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Gustavo Fernández Saavedra2
Translated by Sara Shields
Translation from T'inkazos, La Paz, n.22, July 2007.
The economic, social, cultural and political storms Bolivia is experiencing do not begin or end in this country, says the author of this article. Instead, they are the manifestation of region-wide changes, which he reviews by looking at the emergence of new political trends, Latin American integration and the issue of energy.
The political storms sweeping the continent converge in Bolivia. Ideological, cultural and ethnic storms, and those caused by poverty, all arrive here. It is as though they were attracted and intensified by the telluric force of the high plateau and the green expanse of the Amazon and Plata river basins.
These are not local storms. They do not begin or end here. They are manifestations of regional and global processes in this country. That is why it is always timely to look again at the context to reach a better understanding of what is happening in Bolivia.
In the pages that follow I will try to analyse the latest developments in certain issues that are undoubtedly relevant to the course of events in Bolivia. These include the expansion of the regions range of action, the emergence of new political trends, the shift in the forces driving Latin American integration, and the importance of energy as the issue now at the top of the political and economic agenda in South America.
An expanding range of action
Latin Americas place in the world today is characterised by the fact that the regions political processes are relatively autonomous from global strategic conflicts, together with the reduction probably circumstantial and temporary in its vulnerability to shifts in the world economy and consequently its dependence on external debt and the international financial institutions.
The expansion in South Americas capacity for action is the result, firstly, of the decline in the influence of the United States, and secondly of the improvement in the economic and social situation, itself a consequence of the price rises in the market for raw materials.
In the 1970s Latin America was at the centre of the global conflict between socialism and capitalism. This is no longer the case. The region is not a key player in the strategic confrontation unleashed on the world by the September 11 terrorist attacks. This is concentrated in Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel and the Middle East, with repercussions in Europe and the United States. South America has no connections with the Wests war against Islamic terrorism. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) clearly do not have that global reach, despite their incursions into Paraguay and their friends in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.]]> With its sights set on the Middle East, dealing with those issues that define the major world powers relationship with Latin America drugs, migration, development, democracy has been pushed into the background. Furthermore, as Richard Lapper correctly points out, the US has repeatedly failed to address the regions main problem: inequality and poverty.3
Also, the United States unipolar moment has passed. It is still by far the main economic, military and technological power in the world, but after its setbacks in the Middle East it is no longer able to impose solutions by force and by itself, either there or in any other region of the world. It needs to have the support of other powers. It has had to go back to using diplomatic and political channels to safeguard its interests and prevent the expansion of conflicts. This is illustrated by the active role played by China, Russia, Japan and South Korea in negotiating the agreement signed in Beijing to keep North Koreas nuclear power under control. The handling of conflicts in the Middle East is also going in this direction, with the increasing participation of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Syria in the discussion about how to stabilise Iraq and Lebanon and take forward the talks between Palestine and Israel.
The same thing is happening in Latin America. There was a strong resurgence of anti-imperialist sentiment in the streets of the region after the invasion of Iraq, and the image of the United States suffered irreparable damage in public opinion (which had sympathetically supported the first steps in the fight against terrorism following the September 11 attacks). Its political capacity to influence events in the region deteriorated. The regional leadership and credibility of the United States declined. This is why it now has to re-start talks with Mexico and seek support from the progressive democracies of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile to safeguard political stability in the continent. It may not be too late, but it is clear that the nature of the regions relationship with the United States will no longer be the same. The situation has changed. Monica Hirst describes this shift very well when she writes that Brazil no longer defines its links with Latin American countries in the light of its ties with the United States. Now it is the other way round. Relations with Latin American countries determine Brazils dealings with the hemispheres main power.
Similarly important developments have taken place in the economy. The situation today is in stark contrast to what it was at the beginning of the 1980s, when the price of raw materials plummeted and the region consequently found itself unable to pay the external debt. Mexicos banking system collapsed at the beginning of the 1990s. This was followed by financial crisis in Asia and Brazil, culminating in the systemic crisis in Argentina at the start of this century.
Overall, things have improved over the last few years. Latin America doubled its growth rate between 2004 and 2007, with an average of 5.1%, compared to 2.2% between 1980 and 2002. Per capita GDP increased by 3.7% between 2004 and 2007.
This growth was helped by the fiscal discipline that countries applied to tame inflation and contain the balance of payments crisis. Above all, however, the improvement is due to positive changes in the regions involvement in the world economy. Remittances sent by Latin American migrants living in Europe and the United States (US$63 billion in 2006, expected to rise to US$100 billion by 2010), on the one hand, and the growth in the demand for raw materials in China and India, on the other,4 have together produced a significant financial surplus, thus reducing the regions dependence on flows of money controlled by western industrialised countries.
In the words of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC),5 "With the international environment remaining favourable, the volume of goods and services exports was up by 8.4% for the region as a whole. In addition, higher prices for the regions main export products translated into an improvement in its terms of trade equivalent to over 7%." Combined with the increase in the remittances sent from abroad, the rise in national income has again exceeded GDP growth. "Another distinctive feature of Latin Americas current growth pattern is that it has become significantly less vulnerable to external shocks. First, the shift towards floating exchange rates facilitates adjustment in the event of such shocks. Second, the countries are taking advantage of their more buoyant position to pay down external debt. ( ) In line with what has been happening in other parts of the world, albeit on a smaller scale, the countries of the region have been replenishing their international reserves."
As a result, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are no longer able to impose on their clients the conditionalities that used to be part of their loan packages, which enabled them to define Latin Americas economic policies in structural adjustment programmes. The substantial increase in sales to Asian countries and the consequent rise in the price of Latin Americas export products has reduced at least for now the ability of the industrialised nations to impose their own conditions when dealing with the region.
Changing trends]]> In this situation of relative autonomy, a huge wave of social and political change has been sweeping the region. Its nature and depth obviously varies, depending on each countrys specific history and economic, social and political structures.
In a previous essay,6 I described the synchronicity between the political cycles of liberalism, nationalism, military authoritarianism and democracy in Bolivia and South American political processes.
This coincidence of events and phenomena is repeating itself now, in a new stage in South Americas political history marked by the emergence of different leaderships and party-political and social movements of a clearly nationalist and popular bent.
Over the last decade, rejection of the Washington Consensus policies, particularly the privatisation of public services and strategic state enterprises, has been the common factor in the coming together of a broad opposition movement across Latin America, including grassroots groups, the local business community, indigenous organisations, the impoverished middle classes, nationalist politicians and the military, with the support of ecological and anti-globalisation non-governmental organisations. In the words of Tom Shannon, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, this volatility which "we should not under-estimate" was "created by growing social resentment and bitterness among the poorest and most vulnerable sectors" in Latin America.7
Little by little, this originally protest-based social movement grew to the point where it could take the initiative and define the regions political agenda, as the consequences of applying the prescriptions of the Washington Consensus became clear.
The movement denounced the social fractures caused by the concentration of income and the parallel increase in inequality, and the replacement of the values of collective solidarity with those of unregulated, unrestrained competition. People felt that the state had abdicated its responsibilities in education and health policies. Corruption and cronyism in political parties was seen to have disqualified them from representing the interests of citizens.
