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Ēostre (Template:Lang-gem-x-proto) is a West Germanic spring goddess. The name is reflected in Old English: *Ēastre (Template:IPA-ang; Northumbrian dialect: Ēastro, Mercian and West Saxon dialects: Ēostre Template:IPA-ang),[1][2][3] Template:Lang-goh, and Template:Lang-osx.[4][5] By way of the Germanic month bearing her name (Northumbrian: Ēosturmōnaþ, West Saxon: Ēastermōnaþ; Template:Lang-goh), she is the namesake of the festival of Easter in some languages. The Old English deity Ēostre is attested solely by Bede in his 8th-century work The Reckoning of Time, where Bede states that during Ēosturmōnaþ (the equivalent of April), pagan Anglo-Saxons had held feasts in Ēostre's honour, but that this tradition had died out by his time, replaced by the Christian Paschal month, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
By way of linguistic reconstruction, the matter of a goddess called Austrō(n) in the Proto-Germanic language has been examined in detail since the foundation of Germanic philology in the 19th century by scholar Jacob Grimm and others. As the Germanic languages descend from Proto-Indo-European (PIE), historical linguists have traced the name to a Proto-Indo-European goddess of the dawn *H₂ewsṓs, from which may descend the Common Germanic divinity at the origin of the Old English Ēostre and the Old High German Ôstara. Additionally, scholars have linked the goddess's name to a variety of Germanic personal names, a series of location names (toponyms) in England, and, discovered in 1958, over 150 inscriptions from the 2nd century CE referring to the matronae Austriahenae.
Theories connecting Ēostre with records of Germanic Easter customs, including hares and eggs, have been proposed. Whether or not the goddess was an invention of Bede has been a debate among some scholars, particularly prior to the discovery of the matronae Austriahenae and further developments in Indo-European studies. Ēostre and Ostara are sometimes referenced in modern popular culture and are venerated in some forms of Germanic neopaganism.
The theonyms *Ēastre (Old English) and *Ôstara (Old High German) are cognates – linguistic siblings stemming from a common origin. They derive from the Proto-Germanic theonym Austrō(n),[4][5] itself a descendant of Proto-Indo-European (PIE) *h₂ews-reh₂- (cf. Baltic *auš(t)ra 'dawn, morning'), extended from the PIE root *h₂ews-, meaning 'to shine, glow (red)'.[6][5] The modern English east also derives from this root, via the Proto-Germanic adverb *aust(e)raz ('east, eastwards'), from an earlier PIE *h₂ews-tero- ('east, towards the dawn').[5]
According to linguist Guus Kroonen, the Germanic and Baltic languages replaced the old formation *h₂éws-os, the name of the PIE dawn-goddess, with a form in -reh₂-, likewise found in the Lithuanian deity Aušrinė.[5] In Anglo-Saxon England, her springtime festival gave its name to a month (Northumbrian: Ēosturmōnaþ, West Saxon: Eastermonað),[7] the equivalent of April, then to the Christian feast of Easter that eventually displaced it.[4][8] In southern Medieval Germany, the festival Ôstarûn similarly gave its name to the month Ôstarmânôth, and to the modern feast of Ostern ('Easter'), suggesting that a goddess named *Ôstara was also worshipped there.[9][8] The name of the month survived into 18th-century German as Ostermonat.[10] An Old Saxon equivalent of the spring goddess named *Āsteron may also be reconstructed from the term asteronhus, which is translated by most scholars as 'Easter-house' (cf. Medieval Flemish Paeshuys 'Easter-house').[11] Frankish historian Einhard also writes in his Vita Karoli Magni (early 9th c. AD) that after Charlemagne defeated and converted the continental Saxons to Christianity, he gave Germanic names to the Latin months of the year, which included the Easter-month Ostarmanoth.[12]
The Old English Ēostre is therefore a distant cognate of numerous other dawn goddesses attested among Indo-European-speaking peoples, including Uṣás, Ēṓs, and Aurōra. In the words of the Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture, "a Proto-Indo-European goddess of the dawn is supported both by the evidence of cognate names and the similarity of mythic representation of the dawn goddess among various Indo-European groups. [...] All of this evidence permits us to posit a Proto-Indo-European *haéusōs 'goddess of dawn' who was characterized as a 'reluctant' bringer of light for which she is punished. In three of the Indo-European stocks, Baltic, Greek and Indo-Iranian, the existence of a Proto-Indo-European 'goddess of the dawn' is given additional linguistic support in that she is designated the 'daughter of heaven'."[13]
Related names
Additionally, scholars have linked the goddess's name to a variety of Germanic personal names, a series of location names (toponyms) in England, and, discovered in 1958, over 150 inscriptions from the 2nd century CE referring to the matronae Austriahenae.[14]
A cluster of place names in England contain and a variety of English and continental Germanic names include the element *ēoster, an early Old English word reconstructed by linguists and potentially an earlier form of the goddess name Ēostre. The Council of Austerfield called by King Aldfrith of Northumbria shortly before 704 convened at a place described in contemporary records both as in campo qui Eostrefeld dicitur and in campo qui dicitur Oustraefelda, which have led to the site's being identified with Austerfield near Bawtry in South Yorkshire.[15] Such locations also include Eastry (Eastrgena, 788 CE) in Kent, Eastrea (Estrey, 966 CE) in Cambridgeshire, and Eastrington (Eastringatun, 959 CE) in the East Riding of Yorkshire.[16]
The element *ēoster also appears in the Old English name Easterwine, a name borne by Bede's monastery abbot in Wearmouth–Jarrow and which appears an additional three times in the Durham Liber Vitae. The name Aestorhild also appears in the Liber Vitae, and is likely the ancestor of the Middle English name Estrild. Various continental Germanic names include the element, including Austrechild, Austrighysel, Austrovald, and Ostrulf.[17]
In 1958, over 150 Romano-Germanic votive inscriptions to the matronae Austriahenae, a triad of goddesses, were discovered near Morken-Harff, Germany. Most of these inscriptions are in an incomplete state, yet many are at least reasonably legible. Some of these inscriptions refer to the Austriates, evidently the name of a social group.[18] The name of these goddesses certainly derives from the root austri-, which, if Germanic, would be cognate with the Old English Eostre. But the goddesses might equally be entirely independent.[19]
Description by Saint Bede, 8th century
In chapter 15 (De mensibus Anglorum, "The English months") of his 8th-century work De temporum ratione ("The Reckoning of Time"), Bede describes the indigenous month names of the English people. After describing the worship of the goddess Rheda during the Anglo-Saxon month of Hrēþ-mōnaþ, Bede writes about Ēosturmōnaþ, the month of the goddess Ēostre:
Eostur-monath, qui nunc Paschalis mensis interpretatur, quondam a Dea illorum quæ Eostre vocabatur, et cui in illo festa celebrabant nomen habuit: a cujus nomine nunc Paschale tempus cognominant, consueto antiquæ observationis vocabulo gaudia novæ solemnitatis vocantes.[20]
Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated "Paschal month", and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance.[21]
Before the discovery of the matronae Austriahenae in 1958, scholarship on this topic frequently raised the question of whether Bede invented the deity. In 1892, Charles J. Billson noted that scholars before his writing were divided about the existence of Bede's account of Ēostre, stating that "among authorities who have no doubt as to her existence are W. Grimm, Wackernagel, Sinrock [sic], and Wolf. On the other hand, Weinhold rejects the idea on philological grounds, and so do Heinrich Leo and Hermann Oesre. Kuhn says, 'The Anglo-Saxon Eostre looks like an invention of Bede;' and Mannhardt also dismisses her as an etymological dea ex machina." Billson wrote that "the whole question turns ... upon Bede's credibility", and that "one is inclined to agree with Grimm, that it would be uncritical to saddle this eminent Father of the Church, who keeps Heathendom at arms' length and tells us less of than he knows, with the invention of this goddess." Billson pointed out that the Christianization of England started at the end of the 6th century, and, by the 7th, was completed. Billson argued that, as Bede was born in 672, Bede must have had opportunities to learn the names of the native goddesses of the Anglo-Saxons, "who were hardly extinct in his lifetime."[22]
According to philologist Rudolf Simek in 1984, despite expressions of doubts, Bede's account of Ēostre should not be disregarded. Simek opined that a "spring-like fertility goddess" must be assumed rather than a "goddess of sunrise" regardless of the name, reasoning that "otherwise the Germanic goddesses (and matrons) are mostly connected with prosperity and growth". Simek pointed to a comparison with the goddess Rheda, also attested by Bede.[4]
In 2011 Philip A. Shaw wrote that the subject has seen "a lengthy history of arguments for and against Bede's goddess Ēostre, with some scholars taking fairly extreme positions on either side" and that some theories against the goddess have gained popular cultural prominence. Shaw noted that "much of this debate, however, was conducted in ignorance of a key piece of evidence, as it was not discovered until 1958. This evidence is furnished by over 150 Romano-Germanic votive inscriptions to deities named the matronae Austriahenae, found near Morken-Harff and datable to around 150–250 AD". Most of these inscriptions are in an incomplete state, yet most are complete enough for reasonable clarity of the inscriptions. As early as 1966 scholars have linked these names etymologically with Ēostre and an element found in Germanic personal names.[23] Shaw argued against a functional interpretation of the available evidence and concluded that "the etymological connections of her name suggests that her worshippers saw her geographical and social relationship with them as more central than any functions she may have had".[24]
Theories and interpretations
Jacob Grimm
In his 1835 Deutsche Mythologie, Jacob Grimm cites comparative evidence to reconstruct a potential continental Germanic goddess whose name would have been preserved in the Old High German name of Easter, *Ostara. Addressing skepticism towards goddesses mentioned by Bede, Grimm comments that "there is nothing improbable in them, nay the first of them is justified by clear traces in the vocabularies of Germanic tribes."[25] Specifically regarding Ēostre, Grimm continues that:
We Germans to this day call April ostermonat, and ôstarmânoth is found as early as Eginhart (temp. Car. Mag.). The great Christian festival, which usually falls in April or the end of March, bears in the oldest of OHG remains the name ôstarâ ... it is mostly found in the plural, because two days ... were kept at Easter. This Ostarâ, like the [Anglo-Saxon] Eástre, must in heathen religion have denoted a higher being, whose worship was so firmly rooted, that the Christian teachers tolerated the name, and applied it to one of their own grandest anniversaries.[26]
