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Kate Wait - Duchess of Cambridge goes into labour
LONDON—The Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, has gone into labor and been taken to St. Mary's Hospital, where the world's media have been camped out, Kensington Palace officials said Monday, signaling the pending zenith of a building frenzy over the arrival of a new British royal.
The palace said she was taken by car to the hospital's Lindo Wing shortly before 6 a.m. accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge.
Duchess of Cambridge in hospital after going into labour
What is it like to give birth in the Lindo Wing
Alistair Bruce: how royal baby's birth will be announced
Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy
Although the royal baby's exact due date has never been confirmed, it is widely believed that the Duchess is now several days overdue.
Sources who have had their children at the private Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, where she is expected to give birth, said its general policy was to wait no longer than a week before inducing labour.
One said: "She will be given a choice of dates so she can choose when is most convenient but the longest they would wait would be a week."
The Duchess is being closely monitored by gynaecologists, Marcus Setchell and Alan Farthing, who will have discussed with her how long they are prepared to wait.
Crowds of tourists gather on the steps of the Queen Victoria Memorial Statue outside Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty
Helpful Tips on Nappies
So, changing nappies can't be too complicated, right? But if you're new to the whole nappy-changing-department it can seem a bit terrifying! Never fear though as we've composed a list of the necessary items that you'll need to change your baby's nappy and some common do's and don'ts.
Necessary Items for Changing Nappies:
Here is a list of items you will need for changing your child's nappy, so make sure they are within reach before you start!
· A clean, damp washcloth/baby wipes (to clean your
baby)
· A dry towel or washcloth (to dry your baby)
· A clean cloth to place under your baby
· Any ointments you may use (these aren't necessary,
but can be helpful in treating any diaper rashes.
· And last but not least, a clean nappy!
The DO'S of Changing Nappies:
· DO make sure you change your child regularly – no one likes to sit around with a wet bum all day.
· DO pick a safe spot to change your baby. Check to see that your baby won't roll off of get hurt.
· DO notice if there are any marks around your baby's waist or legs as this can mean their nappy is too tight and needs to be adjusted.
The DON'TS of Changing Nappies:
· DON'T ever leave your baby alone when changing – make sure you have everything you require before you start.
· DON'T wipe from back to front, as this can spread bacteria.
· DON'T forget to pack your nappy changing pack, even if going on a short trip. The last thing you need is a nappy explosion! For a day out, you'll probably need several nappies, clean cloths/towels
and don't forget to take a spare plastic bag to put the dirty diapers in!
If you're feeling lost, here's a video to help guide you through the nappy changing process, after all, who said it wasn't complicated?
Five Pregnancy Pains That Are Generally Harmless
A lot of worrying comes with being pregnant, there's no way around it. Every new symptom brings on so many questions, and even the slightest twinge of pain in any part of your body can send you into a Googling frenzy.
Anytime you feel severe, persistent pain, you should seek medical advice from your doctor to rule out a problem. But many moms find that slight to moderate pains come and go, and most of these are just par for the course. Here are some painful problems that are typically normal and part of a safe, healthy pregnancy, plus some tips from Circle of Moms members on how to relieve the hurt.
1. Round Ligament Pain
One of the first pains you might experience as your belly starts to grow is round ligament pain. These are felt primarily in the lower abdomen and in your sides, sometimes as a sharp, jabbing sensation. According to WebMD, round ligament pain occurs when the round ligament that connects the front part of your womb to your groin begins to stretch. It is "one of the most common complaints during pregnancy and is considered a normal part of pregnancy."
In discussions about round ligament pain, Maddie B. describes it as "sharp pains in my belly and my back, also sometimes in my bladder." Serena L. found the pains to be worse in her second pregnancy: "I thought it would have been the opposite because logically your muscles have to stretch the first time more, right? Yeah, not so much. My doctor explained it to me that the muscles have to work harder with every pregnancy thereafter because your first baby stretched things out."
Sally P. and Lisa M. both found that the only thing that really helps is to lay down for a while and rest the ligament: "I went and laid down and took a nap for about a hour and then I was better," shares Lisa.
2. Slight Abdominal Cramping
Obviously, ligaments aren't the only thing stretching and growing in there! Your uterus is going through some 'feats of strength' itself, and that kind of expansion can cause some pain. When "Mommy 2 Be" had cramping at 17 weeks, moms advised her to see her doctor or go to the hospital if the pain became severe. But several members, as well as her own mother, advised that slight to moderate cramps usually happen when the uterus is "growing and stretching."
Abdominal cramps that happen very early in pregnancy can be caused by bloating and constipation, a very common yet uncomfortable pregnancy side effect. This kind of cramping can be one of the first signs of pregnancy, but can also continue well into the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Luckily there are some things you can do to help keep your bowels moving. Melanie T. suggests eating "anything with fiber!" and plenty of fluids, especially prune juice and water. Many moms say drinking lots of water works best. Joy B.'s doctor also recommended exercise: "i go for a walk of between 2 and 4 km every day as moving around also helps ease constipation."
If natural remedies don't do the trick, it is safe to try a very gentle over-the-counter stool softener. Amber K. is a nurse and mom of 2, and she suggests Colace brand stool softener: "[Colace] is just a stool softener...not a stimulant and perfectly safe... They are little red gel-like caps and they are sold over the counter (OTC) at any store."
"Anytime you feel severe, persistent pain, you should seek medical advice from your doctor to rule out a problem"
3. Back Pain
Many moms experience discomfort in their backs during the later stages of pregnancy. Back pain can also be caused by ligaments stretching. Connie R. talked to her nurse practitioner about this type of back ache: "She says that it's ligament pain (we have them in our backs, too) and she recommends ice pack/compress [since] heat can only make it worse."
Another source of back pain is your baby's movement and pressure on sensitive areas in your body. Lisa B. is frustrated that with her third pregnancy, it's hard to find relief from all the strain: "I am so sore through my back and pelvis it hurts to lay in bed, it hurts to sit for too long, it hurts to lay in bed for too long and it hurts to walk around too much." She found relief with visits to a chiropractor, where she learned some stretching exercises that help: "One thing that I really like to do is to get down on my hands and knees and just let my belly hang and take all that pressure off my back, then just arch and roll your back (think yoga poses!)."
4. Leg Cramps
Leg cramps and muscle spasms can be common during pregnancy. Several members advise that these pains are almost always caused by dehydration, low potassium, or both. Ashley B. experienced leg cramps with all three of her pregnancies: "Drink plenty of water and make sure you are getting enough potassium (found in bananas and raisins)... this really worked for me. Also you could try sleeping with a pillow between your legs."
