, interesting stereo. I think rock stereo was very boring, because it was more like, “Gee whiz, the backing vocals go all the way to the left, and the drums pan all the way to the right.” They were all trying to be cool like The Beatles, you know?
Mettler: You’re right. It became gimmicky rather than best utilizing that sense of space we were talking about. I’d rather hear it used like the way it was done on the vinyl version of Mark Knopfler’s 2018 album, Down the Road Wherever, which utilized the full panorama of the stereo soundfield to paint a full audio picture. It had a sense of depth to it, not, “Hey, look what I can put over here. Look what I can put over there.”
Waterhouse: Sure, and that’s really what Paul was telling me while we were mixing. The tendencies he’s had on the records he’s worked on [including albums by the likes of The Bees, Devendra Banhart, Andrew Bird, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones] have leaned more toward the adventurous and of the mid-century — which is cool, because it offset my own habitual way of placing things. Where I would go, “Alright, that’s how records should sound, to me,” he would be like, “What if we pan this to. . .?” He was actually doing some gentle panning and some spatial stuff that would give the listener more interesting data. Again, my brain is so geared towards 45s, and my rhythm is more rooted in playing 45s on a giant sound system in a nightclub. It was cool. He took that more cinematic feel I had on [2014’s] Holly, but applied it on these songs.
Mettler: Would you say the mix of “Black Glass” is an example of setting up the soundfield like that?
Waterhouse: Absolutely, yeah! “Black Glass” is one of my favorite songs.
Mettler: That one key line in it, “adapt or die,” fits so many things going on right now too.
Waterhouse: I agree! Funnily, that was almost the title of the album — Adapt or Die. But that song was really, really, really the most involved in terms of arranging and production, as I had ten drafts of it where I was adding and subtracting things.
There’s always this thing that happens to me in the studio. I’m still a low-budget artist, so I don’t have many rehearsals when I do these records. I did an arrangement of that horn chart, and I got that in-the-moment thrill of running the concept I had for it initially, and then modifying it and modifying it and modifying it in real time while the people were playing it. That was a song of great reduction, and then addition. And Paul was really all about the spread on that, which really gives a whole other level of drama to it.
Photo by Zach Lewis
Mettler: Yeah, with that cool sax break and the percussion that goes on in the back half of it. And at the end of it, we hear that live-room sound reverberating off of the snare as it fades out.
Waterhouse: Totally. It’s like the audio mis-en-scène.
Mettler: Oh, that’s such a great way of putting it. Getting this album out on 180-gram single-disc vinyl also has to be a thrill.
Waterhouse: Yes, and I was very, very pleased to be working with QRP [Quality Record Pressings] out of Salina, Kansas on it. They’re the greatest.
Mettler: They are. You’re happy with this pressing, then?
Waterhouse: Yeah, it’s beautiful. It’s very high-quality. There was something special about getting those deep-groove pressings with my earlier records, which was very fulfilling. But the new record sounds phenomenal.
And for the mastering, I actually sat down at Capitol [Studios & Mastering, in Los Angeles] when we did this one — which seems highly appropriate, because this one felt very much like a Los Angeles record to me. And that was a nice thing for me, because I drove by that building so many times when I was 15 years old, you know? (chuckles) To be sitting in there the morning before I go on tour mastering my newest album feels like an achievement, like it’s somewhere I’ve snuck into that I’m not allowed to be.
Mettler: I get that. “Which Was Writ” is another track I’m looking forward to dropping the needle down on, I have to say.
Waterhouse: Oh, it sounds gorgeous on vinyl. There’s a lot of depth to it. That was another song I was inclined to do in mono, and Paul convinced me that getting a little more space around it was a good idea. So, again, I’m really interested to see if we’re going to do this limited-edition mono LP, and what that will feel like.
Mettler: There’s a lot of good bass content on that track too.
Waterhouse: And that’s pretty cool, because that was a Fender VI, one of those six-string basses that the second guitarist on the record, John Anderson, was playing. I started improv’ing that line over it — and the next thing we knew, we were having the background vocals sung down the length of the baby grand that we had miked at the other end. That’s how we got that really ghostly backup vocal thing.
Mettler: Yeah, it has that Raelettes/Ikettes vibe going on there, for sure. That’s the first thing that came to mind when I first heard it.
Waterhouse: (chuckles) Right on! I tell people I’m enjoying my career like I’m the last man, like The Omega Man — I’m still making records, because after this, records just might not exist.
Mettler: Well, guys like you and Jack White have to keep doing it, because we’ll keep spinning them. The last time we talked, you told me you had a VPI turntable. Do you still have it?
Waterhouse: I’m looking at it right now! I just got a new needle, actually. It’s a Hana, and I was hipped to them by an audio shop in Pasadena, [California], a fairly new shop called Audio Element. A very nice cat over there turned me onto Hana cartridges. I switched from a Denon [DL-103] big elliptical [stylus], because I needed a stereo needle to play my new record! (chuckles heartily)
I’m also starting to get to the point where I’ve been parsing my record collection. Since I talked to you last, I had to move out for a while after Holly and put everything into storage. Once I got back and situated into a home I could listen to my hi-fi in, I started shuffling through my collection. I have friends who are collectors and record people, and if they have wants and needs, I’m almost inclined to give ’em what they need, if I have it. Yeah, that’s my world.
Mettler: Sweet. Do you still have the rest of the same gear — the Fisher receiver and the Klipsch Heresy speakers?
Waterhouse: The Fisher X-101-B, and the speakers? Yeah. The cool addition to that family is I had an engineer buddy build me a step-up [converter] box that I’ve been pulling transformers from all my outboard gear to use with, which has been really fun. (chuckles)
Mettler: Since we’ve been talking about the differences between singles and albums, do you have a preference between 45s and 33s? Is it more because you grew up listening to 45s?
Waterhouse: Well, it’s interesting in relation to this record. The concept of a 45 is part of the making of an album for me now. I think of songs as 45s still, but that’s also why I was self-titling this one. I was owning up to this being an album, and the idea that I was making an album.
The thing with 45s is, they just sound so much better. They command your attention. I’ve said this since the very beginning of my career — a 45 is like a vote of confidence. You either like the song, or you don’t. You buy it, or you don’t buy it. And that’s even shaped my own editing process. Songs will “die” early — they won’t even make it to the studio unless I’m feeling strong enough about it for it to be its own thing.
Mettler: I always thought of buying a 45 as voting with my dollars. Growing up, you didn’t have a lot of money and you’d buy a 45 of a song that you heard on the radio. You’d play the B-side, and sometimes you’d go, “Hey, I like that too.” You might buy the second single next, but by that point, if I liked four songs by an artist, I figured I’m going to like 10 or even 12, so I’m going to buy the album after that.
Waterhouse: Absolutely! There’s almost like this other set of arcane laws, almost, where the laws of physics are different in the culture of 45s. I mean, I get caught up in how the music business works sometimes. I may have two or three songs I feel are really strong 45s, and my brain is wired to think about artists like [early-1960s R&B vocalist] Charles Sheffield, who has two 45s on Excello [Records], you know? He didn’t have an album, so when should I ever give a f--- about an album? It wasn’t until I ever had to turn in a product that I thought about it that way.
For me, when I’m making an album, I’m able to think of stuff both as an album, and as 45s. To me, “By Heart” is a 45. But it’s also an album opener. It’s a weird thing where songs become sentences in a poem. A line can be really powerful, but the line has to serve the greater structure of the poem, and maybe it’s even stronger by being a part of the entire poem.
Mettler: To me, a lot of first singles are like that — they also serve as album openers, and they introduce us to who you are. That “Put me on, I’m your brand new record album” vibe. “By Heart” is also like that. What’s the line in it? “Never learn something you can do. . .”
Waterhouse: “. . .you can do by heart,” Yeah, yeah.
Mettler: I suppose if we’re really going to go all the way back, you need to do a nice big lacquered 78 one of these days.
Waterhouse: Hah! That’s a bridge too far for me, I think. I think you would be putting people through too much to get to your songs. That’s my rationale. It’s funny — for how esoteric I may seem, I’m very democratic. I’m very much a man of the people.
