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Journal of PregnancyVolume 2011 (2011), Article ID 206858, 7 pageshttp://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/206858Review ArticleStrategies for Diagnosis and Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism during PregnancyShalini Jain Bagaria and V. B. BagariaHealth Care Research and Innovation Division, Origyn Clinic, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad 201014, IndiaReceived 2 March 2011; Revised 28 April 2011; Accepted 23 May 2011Academic Editor: David F. Lewis Copyright © 2011 Shalini Jain Bagaria and V. B. Bagaria. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.AbstractPregnancy and the postpartum period have an increased incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The condition is unique during this period for several reasons. Primarily, because there is complexity in diagnosing this condition in view of altered physiology and preexisting edema in pregnancy and also because there are restrictions on the use of certain drugs and a need for vigilant monitoring of anticoagulant activities of drugs during the period. The problem is compounded and assumes the highest order of significance since two lives are involved and all the investigations and management done should also take into account the potential adverse effects on the foetus. In order to prevent the development of VTE during pregnancy, sound clinical evaluation for risk factors, risk stratification, and optimal use of resource both mechanical and pharmacological is necessary. This paper details strategies in preventing development of deep vein thrombosis and treatment of VTEs.1. IntroductionVenous thromboembolism is used to denote two disease conditions: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The two conditions are interrelated in a manner that approximately one third of all cases of isolated PE will have DVT on diagnostic evaluation and similarly approximately half the cases of DVT of proximal veins of leg will have clinical silent or apparent PE [1–3]. VTE assumes a special significance during pregnancy due to its increased incidence, difficulty in diagnosis, and complexities in management. The incidence of VTE in pregnancy is approximately five times the incidence in nonpregnant patients and is reported to be 0.7 to 1.2 per 10000 pregnancies [4, 5]. This risk increases to approximately 20 times in the postpartum period. DVT constitutes almost 80% of cases of VTE, and the rest are constituted by PE. It also accounts for 10% maternal deaths in the western world or roughly 1.1 deaths per 100 000 deliveries [6].Virchow in 1856 suggested that development of PE could be attributed to stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulable state [7]. Over the years, various research investigations have upheld his observation. Pregnancy is classified as a hypercoagulable state as the fibrin generation is increased, fibrinolytic activity is decreased, levels of coagulation factors II, VII, VIII, and X are all increased, free protein S levels are decreased, and acquired resistance to activated protein C is commonly seen [8, 9]. During normal uncomplicated pregnancy, there is also an evidence of substantial haemostatic activation as indicated by increased markers of coagulation activation, such as prothrombin fragment F1+2 and D-dimer [9]. Also, there is hormonally induced decreased venous capacitance and reduced venous outflow due to mechanical obstruction from uterus [10, 11]. There is 50% decrease in the venous outflow during 26–30 weeks of gestation which continues through 6 weeks postgestation (Table 1). Table 1: Causes for increased incidence of VTE during pregnancy.Additional risk factors include the presence of inherited thrombophilias and the antiphospholipid syndrome, previous history of thrombosis, black race, heart disease, sickle cell disease, diabetes, lupus, smoking, multiple pregnancy, age greater than 35 years, obesity, and caesarean delivery (especially emergency caesarean section during labor) [12–15] (Table 2).Table 2: Risk factor for development of VTE.2. Strategies for Diagnosing VTE2.1. Risk StratificationIt is vital that a high degree of suspicion and clinical vigilance be maintained during the pregnancy and postpartum period. It is worth noting that typical signs like leg swelling, tachycardia, tachypnea, and dyspnoea that raise the suspicion of VTE in the nonpregnant are often already present as a response to physiological changes occurring during the pregnancy [16, 17]. All cases of suspicion of VTE should be investigated expeditiously with following available modalities.2.2. Duplex UltrasonographyThe preferred modality for investigation of DVT is duplex ultrasonography which has a sensitivity of approximately 97% and specificity of approximately 94% in general population for proximal venous thromboembolism [18, 19]. It is usually done with a 5 Hz probe and incorporates two elements: gray-scale ultrasound and colour Doppler study. Gray-scale ultrasound is used to visualize the structure or the architecture of the body part. Colour Doppler is used to visualize the flow in the vessel. Normal venous flow produces a low pitched sound that is absent in case of venous occlusion. The ultrasound examination not only helps to determine the anatomy and patency but also can be used to evaluate the augmentation (increased flow with calf compression) and compression (elimination of the residual lumen by firm pressure of the hand-held transducer probe).Limitations of duplex ultrasound: duplex ultrasound is not very effective in diagnosing asymptomatic and calf vein DVT with only a reported sensitivity of 36% of calf vein VTE [21]. Similarly, for more proximal thrombus like those involving the iliac veins, it may be necessary to perform an MRI direct thrombus imaging as it does not involve radiation and harmful effects on the foetus [22].2.3. D-DimerD-dimer is another test which when used with other investigations may help in reaching conclusive diagnosis although the D-dimer level is normally elevated during the pregnancy [23, 24]. This hampers the use of normal reference values [25] to rule out VTE or to monitor antithrombotic treatment when used alone. However, when used in conjunction with other modalities, it can help rule out the condition when in doubt. Nishii et al. in a large prospective study showed that the test had positive predictive value of 7.4% and negative predictive value of 95.5% for ultrasonographically positive women when D-dimer was set at 3.2 microg/mL [26]. Table 3 below gives an indicative range of D-dimer during pregnancy.Table 3: Plasma D-dimer levels during pregnancy.2.4. Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismIn case of suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE), additional investigations need to be performed. An X-ray of chest helps to exclude other causes that lead to dyspnoea and tachycardia. Other investigations of choice are ventilation-perfusion scan and CT pulmonary angiography [27, 28]. Both these tests though routinely used for diagnosing PE in normal population are used with a caution in this group owing to the fact that their use involves radiation exposure to both mother and foetus and have been reported to be associated with increased incidence of childhood cancers and maternal breast cancers.2.5. Ventilation-Perfusion ScanVentilation-perfusion scan used to be the more frequently employed modality of investigation in these cases [29]. In pregnant women, the radiation dose can be minimized by using a half-dose perfusion scan and only proceeding to ventilation imaging once an abnormal defect is obtained during the perfusion scan. This test if negative can help confidently exclude the presence of PE; however, the test can indicate an indeterminate results in large number of patients in this group with up to 20% who have been shown to have high probability for the condition not actually having PE.2.6. CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)CTPA has gradually taken over as the investigation of choice for investigating the cases with suspicion of PE. This is due to the fact that it has high sensitivity (around 94%), high specificity (around 100%), and an excellent negative predictive value of 99% [30, 31]. Unlike V/Q scan, in CTPA, the thrombus can be directly visualised and other alternative cause for the symptoms may also be detected. Another advantage of CTPA over the V/Q scan is the fact that the radiation exposure in CTPA is almost half that of those received during V/q scan. In a typical CTPA, the radiation exposure to foetus is around 3.3 uGy to 130 uGy depending on the trimester the baby is in. The risk increases with each passing week as the surface area of the fetus increases leading to an enhanced absorption [32]. Although the fact remains that any radiation exposure to fetus does carry a risk, it is important that, in an indicated case, the investigations are performed expeditiously because the risk of fetal death is high in an untreated case of PE. Apart from the radiation risk to fetus, the risk of radiation exposure to female breast must also be considered. The female breast is extremely radiosensitive, and it has been shown that a sufficiently large radiation dose can cause breast cancer [33, 34]. However, as mentioned above, it should not preclude its use in situations where there is suspicion of PE as the risks involved in terms of radiation exposure are extremely small compared to benefits of the early diagnosis and prompt management of PE.3. Prevention Strategies3.1. Mechanical ProphylaxisThese measures increase the venous blood flow in the lower limbs and prevent venous stasis, an important component of Virchow’s triad [35]. Mechanical prophylaxis includes measures such as physiotherapy and exercises, use of graduated compression stockings, foot pumps, and intermittent pneumatic compression devices.3.2. Physiotherapy and ExercisesAll patients should have a plan for active and passive lower extremity activity unless contraindicated including flexion and extension of the ankle, knees, and hips. Involve physical therapy as appropriate. Provide written instructions, with pictures as well as a demonstration. Early and aggressive ambulation for all patients if not contraindicated is an important measure to prevent development of VTE.3.3. Graduated Compression Stockings (GCSs)Encourage patients to wear GCSs at all times except when they are removed for skin care or bathing. Proper size should be instructed, and it should ideally be thigh high to have effect on proximal veins. Nursing staff should ensure that stockings are not leading to a garter effect at the thigh or calf.3.4. Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC)These should be used in inactive patients requiring passive movements. These devices also exert fibrinolytic effect by stimulating endogenous fibrinolytic mechanism, reducing plasminogen activator inhibitor activity, and increasing the levels of tissue plasminogen activator [36].3.5. IVC FiltersInferior vena cava filter placement may be indicated in high-risk cases where the use of thromboprophylaxis is contraindicated due to certain coexisting morbidities.3.6. ThromboprophylaxisIdeally, the evaluation of whether a patient requires thromboprophylaxis should be done before conception or at least early in the pregnancy. Despite a long list of risk factors for development of VTE, most women do not require anticoagulation during pregnancy (Table 4). Table 4: Indications for thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy.The risk of complications from anticoagulation, such as bleeding, can be as high as 2%. Hence, the use of anticoagulants is limited to cases where the benefits of its use are greater than potential adverse effect (Table 5) [37–44]. In general, pregnant women who have had previous episodes of VTE, those having thrombophilia especially those with antithrombin deficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome, compound heterozygosity for prothrombin G20210A variant or factor V Leiden are candidates for thromboprophylaxis.Table 5: Unique aspects that need to be considered for thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy.3.7. Heparin for ThromboprophylaxisHeparin both unfractionated and low molecular weight heparin are agents of choice for thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy. Neither of them cross placenta making it safe for use in pregnancy. Heparin both UFH and LMWH act by binding to antithrombin to catalyse the molecule binding to and altering the activity of serine protease procoagulants thus interrupting the coagulation pathway [41–44]. UFH enhances the activity of antithrombin for factor Xa and thrombin, whereas the predominant effect of LMWH is via antithrombin-mediated antifactor Xa activity. The dosage and monitoring strategy for UFH is mentioned in Table 6. Table 6: Thromboprophylaxis using UFH—dosage and monitoring.Although there are few direct studies comparing the use of UFH to LMWH during pregnancy, it is widely agreed that the use of LMWH is associated with lower incidence of complications [45, 46]. UFH has complex pharmacokinetics that potentially leads to a somewhat unpredictable anticoagulant response. Also, the bioavailability of the UFH after subcutaneous (SC) injection is reduced compared with intravenous infusion. LMWH, in contrast, is less likely to bind nonspecifically to various circulating protein or cell surfaces and so has improved pharmacokinetics and bioavailability when given SC [47–49]. Other potential advantages include ease of administration, less bleeding, less incidences of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), and a predictable response although the therapy is relatively more expensive. Various types of LMWH and their dosage are mentioned in Table 7. One important aspect that should be taken care of during the last trimester of pregnancy is to shift the patients on LMWH to UFH at 36-37 weeks. This is important to prevent development of epidural hematoma, in case an epidural analgesia is planned. In cases of planned caesarean sections, LMWH can be continued even up to 6–12 hrs before surgery. UFH on the other hand has short half life and can be stopped four hours before the epidural insertion with minimal risks and hence is favored over LMWH by many obstetricians towards the term. Table 7: Dose of LMWH as per body weight.Another newer oral anticoagulant that is being increasingly used is oral anti-Xa inhibitor Rivaroxaban (Trade name: Xarleto). However, there are no adequate data of its use in pregnant women. In fact, studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity secondary to trans-placental transmission. Due to this potential risk, its use is contraindicated in the pregnancy.3.8. Treatment of VTE Using Heparins in PregnancyFor managing VTE during pregnancy, two alternative approaches are employed: (1) IV UFH followed by at least 3 months of SC LMWH or adjusted-dose SC UFH or (2) adjusted-dose SC UFH or LMWH can be used both for initial and long-term treatment. With UFH, doses should be adjusted to prolong a midinterval aPTT into the therapeutic range (adjusted-dose SC heparin). As mentioned above, LMWH is the preferred agent amongst the two because of various reasons including better safety profile, ease of administration, and easier monitoring. Since the half life of LMWH is decreased in pregnancy, twice-daily regimens are probably preferable to once-daily dosing and as the pregnancy progresses (and most women gain weight), the potential volume of distribution for LMWH changes requiring change in the dose and pattern of administration. Apart from the usual weight-based regime, some clinicians prefer to perform regular antifactor Xa levels 3 to 4 h after the morning dose and adjust the dose of LMWH to achieve an anti-Xa level of approximately 0.5 to 1.2 U/mL [50, 51].3.9. Use of Warfarin in PregnancySince warfarin crosses placenta, its use is associated with fetal hazards and thus is not recommended during pregnancy. It is associated with high risk of miscarriages with reports indicating rates as high as 56% if taken during first trimester. It has also shown to have 30% risk of congenital anomalies. Warfarin embryopathy is characterized by midface hypoplasia, stippled chondral calcification, scoliosis, short proximal limbs, and short phalanges; it affects 5% of fetuses that are exposed to the drug between 6 and 9 weeks of gestation [52]. The use of warfarin in the second trimester and early in the third trimester is associated with fetal intracranial haemorrhage and schizencephaly [53, 54]. Long-term squeal includes risk of adverse neurological outcome and up to 4% lower IQ. There are few conditions in which warfarin may be used preferentially over heparins by certain clinicians. Certain reports have shown that the LMWH may not be as effective as warfarin in protecting mothers from thrombosis of prosthetic valves [55]. Viteale et al. [56] recommend that patient with prosthetic valves whose warfarin intake is 5 mg with an international normalized ratio (INR) within therapeutic range may continue to take warfarin during the entire pregnancy under strict medical surveillance and consider a programmed caesarean section at the 38th week of gestation while briefly interrupting warfarin therapy. On the other hand, those patients whose warfarin doses are >5 mg should be made fully aware of a likely much higher risk of fetal complications during pregnancy. If they decide to carry on pregnancy with warfarin and have a bileaflet or aortic valve prosthesis, the INR range may be lowered to 2.0–2.5 with the aim of bringing the warfarin intake down to 5 mg while still reaching a satisfactory antithrombotic effect. In those women who choose not to take warfarin and are at higher thrombotic risk (mitral prostheses, atrial fibrillation, first-generation valves, and previous thromboembolism), in-hospital heparin treatment, at least between weeks 6 and 12 and 2 weeks before delivery, seems justified. Warfarin for thromboprophylaxis during the postpartum period may be considered where the adverse effect to fetus is not a concern. Warfarin is not secreted in breast milk and thus can be safely given during this phase.3.10. Management in Case of Suspicion of VTEIn cases where the VTE is suspected, the management depends on the degree of clinical suspicion and the stage of pregnancy. The management will also change if certain anticoagulants are contraindicated and whether DVT, PE, or both are suspected. In cases where there is a strong suspicion of an acute episode of pulmonary embolism, it is advisable to start anticoagulant therapy even before the diagnostic evaluation. It may be discontinued if the diagnostic evaluation refutes the diagnosis. In cases of low to moderate degree of suspicion of PE, it is better to evaluate the patient clinically and diagnostically before the anticoagulant therapy is instituted. In cases where there is a strong suspicion of PE and anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated, a diagnostic evaluation is warranted without any waste of time. The basic management include supportive management and timely delivery of the fetus. Once the PE is confirmed, other measures especially like IVC filter may be needed. In case of concern for isolated DVT without PE, it is better to diagnostically evaluate the patient before anticoagulant therapy is instituted.4. ConclusionFor patients with risk factors, general thromboprophylaxis, such as lower extremity exercise on a bed; GCS, Intermittent Pneumatic compression (IPC), and adequate hydration postpartum, are recommended. Early ambulation should be encouraged even after a normal delivery in low-risk patients. In addition, pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis with LMWH or warfarin should be considered in patients with risk factors other than caesarean section. For high-risk pregnancies with documented thrombophilia such as positive antiphospholipid antibody or previous VTE, pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis with LMWH is recommended. Warfarin is contraindicated during pregnancy (category X). However, warfarin can replace LMWH after delivery and be used for 6 weeks to 3 months for continued postpartum thromboprophylaxis.References M. Meignan, J. Rosso, H. Gauthier et al., “Systematic lung scans reveal a high frequency of silent pulmonary embolism in patients with proximal deep venous thrombosis,” Archives of Internal Medicine, vol. 160, no. 2, pp. 159–164, 2000. View at ScopusP. E. Marik and L. A. 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Alleged Use of False Flag Attacks by Intelligence Agencies Project: Alleged Use of False Flag Attacks by Intelligence AgenciesOpen-Content project managed by KJF, mtuck add event | references Page 1 of 2 (113 events)previous | 1, 2 | next April 1950: Anti-Jewish Bombings in Iraq Are Attributed to Israelis A series of bombings targets Jews in Iraq. These attacks are later attributed to Israeli agents to allegedly panic Jews into emigrating to Israel, starting a long-standing controversy that continues unresolved. [Ha'aretz, 6/4/2006] Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad 1954-1970: CIA and the Muslim Brotherhood Ally to Oppose Egyptian President Nasser In 1954, Egyptian President Gamal Abddul Nasser’s nationalist policies in Egypt come to be viewed as completely unacceptable by Britain and the US. MI6 and the CIA jointly hatch plans for his assassination. According to Miles Copeland, a CIA operative based in Egypt, the opposition to Nasser is driven by the commercial community—the oil companies and the banks. At the same time, the Muslim Brotherhood’s resentment of Nasser’s secular government also comes to a head. In one incident, Islamist militants attack pro-Nasser students at Cairo University. Following an attempt on his own life by the Brotherhood, Nasser responds immediately by outlawing the group, which he denounces as a tool of Britain. The following years see a long and complex struggle pitting Nasser against the Muslim Brotherhood, the US, and Britain. The CIA funnels support to the Muslim Brotherhood because of “the Brotherhood’s commendable capability to overthrow Nasser.” [Baer, 2003, pp. 99; Dreyfuss, 2005, pp. 101-108] The Islamist regime in Saudi Arabia becomes an ally of the United States in the conflict with Nasser. They offer financial backing and sanctuary to Muslim Brotherhood militants during Nasser’s crackdown. Nasser dies of natural causes in 1970. [Dreyfuss, 2005, pp. 90-91, 126-131, 150] Entity Tags: UK Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Saudi Arabia, Central Intelligence Agency, Gamal Abddul Nasser, Muslim Brotherhood Category Tags: Other Events July 1954: Israel Commits Bombing Attacks in Egypt, Tries to Blame Muslim Brotherhood Bombs explode in British and American cultural centers and libraries, and in post offices in Alexandria and Cairo. The campaign ends when a bomb explodes prematurely in the pocket of an Israeli agent who is about to plant it in a British-owned cinema. The plan is to damage the relations between Egypt and the US and Britain by placing the blame for the bombings on the Muslim Brotherhood, an Egyptian Islamic militant group. An initial inquiry places blame on the Minister of Defense, Pinhas Lavon, but a subsequent inquiry authorized by Sharett finds that Lavon was set up using forged documents, and that the true author of the false-flag attack was none other than David Ben Gurion, the “father of the Israeli State. (see March 2005)” Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad March 9, 1962: Proposed ‘Operation Northwoods’: US Military Would Conduct Terrorist Attacks, Then Blame Them on Cuba to Build Support for War Against Cuba In 2001, documents detailing a US military plan called Operation Northwoods will be declassified (see April 24, 2001). The plan suggests conducting terrorist attacks in the US and blame them on Castro’s government in order to create public support for a war against Cuba. The documents are dated March 9, 1962 and are written by the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Representative on the Caribbean Survey Group for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The papers suggest several possible events that the US could fabricate, including the sinking of boats of Cuban refugees, hijacking planes, blowing up a US ship, and even orchestrating violent terrorism in US cities. One of the document’s authors notes, “casualty lists in US newspapers would cause a helpful wave of national indignation.” [US Department of Defense, 3/13/1962 ; ABC News, 5/1/2001; Bamford, 2002] Timeline Tags: US-Cuba (1959-2005) Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad September 6-12, 1970 and After: ’Black September’ Triggers Global Islamist Terrorism, Rise of PLO Two of the airliners detonated by the hijackers at Dawson’s Field on September 12, 1970. [Source: Rolls Press / Popperfoto / Getty Images]The first major act of Middle East terrorism on a global scale plays out in Jordan. Militant Palestinian nationalists hijack four Western commercial airliners and fly the planes and their passengers—now hostages—to a desert airfield near Amman. After negotiations, they release the hostages and blow up the empty airliners for the news cameras. Jordan’s King Hussein responds by mobilizing his military for a showdown with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), a guerrilla organization based in his country. Hussein worries that Iraq or Syria might intervene on behalf of the PLO, and lets the US know that he would like US support in that event. Instead, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger makes the unlikely suggestion that Israel, not the US, step in to help Jordan if need be. President Nixon uses the incident to challenge the Soviet Union, warning the Soviets not to intervene if the US moves to prevent Syrian tanks from entering Jordan. Nixon often lets the Soviets and other adversaries think that he is capable of the most irrational acts—the “madman theory,” both Nixon and his critics call it—but Kissinger eventually convinces Nixon to support the idea of Israeli intervention. King Hussein secretly cables the British government to request an Israeli air strike, a cable routed to Washington via Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. Nixon gives his approval and Israel moves in. 3,000 Palestinians and Jordanians die in the subsequent conflict, dubbed “Black September” in the Arab world. Hussein loses influence and prestige among his fellow Arab leaders, and the PLO, energized by the conflict, moves into Lebanon. PLO leader Yasser Arafat takes undisputed control of the organization. Oil-supplying nations rally behind the Palestinian cause, and international terrorist incidents begin to escalate. [Werth, 2006, pp. 90-91] Entity Tags: Palestinian Liberation Organization, Golda Meir, Henry A. Kissinger, Hussein bin Talal, Richard M. Nixon, Yasser Arafat Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad, Other Events October 1970-1981: After Nasser’s Death, Egyptian President Sadat Brings Back the Muslim Brotherhood and the CIA After Egyptian President Gamal Abddul Nasser dies in October 1970, he is succeded as president of Egypt by his former Vice President, Anwar Sadat. Sadat is also a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, and he promptly reinstates the group as a legal organization and welcomes them back into Egypt. Sadat also has a very close relationship with the head of Saudi intelligence, Kamal Adham. Through Adham, Sadat also develops close working relationships not only with the Saudis, but with the CIA and Henry Kissinger. Sadat uses the power of the religious right, and the Muslim Brothers in particular to contain the Nasserites and their resistance to the radical changes he introduces. During Sadat’s tenure in the 1970’s Egypt becomes a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalism, and figures like Sheikh Omar Abdul-Rahman and Ayman al-Zawahiri gain great power in Egypt during this period. Ironically Sadat himself is assassinated in 1981 by Islamic Jihad, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, in 1981, because of his accomodation with Israel. [Dreyfuss, 2005, pp. 147-162, 165] Entity Tags: Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Central Intelligence Agency, Anwar Sadat, Henry A. Kissinger, Gamal Abddul Nasser Category Tags: Other Events 1973-1978: With Israel’s support, Ahmed Yassin Forms Islamist Organizations in the West Bank and Gaza In 1973 Israeli military authorities in charge of the West Bank and Gaza allow Sheikh Ahmed Yassin to establish the Islamic Center, an Islamic fundamentalist organization. With Israel’s support, Yassin’s organization soon gains control of hundreds of mosques, charities, and schools which serve as recruiting centers for militant Islamic fundamentalism. In 1976 Yassin creates another organization called the Islamic Association that forms hundreds of branches in Gaza. In 1978 the Islamic Association is licensed by the government of Menachem Begin over the objections of moderate Palesinians including the Commissioner of the Muslim Waqf in the Gaza Strip, Rafat Abu Shaban. Yassin also recieves funding from business leaders in Saudi Arabia who are also hostile to the secular PLO for religious reasons. The Saudi government, however, steps in and attempts to halt the private funds going to Yassin, because they view him as a tool of Israel. [United Press International, 2/24/2001; CounterPunch, 1/18/2003; Dreyfuss, 2005, pp. 195 - 197] Yassin will go on to form Hamas in the 1980s, which is created with the help of Israeli intelligence (see 1987). Entity Tags: Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Saudi Arabia, Rafat Abu Shaban, Islamic Center, Islamic Association, Israel Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad 1973-1982: Israel and Jordan Support Muslim Brotherhood Terrorism Against Syria In 1973 Hafez Assad approves a new, secular constitution for Syria, and declares that the country is a “democratic, popular, socialist state,” creating a backlash of violent Islamist demonstrations. Beginning in 1976, the Muslim Brotherhood carries out hundreds of attacks in Syria in an attempt to bring down the secular government. Israel and Jordan provide generous support for these operations, for example establishing training camps for the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon and Jordan near the Syrian border. In one incident in 1979, a gang of Brotherhood militants murders 83 military cadets by locking them inside a buliding and attacking it with automatic weapons and firebombs. Newsweek reports in 1981 that “over the past five years the Brotherhood has assassinated hundreds of Alawite members of Assad’s ruling Baath Parthy along with their relatives, Assad’s personal doctor, and a number of Soviet advisers.” In 1982, the Syrian army brutally suppresses the Muslim Brotherhood and their supporters, massacring thousands in the city of Hama, a strong center of support for the Brotherhood. This puts an end to the wave of violence. [Dreyfuss, 2005, pp. 199-205] Entity Tags: Muslim Brotherhood, Rafat Abu Shaban, Israel, Jordan, Syria [Foreign Policy Research Institute, 9/1999] Perle says Turkey’s civilian government failed to maintain law and order. Conveniently, the clampdown that follows the coup enables the new government to begin implementing the pro-US strategic agenda that was laid out during the 1979 meeting arranged by Perle’s mentor, Albert Wohlstetter (see 1979). It is now known that the terrorism that destabilized Turkey in the late 1970s was predominately the work of secret groups run by the Turkish military in conjunction with the CIA and NATO. [Progressive, 4/1997; Covert Action Quarterly, 6/1997; Ganser, 12/17/2004] Entity Tags: Kenal Evren, Richard Perle, Albert Wohlstetter Category Tags: Other / Unknown Early 1981: Mossad Initiates Bombing Campaign in Europe against A. Q. Khan Network The Israeli intelligence service Mossad begins a bombing and intimidation campaign in Europe targeting people linked to A. Q. Khan’s nuclear proliferation network, which is helping Pakistan build a nuclear weapon. After Israel bombs an Iraqi nuclear reactor in Osirak in June 1981, the campaign intensifies. Attacks are carried out and warnings given in Europe against Khan’s suppliers and middlemen (see Early 1981, February 20, 1981, Early 1981, November 1981, and 1981). The bombings are investigated by the police forces in the countries in which they occur and are traced to a group of apparent fronts for Mossad: the Group for Non-Proliferation in South Asia, the Committee to Safeguard the Islamic Revolution, and the League for Protecting the Sub-Continent. European police realize that a state-backed group is probably behind the bombings and suspect Mossad, due to the problematic relations between Israel and the Islamic world. Authors Adrian Levy and Catherine Scott-Clark will also say that Mossad was behind the bombings, partly based on interviews of “senior intelligence sources” in Israel in 2006. [Levy and Scott-Clark, 2007, pp. 87-8, 476] Entity Tags: Israel Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks (Mossad) Timeline Tags: A. Q. Khan's Nuclear Network Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad February 1982: Article in Israeli Journal Says Israel Should Exploit Internal Tensions of Arab States The winter issue of Kivunim, a “A Journal for Judaism and Zionism,” publishes “A Strategy for Israel in the Nineteen Eighties” by Oded Yinon. The paper, published in Hebrew, rejects the idea that Israel should carry through with the Camp David accords and seek peace. Instead, Yinon suggests that the Arab States should be destroyed from within by exploiting their internal religious and ethnic tensions: “Lebanon’s total dissolution into five provinces serves as a precedent for the entire Arab world including Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and the Arabian peninsula and is already following that track. The dissolution of Syria and Iraq later on into ethnically or religiously unique areas such as in Lebanon, is Israel’s primary target on the Eastern front in the long run, while the dissolution of the military power of those states serves as the primary short term target. Syria will fall apart, in accordance with its ethnic and religious structure, into several states such as in present day Lebanon.” Category Tags: Other / Unknown (1985): CIA Agent Proposes False Flag Attacks in Europe in Name of Hezbollah; Modified Proposal Is Implemented CIA agent Robert Baer proposes a series of false flag attacks in Europe to drive a wedge between Syria and Iran, which he hopes will lead to the freeing of Western hostages held in Lebanon. Although his superiors ban the use of real explosives, the proposal is implemented in altered form. Baer is aware that the current secular Syrian government is nervous about the tendency of Iran, one of its allies, to support numerous Islamic movements, including ones generally opposed to Syria. He plans to make the Syrians think that Iran has turned against it by carrying out a series of car bombings against Syrian diplomats in Europe and then claiming them in a statement issued by the CIA pretending to be the Lebanon-based and Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah. Baer thinks that Syria would then break with Hezbollah and the hostages would be freed. Although the plan is for the bombs to misfire and the diplomats not to be killed, his superior says that the use of any bombs in Europe is beyond the pale for the CIA. Baer will later comment: “Eventually we did get an operation through the bureaucracy. The CIA has asked me not to describe it. I can say, though, that while it managed to irritate [Syrian president] Hafiz al-Asad—sort of like a twenty-four hour diaper rash—it wasn’t enough for him to shut down Hezbollah.” [Baer, 2002, pp. 140-2] Entity Tags: Hezbollah, Central Intelligence Agency, Robert Baer, Syria, Iran Timeline Tags: US confrontation with Iran, Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Other / Unknown After Mid-April 1986: CIA Allegedly Sets Up Fake Bomb Plot to Influence European Opinion The La Belle disco in Berlin after it was bombed. [Source: AFP]European public opinion begins to turn after the US launches a deadly strike against Libya, in retaliation for the bombing of a Berlin disco in which two American servicemen died (see April 5, 1986 and After). The CIA therefore works to spread the idea that the Libyans intend to plant another bomb in Berlin, a propaganda operation designed to reshape European public opinion. According to a CIA officer involved in the operation, the first step is “to convince German intelligence and police there was a terrorist cell.” To achieve this, a Lebanese CIA asset named Jamal Hamdan, who helps the US in various ways around this time, makes a series of phone calls from an apartment in Cyprus to suspected terrorists in Germany. Hamdan also tells a relative living in West Berlin that his brother Ali and a friend will enter the city carrying a package, which, it is implied, is a bomb. Ali Hamdan and the friend then enter West Berlin illegally from the east and are arrested by German police, who wrongly believe that they actually have a bomb and the plot is real. Word of the plot is leaked to the US press, enabling the Reagan administration to quell criticism of the attack on Libya. The CIA then steps in and has the two men held in Germany released. [Trento and Trento, 2006, pp. 89-90] Entity Tags: Libya, Central Intelligence Agency, Ali Hamdan, Reagan administration, Jamal Hamdan Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: The Philippines, Alleged US False Flag Attacks March 17, 1992: Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires Is Bombed, Hezbollah and Iran Accused Despite Lack of Evidence Rescue workers in the wreckage of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires. [Source: Reuters / Corbis]Twenty-nine people are killed in the bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The bombing levels the three-story building. Argentina, the US, and Israel will later accuse Hezbollah and its backer Iran, but provide little evidence. According to most media accounts and the US State Department’s annual report on terrorism, the bombing was the work of a Hezbollah suicide bomber who drove a truck into the building. [Los Angeles Times, 5/8/1992; Patterns of Global Terrorism, 4/30/1993; Fox News, 10/5/2007] However, a technical report ordered by Argentina’s Supreme Court will find that the bomb was placed inside the building: “Court official Guillermo Lopez said that the investigation had ascertained that the explosives had been located on the first floor of the diplomatic headquarters. ‘The engineers established, with 99 percent certainty, the exact location where the explosives were and the quantity that was used.’” That conclusion is angrily rejected by Israel. [NotiSur, 8/16/1996] The case remains unsolved. [Ha'aretz, 3/17/2008] Entity Tags: Hezbollah Timeline Tags: US confrontation with Iran Category Tags: Other / Unknown Mid-September 1992: Bosnia Muslims Stage Attack from Sarajevo Hospital to Discredit Serbians Lord David Owen arrives in Sarajevo as the new European Union peace negotiator. Owen is initially seen as anti-Serb and had recently advocated Western air strikes against the Bosnian Serbs. He is outraged that his arrival coincides with a Serb bombardment of the Kosevo Hospital in Sarajevo, Bosnia. But within hours, he learns that the incident was actually provoked by the Bosnian Muslims. He will later say, “The UN monitors actually saw the Muslim troops enter the hospital and, from the hospital grounds, firing at Serb positions. Then the mortar was packed up and removed as the television crew showed up. A few minutes later a retaliatory fire of course landed in or near the hospital and all was filmed for television.” UN Gen. Philippe Morillon immediately writes a letter to Bosnian President Izetbegovic: “I now have concrete evidence from witnesses of this cowardly and disreputable act and I must point out the harm such blatant disregard for the Geneva Convention does to your cause.” But the letter and information about the incident is not made public and the Serbs are the only ones blamed for the incident. Owen will later say, “I asked Morillon why didn’t he make this public, and he shrugged his shoulders [and said], ‘We have to live here.’” [Rothstein, 1999, pp. 176, 188] Entity Tags: Alija Izetbegovic, Philippe Morillon, David Owen Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: The Balkans July 18, 1994: Anti-Jewish Bombing in Buenos Aires Is Blamed on Hezbollah and Iran Despite Lack of Proof Wreckage of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, [Source: Reuters / Corbis]A Jewish community center called AMIA in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is destroyed in a blast. The seven-story building is reduced to rubble and eighty-five people are killed. [BBC, 8/25/2003] Argentinean authorities, as well as the United States and Israel, are quick to blame Hezbollah and its backer, Iran. They accuse an Iranian diplomat of having provided a van packed with explosives to a Hezbollah suicide bomber. Problems with Investigation - But the investigation becomes the subject of intense controversy. Argentine President Nestor Kirchner will later call it “a national disgrace.” In 2003, it will be revealed that the investigative judge offered an apparent bribe to the man accused of selling the van used in the attack in exchange for his testimony against local police officers charged with complicity in the bombing. That judge will later be impeached and removed from office and the case will collapse. [BBC, 12/3/2003; BBC, 8/3/2005] Forensic Evidence - Critics will also argue that the forensic evidence suggests that the bomb exploded inside the building, rather than in the street. This will be the conclusion reached by Charles Hunter, an explosives expert with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) who was part of the investigation. Hunter will quickly identify “major discrepancies” between the car-bomb thesis and the blast pattern recorded in photos. A report drafted two weeks later will note that, in the wake of the bombing, merchandise in a store immediately to the right of AMIA was tightly packed against its front windows and merchandise in another shop had been blown out onto the street—suggesting that the blast came from inside rather than outside. Hunter will also say he does not understand how the building across the street could still be standing if the bomb had exploded in front of AMIA. Investigators will find no conclusive evidence against any Iranian diplomat. The US ambassador to Argentina at the time, James Cheek, will comment in a 2008 article: “To my knowledge, there was never any real evidence of [Iranian responsibility]. They never came up with anything.” [Nation, 1/18/2008] Nevertheless, in November 2007, Argentina, with strong support from the US and Israel, will successfully persuade Interpol to issue arrest warrants against several Iranian officials and one Lebanese Hezbollah militant. [Wall Street Journal, 1/15/2008] Entity Tags: Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina, James Cheek, Hezbollah, Nestor Kirchner Timeline Tags: US confrontation with Iran Category Tags: Algeria January 13,1995: Algerian Government Responds to Peace Overtures by Plotting False Flag Attacks in France The Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) logo. [Source: Public domain]The Italian government hosts a meeting in Rome of Algerian political parties, including the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), whose probable election win was halted by an army coup in 1992 (see January 11, 1992). Eight political parties representing 80 percent of the vote in the last multi-party election agree on a common platform brokered by the Catholic community of Sant’Egidio, Italy, known as the Sant’Egidio Platform. The militant Groupe Islamique Armé (GIA) is the only significant opposition force not to participate in the agreement. The parties agree to a national conference that would precede new multi-party elections. They call for an inquiry into the violence in Algeria, a return to constitutional rule, and the end of the army’s involvement in politics. The Independent notes the agreement “[does] much to bridge the enmity between religious and lay parties and, most significantly, pushe[s] the FIS for the first time into an unequivocal declaration of democratic values.” French President Francois Mitterrand soon proposes a European Union peace initiative to end the fighting in Algeria, but the Algerian government responds by recalling its ambassador to France. [Independent, 2/5/1995] The Washington Post notes that the agreement “demonstrate[s] a growing alliance between the Islamic militants [such as the GIA], waging a deadly underground war with government security forces, and the National Liberation Front,” Algeria’s ruling party, as both are opposed to peace with the FIS and other opposition parties. [Washington Post, 1/14/1995] The Guardian will later report that these peace overtures “left [Algeria’s] generals in an untenable position. In their desperation, and with the help of the DRS [Algeria’s intelligence agency], they hatched a plot to prevent French politicians from ever again withdrawing support for the military junta.” The GIA is heavily infilrated by Algerian government moles at this time and even the GIA’s top leader, Djamel Zitouni, is apparently working for Algerian intelligence (see October 27, 1994-July 16, 1996). Some GIA moles are turned into agent provocateurs. GIA leader Ali Touchent, who the Guardian will say is one of the Algerian moles, begins planning attacks in France in order to turn French public opinion against the Algerian opposition and in favor of the ruling Algerian government (see July-October 1995). The GIA also plots against some of the FIS’s leaders living in Europe. [Guardian, 9/8/2005] Entity Tags: National Liberation Front, Islamic Salvation Front, Algerian army, Groupe Islamique Armé, Département du Renseignement et de la Sécurité, Francois Mitterrand, Ali Touchent Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Algeria Early February 1995: Philippine Undercover Operative Exposed Shortly after Bojinka Plot Was Foiled Edwin Angeles, a Philippine government operative so deeply embedded in the Muslim militant group Abu Sayyaf that he is actually the group’s second in command (see 1991-Early February 1995), surrenders to Philippine authorities. Angeles will later tell a reporter that he was not supposed to surrender yet and was surprised that his military handlers unmasked his cover. [Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7/10/2001] One report suggests a slightly different account: “In early February, rumors began to circulate that Angeles… was, in fact, a deep-penetration agent planted by the Philippine military; Angeles heard the rumors and knew he would be killed,” so he turned himself in. In any case, the timing may have something to do with the Bojinka plot, which he was involved in and was foiled just the month before (see January 6, 1995 and Late 1994-January 1995). Angeles is debriefed for weeks and reveals many details about the Bojinka plot and Abu Sayyaf generally. It is not known what he may have told Philippine intelligence about the Bojinka plot while the plot was still in motion, if anything. [Advertiser, 6/3/1995] Angeles leads the military in a number of operations against Abu Sayyaf and helps capture several top leaders, removing any doubt for the group that he was an undercover agent. Angeles then becomes a Philippine intelligence agent but, soon he has a falling out over what he believes are unethical methods and goes public with his complaints later in the year. He is then charged with multiple counts of kidnapping and murder for his actions when he was an Abu Sayyaf leader. However, he will be acquitted after the judge announces Angeles proved the crimes were all done as part of his job as an undercover operative. Hated by both the Philippine government and Abu Sayyaf, Angeles will disappear into the jungle and try to start his own rebel group. However, he will be shot and killed in early 1999. [Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7/10/2001] Entity Tags: Abu Sayyaf, Edwin Angeles, Philippines Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: The Balkans March 19, 1999: Bombing in Russian Market Near Chechnya Kills Fifty In the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia since 1996, a powerful bombing in Vladikavkaz’s main outdoor market kills at least fifty people and injures more than a hundred. Vladikavkaz is the capital of North Ossetia, a region of Russia close to Chechnya. It is unclear who is responsible, but in the following days Russian authorities distribute composites of two individuals who left the market shortly before the explosions. Some press reports say that authorities suspect “Wahabbi” rebels in Chechnya, while others speculate on a possible connection to Osama Bin Laden but offer no evidence. The Jamestown Foundation’s Monitor later explains that “the term “Wahabbi” in the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] has become a catch-all phrase for any Muslim extremist, whether or not that person is actually an adherent of Wahabbi Islam. “Wahabbis” are now, generally without evidence, blamed for any terrorist act in the Muslim regions of the CIS.” [CNN, 3/19/1999; BBC, 3/19/1999; New York Times, 3/20/1999; New York Times, 3/21/1999; Monitor, 3/22/1999; Monitor, 3/24/1999] Several months later, an Italian journalist will claim this bombing was orchestrated by elements within the Russian government (see June 16, 1999). Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden Category Tags: Russia May 16, 1999: Explosions Target Russian Military Housing near Chechnya; Fourteen Injured and One Killed Three explosions take place at a military housing complex on the outskirts of Vladikavkaz, Russia. Vladikavkaz is the capital of North Ossetia, a region close to Chechnya. Fifteen people are injured, and one of them later dies. The blasts take place at dawn, around 6:00 am, apparently from the basements, destroying several apartment blocks. There are no clear indications of responsibility. [Monitor, 6/30/1999; GlobalSecurity.org, 2000] Two months earlier, a bombing in Vladikavkaz killed fifty. The responsibility for that bombing also remains unknown (see March 19, 1999). Category Tags: Russia June 6, 1999: Kremlin False Flag Terror Plot Rumors Surface in Swedish Newspaper The Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet publishes a report by its Moscow correspondent Jan Blomgren claiming that a group of powerful Kremlin figures have drafted a plan to orchestrate bombings in Moscow that would then be blamed on Chechens. This is the first such predictive report in the media; two more will follow (see June 16, 1999 and July 22, 1999). [Independent, 1/29/2000] Entity Tags: Jan Blomgren Category Tags: Russia June 16, 1999: Italian Journalist Publishes Warning Against State-instigated Terrorism in Russia Giulietto Chiesa. [Source: ]Giulietto Chiesa, the Moscow correspondent for the Italian newspaper Stampa, publishes an article in the Literaturnaya Gazeta weekly entitled “There Are Also Different Kinds of Terrorists” which tries to alert the public to the possibility that state-sponsored terrorism can be a tool of a “strategy of tension” pursued by secret services. The article comments on recent bombings in Russia, in particular the Vladikavkaz bombing that killed at least fifty in March 1999 (see March 19, 1999). “That criminal act,” he writes, “was conceived and carried out not simply by a group of criminals. As a rule the question here concerns broad-scale and multiple actions, the goal of which is to sow panic and fear among citizens. […] Actions of this type have a very powerful political and organizational base. Often, terrorist acts that stem from a ‘strategy of building up tension,’ are the work of a secret service, both foreign but also national […] Terrorism of this type (it is sometimes called ‘state terrorism’ since it involves simultaneously both state interests and structures acting in the secret labyrinths of contemporary states) is a comparatively new phenomenon… With a high degree of certitude, one can say that the explosions of bombs killing innocent people are always planned by people with political minds. They are not fanatics, rather they are killers pursuing political goals. One should look around and try to understand who is interested in destabilizing the situation in a country. It could be foreigners… but it could also be ‘our own people’ trying to frighten the country…” In the book Roulette Rossa, published later in 1999, Chiesa will write that he “received information concerning the preparation of a series of terrorist acts in Russia which had the goal of canceling the future elections” and had felt compelled to write the article containing “a somewhat veiled warning.” [Chiesa, 1999; Dunlop, 10/5/2004, pp. 9 ] Entity Tags: Giulietto Chiesa Category Tags: Russia June 28, 1999: Bombing at Russian Train Station near Chechnya Injures 11 The Vladikavkaz train station is bombed. Vladikavkaz is the capital of North Ossetia, a Russian region close to Chechnya. Eleven people are reported injured. The Kommersant newspaper writes that “investigators are certain that the bombing was the work of Chechen rebel field commander [Ibn] Khattab”, according to the Jamestown Foundation’s Monitor, which summarizes Russian and East European publications. However, another major Russian newspaper, Izvestia, expresses doubts about Khattab’s culpability. “The paper asked why there have been no comments on the arrest of officers from the 58th army based in Vladikavkaz, who were caught with dozens of kilograms of explosives. It also asked why the 58th army’s commanders and the heads of the North Caucasus Military district reacted so harshly to indications that those officers arrested with explosives belonged to the GRU—military intelligence. [Monitor, 6/30/1999] It is unclear from available sources when this arrest was made or if any investigation was conducted. This is the third bombing in Vladikavkaz since March 1999 (see March 19, 1999 and May 16, 1999). Entity Tags: Ibn Khattab, Russian Military Intelligence (GRU) Category Tags: Russia July 22, 1999: Russian Journalist Alleges Destabilization Plot by Kremlin Insiders Aleksandr Zhilin, a prominent military journalist and retired Air Force colonel, publishes an article entitled “Storm in Moscow” in the Moskovskaya Pravda newspaper. According to unnamed sources, Zhilin reports that a group of government figures in President Yelstin’s administration are plotting to destabilize Russian politics by committing spectacular acts of terrorism and other crimes. This alleged plan aims to discredit Mayor of Moscow Yury Luzhkov, a possible candidate in the up-coming presidential elections of 2000. “From trustworthy sources in the Kremlin the following has become known. The administration of the president has drafted and adopted (individual points have been reported to Yeltsin) a broad plan for discrediting Luzhkov with the aid of provocations, intended to destabilize the socio-psychological situation in Moscow. In circles close to Tatyana Dyachenko [Yeltsin’s younger daughter], the given plan is being referred to as ‘Storm in Moscow.’ […] As is confirmed by our sources, the city awaits great shocks. The conducting of loud terrorist acts (or attempts at terrorist acts) is being planned in relation to a number of government establishments: the buildings of the FSB [the Russian intelligence agency], MVD [the Ministry of Internal Affairs], Council of Federation, Moscow City Court, Moscow Arbitration Court, and a number of editorial boards of anti-Luzhkov publications. Also foreseen is the kidnapping of a number of well-known people and average citizens by ‘Chechen rebels’ who with great pomp will then be ‘freed’ and brought to Moscow by Mr. [Vladimir] Rushailo [the newly appointed head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs].” Actions employing the use of force “will be conducted against structures and businessmen supporting Luzhkov.” Also, “a separate program has been worked out directed at setting organized crime groups in Moscow against one another and provoking a war among them.” The purpose of these actions is to create “the conviction that Luzhkov had lost control over the situation in the city.” In a subsequent article in Novaya Gazeta (November 18, 1999), Zhilin will report that the plan “Storm in Moscow” was dated June 29 and that he had obtained a copy on July 2. The article will go unnoticed immediately after publication, but will be much-discussed two months later after the September apartment bombings (see September 9, 1999, September 13, 1999, and September 22-24, 1999). The BBC will report on September 30, “Zhilin’s article is interesting because it was written before the bomb explosions. At the very least it says a lot about the fevered political atmosphere in Russia that some people take these theories [of a government conspiracy] seriously.” [BBC, 9/30/1999; Dunlop, 10/17/2001; RFE/RL Newsline, 3/27/2002; National Review Online, 4/30/2002; Dunlop, 10/5/2004, pp. 11 ] Entity Tags: Yuri M. Luzhkov, Vladimir Rushailo, Tatyana Dyachenko, Boris Yeltsin, Aleksandr Zhilin Category Tags: Russia August 9, 1999: Russian President Yeltsin Sacks Government, Nominates Vladimir Putin Acting Prime Minister Yeltsin and Putin [Source: BBC]Russian President Boris Yeltsin dismisses his prime minister, Sergei Stepashin, and the entire Russian government, naming Vladimir Putin as acting prime minister. Putin is the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), which is the new name of the KGB. [BBC, 8/9/1999] For many observers, Stepashin was dismissed because he had been unable to become a politically viable heir to Yeltsin, who must step down in 2001. Putin, who is unknown to the public, seems to have been hand-picked mainly for his loyalty. [New York Times, 8/10/1999] The Russian news service Park.ru offers this fairly representative analysis: “Only a trusted person from one of the ‘power ministries’ can ensure the safety of Yeltsin’s entourage after his term in office, and the former FSB boss can prove indispensable.” [BBC, 8/9/1999] Entity Tags: Boris Yeltsin, Russian Federal Security Service, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Stepashin, KGB Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Russia August 25-September 22, 1999: Russia Begins Bombing Chechnya in Advance of Full-Scale Invasion Following raids by Chechen forces into the neighboring Russian region of Dagestan earlier in the month (see August 7-8, 1999), the Russian military pushes the Chechens back into Chechnya. Then, on August 25, Russian planes bomb two villages just inside Chechnya, near the Dagestan border. [CNN, 8/26/1999] There is intermittent fighting and bombing for several weeks, and then, around September 22, a more intense Russian bombing campaign begins. This is to soften up the opposition so a full scale invasion can start at the end of September (see September 29, 1999). [CNN, 9/29/1999] Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Russia August 31, 1999: Moscow Shopping Mall Is Bombed In the first instance of what will later become a series of bombings during the month of September 1999, the Manezh, a luxury underground shopping mall in Moscow and within walking distance of the Kremlin, is bombed. Forty people are injured; only one is killed. [BBC, 9/1/1999] Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Russia September 4, 1999: Bomb Targets Military Barracks in Dagestan, Next to Chechnya Buinaksk Blast [Source: Terror99.ru]A powerful bomb hits military housing for Russian soldiers in Buinaksk, Dagestan, killing 64. A car bomb is also discovered near a military hospital and defused. The attack is believed to have been committed by Chechen rebels in retaliation for Russian operations in Chechnya and neighboring Dagestan. [BBC, 9/5/1999; Associated Press, 9/5/1999; New York Times, 9/6/1999; Daily Telegraph, 9/6/1999] Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Russia September 9, 1999: Apartment Blast in Moscow Kills 94; Chechen Rebels Blamed The Guryanov Street bombing. [Source: NTV/Terror.ru]A powerful explosion levels the central portion of a block-long Moscow apartment building shortly after midnight, killing 94 people. The building is located on Guryanov Street in a working-class suburb, far from the heart of Moscow. Yuri Luzhkov, the mayor of Moscow, who has a degree in chemistry, identifies the probable explosive as hexagen, also called RDX. He says the attack was probably carried out by Chechen terrorists: “Visual signs suggest that it was a terrorist act similar to the one carried out in Buinaksk” (see September 4, 1999). Interfax reports that an anonymous caller declared that the explosion is “our response to air strikes against peaceful villages in Chechnya and Dagestan.” [New York Times, 9/10/1999; Moscow Times, 9/10/1999; BBC, 8/10/2000] Another Moscow apartment building is bombed on September 13, killing over 100 (see September 13, 1999). Later in the month, explosives will be found in an apartment building in the nearby city of Ryazan. The Russian government will initially declare it a foiled bombing until the suspects arrested turn out to be FSB agents. The government will then claim it was merely a training exercise (see September 22-24, 1999). This will lead some to suspect that all three apartment bomb incidents this month were false flag attacks by the FSB (see March 6, 2002, December 30, 2003 and January 2004). Entity Tags: Yuri M. Luzhkov Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Russia September 13, 1999: Second Moscow Apartment Bombing Kills 118; Chechen Rebels Blamed The Kashirskoye Street bombing. [Source: AP/Terror99.ru]A powerful early-morning blast levels an apartment building on Kashirskoye Street, Moscow, killing 118 people. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Moscow’s mayor Yuri M. Luzhkov blame Chechen terrorists. [New York Times, 9/13/1999; BBC, 9/13/1999] Another Moscow apartment building was bombed on September 9, killing nearly 100 (see September 9, 1999). Later in the month, explosives will be found in an apartment building in the nearby city of Ryazan. The Russian government will initially declare it a foiled bombing until the suspects arrested turn out to be FSB agents. The government will then claim it was merely a training exercise (see September 22-24, 1999). This will lead some to suspect that all three apartment bomb incidents this month were false flag attacks by the FSB (see March 6, 2002, December 30, 2003 and January 2004). Entity Tags: Yuri M. Luzhkov, Russian Federal Security Service, Vladimir Putin Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Russia December 19, 1999: Pro-Kremlin Parties Win Parliamentary Elections A coalition of pro-government parties unexpectedly wins elections to the Duma, the Russian parliament. The Chechnya War, according to all observers, was the main factor in turning the electorate in the Kremlin’s favor. “The Chechen war—loudly criticized in the West for its brutal bombardments of civilians—has galvanized Russian public opinion and, according to most political experts, turned the national debate away from a search for social stability toward an endorsement for a strong state, headed by a strong leader. That shift in the national mood has been answered by [Russian Prime Minister Vladimir] Putin”, says the New York Times. [New York Times, 12/20/1999] In addition, during the campaign, the opposition led by Yuri Luzhkov, the mayor of Moscow, and Yevgeny Primakov, a former prime minister removed from office by President Yeltsin in early 1999, was pummeled by hostile media reports from pro-Kremlin news organizations, in particular Boris Berezovsky’s ORT television network. [New York Times, 12/15/1999] Entity Tags: Vladimir Putin, Boris Yeltsin, Yuri M. Luzhkov, Boris Berezovsky, Yevgeny Primakov Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Russia February 6, 2000: Apparent Mossad Attempt to Infiltrate Al-Qaeda Thwarted India’s largest Newsweekly reports that it appears a recent Mossad attempt to infiltrate al-Qaeda failed when undercover agents were stopped on their way to Bangladesh by Indian customs officials. These 11 men appeared to be from Afghanistan, but had Israeli passports. One expert states, “It is not unlikely for Mossad to recruit 11 Afghans in Iran and grant them Israeli citizenship to penetrate a network such as bin Laden’s. They would begin by infiltrating them into an Islamic radical group in an unlikely place like Bangladesh.” [Week, 2/6/2000] Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Israel Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks (Mossad) Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad February 20, 2000: Ryazan Bomb Was Real, Local Police Tell Independent Newspaper Yuri Tkachenko [Source: Terror99.ru]In its February 14-20, 2000, issue, the Russian newsweekly Novaya Gazeta reports that Ryazan police officers insist that the bomb they uncovered and defused was real. On September 22, 1999, a bomb was discovered in the city of Ryazan, about 100 miles south of Moscow. After the chief bomb suspects were discovered to be FSB agents, the government claimed the bomb was a dummy and the incident was a training exercise (see September 22-24, 1999). But the bomb-squad officer, Yuri Tkachenko, is adamant that it was a professionally-prepared, military-style bomb. He defends the accuracy of his sophisticated gas-testing device which identified the explosives as hexogen. The article provokes much comment in Russia but is ignored by the government. [Satter, 2003, pp. 29] Entity Tags: Novaya Gazeta, Yuri Tkachenko Category Tags: The Philippines September 13, 2000: Indonesia Stock Exchange Bombing Blamed on Rebels Appears Linked to Indonesian Military Instead Smoke rising from the bombed Jakarta stock exchange. [Source: RTV]A bombing at the stock exchange in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city, kills 15. It is the fourth bombing in Jakarta since July, and the most deadly. Later the same month, two Indonesian soldiers are arrested and the Indonesian government claims they were the ones who planted the bomb. One of the soldiers belongs to Kopassus, Indonesia’s notorious special forces unit, and the other belongs to a different elite unit. The two men will later be sentenced to life in prison for their roles in the bombing, but one will escape from prison before being sentenced. One of them will say his next targets include the US embassy and a Jakarta department store. The government says the two soldiers were rogues acting by themselves and hints that Islamist rebels from the province of Aceh are behind the bombing. However, little evidence of this is presented in court, and many analysts suspect elements in the military were involved as part of high-level political intrigues. The bombing takes place two days before the resumption of the corruption trial of Suharto, president of Indonesia until 1998, and there is strong speculation that the Suharto family is behind the bombing and the other recent Jakarta bombings to pressure the current Indonesian government not to act against Suharto. One of Suharto’s sons is arrested for an alleged role in a bombing earlier that year, and then released. [BBC, 9/13/2000; Asian Political News, 8/27/2001] In 2002, the Age, a major Australian newspaper, will comment about the stock exchange bombing, “Indonesian military elements were prepared to cause massive casualties and huge economic disruption in their own capital for the purposes of elite-level politics.” [Age (Melbourne), 10/17/2002] Entity Tags: Tentara Nasional Indonesia Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Other / Unknown December 24-30, 2000: Al-Qaeda Linked Group Bombings Kill Dozens in Indonesia and Philippines Damaged cars from the Christmas Eve bombings. [Source: SBS Dateline]Al-Qaeda affiliate Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) sets off two series of bombs, first in Indonesia, then in the Philippines. The Christmas Eve attacks in Indonesia comprise a series of 38 bombings in 11 cities and are directed against churches. Nineteen people are killed and over a hundred injured. [Asia Times, 10/8/2004] The attacks in the Philippines kill 22 and injure 120 in the country’s capital, Manila. The operation, involving attacks on a train, a bus, an abandoned petrol station, an airport car park, and a park, is apparently carried out by Indonesian JI operative Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi. [BBC, 2/27/2002] Many militants are arrested after the attacks. The investigation leads to JI and al-Qaeda leader Hambali, a veteran Islamic fighter who was involved in the Bojinka plot (see January 6, 1995), is tied to 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (see June 1994), and attended an al-Qaeda Malaysia summit in 2000, which was monitored by Malaysia intelligence and the CIA (see January 5-8, 2000). Although Hambali, an Indonesian, has lived in Malaysia since the mid-1990s, the authorities cannot find him and say that he has fled to Saudi Arabia (see January 2001 and after). [Jakarta Post, 2/7/2001] JI’s spiritual leader, Abu Bakar Bashir, is also arrested, but then released. [CNN, 2/26/2004] Hambali will finally be captured in August 2003 in Thailand (see August 12, 2003). In February 2001, evidence will come out suggesting links between some of the bombers and the Indonesian military (see February 20, 2001). Entity Tags: Jemaah Islamiyah, Hambali, Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, Abu Bakar Bashir Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Indonesia Between March 2001 and May 2001: Counterterrorism ‘Tsar’ Clarke: Bush Officials Discuss Creating Casus Belli for War with Iraq Counterterrorism “tsar” Richard Clarke later says that sometime between March and May, Bush administration officials discussed creating a casus belli for war with Iraq. In a 2007 interview with radio show host Jon Elliot, Clarke says: “Prior to 9/11 a number of people in the White House were saying to me you know this—this administration, particularly Cheney, but also Bush [and] people like Wolfowitz in the Pentagon, are really intent on going to war with Iraq. And this was the whispered conversations in the National Security Council staff.… Early, early on in the administration people I knew and trusted in the administration were saying to me, ‘You know. They’re really going to do it. They are going to go to war with Iraq.’ And I was flabbergasted. Why would you want to do that of all the things in the world that one could choose to do?… And how are we going to do it? How are we going to cause that provocation? And there was some discussion of ‘Well maybe [we’ll] keep flying aircraft over Iraq and maybe one day one of them will be shot down.’… And some of the talk I was hearing—in the March, April, May timeframe—‘Maybe we’ll do something that is so provocative and do it in such a way that our aircraft will be shot down.’ And then we’ll have an excuse to go to war with Iraq.” [Jon Elliot Show, 1/11/2007 Sources: Richard A. Clarke] Entity Tags: Richard (“Dick”) Cheney, Richard A. Clarke, George W. Bush Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline, Events Leading to Iraq Invasion, 9/11 Timeline [Source: Public domain] (click image to enlarge)James Bamford’s book, Body of Secrets, reveals a secret US government plan named Operation Northwoods. All details of the plan come from declassified military documents. [Associated Press, 4/24/2001; Baltimore Sun, 4/24/2001; Washington Post, 4/26/2001; ABC News, 5/1/2001] The heads of the US military, all five Joint Chiefs of Staff, proposed in a 1962 memo to stage attacks against Americans and blame Cuba to create a pretext for invasion. Says one document, “We could develop a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington.… We could blow up a US ship in Guantanamo Bay and blame Cuba. Casualty lists in US newspapers would cause a helpful wave of indignation.” In March 1962, Lyman L. Lemnitzer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented the Operation Northwoods plan to President John Kennedy and Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. The plan was rejected. Lemnitzer then sought to destroy all evidence of the plan. [Baltimore Sun, 4/24/2001; ABC News, 5/1/2001] Lemnitzer was replaced a few months later, but the Joint Chiefs continued to plan “pretext” operations at least through 1963. [ABC News, 5/1/2001] One suggestion in the plan was to create a remote-controlled drone duplicate of a real civilian aircraft. The real aircraft would be loaded with “selected passengers, all boarded under carefully prepared aliases,” and then take off with the drone duplicate simultaneously taking off near by. The aircraft with passengers would secretly land at a US military base while the drone continues along the other plane’s flight path. The drone would then be destroyed over Cuba in a way that places the blame on Cuban fighter aircraft. [Harper's, 7/1/2001] Bamford says, “Here we are, 40 years afterward, and it’s only now coming out. You just wonder what is going to be exposed 40 years from now.” [Insight, 7/30/2001] Some 9/11 skeptics will claim that the 9/11 attacks could have been orchestrated by elements of the US government, and see Northwoods as an example of how top US officials could hatch such a plot. [Oakland Tribune, 3/27/2004] Entity Tags: John F. Kennedy, James Bamford, Lyman L. Lemnitzer, Robert McNamara Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Alleged US False Flag Attacks Late August 2001: NORAD Commander Fights to Keep Air Defense Plan Alive; Senior Officer Is Oblivious to Terror Threat Major General Larry Arnold, the commander of the Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR), struggles to maintain funding for a plan to defend against a cruise missile attack by terrorists. Arnold has long been worried by the US’s vulnerability to an airborne attack by terrorists (see 1999 and February 2000). But, as he will later recount, not everyone shares his concern. He will say: “Just two weeks before September 11, 2001, I had met with Vice Admiral Martin Mayer, the deputy commander in chief of Joint Forces Command located in Norfolk, Virginia. He had informed me that he intended to kill all funding for a plan my command had been working on for two years, that would defend against a cruise missile attack by terrorists. While I convinced Admiral Mayer to continue his funding support, he told me in front of my chief of staff, Colonel Alan Scott; Navy Captain David Stewart, the lead on the project; and my executive officer, Lt. Col. Kelley Duckett, that our concern about Osama bin Laden as a possible threat to America was unfounded and that, to repeat, ‘If everyone would just turn off CNN, there wouldn’t be a threat from Osama bin Laden.’” [Spencer, 2008, pp. 289] Entity Tags: David Stewart, Alan Scott, Kelley Duckett, Larry Arnold, Osama bin Laden, Martin Mayer Category Tags: Other / Unknown, Other Events September 10, 2001: Army School Peacekeeping Report Says Mossad Can Target US Forces with False Flag Attacks A group of second-year students at the Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) produces a 68-page plan for sending peacekeepers to Israel in the event that the Israelis and Palestinians agree to a peace plan and the creation of a Palestinian state. Though the cover of the report indicates that the report has been written for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Maj. Chris Garver, a Fort Leavenworth spokesman, says that it was only an academic exercise. An article about the report appears in the Washington Times on September 10, 2001. The report refers to Israel’s armed forces as a “500-pound gorilla in Israel” that is “well armed and trained” and is “known to disregard international law to accomplish mission.” Of the Mossad, the report says: “Wildcard. Ruthless and cunning. Has capability to target US forces and make it look like a Palestinian/Arab act.” It describes Palestinian youths as “loose cannons; under no control, sometimes violent.” The SAMS officers write that US goals for the first 30 days of such a mission would be to “create conditions for development of Palestinian State and security of Israel”; ensure “equal distribution of contract value or equivalent aid” that would help legitimize the peacekeeping force and stimulate economic growth; “promote US investment in Palestine”; “encourage reconciliation between entities based on acceptance of new national identities”; and “build lasting relationship based on new legal borders and not religious-territorial claims.” [Washington Times, 9/10/2001] Entity Tags: Chris Garver, Army School of Advanced Military Studies Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline, 9/11 Timeline Category Tags: Anabasis Operation in Iraq October 10, 2001: Two Israelis Are Detained in Mexican Legislature Building after Behaving Suspiciously and Found To Be Carrying Arms Two Israelis, Salvador Gersson Smike, 34, and Sar Ben Zui, 27, are arrested in the Mexican Congress Building in Mexico City. Smike is carrying a plastic 9 mm sophisticated Glock 9 mm pistol tucked into his underwear in his lower back. Glock pistols are made with a special plastic material and are very easy to smuggle. [Correo, 10/11/2001; El Heraldo de Mexico (Mexico City), 10/11/2001; Cronica de Hoy (Mexico City), 10/12/2001] He also has with him a briefcase reported to contain 58 bullets, bomb-making materials, three detonators, and nine grenades. [El Heraldo de Mexico (Mexico City), 10/11/2001] The two were apprehended after ex-sugarcane workers, who were waiting for a congressional hearing, saw the two Israelis behaving strangely at around 4:00 p.m. They were reportedly photographing the workers below the belt. When the workers demanded that the two men identify themselves, the Israelis said they were press photographers. The workers dismissed their claims, overcame them, and then discovered they were armed with pistols and other high caliber arms. The two men had apparently also been seen the day before taking pictures. [Cronica de Hoy (Mexico City), 10/12/2001] Security guards soon arrived, disarmed the men, and took them to the security office. At around 6:00 p.m., it is learned that the two men are Israelis and that one of them, Salvador Gersson, is a former colonel of the Israeli Special Forces. [Correo, 10/11/2001; Diario de Mexico (Mexico City), 10/11/2001 ] Soon after, a man claiming to be a supervisor from the company, Desarrollo de Sistemas de Seguridad Privada (Private Security Systems Development), says the two men are employees at the firm and that they were taking pictures because they are “vacationing.” The journalists who are present scoff at the claim. [Correo, 10/11/2001; El Heraldo de Mexico (Mexico City), 10/11/2001] After October 13, no additional information is reported about the incident. Entity Tags: Salvador Gersson Smike, Sar Ben Zui, Private Security Systems Development Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad October 11, 2001: Nuclear Bomb Squad Sent to New York Following Intelligence Report of Possible Al-Qaeda Device According to Graham Allison, a Harvard professor and expert on national security issues, the Nuclear Emergency Search Team (NEST), the agency that investigates nuclear threats (see September 5-15, 2001), is sent to New York City following an intelligence report that al-Qaeda may have smuggled a nuclear device into that city. The CIA has received a report from a source code-named Dragonfire that the terrorist organization has obtained a 10-kiloton nuclear weapon from the former Soviet Union. During the search for the weapon, Vice President Dick Cheney and several hundred federal employees are relocated to a secure underground bunker. No weapon is found. [Los Angeles Times, 9/19/2004; Blueprint Magazine, 10/7/2004] Entity Tags: Nuclear Emergency Search Team Category Tags: Anabasis Operation in Iraq December 2, 2001: British Newspaper Reveals Secret US Plan to Invade Iraq after ‘Stage-Managed Uprising’ The Observer publishes an article entitled, “Secret US Plan for Iraq War.” It states that the US is planning to remove Saddam Hussein from power by giving armed support to Iraqi opposition forces. It also says that President Bush has ordered the CIA and US military to prepare plans for a military operation that could start “within months.” The plan calls for “a combined operation with US bombers targeting key military installations while US forces assist opposition groups in the north and south of the country in a stage-managed uprising,” and one version of the plan would have US forces fighting on the ground. The trigger for the attack would be Iraq refusing to allow UN inspectors back in. The article notes that justification for a war based on alleged Iraqi links to the 9/11 attacks is fading, but US officials believe they can make a case based on Iraqi possession of WMDs instead. One European military source who recently returned from General Tommy Franks’s headquarters in Florida says: “The Americans are walking on water. They think they can do anything at the moment.” [Observer, 12/2/2001] The claim that the US is planning a “stage-managed uprising” will later be borne out. Right around this time, some CIA planners come up with a plan code-named Anabasis to create an uprising in Iraq (see Late November 2001 or December 2001). Entity Tags: US Military, George W. Bush, Central Intelligence Agency Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: Related US Policy January 2002: Planners of Covert Operation Against Iraq Told, ‘Be Ready to Turn This Thing On by January 2003’ The CIA leadership informs the two veteran CIA agents working on Anabasis (see Late November 2001 or December 2001), CIA agents Luis (his full name has not been disclosed) and John Maguire, that the plan needs to be ready for implementation by January 2003. Maguire will later recall the message being: “Be ready to turn this thing on by January 2003. Be ready to go in a year. You got a year.” Maguire understands this to mean that the decision to invade Iraq has been made. [Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 12] Entity Tags: John Maguire, Luis, Anabasis, Central Intelligence Agency Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion [Source: Public domain]Andreas von Bülow, former German Minister for Research and Technology and a long-time member of German parliament, suggests in an interview that the CIA could have been behind the 9/11 attacks. He states: “Whoever wants to understand the CIA’s methods, has to deal with its main task of covert operations: Below the level of war, and outside international law, foreign states are to be influenced by inciting insurrections or terrorist attacks, usually combined with drugs and weapons trade, and money laundering.… Since, however, it must not under any circumstances come out that there is an intelligence agency behind it, all traces are erased, with tremendous deployment of resources. I have the impression that this kind of intelligence agency spends 90 percent of its time this way: creating false leads. So that if anyone suspects the collaboration of the agencies, he is accused of paranoia. The truth often comes out only years later.” [Der Tagesspiegel (Berlin), 1/13/2002] In an example of covering tracks, Ephraim Halevy, head of Israel’s Mossad from 1998 until 2002, claims, “Not one big success of the Mossad has ever been made public” (see February 5, 2003). [CBS News, 2/5/2003] Entity Tags: Andreas von Bulow, Israel Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks (Mossad), Central Intelligence Agency, Ephraim Halevy Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline, 9/11 Timeline Category Tags: Alleged US False Flag Attacks February 16, 2002: Bush Directs CIA to Conduct Operations in Iraq Bush signs an intelligence finding directing the CIA to conduct some of the operations that have been proposed in the Anabasis plan devised by veteran CIA agents Luis (full-name not disclosed) and John Maguire (see Late November 2001 or December 2001). The plan called for conducting covert operations within Iraq as part of a larger effort to overthrow Hussein’s government. [Washington Post, 4/17/2004; Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 9 Sources: Top officials interviewed by Washington Post editor Bob Woodward] Entity Tags: Anabasis, George W. Bush Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline, Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: The Philippines, Alleged US False Flag Attacks Summer 2002: CIA Begins Moving Iraqi Operatives into US to Train for Anabasis Plan The CIA begins bringing exiled Iraqi fighters into the US to begin training for the Anabasis project (see Late November 2001 or December 2001). Some of the Iraqis are flown in on secret flights using the same planes that are involved in the CIA’s extraordinary renditions (see After September 11, 2001) Other exiles enter the US with CIA-provided passports. [Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 155] Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: Indonesia Fall 2002: CIA Operation in Athens Frames Iraqi Security Officials in Arms Bust In Athens, a number of Iraqi security officials get snagged in an arms bust arranged by the CIA. The CIA made it appear as though the Iraqis were buying guns for terrorists. The operation was part of an effort by the CIA’s Iraq Operations Group to exacerbate the tension between the US and Saddam Hussein in the lead-up to war with Iraq. [Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 161] Entity Tags: Iraq Operations Group, Central Intelligence Agency Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: Anabasis Operation in Iraq September 2002: Anabasis Team Begins Training in Nevada Desert The CIA’s Anabasis operatives begin training in the Nevada Desert at the Energy Department’s nuclear test site. About 80 Iraqis take part in the training. They name their squad Scorpions 77 Alpha after a special forces unit Saddam had disbanded. A second team comprised of about 15 Arab fighters, mostly Egyptians and Lebanese, also train at the site. [Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 153-156] Entity Tags: Anabasis, Central Intelligence Agency Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: Indonesia September 27, 2002: French Court Ruling Backs Allegations of Widespread False Flag Attacks in Algeria Habib Souaidia. [Source: Public domain]Algerian general Khaled Nezzar loses a libel suit in France against Habib Souaidia, a former lieutenant in the Algerian army. Souaidia claimed in a 2001 book that in the 1990s the Algerian army frequently massacred Algerian civilians and then blamed Islamic militants for the killings. The French court rules that the contents of Souaidia’s book are “legitimate.” The court declares that it could not judge Algeria’s history but Souaidia had acted in good faith in making his allegations. [Agence France-Presse, 9/27/2002; Inter Press Service, 9/30/2002] Souaidia served in the Algerian army until 1996 and took part in operations against Islamic militants. Nezzar is considered the real power in Algeria, still ruling behind a facade of civilian rule ever since the early 1990s. Several former Algerian officers living in exile testified in court and corroborated Souaidia’s statements. For instance: Souaidia told the French court, “In the beginning we spoke about restoring order in the country. But very soon the generals made of us an army of wild murderers.… We had permission to kill whoever we wanted to for nothing at all.” He pointed to Nezzar in the courtroom and said that “at the same time they were counting the millions of dollars they had stolen from the people.” Former colonel Mohammed Samraoui testified that “the Algerian army used all means to attack the Islamic rebellion: blackmail, corruption, threats, killings…we used terrorist methods to attack terrorism even before it had appeared.” Former officer Ahmed Chouchene said that soldiers were told they could kill civilians as much as they liked as long as they could “produce a false explanation for the killings.” They were taught that “their role was not to apply law, but to circumvent it.” [Inter Press Service, 9/30/2002] Entity Tags: Algerian army, Ahmed Chouchene, Habib Souaidia, Département du Renseignement et de la Sécurité, Mohammed Samraoui, Groupe Islamique Armé, Islamic Salvation Front, Khaled Nezzar Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Algeria Late September 2002: CIA Strikes Deal with Iraqi Religious Leader to Exploit High-Level Contacts in Iraqi Government for Intelligence The CIA flies the leader of Iraq’s Sufi movement (Sufism is a mystic tradition of Islam) to Washington to discuss his possible involvement in the Anabasis project. One night at Marrakesh, a popular Moroccan restaurant, the Sufi asks Luis and John Maguire, the two CIA operatives who are heading the project, if the US is certain that it will remove Saddam Hussein. “You’re not just going to come to Iraq, poke Saddam in the eye, and leave, are you?” Maguire assures him that the US is serious this time. The CIA agrees to pay him $1 million a month in exchange for information from high-level Iraqi officials. Soon after the agreement, CIA officers in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq begin receiving high-quality intelligence from Iraqi insiders, including information on the movements of Saddam Hussein. The sources include Iraqi military officials who are more loyal to the Sufi leader than to Hussein. [Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 157] Entity Tags: Saddam Hussein, John Maguire, Luis, Anabasis Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: The Philippines October 16, 2002: Former Indonesian Military Officer Reportedly Confesses Role in Bali Bombings The Washington Post reports that a former Indonesian military official has confessed to assembling the main bomb that blew up a nightclub in Bali, Indonesia, several days earlier (see October 12, 2002). According to an unnamed Indonesian security official, former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Dedy Masrukhin says he regrets the loss of life, but will not disclose who ordered him to make the bomb. He was discharged from the military in September 2001 for involvement in a drug case. He received explosives training in the US while he was still in the military. However, less than 24 hours later, an Indonesian military spokesman acknowledges Masrukhin was intensively interrogated but denies that he confessed. [Jakarta Post, 10/16/2002; Washington Post, 10/16/2002] Several days later, the Jakarta Post, an English language newspaper in Indonesia, reports that their sources say “the police received orders to release [Masrukhin] although suspicions of his link to the Bali blasts remain strong.” [Jakarta Post, 10/21/2002] Interestingly, the London Times reports that the explosives used in the bombings were bought from the Indonesian military (see September-October 2002). [London Times, 10/20/2002] Entity Tags: Tentara Nasional Indonesia, Dedy Masrukhin Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Indonesia November 2002: CIA Officials Discuss Plans for Sabotage in Iraq at Secret Meeting in London CIA station chiefs from all over the Middle East meet at the United States Embassy in London for a secret conference. Deputy Director for Operations James Pavitt has called the meeting because certain people in the CIA are disappointed with a lack of action in the field on Iraq-related tasks. John Maquire of the Iraqi Operations Group has repeatedly criticized field operatives for being too timid (see, e.g., (October 2002)). [Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 161] “After several worldwide cables from IOG [Iraqi Operations Group], the Near East front office, and the DDO’s office, we found little movement in the field on the Iraq issue.… This lack of movement on the Iraq target triggered the call by the ADDO [the assistant deputy director of operations] for the London meeting,” an official from the CIA’s Iraqi Operations Group (IOG) later tells author James Risen. The problem is that many CIA officers, especially those in the Near East division, simply do not support the administration’s plan to invade Iraq. So one of the meeting’s objectives is to get everyone on board. The IOG official explains: “We kept saying that the president has decided we are going to war, and if you don’t like it, quit.” During the meeting, the officials say that the agency is interested in developing a plan for sabotage that will undermine the Iraqi regime. The chief of the IOG describes a plan to prevent the shipment of goods to Saddam Hussein and his family with the hope that it might cause Hussein to become paranoid and distrustful of those around him. One young station chief suggests sinking a ferry that imports these goods into Iraq from neighboring Arab countries. An IOG official present at the meeting will later tell Risen that this plan is dismissed because the vessel also transports passengers. But two station chiefs tell Risen that they left the meeting with the impression that IOG officials were open to the plan. Risen also reports in his book that another plan for sabotage was to equip “low-level Iraqi agents with special spring-loaded darts that they could use to destroy the windshields of cars owned by members of the Iraqi regime. Large supplies of the darts were later delivered to forward CIA stations, but nothing was ever done with them.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 183-184] Entity Tags: Iraq Operations Group, James Pavitt Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: Indonesia January 2003: CIA Moves Anabasis Team to Jordan The CIA’s Iraq Operations Group flies the Anabasis team from their Nevada training site to Jordan to wait for a green light from the White House. If the signal is given, the team—comprised of more than 100 members—will be flown to an isolated Iraqi military base near the Saudi border where they will announce a coup on the radio and call on other military units to join them. Then, when Hussein flies his troops south to quell the insurrection, the US Air Force will shoot them down for violating the no-fly zone. The confrontation will then be used as a pretext for full-scale war (see also Late November 2001 or December 2001). But the operation will be opposed by General Franks, and the Anabasis team will never receive the signal (see After January 2003). [Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 166] Entity Tags: Anabasis, Central Intelligence Agency Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: Anabasis Operation in Iraq After January 2003: Gen. Franks Rejects Anabasis Plan Execution of the Anabasis project (see Late November 2001 or December 2001) is blocked by General Tommy Franks. Journalists Michael Isikoff and David Corn write in their book Hubris that Franks “didn’t want a sideshow interfering with his carefully designed invasion plans.” Instead the Anabasis team, which has been waiting in Jordan (see January 2003), will help US forces cut roads and establish ties with local mullahs when the invasion begins. [Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 211 Sources: John Maguire] Entity Tags: Anabasis, Thomas Franks Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion Category Tags: Anabasis Operation in Iraq February 5, 2003: Recently Retired Head of Mossad Says His Agency Has Had Many Secret Big Successes Ephraim Halevy, head of the Mossad from 1998 to 2002, is interviewed by 60 Minutes. He denies allegations that Israel was behind the 9/11 attacks, saying, “Needless to say, this is not just a big lie. I think this is really also a travesty of any vestige of truth.” He also suggests that some Arab governments may have been subtly promoting this allegation to hurt Israel. But at the same time, he hints that the Mossad has had great secret successes. He claims, “Not one big success of the Mossad has ever been made public.” Equally cryptically, when asked what moment he is most proud of, he replies, “This is something I can’t talk about unfortunately. I am sorry about that.” [CBS News, 2/5/2003] Entity Tags: Ephraim Halevy, Israel Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks (Mossad) Category Tags: Israel / the Mossad May 12, 2003: Suspicious Circumstances in Riyadh Bombings Indicate Government Collusion with Al-Qaeda, American Contractors Say The May 12, 2003, Riyadh suicide bombings, which left 35 dead, targeted several housing compounds for Westerners, include one for Vinnell Corporation employees (see May 12, 2003). (Vinnell had a large contract to train Saudi forces.) Some former Vinnell employees, who are predominantly former American servicemen, will later allege in interviews and court documents that the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG), the elite force which protects the royal family, colluded with the bombers to facilitate the attacks. They claim that an exercise organized by the National Guard removed most security staff for the day of the bombing, suggesting foreknowledge. They also claim that warnings were ignored and that security was inexplicably lax. [Independent, 5/16/2004] They will then sue Vinnell and Saudi Arabia for negligence. [Independent, 5/8/2005] Entity Tags: Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG), Vinnell Corporation Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline Category Tags: Other / Unknown July 27-28, 2003: Philippine Soldiers Hold Brief Mutiny, Fearing Their Government Is Staging Terrorist Attacks A group of Philippine soldiers mutiny, claiming they are trying to prevent the Philippine government from staging terrorist attacks on its own people. About 300 soldiers, many of them officers, rig a large Manila shopping mall and luxury hotel with explosives, evacuate them, and then threaten to blow up the buildings unless President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other top Philippine leaders resign. After a twenty hour siege, the soldiers surrender and no one is hurt. Their leaders are jailed for mutiny. While Arroyo remains in power, other top leaders resign, including the county’s defense minister, police chief, and military intelligence chief. [Guardian, 7/28/2003; Guardian, 8/15/2003] The mutineers had a number of grievances. They complain: Senior military officials, in collusion with President Arroyo, are secretly behind recent bombings that have been blamed on Muslim militant groups. They specifically claim that a series of bombings in March and April 2002 in the southern city of Davao that killed 38 people were actually false flag operations. (Their allegations could be related to a May 2002 incident in which a US citizen staying in the area was injured when a bomb he was making exploded in his hotel room; see May 16, 2002. The Philippines media suggested that he was a CIA operative taking part in false flag operations.) The government is selling weapons and ammunition to rebel groups such as Abu Sayyaf even as these groups fight the government. The Guardian will later note that local newspaper reports describe the military’s selling of weapons to rebels as ‘an open secret’ and “common knowledge.” [Guardian, 8/15/2003] Gracia Burnham, an American missionary who was kidnapped in 2001 and held hostage by Abu Sayyaf rebels for more than a year, claims that her captors told her their weapons came from the Philippine government. [Asia Times, 7/29/2003] Islamic militants are being allowed to escape from jail. Just two weeks before the mutiny, Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, a bomb maker with the al-Qaeda allied Jemaah Islamiyah group, was inexplicably able to escape from a heavily guarded prison in Manila. There are many dubious circumstances surrounding his escape (see July 14, 2003). The government is on the verge of staging a new string of bombings to justify declaring martial law so Arroyo can remain in office past the end of her term in 2004. The Guardian will later note, “Though the soldiers’ tactics were widely condemned in the Philippines, there was widespread recognition in the press, and even inside the military, that their claims ‘were valid and legitimate’…. Days before the mutiny, a coalition of church groups, lawyers, and NGOs launched a ‘fact-finding mission’ to investigate persistent rumors that the state was involved in the Davao explosions. It is also investigating the possible involvement of US intelligence agencies.” [Guardian, 8/15/2003] CNN comments, “While the government issued a statement calling the accusation ‘a lie,’ and saying the soldiers themselves could be victims of propaganda, the soldiers’ accusation plays on the fears of many Filipinos after the infamous 21-year term of President Ferdinand Marcos, during which he did the same thing. Marcos instigated a series of bombings and civil unrest in the late 1960s and early 1970s, using that as an excuse to declare martial law in 1972. It took the People Power Revolt of 1986 to end Marcos’ dictatorship.” [CNN, 7/26/2003] Entity Tags: Jemaah Islamiyah, Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Abu Sayyaf, Gracia Burnham, Philippines Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline

