text:
ReviewInc provides all-in-one access to manage your online reputation with UNIQUE customizations for a tailored, faster, and stable experience.
Features Include
BEST Administration
ReviewInc grants access levels for every type of user, so multiple team members can manage your reputation using just the features they need to do their job. The platform also includes an optimized email system designed to get you past the spam filters—critical when sending thousands of requests to review your product or service.
BEST Mobile Access to Manage Online Reviews
Unlike other online reputation management software services that provides a "light" app with scaled down features, ReviewInc has full feature web access optimized for mobile devices. You get the same powerful mobile capabilities as a desktop at ultra-fast speeds.
One of the MOST Secure – Online Reviews
ReviewInc delivers secure admin access with full data encryption, double encrypted passwords, including the unique ability to hide client's names, making it one of the industry's most secure review management platforms with full HIPAA Compliance.
One of the MOST Stable Online Review Management Services
ReviewInc is renowned for reliability. Monitored 24/7 with a minimal 99.9% verified uptime, you'll be able to monitor review and increase the ability to respond to negative customer reviews before they cause damage.
BEST Review Monitoring for Customer Reviews
Thorough analysis of your business reviews.
ReviewInc provides a thorough business reputation analysis of your online business reviews while giving you a comprehensive view of your online reputation. By utilizing the online reputation management tools, you can see a clear line of growth and productivity.
BEST Online Reputation Management Dashboard
With the industry's most customizable role-based dashboards, you can design your preferred layout using robust filters based on ratings, date, source, review site, marketing campaign type, and more.
BEST Business Reporting
The ReviewInc online reputation management software provides everything you need to properly monitor and manage your reviews, including competitive rankings, ratings and reviews over time, timeline reports, with customizable filters, even showing if your listings are consistent. The email reports with detailed graphs can be customized to match your brand identity and company logo.
MOST Review Sites Reviewed
ReviewInc monitors the MOST review sites of any other online reputation management service (over 600 vs less than 250 with other online review services), ensuring you have the widest coverage and reduces the risk of missing any review opportunities.
BEST Way To Generate Reviews
The most versatile review generation software.
ReviewInc provides the most versatile online reputation management software with marketing campaigns and market research surveys designed around your business to get more customer feedback which converts into public reviews online.
Review Marketing
Customer-driven marketing with drip, review, and automated campaigns that are fully customizable and timed perfectly. ReviewInc's Patent Pending Automatic Email Domain Correction ensures that you are reaching your customers without error.
Visual Preview of your Review Generation
A panoramic view of your entire online review flow is available on one interactive screen, including customized email and SMS campaigns, private customer feedback option, thank you notes, and follow-up messages.
Global Access to Online Reviews
ReviewInc is the ONLY Online Review Management company that offers 26 different languages, providing you unlimited global access for local and international business reputation management.
Customer Market Research Surveys
Fully customizable market research surveys raise instant awareness about your product or service, and when necessary, creates the opportunity to improve the overall customer experience.
BEST ROI Conversion Reports
To see the ROI for your efforts, look no further than our matching system. ReviewInc is the only online reputation management review software that matches customer reviews and reports private customer feedback requests to public reviews.
BEST Review Management Software
Unmatched report customization & response management.
ReviewInc offers the best online reputation management software within a fully comprehensive customer review dashboard. Monitor customer reviews with unmatched report customization and instant review notifications. Respond directly to customer reviews, enjoy the unique ability to find review sites, and let ReviewInc fix the broken links for you.
Review Site Auto-Fix Link Management.
Your customer reviews are valuable and missing reviews can cause negative feedback to go unnoticed. With ReviewInc's online reputation management service, the software automatically finds, monitors, and fixes review site links, guaranteeing you won't miss your customer reviews.
Track Negative Customer Feedback to Resolution
ReviewInc's online reputation management system includes an easy-to-use workflow where you manage negative review resolution, generate Issue Resolution reports and help convert your customer experience into positive reviews. ReviewInc also integrates with popular support ticket systems and CRM platforms to reduce double entry and ensure thorough follow up.
Automatic Review Alerts
Stay 100% current with your online business reputation with customized alerts every time there's a review . Prioritize responses by filtering these alerts by source and star rating.
Optimal Business Reputation Improvement
All the necessary tools to boost your reputation.
ReviewInc empowers your business with all the online reputation management tools to boost your business reputation and bottom line:
Best Review Testimonial Microsite
Other online review management services host your customer review testimonial microsite off their website, generating SEO traffic for them, not your business. ReviewInc includes an app/widget that allows you to implement the microsite off your own site giving you the SEO traffic advantage.
MOST powerful online reputation management rules.
Pull your best online reviews together with the exact criteria you want. Select filters to fix issues and see how your business reputation has improved.
Review Testimonials on Your Site.
Ensure your website always has the freshest content with new public reviews and private customer feedback.
Best Online Reputation Management SEO analysis
ReviewInc's customizable SEO Impact Analysis shows exactly where your company reputation stands and how to boost your online rankings.
Star Rating in Google Search
ReviewInc is one of the few online reputation management systems that can associate your testimonial review stars to your Google business search listings. With rich snippets, testimonial review stars provide a distinct "attention getter" advantage.
Plus, The Price Performance Leader
Results at an affordable price.
ReviewInc provides the best features, customizability, and results at an affordable price:
Packages can be up to 40% less than some competitive platforms.
Save time with the automatic integrations with your CRM.
Unlimited Users
Add as many team members to the platform as you wish for no additional cost.
FREE Support
No cost for support, installs or updates.
Extended Voice & Email Support
10 hours weekdays, 8 am to 6 pm PT.
Excellent Support Library
Includes detailed videos, articles, and how-to guides at no extra cost.


text:
What is VMobile Softphone?
VoIP/SIP client tailor made for BlackBerry. Connects your IP telephony with your BlackBerry smartphone.
How it works?
VMobile Softphone delivers your land line VoIP / SIP calls to the BlackBerry device in your pocket. Works both with Wi-Fi and 3G.
Why it makes sense?
A BlackBerry app transforming your smartphone in a moneysaving tool. You can be abroad and get high quality Wi-Fi calls for much less money than roaming service will charge you. Now VMobile Softphone gives you access to multiple (2) accounts.
Does it fit my BlackBerry
Different versions for BB OS 5, 6 and 7. Check the full list of tested devices:
- BlackBerry Curve 8900;
- BlackBerry Curve 9300;
- BlackBerry Curve 9320;
- BlackBerry Curve 9360;
- BlackBerry Bold 9700;
- BlackBerry Bold 9780;
- BlackBerry Bold 9790;
- BlackBerry Bold 9930;
- BlackBerry Torch 9800;
- BlackBerry p9981 Porsche Design.
VMobile 1.0 VoIP/SIP Softphone offers you:
- Compatibility with any SIP/VoIP server - SIP RFC 3261;
- Supports multiple SIP / VoIP accounts. Ability to switch between two SIP profiles.
- Secured calls – VPN friendly application;
- Industry standard Voice quality - PCMU/8000 audio codec support;
- Integration with native Blackberry contact list - make a call dialing directly from your BlackBerry device contact list;
- Missed VMobile calls indicator – visible on the BlackBerry home screen. Available only when the Softphone is active;
- Option to choose from different phone numbers of a single contact - home, office, cell, etc.;
- Improved DTMF user experience - touchtone for sending digits & letters. Improved on version 1.0.50, no ALT key is required to type digits;
- Comfortable APN settings – ability to manage them through the application;
- Control over:
- user name;
- password;
- domain name;
- outbound proxy address.
- Integration with BlackBerry call history and app`s own call history – 30 answered, 30 dialed, 30 missing calls;
- Redial directly from the call history list;
- Option to delete specific entry or all history;
- Volume control with the standard BlackBerry buttons we all are used to;
- Easy enable/disable background process with a single click;
- Switch between loudspeaker and handset - using space button;
- Prefixes – when configured, they will be added automatically to all numbers, regardless of their length;
- Integration with BlackBerry sound profiles – choose the ringtone you like from the device sound profiles;
- Indicators for:
- WiFi & 3G connectivity;
- WiFi name;
- SIP registration status;
- missed VMobile calls;
- One time fee, all updates are included;
- Built-in PayPal payment option.
NOTE: 3G data charges may apply
1. At initial installation VMobile Softphone app requires access to the smartphone recourses. Please confirm with Save button.
2. Connect the device to any Wi-Fi hotspot.
3. Start the VMobile Softphone app and go to Settings menu.
4. Insert the parameters of your VoIP/SIP vendor in Settings menu:
- User name and Password;
- Domain name;
- Name or address of outbound proxy server;
5. If you intend to use 3G you need to enter APN parameters as specified by your mobile network provider in Options -> Device -> Advanced System Settings -> TCP/IP
6. Save your 3G settings
7. Enter and save your APN settings
8. Make your calls via WiFi...
9. ...or 3G network
Doesn't register with my SIP account
- Please check carefully your account credentials as user name and passwords.