In addition to these factors, there were certainly others in each country regional and cultural differences, changes in the internal correlation of power, political corruption, etc which combined to unleash a particularly turbulent period in the regions history, especially in Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia, involving street protests, road blockades, congressional shutdowns, and parliamentary coups to overthrow constitutional governments and prevent them from finishing their term in office.8 In the midst of serious difficulties, Duhalde, Rodríguez and Palacios presided over short transition governments in Argentina, Bolivia and Ecuador.
The 2005 and 2006 elections in Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Brazil, Venezuela and Haiti took place against this background. To some extent they were the legal culmination of this stage of the process.9
The presidents of Bolivia, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Brazil won the elections with clear majorities and mandates. In Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador and Nicaragua, in contrast, their margins of victory were narrow and citizens were divided between the political options up for consideration.
The political scenario in Latin America today is therefore very different to what it was in the last few decades of the 20th century. In those days, there was clearly a prevailing agreement about the open market economy as a form of economic organisation and representative democracy as a form of political organisation, both in their most orthodox versions. Market forces determined policy and the regions alignment with the rest of the world. Economy ministers were the most important figures in government. The technocrats reigned.]]> Today, in contrast, politicians define the economic and social agenda.10 The economy yields to politics. In this respect, the shift represents the return of policy to politics. Another development taking place with exceptions, of course is the renovation of the political system. Political leaders in some cases, and the parties themselves in others, herald the arrival of a new, non-traditional elite, swept in by an electoral landslide.
The political system has proved flexible enough to take change forward within democratic institutions and abiding by the rules of democracy. Although in many cases the election results marked a profound break with very deeply rooted political patterns and traditions, democracy was not an obstacle for this change to take effect. On the contrary, it made it easier, by giving it the domestic and international legitimacy that democracy represents. This was not just an opening up to new, left-leaning options. The historical significance of the shift is revealed by the fact that a union leader in Brazil,11 an indigenous person in Bolivia, a woman in Chile, the Frente Amplio in Uruguay,12 and the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) itself in Nicaragua won the elections and took power.
Ana María Sanjuán (MS version) notes that what has taken place especially in the Andean countries is "an expansion of the public space, with the inclusion of sectors of society that were marginalised in the previous few decades, and this is why there is still tension caused by the demand for participation and new forms of political representation. The widening of political systems has not meant that they have become stronger, however. On the contrary, they have been de-institutionalised."
There is no doubt about the changing trends. All the options keep their distance from the mistakes or excesses of the economic liberalisation model and stress that social policy is the priority, sometimes out of conviction, sometimes from political necessity. But it cannot be said that there is just one view of things. The old system has fallen apart and it will take time for the regions political chessboard to settle down again.
A new scenario and new problems
Some have proposed to "found the country anew" in constitutional assemblies with full powers to alter the very foundations of the economic, social and political structure. This inevitably gives rise to foundational controversies and carries significant risks. The problem is aggravated because the forces promoting change structural this time behave with the messianic spirit of revolutionaries.
In this situation, there is a real possibility that the thin red line separating a democratic government from an authoritarian regime will be crossed. It is just that this time the danger is not the classic military coup détat or a civil war culminating in the takeover of power, but a political organisation that won an election and can assert that it was given a mandate to push through these changes.
Thus, the challenge is no longer to open the way to change through democratic channels, but to make it compatible with the structure, institutions and principles of the democratic system. Just as the status quo ante (the privileges, social break-up and discrimination of the ancien régime) cannot be defended in the name of democracy, neither should democratic freedom be placed at risk in the name of change.
]]> The crisis in regional integration
In this internal political process of "shifting the cargo around half way through the journey", the structures and objectives of regional integration processes have also reflexively been affected.
Neither the Andean Community nor Mercosur ever became what they aimed to be. Their efforts to set up free trade areas turned out to be incapable of meeting todays demands and tomorrows challenges, although they were very significant if their trade figures are compared with those of the past. And in both cases the building of a solid customs union proved to be an almost unattainable goal.
Colombia, Peru and Ecuador decided to consolidate the temporary and unilateral advantages they enjoyed with the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) by negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the United States. These were seen as a way of encouraging investment, as well as securing market access for their main exports. Of course, this was a two-way process and posed serious problems for the economic, legal and institutional structures in these Andean countries, which were required to adapt to the demands of the new external environment in terms of competitiveness. The negotiation of the FTA therefore became a key issue in domestic politics, unleashing social protests and demonstrations against it. These were led by the farming and pharmaceutical sectors, which were the ones most threatened by the opening up to competition from the United States.
Beyond their effects on domestic politics, the FTAs caused tension in the trade structure of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), as they affected the advantages that the Andean partners had agreed to give each other. Bolivian soya, which lost the trade preferences that had brought about the increase in its production, is a case in point. But there was something else. The incompatibility between the liberal economic policy of Colombia and Peru and the nationalist, statist and protectionist policy of Venezuela was made evident, and ultimately led to Venezuelas withdrawal from the CAN.
Following the elections in Ecuador, the Andean Community is now divided between two contradictory views, with Peru and Colombia on one side and Bolivia and Ecuador on the other. The likelihood that they will manage to overcome their differences is remote.
Mercosur has dominated the Latin American geopolitical and economic landscape ever since it was set up. Its first critically important outcome was to end the strategic tension between Argentina and Brazil, around which the balance of power in South America, from Peru to Tierra del Fuego, had been structured. This on its own changed the nature of the regional diplomatic and political game. The economic and trade effects of Mercosur were almost as important. It linked the two largest South American powers and created an economic area of considerable size, certainly much larger than the one that the Andean countries had hitherto been trying to establish. It is not surprising that the worlds major trade powers turned their attention to the Atlantic side of South America. The United States, Europe and Japan all attempted to forge a special relationship with this emerging market and source of natural resources.
Half way through the first decade of the 21st century, however, this integration arrangement is showing signs of a crisis. Though not as serious as the one afflicting the Andean Community, it does raise issues that are difficult to resolve.
The first is a growing trade imbalance, as Argentinas trade deficit with Brazil reached US$27 billion in 2005. To calm the waters, the two countries negotiated a Competitive Adaptation Clause, which allows each of them to suspend imports from the other if these are affecting domestic production. The number of products affected by these restrictions is relatively small, but their political impact is huge.
The second, larger issue is the emergence of a new division of labour in the region with the growth of the industrial hub in Brazil. This is obviously the result of the loss of competitiveness in Argentinas industry compared with Brazils, and the culmination of a production relocation process by transnational corporations, which chose Brazil and Mexico as their main centres of operations in Latin America. Another similarly significant trend is the reduction in the trade importance of Mercosur for Brazil (its exports to the area have fallen from 17% to 9% of its global sales).]]> While these two powers are clearing up their differences and trying to reinforce their strategic alliance, Uruguay and Paraguay are expressing their disenchantment in various ways. They are exploring the possibility of negotiating bilateral free trade agreements with the United States and denouncing their disrespectful and less than intelligent treatment by Brazil and Argentina. They are upset by the move to expand Mercosur by bringing in Venezuela and Bolivia.