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'Hozier' the debut album is out now! Official Music Store & Vinyl - http://po.st/HozierMusic Official Merchandise Store - http://po.st/HozierShop Amazon ...
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Indie/Pop/Folk Compilation - August 2015 (1-Hour Playlist) MP3
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CONFIRMED BY ILL. SUPREME COURT– YOU ARE VIEWING THE MOST DANGEROUS BLOG IN ILLINOIS. This blog warranted a 3 year suspension by the ARDC/Jerome Larkin! Mottos: "Sunlight is the best disinfectant". Justice Louis Brandeis ; "If the truth can destroy something, then it deserves to be destroyed" Carl Sagan; "Justice is Truth in Action" Benjamin Disraeli. Illinois uses the ARDC to quash dissenting attorney activist blogs ; "The freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic Governments" — (1776-First Amendment preamble adopted by 8 US colonies)
CBS12 Investigates: Government failures cause nursing home nightmares
Airs at 11:00 pm est on Friday -Nov 10th, 2017. Veterans Day…CBS12 Investigates uncovered reports of true horror stories happening at nursing homes across the country that by law should have been reported to the police.
My wonderful and caring mother- Patricia Dahmer was interviewed with other victims family of Wrongful Death, Neglect, and Abuse in Nursing Homes. What my father- George Dahmer aka Former Pro Wrestler from WWF/WWE went through was Totally Unacceptable, Injustice, Cruel, Vicious, and Unbelievable.
My father is not alone.. It’s time to draw the line and do something.Contact yourState Reps and Senators to TAKE ACTION! (202) 224-3121 {Press 1} for Senator and {Press 2} for State Rep. Put your zip code in.. You can call 24/7. After hours leave a voicemail.
All Elderly should be Treated with Dignity and Respect! One day Soon we will all be the elderly if God is willing! We are the Elderly’s Voices and Must be heard.. Please continue to Sign this Campaign Petition and Invite Friends to Sign! We Are the Elderly’s only Hope to Carry on! Elder Rights should be GRANTED not VIOLATED! The more action takers the faster changes will be made..Agree or Disagree?~
~Thank You so much for The Reblogg @ jmdenison..Also Thank You so much for the Inspiring Compliment for the powerful words-Great Article. It Takes Teamwork to see any Victories.. Together we CAN make a Difference, we got to at least try. Got a GREAT WEBSITE going on.. Keep up the inspiring work you are doing. AWESOME! ~
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Favorite Quotes:
"Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character." (Albert Einstein)
"If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians". (Warren Buffet)
"Rule No.1: Never lose money. Rule No.2: Never forget rule No.1". (Warren Buffet)
"Difficulties mastered are opportunities won". (Winston Churchill)
"You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there." (Yogi Bera)
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Hello Patrick, thanks for accepting my friends request on Better Networker. It’s a great website to meet like minded people who want to become successful. Feel free to give me a call if you just want to chat or there is anything I can help you with. (414) 708-4166
Looking forward to chatting with you.
Thanks again, John
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Ace Wainwright, Cardinals agree on one thing: Better to talk now
February 17, 2013 2:00 PM ET
JUPITER -- Ace starter Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals haven't been able to agree on a new contract yet. But it seems both sides do agree that if they can't something done this spring, hammering out a longterm deal during the season probably isn't in the cards for the pitcher who's free-agent eligible after the year.
"At that point, it's probably going to free agency,'' general manager John Mozeliak acknowledged. "But our hope is to get something done before opening day.''
Wainwright suggested pretty much the same. He said that while the "door will still be open'' to talk during the season if they can't come to agreement during spring, "We don't want a situation where every day it's 'How about this?' or 'How about that?'"
"Not really, there's nothing really pressing,'' said Mozeliak, noting that the door is open to talk, however.
"I'd love to stay, but things have got to work out,'' said Wainwright, who went 14-13 with a 3.94 ERA in 2012, the year after Tommy John surgery. He had two straight top-three Cy Young finishes the year before the surgery, and was 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA in 2010, when he was second.
Both sides have said they won't close the door even after the season begins. But it appears that may be partly for appearances, as the season is serious stuff in St. Louis. Albert Pujols cut off negotiations during spring training two springs ago, while Yadier Molina got his $75-million, five-year deal done in spring.
Wainwright, 31, might be worth nine figures ($100 million) or more, as a free agent, depending on how this season plays out. "He's an innings eater and he's really good. He should get north of $20 million a season,'' one agent (not Wainwright's) said of a free-agent scenario.
At the moment it sounds a bit like each side is waiting for the other to make the bigger move. Wainwright, who will make $13 million on a club option this year, acknowledged that negotiations with a team can be "tricky, dicey.''
"The No. 1 option is, I'd like to see it get done by the start of the season, and the other option is the other way,'' Wainwright said, meaning it doesn't get done. He didn't say too much about in-season negotiations, though while he isn't ruling them out entirely, it's clear that's something he doesn't really relish.
Mozeliak is on the same page. "The way we're approaching it is we're hopeful to try to get something done before the start of the season,'' Mozeliak said. "In-season negotiations can be distracting.''
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The various outlets that cover Major League Soccer (including ProSoccerTalk) have spent the better part of February telling you how the 2014 season will go. This post is definitely not part of that coverage. With a broken crystal ball and an ill-advised disregard for common sense, PST’s Richard Farley gives you this version of the 2014 regular season:
March
Telling moment: The Major League Soccer season opens with a bang when Aurélien Collin converts a corner kick 38 seconds into Sporting Kansas City’s game in Seattle. Running across the front of the Emerald City Supporters, Collin lifts his jersey to reveal a picture of Eddie Johnson above the caption, “You can hate me now”. “I’m not sure about that one,” Peter Vermes says after his team’s 1-0 win at CenturyLink, with the early goal allowing Sporting to hold 68 percent of the ball and limit both sides to that single shot on goal. Disillusioned Seattle Fan (legal name) mumbles, “I don’t know what the hell I just saw, but I’m assuming the Seahawks are still good.” One Seattle blog hastily suggests replacing Sigi Schmid with Russell Wilson.
“We’re the best league in the region. When you try us with a sorry trio like that, that’s the result you gonna get! Don’t you ever talk about us! … Liga MX! Don’t you open your mouth about the best, or MLS gonna shut it for you real quick! Single-entity, baby!”
Chivas USA finishes the month on top of the West with nine points, prompting Major League Soccer to put a $101 million price tag on the franchise; Montréal starts the season with four straight draws before confessing “we have no idea if we’re any good”; With 10 points and a spot in the Champions League semifinals, Sporting KC concedes “We’re kind of bored. It’s too easy playing in temperatures so far above freezing. When there’s no threat of toes breaking off, the game lacks obstacles.”
“What can you say? It is a word that can mean two things. You ask me about a month. I think about a walk. Maybe the questions should be better?”
Franco decides to stop writing his Henry biography in favor of a wall calendar of Henry quotes.
April
Telling moment: After being eliminated from both the U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup playoffs by Real Salt Lake in 2013, Portland gets their first crack at the Western Conference champs on April 19 at Rio Tinto. An early header from Norberto Paparatto and a late first half goal from Gastón Fernández prompts Caleb Porter to confess at halftime, “We were just that little bit away last season, so this isn’t too much of a surprise.” With his team down 2-0 in stoppage time, Kyle Beckerman cuts a lock out of Sebastian Velazquez’s mullet, laying it on the center line in sacrifice to the spirit of Andy Williams. RSL goes on to win, 3-2.
Highlights: Celebrating the one year anniversary of their scoreboard catching on fire, Columbus shows a lighter side by bringing a 20 ft. fire extinguisher replica to the center circle, firing confetti out of its nozzle after the national anthem. The replica then proceeds to spontaneously combust, with damage from the flames forcing the game against New York to be postponed.
Chivas USA ends April on top of the West with 17 points. “I have this great balanced budget proposal, too,” Nelson Rodríguez admits, “but nobody in Washington listens to me”; Montréal’s streak of draws hits eight, forcing Frank Klopas to confess “we have no idea if we’re any good”; still without a goal, Seattle’s Clint Dempsey says, “it will come, I’m not worried,” while head coach Sigi Schmid derides the media for not counting the goals Clint “really, really wanted”; Sporting KC draws all three of their April games, with players responding to the spring heat with Instagram explanations: “Way too warm.”