Grimm notes that "all of the nations bordering on us have retained the Biblical pascha; even Ulphilas writes 𐍀𐌰𐍃𐌺𐌰, not 𐌰𐌿𐍃𐍄𐍂𐍉 (paska not áustrô), though he must have known the word". Grimm details that the Old High German adverb ôstar "expresses movement towards the rising sun", as did the Old Norse term austr, and potentially also Anglo-Saxon ēastor and Gothic *𐌰𐌿𐍃𐍄𐍂 (*áustr). Grimm compares these terms to the identical Latin term auster, and contends that the cult of the goddess may have been centred around an Old Norse form, Austra, or that her cult may have already been extinct by the time of Christianization.[27]
Grimm notes that the Old Norse Prose Edda book Gylfaginning attests to a male being called Austri, whom he describes as a "spirit of light." Grimm comments that a female version would have been Austra, yet that the High German and Saxon peoples seem to have only formed Ostarâ and Eástre, feminine, and not Ostaro and Eástra, masculine. Grimm additionally speculates on the nature of the goddess and surviving folk customs that may have been associated with her in Germany:
Ostara, Eástre seems therefore to have been the divinity of the radiant dawn, of upspringing light, a spectacle that brings joy and blessing, whose meaning could be easily adapted by the resurrection-day of the Christian's God. Bonfires were lighted at Easter and according to popular belief of long standing, the moment the sun rises on Easter Sunday morning, he gives three joyful leaps, he dances for joy ... Water drawn on the Easter morning is, like that at Christmas, holy and healing ... here also heathen notions seems to have grafted themselves on great Christian festivals. Maidens clothed in white, who at Easter, at the season of returning spring, show themselves in clefts of the rock and on mountains, are suggestive of the ancient goddess.[28]
In the second volume of Deutsche Mythologie, Grimm picked up the subject of Ostara again, speculating on possible connections between the goddess and various German Easter customs, including Easter eggs:
But if we admit, goddesses, then, in addition to Nerthus, Ostara has the strongest claim to consideration. To what we said on p. 290 I can add some significant facts. The heathen Easter had much in common with May-feast and the reception of spring, particularly in the matter of bonfires. Then, through long ages there seem to have lingered among the people Easter-games so-called, which the church itself had to tolerate : I allude especially to the custom of Easter eggs, and to the Easter tale which preachers told from the pulpit for the people's amusement, connecting it with Christian reminiscences.[29]
Grimm commented on further Easter time customs, including unique sword dances and particular baked goods ("pastry of heathenish form"). In addition, Grimm weighed a potential connection to the Slavic spring goddess Vesna and the Lithuanian Vasara.[29]
According to anthropologist Krystal D'Costa, there is no evidence to connect the tradition of Easter eggs with Ostara. Eggs became a symbol in Christianity associated with rebirth as early as the 1st century AD, via the iconography of the Phoenix egg. D'Costa theorizes that eggs became associated with Easter specifically in medieval Europe, when eating them was prohibited during the fast of Lent. D'Costa highlights that a common practice in England at that time was for children to go door-to-door begging for eggs on the Saturday before Lent began. People handed out eggs as special treats for children prior to their fast.[30]
Connection to Easter Hares
In Northern Europe, Easter imagery often involves hares and rabbits.[31] The first scholar to make a connection between the goddess Eostre and hares was Adolf Holtzmann in his book Deutsche Mythologie. Holtzmann wrote of the tradition, "the Easter Hare is inexplicable to me, but probably the hare was the sacred animal of Ostara; just as there is a hare on the statue of Abnoba." Citing folk Easter customs in Leicestershire, England, where "the profits of the land called Harecrop Leys were applied to providing a meal which was thrown on the ground at the 'Hare-pie Bank'", late 19th-century scholar Charles Isaac Elton speculated on a connection between these customs and the worship of Ēostre.[32] In his late 19th-century study of the hare in folk custom and mythology, Charles J. Billson cited numerous incidents of folk customs involving hares around the Easter season in Northern Europe. Billson said that "whether there was a goddess named Ēostre, or not, and whatever connection the hare may have had with the ritual of Saxon or British worship, there are good grounds for believing that the sacredness of this animal reaches back into an age still more remote, where it is probably a very important part of the great Spring Festival of the prehistoric inhabitants of this island."[22]
Adolf Holtzmann had also speculated that "the hare must once have been a bird, because it lays eggs" in modern German folklore. From this statement, numerous later sources built a modern legend in which the goddess Eostre transformed a bird into an egg-laying hare.[33] A response to a question about the origins of Easter hares in the 8 June 1889 issue of the journal American Notes and Queries stated: "In Germany and among the Pennsylvania Germans toy rabbits or hares made of canton flannel stuffed with cotton are given as gifts on Easter morning. The children are told that this Osh'ter has laid the Easter eggs. This curious idea is thus explained: The hare was originally a bird, and was changed into a quadruped by the goddess Ostara; in gratitude to Ostara or Eastre, the hare exercises its original bird function to lay eggs for the goddess on her festal day."[34] According to folklorist Stephen Winick, by 1900, many popular sources had picked up the story of Eostre and the hare. One described the story as one of the oldest in mythology, "despite the fact that it was then less than twenty years old."[33]
Some scholars have further linked customs and imagery involving hares to both Ēostre and the Norse goddess Freyja. Writing in 1972, John Andrew Boyle cited commentary contained within an etymology dictionary by A. Ernout and A. Meillet, where the authors write that "Little else ... is known about [Ēostre], but it has been suggested that her lights, as goddess of the dawn, were carried by hares. And she certainly represented spring fecundity, and love and carnal pleasure that leads to fecundity." Boyle responded that nothing is known about Ēostre outside of Bede's single passage, that the authors had seemingly accepted the identification of Ēostre with the Norse goddess Freyja, yet that the hare is not associated with Freyja either. Boyle writes that "her carriage, we are told by Snorri, was drawn by a pair of cats — animals, it is true, which like hares were the familiars of witches, with whom Freyja seems to have much in common." However, Boyle adds that "on the other hand, when the authors speak of the hare as the 'companion of Aphrodite and of satyrs and cupids' and point out that 'in the Middle Ages it appears beside the figure of Luxuria', they are on much surer ground and can adduce the evidence of their illustrations."[35]
The earliest evidence for the Easter Hare (Osterhase) was recorded in south-west Germany in 1678 by the professor of medicine Georg Franck von Franckenau, but it remained unknown in other parts of Germany until the 18th century. Scholar Richard Sermon writes that "hares were frequently seen in gardens in spring, and thus may have served as a convenient explanation for the origin of the colored eggs hidden there for children. Alternatively, there is a European tradition that hares laid eggs, since a hare's scratch or form and a lapwing's nest look very similar, and both occur on grassland and are first seen in the spring. In the nineteenth century the influence of Easter cards, toys, and books was to make the Easter Hare/Rabbit popular throughout Europe. German immigrants then exported the custom to Britain and America where it evolved into the Easter Bunny."[36]
In modern culture
The concept of *Ostara as reconstructed by Jacob Grimm and Adolf Holtzmann has had a strong influence on European culture since the 19th century, with many fanciful legends and associations growing up around the figure of the goddess in popular articles based on the speculation of these early folklorists.[33]
A holiday named for the goddess is part of the neopagan Wiccan Wheel of the Year (Ostara, 21 March).[37] In some forms of Germanic neopaganism, Ēostre (or Ostara) is venerated. Regarding this veneration, Carole M. Cusack comments that, among adherents, Ēostre is "associated with the coming of spring and the dawn, and her festival is celebrated at the spring equinox. Because she brings renewal, rebirth from the death of winter, some Heathens associate Ēostre with Iðunn, keeper of the apples of youth in Scandinavian mythology".[38]
The name has been adopted for an asteroid (343 Ostara, 1892 by Max Wolf),[39] In music, the name Ostara has been adopted as a name by the musical group Ostara,[40] and as the names of albums by :zoviet*france: (Eostre, 1984) and The Wishing Tree (Ostara, 2009).
Politically, the name of Ostara was in the early 20th century invoked as the name of a German nationalist magazine, book series and publishing house established in 1905 at Mödling, Austria.[9]
In the first season of the TV series American Gods, based on the novel of the same name, Ostara is portrayed by Kristin Chenoweth. In the series, Ostara has survived into the modern age by forming an alliance with the Goddess of Media (Gillian Anderson) and capitalising on the Christian holiday. Odin (Ian McShane) forces her to accept that those who celebrate Easter are worshipping Jesus and not her, causing her to join his rebellion against the New Gods.[41]
In 1853, Scottish protestant minister Alexander Hislop published The Two Babylons, an anti-Catholic tract. In the tract, Hislop connects modern English Easter with the East Semitic theonym Ishtar by way of folk etymology. For example, from The Two Babylons, third edition:
What means the term Easter itself? It is not a Christian name. It bears its Chaldean origin on its very forehead. Easter is nothing else than Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis, the queen of heaven, whose name, as pronounced by the people of Ninevah, was evidently identical with that now in common use in this country. This name as found by Layard on the Assyrian monuments, is Ishtar.[42]
Because Hislop's claims have no linguistics foundation, his claims were rejected, but the Two Babylons would go on to have some influence in popular culture.[43] In the 2000s, a popular Internet meme similarly claimed an incorrect linguistic connection between English Easter and Ishtar.[30]
The Danish TV series Equinox has the concept of the Ostara and the Hare King as a central theme in the plot.[44]
See also
- Aurvandil, a Germanic being associated with stars, the first element of whose name is cognate to Ēostre
- Dellingr, a potential personification of the dawn in Norse mythology
- Hengist and Horsa, euhemerised Old English deities, possibly extending from Proto-Indo-European religion
- Mōdraniht, the Old English "Mother's night," also attested by Bede
- Old High German lullaby, a lullaby in Old High German that mentions Ostara, generally held to be a literary forgery
- Tīw, the Old English extension of the Proto-Indo-European sky deity
- ↑ Sievers 1901 p. 98
- ↑ Wright, 85, §208
- ↑ Barnhart, Robert K. The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (1995) ISBN:0-06-270084-7.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Simek 1996, p. 74.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Kroonen 2013, p. 43.