- Ask your SIP vendor for its proxy and domain name.
- Check the communication port. It should be 5060
3G calls doesn't work
You have to configure APN settings as specified by your mobile network provider. Options / Device / Advanced System Settings / TCP IP
Successfully registered but can`t have a call
You`ll need some debugging. Hit the menu button on your BlackBerry and enable SIP log. Try again and send us the log file at Device > Home > User > vmobile.txt
How can I check my com port?
During the initial registration fill the Proxy field with your SIP server as: sip.mysipvendor.com:5060. The last four digits stand for com port which with VMobile Softphone should be 5060, as it is most common used one.
If at any time and for any reason, you do not feel that your purchase has lived up to your expectations simply request a refund. VMobile purchases are accepted for refund within 7 days of the original license purchase.
Please indicate your reason for returning the license you have purchased in your refund request sent trough e-mail to our support e-mail. The request must include the license key you have got after paying for the application.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
How people can shape their cities, towns and villages in any part of the world
Χαρακτηριστικό απόσπασμα:
All over the world there is increasing demand from all sides for more local involvement in the planning and management of the environment.
It is widely recognised that this is the only way that people will get the surroundings they want.
And it is now seen as the best way of ensuring that communities become safer, stronger, wealthier and more sustainable.
But how should it be done? How can local people – wherever they live – best involve themselves in the complexities of architecture, planning and urban design? How can professionals best build on local knowledge and resources?
Over the past few decades, a wide range of methods has been pioneered in different countries. They include new ways of people interacting, new types of event, new types of organisation, new services and new support frameworks.


text:
Cat Skin Issue Under Front Leg
by Ken Laubmayer
(Loveland, Co.)
Under Right Front Leg - Example 1
Reader Question: Cause of Lesion on Cat Leg
My cat, Mr. Beeg is a Domestic short hair, 12-13 yrs, male, neutered, We use Diamond brand maintenance food. Our cat is behaving normally and is an inside cat.
The skin lesion is slightly wet. Being under the arm, we had not noticed this until today. We cannot say for sure how long he has had this condition.
Notice the small area adjacent to lesion, with a small area of hair and a scab at base. Appears to be a secretion causing a scab.
Veterinarian Suggestion
Hi Ken,
It's hard for me to say what the lesion under your cat's front leg might be without examining him, but based on your description and picture, something called an eosinophilic granuloma is a possibility. Eosinophilic granulomas often develop when a cat has an allergic reaction to something – insect bites, food allergies, and environmental allergens (pollen, mold, etc.) are all possibilities. Most eosinophilic granulomas respond well to treatment with corticosteroids. As long as the allergic reaction is a one-time event, this treatment is often all that is required. If the allergy is an ongoing problem, it will also need to be dealt with to prevent recurrences.
See your veterinarian for a diagnosis of Mr. Beeg's specific condition and appropriate treatment.
Jennifer Coates, DVM
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Cat Skin.


text:
SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue to respond to reports of two oil sheens on the water in the vicinity of the Phillips 66 Rodeo Refinery and northern San Pablo Bay Wednesday.
At approximately 7:40 a.m., the Coast Guard launched a helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco to conduct a first light overflight of the area. The aircrew identified a sheen just over a mile long by 40 yards wide on the water in the northern San Pablo Bay area. Coast Guard and California Office of Spill Prevention and Response pollution investigators are taking samples to assist in determining the source.
A second sheen was identified during the Coast Guard overflight near Phillips 66 Rodeo Refinery Marine Terminal. Several vessels and skimmers are on scene conducting containment and cleanup operations and 1,000-feet of boom has been placed on the water surrounding the refinery. No oiled wildlife has been observed at this time.
The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been opened for $25,000.
Coast Guard pollution investigators have not determined the source of either sheen.
An urgent marine information broadcast is being issued to local mariners. Please contact the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center at (415) -399-7300 to report any oil sheen or other pollution.
For additional information regarding the sheen reported Tuesday evening in northern San Pablo Bay, read here.


text:
The life processes of organisms are controlled, at their root, by a sort of 'program' that is encoded in their DNA. This program uses a common set of chemical components as symbols in its language, and translates that language in the same way for nearly all living things.
If you have already subscribed please login.
If you have any technical issues please email tech support.
DNA, copyright, copyright protection,


text:
About myCB
myCB is a secure, online platform that allows you to order a background check, drug test if required by your program and set-up your medical document manager. Once you have placed your order at mycb.castlebranch.com, you will use your login information to access your myCB account to upload and maintain requirements.
Order summary is what is being purchased with the program code:
Personal information is required. In addition to entering your full name and date of birth, you will be asked for your social security number, current address, phone number and e-mail address(must use your Clarkson College e-mail). This information will be used to complete your background check if required by program.
Drug Test
After you place your order (if your required by your program), you will receive an email within 24–48 hours containing your electronic chain of custody (echain) form, which you will need to print out and take with you to the lab to complete your drug test. The subject line of the e-mail will read: "Form Fox" and will explain which Quest or LabCorp facility you need to go to complete your drug test. For all questions regarding the drug test please contact CastleBranch at 1.888.914.7279. Drug Test lab location will be selected by the zip code entered when you place your order. Both Quest Diagnostic and LabCorp labs can be used.
Medical Document Manager
After order is placed and myCB account created, your health and safety requirements (To-Do-List) will then prompt you to upload specific documents required for immunizations, certification and or licensure set by your academic program. To upload see instructions.
Payment Information
At the end of the online order process, you will be prompted to enter your Visa or Mastercard information.
Background Check and Drug Test Results
The results of your background check and drug test will be posted directly to your myCB account. You will be notified if there is any missing information needed in order to process your order. Although 95 percent of background check results are completed within three to five business days, some results may take longer. Your order will show as "In Process" until it has been completed in its entirety.
Additional Information
For further information about myCB, you may contact the Clinical Education Compliance office at 402.552.6206 or 402.552.6285, via e-mail.


text:
Organic Round Neck T-shirt
Single Jersey
100% Organic ring-spun Combed Cotton
155 gsm
Original handmade design
Laurent Scavone creation, graphic designer, lettering artist and biker. All our creations are the basis of handmade original drawings.
Printing in France
All our creations are printing in France by hand
Quality and respect for the environment
Our T-shirts and sweat-shirts are made from organic fibers and answer all the criteria of environmental protection in particular with the absence of use of chemical substances. Our products are all certified " Organic certified " and "Oeko-Tex".
Size :
Our T-shirts and sweat-shirts are cut and made in 5 sizes. The sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL are the same regardless of printing design or the model (T-shirt and sweat-shirt).


text:
The nautanki was in town. Bada mazaa ayaa.
But according to most -- mazaa to ab shuru hoga. In India, we call these fun times elections.
And how can it not be -- when you have Laloo and Taslimuddin, both with dubious records, as senior ministers of the government -- how can a nation of 1 billion people not rejoice in sheer excitement? I have to admit, even the natural cynic in me had not thought that the fun and games would last this long.
But not all was fun and games, and not everything could be seen through the eyes of a cynic.
After all, how could any Indian not feel proud to have two sparklingly honest and enormously educated people at the helm of the country? Two people who any Indian family would be happy to invite over for dinner?
But the story does not begin there. First there was:
1. Mandate for everything
If you believe the media -- it seems that the Indian people gave a huge mandate on just about everything -- first there was the mandate for the Congress, then there was a mandate against the BJP, a mandate for secularism, a mandate against economic reforms, a mandate for more rural friendly policies and of course, the big one -- the mandate on the foreign origin issue of Sonia. All these mandates in just one vote -- the Indian voter has to be a true genius, clairvoyant and great communicator, all rolled into one.
The facts unfortunately do not support any mandate shmandate theory. If you look at the excellent data collected by the Election Commission of India, you'll quickly see the orange and the blue evenly distributed across the nation -- judge for yourself, if there was this big mandate for the Congress or if the BJP was 'voted out of power everywhere.'
The stark truth is that -- on one hand, the Congress polled 26.69% of the votes where it ran, but only won 34.77% of the seats it contested --while the BJP polled only 22.16% of the votes where it ran, but won 37.91% of the seats it contested. Drawing conclusions from this data one way or the other is just playing ideological politics -- no real conclusions can be drawn.
The interesting thing is that the BJP won massively in the rural areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, which have some of the poorest rural populations in the country -- so much for the rural versus urban mandate. Of course, for perhaps the first time, the BJP made significant gains in Kerala and the North East, some of the most demographically balanced areas in India -- how does this match with the secularism mandate?
So confident was the Congress of its secular mandate, that the party immediately turned around and said -- to hell with this secularism nonsense -- let us nominate E Ahmed of the Indian Union Muslim League as a minister. Of course, the IUML's secular credential are shall we say -- somewhat -- actually more than somewhat -- shaky. Shaky enough that the CPI-M calls it a communal party.