With the Red Bulls in first place, Franco Panizo asks Thierry Henry to summarize April:
“It doesn’t waste my time. It starts with the first letter of the list. It has two syllables, like my name. It was a wise choice. I will miss April, just like I miss all great things. You have to appreciate art.”
May
Telling moment: The last day of May finally comes for a Sporting team forced to play seven games over the course of a month. “What is this crap,” Oriol Rosell asked, in Catalan, before the team kicked off on May 4 again Columbus, noting Matt Besler and Graham Zusi would leave for the U.S.’s World Cup camp halfway through the month. After a 2-0 May 31 loss in RFK Stadium’s humidity leaves the team exhausted, Collin notes, “As the rats are to this building, so are we to May. I will not be sorry when both go.”
Highlights: With Michael Bradley on international duty, Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko convinces Tim Leiweke to sign another Designated Player. “Don’t worry, I’m a salary cap expert,” he assures his boss, only to have the league’s New York office explain a temporary exemption will not be approved for Peter Crouch‘s three-month loan.
With two more wins in May, Chivas USA are three points clear at top of the West. Nelson Rodríguez admits he’s considering running for Congress; After a win against visiting Sporting, New England’s communications department sends an exuberant update to executives at Kraft Sports. The email doesn’t receive a response; Bruce Arena, tired of his team’s inattention to detail, spends 15 minutes explaining why coffee cups should be placed top-down on their shelves (“There’s no secret here.”); and after watching his team draw their 12th game in a row, Montréal owner Joey Saputo admits “we have no idea if we’re any good.”
Now with a potential buyer for his calendar, Franco Panizo asks Thierry Henry about May:
“When I was in Europe, it was the best month, because we would say good bye and I would go to Monaco or Tibet and practice answering questions. Sometimes I would sigh. Other times, I would not. But now, I’m caught off guard. Please ask me again next month.”
June
Telling moment: “We’re back,” MLS announces when Vancouver hosts Montreál on June 25, the league returning after a break for most of the World Cup’s group stage. Two days later, the league headquarters hits “resend” on the same email before New York hosts Toronto. “We’re seriously back now,” the league’s web site says on Monday, June 30, trying to draw attention from the festivities in Brazil. At 5 p.m., Don Garber authorizes the site to float a “Beckham planning July return” rumor. When fan interest increases, Garber allows “Unnamed Miami Franchise” to begin play in July, snickering “maybe they can earn a spot in Soccer Bowl.”
Highlights: Depleted by World Cup call ups, Real Salt Lake defeats Portland 2-1 at Rio Tinto, with Caleb Porter calling his luck against RSL “absolutely ridiculous”; Despite the loss, the Timbers claim first in the West, prompting Major League Soccer to lower Chivas USA’s franchise asking price to “OBO”; Amid World Cup call ups, D.C. United temporarily claims first in the East. The team celebrates by hanging an “OBO” banner outside RFK; With its team playing only two times in the month, Kansas City proclaims itself “Recovery City USA,” not bothering to see if another place had already claimed the title; Montréal loses their first game of the season in Vancouver, with Marco Di Vaio conceding “we now have a good idea of how good we are.”
When Panizo asks Henry about June, the New York forward says,
“It’s too much. June in New York is terrible. June in New Jersey: Slightly worse.”
July
Telling moment: Tired from making up games crammed together by the World Cup break, MLS’s teams complete the nine-match, July 18-20 weekend with nine 0-0 draws. “Please help,” Omar Gonzalez says after the Galaxy’s game in Kansas City. “I promise I’ll never go to a World Cup again.” The Players Association demands a 20-game schedule in World Cup years. MLS threatens to make Spirit Airlines the league’s official carrier.
Highlights: A winless month sees D.C. slide to fifth in the East. “What did you expect,” Ben Olsen asks a set of incredulous reporters. “Do you think last year never happened?”; Chivas USA reclaim first in the West, prompting Nelson Rodríguez to lose a friendly bet when he tries to walk across the top of his pool; After helping the U.S. national team into the second round of the World Cup, Clint Dempsey scores at hat-trick in his first game back, with Seattle beating rival Portland. “You guys are funny,” he says, sarcastically, to swarming reporters afterward. “Really funny.”
“Franco!” Thierry Henry says on July 31, “I love this month, so much. Ask me what it means.” Panizo’s iPhone shatters as it drops to the pavement. Henry gives him a hug.
August
Telling moment: With Bayern Munich in town to face the MLS All-Stars, Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson declares “I wouldn’t trade Caleb [Porter] for Pep Guardiola. That’s just how I feel.” Coaching MLS’s team, Porter sees his side lose 1-0 while maintaining just 14 percent possession. “That’s a great team, but we were right there,” Porter says after the game. “You don’t need to control the ball to control the game.”
Highlights: Losing a long-standing bet to Garth Lagerwey, Kyle Beckerman shaves his head after scoring four goals in Colorado on Aug. 2. “You say one stupid thing in Miami and some smart guy remembers it 10 years later. I don’t know, man.”; Tim Bezchatchenko, obsessed with a high-end Keurig coffee maker Daryl Morey told him about at Sloan , defies the office budget and orders a new machine online. Tim Leiweke eventually packs up the unit and sends it to Carl Robinson; With 50 points, Chivas USA is one point ahead of RSL in the West, earning Nelson Rodríguez an interview with the Lakers for Mitch Kupchak’s job; With all their stars back, Sporting Kansas City has a five-point lead in the East, but as Matt Besler notes, “Winter is coming,” words that prompt Collin to rise out of his locker and start walking south.
“Franco, you look sad,” Henry asks on Aug. 30. Panizo says he’s lost interest in his calendar. Inside, he wants another hug. “I have lost interest in many things in life, Franco,” Thierry explains. “Apathy is my muse.”
September
Telling moment: After scoring nine goals in four games, lifting his total to a league-leading 15 on the season, Clint Dempsey holds a press conference on the docks outside the Seattle Yacht Club. Arriving in a restored Toyota Land Cruiser and wearing beige cargo shots with flip-flops, Dempsey announces his immediate retirement from soccer. “I just decided I’m done with you, and you, and you,” he says, pointing at various reporters before tossing the Land Cruiser’s keys to the Seattle Times’ Joshua Mayers. One day later, Adrian Hanauer reveals the team secretly registered Didier Drogba before the end of the summer transfer window, with the league agreeing to pay the Ivorian’s entire 2014 salary.
Highlights: At the beginning of the month, the league announces a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Players Association that will eliminate the salary cap, allow promotion-relegation, and shift the competitive calendar to an August-to-May schedule. “It’s just time,” Don Garber confesses. After taking a series of questions from assembled press, the league commissioner finally cracks: “Ha! Got you, bad. It’s five Designated Players and 15 percent annual cap increases. We’re not doing any of that other crap.”; As the Galaxy clings to the edge of the playoff race, Bruce Arena tells the team “it’s about commitment to the little things. The toilet paper goes over, not under.”; With Chivas still in first place, Nelson Rodríguez starts parking in Galaxy president Chris Klein’s spot at StubHub Center. “Sometimes I even park diagonally, across two spaces,” he explains. “I just really like it that way.”
In New York, Henry buys himself and Panizo matching berets. “You get me,” he says. Panizo’s calendar is dead.
October
Telling moment: A 1-0 loss to LA on the final day of the season sees Seattle miss the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, with the high-priced forward combination of Didier Drogba and Obafemi Martins injured over the season’s last six games. Twenty-four hours later, Joe Roth and Hanauer announce Sigi Schmid will return for a seventh season. “Dempsey retired and both our big forwards got hurt,” Hanauer explains, offering, “I take as much of the blame as anybody.”
In the East, Sporting Kansas City claims the Supporters’ Shield, with Vermes accidentally confessing “Oh, it’s totally easier to win this thing in the East.” Toronto finishes second, closing the season with an eight-game winning streak that prompts Michael Bradley to stop shaving his head.