- ↑ Watkins 2006 [2000]: 2021.
- ↑ Sermon 2008, p. 333.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 West 2007, pp. 217–218.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Simek 1996, p. 255.
- ↑ Sermon 2008, p. 335.
- ↑ Sermon 2008, pp. 337–338: "The term asteronhus could mean either 'Eastern-house' or 'Easterhouse', although current research tends to favor the latter of these two readings (Hessmann 2000). This interpretation is paralleled in the Flemish place-name and surname Paashuis or Paeschhuis, also meaning 'Easter-house', of which the earliest known example is Paeshuys recorded at Antwerp in 1386 (Debrabandere 1993: 1073)."
- ↑ Sermon 2008, p. 334.
- ↑ Mallory & Adams 1997, pp. 148–149.
- ↑ Shaw 2011, pp. 52–53.
- ↑ Cubitt, Catherine (1995). Anglo-Saxon Church Councils c.650–c.850. London: Leicester University Press, pp 302f. ISBN:0-7185-1436-X
- ↑ Shaw 2011, pp. 59—60.
- ↑ Shaw 2011, p. 60.
- ↑ Shaw 2011, pp. 52, 63.
- ↑ Sermon 2008, p. 340.
- ↑ Giles (1843:179).
- ↑ Wallis (1999:54).
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Billson (1892:448).
- ↑ Shaw 2011, p. 52.
- ↑ Shaw 2011, pp. 70–71.
- ↑ Grimm (1882:289).
- ↑ Grimm (1882:290).
- ↑ Grimm (1882:290—291).
- ↑ Grimm (1882:291).
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Grimm (1883:780–781).
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 D'Costa, Krystal. "Beyond Ishtar: The Tradition of Eggs at Easter" (in en). https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anthropology-in-practice/beyond-ishtar-the-tradition-of-eggs-at-easter/.
- ↑ Bott, Adrian (2011-04-23). "The modern myth of the Easter bunny". http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2011/apr/23/easter-pagan-roots.
- ↑ Elton, Charles Isaac (1882). "Origins of English History". Nature 25 (648): 391. doi:10.1038/025501a0. Bibcode: 1882Natur..25..501T. https://archive.org/stream/originsofenglis00elto#page/390/mode/2up/search/harecrop.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Winick, Stephen. Ostara and the Hare: Not Ancient, but Not As Modern As Some Skeptics Think. Folklife Today, 28 Apr 2016. Accessed 8 May 2019 at https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2016/04/ostara-and-the-hare/
- ↑ American Notes and Queries, June 8, 1889, pp. 64-65.
- ↑ Boyle & 1973, pp. 323—324.
- ↑ Sermon 2008, p. 341.
- ↑ Hubbard (2007:175).
- ↑ Cusack (2008:354–355).
- ↑ Schmadel (2003:44)
- ↑ Diesel, Gerten (2007:136).
- ↑ Griffiths, Eleanor Blye (19 June 2017). "American Gods mythology guide: Meet Germanic spring goddess Ostara". Radio Times. http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-19/american-gods-mythology-guide-meet-germanic-spring-goddess-ostara.
- ↑ Hislop (1903:103).
- ↑ See, for example, contemporary discussion in anonymous (1859:338-340).
- ↑ https://signalhorizon.com/netflixs-equinox-ending-explained-ostara-eostre-and-the-hare-king-come-togeether-in-this-supernatural-twister/
- Anonymous (1859). Review: The Two Babylons in The Saturday Review, Vol. VIII, pp. 338–340. John W. Parker and Son.
- Barnhart, Robert K. (1995). The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology: The Origins of American English Words. HarperCollins. ISBN:0-06-270084-7
- Billson, Charles J. (1892). "The Easter Hare" as published in Folk-Lore, Vol. 3, No. 4 (December 1892). Taylor & Francis, Ltd. on behalf of Folklore Enterprises Ltd.
- Boyle, John Andrew (1973). "The Hare in Myth and Reality: A Review Article". Folklore 84 (4): 313–326. doi:10.1080/0015587X.1973.9716525. ISSN 0015-587X.
- Cusack, Carole M. (2008). "The Return of the Goddess: Mythology, Witchcraft and Feminist Spirituality" as published in Pizza, Murphy. Lewis, James R. (Editors). Handbook of Contemporary Paganism. Brill Publishers. ISBN:9004163735
- Diesel, Andreas. Gerten, Dieter (2007). Looking for Europe: Neofolk und Hintergründe. Index Verlag. ISBN:3-936878-02-1
- Grimm, Jacob (James Steven Stallybrass Trans.) (1882). Teutonic Mythology: Translated from the Fourth Edition with Notes and Appendix Vol. I. London: George Bell and Sons.
- Grimm, Jacob (James Steven Stallybrass Trans.) (1883). Teutonic Mythology: Translated from the Fourth Edition with Notes and Appendix Vol. II. London: George Bell and Sons.
- Hislop, Alexander (1903). The Two Babylons. Third edition. S.W. Partridge. Web.
- Hubbard, Benjamin Jerome. Hatfield, John T. Santucci, James A. (2007). An Educator's Classroom Guide to America's Religious Beliefs and Practices. Libraries Unlimited. ISBN:1-59158-409-4
- Giles, John Allen (1843). The Complete Works of the Venerable Bede, in the Original Latin, Collated with the Manuscripts, and Various Print Editions, Accompanied by a New English Translation of the Historical Works, and a Life of the Author. Vol. VI: Scientific Tracts and Appendix. London: Whittaker and Co., Ave Maria Lane.
- Kroonen, Guus (2013). Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic. Brill. ISBN 9789004183407.
- Mallory, J. P.; Adams, Douglas Q. (1997). Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 1-884964-98-2.
- Sermon, Richard (2008). "From Easter to Ostara: the Reinvention of a Pagan Goddess?". Time and Mind 1 (3): 331–343. doi:10.2752/175169708X329372. ISSN 1751-696X.
- Shaw, Philip A. (2011). Pagan goddesses in the early Germanic world : Eostre, Hreda and the cult of matrons. Bristol Classical Press. ISBN 978-0-7156-3797-5.
- Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, fifth edition, illustrated. Springer. ISBN:3-540-00238-3
- Sievers, Eduard (Albert S. Cook Ed. Trans.) (1903) An Old English grammar Third Edition. Ginn and Company
- Simek, Rudolf (1996). Dictionary of Northern Mythology. D.S. Brewer. ISBN 978-0-85991-513-7.
- Wallis, Faith (Trans.) (1999). Bede: The Reckoning of Time. Liverpool University Press. ISBN:0-85323-693-3
- Watkins, Calvert (2006 [2000]). The American Heritage Dictionary of Indo-European Roots. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN:0-618-08250-6
- West, Martin L. (2007). Indo-European Poetry and Myth. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-928075-9.
- Wright, Joseph and Wright, Elisabeth Mary. (1914) Old English Grammar Second Edition. Humphrey Milford Oxford University Press
Further reading
- Sermon, Richard (2022). "Eostre and the Matronae Austriahenae". In: Folklore, 133:2, 139-157. DOI: 10.1080/0015587X.2021.1959143


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Introduction into the business of intensity
we could possibly be that flame too hot to touch
First impressions of passion and desire for change
the wild beast that forsakes the thought of being caged
While we take addictions and past fears and doubts hand in hand
we struggle with moving forward through all sinking sand
Intimately we dive into each other's subconscious
forcing one another to see the world just as vicious
Take the time to listen more, eyes open, ears and heart clear
lending more than just a simple ear
In those moments of full vulnerability, walls all the way down
it is important that we make that moment feel like home.