'The Congress had stabbed from the front those who had voted for a secular government in New Delhi,' fumed Politburo member V S Acuthanandan.
What to do -- mandate hai na!!
The problem with almost all this mandate shmandate nonsense is that there were no national issues of any significance at all in these elections -- what happened in April-May was a set of 29 state elections with local issues almost always being the dominating deciding factor.
In fact, in Andhra Pradesh the key issue was free power and Telangana -- both of which are local issues. In Tamil Nadu, water issues and Jayaamma's high-handedness were the deciding factors, while in Gujarat, constant battles between Modi and Keshubhai Patel and the unhappiness of the farmers from North Gujarat with Modi's policies, led things astray. In Delhi, the removal of key local leader Madan Lal Khurana rang the death-knell for the party.
Extracting national mandates from this set of widely varying 29 state assembly elections is inherently an exercise in extrapolation, where the fundamental observation has to be that 'your guess is as good as mine.' Any other observation is void and false.
For all those who want to see and interpret the data for themselves, I suggest a half an hour spent at the site of the Election Commission of India. It is much more informative, than almost any of the analysis that I have seen so far.
2. Media inadequacy of the BJP
One thing is absolutely clear though -- whoever runs the media and information for the BJP and other right-of-centre groups should be immediately fired -- for sheer stupidity and incompetence. In spite of almost six years of handling power, there are few, if any major media personalities or editors of elite media, who could be considered right-of-centre --I'm not talking far right fundoos, but simply right-of-centre personalities comparable to the moderate Republicans in the US.
This lack of sympathy for secular but right-of-centre causes has expected results and has been going on for a while, as Tavleen Singh notes:
'How much is Sonia Gandhi a real figure and how much a myth created by the media? This is a question that comes to my mind every time I see an interaction between her and Delhi's political journalists. The most recent one was last week when a gathering was arranged at the Parliament House annexe. It was clear that the country's most hardened hacks fell over themselves trying to get close to 'Madame' much as if she were a movie star. 'No questions, please, no questions, no questions, no television cameras,' her flustered flunkeys yelled but they need not have worried because when the questions did come they were so mild that any child could have answered them.'
This trend has never stopped -- in a recent Sonia interview puff-piece questions about favourite foods, lessons from Indira, her personal life and her children dominated with a question or two on the continuation of reforms thrown her way.
Essentially, a Barney interview with a potential prime minister of India, just a few weeks before national elections for a country of 1 billion people -- Barney, for those out of touch, is this purple dinosaur toy, which incessantly belts out the irritating jingle 'I love you, You love me.'
The problem is that this imbalance habitually misinforms the Indian voter, since in any case much of the Indian vernacular press takes its lead from the elite media. If the BJP could not convince any of the elite media to understand its point of view, its causes and its vision for the nation after six years of rule -- who should be blamed?
And then came the message itself -- reams have been written on the India Shining message -- but the problem is not the message itself, but the applicability of a single message to entirely different audiences -- urban and rural. Everybody who has been involved in marketing campaigns knows that messages need to be fine-tuned for the target audience.
This BJP message certainly was not fine-tuned for the rural audience nor was the rural audience ever educated about how they were going to be linked in with the India's burgeoning economy. This brings me to the other point on selling --who is responsible for educating the public about the reforms -- especially the rural poor?
Remember, the attempt to foist the VAT programme last year -- same problem there too -- good idea, but poor marketing and almost no pre-selling the concept to those most affected. Result -- an utter failure. This is an endemic problem that exists within all right-of-centre groups -- a pure inability to understand of how to use the media and how to effectively use public relations as a multiplying factor for their causes.
So, in spite of spending hundreds of millions of rupees on the communication campaign, it was money ill-spent. The Congress on the other hand did a far better job of getting their act together with far less money.
Dilip Cherian, CEO, Perfect Relations, set up an excellent communication strategy to 'reach out to the poor and less-informed people living in the country's remote and rural areas. He chose at least 48 centres across the country from where he unleashed his media campaign for the Congress by reaching out to the public through local cable television networks, the vernacular press and the lesser-known communication channels that were left untouched by the BJP's high-tech media campaign.'
The Congress message was well focused on getting the women's vote out, especially in rural areas, by painting the attack on Sonia, as an attack on India's bahu.
Years of such poor media management adds up -- but who'll bell the cat?
Who would tell the emperor that a high-tech, US style media campaign based on SMS messages and irritating phone calls, changes far fewer minds than favourable coverage on local radio and television. Presence of a sprinkling of editors and media personalities who understand and espouse a right-of-centre viewpoint in the elite media is critical to getting your point across, both in India and in the world outside. But the emperor when informed of this is entirely supercilious -- he doesn't want anything to do with the 'stinking' elite media. The result -- no credibility with the media, big and small, that now reach a phenomenal number of Indian homes.
3. Strategic bankruptcy of the BJP
Any party that wins less than 20 seats in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab and Kerala combined, does not deserve to run the country -- no way.
If anything reveals the nature of the problems that the BJP faces, Uma Bharati's antics accompanying her recent protests over Sonia as PM do.
'Bharti's decision to quit Tuesday over Congress president Sonia Gandhi's possible elevation to the post of prime minister was not the only one made without informing BJP leaders. BJP leaders were also cut up over Bharti's decision to appoint her brother Swami Lodhi and eight party leaders to plum posts in various corporations of the state before she left for Delhi to submit her resignation. Lodhi was appointed chairman of the Madhya Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation while actor Nitish Bharadwaj of Mahabharat fame was appointed head of the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Corporation' -- Hindustan Times, May 20, 2004.
Here is a party operative that acted completely against the national and local interests of the party and did not even bother to inform her colleagues or higher ups -- that about sums it up, since this happened pretty much all over the place, across the nation before and during the election. This indicates complete and shocking lack of control over state cadres and regional partners.
Infighting between Modi and Keshubhai in Gujarat, Modi's poor handling of farmers' pleas, infighting in Mumbai's constituencies, poor preparation of candidates in Uttar Pradesh/Delhi, complete lack of support for friendly partners in TN, no guidance to the Trinamool in West Bengal, yada, yada, yada -- the list keeps going on and on.
The question that one has to ask is, where was the adult supervision during all this?
The other day, I was watching an interview of Delhi BJP candidate, 28-year-old Smita Irani. Four things stood out -- I was very impressed by her desire to serve her country and her passion for it; I was thoroughly disappointed by her naivet� in allowing her political opponents to define her.
At one level, I seriously hope the young lady can maintain her passion and go on to play an important role in national politics in a decade from now. But where were the BJP national campaign managers? The first principle about running large organisational events is to never let anything fall through the cracks and here there were huge yawning gaps. Who was supposed to hand-hold this candidate and provide her the direction necessary? Who was supposed to raise the fervour for an unifying cause? Who was supposed to provide 'voter management' on the day of the polls?
The BJP's first mistake -- Vajpayee took the low-route by hiding Pakistani perfidy to curry favour with some religious groups, thus removing any chance of having a nation-wide cause for national elections -- multiple state elections resulted instead of a national elections.
Second mistake -- the obvious one -- who was the partyman arrogant enough to not strike deals in Haryana, Assam, Maharashtra and Bihar, as well as make enemies out of friends in Tamil Nadu?�
Third mistake, utter chaos and infighting, poor choice of candidates, poor preparation of candidates -- where were party management basics?
The complete inability to build up media support for right-of-centre causes, the complete inability to recruit and convince media personalities about nationalist causes -- was the last nail in the coffin. All these add up to a party going from winning 50 plus seats in UP in the 1990s to barely 10 seats in this election. If that isn't an ominous sign, I do not know what is!
Unfortunately, it looks like the BJP may not have learnt anything even after the elections.
Jaya withdrew all her decisions just after the devastating loss in the election -- her high-handedness on some issues such as over-punishing the government employees after the strikes were over, the large increases in electricity and transport tariffs did cause the election debacle, but as The Telegraph put it, 'The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's non-performance in the Lok Sabha elections has obviously shaken her, and she has gone for an indiscriminate withdrawal of all her policies in Tamil Nadu barely a week after the results. While her retreat on some fronts may augur well, the hurried decision to arrange for free electricity to farmers, for example, suggests an unashamed bid to ensure votes in the coming assembly elections that says little for thought or planning behind any of her moves, past or present. The ban on conversions was a policy that cost her dear this time.'
The revamping of all policy decisions of the last two years does not engender confidence and does not necessarily fool all the people. The flip-flops of the partners continue unabated. Want more of the same, look at the continuing flip-flops within the Trinamool in West Bengal.
So we now have a situation where the BJP's internal party and cadre management is in complete turmoil, while it faces incessant brand-building around second generation Congress leaders like Rahul, thanks to the balanced Left-wing media.
The BJP needs to get used to the fact that they consistently polled somewhere in the low-to-mid twenties, while their main opponents poll somewhat higher -- implying that they have to depend upon better seat winning percentages to win and devise strategies accordingly.