5. Braxton-Hicks Contractions
Your body has it's own way of practicing and preparing for labour, and it's known as Braxton-Hicks. These are "fake" or "practice" contractions that you may experience during the final weeks before your baby is due. Jessica A. describes it beautifully: "That tightening that you feel from time to time in your uterus may feel like real labor, but it is actually a Braxton Hicks contraction. These contractions happen when your brain sends messages to your body to prepare for labor. In response, your body contracts the muscles in your uterus to help get ready for your baby's eventual arrival."
The good thing about Braxton-Hicks contractions is that they are usually not very painful. Most moms describe them as a "tightening." Donna D. said hers "were very strong but they weren't painful. They took my breath away becausemy stomach went rock hard... You will know the difference when the time comes." Krista H. agrees that you don't have to worry whether you will recognize the difference between Braxton-Hicks and the real thing: "Braxton Hicks FEEL like contractions, but unlike actual contractions, will go away if you get up and move around. Real contractions don't subside with movement."
This article in no way means to trivialise pain during pregnancy. Uncomfortable, slightly painful aspects of being pregnant come with the territory, but it is always a good idea to contact your doctor if you are worried about any pain you are experiencing. Seek medical treatment right away for any severe pain that does not go away. Persistent pain can be a sign that something is wrong, and only a medical professional can truly rule out a problem. [For more information, see 7 Pregnancy Warning Signs at WebMD.]
This information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
Top 10 Supermom Essentials
Between carting kids around to soccer practice and piano lessons, to managing work, PTA meetings, and running the household, moms can seem like superheroes. We've come up with the top 10 essentials that every mom-on-the-go should have on hand to make that transformation into Supermom just a little easier.
From wiping little noses to a quick solution for mopping up spilled juice, tissues can be a life saver when you're in a tight spot. Throw a pack in your purse to ensure you're never caught off-guard.
Baby wipes aren't just for baby's bottom--they're also perfect for quick clean-ups in the car, wiping off germy shopping cart handles, or for freshening up during a long day. Their many uses make them an essential item to always have on hand.
Hand SanitizerWhen soap and water isn't an option, hand sanitizer is the perfect substitute for cleaning little hands in a pinch. A quick drop can kill most germs, and works great for eating on the go or cleaning up after the playground.
Keeping track of your child's busy schedule, not to mention your own, can be a job in itself. A daily calendar where you can jot appointments, practices, and important memos will help keep you sane and organized. Purchase a pocket-sized one to fit in your purse so your schedule is always at your fingertips.
Running errands all day with your kids in tow can be taxing on everyone. Download a few age-appropriate smartphone apps to keep your little ones entertained in the car, at the grocery store, or in waiting rooms.
Portable Snacks and Juice Boxes
If your child turns into a monster when he is hungry, you know the importance of having some snacks always at the ready. Portable foods like fruit and granola bars, juice boxes, and extra sippy cups are just right for when you're on the run and your child is ravenous.
A picture-perfect moment can crop up at any time, and having a digital camera in your purse will ensure you never miss the opportunity to snap a picture. You'll never regret having too many pictures of your children and the memories that come with them.
Boo-boos and bang-ups are bound to happen, but they're usually nothing a little bandage and a kiss can't fix. Keep a couple packages of different sized bandages in your purse so you can fix-up any scrapes your child manages to get during his day.
Stain Remover Wipes
No matter how careful you try to be, kids always manage to stain their clothes. Keep some stain remover wipes on hand to quickly remove any spills, messes, or marks from your child's clothing.
A Cute Bag for Mom
Just because you have to lug around a bag of mom essentials doesn't mean you can't look good while doing it. Toting a fashionable bag you love will help you feel chic and put together, even when life can feel a little hectic.
"We've come up with the top 10 essentials that every mom-on-the-go should have on hand to make that transformation into Supermom just a little easier"
The Power of Love: 10 Years After That Rescuing Hug
REMEMBER that beautiful photo of the two little premmie babies and the rescuing hug? I've always wondered where the girls are now ... here's a video we dug up... sorry it's in Korean, but there are some English bits!
Here is their original story:
PREMATURE babies have a better chance of survival now, due to advances in medical technology and knowledge. But sometimes the best medicine lies not in expensive machines but in the simple touch of another person.
"There is considerable evidence that multiple infants who are co-bedded handle the stress of being hospitalised"
The story of twins Brielle and Kyrie Jackson of Westminster, Massachusetts, in the United States made national headlines five years ago and began a revolution in the way multiple-birth babies are treated in their first weeks of life. Not yet a month old, Brielle was losing her fight for life. Born along with her twin, Kyrie, on October 17, 1995, she weighed only two pounds at birth. While Kyrie, three ounces heavier but much stronger, thrived, Brielle's breathing and heart rate were poor and nothing the doctors at The Medical Center of Central Massachusetts-Memorial tried seemed to make any difference.
On November 12, Brielle's condition worsened dramatically. "She was turning colors," the twins' mother, Heidi Jackson, said. "She was getting really worked up. Her heart rate was way up. She was getting hiccups. You could tell she was just completely stressed out."
Nurse Gayle Kasparian, desperately seeking something to help Brielle, remembered hearing about a technique rarely used in America called "double bedding" or "co-bedding." Twins and other multiple-birth babies are put in the same crib, where, like in their mother's womb, they lie close together.
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE ... People learned about Brielle and Kyrie when this beautiful photograph of Kyrie's arm protectively around her sister, known as the "Rescuing Hug" picture, was published in Reader's Digest and Lifemagazine in 1996. People were deeply touched by the expression of love between the two tiny sisters and inspired by the healing that can happen with just the warmth of another person.
"[Kasparian] closed the door and Brielle snuggled up to Kyrie and she was just fine," said Jackson. "She calmed right down. It was immediate. It was absolutely immediate."
Kasparian put Brielle in the incubator with Kyrie, whom she hadn't seen since birth. To the amazement of everyone, Brielle showed improvement from the first moment she touched her sister.
Brielle and Kyrie went home with their family just before Christmas, when they were only two months old. When they left the hospital, they each weighed well over five pounds and were considered healthy. "They're doing fantastic," Heidi said.
People learned about Brielle and Kyrie when a beautiful photograph of Kyrie's arm protectively around her sister, known as the "Rescuing Hug" picture, was published in Reader's Digest and Lifemagazine in 1996. People were deeply touched by the expression of love between the two tiny sisters and inspired by the healing that can happen with just the warmth of another person.
The conventional thinking of doctors at that time was that tiny preemies should be kept apart so infections couldn't spread. But experts now believe that the threat of infection is minimal, and the benefits of the comfort and security gained by the presence of the baby's twin far outweigh any risks.
"When you consider what these babies have already experienced,being thrust too early out of the soothing environment of the womb and into the noise, glare and physical discomfort of life in the hospital, you wonder what added stress is caused by being separated for the first time
from the comfort of the other baby," wrote Patricia Maxwell Malmstrom and Janet Poland in The Art of Parenting Twins. "There is considerable evidence that multiple infants who are co-bedded handle the stress of being hospitalized, and of all the procedures they must endure, better than those who are separated."