The entry of Venezuela as a full member is another major controversial issue. The stated intention is to add the logic of power to the prevailing logic of the market. But Chávezs well-known rejection of any sort of integration based on the freeing-up of production factors and his insistence on economic cooperation between states, with private enterprise playing a secondary role, indicates a tension between two ideological viewpoints. It would also imply making profound changes to the original structure of Mercosur and the aims of its negotiations with the European Union. Furthermore, the Venezuelan economy, based as it is almost exclusively on oil and gas, has little in common with the structure and objectives of the economies further south.
During the January 2007 Mercosur Summit the entry of Bolivia as a full member was postponed for a year. The official argument was that the arrangements for applying the Common External Tariff and rules of origin needed to be discussed further, but in the corridors it was said that the real reason for the decision was to avoid strengthening Venezuelas political position in Mercosur. Ecuadors stated intention of asking to join the project did not come to anything either.
The fact that Venezuela has still not finalised the time schedule for the various essential steps that need to be taken to formalise its inclusion, and the invitation to rejoin the CAN that it has received from Ecuador and Bolivia, mean that Mercosurs future remains uncertain.
The South American Community of Nations, a strategic objective in Brazils foreign policy, emerged as a complementary or alternative integration option. At the summit on the Isla de Margarita in Venezuela on 18 April, convened to discuss regional energy cooperation programmes, it was decided to change the Communitys name to the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), at the request of the summits host, and a secretariat based in Quito was set up for the organisation.
The possibility of building regional unity based on the merger of the CAN and Mercosur trade integration projects was also discarded at the summit. Efforts will now focus on the idea of a system of cooperation between Latin American states, with a much more political emphasis. This has much in common with the objectives and mechanisms of the Latin American Economic System.
The media that covered the Margarita summit have mentioned four infrastructure projects as the mechanisms initial portfolio.
The inter-oceanic highway linking Peru and Brazil, with a branch in northern Bolivia.
The Colombia-Venezuela gas pipeline.]]> The energy loop which proposed to supply Peruvian gas to markets in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
The bi-national multi-purpose pipeline running through Colombia to export oil and gas to Asian markets.
Two of these projects the Peru-Brazil highway and the Colombia-Venezuela gas pipeline are already under way as bilateral initiatives. The energy loop idea has been shelved because Peru does not have sufficient reserves of gas to supply the target markets, and the multi-purpose pipeline to export Venezuelan oil and gas to Asia across Colombian territory is a long term project.
The Margarita meeting decided to postpone the discussion about setting up the Bank of the South and Opegasur, an organisation that proposed to bring together the regions gas producers. The Southern Gas Pipeline has not been mentioned again.
Evidently, the real prospects for this process are not very promising either. The projects are vague and the political differences all too clear. In fact, active bilateral negotiations are filling the gaps left by the absence of collective integration and cooperation schemes.
The countries and governments involved are in no doubt that regional integration is almost inevitable, as it is clearly continuing to expand in all directions: commercial, social, economic, cultural and political.
Nevertheless, there are obvious discrepancies about the means and institutions to be used to take that integration forward. Some prioritise the leading role of politics and the State. Others, in contrast, stress the need to maintain and enhance the benefits of trade and economic inter-dependence built up in the CAN, Mercosur and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).
At some point it will be found that these two visions are not necessarily mutually exclusive and that they can coexist and even complement each other perfectly well. That will probably be the moment when countries get back on the road to unity, with more determination and less weighty rhetoric.
Energy]]> Energy is one of the major issues in integration and one in which Bolivia is very closely involved.
The energy market is in a state of flux. World oil reserves are falling while global consumption is rising, due especially to the expansion in Asian economies. The Economist cites a study by Deutsche Bank which predicts that Chinas oil imports will increase from 91 million tonnes in 2005 to 1,860 million in 2020.13 Furthermore, the clash between the western powers and the Middle Eastern countries in all its many ethnic, religious, economic, military and geopolitical dimensions is disrupting the main channels of circulation and distribution of oil around the planet. September 11 undoubtedly had a dramatic impact on the struggle to control the worlds main oil producing regions and energy conduits.
There is another key factor that should be noted. During the 1990s it seemed that the market i.e. the transnational corporations that dominated it was able to balance the supply and demand for energy without states intervening. But that is no longer the case. States especially those in oil-producing countries have moved back into a space they seemed to have lost. State enterprises (in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Algeria and Russia) dominate world reserves in what is now a sellers market.
With regard to this, the Financial Times notes that:
"a new group of oil and gas companies has risen to prominence. They have consolidated their power as aggressive resource holders and seekers and pushed the world's biggest listed energy groups ( ) on to the sidelines and into an existential crisis.
The "new seven sisters", or the most influential energy companies from countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, have been identified by the Financial Times in consultation with numerous industry executives. They are Saudi Aramco, Russia's Gazprom, CNPC of China, NIOCof Iran, Venezuela's PDVSA, Brazil's Petrobras and Petronas of Malaysia.
Overwhelmingly state-owned, they control almost one-third of the world's oil and gas production and more than one-third of its total oil and gas reserves. ( )
Robin West, chairman of PFC Energy, an industry consultancy, says: "The reason the original seven sisters were so important was that they were the rule makers; they controlled the industry and the markets. Now, these new seven sisters are the rule makers and the international oil companies are the rule takers.""14
The International Energy Agency calculates that 90 per cent of new supplies will come from developing countries in the next 40 years, in marked contrast to the past 30 years when 40 per cent of new production came from industrialised nations.]]> As control of the sector returns to state hands, the companies are no longer just a means to increase profits and revenue. They are a foreign policy tool and are used as such. Through their companies, states seek to control the production and distribution of energy and affirm their power and presence.
Gaining control over the centres of production and flows of oil and gas has become one of the key areas of global geopolitical struggle, where producer states compete with each other and states that produce energy clash with those that consume it.
Of course, the same thing is happening in Latin America. Petrobrás, PDVSA, ENARSA, YPFB, PEMEX and Petroecuador are regaining control of the regional oil and gas market. Energy policies have changed, as have the terms of the relationship between states with natural resources and the transnational corporations that have invested in exploiting them.
Genaro Arriagada notes that the energy debate has moved from its traditional focus on technical issues into the realm of politics.15 To prove this statement, he clearly describes the way in which Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia use oil as a weapon to achieve their foreign policy objectives and obtain a dominant presence on the political chessboard of Central America and the Caribbean.
In South America the issue is not oil but gas, and the epicentre of the struggle is Bolivia.
Argentina and Brazil are once again competing as they did seventy years ago for access to Bolivias gas resources. Brazil is in the better position at the moment, as it is the main buyer of Bolivian gas and because Petrobras controls about half of our countrys reserves. But all the signs indicate that Argentina will try to regain its own presence. Bolivias price negotiations with Argentina and Brazil showed that both buyers prioritise long-term political objectives over purely technical and commercial considerations, and that their goals and lines of action do not necessarily coincide.