Unless new leaders emerge and better strategies are devised, the BJP may be in trouble at a national level for some time to come, even though I expect them to do very well at the forthcoming state elections.
The question again is who will bell the cat -- especially, when much of the right-of-centre is fully engaged in fervent cat-fights amongst themselves.
Part II: Imbalanced media and the loony Left


text:
Temples Live At Stereolux
Écrit par Team musique sur 10 mars 2020
Temples are a four-piece psychedelic rock band from Northamptonshire and are on their Hot Motion tour through Europe currently, one of the dates being in Nantes. They performed a sold-out show at the wonderful Stereolux last night. Euradio was lucky enough to attend and it did not disappoint.
3-piece UK based group (from Southampton to be precise) Mystic Peach opened the night and got the crowd perfectly warmed-up for what was to come. A brief but impactful intro to set the mood for Temples.
The show has already begun before Temples have even picked up their instruments. Lead guitarist/vocalist James Bagshaw is every inch the frontman in a burgundy suit, glitter on his cheekbones and jewels round his neck. Bassist Tom Warmsley sports black velvet flares and a classic shirt. Keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Adam Smith, a suit jacket and (more) flares and my favourite outfit of all from drummer Rens Ottnik, in a sparkly shirt, polka dot neckerchief and thick layers of eyeliner.
Each member with equally long and shaggy hair do's, of course.
Fantastic flares and glitter aside, the night was all about the music! In particular, the band's most recent album 'Hot Motion' which came out last year in September. The band opened the set with the roaring and dynamic 'The Howl' flowing into less recent but timeless track 'Certainty', with every chord sending the audience into a meditative state where nothing else existed but the four walls around you.
All four members played confidently and effortlessly, throwing smiles and several 'merci beaucoup' and 'ça va?'s to the crowd. They closed the set with 'Holy Horses' shortly followed by their debut single and most notable track 'Shelter Song', which sounds like the lovechild of The Beatles and Tame Impala.
Of course no concert is over without an eagerly anticipated encore at the end. The four appeared back on stage to a surge of whistling and woo's from the crowd to play 'Mesmerise' – which, performed live, is an almost 10 minute long track of wah wah guitar solos and transcendent psychedelic sounds.
If you yearn for those 'bygone' days of proper 70's psych-rock then you need to grab a ticket to see Temples on their Hot Motion tour. Throughout the gig, the outside world could be forgotten and the crowd were transported back to the days of Led Zeppelin and T-Rex. I truly felt like i'd been put through a time machine once the band got on stage. Not only did I leave the gig elated and uplifted, but inspired to jazz up my wardrobe too.
Thank you to Stereolux for the invitation! For more information about Temples' tour dates, look here.
Be sure to follow our Instagram for live updates of gigs and festivals we'll be attending in the future.
Photos and article by our assistant music programmer, Lucie Gash


text:
Sign up to our newsletter
This newsletter is managed by The Campaing Monitor. You can consult their Privacy Terms here. By subscribing, you manifest that you agree with those terms. You will receive an average of 1 email every week. You can unsubscribe any time.
Eastern Partnership Media Freedom Watch: October Newsletter
The Eastern Partnership Media Freedom Watch Project has released its October 2014 newsletter, highlighting relevant developments in the region during the period. The project is affiliated to the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum as an initiative of the Working Group 1 subgroup on media freedom and is funded by the European Union.
Web design by Cubilabs
Project funded by the European Union


text:
Chinawhite news
New Promo Video!
In order to get the word out to more people, Rock Company have added the track Money to their YouTube playlist. Here it is:
This Is Rock review
Spanish magazine This Is Rock wrote about our album Different in their 170 edition. Our dear friend Rod Marenna provided an English translation:
In one way or another Chinawhite have been spinning since the late 80s and now decide to return with a proposal similar to that of the British Ten, varied and powerful hard rock executed with technique and flavour of NWOBHM as already predicted the initial "Kiss Of Fire "with some frenetic guitars," Were I Stand "combines a raw main riff with crystal clear and catchy vocal harmonies. "Hello To The World" remembers Boston trying a single hit. "Money" is raw and "Eat It Raw" goes into progressive terrain, moving to solid hard rock with "It Means Nothing". Despite being a good record, the cocktail mix don't quite match well.
Well I do not mind being compared to Ten at all 😉
Rock United on Different
Swedish site Rock United, in the person of writer Urban, have posted an extensive and very positive view on our Different album. Great to see people getting it!
Besides the review, Urban also conducted an interview with Peter!
Read the review to find out why he calls it aggressive melodic symphonic 80s rock on steroids 🙂
To read what Peter had to say about the 15 questions, go here.
Powerplay loves it Different
More reviews
Just to show you cannot win them all, here a piece on German site musikreviews (9/15). Translation says:
As one of many Dutch bands of the mid-1980s Prog movement, CHINAWHITE have never been out there before when it comes to greater commercial success, but just like Egdon Heath, the group never went below a certain level, even if they never emancipate themselves could … which has valid reasons, as their current album demonstrates.
Even "Different" is despite its title an obvious role model almost slavishly modeled work that will satisfy all genre-hardliners, but should tear little more. The always slightly cool (we speak of British role models) and never overwhelming symphonic sound of the quartet comes despite staff riots in the squad (Drummer Hans is also parallel to about Praying Mantis) as a result of it – sometimes a little too portly, though but always consistent and without noticeable rashes up or down.
Produced by guitarist and keyboarder Peter Cox seem a bit antiquated and maybe that's why they take over for themselves … at least if you belong to older seasons. The classification under "prog" is therefore to be enjoyed especially among explorers of new with great caution.
Ultimately, CHINAWHITE serve so-spirited minds who would rather have their music with surprises. This is consistent, pleasing trend-resistant and solid knit, but nothing more. As a tip-on for the ultra-conservative factions urge first 'Light-Years To Heaven', the no watering cloudy 'Hello To The World' and the affable final number 'Thank You And Goodnight' on.
CONCLUSION: If you want CHINAWHITE to be evil, you can call it a locally relevant Dinosaur Melodic "Prog" band, which rightfully never went beyond its Dutch horizon. Objectively, her new album is a slightly above average scene work with zero added value.
Ah well… 🙂
Thankfully the short review from Gabor from Strutter is a lot more positive with a 8.3 on a 10 scale!
recommended from ViriAOR
Spanish site ViriAOR have done a great piece on our album. The original is in Spanish, so here the translation. Thank you Alicia!
Chinawhite are back this summer of 2018 with their fourth album titled, Different. For those of you who do not know, tell you that, Chinawhite was formed at the end of the eighties. With a strong core consisting of Rolf Vossen, keyboards, Hans In 'T Zandt on drums and Peter Cox on guitars, they recorded some loose songs and incorporated some singles to compilations of the time, all these themes would later come to light in a Demos album. In 1997 they would release their first album, as such, A Dragon's Birth, and two more in the 2000s, making a classic rock with symphonic arrangements and some passages of progressive rock.
For this fourth album, he also has bassist Sander Stappers, who would put his rhythms on the previous album Challenges and the recent incorporation of the singer Phil Vincent, (D'Ercole, Tragic, Legion) that for my taste exceeds to its predecessor with overkill.
Different is an album composed in its entirety by the band leader Peter Cox, guitarist and keyboardist, composer and lyricist as well as producer of the album. The cover is very cool and is designed by Blekkmark, who has already done countless works for artists of this style (Harem Scarem, Europe, Def Leppard, TNT, …)
This disc is developed in records similar to those of previous works, although in Different there is a twist to its sound resulting in more commercial issues, more accessible to audiences and making less concessions to progressive rock, that does not deprive it of its sophisticated part in terms of arrangements themes and some passages of irregular rhythms.
The throat of the new vocalist gives more body and power to the themes, the orchestral and keyboard arrangements on this occasion are also by the guitarist Peter Cox, although in some songs the old keyboardist Rolf Vossen participates.
We find pieces of traditional hard rock with voices superimposed like in the opening, Kiss of Fire. Scratching the metal with a more serious record by Phil Vincent, who throughout the album will demonstrate how versatile it is. Where I Stand, giving them a touch of softness with pompous choirs. A nice guitar melody is the hook on the whole theme, and symphonic choruses sweeten this Hello To The World.
Money, brings us back to hard rock with guitars and careful vocal harmonies. Different? Eat It Raw, more orchestral beginning to later take us through the classic metal courses. Wings Of The Wind, a mix of powerful riffs, for a cut that rounds the progressive. Mystery, an orgy of instruments superimposing one another creating an overflowing atmosphere of sonic elements. Light-Years To Heaven, more leisurely, but without sacrificing the strength that bring those thunderous riffs of Peter Cox.
Or The Same! A good instrumental exercise, based on the strength of the bass and the guitar, with an interesting melody. It Means Nothing heavy rhythmic base and a dirtier sound for a theme that can look fantastic live. Thank You And Goodnight starts with a piano to give way to all the instruments and immediately give the protagonism to the guitar melodies.