Secrets of the Dead: Stalingrad, the Deadliest Battle German troops advance through the debris of the factory district in Stalingrad. National Archives. Like two players in a game of chess—one of monumental proportions and deadly results—totalitarian leaders Adolph Hitler and Josef Stalin moved pieces on a chessboard of more than one million square miles in World War II. The 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union by the Nazi war machine produced the largest land battle the world had ever seen and led to what many say was the pivotal event in Germany's downfall, the Battle of Stalingrad. Now Thirteen (WNET) introduces a new documentary about that battle in an episode of its popular series entitled Secrets of the Dead: Deadliest Battle, premiering May 19 on PBS (check local listings for times). Though less familiar to American audiences than campaigns and battles in the Pacific and Western Europe, the Eastern Front war between Germany and the Soviet Union has been the subject of documentary and dramatic film treatments for years. Brian J. McDonnell, producer, director and editor of the program, explains the impetus behind the project. "I've always been interested in World War II because I had so many uncles that fought in it. I started focusing more on the Eastern Front myself and I just felt a lot of people don't know about Stalingrad, so I thought maybe I'd make my first documentary on that. It was kind of by chance that (David) Glantz was making the trilogy so it all worked out well for me." The Stalingrad Trilogy is a new series of books by retired U. S. Army Col. David L. Glantz, a military historian who is an accomplished chronicler of the Eastern Front in World War II but who only recently tackled the complex subject of the Stalingrad campaign. What he envisioned as one 400-page book, he explains in the program, quickly ballooned into three volumes totaling 2,700 pages. Besides unraveling material from Soviet archives that has only become available in the last decade, Glantz was able to make use of the records of the German Sixth Army, which had been lost for fifty years. "With all this information," says McDonnell, "Glantz started addressing what he saw was an incomplete view of Stalingrad. If you start adding in these other factors, you start to get a better picture of why the German Sixth Army and parts of the Fourth Panzer Army got annihilated at Stalingrad. It wasn't just the city fighting." Using archival footage, on-camera commentary by Glantz and Col. Kevin W. Farrell, Chief of Military History at West Point, and interviews with veterans of both sides, the film tells the story of the German invasion of the USSR in June 1941, Operation Barbarossa. The rapid advance, blitzkrieg style, of the combined German armor, air and infantry forces caught the Red Army unprepared for total warfare. Men and territory were chewed up at an alarming rate across a broad front until the Ostheer (the German army in the East) began to run out of steam as the fierce Russian winter arrived. Despite this development, the Germans still managed to quell serious resistance to their occupation of a large north-south front. Even though he made crucial mistakes himself, Stalin looked for someone to blame. Among those in the firing line was his political officer, Nikita Khrushchev. Sergei Khrushchev, now a senior fellow at Brown University, appears in this program and gives insight into how his father dealt with the volatile Soviet dictator. "Right away he wanted me to read his father's memoirs," explains McDonnell. "So I read his memoirs. Then we actually spent an hour just talking about Stalin's seizure of power, the revolution, the purges—very interesting stuff. He was very open, pleasant to talk to." The younger Khrushchev's recollection of events and conversations is one of the revealing pieces of analysis that are among the strengths in this documentary. Another is how the obsessive natures of both dictators allowed them to discard advice, even intelligence, in favor of their own ideas and views. The result of this was a wasting of the equipment and soldiers' lives at a pace never seen before or since. The key points leading to the Soviet counterattack that cut off and strangled a German force of more than 108,000 in Stalingrad are carefully laid out. Throughout the film, actor Liev Schreiber (Defiance, The Manchurian Candidate) clearly and skillfully narrates the events and decisions of the monumental struggle. The veterans interviewed give emotional details of life at the front. A few different visual elements (animation of a T-34 tank, Stalingrad monuments today) break up the carefully researched and edited period clips. Other documentaries, however, have good, sometimes rarely seen archival clips as well. The BBC's The World at War series, for example, has a better combat camera look and more specific clips of the city fighting and Stalingrad events. Secrets of the Dead: Deadliest Battle also contains little on the contributions of the field commanders, especially the Red Army's Georgi Zhukov and Vasili Chuikov. However, in analyzing the campaign's development with fresh thought and evidence, the program is first-rate and is sure to raise suppositions about what might have happened if the most deadly military campaign in history had not been run by two complete egomaniacs.

George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, presidents, post-presidency, Burton Kaufman by Burton Kaufman 1-28-13Burton Kaufman is former Dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies of at Miami University in Oxford Ohio, chair of the history department and director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at Virginia Tech, and most recently an adjunct professor of history at the University of Utah prior to his retirement. Author of twelve books, his latest work is "The Post-Presidency from Washington to Clinton" (University Press of Kansas, 2012). George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton in the Oval Office. Credit: Flickr/Cal Almonds.In an interview with Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institute on July 18, 2012, former President George W. Bush (Bush '43) described his eight years in the Oval Office as "awesome." Commenting that he enjoyed the fame and power that went with being the nation's forty-third president, he added, "I have no desire for fame and power anymore." He also said he thought it his responsibility as a former president not to do or say anything that might cause problems for his successors. "I don't want to undermine our president, whoever is president," he commented, "and a former president can do that, and I think it's bad for the presidency itself."Bush's attitude toward his post-presidency and his role as ex-president is remarkably similar to that of his father, former President George H.W. Bush (Bush '41). Like Jimmy Carter (and, later, Bill Clinton), Bush senior planned to engage in public service and give back to his country. Unlike these other presidents, however, he did not consider it his duty to devote the remainder of his life to a series of world causes, however well-intended they might be. There were personal reasons for his attitude. He had devoted most of his life to public service and was very much a family man who wanted to divide his time between his homes in Houston and Kennebunkport, Maine. At Kennebunkport, he intended to teach his grandchildren how to fish and use safely the high-speed boats he so loved.Beyond personal reasons, Bush ‘41 also had philosophical and practical motives for not wanting to be an activist former president. While sympathetic to the world's economic and social needs, he came to believe that the solution to these problems was not through massive government programs but through the mobilization of volunteers on a community level -- or, as he put it most memorably in his 1989 inaugural address, "through the mobilization of a thousand points of light."Volunteerism and public service remained at the core of Bush's politically conservative ideology during his presidency and his retirement. He believed the nation's biggest problem was the disintegration of the family. The solution to this problem, in his view, were neighbors helping neighbors, community members helping other community members, the privileged and the famous assisting the deprived and the forgotten. After he took office, his friends and family helped establish an independent, non-profit Points of Light Foundation whose purpose was "to encourage and empower the spirit of service." Eventually it became the basis of the Points of Light Institute, the largest volunteer management and civic engagement organization in the nation.In the four years that has followed his presidency, George W. Bush has largely followed in his father's footsteps. There have, to be sure, been some major differences between father and son. Unlike most former presidents, for example, Bush '41 had no interest in making large sums of money by writing his memoir (although his wife Barbara received a large advance to write her memoir, which became a best-seller). In contrast to his father, Bush '43 signed a lucrative contract (reportedly $7 million) to write his memoir, Decision Points (2010).Decision Points is a sprightly written, gracious but feisty, self-justification of his administration with a single chapter devoted to Bush's years before running for elective office. In it, he emphasizes his struggle with alcoholism and his born-again Christianity. The remainder of the volume stresses the major decisions of Bush's administration, most notably with respect to 9/11, the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the former president's response to Hurricane Katrina, and the financial crisis of 2008. If there is a single theme to Decisions Points, it is that, contrary to popular belief, the forty-third president was always deeply informed and engaged and made the major decisions of his administration. Another major point is that, notwithstanding a second popular view that stresses the strained relations between the Yankee-bred patrician from Connecticut and his rebellious son with his deeply-rooted West Texas values, the relationship between father and son during the son's presidency has always been one of mutual love and pride and almost daily consultation.Although rightly panned by most reviewers as a superficial and unpersuasive justification of the actions taken by Bush both with respect to going to war in Iraq and the administration's bumbling response to the devastation wrought by Katrina, Decisions Points was an enormous financial success. An instant best-seller, it sold more than two million copies in its first two months after publication, a figure that took Bill Clinton's My Life six months to reach. It continued to remain at the top of the charts for the next sixteen weeks. The conservative Weekly Standard delighted in noting the book's success despite its claim that the liberal media largely ignored the volume's success.Besides the enormous royalties that Bush '43 received from Decision Points, he also made large sums by going on the lecture circuit, giving motivational speeches, speaking to business groups, and even appearing with Bill Clinton, who had become close friends with the Bush family. One estimate places Bush's earnings from his speaking engagements -- for each of which he received between $100,000 and $150,000---at more than $15 million. This was not quite in the same league as Bill Clinton, who reportedly receives as much as $250,000 a speech and made at least $50 million from his speeches. But it was a tidy sum, nevertheless.What is striking, however, is how closely Bush's post-presidency has followed that of his father. Dividing most of his time between his home in Dallas and his ranch in Crawford Texas, he has kept his vow to remain apart from the political arena and not to question the policies or programs of his successor, Barack Obama, despite withering criticism from the president over his foreign and domestic policies as president. In part, this may have been due to his party's desire to distance itself as far as possible from his unpopular administration. More likely, it has been the result of his deeply-held conviction that former presidents should abstain from the public limelight and to his inner self-confidence (a trait he also shares with his father) that history will judge his administration favorably.Like his father, however, Bush has been quietly engaged since leaving office in a wide spectrum of charitable and humanitarian efforts, most of them through the George W. Bush Institute. A part ot the high tech Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, which will also include the George W. Bush Library and Museum scheduled to be dedicated later this year, the Institute has been up and running nearly since Bush left office in 2009. Reflecting his conservative political philosophy and modeled in part on the conservative Hoover Institute at Stanford University, the Institute's mission statement is based on four stated principle: 1) "freedom is universal" 2) "each human life is precious" 3) "to whom much is given, much is required," and 4) "the marketplace is the best way to allocate resources." Although not specifically stated in the mission statement, the Institute has also made it a priority to recognize the sacrifices and services of military servicemen and their families. Accordingly. the efforts of the Institute have included promoting the free enterprise system throughout the world, such as by publishing The 4 % Solution, intended to spur world economic growth by promoting four percent growth in the United States: collecting documents and interviews that "give voice to human freedom and democracy throughout the world"; and an annual "Warrior Open Champion " golf tournament for military amputees.The Institute's activities also include two of the more notable efforts of the Bush administration, improving American schools and initiating global health programs. Most notable has been its efforts in the field of health services. It has, for example, provided cervical and breast cancer services to African women through its Pink Ribbon/Red Ribbon program. Continuing his effort during his administration to fight the AIDS epidemic throughout Sub-Sahara Africa, Bush has worked closely with pharmaceutical companies and health professional to make available to African countries billions of dollars for retroviral drugs and treatment. Working closely with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), established in 2007, for example, Bush has helped lower the cost of a HPV vaccine from $390 to twenty cents per vaccine in the world's most destitute countries . He has also traveled a number of times to Africa with his wife Laura on behalf of the Pink Ribbon/Red Ribbon Program and visited orphanages where many of the children were born with HIV.It is doubtful, at least in the near future, that the presidency of Bush '43 will receive the same favorable reassessment that his father's presidency is beginning to receive. Certainly the two former presidents remain quite different in terms of the background, temperament, and personality they brought to their presidencies or the way they conducted themselves in the Oval Office.That said, it is already apparent that Bush '43 is carving out a post-presidency similar to his father's. Although there is even more of an ideological bent to Bush "43's post-presidential activities than those of his father, this difference is obscured by their vast similarities. Like his father Bush '43 has rejected the very public, post-presidential activism and massive undertakings of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Instead, of their laser-like efforts, the Bushes have emphasized more limited programs and less personal involvement in which they have sought to be only one of a thousand points of light. Like his father also, George W. Bush seems to be finding his role in unpublicized, quiet service, genuinely unconcerned about his place in history.

By Dr. Murray Feingold, GHNS First, full disclosure. I do have a �sweet tooth� and I am a recovering �chocoholic.� Therefore, my interest is piqued when I find medical reports that expound the health benefits of chocolate.A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine prompted me to review some of the medical stories I wrote concerning chocolate. On the positive side, one study reported that people who ate chocolate were at a decreased risk of developing high blood pressure.Another showed that people who have had a heart attack and ate a few chunks of chocolate twice a week, were less likely to die from a subsequent heart attack.What is important in chocolate is the presence of flavonoids.Flavonoids have been reported to help protect the heart because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting effects. Coco beans are used to make chocolate, and the amount of flavonoids in chocolate depends upon the type of coco bean used and how it is processed.Dark chocolate contains more flavonoids. White chocolate, which is not considered to be real chocolate, does not contain flavonoids.Not all studies are complimentary to chocolate. Chocolate contains high amounts of calories and fat. Then, add some of the usual chocolate �accessories� such as nuts, caramel or creams and you are talking about calories and fats galore � not good for your health.Another negative study showed that people who consumed chocolate had a greater chance of having depression than those who did not eat chocolate.The recent article in the New England Journal tries to make an argument for another benefit of chocolate.The author reviewed the data concerning the level of chocolate consumption in various countries and then determined the number of Nobel laureates each country produced. His results showed that there was a correlation between the amount of chocolate consumed by a country and the number of Nobel prize winners. For example, Switzerland had the most Nobel laureates and also consumed, per capita, the most chocolate. Does this mean that eating chocolate increases your intelligence?It�s time for some good old common sense. Chocolate, like most everything else, if eaten in moderation is probably not unhealthy. However, to say it will make you smarter is somewhat of a stretch.Dr. Murray Feingold is the physician in chief of The Feingold Center for Children and president of the Genesis Fund, a nonprofit organization that funds the care of children born with birth defects, mental retardation and genetic diseases.

One More Time: The Break-Up-the-Banks Debate , JP Morgan , Robert Teitelman , Simon Johnson , Dodd-Frank , Glass-Steagall The LIBOR scandal has brought back to the fore the debate over what to do with the banks -- though more so in the UK than the U.S., which with the exception of the usual critical voices, like Simon Johnson, have mostly been preoccupied with other matters. (That may well change when big U.S. banks such as Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase & Co., and U.S. bank regulators like the Federal Reserve, get called into the principal's office.) In Britain, the cries have again been heard that we need everything from a cultural transformation of banking to a complete breakup of the largest institution. The tempest is quite hot, as fallen Barclays chief Robert Diamond can attest, and it's fed by a variety of British issues: the harsh bite of austerity, the fact that Diamond was widely viewed as an arrogant Yank interloper -- even the Murdoch hacker scandals. It's difficult from New York to foresee the British politics, beyond sheer outrage (which can be effective over the short term) that would result in breaking up the big banks. In the U.S., those politics are even more elusive. American politics is both polarized and in flux. The banks do not loom here quite as large as they do in the smaller UK, despite too-big-to-fail. And the traditional forces that fought the evolution of big banks in the U.S. -- community banks, insurance agents, populist rumps -- have been diminished by the very consolidation they oppose. Even the forces of Brandeisian populism have been undercut by the split between Tea Party right and progressive (or OWS) left. For all the high-flown academic and Internet discussion about banking, stirred anew by episodes like JPMorgan's big trading loss or (perhaps) the LIBOR scandal, banking reform really has no role in the current election. At least not yet. Again, in the UK it does. The UK has already created a blue-ribbon committee, the Vickers Commission, to recommend bank reform. John Vickers famously has come up with the plan to ring-fence retail bank operations, strictly regulating them in exchange for some measure of government protection, while allowing what we once thought of as investment or shadow banks to take on greater risk with less government protection. This resembles a sort of British variation on Glass-Steagall. But LIBOR as tinder, the calls for more radical measures begins again. The Financial Times today features one of its usual point-counterpoint debates on this issue, featuring Boston University economist and presidential candidate (on the Americans Elect and Reform tickets) Laurence Kotlikoff pouring scorn on the Vickers solution, while advocating for so-called Limited Purpose Banking, which restrains banks to core functions, against Martin Jacomb, a former chairman of (the U.K.) Prudential and Barclays de Zoete Wedd, who argues against "rabid" calls to smash "the banks into tiny pieces." We've been here before; we'll be here again. Both men drag out their arguments and try to place them in the best light. They talk past each other, always a danger in these commentary debates. Kotlikoff, who has a book coming out this week attacking Vickers, takes an extreme view that banks can (and should) be made perfectly safe, and doesn't seem to struggle with whether his utility-like banks can perform all of the functions demanded by advanced, complex economies. Jacomb takes a broader view. He does understand how reform is less about structural changes and more about the larger context of politics, regulation and shareholdership, but he never lays out a path to altering that context in a way that makes banking safer. He also never touches on too-big-to-fail and ends up arguing that "engendering confidence is now an even higher priority" than criticizing and analysis, which is pretty lame. There is an underlying issue here. Do we want big banks to be essentially utilities, tightly regulated so that it's (almost) impossible for them to get into serious trouble, and small enough if they do that they can't cause harm? Do we want the entire financial system to become utility-like? That latter question is particularly apt. One of the big lessons from health care, and from the larger deregulatory movement, is the pernicious effect of a partially privatized, partially regulated industry; this includes banking under Glass-Steagall. The problem of adverse selection, so endemic in health care, also crops up in other partially regulated industries. Utility banks will not be innovative, nimble or creative. They can offer safety and transparency, particularly if they are sensibly regulated and are able to make a decent return. It's an open question whether utility banks, particularly those serving retail customers, should be publicly owned; shareholders, after all, have demonstrated a propensity for risk. At the very least, they should be high-dividend payers, making up for the fact that they're never going to generate big profits from basic banking. We saw the great threat to utility banks with the S&Ls: Limitations on what they can do, plus mounting competition through disintermediation (from non-utility providers) to macroeconomic blows, can drive them to the wall in large numbers. (Disintermediation, by the way, is another form of adverse selection: the unregulated get the good, profitable business; the regulated are left with the least profitable. See the U.S. Post Office.) Then what? There are choices, several of which the federal government attempted. First, you can allow them to take on more risk, or enter new, supposedly more profitable businesses. That resulted in the second mass slaughter of S&Ls, which were simply unable to handle that risk (and in many cases slid into fraud). Among the commercial banks, liberalization allowed banks to get larger (and supposedly safer) and enter investment banking and trading. We know how that ended. You can also move in the other direction: broaden regulation so that no one is outside the tent. The theoretical end of this path is nationalization of finance; you can't leave anyone outside because they will pose both a risk to utility banks and to the system. You will then cover all of finance with a blanket of regulation, including hedge funds and money managers. This may have a number of economic effects: less liquidity, fewer new products (including less sophisticated derivatives), perhaps less credit. But you will be safe -- or safer. The trouble here is that in a globalized world, customers -- particularly the biggest and best customers, adverse selection again -- can go elsewhere to find what they want: to London or Hong Kong or the Cayman Islands. The only way to resolve that problem is to establish capital controls. This is not a pretty picture. Clearly, the Vickers folks wrestled with these issues. Is ring-fencing a perfect solution? Are some of the provisions in Dodd-Frank panaceas? Well, no, but that's the point: There are no perfect solutions unless you want to live with the tradeoffs of both extremes, no regulation or total regulation. Is there a way out? Sure, in the form of flexible and wise regulation, which depends on a body politic that has some sense of the risk and reward equation. OK, that's asking a lot; maybe it's even utopian. But you can't demand a cultural change -- in which bankers suddenly shed their own self-interest and grow selfless and wise (there's also a lot of nostalgia about the "good old days" in banking, I suspect) -- by not recalibrating the system as a whole. Critics demand increasingly radical structural change from the banks. But we have a shareholder system that is increasingly short term and speculative and one that we insist calls the shots. We have regulators juggling different, often contradictory missions, like prudence and efficiency, or safety and liquidity, not to say monetary stability and job growth. We have a society of borrowers, risk takers, gamblers and plugged-in technophiles. Perhaps this explains why the "Move Your Money" movement hasn't helped save many small banks. We can have a safer banking system. The odds are, we just won't like it. Maybe banking is too important to like it. * Questions over whether Fed did enough over Libor concerns * May have known as early as August 2007 about flaws * Geithner calendar included... Most Popular

HumanitiesWeb.org - Hockney's Theory--a Rebuttal Themes in Art Hockney's Theory--a RebuttalBack on the fourth day of February of this year, I wrote regarding David Hockney's new theory of art history. Namely, he contends that quite a few highly regarded painters dating back to about 1600 or slightly before, made use of lenses and viewing devices in drawing their works onto canvas. Artists he mentions include Caravaggio, Vel�zquez, D�rer, Vermeer, Chardin, Hals, Canaletto, and others. He hypothesises that early artists used a room-size camera obscura while those after 1807 used a camera lucida to nail down their drawings. Now, in the interest of fairness, I'm presenting the other side of the argument, as proposed by Gary Faigin, founder of the Academy of Realist Art in Seattle. Faigin begins by citing quite a number of artists from the Renaissance on who couldn't possibly have used viewing devices, given the angles involved in their images or the fantasy nature of their work. Yet these images painted "out of their heads" so to speak, bear the same marks of anatomical accuracy Hockney insists appeared suddenly around the 1600s only after the introduction of finely ground lenses from Germany and Holland. Faigin concludes it would be impossible to utilise such devices when the artist didn't, in fact, even use models. Likewise, many of the architectural backgrounds used in these paintings are also inventions of the artists' minds. They never existed in real life. Then Faigin goes on to compare the work of painters and sculptors of the time, finding a high correlation between them in their accuracy and design development in spite of the fact that no viewing device ever invented would have been much help to a Michelangelo or Bernini. Switching directions, Faigin chastises Hockney for underestimating the trained eyes of the artists he cites. Hockney makes much of the fact that Caravaggio left no preliminary drawings for most of his works, equating that to the fact he didn't need them given his drawing methods. Faigin counters that Caravaggio, indeed, didn't need them; but not because of any "cheating" with lenses, but because the man was such a virtuoso draughtsman with paint and brush. He notes various textural elements in Caravaggio's surfaces to indicate that the artist's preliminary drawings were done not on paper but on canvas, developed in paint, and sometimes changed radically from their original form. He cites several artists, students, and former students of his school who can paint photographic likenesses without either photos or preliminary drawings. Faigin goes on to make much of the fact that it would be difficult if not impossible for any of the artists Hockney mentions to have drawn self-portraits using viewing devices other than mirrors. And yet, there is no noticeable differences in their self-portraits and those they painted of others (presumably with the use of viewing devices). He sees the popularity of Hockney's theory as part of the current politically correctness in denigrating the work of dead, white, European males in favour of feminism and multiculturalism. He is especially outraged that Hockney considers these artists as beneficiaries rather than masters of their new, optical technologies, which, in their own self-interest, they kept a secret. He also scoffs at the likelihood such a "secret" could have been kept all these years anyway. He goes on to wonder why none of these devices have ever surfaced in the otherwise detailed inventories of Hockney's artists after their deaths. Thus far, in fact, there have been few, if any, written accounts by contemporaries of their use. And finally, Faigin contends that Hockney, who makes no secret of using projected images in drawing his own works, has a vested interest in "rewriting" art history to support his own working techniques. As Faigin puts it, for this reason, "Hockney should be the last person to take as an authority on such matters."

SRI LANKA: Human Rights Books Detained by the Customs Department Info SRI LANKA: Human Rights Books Detained by the Customs Department (Hong Kong, January 11, 2010) The Sri Lankan customs department has detained a series of books on human rights sent for free distribution to libraries. The books sent by the Asian Legal Resource Centre to the local human rights organization, Janasansadaya (Peoples Forum), are books relating to the basic human rights issues and matters relating to the rule of law. These are well known books that have been distributed in many countries in Asia. The list of books consists of around 100 titles. The Customs Department has not given any reason for the detention of these books. Representations have been made for their release, however, the Customs Department have not replied to any of the letters sent so far. The secretary of Janasansadaya, Chitral Perera stated that initially, the Assistant Director of Baggage of the Customs Department received these books and was unwilling to release them. He stated that if the books were to be released it may be a threat to his job. When asked as to why this should be the Assistant Director was not able to give any explanation. Thereafter the matter was referred to the Director of Customs who in turn has referred it to his Director General. Without making a decision on the matter the Director General referred the matter to the Director of Information. While the making of a decision for the release of the book has been passed from one officer to another, none of the officers have been able to explain as to why they were detained in the first place. There appears to be a fear of political repercussions to anyone making the decision to release these books for reasons which are not being explained. "The prevalence of such a system is indicative of some serious defects within the Customs Department. A political culture has developed that regards freedom of information as being detrimental to the democratic freedoms”, said Basil Fernando, director of the ALRC. Under the article 14(1) of the Sri Lankan Constitution the right of publication, which includes the right of distribution of information, is a fundamental right. The books that have been detained are books relating to the rights that are recognised under the Constitution of Sri Lanka. The right of information implies the right of the Sri Lankan citizens to receive books and other material and their right to read such books. The limitations regarding this right should relate only to matters that are related to national security issues. None of the books that have been detained have anything to do with any matter relating to national security. In fact, they are academic writings and other publications which are of a general nature dealing with the basic rule of law issues that are particularly affecting the less developed countries. The arbitrary detention of published material which is for distribution to the public is a denial of the fundamental rights of the organisers who wish to provide these books to the public, as well as a denial of the rights of the public themselves to have access to proper documentation on the matters affecting their rights. As the representations made to the Customs Department have not been answered the organization concerned will take this matter before the court. A lawyer representing the organisation said, “On previous occasions, issues relating to the detention of printed material have come before the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. During the time of President Premadasa the customs authorities seized a printing machine which was sent for the purpose of printing books for the public. When this matter came before the Supreme Court the court held that the importance of the right of persons to have access to information overrides any other issues such as valuation relating to such matters and ordered the printing machine to be immediately released.” The lawyer went on to say that that this detention is completely arbitrary and against the law. Freedom within democracy requires a free availability of reading material to the public. Both the right of publication and the right of readership are connected. No democracy can function without an atmosphere of freedom to receive books and the freedom to read and discuss issues contained therein. "The present culture that is prevalent within the Customs Department regarding this issue is shocking and undemocratic,” said Mr. Fernando.

Scottish Lochs (2009) by Moya Hogarth (b1952) Recording details: June 2011 City Halls, Candleriggs, Glasgow, United Kingdom Engineered by Simon Eadon & Dave Rowell IRR 'OUTSTANDING' AWARD EDITOR'S CHOICE, LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE (Australia) 'It would be difficult to over-praise this wonderfully enterprising disc … the challenge for both soloist and orchestra is immense and it would be hard to imagine playing of a more coruscating brilliance, delicacy and affection. The superb Danny Driver gives his all and is partnered to the hilt by the Scottish conductor Rory Macdonald … Hyperion's balance and sound are exemplary' (Gramophone) 'Radical, visionary … Chisholm was himself a formidable pianist, and both Concertos teem with the kind of brilliant bravura keyboard writing that is meat and drink to Driver. The orchestration is colourfully obstreperous, but conductor Rory Macdonald has it well in hand. Revelatory' (BBC Music Magazine) '"McBartók", as Chisholm became known, based his first piano concerto on the classical music of the pipes, and highly attractive it is, too; full of provocative rhythm and utterly devoid of cliché. His second is even more elaborate, drawing its inspiration from the beguiling ragas of Hindustan, their evocative intervals and sensuous, twisting melodies handled beautifully here by Danny Driver in this premiere recording' (The Observer) 'An individual voice in 20th-century British music, vibrant of rhythm, piquant of harmony, to which the playing of Danny Driver and the BBC SSO adds exciting virtuosity and colour' (The Daily Telegraph) 'The composer and his music are honoured by performances of considerable stature. Danny Driver is superb in the at times fearsome demands Chisholm makes upon the soloist and is partnered by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under one of the most exciting young British conductors I have heard for some time, Rory Macdonald … the recorded balance between piano and orchestra is splendid; the booklet notes are by Chisholm's distinguished biographer John Purser; and all in all this disc has to be counted one of the most important contributions to British recorded music for some considerable time' (International Record Review) 'Played with alluring self-belief by pianist Danny Driver and the BBC SSO under Rory Macdonald' (The Scotsman) 'Driver proves the perfect advocate for Chisholm's complex and challenging writing for the piano. His technique is formidable and hurdles are negotiated with ease and spirit. He is well supported by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, on terrific form under exciting young British conductor Rory MacDonald. The recording is first-class with the piano well balanced and orchestral detail beautifully defined' (Limelight, Australia) Erik Chisholm (1904-1965) Piano Concertos Danny Driver (piano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Rory Macdonald (conductor) CD-Quality: Download all FLAC 16-bit 44.1 kHz £7.99Download all ALAC 16-bit 44.1 kHz £7.99 Download all FLAC 24-bit 96 kHz £12.00Download all ALAC 24-bit 96 kHz £12.00Buy by post £10.50Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available 16-bitVBRMP3 16-bit44.1 kHzFLAC 16-bit44.1 kHzALAC 24-bit96 kHzFLAC 24-bit96 kHzALAC £4.20 Piano Concerto No 1 'Pìobaireachd' Molto moderato (tranquillo) Allegro scherzando Allegro con brio Piano Concerto No 2 'Hindustani' Poco maestoso e con fuoco Tema con variazioni: Andante Rondo burlesca: Allegretto Who was Erik Chisholm? A fascinating musical polymath: composer, conductor and performer, and collector of folk music from his native Scotland. Born in Glasgow in 1904, his attitude to music was progressive, looking towards central European modernism (he was dubbed ‘MacBartók’). Chisholm’s understanding and mastery of the piano—he performed the Scottish premieres of Rachmaninov’s Third and Bartók’s First Concertos—is evident in his two concertos. The first, ‘Pìobaireachd’, literally ‘pipe music’—that of the classical Highland bagpipes—uses these sinuous traditional themes to thrilling effect in a work that’s both exotic and lyrical; the ‘Hindustani’ concerto was inspired by Chisholm’s posting to the Far East during the Second World War and friendship with Sorabji, and is based upon a series of ragas. Hyperion rising star Danny Driver is the scintillating soloist alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Rory Macdonald in these captivatingly original works. Lawrence Power (viola), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor) Schubert: Piano Duets Paul Lewis (piano), Steven Osborne (piano) CDA67665 Reger: Violin Concertos Tanja Becker-Bender (violin), Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek (conductor) Hahn: Chamber Music Room-Music The recent revival of Erik Chisholm’s music has won his compositions widespread critical acclaim, both in the United Kingdom and further afield. As part of this revival, the present recording of his two piano concertos calls not just for a reassessment of Chisholm, but of modernist music throughout the British Isles. The Pìobaireachd Concerto was recorded some years ago, but this is the first commercial recording of the Hindustani Concerto, which was Chisholm’s own favourite. The two works are as highly contrasted as their titles would imply, but they share Chisholm’s profound understanding of the piano and, in their different idioms, his ability to engage with the classical music of the Highland bagpipes on the one hand, and the classical music of Hindustan on the other. Erik Chisholm was born in Glasgow and brought up in what might be described as a conventional middle-class household; but it was hardly conventional of his parents to allow him to leave school at the age of thirteen to pursue composition, piano and organ, later studying and living with the leading Russian pianist Leff Pouishnoff. From the early days Chisholm was exploring the latest repertoire, premiering Bartók’s first Piano Concerto in Glasgow (accompanied on the organ, faute de mieux!), and also giving Musorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition its Scottish premiere. Despite differences of opinion about Chisholm’s more modernistic tendencies, Pouishnoff was more than willing to recommend Chisholm for a degree course at Edinburgh University: ‘I beg to certify that Mr Erik Chisholm has studied with me the art of piano playing for a number of years and that in the course of our work together he proved to be the possessor of a keen brain and highly developed intelligence … I may add that my opinion of him as a musician is of a very high degree.’ Chisholm obtained his Doctorate in music under the tuition of Donald Tovey. A fine pianist, Chisholm’s understanding of piano texture and technique is evident in all his piano works, from the simplest to the most virtuosic. He was also an outstanding organist and an innovative conductor and concert promoter. In Glasgow he gave Mozart’s Idomeneo and Berlioz’s The Trojans their British premieres and, amongst others, he brought Hindemith, Casella, Szymanowski, Schmitt, Walton and Bartók to the city. He was dubbed ‘MacBartók’ not because his music could ever be confused with Bartók’s, but because he was pursuing a similar compositional course in his handling of Scottish traditional music as did Bartók with the Central European tradition. Chisholm had started composing variations on Scottish folk-tunes at the age of six, but it was at the age of ten that he was given a copy of Patrick MacDonald’s A Collection of Scottish Airs published in 1784. So influential was this gift that scarcely a single one of the two-hundred airs remained unarranged by Chisholm in one form or another. Patrick MacDonald was not Chisholm’s only source of Scottish traditional music, and he made use of early Scottish lute manuscripts and many published sources, and had a broad knowledge of pìobaireachd (pipe music), examples of which were published in MacDonald’s collection. While Chisholm’s primary influence was that of his own native music, he was also greatly influenced by Hindustani music, following his friendship with Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji, and a period of service in the Far East during the Second World War. He founded a symphony orchestra in Singapore, and from there went straight to Cape Town, where he was Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Music until his untimely death. Piano Concerto No 1 ‘Pìobaireachd’ Pìobaireachd literally means ‘pipe music’ but refers exclusively to the classical music of the Highland bagpipes, also known as ceòl mór—the big music. Ceòl mór takes the form of variations on a theme or ùrlar. Ùrlar means ‘ground’, but these themes and the manner in which they are varied are not in any way related to the concept of the ground bass. They are, however, of considerable structural interest, involving their own subtle symmetries, and the variations on them develop with increasingly virtuosic demands upon the fingerwork of the solo piper—for ceòl mór is always played as a solo. Chisholm was fascinated by the form, and composed many works based upon its structure, melody and style, as well as its unique forms of embellishment, which themselves have structural significance. The earliest version of the Pìobaireachd Concerto dates from 1932. By December 1937 it was revised and, in 1938, first performed in a broadcast from Edinburgh with Chisholm as soloist and Ian Whyte conducting. The first public performance, however, was in the St Andrew’s Hall in Glasgow on 20 January 1940, with Chisholm again as soloist and Aylmer Buesst conducting the Scottish Orchestra. Unfit for active service, Chisholm spent the first months of the war painting white lines on the streets and blacking out windows: Well, in this painting business I don’t think that my musical training is altogether wasted. When painting lines on steps and along the edge of pavements I lay on the paint as a musical stave—in five lines with four spaces between—and this gives me an advantage over the man who lives as it were only from line to line, doing what must be one of the most monotonous jobs in the world. Looked at in this way, our gang must have ruled enough five lines and four spaces to write the complete works of Bach and Beethoven! … Nor can I complain that my life lacks variety—this morning, for instance, I was helping in blacking-out 1200 large windows in a large building & now I am going off to rehearse my piano concerto with the Scottish Orchestra. The pìobaireachd on which the first movement—Molto moderato (tranquillo)—is based is Maol Donn, now known as MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart. Maol Donn is a lament for the death of a favourite cow and it has an associated pìobaireachd song. Songs in praise of individual animals are common in the Gaelic-speaking world, and with good reason, for its economy has been focused on cattle for thousands of years. Such sentiments may seem odd to some readers in an orchestral context: but we are dealing here with a culture which has retained much of its closeness to nature and which still retained a degree of veneration for cattle, as is the case to this day in the East. Since his mother was a MacLeod, Chisholm would have welcomed the association of this tune with the MacCrimmons, who were the MacLeods’ hereditary pipers. The concerto opens with bassoons supplying the drone, and a solo oboe playing the bagpipe line verbatim. Chisholm’s treatment is, however, entirely his own, and one can hear immediately how effectively he has translated the idiom pianistically. The first variation is a much more energetic affair than would be the case in a normal pìobaireachd, the piano soon stamping out the rhythm in the bass, with the tune in the violins and upper wind. There follows a return to the opening tempo with the piano in rhapsodic mood. This, though rarely done at this point in modern pìobaireachd playing, used to be an integral part of the tradition in the eighteenth century. The ensuing variation (Allegretto scherzando) is a jig that brings out a totally different character in the tune. This is followed by a thoroughly joyful passage leading to the cadenza, which runs the jig to ground and, via a ruminative section, prepares us for a return to the opening, but in different guise. There is no conventional recapitulation of the main theme or, as would also occur in the tradition, the ùrlar. A brief up-swell of feeling—it is marked appassionato—is more in the classical than in the traditional mould, but it captures and extends that moment which, in pìobaireachd, hovers between the elaborate and the simple as the ùrlar returns. For all its liveliness, there is much that is thoughtful and lyrical in this movement, honouring the gentle and beautiful shape of the ùrlar itself. The second movement, Allegro scherzando, is a wonderfully energetic Scottish dance. It is delivered with a splendid mix of Stravinskian neoclassical techniques and more volatile Bartókian twists, twice grounding itself in a slow powerful passage in the lower register which, on its second appearance, is summarily dismissed with the last gesture of the movement. The tune itself is a lively variation on the pìobaireachd Fàilte Uilleim Dhuibh Mhic Coinnich—The Earl of Seaforth’s Salute. The slow movement, Adagio, is based upon the famous Cumha Dhomhnuil Bhain Mhic Cruimein—The Lament for Donald Bàn MacCrimmon, for which Chisholm has marked the solo piano to be played ‘very distant and impersonal’. This pìobaireachd is reputed to have been composed by Malcolm MacCrimmon on the death, in 1746, of his younger brother, Donald Bàn. Donald Bàn is also the subject of Cha Till MacCruimean. Even if it is not by his brother, we know that when Donald Bàn was previously captured, the pipers on the opposing side refused to play until their own leaders released him, which was duly done. So it is anything but an impersonal pìobaireachd. Indeed, it is written of the famous piper John MacDonald that it ‘was almost sacred to him’. If it was sacred to Chisholm, it was in a very different way. He has enshrined it as though it were indeed a sacred object from the past, announced and concluded by a stroke on a gong, and veiled in mysterious textures. Low flutes set the tone, over which the piano introduces the ùrlar, like a bird in the night, uttering complex cries, brief but haunting, derived from the pìobaireachd. This is then taken up by the oboe and bassoon. The sense of mystery is continued in the first variation, with the veiled tonal wash of the piano and horn, against which a solo violin, followed by solo clarinet, draws out a long thin line of sound as if from another world. The harmonic and orchestral textures here are rich and strange—sometimes coming like waves of water or light. Throughout it all, phrases from the ùrlar emerge and sink back into the texture. As the music gathers strength, the muted trumpet sings its own lament against rising arpeggios from the soloist, and the inherent riches of the whole burgeon into a climax which suggests a vastness beyond. There is a close similarity between this movement and the latent and sometimes terrifying power of Chisholm’s Night Song of the Bards for solo piano. The finale, Allegro con brio, starts as a reel—a quintessentially Scottish dance form which has traditionally involved rhythmic twists as part of its repertoire of tricks. Chisholm is quick to exploit this, with syncopations and notes picked out by additional emphasis, achieved through declamatory orchestral chords where the traditional fiddler would use bow attack or double-stopping. Into this repertoire of standard tricks Chisholm throws chromatic displacement of chords and spirited orchestration, tossing around from section to section fragments of rhythm. And ‘rhythm’ is the operative word. When asked whether melody or rhythm came first in his music, Chisholm responded: ‘I rather think the rhythmic impulse is strongest; a definite body stimulus which, by its continued reiteration, induces a feeling of magnetic attraction (or sheer monotony) is a characteristic of the pìobaireachd, and also in my music.’ The tune is number 16 in the Patrick MacDonald collection, and demonstrates that even a quite uniform pattern, when related to pitch with skill, becomes wonderfully provocative rhythmically. A more lyrical section follows, with solo piano and woodwind seemingly anticipating Bartók’s third Piano Concerto, anticipations which keep surfacing as the piece gathers energy on its way back to the reel. One moment stamping a foot, the next swirling and turning, with a final fusillade of off-centre chords, it ends—anything but exhausted, but with a flourish as if to say ‘that is enough for now’. Taken as a whole, this four-movement work not only introduces a new idiom to the world of the concerto, but also a new type of virtuosity. The piano concerto as a form is riddled with cliché, but in the twentieth century, particularly in the concertos of Bartók, there emerged a new kind of pianism. Chisholm had played the solo part of Bartók’s Piano Concerto No 1 in Glasgow, but Bartók had only just completed his Concerto No 2 on his second visit to Glasgow in November 1933. Chisholm’s piano-writing is totally different from both of these works. If there is a Bartók concerto which might be placed alongside Chisholm’s No 1, it is the Third—composed after Bartók had twice stayed with the Chisholms and, intrigued by what he had heard, travelled home with as much pìobaireachd as he could carry, and a bagpipe chanter under his arm. Piano Concerto No 2 ‘Hindustani’ The Hindustani Concerto was completed in 1949 and dedicated to Adolph Hallis. It was first performed at an International Society of Contemporary Music concert in the University of Cape Town on 22 November 1949, with Hallis playing the solo part and Chisholm conducting. The next day it was broadcast by the South Africa Broadcasting Company and, in 1950, by the BBC Scottish Orchestra, again with Hallis as soloist and Chisholm conducting. Schott published a two-piano score in 1951, with several cuts following the 1950 performance, and it was re-orchestrated in 1953 and other alterations made for a further broadcast that year. In relating Chisholm’s music to any particular raga, it should be remembered that a raga is not so much a tune as a melody-type. Each raga has its appropriate season, or time of day or night, and carries with it emotional and even ethical significance, and may be associated with particular colours, or symbolic pictorial associations. Each note has its own character in the context of the particular raga, and the sequence of notes is approached differently according to whether in aroha (ascending) or avaroha (descending) mode, and according to the mood of the player and the development of the improvisation. The improvisation itself follows fairly strict rules and makes use of important melodic, rhythmic and ‘ornamental’ formulae; but ultimately it is the player and none other who makes the music, who brings to the ancient formulae life, meaning and originality, as Asad Ali Khan has written: ‘Each raga has its own character which must be understood and developed in presentation. But the raga itself is only a structure for musical discipline, and to come alive it must be steeped in rasa, the essence of emotion. An artist can invest the notes with any rasa, and the true listener will understand and respond to the musician.’ In many of the characteristics listed above, raga resembles pìobaireachd, and to a composer such as Chisholm, who had studied pìobaireachd, the transition from making use of the one to the other, in a Western classical context, will have been relatively easy. The Hindustani Concerto makes use of a different raga for each of its three movements. The Hindustani singer Prakriti Dutta maintained that Chisholm’s understanding of these ragas revealed that he had studied them intensively and with real appreciation of their structures and significances. The first movement (Poco maestoso e con fuoco) is at times troubled and even aggressive in its passions; but there is also mystery, especially in the dialogue between the piano and the timpani. It is based upon Raga Asavari, which is usually played in the morning at about 9 o’clock. The accompanying image is of Asavari, adorned with peacock feathers, seated on top of Mount Malayagiri. Chisholm emphasizes the darker aspects of this raga, the expression of which centres around words such as grave, dignified, melancholy, wise, sober, as well as very tender and loving. Asad Ali Khan describes it as ‘full of bhakti rasa, devotional and contemplative’. Chisholm’s own direction of con fuoco—with fire—cannot be easily reconciled with these traditional associations; but as the movement develops, so the music reveals both grave and melancholy aspects, especially in the second subject, enunciated by the piano, and also at the start of the recapitulation in which the theme is given to the clarinet against a throbbing rhythm on the piano. The piano’s opening statement is derived directly from the raga, but almost immediately breaks away into chromatic colouring of the material, which one might construe as Chisholm’s way of suggesting the various microtonal inflections that would be part of the expressive technique of a Hindu musician. Motifs from the raga appear in many guises, sometimes delicate, sometimes dramatic, and the Meno mosso makes use of a transposed version of the aroha (rising motif), but it is part of a complex texture which uses the predominant intervals of the raga (semitones and major thirds) in different transpositions simultaneously. The central climax is in a mood more of desperation than anger. As the storm passes, it leaves behind the rumblings of the timpani, and the soloist falls back in halting rhythms, as though emotionally drained. The music then settles on a pulsating drone in E flat, over which a solo clarinet returns to the opening theme. It is a moment of beauty and mystery which soon reveals that passions are anything but spent. The movement ends with an extended cadenza for the soloist, and a brief orchestral coda. The second movement is a set of seven variations on a theme based on Rag Shri. It is associated with the months of December and January and with the early evening. The image that goes with it is of a youth of such beauty that women become infatuated, and anger is soothed. But it can also be spiritual in its effect, like a call to evening prayer. In Chisholm’s opening statement, the notes of the aroha (ascent) and avaroha (descent) are combined, and accompany a melodic line similarly derived. The movement is a wonderfully compelling exploration of mystery, sensuousness and allure. In particular, the fifth variation draws close to the mood and the mode of Rag Shri, extruding a sinuous line against a rippling ostinato that breaks upon the shores of this exotic music in gentle but urgent waves. The beauty with which Chisholm embellishes the line, with subtle use of repeated notes and tremolo, would surely have created sensations down Sorabji’s spine, and Sorabji might well have preferred to receive the dedication of this work rather than Pictures from Dante, with its vision of Beatrice’s heavenly purity. Sorabji was profoundly in love with Chisholm and (although not reciprocating that love) Chisholm’s true musical homage is here, for it is in passages such as this that the scent-laden sensuality of Sorabji’s own Djâmi drifts into the more austere world of Chisholm and, as the Song of Solomon would have it, steals like little foxes into the heart of the beloved. In the following variation, the bass clarinet and strings release a rush of passion which, in the final Variation 7, relapses into a dialogue between solo cello and piano—a beautiful submission to, and admission of, irresistible desire. The third movement is based upon Raga Vasantee, which heralds the coming of spring, and is suggestive of colour and celebration. At first, the piano and orchestra seem almost capricious, even bird-like in places, mixing delicacy, wit and energy. But it is the energy that soon takes command of proceedings, leading the movement into a concluding section marked Allegro barbaro, in which Chisholm lets loose the piano and orchestra in a riot of festivity.John Purser � 2012

DEPRESSION ACTIVITIES NO LONGER NEEDED By WILLIAM B. MUNRO, Professor of History and Government, California Institute of Technology Delivered at the Spring Meeting of the California Taxpayers Association, Los Angeles, California, March 25, 1942 A LITTLE while ago I was looking through a book that I have owned since my school days�a book that was written in Rome nearly two thousand years ago�when my eye fell upon this sentence: "Fellow Romans! It is not now a question of taxes; our liberties and our lives are in danger." (1) Naturally the thought came to me that if you only substitute "Fellow Americans" for "Fellow Romans," this warning is as timely today as it was twenty centuries ago. When the preservation of our national existence is at stake it is no time to quibble much about the financial sacrifices which we have to make. The people of the United States are readyand willing to pay whatever it may cost to ensure that our common heritage shall not be destroyed. (1)Non nunc agitur de vectigalibus; libertas et anima nostra in dubio est. Sallust, Cataline, 52. But we should remember this�that wars are never won by wasting money. They are not won by spending on needless projects the money that is urgently required for the main purpose, which is the achievement of victory. People are apt to forget that a government, of itself, earns no money. Every dollar that it spends must come from the earnings or the savings of its citizens. Every dollar that it borrows must come from the same source. When governmental expenditures double in a single year, as they are doing now, it stands to reason that the drain on the pocketbooks of the people has got to be nation-wide, with nobody escaping it. Whether the small income-earner realizes it or not he willhave to bear a portion of the public burden, for the cost of this war will be far too large to be borne by any one class of the people. Sooner or later it will distribute itself on all of them. Have you a realization of what I mean when I say that the cost of this war is going to be stupendous? Well, let me predict that it will probably require more money from the treasury of the United States than the national government spent in all the years of its history from the first inauguration of Washington down to the assault on Pearl Harbor. Surely I do not need to argue the point that in order to finance this enormous outlay we shall have to deny ourselves many things that we have been accustomed to enjoy, and our governmental authorities should set the example by lopping off every expensive activity that is not directly or indirectly related to its one supreme task. In order that the war program shall have a 1-A-1 priority all things else must be pushed aside. This applies to public expenditures in all branches of government. State and local budgets should be scrutinized with greater care than ever before. No better service can be rendered by state and local governments to the cause of national defense than by lessening their own burdens on the citizen so that he may more easily respond to the calls which the national government is making on him. Chairman Doughton of the Ways and Means Committee cogently expressed the idea when he said, not long ago: "The national government helped the states and municipalities with their relief, roads and a lot of other projects at a time of depression when they needed it. Now they should turn around and assist the federal government by helping to clear the decks for its financial program." Still the amount which can be saved by economies in state and local administration will not be relatively great. The states, counties, cities and other municipalities�all of them put together�spend only a small fraction of what the federal government is spending. It is in Washington that the pruning knife must be used, and used with energy, if we are to accomplish reductions on any large scale. Unhappily the layman who talks about saving billions in non-defense expenditures does not always appreciate the inherent difficulties of the problem. Of course there should be, and cap be, large reductions in what is now being spent by the federal government for non-defense purposes, but they will not be made by merely hoping for them. Governmental economies require study and planning; they also require the force of a vigorous public opinion behind them. In this respect the recommendations which have already been submitted by well-informed committees and organizations may well serve as a basis for congressional action. The joint congressional committee of which Senator Byrd is chairman and the Brookings Institution of Washington have already made thoroughgoing studies of non-defense expenditures and have recommended numerous economies, some of which are certain to be followed, in part at least. But with the brunt of war costs bearing more heavily upon us month by month, the need for a much more considerable reduction in non-defense expenditures is bound to become increasingly great. All classes of the people will demand it. In trying to reduce these non-defense outlays, however, two major difficulties are being encountered: First, there is the problem of differentiating between purely defense expenditures and those that are partly or indirectly for defense. Second, there is the inevitable difficulty of overcoming the political pressure which is always exerted by existing governmental agencies against any curtailment of their appropriations. The line between defense and non-defense expenditures is not so clear as many people think. And in any event it is bound to change from time to time as the war takes new turns. Activities which appear to be non-defense today may be urgent war requirements tomorrow. In a war of production and transport, such as this one is, the situation can change with great rapidity. We have learned that from the world events of the past two years. Just take the upkeep of public highways as an example. Roads that are merely scenic drives today may easily become major lines of supply to the armed forces before the war is over. There is no simple formula by which we can clearly separate defense from non-defense expenditures. There is a twilight zone in which it is hard to tell whether some governmental activities are not worth preserving in war time despite the fact that on the surface they do not appear to be defense activities. In a total war one has to consider the morale of the whole people and not merely the upkeep of the armed forces. But that is not the greatest difficulty. More formidable is the fact that powerful groups have acquired a vested interest in all sorts of civil expenditures during the past ten years. And there is nothing more tenacious than a pressure group once it has got its hooks into a public treasury. Efforts to curtail federal expenditures, even for activities which are clearly non-defense, will meet with opposition from such sources. Two examples will illustrate what I mean: The Civilian Conservation Corps was set up to serve a useful purpose at a time when it was urgently needed. Young men and boys who could not find work were taken off the streets, sent to CCC camps, and given training which enabled many of them to become self-supporting. But today any robust young man who wants a job can find one, so that the original need for CCC camps has virtually disappeared. This does not mean that the pressure for continuing them has disappeared. On the contrary, rather obvious attempts have been made to keep this project going despite the fact that CCC boys have been flocking out of the camps into the Army or into profitable jobs. m mm Another example of a depression activity which struggles to keep itself going is the National Youth Administration. At a time when jobs were scarce it served a meritorious purpose. It helped to keep thousands of our youth in school and college when there was nowhere else to go. But is there any sound reason for spending nearly a hundred million dollars on this enterprise in 1942 when jobs are hunting for men, not men for jobs? Then there is our old friend, the W.PA. Over a million-and-a-half persons were employed on various federal work projects during 1941, at a cost of well over a billion dollars. A considerable part of these W.P.A, projects can be regarded as contributing directly to national defense, especially in connection with the construction of roads, airports and some public buildings. But the major portion of the outlay has been going for parks and other recreation facilities, sewers and sanitation, as well as for various things that are classified under the general heading of "conservation of natural resources." By deferring these latter projects until labor and materials are more readily available a saving of several hundred million dollars would result. The same is true of various other expensive federal outlays such as those for theater, music and art projects, as well as for research in local history and the like. They were devised to make work when work was scarce and they served that purpose; but is it sound policy to continue them when the conditions which brought them into being are past and gone? The men and women who have been administering these enterprises will struggle to keep their own places on the public payroll. That is to be expected. And regardless of need the projects are likely to be kept going unless an active and aggressive public opinion insists that it is time for them to make a graceful exit. The primary justification of all these so-called cultural activities, financed by federal funds, was that they were essential for the relief of the "white-collar" unemployed in the days of economic depression. Employees of this type are now in urgent demand and the only white-collar workers now unemployed are the ones who are virtually unemployable. Finally, there would seem to be considerable opportunity for federal economies through the curtailing of government publications. Who is there among us that does not get, in every morning's mail, a printed or mimeographed effusion from some government department, bureau, board or office? Many of these serve no useful purpose; they represent a sheer waste of good paper and ink. Every federal office nowadays seems to have a publicity or public relations man whose job is to turn out reams of this material which nobody reads and which most sensible people would not believe if they did. If this output were reduced to fifty per cent of its present proportions, or even more, we would all be just as well off, or better. In the last analysis public opinion rules the United States. Congress will vote money when the country is content to have it done, and will reject any appropriation that is clearly opposed by the rank and file of the citizenship. See how quickly an aroused and resentful public opinion forced a repeal of the pension measure a few weeks ago. If it exerts itself with similar strength on the necessity of rigid governmental economy, whether in national, state or local budgets, it will achieve the same success. But public opinion is not a spontaneous emanation from the minds of the multitude. It requires leadership. To be effective it must be based on sound information. That being the case, there was never a time when taxpayers' associations and other such bodies have been more urgently needed in mobilizing public sentiment against every form of needless public expenditure. We can finance this war all right, but only by devoting all our available resources to it.

IMLS Awards $249,999 to the Chicago Public Library Foundation to Create a Maker Space Giuliana Bullard, [email protected] Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced today a $249,999 grant to support the development of a Maker space within the Chicago Public Library. Maker spaces are part of a growing movement of hands-on, mentor-led learning environments to make and remake the physical and digital worlds. They foster experimentation, invention, creation, exploration, and STEM learning. The Maker movement aligns with President Obama’s Educate to Innovate initiative, a nationwide effort to help reach the administration’s goal of moving American students from the middle to the top of the pack in science and math achievement over the next decade. "We are excited about the Chicago Public Library’s Maker space project," IMLS Director Susan Hildreth, said. "They are leaders in creating opportunities for community-based learning." The Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Chicago Public Library will partner with the Museum of Science and Industry and the STEM & Entrepreneurship Exchange to plan, design, and pilot a digital design and fabrication lab that will be available to the general public within the library’s main branch. The Chicago Maker space will enable mentor-led learning and will introduce adults, families, teens, and children to technology and equipment that is enabling new forms of personal manufacturing and business opportunities. The project team also will explore and evaluate viable roles for public libraries as the providers of such spaces and services to communities. In addition to the services and equipment that will be made available locally, the project team will create a how-to guidebook for other public libraries that may wish to create their own similar labs.