The goal should be to separate from the rest of the world
when stress and pressures affect our words
That is when we allow more grief to reside than need be
getting into pointless arguments that are hard to cease
The lack of recognition of self just to get off a quick jab or poke
yet what does this help us being together, turns joy into smoke
Floating away in the air, a mist, prior happiness now a fog
mind clouded by anger and aggression, getting plump as a hog
Except we are on the chopping block, ready for the slaughterhouse
our once peaceful moment marred and we are paying the cost
This is tiresome, draining, we should be the remedy for one another
not the reason there is more of a problem, and becoming the bother
Let us wake up from the pain, the stress, the agony of thought
let us hold each other with unclouded minds and talk
Before we speak through the madness of the world, retreat
retreat into our minds, does this come from love, pain, or defeat
Are these words meant to make us feel like we win
Are these words meant to continue the relationship in a downward spin
Out of control, a tornado loop of aggression against action that is continued
shown to be happening from the accuser yet those are not reviewed
Conversation about issues should not be an accosting
should be about listening, learning, understanding, then forgiving
If issues are to be resolved, hypocrisy should not lead out front
speaking about dual included matters, and removing your own participation
My day is filled with thoughts of intimacy, affection, and passion
I rather spend my time diving into you more and more than my occupation
Timelines set, deadlines set, I rather focus on making the present the best
no need to worry about reaching a date when we are already taking care of the rest
Focusing on enjoying and building the best bond between us right here and now
no worries about if a future is to come, or issue after issue, live in love as we know how
Fate suggests that stars too bright burn themselves out
that the one with wings who wants to soar, falls before the sun with doubts
seldom is it seen as a blessing for powerful people to bond
for fear of their union, hate and anger is how the world responds
conspired against by the earth, this plane of human jealousy
the devil in each individual with bias consumed to stop destiny
for it is and always will be fear that is our greatest weakness
to take what is great for you and run from it, because of this
lives have been shaped by the hand of free will versus intervention
we scatter away from unknown blessings with strong apprehension
yet with courage and fortitude comes great rewards to a few
those willing to fight themselves and all doubts and fears to say "I do"
Internal battles are often unseen, nobodies trouble
until you bring the war to others
We all have struggles and burdens to bear all the time
it becomes a different situation when it becomes a landmine
Awaiting someone to step on them, feel your wrath
all we want is someone to care, yet they cannot move that fast
We develop impatience when it comes to internal grief
we wish for it to pass quickly, yet we drag our own feet
holding on to pain much longer than need be
grasping regret proudly when it should be free
beginning growth or staying short is a choice
when the tide comes in, the water should only touch your toes
While we have these struggles we never look in the mirror while it happens
we wait until we have done our damage, and we create the largest chasm
between us and those we care for, we push them away than enjoy their company
for worrying about our own life is the only priority
yet in a union of two, grief and pain should be shared
however, it has to be accepted, believed, and understood while being aware
That this person beside me feels the same pain as I do
that the person I love feels pain because I do
too often we take for granted that communication is truly key
we jump to conclusions on what was not said, ignoring the cost and fee
for holding back or even the words that come out for confrontation
all it does is create problems, potholes, damage, and distractions
Wish it was easier to break down the walls of the past
I wish I could be strong enough to last
I wish that at times, my influence was truly seen
dreaming all the time, I might know what I mean
Consistently able to feel the result of the question
knowing without a doubt, I am the exception
Instead of being lumped in with the rest of the world
I wish to be separated, do not wish to feel shared
Doing my best to stand out among the crowd
feel as if I am overlooked because I am not as loud
Never the one to brag or boast, be loud and boisterous
rather stay humble, calm, collected, enjoy the simpleness
Possible I am always in the backseat because I step aside
rather not create pointless fights, rather dip, duck, and dive
myself out of the way of problems that have no resolution
going around in circles pointing the finger is never a solution
when one issue always turns into many more from the past
potholes turn into much larger sinkholes really fast
Yet with tireless effort
and backs made of steel
Together we can put away any and all danger
to the future we wish to build
It is a simple matter of determination
the fight to make sure we reach our destination
I like to think about moments alone
hours gone by wondering why the time has gone
or those brief moments we get to steal away
frozen in the moment, time no longer in our way
the ambition to live proudly in the right now
the courage to not worry about the maybe, why or how
Too often we all worry about what may become of life
we create more fear, we become the reason of our own strife
It is easy to become absorbed in the thought of what if
and for all that is right in front of us, we tend to forget
to appreciate it and love the life we are currently living
a bright light we bask within, the beauty of us no longer just existing.
to live a life where dreams become reality in a snap
to remember those loved ones happily, seeing them takes no lapse
time is irrelevant in these moments as they feel like forever
eternity just a matter of speech, time is happiness with your lover
all too often we forget to embrace the seconds as if they are minutes
embrace minutes as if hours, embrace hours as if continuous
when living in joy and peace, embrace all of it as one whole moment
never separating the time between sleep, awake, taking nothing for granted
when those moments of exuberance come into the picture
there is nothing around that should be an issue
even those times where sadness feels like it should live
you are able to move forward because of understanding, the ability to forgive
This is the story of beginning the rest of your life
That tells you sometimes you just have to push through strife
Quit revisiting issues and problems that you cannot change
It takes more courage and strength to walk away
That situation that will not get better, that drug of confrontation
Keeps you locked in your past, takes you away from progression
Who are you fighting for?
What are you striving for?
Change comes from within
Your chance to win
Fill life with only the energy you desire
let love be the only fuel for your fire
It is the positive energy we seek to invest within
we need to feel like we lack the need to depend
but rather by choice and trust do we dive in the deep end
forcing ourselves to breathe water, live, and swim
off the cliff of life we jump, free as a bird
we no longer worry about depending on someone else's words
for time and time again we give up our power
we lower our guard, give up control for hours
so today we stand ready to take control of what we desire
today we start putting our own hands in the fire
not too hot, not too cold, more than just right
we bring out our hands and hold it to the air, this is our light.
Sometimes it takes going through the most fierce of flames
to come out with the strength to tame
tame whatever beast or situation that might cross your path
you went in the fire a follower and a victim of your past
Yet you come out of the fire, strong, powerful, and determine
no longer will you allow past pain turn you against
those that stand by your side through night and day
those that came to your side, never left and stayed
These individuals who put themselves to the side to stand by yours
those individual who will fight for you with extreme force
It is an amazing privilege and blessing in their eyes to be graced by you
fighting to remain by your side, fighting to remain true.
Here is a bit of irony for you to ponder on
something that I wanted to create thoughts on
we talk about family so much and how they should be there for you
those are the ones you should depend on, the same blood flows through
yet when love begins and this is the new individual you trust and confide in
we always tend to forget that there is no blood relation, there is no blood tie in
the addition of true ties only begins when there are children introduced
before they are create, it is only the one you love and then you
so then this person whom you love, no relation, no blood, what is it between you two?
it the bond of passion, affection, love, trust, and adoration that makes it feel true
the energy and spirit we share with individuals is more powerful than any blood in our veins
it is these ties to another's presence that can make our life change.
For within the desire to change
there begins a desire for growth
The desire for growth
begins the journey for the life you want made
We all have needs and journeys
no one wants to make the trip feeling lonely.
It is a blessing and an amazing feeling to know
you do not have to live life alone
To wake up each day and be excited about the face you see
to bound out of bed with a purpose to love and feel free
With much care, understanding, communication and thought
living in love can be everything that you always sought.


text:
The Complete Automation Solution
The Amada CS compact store is a modular automation system providing a flexible automated manufacturing. The CS offers centralised handling and storage of raw materials, cut parts and skeleton sheets as well as continuous lights-out production.
- Customisable solutions to suit requirements
- Compact footprint - utilises building height
- Use standalone or with multiple machines
- Modular design - expandable with your company
- Constant flow of material before, during and after the machining process
- Improve your cost control
- Buffers parts and materials between job stages
- Improves efficiency - safe and no manual material handling required
- Compatible with punching, combination, laser and bending machines


text:
Las Vegas, January 10, 2011 –Not prepared to make compromises? For all those who don't want to decide between perfect sound and cool design,Sennheiser is now taking their star headphones from the club scene onto the streets. Based on the legendary HD 25 DJ headphones, the audio specialist is launching the HD 25 Amperior in an exciting aluminium finish. And to make sure that the headphones are ready for use at any time, they have been optimised for connection to an iPad, iPhone and iPod*, and are equipped with a microphone for easy telephoning. The unique combination offers the best of both worlds in terms of sound and design.
"The Sennheiser HD 25 is already a legend on the DJ scene. It has been one of the most popular monitoring headphones for over 20 years, and has become an essential piece of equipment in the world's most famous clubs,†said Maurice Quarré, Director Product Lifecycle Management Sennheiser Consumer Electronics. The success story is now being continued. "The HD 25 Amperior lets even the most demanding music fans experience club sound wherever they go. And the luxurious aluminium finish proves that professional sound and elegant design can absolutely go together,†Maurice Quarré continued.
Inspired by DJs
Designed for the street
The star of the club scene is now hitting the streets in its attractive new outfit. With its luxurious aluminium finish in silver or blue, it will become just as much a part of your life style as your music or your favourite shirt. The DJ headphones are equipped with a 3.5 millimetre stereo jack plug and the nominal impedance has been reduced to allow optimum connection to portable players. For those who want to control Apple products such as an iPad, iPhone or iPod directly, an additional cable with an integrated smart remote is included. This can be used not only to regulate the volume and select tracks but also to take phone calls and activate the voice control feature. "The HD 25 Amperior offers everything you need for a unique sound experience when you're out and about. It's the perfect combination of sound, style and functionality – without compromises,†Maurice Quarré explained.The new HD 25 Amperior will be available in shops beginning in March at a price of $349.95.
The Sennheiser Group, with its headquarters in Wedemark near Hanover, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. The family-owned company, which was established in 1945, recorded sales of around €468 million in 2010. Sennheiser employs more than 2,100 people worldwide, and has manufacturing plants in Germany, Ireland and the USA. The company is represented worldwide by subsidiaries in France, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark (Nordic), Russia, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Japan, China, Canada, Mexico and the USA, as well as by long-term trading partners in many other countries. Also part of the Sennheiser Group are Georg Neumann GmbH, Berlin (studio microphones and monitor loudspeakers), and the joint venture Sennheiser Communications A/S (headsets for PCs, offices and call centres).
You can find all the latest information on Sennheiser by visiting our website atwww.sennheiser.com.


text:
Have questions? Please contact us.
The Future of Farming: The FarmBot Network
In the first part of this two-part blog series, we introduced FarmBot as one of a growing number of technologies emerging in order to combat pressures on the farming industry. The FarmBot Network shows how innovative technology and forward thinking could be the answer to sustainability in a rapidly expanding population. In this post, we explain the concept behind the network which won the NTT Data Hackathon Award in 2017.