After New York finishes in third place, Henry shows up to training on Oct. 31 dressed like Panizo. “You are my hero now, Franco,” he explains. “Happy Halloween, friend.”
With Chivas still in first place, Nelson Rodríguez starts parking in Galaxy president Chris Klein’s spot at StubHub Center. “Sometimes I even park diagonally, across two spaces,” he explains. “I just really like it that way.”
In New York, Henry buys himself and Panizo matching berets. “You get me,” he says. Panizo’s calendar is dead.
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Crooked Cops, Staged Accidents, Fake Injury Claims Gave Him a Living
Tom Hays, The Associated Press
On the night of July 16, 2000, police arrived at the scene of one of
Quentin Hawkins' "movies."
Two banged-up cars sat on a Brooklyn street where an open fire
hydrant spit out water. Drivers and passengers reported that one car
had gone out of control on the slick pavement and sideswiped the
other.
But that hadn't happened. The wreck wasn't real: All of the
"victims," including an off-duty cop, were used by Hawkins in the
biggest staged-accident scheme in state history.
Hawkins, 53, of Brooklyn, produced and directed perhaps hundreds of
car accidents over two decades before federal agents broke up his
ring and began bringing its members to court this year. His
demolition derby, authorities say, was a major part of a costly
epidemic in auto insurance fraud and set a new standard for the
hustlers known as "runners."
"He was, in a real sense, the king of the runners," Assistant U.S.
Attorney Daniel R. Alonso said when Hawkins, nicknamed "Flint," was
sentenced last month to five years and four months in prison.
Hawkins' cast of con men featured his two adult children, a
girlfriend half his age, crooked cops, a failed professional wrestler
and regulars at a Brooklyn bowling alley called Melody Lanes.
One of the police officers, Edwin DeLoatch, was convicted this month
of helping Hawkins orchestrate the two-car accident in Brooklyn in
exchange for an envelope stuffed with an undisclosed amount of cash,
slipped to him at Melody Lanes. He faces a three-year, seven-month
sentence.
Also among the 67 defendants named in federal complaint was the
manager of a medical clinic, Garri Zhigun. He awaits trial in
December for allegedly billing insurance companies for unnecessary
physical and psychiatric therapy.
Other medical clinics and law practices remain under investigation.
"Cases of this kind prove that greed knows no bounds," Gregory Serio,
superintendent of the New York Insurance Department, said after
Hawkins' arrest.
Hawkins thrived in an underworld populated by shady personal-injury
lawyers and medical clinic operators who rely on runners to profit
from false negligence and no-fault claims.
The corrupt clinics exploit New York's no-fault law, which requires
insurance companies to pay up to $ 50,000 per person for medical
cost, lost wages and other expenses.
After refusing treatment at the scene, fake victimes receive
kickbacks from the clinics for seeking treatment for head, back and
neck pain, or other "soft-tissue injuries" that are difficult to
prove.
New York insurance officials estimate that no-fault claims from
staged accidents amount to tens of millions of dollars each year in
the state, and hundreds of millions nationwide. As a result, they
say, the state has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the
nation.
How Hawkins ended up launching his lucrative career as a runner
remains unclear. But his girlfriend testified that he boasted that
he'd been at it for 21 years. At Melody Lanes, Hawkins stood out from
the blue-collar crowd.
"Flint Hawkins is the kind of guy who drives a nice big car," said
Steven Brounstein, an attorney for DeLoatch. "He wears nice jewelry.
He's a big talker."
When Hawkins talked to his fellow bowlers about an easy way to make
quick cash, they listened.
The king of the runners collected up to $ 2,000 in kickbacks per car
accident "victim" he delivered to clinics. He used middlemen to help
recruit and direct drivers and passengers to have deliberate,
low-impact collisions; the fake victims received about $ 200 each and
the chance to file lawsuits.
In some cases, Hawkins went a step further.
He bribed another police officer, Rodney Hawkins, to write fake
reports, eliminating the need for the usual theatrics. The officer
pleaded guilty to charges he wrote at least seven bogus accident
reports involving a total of 37 people claiming to have been injured
by phantom hit-and-run drivers.
An FBI wiretap on Hawkins' cell phone revealed that the ring relied
on code: The scripted accidents were "movies," cars were "cans," and
patients were "pineapples" who needed to go to "fruit stands," or
medical clinics.
Hawkins was clear about who was boss.
"There is only one chief, and I'm the chief," he said in a taped
conversation with one of his minions. "And you do it my way."
Hawkins got away with his staged-accident scheme until authorities
received a tip about another of his scams.
Parents of children who were tested for lead poisoning reported that
health care workers were harassing them by trying to steer them to
certain medical clinics.
Using wiretaps, investigators uncovered Hawkins' plot to pay more
than $ 10,000 in bribes to hospital employees for the names of the
children, as well as people injured in car accidents.
Authorities also heard something else: Hawkins congratulating
DeLoatch for staging a car crash on a street with an open fire
hydrant.
"I never would have thought of that," Hawkins said. "That was very ingenious."
Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
| 5,190 |
Take cybersecurity into your own hands. In this Lab, you’ll defend a company that is the target of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. Your task is to strengthen your cyber defenses and thwart the attackers by completing a series of cybersecurity challenges. You’ll crack passwords, craft code, and defeat malicious hackers.
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Paul "Bear" Bryant, the coach who made the houndstooth hat famous, shared many exciting moments in the Cotton Bowl. In five appearances, he was one of only three coaches to lead more than one university to the Classic. His first trip to Dallas came in 1952 when he guided Kentucky to a 20-7 victory over TCU. Then, with his move to Alabama, he and the Crimson Tide made four more Cotton Bowl appearances. However, The Bear may be remembered more for a game he lost than for his two victories. In the 1968 Classic, Gene Stallings, one of his former players, directed Texas A&M to a 20-16 upset. After the game, Bryant gave his former pupil a congratulatory bear hug...a moment frozen in time in the lore of the Cotton Bowl.
Duke Carlisle, the Longhorn defensive ace turned quarterback, gave college football a performance to remember when No. 1 Texas faced No. 2 Navy in one of the most eagerly awaited bowl matchups ever. The Longhorns were unbeaten at 10-0-0 while Navy was 9-1-0. Much of the focus fell upon Navy quarterback Roger Staubach, college football's Heisman Trophy winner. However, it didn't take long for Carlisle and Texas to gain the upper hand. The Midshipmen dared the ground-oriented Longhorns to throw the ball and Carlisle answered the challenge by throwing touchdown bombs of 58 and 63 yards early in the game. He then ran nine yards for another score just before halftime. The end result was a convincing 28-6 Texas victory and the dispute was settled as to which team was No. 1.
The term "Wrecking Crew" is defined as a tenacious, swarming defense, one that turns opposing offenses inside-out with no place to run. The moniker came into vogue in the mid-1980s when Texas A&M linebacker Johnny Holland served as one of the ringleaders of the first "Wrecking Crew" defense. Blessed with tremendous quickness and football instincts, Holland was spectacular for the Aggies against Auburn and Ohio State. In those two games, "Mr. Everywhere" logged 27 tackles, 18 were solo efforts. In the Classic's Golden Anniversary game, Holland unloaded on Auburn with 16 tackles and was involved in two crucial fourth down situations in the fourth quarter that propelled A&M to a resounding 36-16 victory over Auburn and Heisman winner Bo Jackson.
Texas A&M fullback John Kimbrough was big, strong and hard to bring down. Kimbrough's bone jarring collisions were infamous. That's why they called him Jarrin' John. He wasn't the average football player of the 1940s. Standing 6-2 and weighing 222 pounds, the Haskell Hurricane was an imposing force on the gridiron. Opposing defenders often compared tackling Kimbrough with tackling a truck. There wasn't any trickery or shiftiness in his running style. Everyone knew where he was going. They just couldn't stop him. At the 1941 Cotton Bowl, Kimbrough plowed through Fordham defenders for 66 yards on 18 carries and scored the game's decisive touchdown in the third quarter, a one-yard burst around left end. After the game, Ram players agreed that knocking Kimbrough off his feet was just too much to ask.