The agreements signed in Brasilia in February, which went substantially further than commercial price negotiations, seemed to confirm Brazils strategic decision not to cede the ground it had gained and to maintain and increase its economic and political presence in Bolivia.
The bilateral meeting on 18 April in Margarita muddied the waters again, however. The discussion about the price of the refineries became more heated. Brazil threatened to suspend all its investments in Bolivia and resort to any means available to defend its position. Two days later it was announced that Brazil will increase its own production of gas by 70% and that it had struck deals to buy LNG from Algeria, Qatar and Trinidad and Tobago. With this in mind it has started work to build two gas processing plants, one in Ceará and the other in Rio de Janeiro, with the capacity to process 7 and 14 million cubic feet respectively. In fact, Brazil has already reduced its consumption of Bolivian gas since 1 May 2006. The proportion of Bolivian gas in Brazils total gas consumption has fallen from 40% to 25% since then, and is continuing to plummet.
Furthermore, Venezuela has been making visible efforts to enter this playing field. One of the ways it is exploring is through the Southern Gas Pipeline, which experts view with scant respect. The other, it seems, is to influence Bolivias energy policy through the alliance between YPFB and PDVSA. It would thus come to dominate the oil market and gain decisive ascendancy in the gas market.
The other player interested in Bolivias gas is Chile. It requires energy more than any other country in the region, but it has to pay a very high political price to sit down at the table where the issue is discussed and decisions are taken.]]> There are, of course, many other issues threading through the warp and weft of our countrys problems. One is the differing and sometimes conflictive nature of the political projects for change in the region. Another is the menacing shadow that drug trafficking and organised crime cast over regional democracy. Yet another is the arms race and the resurgence of historic territorial disputes.
But we will have to leave those for another time and further reflection.
1 This article was published in July 2007 in issue 22 of the journal T'inkazos, edited by the Strategic Research Programme in Bolivia (Programa de Investigación Estratégica en Bolivia - PIEB).
2 Gustavo Fernández Saavedra is a consultant specialising in international policy issues, and has served as twice as Bolivias Minister of Foreign Affairs.
3 Lapper, Richard. Living with Hugo. United States Council of Foreign Relations, 2006.
4 Raw material prices increased by 59% between 2001 and 2004, according to The Economist, and by 20% between 2003 and 2006, according to ECLAC. Latin Americas debt-to-exports ratio fell from 203% in 1997 to 83% in 2006.
5 ECLAC. Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean. Santiago, Chile, 2006.
6 Fernández, Gustavo. "Bolivia y sus circunstancias". In: Bolivia en el Siglo XX. La formación de la Bolivia contemporánea. La Paz: Plural, 2000.
7 Hearing of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, March 2007.
8 Since 1993, fourteen presidents have been unable to finish their term in office: Carlos Andrés Pérez (1993), Fernando de la Rúa (2001), Fernando Collor de Melo (1994), Hernán Siles Suazo, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada (2003), Carlos Mesa (2005), Abdalá Bucarám (1997), Jamil Mahuad (1999), Lucio Gutiérrez (2005), Jorge Serrano Elías (1993), Raúl Cubas Grau (1999), Joaquín Balaguer (1994), Jean-Bertrand Aristide (2004) and Alberto Fujimori (2000).
9 To complete the picture, the Republican defeat in the congressional elections in the United States and the start of the succession process in Cuba should be added to the list of changes.
10 Analysts and politicians were wrong to concentrate their efforts on economic reform and forget about political reform. The main demands today are in the arena of political goods, without which the region will not find peace: the dismantling of inequalities, the legitimacy of the state of law, and equality before the law. Latinobarómetro. Santiago de Chile, 2005.
11 Lula, 2002.
12 Tavaré Vasquez, 2004, ending 150 years of domination by the Blanco and Colorado parties.
13 The Economist. The world economy. September 2006.
14 Financial Times. 12 March 2007.
15 Arraigada, Genaro. "Petropolitics in Latin America". In: Inter American Dialogue. New York, December 2006. ]]>


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A doctor treating George Michael says the British pop star is "doing well" as he recovers from pneumonia, but cannot say if he will be able to spend Christmas at home.
Christoph Zielinski said "we know that he is doing well and we are generally optimistic" about his recovery.
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Zielinski told state broadcaster ORF Tuesday that whether Michael can go home for Christmas "is something that we are not in the position to decide." He said "that is something that must be decided in consultation with the patient."
The ex-front man for the pop group "Wham" was admitted to Vienna's AKH hospital late last month after canceling a performance in the Austrian capital.
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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
"It is our right seven months out of the year to sit on the couch with a bowl of pretzels and a frosty cold one and watch baseball…baseball is America's game. It belongs to the people and the people is…us. So I say, let there be baseball. Let there be life."
-Al Bundy
It's your ace vs. their ace. It's new life. It's hope of a winning season. It's the best day of the year:
Opening Day.
In less than 24 hours, the Yankees will embark on their quest for World Series Number 28, opening their 2011 regular season at home against the Detroit Tigers. It will mark the first time the Yankees have started a season in their two year-old Stadium, being that in 2009 and '10 they opened their season on the road.
In a rather strange coincidence, the Yankees ended their Spring Training in the Grapefruit League on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over their Opening Day opponents, the Tigers. Now that camp has broken and baseball is officially back, there are a few storylines to discuss.
First off, Jesus Montero. The Yankees opted to send him and Austin Romine to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and they gave the backup catcher job to Gustavo Molina, who has hit .122 for his career (23 games) with no homers, seven RBIs. It's apparent he hasn't had much experience at the Major League level.
If you ask me, the Yankees should have let Montero join the big club. They keep stressing how they want to mold him and shape him to be the catcher of the future – and that is perfectly fine. In the coming years he will be the everyday catcher.
As for the present time however, he had an opportunity to at least see some big league action and the Yanks threw it away. I'd like to see Montero go through his trial time now.
There's no doubt he is going to take his lumps when he first gets called up, and I would have liked to see it happen now – at the beginning of the season when there's at least some room for error – rather than the end of the season when everyone needs to be producing.
What the Yankees should have done, in my opinion, is allow Montero to backup Russell Martin until Francisco Cervelli's foot injury heals. When Cervelli gets healthy, they could have optioned Montero back to the minors – either way the Yankees win in that scenario.
Here's why:
If Montero struggles at the big league level, they send him down and he will know what to expect when he comes back up; he will be a little more mature. If he starts tearing the cover off the ball at the big league level, well…that's self-explanatory.
One way or another, Montero could contribute this year. He is someone to keep in the back of your mind.
Another storyline is Derek Jeter. As it's been documented, the Captain is 74 hits away from 3,000 for his illustrious career.
Undoubtedly he will reach the milestone this year and when he does, he will become the first Yankee to accomplish the feat. He will also be only the fourth shortstop to ever do it (Honus Wagner, Robin Yount, and Cal Ripken, Jr.).
Jeter has said that he will "enjoy the ride to 3,000." And when the ride ends and he reaches destination 3,000, it will unquestionably be a wonderful moment for the Captain and the Yankee team.