Concluding with Different, Chinawhite have gone a step further by overcoming their previous works, successfully assembling the different classical musical influences, but sounding heavier and more current.
Recommended disk
Awesome review from Rockportaal
Dutch site RockPortaal have done a great review on our Different album. Words like this make it all worthwhile!
You can find the original here, and a google translation follows. Thank you Hans!
The stayer wins (always) … That is what Peter Cox and Hans in 't Zand must have always had in mind. The duo has been involved in the band since the establishment of Chinawhite in 1987. In addition to this beautiful character trait, Chinawhite has at least as many lives as a cat.
It started for the melodic / symphonic metal band in the nineties with the release of a number of cassettes and the mini-album A Dragons Birth in 1997. The first full-length album was released in 2000: Breathe Fire. Then it was nine years quiet, except for a digital compilation album with demos from the period 1990 – 2005. Challenges in 2009 was the next sign of life. But at the moment – with the exception of Cox and in 't Zand – everyone thought that the band was defunct, there is suddenly more than thirty years after the foundation and nine years after Challenges in the late spring of 2018 Different.
Fortunately, the 'test of time' has not got a grip. Chinawhite still rocks as always. With the familiar symphonic elements through it. Which is not surprising given the musical preference of guitarist and keyboard player Peter Cox. The gentlemen are now tried and tested and know how to produce a fat metal album. Of which deed through the two unadulterated rockers Kiss Of Fire (with a wonderful chorus) and Where I Stand where the album starts. That is partly due to singer Phil Vincent. He has an excellent rock voice, which may require some habituation.
Hello To The World is a quiet composition with beautiful harmonious vocals and a guitar sound that both reminds of the legendary rock band Boston. A sound that you encounter several times on the album. Because of this, I think the album has two faces. Rough, with a legion of overdriven guitar riffs that are sometimes aggressive and then smooth and polished. The varied Different – Eat It Raw shows both faces (hear). One of the positive outliers is Wings Of The Wind. Phil Vincent here shows his best side. Musically it goes down in a variety of straight metal and progressive metal.
Instrumentally Chinawhite also makes good ornamental. As with the pointed and guitar-dominated Or The Same !. But entirely with the closing and with eight minutes longest song Thank You And Goodnight. It is a huge contrast with the previous ten songs. You even wonder if this is the same band. A playful intro on piano (by guest musician Rolf Vossen) is followed by minutes of beautiful melodic guitar playing. Gradually the music becomes more intense due to the use of a second guitar. Then to end in peace and symmetry. I think this is truly a sublime conclusion to a surprising and fresh album.
Different proves that Chinawhite is still alive and kicking. Lovers of melodic and symphonic rock and metal I recommend listening to the album. Perhaps the gentlemen will let us know before 2027 if there is still a new life …
first reviews for Different!
Dutch site Lords Of Metal had the premiere in regards to writing a review on our latest album. And despite their reputation of being quite harsh, this is a very good one, with 80/100 points! Read it in English here.
Next one is from the UK. Writer Mark Ashby talks about stuff like NWOBHM, but that is a bit strange for a Dutch band :). Anyway, still lots of positives in his review
Where to buy Different
The wait is over! Different is available now, so here are some links for you:
But you should also be able to find it at your favourite record store.
To listen on Spotify:
Different track list and credits
Ever since they got together in the second half of the Eighties, Chinawhite have been entertaining their audiences with a vivid mix of melodic, hard and progressive rock. You are now invited to check out their new album. In a way only Chinawhite can pull off, they deliver another blistering set of rock solid drums, thumping bass, guitars, guitars, more guitars and some keyboards to lift the mood. And let's not forget the amazing vocals!
No doubt this is Chinawhite at their most melodic and powerful ever.
2018 Line Up:
Peter Cox – orchestrations, keyboards and all guitars (Forest Field)
Sander Stappers – bass (Souls Of Deaf, Tributor)
Phil Vincent – all vocals (Tragik, D'Ercole, CranstoN)
Hans In t Zandt – drums (Praying Mantis, ex Vengeance and Mad Max)
with Rolf Vossen adding organ, piano and keyboards to some tracks.
Recorded at Down The Road studio, except drums at Drums By Mail and vocals at The Musik Room (USA). Mixed and Mastered by Erwin Hermsen at Toneshed.nl . Artwork by Blekkmark.
|Kiss Of Fire (5:16)
|Where I Stand (4:16)
|Hello To The World (4:41)
|Money (3:41)
|Different? – Eat It Raw (5:01)
|Wings Of The Wind (4:24)
|Mystery (4:19)
|Light-years To Heaven (4:04)
|Or The Same! (4:56)
|It Means Nothing (5:06)
|Thank You And Goodnight (8:01)


text:
Makeup is a world of colors. The pretty colors applied to face to make you beautiful is make up. There are different categories in makeup including American makeup, British make up, Canadian makeup, Indian make up, Asian makeup etc. Asian make up is ever fashionable among all. It is referred to as the most traditional makeup world wide. The Asian women are very much conscious about their looks. The most artistic in Asian makeup is eye makeup.
Asian eye make up tricks are most important as you might not do a lot with your eyelids. Here we discuss some tricks to do Asian eye makeup which would b definitely help you to look pretty more.
Step 1:
Apply gently foundation lighter than your skin color all over the whole eyelid.
Step 2:
Apply a suitable dark color eye shadow matching with your dress on the upper eyelid starting form the inner corner of the eyes. Blend it smoothly from the corners of the eye. Cover one third part of the lid with dark eye shadow.
Step 3:
Use a lighter eye shadow on the remaining eye lid along the eye line of the upper eye lid.
Step 4:
Apply suitable eye shadow matching both colors you apply before. Blend it gently on the eye lid starting from outer corner of the eye lid. Apply dark shade at ends of lash line. This will add more finest look in the final shade.
Step 5:
Apply liquid eyeliner on the upper side of lash line of eyes with angel shaped brush. For fine look apply 3-4 coats for thickness and dark color.
Step 6:
Use mascara for bright and finest look of eyes. This will add more beauty in eye makeup.
Here is the final and finest look of Asian eye make up.
Hope you will enjoy this new look of trendy eye makeup. Eye makeup needs practice. The more you practice more it will improve. The best thing about this makeup is you can use it in any function whether its a day or a night function.
don't forget to share your precious comments 🙂


text:
Welcome to the Malazan Re-read of the Fallen! Every post will start off with a summary of events, followed by reaction and commentary by your hosts Bill and Amanda (with Amanda, new to the series, going first), and finally comments from Tor.com readers. In this article, we'll cover Chapters 22 and 23 of Gardens of the Moon (GotM). Other chapters are here.
A fair warning before we get started: We'll be discussing both novel and whole-series themes, narrative arcs that run across the entire series, and foreshadowing, so while the summary of events may be free of spoilers, the commentary and reader comments most definitely will not be. To put it another way: Major Spoilers Next Eight Months.
Another fair warning! Grab a cup of tea before you start reading—these posts are not the shortest!
Chapter Twenty-Two
Raest enters Kruppe's dreamworld and faces Kruppe, Tool, and K'rul. He disappears into "another body."
Kalam and Paran find Apsalar in the garden glade. Apsalar vaguely recalls killing Paran and that Kalam is an "old friend." All three recognize there is something strange about what they'd taken as a stone bench but turns out to be a wooden block that is growing where Lorn planted the Finnest. Whiskeyjack orders Fiddler and Hedge "loose."
Rallick runs into Kruppe, who tells him his "destiny awaits him" and also that the world is "well-prepared" for Raest, which makes no sense to Rallick. Rallick then meets Vorcan, who is surprised that Rallick could overcome Orr's "protective magic," then decides that Rallick's "skills are required."
Crokus learns Challice didn't betray him, that he doesn't really love her. He goes to find Apsalar.
Mallet can't enter the glade because the wooden oddity (now the size of a table) "hungers" for him. Mallet confirms Apsalar is no longer possessed and that she has "somebody else inside" who has been there "all along" protecting her. The other presence is trying to erase/cover the memories of Apsalar's actions as Sorry but needs help as it is dying. Paran orders Mallet to help (Mallet's preference as well). Vorcan and Rallick enter the glade.
The wooden structure (later identified as an Azath) has no effect on Rollick (he actually slows its growth) due to the Otataral dust. Kalam offers the Empire's proposal to Vorcan to have her and the guild kill the T'orrud Cabal of mages that rule Darujhistan. Vorcan informs them of her assumption that Baruk and the Cabal have allied with Rake and that Moon's Spawn has been involved fighting Raest. Kalam tells her the Malazans are just as happy to let Rake take Raest on, and that she needn't try to kill him. Vorcan personally accepts the proposal (outing herself as a High Mage) and then orders Rallick to stay near the Azath to slow its growth. Crokus, who has overheard, comes out when Rallick is alone (the Azath now looks like a small house). Rallick tells Crokus to warn Baruk and Mammot about Vorcan.