Last year, global IT innovator NTT Data opened the floor to NTT Data partners in an event that demonstrated the advanced capabilities of digital technology. The NTT Data Hackathon invited participants from its group companies to present exciting new ways in which IT can be applied to real-life challenges. As part of the NTT Data network, NTT DATA Business Solutions welcomed the chance to take part and presented a project that would see them win the award for 2017: the FarmBot Network.
The FarmBot Network is a collaborative project between NTT Data and NTT DATA Business Solutions which uses technology developed by Rory Aronson and his FarmBot startup. The concept was created as a solution to sustainable food production in times of growing food insecurity. NTT DATA Business Solutions bought several "bots" from Aronson and installed them in numerous NTT offices to showcase how they can be used for urban farming – an important aspect of food security and sustainability.
Sustainable Farming Is Robots' Play
As FarmBot is open source, NTT DATA Business Solutions wanted to demonstrate how these bots could be easily connected with the Internet of Things (IoT) and enhanced with cloud technology and machine learning. Connecting the FarmBot to SAP Leonardo and the SAP Cloud portfolio provided much greater capabilities. Smart infrastructures and digital imaging provide a game-like interface where users are able to see their plot live, gain an overview of plant status, control the bot remotely, and keep track of activities – all from a laptop or mobile device. Users are even able to access a smart marketplace to buy and sell produce based on location where trust is established through the use of blockchain. Take a look at how NTT DATA Business Solutions sets up its FarmBot in this short demo.
FarmBot enables precise sowing, watering, and fertilizing according to each exact plant. This allows users to grow a diverse crop which encourages biodiversity and a much higher resilience to pests and disease. Previously, such crops would be very labor intensive, but with automation and AI technology that detects and eliminates weeds, diverse crops require much less work. This polyculture method has been shown to have many advantages over a monocropping method. Although individual robots cover a small-scale plot, the FarmBot startup is already introducing a larger Genesis XL model and encourages you to "hack your bot". Modifying FarmBots with larger frames, and connecting them in the ways that NTT DATA Business Solutions has, creates the possibility of a much larger scale set-up.
A Fertile Initiative
Initiatives such as these give us a great sense of innovation and excitement, as they open the door to developing a more sustainable future – and not just in terms of company sustainability. The FarmBot Network has turned some of our employees into smart farmers and already formed a community within NTT DATA Business Solutions. The project acts as a small-scale representation of how urban farming could create a smarter and more social way of living in urban spaces. Collaborative projects with our clients encourage innovation and help us to discover new ways to apply their products and solutions. In turn, these could change the way we live, work, and farm in the future.
NTT DATA Business Solutions continues to work closely with FarmBot, developing new software AddOns and technical additions such as sensors which will be announced soon. You can stay up to date by following the hashtag #FarmBotNetwork on Twitter and LinkedIn.


text:
All Aboard the Beijing-Lhasa Express
The writer casts aside concerns about comfort and political correctness to take the rail trip of a lifetime
In 2006 when the People's Republic of China started railroad service from Beijing to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa—a 2,525-mile route cresting at 16,640-foot Tanggula Pass—people like me got in line. Though critics have seen it as yet another means for China to despoil Tibet's cultural and mineral riches, I was studying Mandarin in Beijing and I couldn't pass up the chance to take the railroad trip of a lifetime. I did think about waiting because I'd heard there were plans for a luxury version of the train, managed by Kempinski Hotels, with private-bath suites, elegant dining cars and window-lined lounges.
Then spring break came around and I couldn't wait any longer. I flew to Lhasa and got a train ticket back to Beijing in a four-berth soft sleeper; it had pressed cotton sheets, pillows, comforters, TV monitors with headsets and oxygen canisters for victims of altitude sickness. All quite congenial at first. But it's a 40-hour trip, so conditions deteriorated along the way (especially in the restrooms). At mealtime, passengers filed into the dining car for unappetizing food or bought noodles on the platform during brief stops.
I'd have been miserable, but every time I found myself wishing for a cup of coffee or a hot bath, all I had to do to raise my spirits was press my nose to the window. The first day we crossed the Tibetan Plateau, which looks like Utah with Alaska on top. Nameless ranges of snowcapped peaks passed by; fur-clad villagers stared at railroad crossings and yaks bolted off the tracks. The Chinese government spent millions to cross the plateau by rail, piping liquid nitrogen through the tracks to keep them from buckling during a thaw and building underpasses for wildlife.
I fell asleep after a 30-minute stop in the lonely mining town of Golmud, then woke the next morning in the heart of the Middle Kingdom, decorated with sunshine and cherry blossoms. I remember passing through Xi'an, home of the terra-cotta warriors, before tucking in the second night, followed by wake-up the next morning at Beijing's West Station.
In retrospect, I'm glad I made the trip when I did because the 5-star Beijing-Lhasa train is on what looks like permanent hold. Fifty percent owned by the flush Chinese electronic company Huawei, it's still being touted. But Kempinski has bowed out and the perhaps too fast-and-furiously growing Chinese railway system has suffered setbacks: to wit, an accident last July on a new high-speed line in eastern China that killed 43 people and the imprisonment of the nation's railway minister, suspected of graft.
So don't wait for amenities on the railroad that crosses the Middle Kingdom to the Tibetan Plateau. Question your soul about the political correctness of taking a PRC train to embattled Tibet. And then, if you ask me, go.


text:
PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS CO. v. U.S.(1959)
[ Footnote * ] Together with No. 491, Galax Mirror Co., Inc., et al. v. United States, also on certiorari to the same Court, argued April 29, 1959.
Petitioners were convicted in a Federal District Court of conspiring to fix prices of plain plate glass mirrors in violation of 1 of the Sherman Act. After a key government witness had testified at their trial and had admitted that he had testified on the same general subject matter before the grand jury which indicted petitioners, their counsel moved for production of the grand jury minutes, not attempting to show any particularized need for them but claiming an absolute right to their production under Jencks v. United States, 353 U.S. 657 . This motion was denied by the trial judge. Held: Under Rule 6 (e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure the question whether the grand jury minutes should be produced was committed to the sound discretion of the trial judge; no abuse of his discretion has been shown; and petitioners' conviction is sustained. Pp. 396-401.
Leland Hazard argued the cause for petitioner in No. 489. With him on the brief were Cyrus v. Anderson and James B. Henry, Jr. [360 U.S. 395, 396]
H. Graham Morison argued the cause for petitioners in No. 491. With him on the brief were Samuel K. Abrams and Robert M. Lichtman.
Philip Elman argued the causes for the United States. On the brief were Solicitor General Rankin, Assistant Attorney General Hansen, Daniel M. Friedman, Richard A. Solomon, Samuel Karp and Ernest L. Folk III.
MR. JUSTICE CLARK delivered the opinion of the Court.
Petitioners stand convicted on a single-count indictment charging a conspiracy under 1 of the Sherman Act. They contend that the trial judge erred in refusing to permit them to inspect the grand jury minutes covering the testimony before that body of a key government witness at the trial. The Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions, 260 F.2d 397. With reference to the present claim, it held that Rule 6 (e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 1 committed the inspection or not of grand jury minutes to the sound discretion of the trial judge, [360 U.S. 395, 397] and that in this instance, no abuse of that discretion had been shown. We granted certiorari limited to the question posed by this ruling. 358 U.S. 917, 918 . We conclude that in the circumstances of this case the trial court did not err in refusing to make Jonas' grand jury testimony available to petitioners for use in cross-examination.
The indictment returned in the case named as defendants seven corporations, all manufacturers of mirrors, and three of their officers. However, only three of the corporations are petitioners here, along with one individual, J. A. Messer, Sr. The indictment charged a conspiracy to fix the price of plain plate glass mirrors sold in interstate commerce. It is not necessary for our purposes to detail the facts of this long trial, the record of which covers 860 pages. It is sufficient to say that the Government proved its case through 10 witnesses, the last of whom was Jonas. He was President of a large North Carolina mirror manufacturing company and had a reputation for independence in the industry. Although neither he nor his corporation was indicted, the latter was made a co-conspirator. The evidence indicates that the conspiracy was consummated at two meetings held on successive days during the week of the annual meeting of the Mirror Manufacturers Association in 1954 at Asheville, North Carolina. Jonas, not being a member of the Association, did not attend the convention. Talk at the convention regarding prices culminated in telephone calls by several representatives of mirror manufacturers to Jonas concerning his attitude on raising prices. On the day following these calls Jonas and three of the participants in the conspiracy met at an inn away from the convention headquarters and discussed "prices." Within three days thereafter each of the manufacturers announced an identical price increase, which was approximately 10 percent. Jonas' testimony, of course, was confined to the telephone calls and the meeting at the inn [360 U.S. 395, 398] where the understanding was finalized. The Government admits that he was an "important" witness. However, proof of the conspiracy was overwhelming aside from Jonas' testimony. While he was the only witness who characterized the outcome of the meetings as an "agreement" on prices, no witness negatived this conclusion and the identical price lists that followed the meeting at the inn were little less than proof positive.
After the conclusion of Jonas' testimony, defense counsel interrogated him as to the number of times he appeared and the subject of his testimony before the grand jury. Upon ascertaining that Jonas had testified three times on "the same general subject matter," counsel moved for the delivery of the grand jury minutes. He stated that the petitioners had "a right . . . to inspect the Grand Jury record of the testimony of this witness after he has completed his direct examination" relating to "the same general subject matter" as his trial testimony. 2 As authority for "the automatic delivery of Grand Jury transcripts" under such circumstances counsel cited Jencks v. United States, 353 U.S. 657 (1957). As previously indicated, the motion was denied.