Successes in cases such as Brielle and Kyrie's have led to many more hospitals adopting the practice of co-bedding.
Children's Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, first began co-bedding in 1998 when the parents of twins Meagan and Jacob Breid asked that they be placed together. Medical staff at the hospital agreed after reading studies from other hospitals in this country and around the world.
Should Newborns Learn to Swim?
Even pools that look pristine harbour dangers for infants. "For newborns younger than 2 months we really worry about immunity — how vulnerable babies are to illness — so I recommend that parents not take their young infants into swimming pools, lakes, the ocean, and so on," says Howard Reinstein, a pediatrician in Encino, California and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pools can easily be contaminated with bacteria that cause diarrhea, which can be very dangerous for a young infant.
Also, because your baby won't be able to regulate his body temperature until he's around 6 to 12 months old, you need to make sure the water's warm enough for him. "If the water feels chilly to you, it will be really cold for your baby," Dr. Reinstein says. The pool should be at least 84 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit for your baby to be comfortable. If he starts shivering, it's time to get out of the water. Too much heat can be a problem, too. Hot tubs, spas, and pools heated to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit are off limits to children younger than 5. Young children overheat more quickly than adults and the high temperatures in hot tubs can cause a child's heart to race or pose other dangers..
Finally, think about water safety. Drowning and near drowning are leading causes of death and injury for young children. Keep the following safety tips in mind when you're around any body of water with your child.
What does our Sue, KindyNews Swim Coach have to say about this issue? Find out here...
"For newborns younger than two months we really worry about immunity"
Because your baby won't be able to regulate his body temperature until he's around 6 to 12 months old, you need to make sure the water's warm enough for him.
Would You Give Your Boy a Girl's Name - or Vice Versa?
WITHOUT doubt, one of the hottest naming trends of the moment is the choice of a unisex name.
From Alex to Spencer or Angel to Skye, dual-gender names are often seen as a way of giving a stylish and modern name that breaks the boundaries a little, providing your child with an identity that lets them stand out from the crowd.
Many names have fluctuated between being predominantly male or female through the years – Ashley, traditionally a girl's name is now on the rise as a boys name, whereas Reece is becoming increasingly popular amongst girls. And with more and more unisex names continually being added to the mix, if you are thinking of choosing a gender-neutral name, the options are getting bigger by the day.
Why choose a unisex name?There are a variety of reasons you might consider a unisex name for your child:
Unisex names are a great way to pass on a family name.
You might have a name you have always liked and want to use it regardless of gender the baby is born
You can choose a single name during pregnancy, without needing to know the gender
A unisex middle name can provide a great alternative for them to their first name, if they want something a little different when they get older
"Unisex names are a great way to pass on a family name"
Pros and cons of a unisex nameChoosing a unisex name carries a number of pros and cons that are worth bearing in mind.
For girls in the professional world, having a name that could be thought of as gender neutral might give them an advantage on paper, as they can prove themselves on their work ethic and skill instead of being judged initially on their gender
It is a name that they themselves will be able to pass down for generations to come, regardless of the gender of their children
It steps away from tradition and gives your child something a little different
Having to clarify your gender could pose difficult situations in a child's life
Choosing the wrong name could lead to schoolyard teasing, particularly for boys: for example, it is more accepted for a girl to have a traditionally male name such as Billie, than a boy to have a traditionally female name such as Vyvien!
Though a name might be trending towards one gender when chosen, it could sway back to being the opposite gender by the time they are an adult, creating more and more situations where they have to clarify their gender in their adult life
Considering a celebrity unisex name?Celebrity popularity is one of the many influences fuelling this gender-neutral trend. Cameron became popular amongst girls once Cameron Diaz shot to fame in the 1990's, whilst Kelly became increasingly prevalent as a boy's name after Kelly Slater emerged as a surfing legend. Taylor shot up in the choices for both boys and girls since Taylor Lautner hit our screens in Twilight, alongside Taylor Swift topping the charts. And now recently, Harper, traditionally a male name, is starting to trend for girls since Harper Beckham arrived.
TV characters have also contributed to the growing proportion of girls being given traditionally male names - Gilmore Girls with Rory, Grey's Anatomy with Addison, Gossip Girl with Blair - whilst Quinn, another traditionally male name, is predicted to be popular amongst girls this year thanks to Glee success.
Many celebrity parents are also now opting for unisex names for their babies:
Reiley: daughter to Stella McCartney
Billie: daughter to Rebecca Gayheart & Eric Dane
Bailey: daughter to Melissa Etheridge
Dylan: daughter to Robin Wright & Sean Penn; son to Catherine Zeta Jones & Michael Douglas
Angel: son to Kirk Hammett
Still unsure?If you like the idea of a unisex name, but are unsure about making the leap completely, there is always the option of going for a classic feminine name with unisex nickname – Charlotte becomes Charlie, Bernadette becomes Bernie, Samantha to Sam and Josephine to Jo.
Yet if you like the name, but are concerned about the ambiguous gender implications, many names offer a female/male spelling to clarify the gender - Sidney/Sydney, Robyn/Robin, Kerrie/Kerry… or simply make up your own!
From Alex to Spencer or Angel to Skye, dual-gender names are often seen as a way of giving a stylish and modern name that breaks the boundaries a little, providing your child with an identity that lets them stand out from the crowd
More Womb-Time Means Smarter Kids!
Women should "at least proceed with caution before electing to have an earlier term birth," said the study's lead author, Dr. Kimberly Noble.
EVEN for infants born full-term, a little more time in the womb may matter.
The extra time results in more brain development, and a study suggests perhaps better scores on academic tests, too.
Full-term is generally between 37 weeks and 41 weeks; newborns born before 37 weeks are called premature and are known to face increased chances for health and developmental problems.
The children in the study were all full-term, and the vast majority did fine on third-grade math and reading tests. The differences were small, but the study found that more kids born at 37 or 38 weeks did poorly than did kids born even a week or two later.
The researchers and other experts said the results suggested that the definition of prematurity should be reconsidered.
The findings also raise questions about hastening childbirth by scheduling cesarean deliveries for convenience—because women are tired of being pregnant or doctors are busy—rather than for medical reasons, the researchers said.
Women should "at least proceed with caution before electing to have an earlier term birth," said the study's lead author, Dr. Kimberly Noble, an assistant pediatrics professor at Columbia University Medical Center.
The study involved 128,000 New York City public school children and included a sizable number of kids from disadvantaged families. But the authors said similar results likely would be found in other children, too.
"I don't want to panic moms whose babies come at 37 weeks. But those elective early deliveries really need to stop"
Poor reading skills
Of the children born at 37 weeks, 2.3 percent had severely poor reading skills and 1.1 percent had at least moderate problems in math. That compares to 1.8 percent and 0.9 percent for the children born at 41 weeks.