EU Law on the Internet Grace Hudson European Documentation Centre, University of Bradford, UK There is a great deal on the Internet relating to EU law, so I am going to concentrate in this short session on three key sources with brief mention of a couple of other additional resources. The three main sources I shall be looking at are: CELEX - a subscription database EUDOR - a fee-paying document delivery service EUR-Lex - a free source for current awareness and legislation in force Firstly let us look at CELEX which is located at where you will find details of costs and how to subscribe. This is the most important, comprehensive and authoritative of the EU official databases. It covers the primary and secondary legislation of the EU - the founding, amending and accession treaties, together with the regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions; the case law, including the opinions of the Advocates General as well as the judgments; preparatory documents, parliamentary questions and details of national implementing measures. Much of the information is available in full text. Records date back to the 1950s for case law and to legislation in force in 1979 for secondary legislation. Over recent years the full text coverage has been extended and currency has also been improved. With the move to the Web in 1997, the database now has a simple and user friendly interface which has made access to the data much easier. Behind that interface - which is surprisingly straightforward given the complexity of the data and the variety of the type of records contained in the database - there is a very powerful search facility which enables information to be identified by Official Journal or European Court Report issue number, by subject or by reference number. It is very hard to talk interestingly about a database without demonstrating it, so to illustrate what I am describing, I have captured some examples of search screens from CELEX which will give a clearer picture of the structure and content. However, in case the connections might prove too slow, please bear in mind that this is not a live demonstration. Going to the address will take you to the login screen where you first select your language. It is important to note that this is a multilingual database available in all the official languages. Then clicking on �Connect� will bring up a request for your username and password. Once into the database, the initial search screen allows access via a number of different routes through hyperlinks. It is possible to search (in the bottom left corner) by publication; (in the bottom right) by reference number, eg a directive number or case number; (in the top right) by type of record, eg legislation, case reports or preparatory documents; or (in the top left of the screen) across the whole of the database or by using the analytic structure of the Directory of Community Legislation in Force. Further screens allow you to specify search criteria more precisely, for example by setting dates or entering terms describing the topic. Once the results have been found, they can be displayed in three different ways - a basic bibliographic list, text only, or the full record giving all the additional analytic information added to the document text - legislative procedure, date adopted, date of entry into force, legal base, references cited in the grounds of a judgment and so on. Hyperlinks will bring up documents related to the reference on screen, such as the legal ba

Bounty in a box by Pia K. Hansen by Pia K. HansenShe has protested the waste-to-energy plant for as long as it's been around. She's a farmer and a strong spokeswoman for small local growers, lobbying the legislature, local representatives and farm organizations to focus their attention on sustainable organic agriculture and the value of being able to grow the food we need in the areas where we live. She's long campaigned against chemicals in our environment and advocated for clean air, clean water and a safe food source, especially for children. And now BrightSpirit has a new project in the works. "I guess I've turned into a farmer who is trying to grow more farmers," she says with a big smile, as we meet in the back of the empty Music City storefront in downtown Spokane. The grassroots group People for Environmental Action and Children's Health (PEACH), of which BrightSpirit is president and co-founder, is using the old store on the City Terminal block as the downtown basis for the PEACH Safe Food Project -- a community building farming cooperative that distributes produce to member families once a week. "In our guinea-pig group, we had about 13 families, but now they are beginning to add up really fast," she says. "We are planing to proceed very carefully so we don't grow too fast." But wait, there's only a couple of apples sitting around in a dish. "We'll never have a storefront with produce," she says, "because we believe produce should be consumed fresh." Once a week -- so far -- a truck backs up to the old ramp in the alley and unloads boxes of organic produce ready for immediate distribution. "We try to buy as locally as we can," says BrightSpirit. "Right now we are using Pupo's [Produce] to get deliveries from Charlie's Warehouse in Seattle. Charlie's specializes in dealing with small farmers. We want to support the small growers." Over the winter, the Safe Food Program is going to locate local farmers and chart out what types of produce they have available and when. In order to be able to buy produce, families have first to become members of PEACH, which costs $35 annually ($15 or about six hours of volunteer work for low-income families). Next, new members must participate in an orientation, then volunteer to sort produce on delivery day. "It's really important for us that people get the concept of what we are trying to do," says BrightSpirit. "This is not profit-driven, this is education-driven. We want clean air, clean water and babies born without industrial waste in their bodies. It's a tall order, but we are only going to carry produce and products that live up to that goal." The Safe Food Project may also be filling a gap in the local farm community. With consumers being busy, and many small farmers so caught up in running their own business, valuable distribution opportunities are sometimes missed. Some small organic farms don't produce enough to fulfill a large grocery chain's needs, yet generate too much to rely on barn-door sales only. "Some farmers don't want to deal with the public, so we'll just deal directly with them," says BrightSpirit. "There are also many farmers who'd like for their crops to stay locally, but they don't know how to achieve that." The Safe Food Project will carry locally produced greens and vegetables first and foremost. But when green beans are in season, members will be directed to go buy them at the Farmers Market. "It's important for us to do this without taking away from local farmers -- they are near and dear to our hearts," says BrightSpirit. "We don't want to compete with them or with the market." But don't be fooled -- the Safe Food Program is not about meditating over a handful of organic tomatoes. It has great growth potential and a serious high-tech component. "The way it's going to work is that we'll launch a Web site where members can place their orders. You can order as much or as little as you want, every week or once a year," she says. In Europe, co-ops selling organic crops, meat and sometimes bread have had great success setting up Internet-based farmers' markets, complete with home delivery. But the Safe Food Program is not going to go the delivery route. "We want to get to know people, so regardless of how many families join and how many times a week we'll end up doing the distribution and packing, we want them to come in and pick up their box," says BrightSpirit. "Many of us don't know our neighbors; we don't know if they are sick or well. A big part of what we are doing with the Safe Food Program is community-building. We want to get to know people, and we want for people who belong to the group to get to know one another." This, she says, will make it easier to promote PEACH's other activist goals, such as closing the waste-to-energy plant. "When you already have 200 families in your network, and they all show up at city hall and say 'close down the incinerator,' then the city is going to have to listen," says BrightSpirit. Within the next couple of months, the Safe Food Program plans to open a store carrying everything from futons to toilet paper in the City Terminal Block. "Our yardstick is that the products we carry have to be safe for children. Using best current available science, we'll look at every product we'd like to carry and see if it measures up," says BrightSpirit. In other words, there goes the diet pop and the hyper-processed morning cereals. "Just imagine, at that store your purchasing can make everybody else's lives better, because the stuff you buy won't have a negative impact on the environment or people anywhere. It's like a visionary trip to the grocery store." PEACH's Safe Food Program holds new member orientations every Monday at 3 and 6:30 pm. Call: TEL-FOOD (835-3663). Why every mother should buy her son Sherman Alexie's controversial novel by Rachel Dolezal Eastern Washington kids are learning their civics, and now it's time to extend the opportunity to grownups seeking public office by George Nethercutt We Need More Docs by Ted S. McGregor Jr.

Darwin Day Celebration Subject: Notable People Description: Website for Darwin Day Celebration, an education corporation whose "mission is to promote the public education about science and to encourage the celebration of science and humanity," especially the celebration of Darwin Day held on or around February 12, the day that Charles Darwin was born in 1809. Site features event listings, background about Darwin and his family, material about evolution and natural selection, audio clips, and more.

By Silvia Giannelli The MUOS antennas in the cork forest in Niscemi. Credit: Courtesy of Fabio D'AlessandroLUCCA, Italy, Oct 15 2013 (IPS) - Niscemi, with its 30,000 local residents and its white houses, is a typical southern Sicilian town. But it stands out not only for its ancient cork forest, but also for the Naval Radio Transmitter Facility located within the protected forest itself. Almost one third of the municipality is covered by a cork forest, the most important relict of the oak forests that once covered the central-southern part of the Italian island of Sicily. But the NRTF base, with around 40 transmitting devices, is located right inside the 3,000-hectare forest, which was named a Site of Community Importance (SIC) in 1997. Although the base officially belongs to the Italian army, the use of it is exclusively reserved for the U.S. Navy as part of the Naval Air Station of Sigonella. In recent years it has become the target of protests by the people of Niscemi. The base reportedly hosts one of the four ground stations of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), an ambitious satellite communication system that according to the U.S. Navy official website will provide military users with 10 times more communications capacity than the existing system. Traces of the project are already visible from the town centre, or even more clearly from satellite images, where three 20-metre diameter antennas stand out in the barren landscape of the Sicilian countryside. The system is composed of three other ground stations – one in Virginia, one in Hawaii and one still in the making in Australia – and a constellation of four operational satellites plus one on-orbit spare. “The NRTF antennas were installed in 1991, and caused mild concern for health risks,” Paola Ottaviano, a local lawyer and activist, told IPS. “But it was in 2009, when talk about a new project involving three additional big antennas started circulating, that people decided it was too much.” “The first NO-MUOS committees rose around that time,” said Salvatore Giordano, spokesperson for the Regional NO-MUOS Coordination Board. “And in 2011, a few hundred people took part in the first demonstration against the project. One year later, on Mar. 30, 2012, we were 20,000.” Jeju Island Base Divides Korean, International Green Groups For activists, possible health hazards are not the only reason to oppose the completion of the MUOS: “The cork forest became a Site of Community Importance because of the unique flora and fauna that needs to be preserved, and we don’t know what impact the electromagnetic waves might have on the forest’s biodiversity,” Ottaviano stressed. Yet the European Commission’s written answer to a parliamentary question on the issue states that “The Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC(1) does not prohibit the construction of satellite telecommunication infrastructures in or near Sites of Community Importance (SCI). The compatibility of such a development with the conservation objectives of a site needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis.” On the other hand, through the official site of the U.S. Consulate General of Naples, the American authorities assure that the MUOS ground station respects all applicable standards on safety and health mandated by Italy and the United States. The authorities also claim that the results of the MUOS Earth Terminal Survey for both Hawaii and Virginia showed that the actual electromagnetic radiation levels were well below the maximum allowed by the law, both for people working on the site and for people off-site. The initial phase of the building process has been plagued with controversy. As one can see on the U.S. Consulate General site, it was the Italian Defence Ministry that had to grant approval for the construction of the MUOS system inside the NRTF base. But the Ministry spokesperson did not confirm this, and refused to answer any questions. Nevertheless, as the project is situated in a Site of Community Importance, it needed the go-ahead from the local authorities before the works could get underway. Ottaviano said: “The authorisation eventually arrived in June 2011, but we are in possession of a document from the U.S. Navy with pictures clearly showing the foundations of the antennas already in place and the caption says ‘Niscemi, April 2009’. That is why we turned to the courts to demonstrate that it was illegal to start the works.” Both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Embassy in Italy refused to answer any questions regarding the MUOS project, making it impossible to confirm or deny this claim. Meanwhile, in March 2013 the newly elected regional government decided to revoke the authorisation for the installation, under pressure from the citizens’ protests and the Niscemi municipal government, which had asked for an independent risk assessment. Two physicists, Professor Massimo Zucchetti, a research affiliate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Professor Massimo Coraddu at the Polytechnic University of Turin, stated in a study that, first, the surveys on the already existing transmitting devices showed that the limit on the allowed emissions had been reached and was likely to have been passed in some cases. Second, they found the information provided on the MUOS incomplete and partially contradictory. Nevertheless, it was possible for the two professors to assess that there are possible risks for the ecosystem of the cork forest, for air traffic and for the health of the local population. The National Institute of Health (ISS) holds a different opinion. In a document released in July it stated that no evidence was found of possible risks, due to the known effects of the electromagnetic fields. MUOS construction activities got underway again on Aug. 20. “Having received these results from the ISS, we had no choice but to cancel the suspension of the authorisation,” Maria Lo Bello, chairman of the regional environment committee, told IPS. “The Sicily region deeply regrets the fact that the works will go on, and we can give no guarantees that there won’t be consequences for the health of the people of Niscemi, but there is nothing else we can do about it.” The ISS document does state that the population of Niscemi presents a critical health situation compared to the rest of the region, with excessive numbers of cases of liver cancer and other liver diseases, multiple myeloma (a cancer of plasma cells), central nervous system diseases and other pathologies, for which no precise cause could be found. It added that further investigation was highly recommended. In other words: more tests, more measurements and more studies are to come. “It’s going to take time, but we are patient,” said NO-MUOS activist Giordano. “Because what matters is that people know that this project is based on deception. And how long can deception last?”

How do I protect myself from UV rays? Whether you’re a sun baby or hoping for rain, it’s been hard to avoid the rays in the last few days. Although time in the sun is good for us, we need to be careful and mind our pale Irish skin.Seek shade: An obvious but very important way to limit your exposure to UV light is to avoid being outdoors in direct sunlight too long. This is particularly important between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when UV light is strongest. If you are unsure about the strength of the sun’s rays, use the shadow test: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s rays are the strongest, and it is important to protect yourself.Protect your skin with clothing: When you are out in the sun, wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Clothes provide different levels of UV protection, depending on many factors. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts cover the most skin and are the most protective. Dark colors generally provide more protection than light colors.Use sunscreen: It’s important to know that sunscreen does not provide total protection against all UV rays. Therefore, a sunscreen should not be used as a way to prolong your time in the sun. Even with proper sunscreen use, some rays get through, which is why using other forms of sun protection, is also important. When choosing a sunscreen product, be sure to read the label before you buy. Sunscreens with broad spectrum protection (against UVA and UVB rays) and with sun protection factor (SPF) values of 30 or higher are recommended. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays - a higher number means more protection.Wear sunglasses that block UV rays: UV-blocking sunglasses are important for protecting the delicate skin around the eyes, as well as the eyes themselves. Research has shown that long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes increase your chances of developing some eye diseases.The ideal sunglasses should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Before you buy, check the label to make sure they do.Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps: Many people believe the UV rays of tanning beds are harmless. This is not true. Tanning lamps give out UVA and usually UVB rays as well. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause long-term skin damage, and can contribute to skin cancer. Tanning bed use has been linked with an increased risk of melanoma, especially if it is started before the age of 30. Most skin doctors and health organizations recommend not using tanning beds and sun lamps.Full article: See www.cancer.orgHappy 4th of July from the IPCThe IPC would like to wish you and yours a very happy and healthy 4th of July!! We hope it’s a cracker!‘It’s never too late to be what you might have been’ -George EliotA 100-year-old woman has finally graduated from primary school, over 90 years after she first began her studies. Manuela Hernandez, from Mexico, apparently left school after a year to help her poor family at home. However the grandmother resumed her studies last year and has now received her primary school diploma. According to reports she is now planning to continue her education with secondary school studies. Speaking to Uno TV, Manuela explained: “I liked school very much, but I could not continue studying. By the next year I could already wash and iron... and they needed someone to work.” She is certainly testament that it’s never too late!- See more at: =story&storyID=16051#sthash.nDiUCO6u.dpuf

Home Society The Left and Climate Change ­- why green goes better with red The Left and Climate Change ­- why green goes better with red June 11, 2008, Damian OBroin, 7 Comments The convenient green honeymoon. With everyone from David Cameron to Enda Kenny wearing their green hearts on their sleeves it’s easy to think that climate change is beyond politics. In this post Inconvenient Truth world, we’re all signed up members of the must-do-something-about-climate-change brigade. We just have to switch to energy efficient light bulbs, buy a Prius and wait for the inevitable global agreement to make it all better. It’s certainly not about politics. And with those erstwhile dangerous radicals The Greens going into government with Fianna Fail – well, clearly this climate change lark is most definitely nothing to do with old fashioned notions like right or left. It’s just pragmatic, practical and sensible. Isn’t it? And therein lies the danger. Because how we choose to deal (or not deal) with climate change is in fact one of the most critical ideological questions of our generation. And it is most certainly about whether you are left or right. We’re living in the Convenient Honeymoon Period for the moment. The last two years has seen the broad acceptance that i) climate change is happening and ii) that human behaviour is responsible. We have also seen climate change move centre stage in public debate and public consciousness. To deny anthropogenic climate change now is to set yourself up as either naïve, contrary or in hock to big-oil. Public hearts and minds have been won over, and people agree that Something Must Be Done. The trouble is, most people haven’t really thought through what that means. And once they do, there may be a lot fewer people looking for that Something to Be Done. Because changing lightbulbs and insulating our attics just isn’t going to cut it. We need to be looking at major cuts in our carbon emissions – at the very least 60% by 2050 (although this is probably too timid); some (such as Monbiot) argue as much as 90% by 2030. What’s not in dispute is that we have to cut, and cut deep. The question that is of most concern to us here though, is what tools we use for the cutting. And this is where ideology moves centre stage. Do we do this in a fair and equitable way? Or do we attempt to minimise the pain felt by the privileged and the prosperous? For example, take the debate around biofuels. The beautiful mirage of biofuels. Biofuels have several obvious attractions for westerners raised in the era of oil. They hold out the possibility that we can continue with our car dependent ways without contributing to climate change. Cars could be cool again. Fuel prices may even come down. Drivers would be happy. And not only that, they provide farmers with a valuable cash crop that could revitalise the rural economy. Biofuels have many fans – the EU Biofuels directive calls for 5.75% of transport fossil fuels to be replaced by Biofuels by 2010. George Bush wants biofuels to be supplying 24% of US fuel requirements by 2017. Here, the programme for government introduces a minimum requirement for the use of biofuels in public transport vehicles. The Labour Party policy calls for the progressive introduction of the EU 5.75% target. So what’s the problem? Well, there’s a few. Not one to mince words, George Monbiot describes biofuels policy as “a formula for environmental disaster”. We’re already seeing this. Biofuels are displacing food crops in developing countries, helping to drive up food prices and contributing to a global food shortage. Worse, forests are being cleared to make way for biofuel production. And deforestation means the release of stored carbon and the loss of vital carbon sinks. In fact one report has shown that biodiesel made from palm oil causes 10 times as much climate change as ordinary diesel. The folly of biofuels is most apparent when you start looking at how much would be required to power our cars. Using currently available biofuel crops, to keep the UK’s car fleet on the road would require 5 times more arable land than actually exists in the country. A similar scenario probably exists here. So to power our car habit with biofuels we would have to stop growing everything else. No more spuds. No more turnips. No more grass for cows to graze. There’s a clear question of equity here. We can, in the short term at least, reduce our country’s carbon footprint somewhat by increasing the use of biofuels. But anything beyond a token usage will cause devastation to the world’s poorest people and untold environmental damage as well. Until a new generation of more efficient biofuels is developed, no progressive person or party should promote the increased use of biofuels. Back from the dead. The return of nuclear. The biofuels fallacy should alert us to the dangers of apparently simple solutions to climate change. Take the newly invigorated nuclear lobby. If you believe what the cheerleaders say, nuclear power is the answer. Sure, it has its problems, but we have to be mature and grown up about energy now, and the problems of nuclear pale next to the dangers of climate change. And nuclear power stations produce no CO2. Stop fretting and start building! First up, nuclear power is not economic. It has always required massive subsidies to make it happen. Which means one of two things – government subsidies to big business to help them build and run nuclear stations, or the re-direction of government spending into a nuclear construction project. Given the current vogue for the private sector, we’d most likely be looking at the former. So we’d have economic redistribution, but from our pockets into those of big energy companies. When you add in the uncertainty around continued uranium availability, the major question marks over the carbon cost of extracting uranium and the dangers of leaks and accidents, nuclear looks less like a solution to climate change and more like a bonus for big business. The invisible green hand. Not that there’s anything wrong with a business response to climate change. Market mechanisms are powerful and have an important role to pay in the task ahead. But on it’s own, the fabled market is no panacea. Nicholas Stern described climate change as “the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen“. The externality of carbon pollution hasn’t been properly priced over the last 150 years, leading us to the point we’re currently at. So the first task is to put a proper price on carbon – and carbon taxes are the most obvious way of doing this. But the problem with a carbon tax is that it has a relatively greater impact on the poorest in society. If I’m already struggling to pay for fuel to keep my house warm, increasing the price may reduce my consumption, but at what cost? Less money for food? More winter nights without heat? Meanwhile, the wealthiest amongst us will still be able to pour petrol into their big cars and heat their large houses, albeit at a higher cost. The problem is that carbon taxes are not redistributive. The only way you can argue for carbon taxes is if they’re accompanied by a strong package of supports to ameliorate their impact on the poorest in society. Without fuel subsidies, real investment in public transport, and a national programme to make our leaky homes more energy-efficient, carbon taxes will hurt the poorest hardest. There is an alternative. The idea of carbon quotas is already with us in the EU and Kyoto cap and trade systems for business. But a personal system could be the most radical and effective wealth redistribution mechanism. A contraction and convergence system would work along the following lines. For simplicity, let’s look at in national, rather than global terms. We take a time horizon – let’s say 2050 – and a target for reducing our emissions. Friends of the Earth argue that we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2050. For Ireland that would mean bringing per capita emissions down from 17 tonnes per person to around 2 tonnes per person by 20501[1]. Everyone is then given an annual carbon quota – initially of 17 tonnes. If you use less than that, you can sell your excess credit to those who are more profligate with their carbon. Then each year, the personal carbon quota reduces towards the ultimate target. If you take a linear reduction that would mean your quota would reduce by 0.375 tonnes each year. So how is this redistributive? Well, generally speaking, the wealthier you are, the more carbon you’re going to produce. And likewise, poorer people tend not to emit as much. So if wealthier people want to continue their high-carbon lifestyle they’ll have to buy credits from those with excess – who will tend to be either very carbon conscious, or less well-off, or both. Hey presto, we have a wealth redistribution system together with an equitable distribution of the ‘right-to-pollute’. When you transfer this to the global arena, the scale of wealth distribution would be utterly transformative. Just look at the per capita emissions of countries like Chad, Uganda and Rwanda, all of which have per capita carbon dioxide emissions of less than 0.1 tonnes. If the developed North wanted to continue with it’s carbon intensive lifestyle, it would have to buy large amounts of carbon credits from the South. The contraction and convergence system facilitates a global transfer of wealth from the richest to the poorest while still allowing under-developed countries to grow to a sustainable level. Yes, but… Of course there are major challenges with introducing such a scheme on a national, never mind a global, level. But it provides us with a template for a fair and equitable means to tackle the global crisis. And a mechanism for smoothing out some of the disparities of wealth within and between countries. If we’re to take a progressive approach to climate change we should give serious consideration to contraction and convergence. A new urgency for the public sphere. A personal carbon quota system would never happen if we simply left things to the market to sort out. Indeed, the global nature of climate change and the scale of the challenge demonstrates the continued need for strong government. Global action can only be co-ordinated by national governments and national action can only be ensured by strong state-led leadership, direction and enforcement. The market alone will not stop climate chaos. Which suggests that the greening of the likes of David Cameron may be little more than greenwash. Does the right really think that a shrunken and emaciated state will have the wherewithal to deal with climate change? Or do they believe that market forces alone can stop the juggernaut heading our way? Are they really that naïve or in thrall to the ideology of Freidman and Thatcher? Here’s where the left can strike a decisive claim to the climate change agenda. We already believe in the important role of the state in leading, directing and enforcing progressive change. We’re not (at least we used not be) blinded by the false and empty claims of the omnipotence of the untrammelled ‘free market’ or the belief that the private sector is necessarily better than the public. And we also believe in the principles of fairness and equality. A left approach to climate change would see the pain shared equally (or even disproportionately by the wealthiest and most carbon-wasteful). Could we say the same about a right wing approach? Too much pie? But there are areas when the new climate reality will severely challenge left thinking. None more so than the idea of growth. For a long time there has been consensus across left and right that the goal of politics and economics was to grow the size of the pie. The differences were about how to divide it. Well, we may have to re-assess our appetite for pie. How far can we grow our economy while simultaneously reducing our carbon footprint? Yes, we have seen a degree of ‘de-coupling’ of emissions and growth in Ireland over the last few years. But we have simply slowed the rate of emissions growth in our economy. In an environment of annually reducing greenhouse gas emissions, can we expect continued, non-stop economic growth? The left urgently needs a new economic analysis that takes account of the new challenges we face. The fundamental question is how can we ensure a better quality of life – and a fairer distribution of wealth – while reducing our carbon emissions to a level that doesn’t threaten the survival of the planet? The current centrist consensus of relatively unregulated private sector growth and a low tax regime lifting all boats (though not equally) will not be enough. We need a new economy, and the left needs to lay claim to it. Equality, our children, and our children’s children.

Aplodontia rufa APLODONTIIDAE (Rafinesque, 1817) Mountain Beaver, Point Arena Mountain Beaver, Sewellel Helgen (in Wilson and Reeder 2005) applied the common name "Sewellel" to this species. Fellers, G.M., Lidicker Jr., W.Z., Linzey, A.V. & Nature Serve (Williams, D.F. & Hammerson, G.) Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Chanson, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team) Listed as Least Concern because it is a very widespread, common species, that is unlikely to be declining fast enough for listing in a more threatened category. The mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) occurs along the Pacific coast of western North America, from southwestern British Columbia, Canada, south to central California in the United States. It ranges from near Merritt, British Columbia, south along the Cascade, Olympic, Coast, and Siskiyou ranges to Rio Dell, California; Mt Shasta, California, southeastward through the Sierra Nevada of eastern California and west-central Nevada; Point Arena, Mendocino County, California; and near Pt. Reyes, Marin County, California (Carraway and Verts 1993). The subspecies nigra has the most restricted distribution of all subspecies, it is known only from an area of 60 km² in the vicinity of Point Arena, Mendocino County, California. The subspecies phaea is known primarily from an area of approximately 285 km² within the Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California, with a few populations occurring on privately owned land immediately adjacent to the Park. Native:Canada (British Columbia); United States (California, Oregon, Washington) Except for two small relictual populations in California, the mountain beaver is widespread and common in the Pacific Northwest. Global abundance estimates are from 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. For the subspecies nigra there are thought to be 10 populations within its known geographic range, totalling 100 individuals. Prior to a wildfire in 1995 that killed an estimated 98 percent of Reyes Point mountain beavers (subspecies phaea), the population was estimated at 5000 individuals. This species is common and considered a pest throughout much of its range in coastal areas of Northern California, Oregon, Washington and southern British Columbia. The areas inhabited are generally not visited frequently by humans. The mountain beaver is only rare in some relictual populations in California.Threats to the disjunct subspecies nigra and phaea include wildfire, livestock grazing, expansion of exotic plant species, rodent control measures, alteration of natural stream flow, housing development, highway construction, predation by cats and dogs as well as the general uncertainties associated with small population sizes (Hafner et al. 1998). In California relictual populations are protected in National Park Service land or through state endangered species listing. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) have the mountain beaver listed as; Special Concern (01 Nov 2001). The subspecies nigra of northern California is protected nationally under the United States Endangered Species Act as of 1991.

Cyclura carinata Harlan, 1824 Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana, Bahamas Rock Iguana, Turks and Caicos Ground Iguana, Turks and Caicos Iguana, Bartsch's Iguana, Turks Island Iguana Cyclure des Îles Turks et Caïques, Iguane terrestre des Îles Turks et Caïques Cyclura carinata subspecies bartschi Cochran, 1931 Cyclura carinata subspecies carinata Harlan, 1824 The small subpopulation on Booby Cay, The Bahamas, has been classified as a distinct subspecies, Cyclura carinata bartschi Cochran, 1931, on the basis of morphological characteristics. Genetic studies are needed to more fully evaluate whether subspecific status is warranted. B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) Gerber, G. Hudson, R. & Alberts, A. (Iguana Red List Authority) A comparison of 1995 survey work (Gerber 1995) combined with a less extensive survey conducted in the mid-1970’s (Iverson 1978) indicates that at least 13 iguana subpopulations, most on relatively large islands, have been extirpated over the last 20 years. This represents a 25% or greater rate of population decline. Continuing habitat loss and spread of feral mammal predators (cats, dogs and rats) are contributing to presently accelerating rates of loss. The combined area of islands supporting viable iguana populations at present is approximately 13 km². The largest remaining subpopulation (30% of total population) occurs on an island that is privately owned under extensive development. The species is found on 50–60 of the > 200 islands comprising the Turks and Caicos island banks. The combined surface area of all islands in the Turks and Caicos is approximately 500 km². The extent of occurrence for iguanas is 13 km², most of which is accounted for by three large cays (Big Ambergis, Little Ambergris and East Bay). In the Bahamas, the species is found only on Booby Cay, located 0.5 km off the eastern end of Mayaguana Island. The cay is 2 km in length and varies from 100–750 m wide. Approximately 30% of the cay is taken up by two ponds. Native:Bahamas; Turks and Caicos Islands Approximately 30,000 adult iguanas remain in the Turks and Caicos islands, fragmented into 50–60 island subpopulations. Subpopulations range from islands without feral mammals, where iguanas are very common (densities may exceed 30 adults per hectare) to islands with feral mammal populations, on which iguana are either absent or extremely rare. The most important remaining subpopulations are on three large cays lacking feral predators (Big Ambergris, Little Ambergis and East Bay), the largest of which (Big Ambergris; 4.3 km²; supporting approximately 10,000 adult iguanas) is privately owned and under development. In the Bahamas, surveys indicate that iguanas on Booby Cay were fairly numerous in 1988 and 1997, with all age classes present. However, the iguana population is restricted to a single small cay with a high point of 6.2 m and most of its area below 3 m. Although no formal census has been conducted, it is unlikely that the population exceeds 750 adults (Gerber et al., unpublished data). In the Turks and Caicos Islands, the primary threat to iguanas is introduced mammals, particularly cats and dogs. Iverson (1978, 1979) documented the near-extirpation of a population of over 5,000 adults in three years as a result of predation by feral cats and dogs. Feral livestock (goats, cows, donkeys and horses) pose a serious threat also, presumably because they compete for food plants, alter the vegetational composition of habitats and trample soft substrates where iguanas burrow and nest. In 1995, iguanas were found on only 5–26 islands with cats or livestock. Iguanas on these islands were very rare, whereas iguanas on islands without introduced mammals are common. Recently, feral cats have crossed a newly formed sand spit connecting Pine and Water Cay (two islands with cats) to Little Water Cay (an important nature reserve that was previously cat-free). Development for tourism is also an increasing cause of habitat loss. On Booby Cay, Bahamas, the immediate threat to the population is the presence of goats, which are degrading the vegetation through over-browsing. Catastrophe, particularly in the form of a hurricane or storm surge, is a significant threat. In the Turks and Caicos, iguanas are still occasionally eaten by local fishermen, and although illegal exportation for international trade is undocumented, it probably occurs. There have been no reports of poaching of iguanas on Booby Cay, although it is unknown is any are taken by local fishermen for consumption. The Turks and Caicos has a fairly extensive system of national parks, nature reserves and sanctuaries, a number of which encompass areas supporting iguanas. However, these reserves are not immune to the effects of introduced mammals and few government resources are presently allocated to maintain or enforce protection of non-marine parks. Largely due to the urging of the TCI National Trust, legislation to protect iguanas within the islands has recently been drafted, although not yet implemented. In addition, the government has granted the TCI National Trust stewardship of Little Ambergris Cay, which supports a healthy iguana population, and Little Water Cay, which supports a large population of iguanas but needs management due to its popularity with tourists and recent invasion by feral cats. Finally, the TCI National Trust has initiated a public education campaign that includes a tour of all schools to discuss iguanas and other conservation issues. In November, 2003, a Conservation and Management Plan was drafted at a joint IUCN-government sponsored workshop attended by in-country conservation managers, government officials, private businessmen, and international iguana conservation experts. The plan lays out a comprehensive strategy to conserve and restore populations of the Turks and Caicos iguana within its historic range, and perpetuate it as a symbol of national pride and sound environmental management. All Bahamian rock iguanas are protected under the Wild Animal Protection Act of 1968. The Bahamas National Trust has proposed to the Bahamas government that Booby Cay, which is also of significant value for nesting seabirds, be named a protected area under the national parks system (Carey et al. 2000). Representatives of the Wildlife Committee of the Bahamas National Trust and the Department of Agriculture are planning the removal of feral goats.This species is listed on CITES Appendix I. IUCN. 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. . Downloaded on 23 November 2004. IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre. 1986. 1986 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. Iverson, J.B. 1978. The impact of feral cats and dogs on populations of the West Indian rock iguana, Cyclura carinata. Biological Conservation 14(1): 63-73. Iverson, J.B. 1979. Behavior and ecology of the rock iguana, Cyclura carinata. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum of Biological Sciences. 24: 175-358. Mitchell, N., Fulford, M., Haeffner, R., Clerveaux, W. and Mitchell, G. 2000. Taxon report: Turks and Caicos iguana, Cyclura carinata carinata. Newsletter of the IUCN Iguana Specialist Group 3(1):7-10. Welch, M.E., Gerber, G.P. and Davis, S.K. 2004. Genetic structure of the Turks and Caicos rock iguana and its implications for species conservation. In: A.C. Alberts, R.L. Carter, W.K. Hayes and E.P. Martins (eds) Iguanas: Biology and Conservation pp: 58-70. University of California Press, Berkeley. Gerber, G. 2004. Cyclura carinata. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. <>. Downloaded on 16 April 2014.

(Matschie, 1900) Preuss’s Red Colobus, Preuss's Red Colobus Procolobus badius subspecies preussi (Maatschie, 1900) Here treated as a distinct species from P. pennantii following Kingdon and Butynski (in press); this species has, in the past, also been considered a subspecies of P. badius. Oates, J.F., Struhsaker, T., Morgan, B., Linder, J. & Ting, N. Listed as Critically Endangered as this species is estimated to have undergone a decline of more than 80% over the past three generations (ca. 30 years), due to high levels of hunting and habitat loss. It is now confined mainly to Korup National Park. P. p. preussi is present in south-eastern Nigeria in the Cross River National Park (Oban Division) extending into the adjacent Korup National Park and surrounds in south-western Cameroon; they also occur in Ebo Forest just north of the Sanaga River (Grubb et al. 2000; Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2001), and at least until fairly recently still persisted in Makombe forest to the north of Ebo where the were heard in 2003 (B. Morgan pers. comm.). Native:Cameroon; Nigeria Between 10,000 and 15,000 P. p. preussi may be present in Korup National Park, the stronhold for the taxon (Oates 1996). Edwards (1992) estimated group densities in north-eastern Korup at 0.52-0.56 groups/km², which is not too dissimilar from more recent estimates by J. Linder (pers. comm.) in the same area (0.46 grps/sq. km). No absolute density is available for southern Korup, but J. Linder (pers. comm.) encountered 12 groups in 243 km walked. An inhabitant of lowland and mid-altitude moist forest up to 1,400 m (Kingdon and Butynski in press). Edwards (1992) recorded group sizes of 20-64 animals for P. p. preussi, similar to those recorded by J. Linder (pers. comm.). The major threat to this species is hunting (e.g., Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2001) and habitat degradation. P. p. preussi made up a relatively large proportion of the total primate offtake in Korup National Park, especially in the north-east (22% of carcasses) (J. Linder pers. comm.). This taxon is listed on Appendix II of CITES and on Class B of the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. P. p. preussi is present in Korup National Park (1,260 km²) and its perimeter in Cameroon, with a small number residing in the adjacent Oban division of Cross River National Park (Nigeria). It is also recorded from Ebo Wildlife Reserve, just north of the Sanaga River, which has been proposed as a new national park.

SOLIS (sometimes da Solis or de Solis): Abraham Solis:David Hays Solis:Eleazar da Solis:Francisco de Silva y Solis (Marquis de Montfort):Isaac Nathan Solis:Jacob da Silva Solis:Solomon da Silva Solis:Ximenes de Solis: Spanish and Portuguese family of crypto-Jews, some of whom were inquisitors, while others were victims of the Inquisition. Those who made good their escape to the Netherlands, France, and England openly professed Judaism. In the eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth century some went to America, settling in various parts of the West Indies and the United States. The American branch of the family traces its descent back to Solomon da Silva Solis, who married Isabel da Fonseca and who emigrated from Spain to Amsterdam in the seventeenth century.Abraham Solis: Interpreter; lived in Boston in 1790.David Hays Solis: Merchant; son of Jacob da Silva Solis; born at Mount Pleasant, N. Y., 1822; died in Philadelphia 1882. He gave valuable aid in the foundation and maintenance of religious, educational, and charitable institutions in both Philadelphia and New York, especially of the B'nai Jeshurun Educational Institute (1854) and the Congregation Shearith Israel, of New York, and of the Hebrew Charitable Fund, the Jewish Publication Society (1845), and the Hebrew Educational Society (1848), of Philadelphia. An earnest supporter of Isaac Leeser, he organized and became first president of the Congregation Beth-El Emeth, Philadelphia (1857). When the plates of the Leeser Bible were destroyed by fire he headed a subscription to replace them. He was an ardent supporter of the anti-slavery movement, and actively promoted the Volunteer Fund and Sanitary Fair.Eleazar da Solis: Friar, theologian, and preacher; lived in Amsterdam as a professed Jew in 1656. His brother Simāo Pires da Solis was burned at the stake by the Inquisition at Lisbon (1631).Solis Pedigree.Francisco de Silva y Solis (Marquis de Montfort): Military commander under Emperor Leopold I.; greatly aided in the defeat of the French Maréchal de Crequi in 1673. He settled in Antwerp as a professed Jew.Isaac Nathan Solis: Son of David Hays Solis; lawyer and banker of New York and Philadelphia; born 1857.Jacob da Silva Solis: Son of Solomon da Silva Solis and Benveneda Henriques Valentine; born in London 1780; died in New York 1829. He was a descendant of Solomon da Silva Solis and Donna Isabel da Fonseca (a daughter of the Marquis of Turin and Count of Villa Real and Monterey), both refugees from the Inquisition, who were married as Jews in Amsterdam about 1670. Family tradition reports that in 1760, the Catholic branch of the house of Turin and Villa Real being extinct, the succession was offered to the grandfather of Jacob da Silva Solis (of the same name, and great-grandson of Isabel da Fonseca), on condition of his becoming a Catholic. On his declining, the Portuguese ambassador, himself descended from Maranos, exclaimed, "You fool! It is one of the greatest dignities of Europe." To which Da Silva Solis replied, "Not for the whole of Europe would I forsake my faith, and neither would my son Solomon."In 1803 Solis went to the United States, and in 1811 married Charity, daughter of David Hays of Westchestercounty, New York. He was in business with his brother Daniel (b. in London 1784; went to America c. 1800; died in Philadelphia 1867) in New York city and in Wilmington, Del. In 1826, having business in New Orleans, Jacob went thither about the time of the Passover festival; finding that city without either a maẓẓah bakery or a synagogue, he procured the establishment of both. The Shanarai Chasset congregation was organized through his efforts, and its synagogue dedicated in the following year (1827). For publication with the "Constitution" of the congregation, he compiled "A Calendar of the Festivals and Lunar Months of Every Year Observed by the Israelites Commencing A. M. 5589, and Ending in the Year 5612, Being a Period of 24 Years."Solomon da Silva Solis: Merchant and litterateur; son of Jacob da Silva Solis; born at Mount Pleasant, N. Y., 1819; died in New York city 1854. He was one of the founders of the first American Jewish Publication Society (1845)—of whose publication committee he was a member—the founder and first president of the Hebrew Education Society of Philadelphia (1848), and a trustee and director of synagogues and charitable institutions in both New York and Philadelphia. He was a friend of and zealous colaborer with Isaac Leeser, and a frequent contributor to the "Occident" and other religious periodicals. As a result of his friendship with Grace Aguilar, whom he met in London, the publication of her works in the United States was brought about.Ximenes de Solis:

One Israeli creation for the weekend Since I live in Israel and am very passionate about the arts, I figure it would be nice to do something... Our freedom from ourselves A Facebook status written by a good friend of mine caught my attention. "May this holiday of freedom... Diplomacy is back in action, Pharell Williams is HAPPY with Israel and more…This week from Israel! Here are the top 10 non-political stories from Israel this past week Facing chaos - Two Israeli soldiers found themselves under the attack of anti-Israel activists Each year, the Israeli Soldiers' Stories participants find themselves facing anti-Israeli protesters who... Israelife ARCHIVES Welcome to the world of the New Anti- Semitism by Noga Gur-Arieh November 25, 2013 | 1:15 pm Welcome to the world of the New anti-Semitism. While it does not replace the classical Anti-Semitism, which is well-known for its caricatures and the association between Jews and money, it rather adds a more modern touch to it, adjusting it to a broader audience who are clueless to their anti-Semitism. The New Anti-Semitism is not direct and straight forward. It does not compare Jews to vermin or directly ask people to carry on Hitler's legacy. It does something much worse: The New Anti-Semitism uses an innocent and peaceful rhetoric to gradually delegitimize the state of Israel and the right of the Jewish people to their own country. By using the same method many anti-Israelis often use, the new anti-Semites create hatred toward the Jewish people as a whole by modernly turning us into a villain of some sort. With a fair share of lies and that peaceful rhetoric, “the Jew” becomes a person to blame for all the world's suffering, and the Holocaust turns into an event that is only second to what the Palestinians are going through nowadays. In 2007, Iran’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, spoke in front of students at Columbia University. When he was asked by a student if he personally believes that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, his reply was: "I believe a great atrocity was committed in the Second World War. The question that needs to be asked is what is the crime committed by the Palestinians in that atrocity?” The immediate response was murmuring and whispers that spread throughout the room like wildfire. Some students even shouted at him, attacking him for his indirect, yet confident Holocaust reduction, and the strange connection he suddenly made with today’s Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead of lowering his head and apologizing, Zarif looked straight up and confidently stated that while he acknowledges that “the killing of Jews” during WWII did take place, he does not understand why the Palestinians, who were not even involved in that war, still have to be victimized for it. Just like that, he turned the Holocaust into a non-issue, not even calling it by its name. When the shouting continued, he shamelessly accused the audience of depriving him of his freedom of speech. This is merely one small demonstration of the New Anti-Semitism - and keep in mind that not all audiences have the wisdom and intelligence to notice it like those students. Instead of denying the Holocaust, this rhetoric wisely connects it with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and thus incites hatred toward “The Jews” for surviving the Holocaust and later forming an independent state. It is very important to remember that while the State of Israel often makes the connection between the Holocaust and the state (משואה לתקומה, From Holocaust to Heroism), it is not an actual narrative. Many of the Jews who founded the state of Israel lived there many years before the Holocaust took place. This approach is spreading quickly and is no longer used exclusively by Iranian leaders. The Holocaust has no direct relation with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Genocide of the Jewish people did not directly cause the ongoing dispute over the small, strategic piece of land at the heart of the Middle East, and the survival of a few 70 years ago is heroism, not an attempt to bring suffering into the world. But with enough free time, malicious intentions and viral activity, any story can be believed to be the objective truth. The story that presents the apparent suffering of the Palestinians as the immediate result of the failure of Hitler’s plans, makes innocent and clueless people hate others on the basis of race and religion. This type of hatred is not a legitimate criticism and there is no room for it in the world. This type of hatred can easily lead to action and history CAN repeat itself. This type of hatred is, indeed, anti-Semitism in and of itself and we must stop it now, while we still can. We must take action to expose anti-Semitism for what it is. Standing by is tantamount to agreeing. Disagree. My name is Noga Gur-Arieh, and I’m an Israeli Journalist, currently studying for my B.A degree in Media and Political Science, at Tel Aviv University. I am very socially...

Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16) by Rabbi Lisa Edwards January 20, 2010 | 3:45 am Miep Gies Miep Gies died this month, weeks shy of her 101st birthday. Gies worked for Otto Frank’s Amsterdam pectin company and was the main caretaker of the Franks, including Anne, and the four other Jews who hid for 25 months in the business’ back rooms. Those hiding in the Secret Annex managed, with the help of Gies, her husband and four co-workers, to evade capture by the Nazis until August 1944. Dispersed to various concentration camps, only Anne’s father returned alive. Upon hearing of his daughters’ deaths, Miep Gies handed Otto Frank Anne’s diary, which she had found and stashed in her desk drawer after the hiding place was discovered by the Nazis. In this week’s Torah portion, Bo, we read another frightening escape story. “The length of time the Israelites lived in Egypt was 430 years; at the end of the 430th year, to the very day, all the ranks of God departed from the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:40). On the verge of their departure, Torah tells us that the Israelites had followed instructions and “asked” of the Egyptians silver and gold objects and clothing, and “God had given the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they let themselves be asked of,” even to the point of being stripped of their wealth (Exodus 12:35-6). Certainly the Egyptians were frightened, eager to have the Israelites gone, and the plagues with them. And perhaps that is their only motivation for giving them what they ask for in the aftermath of the horrible 10th plague, the deaths of their firstborn. Yet midrash posits another possibility. It speaks of three kinds of people among the Egyptians: those who wanted the Israelites to remain slaves died in the plagues; those who were also oppressed by the Egyptians went out of Egypt with them (the erev rav, or mixed multitude) (Exodus 12:38); and the Egyptians who gave the Israelites gold, silver and clothing, even to the point of depleting their own treasuries, those are the ones who “supported Israel’s bid for liberation and rose in revolt against Pharaoh’s stubborn policies” (Etz Hayim Torah and Commentary, p. 388). Much has been made of the first group and the second, but the less-acclaimed third group includes the unsung heroes — those who risk their lives to help the oppressed and rise up in quiet revolt against “the stubborn policies” of the oppressor. Miep Gies said that when Otto Frank asked if she would help hide him and his family in the annex behind the company warehouse and bring them food and supplies, “I answered, ‘Yes, of course.’ It seemed perfectly natural to me. I could help these people. They were powerless; they didn’t know where to turn.” Advertisement In her diary, Anne Frank frequently mentioned Gies’ heroic delivery of supplies, food and thoughtful gifts (a cake, for example): “It seems as if we are never far from Miep’s thoughts.” Although honored by three countries and countless institutions, Gies said during a 1997 online chat with schoolchildren: “I don’t want to be considered a hero…. Imagine [if] young people would grow up with the feeling that you have to be a hero to do your human duty. I am afraid nobody would ever help other people, because who is a hero? I was not. I was just an ordinary housewife and secretary.” In another interview, Gies said: “It is our human duty to help those who are in trouble. I could foresee many, many sleepless nights and a miserable life if I had refused to help the Franks. Yes, I have wept countless times when I thought of my dear friends. But still, I am happy that these are not tears of remorse for refusing to assist those in trouble.” The choices you and I face today may be simpler than the dramatic and life threatening ones faced by Miep Gies or the Egyptians who were sympathetic to the Israelites: to feed the hungry perhaps; or be a Big Brother or Big Sister; teach an adult to read; or fight for a cause not immediately ours. Yet, a seemingly simple choice can change someone else’s life — or even our own. “Yes, I have wept…. But still, I am happy that these are not tears of remorse for refusing to assist those in trouble.”

Block B weighs 708 N. The coefficient of static friction between block and table is 0.32. Assume that the cord between B and the knot is horizontal. Find the maximum weight of block A for which the system will be stationary. An airplane is flying in a horizontal circle at a speed of 490 km/h. If its wings are tilted at 44° to the horizontal, what is the radius of the circle in which the plane is flying? Assume that the required force is procided entirely by an "aerodynamic lift" that... What is the smallest radius of an unbanked (flat) track around which a bicyclist can travel if her speed is 31 km/h and the coefficient of static friction between the tires and the road is 0.29? physics During an Olympic bobsled run, the Jamaican team makes a turn of radius 7.9 m at a speed of 97.4 km/h. What is their accelaration in g-units? A sphere of mass 3.3 10-4 kg is suspended from a cord. A steady horizontal breeze pushes the sphere so that the cord makes an angle of 41° with the vertical when at rest (a) Find the magnitude of that push. (b) Find the tension in the cord. yes since you x value is positive the graph opens upwards, and all absolute value graphs have a distinct V shape, using the vertical line test you can see that it is a function AP physics i really need help on this problem!! Three blocks are connected,on a horizontal frictionless table and pulled to the right with a force T3 = 64.4 N. Assume that m1 = 12.5 kg, m2 = 25.0 kg, and m3 = 31.7 kg. (a) Calculate the acceleration of the system (b)Calculate the tensions... While exploring a cave, a spelunker starts at the entrance and moves the following distances: 75.0 m north, 250 m east, 210 m at an angle 30.0° north of east, and 150 m south. Find the resultant displacement from the cave entrance. I know I have to use the formulas Ax = A ...

Topography of Vesta's Equatorial Region I These Dawn FC (framing camera) images show part of Vesta's equatorial region, which contains a prominent, deep impact crater (lower center of image) and large troughs (linear depressions). The left image is an albedo image, which is taken directly through the clear filter of the FC. Such an image shows the albedo (e.g. brightness/darkness) of the surface. The right image uses the same albedo image as its base but then a color-coded height representation of the topography is overlain onto it. The topography is calculated from a set of images that were observed from different viewing directions, called stereo images. The various colors correspond to the height of the area that they color. For example, the white areas in the bottom corners of the image are the highest areas and the blue areas along the top of the image are the lowest. The prominent impact crater is set into a topographically high area defined by the red and white color-coding. Above this area there are a number of deep troughs represented by green and blue color-coding. A conspicuous trough on the left, which looks like it could be quite deep in the albedo image, is shown by the color-coding in the topography image to be only a little shallower than the area surrounding it. NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtained the albedo image with its framing camera on August 11th 2011. This image was taken through the camera's clear filter. The distance to the surface of Vesta is 2740 km the image has a resolution of about 250 meters per pixel. The images are projected using a lambert-azimuthal map projection.The Dawn mission to Vesta and Ceres is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington D.C.. UCLA is responsible for overall Dawn mission science. Dawn's VIR was provided by ASI, the Italian Space Agency and is managed by INAF, Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics, in collaboration with Selex Galileo, where it was built.More information about Dawn is online at and .

This census was taken in order to determine eligible voters for elections to be held as proclaimed by Governor Andrew Reeder on November 10, 1854. The categories for information in the census were name, occupation, age, gender, emigrated from, native of United States, naturalized citizen, declarant (intention to become a citizen), Negro, slave, and voter. Only white males over twenty-one were eligible to vote. The districts used for the census were the same as the election districts. A statistical summary of the census followed the enumeration pages. For District 16, the place of election was the house of Keller & Kyle, in Leavenworth City. The boundaries of each district were described in Governor Reeder's proclamation, and it is difficult to determine what counties were in each district. The description of the District 16 follows: "Commencing at the mouth of Salt Creek; thence up said creek to the Military road; thence along the middle of said road to the lower crossing of Stranger Creek; thence up said creek to the line of the late Kickapoo reservation; and thence along the said line to the Thirteenth District; and thence by the same along a line corresponding to the courses

Braithwaite Gets Bone Marrow Transplant November 14, 2012, 10:05 PM by Brady Mallory ROCHESTER, MN - "This deep dive has been going on for almost ten years," Dr. Tom Braithwaite said while sitting in a doctor's office at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. As he got his blood pressure taken and went through a few consultations, the day was all about him. When a nurse asked him how his weekend was, however, Braithwaite was thinking about others. "We got the house kind of taken care of and ready," Tom said. And that means leaving the lights on. "He felt good enough. He was able to go out there, the two of us, or with help of friends, we got everything done," Braithwaite's wife Tacey said. "We even have the Christmas lights up. We don't want to be the only dark house on the cul-de-sac." "Our cul-de-sac decorates, so we didn't want to let down all of our friends and neighbors," Tom said. The internal medicine physician has had his own darkness to deal with for the last decade. In 2003, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He went in remission, but the cancer came back. He went into remission again, but relapsed just a few years ago. Though he was in remission recently, high dosages of chemotherapy essentially destroyed his bone marrow, giving him a disease called Myelodisplastic Syndrome. After not one, but two attempts to find him a match at bone marrow donor drives in his honor in the Sioux Falls area, none of his friends and family were suitable donors. However, in August, Tom got the call that a match was found somewhere else in the United States. "I won't deny when we left home yesterday we had a good cleansing cry. It's very emotional leaving your home base. It's not a sadness in a sense that I'm not going to be back, but you do feel your life is in a sense of suspended animation for a while," Tom said. After a few more tests and consultations with doctors and pharmacists, Tom will be ready for his bone marrow transplant. Stem cells are collected from Tom's donor, and will be flown into the Mayo Clinic in Rochester the day of his procedure. The donor, a woman only described as being from the continental United States, will remain anonymous for a year, but Tom knows he may never meet her. "It's hard to spin, to you know, play forward and see a year out what situation we would be in. But, you can't put the gratitude into words. You just can't put the gratitude into words," Tom said. Technology has helped increase the survival rate of this procedure. The Mayo Clinic has done bone marrow transplants for about 50 years, and will usually do about 450 per year. The transplant is not like a kidney or a liver transplant, because there is no surgery. This will be more like a blood transfusion. The donor cells will be transfused via a catheter that is put under Tom's collar bone. Even though he's not going under the knife, there are still plenty of risks. His blood counts will be low and his risk for infection will be high. He will have to wear a mask to protect his immune system. He could also get graft versus host disease, a deadly condition which means the stem cells could reject his body. "The risk really starts a few days or weeks after the process. That's why he has to be here for three to four months in Rochester and our care team sees him on a daily basis," Dr. Mrinal Patnaik, a hematologist at the Mayo Clinic said. Tom and Tacey will stay at a nearby transplant house while Tom has outpatient treatment. Through the chemo, blood transfusions, good days and bad, Tom's background as a doctor has helped him understand this whole process. However, it also means he is all too aware of how a bone marrow transplant does not always mean a cure. "I remember the first time I met him, I could see the pain in his eyes, hearing a younger physician go over some of these things, talking about death, the process of dying. How it can be averted, some of the things that can be done. What was beautiful is he processed that," Patnaik said. "I talked to him a few days later and he said, 'I'm ready, let's do this.'" There really is no way to know, donor or not, what the outcome will be from this day on. We asked Tom if he was prepared for anything; if it was even possible to be prepared for anything. "Oh, you have to be prepared for it," Tom said without hesitation. "You know the phrase we have used time and time again, or what I've used is I have one foot in reality. I'm a physician and I know to a great extent what is possible and what could occur here, but we have one foot firmly in hope and that's what drives us forward." Tom had his bone marrow transplant at 10:30 p.m. on November 14. The transplant happens whenever the donor cells arrive at Mayo Clinic. Tom has found a donor, but there are millions who will not. The National Marrow Registry has millions of people on its donor list, however matches can be very rare. Patnaik said, if anything, he hopes Tom's disease will inspire others to become bone marrow donors. Saving a life is as easy as a cotton swab test at the doctor's office, or you can even have one mailed to your home. Tom hopes this will be the cure he has been waiting for and hopes others are inspired to become bone marrow donors as well. Just like he did with his Christmas lights, as he moves forward to the beginning of a new journey, for himself and for the people who will go through this same process, Tom is leaving the light on. "I think we can take even the darkest moments of our lives, the times that are most challenging, the times that really cause us to face our deepest fears of death, fears of loss of connection and what you might miss out and you can use that as a way of achieving good. At least that's our hope and prayer," Braithwaite said.

America's 2 oldest veterans, both 107, meet for 1st time Richard Overton, 107, left, smiles as he finishes his meal at the Emeritus at Parmer Woods on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Ricardo Brazziell) AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - At age 107, World War II veteran Elmer Hill doesn't have many elders left. That's why meeting a fellow veteran and Texan who's three months his senior was a bit of a shock Friday.Upon seeing Richard Overton for the first time, Hill suggested he might have to change his birthday. "He's 107? Well, I better move mine up a little bit!" Hill exclaimed.The pair, who both fought in the war's Pacific theater, met at an Austin senior center where they shook hands warmly, had lunch and were honored by Mayor Lee Leffingwell. Some have said that Overton and Hill are the oldest and second-oldest living veterans in the U.S., but others dispute the claim and there is no way to fully verify who is right.Overton worked at a furniture store and is a former courier at the state Capitol who grew up in Austin, where he still lives. Hill, a retired high school principal, lives in the East Texas community of Henderson and was driven about 240 miles for the event, which was organized by Emeritus Senior Living.The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not have a complete list of all Americans who have served in the armed forces, making it impossible to know for sure that Overton and Hill are the nation's oldest veterans. Still, Overton went to Washington for Veterans Day this year and was personally recognized by President Barack Obama.Hill, meanwhile, is set to visit Washington on Saturday.His mind sharp and his wit quick, Overton quips about smoking cigars and having an occasional drink. As he stood outside the center amid chilly rain waiting for Hill's car, he joked that he hoped his new friend was bringing whiskey.Both are black, and during lunch, Hill talked about being drafted in 1942 into the then-segregated armed forces, and serving in the Navy. He was a cook and gunner on an aircraft carrier."I didn't volunteer. They put me in there," he said. Asked later what advice he had for younger generations, Hill said: "Be good to yourself and your master and be a good citizen, wherever you are, whether it's Navy, Army or just as a person at the house."He also joked, "I'm not that old. I've just been here a very long time."Back then, blacks were assigned to all-black units and, at the start of World War II, they were often relegated to noncombat duties. As fighting continued, the heavy number of casualties forced the military to assign black troops to combat, and their numbers there spiked by 1945.Overton was already in his 30s when he volunteered and served in the Army's 188th Aviation Engineer Battalion. He was at Pearl Harbor just after the Japanese attack."I want to ask him a few questions about the war," Overton said of Hill. "You're still fighting a war, you know. Now you're just fighting one with yourself."With both hard of hearing, however, conversation on specific topics proved difficult.Born May, 11, 1906, Overton recalled as a youngster seeing soldiers preparing for World War I. He said he was on a bridge and watched thousands of enlisted men arriving at Austin after walking 90-plus miles from San Antonio because there was no room for them on overcrowded trains.Later, he found himself a soldier."Some things you went through in that Army you will never forget," he said. "But it's too much to tell. You can't tell it all."