It appears to us clear that Jencks v. United States, supra, is in nowise controlling here. It had nothing to do with grand jury proceedings and its language was not intended to encompass grand jury minutes. Likewise, it is equally clear that Congress intended to exclude those minutes from the operation of the so-called Jencks Act, 71 Stat. 595, 18 U.S.C. (Supp. V, 1958) 3500. 3
Petitioners concede, as they must, that any disclosure of grand jury minutes is covered by Fed. Rules Crim. Proc. 6 (e) promulgated by this Court in 1946 after the [360 U.S. 395, 399] approval of Congress. In fact, the federal trial courts as well as the Courts of Appeals have been nearly unanimous in regarding disclosure as committed to the discretion of the trial judge. 4 Our cases announce the same principle, 5 and Rule 6 (e) is but declaratory of it. 6 As recently as last Term we characterized cases where grand jury minutes are used "to impeach a witness, to refresh his recollection, to test his credibility and the like" as instances of "particularized need where the secrecy of the proceedings is lifted discretely and limitedly." United States v. Procter & Gamble, 356 U.S. 677, 683 (1958).
Petitioners argue, however, that the trial judge's discretion under Rule 6 (e) must be exercised in accordance with the rationale of Jencks; namely, upon a showing on cross-examination that a trial witness testified before the grand jury - and nothing more - the defense has a "right" to the delivery to it of the witness' grand jury testimony.
This conclusion, however, runs counter to "a long-established policy" of secrecy, United States v. Procter & Gamble, supra, at 681, older than our Nation itself. The reasons therefor are manifold, id., at 682, and are compelling when viewed in the light of the history and modus operandi of the grand jury. Its establishment in the Constitution "as the sole method for preferring charges in serious criminal cases" indeed "shows the high place it [holds] as an instrument of justice." Costello v. United States, 350 U.S. 359, 362 (1956). Ever since this action [360 U.S. 395, 400] by the Fathers, the American grand jury, like that of England, "has convened as a body of laymen, free from technical rules, acting in secret, pledged to indict no one because of prejudice and to free no one because of special favor." Ibid. Indeed, indictments may be returned on hearsay, or for that matter, even on the knowledge of the grand jurors themselves. Id., at 362, 363. To make public any part of its proceedings would inevitably detract from its efficacy. Grand jurors would not act with that independence required of an accusatory and inquisitorial body. Moreover, not only would the participation of the jurors be curtailed, but testimony would be parsimonious if each witness knew that his testimony would soon be in the hands of the accused. Especially is this true in antitrust proceedings where fear of business reprisal might haunt both the grand juror and the witness. And this "go slow" sign would continue as realistically at the time of trial as theretofore.
It does not follow, however, that grand jury minutes should never be made available to the defense. This Court has long held that there are occasions, see United States v. Procter & Gamble, supra, at 683, when the trial judge may in the exercise of his discretion order the minutes of a grand jury witness produced for use on his cross-examination at trial. Certainly "disclosure is wholly proper where the ends of justice require it." United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., supra, at 234.
The burden, however, is on the defense to show that "a particularized need" exists for the minutes which outweighs the policy of secrecy. We have no such showing here. As we read the record the petitioners failed to show any need whatever for the testimony of the witness Jonas. They contended only that they had a "right" to the transcript because it dealt with subject matter generally covered at the trial. Petitioners indicate that the trial judge required a showing of contradiction [360 U.S. 395, 401] between Jonas' trial and grand jury testimony. Such a preliminary showing would not, of course, be necessary. While in a colloquy with counsel the judge did refer to such a requirement, we read his denial as being based on the breadth of petitioners' claim. Petitioners also claim error because the trial judge failed to examine the transcript himself for any inconsistencies. But we need not consider that problem because petitioners made no such request of the trial judge. The Court of Appeals apparently was of the view that even if the trial judge had been requested to examine the transcript he would not have been absolutely required to do so. It is contended here that the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has reached a contrary conclusion. United States v. Spangelet, 258 F.2d 338. Be that as it may, resolution of that question must await a case where the issue is presented by the record. The short of it is that in the present case the petitioners did not invoke the discretion of the trial judge, but asserted a supposed absolute right, a right which we hold they did not have. The judgment is therefore.
[ Footnote 2 ] The fact that the trial testimony and that before the grand jury included the same "subjects" or related to "the same general subject matter" is not contested.
[ Footnote 3 ] See S. Rep. No. 981, 85th Cong., 1st Sess.; 103 Cong. Rec. 15933.
[ Footnote 4 ] E. g., United States v. Spangelet, 258 F.2d 338; United States v. Angelet, 255 F.2d 383; United States v. Rose, 215 F.2d 617, 629; Schmidt v. United States, 115 F.2d 394; United States v. American Medical Assn., 26 F. Supp. 429.
[ Footnote 5 ] United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 U.S. 150 (1940). And see United States v. Procter & Gamble Co., 356 U.S. 677 (1958); United States v. Johnson, 319 U.S. 503, 513 (1943).
[ Footnote 6 ] See Notes of the Advisory Committee on Rules, following Rule 6, Fed. Rules Crim. Proc.
MR. JUSTICE BRENNAN, with whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, MR. JUSTICE BLACK and MR. JUSTICE DOUGLAS join, dissenting.
In the words of the Court of Appeals, Jonas was the Government's "principal prosecuting witness." 1 He was President of Lenoir Mirror Company, which company was [360 U.S. 395, 402] a participant in the alleged price-fixing conspiracy, but was not indicted. After Jonas testified on direct examination defense counsel asked for the production of his relevant grand jury testimony. The trial judge immediately made clear his intention not to grant the motion: "Unless you can show some sound basis that contradicts between what happened in the Grand Jury room and his testimony before the Grand Jury and his testimony in this trial, I am not going to require the production of the Grand Jury records. It would be easy for any attorney to get access to the records of the Grand Jury by just such a motion as you are making here." Defense counsel protested, "we are not attempting that. We want just a transcript of his testimony before the Grand Jury regarding the subjects to which he has testified on direct examination." (Emphasis supplied.) This request thus encompassed all of Jonas' grand jury testimony only if all of that testimony covered the subject matter of Jonas' trial testimony. The court replied, "You have stated what you want to ask him and I am denying your right to do it." Plainly defense counsel were not asking to see the minutes of the entire grand jury proceedings, nor even of all of Jonas' testimony before the grand jury unless all of it was on the same subject matter as his trial testimony. Their motion was carefully limited to a request for so much of Jonas' grand jury testimony as "covered the substance of his testimony on direct examination." This request that secrecy be "lifted discretely and limitedly," United States v. Procter & Gamble, 356 U.S. 677, 683 , necessarily implied a request that the trial judge inspect the grand jury minutes and turn over to the defense only those parts dealing with Jonas' testimony on the same subject matter as his trial testimony. In this posture, then, the question for our decision is the narrow one whether the trial judge erred in denying the defense request for inspection of the grand jury testimony of a [360 U.S. 395, 403] key government witness which covered the subject matter of that witness' trial testimony. 2 I dissent from the Court's affirmance of the trial judge's ruling denying this carefully circumscribed request.
Grand jury secrecy is, of course, not an end in itself. Grand jury secrecy is maintained to serve particular ends. But when secrecy will not serve those ends or when the advantages gained by secrecy are outweighed by a countervailing interest in disclosure, secrecy may and should be lifted, for to do so in such a circumstance would further the fair administration of criminal justice. See McNabb v. United States, 318 U.S. 332 . It is true that secrecy is not to be lifted without a showing of good reason, but it is too late in the day to say, as the Court as a practical matter does here, that the Government may insist upon grand jury secrecy even when the possible prejudice to the accused in a criminal case is crystal clear and none of the reasons justifying secrecy is present. "[A]fter the grand jury's functions are ended, disclosure is wholly proper where the ends of justice require it." United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 U.S. 150, 234 . Thus grand jury minutes have been made available to a defendant accused of committing perjury before the grand jury so that he could adequately prepare his defense, United States v. Remington, 191 F.2d 246; United States v. Rose, 215 F.2d 617, and to a defendant who can show an inconsistency between the trial testimony and grand jury testimony of a government witness, United States v. Alper, 156 F.2d 222; Burton v. United States, 175 F.2d 960; Herzog v. United States, 226 F.2d 561; United States v. H. J. K. Theatre Corp., 236 F.2d 502. On occasion the Government itself has recognized the fairness of permitting the defense access to the grand jury testimony of [360 U.S. 395, 404] government witnesses even though it considered that it was not bound to do so, United States v. Grunewald, 162 F. Supp. 621. This Court has implied that grand jury minutes would be discoverable by a defendant in a civil antitrust suit instituted by the Government on a showing of "particularized need," United States v. Procter & Gamble, 356 U.S. 677, 683 . 3 Nor can we overlook that the Government uses grand jury minutes to further its own interests in litigation. It is apparently standard practice for government attorneys to use grand jury minutes in preparing a case for trial, see United States v. Procter & Gamble, 356 U.S. 677, 678 , in refreshing the recollection of government witnesses at trial, see United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 U.S. 150, 233 , and, when the need arises, in impeaching witnesses at trial, see United States v. Cotter, 60 F.2d 689. Of course, when the Government uses grand jury minutes at trial the defense is ordinarily entitled to inspect the relevant testimony in those minutes. United States v. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 U.S. 150, 233 ; United States v. Cotter, 60 F.2d 689. Indeed, Rule 6 (e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal [360 U.S. 395, 405] Procedure itself recognizes that grand jury testimony is discoverable under appropriate circumstances. 4
The Court apparently agrees with the conclusion compelled by these precedents, for its opinion states that grand jury minutes are discoverable when "`a particularized need' exists for the minutes which outweighs the policy of secrecy." But the Court pays only lip service to the principle in view of the result in this case. It is clear beyond question, I think, that the application of that principle to this case requires a holding that Jonas' grand jury testimony is discoverable to the limited extent sought. Since there are no valid considerations which militate in favor of grand jury secrecy in this case, simple justice requires that the petitioners be given access to the relevant portions of Jonas' grand jury testimony so that they have a fair opportunity to refute the Government's case.