"Hello everybody, I'm Lindsey Nelson." For 26 years, this was his signature greeting as Nelson welcomed millions of football fans from around the country to the Cotton Bowl. A true pioneer of sports broadcasting, Nelson's radio and television career began in 1948 and spanned five decades in which he covered thousands of sporting events. His tenure as the "Voice of the Cotton Bowl" began on NBC with the radio broadcast of the 1951 game. Three years later he teamed up with Red Grange for the telecast of the infamous 1954 Cotton Bowl Classic. His streak of 17 consecutive Cotton Bowl broadcasts began with the 1970 Classic and ended with his retirement following the 1986 Cotton Bowl. Nelson's unique delivery style, those colorful test-pattern sportcoats, and his intense love for college football made Big D a special place to be every New Year's Day.
If Dallas only knew what the future held when Roger Staubach, Navy's junior quarterback, brought his Heisman Trophy to the 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic. In a dream matchup that pitted No. 1 Texas vs. No. 2 Navy, Staubach gave football fans something to get excited about. Despite Navy's loss to the Longhorns, he was brilliant in defeat. Staubach completed an astounding 21 passes for 228 yards. However, it was Staubach's nimble feet that got Navy into the end zone that day against Texas. Late in the fourth quarter, he ran two yards for the Midshipmen's lone touchdown. At the time, no one realized that "Captain America" was about to find a home. His efforts for the Cotton Bowl didn't end on the playing field. As a Dallas civic leader and a former color analyst for CBS, Roger Staubach has established a lasting relationship with Dallas' New Year's Day Classic.
Jim Swink lived for the big play. Throughout his career, the Rusk Rambler left defenders grasping in air as the elusive halfback turned long, broken field runs into points. With his gliding, side-stepping running style, Swink was poetry in motion. He scored twice in TCU's narrow 14-13 loss to Ole Miss in the 1956 Classic. His first touchdown was a short, one-yard burst, but the second score came on a dazzling 39-yard sprint over right tackle. Swink returned to the Cotton Bowl a year later for the Frogs' celebrated duel with Syracuse and Jim Brown. True to form, Swink scored what proved to be TCU's winning touchdown, the 35th of his career, on a three-yard blast early in the fourth quarter. The score pushed TCU to a 28-14 advantage and a cushion that Syracuse could not overcome.
| 5,578 |
What you need to know from Aspen’s top fake news team
Ahh, April Fools Day: The one time per year more people pick up the competing newspaper rather than The Aspen Times.
Since our paper is all things serious all the time, we’re using our Writing Switch platform here to create our own The Onion-styled local stories to celebrate jokesters’ high holiday.
City investigating validity of studies with new study
SB: The city of Aspen announced a new study during a City Council meeting Monday. With the backlash from the failed traffic study, the city is looking to gauge the effectiveness of its studies.
“We just want to figure out if the cost of the studies is worth the result,” Mayor Steve Skadron said.
The city’s planned Duck Day Derby study to determine the event’s environmental impacts will be put on hold.
“This new study will illustrate how the city’s money is utilized during a study,” City Councilman Adam Frisch said.
The city plans to hire a head-hunter to find a firm that studies studies. Councilman Bert Myrin was the lone dissenting council member.
“Am I the only sane person in this room?” Myrin asked, visibly frustrated. “Spending money to determine how we spend money is insane.”
When asked about Myrin’s comments, Skadron referred to a study conducted last year to determine the effectiveness of Myrin’s comment at City Council meetings.
“Last year’s study showed that (Myrin) commented on 75 percent of City Council issues, with four of every five comments coming in negative. It was shown that the more criticism levied, the less effective it was,” Skadron said.
However, other members of City Council were on board.
“Listen, I’m not really sure how to use Excel. So for me, when a bunch of numbers are presented, it’s nice to be able to have an expert come in to tell me what they mean,” Councilwoman Ann Mullins said. “It’s really convenient to let decision-making fall to people not elected by Aspen voters.”
Aspen resident Ruth Harrison attended the council meeting and left depressed.
“It’s … well, how do I put this, a s— show,” she said.
The study was approved 4-1 with Myrin the lone dissenting vote. The city plans to discuss hiring head-hunters at its next scheduled meeting April 31.
In other council news:
The city announced a moratorium on affordable-housing development Monday due to the complexity of the issue.
“Someone is going to have to explain to me how cash-in-lieu payments work. We collected all this money and want to spend it,” Skadron said.
“In this day and age, I’m not sure Aspen can accommodate people making less than $30,000 a year. If they can’t afford to eat at restaurants in town, should they live here?”
The moratorium is indefinite and council plans to revisit the issue after the 2020-21 ski season.
Aspen Brewing Co., lodge owners already fighting over taproom plan
BW: After failing to secure the Old Power House location for its taproom in 2016 due to whiny second-home owners, the Aspen Brewing Co. is determined to take over the former ski museum location that closed after nobody visited it.
A powerhouse duo themselves, Duncan Clauss and Klaus Obermeyer formed an LLC, called Sons of Santa, after bonding through nothing other than a similar name. The owner of Aspen Brewing Co. and the revered clothing mogul have submitted a proposal for a restaurant, retail space, bar, fitting rooms and strip club to occupy the vacant Skiers Chalet building in the Lift Two corridor.
The building was once home to the Aspen Skiing Museum, which was approved in the 2019 election by 26 idiots who couldn’t figure out how to fill in their ballots. But the museum has been empty for years as most people staying at the Gorsuch Megaplex Extravaganza Circus Circus concentrated more on getting drunk and not tearing an ACL than learning who Dick Durrance was.
“That Supreme Court guy’s brother was supposed to revitalize this area,” said Obermeyer, who recently celebrated his 127th birthday and won X Games silver last year. “But he didn’t expect people to not care about the history of pole planting.”
The contingent is facing staunch opposition, though, from Lift Two Lodge owners who are never there and only able to rent their places through Airbnb during December for the Artificial Snow World Cup and Ice Carving Contest (This year, phenom Eilish Composte, 13, is two wins away from matching legend Mikaela Shiffrin’s
20-zillion-and-seven-win record).
“We don’t want any more ‘vibrancy,’” said Lift Two Lodge HOA President Rusty Thrustwell. “We’ve been enjoying the solitude now that everyone realizes how boring this side of the mountain is. All the noise of a few people drinking beer will destroy our way of life. And where are they going to find the strippers? Rifle?”
A new mobility lab project sponsored by the city has suggested using Amazon drones to fly the strippers in past the roundabout tollbooth to expedite travel times while seasonlong construction to narrow the Castle Creek Bridge is ongoing.
SATIRE IN SHORT
Myspace profile proves councilman has been living a lie
While performing a background check on a recently elected city councilman, an Aspen team of data miners have discovered Skippy Mesirow isn’t the socialite’s real name after all.
Using the Wayback Machine, miners unearthed Mesirow’s old Myspace page rife with duck-face selfies and exposing his true identity: Jif.
Around town, locals with Aspen Young Professionals and at the hair salon were devastated by the deception.
“What’s next, we’re going to learn Torre’s real name is Ronald?” sighed one barfly, who only wanted to be identified as “Peter Pan.”
When confronted by journalists, Jif Mesirow offered no comment, but that could have been because his lunch was stuck to the roof of his mouth.
Aspen Skiing Co. announces new attraction at Snowmass Ski Area
In its effort to increase summer business, Aspen Skiing Co. said a new feature is coming to Elk Camp this summer: elk rides.
Employees at Aspen’s movie theater say they’ve received a downturn in complaints about the establishment’s name now that the Islamic State has lost its hold on the Middle East.
For years, tourists could be seen taking photos, pointing and laughing at the Isis Theatre’s facade or gasping and immediately posting to Twitter and grandstanding about oppression. But now that President Donald Trump has declared the insurgency 100 percent eradicated, people no longer seem to mind.
“He’s just the Greek god of the sun, I think,” said Owen Slaparooni, a mythologist from Texas. “I don’t see what the big deal is.”
Area woman found despondent after late spring snowstorm
A Roaring Fork Transportation Authority bus driver reported that a woman refused to leave his bus after more than 8 inches of snow fell during her ride from the Intercept Lot to Rubey Park.
An officer from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office was called in and was able to coax the woman off the bus.