Children born at 38 weeks faced only slightly lower risks than those born at 37 weeks.
Compared with those born at 41 weeks, children born at 37 weeks faced a 33-percent increased chance of having severe reading difficulty in third grade, and a 19 percent greater chance of having moderate problems in math.
"These outcomes are critical and predict future academic achievement," said Naomi Breslau, a Michigan State University professor and sociologist. Her own research has linked lower IQs in 6-year-olds born weighing the same as the average birth weights at 37 and 38 weeks' gestation, compared with those born heavier.
'Quite a stir'
The study was published online Monday in Pediatrics.
The research "will cause quite a stir," said Dr. Judy Aschner, a pediatrics professor and neonatology director at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
"There are still a lot of babies who are being delivered more or less electively at 37 and 38 weeks, with people thinking, 'This is no big deal—these babies are full-term.' I think this is a big deal," said Aschner, who was not involved in the study.
According to Aschner, no one is recommending trying to delay childbirth for women who go into labor at 37 weeks or 38 weeks.
"I don't want to panic moms whose babies come at 37 weeks," she said. "But those elective early deliveries really need to stop."
Some hospitals including Vanderbilt require obstetricians planning elective C-sections to complete a checklist and if appropriate boxes aren't checked, the operation can't be performed, Aschner said.
In the study, 15 percent of children were born in C-section operations but there was no information on how many of these were elective or medically necessary procedures.
C-sections can cause birth complications that also increase chances for developmental delays.
But the researchers took that into account, along with other risk factors including low birth weight, lack of prenatal care, smoking during pregnancy and neighborhood poverty—all of which could contribute to academic difficulties.
And they still found that birth at 37 weeks and 38 weeks was an additional risk.
Out Of The Mouths of Babes: Kids Curse By The Time They're 3, Survey Finds
Linguistics expert Kate Burridge said it was not surprising children experiment with swearing as lively language is very much part of our vernacular.
What is Your Experience? Do your littlies swear like sailors?
AN online survey has revealed 42 per cent of children first use bad language by three years of age.
By kindergarten, more than 90 per cent of children have uttered their first rude word, leaving parents in shock, a survey has found.
Swear words starting with "f" and "s" were the most common first naughty word. Bloody, used by 5 per cent of children as their first bad word, ranks as the third most common. The two most popular expletives each was expressed by 28 per cent of children.
Linguistics expert Kate Burridge said it was not surprising children experiment with swearing as lively language is very much part of our vernacular. "They soon learn they get maximum attention (with a curse word)", Professor Burridge, of Monash University, said.
"In the old days they might have had their mouths washed out with soap or been sent to the bedroom with no supper but they get maximum attention and learn how potent these words are."
Parents admit their children often heard their first curse at home (52.7 per cent) but the overwhelming majority (78.4 per cent) actively discourage swearing. The second most common place for children to pick up obscenities was in the playground at school or pre-school (48.2 per cent) followed by television (31 per cent).
"By kindergarten, more than 90 per cent of children have uttered their first rude word, leaving parents in shock"
Sitting in the back seat of the car is another good place for kids to learn foul language (15 per cent).
Parents who generally refrain from swearing admit stressful driving situations have caused them unintentionally to use bad language in front of their child (9.7 per cent).
Etiquette expert June Dally-Watkins said the level of swearing on TV and in public was unacceptable. "I think it is disgusting and should be taboo," she said. "Parents should not permit it. Swearing is ugly. There is too much bad language going on and too much on television."
Ms Dally-Watkins said parents posting clips of swearing toddlers on YouTube was horrifying. Most parents agree with her.
Professor Burridge said foul language was not considered as bad as racist, sexist or religionist language. He advised parents did not need to panic if their child swore. "It is probably best to treat these as ordinary words," she said. "They have always been an important part of the vernacular."
Letting Brisbane Kids Be Kids!
QUEENSLAND'S dynamic new premier Campbell "Can-Do" Newman will tackle the nuts and bolts of how he is implementing his 100-day plan in relation to parents in his electorate at a special Mums Brunch in Ashgrove.
The Mums Brunch, hosted by West Brisbane parents' publication the KindyNews, will be held at the Marinara Café and Restaurant in Latrobe Terrace on Friday, July 27, 2012.
"We are very honored and excited about having the premier as our special guest in July," KindyNews spokesman Karen Jackman said. "We are looking forward to hearing him articulate and outline his "Can-Do" plan to parents in his electorate. Our readers support and respect his energetic and positive approach to facing up to a very difficult challenge. This is going to be a must-attend event for Ashgrove parents."
Also a key speaker at the brunch is the chief executive of Queensland's largest and longest established kindergarten provider.
"We are looking forward to hearing (the premier) articulate and outline his 'Can-Do' plan to parents in his electorate. Our readers support and respect his energetic and positive approach to facing up to a very difficult challenge "
C&K Preschooling Professionals' Barrie Elvish will speak about "Children's Right to Childhood". In particular, Mr Elvish will outline how C&K plans to action this view at its newly acquired Ashgrove premises:
"We have just purchased part of the old Ithaca TAFE at Ashgrove and we intend creating an outdoor environment which challenges not just the existing regulations and future regulations, but also the perceptions of what might be safe and unsafe environments for children," he said.
KindyNews' Mums Brunches are held periodically for parents of young children as a relaxed forum for social engagement and the discussion of community issues relating to parents and carers of young families.
Event: KindyNews Mums Brunch
Theme: Letting Brisbane Kids Be Kids
Speakers: State Premier and member for Ashgrove Campbell Newman, Chief Executive of C&K Preschooling Professionals Barrie Elvish
When: 10am-12 noon Friday July 27, 2012
Where: Marinara Café and Restaurant, 34 Latrobe Tce, Paddington
Contact: Karen Jackman
Telephone/Email: (07) 3870-3234 / 0406 2222 59 media@kindynews.com
RSVP: ASAP


text:
Redlining the Declaration (A Greatest Hit)
Originally run on his private blog way back in 2011, Burt Likko offers an editor's view of the organic document of the United States of America.
Burt Likko / July 4, 2016 in History #Declaration of Independence #greatest hits #law #Not A Potted Plant
Thomas Jefferson, young and handsome, and just a little bit smug? He would have been roughly the same age as illustrated in this portrait when he was given the honor of writing the first draft of what became the Declaration of Independence.
Image by The British Library
One often refers to Thomas Jefferson as the "principal author" or sometimes even less accurately as simply the "author" of the Declaration of Independence. In fact, the Declaration was the work of the entire Second Continental Congress; it formed a committee which then gave the first draft to Jefferson.