Essentially four reasons have been advanced as justification for grand jury secrecy. 5 (1) To prevent the accused from escaping before he is indicted and arrested or from tampering with the witnesses against him. (2) To prevent disclosure of derogatory information presented to the grand jury against an accused who has not been indicted. (3) To encourage complainants and witnesses to come before the grand jury and speak freely without fear that their testimony will be made public thereby subjecting them to possible discomfort or retaliation. (4) To encourage the grand jurors to engage in uninhibited investigation and deliberation by barring disclosure of their votes and comments during the proceedings. [360 U.S. 395, 406]
None of these reasons dictates that Jonas' grand jury testimony, to the limited extent it is sought, should be kept secret. The Court, while making obeisance to "a long-established policy" of secrecy, makes no showing whatever how denial of Jonas' grand jury testimony serves any of the purposes justifying secrecy. Certainly disclosure at this stage of the proceedings would not enable the defendants to escape from custody or to tamper with the witness who has already testified against them on direct examination. Certainly, also, protection of an innocent accused who has not been indicted has no bearing on this case. Discovery has been sought only of Jonas' grand jury testimony on the same subject matter as his testimony at trial. This testimony will have condemned someone to whom he did not refer at trial only if he has concealed information at the trial, and this creates the very situation in which it is imperative that the defense have access to the grand jury testimony if we are to adhere to the standards we have set for ourselves to assure the fair administration of criminal justice in the federal courts. Similarly, disclosure of Jonas' relevant grand jury testimony could not produce the apprehended results of retaliation or discomfort which might induce a reluctance in others to testify before grand juries. Jonas has already taken the stand and testified freely in open court against the defendants. His testimony has been extremely damaging. Disclosure of his testimony before the grand jury is hardly likely to result in any embarrassment that his trial testimony has not already produced. "If he tells the truth, and the truth is the same as he testified before the grand jury, the disclosure of the former testimony cannot possibly bring to him any harm . . . which his testimony on the open trial does not equally tend to produce." 8 Wigmore, Evidence (3d ed. 1940), 2362, at 725. Witnesses before a grand jury necessarily know that once called by the Government to testify at trial they cannot [360 U.S. 395, 407] remain secret informants quite apart from whether their grand jury testimony is discoverable. Finally, the defense seeks nothing which would disclose the votes or opinions of any of the grand jurors involved in these proceedings. All that is sought is the relevant testimony of Jonas. If there are questions by grand jurors intertwined with Jonas' testimony disclosure of which would indicate the jurors' opinions or be embarrassing to them, the names of the grand jurors asking the questions can be excised. Cf. United States v. Grunewald, 162 F. Supp. 621.
Plainly, then, no reason justifying secrecy of Jonas' relevant grand jury testimony appears. The Court's insistence on secrecy exalts the principle of secrecy for secrecy's sake in the face of obvious possible prejudice to the petitioners' defense against Jonas' seriously damaging testimony on the trial. Surely "Justice requires no less," Jencks v. United States, 353 U.S. 657, 669 , than that the defense be permitted every reasonable opportunity to impeach a government witness, and that a criminal conviction not be based on the testimony of untruthful or inaccurate witnesses. The interest of the United States in a criminal prosecution, it must be emphasized, "is not that it shall win a case, but that justice shall be done." Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 88 .
Obviously the impeachment of the Government's key witness on the basis of prior inconsistent or contradictory statements made under oath before a grand jury would have an important effect on a trial. Thus it has long been held that a defendant may have access to inconsistent grand jury testimony for use in cross-examination if he can somehow show that an inconsistency between the trial and grand jury testimony exists. United States v. Alper, 156 F.2d 222; Burton v. United States, 175 F.2d 960; Herzog v. United States, 226 F.2d 561; United States v. H. J. K. Theatre Corp., 236 F.2d 502. But in an analogous situation we have pointed [360 U.S. 395, 408] out the folly of requiring the defense to show inconsistency between the witness' trial testimony and his previous statements on the same subject matter before it can obtain access to those very statements. In Jencks v. United States, 353 U.S. 657 , we said that it offers no protection to permit a defendant to obtain inconsistent statements to impeach a witness unless he may inspect statements to determine if in fact they are inconsistent with the trial testimony. We said in Jencks:
I would reverse the Court of Appeals and order a new trial for failure of the trial judge to order the production of Jonas' relevant grand jury testimony.
[ Footnote 1 ] Jonas was the only witness to testify that the defendants had actually agreed to a uniform price increase. Furthermore, his testimony was necessary to refute other testimony that the President of petitioner Galax Mirror Co., Inc., had stated that he would follow his pricing policy regardless of what the other manufacturers did. Jonas' testimony was also instrumental in connecting petitioner Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. to the price-fixing agreement.
[ Footnote 2 ] As the Court points out, discovery of grand jury minutes is not affected by the Jencks statute, 18 U.S.C. (Supp. V) 3500.
[ Footnote 3 ] United States v. Procter & Gamble, upon which the Court relies, actually is authority for permitting discovery in this case. The Court in that case recognized that grand jury minutes were discoverable where the need outweighed the advantages of secrecy, but held that such was not the case in the circumstances because, unlike this case, Procter & Gamble concerned a demand for a transcript of the entire grand jury proceedings to be used in pretrial preparation of a civil suit. This case, of course, concerns a demand for discovery of a particular witness' relevant testimony for use on cross-examination at trial in a criminal prosecution. The Court specifically stated in Procter & Gamble: "We do not reach in this case problems concerning the use of the grand jury transcript at the trial to impeach a witness, to refresh his recollection, to test his credibility and the like. Those are cases of particularized need where the secrecy of the proceedings is lifted discretely and limitedly." 356 U.S., at 683 .
[ Footnote 4 ] See United States v. Alper, 156 F.2d 222, 226; In re Bullock, 103 F. Supp. 639.
[ Footnote 5 ] See United States v. Rose, 215 F.2d 617, 628-629; United States v. Amazon Industrial Chemical Corp., 55 F.2d 254, 261; 8 Wigmore, Evidence (3d ed. 1940), 2360. [360 U.S. 395, 411]


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Warranty information for Suunto products
(Extracted from Suunto webpage)
Suunto warrants that during the Warranty Period Suunto or a Suunto Authorized Service Center (hereinafter Service Center) will, at its sole discretion, remedy defects in materials or workmanship free of charge either by a) repairing, or b) replacing, or c) refunding, subject to the terms and conditions of this Limited Warranty. This Limited Warranty is only valid and enforceable in the country of purchase, unless local law stipulates otherwise.
Warranty Period for Sports Watches, Dive Computers and Precision Instruments
The Limited Warranty Period starts at the date of original retail purchase. The Warranty Period is two (2) years. The Warranty Period is one (1) year for accessories including but not limited to PODs and heart rate transmitters, chargeable batteries, chargers, docking stations, straps, cables and hoses as well as for all consumable parts.
Exclusions and Limitations
This Limited Warranty does not cover:
1. a) normal wear and tear, b) defects caused by rough handling, or c) defects or damage caused by misuse contrary to intended or recommended use;
2. User manuals or any third-party items;
3. Defects or alleged defects caused by the use with any product, accessory, software and/or service not manufactured or supplied by Suunto;
4. replaceable batteries.
This Limited Warranty is not enforceable if item:
1. Has been opened beyond intended use;
2. Has been repaired using unauthorized spare parts; modified or repaired by unauthorized Service Center
3. Serial number has been removed, altered or made illegible in any way, as determined at the sole discretion of Suunto;
4. Has been exposed to chemicals including but not limited to mosquito repellents.
Suunto does not warrant that the operation of the Product will be uninterrupted or error free, or that the Product will work with any hardware or software provided by a third party.
Access to Suunto warranty service
You must have proof of purchase to access Suunto warranty service. For instructions how to obtain warranty service see the section 'Repair Services' or contact our Customer Support.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable mandatory laws, this Limited Warranty is your sole and exclusive remedy and is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied. Suunto shall not be liable for special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages, including but not limited to loss of anticipated benefits, loss of data, loss of use, cost of capital, cost of any substitute equipment or facilities, claims of third parties, damage to property resulting from the purchase or use of the item or arising from breach of the warranty, breach of contract, negligence, strict tort, or any legal or equitable theory, even if Suunto knew of the likelihood of such damages. Suunto shall not be liable for delay in rendering warranty service.


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December 14th, 2013
Pope: Marxist ideology is 'wrong'
By Daniel Burke, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor
(CNN)– Pope Francis responded to critics who call his stance on capitalism Marxist, saying in a new interview that the political and economic philosophy is flat "wrong."
"Marxist ideology is wrong," the Pope told the Italian newspaper La Stampa in an interview published on Saturday. "But I have met many Marxists in my life who are good people, so I don't feel offended."
Earlier this month, the conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh blasted the pontiff, calling his latest major writing, an apostolic exhortation called Evangelii Gaudium, "pure Marxism."
"It's sad because this Pope makes it very clear he doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to capitalism and socialism and so forth," Limbaugh said.
READ MORE: Rush Limbaugh: Pope is preaching 'pure Marxism'
Pope Francis told La Stampa that, "there is nothing in the Exhortation that cannot be found in the social Doctrine of the Church." The 50,000-word statement calls for church reform and castigates elements of modern capitalism.
"I wasn't speaking from a technical point of view, what I was trying to do was to give a picture of what is going on," the Pope said of Evangelii Gaudium.
Francis - the first pope ever to hail from Latin America, where he worked on behalf of the poor in his native Argentina - warned in "Evangelii" that the "idolatry of money" would lead to a "new tyranny."
The Pope also blasted "trickle-down economics," saying the theory "expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power."