The pitching is another storyline that is always examined throughout each season, and this year will be no different. The Yankees' starting rotation has rightfully been nicknamed "CC and the Question Marks."
Looking at it objectively, it's a fitting name. CC Sabathia has already proven he is a front-line starter, a horse, and a Cy Young caliber pitcher. He has been in the Cy Young discussion both years he has been in pinstripes and captured the ALCS MVP in 2009.
It's safe to say right now Sabathia has nothing to prove.
The other four guys, on the other hand, have a lot to prove. A.J. Burnett, who according to the beat writers is battling a cold, goes without saying. Everyone pretty much understands that in order for the Yankees to be successful, their number two man needs to turn things around and put up a big season.
Last year Burnett averaged over five earned runs a game and was 10-15. He needs to change that.
Phil Hughes may have recorded 18 wins last year, but he averaged over four earned runs per game. He lost two important games during last year's ALCS, including the series-ending loss to the Texas Rangers.
Hughes flew under the radar for the most part because of his 18 wins. But what most fans don't understand is that the Yankee offense gave him a good amount of run support; he won some games in which the Yankees scored a lot of runs.
This spring Hughes had a 4.09 ERA and gave up 10 runs on 24 hits in 22 innings. If this is what we are to expect of him from the number three spot in the rotation, he will need the run support he had last year.
Ivan Nova won the fourth spot in the starting rotation with a good spring (2-0, 1.80 ERA in 20 innings pitched, four walks, nine strikeouts). Last year he was 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA and seemed to struggle when it came to the fifth inning.
It will be interesting to see how he holds up playing a full season.
Lastly there's Freddy Garcia, who won the fifth spot in the rotation over Bartolo Colon. Garcia was the favorite to take the number five starter job because he was 12-6 last season for the Chicago White Sox and Colon had not pitched in an MLB game since 2009.
Garcia was 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA this spring – and yes, he too has a lot to prove.
Mark Prior did not make the team coming out Spring Training, much to my surprise. He had such a wonderful spring: 8 2/3 innings pitched, a 1.04 ERA, three runs (only one was earned), five walks, and 12 Ks.
Prior will go through extended Spring Training and has said he hopes to help the Yankees this year; he is still striving to make the big team and wants to contribute.
Honestly, I am disappointed in the Yankees. Prior is interchangeable; he can be a long reliever or a middle reliever. With Pedro Feliciano on the disabled list, it opened up a spot in the bullpen. What did the Yankees do?
Well, they gave it to Luis Ayala, which doesn't look like a bad right out of the gate. Ayala pitched to a 0.79 ERA this spring, tossed 11 1/3 innings, and gave up just one earned run on nine hits. He walked no one and fanned nine.
Bear in mind though, Ayala was pitching mostly to minor leaguers late in spring games. If he scuffles against the major leaguers in the regular season games, I say dump him and bring up Prior.
On the offensive side of things, Alex Rodriguez had a monster spring. He averaged .388 and hit six homers in 18 games. He knocked in 15 runs and registered 44 total bases. He drew five walks and only struck out seven times.
There has been a lot of speculation that Rodriguez could be a potential MVP candidate. I think he has to get his feet wet and get going, but if this spring was any indication, A-Rod will have a spectacular year.
With all these storylines, new ones will emerge as the season rolls on. And so it begins.
Tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 (weather permitting) the Yankees and Tigers will square off on baseball's Opening Day. Sabathia and Justin Verlander will start what will be a long, 162-game journey.
Ready or not, here we go. Let there be baseball. Let there be life.


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Satsang: Free Meditation Program
March 3 2020 - 7:00-8:30 pm
Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center
Our free meditation program features chanting and meditation as well as a discourse on the principles of spiritual life and practice. Learn from the ancient sages and how to apply their insights to our modern life, while developing your ability to look more deeply and profoundly inward, to the source of your own Being. Bring your meditation journal or pick one up in our shop.
Gurudevi Nirmalananda
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm, with "Hospitality Half-Hour" from 8:30 - 9:00 pm
Location: Downingtown Yoga & Meditation Center, 116 E. Lancaster Ave, Downingtown PA 19335
For more info: www.downingtownyoga.org or 610.644.7555.
When events beyond our control cause unavoidable changes, locations and fees are subject to change without notice.
Svaroopa® Yoga
The Goal is Bliss


text:
It's one of TV's best and longest running dramas, and now "Law and Order" is finding a whole new fan base.
Unfortunately for NBC it's not the demographic, age group, or even species they're looking for. But there may be some Pedigree or Purina ad dollars on the horizon.
The latest YouTube sensation shows dogs howling along to the theme music of "Law and Order." There are more than 20 videos online of different dogs howling to the unmistakable track that opens the show.
"I think it's something tonal, similar to when a dog howls at a siren going off," says Katrina Krings from Animal Haven in SoHo. "We don't really know for sure."
She says there's little research on why dogs howl, but maybe something in their DNA.
"One of the thoughts is that it goes back to their wolfey nature," says Krings.
That makes sense. The creator of the show is Dick Wolf and Wolf Films produces the show.
The Grammy and Emmy award winning musician who composed the song -- along with the themes of "NYPD Blue," "The A-Team," and "Hill Street Blues" -- says he's seen the online clips of dogs howling at what some consider his masterpiece.
"So all I'm thinking is that somehow I've made a connection with dogs," said composer Mike Post laughingly. "They're getting the message somehow and they can't help themselves. They're just breaking into song."
Post who loves dogs says if television stops paying the bills (highly unlikely), he wouldn't mind writing music for cannines. .
"I wonder if there's a group of giraffes out there really into the "NYPD Blue" theme song," says Post.
"Law and Order" Theme Has Rabid Following Among Dogs
Pooches can't get enough of that song
It's one of TV's best and longest running dramas, and now "Law and Order" is finding a whole new fan base.


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The portrait of Newton is a copy of one painted in 1689 by Sir Godfrey Kneller, which is owned by the 10th Earl of Portsmouth. This copy was painted by Barrington Bramley and donated to the Institute in 1992 by the Director of the Institute, Sir Michael Atiyah, who unveiled it at the opening in July of that year. It shows Newton at the height of his scientific acumen, before he went to London to take charge of the Mint.
The image appears here by kind permission of the Portsmouth Estate.


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Refugee Resettlement in the United States Language, Policy, Pedagogy Edited by: Emily M. Feuerherm, Vaidehi Ramanathan
- Price: £29.95
- Price: $39.95
- Price: €34.95
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This edited volume brings together scholars from various disciplines to discuss how language is used by, for, and about refugees in the United States in order to deepen our understanding of what refugee and resettlement mean. The main themes of the chapters highlight:
This volume is highly relevant to current political debates of immigration, human rights, and education, and will be of interest to researchers of applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, anthropology, and cultural studies.