“I told her she had to get off the bus but she refused. She kept saying she was too cold and wanted sunshine and to go to the pool,” the bus driver said.
No charges were filed. Sheriff Joe DiSalvo said this kind of behavior happens during long winters.
“It’s unfortunate but it happens. We recommend people drink a margarita or make a trip to the hot springs during winters with heavy snowfall,” DiSalvo said. “It helps stave off cabin fever.”
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| 7,651 |
Friday, Jul 6, 2018, 12:45 pm
What the Supreme Court’s Week of Hell Means for People of Color
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A strong storm front passes over the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Welcome to Interviews for Resistance. We’re now into the second year of the Trump administration, and the last year has been filled with ups and downs, important victories, successful holding campaigns and painful defeats. We’ve learned a lot, but there is always more to learn, more to be done. In this now-weekly series, we talk with organizers, agitators and educators, not only about how to resist, but how to build a better world.
Saqib Bhatti: I am Saqib Bhatti. I am the Co-Director of the Action Center on Race and the Economy, or ACRE.
Sarah Jaffe: We are talking after the week of hell at the Supreme Court where the Supreme Court upheld Trump’s Muslim ban, took away fair share fees from public sector unions and ruled that crisis pregnancy centers can lie to people. I thought I would start out by asking you for your reflections on this week and what it tells us about politics under Trump in this court.
Saqib: I think this week we have really seen full force just how much the far right has captured not just the presidency and Congress, but also the Court. I think it was a real wake-up call.
After seeing all the decisions, the thing that really sent me to a dark place was actually reading about Kennedy’s retirement. Not because Kennedy is great, but because it really hit home that this is the new norm. That these terrible decisions that are coming out that are really rolling back a lot of progress that we have made over the past two decades. That this is just the beginning.
It seems like the corporate class and the white supremacists are now fully in power and it is scary.
Sarah: I want to talk in more depth about all of these things. Let’s start with the Muslim ban, because you have been doing research around who supports these things, who the backers of Trumpism on this front are.
Saqib:Yes. We have a project at ACRE that we have just launched called Crescendowhich really tries to look at, “Who are the corporations that are behind the anti-Muslim agenda in the US?” We are really trying to hit home that, of course, there are some corporations that are obvious that come to mind like Fox News parent News Corp, Breitbart News, etc. We are actually not focusing on those companies because, frankly, they are a set of companies that are ideologically anti-Muslim. Their bread and butter is fearmongering and hate mongering around Muslims.
We are interested in looking at the companies that actually would not necessarily even want to be seen as being anti-Muslim, but that are still directly or indirectly supporting anti-Muslim politicians, anti-Muslim policies or engage in anti-Muslim business practices themselves. We put out a report last week in partnership with LittleSis, which is a research shop that we do a lot of great work with. Among other things, we talked about companies like Wells Fargo and Blackstone and Goldman Sachs that, in addition to being cheerleaders of a lot of Trump’s worst policies, particularly policies that affect people of color, are also some of the major donors to anti-Muslim politicians.
So, we really try to connect some of these dots that there are companies that actually count lots of Muslims as customers, yet they are nonetheless actually supporting these anti-Muslim policies and politicians with their money, whether it is direct or indirect.
Sarah: We have actually heard a bit in the last few weeks about employees at tech companies, the tech workers themselves, protesting their companies’ involvement in Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, whether it is creating facial recognition or artificial intelligence or something like that.
Saqib: Yes, this is one of the really big things that is happening. We think of Silicon Valley as generally a bunch of liberals. Well, it turns out, liberals aren’t actually good on these issues—right? You can be liberal and still actually try to make money off of white supremacy. One would argue that, actually, being liberal means that you typically try to make money off of white supremacy and that comes out clearly with companies like Microsoft and Amazon. These companies try to maintain images as squeaky-clean companies, and they employ a whole lot of immigrants, and they have a whole lot of immigrants who are their customers, as well.
But they are actually involved with, as you said, facial recognition technologies, other parts of the surveillance system. There have also been reports from Amazon warehouses of discrimination against Muslim workers. It is one of those things that the image we have of these companies, the images they try to present, don’t actually often match up against their own business practices. And that is the other side of hypocrisy that we want to expose, because we want these companies to know that you can’t have it both ways. You can’t try to present yourself as a good, progressive company at the same time that you are actually very much complicit and helping uphold the infrastructure of Trumpism.
Sarah:We also need to look at the Janus decision and the attacks on the labor movement, especially when we are talking about attacks on public-sector unions which is where you have more people of color because of the discrimination in the private sector. Connect that with what we are talking about here. What is it that we see is the through line of all of this?
Saqib:What we have really seen is, as you said, huge attacks on communities of color, poor people and people who are vulnerable in our community. One of the under-reported points about Janus is the fact that, yes, it is on attack on unions. But it is really an attack on workers of color and particularly women of color who are overrepresented in the public sector.
When we talk about the debate over public pension funds, why are public pension funds so squarely in the crosshairs of the right wing? A big part of it is that public pension funds are a major source of wealth in the black community in places where there are public sector unions. And if you are trying to destroy public sector unions, a big part of that is trying to destroy public pension funds and dismantle that wealth that has been accumulated through workplace organizing in communities of color in particular. What we are seeing is across a range of these decisions that have come down from the Supreme Court, that they are systematically turning back the clock on a lot of progress that has been made on issues of race and immigrant justice.
Sarah: This week we also saw a lot of protests and we saw a victory for one in particular, but a couple of progressive candidates who were talking about all of this stuff. In thinking about how to move forward from this, what should we be thinking about? Again, trying to connect the dots so we don’t have a protest against Janus over here and a protest about immigration of here, and a protest about the Muslim ban over there?
Saqib:Looking at these issues, it is important to understand who the corporate actors are that are actually bad across all of these issues. The thing that people love to do with the Muslim ban is really beat up on Trump or say, “This is a terrible decision by the Supreme Court.” But the reality is we can raise those concerns all we want and it doesn’t actually hurt Trump for us to say, “He is anti-Muslim, he is racist.” In fact, it actually helps him with his base.
With a lot of the politicians, we are seeing that the reason they are actually appealing to white supremacists is because they realize that it helps them. While it is important to call out those politicians for what they are and what they are doing, we can’t stop there because at the end of the day that is not going to be an effective way to move them. Especially now, we are seeing that the Supreme Court in the coming years is likely to be stacked by far-right ideologues.
That is why it is truly important to look at the corporations these politicians are beholden to. What are the corporations whose agenda the Supreme Court is carrying out? We need to really show some of these connections. What we have found in our research is that a lot of the same companies that are profiting off the mass incarceration system, that are really profiting from our immigrant policies, that are supporting politicians that are anti-Muslim and support policies like the Muslim ban, are actually a lot of the same corporations. And by the way, those are also the same corporations that are responsible for defunding the public sector, because they don’t pay their fair share in taxes.
Across the board, we see the financial sector, in particular, emerges as a major form of power that is really driving a lot of these terrible practices. Companies like Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, they all finance private prisons and immigrant detention centers. They are all some of the major campaign contributors, either directly or through with the American Bankers Association, financing some of the most anti-Muslim politicians out there. Wells Fargo is a major corporate beneficiary of Trump’s tax cut.
If government officials are not responsive to pressure, us trying to go after them actually makes them seem even better to their base. What we have started doing is actually calling out these corporations because, as it turns out, there is a reason why Trump was actually calling out Hillary Clinton for her connections to Goldman Sachs in order to get elected. These same companies aren’t popular with his base either. I think what we need to start doing is get more sophisticated about the ways in which we are going after all the terrible things that have happened by really calling out, “Who are the corporate actors that are benefitting from this? Who are the corporate actors that are actually driving a lot of these policies?”
Then, we need to use that to polarize against these elected officials. That these elected officials, like Trump, are actually doing the dirty work for these other corporations that want to maintain their own squeaky-clean image while remaking the world in a way that suits them—at the expense of communities of color.
Sarah: On that note, the most hopeful note last week for a lot of people was the success in Queens and the Bronx of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who, notably, did not raise a lot of money. She did not take any corporate money and she ran on a platform that included abolishing ICE, a jobs guarantee and a Green New Deal. What does that tell us about the possibility of actually beating the same corporations that are backing Trump?