In the carriage, Rake tells Baruk Raest is weakened and while he'll keep an eye on the situation, he thinks the mages can handle it. He then warns Baruk to clear the streets and asks for a point of high vantage. Baruk sends him to K'rul's tower.
Mammot is revealed as Raest-possessed. Quick Ben stops him from incinerating a female mage (Derudan) who then momentarily stuns Mammot and tells Quick Ben it's up to him as that was all she had. In the attack, Whiskeyjack's leg is broken, Paran's sword absorbs a "lance of energy" and Paran disappears, and many partygoers are killed.
Paran finds himself in a strange place (Warren, I assume?) and is witness to a large house rising out of a lake. He looks on as Tool and the Finnest (an oak-fleshed Jaghut figure) fight. Tool asks Paran to defend the Azath (the house) which is meant to imprison the Finnest. Paran tries to block the Finnest's power with Chance, but the sword has no effect. Instead, the Omtose Phellack Warren magic awakens the Hound's blood in Paran and Paran leaps onto the Finnest and tears it apart. Tool pulls Paran back and the Azath takes the Finnest via roots rising from the earth to pull it down into the ground.
Paran reappears at the party. Quick Ben uses seven Warrens and strikes at Mammot. Hedge uses munitions on the weakened Mammot.
Crone circles over where Raest had vanished into Kruppe's dreamworld. She hears Silanah cry out and Crone sees what Silanah does and her response is joy and surprise.
Looking into the crater formed by Hedge's munitions, Quick Ben and the others see a "man-shaped form coalescing" at the bottom of the pit. Roots from the Azath in the glade pull the form (Raest) into the garden. Derudan leaves. Kalam realizes the problem with planting munitions in Darujhistan.
Amanda's Reaction to Chapter Twenty-Two:
"Ravens" by Collitt is our chapter opener, and it is one of those poems that I enjoy, being fairly simplistic on the face of things (dealing with Great Ravens, such as Crone), but can lend itself to deeper meanings. I will take the simplistic option and leave the rest of you to let me know if I missed anything crucial. *grin* I did love the line:
Your damning cawls deride histories sweeping beneath your blackened wings.
This conveys everything about the Ravens staying distant from conflicts, watching the world unfold beneath them and the passage of days and years. We already know that Crone has seen thousands of years, and this line emphasises that point.
The continued scene between Raest and the dragons is still as epic—the dragons breathing magic like fire from their jaws, and Raest tossing around raw power. We also see Raest's continual desire to destroy, as he callously destroys a guardhouse full of soldiers. As someone in the notes pointed out, we also see the destruction of Orr's messenger—did Erikson just resolve a plot point? I think he did!
He'd met another man, similarly clad and riding a horse. He killed both man and beast, irritated at their intrusion.
Once again we enter Kruppe's dreamworld, signified again by the fact that the sky takes a different shade—here a "sourceless mercurial glow." When Raest discovers Silanah's Warren gone, I wonder if this is because he has now entered Kruppe's dream and, since Kruppe doesn't have that particular Warren, it can't be present? Also, since we are in Kruppe's dream, we know that K'rul is likely to be using him again to face off against Raest. I do love how Kruppe points out that Raest is:
"…felled by indifference, made insignificant in your mighty struggles by lowly Kruppe into whose dream you have ignobly stumbled."
I'm not sure why Raest believes there to be Imass inside Kruppe—unless this is to do with K'rul? Or maybe it is the flavour of Kruppe's Warren?
Ah, no it isn't either of those things! Here is Tool again! And it seems as though he is definitely involved against his will:
"Onos T'oolan, Sword of the First Empire, is once more called upon by the blood that once warmed his limbs, his heart, his life of so very long ago."
This signifies to me the time when Tool was an Imass and still alive—were all the Imass so bound such?
"You remind me of Hood. Is the Death Wanderer still alive?"
Here we have again another example of a god who has expired for whatever reason. (Or who had expired when Raest was truly alive before—he might well be alive again now! Didn't we see him when Paran was taken by the Twins? [Bill's interjection: Not actually Hood himself but his Herald])
Oooh! Rake is Silanah's master! What gives him that power and right over her?
Everything is in a time of great flux during the telling of the Book of the Fallen. K'rul states:
"It is now we gods who are the slaves, and the mortals our masters—though they know it not."
And what will happen when mortals do realise they are the master? It strikes me that the gods will suffer…
Hey, K'rul is the Maker of Paths *grin*
When given the sensible choices, Raest chooses to pursue the course of power. Although, having said that, I don't think the choice of death or dwelling in chaos, is particularly appealing!
Paran thinks:
…there was something very wrong with this garden.
Now this could either be because Paran is feeling the approach of the Tyrant since he now seems more sensitive to magic and Warrens. But in an earlier chapter Whiskeyjack has already been told:
"Your backs will be to the garden, which has, ah, run wild of late."
I know from hard-won experience that Erikson rarely plants (Ha! Inadvertent pun!) something without intending it to carry meaning at a later date, and therefore I am suspicious that the arrival of the Finnest in the garden has created additional problems. Again:
Here, the captain felt as if he was within a primordial presence, breathing slowly and heavily on all sides.
Do we have a hint here as to who would be better between Kalam and Cotillion? As good as Kalam is, he is taken down easily by Apsalar (under the influence of the Rope's memories). I both adore and ache at the comment by Apsalar that Kalam is an old friend.
When Whiskeyjack says, "We let Fiddler and Hedge loose" it makes me think of two dogs straining on a tight leash!
When Rallick sees Kruppe, and he talks with his voice sounding strange, are these words from K'rul? And another broad hint that Rallick has taken on the qualities of Otataral:
"Councilman Turban Orr possessed protective magic, yet it availed him naught."
With Rallick (as we saw with Murillio in the previous chapter) we learn that revenge isn't all that—both of these men have pursued their goal for so long that now neither knows quite what to do and feels lost. Rallick especially, because he suspects that Coll will never regain his wits and so it would all have been for nothing, essentially. There should also be comment made on the fact that Orr wasn't an innately bad man—he was an adulterer and cared a little too much about his own skin and power, but did he deserve to die simply to remove the power from Lady Simtal?
The scene between Challice and Crokus is a sweet and crucial (in my opinion) scene. Crokus gains his first taste of rejection, but also learns that obsession doesn't equal love and realises that he is far more worldly than this girl who suddenly becomes far less interesting. I'm amused at the idea of them tripping each other and Crokus' bungled attempt to woo her. Also interesting is her mention of a servant of the Rope—again we see that "regular" folk in the world of the Malazan Empire and Darujhistan have contact with gods and ascendants.
As Mallet steps into the garden we have another hint that this is the Finnest at work, since whatever lies there senses Mallet's Talent with hunger.
The earth around it looked soaked in blood.
I wonder if this is thanks to all those people that Raest is killing.
Rigga will preserve her indeed—here we learn that the Seer has been protecting Apsalar from madness, but is dying. I like that Paran says Apsalar should be saved, despite what she did while under the Rope's influence. Also, it strikes me that Mallet would have seen much of sadness during this time of war and so for him to say that Rigga's presence is the saddest thing he's ever felt—well, that must be sad indeed.
Gosh, we are certainly reaching the business end of the tale now! Finally we see that the Malazans have identified the T'orrud Cabal as the true power in Darujhistan, and the contact with the Assassins' Guild always involved making a contract for their lives. This is terrible! I love the Bridgeburners, but I really enjoy reading about members of the T'orrud Cabal as well! Having affections on both sides of a conflict makes me torn. Interesting that Kalam had not realised that the Cabal were in cahoots with the Lord of Moon's Spawn; and also that Vorcan is a High Mage (I can't recall if we were told that explicitly before?)
At this point Crokus' innocence is shattering down around his ears, isn't it? Now he is forced to make a decision between Apsalar and his uncle, and also realise that his uncle might well die at the hands of an assassin High Mage. Tough times for poor Crokus!
Hmm, the clearing of the streets to prevent loss of life from the Tyrant will also help to prevent loss of life from the Bridgeburner's Sappers and their plans—deliberate? There is both humour and horror in the idea of Rake unsheathing that sword to clear the street!
Thank goodness Quick Ben does access his Warren at that point and realise Mammot is much more than an old man! Things happen so suddenly here! Paran vanishes, Whiskeyjack breaks his leg, Derudan burns through her power—it seems as if everything is going wrong…
Alright, followed everything fairly well up to the point where Paran appears in this strange place—is it Raest's Warren? The magic struck Chance and hence dragged Paran into the Warren? Now we have more information about the strange wooden "house"—it being an Azath that will trap the Finnest, represented in the Warren (?) by a Jaghut figure. I guess the T'lann Imass is Tool, without being given any further hints about his name.