In an era of unprecedented forced migration, this book provides valuable and timely insights into how refugees in the US are impacted by the discourses, policy and education practices they encounter. The research-based chapters offer ways to rethink assumptions and ideologies surrounding refugees, so often positioned as victims and a burden on institutions. A readable and important book.- Jenny Miller, Monash University, Australia
Global refugee populations are growing, and their resettlement needs can no longer be considered marginal. This book, devoted to resettlement policies, practices and pedagogies for refugees, helps put the education of refugee students where it belongs – on the mainstream agenda.- Misty Adoniou, University of Canberra, Australia
This important book offers an extraordinarily rich contribution to our understandings of the relationship between refugees and a broad range of social structures, including schools, the media, non-government organizations and bureaucracies. The collection provides original insights into the discursive, political and pedagogical processes that define refugees as a category and shape the experiences of those who fall within it. The chapters provide shining examples of interdisciplinary scholarship across the fields of applied linguistics, discourse analysis, and policy studies.- Joel Windle, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil
This book is a must read for those working with refugees, from educators to policymakers and agency workers at the state and federal levels. The volume is key to continuing discussion about how policy interacts with practice, as well as with the lives of those directly affected by, and living among, policies.- Language Policy (2017) 16 - Caroline Marks and Karen E. Lillie, State University of New York at Fredonia, USA
This volume provides many excellent examples of the use of critical discourse analysis (...) Each chapter of this volume employs different ways of doing critical- Journal of Language, Identity & Education, 17:1 - Virak Chan, Purdue University, USA
discourse analysis to examine societal power relations through the examination of the language use. Therefore, the volume is definitely a good reference for graduate students and researchers who are looking to do critical discourse analysis. With its content, organization and the clarity in its language use, this book may also be of interest to a wider audience including policy makers, educators and agencies whose work concerns this diverse group often referred to as refugees.
Emily M. Feuerherm is Assistant Professor of Linguistics at University of Michigan-Flint, USA. Her research interests include second language acquisition, language policy, citizenship and participatory action research.
Vaidehi Ramanathan is Professor of Applied Sociolinguistics at University of California, Davis, USA. Her previous publications include Language Policies and (Dis)Citizenship: Rights, Access, Pedagogies (Multilingual Matters, 2013) and Bodies and Language: Health, Ailments, Disabilities (Multilingual Matters, 2009).


text:
Yesterday we brought news of an on-phone one click root for the Samsung Galaxy S line of phones - which itself was based off of a similar root for the HTC Droid Eris (as mentioned in the post). Turns out we didn't mention the Eris root the first time around - so here it is.
Android user/coder jcase has come up with an App to root any Eclair-running Droid Eris'. The process is nearly as simple as it gets:
Read More
Step 1) download and install this apk
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8699733/erisone010.apk - VERSION 0.1.0
Step 2) Run, read disclaimer, press button
Step 3) Reboot, once rebooted your phone should have Amon's recovery.


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Thursday, August 5, 2010
Dreaming of...
Something, anything, don't know what yet, with the new Plucky Knitter Primo yarn! Her new base is 75% merino wool, 20% cashmere, and 5% nylon. It is so squishy soft!
I know what this skein of Sock-a-licious will be, but I still need to wind it.
I'm still trying to decide which color of STR I should use for the Q3 Blackberry Brambles KAL over on Raverly. I had it narrowed down to KMBFLA or Vancouver Violet until Tina just posted new colors to the BMFA website. Now I'm dreaming of Rasperry Mousse Brambles......
But, my stash overfloweth, so I'm trying to resist dreaming about new STR colors. I mean, I just got Pretty in Blue last month (along with a few others). I'm thinking of using this to cast on for a pair of Cotty socks! More Cotty socks? Well, did you see who is knitting this pattern? The Yarn Harlot blogged about it here. Pretty fun, huh?! I was quite excited yesterday when I saw her post. Of course, if I'm being realistic, I'll probably cast on with the Boobie 1 skein (it was already wound! although that Rare Gem was calling my name when I pulled Pretty in Blue out).
And because the above projects aren't enough, I've also been thinking about IrishDad's Uncle Frank socks.
Yeap. Still not done. Sorry Dad. I know they were your father's day gift and all. I promise...soon...
I better go finish those last few rows of the secret project so that I can stop dreaming about these knits and actually cast something new on tomorrow! But I thought to welcome all my new readers from the last few days, we should have a little contest. Just leave a comment on this post about any knits you're dreaming of knitting (or books you wanting to read, or recipes you're wanting to make, I like those too!)! I'll pick five lucky winners on Friday and email them a copy of my Uncle Frank Socks pattern.
Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits
45 comments:
- Sandy said...
I want to knit a pullover out of Wollmeise, either lace or 100% superwash merino.
- August 5, 2010 at 4:53:00 AM PDT
- knittingknirvana said...
I was soooo excited when I saw the Yarn Harlot knitting Cotty's!! :) :) :)
I recently cast on for a Citron in Haindmaiden Sea Silk in the prettiest green. I had been dreaming about that project for a long time.
The other things I am dreaming about is Liesl in Malabrigo that I bought on sale last January. And a Central Park Hoodie made from a giant cone of an Italian merino that I found at School Products back in March. I am also dreaming about Christmas knitting being finished but that's a little different. :)
- August 5, 2010 at 5:06:00 AM PDT
I'm reading that KnitGrrl book too!
Good stuff.
I want to knit the new design in my head if I could only finish the chart.
Congratulations on being "Harlotted".
- August 5, 2010 at 5:24:00 AM PDT
Oh the dreams....something other than plain socks (dh likes them plain), vest for the little guy, mitts for the little girl, sweater for me...and the list goes on :)
- August 5, 2010 at 5:33:00 AM PDT
- Renee Anne said...
I'm generally not a one-project-at-a-time kind of girl either. Lately, I've only had two major projects on needles: my self-designed baby blanket (of which I'm only 25 rows in), and the Icarus Shawl.
I mean, there are always a couple of projects on needles that I never finished from "before" (before I considered myself much of a knitter) and I occasionally work on those (if I can find them)...but I haven't had much on needles.
But now, I've got that damn bug again. I cast on for my first pair of socks (again). This time, I think I may finish them...and then there's the hat that I want to make for my boss for Christmas...and then there's the felted bag/mitten/hat set I see in my future. You get the idea...
- August 5, 2010 at 5:37:00 AM PDT
- Alicia said...
I just want to learn/knit my first pair of socks - I see what you are knitting and what the Yarn Harlot knits and I want to knit socks too!
- August 5, 2010 at 5:47:00 AM PDT
- Anna said...
I have been wanting to do the Child's French Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks for FOREVER. Other stuff just seems to get in my way.
- August 5, 2010 at 6:26:00 AM PDT
- dianne said...
Oh man! Why did I click on that Raspberry Mousse link? You're right, that would be a stunning pair of Blackberry Brambles!
I'm not a one-at-a-time kind of girl either which is probably why I have so many UFO's. Lately I've been itching to cast on a shawlette. I just need to actually pull something from the stash and do it!
- August 5, 2010 at 6:29:00 AM PDT
- Rani said...
I am drooling over every single skein you posted today. I have GOT to get through my stash so I can start buying again. It's torture, I tell you!!
I, too am a kindred - knit-a-lot-at-once gal. But I have promised myself to finish the projects I have going. (including my Winnie socks which I had to frog because I majorly goofed on the pattern)
Ok. I am dreaming about sweaters. Lots of sweaters. I am gearing up for 2011. The year of the sweater for me!