"The only specific quote I used was the one regarding the 'trickle-down theories,' which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and social inclusiveness in the world," the Pope said in the new interview on Saturday.
"The promise was that when the glass was full, it would overflow, benefitting the poor. But what happens instead, is that when the glass is full, it magically gets bigger nothing ever comes out for the poor. This was the only reference to a specific theory. I was not, I repeat, speaking from a technical point of view but according to the Church's social doctrine. This does not mean being a Marxist."
The Pope's critique of capitalism thrilled many liberal Catholics, who have long called on church leaders to spend more time and energy on protecting the poor from economic inequalities.
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About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.


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Bed tax receipts
Recent record highs in Marietta's hotel/motel tax appear to be based more on the accelerating oil and natural gas industry than traditional tourism, but some members of city council say that doesn't mean less of the revenue should go to the local convention and visitors bureau.
The city currently gives 50 percent of the 6 percent tax on stays in hotels and motels, commonly called the "bed tax," to the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. That revenue is the organization's largest source of funding.
The total collections have been higher than normal in the last couple of years: $786,154.32 in 2012 and $895,938.32 for 2013. That's thanks in large part to people coming into the area to work on various aspects of exploring and extracting natural gas and oil from deep underground shale formations, although some merchants and hotel operators have indicated a recent increase in leisure travel as well, said Jeri Knowlton, executive director of the CVB.
"In the non-tourist months, I would say at least 75 percent of our business is oil and gas," said Shelbi Welsh, assistant general manager at the Comfort Inn on Pike Street in Marietta.
In months with more leisure travelers, the oil and gas industry still accounts for 50 percent or more of the folks occupying the hotel's 120 rooms, Welsh estimated.
"Ours are mostly a week at the very least," she said. "Some of them are here Monday to Friday; they go home for the weekends, and then they're back again."
Business at the Magnuson Hotel by the River on Muskingum Drive is up this year over 2012, said general manager David Fitzgerald. While he didn't have estimates on how much of the hotel's occupancy is generally related to the oil and gas industry, it "seems to be the major driver," he said.
"They last for several weeks, and then they're gone and some new function (of the exploration or drilling process) comes in," Fitzgerald said.
The Lafayette Hotel on Front Street was seeing about 80 percent of its business from the industry in the early days of the recent boom, said Julie Hambrecht, front desk manager.
"When they first started coming here, quite a bit of it was," she said. "Now ours is more the tourists and (Marietta) college and the overflow from the interstate motels."
Hambrecht said tourism and folks in town for college events account for about three-quarters of the hotel's business now. But the Lafayette does play host to a number of oil-and-gas-industry-related events, as it did Monday evening.
Some might assume the Fairfield Inn and Suites that opened on Pike Street in 2012, and the neighboring Comfort Suites, set to open next month, were lured by the promise of oil and gas business, but that wasn't the case, according to Michael Holtz, president of Florida-based MPH Hotels Inc.
"We made the decision to do (those) long before the oil and gas came about," he said, estimating the industry accounts for perhaps 20 to 30 percent of the business at the Fairfield.
Holtz did say oil and gas could determine whether the company decides to locate another hotel in the Marietta area, although there are no plans for that at this time.
As exploration and interest in the Utica shale formation has increased, so have hotel occupancy rates in eastern Ohio, said Shawn Bennett with Energy In Depth, a research, education and public outreach campaign launched by the Independent Petroleum Association of America. As more and more locals are trained to perform the tasks professionals from outside the area are coming in to do, that may decrease, he said, but there are many opportunities, including pipeline construction and the proposed ethane cracker plant in Wood County, W.Va.
The demand for hotel rooms "should be happening for years to come," he said.
While visitors connected to the oil and gas industry have increased in recent years, Councilman Harley Noland, D-at large, has noticed a decline in leisure travelers, both at his business, Marietta Trolley Tours, and others. Five years ago, the trolley tours ran three times a day, sometimes adding a fourth to accommodate folks who couldn't get on the first three.
"How many runs a day do we do now? One," he said. "(But) our bed tax revenues are the highest ever."
Knowlton said the recession as well as the disappearance or decline of traditional draws like Lee Middleton Dolls in Belpre and Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown have played a part in the leisure travel decrease in the area. But that trend appears to be reversing, she said, and the area is positioned well to take advantage of increasing interest in outdoor recreation and experiential travel.
Noland said he doesn't think the city should decrease the funding to the CVB, but he would like more research into how the agency's marketing is working.
Knowlton said the bureau is able to acquire some of that information, including a return-on-investment study that showed every marketing dollar spent in 2012 generated $39.93. Other data, including attendance and from where visitors are coming, is shared by some destinations but not others, she said.
Even if tourism isn't the overwhelming reason for increased hotel stays in Marietta, Councilman Tom Vukovic, D-4th Ward, doesn't favor diverting a portion of the CVB's share of the bed tax to city services at this time.
"The infusion of money means that we have more money to spend on tourism to get our message out," he said. Cutting the funds "means that they are able to do less to bring people into town."
Vukovic noted the other half of the bed tax revenue already pays for city services through the general fund. If the city continues to see reductions in funding by the state, council might have to look at the way that revenue is distributed.
"At this point, I don't think we need to do that," he said.
And the CVB does provide services to people who aren't technically tourists, Vukovic said.
"Everything starts with a visit," Knowlton said.
The bureau acts as an information conduit for people who are new to the area, giving them ideas for where to spend their off hours, where to go, where to eat and the like, she said.
With the new facilities opening, the area has seen its number of hotel rooms increase by about 250, and the bureau needs to work to bring people to them even after oil and gas activity dies down, Knowlton said.
Toward the end of 2012 and into 2013, the CVB reimbursed the city $27,731.69 in bed tax money that exceeded what the agency had budgeted. This year, collections are below the $480,865.75 the bureau anticipated but still $60,000 more than what was actually received in 2012.


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Watch My Show: Revolution's Eric Kripke Answers Our Showrunner Survey
After years of fighting demons on his long-running CW series Supernatural, Eric Kripke is tackling much more human baddies on his freshman NBC drama Revolution. In the post-apocalyptic adventure, villains using nanomachines have eliminated most of the world's electricity, leading to chaos and brutal oligarchies. Revolution has just been renewed for a second season, so Kripke answered our showrunner survey to explain why you should plug in.
TV Guide Magazine: What happens if we don't watch Revolution?
Eric Kripke: I am currently standing outside your window. You have a lovely living room, by the way. If you don't watch, I'm coming in.
TV Guide Magazine: What's the best thing anyone has said or written about your show?
Kripke: That was when we heard from Led Zeppelin that they liked the episode enough to agree to put their music into it. Led Zeppelin knowing that Revolution exists was one of the greatest moments to come out of this show.
TV Guide Magazine: What's the worst thing?
Kripke: It's not one thing; it's the inevitable hundreds of online comments about how I suck. You can pretend that you don't read those things and it doesn't matter to you, but I read them and they do.
TV Guide Magazine:Do you ever respond?
Kripke: I have these fantasies of suddenly appearing on that message thread and saying, "Well, I'm Eric Kripke and screw you!" But my wife, in her wisdom says, "Don't you dare! Let everybody keep talking and please, stay the hell out of their way."
TV Guide Magazine:What's an alternate title for your show?
Kripke: When we were in production, for a long time we weren't able to use Revolution, so we had to come up with a different title. There were some funny ones, everything from Uprising: The Downfall to Downfall: The Uprising. At one point we seriously considered Transponder or Transresister.
TV Guide Magazine: Give us an equation for your show.
Kripke: Revolution = Walking Dead + Falling Skies + Game of Thrones - zombies - aliens - HBO's budget ÷ Lord of the Rings - hobbits.
TV Guide Magazine: Come up with a premise for the spinoff.
Kripke: Multicamera half-hour sitcom called The Nevilles about how Major Neville, Jason and Julia put the psychotic fun into dysfunctional. With a laugh track - and Don Knotts and McLean Stevenson as the neighbors.
TV Guide Magazine:If the power were to go out, what would you miss the most?
Kripke: My computer. The amount of work I get done, Internet I surf, shows I watch, people I communicate with, it's incredible how it all centers around one device. I'd be pretty lost without it.
TV Guide Magazine:What might be the best thing about a global blackout?
Kripke: Connection. Being able to yank people's eyes up and focus on everyone around them, like their family and loved ones, is something we could all use a little more of. It scares me how much technology isolates people.
TV Guide Magazine:What credit of yours would you prefer we forget?
Kripke: Tarzan (2003, The WB). It was a wonderful pilot and we had some incredible cast, but mostly I would like it forgotten because it was my first time producing a show and I had no clue what I was doing. I drove that whole thing into a ditch.
TV Guide Magazine: Tell me one secret about your amazing cast.
Kripke: They're so lovely and enthusiastic, and a pleasure to work with. The only problem is their hardcore meth use.
TV Guide Magazine: If you weren't producing this show, what series would you most like to be an executive producer on?
Kripke: I'm watching Game of Thrones; I'm very impressed with The Walking Dead.
TV Guide Magazine:Finish this sentence: "If you like _______, you'll love our show."
Kripke: Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, westerns and cinematic violence.
TV Guide Magazine:What other show would you like to do a crossover episode with - and how would that go?
Kripke: Knight Rider, where our heroes stumble into a corner of a world where they find Michael Knight and K.I.T.T. fighting for justice. Hoff is rocking an amulet driving around with K.I.T.T.
TV Guide Magazine:How will your show change the face of TV as we know it?
Kripke: Really all I'm trying to do is entertain people. If they're able to say that Revolution is a fun, rollicking adventure show and is delivering big exciting action and involving characters, then I'm happy.
Revolution airs Mondays at 10/9c on NBC.
Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!
View original Watch My Show: Revolution's Eric Kripke Answers Our Showrunner Survey at TVGuide.com
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