Thanks to modern technology, it is now a trivial exercise to visually compare Jefferson's first draft of the document with what finally came out. It is a more inductive and inexact process to evaluate what those revisions reflect. They tell us something about what was in Jefferson's mind, and they tell us something about what was in the mind of the assembled fifty-six delegates collectively — to the extent that collective intent in a deliberative political body can ever be ascertained at all, a questionable proposition right out of the starting gate.
This is an inherently inexact and speculative process. I've tried to approach it with the goal of intellectual honesty in mind – maybe the revisions would lead me to a place I didn't like, but if that's what the evidence shows, better to deal with it honestly than to pretend it's something that it isn't. What I think I've found is Congress inserting into Jefferson's work a dose of very ambiguous theism, toning down the most incendiary parts, and basically writing for itself the operative language effecting the political split with Britain.
But don't take my word for it. See for yourself, as we go through the document line by line.
AIn CONGRESS, July 4, 1776,The unanimous Declaration By the Representatives of the United Statesthirteen united STATES of America, in General Congress Assembled.AMERICA,
What kind of a new polity is this? Is it thirteen allied but independent nations? Is it thirteen provinces of a single nation? There was probably some thought about the Netherlands or Switzerland. The best I can figure out here is that something was intended as more than an alliance, but the exact relationship between the states and the national government would not get worked out until – well, I was going to say not until 1868, but the fact is we're still working that out even today, aren't we?
When in the courseCourse of human events, it becomes necessary for aone people to advance from that subordination indissolve the political bands which they have hitherto remainedconnected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal and independent station to which the lawsLaws of natureNature and of nature's godNature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the changeseparation.
Everyone wants to point to this phrase "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and try and read into that phrase some guidance about the role of religion in the government. I've got my opinions about both what they wanted and what they created. But while I admit that I have a more secularist bias, this phrase itself seems so ambiguous to me that it is probably best written off as one of those ambiguous phrases constructed to appeal to many different interests at once, and thus of very limited probative value into that controversial question.
The next sentence is more interesting on that subject:
We hold these truths to be self-evident;, that all men are created equal and independent;, that fromthey are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, and libertythese are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; thatHappiness.
Jefferson was not the author of the phrase "endowed by their Creator." It appears that this language came out of the committee charged with drafting the Declaration, which means the language came from one of the other committee members – John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, or Robert Livingston. Franklin's religiosity was as malleable over time as Jefferson's seems to have been, and it remains unclear if Franklin was in 1776 a devout believer or a skeptic. But Adams, Livingston, and Sherman were all devout Christians of some kind or another, and it would have been in character for any of them to have wanted a more explicit reference to the divine as moral justification for what, had they failed, would have been treason.
Still, I note that the word "Creator" rather than "God" was chosen even in a committee and likely a Congress dominated by men who took pride and derived their identities and egos in no small part from their Christianity. There were no Muslims, no Jews, no Hindus, and indeed only two Catholics in the whole committee. It's very unclear how many of the delegates flirted with or embraced Deism at the time. So again, I think the safe interpretation of collective intent here is that the phrase was chosen for its ambiguity rather than for its clarity.
Especially interesting in these quarters, owing to the deep analysis of libertarian philosophical texts recently, is the striking of the reference to all men being created "independent."
That to secure these ends, governmentsrights, Governments are instituted among menMen, deriving their just powerpowers from the consent of the governed; that. That whenever any formForm of government shall becomeGovernment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the rightRight of the peoplePeople to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new governmentGovernment, laying it'sits foundation on such principles and organizing it's powerits powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safetySafety and happinessHappiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governmentsGovernments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes:; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, begun at a distinguished period, and pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them to arbitrary powerunder absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such governmentGovernment, and to provide new guardsGuards for their future security.
As a theoretical matter, notice the appeal to natural law as a justification both moral and legal for declaring independence. Libertarians in particular will also notice the reference to the formation of a voluntary mutual governmental association as the legitimate foundation of government, and can credibly argue that this document represents an example of that happening in reality rather than as a theoretical construct.
Such has been the patient sufferingssufferance of the coloniesthese Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to expungealter their former systemsSystems of government. theGovernment. The history of histhe present majestyKing of Great Britain [George III] is a history of unremittingrepeated injuries and usurpations, among which no one fact stands single or solitary to contradict the uniform tenor of the rest, all of which havehaving in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyrannyTyranny over these statesStates. To prove this, let factsFacts be submitted to a candid world, for the truth of which we pledge a faith yet unsullied by falsehood.
If anything, Jefferson's original language here is milder than what was eventually adopted. Contrast this with the peroration, infra. Congress makes a more strongly worded attack on the King. Congress also seemed to really like Using Capital Letters As A Form Of Emphasis As Though They Lacked The Ability To Italicize:
He has refused his assentAssent to lawsLaws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good:.
He has forbidden his governorsGovernors to pass lawsLaws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assentAssent should be obtained;, and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected utterly to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other lawsLaws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representationRepresentation in the legislatureLegislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only:.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
This addition to Jefferson's draft is a reference to the dissolution of the government of Boston in the wake of the Boston Tea Party. The colonial government was re-seated at Salem by orders of General Gage; Gage kept the colonial archives in Boston, however, which meant that if the delegates of the local legislature had wanted to consult the laws on the books, they would have had to have sent a messenger to Boston to do the research and report back what was discovered. This would have been a means of emasculating the legislature in Salem, effectively placing power to control local governments in the hands of Massachusetts' military governor.
The committee draft of this language seems to be in Jefferson's handwriting. The best guess here is that Jefferson simply passed over this issue in his first run-through and that he agreed later that it needed to be included as one of George's offenses. After all, the list of grievances concerning the ability of the colonists to form local governments for themselves goes on at some length:
He has dissolved Representatives housesRepresentative Houses repeatedly and continually, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people:.
He has refused for a long space of time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected,; whereby the legislativeLegislative powers, incapable of annihilationAnnihilation, have returned to the peoplePeople at large for their exercise,; the stateState remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within:.
He has endeavoredendeavoured to prevent the population of these statesStates; for that purpose obstructing the lawsLaws for naturalization for foreignersNaturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither;, and raising the conditions of new appropriationsAppropriations of lands:Lands.
Then we get into the longest list of grievances, those relating to the courts and the hands-on administration of law:
He has sufferedobstructed the administrationAdministration of justice totally to cease in some of these colonies,Justice, by refusing his assentAssent to lawsLaws for establishing judiciary powers:Judiciary Powers.
He has made our judgesJudges dependent on his willWill alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries:.
He has erected a multitude of new offices by a self-assumed powerNew Offices, and sent hither swarms of officersOfficers to harass our people, and eat out their substance:.