- August 5, 2010 at 7:21:00 AM PDT
- Rani said...
oh, I forgot to say how cool it is that your pattern is over there on the Yarn Harlot's page. WHOO HOOO!
- August 5, 2010 at 7:22:00 AM PDT
- Patti said...
I'm always dreaming of new knitting projects. I have 7 (I think!) on the needles now, having just cast on another last night. Two shawls and 4 pair of socks already, but started a chemo hat for charity too.
I'm drooling all over the keyboard looking at the yarns you posted. I picked up new colors of STR also at Twisted in Portland, OR last Saturday, even though I've not yet tried what I have. That's what I want to do - knit something from STR!
- August 5, 2010 at 8:11:00 AM PDT
I would like to knit the Honey baby shawl designed by Anne Hanson, I still like the Central Park Hoodie on my list, I would like to catch up on some sock club kits....and i have some colours at BMFA I would really really like. Yhe news are pretty spiffy!!
- August 5, 2010 at 8:36:00 AM PDT
I have that same yarn the Harlot is using, so I considered making twin socks to hers, but that particular skein is just not calling my name today.
I'm dreaming of knitting your burst socks-- and I have pattern and yarn in hand, I just keep having other projects pop up and be more demanding.
- August 5, 2010 at 8:49:00 AM PDT
- cockeyed said...
hey....do you ever sleep?
- August 5, 2010 at 8:52:00 AM PDT
- gMarie said...
Don't enter me - as I have the pattern ;). But - I'm wanting to knit Cotty's in DIC in warm browns. Soon I'll be able to I hope. I also want to knit another pair of Dotty's - for me this time. g
- August 5, 2010 at 9:03:00 AM PDT
- Laura said...
I'm dreaming of some socks for me! I've started Christmas knitting. Oof.
- August 5, 2010 at 9:11:00 AM PDT
I'm dreaming of knitting soo many things. Shalom cardigan, Sweet Home socks, featherweight cardigan. I am also dreamining of finishing some things up. Like my blackberry brambles, teosinte socks, travelling woman shawl, and february lady sweater. So much knitting, so little knitting time!
- August 5, 2010 at 9:27:00 AM PDT
- Kathy in San Jose said...
Oh man, I've got too many things on the needles already, but I'm dreaming of several Twist Collective patterns (Hawthorne, Promenade, Peregrine, Metro), another pair of socks, figuring out what yarn/projects to take on vacation (and casting them on before we leave)... can't wait to see your secret project.
I think I might do the Vancouver Violet Brambles next - thanks for the inspiration!
- August 5, 2010 at 10:15:00 AM PDT
- setinink said...
featherweight cardigan!! and a shawl with my birthday wollmeise.
- August 5, 2010 at 12:42:00 PM PDT
- Ellen said...
I'm dreaming of knitting a nice warm sweater from the wool in my stash from green mountain spinnery or maybe I should finish the chloe's dress kit I purchased and started years ago and just recently rediscovered last week..hmmm or the socks from last years rockin sock club that I didn't get to..maybe I better stop dreaming and get back to knitting!
- August 5, 2010 at 1:18:00 PM PDT
- nomorebittercakes said...
Oh man, the list just goes on. I just got some tosh light for an Austin Hoodie, and have about a billion shawl patterns I want to hit. There's a damson, ishbel, wandering the moor...it just goes on. Not nearly enough time!!
- August 5, 2010 at 1:27:00 PM PDT
- Knitting Kris said...
Congrats....just saw the Harlot knitting Cotty's! Awesome for you....and such pretty yarn in this post too!
- August 5, 2010 at 1:41:00 PM PDT
I am dreaming of knitting a scarf based on a stitch dictionary...but alas I am a strict do not start a project until you finish the one you are on, kinda girl.
But I dont count buying new yarn for a project as starting a project...my stash runneth over...
- August 5, 2010 at 3:04:00 PM PDT
- Kris said...
I'm looking forward to knitting a Haruni shawl when I'm finished with this birthday present for my mom! I'm kinda late with this little Ishbel for her, so I'm avoiding all other projects until this is off the needles and blocking.
Congratulations on the Harlot knitting your pattern! I've knitted the Cotty pattern once, and it's as fast or faster than knitting plain socks.
- August 5, 2010 at 4:22:00 PM PDT
- Melissa B said...
I would really like to knit a few cardigans for fall - maybe Tangled Yoke first?
- August 5, 2010 at 5:41:00 PM PDT
- Karalee said...
Cotty is one of my favorite sock patterns - I'm halfway through my third pair!
What I want to knit is always way too many things. At the moment I'm dreaming of designing a pattern or two with my handspun, and also wishing I had time to knit most of the new Twist Collective patterns (even the completely impractical ones, like that gorgeous dress).
- August 5, 2010 at 5:48:00 PM PDT
- Zonda said...
Hehe..don't feel bad, I have too many projects going on and in the queue ;) Bet you'll be selling even more Cotty patterns now :) Love your Primo colors! My dream, a sweater that fits, really fits! sigh...one day! (ps don't enter me either)
- August 5, 2010 at 5:50:00 PM PDT
- Vicki said...
well ... I'm dreaming of knitting something, ANYTHING! I've been in a knitting funk for a long-time, and here I am, 6 months pregnant, getting over a 4-year relationship, trying to be happy again ... and I need to knit! Not that everything's terrible ... I just need to find my way again.
Just found your blog today, and am thankful for that! :)
(Maybe I will start blogging again ... hmmm)
- August 5, 2010 at 5:57:00 PM PDT
I just spent some of my birthday money on Romi's Small Shawls to knit e-book. I'd like to start one of those......
- August 5, 2010 at 6:38:00 PM PDT
- mhardersen said...
I have so many many shawlettes that I want to make...
Travleing Woman, Ishbel, Saroyan, Daybreak, Mara, Milkweed shawl...the list goes on and on. I wonder if I ever will find enough time?!?!?
- August 5, 2010 at 7:21:00 PM PDT
I'm dreaming of knitting your Cotty in a new STR color. Which to choose...Slayer or Spike?
- August 5, 2010 at 8:09:00 PM PDT
- Knitter Kitter said...
I'd love to knit a cardigan so that I have something super cozy to wear to Rhinebeck :) My only problem is that I can't decide which one!!!
- August 5, 2010 at 9:35:00 PM PDT
- Jocelyn said...
I like Sandy's plan a lot! But my next project, after all the WIPs are done of course, is an Argus Shawlette. And one day I will actually knit a Koolhaas too!
Oh and if I win could you send the pattern to a friend instead since I already have Uncle Frank? Just trying to think positive you know.
- August 5, 2010 at 11:19:00 PM PDT
- plnc said...
I want to knit Debbie New's Labyrinth in BMFA De-Vine. It should be a very interesting project!
- August 6, 2010 at 4:26:00 AM PDT
- ludistitcher said...
Love the cables in the Uncle Frank socks!