By Tom Castaneda • January 26, 2013 • 6:39pm It’s the ultimate prize in Hollywood: the Oscar. Granted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the coveted Academy Award statuettes have been doled out annually since 1929 as an award “of merit for distinctive achievement" in the industry. But it wasn’t until nearly 20 years later that the first Latino earned an Academy Award nomination.Since then though, more than 100 Latinos in the film industry have had a date with Oscar, with many of them – like José Ferrer, Rita Moreno and Javier Bardem – even getting to take the statuette home. As this year’s nominees are announced, including a first-time nod for costume designer Paco Delgado, here’s a comprehensive look at the history of Latinos and the Academy Awards! oscars_31_Alberto Isaac oscars_48_Gil Parrondo & Antonio Mateos oscars_49_Luis Bunuel oscars_50_Robert Amran & Manuel Arango oscars_51_Yvonne Blake & Antonio Castillo oscars_52_Jaime de Armiñán oscars_53_Sergio Renan oscars_54_Miguel Littin oscars_55_Nestor Almendros oscars_56_Carlos Saura oscars_34_Jorge Preloran oscars_57_Jose Luis Garci oscars_58_Maria Luisa Bemberg oscars_59_Gregory Nava oscars_28_Héctor Babenco oscars_60_Luis Puenzo oscars_61_Jorge Calandrelli oscars_62_Aida Bortnik oscars_12_Norma Aleandro oscars_63_Pedro Almodovar ‹ previous It’s no wonder José Ferrer’s life and accomplishments have been commemorated on a First-Class Forever stamp by the U.S. Postal Service as part of its Distinguished Americans stamp series. The Puerto Rican actor was the first Latino to win an Academy Award. Ferrer, a three-time nominee, lost in his first at-bat (Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the weak-willed Dauphin opposite Ingrid Bergman in Joan of Arc in 1948) before taking home the Best Actor prize for his performance in the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac, which earned him a Tony Award after first playing the role on Broadway in 1946. To honor his roots, he donated his Oscar to the University of Puerto Rico. Best Supporting Actor, Joan of Arc, 21st Academy Awards, Nominated Best Actor, Cyrano de Bergerac, 23rd Academy Awards, Won Best Actor, Moulin Rouge, 25th Academy Awards, Nominated Composer Ary Barroso – one of Brazil's most successful songwriters in the first half of the 20th century – earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for penning the song “Rio de Janeiro” with Ned Washington for the 1945 film Brazil, a musical comedy set in the South American country about a composer masquerading as twins, trying to win the hand of an anti-Latin novelist. Barroso was the first Brazilian and the first Latin American songwriter to be nominated for an Oscar.Best Original Song, Brazil, 17th Academy Awards, Nominated Long before Salma Hayek conquered Hollywood, Katy Jurado was one of Mexico’s first successful crossover actresses. Jurado, who’d already established herself as a star in her native country in the 1940s, came to Hollywood and became a regular fixture in Western films of the 1950s and ’60s. Born María Cristina Estela Marcela Jurado García, she became the first Latin American actress nominated for an Academy Award for her work as Native American princess Señora Devereaux in 1954's Broken Lance, and was the first Latin American actress to win a Golden Globe award. Best Supporting Actress, Broken Lance, 27th Academy Awards, Nominated In 1947, Thomas Gomez made history as the first Latino to earn an Oscar nomination. The U.S.-born actor of Spanish descent, who was born Sabino Tomas Gomez, received a Best Supporting Actor nod for his portrayal of Pancho, a carousel operator in Ride the Pink Horse, “the wise fool, the peasant with a heart of gold.” In the New Mexico-set film, Gomez speaks broken English through a missing front tooth, runs around barefoot and unshaven, and wears a tattered sombrero. "Thomas Gomez is a big, greasy, tequila-swilling slob, who has one brief glow of nobility," said Universal’s publicity department of the actor’s portrayal of a character that would spark controversy today. Best Supporting Actor, Ride the Pink Horse, 20th Academy Awards, Nominated Rosie Pérez is fearless when it comes to her acting roles. The Nuyorican actress has been impressing audiences and critics alike in films like Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and White Men Can’t Jump. But it was her performance as Carla Rodrigo – a plane crash survivor who lost her baby son in the tragedy and struggles with survivor's guilt – in Peter Weir's 1993 film Fearless that earned Pérez a much-deserved Oscar nomination. Best Supporting Actress, Fearless, 66th Academy Awards, Nominated Susan Kohner was born to act. The daughter of Mexican actress Lupita Tovar appeared in numerous films during the late 1950s and early ’60s. Her most notable role, as the racially ambiguous Sarah Jane in the 1959 color remake of Imitation of Life, starring Lana Turner, was a box office smash that earned Kohner an Academy Award nomination and won her the Golden Globe in the Best Supporting Actress categories. Best Supporting Actress, Imitation of Life, 32nd Academy Awards, Nominated Oscar’s most recognized Latino actor with four nominations remains Anthony Quinn, who became the first Mexican actor to win an Academy Award at for his supporting role as the brother of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata in 1952’s fictional biopic Viva Zapata! He’d later become the first Latino to win two Oscars in the same category after winning Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin in Lust for Life, a biographical film about the life of Vincent van Gogh. Best Supporting Actor, Viva Zapata!, 25th Academy Awards, Won Best Supporting Actor, Lust for Life, 29th Academy Awards, Won Best Actor, Wild Is the Wind, 30th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Actor, Zorba the Greek, 37th Academy Awards, Nominated If you’re looking for Oscar’s all-star set decorator, look no further than Emile Kuri. The Mexico-born set director of Lebanese descent won two Academy Awards during his illustrious career. Not only did Kuri win a Best Art Direction trophy his work on 1942’s The Heiress, he also won for his set decoration on 1954’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In addition, Kuri was nominated for six more Oscars in the category, including work on the Walt Disney classics Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Best Art Direction, Silver Queen, 15th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Art Direction, The Heiress, 22nd Academy Awards, Won Best Art Direction, Carrie, 25th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Art Direction, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, 27th Academy Awards, Won Best Art Direction, Executive Suite, 27th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Art Direction, The Absent-Minded Professor, 34th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Art Direction, Mary Poppins, 37th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Art Direction, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 44th Academy Awards, Nominated Talk about pulling double duty without skipping a beat. Spanish stage designer and costume designer Antoni Clavé – one of Spain’s most celebrated artists – earned two Academy Award nominations (Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design) in the same year for his work on the 1952 musical Hans Christian Andersen, a fictional, romantic story revolving around the life of the famous Danish poet and storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Best Art Direction, Hans Christian Andersen, 25th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Costume Design, Hans Christian Andersen, 25th Academy Awards, Nominated Javier Bardem isn’t the only Oscar-worthy person in the family. His uncle Juan Antonio Bardem actually earned an Academy Award nomination first, in the Best Foreign Language Film category for directing the controversial Spanish drama La Venganza. The film, which was shown at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival, wasn’t released in his native country until the following year. The film had serious troubles with Spanish censorship; Bardem even went to prison in what became an international scandal. The film was the first Spanish-language film to be nominated for an Oscar. Best Foreign Language Film, La Venganza, 31st Academy Awards, Nominated Mexican director Roberto Gavaldón’s 1960 supernatural drama Macario, starring Ignacio López Tarso, was the first Mexican film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The film, which was also entered into the 1960 Cannes Film Festival, received criticism in Mexico at the time of its release because it was considered a film made for the foreign viewer. Macario was released when Mexico was experiencing a nationalist era of cinema. Best Foreign Language Film, Macario, 33rd Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish director Luis García Berlanga, considered to be one of the most noted Spanish film renovators after the Spanish civil war, earned his only Academy Award nomination for the 1961 Spanish black comedy Plácido. In addition, Berlanga’s film received the Gold Medal for Fine Art (Medalla de Oro de las Bellas Artes) in 1981, the Spanish National Cinematography Prize (Premio Nacional de Cinematografía) in 1980, and has been granted with the Italian Commendatore Order. Best Foreign Language Film, Plácido, 34th Academy Awards, Nominated It’s no easy feat filling Broadway diva Chita Rivera’s (dance) shoes in her critically acclaimed role of Anita in West Side Story. But Rita Moreno did that and more in the 1961 film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. The Puerto Rican actress not only earned rave reviews for her portrayal of spitfire Anita, but she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the 34th Academy Awards. Moreno was the first Puerto Rican actress to be nominated for an Oscar, and the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award. Best Supporting Actress, West Side Story, 34th Academy Awards, Won Mexican filmmaker Ismael Rodríguez directed many of Mexico’s acting royalty, including Pedro Infante, Dolores del Río, María Félix. But it was his work with Japanese actor Toshirō Mifune, starring as a Mexican Indian in the film Ánimas Trujano, that earned him an Academy Award nomination, in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The film’s title character is a boisterous, irresponsible Amerindian who aspires to become mayordomo of his village. Best Foreign Language Film, Ánimas Trujano, 34th Academy Awards, Nominated Brazilian filmmaker Anselmo Duarte’s O Pagador de Promessas, a 1962 drama, which he adapted the screenplay himself from the famous stage play written by Dias Gomes, won the Palme d'Or at the 1962 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Brazilian film to achieve that feat. A year later, it also became the first Brazilian and South American film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Best Foreign Language Film, O Pagador de Promessas, 35th Academy Awards, Nominated Mexican filmmaker Luis Alcoriza’s 1962 Mexican comedy Tlayucan earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film, based on a novel by Jesús Murciélago Velázquez, starred the biggest names in Mexican cinema including Andrés Soler, Noé Murayama and Anita Blanch. Best Foreign Language Film, Tlayucan, 35th Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish filmmaker Francisco Rovira Beleta earned two Academy Awards during his lauded career for his art-based projects. Beleta garnered the first nod, in the Best Foreign Language Film category, for directing the 1963 Spanish musical drama Los Tarantos, based on the play La historia de los Tarantos written by Alfredo Mañas, and inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. He then earned his second nod four years later in the same category for directing the drama El Amor Brujo, which was based on the eponymous ballet by Manuel de Falla. Best Foreign Language Film, Los Tarantos, 36th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, El Amor Brujo, 40th Academy Awards, Nominated He’s regarded as one of the most influential cinematographers in Mexico for good reason. Along with working on more than 250 high-profile projects on both sides of the border, Gabriel Figueroa earned an Academy Award nomination for his work on The Night of the Iguana, a 1964 black-and-white film based on Tennessee Williams’ play of the same name and starring Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr. Time magazine called it “a picture that excites the senses, persuades the mind, and even occasionally speaks to the spirit—one of the best movies ever made from a Tennessee Williams play.” Best Cinematography, The Night of the Iguana, 37th Academy Awards, Nominated Prolific Argentine film composer Luis Enríquez Bacalov – who began his career composing scores for Spaghetti Westerns and collaborated with Italian progressive rock bands in the early 1970s – has been nominated twice for an Academy Award for Original Score—for music adaptation or treatment— in 1967 for The Gospel According to St. Matthew, and winning the Oscar nearly 30 years later for Il Postino in 1996. Best Adaptation or Score Treatment, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, 39th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Original Dramatic Score, Il Postino, 68th Academy Awards, Won Jorge Semprún, a Spanish writer and politician who lived in France most of his life and wrote primarily in French, earned the first of his two Academy Award nominations for penning La guerre est finie, a French drama about a leftist in Franco's Spain. He followed up his Best Original Screenplay nod with a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for penning the French-language political thriller Z with the film’s director Costa-Gavras. Best Original Screenplay, La guerre est finie (The War is Over), 40th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay, Z, 42nd Academy Awards, Nominated Mexican filmmaker Alberto Isaac managed to cash in on the excitement surrounding the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City – the first to be staged in Latin America, the first to be held in a Spanish-speaking country and the first to be staged in a developing country – to turn the Games’ official film into an international hit. In the process, Isaac earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.Best Documentary Feature, Olimpiada en México, 42nd Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish art director, set decorator and production designer Gil Parrondo teamed up with fellow Spaniard Antonio Mateos and Urie McCleary and Pierre-Louis Thevenet to create the sets for Best Picture winner Patton, a biographical war film about U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II. The quarter would win an Oscar for Best Art Direction for their striking set design work. Parrondo would win a second Academy Award in the category for his work on the period drama Nicholas and Alexandra the following year, and he’d earn another nomination a year later for his work on Travels with My Aunt. Best Art Direction, Patton, 43rd Academy Awards, Won Best Art Direction, Nicholas and Alexandra, 44th Academy Awards, Won Best Art Direction, Travels with My Aunt, 45th Academy Awards, Nominated The New York Times once called Luis Buñuel "an iconoclast, moralist and revolutionary who was a leader of avant-garde surrealism in his youth and a dominant international movie director half a century later.” The Aragonese filmmaker, who worked in Spain, Mexico and France, earned four Academy Award nomination during his career. His first, in the Best Foreign Language Film category, came for directing Tristana. His final two nominated came in the same year, for co-writing and directing the critically acclaimed film Ese oscuro objeto del deseo. Best Foreign Language Film, Tristana, 43rd Academy Awards, Nominated Best original Screenplay, Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie, 45th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, Ese oscuro objeto del deseo, 50th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay, Ese oscuro objeto del deseo, 50th Academy Awards, Nominated Mexican filmmakers Robert Amran and Manuel Arango made history at the 44th Academy Awards. The pair picked up the Oscar for Best Documentary Short and the prize for Best Live Action Short. Centinelas del silencio (Sentinels of Silence), which provides an 18-minute helicopter-based aerial visit across the archeological ruins in Mexico, the first and only short film to win two Academy Awards (narrated by Ricardo Montalban, seen above). Best Documentary Short, Centinelas del silencio, 44th Academy Awards, Won Best Live Action Short, Centinelas del silencio, 44th Academy Awards, Won British-born Spanish costume designer Yvonne Blake and Spanish costume designer Antonio Castillo paired up to create the looks for Nicholas and Alexandra, a period piece about the last Russian monarch, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and his wife, Tsarina Alexandra. The duo earned rave reviews and won the Oscar for Best Costume Design at the 44th Academy Awards. Blake would earn a second Academy Award nomination for her costumes design work with Ron Talsky on The Four Musketeers. Best Costume Design, Nicholas and Alexandra, 44th Academy Awards, Won Best Costume Design, The Four Musketeers, 48th Academy Awards, Nominated Jaime de Armiñán’s first two directorial attempts came and went with little fanfare, but the Spanish screenwriter-turned-director’s third effort seemed to be the charm. Entitled Mi querida señorita, the film centers on repressed provincial spinster who late in life discovers that she’s really a man and moves to the city to explore his new sexual identity. Mi Querida Señorita, a critical and popular success, was nominated for Academy Award in the Foreign Language film category. Armiñán would earn his second Oscar nod in the category nearly a decade later for helming El Nido. Best Foreign Language Film, Mi querida señorita, 45th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, El Nido, 53rd Academy Awards, Nominated Argentine director Sergio Renán’s La tregua – a 1974 film co-written with Aída Bortnik, based on the eponymous novel by Mario Benedetti – was the first Argentine film to be nominated for an Academy Award, for Best Foreign Language Film. The film lost out Federico Fellini’s Amarcord, but has since gained cult status in Argentina. Best Foreign Language Film, La tregua, 47th Academy Awards, Nominated Talk about representing Latin America. Chilean filmmaker Miguel Littín is the only Latin American director to receive Academy Award nominations in the Best Foreign Language Film category for movies directed in two different countries. Littín earned his first nod for the 1975 Mexican film Actas de Marusia, and picked up his second nomination for the 1982 Nicaraguan film Alsino y el Condor. Best Foreign Language Film, Actas de Marusia, 48th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, Alsino and the Condor, 55th Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish cinematographer Néstor Almendros – who won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Terrence Mallick’s 1978 romantic drama Days of Heaven, starring Richard Gere and Brooke Adams – was one of the industry’s highest praised contemporary cinematographers. "Almendros was an artist of deep integrity, who believed the most beautiful light was natural light...he will always be remembered as a cinematographer of absolute truth...a true master of light,” declared director Rustin Thompson. Almendros would go on to earn three more Oscar nominations, for his cinematography on Kramer vs. Kramer, The Blue Lagoon and Sophie’s Choice. Best Cinematography, Days of Heaven, 51st Academy Awards, Won Best Cinematography, Kramer vs. Kramer, 52nd Academy Awards, Nominated Best Cinematography, The Blue Lagoon, 53rd Academy Awards, Nominated Best Cinematography, Sophie’s Choice, 55th Academy Awards, Nominated Carlos Saura earned his first Academy Award nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 1979 Spanish comedy Mamá cumple cien años, about a stubborn mother who becomes the intended victim of a murder plot when he refuses her family’s requests to sell her home. A few years later, the Spanish film director and photographer earned yet another nod in the category for his 1983 film adaptation of the novel Carmen by Prosper Mérimée, using music from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. The film didn’t win the Oscar, but it did earn Saura a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Saura earned his third Academy Award nod in the category for 1998’s Argentine-Spanish dance film Tango, which was promoted as the most expensive Argentine film ever made. Best Foreign Language Film, Mamá cumple cien años, 52nd Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, Carmen, 56th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, Tango, 71st Academy Awards, Nominated Argentine filmmaker Jorge Preloran, a pioneer in ethno biographic film making, and Richard Hawkins earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Documentary Short category for directing Luther Metke at 94, a film that presents a portrait of Luther Metke, a veteran of the Spanish-American war. Even in his advanced age, Metke continues his work of building log cabins by hand in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. The film documents many aspects of log cabin building as Metke works on a hexagonal cabin and teaches his methods to a young couple. Additional footage shows Metke's daily life, accompanied by a voice over of his recollections, commentary on log cabin construction, and musings on life. Best Documentary Short, Luther Metke at 94, 53rd Academy Awards, Nominated José Luis Garci made Oscar history at the 55th Academy Awards when the film he directed, Volver a empezar, won the prize for Best Foreign Language Film, making it Spain’s first film to win in the category. The Spanish filmmaker would go on to earn three additional nods in the category, more than any other Spanish director. Garci’s films are characterized by his classical style and the underlying sentimentality of their plots. Best Foreign Language Film, Volver a empezar, 55th Academy Awards, Won Best Foreign Language Film, Sesión continua, 57th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, Asignatura aprobada, 60th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, El Abuelo, 71st Academy Awards, Nominated María Luisa Bemberg – one of the first Latin American women film directors, and a powerful presence in the intellectual Argentina of 1970-1990 – earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film for her critically acclaimed film Camila, which based on the story of the 19th-century Argentine socialite Camila O'Gorman. The story had previously been adapted by Mario Gallo in 1910, in the now considered lost film Camila O'Gorman. It was the first nomination for Best Foreign Language Film to a film directed by a Latin American woman director. Best Foreign Language Film, Camila, 57th Academy Awards, Nominated He may be best known for directing Jennifer Lopez in Selena. But before bringing la Reina de la Música Tejana’s story to life, Gregory Nava co-wrote and directed the independent film El Norte, the story of two indigenous youths who flee their country in the early 1980s due to ethnic and political persecution during the Guatemalan Civil War. They head north and travel through Mexico to the United States, arriving in Los Angeles, California, after an arduous journey. The Mexican/Basque filmmaker and Anna Thomas’ screenplay earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, the first American independent film to be so honored. The film was later selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Best Original Screenplay, El Norte (The North), 57th Academy Awards, Nominated He’s directed some of the most respected American actors in cinema, including Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep and Kathy Bates. But Héctor Babenco’s most rewarding work came while directing William Hurt, Raúl Juliá, Sonia Braga in Kiss of the Spider Woman, which was adapted from Manuel Puig’s novel of the same name. The film earned the Argentine-born Brazilian director an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Best Director, Kiss of the Spider Woman, 58th Academy Awards, Nominated Argentine director Luis Puenzo’s 1985 drama The Official Story made history at the 58th Academy Awards by winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The Spanish-language tale about the Argentine Dirty War, which had recently ceased, denounced the atrocities of the country’s military regime and made the brutal dictatorships known worldwide. It became the first Latin American film to win for Best Foreign Language Film. In addition, Puenzo earned an Oscar nomination for penning the screenplay. Best Foreign Language Film, The Official Story, 58th Academy Awards, Won Best Original Screenplay, The Official Story, 58th Academy Awards, Nominated He’s worked on arrangements for some of music’s brightest stars, including Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion and Luis Miguel. But Jorge Calandrelli’s most memorable work came on two film projects that earned him respect in Hollywood. The Argentine composer, a Latin Grammy winner for Producer of the Year, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score as a composer on 1985’s The Color Purple. And he earned an Oscar nod 15 years later for Best Original Song for writing the music to “A Love Before Time," a track for 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Best Original Score, The Color Purple, 58th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Original Song, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 73rd Academy Awards, Nominated Screenwriter Aída Bortnik is her country’s lucky guionista. She has the noted distinction of having penned the screenplay for both the first Argentine film nominated for an Academy Award (The Truce, 1974) and the first Argentine film to win an Oscar (La historia oficial, 1985). Bortnik, who co-wrote the script for La historia oficial with the film’s director Luis Puenzo, earned an Academy Award nod for Best Original Screenplay for her work. Best Original Screenplay, The Official Story, 58th Academy Awards, Nominated Following her success in Argentine films like the Academy Award-winning film The Official Story – which earned her a Cannes Award for best actress – Norma Aleandro starred in numerous Hollywood pictures. Most notably, she appeared in the 1988 drama Gaby: A True Story, about Mexican writer and disability rights activist Gabriela Brimmer. Aleandro’s performance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting actress, making her the first Argentine actress to be nominated for an Academy Award. Best Supporting Actress, Gaby: A True Story, 60th Academy Awards, Nominated Pedro Almodóvar – considered the most successful and internationally renowned Spanish filmmaker of his generation – has said that he’s been heavily influenced by old Hollywood movies in which everything happens around a female main character. In continuing that tradition, Almodóvar has earned international acclaim while reaping several rewards, including some serious Oscar love. Almodóvar earned his first Academy Award nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category for directing Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios, the first huge international hit of his career. About 10 years later, he won his first Oscar for Todo sobre mi madre in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Three years later he won the Best Original Screenplay prize and landed a Best Director nod for helming Hable con ella. Best Foreign Language Film, Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios, 61st Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, Todo sobre mi madre, 72nd Academy Awards, Won Best Original Screenplay, Hable con ella, 75th Academy Awards, Won Best Director, Hable con ella, 75th Academy Awards, Nominated Long before his memorable television roles in Battlestar Galactica and Dexter, Edward James Olmos earned rave reviews for his portrayal of real-life high school math teacher Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver, an inspirational film that was added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 2011. The Mexican American actor earned the only Academy Award nomination of his career for his stellar work in the film, in the Best Actor category. Olmos later founded Latino Public Broadcasting, which funds public television programming that focuses on issues affecting Latinos and advocates for diverse perspectives in public television Best Actor, Stand and Deliver, 61st Academy Awards, Nominated Lo que le pasó a Santiago, written and directed by Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, making it the first Puerto Rican production in history to be nominated in the category. The movie tells the story of a recently retired widower who meets a mysterious young lady in his life, disrupting his daily routines. Despite losing the Oscar, Morales did win a Premio ACE award for Best Director – Cinema. Best Foreign Language Film, Lo que le pasó a Santiago, 62nd Academy Awards, Nominated Credit Brian De Palma's crime-drama The Untouchables for bringing Andy García a major break. The film, which centers on the efforts to bring gang leader Al Capone to justice during the Prohibition era, helped the Cuban-born actor get noticed and ultimately land the role of Vincent Mancini, the illegitimate son of Sonny Corleone, in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part III. García’s performance earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination. He was the only actor in the film to earn Academy Award recognition, including Al Pacino, who’d earned Oscar nods in the previous two Godfather films. Best Supporting Actor, The Godfather: Part III, 63rd Academy Awards, Nominated Sure, Mercedes Ruehl’s performance in Married to the Mob earned her rave reviews. But it was her critically acclaimed work in the dramedy The Fisher King that earned the part-Cuban American actress an Academy Award. Ruehl, a multiple Tony Award winner, won the coveted Oscar in her first and only nomination – for her portraying Jeff Bridges’ character’s girlfriend, Anne, in the film that "sweeps you up on waves of humor, heartbreak and ravishing romance," according to one critic. Ruehl remains the only U.S.-born Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award. Best Supporting Actress, The Fisher King, 64th Academy Awards, Won Noted Spanish filmmaker Fernando Trueba earned an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for directing the 1992 Spanish-language classic Belle Époque, which stars a young Penélope Cruz in one of her first films. Belle Époque received the Goya Award for Best Film, along with eight other Goya Awards, becoming one of the country’s most celebrated films. Trueba would earn a second Oscar nomination nearly 20 years later when he partnered with Spanish artist Javier Mariscal to co-direct 2010’s Chico & Rita, a Spanish animated feature-length film, which earned a Best Animated Feature nod. It was the first time a Spanish full-length animated film was nominated. Best Foreign Language Film, Belle Époque, 66th Academy Awards, Won Best Animated Feature, Chico & Rita, 84th Academy Awards, Nominated Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío’s Fresa y chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate) made Academy Award history when the film earned a Best Foreign Language Film nomination. The film – which centers on a cultivated, homosexual and skeptical young man who falls in love with a young heterosexual communist full of prejudices and doctrinary ideas – is the first and only Cuban film to be nominated in the category. Best Foreign Language Film, Fresa y chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate), 67th Academy Awards, Nominated Emmanuel Lubezki is the Susan Lucci of cinematographers. The Mexican filmmaker, known for his groundbreaking techniques and characteristic style, is a five time Academy Award nominee. But Lubezki, who frequently collaborates with fellow Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, has yet to take home an Oscar. Lubezki received his first nomination for 1995’s A Little Princess; and he earned his most recent nod for 2011’s The Tree of Life. He could earn another nod for his work on Cuarón’s latest project Gravity, which stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as surviving astronauts in a damaged space station. Best Cinematography, A Little Princess, 68th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Cinematography, Sleepy Hollow, 72nd Academy Awards, Nominated Best Cinematography, The New World, 78th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Cinematography, Children of Men, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Cinematography, The Tree of Life, 84th Academy Awards, Nominated Eugenio Zanetti created award-winning set designs in his native Argentina for films like Mario Sábato's The Power of Darkness before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood as a production designer. Zanetti won an Academy Award for his work on the historical drama Restoration, which starred Robert Downey Jr. and Meg Ryan. He’d follow that up with an Oscar nod for his production design work on What Dreams May Come. Best Art Direction, Restoration, 68th Academy Awards, Won Best Art Direction, What Dreams May Come, 71st Academy Awards, Nominated If at first you don’t succeed... Brigitte Broch earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Art Direction category for her work on Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet in 2006, a modernized adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. The Germany-born Mexican art director would leave empty-handed. But after partnering with Luhrmann on the hit musical Moulin Rouge! some five years later, Broch would finally experience Oscar glory at its finest. In recent years, she’s even work with noted Mexican filmmakers Alfonso Cuarón and Guillermo del Toro. Best Art Direction, Romeo + Juliet, 69th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Art Direction, Moulin Rouge!, 74th Annual Awards, Won The third time proved to be the charm for Mexican filmmaker Antonio Urrutia… After writing and directing two acclaimed Spanish-language short films (La aventura and Amor por menos), he finally earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short for his 1996 film De tripas, corazón. Best Live Action Short Film, De tripas, corazón, 69th Academy Awards, Nominated Before directing the Spanish thriller Intacto and 28 Weeks Later, the sequel to Danny Boyle's post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later, Spanish filmmaker Juan Carlos Fresnadillo earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Live Action Short category for his debut film, the black-and-white short Esposados. The black comedy about a couple who constantly fight over money; when they find themselves winning the Christmas lottery, however, they have very different ideas about what to do next that the husband tries to get rid of his wife. The film won 40 national and international awards and made Fresnadillo an instant star in Spain. Best Live Action Short, Esposados , 69th Academy Awards, Nominated Bruno Barreto earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film for 1997’s Brazilian thriller O Que É Isso, Companheiro?. The Portuguese film, based on the 1979 memoir of the same name by politician Fernando Gabeira, tells the true story of the abduction of the American ambassador Charles Burke Elbrick in 1969 by the MR-8 group, in which Gabeira and his friends participated. Best Foreign Language Film, O Que É Isso, Companheiro?, 70th Academy Awards, Nominated The fourth film of Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles’ career, 1998’s Central do Brasil (Central Station) earned him widespread international acclaim and 55 international awards, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. And the Brazilian-French drama about an unlikely friendship earned the film’s lead, Fernanda Montenegro an Oscar nod for Best Actress. Salles would go on to direct 2004’s The Motorcycle Diaries and 2012’s On The Road, among other films. Best Foreign Language Film, Central do Brasil, 71st Academy Awards, Nominated She’s commonly referred to as "The First Lady of Brazilian Theater" and "The First Lady of Brazilian Television," but Fernanda Montenegro earned recognition beyond her country when she garnered a Best Actress nod for her leading role in the Central do Brasil (Central Station), which tells the story of a young boy's friendship with a jaded middle-aged woman. Montenegro made Oscar history as the first actress to be nominated for a Portuguese-speaking role. Best Actress, Central Station, 71st Academy Awards, Nominated Talk about a sweep. Two-time Oscar nominee Benicio del Toro won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a BAFTA for his supporting role as Mexican police officer Javier Rodríguez in Steven Soderbergh’s crime drama Traffic, which explores the illegal drug trade from a number of perspectives: a user, an enforcer, a politician and a trafficker. What makes the Puerto Rican actor’s feat even more impressive: del Toro’s character spoke only Spanish to his fellow Mexican characters while talking to each other, making him the first and only actor to win for a Spanish-speaking role. Best Supporting Actor, Traffic, 73rd Academy Awards, Won Best Supporting Actor, 21 Grams, 76th Academy Awards, Nominated Alejandro González Iñárritu is Mexico’s moviemaking king. The filmmaker, the first Mexican director to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for helming and producing Babel, actually received his first Oscar nomination years earlier (in the Best Foreign Language Film category) for directing Amores perros. The film was the first in Iñárritu's trilogy of death, followed by 21 Grams and Babel. His four feature films Amores perros, 21 Grams, Babel and Biutiful have gained critical acclaim worldwide, including 12 Academy Award nominations. Best Foreign Language Film, Amores Perros, 73rd Academy Awards, Nominated Best Director, Babel, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Picture, Babel, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, Biutiful, 83rd Academy Awards, Nominated Javier Bardem – the first Spaniard to garner an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas in Before Night Falls – claimed his first Oscar at the 80th Academy Awards for his role as an psychopathic assassin in No Country for Old Men, proving that sometimes evil does pay. He’d later become the first Spanish actor to be nominated twice in the leading category for his work in Biutiful. Could his performance in Skyfall earn him a nod this year? Best Actor, Before Night Falls, 73rd Academy Awards, Nominated Best Supporting Actor, No Country for Old Men, 80th Academy Awards, Won Best Actor, Biutiful, 83rd Academy Awards, Nominated Joaquin Phoenix, born Joaquín Rafael Bottom in the Río Piedras sector of San Juan, Puerto Rico, gained international attention for his portrayal of Commodus in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, a role that earned him a Best Supporting Actor nod, as well as attention from the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA. But it was his starring role as Johnny Cash in the biopic Walk the Line that earned him some of the best reviews of his career, and a Best Actor nod. Best Supporting Actor, Gladiator, 73rd Academy Awards, Nominated Best Actor, Walk the Line, 78th Academy Awards, Nominated Mexican filmmaker Carlos Bolado, along with Justine Shapiro and B.Z. Goldberg, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature for directing Promises, a film that examines the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the perspectives of seven children living in the Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Israeli neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Best Documentary Feature, Promises, 74th Academy Awards, Nominated Juan José Campanella’s El hijo de la novia, a 2001 Spanish-language dramedy about a man’s midlife crisis, earned the Argentine director an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. And while he’d lose the award at the 74th Academy Awards, he’d earn a second chance at Oscar glory with 2009’s film El secreto de sus ojos. The picture won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards, and, with 1985's The Official Story, made Argentina the first country in Latin America to win it twice. Best Foreign Language Film, El hijo de la novia, 74th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Foreign Language Film, El secreto de sus ojos, 82nd Academy Awards, Won Kahlo Hollywood! In one of her first major projects as a film producer, Salma Hayek earned critical acclaim and a Best Actress nod for her role in Frida, a biopic about the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The Mexican actress – who performed the Mexican folk song La Bruja with the band Los Vega in the film – may have lost the Oscar to Nicole Kidman, but she gained Hollywood’s respect for her dramatic turn. Best Actress, Frida, 75th Academy Awards, Nominated If you loved the look of Salma Hayek’s Frida, you should thank art director Felipe Fernández del Paso and set decorator Hania Robledo. The dynamic duo, who earned a Best Art Direction nomination for their work, were the masterminds behind the production design of the film, which the American Film Institute named as one of their Movies of the Year 2002, Official Selection. Their rationale: “Frida is a movie about art that is a work of art in itself. The film's unique visual language takes us into an artist's head and reminds us that art is best enjoyed when it moves, breathes and is painted on a giant canvas, as only the movies can provide.”Best Art Direction, Frida, 75th Academy Awards, Nominated It’s no small feat replicating Frida Kahlo’s iconic trenzas… But that’s exactly what Mexican hairstylist Beatrice De Alba did when Salma Hayek starred as the Mexican artist in Frida. And De Alba was rewarded for her hair and makeup efforts, winning the Academy Award for Best Makeup at the 75th Academy Awards with makeup artist John E. Jackson. De Alba has most recently served as a hairstylist on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Lindsay Lohan’s Liz & Dick television movie and the now shooting The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Best Makeup, Frida, 75th Academy Awards, Won Mexican director Carlos Carrera’s El crimen del Padre Amaro, starring Gael García Bernal as a priest struggling between desire and obedience, caused controversy on the part of Roman Catholic groups in Mexico who tried to stop the film from being screened. They failed in their efforts, and the Spanish-language film became the biggest box office draw ever in the country, beating previous record holder, Sexo, pudor y lágrimas; and the film went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Best Foreign Language Film, El crimen del Padre Amaro, 75th Academy Awards, Nominated Pablo Helman has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Independence Day and Men in Black. But it’s his work on Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and War of the Worlds that earned him the two Oscar nominations of his blockbuster career. Best Visual Effects, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, 75th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Visual Effects, War of the Worlds, 78th Academy Awards, Nominated Fernando Meirelles read Paulo Lins' semi-autobiographical novel City of God, about three young men and their lives in a favela in western Rio de Janeiro where Lins grew up. The Brazilian filmmaker decided to adapt it to film, and that he’d pick the actors from among the inhabitants of the city’s slums. Meirelles and his team selected 200, with whom they worked on the film, which became a national and international success, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Critic Roger Ebert gave the film a four-star review, writing "City of God churns with furious energy as it plunges into the story of the slum gangs of Rio de Janeiro. Breathtaking and terrifying, urgently involved with its characters, it announces a new director of great gifts and passions: Fernando Meirelles. Remember the name." Best Director, City of God, 76th Academy Awards, Nominated Uruguayan-born Brazilian film director, screenwriter, actor and cinematographer César Charlone earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Cinematography category for his work on Fernando Meirelles’ highly regarded Brazilian crime drama City of God. Charlone would go on to direct his first feature film, The Pope's Toilet, which was selected by Uruguay as the country’s official submission for the 80th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film race. A year earlier, he was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Best Cinematography, City of God, 76th Academy Awards, Nominated It takes a village… And when they create a film like City of God, everyone deserves recognition. Daniel Rezende, like the film’s director Fernando Meirelles and cinematographer César Charlone, earned an Academy Award nomination for his work on the critically acclaimed film. The Brazilian film editor garnered the nod in the Best Film Editing category. And he won the BAFTA Award for Best Editing for his work on the 2002 film. Rezende has described the editing process of City of God, saying he tried to "provoke differing sensations in each of the film's phases." Best Film Editing, City of God, 76th Academy Awards, Nominated Brazilian screenwriter Bráulio Mantovani wrote the script for the short film Palace II, directed by Fernando Meirelles in 2001. But it was their partnership a year later, on the critically acclaimed film City of God, which earned him Hollywood cred. Mantovani garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for penning the Portuguese script from the 1997 novel of the same name, written by Paulo Lins. Best Adapted Screenplay, City of God, 76th Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish filmmakers Carlos Bosch and Josep Maria Domènech earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Documentary Feature category for co-directing the 2002 Spanish documentary Balseros, about Cubans leaving during the Período Especial. As a consequence of the widespread poverty that came with the end of economic support from the former USSR, 37,191 Cubans left Cuba in 1994, unimpeded by the Cuban government, using anything they could find or build to get to Florida. Most left with improvised rafts, which weren’t often seaworthy, and some even hijacked a ferry. The documentary consists largely of interviews with the rafters over the course of seven years and focuses on the lives of seven of those refugees, from the building of their rafts to their attempts at building new lives in America, giving insight into daily life in Cuba and the USA in those days. Best Documentary Feature, Balseros, 76th Academy Awards, Nominated Chilean-Spanish film director Alejandro Amenábar’s The Sea Inside – starring Javier Bardem as a real-life Galician ship mechanic left quadriplegic after a diving accident, and his 29-year campaign in support of euthanasia and the right to end his life – won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film at the 77th Academy Awards, as well as the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and 14 Goya Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Screenplay. Best Foreign Language Film, The Sea Inside (Mar Adentro), 77th Academy Awards, Won Spanish makeup artist Manolo García has been nominated the Goya Award, Spain’s equivalent to the Oscars, for Best Makeup and Hairstyles four times. But it was his work with Jo Allen on Alejandro Amenábar’s The Sea Inside that finally won him the Goya, as well as earned him Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup. The Sea Inside became the first Spanish-produced film to be nominated for Oscar in a craft/technical category. Best Makeup, The Sea Inside, 77th Academy Awards, Nominated Singer/songwriter Jorge Drexler made Oscar history when the song he’d penned for The Motorcycle Diaries, entitled “Al otro lado del río" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 77th Academy Awards. It became the first Spanish song, and only the second in a foreign language, to receive the honor. And Drexler became the first Uruguayan to win an Academy Award. Oscars ceremony producers wouldn’t let the then relatively unknown Drexler perform the song during the show for fear of losing ratings, so the song was performed by Carlos Santana and Antonio Banderas. Later in the evening, while picking up the award, Drexler’s acceptance speech consisted of him singing a few lines of his song a cappella, and he closed by simply saying "Chau." Best Original Song, The Motorcycle Diaries, 77th Academy Awards, Won Maria Full of Grace, a Spanish-language film about a pregnant-Colombian-teenager-turned-drug-mule who ingests 62 wrapped pellets of heroin to smuggle into the U.S., only made $12.5 million worldwide. But the hard-to-swallow film did earn the film’s unknown star, Catalina Sandino Moreno international acclaim, as well as a surprising Best Actress nod. Along with becoming the first Colombian to be nominated for an Academy Award, she was the first actress to be nominated for a Spanish-speaking role. Best Actress, Maria Full of Grace, 77th Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish filmmaker Montxo Armendáriz’s Secretos del corazón is described as “a poetical and emotional movie that can share with Hollywood's big overproductions' special effects," according to the film’s producer. Taking place during the holidays, the film centers on a boy who is attracted by a secret, concealed in the closed room where his father died. His curiosity will be satisfied and lead him to a surprising discovery. It earned a Best Foreign Language Film nomination, as well as four Goya Awards. Best Foreign Language Film, Secretos del corazón, 77th Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Live Action Short category for his eight-minute long black and white film 7:35 de la mañana, which tells the story of a suicide bomber and his love for a Spanish woman. It may sound like a horrible scene out of 24, but wait until the last seconds before the credits roll for an ending that will change your mind. Best Live Action Short, 7:35 de la mañana, 77th Academy Awards, Nominated Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning music icon Gustavo Santaolalla made his mark in Hollywood when he struck Oscar gold for two consecutive years... The Argentine musician, film composer and producer earned his first Academy Award for Best Original Score for Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain in 2006; and Santaolalla returned a year later to pick up the statuette in the same category for his work on Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Babel in 2007. Best Original Score, Brokeback Mountain, 78th Academy Awards, Won Best Original Score, Babel, 79th Academy Awards, Won Mexican cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, noted for his unconventional use of the camera often combined with strong moody lighting, has worked with noted directors Spike Lee, Oliver Stone and Alejandro González Iñárritu (on the acclaimed Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel and Biutiful). But Prieto’s most notable work, and sole Academy Award nomination, is Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain. He not only shot the film, he also appeared in a cameo role as a Mexican gigolo whom Jake Gyllenhaal's character, Jack Twist, meets. He most recently worked on Ben Affleck’s Argo. Best Cinematography, Brokeback Mountain, 78th Academy Awards, Nominated Alberto Iglesias is the Iberian Peninsula’s Music Man… The Spanish composer, who has written the music for several of Pedro Almodóvar’s films, including The Skin I Live In and Volver, has earned three Oscar nominations for Best Original Score in his career, for his music for The Constant Gardener, The Kite Runner and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. And while he’s yet to win an Academy Award, Iglesias has won nine Goya Awards and was named the 2012 Soundtrack Composer of the Year for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Skin I Live In at the World Soundtrack Awards. Best Original Score, The Constant Gardener, 78th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Original Score, The Kite Runner, 80th Academy Awards Nominated Best Original Score, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, 84th Academy Awards, Nominated It’s no wonder Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem are Spain’s first couple of cinema; they each have a total of three Oscar nods, with one win apiece. Cruz, who earned a Best Actress nomination for her work in Pedro Almodóvar’s Spanish-language film Volver, earned her Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. And, she followed that up with another Best Supporting Actress nod the following year for her acting, singing and dancing skills in the musical Nine. Best Actress, Volver, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Supporting Actress, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, 81st Academy Awards, Won Best Supporting Actress, Nine, 82nd Academy Awards, Nominated More than 20 years after directing his first short film Doña Lupe (1985), Guillermo del Toro earned massive Hollywood respect for writing, directing and producing the Spanish-language dark fantasy film Pan’s Labyrinth. The critically acclaimed film, which interweaves the real world five years after the Spanish Civil War with a fantasy world centered around an overgrown abandoned labyrinth and a mysterious faun creature, earned del Toro two Academy Award nominations, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay, making the Mexican director a hot commodity in Hollywood. Best Foreign Language Film, Pan’s Labyrinth, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Original Screenplay, Pan’s Labyrinth, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth has been described by one critic as "an epic, poetic vision in which the grim realities of war are matched and mirrored by a descent into an underworld populated by fearsomely beautiful monsters." And the Mexican dark fantasy film’s art director Eugenio Caballero (Mexico) and set decorator Pilar Revuelta (Spain) were duly recognized for creating both worlds, winning the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. Best Art Direction, Pan’s Labyrinth, 79th Academy Awards, Won In Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s drama Babel, which tells multiple stories that take place in Morocco, Japan, Mexico and the U.S., Adriana Baraza manages to outshine two of Hollywood’s elite: Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The former telenovela star’s distressing role as an undocumented Mexican nanny trying to get the children in her care back into the country didn’t just move audiences, it resulted in a Best Supporting Actress nod in a year when 10 Mexicans were nominated at the 79th Academy Awards. Best Supporting Actress, Babel, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Alejandro González Iñárritu’s longtime collaborating partner Guillermo Arriaga worked with the noted Mexican director on his death trilogy (Amores perros, 21 Grams and Babel). But it was the Mexican author and filmmaker’s work on the final installment (Babel) that would earn him Hollywood recognition. Arriaga received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for his work on the project. Best Original Screenplay, Babel, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Guillermo Navarro, a frequent collaborator of Guillermo del Toro and Robert Rodriguez, has a filmography that runs the gamut from small arthouse films to big-budget action flicks. But the Mexican cinematographer’s most notable work is del Toro’s critically acclaimed dark fantasy film Pan’s Labyrinth, which won him an Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Navarro most recent made his directing debut, helming a 2012 music video for actress/singer Mia Maestro titled “Blue Eyed Sailor.”Best Cinematography, Pan’s Labyrinth, 79th Academy Awards, Won There’s no denying that Alfonso Cuarón’s Y tu mamá también is a classic film. Not just in Mexico, but throughout the world. But the Mexican director wasn’t the only mastermind behind the film. His brother Carlos Cuarón helped pen the coming-of-age-story that made Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal famous. The pair were rewarded for their efforts when they received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, which they lost to another Spanish language script: Pedro Almodóvar’s Hable con ella. Despite the loss, Alfonso Cuarón would go on to be a rising star in Hollywood and earn two additional Oscar nod’s for 2006’s Children of Men: Best Film Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay. Best Original Screenplay, Y tu mamá también, 75th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Film Editing , Children of Men, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay , Children of Men, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Borja Cobeaga isn’t short on talent… The Spanish filmmaker earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Live Action Short category for the Spanish-language film Éramos pocos. Best Live Action Short, Éramos pocos, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Borja Cobeaga wasn’t the only Spaniard nominated in the Best Live Action Short at the 79th Academy Awards. Javier Fesser and Luis Manso also received a nod in the category for their Spanish-Senegalese short film Binta y la gran idea. The 31-minute film, made in collaboration with UNICEF, centers on a young African girl with a bright idea. Best Live Action Short, Binta y la gran idea, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish composer Javier Navarrete has scored several films, but Pan’s Labyrinth remains the feather in his cap. His haunting musical work on the project, his second with Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, earned him an Academy Award nod Best Original Score, as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. Navarrete most recently scored HBO’s critically acclaimed Hemingway & Gellhorn and the sequel to Clash of the Titans, Wrath of the Titans. Best Original Score, Pan’s Labyrinth, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated David Martí and Montse Ribé have the makeup of winners. Literally! The Spanish makeup and special effects specialists won the Academy Award for Makeup for their complex makeup work on Guillermo del Toro’s Pan's Labyrinth. Their work on Doug Jones, who portrays the Faun and the Pale Man in the film, took an average of five hours in Martí and Ribé’s makeup chair each day to perfect. Best Makeup, Pan’s Labyrinth, 79th Academy Awards, Won Sound engineer Fernando Cámara has worked on more than 30 films since 1979, including The Legend of Zorro, Romeo + Juliet and Love in the Time of Cholera. But it’s his work on Mel Gibson’s 2006 Mayan action-drama Apocalypto that earned him the only Academy Award nomination of his career, for Best Sound Mixing. Best Sound Mixing, Apocalypto, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated ­ He may not play professional baseball, but this Alex Rodríguez hits homeruns in Hollywood. The French-born Mexican film editor, who has edited several films directed by Alfonso Cuarón, earned an Academy Award nomination for Film Editing for his work with the Mexican director on 2006’s Children of Men. Critic Wesley Morris described their work as follows: "Children of Men has a blistering immediacy that's singular in this age of rapid cutting. Along with Alex Rodríguez, Cuarón cut the picture himself, and while he uses digital effects as enrichment, he builds scenes within the camera's frame rather than just in an editing room. So the film is as theatrical as it is cinematic." Best Film Editing, Children of Men, 79th Academy Awards, Nominated Colombian filmmaker Isabel Vega and Amanda Micheli earned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Documentary Short category for directing La Corona, a 40-minute documentary about a beauty pageant in a prison for women. Best Documentary Short, La Corona (The Crown), 80th Academy Awards, Nominated Chilean cinematographer Claudio Miranda worked as a gaffer on Seven, The Game and Fight Club, before getting a promotion and earning raves as the director of photography on David Fincher's film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Miranda’s impressive work resulted in on the Brad Pitt-starrer becoming the first entirely digitally filmed movie nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and an American Society of Cinematographers Award. And he just earned his second Oscar nod in the category for his awe-inspiring work on Ang Lee’s 3D adventure drama Life of Pi. Best Cinematography, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, 81st Academy Awards, Nominated Best Cinematography, Life of Pi, 85th Academy Awards, Nominated It takes a lot of work (and red paint) to turn Ron Perlman into the super-strong demon Hellboy. So it’s no surprise that Mexican special effects whiz Mike Elizalde earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup his work on Guillermo del Toro’s supernatural superhero film Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Most recently, he’s reteamed with del Toro as the creature effects person on the Mexican director’s highly anticipated sci-fi flick Pacific Rim. Best Makeup, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, 81st Academy Awards, Nominated Peruvian director Claudia Llosa made history when her 2009 film, The Milk of Sorrow, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film, in Spanish and Quechua, addresses the fears of abused women during Peru's recent history of violence because of the uprising of the Maoist group Sendero Luminoso and the actions of the paramilitary and state armed forces. Milk of Sorrow is the first and only Peruvian film to be nominated in the category. Best Foreign Language Film, The Milk of Sorrow, 82nd Academy Awards, Nominated Before working as a storyboard artist on DreamWorks Animation’s Rise of the Guardians, Javier Recio Gracia earned Hollywood’s attention, and an Oscar nod in the Best Animated Short category, for his film La Dama y la Muerte. The Spanish 3D imaging animated short, produced by Antonio Banderas, didn’t win an Academy Award, but it dud earn a Goya Award for being the Best Animated Short of 2009. Best Animated Short, La Dama y la Muerte (The Lady and the Reaper), 82nd Academy Awards, Nominated In what would turn out to be highly competitive year in the Best Actor race, Demián Bichir shocked Mexican and American audiences last year when he beat out higher-profile actors like Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar) and Ryan Gosling (The Ides of March) for a coveted Oscar nomination for his heart-wrenching performance as an undocumented Mexican gardener struggling to provide for his son in A Better Life, a critically acclaimed film that earned only $1.7 million at the box office. Bichir’s recognition included nominations from the Screen Actors Guild, the ALMA Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards. Best Actor, A Better Life, 84th Academy Awards, Nominated If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Bérénice Bejo’s performance in the black-and-white silent film The Artist – last year’s Academy Award winner for Best Picture – is nothing short of praiseworthy. The Argentina-born actress steals the show as Peppy Miller, a bright-eyed aspiring actress with a heart of gold. The role earned her a Best Supporting Actress nod, as well as Best Actress win at the César Awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscars. Best Supporting Actress, The Artist, 84th Academy Awards, Nominated Grammy-winning Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes added Academy Award nominee to his remarkable resume when he partnered with fellow Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown and African American singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett to pen “Real in Rio,” a song for the 3D computer-animated musical comedy Rio. The colorful samba-pop song earned a Best Original Song nomination, making Mendes and Brown the first Brazilian songwriters to be nominated together, and Brown the first Latin songwriter of African descent to be nominated. Best Original Song, Rio, 84th Academy Awards, Nominated Spanish costume designer Paco Delgado has earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design for his eye-catching costumes in Tom Hooper's Les Misérables. Delgado – who previously worked on Biutiful, The Skin I Live In and Blancanieves – oversaw the creation of more than 2,200 outfits for the cast of the epic film adaptation of the Broadway musical. Best Costume Design, Les Misérables, 85th Academy Awards, Nominated Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín has earned his first Academy Award nomination for directing the Spanish-language drama No, starring Gael García Bernal as an in-demand advertising executive who develops a campaign that helps overthrow Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet’s regime. Based on a true story, No has already earned raves throughout the world, and it earned the Art Cinema Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Could an Oscar be next? Best Foreign Language Film, No, 85th Academy Awards, Nominated He earned critical acclaim for his sound mixing on Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Babel, including BAFTA and Satellite Award nods. The Mexican sound mixer, however, didn’t make the shortlist for an Academy Award nomination that year. But that’s all changed this year. García has just set a date with Oscar, with his nomination in the Best Sound Mixing category for his impressive work on Ben Affleck’s Argo, which is based on the Canadian Caper that took place during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979 and 1980. Best Sound Mixing, Argo, 85th Academy Awards, Nominated

273.63 sec. 1 - Public Lands and Natural Resources Law (Spring 2013) Units: 3Meeting Time: TuTh 2:10-3:25Meeting Location: 240Course Start: January 08, 2013Course Control Number (Non-1Ls): 49930Forests are beautiful, but they are also essential to the production of the timber that we use to make paper and build houses. Oil and natural gas remain cornerstones of energy production in the United States, but their development can scar the landscape, destroy wildlife habitat, and (as the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe underscored) devastate oceans and coasts. Millions of acres of grasslands in the United States are devoted to cattle grazing, but at the possible cost of serious soil erosion. Mining for metals is essential to our economy, but requires massive disturbance of the land. We designate lands as parks and wilderness to protect natural values, but at what cost and for what purposes? How does the law manage these conflicting goals for the management of our natural resources? The answer to that question is particularly challenging in the United States where over 30% of the land is owned by the federal government, including much of the land most valuable for the economic production of natural resources and the protection of important environmental benefits. That percentage rises to over 50% in California, and much higher in other Western states. Accordingly, how the law manages natural resources in the United States involves questions of not just private property, but the design and management of public institutions. To help answer these questions, this course surveys the management of public and private natural resources, with a particular focus on management of federal lands such as National Forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, and National Parks. The course looks closely at the agencies that manage those public lands, and explores the role that courts and the legal system should play in supervising how those agencies manage the lands and the associated natural resources. We will cover a substantial amount of administrative law and its application to natural resources management. We will also talk about state and federal regulation of natural resources on private lands including oil and gas law and the state public trust doctrine. Statutes covered in detail include the National Forest Management Act, the General Mining Law of 1872, the Taylor Grazing Act, the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Wilderness Act. Students may fulfill the writing requirement through a paper option in this class.Prerequisites:Familiarity with property law, basic US constitutional law, and administrative law are helpful, but not necessary for the class.Exam Notes: TH/PCourse Category: Environmental LawThis course is cross-listed in the following categories:Public Law and Policy The following files are available for this course:First Assignment

vanceap3 Re: Mid-Atlantic School of Law Good reply Ron! But "Truly" is spelled without the "e"....sorry about that....but I bet you will never forget it? As has been stated on this tread, you don't learn law by studying Gilbert Law Summaries. It's an entire process. The most important of which is legal writing, legal analysis and legal research; as well as substantive and procedural law. When you work in litigation and are handed a memo asking about legal issues on a specific case, you must know how to prioritize those issues and how to analyze them. Moreover, you have to interpret the law, break it down into its elements and apply its rule to your client's facts. You aren't going to learn those skills at MASL. You will, however, learn it at an unaccredited law school that is recognized by the California State Bar, since they have to conform to a specific law school curriculum.Case books are also essential to learning the law, since they present the development of specific areas of law and provide the basis for distinguishing cases. Other aspects you must learn is how to argue pursuasively in both the written and oral form. The MASL approach is analogous to a mechanic learning only about one component of the drivetrain, such as the engine, at the expense of the remaining drivetrain components. Like a car without a transmission it may look good from a distance, but it will never get you out of the driveway. That is the type of legal education you will be receiving from MASL. One that is inferior and incomplete. Even if you tried to come in on motion before a state bar it would be futile, since the MASL juris doctorate has no recognition in California or any other state, thus it need not be considered. If, however, we compare it to an online law school that is accredited by the California State Bar, or the DETC like Taft or Concord, it might be possible to come in on motion in another state by raising an equal protection argument. Even more, so if you presented proper briefs and oral arguments, which would demonstrate practical application of the law. My suggestion for someone strapped for money is to seek out a judge or lawyer and ask them to mentor you. Or better yet, to enroll in an online school recognized by the California State Bar or one that is at least accredited by the DETC. Sadly, the MASL is a dead end that would never stand up to scrutiny before any state bar, since it does not conform to a law school curriculum. Nor would any bar consider an online school that does not have faculty members who are licensed to practice law, or retired lawyers. Logged passaroa25 MASL's final project does include anything from an internship at a law firm to writing a thesis. Also, while the school's main textbooks are the Gilbert's summaries, the student does not have to stop there. Each Gilbert's volume cites hundreds of court opinions. In order to learn how to think like a lawyer, reading just 2% of the cases cited in each volume will make any researcher competitive. So, while MASL appears to simply offer the basics, as with any endeavour, it is up to the student to create his/her own brand. I am not sure whether or not the author had Mid-Atlantic in mind when she wrote this paragraph. But, it does provide some hope: ". . . You think your school's reputation is holding you back? Bull! as Washington's Teresa DeAndrade says, 'You can go anywhere from any school, because getting hired has to do with you and your self-confidence. People hire people, not schools.' (Walton, 5)Walton, Kimm Alayne, J.D. Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams I am not at Mid-Atlantic. I don't have the money to attend any law school. In addition to being a volunteer paralegal, I am studying for the certified paralegal exam. I am just defending Mid-Atlantic because the right person can get something out of self study. It is impossible to read 100% of the cases cited in each Gilberts volume. If any student read all the cases cited in each Gilberts volume, it would take him/her 15 years to get through the basic curriculum. The cases in the typical law students' casebook are shortened considerably. The cases cited in each Gilberts volume are going to be the real deal. One case in and of itself can be 40 pages long. If you are really churning out 40 pages per class, per night, you probably don't have any children and you don't have a job. Many people don't have that luxury.What I do believe regarding ABA accredited brick and mortar schools, is that sometimes, a truly bad person is weeded out. There are hundreds of lawyers who are disbarred every year because they lie, cheat, and steal from their clients. It would be worse if the ABA filter was not in place at all. Unaccredited law schools, like Mid-Atlantic, do not really provide any kind of filter. So, if someone completes the Mid-Atlantic curriculum, petitions California and passes the California bar, the client doesn't really know what kind of attorney he is signing a contract with. You are correct in that we only read parts of a case that pertains to the particular topic we are learning from a case book because it would be impossible to read numerous cases that are 40 pages long. But it is still A LOT of reading that can be anywhere from 40 - 80 pages per week per class. In Constitutional Law for example, we had read 72 cases by the time we had our midterm. Although they weren't 40 pages long, it was still hours and hours of reading. Did I brief them all? Hell no, but did get the issue and holding from smaller cases. That said, there are many law students in my class with children that work full-time - including moms - and go at night. I don't know how they do it. I don't have children but had a full-time job for my first two years which was stressful enough.I absolutely agree that self-study is doable - people do it all the time with online law schools. However, it's the curriculum of this school and the fact they are not registered with any state bar that most people have an issue with. Branding or no, one still needs to be able to take the bar and pass it to be a lawyer, and that's why people are calling it a scam. That said law schools are very expensive and paralegals can make decent money for a lot less spent on their education. Good luck with your exam! Logged One major plus regarding being a paralegal is that I will never have to be a rainmaker. I tried that while I held a series' 7/63 license and I didn't like begging clients for their business.We keep going around in circles regarding which unaccredited law school is a scam and which one is not. I think the entire FYLSE-state approved California law school program is a scam. These schools actually have students believing they can pass the exam on the first try , by studying one or two hours a day. For a whole year, these schools waive the you-can-do-it carrot in from of the students' face and then blame the student for being so stupid when he/she fails. The FYLSE is a real three-subject bar exam. It takes at least 8 hours a day of dedicated study, everyday for the entire year to pass the first time.I think that students should either attend an ABA approved law school or opt to become a paralegal. All these other programs are just a waste of time and money. livinglegend I don't think CBA schools are a scam and they implement more or less the same program as an ABA school. I also think the FYLSE is a good idea for all law schools as I know many ABA grads from various school that never passed the bar being exposed to the pressure of a bar exam early on would be a good idea. Additionally ABA schools never tell you how much to study having been through a an ABA J.D. program I imagine a CBA school is more or less the same. If you want to be a lawyer you have to use judgment and common sense and be realistic about your workload. If you attend an ABA or CBA school you will have to bu** your ass to get through school and more importantly the bar exam. I do not know anything about this Mid-Atlantic School of Law, but I think any school that is purely online is a scam that is not the case with CBA schools. My point is that CBA schools are not the best option, but they are certainly better than a online school and for the most part if you want to only be in California they will likely provide the same educational program as an ABA program. Additionally whether you make it in the legal profession will be much more up to you and your dedication than the school you attend. Logged

The Greeks, as is well known, bore only one name, and it was one of the especial rights of a father to choose the names for hi's children and to alter them if he pleased. It was customary to give to the eldest son the name of the grandfather on his father's side. The day on which children received their names was the tenth after their birth. The tenth day, called 'denate,' was a festive day, and friends and relatives were invited to take part in a sacrifice and a repast. If in a court of justice proofs could be adduced that a father had held the denate, it was sufficient evidence that be had recognized the child as his own. Among the Romans, the division into races, and the subdivision of races into families, caused a great multiplicity of names. They had first the pronomen, which was proper to the person; then the nomen, belonging to his race; a surname or cognomen, designating the family; and sometimes an agnomen, which indicated the branch of that family in which the author has become distinguished. Thus, for example, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus; Publius is the pronomen; Cornelius, the nomen, designating the name of the race Cornelia; Scipio, the cognomen, or surname of the family; and Africanus, the agnomen, which indicated his exploits. Names are divided into Christian names (first names), as, Benjamin, and surnames, as, Franklin. No man can have more than one Christian name though two or more names usually kept separate, as John and Peter, may undoubtedly be compounded, so as to form, in contemplation of law, but one. A letter put between the Christian and surname, as an abbreviation of a part of the Christian name, as, John B. Peterson, is no part of either. In general a corporation must contract and sue and be sued by its corporate name yet a slight alteration in stating the name is unimportant, if there be no possibility of mistaking the identity of the corporation suing. It sometimes happens that two different sets of partners carry on business in the same social name, and that one of the partners is a member of both firms. When there is a confusion in this respect, the partners of one firm may, in some cases, be made responsible for the debts of another. It is said that in devises if the name be mistaken, if it appear the testator meant a particular corporation, the devise will be good; a devise to " the inhabitants of the south parish," may be enjoyed by the inhabitants of the first parish. When a person uses a name in making a contract under seal, he will not be permitted to say that it is not his name; as, if he sign and seal a bond " A and B," (being his own and his partner's name,) and he had no authority from bis partner to make such a deed, he cannot deny that bis name is A. & B. And if a man describes himself in the body of a deed by the name of James and signs it John, he cannot, on being sued by the latter name, plead that his name is James.

Doctors Differ on Prostate Screening Helena Oliviero And Steve Visser New York Times Syndicate ATLANTA -- Prostate screening tests detect prostate cancer early, but questions about whether the tests do more harm than good have made them one of the most hotly debated areas of medicine. Some doctors and researchers believe testing for PSA, which stands for prostate-specific antigen, leads to unnecessary, costly and even harmful medical procedures because so many early diagnoses are slow-growing cancers that don't require immediate treatment. But men typically demand care once they hear the "C" word. Those on the other side say PSA screening remains a valuable tool for detecting cancer early and saving lives. Last month, The American Urological Association reversed course and no longer recommends routine screening for men 40 to 54 years old, who face an average risk of getting prostate cancer. It said testing should be considered primarily for those 55 to 69. Even then, a PSA test should not be automatic. Men should talk to their doctors about the benefits and risks and "proceed based on their personal values and preferences," the association recommended. The urology group's announcement followed the 2011 recommendation by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, arguing against routine screening in healthy men because it often leads to unnecessary biopsies and surgery as well as life-altering complications such as impotence and incontinence. A problem with screening is that PSA levels can be high, indicating cancer, even when a man doesn't have it. Another issue is that if a biopsy detects cancer, it is often slow-growing and, as cancers go, relatively benign. In other words, a PSA test was taking healthy men and turning them into cancer patients who underwent radiation therapy, surgery and other invasive procedures for something that would never cause death or even lead to any symptoms. But even seemingly benign cancer can turn serious. And some men want to turn back any risk of cancer immediately. Four years ago, Michael LeBlanc, 62, didn't even think about waiting to treat cancer detected in his prostate. Whether the cancer was slow-growing or more aggressive was a moot point, he said. "Although it's slow growing, what says tomorrow it won't change?" said LeBlanc. "It's like calling 911 and you say there is a man who broke into the house but he looks like such a nice guy, I don't think he's going to hurt us right away. A home invasion in a home invasion. Cancer is cancer. You don't dilly dally with that." LeBlanc underwent robotic surgery to remove his prostate. He said an analysis indicated the cancer "had consumed my prostate." Exercise, he said, helped him make a full recovery. Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer for The American Cancer Society, has long called for more caution with prostate cancer screening, speaking against mass screenings such as the ones offered by health companies at shopping malls. Many patients, he said, don't fully realize the potential complications associated with PSA testing. "My whole campaign has not been one that men should not be screened," he said. "Let the man know the pluses and minuses, and what we know about the disease and the screening of the disease and then let the man decide," Brawley said. That decision, he said, should be based on weighing the benefits versus potential harm of screening. Research of men 55 to 69 suggests PSA screening may prevent one death from prostate cancer for every 1,000 men screened at two- to four-year intervals over a 10-year-period, according to The American Urological Association. At the same time, many men who get the screening will be harmed because of treatments that can lead to health complications. Even a biopsy poses a risk of infection, for example. Doctors may recommend "active surveillance" for men with low-risk prostate cancer tumors, in which the tumor is regularly monitored rather than treated. But getting patients to watch and wait is a difficult. "Part of it is a reaction to cancer. The 1970s Nixon War on Cancer and there's this concept that all cancer is bad," said Dr. Martin Sanda, chairman of the Department of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine and director of the Prostate Cancer Center in Emory's Winship Cancer Institute. "But now we are pushing the envelope. Many of these (cancers) can be watched." Over a five- to 10-year period, about a third of men whose cancers are considered low risk turn worse and require treatment, according to Sanda. Sanda said a patient's decision about whether to monitor the low-risk cancer or undergo treatment often depends on how the information is presented. The key, he said, is explaining that the biopsies not only detect aggressive cancers that need immediate treatment but also pick up cancers that are "quasi cancer" and safe to watch rather than treat immediately. But not all doctors are entirely comfortable with the concept of simply waiting and watching. "These so-called quasi cancers may not be a problem at all. And there's also the possibility these quasi cancers can spread," said Dr. Marc Harrigan, a primary care physician at Piedmont Hospital. "You've got to put yourself in the shoes of the patient: 'Do I want something inside of me?' I mean, how comfortable would I be as a patient knowing there is a cancer inside of me that can grow at any time?" Harrigan said his patients are predominantly African-Americans who face a higher risk for prostate cancer. They tend to opt for screening before 50. But Harrigan reviews the pros and cons of testing for any patient 40 and up. And then he lets the patient decide whether to get the PSA test. "Who am I to tell patients you really shouldn't be tested until 50?" said Harrigan. Sanda remains an advocate of screening -- which includes not only the PSA blood test but also the digital rectal exam. He sees firsthand what can happen when prostate cancer is not caught in the early stages. "I see patients every month who are in their late 40s and early 50s and their cancer is too far along and we can't do anything to treat them," he said. Sanda is also studying a new, more sophisticated blood test that could change the way men are screened. Studies indicate the Prostate Health Index, or phi, is more precise than the PSA and better distinguishes an aggressive cancer from a low-risk cancer. It's one of several tests being studied across the country with the same goal: to have more accurate information, prevent unnecessary biopsies and treatments and the anxiety that often accompanies them, while saving lives from a disease expected to kill almost 30,000 men this year alone. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society's estimates for prostate cancer in the United States for 2013 are: -- About 238,590 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed. -- About 29,720 men will die of prostate cancer. -- Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, more than 2.5 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. -- About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. -- Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men. Nearly two thirds are diagnosed in men 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 67. Helena Oliviero and Steve Visser write for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Email: [email protected], [email protected]. Â c.2013 Cox Newspapers

They Had the Name, But Not the Garden Sep 11th, 2012 by Kristen Wolenberg By Kristen Wolenberg, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Public Relations & Marketing Intern The Conservatory, photo by Don Williamson Photography It’s been 28 years since Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden first opened its doors to the public. It’s hard to imagine the Garden without its wonderful facilities, staff, and the 600+ volunteers who come together to make the Garden beautiful. In 2011, the Garden received a National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for its work in the community. As a result, StoryCorps recorded interviews with people who were heavily involved in the Garden’s beginning as well as current staff and volunteers. One story not everyone knows is that of the creation of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Thanks to the recollections of Mary Mitchell and Betsy Saunders through the StoryCorps interviews, we can learn more about the early days. The first time Mary and Betsy heard about the property that was to become Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden was at a meeting for the Richmond Horticultural Society (RHS). They learned the land and buildings, left by Lewis Ginter’s niece, Grace Arents, to the City of Richmond, was not being utilized as Arents’ will stated: to create a botanical garden named in honor of her uncle Lewis Ginter. While driving home from the meeting, Mary and Betsy decided to fight to uphold Grace Arents’ will because it was the right thing to do. Although they had no experience in such matters, they hired a legal counsel to make sure Grace Arents’ will was upheld. For their first fundraising meeting Mary and Betsy called 50 people — only nine came! However, Mary and Betsy were not discouraged. Fortunately, their efforts caught the attention of Richmond philanthropist Lora Robins. Mrs. Robins initial gift was not a huge amount, but it gave Mary and Betsy the start they needed. “We thought we were rich as Croesus!” Mrs. Robins went on to become a major supporter of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and although she passed away in 2010, her legacy lives on in the beautiful gardens and facilities. Mary and Betsy were the perfect duo as their strengths complemented each other. Betsy explained that she was the political person while Mary was the gardener. Mary was the one with the dream of the botanical garden. Fighting for the Garden was a full time job. They knew what the name was going to be, but the actual Garden did not exist. Mary and Betsy worked 8 hours a day, 5 days a week to raise money and awareness. After a process taking three years, an amicable settlement allowed the formation of the Garden. The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden was chartered by court decree. Mary and Betsy, along with many others, worked hard to help make Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden what it is today. We owe them a huge thanks. According to Betsy, in their quest for the Garden the one thing they tried to avoid was being perceived as “just these two ladies in tennis shoes,” because they wanted to make sure that their cause was taken seriously. Just walk through the Garden, and I’m sure that no one will doubt the influence and power of these two women. Mary Mitchell and Betsy Saunders

1. Indian Head/Buffalo Nickel, Obverse and Reverse: no date Coins; U.S. Mint; Indian; Bison; Native American On the obverse, an Indian shown in profile. Above is written LIBERTY. Below the date has been worn off. On the reverse is the image of a bison. Above is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E Pluribus Unum, and below... 2. Eisenhower Dollar, Obverse, 1974 and Reverse, 1977 Coins; U.S. Mint; Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969; Apollo XI; Mint mark The obverse view shows a left-facing profile of the late President with LIBERTY overhead, IN GOD WE TRUST to the lower left, and below, the date. The reverse view shows an eagle with an olive branch of... 3. Liberty Half-Dollar, 1857 Coins; U.S. Mint; Liberty Cap The seated Liberty is show with her right hand resting on a shield; in her left hand is a pole with the liberty cap on the end. Overhead are thirteen stars representing the thirteen colonies, and below... 4. 18372--Illinois River and Valley from Starved Rock, New State Park, Ill. Illinois River; Starved Rock State Park, Illinois; Kaskaskia Indians; Marquette, Pere Jacques, 1636-1675; Joliet, Louis, 1645-1700; Indians of North America Black and white stereograph slide showing the Illinois River. 5. Road to the Pyramids--Westward Toward Gizeh Gizeh, Egypt; Africa; Pyramids Black and white stereograph slide, #T232 from Tour of the World series, vol 5 and 6. 6. Victoria Falls, South Africa South Africa; Victoria Falls; Waterfalls Black and white stereograph slide, T244 from Tour of the World, vol 5 and 6. 7. Assembly Hall, University of Illinois Buildings; Champaign, Illinois The University of Illinois Assembly Hall at Fourth Street and Florida Avenue, Champaign, is a center for sports, entertainment and convention. It was opened on Honors Day, May 3, 1963. It was designed... 8. Round Barn, University of Illinois, Urbana Buildings; Urbana, Illinois; Education; Farming; Barns; Agricultural facilities; Agriculture; Round Barn, University of Illinois, Urbana. 9. University of Illinois Armory Champaign County, Illinois; Armory; Buildings; Education 505 E. Armory Avenue, Champaign. 10. Elliston Pintail Drake Decoy Decoys; Carving; Illinois River; Ellison, Robert A., 1849-1942; Ducks; Hunting This pintail drake decoy is painted in shades of brown, beige and black. The areas of attachment are visible, the head and two sections of body. The wood is cracked in a few places. There is a lead keel... 11. Model of Newcomen's Atmospheric Steam Engine Steam engines; Industrial Revolution; Coal mines; Steam power; Inventions; Newcomen, Thomas, 1663-1729; Innovation; Power production; Patents; This is a model of Newcomen’s Atmospheric Steam Engine. Newcomen’s steam engine consisted of a metal boiler with a cylinder mounted above. Inside the cylinder is a piston, sealed as closely as possible... 12. Millikan Oil Drop Apparatus Physics; Nobel Prize; Nobel Laureate; Scientific experiments; Electrons A metal cylinder, approximately thirty-six inches tall and twenty-four inches in diameter with two internal horizontal plates and several openings used for lighting and viewing inside the cylinder. 13. Spirit of America Racecar Racecars; Jet-powered racecars; Racing cars; Automobiles; World records; Speed records; Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah; Land transportation A jet-powered racecar. It has an elongated aerodynamic fuselage, which is supported by one large wheel in the front and two in back. The internal structure consists of welded tubular white metal welded... 14. Illustration of work in the United States Arsenal at Watertown, Massachusetts United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Women Reproduction of the cover of Harper’s Weekly from July 20, 1861. Dimensions: 10"x15.5". 15. Indian Head Cent, Obverse: 1882 Coins; U.S. Mint; Native American; Branch Mint A left-facing Indian maiden wears a feathered crown. Above is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and below is the date. 16. Golden Dollar with Sacagawea, Obverse: 2000 Coins; U.S. Mint; Lewis and Clark; Native American Sacagewea, the Shoshone guide who was a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark expedition, is shown with her infant son, John Baptiste. Above is LIBERTY, to the left, IN GOD WE TRUST, and on the... 17. Liberty Quarter Dollar, 1876 Coins; U.S. Mint; Liberty; Washington, George, 1732-1799 Seated Liberty, with staff and cap. Overhead are stars for the thirteen colonies. 18. Centennial Coin, 1889 Coins; U.S. Mint; U.S. Constitution; Washington, George, 1732-1799 Profile of George Washington, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and IN GOD WE TRUST below. There is a hole near the top edge. 19. John F. Kennedy Half-Dollar, 1964 Coins; U.S. Mint The left-facing profile of President Kennedy is shown in a simple design with LIBERTY overhead, IN GOD WE TRUST just under the President's image, and the date along the bottom edge. 20. Standing Liberty Half-Dollar, 1945 Coins; U.S. Mint Liberty is shown striding towards the left wearing a flowing gown and enfolded in a representation of the Stars and Stripes flying in the breeze. She walks towards a rising sun, symbolic of a new day.... select all : clear all : add to favorites

Water World: New Super-Earth Found Near Distant Star ABC News wrote:Water World: New Super-Earth Found Near Distant StarBy NED POTTER (@NedPotterABC)Feb. 3, 2012Pack your bags. But leave the bottled water behind; you might not need it.Scientists have found a planet orbiting another star -- 22 light-years away -- and of all the hundreds of so-called exoplanets so far discovered, this one is, lead researcher Guillem Anglada-Escude said, "the new best candidate to support liquid water and, perhaps, life as we know it."The planet is labeled GJ 667Cc, found in the constellation Scorpio, and it would seem at first to be a very alien world. It is about five times more massive than Earth. It orbits its host star in only 28 of our days.But that star is smaller and dimmer than our sun, and most of the light it emits is infrared. Anglada-Escude says it would provide just the right amount of warmth for the planet to be temperate like ours."Other proposed candidates [to be watery worlds] would require very special conditions to support liquid water," Anglada-Escude said in an email to ABC News.The temperature, he said, is probably right regardless of the planet's atmosphere or cloud cover: "This one lies within the zone where no further assumptions (or fine tuning) are required." Water is actually very common in the universe -- but as ice or vapor, not flowing water that scientists say would probably be necessary for life as we know it. Comets, for instance, have been called "dirty snowballs," and when they get close to the sun they develop gaseous tails. But the temperature range for flowing water -- the liquid you would find in the cells of a living organism -- is very small. Earth is the only planet we know of with the right temperature and atmospheric pressure.Some serious cautions are in order, of course, when you're talking about a planet more than 100 trillion miles away. Scientists cannot see it; all they know is that its gravity pulls on its host star, causing the star to "wobble" slightly in the 28-day cycle. But because they know the star's mass and brightness, they can do some math and figure out how far away the planet is likely to be.GJ 667Cc would be a strange place if Earthlings could visit. If it has a solid surface, one would find its gravity crippling. Its sun would loom large in the sky, much larger than Earth's sun does, but it would be dimmer.And there would be two other suns in the sky, although they orbit at a distance. One of them would be about as distant as Saturn is from us, the other five times farther away than Pluto is.The one thing Earthlings would find familiar is the temperature. GJ 667Cc does not get fried the way planets like Mercury and Venus do, and it does not freeze like Jupiter or Pluto. Space researchers like to say it is in the "Goldilocks zone" around its sun, not too hot, not too cold, but just right."To know more, we'll probably need a space mission or a lot of luck," Anglada-Escude joked.Anglada-Escude and Paul Butler led the research at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington. They and a dozen colleagues are publishing their work in Astrophysical Journal Letters.They report they found the planet by looking through telescope data collected by HARPS, a rival group of planet hunters in Europe. Anglada-Escude said the HARPS group had observed the star three years ago and missed the planet."Of course, the HARPS team will not be very happy about this," Anglada-Escude said. "This might start a new trans-oceanic war."A Quote:LONDON — Astronomers hunting for rocky planets with the right temperature to support life estimate there may be tens of billions of them in our galaxy alone. A European team said on Wednesday that about 40% of red dwarf stars — the most common type in the Milky Way — have a so-called “super-Earth” planet orbiting in a habitable zone that would allow water to flow on the surface. Since there are around 160 billion red dwarfs in the Milky Way, the number of worlds that are potentially warm enough and wet enough to support life is enormous. Xavier Bonfils of the Institute of Planetology and Astrophysics in Grenoble, the leader of the team, said the 40% figure was at the high end of what had been expected and the finding underscored the prevalence of small rocky planets. His team is the first to calculate the number of super-Earths — planets with a mass between one and 10 times the Earth — in such habitable zones, although previous research has found the Milky Way to be awash with planets. Red dwarfs, which are faint and cool compared to the Sun, account for around 80 percent of the stars in the Milky Way. After studying 102 of these stars in the southern skies using a European Southern Observatory telescope in Chile, Bonfils and colleagues found rocky planets were far more common than massive gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn in our solar system. However, the rocky worlds spinning around red dwarfs are not necessarily cosy places for alien forms of life. Because reds dwarfs are much cooler than the sun, any planets with liquid water will need to be orbiting much closer to the star than the Earth is from the Sun. That may mean they are bathed in damaging X-ray and ultraviolet radiation. Scientists aim to take a closer look at some of the Earth-like planets as they pass in front of nearby red dwarfs, which should yield information about their atmospheres and help in the search for possible signs of life. The research was presented in a paper to be published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. I still laugh at the term "Super earth". What makes them so super? Our earths dad could kick the crap outa their dads any day of the week! March 28th, 2012, 3:17 pm regularjoe12 wrote:I still laugh at the term "Super earth". What makes them so super? Our earths dad could kick the crap outa their dads any day of the week! The term refers to mass as these are 1-10 times the mass/size of our planet. Imagine your dad taking on someones dad who happened to be 60 feet tall and 1,800 pounds. Even if your dad is Shaq you are still in trouble. not my dad...Earths dad...and earths dad has the kung fu! (and apearntly I've gone retarded for the day....slepp deprivation is fun!)

It Girls & Boys by Herb Ritts March 27, 2012 9 likes He was one of the photographers who created the supermodel phenomenon of the 80s and 90s with his glamorous images of Cindy, Naomi, and many beautiful others. Read more about portraitist Herb Ritts who will be honored in an upcoming posthumous exhibition at the Getty Museum. This gallery will be the first since the 1996 show at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston which was graced by over 253,000 viewers. Supermodels of 1989: Stephanie Seymour, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz,and Naomi Campbell by Herb Ritts. Photo via dailymail Herb Ritts started with art and commercial photography in the late 70’s. With portraits and editorials in industry standard glossies such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone, Ritts was also responsible for wildly popular ad campaigns for fashion labels like Calvin Klein, Valentino, Versace, and Chanel. He also got into directing in the 80’s, with numerous influential and award-winning music videos and commercials. Djimon with Octopus by Herb Ritts (1989). Photo via dailymail According to the New York Times, he “belongs in the tradition of Richard Avedon, Louise Dahl-Wolfe and Irving Penn,” as far as style is concerned. Ritts was one of the go-to photographers of his time if a client wanted sharp contrasts, clean lines, strong forms, and near perfection. His photographs also often challenged conventional notions of gender or race, proving that his work was as much art as it was ads. Cindy Crawford, Ferre 3, Malibu, 1993 and Bill T. Jones VI, Los Angeles, 1995. Photos via dailymail Paul Martineau, curator of the exhibit at the Getty, described Ritts as an impulsive photographer. “He wasn’t someone who had everything scripted. He approached shoots organically,” he told the New York Times. Martineau added, “’[Herb] Ritts embraced his life in Los Angeles in every aspect and that is evident in his photographs. You can feel the Southern California light and warmth in his work.” The artist unfortunately passed away in 2002 of pneumonia from HIV/AIDS at the age of 50. Photo via dailymail Consisting of photographs of nudes, portraits, and images made for high-fashion ad campaigns, this acquisition of Ritts images is the most significant body of the artist’s work on the West Coast. See these iconic images by Herb Ritts from April 3 to August 26 at the J.Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Sources include herbritts, getty, and dailymail.

Scientific Name Mahonia bealei Native to China. Considered an invasive species throughout most of the U.S. Grows best in areas of heavy shade to partial shade. The Mahonia does not like hot or midday sun. Prefers moist, well drained soils. In the landscape setting it should only be watered when dry. Thrives in acidic soils but tolerates heavy clays. Does best when sheltered from wind. Growth Nature Grows as a multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub. Forms a loose stemmed clump 4 to 6 ft. tall and about 3 to 4 ft. wide. Can get as large as 10 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide if not kept in check. Looking somewhat like a holly, the leaves are about 18 inches long with 9 to13 stiff, sharply spiny, leaflets. The terminal leaflet is larger than the lateral leaflets. Points of Interest The fruit forms grape-like clusters and are highly valued by birds, which will devour all the fruit within days of ripening. There are about 70 species of Mahonia. Many of these were introduced in the 19th century to this country by horticulturalist Bernard McMahon. This is where the plant gets its name.