"You are a long way from home, mortal"
Says the T'lann Imass to Paran—he's come a long way as well, since we watch him rip a magical construct to pieces with his teeth. The blood of the Hound infects him still, and gives him the power to resist slavery by the Jaghut Tyrant. This was the boy who dreamt longingly of becoming a soldier, way back in the Prologue. I have to say, my feelings towards Paran are so much warmer, with every interesting and dignified thing he does.
SEVEN Warrens?! Quick Ben holds the power of seven Warrens within him?! "Awaken the Seven within me"—hmm, that could mean the seven Warrens, but I have my suspicions that Quick Ben might be suffering a form of possession of his own. Well, not possession, but has the abilities of seven people within him…
Help, did the Jaghut jump to Hedge? Is that the manic glare that Quick Ben recognised? Or does Hedge simply have a manic glare when he is about to do something reckless, such as blow up the place? [Bill's interjection: The latter.]
"Crone shrieked in joy and anticipation—and surprise. 'And now it comes! It comes!' Is this Anomander Rake? [Bill's interjection: Pretty sure it's the demon lord.]
EEEEK! The end to the chapter totally deserves capitalization! I'm going to have to re-read this a few times just to grasp the events, and what is properly going on… Now we see that Moranth munitions are anathemic to mages who have their Warrens opened, which was why Quick Ben got so freaked about Hedge—who was definitely not possessed—except maybe by madness. *grin* The Jaghut Tyrant, though, is only truly destroyed when the Azath reaches for him. Speaking of which, Quick Ben and Derudan are so scared about this thing—I feel sure we'll see MUCH more about this! Can this be anything to do with the Pannion Seer? And finally the hints about the Greyfaces and the gas—which have been planted ever since we first reached Darujhistan—are revealed. I do think Whiskeyjack's panicked response to the idea of the whole city going up means that the Bridgeburners have some morality.
Bill's Reaction to Chapter Twenty-Two:
I too liked Kruppe's line on how Raest is felled by "indifference." It's a line that I think will echo down through the series as many of the ancient gods and ascendants indignantly find humans care little for their concerns or squabbles.
As for the Imass in Kruppe, Amanda, I think Raest is just seeing the kinship between the elder Imass and the younger humans: a biological fact rather than any magical one. Thus his reference as well to the similarity in language/vocalization.
I like K'rul's sense of age and sorrow and realism in his conversation with Raest, his recognition that they "are both of the past," and that their "time has passed." My memory of K'rul is a quiet, weary resigned sort of dignity so I'll be curious to see if that holds up through the reread, but this sort of scene is exactly what I was thinking of. I also like the humor of the operatic sort of "final" choices K'rul lays out and the way Raest just sort of says "heck with it" and disappears.
As for what happens when humans start to realize their power, Amanda? Oh, just you wait. Just you wait.
Speaking of humor, I love Apsalar memory of Kalam as "an old friend." That's a spit take. Another point there as well. I know there was a bit of discussion last week on the ethics or morality of the Bridgeburners, and while this doesn't wipe the slate clean, I think the way Kalam stops Paran from killing Apasalar and then Paran's defense of her to Whiskeyjack gives us yet another prism to see them through.
As for a fight between Cotillion and Kalam, Cotililon himself I believe has a future line about he'd think twice before taking on Kalam (I'd still go with the Rope myself though I'd pay dearly for a ringside seat), but you'll see both in pretty impressive action so you'll have a better sense.
I hadn't thought of Kruppe's strange voice as the voice of K'rul, merely that he was half-in, half-out of his dreamworld and distracted.
On Orr's death, I think one can make the argument that there were lots of reasons that was a good thing beyond simply removing power from Lady Simtal, but I'm also not sure those other reasons would have figured much for these guys—they're hard men in a hard world, though I think the repercussions of their acts, and the surprising lack of satisfaction is certainly part of Erikson's commentary on such ways of living. And we'll certainly see lots more on the corrosive effects of vengeance as a lifestyle choice.
I like too, while we're on Rallick and Coll, Rallick's view of himself as acting only in the role that Coll should have assumed. Rightly or wrongly, I think part of this is also meant to show not just the ripple effects of action, but also the ripple effects of inaction. Nature abhors a vacuum and all that.
I also enjoyed the scene between Crokus and Challice for its humor and coming-of-age aspect. I also appreciated the craft in having Challice's father learn it wasn't Crokus who killed the guard via a seer. We obviously have the seer we met earlier and who is protecting Apsalar from the memories of Sorry, but by having this little throwaway line, that seer becomes not an artificial creation to fill the singular plot point of someone who can see Sorry's future and help her but instead she becomes just a common thread in the tapestry of this world and so we accept her presence so much more. It's a little thing but it's often the cumulative effects of such "little things" that separate mediocre writing from the good stuff.
And just as the earlier scene with Kalam, Paran, and Apsalar showed the "softer side" of the Bridgeburners, so does the one with Mallet, Paran, and Apsalar/Rigga (no coincidence, either, I think, that Paran is involved in both). And you're absolutely right Amanda, how sad must this be if the squad's healer call it the "saddest thing I've ever known"? I like how Mallet is fighting against the "logical" reason—that the presence is there so "it could now jump in and take over." Much of what he's seen of the world has to drive him to that conclusion, and yet, because of what's in him and I'd guess what he's seen in his squadmates and the mage cadre, he fights that "obvious" belief and puts his faith in a better view of the world and the people in it—I find this scene quite moving.
I'm thinking that the clearing of the streets has all to do with Rake facing off against the demon lord whom he senses rather than any knowledge of the street mining.
Raest is taken by the Azath but that doesn't mean he's destroyed, Amanda. (Tough to be totally destroyed in these books!)
And for all the amazing occurrences—Quick Ben's unveiling of 7 (7!) Warrens, Mammot's possession, Hedge's manic glee with the munitions—one of the most important events in that garden scene is one of the most mundane, but it will have major repercussions. (Oh, what the heck—it's Whiskeyjack's broken leg.)
As for the Azath, note that both Quick Ben and Derudan know of them meaning there's more than one. And you're right—we will hear lots, lots more of them.
Paran finds himself suddenly in Shadow Warren, attacked by the Hound Rood, who is "confused" by some "kinship" between Paran and Rood, according to Cotillion. The Rope distinguishes between his use of Sorry ("she knew it not") and the less "merciful" use of Paran by the Twins. He admits, though, that his original plan was "flawed" and he plans to start a new one. Paran gives him the sword Chance. Cotillion tells Paran "try not to be noticed." Paran returns to the garden and tells Mallet he's going after Lorn.
Crokus, mourning Mammot's death, runs to Baruk's place. Above him, barely above the rooftops, hangs Moon's Spawn.
Lorn has sensed the "death" of Raest and bemoans the fact that Whiskeyjack probably still lives, though she thinks they (she, Laseen, Tayschrenn) can deal with that once they control Darujhistan. Before she heads after Crokus (the Coin Bearer) to kill him, she deploys "Tayschrenn's gambit": a demon Lord of the Galayn which she orders to attack Rake.
Baruk mourns the death of Mammot, though celebrates that Rake didn't use his sword on him and that he sensed Mammot's last thought was "relief." Derudan arrives at Baruk's and tells him of the Azath, Mammot's death via Hedge's munitions, and Quick Ben's seven Warrens. Both feel the release of the demon lord (Baruk realizing this was the danger Rake had anticipated) and then the deaths of two of the cabal, which Baruk informs Derudan comes at the hands of Vorcan.
Rake, atop Krul's tower, feels the demon lord's release and sends Silanah back to Moon's Spawn. K'rul appears and both share a feeling of being lost "in this world, in this time." K'rul says he cannot help as he can only manifest at the temple and in Kruppe's dreams. Rake promises to try and save the temple. The demon lord "veers" into dragon shape and Rake does the same. As he heads toward battle, he feels Vorcan's attacks on the mages but mistakes them as the mage from the Crimson Guard (Cowl).
Kalam stops Fiddler and Hedge in time. They see the demon lord approaching and recognize it as Tayschrenn's. They run.
Lorn tries to attack Crocus, but is prevented by one of his Crimson Guard watchers (Blues). Another (Fingers) escorts Crokus to Baruk's and tells him the coin is Oponn's and warns him to dump the coin if his luck turns.
Lorn runs from Blues and is killed by Meese and Irilta.
Paran finds Lorn, takes her Otataral sword. The Twins appear and wonder why Shadowthrone, the Rope, and the Hounds spared Paran. Paran faces them down and they leave; he carries Lorn away.
Rake attacks the demon lord.
Amanda's Reaction to Chapter Twenty-Three:
Felisin is our author for this chapter, speaking of "she" who "turned the blade on herself to steal the magic of life." *shrugs* We're not given a great deal, really. Except the poem is a continuation of that right back at the very start of the book, which told the tale of Kellanved and Dancer—this "she" could be Laseen? I could speculate further on who "she" is but I think I'll wait—or have someone cleverer give me the big reveal!