He has kept among us, in times of peace standing armies and ships of war:, Standing Armies, without the consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the military,Military independent of and superior to the civilCivil power:.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitutionsconstitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assentAssent to their Acts of pretended acts of legislation, forLegislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops amongamoung us;
For protecting them by a mock-trial Trial from punishment for any murdersMurders which they should commit on the in habitantsInhabitants of these states; States:
For cutting off our tradeTrade with all parts of the world;
For imposing taxesTaxes on us without our consent; Consent:
For depriving us in many cases of the benefits of trialTrial by jury; Jury:
For transporting us beyond seasSeas to be tried for pretended offenses; offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
It's always struck me as interesting that the Founders would have looked to Quebec this way – colonists in Quebec had expressed little interest in joining the independence effort although, to be fair, they had little opportunity since that colony was under direct military governance with no local legislature at all. There was never a serious consideration of including Quebec in the breakaway nation and the issue seemed to come up as a matter of example – "this is what we fear will happen to us."
As with the Salem Legislature passage above, it seems fair to say that Jefferson simply forgot the Quebec issue in his initial draft, which may well have been somewhat hurried.
For taking away our charters,Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the formsForms of our governments; Governments:
For suspending our own legislaturesLegislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever:.
He has abdicated governmentGovernment here, withdrawing his governors, and by declaring us out of his allegianceProtection and protection:waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coastsCoasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people:.
He is at this time transporting large armiesArmies of foreign mercenariesMercenaries to compleatcomplete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the headHead of a civilizecivilized nation:.
He has endeavoredconstrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
Impressment into the Royal Navy was going to be an issue again in 1812. Sometimes, war doesn't settle things right away, especially when one side only needs to fight to a draw.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savagesSavages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions of existence:
It's worth remembering that Indian tribes were, in relative terms, reasonably prosperous and reasonably able to mount war efforts. Machinations between tribes had been manipulated by English, Dutch, French, and Spanish colonists for over 150 years and many times the Europeans were the catspaws of the tribes, not the other way around. By 1776, it was clear that, at least east of the Appalachians, the English were dominant, but the various tribes could still put up a good fight and they had been important players in the North American theater of the Seven Years' War (which we Americans still call the French and Indian war, named after Britain's opponents in that part of the world). So this charge about using alliances with the Indian tribes as a means of rule by terror was serious business.
So far, Jefferson's language has done pretty well. But from this point forward, we see some substantial deviance from what Jefferson initially proposed:
He has incited treasonable insurrections of our fellow citizens, with the allurements of forfeiture and confiscation of our property:
He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it's most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. This piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidels powers, is the warfare of the Christian king of Great Britain. He has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce determining to keep open a market where MEN should be bought and sold: and that this assemblage of horrors might want no fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people upon whom he also obtruded them: thus paying off former crimes committed against the liberties of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the lives of another.
In every stage of these oppressions weOppressions We have petitionedPetitioned for redressRedress in the most humble terms; our. Our repeated petitionsPetitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A princePrince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrantTyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a people who mean to be free. Future ages will scarce believe that the hardiness of one man, adventured within the short compass of twelve years only, on so many acts of tyranny without a mask, over a people fostered and fixed in principles of liberty people.
Nor have weWe been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend aan unwarrantable jurisdiction over these our states.us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here, no one of which could warrant so strange a pretension: that these were effected at the expense of our own blood and treasure, unassisted by the wealth or the strength of Great Britain: that in constituting indeed our several forms of government, we had adopted one common king, thereby laying a foundation for perpetual league and amity with them: but that submission to their parliament was no part of our constitution, nor ever in idea, if history may be credited: and we. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, as well as toand we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which were likely towould inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence and connection.. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity, and when occasions have been given them, by the regular course of their laws, of removing from their councils the disturbers of our harmony, they have by their free election re-established them in power. At this very time too they are permitting their chief magistrate to send over not only soldiers of our common blood, but Scotch and foreign mercenaries to invade and deluge us in blood. These facts have given the last stab to agonizing affection, and manly spirit bids us to renounce forever these unfeeling brethren.. We must endeavor to forget our former love for them, and to hold them as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends. We might have been a free and a great people together; but a communication of grandeur and of freedom it seems is below their dignity. Be it so, since they will have it; the road to happiness and to glory is open to all of us too; we will climb it apart from them, and, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our eternal separation!Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
Jefferson's first two sentences of the getting-down-to-business part of the document made it through pretty much intact. But the "blood and treasure" line (did that phrase originate with Jefferson?) got stricken, probably because in fact a disproportionate part of the price in blood and treasure paid for the Seven Years' War really was paid by the mother country. Nor would it have been strictly true to say that the colonies were founded without financial, military, or other assistance from the Crown. Jefferson is similarly guilty of glossing over his history, and his law, by saying that the colonies had never submitted to Parliament.
The next portion, referring to the presence of the active-duty army in the colonies, I'm willing to bet got stricken because the rest of Congress wanted to eventually make peace with Britain and thought that Jefferson's language was a bit too accusatory, too florid, and too undiplomatic. They need not have been thus concerned; much worse was said in wars between European powers, but the point is still correct – after making the case that the colonies were revolting against England to preserve their rights as Englishmen, it would have been unseemly to condemn Englishmen.
We, therefore, the representativesRepresentatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the nameName, and by the authority of the good peoplePeople of these states, rejectColonies, solemnly publish and renounce all allegiancedeclare.
Here, we see Congress adding in a reference to the divine again, where initially Jefferson had left it out. Once again, the identity of the divinity is left obscured – the "Supreme Judge of the world" invokes the role of the Christian deity's role as judge of the moral worth of the living and the dead; but it is ambiguous enough that any theist would see in that phrase their own god, and notions of "Providence" and "Justice" as abstract concepts could, without too great a stretch, be read into that phrase.
That these United Colonies are, and subjectionof Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the kings of Great Britain and all others who may hereafter claim by, through, or under them; we utterly dissolveBritish Crown, and break offthat all political connection which may have heretofore subsisted between usthem and the people or parliamentState of Great Britain; is and finally we do assert and declare these coloniesought to be freetotally dissolved; and that as Free and independent statesIndependent States, they shall hereafter have full powerPower to levy warWar, conclude peacePeace, contract alliancesAlliances, establish commerceCommerce, and to do all other actsActs and thingsThings which independent statesIndependent States may of right do.
These last, and the only politically operative, clauses took heavy revision. I think these clauses benefitted substantially from it, too. The finalized version is shorter, more direct, less legal and more political, and reconciles the claim of moral and legal right in a way that Jefferson did not (or that he thought he had done enough of elsewhere in the document).
And for the support of this declaration we Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our livesLives, our fortunesFortunes, and our sacred honourHonor.
Once again, Congress adds in "Divine Providence" where Jefferson had completely omitted it.