The gift of Max: how my child changed my perspective on disabilities Blog about children with special needs PatriceOctober 31, 2011 at 7:09 AMI do not have a special needs child -- I came upon your blog somewhat by accident. Thanks to it and others in the special needs community, I am so much better at reacting to special needs kids and adults. I'm like you - I'd never not be nice or friendly to someone, but thanks to your blog, I now engage more and would never ,hesitate to offer a mom. who seems overwhelmed, a helping hand. Thanks for opening my eyes.ReplyDeletePatriceOctober 31, 2011 at 7:10 AMOh gees! Sorry for the typos -- I suppose I should have read it through before I hit publish! Have a great day!ReplyDeleteNishatOctober 31, 2011 at 7:28 AMI don't think you're alone on this one. I can imagine many parents feeling exactly the same way you do. I honestly think that you shouldn't be ashamed, just thankful. Thankful that now you're different and thankful that now you know. I would honestly keep telling others about your story in hopes that even without having a child with special powers (yay!) they might start to understand. I'm 17 and am not planning on having kids anytime soon, but I want to become a special education teacher after realizing that so many people cast those with special needs off as 'odd' without really getting to know them. The main reason I chose special education is because I saw personality and so, so much potential behind all the kids I worked with that I NEVER would have if I had dismissed them right off the bat. Just have faith in people and do your best to show them what you now know.ReplyDeleteSondra WhalenOctober 31, 2011 at 7:32 AMEllen, everyday I worry about how people look at and treat Ryan. He is clearly socially awkward. At 4 years old, I am glad he has no idea how mean children can be. I as a parent need to just learn to turn my head and be thankful he doesn't know how mean some kids can be. I now also seem to notice how often I will engage a child or person with special powers, where I don't believe I would have without Ryan. I am glad he has made me a better person.ReplyDeleteclueless but hopeful mamaOctober 31, 2011 at 8:17 AMBeautiful post!I talk to my 5 year old about how people can act differently, look differently but you still greet them, talk to them, play with them. This was after an episode on a playground where a boy was friendly to my daughter and she shied away, because, she later said, "he talked weird". Every time I remind her of this, I am also reminding myself. Thank you for this post.ReplyDeleteBeth ArkyOctober 31, 2011 at 8:50 AMOnce again, Ellen, you nailed it. Thank you for your honesty; I would have to confess the same is true of me. It's the way we're conditioned, unfortunately. It's no excuse but kids--our future adults--want to fit in, and anyone who is "different" is mostly shunned, at best, and treated with cruelty, at worst. (I can't help but think of "Lord of the Flies.")Right now, by and large it's only when you love--or have come to understand and respect--someone who isn't "typical," whatever that means (!), are you able to give everyone a chance. What a delightful exchange you would have missed if you were closed off, if Max had not taught you to be open to all. Lately, I've been wondering a lot about how a boy I knew in high school is doing; I'm sure he was an Aspie. I think of all the times he was teased if not bullied. I never did anything like that and I'd like to think I was polite, but I'm certain I also avoided him, didn't want to sit on the bus with him, etc. On the other hand, some kids were genuinely fascinated by his amazing knowledge of every sports stat imaginable. I'd like to think he found his place in the world.I hope that as more information gets out there, the more understanding there will be. The comments from Patrice and "Clueless" (btw, if you're teaching your daughter these lessons, you're not!)pay testament to how much you're contributing to the cause. I am a big fan of James Durbin for many reasons. I'm thrilled by his talent in an of itself but am also so happy that it's gotten people to see beyond his Asperger's and Tourette's. (Less talented *different* contestants on Idol haven't fared as well, to say the least.) He's doing so much to increase awareness and acceptance, and those who cruelly bullied him online during the show were quickly condemned and shut down. There's a reason he's a hero to the special-needs community and I wish him a long and successful career. I hope more and more people will embrace his mantra: "Different is the new normal."ReplyDeleteJoshOctober 31, 2011 at 9:04 AMI must stop reading your posts at work. Tears are running down my face. Kade was with us for 3 years, and in those 3 years, like you, our outlook changed completely about kids with Special Powers, or even just a child in a wheelchair. Now when we are out somewhere, I am pulled to kids in wheelchairs. I know they are often ignored and given pity looks, and they shouldn't be. Just a simple hello works wonders!ReplyDeleteJulia O'COctober 31, 2011 at 9:07 AMWhen your heart shatters because you have a child with a disability, the rebuilt heart is bigger, and so much more permeable.ReplyDeletetesyaaOctober 31, 2011 at 9:29 AMKudos on this post, it's incredible!ReplyDeleteJanetOctober 31, 2011 at 10:53 AMEllen,I know what you mean. I receintly gave a talk at a women's church retreat. I compared Luke's (and mine) journey with autism to our Christian (or any other :-) journey. One aspect of any journey in life is where you stand. To para-pharse another speaker - "Where you stand determines what you see; what you see determines your action/response"Before Max, you stood in a different place. Before Luke, I stood in a very different place. Nothing against where I was, but I like where I am now.ReplyDeleteAnnemarieOctober 31, 2011 at 2:14 PMhaving kids like our changes us. It uproots everything inside us and replants something new and versatile. I just went through a very similar thing myselfReplyDeleteAlongCameTheBirdOctober 31, 2011 at 2:21 PMWhile I've always been drawn to "the underdog", I am so much more open to individuals with all types of special needs because of my sweet Bird.My eyes have been opened to a whole population of people that I'm sorry to say I would've missed out on knowing before.Yes, my life has been changed by autism. But I'm hoping that some of the changes in me have been for the better.ReplyDeleteToonerOctober 31, 2011 at 2:47 PMI unfortunately agree with you. It's sad when people don't know how to talk to people with disabilities. I always like when people talk to me nicely. I always wonder what their life experiences are, and most of the time I find out they have some experience with disabilities.ReplyDeleteRebeccaOctober 31, 2011 at 3:10 PMThere is this guy I know who has a pretty severe case of CP and he's awesome. He is in his 30's?? and his name is Roy. I've always loved Roy (even before I became a mother). I'll leave you with a link to him walking...which is a really very big deal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTMGL9iy2Wo (Roy Walking for a fundraiser)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVrCE5KCatg (Roy throwing the first pitch at the St Louis Cardinals baseball game...The World Series Champs of 2011) You can't see it, but he's wearing an Ankiel Jersey...which is funny because he was the worst pitcher the Cardinals has ever had.Roy tells jokes and is so funny!ReplyDeleteSabrinaOctober 31, 2011 at 4:10 PMI don't have a kid with special needs, but through reading your blog (and several others) - as well as getting to know an adult with Down Syndrome within the last several years - I find that I am much more at ease around people with disabilities as I used to be. With that in mind - and this probably won't sound strange to you, Ellen - I have actually considered adopting a special needs kid someday because I want to know that joy. :)ReplyDeleteThe Cynical CrafterOctober 31, 2011 at 4:20 PMOne of the beauties of having a disabled child is that the siblings benefit, too. My youngest child has Autism Spectrum Disorder. His sister, who's 3 1/2 years older, has always helped to look after him. When my daughter started at a new secondary school where she knew no one she noticed a classmate standing by herself, so she walked up to that classmate and started a conversation. That classmate has been her best friend for 4 years, and her friend happens to have dwarfism. Thanks to having a little brother with special needs my daughter wasn't remotely concerned about starting a conversation with a girl who was "different", and I'm incredibly proud of that.ReplyDeleteRepliesTaraJanuary 16, 2014 at 2:47 PMOne of the beauties of having a disabled child is that the siblings benefit, too. Umm there is NO such thing as a "disabled child". Newsflash~we're in 2014, the preferred wording is a child with a disability~. Sigh...you should know better. And contrary to what that you think, the siblings dont always benefit. Not if the sibling is expected to look after the kid with a disability. DeleteReplyMaryOctober 31, 2011 at 10:40 PMHow beautifully our hearts are opened as we recognize and receive the gifts our children offer us! More love flows in and out than we could ever have known before. Thanks for this great post!ReplyDeleteAngelaOctober 31, 2011 at 10:44 PM*sniff**bawl*So true.I think about this a lot.ReplyDeletedderbydaveNovember 1, 2011 at 2:56 AMThe place where I work is great at employing folk with additional challenges. A guy called G collects our baskets from the checkouts three afternoons a week. Mostly he fits in. He's a little noisy. He joins in conversations which he doesn't understand. He even tells folk that he's the boss when the manager's off. But mostly he's welcomed as a colleague and cared for by all but the most mean-minded. I think we're changing as a society and this is in partly due to people like you who can verbalise your journey.ReplyDeletedoozeeNovember 1, 2011 at 9:23 AMMy experience is different of course, as I was the kid with special needs that shifted the world for my family. My choice was more along the lines of, knowing what I know, would I want my child to have this experience? That was a great post - as usual! - and I thoroughly enjoyed it!ReplyDeleteLaura Wright @ The ODD MomNovember 1, 2011 at 1:40 PMI just love your candour. Thank you so much for opening our eyes.ReplyDeleteTiffanyNovember 1, 2011 at 8:30 PMI am crying happy tears because I feel the same way. How lucky we are that our eyes have been opened to all of the wonderful people in the world!ReplyDeleteHyper AspieNovember 2, 2011 at 2:42 AMBeing an adult with a disability is challenging at the best of times, but I wouldn't change the way I am for anything. Unfortunately it means that sometimes we see the worst of people but it also means that we see the best of people and sometimes even impact lives. Max is gonna be an awesome adult!ReplyDeleteKimNovember 3, 2011 at 11:15 AMLove this post.ReplyDeleteSweeter the berryNovember 4, 2011 at 1:37 AMOMG the stranger you described is exactly like my 11 yr old son who also has autism. I'm very protective of him and fear for what may happen when the time comes where I can no longer be there for him.I hope the future has a lot of changes because I am also one who did not pay attention about disabilities until it happened to my son. People are not as sensitive and don't understand as much until it happens to them.ReplyDeleteEllen JNovember 8, 2011 at 9:44 AMI agree that your friend shouldn't be criticised because she now knows how hurtful the word is. However, in her article she is extremely cruel in how she describes the young man. Your friend should teach others about how painful the word Retarted is. However, she should also learn that dropping that word from her vocabulary isn't enough. If she wants people to respect others...to stop being hateful and mockimg of differences, then she most certainly must be respectful herself. She must stop replacing the hateful word "retarted" with such hateful statements like "dumbo ears."ReplyDeleteLiarnaDecember 5, 2011 at 6:07 AMHi Ellen,I'm so glad I found your sight. I'm not yet a mother but volunteer for a mothers group by loking after there kids while they have time out (with some other volunteers) because of the way i was brought up and that my mum works with mentally challenged adults I am more aware of people, but I still feel weary sometimes. I hate that i do, but hopefully reading more and thinking more will help. I love your blog and it has made me think so much. Thank you and please keep at it.p.s. Max is the most adorable kid :)ReplyDeleteAdd commentLoad more... The gift of Max: how my child changed my perspecti... It's my third blogoversary, and all I got was this... Want your kid to test a toy for a holiday guide? Top Special Needs Mom fantasies Objects of affection: the stuff Max won't leave ho... 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Sweet Homes and Tolerant Houses A History of Private Life. Vol IV: From the Fires of Revolution to the Great War edited by Michelle Perrot, translated by Arthur Goldhammer Harvard, 713 pp, £29.95, April 1990, ISBN 0 674 39978 1 Women for Hire: Prostitution and Sexuality in France after 1850 by Alain Corbin, translated by Alan Sheridan The rise in the reputation of French history, not just in its own territory but throughout the Anglo-Saxon world as well, has been one of the most remarkable cultural developments since the Second World War. The reasons for its triumph are instructive, not least to historians of Britain, whose own discipline has so conspicuously declined in popularity over the same period of time. Some of the credit must go to a succession of scholars, Philippe Ariès, Fernand Braudel, Michel Foucault and Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie among them, who combined intellectual power with formidable originality and entrepreneurial verve. But it is the kind of history writers like these have publicised that has been the main cause of French history becoming so indisputably chic. In part because of the campaign against traditional historiography launched by Marc Bloch and Lucien Febvre in the 1920s, and partly too, I suspect, because the humiliations of the German Occupation encouraged alienation from the political, there has been a concentration instead on the private and on the popular. Not monarchs, or ministers, or diplomats, or generals, but demography, manners, sexuality, the family, the body, the senses, the symbols and language of everyday life and ordinary people: these have been the objects of desire for the most influential post-war historians of France.The tactical benefits of this have been enormous. By its very nature, political history can easily seem highly specific, illuminating the past of one state but very little else. But to the extent that we are all blessed or burdened with families, bodies, rituals and class, the stuff of social history and, above all, of cultural history can appear much more widely interesting and relevant. By focusing their energies on these approaches to the past, therefore, French historians have aspired to elevate their subject from the parochial to the universal. In practice, the vast majority of them may only study one French region, one provincial town, or even one Parisian arrondisement, but armed with a mixture of grand theory, methodological ingenuity and chuzpah, they often address their conclusions to a far broader humanity. And this is an enviable achievement. It is also a further demonstration of how much better the French have coped with the contraction of European power and the end of empire than have the British.Scholars have been much less successful in marketing the history of this side of the Channel so that it appears generally significant. They have been slower in taking up social and cultural history (perhaps because the French championed them so vigorously), and some of them have been uncertain about their own product: minimising the impact of the Industrial Revolution, diminishing the importance of Parliament, glossing over the Empire, reducing the events of 1642 to 1649 to a little local difficulty in East Anglia, and shrinking 1688 to an oligarchical hiccup. Having lost the massive confidence of the great Whig historians, the British have still to find a new and attractive role for their past. And this failure has helped to discourage others from studying it. Before 1960, every American university worth its proverbial salt had at least two historians of Britain on its staff, often more. Now, in 1990, this has largely ceased to be the case: and Britain’s loss has tended to be France’s gain. Most British historians in American universities today are middle-aged or older. By contrast, there are now far more French historians in the United States than there are in France itself, and they are disproportionately young. Far more than ever before, it is now their historiographical world. But how far do they deserve it?

Biography and memoirs, Biography, Art and architecture, Architecture, 1900-1999 Vol. 26 No. 7 · 1 April 2004 Don’t teach me Routledge, 197 pp, £30.00, November 2003, ISBN 0 415 25853 7 Architects don’t come much angrier than Ernö Goldfinger. Even among his own disillusioned generation, he seemed perpetually crosser than most. Towering, handsome, self-assured (‘Everyone always seems to have known me’), this Hungarian emigrant was quite unlike the pallid, fish-eyed Professor Otto Silenus, Evelyn Waugh’s caricature Modernist. Silenus had come to the Home Counties spouting aphorisms from the Bauhaus via Moscow, invited by Margot Beste-Chetwynde, who had fallen on his designs for a chewing-gum factory in a progressive Hungarian quarterly. Margot wanted ‘something clean and square’ to replace her irrelevant Tudor mansion. In 1937, Goldfinger designed a terrace of three houses on Willow Road, facing Hampstead Heath. The central house was for his own family: it was flat-roofed and concrete-framed, and replaced some derelict cottages. Local opposition, orchestrated by the future Conservative home secretary, Henry Brooke, was fierce. Goldfinger – assisted by such influential neighbours as Roland Penrose, Flora Robson and Julian Huxley – successfully defended his design, citing its kinship to the formal articulation and clarity of the Georgian terrace. ‘Only the Esquimeaux and Zulus,’ he said, ‘build anything but rectangular houses.’ The houses were duly built, became widely admired as a paradigm of architectural virtue, and, when 2 Willow Road was presented to the National Trust in the mid-1990s, it was Henry Brooke’s son Peter, the heritage secretary, who performed the ceremony.Ernö Goldfinger’s professional life was full of such ironies. By the 1970s, he was a misrepresented figure, demonised (he felt) for his part in the high rise architectural attack on London. His wish to put the record straight made him, in the critic Alan Powers’s words, ‘an angry old man, not a grand old man’. After he finally closed his office, and to ensure that his claims would not be forgotten, he lodged five hundred boxes of his papers with the archive of the RIBA.Nigel Warburton is not an architectural historian but a philosopher of aesthetics, who became intrigued by his subject after living in two very different Goldfinger buildings of the 1960s, the 27-storey Balfron Tower in the East End and the Motz House in Oxford. In this brisk account, he draws an understanding picture of Goldfinger’s background and formative experience, which offers some explanation of his sense of being a prophet without honour.Goldfinger was combative, worked on the assumption that he was unerringly right and had a domineering manner which did him no favours – ‘Don’t teach me,’ the small boy once snapped at his mother. No sooner had he achieved some architectural renown than he was caricatured, at least in name, as Ian Fleming’s villain. Sensing anti-semitism, he sued and was placated out of court with his costs, an agreement that ‘Auric’ always be used in front of the villain’s name, and half a dozen copies of the offending novel. Which didn’t stop a stream of pranksters telephoning him in silly voices when the film was released.Goldfinger was brought up in affluence on one of the faultlines of Europe. The family lived in Budapest and summered on the family estates in the southern Carpathians – which Patrick Leigh Fermor has called ‘the most resented frontier in Europe’. With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the onset of political and racial turmoil, the Goldfinger family moved to Vienna. In 1920, Ernö went to Paris, by then as a Polish national according to the territorial adjustments made in the Trianon Treaty.Initially interested in engineering (the family business was forestry and saw-mills), he began to consider architecture after coming across Hermann Muthesius’s Das Englische Haus (1904-05): English domestic architecture as observed by the German cultural attaché in London from 1896 onwards. In Muthesius’s pages, Arts and Crafts emerges as a style in which modernity and tradition, contemporary needs and vernacular skills sit effortlessly together. Goldfinger never forgot Muthesius’s insights, and fifty years later was still recommending the book.In Paris he enrolled as a student at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, in the atelier of Léon Jaussely. Lectures provided the theoretical basis for a rigidly academic architectural education, but the studio-based system allowed students to acquire practical skills and exposed them to different influences. Jaussely had translated the writings of the English architect and urbanist Raymond Unwin into French, and so once again the shadow of the Arts and Crafts movement fell across Goldfinger’s path.The next step is best told by Goldfinger himself, as quoted by Warburton:So there I was in the Beaux-Arts, I’d finished my second class and had two valeurs in premier class. And here came out this absolutely staggering book, unreadable, but fabulous: Vers une architecture. So all these things we were doing wasn’t really architecture. So said Corbusier. We are going towards an architecture . . . Not a new architecture, not an old architecture, just towards architecture.No slouch, Goldfinger approached the master to see if he would supervise their atelier. The response was that he didn’t teach but would pass the request on to Auguste Perret, his own former mentor. Flattered, Perret readily agreed and offered the students free studio space as well as his time and attention. He was that rare figure in Goldfinger’s life, a man whom he unreservedly admired: ‘Perret for me is logic.’ The pre-eminent expert in reinforced concrete structure, with a background in construction as well as design, Perret proved to be an inspirational figure: his hat sits in Goldfinger’s study at Willow Road.Paris in the 1920s gave Goldfinger the chance to observe the international avant garde at first hand. His own account, characteristically, places him centrally. He frequented the Dôme, the café where the tiny, deaf Adolf Loos (‘ornament is crime’) held court; he knew Man Ray and Lee Miller; Berthold Lubetkin lived in the same building; he was good friends with the photographers Andor Kertész and Bill Brandt as well as most of the leading painters and sculptors. But an enduring sense of his own superiority (as a child, after a poor exam result, he raged that ‘the imbecile failed me’) meant that he wasn’t prepared, as he put it, ‘to kowtow to Picasso’. Nor, when he began to work in partnership as an interior and furniture designer, and took on employees, was he any more generous-spirited. One young American who worked with him briefly, and in whom he had no interest (and of whom he had no memory), was John Cage.Goldfinger claimed to be a lifelong Marxist, but he never joined the Communist Party. In 1931, he met Ursula Blackwell, a woman of enormous resilience and wit who was then studying painting with Amédée Ozenfant. They married in 1933 and moved the following year from Paris to London, where he became more of a St James’s Marxist than a Hampstead socialist, his commanding frame set off with handmade shoes and expensive tailoring – Ursula had a substantial trust fund (from the Crosse and Blackwell empire). Soon after their meeting, he toyed with going to the USSR to build factories, and she unhesitatingly offered to go with him. Goldfinger was now caught up in the heat of mainstream European architectural Modernism, becoming the French secretary of the Congrès International d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM), but he was, in truth, a very junior figure on the wider scene.He took his time moving to England. Before he could marry Ursula he had a long-standing lover to get rid of, an office to close and a delightful life as a left-wing flâneur to turn his back on. He had already worked in London, in 1926, designing a radical glass and steel frontage for Helena Rubinstein’s salon in Mayfair. His first completed building after the move was a small, single-storey house at Broxted in Essex (surprisingly not mentioned by Pevsner in his Buildings of England but noted in the Essex Shell Guide). Although the remarkable garden made by his client, the painter Humphrey Waterfield, has gone, the house and surrounding landscape remain inextricably linked, reflecting Goldfinger’s view that ‘the most significant thing about a house is the view from within it.’Ursula, ahead in England while Goldfinger was cruising the Mediterranean with his colleagues at CIAM IV, surely the most luxurious architectural conference ever held, found herself in Grafton Street. ‘We passed Rubinstein’s today. I was all thrilled – as if I saw a bit of you.’ In 1936, he redesigned a shop and showroom on Wimpole Street for more appreciative clients (Rubinstein had refused to pay), Paul and Marjorie Abbatt, the pioneering educational toy manufacturers. The materials, abundant high-quality plywood and full-height glazing, as well as the subtlety of the scale and detail of the interiors, demonstrated Goldfinger’s increasingly sure touch. The store was designed to be highly visible from the street, with a set-back, sheltered entrance, allowing children to peer in without blocking the pavement or getting wet. The interior was mesmerising, bright and uncluttered.Willow Road, designed just after the Wimpole Street shop, shares many of the same qualities. There, as well as the clever plan and sure handling of colour and materials, his practical ingenuity is evident at every turn. A spare bed folds into a wall cupboard; shelves slide below the apron of the sitting-room floor; rooms are flexible with partitions and folding doors; skylights and louvres admit natural light into the darkest corners; tambour-fronted furniture allows cupboards to slide open; drawers and chair backs pivot. Goldfinger’s architectural apprenticeship in interiors and furniture design served him, and his now growing family, well.With Willow Road, Goldfinger staked his claim to serious attention. Financed by Ursula’s trust fund, with the aim of becoming self-financing through the sale or rent of the two ‘book-end’ houses, it was, compared to the startling bleached modernity of the nearby Isokon Flats or Maxwell Fry’s Sun House, a classic reinterpretation in brick and bold horizontal fenestration of the 18th or 19th-century London terrace. Despite his admiration for the Modernist housing exhibition outside Stuttgart, the Weissenhof, which he had visited in 1927, the realities of London and the development of his own mature style – which was far from being a blind pursuit of empty architectural rhetoric – led to a very different outcome.Goldfinger claimed that it was Loos who had taught him to value the formal elements and subtle proportions of the Georgian street, so hated by the Victorians but much celebrated by such overseas observers as Steen Eiler Rasmussen, whose London: The Unique City was published in English in 1937, not long before Willow Road was completed. Later, when designing for infill sites, Goldfinger remarked on the importance of what he termed ‘urban decency’, that sense of propriety which he felt glass curtain walled buildings didn’t, and couldn’t, possess. Vividly, he compared them to the stocking masks worn by bandits.War lost Goldfinger, like many of his generation, his architectural moment. His application for British nationality went in just too late and he narrowly avoided internment (while Ursula frustratingly found herself Polish for the purposes of the war effort). In a curious limbo, he rented his office to a gaggle of Surrealists who made up the Industrial Camouflaging Unit, a set-up of artists involved in farcical efforts to disguise factories from enemy aircraft. With Goldfinger they gained a lucrative commission or two, apparently without any supervision from the officials who’d dreamed it up.In wartime his experience in exhibition design and his political views came together, in several establishment initiatives to promote Anglo-Soviet friendship. Twenty-Five Years of Soviet Progress was designed by Goldfinger and shown at the Wallace Collection. It was opened by the president of the Royal Academy, Edwin Lutyens, and led to friendship and regular lunches. Unable to build, Goldfinger also became a prolific writer (although he failed to complete almost all of the books he began), expanding on his architectural credo and restating some well-established ideas. Architecture sprang from three factors: ‘functional needs (why it was made)’, ‘constructional means (the available technological resources)’ and ‘emotional effect (how it is experienced)’ – or, commodity, firmness and delight.One book that he did complete was the popular Penguin edition of the County of London Plan, ‘explained’ by Goldfinger and the RIBA librarian, Bobby Carter. Illustrated with Bill Brandt’s photographs, the book offered a lively interpretation of postwar plans for London, combining social and civic aspirations to impressive effect. And the first signs of a postwar upsurge in building found him ready and willing. His extensive refurbishment of the Daily Worker building on Farringdon Road announced his presence and his politics – although he omitted the name of the client from his CV. An atheist, Goldfinger did not forget he was a Jew: his dislike of Berthold Lubetkin, his neighbour in Paris and fellow émigré to London, may have had roots in professional jealousy, but it was intensified by the knowledge that Lubetkin had continually dissembled about his Jewish background, even to his own family.Work began to come in: commissions for schools, offices and housing, as well as the inevitable promising projects scuppered by cautious planners. As one of the few unashamedly Modernist practices, Goldfinger’s office readily attracted young architects, but was blighted by his explosive temperament. An employee who arrived in early 1955 and left before the year was out discovered he was the 26th to leave in two years. Goldfinger even fired a man who was waiting in the office to have lunch with one of his assistants. He drove his builders relentlessly and was no more amenable with his clients.A commission from a small housing society produced a discreet block of flats for ten families on a bomb site in Regent’s Park Road, again attesting to his understanding of the rhythms and fabric of a London street. A svelte office block on Albemarle Street proved, with its projections and recesses, that he could manipulate the surface planes of a terrace every bit as convincingly as Georgian builders. Yet when he applied similar motifs to a dense cluster development, the misbegotten office towers at the Elephant and Castle, the notes did not play the same tune.It was not until the mid-1960s, twenty years after the end of the war and thirty since he had arrived in England, that Goldfinger finally gained his longed for commissions for large-scale public housing. The first, Balfron Tower in Tower Hamlets, was opened just three months before the Ronan Point explosion, which was the death knell for system-built housing. Balfron Tower, and its twin, Trellick Tower in West London, were conventionally constructed, but had detached circulation towers joined by walkways to the main body of the buildings; sheer concrete and slit-like apertures set a harsh tone. The aesthetic of the towers was forbidding in the extreme, a far cry from the polite Modernism of Willow Road or Albemarle Street, as far as the Smithsons’ Bethnal Green housing was from their urbane Economist Building in St James’s. The Goldfingers’ decision to live in Balfron Tower themselves for two months was a brilliant move: it endeared them (Ursula in particular, who noted down everything) to ‘my tenants’, as Goldfinger called them; it was excellent publicity for his beleaguered profession; and it made him something of a hero to a generation of progressively minded architectural students. But it was just a honeymoon.Notions of streets in the sky, massive concrete vertical or horizontal fortresses, quickly fell victim to the realities of bad housing management and maintenance, rising crime and lack of security – not to mention the growing distaste for the sweeping redevelopment of residential areas. After Ronan Point would come Broadwater Farm. Policy came to be dictated by drama and virulent reaction. Those who had ventured into housing – Peter and Alison Smithson, Denys Lasdun and Goldfinger, the ‘angry brigade’ of architecture – took far more than their fair share of the blame. And who could have guessed that ‘right to buy’ legislation would soon give the better London tower blocks another chance – while also draining the public estate of affordable housing? Since the early 1990s, a new generation has come to live in Trellick Tower and its peers, secure and comfortable, but this time they are residents by choice.At 2 Willow Road, where Goldfinger’s mother came to live with his family until her death at the age of 101, in a room filled with ornate Austro-Hungarian furniture, the mutability of life, politics, fortunes and society must have offered her son endless food for thought. Faced with so much unpredictability, small wonder that on many occasions he gave vent to the frustration and anger by which he is all too often remembered. Vol. 26 No. 7 · 1 April 2004 » Gillian Darley » Don’t teach me

LTU professor leads Detroit international design contest An international competition for conceptual designs for Hart Plaza, a park on Detroit’s waterfront, was chaired by Associate Professor Joongsub Kim, the director of Lawrence Technological University’s Detroit Studio. This Riverfront Competition was held by the Urban Priorities Committee of AIA Detroit, the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The competition had 400 registrants representing 46 countries and 29 states. There were 167 entries from around the world. “The riverfront is one of Detroit’s greatest and most underutilized assets. Creating a dialogue about design and the riverfront was one of our key objectives in hosting the Riverfront Competition,” Kim explained. The winning entry from Atelier WHY, which has offices in both New York and South Korea, envisions a riverfront forest with many features to bring in people. The second place winner from Matthew Edward Getch of London, England, proposes boardwalks and water features along the city’s waterfront. The jury panel consisted of Faye Alexander Nelson, president and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy; Reed Kroloff, director of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Museum; California designer Walter Hood; and Toronto architect Lola Sheppard. There was a wide range of visions for the waterfront. One proposal would extend the river into the city through canals, ponds and lakes, while another proposal would extend the city out into the river with man-made islands. The jury stated that all the entries can be catalysts for a continued conversation of the possibilities for public interest design, according to Kim. “Our goal is to look for big ideas that might transform the city and its relationship to the international waterfront. Submissions are intended to create a dialogue and to inspire citizens, community organizations, and lawmakers,” Kim said. “The competition is to challenge people to think creatively about what is possible.” More than 400 people attended a symposium on the competition that was held at the Detroit Institute of Arts on Dec. 4. As chair, Kim opened and closed the program, which was moderated by John Gallagher of the Detroit Free Press. In his role as director of the Detroit Studio, Kim also leads the Good Deeds, Good Design Group in Detroit [gD]3, a group of volunteer designers who seek to improve the built environment in collaboration with socially responsive design projects. One of the group’s projects is Public Interest Design Practices and Research (PIDPR), which looks for innovative uses of architecture to empower and assist disadvantaged groups around the world. Recently Kim led the PIDPR international competition, which challenges students and professionals to develop architectural models that expand the traditional boundaries of architecture while engaging both local stakeholders and a worldwide audience. Bryan Bell, founder and executive director of Design Corps in Raleigh, NC, and a leader of the public interest design movement, was the primary juror. Kim moderated a PIDPR symposium held at LTU on Nov. 28. Joining Bell on the symposium panel were Gina Reichert, co-founder of Design 99 in Detroit, and Scott Shall, chair of LTU’s Department of Architecture and founding director of the International Design Clinic.

Whooping cough hit Minnesota hard in 2012 Wed Dec 26, 2012, 12:24 PM CST — The whooping cough hit Minnesota residents hard this year — with the biggest number of cases since World War II. More than 4,300 Minnesota residents had confirmed, probable or suspected cases of the respiratory infection called pertussis this year, according to Minnesota Public Radio News ( ). There were 661 in 2011. The numbers reflect a national increase in cases. "I can tell you that our epidemiologists are exhausted," said Kris Ehresmann, director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the Minnesota Department of Health. "We're getting 20-plus reports a day of pertussis." Experts say the reason for the high number is a redesigned vaccine that was introduced in 1991 to reduce the side effects. Patsy Stinchfield, director of pediatric infectious disease services for Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, said the vaccine's protection doesn't last as long. "It's evolutionary," Stinchfield said. "You have to sort of watch how it evolves. You make a change to a vaccine in the '90s and you evaluate it a decade later." Immunity begins to wane around three years after vaccination, Ehresmann said. So by the time fully immunized kids reach adolescence, they have very little protection left. "My hope is that with some changes in the immunization recommendations that this won't continue to be the new normal," Ehresmann said. There is a booster vaccine available for people aged 10 years and older. Before the first pertussis vaccine became available in the United States in 1943, Minnesota had as many as 5,000 cases some years. One of the Minnesotans affected in 2012 was now 3-month-old Heather Chasse. Her mother, Rachel, said she took her daughter into the clinic with a severe cough when she was 2-weeks old. Rachel was waiting in an exam room when her daughter had a particularly bad coughing episode and had trouble breathing.

About Medieval Lighting December 26th, 2012 The fine historical novelist Elizabeth Chadwick has posted an excellent essay about medieval lighting on her site. I have very little to add to that except that once upon a time, in the interest of research, I lived by candlelight every evening after supper for quite a few evenings. I had the advantage of good candles, which many ordinary medieval people did not have, but the experience was still extremely useful. The room became full of soft shadows beyond the gentle, rich, golden glow of the candles. As few as three slender candles provided enough light by which to read, and – here is a point I came to cherish – I found myself relaxing in the candlelight, easing out of the day’s tensions far more easily than usual, so that I went to bed much earlier than was my wont and sleeping very well. Added to that, I am now far more appreciative when I flip a switch and simply get all the electric light I want. There is nothing like research to help you enjoy the commonplaces of the 21st century. Filed under: Miscellaneous | Comment (0) Happy St. Frideswide’s Day! October 19th, 2012 Happy St. Frideswide’s Day. We may be the only people remembering it outside of Oxford, England, so we’ll just have to party all the harder on her behalf, right? For those who have wondered where Frevisse’s unusual name came from, it’s the French version of Frideswide. Frideswide seems to have been effectively unknown outside the English Midlands, except for a single church dedicated to her in France as St. Frevisse. Frevisse’s wandering parents may have been just a touch homesick when their daughter was born in France and gave her a name that reminded them of home. So I am never over-sensitive about how a reader may choose to pronounce Frevisse’s name. There is the French version, the English version, the dialect version from some particular part of England — or of France, come to that — and far be it from me to claim there’s only one true way to say it. Knowing Frevisse, I’m sure she responds to all of them with equal ease. It’s St. Etheldreda I feel sorry for. An Anglo-Saxon princess (like St. Frideswide), her name degenerated over the centuries to Audrey and then to the adjective tawdry. Frideswide may be pronounced “Fryswyd” today, but at least she hasn’t become an adjective. That I know of, anyway. Filed under: Miscellaneous | Comments (2) St. Margaret of Antioch and the Devil September 18th, 2012 The story goes thusly: Margaret of Antioch was a beautiful virgin who became a Christian in the days when persecuting Christians was fashionable among the Romans. For repelling the advances of a Roman official, she was arrested and put to many torments. During this time she was cast into a dungeon where the Devil himself came to persecute her. It is said he appeared as a dragon and finally, annoyed at her refusal to be terrified, he swallowed her whole. Then, either because she was holding a cross or made the sign of the cross, the dragon’s body split open and Margaret emerged unharmed. Of course she was eventually martyred — by beheading in her case — and became a saint and – of all things — the patron of women in childbirth. (The way that, say, St. Laurence who was martyred on a grill over a fire is the patron saint of cooks; or St. Apollonia who was battered with stones and had her teeth knocked out is the patron saint of dentists.) St. Margaret often appears in medieval art. If your see a graceful young woman portrayed with a dragon — sometimes emerging from his belly, sometimes leading him by a collar around his neck and a chain – that will probably be St. Margaret. But I am not sharing her story out of piety. My real purpose is to share this picture: To share this picture and show the sort of wicked humor medieval people were comfortable with in their religion and because every time I see it — the look on the dragon’s face, with his “victim’s” skirt still trailing out of the his mouth as she rises out of his stomach – I laugh out loud. But more than just the humor, this illustrates another of the reasons that I can never stop researching. If I hadn’t studied saints as a way to better understand the medieval world view, I wouldn’t know St. Margaret of Antioch’s story, and this picture would be simply something to frown over in blank puzzlement at what it was all about. The medieval world is not ours, and if we don’t know what we’re looking at in their context, much of the richness of the medieval world escapes us. Pictures and other artwork were often layered with meanings no longer readily grasped but understood almost automatically in medieval times. Decades ago I stood on the green before the west front of Wells Cathedral, able to do little more that say, “Wow. Look at all those statues.” A few years ago I stood there again and found myself automatically starting to “read” that west front like some giant book. After all my years of research, trying to learn to “think medievally”, the iconography that went with each statue and even where they were positioned on the cathedral’s front were layered with meanings for me. It was a vastly exciting experience, not least because I hadn’t come there intending to read it. Without thinking about it, I simply, automatically, started to, just as a medieval person would have. Which I suppose explains a lot about my occasional disorientation with the 21st century? August 29th, 2012 In men as men of course she took no interest; no heed at all if possible. But today an important man was visiting. Word had run along with the order for the honey cakes that it was Thomas Chaucer who was come to Frideswide’s today, and even Thomasine in her determined unworldliness knew of Thomas Chaucer. Like the weather, he was a common topic of conversation in Oxfordshire, both because of who he was and how he had come to it. His father had been a poet and a customs officer, his mother the daughter of a very minor knight, but Thomas Chaucer, so the rumors insisted, was one of the richest and most powerful commoners in England. So powerful he could resign of his own will from the King’s Council though he had been asked to stay; rich enough, it was said, that his purse-proud, wool-merchanting cousin, the Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, was pleased to ask his advice. So it was vaguely unsettling to see him sitting at ease in Domina Edith’s familiar parlor, looking hardly different from the way Thomasine remembered her father: A middle-aged gentleman with well-grayed hair and pleasant face, tanned with sun, moderately lined around the eyes and across the forehead; dressed in a green wool houpelande to his knees, split front and back for ease of riding, with lamb’s wool budge at its cuffs and collar, his hood with its trailing liripipe laid to one side out of respect for Domina Edith and the warmth of the day. He wore a large ring on either hand but no gold chains or other jewels, and his high riding boots were only boots so far as Thomasine could tell, knowing nothing of cordovan leather or how much effort it might have taken to fit them so skillfully to the curve of his leg… Here is an example of how – in my early books – I was still working toward a better grasp of the vocabulary of the time. As I accurately knew, “cordovan” refers to a high-quality, expensive leather first made in Spain by the Moors of Cordoba and used for particularly fine leather goods. So far, so good, except at the time I wrote The Novice’s Tale, I had not yet developed a sufficiently questioning “ear”, and so accepted “cordovan” at face value, when I might instead had the fun of tracking down its correct history. It seems that this fine Spanish leather – made from tanned and dressed goat skins or, later, often of split horsehides, and used for a variety of items but particularly for shoes, “especially by the higher classes during the Middle Ages,” as the Oxford English Dictionary says – would not have been called “cordovan” at all in medieval England, but “cordwain”. (Hence, the reason shoemakers of the time, and later, were called “cordwainers”.) The word “cordovan” only came into use in England in the 1500s. Still, looking back, I suspect that even had I learned that cordwain was correct, I might very possibly have stayed with cordovan. Fond though I am of using words correct to the period, I do not want to unnecessarily confuse readers simply for the sake of showing off my attempted erudition. The odds are that the phrase “cordovan leather” sufficiently conveys a sense of richness without a reader having to pause in thought over it. “Cordwain leather”, on the other hand, would more likely give pause, jarring a reader out of the flow of the story. If the leather itself had been a major point in the plot, the scrupulously correct word and the accompanying necessary explanation of what it meant would be justified, but in this case I was attempting to convey an impression of wealth, not begin a discussion of international trade and the leather industry. So, very probably, “cordovan” it would have stayed, even had I known better.

U.S. Customs Inspectors Deployed to Rotterdam U.S. Customs Commissioner Robert C. Bonner announced the deployment of the first team of U.S. Customs officers reporting for duty at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, as part of the Container Security Initiative (CSI). This is the first time in the 213-year history of the U.S. Customs Service that inspectors will be assigned outside of North America to target and screen cargo before being shipped to the United States. The Netherlands was first in Europe to sign an agreement with U.S. Customs to participate in CSI. Commissioner Bonner’s policy address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) focused on trade, borders, and homeland security one year after 9/11. Bonner reported on the progress U.S. Customs has made in negotiating agreements with major trading partners under CSI, which was launched in January 2002. "These partnerships not only make our nations safer, but make the entire global trading system safer as well," Commissioner Bonner said. Under the terms of the CSI, U.S. Customs inspectors will be assigned to the Port of Rotterdam where they will use U.S. Customs automated systems to identify potentially high-risk containers bound for the United States, containers that pose a terrorist threat. Once identified, Dutch Customs officials will take the lead in screening these containers to ensure that terrorists or weapons of terror are not contained within them. CSI is a plan to secure an indispensable, but vulnerable link in the chain of global trade: containerized shipping. The initiative supports the "Cooperative G8 Action on Transport Security," adopted by the 8 most important industrialized nations (G8) at their Kananaskis, Canada, meeting on June 26, 2002. Some 200 million sea cargo containers move annually to and through ports around the world, and nearly 50 percent of the value of all U.S. imports arrives via sea cargo containers every year. Since approximately 68 percent of the 5.7 million sea containers entering the U.S. annually arrive from 20 foreign seaports, U.S. Customs is initially focusing on these "mega" ports as chokepoints in the global trading system. In addition to the European ports, U.S. Customs and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency exchanged inspectors at select seaports in March to target and pre-screen containers bound for each nation. In addition to Canada, with whom Customs pioneered the CSI concept, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and German have signed agreements with U.S. Customs to implement CSI at the Ports of Rotterdam, Le Havre, Antwerp, Bremerhaven, and Hamburg. Singapore has also indicated that it will participate in CSI. These are 6 of the top 20 ports that ship to the United States. CSI will be fully operational in Rotterdam by September 2. Commissioner Bonner said that he expects CSI to be fully operational in Le Havre, Antwerp, Bremerhaven and Hamburg in the next few months. The U.S. Customs Service is currently in discussions with several other nations, including countries in Europe and Asia, about forming additional partnerships under CSI. "CSI’s momentum grows stronger everyday," Commissioner Bonner said. "I expect that we will be signing agreements with several other governments with many more of the world’s major ports in the next few weeks." Commissioner Bonner outlined the four core elements of CSI: establish security criteria to identify high-risk containers, prescreen those containers identified as high-risk before they arrive at U.S. ports, use technology to quickly prescreen high-risk containers, develop and use smarter, more secure containers. Commissioner Bonner also provided a progress report on American business taking greater responsibility for security under the Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT). In the four months since Customs launched C-TPAT, over 300 companies have singed up to participate in C-TPAT.

EARLY LEARNING BRANCH OVERVIEWA growing body of research shows that the first years in a child's life are the foundation for school success. Actions taken before children enter kindergarten affect their abilities to thrive during the elementary school years and beyond. The Early Learning Branch of MSDE's Division Early Childhood Development (DECD) oversees the following early childhood programs and initiatives, which promote best practices in early pedagogy and support Maryland's school reform efforts to help ensure that all of Maryland's youngest citizens will be successful in school and in life.Click here for the 2012-2013 School Readiness Report.Click on the links below for program-specific information. NEW! The MSDE Division of Early Childhood Development has completed the new Social Foundations Framework. This will replace the Personal Social Domain found in the MMSR Framework. Click here to view the standards. Maryland Model for School ReadinessEnhancing School Readiness for all Children in MarylandThe Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR) is a research-based assessment and instructional system designed to provide teachers, families, and the early childhood community with a common understanding of what children know and are able to do upon entering kindergarten. All kindergarten children are assessed in the fall of their kindergarten year to determine their level of readiness across seven domains. This assessment reflects the ability of each child to demonstrate skills, knowledge, behaviors, and interests that are indicators of future school success. The Early Learning Office coordinates and monitors the implementation of the MMSR at the local school level, provides professional development and technical assistance to the early childhood community, and analyzes and publishes the MMSR assessment results.Click here for an MMSR School Readiness PowerPoint presentation.Public Prekindergarten/Kindergarten ProgramsMaryland's prekindergarten program (Pre-K) is a state-funded program for four year-old children who are from families that are economically disadvantaged or homeless. The over-all goal of the Pre-K program is to provide learning experiences that help children develop and maintain the basic skills necessary to be successful in school. The Early Learning Branch monitors and helps coordinate the local school system Pre-K Program and provides support for public pre-K initiatives. Maryland's public schools provide a full day kindergarten program for children who are 5 years of age on or before September 1st of the year in which the child enrolls in school. Judith P. Hoyer Program and Judy CentersThe Judith P. Hoyer Early Child Care and Education Enhancement Program is a statewide effort to help young children enter school ready to learn. Judith P. Hoyer Early Child Care and Family Education Centers ("Judy Centers") provide a central location for early childhood education programs and support services for children birth through Kindergarten and their families who reside in specific Title I school districts across the state of Maryland. Judith P. Hoyer Enhancement Grants are provided to expand and improve the range of community-based school readiness services. The Early Learning Branch monitors and coordinates the growth of Judy Centers and oversees the distribution and use of enhancement grant funds.

Diseases and ConditionsPhantom pain Phantom pain is pain that feels like it's coming from a body part that's no longer there. Doctors once believed this post-amputation phenomenon was a psychological problem, but experts now recognize that these real sensations originate in the spinal cord and brain. Although phantom pain occurs most often in people who've had an arm or leg removed, the disorder may also occur after surgeries to remove other body parts, such as the breast, penis, eye or tongue. For some people, phantom pain gets better over time without treatment. For others, managing phantom pain can be challenging. You and your doctor can work together to treat phantom pain effectively with medication or other therapies. Most people who've had a limb removed report that it sometimes feels as if their amputated limb is still there. This painless phenomenon, known as phantom limb sensation, can also occur in people who were born without limbs. Phantom limb sensations may include feelings of coldness, warmth or itchiness or tingling — but should not be confused with phantom pain. Similarly, pain from the remaining stump of an amputated limb is not phantom pain. By definition, phantom pain feels as if it comes from a body part that no longer remains. Characteristics of phantom pain include: Onset within the first few days of amputation Tendency to come and go rather than be constant Usually affects the part of the limb farthest from the body, such as the foot of an amputated leg May be described as shooting, stabbing, boring, squeezing, throbbing or burning Sometimes feels as if the phantom part is forced into an uncomfortable position May be triggered by weather changes, pressure on the remaining part of the limb or emotional stress The exact cause of phantom pain is unclear, but it appears to originate in the spinal cord and brain. During imaging scans — such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) — portions of the brain that had been neurologically connected to the nerves of the amputated limb show activity when the person feels phantom pain. Many experts believe phantom pain may be at least partially explained as a response to mixed signals from the brain. After an amputation, areas of the spinal cord and brain lose input from the missing limb and adjust to this detachment in unpredictable ways. The result can trigger the body's most basic message that something is not right: pain. Studies also show that, after an amputation, the brain may remap that part of the body's sensory circuitry to another part of the body. In other words, because the amputated area is no longer able to receive sensory information, the information is referred elsewhere — from a missing hand to a still-present cheek, for example. So when the cheek is touched, it's as though the missing hand also is being touched. Because this is yet another version of tangled sensory wires, the result can be pain. A number of other factors are believed to contribute to phantom pain, including damaged nerve endings, scar tissue at the site of the amputation and the physical memory of pre-amputation pain in the affected area. It's still unknown why some people develop phantom pain after an amputation while others do not. Some factors that may increase your risk of phantom pain include: Pain before amputation. Some researchers have found that people who had pain in a limb before amputation are likely to have it afterward, especially immediately after amputation. This may be because the brain holds on to the memory of the pain and keeps sending pain signals, even after the limb is removed. Stump pain. People who have persistent stump pain usually have phantom pain, too. Stump pain can be caused by an abnormal growth on damaged nerve endings (neuroma) that often results in painful nerve activity. Poor-fitting artificial limb (prosthesis). Talk to your doctor to be sure you're putting your artificial limb on correctly and that it fits properly. If you think your artificial limb may not fit properly, or is causing pain, talk to your doctor. Because phantom sensation and phantom pain are common after an amputation, it's likely your doctor will ask you about these symptoms during follow-up visits after your surgery. If you develop pain from the amputated limb before your doctor raises the issue, call your doctor. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and on your response to initial treatments, your doctor may refer you to a specialized pain center. What you can do Write down your symptoms, including when you first noticed them and how often they occur. Also note whether anything in particular seems to trigger phantom pain. Make a list of your key medical information, including any other conditions with which you've been diagnosed and the names of any medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking. Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to recall all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For phantom pain, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: What pain relief therapies do you recommend? If you're prescribing medications, what are the possible side effects? Is there any risk of becoming dependent on or addicted to these drugs? Given that I have these other health conditions, how can I best manage them together? Are the treatments you're suggesting likely to be covered by insurance? Am I a candidate for clinical trials? Should I see a specialist? In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask any other questions that arise. Although there's no medical test to diagnose phantom pain, doctors can identify the condition by collecting information about your symptoms and the circumstances (such as trauma or surgery) that occurred before the pain started. Describing your pain precisely can help your doctor pinpoint your problem. Even though it's common to have phantom pain and stump pain at the same time, treatments for these two problems may differ. Finding a treatment to relieve your phantom pain can be difficult. Doctors usually begin with medications and then may add noninvasive therapies, such as acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). More-invasive options include injections or implanted devices. Surgery is done only as a last resort. Medications Although no medications specifically for phantom pain exist, some drugs designed to treat other conditions have been helpful in relieving nerve pain. No single drug works for everyone, and not everyone benefits from medications. You may need to try different medications to find one that works for you. Medications used in the treatment of phantom pain include: Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants often can relieve the pain caused by damaged nerves. Examples include amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Pamelor). These drugs work by modifying chemical messengers that relay pain signals. Antidepressants may also help you sleep, which can make you feel better. Possible side effects include sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, and a decrease in sexual performance or desire. Anticonvulsants. Epilepsy drugs — such as gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), and carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) — are often used to treat nerve pain. They work by quieting damaged nerves to slow or prevent uncontrolled pain signals. Side effects may include depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, irritability, and allergic reactions such as hives, fever and swelling. Narcotics. Opioid medications, such as codeine and morphine, may be an option for some people. Taken in appropriate doses under your doctor's direction, they may help control phantom pain. However, you may not be able to take them if you have a history of substance abuse. Even if you don't have a history of substance abuse, these drugs can cause many side effects, including constipation, nausea, vomiting or sedation. Noninvasive therapies As with medications, treating phantom pain with noninvasive therapies is a matter of trial and observation. The following techniques may relieve phantom pain: Nerve stimulation. In a procedure called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a device sends a weak electrical current via adhesive patches on the skin near the area of pain. This may interrupt or mask pain signals, preventing them from reaching your brain. Used properly, TENS is safe. To avoid an unintentional shock, don't wear a TENS device in the shower or tub or turn it up too high. Electric artificial limb. A type of artificial limb called a myoelectric prosthesis has motors controlled by electrical signals that occur during voluntary muscle activation in the remaining limb. Using a myoelectric prosthesis may reduce phantom pain. Mirror box. This device contains mirrors that make it look like an amputated limb exists. The mirror box has two openings — one for the intact limb and one for the stump. The person then performs symmetrical exercises, while watching the intact limb move and imagining that he or she is actually observing the missing limb moving. Studies have found that this exercise helps relieve phantom pain in a significant number of people. Acupuncture. The National Institutes of Health has found that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for some types of chronic pain. In acupuncture, the practitioner inserts extremely fine, sterilized stainless steel needles into the skin at specific points on the body. It's thought that acupuncture stimulates your central nervous system to release the body's natural pain-relieving endorphins. Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed correctly. Minimally invasive therapies Injection. Sometimes injecting pain-killing medications — local anesthetics, steroids or both — into the stump can provide relief of phantom limb pain. Spinal cord stimulation. Your doctor inserts tiny electrodes along your spinal cord. A small electrical current delivered to the spinal cord can sometimes relieve pain. Intrathecal delivery system. This procedure allows medication to be delivered directly into the spinal fluid. Much lower doses of medication are needed with this route of delivery. It can be useful for people who experience pain relief with oral medications, but who can't tolerate the side effects. Surgery Surgery may be an option if other treatments haven't helped. Surgical options include: Brain stimulation. Deep brain stimulation and motor cortex stimulation are similar to spinal cord stimulation except that the current is delivered within the brain. A surgeon uses a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to position the electrodes correctly. Although the data are still limited, brain stimulation appears to be a promising option in selected individuals. Stump revision or neurectomy. If phantom pain is triggered by nerve irritation in the stump, surgical resection or revision can sometimes be helpful. But cutting nerves also carries the risk of making the pain worse. On the horizon Newer approaches to relieve phantom pain include virtual reality goggles. The computer program for the goggles mirrors the person's intact limb, so it looks like there's been no amputation. The person then moves his or her virtual limb around to accomplish various tasks, such as batting away a ball hanging in midair. Although this technique has been tested on only a few people, it appears to help relieve phantom pain. You may not have control over whether you develop phantom pain after surgery, but you can reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life. One or more of these approaches may help you get through a flare-up of phantom pain: Look for distractions. Find activities that take your focus off the pain, such as reading or listening to music. Stay physically active. Get your exercise by doing activities that you enjoy, such as gardening, walking, swimming or cycling. Take your medications. Follow your doctor's directions in taking prescribed and over-the-counter pain medications. If you try herbal and other alternative medications, be sure to tell your doctor. Find ways to relax. Practice activities that reduce your emotional and muscular tension. Take a warm bath — not too hot, as heat may aggravate the pain. Lie down and follow helpful relaxation techniques, such as rhythmic breathing, meditation or visualization. Seek the support of other people. Find ways to get closer to others. Call friends, or join a support group or a group involved in your favorite hobby. Take care of your stump. Removing or putting on your prosthesis, massaging the stump, and applying TENS, cold or heat may reduce the pain. Remember that managing phantom pain can make a big difference in how you feel. If one approach doesn't provide relief, try something else rather than give up.Learning to live without a limb, especially if you have phantom pain, can be challenging. Depression often accompanies pain. You may find it helpful to talk to a counselor or therapist. Or, an in-person or online support group can put you in touch with others who know what you're going through. To find support, ask your doctor for a referral, either to a counselor or to a support group. You also can contact the Amputee Coalition at www.amputee-coalition.org for information on its National Peer Network, which can put you in touch with a variety of support services, including its Peer Visitor Program. This program can connect you with someone who's been in your place and can talk to you about healing, share his or her experiences and offer advice. Because the risk of developing phantom pain is higher for people who have experienced pain in the limb before amputation, some doctors recommend regional anesthesia (spinal or epidural) in the few hours or days leading up to amputation. This may reduce pain immediately following surgery and reduce the risk of lasting phantom limb pain. Two drugs have shown promise in preventing phantom pain: Calcitonin (Miacalcin). Researchers aren't sure why calcitonin — a hormone produced by the body that slows the rate at which your body breaks down bone — provides pain relief. You may receive this drug directly into a vein (intravenously) during the week after amputation. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting and allergic reactions, including rashes, abdominal pain and swelling. Ketamine (Ketalar). This anesthetic drug is sometimes given after surgery to help prevent phantom pain. Its side effects can include sedation, hallucinations and delirium. References Pain: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. . Accessed Aug. 11, 2011. Weeks SR, et al. Phantom limb pain: Theories and therapies. The Neurologist. 2010;16:277. Rothgangel AS, et al. The clinical aspects of mirror therapy in rehabilitation: A systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 2011;34:1. Portenoy RK, et al. Overview of cancer pain syndromes. . Accessed Aug. 1, 2011. Phantom pain: An update. Amputee Coalition. http://www.amputee-coalition.org/communicator/vol3no1pg3.html. Accessed Aug. 11, 2011. McNutt S. New paths in phantom limb pain treatment. Amputee Coalition of America. . Accessed Aug. 11, 2011. Casale R, et al. Phantom limb related phenomena and their rehabilitation after lower limb amputation. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2009;45:559. Viswanathan A, et al. Use of spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of phantom limb pain: Case series and review of the literature. Pain Practice. 2010;10:479. Ramchandran K, et al. Fast facts and concepts: Phantom limb pain #212. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2010;13:1285. Treatment options: A guide for people living with pain. American Pain Foundation. http://www.painfoundation.org/learn/publications/treatment-options.html. Accessed Aug. 14, 2011. Acupuncture for pain. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/acupuncture-for-pain.htm. Accessed Aug. 11, 2011. Oct. 27, 2011Original article:

It's not clear why most spinal tumors develop. Experts suspect that defective genes play a role, although it's usually not known whether such genetic defects are inherited, occur spontaneously or are caused by something in the environment, such as exposure to certain chemicals. In some cases, however, spinal tumors are linked to known inherited syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis 2 and von Hippel-Lindau disease. The parts of your spine that are likely to be affected by a spinal tumor include the: Vertebrae. Your spine is made up of small bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of one another that enclose and protect the spinal cord and its nerve roots. Spinal cord. Your spinal cord is a double-layered, long column of nerve fibers that carries messages to and from your brain. Wrapped around the entire spinal cord are three protective membranes (meninges). Types of spinal tumors Spinal tumors are classified according to their location in the spine. Extradural (vertebral) tumors. Most tumors that affect the vertebrae have spread (metastasized) to the spine from another site in the body — often the prostate, breast, lung or kidney. Although the original (primary) cancer is usually diagnosed before back problems develop, back pain may be the first symptom of disease in people with metastatic spinal tumors. Cancerous tumors that begin in the bones of the spine are far less common. Among these are osteosarcomas (osteogenic sarcomas) and Ewing's sarcoma, a particularly aggressive tumor that affects young adults. Multiple myeloma is a cancerous disease of the bone marrow — the spongy inner part of the bone that makes blood cells. Noncancerous tumors, such as osteoid osteomas, osteoblastomas and hemangiomas, also can develop in the bones of the spine. Intradural-extramedullary tumors. These tumors develop in the spinal cord's arachnoid membrane (meningiomas) and in the nerve roots that extend out from the spinal cord (schwannomas and neurofibromas). These tumors may be cancerous or noncancerous. Intramedullary tumors. These tumors begin in the supporting cells within the spinal cord. Most are either astrocytomas or ependymomas. Intramedullary tumors can be either noncancerous or cancerous. In rare cases, tumors from other parts of the body can metastasize to the spinal cord itself. SymptomsRisk factors

Diseases and ConditionsStress incontinence BasicsDefinitionSymptomsCausesRisk factorsComplicationsPreparing for your appointmentTests and diagnosisTreatments and drugsLifestyle and home remediesCoping and supportIn-DepthExpert BlogMultimediaResourcesNews From Mayo Clinic Urinary incontinence is the unintentional loss of urine. Stress incontinence is prompted by a physical movement or activity — such as coughing, sneezing, running or heavy lifting — that puts pressure (stress) on your bladder. Stress incontinence is not related to psychological stress. Stress incontinence is also different from urge incontinence, which is the unintentional loss of urine caused by the bladder muscle contracting, usually associated with a sense of urgency. Stress incontinence is much more common in women than men. If you have stress incontinence, you may feel embarrassed, isolate yourself, or limit your work and social life, especially exercise and leisure activities. With treatment, you'll likely be able to manage stress incontinence and improve your overall well-being. Symptoms Clemens JQ. Urinary incontinence in men. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013. DuBeau CE. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013. DuBeau CE. Epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013. DuBeau CE. Treatment of urinary incontinence. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013. Urinary incontinence. WomensHealth.gov. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/urinary-incontinence.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013. Urinary incontinence in women. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uiwomen/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013. Bladder and bowel health. National Association for Continence. http://www.nafc.org/. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013. Urinary incontinence in men. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uimen/index.aspx. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013. Frequently asked questions. Gynecological problems FAQ081. Urinary incontinence. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq081.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20121218T1703471630. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013. Loss of bladder control. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/ucm118544.htm. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013. Frequently asked questions. Gynecological problems FAQ166. Surgery for stress urinary incontinence. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq166.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130102T2043435319. Accessed Jan. 2, 2013. Hayder D. The effects of urinary incontinence on sexuality: Seeking an intimate partnership. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing. 2012;39:539. Petrou SP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Jan. 28, 2013. Lightner DT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 21, 2013. Products and ServicesBook: Mayo Clinic on Healthy AgingBook: Mayo Clinic on Managing Incontinence, Second Edition See alsoPostpartum care: After a vaginal deliveryUrinalysisBladder control problems in women: Seek treatmentBladder control problemsAdult bed-wetting: A concern?Urinary incontinenceBladder control problemsUrinary incontinence surgeryUrinary incontinence: Incontinence products to help keep you dryShow moreShow less Stress incontinence

Information | Headlines | News @ McDaniel professor-wins-grant-to-support-mathematics-education1 January 26, 2009 McDaniel College has renewed its graduate program for elementary mathematics teacher leadership and formed a national clearinghouse for mathematics specialist programs, partially funded through a multi-year grant from the Brookhill Foundation.The $400,000 grant will also support program initiatives to ensure the continuing professional development and mentoring of a cadre of mathematics teacher-leaders and elementary school mathematics specialists, and assess the impact of such teaching specialists on student achievement and school district improvement throughout the region.Francis “Skip” Fennell, professor of Education at McDaniel and immediate past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, will direct the masters-level program and oversee a major national study to measure the impact elementary mathematics specialists and teacher leaders have on student learning.“We need elementary school mathematics specialists, elementary classroom teachers who know and understand mathematics and can effectively mentor their colleagues,” says Fennell, who in 2000 served as chair of the Maryland Department of Education’s (MSDE) Mathematics Commission on “Keys to Math Success.” The final report strongly recommended that the State initiate a certification for elementary mathematics specialists.“Given our country’s need for students with a mathematics and science background and interest, this project is a first step in that direction, with multiple national implications,” he says.And he aims to prove it with rigorous evaluation. Research studies from this project will establish a national resource center or clearinghouse for data on elementary mathematics specialists and teacher-leaders and provide models of excellence to mathematics professionals worldwide.According to Fennell, a student’s view of what it means to know and do mathematics is shaped in elementary school, yet in the United States, elementary teachers are, for the most part, generalists. Typically, the pre-service background and general teaching responsibilities of elementary teachers do not furnish the continuous development of specialized knowledge required for teaching mathematics today.He hopes that this initiative will serve as a catalyst and model for other area institutions as well as provide the momentum to persuade the Maryland State Department of Education to acknowledge and support the certification of elementary mathematics specialists, similar to that of elementary reading specialists. The states of Virginia, Ohio and Massachusetts all have certification for such specialists.The Brookhill Foundation began its work in April of 2007 to support and establish programs that promote educational excellence. It is Brookhill’s belief that in order to improve educational outcomes, the teaching and learning of mathematics must be strengthened and mastered in the very earliest years of a child’s formal education to provide a foundation for future learning.

Cell migration and specification in the developing nervous system Animal models of human neurodevelopmental disorders Pathogenesis of developmental epilepsies Research Summary My laboratory is interested in understanding multiple aspects of early nervous system development. A major focus is on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal migration. Disruptions in migration are associated with a broad range of human disorders including lissencephaly, developmental epilepsies, intellectual disabilities, and autism. We use a combination of in vivo and in vitro methods to investigate the guidance, mechanisms of movement, and genes regulating neuronal migration. Most recently we have been probing animal models with mutations in genes known to result in human migration disorders. Mutations in both LIS1 and ARX give rise to a spectrum of human neurodevelopmental disorders. Using available animal models, and animal models we have developed, along with human tissue, our studies have provided new insights into normal neurodevelopment and the pathogenesis of phenotypes observed in children. Two recent areas of focus include exploring the intracellular signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics required for cell migration and the transcriptional networks required for regulating neuronal migration. A related area of investigation includes the transcriptional and cell signaling pathways required for neuronal differentiation as it relates to human developmental disorders. We recently identified a novel human intellectual disability susceptibility gene. Using both in vivo and in vitro systems we have defined the role for this gene in BMP signaling and forebrain cholinergic neuron differentiation. We are using this model to test novel, biologically based, treatments for intellectual disabilities.

Top Car-Free Bike Routes In The Midwest August 24, 2011 by Tracy McGill 2 Comments There’s a growing trend happening in the Midwest and across the country. With the support of local and regional governments, long distance bike routes are being converted from abandoned rail corridors in an attempt to connect a nationwide network of trails most commonly referred to as rails-to-trails. These trails are generally flat or follow a gentle grade, perfect for beginning or casual riders, yet, with the option for traveling long distances, can also challenge the more advanced cyclist. Rail trails travel through many towns which stimulates the local economy and raises cycling awareness. Of course the best part of these trails is- NO CARS ALLOWED, providing a safe and annoyance-free alternative to commuting and long-distance cycling. The Rails to Trails Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to the continuing development and preservation of this bike route infrastructure and is the best resource to learn more about individual trails. The Midwest offers some of the longest rail trails with a variety of picturesque landscapes and the proverbial quaint towns to explore. Following are a sampling of a few of the more popular and award-winning rail trails found in the Midwest. Katy Trail- Missouri Katy Trail State Park Missouri Running along the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT or “katy”) route, the Katy Trail is the nation’s longest rails-to-trails project with 237 miles of crushed limestone. Following the Missouri River, the Katy trail offers some beautiful scenery from rolling farm fields and prairie lands to river bluffs. History lovers will enjoy visiting the preserved railroad cars and restored train depots along the route. The section from St. Louis to Boonville is part of the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail which extends all the way to Clarkston, Washington, so riders can follow in the footsteps of the historic journey of the famous explorers. Despite the diverse landscape across Missouri, the Katy Trail rides reasonably flat and is well-maintained. This, along with the abundance of amenities, from restaurants and grocery stores to shuttle services and bike support, makes the Katy Trail an excellent choice for beginning touring cyclists. Wine enthusiasts can visit one of the many wineries along the route. You can then rest up for your next day of riding at one of the myriad of Bed and Breakfasts. Plans are underway to make a link from Clinton to Kansas City using the old Rock Island rail line. The Katy Trail has a fantastic website for you to thoroughly plan your visit. Cowboy Trail- Nebraska Cowboy Trail Nebraska Set to rival the Katy Trail is the Cowboy Trail in Nebraska which, when completed, will stretch for 321 miles. Currently, 195 miles of the trail are completed with some paved sections and the rest in crushed stone. The route uses an old rail line from the Chicago & Northwestern railroad who called this section of track the Cowboy Line. Meandering through a variety of scenic landscapes, the trail crosses over 200 bridges including a 148 foot high railroad bridge. Communities along the way have embraced the development of the Cowboy Trail with amenities including camping, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and bike shops. For more on the Cowboy Trail see bikecowboytrail.com. Paul Bunyan State Trail- Minnesota With the final stages of paving completed in 2010, the Paul Bunyan State Trail is one of the longest paved rails to trails project in the U.S. with 110 miles of continuously paved trail. Beginning in Brainerd, the trail follows an abandoned Burlington Northern Railway line north to Lake Bemidji State Park where the Blue Ox Trail can be picked up and followed for another 110 miles to the Canadian border Cyclists can stop at any one of the 15 communities along the route for food, camping, and lodging or to take a dip in one of Minnesota’s lakes. The trail is for non-motorized use except in the winter when snowmobiles are permitted. With other trail extension projects underway, the Paul Bunyan State Trail is geared up to become one of America’s longest rail-trails. For more information visit the Paul Bunyan State Trail website. Illinois Prairie Path Don’t let the name fool you. The Illinois Prairie Path is a fusion of both rural and urban settings and is popular with bike commuters. Found in the western suburbs of Chicago, the Illinois Prairie Path follows the lines of the old Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin Electric Railroad that carried early 20th century passengers from the suburbs to downtown Chicago.With 3 main branches and 2 spurs, the trail totals 61 miles with a combination of paved sections and crushed stone. The Wheaton branch is the most urban as it follows through the shopping district and shares part of the Metra corridor, making it convenient for downtown Chicago commuters to combine bike commuting with train commuting. The Aurora and Elgin branches offer a more rural experience. The Illinois Praire Path connects with another Illinois rail-trail, the Fox River Trail which runs from Algonquin to Oswego for another 37 miles of riding. Click here for more on the Illinois Prairie Path. Before Minnesota finished paving the Paul Bunyan State Trail, the Little Miami Scenic Trail in Southwestern Ohio was the longest paved bike trail in the country extending 78 miles from Springfield, Ohio south to Milford with plans to connect it to the Ohio River Trail which can take riders on to Cincinnati and the Ohio River. The trail runs along the remnants of the Little Miami Railroad who began operations in the mid-1800s and later merged with the Columbus and Xenia Railroad providing an important route between Cincinnati and Columbus. Cyclists will find this largely wooded route to be nicely shaded with plenty of opportunities for side trips including the Caesar Creek State Park and charming towns who cater to the trail riders. In the southern section you can travel across the Jeremiah Morrow bridge, a 239-foot arch truss bridge that is the highest in Ohio. To learn more about the Little Miami Scenic Trail click here. Wabash Trace Nature Trail- Iowa Wabash Trace Nature Trail Iowa The Wabash Trace Nature Trail extends from Council Bluffs, Iowa 63 miles south to Blanchard on the Iowa/Missouri border. The trail runs along a former corridor of the Wabash Railroad, an historic railway that connected the farms of the Midwest with the major cities of Chicago, Detroit, and Buffalo. Great for beginners and seasoned cyclists alike, the Wabash Trace Nature Trail is well-maintained by volunteers. The trail is surfaced with crushed stone with about 4 miles of concrete. Praised by Outside Magazine as one of the “prettiest trails” in America, the Wabash Trace Nature Trail is popular for its’ tree-lined borders making most of the trail shady and comfortable in the summer. The trail has also become popular for the weekly Thursday night Taco Ride which attracts thousands of cyclists for an evening of recreation followed by socializing, margaritas, and, yes, tacos. For more information on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail click here. Prairie Spirit Trail- Kansas The Prairie Spirit Trail in eastern Kansas is a 51 mile ride through rolling farms, prairie land, and friendly small towns. The first north/south rail line in Kansas, built by the Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Fort Gibson Railroad and later became part of the Santa Fe, this route offers much in the way of wildlife viewing as well as a variety of ecosystems that one normally wouldn’t think they could find in Kansas (yes, there are wooded areas). The Prairie Spirit Trail is mostly composed of crushed limestone, but is paved through the towns. In Ottawa the trail connects to the Flint Hills Nature Trail which is currently under development and when finished will stretch 117 miles from east to west across the state to Herington. Since public land is scarce in Kansas, Kansans take great pride in their development and preservation of public bike trails. The trail is well taken care of by volunteers. Visit the Prairie Spirit Trail website and BikePrairieSpirit.com for more information.

Coronation of the Virgin Saints Catherine of Alexandria, Barbara, Agatha, and Margaret Saint Catherine of Siena Exchanging Her Heart with Christ Madonna and Child with Saints Jerome and Agnes The Exultation of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino The Annunciation to Zacharias; (verso) The Angel of the Annunciation Early Renaissance Drawing in Verona Tempera on wood, gold ground Shaped top, 70 5/8 x 51 3/4 in. (179.4 x 131.4 cm) Robert Lehman Collection, 1975 The richly decorated surfaces and extensive use of silver and gold indicate that this panel—one of the artist's finest and best preserved works—derives from an important altarpiece, though its early history is not known. It is likely that a predella showing scenes from the life of the Virgin was originally below the main panel of the Coronation. The early provenance is unknown. The painting is illustrated in photographs of the Galleria Bardini, Florence, made about 1890 (for which see F. Scalia and C. de Benedictis, eds.,"Il Museo Bardini a Firenze," vol. I, 1984, pls. 73, 74), and was published in 1907 as in the possession of Stefano Bardini (F. M. Perkins, "Ancora dei dipinti sconosciuti della scuola senese," Rassegna d'arte senese, 3, 1907, p. 82). According to an unconfirmed report, Bardini owned the painting for some thirty years. At some date after 1907 it was purchased by Alphonse Kann, Paris, from whom it was acquired by Philip Lehman in November 1913. Bequeathed by Philip Lehman to Pauline Ickleheimer. Acquired by Robert Lehman in 1946.

Next Time to Inflate? by Gene Callahan Also by Gene Callahan In National Review Online, Lawrence Kudlow offers George Bush some advice on the economy. However, there are some difficulties with his recommendations. The first of these is an undue faith in aggregate numbers, such as GDP. My recent mises.org article pointed out some of the problems with such aggregate numbers; in brief, what they sum up is arbitrarily defined and measured with a fluctuating standard -- the dollar. Henry Hazlitt commented on economic aggregates: It is impossible, in sum, to arrive at a precise, scientific, objective, or absolute measurement of the national income in terms of dollars. But the assumption that we can do so has led to dangerous policies, and threatens to lead to even more dangerous policies. (The Failure of the "New Economics") Furthermore, even if such numbers did have a solid meaning, they should only concern the head of a socialist state, but not the president of a free economy. As economist Ludwig Lachmann pointed out, such numbers are not the target of any individual's choice -- no one leaves their house in the morning thinking, "Today, at work, I'll produce 4% GDP growth." In a free economy, it is the choices of individuals that are sovereign. Kudlow says: Team Bush should make the case right now, during the transition period, that 2 percent economic growth in the new information economy is unacceptable... During the campaign Bush agreed with Fed chairman Alan Greenspan that 4 percent growth is a suitable target. Let's grant, for the sake of argument, that GDP does accurately measure economic growth. Further, we find that it has dropped from 4% to 2%. In a free market economy, our response should be a hearty "So what?" Future growth is determined foremost by personal choices to refrain from current consumption (including consumption of leisure) in order to increase production down the road. Perhaps, as the economy grows, at some point consumers decide they have enough "stuff," and would like to spend more time with their families. These are free people who should be left free to make such a decision, not cattle to be hit with the "Fed prod" in order to get the herd moving again! Of course, we don't live under a regime of laissez-faire, but under a "managed" market economy. The Federal Reserve is not going away any time soon. Given that the Fed is going to attempt to manage interest rates, it must be realized that it cannot engage in endless credit expansion. As demonstrated by Mises, Hayek, Rothbard, and others, it is a previous credit expansion that causes the subsequent downturn. When the Fed floods the economy with liquidity, as it did in preparation for the Y2K "crisis," it does not create a single new capital good or natural resource. There are simply more green pieces of paper sloshing around the country. These tend to move from the Fed to the banks and then out to businesses. This inflation usually hits asset prices first, and may not hit consumer prices at all. This is exactly what we saw occur in this last cycle, as the NASDAQ soared to dizzying heights and "dot coms" with no profits projected for a decade became capitalized beyond solid manufacturing companies with years of profits behind them. But Greenspan, who spent some time in Mises' seminar, understands that he cannot keep up this flood of liquidity without creating a bigger and bigger bubble. Businesses use the new credit to expand, but there are not commensurate savings to support the expansion. The increase in pieces of paper has not been matched by an increase in the supply of capital goods. The dot coms all begin chasing the same Java programmers and Silicon Valley office space, driving the price for these resources through the roof, and pushing these costs beyond the companies' long-term ability to afford them. The longer the artificial expansion goes on, the more painful the inevitable contraction becomes. The fact that the rapid rise in asset values was due to the credit expansion is illustrated by the fact that as soon as the Fed touched the breaks, the expansion collapsed. The value of the NASDAQ index has been halved, share prices for many of the dot coms have declined well over 90%, while others have shut down completely. Layoffs are rampant, and the market is now flooded with the resumes of dot com castoffs. Kudlow unwittingly describes the wake of a credit expansion to a tee: "Car, computer, and home sales are slumping, industrial manufacturing may already be in mild recession, early holiday sales are slower than last year, consumer confidence is faltering, and estimates of future business profits have been halved." A renewed credit expansion will simply start the cycle over again. I can heartily agree with Kudlow's call for a tax cut in the current economic environment (or in any other economic environment, for that matter). If this increases GDP, grand. But Bush should not attempt to fine tune the economy to achieve some arbitrarily chosen growth figure. Furthermore, he should not pressure Greenspan to reinflate, although if he enters office with controversy swirling around him and a recession in progress, the temptation will most likely be too great to resist.