Saqib: I think that there is more potential now than ever before to actually beat these corporations. I think that is why we are seeing such a big push to try to cement control over the Supreme Court as a fail-safe for these corporations in the long run. I think this was recognizing the tide is turning against them. We are seeing in place after place, the corporate Democrats really sort of faltering and the rise of more leftist politics within the Democratic Party, which is great.
I am actually hopeful, despite everything else. I am hopeful about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s victory, and I am seeing more things like that going forward. I live in Chicago. In 2015. Rahm Emanuel outspent Chuy Garcia by a magnitude of roughly 11 to 1 in the initial primary election. Chuy was able to push Rahm to a runoff and had a real shot there. I think what we have started seeing is a gradual shift to the left.
I think the Democratic Party has not caught up. I think they are digging their heels and trying to block that progress because they are beholden to these same corporations that under Bush decided, “Oh, okay, the Republican Party is moving too far to the right, so we should double down on the Democratic Party.” At the end of the day, what we are seeing is that the electorate continues to move further to the left and that is why they are trying to cement this control at the very least at the Supreme Court level so that even as the electorate changes, that they can try to block progress. I think that will definitely be a losing battle for them in the long run.
Interviews for Resistance is a project of Sarah Jaffe, with assistance from Laura Feuillebois and support from the Nation Institute. It is also available as a podcaston iTunes. Not to be reprinted without permission.
Help In These Times Continue Publishing
Progressive journalism is needed now more than ever, and In These Times needs you.
Sarah Jaffe is a former staff writer at In These Times and author of Necessary Trouble: Americans in Revolt , which Robin D.G. Kelley called “The most compelling social and political portrait of our age.” You can follow her on Twitter @sarahljaffe.
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Intolerance is sweeping across Pakistan
In decades past, the town mullahs decried the use of megaphones during the call to prayer. Now they have embraced the technology in Pakistan. In every city the loud blare of the muezzin echoes throughout the streets, although they rarely call out in unison. For centuries Muslims have bickered over prayer times, and much else.
For the people of Gojra's Christian Colony, in rural Punjab, the mosque megaphones presented a more worrying proposition. "These are infidels, killing them is permitted," screamed one local imam from his mosques as, two weeks ago, a Muslim mob stormed the colony on hearing a rumour, later found to be false, that a Christian had desecrated a copy of the Qur'an. About a hundred homes were burned to the grown along with nine people, most of whom were burned alive in their dwellings.
Vulnerable minorities are often targeted as a result of petty grievances or property disputes, and Christian Colony residents believe the attack was sponsored by a local businessman keen to take their land. "There shouldn't be a double standard. In our churches and homes ... so many bibles have been burned," a local priest said. That principle holds true for those who perished, too.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan believes the attack was premeditated: "Witnesses said the attackers went about destroying Christians' houses in a very professional manner and seemed to be trained for carrying out such activities."
Members of Sipa-e-Sahaba, an outlawed Sunni extremist group that also targets Shias and Sunnis it considers apostate, are thought to be behind the attack. Heightening this violent drama, Sipa-e-Sahaba's leader Allama Ali Sher Hyderi was shot dead last week in his home town of Khairpur, northern Sindh, in what appears to be a reprisal killing.
Sipa-e-Sahaba is meant to be banned. But the Pakistan Ullema Council, a powerful mainstream religious body that is also hostile to Christians, Shias and some Sunni sects, condemned Hyderi's assassination while religious groups staged protests across the nation. There have been only muted protests for the Christians of Gojra while many self-confessed champions of the marginalised like Imran Khan have remained silent.
Ever since the forced "Islamisation" of Pakistan under former dictator Zia ul-Haq, fanatical Sunni religious groups have loudly and aggressively pushed an intolerant brand of Islam. Although they have consistently fared poorly in elections contested by major political parties or not massively rigged in their favour, they are a powerful lobby greatly feared by governments, the public and even the judiciary.
It would be unfair, however, to only blame religious groups for the spreading intolerance. "Sectarian conflict in Pakistan is the direct consequence of state policies of Islamisation and marginalisation of secular democratic forces," concludes an International Crisis Group report.
Under Zia, school textbooks were purged of any positive reference to minorities or Muslim traditions considered too pagan. Students were taught that Pakistan was a global vanguard of Sunni Islam forever threatened by Hindus, Jews and western imperialists. Pakistan's penal code was amended to make blasphemy against Islam, including desecration of the Qur'an, a crime under strict penalties including life imprisonment to death. The Hudood Ordinance left millions of victims of rape exposed to the new crime of adultery while the testimony of non-Muslims was judged to be half the value of a Muslim.
Zia apart, the Pakistan army's patronage of militancy inspired by chauvinist and xenophobic interpretation of Islam is well known. The Gojra attack occurred in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party heartland. Even the clerics here pledge allegiance to the Sharif brothers. Elder sibling Nawaz is the federal opposition leader and, so say the polls, the most popular leader in the country. Shabaz, the younger Sharif, is Punjab's chief minister and a noted bureaucrat.
According to one source, federal intelligence agencies had warned the PML-N-controlled Punjab government that a militant group was expected to do an attack on minority communities, but it was ignored.
The Christians of Gojra don't vote for the PML-N but conservative middle class Muslims do. For years the party has been a bridge between politicised mainstream religious leaders and the formal political set-up. That linkage has its origins in Zia's sweeping Islamisation project.
Amid this sobering tale there are thin slivers of hope. Most of Gojra's Christians were given refuge from the mob by their Muslim neighbours. Perhaps more opportunistically, the ardently secular Muttahida Quami Movement was quick to provide relief and call for the assailants to be punished.
Pressed by the adverse publicity, both the Pakistan and Punjab governments have promised justice to the victims too. Islamabad says it will hold a judicial inquiry into the incident and push for reforms to the blasphemy laws.
But any significant repeal of these laws will be a daunting task. "Any government that takes on the project of amending these exploitative laws will have to confront this political Islamist lobby," noted former federal information minister and leading progressive politician Sherry Rehman. The Punjab government says it will provide compensation of up to 300,000 to 500,000 rupees, but victims say this is not sufficient recompense for the loss of lives and property.
There were no Pakistan flags fluttering in Gojra on Independence Day, only black ones hoisted on any structure that was lucky enough to survive the attack. "We're still waiting for our freedom, if this was our country this would not have happened," one Gojra resident told a news crew.
Only an active roll-back of Zia's Islamisation of the state will prevent Pakistan from continued communal disintegration.
| 5,895 |
The Internet as we now know it is a means for anybody to freely
express
themselves however they may choose, regardless of their race,
religion,
alliances, viewpoint or physical placement in the world. The
notion
that anyone should be allowed to declare their position on
any number of
things is what the United States was founded on, along with
the desire
for freedom from an oppressive body, which, in the time of
our founding
fathers, was the British government, but, should internet neutrality
be
circumvented, could be the Bells, Verizon and Comcast.
Should internet service providers be allowed to impose *extraneous*
(more on that later) charges on websites that they deem to
be so
deserving of a hike in charges, the United States Senate would,
in
effect, be handing over it's citizens constitutional rights
to the
control of PRIVATE MONOPOLIES.
In itself this handover would be outrageous. However, the
fact that
these companies would be leveling charges against companies
that
_already pay based on bandwidth load_ would be something akin
to double
taxation. What happened to a certain tea-ferrying ship in Boston
the
last time undue taxes were imposed?
The bandwidth providers themselves aren't standing on broken
legs
either. Through tax breaks and increased service fees, Verizon
and the
old Bells reaped about $200 billion since the early 1990s to
improve
broadband lines in the US. And what have American consumers
received?
The most common DSL Service over the old copper networks tops
out at 768
Kbps in most areas---a hundred times slower than routine connections
in
other countries. They received massive amounts of funding and
kickbacks, and because they haven't seemed to have invested
this money
into delivering service to their customers, they, in essence,
got a $200
billion check paid for by myself and every other tax-paying
citizen in
America.