I'm trying to wrap up some projects before starting new things, too. But my mind is constantly being drawn to Yarnissima's Spina di Pesce socks (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spina-di-pesce) for some reason. I'm looking forward to casting on those socks sometime soon.
- August 6, 2010 at 6:08:00 AM PDT
- Tasha said...
I'm dreaming of knitting Haruni for my friend's 40th birthday...
- August 6, 2010 at 6:56:00 AM PDT
- Victoria said...
You've got me dreaming about that muffins that taste like donuts recipe. They look so yummy.
I'm working on a Lacy Kerchief Scarf, but love it so much I think I might cast on another right after it. Maybe a drapey fingering weight one.
- August 6, 2010 at 6:58:00 AM PDT
So many projects to knit, so little time! I think that is why I wind up acquiring so much stash - I have so many ideas for projects, and it is much faster to buy the yarn than it is to knit it!!
I'm dreaming of getting started on an Austin Hoodie in the Plucky Primo that I won for helping name Primo - but I've got to finish a couple other sweaters first. Makes me want to call in sick and stay at home and knit all day!
- August 6, 2010 at 8:04:00 AM PDT
- Clumsy Knitter said...
I keep wanting to knit the Marigold sweater from the last IK--I have the yarn and everything! And read Shannon Okey's new book, which I spy under your socks. Somehow life keeps getting in the way of both things though. Soon!
P.S. That sock pattern is great!
- August 6, 2010 at 10:03:00 AM PDT
- Karen said...
I want to knit a shawlett with Bugga yarn.
- August 6, 2010 at 12:53:00 PM PDT
- Angela said...
Oh, all of that beautiful yarn! How do you decide what to knit next? I always have a problem with that. You and I have the same taste in colors - beautiful blues and pretty pinks - love them. My next knit will be a vest for my 2 1/2 year old great-nephew in Wollmeise Molly. I'm very excited to knit with this yarn - I've heard such wonderful things about it.
- August 7, 2010 at 10:02:00 AM PDT
- doviejay said...
I want to knit a Barn Raising Quilt from Knitalong out of STR Fall Colors! I can't wait for fall!
- August 8, 2010 at 6:40:00 AM PDT
- Roxanne said...
I love the idea of Blackberry Brambles knit with Raspberry Mousse!
Right now, I'm simply dreaming of more time to knit. I have dozens of projects in progress, but it's hard to get anything finished when I'm going to college full time, raising nine children, and planning a presentation on geology for a convention.
Somehow, I don't think I'm going to reach my goal of finishing socks for all of my children by Christmas this year. But I'm dreaming of that, too.
- August 8, 2010 at 2:37:00 PM PDT
- Unknown said...
Oooh, once I finish my knitting-of-obligation (crowns & rings to go in the goody bags for my baby's 3rd birthday party) I am dreaming of knitting so many things..my latest RSC shipment, a Hurricane Hat from Malabrigo. And I really want to crochet a Luna Lovegood scarf. I have some Sundara FSM that is the perfect color, if not the perfect weight.
- August 9, 2010 at 5:34:00 PM PDT
- weezalana said...
I missed the contest, but I think I'll be dreaming of that Plucky Knitter in blue! Gorgeous!
- August 11, 2010 at 9:49:00 AM PDT


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The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's (PCAOB) first report on the interim inspection program for auditors of brokers-dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has uncovered some "disturbing" results, the board says.
The 25-page report, released Monday, covered an initial group of 10 audit firms and 23 broker-dealer audits. PCAOB started its interim inspection program last August in response to the board's new oversight authority over broker-dealer auditors provided in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Congress decided to give PCAOB more oversight authority following Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme.
In its first look, carried out from October 2011 to February 2012, PCAOB says its inspectors "identified deficiencies in all of the audits inspected." On a conference call with reporters to discuss the findings, PCAOB member Jeanette Franzel said that "Even with this small group of audits inspected thus far, the results are disturbing."
Said Franzel: "While the auditors and audits selected are not representative of all broker and dealer audits and their auditors, the results are of concern to the board" and "indicate that in the audits that we inspected, the auditors were not properly fulfilling their responsibilities to provide an independent check on brokers' and dealers' financial reporting and compliance with SEC rules."
Jay Hanson, another PCAOB member, said on the call that the audits selected for the first report included broker-dealers with a net capital under $1 million. "It is a start," Hanson said. "When we complete our inspection of a cross-section of about 100 firms and 170 audits," through 2013, "we will have a better picture to share with you of the state of compliance among audits of all broker-dealers."
In 2012, PCAOB plans to inspect approximately 40 firms and 60 audits.
Franzel said the deficiencies from the first round of inspections fell mainly into three categories: audit procedures for customer protection and net capital requirements, audits of financial statements, and auditor independence requirements.
In 21 of the 23 audits, PCAOB inspectors said they found that "auditors failed to perform sufficient audit procedures to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would have been found in the accounting system internal accounting controls, and procedures for safeguarding securities."
Violations were also found under the SEC's customer protection rule, Rule 15c3-3, which is designed to protect customers by requiring broker-dealers to segregate customer securities and cash from the broker's or dealer's proprietary business activities.
For two of the nine audits of broker-dealers that were required to maintain a customer reserve, the report says that inspectors found that firms "failed to verify that the special reserve bank accounts were designated for the exclusive benefit of customers and that the account agreements contained the required restrictive provisions." For all of the 14 audits of brokers and dealers that claimed an exemption from the customer protection rule, inspectors found that "firms did not perform sufficient audit procedures to ascertain whether the broker or dealer complied with the conditions of the exemption."
Regarding net capital, SEC rules require brokers and dealers to maintain certain specified levels of net capital based on types of activities and business lines.
In seven of the 23 audits, PCAOB inspectors found that firms failed to sufficiently test components of the broker's or dealer's minimum net capital computation.
As to audits of financial statements, in the majority of the audits inspected, the auditors did not conduct sufficient work to comply with auditing standards. The report notes that those findings were in the areas of the auditors' consideration and response to the risk of fraud, auditing related party transactions, auditing revenue recognition, establishing a basis for reliance on books and records, auditing fair value measurements, evaluating control deficiencies, and testing the accuracy and completeness of disclosures.
The third category of deficiencies dealt with meeting SEC rules on auditor independence. PCAOB explains that those rules state that an accountant is not independent if the accountant provides bookkeeping and other accounting and financial reporting services related to the financial statements of the audit client. In two audits of this group, PCAOB found that the auditors prepared, or assisted in preparing, the financial statements that they were auditing.
Hanson said the findings of the first report "tell us that there is a need for improvement in the audit work being performed, and that other auditors of broker-dealers should look closely at our findings and assess their own work."
He noted that while only two audits were noted for independence problems, "this is of particular concern to the board, because we think it is due to a lack of understanding and information about the rules. Broker-dealer auditors are required to comply with the independence rules of the SEC, however many have told us they thought they only needed to abide by [American Institute of CPAs] AICPA rules, which are not as strict."
As to whether any of the broker-dealer deficiencies had been referred to the SEC or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Hanson said he couldn't comment for confidentiality reasons.
Franzel added the interim inspection program will continue beyond 2013, until rules for a permanent inspection program take effect.