Are Heirloom Varieties the Only Ones from Which Seeds Can Be Saved to Produce Another Plant? By Roger Doiron Are heirloom varieties the only ones from which seeds can be saved to produce another plant? I've heard that the hybrids will not grow from saved seed. Barbara Dodds Seeds saved from a hybrid variety can be saved and replanted, but they won’t “grow true” to the original parent plant. Hybrids are a cross between two purebred lines. For example, a plant breeder might cross one variety of squash having good color with another having good taste with the goal of creating a second generation plant having both desirable traits. Seeds saved from a first generation hybrid (F1) and replanted will produce a second generation hybrid (F2) which lacks the vigor of its parent and may show some of the undesirable characteristics of the two pure varieties crossed to produce that parent. Heirloom or open-pollinated seeds are the only ones that can be saved and replanted to reproduce a copy of the original plant. — Roger Doiron, contributing editor

> Renewable Energy It's all about energy, from renewable sources to energy-efficient usage. Report Shows 13 Percent U.S. Solar Industry Job Growth This article is posted with permission from The Solar Foundation. WASHINGTON, DC – The Solar Foundation (TSF), an independent nonprofit solar education and research organization, announced on Nov. 2, 2012, that its third annual National Solar Jobs Census found that the U.S. solar industry employs 119,016 Americans, a figure which represents the addition of 13,872 workers and a 13.2 percent employment growth rate over the previous year. Based on 2012 data collection, TSF also revised the 2011 total jobs number from 100,237 to 105,145. “The solar industry has grown at significantly higher rates than most other industries in the past several years, making it one of the foremost creators of new jobs in the United States,” said Andrea Luecke, TSF Executive Director. “Our census findings indicate that these new jobs are highly skilled in nature, including solar installation, sales, marketing and software development. These new solar industry jobs are sustainable, cannot be outsourced and play a critical role in our country’s economic recovery.” The National Solar Jobs Census 2012 measured employment growth in the solar industry between September 2011 and September 2012. During the same period, employment in the overall economy grew at a rate of 2.3 percent according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), while the Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) calculated that the fossil fuel electric generation industry shed 3,857 jobs or 3.77 percent of its workforce. Nearly one third of employers who responded to the survey cited the continued decline in component prices as the primary driver of employment growth. State legislation enacting Renewable Portfolio Standards or authorizing third-party system ownership and federal tax incentives were other leading drivers of growth. “The National Solar Jobs Census 2012 provides a solid point of reference about solar industry employment that wasn’t available three years ago,” said Philip Jordan, Chief Business Officer at BW Research Partnership. “The Solar Foundation’s research is allowing training providers, job seekers and the public to understand the solar job market with a high degree of confidence.” “The census findings simply validate the continued boom in business growth that we have experienced over the past year,” said Danny Kennedy, co-founder and president of Sungevity, Inc., a leading residential solar service provider. “Our expansion to the six new states from 2011 to 2012 created over 100 new jobs at Sungevity and other companies that partner with us. Solar power is an American invention and it is exciting to see it become one of the fastest growing job engines in America.” The full report will be presented at the Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference,on November 14th in Albany, NY. It will contain additional results, including a detailed breakdown of the overall employment figure by industry sector, providing growth rates for each. It will also include 2013 employment projections, information on hiring trends and, among other things, some state level data on company distribution. The Solar Foundation and BW Research used an improved version of the Solar Energy Industries Association’s National Solar Database to refine the methods used in the Census and reach more employers. As a result, the solar employment figure for 2011 was revised up from 100,237 to 105,145. As in previous years, the survey examined employment along the solar value chain, including installation, wholesale trade, manufacturing, utilities and all other fields and includes growth rates and job numbers for 31 separate occupations. The figures in the report were derived from data collected from more than 1,000 solar company survey respondents, yielding a low overall margin of error of +/-1.5 percent. The National Solar Jobs Census 2012 was conducted by The Solar Foundation and BW Research with technical assistance from Cornell University. What the Spike in Solar Users Means for You and Utility Companies From Selenium to Silicon and Beyond USGS Releases Nation’s First Wind Turbine Map Let It Shine: Modeling Global Warming in 1767

The Path to Diagnostic Enlightenment By Jorge Menchu | May 2005 If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there. When it comes to automotive troubleshooting, the right road is the shortest path to a successful diagnosis.Every time you successfully repair a vehicle, the outcome was determined by how well you followed a path. For everyday tasks, the path is already very familiar and you may not even give it a second thought. You know how to get from point A to point B without the need for a map or other outside assistance. But what do you do when you’re confronted with an unfamiliar vehicle that has a totally new set of problems? How do you increase the chances that you’ll reach your destination�a successful diagnosis�in the shortest amount of time and with the smallest amount of aggravation along the way? If it’s an electrical or an electronic problem, the journey often begins by consulting the wiring diagram for the affected circuit or circuits. Occasionally you may find that the circuit as presented in the diagram does not correspond with your expectations of the system’s operation. In other words, the diagram is either incomplete or incorrect. If we can’t rely solely on the diagram, we must determine where it’s lacking to develop an understanding (in an engineering sense) of system operation. This process is often referred to as reverse engineering. When we reverse-engineer a system, we follow the same pattern that was used to design it, in reverse. To truly understand the system, we must first know its desired functions. Fortunately, the desired functions of many systems are fairly obvious or at least easily deduced. Next, we must determine the requirements that must be met, the variables involved, the conditions that can affect system operation and the components needed to make it happen. This is accomplished by referencing wiring diagrams as well as other diagnostic and training information. Combine all of this with an understanding of electronics and there’s a very good chance that you’ll be able to diagnose and repair the problem. The vehicle we’ll use to demonstrate a successful diagnostic approach is a 1996 Ford Ranger equipped with a manual transmission. The customer complains that the cruise control does not work. Our primary information sources are the vehicle wiring diagrams for the cruise control system. We’ll use the diagrams to understand how the brake and clutch switches work, as well as their relationship to the speed control unit (SCU). Once we have a clear understanding of how the circuit is supposed to operate, we’ll be able to develop a diagnostic path that will help us understand why it’s not working properly in this vehicle. Regardless of whether or not you have previously worked on a cruise control system, anyone who has ever driven a vehicle with cruise control already knows in general how it’s expected to work. Depressing the brake and/or clutch pedal should disengage the speed control unit. This feature is built into every cruise system for safety. And if the correct signals are not present at the SCU, the speed control will not engage in the first place. Before you jump to the wiring diagram, remember the golden rule (of thumb) of wiring diagrams: Wiring diagrams are typically drawn to represent the circuit at rest. This means all devices depicted on the diagram should be drawn in a state that represents the vehicle at rest with the ignition off, engine off, engine cold, doors closed and no one in the vehicle. Now we’re ready to examine the wiring diagram (Fig. 1 on page 48). Our initial goal is to become familiar with the diagram. Second, we want to find the pictorial representation of our expectations (how the system operates). Your examination of the wiring diagram should have revealed what appears to be a contradiction. If we take the diagram literally, it appears that depressing the brake pedal will result in a voltage at pin 4 of the SCU. And, according to the diagram, depressing the clutch removes the same voltage! Our expectation is that the signal would be the same for all conditions that would result in cruise control disengagement. That is, depressing either or both pedals, signifying disengagement, would result in the same signal. From the contradiction, can we conclude that the diagram is either incomplete or simply incorrect? Taking Inventory Taking inventory is the next step necessary to increase our understanding of this circuit. In this case, continue to examine the wiring diagram. There’s nothing worse than wasting a day, an hour or even 10 minutes because you misunderstood something you read or simply missed. It takes only a few minutes to examine every drop of ink related to the circuit. This includes every symbol, regardless of how trivial it may seem. Read every label, including the wire color and ID. Don’t forget the text balloons. As you read, begin to prioritize the information. Many things you’ll deem unimportant; others will be directly pertinent to the problem at hand. At first glance, the overall circuit appears rather simple. It begins with a fuse that’s hot at all times, indicating that we should be able to do some testing with the key off. The brake switch is normally open, meaning the SCU should disengage when the switch closes. The clutch switch is in series with the brake switch. It’s depicted as normally closed, indicating that it will open to disengage the SCU. From there the circuit goes to the SCU pin 4�the brake-applied input. Next, focus on the surrounding labels to see if they reveal any qualifying information. The label at the top left of the clutch switch reads: 12 volts with the brake pedal depressed. This qualifies the depiction of the brake switch as normally open. Switching our focus to the large text balloon, the first sentence also qualifies the brake switch: Closes with brake pedal depressed. Reading on, we find that our initial expectation that the SCU disengages when a voltage signal is present at pin 4 is also backed up: Sends signal to...speed control servo.... Refer to the text box below the text balloon. It indicates that there’s a connection to the turn/stop/hazard light circuit, and it’s displayed on another page in the manual. This makes sense since we’re working with the brake switch. Another item of note is that the clutch switch has more information on pages 20-1 and 20-2. When you reverse-engineer, it’s important to stop and digest new information before you get overwhelmed. At this point, it appears the brake switch operation is clear. The majority of the information we’ve gathered from the diagram verifies it. We’ve learned that a voltage at pin 4 should disengage the SCU. It’s the operation of the clutch switch that is still unclear. It appears that depressing the clutch will prevent the SCU from disengaging. Our investigation must continue, and the diagram offers two more paths to follow: the turn/stop/hazard lights, the sections of the manual dedicated to the clutch switch. Let’s continue with the turn/stop/hazard lights diagram. As expected, the brake switch powers many things, including the stoplights. Following through every possible path and connection, there is nothing that explains how the clutch switch works with the brake switch to disengage the SCU. Another view of the complete brake/clutch/SCU circuit (Fig. 2 on page 50) reveals the clutch switch and its connection to the SCU. Examine this diagram. Do you see anything wrong? This diagram shows the clutch switch open, directly contradicting the original diagram, which shows it normally closed. This definitely raises a red flag regarding the accuracy of both diagrams. Our next step is to read every label and the text balloon in the diagram. The text balloon offers pertinent information: Depressing the clutch pedal opens the switch and directs a signal to the speed control servo/amplifier assembly. This statement contradicts this diagram’s representation of the clutch switch as normally open and helps to qualify our original diagram, which indicates that the switch is normally closed. This diagram was not much help and, in fact, could have made things worse. The next section of the trail to follow is the clutch switch itself (Fig. 3). I had hoped this might reveal the inner workings of the clutch switch, explaining its operation. After reading every word of the description and the diagnostic instructions, I found no explanation or anything that suggested a new direction to follow. It does show a diagram of the clutch switch connections and internals. But the only thing pertinent is that it also shows the clutch switch as normally closed. Other than that, it’s a dead end. At this point, the wiring diagrams and device descriptions have been exhausted as a source of diagnostic information. The next available source is the diagnostic instructions. Often there are clues to system operation within the system descriptions and diagnostic steps. The challenge is to identify them as such. One way to do this is to ask “Why are they doing this?” for each of the pinpoint tests. And for each of the possible results, ask “Why are they pertinent?” Condition Possible Source Action Speed control Blown fuse Go to pinpoint Inoperative Circuitry test step A1 Burnt stoplight bulb Speed control actuator switch Speed control servo Test A3: Check Brake/Clutch Circuit With the ignition switch in the OFF position, measure the resistance between pin 4 (circuit 306) and pin 10 Yes Brake input circuit OK. Go to A4. No Brake light bulbs blown or brake circuit open. Service circuit, including clutch pedal position switch. The diagnostic information that caught my attention is shown in italics. We now know that the cruise control will not work if there’s a burned out stoplight bulb. Test A3 goes further and specifically asks for a measurement of the resistance between the SCU’s pin 4 brake-applied input and pin 10 ground. This is the path through the normally closed clutch switch, through the brake lights to ground. We can conclude that the SCU monitors the condition of the brake light bulbs. But how? In electrical circuits, this is accomplished by monitoring a voltage and/or current level. So, where is the source for this information? It’s definitely not through the open brake switch. Now we know for sure what we’re looking for. Before we continue, let’s step back and compile all of the known facts to this point. One of the best ways to organize your thoughts is to document them. We’ll draw a focused diagram of the brake, clutch and SCU (Fig. 4), while ignoring the brake lights for now. We’ll also trim away the other extras from the original diagram. Next, we’ll compile into a logic table everything we know regarding pedal position and corresponding states. A logic table is a simple grid composed of columns and rows. In this case, the first column will list the components and the other columns will list the related conditions. From the diagram we can easily identify the possible relationships and conditions of the brake and clutch switches and stoplights: Brake Switch Open Open Closed Closed Clutch Switch Closed Open Closed Open Stoplights Off Off On On Next, we can add our expectations of how the SCU will respond to these conditions. Do you remember your initial expectations of this system’s operation? Stoplights Off Off On On SCU Engage Disengage Disengage Disengage Now we can add another row of data representing the expected voltage conditions at SCU pin 4 for each of these conditions. The wiring diagram clearly shows that when the brake is applied there should be power to pin 4. The text balloon on our original diagram also confirms this. If we accept this we can conclude that a voltage at pin 4 signals the SCU to disengage and a no-voltage signal allows it to engage. Pin 4 Test No Voltage Voltage Voltage Voltage Before we continue, it’s important to remember what brought us this far. First, we followed a trail of evidence; we didn’t guess. Therefore, we can say that all conclusions we’ve reached so far are based on the evidence. Our conclusions, of course, are the information in the logic table. The system has to meet those expectations if it’s going to work. The logic grid is perfect for mapping out the components, variables, conditions and expected outcomes. However, it falls short when it comes to giving us an understanding of the actual processes the circuit goes through to accomplish its goals. At this point, there’s only one place left to investigate, and that takes us back to the wiring diagram. Wiring diagrams are not as good as the logic grid for mapping out the possibilities, but combining the two helps us understand circuit components and electrical behavior. So for our next step, let’s make circuit diagrams to represent each of the conditions in our logic chart. We’ll draw the circuit four times (Fig. 5 on page 52), one to represent each of the possible conditions in the logic chart. Do you see anything unusual in the four diagrams? What about circuits 5B and 5D? We know that under those switch conditions there still has to be voltage at pin 4. So where does it come from? There’s only one possibility�the SCU! There must be a voltage source inside the SCU that allows pin 4 to go high when the clutch circuit is open and low when the clutch is not depressed and the switch is closed. Now we know how the SCU monitors the brake lights and why it’s important for the brake lights to be in good working order. Fig. 6 on page 54 is a redrawn circuit with a pull-up resistor inside the SCU. Here’s how it works: The voltage source inside the SCU must connect to pin 4 via a high-value resistor, which minimizes the available current that can flow through the clutch switch and to ground through the brake lights. It has to be a high-resistance device or the brake lights would come on. Now let’s make sure we’re correct by applying what we’ve learned to all of our circuit configurations (Fig. 7). In Fig. 7A, the clutch switch acts as a switch to ground through the stoplights. Since the available current is minimal, the stoplights’ low resistance acts as a good path to ground, resulting in a low-voltage signal at pin 4. The stoplights are not on. In Fig. 7B, the clutch switch is open, which removes the ground path through the stoplights. No ground path results in open-circuit voltage at the test point, signaling the SCU to disengage. Both switches are closed in Fig. 7C. Current traveling from the fuse and through the brake switch is strong enough to turn on the stoplights and maintain a voltage at pin 4. Since both voltage sources are equal, there is no current feedback into the SCU. Fig. 7D is the same as Fig. 7B. With the clutch switch open, the brake switch has no effect on SCU pin 4, but the stoplights are on. A diagnosis can take you through several twists and turns before reaching a successful conclusion. It’s important to avoid the dead ends and the need to double back or start over. In this example, we’ve taken the information provided by the manufacturer and combined it with what we’ve been able to learn on our own. Logic tables allowed us to compile what we learned, and to make sure our findings made sense when the information was assembled as a whole. By collecting information systematically and documenting everything as you go, you’ll always know where you are and, perhaps more importantly, where you’re heading.

New and Alternative Vehicles Vehicles that can operate on roads: Limited-Speed Motorcycles Motor-Assisted Bicycles Motor Tricycles Bicycles Electric Bicycles ("e-bikes") Electric Vehicle Conversions Personal Mobility Devices Low-Speed Vehicles Segway™ Human Transporter / Personal Transporter Vehicles that cannot operate on roads: Electric and Motorized Scooters (Go-peds) New types of vehicles and devices arrive in the market place everyday. The province recognizes the importance of these new market innovations as they expand mobility options for Ontarians and provide an environmentally friendly way to travel. But, safety is a top priority for the province and the safe integration with other vehicles and pedestrians is a key consideration before any new type of vehicle will be allowed on Ontario roads. Therefore, it is also important to know whether these vehicles can—or cannot—legally operate on our roads and the safety requirements that must be met. In addition to questions about new vehicle types, the ministry continues to receive questions about bicycle and wheelchair use. Before you operate a new vehicle type, you should read the information following. Many new vehicles and devices, such as go-peds, pocket bikes, and limited-speed motorcycles fall within the definition of a motor vehicle in Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (HTA). To operate a motor vehicle on public roads in Ontario, these vehicles must meet: Provincial equipment safety standards for motor vehicles, such as standards regulating lighting, braking, seat belts, etc. Federal standards for motor vehicles used on public roads. If a motor vehicle meets the above standards, then the HTA requires it to be registered, have licence plates, and the operator to have a valid driver's licence and appropriate insurance, before it can be operated on public roads in Ontario., unless a pilot is created exempting the vehicle from these requirements (such as the Segway Pilot Project). Certain vehicles/devices such as go-peds and pocket bikes cannot operate on public roads in Ontario because they do not meet the provincial and federal standards noted. Motor tricycles that meet the (federal) Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act definition for that vehicle class may be eligible for registration for on-road use in Ontario. Motor tricycles must also meet Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (HTA) definition of "motorcycle", and all related legislative and regulatory safety standards and requirements for motorcycles. The province continues to review both existing and new vehicle types to determine whether they fit into the HTA or if a new vehicle definition is required. Road safety will be a key consideration in determining which new vehicles or devices may operate on Ontario's roads. This information is to be used as a guide only. For official purposes, please refer to the Highway Traffic Act. Top of page Vehicles that can operate on roads Limited-speed motorcycles can be operated on roads in Ontario. A limited-speed motorcycle is: a motorcycle that: can attain a rate of speed of more than 32 km/hr on level ground within a distance of 1.6 kilometres from a standing start; has a maximum attainable speed of 70 km/h or less; has steering handlebars that are completely constrained from rotating in relation to the axle of only one wheel in contact with the ground; has a minimum seat height, when the vehicle is unladen, of 650 millimetres; has a minimum wheel rim diameter of 250 millimetres and a minimum wheelbase of 1016 millimetres; has a maximum engine displacement of 50 cubic centimetres or less; or, if the motorcycle was manufactured on, or after, September 1, 1988, it must have affixed a compliance label required under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) that identifies the motor vehicle as a limited-speed motorcycle. A limited-speed motorcycle must meet vehicle requirements as defined under the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA). However, in order to use a limited-speed motorcycle, the driver must comply with the operating requirements of a motorcycle under provincial regulations. A limited-speed motorcycle has a maximum attainable speed of 70 km/h or less. A restricted class M licence for limited-speed motorcycle (LSM) and moped drivers was introduced on November 28, 2005. This restricted class M licence has a condition that allows licence holders to drive limited-speed motorcycles and mopeds only. To operate these vehicles on a roadway: the driver must hold a restricted class M licence for limited-speed motorcycles and mopeds: Class M2 with L condition or M with L condition or a valid motorcycle licence (Class M1, M2 or M); the vehicle must be insured, registered and have a valid LSM licence plate; and the operator must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. A restricted class M licence for limited-speed motorcycle (LSM) and moped drivers was introduced on November 28, 2005. This restricted class M licence has a condition that allows licence holders to drive limited-speed motorcycles and mopeds only. New moped drivers will be required to take road tests. A motor-assisted bicycle is a bicycle that: is fitted with pedals that are operable at all times to propel the bicycle; weighs not more than 55 kilograms; has no hand or foot operated clutch or gearbox driven by the motor and transferring power to the driven wheel; has a piston displacement of not more that 50 cubic centimetres; and, does not attain a speed greater than 50 km/hr on level ground within a distance of 2 km from a standing start. To operate these vehicles on the roadway: driver must hold the new restricted class M licence for limited-speed motorcycles/mopeds (Class M2 with L restriction or M with L restriction or a valid motorcycle licence (Class M1, M2 or M); approved motorcycle helmet is required; vehicle must be insured and registered and have a valid licence plate; no passengers allowed; they must meet federal safety standards for a limited speed motorcycle; motor-assisted bicycles are not allowed to travel on 400 series highways. Frequently Asked Questions: Licence for Motor Scooter and Moped Drivers Top of page Motor Tricycles Motor tricycles can be operated on roads in Ontario. Motor tricycles are eligible for registration as motorcycles for on-road use in Ontario. Typically, these three-wheeled motorcycles were designed with a single front wheel and two rear wheels. Motor tricycles with two front wheels have emerged on the market. These can be registered for on-road use as motorcycles in Ontario if they meet all of the (federal) Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards contained in the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) for a motor tricycle. Motor tricycles must also meet Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) definition of a “motorcycle”, and all related legislative and regulatory safety standards and requirements for motorcycles. The MVSA defines a motor tricycle as a motorcycle that: is designed to travel on three wheels in contact with the ground, has seating on which all occupants must sit astride, has no more than four designated seating positions, has a GVWR of 1,000 kg or less; and does not have a structure partially or fully enclosing the driver and passenger, other than that part of the vehicle forward of the driver's torso and the seat backrest. The HTA defines a motorcycle as a self-propelled vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the driver and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. This definition includes a motor scooter, but does not include a motor-assisted bicycle. The HTA also specifies requirements and standards for braking, lighting, safety inspections, etc. A driver of a motor tricycle is required to hold a M-class licence and must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. A driver that chooses to complete their M1 or M2 exit road test on a motor tricycle --- and that includes a motorcycle with a sidecar --- will be issued an M licence with a restriction to operate motor tricycles only upon successful test completion. The endorsement will appear as Condition “M” on the front of the licence card and “Restricted Motorcycle” category on the back of the licence card. NOTE: Anyone with this endorsement is not authorized to operate a two-wheeled motorcycle. An example of a motor tricycle that has two front wheels and one back wheel and can be registered as a motorcycle is the Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) Can-Am Spyder Roadster. The Piaggio MP3, because of the close spacing of its front wheels, is considered to be a two-wheeled open motorcycle by Transport Canada. It can be registered as a motorcycle. Anyone taking his/her road test on the Piaggio MP3, will receive an unrestricted M class licence. Top of page Electric Bicycles ("e-bikes") Can be operated on roads in Ontario Since October 3, 2009, electric bikes (both those resembling conventional bicycles and those resembling motor scooters) have been permanently allowed on roads and highways where conventional bicycles are currently permitted. They must follow the same rules of the road as set out in the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) that currently apply to cyclists, with some exceptions. In order to operate an e-bike: Operators must be 16 years of age or older; All operators must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet at all times. In addition: No person who is the owner or is in possession or control of an e-bike shall permit a person who is under the age of 16 years to ride on, drive or operate the e-bike on a highway. An e-bike must not be ridden on, driven or operated unless it is good working order. Similar to bicycles and mopeds, power-assisted bicycles are prohibited from use on certain provincial controlled-access highways. Any municipal by-law prohibiting bicycles from highways under their jurisdiction also apply to e-bikes. Municipalities may also pass by-laws specific to e-bikes that prohibit them from municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails, and bike lanes under their jurisdiction. To operate an e-bike on Ontario roads, an e-bike must meet the following equipment requirements: Have a maximum unladen weight of 120 kg (includes the weight of vehicle and battery). Must be equipped with at least two independent braking systems that applies force to each wheel and is capable

All About The Penis The dilemma of the black man who doesn't conform to cultural expectations around penis size penis size affect black men? These are questions I find interesting - naturally enough, having constructed an entire website on the subject! Fortunately, a black man has written a book on this very subject. Scott Poulson-Bryant is an accomplished writer of African-American descent who despite his achievements, does not, as he puts it, "measure up". What he means by this is that he quite literally doesn't measure up to the expectations that he should be, as a black man, "hung like a horse". In fact his penis is of average (i.e. white average) size. He writes eloquently in his book "Hung" of what this has meant to him......and what it might mean to the rest of us. He starts his story by telling the anecdote of a white woman at his college ball who seduced him into bed because she expected him to have a big penis - at least, that's what she told him after they'd had sex. His self-esteem took an instant knock, because he'd been told while growing up that if you have a small penis, you're not a man. (Which is pretty much what we all learn, regardless of color.) This was the beginning of an education about his place in society: he realized that he was seen by the white chick as black, when all he was trying to be was a man. This revelation caused him to feel damaged and ashamed of himself. He goes on to apply the lessons he learned in his subsequent sexual experiences to an analysis of penis size, in which he astutely observes what I've been saying for a while: "The penis-size game is a man's game....it is the metaphorical power of a penis's size that gives it the psychological weight men lug into relationships with women and with each other." He makes the point that many men like to think the issue of penis size is about impressing women, but he knows the truth: penis size is a measure of self-worth, of winners and losers. Some proof of this is the fact that we all look at penises. And those who don't, just like those boys who claim they don't masturbate, are lying....we all want to know where we stand in the size stakes. Whether it's true or false that we all look at other men's penises when we can doesn't really matter. Penis size is important to all of us: it's much more to a black man who doesn't measure up to the expectations that culture has of him. (Mind you, he did rather make things worse for himself by writing an article during his college years on penis size in which he made a few suggestive observations that led to him being known as Scott Pulsing-Giant.)Apparently the number ten featured large in some circles he frequented in his twenties - ten inches being the desirable size for a penis. One guy likened having a member this size to driving a quality car like a BMW - "You can," he said, "hit the curves better, go more places."But then again, Simon, another guy with this size of penile endowment said it was a burden. When news of his size spread through the community where he was having sex, the men started behaving differently towards him and so, for that matter, did the women. The men either treated him with diffident respect or accused him of thinking he could get away with anything because he had a big penis. The black man has a strong history as a sexual object - a history, claims Poulson-Bryant, which stems from the times of slavery. And the strength of this cultural history is so great that when another guy sees Simon's penis, "he attributes stereotype and myth and history to it", and never sees the man in the same way again. "He scores, but not really. His penis wins, but his brain loses. As hung as he is, he feels unhung when it becomes the center of the definition of him as a man." The women - or some of them, at least - wanted to have sex with him. Can that be bad? Sure: where's the genuine relationship here? He's a man, not a walking penis. But Nathan, another black guy, sees it differently. He says that black men know a large part of their identity is tied up with the myth of black sexual history, and the belief that they have huge penises is how they measure themselves - especially against white men. "We've bought right into that [power shit]," he says.The truth, of course, is rather different. He doesn't know - and no-one else knows for sure either - whether black men really are bigger. But that's not what the black man wants to hear, for he, just as much as anyone else, has bought into the notion that his penis is bigger, and thus he is more masculine.But what do women think? At this point in the story, Poulson-Bryant asks a female friend of his to comment. She makes the observation that everything else being equal, breadth trumps length every time when it comes to the penis: but she then goes on to say that any woman of any race will confirm that a man who can work his fingers and tongue "will trump some big penis dude any day."But, in the face of all this contradictory commentary from his friends, P-B is determined to establish the truth. Do black men really have bigger penises? The evidence is not clear. He quotes the famous Kinsey report, which he says gave slightly different figures for average penis length in two versions of the study - 5.9 inches in one, and 6.1 inches in another (a difference so slight that it hardly seems significant). Then he goes on to quote from The-penis.com, a website which I should know something about, since I own it and wrote all the content for it. But he misreads what I said on that website. He starts by rightly observing that our surveys led us to conclude that black men were about half an inch longer than white men, and Asians were on average half an inch shorter. He then says this information is derived and adapted from an article in the Journal of Research In Personality. This is untrue. Our conclusions on penis size were entirely our own. The article he refers to was, as I now know, very dubious, and anything but scholarly in origin. What's more, the average sizes it quoted were so broad as to be meaningless - an average is an average, right? Even if the author of the article was talking about standard deviations (which he wasn't), his work still lacked scientific methodology. Well, so of course, did the survey we conducted at the The-penis.com on penis size - but we didn't publish it in a journal, only on our own website!Yes, but, you might say, the fact remains that a large body of evidence exists to suggest that black men do in fact have bigger penises, on average, than white men. That's a statement I can buy into. But as P-B observes, most people won't have studied the data - and they still believe that black men are bigger. Where does this belief come from?A good question. There are hundreds of websites which associate the words, huge, massive, monster, penises, and the word black. (A rare example of huge white penises can be found at Gunnerworld.com - but that guy is very much the exception. Look for massive penises on the internet, and you're served up with black meat by default.)I wonder if the white men reading this are going to spend their entire lives measuring themselves up against the standards of black mythology and legend. Not you? Maybe, but some white men do, for sure. P-B tells the story of a white guy who proudly boasted of his penis size: "I measure up," he proclaimed, "against the black

Birdoswald Roman Fort This impressive site is the remains of a Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall. The area was occupied from much earlier times and recently a Neolithic burial has been found. There is also evidence of a large Dark Age Hall on the site. Traditionally the site has been identified with Camlan, the site of King Arthur's last battle. Read More » There is much speculation over the age and use of Castell Bryn Gwyn (White Hill Castle). It was not a hillfort, being built on flat land, but excavations in 1959-1960 discovered that the rampart and ditch were similar to hillfort defences. It may have been a Neolithic henge monument, but nevertheless, there has been a long history of occupation at the site. Read More » Castell Caer Lleion (Seion) Castle Caer Lleion, located at the peak of Conwy Mountian (Mynydd-Y-Dref), (at an elevation of 244 metres) to the east of Conwy, is a noteworthy and easily accessible Iron Age hill fort which has spectacular views of the North Wales coast line and the Carneddau Mountains. Read More » Castell Odo The late Bronze Age hillfort of Castell Odo on the Lleyn peninsula is one of the most important archaeological sites in Wales. It is situated on the summit of Mynydd Ystum and was probably built and colonised by Celtic settlers coming from the Irish Sea in around 400 BC. Read More » Castell Tomen-y-Mur, (a.k.a. Mur-y-Castell and Heriri Mons) Tomen-y-Mur (translated as ‘Mound in the Walls’) was originally an ancient Roman fort on the slope of Mynydd Maentwrog to the north east of Llyn Trawsfynyedd, with access from A470 although it is not signposted. Read More » Castle Dore and the Tristan Stone Castle Dore is an Iron age hillfort dating from around 200BC. It was possibly home to Cunomonus a local king who had a son called Drustanus. The castle is also associated with the legend of Tristan and Isolde. Read More » The Cerne Abbas Giant The Cerne Abbas Giant or the 'Rude Man' is one of the largest hillfigures in Britain, he (the figure's gender is beyond doubt) is one of two representations of the human form, the other being the Long Man of Wilmington in East Sussex. The giant, carved in solid lines from the chalk bedrock measures in at 180 feet high, and carries a huge knobbled club, which measures 120 feet in length. Read More » Chance To Be Part Of Project Albion ASSAP (The Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena) in partnership with Mysterious Britain & Ireland is opening up its long running Project Albion to enable members of the public to directly contribute towards it. Read More » Chanctonbury Ring Chanctonbury Ring is a hill on the Sussex Downs some 700 feet above sea level and, until the hurricane, which swept across Southern England, was crowned with beech trees. Excavations at the site showed that the ramparts dated from 300 BC. Remains of several Roman buildings were found during the early digs, along with various items and fragments of pottery. Read More » Cheetham Close Stone Circles The remains of the early Bronze Age Cheetham Close stone circle lies between Chapeltown and Egerton. It measured 18.5 metres and according to a survey by Dryden in 1850, consisted of 6 stones. By 1871 the site was broken up by a tenant of Turton Tower angered by the visitors it was attracting. Chibbyr Undin & Chibbyr Unjin Holy Wells Of Malew Chibber Undin (Chibbyr Undin) - The Foundation Well or Chibber Undin when written about in the late 19th century was described as being close to the remains of an ancient Keeill which a Manx word for cell or chapel and these remains are often quoted as measuring 21 feet long by 12 feet broad. Read More » Chun Quoit Chun Quoit: by Daniel Parkinson Chun Quoit is one of the most recognisable of the Bronze Age burial cairns in the Penwith area. Church of St Mary and St Alkelda Dating from 1280, this is one of only two churches dedicated to St Alkeda (Alkelda,Athilda, Alcelda) (the other being in Giggleswick) and is said to be her final resting place. St Alkeda was a chaste Saxon maiden, sometimes described as a princess and a nun. Read More » Church of St. Meilig, Llowes and Moll Walbee's Stone The medieval church of St Meilig was rebuilt in 1853, though the bottom of the tower may be a remnant of the earlier building. Inside the church is a standing stone with a cross carved into it, which possibly dates from the 6th or 7th century. The stone which is thought to have stood at or near the site of a 6th century monastery founded by St Meilig at Croesfeilig. Read More » Clach an Truiseil This mighty monolith - dating back to the late Bronze Age - is Scotland's tallest standing stone, measuring nearly 6m (20 feet) in height, it would have been even taller before the change in climate a Read More » Cleaven Dyke Cleaven Dyke was thought to be a Roman defensive structure until excavation revealed that it was in fact a Neolithic Cursus (a ceremonial earthwork), which must have been one of the largest - and most Read More » Clegyr Boia This rocky hilltop was occupied during the Neolithic period around 3800BC, when there were a number of rectangular houses on the summit. During the Iron Age the hill was fortified and served as a hillfort. A rampart, which can still be seen today, was completed around the hill with an entrance towards the Southwest. Read More » Clogwyn Arllef Hillfort On the summit of an isolated ridge in the parish of Llanbedr stand the remains of the prehistoric hillfort known as Clogwyn Arllef. The dimensions are roughly 70 metres in diameter from north to south, and 55 metres form west to east. The remains are defined by fallen stone wall which is an average of 2 metres wide. Combe Gibbet and Walbury Hillfort To the West of Newbury lie the villages of Kintbury and Inkpen. From here, you can follow a pleasant country road climbing the chalk downs to the south. There are a couple of viewing places near the summit of Combe down, and the scenery is fantastic for miles around. Here you will find Combe gibbet, and the remains of the Iron Age (600 BC to 50 AD) Walbury hill fort (SU3761). Read More » Congresbury Church The Yew trees in the church yard are said to be the relatives of an ancient tree which sprouted from a staff planted in the ground by St Congar. Yew trees grow very slowly and are often found in ancient churchyards. In many cases they are the descendants of ancient trees planted when the church was first built. The story may be a folk memory related to the original planting. Read More » Corrimony Chambered Cairn The passage grave of Corrimory in Glen Urquart, consists of a circular mound of river pebbles enclosed by an outer kerb, and a ring of 11 standing stones. The construction of the cairn is of the Clava style, as the cairns at Bulnaraun of Clava are used as a standard for cairns of this period and region. Read More » Cors-y-Gedol Burial Chamber The Cors-y-Gedol burial chamber which still has it's capstone intact is also referred to as Arthur’s Quoit and can be found close to some ancient hut circles known as the Irishmen’s huts on the slope of Moelfre. Read More » Craig-y-Dinas Hillfort Craig-y-Dinas hillfort can be found due east of Dyffryn Ardudwy, overlooking Llyn Irddyn. It is at the summit of a prominent rocky outcrop (1150 feet) and is polygonal in shape and has dimensions of approximately seventy metres by forty metres (0.5 acres). Read More » Crail A large stone, close to the churchyard is said to have been thrown by the Devil from the Isle of May. It is possible that the stone was part of a sacred site here before the church. Read More » Croft Moraig One of the most impressive and easy to access stone circles in the Tay valley: Croft Moraig is situated just off the A827 between Aberfeldy and the head of Loch Tay. The sites long history as a changing ritual centre in the Neolithic and early Bronze Age make it one of the most important monuments in the area. Read More » Chillingham Castle o'Gills

Dr. Anton Malko (left) works in the lab with Hue Minh Nguyen, a physics graduate student who has assisted in the research. Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas are developing nanotechnology that could lead to a new platform for solar cells, one that could drive the development of lighter, flexible and more versatile solar-powered technology than is currently available. Researchers Seek Way to Make Solar Cells Ultra-Thin, Flexible: National Science Foundation Grant to Further Study of Materials Developed With Nanotechnology Dallas, TX | Posted on October 9th, 2012The National Science Foundation recently awarded a $390,000 grant to Dr. Anton Malko and Dr. Yuri Gartstein, both in the Department of Physics, and Dr. Yves Chabal in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering to further explore their research on the feasibility of ultrathin-film photovoltaic devices, which convert light from the sun into electric power."Traditional silicon solar cells that are commercially available are made from silicon that is a couple of hundred microns thick," Malko said. "Our goal is to reduce that by a hundred times, down to about one micron thick, while at the same time maintaining efficiency."A micron, or micrometer, is a unit of measurement, equal to one millionth of a meter. For comparison, the diameter of a human hair is about 100 microns, and a U.S. dime coin is about 1,250 microns thick.While the scale of the research objects is tiny, their impact could be substantial."Solar cells that are 100 microns thick are rigid and fragile," Malko said. "At the thickness we are investigating, devices would not only be lighter, but they also become flexible. There is a large market and application niche for flexible solar cells, such as on clothing or backpacks for hikers, or in situations where you need portable sources to power electronics."The UT Dallas approach to building solar cells involves the use of nanosized crystal particles called quantum dots, which absorb light much better than silicon. The energy they absorb is then transferred into silicon and converted into an electric signal.The researchers construct their experimental photovoltaic structures layer by layer, starting with an ultrathin layer of silicon, a so-called nanomembrane about one-tenth of a micron thick. On top of that, with the aid of special molecular "linkers," layers of accurately positioned quantum dots are added."This is not yet an engineering project, it's a research project," Gartstein said. "We believe we are asking interesting scientific questions and researching concepts that might eventually lead to devices."Initial findings from the research were published recently in the journal ACS Nano."The key point of our research is to characterize the way energy is transferred from the quantum dots through the layers to the silicon, as well as to determine how we might exploit those properties and optimize the arrangement of the quantum dots, the thickness of the layers and other aspects of the structure," Malko said.The cross-disciplinary research involves not only proficiency in experimental and theoretical physics, which Malko and Gartstein provide. Materials science and nanotechnology expertise is also crucial. A key member of the team is Dr. Oliver Seitz, a postdoctoral researcher in Chabal's laboratory, who carried out the delicate and precisely controlled process of actually building the test structures."This project, conceived and initiated by Anton Malko, has been exciting at all stages of research," said Chabal, holder of the Texas Instruments Distinguished University Chair in Nanoelectronics. "It has engaged my group into an exciting application relying on the chemical control of surfaces we have been developing."Gartstein added: "This is one of those cases where the word �synergy' truly applies. As a theorist, I can come up with some ideas and do some calculations, but I cannot build these things. In materials science, Dr. Seitz actually implements our joint ideas to make the physical samples. Then in Dr. Malko's lab, ultrafast laser spectroscopy is used to physically measure the relevant processes and properties. Hue Minh Nguyen, a physics graduate student, contributed tremendously to this effort."It's been a great pleasure to work together in this atmosphere of a true collaboration," he said.####For more information, please click here

Where are they now: Ed Sprinkle "The Claw" was a fixture of the Bears' line for over a decade. Ken Crippen Once called “The Meanest Man in Football,” Chicago Bears great Ed Sprinkle spent 12 seasons punishing opponents and helping the team to an NFL Championship in 1946. He is considered one of the best defensive ends in team history. Sprinkle's 1951 Bowman card However, the moniker of “The Meanest Man in Football” still haunts him. It was coined by Bill Fay in a November 25, 1950 article in Collier’s Weekly. According to an article written by Bob Carroll, my predecessor at the Professional Football Researchers Association, Sprinkle was quoted as saying, “I think that the article was a bum rap. I was about as aggressive as any football player that walked on the field. If I had an opportunity to hit someone I hit them. I had a reputation with my teammates and [George] Halas as being the roughest player the Bears ever had. That doesn’t make me mean or dirty.” I would have been remiss if I did not ask Sprinkle about that article. Sprinkle recalled, “[Fay] interviewed me for the article, but he didn’t say anything about what he was going to write about. I was a little surprised. I came in full barrel when I played, but I didn’t know that was what he was writing about.” Sprinkle commented on the aftermath of the article, “What can you say? What is done is done.” Sprinkle attended Hardin-Simmons College, where he earned All-Border Conference honors. He also earned All-Eastern honors while at the Naval Academy. He only attended Hardin-Simmons for three years, before the athletic program was cancelled due to the war. At that point, he went to the Naval Academy. When asked whether he wanted to make the military his career, Sprinkle replied, “I did. I would have if they did not cancel [the program] because of the war. I wanted to be a pilot in the Naval Air Corps, but the war ended before I got into active duty. I was at a Naval Air Station in New Orleans.” While in college and in the Navy, Sprinkle had a desire to play professional football. According to Sprinkle, “I was interested in professional football because of Bulldog Turner. He went to Hardin-Simmons, where I went. I met Bulldog and I was going to try to make it with Bulldog’s help.” In 1944, he tried out for the Bears and made the squad. The Bears started him at guard, but switched him to end after two years. “I wasn’t big enough to play guard. I weighed 210 pounds.” Sprinkle recalled playing for George Halas; “Everybody was worried about George Halas. You didn’t make mistakes with him out there.” He continued, “But, he wasn’t there every day. We had two other co-coaches: Luke Johnsos and Hunk Anderson. They handled the coaching.” Sprinkle’s ability earned him four Pro Bowl bids in the last six years of his career. The Pro Bowl did not start until 1950, or he probably would have been nominated to more. However, earning four nods in the six-year existence of the Pro Bowl was quite an accomplishment. Historical Note: All-Star games were played earlier than 1950 between a team of all-stars and the league champion, but the Pro Bowl concept did not come into being until June of 1950. Sacks did not become an official statistic until 1981, but Sprinkle remembered his ability to hit the quarterback for a loss. “I had five sacks on one game.” It is unknown how many sacks he racked up during his career. He received the nickname ‘The Claw’ from his infamous clothesline tackling technique. Sprinkle commented, “They were going to put me at left end. I said, ‘I want to be a right end because I could reach over with my left arm.’ I am left handed.” As unsuspecting runners came through the line, they were met with the fierce arm of Sprinkle. During the off-season, Sprinkle worked as an engineer at Inland Steel. That continued after his retirement. Then, he opened his own tile and carpet shop and was owner of a bowling alley. Since his retirement, Sprinkle has been honored with several awards, including induction into the Chicago Bears Ring of Honor and the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, Sprinkle was inducted into the Professional Football Researchers Association’s (PFRA) Hall of Very Good. Formed in 2003, the Hall of Very Good is the PFRA’s way of honoring players who have had excellent careers, but are not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When asked about his chances to be inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame, Sprinkle did not mince words. “My personal opinion is that politics played into getting players into the Hall of Fame that didn’t deserve it. I feel like I deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. It probably won’t happen.” Currently, Sprinkle lives in Illinois with his daughter and her husband. • Inducted into the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame (2007) • Named to the 75th Anniversary All-Sun Bowl Team (2008) • Chicago Bears Ring of Honor (2009) • Named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team of the 1940s

Participation Rates Exclusion Rates About the U.S. History Assessment The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) U.S. history assessment presents a broad view of how well America's students know and understand the origins and evolution of their nation. The U.S. history assessment was previously administered in 1994 and 2001. The U.S. history assessment was developed and reviewed by a committee of U.S. history and measurement experts to capture the goals of the 2006 U.S.history framework (990K PDF). The National Assessment Governing Board, through a comprehensive national process involving history teachers, researchers, measurement experts, policymakers, and members of the general public, created the framework, which describes the goals of the assessment and the kinds of exercises it ought to feature. The U.S. History Development Committee was instrumental in the development of the assessment. Learn more about procedures used as part of the 2006 U.S. history assessment. Learn what the U.S. history assessment measures. Read more about how the assessment was developed, including information about the process used to score constructed-response questions. Read about the NAEP U.S. history scale on the NAEP website. Browse tables on participation and exclusion rates, and learn more about the sampling design. Read about how to interpret NAEP U.S. history results.

E-cli Where do you get e-coli from feces or urine? Answer: The organism E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a microorganism that can be normally found in the colon of most healthy people. In fact, a significant portion of feces is made up of bacteria (e.g., E. coli and other bacteria), so it would be normal to find E. coli in feces. On the other hand, the bladder does not usually have bacteria present. When bacteria are present, it is usually an indication that there is an infection present. E. coli is a common cause of urinary tract (bladder) infections, but it does not usually live in the bladder. For more information:

The Pious Fund of the Californias (Fondo Piadoso de las Californias) The Pious Fund of the Californias had its origin, in 1697, in voluntary donations made by individuals and religious bodies in Mexico to members of the Society of Jesus, to enable them to propagate the Catholic Faith in the area then known as California. The early contributions to the fund were placed in the hands of the missionaries, the most active of whom were Juan Maria Salvatierre and Francisco Eusebio Kino. The later and larger donations took the

John Sobieski Born at Olesko in 1629; died at Wilanow, 1696; son of James, Castellan of Cracow and descended by his mother from the heroic Zolkiewski, who died in battle at Cecora. His elder brother Mark was his companion in arms from the time of the great Cossack rebellion (1648), and fought at Zbaraz, Beresteczko, and lastly at Batoh where, after being taken prisoner, he was murdered by the Tatars. John, the last of all the family, accompanied <!

May 10, 2008 -- Issue #28 Copyright 2008 New Energy Times (tm) Published by the New Energy Institute Inc. six times per year Staff Editor and Publisher: Steven B. Krivit Fusion of deuterium into helium-4 gives a yield of 17 MeV. That is more than enough for a global economy based on clean hydrogen for electricity and transport. Heavy water content in plain water is 150 ppm; the stock of deuterium is immeasurable. Nuclear deuterium-deuterium fusion should be developed. Tthe question is how. The research on so-called hot fusion dates back 60 years. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor in Cadarache, France - tendered for 15 billion Euro - is expected to yield 500 megawatts for 15 seconds in 2016, without prospect of a continuous process. As far as I know, all the high-energy physics research - for example at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research - no matter how beautiful and fundamentally important, has not contributed to the energy problem. Few people know that fusion is taking place in what I call solid-state confinement. (deuterium and/or tritium, absorbed in a metal such as titanium, palladium, zirconium or erbium). This was invented in 1955 by David Goodman for Schlumberger Oil in so-called neutron generators, on the basis of deuterium fusion to helium-3 and a neutron. This technology was developed to a commercial level at Philips Research, The Netherlands, in the 1960s under the supervision of Dr. Otto Reifenschweiler, now 88. After the development of the desktop-ion beam, these neutron generators were miniaturized with pyro-electric crystals (James D. Brownridge at State University of New York, Binghamton, in collaboration with Stephen S. Shafroth at University of North Carolina) and by others as early as 1955 and most recently by Seth Putterman (UCLA, Nature, 2005) and Ka Ngo Leung (Berkeley). That is one side of the story. In 1989, the result of the infamous electrolysis experiment with heavy water and palladium by Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons was exiled to the realm of fantasy after the results appeared not-repeatable in other laboratories. Western science on this topic has since been shrouded in what Julian Schwinger (Quantum Electrodynamics, 1967, Nobel Prize with Feynman-Tomonaga) described as "a deafening silence." Nevertheless, cold fusion research, now recognized as low-energy nuclear reactions, has continued for 19 years by a thousand researchers in America, the former USSR, India, France, Italy, Japan and China. The resonant-tunneling model of professor Xing Zhong Li (Phys Rev. C, 2000) has been accepted into the mainstream. An electronic environment can affect nuclear processes (Reifenschweiler, Physical Letters A, Vol. 184, pp. 149-153, 184). This was observed again by Reifenschweiler at Philips under the supervision of professor Hendrik Casimir. This is the second aspect of the story. The scientific questions are, Where do you draw the line between hot and cold fusion? How fast can a resonant-tunneling process expire? and/or May a pyroelectric effect in a solid state metal deuteride act with sufficient voltage for deuterium-deuterium fusion? Now that the $120-per-barrel price of oil is approaching, the Western World is ever more deeply involved in military conflicts in the Middle East and one-third of the food of the Third World is being used as a biofuel, further research on hot or cold fusion as outlined above is highly appropriate. A study that costs no more than one industrial windmill or a B2-stealth bomber can ask and answer crucial questions within a year. Early in the history of cold fusion, these differences were not well-understood, and many people attempted to draw direct comparisons between the Fleischmann-Pons experiment and the Jones experiment. This is akin to comparing apples and oranges. Jones' congressional testimony about the trivial amount of energy that was produced by his experiment was widely reported; however, the significant differences between the two experimental configurations, as described here, were not as well-reported in the media. As a result, the public, assuming both groups were working on the same idea, developed a perception that Jones' more modest claims were more believable and credible than that of Fleischmann-Pons. 1. Fleischmann, M., "Background to Cold Fusion: the Genesis of a Concept," American Chemical Society low-energy Nuclear Reactions Sourcebook, Marwan, J. and Krivit, S. Eds., Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-8412-6966-8, (Fall 2008). 2. Jones, S. E., Keeney, F. W., Johnson, A. C., Buehler, D. B., Cecil, F. E., Hubler, G. Hagelstein, P. L., Ellsworth, J. E., Scott, M. R., "Charged-particle Emissions from Metal Deuterides," Proceedings of 10th International Conference on Cold Fusion, Cambridge, MA, (2003). 3. Beaudette, C., Excess Heat & Why Cold Fusion Research Prevailed (2nd ed.), South Bristol, ME: Oak Grove Press, p. 41, (2002). 4. Storms, E., The Science Of Low Energy Nuclear Reaction: A Comprehensive Compilation Of Evidence And Explanations About Cold Fusion, __________________________________________________________________________________ 9. LENR, CMNS Online Site Index New Energy Times is pleased to announce a major update to our LENR, CMNS Online Site Index, a one-stop shop for nearly every online resource for the field of CMNS and LENR research. The index is accessible by the previous link, or from the LINKS item on the top menu on all New Energy Times Web pages. __________________________________________________________________________________ 10. Announcing Hal Fox's Fusion Information Center Data Archive New Energy Times is pleased to present Hal Fox's Fusion Information Center Data Archive, accessible by the link above, or from the Archive section on the New Energy Times home page. The Fusion Information Center, founded by Hal Fox of Salt Lake City, Utah, was the first dedicated source of timely information on the cold fusion subject. Much valuable technical and historical material was published in print, and later on CD-ROM. This data contains a fully searchable bibliography of more than 170 issues of Fusion Information Center's three publications, starting in July 1989 and continuing to 1999. This comprehensive bibliography is provided and includes references to papers dating back to 1923. This release also contains full text, printable documents for selected issues of Fusion Facts, New Energy News and all issues of the Journal of New Energy up to and including the Spring 1999 publication of Volume 3, Number 4. The full-text documents also include a copy of the Cold Fusion Source Book published in 1994. This archive represents Fusion Information Center's first digital compilation of their archive and was identified as Release 1.1. New Energy Times is pleased to present FIC's publications in an accessible, indexed, fully searchable digital format. New Energy Times has prepared a Web page dedicated to the memory of Giuliano Preparata, thanks to George H. Miley of the department of nuclear, plasma and radiological engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana, IL. Miley presented his tribute at the 8th International Workshop on Anomalies in Hydrogen/Deuterium Loaded Metals in Asti, Italy on Oct. 14, 2007, which was organzied by Bill Collis, in association with the International Society for Condensed Matter Nuclear Science (ISCMNS). __________________________________________________________________________________ 12. Purdue University Professor Rusi Taleyarkhan Files Legal Complaint After being the target of untold investigations and inquries himself, Purdue university professor Rusi Taleyarkhan finally filed a legal complaint of his own on March 7, against two of his Purdue colleauges, Lefteri Tsoukalas and Tatjana Jevremovic. The complaint states, among other things, that false statements were made and reported by Eugenie Samuel Reich of Nature; Kenneth Chang of The New York Times is also mentioned, though neither the reporters nor their outlets are named as defendants. However, the inclusion of the phrase "and DOES 1-50" after Tsoukalas' and Jevremovic's names indicates that other defendants may be named at a later time. The "Nature of This Action" section states: "This is a conspiracy involving certain individuals who made public statements to a worldwide magazine, Nature Magazine, through means that have falsely and maliciously defamed Taleyarkhan and have sought to harass, discriminate and intimidate Taleyarkhan on numerous occasions for the purpose of trying to defame him and his important scientific research, all with claims that have no merit." On July 10, 2007, New Energy Times published a journalistic investigation of the matter, our Special Report on Bubble Fusion/Sonofusion can be downloaded here. New Energy Times has received only one letter/correction in response to the report, from Taleyarkhan. __________________________________________________________________________________ 13. European Research Center for New Clean Energy Technologies By Steven B. Krivit A new nonprofit organization formed last year in France called Centre Europ�en pour la Recherche et le D�veloppement des Nouvelles Technologies Energ�tiques Alternatives (CERNTEA). It's probably not a coincidence that the acronym resembles the "old technology" research center, CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), which is dedicated to high-energy physics research, more or less the antithesis of CERNTEA. Pascal Fichant is the founder and president, Gerard Martinez the treasurer and Gilles Fichant the secretary of CERNTEA. The mission of CERNTEA is the scientific promotion of research and development of alternative energy sources. Their vision is to foster the emergence of new, more equitable technologies that are beneficial to the three fundamental pillars of society: environment, economic development and human development. A short article about the work of CMNS researcher Jean Paul Biberian is available on their Web site. On Wednesday, April 9, 2008, CERNTEA also organized a meeting and drama presentation, written by Biberian, on the theme "What is cold fusion?" Four of his colleagues played the roles of "elementary particles." An audio excerpt is available here. A (28MB!) slide presentation is available here. The CERNTEA press release displays the organization's Web site as http://cerntea.org/. However, this url brings the reader to the site for Chess Excellence Research Network for Training, Education & Analysis, and then automatically redirects the reader to http://cerntea.canalblog.com/. For more information contact European Research Center for New Clean Energy Technologies at [email protected] or by telephone, +33 (0) 663571399. __________________________________________________________________________________ 14. New Cold Fusion Manuscript, Company and Web Sites from Talbot Chubb Two new Web sites are now online, www.coldfusionenergyscience.com/ and www.cfescience.com/, both from Talbot Chubb. Chubb is a physicist consultant in new energy technologies, retired from the Naval Research Laboratory after 30 years of service. He is a member of numerous prestigious science organizations and also worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II at the Tennessee Eastman Co. facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. From his Cold Fusion Energy Science Web site: "This website is designed to provide the reader with current evidence for the reality of cold fusion heat, and theory that explains how it can occur. "The early problem of poor reproducibility has been overcome in studies carried out by Drs. Arata and Zhang at Osaka University in Japan. These pioneering studies used palladium catalyst coated with adsorbed water. Further progress has been made using fine powders of palladium embedded in zirconium oxide crystal. "A technique developed by Arata and Zhang for selecting candidate catalytic powder suggests that nickel can likely be substituted for palladium. If this substitution works, cold fusion heaters should become commercially available in time to relieve rising energy costs." Chubb has also published a new manuscript online called Cold Fusion: Clean Energy for the Future. The name of Chubb's business is Cold Fusion Energy Research Co. According to the Web site, the "company supports research and development directed towards production of clean energy home heaters." 15. Carbon Arc Meets Quantum Rabbit By Steven B. Krivit Before we talk about carbon, arcs or quantum rabbits, we need background. This article discusses possible nuclear transmutations - that is, the addition or subtraction of protons, by definition the change of one element into another. Such transmutations are performed routinely in million-dollar high-energy physics laboratories - by physicists. Go into any physics laboratory, and they will explain that the only way to achieve transmutations is through such means as extreme pressures, high temperatures and high energy. They cannot be done any other way, the researchers will say. Nuclear transmutations - from chemistry experiments, for example, - in relatively simple desktop experiments are "impossible," according to physics authorities. "Everyone knows" that nuclear transmutations by chemistry is alchemy, and "everyone knows" that alchemy was a ruse, right? Not so fast. Transmutation experiments have been part of condensed matter nuclear science for many years. The Fleischmann-Pons effect, the release of excess heat and helium from an electrochemical experiment with palladium and deuterium, is just one of many low-energy nuclear reactions observed in the field of condensed matter nuclear science. Most of the LENR transmutation experiments have been performed in Russia, France, Ukraine, Japan and India. And the body of knowledge and evidence continues to grow and become harder to dismiss. LENR transmutation made the cover of Science et Vie in May 2004. John O'Mara Bockris, at Texas A&M University, was one of the first people to bring this research to the fore. Bockris is a courageous man, insensitive to the fears that others may have had about the presumed guilt-by-association of low-energy nuclear transmutation to alchemy. Some people may have written off Bockris' claims as the ravings of an egotist. He bore the brunt of more than his share of cynicism and scorn from his peers at Texas A&M, but, after two investigations, they found he did no wrong, though his reputation took a major hit. People had a harder time writing off the transmutation claims of George Miley, director of the Fusion Studies Laboratory at the University of Illinois, Urbana, 1995 recipient of the Edward Teller Medal from the American Nuclear Society, recipient of many federal research grants and editor of several peer-reviewed journals. The first time that the CMNS community heard about carbon arc experiments was probably in 1994 when Fusion Technology published two related papers. One was by Raghavan Sundaresan, of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mubai, India, working with John O'Mara Bockris at Texas A&M University.[1] The other was by Mahavir Singh and colleagues of the BARC spectroscopy division.[2] The experiments are distinct from the Fleischmann-Pons Effect, which comprises LENR experiments that produce energy and helium. (This is not to be confused with the "Utah Effect," which has a variety of other meanings.) However, these LENR transmutation experiments provide strong nuclear evidence, and they may reveal pieces of the larger puzzle of condensed matter nuclear science. The carbon-arc experiments are remarkably simple. Disarmingly simple. Embarrassingly simple. In the experiments reported in Fusion Technology, two ultrapure graphite electrodes were connected to an electrical source. The rods were submerged in ultrapure water, and an arc was permitted to travel between the two rods. After a few hours, a residue collected at the bottom of the container. On spectrographic analysis, researchers found that the residue contained significant amounts of iron. Pre-experiment analysis showed minimal iron content in the rods: 2 parts per million. Post-experiment analysis showed iron content in the rods at 200-2000 parts per million. That's, at a minimum, a 100:1 signal-to-background ratio. Where did the iron come from? And how did it transmute from other elements in the experimental environment? This article will not attempt to answer those questions, but we will stick as closely as possible to what has been observed and make that our anchor point. In 1996, two years after the Fusion Technology papers published, Kenjin Sasaki, an agricultural consultant from Tokyo attending the 6th International Conference on Cold Fusion, distributed a protocol similar to the carbon-in-water experiments. A major variation of his experiment was that it was performed not in water, but in air. Apparently, the air experiment was more effective and simpler to perform. Eugene Mallove reported these in Infinite-Energy #10, Sept.-Oct. 1996 (IE page 55, IE page 56). Another researcher, engineer Toby Grotz, also presented a report of carbon arc transmutation at the Second International Low Energy Nuclear Reactions Conference in Sept. 1996 held at College Station. Grotz's paper was published in Hal Fox's Journal of New Energy.[3] Now let's move to the present. Meet Edward Esko, Woody and Florence Johnson and Alex Jack of the Massachusetts company Quantum Rabbit. They make no claims to be scientists. You could call them experimentalists. In an interview with New Energy Times, Esko was not familiar with the term "signal-to-noise" or "sigma"; nevertheless, he understood the underlying concept. Esko sometimes uses the word "fusion" to describe the unknown process that causes the magnetic graphite, but he is learning to be more circumspect about throwing around specific physics terms. He also uses the word "charging" when referring to the arcing process, though he doesn't have a clear explanation for why he calls it "charging." Quantum Rabbit team members Woody and Florence Johnson, Alex Jack and Edward Esko The Rabbit company has strong interests in conventional renewable energies, though a mutual interest in holistic health and macrobiotics brought the three of them together. Esko explains the company name: "Quantum" comes from the anomalous physics they seem to be observing. "Rabbit" comes from the Alice in Wonderland metaphor of going down a rabbit hole that leads to strange, new, unexplored and inexplicable worlds. And it's catchy, too. Esko's related history goes back to his involvement with a key pioneer of the macrobiotic movement, Michio Kushi. Through Esko's work with Kushi, he learned of the ideas of George Ohsawa, Kushi's teacher and founder of the macrobiotic diet and philosophy. In 1994, Esko wrote a book with Kushi, "The Philosopher's Stone: Michio Kushi's Guide to Alchemy, Transmutation and the New Science." Esko's interests in transmutation began to take form in 2005 when he started some experiments with gas; his carbon arc experiments began in 2006. And they've been getting apparently positive results - that is, the appearance of the element iron where there was none, or only trace amounts, before. They have had samples analyzed by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP), which vaporizes and gives a profile of the entire sample. They also have sent samples for energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis, which gives a relative percentage of an element in a specific area of the sample. It's too early in the research to know whether the claims are valid, let alone whether the process can be used for practical purposes. But if the process, which was developed many decades ago by others, is confirmed, it is yet another inexplicable anomaly which does not fit within the current frame of scientific knowledge. If the claims are correct and if they are taken seriously, this and other CMNS effects could incite a revolution in physics, if not science. If not, well, back to the drawing board. The experiment seems easy, simple, repeatable, reproducible, and, to top it off, you can get immediate general feedback on the success of the experiment with a rare-earth magnet. The experiment produces permanent evidence that researchers can display or send out for third-party analysis. Pure graphite, a form of the element carbon, is not magnetic. The experimenters test this by placing graphite powder near a magnet before the experiment, separated by a thin sheet of paper. There's no movement of the graphite powder in response to the magnet. After the experiment, the graphite powder clearly moves when the magnet is brought near. See for yourself. Here is a video of the nonmagnetic graphite before the arc experiment: And here is a video of the magnetic graphite after the arc experiment: The magnet test, performed after the process, could indicate that the graphite itself is "merely" becoming magnetic. On the other hand, it could mean that nuclear transmutations, resulting in the growth of iron, are occurring. Esko says that the EDS and ICP tests suggest that the latter is occurring. The Quantum Rabbit crew uses two methods to make the magnetic graphite. In one, the researchers place graphite powder in a graphite crucible and hold the carbon rod for about 30 seconds at a time. They can't hold it for longer because the rod gets too hot to the touch and needs to cool down. Woody Johnson at the bench, arcing the graphite powder with a graphite rod and crucible. In the other method, they place graphite powder on a copper plate and strike an arc and quickly withdraw it, in succession. They don't let it arc as long as they do with the crucible method because it tends to create a messy sputter if they arc for longer shots. In this method, they do about 100-200 arcs within about 30 minutes. Again, the time constraint is waiting for the carbon rod to cool enough to hold. Woody Johnson arcing the graphite powder with graphite rod and copper plate. A surreal scene as the carbon-arc produces a brilliant lightning-like flash. Esko thinks that they get better transmutation results with the copper plate method than the crucible method. He says they have sent about 10 samples for laboratory analysis. Hopefully Quantum Rabbit will present the data at a science conference or in a journal. They hope to refine the process to learn how to increase the apparent yields of anomalous elements. They also hope to narrow the parameter space, to learn the optimal number of arcs to strike and the best amount of power to apply. Esko writes on a related Web site, www.magneticgraphite.com, "Quantum Magnetic Graphite offers a unique product with multifaceted purposes that is both versatile commercially in usages (e.g., magnetic storage systems, water purification systems, refrigeration, etc.)" There does not appear to be any such product at this time. Even if the arcing method is merely making the graphite magnetic, rather than transmuting elements into iron, this crude method is not something to laugh at. Reports in the published literature suggest that no change in iron content is occurring but that the properties of the graphite are being modified to make them magnetic. A group at the University of Leipzig in Germany reported such phenomena in 2003.[4] Rather than using an electric arc, the Leipzig group used a proton beam and irradiated the sample with nuclear energy. A comparison between the Leipzig work and the Quantum Rabbit work is not directly appropriate; one method uses energy inputs in the chemical realm, and the other method uses energy inputs in the nuclear realm. The Leipzig paper provides detailed explanations of the structural changes to the graphite through proton irradiation and provides an apparently convincing argument that the graphite has changed structure but not composition, which provides the magnetic effect. The paper indicates that the metallic content of the ultrapure graphite sample was less than 1 ppm, which is another significant difference. But the most important question is not answered in the paper. The authors do not state the concentration of metallic content after the experiment. Another research group, with the Universidad de la Rep�blica in Uruguay, reported a chemical route to creating room-temperature magnetic graphite by baking the sample in a furnace and reacting the graphite with oxygen. This experiment is a much closer match to the Quantum Rabbit experiment than the Leipzig experiment; both the Universidad de la Rep�blica and the Quantum Rabbit experiment are performed with energies in the chemical realm and both groups believe that an oxygen reaction is a key aspect. The Universidad de la Rep�blica experiment states that the starting iron content of the samples was in the 40-60 ppm range, and unlike the Quantum Rabbit experiment, the authors write in their pre-print that the iron content after the experiment "did not indicate any increase of metallic impurities with respect to the original pristine graphite."[5] New Energy Times spoke with �lvaro Mombr�, one of the members of the Universidad de la Rep�blica team and learned that this work was published in Physical Review B and Carbon.[6, 7] In the Carbon paper, Mombr� says that they did, in fact, see an increase in the iron content. "Although there was some increase in iron content," Mombr� said, "it was still not enough to explain the magnetic behavior of the sample." The Carbon paper shows very small increases of iron content as determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS,) X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) and about a 50 percent increase in the iron content as shown by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Mombr� confirmed the major difference between his group's work and that of the Leipzig work: his using oxidation of graphite, and theirs using a proton bombardment process. Mombr� was open-minded about the possible importance of the ferromagnetic impurities in the original sample. "Perhaps we need this content of iron to have a signal there," Mombr� said, "but we are sure, at least, that graphite acts as an amplifier of the signal, which is something very new because carbon is not supposed to have any magnetic behavior." 1. Raghavan Sundaresan and John O'Mara Bockris, "Anomalous Reactions During Arcing Between Carbon Rods In Water," Fusion Technology, (Vol. 26), p. 261-265, (1994) 2. Mahavir Singh, M. D. Saksena, V. S. Dixit, and V. B. Kartha, "Verification of the G. Ohsawa Experiment for Anomalous Production of Iron From Carbon Arc in Water," Fusion Technology, Vol. 26, p. 266, (1994) Grotz, T., Investigation of reports of the synthesis of iron via arc discharge through carbon compounds. 3. Grotz, Toby, "Investigation of Reports of the Synthesis of Iron via Arc Discgarge through Carbon Compounds," J. New Energy, Vol. 1(3), p. 106, (1996) 4. Pablo Esquinazi, D. Spemann, R. H�hne, A. Setzer, K.-H. Han, and T. Butz, "Induced Magnetic Ordering by Proton Irradiation in Graphite," Phys. Rev. Lett., Vol. 91, p. 75-78, (2003) 5. H. Pardo, F. M. Araujo-Moreira, R. Faccio, O. F. de Lima, A. J. C. Lanfredi, C. A. Cardoso, E. R. Leite, G. Zanelatto, and A. W. Mombru, "Stable Room Temperature Magnetic Graphite," =0407303 (2004) 6. Mombr�, A. W., Pardo, H., Faccio, R., de Lima, O. F., Leite, E. R., Zanelatto, G., Lanfredi, A. J. C., Cardoso, C. A., and Ara�jo-Moreira, F. M., "Multilevel Ferromagnetic Behavior of Room-Temperature Bulk Magnetic Graphite," Phys. Rev. B, Vol. 71, p. 100404(R), (2005) 7. Pardoa, H., Faccioa, R., Ara�jo-Moreirab, F.M., de Limac, O.F., and Mombr�, A.W., "Synthesis and Characterization of Stable Room Temperature Bulk Ferromagnetic Graphite," Carbon, Vol. 44 (3), p. 565-569, (2006) __________________________________________________________________________________ 16. A Model to Quantify the Independence of Scientific Replications In my discussions with people about controversial science, I have found that the matter of independence - as it applies to replications - can make or break the acceptance of a controversial science claim. Independence is not a black-and-white issue; a spectrum exists. However, I am aware of no reference that characterizes this spectrum. I often find myself discussing the philosophy of scientific replication with others. I distinguish among the terms “repeatable,” “reproducible,” and “replication” as follows: Repeatable: Researcher A can obtain the expected result from his or her experiment every time he or she makes an attempt. Reproducible: Researcher B can obtain the expected result from his or her attempt to perform researcher A's experiment. Replication: Getting the expected result from subsequent experimental attempts. I do not state that the result should be the "identical result" because an experiment that is similar but not exactly the same, which provides similar but not exactly the same result, provides even greater confirmatory power of an effect than an identically matched experiment.[1] I propose the following criteria for evaluating the independence of scientific replications to provide a quantifiable scale. Criteria for Evaluating the Independence of Scientific Replications (This model will continue to evolve and be refined. Watch this link.) (10) HIGHEST INDEPENDENCE Replicator has no direct contact with originator and his/her laboratory. The only conduit of information is a document or recording. No tools or materials are provided to replicator by originator. Originator and replicator never enter each other's laboratory. (7) HIGH INDEPENDENCE Replicator may have some contact with originator. Some tools or materials may be provided to replicator by originator. (4 )MODERATE INDEPENDENCE Replicator may receive personal training from originator in originator's laboratory. Originator never enters replicator's laboratory. (1) LOW INDEPENDENCE Originator has no hands-on involvement in experiment, analysis or preparation of the results. Replicator may have access to or receive specialized instruction from originator. __________________________________________________________________________________ 17. Review of TIME Magazine's April 7, 2008, article "The Clean Energy Scam," (Brazilian Biofuel Industry) by Michael Grunwald, photos by Aurora Select By Steven Vincent Johnson I feel encouraged by a mainstream article that tackles the complex and occasionally contradictory problems associated with the growing biofuel industry. We hear increasing talk these days about the bright future of biofuels in quenching our planet's growing thirst for alternative fuels. I found Grunwald's article informative - devastatingly so. It begins with an impressive full-page aerial photo of soybean crops stretching to the horizon across the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. In the middle of this cultivated greenery, a tiny preserved isolated square patch of original rain forest barely stands out. Something seems amiss. The irony here is not that farmers are ignoring a requirement to keep at least 80 percent of their land in its original rain-forest state. The irony is that the growing thirst for alternative fuels in one part of the planet has created economic conditions in other locations causing farmers to perceive how much of a fortune can be made if they destroy their rain forests and replace them with food and biofuel crops. One of the consequences is that massive amounts of CO2 are being released into the atmosphere as a result of burning down forests all over the world, particularly in Brazil and Malaysia. So much additional CO2 is being released that, in some cases, it will take centuries (400 years in one study) of growing the new biofuel crops before they begin to recapture the same amount of carbon that had been released into the atmosphere as a result of burning down the original forests. John Carter, a Texas Cowboy, whose personality strikes some people as having the subtlety of a chainsaw, founded a nonprofit organization to promote sustainable ranching on the Amazon frontier. "It's like witnessing a rape," Carter lamented. The Amazon basin is being turned into the planet's next savanna quicker than one might think. Some scientists in fact think that the local Brazilian microclimates affected by constant deforestation and burning will transform the Amazon basin into the next desert. Part of what's driving this imbalance comes from the United States' own biofuel programs, which exacerbate Brazil's ecological problems through a complex interconnection of economic circumstances. The United States grows more corn because it wants to produce ethanol to fuel sport utility vehicles. The price of corn is driven up by increased demand to produce ethanol, in addition to feeding people. American soybean farmers, in turn, start seeing bigger dollar signs if they switch to growing corn. This results in fewer soybean crops being grown in the United States. This forces soybean farmers in Brazil to compensate by growing more soybeans to pick up the slack. However, the only way to grow more soybeans is to expand into fields that had been used for Brazilian cattle pasturelands. This, in turn, displaces the cattle industry, forcing it to clear new grazing lands in the Amazon rain forest and the Cerrado savanna. Patches of land totaling the size of Rhode Island were deforested in the Amazon Basin, all in the second half of 2007, because of these cascading economic events. An even larger portion was destroyed through burning. Twenty percent of global carbon emissions result from deforestation activity alone. The amount of grain needed to fill an SUV's gas tank, just once, with corn-grown ethanol is the equivalent of feeding a person for a year. It's a perfect example of how the complex economies involved in growing food crops are being turned upside down as higher priorities are beginning to be placed on feeding cars rather than people. The poorest countries will feel the consequences of these skewed priorities in devastating ways as food shortages send prices beyond their means to pay for them. Blairo Maggi, a regional governor, is also considered to be the soybean king of the world, with a half-million acres growing in the province of Mato Grosso, Brazil. He's been a pioneer on the Brazilian frontier, clearing land to produce more soybeans. He's not too pleased with all the criticism he occasionally receives, especially from the United States. Maggi's response has been that the United States did it a hundred years ago, clearing virgin forestlands to make way for crops, so why can't Brazil? Ecologically responsible laws have been passed to protect the Brazilian rain forests, such as a rule that only 20 percent of uncultivated land can be deforested to make way for crops. Unfortunately, the legislation appears to be contradictory, and there is scant incentive to enforce the letter of the law. "It's like your Wild West right now," Maggi said. "There's no money for enforcement, so people do what they want." Blaming Maggi entirely would be wrong because even Maggi has stated he wants to be able to "feed a child and save a tree." However, trying to fulfill both goals is becoming increasingly difficult. Recent land reforms enacted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva appear to attract increasing numbers of slash-and-burn squatters to the Amazon forests. This has created a "use-it-or-lose-it" incentive among land owners, forcing many to make difficult choices, such as a decision to deforest their own lands rather than watch them being taken away, to be redistributed to others. At one point, Carter tried confronting ranchers who were disobeying the disforestation laws. He nearly got killed for his efforts. Carter understands the economic situation all too well: It's unfair to ask developing countries to halt the exploitation of their own natural resources without viable economic alternatives in place. It's the primary reason why law enforcement, by itself, will fail to protect the forests. The government has to introduce viable economic incentives as Carter later started doing with his nonprofit certification programs, which financially reward ranchers who set aside portions of their forests. "People see the forest as junk," Carter stated. "If you want to save it, you better open your pocketbook. Plus, you might not get shot." The bottom line is that the wealth of the Amazon has been calculated to be worth more deforested, converted by entrepreneurs who dream of transforming the land into an economic powerhouse for growing renewable energy and food stocks. It's not just Brazil that has been captured by this dream. Similar incentives are transforming the economic landscapes of other countries, like Malaysia, where forests are being destroyed along with the remaining uncultivated land, all in order to grow another popular biofuel: palm oil. As pessimistic as this review might seem, biofuels may transform the planet in positive ways. For example, research is targeting the harvesting of highly prolific strains of algae for the tremendous amount of oil (lipids) that some are capable of producing. Certain algae species, when allowed to grow under optimal conditions, can easily double their mass in less than 24 hours. Certain strains are also known to produce up to 50 percent of their body weight in oil. Compare these facts to the speed of growing traditional land crops along with the percentage of energy product produced. However, more research and development will be needed. If global economic factors are not addressed soon on the matter of how much profit there is in growing crops where rain forests are, the remaining biodiversity stored in these priceless natural environments will be doomed, lost forever. The intention of growing biofuels purportedly to help save our planet, to supposedly sequester CO2 in order to reduce the growing threat of a run-away greenhouse effect (and incidentally make a tidy profit) actually magnifies the very specter these activities were intended to prevent. __________________________________________________________________________________ 18. Significant Progress on the Wikipedia Cold Fusion Page By Pierre Carbonnelle This is a follow-up article to the New Energy Times report from two months ago regarding the drama of the edit wars at the Wikipedia cold fusion page. During this time, several people, including me, volunteered to participate in a mediation process - between people who are friendly and people who are unfriendly toward cold fusion. In January, someone by the username of Seicer accepted the difficult role of mediator. This lengthy mediation process had been continuing during the entire time. I'm pleased to report that the revised page, resulting from the mediation process, presents the topic as a continuing controversy, not as an example of pathological science. This is a major step forward in the recognition of the new field of condensed matter nuclear science and low-energy nuclear reaction research. Several recent events have helped in the mediation; the SPAWAR results published in European Physical Journal - Applied Physics, a well-respected peer-reviewed journal (this was SPAWAR's 18th LENR paper published in a refereed journal); Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s funding of a second phase of LENR research; and Robert Park, former arch-enemy of cold fusion, conceding the possibility of LENR. Since its first version on Dec 13, 2001, the Wikipedia cold fusion article has been the battlefield of highly opinionated editors: Some see cold fusion as an example of pathological science, some see it as a continuing controversy, and some see it as an established, proven phenomenon. The 2004 version of the article was featured on the front page of Wikipedia, recognition of the page's quality. Since then, content requirements in Wikipedia got more restricted, and controversial topics must now be supported by sources that are more authoritative and trusted as reliable. For this reason, some editors, including me, brought in references such as those from the 1989 and 2004 Department of Energy Cold Fusion review. Contrary to what most scientists think, these two Department of Energy reviews provide plenty of evidence that supports the view that the cold fusion controversy is far from over. They confirmed that cold fusion is a continuing controversy, not a closed case of pathological science. Thus, editors defending the pathological science opinion fiercely resisted the improvements to include references from the 2004 Department of Energy review, in effect conducting censorship. Mediator Seicer was courageous enough to defend the Wikipedia policy of reliable sources, and this insured that the references to the Department of Energy reviews remained in the article, thus presenting a balanced view of the field. As a direct participant in those debates and in the mediation, I have been stunned by the strong resistance by the "pathological science" camp: it is far beyond what I could have imagined. Its members have been defending their case without any evidence other than "Everybody knows cold fusion is [insert any deprecatory name]." One editor, who calls himself ScienceApologist, fiercely defended the view that cold fusion is "contrary to current theory, so it's impossible." He may be an apologist, but not of science. Now, don't get me wrong. Most of the skeptical editors play an important role in Wikipedia by correctly defending the scientific view in pseudoscience fields. I can understand that they might apply the "everybody knows" argument in fields that scientists choose to ignore. But their treatment of the cold fusion controversy, despite all the evidence to the contrary, baffled me. I thus had firsthand experience of the blind, absurd, pathological defense of the prevailing paradigm, and I now have a lot of respect for all paradigm-shifting scientists, like Copernicus, Galileo, Fleischmann and Pons, and the other courageous cold fusion pioneers. I hope that the revised Wikipedia article will help put a stop to the epidemic of pathological disbelief and that it will help raise the interest of scientists so that prominent scientific journals won't be able to reject articles on the topic "because it does not interest our readers." The spills, at the Alabama Biodiesel Corporation plant outside this city about 17 miles from Tuscaloosa, are similar to others that have come from biofuel plants in the Midwest. The discharges, which can be hazardous to birds and fish, have many people scratching their heads over the seeming incongruity of pollution from an industry that sells products with the promise of blue skies and clear streams. "Ironic, isn't it?" said Barbara Lynch, who supervises environmental compliance inspectors for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "This is big business. There's a lot of money involved." Arthur C. Clarke, a writer whose seamless blend of scientific expertise and poetic imagination helped usher in the space age, died early Wednesday in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he had lived since 1956. He was 90. ... as a science fiction writer, he couldn't resist drawing up timelines for what he called "possible futures." Far from displaying uncanny prescience, these conjectures mainly demonstrated his lifelong, and often disappointed, optimism about the peaceful uses of technology - from his calculation in 1945 that atomic-fueled rockets could be no more than 20 years away to his conviction in 1999 that "clean, safe power" from "cold fusion" would be commercially available in the first years of the new millennium. (article continues) Asking a Judge to Save the World, and Maybe a Whole Lot More By Dennis Overbye The world's physicists have spent 14 years and $8 billion building the Large Hadron Collider, in which ... colliding protons will recreate energies and conditions last seen a trillionth of a second after the Big Bang. Researchers will sift the debris from these primordial recreations for clues to the nature of mass and new forces and symmetries of nature. But Walter L. Wagner and Luis Sancho contend that scientists at the European Center for Nuclear Research, or CERN, have played down the chances that the collider could produce, among other horrors, a tiny black hole, which, they say, could eat the Earth. Or it could spit out something called a "strangelet" that would convert our planet to a shrunken dense dead lump of something called "strange matter." Their suit also says CERN has failed to provide an environmental impact statement as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. Although it sounds bizarre, the case touches on a serious issue that has bothered scholars and scientists in recent years - namely how to estimate the risk of new groundbreaking experiments and who gets to decide whether or not to go ahead. (article continues) S.F. Entrepreneur Floats a Bold Idea to 'Fertilize' Ocean By Carrie Peyton Dahlberg Dan Whaley wants to change your world. Right at the edge between hopeful and scary, this San Francisco entrepreneur wants to fight global warming by altering the oceans. Whaley hopes to sell carbon credits for "ocean fertilization," a plan that mixes big money and big science so ambitiously that some researchers fear we would never fully understand what we'd done. Sometime this year, Whaley's company Climos expects to seek permits to drizzle an iron slurry over roughly 4,000 square miles of ocean. (article continues) Why the Nuke Deal is Critical By K. Subrahmanyam According to M R Srinivasan, the nuclear reactor engineer and former chairman of Department of Atomic Energy, India has only about 1,00,000 tonnes of uranium on the ground and that will be sufficient to support 10,000 MW heavy water-natural uranium reactors for their lifetime. While, as he argues, some complacency on the part of the Department of Atomic Energy in the early 90s may have led to the immediate serious uranium crunch our reactors face, he has rightly highlighted that there is a long-term uranium shortage if our nuclear power programme has to go beyond 10,000 MW. He has also pointed out that without at least 50,000 MW reactors producing plutonium the country cannot have a viable thorium-bred uranium-233 programme. (article continues) See Related: Nuclear Power and the Indo-U.S. Nuclear Deal Of course, this massive amount of energy created cannot be sustained over a longer period of time. In fact, the Texas Petawatt laser unloads is energy within 100 femtoseconds, which is 1/10th of a trillionth of a second (0.0000000000001 seconds). In that time frame the target gets exposed to 200 joules of energy, which is enough to split atoms and simulate supernovas, tabletop stars and very high-density plasmas that mimic exotic stellar objects known as brown dwarfs. In practical life and applied to a larger surface, this energy isn't huge and just enough to run a light bulb for about two seconds. (article continues) Technology Smooths the Way for Home Wind-Power Turbines By John Casey Wind turbines, once used primarily for farms and rural houses far from electrical service, are becoming more common in heavily populated residential areas as homeowners are attracted to ease of use, financial incentives and low environmental effects. No one tracks the number of small-scale residential wind turbines — windmills that run turbines to produce electricity — in the United States. Experts on renewable energy say a convergence of factors, political, technical and ecological, has caused a surge in the use of residential wind turbines, especially in the Northeast and California. (article continues) Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Purdue Researcher By Brian Wallheimer The Lafayette Journal and Courier Purdue University researcher Rusi Taleyarkhan, accused by various parties of research misconduct over his bubble fusion claims, has gone on the offensive. Taleyarkhan has filed a civil lawsuit against two of his detractors, Purdue professors Lefteri Tsoukalas and Tatjana Jevremovic, for defamation, civil harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. (article continues) Europe Turns Back to Coal, Raising Climate Fears By Elisabeth Rosenthal At a time when the world's top climate experts agree that carbon emissions must be rapidly reduced to hold down global warming, Italy's major electricity producer, Enel, is converting its massive power plant here from oil to coal, generally the dirtiest fuel on earth. Over the next five years, Italy will increase its reliance on coal to 33 percent from 14 percent. Power generated by Enel from coal will rise to 50 percent. And Italy is not alone in its return to coal. Driven by rising demand, record high oil and natural gas prices, concerns over energy security and an aversion to nuclear energy, European countries are expected to put into operation about 50 coal-fired plants over the next five years, plants that will be in use for the next five decades. (article continues) Purdue Finishes Probe of Embattled Scientist Associated Press A Purdue University panel that investigated research misconduct allegations against a nuclear scientist who claims he produced nuclear fusion in a simple lab experiment has turned over its findings to federal authorities. Purdue spokeswoman Jeanne Norberg said Friday that Purdue's report on Rusi Taleyarkhan was sent April 18 to the inspector-general of the Office of Naval Research in Arlington, Va. She said the school "will have no comment until ONR responds" to the school's findings.