Hmm, methinks Erikson gives a clue when he tells us that Paran's world shifts with the words:
He ducked beneath a tree into shadow…
Shadow Warren, where the Hounds dwell? This connection between Paran and the Hounds—was it the blood of a Hound that created it? There have been pointers towards it since Paran bared his teeth at that first Hound, which is the first one he met, right? What has given him the kinship with them? Is it the fact they are all being used?
Good question from Cotillion—is it better to be ignorant of being used, or be in full knowledge of it? Is Apsalar in a better position, with holes in her memories, lost in a strange place, and with people who hate her though she doesn't know why? Or is Paran, as he watches all those close to him perish?
"Now what?"
"Now?" Cotillion seemed surprised. "Now I start again."
"Another girl like her?"
"No, the plan was flawed."
Here we have evidence of Cotillion changing tack, realising that his plan so far has not worked and hence starting out anew.
Oh man, when Crokus realises that Moon's Spawn hangs just a few feet above the top of the buildings—what an awesome moment that would be on film! And it seems here that Crokus' severance from his childhood is now complete with the death of his uncle, the only member of his family still with him. Alright, so there is Rallick, Murillio and Kruppe—but Crokus now knows that they have been intimately involved in the plots surrounding Darujhistan and the Malazan Empire, so I doubt he feels much trust in them anymore.
Lots to say about the segment with Lorn.
She was the arm of the Empress. The woman called Lorn was dead, had been dead for years, and would remain forever dead.
The choice Lorn made is now complete and she is ruthlessly suppressing any hint of the woman she used to be. From here on in, we might as well called her the Adjunct rather than Lorn. She also unleashes a demon on the city of Darujhistan—despite her brief qualms about the lives of all those who live there. And she is super fast; is this another facet of the Otataral qualities?
Through the eyes of Baruk, we are given even further reason to trust and admire Anomander Rake, since he shows compassion in not trying to tell Baruk of Mammot's possession. Baruk is another who finds himself at a crossroads. Three of his closest friends and part of his power base have now died, and the battle over Darujhistan is coming to a head—this is not a time that I envy him at all. I was never sure of Baruk when I first saw him conversing with Crone, but he is now a stern backbone of the tale.
And back to Anomander Rake himself—again, the cinematic quality of Erikson's writing shows itself as we see Rake standing atop the tower, black eyes watchful and silver hair and grey cloak billowing in the wind. Rake's quiet and resigned conversation with K'rul—his admission that he is rarely rewarded in spirit for interfering in the world—is heartbreaking. Knowing that Rake is prepared to face off against a Demon Lord for little benefit to himself creates further respect. There is also another little pointer about the identity of those protecting Crokus:
He considered the message delivered by Serrat, courtesy of a foul mage he'd thought a thousand leagues away. Was the sorcery the work of these unwelcome intruders?
And FINALLY! DRAGON! All the little hints and slips about his pupils and ever-changing eyes, the Soletaken part of this tale, the force of nature that is Rake himself and his quiet confidence in the face of a Jaghut Tyrant feared by all—now, he is DRAGON! *punches air*
Ha, and the Demon Lord has also shifted in a dragon—this is about to become titanic! I just love Kalam's understatement:
"Now things are going to get messy."
Now we meet those protectors of Crokus, and they are indeed of the Crimson Guard—I shall diligently file away the names Fingers, Corporal Blues and Cowl because I'm pretty sure I shall be meeting them again (and Cowl appears to be the foul mage mentioned by Rake).
So, I have another situation where I think: has Lorn actually been killed? Sure, Paran watches the life leave her—but the life left him as well before he was brought back to the land of the living! If Lorn is dead, then I do appreciate the ignobility of being slain by two thugs. And there we have the reason for Meese and Irilta being introduced into the story, I'd guess—so that we know who it is and their station in life as we watch them take down a woman who, until now, has been so much more powerful than them.
"No…glorious end…for the Adjunct. If you'd come…a few minutes sooner…"
Lorn doesn't know! And Paran doesn't tell her—that he intended to be the one to bring her death. Compassion on his part?
I feel fiercely proud of Paran for standing up to the Twins—and even threatening them. After all he's been through—and after all they have done with their meddling—they deserve to fear Shadowthrone and Cotillion!
Bill's Reaction to Chapter Twenty-Three:
I think you're right that it is the Hound's blood that gives Paran that connection.
And you're right that Moon's Spawn over Crokus (Was that already a movie title? With Richard Dreyfuss?) is a great cinematic scene, but what I especially love is that it's not introduced visually, but rather in sensory stages: the sound of hundreds of birds then the reek of their nests, and only then the sight of Moon's Spawn nearly touching the rooftops.
On Lorn, as I've said before, she lost me a while ago, all the while recognizing she has some sympathetic qualities. But each time she is faced with a choice she chooses the wrong (in my view) one and so after a few of these it's hard to keep feeling sympathy. I think Erikson pushes us in this direction in particular here by having her bemoan the fact that Whiskeyjack lives and looking forward to now dealing with him publicly before giving us her qualms, so the reader is already set to not buy her newest, "I could be a better person . . . "
I have to confess her speed is one of those "power" moments I have trouble with in the series that I've mentioned once or twice before. So Lorn moves faster that the demon could follow, yet the demon lord gives Rake at least some trouble. In fact, even Rake realizes he may fail, as he tells Silanah she may avenge him if the demon lord kills him. My math says if A = B and B= C then A should = C, so if the demon would have trouble with Lorn (being unable to see her) and Rake has trouble with the demon, then…no, I just cannot at all picture Rake working up a sweat facing Lorn. Is this my fault?
I too love that quiet scene between Rake and K'rul. (And it is quiet: "Rake whispered," Rake murmured," K'rul "sighed," K'rul "sighed," "Rake said quietly.") Two ancient beyond belief beings full of quiet dignity and weariness, each staving off despair born out of longevity and experience of a world that so rarely rewards the good, and one helpless to aid the other in one of his greatest tests, a helplessness accepted and then (quietly) rewarded anyway:
"I will do my best, then, to avoid damaging your temple."
What a great scene.
Tucking in his wings, Anomander Rake, The Son of Darkness and Lord of Moon's Spawn, plummeted.
To quote a line from my childhood: "Nuff said."
Yes, we'll see the Crimson Guard in the future, including, surprise, in "Return of the Crimson Guard" (go figure). They're good, eh?
Despite my dislike of Lorn, even I felt a twinge of sadness at her passing (but only a twinge). My favorite part of that scene though is the face-off between Paran and the Twins. A few lines that particularly resonate for me throughout the series:
- "Shadowthrone never plays fair." (No, no he doesn't.)
- "You and Cotillion both used mortals and paid for it." (The mortals are coming into their own. And the gods themselves shall tremble!!)
- "Her armor removed, she proved light in his arms" (This is the saddest line associated with Lorn I think and there's that word again—"armor.")
And here again, we see Paran facing down ascendants, gods, "powers"—we're being nicely set up for the future Paran Ganoes, who has come a long way from the boy we saw at the beginning. And who has a ways yet to go.
Bill Capossere writes short stories and essays, plays ultimate frisbee, teaches as an adjunct English instructor at several local colleges, and writes SF/F reviews for fantasyliterature.com.
Amanda Rutter contributes reviews and a regular World Wide Wednesday post to fantasyliterature.com, as well as reviews for her own site floortoceilingbooks.com (covering more genres than just speculative), Vector Reviews and Hub magazine.


text:
Many people analyze and discuss the policies that might be chosen by organizations such as governments, charities, clubs, and firms. We economists have a standard set of tools to help with such analysis, and in many contexts a good economist can use such tools to recommend particular policy options. However, many have criticized these economic tools as representing overly naive and simplistic theories of morality. In response I've said: policy conversations don't have to be about morality. Let me explain.
A great many people presume that policy conversations are of course mainly about what actions and outcomes are morally better; which actions do we most admire and approve of ethically? If you accept this framing, and if you see human morality as complex, then it is reasonable to be wary of mathematical frameworks for policy analysis; any analysis of morality simple enough to be put into math could lead to quite misleading conclusions. One can point to many factors, given little attention by economists, but which are often considered relevant for moral analysis.
However, we don't have to see policy conversations as being mainly about morality. We can instead look at them as being more about people trying to get what they want, and using shared advisors to help. We economists make great use of the concept of "revealed preference"; we infer what people want from what they do, and we expect people to continue to act to get what they want. Part of what people want is to be moral, and to be seen as moral. But people also want other things, and sometimes they make tradeoffs, choosing to get less morality and more of these other things. Continue reading "Dealism, Futarchy, and Hypocrisy" »


text:
Archinform - http://eng.archinform.net
The largest online-database about worldwide architects and buildings from past to present.
Architectural Lighting - http://www.archlighting.com/
Online magazine offering information and articles for the lighting professionals. Also features industry news, calendar of events, archives, newsletter, videos and blogs.
National Academic and Licensing Study Aids, LLC (NALSA) - http://www.nalsa.com/
Find comprehensive ARE 4.0 study materials and exceptional candidate support to guide you to licensure.