If the internet works on a multi-tiered system, with the fast
pipes
going to those with the most money, internet service providers
would in
a sense be the ones who control speech. For example, should
any online
content provider or website produce content that is derogatory
or
defaming to one of the ISP's, that website may in turn face
stiff
service hikes, which very well may be too high for the site
to pay, thus
putting them out of business. Should an ISP launch a product
that is
already being offered by another site, that ISP may very well
silently
slow traffic to it's competitors site or perhaps, again, raise
prices
which would threaten the original companies success. There
is no
guarantees that such a system could keep from being abused,
and the
temptation to somehow block a competitor from behind the scenes,
regardless of the minor slap on the wrist the company would
get should
they somehow be found out, seems all too easy to justify.
The point is this: dissolving Internet Neutrality is bad for
the
American citizen, it's bad for our much-beloved freedom of
speech and
it's bad for the world as a whole. There is no need whatsoever
to bring
in increased revenue for service providers and there is every
need to
keep this country's words flowing freely, without restriction
and
without bias. Censorship may come in many forms and it is those
forms
that go unnoticed, behind the scenes, that are so very damaging
to the
fabric of our nation. The breakdown of internet neutrality
is one of
those forms and has the potential to ruin one of the most decentralized
and open platforms for personal expression that the world has
ever known.
Please, stay true to this countries founders and true to yourselves--
do
not allow big business to buy out our freedoms and pull a veil
over our
eyes. Keep the Internet neutral. Keep our voices heard.
| 3,728 |
How to use Skype for Web to Call Mobile Phone, Landlines And Much More
Microsoft is adding new capabilities to its Skype for Web, as well as its Skype for Business services. Skype for Web users can now call cell phones and landlines directly. Here is How to use Skype for Web to Call Mobile Phone, Landlines.
First off, you can now call mobile phones as well as landlines straight from Skype’s Web interface. This might let you save money compared to your carrier’s rates, depending on where you’re calling. You obviously need either a Skype calling subscription or some Skype credit in your account in order to make use of this functionality.
Next up, you can watch YouTube videos directly inside Skype for Web from this point on. When someone shares a link to a YouTube video in a Skype conversation, that will instantly embed said video into the page. So no more jumping to a new tab or window to see the video in question. Furthermore, when other URLs are shared in Skype for Web, you’ll see an image from the web page.
You can add new people to a conversation even if they’re not on Skype, which is something that debuted in Skype’s client for Windows PCs not long ago. Basically, you create a unique URL for a conversation, and then share that with the person who doesn’t have a Skype account. He or she will then be able to join in.
Finally, notifications are going to show up as long as you’re signed into Skype for Web and have it open in your browser, even if you’re in another app or another tab.
If you’re making a call from Skype to a contact who is using Skype in their web browser, they’ll first need to complete the Skype web plugin setup process to receive your call, if they haven’t done so already.
If you use several internet browsers on your computer, you only need to install the Skype web plugin for one and it will be available for other supported browsers as well.
Important: If your browser doesn’t support add-ons, or you can’t install the web plugin for any reason, you can still send instant messages to your Skype contacts using Skype for Web. However, the Skype voice and video call options won’t be available.
The Skype web plugin is not supported on Windows RT, Linux, and Chromebooks.
Select a contact from your contact list or you can dial a mobile/landline number after selecting a country from the country list.
Now, you are ready to make calls.
Note: You may get a popup message by Windows Security Alert, depends on your user setting. In that case, you have to click on Allow Access.
How to Recieve a Call:
When someone calls you while you are online in your Skype for web account, you will get push messages appearing on your screen.
Bonus: You can play YouTube videos without leaving Skype
If someone posts a YouTube video link in Skype for Web, you’ll be able to watch it directly in Skype. You get all the same volume and full-screen controls you have in YouTube, but you won’t have to open a new browser window to watch the video—it’ll instantly play directly in Skype.
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Attention all Knifemakers!.....Product dealers/retailers and/or knife makers/sharpeners/hobbyists (etc) are not permitted to insert business related text/videos/images (company/company name/product references) and/or links into your signature line, your homepage url (within the homepage profile box), within any posts, within your avatar, nor anywhere else on this site. Market research (such as asking questions regarding or referring to products/services that you make/offer for sale or posting pictures of finished projects) is prohibited. These features are reserved for supporting vendors and hobbyists.....Also, there is no need to announce to the community that you are a knifemaker unless you're trying to sell something so please refrain from sharing.
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Introducing asymmetry in your bevels is a way of thinning your blade near the cutting edge without lowering your bevel angles excessively and causing weakness in your edge or in extreme cases, failure to even form an edge (it would just crumble, leaving large chips in the edge). The trade-off is a "steering" effect that is caused by unequal forces acting on either side of the edge. The side with the larger bevel would encounter a larger force resisting the cut and so the blade would tend to veer away from that side. To counteract this effect, the angle at which the large bevel is ground can be lowered relative the the small bevel to more evenly distribute the forces.
If you feel you want to keep your edge thin but add even more strength, you can add a microbevel to anything and it can be a single extra bevel at a higher angle or it can be two extra bevels depending on how you like your edges to perform. When I apply a microbevel, I will generally add a tiny bevel at a large angle (25-60 deg) on the right side only for a right handed knife.
I don't do this for AS, in particular but mainly for knives that are exceedingly thin at the edge (single bevel or ultra thinned knives), blades that are hardened to the point they lose their toughness (for AS I might put a micro on anything over 61 hrc depending on the user), blades made of very high carbon steel (significantly more than 1%) since the high carbide volume will lower the stability of the edge or blades where the carbide size is fairly large and will simply not form a decent edge at 10-15 deg on a bevel (conventional German knives, for example).
Ok good to know, i have actually noticed that with a coworkers knife, some german made knife, i sharpened it and it was super sharp, i then applied a microbevel and it was significantly duller than before had to redo the entire process but it wouldn't handle a microbevel for some reason I'm guessing the steel.
but i always add a microbevel to my misonos about 45 deg or so, and i haven't noticed an ill effects to far, i also add one to my Kono HD since i use it so much.
By AS, you mean asymmetric? For future reference, AS always means Aogami Super/Blue Super. Asymmetric edges are good for single beveled knives of any kind. Jon puts a micro on Suisin Inox blades (19C27 is pretty high carbon and it is pretty hard on that line). HOWEVER, it really just depends on how much you've thinned it compared to what it can take. That, in turn depends on what the user does with it. This is one of those questions that is subjective and user-specific. For example, I hardly EVER use microbevels on my own knives. I'm pretty gentle with them and it's nice when I actually get to sharpen them. I have a friend, though who is a pro and is pretty careless with his knives. I use microbevels on EVERYTHING for that dude.
For those of you on the forum who think I might be talking about you on that last part, I'm not.
I would say knives with asymmetric blades! Most Japanese knives I've seen had a convex front (right, with kanji inscription) blade and a flat back. The front side has a very large convex bevel while the back almost none. Typical would be the front being sharpened at eventually 10 degrees, and the back hardly sharpened but just stropped at 15.
I am a bit confused. How does shifting the edge over a bit allow you to thin it and maintain more edge strength/stability? I kind of understand why the Japanese may single bevel knives with a hollow grand backside, but I am having trouble figuring out the 70/30 type grinds.
I can't draw it for you right now but if you draw bevels at the same angle as shown in the first edge and the second to last edge (going from left to right) here: http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifeedgetypes.shtml, you will see that the thickness of the knife within the bevel is thinner behind the edge for the asymmetric version.
In those pics, it actually looks thicker to me. I can see how leaving more of the "short" side of the blade flat would mght you a similar effect to a chisel grind, but I'm still not seeing how actually it gets the part right above the edge thinner.
Originally Posted by tk59
I can't draw it for you right now but if you draw bevels at the same angle as shown in the first edge and the second to last edge (going from left to right) here: http://zknives.com/knives/articles/knifeedgetypes.shtml, you will see that the thickness of the knife within the bevel is thinner behind the edge for the asymmetric version.
| 5,574 |
To make it easier for you to start monitoring your servers in Kibana,
we have created a sample Topbeat dashboard. This dashboard is provided as
an example. We recommend that you
customize it
to meet your needs.
| 210 |
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