The Department of Sociology presents Elijah AndersonThe Iconic Ghetto: The New American Color Line The black ghetto has become a major icon in American society and culture, and as such, it serves as an important source of stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination. From the days of slavery through the Civil Rights period, black people have occupied a caste-like status. Today, despite the progressive changes wrought by the racial incorporation process of the 1960s and 1970s, the color line persists—albeit in a new, emergent form—in everyday life. Many blacks now work in a wider range of occupations than ever—not simply in menial jobs, but in professional positions in which they have rarely appeared before, including as doctors, lawyers, professors, corporate executives, and major elected officials. Many of them also reside in exclusive neighborhoods formerly off-limits to them, and their children attend formerly white schools. But as black people have become increasingly more visible throughout society, dilemmas and contradictions of status have also become more common. The physical black ghetto persists, and its iconography conditions many Americans to think that the black person’s “place” is usually in the ghetto, not in middle-class society. Thus, whites and others often associate black individuals with the iconic ghetto, burdening them with a deficit of credibility that on occasion manifests in acts of acute disrespect reminiscent of America’s racial past. Among themselves black people call such incidents “nigger moments,” and generally interpret them as deeply racist attempts to put them back in their place. These incidents, and the conflict they cause—based on the black ghetto as a concrete point of reference—constitute the present-day American color line. Elijah Anderson is the William K. Lanman, Jr. Professor of Sociology at YaleUniversity. One of the leading urban ethnographers in the United States, he isthe author of Code of the Street: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of theInner City (1999), winner of the Komarovsky Award from the Eastern SociologicalSociety; Streetwise: Race, Class, and Change in an Urbanwinner of the American Sociological Association’s Robert E. Park Award for thebest published book in the area of Urban Sociology; and the classic sociologicalwork, A Place on the Corner (1978; 2nd ed., 2003). He is the 2013 recipient ofthe American Sociological Association's Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award. And heis the author, most recently, of The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility inEveryday Life (2012). Location:

source of vitamin b2 benefits of vitamin b2 vitamin b2 supplements What Are the Best Sources of Vitamin B2? Tuesday, 01 Feb 2011 03:07 PM With an increased emphasis on health, the average person today is tuned in to the latest research on the benefits of vitamins. Among all the vitamins, B2 plays its own special role in the human body. Also called Riboflavin, vitamin B2 is manufactured and used up by the body. There is a constant demand for this essential nutrient. Vitamin B2 releases energy for the body's metabolism. Vitamin B2 benefits the skin, nails, eyes, lips, mouth, and tongue. It fights fatigue and protects against cancer. Chronic alcoholics and pregnant women are susceptible to a deficiency of this vitamin. There are many natural sources of vitamin B2. One of the best-known sources of vitamin B2 is almonds. The benefits of vitamin B2 derived from almonds are simply amazing. They not only replenish the red blood cells of the body, but also provide energy and stamina. Milk products including milk, yogurt, and cheese are important sources of riboflavin. Leafy green vegetables like spinach are excellent sources of vitamin B2. The benefits of vitamin B2 present in green leafy vegetables have been popularized not only by doctors but also by nutritionists. Green leafy vegetables also provide the necessary iron and minerals required for the body. There are many animal sources of this vitamin. Vitamin B2 is found in organ meats like liver and kidneys. Regular intake of fish also helps prevent vitamin B2 deficiency. Consuming eggs and yeast boosts vitamin B2 reserves. Whole grains, buckwheat, cocoa powder, kidney beans, millet, sweet potato, nuts, and legumes are also foods that serve as good sources of vitamin B2. These cater to the regular nutrient requirement of human beings, contributing to the development and growth of the human body. Apart from the various natural sources of vitamin B2, supplements are also available. Vitamin B2 supplements fulfill the need of vitamin B2 in the body. Take 20 to 25 mg of multivitamin supplements for optimum health benefits. Keep in mind that it is always better to rely on natural sources of vitamin B2 rather than on vitamin B2 supplements.

Heinrich Schliemann Portrait of Heinrich Schliemann. Johann Ludwig Heinrich Julius Schliemann (January 6, 1822 – December 26, 1890) was a German businessman and classical archaeologist, an advocate of the historical reality of places mentioned in the works of Homer, and an important excavator of the Mycenaean sites of Troy, Mycenae, and Tiryns. Although he was untrained in archaeological techniques and was more of a "treasure-hunter" than a scientist, his enthusiasm and determination led him to many significant finds. His work inspired other trained archaeologists to continue the search for people and places recorded only in myth and legend, and brought new recognition to the lives of those who formed the early history of humankind. Born in Germany, loosing his mother when he was 9, and having his classical education terminated at age 14 when his father lost his income after being accused of embezzlement, Schliemann possessed a genius for language and a business acumen that permitted him to establish profitable businesses—in California during the Gold Rush days and later in Russia. He thereby acquired sufficient wealth that he could pursue his passion for ancient Greek cities and treasures. Though he sought professional recognition, it eluded him, not only because of his lack of formal education, but also because of his low ethical and scientific standards. 2 Career as a businessman 3 Career as an archeologist 4 Decline and death 5 Criticism 7 Selected bibliography Johann Ludwig Heinrich Julius Schliemann was born on January 6, 1822, at Neubuckow, in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, to Ernst Schliemann, a Protestant minister, and Luise Therese Sophie. In 1831, when he was nine, his mother died. There is no question that this was a traumatic event for him (later in life he developed a fetish for women named Sophie). Heinrich was sent to live with his uncle. He enrolled in the gymnasium (grammar school) at Neustrelitz at age 11. His attendance was paid for by his father. He was there for at least a year. Later he claimed that, as a boy, his interest in history was encouraged by his father, who, he said, had schooled him in the tales of the Iliad and the Odyssey and had given him a copy of Ludwig Jerrer's Illustrated History of the World for Christmas 1829. Schliemann also later claimed that at the age of eight he declared he would one day excavate the city of Troy. It is unknown whether his childhood interest in and connection with the classics continued during his time at the gymnasium, but it is likely that he would have been further exposed to Homer. It may be that he had just enough of a classical education to endow him with a yearning for it, when it was snatched from him: he was transferred to the vocational school, or Realschule, after his father was accused of embezzling church funds in 1836, and so could not afford to pay for the gymnasium. According to Schliemann’s diary, his interest in ancient Greece was sparked when he overheard a drunken university student reciting the Odyssey of Homer in classical Greek and he was taken by the language's beauty. The accuracy of that information, along with many details in his diaries, however, is considered doubtful because of a pattern of prevarication that seems to have run through his life. One example is the fact that he was found to have forged documents to divorce his wife and lied in order to obtain U.S. citizenship. Prevarication and a longing to return to the educated life and reacquire all the things of which he was deprived in childhood are thought by many to have been a common thread in Schliemann's life. In his archaeological career, there was always a gulf separating Schliemann from the educated professionals; a gulf deepened by his tendency to pose as something he was not and at the same time a gulf that impelled him in his posing. After leaving the Realschule, Heinrich became a grocer's apprentice at age fourteen, for Herr Holtz's grocery in Furstenburg. He labored in the grocery for five years, reading voraciously whenever he had a spare moment. In 1841, Schliemann fled to Hamburg and became a cabin boy on the Dorothea, a steamship bound for Venezuela. After twelve days at sea, the ship foundered in a gale, and the survivors washed up on the shores of the Netherlands. After the shipwreck, Schliemann underwent a brief period of being footloose in Amsterdam and Hamburg, at age 19. This circumstance came to an end with his employment, in 1842, at the commodities firm of F. C. Quien and Son. He became a messenger, office attendant, and then bookkeeper there. On March 1, 1844, he changed jobs, going to work for B. H. Schröder & Co., an import/export firm. There he showed such judgment and talent for the work that they appointed him as a general agent in 1846 to St. Petersburg, Russia. There, the markets were favorable and he represented a number of companies. Schliemann prospered, but how well is not known. In view of his experiences with his first wife, he probably did not become rich at that time. He did learn Russian and Greek, employing a system that he used his entire life to learn languages—he wrote his diary in the language of whatever country he happened to be in. Schliemann had a gift for languages and by the end of his life he was conversant in English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Italian, Greek, Latin, Russian, Arabic and Turkish as well as his native German. Schliemann's ability with languages was an important part of his career as a businessman in the import trade. In 1850, he learned of the death of his brother, Ludwig, who had become wealthy as a speculator in the California gold fields. Seeing the opportunity, Schliemann went to California in early 1851, and started a bank in Sacramento. The bank bought and resold over a million dollars in gold dust in just six months. The prospectors could mine or pan for the gold, but they had no way to sell it except to middlemen such as Schliemann, who made quick fortunes. Later, Schliemann claimed to have acquired United States citizenship when California was made a state. According to his memoirs, before arriving in California he had dined in Washington with President Millard Fillmore and family. He also wrote an account of the San Francisco fire of 1851. He did not remain in the United States long. On April 7, 1852, he sold his business rather suddenly (due to fever he said) and returned to Russia. There, he attempted to live the life of a gentleman, which brought him into contact with Ekaterina Lyschin, the niece of one of his wealthy friends. He was now 30 years of age. Heinrich and Ekaterina were married on October 12, 1852. The marriage was troubled from the start. Ekaterina wanted him to be richer than he was and withheld conjugal rights until he made a move in that direction, which he finally did. The canny Schliemann cornered the market in indigo and then went into the indigo business, turning a good profit. This move won him Ekaterina's intimacy and they had a son, Sergey. Two other children followed. Having a family to support led Schliemann to tend to business. He found a way to make yet another quick fortune as a military contractor in the Crimean War, from 1854 to 1856. He cornered the market in saltpeter, brimstone, and lead, all constituents of ammunition, and resold them to the Russian government. By 1858, Schliemann was as wealthy as ever a man could wish. The poor minister's son had overcome poverty in his own life. However, he refused to haunt the halls of trade and speculation. He was not a professional businessman, and was no longer interested in speculation. Therefore, he retired from business to pursue other interests. In his memoirs he claimed he wished to dedicate himself to the pursuit of Troy, but the truth of this claim, along with numerous others, is questioned by many. Career as an archeologist It is not certain by what path Schliemann really did arrive at archaeology or Troy. He traveled a great deal, seeking out ways to link his name to famous cultural and historical icons. One of his most famous exploits was disguising himself as a Bedouin tribesman to gain access to forbidden areas of Mecca. His first interest of a classical nature seems to have been the location of Troy whose very existence was at that time in dispute. Perhaps his attention was attracted by the first excavations at Santorini in 1862 by Ferdinand Fouqué. On the other hand, he may have been inspired by Frank Calvert, whom he met on his first visit to the Hisarlik site in 1868. Somewhere in his many travels and adventures he lost Ekaterina. She was not interested in adventure and remained in Russia. Schliemann, claiming to have become a U.S. citizen in 1850, utilized the divorce laws of Indiana to divorce Ekaterina in absentia. Based on the work of a British archeologist, Frank Calvert, who had been excavating the site in Turkey for over 20 years, Schliemann decided that Hisarlik was the site of Troy. In 1868, Schliemann visited sites in the Greek world, published Ithaka, der Peloponnesus und Troja in which he advocated for Hisarlik as the site of Troy, and submitted a dissertation in ancient Greek proposing the same thesis to the University of Rostock. He later claimed to have received a degree from Rostock by that submission. In 1868, regardless of his previous interests and adventures, or the paths by which he arrived at that year, Schliemann's course was set. He took over Calvert's excavations on the eastern half of the Hisarlik site, which was on Calvert's property. The Turkish government owned the western half. Calvert became Schliemann's collaborator and partner. Schliemann brought dedication, enthusiasm, conviction, and a not inconsiderable fortune to the work. Excavations cannot be made without funds, and are in vain without publication of the results. Schliemann was able to provide both. Consequently, he dominated the field of Mycenaean archaeology in his lifetime, and, despite his many faults, still commands the loyalty of classical archaeologists, perhaps deservedly so. Schliemann knew he would need an "insider" collaborator versed in Greek culture of the times. As he had just divorced Ekaterina, he was in a position to advertise for a wife, which he did, in the Athens newspaper. His friend, the Archbishop of Athens, suggested a relative of his, the seventeen-year-old Sophia Engastromenos. As she fit the qualifications, he married her almost at once (1869). They later had two children, Andromache and Agamemnon Schliemann. He reluctantly allowed them to be baptized, and solemnized the ceremony by placing a copy of the Iliad on the children's heads and reciting a hundred hexameters. By 1871, Schliemann was ready to go to work at Troy. Thinking that Homeric Troy must be in the lowest level, he dug hastily through the upper levels, reaching fortifications that he took to be his target. In 1872, he and Calvert clashed over this method. Schliemann flew into a fury when Calvert published an article stating that the Trojan War period was missing from the record, implying that Schliemann had destroyed it. As if to exonerate his views, a cache of gold suddenly appeared in 1873, which Schliemann dubbed "Priam's Treasure." According to him, he saw the gold glinting in the dirt and dismissed the workmen so that he and Sophie could personally excavate it and remove it in Sophie's shawl. Sophie wore one item, the "Jewels of Helen," for the public. He published his findings in Trojanische Altertümer, 1874. This publicity stunt backfired when the Turkish government revoked his permission to dig and sued him for a share of the gold. Collaborating with Calvert, he had smuggled the treasure out of Turkey, which did not endear him to the Turkish authorities. This was not the first time Calvert and Schliemann had smuggled antiquities. Such behavior contributed toward bad relations with other nations, which extended into the future. (Priam's Treasure remains the object of an international tug-of-war.) The so-called "Mask of Agamemnon," discovered by Heinrich Schliemann in 1876 at Mycenae. Meanwhile, Schliemann published Troja und seine Ruinen in 1875 and excavated the Treasury of Minyas at Orchomenos. In 1876, he began excavating at Mycenae. Discovering the Shaft Graves with their skeletons and more regal gold, such as the Mask of Agamemnon, the irrepressible Schliemann cabled the king of Greece. The results were published in Mykena (1878). Although he had received permission to excavate in 1876, Schliemann did not reopen the dig at Troy until 1878–1879, after another excavation in Ithaca designed to locate the actual sites of the Odysseus story. Emile Burnouf and Rudolph Virchow joined him in 1879 for his second excavation of Troy. There was a third excavation, 1882–1883, an excavation of Tiryns in 1884 with Wilhelm Dörpfeld, and a fourth at Troy, 1888–1890, with Dörpfeld, who taught him stratigraphy. By then, however, much of the site had been lost to unscientific digging. Decline and death On August 1, 1890, Schliemann returned to Athens, and in November traveled to Halle for an operation on his chronically infected ears. The doctors dubbed the operation a success, but his inner ear became painfully inflamed. Ignoring his doctors' advice, he left the hospital and traveled to Leipzig, Berlin, and Paris. From Paris, he planned to return to Athens in time for Christmas, but his ears became even worse. Too sick to make the boat ride from Naples to Greece, Schliemann remained in Naples, but managed to make a journey to the ruins of Pompeii. On Christmas day he collapsed in Naples and died in a hotel room on December 26, 1890. His corpse was then transported by friends to Athens. It was then interred in a mausoleum, a temple he erected for himself. The inscription above the entrance, that he had created in advance, read: For the Hero, Schliemann. Schliemann's career began before archaeology developed as a professional field, and so, by present standards, the field technique of Schliemann's work was at best "amateurish." Indeed, further excavation of the Troy site by others has indicated that the level he named the Troy of the Iliad was not that. In fact, all of the materials given Homeric names by Schliemann are considered of a pseudo- nature, although they retain the names. His excavations were even condemned by the archaeologists of his time as having destroyed the main layers of the real Troy. They were forgetting that, before Schliemann, not many people even believed in a real Troy. One of the main problems of his work is that "King Priam's Treasure" was putatively found in the Troy II level, of the primitive Early Bronze Age, long before Priam's city of Troy VI or Troy VIIa in the prosperous and elaborate Mycenaean Age. Moreover, the finds were unique. These unique and elaborate gold artifacts do not appear to belong to the Early Bronze Age. In the 1960s, William Niederland, a psychoanalyst, conducted a psychobiography of Schliemann to account for his unconscious motives. Niederland read thousands of Schliemann's letters and found that he hated his father and blamed him for his mother's death, as evidenced by vituperative letters to his sisters. This view seems to contradict the loving image Schliemann gave, and calls the entire childhood dedication to Homer into question. Nothing in the early letters indicates that that the young Heinrich was even interested in Troy or classical archaeology. Niederland concluded that Schliemann's preoccupation (as he saw it) with graves and the dead reflected grief over the loss of his mother, for which he blamed his father, and his efforts at resurrecting the Homeric dead represent a restoration of his mother. Whether this sort of evaluation is valid is debatable. However, it raised serious questions about the truthfulness of Schliemann's accounts of his life. In 1972, William Calder of the University of Colorado, speaking at a commemoration of Schliemann's birthday, revealed that he had uncovered several untruths. Other investigators followed, such as David Traill of the University of California. Some of their findings were: Schliemann claimed in his memoirs to have dined with President Millard Fillmore in the White House in 1850. However newspapers of the day made no mention of such a meeting, and it seems unlikely that the president of the United States would have a desire to spend time with a poor immigrant. Schliemann left California hastily in order to escape from his business partner, whom he had cheated. Schliemann did not become a U.S. citizen in 1850 as he claimed. He was granted citizenship in New York City in 1868 on the basis of his false claim that he had been a long-time resident. He did divorce Ekaterina from Indiana, in 1868. He never received any degree from the University of Rostock, which rejected his application and thesis. Schliemann's worst offense, by academic standards, is that he may have fabricated Priam's Treasure, or at least combined several disparate finds. His helper, Yannakis, testified that he found some of it in a tomb some distance away. Later it emerged that he had hired a goldsmith to manufacture some artifacts in Mycenaean style, and planted them at the site, a practice known as "salting." Others were collected from other places on the site. Though Sophia was in Athens visiting her family at the time, it is possible she colluded with him on the secret, as he claimed she helped him and she never denied it. Heinrich Schliemann was an archaeologist with great persistence and a desire to discover. Before him, not many believed in the historical accuracy of Homer’s stories. Schliemann, however, had belief and a plan to uncover the famous city of Troy. He pursued this dream and in the end was able to fulfill it, although the methods used to accomplish that are still in question. Schliemann was not a skilled archaeologist; he was untrained in archaeological techniques and thinking. His digging was done in an unprofessional manner, all in search of hidden treasure. On his way, he destroyed precious artifacts that held no interest for him. It seems that Schliemann was above all searching for personal glory. However, he influenced numerous later archaeologists, such as Arthur Evans, who were inspired by his findings and initiated their own archaeological searches into the legends of Greek culture. Schliemann's work on the Mycenaean culture can thus be seen as the start of a new global understanding of early Greek history, bringing back to life the people and places of ancient times, whose stories had become considered no more than myths or legends. Schlitz, Laura A., and Robert Byrd. 2006. The Hero Schliemann: The Dreamer Who Dug For Troy. Candlewick. ISBN 0763622834 Silberman, Neil Asher. 1989. Between Past and Present: Archaeology, Ideology, and Nationalism in the Modern Middle East. New York: H. Holt. ISBN 080500906X Stone, Irving. 1975. The Greek Treasure: A Biographical Novel of Henry and Sophia Schliemann. Doubleday. ISBN 0385111703 Wood, Michael. 1998. In Search of the Trojan War. University of California Press. ISBN 0520215990

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Occupation(s): Novelist, Essayist Writing period: Literary genre: vonnegut.com Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (November 11, 1922 – April 11, 2007) was an American novelist known for works blending satire, black comedy, and science fiction, such as Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), Cat's Cradle (1963), and Breakfast of Champions (1973).[1] Like his friend, Joseph Heller, whom he met at a literary convention on the night of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Vonnegut is known for his ironical and satirical look at modern life. Vonnegut was a former President of the American Humanist Association. Secular humanism is characterized by confidence in human reason and the scientific method as a means of discovering truth and organizing society; an emphasis on earthly life; and optimism that a more rational organization of society can make life better for all humans. 1.1 Early years 1.2 World War II and the firebombing of Dresden 1.3 Post-war career 1.4 Personal life and death 1.5 Writing career 1.6 Design career 2 Beliefs Vonnegut was born to third-generation German-American parents in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a student at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis,[2] Vonnegut worked on the nation's first daily high school newspaper, The Daily Echo. He briefly attended Butler University but dropped out when a professor said his stories were not good enough. He attended Cornell University from 1941 to 1942, where he served as assistant managing editor and associate editor for the student newspaper, the Cornell Daily Sun, majoring in biochemistry. While attending Cornell, he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, following in the footsteps of his father. Nevertheless, Vonnegut often spoke and wrote about The Sun being the only enjoyable part of his time at Cornell.[3] He enrolled at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in 1943. He studied there only briefly before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. On May 14, 1944, Mothers' Day, his mother, Edith Lieber Vonnegut, committed suicide.[4] World War II and the firebombing of Dresden Vonnegut's experience as a soldier and prisoner of war had a profound influence on his later work. As an advance scout with the U.S. 106th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge, Vonnegut was cut off from his battalion and wandered alone behind enemy lines for several days until he was captured by German troops on December 14, 1944.[5] While a prisoner of war, Vonnegut witnessed the aftermath of the February 13–February 15, 1945 bombing of Dresden, Germany, which destroyed much of the city. Vonnegut was one of just seven American prisoners of war in Dresden to survive, in an underground meatpacking cellar known as “Slaughterhouse Five.” "Utter destruction," he recalled. "Carnage unfathomable." The Nazis put him to work gathering bodies for mass burial, Vonnegut explains. "But there were too many corpses to bury. So instead the Nazis sent in guys with flamethrowers. All these civilians' remains were burned to ashes."[6] This experience formed the core of his most famous work, Slaughterhouse-Five and is a theme in at least six other books.[6] Vonnegut was freed by Soviet troops in May 1945. Upon returning to America, Vonnegut was awarded a Purple Heart for what he called a "ludicrously negligible wound." Post-war career After the war, Vonnegut attended the University of Chicago as a graduate student in anthropology and also worked as a police reporter at the City News Bureau of Chicago. According to Vonnegut in Bagombo Snuff Box, the university rejected his first thesis on the necessity of accounting for the similarities between Cubist painting and Native American uprisings of the late nineteenth century, saying it was "unprofessional." They later accepted his novel Cat's Cradle and awarded him the degree. He left Chicago to work in Schenectady, New York, in public relations for General Electric. He attributes his unadorned writing style to his earlier reporting work. On the verge of abandoning writing, Vonnegut was offered a teaching job at the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. While he was there Cat's Cradle became a best-seller, and he began Slaughterhouse-Five, now considered one of the best American novels of the twentieth century, appearing on the 100 best lists of Time magazine[7] and the Modern Library.[8] Personal life and death He married his childhood sweetheart, Jane Marie Cox, after returning from World War II, but the couple separated in 1970. He did not divorce Cox until 1979, but from 1970 to 2000, Vonnegut lived with the woman who would later become his second wife, photographer Jill Krementz. Krementz and Vonnegut were married after the divorce from Cox was finalized. He had seven children: he shared three with his first wife, adopted his sister Alice's three children when she died of cancer, and adopted another child, Lily. Two of these children have published books, including his only biological son, Mark Vonnegut, who wrote The Eden Express: A Memoir of Insanity, about his experiences in the late 1960s and his major psychotic breakdown and recovery; the tendency to insanity he acknowledged may be partly hereditary, influencing him to take up the study of medicine and orthomolecular psychiatry. Mark was named after Mark Twain, whom Vonnegut considered an American saint, and to whom he bears some resemblance, in both style and appearance.[10][11] His daughter Edith Vonnegut, an artist, has also had her work published in a book entitled Domestic Goddesses. Edith was once married to Geraldo Rivera. She was named after Vonnegut's mother, Edith Lieber. His youngest daughter is Nanette, named after Nanette Schnull, Vonnegut's paternal grandmother. Of Vonnegut's four adopted children, three are his nephews: James, Steven and Kurt Adams; the fourth is Lily, a girl he adopted as an infant in 1982. James, Steven and Kurt were adopted after a traumatic week in 1958, in which their father was killed when his commuter train went off an open drawbridge in New Jersey, and their mother—Kurt's sister Alice—died of cancer. In Slapstick or Lonesome No More, Kurt recounts that Alice's husband died two days before Alice herself. Her family tried to hide the knowledge from her, but she found out when an ambulatory patient gave her a copy of the New York Daily News, a day before she herself died. The fourth and youngest of the boys, Peter Nice, went to live with a first cousin of their father in Birmingham, Alabama as an infant. Lily is a singer and actress. On January 31, 2000, a fire destroyed the top story of his home. Vonnegut suffered smoke inhalation and was hospitalized in critical condition for four days. He survived, but his personal archives were destroyed. After leaving the hospital, he recuperated in Northampton, Massachusetts. Vonnegut died at the age of 84 on April 11, 2007, in Manhattan, New York, after a fall at his home several weeks prior resulted in irreversible brain injuries.[1][12] His first short story, "Report on the Barnhouse Effect," appeared in 1950 in Collier's. His first novel was the dystopian science fiction novel Player Piano (1952), in which human workers have been largely replaced by machines. He continued to write science fiction short stories before his second novel, The Sirens of Titan, was published in 1959.[13] Through the 1960s the form of his work changed, from the orthodox science fiction of Cat's Cradle (which in 1971 got him his master's degree) to the acclaimed, semiautobiographical Slaughterhouse-Five, given a more experimental structure by using time travel as a plot device. These structural experiments were continued in Breakfast of Champions (1973), which included many rough illustrations, lengthy non-sequiturs and an appearance by the author himself, as a deus ex machina. "This is a very bad book you're writing," I said to myself. "I know," I said. "You're afraid you'll kill yourself the way your mother did," I said. Vonnegut attempted suicide in 1984 and later wrote about this in several essays.[14] Breakfast of Champions became one of his best sellers. It includes, beyond the author himself, several of Vonnegut's recurring characters. One of them, Kilgore Trout, plays a major role and interacts with the author's character. In addition to recurring characters, there are also recurring themes and ideas. One of them is ice-nine (a central wampeter in his novel Cat's Cradle), said to be a new form of ice with a different crystal structure from normal ice. When a crystal of ice-nine is brought into contact with liquid water, it becomes a seed that “teaches” the molecules of liquid water to arrange themselves into ice-nine. However, this process is not easily reversible, as the melting point of ice-nine is 114.4 degrees Fahrenheit (45.8 degrees Celsius). Ice-nine could be considered a fictionalization of the real scientific controversy surrounding polywater, a hypothetical form of water which has since been disproved. Metaphorically, ice-nine represents any potentially lethal invention created without regard for the consequences. Ice-nine—the eighth in a series of differently crystalizing ices with successively higher melting points—is patently dangerous, as even a small piece of it dropped in the ocean would cause all the earth's water to solidify (Vonnegut ignores the fact that this is thermodynamically impossible). Yet it was created, simply because human beings like to create and invent. Although many of his later novels involved science fiction themes, they were widely read and reviewed outside the field, not least due to their anti-authoritarianism. For example, his seminal short story “Harrison Bergeron” graphically demonstrates how even the debatably noble sentiment of egalitarianism, when combined with too much authority, becomes horrific repression. In much of his work Vonnegut's own voice is apparent, often filtered through the character of science fiction author Kilgore Trout (based on real-life science fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon), characterized by wild leaps of imagination and a deep cynicism, tempered by humanism. In the foreword to Breakfast of Champions, Vonnegut wrote that as a child, he saw men with locomotor ataxia, and it struck him that these men walked like broken machines; it followed that healthy people were working machines, suggesting that humans are helpless prisoners of determinism. Vonnegut also explored this theme in Slaughterhouse-Five, in which protagonist Billy Pilgrim "has come unstuck in time" and has so little control over his own life that he cannot even predict which part of it he will be living through from minute to minute. Vonnegut's well-known phrase "So it goes," used ironically in reference to death, also originated in Slaughterhouse-Five and became a slogan for anti-Vietnam War protestors in the 1960s. "Its combination of simplicity, irony, and rue is very much in the Vonnegut vein."[12] With the publication of his novel Timequake, Vonnegut announced his retirement from writing fiction. He continued to write for the magazine In These Times, where he was a senior editor, until his death in 2007, focusing on subjects ranging from contemptuous criticism of President George W. Bush's administration to simple observational pieces on topics such as a trip to the post office. In 2005, many of his essays were collected in a new bestselling book titled A Man Without a Country, which he insisted would be his last contribution. An August 2006 article reported: He has stalled finishing his highly anticipated novel If God Were Alive Today - or so he claims. "I've given up on it ... It won't happen. ... The Army kept me on because I could type, so I was typing other people's discharges and stuff. And my feeling was, 'Please, I've done everything I was supposed to do. Can I go home now?' That's what I feel right now. I've written books. Lots of them. Please, I've done everything I'm supposed to do. Can I go home now?"[6] Design career Vonnegut's work as a graphic artist began with his illustrations for Slaughterhouse-Five and developed with Breakfast of Champions, which included numerous felt-tip pen illustrations, such as anal sphincters, and other, less indelicate images. Later in his career, he became more interested in artwork, particularly silk-screen prints, pursued in collaboration with Joe Petro III. More recently, Vonnegut participated in the project The Greatest Album Covers That Never Were, where he created an album cover for Phish called Hook, Line and Sinker, which has been included in a traveling exhibition for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Vonnegut was a humanist; he served as honorary president of the American Humanist Association, having replaced Isaac Asimov in what Vonnegut called "that totally functionless capacity." He was deeply influenced by early socialist labor leaders, especially Indiana natives Powers Hapgood and Eugene V. Debs, and he frequently quotes them in his work. He named characters after both Debs (Eugene Debs Hartke in Hocus Pocus) and Russian communist leader Leon Trotsky (Leon Trotsky Trout in Galapagos). He was a lifetime member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and was featured in a print advertisement for them. Walter Starbuck, the main character of his novel Jailbird, was a minor bureaucrat in the Nixon administration who found himself swept up in the Watergate scandal. Otherwise, while he frequently addressed moral and political issues, Vonnegut rarely dealt with specific political figures until after his retirement from fiction. His collection God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian referenced controversial assisted suicide proponent Jack Kevorkian. With his columns for In These Times, he began a blistering attack on the administration of President George W. Bush and the Iraq war. "By saying that our leaders are power-drunk chimpanzees, am I in danger of wrecking the morale of our soldiers fighting and dying in the Middle East?" he wrote. "Their morale, like so many bodies, is already shot to pieces. They are being treated, as I never was, like toys a rich kid got for Christmas in December."[15] In A Man Without a Country, he wrote that "George W. Bush has gathered around him upper-crust C-students who know no history or geography." He did not regard the 2004 election with much optimism; speaking of Bush and Massachusetts senator and Democratic presidential nominee, John Kerry, he said that "no matter which one wins, we will have a Skull and Bones President at a time when entire vertebrate species, because of how we have poisoned the topsoil, the waters and the atmosphere, are becoming, hey presto, nothing but skulls and bones."[16] In 2005 Vonnegut was interviewed by David Neson for The Australian.[17] During the course of the interview Vonnegut was asked his opinion of modern terrorists, to which he replied "I regard them as very brave people." When pressed further Vonnegut also said that "They [suicide bombers] are dying for their own self-respect. It's a terrible thing to deprive someone of their self-respect. It's [like] your culture is nothing, your race is nothing, you're nothing ... It is sweet and noble - sweet and honourable I guess it is - to die for what you believe in" (This last statement is a reference to the line "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" ["it is sweet and appropriate to die for your country"] from Horace's Odes, or possibly from Wilfred Owen's ironic use of the line in his “Dulce Et Decorum Est”). David Neson took offense to Vonnegut's comments and characterized him as an old man who "doesn't want to live any more ... and because he can't find anything worthwhile to keep him alive, he finds defending terrorists somehow amusing." Vonnegut's son, Dr. Mark Vonnegut, responded to the article by writing an editorial to the Boston Globe in which he explained the reasons behind his father's "provocative posturing" and stated that "If these commentators can so badly misunderstand and underestimate an utterly unguarded English-speaking 83-year-old man with an extensive public record of exactly what he thinks, maybe we should worry about how well they understand an enemy they can't figure out what to call."[18] A 2006 interview with Rolling Stone magazine stated: ... it's not surprising that he disdains everything about the Iraq War. The very notion that more than 2,500 U.S. soldiers have been killed in what he sees as an unnecessary conflict makes him groan. “Honestly, I wish Nixon were president,” Vonnegut laments. “Bush is so ignorant.”[6] NOW Arts & Culture Interview with Vonnegut – PBS (October 2005) Kurt Vonnegut at the Internet Book List Kurt Vonnegut Jr. at the Internet Movie Database Beating Around the Bush: An Evening of Satire – October 6, 2005, The New York Society for Ethical Culture, 63 min., mp3 format Kurt Vonnegut Interview with Don Swaim of CBS Radio – Wired For Books “Evolutionary Mythology in the Writings of Kurt Vonnegut Jr.” by Gilbert McInnis The Daily Show: Jon Stewart interview with Vonnegut (September 13, 2005) Kurt Vonnegut Judges Modern Society – Interview on NPR (January 23, 2006) Interview with Kurt Vonnegut – The Paris Review “Prolific Author Kurt Vonnegut Dead At 84” – NY1.com Kurt_Vonnegut (Apr 12, 2007) history

Frederick MCCUBBIN Australia 1855 – 1917 Self-portrait 1912 oil on canvas 106.6 (h) x 66.6 (w) cm Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide purchased through the Elder Bequest Fund, 1912 ARTICLE | PREVIOUS In November/December 1912 McCubbin wrote to his friend Tom Roberts in England that his work was selling well to private collectors in Melbourne, but the National Gallery of Victoria did ‘nothing—much—except buy Dead Old Masters’ (Tom Roberts letters, ML). Adelaide, on the other hand, he pleasingly continued, ‘has given me £105 for a Self Portrait’. The Art Gallery of South Australia had purchased the self-portrait from the South Australian Society of Arts Federation Exhibition, where it was described as being ‘not only a good likeness, but an excellent work of art’ (Advertiser, 14 November 1912, p 12). At the time of writing to Roberts, McCubbin’s national reputation had matured, and the acquisition of this work was a public affirmation of his elevated position in Australian art. It was his first self-portrait to enter a major public art collection. McCubbin’s impulse to create this commanding three-quarter length portrait was most likely driven by his own sense of achievement at the age of 57, a commemorative record of quiet professional satisfaction. Looking distinguished and holding his suit lapel, McCubbin stands before us as a highly successful artist, and recently elected first president of the Australian Art Association. In the solitary, darkened space of his studio we witness McCubbin’s pleasure in capturing the drama of the raking light with his signature flickering brushwork. The pose, large scale, and sunken tonality point to the portraiture of McCubbin’s American–British predecessor, James McNeill Whistler, yet the brilliance of his highlights is unmistakably that of an antipodean artist who has spent his painting career mastering the magical effects of fractured light.

Remember mothers on their day Niagara Gazette — All of us have or have had one:A mother.Not all, or any, of us will celebrate or recognize Mother’s Day on Sunday in the same way.The day’s activities can be as diverse as our mothers. Breakfast in bed, cards, telephone calls, flowers and dinners are traditional ways to honor Mom. Some children give the gift of spending time with Mom, and others may find new ways to pay respects.In the United States, Mother’s Day started nearly 150 years ago, when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, organized a “Mother’s Work Day” to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, according to Studio Melizo’s Holidays on the Net.Her daughter, also named Anna, later lobbied businessmen and politicians to designate a special day to honor mothers.In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday on the second Sunday in May.Julia Ward Howe, a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist and author of the lyrics to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” also has been credited with suggesting a “mother’s day,” as she organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace about 130 years ago.Over the decades, the holiday has taken on a note of commercialism, critics would say, but what holiday hasn’t? The intent of Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be lost; just a little time is needed to make it personal.We can take Mother’s Day as a day to reflect on who our mother was and how she helped us become who we are. She probably had hopes for us, her children, and expectations that were a guide. She may have helped with homework, taken us to soccer games and

This was the Nazi party's first monumental structure for use as propaganda, note the architecture and maybe take a 3rd Reich tour to learn more about it. Prinzregentenstraße 1 80538 Munich, Germany Maxvorstadt and Schwabing tel: +49 89 21 1270 The Haus der Kunst (literally house of art) was built by the Nazis in 1937 to showcase exhibitions having a very narrow focus to only what the party found appropriate at the time. The building survived the war and starting from 1946 exhibitions have been held again although no permanent collection has been at the Haus der Kunst since 2002. Check the offficial Haus der Kunst website to see what is going on while you are here. Around back and in the basement is the famous P1 nightclub where the high society of Munich dance the night away.

Janeen Lawlor (973) 648-2595 DEP AND BPU ANNOUNCE MILESTONE IN REGIONAL EFFORT TO COMBAT GLOBAL WARMING (06/48) TRENTON -- New Jersey Department of Environmental Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Jeanne M. Fox announced that New Jersey and six other states have released a set of model regulations aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants. New Jersey is a participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cooperative effort by Northeastern states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions - a greenhouse gas that causes global warming. The regulations establish a mandatory cap-and-trade program to reduce CO2 emissions from power plants, the first such program of its kind in U.S. history. The unique program relies on a market-based approach to curb power plant emissions, while at the same time promoting energy efficiency. "Global warming is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time," said Commissioner Jackson. "This market-based strategy will serve as a national model for reducing greenhouse gas pollution." "This regional approach will put us on a path to address our contribution to global warming in a way that will help to expand economic growth in our state and make us more economically competitive. The more wisely we generate and use electricity, the better our competitive position," said President Fox. "Together with our fellow Northeast states, we will have a compounded impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by generating more energy with clean and renewable fuels and by using energy more efficiently in our homes and businesses." In December 2005, the governors of seven states (New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine) reached a landmark agreement outlining the key components of a program to address global warming. The agreement established under RGGI specified that the states would work to create draft regulations, which would be subject to public meetings and a 60-day comment period. The model set of regulations reflects and incorporates many of the comments received. New Jersey will use the model rule as a starting point for writing its own regulations to implement the program. Under the plan, regional CO2 emissions from power plants will be capped at 121 million tons per year beginning in 2009 through 2015 (a level approximately equal to 1990 emissions), and will be reduced to 10 percent below this level by 2019. The cap-and-trade program established under the model rules sets limits on power plant emissions across the region, but does not restrict the emissions of any single power plant. A power plant must hold an emissions credit, known as an "allowance," to cover each ton of its emissions. It can purchase more allowances to cover more emissions, but since the number of allowances is fixed, there are fewer allowances remaining to cover other plants' emissions. As a result, emissions from plants across the entire region cannot exceed the regional cap. The program outlined in the model regulations provides additional flexibility by allowing power companies to meet some reduction requirements through the use of offset credits, which represent approved emissions reductions achieved outside the electric sector. Examples of offset credits include energy efficiency measures to reduce natural gas consumption in the building sector and the capture of methane from landfills. The RGGI plan also provides that at least 25 percent of the emissions allowances will be used to benefit energy consumers--a provision that New Jersey strongly advocated for inclusion. Under this mechanism, electric generators would purchase these allowances, and the funds generated would be used to support additional energy efficiency, clean energy technology investments and consumer rebates to protect low-income consumers. New Jersey has stated its intention to dedicate a significantly larger portion of allowances to support consumer benefits. These regulations and New Jersey's participation in RGGI reflect New Jersey's ongoing commitment to improve air quality and reduce pollution. In December 2005, New Jersey adopted new rules to reduce ozone, fine particles and toxic air pollution by establishing new, cleaner vehicle emission standards. The vehicle emission rules adopt the California Low Emission Vehicle standards for CO2, and apply them to new vehicles delivered for sale in New Jersey starting Jan. 1, 2009. Automobiles are also significant contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. Global warming is a serious threat to New Jersey, with projections forecasting average temperature increases between two and 10 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. Such severe climate change would contribute to air quality problems by exacerbating smog and ozone. For more information, please visit .

Immigration Policy and the Founding of the Republican Party By Gil Medina, contributor In a prior article, I discussed the future of the Republican Party and the daunting demographic challenges it will face in the decades ahead. I pointed to exit polls that indicated that a key to President Obama's re-election victory was winning overwhelming margins of the African-American, Hispanic and Asian vote. Romney garnered 59% of the white vote: A greater percentage than the 56% that Ronald Reagan received in 1980 and the same as George H.W Bush did in 1988 (59%). Romney's margin among white voters almost tied the record 60% that Dwight Eisenhower received in 1952. And still it was not enough.My thesis in my previous article was that a 60% margin among white voters, without significant inroads with African-American, Hispanic and Asian voters may never be enough for national Republican candidates to succeed. This is so because of a seismic demographic shift that is transforming the US. The 2010 Census estimated that 50.5 million Hispanics live in the United States. Hispanics account for 16.3% of the total U.S. population. This population, which numbered 35.3 million in 2000, grew by 43% over the decade. The U.S. population as a whole grew by only 9.7% in that period of time consequently, the Hispanic population growth accounted for most of the nation's overall growth (56% of the growth) from 2000 to 2010. Hispanics constituted 10 percent of the voters who went to the polls in 2012.Between the 2000 Census and 2010 Census, the number of people identifying as Asian or Asian plus another race rose 45.6%: A total of 17.3 million people or 5.6% of the US population. Asians accounted for 3% of the 2012 electorate – up from 2% in 2008The Democratic Party hold on the African-American vote has been strong and seemingly unshakeable. But I believe that with a vision that addresses the aspirations of African-Americans, the GOP can expand its support among a constituency that at one time enjoyed strong bonds with the party.And the Republican Party has demonstrated an ability to compete for the Hispanic vote: In 2000 President George W. Bush received 35% of the Hispanic vote and then in 2004 increased his margin to 44%. In contrast, Mitt Romney received a smaller margin of Hispanic votes than any presidential candidate in the past 16 years.I believe that this is so because the Republican Party has allowed itself to be unduly influenced by a neo-Nativist element that has gained traction in the past two decades. Nativism is a form of national, ethnic, racial and/or religious intolerance of people or ideas that are perceived as "foreign" and therefore corrosive of the "national" culture. It expresses itself as a reservation about the desirability or suitability for citizenship of those suspected of being unable or unwilling to function as productive, loyal and patriotic citizens. In the United States, the term Nativism was first used in connection with political and social movements that proliferated between 1830 and 1925. It expressed hostility against newly arrived immigrants who did not fit the mold of a "real" American. Nativism called upon "real" Americans to protect the nation from these "foreign" interlopers. Nativism continues to impact our political life in the form of anti-immigrant and "English-Only" movements.The U.S. population expanded significantly between the 1820s and 1860s and, not surprisingly, widespread anti-immigrant sentiment fueled Nativism. This sentiment found its most impactful expression with the creation in the 1850s of the Order of the Star Spangled Banner known popularly as the "Know Nothings." The secretive group admonished its members to say they "knew nothing" about the organization. The roots of the Know-Nothing movement lay in the fear of immigrants in general and Roman Catholics in particular.Based in New York State, the group recruited members nationwide. The Know Nothings' appeal was largely due to their willingness to blame immigration for the structural changes forged by the Industrial Revolution that seemed to make skilled work obsolete with technology, assembly lines and mass production of goods.In was in this cauldron that the Republican Party was forged. The major impetus for the creation of a new party was the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 which repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820. The compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. With the exception of Missouri, it prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36° 30' latitude. The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed slave or free status to be decided in the territories by "popular sovereignty" much as many opponents of gay rights today wish to allow the civil rights of gays to be decided by the states in state elections.The elements coming together to form the new Republican Party included northern Whigs opposed to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, northern Democrats who opposed slavery and the Free-Soil Party which formed in New York State where the Democratic Party divided into contending factions: the Barnburners, who were strongly opposed to slavery, and the Hunkers, who were neutral or supportive of slavery.Finally, and ironically, the Know-Nothing movement supported the Republican Party. They were opposed to the spread of slavery because they did not want to compete against unpaid labor in the lands being settled in the West. They were not the champions of African-Americans, slave or free.But German immigrants who formed an important voting bloc in the mid-west opposed BOTH slavery AND anti-immigration policies. They played a key role in nominating and electing the Republican Party's first president, Abraham Lincoln, and in molding a more tolerant racial, ethnic and migration platform for the new party. In 2012, the focus of Nativism has shifted from Roman Catholics, specifically, to all immigrant groups and particularly Hispanics and Asians. It is no wonder that the GOP, the party that was the greatest source of hope for African-Americans, both free and slave, and which found a way to embrace the aspirations of immigrants managed, in 2012, to achieve such an improbable outcome: Losing 93% of the African-American vote, 71% of the Hispanic vote, and 73% of the Asian vote.Opposition to the "Dream Act" by many Republicans made it almost impossible for the party to appeal to young, Hispanic voters. The Dream Act sought to allow immigrants brought to the United States by undocumented parents as children, to continue their education into college and beyond and ultimately, to have a path to citizenship: In other words, to achieve the promise of the American Dream. It is the most benign form of immigration reform.While serving as a state legislator in Illinois, Lincoln wrote a letter condemning the Know-Nothing Party. "I am not a Know-Nothing…. As a nation we began by declaring 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it, 'all men are created equal, except Negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read, 'all men are created equal, except Negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty—to Russia, for example, where despotism can be taken pure and without the base alloy of hypocrisy."The Republican Party desperately needs courageous leaders, like the great Abraham Lincoln, who can stand up to some of our traditional constituencies who seem to believe that in order to be free themselves, they must deny others the promise of the American Dream. Like Lincoln, we need to stand up as a Party and proclaim that civil rights are "inalienable" and should not be subjected to the whim of popular sovereignty.As a committed Republican, I will continue to vote for the party and to toil in the vineyards for its candidates. All I ask of the GOP is to lead as Lincoln beseeched us to do in his second inaugural speech, "With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds."

for Emin PashaAKA Eduard Carl Oscar Theodor SchnitzerBorn: 28-Mar-1840Birthplace: Oppeln, Silesia, GermanyDied: 23-Oct-1892Location of death: Kinena, CongoCause of death: MurderGender: MaleReligion: MuslimRace or Ethnicity: WhiteOccupation: Explorer, Naturalist, GovernmentNationality: GermanyExecutive summary: German colonial traveller in AfricaGerman traveller, administrator and naturalist, was the son of Ludwig Schnitzer, a merchant of Oppeln in Silesia, and was born in Oppeln on the 28th of March 1840. He was educated at the universities of Breslau, Berlin and K�nigsberg, and took the degree of M.D. at Berlin. He displayed an early predilection for zoology and ornithology, and in later life became a skilled and enthusiastic collector, particularly of African plants and birds. When he was twenty-four he determined to seek his fortunes abroad, and made his way to Turkey, where, after practicing medicine on his own account for a short time, he was appointed (in 1865) quarantine medical officer at Antivari. The duties of the post were not heavy, and allowed him leisure for a diligent study of Turkish, Arabic and Persian. From 1870-74 he was in the service of the governor of northern Albania, had adopted a Turkish name (though not that by which he afterwards became so widely known), and was practically naturalized as a Turk. After a visit home in 1875 he went to Cairo, and then to Khartoum, in the hope of an opportunity for travelling in the interior of Africa. This came to him in the following year, when General Charles George Gordon, who had recently succeeded Sir Samuel Baker as governor of the equatorial provinces of Egypt, invited Schnitzer, who was now known as "Emin Effendi", to join him at Lado on the upper Nile. Although nominally Gordon's medical officer, Emin was soon entrusted with political missions of some importance to Uganda and Unyoro. In these he acquitted himself so well that when, in 1878, Gordon's successor at Lado was deprived of his office on account of malpractices (Gordon himself having been made governor-general of the Sudan), Emin was chosen to fill the post of governor of the Equatorial Province (the old equatorial provinces minus the Bahr-el-Ghazal) and given the title of "bey." He proved an energetic and enterprising governor; indeed, his enterprise on more than one occasion brought him into conflict with Gordon, who eventually decided to remove Emin to Suakin. Before the change could be effected, however, Gordon resigned his post in the Sudan, and his successor revoked the order. The next three or four years were employed by Emin in various journeys through his province, and in the initiation of schemes for its development, until in 1882, on his return from a visit to Khartoum, he became aware that the Mahdist rising, which had originated in Kordofan, was spreading southward. The effect of the rising was, of course, more markedly felt in Emin's province after the abandonment of the Sudan by the Egyptian government in 1884. He was obliged to give up several of his stations in face of the Mahdist advance, and ultimately to retire from Lado, which had been his capital, to Wadelai. This last step followed upon his receipt of a letter fom Nubar Pasha, informing him that it was impossible for the Egyptian government to send him help, and that he must stay in his province or retire towards the coast as best he could. Emin (who about this time was raised to the rank of pasha) had some thoughts of a retreat to Zanzibar, but decided to remain where he was and endeavor to hold his own. To this end he carried on protracted negotiations with neighboring native potentates. When, in 1887, Henry Morton Stanley's expedition was on its way to relieve him, it is clear from Emin's diary that he had no wish to leave his province, even if relieved. He had done good work there, and established a position which he believed himself able to maintain. He hoped, however, that the presence of Stanley's force, when it came, would strengthen his position; but the condition of the relieving party, when it arrived in April 1888, did not seem to Emin to promise this. Stanley's proposal to Emin, as stated in the latter's diary, was that Emin should either remain as governor-general on behalf of the king of the Belgians, or establish himself on Victoria Nyanza on behalf of a group of English merchants who wished to start an enterprise in Africa on the model of the East India Company. After much hesitation, and prompted by a growing disaffection amongst the natives (owing, as he maintained, to his loss of prestige after the arrival of Stanley's force), Emin decided to accompany Stanley to the coast, where the expedition arrived in December 1889. Unfortunately, on the evening of a reception dinner given in his honor, Emin met with an accident which resulted in fracture of the skull. Careful nursing gradually restored him to health, and on his convalescence he resolutely maintained his decision to remain in Africa, and, if possible, to work there in future on behalf of the German government. The seal was definitely set upon this decision by his formal engagement on behalf of his native country, early in 1890. Preparations for a new expedition into the interior were set on foot, and meanwhile Emin was honored in various ways by learned societies in Germany and elsewhere. The object of the new expedition was (to quote Emin's instructions) "to secure on behalf of Germany the territories situated south of and along Victoria Nyanza up to Albert Nyanza", and to "make known to the population there that they were placed under German supremacy and protection, and to break or undermine Arab influence as far as possible." The force, which was well equipped, started at the end of April 1890. But before it had penetrated far inland the political reasons for sending the expedition vanished with the signature, on the 1st of July 1890, of the Anglo-German agreement defining the spheres of influence of the two nations, an agreement which excluded the Albert Nyanza region from the German sphere. For a time things went well enough with the expedition; Emin occupied the important town of Tabora on the route from the coast to Tanganyika and established the post of Bukoba on Victoria Nyanza, but by degrees ill-fortune clouded its prospects. Difficulties on the route; dissensions between Emin and the authorities in German East Africa, and misunderstandings on the part of both; epidemics of disease in Emin's force, followed by a growing spirit of mutiny among his native followers; an illness of a painful nature which attacked him -- all these gradually undermined Emin's courage, and his diaries at the close of 1891 reflect a gloomy and almost hopeless spirit. In May that year he had crossed into the Congo State by the south shore of Albert Edward Nyanza, and many months were spent on the borders of the great Congo Forest and in the Undusuma country south-west of Albert Nyanza, breaking ground new to Europeans. In December 1891 he sent off his companion, Dr. Stuhlmann, with the bulk of the caravan, on the way back to the east coast. Emin remained behind with the sick, and with a very reduced following left the lake district in March 1892 for the Congo river. On reaching Ipoto on the Ituri he came within the region of the Arab slave raiders and ivory hunters, in whose company he at times travelled. These gentry were incensed against Emin for the energetic way in which he had dealt with their comrades while in German territory, and against Europeans generally by the campaign for their suppression begun by the Congo State. At the instigation of one of these Arabs Emin was murdered on the 23rd or 24th of October 1892 at Kinena, a place about 80 miles east-southeast of Stanley Falls.