A copy of the Jefferson Bible on exhibit in the Smithsonian Institution. At some point after his Presidency, Jefferson used a scissors to remove all of the references to the supernatural from one of his Bibles as an experiment to isolate its moral teachings. The extent to which this conformed to his personal beliefs, at any stage of his life, is unclear, and deliberately so. Image by Tim Evanson
To the extent the Declaration is cited as evidence of Jefferson's religiosity, then, the redlining significantly detracts from that. Jefferson the man went to some length to obscure his religiosity anyway, so this should not be a gigantic surprise. To the extent the Declaration reveals the religiosity of Congress as a whole, its uses the phrases "god of nature and nature's god," "divine providence," and "supreme judge of the world." These are phrases with particular meanings in historical context and they are not explicitly "God" – they could refer to the Christian God, but they could refer to something else, too.
To the extent the Declaration is credited to Jefferson, moreover, the redlining demonstrates that while he clearly played an important role in the document, it should not be credited to Jefferson alone. Some other people, both at the committee and at the whole Congress level, made substantial contributions to it. This is not surprising, given that Jefferson probably put less than a day's worth of writing into his original draft. Which, in turn, was a pretty remarkable feat, notwithstanding the later editing by committee and further editing by Congress.
Humanizing the work of the Founders takes them out of the realm of myth and legend, and grounds them in human and political reality. But this does not make them any less heroes, in my mind. It enhances their status as heroes. If they really were the demigods legend makes them out to be, it would be harder to relate to them. Jefferson's genius with words and ideas is much more admirable and interesting because he was a human being with limitations and frailties and weaknesses and contradictions, the greatest of which was his inability to personally actualize his moral abhorrence of slavery. If he were endowed with supernatural genius rather than the more human kind, he is separated from us and becomes an ideal instead of a person we can understand and relate to, an exemplar susceptible of emulation.
That is why I look at the Declaration as a human act, a political act, every year. It does honor to the Founders and it fulfills their wishes that we consider them in a light of this nature. Too many people don't consider them at all; too many of the ones who do cannot distance themselves from the legendary thinking and ground the Founders' actions in reality. They would profit from doing so.
"I believe that [July 4] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other." — John Adams.
Image by bayasaa
To non-U.S. Readers, you're always welcome to join in our festivities. Including any British folks – this was, after all, more than two centuries ago, and we meant it then when we said that we should be "in Peace, Friends" and for the most part, we have been. Allow me to propose that peoples of all the world will benefit from reading the Declaration; it purports to describe natural and universal rights and the circumstances under which honor and justice allow, and indeed demand, that a free people fight for these things.
To my U.S. Readers, have a happy and safe Fourth of July and thanks for taking a moment to reflect on what the holiday is really all about. It's easy to enjoy the day off work, the good food and relaxing times with friends and family – but it's valuable and important to remember why we have a holiday today. Our Founders were facing some serious problems, and had to take among the gravest of actions to solve them. An important political step along that difficult road was the creation of this document, and its articulation of ideals that remains fresh and vital today.
Feature Image by The U.S. National Archives.
Very light editing from the original — BL, 7/4/2016. Happy Independence Day, everyone.
Burt Likko
Pseudonymous Portlander. Homebrewer. Atheist. Recovering litigator. Recovering Republican. Recovering Catholic. Recovering divorcé. Recovering Former Editor-in-Chief of Ordinary Times. House Likko's Words: Scite Verum. Colite Iusticia. Vivere Con Gaudium.
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17 thoughts on "Redlining the Declaration (A Greatest Hit)"
Chad Stanton says:
I'm increasingly surprised that many prominent activists in the black community didn't come together to create a list of grievances echoing the Declaration of Independence from the time of Reconstruction up until the Civil Rights Movement.
Given the presence of vigilantes and later a heavy police presence often unrepresentative of the community they were policing. A lack of representation in governing bodies despite also being subject to taxation, without many if any dollars coming back to the community it would seem like an obvious move.
If that did occur and I'm simply ignorant of it someone please point me to it. Otherwise I'd say it's a hell of a testament to the commitment folks had to the nation even when the nation didn't have a commitment to them.
Chad StantonQuote Link
to Chad Stanton
Langston Hughes wrote:
http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/Hughes-America-Again1938.htm
I think it pretty much sums it up — both the grievances dire and the belief strong despite them.
KimQuote Link
Saul Degraw says:
Saul DegrawQuote Link
to Saul Degraw
LeeEsq says:
My name is Richard Henry Lee, Virginia is my home.
LeeEsqQuote Link
to LeeEsq
The deep South is my dwelling place
Civil war my destination.
Christopher Carr says:
Awesome post. I missed this the first time around. Do you think it would be possible to do something similar for the Constitution?
Christopher CarrQuote Link
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Burt Likko says:
As a practical matter that would be a lot more difficult because a) many of the notes of the proceedings were destroyed and no official minutes were kept at all, and b) the mechanisms for drafting the document were significantly more complicated. With that said, we have three full drafts that were circulated at various stages of deliberations, so it would be possible, especially conjoined with Madison's exceptional memoir of the event. Were we to do this, we'd find that South Carolinian John Rutledge holds the cognate position to Thomas Jefferson as the pre-eminent but not sole Framer. Rutledge was a prominent lawyer already, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and went on to become the first Governor of South Carolina and the Second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Burt LikkoQuote Link
Gabriel Conroy says:
As you probably know by now, I'm of a different persuasion and don't really see the "founders" as heroes. Still, I can agree with this:
Humanizing the work of the Founders takes them out of the realm of myth and legend, and grounds them in human and political reality….If they really were the demigods legend makes them out to be, it would be harder to relate to them.
That is why I look at the Declaration as a human act, a political act, every year….Too many people don't consider them at all; too many of the ones who do cannot distance themselves from the legendary thinking and ground the Founders' actions in reality. They would profit from doing so.
Great post, Burt.
Gabriel ConroyQuote Link
There's the other kind of redlining too, where for the first almost 200 years the Constitution wasn't available in some areas.
Kolohe says:
The Quebec thing was straight trolling. The Brits had recently got formal control of it as spoils of the 7 Years / French & Indian War, and had a small number of Anglo phone settlers there, but the majority of the population was, of course, still French in language and customs.
The Brits didn't have the numeric superiority they had in the Maritimes to do the same ethnic cleansing in Upper Canada, so to keep the peace, they passed an Act so that the Franco Americans to have a great deal of cultural autonomy and self governance – which they did differently from the British Americans.
The complaints about immigration (too little) and Native Americans (too many) are of the same sort of missing the forest for the trees. (& deliberately for selfish reasons). The Brits didn't have the wherewhithal after the 7 years war to maintain security of Brit settlers in the Trans Appalachia, so they set up a demacarcation line on the Blue Ridge, saying via treaty that, in essence, white people would stay east of the line, and Native Americans would have free reign west of it.
The Brit settlers were violating this treaty willy nilly, naturally provoking a Native American repsonse, and the settlers are now complaining that the Crown isn't protecting them.
KoloheQuote Link
to Kolohe
Sorry, Montreal and Quebec are Lower Canada not Upper.
I noticed that you struck some parts that you found to be factually inaccurate.
How many of the factual inaccuracies do you think were for the sake of propaganda/rhetoric/drumming up support for the cause? Do you think making the Declaration of Independence more factually accurate takes away from the power of the prose and the cause?
Never mind my comment. I did not read your intro and thought you were making editor's choices that you would want in the Declaration. Never mind.
J_A says:
I read in LGM that the language added about "domestic insurrections among us" next to the Indian language, refers to slave insurrections?
I don't always believe LGM, so any view about that?
J_AQuote Link
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It sounds reasonable to me, but I don't really know.
Kazzy says:
What's up with the capitalization? Some words it seems were edited to have capitals where they wouldn't normally.
KazzyQuote Link
to Kazzy
Must be a lawyer in he Committee

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Home Movie Reviews Journey's End Review
Journey's End Review
Zehra Phelan
RC' Sheriff's poignant war story has been adapted for the stage and film on numerous occasions over the years. In Saul Dibbs latest adaptation for the big screen, we are engulfed in a deeply affecting era of hope and despair on a personal and emotionally charged level. Stripping back to just the essentials and delving deep into the souls of those forced onto the front lines of doom.
Adapted from the memoirs of Sheriff's own time in the trenches during 1918, Journey's End plays out more as character study on the men who had to endure such frightening warfare, from those fresh and full of delusional excitements to those who have had to constantly endure death after gruesome death during combat, wondering when their own time to confront their maker will finally come.
Set over the course of four days, the story observes a group of men lead by the mentally tortured, beaten and alcoholic Captain Stanhope (Sam Claflin) in C Company.Posted on the frontlines of Northern France waiting for an imminent German offensive. As time ticks by like a ticking time bomb in the muddy trenches, the narrative plucks away at the characters of a small number of the company. As the viewers window into the story we start with the innocence of the new boy Lieutenant Raleigh (Asa Butterfield). Raleigh is full of excitement and hope for his first assignment in the midst of war. Excited to be doing his duty for his country because mostly he is to be reunited with old school friend Stanhope but it doesn't take long for the baby faced recruit to figure this adventure might not be quite what he had thought.
In one of Claflin's best performances to date, Stanhope is a self-loathing man. He is a shadowy figure of pain, and torment who has turned to the booze to numb the terror and haunting memories of the events that have unfolded. His anger only fuelled by the arrival of Raleigh. In a stark comparison, Stanhope's second in command Osborne (Paul Bettany) is more the father figure of the company. A rational head on his shoulders and supportive, Osborne is one to build the boys back up when the chips are down.
The claustrophobic and atmospheric aesthetics are beautifully gloomy. Capturing not just the mood of our down-trodden troops but the bleak, dank despair of impending attack. Spending almost the entirety of the film in the trenches only enhances the stresses and anguish of the fated men with intimate detail.
This is not your typical war film; the only battles you'll witness are those the characters endure within themselves.Whilst not having the same budget as Dunkirk, Dibb's entry in the genre is still on a par with Christopher Nolan's work. Cast performances are exceptional in Dibb's Journey's End. Its closeness of intricate character portrayal elevates its narrative to heart-wrenching heights. It is a touchingly tender tribute to those men who have fallen for gallantly.
Journey's End is out in cinemas February 2nd.
Journey's End stripes back to just the essentials and delves deep into the souls of those forced onto the front lines of doom.
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... to the UNOFFICIAL* website about the little town of Swansea, Massachusetts. (The OFFICIAL town website can be found here.) The focus of this site is on past and present life in town. There are lots of old photos and links on our History page and lots of links to local happenenings on the Bulletin Board, Around Town and on the Parks & Recreation pages. Check out our Books section for books on Swansea and other local towns as well as the infamous Lizzie Borden.
Don't forget to check out the page for the Sesquarcentennial Celebration - celebrating Swansea's 350th birthday!
Swansea was established on October 30, 1667 when Pastor John Myles, Captain Thomas Willett and their neighbors petitioned the Court at Plymouth to establish a town. The fourth town founded in Bristol County, Swansea originally extended from the boundaries of Taunton and Rehoboth to Mount Hope Bay. The area was reduced three times, first by the incorporation of Barrington as a town in 1717, then by the annexation of Warren by the state of Rhode Island in 1747, and finally by the incorporation of Somerset as a separate town in 1790. The first state census taken in 1765 showed Swansea's population to be 1,840. The 1994 town census showed a population of 15,100.
If you like this website and have found interesting or useful information here, please consider supporting it through a sponsors' link scattered around the site or via the Books page. Buying through the links does not cost you anything extra, but it does help to keep this site online.
* Please note that this website does not contain town government information or information on the day to day runnings of the town. The official Town of Swansea website can be found here.


text:
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Richard Stirling hangout
In February and March 2016 Open Data NZ held a series of conversations with leading international open data experts, including Richard Stirling. These internationally renowned experts talked with New Zealanders about the work happening both here and around the globe, and shared their knowledge and expertise.
Richard Stirling was the International Director of the Open Data Institute. Based in London, the institute was founded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Nigel Shadbolt in 2012 to connect, equip and inspire people around the world to promote innovation with open data.
View the hangout with Richard Stirling, below.
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text:
package com.easylibs.sqlite.example.database;

import android.database.sqlite.SQLiteDatabase;

import com.easylibs.sqlite.EasySQLiteHelper;

/**
 * Created by sachin.gupta on 05-04-2016.
 */
public class DbOneEasySQLiteHelper implements EasySQLiteHelper {

    private static DbOneEasySQLiteHelper sInstance;

    /**
     * NO synchronization, as even singleton is not strictly required
     *
     * @return
     */
    public static DbOneEasySQLiteHelper getInstance() {
        if (sInstance == null) {
            sInstance = new DbOneEasySQLiteHelper();
        }
        return sInstance;
    }

    /**
     * private constructor for singleton
     */
    private DbOneEasySQLiteHelper() {
        //  nothing to do here
    }

    @Override
    public String getDbName() {
        return "example_app_db_one";
    }

    @Override
    public int getDbVersion() {
        return 1;
    }

    @Override
    public String[] getCreateTableQueries() {
        return new String[]{EmployeeTable.SQL_CREATE_TABLE};
    }

    @Override
    public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase db, int oldVersion, int newVersion) {
        // TODO
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Size of this preview: 710 × 600 pixels. Other resolution: 772 × 652 pixels.
Insignia for the Pathfinder Bogs & Fens - Advanced honor.
current 18:32, 9 August 2014 772 × 652 (543 KB) Jomegat (Talk | contribs) Insignia for the Pathfinder Bogs & Fens - Advanced honor.
This page was last modified on 9 August 2014, at 18:32.