"Staph Cutbacks" -- The Discovery Files The Discovery Files podcast is available through iTunes or you can add the RSS feed to your podcast receiver. Researchers at the University of Illinois and UC San Diego have discovered a new compound that restores the health of mice infected with MRSA, an otherwise dangerous bacterial infection. Credit: NSF/Karson Productions Audio Transcript:(Sound effect: Wall falling) Tear down that wall. I'm Bob Karson with the discovery files--new advances in science and engineering from the National Science Foundation. (Sound effect: battle sounds--artillery, planes) In the war against antibiotic-resistant infections, sometimes we run out of ammo. For example, there are some strains of tuberculosis that are completely drug-resistant. Since no drug works, you get it--you die. Gonorrhea--once easily cured by antibiotics--is becoming resistant to treatment. Staph infections take more lives in the U.S. every year than HIV/AIDS. That's why a new compound discovered by scientists at the University of Illinois and UC San Diego show so much promise. The compound takes a different tack to accomplish the same goal as antibiotics while reducing the resistance factor. It works by targeting an enzyme not found in human cells, but necessary for bacterial survival--disrupting biosynthesis of the cell wall. (Sound effect: mice sounds) The team tested the compound on mice infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. (Sound effect: mice cheer) Twenty out of twenty treated with the compound were cured. Of the mice not treated, none survived. Even better, the same positive results were achieved against both antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria and regular ones. It'll take years of study to see if the compound will have the same effect on humans. If it works, I'd say we could be facing some real "staph cutbacks." "The discovery files" covers projects funded by the government's national science foundation. Federally sponsored research--brought to you, by you! Learn more at nsf.gov or on our podcast. General Restrictions:

Experts back NYC's link of gun laws, lower crime NEW YORK (AP) — In his nationwide effort for tighter gun control, Mayor Michael Bloomberg attributes historic crime lows in New York to strict gun laws that are strictly enforced. "If we are serious about protecting lives," he wrote in a recent newspaper editorial, "we have to get serious about enforcing our laws." The National Rifle Association has dismissed Bloomberg's anti-gun campaign over the years as a publicity stunt and said last week that tighter laws would have no effect on public safety and crime. But leading criminologists around the country say Bloomberg is right, for the most part. While acknowledging policing isn't the only factor in reducing gun violence, they cite the all-time low number of slayings in a city where most people are killed with guns. "New York is showing the way for some good strategies in policing," said Harold Pollack, co-director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. Getting a thin layer of guns off the streets matters, said Franklin Zimring, author of "The City that Became Safe: New York's Lessons for Urban Crime and Its Control." "Gun policing in New York got much more effective as every kind of street policing got more effective," he said. Bloomberg is leading the charge but is backed by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition he started that now has more than 800 mayors from around the country. "The more of us that we have together, the better we'll be able to make the case to Congress why sensible gun laws have to be on the books and have to be enforced," he said last week in Washington. "We just cannot continue to have 33 people a day killed in the United States with guns, and over 40 people commit suicide with guns every single day." New York state had strict laws even before legislators passed the nation's toughest last week. And city regulations augment them. For example, in New York City, gun permits must be renewed every three years; there were no restrictions in other parts of the state until the new action. Obtaining a permit to carry a pistol or a revolver is incredibly difficult, and carrying a rifle or shotgun in the city is illegal. Out-of-state permits to carry a gun aren't recognized in the city. At Bloomberg's urging in 2007, the state passed mandatory minimum sentencing laws for gun convictions. A city gun offender registry was created in which officers track serious gun convicts, not unlike sex offenders. Bloomberg fronted a sting operation to expose the gun show loophole. But the laws didn't start working until police effectively started enforcing them, said Zimring, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Most of the murders in the city are committed with guns — that hasn't changed. But policing has. Under Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, "hot spots policing" proliferated, in which officers flood high-crime areas tracked by a computer reporting system. The department formed a firearms suppression unit in 2006 that identifies traffickers and uses undercover officers to buy and arrest them. Crime has dropped almost across the board in the decade Bloomberg has been in office. There were 418 killings last year for a population of 8 million people, the lowest number since reliable records were kept starting in 1963. Chicago, for example, had 487 for 2 million people. In 1990, New York City had an all-time high of 2,245 killings. "Is a lot of that effective street gun policing? Yes," Zimring said. People caught violating the laws get punished, even famous people, like former New York Giants football star Plaxico Burress, who walked into a nightclub with a loaded gun tucked into his track pants in 2008 and accidentally shot himself in the thigh. The wide receiver had no criminal record but spent nearly two years in jail on a weapons charge. "That's a deterrent," said Pollack of the crime lab. "You want to create a deterrent for carrying a gun, you prosecute someone who didn't injure anyone else. A celebrity, no less." Most of the guns used in shootings in the city come from out of state, officials said. Overall, New York City has about 5,100 firearm-related arrests each year — the majority of the 7,600 or so statewide, according to statistics from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. Those figures don't include when someone is arrested on a murder charge for shooting another person to death. A convicted gun trafficker was sentenced just last week in Manhattan to 15 years for selling 15 illegal guns to an undercover officer. Mark Kleiman, a professor who studies crime policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that by enforcing laws, authorities in New York are keeping people off the streets who are more likely to be committing serious crime. "There are clear consequences for having an illegal gun," he said. But an NRA spokesman noted that crime has been dropping in many cities nationwide for decades, regardless of the gun laws. "I think if you look at the overall violent crime rate that the FBI rate disseminates annually, it's been decreasing steadily nationwide over the last few decades," said spokesman Andrew Arulanandam. "And simultaneously, this is the narrative, the last few decades more people have been purchasing firearms." And criminologists cautioned against giving the city and department too much credit — other factors, such as the economy and education, play a role in the rise and fall of crime. Plus, nonviolent incidents like auto theft that don't involve guns at all are also down. "Gun control has a mitigating effect on the crime rate, but you can't say it's one of the major factors; it's more complicated than that," said Jamie Chandler, a political science professor at Hunter College in New York. Criminologists John Eterno and Eli Silverman argue in their book "The Crime Numbers Game" that crime statistics are manipulated. And before 2012, the number of gunshot victims remained relatively flat for the previous decade, hovering around 1,800 per year. It was about 1,600 last year, the lowest since comparable records started being kept in 1994. "The murder rate goes down, and shootings are stable, so there is also a question of whether medical care has improved," said Jeffrey Fagan, a criminologist and law professor at Columbia University. The mayor and police also cite "stop and frisk" as a deterrent — in which officers stop, question and sometimes pat down people they think might be doing something criminal, even if the suspicions don't meet the probable-cause standard for an arrest. After several lawsuits challenging the practice, a federal judge is now weighing whether remedies are needed to prevent unconstitutional "stop and frisk" encounters. The stops have rocketed up on Bloomberg's 11-year watch, hitting a high of 684,330 last year. It nets 800 illegal guns per year, and generally only 10 percent of those stopped are arrested — not enough to justify so many stops, some experts say. "I endorse Bloomberg's campaign to end gun violence," Fagan said. "I just wish it were more successful than it is."

Securing safe and loving childcare is one of the most complex jobs a parent can face. The choice of how your child will spend the day when you cannot be there is a personal one that must be tailored to the individual needs of each family. With so many options available, the task can seem daunting. According to our reader survey at Parentsknow.com, only slightly more than half of our respondents are very satisfied with their childcare provider and 15 percent are not satisfied at all (see accompanying box). With these unsettling figures in mind, we consulted experts in the field as well as parents with first-hand accounts, and have compiled a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about finding loving and affordable childcare in NYC: New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) provides comprehensive information for a full range of childcare services — from locating a daycare program, to obtaining public records on childcare providers, and more. You can also search their website for registered daycare centers; listings include contact information, licensing, and breakdown of the ages of children currently enrolled. www.ocfs.state.ny.us; (518) 473-7793. NANNIES New York City mom Lisa Merriam says that a nanny is not merely a household worker, but more a part of the family. "I feel as if I’ve hired a permanent new member of the family," says Merriam. "If that isn’t the situation for others, I suggest they look harder to find a person with the right fit. They should examine their interaction with their nannies to see if they are doing everything possible to make the relationship equitable, respectful and loving. My child is my treasure and her heart, mind and soul are to be placed always in the most loving, nurturing hands possible." FINDING A GREAT NANNY "Begin by understanding your family’s needs," says Carol Solomon, owner of the New York Nanny Center. Think about live-in vs. live-out nannies and part-time vs. full-time, as well as the child’s needs. "Do you need someone who can go out and play ball or ride a bicycle?" she asks. Sylvia Basdeo, president of Best Choice Domestics (BCD), which serves Manhattan as well as the other boroughs, says, "A great nanny is defined as someone who truly loves working with children, someone who will not only give them TLC, but will take the initiative to help them learn colors, shapes, numbers, ABCs and help with homework — someone who will be proactive." Start with an agency that claims: ‘If I would not hire this person for my home, I would not send them to yours.’ Make sure they have reasonable fees, a guarantee policy, and an extensive screening process that includes reference checks. And remember to ask around. "Satisfied customers always spread the word," says Basdeo. Another way to find a good nanny is through word of mouth. Jean*, NYC mom of two, found her nanny that way. “My friend recommended her to me and I had met her previously on outings. So I felt very comfortable”. Since moving, however, Jean is now looking for another nanny. “It has been a very difficult experience to find good and affordable childcare in Manhattan. I should have first gone to other moms who could refer me from their own experience.” Keep in mind, however that a friend who really loves her nanny will not want to give her up. But people move and toddlers grow up and go to school, and sometimes a nanny who works part-time may want to take on additional hours, so it never hurts to ask. Parents may post notices in a preschool when their nanny is looking for an extra job. Be sure to speak to the director of the school about who is allowed to place notices, to be assured that not just anyone can walk in and put up a sign. A final way is through message boards on the Internet. Our website, www.nymetroparents.com, has frequent listings of parents whose nannies are looking for another job. Make sure to check and double-check references! INTERVIEWS/REFERENCE CHECKS This is one of the most important stages of securing childcare. Parents must ask questions to make sure that the person who will be in charge of their child on a daily basis is someone who is of good character, as well as mentally and emotionally stable. Kathleen Webb, managing partner of 4nannies.com, suggests avoiding yes and no questions. "Ask lots of open-ended questions," she says. "Instead of ‘How many years of experience have you had?’, try ‘Tell me a little about your experience.’" Carol Solomon of New York Nanny Center recommends asking about the nanny’s family background, how she was raised, and if she’d raise her children the same way. Reference checks are an absolute must and can done through agencies. Websites such as 4nannies.com can also help you order reference checks, and criminal record checks as well. Solomon says of her agency: "We use a check and balance system to make sure that the reference dates and ages coincide with the dates and ages the applicant has given us. We emphasize that this is a childcare position and that we need the person to be as open with us as they possibly can be." EXPECTED DUTIES A nanny is expected to take care of the children and their needs. This includes cooking for the child, cleaning up afterwards, doing children’s laundry, and straightening the child’s mess in bedroom or play areas. Nannies should not have to clean up the entire house or do anything that does not directly involve the child. Preparing or cooking for guests, making dinner for the entire family, or washing windows is off limits for a nanny and is work that should be performed by a maid. Of course, there are times when a parent needs extra help and a nanny may be willing to pitch in. A parent can ask for extra help and a nanny has the right to accept or decline. If the nanny chooses to take on other duties, she should be properly compensated. PAYMENT The International Nanny Association reports the following in their Nanny and Salary Benefits Survey 2003-2004: —Live-ins in the New York City area work an average of 55 hours a week and make about $660 a week with a range of $250-$1000. —Live-outs work, on average, 48 hours a week, and make $777 with a salary range of $500-$1600. Individual rates vary greatly, depending on the parents’ incomes and additional duties or overtime. “Ten dollars is par for the course these days and that is where I start,” says Lisa Merriam. “I then work with the nanny over time, and base pay on how well they are doing.” NANNY TAXES/HIRING ILLEGALLY If you employ a nanny in your home and pay at least $1,400 in any given year, you must submit payroll tax filings. Both you and your nanny will be expected to pay a portion of the tax. Payments differ according to each situation, but may include social security, Medicare, and unemployment tax. You must get your nanny’s social security number and report it with your taxes. If you do not, you will be held responsible tax-wise. In addition, the IRS will begin placing fines for misinformation, such as incorrect Social Security numbers or names and numbers that do not match. You must also make sure that your nanny is legally able to work in the United States by completing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, and providing the necessary identity documents listed on the form. 4Nannytaxes.com, a division of Homework Solutions, is a tax service that offers advice and information on nanny taxes, and will guide you through the long process. Other sites are: www.nannytaxprep.com, www.nannypay.com, and www.paycycle.com. HIRING A NANNY WHOSE FIRST LANGUAGE IS NOT YOUR OWN Kathleen Webb of Homework Solutions says, "Families generally fall into two groups on this: the ones who want their child's caregiver to model correct, grammatical spoken English, particularly in the language acquisition years: and those with an appreciation of exposing their young child to a second language." Parents should, however, ensure that the nanny is proficient enough in the English language for communication, particularly in an emergency situation. They should be able to speak with medical professionals or a 911 operator. VACATIONS/HOLIDAYS As in most other jobs, typical vacation time is two weeks a year. Often the parents will choose one week, and the nanny will be able to pick one week. Working on public holidays is flexible duty, but make sure both parties agree to whatever arrangement is planned. Webb says, "Payment for public holidays is an item that should be addressed in a written work agreement before the nanny starts working. Failure to agree on this upfront often leads to conflict with the nanny, and has been known to send an otherwise happy nanny packing." Most agencies agree that more often than not, families pay for major federal holidays for a full-time nanny. HEALTH INSURANCE Since providing health insurance is not mandatory, this is a personal choice to be made between nanny and parents. Generally, when parents pay health insurance, it is as a bonus for superior work. Sometimes a nanny will already be provided for through her husband’s insurance and would prefer a higher hourly rate instead. SICK DAYS Paying for sick days are again a personal choice between nanny and parents. However, a valuable piece of advice from Webb is to consider some type of sick day benefit "because some nannies, needing their full paycheck, will come to work ill and then you find your children sick, too." Lisa Merriam says sick days are negotiable. "With a really good nanny, I don’t mind if she gets sick occasionally, and so I pay her," she says. As with all business contracts, it is important to establish a plan for negotiable items like sick days. Once a personal relationship is formed between parents and nanny, it is much harder to maintain a business relationship. You must remember that although your nanny may be a household member, she is still an employee and you must give her the same expectations and guidelines that you would any member of any staff, in the home or workplace. This is to everyone’s advantage; a nanny who is being treated like a professional will be a happier nanny. RAISES Raises are usually left up to what parents can afford, but on average, $25 to $50 extra per week after a year is considered typical. Of course, if another child is born into the family or if duties or hours are added, then the salary must reflect that. Beth Lehmann, a Manhattan professional childcare provider, says that raises are usually up to the discretion of the employer. "I personally have received anywhere from one week to one month’s pay as a year-end bonus. On average, I believe it is about two weeks salary for nannies," says Lehmann. PERKS Nannies often are able to take advantage of many job perks. According to Sylvia Basdeo at BCD, whether families pay for carfare is dependent on whether the nanny "is required to take Metro North, LIRR, or NJ Transit, since all of these cost more than a train or bus ride." Larger perks include use of employer’s car, family club membership, and private cell phone. Often, free travel and meals are part of the package. NANNY SURVEILLANCE In recent years, nanny surveillance has played a large part in confirming suspected mistreatment of young children; many parents are looking into technology as a result. Craig Erkus, president of Nanny Check, a company that sells video surveillance equipment, says that the newest technology involves covert digital surveillance — enabling parents to view the contents of their cameras over the Internet and to store the video on a hard drive instead of VHS tapes. Some of the latest advances include DVRs (digital video recorders). The new technology can be expensive, however. Steven Finkelstein, owner and safety manager of HomeStep (), a company that provides video surveillance, nanny cam consultations and equipment, says that "a basic VCR-based surveillance system can cost $300 and up, while an Internet-based system can cost $2,000-$3000 or more." When should parents use surveillance equipment? "Whenever they have any caregiver in their home," says Erkus, who used a nanny cam with his first child. Ideally, Finkelstein recommends installing it before the caregiver begins working, so that you will become accustomed to using the equipment. "The comfort level with the process and equipment is critical; caregivers can read the behaviors of parents nervous over the use of the surveillance system, or erratic and obvious placement of cameras," he adds. There’s no need for parents to feel as if they are doing anything wrong or illegal. "It is fully legal to tape your nanny in New York without consent," explains Erkus. "New York State has a one party consent law, which allows parents to videotape their children and daycare provider without the caregiver’s consent. We are all taped every day — in banks, gas stations and stores." WHEN TO FIRE YOUR NANNY No one likes to fire their nanny but when things are not working out for you or your child, there is no other solution. If your nanny was hired through an agency, call to check what their replacement policies are; some will offer unlimited replacement, while others offer limited replacement or none at all. Best Choice Domestics offers a one-time replacement. "I give a two-month replacement guarantee and a one-week trial in the home. So if the client is not happy with their choice or the applicant leaves on their own accord within the first two months, the client is entitled to one free replacement," explains Basdeo. When breaking the news to your nanny, try to have your partner with you for support. Firing your nanny is not like firing an employee at the office; parents also worry about disrupting their child’s life. Many business people who have no trouble executing necessary leadership skills at work may become weak-willed in home situations; retaining a business-like attitude from beginning to end is necessary. Kathleen Webb of Homework Solutions advises, "Be prepared to finalize any paperwork immediately, including payment for wages owed, vacation time accrued, and severance if applicable". Remember that if you have any significant doubts about your nanny, you should choose the safety of your child above all else. You cannot have a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to the well-being of your child. Trust your instincts, and if you have a doubt, act on it. And it goes without saying: Line up your replacement nanny before you fire the current one.

Natural gas ascending quickly as fuel source for electric grid If you want to see the rise of natural gas in power generation, you need look no further than the most recent annual reading of the PJM Interconection. PJM is the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states – including all of Pennsylvania – and the District of Columbia. Formed in the 1920s, PJM is responsible for coordinating and directing the flow of electricity to keep the lights on for about 60 million people in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kenturcky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. That’s a lot of power to generate from PJM’s members, which include Duke Energy, Duquesne Light, American Electric Power, FirstEnergy and others. According to an analysis of PJM’s generation by fuel source in gigawatt hours, power generators increased their use of natural gas by 35 percent between 2011 and 2012. Despite a more than one-third increase in output generated by natural gas, coal remains the undisputed king for power generation across PJM, but natural gas is closing fast. But before gas can surpass coal, it will have to move past nuclear, which holds the No.2 spot as a fuel source in the PJM lineup. Coal generated a total of 360,306.2 GWh or 46.9 percent of output in 2011, falling to 332,762 or 42.1 percent of total output in 2012, for a 7.6 percent decline over the two years. Nuclear held down second place with 262,968.3 GWh or 34.2 percent of power generation iin 2011, increasing to 273,372.2 GWh or 34.6 percent last year, a 4 percent gain over the two years. By comparison, in 2011 natural gas contributed 108,030.2 GWh or 14.1 percent of total energy output. Last year, natural gas output grew to 146,007 GWh, or 18.5 percent of total output for a 35.2 percent increase over the past two years. But natural gas definitely has the attention of the power industry. In an interview with Bloomberg News earlier this month, Jim Rogers, chief executive of Duke Energy, the country’s largest supplier of electricity, attributed the rise of natural gas in the fuel mix of power generation to the abundance of domestically produced shale gas, particularly from the Marcellus Shale play. “Shale gas has been transformative in the U.S.,” Rogers said. “It’s fundamentally changed the cost of electricity. We (Duke) are today dispatching natural gas before coal – in our history, we have never done that.” As for Pennsylvania, which currently has 37 gas-fired power plants in operation, the addition of more plants appears to be proceeding steadily. According to information provided by Kevin Sunday, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, the agency is currently reviewing nine applications for gas-fired generators, which represent a total capacity of 7049 megawatts. Sunday said that if all nine of the current applications pass the approval process and are built, they would more than make up for the output of 13 coal-fired plants that have either been recently retired or are scheduled for retirement over the next few years across the state. According to DEP figures, those plants represent 4,820 MW of generating capacity. The ascendency of natural gas in PJM’s fuel generation mix isn’t the only notable item in the table, however. While far below the output of coal, natural gas and nuclear plants, renewables are picking up steam in the output mix, according to the PJM chart. Wind’s output in 2011 was 11,561.1 GWh, or 1.5 percent of total fuel generation, moving to 12,633.6 or 1.6 percent of total fuel generation in 2012, a 9.3 percent change in output over the two years. Solar was the biggest year-over-year percentage gainer in PJM. While it provided only 55.7 GWh in 2011’s generating mix, a nearly imperceptible amount, it quadrupled its contribution to 233.5 GWh last year, a 319.1 percent change in output over the two years.

A periodic newsletter on a single topic of interest published by the Office of Higher Education First-generation college students more likely to be older, independent, and attending part time Students who are the first in their family to attend college come from a variety of backgrounds. Yet these students face some common challenges as they strive to complete degrees, often with less support and guidance from their families. In an effort to better understand these students in Minnesota, this issue of Insight provides information about the characteristics of first-generation students. The first-generation student information in this issue is based on the National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey (NPSAS) from 2004 administered by the U.S. Department of Education. First-generation students comprise one-fourth of the undergraduate population in Minnesota First-generation undergraduates are students whose parents have never been enrolled in college, meaning their highest educational attainment was a high school degree or the equivalent. While the definition of a first-generation student is based upon neither parent having any college experience, the estimates in this analysis are based on three levels of parental education attainment: no college, some college, and bachelor's degree or higher. In 2004, 26 percent of all undergraduates enrolled in college in Minnesota were first-generation students. Nationally, 34 percent of all undergraduates the first in their family to attend college. Distribution of undergraduates in Minnesota by parents' highest level of educational attainment, 2004 Fewer first-generation students attend four-year institutions First-generation students comprised a larger percentage (36 percent) of the students in the public two-year institutions than students whose parents attained a bachelor's degree or higher (27 percent). First-generation students were also less likely to enroll in the private four-year sector than students whose parents had bachelor's degree or higher. Only 17 percent of students enrolled in private not-for-profit four-year institutions were first-generation students compared to 62 percent of students whose parents had attained a bachelor's degree or higher. Distribution of undergraduates in Minnesota's institution types by parents' educational attainment, 2004 First-generation students were less likely to enroll full time than their counterparts A student's attendance pattern (the number of credits taken and the number of months enrolled during an academic year) plays a large role in their persistence through the degree program and the chances of successfully completing their program. In Minnesota, 60 percent of first-generation students (defined as students whose parents attended no college) attended on a full-time basis compared to 75 percent of students whose parents attained a bachelor's degree or higher. Since fewer first-generation students attend full-time, it takes them longer to complete their degrees. Full- or part-time enrollment status by parents' highest educational attainment, 2004 First-generation students tend to have non-traditional characteristics First-generation students tend to be older and are more likely to be self-supporting. They are often financially independent of their parents and often delay enrollment in post-secondary education to work. In Minnesota, 46 percent of first-generation students reported delaying enrollment in college after high school compared to only 27 percent of students whose parents had some college and 18 percent of students whose parents attained a bachelor's degree or higher. Another difference between first-generation students and students whose parents have completed a bachelor's degree is their dependency status. Undergraduate students are traditionally dependent students, meaning they are younger than 24 years of age and are considered financially dependent on their parents. Independent students are generally 24 years or older, or they are students with dependent children. Overall, a high percentage of first-generation students were independent (63 percent). Of those students whose parents had a bachelor's degree or higher, only 27 percent were independent students. As the students grow older, their chances of being married and having children are also higher. A large share of first generation students are married (35 percent) compared to only 21 percent of students whose parents had some college and 11 percent of students whose parents attained bachelor's degrees or higher. Thirty-seven percent of first-generation students had children compared to 23 percent of students whose parents had some college and 10 percent of students whose parents attained a bachelor's degree or higher. In Minnesota, 11 percent of all first-generation undergraduates were single parents compared to 4 percent of students whose parents attained a bachelor's degree or higher. Percent who were married or had children in Minnesota, 2004 First-generation students in Minnesota are more likely to be immigrants or children of immigrants While Minnesota's immigrant population is fairly small, especially compared to the national average or to other states, this population is growing. Thus, it is not surprising that more immigrant and second-generation American students appear in the undergraduate population in Minnesota post-secondary institutions. These students are making the most of an opportunity that often did not exist for their parents. In addition to the challenges of being the first generation to attend college, these students must also deal with the obstacles of being an immigrant or the children of immigrants. First-generation students were more likely to have either one or both parents born outside the U.S. (16 percent) than students whose parents had some college (7 percent) or bachelor's degrees or higher (9 percent). First-generation students were more likely to come from households where English is not the primary language (11 percent) than students whose parents had at least some college. Percent who report that the primary language spoken at home is not English and percent with either one or both parents born outside the U.S., 2004 First-generation students are more likely to take remedial classes than their peers Since first-generation students are often attending college with little support or guidance from their families, they may be less prepared for college. One measure of their relative preparedness is their reliance on remedial courses taken during their undergraduate degree program. In Minnesota, 37 percent of first-generation students reported taking remedial courses compared to 25 percent of students whose parents have bachelor's degree or higher (Figure 5). Nationally, 39 percent of first-generation students took remedial classes compared to 29 percent of students whose parents have bachelor's degrees. These differences indicate that first-generation students are facing more challenges in their undergraduate coursework than their peers. While state-level data indicates the current situation for first-generation students in Minnesota, the long-term implications can be understood through a national study that analyzed longitudinal data on undergraduate students1: The findings from this report indicate that compared with students whose parents attended college, first-generation students consistently remained at a disadvantage after entering postsecondary education: they completed fewer credits, took fewer academic courses, earned lower grades, needed more remedial assistance, and were more likely to withdraw from or repeat courses they attempted. As a result, the likelihood of attaining a bachelor's degree was lower for first-generation students compared to their peers whose parents attended college. This finding also held after taking into account variables related to degree completion including postsecondary credit production, performance, high school academic preparation, and student background characteristics. Even for students who attended a 4-year institution with the intention of earning a bachelor's degree, first-generation students were less likely to earn a bachelor's degree than were their counterparts whose parents held a bachelor's or higher degree.2

About the work The Sicilian Vespers is based on a real rebellion which began when the Sicilians rose against French rule at the time of v ... The Sicilian Vespers is based on a real rebellion which began when the Sicilians rose against French rule at the time of vespers on Easter Monday 1282 in Palermo. The struggle for Italian unification is the back-drop to Verdi’s opera, about a doomed love story, politics and conflict between a father and son. One of the central characters is a Sicilian patriot called Henri, who finds himself torn between his love for Helen, a brave member of the resistance, and his father the French governor Guy de Montfort, who becomes the target of a planned assassination. Attempts to resolve the conflict culminate in tragedy because the outcome is controlled by the masses, who want revenge, not peace. Jens-Daniel Herzog’s production sets the timeless story in the political reality of the 20th century. Palermo: Hélène is forced to sing for the French occupying forces, who murdered her brother. Her song is an incitement to her coun ... Palermo: Hélène is forced to sing for the French occupying forces, who murdered her brother. Her song is an incitement to her countrymen to rise up against the enemy. The arrival of the governor, Montfort, prevents a fight breaking out. Henri, a young Sicilian,almost comes to blows with Montfort. He is forbidden from seeing his beloved Hélène again. Procida returns to Sicily from exile determined to get rid of the French, whatever it takes. Henri and Hélène are brought to him. Henri promises to revenge his lover's brother's murder. Montfort has received a letter from a woman he abandoned years ago, imploring him to take care of their son, Henri. Henri, who has come to kill Montfort, is horrified by the news and torn between his fellow conspirators and the enemy. A party begins, Hélène and Procida mingle among the guests. Henri prevents his friends from killing his father. They look upon him with hatred. Henri visits Hélène in prison. His betrayal disgusts her. Henri explains that he had to intervene because Montfort is his father. He now sides with the conspirators again and tells Hélèn that he will die at her side. Both reaffirm their love. Procida cannot forgive him. Montfort tells Henri that he will pardon his friends if he addresses him as »mon père«. Although Hélène begs him not to, he calls out the words to prevent her being executed. Montfort, as good as his word, orders that preparations be made for Hélène and Henri's wedding, to take place at the time of vespers. Procida tells Hélène that the sound of wedding bells shall be the signal for the Sicilian uprising to begin. Not daring to betray this knowledge, she immediately calls off the wedding. Henri, hurt, goes to his father, who commands that the wedding take place, the bells ring out, the massacre begins.

Adrianne Jeffries: Lessons from China James Fallows, one of the most respected authorities on modern China, spoke last night at the University of Oregon in Portland to an audience of about 50 local China wonks, including businesspeople, academics and Chinese expats. His point was clear: most Americans have a simplistic understanding of the Chinese and we’d do best to educate ourselves in order to “become comfortable with the idea of a world in which China plays a major part.” American politicians and media love to talk about China as a threat to American superpower. One favorite narrative holds that China co-opted American manufacturing and is now beating us out on renewable energy innovation as its economy clips along at 8% growth every year. That’s a compelling story, but not a very nuanced one. I took a trip to Shanghai in February, hoping to get a glimpse of the China behind the hype. One of the books I brought was Postcards From Tomorrow Square, a collection of some of Fallows’s essays about China. Fallows has been writing about national issues, foreign policy and Asia for 25 years for the Atlantic and he spent the last few years living and reporting in China. It seems certain that economic activity between China and Oregon will increase. Exports to China overtook those to Canada last year, making China the state's most important trading partner. As China becomes increasingly vital as an export market, its peculiarities begin to take on significance for Oregon. If China responds to international pressure and raises the value of its currency, for example, Oregon exports could get a significant bump. But becoming comfortable with China means more than appreciating its business. Even “China” is a misleading designation for a country with such a range of culture, language, laws and geography, Fallows emphasizes. Becoming comfortable with China means understanding that this monolithic threat on our heels is also struggling with basic internal problems, Fallows says. His main points are cogent: * It’s not obvious how to progress beyond the agricultural and structural improvements and low wage manufacturing. * Per capita income is still 1/7th of the U.S. * The challenge of confronting environmental challenges before its citizens have become rich is pressing. * In spite of the discipline with which it enforces strict media censorship and rules regarding public assembly, the central government actually has limited control over its 1.3 billion constituents. As one state official told Fallows, “You think of China and you think of everything times 1.3 billion. We think of it as divided by 1.3 billion.” There are other obstacles to “becoming comfortable with China” – its human rights record, for example. Even Barack Obama is invoking fear of this rising underdog by pitting us against China in the race for renewable technology, claiming in his State of the Union address that “The nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy.” Is anything scarier than the image of China, a country about which most Americans only know very few, mostly negative facts, displacing the U.S. as the leader of the global economy? Fallows suggests it’s time to adopt a more sophisticated framework than the dichotomy of China vs. America. China, he argues, is in fact nowhere close to displacing America, but it is a vital world player that represents more than a sixth of the planet’s population. It deserves a subtler appraisal by Americans and Oregonians, who will have increasing contact with China as the economic and political relationship between the two countries evolves. (Fallows didn’t say this, but you can start by reading his book.)

Saint Justin Martyr and Subordinationism What do you all think of the accusation (for lack of a better word) of subordinationism in the writings of Saint Justin Martyr? On the one hand, He does affirm that our Lord Jesus Christ is God and that He is the "LORD [YHWH] of Hosts", but on the other hand some have read subordinationism into St. Justin's other words. He also refers to Christ as being the "first-begotten Word of God, even God." Would it be safe to assume that by "first-begotten" he means that Christ is the heir of all creation, having the position of preeminence in the universe, rather than saying that He is a created being? What are your thoughts? Am I not being specific enough?+Thanks and forgive me if this question sounds foolish Re: Saint Justin Martyr and Subordinationism How is this different from Colossians 1:15? Trinity wasn't carefully defined yet at that point so St. Justin had to work out with what he had. Just about every Saint have some theological flaws. What is this? Do I have to quote St. Athanasius the Apostolic to a Copt? De Decretis 3:13-14Quote13. Therefore let them tell us, from what teacher or by what tradition they derived these notions concerning the Saviour? "We have read," they will say, "in the Proverbs, 'The Lord created me a beginning of His ways unto His works ;'" this Eusebius and his fellows used to insist on , and you write me word, that the present men also, though overthrown and confuted by an abundance of arguments, still were putting about in every quarter this passage, and saying that the Son was one of the creatures, and reckoning Him with things originated. But they seem to me to have a wrong understanding of this passage also; for it has a religious and very orthodox sense, which had they understood, they would not have blasphemed the Lord of glory. For on comparing what has been above stated with this passage, they will find a great difference between them. For what man of right understanding does not perceive, that what are created and made are external to the maker; but the Son, as the foregoing argument has shown, exists not externally, but from the Father who begot Him? For man too both builds a house and begets a son, and no one would reverse things, and say that the house or the ship were begotten by the builder , but the son was created and made by him; nor again that the house was an image of the maker, but the son unlike him who begot him; but rather he will confess that the son is an image of the father, but the house a work of art, unless his mind be disordered, and he beside himself. Plainly, divine Scripture, which knows better than any the nature of everything, says through Moses, of the creatures, 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth;' but of the Son it introduces not another, but the Father Himself saying, 'I have begotten You from the womb before the morning star ;' and again, 'You are My Son, this day have I begotten You. ' And the Lord says of Himself in the Proverbs, 'Before all the hills He begets me ;' and concerning things originated and created John speaks, 'All things were made by Him ;' but preaching of the Lord, he says, 'The Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He declared Him. ' If then son, therefore not creature; if creature, not son; for great is the difference between them, and son and creature cannot be the same, unless His essence be considered to be at once from God, and external to God.14. 'Has then the passage no meaning?' for this, like a swarm of gnats, they are droning about us. No surely, it is not without meaning, but has a very apposite one; for it is true to say that the Son was created too, but this took place when He became man; for creation belongs to man. And any one may find this sense duly given in the divine oracles, who, instead of accounting their study a secondary matter, investigates the time and characters , and the object, and thus studies and ponders what he reads. Now as to the season spoken of, he will find for certain that, whereas the Lord always is, at length in fullness of the ages He became man; and whereas He is Son of God, He became Son of man also. And as to the object he will understand, that, wishing to annul our death, He took on Himself a body from the Virgin Mary; that by offering this unto the Father a sacrifice for all, He might deliver us all, who by fear of death were all our life through subject to bondage. And as to the character, it is indeed the Saviour's, but is said of Him when He took a body and said, 'The Lord created me a beginning of His ways unto His works ' For as it properly belongs to God's Son to be everlasting. and in the Father's bosom, so on His becoming man, the words befitted Him, 'The Lord created me.' For then it is said of Him, as also that He hungered, and thirsted, and asked where Lazarus lay, and suffered, and rose again. And as, when we hear of Him as Lord and God and true Light, we understand Him as being from the Father, so on hearing, 'The Lord created,' and 'Servant,' and 'He suffered,' we shall justly ascribe this, not to the Godhead, for it is irrelevant, but we must interpret it by that flesh which He bore for our sakes: for to it these things are proper, and this flesh was none other's than the Word's. And if we wish to know the object attained by this, we shall find it to be as follows: that the Word was made flesh in order to offer up this body for all, and that we partaking of His Spirit, might be deified , a gift which we could not otherwise have gained than by His clothing Himself in our created body , for hence we derive our name of "men of God" and "men in Christ." But as we, by receiving the Spirit, do not lose our own proper substance, so the Lord, when made man for us, and bearing a body, was no less God; for He was not lessened by the envelopment of the body, but rather deified it and rendered it immortal. « Last Edit: December 29, 2012, 02:52:07 PM by Cyrillic » « Last Edit: December 29, 2012, 02:52:48 PM by NicholasMyra » ἔκτισέν, from κτίζω - to make. Thank you both for the info. I was just reading this thread on TheologyWeb.com where a JW argues that St. Clement of Alexandria called Christ a creature. On that thread, a very interesting discussion ensued, and what particularly caught my eye was the discussion on how early Patristic writers (including St. Justin, Origen, and others) interpreted Proverbs 8:22. The info on that thread is what caused me to resurrect this one. If anyone is interested in viewing said thread, send me a PM and I'll give you a link.

2013 Published by Lorrie Johnson For many years, scientific information was provided primarily in text-based formats, such as journal articles, conference proceedings, and technical reports. Increasingly, however, scientists are communicating through multimedia formats (images, videos), and via direct access to their scientific data sets. Information users face some unique challenges in finding scientific information, particularly when it can take several forms. Imagine that a climatologist has created data sets detailing precipitation measurements for the North Slope of Alaska. The climatologist might present these findings first at a meteorological conference, and the presentation might be taped and made available as a video of the conference. Later, the climatologist publishes one or more technical reports, referring to the original data sets. How does a user find all this relevant information? Read more... Free-Electron Lasers move discovery into warp speed 26 Mar 2013 Published by Kathy Chambers Scientific research being performed today using free-electron lasers could be fodder for the next James Bond or Star Wars movie but it is way better than science fiction and it is real. Almost everything we know about the laws of nature and how and why we react to the world around us took many centuries to develop. However, recent free-electron laser research breakthroughs are shedding light on these fundamental processes of life and moving scientific discovery into warp speed. Read more... #Energypledge 06 Mar 2013 Published by Erin Anderson Personnel of the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) recently contributed to the Department of Energy's (DOE) "2013 Energy Pledge Campaign"! The 2013 Energy Pledge Campaign was part of DOE's efforts regarding the National Day of Service. Federal Agencies and Individuals joined together to make commitments to a wide range of causes, including energy conservation. Read more... @OSTIgov Twitter is Trending! 05 Mar 2013 Published by Linda McBrearty Social media has changed the way we look at everything. Just in the past few years, society as moved from a limited amount of news sources to an infinite network of information. And we don’t necessarily have to go looking for data because links, advertisements and news stories seem to be popping up on every screen, message or page. Read more... Where Do New Scientists Come From? 07 Feb 2013 Published by Philip Ellis Photo of Jack Andraka from his Twitter feed When we think of scientists, most of us picture professionals working in labs or in university settings. But how did these people get to become scientists? They were born into the world like everyone else and could have selected from a myriad different career paths. The evidence does not suggest that scientists necessarily have children who become scientists. Thus the reality is that “new” scientists come from the general public fortuitously, and this reality is often unappreciated.

The Apocalyptic Vision When the word “apocalypse” appears in the newspaper, it is usually in connection with the horrors of nuclear war or the threat of environmental ... Azariah, The Prayer of, and the Song of the Three Young Men The Greek translation ( Septuagint ) of the book of Daniel inserts between vv. 23 and 24 of chap. 3 a section embracing sixty‐eight ... Chronicles, The Books of Title. As with Samuel and Kings , the two books of Chronicles are in reality one: the counting of words and sections customary in ... chronology of the New Testament The life of Jesus and the travels of Paul are fixed by the NT within the stream of secular history. Calculations of the monk ... Cylinder of Cyrus. Daniel, The Book of According to the book that bears his name, Daniel was a pious and wise Jewish youth who was deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadrezzar ... One of the best‐known biblical characters, David is a curiously elusive figure. The Bible tells of his carving out an empire unmatched in ancient ... Ecclesiastes, The Book of The title of the book in Hebrew is qōhelet (also transliterated qōheleth and koheleth ), a particular form of the verb “to assemble,” which ... Esther, The Book of The Hebrew Book. Deriving its title from the name of its heroine, the book of Esther presents the story of an unsuccessful attempt to ... Ezra and Nehemiah The books of Ezra and Nehemiah originally constituted one book, better labeled as Ezra-Nehemiah. It depicts the reconstruction of Jewish life in Judah during ... Ezra, The Book of At an early stage, the books of Ezra and Nehemiah were regarded as a unity. From the time of Origen (third century CE ), ... hypostasis (Gk “that which stands under,” i.e., the real nature or essence of anything; pl. hypostases ) a Greek philosophical term, meaning both “essential ... for introduction to nehemiah, see introduction to Ezra. Source: The Jewish Study Bible an introduction to the book of Chronicles precedes 1 Chronicles. [david rothstein] Source: The Jewish Study Bible A. Text and Language. 1. Originally one work ( b. B. Bat. 14b–15a); Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 4.26.14), the books of Ezra and Nehemiah share ... A brief narrative informs the reader that the hero is subjected to a divine test as a means of ascertaining whether or not he ... A. Author and Date. Most of this book takes the form of a monologue, spoken by a character called ‘(the) Qoheleth’ (‘the Teacher’): its ...

Climate Change in PA There was a news story on the Public Radio station here in Hbg this morning. Evidently, temperatures are showing a long term increase here in PA.(You'll need to listen to the MP3 to get the full story) Re: Climate Change in PA From Mansfield, PA now, Bozeman next year Interesting. I know up here in Mansfield though the tmps for this summer have almost always been normal or even below normal this summer. We had only about 5 days of temps in the 90s. Also if Global Warming is being caused by humans there is nothing that PA or even the US can do to prevent it from happening. Our counrty reducing pollution won't help at all as sad as that is. Don't talk about fisheries topics if you know nothing about them I can't listen at work...But, out of curiosity, define 'long term'. What's their sample size?Also, what was the increase in this time?Thanks Wulff-Man From Southeast PA Quote:SlumpBuster wrote: Also if Global Warming is being caused by humans there is nothing that PA or even the US can do to prevent it from happening. Our counrty reducing pollution won't help at all as sad as that is.Why do you say that, SlumpBuster? I think we in the US produce something like 5x more per capita than the rest of the world. Now, China has just overtaken us in terms of total green house gas emissions, and they are building 2 coal burning power plants per week now, so they are a major concern. But they're saying "Why should we do anything? The US has caused the bulk of the problem, and they aren't doing anything. Why should we slow our economy when the US built theirs all these years while greatly contributing to the problem?" The way I see it, it's important for us to finally get on board with the rest of the industrial world and start to seriously tackle the problem. There won't be much hope of influencing countries like China to do anything if we don't. To think that nothing can be done is really defeatist. Amazing things have been done in cleaning things up since the 70's, due to environmental regulations and public concern. "It ain't the meat, it's the motion" From Westmoreland County (near fairgrounds) Jay,Its just a snippet, but they say they are comparing the period 2000 to 2006 (7 years) to the "average" for PA. They don't tell us what "average" is, but presumably its since reliable records were available up to perhaps 1999. I'd like to see the methodology for this. Unfortuantely people are often willing to pervert data to try and promote their own agenda. Only one constant in the universe, all men are equal in the eyes of the fish. -GulfGreyhound paraphrasing Herbert Hoover Here's the Press ReleaseNormal is temperatures averaged over the 30 years spanning 1971-2000.This is junk science! One day I went out and caught 2 trout in two casts.I hereby retire from fly fishing with an estimated 100% success rate.I'm all for waking people up about global warming, provided it turns out to be an actual issue , but puh-lease do us all a favor and do it in a reasonable and less refutable manner.Comparing a 7 year sample to a 30 year mean is crap. I'd be willing to bet a beer that they could have easily gone back to a MUCH earlier date, perhaps as early as 1900... too bad that would have shown the sinusoidal nature of weather patterns which they appear to be attemtping to exploit.EDIT:Thanks for doing the legwork, Albatross. tomgamber From Greensburg, PA Actually the larger article I saw compare the 30year average from the last 7 years to 1971 to 2000 and to the bigger average from 1870 to 2000. Which is how log their data goes back. It was a one degree average increase, which may not sound like a lot but is a rather large change. That changes things, however comparing a seven year sample is still deceiving. Assuming global warming exists, I'm sure it would be relatively easy to find seven year samples for many areas over the last 15 years or so which would show a rather alarming decrease as well. The 1870-2000 trend would be much more legitimate. I'm not debating. I assume it does. Hence my using it as an assumption for my earlier claims. I won't accept it as fact until it is seen as just that... simply a very strong possibility. For what it's worth, I feel the possibility is strong enough to merit significant action.Very similar to my views on God, polar bears, China, and many other things that I've not seen with my own eyes. Ok, some of those were a bit too far.. haha.With me comes the mind of a very mild skeptic. That's just how I am. It's all part of the Jay package deal. Its a tough issue because climate is not a static thing. Significant changes occur naturally over periods as short as a few decades. Unfortunately, we don't have a "control" earth where man is not emmiting greenhouse gases to compare this one to!I'm pretty sure we (mankind) are having an impact on climate trajectory. I have little or no confidence that we will be able to cooperate to significantly reduce that impact. I think there are still two arguable points in the Global Warming debate:1. whether man is causing it or whether it is a natural phenomenon; and2. whether (if it is natural) it is a cyclical phenomenon, that will reverse or correct itself in time, or is it linear, bound to continue to move in the direction it has been moving in the modern era.Even if it is occurring naturally, if we can take some action to lessen or slow down its negative impact, we should. From SW PA Jack, You have a good point there. Does Earth's temp change? Well, yes, we know that there were several ice ages. That's a fact. Are we contributing to this latest so called warm-up? Probaly. Should we do something about it? All we got to lose is everything. IMO if we can't keep our backyard clean, then we shouldn't expect our nieghbors too! We're all in this together, if one person sets an example, others will follow, good or bad. The crazy thing about the greenhouse effect/global warming is, an volcano can blow its top and change everything pretty much overnight.JH

American Abstract Expressionist Painter, 1912-1956 When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only after a sort of "get acquainted" period that I see what I have been about. I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. - quoted in Possibilities I, Winter 1947- 48 Excerpt from Jackson Pollock: An American Saga by Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith, 1998,Woodward/White There was something behind the drinking that was pushing at Jackson from within, tormenting him, even trying to kill him. Jackson Pollock had demons inside. Everyone could see that. But no one knew where they came from or what they wanted. There were two Pollocks: the shy, sober one, given to deprecating himself, saying in a soft voice, "I can't do anything but paint" or "the pictures just come to me"; and the drunken one that "behaved like a six- year-old, demanding to be the center of attention." At parties, he would stare wordlessly into his drink, feeling "stripped of his skin" he said, by the unreturned glances of those around him. A friend described him as a "pained, painful person," who, when he did speak, spaced his words out like poles along a desert road, with "awkward, long silences" strung between them. He was capable of sweetness and generosity as well as rage and insularity. In the midst of persistent - although often overstated-poverty, he lent other artists money, he helped friends remodel their houses, painted a bike for a neighbor's child, taught another to use a bow and arrow. He could diffuse bar room brawls with his notoriously beguiling smile or the "renowned twinkle in his eye," with a few disarming words or a well-aimed apology. Like his rage, however, his sweetness was always followed by regret, a feeling that he had given away too much, and he would draw back into the hardshelled cowboy persona that was Jackson Pollock to the world. His life was a give and take, giving a small piece of himself-often inadvertently-then desperately trying to reclaim it-or obliterate it. Give and take. The world demanded that he give; the demons demanded that he take back. In his art, he concealed his images within layers of paint, systematically weaving them into an impenatrable web of lines and dribbles, spills and drips. Show and conceal; give and take. He veiled his art just as he veiled his life, to protect himself from the world without and the terrors within.

Q&A: Is trembling normal for an 18-month-old? Answered by Suzanne Dixon M.D., M.P.H. "There is nothing so amazing as the development of a child," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who was one of the founding members of the Pampers Parenting Network. "Every day is a new adventure when you have a child around you. I never get tired of learning from the children who have been a part of my life, professionally and personally."Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine. She did her pediatric training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then completed a fellowship in Child Development at Boston's Children's Hospital. Dr. Dixon joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, and did patient care, teaching, and research for 20 years. She ran a large newborn service, performed research in early child development, and was involved in many community outreach activities in maternal child health. Throughout her entire professional life she has maintained an interest in cross-cultural activities, living and working in many parts of the world, including Mexico, India, Kenya, Indonesia, and several countries from the former U.S.S.R. Dr. Dixon is the author of numerous research articles, review articles, and textbook chapters in pediatrics, child and family development, and public health. Her textbook, written with Dr. Martin Stein, Encounters With Children: Pediatric Behavior and Development, has become a classic in child health education and is in its fourth edition. She is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, an international journal of high standing in the professional world. She also has served as an associate editor for Infant Mental Health and currently reviews for several major pediatric journals. Dr. Dixon is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served in national positions in that organization. She is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, the Society for Research in Child Development, the American Public Health Association, and the Executive Council of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She serves as consultant to several national and international organizations and has received an award from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.Dr. Dixon continues to lecture and consult worldwide on aspects of maternal, child, and family health. She practices behavioral and developmental pediatrics in Montana and works with local advocacy groups on education and women''s health. Dr. Dixon has been married for over 30 years and has three sons. She and her husband travel frequently, are outdoor enthusiasts, and enjoy being amateur anthropologists. Hide

The Pendleton Genealogy Post A journey through my family connections. A Wounded World War II Vet: Pfc. Albert S. Pendleton, Jr. (1925-2006) My, how young he looks in this photo…all of 19 years old. A few years ago, I typed up my dad’s chapter about his service in World War II titled, “The Camp Gruber Blues and Other Travels” for his unpublished memoir, Growing Up South Georgian (n.d.). My youngest sister scanned and emailed photos for me to include, and I added some documents that I found on the internet and a copy of his discharge paper. I made copies of the chapter and sent them to my mom and my brothers and sisters for Memorial Day that year. My dad never talked about the war much with us. It was too painful. He had a daily reminder however…his physical wounds. I remember only once wishing that he could run and play with me outside. It had never occurred to me before that my dad couldn’t run until I saw my friend’s dad running around outside with her. I don’t know why that struck me. He could do other things…dance, garden, swim, drive a car, and get me out of trees when I was too afraid to climb down. He even climbed a ladder once to get in my bedroom window when I accidentally locked myself in and couldn’t unlock the door (I was 3 or 4. I giggled when he came in through the window, but he was not amused). Camp Gruger, where my dad went for basic training, was in Oklahoma outside of the town of Braggs. In his memoir, Dad said he was sent to Headquarters Company of the Anti-Tank Platoon of the 333 Infantry Battalion of the 42nd Rainbow Division. I think he has a typo…I haven’t been able to find anything about the 333 Infantry Battalion. According to Wikipedia, the Rainbow Division had the 222, 232, and 242 Infantry. Aerial view of Camp Gruber. Braggs is to the southwest (aerial from Google Earth). He said he learned to cuss and drink lots and lots of beer while stationed at Camp Gruber, and he was terribly homesick. It wasn’t too long before he got word that he and several others were being shipped out to Europe as replacements. They stayed two weeks at Fort Meade in Maryland before boarding a ship to England. About ten days later, they landed in Glasgow, Scotland, and then took the train into England. Dad says they went from camp to camp. One camp was at a little village called Petty Pool or near a golf course called Petty Pool. I tried finding this place. There is a Pettypool Hall in Cheshire, England, that served as a command post for the U. S. Army during World War II (). See map below for location. The places that my Dad went during World War II that he mentions by name are marked with the blue balloons (aerial from Google Earth). They had “tea and tidbits,” watched movies, went to a local music concert, and complained about the weak British cigarettes. Dad and his fellow soldiers eventually made it to the English Channel, boarded a ship, and landed at or near Omaha Beach (marked above on the map). By this time, he says, the fighting was far inland. They were loaded onto trucks, and they rode for miles. He remembered passing St. Lo, a town in France that he had heard about in the news. It was nearly leveled during the fighting, and it “looked bleak indeed.” St. Lo, France, after the bombing in 1944 (from Wikipedia Commons http://en.wikipedia.com). Dad ended up at another camp; he doesn’t say where in France it was located. One night while guarding an ammo dump and feeling low because he was on guard duty while everyone else was away from camp, he suddenly heard Dinah Shore in person over a loud speaker in the distance singing to some G.I.s. He felt like she was singing especially to him! While at this camp, the soldiers had to go through basic training again, “firing, crawling, studying hedgerow fighting on maps, and as much about survival as they could impart to us at that late date.” They were sent to several more camps and then were told one day that they were going to the front. They were loaded onto trucks (again!), and they rode for days standing up and hanging onto their gear and guns. They stopped at a small town and ran up and down the street buying bread and alcohol before boarding a train. They noticed a man bent over doing something by one of the train cars, dressed scruffily but looking too fit to be a railroad worker. They didn’t think much about it and joked about sabotage. Later, their train car turned over, and soldiers fell everywhere; two soldiers were killed when the door flew open. He says, “We were fatigued and quite destroyed for that night.” Dad doesn’t say what caused the wreck; I wonder if it was a saboteur. When the soldiers got to their destination, they were divided up into different infantry divisions. Dad was sent to the 80th Infantry Division, 317 Battalion, Company I. Once he was told which division he was to join, he followed the “company runner” past dead German soldiers, up and down hills, across rough terrain, through some woods, and up the hill where his squad was fighting some Germans who were on another hill. Suddenly shelling began and bullets were whistling past, and he and another new soldier tried to hug the ground. They couldn’t dig a foxhole like they were trained to do because they were on bedrock! The above is a List of Replacements for the 317th Regiment, dated September 16, 1944. I cleaned up a bit around my dad’s name, etc. in Photoshop (from ). Later, my dad’s unit was on the move again. He mentions going to a town where they were told to watch for land mines. They watched the tanks roll through, then a jeep came through and hit a mine, throwing the soldiers and the jeep up in the air; they fell “like fiddlesticks.” He mentions that one of his lieutenants, “fresh from Lieutenant School and his mother’s arms” was suspected of shooting himself in the arm so he would be sent home. There was more fighting against Germans, more crouching in foxholes, more walking and marching, more “going around in circles,” and just generally feeling “very tired and sick at heart.” They reached Pont-a-Mousson (marked on map above) on the Mozelle River for a few days of rest away from the front, and best of all, they could shower with soap and get some clean clothes. They left for the front after six days. The day they left, my dad was very ill (probably food poisoning). As they marched, he dropped out by the wayside, saying he would catch up. He lay on the ground and went to sleep (he must have been really sick to do this!). When he awoke a while later, he hurried to catch up with his unit. The next night, they were told to tote some pontoon boats “somewhere” which took them several hours. They had to leave their guns and ammo behind. Soon, they were caught “in the middle” of the Americans firing on the Germans in the push for the Rhine. They hit the ground and waited nearly an hour. Then they turned to go back to where they’d left the boats. They ran into their own outfit and “plenty of guns.” They walked slowly, on guard, toward a stream or river. He remembers “a small, dark sign that said, ‘Morville-sur-Seille’” (see map above). To their horror, there were their pontoon boats positioned across the river, “our bridge to more war.” As soon as they crossed the river, the Germans “sent a barrage down on us and the radio man was hit.” Dad took up the radio since he’d had walkie-talkie training at Fort Gruber. As they got up the bank, they were hit with another barrage from the Germans, and “shrapnel flew into my leggings, barely scratching the skin of my legs.” My dad describes what happened next: We crept forward a little at the time on flat ground in an open field. An airplane strafed us but was way off target. Slowly, we inched forward and were very close to a very small town. The company of men stretched out for yards and yards while we sat or lay down to rest. Then it happened. My whole world blew up. Dad didn’t know it at the time, but he was severely wounded. Below is the Morning Report for the 317 Infantry, Company I, dated November 15, 1944. The bottom of the page records him being wounded on November 9, 1944. This is a digital copy of a microfilm copy, and as with the document above, I cleaned it up a bit in Photoshop. “Fr dy to SWA” stands for “From Duty to Seriously Wounded in Action” (believed life-threatening). “Lost to Hosp” means he was sent to a hospital, “Hosp. unknown” (from ). Below is a page from Headquarters 80th Infantry Division General Order 86, dated November 23, 1944. Dad’s name is in the list of soldiers who were awarded the Purple Heart “for wounds received as a result of enemy action in France on dates indicated” (from http://www.80thdivision.com/WebArchives/UnitHistories.html). Dad’s Purple Heart (my sister took a photo for me with her smart phone). Dad during his hospital stay in England (with Nurse “Mike” who drew him out of a deep depression kicking and screaming). Honorable Discharge The next chapter in my dad’s memoirs is called “Walking Papers.” It won first prize in 1968 at Oxford Collect, near Covington, Georgia, at a meeting-workshop with the Georgia Writers Association, and again that fall at the annual meeting in Atlanta, in the category for unpublished writers. It’s a flashback to the war while waiting in the veterans’ orthopedic clinic for amputees in Atlanta. He had to go there every so often to get a new prosthesis. He writes about the explosion that wounded him and about the medic giving him two shots of morphine in his neck and a compress on a wound in his back after telling him he couldn’t do anything about my dad’s legs. He woke up in the operating room and passed out again, and then later woke up with a cast from the waist down. The hospital had not told my dad they had amputated his right foot. So when the Colonel came by for an inspection and the doctor pulled back the covers on my dad’s legs and said “amputation,” my dad went berserk and sank into a deep depression. Also, the bones in his left foot were shattered; he was told that they would eventually fuse together. (I remember that he always walked with a sight limp and that he was often in pain.) He was worried that he would never walk again. But he did, and he danced, and he swam, and he drove a car, and he mowed the grass, and he lived a fairly normal life (if such can be had with five kids)! Catherine Pendleton

Recommendations for patient referral to a PH specialist Consensus StatementIssued by the Scientific Leadership Council DISCLAIMER:The information below is for general information only. These guidelines may not apply to your individual situation. You should rely on the information and instructions given specifically to you by your PH specialist and/or the nurses at your PH Center. This information is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. It is not intended as legal, medical or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with qualified professionals who are familiar with your individual needs. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease. Patients with suspected PAH should have their doctors perform diagnostic testing based on their suspicion for PAH. This will often include an echocardiogram to estimate how high their pulmonary artery pressure is. If the echocardiogram suggests PAH, or is confirmed by right heart catheterization, it is appropriate for the treating doctor to refer the patient to a doctor that regularly evaluates and treats PAH (PH specialist). A PH specialist along with the entire PAH team has the most experience managing PAH and has expertise with PAH-specific drugs, such as calcium channel blockers (CCBs), prostacyclins, endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. The PAH team may also be participating in clinical research trials that offer new, alternative investigational PAH therapies. Because all of these therapies require expertise in PAH, it is recommended that only PH specialty treatment centers initiate these treatments. The follow-up care of patients receiving PAH-specific therapies should include both visits to the patient's primary care physician and periodic evaluations by the PH specialist. The frequency of visits should be individualized according to the patient's specific clinical condition. It is also advisable to involve a local cardiologist or pulmonologist in the patient's care.

A Mother's Journey Spans Continents Martha Gonzalez Hopes to Persuade Ecuadorean Officials to Recognize PH Imagine that your son was born with not one but two life-threatening congenital diseases, then was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension when he was only a year old. Martha Gonzalez knows this scenario only too well. Her son, Daniel Torres, has been living with these life threatening conditions for over five years. Martha has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years, and now she is using her son’s example and all that she has learned about PH over the past five years to help other people in her native Ecuador. She is trying to convince officials in that country to add PH to the list of “catastrophic illnesses” for which the government-funded healthcare system will subsidize treatment. Daniel received an early diagnosis of congenital heart disease during Martha’s pregnancy and was born in 2005 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. Daniel also suffered from biliary atresia, an incurable, rare congenital liver disease caused by a blockage in the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gall bladder. He underwent a liver transplant to reverse the damage when he was 6 months old. Then, after a month of testing when he was 1 year old, Daniel was diagnosed with PH at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia — a two-hour, nearly 100-mile trip from the family’s home in North Bergen, N.J. By the age of 5, Daniel had undergone a total of six major surgeries, including two open-heart surgeries. Martha and the rest of the family — Daniel’s father Carlos; brother Sergio, 19; and sister Mia, 4 — were devastated at first. “When we heard about PH, the only word that kept repeating in my mind was ‘incurable,’ since Daniel had the liver transplant to cure his liver disease,” Martha says. “I knew how hard those moments were for us. I felt so hopeless at that time to know that he had to fight another incurable disease at his young age. It was a very fearful time for our family.” Turning fear into action When Daniel was diagnosed, rather than become immobilized by self-pity, the family met the challenges head-on and completely changed their way of life to become Daniel’s caregivers and closest allies. “My husband Carlos took a night job so he is available during the day for any emergency,” Martha explains. “He also studied to become an emergency medical technician so he could be prepared to help Daniel in any case of emergency.” “We as a family have become closer than ever,” Martha says. For example, “when we go to clinic, my oldest son Sergio takes care of my youngest, Mia. Sergio is considered a third caregiver of Daniel — knowing all about PH, always asking about it. He also knows the doses of his medications and schedule.” Martha has maintained close ties with friends and family in Ecuador as well, which led her to launch a campaign to educate physicians about PH in that country. “My involvement with the Ecuador government is related to an awareness project that I have planned with countries in South America,” Martha says. “I began with Ecuador because I am originally from there.” The Ecuadorean embassy helped to arrange a visit in May with the directors of cardiology at Hospital Clinica Kennedy, Hospital Pediatrico Leon Becerra, and Hospital de Niños Dr. Roberto Gilbert Elizalde. “Groups of physicians invited me to sit with them in rounds, during diagnosis of patients, and also showed me their advanced cath labs,” Martha says. During those meetings, she was able to give the physicians informational material in Spanish regarding the disease. PHA provided her with material such as Pulmonary Hypertension: A Patient's Survival Guide, the medical journal Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension and information on the international seed grant program. “My impression was that all these physicians were very interested in PH,” she says. “Although some had heard of it, one hospital never had any case of it. In the pediatric centers, my visit coincided with the recent diagnosis of two children with PH.” Martha adds that she is pleased with the response of the physicians she visited, who are interested in coming to PHA’s 2012 International PH Conference and getting actively involved in the PH journey. Obstacles along the way Martha says she was “amazed” to discover that the only PH drug administered in Ecuador is sildenafil. As she began working to change government policy by communicating with Ecuadorean health officials, Martha encountered a number of obstacles. “I did my research and found that there was a list of catastrophic illnesses in Ecuador that included heart malformation and cardiac valve disease,” she recalls. “I called and emailed the authorities to inquire if PH could be included in this list, and they said only if the cardiac malformation causes PH at some point, as if it was secondary PH. I specifically asked what if it is genetic PH, and the answer was no. This disappointed me because if all cancers were included in this list, then why not PH? PH is incurable and, without treatment, is fatal.” She presented the example that if a person was born with no heart malformation and developed cancer later in life, treatment of the illness could be subsidized by the government. However, if a person was born with no heart malformation and 20 years later developed PH due to a mutation of one of his genes, then why could this person’s care not be subsidized? Martha is currently working with PHA on how best to approach the medical establishment and win the battle so PH can be included in this list. “My goal is to put the word out there, be a mom ‘on the road,’” she says. “I will fight for my own country’s PH patients, and after that, I would love to move on to the rest of the countries in South America. I believe that the only way to have subsidized help for the expensive therapies for PH is by including PH in the catastrophic illnesses lists of these countries, especially in healthcare systems funded by governments.” PHA is fighting right alongside Martha in her efforts, targeting many of its education and awareness efforts to a global audience of medical professionals. Worldwide, PHA distributes 44,000 copies of Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension, a medical journal put together by leaders in the PH field, to cardiologists, pulmonologists, rheumatologists and other healthcare professionals. It also offers online resources such as PHA Online University, which is an educational resource for healthcare professionals interested in learning about the latest information in the field of PH. Martha says that even though her son Daniel is just beginning to comprehend what’s going on with his health, she is thankful for their private insurance and the daily medications that allow him to be just like any other 5-year-old boy who loves to run, jump, swim, play Wii and watch SpongeBob SquarePants. She wants people in other countries to experience this same care. “We enjoy every day with Daniel,” she says. “We feel we are blessed to have found a great PH pediatric center and PHA. We feel that PHA is our security blanket; if we have any questions, we just call PHA and there is always help there for us. Not all is bad for us. PH has brought out the best of us as human beings. We no longer feel hopeless, we now feel hopeful for the cure.”

World IP Day: Protecting Innovation to Protect the U.S. Economy World IP Day: Protecting Innovation to Protect the U.S. Economy 04.25.13 | By Kaelan Hollon Today is the World Intellectual Property Organization’s World Intellectual Property Day, and it couldn’t be more relevant. As the world leader in innovation, the United States needs to continue to support intellectual property (IP) policies that promote innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry, in addition to other IP-intensive sectors, or it could adversely affect investments in research and development and stall the next medical breakthrough. Patients aren’t the only ones that could be affected. IP-intensive industries directly employ approximately 19 million Americans, with the biopharmaceutical sector alone directly employing more than 650,000. When you include indirect jobs, the number catapults to 55 million. If U.S. companies don’t have an incentive to make the heavy investments needed to develop products, growth potential becomes limited, resulting in fewer jobs. These are the high-paying jobs our economy needs, too. Jobs in the intellectual property sector of the health care industry pay up to 30 percent more than other private sector industries. The biopharmaceutical sector accounts for the single largest share of all U.S. business R&D, representing nearly 20 percent of all domestic R&D funded by U.S. businesses, according to data from the National Science Foundation. If we don’t take steps to protect it, we not only lose jobs, but the U.S. also becomes less competitive globally. To recognize World IP Day, take a second and think about where we would be without innovation. The biopharmaceutical sector works to provide patients with innovative treatments to live productive, healthy lives, and if we do note take the appropriate steps now to protect IP, progress could be slowed. ResourcesSupply Chain SecuritySecuring the Supply ChainMost Read2014 Annual MeetingConnect with the PhRMA 2014 MeetingRecommendedStrong IP Encourages InnovationStrong IP Encourages Innovation

(NAPS)-If you're planning to spend some time enjoying the great outdoors, you may want to get your hearing checked. Warm-weather outdoor activities such as picnics and nature walks are a lot more fun when you can fully experience them-which includes being able to hear what family and friends are saying. According to a recent study by Hear the World, 66.2 percent of people agreed that hearing at full capacity makes it easier for them to enjoy such activities. That's why the team behind the study encourages people to take a free online hearing test at to ensure their hearing is up to par. "It's the season when people are getting out and enjoying warmer nights and longer days," said audiologist Susan Whichard. "Ensuring that your hearing health is good can make your summer significantly better." According to the "Hearing is Living" study, 27.6 percent of people agreed that "Not being able to hear the sounds of nature can be very stressful in daily life." Travel and Exercise Getting a hearing checkup can benefit more than an enjoyment of nature-it can have an impact on a person's overall enjoyment of two other key warm-weather activities: travel and exercise. According to the study, people who have addressed their hearing loss enjoy their travels more, have greater flexibility in planning their travels and make more positive experiences during their travels, with 71 percent of respondents reporting they have "good experiences" when they travel. Also, those with a hearing aid engage in sports more often than those not wearing a hearing instrument. Not only are the benefits of exercise abundant, but 64.6 percent of study respondents said that when hearing loss is no longer an issue, it's easier to socialize. Quality of Life Improvement Eighty-three percent said that their general quality of life has improved after addressing their hearing loss; also, 54.9 percent of those who have been checked and addressed their hearing loss agree that having a hearing aid makes it easier to do what they like in their free time. Among respondents with moderate to severe hearing loss, owners of hearing aids find it easier to relax, are more able to adapt to different situations, feel less bored and have less difficulties concentrating.

Search Emphasizing the Urban Angle of National Parks Monday, July 13, 2009 - 7:00am PDT by Nate Berg History / Preservation, Land Use, United States Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has said he wants to bring park programs back into the lives of urban dwellers. This piece argues that a good place for him to start is one of the few urban national parks at St. Louis' Gateway Arch.The Secretary reportedly wants to expand the idea of National Parks beyond Yellowstone and Yosemite and get more urban dwellers to access the facilities their metro areas have. "He has said he wants to engage more children and encourage underrepresented groups to participate in parks programs. Metropolitan areas are fertile grounds for such initiatives. They are where 80 percent of America's people live. Urban centers largely have been second-class citizens throughout the celebrated history of the National Park System. St. Louis' Gateway Arch, and the national park in which it is situated, stands out as an exception - a soaring symbol of a great historical movement and cherished element of the American character."

Osyris compressa (P.J.Bergius) A.DC Family : Santalaceae (sandalwood family) Common names : Cape sumach, coastal tannin bush ( Eng. ); wildepruim, wurgbessie, basbessie, kuslooibas (Afr.); mtekaaza, umbalanythi (Xhosa); umbulanyathi (Zulu) Osyris compressa, previously known as Colpoon compressum is a very decorative and useful plant in cultivation as well as in its natural habitat. It is a hemiparasitic plant, in other words a plant that is capable of producing its own food (photosythesis) as well as utilizing nourishment from a suitable host plant by means of parasitism. This together with some other interesting features, makes the Cape sumach a highly successful species in the Cape Floristic Region and in other vegetation types. Description Osyris compressa is classified as a shrub although it can attain the size of a small bushy tree of 1-5 m in height. It is a partial parasite on the roots of plants. The Cape sumach has a smooth greyish bark and the leaves are opposite, stiff, erect and crowded up the stem.The elliptical leaves which are tough and leathery are 10-50 x 10-27 mm, and blue-green with a grey bloom. The flowers are small, about 2 mm across, yellowish green, slightly scented, inconspicuous and are borne in small terminal heads or panicles. Flowers are either just male on one plant or hermaphroditic (can be male or female on the same plant). The flowers and fruits are produced erratically throughout the year, but mainly from April to December. The fruits are highly decorative on the plant and are ellipsoid (elliptic in long section and circular in cross section), fleshy, about 15 x 10 mm, becoming bright, shiny red and then purplish black. Fruits don't ripen all at once which is why these plants can be very attractive for long periods throughout the year. Status Osyris compressa is a very tough and well-established plant in its native habitat. The plants are relatively short-lived but highly developed as can be noticed by the abundance of fruits each plant produces throughout the year, enabling it to secure maximum offspring. Its semi-parasitic lifestyle also gives it an added advantage over other plants. Osyris compressa is not threatened or in danger of becoming threatened. Distribution and Habitat O. compressa occurs on coastal dunes and inland slopes from the Cape in the south to Kosi Bay on the east coast. Associated biomes include mountain and coastal fynbos as well as savanna habitats. Plants thrive in sandy conditions and together with other species of plants forms an important soil stabilizer in coastal dune systems. All species of Osyris grow in close proximity to other plants; in the Fynbos Biome these may be species of Rhus, Coleonema, Maytenus, Leucadendron, Metalasia and Chrysanthemoides. Derivation of name and historical aspects The generic name is from the Greek ozos and means branched, referring to the branching habit of the plant. The specific ephithet compressa means laterally flattened. The tree is closely related to an inland species namely Osyris quadripartita ( Transvaal sumach), previously known as O. lanceolata but the latter can easily be recognized by the alternate leaves and the axillary flowers. Ecology Osyris compressa is designed for survival. Its blue-green, leathery leaves enable it to withstand heat and wind intensities normally associated with the coast. It is a fast grower and establishes itself rapidly through masses of seeds, which are produced for at least eight months of the year. As it is hermaphroditic, the plant has a much greater chance of producing viable seeds faster and it ensures that cross pollination takes place between separate plants which creates a stronger gene pool for the species. The scented flowers attract insectiverous pollinators ranging from bees, butterflies, flies and ants. O. compressa is also an important food plant for the larvae of the Common Dotted Border (Mylothris agathina ), a yellowish, medium-sized butterfly that occurs along the coast. The glossy green berries grow fast and become dark red to purple by which time they fall to the ground. Many different birds feast on these berries and in so doing ensure the effective spread of the plants. As with the other member of the Santalaceae family, the Cape sumach parasitizes nearby plants by means of root attachments. The young plant may utilize water and important nutrients from the host plant, and may become less dependent as it matures; the plant is not entirely dependent on host plants and can survive on its own should the host plant die until another suitable host is found. There are no known benefits to host plants once they have become parasitized. Uses and cultural aspects The fresh leaves of Osyris compressa were used to tan leather a light brown colour, while the bark was used to tan leather dark brown. A layer of crushed leaves or bark, depending on colour preference, was put into the bottom of a trough, and the hide, with hair removed, was placed on top of the plant material. Successive layers of plant material and hides were made, and the wet mass was pressed flat with weights and left to tan for two weeks before removing and drying. A decoction of fresh leaves was used to tan cotton, fishing lines and nets to make them more durable in the days before nylon. The wood is heavy and fine-grained, but because of the small size of the tree, it is suitable only for ornaments. The fruits are edible and were an important food of the early inhabitants of the Cape. The stones were removed and the fleshy part compressed and stored for lean times. Growing Osyris compressa Plants grow from seeds which fall to the ground. Seeds can be sown in situ (directly in the open garden), if there are other plants to serve as the hosts. It is not possible to grow plants from cuttings. Osyris is not well established in cultivation and best left to reproduce naturally. Plants do exceptionally well in coastal areas and are very tolerant of windy conditions. It is recommended as a seaside subject and plants form very effective small windbreaks provided there are enough host plants. They also attract birds and insects to the garden and do well with the other more common Coastal Fynbos vegetation from the Asteraceae, Rutaceae, Proteaceae, Anacardaceae. References and further reading Coates Palgrave, M. 2002. Keith Coates Palgrave Trees of southern Africa, edn 3., Struik, Cape Town. Fox, E.W. & Norwood Young, M.E. 1982 Food from the Veld, Edible wild plants of southern Africa. Delta Books (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg. Germishuizen, G. & Meyer, N. (eds).2003. Plants of southern Africa : an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. Jackson, W.P.U. 1990. Origins and meanings of South African plant genera. University of Cape Town Ecolab. Leistner, O.A. 2005. Seed plants of southern tropical Africa : families and genera. SABONET, Pretoria. Mason, H. 1972. Western Cape Sandveld flowers. Struik, Cape Town . Smith, C.A. 1966. Common names of South African plants. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 35. Stearn, W.T. 2003. Stearn's dictionary of plant names for the gardener. Cassel , UK .